The 09-06-23 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Space Cowboys struggles continue with Tacoma series loss - Page 3

Lamar CISD board calls $15 million bond for stadium improvements

Staff Reports

After a vote by the Lamar CISD board of trustees in August, residents will vote November 7 on a bond election totaling $15 million.

The single bond proposition would cover renovations and improvements to Guy K. Traylor Stadium, including the bleachers, foundation repairs, replacement of the turf, and the installation of LED lighting. Repairs will also be made to the roof and locker rooms.

“Beyond the aesthetic enhancements, these renovations prioritize safety and functionality,” Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens said in a press release. “We have to make sure that our students, our staff, and our parents, are going to a facility that is structurally sound.”

The turf in Traylor Stadium was last replaced in 2013 and the average lifespan is approximately 10 years. During a 2022 bond election, two propositions did not pass, which included renovations and improvements to the stadium. Since then, the Lamar CISD Athletic Department has made several changes which have impacted student and fan access including schedules and program availability.

“When we say that we prioritize safety, that means anywhere in Lamar CISD— including our fields and facilities. The proposed repairs and improvements to the stadium reflect our commitment to providing safe facilities for our students, athletes, and the entire community,” Lamar CISD Board of Trustees President Mandi Bronsell said.

During the same board meeting, the trustees adopted a total tax rate for 2023 that is 9.28 cents less than the rate in effect when the Bond 2022 was passed in November of last year. The 2023 total rate is sufficient to fund the 2023 bond referendum, according to the district.

Sugar Land council approves revisions to single-member districts

Staff Reports

Sugar Land City Council last week approved the citizen-led Redistricting Advisory Committee’s unanimous recommendation for revised single-member City Council districts in Sugar Land to comply with federal law.

At-large City Council members will not be affected by redistricting, and the redistricting plan will have no impact on decisions regarding land use or any

city services.

City Council held a workshop on Aug. 29 to discuss the committee’s recommendation, and the public was provided opportunities to provide input throughout the redistricting process. No speakers spoke at the workshop.

“The redistricting project was an open, transparent process,” City Attorney Meredith Riede said in a press release. “Redistricting has no impact on school district

boundaries or precinct voting for county, state and Federal elections. Only the city’s single-member City Council districts will be affected.”

The release of the 2020 U.S. Census triggered the need for a redistricting process. The U.S. Constitution requires that members of an elected body be drawn from districts of substantially equal population with a

Morales makes case for mobility and parks bond election

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend County Precinct

1 Commissioner Vincent Morales made a case for improving infrastructure, including passage of the mobility and parks bond election recently called by Commissioners Court, during a presentation at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce last week.

Morales, a former Rosenberg mayor now in his second term on the court, made a passionate argument for the $713 million mobility and bond referendum which voters will decide on November 7. The combined bond is the largest in the county’s history.

Given the topic of the talk, it was perhaps not surprising

that the audience was largely comprised of representatives of civil engineering firms.

Morales said with the expected population growth in Fort Bend (with an estimated 2 million residents by 2040), it’s vital that officials plan to provide the necessary infrastructure and the amenities desired by

“It will improve mobility and safety throughout the county,” especially with projects in his precinct, Morales said of the proposed bond. “We’ve been working on this for almost a year now, and there was a lot of thought put into the projects.”

Morales actually did a bit of horse-trading with his fellow Republican on the court, Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy

Meyers, in a public meeting in August leading up to the calling of the bond in order to persuade Meyers, well-known for his staunch fiscal conservatism, to support it. Meyers had expressed reluctance because of what he said were disparities in how the bond money would be distributed throughout the county.

“This is meant to address the growing transportation and recreation needs of the county,” he said.

Morales touted the recent opening of the Epicenter, a large multipurpose facility in Rosenberg adjacent to the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Morales and Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage made up the committee which devised the way the Epicenter

would be financed. The facility is a private-public partnership in which the county leases the land to developer, Stonehenge Holdings, which leases the facility back to the county. The county will take ownership of the building in 30 years.

In the upcoming referendum, $153 million is earmarked for parks, both new parks and improvements to existing ones, Morales noted.

