2012 is here!

Welding Shop fire in NW Houston accidental.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Fire investigators may rule Sunday's large fire in northwest Harris County as an accident.

The fire started Sunday night at the Technical Alloy and Industrial Gas Company along Highway 249 near the Beltway. The highway was shut down for hours as firefighters battled the blaze.

The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office tell us the fire appears to be electrical and may be ruled accidental.

Eyewitnesses did say they heard explosions just before they saw the fire. No one was hurt in the fire.

Man arrested in NW Houston shooting

A man wanted in a fatal shooting in northwest Houston last month has been arrested.

Artavious Deon Hollins 27, was arrested Friday, Houston police said on Tuesday. Hollins is charged with murder, accused of killing 40-year-old Derrick Tyrone Williams.

Police said the two were arguing about 3:35 p.m. on Nov. 5 at an apartment complex courtyard at 4250 West 34th, west of T.C. Jester, when Hollins went to his apartment and got a gun. He returned to the courtyard and continued to argue with Williams. Hollins then shot him in the chest, police said, and fled.

Williams died at the scene.

Two arrested after police chase in NW Houston

KHOU

Updated today at 11:12 AM
HOUSTON—Two men were arrested early Monday after leading police on a short chase in northwest Houston.

An HPD unit spotted a car speeding inbound on Highway 290 at Mangum around 3:45 a.m. and attempted to pull it over, but the driver refused to stop.
The driver hopped onto the West loop, U-turned at Memorial and continued driving on and off the freeway for about 30 minutes.

The chase finally ended on Eldridge at FM 1960 after the car ran over spikes in the middle of the road and blew out the two front tires.
The driver and passenger were then taken into custody.

5 injured in school bus wreck in NW Houston

by khou.com staff
khou.com
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Updated yesterday at 4:48 PM

HOUSTON—A car ran a red light and hit an Aldine Independent School district bus in northwest Houston, police said.


The wreck happened at about 3:30 p.m. on Highway 249 at West Mount Houston.
Forty-eight students from Eisenhower High School were on the bus and four were transported to the hospital as a precaution.

The driver of the car was also taken to the hospital. There was no word on that person’s condition.

Police sting nabs 4 suspects in tire/rims theft spree

by KHOU.com staff
khou.com
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 7:40 AM
Updated today at 9:14 AM

HOUSTON—Four suspects, who may have been on a year and a half-long rim and tire theft spree, were captured during a sting operation in northwest Houston early Monday, according to authorities.

The suspects were caught red-handed in the Westbrook Lakes Subdivision, located off Eldridge at Chimney Sweep, around 3:30 a.m.

Brenham police and Houston police were conducting a rim theft sting and caught four suspects in the act of stealing several sets of tires in the subdivision.
As officers approached, the suspects all fled in three separate vehicles, scattering in different directions.

Police said one suspect in one of the vehicles was apprehended on Highway 290 at FM 529; another suspect in the second vehicle surrendered on Marlborough at Larknolls; and two suspects bailed out of the third vehicle at a La Quinta Inn on West 34th Street at Highway 290. One was caught almost immediately, and the second was caught after a short search at a nearby complex.

Police said the suspects may be connected to hundreds of theft within the last 18 months

Hollywood style drug battle in NW Houston!

HOUSTON - In the northwest Houston community of Champion’s Crossing, there was no need to catch the cop shows on cable.

The real deal went down on the edge of their neighborhood Monday afternoon.
"We are all a little shaken, we are a little scared," resident Hamilton Russell said.
It happened just before 2 p.m. when an 18-wheel tanker truck came under a barrage of fire from moving vehicles clearly on the wrong side of the law.
That truck was thought to be carrying drugs and was under surveillance by a narcotics task force.

FOX 26 asked Harris County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Christina Garza whether investigators believe the incident was an attempted hijacking.
"We don't know,” Garza said. “I can't tell you that right now.”
Whatever it was, local law plowed in with guns blazing.

"In that exchange of gunfire, one of our undercover officers at the Harris County Sheriff's office was struck in the leg,” Garza said. “He was transported to an area hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery. We also have one suspect who is dead on the scene inside that 18 wheeler.”

The cops captured multiple suspects, including a gunman who took a bumper instead of a bullet.

"We have another suspect who was struck by an officer's vehicle as he tried to open fire against that officer," Garza said.

Who shot who and who might have gotten away? Those questions remain unanswered.
Meantime, the good folks of Champion's Crossing are drawing their own, less-than-comforting conclusions.

"Things happen,” resident Teresa Baskin said. “No matter where you go, no matter where you try to live, things just happen.”
"I need to go buy a gun," said Hamilton Russell, her neighbor.


Read more: HERE

Deputy Shot, 18-Wheeler Crashes in NW Houston: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Poster in Katy draws complaints ...

KHOU: Imagine a poster that shows a man being hanged and a couple dozen armed cowboys posing under him, with a caption that reads "Lets Play Cowboy's And IRANIANS!"

Then imagine that poster hanging in your local restaurant. Do you find this offensive? or funny?

Nonmacher's Barbecue in Katy, Texas, is fighting with that very scenario.

One customer told KTRK in Houston, "You know it's 2011, looking at it now, I see nothing really more than a display of racism and bigotry." He continues to say, "I don't think something like this should really be accepted by any community."

The owner of the restaurant, John Nonmacher, tells Desmond that the poster has been there on the wall for 30 years and he has never had a complaint. Now that the word is being spread, his phone has been ringing off the hook.

He says the poster was made by some Houstonians in 1979 as a reenactment of the Iran Hostage crisis. Iranians held more than 50 Americans for 444 days.

Nonmacher says "I laughed and I'm still laughing. I mean, they don't understand what it is. They don't care to understand, and somebody's taking it upon themselves to campaign and crusade."

If you're ever in Katy, Texas, and stop by Nonmacher's Barbeque, take a minute to find the poster. Despite requests to remove the poster, Nonmacher says, "It's my choice to have it up. It's your choice to go where you want to go. But I'm not going to take it down."

NW Houston Police chase ends at police station?

Click2HOUSTON -- A police chase ended in northwest Houston Friday after a man drove the wrong way on a freeway, crashed and ran into a police substation parking lot, officials said .

