Thursday, May 31, 2012

Spring woman accused of trying to pin blame for serious car accident on ex-husband

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Spring woman is accused of attempting to pin a serious car accident on her ex-husband who was actually working at the time.

According to court documents, on March 8 a driver was seriously injured when a dark colored Ford F-150 struck her vehicle in the 200 block of Cypresswood Dr. in north Harris County. The victim says the driver fled the scene without stopping.

Detectives say they found the license plate in the debris and traced it to a Matthew Wallace. Further investigation revealed that the license had been canceled and a new plate had been issued on March 23, and that the vehicle was involved in another accident on April 22.

Court documents state investigators went to the address listed with the new license plate and observed a Ford F-150 bearing the new plate with front-end damage consistent with the Cypresswood crash.

Investigators interviewed the complainant in both reports, Brenna Nicole Wallace. They say she told them that she drove the truck to a night club where she met her ex-husband, Matthew Wallace, and that they were both intoxicated and left the club in her truck. According to investigators, Brenna Wallace said Matthew Wallace was the driver of the vehicle that night and that he was involved in the accident. They say she admitted to getting new license plates for the truck after the accident.

Court records show that investigators interviewed Matthew Wallace who provided copies of work time sheets that show he was working at the time of the accident. He also provided a copy of his divorce decree which awarded the truck to Brenna Wallace. Investigators say Matthew Wallace showed them a picture that Brenna Wallace texted to him the day of the accident saying she was involved in an accident and showing the damage, and asking him for advice.

Brenna Wallace, 31, is charged with failure to stop and render aid. Bond has been set at $5,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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HISD hopes for uneventful last day of school

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's the last day of school at HISD. Students will spend the day wrapping up assignments and saying goodbye to teachers.

But the last day of school is usually also peak time for violence. That's why police and the community are working together to make sure summer begins on a safe note.

Local officials plan on monitoring campuses, walking through hallways and making sure kids get a safe start to summer.

It's called Project Safe Start and it's a partnership between police and local faith-based organizations. It started back in 1991 when school officials realized there was always a spike in violence during the end of the school year and into the summer.

So now, officials make it a point to be in schools talking to students, making sure they feel safe and making sure they know that there will be major consequences for violence even though school is almost over.

"We want our students to have a safe end of the school year and a great beginning of the summer," said Lt. Mattie Provost with the Houston Police Department. "We all know that things have changed from when we were in school. The nature of the violence has changed."

Five local schools are participating in Project Safe Start this year.

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Friendswood student attacked while working at night on campus

  FRIENDSWOOD, TX (KTRK) -- Just days before the end of the school year, Friendswood ISD is telling parents about an attack on a high school student on campus.

The girl says she was attacked at the school's agriculture science center about 8:20pm Tuesday. Police say the girl was working in the barn with her brother, tending to some animals, when she went to throw out some trash. She says a man dragged her into some nearby woods, but she was able to get free and escape. The girl did get scratched up.

The student was unable to provide a physical description of the male or a description of a vehicle, according to police officials. The district says it is cooperating with the Friendswood police in the investigation.

A letter was sent home to parents on Wednesday.

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Anderson wants to bring integrity back to DA's office

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Harris County will soon have a new District Attorney running the show after an election night stunner. Voters wanted change in the DA's office and decided to replace Pat Lykos. The vote turned out to be a landslide win for Republican challenger Mike Anderson.

Anderson does have another election to win in November and is not overlooking that. But he can't help but think ahead at least a little bit.

It was a quiet Tuesday night at Pat Lykos' election watch party.

"I just wasn't aggressive," she said.

Lykos, running for re-election, maintains she simply didn't work hard enough on politics to win the race.

"I was being a DA, not a politician," she said.

For Anderson, it was just the opposite.

"It's an honor to be standing in front of you," he said Tuesday night.

And on Wednesday we asked him to speak about the now defeated DA. We asked him what should the voters of Harris County thank Pat Lykos for?

"I think she came in at a time when the office was in real trouble and she did the best she could.I just don't think it worked out," said Anderson.

He will face a Democratic challenger in November, but if he wins he already has plans for immediate changes.

"First, I think it's important to get back integrity," Anderson said.

He wants to free up prosecutors to stop worrying about wins and losses and focus on justice, he will end the DWI divert program that pushes first-time offenders into treatment before trial, and stop the Lykos policy that prevented prosecutions of minor drug cases, even if it means an increased jail population.

"You don't make decisions based on jail population," he said.

The office is still under a special prosecutor's investigation over the now months-old grand jury probe and Anderson does not want to get in the way of it. However, he told us Wednesday he wants the probe to finish and if there was wrongdoing, for it to be punished.

It's not just philosophy he wants to change, he's already identified at least one member of the Lykos team not likely to be part of his office.

He does not see how Rachel Palmer, a prosecutor who took the Fifth during a grand jury probe, can continue if he takes over.

"I don't know how you can gain the public trust or regain the image you want to have in the public if you have someone in the office that the public believes committed a crime and just won't testify about it," Anderson said.

During the campaign, Anderson was accused of wanting to bring back a "win at all costs" DA's office. He doesn't agree and sees his brand of justice as a way to restore the integrity he wants crime victims and the accused to both see from the office.

"Take that oath for what it means and do justice. Justice sometimes means you dismiss a case, sometimes it means a guy gets the death penalty. It doesn't always mean either one. Everything is different and you have to have the freedom to use your experience to make the right call," he said.

We invited Pat Lykos to join us for an interview. She was at the office, but we were told she was too busy with work to conduct one.

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Three students accused of setting playground fire

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Three students have been charged with arson after they reportedly set a public playground on fire out of boredom.

