What do Port officials really think of Wayne?

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's been several months since 13 Undercover started investigating the Port of Houston's very expensive and still very empty cruise terminal. It's a multimillion dollar waste of public money, and it's clear that some people don't like it.

______________________

The script below is verbatim of 13 Undercover's report

______________________

I don't often get to hear some of the nasty stuff they say about 13 Undercover behind our back, but you got to love the Port because they put the feelings in emails.

We've shown you $106 million of your dollars going to waste, the empty state-of-the-art cruise terminal at Bayport. Guess we don't need to build the other two terminals the Port Authority planned to build on this land they already own. "Hundred million dollars is boarded up and wasted this afternoon. Whose head rolled over that decision?" Sen. John Whitmire said. Good question, but Chairman Jim Edmonds doesn't talk to us. "I have no comments," he once told us. "I don't care to talk to you about anything." So we can't ask the Port Authority why it still grossly exaggerates the financial benefits of the cruise project. By 2012, the website claims the cruise terminal was scheduled to bring more than $665 million to the area economy, 2,865 jobs. Of course, you'd actually need a cruise ship to have a shot at job number one. And we clearly don't have that. "There ought to be an urgency about this accountability," Whitmire said. You know there's trouble when the cruise terminal has officially become a joke in Port emails now obtained by 13 Undercover. Take the negotiations to fix up this dilapidated Ship Channel dock for lease to a company called Houston Ship Repair. Listen as a company official makes a funny counteroffer: "I think it's better to have the Port build us a new terminal like the Port did for the nonexistent cruise ships at a mere $100 million." The Port-of-Plenty investigation has focused the public spotlight on the Port and so you won't be surprised to find out 13 Undercover isn't exactly popular with the Port or their friends. Take Esther de Ipolyi. She's even paid to write speeches for a Port commissioner and the Port Chief Executive Officer, Alec Dreyer. Just look at the eloquence in this email about me. She called me a "slimeball." Another vendor warns, 'Don't let Dolcefino touch you with his slimy hands"... "heard Dolcefino is a jerk." Port official Ricardo Arias is clearly not a fan. He called me a "jackass." Maybe that inspired this photo of me sent to another Port official. "No I don't recognize you," Whitmire said. Flattering, isn't it? Are my ears really that big? "Obviously they got some children hired up there. Somebody needs to check on their child labor laws because only a child would engage in this," Whitmire said. Even a Port lawyer must not realize that government emails are public: 'Keep in mind that Wayne Dolcefino is not a rePorter ... 'think tabloid." Hopefully this email was not included in the billings from law firm Fulbright and Jaworski: "That Wayne Dolcefino better watch his back... Somebody might pop a cap in him." Since March, we've been exposing the Port-of-Plenty, like the money wasted trying to get a deal in Libya, the free Saharan vacation for the Port chairman. Port Vice President Tom Heidt was just glad he didn't make the trip. "Once again looks like I've stayed below radar," Heidt said in an email. Of course that email came before we show you how Heidt's kid got a paying internship and before we questioned all that first-class travel, the lavish entertainment expenses, quoting, "They don't get we are not the city. We are a business." "The vice president thinks that they're above public review and inspection and accountability, he probably needs to reconsider what his role is," Whitmire said. A sentiment shared by Port Chairman Jim Edmonds last April. "You don't consider every dime here to be the public's money?" we asked Edmonds in April. "I do not," he replied. "Really?" "Really," he said. By May, our investigation had sparked a district attorney's office investigation. "F me," said a Port manager, "should be fun to get back to the office." "There's a lot of supPort in the delegation to shaking this outfit up," Whitmire said. Senator Whitmire led the charge for a state review of the Port and its way of doing business. "That dog don't hunt anymore in my world," Whitmire said. One employee writes in an email, "Uncle Wayne is freaking killing us man." Uncle Wayne or Little Wayne? Well he is throwing away money, but he's the wrong Little Wayne. This Port employee thinks I have "little guy syndrome." "This is just poor judgment and obviously they don't get it," Whitmire said. So on Thursday, it's back at the Port-of-Plenty, always finding new ways to spend money. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Couple dies in northeast Houston house fire

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A couple was killed in a tragic fire in northeast Houston. We are learning more about the victims as investigators try to determine the cause of the fire.

