County to Study Sageorchard Intersection out Later This Month
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Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 March 10, 2011 E-mail: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 36, No. 5 Special edition scheduled Once again, the Leader will publish a spe- cial Community Profile edition, set to come County to study Sageorchard intersection out later this month. Local businesses wishing to advertise, and possibly have a story or In response to outcry from the South Belt com- – to prohibit vehicles from exiting the subdivi- tated by recently passed state visibility regula- Harris County offi cials have already agreed photo run, should e-mail mynews@southbelt munity, Harris County offi cials have announced sion through Hughes. tions. to install a cautionary traffi c light for emergency leader.com or call 281-481-5656. they will contract an independent engineering Such a measure would require residents wish- The barriers would not prohibit cars from en- purposes in front of the Southeast Volunteer Fire fi rm to study the need for installing traffi c-con- ing to travel west toward Pearland Parkway and tering the subdivision. Department station a block west of the Hughes/ PISD sets campus meetings trolling blockades on Sageorchard near the fu- Highway 288 to exit the neighborhood through As an alternative to the blockades, many area Sageorchard intersection. The Pasadena Independent School District ture Hughes Road/Barry Rose expansion. Blackhawk, which many say is already trouble- residents have called for the installation of stop The county has further agreed to alter the es- will hold a meeting at South Houston High The county currently plans to construct two some due to traffi c congestion on the street (see signs at the intersection of Hughes and Sageor- planade in front of the fi re station to accommo- School March 10 at 7 p.m., Pasadena High barriers on Sageorchard– one north of Hughes related letters on Page 2A). chard – a move the county says it is taking into date the department’s vehicles in times of dis- March 21 at 6:30 p.m., and Dobie High March Road and one on the south side of the area street The construction of the blockades is necessi- consideration. patch 22 at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the meetings is to allow the public to comment on pending state education PISD Wellness Center opens cuts and offer suggestions to deal with an SoHo honors area residents anticipated loss of $20 million or more in By Jocelyn Nichols The center is located in the district’s Frank 2011-2012 revenue. The public is invited to Pasadena ISD Communications Office Braden Center, 1850 E. Sam Houston Pkwy. participate in these sessions. The new Pasadena Independent School South. District Wellness Center, a provider of free basic Hours of operation for the center are Monday, AARP meets March 11 health care services to district employees with Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., The South Belt AARP will meet at 10 a.m. Pasadena ISD medical insurance, will open its and Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, at El Franco Lee Community doors to patients on Monday, March 14. The center will also be open on Saturdays Center, 9400 Hall Road. Guest speaker will be “We are excited about the wellness center,” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Officer Bobby Keen, who will give an infor- said PISD Superintendent Dr. Kirk Lewis. “It Appointments may be made by calling 713- mative talk about crime prevention in the area. will provide our staff with an affordable health 740-5300. Walk-ins are also welcome. All seniors are invited. care option for illness and preventative care.” Continued on Page 6A Tree waste pickup set Tree waste only will be picked up Thursday, Hit-and-run suspect sought March 17, for city of Houston (77089) resi- dents living north of Beltway 8. Residents The Harris County ing a light blue Ford Ranger, along with a female south of the beltway are scheduled for Thurs- Precinct 2 Constable’s passenger, backed into another vehicle in the day, March 24. For information, call 3-1-1. offi ce is seeking the parking lot and then laughed and drove away. public’s assistance in The suspects were captured on the store’s sur- identifying a suspect veillance video (see photo on this page). PIP meeting March 15 who was involved in The driver is described as an 18 to 24-year-old Positive Interaction Program will meet Tues- a hit-and-run accident Hispanic male wearing a red shirt and blue jeans day, March 15, at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hermann Tuesday, March 1, in with the word “Houston” tattooed on his arm. Southeast Hospital. Guest speaker will be the parking lot of Wal- The passenger is described as an 18 to 24-year- Officer Charles Garmond of the Houston