Posts published in September 2021

3 violent deaths on Uvalde alarm Community

Sep 30, 2021

A woman customer last week was leaving this McDonald’s on Uvalde with her food, when an assailant snatched her purse, knocking her to the ground, and in his getaway he drove over her body, killing her.

By Gilbert Hoffman

NORTH CHANNEL – Residents of this community are highly alarmed at the number of robberies and shooting fatalities that have occurred within the last month, on a stretch of Uvalde that is only a few blocks long.

The death of a woman on Tuesday whose auto was carjacked by a robbery suspect, is only the latest in this string of bizarre and dangerous crimes. She was dragged to her death as the robber attempted to drive her car to escape.

A week ago, another woman, now identified as Martha Medina, was run over by a purse snatching robber at the McDonald’s only a few blocks from the current crime scene.

And a month before, again a few blocks along Uvalde from the other fatalities, a security guard argued with a Walgreen’s customer, and ended up shooting him to death.

GP YELLOWJACKETS WIN HOMECOMING THRILLER – GP 42 MARLINS 41

Sep 30, 2021

Leo Garcia, (260 lbs) #73 Yellowjacket defensive lineman standout in the game sacks Marlins quarterback #1 Damon Jones Jr. (156 lbs) for a loss of yards. He led the defense with 13 tackles and made several critical stops, but none as important at his tackle to stop the Marlins 2 point-conversion attempt at the end of the game with seconds left which gave GP their 1 point victory (42-41). (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

September 24, 2021, GPISD Stadium — Head Coach Spiro Amarantos, together with a talented group of assistant coaches, led the Yellowjackets (Jackets) football team to their second consecutive district win, besting the Houston Madison Marlins 42-41.

Galena Park (GP) is continuing to show noticeable gains in both offense and defense. The players are showing they have the discipline to be coached into another winning season and to reach the playoffs again.

NS Mustang’s trot past Beaumont Bruins 44-7

Sep 30, 2021

By Allan Jamail

Beaumont, TX. – Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 – North Shore’s “Eastside Boys” football team traveled to Beaumont Memorial Stadium, home of the Bruins, and trounced their first district opponent, the West Brook team 44-7.

Head Coach Jon Kay’s Mustang’s offense has been sluggish except for their last two games, racking up 102 points together. They made 6 touchdowns (TDs) and a field goal. They made 25 first downs to the Bruins’ 13, while compiling 545 yards.

Queens & Kings honored at Homecomings

Sep 30, 2021

SHELDON C. E. KING HIGH HOMECOMING COURT

Congratulations to King High School’s Homecoming King Jerson Lopez and our Homecoming Queen Sophia Flores. The 2021-22 king and queen are pictured with last year’s Homecoming Queen Lily Martinez, Superintendent of Schools Dr. King Davis and King High School Principal Dr. Raff Saeed.

Homecoming festivities took place during a pregame ceremony on the field. Congratulations to the King High School Panthers for defeating the Huntsville Hornets 49-6 making their record for the season so far 4-0.

2021 GALENA PARK HIGH HOMECOMING

L – R: Principal Dr. Kimberly Martin, Homecoming King A’marion Kelly & Queen Alexa Hernandez & Assoc. Principal Mr. Lemond Mitchell

GP Yellowjackets Homecoming Parade

Sep 23, 2021

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park, TX. — Monday, September 20, 2021 — Galena Park High School had their homecoming parade and pep rally at Dement Field. The parade route was lined with hundreds of citizens, with kids scrambling to get as much of the tossed candy as possible from the parade participants.

The school’s JROTC carried the USA and Texas flags to lead the parade, followed by police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, followed by the School Band, Jacketeer Dancers, and Cheerleaders. Superintendent Dr. John Moore, School Principal Dr. Kimberly Martin and Trustees waved at onlookers as they drove by. Students decorated several dozen floats and vehicles competing to be one of the winners of the various entry classifications.

Paraders: Driving is Superintendent Dr. John Moore with Principal Dr. Kimberly Martin.

Teacher Brandi Couch was the Pep Rally’s Emcee, and what an outstanding job she did in keeping things well-organized and moving in a timely fashion at Dement Field Stadium. The stands had about a thousand attendees listening to speeches and band music. They watched the performances of the band, cheerleaders, and Jacketeer Dancers.

