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Teen driver killed, three others injured after stopping vehicle on freeway By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com Houston police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred at 5900 Katy Freeway around 1:05 p.m. early Monday, Feb. 26. The identity of the deceased 16-year-old male is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
According to reports from HPD Vehicular Crimes Division officials, a white Ford Ranger pickup truck was traveling eastbound on I-10 near Heights Blvd. and had come to a stop in the freeway main lanes. A white Ford Transit 350 Van, also traveling eastbound, reportedly made a lane change and collided with the rear of the pickup truck. The 16-year-old male driver of
the pickup truck was transported to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Additionally, three female teen passengers, also 16, were transported to area hospitals in stable condition. Preliminary investigations, along with statements from one of the female passengers, revealed that the driver had stopped the truck because
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something had fallen from it. Upon getting out to address the issue and putting it back in place, the truck was struck as they were preparing to depart. Police said the driver of the van remained at the scene and no signs of impairment were found. As of press time, no charges have been filed, as the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Oak Forest woman leads efforts for inclusive camp experiences By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com
Catch a free ride to the polls with METRO March 5
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Photo by Stefanie Thomas
Heights dancer returns to Houston
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The Biggest Picnic in Texas comes to Memorial Park March 9
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Artists with disabilities show their work at ReelArt exhibit at Sabine Street Studios
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Steve Young and his daughter, Shelly, are longtime members of The Spanish Trail Ride. Steve was awarded the honorary title of Wagon Master for his participation since 1972.
The Spanish Trail riders trek through Oak Forest and the Heights, honoring rodeo tradition By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com In a nod to Texas heritage and the spirit of the Old West, the annual Spanish Trail Ride wound its way through the Northside, Oak Forest, and Greater Heights Feb. 23, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. For decades, the group of riders, wagons, and support vehicles has made its way down N. Shepherd Dr. en route to Memorial Park, where trail riders from every direction assemble at the beginning of rodeo season. Dating back to 1952, when four intrepid men embarked on horseback from Brenham, the annual spectacle of trail riders taking over the town has evolved into a cherished tradition with nearly a dozen groups and more than 2,000 riders participating each year. As they embark on their days-long trips (some come from as far away as Goliad – a 206-mile trip
Mary Beth Mosley, a longtime Oak Forest resident, is at the forefront of a transformative mission to provide inclusive camp experiences for children and adults living with disabilities and special needs. As the development director of Camp For All, located in Burton, TX, Mosley works tirelessly to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to experience the joys of camp. The mission of Camp For All is to transform the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs,” Mosley said. “Camp For All gives children and adults who have disabilities, who are going through chronic illnesses, the opportunity to experience camp. A lot of kids are left out of that opportunity. Maybe they have a disability; maybe they live with intellectual conditions like autism. These individuals are often told that they just can’t go to camp. But at Camp For All, they can.” Overcoming Barriers to Participation Mosley highlighted the significant barriers that individuals with special needs often face when it comes to participating in traditional camp programs. Whether it’s physical challenges or the need for specialized medical care, many are excluded from the typical camp experience due to concerns about accommodations, medical care, and dietary needs. “At Camp For All, everything is designed so they can participate. If you’re in a wheelchair because you have a spinal cord injury, you can. You can still be lifted up to the zip line. You can still participate in activities if
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Photo by Stefanie Thomas
The Spanish Trail Riders trekked through town on Feb. 23 with fanfare and to the beats of country music.
to Houston), these modern-day cowboys and cowgirls aim to preserve a piece of history while paying homage to the largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the United States and, perhaps, in the world. The 11 trail rides that converge on
Houston represent a diverse tapestry of individuals, reflecting the rich cultural fabric of the Lone Star State. The Spanish Trail Ride, with its nine wagons and 125 riders, began its 109See RODEO P. 6
Photo courtesy of Camp For All
Mary Beth Mosley rappels down the 31 stories during a past Over the Edge Event at The Woodlands Tower, with proceeds benefitting Camp For All.
International Women’s Day 2024: Celebrating inclusivity with Dr. Viviana Coles PET PUZZLE: Your questions about unruly pets, answered
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By Lisa Morales The Leader News Contributor As March 8 approaches, the world prepares to honor International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women globally. With a history spanning well over a century, IWD stands as a beacon of collective activism and celebration, urging us all to accelerate women’s equality. This year, IWD’s theme of “inclusivity” takes center stage, emphasizing the importance of embracing the diversity of women from all backgrounds. It’s a reminder that women’s empowerment knows no boundaries of race, age, ability, faith, body image, or identity. One
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area IWD will focus on this year is helping women and girls make informed decisions about their relationships, which today can include relationships that don’t fit neatly into traditional categories of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Heights is fortunate to have a nationally renowned relationship expert in Dr. Viviana Coles, president and lead psychotherapist at Houston Relationship Therapy. Dr. Viviana, as she is known, holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and and master’s and doctoral degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Viviana exclusively focuses on couples and individuals experiencing emotional and physical intimacy issues. She has built a thriving private practice providing relationship
Photo courtesy of doctorviviana.com
Dr. Viviana Coles is the president and lead psychotherapist at Houston Relationship Therapy in the Houston Heights. She was formerly a featured marriage expert on Lifetime’s hit show Married at First Sight.
therapy, sex therapy and premarital counseling. The Leader asked Dr. Viviana to speak on women’s inclusivity in her practice and the importance this issue plays in women’s mental health. She leads by example stating, “At Houston Relationship Therapy, we believe representation matters. Our all-women team comes from a variety of ethnicities, ensuring that our clients feel seen and understood. We welcome and celebrate differences in all our clients and are dedicated to learning our clients’ realities so we can compassionately treat all who seek our help.” Cross-cultural training is mandatory for all of Dr. Viviana’s clinicians and See DR. COLES P. 4
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Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank. While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same. We look forward to a bright future together.
2222 North Durham | 281.517.8760 Margaret Vandever, Bank Office President Cecilia Rodriguez, Office Manager