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County schedules hearings on November Bond vote

September 29, 2022

HARRIS COUNTY $1.2B BOND

OVERVIEW

On November 8, 2022, voters in Harris County will have the opportunity to vote on three propositions for the issuance of bonds totaling $1.2 billion. This bond package would provide funding for multiple categories, including public safety facilities, roads, drainage and transportation- related programs, and parks and trails.

At least $220 million of the bond issuance would be spent in each of the four Harris County precincts for Transportation, and Parks and Trails projects. The $100 million in public safety investments will be countywide. The bond funds cannot be used outside the three categories on the ballot, nor may they be used to fund day-to-day operations.

We are collecting community input through meetings, online tools and comment submissions. This input will be shared with Harris County Precinct staff as they make decisions regarding future projects that could be funded through these bonds. For more on key dates and other information related to the November election, visit http://www.harrisvotes.com.

Bond allocation categories include:

Continue reading...County schedules hearings on November Bond vote

Jamboree Parade, Fair, Pageant Saturday

September 29, 2022

THEME: FALL IN LOVE WITH HIGHLANDS!

HIGHLANDS – The Highlands/Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce is busy this week preparing for the 65th Annual Highlands Jamboree, held every year since 1955 except for the Pandemic in 2020 and one other year in 1956.

According to Chamber director Jessica Woods, the event has returned to its traditional schedule of the first Saturday in October. Last year it was moved back to the end of October due to COVID, and combined with an Halloween event.

The theme this year is “Fall in Love with Highlands,” a bow to the return date of October 1.

The Jamboree will have most of the usual events this year, including a Parade on Main Street starting at 10am, and a Crafts fair with booths of food and memorabilia, as well as crafts made by area artisans. There will also be a silent auction. The Jamboree benefits the Chamber activities.

Continue reading...Jamboree Parade, Fair, Pageant Saturday

Remembering King Charles’ (then a Prince) visit to Highlands in 1986

September 22, 2022

By Gilbert Hoffman

HIGHLANDS – With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the assencion to the throne of King Charles, many persons in Highlands are remembering the visit that Charles, then Prince, paid to the Mountbatten House on Maple Street in Highlands in February 1986.

Due to the interest in the subject, we are reprinting part of the Front Page of the Highlands Star of February 27, 1986, and below the text of the article that was included:

HRH THE PRINCE OF ENGLAND “Heir To Throne Visits Mountbatten House”

HRH Prince Charles’ Visit Here Leaves Warmth, Friendliness

By Brenda White

For the first, and perhaps the only time, Highlanders experienced a touch of royalty last week.

Continue reading...Remembering King Charles’ (then a Prince) visit to Highlands in 1986

Battleship Texas safely sails to Galveston drydock

September 8, 2022
TWO ICONS: Under tow, the iconic Battleship Texas passes under the iconic Harman Bridge on the way to a Galveston drydock for restoration work.

$35 million restoration will take over a year

HOUSTON (Aug. 31, 2022) – The Battleship Texas Foundation announced that the iconic Battleship Texas completed a milestone journey on Wednesday, August 31 from the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site to Galveston. The Battleship Texas, commissioned in 1914, is the only surviving dreadnought to have served in both World War I and World II.

The historic ship will now undergo an extensive, $35 million repair at Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation’s shipyard to fix the hull. The Battleship Texas Foundation selected Gulf Copper’s shipyard in October 2021 as the repair location since they recently acquired a floating dry-dock that is capable of lifting the Battleship Texas out of the water. In addition, the location of the yard in Galveston significantly reduced the risks associated with towing the Battleship Texas due to sheltered waters and a short travel distance.

“It’s an important piece of history. We feel like we’re working for the people of the state of Texas so that they can be proud of their ship,” said Tony Gregory, president and CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation. “We are proud to have played a part in maintaining the integrity of the ship so future generations can continue to learn about her service and history.”

Continue reading...Battleship Texas safely sails to Galveston drydock

Crosby Cougars win OT thriller 27-21

September 8, 2022
Cougar running back #14 Levi Fontenot carries the winning TD in overtime.

CROSBY – In their second game of the season, the Crosby Cougars delivered an exciting game for their fans, with an OT win of 27-21 against the Fort Bend Marshall Buffaloes from Missouri City.

The Cougars were determined to win after a demoralizing loss last week to CE King of 63-7.

The win was even more remarkable since the Cougars were playing with eight of their varsity team members not participating, according to head coach Jerry Prieto.

The game was tied at the end with a score of 21-21 after Crosby scored on a touchdown pass from QB #10 Cyrin Myles to #13 Kade Eudy.

Continue reading...Crosby Cougars win OT thriller 27-21

Battleship sails to Galveston August 31

August 25, 2022
The Battleship Texas is set to sail on Wednesday, Aug. 31 to a drydock in Galveston for repairs to its hull.

