INSIDE: Alleged driver sought in fatal Northside hit-and-run • Page 2
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Saturday, May 6, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 18
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Heights man wanted on sexual abuse allegations By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Houston police are searching for a Heights man who Houston Crime Stoppers says has been accused of sexual abuse in the Greater Inwood area in 2021, according to an alert from Houston Crime Stoppers. Frank Pool, 39, is wanted on charges of two counts of Indecency with a Child and one count of continual sexual abuse of a child, according to Harris County
Frank Pool
Court records, and has warrants out for his arrest. Pool, whose address is listed as being in the Heights according to court documents, remains at large according to Crime Stoppers. A news release from Crime Stoppers said HPD received a report on Aug. 2, 2021 of alleged sexual abuse that allegedly happened in the 7000 block of West Gulf Bank Road in the Greater Inwood area. Over the course of the investigation, Crime Stoppers said the child made an outcry of
alleged sexual abuse by Pool. The alert said Pool has brown eyes and brown hair, and remains on the run. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the charging and/ or arrest of Pool, according to the alert. Anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-8477 (TIPS), submit the tip online at crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app.
Pressing play
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INSIDE.
Opening statement See how the Heights Lady Bulldogs dominated in a bidistrict playoff sweep
Page 4
Down to the wire St. Pius X saw a close TAPPS area round victory that was tight throughout. See how they did it inside today
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Photo courtesy Houston Parks and Recreation Department Children play on the new playground at T.C. Jester Park last Saturday following a publc ribbon cutting. The playground has been open to the public since late March, and it appears to have become a staple for area families.
New T.C. Jester Park playground a hit with local families By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
State’s best A senior student from a local private high school recently earned a state academic honor
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Pizza party Leading Nibbles and Sips this week is the Upside Pub’s impending pizza eating contest
Edward Ball has already brought his daughter out to the new all-inclusive playground at T.C. Jester Park four times since the park opened to the public a few weeks ago. And she’s having so much fun with the new equipment and toys, he said, that it sometimes makes him wish he was a kid again. “We didn’t really come here a whole lot (with the previous park), so to have this park and have it be one of the closer parks to us has been great,” said Ball, who lives just two blocks from T.C. Jester Park. “… The kids are enjoying it, and that’s really all you can ask for.” Ball and his daughter are just one of many families who have made their way out to the new park, which officially opened to the public in late March with a private ribbon cutting. And last
Public.............................................................. 2 Sports............................................................. 3 Church........................................................... 4 Classifieds.................................................. 8 Local Culture..........................10 Food/Drink.............................10
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Not even four years ago, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School didn’t even have a softball team to put on the field. Now, the Cardinals are champions. Last week, St. Rose of Lima’s softball team defeated St. Ambrose in the finals of the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association Softball championship to win the school’s first title since the team was created four years
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Saturday, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department along with District C councilmember Abbie Kamin held a public ribbon cutting with children playing and screaming in the background. And that’s really what it’s all
about, according to HPARD Assistant Director Chris Carroll. “Every kid deserves a great park, and a great playground,” Carroll said. “… This playground is for all – for all kids, for all people just love to have that atmosphere and want to play.”
See Playground P. 6
St. Rose of Lima wins GHCCA softball title
Page 8
THE INDEX.
Photo courtesy Houston Parks and Recreation Department District C councilmember Abbie Kamin, center, and other city officials cut the ribbon during the publc ceremony at the park last weekend.
At least a dozen children and their families were out and about Saturday, climbing on the jungle gym and sliding down slides as parents kept a watchful eye on a park that has been more than a year in the making. Officials broke ground on the park in February 2022, with the hope that it would be open by the fall. However, officials said inclement weather and supply chain issues resulted in the opening of the park being pushed back multiple times prior to finally opening in late March. And in the weeks since it has opened, several parents said Saturday that the new and improved playground is perfect for the community. There are amenities at the park for all different age groups at the playground, including swing sets, climbers, freestanding play components and a boulder water play element. There
ago. “From the outside looking in, it was like a movie,” St. Rose of Lima Athletic Director Evan Vaden said. “You couldn’t believe that it happened. Everybody was hugging and crying, it was an unforgettable feeling, honestly.” A few years ago, assistant coach Brandon Mullen said his daughter as well as the daughter of head coach Oscar Montemayor and several other players were See St. Rose P. 6
Photo by Van Nguyen The St. Rose of Lima softball team won the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association title last week, its first since the team was formed four years ago.
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