The 2-25-2026 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Fort Bend ISD board of trustees is set to vote March 9 on a controversial rezoning plan that would include the closure of seven elementary schools in an effort to address what Superintendent Marc Smith called a “structural” problem of operating a built-out district in an era of declining enrollment. Administrators and the chair of the district’s School Boundary Advisory Board presented their final recommendation at Monday[‘s regular board meeting after what Smith said was about a year-anda-half of study and deliberations on how the district can “rebalance” a district in which many campuses have too many students while others - particularly in the district’s central core - have too few.

The schools proposed for closure are Austin Parkway, Dulles, Fleming, Glover, Mission West, Ridgegate, and Sugar Mill. The proposal also calls for the opening of Amy Coleman Middle School, part of the district’s 20e23 bond measure. The proposed closings and consolidations are necessary, district officials and outside consultants say, primarily because after peaking at around 80,000 students a couple of years ago, enrollment is now declining due to a number of factors, and there are areas of the district where schools are either surpassing capacity or are underutilized.

As at earlier meetings since the rezoning proposals was officially unveiled in December, dozens of parents and students - man of them wearing brightly colored T-shirts emblazoned with their respective schools’ names - who spoke more than an hour against the proposed closures Many of them spoke of the disruptions that closing neighborhood schools or ones with special programs would have on students. while others questioned the district’s data and justifications for closures.

Several parents warned that if the plan is approved, many parents will consider pulling their children out the district to send them to charter or private schools or use homeschooling.

Following some other informational presentations, administrators turned to the rezoning plan, which they said is just the first phase of a multiyear effort to rebalance the district, which Smith said was built in an era of high-growth to accommodate 100,000 students but topped out a few years ago at just over 80,000.

Deputy Superintendent Beth Martinez laid out the challenges the district is facing in terms of maintaining enrollment.

“We know we’re reaching full build-out, we have more underutilized campuses now and in the future as the projections have come in, and we have declining enrollment for a multitude of reasons,” Martinez said. Those reasons include more school options for parents, a declining birthrate, “We know that we have more students

Fort Bend County prosecutors and defense attorneys for County Judge KP George told the judge in his felony money laundering case Monday that they were ready to go to trial on March 10. This latest turn in the case occurs even as early voting continues in the primary for the March 3 primary, in which former Democrat George is running for reelection, this time as a Republican.

During a pretrial conference before 458th District Court Judge Maggie Perez-Jaramillo, Assistant District Attorneys

Charann Thompson and Katherine Peterson and special prosecutor Brian Wice huddled with defense attorneys Jared Woodfill and David Medina in front of the bench as they discussed remaining issues that need to be addressed shortly before the jury trial begins with jury selection. That is expected to take a couple of days before actual testimony begins, attorneys said. Much of Monday’s discussion, which was largely out of earshot of courtroom observers, dealt with the qualifications of various expert witnesses both sides will

BLACK HISTORY

CELEBRATION AT

By Douglas Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy

Readiness and Training Command Bremerton

It’s not easy to catch up with a Navy Nurse Corps officer helping run half a dozen clinics, oversee over a hundred staff and coordinate healthcare for nearly 14,000 eligible beneficiaries. Even when such efforts have resulted in being recognized as Junior Officer of the Quarter for Fourth Quarter of calendar year 2025 at Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command Bremerton.

Lt. Jill Alyse Becker, a Sugar Land native, was recently acknowledged as recipient of the award.

“Lt. Becker’s unwavering dedication, exceptional performance, and commitment to excellence have set a high standard. This recognition is well-deserved,” Capt. Karla Lepore, NMRTC Bremerton commanding officer, said. “Congratulations, Lt. Becker. Your achievements speak volumes about your dedication to the mission of NMRTC Bremerton!” Becker professed it was an honor for her leadership to nominate her for such praise.

“It is humbling to be individually recognized when this accolade is a result of the teamwork of our Sailors and lead

GEORGE FROM PAGE 1 be calling to testify at trial. If Perez-Jaramillo accepts them as experts, some of the witnesses are expected to testify on what lawyers have called “voluminous” financial and other records dealing with George’s political campaign finances during his 2018 campaign, when he was first elected county judge as a Democrat. In the two felony charges, George is accused of tampering with campaign finance reports during his 2018 campaign while moving money between his campaign and personal bank accounts. Prosecutors have said in court filings that they also plan to introduce evidence of other “extraneous offenses” allegedly committed by George during the trial.

