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Posts published in May 2019

Aldine Education Foundation, Aldine Scholarship Fund award scholarships to graduating Seniors

May 28, 2019
Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney congratulates an Aldine ISD senior during the Aldine Education’s Scholarship Awards ceremony, held Tuesday, May 14 at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center.

Two hundred eighty-two Aldine ISD seniors received the opportunity to continue their academic careers by receiving either Aldine Education Foundation (AEF) or Aldine Scholarship Fund (ASF) scholarships during an awards ceremony this spring at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center.

AEF incorporated in 2012 to enable more Aldine ISD students to receive financial support for colleges of their choice, to award grants to educators for innovative instructional programs and to recognize and reward excellence in educators and students.

ASF, now under the direction of the Lone Star College Foundation, has a permanent endowment totaling more than $2 million, which sends AISD students to Lone Star College.

During the ceremony, AEF awarded 147 scholarships and 135 AISD seniors received ASF scholarships. The scholarships awarded this year totaled $573,000. That’s an increase of 31 scholarships from the 2017-18 school year.

“Because of significant support from Noble Drilling, this is the third consecutive year AEF was able to award a four-year, $20,000 scholarship to a graduate from each of Aldine ISD’s high schools,” said AEF Director Michele McGovern. “Additionally, the amazing support of Aldine ISD staff through payroll deductions funded $98,000 in scholarship funds for 26 students.”

Prior to the awarding of the scholarships, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney delivered the Superintendent’s Challenge to this year’s scholarship recipients.

“You have done so much to get yourselves here – skipped social events to study, stayed after school to work on projects, all the things that it takes to meet your goals,” she said. “It is those traits – hard work, determination, and sacrifice that make you a true scholar and those same traits will suit you well as you go into the next chapter of life.”

She also challenged the scholarship recipients to embrace this next chapter in their lives.

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Lake Houston spillway dam project reduces lake level

May 28, 2019

Houston, TX – City Council Member Dave Martin would like to bring to resident’s attention that Houston Public Works has lowered Lake Houston by six inches as of Monday, May 20, allowing contractors to begin a critical rehabilitation project on the Lake Houston Spillway Dam. Lake Houston will be lowered another six inches on Tuesday, May 28, following Memorial Day weekend, for a total lake reduction of one foot through the fall of 2020.

The Lake Houston Spillway Dam Rehabilitation Project will provide increased stability to the dam through the installation of a new reinforced concrete training wall. This project also includes partial demolition of a splitter wall, which is the device used to break up the flow of water over the spillway. Contractors with Thalle Construction Company will build new concrete anchor blocks at the bottom of the training wall and elevate the Ogee and Stilling pool weirs by seven feet, thus altering the water flow from the spillway.

During this project property owners should be prepared for varying levels on Lake Houston through the fall of 2020 as any time the lake is above 41.5 feet, it will be immediately lowered back to 41.5 feet in an effort to minimize disruption of the project. In these instances, advance notice may not be possible and property owners should secure property along the shoreline for this extended period of time. During the time of this project recreational activities will be disrupted and boaters are urged to use extreme caution on the lake due to lower levels as well as increased instances of exposed debris.

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North Houston District/Greenspoint announces: “Exciting Things Are Happening Here” Campaign

May 21, 2019

Renovations, major investments and area improvements, a $500+ million investment

HOUSTON, TX (May 14, 2019) – The North Houston District, at the intersection of Interstate 45 North and the Sam Houston Parkway, is changing its landscape. New companies are moving in and developing innovative spaces and others are investing hundreds of millions in a new look. Exciting things are happening in the North Houston District and Greenspoint areas and these are some of the projects underway. (more…)

Suspect sought in fatal shooting at Keith-Wiess Park

May 21, 2019
HPD released this surveillance video of a man running from the scene of the homicide in Keith-Wiess Park. He is wanted for questioning.

Police are searching for a suspect seen in a surveillance video, after a homicide in Keith-Wiess Park.

Houston Police said that a body was found dead near a pick-up truck. The Harris County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Arnaldo Moreno. The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 14, at about 7 pm. A motive for the shooting, and details leading up to it, are not known at this time.

Witnesses reported seeing a man running from the scene, and disappearing into the woods along Aldine-Westfield at Keith-Wiess Park.

The suspect is described as an Hispanic male in his early 20s, wearing a light-colored shirt and tan shorts.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call HPD at 713-308-3600, or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia hosts Community Meetings

May 21, 2019

Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s Advisory Board is hosting a series of community meetings in Precinct 2.

