Dismal Astros season affecting nearby businesses around Minute Maid Park

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- This is one of the most disappointing seasons in the Astros' history. Most seats are empty, which translates into a big financial loss for some businesses who depend on the crowds.

Those empty seats at Minute Maid Park have translated into empty seats at nearby bars and restaurants, where owners say as the Astros lost games, they lost money.

Five-year-old Michaela Diaz is rooting for her Astros.

"Are you excited about the game?" we asked her.

"Yeah!" she said.

Her Astros jersey, ball and a bat are a welcome sight to area business owners who have seen customers from the ballpark practically disappear. At Craig Biggio's final game, nearly 44,000 people packed Minute Maid Park. Last week, only around 12,000. Mark Diaz is one of those faithful fans.

"Some people don't like to come. I like to come. I root for them, good and bad," Astros fan Mark Diaz said.

The Astros' disastrous record has left its mark on businesses that once thrived when the team succeeded. A padlock is on the door of The Bus, as the bar located right across the street from the park is now closed. So is the Strip House, which was once a popular post-game steakhouse.

Houston institutions like Irma's Southwest Grill have also felt the pinch.

"Our numbers are down about 50 percent. Fifty, so that's a pretty big number for us. We rely on the Astros crowd for our summer business," the restaurant's owner Louis Galvan said.

Galvan says the focus now is on next season.

"We'll have new teams coming in like the A's and the Devil Rays, so we're really hoping that a new league and the excitement of a new season will help our business next year," Galvan said.

And so are area hotels. The Hilton Americas expects to get a big boost in business from fans of the American League West.

"We think that we will get more guests from out of town. They have a big fan base, both the Yankees and the Red Sox, so we look forward to welcoming them to Houston," Hilton Americas manager Jaques D'Rovencourt said.

Business owners also believe the switch to the new league will generate a lot of new interest among locals. That, they say, will help bring more people back to the park and into their businesses.

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

houston astros, mlb, minute maid park, local, katie mccall

View the original article here

Local leaders stress preparation as hurricane season gets underway

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- Today is the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season. Local emergency officials are joining federal and state leaders in urging you to think now about your hurricane emergency plan.

We've already seen two named storms this year and hurricane season just got started.

"Are you ready for hurricane season?" we asked one Houston man today.

"No, probably not," he answered.

If that's your answer, Harris County Emergency Management has a message for you.

"Understand you live in a hurricane-prone area," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "Assume a hurricane is going to make a direct hit."

The county is already tracking severe weather across the country, preparing for the worst. And employees at the Office of Emergency Management are asking you to do the same.

"Make sure you have water. Make sure you have batteries, so you can stay informed by radio or other means," said Emmett.

Emmett recommends having a detailed evacuation plan.

"They need to know, am I in an evacuation zone or am I in an area with shelter in place," he said. "Look in your pantry if you're going to shelter-in-place and make sure you have enough goods to survive a week or ten days."

If you don't evacuate when you're asked to, he says county workers won't risk their lives to rescue you.

"We've gotten too used to, 'Well, is going to provide something for us.' The government has a role, the state of Texas, FEMA," he said. "But the first response has got to be your own. You owe it to yourself and your family."

Here's a list of all the hurricane season forecasts for this year and the agency reporting them, as posted on Chief Meteorologist Tim Heller's weather blog

NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which oversees the National Hurricane Center.

9-15 Tropical Storms 4-8 Hurricanes 1-3 Major Hurricanes.

Impact Weather: Houston based private forecasting firm that works with oil companies.

10 Tropical Storms 5 Hurricanes 2 Major Hurricanes

 AccuWeather:

12 Tropical Storms 5 Hurricanes 2 Major Hurricanes

The Weather Channel:

11 Tropical Storms6 Hurricanes2 Major Hurricanes

Colorado State University: from Dr. William Gray and Dr. Phil Klotzback.

10 Tropical Storms 4 Hurricanes 2 Major Hurricanes

Florida State Univeristy: Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies

10-16 Tropical Storms5-9 Hurricanes

North Carolina State University:

7-10 Tropical Storms4-7 Hurricanes1-3 Major Hurricanes

Tropical Storm Risk: London-based forecast company.

13 Tropical Storms 6 Hurricanes 3 Major Hurricanes

Weather Research Center: Home to Houston's Weather Museum, the WRC forecast is based on sunspot cycles, not current or forecast weather patterns.

8 Tropical Storms 5 Hurricanes

Keep your family safe this hurricane season. Check our complete tropical weather preparation guide

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

hurricane, hurricane central

View the original article here

League City residents get ready for hurricane season

  LEAGUE CITY, TX (KTRK) -- Hurricane season is just weeks away, but the time to start preparing is now.

League City officials will meet with residents today to help them get ready for severe weather at a hurricane preparedness workshop.

The workshop will offer advice on planning for emergencies, preparing emergency kits, signing up for the city's call system that alerts neighbors about emergency situations and instructions on what to do before, during and after a storm.

League City's Office of Emergency Management will walk people through the entire process.

The workshop starts at 10am at Helen Hall Library on Walker Street.

Those who can't attend can get tips, watch informational videos and download toolkits on the city's emergency preparedness website.

For more information on hurricane season, visit our ABC13 Houston Hurricane Guide.

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

local

View the original article here

Local man helps out homeless for holiday season

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man named Willie Davis says he's just trying to pass his blessings along and today he did just that.

This holiday season, we have seen so many acts of generosity. For one group of friends, they didn't need a sponsor or an organization, just the spirit of the season and a desire to help.

Willie Davis embraces these strangers as if they were old friends; kindred spirits meeting in a Midtown parking lot.

"I'm here giving back to these people, man, because it's something that just came upon my heart to do," said Davis.

Recently, his grandmother encouraged Davis to think about the real meaning of Christmas, and that's all it took.

"I think it's in the spirit of Christmas, and helping the less fortunate, and we'd like to tell them thank you," said Dawn Jones, who is homeless.

Davis rounded up some friends and co-workers, gathered donations and rolled up on this parking lot. The impact was immediate. For some, it was a warm blanket.

"It's awesome, God bless us all. We're homeless and we need their help," said Kimberly James, who's also homeless.

For others, it was some much needed food. And for Paul Yarbrough, it was something to keep the wind out.

"A jacket with a zipper," Yarborough said.

Tears of joy from a man who admits 2011 has been tough. But when strangers come to brighten the season, there is hope that 2012 may be just a bit better.

"This is the season for giving, not just this month, it's for giving for the whole year," said Davis.

Davis says he and his friends were so inspired today that they plan on getting a head start next year. They want to raise more money and help more people.

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

local, miya shay

View the original article here