The Sugar Land Space Cowboys will kick off their season at home with Opening Weekend presented by Constellation from Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29. Opening Weekend’s theme this year is Homecoming, with a 2026 Magnet Schedule giveaway presented by Frost Bank on March 27 and a 2026 Concert Tee giveaway on March 28. Opening Weekend concludes on Sunday, March 29 with Princess Day and a special meet and greet add-on.
The Space Cowboys promotional schedule includes another set of giveaways including Video Game hats (April 10), a Baseball Soccer Ball (June 12), a Space Cowboys Fishing Shirt (May 29) and a Foam Hot Dog Hat (June 27) as part of the Space Cowboys America 250 celebration. The lineup of giveaways features five different jerseys including a Brice Matthews Home Replica Jersey presented by Houston Methodist (April 11), a Mother’s Day Jersey presented by Houston Methodist (May 10), a Year of the Fire Horse Jersey presented by Houston Orthodontic Specialists (May 30), a Space Cowboys Soccer Jersey presented by Houston Methodist (June 13) and a Celebration of America’s 250 Jersey presented by Hunton Trane (June 26).
There will be a pair of postgame concerts in the first two months presented by Bud Light at Constellation Field, as Take This
To Our Grave will perform on Emo Night on Saturday, April 25 and Larger Than Life will have a postgame concert as part of Boy Band Tribute Night on Saturday, May 9. The Space Cowboys will sport six different specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off, including Peanuts (April 12), Halfway to Halloween (April 24), Mother’s Day (May 10), Star Wars (May 29), Toy Story (June 14) and a Tribute to the Hot Dog Jersey (June 27).
Sugar Land’s home schedule will feature 13 Fireworks Fridays in 2026 presented by Visit Sugar Land with fireworks after every Friday night at Constellation Field. Theme nights for 2026 range from Video Game Night (April 10) to Boy Band Tribute Night (May 9) to Roaring 20’s Night (April 11). The Space Cowboys are returning some of their more popular theme nights including Emo Night (April 25), Youth Sports Day (April 26), Scout Night (May 8), Teacher Appreciation
Reps react to U.S. war in
Staff Reports
Reaction among Fort Bend County’s representatives in the U.S. Congress and the Texas Legislature to the U.S. and Israel-launched war on Iran were mixed, and broke largely along party lines.
President Trump announced the launch of the attack shortly after the strikes began early Saturday morning, saying in a post on his Truth Social network that the Islamicist regime that has ruled the country since 1979 posed an imminent threat to the U.S. and its allies, although he provided little evidence. He made
his first public speech on the war on Monday.
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Richmond, a Republican who has long been one of President Donald Trump’s most stalwart supporters on Capitol Hill, said in a Facebook post on Saturday, “I support Operation Epic Fury.”
“For far too long, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and has targeted our nation, our brave servicemen and women, and our allies,” Nehls said. “Under President Trump, we are putting a stop to this terror and are making a bold stand for our national security.”
“The Iranian regime must be destroyed. The people of Iran must seize this moment and rise up and take back their country. Pray for our servicemembers conducting this critical mission. God bless the USA,” he said.
In November, Nehls, who was first elected in 2020, announced that he will not seek reelection to his 22nd District seat this year. His brother, former Fort Bend County Trever Nehls, is one of several candidates vying for the Republican nomination for his seat in the March 3 primary, after the Fort Bend Star’s print deadline.
The two Democrats who serve
parts of Fort Bend County in the U.S. House were critical of the operation.
“Today, President Trump announced that he has taken unilateral action to start a war with Iran without authorization from Congress – the representatives of the people – that threatens to put the United States into another prolonged war at great cost to the American people,” U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, whose Houstonbased 7th District includes part of Sugar Land and other portions
In a seemingly routine vote at their February 12 meeting, members of Fort Bend County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to appoint Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers as the county's primary delegate to the Houston-Galveston Area Council, a highly influential body that distributes millions of dollars in federal funding for multiple infrastructure and other projects across a 13-county region. The measure was passed with little discussion other than from Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy, who noted that the vote reversed one the court made in December 2022 when the court's Democratic majority –which then included County Judge KP George – voted to replace Meyers, a Republican, with George. McCoy had been elected to the Precinct 4 seat a month before and did not take office until the following January, replacing Ken DeMerchant, whom he had defeated in the Democratic primary earlier that year.
“It seems like it was a waste of time,” McCoy said of that December 2022 vote.
Then, the vote was much more controversial, as Meyers – who at that time had represented the county on the H-GAC board for 25 years – said he had been blindsided by the mea-
State of the City of Sugar Land set for March 24
Community Reports
The Fort Bend Regional Partnership will present the 2026 State of the City Sugar Land on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Smart Financial Centre, located at 18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land. Community members, business leaders, and local stakeholders are invited to attend this luncheon featuring Mayor Carol McCutcheon alongside City Manager Mike Goodrum, who will share key updates on the City’s achievements, major initiatives, and priorities shaping Sugar Land’s future.
