Texans pride especially strong at one local school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston is covered in a sea of red and blue as Mayor Annise Parker declared today "Go Texans Day".

All over town, expect to see people sporting their Texans gear in anticipation of the team's big playoff match-up with New England this weekend. Team spirit is especially high at a school that has very close ties to the man who will be calling the plays on Sunday.

St. Pius is proud to claim Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak as one of its alums. He played football and graduated from there in 1979.

On campus today, students traded the usual school uniforms at St. Pius for Texans jerseys, Texans T-shirts and the like, just as fans across the city are.

The students are all dressed to show their Houston Texans pride, and pride in a person who once walked the same halls.

Students also created and hung signs declaring their support for the St. Pius alum.

"I think it's just big that we continue to support him," said St. Pius student Kohl Stewart. "It makes it fun that he's one of us and his name is everywhere and he's the face of the franchise."

"To feel like that man went here, it just makes the Texans pride that much more here," added student Jourdan Alvarez.

"It's amazing, especially since he's such a hard worker and everything he's done is incredible," said student Brianna Santiago.

Don't forget to catch our 'Houston Texans: Road to the Ring' special Friday at 7pm on ABC13, as the Texans try to take another major step to their first Super Bowl.
___________________________________________________________

Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices

(Copyright ©2013 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

houston texans, nfl, local, elissa rivas

View the original article here

Local shoppers run into trouble buying gift cards

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- "Super Saturday" is what retailers have dubbed the Saturday before Christmas, but local shoppers making a last-minute dash to the stores ran into some trouble.

With just three days until Christmas, shoppers are packing into stores.

"It's just so many people everywhere all the time," shopper Emily Austin said.

It was so many people that some local retailers' credit card systems have been crashing.

We spoke with several managers who say they were unable to issue gift cards for much of the day because of unprecedented demand.

"I think it is crazier this year than last," shopper Katia Mazzone said. "I've noticed a difference."

Retailers we spoke to said the gift card problems had cleared up by Saturday night, but it's hard to tell what will happen as people continue their last-minute shopping.

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

local

View the original article here

Horror of Connecticut shooting reminds of local tragedy

NEWTOWN, CT (KTRK) -- Friday's events in Connecticut bring back memories of a devastating attack on a local elementary school more than 50 years ago. A father detonated a bomb at Poe Elementary School, killing himself and five students and teachers.

It's been more than five decades since Houstonians dealt with the horror and disbelief of an attack against the most innocent of victims in what should have been the safest of places, students at an elementary school.

It was September 15, 1959, when an ex-convict, 49-year-old Paul Orgeron showed up on Poe's campus, his five-year-old son in one hand and a suitcase packed with dynamite in the other. He was angry that he couldn't enroll his son in school because he didn't have the proper paperwork.

When he detonated the homemade bomb, it killed Orgeron and his son, along with two other students, a teacher and a custodian. Eighteen others were hurt, including two students who lost limbs.

On the 50th anniversary of that dark day, a ceremony was held at both Poe and Kolter elementary, a school named for teacher Jennie Kolter, who died trying to protect her students.

We spoke with her son on that day. William Kolter was chief resident at Hermann Hospital the day of the bombing and remembers having to pronounce his mother dead.

"By the time I got over there, the kids that needed to go to the hospital had already gone and that when I found mama on the ground with a sheet over her, so I had to pronounce her," he said.

It was a lasting and terrible memory for a man who lost his mother to the actions of a madman. And those who survived that horrific day at Poe Elementary so long ago are among the few who understand how the victims and their families in Connecticut are feeling right now, as this unthinkable nightmare plays out.

And they are no doubt wondering again how anyone could target the most defenseless among us with such evil abandon.

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

national/world, melanie lawson

View the original article here

Local Navy veteran remembers attack on Pearl Harbor

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- One Navy veteran vividly remembers the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

Dave Hughes was 17 years old at the time. He was piloting a motor boat between American ships when he saw the first line of Japanese zeroes. He says for a moment he thought the planes were American fighters doing practice runs, until they started strafing ships.

