In light of the recent power emergency in Texas last week brought about by scorching temperatures of up to 100ºC in some parts, wind power has become a hot topic in the local press. Wind farms now account for almost a third of the capacity of Texas, and this is set to rise due to recent revelations that wind power prices are now lower than that of natural gas. It is now much cheaper to build and operate […]
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Cross Creek Ranch Wins Community of the Year
(Fulshear, TX – Aug. 19, 2019)—Cross Creek Ranch was recently named Community of the Year in the Texas Association of Builders’ (TAB) 2019 Star Awards. The awards program recognizes leading builders, remodelers, architects, designers, sales professionals, marketing professionals and construction professionals across Texas and surrounding areas. Companies submitted 574 entries into this year’s competition, with winners announced Aug. 8 during the Sunbelt Builders Show™. “This is one of the industry’s most prestigious awards,” said Rob […]
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Police Arrest, Charge Three Katy Men with Burglary of a Motor Vehicle
By George Slaughter Katy Police have charged three Katy men—Oscar Resendez, 23, Rodolfo Gonzalez, 23, and Marco Hernandez, 20—each with two counts of burglary of a motor vehicle. At about 2:20 a.m. Monday, a Willow Creek Farms subdivision resident contacted Katy Police and said that he saw two people who appeared to be checking door handles on his vehicle parked in his driveway. Police responded to the call and conducted a traffic stop on a […]
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State, Insurance Officials Salute City’s Class 1 Insurance rating
By George Slaughter State and insurance officials Monday honored the City of Katy for achieving a Class 1/1X ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating, which Katy officials expect will help local homeowners and businesses save money on insurance thanks to improved fire protection. Jesse Williams, a public protection classification officer with the state fire marshal’s office, and Hugh Gibson, ISO community hazard mitigation manager, presented the plaques to Mayor Bill Hastings and Wilson on behalf of […]
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Police Charge Katy Man with Firearm Theft
By George Slaughter A 20-year-old Katy man has been charged with firearm theft, a felony under state law. Katy Police arrested George Leon of Katy in the early morning hours of July 11 on an unrelated charge in the 2500 block of Avenue D. Police said at the time of his arrest, Leon was dressed in dark clothing and found to be in possession of burglary tools, gloves, and a ski mask that he tossed […]
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Katy City and Area Residents Encouraged to Enroll in Alert Notification System
By George Slaughter Katy city and area residents and businesses are being encouraged to enroll in an automated alert notification system that will send emergency and official city information through email, text, and voicemail messages. Residents can enroll through the emergency notification page on the city’s website, cityofkaty.com. With this new system, city officials can post weather alerts for area flood advisories and warnings, flash flood warnings and watches, and flood advisories and warnings. The […]
On Aug. 14, Katy Area Retired Educators (KARE) held its annual Hooky Day to kick off the 2019-2020 school year.
KARE’s theme is “Solving the puzzle for an A+ Retirement.”. Over 100 retired KARE members were in attendance to welcome new retirees. KARE’s next meeting will be held on Sept. 25, with guest speaker Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap. All public school employees who retired under the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) are welcome to attend and bring a retired educator, friend or neighbor who is not a current member. KARE represents anyone who has worked in a school district and retired […]
Libraries To Close In Observance Of Labor Day
All branches of Fort Bend County Libraries, which includes the Cinco Ranch Branch and the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch, will be closed Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. Regular library hours will resume on Tuesday, September 3. Your online library is always open at www.fortbend.lib.tx.us for searching the catalog, renewing books or placing holds, streaming movies or music, downloading e-books, or using the research databases. For additional information, contact the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.
Mission Bend Branch Library To Present MS Powerpoint Series
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mission Bend Branch Library will present a series of classes this month on using Microsoft PowerPoint 2016. The classes are free, and participants may attend individual sessions or the whole series. The Mission Bend Branch Library is located at 8421 Addicks Clodine Road, in northeast Fort Bend County. The first class, “MS PowerPoint 2016 Survival Basics,” will take place on Tuesday, September 3, beginning at 7:00 pm, in the Computer Lab. Learn the basics of this […]
Learning English? Get Practice At Libraries’ Conversation Circles
Are you learning to speak English? Would you like some practice in a casual, informal atmosphere? Fort Bend County Libraries presents a program for individuals of all nationalities who would like a place to practice their English language and conversation skills. The “ESL Conversation Circles” provide an opportunity for non-English-speaking people to gather in a relaxed setting, and discuss topics of their own choosing while practicing their English skills. The Conversation Circles will take place at […]
Texas and the 1115 Medicaid Waiver
In the August edition of Fiscal Notes, the Comptroller’s office highlights the 1115 Medicaid waiver, a federal provision that has channeled billions of dollars to innovative health and human services projects in our state. One part of the waiver is coming to an end; the state is seeking to renew the other part to ensure that federal aid continues flowing to programs serving the most vulnerable Texans. In this issue, we also examine Texas’ state jails program, […]
Social Security Accelerates Decisions for People with Serious Disabilities
Agency Adds to Compassionate Allowances List Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced four new Compassionate Allowances conditions: CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, Primary Peritoneal Cancer, and Richter Syndrome. Compassionate Allowances is a program to quickly identify severe diseases and medical conditions that meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. “Social Security’s highest priority is to serve the public and we are committed to ensuring Americans with disabilities receive the benefits they are […]
Katy ISD to Hold Public Forum for Naming of High School #9
KATY [August 19, 2019] – During tonight’s Work Study meeting, the Naming Advisory Committee for High School #9 recommended to the Board that this facility be named after the Jordan family, who represent a long history and deeply established roots in Katy that help found this district over a 100 years ago. Community members are invited to a public forum to provide input regarding the proposed name. Wednesday, August 21 Education Support Complex Board Room 6301 […]
Harris County Internship Program Celebrates a Decade of Mentoring Emergency Management Students
(Houston, TX) – For 10 years, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) has been mentoring and providing college students with hands-on experience in emergency management. Its internship program provides college students the opportunity to apply classroom skills and theory to real life work situations. “It is one thing to go to college and read about how we operate during emergencies, but to actually be part of an activation and contribute […]
Fiscal Notes: Texas and the 1115 Medicaid Waiver
(AUSTIN) — In the August edition of Fiscal Notes, released today, the Comptroller’s office examines the state’s Medicaid waiver for its Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement program, commonly called the 1115 Medicaid waiver. The federally funded program will provide Texas with up to $25 billion between 2018 and 2022, but it is currently set to expire during the next two years. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is negotiating with the federal government to extend […]