Morales told the audience that Fort Bend County held five mobility bond elections between 2000 and 2020.

“I feel like, and I feel like the court has the same sentiment, that we probably need to be looking at this about every three to four years,” he said. It takes about that much time

to design projects, acquire the necessary right-of-ways, and relocate utilities, he said.

“By the time we get those ready to go to construction and put shovels in the ground, we’re ready to put more projects in the pipeline,” Morales said.

“Hopefully, the voters will see that the mobility bond is very important for the growth. Because if we don’t (pass the bond), especially in Precinct 1, we will be behind the eight ball,” he said.

A complete list of the 2023 mobility and parks projects in the November election can be found at fortbendcountytx. gov/government/departments/ county-services/engineering/ mobility-road-projects.

Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales calls for the passage of the county’s $713 million bond referendum in November. Photo by Ken Fountain

Sugar Land City Council last week approved revisions to its single-member districts. The revisions were made to comply with federal law. Photo by Ken Fountain

Sugar Land asks residents to conserve water in first stage of drought contingency plan

Citing Gov. Greg Abbot’s recent drought disaster declaration for numerous Texas counties including Fort Bend, the City of Sugar Land this week activated Stage 1 of its drought contingency plan, asking residents to voluntarily conserve water to help reduce peak usage.

“Demand is greatest during weekday mornings and early evenings, primarily due to increases in outdoor irrigation. To reduce peak demand and total water consumption, Sugar Land residents are strongly encouraged to water lawns twice a week according to a suggested watering schedule based on the last digit of their home address,” the city said in a press release.

Residents with street addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 are asked to use outdoor irrigation on Mondays and Thursdays only. Residents with addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 are asked to use outoor irrigation on Tuesdays and Fridays only.

Commercial customers and homeowner associations are asked to water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. All residents and customers are asked to water between the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight.

The city is closely monitoring water production to determine if initiation of Stage 2 (Severe Water Distress Conditions) of the city’s Drought Contingency Plan is necessary. Stage 2 includes mandatory watering restrictions of twice per week.

Drought conditions in Sugar Land typically results in increased water consumption, primarily from landscape irrigation, according to the release. Collectively reducing the number of days people irrigate reduces demand at peak times to ensure there is no strain on the water system. Water conservation is a community effort, and community participation from all residents and customers is essential in reducing

the likelihood that the city will need to initiate Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions specified in the Drought Contingency Plan.

The city offers the following water conservation tips: Check sprinkler heads, valves and drip emitters monthly. Make sure heads are aimed correctly, and immediately repair broken heads. Hold off on hand-washing your car unless necessary.Use a broom to clear pavement. Do not wash or rinse. Run faucets only when using them. Install water-efficient fixtures.

For more information on the city’s voluntary irrigation schedule, visit www. sugarLandtx.gov/Drought

Fort Bend Junior Service League accepting grant applications

Staff Reports

The Fort Bend Junior Service League’s Beneficiary Review Committee is accepting Community Assistance Fund (CAF) applications for grants of $5,000.00 or less. This fund allows the League to make multiple small grants throughout the year to local Fort Bend County non-profit organizations.

The CAF is funded through FBJSL’s annual Sugar Plum Market, which will be held

November2-4, with a special Preview Night Celebration on Wednesday, November 1, at the Stafford Centre.

The Fort Bend Junior Service League is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and to improving the Fort Bend County community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

This year’s committee

members are co-chairs Alexis Geisler and Jennifer Semeyn, Monique Brown, Jennifer Bombach, Susan Chevalier, Vernique Francis, Becky Green, Warraine Jolivet, Melissa Smalling. Kelsea Weatherford serves as board liaison.

For more information on applying for a CAF grant, visit fbjsl.org/request-support. For more information about the Sugar Plum Market, visit sugarplummarket. com.

maximum deviation no greater than 10 percent between the most populated and least populated council member district.

City Council appointed the redistricting committee in June to make a recom -

mendation on a redistricting plan for City Council’s consideration. Members included Chair Harvey Zinn, Bob Barbour, Chris Barnett, Sue Chiang, Himesh Gandhi, Jim Levermann, Sohail Momin, Mary Von Tungeln, and Bridget Yeung.