West University police said the chase started on Community Street at 2 a.m. because the vehicle did not have its lights on.
A patrol officer tried to pull over the driver, Marcus York, 32, but he fled, officials said.

Police said the high-speed chase wound around Bellaire and Houston streets, and on Loop 610 and Highway 290. At one point, York traveled in the wrong direction on the Northwest Freeway. He also rammed into two patrol cars during the pursuit, officials said.

Investigators said York drove backwards down the Tidwell exit ramp and then crashed at railroad tracks near Hempstead Highway at Windfern. York took off running and scaled a fence at a parking lot, which turned out to be the Northwest Police Substation, according to authorities.

York was tackled by officers. When York was asked why he ran from officers, he said he was on parole for burglary. York has a criminal history including theft and burglary, police said.

He will be charged with evading arrest and aggravated assault of a police officer.
Officials said no one was injured.

Diamond & Ice Gala set - January 28

NORTH HOUSTON - The 38th annual Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce Diamonds & Ice Gala to be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012, will benefit the Economic Development Initiative, a program designed to realize specific, measureable, focused activities to support the northwest Houston community.

The event, which will be at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive in Houston, is the Chamber’s premier fundraising event. The Gala will feature live entertainment with Grammy award winner Florence LaRue and The 5th Dimension, as well as dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, awards and a diamond raffle.

Quake shakes South Texas ...

Click to enlarge:



A shallow, moderate earthquake struck southern Texas (TX) on Thursday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It was the strongest earthquakes to hit the U.S. state in 45 years.

The 4.8 magnitude quake, upgraded from 4.6mb, occured at 07:25 AM local time (13:25 PM GMT) and was recorded at an extremely shallow depth of 3km (1.9 miles). It struck below Fashing, but was felt as far as Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Austin.

The epicentre of the quake was located 22 km (14 miles) NW (321°) from Pawnee, TX; 23 km (14 miles) SSW (213°) from Falls City, TX; 26 km (16 miles) WSW (249°) from Karnes City, TX; 60 km (37 miles) NW of Beeville, TX; 76 km (47 miles) SSE (154°) from San Antonio, TX; 92 km (57 miles) E of Pearsall, TX; 166 km (103 miles) SSW of AUSTIN, TX; and 463 km (288 miles) SSW (197°) from Dallas, TX.

The last time Texas experienced a tremor similar in intensity to Thursday’s quake was on July 20, 1966. The magnitude 4.8 earthquake was centred in the Panhandle, near Borger and Amarillo.

The most recent earthquake to strike the region hit on 25 April, 2010. The 4.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded 56 km west of Corpus Christi.

Search ends after burglars tires shot out.

THE CHRON:

An all-night search ended in arrests Saturday after a Liberty County man shot out the tires of a truck carrying burglars, an official said.

The two men and one woman from the Huffman community loaded items from an outbuilding at the man's property off of FM 1010 into their truck Friday and were attempting to flee when the land owner shot at them, said Rex Evans, spokesman for the Liberty County Sheriff's Office.

The trio of trespassers fled into a wooded area, setting off a search late Friday with tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Corrections.

Around dawn on Saturday, another person unrelated to the property owner found the three trespassing at a deer camp and held them until sheriff's deputies arrived, Evans said.

It was not clear if that person held the three at gunpoint, he said.

Sheriff's deputies detained Charles Roberts, Eddie Roberts and Ambra Collins and were holding the trio at Liberty County Jail on Sunday for the offense of burglary of a building.

None of them was injured during the incident.

The land owner was not charged with a crime, Evans said.

Body found in the bayou ...

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A body was found floating in a bayou in northwest Houston on Saturday, and authorities have identified it as a missing man.

The discovery was made Saturday afternoon near West Gulf Bank Rd. at North Houston Rosslyn Rd.

Police said the body was that of a 40-year-old Latino man. Authorities have not released his name, but some of his family members were at the scene.

He was found face-down in the bayou after being missing for three days.

According to officials, the man was known to frequent the area and fished in the bayou, but he had no fishing equipment with him.

There were some injuries to the body, but his cause of death is unknown at this time.

Please stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for more information as it becomes available.

Arrest made in fatal NW Houston shooting

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A suspect has been arrested for the fatal shooting of a man who was visiting friends at a northwest Houston apartment complex last month.

Marquis Hill, 21, is charged with murder in the 180th State District Court. He is accused in the killing of Colby Ivan McCardle, 21, in an incident at 906 Greens Road shortly after 7pm on September 22.

Police say McCardle was in an apartment complex parking lot at the above address talking with friends. The group was approached by an unknown black male suspect and words were exchanged. At some point, the suspect pulled a gun from his waistband and began firing. McCardle was struck in the arm and chest. His friends drove McCardle to the hospital.

McCardle suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE AT KTRK

13 injured in school bus crash

HOUSTON (KPRC) -- More than a dozen people were injured Tuesday when a school bus was involved in a multivehicle crash in northwest Harris County.

Houston police said a privately-owned school bus hit the back of a pickup truck stopped at a red light on the North Beltway 8 feeder road at Ella Boulevard, causing a chain-reaction wreck at 8 a.m. Five vehicles, including the bus, were involved in the collision.

"They were all stopped here and the next thing you know, there was a chain reaction. We haven't interviewed everybody yet to find out what happened," said V. Rogers with the Houston Police Department.

Investigators said 10 students, the bus driver and two drivers from other vehicles were taken to Northwest Memorial Hermann Hospital, Doctors Hospital and Houston Northwest Medical Center. Police said all the victims are in stable condition.

Rhonda Collins' 19-year-old son, Amos, was one of the students on the bus. He told his mother it was terrifying.

"Right now, they got him in X-ray because he's complaining about his back and neck," Collins said. "(The bus driver) was trying to stop, but she couldn't."

The school bus was owned by AFC Transportation. The students were on their way to JJAEP Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program, an alternative school.

The Houston Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.

Lone Star College-University Park Imploded - cool!

By Jennifer Bell

NORTHWEST HOUSTON - Smoke and dust filled the air as two buildings at Lone Star College-University Park were imploded Sunday morning, making way for the site to be used as green space.
The buildings pulsed a few times, implosive devices going off like shots inside of them, before falling to the ground.

