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VOLUME 108, ISSUE 16 THE GREATER KATY AREA'S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1912 n katytimes.com THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 Disaster declaration extended By R. HANS MILLER SENIOR REPORTER

R. HANS MILLER Tex. Governor Greg Abbott has extended his disaster The new Waller County Precinct 4 annex near declaration his office announced Easter Sunday. The Brookshire will allow Waller County residents to declaration was initially issued March 13 and Chapter pay property taxes and deal with court cases in 418.014 of the Texas Government Code requires that a more convenient manner than the current trip the governor renew the declaration at 30 days or it will some have to make from the south end of the expire. county to Hempstead, about 30 miles away. “By extending my Disaster Declaration, we are ensuring the state of Texas continues to have adequate resources and capabilities to support our communities and protect public health,” Abbott said in a formal statement. “I urge all Texans to continue practicing social distancing and abide by the guidelines laid out by Waller the CDC and my Executive Orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.” According to the statute, the declaration will expire after another 30 days unless it is again extended by annex Abbott. Additionally, the declaration may be lifted by Texas Governor Greg Abbott has extended the state’s disaster declaration Easter Sunday for another 30 days. State law requires the extension or the declaration - which was first issued March 13 - would have expired at the end of the day ahead of See DISASTER, page 5 April 12. Abbott has issued more than 110 executive actions since March 13 - most related to the COVID-19 pandemic. schedule By R. HANS MILLER SENIOR REPORTER

Waller County Construction Manager Danny Rothe said the INCREASING EFFORTS county’s new $4.8 million Pre- cinct 4 annex being constructed on Hwy. 90 between Brookshire Katy area COVID-19 response marches on into April and Katy is on schedule to open in late August barring any unfore- By R. HANS MILLER Harris County seen delays. The new facility will SENIOR REPORTER Hidalgo said those words at an April 11 press conference that provide convenient services for followed a tour of the county’s new non-congregate medical shel- residents of the southern portion As the Katy area moves further into the second month of ter which has been set up with an initial capacity of 250-patient of the county, he said. the COVID-19 pandemic locally, Harris, Fort Bend and Waller capacity to help with overflow from area hospitals if necessary. “The Pct. 4 Annex will also be counties have each increased their efforts to mitigate the impact The new facility, located at NRG Park, includes two units for fully functional on its own with a of the disease locally. Each county is working to increase testing COVID-19 patients that need hospital care as well as additional generator, water well, and septic capability and expand access to testing for the new coronavirus units for those experiencing symptoms of the disease but are system. The building will also that causes the deadly disease. awaiting test results. serve as the County Southern “Right now, the priority is human life,” said Harris County Judge The facility is paid for through a matching fund program with Command for Emergency Man- Lina Hidalgo. “The priority is avoiding – to the extent that we possibly the federal government, Hidalgo said. The Federal Emergen- agement during any weather or can – the fate that other, larger counties and larger cities have faced.” cy Management Agency authorized up to $177 million for the disaster events,” Rothe said. medical shelter while the Harris County Commissioners Court The 18,500-square-foot build- unanimously approved $60 million. The program is currently ing is situated on seven and a half acres just west of the Woods Road See EFFORTS, page 5 on Old Hwy. 90. Construction is under the Rothe’s supervision with the

See SCHEDULE, page 5

SIMPLE FACTS INITIAL BUDGET $4,834,000 OFFICE SPACE 18,500 square feet Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo (floral mask) and Harris County Health Authority Dr. Umair Shah (black mask) speak to the media OPENING at the county’s new non-congregate medical shelter at NRG Park Aug. 2020 April 11. The new, temporary facility was put in place by the county STAFF to ensure additional hospital beds if the COVID-19 pandemic causes About 30 initially overflow demand at hospitals in the region.PHOTO BY R. HANS MILLER

HAVE A NEWS TIP? [email protected] Council postpones hiring of health authority SUBSCRIBE TODAY By R. HANS MILLER SENIOR REPORTER (281) 391-3141 Katy has once again postponed the hiring of its own April 14, 2020 health authority at its regularly-scheduled April 13 10 pages | $1 meeting which puts it in the default position of relying on Harris County Health Authority Dr. Umair Shah. The council also rejected bids for sewer construction and rehabilitation as well as parking lot improvements at the library and police station on Franz Road. “There are some particulars on the (health authority) contract that we’re working through, but not as rush-needed because we did verify with all the regional agencies and Harris County – we are fully provided (for) under Harris County’s plans for the entire city of Katy, so there’s no issue on not having (a health authority in place) right now,” said Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris after the meeting. Harris pulled the contract from the meeting agenda during the meeting per city staff’s request, he said. While hiring Dr. Joe A. Anzaldua, the current candi- date for the position, would allow the city to customize its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris said the city is currently taken care of because it falls under Shah’s jurisdiction. However, having its own health authority physician in place would allow the city to customize its re- Katy City Council met virtually via Zoom as authorized by an executive order from Governor Greg Abbott Monday sponse to the pandemic, such as allowing it to place first evening. From top-left to bottom-right: Council Member Duran Dowdle, Council Member Janet Corte, Council Member Jennifer Stockdick, Mayor Bill Hastings, Council Member Frank Carroll III, City Administrator Byron Hebert, See COUNCIL, page 5 City Secretary Becky McGrew, Pastor Roy Meadows of Westland Baptist Church and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris.

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Our providers are available to screen for the coronavirus via video visit. THE KATY TIMES 2 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT KATYTIMES.COM KISD named to ‘2020 Best Communities for Music Education’ list By R. HANS MILLER SENIOR REPORTER

Katy ISD has been awarded a designation to the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation this year. This is the district’s eighteenth time on the list including the last 16 years consecutively. “Our Katy ISD fine arts educators continually demonstrate an outstanding achievement in their efforts to provide music access,” said Katy ISD Executive Director of Fine Arts Mike Ouellette. NAMM Foundation began issuing the designation 21 years ago, and Katy ISD is among 724 school districts and 98 individual schools receiving the designation this year. To qualify for the designation, Katy ISD had to answer detailed questions regarding funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and CHELSEA COOK reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the Several companies are offering a variety of learning experiences online, including one website that offers a virtual visit to Peru’s Machu Picchu. University of Kansas, according to a Katy ISD press release. “No matter what type of music you like, playing or listening to music has its benefits for our students, such as brain development, increasing human connections and even helping to relieve stress,” Free online educational activities Ouellette said. By BRANDEE MILLER the architecture of the Sydney Opera jamesdysonfoundation.com/resourc- SPECIAL TO KATY TIMES House or take a virtual tour of the pyra- es/challenge-cards.html mids of Egypt. NASA offers STEM activities for During the time Katy residents are YouVisit.com offers a virtual tour of children split into three groups: K–4, at home in compliance with various KATY TIMES Machu Picchu which allows visitors to grades 5–8 and grades 9–12. There are Stay Home, Work Safe orders through- explore the ancient city with a 360-de- also virtual tours available. https:// out the area, there are many online gree guided tour in English. https:// www.nasa.gov/nasa-at-home-for-kids- PET OF THE WEEK opportunities to learn new skills and www.youvisit.com/tour/machupicchu and-families just explore academia. For adults, this MEET LUPIN may lead to new job opportunities. For The Georgia Aquariumoffers Scholastic, an Educational com- parents, these opportunities can help different webcam views that can be pany has a “Learn at Home” site that them keep their children occupied and visited anytime to check in on jellyfish, offers projects for children pre-k to supplement Katy ISD’s online learning puffins, penguins and more at https:// grade 9. They have also made available programs. www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ resources for teachers and families. Each of the programs below offers ocean-voyager/ https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html free access on some level to learners VisitHoustonTexas.com offers of the specified age groups. Some also various virtual experiences from a Adults offer certificates of completion or other downloadable coloring book to virtual paid programs that can help build a tours. https://www.visithoustontexas. Nikon is offering free online classes resume or enhance enjoyment of a com/coronavirus-information-and-re- during April. Some classes are specific to Nikon cameras, while other classes hobby while keeping to good social dis- sources-for-travelers/virtual-activities/ tancing practices. have broader topics such as photo- Bob Ross’ “The Joy of Painting” graphing children and pets. Partici- Adults and Children is offered for free via YouTube and pants must register with Nikon to take includes all 31 seasons (403 episodes) these courses. https://www.nikon- Hey there! I am an 18 month old solid black kitty named Lupin. Not everything listed here is appro- of the show. Ross, who is known for events.com/us/live/nikon-school-on- I came to Special Pals with my identical brothers. I’m such a fun, priate for children of all ages. Please his calm demeanor and landscape line/ loving boy that loves to snuggle anytime. visit each site and take a look before paintings, walks painters through tech- Lupin is available for adoption at Special Pals Shelter located at sharing with the whole family. The Harvard University and other niques to create “happy little trees” and institutions of higher education are 3830 Greenhouse Road, Houston. The shelter is the Katy area’s old- following are various cultural visits that landscape paintings. https://www.you- est no kill shelter and is open Weds., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. from 12-4 you can do without a VR headset. offering free online courses that cover p.m. and Fri. 12-6 p.m. tube.com/user/BobRossInc/featured subjects such as literature, art, game Google Arts & Culture offers virtual development and web programming at Sponsored by visits from around the world at https:// Children https://online-learning.harvard.edu/ artsandculture.google.com/ for those Dyson has 44 engineering and sci- CATALOG/FREE. For a fee, learners who are missing firsthand cultural ence activities (22 of each) for children can receive a certificate upon comple- experiences. Learners can explore to work on during the pandemic. The tion of some courses. Check individual Parisian rooftops, zoom in on iconic James Dyson Foundation has posted courses for start/end dates. Email reg- artwork across the world, examine their challenge cards at: https://www. istration is required for most courses.