The committee’s work was guided by outside legal counsel, state and federal

law and guidelines adopted by City Council. City Council earlier approved a resolution establishing a framework to guide redistricting plans and assist the city’s efforts to comply with all applicable federal and state laws.

To learn more about redistricting, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/redistricting.

Fort Bend libraries offer programs, classes for teens in September

Staff

Fort Bend County Libraries offers programs specifically designed for high school-aged teens entering grades 9 through 12. The programs provide fun and challenging opportunities for these young adults, who are also encouraged to become active participants in designing and orchestrating new activities for teens in the library system.

Teens can earn volunteer-service hours by participating in FBCL’s Young Adult Advisory Councils, where they can express ideas, help organize upcoming activities, and suggest new programs and books that would be of interest to teens at the library.

The September schedule of Young Adult Advisory Council meetings is as follows:

• Mission Bend Branch Library – Wednesday, September 6, 6 p.m., Conference Room.

• University Branch Library (Sugar Land) –Thursday, September 14, 4-5 p.m., Conference Room

1.

• George Memorial Library (Richmond) -Thursday, September 14, 5-6 p.m., Room 2C.

• Cinco Ranch Branch

Library (Katy) – Wednesday, September 20, 4-5 p.m., Conference Room.

• Missouri City Branch

Library -- Tuesday, September 26, 4-5 p.m., Conference Room.

• Sienna Branch

Library (Missouri City)–Thursday, September 28, 4-5 p.m..

In addition to the Young Adult Advisory Council meetings, Fort Bend County Libraries offers Young Adult (YA) book clubs and other programs for the teen community.

A full listing of these events, which are free and open to the public, can be found on the website. Some of the activities require registration. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib. tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

Fort Bend libraries offer online tutoring program for K-12 students

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Brainfuse Homework Tutoring program enables the library system to provide online homework assistance in a broad range of subjects in both English and Spanish for students in grades K through 12, free of charge.

This tutoring program is an Internet-based service that provides library patrons with live, ondemand homework help, seven days a week, from 2-11 p.m. Certified tutors are experienced in math, science, social studies, and English/language Arts. If live, real-time assistance is not needed, students may also submit questions any time of the day or night, and emailed responses will arrive within 24 hours.

Library users can learn more about the Brainfuse Homework Help service during one of several demonstrations that will take place throughout the library

system in September. Some of the demonstrations will focus on different features and applications of the service, but library staff will be able to answer questions about any feature that the service provides. The schedule is as follows:

· “Brainfuse: Adult Learning” – Thursday, September 7, 4 p.m., Mission Bend Branch Library (8421 Addicks Clodine Road) Registration required.

· “Brainfuse Homework Help for Students & Parents” – Monday, September 18, 2 p.m, Sugar Land Branch Library (550 Eldridge) Registration required.

· “Brainfuse HomeworkHelp Resources for Teens” – Thursday, September 21, 4 p.m., Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City).

· “Brainfuse Homework

Help for Students & Parents” – Monday, September 25, 2 p.m., First Colony

Branch Library (2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land)

· “Brainfuse Homework Help for Students & Parents” – Monday, September 25, 6 p.m., Albert George Branch Library (9230 Gene Street, Needville)

· “Brainfuse & Other Homework-Help Resources” – Tuesday, September 26, 10:15 am, University Branch Library (14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land) Registration required.

Students may access this resource from any computer – whether at home, school, or at the library – by going to the library’s website, www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, clicking on the “Research” tab on the main webpage, and then selecting “Homework & Tutoring.”

For more information, visit the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Fort Bend County library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

The city of Sugar Land has initiated the first stage of its drought contingency plan. Matthew Bowen via Wikipedia

The Fort Bend Junior Service League’s Beneficiary Review Committee is accepting Community Assistance Fund applications for grants from local nonprofits. Courtesy Fort Bend Junior Service League

Space Cowboys struggles continue with Tacoma series loss

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

As the final season enters its final month for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the local minor league continues to struggle to find its footing with the regular season winding down.

