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Northeast News

I-45 Improvement study completed

October 13, 2020

TxDOT requests comments

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR IH-45 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT COMPLETED

The long-awaited document is available for review by the public

By Danny Perez

HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) would like to announce that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is now complete for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). Since its release in 2017, TxDOT has been reviewing and addressing public comments on the Draft EIS and preparing the Final EIS.

The proposed NHHIP would include roadway improvements to add four managed express (MaX) lanes on I-45 from Downtown Houston to Beltway 8 North, reroute I-45 to be parallel with I-10 on the north side of Downtown Houston and parallel to US 59/I-69 on the east side of Downtown Houston, realign sections of I-10 and I-69 in the Downtown area to eliminate the current roadway reverse curves that limit capacity, and depress I-69 between I-10 and Spur 527 south of Downtown to improve safety by eliminating unsafe weaving.

The proposed project also includes reconstruction of mainlanes and frontage roads; addition of bicycle/pedestrian elements along the 44 Downtown streets that cross the freeways, including a 15- foot to 17-foot wide pedestrian buffer between the bicycle/pedestrian traffic and the vehicular traffic; addition of sidewalks along frontage roads; and addition of pass-through lanes on I-10 that will separate traffic desiring to go to Downtown from traffic destined to go through Downtown.

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Halloween Caravan

October 13, 2020

East Aldine District is sponsoring a SAFE FUN Halloween day event for kids and families. A parade through the streets of East Aldine will hand out sweets and treats, dress in costumes, and entertain with live music, horses, and a hayride.

The event will start at the East Aldine Town Center campus at 10:00 am, and end at the James Driver Park on Bentley by 2:00 pm. Families should line the streets with bags to collect the sweets, but be sure to wear Masks and keep a Social Distance from others.

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Garcia brings Medical Smart Pod to Aldine

October 6, 2020
Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia and other officials of Baylor and Pct. 2 participate in the ribbon cutting last Thursday. The SmartPOD is behind them.

Will provide accessible Free Healthcare

COMMISSIONER GARCIA BRINGS INNOVATION TO PRECINCT 2 WITH THE FIRST BAYLOR SMARTPOD IN THE UNITED STATES.

This week Commissioner Adrian Garcia, along with Baylor College of Medicine and United Health Partners (UHP) announces the arrival and installation of the first of two SmartPods, which are adaptable and mobile health care structures. Designed by Baylor College of Medicine and validation was done with the help of NASA engineers, the SmartPods will be known as ACCESS2HEALTH at Precinct 2 Facilities.

Originally created to treat the Ebola outbreak in Africa, the SmartPods to be utilized in Precinct 2 are the first to be located inside the United States. Initially, ACCESS2HEALTH will be used for COVID-19 testing to be performed by United Health Partners, however, in the future, they will be available to treat infectious diseases and other illnesses.

The first SmartPod will be stationed at Northeast Community Center (10918 Bentley St., Houston, TX 77093) in Aldine. The second of the two SmartPod ACCESS2HEALTH units is expected to be stationed at East Harris Activity Center (7340 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505) and should arrive sometime in the Fall. The mobile clinics are an innovative answer to dealing with health care deserts in Harris County Precinct 2.

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Garcia proposes County tax cut

October 6, 2020

HARRIS COUNTY – Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia proposed this week a motion to cut Harris County property tax rates. The motion was approved by Commissioners Court unanimously. The Garcia plan proposes a rate that will save taxpayers 1.3 cents per $100 of assessed value on their homes. The plan not only saves taxpayers money, it also still funds crucial priorities such as Flood Control and Harris Health.

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ALDINE MAIL ROUTE: Victim of carjacking kills robber instead

October 6, 2020
Investigators from the Sheriff’s office examine the truck that was the target of the teenage carjackers.

Man takes gun from armed robbers; kills one, injures other

ALDINE – A Northside man turned the tables on two accused teen robbers who he says tried to rob him, according to authorities.

The incident happened at noon in a crowded strip mall parking lot in the 5200 block of Aldine Mail Route at I-69.

According to Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the man was getting into his truck to leave when two teenagers walked up to him. The man told detectives at least one of the alleged robbers was armed.

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Aldine ISD to provide Free Meals for the rest of the School year

October 6, 2020

Beginning Thursday, October 1, Aldine ISD Child Nutrition will offer free meals through an extended waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).

Students learning on campus and at home can receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, for the remainder for the 2020-2021 school year. All students are eligible for one breakfast and one lunch per day per federal guidance. If a student eats breakfast and lunch on campus, the student is not eligible to pick up meals at the curbside meal site.

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High Speed Rail between Dallas and Houston gets federal approval

October 6, 2020
The TexasCentral train will be similar to this Japanese Bullet Train.

The high-speed train that promises to link Dallas and Houston within 90 minutes has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, according to Texas Central Railroad, the company in charge of the project.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration issued the two key rulings that Texas officials were waiting on to move forward with the project, according to the company, which provide the regulatory framework and the environmental review for the high-speed train. Texas Central expects to start construction in the first half of 2021.

The Federal Railroad Administration did not immediately respond to request for comment and has yet to publicly confirmed the approvals, but Texas Central Railroad said the rulings will be released soon.

Although the company had to layoff 28 workers due to the coronavirus-related financial crisis in March, Texas Central Railroad had described the project as “shovel ready” and waiting for the federal government’s approval.

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Some Aldine students return for In-Person classes

September 29, 2020
Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney visits with a pre-kindergarten student at Magrill Primary School during the first day on in-person learning in AISD on Monday, Sept. 21.

ALDINE – Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney toured five campuses as a group of students returned to in-person instruction on Monday, Sept. 21.

Dr. Goffney made her first stop at Davis High School where she was greeted by the school’s drum corps, which performed for her and other onlookers.

“Thank you for waking us up,” Dr. Goffney said to the percussionists. “How are you all feeling? I hope you are all cautiously optimistic. I can’t wait to see you all perform during the year.”

She then toured a number of classrooms along with Davis High Principal Anthony Watkins.

Dr. Goffney’s next stop was to Hambrick Middle School where she was greeted by the school’s new Principal Jose Almendarez. She also stopped by the cafeteria to visit with members of the school’s Child Nutrition and thanked them for their dedicated service to Hambrick’s students.

“Thank you all so much,” she sad. “You have been working so hard.”

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HC Judge Hidalgo urges voters to register

September 29, 2020

Deadline is October 5

HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, along with Houston Rockets manager Doug Hall, and Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, held a news conference last Friday to encourage residents to register to vote The deadline to register to vote is October 5 and early voting begins on October 13.

For the first time, Toyota Center will be an early voting site open to any registered voter in Harris County from October 13 to October 30. It will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and Noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. From October 27 to October 30, it will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The home of the Rockets will also be an Election Day vote center. You can vote in person or drive-thru.

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$10M Remains in Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

September 29, 2020

Eligible Renters should apply immediately

The Harris County Emergency Rental Assistant Program, established by Commissioners Court earlier this summer to provide relief to those struggling from the economic impact of the pandemic, has $10M remaining in the fund.

“I implore all eligible residents to participate in this valuable program,” Commissioner Rodney Ellis said. “Taking advantage of these funds can mean the difference between having a place to stay and being homeless.”

Of the $40M approved by Commissioners Court earlier this summer, $10M remains in the Rental Assistance Program. There are 6,000 landlords with 13,000 different properties registered in the program that’s administered by BakerRipley. The application process will remain open until funds are expended.

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