Showing posts with label north. Show all posts
Showing posts with label north. Show all posts

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Worker seriously injured while cutting down large tree in north Harris Co.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A tragic accident seriously injured a worker who was cutting down a large tree.

It happened Thursday afternoon at Bamwick and Ella in north Harris County.

Eyewitnesses say the man was working to remove the tree when it suddenly began falling the wrong direction. The man, who was tied to the tree, was thrown 20 feet into the air into another tree.

He was flown to a hospital with serious injuries.
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Homicide detectives probing baby's death in north Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston father is under arrest after police discovered his child dead in north Houston on Thursday.

It happened around midday at an apartment complex in the 16000 block of City View Place, and the HPD crime scene unit spent the rest of the day scouring the scene for evidence.

Police were dispatched to the complex around 1:30pm after they received a call from someone claiming there was a child in cardiac arrest.

Police say it looked as if the two-year-old boy, who's been identified as Jashaun Davis, had been badly beaten.

According to an officer on scene, the toddler's father, Tyrone Jefferson, was questioned by detectives and told he them his son became unresponsive after a spanking. According to court documents, the toddler's head was struck against a wall. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at a nearby hospital.

Police say the mother was at work when the incident happened. She seemed completely devastated when she spoke with us Friday.

"I was gonna tell him to leave that same day. It was too late. I love that boy more than life itself," the boy's mother, Angela Davis, said.

Jefferson, 24, was later charged with capital murder.

Meanwhile, neighbors are still trying to figure out what happened.

"He looked innocent, like he wouldn't do something like this, but you know never know what's in people's mind," neighbor Evelyn Cloud said.


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Friday, December 21, 2012

Suspected drunk driver slams into light pole in north Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Alcohol is believed to have played a role in an accident in north Houston.

The driver of a Kia Spectra was turning on to Veterans Memorial from Shepherd when he lost control and hit a traffic light pole. The driver had to be taken to the hospital.

Police suspect the driver was drunk.

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

Rash of burglaries, theft in one north Harris County neighborhood

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There is concern from neighbors in one north Harris County community who are dealing with a big spike in burglaries.

There have been nearly two dozen homes broken into in just the past month in the Northridge Park area, nestled between I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road near Bush Intercontinental Airport.

In this neighborhood, people work hard and generally feel safe, especially with patrol unit cars parked in driveways.

"Sheriff stays there, HPD officer stays there," said one neighbor.

But lately, that's changed.

"It was just a surreal feeling to come into your house knowing someone had rummaged through there," said crime victim Greg Okuhara.

Last week, Okuhara came home from work to find someone kicked open his front door, ransacked his bedroom and stole his stuff.

"Some computers, Xbox gaming system, golf clubs and some hockey jerseys," said Okuhara.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office crime report, he is not alone. In the last 30 days, there have been 22 home burglaries within the 77073 zip code.

"I didn't think it was that high, but I knew it was pretty, pretty bad," said neighbor Roy Jackson. "Then when I saw it was kicked in a couple doors from my house I figured yes; that's why I'm checking on my stuff right now."

Forcing folks like Jackson to leave work twice a day, just to check on his house. It's a luxury most here can't afford, but Jackson's neighbors have peace of mind knowing someone is looking out for them.

"When your sense of security is violated like that, it's unfortunate," said Okuhara.

Besides the burglaries, there have been 32 thefts from cars in the last month.

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


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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Neighbor foils attempted home burglary in north Harris Co.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A diligent neighbor steps in to stop suspects from stealing from fellow homeowner.

Investigators picked up the suspected burglars outside a north Harris County home late Tuesday afternoon. But it appears they weren't after high-dollar electronics or jewelry.

It seemed these accused burglars were ready to take anything and that includes paper products and cake. They drove into the Imperial Place subdivision in their own car, but all but one of them left in handcuffs.

Shunna Milton left her home Tuesday morning much differently than how she found it Tuesday afternoon.

Her bedroom, her living room -- all of it was a mess.

"It's very unnerving, uncomfortable. I feel really violated," Milton said.

It was all the result of a break-in, though the accused burglars didn't get far.