The college purchased the buildings last year from Hewlett-Packard for $12.6 million, intending for them to be parking garages, LSC System Executive Communications Director Jed T. Young said. The current price to build a garage in today’s market is around $12 million, Young said, so instead of letting the buildings sit in a “mothball state” until it was more cost-effective to build a garage, the college decided on demolition.

“It just wasn’t something Lone Star College could use right now,” Young said. “We’d be paying $1.25 million just to keep it up every year.”

The parking garage and land purchased with it encompass 21 acres, Young said, and when the garage is built, there will be 1,200 parking spaces.
NCM Demolition & Remediation LP and Controlled Demolition Inc. worked together to implode the buildings, a decision that was based on the height of the buildings and their proximity to homes, contractors said.
“This building was just too tall and robust to take it apart piece by piece,” Bill Rose, NCM’s vice president of industrial services, said. “A crane and ball or explosive demolition would have been too noisy.”

Rose said that he and other contractors talked to nearby Lakewood Forest residents, some of which live 200 feet behind the building. Imploding the building was a good choice, he said, to make sure residents weren’t exposed or harmed by the debris.

“This went exactly as we had planned, the building broke up very well,” Rose said.
In the fliers passed around to nearby homes, contractors stated that dust would linger in the area for about four to six minutes. For Young, minutes are nothing compared to the 15-20 weeks a wrecking ball takes to tear down a building.

Bastrop is burning ...

BASTROP

- The most destructive wildfire on record in Texas showed no signs of slowing down Monday, destroying 25,000 acres in Bastrop County and 476 homes, more houses than any single wildfire before and more than all other fires this year combined, according to the Texas Forest Service.

With more than 60 new wildfires raging across the state, Gov. Rick Perry left the campaign trail Monday in South Carolina to address the public and organize requests for more federal aid.

Closer to Houston, a fire in Magnolia burned 20 homes and more than 1,600 acres, and was threatening subdivisions in Montgomery and Grimes counties late Monday. It had moved southwest into Waller County last Monday.

It was one of several fires to hit the area, straining state and local resources as officials focused on the most dangerous blazes. One firefighter was injured and one fire engine burned in blazes in the Magnolia area, said Lt. Dan Norris, spokesman for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities did not yet know how much of the most dangerous fire had been contained Monday, but planned to continue fighting it "as long as necessary," Norris said.

Strong winds and dry conditions fanned the flames and aided the blaze's rapid growth, forcing the evacuation of more than 150 homes. Montgomery County officials were encouraging evacuations from the intersection of FM 1774 and FM 1488, about 42 miles northwest of Houston, up to the Grimes County line, an official said.

Magnolia fire

The Magnolia fire, located off FM 1774 and FM 1488, jumped FM 1488 late Monday and forced further evacuations, although some families were being allowed back to their homes. The Magnolia Independent School District canceled classes today because of the fires. Evacuation shelters were being set up throughout the area, including at Magnolia High School.

Another fire in the area had burned 100 acres and was 80 percent contained, Norris said. It had destroyed one structure and caused no injuries after 50 homes were evacuated.

A fire covering about 100 acres was burning in Oak Ridge North late Monday.

A fire near Nacogdoches that started Sunday night raged to 300 acres Monday and forced 60 families to evacuate their homes, said Ralph Cullom, a spokesman for the Texas Forrest Service. That fires grew with strong gusts of winds and fed off of dry conditions on the ground.

"This drought we're having is just unprecedented," Cullom said.

No injuries have been reported in Bastrop, but two people were reported killed in a North Texas fire Monday. A woman and her 18-month-old child died when a fast-moving fire near Gladewater, east of Dallas, set their mobile home on fire and they were unable to escape.

The Bastrop County Complex Fire, pushed by strong winds and fed by plenty of dry grasses, shrubs and trees, steadily moved south Monday and expanded throughout the day. It jumped the Colorado River twice.

"We will be working days on end," said Mike Fisher, the Bastrop County Emergency Management Coordinator. "The fire is so dynamic we really have no idea where it is."

'Lives at stake'

Perry said the wildfire burning in the central part of the state is "as mean looking" as he's ever seen.

NW Houston shopping center burns ...

KHOU:
HOUSTON—Several stores at a northwest Houston shopping center were damaged Thursday in an early morning fire, according to the Houston Fire Department.
Houston firefighters arrived to the shopping center on 43rd at Ella around 4:30 a.m. and found heavy smoke coming from several stores.
The quickly began to attack the fire, which seemed to have started at an H & R Block store.


A Baskin Robbins received fire damage, and several other stores, including a donut shop, GMC and a cleaners were affected by smoke.
All businesses were closed and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Cat killer stalking Northwest Houston ...

​HOUSTON PRESS

:

At least one and possibly two different cat murderers are operating on the city's northwest side.

In a grisly reprise of several other similar killings in the Timbergrove area, one of which affected us personally, the Houston Chronicle has reported this week that Sandy Luna's kitty Lucky was disemboweled and put on display in a neighbor's yard in late July.

The Timbergrove killings have taken place on both sides of West 11th Street and T.C. Jester, though there seems to be a cluster of them west of White Oak Bayou.

We also received a report today of nine cats found dead this morning several miles up T.C. Jester in the Inwood neighborhood. It is believed that they were poisoned. These cats were semi-feral felines whom some in the neighborhood regularly fed. Three were found dead in one woman's driveway, with the other six found near other homes.

Coupled with this outrageous unrelenting heat, sickos like this are making it a terrible time to be an outdoor kitty on the northwest side.

"Please be careful if you live in this area and let others know," advises tipster Christina Fojas. "Possibility of poison makes it dangerous for every living thing in the community."

If you see any suspicious activity, you are urged to call the Houston Police Department's non-emergency number (713-884-3131).

Woman killed during home invasion ...

Houston Chron: Authorities have identified a woman who was fatally shot when three masked men burst into her house and threatened her teenage daughter during a home invasion in northwest Harris County last night.

Peggy Ariza, 40, died in the shooting, which occurred at the home in the 17100 block of Copper Crossing about 9:30 p.m., according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said Ariza, 40, was shot at least once in the chest and was flown by LifeFlight medical helicopter to Memorial Herman Hospital, where she later died.

