North Channel Star

Hispanic Heritage Month

Sep 22, 2022

Salvadorian Heritage – Sept. 15 – Oct. 15

By Allan Jamail

September 19, 2022 – First of a series – Saluting El Salvador – Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latinx and Hispanic communities. The event, which spans from September 15 to October 15, commemorates how Hispanic communities have influenced and contributed to the United States including the North Channel communities.

President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 signed a new law making the week of Sept. 15 a time to honor the contributions of Hispanic communities from Central or Latin America, President Reagan changed it to a month. It’s the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua and Mexico’s Independence Day is the next day, Sept. 16.

Through my lifetime I’ve been confused as which ethnic name to apply when referring to my neighbors and friends from Central or Latin America. The term Hispanic or Latino (or the more recent term Latinx) refers to a person’s culture or origin— regardless of race. On the 2020 Census form, people were counted as Hispanic or Latino or Spanish if they could identify as having Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.”

Julien Guillory is new president of the Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotary Club

Sep 22, 2022

GPISD Opens 4th School-based Health Clinic

Sep 22, 2022

Dedicated to Almatha Clark Taylor

By Allan Jamail

Cloverleaf, TX. – Thursday, September 8, 2022 @ 10 am, GPISD had a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for their fourth school-based Legacy Health Clinic. The clinic is located at 13940 Bonham Street, just 125 feet from the Cloverleaf Elementary School.

The event was well attended due to the exceptional effort of the Communications Department under the direction of Sherrhonda Hunter, Executive Director for School and Community Relations GPISD Opens 4th School-based Health Clinic Dedicated to Almatha Clark Taylor and Cathy Ethridge, Foundation and Special Events Coordinator.

Dr. Mechelle Epps, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services was the Master of Ceremonies. She introduced school officials, elected officials and Legacy Administration officials.

Sheldon ISD plans $247+ M bond vote

Sep 22, 2022

Student population grows 20%

Sheldon ISD grows more than 20% since last 2016 bond; Board calls 2022 bond election

Sheldon ISD opened its doors for a new school year on August 17 setting enrollment records. Early enrollment numbers for the 2022-23 school year in Sheldon Independent School District show an increase by approximately 600 students, and an increase of 2,400 students since 2016.

The growth in Sheldon ISD has been on a consistent 3-4% incline for the past 10 years. In 2016, the district served approximately 8,500 students. That same year, voters approved a bond election that provided a sixth elementary school (Sheldon Lake Elementary) and a new C.E. King High School off the Beltway 8, as well as Panther Stadium, new security upgrades, and enhanced technology.

Channelview hears Public Safety plans

Sep 15, 2022

Information on Public Safety initiatives were presented by Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Channelview ISD Superintendent Tory Hill, and Harris County Sheriff’s Captain Nathan Douglas. A crowd of about 60 interested persons met with the presenters at the Channelview Bill Neal Center for about two hours last Thursday, Sept. 1st.

CHANNELVIEW – Harris County Precinct 2 hosted a meeting with the public last Thursday evening, Sept. 1 at the Bill Neal Center in Channelview. Public concern about crime in the community has been running strong, and this forum was meant to hear complaints, and also to present information on initiatives underway by authorities to counter the criminal activity.

Subjects that were covered by the presenters included Stray Dogs, a new service phone number, 3-1- 1 to request county services, crime rates as seen in data captures in the Channelview area, random gunfire, ShotSpotter to find shooters, VIPER to arrest violent criminals, homeless persons, nuisance properties, workforce jobs for homeless, or Employ2Empower, and health concerns in the East side of Harris County.

Garcia explained that Public Safety was his #1 priority, but that he plans on aN holistic approach, that includes “Cops, Courts, and Community.”

GP/JC CIP MEETING: Chevron plans to update Pasadena plant

Sep 15, 2022

By Allan Jamail

Jacinto City, Texas ~ September 1, 2022 ~ Chevron hosted the September Galena Park and Jacinto City Community-Industry Partnership (CIP) meeting at Jacinto City’s Town Center. Tim Sutherland Chevron’s Pasadena General Manager (GM) presented their renovation project. It will upgrade the century old former Crown Central Refinery ** (PRSI) plant south of the Washburn Tunnel.

The renovation project is important to the North Channel communities in terms of employment, economy and the quality of the environment.

Sutherland with 31 years of experience began his Pasadena GM role in May 2019, charged with the responsibility for safe and reliable operations of the facility. He joined Chevron in 1991 and was a member of the purchase team and served as the integration – transition manager for the purchase.

