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Saturday, July 8, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 27
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Area civic club launches park master plan By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A little over seven years ago, Arturo Gutierrez got off of work to take his son – then two years old – to Montie Beach Park for a turn on the swings. At the same time, he saw another dad there with his two young daughters. With each swing, he said the man’s daughters asked for another push, and after a burst of laughter or say-
ing he couldn’t push them anymore, the man found the strength to push them again. In that moment, he said, he was reminded of memories from his own childhood. And with a recently-launched initiative, he is hoping to give more children and families the chance to make memories of their own. “I could only assume that he got as much fun out of swinging them as they did being swung,”
Gutierrez said. “That moment he reminded me of my dad taking me to the same park after work, tired but happy.” Gutierrez and his wife Amy are part of a group spearheading the recently-launched Montie Beach Park Master Plan, which calls for large scale improvements to the park on the eastern edge of the Heights at 915 Northwood See Plan P. 7
Photo from Facebook The Montie Beach Civic Club has launched a master plan for improvements to the pictured Montie Beach Park.
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INSIDE.
Shaping stars See some scenes from Waltrip High School’s football camp last week.
Suspect hospitalized after alleged assault
Contributed photo Mayor Sylvester Turner stands with community members during the Freedom Over Texas celebration Tuesday night.
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New direction Take a look at what local artists are doing during the summer months.
A man who is accused of attempting to assault a man and woman in the Northside/Northline area last week was hospitalized after the man and woman allegedly shot him during the alleged attempted assault, according to the Houston Police Department. Mario Ipina Duque, 39, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a weapon, both felonies, according to Harris County court records. He remained in the hospital as of Tuesday, according to the department. Officers responded to a shooting call at a gas station in the 8600 block of Fulton Street in Northside/Northline around 5:25 p.m. on June 27, according the department, to find the man and woman allegedly holding Duque at gunpoint. According to the department, Duque allegedly pulled out a weapon and allegedly threatened the man before allegedly hitting him with a pistol. The man and women then both allegedly drew guns and shot Duque in what has been claimed to be self-defense, according to the department, before calling 9-1-1. Their weapons were allegedly recovered at the scene, according to police.
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Contributed photo The city of Houston’s Freedom over Texas celebration was one of many events held around the city in honor of the holiday Tuesday night.
Area animal waiving adoption fees throughout July Among the best Gatlin’s BBQ has earned national recognition, and more in Nibble s and Sips
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THE INDEX. Public/Topics ...........................2 Sports ......................................3 Classifieds ................................................. 8 Local Culture ...........................4 Food & Drink ...........................5
From Staff Reports
BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, and a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness announced Wednesday that they will be teaming up with MetLife Pet Insurance for an upcoming “Empty the Shelters” adoption event throughout the month of July. From July 6-31, BISSELL Pet Foundation – a national organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness – will host its Summer National “Empty the Shelters” event at more than 335 shelters in 44 states with pets available for adoption, including BARC Houston.
“With the shared goal of helping pets find and stay in loving homes, this collaboration will save lives by expanding the foundation’s reach to include more shelters across the country and allow BARC to completely waive adoption fees during this summer’s campaign,” a news release from the city said. BARC Houston, located at 3300 Carr St. in the Northside Village area just east of Interstate 45, will waive adoption fees for all cats and dogs at the shelter for the duration of the event according to the release. Those interested in adopting can stop by any day between noon-5 p.m., according to the release, including on See BARC P. 7
Photo from Facebook The city’s animal shelter is waiving adoption fees this month.
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