No other injuries were reported.

Deputies said when Ariza's 17-year-old daughter answered the door bell at the home, three men wearing ski masks pushed their way inside. One of them grabbed the girl by the neck and put a gun to her head. The girl screamed.

At that moment, Ariza walked into the room. Then one of them men opened fire, hitting Ariza. The trio left after the shooting.

No descriptions of the men were available.

Investigators have no suspects or motive in the case.

Anyone with information about the home invasion and shooting is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 713 967-5810 or call Crime Stoppers at 713 222-TIPS (8477).

dale.lezon@chron.com

New industrial complex coming to NW Houston.

Liberty Property Trust (NYSE: LRY) has begun work on two industrial buildings totaling 212,000 square feet located in Liberty Northwest Business Center in Houston. The buildings are the company’s second and third sustainable development projects in Houston.

The first building will be an 84,000-square-foot flex facility at 5500 N. Sam Houston Parkway West. The second building will be a 128,000-square-foot warehouse building located at 14031 Hollister Road. Both will be located in the rebranded Northwest Business Center, formerly known as Beltway at Bammel, at the northeast corner of Beltway 8 and Highway 249.

Each building will feature advanced fire suppression systems giving tenants the flexibility on product type to be stored, and the ability to accommodate high levels of office build-out, plus a shared 200-foot truck court. Malvern, PA-based Liberty, which is seeking LEED-CS certification, estimates completion of both projects in January 2012.

Green features will include enhanced daylight views and insulating glass, energy efficient lighting, high energy-efficient HVAC equipment, along with low-flow plumbing, among other water-saving features.

Liberty acquired two multi-tenant industrial buildings totaling 326,400 square feet at the center in 2007. With both buildings fully occupied, the company will expand on its remaining 28 acres. Liberty can add up to four more additional buildings in the business center.

The architect for the development project is Perry Seeberger, the engineer is Terra Associates, and the general contractor is Cadence McShane.

NW Houston residents not happy with new strip club

by Tiffany Craig / KHOU 11 News
khou.com

HOUSTON—No matter how you dress it up, residents near 290 and Mangum are not happy with the addition of a new strip club.

The Sunset Strip Club opened up in the old Steak & Ale location this week.
“I’m a Christian and we don’t believe in that,” said neighbor Vicki Higerd. “We don’t like it and it’s too close to us.”
Higerd is not alone. David Edwards is worried about his son growing up around the sexually-oriented business.

“This is where my child’s growing up,” said Edwards. “Now, my child’s going to grow up and see whatever riff-raff is going be coming out of that place.”
But it’s more than upset homeowners.
For years, the Houston Independent School District fought the strip club from setting up shop because it’s just down the road from Delmar Stadium, a facility that’s used year-round by students for sporting events.

HISD released a statement after the club opened this week.
“We are disappointed with the decision to allow a sexually-oriented business to operate so close to a school athletics complex,” the statement read.
Higerd agreed.

“All of the schools around here go to that stadium to do their football and all of that and soccer and it’s just too close to that,” she said.
Sunset Strip manager Lloyd Ace invited KHOU 11 News into the club that also doubles as a sports bar.

“How do you feel about being the unwanted neighbor?” asked KHOU 11 News Reporter Tiffany Craig.

“We’ll I’m sad that we’re unwanted,” said Ace. “I can understand people’s feelings but our closest neighbors are across the freeway. This is really a commercial area.”

Man killed over pack of cigarettes ...

Authorities have identified a suspect accused in a fatal stabbing after they argued about a pack of cigarettes at a group home in northeast Houston Monday night.
Jarvis De-Allo Leverett, 35, is charged with murder in the death of Arthur Lee Washington, 52, in the 9200 block of Kerry Glen Circle about 7:30 p.m., according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said Washington died at the scene.
Leverett is being held in the Harris County jail without bail, according to county records.

Houston police said two men, later identified as Leverett and Washington, began arguing about 3:30 p.m. at the group home where they lived.
Both men have been diagnosed as schizophrenic, police added.

Washington had asked Leverett to pick up a pack of cigarettes for him at the store and then became angry when Leverett returned with only half a pack, police said.
The pair argued for hours and when they met again later that night on the patio behind the house, their confrontation escalated.
Leverett suddenly came at Washington with a knife and stabbed him after a brief chase through the backyard, police said.

A caretaker at the group home disarmed Leverett and called police.
Police said that Leverett said "The guy kept messing with me."
Staff writer Dale Lezon contributed to this report.

Read more at the Chron

The forecast?

Free diabetes screening!

Houston Northwest Medical Center is offering a free diabetes prevention screening on Saturday, August 20

From 8 to 11 a.m., you can learn more about your risk for developing diabetes. The event will screen to see if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes and includes: blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and a personal diabetes risk assessment. The screening is free, but appointments are required. To register, call 281-580-0000.
Prevention starts with understanding your health and setting goals, then gradually making changes to achieve long-term success. Even if diabetes runs in your family, you can make lifestyle choices to help delay its onset and prevent serious complications.

There are seven common risk factors associated with diabetes. While these do not guarantee a diagnosis of diabetes, they are important to consider.

• Obesity - Being overweight or obese increases your risk for diabetes. This is the primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

• Family History - If you have a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you run a higher risk of developing the condition.

• Inactive Lifestyle - Because muscles cells have more insulin receptors than fat cells, regular exercise can decrease insulin resistance. Regular exercise also can help control weight and lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin effectiveness.

• Increasing Age - People over the age of 45 should be tested for type 2 diabetes every three years if results are normal. If results are borderline, the test should be repeated annually.

• Genetics - African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Asians are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

• High Blood Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure - The risk of developing diabetes increases if your HDL (good) cholesterol level is under 35 mg/dL or your triglyceride level is over 250 mg/dL. High blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher also increases diabetes risk.

• Gestational Diabetes - Women who developed gestational diabetes when pregnant or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds run a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

For people living with diabetes, sugar (or glucose) can be bad if left unchecked. In diabetics, glucose can build up in the blood stream because their bodies do not produce or properly use insulin to process the sugar into energy. This can result in a condition is called hyperglycemia, which can result in complications, so it is important to know the symptoms and how to treat the condition. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, or slow-healing sores.