George’s lawyers are expected to call Andy Taylor, a noted lawyer famous for representing Republican officeholders and groups in

FBISD FROM PAGE 1

in Fort Bend ISD than we will ever have again.”

As of February 16, Martinez said, the district’s total elementary school utilization rate stands at 74%, but demographic projects show that in five years that will drop to 67% with no changes made.

Monica Willis, chair of the School Boundary Advisory Board, said that since the last time the proposals were discussed in a February board meeting, the board members were asked to review and reflect on the results of a public survey on the proposed changes. Majorities of the board continued to support the proposals, she said.

Smith followed with extensive remarks about the stark choice trustees will make when they vote on March 9.

“This is hard, it’s extremely difficult You’re not going to make anybody happy,” he said. “No one takes this lightly. We realize we’re not just discussing buildings, we’re discussing people, memories and traditions.”

“The reality before us is structural in nature. We are a district built for 100,000 students, and we have not exceeded 80,000 students in many years,” he said. “This is not a temporary situation we’re in in terms of enroll-

Texas, as an expert witness. Woodfill, George’s lead attorney, declined to tell reporters after the pretrial conference what the subject of Taylor’s expected testimony.

Taylor is the latest heavyhitting attorney to take part in a case with high political stakes. Woodfill is a longtime Republican player who served for many years as chairman of the Harris County Republican Party. Wice, the special prosecutor hired by the district attorney’s office, has long been involved in Democratic Party matters and was involved in the money-laundering case of former U.S. Rep. and House Majority Whip Tom Delay of Sugar Land. Medina, a Republican, is a former Texas Supreme Court Justice now in private practice. Terry Yates, another of George’s attorneys, was not present at Monday’s pretrial conference.

After the conference, attorneys on both sides told reporters that were ready and anxious for the trial,

which had been continued from its original February 3 setting, to begin.

“We’re looking forward to having our day in court,” Woodfill said alongside his client and co-counsel Medina.

“I think we have a very strong case and I think Judge George will be vindicated and a jury of his peers will find him innocent.”

Woodfill said there “didn’t appear to be” any impediments to the trial going forward on March 10.

Woodfill had earlier told the Fort Bend Star that the defense team was considering appealing to the 14th Court of Appeals as ruling made by Perez-Jaramillo rejecting a motion for an evidentiary hearing on what the defense team said was a “criminal investigation” of District Attorney Brian Middleton which they said would disqualify him or his prosecutors from trying George. As of Monday, the Star’s print deadline, no such appeal had been filed.

Attorneys said that the trial could last up to two weeks after jury selection is completed. Potential jurors are expected to fill out an extensive questionnaire which will include questions about their knowledge of the case and the people involved.

George told reporters that he is confident that jurors will see through what he said was an unfair prosecution of him, and that he expects he will also win in the court of public opinion, including the March 3 Republican primary, in which he faces four challengers.

“[The public] will see who started this. They will be exposed for what they did to me, and I’m looking forward to my day in court, also, to get vindicated,” he said.

Second Assistant District Attorney Wesley Wittig, who acts as the office’s spokesman, said he expected “no delays” to the trial.

“We are so excited to get in there and get this case tried,” he said.

ment. It reflects the enrollment trends that we are seeing, not only in our district. Many districts across the Houston area and Texas are seeing a very similar experience.”

If the district doesn’t begin to address this structural problem, Smith said, it will continue to suffer inefficiencies that could ultimately result in the reduction of programs and layoffs of teachers and staff. If the changes aren’t made, Smith said, the district will continue to operate in a budget

deficit scenario that has been building since at least 2020. That was followed by a long periods of questions and discussion from board members.

