Houston special agents seize stolen 16th century tapestry

The tapestry depicts the Virgin Mary and Saint Vincent of Saragossa.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents last month seized a 16th century tapestry stolen from Spain, under the National Stolen Property Act.

The tapestry was seized in November from a local business under an HSI initiative called "Hidden Relic." This initiative is designed to investigate, recover and repatriate stolen cultural property.

"HSI understands the cultural and historical significance of protecting a country's treasures," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of HSI Houston. "Our special agents are at the forefront of the effort to identify and return these important items to their lawful owners in the same way we would want our global partners to return America's artifacts in the event they were ever stolen."

The Government of Spain requested assistance to seize the property, indicating that the tapestry was stolen in December 1979 from the cathedral in Roda de Isabena, Spain.

The tapestry depicts the Virgin Mary and Saint Vincent of Saragossa. It was produced in the 16th century and was part of the cathedral's collection that was declared a national monument by royal decree in 1924.

In January 2010, the tapestry was displayed for sale at the Brussels Antiques and Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA) in Brussels, Belgium. It subsequently sold at auction for $369,000 to a business in Houston. The Spanish Civil Guard's Heritage Protection Group learned of the sale. After investigating, it obtained a court order, and under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) requested assistance in recovering the stolen property.

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HFD giving away special smoke detectors for deaf

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houstonians who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can get free, special smoke detectors from the city.

The Houston Fire Department received a $168,000 grant to buy and install 2,000 visual smoke alarms.

State law requires apartment owners and managers to provide for the visual smoke alarms, and they must be installed in the bedroom where the person with the hearing impairment sleeps, she said. The city's grant program will be very helpful in getting them into more residents hands, she said.

To register for one of these alarms, visit the Houston Apartment Association's website.

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Special Olympians compete in Spring Games in Humble

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Local athletes are counting their medals from the annual Spring Games competition of the Special Olympics of Texas.

The event was held at Humble ISD's George Turner Stadium Saturday. The games started with opening ceremonies, then a full day of competition in track and field events and soccer.

Forty-four thousands children and adults with intellectual disabilities compete in Special Olympics Texas.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Trinity Jazz Festival includes special musician

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- This weekend's Trinity Jazz Festival in downtown Houston features the talents of Richie Cole, Kevin Mahogany and Jake Langley. But the famous festival is also giving a trumpet player another chance to get his life back.

They live all over Houston, like ghosts. The homeless move among us mostly unseen.

"You might have a professor with 37-year tenure at university walking around with all the clothes he owns on his body," said Melvin Desmuke.

Desmuke's life has been like his horn playing, hitting many highs and lows.

"Music is personal minister of mine," he said.

Desmuke has been destitute, but he's hooked up with the group Community of the Streets.

"We're trying to bring some outreach spiritually to the homeless, give them an opportunity to reach back and try to get some of that career opportunities that they once had," said Johnny Nichols Jr., music director of Community of the Streets.

Community of the Streets currently features just one homeless musician at Trinity Jazz Fest but hopes to expand its program and eventually hopes to have an entire band made up of homeless musicians.

The COTS players back Desmuke up on the stage and on the street.

"I can perhaps be a vessel to communicate with others in all walks of life, especially that there's a common denominator with music and that's love," Desmuke said.

"Let people know that these people here do exist and that they are still real people with still fantastic skills," Nichols Jr. said.

Desmuke and the Community of the Streets jazz crew will play again Saturday. Their performance starts at 6:30pm at the Trinity Church Fellowship Hall.

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Special festivities planned for Texans playoff game

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Texans play in the postseason for the first time in franchise history this Saturday, and there are special festivities in store for the fans who can be at Reliant for the game against Cincinnati.

Houston coaching legend Bum Phillips will lead the team out of the tunnel for introductions, serving as honorary team captain. Actor Dennis Quaid, a Houston native, will join the team captains for the coin toss.

Another Houston native, Grammy-award winning singer Yolanda Adams, will sing the National Anthem. And Texan Clay Walker will perform both at pregame and halftime. Before the game, the country superstar will break out a special playoff-inspired rendition of "Football Time in Houston."

There will be exclusive giveaways at every gate for all fans who make it out to the game and if your tickets are in sections 121-132, the team urges you to be in your seats by 3pm to take part in a card stunt that will spell out "Go Texans" across the East side lower level when the Texans take the field for introductions.

Some other notes about Saturday's game. Just like during the regular season, gates for all non-premium parking lots will open four hours before kickoff. With the game starting at 3:30pm, that means you'll be able to get in at 11:30am. All main stadium gates will open at 2pm. Because of security procedures at the gates, allow for an extra 15 minutes get into the stadium.

And GO TEXANS!

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Postal workers make special deliveries to troubled kids

Local postal workers made special deliveries today to a home that cares for troubled children

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Local postal workers made special deliveries today to a home that cares for troubled children.

Postal workers delivered Christmas gifts to the Embracing Destiny foundation in Spring. About a hundred postal employees from the Spring Main and Klein station post offices collected toys for 25 boys.

"The boys are really gonna be elated to know that we provided for them, speaking of the employees, in such a great magnitude," said USPS employee Herlin Hendry.

"Absolutely wonderful to see the community, especially workers that the kids see every day delivering the mail, care enough to bring packages to you," said Kai Lynch, case worker with Embracing Destiny Foundation.

These are kids under the care of Child Protective Services and received gifts they put on wish lists.

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BARC runs cat adoption special

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Fifty cats -- all of them found in one apartment -- were brought to the BARC animal shelter, bringing their kitty count to more than 400.

In an effort to decrease their cat population at the shelter, BARC is offering a $5 cat adoption special Sunday. All animals come spayed or neutered.

From 11am to 3pm Sunday, BARC will be set up inside white tents in the Kroger parking lot on Sabo Rd. and South Beltway 8.

You can also visit the shelter at 3200 Carr St. to take advantage of the special.

The adoption fee is usually $75.

For more information, call 713-229-7300.

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