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Posts published in “Community”

Rotary sets 9/11 for Washer Tournament

September 2, 2021
Highlands Rotarians invite you to the 14th Annual 3-Hole Washer Board Charity Tournament. In this photo they demonstrate throwing techniques that will be used in the tournament on Saturday, September 11th. 50 teams of two players will compete for prizes, and bragging rights. The Charity event this year will honor Patriot Day “We Will Never Forget 9.11”, and benefit the Rotary Foundation.

Benefit event returns with Patriotic theme

HIGHLANDS – Rotarians are practicing their washer throwing techniques in preparation for the upcoming 14th Annual 3-Hole Washer Board Charity Tournament, to be held next Saturday, September 11th at Charlie’s Ice House. Charlie’s is at 906 N. Main Street in Highlands, and the tournament starts at 1:00 pm sharp, lasting until about 5:00 p.m.

This year the proceeds from the charity event will benefit Polio worldwide, in a Rotary program known as Polio Plus.

This event has become a city-wide tradition, with two-person teams coming from various clubs around the Rotary 5890 District, as well as local Highlands folks, to compete for bragging rights and the three top positions in the double elimination tournament. Teams are also expected from North Shore and Baytown clubs. The public is invited to field a team, also. You are welcome to come and watch if you don’t play, and there will be refreshments, and live and silent auctions.

Continue reading...Rotary sets 9/11 for Washer Tournament

Railfans view UP Big Boy in Huffman

August 26, 2021
Photos by Jody Fuchs and Chris Wisdom

HUFFMAN – The world’s largest steam engine made an appearance in Huffman and Houston last week, on its 10 state, 32 day tour through the midwest of the United States.

Union Pacific No. 4014 is also known as “Big Boy” for its huge and unique size.

It was restored in 2019, and since has been housed in the UP engine facilities in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Almost every year the UP takes one of their restored steam locomotives on a tour of the United States for publicity purposes. Last year they skipped the tour due to the Pandemic, so Railfans were very enthusiastic to get a chance to see 4014 this year.

After spending a day in downtown Houston, where the public got to board the train and the Museum car that it was pulling, it steamed away toward New Orleans, passing through Huffman and stopping for photo opportunities. Several hundred people were on hand to witness the huge locomotive and enjoy the unique experience.

Continue reading...Railfans view UP Big Boy in Huffman

Pct. 2 developing Community Plans

August 19, 2021

Seeks input from Highlands, Lynchburg, McNair, Linus

PCT. 2 HARRIS COUNTY – Commissioner Adrian Garcia is heading an effort to develop a Community Plan for each of the neighborhoods in his precinct, to guide future development and improve quality of life issues.

Last week he held ZOOM meetings with interested members of the public, to introduce his design team, to explain the scope of the planning project, and to encourage residents to participate in the planning process.

On Wednesday evening he focused on the Highlands and Lynchburg communities, and on Thursday he met with member of the McNair and Linus communities. Previously he had held a meeting with the Channelview residents.

Planning teams involve urban planning professionals, and members of the Pct. 2 and Harris County staffs. Gretchen Knowles and Jorge Bustamante lead the group in this area. Goals of the group will be to develop a shared vision to enhance quality of life, identify infrastructure and community enhancing projects, and develop strategies to implement the vision through tangible projects.

Areas of focus will include parks and open spaces, connectivity, mobility and transportation, environmental quality, economic development, and cultural assets.

The process will include data collection, public participation, and concept development, then an implementation plan. The final plan will be developed through a citizen Task Force working with the Planning professionals.

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GC Superintendent tells Chamber of School plans

August 19, 2021
Goose Creek Superintendent Randal O’brien at the Highlands/Lynchburg monthly luncheon.

HIGHLANDS – The Chamber of Commerce returned to their regular monthly luncheons last Thursday, after a long hiatus due to the COVID Pandemic.

The featured speaker was Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Randal O’brien, who told the audience about a number of initiatives and projects to be accomplished in the coming school year.

Due to continued population growth, the school district is adding three new schools and other support facilities. O’brien said there are currently 23,000 students, 1800 teachers, and a total of 3200 employees in the system, with 28 current schools.

Continue reading...GC Superintendent tells Chamber of School plans

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

Crosby spirit shows at Barrett Homecoming

July 22, 2021
Constable Sherman Eagleton and SWAT vehicle
A Parade of 4 Wheelers and Golf Carts

Crosby ISD Celebrates Community

By Brett Birkinbine

Crosby ISD is ready to start the new school year after a weekend full of community engagement celebrating the 2021 Barrett Station homecoming.