Most of those who spoke acknowledged the necessity of some closures and consolidations, but noted that the decision will be very painful for everyone involved, including themselves. Bryan Guinn, the district’s chief financial officer, reiterated to the trustees that the proposed changes could result

in conservative operational cost savings of $5-7 million, As before, he allowed that those figures represent a small percentage of the budget for the district, which is still trying to draw down a deficit engendered by problems with the 2023 bond measure.

Board President Kristin Tassin noted that during her earlier time on the board, she voted to close the middle school that her own daughter attended, a decision she did not want to make. But, she said,

Of George’s prediction that he will be vindicated by primary voters, Wittig said, “He’s entitled to his opinion. That’s campaign rhetoric, but March 10 when we start this trial, that’s when the real decision is going to be made on these charges.””

Wice, the defense attorneyturned-special prosecutor, said it was “odd for me to be on the other side.”

But, he said, “the rhetoric, the character assassination and the legal fiction that I’ve heard from [the defense team] since November ends in two weeks and we drop the puck. That’s what matters.”

Wittig said that if George is convicted of the thirddegree felony, he faces two to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. He would also be eligible for probation. If convicted, he said, George – the county’s top elected official and chief executive officer – would face immediate removal from office, although he said he didn’t know the exact process

that might take “We haven’t done that before. It will be a new thing for this county to do,” he said. If George were to appeal a conviction, he would not be able to perform in office during the appeals process, he said. George’s current term runs through Jan. 1, 2027.

Separately, George is facing a May trial on a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity by a public official stemming from a purported “fake hate” social media scheme conducted with Taral Patel, his former chief of staff. Patel is expected to be a key prosecution witness. The trial in that case, which had been set for early January, was postponed to May 5 after his attorneys filed a motion for continuance. They said prosecutors, on the eve of trial, provided them with a “voluminous” amount of new evidence obtained in discovery that they did not have time to fully review before trial.

EDITORIAL A badge too far

Back when I was a columnist and editorial/opinion editor of The Houston Post each morning I would go to work and find, on my desk, love letters from readers: “You scumbag! Hanging is too good for you!” “Commie traitor!” “You’re such an embarrassment. Please change your name. Love, Mother.” And the phone messages. “This is Bud Adams. I didn’t like what you wrote about me.” He kept trying to get me fired. But to his credit, Adams did the near impossible. Back then he owned the Houston Oilers, which we loved – Bum Phillips, Earl Campbell, Luv Ya Blue. It was Adams we couldn’t stand. He was in every way a total jerk. When he announced he was moving the Oilers to Nashville, there was a “Keep the Oilers in Houston” rally at City Hall. In an area of maybe 5 million people, about 100 showed up, most of them reporters. For Adams had done the near impossible: he had turned Texans against football.

Ican name the time, almost to the month, when I decided that I wanted to become a journalist. It was while I was in the eighth grade in Alief, where I grew up.

The previous year, I had taken an elective class called Mass Media that happened to be taught by my Texas History teacher, Mrs. Price. If memory serves, her husband worked at one of Houston’s then two daily newspapers (sadly, the Houston Post, the paper that I grew up reading, closed down in 1995). In that class, Mrs. Price taught us about the history of mass media from the earliest newspapers to the then still cutting-edge technology of broadcast television. (Cable television existed but was not yet widespread and consumer-based internet and video streaming were years in the future.) I remember Mrs. Price telling us that she read the newspaper, back to front, every day. Toward the end of that year, Mrs. Price told me that she was going to teach my middle school’s first newspaper course the next year, and she recommended that I join. I guess she thought I could write a decent essay, and that I was a naturally curious kid. I had already been reading the newspaper, mostly the comics pages and the entertainment section.

Around that same time, I began reading a particular columnist at the Post named Lynn Ashby. Yes, the very

Lynn Ashby Columnist

ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

Now our eyes are glued on the TV news bringing us Minneapolis, Los Angeles and soon perhaps your favorite restaurant. We are undergoing the near impossible, we are losing trust and respect for our law enforcers – not all of them, of course, not the ones we urgently seek when dialing 911, not the state troopers who pull over those idiots who race 90 mph on I-45. We love those cops who daily, and nightly, risk their lives to save ours. No, our problem is with those other law enforcers, those 3,000 anonymous, mask-wearing and gun-toting ICE and Border Patrol men (almost all of them seem to be men but who knows?) with no visible names or badges, who we see smashing car windows, dragging women through the

snow, tossing smoke bombs and arresting immigrants in the halls of federal court houses where they have gone at their appointed time to report to immigration officers. Stopping foreign-looking people on the street. “Your papers, please.”