Hughes says he and other sailors worked around the clock to save people from damaged ships and prepare for a possible follow up attack. (Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here

Local immigration activists protest at Polk Co. Detention Center

  LIVINGSTON, TX (KTRK) -- Local immigration activists are alleging human rights abuses at the Polk County Detention Center.

They gathered Saturday to board a bus and drive to the center in Livingston for a protest.

They claim the detainees suffer from inadequate medical care, poor nutrition and a lack of access to legal services.

Protestors called for the closure of the facility, which houses hundreds of immigration detainees waiting for their cases to be resolved.

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

local

View the original article here

Texans hold autograph sessions at local stores

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- This weekend, Houston-area shoppers are invited to attend Best Buy's grand re-opening celebrations in five locations including: Woodlands, Bay Brook, Galleria, Price Plaza, and West Oaks.

Festivities include appearances and autograph sessions by some of the Houston Texans. The following are scheduled to appear: T.J. Yates starting at 1:30pm at the Galleria locationJohnathan Joseph starting at 2:00pm at the Baybrook locationBen Tate starting at 2:00pm at the Fry Road (Price Plaza) locationBrooks Reed starting at 2:00pm at the Woodlands locationRobert Horry of the Houston Rockets starting at 2:00pm at the West Oaks location

For celebrity appearances, wristbands will be distributed 2 hours prior to the start time and are available on a first-come, first-served basis -- maximum 1 wristband per person

Go to BestBuy.com for scheduling information.

Locations: WOODLANDS, 1550 Lake Woodlands Dr., Pinecroft Center The Woodlands, TX 77380 Phone: 281-292-1355BAYBROOK, 19425 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598 Phone: 281-554-3004GALLERIA, 5133 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77056 Phone: 713-552-1512Price Plaza, 20290 Katy Fwy (Fry Rd Exit), Katy, TX 77449 Phone: 281-398-2938WEST OAKS, 2480 Highway 6 S Village At West Oaks, Houston, TX 77077 Phone: 281-493-2365(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here

Hundreds of local couples renew wedding vows

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a little more than a third of married couples have made it to their 25th wedding anniversary. Even fewer -- just six percent -- have made it to their 50th anniversary.

That's all the more reason for a special ceremony held in Houston on Sunday for hundreds of couples who have reached one of those milestones.

About 500 couples came together to celebrate a 25th or 50th wedding anniversary at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston's annual wedding anniversary mass.

"You can overcome a lot of things with love and patience," Joshara Edwards said. "But for 50 years, you need all of it."

An anniversary milestone like the ones these couples have reached is a big deal, especially in a time when close to half of couples divorce, and in a place like Texas with a divorce rate above the national average.

For these reasons, an anniversary mass like the one held Sunday at the George R. Brown Convention Center is worthy of notice.

"It reminds you that you've made a commitment to something," Joshara Edwards' wife, Shirley, said..

The Edwards are celebrating 50 years with love and humor.

"It makes me feel good. I don't know about her, but it makes me feel good," Joshara Edwards said, laughing.

The Edwards, along with hundreds of other couples, renewed the vows they made back in 1962.

Kathleen Maroney and her husband were celebrating vows made in 1987.

"It's been a ton of fun and we've been blessed with a beautiful family," Maroney said.

For the Maroneys, this year's wedding anniversary mass was a family affair.

"We're fortunate enough to be here with my parents, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary," Maroney said.

At this celebration of marriages still going strong, there were hundreds of people who know the secret to making it last.

"You got to believe in each other, trust each other and don't hold back anything," Joshara Edwards said.

We'd like to offer congratulations to the couples who were at the ceremony, and to those who were not. About 400 couples who couldn't make it to the event will be receiving certificates from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

This was also the 50th year the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has held the wedding anniversary mass.

