Harris Leads in Virus Count
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UIL, TAPPS DELAY FALL SPORTS SEASONS FOR 5A, 6A SPORTS | 5 MILROE READY FOR SENIOR SEASON Katy Times PAGE 5 VOLUME 108, ISSUE 30 THE GREATER KATY AREA'S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1912 n katytimes.com THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 Harris leads UNCERTAIN FUTURE in virus count By R. HANS MILLER SENIOR REPORTER Among Texas counties, 250 of the state’s 254 counties are reporting cases of COVID-19 with Harris County, one of the three counties that makes up the Katy area, leading statewide case counts and reporting 58,840 cases as of July 21 at 4 p.m. Statewide, deaths from the novel coronavi- rus exceeded 4,000 on July 20. More than 140,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 as of Tuesday. The high case count has prompted Harris County Public Health Authority Dr. Umair Shah to issue a letter to school superin- SANDRA SADEK tendents in Harris County urging them to postpone in-person A waitress at Scholars and Scoundrels seats two customers at a table. All employees wear face masks and each table is equipped with hand sanitizer. All tables have been spread out to classes through October, work ensure social distancing. with low-income families to en- sure internet access for instruc- tion, eliminate school-sponsored events or activities and ensure Local bars struggle to outlive COVID-19 pandemic strong back-to-school plans are worked out to ensure student safety when the time is right. By SANDRA SADEK months, I’m gonna have to sell my house.” said. “We appreciate your efforts to EDITORIAL INTERN Abbott issued an executive order June A lack of guidance on how to properly educate students while also pro- 26 limiting certain businesses and services distinguish between bars that serve food tecting the public health of our hen the COVID-19 pandemic as COVID-19 cases numbers exponentially and restaurants that serve alcohol has community, and we look forward started, Wildcatter Saloon co-own- rose. Establishments that receive more than left owners like Whitfield frustrated with to continuing discussions and W er Justin Whitfield made sure to 51% of their revenue from the sale of alco- elected leaders. collaborative planning about this follow all safety guidelines to ensure his holic beverages were ordered to close that “I really wish the leaders would get a incredibly important issue,” Shah business remained open and safe for cus- day. Restaurants were allowed to remain hold of a plan and stick to it,” Whitfield said in the letter. tomers. The Wildcatter Saloon is located open for dine-in service at 50% capacity. said. “It all comes down to leadership. I Harris County’s COVID-19 on three and a half acres of land, which Many bar owners are not happy with the blame Gov. Abbott.” data portal indicates that most Whitfield said ensured plenty of space to order, categorizing it as unfair. More than cases in the Katy area are located practice social distancing and therefore 20 Texas bars are suing the governor for this Wineries and distilleries north of I-10 between Beltway 8 limiting the spread of the coronavirus. recent shutdown order. For some owners The vague clumping of all alcohol-serv- and The Grand Parkway. Despite the precautions bar owner though, it’s just a question of survival. ing establishments into one category in Both Harris and Fort Bend took, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive “You’re being told that your business is Abbott’s order has left wineries and distill- counties have instituted threat order forcing all bars to close has left the reason why we’re having so many cases. eries feeling unprotected and disadvan- levels for COVID-19 and have Whitfield, like many other alcohol-serving It’s a slap in the face because my business is taged. Nick Jessett, CEO and President of set the current risk level at the establishments, without a steady income a dream come true,” Whitfield said. “I don’t MKT Distillery in Katy, said MKT has had most dangerous their respective and an uncertain future for his business. want to sue somebody, I just want to open to switch to a drive-thru only model that systems allow. “It’s just a waiting game. I mean I can my business, and I want to take care of my has left the business’ future bleak. Fort Bend County reports a last a couple of months, but I’m already at family.” “If you look at breweries wineries and significantly lower number of that point where I’m starting to stress out a distilleries, most of the time we’re kind of cases with 5,995 cases reported little as each day goes by,” Whitfield said. Arbitrary lines an outdoor establishment we