All of these terrifying actions come in response to the total cluelessness of the Biden administration’s virtual open-door inaction at our southern border. We were constantly being assured that immigration was orderly and slight. Then we would turn on our TV news to see literally thousands of people streaming into our country – un-vetted, unknown, un-counted. And they no longer came from Mexico and Central America, but from all over the world –Chinese, Africans, probably Martians on their way to a family reunion in Roswell. Who were we to believe, Joe Biden or our lying eyes? How many came? It makes good political points to claim as many as 20 million. Experts, such as they are, say about 12 million, but any headcount is ridiculous.

Before running for this first term, Trump hardly men-

tioned immigration, except to claim, falsely, that Barack Obama was from Kenya. But when he did condemn illegal immigration it was a home run, so he made it, and the press (“fake news,” “the enemy of the people”) mainstays of his campaigns speeches. Thus we have today this war on illegals and its collateral damage: demonstrators, reporters (surprise!) and a mother of three and one ICU nurse.

Most of us approved of rounding up foreign troublemakers – murderers, rapists, gang members, designated hitters who strike out when the bases are loaded. Polls early on showed approval at a whopping 82%, which makes us wonder about those other 18 percent. What gang were they in? But now two-thirds of Americans (67%) say ICE and Border Patrol tactics have gone too far, while 23% say they have been about right, and 10% say they have not gone far enough.

Let’s pause for a moment and consider that we have no apologies to make for our immigration policies. In the last fiscal year we welcomed in 818,500 new citizens, al-

most the entire population of Phoenix. Over the last three years we received over 2.6 million new citizens. In addition we have work permits, Green Cards, student and tourist visas (which have been suspended). And I don’t buy, “He’s been here 20 years and is a law-abiding citizen.” No, if he’s here illegally, he’s been breaking the law for 20 years and is not a citizen, just someone who thought he could get away with it. One thing more, if they want to join us, then join us. I saw a shot of a demonstrator holding up a sign, “No ICE.” That’s fine, but on the same sign was the flag of Mexico. Then there is the cost to you and me – our tax dollars at work. We currently allocate $170 billion to Homeland Security. ICE has grown to become among the largest law enforcement operations in the nation. Last year, ICE announced it had more than doubled its ranks to 22,000, with rapid hiring – and $50,000 signing bonuses. Another nagging problem with many Americans is those masks. Cops don’t wear them, state troopers don’t either, nor do the FBI, DEA, NBA or CBS.

The news about the news

Ken Fountain Editor

KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

same Lynn Ashby who today graces the pages of the Fort Bend Star, as well as our sister paper in the Heights area of Houston, The Leader. When I became editor of the Star just over three years ago, I was thrilled to be able to bring one of my first journalism idols here. Also around that time, I began watching the television series “Lou Grant.” If you’re of a certain age (ahem), you may remember that show was a spinoff of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” in which the curmudgeonly Grant, played by Ed Asner, was Mary Richards’s boss in the newsroom of a fictional Minneapolis (hmmm) television station. At that show’s conclusion, the entire newsroom staff was either fired or quit in protest, and in “Lou Grant,” Lou took a job as the city editor of a fictional Los Angeles newspaper. One of the main characters was an ambitious but kind of jerky. socially awkward reporter named Joe Rossi. I would watch the show and think, “That’s the job for me.”

When I served on the first

edition of the middle school paper, I wrote a couple of news stories and also a column, which I fashioned in Lynn’s acerbic style. It was about my travails buying an ice cream at the end of lunch period. Scintilating stuff indeed. I got a lot of compliments on it, and I felt like I had found my path. I would go on to write for my high school newspaper. In my journalism class, our teacher spent two class periods showing us the film “All the President’s Men,” about Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s investigative coverage of the Watergate scandal, which helped bring about the downfall of President Richard Nixon. The movie this year marks its 50th anniversary, and remains one of the best movies about journalism ever made (I’d rank the more recent “Spotlight” a close second.)

