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Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 38
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Work begins on White Oak flood reduction project By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com A flood damage reduction project whose scope includes work in part of Greater Inwood is now under way, according to the Harris County Flood Control District. The HCFCD said in a news release Sept. 22 that work has begun on both of the final segments of the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project – a portion from FM 1960 to Hollister Road as well as a segment from Hollister to Cole Creek, which runs through the Greater Inwood area. Construction has begun on the Hollister to Cole Creek section that runs through Greater Inwood, according to the HCFCD, with construction tentatively slated for completion in the Fall of
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2024. The other portion is scheduled for completion next spring, according to the Flood Control District. According to the Flood Control District, the scope of the project along White Oak Bayou in these areas includes channel excavation, channel grading, and outfall pipe replacements. Workers will also give bridges, pedestrian bridges, and pipe bridges slope paving, channel lining, and rip rap installed to help protect the structures from damage and erosion. “Residents near the project areas may see increased construction activity around these waterways, which will include trucks and heavy machinery,” HCFCD said in the release. “Residents are urged to respect all warning signs as work crews move around the area. Trails in the project limits will remain closed for the duration of construction for the
safety of the public and construction personnel.” The project is also set to include constructing hike and bike trails along the main stem, bypass channel, and around the detention basins, as well as new hike and bike trail parking lots according to the release. When the project is completely finished, the Flood Control District says that many areas within the confines of the project will see water surface elevation reductions of 0.64 to 2.49 feet in the event of a 100-year storm, according to the release. For more information and to stay up to date on all updates regarding the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, community members can visit the Harris County Flood Control district’s project website
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Charged Two men have been charged following a shooting in the local area
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Finding a fit See our monthly local Realtor spotlight inside today
Page 2 Photo from Facebook A Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office deputy takes a photo with a laughing child during a 2019 National Night Out. Festivities for the annual event, which is meant to promote camaraderie between neighbors and police officers, are happening all around the local area on Oct. 3.
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Come on out Check out info for this weekend’s inaugural Art Ramble at Sawyer Yards
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THE INDEX. Public/Topics �����������������������������2 Classifieds ���������������������������������6 Local Culture �����������������������������8
at hcfcd.org/Activity/Active-Projects/ White-Oak-Bayou/C-14-Federal-FloodDamage-Reduction-Project.
Mealer drops lawsuit over 2022 elections By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
INSIDE.
Panthers Prowling St. Pius X’s football team won its third straight game. See that and more in our weekly roundup
Map from Harris County Flood Control District
Pictured is the segment of the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project that runs through part of the area. Work is scheduled for completion next year.
Area gearing up for National Night Out Oct. 3
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com An annual event meant to promote camaraderie and trust between police officers and the communities they serve is back next week, with events set to be sprinkled all throughout local neighborhoods such as the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Shepherd Park Plaza, Northside/Northline, and more next week. On Oct. 3, communities throughout Houston and the local area will take to the streets for the annual National Night Out event, which will have events all around the region, including many in the local area. It is the 40th anniversary of the annual tradition that brings police of-
ficers and neighbors out together each year. “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” its website reads about the event, which gets celebrated the first Tuesday in October. “Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.” One such event will be at the Houston Heights Odd Fellows Lodge #225 hosting its sixth annual National Night Out Celebration on Oct. 3, from 5:30- 8 p.m. at the lodge located at 115 E. 14th St. Among the attractions to be at the event include Free hot dogs, snacks and refreshments, as well as tours of the
Odd Fellows Lodge. There will also be neighborhood art Cars, a bouncy Castle for kids, cornhole, live music by the Mojo Sisters, and firetrucks and firefighters. Attendees will also have a chance to meet and greet with officers from the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office. “Our Houston Heights neighbors are invited to join us and bring the kids to this free event for the whole family,” the organization said in a news release. Also taking part in the festivities will be an event hosted by the First Ward Civic Council at Sawyer Yards in the Washington Avenue area. From 6:308:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, community memSee NATIONAL P. 5
A former Republican candidate in last year’s Harris County Judge elections has dropped her lawsuit contesting the election results related to alleged failures with the voting process and procedures, according to a statement released last week. In a news release last week, Alexandra Mealer said that she has dropped her lawsuit contesting the results of the election, which saw her lose out on her bid to unseat incumbent Lina Hidalgo by about 18,000 votes last November. Over the last year or so, Mealer has been attempting to file a lawsuit related to the election results, one of several Republican candidates to do so in the county. However, she said she is dropping it due to having exhausted all efforts and alleging she has been stonewalled by county officials “Unfortunately, instead of making a good faith effort to gain a full accounting of the many failures on Election Day, Harris County chose to put their head in the sand and avoid capturing key information that was needed to meet my legal burden,” Mealer said in her statement. “As a result, I have decided to drop my lawsuit as the factual records to support or dispute my claims do not exist or are not being made available.” And some county officials are saying it was about time, and expressed hope of moving forward with 2023 elections just over a month away. “I’m glad Mrs. Mealer finally realized what a waste of time and resources it was to litigate this case,” county attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement. “She didn’t win the election and she wasn’t going to win the election contest, See MEALER P. 5
Photo from Facebook
Alex Mealer
Annual HISD initiative includes area high schools By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com As the school year’s first month wraps up, volunteers representing Houston ISD’s North Division – which includes three local high schools – pounded the pavement last week in attempts to bring area children back into the fold and into the classroom.
Last Saturday, Sept. 23, volunteers from 10 schools in HISD’s North Division took part in HISD’s “Find Your Way Back North” and “The Central Mission Recovery Project” – including those representing Booker T. Washington, Scarborough and Waltrip high schools, according to a news release from HISD.
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Photo by Landan Kuhlman
Pictured is the Hattie Mae White ESC in Houston ISD at 4400 West 18th St. Volunteers from local schools were out last weekend in attempts to bring children back to the classroom.
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