The fire broke out at the home on Kenton near Bacher just before 5am. Fire investigators were on the scene for hours trying to find out what caused the deadly blaze in the Settagast neighborhood. It took the lives of two people, one of them identified by family as Dorothy Moore, grandmother to Joseph Moore.

"She liked to cook and be with her family, play with her little grandkids," Joseph said.

He is at a genuine loss, and can't even speculate as to what caused this fire. The Houston Fire Department won't say much either, wanting to do a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and cause of death for the individuals. The second victim has been identified by neighbors and family as Eddie Manuel.

"He was a nice person, do odds and ends around the neighborhood, cut yards and stuff. A real nice person," said neighbor Kareen Brooks.

When firefighters arrived at the home in the early hours of this morning, they faced a difficult task. There were heavy flames with portions of the home boarded up, a lot of possessions piled up and a live power line on the property, all making a rescue attempt nearly impossible until they could beat back the flames.

The two victims were found in the back of the house. It seems they were trying to escape the fire.

"We have to make a document of where the bodies were found -- what was the probable cause," said HFD District Chief Rick Flanagan. "There are so many intricate pieces we have to put together in the investigation."

That's all HFD is saying for now, but Joseph Moore knows enough to know this just isn't right.

"Natural causes I can understand, but this, no," he said.

Arson investigators are on the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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North Forest ISD to fight state-ordered closure

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The state has ordered North Forest ISD to shut down by next summer. There are still a lot of unknowns at this point, including what will happen to North Forest's 7,500 students and whether the district's schools will be closed and/or sold.

While many in this community aren't necessarily happy with how this situation is playing out, they believe the school district's long track record of problems will be hard to defend.

After years of poor test scores, high dropout rates and financial mismanagement, the Texas Education Agency says North Forest ISD has done an awful job of educating its students and believes it's time to close the district and give the 7,500 kids who go to school there a fresh start.

Parent Vanessa Kegler said, "You got to have teachers who want to teach the children and not just go in there for a paycheck."

Kegler says she moved out of North Forest because the schools were so bad, but she worries that shutting down the entire district will strip the community of its identity.

"They want to close out all the blacks. I feel like this society is not worried about our children anymore," Kegler said.

As details of next year's potential merger with Houston ISD get ironed out, the cry to keep the district intact is growing louder. Houston City Councilman Jarvis Johnson and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee acknowledge the district's troubles, but they believe North Forest is worth saving. Lee has organized an emergency community meeting.

She said, "I just think in spite of the many, many citations year after year that is alleged in the letter that I'm still reviewing, that there may be some questions of district treatment and attitudes that I think are inappropriate in the state of Texas."

North Forest is in the process of appealing the state's decision, but does it have a leg to stand on?

Parent Timandra Gauthier isn't sure how fighting this is going to benefit the kids, who according to the state haven't been getting a quality education for years.

"It's kind of sad in a way, but I mean, whatever helps the kids. If they're not learning in the schools there is no use for them to be there," Gauthier said. "They need to be placed somewhere else where they can learn."

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Viewers send in more shark photos

A viewer sent us this photo taken at Matagorda Beach.

  MATAGORDA, TX (KTRK) -- In recent days, we've shown you a number of close encounters with sharks. We're now see photos of another.

One of our Eyewitness News viewers the above photo of a bull shark caught along a beach in Matagorda. Most of them were caught by kayakers surf fishing about 300 yards from shore.

With all the recent pictures we've shown, you might think that more sharks are coming closer to shore, but the head of Galveston's beach patrol doesn't think that's true.

See more of the photos sent in.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Local search group sues Casey Anthony

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local search-and-rescue group has filed a civil lawsuit against Casey Anthony in an effort to recoup expenses in its search for Caylee Anthony.

Texas Equusearch filed the suit Tuesday in the 9th Judicial District Circuit in and for Orange County, Fla. -- Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery v. Casey Anthony. [READ LAWSUIT] Equusearch says it used 4,200 volunteer searchers and spent $112,000 looking for Caylee Anthony in Florida. That includes phone lines, fuel cost, housing and more. "This is the money that really needed to go to families that need us," said Tim Miller of Equusearch. "While we were doing that search, we were so involved, we had several families that called in and really needed our help. And we had to turn them down." The group started to consider a lawsuit after testimony during the trial that the child was never missing. Casey Anthony was found not guilty July 5 on charges of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. She is now being sued by Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez. That was the name Casey Anthony used when she lied about a nanny kidnapping her little girl. Casey Anthony is scheduled to be released from jail on July 17. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Woman wins appeal to have 'Diaper Baby' book banned

  CHANNELVIEW, TX (KTRK) -- We have an update on a book ban appeal at Brown Elementary School. A Channelview ISD's parent wanting one kid's book banned from the library has finally gotten her wish.