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5507 Morton Rd. Suite 103, Katy, TX 77493 5507 Morton Rd. Suite 103, Katy, TX 77493 (281) 391-3141 (281) 391-3141 THE KATY TIMES COMMUNITY THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 3 KATYTIMES.COM Restaurants adjusting to keep Katy eating By R. HANS MILLER SENIOR REPORTER

Colburn McClelland is getting a lot of exercise these days as he races back and forth between his two businesses at Tiger Square in Old Town Katy – Crown Pizza and Willy Burger. McClelland has been able to keep both restaurants open by adjusting his business plan to meet the needs of as many staff as possible and the community he serves. “Crown Kitchen has totally changed our operation to meet the demand,” McClel- land said. “It was a gut decision to do what we needed to do.” Crown Kitchen has adjusted its business model to make things work for the community and for the business, McClelland said. The restaurant is offering a limited menu that is more oriented toward feeding a family at a time rather than individual meals found on the regular menu. The menu is posted online on the restaurant’s Facebook page each Monday afternoon. Once the menu is posted, patrons can call in to have their names added to the list for the next day. Crown Kitchen has been able to keep all of its staff on board during the adjustment, McClelland said. “I’m not making any money but at this time I just feel that the money will come down the road. I’m mostly concerned about doing my part,” McClelland said. Some of the staff at Willy Burger were furloughed at least until things return to normal, McClelland said. Business at the burger restaurant has just been too slow to keep everyone on board, he said. McClel- land praised his staff at both businesses for their efforts both to keep the restaurants going and to help the community. “Mike (Daniels, manager at Willy Burg- er) and the team are holding up,” McClel- land said. “… I always have five to seven people on staff but right now I’m running it with two to three (and they’re) doing the best they can.” Daniels, the manager at Willy Burger, said the staff he has are working hard as a CURBSIDE OPTIONS team and taking care of folks. The restau- Restaurants across the Katy area are struggling during the pandemic. Below is a rant had tried to do deliveries, but that noncomprehensive listing of restaurants that remain open if Katy residents need a hadn’t worked out as well as they’d hoped break from cooking. The public has also rallied together to create a Facebook group and most of Willy Burger’s business right to help restaurants called: Katy FOOD TO GO during COVID-19 which may have now is through the walk up window where additional information on restaurants and food services as this situation develops. people order and then socially distance themselves until their food is ready. Daniels KATY CASA VERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT said he thinks part of it is that Katy resi- CROWN KITCHEN Call by 6 p.m. the day before to order a dents want to get out of the house, so they (Formerly Crown Pizza) $24.99 family meal. do the window service and social distanc- Phone ahead curbside drive-thru Menu changes daily and is posted to ing just to get some fresh air and escape Menu posted to Facebook Facebook. Curbside. their homes – at least temporarily. 6191 Hwy. Blvd., Ste. 302, Katy 1420 Katy Fort Bend Road, Ste. 130, Katy While the staff he was able to keep on 281-391-0112 facebook.com/crownkitchenkaty 832-683-0991 have been amazing, Daniels said he wor- casaveramexicanrestaurant.com ries about the staff the restaurant had to WILLY BURGER furlough. Curbside window service only, Full menu PATTISON “It’s just that it hurts, what’s going on 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Mon. thru Sat. MAMIE’S KITCHEN right now,” Daniels said. “Because I had to 6191 Hwy. Blvd., Ste. 101, Katy Limited Menu let four employees go for right now, until 832-437-4566 Curbside only it’s all over with. It’s stuff like that which willy-burger.com Open 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri. weighs on my mind right now.” 281-394-1112 SNAPPY’S Crown Kitchen’s staff are “really grind- mamieskitchen.com ing,” McClelland said. The restaurant’s Curbside with limited menu. kitchen was set up for dine-in service, so Menu posted to Facebook daily. Open daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m. BROOKSHIRE switching to a drive-thru, curbside model PHOTOS BY R. HANS MILLER and catering-style services makes for some 281-391-8163 SHIRE DISTILLING CO. extra work. He said he was proud of his staff Crown Kitchen diners line up to pick up their food orders. snappyskatytx.com Hand sanitizer and spirits to go for putting in the extra work, which has Colburn McClelland, owner of Crown Kitchen and Willy Open 1-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Burger in downtown Katy, said Crown Kitchen is feeding LOS CUCOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT 281-375-9151 allowed the restaurant to help out seniors Curbside drive-thru service, free delivery by delivering free meals. thousands and working to help keep morale up in town. 545 Bains St., Ste. 303, Brookshire Limited menu shiredistilling.com McClelland said he had reached out 5831 Hwy. Blvd., Katy to Adrienne Davitz, a Katy resident they a senior – three times per week, Davitz 281-391-9466 knew would have information on seniors said. She and her delivery helpers review loscucos.com ERNESTO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT that need assistance and asked her how the some safety rules and then drop off the Curbside/To Go only restaurant could help. meals around town as needed. PAPPA GYROS Full menu Davitz said she asked how many people Safety is important at the restaurants Drive-Thru, Carry-Out, Phone Orders, 281-934-4944 he thought he could help, then reached out too, McClelland said. Workers are wearing Curbside, Delivery (Uber Eats) 535 FM 1489, Brookshire to the people she knows through volun- gloves and masks and changing the gloves Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. teering around the community. Once a few out regularly. McClelland said he wants to 23255 Kingsland Blvd., Katy FULSHEAR clients were set up, she got some friends to stay open, but he also wants to make sure 281-574-7764 BIG PAULIE’S PIZZERIA www.pappagyros.com help deliver the meals a few times a week. none of his customers gets sick as a result. Pickup, Curbside, Delivery “I go pick up the meals at 5 p.m. on “We don’t want to take germs from SNOOZE, AN A.M. EATERY Also has basic household goods such as Monday, Wednesday and Friday and then money and doorknobs and get folks sick,” Delivery and pickup – order online cleaning supplies available meet my sweet delivery friends at the emp- McClelland said. Open daily 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Full menu and specials ty parking lot of Yaya club and we distribute McClelland also shares his information 281-394-7780 6420 FM 1463, Ste. 100, Fulshear meals,” Davitz said. in the Katy FOOD TO GO during COVID-19 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Ste. K100 281-346-8405 The restaurant provides meals for 20 Facebook group which provides informa- snoozeeatery.olo.express/menu/cinco bigpauliesfulshear.com households – one of which is a single mom tion on other restaurants that are adjusting recovering from a hospital stay rather than to keep diners fed during the pandemic.