For more information, contact the hospital’s Diabetes Services at 1-877-22-Tenet (1-877-228-3638).

HPD officer kills knife-wielding suspect who killed another man.

KHOU:

An off-duty police officer shot and killed a knife-wielding suspect who stabbed another man to death early this morning at a gas station near a bar in northwest Houston.

The shooting occurred at the station at 4401 W. 18th near the 610 West Loop about 2:15 a.m. Monday, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said the suspect, whose name has not been released, died at the scene. The man who had been stabbed was taken to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. His name has not been released.

The officer, who is identified as C.E. Hightower, was not hurt. No other injuries were reported.
Police said Hightower and another off-duty officer were in uniform and working an approved extra job directing traffic in the parking lot of the El Chaparral club when they saw a group of men get into a confrontation outside a nearby gasoline station.

The officers rushed to the station and intervened. They pulled one of the men away from the altercation, but the man went to his vehicle, grabbed a knife and began stabbing another man he had been fighting.

Hightower saw the assault and ordered the attacker several times to drop the knife. The man ignored the commands and continued to stab the victim.
That’s when Hightower, in fear of the victim’s safety and the safety of others nearby, fired several shots, hitting the knife-wielding man. The man got up after he was shot, climbed into his vehicle and drove a short distance, plowing through several bushes and slamming into a few cars in the El Chaparaal parking lot before he stopped.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7648026.html#ixzz1RpP4uHYk

Tuesday morning busy for Houston Firefighters

2 Building Fires in Northwest Houston: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

HOUSTON - The Houston Fire Department was kept busy early Tuesday morning with two fires in northwest Houston -- one at a convenience store and one at an apartment complex leasing office.

Firefighters arrived around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday to the A-MADCO Food Store on Long Point Road near Thonig Road and found smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building.

Since the store was closed, firefighters forced their way into the building and were able to put out the fire within 10 minutes and prevent it from spreading throughout the store.

The firefighters determined the fire started in the electrical room. No one was injured in the fire.
Firefighters later arrived around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday to the Yale Village apartment complex on Yale Street near Patrick Street and found a small fire above the door of the leasing office.


Read more: HERE

Houston Area 4th of July Celebrations ...

by Stacy Morrow / khou.com staff
khou.com

The Houston area is buzzing with activities for the celebration of our nation's independence. You can find events from fireworks displays to parades, in just about every city and community. Here's a list we've compiled of the things we have heard about so far. If you see we have missed anything, or if you want to add something, let us know in the comments below!

HOUSTON
Freedom Over Texas
Houston will set the stage for an extraordinary patriotic celebration at Mayor Annise Parker’s official Fourth of July event, Freedom Over Texas. The annual event is held at Eleanor Tinsley Park from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and culminates with a fireworks extravaganza set to a perfectly timed bed of patriot and current musical selections. Free with a can of food benefiting the Houston Food Bank or $8 per person (children under 2 free) Information from: http://www.freedomovertexas.org

ExxonMobil Star-Spangled Salute, Miller Outdoor Theatre
Enjoy an evening with Michael Krajewski and the Houston Symphony. Astronaut and vocalist Chris Hadfield will also sing Big Smoke, a song inspired by his first shuttle mission.

Make sure to stay until the end for the 1812 Overture—complete with booming cannons! This celebration concludes with a magnificent display of fireworks provided by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board. Hours: 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. at 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030, Phone: 281-FREE-FUN or 281-373-3386 Information from: http://milleroutdoortheatre.com/events/133/

Bayou Bend Family Days Independence Day Celebration
Start your Fourth of July at Bayou Bend, where America's Colonial era is celebrated in patriotic style. Ring in the holiday with an extravaganza of Americana—performers, crafts, activities, refreshments, and more—and don't forget to sign the Texas-sized Declaration of Independence before you leave! With its unique blend of the arts and American history, Bayou Bend is the perfect place to spend Independence Day. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. FREE! Information from:
http://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-family-days/

Kidpendence Celebration | Children's Museum of Houston
Friday, Jul 1 2011 6:00 AM to Monday, Jul 4 2011 10:00 PM CDT
We’re seeing stars and stripes at this special Independence Day celebration! Join us for a patriotic 21-soda geyser burst salute on the 4th of July and plenty of fun-filled activities that will cover you in red, white and blue! Claim Your Independence Discount: We know rising gas prices are making you see stars and stripes, so it is time to claim your independence from them! Receive up to $12 off/ 6 people on July 1 - 4. Special Activity - 21 - Soda Geyser Burst Salute: Celebrate America with a CMH tradition - 21 patriotic bursts of soda that will help you get excited for the rest of the day's activities. 1500 Binz, Houston TX 77004. Phone: (713) 522-1138 Informaton from: http://www.cmhouston.org/en/cev/2570

BELLAIRE
July 4th Parade and Festival
The parade begins at 9:30 am and the festival runs from 10 am to 1 pm. The parade route begins at the Bellaire Triangle and travels down Bellaire Blvd. and S. Rice Ave. A children's parade leads the big parade. Kids are encouraged to decorate trikes, bikes and wagons and meet by Community National Bank at Bellaire Blvd. & Fifth Street. No need to enter the children's parade ahead of time, just show up at 9 a.m. in the CNB parking lot. The festival begins in Bellaire Town Square immediately after the parade. Enjoy live entertainment, carnival games, food, a mini ferris wheel, petting zoo, moon jumps, dunk tank and much, much more! Admission into the festival is free, but games take tickets and the food is an additional cost. Join us for some home town fun! Information from: http://www.ci.bellaire.tx.us/index.aspx?nid=879.