This annual program offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from city leadership, stay informed on issues impacting the region, and con-
nect with those helping shape Sugar Land’s next chapter.
The event is sponsored by AOI, Inc., Huitt-Zollars, Inc., MD Anderson, Kaluza, Inc., Linebarger Law Firm, LLP, NRG Energy, Republic Services, Smart Financial Credit Union, St. Luke’s Health – Sugar Land Hospital, University of Houston, and US Global Fuels.
Sponsorship opportunities and registration are now open. Presenting Sponsor - $2,500 (includes a table for 10, logo on all marketing material, and recognition at event). Underwriter Sponsor – $1,300 (includes auditorium seating for 8, name on all marketing
sure and two other members of the board, Republican and Democrat, spoke in public comments urging against the vote.
When Meyers asked George why he was being demoted to a newly created position of “First Alternate,” George told him, “We are moving in a different direction and sometimes changes can happen.”
A new court filing in George's felony money-laundering case – which is set to begin with jury selection March 10 in a Fort Bend County court – may shed new light on the reasons behind that particular change. Late Friday, prosecutors filed a “third amended notice” of their intent to “use evidence of prior extraneous crimes/ wrongdoings/other acts” against George. 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 during his first, successful 2018 campaign.
The new filing includes allegations prosecutors had already made, including that George used funds to buy a Fort Expedition and make a down payment on his house. But it also includes several new allegations, including one related to that 2020 vote in Commissioners Court.
“On December 20, 2022, at the request of two of his largest political donors, the defendant replaced Commissioner Andy Meyers as the county’s delegate to the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC).
After Meyers voted down a contract for Outreach Strategies, the defendant assumed the role at their insistence to approve contracts for their respective businesses.” the filing states.
Outreach Strategists (the filing uses the wrong name) is a prominent, Houston-based firm whose work includes political consulting, public relations, and crisis communications. Its CEO and founder is Mustafa Tameez, a promi-
IRAN FROM PAGE 1
of the county, said in a written statement on Saturday.
“It is the latest action in a series of a reckless abuses of power that has become the defining characteristic of this President and his presidency. President Trump, without congressional authorization or a clear mission with defined objectives, has chosen escalation over diplomacy, putting our service members, U.S. interests, and regional stability at risk.”
“The Constitution grants the Congress the sole authority and the solemn responsibility to declare war for good reason. It is the most serious and consequential decision a people can make – and it is the decision of the people, not the President,” Fletcher said.
“Speaker Johnson must reconvene the House immediately, the administration must brief the full Congress, and the Congress must vote on the pending resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran without congressional authorization. I intend to vote in favor of this resolution,” she said.
nent figure in local political affairs largely associated with Democrats who often acts as a media commentator. He is listed in court documents as a potential prosecution witness. The filing does not name the donors who purportedly urged George to replace Meyers on the H-GAC board.
Efforts by the Fort Bend Star to contact the firm or Tameez for comment by deadline were unsuccessful.
In another allegation, the filing states that in June 2021, George “was stopped for speeding. When asked for his driver’s license the defendant presented his county access badge. When asked a second time for his driver’s license, the defendant questioned whether the officer required a driver’s license of all violators and accused the officer of targeting him for political purposes.”
Prosecutors intend to use these and the other “extraneous offenses” listed in the 5-page filing during the punishment phase of the trial should George be convicted. 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 of the third-degree felony, he would also be subject to immediate removal from office.
At press time, it was unknown how George – who switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican last June, after the first criminal allegations against him came out – would fare in the Republican primary on Tuesday, in which he faces four challengers. But even if he loses the primary, he would remain in office until next January, barring a conviction. (Commissioner McCoy, incidentally, is running against for other candidates in the Democratic primary for county judge.)
For their part, George's defense team is pursing a trial strategy aimed at the prosecution itself. Led by Jared Woodfill – a former longtime chairman of the Harris County Republican Party – they have twice tried to convince 458th District Court Judge Maggie Perez-Jaramillo to disqualify District Attorney Brian Middleton, a Democrat,
and his prosecutors from trying the case based on' what they allege are Middleton's own acts of “prosecutorial misconduct”. They allege that Middleton was involved in the purported “fake hate” social media scheme allegedly conducted by Taral Patel, George's former chief of staff, and that the prosecution is rooted in political and personal animus toward George. In one of their own recent filings, defense attorneys included a recording they said Patel made of a profanity-laden conversation with Middleton, in which the district attorney expresses knowledge of and even approval of Patel's activities, as well as some personal animosity towards George. However, the undated recording (which cannot be independently authenticated by the Fort Bend Star), begins mid-conversation and doesn't explain specifically why Middleton is
upset at George. Perez-Jaramillo has twice rejected these efforts, including one in which they stated that Middleton was himself the subject of what they called a “criminal investigation” related to the prosecution of George. In neither their filing nor in a public hearing before Perez-Jaramillo did they provide evidence of such an investigation, with attorney Terry Yates stating only that he had been contacted and interviewed by an unnamed law enforcement agency.
