North Channel Star • 5906 Star Lane, Houston, TX 77057 • Phone: 713-266-3444 • Fax: 713-977-1188 • Email: northchannelstar@gmail.com
By Allan Jamail
Houston, TX. October 5, 2021- The National Night Out event was well attended by the community and elected officials.
Some of the attendees were Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, State Representative Ana Hernandez, and HCC Trustee Eva Longoria. Senator Carol Alvarado was represented by Sergio Hernandez – District Liaison. Chief of Staff Joaquin Martinez represented Councilman Robert Gallegos. And deputies with Constable Jerry Garcia’s office were present.
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
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.
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.
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia led a discussion last Wednesday, September 1 on the concerns surrounding the new law. The panel consisted of law enforcement officials and domestic violence advocates, among others.
Law enforcement officials want people to make sure they understand the law before doing anything that could put themselves or others in danger.
“Make sure that you understand the law and make sure you get trained to use that weapon,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Toquica said.
“With permit-less carry officially going into effect September 1, the state’s record shows loosening weapon restrictions only make living in Texas more dangerous.”
HOUSTON — (August 27, 2021) — The Harris County Community Services Department has funds available for emergency rent relief for tenants living in unincorporated Harris County who are financially affected by COVID-19. The deadline to apply for aid was just extended to Nov. 30.
“People who find themselves in a bind right now may never have needed help before and they don’t know where to turn,” said Dr. Adrienne Holloway, executive director of CSD. “We want them to know we have resources and we are here to help.”
By Allan Jamail
At the Leon Grayson Center, hundreds of residents of the area came out to visit their 1st Responders and venders booths to learn and hear about many topics of interest.
Some of the busiest booths visited were from the Harris County Sheriff’s office and the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 12 (HCESD#12).
Attendees visiting the HCESD#12 booth learned how to reach them in case of a fire or a need for an ambulance. The ambulance service is the North Channel Emergency Service and the Fire Department both can be reached by calling 911. When making a 911 call caller needs to answer the WHERE-WHO-WHAT questions. Which is: WHERE is the location of the emergency, WHO you are and a call back number, and WHAT is the nature of the emergency. Pamphlets were provided on many safety concerns from fire prevention, hurricane preparedness, rising flood waters and many more issues.
By Jada Mier
Jacinto City’s Town Center transformed into a casino for the North Channel Chamber Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraiser last Friday, Aug. 13.
With a “Roaring 20s” themed casino night, foundation chairman Bill Palko said that the theme was meant to express the community has come roaring out of COVID. This of course was decided before we once again entered the red zone with COVID cases increasing.
Local companies, North Shore Rotary, and Chamber members joined for a night of games and Chick-fil-a. Poker, blackjack, and roulette were a few of the games played with funny money. A raffle took place with a chance to win a bucket of wine, a YMCA membership, and much more.
Playing it safe, all attendees sported masks, and tables were set six feet apart. Bill Palko, the foundation’s chairman, explained that all the proceeds would be going to a $5,000-dollar scholarship. The scholarship is to be awarded to a local student.
At last week’s North Shore Rotary luncheon, held in the Monument Room of San Jacinto College North, the audience had the opportunity to meet and hear from the head football coaches at each of the high schools in the area.
ABOVE, Rotary president Shawn Silman, center, with coaches (L to R) Spiro Amarantos, GALENA PARK; Averion Hurts, CHANNELVIEW; Jon Kay, NORTH SHORE; and Derek Fitzhenry, C. E. KING/SHELDON.
By Allan Jamail
JACINTO CITY, TX. August 11 – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announced to Mayor Ana Diaz, Councilman Allen Lee, and city officials, along with a group of citizens and community leaders, the news that $1,950,000 of funds will be given to the city for water line infrastructure improvements.
Lee said, “When I heard Congress’s House Appropriations Committee would be adding Community Funding Projects as an opportunity for Members of the House to address specific local needs with direct funding to solve problems that helps people and communities, I immediately thought of Jacinto City.”
She continued saying, “I reached out to Mayor Ana Diaz and City Manager Lon Squyres to learn what Jacinto City’s needs were and to suggest that they apply for funding for a Community Funding Project. This project will improve the health and safety of all residents of the City by furnishing clean, safe drinking water and the ability to protect homes and businesses from fires.”
The City will only pay the 20 percent of the funding project.
By Gilbert Hoffman
GALENA PARK – An ongoing dispute between the City of Galena Park government and various citizens in the community, has moved to the courts for resolution or at least the next round.
The dispute centers on whether the public, and Commissioner Maricela Serna, have been excluded from knowledge of business conducted by the city, and whether their attempts to discuss this matter in Commissioner meetings have been obstructed or muted. Serna has sought the help of Wayne Dolcefino of Dolcefino Consulting to gain access to the information and the meetings.
Wayne Dolcefino, founder of Houston-based investigative media firm Dolcefino Consulting, filed a Harris County state district court lawsuit August 17th, 2021, against Mayor Esmeralda Moya, City Secretary Mayra Gonzales, City Attorney Robert Collins for wholesale violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act.
Following is his statement in regard to the court filing, and the ongoing dispute with the city:
By Allan Jamail
August 5, 2021 – CLOVERLEAF – At the Leon Grayson / Baldree Community Center, several hundreds of back-to-school students, their parents, and residents of the area came out to hear about many topics of interest. The event was well planned and attended, and the co-coordinators did a fantastic job in keeping the two-plus hours-long event interesting and informative.
Approximately fifty vendors were on hand, along with a large number of governmental agencies and county departments. Gifts of backpacks, school supplies, and personal hygiene needs, free haircuts, dental and eye care providers were available.
