Giffords returns to rehab hospital after surgery

  TUCSON, AZ -- U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has been transferred back to her rehabilitation hospital in Houston.

The 40-year-old Arizona Democrat had been recuperating at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center since last Wednesday's surgery. That was to implant a synthetic replacement for a portion of her skull that was removed Jan. 8 when Giffords was shot through the brain in an assassination attempt in Tucson.

During that same surgery, doctors gave Giffords a permanent shunt to relieve fluid buildup in her brain.

The Arizona Daily Star says Giffords now is back at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research Memorial Hermann rehabilitation hospital, which is in the same complex as Texas Medical Center.

She's been undergoing intensive therapy at TIRR since late January to recover speech and movement that was affected by her brain injury.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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New information about serial arsonist

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We have new information about the serial arsonist who's targeting southwest Houston. He -- or she -- works in the middle of the night, and that's how investigators may finally catch them.

A number of people have been questioned and considered suspects but have since been ruled out. Right now, one of the most difficult challenges for arson investigators is figuring out a motive.

Houston Fire Department Chief Terry Garrison said, "Those are getting more dangerous that we can see."

A troubling warning from Houston's fire chief about the string of arson fires that started more than a year ago, and the person or people setting them.

"This arsonist, whoever this person is or persons are, they do not care about the life of your family," Chief Garrison warned. "You need to take precautions yourself."

There have been nearly 30 fires over the past 17 months. Arson investigators believe they're all connected based on where they were started, the time of day and the fact that accelerants were used in all 30 incidents. The fear is that the motive may be about more than destroying property.

Chief Richard Galvan with the Houston Fire Marshal's Office said, "He's getting bolder, he's going indoors more. He's being more aggressive, so we're very concerned."

Two fires set over the weekend at different apartment complexes had the signature of other fires intentionally set at the entrances or exits of residential buildings. Arson investigators are piecing them all together in hopes of developing a better profile of the crimes.

They're also conducting surveillance under night cover in the west and southwest side neighborhoods where most of the fires have occurred. One shadowy figure was caught by a surveillance camera at one fire scene last May.

"They are going to get sloppy," Chief Galvan said. "Eventually he is going to speak to someone and we encourage that person or persons to come forward."

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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5 Things You Should Know About Your Houston Moving Service

Houston is the largest city in Texas, and the fourth largest city in the United States. The city gives home to 2.2 million people within its area of 600 square miles, as found by US Census Bureau. The economic decisions made in the city impacts the lives of people throughout the world, as Houston has the second largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City. Living here is fun; that's why so many people move to Houston. If you have decided to move to the city then you will need a reliable Houston moving service provider to relocate you, which as easy as it may sound is not at all easy. Like many other markets the city is full of Houston movers waiting to prey on you.

Which, I will not let happen. That's why I am going to share with you 5 mantras that will help you find a right Houston moving service. But before I do that, let's talk about life in the city.

Why you should move to Houston!

Because Houston is a multicultural city where lives a large community of people born outside of the United States. It is estimated that around 1.1 million people from outside the United States live here who, in total, speak more than 90 languages. Houston is your home, no matters where you are from. One in every five foreign-born people is an Asian here.

The diversity of origins of Houston's resident has added color to the cultural life of the city. The festivals and celebration in the city is as colorful as the population mix of the city. The most notable celebration among all is annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that goes on for over 20 days from late February to early March.

The Houston International Festival, the Houston Auto Show, Art Car Parade, Houston Greek Festival, the Westheimer Block Party, night-time Houston Pride Parade, and the Bayou City Art Festival-one among top 5 art festivals in the US-are other major annual events celebrated in the city.

Because of the location of Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center of NASA Houston is also known as "Space City."

5 things to care about when hiring Houston Movers

Their rates: Yes, this is one, and perhaps the most important one. No matter how great the services of a particular Houston mover are, if it's not in your budget it is not for you. Do a research to find out the rates offered by the moving companies, and also enquire how they charge: is it on per mile (or kilometer) basis, or is it hourly, or a combination of the two? Will there be any overtime or any other extra charges?
Their fleet: What make are the trucks that possibly will haul your belongings to Houston? Are the trucks in good condition? How often are they checked for problems? Well, they may provide you insurance, but I am sure you will not like to lose your valuable possessions to a bad-quality moving company.
Insurance: What if you lose some stuff in transit? And what about breakage? Check the insurance coverage details of the Houston moving companies. Read the fine prints.
Operator license: How good is the insurance you are promised, if the person or document promising it is fake? In such cases, nothing matters. Neither quality of fleet, nor their rates.
Track record: Words come cheap, and even cheaper for many, so do not get sold to empty promises of quality, insurance, and fleet, etc., unless it is backed by solid review. Find reviews on Houston movers and see who have stood on the promise in the past, and who failed on the delivery.

