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Posts published in July 2021

Sheriff initiates UNIDOS program for Hispanics

July 27, 2021
Families lined up to get a picture with the Sheriff’s helicopter.

Kick-off was held at BakerRipley Saturday; Goal is to provide resources and connections

EAST ALDINE – The public was invited to a kick-off party, held by the Sheriff’s office, to introduce a new program called UNIDOS. The event was held last Saturday, at the BakerRipley complex in Town Center. Hundreds of families attended in spite of the intense heat, and the Sheriff’s team displayed a great deal of their equipment and services in various locations around the BakerRipley campus. This included a mounted horse patrol, SWAT vehicles, an Autism intervention unit, and the most exciting of the show, the landing and exhibition of the department’s helicopter.

The event also included a number of exhibits and information tents, by community groups such as Lone Star College — East Aldine, BakerRipley, Houston Police and Fire Departments, health organizations, and Harris County Precinct 2.

Unidos is a new program aimed at providing assistance to Spanish-speaking residents in Harris County through valuable resources and connections to meet the community’s needs.

Continue reading...Sheriff initiates UNIDOS program for Hispanics

Dems defy Abbott, continue stay in DC

July 27, 2021
Democratic State Rep. Senfronia Thompson

WASHINGTON, DC – More than 50 Democratic members of the state House fled Austin for Washington, D.C., last Monday, paralyzing the House just as the GOP was advancing sweeping changes in elections during a special session. Under the Texas Constitution, the Legislature requires a quorum of two-thirds of lawmakers to be present to conduct state business in either chamber.

The Texas Democrats plan to spend the week meeting with national voting rights advocates and labor leaders, election officials and other Democrats as they seek to keep the pressure on Congress to pass federal voting legislation.

Continue reading...Dems defy Abbott, continue stay in DC

Olympics open in Tokyo, Aldine Nimitz’s Griner on team

July 27, 2021
Brittney Griner practices in her Team USA uniform.

TOKYO – Brittney Griner and Ariel Atkins are players with local ties on this year’s Team USA women’s basketball Olympic roster.

Brittney Griner, who starred at Nimitz High School and Baylor University, won gold with Team USA at the 2016 Olympics as well as at the FIBA World Championships in 2014 and 2018. She was named MVP of the gold medal game in the 2018 FIBA World Championships.

This will be the first Olympics for Ariel Atkins, who starred at the University of Texas before becoming the seventh overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. This has been a coming-out season for Atkins offensively – she’s averaging career highs in five categories, including her 19.0 points per game. The former Longhorn was a part of the Washington Mystics’ 2019 WNBA Championship team and has been named to the WNBA All-Defensive Team all three seasons she has played in the league. As for the rest of the roster, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will try and become the first five-time Olympic gold medalists in basketball as they lead the U.S women’s team at the Tokyo Games.

The duo was selected for their fifth Olympics last month, joining Teresa Edwards as the only basketball players in U.S. history to play in five. Edwards won four gold medals and a bronze in her illustrious Olympic career.

Continue reading...Olympics open in Tokyo, Aldine Nimitz’s Griner on team

Local legislators leave Austin to stop Voter Restriction bill

July 20, 2021
State Representative Armando Walle, fourth from left, and other Texas legislators meets with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla in his office in D.C., to discuss federal Voter’s Rights legislation, and the bills in the Texas Legislature that the Democrats say will restrict citizen’s right to vote.

Democrats Armando W., Senfronia T., and Carol A. among opponents in D.C.

State Representative Walle Travels to D.C. to Stop Voter Suppression Efforts

HOUSTON – State Representative Armando Walle (D-Houston) released the following statement today regarding his joining over 57 Texas House Democratic Caucus members to break quorum to stop legislation restricting voting rights in Texas:

Unfortunately, we are here again in Washington D.C. today because of the choices of Texas Republican leaders to prioritize so-called “Election Integrity” legislation, or more accurately, voter suppression legislation, over the numerous issues that remain unfinished, like fixing and protecting our Texas grid or COVID relief for our constituents or our public health safety net that is a crisis away from collapse.

While I am here, we are visiting and pleading with Congressional leaders to pass voting rights legislation to protect our citizens’ right to vote and participate in our democracy. I will never understand why we are trying to make it more difficult to vote in Texas, a state already considered the hardest to vote in the country.[i]

Continue reading...Local legislators leave Austin to stop Voter Restriction bill

Latin Jazz Fills Town Center

July 20, 2021

Hundreds turned out last Saturday evening for the Inaugural Concert of the new Town Center Amphitheater and stage. Performing were the Diaz Music School Caliente Band, playing “LATIN JAZZ.” Featured performers, as well as the students, were noted Jazz Trumpeter Ray Vega, and Trombonist Andre Hayward. Dance and Music students also performed.

