Here is the latest Local News from the Houston Chronicle.
2 police officers shot in Fort Worth
Two police officers have been shot and wounded while answering a reported suicide at a house in Fort Worth.
Body found burned, dismembered in North Texas
A burned and dismembered in Grapevine was found by police on Wednesday.
Woman accused of trying to smuggle $70k in heroin through Houston’s IAH
A 26-year-old woman was caught Friday trying to smuggle more than 2 pounds of heroin, valued at $70,000, into Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
22 pounds of marijuana found inside suitcase at Austin airport, two arrested
Two men were arrested after authorities found 22 pounds of marijuana in a suitcase at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Here’s to hoping Chip and Joanna Gaines don’t fall victim to Texas Monthly ‘cover curse’
The “Fixer Upper” pair from Waco are two of the most high-profile Texans on the planet right now and with good reason. They are gracing the October cover, posing like a modern “Texas Gothic” in blue jeans and work boots.
Consultant canned by sheriff sues county over unpaid bills
Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman reneged on payments to a consultant hired by his predecessor to curb overtime pay and inmate crowding at the county jail, according to a new lawsuit.
Workers sue chicken chain for $150 million after suffering life-threatening burns
Two kitchen workers who sustained life threatening grease burns in an accident at a Church’s Fried Chicken in Livingston, Tex. are suing the restaurant for $150 million, their attorney said Friday.
The women, a mother of three and a teenager, were “horrifically, permanently injured” on Aug. 1 when the kitchen floor collapsed, said their attorney Benny Agosto, Jr. They’re suing for gross negligence, saying it was an accident that could easily have been avoided through common sense repair work.
Two Metro police officers suspended amid probe of rail platform encounter
Adderall cases across Texas being dismissed because of legislative mix-up
Dozens of people arrested and convicted for felonies in drug cases in the past year are seeing their cases tossed out as prosecutors across the state work to unknot a legislative change that inadvertently lowered the illegal possession of Adderall and other prescription amphetamines from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Former President George W. Bush visits the new elementary named after him, disses his ex-teachers
Thursday afternoon former President George W. Bush visited a new elementary school in St. Paul, a Dallas suburb.
Vice President Joe Biden in Houston today to tout Cancer Moonshot
Vice President Joe Biden will talk about the White House’s Cancer Moonshot, the proposed $1 billion-a-year effort to speed the pace of research to find a cure against the nation’s No. 1 killer of people under 85.
Houston Zoo announces new addition to gorilla exhibit
The Houston Zoo announced on Friday that it has a new resident. Angel, a 29-year-old western lowland gorilla, recently arrived in Houston from the Denver Zoo.
Houston Cougars fans now have a special beer to celebrate football domination
To go along with the Cougars’ current winning ways on the gridiron, the University of Houston now has beer honoring the Coogs’ takeover of college football, thanks to the beer magicians at Katy’s No Label Brewing Co.
Sting nabs 25 accused online child predators
Warrants issued for frat members following death at Texas A&M fraternity
Authorities are searching for six members of a Texas A&M fraternity after drugs were found at the frat house when a student was found unresponsive at the scene and later died at he hospital.
La Porte Freeway reopens after being blocked hours for fatal crash
One person died and another was injured early Friday morning in a fiery crash when a wrong-way driver slammed head-on into a car on Texas 225 in southeast Houston, forcing officials to shut down the freeway in both directions for hours.
NASA astronaut wears spacesuit painted in Houston by kids with cancer
HOUSTON (AP) — Some childhood cancer patients will chat Friday with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station wearing a hand-painted spacesuit they helped decorate. NASA says astronaut Kate Rubins will wear the suit, dubbed “Courage,” during a 20-minute chat Friday afternoon with patients from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Rubins has a degree in cancer biology. NASA says she will answer questions from the patients. Three hand-painted suits have been created through the project that NASA says is designed “to raise awareness about the benefits of pairing art with medicine.”
Girl, 4, died in apparent murder-suicide in Katy area
A 4-year girl has died after she was wounded in an apparent murder-suicide that left a man dead Thursday night in west Harris County, officials said.
Wildest stories behind Texas’ Medal of Honor recipients
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for valor in combat. Its recipients have their actions recreated in books, video games, and movies like Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944), The Longest Day (1962) and Black Hawk Down (2001).
Texas officers seize $6 million worth of marijuana plants
Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said his department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and other agencies discovered a total of 5,200 plants in fields just outside Palestine.