You must follow the above written guidelines when hiring a Houston moving service provider. It will save you the horror of post-transfer headache.

Andrew Welkinson reviews and writes about Houston Moving [http://www.starvingstudentmovers.net ] companies, relocation and Houston area services. When hiring Houston Movers [http://www.starvingstudentmovers.net ], do your homework before you buy.

Missing swimmer found off Galveston coast

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- The search for one missing swimmer who disappeared Monday off the Galveston coast is over.

Galveston police say the body of a missing Houston man washed ashore last night. According to the Galveston County Daily News, authorities found the body near East Beach Drive.

The U.S. Coast Guard had been using a chopper to look for the man since he vanished.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Storms in N. Texas strand passengers at IAH

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Travelers in Houston are feeling the effect of the storms that hit north Texas and the Midwest.

According to an airport spokesperson, about 100 travelers spent the night at Bush Intercontinental Airport after nine flights were diverted to Houston because of the violent weather in Dallas. Those passengers were given temporary beds to sleep on. Dozens of them lined the hallways in the baggage claim area.

While some planes already on their way to Dallas were diverted to Houston, others were canceled for the night altogether. This, after scattered tornadoes, hail and severe thunderstorms swept throught the Dallas area.

Travelers inside Dallas airports were moved to basements, interior stairwells and restrooms. In Dallas, dozens of flights were canceled and dozens of others were divereted and some of those passengers landed in Houston.

"We were shocked," said stranded passenger Joann Cisneros. "We actually came down thinking we would have to sleep in shifts and sleep on the linoleum so this is great. And they brought us wet ones and they brought us little care packages."

"It's hard to complain about weather where we're at given all the things that have taken place in Missouri and places like that," said Jeff Fox.

"Whenever there's an act of God like that, you just hope that you're not going to be victimized by that. So of course we all felt a sense of relief, but at the same time there is a great inconvenience," said Adam Payne. Many of those passengers tell Eyewitness News they have already been rebooked and hope to fly out before more expected bad weather. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Court appearance for man accused of killing ex and her son

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and her adult son appeared in court today.

Jeffery Prevost is charged with capital murder in the death of Sherry White and her son Kyle Lavergne. Investigators say both victims were shot and this morning prosecutors revealed White had also been stabbed. Prevost, 51, is currently being held without bond. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Copper theft shuts down restaurant

  By Demond FernandezHOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search continues for copper thieves, targeting several businesses in Montgomery County. We're hearing from a restaurant owner who has lost business because of the thieves.

Outside Big Daddy O's restaurant, there's a sign reading "Due to vandalism we're closed." Copper thieves, the owner says, are to blame. This crew at Big Daddy O's restaurant in Pinehurst is cleaning up the huge mess left after thieves ripped off some copper wire. "They broke the pipe about four foot up, cut it, and if you notice, you can see where they've attached a vehicle and drug it out," Misty Franklin said. The seafood restaurant owners, Misty and Josh Franklin, say mysterious crooks cut nearly 1,800 feet of copper between a utility pole and the business' meter, wiping out all power since Saturday night. "It's very frustrating. We've only been open a year. We're just now getting a clientele set. And now we can't even open the doors," Misty Franklin said. The copper thieves not only cut electricity here, but they also ruined thousands of dollars worth of fresh seafood. "We have to get rid of everything in the cooler. I mean it's just devastating. I mean there's $5,000 worth of stuff in the cooler that has to be thrown in the trash," Josh Franklin said. Big Daddy O's is one of at least five places copper thieves hit in Montgomery County over the weekend. "It's hard to set a pattern or develop a pattern on what their next target is," Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Lt. David Park said. Deputies say they don't have many leads but say a majority of the copper thefts are happening at night and on areas that allow the suspects to easily hide. "Obviously we need the public to be our eyes and ears for us. We need their help," Park said. It will take a few more days before Big Daddy O's can reopen, and the owners have a strong message for the copper crooks. "Payback. Payback will get you," Misty Franklin said. Deputies say they are beefing up patrols around businesses throughout the county, especially at night. CenterPoint Energy is also looking into these copper thefts. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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