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July 07, 2009

Tears, cheers and laughs for King of Pop

Inside the Staples Center there have been tears... cheers... and laughs for the King of Pop.  From music to personal tributes there is energy in this celebration of the King of Pop's life, but also sadness.

 

Memorable moments left the crowd blotting tears from Jermaine Jackson's performance of his brother's favorite song "Smile" to Brooke Shields' tearful tribute to her dear friend.

 

While fans here certainly know what kind of master he was when it came to entertaining, the service gave much more insight to his soul.

Inside the memorial

Eyewitness News reporter Christine Dobbyn is covering the Michael Jackson memorial in Los Angeles.

________________________________________

Fans were urged to take their seats just a few minutes before the start of the service. Once the Jackson music stopped silence fell over the staples center.

Smokey Robinson read two tributes from Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela. There was a long pause and now the family is entering -- escorted by Reverend Jesse Jackson.

The crowd is mostly quiet, some snapping pictures and a few sporadic claps here and there.

July 06, 2009

Covering the Michael Jackson memorial

Eyewitness News reporter Christine Dobbyn is covering the Michael Jackson memorial in Los Angeles. Below is the report she filed for abc13.com on Monday afternoon.

________________________________________

Fans gather outside the Staples Center in what will be their last chance to be close to the venue where the king of pops life will be celebrated tomorrow.

Several hundred fans are congregating here to sign two large billboards outside the arena. Large risers are outside as media from around the world report on Michael Jackson's memorial. We met journalists from Japan, Germany and Italy within the first fifteen minutes. It is truly a worldwide story.

When we interviewed LAPD Captain Bill Murphy, he even commented on the media. The police here are used to dealing with big events, but he said this one is a bit different because it is a memorial service.

At LA Dodger Stadium, fans who were fortunate enough to get tickets picked them up via a drive thru assembly that ran incredibly smoothly. Police said there haven't been any arrests. Fans had to show ID and a voucher with their name before picking up the ticket and golden wristband that must be worn to get within a mile of the Staples Center.

Police are doing what they can to prevent any scalping, positioning undercover officers near Dodger Stadium and the Staples Center. It is unusual to see tickets handed out for someone's funeral and the reaction of those picking them up -- Some honked, hollered and even used the word 'excited' to describe how they felt, but we also heard this word used a lot - 'history.'

Hear from fans attending tomorrow's memorial tonight on Eyewitness News at 10pm.

April 28, 2009

Harris County Urges Residents to Report Flooding

Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (OHSEM) is urging residents who are experiencing flooding in their homes to call 713-881-3100 or 713-684-4000 to report damage. This is important in the gathering of information to determine how much damage occurred in Harris County.

If residents are faced with a life threatening situation or need an emergency rescue they should call 9-1-1.

METRO update

METRO is expected to operate full service across the entire system for rush hour.

As of noon, buses were operating normally, except for the following routes, which were operating at reduced frequencies due to this morning’s flooding:

• 2 Bellaire
• 4 Beechnut
• 19 Wilcrest Crosstown
• 20 Canal
• 20 Long Point
• 25 Richmond
• 46 Gessner Crosstown
• 53 Briar Forest Limited
• 65 Bissonnet
• 67 Dairy Ashford Crosstown
• 82 Westheimer
• 131 Memorial Express
• 132 Harwin Express

METRO will be working throughout the afternoon to restore these routes to normal service.

The HOV lanes are expected to operate normally with the possible exception of the 45 HOV which was still flooded near downtown at midday.

METRO will be monitoring the weather throughout the afternoon and will make adjustments as necessary to safely transport passengers to their destinations.

For more information, please visit www.ridemetro.org or call 713-635-4000.

Houston municipal court weather update

The city of Houston Municipal Courts are open, Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Those individuals who are scheduled to appear in court and are unable to make their court appearance due to inclement weather will have the opportunity to reset case(s).

>IF YOU ARE SET FOR ARRAIGNMENT (FIRST APPEARANCE): YOU MAY REQUEST A TRIAL SETTING OR SEND PROOF OF COMPLIANCE BY MAIL. YOU CAN REQUEST THE DSC (DRIVING SAFETY COURSE) BY MAIL. VISIT THE COURT’S WEBSITE www.houstontx.gov/courts TO DOWNLOAD THE FORMS NEEDED FOR THE DSC. WE WILL ACCEPT ITEMS POSTMARKED THROUGH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009 FOR THESE REQUESTS.
>IF YOU ARE SET FOR TRIAL: RESETS WILL BE GIVEN IN PERSON, AT ALL COURT LOCATIONS, BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2009, THROUGH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009.
>IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED FOR JURY SERVICE: JURY SERVICE HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR TODAY. THOSE INDIVIDUALS SCHEDULED FOR JURY SERVICE TODAY WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

Citizens are reminded that payments can be made as follows: Online at www.houstontx.gov/courts/payfine.html
Via Western Union
By Mail (P.O. Box 4996, Houston, Texas 77210-4996)

If individuals fail to reset their cases or fail to resolve their cases by Friday, May 1, 2009, a warrant for arrest may be issued.

Children and Flood Waters

A warning from Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management:
Do not allow children to play in floodwaters. Hazards can include downed power lines which can electrify the water and missing manhole covers. Fast moving waters could sweep you off your feet. There are environmental and biological dangers in the water such as gasoline, oil, raw sewage, ants, etc. Again please do not let children play in flood waters.

Possible Injuries:
Drowning
If you enter fast-moving water, you risk drowning -- regardless of your ability to swim. Fast-moving, shallow water can be deadly. Even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children. Cars or other vehicles do not provide adequate protection from flood waters. Cars can be swept away or may break down in moving water.

Animal and Insect Bites
Wading in flood waters can bring you into contact with a variety of animals, insects, and reptiles (especially snakes). Be alert and avoid contact. Use a stick to poke through debris.

Electrical Hazards
Avoid any downed power lines, particularly those in water.

Wounds
Avoid wading in standing water, which may contain sharp objects such as glass or metal fragments that can cause injury and possibly lead to infection.

