Police: Wrong-way driver reaches 120 mph on Westpark

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A chase in southwest Houston ended in a crash last night.

Police tell us they were trying to pull over the driver of a Subaru for a traffic stop when he took off. Officers say he went the wrong way on Westpark and reached speeds of at least 120 miles per hour.

He finally lost control of the vehicle and crashed near Westpark and Fondren. The driver got out and ran but was captured a short time later.

Police say he's facing charges of DWI, drug possession and felony evading.

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

local

View the original article here

Number of West Nile virus cases in Houston reaches 60

West Nile virus cases continue to rise in the Houston area.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The city of Houston is reporting three more cases of the West Nile virus, bringing the city's total to 60.

The city says the cases were confirmed in two males -- one between the ages of 25-34 and another between 45-54 -- and one female between the ages of 75-84. The older male victim and the woman both live in northeast Houston. The younger male lives in southeast Houston.

Four people have died in Houston from the virus.

Earlier this week, Harris County announced its 22nd case Fort Bend County also announced another new case. In addition, Montgomery County has six cases, while Brazoria County confirms three. No deaths have been reported in those counties.

As for other counties in our area, Waller and Wharton counties have each reported one case with one death. And Liberty County and Galveston County have both had one case with zero deaths.

Overall, more than 88 human cases have been confirmed across the ABC13 viewing area with five deaths -- the four in Houston and one in El Campo.

Federal health officials say this is the nation's worst year for the mosquito-borne virus since it was discovered in New York 13 years ago.

There are more than 1,400 cases of West Nile in the United States. Texas has at least 52 of the country's 118 West Nile related deaths.

Several Texas counties have been spraying pesticide to help reduce the mosquito population.

Mosquito-proof your property

HCPHES continues to encourage residents to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats around their property. Remove or empty all outside containers that may hold water such as flowerpots, tires and toys. Bird baths and pet water bowls should be changed at least twice a week. Clean out gutters and make sure windows and doors have proper screening. Do not "feed" the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways and dispose of them properly.

Prevent mosquito breeding in boats Cover your boat and store it in a covered place. Drain any standing water and make sure the bilge pump is working.Turn over canoes, kayaks and small boats to store upside down.

Personal protection

Historically, in Harris County, July through September is the peak timeframe for disease transmission to humans. To reduce the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes, practice personal protective measures. When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 and apply as directed on the label. If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

For additional information and/or maps of West Nile Virus activity in Harris County, visit www.hcphes.org.

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

local

View the original article here

HISD reaches out to high school dropouts

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston Independent School District officials and volunteers knocked on the doors of hundreds of high school dropouts Saturday in hopes of encouraging them to return to class.

It's called the Grads Within Reach Walk, and the program is in its ninth year.

According to HISD, the dropout rate was 11.8 percent last year. That was down from 12.6 percent the year before.

Officials and volunteers visited students from 23 of the district's high schools, hoping to get them back in school.

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

local

View the original article here

Houston reaches red light camera settlement

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's a device that has caused confusion, frustration and debate throughout the city of Houston: the red light camera.

The city ordered the cameras turned off and stopped issuing red light camera violations last August, but it looks like their saga is far from over.

Last year, Houston shut down the controversial cameras after residents rose up against them. That decision could cost the city big this year.

According to documents Eyewitness News obtained Saturday, the city of Houston and red light camera manufacturer American Traffic Solutions have come up with a compromise and settlement agreement.

In that proposal, the city would agree to pay ATS more than $12 million dollars for the breached red light camera contract, which ends in 2014.

ATS and the city of Houston have been fighting it out in court since voters decided in November they wanted the cameras turned off.

After the public saw those cameras were turned off and then turned on again, it took a vote by city council members in August to ultimately turn off the red light cameras off permanently.

ATS was seeking $25 million from the city of Houston for breach of contract.

If city council approves this settlement, the city will pay around $4.78 million dollars to ATS up front, but the potential pay-out could climb to about $12 million over the next three years.

The funds to pay the settlement will come from previously collected fines that are in escrow and the approximately $25 million the city is still owed in outstanding red light camera fines issued when the program was still operational.

Under the terms of the agreement, ATS will be paid $2.3 million up front. This represents the amount ATS would have received had the red light cameras remained on from the date they were initially turned off following the voter initiative in November 2010 to December of 2011.

ATS will also receive another $2.4 million over the next three years. This additional amount is meant to address the amounts ATS could have received under its contract with the city, based on collection of delinquent red light camera fines.

In exchange for the payments, ATS has agreed to end its legal fight with the city and remove all of its cameras from Houston intersections within 60 days of approval of the settlement by Houston City Council.

Houston's legal department is recommending that the council approve the settlement. They are also recommending that council authorize the mayor to enter into additional third party agreements to support the collection of outstanding fines, if necessary.

George J. Hittner, ATS general counsel and corporate secretary, told us the deal has taken all sides weeks to iron out.

"We've gone through two mediations, we've had a lot of dialogue with the city, and at this point and time, we believe we've reached an agreement that will be presented to city council," Hittner said. "I think it's in the best interest of both sides to put this matter behind them, and let's move on."

In a statement released Saturday evening from City Hall, Mayor Annise Parker said "I am thankful that traffic violators, not Houston taxpayers, will be paying for this. This is a reasonable settlement and I thank the City legal department for its diligence in getting it done."

Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for updates as we continue to follow this developing story.

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

local, demond fernandez

View the original article here