Religious candle sparks house fire

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A family safely escaped their burning home, but it may have been caused by a shrine to the Virgin Mary.

The fire broke out at a home on Robbie at Micheaux, north of downtown.

The Ferrand family is very religious, and the family's faith is something that is front and center to their lives. The front yard shrine to the Virgin Mary only complements another one that was the centerpiece of a bedroom.

Ever since Juana Maria Ferrand was little, her grandmother burned spiritual candles.

"She always put it next to her Bible, but always blew it out before we went to sleep. So we've always had candles inside the house and it's kind of a shock that the fire started because of a candle," she said.

It was just after 6:30am Friday when a candlelit shrine to the Virgin Mary began to burn out of control at the family's home. Ferrand's mother rushed to alert the family.

"She wakes me up, screaming at me and telling me to get off the bed and get out the house," Ferrand said.

What made the situation even more panic-stricken is her father needs oxygen and needed help to get out.

"Because of his breathing problems and stuff like that, it was the only thing we were really worried about," Ferrand said.

Her mother, father, uncle and the family pets all escaped. They'll now rethink how to express gratitude to their faith.

"Anytime you burn candles, especially around the clock, you should have a dish especially made for candles. They sell them at candle shops," said Jay Evans with the Houston Fire Department.

The Houston Fire Department says about 30 firefighters responded to the fire and cut a hole in the attic as they battled the fire, which was quickly extinguished. The fire severely damaged several rooms and left heavy smoke damage throughout the home. It's a setback that will require faith to push forward.

"She is a very religious person and I do believe that everything happens for a reason," Ferrand said.

The American Red Cross and Veteran's Affairs Office were contacted to assist the family.

HFD adds the family did have working smoke detectors. The agency urges residents to use caution when using candles: always have a working smoke detector, never leave a candle burning, keep candles away from household items that can catch fire and place them on a secure piece of furniture away from children and pets.

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

local, erik barajas

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Rezoning proposal sparks concerns in Pearland

PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- A group of Pearland residents are worried about the future of their neighborhood.

A proposal is in the works that would rezone a residential area along Pearland Parkway to make way for a medical complex. But a lot of people who live nearby are not buying into the idea.

Many of those neighbors will be gathering here at Pearland City Hall over that controversial zoning plan. So far, city staff supports the hospital idea. But some homeowners we talked to are saying, not in my neighborhood.

Howard Carter says his home at the Lake of Highland Glen in Pearland has been his piece of paradise -- until now. Carter says he's concerned a proposed zoning change could soon move a medical complex to this lot behind his house on Brighton Brook Lane.

"We're worried about possibly reduction of property values," he said.

And Carter's not the only neighbor worried about University General Health System's request to change 31 acres here from residential to commercial zoning.

"I'm concerned about the noise and light pollution that may affect us," homeowner Louis Caltzontzint said.

The president of University General Health System tells Eyewitness News a zoning change would allow it to build a small hospital and an Alzheimer's center among other offices on 17 acres of usable land close to the water treatment plant.

"Biggest concern is just the back side of a hospital that we really don't want to see what goes on back there," homeowner Ben Kasper said.

University General Health System says it's been listening to neighbor's concerns. And so has city staff.

"Some of the noise concerns can be mitigated through additional adding of shrubbery, and the developer has agreed to move the property a further distance back away from the residential homes in that area," said Sparkle Anderson with the city of Pearland.

Still some neighbors unhappy with the hospital idea plan to present a petition to council members.

The council meeting begins at 7:30pm. The council will read that zoning request for the second time. And up to this point, a majority of its members support the zoning change.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Planned Surfside beach party sparks concerns

SURFSIDE, TX (KTRK) -- The promise of a party on the beach has neighbors in Surfside scared for their safety.

It was not that long ago that this sleepy beach side village turned chaotic. There were a lot of cars leading into town, as far as the eye could see. Some residents tell horror stories from Easter weekend and now they're fearing a repeat.

Pirates Alley Cafe banks on weekend business, so losing an entire Saturday just doesn't cut it, especially since they already lost one last month.

"It was bad. It was crazy," restaurant manager Stephen Marsden said.