A Crime Stoppers tip helped lead authorities to three students at Klein Oak High School in connection with a fire set at the park in the 22900 block of Rothwood on April 8.

Acting on the tip, an arson investigator with the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office went to the school on April 30 to interview students. According to court documents, Noah Bray, Clayton Gunn and Josetta Albrecht all admitted to some role in setting the fire.

Bray reportedly told authorities that he and Gunn had been lighting hand sanitizer on fire at his house, and then went to the park because "he had nothing better to do." Albrecht said she was picked up at her home by the pair on their way to the park.

Bray, 17, Gunn, 17, and Albrecht are all charged with arson.

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Lykos falls to Anderson in Harris Co. DA race

See it on TV? Check here.  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Pat Lykos has lost her position as Harris County district attorney. The incumbent fell to her opponent, retired judge Mike Anderson, in the GOP primary.

Late Tuesday night, Lykos conceded to Anderson after he garnered 63 percent of the vote, with 99 percent of the precincts reporting.

Lykos had started off Tuesday seemingly confident about her chances for winning, telling us, "My challenger has run a very negative campaign against me and so we're going to find out tonight whether people want you to run a positive campaign -- as I have -- or what he's done."

But after the polls closed and more votes kept going to Anderson, she became more realistic and told Eyewitness News that she did not run a good campaign, saying she spent too much time working as a district attorney and not enough time on the campaign trail fighting against her opponents.

"All the things that we've accomplished, I reckon I should've bragged about it. I should've started my campaign earlier to get the word out to the people but there was so much to get done, and so I focused on the office," Lykos said. "Regardless of what the final outcome is, I'm going to continue as district attorney until December 31 and we're going to do great things."

Meanwhile, the mood was very upbeat over at Anderson's headquarters at Blanco's in the Galleria. A lot of his supporters were clapping and hugging, feeling optimistic about how the race will turn out.

Anderson called this a grassroots campaign and thanked his supporters.

"I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all of you people who are here, all of my friends," Anderson said.

Anderson was a prosecutor for 17 years and has handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital murders. He's also been a special crimes prosecutor and worked in the major offenders division. Most recently, he was a state district judge for 12 years.

OTHER HARRIS COUNTY RACES

In another Harris County judicial race, Elaine Palmer has likely defeated incumbent Steven Kirkland for 215th civil court. With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Palmer garnered 62 percent of the vote.

Palmer had waged a campaign war against Kirkland, with a radio ad and flyer highlighting the incumbent's two drunk driving arrests more than 20 years ago. Kirkland, who's been sober for 27 years, had called the campaign ads offensive and untruthful.

In the race for Harris County Precinct 7 Constable, incumbent May Walker has defeated her four challengers. She had garnered 69 percent of the votes with 99 percent of the precincts reporting.

Controversy arose in this race when Hayes accused one of Walker's employees of harassing him when he tried to place an election sign next to Walker's.

In the crowded GOP race for Harris County sheriff, the race is too close to call. However, with 99 percent of precincts reporting, Louis Guthrie are Harold Hueszel are leading with 31 and 21 percent of the vote, respectively. They will face off again in a July 31 run-off election, and that winner will then face Democratic candidate and incumbent Sheriff Adrian Garcia in November.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Driver dies after slamming into ambulance in northwest Houston

See it on TV? Check here.It was a close call for paramedics after a car slammed into the ambulance as they were about to load a patient. It was a close call for paramedics after a car slammed into the ambulance as they were about to load a patient. (ABC13 viewer)

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A driver was killed when he crashed his car into the back of an ambulance in northwest Houston overnight.

It happened around 12:30am on Kempwood near Ryson. Investigators say the ambulance was parked in the street while responding to a sick call. Two paramedics were standing nearby and saw the car coming and jumped out of the way.

The driver of the car became trapped and had to be rescued, but later died at the hospital. There is no word on what led to the crash.

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Friends: Estranged husband previously threatened veterinarian wife he killed in murder-suicide

  Crystal KobzaSPRING, TX (KTRK) -- As word spreads that a beloved veterinarian and mother of two was killed by her estranged husband, we are learning more about the couple's troubled past and threats of violence he previously made toward her.

Employees we spoke with are devastated by the death of Dr. Karen Gunn, who was a veterinarian here in Spring. They also tell us they have feared for her safety for some time now.

"Dr. Gunn was a loving mother, she was a dedicated vet. This practice was her pride and joy," said Melissa Lemons, nurse at Veterinary Medical Center.

Lemons tells us there's no words to describe the devastation and shock family, friends and co-workers are going through since learning Dr. Gunn was shot and killed by her estranged husband.

"He was a very controlling person, and I believe as the years progressed, he became some what verbally abusive with the children and her," Lemons said.

Dr. Gunn's life was cut short when deputies say her estranged husband, Graham Gunn, killed her and then turned the gun on himself Monday afternoon. The tragic shooting happening in Dr. Gunn's backyard with the couple's two children nearby.

"The kids have been terrified. There's nothing worse than for you to be afraid of your own father," Lemons said.

According to the Montgomery County District Court, Dr. Gunn filed for divorce back in November of last year. The couple's next court date was scheduled for June 4.

Neighbors who live nearby say they knew they were separated, but never imagined things between the two would escalate to this.

"It's just shocking, it's pretty much shocking, never knew this would happen in our neighborhood," said neighbor Pascl Fortin.

But for today, Lemons tell us employees at Veterinary Medical Center are remembering Dr. Gunn for the wonderful person she was.

"That was the thing she was most proud of, in that as a practice owner, she could practice medicine to the degree that she wanted to," Lemons said.

