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Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 31
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Repurposing of HISD libraries meets criticism from officials Last week, city of Houston officials, including Mayor Sylvester Turner and District H councilmember Karla Cisneros – among others – vocalized concerns about Miles’ plan to turn the libraries into “Team Centers” at 28 schools in his “New Education System” plan that Miles has said is meant to reform the educational process and close the educational gap at the affected schools.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
As students around Houston ISD get set to return to school later this month, spaces formerly reserved for libraries are going to look different at more than two dozen schools – including a local elementary school. And city officials have criticized the plans put forth for them by superintendent Mike Miles.
Mike Miles
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Photo courtesy Minnesota Vikings Waltrip High School alumnus and Minnesota Vikings receivers coach Keenan McCardell, pictured during a 2022 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, is using lessons learned from his playing days to help young players as a coach.
Waltrip alumnus imparting lessons as NFL coach following standout career Shop smart Texas’ annual tax-free weekend is coming up soon, see inside today for more information.
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Debut A new exhibit is opening this weekend at the Archway Gallery.
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Celebration In this week’s Nibbles and Sips, a local pub is celebrating one year in business while an annual foodie event is now underway.
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THE INDEX. Public/Topics............................2 Classifieds.................................................. 6 Local Culture............................7 Food & Drink............................8
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Keenan McCardell may now make his living almost 1,200 miles from the football fields and the city where he first made his mark. But he’s always kept Houston in his heart, and the Waltrip High School alumnus is now using the lessons learned there and throughout his journey through the National Football League in efforts to help young players reach and live their dreams the same way he’s been able to. “The talent in the city of Houston is unbelievable, and especially when we were growing up. There wasn’t a Friday night you could walk out on the field and just relax,” McCardell said last week at the start of NFL training camp, where he enters his third season as the Minnesota Vikings wide receivers coach. “It showed me how to be a competitor, how to be better than everybody. That city is the
One arrested, two at large following alleged attempted break-in
Keenan McCardell
best city in the world…. And Waltrip meant so much to me.” And the lessons that helped him become top-25 in career receptions, are those he is trying to teach younger players as a mentor and coach. McCardell is entering his 10th season as a wide receiv-
ers’ coach, and his third year in Minnesota. “One of the things I learned going from a player to a coach is that you’ve got to continue to work hard each and every day if you want to be a part of (the NFL). So I just applied what I did as a player – outworking everybody, continuing to work, leading by example, teaching guys what I was taught,” he said. “Understanding players and knowing how to push their buttons every now and then to get them to play right is key too, and being truthful and honest with guys.” Being transparent with players, he said, is what helps him get the most out of his players. “Sometimes (the game) is not going to be good, sometimes it’s going to be great,” he said. “And when you have that relationship with your players, you can be transparent and honest with See McCardell P. 6
A man has been arrested following a shooting that allegedly occurred after multiple suspects allegedly attempted to break into a home in the Northside Village area last weekend, according to the Houston Police Department, while multiple other suspects remain at large. Davon Darion Carson, 31, has been arrested and charged with agg ravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection to the shooting, according to Harris County court records. He Davon Darion Carson has also been charged with burglary of a habitation and felon in possession of a weapon, according to court records. He remained in jail as of Tuesday, according to court records, with total bail set at $150,000. At least two other alleged suspects remain at large, according to the police department. Officers responded to a call of a break-in to a home in the 200 block of Cody Street in the Northside Village area around 4:20 a.m. last Saturday July 29, police said, after two armed men allegedly attempted to break into a home and allegedly fired shots inside the home that narrowly missed the family inside. The homeowner allegedly returned fire, according to the department, hitting one suspect in the leg before the suspects allegedly fled the scene. One suspect, alleged to be Carson according to the department, was allegedly later found at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. He was subsequently arrested and charged, according to HPD. Anyone with information on the identities of the wanted suspects or in the case is asked to contact the HPD Major Assault & Family Violence Division at 713-308-8800 or speak anonymously to Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 (TIPS).
White Linen Night returns this Saturday By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
It’s about that time for Houstonians to don their finest white clothes and accessories, as one of the area’s most popular annual events is gearing up for another year. The annual White Linen Night is coming up, with the event set to take place this Saturday, Aug. 5 from 6-10 p.m. along 19th Street in the Heights as thousands of people will wear their finest white clothes to walk the streets and see what its businesses have to offer. During the event, portions of 19th Street will be closed to through traffic
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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Serving coffee, tea, wine, beer, savories and sweets 7 am to 9 pm daily.
INSIDE.
Some city leaders, however, don’t see it that way when it comes to doing that at NES schools, one of which is Highland Heights Elementary at 865 Paul Quinn St. in the Acres Homes neighborhood. During last week’s city council meeting, Mayor Sylvester Turner called for Miles and the board of managers to overturn their decision.
in order to allow attendees and vendors to walk the streets in the 200 and 300 blocks of West 19th Street. White Linen Night was back in person last year for the first time since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects – to the book of many area businesses, several of whom previously told The Leader that the annual event can double or triple their typical sales. Originally conceived in New Orleans, the event began in Houston in 2006 as a way to draw the eyes of many to the plethora of small businesses that make their home in the Heights and around See White Linen P. 3
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Community members walk down the street during last year’s White Linen Night. The annual event returns to 19th Street once again this Saturday.
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