Mosquitos Fleas Ticks
We make outside fun again!
Call Today For Free QuoTe
713-864-8888 www.mosquitojoe.com
Inside Today: We Love Houston sculpture to find new home? • Page 5A Exciting new
THE LEADER. Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
FALL Merchandise! Come see us
Flower & Gift Shop 10570 NW Frwy 713-680-2350
Saturday, October 10, 2015 • Vol. 60 • No. 49
About Us
This month, The Leader celebrates the stories of local women whose lives were forever changed by breast cancer.
3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd Suite A (713) 686-8494
Find it on 1B
news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/THE LEADER.
A Night To Remember
AREA SPECIALIST
Red Stag incident at Waltrip High leaves questions for local residents By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com While the Oak Forest community was saddened to learn that the Red Stag captured at Waltrip High School on Sunday had passed away early Monday morning, curiosity remained about where it came from and how the non-indigenous animal ended up in the parking lot of a city high school in Houston. What might be the most surprising to people is how common they are in the US now. You won’t see one at the Houston Zoo though – most red deer are raised by breeders for their meat or for sale to game ranchers. Red deer number in the thousands according to an estimate from Charly Seale, executive director with the Exotic Wildlife Association in Ingram, Texas. The EWA is not a zoo, but advocates politically for its members and also provides wildlife expertise. As part of its mission, EWA promotes “conservation through commerce.” Seale said the red deer aren’t imported much, if at all, because they are so prolific. “We don’t need to bring any in,” he said. “We’re into hundreds of genera-
Ê , < 832.419.9969
INSIDE.
Carr’s wild new ride Paul Carr is at it again when it comes to his automotive creations. The Heights resident had been approached by Field Elementary for a new truck for the school and it would appear Carr was more than happy to oblige. Find out about the school’s newest truck in this week’s edition.
See Animal, P. 3A
Oak Forest to revamp funds for area security
Find it on 3A
INSIDE.
Strength inside, outside the gym Candlelight Plaza resident Kelly Maxson spent a great deal of her time working out at CrossFit and the local YMCA, even when facing down breast cancer. Read about her story of staying positive with the help of her family in this month’s Our Health section.
Photos by Jonathan Garris and Betsy Denson Oct. 6 marked the annual National Night Out celebration across the nation, and Leader-area communities were more than happy to kick off yet another year of celebrations with members of the Houston Police Department, Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. (Clockwise from top) Precinct One Deputies spent their time at the Near Northwest Management District’s event at the YES! Prep parking lot near Inwood Estates interacting with families and passing out sticker badges to youngsters of all ages. Children also had a chance to interact with a variety of animals at a small petting zoo, featuring chickens, goats and even a donkey. Adam Bradell holds Tyler Svatek to give mom Stephanie Svatek a break while out and about at Shady Acres Civic Club’s celebration at Wright Bembry Park. Plenty of activities were availble for youngsters with a Fall twist. Nora and Rocky Wallker enjoyed the pumpkin patch as mom Jackie looked on. “This has been a fantastic opportunity to us, as much as it has ever been, for us to really get out and meet the people right here in our own backyard,” Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen said.
By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Leaders with the Oak Forest Homeowners Association made a push to raise awareness about the organization’s funding issues with its SEAL security program at a town hall meeting Oct. 1. Philip Simmons, president of Oak Forest Homeowners Association, said that although 80 percent of 200 responses to a security survey in 2014 indicated they wanted to keep SEAL, the security program suffered from several key issues last year. There was no dedicated fundraising campaign in 2014, the program decreased participation and there was an ineffective See Security, P. 2A
Find it on 6B
Find It.
GARDEN OAKS BAPTIST CHURCH PARKING LOT RUMMAGE SALE: 3206 N. Shepherd, Friday, Oct. 9, Saturday, Oct. 10, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Lots of bargains. SEMI-RETIRED HANDYMAN: Carpentry, paint, roof repairs, power washing. Don Ruthstrom, 713-754-0923.
The INDEX. Church
7A
Classifieds
7B
Coupons
5A
Food/Drink/Art Obituaries
7A 6A
Opinion
4A
Public Information Puzzles
2A 4A
North Shepherd police memorial to get new life By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com While it may not look like much from the road, the former Houston Police Department substation at 4719 North Shepherd Dr. has sentimental value for one retired local officer, particularly due to the memorial for a fallen officer he believes the city has let languish for years. Now, however, officials appear to be readying to give the memorial a second life. The old station had been used as an equipment repair facility for Harris County and was also used by the Parks and Recreation Department in the years following the closure and relocation of HPD operations, and even from the road the old gas pumps and other buildings can be seen standing in relative disrepair. Nestled in overgrown grass and weeds near North Shepherd Drive, and separated from the sidewalk by
a barbwire chain-link fence, is a solitary tree with a plaque commemorating the life of the late John Terrell Bamsch. David Freytag, former officer and Leaderarea resident, was familiar with Bamsch as he used to work out of the same station. “I feel like the city has kind of turned its back on it,” Freytag said. Bamsch was 27 when he was killed in the line of duty in 1975. A Waltrip High School graduate, Bamsch served two tours of duty with the United States Marine Corp in 1965 and was discharged in 1968. According to a memorial page. Bamsch was shot and killed while responding to a robbery at Yale and Norview. Two men were arrested and one was sentenced to life and prison. Freytag said Bamsch left behind a wife and young daughter, and said his widow was present for the original dedication of the See Memorial, P. 5A
Photo by Jonathan Garris David Freytag looks into the former Houston Police Department station on North Shepherd and tree first planted in honor of John Terrell Bamsch. Freytag, a former HPD officer himself, had been working with others to try to get the memorial moved from the site.
1816 Arlington St. | Houston Heights $1,295,000 3-4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 3,326 s.f. | 6,600 s.f. lot
Farmhouse Contemporary home on beautifully reinvigorated Arlington is both sustainable and modern. Schedule a Private Showing 713.862.1600