Co-workers tell us Dr. Gunn had a restraining order in place against her estranged husband since filing for divorce back in November.

We're told funeral arrangements have not yet been sorted out as the family has to wait on the autopsies to be completed.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this story.

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Chase suspects caught after flipping SUV in NE Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two suspects are in custody after a police chase in northeast Houston Tuesday.

According to Houston police, the chase started in the 15600 block of Lee Road. Officers say the driver of a Chrysler SUV was being pulled over, but refused to stop and the chase was on.

The SUV, which was occupied by three males, flipped over in the 18000 block of Lee Rd. Two of the suspects were caught. At this point, police say they don't know if the third person has been caught or is on the run.

One of the occupants of the SUV was ejected and transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police say the SUV was connected to a home invasion.

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Man thrice convicted of DWI facing murder charge

Casmiro Campos, 64 Investigators believe Casmiro Campos, 64, was drunk when he crashed into the wall of a convenience store.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man convicted of three DWIs in the last three decades now faces felony murder charges in a crash that killed his passenger.

Investigators believe 64-year-old Casmiro Campos was drunk when he crashed into the wall of a convenience store. It all happened Wednesday afternoon at South Post Oak and Anderson. Amelia Perez, 46, was ejected from his SUV and died later at the hospital.

Campos has been convicted of previous DWIs in 1985, 1987 and 1993.

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'Shuttlebration' planned for arrival of shuttle replica at Space Center Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Space Center Houston is getting ready for the arrival of a full-size replica of a space shuttle this weekend.

The barge carrying the shuttle replica is about 150 miles or so off of Galveston. It's expected to arrive to Clear Lake on Friday, and the museum and its neighbors are getting ready for what they are calling a "Shuttlebration."

In a bare field next to Space Center Houston, workers are putting the last touches on a series of concrete pillars. This is where the full-size replica of the space shuttle will rest, once it gets here.

Richard Allen with Space Center Houston said, "It's about 130 feet long. From the ground to the tip of the tail is about 57 feet and the wingspan is 78 feet."

The replica is coming by water, on a barge from Florida. The new addition is something visitors both very young and those old enough to have followed the space program are looking forward to.

Alex Thomas, age 4, said, "The rocket shuttle is some kind of place like they start the rocket and blast off."

"We're in our 60s now, it started in our youth, our early adulthood," said visitor Lesley Petherick.

But getting the replica to the museum is tricky. That effectively locks in the people who live in the neighborhood behind the Hilton, but they don't seem to mind.

"We realize somebody has to put up with the traffic and the noise, but we're more than glad to do that," said neighbor Frank Muffeneny.

In fact, plenty of parties are planned in this quiet neighborhood and the only criticism here isn't about the weekend traffic.

"I really think we should have gotten one of the other vehicles," Muffeneny said.

Shuttlebration schedule of events:

Friday, June 1:

* 2:00 PM - Event Area Open to Public
Transportation to and from Johnson Space Center will begin. Street party area will include NASA space exploration exhibits, music and entertainment from 2pm - 9pm.
* 3-5:00 PM Shuttle Replica Arrives at NASA Dock with Fire Boat Water Arch
* 4:30 PM Welcome Ceremony & T-38 Flyover
* 6:30 - 8:30 Music by Max Q, the all Astronaut Band
9:00 PM Fireworks Display on Clear Lake
10:00 PM Final Tram Returns to Parking Area
* Schedule subject to change

Saturday, June 2:
The space shuttle replica will be loaded onto a mobile transfer vehicle for transport to SCH. The lakeside load-out will take a full day to complete. There are no public events planned for this day.

Sunday, June 3:
5:00 - 8:00 AM - Replica transported along NASA Parkway from JSC dock to Space Center Houston. NASA Parkway and NASA 1 Bypass will be closed from 5 AM - 9 AM
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Following the arrival, there will be a free, family-oriented public celebration in the Space Center Houston parking lot, offering viewing opportunities of the replica, NASA space exploration exhibits, fun activities for the entire family and much more. Discount admission to Space Center Houston is available online.

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Two teens arrested, accused of vandalizing 'The Rig'

See it on TV? Check here.Anthony Pedro Lowe, 18, (right) and Jorge E. Flores, 18, (left) both from Pearland were taken into custody on criminal mischief warrants Anthony Pedro Lowe, 18, (right) and Jorge E. Flores, 18, (left) both from Pearland were taken into custody on criminal mischief warrants (Pearland Police Department)

  PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- Two teens accused of vandalizing a high school football field in Pearland turned themselves in Tuesday night, say police.

Anthony Pedro Lowe, 18 and Jorge E. Flores, 18, both from Pearland and attend Pearland High School, were taken into custody on criminal mischief warrants. Police say a tip led them to identify the pair, who police believe damaged the field at 'The Rig' back on May 21.

Police say Lowe and Flores cut large portions of artificial turf from the center of the field and put them in the stands. Repairing the field could cost as much as $50,000, say police.

Bond has been set at $20,000 apiece.

Investigators hope to recreate a timeline of the damage, and are asking anyone who has information about this case to call Pearland police at 281-997-4144.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Saturday, May 26, 2012

What Makes a Professional Houston Moving Company Professional?

Program to provide jobs, training to people with disabilities

Cell phones Cell phones, telephones, cell phone and laptop batteries and rechargeable batteries are just a few of the items accepted by CompuCycle

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston electronics recycling company recently announced that it will provide jobs and training to people living with disabilities, thanks to a new partnership with Easter Seals.

CompuCycle will offer permanent employment positions to Easter Seals Greater Houston's clients and Easter Seals will provide initial training courses to its clients to teach necessary job skills including recycling, refurbishing electronics, and basic computer proficiency.