"This is a classic example of how citizens help patrolman on the beat," Harris Co. Pct. 4 Constable's Office Lt. David Escobar said.

Brandy Mason was that citizen Tuesday. She saw a car in the driveway next door and knew it didn't belong.

"They were at work. I'm pretty sure they were at work and the next door neighbors," Mason said.

Mason called 911, and Harris County Precinct 4 deputies were there so quickly, they say, they caught two women and a man in the act while one managed to run off.

They broke out a back window to get inside and Milton believes started stacking loot by the front door to eventually cart off. There was the printer, clothes, an eight-pack of paper towels and even two half-eaten cakes.

"If it was a whole cake, then I'd say OK, but they both were half-eaten," Milton said.

Milton can laugh about it now since the attempt wasn't successful and no one was hurt. But this is the second time she's been through this.

"We're trying to figure out what is the attraction," she said.

The first burglary was last May. The crooks took jewelry cash and electronics. Milton added extra locks and met her neighbors, which proved invaluable Tuesday.

"I am thankful that they got up and called," she said.

"We need good neighbors like this to keep us safe," Escobar said.

This story is just one reason why officers encourage neighbors to know each other.

The suspects who were arrested now face felony charges of burglary of a habitation.

As for the fourth suspect, deputies say they know his identity because it was his car that was parked in the driveway.

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


local, jessica willey

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Reward for case of day care robbery in north Harris County

See it on TV? Check here. HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two days after a man robbed a crowded day care at gunpoint, that man is still on the loose, and members of the community are getting angry.

"Who has the heart to rob a day care center?" asked parent Sache Stephens.

That's the big question parents and staff at the Stay and Play Child Care Center are still asking two days after a gunman robbed this north side day care. Stephens saw the unidentified man just minutes before dropping off her 3-year-old son on Tuesday.

"I mean he was just walking, and you wouldn't think anything because you would think that he's just a normal person walking. I mean there's hospitals over here, just like these people are walking, you know you don't think anything," Stephens said.

On Thursday, a group of outraged parents, day care workers and activists gathered outside the Stay and Play, urging the community to help deputies arrest the gunman who barged into this center, which was packed with about 70 children at the time. The suspect specifically demanded a gray cashbox.

"He was about 5 foot 8, 5 foot 9, medium build, caramel colored. He had facial hair," said Betty McGirr, Stay and Play director.

Workers say the gunman was wearing shorts and a cap with a turquoise rim.

"This man is a low-down dirty skunk to come in and put a gun to women's heads in a nursery full of children," said community activist Quanell X.

He announced the New Black Panthers are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can help deputies arrest the robber.

"I'm angry, and I'm challenging the leadership of our community. If we're going to protest when we have problems with police, we should be so angry that the community feels the rage for where this man is," Quanell X said.

Parents say they just hope the robber doesn't try coming back.

"I mean, I want him to be caught. Like it's not fair!" Stephens said.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Monday, May 21, 2012

Driver dies after crashes into ditch in north Harris Co.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Deputies are investigating what led up to an accident that killed a driver last night.

It happened around 9pm on Rankin near Gillman in north Harris County. Investigators say the victim was traveling westbound on Rankin when he somehow went off the road and slammed into a ditch. He died at the scene.

The victim's name has not been released.

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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Flames destroy home in north Houston

A fire destroyed this house in north Houston. Officials say no one was home at the time A fire destroyed this house in north Houston. Officials say no one was home at the time

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Flames destroyed a home in north Houston overnight.

The fire started at a house on Beckley near South Victory around 1am.

Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames.

The small, wood home burned quickly, but firefighters put out the blaze before it spread.

We're told a woman lives at the house, but no one was home when the fire started.

Arson investigators are looking into the cause.

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Friday, May 18, 2012

Two burglary suspects sought after chase, crash in north Harris County

See it on TV? Check here.Two burglary suspects are being sought after a chase and crash in north Harris County Two burglary suspects are being sought after a chase and crash in north Harris County

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search continues for one of two burglary suspects involved in a chase and crash in north Harris County.

