Fort Bend Independent 041217 by Fort Bend Independent

VOL 10 No. 15

email: editor@ independent.com

Phone: 281-980-6745 50 cents

www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

2017 Live Healthy Fort Bend County Wellness Challenge Winners

On Tuesday, April 4, The Exchange Club of Fort Bend dedicated “Awareness Fields,” in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each April, on the front lawn of the historic Courthouse in Richmond, and at the intersection of Highway 90-A and Present Street in Stafford, The Exchange Club of Fort Bend erects a field of white stakes clad with a blue ribbon. Each stake symbolizes an abused or neglected child who, during the preceding year, has received assistance from Child Advocates of Fort Bend. This year, 1442 stakes will stand in stark reminder that the fight to eradicate the abuse of children is ongoing, and that counsellors, therapists, teachers, doctors, nurses, police, prosecutors, and the whole community will stand united in this effort to protect our children, and to punish their abusers. At the field dedication, Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert presented a proclamation, and spokespersons from Child Advocates of Fort Bend and The Exchange Club of Fort Bend offered remarks. Seen above at the dedication ceremony, Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey, left, County Judge Bob Hebert, Kelly Orth, president, Exchange Club of Fort Bend, Mike Reichek, past president, Gulf Coast Louisiana Exchange District, Gina Huber, Exchange Club of Rosenberg, Ruthane Mefford, CAFB, Andy Dunham, Exchange Club of Fort Bend and County Clerk Laura Richard. A similar awareness field was dedicated on U.S. 90 and Present Street in Stafford on April 5.

Light of Hope

During Commissioners Court on March 28, 2017, Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert recognized the winners of the 2017 Live Healthy Fort Bend County Wellness Challenge. The 8-week challenge encouraged employees to get active and lose weight. Over 400 county employees participated and lost a combined total of 1,392 pounds while logging 1,199,258 minutes of physical activity! Winning teams in two categories, Total Weight Loss and Activity Time Logged, took home Fitbits. Team Mission

Slimpossible won the Weight Loss category with 102 pounds lost! The Activity Time Logged winning team was Team Good Fellas who logged 27,931 minutes! County Judge Bob Hebert said, “I commend the winners for their effort. The health beneﬁts for all participants in these friendly challenges far outweigh the recognition given the winners, but the competition makes it fun.” Pictured Left to Right: Fort Bend County Employees /Winning Team Members “Mission Slimpossible” and “Good Fellas”— Kelly Armstrong,

Wellness & Safety Specialist; Malon Pena, Le’Shae Haynes, Kristi Pesqueira (back), Betty Terry (back), Desiree Crane, Fort Bend County Commissioner Pct 1, Vincent Morales; Jordan Schlafer, Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert, Fort Bend County Commissioner Pct 2, Grady Prestage; Sandra Cardenas, Fort Bend County Commissioner Pct 3, Andy Meyers; Caroline Cardenas, Aaron Fellers, Mattie Sanford, Caleb Fellers, Fort Bend County Commissioner Pct 4 James Patterson; Wyatt Scott, Director of Risk Management.

FBISD students earn more than 640 regional and area medals in VASE 4S event

Child Advocates of Fort Bend and Exchange Club of Sugar Land have joined forces to blanket the County in blue this April for Child Abuse Prevention Month. On Friday, April 7 Child Advocates of Fort Bend kicked oﬀ April National Child Abuse Prevention Month with their annual Light of Hope Ceremony in Sugar Land Town Square Plaza with help from Exchange Club of Sugar Land and Friends of Child Advocates of Fort Bend. Child Advocates of Fort Bend Board President Jim Lockwood was the Emcee. Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman, read a proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sugar Land Exchange Club President Carlos Perez read the Story of the Blue Ribbon. Bikers Against Child Abuse, Terry High School National Honor Society and area Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts also participated in the ceremony which concluded by lighting City Hall in blue. A Giving Spirits concert featuring KDK Project followed the ceremony. Rear, Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman, Sugar Land Councilmember Mary Joyce, Jim Lockwood, Carlos Perez and Sugar land Coucnilmember Amy Mitchell.

Children’s Discovery Center

The 100,000th visitor to the Discovery center, Roshmy Vilangattusil, a Discovery Center member, who visited with her two young boys (and is expecting a girl) on the morning of April 7.

The Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center – A Very Special Project of the Children’s Museum of Houston has reached its 100,000th visitor. The lucky visitor was Roshmy Vilangattusil, a Discovery Center member, who visited with her two young boys (and is expecting a girl) on the morning of April 7. This huge milestone occurred less than a year of the Discovery Center’s grand opening. The Discovery Center has been named among the top ten best things to do in Sugar Land, Texas by Trip Advisor and will celebrate its first birthday bash at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, presented by Baird featuring special birthday themed activities for families to enjoy. Housed on the first floor of a 12,500 square foot repurposed historical building at Imperial Market (formerly known as Imperial Sugar and which is now being restored by Johnson Development), and with the mission to transform communities through innovative childcentered learning, five galleries are managed as platforms for learning for children up to 12-years.

A group of students from Kempner High School with their award-winning entries. Fort Bend ISD is proud to announce that District high school students who competed at the 2017 UIL regional and area VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) 4S events, earned 569 regional medals and 77 area medals. Sponsored by the Texas Art Education Association, VASE gives students an opportunity to submit artworks they created in their art classes to the regional event where they are interviewed by a certiﬁed juror. The juror evaluates their work based on originality of concept, technical expertise, understanding of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for visual arts, and the interpretation of their intended art work. Students who score well at the

regional event advance to the area event, and eventually to the state event. The FBISD students earning area medals received Superior ratings in their divisions and are among 101 award winners named from more than 1,760 students representing 12 school districts in the region. They will compete at the state VASE event on April 28-29 at North East ISD’s James Madison High School in San Antonio. Student artists at the following FBISD high schools earned regional and area medals •Austin – 13 Regional medals / 5 Area medals •Bush – 59 Regional medals /4 Area medals

•Clements – 190 Regional medals /34 Area medals •Dulles – 110 Regional medals / 17 Area medals •Elkins – 42 Regional medals / 2 Area medals •Hightower – 12 Regional medals •Kempner – 27 Regional medals / 3 Area medals • Marshall – 3 Regional medals •Ridge Point – 95 Regional medals / 11 Area medals •Travis – 18 Regional medals / 1 Area medal FBISD congratulates all of the student artists, and their teachers, on their success at the VASE event.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • APRIL 12, 2017

REAL ESTATE Harvest Green to Throw Earth Day Extravaganza April 22

PLANTATION at Quail Valley Active Senior Living; Embracing the lives of Seniors 55 and Better

2815 Cypress Point Dr, Missouri City, TX 77459 www. plantationqv.com

Phone: (281) 208-4470

It’s a party for the planet at Harvest Green as the farmcentric community throws an Earth Day Extravaganza with music, games and fun Saturday, April 22, from noon to 4 p.m. The event takes place at 3400 Harvest Corner Drive and is being held in conjunction with the grand opening of the Richmond community’s new amenity center, The Farmhouse. The expansive facility features a clubhouse, resort-style pool and patio, a ﬁtness center, a playground and splash pad, a lakeside amphitheater for concerts and performances and an event lawn. “The theme for this year’s national Earth Day celebration is environmental literacy,” said Shay Shaﬁe, general manager for Harvest Green. “By educating the public, we can empower future generations. Our farmers and farm educators do that on a daily basis at the Village Farm, so in a sense every day is Earth Day here. The Farmhouse will

be another place where we can hold classes and events — as well as being a great place for our residents to get ﬁt, have fun and relax.” The Earth Day Extravaganza will feature tours of The Farmhouse and the Village Farm, a farmers market, live performances by students from Travis High School, a petting zoo, animal adoptions, family-friendly activities and more. A disc jockey will help attendees rock out while they kayak on the lake, compete in the watermelon-eating contest and play lawn games. Food trucks will be on hand and admission is free. The Earth Day Extravaganza is just one of many public events Harvest Green holds throughout the year. In February, the community’s ﬁrst open-air food festival, Chef Fest, attracted more than 1,500 people. Upcoming events include a weekly farmers market, the La Tomatina Padre tomato festival in June and Harvest Fest in

November. The Earth Day Extravaganza also is one of the events on the Houston’s Largest Home Tour calendar. The tour, sponsored by Harvest Green developer Johnson Development Corp., encour-

ages the public to visit hundreds of homes, including 150 models in 14 Johnson communities throughout April. For more information, visit www.harvestgreentexas.com.

