Highlands Firemen battle house fire on Inwood Lane last Saturday night. Improper disposal of fireworks is listed as the cause of the fire.
HIGHLANDS – At approximately 11:20 p.m. on Saturday night, July 3, Highlands Fire Department along with mutual aid from Crosby Fire Department, Channelview Fire Department, and Sheldon Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 200 Block of Inwood Ln.
Crews arrived on scene in just minutes to find the house with heavy fire showing. Crews extinguished the fire quickly and no injuries were reported.
The fire was investigated by Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office and was caused by improper disposal of fireworks into a plastic trash can.
“I am honored that the department would vote for me for this.” This is my fourth year here and I won this two years ago for going out West and battling wildfires and I guess this is for those effort this year.” Fire Fighter of the Year, Anthony Goodlow.
WOODLANDS – The Landry’s Restaurant hosted the crews that valiantly battled blazes, crashes explosions and traffic hazards for Crosby all last year as they presented honors in a banquet last Saturday.
Russell White, First Assistant Chief, filled in for Chief Alan Kulak, as it was announced that the Chief had contracted the virus. Which reportedly the Chief said, the virus was “no joke.”
Pronouncing prayer was Ashley Armstrong, Sec. of the Ladies Auxiliary, the granddaughter of Bob Boyles. His son (of the same name) died in service, and began at age 12 as mascot serving the department. Bob Sr., in his son’s place, served the department for 40 plus years in varied leadership capacities, most recently ESD 80 board member.
Top Responder and Captain of the Year was Warren Thompson. Firefighter of the Year was Anthony Goodlow. Officer of the Year was Cameron Elles. Rookie of the Year was Carlos Diaz.
The Crosby Parade of Lights by the Chamber of Commerce awarded Spectacular Sparkle Award to Texas Emergency Care here accepted by Terri Hardy and Savanah Martin during the parade by Chamber Staff. MORE on Page 8.
Santa arrives in Highlands and Crosby Saturday on fire trucks
Highlands Fire Dept. and Crosby Volunteer Fire Dept. both confirmed local hero status bringing Santa Claus to town Saturday.
In Highlands the park trees had been decorated by local groups and meanwhile the Highlands Rotary dispensed hot chocolate and snacks. It was under arrangement by Jessica Woods for the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.
The Crosby-Huffman Chamber brought out lots of kids to the street to catch the candy thrown from lighted vehicles. The parade was attended by Precinct 3 Constable’s Office and kept flowing by Eddie Foster. The Chamber bestowed four trophies for best parade elements.
Crosby Volunteer Fire Department Members, Jason Banks, Warren Thompson, Sam Parker and Chris Martinez with one of the new Jaws of Life tools.
CROSBY, Texas – Crosby Volunteer Fire Department received an $18,500 cost share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. The grant helped to purchase two new Jaws-of-Life.
“Our department is pleased to have received an HB2604 grant to help purchase two battery powered cutters that are not only portable but also capable of operating underwater,” said Crosby Fire Chief Alan Kulak. “We have flooding in our area and having the ability to quickly free a victim entrapped after a vehicle accident is very important, especially if in the water.”
The portability of the cutters is critical.
“Having a set of Jaws with less setup time is important to the speed at which we can start the extrication process,” said Kulak. “Plus, not being connected to a hydraulic hose will allow us to reach a victim pinned in a vehicle, even if it is some distance off road.”
Fire Chief Kulak appreciates the local Emergency Service District #80 (ESD #80) for not only approving the acceptance of the grant, but also for purchasing the tools to receive grant reimbursement. He has volunteered with the department for almost 40 years and recognizes the value of the grant programs through Texas A&M Forest Service.
First on the scene, Mont Belvieu Fire Dept. arrived shortly after 4:50 p.m. to stop the spread of flames from a wellhead said to have begun when a contractor hit a pipeline.
MONT BELVIEU – An explosion Wednesday, July 29, at an industry facility is blamed on a contractor hitting a line.
The Mont Belvieu Fire Department was working with other first responders to control the fire that broke out after the blast. According to Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne the fire was quelled about 7 p.m.
Flames were visible from Interstate-10 shortly after the explosion Wednesday afternoon. Traffic was halted on nearby roads to aid firefighters from Mont Belvieu and surrounding areas battle to flames.