The chase ended at Ella and Kuykendahl around 11am Wednesday. Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman says that two burglary suspects were leaving a house when deputies arrived. The officers chased the suspects out of a neighborhood, then the suspects crashed their minivan into a car. The driver of that car is OK.

The suspects then ran off into a wooded area with one deputy right behind them.

"One of the deputies got out of his vehicle in pursuit of the suspects, chased them in a wooded area south of here. We apprehended one of them. The deputy was hurt in that arrest," said Constable Hickman.

The other suspect has not been found.

Deputies did recover a TV that was in the suspects' vehicle.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Major closure planned for North Loop this weekend

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If your plans this upcoming weekend take you along the North Loop, you might want to find a different route. A major closure is planned.

On Friday night at 9pm, all westbound lanes of the North Loop will shut down at Ella, including the entrance ramp from Shepherd/Durham. It's not scheduled to re-open until 5am Monday.

Drivers will be detoured to the frontage road at the Ella exit.

Three inside main lanes on the North Loop eastbound will also be closed from T.C. Jester to Ella from Saturday at 9pm until Sunday at noon.

Law enforcement will be present to help you get around the closures.

The closures are necessary as construction crews make repairs on the bridge deck, as well as work on part of an improvement project for the 610/290 interchange.

Check real-time traffic information in our ABC13.com traffic section

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Deputies: Shots fired during suspect chase in north Harris County

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Three people are in custody and the search is on for two others after a reported chase and shootout in north Harris County this afternoon.

Harris Co. Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman says a group of suspects robbed a Sprint cell phone store at I-45 and Cypresswood in the Spring area. Hickman says the suspects were armed and told the manager to put phones into a plastic bag, then forced the manager into the back of the store.

The suspects fled and the manager set off the panic alarm in the store, jumped into his vehicle and called 911 while following the suspects, according to Hickman.

The suspects spotted the manager following them and fired shots into his vehicle. He was not injured.

Precinct 4 deputy constables and Harris Co. Sheriff's deputies then located and pursued the suspects' vehicle, which eventually crashed into a pole near I-45 and Rankin.

Authorities say they apprehended three of the suspects, but the search continues for the other two.

We'll continue to follow this story and bring you any new information on Eyewitness News or here on abc13.com.

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Driver arrested after police chase through north Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man was arrested Saturday after leading deputies on a chase through the north side of Houston.

It started around 1:30am on Little York near Montgomery.

Investigators say the driver stopped a few miles away after his tires blew out. He tried to run away, but deputies caught up with him on Radcliffe at Morrow and he was arrested.

It is unknown why the driver fled from police.

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


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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Man's body found outside north Houston business

See it on TV? Check here. HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators are looking for answers after a local transmission shop owner was found dead outside of his business Saturday morning.

The body was found outside of Charlie's Certified Transmission in the 7000 block of N. Shepherd Drive between Rittenhouse Road and Granville Drive, just south of West Little York.

According to homicide investigators, the man has been identified as 50-year-old Roy Scott of Houston, the owner of the transmission shop.

There are still a lot of questions surrounding Scott's death. Police say he was shot once. There are no suspects and no witnesses have come forward.

Scott's family and neighbors just want to know why it happened.

As word spread of Scott's violent death, neighbors and friends rushed to his north Houston transmission shop to see what happened. No reactions were as gut-wrenching as those of his wife and teenage daughter.

"She's crying. She's devastated right now. Everyone is," said Vanessa Portillo, Scott's daughter's friend.

According to the Houston Police Department, someone who works at a nearby business walked by between 8 and 8:30am and saw Scott's body in a pool of blood. That person dialed 9-1-1, but Scott was already dead.

"It appears he'd been there for several hours," HPD Homicide Sgt. C.D. Howard said.

Investigators are canvassing the area and trying to retrace the shop owner's steps to pinpoint exactly when Scott arrived, and whether he was scheduled to meet anyone.

Neighbor Ruth Portillo says she was one of the last to see him alive. She spotted him on their street at 12:30am.

"My husband and I said 'hi' to him and then he left again," she said.

Neighbors say Scott loved building race cars. Is it possible he came here to work on one? His family may never know.