In Drydock for repairs one year

Battleship Texas Foundation Announces Ship Departure on August 31st

LA PORTE- The Battleship Texas Foundation (BTF), with their partners, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Historical Commission, announce that the Battleship Texas will be departing San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site for repairs on August 31st. Repairs will be done at Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporations’ Galveston Shipyard. Due to weather or day of delays, the departure is subject to potential postponement. A livestream video of the departure will be available for the public to view for free on the BTF YouTube channel and Facebook group page.

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, parts of Independence Parkway, and the Lynchburg Ferry will be closed from the early morning hours on August 31st until the ship has moved past the Lynchburg Ferry. The ship can be viewed throughout her route over most of the day. Good viewing locations for the public include, subject to the local authority, Bayland Island, Texas City Dike, Seawolf Park, and Pier 21. The ship should pass the Texas City Dike and Seawolf Park around early to mid-afternoon and be in Galveston by mid to late afternoon.

All updates will be on the BTF website battleshiptexas.org.

Please see the FAQs below for more information:

Continue reading...Battleship sails to Galveston August 31

Chambers County confirms the first case of Monkeypox in the County

August 25, 2022

The Epidemiology Division continues to investigate this case, and is working with local, regional, state, and federal partners in monitoring the situation.

Currently, the risk of disease to the general public remains very low. Monkeypox spread through skin to skin contact, contact with body fluids or lesions, or shared items that are contaminated by an individual with Monkeypox such as bedding. Additionally, it can be spread through respiratory droplets to persons in close proximity and prolonged exposure (3 hours) to a positive case. Symptoms of monkeypox include rash, fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

Continue reading...Chambers County confirms the first case of Monkeypox in the County

UPDATE ON SAN JACINTO RIVER WASTE PITS

August 18, 2022

From THEA/San Jacinto River Coalition:

On June 23rd the EPA hosted its first in-person community meeting for the San Jacinto River Waste Pits since 2019. The agency provided an overview of the work that’s been done in the last few years and details of the process moving forward. The community also had the opportunity to meet new EPA team members who have joined the remedial effort as it has become one of the most technically complex cleanups the agency is tasked with.

During Hurricane Harvey, severe scour on the eastern side of the Northern Pit left it at risk of destabilizing. Yet the material to repair it was delayed by weeks due to fog-congested waterways on the Mississippi River.

When the EPA Administrator informed THEA about this, our Executive Director responded, “It is absolutely absurd that our river and Galveston Bay are at risk for catastrophic dioxin exposure because the EPA hasn’t required local storage of emergency materials.”

Since then, the San Jacinto River Coalition has continued pressing the EPA to require material be kept nearby for emergency repairs. And they now have local sources for emergency repair materials in the event that the cap is damaged again.

Continue reading...UPDATE ON SAN JACINTO RIVER WASTE PITS

COVID-19 Novavax Vaccine Now Available at HCPH Sites

August 18, 2022

Houston – Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is pleased to announce that there is a new option for people to get their COVID19 vaccine. On July 13, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for emergency use. Following approvals of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), HCPH is now offering the COVID-19 Novavax vaccine to residents. Novavax is a two-dose primary series for individuals 18 years of age and older given 3 weeks apart.

Novavax uses a different technique than other COVID-19 vaccines such as those from Pfizer and Moderna. Instead of using mRNA, which provides the instructions for your body to create the COVID-19 spike protein that in turn induces your body’s immune response, Novavax’s vaccine injects the small protein itself, that your body detects and that triggers your body’s immune response. The Novavax vaccine is based on a well-established method of vaccine development that has been used for years for other vaccines such as the Human-papillomavirus, Hepatitis B, flu, and Shingles vaccines.

Continue reading...COVID-19 Novavax Vaccine Now Available at HCPH Sites

Harris County plans $1.2 bond issue for November ballot

August 11, 2022

HOUSTON – Harris County leaders took the first step to put a $1.2 billion bond referendum on the November 8 ballot. The proposal would devote $100 million to public safety facilities and technology, $900 million to roads, drainage, and transportation projects, and $200 million to parks.

Commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines to authorize multiple county departments to develop a capital improvement bond proposal. Judge Lina Hidalgo set conditions for casting her vote with her fellow Democrats, Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Rodney Ellis.

“The guidelines should include a ‘worst-first’ approach to match funds to the greatest need, with at least $220 million to be spent in each precinct and $100 million to be set aside for public safety,” Hidalgo said.

The “worst-first” requirement addresses a concern that Commissioner Ellis raised, citing past bond initiatives where poorer neighborhoods like those in his Precinct 1 were shortchanged.

Continue reading...Harris County plans $1.2 bond issue for November ballot