Back in May, we told you that Tammy Harris had filed a complaint with the school. She wanted "The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby" pulled from the library because it contained the phrase 'poo poo head.'

Harris said her son was suspended for using the same phrase.

A committee rejected the complaint last month, but Harris appealed and won and now the book is banned.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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State orders North Forest ISD to close

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A state education commissioner has ordered North Forest ISD to close its doors by next year.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott sent the school district a letter on Friday outlining its intent to close the district July 1, 2012. North Forest ISD can still operate for the upcoming school year, and it is being given the option to appeal the state's decision. The district's acting superintendent, Edna Forte, says North Forest ISD is in the process of filing that appeal now. But as of now, the state is planning to annex the district to Houston ISD, which would then determine whether to keep the campuses open or place current North Forest ISD students at HISD schools already open. The state's decision comes after years of financial and academic issues plaguing the school district. The district will have a substandard financial rating statewide for the fourth straight year, and North Forest High School will be given an academically unacceptable rating for the sixth year. Last year, only 31 percent of ninth graders passed the TAKS test. Of the 8,000 public high schools in Texas, North Forest High School is the worst-performing school. "We think it's time to close North Forest and give somebody else a chance to educate these kids because this district has consistently failed the kids," Texas Education Agency Spokeswoman Debbie Ratcliffe said. The TEA says the district has dug itself into a deep financial hole it simply can't dig itself back out of. North Forest ISD released a statement late Tuesday afternoon in response to the TEA's decision, which read in part, "We acknowledge the troubled past of the district and many of the challenges we face to get back on solid footing, but we're also encouraged that the innovative academic opportunities and the 2011-2012 financial forecast provide evidence that our strategic plan is taking us in the right direction. "It took years to get to this point and we will not come out of this overnight; but we will come out of this with the North Forest Independent School District intact and able to provide the quality education our students deserve." Houston ISD also issued a statement late Tuesday stating it did not advocate for this proposal, but it is ready to welcome North Forest ISD's students if the state's order becomes reality. "We know it's going to be a challenge. We believe there should be an effective teacher in every classroom and an effective leader in every school. We are realizing the positive results from those beliefs and we are looking forward to sharing our academic achievement with every student, teacher, and community member joining Team HISD," HISD Board President Paula Harris said in the statement."We look forward to working with Commissioner Scott to ensure that HISD receives adequate financial resources to tackle this unique challenge." Since the closure is being forced by the state, the Department of Justice will have to approve its closure. Meanwhile, residents in the area are heartbroken. "For this area to continue to thrive and to make it better, we have to make sure our children are educated and there are jobs for people in the community," resident Jerry Davis said. "I think this is a wakeup call. I think it's time for the community to get more involved than it has been in the past and truly pull behind North Forest because I don't think it's a truly broken situation," former North Forest ISD student Bryan smart said. While some hope the north forest name still has a future, others side with the state and believe a drastic change is the only solution. "I think it was the best thing they could have ever done," parent Anna Brooks said. "I feel like the children have a better chance of getting a better education, through somebody else."

Sheila Jackson Lee wants to keep district open

Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee wants to keep the district open and could ask the federal government to step in.

She released a statement that encourages "parents and community leaders to use all legal action to prevent this school district from being shut down." She calls it "a civil rights issue."

The congresswoman plans to hold an emergency meeting Saturday to discuss the closing.

Past troubles of North Forest ISD In 2009, the state had kicked out all of the school board's elected trustees because of a $12 million budget deficit, academically unacceptable rankings. The Texas Education Agency then took over the entire school district but returned control to a locally elected school board last year. Then in March, North Forest ISD placed its Texas Education Agency-appointed superintendent Dr. Adrain Johnson on administrative leave amid concerns over continued financial issues and the district's graduation rate. A13 Undercover investigation also exposed serious mismanagement in their special education department. The Harris County District Attorney's Office never did anything about it, but hundreds of thousands of dollars meant for special education kids went misused at North Forest until 13 Undercover stopped it. Ruth Watson used to be head of the north forest special education department. In 2008, we exposed hundreds of thousands in state funds wasted on unqualified consultants. As it turned out a lot of folks on the payroll were kin folks or special friends to Watson. She was on the spring school board at the time but was eventually voted out. It's hard to forget Watson. Among her allegations is that 13 Undercover's Wayne Dolcefino sexually harassed her during a spring school board meeting by tickling her hand when he shook it. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Dog vanishes from grooming shop

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A family dropped their dog off for grooming and never got him back. Now their search for answers is hitting a brick wall.