After reviewing a 5-page document filed under seal by the attorneys, PerezJaramillo issued an order saying she saw no evidence of a criminal investigation or any illegal acts by Middleton. She rejected the defense's motion asking for an evidentiary hearing on the matter of the purported criminal investigation.
After a pretrial conference
on January 23 in which both sides said they were “ready for trial,” Woodfill told the Fort Bend Star that the defense team was considering appealing that ruling in which she rejecting a motion for an evidentiary hearing. Last week, they filed a proposed order to be signed by the judge officially granting or denying such a hearing. As of the Star's print deadline on Monday, the order was unsigned. It was unknown if the proposed order is a prelude for an appeal to the 14th Court of Appeals before trial begins.
Woodfill has also told the Star that he intends to call Middleton to the stand during the trial. On Monday, the defense team filed several subpoenas in the case, including for Middleton and First Assistant District Attorney Ibrahim Khawaja.
After jury selection is completed – which could take two
days or more – the trial is expected to take about two weeks, according to attorneys. The Fort Bend Star will provide continuing coverage on its website, fortbendstar.com. Separately, George is facing trial on a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity by a public official stemming from the purported “fake hate” social media scheme conducted with Patel. Patel is expected to be a key prosecution witness in both the felony and misdemeanor trials. The trial in the misdemeanor case is scheduled to begin May 5. From the start of the criminal charges, George has maintained that he is innocent of any wrongdoing, stating that he is the target of a wrongful prosecution. In an interview last week with KPRC-TV, George initially said he might be open to a plea deal, but later walked that back.
and answer basic questions the public has a right to know: What is the mission, what is the strategy, what is the endgame, and what comes next. Most importantly, how will we protect American service members and prevent more innocent civilians from being killed,” he said.
“Our men and women in uniform deserve better from our country’s leaders than unilateral, unconstitutional action. We owe it to them and their families to ensure that we do not repeat mistakes of the past. I am praying for their safety and for the safety of all civilians who are now in harm’s way,” she said.
STATE FROM PAGE 1
material, and recognition at event). Corporate Seating of 8 - $1,000 (includes auditorium seating for 8). Contact Rebekah Beltran at 281-566-2158 or rebekah@fbrp.org to make reservations. Reservations can also be made online at FortBendRegionalPartnership.
U.S. Rep. Al Green, whose 9th District includes much of Missouri City and other parts of the county, said in a written statement on Saturday, “The President has taken our country to war without Congress having weighed in. I’m calling on Speaker Johnson to reconvene the Congress to allow the War Powers Resolution, of which I am a cosponsor, to be voted on.”
com. The Government & Public Affairs Division of the Fort Bend Regional Partnership is under the leadership of Division Chair, Christopher Breaux, Fort Bend County. The Government & Public Affairs Division provides Partnership members with access to local, state and federal officials, promotes the understanding of current legislative issues and gives its membership the opportunity for input. This Division also provides a forum for discussion of relevant legislative matters, updates on key legislation, and provides leadership on legislation which is important to its members. During election years, the division conducts community candidate forums for municipal, primary, secondary and higher education, county, state and federal elections that provide a fair and unbiased opportunity for members to understand the qualifications and positions of the candidates as well as the key issues affecting an election.
Green said he planned to have discussions with the leadership of national defense committees a series o questions. “Among my many questions are: By what authority has the President committed the country to war without Congress having declared war? What is the strategy? Why were negotiations abruptly curtailed? Will the strategy require boots on the ground? Who will govern Iran if the current government is taken out?”
“Whether we agree or disagree with the war, we should all want our troops to come home safely. Say a prayer for peace.” he said.
Green’s 9th District was changed in last year’s re-
SPACE COWBOYS FROM PAGE 1
Night (May 28), Star Wars Night (May 29), Girl Scout Night (May 29), AAPI Heritage Night (May 30) and Pride Night (June 10). New promotional nights on the schedule include Harambe Remembrance Night (May 28), Soccer Weekend (June 12 – 13), Toy Story Night (June 14) and Summer Filmmakers Series (June 25).
As part of the celebration of America 250, Constellation Field will host two different America 250 nights, starting on Friday, June 26 with Military Appreciation presented by Hunton Group with a Celebration of America’s 250 jersey giveaway. Saturday, June 26 is Tribute to the Hot Dog Night, where the Space Cowboys will wear special Tribute to the Hot Dog jerseys and fans will receive a foam hot dog hat as they enter the ballpark.
districting of the state’s Congressional districts by the Texas Legislature. In this week’s Democratic primary, he is seeking the nomination for the new 18th District, which former Harris County District Attorney Christina Menefee won in a special election. At press time on Monday, Menefee had not issued a public statement on the war.
