Strong winds cause exploding transformers, power outages around Houston area

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The strong winds overnight led to exploding transformers and power outages across town.

We caught several explosions from our Tower Cam HD above the ABC13 studios in southwest Houston. You'll need to watch out for intersections that do not have lights because of power outages.

CenterPoint Energy reports just under 14,000 homes and businesses are without power as of 9:45am. That's down from a peak of close to 61,000 at around 3am.

Those outages are scattered from southeast Houston to The Woodlands.

Meteorologist Casey Curry says wind advisories are posted across our area today. Look for widespread 40-50mph wind gusts. One wind gust was clocked in at 61 miles per hour at around 3:45 this morning in Bayou Vista.

Be careful on the roads this morning as you may run into road debris throughout your morning drive.

Some ABC13 viewers have sent us photos of the power outages and wind damage across the area. We've seen tree branches in the Heights near the North Freeway and North Main, as well as a downed tree in a neighborhood off Beechnut in southwest Harris County.

You can send your photos to news@abc13.com, but please don't put yourself in harm's way to get the shot.

Many of you are also talking about the outages from the wind on Twitter and Facebook. One of our viewers writes that electricity went out at around 4:30am in Spring. Another says the power remains out in Magnolia. There are also reports of outages on our Facebook page from Friendswood and the Gulfgate area.

We want to hear from you about conditions where you are. Post to our Facebook page or Tweet your report with the hashtag #abc13.

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

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Rare manatee sightings around Galveston

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- This weekend the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network is on the lookout for a manatee in Galveston.

A West Indian manatee was seen swimming in the canals off Offatts Bayou near Moody Gardens. A manatee sighting was also reported near Tiki Village on the other side of West Galveston Bay. Manatees have been protected as an endangered species since 1972.

Anyone who sees a manatee is encouraged not to touch to the animal and to call 800-9-MAMMAL.

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

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Dismal Astros season affecting nearby businesses around Minute Maid Park

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- This is one of the most disappointing seasons in the Astros' history. Most seats are empty, which translates into a big financial loss for some businesses who depend on the crowds.

Those empty seats at Minute Maid Park have translated into empty seats at nearby bars and restaurants, where owners say as the Astros lost games, they lost money.

Five-year-old Michaela Diaz is rooting for her Astros.

"Are you excited about the game?" we asked her.

"Yeah!" she said.

Her Astros jersey, ball and a bat are a welcome sight to area business owners who have seen customers from the ballpark practically disappear. At Craig Biggio's final game, nearly 44,000 people packed Minute Maid Park. Last week, only around 12,000. Mark Diaz is one of those faithful fans.

"Some people don't like to come. I like to come. I root for them, good and bad," Astros fan Mark Diaz said.

The Astros' disastrous record has left its mark on businesses that once thrived when the team succeeded. A padlock is on the door of The Bus, as the bar located right across the street from the park is now closed. So is the Strip House, which was once a popular post-game steakhouse.

Houston institutions like Irma's Southwest Grill have also felt the pinch.

"Our numbers are down about 50 percent. Fifty, so that's a pretty big number for us. We rely on the Astros crowd for our summer business," the restaurant's owner Louis Galvan said.

Galvan says the focus now is on next season.

"We'll have new teams coming in like the A's and the Devil Rays, so we're really hoping that a new league and the excitement of a new season will help our business next year," Galvan said.

And so are area hotels. The Hilton Americas expects to get a big boost in business from fans of the American League West.

"We think that we will get more guests from out of town. They have a big fan base, both the Yankees and the Red Sox, so we look forward to welcoming them to Houston," Hilton Americas manager Jaques D'Rovencourt said.

Business owners also believe the switch to the new league will generate a lot of new interest among locals. That, they say, will help bring more people back to the park and into their businesses.

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

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Shelter-in-place around SE Houston plant lifted

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A burn-off at a plant on the southeast part of town Sunday prompted officials to issue a shelter-in-place for people within a mile radius.