I took a somewhat winding path to actually becoming a professional, civilian journalist, including a stint in the U.S. Navy as a Navy Journalist (now called Mass Communications Specialists, which I don’t think sounds as cool). My first civilian job was in suburban San Diego at a community paper not unlike the Star. I later returned to Houston and have worked at newspapers large and small and other kinds of media in Southeast Texas ever since.

Journalists have always believed that they serve a special function in a democ-

Fort Bend libraries showcase virtual author talks

Community Reports

Fort Bend County Libraries is showcasing a virtual author talk series each month featuring bestselling, award-winning, and highly acclaimed authors from around the world. The featured writers and thought leaders will cover a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres. The free, virtual series takes place two to three times a month and includes the opportunity to ask questions to the author. A complete list of upcoming talks and past recording is available on Fort Bend County Libraries’ Virtual Author Talks website at https://libraryc. org/fortbendlibraries.

Upcoming virtual author talks include:

Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories with Michael Perry

New York Times Bestselling Author of Population: 485 and The Jesus Cow Wednesday, March 4 at 1 p.m.

Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn

New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network and The Rose Code

Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m.

America’s Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis with Author Shoshana Walter

With Special Guest Host Barbara Kingsolver

Tuesday, March 24 at 1 p.m.

On a Mission: The History of US Women

Astronauts with Smithsonian Curator Emerita

Valeri Neal

A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration

Thursday, April 2 at 1 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information or to register for the author talks, visit libraryc.org/fortbendlibraries or call 281-633-4734.

racy, and it’s true. I’m not sure who first coined the phrase, but it’s often said that journalism is “the first draft of history.” But it’s more than that. Journalism also serves a strong watchdog function, informing the public about what’s going on in their government and in wider society, calling attention to problems and examples of injustice. Another phrase associated with journalism is that it is meant to “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.” Certainly it comes as no surprise that in recent years, the public’s trust in the news media has plummeted from it’s high-water mark in the post-Watergate era. In a survey published just this month, Pew Research found that a “majority of Americans (57%) express low confidence in journalists to act in the best interests of the public.” According to the poll, this “includes 40% who say they have not too much confidence and 17% who say they have none at all. By comparison, 43% of adults say they have a great deal or a fair amount of confidence in journalists.”

This is going on while we’ve been having a longstanding conversation about the place and scope of the First Amendment, the part of the U.S. Constitution that guarantees both freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This conversation has been taking place not only on the national level but in local areas as well, including right here in Fort

Bend County. For many years, I have attended the Law & The Media seminar hosted by the Houston Bar Association and the Houston chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. This annual confab brings together attorneys, academics, journalists and other media professionals to discuss legal issues related to media, especially the practice of journalism. I first learned of it when I covered the Houston federal courthouse during the Enron days and a fellow reporter told me about it.

This year, for the second time, I was invited to be a member of the seminar’s planning committee. The early meetings took place in the immediate aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination and the subsequent kerfuffle over talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. (That issue actually came up in one of the early meetings when two committee members disagreed over what Kimmel actually said that got him briefly pulled off the air.) In those early meetings, we tossed around a couple of ideas for themes before finally landing on “The Importance of Journalism and Free Press to U.S. Democracy.” The seminar will include two panel discussions featuring some top-notch journalists and attorneys, as well as a “fireside chat” between Houston Public Media host Ernie Manouse and NPR military affairs reporter Tom Bowman, one of the veteran journalists who turned in

