Posts tagged as “Galena Park”

HEROIC GP FIREFIGHTERS STOP A CATASTROPHE

Jun 10, 2021

May 8, 2021 photo of the fire and smoke of what the Galena Park Firefighters saw upon arrival at the Andersons Mills grain storage and export facility, 1500 S. Main (near Clinton Drive).

By Allan Jamail

GALENA PARK, TX — May 8, 2021 — Early Saturday morning, according to Tom Ehlers, Galena Park’s (GP) Fire Chief, his department responded to a report of a vessel on fire at Andersons Mills in the Port of Houston in the 1500 South Main Street.

Andersons Mills is grain storage and exporting facility used to load ships with various types of grain. Grain dust is highly combustible and when the micro-particles reach a high density level a small spark can set off a gigantic explosion.

Chief Ehlers said when his Fire Engine 1 arrived, the crew found heavy smoke coming from a grain loader, which takes grain from the storage silos via a conveyor where it is dumped into a ship’s cargo hull. On the dock is a tall crane with a large hose attached that extends out over the ship’s deck where the grain is fed into the hull openings. It appeared the fire was coming from the hose. The smart, quick-thinking crane operator swung the crane and burning hose away from the ship’s open cargo bays, preventing the fire from spreading into the ship.

Fallen Heroes Ceremony at JC Police Station

May 27, 2021

Attendees at the Jacinto City Police station held a commemorating ceremony on behalf of the Fallen Hereos of law enforcement, firefighters and the members of the Armed Forces. L – R: Emcee Allan Jamail, Galena Park Fire Chief Tom Ehlers, Sgt. E. Ramos, Dispatcher Kasey Aguilar, F. Benavides, Chief Joe Ayala, J. Pizano, S. Lopez, Lt. D. Walker, N. Frazier, C. Perez, & Sgt. S. Flores (Photo by Linda Jamail)

By Linda Jamail

Jacinto City, TX. – On Saturday, May 15, 2021, police officers, firemen, and members of the armed forces gathered with wreaths identifying the branches honored. After a prayer by Allan Jamail and the Pledge of Allegence to the flag led by Chief Joe Ayala, which was at half-staff, comments were made in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes who died in the line of duty. Cake and refreshments were served inside the new police station.

May 15th was designated by President Joseph Biden as the day to honor both law enforcement officers and members of the Armed Forces. May the 4th was Firefighters Day.

New Pyburn Elementary Groundbreaking Ceremony

May 27, 2021

PYBURN GROUNDBREAKING “Building Strong Foundations For Our Future Learners”
L – R: Herbert Alexander Sanchez (Trustee), Conrad Rivera (Principal), Dr. John Moore (Superintendent), students Sebastian Elizondo, Colton Baldwin, Valeria Garcia, Noe Esparza (Trustee), Angelica Cuellar (Assistant principal) & Adrian Stephens (Trustee’s Secretary). (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park, TX. – May 11, 2021, at the GPISD Pyburn Elementary School, Superintendant Dr. John Moore, Board Trustees, and school officials came together for the ground-breaking ceremony of a new school.

Dr. Moore and Principal Conrad Rivera welcomed attendees and stated how the new school, once completed, will create a modern state-of-the-art learning center with the most latest technological advances available.

GLO, Feds deny flood funds to Harris County; but okay Jacinto City, Galena Park projects

May 27, 2021

Harris County and Houston officials learned Friday that the state GLO (General Land Office) and the federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development) had determined that these two governments would not receive any Flood Mitigation funding of the approximately $1 billion that was available, in the first round of allocations by the state.

The allocations are based on a formula to determine which communities are the neediest, according to GLO. Within Harris County, approximately $90 million was allocated to Baytown, Pasadena, Galena Park, and Jacinto City for flood mitigation projects that they had applied for.

Harris County had submitted an application asking for $900 million, according to Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Commissioner Garcia, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued statements expressing their displeasure and disbelief in news of the allocations not including local jurisdictions.

Commissioner Garcia said that he was upset, and “incredibly frustrated.” Judge Hidalgo said, “It is unconscionable that the very community hit with the most flooded structures by far during Hurricane Harvey received nothing as part of this Harvey Mitigation allocation.”

Mayor Turner said, “For the State GLO not to give one dime in the initial distribution to the City and a very small portion to Harris County shows a callous disregard to the people of Houston and Harris County.”

Judge Hidalgo said that she plans to ask HUD for a review of the criteria used, and assurance that the County will receive future fund allocations. She said the formulas that are used disadvantage large urban areas that are hardest hit.

Jacinto City, Galena Park each receive $5m+ in flood mitigation money

TAMU Group reveals its plan for a “Green” Galena Park

May 13, 2021

THE GALENA PARK STUDY investigated existing “Vulnerabilities” and presented mediation schemes for each. These studies looked at natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, hazardous materials and plant discharges, and underserved or low income communities. The plan suggested methods to alleviate these disasters, including “green” solutions for planting and drainage in the natural environment.

GALENA PARK – A team of Texas A & M University professors and specialists in professional fields such as planning, engineering, and the environment, presented to the public their project which focused on this city, due to its many “vulnerabilities” to environment threats. The presentation was made last Thursday May 6 to a CIP (Community-Industry Partnership) meeting virtually through Zoom.

Led by professors Jaimie Masterson and Deidra Davis, the team included students and the professors. Investigation and planning were conducted both in person in the field, and in the classroom at TAMU.

The study was entitled “PLANNING TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR GALENA PARK RESIDENTS.” Its stated goal was “Engaging the Galena Park Community to Build Resilience to Excess Industrial Pollutant Releases after Hurricanes and Floods in Greater Houston.”