The second half struggles continued for the Space Cowboys last week as Sugar Land dropped four out of six games to the Tacoma Rainiers, the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate. It is the fifth consecutive series loss for the Space Cowboys, who have not won a series since late July. Sugar Land now sits at 19-38 in the second half of the season, and sport a 52-80 overall mark on the season.

Sugar Land was off Monday prior to beginning a six-game series at home at Constellation Field against the Oklahoma City Dodgers Tuesday through Thursday in the penultimate home series of the 2023 season.

Infielder David Hensley was the catalyst for the Space Cowboys’ offense in the series, going 6 for 15 with two home runs and six RBIs. The 27-year-old utility man also drew six walks and reached base in 12 of his 21 plate appearances sporting a 1.371 OPS in the series, and has come on of late in Sugar Land with a .343 average over his last 10 Triple-A games. Outfielder Corey Julks was also strong in the series, going 5 for 12 with a double while drawing two walks and posting a 1.000 OPS against Tacoma.

Also producing well against Tacoma was catcher Luke Berryhill in going 3 for 9 with

a home run and reaching base in seven of his 13 plate appearances, while shortstop Dixon Machado went 4 for 11 with two home runs and eight RBIs in the series while putting up a team-leading1.438 OPS and reaching base nine times in 17 plate appearances.

On the pitching side of things, the Space Cowboys

got five shutout innings from Brandon Bielak in a 4-2 loss on Sept. 1 as Bielak allowed just four hits and had four strikeouts. Colton Gordon picked up a win in Sugar Land’s 12-1 victory on Aug. 3 with four shutout innings in relief, striking out three while surrendering just one hit. Relievers Joe Record and Jimmy

Endersby combined to allow just one unearned run in 5.1 innings between them in the series, combining to strike out seven batters against just two walks. Parker Mushinski was also strong in relief, hurling two scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts.

Upcoming promotions

On the other side of Labor

Day this weekend, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Awareness

Night comes up on Thursday followed by the Space Cowboys Spooktacular and Colon

Cancer Awareness Night on

Friday

Sugar Land’s final regular-season series brings the final two games for the Dulces de Sugar Land for the

season on Sept. 21-22 with the 2023 Dulces game-worn jersey auction on Friday. It’s also a Space Cowboys Dia de los Muertos jersey giveaway on Sept. 22. Feel the love with an Astros Jeremy Peña Heart Hands bobblehead on Sept. 23 and Fan Appreciation Day on Sept. 24 with a special postgame softball game.

The struggles continued last week for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys and infielder Bligh Madris (pictured), as the Space Cowboys dropped their fifth consecutive series.

Photo from Twitter

HS Football Roundup: Hightower makes history in win over Westfield

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Hightower Hurricanes showed last year that they were not fazed by a jump back to 6A classification with a 10-3 overall mark and making it to the regional round of the playoffs. And they continued to show the same in this season’s early going last week with a win over a state-ranked opponent.

In a game that featured little in the way of offense, the Hurricanes took down Spring Westfield 14-9 to improve to 2-0 on the season – the first time Hightower has begun a season 2-0 since the 2015 campaign. It was also the Hurricanes’ first win in four tries over Westfield – which entered the game ranked 6th in the state in Class 6A by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football – including a 51-29 loss to the Mustangs in Week 2 last season.

Junior quarterback Kamal Henry accounted for both touchdowns in the game for Hightower, with a secondquarter touchdown pass to tight end Shane King along with a third-quarter rushing score. Daelon Ellis had two sacks while defensive back Ephraim Dotson had an interception to lead the Hurricanes’ defense, which held Westfield to the program’s lowest point total in a game since the 2020 season and has allowed just 29 points in two games this year.

The Hurricanes (2-0) are finished with their nondistrict slate and will begin 20-6A play with a showdown against Travis this weekend.

