North Channel Star

CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY

Nov 18, 2021

2021 North Channel Library Veterans Appreciation Day L-R: Branch Manager Maria Rawls, Veterans Fred McCray, Anthony Mireles, Michael Kozey, Leonard Ferguson, Daniel Jason & Lauronzo Garman, Pct. 2 Veteran’s Service Manager. (Photo by Linda Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Houston, TX – On November 11, 2021, the Harris County Public Library – North Channel Branch, under the Direction of Branch Manager Maria Rawls (Adult Services), conducted its 1st Annual Veterans Day celebration event.

Ms. Rawls welcomed and thanked the community for coming out to help celebrate and honor the home-grown heroes who bravely served this nation.

She said, “This celebration is one way of showing our veterans that we never forget them and that we salute their bravery and the example that they have set before us to gain this freedom.”

Rawls thanked those who worked to put together the event, including Student Practicum Amber McCarver, the library’s staff, and the following on the program: North Shore’s JROTC – Coordinator Darrow Adams, MC/Sound and Music by Mikey Mike Singer, Desmond Bostick who sang the National Anthem and God Bless the USA.

Mustangs defeat Dobie 62-14, advance in Playoffs

Nov 18, 2021

By Allan Jamail

North Shore — On Nov. 11, 2021, at GPISD Stadium, it was another no-contest football game when the Eastside Boys scored 9 touchdowns over Pasadena Dobie Longhorns, ending with a 62 – 14 win. The game’s Team Captains were #80-Ronnie Hill, #34-Rashaad Johnson, #55-Ronald Wilson, and #8-David Amador.

Coach Jon Kay’s offense has proved over and over again they can run for TDs, but his passing game netted zero passing TDs. Not sure if this was by design or not. This season they have made a few passing TDs, and hopefully they will begin to balance their offense attack with both runs and passes. At game’s end, they only passed for 19% of their total 567 yards. A balanced offense is usually a must in most bids for the state championship.

Galena Park to construct a new Churchill Community Center

Nov 18, 2021

EDWARD LUIS ESPREE, MAYOR MOYA, COMMISSIONER V. GARCIA JOHNETTA GOODLOE, ERONIA “TAGGY” HALL, HILLARY ESPREE

A new Churchill Community Center will be constructed

Galena Park, the City of progress

Given her commitment to offering spaces that ensure the safety and overall well-being of the Galena Park community, Mayor Esmeralda Moya announced the construction of the new Churchill community center, which will create a space where families can participate in different activities that improve their quality of life.

Esmeralda Moya, Mayor of Galena Park said “It is essential for us that our residents, particularly children and the elderly, feel safe and protected in an environment where they can create memories as well as strengthen ties.” This venue is for all Galena Park citizens to enjoy; we know that one of the most important factors for a community’s optimal growth is the availability of programs that encourage physical and emotional development, which is why we are very pleased with the construction of this center.” said the mayor.

Vaccine Booster shots available from Harris County Public Health

Nov 18, 2021

Include a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster in Your Holiday “To Do” list

Booster doses are available for qualifying fully vaccinated residents

Houston – Unlike last year, this upcoming holiday season we have a vaccine available that can protect us against COVID19. Additionally, eligible residents who completed their two-dose mRNA vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna) at least six months ago and anyone who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago can get a booster. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is administering the COVID-19 vaccine booster for people in qualifying groups.

All COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection for most people. A booster vaccine is an additional dose given after the protection provided by the original series has begun to decrease over time.

GP Yellowjackets Season Ends in Playoffs; Lose 70-20 to PN-G

Nov 18, 2021

Galena Park High School football Head Coach Spiro Amarantos (center) gives some inspirational words to the disappointed Yellowjackets after losing in the playoffs. Amarantos congratulated the team for their winning season of a 88% district win record. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

At Galena Park Stadium on November 12, 2021, the GP Fighting Yellowjackets’ successful season ended with a playoff loss to the powerhouse Port Neches-Groves Indians, 70-20.

Head Coach Spiro Amarantos’ has produced winning football teams consistently in his short period since becoming head coach in 2019. This year marks two consecutive seasons the Jackets reached the playoffs. Last season’s playoff bid was the first time in ten years for the team to qualify for the playoffs. This year’s team entered the playoffs with an impressive 7 wins and 1 loss record, 88% district win record.

Memorial Luminares on display at San Jacinto Monument site on Nov. 13

Nov 11, 2021

Drive-thru event honors fallen Veterans

La Porte, TX – The inaugural Texas Memorial Illumination at San Jacinto will take place November 13, 2021, on the grounds of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. Volunteers will be placing 21,500 luminaries on the battlefield and steps of the San Jacinto Memorial Monument. The luminaries represent Texans who have given their lives in armed conflict from the Texas Revolution through Afghanistan. Each luminary tells the story that freedom is not free.

