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Saturday, March 7, 2026 • Vol. 71 • No. 9
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INSIDE.
New COVID-19 report analyzes pandemic’s impact in Harris County
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Turkey Gully Flood Mitigation Project nears construction in Shady Acres By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com A long-anticipated flood mitigation project in Shady Acres is moving closer to construction, with work on the nearly $16.9 million Turkey Gully Paving and Drainage Project expected to begin by fall 2026, weather permitting. Secured by Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin, the project is designed to significantly reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes and businesses in the Greater Heights area while delivering major roadway and pedestrian improvements. The project, now at approximately 90% design completion, was recently the focus of a community forum hosted in partnership with Houston Public Works. Residents gathered to receive timeline updates, review design details and ask questions as the effort advances toward groundbreaking. According to project modeling, once complete the improvements will remove 171 parcels from flood risk during a twoyear storm event, 238 parcels during a 10year storm event and 157 parcels during a
100-year storm event. Flood mitigation will be achieved by diverting runoff flows from Turkey Gully to White Oak Bayou, channeling water through W. 25th Street, W. 24th Street, W. 22nd Street, Bevis Street and W. 20th Street. In addition to stormwater improvements, the project includes reconstruction of approximately 2.63 miles of roadway with new pavement, drainage and utility upgrades, expanded and improved sidewalks along Bevis Street and W. 20th Street, and installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of W. 20th Street and East T.C. Jester Boulevard to replace the existing four-way stop. Kamin described the project as one of the most significant infrastructure efforts she has secured for District C, emphasizing its impact on public safety, quality of life and long-term resilience. The Turkey Gully project is part of a broader initiative to strengthen Houston’s stormwater infrastructure and build neighborhood-level flood protection across vulnerable areas of the city. Residents can follow updates and review project details at engagehouston.org.
BULLDOG CENTENNIAL BASH
After weeks of mounting pressure, neighborhood protests and urgent calls to save a beloved landmark, Arthouse Houston has signed a contract last week to purchase the Garden Oaks Theater — a major breakthrough in the fight to prevent demolition. But organizers stress that the building is not safe yet. “Arthouse Houston signed a contract with the owner to purchase the Garden Oaks Theater and re-open it for the community!” the nonprofit announced. “But the theater isn’t safe yet! Our capital campaign begins now with 90 days to raise funds to save it!”
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Image via Heights High School Wikipedia page
Heights High School
Heights High School celebrates 100 years of education, community, and Bulldog pride By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Houston Arboretum presents 10th annual Saint Arnold Pup Crawl March 8
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Coming to a Table Near You: Rodeo Bites, Pi Day Deals & Spring Sweets
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See BULLDOG P. 2
With the help of a small group of angel donors, Arthouse Houston secured a partial deposit to delay demolition. That deposit triggers a 30-day window — with two possible 30-day extensions — to raise the full $7.1 million purchase price and close on the sale. The organization’s message is clear: failure to meet that deadline will result in immediate demolition. “Time is of the essence,” Arthouse Houston stated. “Failure to reach that goal in time will result in immediate
Undated photo of John J. Reagan High School
Image via Houston Public Library Digital Archives
Photo by John “Gusty” Gustafson
Neighbors stage demonstration calling for safer crossings along Nicholson Trail By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
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A temporary pedestrian safety island took shape at 20th Street and Nicholson on Sunday, March 1, as Heights neighbors staged a hands-on demonstration calling for safer crossings along the Nicholson rail-to-trail corridor. The effort was organized by A Tale of Two Bridges (ATOTB), a neighborhood-led advocacy group focused on improving public spaces and trail safety. The temporary installation — created using simple materials like sidewalk chalk and posters to illustrate the concept — was fully funded by neighbors and parents of Helms Elementary who are advocating for permanent safety upgrades.
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A Narrow Window to Raise $7.1 Million
See THEATER P. 2
For a century, the red-brick façade of Heights High School has stood watch over the Houston Heights — a neighborhood landmark as recognizable as the esplanades of Heights Boulevard and as enduring as the generations of students who have passed through its doors. As the campus turns 100 years old, alumni, families and community leaders are reflecting not only on a building constructed in 1926, but on a living institution that has grown, adapted and persevered alongside the neighborhood it serves.
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Donations Needed: Garden Oaks Theater sale agreement signed — $7.1M race against demolition begins By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Suicide Prevention & Education: Poppy’s Run For Life 10K, 5K and 1K this Sunday
Area eateries named among Houston Legacy Restaurants
Map courtesy of Council Member Abbie Kamin’s Office
Nunez, founder of ATOTB. According to Nunez, the demonstration is part of a larger campaign aimed at rethinking how trail crossings function across the corridor. “This effort is part of our campaign … to convert every trail intersection into a protected crossing: four-way stop, pedestrian island, raised crossing, or other measure to prioritize the corridor at every single intersection,” he said. To date, 482 neighbors have signed a petition supporting improvements to Nicholson trail crossings, including the installation of a pedestrian island Photo courtesy of ATOTB at 20th Street. Residents can also request yard signs through ATOTB’s “This was fully funded by neighbors stalled (including a pedestrian island Trail Ambassador Program to help and parents of Helms that are call- at 20th and curbouts at 19th) along See PEDESTRIAN P. 2 ing for better safety measures be in- the Nicholson Trail,” said Emmanuel