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Posts published in “Day: December 26, 2006”

Suspect arrested in death of Humble “Good Samaritan”

December 26, 2006

Police arrested a suspect in the shooting death of Steven Jackson who authorities termed a “Good Samaritan” after he followed a thief in a gas station hold up.

Police believe Keith Hines, 40, robbed several gas stations and shot Jackson. Hines is charged with capital murder and two charges of aggravated robbery. Police believe Hines is responsible for a string of gas station robberies that began in September. He was caught after an anonymous tipster identified Hines from photos taken from a surveillance camera during one of the robberies. The anonymous caller will collect $20,500 in reward money from Crime Stoppers.
Hines was already on parole for two charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle in 1987. He was sentenced to 45 years and was on parole until 2035.
Hines worked for Access and Road Service Unlimited where he helped stranded motorists.
Hines was arrested without resistance at his home in Kingslake Forest off Beltway 8 where he lived with his girlfriend.

6th Annual Academy Basketball Tourney

December 26, 2006

Aldine ISD’s M.O. Campbell Center will play host to the Academy National Invitational Tournament for the sixth consecutive year, slated Dec. 27-30.

The tournament will feature some of the top teams from across the nation and Texas, including Aldine Senior High and one of the state’s top players in Gary Johnson, a 6-foot-7 forward who recently signed with the University of Texas.
USA Today has tabbed the Academy Invitational “arguably the nation’s best top-to-bottom event.”
The National Division includes three of USA Today’s top four-rated teams in the country as Norcross (Georgia), ranked No. 2, DeMatha (Maryland), ranked No. 3, and St. Patrick’s (New Jersey), ranked No. 4 make up part of that bracket. The five other teams in the National Division will be Christ the King of New York (ranked No. 21), Kingwood (ranked No. 23), Alief Hastings, Rainier Beach (Washington) and Rice (New York).
The Texas Division will consist of Aldine Senior High, Bellaire, Klein Collins, Houston Madison, Strake Jesuit, The Woodlands, Westbury Christian and Houston Yates.

Sconzo named Texas nominee for 2007 National Superintendent of the Year

December 26, 2006

Humble ISD Superintendent Dr. Guy Sconzo has been chosen to represent Texas in the 2007 National Superintendent of the Year Program. A Texas Association of School Administrators committee selected Dr. Sconzo for the honor based upon the criteria of leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.

As the state nominee, Dr. Sconzo will be honored in March during the American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education in New Orleans. A national winner will be announced at that time. The program is co-sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators and ARAMARK.
“Dr. Sconzo is indeed most worthy to be named National Superintendent of the Year,” Johnny L. Veselka, executive director for the Texas Association of School Administrators, said.
Dr. Sconzo has been Humble ISD superintendent since 2001 and has more than 30 years of experience in education. During his tenure with Humble ISD, voters have approved $572 million in school facility bonds and the district has opened four new elementary schools and a new high school. Humble ISD has grown by more than 6,000 students. Continued growth and additional schools are planned for the future.
Dr. Sconzo is known for his inclusive working style, rapport with teachers, students, parents and community members, and tireless work ethic.
“He goes far beyond what might be expected of any superintendent,” Dr. Bonnie Longnion, president of the Humble ISD Board of Trustees, said. “He is at his desk every morning at 6 a.m. sending out communications to the board, community, and employees. He responds to every e-mail that he receives. He makes multiple visits to each school. He knows almost every employee by name, and he addresses them by name.”
As an effective communicator, Dr. Sconzo was one of four superintendents in the state chosen to testify in a landmark school finance case. His local community involvement includes serving as Humble Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman, Flaming Arrow District of the Boy Scouts of America Chairman and Northeast Medical Center Hospital Board Member. He also is a past member of the Lake Houston Family YMCA Advisory Board.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be the state nominee,” Dr. Sconzo said. “This award reflects on everyone. My work would be meaningless if it weren’t for the teachers and staff members who strive every day to help students learn and grow, and for the parents and community members who strongly support education.”
Before coming to Humble ISD, Dr. Sconzo served as interim superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools. He also has been an associate superintendent, middle school principal and English teacher. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wagner College, a master’s degree from New York University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He and his wife, Diane, have two grown children, Michael and Jennifer.

North Forest ISD bookkeeper found ‘Not Guilty’ of check fraud

December 26, 2006

A jury of her peers found Valerie Gibson, 47, not guilty of involvement in a check-cashing scheme that stole more than a quarter million dollars from North Forest ISD.

Gibson was a bookkeeper in North Forest ISD when she and three others were charged with fraud after three North Forest checks were stolen, written out to a fake company, and cashed in Las Vegas. Last year, the other three defendants pleaded guilty to theft and face up to life in prison. Two of them have been sentenced now that the trial against Gibson is complete. Gibson was the only defendant who pleaded not guilty.
During the two-week trial, prosecutors claimed that Gibson’s motive for stealing the money was to pay for an expensive house and furniture. Her position in the district’s financial office gave her the opportunity.
But jurors say the testimony of fellow defendant Cynthia Bailey was not credible. The jury deliberated for 15 hours over two days. At one point, the jury told the judge they were deadlocked. But after a weekend to reflect, the jury reconvened and found Gibson not guilty because there was a reasonable doubt.
Investigator John Kleindienst recovered one-third of the stolen money, about $90,000 from a bank account in Las Vegas. That money goes back to the school district.