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

local, adela uchida

View the original article here

Local woman who died in 9/11 attacks remembered

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Among the nearly 3,000 who died on 9/11 was Houstonian Lauren Catuzzi. On Tuesday morning, the city held a memorial service to remember her and the countless others who died that day and in the war on terror.

Lauren's Garden is a tribute to Lauren Catuzzi and all victims of September 11, 2001. More than a decade later, this day comes and goes no easier for Lauren's father.

"Obviously 9/11 brings to my mind now the need to remember," said Lawrence Catuzzi.

His daughter Lauren died this day 11 years ago. She was the only Houstonian aboard United Airlines Flight 93 when it went down near Shakesville, Pennsylvania. Lauren was born and raised in Houston. She was 38 years old and three months pregnant at time of her death.

"This memorial is more than Lauren's Garden. This memorial is for all of the victims of 9/11," said Lawrence.

The garden situated in downtown's Market Square Park is a living memorial dedicated to a woman who, her father says, loved the outdoors.

"I thank you and I thank God for giving us this gift," said Harris Co. Precinct 1 Commissioner El Franco Lee.

At a public gathering, elected officials and citizens joined to remember the events and the heroes of September 11th.

"Remember what it felt like, how it brought us together as Americans, united, one people," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

But they also came together to remember Lauren's spirit which, in this downtown Houston park, is very much alive.

"This memorial is a place of life, every day. Where kids come to play, where families come to walk their dogs, people come to eat and enjoy music and enjoy life," said Lawrence. "I talk to Lauren every day, just a little whisper here or there."

Members of the Houston Grand Opera performed musical selections from "Pieces of 9/11," written in honor of all victims, including Lauren Catuzzi.

In honor of the first responders who died on 9/11, several Houston Astros toured Houston fire stations, thanking firefighters for putting their lives on the line.

"Just to show the appreciation for what they do every day," said Astro Brian Bogusevic.

At Station 19, the flag remains lowered. A picture of Ground Zero reminds firefighters of their brothers and sisters who died trying to save others.

"It still, 11 years later, makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up," said HFD Captain Rick Baker.

Several other ceremonies honor the memories of those lost:

----------------------------

The mayor will also participate in pre-game ceremony at the Astros Heroes Night at Minute Maid Park at 6:30pm.

The firehouse visits this morning will take place prior to Astros Heroes Night at Minute Maid Park, which will commemorate the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Heroes Night honors area first responders and military personnel and gives fans and players an opportunity to thank Houston's public servants for their dedication to protecting others.

----------------------------

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6378 and its Ladies Auxiliary held a 9/11 Rememberance Ceremony at 10am at the Dickinson Cemetery, including a dedication of a new flagpole.

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

local

View the original article here

Local leaders stress preparation as hurricane season gets underway

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- Today is the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season. Local emergency officials are joining federal and state leaders in urging you to think now about your hurricane emergency plan.

We've already seen two named storms this year and hurricane season just got started.

"Are you ready for hurricane season?" we asked one Houston man today.

"No, probably not," he answered.

If that's your answer, Harris County Emergency Management has a message for you.

"Understand you live in a hurricane-prone area," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "Assume a hurricane is going to make a direct hit."

The county is already tracking severe weather across the country, preparing for the worst. And employees at the Office of Emergency Management are asking you to do the same.

"Make sure you have water. Make sure you have batteries, so you can stay informed by radio or other means," said Emmett.

Emmett recommends having a detailed evacuation plan.

"They need to know, am I in an evacuation zone or am I in an area with shelter in place," he said. "Look in your pantry if you're going to shelter-in-place and make sure you have enough goods to survive a week or ten days."

If you don't evacuate when you're asked to, he says county workers won't risk their lives to rescue you.

"We've gotten too used to, 'Well, is going to provide something for us.' The government has a role, the state of Texas, FEMA," he said. "But the first response has got to be your own. You owe it to yourself and your family."

Here's a list of all the hurricane season forecasts for this year and the agency reporting them, as posted on Chief Meteorologist Tim Heller's weather blog

NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which oversees the National Hurricane Center.