It was Easter weekend. Thousands flooded the island for a massive party promoted on social media, and the cafe was forced to close.

"People were in fear of their lives, honestly because they couldn't walk out of the house or say anything because of fear of something bad happening," Marsden said.

Law enforcement was overwhelmed, businesses under siege and when it was all over, 26-year-old Derrick Milam and two others had been shot, Milam fatally.

"Everybody was scared. They were totally scared," Longtime Surfside resident Donn Ebarb said.

Ebarb had never seen anything like it.

"Solid lights coming into our town," Ebarb said.

And hopes to never see it again, though now he's worried about the ads online promoting yet another big party. This one will be a biker beach bash. Surfside police are gearing up and locals are hoping they learned some lessons.

"We don't want another episode of what happened on that one Saturday," Ebarb said.

The Surfside police chief say they've canceled the reservation for the beach house that the promoter had rented for this weekend and they plan to barricade the street that it's on. He also says the city won't issue permits for entertainment and he plans to triple his police force this weekend and is meeting the with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office on Thursday to strategize.

He says the party won't happen, although online, it looks like almost 300 people have made RSVPs so far and those ads are still acti

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

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Plea deal sparks outrage among some

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- On Tuesday evening, months after a plea deal was cut saving an immigrant from possible deportation, there is still a quiet storm inside the Harris County DA's office over it.

It was such a good deal, it's never been offered before or since, and the defense attorney has connections to the DA's BAT van scandal.

This really seems like a minor case -- a gas station employee sold an inspection sticker to an undercover cop without insurance. It's a crime. He admits he did it. But he got a good plea deal and it so upset some senior prosecutors who say it violated policy, the DA was forced to weigh in on it herself.

This is Mohammad Umer.

"My name is Jimmy," he told us.

Oh, he doesn't want to admit it, but it's him. There's his mug shot. There's the facts of his case from court documents. And there's the inspection sticker HPD says he fraudulently sold undercover cops without proof of insurance.

"Can I come here and get an inspection sticker without insurance?" we asked Umer.

He didn't offer a response.

He's not the only guy to get arrested for this kind of crime in Harris County, but he got what seems like a sweet deal to make the case go away. We'll show you how good it was in just a minute.

First...

"I take this very seriously," Harris County Pct. 4 Sgt. Eddie Hazel said.

Meet Sgt. Eddie Hazel. He's a Precinct 4 deputy constable and heads up an emissions task force, busting places that allegedly sell fraudulent inspection stickers.

The day we were with him, he seized two emissions machines and arrested the operators for giving cars a passing grade allegedly without ever passing an emissions test.

The operator is facing two to 20 years in a Texas prison.

"Absolutely it should be a second-degree felony," Hazel said.

Every one arrested by Hazel's task force is charged with a felony. And in court records, every similar case DA Pat Lykos' office has handled ended up as a felony -- except one.

"Talk to Mr. Rawlings," Umer told us.

Umer couldn't take the deal everyone else got because he's an immigrant and he could get deported with the usual deal. So his lawyer, Clay Rawlings, convinced the DA's office to drop Umer's case to a misdemeanor; Umer paid a $1,000 fine and walked away.

"Given the totality of the circumstances, it was a fair deal," Rawlings said.

But sources inside the DA's office say it was so out of the ordinary, supervisors complained about it all the way to DA Pat Lykos herself.

"To react this strongly, it seems strange. It seems out of kilter," Rawlings said.

To the defense lawyer, it might seem odd, but not to our sources at the DA's office, who told us the prosecutor in the court said no deal, his supervisor said no to this deal, her supervisor did too, but when the defense lawyer talked to the DA's right hand man, Jim Leitner, he agreed to it. But why?

Leitner says off-camera it was the right thing to do for a 61-year-old immigrant with no criminal history.

"This is an extensive investigation that they had to send undercover officers in to bust somebody," said Houston Police Officers Union Chief Ray Hunt.

Hunt says officers weren't contacted before the deal was made and he has serious questions about why it was done in the first place. Court records show Umer's case was the only felony defendant Clay Rawlings handled in all of 2011, but not the only time Rawlings was at the courthouse last year.

