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North Channel Star

Lynchburg Ferry closing for repairs

Feb 13, 2020

HARRIS COUNTY – Motorists should prepare for the Lynchburg Ferry to be closed starting Tuesday, February 25th until late 2020 for necessary improvements to preserve the longevity of its operations. During this closure, crews will be reconstructing the approaches and transfer ramps that Lynchburg Ferry Boats use to dock. The $6 million project is a joint venture between Harris County Precinct 2 and the Texas Department of Transportation, who is overseeing construction of the project.

Starting March 1, 2020, the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) will manage operations of the Lynchburg Ferry and Washburn Tunnel. This includes overseeing daily operations, maintenance, capital expenditures, and public inquiries for both facilities. Per the Commissioners Court meeting held on June 25, 2019, these facilities will be transferred to the Toll Road Authority without the imposition of tolls. Drivers should expect no changes to operations when utilizing the Ferry or Tunnel, and no current employees will lose their jobs.

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Group battles to bring Battleship to Baytown

Feb 13, 2020
CONCEPTUAL SKETCH shows Battleship Texas and a new hotel/convention center located next to the existing Bayland Marina and O’Neal’s restaurant.

A group of citizens from Baytown are still hoping to win the competition to locate the Battleship Texas in a new port, at Bayland Marina. The spokesman for the group, Russell Hamman, gave a talk to the Highlands Rotary Club on Tuesday, reviewing the history of the ship and its current need of repairs.

The State of Texas has turned the ownership and control of the ship to the Battleship Texas Foundation, a private organization headed by Bruce Bramlett. They have issued an RFP, or Request For Proposals, for interested locales or groups that would be able to maintain and exhibit the ship in the proper manner to benefit the public and the foundation.

The RFP is due to be returned by March 13, and at that time proposals will be evaluated and a decision made as to a home port for the ship. At the current time, it is thought that Baytown, Kemah, and Corpus Christi are the interested parties. At one time Galveston was interested, but recent statements indicate they are involved in other projects and do not want to compete for the Battleship, Hamman said.

The State of Texas has allocated $35 million dollars to move the ship to a repair facility, probably along the Gulf Coast east of New Orleans, and to also help establish a new setting for display and visits from the public.

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Mustang’s Football Fan Appreciation Day

Feb 6, 2020
Government officials and or representatives recognizing North Shore Mustang’s Coach Jon Kay, assistant coaches and team for their UIL Class 6A Division I successful history making 2018 – 2019 back to back State Football Championships. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park ISD Stadium – Saturday, February 1, 2020, the North Shore Mustangs Fan Nation came out in the thousands to cheer and applaud their team for their historical successful season. The team has given a sense of pride to the east side community. In a rematch game with the Duncanville Panthers — who the Mustangs defeated in 2018 — they once again won 31 to17 in 2019. For the first time in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Class 6A Division I has a team won back to back consecutive state championships games.

While the Eastside Team watched and listened to local governmental officials and or their representatives, each gave their remarks praising Coach Jon Kay, assistant coaches, Athletic Director Vivian Dancy, and all those in the GPISD who had a part in the accomplishment.

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Sheldon ISD calls for 2020 Bond Election

Feb 6, 2020

Sheldon ISD school board members who attended Tuesday’s workshop unanimously voted to call a May bond election in the amount of $438.8 million.

The majority of the bond funds would be allocated toward the construction of new campuses; expansions and renovations to existing campuses/district facilities; and security upgrades. Other portions of the bond would include a new multipurpose arena as well as a community/ district natatorium.

“We have been experiencing tremendous student growth throughout the district over the past few years – really over the past decade,” Sheldon ISD Superintendent Dr. King Davis said. “Although most of our student growth was anticipated, there has been a recent influx of significant future developments within our district that most likely will impact our student enrollment numbers in the near future.”

Some of these future developments Dr. Davis was alluding to include two new apartment complexes (projected 378 combined units), the new Imperial Forest Edition near Royalwood Elementary (projected 326 homes), and another proposed housing development near Garrett Elementary.

“According to our PEIMS data, Sheldon ISD’s enrollment has increased by approximately 734 students since last school year alone,” Dr. Davis said. “I appreciate our board’s proactive approach to address these current and future capacity issues.”

Dr. Davis said the bond, if approved, would be spread out into three phases.

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Sheldon FFA holds successful show

Jan 30, 2020
Samantha Doerr wrangles the Grand Champion Steer as the judges look it over.