Texas Rep. Suleman Lalani, a Democrat whose 26th District includes much of Fort Bend County, said in written statement that the attacks pose the danger of a widening regional conflict. Lalani, a physician, is a Pakistani-American and one of the first two Muslims
The Space Cowboys will play three midweek day games in 2026, with a pair of Baseball in Education games on April 22 and May 6. The annual Super Splash Day returns on Wednesday, June 24 with an 11:05 a.m. start time. For daily promotions, Sugar Land will once again have Silver Stars Night and $5 Frozens every Tuesday, Dollar Hot Dog Night presented by Texas Chili and Waggin’ Wednesday presented by Hollywood Feed every Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday presented by Eureka Heights on Thursday and Orion’s Kids Day presented by Caldwell and Steinbring Dentistry and Family Four Packs on Sunday. The Space Cowboys are also offering a Military Value Plan (MVP) presented by Hunton Group at a discounted rate for active and retired military personnel for every Thursday home game, and students, educators and health care professionals can
elected to the Texas House of Representatives.
“Our nation is once again being pushed by Trump and his cronies toward a wider war in the Middle East, without the transparency, strategy, or congressional authorization the American people deserve. As a physician, I know the first rule in a crisis is simple: do no harm. Dropping bombs without a clear endgame is not strength. It is recklessness,” Lalani said.
“Congress has a constitutional duty to weigh in before our country is drawn into open ended conflict. The administration must immediately brief the full Congress
receive discounted tickets for every game by visiting https://www.milb.com/ sugar-land/tickets/discounts
The full list of giveaway includes:
March 27 – 2026 Magnet Schedule presented by Frost Bank
March 28 – Concert Tee
April 10 – Video Game Hats presented by Pepsi
“And let me be clear: Texas families are tired of leaders choosing escalation over diplomacy. We cannot keep writing blank checks for violence abroad, including enabling the Israeli government’s continued actions that have inflamed the region and deepened the humanitarian catastrophe, especially for Palestinians in Gaza. Peace and security will never come from collective punishment, endless siege, or treating civilian suffering as acceptable collateral,” he said.
“As Muslims observe Ramadan, a month of mercy and reflection, my prayers are with every family living in fear, and with our troops who may be placed in harm’s way. We need de escalation, diplomacy, and accountability. Congress must assert its authority now before this spirals into a broader regional war that will cost lives, drain resources, and leave our country less safe,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican whose 22nd District includes much of Fort Bend County, voiced his support for the U.S.-led war in Iran. Photo via Troy Nehls campaign website
U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat who represents the 7th District, voiced her opposition to the Iran war. Photo via Lizzie Fletcher campaign website
U.S. Rep. Al Green, a Democrat who represents part of Fort Bend County, voiced his opposition to the Iran war. Photo via Al Green campaign website
Texas Rep. Suleman Lalani, a Democrat whose 26th District includes much of Fort Bend County, voiced his opposition to the war. Photo via Texas State Directory
Special prosecutor Brian Wice, left, and Fort Bend County Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson are leading the prosecution of County Judge KP George. Here, they are seen conferring after a hearing. File photo
“S
haria-Free America Caucus.” “No to halal meat. No to celebrating Ramadan. No, no, no.” “Disgusting fake religion” and “wicked devils who will “go to hell.” Well, so much for Texans helping Texans, we’re all in this together and our official state motto: Friendship. Have you noticed, for no particular reason or event, the recent outpouring of Islamophobia and antiMuslim rhetoric? The State Senate is weighing legislation requested by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to ensure Texans “are never held under the heel of ‘Sharia law.” Ads for Sen. John Cornyn have touted his fight against “radical Islam.” Texas Republican lawmakers created a “Sharia-Free America Caucus” in Congress. Gov. Greg Abbott has labeled one of the nation’s largest Muslim rights groups a terror organization. Republican Party activists and Texas GOP House members attended a dinner north of Dallas last month that featured Steve Bannon
RWho is that mosque man?
LYNN ASHBY Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
and Glenn Beck. What was the attraction? Its title: “Save Texas from Radical Islam.”
There’s more. The state comptroller’s office has banned Muslim schools from participating in the state’s voucher program. Worries about Islamic radicalism is polling among the top issues for Texas Republican primary voters, so the state party put a resolution on its primary ballot asking whether Texas should “prohibit Sharia law.” A majority of Texas Republicans support a “ban on Muslims” entering the country.
A hot-button issue is the attempt by Muslims to build EPIC City, a proposed real estate development designed for Islamic residents, in in far north Collin County To prevent this, Abbott signed House Bill 4211 into law to
ban residential property developments, like EPIC City, from creating Sharia compounds and defrauding and discriminating against Texans. Though construction has stalled, and continued planning is dead, at the request of Sen. John Cornyn the U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into EPIC City. The proposed town would include a mosque, and we must wonder if it will rival Houston’s own Ahmadiyya Mosque. Despite its motto: “Love For All, Hatred For None!” a man threatened to shoot up the mosque after he was asked to leave; the man was arrested. (There are more than 60 mosques in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, up from around two dozen in the mid-2000s. Texas has 122.)