A dog collar is one of the few things left behind at the Bonilla home to remind Salvador Bonilla and his 11-year-old daughter Alexandra of a small white poodle they called Gigo.

He said, "To this day we have not known what really happened to our dog."

Bonilla says his daughter and his mother took the dog to a pet grooming shop called Jobpops on Westheimer about three weeks ago, but they never got him back.

"They never called," Bonilla recalled. "So my mom and my baby Alexandra went back to check on the dog and they said maybe it's here somewhere. We don't know where it is."

There were no answers forthcoming either. Not even an apology, Bonilla says.

"They were not feeling sorry," he said.

We called Jobpops, even went there and rang the door bell. We were ignored by an older woman in green who walked towards the back inside the shop once she saw us.

Bonilla wants Gigo back for his daughter.

"There is no monetary value for that dog," he said.

But if that's not possible, he says, some answers would go a long way.

"They never said exactly what really happened to poor Gigo and they never showed us anything from Gigo," Bonilla said. "They just completely disappeared the dog."

Salvador Bonilla lost his wife to kidney disease about a year ago and the dog was a comfort to his daughter. He says the shop called to offer him another dog, but with still no explanations or apologies. And that, he says, he just can't accept.

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East End residents want homeless out

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's a possible expansion of a city ordinance to tackle the homeless problem. Some neighborhoods near downtown want the vagrants out. They're asking City Council for changes to keep people who don't live in their neighborhoods out.

Some are making a push for an amended civility ordinance, but people are split on it. On the East End of downtown, homeless men and women dot the sidewalks. Karen Day admits she knows she's not welcome. "Well, it makes you feel trashy," Day said. As this area, known as EaDo, develops into a more residential neighborhood, there is the inevitable question -- how to coexist with a homeless population that often makes new residents uncomfortable? "It's a lose-lose situation. Really there is no right answer. They're in a situation where can afford to live somewhere, but no place wants them. Still they need somewhere to be," said resident Omar Mejia. Concerned homeowners went to City Hall Wednesday, hoping council members would agree to extend the city's "civility ordinance" to EaDo. "Trash is a major issue, discarded food items; when I walk my dog, I have to take chicken bones out of their mouths," said resident Phillip Bayko. If passed, the ordinance would make it unlawful to sit or sleep on sidewalks from 7am to 11pm. But not every council member likes the idea. "Some of us are one paycheck away from homeless ourselves, so we have to be compassionate ourselves," said Council Member Wanda Adams. Several Houston neighborhoods including downtown already have such ordinances in place. Residents and police admit a civility ordinance won't solve the homeless problem because if it's not this neighborhood, it will be somewhere else. "Unfortunately these people don't have anywhere to go," said Mejia. Residents in East End do have the support of their council member, James Rodriguez. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Houston Personal Injury Claims

Mother shot, killed during argument with boyfriend

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police say the violence broke out during an argument between the couple at a home on Clarke Springs at the Beltway 8 South in southwest Houston.

We spoke with the victim's brother. He says his sister had an argument with her boyfriend over the phone Wednesday night. He says minutes later he watched as that boyfriend stormed into the house. He then listened in horror as gunshots went off, one of them killing his older sister. He described it as a nightmare.

"His hand was in his pocket like this the whole time," Christopher Branch told Eyewitness News. "Boom! He come and help himself, and leave the door just like that."

Branch says with his nieces, ages 6, 5, and 4, outside with him at the time, he heard his 22-year-old sister Robin Hightower, alone in her room, fighting with her boyfriend.

"We heard gunshots," Branch said.

Branch said he ran inside and what he saw next will always haunt him. His sister had been shot in the chest.

He said, "She was lying on her stomach, covered in blood."

Branch says his nieces watched in horror as he brought their mother out and drove her to the hospital.

Police say they caught up to the boyfriend at a gas station a few miles away. Authorities say he had been shot in the upper body.

Branch still has questions about how the shooting happened.

"By them scuffling, the gun may have gone off like that," he theorized.

