Katy, TX. – Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Katy’s Legacy Stadium, the North Shore Mustangs (Eastside Boys) were eliminated in the Class 6A Division l State Semifinal football game by Austin Westlake Chaparrals, 24-21.
The Chaparrals took the game’s opening kickoff, and after getting stopped on the 41 yard line, they kicked a 41 yard field goal for the game’s first score, to take the lead 3 – 0.
The Mustangs took the ensuing kickoff, and in their opening drive, Mustangs junior running back Xavier Owens fumbled the ball, giving it back to Westlake on the Mustangs 14 yard line. With only 5 minutes into the game, Chaparrals quarterback Cade Klubnik threw a touchdown (TD) pass, giving them a 10 – 0 lead.
The 87th session of the Texas Legislature opened Tuesday with COVID-19 encompassing every aspect of what the lawmakers do, according to new House Speaker Dade Phelan.
“COVID, obviously, it will be a blanket over the entire session,” Phelan told his hometown TV station, KFDM Channel 6, in Beaumont. “We will deal with it in every aspect of policy. It will be a huge determining factor in the budget.
Before the pandemic hit, Phelan said, legislators “were supposed to come into this budget cycle with a surplus, and now we’re coming into it with a deficit …” Money will be even tighter for the next two-year budget lawmakers write during the session, he said.
“The No. 1 goal is to get the economy back on track,” Phelan said.
For opening day, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth and chair of the administration committee, laid out safety protocols for lawmakers and visitors to follow at the Capitol, which recently reopened after closing in March because of the pandemic. The opening ceremony was scheduled to be shorter than usual to reduce time spent gathering.
“It’s always been difficult to be speaker. It’s never been easy, but going into this session, the 87th, given the budget deficit, redistricting, and the fact that we have the first pandemic in 102 years in which to operate, I’m exceptionally proud they’ve given me this honor,” Phelan said of the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers that voted for him to be the new speaker.
Phelan, a Republican, stressed the bipartisan spirit of Texas and cited how well former Gov. George W. Bush worked with Democratic Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock during their time serving together at the Capitol.
“That is the Texas model. We’ve always worked that way,” Phelan said. “If you’re sitting at the speaker’s dais and you’re looking at all the chairs in the House chamber, there is no left side or right side, red, blue, like there is in Washington, D.C. We all sit amongst each other.”
Lawmakers are scheduled to be in session until May 31.
The 2020~2021 North Shore Senior High School Scarlets Dance Team. Director Mrs. Audra E. Taylor & Assistant Director Ms. Angela Upshaw. (Allan Jamail Photo)
By Allan Jamail
January 12, 2021 – “Once a Scarlet, Always a Scarlet” is the motto of the Scarlets. The GPISD Scarlets is a dance team that perform at functions like varsity football and basketball games, pep rallies, community events and contest in the state. The Scarlets are composed of students from the 10th, 11th, and 12 grades of North Shore Senior High, with a junior varsity dance team called the Reserves, which is composed of the 9th graders.
The Scarlets have a Booster Club which supporters, fans and citizens can join for $8 a year. As a member of the booster club, you’ll receive information on upcoming Scarlet events and be invited to vote on fundraisers which is how they earn money to help offset costs or various items throughout the school year.
School kids walking home with their parents stop to get candy and have their photo made with Jacinto City’s friendly Grinch. (Allan Jamail Photo)
By Allan Jamail
Jacinto City, TX. – December, 18, 2020 — Jacinto City’s elementary school kids have been getting a pleasant greeting from a friendly Grinch on their way home from school for the past three weeks.
The friendly Grinch, along with Henry, its helper, passes out Christmas candy canes along the sidewalk as the kids leave the school grounds. Parents walking with their kids want to take their photo and encourage them to not be afraid of the Grinch.
At school kids must wear masks to prevent catching or spreading the virus. And most are too young to understand why they could be in danger of the deadly and highly contagious disease.
Jacinto City’s Mayor Ana Diaz said, “I’m thrilled to see our city has citizens like the friendly Grinch sacrificing their time to make children happy at a time when there’s been so much worry and nervousness over the COVID-19 virus.”
The Grinch said, “One day while sitting on my porch watching the kids walk by, I was thinking how the pandemic has affected them in so many negative ways. So I figured everyone needs a little cheer and laughter to lift their spirits. I decided to be a friendly Grinch, not like the unfriendly Grinch who stole Christmas in the children’s story books.”
#97 Kris Ross Mustang junior defensive tackle sacks the Dawson quarterback for a loss of yards. (Allan Jamail photo)
NS MUSTANGS CRUISE PAST PEARLAND DAWSON EAGLES 38 – 7
By Allan Jamail
Webster, TX – Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Clear Creek ISD Challenger Columbia Stadium, the North Shore Mustangs and the Pearland Dawson Eagles, both undefeated this season, went head to head in their second playoff game. Coach Jon Kay’s Mustangs made it look easy as they cruised to win their 26th consecutive game, 38 – 7.