So why this sudden outburst of against Muslims? They’ve been in Texas since 1856, beginning with Arabic speaking camel drivers brought in by the U.S. Army. The first Muslim elected tooffice in the entire nation was in Texas in the 1990s: Charles Bilal was mayor of Kountze. According to the U.S. Census Texas has 313,209 Muslims which is 1.1 percent of the state’s total population. Ah, but our Muslims proudly claim
421,972 Muslims and 1.68 percent, and say Texas ranks first in the nation. This late shrill animosity was a mystery until I came across a New York Times article by David Goodman headlined: “Without a Border ‘Invasion,’Texas G.O.P. Turns to an Old Enemy, Islam.” (I object to the “old” term – as we can tell, the fear is recent.) His article explains that for years Republicans, especially in Texas, have trotted out the fear of an invasion of illegals from south of the border, and the facts certainly show we have had such an invasion, although how many were serial killers, drug lords and terrorists among our gardeners and bus boys is unclear. Nevertheless, we can agree that the fear factor worked. So Donald Trump made good his campaign promise to stop the flow. But be careful what you wish for, GOP. That frightflight doesn’t fly anymore. So what invasion of foreigners can we dread? Oklahomans? They seem nice enough, except they root for the Sooners in the UT-OU games. Louisianans? Don’t take away our Cajun restaurants. Do your Uber car dashboards sport the Ten Commandments? I’ll bet the
Astros have several Egyptians disguised as Venezuelans. Leave, Muslims, but don’t tell that to the Coogs, Rockets or Hakeem Olajuwon. I’ve know! It’s that 1.1 percent or maybe even 1.68 percent among us who are trying to do something sneaky and un-Texan, although I’m not sure what evil they are pushing. Maybe vaccines or public schools. This is an old playbook among demagogues, tyrants and those who need something to divert attention from the real problems they can’t solve or have even created: diversion, and nothing diverts like a red herring enemy. Fear works every time. We also have the imminent threat of Iran, which is one big EPIC City. This diversion neatly ignores such minor kerfuffles as Garza, Ukraine and who is this guy, Jeffrey Epstein? My favorite diversion was a few years ago when our attention was told to focus on Colin Kaepernick who knelt before football games to protest police shootings. “He’s insulting our flag, our nation and our fighting troops,” wailed Fox News’s Sean Hannity. That hijacking worked. Kaepernick’s career was over, but for a while there we forgot about our insurmountable national debt,
choking pollution and why Neiman’s went bankrupt. FDR famously warned, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” I fear Muslims, just like I’m told to. Speaking of quotes, remember German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller’s famous observation of the Nazis: “First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.” He ends up with the ominous: “Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.” First they came for the immigrants. Then they came for the Muslims. But, after the immigrant invasion and Muslims, who is their new target? Next they come for the journalists. Then they come for their readers and viewers. Then they come for the teachers who don’t display the Ten Commandments. As for the World Cup foreign fans who come here, at the airports, check for guns, bombs and prayer rugs. Hakeem Olajuwon, don’t make any long-range plans — like tomorrow.
Ashby diverts at ashby2@ comcast.net
What Ramadan can teach us all
amadan is widely known as the Muslim month of fasting, beginning with the first sighting of a new crescent moon. To many, Ramadan is a time of devotion, discipline, and spiritual renewal. If you were to ask the people in my own family what it means, you would hear a range of answers. My mother would say it is a month to pray more often because of its holiness. My father would describe it as a time to honor the sacrifices of Prophet Muhammad and his descendants. My grandmother would insist it is a period for reflection and deepening one’s connection with Allah. None of these interpretations are wrong; Ramadan can be all of these things at once.
For me, however, Ramadan is above all a time for learning.
The first morning of Ramadan always feels like a test of willpower. Habits do not form overnight, and Sehri at dawn demands a kind of alertness my body is not yet prepared to give. I yawn repeatedly as I finish the meal meant to sustain me through-
out the day, then scoop my cat’s litter while she chirps, blissfully unaware of my sleep deprivation. Leaving the house without a lunchbox or water bottle becomes a small but symbolic shift that marks the beginning of the month. Even though the walk to school is foggy and damp, I manage. By first period, I instinctively reach for water that is not there. In second period, my friend and I skip our usual granola-bar break. By third, my voice is hoarse and requires a few coughs to clear. By fourth, the crunch of someone’s Cheerios behind me feels like a personal affront. By fifth, I am swallowing saliva with the determination of an Olympic athlete. Lunch, usually the highlight of my day, turns into a quiet study hall where I watch others enjoy their meals while I focus on my work. Sixth period is accompanied by a grumbling stomach; seventh by the countdown to the final
bell. When it rings, I leave the building with a speed that would impress any track coach. Walking home with my friend prompts conversation, but my mind drifts to the thought of a single sip of water. When I finally reach home, my grandmother – who is usually bustling around the kitchen – sits peacefully on the couch, knitting. The house feels different during Ramadan: quieter, slower, more intentional. I have three hours before Iftar, and I try to be productive, but it is difficult to operate without fuel. After pushing myself through my homework, I join my grandmother in the kitchen. Preparing Iftar is not just cooking; it is participating in a ritual that connects generations. We fry pakoreh, mix the sweet pink robsa, and prepare dhaei baray alongside chole. The kitchen fills with familiar aromas as my grandmother instructs me in the foods she has made for decades. She tells me stories about our relatives overseas and how Ramadan felt when she was a child in Pakistan. She recalls how, before alarm clocks were common, groups of musicians would roam neighborhoods playing drums to wake families for Sehri. My
NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF PATSY RUTH BENNETT, DECEASED
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Administration for the Estate of PATSY RUTH BENNETT, Deceased, were issued on February 9, 2026, under Cause No. 25-CPR043481, pending in the Fort Bend County - Court at Law 1, to Brandei Nicholle Pesnell. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the estate, addressed as follows: Brandei Nicholle Pesnell, Independent Administrator, Estate of PATSY RUTH BENNETT, Deceased
C/o Jason M. Cordoba, Attorney
Cordoba Law Firm, PLLC
85 Oak Drive, Suite 102
Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
All persons having claims against this estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.
