TSU investigating alleged hazing incident among university band members

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As the Texas Southern University football team took the field Thursday night, something was missing -- the marching band. It was suspended and is now under investigation. The allegations against the Ocean of Soul are hazing.

Many people who attended the TSU game didn't know about the hazing allegations until it was obvious the band wasn't there. The band director, band staff and all students are being questioned, and if proven true, students could be expelled or even charged.

Halftime at BBVA Compass Stadium and the field is empty, which means the curb at the student shuttle bus stop is full. Many left early.

"There's no point of staying for 12 minutes and just sitting and looking at other people," freshman Didi Chiedu said.

For the game on September 15, the Ocean of Soul rocked. On Thursday night, their performance was canceled amidst hazing allegations.

TSU officials tell Eyewitness News they received the report Wednesday night. It involves the trumpet section and an allegation of excessive paddling. It's said to have happened September 19 off campus. There were no serious injuries but the university has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing.

According to a written statement, the university says "the band is suspended until further notice" and "TSU student affairs personnel will take appropriate action."

On Thursday night, we weren't allowed into the stadium for this story. Outside, students reacted to the allegations.

"It's not good, but it's hopefully not true," freshman Alex Coleman said.

"Usually you get this from fraternities and sororities, but from the band, which is a respectful organization at our school, it's ridiculous," Chiedu said.

This isn't the first time the band has been involved in a scandal, but it has been a long time. Twenty years ago while in Japan, students were accused of stealing thousands of dollars in electronics.

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

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Council members consider unusual proposals to trim budget

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- City leaders are huddled for a marathon meeting about proposed changes to the city's multibillion-dollar budget. These are potentially significant decisions affecting everything from the mayor's term limits to whether you can use a plastic bag at the grocery store.

More than 100 amendments are on the table for consideration. But the good news are none of them propose large-scale layoffs.

Just outside City Hall, downtown workers tote their lunches in plastic bags -- something that could go away if one budget amendment passes.

"I think it's a good idea, it's better for the environment to use the reusable bags," downtown worker Amanda Cooper said.

The idea of phasing away plastic bags is just one of 104 amendments being considered this budget year. Councilman Ed Gonzalez says the bags turn into hard-to-get-rid-of trash.

"We spend a lot of money trying to keep our city clean and we need to see if we could make an impact on those costs," Gonzalez said.

The plastic bag proposal may seem like unusual for council members to consider, but budget cycles are a time when council members introduce unusual ideas.

"As a supporter of police and firefighters, it's not a comfortable to say 'the emperor has no clothes' but that's the reality as it stands," Councilwoman Helena Brown said.

Brown, for example, wanted council members to default on police and fire pension plans, among other suggestions. That was quickly voted down.

But other ideas did pass.

Council members could now put a proposal before voters to change term limits to two four-year terms. And the proposed pole tax of $5 for every strip club customer is scheduled for a vote next week.

"We have so much on our plate right now that some people simply can't look at everything that's being put in front of them. I have respect for that," Houston City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen said.

Council members are expected to meet a couple more times before finalizing next year's budget.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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3 members of Houston family get prison over fraud

  HOUSTON -- Prosecutors say three members of a Houston family have been sentenced to prison for mortgage fraud involving more than 70 homes.

No date has been set for 62-year-old Claymon "Butch" Trammell, his 57-year-old wife Jeannettea Williams and his 40-year-old daughter, Michelle Trammell, to report to prison.

A federal judge in Houston on Monday sentenced the couple to five-year prison terms. Michelle Trammell was sentenced to three years. Each must pay nearly $1 million to lenders.

All pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud through their company, North Belt Mortgage.

Some homebuyers were told they did not need to put any money down, they weren't responsible for monthly payments and they would get money for use of their name and credit.

Dozens of homes ended up in foreclosure.

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

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Today's final day on city council for four members

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston city councilmembers are getting some work done on the last meeting day of the year. It's also the final day on council for four of its members.

Brenda Stardig and Jolanda Jones lost their re-election bids in the runoff race and Sue Lovell and Jarvis Johnson are leaving because of term limits.

The new council is sworn in next month. The 2012 council will have two new seats and seven new members.

Today, council members approved an ordinance that gives some breathing room to homeowners whose houses are being surrounded by townhomes and high rises. The new buffer zone from lotline to the new development is now 40 feet.

There was a move today to postpone the vote, handing it to the incoming council. Councilmember Sue Lovell argued that would allow developers to file building permits under current, less stringent rules.

Also up for consideration is an ordinance would require auto shops to get the customer's permission before doing work that would add more than $100 to the original estimate. In public comments yesterday, shop owners complained the proposed rule would delay repair work and complicate operations.

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

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Naked PETA members demonstrate outside steakhouse

PETA members are wrapped up in cellophane like packaged meat for a demonstration in front of a Houston area steakhouse (Jesus Amaya, KTRK)

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Naked and wrapped in cellophane, members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals held a demonstration outside a Houston steakhouse Friday.

The pro-vegan demonstration mimicked meat packages with the goal of showing Houston that "we're all made of flesh."

The demonstrators were set up outside Vic and Anthony's Steakhouse on Texas Ave. in front of signs that read "If Slaughterhouses Had Glass Walls... Go Vegan!" and "Meat Is Murder."

Other PETA members distributed materials to passers-by.

"We are challenging people to really think about what meat is," PETA campaigner Adam Miller said. "When you eat flesh, you're eating the corpse of an abused animal who did not want to die. We're encouraging kind consumers to try going vegan."

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