Galveston reports record $8.4M in tourism revenue

  GALVESTON, TX -- Galveston had a record $8.4 million in peak-season tourism revenue this year in a continuing turnaround since Hurricane Ike battered the Southeast Texas island.

The Galveston County Daily-News reported Monday that officials believe a $100,000 marketing campaign called "It's Island Time" contributed to the increase. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier also opened this year.

Ike made landfall in Galveston on September 2008.

The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau says peak-season revenue from April to July has been on the rise since 2009 when the city collected $5.3 million in hotel occupancy tax. That's when discussions began about networking to include city leaders, tourism officials, the Port of Galveston and the hospitality industries.

Data shows about 920,000 passengers last year contributed $9.15 million to the port's cruise revenue.

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

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Houston reports two new cases of West Nile

West Nile virus cases continue to rise in the Houston area.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The city of Houston is reporting two more cases of the West Nile virus, bringing the city's total to 62.

The city says the cases were confirmed in two males -- one between the ages of 75-84 in southeast Houston and another between 35-44 in southwest Houston.

So far, four people have died in Houston from the virus.

Last week, Harris County announced its 22nd case Fort Bend County also announced another new case. In addition, Montgomery County has six cases, while Brazoria County confirms three. No deaths have been reported in those counties.

As for other counties in our area, Waller and Wharton counties have each reported one case with one death. And Liberty County and Galveston County have both had one case with zero deaths.

Overall, more than 88 human cases have been confirmed across the ABC13 viewing area with five deaths -- the four in Houston and one in El Campo.

Federal health officials say this is the nation's worst year for the mosquito-borne virus since it was discovered in New York 13 years ago.

There are more than 1,400 cases of West Nile in the United States. Texas has at least 52 of the country's 118 West Nile related deaths.

Several Texas counties have been spraying pesticide to help reduce the mosquito population.

Mosquito-proof your property

HCPHES continues to encourage residents to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats around their property. Remove or empty all outside containers that may hold water such as flowerpots, tires and toys. Bird baths and pet water bowls should be changed at least twice a week. Clean out gutters and make sure windows and doors have proper screening. Do not "feed" the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways and dispose of them properly.

Prevent mosquito breeding in boats Cover your boat and store it in a covered place. Drain any standing water and make sure the bilge pump is working.Turn over canoes, kayaks and small boats to store upside down.

Personal protection

Historically, in Harris County, July through September is the peak timeframe for disease transmission to humans. To reduce the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes, practice personal protective measures. When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 and apply as directed on the label. If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

For additional information and/or maps of West Nile Virus activity in Harris County, visit www.hcphes.org.

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

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Waller County reports first West Nile-related death

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Waller County is reporting its first West Nile virus-related death.

Waller County health official Brian Cantrell says the state's health department informed them of the death late Thursday. Right now, all we know is that the person lived in the Hempstead area.

On Thursday, the city of Houston reported its fourth death from the mosquito-borne disease. That victim is a 75- to 84-year-old man from northwest Houston.

On Friday, the Houston Health Department also reported two new human cases, raising the total in Houston to 51.

Harris County also is reporting five new cases, bringing its total to 21. No deaths have been reported in Harris County.

Fort Bend County has reported eight total cases, and Brazoria County is now reporting two probable cases -- one in the northern part of the county, and the other in the central part of it.

As for other counties in our area as of last Friday, Montgomery County has reported four cases with no deaths. Wharton County has had one case with one death. Liberty County and Galveston County have both had one case with zero deaths.

Overall, more than 75 human cases have been confirmed across the ABC13 viewing area with five deaths, the four in Houston and one in El Campo.

Federal health officials say this is the nation's worst year for the mosquito-borne virus since it was discovered in New York 13 years ago.

There are more than 1,400 cases of West Nile in the United States. Texas has at least 52 of the country's 118 West Nile related deaths.

Several Texas counties have been spraying pesticide to help reduce the mosquito population.

Mosquito-proof your property

HCPHES continues to encourage residents to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats around their property. Remove or empty all outside containers that may hold water such as flowerpots, tires and toys. Bird baths and pet water bowls should be changed at least twice a week. Clean out gutters and make sure windows and doors have proper screening. Do not "feed" the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways and dispose of them properly.

Prevent mosquito breeding in boats Cover your boat and store it in a covered place. Drain any standing water and make sure the bilge pump is working.Turn over canoes, kayaks and small boats to store upside down.

Personal protection

Historically, in Harris County, July through September is the peak timeframe for disease transmission to humans. To reduce the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes, practice personal protective measures. When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 and apply as directed on the label. If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

For additional information and/or maps of West Nile Virus activity in Harris County, visit www.hcphes.org.