Sienna’s Sawmill Beneﬁtting Fort Bend Cares

This FREE event is big ‘bow wow’ fun for pooches and their people. Performance Dogs

Inﬂatables

Food Trucks

Pet Adoptions

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New homes from the $280s . siennaplantation.com/canine Darling . CalAtlantic . Chesmar . David Weekley . Gracepoint . Highland . Meritage . MI Homes . Newmark Perry . Shea . Taylor Morrison . Toll Brothers . Trendmaker . Westin

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INDEPENDENT • APRIL 12, 2017 • Page 3

NEWS 61-year-old Katy man convicted of DWI

Strafford to embark on major mobility projects By BARBARA FULENWIDER Major construction projects that have been on the city’s wish list for some years are about to start in Stafford. The first presented to city council at their April 5 meeting was the Staffordshire Road sidewalk project. The job attracted bids from 11 contractors and three were considered. The lowest bid was Division III Constructors’ at $375,258. It was followed by Mills Equipment’s base bid of $389,821 and Lucas Construction’s bid of $414,960. Alternate bids were Lucas at $440,860, Millis Equipment, $454,571 and Division III Constructors at $489,218. Even though Division III was the lowest bidder, Millis Equipment won the contract because, as Milton Rahman, the city’s public works director, told council, their references weren’t great. Rahman also told council he chose the second bidder because costs were based on similar projects. Stafford Attorney Art Pertile, with Olson and Olson, explained that “based on the references they (Division III) submitted on similar projects and the (reference) responses the city got, we could not recommend the lowest bidder to council.” Council Member Virginia Rosas said, “This brings us one step closer to being a walkable community with safe places to walk.” The second agenda item was letting a contract on the Kirkwood Road Project. Three contracts submitted were from Precise Services, which won with a base bid of $381,780 compared to Menade, Inc., at $405,760 and Jerdon Enterprise at $458,458. Even though Precise Services’ bid exceeded the city project’s budgeted amount of $375,000, Rahman explained the overrun would be $6,780 and requires a budget amendment. Construction is to start on the project this month. It includes pavement widening and signal modification for South Kirkwood Road at U.S. 59’s north bound frontage road. It will also install a new signal at South Kirkwood and Greenbriar Road. The addition will extend the existing left turn lane, which will be significant to drivers who can turn onto the freeway without blocking traffic. Mayor Leonard Scarcella reminded his audience that the two projects are both being collaborated with Fort Bend County mobility bonds. Rahman said, “What we’re paying here is going to be the contract price but we’ll get half of that amount from the county.” What will occur, Rahman said, the project is to start April 17 and be finished by the end of August. Installing the traffic signal may take longer because the city is having to wait for the equipment from the manufacturer. “We expect it to be done by the end of the year. We’ll be having construction meetings until it starts.” Next up was a longawaited agreement residents of Missouri City Estates have been waiting on for some time. Rahman said an agreement with the Athena Family Harwin, LP (Crown Mark/development) started the ball rolling to stop flooding in Missouri City Estates. Rahman said Crown Mark developers were talking with property owners who

showed interest in doing a joint project with Stafford. The upshot is Stafford will pay full market value of 50 percent of the easement and rights of way and the Athena Family Harwin, L.P. will pay 26.7 percent or approximately $70,000 of the engineering costs of the design. The family will also pay 39.85 percent of construction costs of the Faila Way Road Crossing and pipeline crossing for approximately $153,500. One hundred percent of the total actual cost for construction of the future detention basin that the developer needs has yet to be determined. Engineering costs that have been determined are expected to total $262,158 with Stafford’s contribution at $192,158. The Faila Way Road and pipeline crossing is put at $384,906 with the city paying $231,503. Rahman told council he thinks the property will need another culvert to handle all additional runoff “from the new development and our project. They agreed the city will pay full market value of 50 percent of the easement, which is some 200 feet in back of the property. If the price of the land is $400,000 we’ll only be paying half. “Also Crown Mark may join us in the bid if they decide they want to build the full detention pond. They haven’t made a decision yet on this. We have 40 percent of their land and Missouri City Estates has 60 percent to the channel. That’s how we divided up the costs,” Rahman said. The project is to begin in August and be completed in 2018. Councilman Cecil Willis said, “When Stafford built Staffordshire Road that same pipeline held up construction of that street for a significant amount of time. We have no legal right to go in their pipeline easement until they sign on the dotted line. Harris County is where the pipeline can get held up.” Scarcella said the solution “will be enhanced because of this agreement and be able to move forward.” Three residents of Missouri City Estates thanked council and one said while the flooding has been a continuing problem, “it didn’t seem like we were going to see light in the tunnel. Now we see a peek coming through and we’re excited. We’re looking forward to September.” Scarcella said the project is “specific, substantive and detailed and is now coming to fruition. There is a specific approach to this, which we’ve committed funds to and are paying but most importantly we’re moving the project forward.” The mayor said he had reservations about “putting all these parties together but we are here and it allows us to proceed and have an agreement that not only works for Missouri City Estates but also the property next to it.” Willis said, “Timing is everything and through the years we have not had the desire of our other three partners but things have changed in Harris County. We were very lucky, very fortunate and have very qualified people on our side. In the end timing was everything.” Council unanimously approved the three agenda items.

