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.

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Lockdown lifted at four Klein ISD schools; search continues for murder suspect

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Four Klein ISD schools were put on lockdown Wednesday afternoon as authorities searched for an armed murder suspect.

The lockdown was in effect for about two hours and was finally lifted shortly after 4pm, Klein ISD says. The schools affected were Klein High School, Klein Annex, Kleb Intermediate and Mittelstadt Elementary.

The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office says the search for the murder suspect, who was believed to have a gun, began near York Minster and Wimbledon Estates after investigators say a tip led them to the area. The suspect was spotted getting into a vehicle. A Precinct 4 deputy constable tried to stop him and that's when the suspect got out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

The suspect, Zumbotha Newsome, is wanted in connection with a fatal road rage case from April 15 in northwest Houston. That crime happened in the area of 34th Street and Bella Vista.

Newsome, 36, is described as a black male about 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, with a scar on his forehead. He also sports tattoos on his left and right arms. Newsome also goes by the alias Michael Ray Bunn.

"We're asking anybody if they've seen anybody about 5'9", 200 pounds, black male wearing black T-shirt and black shorts to go ahead and either call Crime Stoppers or call 911," said Alfredo Perez with the U.S. Marshals.

Perez says Newsome is considered armed and dangerous.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this developing story.

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Pearland school lockdown lifted after stranger seen in bathroom

Carleston Elementary School was on lockdown Wednesday morning after a student saw a strange man near a school bathroom

  PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- A lockdown has been lifted at a Pearland elementary school after a student saw a strange man inside a school bathroom.

The lockdown lasted for nearly an hour and a half at Carleston Elementary School on Harkey. Pearland police say a fourth grader said they saw an unknown man inside a school bathroom at around 10:40am and immediately reported the incident to school officials.

Police arrived on the scene, a perimeter was set up and a room by room search was begun to account for everyone in the building.

Pearland ISD said the lockdown was precautionary. It was lifted at around noon.

No stranger was ever located and the scene is now cleared.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this story.

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Grilling, smoking ban lifted for all but 12 parks

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The ban that was put into place on smoking, barbecuing and grilling at Houston parks in September has been lifted for all but 12 city parks.

The ban was put into effect because of the historic drought that was gripping southeast Texas. But with the recent rains and efforts to remove fuel for the fire, the risk isn't what it was a couple of months ago.

"This year's drought has been especially devastating to our city," said Mayor Annise Parker in a press release issued by the city Monday. "Since the summer, we've been working to remove fire fuel sources in our parks. As a result of this work and the increased rainfall we've been experiencing, the fire risk has declined."

The ban remains in effect at 12 parks because dead tree removal hasn't been completed. Those parks include Brock Park, Coolgreen Corridor/Strickland Park, Cullen Park, Cullinan/Oyster Creek Park, Hermann Park, Herman Brown Park, J.S. & L.H. Cullinan Park, Keith Wiess Park, Lake Houston Wilderness Park, Memorial Park, Tidwell Park and West 11th Street Park

Though the temporary ban on grilling and smoking is being lifted in most Houston parks, citizens are advised to continue to be cautious when using anything that could ignite fire.

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Pasadena ISD lockdown lifted

Authorities are looking for at least one suspect involved in a robbery in the Pasadena area.

  PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- A handful of Pasadena ISD schools were placed on lockdown this morning as police searched for suspects in a jewelry store theft.

Pasadena ISD officials tell us Rayburn High School, Fisher Elementary, Bailey Elementary, Park View Intermediate, the Guidance Center, and PISD administration building were all on lockdown as a precaution.

According to Pasadena police, it all started with a robbery at Fairmont Jewelry, located on 4111 Fairmont, at around 9am. Police tell us two motorcycle officers were nearby and saw the three suspects, including one with a gun drawn.

Those three suspects fled, but were all captured. The lockdown was lifted shortly before 11am.

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Lockdown lifted at Galveston schools

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- Administration at Austin Middle School and AIM College and Career Prep school as well as Galveston Independent School District Police initiated lockdown procedures at the campuses this morning. The emergency policy went in place at approximately 8:45am at Austin, then shortly thereafter at AIM College and Career Prep due to their vicinity of a reported shooting in the neighborhood near the schools. The lockdown was lifted at approximately 9:50am at both schools.

The lockdown was a precautionary move by GISD Police. GISD police officers secured the exterior perimeter of the school property and made sure the students were safe. The lockdown was lifted after GISD Police and the Galveston Police Department determined it was acceptable to lift the lockdown measures. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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