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25425 Kingsland Blvd. | Katy, Texas 77494 281.391.2149 Katy Optiks 19626 Saums Road |Houston, Texas 77084 281.398.4813 18222 Kingsland Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77094 Enhancing vision with style 281.579.6080 701 S. Fry Rd. Ste. 125 Katy, TX 77450 All loans are subject to credit approval. You must be a member or eligible for membership to qualify. Requirements for eligibility can be found on our website at bvscu.org/about-us/membership-eligibility. 281.492.1209 Rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Messaging and data rates may apply. Some restrictions may apply on mobile deposit. www.katyoptiks.com THE KATY TIMES 4 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 OPINION KATYTIMES.COM Surviving at home with teen triplets ou’re stuck home with your kids and Y feeling sorry for RICH yourself. How are you going MANIERI to keep them busy? What SPECIAL about their school work? TO THE I’ve got a better story – stuck KATY at home with 16-year old TIMES triplets. Beat that. Anyone? Anyone? That’s what I thought. For me, and I would Last week, as I was imagine for many, this crisis lamenting our collective has drawn a clear distinc- plight I considered – as I al- tion between essential and ways do – how I can use this non-essential. Situations situation to my advantage. we once would have con- There are only so many sidered intolerable we now indoor tasks you can ask tolerate. of three, housebound For example, our Great 16-year-olds – get out of Dane Bosco, about whose bed by noon, clean your antics I’ve written previous- rooms, put your dishes in ly, ate my very expensive the dishwasher. Actually, on and only pair glasses. He a given day, I’d take any one didn’t actually ingest them, of the three. but he somehow got the So, I went out and lenses out, intact, and bought 22 bags of mulch chewed off the tips of the and quickly morphed into a frames, rendering them cross between Gunnery Sgt. unwearable. I ordered a Hartman from “Full Metal new pair but in the inter- Jacket” and my father, mi- vening week, my optome- nus the profanity. When it trist closed up shop due to came to spewing obscen- COVID-19. I was left with ities, my father could go no choice but to pop the toe-to-toe with Sarge. lenses back in and bend the I did, however, take frames, so they’ll stay on my a page from my father’s head, at least for a while. Can we have a few TV Westerns? playbook as I attempted to Sure, they look ridiculous, motivate the triplets with like I was in a bar fight and he recent death of shows? During the glory today’s breed of nitpicky got hit in the face with a actor James Drury days of Westerns, when you fact-checkers. (“The clichés – “That mulch won’t DANNY spread itself you know.” stool, but necessity compels T (star of the 1962-1971 saw someone wearing a Washington Post gives that “Let the rake do the work.” in a crisis. TV Western “The Virgin- TYREE mask, it meant there would anachronistic use of post- ian”) adds insult to injury be bank vaults exploding, 1910 medical terminology I know I sounded just My only outing is my SPECIAL like my father, for whom regular run to the grocery when one considers what TO THE stagecoaches careening and four Pinocchios. No, wait – will occur next month. KATY bullets flying. Now viewers they’re building a campfire I was a self-contained store, which isn’t much of a TIMES leaf and snow removal field trip because it’s about When the networks settle for the thin gruel of out of Pinocchio! Nooooo!”) system. Oddly enough, as a mile from our house. announce the shows they’re “He wears a mask and he… *Sigh* I wouldn’t want much as I loathed raking Still, these trips have led canceling and launching, he…be still, my beating political correctness to over- yet again there will be no heart…he SINGS.” take the rugged individual- and shoveling when I was me to make the following Wild West.” (If you hap- young, I actually enjoy it observation – Americans, true Westerns in contention True, there are Western ism of Westerns. Guest-star for a coveted spot on the fall pen to hear me whistling themes in science-fiction RuPaul anywhere near a now. Still, when you have and I’m including myself, anything about “Rubber need to eat more fruits and schedules. programs such as Disney’s group of dance hall “girls” three able-bodied 16-year- Ducky,” this bathtub ain’t vegetables. You can’t find a The year I was born, “The Mandalorian,” but I would have me figuring out olds (two girls and a boy) big enough for the both of roll of toilet paper or a fro- there were 30 “horse still have a hankering for at the saloon exits. It’s hard hanging around the house us, pardner.) zen pizza, but you can buy operas” spread out across least one or two low-tech to develop much dramatic with nowhere to go, why Sure, sophisticated enough Brussels sprouts three broadcast networks in series about owlhoots and tension between herders of should I risk throwing my viewers wallowing in today’s and navel oranges to keep prime time, and that culture varmints and sidewinders. laboratory-grown lamb and back out? supposed Golden Age of you going for weeks. left an indelible mark on As long as we don’t have to ranchers of laboratory-pro- What I didn’t account Television might call that There is one, universal me. (Not in the public exe- jazz them up by having the duced beef. No one wants to for was their work ethic and sort of genre saturation and undeniable essential cution sense, but indelible loner protagonist take along see the cavalry colonel tell- efficiency. They were- fin “wretched excess”; but what with which we all need to nonetheless.) Baby Grizzled Prospector. ing Native Americans, “Why ished in a couple of hours about the modern viewer’s and we had nothing left for come to terms – we’re in I still see Oscar-winning Granted, it would be an compete for scalps when we seemingly insatiable appe- them to do. this together and whether director East Clintwood as uphill battle to resuscitate have these nice PARTICIPA- tite for “police procedural” It is interesting to see you’re dealing with a sur- Rowdy Yates from “Raw- the Western genre. To a TION RIBBONS?” dramas and true-crime how we adjust our sched- plus of sprouts or teenagers, hide”. Ten-year-old me large extent, producers, Seriously, Hollywood miniseries? Today’s teens ules and adapt. I can say, each is a blessing, and small agonized when my parents directors and writers have – let’s sit down with a sar- can’t whine, “Is it a CRIME without fear of contra- price to pay for the greater sold my Twenty Mule Team been so insulated in their saparilla and work this out. if I stay out 30 minutes past diction, this is the longest good. Borax plastic model (the world of churning out flashy We already have enough dark?” without their parents I have gone in my life Rich Manieri is a Phil- purchase of which was urban dramas, they just writers growling, “Crud! replying, “We won’t know without watching sports on adelphia-born journalist inspired by the company’s don’t know how to pro- While I was ripping a story TV. I was so desperate the and author. He is currently sponsorship of “Death until after the AUTOPSY. duce a wide-open-spaces out of today’s headlines, I other day, I found myself a professor of journalism at Valley Days”). I’ve cheered If you cannot afford an Western. (“I wish I hadn’t messed up the Sudoku!” watching a 30-year-old Asbury University in Ken- every attempt to reboot attorney…” skimped on research. Hors- Danny welcomes email hockey game on YouTube. tucky. His book, “We Burn “Maverick.” It’s not unusual Isn’t there room for es do vote Republican, don’t responses at tyreetyrades@ Not the entire game, as if on Friday: A Memoir of My to hear me whistling the a good ol’ “high noon” they?”) aol.com and visits to his that makes it better. About Father and Me” is available themes to “Gunsmoke,” showdown amidst all the Potential showrunners Facebook fan page “Tyree’s halfway through I had to at amazon.com. You can “Bonanza” or “The Wild hype-filled competition would be loath to deal with Tyrades.” come to grips with the reali- reach him at manieri2@ ty that I have a problem. gmail.com. Katy Times Phone: (281) 391-3141 letter, as well as their address Fax: 281-391-2030 and telephone number for verification purposes. Letters Erica Baskin | Publisher can be submitted via e-mail to R. Hans Miller | Senior reporter [email protected]. Dennis Silva II | Sports editor Victoria Parker | Designer SUBSCRIPTION RATES Debbie Prejean | Bookkeeper The Katy Times (ISSN 067-180) Tom Hruska | Sales representative is published on Thursday for $35 per year in Harris,Waller OFFICE HOURS: and Fort Bend Counties and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday $45 elsewhere by The Katy 5507 Morton Road, Ste. 103 Times, 5507 Morton Road, Ste. Katy, TX 77493 103, Katy, TX 77493 Periodical- rate postage paid at Katy, TO REPORT NEWS: Texas 77494. 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Press releases Katy Times, P.O. Box 678, Katy, should be e-mailed only to Texas, 77492-0678. [email protected]. ABOUT OUR NEWSPAPER: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: The Katy Times is a member We encourage your Letters of the Texas Press Association. to the Editor submissions, The weekly newspaper is but we reserve the right published every Thursday. to edit for content and for Visit our Web site 24 hours space restrictions. All letters a day, seven days a week at must contain the full name www.katytimes.com for more of the person who wrote the news and information. THE KATY TIMES THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 5 KATYTIMES.COM EFFORTS from page 1 IMPACT OF

funded with a 75-25 split, COVID-19 NEAR KATY with FEMA covering 75% of The three counties that the Katy area falls within costs and the county 25%. have thousands of confirmed cases of the new The facility serves Katy, coronavirus. Authorities in the region believe as well as other cities within the numbers are underreported due to the lack Harris County such as Cy- of testing capability in the region, though that press and Houston, Hidalgo testing ability is increasing. As testing capability said. Staffing is provided by increases, the number of cases is expected to the Southeast Texas Regional continue rising exponentially. The data below is Advisory Council – common- accurate as of 11 a.m. April 14. ly referred to as SETRAC. R. HANS MILLER The county’s testing sites HARRIS CO. WALLER COUNTY have also increased their AND HOUSTON CONFIRMED CASES: 17 By late August, this now-empty shell will be transformed into offices for a justice of the peace, county commissioner and law capability to provide testing. CONFIRMED CASES: 3,747 enforcement officers, among others. ACTIVE CASES: 9 All sites within the county ACTIVE CASES: 3,059 RECOVERIES: 8 can now provide up to 500 RECOVERIES: 642 ern Command for Emergency Management DEATHS: 0 tests per site each weekday DEATHS: 46 SCHEDULE during any weather or disaster events.” and those in Houston up TEXAS from page 1 Rothe said the office has room to expand FORT BEND COUNTY to 1,000 tests daily. County CONFIRMED CASES: 14,624 on the property beyond the initial estimate residents must call 832- CONFIRMED CASES: 577 of 30 staff as the county’s population grows. ACTIVE CASES: 500 ACTIVE CASES: 11,726 manager at risk being Collier Construction, 927-7575 to be prescreened Funding for the project comes from the RECOVERIES: 63 RECOVERIES: 2,580 based in Brenham. West Point Electric and prior to being tested for 2017 Waller County Facilities bond for the DEATHS: 14 DEATHS: 318 Afton Plumbing are both installing utilities COVID-19 in Harris County. most part, but some additional funds were Houston residents should in the facility. allocated to install additional features in the Once opened, the facility will house call 832-393-4220. facility County Judge Trey Duhon said. A Work Safe, Stay Home offices for Precinct 4 Commissioner Justin Having the facility is expected to make Beckendorf, precinct 4 justice of the peace, order is in place through- offered through OakBend site in the county, but the life more convenient for South Waller resi- county will not likely receive precinct 4 Constable and staff, a Waller out Harris County through Medical Group hospital dents, Rothe said. Waller citizens will be able April 30. a site anytime soon. Testing County Sheriff’s Office annex, Waller County locations in Sugar Land and to pay their property taxes, deal with court Harris County is also is available in Katy and Tax Office annex, Waller County Clerk annex Richmond. Another site cases, and get other assistance that they now reporting the number Bellville. Testing at the Katy and offices for Department of Public Safety is available to the county’s have had to go to Hempstead for in the past, of cases across the county west in Wharton. site is run by Harris County officers, Rothe said. he said. by zip code and city through Fort Bend has also kept Public Health and is subject “The Precinct 4 Annex will also be fully “It’s over 30 miles from Brookshire to its public health web- its parks open but has to the prescreening process functional on its own with a generator, water Hempstead, and there is a great need for a site: http://publichealth. placed signage in the parks for Harris County (see the well, and septic system,” Rothe said. “The full-service county facility in the south part harriscountytx.gov/Re- to provide guidelines for Harris County portion of building will also serve as the County South- of the county,” Rothe said. sources/2019-Novel-Coro- usage of the parks and to this story). navirus encourage social distancing. Duhon updated and “While you enjoy public amended Waller Coun- Fort Bend County spaces outside, I ask you to ty’s public health disaster they want to move forward also said that, given budget Fort Bend County has carefully maintain social declaration April 1 in order COUNCIL with hiring a Katy-specific uncertainties, the city would also published case infor- distancing and the best to match Tex. Governor from page 1 health authority. However, reduce its goals and only mation by zip code on its sanitary practices to slow Greg Abbott’s orders related Shah said Saturday that do two of the four sewer response hub at: https:// the spread of coronavirus, to COVID-19. The order he was unaware of the city projects that had initially responders who contract covid-19-fort-bend-county- especially to those in our restricts public gather- attempting to reach him for been planned. A request COVID-19 in hotels to pro- response-fbcgis.hub.arcgis. community who are most ings to not more than 10 assistance. for bids from vendors will tect their families if the need com/ people and encourages all “Directly, I haven’t gotten go out for work that will be vulnerable,” Fort Bend should arise as the situation “Providing multiple Waller residents to practice any contact like that. Our done on South Woods Lane County Judge KP George continues, Harris said. mapped views of accurate social distancing and good team may have been con- and Alabama Street, which said. Approval of a health case count density allows hygiene. Nonessential tacted,” Shah said. Lutringer said would be the citizens and stakeholders businesses are required authority had previous- Shah did acknowledge projects set to move forward Waller County ly been postponed from to better assess commu- to remain closed until the that his pace since the now that the bids had been With 17 confirmed cases both the April 6 and April nity impact. Regardless of order is lifted or amended. health crisis began has kept rejected. as of Tuesday morning, 9 special meetings held the case count, we should “It is absolutely vital to him from getting to all of City Administrator Byron Waller County continues by the council. However, a not let our guard down. remember that Texas has the emails he has received, Hebert said the project for to maintain a lower case contract moving through a Continue to practice social not yet reached its peak,” but he had not heard from the improvements to the counts than its two Katy-ar- government body in Texas – distancing, stay home, and Duhon said Monday. “It anyone at the county level parking lot at the police ea neighbors, County Judge seems that quite a few peo- even under a state of health wash your hands with soap indicating that Katy’s ad- station and library would be Trey Duhon said in a Face- ple are out and about today, emergency such as has and water for 20 seconds,” ministration was trying to put on hold in order to be book post. and nothing has changed been declared in the city, all said Dr. Jacquelyn Minter, reach him. cautious with the budget. local health authority for Duhon said he has made in terms of staying at home counties the city resides in Katy City Council also Sales tax revenue has taken Fort Bend County. multiple requests to the and only going out for and statewide – in less than rejected bids for sewer a hit for the city, Hebert said, Screening in Fort Bend Texas Department of State essential items or to provide a week is not necessarily un- projects and repaving of the which places the city in a for COVID-19 is currently Health Services for a testing essential services.” expected or unusual under parking lots in front of the position to be more cautious state procurement regula- police station and library than it ordinarily would. tions. The Texas Comptrol- on Franz Road. Documents “We’re going to try to ler of Public Accounts has provided by the city indicate keep as much money as we specific requirements for that the bids received for the can right now in our general government contracts in the sewer projects far exceeded fund to see where that sales state that must be met. the budget for the sewer tax number is going to go, so Cajun Catﬁ sh City officials said last renovations. right now we’re asking that week that they have been Katy Public Works (Katy City Council) would having a difficult time Director Elaine Lutringer just postpone on this – reject getting in touch with Shah said the initial budget for the them now, and when we to obtain authorization to sewer project was $200,000 come out of this (health cri- Mondays move forward with their but the bids received for the sis) we’ll put these budgets own planning, which is why project varied greatly. She back up,” Hebert said. 5:00 – 9:00 pm