Easter Seals serves clients with cerebral palsy and all other kinds of disabilities.

"Our clients have a difficult time finding employment, and often, an even harder time maintaining these jobs," Easter Seals Greater Houston CEO Elise Hough explained in a release. "What's most exciting for us is that through comprehensive training, our clients will have job skills that aren't only applicable to their work at CompuCycle, but for the rest of their lives."

CompuCycle and Easter Seals representatives are seeking corporate electronic waste donations in place of a grant or cash donation in order to provide the capital to fund and maintain the program.

Through the new initiative, corporations will donate their electronic waste to Easter Seals Greater Houston. CompuCycle will collect, audit and process the waste and then donate net proceeds from the equipment to the program instead of paying it back to the corporation.

Eventually, CompuCycle hopes to expand this long-term program on a national level.

Clive Hess, president of CompuCycle, describes the initiative as a "win-win for everyone."

"Corporations can responsibly dispose of equipment that they no longer need, or don't know what to do with, using CompuCycle, a certified company, to safely refurbish the equipment," he said in a release. "Through dropping off these goods with us, these businesses are also simultaneously donating to a terrific initiative, and helping to create jobs for employable people living with a with disability."

If you or your corporation are interested in donating end-of-life electronic waste in support of this program, contact CompuCycle online or call 713-869-6700.

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How much renovating the Astrodome would cost you

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A decision on whether to leave the Astrodome standing could come down to how much Harris County residents are willing to pay.

Earlier this week, we showed you some of the ambitious renovation proposals to repurpose the Astrodome. Now we're learning that the price of preserving the Houston landmark may be more than taxpayers are willing to pay.

The plans are either to tear the Dome down or turn it around. It will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to remake the Dome into a multi-purpose facility and build a new Reliant Arena.

The county can't afford to do it alone, so taxpayers will likely decide if they want to up their own tax bill every year for 30 years.

"This is where I grew up, in the Astrodome," said Jeff Rosenberg with Tri-Star Productions.

Rosenberg is a pretty serious sports fan. Before he became a collectibles dealer in Houston, he attended hundreds of Astros games as a fan in the Astrodome. He'll never part with his '86 Mike Scott jersey.

"There is not an amount of money I would sell this jersey for," Rosenberg.

While his memories might be priceless, saving the Astrodome isn't. It was built in the 1960's for $31.5 million, and back then, taxpayers almost said no to that price.

"These buildings aren't going to magically reverse the pattern of deterioration," said Willie Lotson with the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation.

Taxpayers are once again being asked to pay for the Astrodome -- $600 million to build a new arena and remake the dome into a multi-purpose conference facility.

The fight's not likely to be any easier this time.

"I think it's going to be very tough," Lotson said.

The numbers are still preliminary, but to raise enough for the $600 million renovation, the county would have to raise the tax rate on every home in Harris County by 1.2 cents. On a $100,000 home, that's about a dollar a month, every month, for the next 30 years.

"That's not all that big of deal," said Dene Hofheinz Anton.

Anton is Roy Hofheinz's daughter. He built the dome, and when we found her in Nashville today, she told us she wants it saved.

"A dollar? A dollar to save the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' and make it into something that's very exciting for all families?" she said.

But once voters see the bill, the question will likely be how much is a memory worth?

"Unfortunately, the reality is, you know, we just have to say goodbye. It's our beloved dome, but we say goodbye," said Rosenberg.

Either way, we apparently can't wait.

"The sooner that some action is taken to reverse the trend that we're in right now, the better we're going to be in the long haul," Lotson said.

Harris County commissioners will decide next month about whether to put this to a public vote.

Here's an interesting statistic to think about: when the first dome vote was taken in 1961, there were a little more than a million people in Harris County. Today there's nearly four times that many. That's a lot of people without a lot of dome memories who would also get this tax bill.

Join the conversation and vote in our poll above.

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Teachers investigated for alleged student cheating

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Some Houston school teachers are under investigation because of allegations that they may have helped their students cheat on the TAKS test.

One teacher at Hobby Elementary School in southwest Houston has not been renewed and five more have been transferred from the school to other locations until the investigation is complete. Some parents are defending the teachers and want them back in the classroom with their kids.

The parents say they are proud of the work their children have done at the recognized and exemplary school.

"They are awesome teachers. They are the best. They have worked hard," said parent Elsy Fuentes.

So the allegations, reassignment of some teachers and the firing of another has taken them by surprise.

"We disagree with this action that HISD is taking," said parent Segundo Castro.

HISD says last week, five Hobby Elementary School teachers were reassigned to other job duties away from the campus pending the outcome of an investigation. A sixth teacher was dismissed.

The district says the Texas Education Agency received an allegation of testing impropriety against the school during TAKS testing in the 2010-2011 school year.

"I don't believe it, not at all, because they have really, really studied and worked hard for this," Fuentes said.

These parents wrote a letter to the district concerned about who they say are bilingual teachers being taken out of the classroom. They also claim that many Hispanic children who attend Hobby spent hours after school and on weekends preparing for the test.

"They had a lot of homework, going to sleep at 10 or 11 at night," said Fuentes.

The district says in February it "hired an outside law firm to conduct a preliminary investigation into this allegation. Some students were interviewed after their parents granted permission."

Castro said, "They are good teachers, honest teachers, and they work hard every day in school."

"We want this solved and we want it solved fast. Our kids are wanting their teachers back, they need their teachers," said Fuentes.

HISD says the investigation is not finished and no final conclusions have been reached on the five teachers reassigned.

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Three rescued from multi-vehicle wreck on West Loop

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Our Transtar JamCams captured a traffic crash involving several vehicles on the 610 West Loop northbound near Woodway.

