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Posts published in September 2021

Oct. 5 is National Night Out

September 28, 2021
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez poses with participants at a previous North Houston National Night Out in Greenspoint.

Annual event for Neighbors, Law officers

EAST ALDINE – The community is in anticipation of a big National Night Out on Tuesday, October 5th, since the event was unable to be held last year due to the Pandemic.

Festivities will start at 6:00 pm and continue until 9:00 pm and will take place at the new East Aldine Town Center, directly behind BakerRipley on Aldine Mail Route.

Organizers say that activities will include a chance to meet your neighbors, and public safety officials such as the Sheriff’s deputies, fire department personnel, and EMS. There will also be booths from many civic and educational organizations, such as the Green Forest Civic Club, Castlewood Civic Club, Lone Star College, Aldine ISD, and other organizations and businesses.

Kids can enjoy games and adults will have a live DJ and dancing, food, and other fun activities.

Continue reading...Oct. 5 is National Night Out

HPD officer killed serving a arrest warrant in Aldine area

September 28, 2021
HPD WILLIAM JEFFREY (left) and SUSPECT DEON LEDET (right)

HOUSTON – One officer is dead and another is injured after a shooting in northeast Harris County.

The incident happened around 7:30 a.m. at the Timber Ridge Apartments on Aeropark Drive near Crosswinds Drive, authorities said.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said William “Bill” Jeffrey and Sgt. Michael Vance with the HPD Major Offenders Unit were serving a high-level felony arrest warrant at the location.

When they arrived, Finner said a woman believed to be in some sort of relationship with the suspect answered the door. At that point, Finner said the suspect immediately came out and opened fire on the officers.

Continue reading...HPD officer killed serving a arrest warrant in Aldine area

Aldine ISD to pay $500 incentive to any employee who gets COVID vaccination

September 28, 2021

ALDINE – During the September 21 Aldine ISD Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved a COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program to offer a one-time $500 incentive to qualifying full-time employees, permanent part-time employees, dedicated substitutes, and long-term substitutes serving as the teacher of record who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

AISD Trustees took this action with the safety and well-being of staff and students in mind. The voluntary program will begin Thursday, September 23, with all incentives paid by December 10, 2021.

“COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be safe and effective against the virus,” said Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya Goffney. “By increasing the number of vaccinated staff, we increase our ability to provide our students with a safe and healthy classroom where they can continue with in-class instruction.”

Employees must complete the COVID-19 vaccine incentive form and submit proof of vaccination by November 19. Qualifying full-time employees, permanent part-time employees, and dedicated substitutes are eligible to receive a $500 incentive.

Continue reading...Aldine ISD to pay $500 incentive to any employee who gets COVID vaccination

Aldine ISD lowers tax rate for 2021-22

September 28, 2021

ALDINE – During the September 21 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the 2021-22 school year tax rate.

Chief Business and Operations Officer Dr. Tamika Alford-Stephens recommended the Board set the 2021-22 tax rate at $1.2669 per $100 valuation ($.9644 for maintenance and operations and $.3025 for the interest and sinking fund. The 2021-22 tax rate is $.0075 lower than the 2020-21 tax rate.

The tax rate provides for the day-to-day operations of Aldine ISD, pays outstanding bonds in the succeeding years, and other lawful purposes. Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Alford-Stephens’ recommendation.

Continue reading...Aldine ISD lowers tax rate for 2021-22

Aldine ISD to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

September 21, 2021
Carver High School’s Mariachi band will be featured this month.

ALDINE – Schools across the district will celebrate the diversity, culture, traditions, and contributions of Hispanics during September and October. AISD recognizes the diversity in our schools and workplaces.

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates a diverse group of people. They trace their roots to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Of the district’s student population, nearly 75 percent are Hispanic. They represent many Spanish-speaking countries.

BY THE NUMBERS

Depending on how you count, there are 22 Spanish-speaking countries in the world.

More than 450 million native speakers of Spanish, making it second only to Chinese in terms of the most spoken languages in the world. English is just behind Spanish, with approximately 360 million native speakers.

