Race for the Cure takes over downtown Houston

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Downtown Houston went pink Saturday morning for the 22nd annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Tens of thousands of people walked and ran to raise money for breast cancer research and treatment.

"You've got so many people and everyone is touched by this somehow and we're all in it to win it," said race participant Connie Dove.

An estimated 30,000 people packed downtown Houston for the city's annual event.

"We've raised about two million dollars," said Justine Schulerud with the Race for the Cure. "Our goal every year is about three million, so we're getting there. The money goes to research, education and screening right here in the Houston area."

Some who came out are cancer survivors. Others are supporting friends and family. Still others came out to raise awareness of a disease that kills nearly half a million people every year.

"I'm a new survivor," said participant Diandra Domino. "In fact, I'm still going through therapy and treatments, but I'm here to give my support and pass the word so everyone can be aware of breast cancer."

"We want to be future doctors and we want to help the world so we figured we'd start out here," said participant Brittany Aleman.

Arthur Fano came out to honor of his mom's battle with cancer.

"I'm very proud that she survived it," he said. "I'm just proud of her."

"It's a hard fight and if you can beat this you can do anything," said survivor Carolyn Leeds.

It's a promise that a community working together can make a difference, one step at a time.

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

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CSI investigator takes stand in trial of ex-HPD officer accused of raping woman

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- The prosecution is continuing to build its case against a former Houston police officer accused of raping a woman two years ago. On Thursday they showed surveillance video taken before the alleged assault.

Surveillance video shows former HPD Officer Abraham Joseph driving up to a gas station and releasing a man into the parking lot. Prosecutors allege Joseph picked up a woman and a man, then dropped off the man and raped the woman at a nearby park. A crime investigator on Thursday confirmed records showing that Joseph never told dispatch he picked up anybody. The witness says male police officers are always asked to call in when they're alone with women. He said, "Officers typically call a female officer to do a search... You want it to be known that there is a female in your backseat." The witness also confirmed the police uniform, handcuffs and gun that Joseph had on the day he's accused of raping the woman. "They want to remind the jury that he was in uniform at the time, not like he is today. Today he's in street clothes, he's in a suit, he looks like any guy that would take your daughter on a date," said KTRK legal analyst Joel Androphy. He says prosecutors want to remind jurors that Joseph was in a position of authority during the alleged assault. "This was a guy in uniform, wearing a badge, driving a police car and they really want to drive home that he used his authority to abuse her," Androphy said. When we asked defense attorney Nicole DeBorde if she thought her client is being held to a different standard because he's a police officer, she replied, "I have a lot of confidence in this jury. They're smart, they're taking notes, and they know that the law is that he should be held to the same standard under the law as is anybody else." The defense claims the sex was consensual. Prosecutors are still expected to call forward several witnesses. Attorneys say it could be a week or longer before this case is sent to a jury. (Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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House fire takes out several power lines

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A house fire in northeast Harris County took out several power lines this morning.

The fire started at a home on Leaftex near Plumtex just before 2am.

When crews arrived, the one-story home was fully engulfed in flames. The intensity of the blaze forced firefighters to fight it from the outside.

Officials say no one was home at the time.

CenterPoint was called to the scene to handle power lines that were downed during the fire.

Arson investigators are looking into what started the blaze.

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

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Surrogate takes over care of rejected orangutan at Houston Zoo

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Caregivers who've been nursing a baby orangutan around the clock can take a breather. A surrogate is taking charge in raising the little girl.

Aurora was born at the Houston Zoo in March, but was rejected by her mother. An army of 50 volunteers were put on mommy duty. The Houston Chronicle reports another orangutan named Cheyenne picked up Aurora and began taking care of her. She even shared her food with the little one.

This is the second time Cheyenne has raised another baby.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Ex-HPD officer accused of theft takes plea deal

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A former Houston police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to a charge of theft by a public servant.

Stefan Riha struck a deal with prosecutors so that he would change his plea in exchange for two years of probation, a $500 fine and 120 hours of community service. He also had to permanently surrender his peace officer's license.

Riha, 29, was arrested by undercover officers conducting a sting in May 2011 in the 3600 block of Fondren. Investigators say he made a traffic stop on an officer posing as a motorist, put that officer in the back of his patrol car while then pocketing $1,100 from inside the vehicle the undercover officer was driving. "As a police officer, he betrayed the trust that comes with the badge by taking money that belongs to citizens. It was important to us that he no longer have that opportunity," said prosecutor Maritza Antu. No one answered when we went to Riha's home Tuesday for comment. His attorney did not return calls. Prosecutors say they targeted Riha in the undercover operation after receiving two other complaints that he had stolen money from motorists. Investigators have never found enough evidence to pursue charges in those cases. Riha can never again work as a police officer and right now cannot posses a gun. He remains out of custody unless he violates probation. If he does, he can be sent to jail for up to two years. (Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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