Crosby ISD teachers, school leaders and administrators passed out candy and flyers about the upcoming school year during Saturday’s community parade. Superintendent Paula Patterson then delivered the keynote address to Little Sisters Empowerment, a new non-profit organization created to serve girls in the East Harris County area.

CISD Superintendent Paula Patterson and friends
CISD Board of Trustees travel in style

Later in the day, Crosby ISD leaders, including Superintendent Patterson and Crosby High School head football coach Jerry Prieto, had to tackle a feast. They were judges for the Barrett Station Homecoming Cook Off. They sampled dozens of dishes in each round – from succulent ribs to mouthwatering brisket. There were also rounds for best chicken and best open dish. In the end, the “Dirty Bay” team won best overall and took home this year’s trophy.

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New Bus Service to Generation Park

July 22, 2021

HOUSTON — (July 6, 2021) — Harris County Transit Plus begins its inaugural on-demand transport service today for residents living in the Generation Park-area of Precincts 1, 2 and 4.

This affordable service allows residents to schedule transportation from point A to point B, within two established zones, running along the Northeast quadrant of Beltway 8. The service provides a faster trip and enhanced passenger experience through areas of the county that are less densely developed.

The fare to ride is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children, seniors and those with disabilities. Cash, transfers from other buses and the METRO Q® Fare Card are acceptable forms of payment.

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Crosby community says Goodbye to Lewis Spearman

July 15, 2021
A Memorial Service honoring the life and work of our newspaper colleague Lewis Spearman was held last Tuesday evening at Crosby Church. Above, Pastor Keenan Smith led the service.

CROSBY – Two memorial services last week marked the community’s sense of loss at the unexpected death of Lewis Spearman. Last Tuesday evening, the community came together for a memorial service in honor of Lewis Spearman, held at Crosby Church. Scores of friends came to pay their last respects, and to share some remembrances. And on Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the Crosby Fairgrounds for a benefit and reminiscences.

The Tuesday service was guided by Pastor Keenan Smith of Crosby Church. He spoke about his personal relationship with Lewis, and the unique qualities he had as an individual. His love of friends, joy of companionship and parties, and his interest in history. A slide show captured his moments in a Pirate costume at the Renaissance Festival, and as a Texan Patriot at the reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto.

Pastor Larry Koslovski, who knew Lewis for many years through the Chamber of Commerce activities and board of trustees, gave a review of his life and his love of Crosby, its people and its traditions. He imagined Lewis in heaven working with his camera and tape recorder for the next story.

Others who spoke at the memorial included Gil Hoffman, the publisher of this newspaper.

Continue reading...Crosby community says Goodbye to Lewis Spearman

Garcia: Precinct 2 initiates Pothole Repair program

July 15, 2021
Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia with the new Pothole Repair truck that will speed up the repair of dangerous Potholes.

EAST HARRIS COUNTY – One of Commissioner Garcia’s top missions has been to develop new strategies in making sure Precinct 2 roadways are well maintained and safe for constituents.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia says that “Summer is here, one of the busiest times of the year for Precinct 2: from park renovations to ribbon cuttings, road repair, and bridge maintenance, we do a lot of everything!”

With all those initiatives ongoing, today, Commissioner Garcia announces the newest way Precinct 2 is getting the job done! Specially-equipped trucks are being used to repair potholes in the Precinct.

If you see a pothole that needs to be addressed, all you have to do is call the Pct 2 Call Center at 713-274-2222 or visit www.hcp2.com to file a report and get the pothole fixed.

Continue reading...Garcia: Precinct 2 initiates Pothole Repair program

Phased closures due for two months on Hartman bridge to allow emergency repairs

July 15, 2021

Lanes will be placed in a contraflow configuration to keep both directions of travel open

July 7, 2021

HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Transportation will begin making repairs to a portion of the Fred Hartman bridge this weekend. During a routine inspection last year, crews found some fractures along the joint and immediately repaired the joint with steel plates and later asphalt.

The $2.5 million emergency contract was approved to replace the modular joint. It took about six months to design and fabricate.

In order to replace the joint on the southbound portion of the bridge, crews will close all southbound mainlanes on the Fred Hartman bridge and then close the northbound mainlanes the following weekend.

During construction, lanes will be placed in a contraflow configuration to allow for two southbound and two northbound travel lanes on the northbound bridge.

Continue reading...Phased closures due for two months on Hartman bridge to allow emergency repairs