INSIDE: Editor Landan Kuhlmann recaps state tournament trip • Page 7
Smart choices last a lifetime.
Come Shop with the Easter Bunny and Fill Your Baskets
713.688.8669
Lane Lewis Agency Flower & Gift Shop 17500467
LLewis@FarmersAgent.com 2200 North Loop W Ste 136 Houston, TX 77018
Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350
Saturday, March 18, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 11
ABOUT US 2020 North Loop West Suite 220 (713) 686-8494 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/FromTheLeader
Leader’s Choice BEST ATTORNEY
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 5005 W. 34th Street, Suite 104A Legal Services For Wills, Probate Estate Planning & Real Estate
TEA announces takeover of HISD By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
The state of Texas’ largest school district is now going to be under the state’s control. On Wednesday, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath announced that the state will be taking over Houston ISD, putting an end to a battle that has waged on for four years. The efforts to enforce a takeover began in 2019, when TEA Commissioner Mike Morath began ef-
Mike Morath
forts to replace the HISD board amidst allegations of board misconduct as well as nearly a decade of low academic performance at Wheatley High School. The district sued the TEA in 2020, and was
In full bloom
PHYLLIS A. OESER Attorney At LAw 713-692-0300
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Serving coffee, tea, wine, beer, savories and sweets 7 am to 9 pm daily.
1030 Heights Blvd, Houston,TX 77008
713-434-6923
INSIDE.
Ram-ming the competition See our baseball and softball recap to see how Waltrip baseball stayed perfect
Page 4
Let the mind wander Heights Boulevard is home to the True North sculpture project. Check out Art Valet for more info
Page 9
Contributed photos Bluebonnets are in full bloom across the area and the state, including along White Oak Bayou and other spots throughout the area.
Houston police have arrested and charged a man in connection with a car crash near Acres Homes last weekend that resulted in the death of a young girl and put two other children as well as another man in the hospital, according to the Houston Police Department. Deadrian Baker, 33, has been charged with one count of murder and two counts of intoxication assault in connection with the crash, according to Harris County Court records. He Deadrian Baker remained in jail as of Tuesday, according to court records. The young girl’s identity is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the department. Police say Baker was allegedly driving a black Honda Crosstour southbound at 8400 North Freeway near Acres Homes just after 10:30 p.m. last Sunday when he allegedly hit the concrete barrier and caused the car to roll over. Two children, a 1-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, were thrown from the car as it rolled, according to HPD. They were taken to local hospitals, police said, where the girl was pronounced dead. Seven total people were in the car at the time of the crash, according to police – three adults and four children. Two other boys, ages 5 and 10, had minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals according to police, while a passenger – a man – was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. Baker was detained at the scene and is alleged to have been intoxicated, according to police. He was out on a $40,000 bond on a previous charge of injury to a child under 15 at the time of the crash, according to court records.
Bayou City Art Festival is at Memorial Park next weekend
Page 10
THE INDEX. Public.............................................................. 2 Sports............................................................. 4 Church........................................................... 5 Coupon......................................................... 7 Classifieds.................................................. 8 Food/Drink.............................10
From Staff Reports
Next weekend, Memorial Park will be transformed into a tapestry of artwork displaying work from hundreds of artists all around the country. From March 24-26, the South Picnic Loop at Memorial Park will host the annual Bayou City Art Festival courtesy of the Houstonbased Art Colony Association (ACA) as hundreds of artists from around the country showcase their work. The annual festival attracts at
We empower people to thrive. S TE LL A R . BA N K NM L S # 4 5 1 3 1 2
See Takeover P. 6
Baby girl killed in car crash near Acres Homes
Your neighborhood living room in The Heights
Take it home Triola’s Kitchen in the Heigghts was a hit for reviewer Dan Greer. Read what had him raving inside today
granted an injunction by a Travis County judge – which was later upheld by an appeals court. However, this past January, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of the agency and threw out the injunction – clearing the way for the takeover. Rumblings of the takeover began about two weeks ago, when Houston mayor Sylvester Turner dropped the bombshell during a city council meeting. And Wednes-
least 20,000 attendees each year, according to the festival, and organizers say this year’s show is expected to do the same. The
featured artist for 2023 is Dewey James, a mixed-media artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota For more than 50 years, the
ACA has hosted the annual event as a way to showcase artists’ work as well as provide Houstonians a chance to see artists from around the country. “As the nation’s premier spring outdoor art festival in the U.S., Bayou City Art Festival will provide patrons with the opportunity to personally meet artists, view original works, and purchase artwork from 19 art disciplines including world-class paintings, See Bayou City P. 6
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