According to police, Scott's shop was closed and locked up. His cell phone and wallet were still on him when authorities searched his body.

Investigators may be looking for Scott's white Ford pickup truck. They're not sure if he let someone borrow it for a job or if it was stolen as part of this incident.

His wife told us he installed surveillance cameras after recent robberies, but police don't believe the cameras were rolling overnight.

So, who would want to hurt Scott?

"I don't know," neighbor Dale Singletary said. "All of their family and him, they're really nice people. Real good people."

There are still no arrests in this case and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call HPD or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. All tipsters remain anonymous.

Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com as we continue to follow this story.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Lane closures on I-45 North Freeway

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Crews will be closing multiple southbound mainlanes of IH 45 North Freeway from Little York Road to Parker Road over the weekend. The closures are necessary for crews to complete bridge deck repairs at Parker Road and Little York Road. Motorists should expect delays and should consider an alternate route if possible.

Starting Friday, January 20 at 9pm until Monday, January 23 at 5am two southbound outside mainlanes will be closed from Little York Road to Parker. In addition, a third lane will be closed between the hours of 9pm and 10am the following morning on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22. The third lane will also be closed from Sunday, January 22 at 9pm until Monday, January 23 at 5am.

During the same time, several frontage road intersections and ramps at IH 45 North Freeway will be closed:

Parker Road eastbound at IH 45 North Freeway. Detour to IH 45 North southbound to Tidwell and u-turn back to IH 45 North northbound to Parker.Parker Road westbound at IH 45 North Freeway. Detour to IH 45 North northbound to Gulf Bank and u-turn back to IH 45 North southbound to Parker.Little York eastbound at IH 45 North Freeway. Detour to IH 45 southbound to Tidwell and u-turn back to IH 45 North northbound to Little York.Little York westbound at IH 45 North Freeway. Detour to IH 45 northbound to Gulf Bank and u-turn back to IH 45 North southbound to Little York.IH 45 North Freeway northbound entrance ramp from Gulf Bank, Shepherd, and Little York will be closed. Detour to the Parker entrance ramp.IH 45 North Freeway southbound exit ramp to Parker will be closed. Detour to the Tidwell exit ramp.

Police officers will be on site to assist with traffic control. No frontage road lanes will be affected. For more information on scheduled lane closures in the Houston District visit the Houston TranStar website at www.houstontranstar.org. All closures are subject to change due to inclement weather.

Check real-time traffic information in our ABC13.com traffic section

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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Teen who allegedly shot at bullies at North Forest High appears in court

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Firing back at bullies lands a local high school student in jail. Now the teen tells a judge he was acting in self-defense when he shot at the people he claims have been tormenting him.

Incidents happen at schools all the time in Houston, but not all of them garner this kind of response. On Wednesday Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is leading the charge to keep North Forest ISD from closing, visited the high school one day after a 16-year-old student was shot in the leg. How the gun was slipped past metal detectors is still a mystery, but it's the second time it's happened this year.

"We are all concerned about the safety of the students and we're asking that school district do what they are doing, and that is to take this very seriously," Jackson Lee said.

North Forest High School student Warren Lewis, 18, faced a judge in court Wednesday morning for the first time. The teen's family says he had been bullied by three older students and was trying to defend himself when he brought the gun to school. It's still not clear how the gun was slipped past metal detectors there.

Prosecutors say on Tuesday after lunch, another student walked into Lewis' classroom and began questioning him about a confrontation that happened at lunch. The state says after the classroom argument, Lewis stepped out into the hallway and beckoned for the other student to fight him off campus.

Prosecutors say that's when the other student walked up to Lewis and began fighting him. Authorities say the fight ended when Lewis stopped fighting back and covered his face. The other student walked away and Lewis pulled out a small handgun from his backpack and shot, unintentionally striking a 16-year-old bystander, according to prosecutors.

On Wednesday morning, Lewis, an honors student, told the judge he was bullied, with students even showing up at his home. He says he feared for his life and his family.

"I have papers of them making reports for the longest... these same boys, they came by my house, sir," Lewis told the judge. "I'm in fear for my life and for my family's life."

"You should discuss that with your lawyer and see if that provides some sort of defense to the charge," replied the judge.