CDC http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/flood/standing.html

HISD athletic events, field trips and absences

The Houston Independent School District says all HISD student absences will be excused for today and employees that could not get to work will be paid. Plus all HISD athletic events and field trips are cancelled today. SEE MORE HISD CLOSURES

Houston bayou flood reports

Heather Saucier of the Harris County Flood Control District provided Eyewitness News with the following water reports.

Out of bank conditions and still rising:
-Cypress Creek
-Little Cypress Creek
-Willow Creek
Homes and property in this area could be in danger of flooding if it hasn't happened already.

Out of Bank Conditions-Dropping
-Bear Creek
-South Mayde Creek
-Langham Creek

Saucier says the good news is that the four basins along Brays Bayou seemed to have prevented flooding in the Meyerland and Medical Center areas. The 10 basins along the White Oak Bayou also kept the water level down in other areas.

Shelters will close at 8pm, one stays open

The Red Cross opened shelters in Northwest Harris County for area residents affected by today's floods.  Two are closing at 8pm:

Bear Creek United Methodist Church, 16000 Rippling Water, Houston, TX 77084 at 11 a.m. - 300 capacity.
Christian Life Center of Christ, 6363 Research Forest Dr., Spring, TX 77381 at 11:30 a.m. - 100 capacity

One is staying open overnight:

Copperfield Church, 8350 Hwy. 6 North, Houston, TX 77095 at 10 a.m. - 540 capacity.

April 23, 2009

Cynthia Cisneros in Cuba

My first full day in Havana brings much anticipation. We are excited at the prospect to go out in the city and see daily life.

We arrived on Wednesday in mid-afternoon and were able to see parts of 'Old Havana' and several plazas. They are spectacular in their appearance. The buildings are considered colonial in its architecture, built during Spanish rule. The old buildings, at first, look sad and shabby. However to stand and spend time looking at them, they begin to take on a new look, a look of untold history. The story of how many colonialists lived here, to be replaced by military generals and captains then finally by tourists here to witness the Cuba of the 21st century.

What first caught my eye wasn't what I saw but what I didn't see. The absolute absence of traffic, gridlock and stressed out motorists.

I have to go for now but look for my reports next week on Eyewitness News.

April 12, 2009

American captain reportedly freed

WASHINGTON (AP) -- US intelligence official: 3 pirates killed, 1 in custody, American captain safe on Navy ship. READ FULL STORY

March 18, 2009

Nine Galveston PD officers suspended

Galveston Police Department tells us nine officers have been suspended as a result of a scuffle at the San Luis Hotel:

On October 6th, 2008, Chief Charles Wiley initiated an internal investigation into issues related to an incident that occurred at the San Luis Hotel bar, H2O, during the early morning hours of October 5th, 2008. The events that led to, and resulted from, the incident have been investigated through a joint effort of the Galveston Police Department and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.

Over the past five months, investigators of both agencies have interviewed approximately 70 witnesses, suspects, and officers about this incident. Hundreds of pages of documentation have been produced, collected, and examined. Video recordings have been recovered and reviewed multiple times, all in effort to piece together an accurate account of the events as they transpired that night.

The investigation by the Police Department's Office of Professional Standards was performed by Sergeant Raymond Rubio, Sergeant David Millican and Sergeant Aaron Ausmus. The investigation has been focused on compliance with Police Department policies and procedures. Notably, there has been no formal complaint alleging misconduct of any type against a single Galveston Police Department officer relating to this incident.

This comprehensive review has revealed that this incident, and the resulting arrests, was instigated by the actions of a single individual. This individual exercised extremely poor judgment and, if he had been properly supervised by his parents and not allowed to violate the law, this incident likely could have been avoided in its entirety.

The investigation has revealed that Daniel Cole O’Balle, 19 years of age, attended his sister's wedding at the San Luis Convention Center. During the reception, Daniel was, in violation of Texas law, permitted to consume alcoholic beverages to the point of becoming highly intoxicated.

Toward the end of the reception, O'Balle instigated a confrontation with San Luis Security Guard Carlos Gonzales during which O'Balle attempted to take beer from the convention center, also in violation of the law. Later, Gonzales observed O'Balle at the H2O bar with a beer in his hand. Gonzales reported this illegal activity to Galveston Police Department Officer Chris Sanderson, who was working for the San Luis Hotel in an off-duty capacity.

Officer Sanderson confronted O'Balle, who was immediately belligerent. Friends of O'Balle's parents, Joseph and Shannon Belluomini then interfered, in Officer Sanderson’s investigation, in an apparent attempt to keep O'Balle from being arrested. The investigation reveals that O'Balle was being aggressive toward, and non-compliant with, Officer Sanderson.

Officer Sanderson called for assistance and waited for other officers to arrive before taking further action. In the interim, O'Balle's drunken and disorderly actions and behavior caused several people, who were with the wedding party, to gather around Officer Sanderson. When Officers Clemente Garcia and Jonathon Longoria arrived and attempted to place O'Balle in custody, O'Balle fought the officers aggressively, throwing punches at the officers, while the Belluomini’s and others continued to interfere with O'Balle's arrest.

In light of O'Balle's active physical resistance to arrest, including his attack on the officers present as well as the interference of the Belluomini’s and others, the officers involved made several radio calls seeking additional assistance. In light of these calls for assistance, describing the large crowd and interference by so many individuals, approximately thirty police officers responded to assist by the time officers were able to overcome O'Balle's resistance, and the interference of several others, to take O'Balle into custody.

As these assisting officers arrived and made it to the location of O'Balle's arrest, they were confronted by numerous individuals, some of whom were interfering with O'Balle's arrest and some verbally expressing their displeasure at the officers' decision to arrest him. This group was encroaching on the scene and some refused to disperse to the point that they were interfering with the officers' ability to safely take O'Balle into custody. Officers arrested those individuals who interfered with the officers' attempts to subdue and arrest O'Balle or others.

When Lieutenant Joel Caldwell arrived, he determined that the crowd was so out of control that it was necessary to clear the bar to re-establish order. Accordingly, Lt. Caldwell ordered a tactical crowd control line was formed to clear the bar. As officers instructed people to leave the bar, more individuals, some of whom were intoxicated, became belligerent and refused to leave when asked to do so. Those individuals who refused to leave peaceably or were otherwise disorderly, and those who appeared to officers to be intoxicated, were taken into custody for their violations. In all, thirteen individuals were arrested for various crimes.