North Shore ends Westfield’s unbeaten streak

Sep 15, 2022

North Shore 55, Westfield 25

PHOTO TOP LEFT: Houston’s KPRC TV Channel 2 Sports selected the North Shore Mustangs verse the Spring Westfield Mustangs as their Football Frenzy’s top high school game of the week. Seated: TV Sports Reporter Randy McIlvoy interviews #2 Christopher Barnes, NS Mustang junior wide receiver and his offense teammates. Back row – L – R: #64 Zach Chavanne, #9 Kaleb Bailey, #58 Omarion Dudley, #76
Tyler Edwards, #4 Terrence Guillory and #89 Kaleb Thomas (Photo by Linda Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

GPISD stadium – Friday, September 9, 2022 – It was a classic Texas Friday Night Football contest. The Galena Park (GP) ISD North Shore Mustangs hosted the Spring ISD Spring Westfield Mustangs (SWM) in a battle of the unbeaten. With both teams ranked high in the state each brought their Mustang Nation fans and filled the stadium to capacity leaving standing room only viewing.

GPISD’s Superintendent Dr. John Moore said when it was decided to close the gates because of reaching the safe capacity limits people still tried to get inside through other entrances. He said some fans even went and got on the sidelines without authorized field passes, so security and school officials had to have them removed.

The two Mustang nations turned out but only one went home happy… it was the Eastside Boys who spoiled Westfield’s night, romping 55 -25.

NS Mustangs take Lions bite away

Sep 8, 2022

North Shore 42 – Spring 0

By Allan Jamail

Spring, TX. September 3, 2022 at Planet Ford Stadium the GPISD North Shore Mustangs pulled the teeth from the Spring Lions. The toothless Lions were kept scoreless by the Eastside Boys new defensive line. Mustangs 42 – Lions 0.

After losing their talented and experienced line who helped win the 2021 State Championship title Coach Jon Kay and his assistant coaches rebuilt their defensive line. So far with exceptions to their penalties this “D” line appears speedy and prepared to tangle.

Battleship Texas safely sails to Galveston drydock

Sep 8, 2022

TWO ICONS: Under tow, the iconic Battleship Texas passes under the iconic Harman Bridge on the way to a Galveston drydock for restoration work.

$35 million restoration will take over a year

HOUSTON (Aug. 31, 2022) – The Battleship Texas Foundation announced that the iconic Battleship Texas completed a milestone journey on Wednesday, August 31 from the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site to Galveston. The Battleship Texas, commissioned in 1914, is the only surviving dreadnought to have served in both World War I and World II.

The historic ship will now undergo an extensive, $35 million repair at Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation’s shipyard to fix the hull. The Battleship Texas Foundation selected Gulf Copper’s shipyard in October 2021 as the repair location since they recently acquired a floating drydock that is capable of lifting the Battleship Texas out of the water. In addition, the location of the yard in Galveston significantly reduced the risks associated with towing the Battleship Texas due to sheltered waters and a short travel distance.

GP/JC CIP Meeting hears about Citizens Emergency Warnings

Sep 1, 2022

LEFT: DIANE SHERIDAN, CIP Facilitator reporting on local area cities emergency notification systems. She also reported on how citizens can report strange odors and receive emergency warnings. See article details. (Photo by Allan Jamail) RIGHT: ALEX RENDON, Director of Operations, Kinder Morgan (KM) Galena Park Terminal Presents to CIP meeting attendees a report on the types of products KM either
stores and/or transports through the Galena Park KM terminal. See article details. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Jacinto City Town Center – August 4, 2022 the CIP meeting was hosted by Kinder Morgan Inc. Diane Sheridan, CIP Facilitator called the meeting to order and GP-JC CIP Secretary Kristin Gauthier took the roll of members present and minutes of the meeting.

Alex Rendon, Director of Operations, for Kinder Morgan (KM) Galena Park Terminal gave the following information to the attendees.

50% of all motor oil on the Gulf Coast is either stored and/or transported through the KM Galena Park Clinton Drive Terminal.

Medical disinfectant, rubbing alcohol, nail polish, paint solvent, detergent, adhesives and other lubricants proponents are stored and/or transported through KM’S Galena Park Terminal.

NS Mustangs Cake-Walk Football Opener

Sep 1, 2022

# 3 Evan Jackson, NS special team player runs 80 yards on a punt return TD. (Photo by Allan Jamail) (left) # 9 Kaleb Bailey, NS quarterback
avoids a tackle leaping across the goal for a TD. (Photo by Allan Jamail) (right)

Mustangs 49 – Woodlands Highlanders 21

By Allan Jamail

GPISD stadium – Thursday, August 25, 2022 the Defending 6A State Champion North Shore Mustangs trampled the visiting Woodlands Highlanders (WH). It was a “cakewalk” from the opening kickoff.

The Eastside Boys (NS) scored 28 points in the first quarter. They kept a double digit lead from start to finish in the non-district game. Ending the first half 42 – 7. Head Coach Jon Kay pulled his starters in the final quarter and then the Highlanders managed to score. The final score; NS 49 – WH 21(See touchdown photos scoring details)