Our Texas Rangers (not the baseball players) don’t wear masks. OK, the Lone Ranger does but had been a Texas Ranger. Good story. I have a few questions. With all the Border Guards patrolling the Mall of America in the Twin Cities area who was watching the border? Border Czar Tom Homan is accused of taking $50,000 in cash in a paper bag in 2024 from undercover FBI agents to secure government contracts if and when Homan landed a job in the Trump administration. Homan says he did “nothing illegal.” He got the job, so where’s the money? Our Darth Vaders are leaving Minneapolis, but they haven’t disappeared. Where do they strike next? Check your favorive restaurant. If so many legal immigrants are suspect, where does that leave Ted Cruz, Elon Musk and Melania Trump? Well, we got over our disdain and learned to love football again and so, too, we will get back to trusting our law enforcement officers. But for a while Bud Adams must have been smiling. Ashby is hoping at ashby2@comcast.net

their Pentagon press credentials rather than agree to the new terms imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The seminar is being held this Saturday, February 28 at the University of Houston Law Center. Attorneys have to pay to attend, but they have the incentive of obtaining Continuing Legal Education credits, including in, ahem, ethics. (Little joke there, lawyer friends.) Journalists, communications professionals and students can attend for free. There’s also breakfast. If you’re interested, you can learn more and register at lnkd.in/gPB2Mm7s.

I’m the first to admit that journalism and the media in general have their problems. Among them is a longstanding contraction in resources, caused by the collapse of the old advertising-based business model that worked so well for decades, that have imposed enormous constraints on the ability of journalists, in newsrooms large and small, to do their jobs well. Sadly, more and more communities like this one are becoming what are called “news deserts.” But most journalists I know and have worked with or alongside over the years still believe that what they do remains essential. Whatever your political inclinations, I would hope that you agree. Believe me: you’ll miss us when we’re gone. Fountain is credentialed at KFountain@fortbendstar.com

Lunar New Year Festival set for March 7 at George Memorial

Community Reports

Fort Bend County Libraries will host a Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at George Memorial Library, located at 1001 Golfview, off FM 762, in Richmond.

Activities celebrating the Year of the Horse are planned for families with children of all ages. The event is free and open to the public.

Highlighting the event for the day, dancing lions will perform at 3:15 pm, in the Lobby of the library. The dancing lions have been a very popular part of the celebration for many years. The performance will include rhythmic accompaniment by drummers.

Prior to the performance, the lion dancers will be available in the Meeting Room at 3:00 pm for photo opportunities and to explain the symbolism of the ceremonial lion dance. Get a behind-the-scenes peek and discover the secrets of how these talented dancers bring the lion costumes to life!

The day-long event will kick off at 11 a.m., in the Meeting Room, with a culinary demonstration of “Lunar New Year Cuisine.” Learn about traditional Asian celebratory foods and the symbolism of luck and fortune behind them. Samples

ers on the deck plate working towards the mission. This is also a call to action to not become complacent and keep striving for success,” said Becker, a Kempner High School class of 2012 graduate, Texas A&M University 2016 alumnus and Texas Woman’s University [Houston] class of 2019 graduate.

As NMRTC Bremerton Primary Care Clinics assistant department head, Becker is charged with supporting the direction of Family Medicine, Urgent Care, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Operational Readiness, and Immunization clinics.

“We oversee more than 120 staff members in the care of [approximately] 13,800 primary care beneficiaries,” said Becker, noting that she is daily reminded on the importance of ensuring her staff are a ready medical force capable of generating and sustaining warfighter readiness for Navy fleet assets entrusted to their care. “We have [our] Operational

will be served! Please note: be aware of food allergies to eggs, wheat, soy, yeast, and nuts. At noon, in the Meeting Room, musicians from the

Readiness Clinic dedicated to optimizing the warfighter by ensuring their medical preparation is satisfactory for daily duty and deployments,” explained Becker. “Although most of my current role is administrative, wearing my RN [registered nurse] badge every day is a gentle self-reminder that it is my primary duty to train corpsmen and maintain mission engagement, whether that is through answering medical questions, giving guidance, or setting a good example.”

Helping direct clinical care for active duty, retirees, and dependent patients is a critical responsibility of her Primary Care assistant department head position. Just as imperative is managing enhanced training and education for hospital corpsmen at her clinics.

“Our department is full of motivators. The biggest challenge is being able to filter everyone through specialized training pipelines like Hospital Corpsman Trauma Training or at Madigan Army Medical Center [a designated Level II Trauma Center capable of offering high level of care for

Man sentenced in 2nd DWI after being found asleep behind wheel

Community Reports

A Fort Bend County jury in January convicted a League City man on his second charge of driving while intoxicated after Sugar Land police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car last March, according to a news release from the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. Saquib Salim Sajwani, 39, was sentenced to probation.