Branch claims his sister was in a three to four year abusive relationship as the family begged her to get out of it. He says now he really wishes she had listened.

"I just wish I would wake up and it was all a dream," he said.

Police say they are still trying to sort out the details. The boyfriend is in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound. Police are calling him a person of interest.

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Jury seated for Clemens perjury trial

Roger Clemens (AP image)

WASHINGTON (KTRK) -- During a congressional hearing, former Astros star pitcher Roger Clemens made it clear he thought others were lying about his alleged steroid use. Now, Clemens is going on trial, accused of lying to congress during those hearings.

A jury of 10 women and two men will decide Clemens' fate. Ironically, the jury was selected on the same day as the All-Stall Game. Clemens himself isan11-time All-Star. He played with four different teams. Now, he's an accused liar. Even at the federal courthouse, Clemens is a star pitcher. As he left on Tuesday, a Yankee fan asked for an autograph. On Wednesday morning, federal prosecutors will outline their case against baseball's most decorated pitcher. His attorney Rusty Hardin will fire right back in what consultant Dr. Richard Waites believes to be the most important part of a trial. "Research shows that between 70 and 80 percent of jurors have established a clear leaning in the case by the end of opening statements before they've heard any evidence," Waites said. Clemens faces six counts of perjury stemming from this 2008 testimony in front of congress. Though his former trainer Brian McNamee and good friend Andy Pettite testified Clemens had experimented with performance enhancing drugs, he has always maintained his innocence. Much of the government's case rests on both witnesses. McGuire Woods Partner Patrick Rowan, who also used to be a federal prosecutor, says expect Hardin to skewer one in particular. "The defense wants this case to be about Brian McNamee, not about Roger Clemens," Rowan said. The trial is expected to last well into august. There will be physical evidence and hours upon hours of testimony. The government has been criticized for pursuing Clemens, and Rowan says it is a very real concern. "I think there's a real risk jurors will say you know what I don't care that much and between guilt and not guilty, I think not guilty sounds like I don't care," Rowan said. It's a case prosecutors have spent years on but despite all the accusations Clemens still has his loyal fans. "He's my favorite pitcher. Hopefully the best works out for him," Yankee fan Tom O'Brien said. Clemens is not expected to take the stand but that could change. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Sports »

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Rape kit not tested for 12 years leads to suspect

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A brutal rape of a teenage girl 16 years ago, and crucial evidence in her case sat on a shelf for over a decade. Now DNA testing has led to a suspect who in the meantime found another victim.

We've been telling you about the backlog in testing rape kits for years. This case in particular brings up a burning question: If the evidence would have been tested sooner, would another woman have been victimized? Roland Ali Westbrooks is already a convicted rapist. But he has just been charged with another attack on a Houston teen that happened in one neighborhood back in 1995. "I'm upset, and everyone has a right to be upset -- and should be," Sen. John Whitmire said. Sen. Whitmire said he's upset, learning it's taken Houston police 16 years to link Westbrooks with the teen's rape using DNA evidence the department already had in its possession for years. "If you're going to have a police department in a civilized society, you've got to solve crimes. Particularly when you have the evidence in your lock box in your station," said Sen. Whitmire. Court documents show the 16-year-old girl reported the rape back in August 1995. Twelve years later, in 2007, a new officer reviewed the case and found the DNA evidence was never sent to the crime lab. It took another two years for that officer to learn a DNA profile was found. And in October 2009 that sample was set to the state DPS lab. In July 2010, the investigating officer learned the DNA sample matched Westbrooks, who was already serving time in prison for a different rape. The officer sent additional DNA results to the HPD crime lab in February of this year, and it was only last month that police say those lab results linked Westbrooks to the 1995 rape. Senator Whitmire says had HPD tested the rape kit sooner, it could have stopped Westbrooks from attacking someone else. "It is wrong. They have over 4,000 rape kits unprocessed at the Houston Police Department. They know it. The public knows it. And it's unacceptable," said Sen. Whitmire. The crime lab director told us there is currently a team in place to process those thousands of rape kits. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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5.36 Ct Platinum Emerald Cut Emerald and Diamond Ring

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Firefighters canvass neighborhood following fatal fire

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston firefighters are canvassing a northeast Houston neighborhood giving residents information about smoke detectors. This comes in the wake of Wednesday's fire that killed an elderly couple in that neighborhood.