CITY OF EL LAGO
July 4th Picnic
For this year’s July 4th Picnic, we are going to take it down home with a parade and then bar-b-que at the pool. Join us at 10:00 a.m. at McNair Park for the annual non-motorized parade around the park. Prizes will be awarded in the following three categories: Most Sparkling, Most Creative and Most Patriotic. After the parade, we will retire to the El Lago Swim and Racquet Club to visit with friends, listen to some music and enjoy a burger together. The City will provide the drinks, burger, bun and burger fixings; we are asking residents to bring a side dish and/or desert. You will also want to bring your lawn chair or blanket for relaxing around the pool and spray ground in the afternoon. Information from: http://www.ellago-tx.com/events.html#july4

CONROE
July 4th Walden and Bentwater Fireworks Show
Fireworks will be shot off at Dusk from the Marina near the Walden Yacht Club, 13101 Melville Dr, Montgomery. Parking at the Yacht club is reserved for dinner guests. There is limited parking on the streets. Suggested viewing is from the water. Information from: http://www.conroetoday.com/evps/evitem.cfm?evid=4548

FORT BEND
Freedom Rings Concert featuring the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra
Program includes Star Spangled Banner Finale with soloist, Armed Forces Salute, America the Beautiful – Dragon, God Bless the USA, Liberty Fanfare -Williams/Aguero, Joplin Rag, You're a Grand Old Flag, Variations on a Shaker Melody – Copland, Strike Up the Band, Sousa Marches, Gems of Stephen Foster and 1812 Overture. Event will be at the Stafford Centre from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. and a fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. Location:10505 Cash Road, Stafford, TX 77477. Information from: http://www.fbso.org/
KATY
Annual Freedom Celebration at Katy Mills Mall
The 22nd Annual Katy Freedom Celebration fireworks display will be held at Katy Mills Mall on Monday, July 4. The fireworks are launched between the east side of the mall and Katy Fort Bend Road. The display begins at dark (approximately 9:00 p.m.) and can be viewed from several miles around the mall area. Information from: cityofkaty.com/katy-freedom-celebration-july-4/
KEMAH
Kemah’s Independence Day Parade
Kicking off the Independence Day Celebration activities is the Kemah 4th of July Parade, Monday, at 11:00 a.m. with the Children’s Parade starting at 10:30 a.m. The parade line up is behind the Kemah Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. with the parade route travelling along the Kemah Lighthouse District. The theme for the patriotic parade this year is “The Spirit of Volunteerism.” The parade is open to all and easy to enter with no registration fee. Monday evening is the July 4th Kemah Boardwalk Fireworks, “Star Spangled Skies” extravaganza. From the Kemah Boardwalk and surrounding areas all will be able to see the fantastic light show over Galveston Bay. The annual fireworks display scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. For more information on these activities or lodging needs contact the Kemah Visitor Center at 281-334-3181. Information from: http://www.kemah.net/July_4_2011_Kemah_press_release.pdf

LEAGUE CITY
July 4th Citizen Appreciation Day
Mayor, City Council, Parks Board and staff will be serving free refreshments in appreciation of the citizens of the City of League City at League Park from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. There will be live music and other entertainment. FREE. Information from: http://www.leaguecity.com/calendar.aspx?EID=1348

NASSAU BAY
July 4th Parade and Fireworks Show
Decorate your bikes, floats, baby strollers, cars, or just yourself! Various prizes will be awarded. Join your friends and neighbors for a fun-filled evening. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket for the fireworks show. Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. from Gloria Dei and ends at Lake Park Nassau. Activities at the park including bounce houses, food vendors, face painting, and live music. Fireworks Display begins at 9 p.m. Information from: http://www.nassaubay.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=48

PASADENA
Pasadena's Annual 4th Fest Event will take place Monday, July 4th, 2011
from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center.
There will be a 20-minute long fireworks show, live music by “The Slags,” a car show, kidzone, USMC Toys for Tots BBQ Cook-off, games, prizes, vendors, water balloon war zone, sports and other entertainment. Information from: http://www.ci.pasadena.tx.us/default.aspx?name=prk.event-4thfest

PEARLAND
Celebration of Freedom
This year's program will begin with an explosion of patriotic excitement! A full-size carnival will be on site at noon on Monday. Stadium and Field seating will be available at no charge beginning at 6 PM on Monday. A VFW military salute will begin the evening's entertainment, followed by the National Anthem. The stadium will be filled with the tunes of Texas country recording artist, Hamilton Loomis. At sundown, enjoy a spectacular 20-minute fireworks display from your seat inside the stadium.. For more information, call 281-412-8900. Information from: http://www.pearlandparks.com/celebration_of_freedom.html
SUGAR LAND
Celebration of Freedom
The City of Sugar Land’s 26th annual Red White and Bluefest will set the skies ablaze over Oyster Creek Park. Celebrate America’s 235th birthday with family, friends and fellow residents while enjoying new main stage performances, delicious county fair-type goodies and numerous children’s activities. A free shuttle service will be provided from Mercer Stadium, 16403 Lexington Blvd., to Oyster Creek Park, 4033 State Highway 6 South, from 4:30-11 p.m. Information from: www.sugarlandtx.gov
THE WOODLANDS
South County Fourth of July Parade “Celebrating the American Dream”
On Sunday, July 3, stroll through Market Street - The Woodlands for its Fourth of July parade, “Celebrating the American Dream” starting at 9 a.m. The festivities continue later that evening when the Houston Symphony performs its Star Spangled Salute, a free concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion starting at 8 pm. Information from: http://www.4thofjuly.org/

Houston Symphony presents Star-Spangled Salute
The Pavilion dons red, white and blue July 3 for the return of the Star-Spangled Salute. This free Independence Eve spectacular features the Houston Symphony in a selection of patriotic favorites under the direction of Michael Krajewski. Don’t miss commemorating the birth of our nation by joining the Symphony in this grandiose celebration. It’s an evening of good, old-fashioned family fun complete with cannons blasting from the top of the hill during Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." Pre-concert activities begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Fidelity Investments Plaza.FREE event. Information from: http://www.woodlandscenter.org/tourarchive.html?n_id=346

Red, Hot & Blue Festival
The Woodlands will celebrate July 4 weekend with one of the largest firework displays in the greater Houston area, hot dog and watermelon eating contests, live entertainment, and more! Now in its 14th year, the annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival will be held Monday, July 4, 2011 from 6 - 10 pm at Town Green Park and Waterway Square, both located along The Woodlands Waterway. Admission to the event is free and tickets for food concessions and games may be purchased on-site. Information from: http://www.thewoodlandscvb.com/redhotblue/

Alvin woman jumps on hood of beer thieves ...

Harris County bans fireworks this 4th ...

Harris County bans sale, use of all fireworks
by khou.com staff
khou.com

Posted on June 21, 2011 at 11:34 AM
HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Tuesday signed an order banning the sale or use of any fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county.