those found to be price-gouging necessary All You Can Eat DISASTER supplies such as fuel or medical supplies. from page 1 Abbott has issued more than 110 ex- for $10.99 ecutive actions since his initial March 13 an executive order from Abbott if he finds disaster declaration, with most of those that “the threat or danger has passed; or either directly or indirectly associated with (B) the disaster has been dealt with to the COVID-19 pandemic. the extent that emergency conditions no Abbott continues to encourage Texans to longer exist.” practice social distancing and support health Abbott’s disaster declaration activates care workers and others on the front lines in Texas’ Emergency Management Plan and the fight against the new coronavirus. the State Operations Center to improve the “The State of Texas is forever grateful for state’s ability to respond, according to the the committed health care workers serving governor’s website. It also allows the Texas on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response,” Department of Emergency Management Abbott said in an April 11 statement sup- to reassign personnel and other resourc- porting health care workers. “Their sacrifice es – including supplies received from the and hard work cannot be overstated, and Strategic National Stockpile – as needed they play a crucial role in ensuring their to address the emergency situation that fellow Texans have the care and support they caused the disaster declaration. Abbott’s need during this challenging time. I ask that actions also allow the Office of the Texas all Texans join me and Cecilia in praying for Attorney General to pursue cases against these heroic Texans.” Kathy’s Jim Baker’s Unified Shrimp Theory Of Everything --- With God’s Help (JBUTOE-WGH) A new book about Science Boil and God. Revised publish date: late 2020 BAKER’S BOOKS, Katy, TX from 5-9pm 22237 Katy FRWY (close to Landry’s) (ad revised: 11/22/2019; previous ads are null and void) (every Friday) for $10.50 lb This new book will contain a credible “unified theory of everything” that can explain the very basics of science. Albert Einstein predicted that someone “off the street” was going to do this someday. After includes corn and potato 53 years (at approx. year 2000), I decided to include God at every step of the process of trying to come up with a scientific “Theory of Everything”. Prior to this, it was about the “only thing” I felt I had not been successful at inventing or figuring out. --- You see, God had already given me the gift of inventing with every pound. at age 9-10, in His response to my Second Major Prayer. --- By the year 2014, God had allowed me to assemble sufficient knowledge that I felt 95%, of what I needed to figure out, had been accomplished. One thing I had always wished for, especially as I was approaching the age of 40, is for God to speak to me. Well, when God did speak to me, I liked my first message from God about as much, I suppose, as Abraham liked his message from God, when he was told to sacrifice his son. But God was testing both of us! God was also making us stronger. There are still two major topics in life to be addressed, prior to publishing the new book. One is a major release of scientific information of the new theory across the U.S.A. The second is starting an evangelical ministry. Author of new book is a Chemistry graduate (B.S. 1971/M.S. 1978) of Texas A&M (A&I) in Kingsville, TX. He also attended S.A.C. in San Antonio. He has additional hours at SWTSU, Texas Tech U., Boston College, Westinghouse PWR. He has worked at Texas Uranium Operations as Chief Chemist, at South 9027 S.E. I 10 Frontage Rd. • Sealy, Texas 77474 Texas Nuclear Project as Nuclear Chemist during pre-startup, and retired from City of Houston where he was in charge of Technical Services Section of Bureau of Air Quality Control. Owner of BAKER’S BOOKS is also the author of God’s Amazing Answer To Prayer, in 2012. 979-987-6077 THE KATY TIMES 6 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 TRIBUTES KATYTIMES.COM

Stephanie Marie was born in Ch- day as “the best day of my life.” Steph- and admired by hundreds of friends Natalie JoAnn Allen was born on July 20, 1978 in Columbus, ula Vista, California on April 17, 1987. anie and Justin celebrated their 10th and loved ones across the globe. Ohio to Stanley “Dick” Allen and Barbara Lee (Schnarr) Allen. Stephanie moved to Texas at 1 ½ wedding anniversary in October 2019. Stephanie was a member of Katy’s Natalie never met a stranger. She was a loving person who years old and lived During their mar- First Baptist Church, and was an cared about everyone. She was most of her life in riage, the Lamberts active and passionate volunteer in a wonderful daughter, sister, the Katy/Cypress, built two beautiful her community and at her children’s aunt, cousin, and friend to all Texas area. Stepha- and loving homes schools. who knew her. Natalie had nie’s education was together. While Stephanie Marie is survived by a huge heart and a generous spent in the Cy- working outside of her loving husband, Justin James, and spirit. She was blessed with an press Fairbanks In- the home, Stepha- her beautiful children Ayden Daniel extraordinary imagination and dependent School nie had a success- and Evelynn Marie. Immediate family had passion for the creative arts district, where she ful professional survivors include her parents Cather- and photography. Mostly, she was a graduate of career working in ine and George Shutts, brother Tyler enjoyed spending time with her Cypress-Springs the Accounting, (Wendy) Shutts, grandmother Sally family and friends, and she was High School, class Executive Support Johnson, aunt Lisa (Howard) Smith, an especially compassionate of 2005. During her and Human Re- uncle Dan (Jenna) Johnson, cousin and devoted caregiver to her years in school, source fields. Jennifer (fiancé Zach) May, as well dad. Stephanie enjoyed The Lamberts as numerous in-laws, aunts, uncles, Natalie JoAnn Allen passed cheerleading, welcomed their and cousins by marriage. Stephanie is away on Wednesday, April 8, track, volleyball, STEPHANIE MARIE LAMBERT first child, a son preceded in death by her grandfather 2020 in Katy, Texas at the age NATALIE JOANN ALLEN dance and drill 1987-2019 Ayden Daniel, in Larry Johnson. of 41. 1978-2019 team. During her August of 2012. Due to current CDC and state She is survived by her loving high school years, Their second child, health restrictions, a memorial service parents, Dick and Barbie Allen Stephanie was an accomplished and a daughter Evelynn Marie, was born and celebration of life for Stephanie of Columbus, Texas; her brother, Matthew Allen of Katy, Texas; beautiful dancer serving as a prideful in July 2015. Stephanie was passionate will be announced on a later date and her sister, Carrie Allen Coston of Brenham, Texas; her Aunts and member of the Cypress-Springs High about being both a wife and mother, held at Katy’s First Baptist Church, in Uncles JoAnn and Richard Young, Steven and Charlene Schnarr, School Panteras dance and drill team. and fulfilled those roles with love, Katy, Texas, as soon as allowable. Daniel and Debbie Schnarr, and Pegg Allen; numerous cousins, Upon High School graduation, strength, generosity and laughter. The butterfly is symbolic of brain nieces, and a nephew; dear family friends Susan, Casey, Cannon Stephanie attended Lone Star College After only 10 months of marriage, cancer awareness, so Stephanie’s and Charles “Chuck” Smith, Michelle Zimmerman, Rookh and Er- where she was the Captain of the Stephanie was diagnosed with brain celebration of life will be filled with vin Heinrich, Alex Roig, JD Bowen and her beloved fur baby, Lizzie. Lone Star College dance team. Steph- cancer. Justin lovingly supported vibrant colors and graceful ornate Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, a memorial service will anie earned her Associates Degree in and cared for Stephanie for over 10 butterflies in her honor. be held at a later date. Accounting, graduating on the Dean’s years, as the disease progressed into a “As you danced in the light with joy, In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in List, cum laude with honors. After Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) ter- love lifted you. As you brushed against Natalie Allen’s honor to the GBS/CIDP Foundation International her graduation at Lone Star College, minal brain tumor. Stephanie showed this world so gently, you lifted us”. — at https://www.gbs-cidp.org/ or Special Pals Animal Shelter of Stephanie continued her education at tremendous grace and strength T.C. Ring Houston at https://specialpalsshelter.org/. Sam Houston State University, major- during her determined battle to beat Funeral services held under the To express condolences, please visit www.SchmidtFuneral- ing in Finance. this cancer. She never lost hope or her direction of Schmidt Funeral Home at Home.net. In October of 2009, Stephanie sense of humor and was focused on 1344 W. Grand Parkway South in Katy, Arrangements are under the direction of Schmidt Funeral married Justin James Lambert. Steph- living happily and making as many Texas. They can be reached at (281) Home at 1344 W. Grand Parkway South in Katy, Texas. They can be anie always referred to their wedding memories as she could. She was loved 391-2424. reached at (281) 391-2424.