The Mustang offense racked up 417 yards under quarterback Dematrius Davis. Davis ran for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns (TD’s) and passed for 236 yards and another TD.
CHANNELVIEW – Fans and family of star QB Jalen Hurts were thrilled when the local Channelview high school football star replaced the regular Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz in last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers. They were even more excited to learn that Jalen would start the game last weekend against the New Orleans Saints. Jalen went on to lead the Eagles to an upset win over the Saints, 24-21.
Jalen Hurts was a stand-out quarterback who played for the Channelview Falcons under the direction of the head coach, Averion Hurts, his father. In his senior year, he passed for 2,384 yards with 26 touchdown passes, and rushed for 1,391 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was named District 21-6A MVP in his junior year.
These multiple skills, passing and rushing, were evident in the game he played against the Saints, where he completed 17 of 30 passes for 167 yards, and rushed 18 times for 106 yards. In the previous game against the Packers, he replaced Wentz who was benched early, and went on to pass for 109 yards and one TD, thus earning his chance to start in the Saints game. Eagle’s coach Doug Pederson said after the game “Jalen… gave us a spark as a team…”
Mustang sophomore #27 Rashaad Johnson burst through defender for a TD, teammate #68 Daylon Manuel delivered key block.(Jamail photo)
By Allan Jamail
Houston, TX – Thursday, December 10, 2020 at the GPISD stadium, the North Shore Mustangs under head coach Jon Kay began their playoffs with a crushing defeat, 59 to 7, over the Deer Park Deer. The game had been billed as the North Channel Eastside Boys over the South Channel Deer Park Deer.
The Mustangs dominated both on offense and defense. The offense attack was led by Dematrius Davis, the state’s number 1 ranked quarterback, with 4 touchdown (TD) passes and a rushing TD. Their offense made 294 passing yards and 274 rushing yards, with the game total of 567 yards.
Precinct 2 Commissiioner Adrian Garcia and North Channel Chamber president Margie Buentello cut the ribbon to officially open the Rotary Park for public use.
CHANNELVIEW – Commissioner Adrian Garcia celebrates completion of one of the largest Playgrounds in Precinct 2, at an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Wednesday, December 9th at 10 am in the morning.
Officials attending the Opening Ceremony included Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Senator Carol Alvarado, and North Channel Area Chamber President Margie Buentello in attendance.
North Shore Rotary Park is located at 14000 Force St., Houston, TX 77015. The park was a project of the North Shore Rotary Club, with the partnership of Harris County Precinct 2.
Jacinto City Fire Department will hold a DRIVE THRU Winter Wonderland Experience on December 12.
Celebrations are different
By Jada Mier
Community Christmas plans have been affected by the ongoing global pandemic. There are a few places where they are either changing things up or are still pushing through despite the disease.
The Channelview Fire Department will be hosting a “Community Gift Card Drive”. Due to COVID restrictions, the Annual Community Toy Drive will only be collecting financial donations, which will be used to purchase Gift Cards to be passed out to those most in need until December 17.
Channelview Fire Department will also be holding a Christmas Parade on the 18th of December starting at 6pm.
Partnering with Free Will Baptist Church, Sheldon Community Fire and Rescue will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Donations will be accepted until December 20 at 8407 C.E King Pkwy, Houston, TX 77044.
Members of Troop 673 poses with a sun canopy that they will install as part of the Dog Pound improvements they have built this year.
By Jada Mier
The Jacinto City Dog Pound Rescue has been receiving help from Boy Scout Troop 673 for the past three years. The pound was in need of minor improvements, and new equipment.
This year on November 15th, the troop first gifted the pound with 3 beautiful blue benches. Judy Clarke, who currently runs the pound, says, “The dogs love to sit on the benches with us volunteers. We love them!”
When the troop saw the containers lack of room, they built shelves and re-organized. Not only did the troop make improvements, but they saw a need and provided.
A canopy tent, step ladder, and artificial turf were purchased with money from a fundraiser for the pound. New fencing was put up, and old fencing was repaired, to keep dogs from escaping. Maintenance tasks were also completed, like cleaning leaves and getting rid of a wasp nest.
At the end of the day, whatever leftover fundraiser money is given to the pound; this year it was a donation of $769.
North Shore Mustangs vs Deer Park Deers – Thurs, Dec. 10th @ 7:00 PM @ GPISD Stadium.
This is 1st round of the 6A Div. 1 Region 3 Bi-district play.
Galena Park Yellowjackets vs Barber Hills Eagles – Fri, Dec. 11th @ 7:00 PM @ GPISD Stadium.
This is 1st round of the 5A Div. 2 Region 3 Bi-district play.
Channelview Falcons vs CE King Panthers Fri. Dec.11th @ 7:00 PM @ Panther Stadium. This is 1st round of the 6A Div. 2 Region 3 Bi-district play
