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Star-Courier News

Veterans’ Celebration ready, donating

November 1, 2018
Bob Ward hands Kevin Knight and Michael Lehew a check for $500 to help enable the band to attend a special event in Chicago later this year.

CROSBY – This Veteran’s weekend is the Centennial of the signing of the Armistice that ended the War to End All Wars and the Eastside Veteran’s Celebration (EVC) is keeping their Veteran’s Day celebrating active by hosting a parade, ceremony, dinner and bake off on Saturday, Nov. 10.

In the interim as they made plans, they raised funds for two Crosby High School activities that needed support. Eastside Veteran’s Celebration donated $500 to the Crosby Band trying to raise funds to go to a special band event in Chicago and $500 to the Crosby High School JROTC. Eastside Veteran’s Celebration curtailed their annual cook-off and will do without the Red, White and U ceremony done by Crosby High School.

Starting anew annually, EVC is intent on building for the future with Liberty and Justice two Piggy Banks seeking donations to build a permanent veteran’s memorial.

Those that would like to help are asked to attend the $10 dinner on Nov. 10 and purchase raffle tickets from members of EVC or at ACE Hardware for a military engraved M1911 Springfield .45 Caliber A.P.C., a $2,000 vacation voucher or a $500 gift card. Tickets are $10 or 3 for $25. Another raffle is for a quilt is $1 per ticket or $5 for 7.

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Highlands student struck by car on way to school

November 1, 2018

HIGHLANDS – A 16 year old student of Goose Creek Memorial High School is recovering from injuries sustained when hit by a car that allegedly was passing a school bus on Wallisville Road at Hasty Lane. The victim, Tiffany Alanis, is a junior at GCMHS.

The accident occurred on September 19. The Goose Creek CISD bus had a Stop Sign extended, and red flashing Stop lights, when a 25 year old driver of a black suburban allegedly passed the bus and struck the student.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office changed an official report of the incident 35 days after it occurred, according to Alanis, who feels that justice should have acted quicker.

Apparently the HCSO was trying to get answers and interview witnesses as to why the driver of the suburban passed the bus. Alanis was struck while trying to board the bus, she said. Those familiar with the case said that the HCSO revised the initial report to correct discrepancies in the investigation.

Goose Creek CISD has a video showing the incident, but reportedly the video has not been viewed by authorities.

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Crosby ISD cuts more staff; has 4 trustees on ballot

November 1, 2018

CROSBY – The new superintendent of this district, Scott Davis, continues to hunt for ways to solve the financial crisis the district found themselves in recently. After announcing an initial staff cut of 33, the number has now risen to 129, including 95 lay-offs and 34 retirements.

The district is currently trying to find several million dollars to balance their operating budget and reserve funds. These were tapped into when construction costs for new schools grew beyond estimates. As a result, the state has given the district the lowest financial rating.

Early voting, and the general election on November 6th, will seat 2 new school trustees, and see 2 more returning without opposition on the ballot.

Kasey Lewis and Sharon Eavon Fain will vie for Position 2 in the only contested position. The Atlarge Position is to continue with John Warren Swinney.

Position 1 will be retained by Tanya Eagleton.

Joseph R. Humphries is the only candidate that applied for Position 3, now held by John Lindsey for over 10 years. Humphries raised questions early concerning the last bond election and the financial disposition of the school district. Running unopposed, he will be taking over John Lindsey’s post at Position 3 in January. These new board members, and the remaining board, will be faced with helping Superintendent Davis bring financial stability back to the district.

After the last round of cuts, Superintendent Davis issued a statement, of which this is a part:

“We knew these days were coming, and yet, no amount of emotional preparation could have fully prepared us for the most difficult and necessary step of informing our beloved employees that they would no longer be working for Crosby ISD. … Any new vacancies from this point forward will be posted and any of our employees whose positions were dissolved may apply.