This devotional page and directory is made possible by these businesses who encourage all of us to Devotional Page attend worship services. For more information, see our Church Directory Online at www.katytimes.com BAKER’S BOOKS The Katy Times Usually Open: Wed-Fri: 2-6 PM Sat: 10-1PM Directory ofLocal Churches @22237 Katy Frwy., TX (ad revised: 01/03/20) & Houses of Worship

ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH OF CHRIST FAITH WEST CHURCH EL SHADDAI ASAMBLEA DE DIOS CHURCH OF CHRIST - KATY 2225 PORTER ROAD • 281-391-LIFE Your Ad Here! GARY KERR, PASTOR 5610 LILAC STREET • 281-391-8339 5438 E. 5TH STREET • 281-391-7606 THE FELLOWSHIP Call Debbie for more information PASTORS, PETER & ESTELA PINON CINCO RANCH CHURCH OF CHRIST FAMILY LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 6655 S. MASON ROAD • 281-579-3100 22765 WESTHEIMER PARKWAY • 281-395-3950 WWW.THEFELLOWSHIP.ORG 24911 ROESNER ROAD • 281-392-0637 AARON WALLING, MINISTER JERRY EDMONSON, PASTOR 281-391-3141 ALBERT CORTEZ, PASTOR • WWW.FLAG.CHURCH CHURCH OF CHRIST IN FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHURCH JOURNEY CHURCH BRIDGEWATER 1507 KATY FLEWELLEN RD. • 281-646-1084 541 PIN OAK ROAD, KATY • 281-391-3326 21650 CRESTBROOK COVE DR. KATY, TX 77449 DON GRIFFIN, PASTOR SUNDAY SERVICE AT 10:30 AM FRY ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST HOSANNA! WWW.JOURNEYCHURCHKATY.COM 2510 FRY ROAD AT FRANZ • 281-578-1897 FUNERAL HOME 17700 CLAY RD. • 281-345-1182 JEREMIAH HILL, LEAD PASTOR BOB PULLIAM JAMES P. BELL, PASTOR Serving Katy and West Houston since 1945 WESTPARK CHURCH OF CHRIST KAINOS COMMUNITY CHURCH BAPTIST MEETING AT FULSHEAR COMMUNITY CENTER (281) 391-2424 19946 SAUMS ROAD • 281-599-1473 1508 East Avenue • Katy, Texas 77493 ANTIOCH MISSIONARY 281-712-1492 JOE AND YOLAND HERRON-PALMORE, Mailing Address: 1415 East Avenue, Suite B • Katy, Texas 77493 BAPTIST CHURCH WWW.WESTPARKCOC.ORG PASTORS 655 DANOVER • 281-391-2263 EPISCOPAL KATY BIBLE CHURCH TYRONE FREEMAN, PASTOR CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES 2500 AVENUE D BRIDGEWATER BAPTIST CHURCH 1225 W. GRAND PARKWAY SOUTH • 281-392- 281-391-7284 • 281-391-6855 A/C & FRANZ ELEMENTARY 3310 MATT MANCINI, PASTOR Heating 2751 WESTGREEN BLVD. • 281-578-0970 TRUE FIX ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL KATY COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP Lic #TACLB004843E MICHAEL THOMPSON, PASTOR 1936 DREXEL, KATY • 281-391-2785 24102 KINGSLAND BOULEVARD Quality Service for over 42 Years CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH REV. MARK WILKINSON 281-391-0099 Living in KATY, Working in KATY & KATY Proud 281-392-9334 MAYDE CREEK TIM BARKER, PASTOR “We’re in Your Neighborhood and 2855 GREENHOUSE ROAD • 281-492-2689 LUTHERAN KINDRED SPIRIT We’ll Be Here When You Need Us” www.truefix.com LARRY MADDOX, PASTOR CROSSPOINT COMMUNITY CHURCH CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP KATY’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 700 S. WESTGREEN • 281-398-6464 22025 I-10 W., 281-492-6064 600 PIN OAK • 281-391-1100 PAUL GOEKE, LEAD PASTOR RAMADA LIMITED HOTEL, RM. 306 21715 Kingsland Blvd. Ste. 105 COLEMAN PHILLEY, SR. PASTOR 281-855-3402 • REV. L. R. FURR, PASTOR LIVING WORD Katy Tx, 77450 GOOD NEWS BAPTIST CHURCH EVANGELICAL-LUTHERAN LIFE CHURCH katyteeth.com OF HOUSTON 3700 SOUTH MASON ROAD 2610 GREENBUSCH • 281-395-5433 2502 KATY HOCKLEY CUT-OFF • 281-391-9199 281-392-2300 SAM RUDD, PASTOR M-Th 7am-7pm VIRGIL YEHNERT, PASTOR MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHRISTS MERCY Fri. 7am-3pm KINGSLAND BAPTIST CHURCH MISSOURI-SYNOD 3506 PORTER RD. Sat. 8am-2pm 20555 KINGSLAND BLVD. • 281-492-0785 3RD ST. & AVE. D, KATY • 281-391-0171 281-391-2273 PASTOR RYAN RUSH JOHN DAVIS WADE CASHION, PASTOR License # 9157 PARKWAY FELLOWSHIP VICTORY OF THE LAMB– NEW HORIZONS 27043 FM 1093 • 281-391-6673 WISCONSIN SYNOD WORD OF FAITH CHURCH WWW.PARKWAYFELLOWSHIP.COM 20351 CINCO RANCH BLVD. @ PEEK RD. 906 AVENUE A (CHAPEL) PASTOR: MIKE MCGOWN 281-395-0544 • NATHAN BUEGE, PASTOR 281-391-6770 REDEEMER COMMUNITY CHURCH EDDIE L. STALLWORTH-CHERRY, JR., PASTOR P.O. Box 758 281-931-1833 24201 CINCO RANCH BLVD. • 281-371-21-56 METHODIST NORTHWEST BELIEVERS CHURCH Katy, Texas 77492 Fax: 281-391-1845 www.landscapebycountrycare.com • [email protected] MITCH MAHER, PASTOR FIRST UNITED METHODIST - KATY 5423 E FIFITH STREET • 281-829-8985 LARRY CONNER, PASTOR RIVER BEND BAPTIST CHURCH 5601 FIFTH STREET • 281-391-2121 Irrigation, Sales & Service 26700 FM 1093. • 281-346-2279 DR. RICHARD L. WHITE, SENIOR PASTOR POWERHOUSE CHRISTIAN CENTER P.O. Box 758 • Katy, TX 77492 Katy Hardware WWW.RIVERBENDC.ORG GRACE FELLOWSHIP 1818 KATYLAND ROAD • 281-391-0095 UNITED METHODIST CHURCH G. F. WATKINS, PASTOR Hardware Store Kay & Mickey Powers, Owners JOHN C. CROWE, PASTOR 281-391-1833 Your Hometown SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, 2655 S. MASON ROAD CREEKSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH Fax: 281-391-1845 559 Pin Oak Rd. (NEXT TO GREAT S.W. EQUESTRIAN CENTER) MEETING @ WOODCREEK J.H.S • 713-705-4878 Katy, TX 77494 West Campus 19449 KATY FREEWAY • 713-465-3408 281-646-1903 • JIM LEGGETT, PASTOR RESURRECTION CITY CHURCH OF Albert W. Thompson HOLY COVENANT UNITED Owner 281-391-3437 • Fax 281-391-6922 DR. ED YOUNG, PASTOR KATY 23855 CINCO RANCH BLVD. METHODIST www.katyhardware.com TRI-COUNTY BAPTIST DR. BLANCHARD D. LAYTON, SR., SENIOR PASTOR www.landscapebycountrycare.com • cSUountITEryc 240are@ KAconsTYoli, TXdat e7749d.net4 5715 PEEK ROAD • 281-371-3900 22111 MORTON ROAD (AT MASON) • 281-579-1200 MINISTER CRISELDA VALVERDE, TEL. 281.579.7400 RICK SHRADER, PASTOR FRED WILLIS, SENIOR PASTOR ASSISTANT TO THE PASTOR Katy Veterinary Clinic TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH ST. PETER’S CHURCH SERVICES: 11:30 - 1:00 3 Praise be to the God and Father Serving the Greater Katy Area Since 1964 UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 10000 SPRING GREEN BLVD. 5819 10TH STREET 20775 KINGSLAND BLVD. • 281-492-8031 Kari Cleavinger, D.V.M. • Lori Smith, D.V.M. KATY, TX 77494 CHURCH #: 281-291-8596 of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father DR. PAT SPARKS, PASTOR Hillary Barra, D.V.M. • Catherine Berry, DVM 281-579-6724 • TRINITY-KATY.ORG PASTOR'S CELL 832-332-4687 Jessica Machala, DVM of compassion and the God of all What every PASTOR JOSH GUAJARDO MINISTER’S CELL: 832-335-2552 pet deserves. MORMON 27227 Hwy. Blvd., Katy WESTLAND BAPTIST CHURCH CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF CROSSINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH comfort, Open M-F 7-6 • Sat 8-12 www.katyvetclinic.com 281-391-3169 • 1407 GRAND PARKWAY SOUTH • 281-392-5099 LATTER DAY SAINTS 26100 CINCO RANCH BLVD. KATY, TX 77494 ROY MEADOWS, PASTOR 1928 DREXEL WWW.CROSSINGSCOMMUNITYCHURCH.ORG 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, 1005 Katy Fort Bend Rd. WESTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH & 281-391-0687 MEETS AT 10:40 AM AT KILPATRICK ELEMENTARY Katy, TX 77493 ACADEMY 281-391-5439 so that we can comfort those in any THE 3883 LAKES OF BRIDGEWATER DR • 281-492- CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF 3448 LATTER DAY SAINTS PENTECOSTAL trouble with the comfort we ourselves TRINITY FAITH CHURCH CARPET EXCHANGE REV. RICHARD D. BUTTS, PASTOR 1603 Norwalk receive from God. 10TH & AVE. D • 281-391-3310 KATY 281-578-8934 DR. PHILLIP AND JILL CELEMENTS, PASTORS Residential & Commercial 281-391-6999 ANGLICAN BISHOP SCOTT BAUER Flooring [email protected] THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. MATTHIAS NOTTINGHAM COUNTRY WARD HERITAGE FAMILY CHURCH 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 2120 KATY HOCKLEY CUTOFF • 281-391-1010 DIOCESE OF MID AMERICA 281-578-8930 MICHAEL FILLMER, PASTOR 4142 DAYFLOWER • 281-463-2304 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF WWW.HERITAGEFAMILYKATY.ORG GRACE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY LATTER DAY SAINTS 24968 KATY RANCH ROAD, KATY, TEXAS 77494 9950 SOUTH MASON THE PENTECOSTALS OF KATY 281-769-5544 281-398-7796 1941 WESTBOROUGH • 281-829-1175 WWW.GRACEANGLICANKATY.COM ROB MCKEE, PASTOR RECTOR: ROBERT HENSON NAZARENE WESTSIDE CHURCH PRESBYTERIAN CATHOLIC OF THE NAZARENE CORNERSTONE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD CATHOLIC 3434 FRY ROAD • 281-492-0234 EVANGELICAL-PRESBYTERIAN 1530 NORWALK DR. (NOTTINGHAM) • 281-578-0707 REV. KENT SCHWAMBERGER, PASTOR 1351 S. MASON RD. • 281-579-1080 FR. TOM LAM REV. CARTER SANGER, PASTOR ST. BARTHOLOMEW CHURCH NON-DENOMINATIONAL GRAND LAKES PRESBYTERIAN 5356 ELEVENTH ST. • 281-391-4758 CHURCH ON THE ROCK 6035 S. FRY RD. FR. CHRISTOPHER PLANT, PASTOR 433 S. BARKER CYPRESS • 281-599-9777 REV. DEAN POGUE, PASTOR ST. EDITH STEIN CATHOLIC JORGE H. CARDENAS, PASTOR 281-646-7500 COMMUNITY BELIEVERS’ WORLD OUTREACH CHURCH NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN 3311 N. FRY ROAD • 281-492-7500 1600 WOODS ROAD • 888-334-BWOC(2962) 1350 N. MASON ROAD • 281-492-8520 REV. RYSZARD KULMA, PASTOR TOMMY AND RACHEL BURCHFIELD, PASTOR REV. BRIAN LONG CHRIST CHURCH PCA When the cares CHRISTIAN THE EMPOWERMENT CENTER 10818 GASTON ROAD FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 20910 PARK ROW 281-392-0002 of my heart (Disciples of Christ) 281-578-3535 REV. FRED GRECO, SENIOR PASTOR are many, 22101 MORTON ROAD • 281-492-2693 DAVID ROBERSON, PASTOR REV. HEATHER TOLLESON, MINISTER FAITH MANGER CHURCH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST your consolations Your Computer Help Expert CURRENT-A CHRISTIAN CHURCH 20701 KINGSLAND BLVD. @ DOMINION SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH cheer my soul. 26600 WESTHEIMER PKWY • 281-395-4722 281-578-2550 1913 EAST AVENUE• 281-398-1301 www.xpernet.com DARREN WALTER, MINISTER DAVID L. 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FOR RENT PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC OR LEASE April 9 NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES NOTICES 2000 SQ FT, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, ﬁ replace, kitch- Puzzle Answers NOTICE NOTICE en island, granite NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN ORDINANCE NO. 2945 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN ORDINANCE NO. 2946 downstairs bar BEARING THE FOLLOWING CAPTION WAS ADOPTED BEARING THE FOLLOWING CAPTION WAS ADOPTED located in quiet BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KATY, TEXAS, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KATY, TEXAS, neighborhood in ON MARCH 23, 2020: Crystal Beach, ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020: Tx by School. For An Ordinance Amending City Of Katy Zoning AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KATY, more information, Ordinance 621, By Granting A Special Use Permit TEXAS DECLARING A PUBLIC HEALTH call 936-488- Located At 5364 Franz Road For Wireless EMERGENCY; PROVIDING FOR A FINE IN AN 1314. AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2, 000 FOR EACH ----- Telecommunication Facilities In A “ R- 1” Single Family District, As Allowed By Section 15. 