On April 6, 2017, a jury convicted Jeffrey Boyd Moore of Driving While Intoxicated after deliberating for only 30 minutes. The 61-year-old Katy man was charged with the crime in 2015 after he was discovered disoriented in his wrecked car. According to Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson, Moore drove away from Southland Bar in Old Katy in the early morning of October 10, 2015. The defendant made it about six blocks before blacking out behind the wheel, jumping a curb, and driving onto a median before striking a tree. Moore sat there until Katy Police Officer T. Krauss discovered him and helped him out of the vehicle. Officer Krauss recognized the odor of alcohol on Moore, but the defendant refused to let

48 hours of community service. Moore must also attend and complete a DWI Education Class and Victim Impact Panel.

the officer evaluate his ability to drive safely. Moore also refused to provide a breath or blood sample. “Mr. Moore was lucky that he wasn’t seriously injured nor were any other motorists,” said lead prosecutor Charann Thompson. “The evidence in this case was compelling despite the defendant’s refusals to perform the tests or provide a specimen, because trees just don’t come out of nowhere!” Moore was tried in County Court at Law No. 2 before Presiding Judge Jeffrey A. McMeans. Driving While Intoxicated in this case is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail. In agreement with both the defendant and the State, the Court imposed a 12-month probation, a $500 fine, and

Assistant District Attorneys Charann Thompson and Michael Hanson prosecuted the case. Attorney Carole Riggs represented the defendant.

Violent Criminals Beat Clerk, Steal Money Sugar Land police are looking for two gunmen who pistolwhipped a clerk during a robbery at a Shell station, 1484 State Highway 6, on April 6. The men entered the store just before 1:14 a.m., walked to the restroom, then approached the cashier to purchase cigarettes. The men pulled handguns, struck the cashier in the head with pistols and demanded cash from the register and safe. The men yelled at the clerk during the beating, asking him if he wanted to die. The clerk was then thrown to the ﬂoor, where he was kicked and pistol-whipped. The men took money from the register and ran from the store. The clerk was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening head injuries. The suspects were young black men wearing black jackets with hoods, black pants, black shoes and black/grey baseball hats. One of the hats had a U.S. ﬂag on the left side. Anyone with information should call the Sugar Land Police Department at (281) 275-2953 or Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at (281) 342-TIPS (8477).

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF TEXAS

BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER OF SALE

§ § §

FORT BEND COUNTY

and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on March 22, 2017, seized, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in May, 2017, the same being the 2nd day of said month, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Fort Bend and the State of Texas, to-wit: Sale #

Cause # Judgment Date

Acct # Order Issue Date

Style of Case

Legal Description

Adjudged Value

Estimated Minimum Bid

14-DCV218625 01/06/17

345003001010090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. PETE RIZZUTO, AKA PETERE 7 MARCH 16, 2017 RIZZUTO, ET AL

LOT 1, BLK 1, GATEWAY ACRES, SEC 3,VOL 5, PG 1*

$20,450.00

$5,100.00

14-DCV218625 01/06/17

345003001030090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. PETE RIZZUTO, AKA PETERE 7 MARCH 16, 2017 RIZZUTO, ET AL