When Rachel Palmer, one of DA Pat Lykos' top assistants took the Fifth inside a grand jury investigating Lykos' office, Rawlings was by Palmer's side as her personal lawyer.

Palmer kept quiet, the grand jury never heard what she knew about Pat Lykos and BAT vans. Two months later, Umer got the deal cutting a possible prison term to a $1,000 fine.

"I don't know if it's him, if it's the attorney or who, but somebody -- somebody -- got a sweetheart deal here," Hunt said.

"There's zero connection, there's no connection whatsoever," Rawlings said.

In an off-camera interview, Leitner said he had no connection to Clay Rawlings or this deal, but did admit he went against unusual pressure from lower-level prosecutors to offer the bargain, something he points out he is allowed to do and is free to do in any case.

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

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La Marque proposition sparks concern among some

LA MARQUE, TX (KTRK) -- A proposition in La Marque has some worried there will be fewer police officers on the streets. But that city's elected officials say that won't be the case and the worries are unfounded. The proposition specifically deals with the number of officers for the department.

Currently, the city charter of La Marque requires a minimum of 25 officers on the payroll. But a new proposition aims to drop that requirement and some feel it's a move to eventually reduce the numbers of officers in La Marque.

Early voting for La Marque''s May 12 election is underway, but the sign gaining the most attention in front of City Hall is that of Proposition 21.

"It's absolutely just a public safety issue," La Marque Police Association President Forrest Gandy said.

"To me, that's just a scare tactic and it bothers me," La Marque Councilwoman Connie Trube said.

Prop 21 would do away with a city ordinance, requiring a minimum of 25 officers on staff at the police department. The amendment was added in 1998 to silence a movement to disband the police department and contract with the sheriff's office.

And the concern is voting yes for Prop 21 would be the first step for the movement to resurface.

"Absolutely yea, and that's why it's such a big concern for us. Because it's important to keep adequate police staffing for our own safety but most importantly for the safety of citizens," Gandy said.

Trube says there has been no talk of reducing officers and approves of Proposition 21. She says it simply allows the council flexibility.

"The thing about voting yes would be, in case La Marque's population would drop 5,000 or 10,000, that would still require citizens to have 25 police officers and that could be a huge burden on the budget and the tax base," Trube said.

Prop 21 was added to the ballot by a charter review committee; its members appointed are by council.

Committee members claims it's simply a house-cleaning measure to remove an outdated amendment from the city charter.

"I don't think it's ever dangerous to put anything before the voters. We are of the people, by the people, for the people. They have the final say. And people are smart, they know what to do," La Marque Mayor Bobby Hawking said.

Currently, 29 officers are on staff, which Gandy says is still below state recommendations. Early voting began Monday, with the election day taking place May 12.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Proposed auto repair ordinance sparks controversy

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- City leaders are considering a new ordinance meant to protect drivers from jaw-dropping auto repair bills. But auto shop owners worry it could be bad for business.

The issue was discussed at length in Council Chambers, but a vote has been delayed for two weeks. Supporters say this measure is designed to keep consumers from being taken advantage of. Opponents call it an attack on small auto repair businesses.

As the owner of an auto repair shop, Michael Poutous says when it comes to customer service, honesty is everything.

"It has to be. Our livelihood depends on it. There's a dozen other shops they can pass to get to me so it has to be," he said.

The problem is not all repair shops are as forthcoming, so some city leaders are a proposing new ordinance that would make it illegal for mechanics to charge customers for added services without signed pre-approval.

"I just don't see where it's wrong that you ask a business owner if they are going to change the cost of the repairs to give you the option to say yes," Councilwoman Sue Lovell said.

Not everyone is giving it a thumbs up.

"We're using a cannonball to swat a fly," Councilwoman Jolanda Jones said.

Some council members say the proposed changes would hurt smaller auto repair shops.

"In some instances, it will increase business costs of more than $100,000. We are going to run smaller to mid-size companies out of business," Jones said.

Poutous say tracking down a customer first might cause a slight delay in getting the work done but admits doing business any other way would be dishonest.

"Our practice is to call every time we're going to add anything, that the customer needs to know about it," Poutous said.

The new rules would also require businesses to comply with a host of requirements.

