Year later, tri-county wildfire victims make long strides

MAGNOLIA, TX (KTRK) -- At this time last year, we first introduced you to the Barr family. Despite losing nearly everything in the wildfires of 2011, the husband and wife adopted a family to help this Christmas. For them, many things have changed since last year, but one thing remains the same.

When we met Kay and Rocky Barr last Christmas, they were homeless.

"I still have hope that we'll do Christmas 2012," Kay told Eyewitness News then. "I need all the prayers that we can get."

Their house was ravaged by the tri-county fires. Still, they managed to make Christmas magical, not just for each other but for another family in the same position.

"I just want joy and happiness," Kay said.

Twelve months later, Kay Barr's Christmas prayers were answered.

"We finished one bedroom and one bathroom and then we moved in," Rocky said.

Her husband Rocky -- with help from family, friends and strangers -- has finished the outside of their new home.

"We're probably at 75 percent complete," he said.

And Kay will spend Christmas, with a house full of family -- not in a trailer or a motel -- but right where she belongs.

The last year hasn't come and gone without challenge -- cancer, deaths in the family and Rocky's own illness.

"After our interview last year, he had a double back-to-back stroke," Kay said. "So, this year has been two steps forward and 10 backwards a couple of times, but we persevere, just keep going."

Even with life still in flux, the Barrs never stopped giving. They adopted another family this Christmas.

"There was a lot of people who helped us and I know how appreciative I was, so I just, we need to give back too," Kay said.

We toured the Barrs' new digs.

"It's a big sense of accomplishment, when we drive up the road and there's our house, we're almost home," Rocky said.

And while there is a long road of rebuilding ahead, day by day they're getting there.

"My Christmas ornament there, "believe," it can happen. If you dream it, you can make it happen. It will all come together," Kay said.

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

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Double murder remains mystery 7 years later

On Tuesday, September 13, 2005, Nick Munoz (left) and Chaz Kettner (right), both age 20, were gunned down at a gas station

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Crime Stoppers and investigators with the Houston Police Department are searching for the suspect responsible for the 2005 murder of Nick Munoz and Chaz Kettner. Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of Nick Munoz' and Chaz Kettner's deaths and today would have celebrated Kettner's 28th birthday.

It has been seven years since 20-year-olds Nick Munoz and Chaz Kettner were gunned down at an area gas station. It was Tuesday, September 13, 2005, at approximately 10:35 pm, when Kettner and Munoz were approached by an unidentified black male while seated in their vehicle at a gas station located on the 2700 block of W. Sam Houston Parkway. The unknown suspect shot both of the victims while they were in the vehicle.

Kettner died where he was seated. Munoz attempted to flee, but collapsed, passing away near the door of the service station. The unknown suspect fled the scene in a green truck.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at http://www.crime-stoppers.org/ that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

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

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Army vet pays $1 parking ticket 58 years later

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Most drivers try to avoid paying a parking ticket, if possible. But nearly 60 years after being cited, an Army veteran shows city leaders that you can't put a price on responsibility.

Fifty-eight years ago, downtown Houston was a different place and Dale Crawford was in a hurry. He had a date with the Army.

"I couldn't tell you what meter I was on and parked along here somewhere and the induction center was down that way," said Crawford.

He parked his Nash sedan on Milam Street and shipped off to Alaska where he was an anti-aircraft gunner during the Korean War.

Four years later, he returned home and resumed his life. But in 1995, he found something in a box of mementos kept by his mother -- a parking ticket issued the day he was inducted.

"My dad, he got off from work at seven o'clock and he was to come down here and get it," said Crawford.

His dad was late picking up the car. The ticket was for $1 and it still nagged his conscience at times, so he contacted the city. It's the only time parking management can recall such a thing.

"He didn't have to do this and no one would have ever known. It's purely his honor to pay his debts," said Don Cagle with the city's Parking Management Department.

Today, that one dollar debt was paid.

"I am gonna pay the mayor in cold hard cash," Crawford said.

One U.S. dollar -- the same price on the ticket from 1953, with penalties and interest waived.

"What we call the Greatest Generation; his service to his country started here in Houston and his service to the city of Houston continues," said Mayor Annise Parker.

It's a lesson in responsibility and making good on debts -- something Dale Crawford learned from his parents and is passing down.

"I can still get a parking ticket, Crawford said.

When we asked him if he would get another parking ticket, he replied, "No, I might get a speeding ticket sometime."

That same ticket today costs $35 plus penalties and interest if not paid on time.

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

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