Opponents speak out against HISD bond proposal

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- For the first time we're hearing from community leaders who do not approve of HISD's nearly $2 billion bond proposal to rebuild or renovate dozens of schools. Taxpayers are set to vote on the proposal next month, but up until now we've really only heard support for the measure.

Even as Lamar High School's principal and HISD's superintendent led a tour through the crowded school, pointing out such deficiencies as a single physics lab for 3,000 students, across town a separate group of people gathered for the first time showing organized support opposing HISD's $1.9 billion bond proposal.

Bond opponent Dave Wilson said, "There hasn't been transparency. There is no accountability. So with this present bond election, there's no way anyone can vote for it."

Wilson, a frequent opponent to many of the city's politicians and their initiatives, brought together a group of concerned citizens. All said they think the bond is just a way to spend money with no proof it will improve education.

Bond opponent Charles White asked, "What's the priority? Is it good education or new buildings? Good education and accountability is what we're talking about."

HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier bristled at the criticism, pointing out that, for example, Lamar High School just wasn't built for today's demanding educational requirements.

He said, "The facility built in 1936 cannot prepare kids for the 21st century."

The district says basic power supply is Even an issue at Lamar.

"There's not enough electricity in these rooms to support what's needed for giving our kids what they need to be to be competitive in the science world and colleges and universities," explained Lamar Principal Dr. James McSwain.

But Wilson's group says it's heard all those complaints before. They just don't trust HISD with any more of taxpayers' money.

"We're talking about whether we're getting our dollar's worth and whether we're getting accountability," Wilson said.

Dr. Grier says he doesn't have time to worry about the critics. He says he's focused on the best plan to educate the district's kids.

Both sides will be working hard to get their messages out before Election Day.

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

houston isd, local, miya shay

View the original article here

Families of club shooting victims speak out

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Families are heartbroken and left searching for answers after a gunman fires into a crowd outside a northeast Houston night club. Now police are on the hunt for a very dangerous man.

We're learning a lot more about the three men whose lives were taken during a shooting early Sunday morning. It happened during an argument outside Club I.C.U. in the 9500 block of Mesa Drive near Rinn. The victims were husbands and fathers and their families are devastated.

Witnesses say the gunman is a regular patron here, and the victim's families are hoping someone turns in that man soon.

Huddled around loved ones, the families of three fathers are grieving right now. All are demanding answers about a deadly shooting outside this northeast side club called I.C.U.

"Now losing a son, I know what a mother goes through. It's a pain that's indescribable," Debra Steward said.

Steward's 22-year-old son Curtis was killed outside club I.C.U. early Sunday morning. Gilbert Kibble, 38, and 26-year-old Felipe Castillo also were killed.

"To know him is to love him. Everybody loved to be around him. He will truly be missed," said Castillo's wife, Zakia Jenkins.

The men were attending a birthday party. Eyewitnesses say there was some commotion when women from another party began arguing over music. And as the club let out around 2am, they say that's when a male patron fired numerous shots into the crowd. The gunshots also injured three women.

"We didn't expect to go outside and all this happened, and we lose three people out of our family at one time really," said Kibble's sister, Yvette McNeal.

And with the gunman still on the run, the victims' families say they are hoping someone turns him in soon.

"If you can kill, or if you can shoot six people, and know you killed three of those six, you can kill again," Steward said.

Witnesses at the club describe the gunman as a man in his 40's.

Anyone with information about the shooter is encouraged to call Houston police or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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

local, demond fernandez

View the original article here

Parents of sextuplets speak out for first time

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- They're the babies the world wants to see -- the Perkins sextuplets. They were born just last week. Today we saw them for the first time and heard from their parents.

Five of the six babies are doing well. The smallest baby has more medical problems but doctors are optimistic that she will catch up. A 35-person medical team delivered the babies in four minutes. And they ran two simulations, including one in the middle of the night, to ensure the complicated delivery went smoothly.

Mother Lauren Perkins said, "It was definitely a huge shock when we found out there were six in there."

Lauren and David Perkins were hoping for one child when they began infertility treatment, never expecting six.

"A one percent chance, you don't think it's going to happen to you," Lauren said.

Today, the Perkins sextuplets are nine days old and five of them are doing well.

"They're coming off the IV feedings and getting off their breathing support and we couldn't be more excited," Lauren said. "Then Leah, she's coming along, coming along."

Dr Charles Hankins, Texas Children's Hospital Neonatologist, said, "Her lungs were sicker. Your lungs are connected to your heart, so we've had to support the cardiovascular system more intensely and that puts every other organ at risk, so we've had an issue with her intestines."

On Monday little Leah had emergency surgery on her intestines. But they'd worried about Leah the whole pregnancy.

"She had stopped growing," Lauren explained. "We were definitely nervous about her."

Timing the birth was tricky. The healthier five babies needed more time, but Leah needed to be born.

"You don't want to sacrifice five kids and their growth for the sake of one, but they made it 30 weeks and one day and that played a pivotal role in their survivability," David Perkins said.

Lauren was a runner, and she ran 40 to 50 miles a week pre-pregnancy. Her health and the very good prenatal care helped get the babies to 30 weeks.

Lauren said, "This has been an overwhelming experience, every step of the way, ever since learning there would be six babies."

"We're just an ordinary couple entrusted by God with an extraordinary blessing," David said.

Lauren and David are already helping care for their babies and they realize how challenging it will be when they all get home.

"We're going to have a volunteer schedule for people that want to help with feedings and things," Lauren said. "We just hope they don't get tired of helping."

The sextuplets are expected to leave the hospital at different times, depending on how healthy they are. Some of the healthier babies may go home in the next month or so.

The three girls and three boys were born last week. They have been named Andrew Noah, Benjamin Luke, Levi Thomas, Allison Kate, Caroline Grace and Leah Michelle. The Perkins thanked everyone for their support, and said they're appreciative of the prayers they're receiving from around the world. Their friends, family and church members have been assisting the family, in helping to prepare the home, providing meals and transporting Lauren to medical appointments.

"We're thanking God every day for our babies and we're looking forward to bringing them home," Lauren said.

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

local

View the original article here