2- 10 OFFENSE. PUBLISHER’S Of The City Of Katy Zoning Ordinance; Providing NOTICE: For An Effective Date; Repealing All Ordinances All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair And Parts Of Ordinances In Conflict Herewith; Housing Act which makes it illegal Providing For Severability And Providing A to advertise “any preference, lim- itation or discrimination based on Penalty In An Amount Up To $ 2, 000 For A INVITATION TO BID race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or Violation Of Any Provision Of The Ordinance. Sealed bids in duplicate addressed to Mr. J.R. Dollins, an intention or discrimination.” Fa- III, President, Brookshire-Katy Drainage District, will be milial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or received in the offices of Brookshire-Katy Drainage legal custodians, pregnant women District, 1111 Kenney Street, Brookshire, Texas 77423, and people securing custody of children under 18. Request for Proposals until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2020, and then This newspaper will not knowing- publicly opened and read for furnishing all labor, material ly accept any advertising for real es- Drymalla Construction Company, Inc. (CM at Risk) is and equipment and performing all work required for tate which is in violation of the law. soliciting Qualifications/Proposals from Subcontractors Our readers are hereby informed construction of: HARVEY CHANNEL RECOVERY – that all dwellings advertised in this for the Lamar Consolidated ISD High School and Junior newspaper are available on an equal High Renovations and Additions. Project consists of High PHASE II STALKNECHT AND WILLOW FORK. Due opportunity basis. To complain of to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Federal guidelines of discrimination call HUD toll-free School Classroom and Administration Renovations, Band at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free and LGI Additions. Junior High, Choir Renovations not gathering in groups of more than 10 people, people telephone number for who want to attend the bid opening must do so by the hearing impaired is and Additions. Qualifications/Proposals are due at 1-800-927-9275. 2:00 PM on Wednesday April 22, 2020 at the offices of telephone (832-856-3756, Conference ID: 579 657 876#). Drymalla Construction Company, Inc., 608 Harbert, The projects are located in Brookshire-Katy, Texas. Columbus, Texas 78934, via fax 979-732-3663, or email to Stalknecht is located north of I-10, east of Stalknecht Road NO PHONE BIDS WILL BE [email protected]. and south of Morton Road. Willow Fork is located south of ACCEPTED! MISC. MISC. MISC. For information on how to obtain copies US-90, north of I-10 and east of Igloo Road. of the Request for Qualifications/Proposals documents call 979-732-5731, or email Jason Labay at If the amount of the bid exceeds $25,000.00, Official Bidder’s [email protected]. Documents are available online Bond signed by the Surety and Bidder, Cashier’s Check, OIL, GAS, & at http://www.drymallaplans.com and Virtual Builders Certified Check, or letter of credit from a FDIC insured WE BUY MINERAL RIGHTS Exchange. bank in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the greatest amount bid must accompany each proposal, made payable Both non-producing and producing to the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District. including Non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI) Plans, specifications, and bidding documents are available Provide us your desired price for an offer evaluation. Visit us at KatyTimes.com at www.civcast.com. CALL TODAY: 806.620.1422 ATTENTION: Pursuant to Texas Government Code 2252.908, you must be able to provide the Brookshire-Katy LOBO MINERALS, LLC Drainage District (the “District”) with a printed, executed and PO Box 1800 • Lubbock, TX 79408-1800 MISC. MISC. MISC. notarized original of a completed Certificate of Interested [email protected] Parties Form (Form 1295) with executed Contracts. Failure to do so will result in the District not executing the Contract. To complete the disclosure of interested parties form, or for further information, please visit the Texas Ethics Commission’s website at https://www.ethics.state.tx.us. There will be a pre-bid conference via telephone (832-856-3756, Conference ID: 718 818 543#) at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 16, 2020. Attendance is not mandatory. The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids OIL AND GAS RIGHTS and to waive any or all formalities in bidding. In case TexSCAN Week of of ambiguity or lack of clearness in stating prices in the April 12, 2020 proposal, the District reserves the right to adopt the prices We buy oil, gas & mineral rights. Both non- producing written in words or to reject the proposal. No bids may be ACREAGE and producing including non-Participating Royalty withdrawn until the expiration of 60 days from the date Interest (NPRI). Provide us your desired price for an bids are opened. Hunting/investment/recreational property. We offer evaluation. 806-620-1422, LoboMineralsLLC@ have some of the best in Texas! From the Hill Country gmail.com. Lobo Minerals, LLC, PO Box 1800, (Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde County, free Lubbock, TX 79408-1800. ranging exotics) to South Texas (Kinney, Duval, Live REAL ESTATE Oak County, whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage. 30-year fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down. Bankruptcy Sale – Premium Turnkey Guest Ranch on Call toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, 72± Beautiful Acres. 4168 County Rd. 444, Waelder, TX www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720. – Austin Area. 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Reclaim independence and mobility with the offense. qualified customers. compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Ordinance No. 131 Free information kit! Call 866-747-9983. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PATTISON INTERNET REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 123 AND REPLACING Life Alert. One press of a button sends help FAST, SAID ORDINANCE WITH THIS ORDINANCE WHICH AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with PROHIBITS THE PLACEMENT OF MOBILE HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOMES WITHIN THE CITY agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Get More For GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL OF PATTISON; MAKING EXCEPTION FOR THE Your High-Speed Internet Thing. Ask us how to bundle 844-831-1525. FREE Brochure. PLACEMENT OF MANUFACTURED HOMES IN A and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. Call us today MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR A DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION; 1-855-439-5457. Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL PROVIDING PROCEDURES FOR THE PLATTING OF MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS AND MOBILE HOMES coverage for 350 procedures. Call 1-855-901-0467 MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISIONS; for details. www.dental50plus.com/txpress. 6118-0219 REQUIRING A LICENSE TO OPERATE A Lowest prices and largest selection on 9 manu- MANUFACTURED HOME PARK; ESTABLISHING SATELLITE TV PLACEMENT PERMITS; ESTABLISHING factures Clayton, Southern Energy, Fleetwood, REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF Cavco, Cavalier, New Vision and Legacy DIRECTV - Switch and Save! $39.99/month. Select RECREATIONAL VEHICLES WITHIN THE CITY OF DELIVERED ANYWHERE IN TEXAS! Low PATTISON; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; All-Included Package. 155 Channels. 1000s of Shows/ ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION rates for good credit & specialty financing for bad Movies On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade. OF THIS ORDINANCE. A violation of this ordinance is credit, www.ManufacturedHousingConsultants.com Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 mos! Call punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for violations of a rule, ordinance, or police 210-750-6011. 1-855-710-4824. ... regulation that governs fire safety, public safety, zoning, and public health and sanitation, other than dumping of Texas Press Statewide Classified Network refuse. PASSED by a majority vote of the members of the City 273 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Council this 7th day of April 2020. Start At $250 • Email [email protected] Details about these ordinances can be found on the City of Pattison website: www.pattison.texas.gov under the NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We Information Section. Contact the City Secretary at 281- urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the 934-3715 or via email at [email protected] with any questions. Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop. THE KATY TIMES 8 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 TEXAS KATYTIMES.COM Fenves leaving Texas flagship June 30 By SHANNON NAJMABADI THE TEXAS TRIBUNE “The timing of this University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves news in the middle of the is leaving the state’s flagship college for Emory Univer- sity, where he will become COVID-19 pandemic is president Aug. 1, he told the UT community in an email not what I had expected Tuesday. He will depart June 30. or wanted. Our dedicated “The timing of this news in the middle of the COVID-19 faculty and staff have pandemic is not what I had expected or wanted,” Fenves striven to make the spring wrote. “Our dedicated faculty and staff have striven to make 2020 semester meaningful the spring 2020 semester meaningful for our students. for our students. I want I want you to understand that I remain singularly focused you to understand that on continuing that work, completing the semester and getting our community back I remain singularly to normal before my presi- MARJORIE KAMYS COTERA dency ends on June 30.” focused on continuing Fenves has been president Greg Fenves has been president of the University of Texas at Austin since 2015. of UT-Austin since 2015, after that work, completing the serving as executive vice term succeeded years of strife placed in me as leader of this that she would retire effective president and provost, and as between former President great university that im- this August. semester and getting our dean of the Cockrell School Bill Powers and regents and proves the lives of Texans and Clare Proctor contributed of Engineering. statewide leaders who were changes the world every day.” to this report. The University community back to normal During his tenure, the pushing to make the univer- Fenves received a bach- of Texas at Austin has been a fi- university successfully sity more closely resemble a elor’s degree from Cornell nancial supporter of The Texas before my presidency defended its race-conscious business. University and master’s and Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpar- admissions program before “I am proud and honored doctorate degrees from the tisan news organization that ends on June 30.” the Supreme Court and to have served as dean of University of California, is funded in part by donations expanded the financial assis- engineering, provost and, for Berkeley, in civil engineering. from members, foundations — GREG FENVES, UNIVERSITY OF tance it offers low- and mid- the past five years, president The current president of and corporate sponsors. Finan- dle-income undergraduates. of UT,” Fenves wrote. “I am Emory, a private university in cial supporters play no role in TEXAS AT AUSTIN PRESIDENT Fenves’ comparatively calm grateful for the trust you Georgia, announced last year the Tribune’s journalism.