The Texas Memorial Illumination at San Jacinto will be held on the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site One Monument Circle, La Porte TX. In remembrance of Texans who have lost their lives in armed conflict 21,500 luminaries will be lit in on the battlefield and monument. On just this one night, come and experience the battleground anew.

The park opens to the public at 6 p.m. and stays open till 12 a.m. You will be led through the battleground with luminaries lighting the way. This event is a free drive-through family event. Come and experience a renewed sense of patriotism as the luminaries tell the story that freedom is not free.

NS Mustangs win District Championship Showdown vs Atascocita Eagles 31-21

Nov 11, 2021

Rashaad Johnson gallops 64 yds. for a 3rd quarter Mustang TD. (Allan Jamail photo) MORE PHOTOS P. 4

By Allan Jamail

North Shore – GPISD Stadium — On October 29, 2021, the two 6A Region III District 21 undefeated powerhouses clashed before a packed stadium to witness who would qualify for home field advantage into the Bi-District Playoffs.

Coach Jon Kay’s Mustangs (Eastside Boys) advanced as #1 in their district, winning 31-21. The Mustangs scored midway into the 1st quarter to lead 7-0 into the middle of the 2nd quarter, before the Eagles tied the game 7-7. The Eagles scored again to take the lead 14-7, but with under a minute before the half, Mustang Aubrey Broussard rushed for a TD to make it a tie 14-14 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter the Mustangs scored 2 TDs and a field goal, and Atascocita could only score 1 TD. The 4th quarter was scoreless.

Yellowjackets Burst Into Playoffs / 7-1 District Record

Nov 11, 2021

Jackets Bernardo Vazquez hauls in catches QB. Ivan Reyes TD pass. Vazquez also kicked a 3 point 30 yd. field goal (Allan Jamail photo) MORE PHOTOS P. 4

Jackets 44 – Austin Mustangs 0 / Oct. 28th

Jackets 30 – Willowridge Eagles 14 / Nov. 6th

By Allan Jamail

The GP Jackets’ steel curtain defense shut out 4 of their 5 most recent teams played.

Head Coach Spiro Amarantos and his coaching staff have developed a pass-run offense which they hope will defeat their Bi-District opponent the visiting Port Neches-Groves Indians. Until now they’ve mostly relied on their defense and the running game. Indians Coach Brandon Faircloth just celebrated his 100th victory and his 9th straight playoff season.

Power Ranger visits North Shore Cultural Arts Center

Nov 11, 2021

C. E. King Graduate, First African-American Gold and 6th Power Ranger

By Allan Jamail

Houston, Tx. October 27, 2021 – The Harris County Cultural Arts Center, under the direction of Michelle Bonton, Executive Director, hosted a visit by Aiyon, a.k.a. the Gold Ranger. Aiyon is played by Jordon Fite, a 20-year-old native Houstonian, and a 2019 C. E. King graduate of Sheldon ISD.

Excited students, Pre-K thru 8th grade, from the North Shore Campus of the Rhodes School filled the art center’s auditorium, listening to the Gold Ranger explaining how he was able to achieve his acting career to become a Power Ranger. Hundreds of eager students raised their hands to get their questions answered by the Ranger.

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS UPDATE THE NORTH CHANNEL CHAMBER

Nov 11, 2021

At the October luncheon of the North Channel Chamber of Commerce, superintendents from the three school districts in the area made presentations of the “State of the Schools” to a large audience, at the San Jacinto College Student Center.

ABOVE, l to r, Allatia Harris, chair of the Chamber and Assoc. Dean of San Jacinto College; John Moore, Galena Park ISD; King Davis, Sheldon ISD; Don Beck, interim superintendent Channelview ISD; and Margie Buentello, president of the Chamber.

A summary of their talks follows:

Essential to get our Children vaccinated

Nov 11, 2021

County Connection
by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo

So many Harris County residents who have gotten vaccinated still have feelings of anxiety about COVID, and it’s understandable. Children under the age of 12 have been ineligible to receive the vaccine and remained unprotected from this pandemic that has taken so many lives. This week finally marks the end of the wait — the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have approved the vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11, an essential piece of our response to COVID-19 that is long overdue.

And, though many parents are eager to get their children vaccinated, others may still be hesitant. Parents should know that the vaccine is safe — the side effects adults have experienced, like a short-lived fever and cold-like symptoms, are less likely to affect kids. It’s also effective — it has a 90% effectiveness rate in preventing children ages 5 through 11 from contracting COVID19. Although younger children are less likely to be hospitalized or lose their lives from the virus, they can still suffer from various long-term effects of COVID-19. If you want to protect your kids from getting sick from COVID-19, there is no reason to delay signing up for this vaccine.