The incident happened at around 7:30pm Friday. No word on what caused it, but rescue crews had to pull out at least three people trapped inside their cars. The victims were taken to a hospital. We do not know their condition.

Crews blocked lanes in both directions to work the accident.

The lanes re-opened shortly after 9pm.

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Lawmakers vow change after Blomberg verdict

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Texas Congressman Al Green says he wants the way jurors are chosen to change after the controversial acquittal of former HPD Officer Andrew Blomberg.

Blomberg was found not guilty earlier this month in the beating of teenage burglary suspect Chad Holley, but the fact that the jury was all white has many calling for a change.

Local lawmakers told us Harris County is too diverse to have a one-race jury in any trial and they're they are appealing to state and federal agencies to review what happened.

"I do not support unchallenged one-race juries in Harris County," said Congressman Al Green outside the federal courthouse downtown on Friday.

That's the message Congressman Green and other elected officials gave during the press conference. Each member of the group says it's concerned over how the first of four trials involving this videotaped beating of Holley was handled.

"In Harris County, achieving a one-race jury trial in the Chad Holley case shocks the conscious," said Green.

Congressman Green announced he met with members of the Department of Justice last week, asking them to review circumstances over how the Holley arrest was tried. That meeting, just days after the all-white Harris County jury found former HPD Officer Andrew Blomberg not guilty of official oppression for kicking the teen burglary suspect two times.

"We live in a world where it is not enough for things to be right," said Green. "They must also look right."

Other politicians are now criticizing the District Attorney's office for failing to challenge the jury selection process in a county with over 2.5 million minorities. Last week, DA Pat Lykos told Eyewitness News the initial pool had more than 60 prospective jurors, which was then cut to 19.

Lykos told us there was nothing they could do when the defense struck two black jurors for cause.

"I will tell the DA I don't want a 75-person panel," said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. "I want a 300-person panel."

The DA's office has not yet responded to our request for comment about Friday's news conference.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Off-duty HPD officer fatally shoots suspect in Galveston

See it on TV? Check here.   GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- An off-duty Houston police officer shot and killed a suspect in Galveston overnight.

It happened near San Luis. It's still not clear what led up to the shooting but the officer was not hurt in the confrontation.

We're still working to gather information and will update you on this story in our newscasts throughout the morning, as well as on abc13.com and our mobile apps.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Medical legend present to see his grandson graduate med school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Among the graduation ceremonies this weekend was a special one. Two-hundred and sixteen students received their degrees in medicine from UT Health Medical School. And one famous Houstonian was there to see his grandson follow in his footsteps and become a doctor -- legendary heart surgeon Dr. Denton Cooley.

They are the grandsons of Dr. Cooley, one of the most famous heart surgeons in history, and Peter Kaldis and Charlie Fraser are medical students at UT Health Medical School.

"He's brilliant, he's very witty and he's very fun to be around," said Fraser.

Kaldis remembered how his grandfather's name would often come up in class.

"The surgeon would ask for the 'my scissors' and they'd go in and do a story about these scissors. These are called 'my scissors' because Dr. Cooley would ask for 'my scissors' and he designed these not knowing that I was his grandson," said Kaldis.

And when other med students would find out who they were.

"Most of them say it's pretty cool," said Fraser.

"I remember being little and looking in the Guinness Book of World Records and seeing there's my grandfather's name!" said granddaughter Laura Fraser.

Of the five Cooley children and 16 grandchildren, nine are in the medical field. His daughter, Dr. Weezie Davis, is an ophthalmologist and Peter's mother.

"I'd love to watch him operate, although I would get a little faint and I'd have to sit down from time to time. But he encouraged me, if he hadn't encouraged me to go to medical school I probably wouldn't had enough courage to do it," said Dr. Davis.

Dr. Cooley is a medical legend. He performed the first heart transplant in the U.S. in 1968. And the world's first total artificial heart surgery a year later.

"It brings back some real memories of those exciting days when cardiac transplantation was so unusual and had been done at only a few centers in the world," said Dr. Cooley.

Helen Cooley Fraser, Charlie's mother, remembers looking for something to take for "show and tell."

"I'm going to go into Daddy's study and find something really neat and I took the first artificial heart, which is now in the Smithsonian Institute, to show and tell at River Oaks Elementary," said Helen Cooley Fraser.

"What I don't think people realize is at the core of him he's just a regular fun guy, enjoyable, and pleasant to be around. And that made it easier for me to marry his daughter, I'll tell you that!" said Dr. Charles Fraser, who is a heart surgeon and Charlie's father..

"Nothing gives me more pleasure today than to have somebody 50 years old come up to me and say, 'Dr. Cooley, you saved my life,'" said Dr. Cooley.

He saved Marvin Odum, who spent four months on a ventilator. Other doctors said he wouldn't survive. But not Dr. Cooley.

"His presence, his attitude and his love was certainly a big factor in pulling me through," Odum said.

"I just wrote a memoir entitled '100,000 Hearts' and that's how many heart operations my associates and I had done when I finally stopped operating myself," Dr. Cooley said.

He was 87 when he stopped operating, but continues working as Surgeon in Chief at Texas Heart Institute, which he founded 50 years ago.

"I don't think there are many 92 year olds who are in their office right now like he is," said Charlie Fraser. "And it's because he truly loves what he does."

Dr. Cooley says his legacy is the hundreds of heart surgeons he trained, like Dr. Bud Frazier.

"Our institution is the length and shadow of Dr. Cooley. And I'm proud to be a part of that," Dr. Frazier said.

On Friday night, Dr. Cooley and his daughter passed the torch to his grandson, Dr. Peter Kaldis.