Attorneys for Independent Administrator, BRANDEI NICHOLLE PESNELL
chuckles fondly, calling their antics charming.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the day comes to an end, my family gathers in the living room to pray. In praying, there is comfort knowing that millions of Muslims around the world are doing the same thing at the same moment. It is a quiet form of solidarity, a reminder that faith can bind people across continents and cultures.
Then the upstairs clock chimes. The Maghrib azan begins. We reach for dates. As the hunger and thirst fade, I think of the children and adults who feel this way every day – not by choice, but by circumstance. My small discomfort is magnified a hundredfold in their lives, an aching constant rather than a temporary challenge. Fasting teaches me to remember them, to let empathy guide my actions, and to recognize how easily society treats hunger as an unfortunate statistic rather than a daily hardship. The slight inconvenience I endure becomes a window into the lives of those who face food insecurity and lack access to clean drinking water. It is a lesson that stays with me long after the meal is over.
With that first glass of wa-
ter, I realize how satisfying something so simple can be. I wonder why I pile my plate so high on ordinary days. The food I eat during Ramadan reminds me of what I truly need to survive, and how much is excess. That humility is grounding. What I can do without, someone else may desperately need. Ramadan limits consumption not as a punishment, but as a reminder of balance, gratitude, and responsibility. In a culture increasingly shaped by overconsumption (“out with the old, in with the new”) preserving this humility is vital to ensure everyone has enough before we go in for seconds. It also strengthens my connection to family and tradition. The peaceful moments spent cooking with my grandmother, the shared prayers, the stories of how my ancestors practiced these same rites – all of these experiences create a sense of continuity. There is a quiet sentimentality in knowing that I am part of something larger than myself, something carried through generations. Disconnecting from a culture is easy when the physical distance spanning the homeland is vast.
There are certain behaviors and encounters I will never
fully understand the way my relatives in Pakistan do, and that hurts me. Practicing Ramadan is what binds me to my heritage evoking a sense of pride, my culture is not just a label. It’s something I uphold with pride and continue through my own legacy. When the month ends, these are the lessons that cling to me. They remind me of what I have to be grateful for, the privilege of even having the choice to fast. Islam, like any other religion, is a guide for choosing the right values. For me, Ramadan embodies the Muslim values of empathy, humility, and community. It teaches me to recognize those who do not have enough to eat, to remember that I need less than I think, and to appreciate the traditions that bring my family together. Ramadan is the accumulation of all these things. Directions in what we should aim to achieve, what we should value, and how we can live with greater intention.
In learning all of this, I learn a little more about who I want to be.
Khurram is a Ridge Point High School student, class of 2028, an officer in Varsity LD Debate, and an enjoyer of historical fiction.
Texas starts the clock on 10-year countdown to Bicentennial
Community Reports
Editor's note: This article is based on a press release from the nonprofit organization Texas 2026.
Texas turned 190 on Monday, marking the beginning of the 10-year countdown to the state’s bicentennial in 2036.
On March 2, 1836, Texas formally declared its independence. The milestone falls this year on the eve of Texas’ party primary elections, underscoring how the decisions that voters make will help determine the lives and possibilities for Texans over the next 100 years.
Founded in 2016 as Texas approached its 180th birthday, Texas 2036 was created to encourage long-term, data-driven planning for the state’s future.
Texas is now home to 31.7 million people and a $2.8 trillion economy. By 2036, the population could exceed 35 million, with both a growing number of children and a rapidly expanding senior population.
“As Texas enters the final decade before its 200th birth-
day, we have an opportunity to think in generations,” said Tom Luce, founder and chairman emeritus of Texas 2036.
“Ten years ago, we asked what we wanted our third century to look like. That question matters even more today.”
Over the past decade, Texas voters and lawmakers have taken major steps to prepare for growth, including committing more than $22 billion to strengthen water infrastructure and increase water supplies, reforming community college funding to better align with workforce outcomes and expanding access to affordable health coverage for millions of Texans.
“Texas has benefited from extraordinary growth,” said David Leebron, president
and CEO of Texas 2036. “But growth alone does not guarantee opportunity. The next decade will determine whether we have prepared Texans for a changing economy, secure our infrastructure and expanded opportunities for families across our state.”