NS Mustangs gallop past Klein Oaks 58-34

Sep 23, 2021

By Allan Jamail

On Friday, September 17, 2021 at the GPISD stadium, the North Shore Mustangs, in their first home game of the season, bounced back after last week’s loss to Westfield. They easily put away the Klein Collins Panthers 58 – 34.

Mustangs Head Coach Jon Kay’s Eastside team continues to rack up costly penalties. This year’s team already has in just 4 games 21 penalties giving up 230 yards. Next week they travel to the always tough Beaumont Westbrook Bruins. Penalties may make the difference in who gets their first District win. They’re both 3-1 in non-district play.

Harris County Small Business Relief Fund now open for applications

Sep 23, 2021

COVID relief grants from $5,000 to $25,000 available until October 4

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Pct. 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis held a new conference last Monday afternoon, September 20 to announce the start of the Harris County Small Business Relief Fund Application period. The application window will remain open until Monday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m.

On August 10, Harris County approved the $30 million relief fund to support small and micro businesses recovering from the effects of the pandemic. The Small Business Relief Fund was created with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is being administered by LiftFund, a nonprofit organization that supports small business owners with funding and business education.

Harris County urges business owners to apply by visiting the website at www.harriscountybusinessrelief.org to review the applicant checklist to verify eligibility for this program and also to be prepared with the proper documentation needed to apply before the application portal opens.

STATE REP. ANA HERNANDEZ: Zoom meeting updates Legislative report

Sep 16, 2021

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANA HERNANDEZ REPORTED TO CONSTITUENTS VIA ZOOM

NORTH CHANNEL – State Representative Ana Hernandez was the featured speaker at the September 2nd CIP (Community Industry Partnership) meeting, held by Zoom for about 35 participants. Hernandez spoke about work accomplished in the 87th legislative session, and the two specials sessions that Governor Abbott called after that. Hernandez was one of the 50 Democrats that left the Capitol to block legislation that they deemed restrictive to voting rights, but she and Representatives Walle and Coleman eventually returned, and others later, to allow the sessions to continue. As a results, SB1 (Voting rights) and SB8 (Abortion rights), were passed by a Republican majority over the Democrat’s objections.

Hernandez noted that the governor plans to call a 3rd Special Session, to proceed with redistricting and to finish voting on bills that did not pass in the previous sessions. She said that due to population growth, redistricting will results in at least 2 new congressional seats for Texas.

NS MUSTANGS LOSE TO SPRING WESTFIELD 27 -21

Sep 16, 2021

By Allan Jamail

Spring, Texas — September 10, 2021, Planet Ford Stadium — The GPISD North Shore Mustangs marked up a loss in a non-district game to the Spring Westfield Mustangs 27-21. Coach Jon Kay’s offense continues to sputter, and this time it led to their defeat.

Coach Kay has always strived for an aggressive offense and defense, but without costly penalties. So far, however, this squad in just 3 games has had 15 penalties costing 160 yards. Several of the offensive penalties led to creating too many yards to make up for the offense, forcing them to have to turn the ball over. The defensive penalties was just as costly, several giving their opponent extra offensive possessions.

EPA says remedial work can commence on Waste Pits southern empoundment

Sep 16, 2021

The Southern Impoundment area will start logistical work this year, and actual remediation construction will take place in 2022, according to the Environmental Protection Agency

Waste Pits take a major step forward in Superfund process

By Jackie Medcalf

On September 2nd, the EPA finalized the Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) for the clean-up of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site’s southern impoundment.

This is a major step towards physically addressing the contamination south of Interstate 10.

The order allows the clean-up to move into the Remedial Action phase of the superfund process, which begins with creating work plans, procuring materials, and securing contractors. These steps are anticipated to take place over the next year, setting the groundwork for construction to start in the fall of 2022.

GP Yellowjackets 21; Fort Bend Marshall 48

Sep 16, 2021

SEE ARROW ON BALL – #10 Bernardo Vazquez (center) wrestles 2 defenders off the ball for a great pass reception, landing on the goal line. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Houston, TX. — September 9, 2021 — Coach Spiro Amarantos’ home team Yellowjackets couldn’t keep up with the high powered Fort Bend Marshall Buffaloes and lost 48 to 21.

The Buffaloes once again picked to win their district and to be in the State Championship title game. They showed why they should be.

Galena Park is showing they’ve made noticeable gains in offense and defense from last season, and will be a strong playoff contender with 7 games remaining.