greens at Scarsdale old Hispanic female wearing a white shirt and Police Department, along with an officer with and Beamer at roughly red basketball shorts. his K-9 partner. Topics will include travel 8:30 p.m. Anyone with information on this case is urged safety and airport security. PIP consists of According to witnesses, a male suspect driv- to call 281-481-9189. police and citizens working for safer neigh- borhoods. For more information, call Officer . Randy Derr at 281-218-3900. The Birds visit South Belt Knights hold fish fry Three South Belt residents were among the 54 inductees recognized at the unveiling of The Knights of Columbus Council 9201 South Houston High School’s Hall of Honor Thursday, March 3. Pictured at the celebra- will serve fish dinners during Lent at St. Luke tion are, left to right, Emory Gadd, Cheryl Bolen and Norton White. Not shown is honor- the Evangelist Catholic Church on the Fridays, ary inductee Al Carter, who organized the event. See next week’s Leader for a full story March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April about the ceremony. Photo by James Bolen 8 and April 15. Each dinner consist of breaded fish fillet, french fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, corn on the cob and iced tea. Baked fish, soft drinks and desserts will be available. One- Gov. Perry appoints Parker, piece dinners are $9 and two-piece dinners are $12, dine in or take out. Dinners will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. at the parish hall. Profits will be used for scholarships and Sullivan to state task force local charitable projects. The public is invited. Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Houston Mayor they face their own budget challenges,” Perry For more information, call 832-444-4958. Annise Parker and Houston City Councilmember said. “I look forward to receiving the recommen- Mike Sullivan to the state’s Task Force on Un- dations from this bipartisan task force featuring Thompson carwash set funded Mandates. local offi cials who understand the needs of their The Thompson 8th Grade Dance carwash The bipartisan group was created to identify communities, as removing these extra costs will will be held Saturday, March 12, from 7:30 burdensome unfunded mandates that have been help local governments better and more effi cient- a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McDonald’s on Fuqua. passed down from the state to local governments, ly serve their constituents.” The cost is $5 per vehicle. such as cities, counties and school districts. Other members of the task force include El The task force will make their recommenda- Paso Mayor John Cook, Comal County Sheriff Melillo carnival March 25 tions to the governor later this month on how to Bob Holder; former San Marcos Mayor Susan best alleviate these burdens on local entities. Narvaiz, Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos, Melillo Middle School will hold its spring Recently, residents may have noticed an increased presence of birds around the power “As we look for ways to streamline govern- Collin County Judge Keith Self, Montgomery carnival on Friday, March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. ment and ensure the most prudent use of taxpayer County District Attorney Brett Ligon and Hud- at the school at 9220 Hughes Road. Food lines in the area that resembles a scene from the classic 1963 Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds. Nature experts have identified these as boat-tailed grackles, which are native to the dollars, we should also ensure we are not burden- son Independent School District Superintendent booths will sell turkey legs, sausage on a stick, ing local authorities with unfunded mandates as Mary Ann Whiteker. snow cones, beverages and more. Various Gulf and Atlantic coasts. The increased presence of grackles in the area is a result of the games will include a dunk tank, soccer kick, birds attempting to find food and suitable nesting grounds. The above photo was taken at bungee jump, rock wall, cake walk, basketball the intersection of Beltway 8 and Beamer. See related story on Page 2A. toss, silent auction and music, to name just a Photo by Marie Flickinger Pct. 2 deputies arrest burglary few of the events planned. GAT Athletic Banquet set suspects, respond to explosion The Thompson Athletic Banquet will be Filing under way for area held on Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m. at Dobie Following a two-year investigation, deputies recent break-in in areas of the community that High School. All athletes are free, parents are from the Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s are not incorporated by the City of Houston are $15 and children are $10. For tickets, contact school board elections offi ce have arrested fi ve suspects in connection urged to contact Precinct 2 Sgt.