Dr. Kaldis will begin his residency at UT Health in pediatrics and family medicine. His cousin Charlie Fraser is about to begin his second year of medical school.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more HealthCheck »


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Houston Residential Real Estate

FBI holds job fair at HCC Conference Center

See it on TV? Check here. HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The FBI is on a nationwide hunt for people who speak foreign languages, anything from Spanish to Somali to Pashto.

In America's most diverse city, a job fair asking for people who speak foreign languages brings out more job applicants than anywhere else in the country.

"Houston is a very populated city, a very diverse city," said John Tolarski with the FBI.

The FBI Friday held a job fair at Houston Community College, a search for people fluent in other languages to help crack crime. In the first hour and a half, more than 200 people had come through the doors. About 500 total showed up to a similar job fair in New York City recently.

"After I read the requirements in the Internet, it sounded emotional, interesting," said Patty Herrera, who speaks Spanish.

The requirements: fluency in another language, U.S. citizenship, and a clean background check.

"We're responsible for protecting the United States whether from terrorist organizations, large-scale criminal enterprises, the Mexican cartels," said Tolarski.

Many people heard about the job fair through foreign language media.

"The information I got was from this Chinese newspaper, talk about FBI recruiting," said David Shieh, who speaks Chinese.

For some, like Shieh, it's an opportunity to serve the country where he's lived for decades, using the three Chinese dialects he speaks.

And for others, like Azar Usman, it's also part of a job hunt. The Urdu-speaking engineer lost his job five months ago.

"I was looking for a job and it looked like a good opportunity for me," Usman said.

They won't find out for months if they got the job, but if they do it's a chance to help the FBI adapt to change and keep America safe.

"I have to serve the country. That's how I feel," said Usman.

The FBI is looking for US citizens who speak another language fluently, who have lived in the US for the past few years and who can pass a strict background check. Friday's job fair ended at 5pm. There is another job fair in Dallas on June 16, and you can apply online, at www.fbijobs.gov.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Historic League City tree being preserved in large-scale moving operation

See it on TV? Check here. LEAGUE CITY, TX (KTRK) -- It's the start of a moving process for a tree in League City that's been standing for decades. It's a large-scale operation to preserve history.

The tree was standing at the corner of Louisiana and FM 518, and will soon settle in to its new home.

We've seen how most developers go in and bulldoze every tree when building a new neighborhood, and then they plant those little six-foot trees in the yard. Well, League City leaders are showing the simplest solution is not always the best one.

After more than a hundred years in one spot, this rare hybrid oak will start a new life just down the road in League City. Residents can't help but stop in awe.

"Totally fascinated by the way they are going about this. It's great to see something like this saved," said Jim Michaels.

The Compton Oak found itself in harm's way when construction began on a road improvement project to widen Louisiana Avenue at FM 518. League City council decided to spend more than $190,000 for Hess Landscape Construction of Southern California to transplant the tree.

They have unearthed tons of dirt, just far enough from the tree, to preserve its main root system. Using wood, crews have built what amounts to a large wooden planter around the tree to keep it stable and nourished. Stress from the move is showing from the yellow leaves.

"The tree is being closely monitored. We do a lot of prep work. The contractor has actually done a lot of feeding, it's being hydrated. I don't know if you can see there is a water hose on it, so it's constantly being hydrated to reduce stress," said Heather McKnight, League City arborist.

The heavy lifting is yet to come. Weighing about 540,000 pounds, it will be hoisted out of the earth.

"We have two cranes that will lift the tree, set it onto a big steel plate and then they'll drag it down an open field," said project manager Scott Tuma.

Private land has been donated for its new home near a planned water conservation park, where this Texas-sized tree will be a model of preservation.

"It's nice to see them save it and I think it says a lot for the city and for the county on what they are trying to do here," said Michaels.

The big move will happen on June 5 when the hybrid oak is hoisted out of the ground and replanted near a water conservation park just down the road. League City hopes to have a live web cam up for the event.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Capital murder charge filed in deadly 2008 robbery

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Detectives have filed a capital murder charge against a man accused in the fatal shooting a tow truck driver during a 2008 robbery in southwest Houston.

Police say Cesar Velasquez-Jaime acted as the getaway driver during a September 28, 2008 robbery that ended with the death of Mario Jove, a tow truck driver.

Detectives believe Velasquez-Jaime and Edgar Padron followed Jove from a tow yard to a an apartment complex in the 7000 block of Hillcroft with the intention of robbing him. The duo confronted Jove in the parking lot and started fighting over his digital camera and wallet.

According to court documents, Padron shot Jove four times and then hopped into a Ford Mustang driven by Cesar Velasquez-Jaime.

Witnesses later identified Velasquez-Jaime and Padron as the suspects.

Padron was charged with capital murder in June 2011. He is also awaiting trial on a separate capital murder charge for the fatal shooting of Saturnino Argueta during an attempted robbery on New Year's Eve in 2010. He was indicted in that case in April 2011.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Missouri City boy wins National Geography Bee

Host Alex Trebek stands with National Geographic Bee champion Rahul Nagvekar National Geographic Bee host Alex Trebek stands with National Geographic Bee champion Rahul Nagvekar, 14, from Quail Valley Middle School in Missouri City, Texas, Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Washington, . (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

AP  WASHINGTON -- A first-time national geography bee contender from Texas has won the annual competition in Washington.

Fourteen-year-old Rahul Nagvekar, of Missouri City, Texas, won National Geographic Bee on Thursday. He will receive a $25,000 scholarship.

Thirteen-year-old Vansh Jain, of Minocqua, Wis., came in second, and will take home a $15,000 scholarship. The third-place winner, 13-year-old Varun Mahadevan of California, wins a $10,000 scholarship.