Elsewhere in Class 6A, the George Ranch Longhorns improved to 2-0 on the season with a 41-15 victory against Katy Taylor last week. The ground game led the way for the Longhorns, with Jaden Shelton rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns and Hayden Drinkard and Deion Drinkard each rushing for scores. Deion Drinkard also added a touchdown through the air, while Cade Marino had a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Travis’ defense led the way in a battle between area schools, as the Tigers took down Foster 42-20 last weekend to move to 2-0 on the season. The Tigers’ defense forced six turnovers in the game, highlighted by interception returns for scores in the first and third quarters. Quarterback Brett Garcia threw two touchdowns, while Nifemi Rufai and Ayodeju Akinrinmade each rushed for a touchdown. Austin Carlisle accounted for 371 total yards (328 passing, 43 rushing) and four total touchdowns for Ridge Point (0-2) in the Panthers’ 45-37 loss to Dickinson last week. Arkansas commit receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman

This week’s schedule

Thursday

Dulles vs. Austin, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium

Marshall vs. Alief Taylor, 7 p.m., Hall Stadium

Terry vs. Foster, 7 p.m., Traylor Stadium

Friday

Bush vs. Ridge Point, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium

hauled in eight catches for 138 yards in the game, while Mason Dossett had 77 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches.

Senior running back Camden Ross was strong for the Dulles Vikings despite their 50-7 loss against Cypress Woods last week, rushing for 115 yards and his first varsity touchdown on 13 carries. Linebacker TJ Shittu led Dulles’ defensive effort with nine tackles and a fumble recovery.

Class 5A

Freshman running back Landen Callis-Williams was the engine for the Randle Lions in their 31-0 victory over Fort Bend Christian Academy last week, rushing for 124

yards on 16 carries to pace the offense. Jace Norman and Sincere Timpson each rushed for a touchdown for the Lions (2-0), and quarterback Tyler Skrabanek threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

In a battle between local schools, Lamar Consolidated took down Terry 15-7 in a defensive battle to improve to 2-0 on the young season. Nathan Lowther had 137 rushing yards on 20 carries to pace the Mustangs’ offensive attack, while Marvin Farris racked up a teamleading eight tackles and a tackle for loss on defense.

Kevin Handy led the defensive effort for Terry (0-2) in the loss with six tackles and two pass breakups, and

Keelin Perry had five tackles of his own to go along with two pass deflections.

Luke Maxson had six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown for Kempner in the Cougars’ loss to Pasadena Memorial, which dropped Kempner to 0-2 on the season.

Foster (0-2) got an interception return for a score of their own from Avery Milligan and another interception from Uyi Uyinamemen in the loss against Travis, as well as a rushing touchdown apiece from both Kameron Moore and Deadric Hubbard.

Class 4A

Needville continued its hot start to the season last week, as the Blue Jays came from

Last week’s scores

George Ranch 41, Katy Taylor 15

Travis 42, Foster 20

Fulshear 57, Clements 21

Lamar Consolidated 15, Terry 7

Austin 31, Westbury 23

Needville 33, Livingston 28

behind to take down Livingston 33-28 and move to 2-0 on the young season. Junior running back Da’Shawn Burton led the offensive attack for Needville with 125 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, while quarterback Keilan Sweeny also had 83 yards and two scores on the ground. Alex Coffin had a team-leading 17 tackles and three tackles for loss along with a fumble recovery on defense, while Brady Dostal (12 tackles, sack) and Braydn Gilliam (8 tackles, interception) were also strong. Stafford dropped last week’s contest 38-0 against Bellville to fall to 1-1 on the season despite 10 tackles and a sack from Terrance Woods.

George Ranch vs. Clements, 7 p.m., Traylor Stadium

Hightower vs. Travis, 7 p.m., Hall Stadium

Stafford vs. Sealy, 7 p.m., Stafford High School

Kempner at Friendswood, 7 p.m., Friendswood High School

Randle at West Columbia, 7 p.m., Columbia High School

Needville at Hargrave, 7 p.m., Hargrave High School

Saturday

Fulshear vs. Magnolia, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium

Lamar Consolidated at Westbury, 6 p.m., Butler Stadium

Marshall 56, Crosby 7

Hightower 14, Westfield 9

Dickinson 45, Ridge Point 37

Magnolia West 49, Bush 6

Friendswood 49, Willowridge 6

Lake Creek 57, Elkins 6

Cy Woods 50, Dulles 7

Pasadena Memorial 72, Kempner 6

Bellville 38, Stafford 0

Members of the Hightower football team celebrate following its 14-9 win over Spring Westfield last week. Hightower took down the Mustangs, who came into the game ranked 6th in the state, for the first time in program history. Photo from Twitter

