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Posts published in “Community”

Guy Gauthier Highlands Firefighter of the Year

January 23, 2020
Guy Gauthier receives his Firefighter of the Year Award. Pictured from left, ESD#14 board president Jim Strouhal, Guy Gauthier, and Fire Chief Harvey Little.

HIGHLANDS – The fire department held their annual Recognition and Awards Banquet last Saturday evening, in Kemah. Originally scheduled for the Aquarium restaurant, a non-working elevator forced the dinner to be moved next door to the Flying Dutchmen.

ESD#14 president Jim Strouhal presented the Firefighter of the Year award to Guy Gauthier.

This award is given in memory of Cecil Kelly, who volunteered with the Highlands VFD for over 42 years before retiring in 1996. The recipient chosen by vote of the membership is a firefighter who performed above and beyond the call of duty.

A large crowd of firemen and families, friends, community supporters, and board members attended the dinner. Fire Chief Harvey Little emceed the ceremony, introducing awards, guests, and honorees.

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Newport MUD bonds at issue for residents

January 23, 2020
Margarette Chasteen explains tasks that must be done to become compliant and options to achieve those tasks at the Jan. 21 public meeting. The bond dropped from a 10 year to a six year plan.

By Lewis Spearman

CROSBY – A meeting at the Newport Municipal Utility District was held on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to inform residents of the price of water or the amount of tax residents will pay, to be decided by another bond election.

The board introduced themselves individually and told how they came to be at their position and why they serve. About 57 residents attended and asked questions of the board.

At a meeting last Nov. 22, the Board of Newport MUD voted to increase the water bill by $35 following the residents voting down a $70,000,000 bond last election day.

At the public meeting on Jan. 21, the board proposed a six year bond instead of the ten year bond that asks for $59,450,000 or the pay as you go option would mean a $270 a month water bill. The issue comes to a vote on May 2, according to board member Margarette Chasteen.

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Highlands Rotary: Congressman Babin reviews conservative accomplishments

January 23, 2020
Congressman Brian Babin spoke to the Highlands Rotary last Tuesday.

By Gilbert Hoffman

HIGHLANDS – Brian Babin, Congressman for the 36th District of Texas, was in Highlands this week to speak with the Rotary Club.

His topics ranged from national to local subjects in which he is involved. He sits on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, which includes NASA, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which includes the Port of Houston and the Ship Channel.

Locally Babin was instrumental, along with Congressman Gene Green, in getting the Waste Pits in the San Jacinto River designated on the EPA’s national Superfund List.

Babin noted that his district has a great number of transportation facilities that are important to the economic strength of the nation. (more…)

New health center opens in Barrett Station

January 16, 2020
Members of the Chambers family, Precinct 2 Employees, Adrian Garcia, Umair Shah, Justice Lucia Bate, Community leaders and members of the Barrett family cut the ribbon to open the clinic.

BARRETT STATION – Harris County Public Health and Commissioner Adrian Garcia are bringing health services to this historic community in East Harris County.

Residents will now have access to the new Health & Wellness Center at the Riley Chambers Community Center. The historic community, founded in 1889 by Harrison Barrett, a former slave, has more than 5,000 residents and has limited medical or preventative health services in the community. The closest ones are several miles away.

“Residents in Precinct 2 do not have quick access to these type of facilities. This year, I am making health care access a major priority. I want to improve access, increase resources, and investments to support our families who desperately need it,” said Commissioner Garcia.

Community leaders and residents thronged the Center’s grand opening Friday, January 10, at 10:30 a.m. inside the Precinct 2 Riley Chambers Community Center.

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Tickets now available for Rotary Chili Feast on Feb. 1st

January 16, 2020

Highlands Rotarians display a new silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV that is one of the 16 prizes ticket holders can win at the 45th Annual Rotary Chili Feast. The event will be held at St. Jude’s Social Hall at 808 S. Main Street in Highlands, on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Winner of the Raffle will have a choice of 3 vehicles from Turner Chevrolet, a Colorado Pick-up, a Chevy Camaro, or the Equinox shown above, with Jacob Perez from Turner. Tickets are $7 for chili only, or $100 for a chance to win the big prizes. Tickets are on sale from all Rotarians, or call 281- 426-3558. Only 700 tickets are sold, so winning odds are quite good.