GP Yellowjackets Soccer Team wins Bi-District State Championship contest 2 – 1 over Lamar Mustangs

Apr 8, 2021

2021 GALENA PARK YELLOWJACKETS BI-DISTRICT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SOCCER TEAM
#1. Front row L-R: Ernesto Villareal, Devin Stockton, Luis Guerrero, Alex Grimaldo.
#2. Middle row L-R: Ricardo Hernandez, Leo Flores, Ricardo Ferral, Martin Lopez, Tony Zamora, Nathan Vasquez, Orlando Flores, Nathan Macias, Jesus Valdez, Fernando Mendoza, Leo Castro, Esteban Gomora, Jorge Cortez, Deziree Propes.
#3. Back row L-R: Anthony Mata, Mikayla Sanchez, Galilea Flores, Head Coach Shannon W. Summers, Aidan Garcia, Bernardo Vazquez, Damian Rodriguez, Steven Botello, Paul Stockton, Isaias Quiroz, Juan Flores, Abdiel Lopez, Dalton Strouse.
(Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Pearland, TX – On Tuesday, March 30th, 2021, at Pearland Stadium, the Galena Park Varsity Soccer Yellowjackets won the 2021 Boys Soccer 5A Regions 3 & 4 Bi-District State Championship, 2-1 over Fort Bend Lamar Consolidated Mustangs.

The Jackets bowed out of the playoffs against the Friendswood Mustangs 2 – 0 on Thursday, April 1st at the neutral site LaPorte, Tx. stadium. Friendswood scored 2 points in the 1st half, and the Jackets were shut out by the awesome Mustangs defense.

Galena Park’s Medical Clinic Administers COVID Vaccine

Mar 11, 2021

Certified Medical Assistant Claudia Franco at the Galena Park Medical Clinic is giving the life saving Moderna COVID 19 virus vaccine to patient Francisco Luevano. Observing, Galena Park Mayor Esmeralda Moya (red) and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (right) (Photo Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park, TX. – Friday, March 5, 2021, at the Galena Park Medical Clinic, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and Mayor Esmeralda Moya assisted the clinic in obtaining the Moderna COVID-19 for the citizens and the nearby areas.

Congresswoman Garcia said, “My objective is to bring the virus vaccine to the people. Many people are unable to travel long distances and wait in long lines for hours to be protected from the virus. With President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion Economic Rescue Plan, we’ll now be able to make sizable gains in protecting citizens from the deadly virus.”

Octavio Plaza, the clinic’s office manager, said, “This is so true. Frequently we have some older citizens unable to get from their cars to get inside for their vaccination, and I and others have gone out into the parking lot to assist them in getting inside.”

The plan calls for $20 billion in a national vaccination program, including launching community vaccination centers around the country and mobile units in hard-to-reach areas. It’ll provide $50 billion in testing providing funds to purchase rapid tests expand lab capacity and help schools implement regular testing to support reopening. It will also fund the hiring of 100,000 public health workers, nearly tripling the community health workforce. And it will provide support to long-term care facilities experiencing outbreaks and to prisons for mitigation strategies.

Garcia and Moya team up to distribute food in Galena Park

Mar 4, 2021

Galena Park food drive organizers: L- R: Volunteer Quincy Harris, Congresswoman Garcia staff: District Director Claudia Ortega Hogue, Field Representative Kory Haywood, Deputy District Director Chris McCarthy, District Director of Special Projects Yuroba Harris, City Secretary Mayra Gonzales, Mayor Esmeralda Moya and Fire Chief Tom Ehlers. (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Galena Park Alvin Baggett Community Center park pavilion, Team Sylvia of Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s office and Galena Park Mayor Moya’s Team organized and distributed over a two day period to thousands of area residents both food and water. Since both the COVID-19 virus pandemic and the recent historical Texas winter storm, organizers said its one of the city’s largest request for emergency food and water.

Homecoming Court at Galena Park HS

Nov 26, 2020

2020 Galena Park High School Homecoming Queen & King

L – R: Principal Dr. Kimberly Martin, Queen Giovanna Morales and Brice Hernandez, both seniors. Giovanna is a member of the school band and Brice is a defensive lineman.

GP Yellowjackets clinch playoffs at Homecoming game 64-0

Nov 26, 2020

#3 Jackets Arturo Garcia crosses the goal on a 39 yard run for the game’s first score, he made 3 TD’s in the game. (Allan Jamail Photo)

By Allan Jamail

Houston, TX. – Thursday, November 20, 2020 at the GPISD stadium, Head Football Coach Spiro Amarantos’s fighting Yellowjackets ended a decade long playoff drought on homecoming night, shutting out Houston’s Sharpstown Apollos 64 – 0.

The Jackets’ steel curtain defense held the Apollos to a mere net two yards running and zero yards passing. The swarming defense has allowed only 6 points to be scored on them in the past four weeks with shutouts in three of those contests. The Apollos tried only 2 passes and those were intercepted, and they coughed up the ball with 3 fumbles.

The Jackets’ offense made 387 yards with 7 touchdowns (TD’s) with a two point conversion and their defense made 2 TD’s, one on a fumble recovery in the end zone and another on a pass interception.

GP Yellowjackets rout the Northside Panthers 44 – 6

Nov 12, 2020

By Allan Jamail

Thursday, November 5, 2020 at the GPISD stadium, Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator Spiro Amarantos’s fighting Yellowjackets defeated Houston Northside Panthers, 44 – 6. They move into 2nd place behind undefeated Fort Bend Marshall.

The Yellowjackets swarming steel curtain defense once again ripped their district opponent’s offense to shreds allowing only 4 yards rushing. The Panthers total offense was kept under 150 yards for 4 quarters. The pass defense sacked the quarterback numerous times and caused 5 Panther fumbles, allowing only one TD late in the fourth quarter.