Former President George W. Bush visits the new elementary named after him, disses his ex-teachers
Thursday afternoon former President George W. Bush visited a new elementary school in Addison, a suburb of Dallas.
Suit: Galveston officer broke Harris County woman’s leg
Galveston County man gets 90 years for sexually assaulting 5-year-old
Four Texas towns rank among the 10 unsafest cities for women in America
There are a lot of reasons to be proud of the Lone Star State – but this is not one of them: Four Texas cities were ranked as some of the unsafest cities for women.
Jade Helm: The long Texas nightmare ended a year ago today
The long Texas nightmare scenario, Jade Helm 15, ended one year ago today. Texas, it seems, is no worse for the wear from the federal takeover that wasn’t.
1 dead, 3 wounded in drive-by shooting in Humble area
A woman died and three men were wounded late Wednesday night in a drive-by shooting in northeast Houston, officials said.
Sandra Bland’s family reaches settlement in federal lawsuit, attorney says
Attorneys for the family of Sandra Bland who died while in custody at the Waller County Jail told the Chronicle they have reached a settlement in their federal lawsuit against the county.
Woman marks a first as Houston’s most wanted gang fugitive
For the first time, a woman is Houston’s Most Wanted Gang Fugitive.
FBI went too far with cyber crime investigation, attorneys say
In an effort to halt cyber crime that endangers young children, federal agents have trampled on basic privacy protections, an attorney argued Wednesday in a Houston courtroom, joining a nationwide consortium of defense lawyers fighting a sweeping federal investigation
Houstonian grows fingernails to a remarkable 20 inches after 20 years
Having long nails is a treasured feature for many women, but one Houston woman has taken it to another level.
Galveston Island preserve adds 40 acres
Wife charged after Dallas-area fire captain found shot dead in car
Chacey Poynter was arrested Sunday after her husband, a captain with a Dallas-area fire department, was found dead Friday in a car with a shotgun wound to the head.
Reports: Man injured in shootout in NE Harris neighborhood
According to reports by KTRK and KHOU, one person was injured in a shootout in a Houston-area neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.
Police ID woman found shot to death at NE Houston apartment
Police have identified a 19-year-old woman found shot to death Tuesday at an apartment in northeast Houston.
Bouncer’s finger shot off by exotic dancer in Texas strip club
A bouncer’s finger had to be amputated after a dancer accidentally shot him at Flash Dancer Cabaret in Fort Worth Sept. 4.
Furr High School wins $10 million grant
Furr High School in Houston on Wednesday was selected to receive a $10 million grant through a new national contest sponsored by Lauren Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
The competition, called XQ: The Super School Project, launched last year with a pitch to school leaders to join with students, staff and community members to develop plans to reinvent high school.
West Dallas bridge downtown needs to be replaced
A big truck that struck the West Dallas bridge spanning Interstate 45 earlier this month did far more serious damage than initially anticipated, which could be a long-term problem for some downtown commuters.
Possible gas leak forces evacuation of two HISD schools
On Wednesday morning, two Houston Independent School District schools have been evacuated after staff smelled the odor of a possible gas leak.
The Houston Zoo’s 18-year-old male lion has died
The Houston Zoo has announced that Jonathan, its 18-year-old male lion, died early Wednesday morning after medical staff discovered a severe blood clotting issue and a low white blood cell count.
Mother, son among four nabbed in alleged cocaine lab
Four people, including a middle-aged mother and her grown son, are in federal custody on charges they participated in a Magnolia cocaine processing lab run out of a stately suburban home.
Video: Vintage Airstream stolen from Paris Texas Apparel company in Houston
The owners are hoping that the unique qualities of the Airstream will help people identify it in order to get it back.
One person dies when big rigs collide in Walker County near Huntsville
One person died early Wednesday morning when two big rigs collided on Interstate 45 in Walker County.
Texas executions could get back on track after court ruling
Texas has been on a slow pace for executions in 2016, but a federal appeals court ruling could put the state back on track.
How many oil fields are actually in Houston
Of the hundreds of oilfields that surround Houston’s city limits, two are found within the energy capital. One in Pearland and the other near Jersey Village. How did this happen?
Trucker admits he produced child pornography of two minors in two states
A long-haul trucker pleaded guilty in Houston Tuesday to taking lewd photographs of two young boys and distributing them on the Internet.
