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Posts published in “Front Page”

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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Westbound side of the I-10 bridge reopens to traffic

January 16, 2020

TxDOT has re-opened the westbound side of the I-10 Bridge over the San Jacinto river, which was damaged by a barge strike last September during the tropical storm Imelda. The entry ramp from Crosby-Lynchburg Road was also reopened. All 3 eastbound lanes are scheduled to return to normal after realignment work is completed next weekend. TxDOT contractors had to build new support columns under the bridge to replace those damaged due to the barge strike.

Bizarre murder on New Year’s

January 16, 2020

BARRETT STATION – A teenager has been charged in a stabbing murder of a teenager that was lured to his death by the suspect’s girlfriend’s text.

Christopher Coronado, 17, is charged with capital murder in the death of Eduardo Fernando Castro, 18. Castro, a C.E. King High School student, was found dead early New Year’s Eve in the 12200 block of Saint Francis.

Coronado was arrested without incident Sunday at his home around 1:15 a.m. Sunday evening, Coronado stood before a judge to hear the charges brought against him. Prosecutors read many witness statements detailing the gory incidents of the slaying. Witnesses described Coronado’s behavior shortly after the murder as “skipping in the street and laughing.” Coronado was been booked into Harris County Jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond.

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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.

Major Weekend Closure of I-10 East Freeway

January 10, 2020

HOUSTON – Permanent repairs to the damaged I-10 westbound bridge are nearing completion with plans to finish and restore traffic with a phased opening. After inspecting all repairs, TxDOT is optimistic that the westbound opening could come as early as Monday, January 13. In order to open by Monday, TxDOT will have a total closure of I-10 East westbound at Thompson in Baytown, beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, January 11 until 5 a.m. Monday, January 13.

This closure will restore the roadway to its original three-lane configuration and allow for permanent stripping, signage and further inspection. Please note that severe weather is expected this weekend and closures are subject to change due to inclement weather. The opening of the eastbound lanes is scheduled for the following weekend, weather permitting, due to extensive striping needed to be completed.

Road closure information will be posted at www.houstontranstar.org and DriveTexas.org. For more information, contact Emily Black at Emily.Black@txdot.gov. Follow us on Twitter @TxDOTHouston.

Primaries start 2020 Election season

January 9, 2020

Early voting begins Feb. 18

NORTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY – Locally, many are anxious to vote in the 2020 November 3 election so their vote will solve the Presidential question.

March 3 Primary voting begins for early voters on February 18 and runs until Friday, February 28, according to the Texas Secretary of State. The last date to register to vote in primaries is February 3. March 3 being the last day to vote in person. Any run off is to be completed by May 26. Candidates must achieve 50% or more to avoid run off elections.

Few local candidates are unopposed this year. Dan Huberty R.,Texas House #127 after a highly successful year with House Bill 3 (school funding) and locally House Bill 76 is opposed by a Republican, Dwight Ford.

Briscoe Cain, R., Texas House #128 of Pearland, Highlands, Baytown and Crosby is challenged by Robert C. Hoskins formerly of Baytown City Council in the Republican Primary and Josh Markle and Mary E. Williams both Democrats.

District #128, a little research will show is comprised of about 172,221 folks that are 58.2% white, 38.7% black or Hispanic and 3.1% other. Ethnically, District #128 is 70.8 % non-Hispanic and 29.2% Hispanic.

Two local US Congressional elections are to be decided by voters. (more…)

1 Dead in Crosby gunstore heist

January 9, 2020
Burglars tore the door off the front of the building by chaining it to a pickup and pulling it out.

CROSBY – Gun shop owner Raymond Balcerowicz heard a noise outside his house Tuesday morning about 4:30 am, and when he investigated he saw several young men tearing the door off his adjacent gun shop.

The burglars exchanged gunfire with the shop owner, and then fled the scene.

Balcerowicz said that this was not the first time his building has been broken into. Last November he suffered a loss of a large quantity of guns, valued at about $25,000.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez led the investigation, and said “He encountered them pretty quickly. A lot of shots were fired.”

About 10 minutes later, Sheriff’s deputies were called to a scene in the 3800 block of Morelos, off Wade Road. This scene was about 7 miles from the robbery at the gun shop, but deputies soon determined that the two scenes were related.

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