Because all 34 municipalities in the county already have bans on the sale or use of fireworks, Emmett’s order means fireworks are illegal everywhere in Harris County.
"All of us on Commissioners Court recognize public safety as our top responsibility," Emmett said Tuesday.

"I think everyone, from Fire Marshal Mike Montgomery and local fire officials to representatives of the fireworks industry and the general public at large, understands the overwhelming need to take serious preventive action to avert disastrous wildfires from threatening our property, our homes and our families."
The Harris County Commissioners Court ratified the order moments after it was issued and sent it on to Gov. Rick Perry. With Perry’s approval, the order will remain in effect until it’s rescinded by Emmett.

The only exception to the fireworks ban is for public displays conducted by a person with a valid pyrotechnic operator’s license or valid pyrotechnics special effects operator’s license. That means city-sponsored fireworks displays can go on as scheduled.
Violators of the ban could face a fine of $1,000 and/or 180 days in jail.

Wild fires plaguing Texas

Firefighters from Cut and Shoot, Caney Creek, Splendora, Montgomery County and Bear Creek fire departments were still at work by deadline Monday trying to put out a nearly 200-acre wildfire about 10 miles northwest of Cleveland.
No structures were harmed.
Four bulldozers, including one from the Texas Forest Service, worked to set up a fire perimeter to keep the fire contained.
Helicopters made 38 drops of water to squelch the flames. The cause was undetermined Monday night.

Texas Local Web Site Blooms into a Flower for the Community

New exciting things are developing in the Summer of 2011 for ExploreHouston.com

Best Publications wants to welcome the public to this new web business directory and informational mecca for ExploreHouston.com that will continue to be filled with. . . Community Links and Events, Guide Pages for Restaurants, Weddings, Florist, Services, Auto Sales, Entertainment, Real Estate, Eye Care, Dental, Medical, Employment, Shopping! Read a variety of Articles | Forums Topics | Daily Deals | Coupons | Directory Hot Links | Interact Page to Join the Community Fun!

Register with ExploreHouston.com site so you can gain the benefits. User can post Social and Public Events.

Take the opportunity for High School and University Students to announce Sports and School Events, Professional Sports Links and Ticket Information | Post a photo or comment on other people’s Photos, Comment of Articles or Forum Topics | Post a Scan of your Child’s Artwork | Free Classified Postings & Add Your Own

The staff of ExploreHouston wants the community to benefit from the information we can share... as well as encourage you to participate. Send us a comment.

Post your event or Your Organization Benefit in ExploreHouston.com Event section. We want our information to accurate, so we depend on our community to help us stay in touch.

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Couple fired on at N Houston gas station ...

HOUSTON -- A couple was shot at after they pulled into a northwest Houston gas station early Monday.


Houston police said a couple in a black and white Dodge Charger went to a Shell gas station on the North Loop West near West 18th Street about 2:30 a.m.
A man followed them in and pulled up next to the couple.

"The suspect asked the husband where his buddy was," Officer Jeff Burke said.
The husband said he didn't know. Right after that, the assailant fired two shotgun rounds into the hood and windshield of the Charger, Burke said.
Police said the shooter may have been affiliated with a gang.

"Before the shooting, the witness said gang signs were thrown from the car," said Burke.
No one was hurt in the shooting.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance video from the building. The man drove off in a cream Chevy Impala, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Walmart causing headaches for NW Houston business owners ...

khou.com
Posted on May 23, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Updated yesterday at 12:47 PM

HOUSTON – A traffic solution for a new Walmart Super Center in northwest Houston is upsetting several business owners who say the construction is costing them customers.
A new median was installed within the past two weeks to curb traffic on Silber Road and prevent it from spilling into the nearby Afton Village neighborhood. The measure comes after months of talks between neighbors, city officials and Walmart.
"This is the least restrictive (solution),” councilmember Brenda Stardig said at a recent meeting. “And it's still not to the (neighborhood’s) satisfaction but this is what we've got."

Many of the neighborhood’s 250 residents were concerned that traffic coming off I-10 would use their side streets as a driveway for the new Walmart, which opened within the past few weeks.

Rather than install gates in the neighborhood, which the city’s legal department said would be a liability of emergency vehicles couldn’t get though, city officials decided to build a median that would make it impossible for northbound drivers to turn left into Afton Village.

But landlord and business owner Dan Riley said his 70 tenants are having a very tough time getting to their apartments.

“(Walmart) is bringing economic development to the east side of Silber, (but) they've basically said we don't want the west side of Silber developed," Riley said.
At least a half dozen other business on the west side of Silber have also complained of slumping sales since the median was installed. Drivers heading north are now forced to drive a half-mile before they can make a U-turn to head south.

READ THE FULL STORY WITH VIDEO AT KHOU

Officer involved shooting at Houston mall ...

MYFOX:

Officer-Involved Shooting Near Northwest Mall: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

A Houston police officer, who worked a second job as a security guard at a nightclub, was involved in a shooting on the parking lot of Northwest Mall.

The shooting took place around 2:15 a.m. Monday outside El Chaparral on the mall complex.

Five officers were working security at El Chapparal and were helping control parking lot traffic after the nightclub closed when gunshots were fired.
Houston Police Department spokesman Kese Smith said a man behind the wheel of a black BMW car was driving the vehicle erratically through the parking lot.

Smith also said the car was moving toward officers and people who were leaving from El Chaparral. The BMW driver lost control of the car, which caused the BMW to strike several other vehicles.

When the apparently-armed driver stepped out of the BMW, an HPD sergeant fired his weapon at the driver.

The driver was struck in the hand and tried to run away from the parking lot on foot, but was captured by officers and taken to Ben Taub General Hospital to be treated for his wounds.


Read more: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/110516-northwest-houston-officer-involved-shooting#ixzz1MWtW5bFK

Babysitter takes cops on chase with child in car ..

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A woman led Houston police on a chase through southwest Houston Sunday afternoon with a baby in the car.

It started when police conducted a traffic stop. The woman gave a fake name, then took off with the toddler in the back seat, officials said.

Officers chased the woman from downtown through the University of Houston campus, down to the south side around the 610 South Loops, then to the Southwest Freeway at Beechnut where she voluntarily stopped in a convenience store parking lot.