Continue reading...Aldine ISD to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Additional flood detention basin under construction near Aldine-Westfield

September 21, 2021

ALDINE – In July 2021, the Flood Control District began construction of the P518-11-00 stormwater detention basin, located between Halls Bayou and Isom Street.

Bond Project C-25 is part of the Halls Implementation Program, a watershed-wide effort to implement the 12 flood risk reduction projects identified in the 2018 Bond Program. This approximately 180 acre foot wet-bottom stormwater detention basin is expected to hold approximately 59 million gallons of water, or 89 Olympic-sized swimming pools, once complete.

This project is funded by the 2018 Bond Program and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery program.

Construction equipment will access the work area via Aldine-Westfield Road. The contractor will use heavy construction equipment such as dump trucks, excavators, and bulldozers to remove trees, vegetation, and excavated soil. Motorists are urged to be alert to truck traffic when passing near construction access points and along truck routes.

Continue reading...Additional flood detention basin under construction near Aldine-Westfield

Drainage project underway in Castlewood

September 14, 2021
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES were held last Wednesday, Sept. 8th and included Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Castlewood’s Connie Esparza, Selina Valdez, and representatives of the HC Flood Control and Engineering Departments.

By Gilbert Hoffman

EAST ALDINE – Groundbreaking ceremonies were held last Wednesday, September 8th to mark the start of construction for Subdivision Drainage project E-09 in Castlewood Addition Sections 3 and 4. This is one of over 100 subdivision drainage projects in the county that Harris County Flood Control District is undertaking with bond money from the 2018 Flood Bond issue.

Commissioner Garcia refers to these projects as turning into “smart communities” to mitigate future flooding.

The project will cost about $14.9 million dollars, including an additional $1.2 million to replace water lines not in the original plan.

Construction will start September 15, at Connorvale, and end up 14 months later at Woodgate.

Continue reading...Drainage project underway in Castlewood

Pct. 2 Liaison Valdez keeps busy helping Aldine

September 14, 2021

By Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia

When I first took office, my goal was to build a Community Relations team featuring liaisons who would represent the various areas of Precinct 2, act as a direct line to our office, and whenever needed, assist our residents in getting help. Considering the massive geographic size of Precinct 2, and the varied concerns that come from all corners, I rely on these liaisons to be my eyes, ears, and action on the ground.

The East Aldine community is one of my highest priorities because previously it was an area that had been forgotten by those in charge of serving it. That’s why when I found Selina Valdez to be our Aldine community liaison, I was thrilled to have her on our team. Selina’s connection to Aldine runs deep. Even if not on my staff, she would still be advocating and serving the people Aldine, as this is the area she has called home from birth.

Selina’s Aldine roots are deep: she attended Johnson Elementary when the campus was off Hamill Rd, went to Hambrick Jr. High and MacArthur High School, and she’s lived here ever since.

In speaking with her, Selina says she views her community liaison role as being a direct extension from my office to the community. With her ears to the ground, she has a handle on all that’s going on in the area. She shines a light on issues and helps our local neighborhoods know they’re being heard. Selina will tell you without a pause, that she’s proud that her community has embraced the improvements my team has implemented, like repaved roads, new sidewalks built, ditches dug, stormwater detention basins excavated and even the striping on Sellers Road.

Continue reading...Pct. 2 Liaison Valdez keeps busy helping Aldine

HARRIS COUNTY: $30 Million Relief funding for Small Businesses recovering from Pandemic

September 14, 2021

Harris County has created a new $30 Million Small Business Relief Fund to support micro and small businesses recovering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The application window will open Monday, September 20 at 9:30AM and close Monday, October 4 at 5:30PM Central Standard Time. The application process is not first-come, first-served; all completed applications will be reviewed for eligibility and prioritized based on small business impact parameters. Below you will find more details about this program, including eligibility, funding methodology and timeframe.

Continue reading...HARRIS COUNTY: $30 Million Relief funding for Small Businesses recovering from Pandemic