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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
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Saturday, March 22, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 12
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Woman’s domestic violence death highlights need for bail reform By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com The tragic death of 32-yearold paralegal, Kristen Chavez, has left the local community in shock as details emerge about the brutal circumstances surrounding her murder. Kristen was allegedly beaten to death at her Oak Forest area home by her husband, 34-year-old Chance Zane Chavez, according to the Houston Police Department and court records.
HPD officers responded to a suspicious event call in the 5100 block of Emma Forest Street around 7:20 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12. They arrived to find Chavez in the doorway, covered in blood. He was immediately detained while officers searched the home, officials said in a media statement. Inside, they discovered his wife, Kristen, unresponsive in a bedroom. She had suffered severe blunt force trauma and was pronounced deceased by
paramedics. Chavez was arrested and charged with first degree murder in the 176th State District Court. “My daughter was incredibly talented, loving, full of integrity, and so much more,” Kristen’s mother, Laura Bell, wrote on social media. “A light beaming despite her marriage situation. She suffered silently. What he did to her and what she endured was horrific. He wasn’t insane. It was premeditated and calcu-
lated. He knew she was finally going to leave him.” One of Kristen’s dogs was reportedly also killed, and three others were badly beaten and turned loose on the Katy Freeway. Kristen’s family has since recovered the three surviving dogs.
The Need For Bail Reform
See MURDER P. 2
HELPING HANDS
Welcome spring! Plant sales in the area
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com Fresh off the victory of preserving the historic sign structure and bus stop on the former Sears property along North Shepherd, community advocates are now shifting their focus to saving a century-old oak tree—one of the last remnants of the original forest that once stood on the site. The North Shepherd District and its partners are urging residents to take action by sending letters of support, rallying their civic associations, and spreading awareness to help protect the tree from potential removal.
Don’t fall for the toll road scam!
Page 3 Photos by Lisa Morales
Adam Blount uses specialized Strong Arm equipment that attaches to the throwing wheel to pull clay.
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Pet of the Week: Here’s your Appa-tunity!
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cousin and friend. Her husband is charged with her murder.
Call to Action: Community rallies to save 100-year-old oak tree on former Sears property
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HAR Local Data by Zip Code: What’s selling in the neighborhood
Photo courtesy of the Bell family)
The Harris County District Kristen Chavez, of Oak Forest, Attorney’s Office originally was a loving daughter, sister,
Local artist with ALS creates 50 bowls for Empty Bowls Houston By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor Adam Blount has never let obstacles stand in the way of his passion for art. A local ceramicist, Army veteran, and member of Third Coast Clay, Blount was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. Despite the progressive nature of the disease, he continues to create stunning ceramics and has challenged himself to make and donate 50 bowls for this year’s Empty Bowls Houston event. Blount’s love for ceramics began in high school and college in the early 2000s. After his ALS diagnosis, he found that working with clay was a form of occupational therapy that helped maintain muscle control and provided a creative outlet after he could no lon-
Blount blows on a Raku bowl just removed from the kiln to create a crackle in the glaze.
ger draw and paint as he once enjoyed. When he discovered Third Coast Clay, a minority-owned ceramic studio in the Independence Heights area, was near his home and close enough to travel there in his motorized wheelchair, he
Saving a Piece of History
The majestic 100-year-old oak, which stands next to the preserved sign structure, faces imminent threat as the property undergoes redevelopment. Advocates stress that while the tree has withstood decades of storms, droughts, and urban expansion, it may not survive redevelopment without urgent community intervention. Residents are encouraged to: • Write a “Save our 100-year-old oak” letter of support to demonstrate local backing for the tree’s preservation. • Ask their civic associations to issue statements supporting the effort. • Spread the word through social media, neighborhood meetings, and local networks. Letters can be mailed to North Shepherd District, 4537 North Shepherd, Houston, TX 77018, or emailed to Donna@wabashfeed.com.
Seeking Cooperation from Property Owners and Developers
became a dedicated member of the studio’s community. Third Coast Clay, a local studio fostering a diverse and inclusive clay community, didn’t just welcome
Community members hope to gain the attention of Fidelis Realty Partners, local council members, and the incoming “Big Box” merchant that, according to a recent North Shepherd District
See BLOUNT P. 3
See TREE P. 3
Booker T. Washington High School students earn NASA recognition for innovative lunar dust solution By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com Community Calendar: See what’s happening around town
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A team of students from Booker T. Washington High School has garnered prestigious recognition from the NASA High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) Program. Their innovative project, which focuses on mitigating dangerous lunar dust during NASA’s future missions, reached the program’s semifinals—a remarkable achievement celebrated by the school community.
The NASA HUNCH Program
The HUNCH Program invites middle and high school students across the United States to create critical products and prototypes for NASA. It has grown significantly, with over 500 classroom programs and more than 2,000 students from 48 states participating this year. Under the guidance of NASA engineers and astronauts, the students tackled realworld challenges in categories such as culinary, design and prototyping, See LUNAR P. 2
Submitted photo
The Booker T. Washington High School team reached the semifinals of NASA’s HUNCH competition with their innovative tarp stake design.
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