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

MY FRONT YARD – While out stealing my neighbors’ water I spot LeRoy Gomez from Mexico, walking his two pit bulls and a German shepherd. “Hi, LeRoy,” I say. “How’s it going?” He frowns. “Nyet goot. My colleague vrom our homeland, Chico Prigozhin, iz det.” I reply, “Sorry to hear that. Hey, I see you have some Concertina wire in your front yard.” LeRoy smiles. “Da, I got it from your Gret Abbot. Vell, doe sverdnya, or rather, adios.”

Odd. I go home and Google Chico Prigozhin just to see if anything comes up. The clos-

The lone czar state

est I get is Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner Group fighting in Ukraine. He was killed after the plane he was in suspiciously crashed in Russia. I guess he should have kept marching to Moscow. But my research leads me to “Russian assassinations,” and it seems Prigozhin’s death was only the latest in a long string of government-orchestrated murders, beginning with: “Leon Trotsky, ice hammer to the head, 1940.” Russian President Vladimir Putin is a traditionalist if nothing else. Oppose Vlad much less lead a coup and you are going to have an accident.

Two oligarchs who got on Putin’s wrong side, Igor Kudryakov and Anton Cherepennikov, died one after the other in under 48 hours, one of a “heart attack,” the other of “cancer” although no autopsies were performed on either. Then the chief prosecutor of the oligarchs, Andrey Fomin, was found dead in the Volga River, allegedly not from drowning. He was swimming when “he suddenly died.”

In the same month, Russian scientist Andrey Botikov was strangled to death with a belt in his apartment. Ravil

Maganov, head of Lukoil, Russia’s largest private oil company, criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He “fell from a window at Central Clinical Hospital. He died from injuries sustained.” So far at least 39 Russians including oligarchs and scientists have died in questionable circumstances.

The military is not immune from Putin’s wrath. Take Gen. Gennady Lopyrev. He served in Putin’s personal guard and must have not opened a door quickly enough or forgot to salute Putin. He was arrested in 2016 and recently died in jail of an unspecified illness. The invasion of Ukraine is not going as planned, and its casualties are not all at the front. Gen. Gennady Zhao recently died in Moscow aged 57 after a “long illness.” Huh? Until last summer the general briefly commanded Russia’s forces in Ukraine, but was pushed out “for failures during military operations.” He was replaced by Gen. Sergey Surovikin, but not for long. Surovikin who was allegedly an ally of mutineer Yevgeny Prigozhin, “was removed from military leadership” and is now reportedly is under house arrest. Update the general’s obit.

Boris Nemtsov, a vocal Kremlin critic who was a deputy prime minister in the late 1990s under President Boris Yeltsin, was shot dead in February 2015 as he walked with his girlfriend in central Moscow. Here’s one strange death.

Ivan Pechorin, head of Putin’s Arctic development, fell off a boat at full speed in icy waters and died. Opposition leader Alexey Navalny nearly died in August of 2020 after he was poisoned with a toxic chemical nerve agent. He was treated in Germany, returned to Russia and is now in a gulag.

President George W Bush said of Putin: “I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. I was able to get a sense of his soul.” Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates had a different reaction. “I had looked into Putin’s eyes and I saw a stone cold killer.” OK, we get the idea. You cross Putin and you get crossed out. Why should we care? Don’t dig through your neighbor’s garbage, because Putin’s hit men have a long reach. Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian agent turned Kremlin critic, was poisoned at a London hotel bar in 2006 by two Russian agents

who spiked his green tea with the highly radioactive polonium-210. Sergei Skripal, a former agent of Russia’s military intelligence branch, and his daughter, Yulia were safe in the English town of Salisbury -- they thought. In March 2018, Skripal and Yulia were found unconscious on a park bench. They had been poisoned by a Novichok nerve agent . Both spent several weeks in a hospital in critical condition. British police traced the poison to the Skripals’ house, mainly on the front door knob.

