Ashley Howard, EPA Project manager for the Superfund San Jacinto River Waste Pits, made the presentation and update to the community last Thursday evening at Channelview’s Fluckinger Center.
CHANNELVIEW – Representatives of the federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) met with the public last Thursday evening, June 23 at the Flukinger Community Center in Channelview. The purpose of the meeting was to update interested members of the public on progress in remediation and removal of the toxic wastes in the San Jacinto River at several sites.
The slide presentation was made by the Superfund Project Manager, Ashley Howard, and a question and answer period following the talk was moderated by Jeanetta Coates.
About 75 interested members of the Channelview and Highlands communities attended the meeting. Many of them asked questions after the presentation.
The Audience at Flukinger Center listened intently for almost two hours, while EPA representatives (at far right in the background) showed slides and reported on progress and the schedule. Excavation of toxic material in the Southern Impoundment site is scheduled to start in the fall of this year, but the Northern Impoundment work will not start until next year, and continue for 5 or more years.
Galena Park, TX. – June 28, 2022 – The Galena Park Police Department is asking for assistance in providing information on the whereabouts of three fugitives wanted for violating their terms of probation by failure to report their whereabouts to a law enforcement agency.
All three of the fugitives were convicted of violations of the Texas Penal Code of Indecency with a Child by Contact. Warrants have been issued for their arrest on failure to report under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Title 1, Chapter 62 – Sex Offender Registration Program as follows: Registered sex offenders are required to periodically report to the local law enforcement authority to verify the accuracy of the registration information and to promptly report certain changes in the information as those changes occur. A sex offender who fails to comply with any registration requirement is subject to felony prosecution.
North Shore Rotary held their installation of new Officers and Board last Friday night, June 24, at the Magnolia Event Center in Houston. Outgoing President Shawn Silman (above, left) passes the torch to new President Ken Wimbley at the event.
Other awards and mentions were given at the awards dinner. The installing official was Judge Lucia Bates, and the Rotarian of the Year was Mini Izaguirre.
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 7, 2022 — Today the Aspen Institute announced the ten finalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Started in 2010, the $1 million Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of community colleges that are achieving high, improving, and equitable outcomes for students. The ten finalists represent the amazing potential of America’s thousand-plus community colleges as engines of prosperity and social mobility.
The finalists also represent the impressive diversity of community colleges, from a 2,700-student college in Iowa granting primarily technical awards to a 57,000-student college in Florida with a focus on transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment. Excellent community colleges, regardless of their size or location, are defined by their focus on outcomes and their emphasis on developing students’ talents and strengthening their regional economies and communities.
Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize honors colleges that show outstanding performance in five critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, and equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. The winner will be announced in the spring of 2023.
“We’re grateful to all the experts who have helped Aspen identify these impressive colleges,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “We can’t wait to dive in to learn more about how they have achieved these measurable student outcomes so we can share what we learn with the field.”
East Houston United 2022 National Basketball Champions and their former high schools. L – R: CJ Calhoun (Furr) Josh Anderson (CE King), Coach Kevin Williams Sr., Corey Alpough (Channelview) Brandon Taylor (Galena Park), Carl Corman (Atlanta Georgia), Xavier Howard (Jack Yates), Zack Strong (Atlanta Georgia) & Maurice Redmond III (Channelview).
Undefeated EHU Wins 3rd Consecutive Title
By Allan Jamail
Pasadena, Texas – June 12, 2022 at the Pal Gymnasium, the East Houston United (EHU) basketball team won their 3rd consecutive United States National Basketball League’s (NBL) Championship in a row. Most of the team’s players are from the North Channel area. (See photo.)
Head Coach Kevin Williams Sr. said his team went 10 – 0 this season and is 30 – 0 in the NBL and 49 – 1 overall. They are undefeated on their home court.
The NBL named Kevin Williams Sr. as Coach of the Year, and Maurice Redmond III (Channelview High School) was league MVP.
HOUSTON – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office provided updates on a possible suspect after 8- year-old Paul Vasquez was shot and killed during a drive-by shooting in east Harris County on Sunday, June 12.
According to authorities, the shooting happened in the 13800 block of McNair Street around 10:45 p.m.
Deputies said Vasquez was in his bed inside of his room when a bullet pierced him in his chest. Investigators said the boy was able to tell his mother what happened before collapsing.
Authorities say there were about nine to 10 shots fired during the incident.
He was rushed to Ben Taub hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Officials are now searching for those responsible, stating it may be more than one suspect who remains at large.