The Police Department's investigators have reported that insufficient and inadequate reporting by those involved made their review and investigation into this matter difficult and more time-consuming. To some extent, this was related to a lack of documentation from the officers and supervisors involved which the investigators have reported is unacceptable. The investigators identified several failures by some officers and supervisors to properly file affidavits, supplemental reports, booking reports, use of force reports and arrest warrants.

However, the investigators also determined that these paperwork failures, all of which occurred after the incident and related arrests, did not cause or contribute to the events in question or lead to any improper conduct by any officer in their responses to the situation presented by O'Balle and the others who were arrested.

The investigators were able to determine that all arrests appeared to be based upon probable cause and that any force used by any officer was that used to overcome resistance or interference. No officer was found to have violated any Departmental policies related to any arrest or any use of force.

Because the internal investigation found 13 officers in violation of various administrative procedures of the Galveston Police Department relating to their obligations to document various matters after the incident and related arrests, nine officers will be suspended, four will receive written reprimands, and all thirteen officers will receive remedial training relating to documentation and reporting in accordance with Departmental policies.

At this time, nine officers have received or will receive suspensions ranging from 2 to 7 days, resulting in a total of about forty days of suspension time as a result of this incident.

The below list is a summary of the disciplinary actions without names:

2 ofc's received 7 day suspensions
3 ofc's received 5 day suspensions
1 ofc received a 3 day suspension
1 ofc received a 2 day suspension
1 ofc received a 1 day suspension
For a total of 35 days without pay.

One officer has received a written reprimand with three more reprimands yet to be issued. One other officer, who is on vacation, is facing suspension.

March 12, 2009

Congressman Pete Olson has surgery

From Congressman Pete Olson's office:

Early this morning, Congressman Pete Olson was brought to the George Washington University Hospital after a fainting episode at the House gym. Hospital physicians determined that the episode was caused by a slow heartbeat, or bradycardia.

“This morning, Congressman Olson had a dual-chamber pacemaker implanted which will continue to regulate his heartbeat. The procedure went smoothly with no complications,” said Allen Solomon, MD, cardiologist at the George Washington University Hospital and Professor of Medicine. “This is a common, often asymptomatic, condition and we expect the Congressman to resume his active lifestyle.”

Currently the Congressman is awake and joking with the hospital staff, and is anxious to get back to work. Olson is very grateful for all of the well wishes and prayers, he has received from family, friends, and his colleagues on the Hill.

Congressman Olson will be returning home to Texas tomorrow to spend the weekend with his family and will return to Washington next week for scheduled legislative business.

January 30, 2009

Preparing for grandmother's testimony

The grandmother of Riley Ann Sawyers is at the Galveston County courthouse, preparing to testify, tentatively later today, in the ‘Baby Grace’ murder trial. That's the name given to the child whose body was found in 2007, floating in a storage container in Galveston bay.

Sheryl Sawyers saw police composite sketches of the then-unidentified two-year-old, and thought it might be her granddaughter. It was her call to Galveston County sheriff's deputies that gave Baby Grace her real name.

In contrast to earlier trips to the island, Sawyers is avoiding contact with reporters, having a group called "'Bikers Against Child Abuse" shield her from media questions.

Among the witnesses testifying early today were co-workers of Kimberly Trenor's husband, Royce Zeigler. A supervisor told the jury Zeigler seemed emotionally immature. The couple also attended a company picnic after Riley was killed.

Trenor's lawyer claims she was dominated and controlled by her husband. She's on trial for the capital murder of her daughter.

January 29, 2009

'Rules for Riley' discussed in court

Late Wednesday, prosecutors introduced a handwritten note called "Rules for Riley." Today, the document surfaced again, this time as a sample of the handwriting of Royce Zeigler and Kimberly Trenor, both of whom are charged with capital murder in the death of Trenor's two-year-old daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers.

An FBI analyst testified Seigler wrote rules 1 through 6 and Trenor the remainder. Included as "Rules for Riley:"

1) being polite
2) listen to mom and me
3) sleep at 8pm
4) nap at 2pm
5) toys stay in her room
6) puts toys back where she got them
7) behaves in public
8) never alone in our room
9) chocolate cake or treats only as reward

Prosecutors charge that the child died during a "discipline session" that resulted in head trauma and being held beneath water in the bathtub. Her body was hidden in a plastic container and dumped weeks later in Galveston Bay. The fisherman who found the container testified in the trial against Trenor.

Belts tested in Baby Grace trial

FBI DNA analyst testifies in the "Baby Grace" trial this morning....

 

Rhonda Craig tells the jury that no blood was found on three belts turned over to the sheriff's department that might have been used in the fatal "discipline session" on two-year-old Riley Ann Sawyers.

 

However, Craig said re-testing this year revealed skin cells on the belts. All 3 showed the presence of stepfather Royce Zeigler's skin cell DNA on the belts. Two other people's DNA was also detected, probably, in one case, that of the child and her mother. The other 2 belts were inconclusive for their DNA.

 

In earlier testimony, tracings from a notebook found on the bed of mother Kimberly Trenor and her husband, revealed a missing page and a disturbing message. According to a prosecutor, it read in part, "my heart is black dead... I can't live with myself. There is nothing left."

Kimberly Trenor trial: 1/29 evening update

When the body of the two-year-old girl was discovered in a plastic container floating in Galveston Bay, she had to be given a name - Baby Grace - until her identity was found.

It took weeks for her to be identified. In the end, it was Riley Ann Sawyers' paternal grandmother who recognized the description of the child. Riley's mother, Kimberly Trenor, never reported her missing. When confronted by police, she claimed an Ohio CPS worker had forcibly taken the child as part of a custody dispute.

Wednesday in Trenor's capital murder trial in her daughter's death, an Ohio CPS worker refuted that. Tony Coder told the jury that the paperwork Trenor and her husband claimed came from the agency was obviously "fake." The phone numbers and the address were wrong. In addition he testified CPS workers don't go alone to houses and forcibly seize children.

