The Bellaire Police Department is warning the public to avoid driving through Bellaire near Loop 610 after a gasoline tanker carrying 72,000 gallons of fuel overturned late this morning, causing emergency personnel to close all northbound and southbound lanes.
“A random spark or anything could cause an explosion or pretty major fire,” said Bellaire’s Assistant Police [...]
BREAKING NEWS: Loop 610 Closed After Gas Tanker Flips, Leaks
12. March 2010
Harris County Wins State, National Awards For Financial Openness
In the past week, Harris County has won state and national awards that commend it for making county financial information freely available on the Internet.
First, the county learned the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts awarded Harris County the Gold Leadership Circle Award for efforts to make its finances open and accessible to county residents. Next, [...]
12. March 2010
Flood Control District Fights Release Of Bellaire Bridge Drainage Study
A drainage study about the impact of more flood water coming from the new-and-improved drainage systems in West University Place and Bellaire Boulevard “should be withheld from public disclosure,” according to a memorandum brief by Assistant Harris County Attorney Mitzi Turner.
InstantNewsWestU requested a copy of the drainage study from the Harris County Flood Control District [...]
11. March 2010
Three Weekend Movies Playing For Jewish Film Festival
Participating in 6th annual Houston Jewish Film Festival, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston plans to screen three films from now until March 21. Additional screenings take place at the Jewish Community Center and the Holocaust Museum Houston.
Screenings at MFAH include:
Flame & Citron (Flammen & Citronen)
6 p.m. on March 13 and 3 p.m. on [...]
11. March 2010
After-School Program Students Raise $1,270 For Haiti
Homemade clocks, t-shirts, jewelry and more items students created in an after-school program recently raised $1,270 for the Haiti relief efforts.
The Weekley Family YMCA and St. Stephen’s Havens Center’s after school program, R PLCE, held an Art Gallery and Ice Cream Social on Feb. 19 at the Havens Center.
The students designed and created clocks, candle [...]
11. March 2010
West U. Researcher Identifies Cost-Effective Cancer Test
A researcher from West University Place recently co-author a study that identifies the most cost-effective method of detecting bladder cancer, which could decrease costs and cut the number of false positives that sometimes result in emotional distress and unnecessary procedures.
Dr. Ashish Kamat lives in the 2900 block of Tangley Road and works as an associate [...]
11. March 2010
Look For New Tree On Prominent West U. Street Corner
By the end of the month, passers-by will notice a new Mexican White Oak tree at the corner of Edloe Street and University Boulevard to replace another tree that fell victim to Hurricane Ike.
As part of Arbor Day festivities on March 27, the city plans to plant the new tree, and distribute fifty free trees [...]
10. March 2010
Safety Tips During Census Time
With U.S. Census questionnaires set to begin arriving in mailboxes early next week, Harris County officials want to ensure that residents know what to expect as the 2010 Census gets fully under way. Several tips will help residents avoid becoming the victims of potential scams.
“As the third-largest county in the nation, our communities stand to [...]
10. March 2010
Man Caught With 2.4 Ounces Of Pot
Police in West University Place arrested a man last week after pulling over his vehicle and finding he had 2.4 ounces of marijuana stored in separate baggies in his car.
An officer pulled over the vehicle in the 4200 block of Bissonnet Street because it was speeding 11 miles over the posted speed limit. The officer [...]
10. March 2010
Residents Complain Matthew’s Market Produces Excessive Noise
A West University Place resident is so upset about noise coming from the recently opened Matthew’s Market on Edloe Street that he took extreme care to prepare a meticulous complaint and presented it to the West U. City Council on Monday. But so far, decibel readings indicate the noise level complies with city laws.
Rick Gardner [...]
9. March 2010
Photos From West University Little League Opening Day
West University Little League Opening Day and Carnival on March 6 attracted large attendance numbers and allowed families and neighbors to enjoy playing games, dancing, shopping at the bazaar, food and more. The season is officially open, and Challenger Opening Day will be March 28 at 2 p.m. on Wallin Field.
9. March 2010
HISD Must Pay Settlement For E-Rate Violations
The Houston Independent School District has agreed to relinquish millions of dollars in requests for federal funds and pay a total of $850,000 as part of a civil settlement relating to allegations that the school district violated the False Claims Act in connection with the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate program.
The settlement, which stems from a [...]
9. March 2010
Firefighters Practice In Donated House, Set For Demolition
In the thick of a smoke so oppressive that visibility was cut to a couple feet, the shadowy figures of the firefighters drifted in and out of sight. But their voices on the radio were loud and clear.
“We’ve got a victim,” called the tinny voice. “We’re trying to bring him out.”
Over the next 10 minutes, [...]
8. March 2010
Gasoline Prices Continue Upward Climb
Average retail gasoline prices in Houston and the West University Place area have risen another 5.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.55 per gallon today.
This compares with the national average that increased 4.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.74 per gallon, according to gasoline price website HoustonGasPrices.com.
Last week’s increase [...]
8. March 2010
Court Scheduling Conflict Postpones Bellaire Officer’s Trial
May 3 is the new trial date for former Bellaire Police Officer Jeffrey Cotton, who is accused of aggravated assault by a public servant for the shooting of Bellaire resident Robbie Tolan on New Year’s Eve 2009.
The trial was set to begin today, but another case in the 232nd Criminal Court of Harris County has [...]
12. March 2010