Ogg calls for court of inquiry in Pct. 4 evidence scandal
Kim Ogg, the Democratic candidate for Harris County district attorney, on Tuesday called for a court of inquiry to investigate sitting DA Devon Anderson for possible civil rights violations arising out of an evidence scandal at the Precinct Four Constable’s Office.
Medical Examiner: High school defensive tackle died of heart defect
A high school football player who died after a game Saturday suffered a rare congenital heart condition, which is a leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. Sudden heart failure tops the list of diagnoses for the approximately half-dozen student athletes who die each year from sports activity in the U.S. Anomalies of the coronary arteries, such as that Lightfoot suffered, is the second leading cause for sudden heart failures and is very difficult to diagnose. Sudden heart failure caused 100 students athlete deaths between 1990 and 2010, representing 41.2 percent of total high school and college athlete deaths according to research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. Coronary anomalies are the second leading cause of sudden heart failure, behind a genetic condition that causes thickening of the heart tissue.
Texas Children’s buys iconic O’Quinn Medical Tower at St. Luke’s
The tower, named after attorney John O’Quinn in recognition of his $25 million gift to the hospital, serves as the professional building for St. Luke’s doctors.
Slain KIPP middle school coach had been out of touch with friend for a week
The best friend of a slain middle school coach went to check on him Saturday after not hearing from him for a week. He was found dead in his home.
ICYMI: Special education, dams in distress & more
An investigation into Texas’ plummeting number of special education students, the history of Houston’s dams and the results of the first year the state tracked officer-involved shootings.
Texas gun-rights activist slammed for graphic film showing shooting of ‘cocks not Glocks’ protester
Since the four-minute video, “Never Met Her,” was posted to YouTube two weeks ago, it has drawn outrage for its violence and unapologetic targeting of campus-carry opponents.
Hurricane Ike hit the Houston and Galveston areas eight years ago this week
The Category 2 hurricane made landfall on Sept. 13, 2008, just after 2 a.m., hitting Galveston first and then moving onto the mainland and blazing a trail of damage.
Bicyclist hit, killed in southeast Houston
A bicyclist is dead after a vehicle collision on a dark road in southeast Houston Monday night, according to the Houston Police Department.
Life Flight responding after resident shoots man during home invasion in northeast Harris County
A resident shot a suspect during a home invasion early Tuesday morning in northeast Harris County.
Suicidal man helped from Corpus Christi bridge
This past weekend Corpus Christi police officers assisted a troubled man who was contemplating jumping off that city’s famous JFK Causeway bridge. After several minutes of communication he was able to be secured and taken to an area hospital for psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
Trial delayed for Houston man linked to ISIS
The fiery rhetoric of the 2016 presidential race may have contributed to a delay in the federal trial for a Houston man charged with supporting the ISIS terrorist group.
Comparing the latest oil discovery to boom-town Texas oilfields
The oil and gas world is still buzzing after Houston-based Apache Corporation recently made a massive oil discovery in West Texas. How does it compare to some of Texas’ historical oilfields?
Houston cab companies support online offering to boost rides
City promoting app that would link all 146 cab companies in single spot where people could find a ride
DPS posts Saturday hours to hand out voter ID certificates
The Department of Public Safety is offering Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 for would-be voters to pick-up the certificates at select driver license offices across the state, including 10 in Harris County.
54 years ago in Houston, JFK pledged to go to moon
It was a stunning pronouncement for the time. America would go to the moon. President John F. Kennedy stood in Houston 54 years ago and made the promise. Seven years later, it happened.
Former comic book store worker pleads guilty to two federal child porn charges
A former comic book store worker pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to receipt and possession of child pornography as part of a plea deal with prosecutors that helped him avoid facing additional charges.
Man on run after running over woman four times in SE Houston
A woman is the hospital battling for her life after a pickup driver ran over her four times late Sunday night in an apartment complex parking lot in southeast Houston.
Fatal crash leaves part of U.S. 290 closed
Two vehicles were involved in a fatal crash Sunday night on U.S. 290 westbound at Fairbanks North Houston Road.
The highway will be closed from Fairbanks North Houston Road to Gessner Road until 5 a.m. Monday, according to a Transtar alert.
Divers searching for triathlete
A person drowned in Lake Livingston during a triathlon on Sunday morning, KTRK and KPRC reported. Divers searched for a missing person believed to have competed on Sunday morning, the Polk County Texas Game Warden’s office said.