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Early Voting now thru November 2

October 25, 2018

HARRIS COUNTY – Voters can start to begin to cast their votes starting this Monday, October 22. This mid-term election is considered by most political observers to be an important statement about the current Republican control of the White House, Congress, and the Texas government.

Although the president is not on the ballot this time, many important seats in Congress and Texas will be decided. In addition, a number of local Harris County positions are on the ballot, and an important choice in the city of Houston regarding pay for firemen.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, but Early Voting will start on Monday, October 22 and continue through Friday, November 2. Hours that the polls are open are as follows:

Oct. 22-26 8 am – 4:30 pm

Oct. 27 7 am – 7 pm

Oct. 28 1 pm – 6 pm

Oct. 29-Nov 2 7 am – 7pm

The election for U. S. Senate has probably gained the most attention, both in Texas and nationally, Incumbent Senator Ted Cruz has seen a strong challenge from Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke, who has raised much more money than Cruz in his campaign, and seems to have an enthusiastic grass roots support among the public. A visit last Monday by President Trump on behalf of Cruz is thought to boost his chances for re-election.

A number of U. S. Representatives seats are open for election, including District 2, formerly held by Ted Poe, who retired. Candidates in this district include Dan Crenshaw and Todd Litton; District 6, with incumbent Kevin Brady vs. Steven David; District 18 with incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee vs. Ava Reynero Pate; and District 29, where long term Representative Gene Green has retired, and State Senator Sylvia Garcia is running against Phillip Aronoff.

Governor Abbott is defending his seat against challenger Lupe Valdez, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is running against challenger Mike Collier. Another state race that has gathered attention is Attorney General, where the beleaguered incumbent Ken Paxton is running against Democratic challenger Justin Nelson.

In state Senate races, in District 7 incumbent Paul Bettencourt vs. David Romero; and District 15, Randy Orr is challenging incumbent Democrat John Whitmire.

A number of State Representatives are running unopposed, and therefore will be re-elected. These include Brisco Cain in District 128; Armando Walle in District 140; Senfronia Thompson in 141; and Ana Hernandez in 143.

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Huffman to Crosby is first flood project

October 25, 2018

Harris County Flood Control District will launch the first phase of a multimillion-dollar maintenance project in November 2018 to selectively clear trees, remove vegetative debris and improve stormwater flow along Cedar Bayou from Interstate Highway 10 to near Huffman-Eastgate Road.

This relatively rural bayou forms the eastern boundary of Harris County with Chambers and Liberty counties. The Flood Control District has conducted selective clearing over the last few years along forested tributaries of Cedar Bayou within Harris County and recently completed a post-Hurricane Harvey debris removal effort on Cedar Bayou focused mainly on removing channel debris near major bridge crossings. This new effort will involve a comprehensive selective clearing of the main Cedar Bayou channel itself.

With Harris County Commissioners Court approval, a $500,000 first phase of the project from IH-10 to just south of the Liberty/Chambers County line will begin in November and last about two months. This phase includes nearly 8 miles of Cedar Bayou and will be funded through the Flood Control District’s annual operations and maintenance budget.

A 14.5-mile second phase of the selective clearing project, from near the Liberty/Chambers county line to the Huffman/Eastgate area, will follow in 2019 and is estimated to cost approximately $1 million, for a total project cost estimated at approximately $1.5 million.

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Morman has fun, magic in Crosby

October 25, 2018

Precinct 2 Commissioner Jack Morman with Crosby Community Center Director Michelle Thompson. He sponsored a Fall Fish Fry Luncheon last Friday, with a magician, live entertainment and special recognition of local first responders including Crosby VFD and Precinct 3 Constable Deputies.The Commissioner said of the packed house, “I am glad everyone could join us.”

