East End residents upset over utility poles in middle of sidewalks

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A lot of residents in Houston's East End are upset right now. Millions of dollars were spent to improve sidewalks but now neighbors say they can't walk on one without running right into a utility pole.

The community improved the sidewalks while trying to make the most out of light rail construction, but then came the utility poles. Now the complaints are coming in from folks who live and work along Harrisburg Boulevard and the new East End light rail line.

The sidewalk in front of her family business is almost useful, Sandra Mayorquin says, except for the utility pole right in the middle.

"I don't like it. It's in the middle of the street, especially for people who are handicapped. How are thing going to go through the street," said Mayorquin.

It's a problem up and down Harrisburg Blvd. as poles are popping up like weeds in the middle of new sidewalks.

"We got 24 percent of our people handicapped, so we regularly see people in wheelchairs and scooters," said Diane Schenke, who runs the Greater East End Management District.

The district built the new sidewalks when METRO began constructing a new light rail line. Everyone was supposed to work together so the new Harrisburg can be a gateway to Houston's East End.

"We worked very closely with the Greater East End Management District and the community through our community advisory board, all the neighborhood folks, so a lot of the things you see out there are the product of that collaboration. But when it comes to the location of those poles, you've got to talk to CenterPoint about why they're there," said METRO CEO George Greanias.

We contacted CenterPoint Energy about the wayward poles. Late Wednesday afternoon, CenterPoint released a statement saying, "As developments take place, adjustments need to be made."

Schenke says CenterPoint told her the poles are legal because they give at least 32 inches of clearance on one side. But she points out just because it's legal, doesn't mean it makes sense.

"There may be a 32-inch clearance, but literally it's in the middle of the sidewalk," said

Even if the poles are in compliance, the people who live and work in this neighborhood say it's not making the area walkable and they would like more cooperation with those involved.

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

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Spring middle school teacher pleads guilty to sexually assaulting student

Andre Levelle Thomas, 32, is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Spring ISD teacher has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a student.

Andre Thomas was a teacher at Roberson Middle School, when he raped a 13-year-old girl in his classroom in August of last year. On Tuesday, Thomas made a plea agreement and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and ten years probation.

A statement by the victim was made in court Tuesday. In it, she said she had to pretend Thomas was a good teacher, when he was really a horrible teacher, but she said she is a survivor.

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

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Houston Schools Support 2007 Goal of Success for McReynolds Middle School

Man fatally struck by car in middle of busy road

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man who was reportedly driving erratically was struck and killed in the middle of a roadway after he crashed his car and took off running, deputies say. That deadly accident scene caused a rush hour traffic mess at FM 2920 and Spring Cypress.

Investigators say this all started with a call about an erratic driver near Spring Cypress. They say the man was in a silver Volkswagen. As deputies were going to the scene, the driver crashed into a ditch near FM 2920 and bailed out of his car and began running.

Deputies say the man ran through an HEB grocery store parking lot and back onto the road. That's where another vehicle, a white Chevy pickup that was hauling a trailer, accidentally ran over the man, killing him.

It wasn't immediately known why the man was driving erratically and why he took off running after crashing his car.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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