9-15 Tropical Storms 4-8 Hurricanes 1-3 Major Hurricanes.

Impact Weather: Houston based private forecasting firm that works with oil companies.

10 Tropical Storms 5 Hurricanes 2 Major Hurricanes

 AccuWeather:

12 Tropical Storms 5 Hurricanes 2 Major Hurricanes

The Weather Channel:

11 Tropical Storms6 Hurricanes2 Major Hurricanes

Colorado State University: from Dr. William Gray and Dr. Phil Klotzback.

10 Tropical Storms 4 Hurricanes 2 Major Hurricanes

Florida State Univeristy: Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies

10-16 Tropical Storms5-9 Hurricanes

North Carolina State University:

7-10 Tropical Storms4-7 Hurricanes1-3 Major Hurricanes

Tropical Storm Risk: London-based forecast company.

13 Tropical Storms 6 Hurricanes 3 Major Hurricanes

Weather Research Center: Home to Houston's Weather Museum, the WRC forecast is based on sunspot cycles, not current or forecast weather patterns.

8 Tropical Storms 5 Hurricanes

Keep your family safe this hurricane season. Check our complete tropical weather preparation guide

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

hurricane, hurricane central

View the original article here

Local race for civil court judge turns nasty

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local incumbent judge is now in a fight for the bench, battling a challenger in his own party. Some say it's all from an old vendetta.

There are a lot of candidates this primary election and many of them don't grab a lot of attention. But this time, there's a lot of attention being paid to one particular race -- and not in the way everybody expected.

At the courthouse, it looks like business as usual in the 215th civil court. But the campaign for this race has turned nasty.

A radio ad by Democratic candidate Elaine Palmer says, "We interrupt this with breaking news. Harris County records show that Judge Steven Kirkland, candidate for 215th civil district court, was arrested two times for drunk driving."

Judge Steven Kirkland, the Democratic incumbent, says the ad is dirty politics.

"Twenty-eight years ago, I was young and stupid and did some things that I should have not done. I have learned from that and for 28 years I have been sober," he said.

Kirkland points out he's never hid his DWI arrests that occurred three decades ago, and just celebrated 28 years of sobriety.

But Palmer's campaign stands by the ad, saying in a statement: "From the onset, Elaine Palmer has been attacked. From her opponents supporters calling her the N-word to them referring to blacks as 'you people.' We stayed on message and put forth reforms that even Judge Kirkland could not find fault in."

Kirkland says nobody in his campaign have, or would ever say, something so incendiary.

"I think it's just amazing that anyone would want to be a judge and would stoop to these kinds of tactics," Kirkland said.

The tone of this campaign is unusual, but it's also rare to see an opponent like Palmer so well-funded. Records show local lawyer George Fleming as a main contributor to her campaign, and he recently had a case in front of Kirkland.

Our legal analyst Joel Androphy says he's not surprised by what's going on.

"If you don't like the judge in Harris County, you have an option: Go find somebody else and fund them, so this is not new," Androphy said.

Whoever comes out victorious in this primary will face stiff opposition from a Republican candidate in the general election.

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

local, miya shay

View the original article here

Proceeds from car show will help local veterans

Hundreds of cars were on display outside Reliant Stadium for the Houston Construction Industry Auto Show

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Car enthusiasts checked out some classic rides and helped local veterans at the same time Saturday.

Hundreds of cars were on display outside Reliant Stadium for the Houston Construction Industry Auto Show.

Proceeds will be used to build a new kitchen for US Veterans Midtown Terrace. It's a housing facility that provides counseling and job training for nearly 300 veterans.

"If this kitchen gets completed by March, it'll add another factor to their lives and some dignity that they've probably lost along the way, so it's just our way of giving back," said Gordon Clunn with Clunn Acoutsical Systems.

Auto show organizers say the event raised $250,000 toward the kitchen.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for August.

