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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, October 25, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 43
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INSIDE.
Kamin kicks off city’s first multi-family recycling program By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com Houston is taking another step toward expanding citywide recycling access with the launch of a new Multi-Family Recycling Pilot Program, led by Council Member Abbie Kamin in partnership with the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD). The initiative aims to address a long-standing gap in recycling services for residents living in
apartments and condominiums—now more than half of the city’s population. “The more trash we produce, the faster our landfills reach capacity,” Kamin said. “We’re getting dangerously close to what will cost hundreds of millions of dollars if we don’t start reducing our waste. I am grateful to our SWMD, our grant funders, and the properties who are participating.” The pilot program stems
from a budget amendment Kamin passed in 2021, which has since evolved into a collaborative effort supported by The Recycling Partnership and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. Six multi-family properties are currently participating, with the program open to additional complexes—at no cost to property owners or residents. SWMD Director Larius Hassen said early results have See APT P. 2
Submitted photo
A City of Houston recycling container sits outside a multifamily building, thanks to Council Member Abbie Kamin’s efforts to bring recycling options to Houston’s apartment tenants.
DIGGING IN!
Moody Park marks a century of community, culture, and change By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Houston Arboretum presents Halloween Sip & Stroll
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Coming to a Table Near You: Sip, savor, and scare!
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Pet of the Week: Meet Gru, a former grumpy cat turned gourmet
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Save the date: See what’s happening in the neighborhood and around town
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Photo by Stephanie Shirley
In three years, the entire corridor will be spacious and safer to navigate.
Phase II of ShepherdDurham corridor project set to begin this fall been so engaged on this project so far; it’s great to see.”
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor Houston Public Works (HPW) held a public meeting Oct. 16 to update residents on their participation in the ongoing Shepherd-Durham corridor redevelopment project. The virtual event was hosted by Kenya Williams of HPW and intended to clarify questions and mitigate concerns about HPW’s engagement and contributions, as the construction begins on the second phase of this major community undertaking. The meeting started with an introduction of the engineers, contractors and Infrastructure and Planning Coordinator for District C, Cole Wilber. “We’re so excited to see this phase of the project begin, it’s been years in the making,” Wilber said. “Council Member Kamin has really been pushing on this and the community has
Timelines and Details
Photo by Stephanie Shirley
Construction is beginning on the southern half of the Shepherd-Durham corridor and for many; it’s not a moment too soon.
“Houston Public Works is focused on smarter, more sustainable infrastructure,” Williams said. “This project reflects that commitment — redesigning and reconstructing the ShepherdDurham corridor with modern infrastructure and new safety features.” Construction is expected to begin this fall and wrap up by fall 2028, weather permitting. The contractor, Harper Brothers LLC, will work Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with limited work possible outside those hours. Joshua Flowers serves as project manager. “The purpose of this project is to improve safety and mobility along See ROADS P. 2
One of Houston’s oldest and most storied parks will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a day-long, family-friendly festival on Saturday, November 1, hosted by Friends of Moody Park. The free event will honor a century of community, culture, and resilience at the 35-acre green space that has served as the heart of the Near Northside since 1925. “For 100 years, Moody Park has been a beautiful place Houstonians have enjoyed for sports, recreation, family picnics and community events,” said Dr. Natalia Sanchez, president of Friends of Moody Park, the nonprofit formed in 2024 to help revitalize the park. “As we mark this important milestone, we honor this rich legacy by working to make Moody Park into a safer and more vibrant space that will be used and treasured for generations to come.”
A Full Day of Free Family Fun
The celebration, held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Moody Park Center (3725 Fulton St.), will feature a Kids’ Fun Run, kickball tournament, rockclimbing wall, Folklorico and line dancing, yoga, Zumba, Fit Houston Walk, relay races, face painting, and more. All activities are free, and vendors will offer food, beverages, and local wares for purchase. Local leaders including District H Councilmember Mario Castillo and See MOODY P. 2
Photo courtesy of Friends of Moody Park
Friends of Moody Park will host a free, daylong celebration Nov. 1 to mark the Near Northside park’s 100th anniversary.
Helping Children Heal: Inside Houston’s Children’s Assessment Center and its fight against abuse By JUHI VARMA The Leader News Contributor Art Valet: Najia Omer’s gold threads weave cultural identity
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Research from the Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody shows that domestic violence and child maltreatment often co-occur in as many as 30 to 60 percent of families. October, recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, shines a light on organizations supporting women
and children affected by abuse. These centers offer critical services—from shelter and counseling to trauma-informed care—helping survivors rebuild their lives. Among them is the Children’s Assessment Center (CAC), which serves as a haven for sexually abused children and their families. Preventing domestic violence and child abuse, experts say, requires ensuring that families have access to the re-
sources they need to foster safe and stable homes. One of the people working toward that goal is licensed clinical social worker Hanna Fry, 28, a Heights resident who chose to dedicate her career to helping children and families through the CAC. “We just had a report come out last year that, like over 90 percent of our alleged perpetrators are See CAC P. 2
Submitted photo
The Children’s Assessment Center (CAC) serves as a haven for sexually abused children and their families.
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