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

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NASA test sparks grass fire

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We've learned that NASA's testing of this vehicle is what caused the large grass fire at the Johnson Space Center. This incident raises a lot of questions about how NASA conducts these tests, especially during such dry conditions.

Wednesday's project involved a test firing of Morpheus, a NASA lander still in development; but with drought conditions still prevailing, it quickly turned into project grassfire. A 10-15-acre grassfire sparked by a NASA test rocket came within 150 yards of Katy Taylor's Clear Lake home. "I was amazed. I thought that it was going to take in our houses because it was so close," Taylor said. Taylor has lived on the other side of Johnson Space Center's fence for 10 years but what happened on Wednesday was a first. "This big, white, grayish cloud of smoke was coming up," she said. A May 4 test in the same location went as planned. Morpheus is a NASA-designed vehicle large enough to carry as much as 1,100 pounds of equipment to the moon. But on Wednesday, its thrusters ignited dried grass overtaken by drought conditions. While burn bans are in place in county areas, Clear Lake isn't under one. "We knew there was a possibility that a grass fire would start and we had fire personnel on site with us watching it and just were ready to call for help if we needed it," NASA Spokeswoman Brandy Dean said. Fire personnel present were inadequate and ill-equipped, and six different surrounding city fire departments were called in. "Their fire specialists generally just have fire extinguishers," said Houston Fire Department District Chief Valerie Seymour. "They don't have fire trucks. They usually use us for that." NASA says they are planning another test run for Morpheus but have not yet decided on a date. "They should've wet it down first if they were gonna do that," Taylor said. Houston Fire Station No. 7 says they were notified about the test firing but weren't on site when it took place. Luckily, they were able to respond quickly. NASA also got lucky that Morpheus didn't sustain any damage. No injuries were reported from the fire.

If you caught photos or video of this fire, you can upload them at iWitness.abc13.com or email them to news@abc13.com.

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

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Computer sparks house fire in north Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A computer was left on overnight, sparking a fire that nearly destroyed an entire home.

The fire was at a house on Norham St. at W. Hardy Rd. in north Houston.

The family left home to go to the store Friday night. When they returned and opened the front door, the house was already filled with smoke, so they ran back out and called 9-1-1.

The Houston Fire Department responded around 10:45pm. When they arrived at the scene, heavy flames were shooting from an upstairs window.

Firefighters made a fast attack and got the extinguished the blaze before it consumed the entire house.

According to investigators, the electrical fire started in an upstairs bedroom where a computer was left on.

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

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Court fight sparks statutory rape probe

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX (KTRK) -- A woman's request for a protective order takes a strange twist. The former teacher is now under investigation for having two children with an underage student. The women's children are toddlers, but the investigation is in its infancy.

While HPD is conducting its investigation, there's a court battle brewing between the parents who share two young daughters. Anne Montgomery said nothing as she left the Fort Bend County courthouse where she was seeking a protective order against her former student and father of her two daughters. "She doesn't have any comment at this time," Montgomery's attorney, Matt Mahoney said. But by going to court, Montgomery is faced with explaining her past relationship and the birth of her two daughters with 20-year-old Bradman Moore. "I don't think you're going to find any evidence that show that she had sex with a 15-year-old. There was nothing in this record, there's been no evidence presented. There's a criminal investigation but there's been no charges filed," Mahoney said. Montgomery has made claims that Moore raped her and has abused her and the children they share. "That is not true. That is not true at all," Moore said. But Houston police are investigating the mother for statutory rape. Moore was upbeat outside the courtroom. "I'm speechless," Moore said. He tells us the story of a crumbling relationship after the birth of their daughters. He says he had a relationship with Montgomery when she was his 30-year-old dance instructor and he was a 15-year-old freshman at Sharpstown High School. But Wednesday was about a protective order, and a judge found there was family violence and granted an order that keeps Moore away from Montgomery. He'll also have to take anger management classes. "I do what I have to do for my children," Moore said. While he says Montgomery is doing this to keep him away from his children, her attorneys argue she has a good reason to come forward. "That was just something where she had reached a point to where she had to do something for her protection," Montgomery said. Montgomery's attorneys say there is much more to her story. They say details will come out in the days and weeks to come. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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