Beginning this month, Texas 2036 will launch a
“Future of Texas” series examining the key issues that will define the decade ahead, including workforce readiness, artificial intelligence, water security and health care access.
“As we celebrate Texas Independence Day and prepare to vote, we are reminded that the future of Texas is not something that simply happens,” Leebron said. “It is something we must shape.”
grandmother
MISHA KHURRAM Youth Columnist
Fort Bend Regional Partnership expands economic development initiatives
Community Report
Editor's note: This article is based on a press release from the Fort Bend Business Partnership, formerly known as the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. Is is provided here because it is of interest to the county's residents and business community.
Fort Bend County has been long recognized as a powerhouse in the region for economic development initiatives. In looking to the future, the Partnership is expanding and refining its collaborate initiative with the public and private sector to support and build upon existing efforts and address new challenges for the future of Fort Bend.
As one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, Fort Bend’s population is expected to nearly double within the next 20–25 years. In response, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership is actively engaging municipal, county, and private-sector leaders to explore opportunities for shared planning, coordinated strategies, and common-ground priorities that will help the region sustain economic vitality, infrastructure capacity, workforce readiness, and the high quality of life residents and businesses enjoy today.
This approach reflects the organization’s new regional positioning. Just last month, the organization unveiled its new name and visual identity. Now known as the Fort Bend Regional Partnership, the organization has evolved beyond the traditional chamber model to serve as a regional convener—bringing together business, government, education, and nonprofit stakeholders to strengthen communication, identify areas of collaboration, and
advance long-term economic competitiveness.
“The new name reflects the work we are already doing—regional, collaborative, and impact-driven,” said Keri Schmidt, President and CEO of the Fort Bend Regional Partnership. “Partnership is at the core of everything we do. As Fort Bend continues to grow, we see tremendous opportunity to align efforts, share insights, and work toward common goals that benefit the entire region.”
Fort Bend 2050: A Data-Driven Roadmap Central to the organization’s new economic initiatives is the forthcom-
ing Fort Bend 2050 Report, a comprehensive, data-driven analysis examining the critical issues the county will face as growth accelerates. The study is being led by Dr. Jeronimo Cortina, Director of Faculty Research Initiatives for Population Health and an award-winning associate professor at the University of Houston.
Fort Bend 2050 is a forward-looking roadmap that brings public and private stakeholders together to evaluate key elements including infrastructure, workforce alignment, economic development capacity, education, public services, and qualityof-life indicators which will
assist in identifying key issues and strategic priorities critical to meet the future demands of Fort Bend’s evolving economy.
Strengthening
Economic Development Leadership
To further advance these efforts, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership has appointed Joe Esch as Senior Executive Director of Economic Development. With more than 35 years of experience in economic development and real estate in Fort Bend County and beyond, Esch brings a deep understanding, an inclusive
approach, and extensive institutional knowledge that will help further the Partnership’s expanded regional role.
“Joe’s leadership strengthens our ability to align city and county economic development strategies with private-sector investment priorities,” Schmidt added. “This collaboration ensures we are planning together rather than reacting separately.”
A Business-Led, RegionFocused Approach
In addition to its close ties and support of the public sector, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership represents a broad cross-section of the private-sector business com-
munity, serving as a trusted table for collaboration among employers, infrastructure partners, local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofit stakeholders. Through this work, the Partnership helps lead economic development efforts in areas like:
• Strategic planning grounded in credible data
• Regional collaboration across jurisdictions
• Shared resources and alignment to maximize impact
• Private sector engagement to guide sustainable growth
• These coordinated efforts are essential to maintaining the economic strength, workforce mobility, infrastructure capacity, and quality of life that define Fort Bend County.
• These coordinated efforts are essential to maintaining the economic strength, workforce mobility, infrastructure capacity, and quality of life that define Fort Bend County.
“The Fort Bend Regional Partnership is in a unique position in our region to support our public and private sector partners as all prepare for the next decade of growth,” Joe Esch said. “By its nature, successful Economic Development solve complex problems that have multiple variables operating a dynamic political environment to bring people together for the benefit of our communities.”
Additional details, stakeholder engagement opportunities, and the release timeline for the Fort Bend 2050 Report will be announced in the coming months.
found in this week’s Classified section ANSWERS FOUND ON PAGE 6
The Fort Bend Regional Partnership, formerly known as the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, is expanding its
Olainu-Alade named recipient of historical commission award
Community Reports
Chassidy Olainu-Alade, chief communications officer of Fort Bend ISD, will be presented with the 2026 Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission. The award will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday, March 5, in the Fort Bend Museum located at 410 S. Fifth St., Richmond.
A “Meet and Greet” reception and “Local History Bingo” event beginning at 5:30 pm will precede the award program. Both the program and the reception are free of charge and open to the public.
The Bleil Award has been presented annually by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission since 2009 to a person or organization
for exceptional efforts and achievements in developing and promoting heritage tourism, promoting an awareness of and appreciation for historical preservation, the identification and protection of historic sites and features, and the preservation of historical and cultural resources in Fort Bend County. The award is named for the late Bert E. Bleil, the former Chair of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, who first envisioned this method of acknowledging exceptional achievements in historic and cultural preservation.