LOT 3, BLK 1, GATEWAY ACRES, SEC 3, VOL 5, PG 1*

$15,310.00

$4,200.00

14-DCV218625 01/06/17

345003001040090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. PETE RIZZUTO, AKA PETERE 7 MARCH 16, 2017 RIZZUTO, ET AL

LOT 4, BLK 1, GATEWAY ACRES, SEC 3, VOL 5, PG 1*

$52,930.00

$7,700.00

15-DCV225910 02/08/17

003900000046090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 1 CHARLES MILLER, ET AL MARCH 16, 2017

UNDIVIDED 53% INT, MORE OR LESS, IN & TO, 46.083 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, HENERY JONES SURV, ABST 39, VOL 642, PG 79*

$35,840.00

$5,700.00

15-DCV227944 01/06/17

315000025200090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. JOHNNIE L. GOODSON, ET AL 7 MARCH 16, 2017

LTS 20, 21 & 22, BLK 25, FRESNO, VOL 2, PG 5*

$23,670.00

$16,400.00

16-DCV231794 02/07/17

005701220004090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 10.00 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, ARNOLD J TOSCANO, AKA 8 OUT OF LT 25, KENDALL SUBD, MARCH 16, 2017 ARNOLD J TOSCANO, JR., ET AL VOL 11, PG 423 & CLERK'S FILE NO 2004145688*

$110,650.00

$8,400.00

16-DCV233363 12/21/16

460000612600090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. DORIS 243.075 FT BY 66.00 FT, OUT OF HENDERSON, AKA DORIS B 7 LOT 612, MAGNOLIA PLACE, VOL 2, PG P & CLERK'S FILE NO MARCH 16, 2017 HENDERSON AKA DORIS HENDERSON LEWIS 83036058*

$54,080.00

$5,300.00

RECENT CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY TAX CODE NOW REQUIRE PURCHASERS OF TAX SALE PROPERTY TO HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR CERTIFYING THAT THE PERSON/FIRM/COMPANY PURCHASING PROPERTY AT A TAX SALE OWES NO DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES TO ANY TAXING ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A TAX SALE DEED TO ANY PROPERTY YOU PURCHASE WITHOUT THIS CERTIFICATE. TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SALE. Dated at Richmond, Texas, March 22, 2017 Constable Mike Beard Fort Bend County, Texas By Deputy Notes: The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value. However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP., attorney for plaintiffs, at (713) 844-3576

Page 4 â&#x20AC;˘ INDEPENDENT â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL 12, 2017

WHEN MY DADDY WENT TO WAR... MIKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MONOLOGUE

World War IIâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true, war is hell By CAROLYN BOWDEN The following comments are written to show how fortunate my Daddy was to have had the opportunity to transfer from the FRONT line of ďŹ ghting to a position with the Military Police Headquarters in Naples, Italy. He eventually became the Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer of all the Military Police in Naples as well as the Italian Police. Instead of living â&#x20AC;&#x153;on the moveâ&#x20AC;? and in fox holes, eating rations, he lived in the ďŹ nest hotel in Naples, eating at an oďŹ&#x192;cerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mess. He met and was entertained by the wealthy Italian citizens. His work was interesting and he was ďŹ&#x201A;attered to be promoted quickly to a position of high importance in the military and in Naples. Yet, in the V-Mails he was careful to not share anything that would cause my mother additional worry. He wrote about every day activities inside the City that had nothing to do with the War. In each letter he spoke of love for our family and his yearning to return home. Always he wrote of conďŹ dence that the Americans would win the War. When you read about the HORRORS of this War you

Bowden wonder how the soldiers could continue over and over to face each day, knowing it would probably be the same as yesterday or worse, they could die. At that time in America, parents taught their children, as they had been taught by their parents, personal discipline, respect for authority, devotion to duty, a faith in God. Most of all they believed their country, in spite of its faults, was a Great land. Therefore, their main objectives were to survive, to go home and to once again have a â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? lifestyle. But there was MORE! They were genuinely patriotic and openly expressed love for their coun-

