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Posts published in “Day: August 5, 2021”

Make-A-Wish fulfills dream of Highlands boy

August 5, 2021
Wish Kid Alex with his new business cards.

After kidney transplant, wanted to start a business

Highland Teen’s Wish to Start Lawn-mowing Business Comes True

HIGHLANDS – Make-A-Wish and Big Tex Trailers surprised 18 year-old Wish Kid Alex Garcia of Vann Street, with his own trailer and lawn mowing equipment so he can start his own business! They also provided him with business cards, logo’d shirts and flyers to jump start his new business.

Make-A-Wish, in partnership with Big Tex Trailers, hosted a surprise Wish Reveal for Highlands area teen Wish Kid Alex, who received a kidney transplant. Alex’s unique wish to start his own lawn-mowing business came to life with a community parade last Saturday, July 31, followed by the reveal of custom-logo-ed trailer filled with lawn mowing equipment.

Alex poses with his new trailer, and the staff of Make-A-Wish.

Alex’s wish to start his own business is a result of the great influence his late father had on him – it was always his father’s dream to have his own business and now Alex, through the help of Make-A-Wish, will be able to carry on that legacy.

Continue reading...Make-A-Wish fulfills dream of Highlands boy

GLO removing sunken barges from San Jacinto River

August 5, 2021
Workers clean mud off barge that has been raised from underwater.

By Carolyn Stone and Gilbert Hoffman

SAN JACINTO RIVER – Residents of the San Jacinto River Estates area along River Road, were surprised early in July to see excavation work barges lifting old sunken hulks of barges from the water along the waterfront.

This area is near the Superfund site, and also the area next to Riverside Inn where the Holtmar/TimTom company has been trying to install new barge mooring facilities.

Residents were concerned the cleanup was in preparation for the installation of the barge facility and the possible approval of the 03/04/21 Holtmar Letter of Permission from the Corps of Engineers.

However, closer inspection of the vessels and personnel performing the cleanup revealed they were from the TX GLO, or Texas General Land Office.

Residents say they are still concerned it may be related. Removal of the sunken vessels and other debris in the river would be a necessary step prior to construction of a barge facility in that area. Carolyn Stone reached out to Ana Hernandez’s office to hear if they had any information on why the GLO was in the proposed area for the barge facility removing the sunken vessels.

Several work barges, with cranes and other excavation equipment, are anchored along the bank near the San Jacinto River Estates neighborhood. They are removing sunken barges and other debris that impede the flow of the river and pose a hazard during flood conditions. Beyond the work barges can be seen the Riverside Inn, to the far left Meadowbrook Park, and to the far right the area for a proposed barge mooring facility. Work on that project has halted due to a question about whether it was properly permitted by the Corps of Engineers. (All photos courtesy of Greg Moss)
Continue reading...GLO removing sunken barges from San Jacinto River

Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 6-8

August 5, 2021

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6-8.

State law exempts sales tax on qualified items — such as clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks — priced below $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. The date of the sales tax holiday and list of tax-exempt items are set by the Texas Legislature.

“For many families with children who are going back to their school campuses for the first time since the pandemic began, the sales tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to save money on school supplies and other tax-free items,” Hegar said. “As a father with three school-aged children myself, I know how these expenses can add up.”

Apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free are listed on the Comptroller’s website at TexasTaxHoliday.org.

Continue reading...Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 6-8