InstantNewsWestU.com

West U. Doctor Accused Of Prescription Drug Dealing

A doctor who lives in West University Place allegedly accepted $14,000 per month to sign pads of blank prescriptions that authorities say were used in a “pill clinic” drug-dealing operation, according to court documents.
Dr. Christina Joy Clardy, who lives in a $1.6 million house in the 6600 block of Sewanee Avenue, now faces a felony [...]

White Talks To Bellaire Rotarians About Border Security, More

As the FBI yesterday searched for El Paso gang members to gather clues about the weekend murders of three Americans in Mexico, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White gave his opinions on drug violence and border security to a small group of Bellaire residents in an intimate setting.
White talked to about 40 members of the Bellaire/Southwest [...]

Exercise Equipment Arrives At New Rec Center

Installers with Marathon Fitness are working today to deliver and install 31 pieces of weight and cardio equipment to the new West University Place Recreation Center. They had to take apart each piece of equipment to move it through the doorway, then reassemble the machines inside the weight room. Everything is on track for an [...]

After 10 Years, Parks Fundraiser Group Changing Leaders

A community leader who for 10 years has lead the charge to revitalize parks in West University Place will step down from her position within the next few months, handing the reigns to another woman whom friends describe as a passionate parks supporter.
Joni Hruska Fichter has been the face of the Friends of West University [...]

2009 Crime Dropped Overall, But Some Types Increased

An analysis of 2009 crime in West University Place shows an overall decrease compared to 2008, but some individual categories like vehicle thefts, car burglaries and non-residential building burglaries saw increases.
InstantNewsWestU requested copies of the West U. Police Department’s 2008 and 2009 Uniform Crime Reports, which contain statistics that local police departments submit to the [...]

Crimewise, Quiet Week Passes In West U.

The West University Place Police Department was fairly quiet last week, with the most excitement coming from assisting Friday’s gas-tanker accident in Bellaire. Besides that incident, there were few crime reports.
The incidents reported to West U. police from March 7 to 15 include:

On March 7, a resident found a bicycle in the 3700 block of [...]

Road-Raged Man Points Gun After Tanker-Truck Traffic

After road rage spiraled him out of control during Friday’s massive traffic snarl, a Bellaire man faces two to 20 years in prison for allegedly pulling a gun on another driver who made him angry.
“We’re just glad no one was injured and we were able to get him in custody without him [...]

Commission Smiles On Shipley Rezoning Request

With the two most hesitant members absent and another voluntarily recusing himself for conflict of interest, those remaining on the West University Place Zoning and Planning Commission on Thursday voted 4-0 to give preliminary approval on a rezoning application for the Shipley Donuts site on Kirby Drive.
The commission’s recommendation to approve the rezoning application is [...]

Loop 610 Closed After Gas Tanker Flips, Leaks

The Bellaire Police Department is warning the public to avoid driving through Bellaire near Loop 610 after a gasoline tanker carrying 7,200 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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]