Rotary presents prestigious Paul Harris awards

January 16, 2020

The highest honor for a Rotarian is to receive a Paul Harris award, named for the founder of Rotary. Club members, past presidents, and those who financially support Rotary International at a high level are eligible. Receiving this award for multiple donations recently were Weston Cotten, Teresa Martin, Robert Woodall, and Diana Weaver. Club president Sheila McDonald, at left, presented the awards.

ESD#5 recognizes life saving, dedication

January 9, 2020
Christy Graves awards DPS Trooper Jamie Neault for his heroic life saving CPR efforts to save a neighbor.

CROSBY – When the local ambulance service went to their awards banquet in Kemah’s Aquarium last Friday, the focus was on saving lives and dedication to the life saving service performed by EMS and all that serve the ambulance service.

According to Christy Graves, Director of Operations and EMS Chief of Crosby there is emotional, and physical sacrifice to serve the citizens of Crosby and surrounding area.

In 2019, Harris County Emergency Service District #5, the name of Crosby’s taxing entity and also ambulance service, experienced babies born to personnel, 3 captains promoted internally and one ambulance was stolen by a man identifying himself as God.

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Rotary Chili Feast Feb. 1, Raffle to feature choice of 3 vehicles

January 2, 2020

HIGHLANDS – Preparations are underway for the 45th Annual Highlands Rotary Club’s Chili Feast.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the social hall of St. Jude’s Catholic Church, on Main Street in Highlands.

Chili Feast Chairman Andy Scott has made arrangements to bring back a popular vehicle in the raffle, a Chevy pick-up truck. The winner of the raffle will have a choice of this, or another vehicle, such as an SUV Chevy Equinox, or a sporty Camaro. Vehicles are being furnished by Turner Chevrolet in Crosby.

Every year the club cooks some delicious chili for the community, as they wait expectantly for the winner of the raffle to be announced. Chester’s Famous Recipe is renown as the best tasting ever since he first cooked it.

There are only 700 raffle tickets, at $100 donation apiece, and 15 other valuable prizes. The chances of winning are quite high. Tickets are available from any Rotarian, many local businesses in Highlands and Crosby, or call 713-426-3558.

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Celebrating Christmas in our communities

December 19, 2019
Share your Christmas sponsors are Nadine Goodney and Theresa Cashion (Catholic Daughters), Phile’cid Grant (ZXP), Andy Scott (Rotary), Jaime Ruiz (ZXP), Claudia Birdsong (First Baptist Church), Nieketta Baptist (Hopper Counselor), Chrissa Teel (Tri-County Construction, Shiela McDonald (Rotary,) Valerie Guerra (ZXP), Delene Cotten (Horizons)and Renee Stripling (Highlands Elementary counselor).

Share your Christmas

The Share your Christmas project provides new clothing for students in need in the three area schools in Highlands. The idea was conceived 17 years ago by the Catholic daughters organization of Saint Jude‘s church. For a project to serve approximately 150 students each year, it must have the support of local churches, clubs, businesses and individuals.

The school counselors take time from their busy schedules to work up the list of eligible students and handle the parent contact for the project. Sponsors shop for the clothing and gift wrap the items before delivering them to the schools. These sponsors give to the students with a joyful and loving attitude. They are a group of which we are all very proud.

Santa visits Huffman to chat with the kids.

Clothe-A-Child warms area hearts

December 19, 2019

Pastor Keenan Smith of Crosby Church reminded his gathering of Christ Jesus’ humble beginnings. He points out the giving of God from John 3:16 and says, “We just want to carry the true meaning of Christmas, is anyone ready to do some shopping?” Those attending helped the receiving families pick out school clothes and a toy. Families were chosen by Huffman ISD and Dayton ISD on Monday, and Crosby ISD and Sheldon ISD on Tuesday in an enriching experience helping others.

Sampson Lodge award to Sheila McDonald

December 19, 2019

Last Thursday night at their regular meeting, the Sampson Masonic Lodge #231 in Highlands awarded the Master Builder Award to Sheila McDonald, president of the Highlands Rotary Club, for service to the community. Sheila’s father, a Mason, was present for the ceremony as well as a number of Rotarians and other Masons.