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Posts published in “Day: May 23, 2019”

Two flood prevention plans presented at Precinct 2 community meeting

May 23, 2019
Storm Surge Panel answering questions: L – R: Col. Len Waterworth- Texas A&M Galveston, Tony Williams Senior Director of Planning Coastal Resources Division Texas General Land Office, Dr. Kelly Burks-Copes, US Army Corps of Engineer Project Manager for the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study, Engineer Jim Blackburn representing Rice University’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education & Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

San Jacinto College – Central Campus, Pasadena, Texas – Wednesday, May 15, 2019 – Adrian Garcia, Precinct 2 Harris County Commissioner sponsored a meeting to inform and obtain feedback from the communities from Galveston to Houston on the newest studies and proposals for Hurricane protection.

There were two separate plans presented, one long term plan by the US Army Corps of Engineers costing from $23 to $32 billion. This plan is presently in the Study Phase, once the study is completed in about 2021 Congress then must approve the funding for the Design Phase which will take 4 or 5 years. The Construction Phase could start in about 2025 if Congress approves the funding. The construction is estimated to take 10 to 15 years with completion in year’s 2035 to 2040.

The second plan was explained by Engineer Jim Blackburn representing Rice University’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education & Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center, Charlie Penland, of Walter P. Moore Engineering and Robert M. Rogers, of Rogers Partners.

Blackburn said their plan named the Galveston Bay Park Plan is different from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to build 71 miles of barriers along the Texas coast and instead their proposal is for a 25-foot-high wall running across Galveston Bay and barrier islands. He said construction could start almost immediately and completed by year 2027 with a total cost of $3 to $5 billion.

Blackburn wants to use the current dredging spoils from deepening and widening the Houston Ship Channel to build-up land barriers islands along the storm surge routes to lessen flooding inland from Galveston to Houston.

HEART SCREENINGS FOR TEXAS ATHLETES: Cody Bill passes

May 23, 2019
Dan Huberty R, House of Representatives District 27 and formerly Crosby’s Representative here with State Senator Carol Alvarado, D., District 6, these two carried the bill through their legislative bodies.

The Cody Bill, or House Bill 76, that provides an opt-in opportunity for parents to have their children screened with an EKG before participating in competitive activities, passed the Texas Senate on May 20 by a vote of 20-11 after clearing the House overwhelmingly.

The bill goes back to the House for an amendment before going on to the Governor who can sign it or do nothing after 15 days and the bill become law. The bill probably comes into effect in 2020.

Careers-on-Wheels at NS Elementary

May 23, 2019
The Houston Police Department career display gained the most interest from the students, with its flashing lights, guns and bulletproof vests, and a Humvee vehicle.

NORTH SHORE – Under the direction of counselor Carmela Garcia, the students at North Shore Elementary participated in a unique Career Day event last Monday morning. About a dozen local businessmen and agencies set up information exhibits in the parking lot of the school, and groups of students listened to a talk about the unique qualities of that career.

Careers represented included HPD police, EMS, Sheriff’s deputies, County animal rescue, newspaper, cable installer, air conditioner repair, food truck, insurance, dentist, Constable’s senior program, and more.

The event lasted about two hours, and groups of students listened to each career expert for about 15 minutes, and then rotated to another career.

See MORE photos on Page 6.

North Shore Rotary Fish Fry sets record for people, dollars

May 23, 2019
Rotarians Jim Wadzinski, Ryan Dagley, Raffle winner Dr. Chris Warford, and Rotarian Bill Palko view the new Toyota Tundra truck that Warford won in Saturday’s drawing. About 1485 tickets were sold for the raffle for a new vehicle.

NORTH SHORE – Catfish or Crawfish? It didn’t matter, you had a good meal and a great time at last Saturday’s 44th Annual Rotary Fish Fry. And at the same time, Rotary raised a record amount to use for community projects.

Event chairman Ryan Dagley, and club president Bill Bowes, reported that the club made about $470,000 in ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and sponsorships.

Collision on I-10 bridge flips car, kills 4 year old child

May 23, 2019
OFFICERS at the lower edge of this aerial photo peer down at the overturned sedan car that fell through the space between the highway lanes on the I-10 bridge over the San Jacinto River. The car collided with the red truck in the photo, as they merged into the same lane, flipped and fell. The car had 3 family members inside, and the 4 year old girl was crushed under the overturned auto. (photo KPRC)

EAST HARRIS COUNTY – A tragic accident on the I-10 bridge over the San Jacinto River, between Channelview and Highlands, took the life of a 4- year-old girl and critically injured her father.

The accident occurred Wednesday morning, about 7:00 am according to authorities, when a semi truck and a sedan collided in a westbound lane.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez indicated the accident may have occurred when the semi tried to merge into the lane with the auto. Prosecutor Sean Teare, of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, said the truck swerved when a vehicle in front of the semi made an abrupt stop. Teare said that “this is just one of those convergence of events that ended in a horrible tragedy. Anybody who has driven in Houston knows that it happens all the time.”