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

local
// perform JavaScript after the document is scriptable.OTV.common.modules.promoCarousel.promoCarouselInit("/ktrk/xml?id=5758258&ptnr=promoCarousel");

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");

View the original article here

Marathon baseball game to raise funds for local teen

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Baseball players and fans are uniting this weekend for a 12-hour marathon game to raise money for a local teen with muscular dystrophy.

The third annual Midnight Madness Marathon charity baseball game is Sunday from noon to midnight at the new Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters, on Highway 6 at Highway 90A.

Amateur players and former professional players of all ages will participate in 12 hours of non-stop play in just one game, and it's all for a good cause.

The funds raised by this event will go to 16-year-old high school student David Gonzalez -- a sports fan who loves school and wants to go to Rice University one day.

David has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which causes muscle degeneration, loss of movement and difficulty breathing. He will be a wheelchair-user for the rest of his life.

Proceeds from Sunday's event will be used to pay for expensive medical equipment David needs that insurance doesn't cover, including a specialized van and a bathroom in his family's home that is wheelchair-accessible.

You can play in this charity marathon game or go as a fan. It's a family-friendly event with a baseball dunk tank and other activities. The playground and concession stands will be open.

And the fun begins even before the game. A Home Run Derby is slated for 10am Sunday. The winner gets $500.

The Midnight Madness Marathon is organized by the Global Sports Foundation's Baseball Gives Back nonprofit and the Houston Hardball League.

Baseball Gives Back works to provide new and gently-used baseball equipment to underprivileged children and adults in the U.S and around the world. They also do special events such as this to raise funds for individuals with illnesses.

Last year's Midnight Madness Marathon raised $19,990 for nine-year-old brain cancer patient Ariel Leal and her family.

Admission on Sunday is free. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit globalsportsfoundation.org.

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

local

View the original article here

Local sextuplets improving, 3 breathing on own

  HOUSTON -- A hospital official says three of the premature sextuplets born last month in Houston are now breathing on their own.

Christy Brunton with Texas Children's Pavilion for Women said Thursday that all six babies are stable and improving.

Lauren Perkins of Pearland on April 23 delivered three girls and three boys. Brunton says some of the babies, born about 10 weeks premature, could go home by mid-June if they continue to do well in intensive care.

Brunton says two boys and one girl -- Andrew, Benjamin and Caroline -- are breathing unassisted. Allison, Leah and Levi are off ventilators but still get medical help to breathe.

Texas Children's Pavilion for Women is affiliated with Texas Children's Hospital.

"We're thanking God every day for our babies and we're looking forward to bringing them home," Lauren said.

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

local

View the original article here

Local woman launches national non-profit program to help kids with autism

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- New research shows the number of children being diagnosed with autism and mental illness is going up. Therapy would help many of them, but few families can afford it.

Now, a Houston-area woman has launched a national non-profit program to provide financial help for those families, and she has made sure the money is easy to qualify for.

Three-year-old Yakser Syed's parents noticed when he was about two that his speech was delayed, and he wasn't properly responding to their calls. Still, they were surprised when he was later diagnosed with autism. Now he's seeing a behaviorist at the Varidian Center and making huge strides, but at an enormous cost.

"It's over $2,000 a month that I'm having to pay out of pocket, and so it's definitely been a big hit on us financially having to provide for this type of therapy but the progress that Yasker has made with it, it makes it so worth it," said his mother, Saba Syed.

The Syeds did get some financial help for their son's therapy from Dr. Layla Salek, a behaviorist who herself grew up in a home with a mentally ill parent. So she says she understands how deeply the wounds reach when autism, mental illness or other issues aren't properly assessed and treated with occupational therapy, speech remediation, and family education and support.

But it was quite by accident that she found a way to link her hobby with her work.

"I just serendipitously one day started talking pictures of toys in my daughter's playroom and I loved them and I sat there and tried to figure out what can I do," Dr. Salek said.