Deborah Wrigley

Kimberly Trenor trial: 1/28 afternoon update

Morning testimony in the baby grace murder trial focused on deputies, one of whom took a harrowing statement from the mother of Riley Ann Sawyers and another who helped identify the child’s body that had been dumped in Galveston Bay.

The fisherman who found the box containing the girl’s body in the bay at first thought it might have contained someone’s pet. Instead the pink tennis shoe signaled it was a child.

Another officer who was investigating leads said he believed Kimberly Trenor’s claim that her child had been taken back to Ohio by CPS. Later, doubts began to set in about Trenor’s story, because, he said she was reluctant to cooperate.

Deborah Wrigley

Kimberly Trenor trial: 1/28 midday update

Among the spectators in the capital murder trial of Kimberly Trenor today are the attorneys representing her husband, who’s also charged in the horrific beating death of Trenor’s two-year-old daughter, Riley Ann.

Trenor's defense is that her husband, Royce Zeigler II beat the little girl to death. Zeigler’s lawyers called that defense just one more "fantasy" on Trenors part, denying Zeigler played any role in the girl's death.

Deborah Wrigley

Kimberly Trenor trial: 1/28 morning update

After Tuesday's graphic video evidence involving the statement Kimberly Trenor gave police about the death of her daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers, her attorney is trying to make that statement work to her advantage.

Attorney Tom Stickler attempted to get one of the detectives who investigated the beating and murder of little Riley Sawyers, to concede he wouldn't have had much of a case without Trenor's information.

The detective testified that Trenor said what he expected and pointed the blame at her husband (not Riley Ann's biological father.)

He also said he heard nothing from Trenor to indicate she mourned the death of her child before she and Royce Zeigler went to Wal-Mart to buy the plastic box in which the girl's remains were later found in Galveston Bay.

The jury panel is stoic, showing no noticeable response to the details of the girl's death.

Deborah Wrigley

December 03, 2008

Houston police officer hits and kills pedestrian

Eyewitness News has learned an HPD vehicle has struck and killed a pedestrian.

An officer was leaving the scene of another accident and struck a homeless man picking up cans in the street.

It happened at Highway 3 at Brookglen in Southeast Houston.

We’ll have more on Eyewitness News Tonight at 10pm.

October 03, 2008

City Changes Daily Curfew

Today the Galveston City Council voted unanimously to modify the island’s mandatory curfew. The daily curfew has been changed to 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. The new curfew is effective immediately and will be enforced until further notice.

Closed Galveston schools

The lowdown on Galveston school openings and closings. FULL LINK

Remaining Closed:
Burnet Elementary – (bilingual & pre k students report to Oppe Elementary) (other burnet students report to Parker Elementary)

Scott Elementary – (last names beginning with "A" through "L" report to Rosenberg Elementary) (letter "M" through "Z" report to Morgan Elementary)

Central Middle School – (report to Weis Middle School)

Crenshaw Elementary/Middle School – (contact the school)

October 02, 2008

Residents Advised to Contact Galveston County Elections Officials to Participate in “Vote by Mail” program

With thousands of Galveston residents displaced from their homes, the Postal Service is advising citizens to contact the office of the Galveston County Clerk if they wish to determine their eligibility to participate in the “Vote by Mail” process.

“We are working closely with officials from the Elections Division with Galveston County to ensure every Galveston resident that utilizes the Vote by Mail process receives their ballot promptly,” said Houston District Manager Kelvin Williams. Specifics regarding the Vote by Mail process are available via the Galveston County website at http://www.galvestonvotes.org , or by calling 409-765-2605. For specific Vote by Mail guidelines in other counties in the state of Texas, visit the website for the Secretary of State at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/links.shtml#County

The Postal Service plays no role in how elections are carried out in the United States, although it is fully authorized to inform and educate election officials about USPS products and services available. The non-partisan "Mailing Resources Center for Election Officials," a well-trained sales force, mail acceptance employees and employees with expertise in designing election mail pieces have been providing reliable, trusted expertise to election officials across the country, Williams said.

Voters are asked to mail completed absentee ballots five days before they are due to ensure the safe, timely delivery of their vote.  Americans overseas, including men and women in the Armed Services, should plan on sending ballots back at least two weeks before Nov. 4, the date of the federal general election. Service members stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan are asked to mail completed ballots by Sept. 30, where possible.

Mail delivery resumed for most Galveston postal customers on September 29. A temporary mail pickup location in La Marque is continuing to operate for residential and business postal customers requesting this service. Located at 14057 Delaney Road in La Marque in the Gulfway Plaza at La Marque outlet mall, the temporary site began operations on September 23, and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Gulfway Plaza at La Marque site also has retail service and Post Office Box mail available for pickup by postal customers normally served at both the Galveston Main Post Office and Bob Lyons Station.

Service members and Americans living abroad can mail their completed ballots free of charge by bringing the ballot to APO/FPO Post Offices or to a consulate of the United States.

The Postal Service also offers the following suggestions for voters this fall:
• Make sure to use proper postage and that the stamp appears in the upper right hand corner on the front of the envelope.
• Place completed ballots inside the envelope correctly. Most return envelopes for ballots have a clear window on the front so the mailing address can be clearly seen.
• Check with local election offices for rules on requesting and completing absentee ballots.
• Visit the state’s website online to find out where election offices are located in the state and to get information governing voting by mail.

To visit the Mailing Resources Center for Election Officials center, please log on to:  www.usps.com/electionmail.

Hurricane Ike

October 01, 2008

City of Galveston begins testing tap water

The City of Galveston began testing samples from the city’s water system this week. A citywide boil water notice has been in effect since September 15th, just days after partial water service was restored to the island following Hurricane Ike’s landfall. The city will run samples throughout this week in compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s regulations. An announcement about lifting the boil water notice could be made as soon as this Friday.

September 30, 2008

GISD Schools will open on Tuesday, October 7, 2008

UPDATED October 1, 2008

GISD Schools will open on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.