Lewis' mom says her son reported the bullies to the school more than once.

"He was so scared that he felt like he needed to protect himself because he said these boys carry guns and have been known to shoot people," said Lewis' mother, Yolanda Domino.

Lewis' mother apologized to the victim's family. The mother also said she and her son repeatedly reported the bullying to NFISD, both a written complaint and verbal complaints. The district says it has looked into the bullying accusations.

A spokesperson for North Forest ISD released a statement which read: "Regarding the claims by Mr. Lewis's mother that bullying of her son was reported to the North Forest School District, we can find no complaints filed either at the high school or the district police office about bullying of Mr. Lewis."

The school district is reviewing metal detector policies following the shooting. A district spokesperson said metal detector use was extended until 10am Wednesday.

Officials also say anything other than clear backpacks will now be banned from the high school. The school district is buying clear backpacks for all 1,285 high school students. They hope to have those purchased by next week.

The 16-year-old student's injuries are not life-threatening.

Lewis is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond has been set at $30,000.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Teen shot at North Forest High School

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Parents of students at North Forest High School are demanding answers after a student managed to get a gun on campus, and shoot another student.

Shortly after 12:30pm Tuesday, a 16-year-old freshman was shot in an upstairs hallway at North Forest High School, and 18-year-old Warren Lewis was arrested on an aggravated assault charge, according to the North Forest Independent School District.

Lewis' family says he is an honor student, class king and has an after-school job. Even the principal says he's a good kid. Now, he's an accused criminal and North Forest ISD officials scrambling to find out what happened.

Student Keionna White was in class and heard the shots.

"All I heard was, like, just three shots. That's it," she said. "It was like firecrackers."

Lewis' family says the shooting was a result of bullying and he was afraid for his life.

"What he did was wrong, I don't uphold wrongdoing, but he was scared," said Lewis' mother, Yolanda Domino. "He was so scared that he felt like he needed to have something to protect himself, because he said that these boys carried guns and they've been known to shoot people."

"He reports it all the time. Every official knows about the boys bullying him," said his sister, Sabrina Domino.

Domino and her daughters say warren has been under attack by three older students for months and the school was aware. On Tuesday, they say, one of them punched warren so he pulled out the gun. But instead, the 16-year-old student, North Forest ISD spokesperson Sue Davis said.

The student was hit in the leg, but the suspect didn't get far. A teacher nearby leaped into action.

"The alleged shooter was apprehended by a teacher at the school who happened to be a deputy constable who was teaching a government class," Davis said.

Lewis is now being held at the Harris County Jail, while the 16-year-old was transported to the hospital, and is expected to be all right.

Sabrina Domino says she doesn't know where her son got the gun, but she feels awful for the victim.

"Warren wasn't trying to hurt your child," she said.

But she also holds the school partly responsible.

"I have been to school so many times and they say they can't do anything because nothing has happened so now something has happened and my son has gone to jail," Sabrina Domino said.

Officials want to know how the teen got the gun into school, despite metal detectors. Parents and students at the school say they are beyond frustrated by the constant threat of violence.

"I'm tired of it," said freshman Bernadette Garcia. "Why are you going to send someone to school if something happens each and every day?"

The school district is reviewing metal detector policies following the shooting. Officials also say anything other than clear backpacks will now be banned from the high school. As a result, the school district is buying a clear backpack for all 1,285 high school students. They hope to have those purchased by next week.

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Saturday, January 7, 2012

All lanes of Beltway 8 North reopen after big rig accident

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An accident involving an 18-wheeler hauling two trailers had shut down all lanes of Beltway 8 on the north side for most of Thursday morning.

Both the westbound and eastbound lanes reopened shortly before noon. The accident happened just after 8am on the westbound lanes of Beltway 8 North at JFK. Police believe a car side-swiped an 18-wheeler cab hauling two trailers, causing one of the trailers to collide with the center median and take out a utility pole.

According to Houston TranStar officials, that trailer collided with the center lane lighting system, so power was turned off in the immediate area.

Emergency crews worked to remove the utility pole so the trailer could be towed away.