The meetings are a great opportunity for residents to share their vision for Precinct 2 and give input on topics such as education, health, flooding, housing and the environment.

The upcoming meetings will take place at different locations.

Please see below for the full list and Topics. (more…)

Comm. Garcia proposes 1 million dollars for countywide land trust program

May 21, 2019
Commissioner Adrian Garcia

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – May 14th – Commissioner Adrian Garcia has proposed to invest one million dollars in a new Land Trust pilot program that could give Harris County residents an opportunity to own a home.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Garcia requested the court discuss and approve the establishment of a Land Trust Program for Unincorporated Harris County. Under the current proposal, the program would operate as a Community Land Trust (CLT) nonprofit owned by the county and will have the ability to acquire land, including accepting land currently owned by the county. The acquired land will be used to develop affordable housing, which will be made available to low- and moderate-income families at below-market rates. The County will continue to own the land and lease it to the homeowner. In exchange for purchasing a CLT home at an affordable price, buyers agree to resell at a price that is affordable for future low-income owners. A likely scenario would include a 99-year lease that may be renewed and inherited.

“My Precinct has the highest percentage of renters among all 4 precincts. Most residents rent because they cannot afford to own and I want to change this. This type of program makes homeownership accessible to those who may not be able to do it otherwise,” said Commissioner Garcia.

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Eisehnhower students win bus shelter design contest

May 14, 2019
Left to Right: Michael Martinez, Roberto Trevino, Todd Lindeman, Eliezer Guillen, Sergio Garcia, Hector Baltazar, Remelia Arpino, METRO CEO Tom Lambert

EISEHNHOWER STUDENTS WIN BUS SHELTER DESIGN CONTEST

WINNING BUS SHELTER CONCEPT TO BE BUILT IN ALDINE ISD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Eisenhower High School’s design team will see its METRO bus shelter idea move from concept to construction. The team beat out eight other teams in a district-wide bus shelter design contest that enhances the school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Program. The competition started with 50 teams from across the district before narrowing to eight finalists. Last month, each team presented a 3-D printed model of their design along with a short presentation explaining their prototype to METRO staff.

“All of the teams articulated their concepts very well and followed the guidelines we gave them, and it was difficult picking just one winner,” said Roberto Treviño, executive vice president of planning, engineering, and construction. “We could tell all the teams worked hard on their project and presentation.”

The groups were judged on their presentation skills, creativity, design concept, budget, 3-D printed model sample, and team work. The winning design was a sleek, curved structure that provided more seating and a solar panel which powered lighting.

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North Forest area plans New Management District

May 14, 2019

SB390 Bill promoters include State Representatives Harold Dutton and Senfronia Thompson, Pastor Lightfoot, SB390 bill sponsor Senator Borris Miles, and Charles Noble, president of the Fontaine/Scenic Wood Civic club.The North Forest and Northeast Houston neighborhoods are about to get their own management district, pending the final vote and signature of the governor.

A group of citizens, headed by State Senator Borris Miles, have been working to get approval of SB390, and the votes in committee in both the House and Senate have been unanimous. Without any opposition, the bill is expected to pass before the end of the session in June.

A management district, with power to assess money through taxes and assessments of various sorts, would make a huge difference in the quality of life, and services available in the Northeast Houston area, according to Miles.

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LSC-East Aldine Center Open House reveals Opportunities Coming in August

May 14, 2019
Lone Star College-EAC information booth.

Houston, TX (May 9, 2019) — The East Aldine community was treated to a festive atmosphere on Saturday, May 4, as Lone Star College-East Aldine Center (LSC-East Aldine Center) welcomed more than 350 visitors to an open house community awareness event at the BakerRipley East Aldine Campus.

“I am proud to be on a team of faculty, staff, volunteers and community partners that are working hard to bring a new educational opportunity to the East Aldine community,” said Dr. Luis Lucio, LSCEast Aldine Center dean. “We look forward to welcoming students this August and to help them with their educational journey.”

The opening of LSC-East Aldine Center represents the culmination of work from many people and groups, including partner agencies BakerRipley East Aldine Campus and the East Aldine Management District, and Aldine Independent School District.

LSC-East Aldine Center will be housed in a new 80,000 square foot educational center in the East Aldine Town Center. In addition to instruction, onsite services will include registration, college placement testing, free tutoring, academic and career advising, financial aid assistance and a bookstore.

The new center will be a comprehensive educational campus nestled in the heart of the Aldine community that provides a mix of academic college transfer courses, as well as, workforce training programs in high-demand fields such as healthcare and construction trades. (more…)