  • All GISD Employees need to report to work on Friday, October 3, 2008, unless you were notified by your Supervisor to report by an earlier date. If you are not able to report to work by this date, please notify your immediate Supervisor.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Burnet Staff Members and Parker Staff Members to report to the Parker Cafeteria for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Scott Staff Members and Morgan Staff Members to report to the Morgan Cafeteria for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Central Staff Members and Weis Staff Members to report to the Weis Cafeteria for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Crenshaw Staff Members to report to the Support Center Board Room for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Austin Magnet Staff members to report to the Austin Library for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Ball High Staff Members to report to the Ball High School Cafeteria for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL DAEP/AIM Staff Members to report to the San Jacinto campus for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Oppe Staff Members to report to the Oppe campus for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    On Friday, October 3, 2008, we are asking ALL Rosenberg Staff Members to report to the Rosenberg campus for a meeting at 9:00 a.m.

    GISD Schools will open on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.

    School times:

  • Elementary Schools 7:45 – 3:15
    Middle School 8:00 – 3:30
    Austin Magnet School 8:00 – 4:00
    Ball High School 8:00 – 3:30

    We will open the following schools:

    Morgan Elementary
    Rosenberg Elementary
    Parker Elementary
    Oppe Elementary
    Weis Middle School
    Austin Magnet School
    Ball High School
    San Jacinto (DAEP/AIM)

    We will not open the following schools at this time:

    These campuses will remain closed for further clean up and restoration efforts.

    Burnet Elementary- Burnet bilingual students and Pre K - 4 year olds will report to Oppe Elementary. All other Burnet students will report to Parker Elementary.

  • Scott Elementary- Scott students with the last name beginning with the letter A-L will report to Rosenberg Elementary. Students with the last name beginning with the letter M-Z will report to Morgan Elementary. All Life Skills students will need to contact Mary Patrick, Executive Director for Special Services & Early Childhood Education, for information about special arrangements.

    Crenshaw Elementary/Middle – All students that attended Crenshaw Elementary/Middle School should contact Terri Watkins, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, for information about special arrangements.

    Central Middle School- All students will report to Weis Middle School.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • We will set up a registration station at the District Support Center for all ‘NEW’ students to GISD beginning Friday, October 3, 2008.
  • We will RELAX the mandatory school uniform policies in place for the first two weeks of school. We will re-evaluate this plan at the end of the two week period.
  • ALL students will be eligible for the free breakfast and lunch program for the first two weeks of school.
  • GISD employees that are in need of child care for their non-school age children please email Mary Patrick, Executive Director for Special Services & Early Childhood Education, so that we might get an estimated count of those in need of this service. Please include the number of children and their ages.
  • We have received many phone calls and emails from people wanting to donate school supplies, back packs, books, school uniforms, shoes, etc. to our kiddos. Julie Schmid, Executive Director of the GISD Educational Foundation is heading up this endeavor for our District. Please email Julie_schmid@gisd.org if you would like to help with this venture.
  • The Ball High School Tornado Football Team will play the Clear Creek Wildcats on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at the Clear Creek District Stadium.
  • September 24, 2008

    2-alarm Pasadena warehouse fire

    A small warehouse fire in Pasadena spread to an auto body/paint business Wednesday night.

    Around 80 to 90 Pasadena and Houston firefighters responded.

    There were reports of explosions which the fire departments believe were caused by paint thinner.

    We received no reported injuries.

    Judge Emmett Issues Order Suspending Animal Impoundment & Boarding Fees

    Due to Hurricane Ike and its aftermath, many animals have been displaced and are being housed in impoundment facilities of the Veterinary Public Health Division of Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services.

    Following a Disaster Declaration by the Governor of Texas and a Local Declaration of Disaster issued by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and extended through September 30th by Harris County Commissioner Court, the following order is effect:

    -Animal impoundment and boarding fees authorized by the Harris County Animal Control Regulations and collected by the Veterinary Public Health Division of Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services are suspended.

    -The suspension of animal impoundment and boarding fees shall continue until the termination of the Local Declaration of Disaster adopted by Harris County Commissioners Court and any extensions thereof and the termination of the Declaration of Disaster issued by the Governor of Texas applicable to Harris County, Texas, and any extension thereof. If either the Local Declaration of Disaster or the Governor's Disaster Declaration remain in effect for Harris County, the animal impoundment and impoundment fees shall remain suspended.

    This Order takes effect immediately.

    Return to Bolivar Peninsula

    Residents and property owners will be allowed to return to the Bolivar Peninsula for a “look and leave” visit beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday.

    “Finally we have been able to get all the pieces in place to have a re-entry to Bolivar Peninsula,” said Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough.  “A lot of hard work has been done by TxDOT and our road department to get that bridge at Rollover Pass accessible.  We are working with the State to bring other resources to the residents.”

    “We’ve got the road bridge finishing up this afternoon,” said Commissioner Patrick Doyle.  “Tomorrow, we will be getting all the PODs (Points of Distribution) all in place; portapots, all the supplies, water, ice all those sort of things.”

    Although County officials are working to supply the PODs in time for the Friday re-entry, Doyle advised returning residents and property owners to bring supplies, such as water, ice and mosquito spray, “because we may not have supplied all our PODs by then.”

    Residents and property owners will be permitted to drive across the bridge between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day; and will be asked to leave at 4 p.m.  Law enforcement will be present to maintain order and to assure that all persons leave after 4 p.m.

    PODs with ice, water, portable toilets will be set up at Crenshaw School and the Faggard Center, as well as at High Island.  People are urged to have tetanus inoculations before returning to the Peninsula, but the Galveston County Health Department will be giving shots at the POD at the High Island School. Registration forms to facilitate re-entry will be posted on GuidryNews.com prior to the beginning of the program. Many people have expressed concern that the forms have not yet been posted, but Doyle stresses that they can be filled out on the scene.

    “No one will be turned away,” Doyle said. “We just need proper identification.”

    Harris County Toll Road Authority to Resume Toll Collection

    HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and county Toll Road Authority officials decided today that traffic conditions now warrant the resumption of toll collections on the Harris County Toll Road system. Therefore, drivers should be prepared to begin paying normal tolls with cash or EZ TAG this Saturday, September 27, 2008.