According to Assistant District Attorney and lead prosecutor Gracie Mahoney, Sugar Land police were dispatched to a welfare check in the parking lot of a gas station near Sugar Creek on March 23, 2025. They discovered Sajwani asleep behind the wheel. Officers had to open the driver’s door and talk to the defendant multiple times in order to waken him, according to the release.

Sajwani appeared overtly intoxicated although he said he had only one drink an hour prior. He was barely able to complete a field sobriety evaluation, but consented to give a blood sample, which showed a .202 blood alcohol concentration, according to the release. The defendant’s friend was riding in the car with him and testified that the defendant was drinking earlier that evening. During the punishment phase oft he trial, prosecutors showed that Sajwani had previously been convicted of DWI in Harris County in 2016. The jury sentenced Sajwani to 270 days in jail and a $2,500 fine, but recommended probation. County Court at Law No. 5

Salim Sajwani, 39, of League City, was convicted of a second DWI after Sugar Land police found him asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle.

received probation at trial.

Judge Teana Watson sentenced Sajwani to a 9-month probation including 80 hours of community service, attendance at a DWI Repeat Offender Course and a Victim Impact Panel, and to spend an additional three days in jail.

“Always have a designated driver before you start drinking,” Mahoney said in the release. “Once you’re impaired, it’s too late to make good choices.”

“Although no one was injured in this incident, drinking and driving can be deadly. Drink responsibly and always have a designated driver or use a rideshare for transportation after drinking,” District Attorney Brian Middleton said in the release.

Mahoney and Assistant District Attorney Rogette Saba tried the case. Driving While Intoxicated – 2nd offense is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $4,000.

North American Youth Chinese Orchestra will perform a variety of traditional Chinese musical pieces on the violin and flute, as well as on

severe injuries] that expose Sailors to trauma scenarios rather than typical clinic workflow. We owe proper training to our Sailors so they will be able to outperform us on the battlefield. Luckily, we have training time for events like Battle Ready Training Tuesdays where our staff can enhance clinical competencies through hands on stations,” Becker said.

Backer’s career – six years and counting – started at an early age for her.

“I’ve always been drawn to the armed services and went through a stint as a child where I wanted to be an Army combat medic. Ultimately, the allure of the hospital ships drew me to the Navy,” said Becker,

After following her love of cultures and desire to study abroad, she obtained her degree in International Studies with a focus in communication and media at Texas A&M University. Yet there was still the desire to follow her childhood ambitions of military service and medicine. She decided to pursue becoming a nurse and obtained her Bachelor of Science with a

Chinese instruments such as the pipa, guzheng, and zhong ruan. At 1:30 p.m., members of the USA Tai Chi Academy

Major in Nursing in 2019 from Texas Woman’s University. She commissioned as a U.S. Navy ensign through the Nurse Candidate Program, a scholarship route that assisted financially with nursing school in exchange for commissioned years of service.

Becker attested that the “prospect of job security before graduation was also reassuring at a time when my colleagues were stressing about interviews and resumes. I was able to be a civilian during the entirety of nursing school before fully investing in the military lifestyle during Officer Development School.”

From ODS in Newport, Rhode Island, she was assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth as a medical-surgical nurse on a multiservice ward, ultimately serving as charge nurse. While at NMC Portsmouth, she deployed with a large medical team to Takoma Park, Maryland for a COVID-19 relief mission in January 2022, following by a three-month trauma rotation at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia in the summer of 2022. She also

will present a Tai Chi Demonstration in the Meeting Room. An ancient Chinese discipline of meditative movements practiced as a system

fulfilled her initial interest in hospital ships, embarking on USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) as part of Continuing Promise 22 mission to Central and South America in the fall of 2022. Her next duty assignment was in the Caribbean at U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Guantanamo Bay. Becker served as a department head for the only Department of War Home Health Facility, where she provided clinical oversight and care to six Special Category Residents and led a team of 17 foreign national, civil service, and active-duty staff.

