Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 Oct. 22, 2009 E-mail: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 34, No. 38 Early voting under way Early voting for the Nov. 3 elections is under way and will run through Friday, Oct. Dobie’s Sepulveda dies from H1N1 virus 30. The nearest polling locations for South By Matt Griesmyer “The student had some pre-existing condi- H1N1 was offered. Hills Intermediate School and Atkinson. Elemen- Belt residents are the IBEW Hall #66, Allen When Gabriela Genoa, the East Harris County Activity Center tions and had not been in class for quite some “The doctors at the emergency care center were tary School. (See Related Obituary, Page 2A.) “Gabby” Romero time,” Burton said. “Anybody who has had an in- really good,” Cynthia Sepulveda, Jose’s mother A rosary and visitation were held on Oct. 18 at 7340 Spencer and the Freeman Library died from a de- Branch at 16616 Diana Lane. fectious exposure to this individual would have said. “They screened for H1N1. That came out at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Sepulve- bilitating illness on become ill by now.” negative, but they said they were not sure of the da’s burial will be held in El Paso, Texas. Oct. 2, students The student fi rst became ill on Sept. 27 and readings because his throat was really dry.” Sep- The Pasadena Independant School District Heavy trash scheduled of J. Frank Dobie had not been to school since then. On Oct. 4, ulveda was taken by ambulance to Texas Chil- released information to the public the morn- Residents south of the beltway are sched- High School were Sepulveda was admitted to the hospital and was dren’s Hospital and later diagnosed with H1N1. ing of Oct. 16 involving the confi rmed details uled for junk waste pick-up on Thursday, Oct. saddened. On Oct. diagnosed with pneumonia and eventually, H1N1 Before attending Dobie, Sepulveda, a longtime on the student’s death, as well as tips for stay- 22. For more information, call 3-1-1. 14, only 12 days af- infl uenza. resident of the South Belt area, attended Beverly Continued on Page 2A ter one Dobie death, Due to asthma, the student was considered Fall festival at Memorial SE another student lost by medical offi cials to be at high risk for con- his battle with ill- tracting H1N1. Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, ness. 11800 Astoria Blvd., will hold its annual “Vaccines were not available to help this Jose Sepulveda, young man,” Burton said. “Young people in our SBGSA Family Fall Festival and Health Fair Saturday, 16, was the typical Oct. 24. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities Jose Sepulveda community who are high risk – asthma, dia- junior at Dobie High betes, or some other immuno-compromising include: Radio Disney; Doll/Teddy Bear ER School. He enjoyed playing violin, watching names (bring a broken doll or teddy bear for a check- condition – they need to seek immunization wrestling, playing video games, playing foot- from their physician.” up); a petting zoo; pumpkin decorating (while ball at home with his family and participating in supplies last); face painting; a complimentary Upon Sepulveda’s fi rst doctor’s visit, he was the youth group at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. fi eld Subway® lunch (while supplies last); Health Church. and wellness information for kids and adults; After Sepulveda’s fever did not break, a return On Oct. 14, Sepulveda died. The cause of trip to the doctor resulted in the diagnosis of and American Heart Association and Habitat death, as stated by Kathy Burton, chief of public for for Humanity information booths. Families bronchitis. affairs for the City of Houston Health and Hu- When his condition worsened, he was taken to are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped gift man Services Department, was H1N1 infl uenza. to donate to Toys for Tots. The event is free the emergency care center, where a screening for Gabby and open to the public. For more information, visit www.memorialhermann.org/fallfestival. The South Belt Girls Softball Association Sagemont craft show set South Belt readies for fall honored Gabby Rome- ro Sunday, Oct. 18, Sagemont Church will hold its fall craft Fall has arrived, bringing several different engines and ambulances. by naming a softball show Friday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., festivities to the South Belt community for area For more information, e-mail Sherri Golightly fi eld after her. Field and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., residents to attend. at [email protected]. No. 1 at El Franco Lee at the Sagemont Church Youth Building located Sagemont Cowboys Cokesbury United Methodist Church Park is now offi cially at the intersection of Beltway 8 and Hughes. The Sagemont Cowboys will host their fi fth Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 10030 Gabby Romero Me- The show includes handcrafted items, gifts annual Field of Screams haunted house, “Opera- Scarsdale Blvd., will hold its fall festival Satur- morial Field. Romero, for holidays and all occasions, jewelry, cloth- tion Zombie,” at El Franco Lee Park, 9400 Hall day, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities in- who began her stand- ing, ladies’ and girls’ accessories, food conces- Road, on Oct. 24, 30 and 31 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. clude a barbecue, bake sale, carnival games and out softball career in sions and a bake sale. Admission is free. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch is open for the SBGSA, died Oct. Proceeds will benefi t the Sagemont Cowboys. pumpkin purchases daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 2 after a 15-month Orchestra fundraiser set Southeast Volunteer Fire Department through Oct. 31. battle with cancer. A The Dobie High School Chamber I Orchestra The Southeast Volunteer Fire Department will Trunk or Treat will be held Oct. 31 from 6:30 fundraising tourna- will travel to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago hold its eighth annual Halloween Carnival on to 8 p.m. For information, visit www.cokes- ment coincided with this December. The orchestra will host a Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the fi re sta- buryunitedmethodistchurch.com or contact the the opening ceremony. catered dinner concert fundraiser at the school tion located at 9830 Hughes Road. church offi ce at 281-484-9243. Shown at left at the Tuesday, Oct 27, at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale The event will include a dunk tank with depu- Easthaven Baptist Church event are Romero’s for $12 each in the orchestra room, and must be ties from the Harris County Precinct 2 Consta- Easthaven Baptist Church will hold its annual family members , left purchased by Friday, Oct. 23. ble’s offi ce, a moonwalk, trick-or-treating, games, Trunk of Treats event Saturday, Oct. 31, at 13100 to right, front row, Ca- hot dogs and sodas. Children in attendance will Beamer at Astoria from 6 to 8 p.m. ressa Valles, Ethaniel Knights host fish fry be allowed to climb aboard the department’s fi re Continued on Page 2A Valles, Mya Garcia, back row, Jesse Rome- The Knights of Columbus Council 9201 ro III, Edna Romero, will once again serve fried catfish dinners at Brenda Valles and Jes- St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church on Former BHI Bear Lopez se Romero. Fridays, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 13 and Nov. Photo by John Bechtle 20. Each dinner will consist of a farm-raised catfish fillet, french fries, hush puppies, cole now a Thompson Lion slaw, corn on the cob and iced tea. Soft drinks and desserts will be available for sale. By James Bolen school and enjoyed tutoring other students as I One- and two-piece dinners will be sold, This school year marks Toni Lopez’s fi rst got older,” Lopez said. “In high school many of dine in or take out, and will be served from 5 year as principal of my teachers told me I should be a teacher.” Team Gabby stays strong to 7 p.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist at 11011 Thompson Interme- While she has looked up to many other edu- By James Bolen She’s everybody’s daughter. It hits so close to Hall Road, between Sageberry and Sagetrail. diate. cators during her career, Lopez said she is cur- The parents of Gabriela “Gabby” Romero plan home.” The public is invited. All money raised will be Lopez, however, rently inspired by Beverly Hills principal Alyta to carry on the efforts of Team Gabby following The elder Romero said he plans to have addi- used for scholarships and other local commu- is no stranger to the Harrell. the recent loss of their daughter to renal cancer. tional car washes and barbecue sales in the future. nity charitable projects. For more information, South Belt, as she has “She is a master at not only structure and Romero, a junior sports star at Dobie High “We’re so appreciative of what everyone’s call 281-484-2127. worked at Beverly consistency but also developing pride within the School, died Oct. 2 after a 15-month battle with Continued on Page 2A Hills Intermediate school,” Lopez said. “Alyta Harrell and I talk al- the debilitating disease. A group of supporters, Church garage sale set for the last 13 years. most on a daily basis. She is a wonderful mentor collectively referred to as Team Gabby, formed She began her pro- and helps me more than she will ever know.” Restoring Hope International Fellowship to help the ailing athlete and her family both Propositions fessional career as a A former South Belt resident, Lopez now Church will host a churchwide garage sale emotionally and fi nancially.