    Emmett authorized waiving tolls beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, to assist the evacuation of the southeast Texas region prior to the impending landfall of Hurricane Ike. In the aftermath of the storm and with the declaration of the Houston-Galveston region as a disaster area, tolls continued to be waived. “The toll road’s capacity was needed to help with traffic management efforts,” said Toll Road Director Gary Stobb, “while traffic signals on surface streets suffered from storm damage and/or loss of power, as well as to allow passage for service providers, emergency responders, and citizens returning home.“

    With power now restored to more than 75% of Centerpoint Energy customers, and more and more traffic signals coming online by the hour, officials have agreed to resume normal operations on the Harris County Toll Road system. With the City of Galveston re-opened to residents today, free access to the toll road system provided a means to divert some of that traffic around Houston rather than through it.

    Signage will be placed throughout the system, at toll plazas and in EZ TAG stores notifying the public that the toll waiver will be lifted Saturday, September 27, 2008.

    Texas Renters May Be Eligible for Disaster Assistance

    Texas renters who suffered damage to their residences from Hurricane Ike may be eligible for disaster assistance.

    Federal grants to rent a place to live may be available for renters whose primary residence requires repairs to make it habitable. Eligible renters may be provided one or two months of assistance depending on circumstances, and may be extended if needed.

    In addition, renters may apply for a U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan up to $40,000 for personal property losses. If they don't qualify for an SBA loan, other needs assistance may be available for such disaster-related costs as medical-dental expenses, clothing, a damaged vehicle or moving and storage expenses.

    Disaster-affected renters may register 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at www.fema.gov or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY) 1-800-462-7585). The best way to register with FEMA is to go online at www.fema.gov.

    FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

    Shell flaring

    From Shell:

    There will be intermittent flaring at Shell Deer Park over the next few days as the company restarts the refinery and chemical plant. 

    The site was shut down last week in preparation for Hurricane Ike.  Shell is pleased to report there were no personal injuries and minor damage to the facility has been repaired.

    Local residents may observe smoke, light and noise from the flares.  Shell will make every effort to minimize the flaring, but wants residents to know that flaring at night may occur. 

    Shell apologizes for any disturbance this may cause.

    Shell continues to focus on safety and protecting the environment as we return to normal operations.

    For more information contact 713-246-7301.

    Texas Renters May Be Eligible for Disaster Assistance AUSTIN, Texas

    Texas renters who suffered damage to their residences from Hurricane Ike may be eligible for disaster assistance. 

    Federal grants to rent a place to live may be available for renters whose primary residence requires repairs to make it habitable. Eligible renters may be provided one or two months of assistance depending on circumstances, and may be extended if needed.

    In addition, renters may apply for a U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan up to $40,000 for personal property losses. If they don’t qualify for an SBA loan, other needs assistance may be available for such disaster-related costs as medical-dental expenses, clothing, a damaged vehicle or moving and storage expenses.

    Disaster-affected renters may register 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at www.fema.gov or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY) 1-800-462-7585). The best way to register with FEMA is to go online at www.fema.gov.

    Which toll road is charging and which one is not

    The Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA) announced it will resume collecting tolls Thursday. Tolls in Harris County are still waived until further notice.

    Temporary housing plan for displaced Ike victims

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced a rental assistance program that will provide temporary rental payments and case management services to help thousands of families who were displaced by Hurricane Ike. The new program, slated to begin November 1, 2008, will help these families find intermediate housing as they rebuild their lives.

    “It is critical that we provide a degree of stability in the lives of these families until they can get back on their feet,” said U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston. “Knowing you have a roof over your family’s head for the next 18 months should alleviate at least one major concern.”

    “Today we are reaffirming our commitment to help Texas and its citizens recover from the damages sustained from Hurricane Ike. FEMA and HUD have moved quickly to support Texas’s housing needs, and we are moving faster than ever to provide needed resources and assistance to achieve the state’s recovery and housing plans,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Admiral Harvey Johnson.

    “Texans whose lives have been turned upside down by Hurricane Ike are not alone as they face the task of rebuilding their lives,” said Texas Governor Rick Perry. “Fortunately we have a variety of state and federal resources to help Texans through the restoration process. I am thankful for our partners at HUD who have responded quickly and effectively to our requests for assistance.”

    FEMA and HUD agreed on a program that mirrors the successful program that housed families following the 2005 hurricanes, which continues to support 30,000 families.

    The Disaster Housing Assistance Program–IKE (DHAP-IKE) will be executed through an interagency agreement between FEMA and HUD. It is slated to run for 18 months, beginning November 1, 2008. FEMA will determine the families that qualify for assistance.

    HUD, working with an extensive network of public housing agencies (PHAs) that already administer the DHAP program for families displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and HUD’s regular rental assistance program, will oversee and manage the program. Initially, HUD will provide full rental assistance to approved families. Beginning May 1, 2009, families will be responsible for paying $50 per month. Every month thereafter, the family’s portion of the rent will increase in increments of $50 until the program ends in April 2010. This approach has been successful in leading families closer to complete housing independence under the original DHAP program.

    DHAP-IKE will be implemented as follows:

    • Families in need of assistance must register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at www.FEMA.gov
    • HUD will use its network of local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to administer the program where families reside.
    • FEMA will begin referring families to HUD by October 15, 2009, so that HUD can contract with its local PHAs for the delivery of DHAP–IKE services starting November 1, 2008.
    • Prior to November 1, 2008, PHAs will contact eligible families referred by FEMA to begin outreach and intensive case management services to help displaced families rebuild their lives.
    • Beginning November 1, 2008, HUD will begin making rental payments to families declared eligible by FEMA who have been placed in rental housing.
    • PHAs will contact landlords and ensure the necessary documents are in place so that those families will continue to receive uninterrupted assistance payments through DHAP-IKE.
    • PHAs will work with families and landlords to enter into rental assistance contracts as soon as families are referred by FEMA and begin case management.
    • PHAs will pay the higher of the Fair Market Rent rate or the PHAs payment standard.
    • All eligible families will begin contributing $50 toward their rent starting May 1, 2009. Every month thereafter, the family portion of the rent will increase in increments of $50 through March of 2010.
    • The program provides a hardship waiver of the $50 Incremental Rent Transition (IRT) for families that prove that they cannot afford the rent increment. The details of the hardship provision will be spelled out in standard operating procedures that will be published shortly.
    • Starting in August 2009, families whose rent burden does not exceed 30 percent of post disaster gross income, taking into account existing mortgages for personal residences that remain uninhabitable, will no longer be eligible for DHAP– IKE.
    • Families whose rent burden and mortgage exceed 30 percent of post disaster income, will continue to be receive assistance, subject to the IRT, through March 2010 when the program ends.
    There will be family obligations as part of this program which will include:

  • Family must abide by the terms of the lease and maintain the unit in good condition;
  • Family must participate in case management services;
  • When IRT begins, family must agree to pay their portion of rent on time and in full; and
  • Family must accurately and honestly certify the receipt of benefits from either Small Business Administration grants or loans, insurance proceeds, or any other duplication of benefits.
  • September 23, 2008

    CenterPoint Energy restores power to 75% of its customers

    Houston – Sept. 23, 2008 – As of 8:36 p.m., CenterPoint Energy has restored electricity to 75 percent of those customers impacted by Hurricane Ike. Of the 2.15 million customers who lost power, the company has restored power to over 1.58 million in 10 days.

    Pearland ISD update

    Wednesday, September 24: No school for students or staff. Thursday, September 25: All faculty and staff report to your assigned campuses. No school for students. Students will be notified of district status each day by Connect-Ed, the district Website, School-alerts.com and local media. Remain alert for updates. The decision to reopen schools depends on restoration of electricity to the Pearland area. Currently, 17 of our 22 campuses have electrical power.

    Three more HOV lanes open

    METRO will be opening the US 290, US 59 Southwest and US 59 Eastex HOV lanes at 3 p.m. today, Tuesday, Sept 23, 2008.

    Because of a continuing power outage at the Pinemont Park & Ride lot (6201 Pinemont), the entrance ramp to the HOV lane will be closed. Customers who use the Pinemont lot can ride buses that will travel arterial streets before entering the 290 HOV lane or they can park at METRO’s West Little York Park & Ride (15010 Hempstead) – about four miles away.  

    Outages along the US 59 Eastex HOV require that the Tidwell ramp and Will Clayton ramp remain closed.  

    On the US 59 Southwest HOV, power outages at the West Bellfort Park & Ride lot (11415 Roark Road at West Bellfort) and Westwood Park & Ride lot (9990 Southwest Frwy) require staffing by METRO Police.  

    To protect its officers and the public, METRO is reducing the hours of operation to 6 – 11 a.m. and 2 - 7 p.m. This will shorten the number of hours without daylight.  

    METRO is asking motorists to reduce their speed and drive with caution in the lanes. If at anytime, METRO feels staff working in the HOV lanes or the public may be harmed, it will close the HOV lanes until total power is restored.     

    METRO started service on the I-45 North Freeway HOV lane Monday Sept. 22, 2008 when full power was restored.  

    Extensive damage to the I-45 Gulf Freeway HOV lane requires its continued closure.

    HCPHES Begins Spraying Operation for Mosquitoes

    In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) will conduct the first round of ground-based spray operations (spray truck) on Sunday evening, September 21, 2008 from approximately 8:30pm until 4:00am in the western portion of the 610 Loop (see attached map).  The insecticide, Scourge (EPA-approved), is routinely used to combat mosquito-borne disease and will be used during the spray operations in Harris County.   As HCPHES collects additional surveillance data, the ground-based spray operation may expand to other portions of the county. 

    While Scourge is considered to be safe for the environment, some people may be sensitive to direct contact with the chemical.  Therefore, during routine operations HCPHES mosquito control trucks will shut off the sprayer when they see someone potentially in line of a direct spray.  Since many Harris County neighborhoods continue to be without power we anticipate that many more people will be outside than usual during spray operations.  So, if you are outdoors and you see a mosquito truck spraying in your area, HCPHES asks that you go indoors while the truck is spraying on your block so we can cover your neighborhood adequately.

    RED CROSS Opens Big Shelter

    AMERICAN RED CROSS OPENS LARGE SHELTER IN HOUSTON TO HOUSE EVACUEES RETURNING BY BUS (Houston, Texas)-- A former Auchan superstore is a Houston Red Cross shelter for returning evacuees who were bused to other Texas cities before Hurricane Ike hit. Many of these residents can't return to their homes because their homes were severely damaged or destroyed in the storm.

    Before Ike made landfall, evacuees from coastal areas were bused to state Shelter Hubs in cities such as Austin and Dallas. This shelter is being used exclusively for residents moving out of the George R. Brown Convention Center Shelter and for these Houston area coastal residents being brought back here by bus. The shelter is located at 6059 South Loop East, Houston, TX 77087.

    Residents needing shelter, who evacuated on their own, are strongly encouraged to choose from other Red Cross shelters located throughout the greater Houston area. The Red Cross is identifying additional shelter locations because more evacuees will be bussed back into Houston in the next few days.

    For current Shelter List information go to www.houstonredcross.org and 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In addition 6 Red Cross and Southern Baptist Kitchens in Southeast Texas have been providing between 20,000-50,000 meals twice-daily. These kitchens have been providing meals for Red Cross Shelters, Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV's) distributing food   to families in damaged neighborhood and providing drive-up meals from the Baytown kitchen location.

    Also, Red Cross damage assessment teams, going street to street, have determined more than 16,572 homes in Harris and Galveston counties, so far have been damaged, including 1,533 destroyed and 3,450 with major damage.

    Red Cross Teams continue to assess damage in 26 area counties including teams dispatched today from the Houston area to access damage in Chambers, Liberty and Polk counties.

    You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008,by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can log-on to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) to make a donation.

    You can also use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging they keyword "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357). You can send multiple donations depending on your carrier. Contributions will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a pre-paid account balance. All applicable text rates apply.

