By George Slaughter Katy Independent School District Officer Nicole Emidy has been honored with the 2021 Fourth Quarter Texas School Safety Center Spotlight Award in the Outstanding Individual Service category. Emidy, an assistant emergency management coordinator, has been cited for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure special needs students are safe during an emergency. She has done this by including emergency operations plans, called EOPs, for these students. She has provided […]
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Planning for 2021 Katy Rice Festival Underway
By George Slaughter Organizers of the annual Katy Rice Festival are preparing for an in-person festival this year, a welcome return following last year’s online event. “We’re definitely looking for sponsors,” Gary Moore, who takes over as festival director this year, said. “We’re filling up the vendor booths. It’s an ongoing process.” Last year’s festival went online because of the pandemic. The festival, set for October 8-10, brings tens of thousands of people to downtown […]
Katy-Area Soccer All-District Players, Coaches Named
By George Slaughter The Katy Independent School District Thursday announced all-district soccer selections for boys and girls soccer. Boys Soccer Honors Diego Lazo, of Seven Lakes, was named most valuable player. Danny Vargas and Jake Manzi, both of Cinco Ranch, were named offensive most valuable player and defensive most valuable player, respectively. Aidan Morrison, of Seven Lakes, was named newcomer of the year. Fuller Schurtz, of Katy, was named goalkeeper of the year. Jimmy Krueger, […]
Financial Advisor Website Lists Katy as Top Place to Retire in Texas
By George Slaughter Katy boosters are always quick to promote their community as a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Now, for the second time in three years, a financial advisor website says Katy is also a great place to retire. In fact, this year the website said Katy is the best place to retire in Texas. Ben Geier, who wrote the article for the SmartAsset.com website, said several factors were considered […]
Council Reconfirms Harris as Mayor Pro Tem
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday reconfirmed Council Member-at-Large Chris Harris to serve as mayor pro tem. Harris, a U.S. Justice Department analyst, was first elected to the council in 2018 and reelected last year. Mayor Bill Hastings nominated Harris upon his election in 2019. The mayor appoints the mayor pro tem, who serves in the mayor’s absence, but the appointment must be approved by the council. Ward A Council Member Dan Smith […]
Mayde Creek Principal Named Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership and Support
By George Slaughter Ronnie Edwards, Mayde Creek high school principal, has been appointed assistant superintendent for school leadership and support for the Katy Independent School District. Edwards succeeds Dr. Freda Creech, who plans to retire this summer. “It is an honor for me to be part of a thriving school district where our goal is to ensure every student excels in a supportive academic environment, from their first day of school up to the last […]
Time Ran Out on Virtual School Funding Bill in Texas Legislature, Schofield Says
By George Slaughter Time ran out on the Texas Legislature passing a virtual school funding bill, state Rep. Mike Schofield said Friday. Schofield, R-Houston, has a district that includes much of the Katy area. He said a virtual school funding bill passed the Senate, but had not reached the House as time ran out on the legislative session. The Texas Legislature meets in regular session for 140 days every two years. Schofield said this year’s […]
Katy ISD Students Awarded $20,000 Scholarships from Texas FFA Association
By George Slaughter Three Katy Independent School District FFA students have been awarded scholarships from the Texas Future Farmers of America Association. Camryn Wilder and Skyler Weathers graduated from Katy High School. Chloe LaBard graduated from Taylor High School. They each are recipients of a $20,000 scholarship from the Texas FFA Association. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo sponsors the award. Last week, the students traveled to the State FFA Degree and Scholarship Event, held […]
Local Businesses Urged to Understand Data Breach Threats
By George Slaughter Business owners must learn how data breaches can harm their businesses, a business speaker said Wednesday. Frank Mulcahy, Identity Theft Advisory Group president, spoke at the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce meeting. The meeting took place at Parkway Fellowship Church, 27043 FM 1093, in Richmond. Mulcahy said a common cyber security misperception was that it was all about one’s credit score. But he said nothing could be further from the truth. Mulcahy […]
Katy ISD Names New Principals for Bethke and Winborn Elementary Schools
By George Slaughter Kara Morgan has been appointed principal at Bethke Elementary School and Lisa Frison principal at Winborn Elementary School. Both principals have begun their duties in preparation for the upcoming school year. Morgan began her education career in 2001 at Sutton Elementary in the Houston Independent School District. There, she was a team leader for fifth-graders and facilitated English as a Second Language (ESL) interventions for third through fifth-graders. Morgan joined the Fort […]