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Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Vol. 60 • No. 54
Santa stops in at some local businesses for some early holiday ideas.
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2011 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT: Clean, runs great, good on gas. Mileage 16,174. $14,000. 832-6774307, 713-862-6096.
GARAGE SALE: 1059 Althea Dr. Nov. 15. Microwave, baby/ adult clothes, toys, desk, chairs, and more.
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Flying Saucer offers slices of heaven for the holidays With the holiday season kicking into gear, the staff over at The Flying Saucer Pie Company will be hard at work, crafting their pies which have people lining up around the corner outside of the shop every year. Check out this week’s Food & Drink section to see what’s in store this season.
See P. 1B
THE INDEX. Church
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6B
Coupons
6A
Food/Drink/Art Obituaries
1B 5A
Opinion
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Public Information Puzzles Sports
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Mayor says money may hold back Shady Acres By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com
MYTIBURGER IS HIRING CASHIERS: Please apply at 2211 W. 43rd St.
LAMINATING AND REFURBISHING antique furniture and kitchen cabinets. 832-7854247.
Photo by Jonathan Garris Houston Mayor Annise Parker addressed numerous concerns of Shady Acres Civic Club members during the group’s monthly meeting Tuesday night.
Photo by Betsy Denson While the architecture program at Scarborough High School may have been ended by HISD, the district is looking to enhance students’ education in other ways by diverting funds to other vocational programs and initaitives. HISD’s PowerUp will provide every Scarborough student with a laptop.
Despite losing architecture program, Scarborough to offer new options
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com When Scarborough High School, under the direction of the Houston Independent School District, put an official end to its Architecture program two weeks ago, there were only three students in the school’s Principles of Architecture class. “It was here when I started,” said Scarborough High School’s Principal Dr. Diego Linares, who came on board in the summer of 2014. “There were not enough kids. Our population was not interested.” He said there was no loss of staff with the change. The elimination of the program, along with the science, technology, engineering and math magnet at Ross Elementary in northeast Houston and the Vanguard program at Long Academy on Bellaire Boulevard are part of HISD’s effort to direct funding and resources to those programs which
Photo by Betsy Denson Dr. Diego Linares has been the principal of Scarborough High School since July 2014.
most benefit students. While elimination in some cases might be due to a school not meeting academic standards, in Scarborough’s case it was that the program both failed to appeal to zoned students and also was unsuccessful drawing students in from outside the area. That’s a sharp contrast to Futures Academy Program which accounts for about 130 out of Scarborough’s 700 students, and a sizable
portion of the 20 percent of Scarborough students who come from outside the neighborhood. Scarborough’s Futures Academy allows participants to earn an associates degree in Network and Computer Administration. The program is a partnership with Houston Community College and allows 9-12 grade students at eight campuses to earn college credits and save money on college tuition. Students do have to maintain GPA and attendance standards to participate. “The students take classes in the summer to get it all in,” said Linares. “By the time you graduate, you have a degree in computer networking,” said Linares. “It’s a $20,000 to $25,000 value.” Scarborough student Yessenia Leija is participating in the program despite the fact she wants to be a nurse. “It’s free and I’ll be halfway done.”
New initiatives at Scarborough In the coming school year, Scarborough also plans to provide certifications in the construction industry, which Linares said will allow students to get a job after high school if they wish. Students who pursue these certifications will also get all their core curriculum instruction. Linares said the school plans to start with an HVAC certification, then welding and carpentry. Since Houston is in the middle of a construction boom, there will be no shortage of teachers. “Those industry professionals will be coming to the school.” Another program on the horizon will leverage a partnership with Walmart to offer an e-tail/retail program, giving students business training and business management experience. Lastly, the school will be See Scarborough P. 3A
Concerned residents of Shady Acres had a chance to voice some of their concerns and hear directly from Houston Mayor Annise Parker Tuesday night at the Shady Acres Civic Club’s monthly meeting. The group invited Parker out regarding specific concerns of local residents, including the condition of Little Thicket Park on West 23rd Street, the need for a local dog park, traffic concerns and other issues. In particular, many residents pointed out what they called the poor condition of Little Thicket Park and problems regarding the homeless and drugs in the area. Mayor Parker spoke about some of the challenges with monitoring and revamping the park. Currently the Parks and Recreation Dedication Fund has allocated $200,000 toward the park’s improvements, however for the kind of changes the Civic Club is hoping to see, like new play equipment, additional signage, better lighting and improved walking trails, may not be so easy. Such a project may potentially cost millions more. “There is a desire to have a Master Plan for the park but that would not be covered by that $200,000,” Parker said. Parker also said the city is aware the area is fit for a dog park. In an official response from the city, based on population in the area, which is over 50,000 and the city’s dog run and park standard, which is a ratio of 1 per 100,000 residents, the area shows a need for such a park in the future. The civic club recommended that a property at 1925 East T.C. Jester be considered for acquisition but, again, cost concerns might stymie this idea. “According to HCAD, that land was appraised at about $2.5 million,” Parker said. She explained that the owner would likely ask more than that sum for compensation should the city pursue acquisition and the city simply does not have sufficient funds to do so. Parker also gave an update regarding the Wright Bembry Park renovation, See Parker P. 2A
HPD: Area cat mutilations likely work of coyotes By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader An official visit by investigators with the Houston Police Department did little to calm residents at a Timbergrove Manor Civic Club meeting who continue to be concerned about cat mutilations in the area. Officials told members that the recent cat mutilations are likely the work of animal predation. “Of the 25 reported cat mutilation cases, we have documented photographic evidence of seven,” stated Sargent Gary Bender of HPD to the crowd. “Of these, we have recovered
the remains of two. One of the cats was sent to Texas A&M, and the other sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife, both for a forensic necropsy and analysis. “Of these two, we have the results in on one, and we are still waiting on the second. The one that has come back concluded that the cat was killed by a large dog or, more likely, a coyote. We have also shared photos with a number of experts and they all concur that the deaths are the result of animal predation, likely coyotes.” “I just don’t buy it,” Robert Delgado, concerned citizen and resident of Timbergrove Manor, said.
“I’ve lived here since 1998 and the cat mutilations just started. Why only in the last four years? Why now?” Delgado is referring to the 25 cat mutilations reported to the Houston Police Department by residents of Timbergrove Manor, Lazybrook and the Heights areas. The speakers on this night included three Houston Police Officers from the Animal Cruelty Squad. “The coyotes are living in the area’s green spaces,” Bender said. “We need the public to report anything, and we need you to treat any future killings as a crime scene. Do not touch See Mutilations P. 3A
Photo by Kim Hogstrom Jennifer Estinopal has been one of the Timbergrove Manor-area residents spearheading efforts to help solve the string of cat mutilations in her community. Despite a visit from HPD investigators who said the deaths were likely the result of animal predation, some still have their concerns.