What she did was turn the photos into clothing -- onesies and T-shirts made of organic cotton -- which she sells in a few Houston-area stores and the proceeds fund her charity, Susie Bean. Susie Bean selects behaviorists with proper certification and training to partner with them by referring clients who need help. One hundred percent of the profits are made available to clients. Erin Breen is one of four service providers in our community linked with Susie Bean.

"It was such a simple process. I just filled out the application, talked to the family and she sent me the check and so it was absolutely wonderful," Breen said.

Dr. Salek hopes to make financial help available in cities all over the country. Her organization is on the forefront addressing a national challenge.

"Autism is on the national epidemic list, so for insurance just to decide they're not going to cover this that's huge. And these families really need help and if we don't pay for it while they're little then we're going to pay for it as a society later on," Dr. Salek said.

The Syeds offer their story as proof of the potential therapy offers.

"Since he's so young and he has so much potential I want him to live a full, normal, independent life where he can take care of himself," Syed said.

If you would like to be a part of Susie Bean's fundraising efforts to help families, or if your family is in need of help, you can access their website.

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

local, gina gaston

View the original article here

Local school has potential solution to overcrowded classrooms

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As this school year comes to a close, thousands of students are looking forward to leaving their overcrowded classrooms. But in the fall, they are likely to return to classrooms even more crowded.

On Wednesday night, we showed you the problems associated with those expanding classes, but now we show you how one school discovered a solution.

We all know that before this school year started, the state cut billions from the education budget. One of the results you can see here is a dramatic rise in the number of elementary school classes that went above the 22 students to 1 teacher mandate. No one suspects it will get better next year.

While every school we found is dealing with this issue in one way or another, we found a school in Spring Branch that is not only proud of its big classes, but has found a unique and highly successful way to deal with it.

Not every school is waiting for the unlikely day when the state legislature sends more money. At the Cornerstone Academy, a Spring Branch public charter school, classes are almost all filled with 34 students. But also stacked with two certified teachers.

"Hailey and I are both certified to teach math and science," said teacher Jessica Henning.

Every teacher here is certified to teach at least three subjects -- two core and at least one elective; some more than that. It means fewer teachers teach more classes, all with the same budget as a traditional schedule.

"Small group instruction is very important. That's difficult to do when you have one teacher and 34 kids in a room. That's a challenge," said Cornerstone Academy Principal Jill Wright.

She's run out of room to list the years the school has been named exemplary and she believes it's one solution that could work in other schools in other districts, too.

"I don't think very many people can say that their best years were junior high; these kids will tell you that their best years are junior high," said Wright.

If you want to see how your school is doing, we've put every school in the Houston area on this map. When you're there, click on the red dots near your home to find your child's school to see the class size average for every grade or subject area.

We heard from several teachers Wednesday night that some of the averages are low. They may be lower than what you see in your classroom, but the state allows schools to average in special education classes which are always lower than other classes, which drives down the average.

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

in focus, ted oberg

View the original article here

Local TI workers told they soon won't have jobs

  STAFFORD, TX (KTRK) -- Texas Instruments plans to close its Houston-based facility.

Workers at the computer chip factory on Highway 59 and South Kirkwood have received word they would no longer have a job. The Stafford company plans to lay off all 500 employees over the next 11 months. The company says employees will know by April 1 when their last day of work will be.

There is a possibility some employees could work at other TI facilities.

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

stafford, local

View the original article here

Local children enter 'Future City' competition

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Local middle school students are using their own ideas to build cities of the future.

The students showed off their projects at the Future City competition Saturday.

With an engineer as a mentor, teams of kids designed model cities with computer software and built scale models with recycled materials.

They focused on renewable energy sources and eco-friendly designs.

Winners of the regional competition advance to the national finals in Washington D.C. next month.

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

local

View the original article here

Local activist claims mistreatment by Houston police

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local community activist dedicated to fighting crime says he was mistreated by Houston police.

Travis McGee says he has tried to lower crime in his Sunnyside neighborhood for years, but what happened over the New Year's weekend was a whole other matter.