There is no word of any serious injuries.

One trailer was empty, while another was carrying paint product.

Check real-time traffic information in our ABC13.com traffic section

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Monday, January 2, 2012

6 hospitalized after house fire in north Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Fire officials said six people were rushed to an area hospital from a house fire in north Houston Saturday morning.

Of the six patients, two are women and four are young children, including a toddler. Their ages and conditions are unknown at this time.

A spokesman for the Houston Fire Department said they are all expected to survive.

The fire broke out around 9am at a two-story home in the 17100 block of Sunshine Bay Drive at Seminar Drive.

Heavy flames were coming from the house when responders arrived. All six victims were able to escape the burning house, but all they had burns to varying degrees and had to be taken to an area hospital.

Meanwhile, firefighters went into defensive mode, fighting the blaze from the outside. They got the flames under control in about 15 minutes.

Neighbors reported some sort of explosion before the fire.

"I heard a real loud boom. It scared me and shook the house," Ronald Jones said.

Firefighters say the powerful blast blew the fence off, broke every window out and sent glass flying 30 to 40 feet away.

"The kids were holding their arms like this, like they may have been burned and they were just standing next to their mom," Jones said.

Officials said one of the children was burned on the head. One of the adults was burned on her chest, hand and arm.

Fire officials say the gas meter at the home had been turned off prior to the explosion, so investigators are now searching for clues to what triggered the blast, leaving a family in the hospital and now homeless on New Year's Eve.

"It looks like everything in the house was destroyed," Jones said.

Firefighters say the home is now an unsafe structure will be torn down. Meanwhile, arson investigators are trying to figure out what caused this explosion. Arson is investigating.

We will continue following this developing story. Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for updates as they become available.

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Two in custody after chase in north Harris Co.

Two suspects are in custody after a police chase in north Harris County. Two suspects are in custody after a police chase in north Harris County.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two burglary suspects are in custody after a police chase in north Harris County.

According to Precinct 4 Constable's Office, a deputy spotted a suspicious vehicle and tried to stop it. The vehicle fled and the deputy pursued for around five minutes. The suspects eventually bailed out along Hollow Tree near Gulf Pines at an apartment complex.

Two suspects are in custody and deputies say they are searching at least three more. No shots were fired, according to Precinct 4. Deputies say stolen merchandise was found in their vehicle and jewelry was found in the pockets of the two captured.

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

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Friday, July 15, 2011

North Forest ISD to fight state-ordered closure

See it on TV? Check here. HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The state has ordered North Forest ISD to shut down by next summer. There are still a lot of unknowns at this point, including what will happen to North Forest's 7,500 students and whether the district's schools will be closed and/or sold.

While many in this community aren't necessarily happy with how this situation is playing out, they believe the school district's long track record of problems will be hard to defend.

After years of poor test scores, high dropout rates and financial mismanagement, the Texas Education Agency says North Forest ISD has done an awful job of educating its students and believes it's time to close the district and give the 7,500 kids who go to school there a fresh start.

Parent Vanessa Kegler said, "You got to have teachers who want to teach the children and not just go in there for a paycheck."

Kegler says she moved out of North Forest because the schools were so bad, but she worries that shutting down the entire district will strip the community of its identity.

"They want to close out all the blacks. I feel like this society is not worried about our children anymore," Kegler said.

As details of next year's potential merger with Houston ISD get ironed out, the cry to keep the district intact is growing louder. Houston City Councilman Jarvis Johnson and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee acknowledge the district's troubles, but they believe North Forest is worth saving. Lee has organized an emergency community meeting.

She said, "I just think in spite of the many, many citations year after year that is alleged in the letter that I'm still reviewing, that there may be some questions of district treatment and attitudes that I think are inappropriate in the state of Texas."

North Forest is in the process of appealing the state's decision, but does it have a leg to stand on?

Parent Timandra Gauthier isn't sure how fighting this is going to benefit the kids, who according to the state haven't been getting a quality education for years.

"It's kind of sad in a way, but I mean, whatever helps the kids. If they're not learning in the schools there is no use for them to be there," Gauthier said. "They need to be placed somewhere else where they can learn."

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