Deputies released a photo of the suspect’s car, describing it as a Gray KIA Optima with damage to the front right side.
SUSPECT CAR, A GRAY KIA OPTIMA WITH DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND BUMBER, AND TIRE WITHOUT ORIGINAL WHEEL.
Jake the Dog, Owner Justine Balderas, and Officers Fisher and Seydler.
By Allan Jamail
Jacinto City, TX. – Saturday, June 12, 2022 – The Jacinto City patrol officers got an unusual assignment from their dispatcher when they were sent to a citizen’s home.
Long time Jacinto City resident Ms. Gloria Balerio called the police to report her granddaughter Justine Balderas’ dog had its paw stuck in the fire place grating.
Sgt. A. Seydler and Officer R. Fisher arrived on the scene to see a sad puppy (Jake). Jake somehow managed to get its paw caught in the grating. The officers couldn’t free the paw by gently pulling on it, so they quickly dismantled the grate, freeing Jake.
GPISD Board of Trustees Approves Generous Compensation Package
The Galena Park ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2022- 2023 compensation package for district employees. The Board, Superintendent, and district administrators realize competitive compensation packages are important in attracting and retaining the very best staff possible. Some highlights of the district’s 2022-2023 compensation package include:
–3% general pay increase for ALL employees
–Equity adjustments to maintain competitiveness for teachers with 17 to 25 years of experience
–Minimum pay rate of $14.50/hour for custodians, bus aides, and student nutrition workers
EAST HARRIS COUNTY – Whether it’s toxic waste dumps in the San Jacinto River, or unauthorized dredging and barge facilities, the citizens of Channelview and Highlands have two active watchdogs to monitor and protest when activities threaten the environment.
Jackie Young Medcalf and Carolyn Stone can be heard at many public meetings, questioning public authorities and requesting the proper procedures be followed. This Thursday the EPA will be at the Flukinger Community Center in Channelview to report on remediation work in the river, and the public will have an opportunity to question progress. Prior to the meeting, Medcalf issued the following statement:
Dear Community Members,
We have two important action items for the San Jacinto River Coalition.
COUNTY CONNECTION By Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
Over the past month, our nation has yet again endured violent deaths from mass shootings and gun violence. In Buffalo, we all witnessed the brutal attack driven by racism and hate that left 13 people dead at a grocery store. 17 people were shot during a mass shooting in downtown Milwaukee. And we are all still mourning the loss of two teachers and 19 innocent children murdered at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. This violence shows no sign of letting up – between May 24th, the day of the Uvalde tragedy, and June 6th, there have been 33 additional mass shootings, including multiple mass shootings here in Harris County. No one is immune from this bloody plague.
Today, our nation and our county is in the midst of a vital conversation about violent crime and what needs to be done to prevent it. The truth is, we cannot talk about addressing violent crime without talking about the role that guns play in fueling it. On the same day as the tragedy in Uvalde, we released new data from Harris County’s Institute for Forensic Sciences from which the conclusion could not be more clear – we are not just suffering from a rise in homicides, but also from a rise in the percentage of homicides caused by guns. In 2018, gunshot wounds caused 76% of homicides in Harris County. In 2021, that number was 84%. This year’s percentage is at 87%. And we aren’t unique. Statewide, the rate of gun homicides in Texas increased 90% between 2011 and 2020, from a little over 3 deaths per 100,000 people to about 6 deaths per 100,000.
Constable Silvia Trevino with elected officials at her 4th Annual Law Enforcement Crawfish Boil & Fish Fry. Front Row – L – R: State Rep. Christina Morales, JP Elect Judge Dolores Lozano, State Rep. Mary Ann Perez, Constable Silvia Trevino (centered crawfish shirt), State Rep. Ana Hernandez, State Senator John Whitmire & State Rep. Armando Walle. Back Row – L – R: City Councilman Robert Gallegos & JP Judge Victor Treviño III. (Photo by Allan Jamail)
By Allan Jamail
Houston, TX. – June 12, 2022 – Precinct 6 Constable Silvia Trevino at her East End home had her 4th annual crawfish cookout to show her appreciation to her staff and others assisting her department. She gathered her deputies, administrative staff, law enforcement officers from various agencies and elected officials (see photo cutline) from East Harris County and community leaders to thank them for their work in Pct. 6.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our Precinct 6 Employees than with our Annual Crawfish Boil. But most importantly thank you to all my Precinct 6 employees for your hard work and for another wonderful year of Public Safety,” Trevino said.
GPISD Board of Trustees Approves Generous Compensation Package