A wellhead burned itself out; the entire plant was not involved in the fire. Roads in the area around the Lone Star NGL Facility in remain closed after an explosion and fire on Wednesday afternoon.
Firemen watch as house is consumed by fire, possibly set by suspect being sought by police.
CROSBY – A man that law enforcement had sought mental health help for was determined to be dead by suicide and the home reduced to ashes by flames.
At about 6:30 Friday, July 24, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office received a call from family members that a sibling was threatening them with a firearm near the 6800 block of FM 1942, near Bob & Jeans Bar.
Deputies say the man’s sister made the emergency 911 after the two of them got into an altercation, then the suspect pulled out a firearm.
When deputies arrived gunshots rang out and a call was made for SWAT units to assist.
The sister and her father were able to escape from inside the home.
SWAT units’ negotiator tried communicating with the man but did not receive a response. After obtaining a warrant, SWAT units attempted to move closer to the suspect.
Suddenly, they noticed a fire within the upper portion of the home.
CROSBY – A BBQ Fundraising Benefit for the family of Recruit Firefighter Kent Zavala who passed last week in a tragic vehicle incident while off-duty. Help support Crosby Volunteer Fire Dept. brother’s family by stopping by the Newport Station at 123 S. Diamondhead Blvd. on Saturday, 4th of July from 11:30am until food is gone.
Plates are $15 for BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich w/ fixings, Homemade Mac-n-Cheese, Bake Beans, cookies, and water/tea to drink. Also, whole smoked pork butts are $50.
Drive-thru, pick-up, and delivery are available. Pre-order through June 30th by emailing kentsbenefit@yahoo.com. PayPal payments accepted at PayPal.me/kentsbenefit. (Please contact email first before paying on PayPal.)
An infant was found left outside the Crosby Fire Station #1 on US 90 at Kennings Drive shortly after 3:00 a.m. Monday. The mother notified authorities that she was leaving the child thus the incident falls under “Baby Moses laws.” The mother will not be prosecuted for endangerment. Seen above, ambulance crews confer with volunteer firefighters.
Crosby Volunteer Fire Dept. Chairman dies of stroke leaving 38 year legacy.
Bob Boyles leaves a legacy of dedication
CROSBY – Few leaders of a community have held so many leadership positions as did Bob Boyles and few have left a legacy that is dedicated to saving lives and guarding the security of a community.
On March 19, 1981, a vehicle was pulling out from a side street as a Crosby Fire Truck approached, a collision was to be imminent, so Bob Boyles Jr. swerved to avoid injuring someone else, in the disaster that followed, the son of a community leader lost his life.
In that year a young Alan Kulak was mascot for the department, they told him he was too young to be a fireman at age 15, and he was training under Bob Junior to take on skills needed to save lives and fight fires. Now Fire Chief Kulak believes that due to the loss of his son in the line of duty, Bob Boyles dedicated himself to making Crosby have a great a fire department as it could possibly afford.
He was elected President of the Board of Directors in 1982 when Crosby Firefighters had to relay only upon donations from the general public and fundraising to keep fighting fires.
Boyles spearheaded many of the fundraising drives himself in those days, his dedication extended to asking for donations.
Gage White is presented Firefighter of the Year by Bob Boyles of ESD80, as Gage’s father, 1st Assistant Chief Russell White beams. Gage has been working as a volunteer with CVFD since he was a team mascot little taller than a yard. At right, the Assistant Chief is awarded a special recognition of a fireman’s axe for 35 years of service to the Crosby and surrounding areas by Chief Kulak. White said, “It’s hard to believe it has been 35 years, we had just moved to Newport and I had said it was something I had always wanted to do. They had just built the old Station 2. I found out they were still volunteers so I went up and applied and was accepted.”
LA PORTE – The recognition and awards banquet for the Crosby Volunteer Fire Department on Jan. 25 was a time of remembering 2019 and the deeds done by volunteers, inadvertently the values coming from families in concern for the community echoed during the awards.
Randy Foster of ESD 80 first pointed out that it was the hard work of all the volunteers, their wives and families that had made 2019 a good year for CVFD and that is reflected in shortened response times and improved results for the community.
Chief Alan Kulak shares there were 1,083 calls made by his firefighters with an average response time of 7min. 18 sec., 163 fires, 496 MVA, 102 hazmat calls, 35 service calls and 85 false alarms.
Please see page 5 of the print or PDF edition for more photos.