Olainu-Alade is a career educator and advocate for Social Studies and History education. Over the course of her twenty years of employment with Fort Bend ISD she
has served in many roles, including middle school social studies teacher, instruction coach, and social studies curriculum coordinator.
Among her awards and achievements, in 2021 she was named the Texas Social Studies Supervisor of the Year and she was subsequently recognized in 2022 as the National Social Studies Leader of the Year by the National Social Studies Supervisors Association. From 2019 through 2024, in her role as the Coordinator of Community and Civic Engagement with FBISD, she emerged as a leader of the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project.
During her work focused on the Sugar Land 95 discovery, Olainu-Alade has contributed to the adoption of state
standards to address convict leasing at the state and local level. In 2020 she led the creation of the Sugar Land 95 Exhibit within the James C. Reese Career and Technical Center, which has welcomed many visitors from across the United States. She dedicates herself to ensuring that the discovery of the Sugar Land 95 serves as a model of transformative memorialization and an example of how addressing hard history can have a healing effect on communities.
Olainu-Alade is a longserving appointee to the Fort Bend County Historical Commission. She actively serves on the Public Affairs Committee and is a member of the Commission’s annual historical essay contest subcommittee. In that capacity
she helps select the essay topics for 4 th and 7 th grade students that live or go to school in Fort Bend County. She also previously served as chair of the Missouri City Ethics Commission, board member of the Fort Bend History Association, and as an advisory board member for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia.
For further information about the Fort Bend County Historical Commission or the Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award please contact: Chris Godbold, Chair: chris. godbold@fortbendcountytx.gov
Donations sought for University Branch’s Puzzle Fest on March 21
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library (14010 University Blvd, on the UH campus in Sugar Land) will host a Puzzle Fest – complete with a Puzzle & Game Swap and a Speed-Puzzling Competition -- on Saturday, March 21, from 1-4 p.m, in Meeting Rooms 1 and 2.
Donations of gently used puzzles (250 or more pieces) or board games for the swap will be accepted through March 20, at the 2nd-floor Reference desk. Those donating puzzles or board games will receive a voucher noting the number of items donated. The voucher can be used at the Puzzle Fest on March 21 to select the same number of items to take home.
Any unclaimed puzzles or games will be used for library programming or donated elsewhere. Please donate complete puzzles and games only, without any missing pieces.
The Speed-Puzzling Competition at the Puzzle Fest will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Teams of up to four people will have 2 hours to complete a 500-piece puzzle. The winning team receives a prize. Registration is required
for this competition, which is open to all ages. Teams can bring sorting trays and magnifiers for the event if they wish; none will be provided.
Fort Bend County Libraries recognizes the educational, social, and mental-health benefits of play for all ages
and offers a variety of opportunities throughout the library system for individuals to come together to play on a regular basis. Check FBCL’s online calendar for other activities, events, and opportunities for play, from chess to videogaminMaterials
for these activities are made possible by the Friends of the University Branch Library. These programs are free and open to the public. For more information, or to register for the Speed-Puzzling Competition, see the Fort Bend County Libraries
website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the University Branch Library (281-633-5100). PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: Visitors to the University Branch Library must park inside the gated lot (VISITOR LOT 4). Bring your
parking ticket with you inside the library to be validated by library staff. Parking is FREE if you get your ticket validated. Parking outside the gated lot may result in a parking violation from the University of Houston.
Chassidy Olainu-Alade, chief communications officer of Fort Bend ISD, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission. Submitted photo
Donations of gently used puzzles or board games are being sought for University Branch Library’s Puzzle Fest on March 21. File photo
Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com FOR NON-
FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS
VEGETABLE/HERB PLANT SALE
Fort Bend County Master Gardeners will host their spring Vegetable/Herb Plant Sale on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to noon or sold out at the Bud O’Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg. Preparing for the sale in the greenhouse are Robyn Partridge of Richmond and interns Nina Williams and Judy Carley, both of Sugar Land. The sale will feature 15 varieties of tomatoes from large to cherry and 15 varieties of peppers from hot to bell and banana. Other vegetable plants include eggplant, moringa and Swiss chard. Herb plants include basil, cilantro, parsley and thyme.
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
Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, 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 info.
Libraries accepting donations for Prom Boutique
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries will have a Prom Boutique at George Memorial Library in Richmond on Saturday, March 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Donations of gently used semi-formal or formal attire, shoes, shawls, hair accessories, and jewelry will be accepted through March 26 during business hours at the following locations: Albert George Branch (9230 Gene St, Needville)
Cinco Ranch Branch (2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy) Fulshear Branch (6350 GM Library Rd., Fulshear) George Memorial Library (1001 Golfview Dr., Richmond)
University Branch (14010 University Blvd. Sugar Land)
Please make sure donations are clean and in good condition. Teens that attend the March 28 Prom Boutique will receive a voucher to select a dress, a pair of shoes, and accessories. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the Library’s Communications office at 281-633-4734.
FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB
Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call,