    Comcast provides outage updates

    Customers able to Track Progress in their Specific Community

    HOUSTON - (September 22, 2008) - Comcast, Houston's primary provider of broadband services, has been working around the clock to restore services interrupted by Hurricane Ike to its customers throughout the Greater Houston and Texas Gulf Coast areas.  To keep its customers better informed, the company recently launched a special web page giving customers access to the latest updates.  By clicking the Hurricane Update link at www.comcast.com, customers will be able to see progress within their specific area.. 

    Nearly 70-percent of Comcast customers in the Greater Texas Gulf Coast Area now have their cable services restored.  Our experience has shown that most of our outages are due to the loss of electrical power.  Often, a street may have power restored, but the power required to operate the node in the neighborhood, may still be without power.  This easy to read mapping system will allow customers to see the progress that is being made within their area.   Customers can click on a specific map region for a closer view of their community.  These maps will be updated as service is restored and customers are advised to check periodically for the latest information. 

    Comcast technicians are working in all areas where power has been restored and the power company and local authorities have granted a safety clearance.  In addition to the company's own local crews, nearly 500 technicians from around the country are on the ground in the Greater Houston Area and surrounding counties to help with the restoration process.

    Emergency restoration procedures along the Greater Texas Gulf Coast allow cable service to be repaired as soon as the power companies have restored power and determined the area is safe. Downed power lines can cause dangerous conditions, so an area must be surveyed and cleared by power company personnel before the all clear is given and restoration work on communications lines can begin.

    Customers who have a damaged cable drop ― the line that connects cable service to the house ― should call 1-800-COMCAST or click on the "Contact Us" link at www.comcast.com to report the problem.

    Fort Bend ISD to request waiver

    From Fort Bend ISD: Update- Sept. 23, 2:30 pm

    Fort Bend ISD plans to submit a waiver request to the Texas Education Agency to excuse lost instructional days due to Hurricane Ike

    At the September 22 business meeting of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, Dr. Timothy Jenney, superintendent, recommended, and the Board concurred, that the district not make up the six official days when the district was forced to be closed due to Hurricane Ike. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is not requiring districts to make up those days, and is leaving the decision up to each individual school district as to how it will proceed. The recommendation will be formally acted upon at the October 13th Board Meeting. A formal waiver request will then be submitted to the TEA.

    Comcast announces Ike credits for customers

    Comcast is continuing to work diligently to restore service to customers along the Greater Texas Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Comcast will be providing credits to customers whose service was interrupted. Customers should call us at 1-800-COMCAST 24 hours a day so we can ensure they receive credit for the amount of time they were without service. For customers who prefer to send an email, they can do so by clicking on the Contact Us link on www.comcast.com.

    In addition to our 2,700 local employees, more than 500 cable technicians from around the country have come to the Greater Texas Gulf Coast region to help us with restoration efforts as we work to rebuild our lives, our homes and our community.

    • Many of our customers remain without power and at this time we have determined that about 30% of our customers are without cable services. The majority of Comcast customers now have their services restored. Our experience has shown that most of our outages are due to the loss of electrical power. Often, a street may have power restored, but the power required to operate our node in the neighborhood may still not be available. Another main cause of the loss of cable service is due to severed drop lines due to flying debris, fallen trees or water damage.
    • After Comcast services have been restored, customers may need a signal boost to ensure that they are receiving the highest quality signal possible. This can be easily done through an automated system by calling 1-800-COMCAST. After a series of prompts, customers will be given an option to send a refresh signal by pressing option one. It will take approximately 20 minutes for converter boxes to re-fresh and restore services to their previous levels.
    • Customers who have a damaged cable drop (the line that connects cable service to the house) should call 1-800-COMCAST to report the problem. Please note that if there are trees or debris laying on power or cable lines, the area must be surveyed and cleared by power company personnel before an all clear is given and restoration work on communication lines can begin.

    No classes for Hodges Bend Middle School in Ft. Bend

    Hodges Bend Middle School Due to problems experienced overnight with water and air-conditioning, Hodges Bend Middle School, 16510 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77083, will not have classes today, Tuesday, September 23.

    Fort Bend ISD’s School Messenger call-out system will be utilized to notify Hodges Bend parents. Stay tuned to the district's website and media for updates.

    September 22, 2008

    CenterPoint Energy customer outage update

    CenterPoint Energy customer outage update

    Total customers with power:                                                                  1.54 million
    (68 percent of total customers)

    Total customers without power:                                                         713,000
    (32 percent of total customers)

    Total customers restored:                                                                     1.44 million

    Total number of customers in service territory:                               2.26 million

    Total number of customers affected by Ike:                                      2.15 million

    Harris County jury calls cancelled for the week

    Judge Don Stricklin has advised that, because of the ongoing problems the citizens of Harris County are experiencing in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, the jury calls for the entire week of September 22-26, 2008 have been cancelled.

    Depending on the speed of recovery, we anticipate that the jury call will resume Monday September 29, 2008.

    Court Resumes Wednesday For Galveston County Residents With Child Support Cases

    GALVESTON – Galveston County child support court will resume operation at a temporary location on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. Until further notice, child support court will be held at the Jerry Esmond Juvenile Justice Center, 6101 Attwater Avenue in Texas City. Court begins promptly at 8 a.m.

    Click here for a map to the temporary location www.co.galveston.tx.us/juvjustice/mapdirect.htm.

    Child support cases set between Monday, Sept. 15 through Tuesday, Sept. 23 will be rescheduled. Parents will be notified of the new date by mail. Parents can also obtain their new court date at the Office of the Attorney General’s Texas City Child Support Office located at 3201 FM 2004, or by calling (409) 986-7688 or toll free (800) 687-7572.

    For additional information, visit the child support section of the Attorney General’s Web site at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.

    The Attorney General’s Child Support Division offers Texas families an array of services, including: locating absent parents; establishing paternity for children born to unmarried parents; establishing, enforcing, and modifying child and medical support orders; and collecting and distributing child support payments.

    Entergy Texas, Inc. outages

    Outages
    392,600

    Current outages
    54,908*

    Customers restored
    337,692

    Percent restored 86%

    Humble ISD reopens

    Humble ISD re-opens for students on Sept. 25th. View updates at www.humble.k12.tx.us. </P><P>

    Complete list of school closings