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Saturday, September 7, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No.36
Air Pollution Report: Independence Heights, North Loop neighborhoods among areas with highest readings
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Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has released its latest annual report on air pollution and its significant impact on community health, with the Independence Heights area among local neighborhoods that saw an increase in air pollution. See the full report below. Air pollution, caused by the release of harmful gases, particles, and liquid aerosols into the atmosphere, poses se-
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vere health risks to humans and other living organisms. Prolonged exposure to air pollution can lead to respiratory issues and chronic diseases. According to the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), Harris County ranks the highest in Texas for pollution sources and associated health risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies six “criteria pollutants” due to their common occurrence and harmful effects on health: particulate matter (PM), ozone
(O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead, and sulfur dioxide. Harris County exhibits the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the most EPA violations for air, soil, and water pollution in Texas. The county also has elevated levels of ozone and PM2.5, exceeding safe limits for human health. Additionally, ethylene oxide, a volatile organic compound (VOC) with severe health effects, is a significant pollutant from chemical manufacturing facilities in Harris County.
See AIR POLLUTION P. 3
Ball for All: A special game for special needs kids
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This report’s air pollution information is based on data from existing air monitoring locations, with acknowledged gaps where monitoring stations are absent. HCPH is actively working to enhance air quality coverage by integrating satellite data with current monitoring efforts. Air pollution exposure can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases and exacerbate existing conditions.
By RUBENA GRACIA The Leader News Contributor HHA to host School Choice Faire Sept. 9
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You’re invited: Help plant trees at Shepherd Park Plaza this Saturday
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Submitted photo
Lonely, abandoned, lost. Marisa Doherty, a North Shepherd District resident and business owner, recently brought attention to the increasing problem of stray dogs in the neighborhood.
Stray dogs pose growing concern in North Shepherd District THE STUDY
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor The North Shepherd District (NSD), a vibrant and growing area in Houston, is facing a serious challenge: the increasing number of stray dogs. “Their behavior ranges from benign to wow-that’s-a-bite-case-waiting-tohappen,” says Marisa Doherty, a local resident and business owner. “These dogs frequently walk into our store or try to break through our fence. With no way to know if said dog will be friendly or aggressive, that’s alarming, and it happens regularly.” With that in mind, Doherty conducted an informal study of the number of loose dogs in a small area of the NSD to shed light on the magnitude of this issue and its impact on the community’s safety and quality of life.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Houston Farmers Market
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Memorial Groves: Memorial Park launches major project
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Submitted photo
A stray dog wanders into a North Shepherd District business.
Doherty’s study focused on a 0.34 square-mile area, bordered by North Shepherd Drive, West Parker Road, Yale Street, and West Tidwell. Over a four-month period from March 1, 2024, to July 12, 2024, Doherty tracked the number of loose dogs in this small section of the district. The results were alarming: 22 stray dogs were observed, with approximately 13 of them posing a potential safety risk to pedestrians or drivers. These dogs are either strays, lost, or dumped, and most are unaltered and unchipped. At 16.6 square miles, the NSD is 48 times bigger than the area studied. With Doherty’s data applied district-wide, that would amount to approximately 1,000 loose dogs in the North Shepherd District.
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Garden Oaks Kids’ Meals expands efforts to combat childhood hunger The Garden Oaks organization Kids’ Meals has been a lifeline for Houston’s most vulnerable preschoolaged children, delivering free, healthy meals directly to their doorsteps for the past 18 years. As the only program of its kind in the nation, Kids’ Meals is on a mission to end childhood hunger in the Greater Houston area by focusing on children under the age of five who often fall through the gaps in social services. With more than 80,000 preschoolaged children in Houston living in food insecurity, Kids’ Meals is addressing a
We empower people to thrive. S TE LL A R . BA N K NM L S # 4 5 1 3 1 2
See BALL FOR ALL P. 3
See STRAY DOGS P. 3
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor First Saturday Arts Market is back this weekend!
The Timbergrove Sports Association is proud to announce its first annual Ball for All event to be held on Oct. 19. The all-inclusive event is part of the league’s mission “to provide a safe, fun, and competitive community sports environment for young athletes while promoting core principles of sportsmanship, respect, hard work, and volunteerism.” The Timbergrove Sports Association, or TSA, is a family-oriented league that provides an opportunity for young people to participate year-round in four sports: • The youth baseball league for boys and girls ages 4-15, held in the fall and spring. • The girls softball league for ages 4–14, held in the fall and spring. • The youth soccer league for ages 4–13, offering co-ed, girls, and open divisions. • The new youth flag football league for ages 5–12, offering co-ed divisions held in partnership with the 60acre campus of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School. The TSA supports families in the Heights/Timbergrove/GOOF area at their primary sports complex in the Timbergrove-Heights area and at their auxiliary field in Spring Branch.
Rendering courtesy of Kids’ Meals
The new Kids’ Meals facility is scheduled to open in summer of 2025 in Spring Branch.
critical need. Preschool-aged children are particularly vulnerable because
they don’t have access to the National School Lunch Program. This is also
the most formative time for brain development as noted by The Federal Department of Health and Human Services, which reports that 700 to 1,000 new neurological connections are forming every second in the first few years of a child’s life. This forming of the brain architecture is a critical foundation to development. Preschool-aged children are unlike any population group because of the irreplaceable growth and developmental stages occurring during early childhood. Persistent under-nutrition and hunger prevent children from reaching their full potential, creating See KIDS’ MEALS P. 5
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