MICHAEL STRAVATO The Tomball nursing home near Houston is where an elderly man lived briefly before dying on March 18 of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

IVAN PIERRE AGUIRRE Around 13% of The Tornillo detention facility, used in 2018 to detain undocumented immigrant children, was reopened last year to hold single adults amid a spike in apprehensions of nursing homes undocumented immigrants at the Texas-Mexico border. have a resident Millions wasted on detention facility By JULIÁN AGUILAR That comes out to a cost of about hold adult migrants after Border Patrol THE TEXAS TRIBUNE $431,000 per day. stations in Texas reached or exceeded During the initial three-month their capacity last year during a surge with COVID-19 The federal government wasted contract — which was later extend- of border crossings, mostly by Central millions in taxpayer dollars on food, ed for two more months — the GAO Americans seeking asylum. Agents said By EDGAR WALTERS supplies and personnel during a brief found that U.S. Customs and Border repeatedly that Border Patrol holding THE TEXAS TRIBUNE reopening of a West Texas immigra- Protection spent $5.3 million on food, stations were not built to house people tion detention facility last year, a gov- food delivery and other supplies, for long periods of time and they would More than 160 of the state’s 1,222 nursing homes, ernment watchdog reported Thursday. enough for 2,500 detainees per day — need additional facilities if the surge or about 13%, have at least one case of the new coro- The findings from the Govern- but averaged just 1% of capacity. The continued. navirus, state officials said Thursday. And 38 nurs- ment Accountability Office focus on government adjusted food deliveries In its response to the GAO findings, ing home residents and staff members have died of expenditures from August to Decem- and reduced those costs during the the Trump administration said it didn’t COVID-19 statewide. ber to operate the tent encampment two-month extension. have the luxury of hindsight, as did the The disclosure, made late Thursday by the Texas at Tornillo, a rural community in The government spent an additional GAO, when it was operating the facility, Health and Human Services Commission, is the first eastern El Paso County. The facility $6.7 million on 75 unarmed guards and it couldn’t predict what effect time Texas has made public the extent of COVID-19’s was reopened to hold single adults to monitor the facility 24 hours a day, other border security measures would spread in nursing homes, as other states have done. amid a spike in apprehensions of and agents from Customs and Border have on overall crossings. The move comes after The Texas Tribune reported undocumented immigrants at the Tex- Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, and Im- “In leadership’s view, it would have Wednesday that Texas was not disclosing comprehen- as-Mexico border. It was previously migration and Customs Enforcement, been worse to close facilities such as sive data on nursing home residents and staffers who used in 2018 to detain undocumented as well as National Guard soldiers, also the one in Tornillo, Texas, too early and have tested positive for the virus. immigrant children. were temporarily reassigned to Tor- be forced again to hold detainees in locations not suited to that purpose than But the Texas Health and Human Services Com- Over those five months, the federal nillo. The GAO concluded that with an mission did not publish the total number of corona- it was to take the risk that CBP would government spent about $66 million average daily population of 28 detain- virus infections in Texas nursing homes, and it did have a level of overcapacity for some to operate the facility, which was built ees, each detainee was being guarded not name the facilities that have reported cases of the time,” Jim H. Crumpacker, director of to hold as many as 2,500 detainees. by four soldiers, three security guards coronavirus. the GAO’s Office of Inspector General But it never held more than 70 people, and one CBP officer. “In compliance with patient, resident and employ- Liaison Office, wrote to the GAO. and the average daily population for The National Guard soldiers were ee personal health privacy laws, we cannot provide The GAO report also states that local more detailed information,” Texas Health and Human the first three months was 28 people, reassigned in mid-November. Border Patrol officials tried to alert Services Commission spokeswoman Christine Mann according to the report. The Tornillo facility was reopened to their superiors that Tornillo was an said in an email. unnecessary use of resources. Roughly 93,000 Texans live in licensed nursing “Border Patrol officials in the El homes throughout the state. Paso sector told us that the sector The health commission also released figures for the recommended to Border Patrol head- first time on the number of assisted living facilities that “In leadership’s view, it would have been quarters that the facility be closed and had reported cases of residents or staff testing positive resources reallocated elsewhere for for the coronavirus. Of the state’s 2,002 such facilities, worse to close facilities such as the one other CBP missions, due to the con- 33 reported at least one case of the virus, according to sistently low numbers of individuals the health commission. There were also nine deaths in Tornillo, Texas, too early and be forced held at the facility and the personnel related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, resource requirements to operate the at those facilities statewide. again to hold detainees in locations not facility,” the report states. Mann said the state’s tally was current as of “In contrast, CBP headquarters offi- Wednesday and came from data reported to the health suited to that purpose than it was to take cials told us, despite the consistently low commission by facilities and local health departments. numbers of detainees held in the Tor- “More than 13% of Texas nursing homes have at nillo facility, they decided to continue least one resident with coronavirus, officials say” the risk that CBP would have a level of operations for the 2,500-person facility was first published at https://www.texastribune. because they were operating in an envi- org/2020/04/09/texas-coronavirus-cases-nurs- overcapacity for some time.” ronment with considerable uncertainty ing-homes/ by The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune — JIM H. CRUMPACKER, DIRECTOR OF THE GAO’S OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL LIAISON OFFICE related to migrant flow and wanted to is proud to celebrate 10 years of exceptional journal- prepare for the possibility of increased ism for an exceptional state. apprehensions,” the report says. THE KATY TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 9 KATYTIMES.COM Katy district Sargent named 19-5A MVP stays in 6A Jordan to join Paetow in 19-5A By COLE McNANNA SPECIAL TO THE KATY TIMES

