Posts tagged as “Galena Park”

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.

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.

140 million votes nationwide, Biden on top; Mayor Moya reelected in Galena Park; Constables Garcia, Eagleton win

Nov 5, 2020

HARRIS COUNTY – Voters went to the polls in record numbers for both early voting, and election day votes. In the county over 1,610,000 votes were recorded, and in the nation over 140,000,000 votes were cast.

Unofficial results have been tabulated for all but the Presidential race, where at press time five states were still counting, and with Joe Biden leading, Donald Trump has filed lawsuits challenging the results.

In Harris County, Biden received 56% of the vote, or 911,913 while Trump received 43% or 699,771 votes. However, statewide in Texas Trump had the lead, as did most Republicans seeking office.

For Texas Senator, John Cornyn was reelected over Democratic challenger M.J. Hegar.

Incumbent U.S. Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee was returned with 73% of the votes, and Sylvia Garcia with 71%.

Mayor’s Race highlights local election

Oct 15, 2020

Three campaign to be Galena Park mayor

GALENA PARK – One incumbent and two challengers are running to be the next mayor of Galena Park. The candidates are Maria (Rodriguez) Cortez-Ochoa, Barry Ponder, and incumbent mayor Esmeralda Moya. (See page 6 for Position Statements and Qualifications for each of these candidates.)

Also on the ballot are three Galena Park Commissioners. For Position 1, Mark Groba and Paul Winfield are running against the imcumbent Zenaida Granados. For Position 3, Incumbent Veronica Garcia is running against Martha Perez. And for Position 4, Robert Moya is running against Maricela Serna. Running unopposed for Position 2 is Mary Robles.

In the Galena Park school trustee election, voters will be asked to choose for Position 5 between Ken Wimbley, Herbert Alexander Sanchez, or Trent Johnson. For Position 6, they must choose between Noe Esparza or Kristina Zatopek. Running unopposed for Position 7 is Norma Hernandez.

For State Representative, District 143, Ana Hernandez is running unopposed. In District 144 Mary Ann Perez is challenged by Tony Salas.

For State Senator, District 6, incumbent Carol Alvarado is running against Timothy Duffield.

Two Constable races have received a great deal of attention. In Constable Precinct 2, to replace Chris Diaz two candidates are running, either Daniel Vela or Jerry Garcia. In Precinct 3, incumbent Sherman Eagleton is opposed by Andre Hines.

Mayor’s Race candidates state positions

Oct 15, 2020

My name is Maria Cortez Ochoa (better known by Maria D. Rodriguez). I came to Galena Park from Mexico over 40 years ago in search of a better life and opportunities for my family. In that time, I have raised my two sons in Galena Park where they attended GPISD before going on to obtain professional careers, have worked for GPISD for 20 years, and have become a leader in my community.

For many years I have enjoyed volunteering in my community and serving as a leader through Rotary Club as a member and, for a time, as President, as well as LULAC. I hope, that if nothing else, that through these programs, I have inspired many of our youth to give back through volunteering wherever they may find themselves in life and in the future.

I am now running for Mayor of Galena Park to continue to help where I can and to inspire change, growth and success. I want to bring our community to a level where all of our citizens have a voice and all are treated with the same level of respect.

GP Yellowjackets sting Caney Creek Panthers 34 – 20

Oct 8, 2020

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park ISD Stadium Houston, TX – Friday night the 5A-2 Region III District 11 Galena Park Yellowjackets defeated Conroe’s Caney Creek Panthers 34 to 20 in a non-conference game.

Spiro Amarantos, Head Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator from the start of the game to the end had his Jackets buzzing on all over the Panthers. His offense, defense and special teams out performed the Panthers in all categories of the game.

The Jackets had so many offensive weapons the Panthers didn’t know who would strike next for a touchdown. The Jackets scored 5 TD’s and in every quarter, racking up nearly 300 yards.

Eileen Brightwell named GP/JC Rotarian of the Year

Aug 20, 2020

Outgoing Rotary Club president Marcos Ramos presents the Rotarian of the Year Award to local dentist Eileen Brightwell.

New officers installed

GALENA PARK – The Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotary Club held their Installation and Awards ceremony in June, with much of it a virtual style.

However, the club presented the Rotarian of the Year, the most prestigious club award, to Eileen Brightwell, a long-time member. Eileen is a local dentist in Jacinto City, and will be the club’s Public Relations officer in the coming year. She has held many positions for the club over the years.

New officers and directors were also installed. These include Juan Flores, president; Brian Shepard, president elect; Jennifer Ledwith, treasurer; Maria Cortez-Ochoa, internation service director; Ernesto Paredes, Jr., Rotary Foundation director; Eileen Brightwell, public relations; Bryan Clements, membership chair; and Marcos Ramos, past president.

Pct. 2 sidewalk project set to begin in Galena Park

Aug 13, 2020

HARRIS COUNTY – Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia is proud to announce that construction on the Port Houston Sidewalk project is scheduled to begin this month.

“It is our duty as elected officials and local leaders to take care of and serve our residents to the best of our abilities,” said Commissioner Adrian Garcia. “This project is the perfect example of what can happen when we work together, and I’m thankful for our partners and their collaboration in making this much-needed improvement possible.”

This project is in partnership with Harris County Precinct 2, Port Houston, and the City of Galena Park.

Improvements include the construction of a 6- foot-wide, approximately 1.9-mile-long concrete sidewalk on Mercury Drive from the Galena Park Sports Complex to Holland Avenue.

Galena Park Police prepared for Hurricane season

Aug 6, 2020

Galena Park police with one of the city’s two high water rescue vehicles. The $140,000 vehicle was purchased for $5,000 through a military grant. L – R: Chief Rodney Chersky, Sergeant Tim Frantz, Administrative Sergeant – Drew Scroggins and Administrative Assistant – Anabel Reyna (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park, TX. – Tuesday, August 4, 2020 – The 2020 hurricane season has begun and researchers say this year may be especially active. Galena Park’s Police Chief Rodney Chersky and Fire Chief Tom Ehlers have their departments ahead of the game. Their departments constantly monitor the weather conditions and they plan together for the possibility of responding to emergencies if the city’s streets become flooded.

Police Chief Chersky said “Galena Park has two Light Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTV’s), one for the police and one for the fire department. The High Water Rescue Vehicles cost approximately $140,000.00 each, however the city purchased them in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey from the state surplus with a military grant for just $5,000.00 each, one only has 900 miles on it.”

Chersky said, the main purpose of the LMTV’s is for high water rescues, but they’re also helpful when called upon to go on utility right of ways or other areas where a patrol vehicle or other emergency vehicle may not be able to get without being damaged or getting stuck.

The police and fire department has emergency backup electrical generators to supply all normal operations of the department as well as the stations emergency telephone and two-way radio communications. In the event flooded roads prevent the normal shift changes requiring the on-duty personnel to work extended hours, the two chiefs plan ahead and stock up with extra supplies of food and drinking water.