The city has closed the property near Hobart Taylor Park and declared it a hazard after a fierce fatal fire. Firefighters were back on the scene Thursday with a message of prevention. Firefighters are walking the streets of the neighborhood, trying to do what they can to prevent another tragedy, giving residents information about smoke alarms, encouraging them to have an evacuation route prepared in the event of a fire. An older couple, Dorothy Moore and Eddie Manuel died Wednesday when their home caught fire in the early morning hours. When firefighters arrived, the flames were so heavy they couldn't get in right away, and were only able to reach the couple later. The couple was found in the back of the house. It seems they were trying to escape the flames. Because of the extent of the damage, the fire department cannot say whether or not the couple had a smoke alarm, but they say this is an appropriate time to talk about fire prevention. "The safety measures that I want to get out is that any fires that are in any residential home can be possibly assisted so that the family members can get out if they have a working smoke alarm," said Asst. Chief Rick Flanagan with the Houston Fire Department. "We don't know, have not concluded if they had at this time." "After the incident, they're definitely more aware of what can happen, so they're a little bit more in line to accept the help as opposed to coming out blind without an incident," said Houston firefighter Albert Bennett. "Everyone has the ideology that it will never happen to me. After an incident with someone that's in proximity to you, you're a little bit more inclined to say, 'Hey, that could've been me.'" As they go door to door, firefighters are also checking smoke alarms to make sure they're working properly. They added that if anyone cannot afford a smoke alarm, they should go to their local fire station to receive assistance in getting one. The cause of the fire and the cause of death of Moore and Manuel is under investigation. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Group files lawsuit to stop Perry prayer day here

  AUSTIN, TX -- The Freedom from Religion Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit to stop the Texas governor's day of prayer and fasting.

The organization which is made up of atheists and agnostics argues that Gov. Rick Perry is violating the constitutional ban on the government establishing a religion. Perry has invited the Obama administration, the nation's governors and Texas lawmakers to attend the prayer meeting in Houston on Aug. 6. The event is being sponsored by evangelical Christian groups and is explicitly a Christian event. The foundation said Perry should not have organized the event as governor. The suit was filed Wednesday at the federal courthouse in Houston. A spokesman for the event, called The Response, said he needed to consult an attorney before commenting. The governor's office had no immediate comment. (Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Fire breaks out at Entergy substation in Montgomery Co.

  MONTGOMERY COUNTY (KTRK) -- Huge plumes of smoke were seen for miles as a piece of equipment caught fire near an Entergy substation in Montgomery County.

It started around 6am Thursday morning at the substation on FM 1314 and State Highway 242. The Montgomery County Fire Marshal said a bank of approximately 432 Static VAR Capacitors each containing five gallons of mineral oil caught fire in a fenced area surrounded by gravel. The fire department decided to allow the mineral oil to burn itself out. Entergy officials say there are no outages because of the fire and they don't anticipate any shortages today. The fire marshal says there have been no evacuations and the fire poses no immediate danger to the surrounding community. There are no reports of any injuries. Authorities and Entergy officials say they will access the damage and determine what caused the fire. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has also been notified and is monitoring this event. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Family to be reunited with fallen Vietnam vet

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- On Thursday, a Vietnam veteran who was missing for nearly 50 years will return to Texas to be laid to rest.

Lt. Commander William Eagan was last seen alive on April 26, 1966. He was flying an A-1 H Skyraider, bombing a military complex when his plane crashed into the middle of the thick jungle. An American flag is flying outside the family's home in preparation for the homecoming. About 50 relatives will be waiting for the veteran this weekend, including his widow and four children. "The first thing I would say is mission accomplished; those are the best words" said Linda Sanders. Forty-five years is a long time to wait for someone to make it home. "I always was worried about him, but I always knew he'd be home, eventually. I didn't think it was going to take this long," Sanders said. US Navy Lt. Commander William Patrick Egan was Sanders' uncle, but they were born the same year, so he was more like a brother. "He's a good. He's still a good man," she said. In April of 1966, Lt. Commander Eagan had just completed his mission from the USS Hancock when he was killed in action. "Pat was our hero and he'll remain a hero. His great, great grandchildren will know about him," Sanders said. His remains were recovered in December 2009 and identified through DNA earlier in the year. "You realize we're only getting a bone the size of a finger but it matched it my DNA so they told us that there may be more bones coming," Sanders said. The family waited and prayed the day would come. "It's like we've been released. Everybody can be happy now, we can go on with our lives," she said. Never forgetting their family hero. "Every one of our parents from the Eagan family have told each kid get Pat home," Sanders said. And never giving up. "Don't give hope. Wait for your person," she said. Lt. Commander Eagan was very decorated. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, a Silver Star. His remains are expected to arrive at Bush Intercontinental Airport just before noon. The Houston Police Department, the U.S. Navy and the Patriot Riders will all be there to escort him to his final resting place at a local cemetery. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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One arrested, one sought in vandalism in NW Harris Co.