The story doesn’t end there. On 30 June 2018, Charlie Rowley was dumpster diving in bins in Salisbury, found a perfume bottle and gave it to his companion, Dawn Sturgess, who sprayed it on her wrist. Sturgess fell ill within 15 minutes and died on 8 July, but Rowley survived. British police believe two Russian assassins, who they identified, tossed the nerve agent in the bin after the poisoning where Rowley found it.

This brings us to Aleksandra Yuryevna Krylova and Mikhail Leonidovich Burchik, two top Kremlin agitators who came to Texas

REQUEST

in 2018 and, using phony names, PayPal, fake emails and other devious methods, got Texans to fight one another - demonstrate and counter demonstrate - to help elect Donald Trump. Texans were an easy target. The Kremlin even hatched opposition to an annual military exercise, Jade Helm 15. Now Trump is running for President again. We must wonder if Krylova, Burchik and others have been back to stir up trouble. Look for clues. They could foment a riot at the U.S. Capitol. Maybe they would try to get officials in Georgia to change the outcome of that state’s votes in the last presidential election. Could they have attempted to foist a phony slate of electors from several states in favor of Trump? Thank goodness nothing like that happened.

If Putin’s assassins could go after his enemies in Britain (and France, Austria, Germany, the Arctic Ocean, etc.) why not here? Which brings us back to my neighbor, LeRoy Gomez. Is he paranoid? No. Actually, I don’t think he’s Mexican at all. He’s probably Norwegian.

Ashby’s garbage bin is at ashby2@comast.net

Drymalla Construction Company, LLC (CM at Risk) is soliciting Qualifications/Proposals from Subcontractors/Suppliers for the Lamar Consolidated ISD Gene Tomas High School and Ella Banks Junior High - Bid

Hi there, my name is Donut!

I am an incredibly photogenic cat who adores flashing a smile whenever I spot a camera.

I also have a penchant for stretching my back quite often on people’s laps.

I am just the sweetest cat ever who is great with other cats and kids too. Feel free to drop by HHS to meet me and, who knows, perhaps even consider adopting me! ADOPT DONUT!

WATER DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATE

The FORT BEND COUNTY M.U.D. #47 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2023 on September 20, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. at 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 3450, Houston, TX 77019. Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.

Visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to your local property tax database on which you can easily access information regarding your property taxes, including information about proposed tax rates and scheduled public hearings of each entity that taxes your property.

FOR the proposal: Jerry Cogan, Lynette Salmon, Lauren Svatek, Jeff Ford and Joe Scranton

AGAINST the proposal: None

PRESENT and not voting: None

ABSENT: None

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

NOTICE OF

RIGHT TO ELECTION TO

If the district adopts a combined debt service, operation and maintenance, and contract tax rate that would result in the taxes on the average residence homestead increasing by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the voter-approval tax rate under Section 49.23603, Water Code.

The 86th Texas Legislature modified the manner in which the voter-approval tax rate is calculated to limit the rate of growth of property taxes in the state.

Leared Interests 713-932-9011

ONGOING

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS FOR A GIRL WHEN A NEW TROOP IS FORMED!

Girl Scout Sign-Up Days for GIRLS, gr K to 12 First Colony and surrounding areas: Telfair, Avalon, Riverstone, Commonwealth, Dulles Sat., Aug. 26, 10:30am, First Colony Library

Wed., Aug. 30, 6:30pm, St Laurence Catholic Church-Parish Hall

Wed., Sept 6, 6:30pm, Jacks Conference Center email us: gstroop.organizer@gmail.com

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC offers ESL classes on Tuesday nights 6-8:30 from August 22, 2023 through May 21, 2024. We are located at 12000 FM 1464 Richmond. 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

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 281-785-7372 for more information.

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES’ ONLINE BOOK CLUB

Online meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Free and open to the public. Registration is required; to register online www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” find the program on the date indicated. Participants may also register by calling George Memorial Library (281-342-4455).