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

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City of Houston reports five new cases of West Nile virus

West Nile virus cases continue to rise in the Houston area.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston has seen another jump in West Nile virus cases in humans.

The city Health Department Tuesday reported five new cases of human West Nile. That brings the total Houston cases to 43.

Harris County health officials still have 16 human cases in the county. Fort Bend County reported two new cases bringing its total to eight cases.

Four people have died of West Nile in our viewing area - three in Houston and one in El Campo.

Texas is having its worst ever outbreak of West Nile virus with 47 deaths, which is about half of all the West Nile deaths in the country this year.

Overall, at least 68 human cases have been confirmed across the ABC13 viewing area with four deaths.

As for other counties in our area as of last Friday, Montgomery County has reported four cases with no deaths. Wharton County has had one case with one death. Liberty County and Galveston County have both had one case with zero deaths. Brazoria County and Waller County have all had zero cases thus far.

This year the Centers for Disease Control is reporting a record number of deaths and infections linked to West Nile. There have been human cases in 44 states, but the virus has hit Texas the hardest with more than a thousand infections and at least 40 deaths.

Mosquito-proof your property

HCPHES continues to encourage residents to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats around their property. Remove or empty all outside containers that may hold water such as flowerpots, tires and toys. Bird baths and pet water bowls should be changed at least twice a week. Clean out gutters and make sure windows and doors have proper screening. Do not "feed" the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways and dispose of them properly.

Prevent mosquito breeding in boats Cover your boat and store it in a covered place. Drain any standing water and make sure the bilge pump is working.Turn over canoes, kayaks and small boats to store upside down.

Personal protection

Historically, in Harris County, July through September is the peak timeframe for disease transmission to humans. To reduce the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes, practice personal protective measures. When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 and apply as directed on the label. If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

For additional information and/or maps of West Nile Virus activity in Harris County, visit www.hcphes.org.

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

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FAA: Reports of 'laser events' at IAH

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There were two reports of what the FAA calls a laser event at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday evening.

The first report came in around 6:30pm Tuesday, according to the FAA, when United Flight 1523, a B737, reported that the cockpit was illuminated by a green laser at around 6,000 feet as it approached Runway 27 at IAH.

No injuries were reported and the flight landed without incident.

At around the same time, the FAA says the pilot of an Atlantic Southeast Regional jet departing from IAH reported a similar laser incident. There were no injuries reported.

According to the FAA, from January to June of this year, there have been more than 30 reports of laser events at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The maximum civil penalty the FAA can impose on an individual for violating the agency's regulations is $11,000 per violation.

The airport with the most laser events nationwide is LAX.

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

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HISD student reports attempted abduction

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Parents of students at a Houston ISD elementary school are on edge after a student walking alone to the campus Tuesday reported an attempted abduction.

A Katherine Smith Elementary School student said he was walking on Hardway Street and Pinemont around 8am Tuesday when a man driving a black Mercedes Benz tried to pull the boy into his vehicle, according to recorded voice message by the school's principal, Gloria Salazar. The student was able to escape from the man and run away. The suspect is described as a tall slim Hispanic man with a mustache. He was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. HISD is asking parents to remind their children that it's best to walk in groups or run away from approaching strangers. They're also asking parents to be on the lookout for and report suspicious people and vehicle and if possible walk their kids to school. Below is a transcript of the phone call: Good Evening, parents. This is Gloria Salazar, principal of Katherine Smith Elementary calling with important information. This morning at approximately 8:00 a.m., one of our students was walking to school by himself on Hardway Street and Pinemont when a man driving a black Mercedes Benz attempted to pull the student into his vehicle. Thankfully, the student was able to escape from the man and run away. The man is described as a tall, slim Hispanic man with a mustache. He was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans and driving a black Mercedes Benz. We will be reminding our students to walk in groups and run away from strangers who may approach them. Please remember that your child's safety is our number one priority. As our partners in this important endeavor we would ask that you: " Please be on the look out for and report any suspicious people in the area
" If possible, please escort your child to school if they are walkers or to their bus stop if they ride a bus.
" Should your child have to walk to and from school or the bus stop without adult supervision, make sure he or she walks in a group and never alone.
" Parents, please remind your child if they are approached by a stranger to run away while making enough noise to call attention to the situation.
The HISD Police Department has added extra patrols in the area. If you have any questions regarding this matter please contact the school at 713-613-2542. Again, this is Gloria Salazar calling from Katherine Smith Elementary. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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