Precinct 4 deputy constables say they have arrested 21-year-old Matthew Byford.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Officers have arrested a young man and want to find another as they investigate vandalism in northwest Harris County.

Investigators say the vandalism involved someone using a pellet gun to shoot out the windows of several businesses along the FM 2920 corridor. Precinct 4 deputy constables arrested 21-year-old Matthew Byford. Constable Ron Hickman said Byford was charged in two of about 30 incidents where someone shot out windows with an air pistol. "It appears to have been just for fun. No malice involved or problems, conflicts with the business owners. Just kids out involved in mischief just purely for fun. They thought it'd be a cool thing to do," said Constable Hickman. Byford remains jailed without bond. Constable Hickman says his deputies want to find several others who may have been involved in the vandalism. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Homeowner fights back against would-be cell phone thief

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Residents in a home in Fort Bend County say a man who knocked on their door asking for help stole several cell phones overnight.

Residents noticed the phones were missing after the man left. One of the residents grabbed a rifle and confronted the man across the street from the home.

Authorities say the accused thief was shot in a struggle for the rifle. He was taken to the hospital by Life Flight and is expected to survive.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Houston police need help to find missing elderly man

Isidro Tamez, 84, was last seen yesterday at around 7pm at a church in the 1100 block of Griffin Street.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police need your help to find a missing elderly man last seen near the Heights yesterday.

Isidro Tamez, 84, was last seen yesterday at around 7pm at a church in the 1100 block of Griffin Street. He was driving a 1997 white Ford Escort, license plate 082-DBG.

Through an EZ tag search, investigators were able to determine the vehicle Tamez was driving was in the area of Highway 90 at the Toll Road in Ft. Bend County shortly before 7am today.

Tamez is Hispanic with brown eyes and gray hair. He has a medium build. He was last seen wearing a brown checkered button-up shirt with tan slacks.

Anyone who has information on Tamez's whereabouts is asked to call the Houston Police Department's missing person's division at 713-731-5223.

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Boy attacked by pit bulls improving; dogs euthanized

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We have an update on a young Crosby boy attacked by two pit bulls.

The boy's mother says her son is showing some improvement. Mario Lopez, 10, was seriously injured when the two dogs attacked him two weeks ago as he rode his bicycle through the neighborhood. The pit bulls bit him all over his body. His mother says with some help, Mario can now walk around a little and is able to spend time outside. We're told on Monday Harris County Animal Control euthanized the pit bulls. Their owners are facing criminal charges. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Galveston Daily News publisher to retire

  GALVESTON, TX -- Longtime Galveston County Daily News president and publisher Dolph Tillotson has announced that he'll retire Aug. 29 after 24 years at the newspaper's helm.

The 61-year-old veteran newspaper executive will be succeeded by Patrick Graham, publisher of newspaper's sister paper in northeastern Texas, The Paris News. Tillotson will remain a board member of Galveston Newspapers Inc., which publishes the newspaper, and an executive vice president of the parent Southern Newspapers Inc.

Aside from work as the Galveston paper's top executive, Tillotson has actively lobbied on behalf of state newspaper publishers. He spent seven years as president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association and is a past president of the southern Newspaper Publishers Association.

Graham, like Tillotson, began his career in Alabama. The 42-year-old executive is married with three daughters.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Astroworld model heads for Houston Public Library

  HOUSTON -- Perhaps the trees aren't as billowy as they once were.