The competition began with about 4 million students in schools across the country this year.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Fort Bend County residents warned about jury duty scams

See it on TV? Check here.   HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Fort Bend County residents are being warned about jury duty scams.

The Ft. Bend Co. District Clerk urges residents to be wary of anyone calling about jury duty and asking for personal information such as Social Security numbers. The clerk's office says it does not call citizens to request personal information.

The clerk's office urges people who receive calls from an alleged jury duty coordinator to contact the Ft. Bend Co. Sheriff's Office.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Is Houston ready for canal expansion?

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The countdown is on in a major expansion of the Panama Canal. It's a project that could have major economic implications around the world and especially right here in Texas; that is, if we're ready.

The Panama Canal is being widened to accommodate much bigger vessels, which means much more cargo will be coming our way at the Port of Houston.

The canal is just two years away from the enormous expansion, a $5 billion construction project sure to have a huge financial impact on the southeast Texas coast.

Panama is adding a third set of wider, deeper, and longer locks which allow much larger ships, called post-Panamax, to slip through the canal and speed the shipment of goods.

"The expansion allows us to keep supplying and feeding global markets," said Capt. Bill Diehl with the Greater Houston Port Bureau.

Captain Diehl used to live in Panama, among its three million people working at the canal. On Thursday, he was in downtown Houston at a State House Transportation Committee meeting at which the canal expansion and whether or not we're ready for it when it opens in 2014 was the main topic of discussion.

"We're not gonna open the door and it's gonna be a flood of people into the concert. We're going to continue to grow in our capacity. And that's what the canal is about really," Capt. Diehl said.

But there will be steady growth and it will be obvious.

"It's gonna have some impact, especially on roadways and railways," said Port of Houston Chairman Jim Edmonds. "How ready is Houston? How ready is Texas? We've been working on this for quite a few years. Our plans are already in place. We continue to build more docks."

There is $120 million dollars worth of dredging that needs to happen and a lot of infrastructure work. The bottom line today being that Houston is not ready yet, but it's getting there.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Man fatally shot outside NW Harris County club

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's an active investigation happening right now outside a northwest Harris County club, where one person was fatally shot.

Police say at around 3:45am, someone was shot outside the El Coyote sports bar on North Highway 6 and Clay Road. We've learned that person later died at the hospital.

We have a crew on the scene of the shooting gathering details. Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this breaking story.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Court appearance for woman accused of killing a mom, kidnapping her baby

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Another court hearing today for a woman accused of killing a Montgomery County mother and kidnapping her newborn son.

The Montgomery Co. District Attorney voluntarily gave grand jury testimony about the case against Verna McClain to her lawyers Thursday. McClain is accused of shooting and killing Kala Golden Schuchardt, then abducting her 3-day-old baby boy in order to pass the baby off as her own.

"We're making a very clean record for anybody who reviews this record later on, exactly what we've done to not only comply with the minimum standards, but to actually to show this is a guideline for the way that other DA offices should behave in other similar cases," said Montgomery Co. District Attorney Brett Ligon.

The DA's office did not say if it will seek the death penalty in the case, But McClain's lawyers say they don't believe it's necessary.

"She does have three children she is taking care of. She has been forced to move from California to Texas. She's been a responsible mother in the past. She has a job. She works as a nurse. She definitely loves kids. It would be a real tragedy in a case like this," said defense attorney E. Tay Bond.

The DA's office has said it plans to decide on the death penalty issue within the next couple of weeks. It could be months before this case goes to trial, according to the DA's office.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Houston Mortgage Companies

Gospel musician accused of aggravated sexual assault of child

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A gospel musician who has performed at various churches in our area has been arrested for sexually assaulting a young girl. The alleged assault happened at the Zion Watchtower Baptist Church in Richmond.

According to the arrest warrant, a 13-year-old girl states that 42-year-old Rodney Marcus Grimsley, a guitar player who would perform at churches around Fort Bend and Harris counties, assaulted her. It allegedly happened between services last Sunday. He saw the girl, according to investigators, standing outside with other children.

Chief Deputy Craig Brady of the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office said, "They were outside playing. He struck up a conversation with her and got her to go back inside the facility for a few minutes and that was enough."

The warrant states that the she followed him into a room inside the church where the alleged assault took place. Afterward, Grimsley and the girl are said to have exchanged cell phone numbers. Then came the Facebook chats with Grimsley, which the girl's mother discovered.

"The mother picked up on some of the conduct that she was doing on Facebook and inappropriate comments, and that's when she got involved and notified us," Brady said.

Grimsley was arrested Wednesday night at his home. He has children of his own, according to the sheriff's office. And according to the chief deputy, he didn't deny the allegation.

"Mr. Grimsley has admitted his actions involving the girl," Brady said. "He has confessed to the offense and is currently incarcerated on $175,000 bond."

But Grimsley's fiance, Monica Allen, says she's been with him for nine years and can't believe the allegations.

"Rodney is always talking about God and he's always willing to help somebody," she said. "He's that person that if you are stuck on the street, he's going to pull over and help you."

Allen says she hasn't talked to him since he was arrested, so she is waiting to hear from him.

"I pray for him, wherever he is. If he is seeing this, I pray the angels protect you and I pray that God reveals the truth," she said.

Investigators are asking parents who attend churches where Grimsley may have performed to talk to their children to see if there may be other cases.

Grimsley is being held on $175,000 bond at the Fort Bend County Jail.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Tree trimmer rescued after limb hits power lines

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Some scary moments for a tree trimmer who had to be rescued while cutting branches outside a west Houston home.