On December 30, there was a shooting at a loan business not far from McGee's own business in Sunnyside. McGee says he went to the scene to try to gather information about the shooting for some of his customers. But instead of helping, he says Houston police made him feel like he was a suspect.

McGee says he was questioned and detained for about 30 to 40 minutes. The entire time he said he was trying to explain to officers that he was simply a nearby business owner.

McGee says he was unhappy with what took place and he brought his complaint to city hall.

"I was illegally searched. I was illegally detained," McGee told city council. "I did not want to go back up to the scene of the crime so someone could accidentally point me out. I could not get all the badges because I did not want to make a sudden movement."

McGee's concern struck a nerve with a number of city council members, especially in light of several officer involved shootings that have taken place in the Houston area over the last few weeks.

Several council members say they have already taken steps to try to get to the bottom of what took place. HPD Chief Charles McClelland is aware of the situation from December 30. The issue is far from over.

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

local, miya shay
// perform JavaScript after the document is scriptable.OTV.common.modules.promoCarousel.promoCarouselInit("/ktrk/xml?id=5758258&ptnr=promoCarousel");

View the original article here

Local man killed, 2nd injured in NJ hotel stabbing

  HOUSTON -- A Texas man was fatally stabbed and another was critically injured during an attack at a central New Jersey hotel.

Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano says 30-year-old Chad Everette Robertson of Shoreacres and a 29-year-old Houston man were found at the Franklin Township site around 1:25 a.m. Saturday.

Robertson, who had been stabbed multiple times, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other man, whose name was not released, was stabbed in the abdomen. He underwent surgery and was hospitalized in critical condition.

Soriano says the men have been in the area for a few weeks working on an environmental project. But it's not clear if they were staying at the hotel where the stabbings occurred or what may have prompted the stabbings.

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

local
// perform JavaScript after the document is scriptable.OTV.common.modules.promoCarousel.promoCarouselInit("/ktrk/xml?id=5758258&ptnr=promoCarousel");

View the original article here

Local malls look at security measures after recent incidents of violence

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Another incident of violence at a mall is raising security questions across the nation. On Monday, a brawl broke out at the Mall of America in Minneapolis. At one point, as many as 200 people were involved.

Minnesota is not alone in seeing fights break out between shoppers this holiday season. We've reported on several scuffles in our area as well, and we wondered if the recent incidents have caused local malls to look at their security measures.

Some mall workers and shoppers told Eyewitness News they're noticing more security in the malls in our area. But security isn't something many of the major malls we contacted in this area want to talk about publicly. At Greenspoint Mall, the manager told us security is keeping their eyes and ears open for potential security problems.

Houston area retail store manager Marcy Martin told us she couldn't believe the chaos at the Mall of America on Monday. She says it reminded her of the mad dash for the new Air Jordan shoes she watched at some Houston malls last Friday.

"People have gone crazy. And it's our youth," Martin said.

We called around to several local malls asking whether the images of recent mobs have managers concerned. So far, Ray Bajerano from Greenspoint Mall is the only mall manager who agreed to speak out.

"It definitely is a concern. You never want an isolated incident like that to occur on your property," Bajerano told us over the phone.

Eyewitness News was at Greenspoint as hundreds lined up to buy a pair of the new Air Jordan sneakers. And we watched as police and mall security tried keeping the eager crowd organized.

Greenspoint Mall says it's constantly reviewing security measures for customer safety.

"Over the years, we've bought, purchased some barricades, the metal ones, so we can start forming the lines. We coordinate again with the police department," Bajerano said.

No major issues were reported at Greenspoint on Friday. But Martin believes after the madness in Minneapolis, all malls should consider beefing up security.

"It should be more security. I mean a whole lot more security because you just never know what's going to happen," she said.

We have heard in addition to the mall security that some stores are hiring their own private security. Greenspoint's GM told us after the last crowd rushed this mall, he's now considering more changes for safety and security.

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

local, demond fernandez

View the original article here