InstantNewsWestU.com

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 [...]

Covington Builders Off The Hook With West U.

The city has dropped its complaint against a prominent building company that was accused of willfully ignoring West U. building inspection rules after the company’s owner worked “diligently” to clear all his outstanding inspections.
If Robert Covington, owner of Covington Builders, had not checked off all the outstanding inspections on 10 homes he’s built since 2000 [...]

UPDATED: Bellaire Officer’s Upcoming Trial To Lift Secrecy On Explosive Case

The public will finally get answers to ongoing questions about one of the darkest incidents in Bellaire’s recent history as the criminal trial of former Bellaire Police Officer Jeffrey Cotton begins in May. next week. Note: Trial was reset for May 3. Read more here.
The trial on Cotton’s charges of aggravated assault by a public [...]

Sarah Davis Is Republican Candidate For District 134

With 55 percent of the vote, Sarah Davis has clearly won the Republican nomination to run against incumbent Rep. Ellen Cohen to represent West University Place in the Texas Legislature.
With all precincts reporting unofficial results, Davis has earned 4,379 votes while her opponent, former school teacher Bonnie Parker, has won 3,648 votes.
Davis will be the [...]

Check InstantNewsWestU Tonight For Election Results

Campaign workers greet a passerby outside of the West University Scout House, a primary election polling location for two precincts. When polls close at 7 p.m., InstantNewsWestU will publish early voting results for local races. Later tonight, when a majority of precincts have reported election-day voting results, check back for another story.

“Stolen” Vehicle May Just Be Insurance Mixup

Is it a stolen car, or not?
In an odd case, the question remains unanswered although police in West University Place last week did locate a car that had been reported stolen at some time in the past.
A West U. officer on Feb. 21 pulled over a silver Volkswagon after a registration check indicated the car [...]