The 18-month-old girl was checked by emergency medical personnel and appeared to be fine. Police said she was in a car seat the entire time.

According to officials, the driver fled because she had outstanding warrants.

Houston police said the woman was the child's babysitter.

Child Protective Services custody took care of the toddler until her mother picked her up Sunday night.

The babysitter was in custody late Sunday, facing charges of child endangerment and felony evading arrest. Her name was not released.

Cyclist killed in NW Houston.

A 51-year-old man was killed Wednesday evening after he apparently rode his bicycle into the path of a pickup in northwest Houston, authorities said.

Investigators said the man, whose identity was not released, was eastbound in the 4900 block of Kelley, near Wipprecht, about 7:15 p.m. when he made an unsafe lane change and was struck by an eastbound GMC pickup. The man died at the scene.
No charges have been filed and investigation is continuing

Texan heads Bin Laden raiders

The commander of the U.S. military unit responsible for killing elusive al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden — Vice Adm. William H. McRaven — is a San Antonio native and graduate of the University of Texas in Austin.

McRaven, 55, earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1977, although a campus dean said a computer listing didn't indicate whether the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps member had an interest in the print side of news coverage, broadcast or public relations.
A fellow ROTC member recalled McRaven as eager for military service.

"He was extremely focused on preparing for special forces details," said Curtis Raetz, of McKinney, who majored in engineering at UT, served in the Marine Corps and now works in private business.
'He had drive.'

Raetz, who graduated a year before McRaven, said the ROTC program included required courses such as naval science.

James Gruetzner, who served in the same Navy ROTC batallion as McRaven, told Cox Newspapers, "He had drive. He went on extraordinarily long runs to stay in shape. He was very dedicated."
McRaven's Navy biography states he attended the Naval Postgraduate School and was its first graduate in Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict. In 1995, he wrote a book called Spec Ops: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare Theory and Practice.

McRaven became commander of the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command in 2008.
In that role, he reportedly led the planning and execution of bin Laden's death Sunday at the hand of Navy SEALs, an acronym that stands for Sea, Air and Land.

Breaking: Houston school shooting Betsy Ross Elementary

by KHOU.com staff
khou.com
Posted on April 19, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Updated today at 12:08 PM

HOUSTON -- Three children were grazed by a bullet at Betsy Ross Elementary School in northeast Houston Tuesday.

HISD police confirm a kindergarten student brought a loaded gun to school and it accidentally went off when it fell from his pocket in the cafeteria.
A single bullet grazed all three victims, including the 6-year-old who brought the gun.

None of the children, two boys and a girl, appeared to be seriously hurt. They were all conscious and sitting up on the stretchers as they were loaded into ambulances.
HISD police and several ambulances responded to the scene in the 2800 block of Bay around 11:20 a.m.

Several parents also rushed to the school after learning of the shooting.
Police are now investigating how the boy got the gun.
The school is on lockdown as a precaution.

We'll have more on this developing story as details become available.

READ MORE AT KHOU

Houston cops get pranked ...

HOUSTON – A series of strange events that started with a domestic disturbance call ended with a bucket of water Friday morning in northwest Houston.

Harris County deputies said they were initially called to a home in the 13600 block of Treebank Thursday night after reports of a domestic disturbance.
The deputies said they spoke with a couple who was in the home, resolved the situation and left.

But then, around 7 a.m. Friday, deputies received another call from the home.
When officers responded, they said they found the front door cracked open, so they went inside.

But as they pushed the door open, a bucket fell on one of the deputies, and the others were splashed with liquid.

The deputies called for backup, explaining that a bucket full of an unknown substance had fallen on them, and they were unsure if there were other traps in the home.
Other deputies and a bomb squad swarmed the scene. At one point, deputies drew their guns and surrounded the home. The bomb squad checked the home for other traps, but found none.

In the end, though, deputies determined that the bucket was just full of water. No one was injured

Breaking: SWAT standoff in NW Houston

by khou.com staff
khou.com
Posted on April 15, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Updated today at 9:16 AM

HOUSTON – Air 11 is over the scene of what appeared to be a standoff with Harris County Sheriff’s deputies in northwest Houston.
Some sort of disturbance occurred when deputies responded to a call at a home in the 13600 block of Treebank Friday around 7 a.m., according to sources.
The view from Air 11 showed authorities have blocked off the entrance near the Norchester subdivision which is located near Jones and Cypresswood.
Deputies surrounded the residence and had guns aimed at the home at one point. Officers are still on the scene, but have lowered their weapons.
Many neighbors said they did not hear any disturbance. They were made aware of the situation when deputies knocked on their doors instructing them to remain inside.
KHOU 11 News reporters are on the scene and gathering information.

Updates will be given as they become available HERE.

Three alarm fire burns Houston complex ...

HOUSTON – Authorities are investigating after a three-alarm fire struck an apartment complex early Saturday in northwest Houston.

Firefighters said they arrived at the Spring Branch Estates apartments near the intersection of Amelia and Raven Wood around 1:15 a.m. and found heavy flames shooting through a two-story apartment building.


The flames’ intensity prompted firefighters to pull a second and third alarm, leading to help from several other departments.
Authorities said the blaze started in a downstairs corner apartment and quickly spread to the rest of the building. Neighbors at the complex ran around and got people out of their apartments when one of the residents saw the flames.

READ THE REST AT KHOU

Toddler drowns in tub because phone rang ...

HOUSTON – Harris County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the drowning death of a toddler who was left unattended in a bathtub Wednesday evening.
The toddler was found floating in a tub at her home in the 14100 block of Oakwick at Valiant in northeast Harris County.

Homicide detectives said family members had just finished eating dinner and stepped outside the home around 9:30 p.m., but the father stayed inside to bathe his two little girls.

Investigators said the father left his two daughters, a 2-year-old and a 17-month-old, alone while he went to answer a phone call.

Investigators said the father then stepped outside and possibly went next door.
A relative, realizing the little girls were alone, went to check on them. That is when the youngest daughter was found floating in the overflowing tub, according to investigators.

She was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The 2-year-old sister wasn't harmed.
The case is being referred to a grand jury.

READ MORE HERE