Continue reading...Latin Jazz Fills Town Center

State GLO sends $1.1b to Harris County

July 20, 2021

Harris County receiving $1.1 billion in infrastructure and mitigation projects

AUSTIN – Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush has announced plans to sub-award $750 million in light of a denial by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of a direct allocation of mitigation funding for Harris County. The General Land Office (GLO) will be drafting an action plan that will include a set aside of Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding for $750 million and direct at least $500 million in additional funds to be distributed through the Regional Mitigation Program. Additional details will be released as the action plan amendment is finalized in accordance with HUD rules and federal requirements.

“Money from the federal government is, as always, tied up with endless mounds of red tape and bureaucracy,” said Commissioner George P. Bush. “During Hurricane Harvey, Texans in Harris County undoubtedly suffered some of the costliest damage in the state. After considerable back and forth with the Biden Administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development, the General Land Office will allocate $750 million in funding for mitigation efforts in Harris County and continue to work around the federal government’s ever-changing bureaucratic demands.”

Continue reading...State GLO sends $1.1b to Harris County

Sheriff hosts public Bike Ride in park

July 20, 2021
The public is invited to join with Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday, July 24 starting at 7:30 am registration, 8:30 bike ride. The ride will take place in Deussen Park near Lake Houston.

HARRIS COUNTY – In honor of Park and Recreation Month, the Sheriff’s office celebrates the beauty and value of our local parks and green spaces. They enhance our quality of life and contribute to the well-being of our communities. Our Parks Unit patrols nearly 100 parks across our county. These deputies ensure the parks are safe and welcoming for visitors.

For many, parks were essential mental and physical outlets throughout the pandemic. Our parks are often our first experiences in nature, and our introduction to walking, running, bicycling, and being active outdoors. They are at the center of many memories and a place to come together with friends and family.

Parks also connect us to our neighbors and those who patrol and protect our neighborhoods.

Continue reading...Sheriff hosts public Bike Ride in park

Precinct 2 initiates Pothole Repair program

July 13, 2021
Marina Sugg of the Green Forest CCivic club inspects a Pct. 2 Pothole Repair in the East Aldine area.

EAST ALDINE – One of Commissioner Garcia’s top missions has been to develop new strategies in making sure Precinct 2 roadways are well maintained and safe for constituents.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia says that “Summer is here, one of the busiest times of the year for Precinct 2: from park renovations to ribbon cuttings, road repair, and bridge maintenance, we do a lot of everything!”

With all those initiatives ongoing, today, Commissioner Garcia announces the newest way Precinct 2 is getting the job done! Specially-equipped trucks are being used to repair potholes in our Precinct.

If you see a pothole that needs to be addressed, all you have to do is call the Pct 2 Call Center at 713-274-2222 or visit www.hcp2.com to file a report.

Continue reading...Precinct 2 initiates Pothole Repair program

Governor Abbott Announces Special Session Agenda

July 13, 2021

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation that identifies eleven agenda items for the Special Session that begins at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 8.

“The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but we have unfinished business to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America,” said Governor Abbott. “Two of my emergency items, along with other important legislation, did not make it to my desk during the regular session, and we have a responsibility to finish the job on behalf of all Texans. These Special Session priority items put the people of Texas first and will keep the Lone Star State on a path to prosperity. I look forward to working with my partners in the Legislature to pass this legislation as we build a brighter future for all who call Texas home.”

Special Session agenda items will include:

Continue reading...Governor Abbott Announces Special Session Agenda

Free July 17concert will initiate new amphitheater

July 13, 2021
Town Center amphitheater is at center, stage at left, kids water playground at right, and offices for the East Aldine District at rear of this aerial photo.

Program includes Ray Vega, and Diaz’ Caliente

Grammy-winning Latin jazz trumpeter Ray Vega will lead the first live, free performance at the East Aldine Town Center amphitheater Sat., July 17

HOUSTON — Live, free, sizzling jazz for people of all ages, led by an international music star, in East Aldine has been announced. Grammy-winning Latin jazz trumpeter Ray Vega will lead the first live, free performance at the East Aldine Town Center amphitheater Saturday, July 17th.

Latin Jazz trumpet player Ray Vega, winner of multiple GRAMMY awards, will lead Caliente, a local ensemble of about 30 young musicians from the Diaz Music Institute, which is supported by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office and the East Aldine Management District.

The public show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at the new amphitheater at the recently expanded East Aldine Town Center, 2800 Aldine Mail Route Rd.

Organizers are planning to offer light refreshments for sale.

Continue reading...Free July 17concert will initiate new amphitheater