Police discover days-old body at Houston home
Patrol officers responded Saturday to a report of a “person down” at a residence on the 3400 block of Sparrow, near Fairland. The home’s door was ajar, prompting officers to call in the Houston Police Department’s homicide unit, said Det. Michael Dykins. Inside, police found a man in his mid-40s, dead from what appeared to be several gunshot wounds. He had been dead for three or four days, Dykins said. There were no signs of forced entry and a motive was unclear.
Houston headquarters for Clinton opens
A thunderous crowd roared “stronger together” Saturday at the opening of the Houston headquarters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, urged the diverse crowd to repeat the mantra inside the new Democratic National Committee headquarters for Clinton at 1730 Jefferson St. in downtown, where volunteers will hold phone drives and organize door-to-door efforts to register and educate voters. Supporters at the event noted a Washington Post poll that showed Clinton leading Republican candidate Donald Trump in Texas by 1 percentage point and The Dallas Morning News’ recent endorsement of Clinton. Juan Sorto, a representative from Dreamers, a national organization that advocates for young immigrants, said his upbringing in El Salvador and then moving to Kashmere Gardens in Houston contribute to his diverse view of the world.
Thousands ran race in southeast Houston to honor 9/11, war heroes
Thousands sprinted through a sweaty, sticky Saturday morning in southeast Houston at the city’s sixth annual 9/11 Heroes Run.
Fans flock to catch Pokemon in Old Town Spring
Old Town Spring, with its colorful jumble of art galleries, boutiques and wine bars, has a deserved reputation for quaintness. […] most attendees, in knots of two or three – families, couples and friends – could be found strolling the narrow streets, cellphones in hand, searching for some of the possible total of 148 Pokemon characters, in hopes of “collecting” them virtually. Lindsey and Nicholas, the parents, said they enjoy the exercise, but Kal-El (yes, like Superman), 2, in his stroller, concentrated on his pretzel sticks. The event is the brainchild of Matthew Myrow, who put on a similar, less formal event six weeks ago in Old Town Spring, and Scott Smith, who owns a T-shirt shop in town and offered to help Myrow with organizing. Smith said Instinct tends to attract let-it-be, spiritual types; Mystic the loving, family-oriented players; and Valor the players who are more aggressive and like training.
LBJ Hospital to lose water service overnight for maintenance
1 dead, 1 injured in south Houston shooting
One person was killed and another was critically injured Saturday in an early-morning residential shooting in south Houston.
Home invasion suspects charged after being shot by officers
Authorities said three home invasion suspects who were shot by Harris County sheriff’s deputies earlier this week have been charged with aggravated robbery.
Officials lower vehicle hanging from parking garage in Austin
A vehicle hung over Sixth Street at a parking garage in Austin on Friday.
Video: Boater seriously injured in Texas LakeFest crash is still recovering
On Sunday, August 14, a man and his family’s lives changed drastically following a speedboat crash at the LakeFest in Marble Falls.
Montrose Mining Company closure sign of changing neighborhood
The Montrose Mining Company, the oldest gay bar in Houston, has shut down. It’s the latest sign that the area is changing.
Texas police find millions of dollars worth of meth after traffic stop
The Greenville Police Department discovered millions of dollars worth of meth after pulling over a driver during a routine traffic stop on Tuesday.
Ex-gay billboard in Waco gets backlash
According to reports, a billboard in Waco that reads “Ex-gays prove change is possible” is causing online controversy.
Houston port mulls electric shuttle to move freight
State, port and transportation institute officials on Friday announced an agreement to move toward building a freight shuttle between the port’s Bayport and Barbour’s Cut terminals.
15 years after 9/11, teachers educate students on a terrorist attack they weren’t alive to witness
As Americans remember the terrorist attacks that forever changed the country, a high school English teacher asked her students what they know about those sad days in 2001.
One of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders caught by U.S. border patrol
One of Texas’ most wanted sex offenders is back in custody after the alleged gang member was caught trying to cross the U.S. border from Mexico, the state Department of Public Safety announced Friday.
John Albert Gover, 40, was convicted in 2009 of indecency with a child by sexual contact in an incident involving a 12-year-old girl in the San Antonio area.
Federal trademark office delays action amid ongoing spat between Houston College of Law, UH
The downtown law school known for most of its existence as the South Texas College of Law has hit another snag in its rebranding effort.