Although there were minor changes made going from the fall to the spring biennial realignment of the University Interscholastic League, not many will end up affecting the Katy schools Prior to the last realignment, the last time all Katy schools called the same district home was the 2008- 2010 alignment although that group only lasted those two years. This time around, the all- Katy 19-6A will last another UIL biennial realignment, keeping Katy, Cinco Ranch, Mayde Creek, Morton Ranch, Seven Lakes, Taylor and Tompkins in the fight for the top spot in the spring sports arena. On the 5A stage, Paetow will also be remaining in MARK GOODMAN its same district with teams First-year Paetow head coach Michael Niemi earned co-coach of the year honors in District 19-5A after leading the Panthers to a district championship and playoff berth in their second year of from Brenham, Bryan, Col- varsity competition. Pictured is Niemi talking to his players during a 5A Region III District 19 basketball game against the Magnolia West Mustangs at Paetow High School on Jan. 24, 2020. The lege Station and Magnolia. Panthers won, 77-33. One addition will be the newest Katy school, Jordan High School, although only in increments. When Katy ISD’s ninth Panthers also earn newcomer, coach of the year honors high school opens this fall in initial campaign at the helm of the Paetow “We were a first-year varsity team last the Fulshear area, individ- By COLE McNANNA program, garnering co-coach of the year year, and we were still so close to making the ual sports will be able to SPECIAL TO THE KATY TIMES distinction along with A&M Consolidated’s playoffs,” Bradley said after the Rudder game. compete at the varsity level For a first-year varsity program to nearly Andrew Daily. Niemi had spent the prior “That kept us motivated the whole way, right away. All varsity team make the playoffs is pretty special. two seasons as head coach of the Fort Bend during the offseason and into (district).” sports outside of football For that team to come back the follow- Kempner Cougars and squared off with Pae- Joining him on the first-team all-district can start competing in the ing year and not only clinch a playoff spot tow twice last year in early-season action, was sophomore Trevor Frank who will return UIL in 2021. but finish atop their district, that takes it to splitting the games. alongside Chukwu, who was the first of two Since a football team another level. “We wanted to fix a bit of the mentality second-team honorees. cannot join in the “middle” That’s what the Paetow Panthers did in about how we approach games and how we Senior Joel Delva rode into the sunset year of a biennial realign- their second year in District 19-5A and they approach practice,” Niemi said of what he with second-team all-district distinction ment, the Jordan Knights were accordingly recognized with all-district learned in the previous matchups, also after under his belt in his final season. won’t play in a UIL-sanc- honors in the form of MVP, newcomer and the Rudder game in January. “Davion being On the other end of the spectrum, another tioned football game until coach of the year. able to do what he can do, in addition to sophomore in EJ Roberts bagged honorable 2022. Senior Davion Sargent was honored with David (Bradley) and some of those returners mentions this year and will step into a return- Tompkins turned in the most valuable player award, leading having that experience and being able to see ing role with his classmates next year. the largest enrollment out Paetow back from missing the playoffs by a how they were so close last year.” For the Paetow girls, a pair of Lady Pan- of Katy ISD, checking in game last year to taking the district crown On top of those honors, sophomore thers were bestowed with honorable men- at 4,018 students. Seven this year. Charles Chukwu also took home newcomer tions while those two and a trio more earned Lakes was next with 3,767, “When he can knock down shots, he forc- of the year honors and will return to guide academic all-district honors. then Katy at 3,466.5 who es hard closeouts that can open up drives,” the Panthers who will see the same district Senior Kaitlyn Galer and sophomore was ahead of Cinco Ranch’s said head coach Mike Niemi after the Pan- foes for another two years following the Tianna Murray finished the year with all-dis- 3,257. thers’ 76-50, district-opening win over Bryan biennial realignment. trict honorable mentions and academic Taylor High School Rudder on Jan. 3. “His athleticism being Paetow also had two athletes on both the all-district distinction after helping Paetow turned in an enrollment of what it is, and him playing in the open floor, first- and second-team all-district as well as battle back from a one-win district slate last 2,915, Mayde Creek regis- is really important, but the fact he can knock an honorable mention. year to a three-win run this time around. tered 2,892.5 and Morton down a 3 in the half-court really helps us out Senior David Bradley closed his career on Seniors Sera Lewis and Kelaiaha Williams, Ranch had 2,567.5 students as far as spreading the defense and opening the first-team honor and also spoke to the as well as sophomore Daisy Lira, joined Galer on snapshot day while up things for other guys.” comeback efforts this season after coming and Murray in representing the Lady Pan- Paetow (2,179) and Jordan Niemi was also credited for his role in his up just shy of the postseason last year. thers with the academic all-district accolade. (1,586.69) remain in Class 5A for another two years.

XFL suspended operations Friday, filed for bankruptcy Monday By COLE McNANNA SPECIAL TO THE KATY TIMES “The XFL quickly After canceling the rest of its reboot- ed regular season in March, the XFL captured the hearts and announced last Friday morning that it has suspended day-to-day operations imaginations of millions of and laid off team and league employees, effective immediately. people who love football. The Houston Roughnecks were undefeated through the first half of the season Unfortunately, as a new the XFL’s championship was slated to be played at Houston’s TDECU Stadium enterprise, we were not April 26. By Monday afternoon, the league had insulated from the harsh filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Dela- ware, allotting both assets and liabilities economic impacts and in the $10-50 million range. “The XFL quickly captured the hearts uncertainties caused and imaginations of millions of people who love football,” the league said in a by the COVID-19 crisis. statement Monday. “Unfortunately, as a new enterprise, we were not insulated JOE SOUTHERN Accordingly, we have filed from the harsh economic impacts and The XFL filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday afternoon, three days after day-to-day operations were suspended. uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 The season was halfway over and the Houston Roughnecks were still undefeated at 5-0. Pictured is Roughnecks a voluntary petition for crisis. Accordingly, we have filed a vol- running back James Butler leaping into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Dragons on March 7. untary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This is a relief under Chapter 11 of heartbreaking time for many, including gades head coach/general manager Bob in 2021 although “a small ‘skeleton crew’ our passionate fans, players and staff, Stoops ($1,083,333.33). of league executives will continue to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. and we are thankful to them, our televi- In comparison to the spring foot- work at the Stamford, CT headquarters,” sion partners, and the many Americans ball league that folded last March, the according to Konnor Fulk who was on This is a heartbreaking time who rallied to the XFL for the love of Alliance of American Football filed for a the call. football.” Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April of 2019, When the league announced the sus- for many, including our In the filing, it was uncovered that “which is all about liquidating assets,” pension of the regular season, it stated WWE owner Vince McMahon was re- reported Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic. the players would be paid in full through passionate fans, players and sponsible for all of the Class A shares, as “The XFL bankruptcy is a Chapter the end of the regular season which well as 76.5% of Class B shares, with the 11, which is designed to enable easier would have been last weekend. Fulk staff, and we are thankful WWE owning the other 23.5% of Class B renegotiation of debts,” Kaplan said, and added that both employees and players shares, refuting reports that a different later followed up with a tweet saying the received a larger check than normal on to them, our television group had owned the XFL. XFL was for sale. their most recent pay stubs. Among the top creditors were the St. After the league announced the sus- After the league suspended its sea- partners, and the many Louis Sports Commission who owns The pension of day-to-day operations, XFL son, the NFL was able to offer now-for- Dome at the America’s Center where the President and Chief Operating Officer mer XFL players contracts and the Americans who rallied to the St. Louis BattleHawks played their home Jeffrey Pollack held a 10-minute con- Roughnecks led the league in that regard games ($1,600,000), broadcasting service ference call to inform employees of the as well, having four of their former play- XFL for the love of football.” outfit NEP ($1,208,832) and Dallas Rene- update but made no mention of a season ers crack the big stage. THE KATY TIMES 10 THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 SPORTS Houston Texans make offseason splashes

By COLE McNANNA SPECIAL TO THE KATY TIMES

The Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams agreed on a trade the evening of April 9 in which Houston sent a second-round pick in this year’s draft (57th overall) for Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick in 2022. Cooks, the 5-foot, 10-inch first-round pick out of Oregon State in the 2014 draft was with the New Orleans Saints his first three years before making con- secutive trips to the Super Bowl, although neither were successful. In 2017, Cooks and the New England Patriots fell to the Philadelphia Eagles. Then the Patriots came back the next year and took down the Rams who Cooks had spent the last two years with, catching 189 passes for 1,787 yards and seven touchdowns. Cooks has four years remaining on a five-year $80 million extension signed last year and will have hits against Houston’s cap space of $12, $13 and $14 million the latter three years of the deal if he stays the length in Texans colors. He will join a receiving corps of Will Fuller and Randall Cobb and brings 88 games worth of experience in the league, register- ing season highs in receptions (84) and touchdowns (9) with New Orleans in 2015 and yards (1,204) with Los Angeles in 2018. This is the second trade of the offseason for Bill O’Brien and the Texans involving a wide receiver after DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft (131st overall) went to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for running back David Johnson, a second-rounder this year (40th overall) and a fourth-rounder next year. That 40th overall selection is now Houston’s first pick in the draft after it gave its next two first-round choices to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills and a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft. The Texans will be responsible for the remaining two years of Johnson’s three-year, $39 million contract extension from 2018 which will have hits against the cap of $10.2 million this year and $7.9 million next year. The Cardinals selected Johnson out of the University of Northern Iowa with the 86th overall pick in the 2015 draft although it was the next year that saw his numbers jump. Johnson started all 16 games of his sophomore campaign and racked up 1,293 yards and 16 touchdowns on 293 carries, eventually earning first-team all-pro and pro bowl honors. However, he suffered a knee injury in week 17 of that year and fractured his wrist in the opening week of the 2017 season and missed the rest of the year. Johnson is fresh off a 395-yard, two-touchdown season last year in 13 games, nine of which were starts. The 28-year-old has totaled 5,347 yards from scrimmage in 62 career games. In free-agent signings, Randall Cobb was signed to a three-year, $27 million deal, $18.75 million of which is guaranteed. In addition, the Texans added safeties Eric Murray and Jaylen Watkins as well as offensive tackle Brent Qvale. Houston also agreed to terms to re-sign offensive tackle Roderick Johnson, cornerbacks Vernon Hargreaves, Bradley Robey and Phillip Gaines, backup quarterback AJ McCarron, inside linebacker Tyrell Adams, long snapper Jon Weeks, wide receiver DeAndre Carter, tight end Darren Fells and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Astros show support with #LightItBlue at Minute Maid CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Minute Maid Park was lit in blue April 9 in the evening as the Astros joined Houston’s sports and civic venues in an effort to turn the city blue. This initiative was part of the global #LightItBlue movement to support the men and women on the front lines of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to Minute Maid Park, the other venues and buildings in Houston scheduled to take part included City Hall, the George R. Brown Convention Center, the bridges over Highway 59, BBVA Stadium, NRG Stadium, Rice Stadi- um, Reckling Park, TDECU Stadium and the Toyota Center. All turned their interior LED signage and/or exterior marquees blue Thursday night. Many of the facilities are fea- turing messages of thanks on their video screens. Teams and organizations across the city are making social media posts using #LightItBlue and #MakeItBlue. In addition to Houston, the other cities in America who took part in the “Light It Blue” included New York, Seattle, Boston, Kansas City, New Orleans and many more. The #LightItBlue and #MakeItBlue movement began two weeks ago in the United Kingdom as they lit major land- marks throughout the country in salute to their healthcare providers. The goal of this effort is to create a global expres- sion of support and gratitude to the healthcare and essen- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO tial professionals who are saving lives and stabilizing our Houston’s Minute Maid Park was lit in blue last Thursday night as part of a global movement to support the men and women on the front lines of the ongoing COVID-19 society. pandemic. The Astros joined the city’s sports and civic venues in an effort to turn the city blue.

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