don’t have to date, of which 3,793 remain While the order singles out certain busi- like this, you know 120 people show up we active. Most cases are in the area Shutting down ness types, the line between bar and restau- have a very kind of calm crowd and we are surrounding Richmond, though a Since the initial shutdown in March rant seems arbitrary to business owners. usually kind of a large outdoor venue as significant portion are reported in that forced non-essential businesses to Anthony Patchimela is the owner of well. So, it’s been really unfortunate that the Cinco Ranch area. COVID-19 close for two months, Whitfield has only Scholars and Scoundrels, a bar and grill we’ve kind of got lumped in with the bars,” has caused the death of 79 Fort been open for three and a half weeks. He that has remained open due to its alcohol Jessett said. Bend County residents as of was able to support himself and his family sales not meeting the 51% requirement for State law prohibits distilleries from Tuesday. for a few months but now Whitfield worries closure. Patchimela said bars were not giv- selling on Sundays, a rule not applicable According to the Texas funds may run out and will leave him with en a chance to adapt their business model to wineries and breweries. Distilleries are few options to survive. to remain open and continue making also not allowed to ship alcohol and are See VIRUS, page 2 “It’s hard because when you have a income. limited to selling two bottles per person business, especially a bar or live music ven- “At least give them an option to make per 30 days. ue, they can shut us down, but the prob- money. I mean, we still do have a constitu- “There’s a lot of things that the gov- lem is the landlord still wants you to pay,” tional right to earn a living as owners and HAVE A NEWS TIP? Whitfield said. “If it goes past a few more I just don’t think that’s fair,” Patchimela See UNCERTAIN, page 3 news@katytimes.com SUBSCRIBE TODAY (281) 391-3141 July 23, 2020 8 pages | $1 Council approves Q&A with Fulshear Plaza landscaping, Mayor Aaron Groff By R. HANS MILLER solid waste service SENIOR REPORTER By R. HANS MILLER As Fulshear continues to grow at an extraordinarily rapid rate, it faces SENIOR REPORTER challenges in infrastructure development, updating its city statutes to bet- ter-serve its residents and make sure that it preserves its heritage. Over the City of Katy residents will see a few changes around last few months, those challenges have included town in the coming months after Katy City Council’s July facing the COVID-19 pandemic, examining how 20 meeting. During the special meeting which happened parks and transportation can be improved and via teleconference, council members approved a $123,000 remote meetings. landscaping contract for the city’s downtown plaza and a “Katy Times” asked Fulshear Mayor Aaron Groff contract with Texas Pride to provide solid waste services. to respond to questions related to these issues. His The landscaping contract was awarded to MoBill responses are below and have been lightly edited Contractors, Inc. to update plans and close out Phase I of for clarity and formatting purposes. Edits have been the city’s Katy City Hall Plaza projects. The plaza, located indicated with parentheses. opposite Katy City Hall on Avenue C, will see hardscaping, How well do you think Fulshear residents landscaping, a drinking fountain, overhead power adjust- Q: have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic? ments and a temporary fence around the old Katy water AARON GROFF tower while Phase II is planned out said Kayce Reina, the The overall attitude by the Fulshear city’s director of Tourism, Marketing and Public Relations, A: community regarding COVID 19 has been who oversees the project. great! Even though our businesses have suffered, the owners and managers MoBill Contractors is based out of The Woodlands ac- of those businesses have continued to follow the expectations set forth by cording to city documents. orders and best practices. They have adopted methods that still allow them Council also approved a new solid waste services con- to do business but still remain safe. tract for trash pickup with Texas Pride who was competing The Fulshear citizens have adapted to all the health requirements and with current vendor, Republic Services. Prior to approval remained creative by having community caravans to celebrate birthdays, See COUNCIL, page 3 See GROFF, page 3 THE KATY TIMES 2 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 COMMUNITY KATYTIMES.COM Benefit ride for officer battling COVID-19 By JOSELYN HOFER and to be a part of this and how EDITORIAL INTERN important it is to support each other.