4141 yearsyears ofof coveringcovering SSouthouth BBeltelt Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 Thursday, June 22, 2017 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 42, No. 21 Misinformation on Brio In response to multiple online threads that are spreading misinformation about the safety of the 2 arrested following SWAT standoff Brio Superfund site and future detention pond site located near Beamer Road and Dixie Farm Two brothers are in custody after a four-hour that the two males had taken the alleged assault detonating a small explosive near the front door that stated she was unharmed. At press time, the Road, Leader publisher Marie Flickinger, who SWAT standoff at the Clear Creek Landing apart- victim to an upstairs apartment, where scream- around 6:30 a.m. victim was undergoing additional medical tests serves as the EPA community contact for Brio, ment complex in the 11700 block of Beamer at ing could be heard from outside. “I just woke up to a big boom,” said neigh- to determine if other internal injuries were in- will write an editorial to appear in next week’s Hall Road early Sunday, June 18. After attempts to reach the victim were un- bor Mandy Lewis. “I asked my husband if he curred. Police noted, however, that the victim edition and be posted online. Offi cers from the Houston Police Department successful, deputies reached out to the Harris heard the noise, and he said ‘yeah, I think they was not cooperating with authorities. were the fi rst to respond to a possible assault at County Sheriff’s Offi ce SWAT team, technically are working on the road.’ I said ‘no that wasn’t Other media reports also stated that the vic- the complex’s swimming pool shortly before known as the Harris County Houston High Risk road work noise.’” tim had been thrown down the stairs prior to the Jet crashes at Ellington 2:30 a.m., quickly followed by deputies from the Operations Unit, for assistance. When the SWAT The two brothers subsequently surrendered to standoff. Investigators told the Leader, howev- At press time Wednesday, June 21, the Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s offi ce. team’s initial efforts to reach the victim were also police. One of the two was reportedly dating the er, the victim had allegedly been dragged up the Leader received reports of an F-16 Fighting Upon their arrival, authorities were notifi ed unsuccessful, it gained entry to the apartment by female victim. stairs by her hair. Falcon from a detachment of the 138th Fight- Contrary to other media reports, police said The names of the two suspects had not been er Wing, stationed at the Ellington Field Joint there was only one victim, not two. Police also released at press time, as the investigation was Reserve Base, crashing on takeoff around said the victim at least suffered a concussion ongoing and offi cial charges were pending the 10:30 a.m. The pilot safely ejected and was SWAT swarms apartment during the incident, contradicting other reports victim’s medical test results. being evaluated at a local medical facility. The aircraft, under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, was conducting a training fl ight. See next week’s Beltway 8 is eerily barren Leader for additional information. See related photo on this page. Apartment catches fi re Multiple emergency units responded to a fi re Wednesday, June 21, at the Sabo Vil- lage Apartments, located at 10701 Sabo near Fuqua. The blaze was reportedly caused by a cooking fi re. No additional details were avail- able at press time. The timing of the fi re coin- cided with the jet crash at Ellington Field (see related story above), leading many residents to believe the two incidents were related. Gulf Freeway closures set The northbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway from Scarsdale to Fuqua will be completely closed from 9 p.m. Friday, June 23, through 5 a.m. Monday, June 26. Both the eastbound and westbound ramps from the Gulf Freeway to Beltway 8 will also be closed for the dura- tion of the repairs. Residents should be aware, however, that previous notices of the same Two brothers were arrested early Sunday, June 18, following four-hour hostage situation at closures did not come to fruition as published. the Clear Creek Landing apartment complex in the 11700 block of Beamer at Hall Road. A At press time, it remained unclear what had SWAT team from the Harris County Sheriff’s Offi ce, shown above, was eventually needed caused the multiple discrepancies. to gain entry into the suspects’ apartment. The SWAT unit gained access by detonating a Graduation issues available small explosive device near the apartment’s front door. Photo by Mandy Lewis Extra copies