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, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail.com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

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, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 YEAR

To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www.fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/. FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www.fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy. org

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

THURSDAY MORNING

BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN

Sugar Land Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and does a variety of studies throughout the year. The coffee and donuts are free so. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church office at 281-491-6041 or Charlie Jessup at 281-642-7702 for more information. All faiths welcome.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY

SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO

HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195

EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m.,

Review: The Roof offers opulent dining with a view

By Ken Fountain

Many years ago,I watched a segment of the “CBS Sunday Morning” show in which correspondent Mo Rocca discussed the differences between people who like to go for breakfast and people who like to go out for brunch. In a nutshell, Roccca made the case that breakfast people are most interested in fueling up for the day, without a lot of fuss and bother. Brunch people, on the other hand, are more into the social aspects of the outing, as well as a having penchant for more decadent food and libations than the standard bacon, eggs and coffee. (Interestingly, the piece was filmed partly in Houston.)

In full disclosure, I must admit that I’m more of a breakfast guy. Maybe it’s my natural introversion, maybe it’s my military background, but I’ve never been much for going to a restaurant in the middle of day to spend several hours.

But for this week’s review I decided to check out The Roof, a place I’d seen many times while travelling along Highway 6 and had been curious about. Perhaps the

most intriguing feature for me stems from its name, and rooftop restaurants are somewhat scarce in Fort Bend County (although that might be changing with recently announced developments.)

The Roof bills itself as a restaurant and lounge on the lake, and indeed, it’s third-floor vantage point offers spectacular views of the Lake Pointe area, with the Imperial Sugar building and Sugar Land Town Square in the distance. It’s a full-service restaurant, but I decided brunch was the way to go for my first visit.

The decor is very hip, with dark walls, draped windows, funky lighting, and large, plush booths. A doorway leads to an outdoor patio overlooking Brooks Lake. Soft R&B (both classic and modern) wafts from the sound system. I didn’t experience it firsthand, but I imagine it’s quite the groovy place in the late-night hours.

As for the menu: Just as I expected, the selections on both the brunch and dinner menu are indeed very decadent. It offers lots of seafood options, lamb, pasta, fried and grilled chicken, ribeye steak, and much more. If you’re on a

The Roof

Address: 1531 HWY 6, Suite 300 (3rd Floor)

Hours: 5-10 p.m.

Wednesday, Thursday; 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday, Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday

Kid-friendly: Yes

Alcohol: Yes

Senior discount: No

Healthy options: Well ....

Star of the show:

Shrimp, Grits & Crab

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

diet, or concerned about the state of your arteries, The Roof is probably not the place for you.

My dining companion opted for The Standard, probably the closest thing the place offers to a “regular” breakfast, with eggs, grits, bacon, and toast. I decided to go with

a more “brunch” option, and chose the Shrimp, Grits & Crab.

The room we were in seemed short-staffed, and it took a little while to place our order, although the staff were uniformly friendly But once our food arrived, both of us were very pleased. The

Expertise Matters When You Need BACK AND NECK CARE

Shrimp, Grits & Crab is presented in a large bowl, with generous helpings of boiled shrimp and crab meat surrounded by some of the best grits I’ve had in some time.

We left with our appetites more than satisfied. Although the place may be a bit opulent for a low-maintenance diner

like me, it’s well worth an occasional visit when you’re in the mood.

A word to the wise: The Roof recommends making reservations, and finding the entrance can be tricky. Look for the breezeway through the building and a doorway that leads to the elevator.

713-371-3740

Specialists Serving Fort Bend County and Surrounding Areas

If you suffer from back and neck pain, you have options when it comes to treatment. At Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, we offer comprehensive spine care ranging from nonsurgical and minimally invasive options to highly complex spine surgery. Whether you are experiencing everyday discomfort or severe pain from a significant condition or injury, our spine specialists provide advanced, personalized care — so you can get back to your active life.

We offer:

• A multidisciplinary team of board-certified doctors and specialists

• Personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs

• A dedicated care navigator who will connect you with the appropriate doctor for your condition

• Expedited appointments

• Advanced, state-of-the-art technology

To schedule an appointment, scan the visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl

713-371-3740

The Shrimp, Grits & Crab at Sugar Land’s The Roof more than satisfied our reviewer.

Photo by Ken Fountain