Council members consider unusual proposals to trim budget

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- City leaders are huddled for a marathon meeting about proposed changes to the city's multibillion-dollar budget. These are potentially significant decisions affecting everything from the mayor's term limits to whether you can use a plastic bag at the grocery store.

More than 100 amendments are on the table for consideration. But the good news are none of them propose large-scale layoffs.

Just outside City Hall, downtown workers tote their lunches in plastic bags -- something that could go away if one budget amendment passes.

"I think it's a good idea, it's better for the environment to use the reusable bags," downtown worker Amanda Cooper said.

The idea of phasing away plastic bags is just one of 104 amendments being considered this budget year. Councilman Ed Gonzalez says the bags turn into hard-to-get-rid-of trash.

"We spend a lot of money trying to keep our city clean and we need to see if we could make an impact on those costs," Gonzalez said.

The plastic bag proposal may seem like unusual for council members to consider, but budget cycles are a time when council members introduce unusual ideas.

"As a supporter of police and firefighters, it's not a comfortable to say 'the emperor has no clothes' but that's the reality as it stands," Councilwoman Helena Brown said.

Brown, for example, wanted council members to default on police and fire pension plans, among other suggestions. That was quickly voted down.

But other ideas did pass.

Council members could now put a proposal before voters to change term limits to two four-year terms. And the proposed pole tax of $5 for every strip club customer is scheduled for a vote next week.

"We have so much on our plate right now that some people simply can't look at everything that's being put in front of them. I have respect for that," Houston City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen said.

Council members are expected to meet a couple more times before finalizing next year's budget.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Man accused in unusual burglaries goes before judge

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man investigators are calling a serial burglar will face a judge today.

Abel Martinez, 32, who was arrested by police earlier this week, but what's really interesting about this case is what he stole.

Harris County sheriff's deputies say he is behind about a half dozen home burglaries where he stole everything from dogs to underwear.

Martinez was arrested a few days ago and charged in three of those burglaries. Sheriff's investigators say from April to November, Martinez broke into apartments and even a home two blocks from the house where he was living.

Authorities say he stole a list of items, including underwear. Deputies say the parolee even made off with a little Maltese and a second dog, but he didn't stop there.

"He took bedding in some cases," said Cristina Garza with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "He took towels, kitchen knives he took kitchen blocks, clothing, jackets, pants, shoes"

Both dogs were returned to their owners. A lot of the other stolen items are still missing. Martinez is expected in court this morning to answer to three burglary charges.

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Looking for answers to unusual flooding

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Clean up is continuing following the stunning flood damage seen across the Houston area from Monday's storms. The flood waters have receded in southeast Houston where students and apartment residents had to be evacuated.

It's not generally an area of town where we see major flooding problems, although we haven't had this type of torrential downpour for quite some time. We've been searching for some answers as to just what happened in the neighborhood near Griggs and Long.

The short answer is -- there was a large amount of rain in a short amount of time. But it's natural for people to search for a cause behind a disaster.

Sam Nickerson, whose apartment flooded, said, "What I believe is it's the railing system, because they always building stuff."

Light rail construction, METRO says, did not contribute to the flooding. But then there's something that caught our eye -- a giant metal culvert that carries storm water from a tributary of Brays Bayou. The metal is torn in two, the pipe upended by the force of the water and the bank partially collapsed, damming some of the water from draining into the bayou.

"It's not maintained by the city," said Braxton Cole with Houston Public Works.

On Tuesday city storm water crews were looking at the damage the culvert failure might have caused. It is not a city drainage pipe. And while the county's flood control district has jurisdiction over the waterway, a representative says it's not the county's either.

Fred Garcia with the Harris County Flood Control said, "At this point I'd have to say that's part of the railroad operation for draining their right of way, is the way it looks to me."

Before deregulation this was the property of Houston Belt and Terminal. HBT is now co-owned by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern. A Union Pacific representative says crews responded as soon as they could to help the water subside.

On Tuesday crews were removing the section of failed pipe, which also has a rail trestle above it. Railroad officials are "investigating the impact the collapse may have caused."

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Woman now in custody for unusual hit-and-run wreck

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A woman is now in custody after police say she hit a local high school student with her car, left him a religious pamphlet and took off.

We told you on Monday that Aida Hillen was charged with felony failure to stop and render aid for the accident. We're told Hillen turned herself in at about 5pm Monday, shortly after our report aired.

Investigators say back in October, she hit a 15-year-old student trying to cross Broadway in front of Milby High School in southeast Houston, left the pamphlet and took off.

The student suffered bruised ribs, but is otherwise OK

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Woman charged in unusual hit-and-run accident

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police are searching for a woman charged in a hit and run that happened outside of a local high school in mid-October. What's particularly strange about this case is what the woman is accused of doing after hitting the student.

It happened at an intersection where kids cross everyday -- an extremely busy intersection. While Houston police are looking for the woman who allegedly hit a 15-year-old boy and drove off, it's what the driver did before she left the scene that has everyone scratching their heads.

According to court documents, a League City address is listed for Aida Hillen, But no one at the home would comment to Eyewitness News, only to say Hillen wasn't inside. The 59-year-old woman is charged with felony failure to stop and render aid. So far, Houston police say they haven't been able to find her either.

According to Houston police, Hillen was driving a car when she allegedly struck the right side of 15-year-old Jonah Garcia. It happened one night in October at about 7pm. Garcia was crossing Broadway from Milby High School and fell down in the street near the curb.

What police say happened next is disturbing. According to court documents, Hillen stopped and asked if Garcia was all right. He answered no, but Hillen allegedly tossed a Christian booklet out of her window and drove off.

Authorities say Garcia suffered bruised ribs, but is otherwise OK. Kids cross this part of Broadway every day before and after school. Milby High School student Cesar Salas, 18, says he almost got hit last month trying to cross.

"There was an 18-wheeler over there," he recalled. "I assumed there was a red light but I couldn't see. I took a step and he started honking and I stepped back. That's when I almost got hit."

Milby High School student Cassandra Perez, 18, says she wasn't surprised to learn about the accident.

"By the way they be driving here, no. They be driving really fast," Perez said.

Authorities say they are looking for Aida Hillen, 59, who was last seen driving a 1996 Honda Accord with Texas plates 012-RTH. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Your call can remain anonymous.

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