Highlands Rotary receives District Award

October 25, 2018

District Governor Carmen Cuneo presents Highlands Rotary President Denise Smith with a Certificate recognizing the club for 100% participation in Rotary Foundation’s Giving for the End of Polio Now Fund. The club also presented a check for $300 toward the Rotary 2019 Conference for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Crosby ISD cuts 33 teachers

October 18, 2018
Chief Financial Officer Lesa Jones gave a financial update report concerned with the T.E.A. Financial Accountability System. The Resource Guide expects Financial Accounting and Reporting.

CROSBY – A school board meeting last Monday filled many in on how the next incoming audit will address the financial conditions and the State of Texas Comptroller had issued a preview of the financial conditions.

Following the Board of Trustee Meeting on Oct. 15 the Crosby ISD School District issued a statement: “At last night’s Regular Board meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to approve the recommendation to terminate the contracts of 33 district employees on a Chapter 21 or non-Chapter 21 contract. Last week at a Special Called Meeting on October 8th, the District declared a state of Financial Exigency making it possible to conduct a mid-year reduction in force. These employees will continue employment with Crosby ISD through December 20th.”

“We are working through this process with a heaviness in our hearts,” said Scott Davis, Superintendent of Schools. “It is our desire to help those affected by the reduction in force find new employment and provide assistance, wherever possible, to facilitate the transition.”

It is believed that some 46 other contracted employees have been laid off to hit about $5.5 Million in employee reduction.

Initially, the administration believed that the 2017-2018 audit would be presented to the Board of Trustees in open session at Monday’s board meeting. But the audit firm requested additional time to complete the audit and present it at a future special-called board meeting. (more…)

Kaitlyn Rolin crowned Miss Highlands 2018

October 18, 2018
2018 Miss Highlands Kaitlyn Rolin is crowned by 2017 Miss Highlands Victoria Gonzalez.

Payton Radle is Jr. Miss

The 2018 Miss Highlands Pageant was held last Saturday night, hosted by the Highlands Horizon club. Earlier in the day, they also held the Jr. Miss Highlands pageant.

Miss Highlands 2018 is Kaitlyn Rolin. She is a junior at Goose Creek Memorial High School, and her parents are Glenn and Teri Rolin.

Jr. Miss Highlands 2018 is Payton Radle. She is a 7th grader at Highlands Junior School. Her parents are Tammy & Chris Felder, and Steven Radle.

Hundreds attended the event, held at the Highlands Junior School auditorium. This is the 61st annual Miss Highlands pageant. The Theme was “Bringin’ Back the 80’s.” The emcee for the shows was Baytown Assistant Police Chief David Alford, with the help of Victoria Gonzalez.

COLOR PHOTOS of the Highlands Pageant, Page 8 of the print edition.

Burglary of Rodeo Fairgrounds solved

October 18, 2018
This tractor and trailer were stolen from the fairgrounds and the stolen trailer used to take the tractor.

CROSBY – The Crosby Fair & Rodeo has been the victim of many burglaries over the last two decades and the board members decided to put new technology together and team with Precinct 3 Constable Sherman Eagleton’s Department to stop this expensive drain on a charity that bestows college funds to local high school students.

Last Oct. 7 they were hit again but measures were in place to identify the perpetrators and the Constable’s Deputies wee able to find the stolen goods by Oct. 9. Later when a suspect called to get his truck back from impound, he was invited to come get the truck and upon arrival and a few questions later, placed under arrest.

The name of the perpetrator has not been released by the department but his photograph has. It seems he had placed a stolen vehicle and several stolen items at his father’s house and when found the father told deputies who had placed those items there.

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Arrests made in Vision Center burglaries

October 18, 2018

CROSBY – Family Vision Center of Crosby has been burglarized several times in spite of security devices and twice in the last 9 months with a total loss of about $1000,000.

The burglars seemed to target designer frames and sunglasses in both burglaries.

Harris County Precinct 3 Constables Office conducted an undercover operation that resulted in arrest of three individuals. They have been charged with Burglary of a Building however a fourth suspect remains at large.

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