Inside Today: Mango Punch playing free concert at Marmion Park • Page 5
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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 34
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County prepares for election office transition tions must now be run by county clerk Teneshia Hudspeth and the office of tax assessor-collector Ann Harris Bennett. The transition comes in light of Senate Bill 1750’s implementation. And during Tuesday’s regular commissioners court meeting, Hudspeth and a representative of Bennett’s office expressed confidence that there will be no hiccups or delays when it comes to Harris
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
With just over two months until the November elections in Harris County, the county is preparing to officially transition its elections operations back over to its elected county clerk and tax assessor-collector’s office in light of last week’s ruling by the Texas Supreme Court. Effective Friday, the county’s election opera-
Ann Harris Bennett
Teneshia Hudspeth
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INSIDE.
Arrested A man has been accused of shooting and killing a woman in Acres Homes last weekend.
Page 2 Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles speaks during a community meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center earlier this year. As the school year began this week, Miles has been making rounds throughout the district and its schools.
New NES system in effect at HISD schools as instruction begins By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
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Bring it in(doors) See what’s cooking indoors with a multimedia art show this weekend.
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See Transition P. 4
Northside shooting suspect still at large
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Strong start High school football is under way, and several local teams got off to a strong start.
County’s elections operations. “While we can all agree that this is not an ideal situation, I am committed to doing the job before me with your full support,” Hudspeth said Tuesday. “Over the last few months, I have worked (with all partners) to ensure a smooth transition of assets, employees, and records in accordance with SB 1750.”
Students were back inside Houston ISD classrooms for the first time since the takeover of the district by the Texas Education Agency earlier this week, and the new superintendent started the year by taking a tour of some of the schools that are part of the “New Education System” program. The NES campus list includes 36 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, nine high schools, and two specialty schools, including area campuses. Local campuses that have opted in to be part of the NES system are Scarborough High School (4141 Costa Rica Dr.) and Booker T. Washington High School (4204 Yale St.) along with M.C.
Williams Middle School (6100 Knox St.), Burrus Elementary (701 E. 33rd St.), Osborne Elementary (800 Ringold St.), and Wainwright Elementary (5330 Milwee St.). HISD’s original list of 28 NES schools included one area school, Highland Heights Elementary at
865 Paul Quinn St. And after the first day, superintendent Mike Miles said he is already seeing progress at some of the schools that have implemented the program. “I was reminded of how important this work is. It is the most important work of our time. When I got to schools, it was just humbling but also so exhilarating,” Miles said of the first day in an update posted to the district’s YouTube channel on Tuesday. “Schools are my sanctuary – I love being in schools, talking to kids and seeing teachers… it reminds me of how the real work is in the schools. It was a great first day, but the first day is not the end – it’s just the start. And we’re going to try to continue to See NES P. 5
Houston police are searching for a man who has been accused of shooting and killing another man in the Northside/Northline neighborhood last weekend, according to the Houston Police Department. Alexis Gonzalez, 23, has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting, according to Harris County court records. He remains on the run and at large as of Tuesday, according to HPD. The identity of the victim, believed to be a 32-year-old man according to police, is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the department. Police responded to a call at a business in the 100 block of West Little York Road in Northside/ Northline around 2:20 p.m. on Aug. 26, according to the department, to find a man unresponsive and having been shot. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, according to HPD. The suspect, alleged to be Gonzalez, had allegedly fled the scene by the time police arrived, according to the department, and remains on the run. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Alexis Gonzalez is asked to contact HPD’s Homicide division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 (TIPS).
Alexis Gonzalez
Growing pickleball trend bringing new spots to Heights Now open A cocktail bar and social club is open in the Heights, and more in this week’s Nibbles and Sips.
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THE INDEX. Public/Topics ...........................2 Classifieds ................................................. 6 Local Culture ...........................8 Food & Drink ...........................8
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
As the sport of pickleball continues to grow in popularity, it has given way to a wave of new concepts making their way to Houston – including multiple spots in the area that are either open or slated to open in the coming months. Earlier this month, the Heights added a new spot called the Elite Pickleball Club, which is touted as the first fully-indoor Pickleball facility inside the Houston city limits. Elite Pickleball Club opened on Aug. 5 at 600 W. 6th St. in the Heights, and is operated by professional pickleballer Shellton Jean Baptiste as it aims to bring pickleball enthusiasts another spot
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to indulge their cravings. There are currently about 10,000 Houstonians estimated to play pickleball, according to the Houston Pickleball Association. A 2022 report from CultureMap Houston said nearly 5 million people play the sport worldwide. The Houston Parks and Recreation Department currently has 11 outdoor and 17 indoor dual courts available for Pickleball play, according to the city. But Elite Pickleball believes they’re bringing something to the table that nowhere in the city can offer. “I am so excited to bring Houston its first indoor Pickleball facility. Pickleball has just exploded in popularity in the See Pickleball P. 5
Contributed photo Elite Pickleball Club recently opened the first indoor pickleball spot in the Heights earlier this month. It is one of multiple spots that is now open or coming soon to the area for the growing sport.
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