Investigators say 43-year-old Eugene Rodgers was using a chainsaw to clear branches when a dead limb fell onto a nearby power line. The lines began popping and sparking. Houston Fire Department and CenterPoint Energy crews responded and told the man to stay put until they shut down the lines.

Once the lines were de-energized, Rodgers was safely lowered to the ground. He was not injured.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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How To Buy More Houston Area Real Estate Investment Properties Than You Can Handle

Galveston's Pleasure Pier to open today

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- Later this morning, the much-anticipated Pleasure Pier will open its gates for the first time.

Galveston Island's newest attraction is offering an exclusive sneak peek this Memorial Day weekend. Thirteen of the Pier's 16 rides will be operating, as well as games, retail shops and the state's first Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant.

It will officially open at 10am.

EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK HOURS & SPECIAL PRICING: Friday, May 25 - Sunday, May 27
10 a.m. to midnight

Monday, May 28
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, May 29 - Thursday, May 31
Noon to 9 p.m.

Friday, June 1 - Saturday, June 2
10 a.m. to midnight

Sunday, June 3
10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Monday, June 4 - Thursday, June 7
Noon to 11 p.m.

All Day Ride Pass $21.99** for adults (48" and up)$16.99** for children (under 48")Good for all rides all day and Pier access

Pier Pass (Walk-on) $10* for adults (48" and up) $8* for children (under 48")Pass required for admittance to pier; ride tickets sold separately at booths/kiosks (good for day of purchase only)

Individual Ride Tickets Starting at $4.00* per ticketMust purchase a walk-on pass to gain access to the pier

* Plus tax
** All day come and go unlimited ride access

THRILLS
Thirteen of the 16 rides will open Memorial Day Weekend during the sneak peek, including:

Pirate's Plunge Log Flume promises to thrill and chill you on warm days when your flume splashes 22 feet and 40 feet into cool, fresh water.

Carousel gives a beautiful, cheery greeting to guests as they enter the Pier's Midway. In fact, this classic double-decker temptation to ride has horses, chariots or sea creatures galloping right in the Midway, so why not start here?

Revolution Up, down AND around. How fast? Try less than seven seconds a revolution! And did we mention it revolves you out OVER THE WATER?

Rock N' Roll has a retro glitter style that would make Elvis blush. Climb in your car and ride backwards, forwards and around to the music. Cool.

Cyclone coaster loops 60 feet into the air to rotate passengers forward and backward, while the horizon does flip-flops.

Sea Dragon is a swinger with an ocean view. First it swings its 10 rows of riders up, up, up 50 feet over the Pier, then takes them down and back up, over the water.

Gulf Glider is a colorful classic swing carousel, with single and double seats that swing while you rotate and tilt.

Pier Pileup Bumper Cars let you channel those Interstate 45 aggressions into a million laughs in antique and classic bash-'em vehicles. This is actually two rides: One for kids, with smaller cars, another for adults. Similar to most of the rides at family-focused Pleasure Pier, parents and their children can ride together in the big cars.

Texas Tea Cups is another Midway classic, fun for adults and kids, especially together. The cups twirl. The riders giggle.

Big Wheelin' knows little kids like big trucks. Smaller kids can ride with an adult, bigger kids on their own in this safely circling convoy.

Frog Hopper gets its name from, well, hopping. It takes a load of kids up, and then - wait for it - drops them, not too far, but when they don't expect it. And then, whoa, drops them again. They like it. They laugh.

Sky Shooter at rest looks like a huge blue and orange spider napping. Then it wakes and goes wild, spinning its 10 captive vehicles while taking them up and down, round and round, even out over the ocean. Wanna fly higher? Push a button and you do. Whew!

PREMIUM PARKING Peak Season $10 / 3 hours ($2 every hour for a maximum of $16 for the day) Parking lot opens at 8am until 2am (next morning); cars will be towed at 3am if lot not vacatedLost tickets $16Do NOT leave ticket in vehicle.Only occupy ONE space. Vehicles parked inappropriately are subject to being towed at owner's expense.Pricing subject to change/seasonal.Please leave items secure within your vehicle.$10 validation for diners spending $25 or more at Bubba Gump and Fish Tales restaurants during specific time periods. Ask your server for details.No tailgaiting, grilling or picnics.Bus, tractor trailer & RV parking is not allowed in premium lot.Vehicles may not be left overnight.Unauthorized or abandoned vehicles will be towed at owner's expense.

For additional information and hours of operations for the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, visit www.pleasurepier.com or call 855-789-7437.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »


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Reward offered in case of vandalism of Pearland ISD's The Rig football field

See it on TV? Check here.  PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- A reward is now being offered for information leading police to the persons responsible for damaging the football field at the 'The Rig' in Pearland.

On Monday evening, vandals hit tore up Pearland High School's field at the stadium near Pearland Parkway and South Main Street. A soccer coach arrived Tuesday morning and found the field turf cut in the middle of the field.

The dollar amount of the damage done is not known, Pearland police say, but could easily be in the thousands of dollars.

Police are investigating the vandalism. They will look at video from security cameras around the stadium.

A private citizen is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the subjects responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Jernigan at 281-997-4144 or Brazoria County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-460-2222.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Shuttle replica sailing to Houston

See it on TV? Check here.   HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houstonians are still upset that Space City will not be getting a retired shuttle, but a shuttle mock-up is on its way to the Johnson Space Center.

The 123-foot replica known as the Explorer was loaded onto a barge in Cape Canaveral Thursday.

It is scheduled to arrive in Galveston Bay on June 1.

The Seabrook-Kemah Bridge will be closed for 30 minutes on that date to allow the barge carrying the replica into the Clear Lake Channel.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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nasa, johnson space center, shuttle, local
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