Maybe there are odd gaps where landmarks -- the Black Dragon, say -- ought to be but aren't. And to be honest, maybe this 8-by-10-foot model -- designed to promote Astroworld, Space City's iconic amusement park -- is a tad tired and dusty. But in coming days, the model will be touched up, reglued and dusted -- restored to near-pristine condition for its planned exhibition later this year at the Houston Public Library's Julia Ideson Building. The model, offered for sale by Optical Project, a Houston Heights gallery, for $5,500, has been purchased at a discounted "keep it in Houston" price by I.A. Naman and Associates, the mechanical and electrical company that designed the park's revolutionary outdoor air conditioning system. "It's cool," said Naman president Thomas Barrow, adding that his firm will give the model to the library so the public can enjoy -- vicariously -- the defunct park's storied charms. The model is the handiwork of one-time Disney animator Ed Henderson. Commissioned by Astrodome booster Roy Hofheinz, the model first was featured in the show window of a downtown department store. Later, it was exhibited at the park and, until recently, had spent the years since the theme park's 2005 closing in Henderson's southwest Houston garage. For Astroworld fans -- a devoted, if not fanatical, set -- Henderson's model may be the next best thing to being there. Built in 1967, the year before Astroworld's opening, Henderson's model reproduces the park in intricate detail. Architecture students from Rice and the University of Houston completed many of the buildings, while the animator took care of the overall concept and glued in the landscape and attractions. In the model's extreme northwest corner is a private parking spot occupied by a miniature of Hofheinz's black Cadillac. The model was only one of Henderson's Astro-related projects. For 10 years, his film production company created animation for the Astrodome's scoreboard. At the park, Henderson created props and promotional items, such as the full-color maps given park patrons. Astroworld's owner, Six Flags Inc., closed the park in 2005, citing declining patronage and the rising value of the theme park's 109 acres. The vacant site has not been redeveloped. Most of the park's rides and equipment -- including the cots in the nurses' station -- later were liquidated in a three-day auction. The Greezed Lightnin', the park's steel shuttle-looper roller coaster, capable of accelerating riders from zero to 60 mph in four seconds, was moved to Lubbock. Some Astroworld fans, who continue to maintain a nostalgic website, never recovered from the loss. "Astroworld was a magical place," said one, Allen Hill, 40. "It was always a reward to get to go (there). It was a special treat, something that was always savored. The Greezed Lightnin' was worth waiting three hours for. It was cool." Among other park highlights was the Black Dragon -- Hill called it a "warm-up" ride -- the miniature version of which has fallen off the model. The model was returned to Henderson when the park closed, after which he kept it in his garage and restored some of the rides. Then, when he was introduced to Bill Davenport, the owner of Optical Project, he decided to sell. Although nostalgic for the park -- especially for its early years -- Henderson admitted he had little need for the scaled-down rendition. "What am I going to do with it?" he said. "I'm 86." (Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Man shot during fight in northeast Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man is in stable condition after being shot by his own gun during a fight.

It happened overnight on Cherry at Glasgow in northeast Houston. Houston police say two men got into a fight in the street.

The victim went to grab his gun, when the other man tried to wrestle it away from him. The gun went off many times before a bullet struck the victim once in the abdomen. He ran to a Houston fire station where he was transported to Ben Taub Hospital.

Police are still investigating the incident.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Suspect charged in deadly jewelry store robbery

Anthony Parks, 23, is charged with murder in connection to the robbery shooting that killed Java Gold Jewelry store owner Mehmood Ghaznavi.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A murder charge has been filed against a man accused of fatally shooting a jewelry store owner during a robbery.

Anhony Parks, 23, is being held on a $100,000 bond. Parks is accused of killing 52-year-old Mehmood Ghaznavi during a Tuesday night robbery at his east Houston business, Java Gold Jewelry. Ghaznavi was struck and killed by a bullet during a shootout with the suspect. Ghaznavi had purchased a gun after he was targeted last year during another violent robbery, during which three suspects pistol whipped him while demanding cash. Parks was convicted of misdemeanor theft in 2008. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Accident involving 2 big rigs shuts down Highway 290

Two big rigs crashed creating quite the mess and shutting down all inbound lanes of Highway 290.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A massive grain spill has part of the Northwest Freeway shut down for the morning commute.

The accident happened around 2:30am near Mangum. All eastbound lanes of Highway 290 between Mangum Rd. and Ramp to NB I-610 West Loop due to the accident.

According to officials, the big rig drivers were following one another to the Ship Channel when one driver struck the other.

Both 18-wheelers were carrying grain, so crews are out there right now trying to clear the mess on Highway 290. But it could take a few hours before the lanes are cleared.

Due to the traffic mess, METRO officials have opened the inbound HOV lane to all traffic.

No injuries were reported.

Check real-time traffic information in our ABC13.com traffic section

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