Her accumulated experience - from helping stop the spread of a highly infectious viral disease to working in a joint command on a humanitarian assistance mission and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care to overseas command posting – has prepared her for where she is now in her Navy Nurse Corps career “Each duty station has been fundamental for development, both personally and professionally. NMC Portsmouth honed my clinical skillset while giv-

of exercises, tai chi is a form of martial arts often practiced for defense training, health benefits, and meditation. Participants can learn how focusing on one’s balance can help a variety of issues, including arthritis. A Lunar New Year Market will be set up in the Lobby and Meeting Room from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with tables offering a variety of traditional Asian celebratory activities.

Visitors may join in playing Cai Deng Mi, or “Guessing the Lantern’s Riddle,” and win a prize if the answer is correct. This year's question is “What building has the most stories?”

Visitors will also have an opportunity to learn about the art of Chinese calligraphy. Stop by the Chinese calligraphy table at the Lunar New Year Market to watch master calligraphers at work and get New Year fortunes or personal names portrayed in this written-art form.

The winner of a special Lunar New Year raffle prize will be announced at 2:45 p.m., in the Meeting Room. Tickets will be available at the Lantern Riddle table in the Lunar Year Market throughout the event. Winners must be present to win. This event is made possible by the Friends of George Memorial Library.

ing me lifelong friendships forged by service. USNMRTC Guantanamo Bay was an introduction to leadership roles and a test of resilience. NMRTC Bremerton has rewarded my leaps of faith when challenging myself with new roles. Fortunately, I was able to connect with mentors and peers along the way that have been inspirations, sounding boards, and newfound family,” shared Becker.

Becker credits her wife, Paige, for providing encouragement as she continues to provide care for those in need.

“She is my motivator. I’m grateful for her dedication as a military spouse, learning new lingo, navigating new duty stations, and the being the best support system to come home to,” said Becker. When asked to sum up her experience here in Navy Medicine, Becker replied, “Navy Medicine has afforded me all the opportunities listed in the recruiting pamphlet. I have developed a professional skillset, traveled abroad, and serve a greater purpose alongside high caliber individuals.

Eye on Fort Bend Eye on Fort Bend

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com FOR NON-

RICHMOND/ROSENBERG

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MARCH MEETING

Please join us on Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. for our monthly meeting in Room 105, the Gathering Room, St. John’s United Methodist Church, 400 Jackson Street, Richmond. Rachel Griego, a Community Educator volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, will give a presentation titled “Supporting Independence.”. The presentation will focus on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support, and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.

Just a reminder that support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems. These support groups give caregivers and others impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia a place to connect and share with one another. The Richmond/Rosenberg Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group is for caregivers only. Questions may be sent to: gallowkj@earthlink.net

Also, under the “Ongoing” section, please remove the first item on ESL classes. They will resume in May or June.

ONGOING

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES AT GPBC

In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, Grand Parkway Baptist Church will offer ESL classes on Tuesday nights from mid-August 2025 through May 2026. We are located at 12000 FM 1464, Richmond, across from Austin High School. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org

EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HOLDING AUDITIONS

The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www.fbbctx.org or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about

auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and selfconfidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942

311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718 For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB

The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.

FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com.

THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264

Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281785-7372 for more information. SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Dulles HS senior named Foyle Young Poet of the Year

Community Reports

Dulles High School senior Nakshatra Kothapalli recently was named one of the Top 15 Foyle Young Poets of the Year for 2025, according to a story on the Fort Bend ISD website. She was selected from more than 28,300 submissions worldwide and is one of only two honorees from the United States. Kothapalli received the award for her poem Lockdown Lotto, which reflects on the realities of gun violence in schools. Her work will be featured in a special printed anthology set to be released in spring 2026. Top 15 honorees are invited to participate in a fully funded, weeklong residential mentorship at The Hurst. The program includes writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions with professional poets, and opportunities for collaborative work with peers. They also receive a one-year membership with The Poetry Society, a curated selection of books and gifts, and additional opportunities for publication and performance.

for

getting involved with a

humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-4193, sugarlandrotaryclub5890@gmail.com

We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more

the

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