try. They signed up to serve, sacriďŹ ce, and ďŹ ght. Many died, so that, Back home, their families and friends could remain FREE with all the rights that come with freedom. The soldiers quickly found out that their daily life would be KILL or BE KILLED. I have no idea if my Daddy had to kill a man, face-to-face, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to know. I do know that he saw many men die. Some were the ones who fought under his command when he was on the FRONT. Soldiers are trained to not â&#x20AC;&#x153;thinkâ&#x20AC;?, just react. They would kill an enemy soldier without a thought and move on, already alert, to what lay around the next turn. Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 soldiers walked past fallen American soldiers who had gone before them seeing parts of their bodies scattered about. Like a left hand, cut oďŹ&#x20AC; at the wrist, and on the ring ďŹ nger, a wedding band. Bodies were picked up and they had to become calloused when heads were blown oďŹ&#x20AC; and the brains would come out on their hands and their clothes and they had to smell the blood until it dried or they could â&#x20AC;&#x153;change clothesâ&#x20AC;?. They tried to become impersonal to it all, but, the thought remains, this is not normal and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not right. The ones who did best are those who followed orders, without questioning, and just stayed focused on what they were supposed to be doing. Boys went to war and came home men, never to be the same again. NEXT COLUMN: Mystery of Unexploded Shells

The killer turtle

Almost anyone who has had children can tell you their comings and going, their doings and un-doings, can be full of surprises. Sometimes the surprises can make your chest swell with pride; sometimes they can bring tears to your eyes; and other times, sometimes they just sort of make you shake your head. My eldest son, Joe, called out one afternoon, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey Dad, you better come and look! Mark found an animal.â&#x20AC;? All three of my children loved animals, so it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a shock to hear that, but, as I walked toward the front of the house, I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but ponder the meaning of â&#x20AC;&#x153;found.â&#x20AC;? It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t unusual for one or another of them to come home with an animal. Mark had freed a ferret from a bush once, and brought it home. We kept it as a pet. Cathy has made our driveway and yard a home for ducklings. Mark was on his bicycle near the open garage door, with Joe and Cathy standing nearby. Diane, my then wife came along to join us in about a minute. Mark was the center of attention, and deservedly so. He sat on his bike, and cradled in arms, was a muddycolored turtle of some size; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d estimate the shell was a foot wide, and a little more than that long, and the shell was ďŹ&#x201A;attened, not humped up, as an alligator snapping turtleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s would be. The animal had a long neck, and a snorkel-like nose. We found a green ďŹ ve-gallon bucket, put some water in it, and then put the turtle in it, ďŹ guring that would keep it safe and relatively happy for a while. I asked him where he found it, and he said it was crossing the street, I said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come on, guys, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go ďŹ nd out what this is,â&#x20AC;? and we headed inside to the Encyclope-

Granto dia Britannica. This was before the internet, of course; now, any seven year-old could ďŹ nd out more than we did, and in less time. After a bit, we found the encyclopedia entry. It seems Mark had found a Florida Softshell Turtle, or Apalone Ferox, as Carl Linnaeus might have called him. We found out its range, which is from south Florida to southern Georgia and Alabama. We found out its habitat, which is lakes and streams and marshes. The turtle was probably trying to get back to the lake that was across the street from our house. We found out what it eats, which is snails, and ďŹ sh, and such other creatures as it ďŹ nds in the water, including ducks and even small herons. We found out it has a long neck and snorkel nose so it could sit on the bottom, and stick its neck up to the surface to breathe when it needed to. We found out that the people who catch turtles said its behavior when caught was either quite docile, or very aggressive. I read further, and found that when attacking larger prey, it administered ďŹ ve or six sharp, vicious bites in succession. So, not really wanting to hear the answer, I asked Mark how he carried the turtle home. He made a sort of cradle with his left arm. I asked him where

the turtleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head was during the journey home. He pointed vaguely towards his jaw. Then I read him about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;ŚďŹ ve or six sharp, vicious bites.â&#x20AC;? I said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mark, those jaws that inďŹ&#x201A;ict ďŹ ve or six sharp, vicious bites were mere inches from your jugular vein and your carotid artery! If that turtle had done that, you could have ended up bleeding out on the street! Tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Miami Heraldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headline could have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;LOCAL BOY SLAIN BY FIVE OR SIX SHARP, VICIOUS BITES OF KILLER TURTLE.â&#x20AC;? His smiled seemed to say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ha! But it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get me!â&#x20AC;? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure this went down in his internal book as one more proof of his invincibility. I have no idea where my next comment came from, but I said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mark, your grandfather would never have forgiven me!â&#x20AC;? For some reason, everybody thought that was funny. I further said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Okay, guys, take it to the lake, and put it in; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably where it lives. And for heavenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t touch it! Just heave-ho the bucket, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure gravity will do itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job.â&#x20AC;? I started fulminating in the usual fatherly way about â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t they realizeâ&#x20AC;Ś?â&#x20AC;? My wife quietly reminded me I may have had similar incidents in my boyhood. (I did.) Karma does make sure that things have a way of coming back to you. (Granto is a United States Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, awarded the Purple Heart. For over 24 years, he worked for the University of Miami Medical Campus Security Department, and retired in 2014. He moved to Missouri City, with his wife to be closer to her daughter.)