It happened at the TPC plant at 8600 Park Place. The flares were burning due to a power loss at the plant, officials said.

The facility was burning off C4 hydrocarbons. Harris County Pollution Control monitored the area and data shows there was no hydrocarbon reading or odor.

As a precaution, the Houston Fire Department issued the shelter-in-place, which was lifted Sunday evening.

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

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Man fatally shoots co-worker while 'playing around' with gun

According to investigators, two male employees were playing around with a gun at this business when one man fatally shot the other.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man was fatally shot by a fellow employee while the two were messing around with a gun and knife.

The Harris Co. Sheriff's Office says deputies at around 8:45am Friday responded to a 911 call at 6500 Cunningham Rd. According to investigators, two male employees were playing around. One had a gun and the other had a knife when the gun went off striking one of the males.

The male was transported to Cy-Fair Hospital where he was pronounce deceased. His identity has not been released.

The case will be referred to a grand jury.

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

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Elderly man accused of sexually assaulting teen boy who was doing odd jobs around his house

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An elderly man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy who was doing odd jobs around his house.

Theogil F. Cuttler is charged with sexual assault of a child under 17. Court documents state on May 16, a 15-year-old boy who was an acquaintance of Cuttler's went to his Webster residence to do some odd jobs for money. The boy says Cuttler told him he would pay him $15 to clean his residence.

According to court documents, Cuttler, 73, also told the boy that he could make an extra $5 for engaging in a sex act.

Bond has been set at $50,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Runaway reindeer corralled after running around on Gulf Freeway

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There was a strange sight along the Gulf Freeway Wednesday -- two reindeer who look like they belonged at the North Pole, not in southeast Texas. But there was a simple explanation -- they escaped from a trailer owned by one of Santa's helpers.

His name is Joe Moorman, but his occupation is Santa Claus. From the beard to the reindeer -- five tiny ones.

The reindeer getting all the attention however are Comet and Prancer, who might well have gone to that Santa workshop in the sky.

It happened, in all places, during rush hour on the Gulf Freeway when the door to their trailer slid open in traffic. Moorman was behind the wheel.

"Someone pulled up beside us and blew the horn and waving the horn and telling us we had animals loose," Moorman said.

When we asked Moorman how his heart took it at the time, he replied, "Well, my heart didn't do too well."

As his heart sank, something remarkable happened; people stopped traffic, got out of their cars and tried to corral Comet and Prancer.

Cody Casteel saw a man and woman running after them.

"Taking off her high heels, trying to catch them and the guy was behind her and right when we pulled up they started eating and we pulled their leads," said Casteel.

The Webster Police Department was flooded with calls reporting reindeer loose on the freeway.

In one phone call, the caller said, "Sir I am traveling on I-45 north. I am just by Baybrook Mall. There are two loose reindeer on the highway."

The dispatcher replied, "And ... there's two loose reindeer on the highway?"

The caller then told the dispatcher, "Yes sir, I know that sounds funny but they are."

The police chief says they were flooded with calls, and admit they initially thought it was a joke but quickly found out, these reindeer needed help.

It ended in a park and ride lot. The reindeer remarkably were not injured and made their scheduled appearance Wednesday at a school. But it has Santa reflecting on the gift he was given.

"I mean God was with the reindeer and he takes care of fools and things that can't take care of themselves," Moorman said, laughing.

Call this a Christmas miracle? Santa/Joe Norman does. And so do Comet and Prancer.

You can read more about the runaway reindeer in the Bay Area Citizen, of our Houston Community Newspaper partners.

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

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Free tax help available around Houston today

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If you haven't finished doing your taxes, you can get help from the IRS today.

Four taxpayer assistance centers will be open in Houston today from 9am until 2pm. People who make less than $49,000 are eligible for help preparing tax forms. The help will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

The centers are located at 1919 Smith Street, 8701 South Gessner, 12941 I-45 North and 8876 I-45 South. The filing deadline is Monday.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) 

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