SHELDON – The C. E. King High School FFA held their Annual Livestock Show and Sale last Saturday, Jan. 18. Students exhibited a total of 41 animals, and bidding from Buyers was lively. The event was held at the Agriculture barn on Old US90, the Beaumont Highway.

According to FFA adviser Robyn Jones, the bids totaled $32,650 and after add-ons the show raised a total of $44,120 for the students, who use the money for scholarships and costs of raising the animals.

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North Shore Mustangs defeat Channelview Falcons 55-26

Jan 30, 2020
FIRST PHOTO: The game’s leading scorer #2 Kose Egbule Mustang guard outruns Falcon defenders for a 2 point layup shot. SECOND PHOTO: The game’s 2nd highest scorer #22 Jakari Marshall out-leaps Falcon defenders for a score. (Photos by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Channelview, TX — January 24, 2020 at the Channelview Falcons basketball court the visiting North Shore Mustangs easily defeated them 55 – 26. However after the first two quarters the Falcons kept within reach only 9 points behind.

Coach Sam Benitiz after seeing his Mustang team having a comfortable lead began putting in his bench to get those players more experience and to rest his starters. In the final two quarters and at game’s end they ended up 29 points ahead.

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“STOP THE BLEED” program presented at Rotary

Jan 30, 2020
Bryan Clements speaks on the “Stop the Bleed” program.

North Shore Rotarians at their luncheon last week learned about an important program used in the Galena Park schools, called “Stop the Bleed.” Bryan Clements, the police chief of the Galena Park ISD and a Rotarian, explained the theory and techniques behind the lifesaving program. After a serious wound, inflicted by accident, gunshot, or other event, he explained that it is important to help stop bleeding until medical responders can arrive. He said what happens in the first 5 minutes can make the difference in whether a life can be saved.

Clements said that the Texas legislature passed a law in their last session, that requires a “bleeding control station” in schools, plus training of personnel to use the blood stop kits.

With the help of the North Channel EMS, all GPISD schools north of I-10 have been equipped with the kits, and in total Galena Park ISD has 800 from NC EMS, and another 162 from the district.

Clements proceeded to show the Rotarians how the kits can be used to stop bleeding, including applying pressure to a wound, or packing a deep wound with gauze, and applying a tourniquet where needed.

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North Shore crushes Baytown Sterling 82 – 32

Jan 23, 2020
#11 Trelyn Ross makes a 2 point basket for the Mustangs over a Sterling defender. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

January 14, 2020, at the Galena Park ISD Mustang basketball court located at 353 N. Castlegory Road, Houston, TX, Head Coach Sam Benitez and his Mustang basketball team crushed the Baytown Sterling Rangers 82 – 32.

Mustang scorers: Kose Egbule (Sr) leading scorer with 17 points, Devon Taylor (Jr) 13 points, Joshua Cooper (Sr) had 10 points, Jaron Jefferson (Sr) 9 points, Trelyn Ross (Sr) 10 points, Randy Woodard (Sr) 8 points, Kevin Anderson (Sr) 5 points, Colton Price (Jr) 4 points, Joseph Richard (Sr) 4 points, Jakari Marshall 2 points.

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Sheldon ISD Ribbon Cutting celebrates opening of new C.E. King High School

Jan 9, 2020
School District Officials, local community leaders, parents and students at the ribbon cutting of the new C.E. King High School last Monday, January 6, 2020.

(HOUSTON – Jan. 06, 2020) On Jan. 06, Sheldon Independent School District (ISD) celebrated the completion of its new C.E. King High School. It was estimated that between 1,000-1,200 individuals from in and around the Sheldon community came out last Monday evening to celebrate the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new C. E. King High School.

Sheldon ISD Superintendent Dr. King Davis thanked those in attendance, as well current and past Sheldon ISD school board members, for helping make this dream a reality following a May 2016 bond election where more than 70 percent of voters approved a $285 million bond package that included Sheldon Lake Elementary, Sheldon ISD Panther Stadium, and the new C. E. King High School.

“The opening of this new campus is an extraordinary milestone in the storied history of Sheldon ISD,” said Sheldon ISD Superintendent King Davis. “Our students and staff of C.E. King High School will have the best learning environment possible in this landmark facility. We are all excited for this grand opening and optimistic about the future leaders that will emerge from this beautiful campus!”

Campus tours were also provided after Monday’s brief program where community members had an opportunity to see this awesome new facility that was incorporated to drive 21st century learning.

New C.E. King High School building. (Photo Credit: LAN)

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