Houston News

Friday, October 5, 2012

Original Greek Festival kicks off today

Houstonians can gorge themselves on Souvlaki and Spanakopita starting today at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral complex.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The smell of gyros and baklava will fill the air in Montrose today as the Original Greek Festival returns to Houston.

More than 40,000 people are expected enjoy Greek dancing, shopping and all that delicious food during the four day festival.

In fact, it's the food the festival organizers really pride themselves in, claiming it's the best festival food you'll find anywhere in the city.

The fun begins this evening and runs through Sunday. The festival is at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Yoakum in southwest Houston. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 get in free.

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Houston Real Estate - The Best Time To Buy

Help the FBI catch this week's featured gang fugitive

The FBI says Richard Nichols, 39, is a known member of the gang Tango Blast Houstone and is wanted for violating his probation.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- From our exclusive Crime Tracker and a partnership with the FBI, we want to bring you the StopHoustonGangs.org fugitive of the week.

The FBI says Richard Nichols, 39, is a known member of the gang Tango Blast Houstone and is wanted for violating his probation.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, leave an anonymous tip here

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East End residents upset over utility poles in middle of sidewalks

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A lot of residents in Houston's East End are upset right now. Millions of dollars were spent to improve sidewalks but now neighbors say they can't walk on one without running right into a utility pole.

The community improved the sidewalks while trying to make the most out of light rail construction, but then came the utility poles. Now the complaints are coming in from folks who live and work along Harrisburg Boulevard and the new East End light rail line.

The sidewalk in front of her family business is almost useful, Sandra Mayorquin says, except for the utility pole right in the middle.

"I don't like it. It's in the middle of the street, especially for people who are handicapped. How are thing going to go through the street," said Mayorquin.

It's a problem up and down Harrisburg Blvd. as poles are popping up like weeds in the middle of new sidewalks.

"We got 24 percent of our people handicapped, so we regularly see people in wheelchairs and scooters," said Diane Schenke, who runs the Greater East End Management District.

The district built the new sidewalks when METRO began constructing a new light rail line. Everyone was supposed to work together so the new Harrisburg can be a gateway to Houston's East End.

"We worked very closely with the Greater East End Management District and the community through our community advisory board, all the neighborhood folks, so a lot of the things you see out there are the product of that collaboration. But when it comes to the location of those poles, you've got to talk to CenterPoint about why they're there," said METRO CEO George Greanias.

We contacted CenterPoint Energy about the wayward poles. Late Wednesday afternoon, CenterPoint released a statement saying, "As developments take place, adjustments need to be made."

Schenke says CenterPoint told her the poles are legal because they give at least 32 inches of clearance on one side. But she points out just because it's legal, doesn't mean it makes sense.

"There may be a 32-inch clearance, but literally it's in the middle of the sidewalk," said

Even if the poles are in compliance, the people who live and work in this neighborhood say it's not making the area walkable and they would like more cooperation with those involved.

local, miya shay

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Residents evacuated after driver hits gas main

PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- A Pasadena neighborhood was partially evacuated last night after a driver lost control, slammed though several fences and then hit a gas meter.

Authorities say around 10:30pm, the driver was headed south on South Richey near West Thomas when he crashed through a fence at the Richey Elementary school yard, missing the school buildings but hitting a gas meter in the alley.

He continued traveling into the yard of a house in that residential neighborhood. The driver stopped 20 feet short of the house, but the damage was already done. Neighbors were put on alert about the leaking gas.

They say the man was on the street, disoriented, saying he was trying to head home after dropping his daughter off.

"He took his daughter over to get her car or something. She went home," said neighbor Sherry Buchanan. "They said, 'Where are you going?' He said, 'Home,' but he didn't know where he was, that he was on bath salts or something."

The driver was taken to the hospital to be checked out. At this point, there's no word on what charges he may face.

The gas company came out to repair the leak. Everyone was allowed back into their homes. School will go on as planned today at Richey Elementary.

pasadena, local, elissa rivas

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Boy dies after being struck by vehicle in W. Houston

A child was struck by an oncoming vehicle last night and died from his injuries.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A boy died after being hit by a car in west Houston.

Investigators say the victim identified as Desmond Thomas, 11, wandered out onto the feeder road around 7:40pm of the Katy Freeway near Oak Stream when he was hit by a car. He was transported to Texas Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities say the driver of a gray Lincoln Navigator was traveling westbound on the Katy Freeway service road when Desmond ran into traffic. The driver was unable to avoid the accident.

According to police, the driver did not show any signs of intoxication or impairment at the scene. He was questioned and released.

The accident remains under investigation.

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Man accused of being Russian agent appears in court

HOUSTON -- A naturalized U.S. citizen accused of illicitly obtaining military technology for Russia has been formally briefed on the charges against him in an initial court appearance.

Alexander Fishenko and six others had an initial appearance in court Thursday. They did not enter pleas. Hearings to determine whether they will be allowed out of jail before trial are expected to start Friday.

Fishenko was born in what is now Kazakhstan and owns Houston-based Arc Electronics Inc.

Prosecutors say Fishenko and others sold cutting-edge microelectronics that could be used in Russian weapons systems, exchanged communications with Russian intelligence and tried to hide documents when they suspected authorities were onto them.

Fishenko's attorney, Eric Reed, told reporters that he plans to "take a hard look at" the allegations.

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Friday, October 5, 2012

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