of the Leader’s high school graduation issue, published on June 1, are avail- Beltway 8 was eerily quiet the afternoon of Wednesday, June 21, following a plane crash able at the newspaper office, 11555 Beamer. South Belt celebrates Fourth of July at Ellington Field that closed several entrances and exits along the area tollway. The above photo was taken at 2:20 p.m. near the Gulf Freeway intersection. The beltway reportedly The special edition includes graduation infor- Several local organizations, elected offi cials, groups may sign up for the parade at no charge, mation for Dobie, Clear Brook, South Houston reopened around 4 p.m. See related story on the sidebar of this page. businesses, and residents are gearing up for the unless they wish to be eligible for a prize. A $50 Photo by Marie Flickinger and Clear Horizons Early College high schools annual South Belt Independence Day parade, set fee is charged for commercial entries. Noncom- and Lutheran South Academy. to take place Tuesday, July 4, beginning at 10 mercial entries may enter the contest for $25. a.m. Entry forms are available at www.southbelt Vacation photos sought Now in its 30th year, the parade will feature leader.com, the Leader offi ce, 11555 Beamer, and The Leader is seeking readers’ 2017 vaca- a variety of decorated vehicles and fl oats, clas- on pages 6A and 2B. The forms are to be fi lled out SJC students to conduct cancer tion photos for possible publication. A first-, sic cars and emergency vehicles. The route will and returned to the Leader offi ce, faxed to 281- second- and third-place prize of Schlitterbahn wind its way from Beverly Hills Intermediate 481-5730 or emailed to mynews@southbeltlead Galveston tickets will be awarded monthly to San Jacinto College South via Fuqua, Sabo/ er.com by July 2. research at University of Iowa during June, July and August to the best sub- Hughes Road and Beamer. While the parade starts at 10 a.m., participants Conducting cancer research is how Trung demic institutions, is designed to provide an at- missions. First place will be awarded eight This year’s event will be a salute to all fi rst re- are urged to arrive early, as the lineup for the car- Vu, Kenley Miller, Kevin Rodriguez and Simon mosphere to train undergraduate students in can- tickets; second place will be awarded six; and sponders. Members of the Houston Fire Depart- avan will begin at 9 a.m. Mendoza from San Jacinto College are spend- cer research. Once selected, the students are as- third place will be awarded four. All submis- ment, the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department, Fireworks display ing their summer as the only community college signed mentors at the University of Iowa Holden sions should include when and where the pho- the Houston Police Department and the Harris On the evening of July 4, residents will not students accepted to the Continuing Umbrella of Comprehensive Cancer Center, where they study to was taken, identify each person in the pic- County Precinct 2 Constable’s offi ce are expect- want to miss the annual fi reworks display, as or- Research Experiences (CURE) program. in different labs and work alongside principal in- ture and describe the trip. All photos must be ed to take part, as are local military personnel. ganizers are saying it will be among the largest The CURE program, supported by the Nation- vestigators as paid undergraduate researchers for high resolution. Email photos to mynews@ Once again, Harris County Precinct 2 Consta- in the event’s 29-year history. al Cancer Institute, and a partnership between eight weeks during two consecutive summers. southbeltleader.com. Do not compress photos ble Chris Diaz will be taking part in the parade. The pyrotechnics display is funded by the an- the University of Iowa and collaborative aca- Continued on Page 4A when emailing. Other early confi rmed entries include the nual South Belt Spectacular Cook-off. Sagemont Church Choir, the Dobie Lariaettes, Organizers said they plan to spend roughly Beltway 8 closures set Bombers Sports Bar, San Jacinto College and $45,000 on the fi reworks show this year. By com- Causes of two deaths undetermined Dobie football. parison, organizers spent only around $3,000 on The Blackhawk exit and Monroe entrance on Participants are encouraged to decorate their the fi rst South Belt fi reworks display in 1988. After several weeks, the causes of two recent At press time, a spokesman for the Houston Beltway 8 will be closed through Saturday, July vehicles and fl oats, as prizes will be awarded in While the fi reworks will be set off at El Fran- South Belt deaths have yet to be determined, ac- Police Department said the case was still an open 8.