Former Houston man settles listeria lawsuit against Blue Bell
A former Houston resident has settled a federal lawsuit against Blue Bell Creameries that underscored gaps in the public health system’s ability to detect the origin of foodborne illnesses. Phil Shockley, 33, claimed that his case of listeria poisoning resulted from eating tainted ice cream in 2013 and was part of an outbreak that health officials now know went on for years, sickening 10 people across four states, including three who died. The hospital that treated Shockley was never publicly identified, and records related to his case – if they exist – haven’t been released because of state privacy laws that allow public health officials sole discretion over which outbreaks to disclose and how.
He sexually abused her as a child. She became a police officer and hunted him down.
Erlis Joseph Chaisson is a serial child molester. The 47-year-old might have remained free if one 27-year-old north central Texas police officer hadn’t gone far above the call of duty.
Federal judge holds state responsible for Medicaid reimbursements
A federal judge faulted the state Medicaid program in a strongly worded order, ruling the program had improperly denied 2,000 out-of-network emergency claims submitted by a nonprofit health care provider that treated indigent children.
Police: Man shot, killed after argument in north Houston
Homicide detectives are looking for tips after a 20-year-old man was killed about 7:45 p.m Thursday near an apartment complex playground at Aldine Bender and Lee Road in north Houston.
3 Harris Co. jail staffers suspended after “punching” in melee with inmate
New camera equipment at the Harris County jail has provided the visual information for Sheriff Ron Hickman to suspend three employees for “punching” and other force during an altercation this week with an inmate.
Accused Goforth killer returning to Houston after stint in mental hospital
The man accused of killing Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth in August 2015 is returning to Houston after a stint in a north Texas mental hospital.
Shannon Miles, 31, was arrested shortly after Goforth’s murder in northwest Harris County but ultimately found incompetent to stand trial and sent to a North Texas State Hospital in Vernon for treatment earlier this year.
Houston-area angler attacked by crocodile recovering in Cancun
While snorkeling and spearfishing near a mangrove in Mexico, a 34-year-old Houston-area man was attacked by a fierce and multi-toothed water animal presumed to have been a crocodile.
Belgian man faces child porn charges in Houston
A Belgian man who initially said he traveled to Houston to look at colleges Thursday is facing a federal child pornography charge after customs officials found illegal images of a nude teenager on his electronic devices at George Bush International Airport, according to a criminal complaint.
Texas authorities seize $1.5 million worth of cocaine after routine traffic stop
Texas Department of Public Safety officers seized $1.5 million worth of cocaine on Friday.
Questions about lab tech forces DA to review 10 years of DWI cases
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing all of the DWI cases analyzed by a lab worker for the past 10 years after her qualifications have come under scrutiny.
Truck driver sought in hit-and-run killing man
Texas mom shares proud moment when son stops everything to say the Pledge of Allegiance and prays
A photo of a young Texas student bowing his head in prayer before entering school following the Pledge of Allegiance is going viral after his proud mother posted the photo to Facebook.
DA rival calls for special prosecutor in missing evidence scandal
DA candidate Kim Ogg calls for special prosecutor in the Precinct 4 evidence scandal.
Former A&M professor sentenced to federal prison for child pornography
A former professor at Texas A&M University in Galveston was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for visiting a dark website that featured pornographic images and videos of young children and possessing similar content on devices at his home, according to federal officials.
Another mistrial in HISD bus driver’s sex abuse case
After deliberating for 15 hours, the jury could not reach a verdict in the case of a Houston ISD bus driver charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child and a mistrial was declared for the second time.
Coast Guard rescues overturned kayaker near Freeport
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a kayaker in the water on Thursday about 10 miles northeast of Freeport, officials said.
Bag that booze: Battle over trademarked liquor crown logo and cloth bag back in court
A booze bottle in a bag is an age-old way to tote one’s liquor. But, selling booze packaged in a bag has landed a Houston company in court in a trademark dispute.
Defendant in evidence destruction scandal sues Harris County
A 40-year-old Houston-area man arrested in Precinct 4 and whose case was later dismissed is suing Harris County and the District Attorney’s Office, claiming malicious prosecution and that his civil rights were violated.
Burglars in custody after fiery car crash in southwest Houston
Two men and two teenage girls were taken into custody Tuesday night after a fiery crash in their getaway car following an alleged burglary a house in southwest Houston.
Brief police chase ends with suspect arrested in northeast Houston
A man was taken into custody early Wednesday morning after he led police on a brief chase in northeast Houston.
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