May 6, 2017 FBISD election day voting places

City of Missouri City NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING LOCATION/DATE: The City Council of the City of Missouri City will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 1, 2017, at the City Council Chambers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2nd Floor, City Hall Building, 1522 Texas Parkway (FM-2234), Missouri City, Texas at 7:00 p.m. PURPOSE: To receive comments for or against a request by Stan Winter, Jones | Carter on behalf of Fort Bend W.C. & I.D. No. 2 for a SUP, Specific Use Permit to allow for the location of a public groundwater plant (development utilities); and to the extent such rezoning deviates from the Future Land Use and Character map of the Comprehensive Plan, to provide for an amendment therefrom. SITE LOCATION: The subject site is located along Scanlin Road, north of the Quail Green West and Hunters Green residential subdivisions; south and east of the City of Stafford/Missouri City, city limits; and west of the Parkway Trails residential subdivision. SITE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: The subject site can be described as being an approximate 5.282 acre tract of land situated in the B.B.B. and C. Railroad Company Survey Section 9, A-118 in Fort Bend County, Texas, being out of a called 17.071 acre tract of land conveyed to Stafford Municipal School District by Special Warranty Deed recorded in Clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s File No. 2000071641 of the Fort Bend County Official Public Records of Real Property.

ST W

Parkway Trails

TIS

UR EN

ES TW

O O

C UR

XI NG

35 19 39 19

0 123

S CA

NLIN

AS OM TH

2 12

43 47 19 51 19 5 195

Subject Site

11 11 14 1 11 8 11 22 26 11 3 0 11 34 11 12 38 0 12 2 12 0 6 12 1 0 1 12 4 12 18 22

11 06 11 10

SK IP W O O D

1102

8 19 9 82 19 07 19 19 35 7 02 19 22 18 19 11 18 19 19 39 2 31 19 26 19 15 18 43 19 06 26 19 30 19 19 19 10 19 18 34 2 1 1 03 30 3 19 93 4 19 19 19 51 27 8 1 1 1 9 55 8 19 93 19 07 19 19 19 42 2 1 1 1 2 19 9 02 59 19 1 19 46 19 19 35 19 26 50 19 15 19 06 19 19 39 19 30 19 19 54 19 10 19 43 19 34 1 19 19 23 47 19 4 27 19 19 38 18 19 03 1 1 51 9 92 0 19 19 42 19 31 19 7 19 2 55 19 46 19 35 19 11 19 26 50 1 3 19 5 9 19 19 19 30 54 19 19 19 43 19 34 19 47 19 23 19 38 51 42 19 27 19 31 55

BC RE

19 54

19 58

19 66

City of Stafford

19 62

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Additional information and a map of the subject site are available for review at City Hall, Missouri City, Texas on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call 281-403-8600 or email the Development Services Department-Planning Division at planning@missouricitytx.gov for further information.

TA Y

City of Stafford

2202

1802 5

18 0

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70 2

19 30 28

19 11

18 0

2 18 0

18 04

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36 19 38 19

19 15

19 0

1947

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1 4 93 2

1938

1 Hunters Green

1965

1943

19 27

19 23

0 18

19 31

9 11 18

5 193

600

300 1 inch = 300 feet

150

0 18

1939

M EL

Feet 900

18 0

1812

RIPPLE 1707 CREEK

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

12551 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

www.fbindependent.com 281-980-6745

Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 12551, Emily Court, Texas 77478. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

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INDEPENDENT • APRIL 12, 2017 • Page 5

NEWS FBISD to issue “green bonds” for environmentally-friendly new schools

Donald Leonetti Elementary School in Sienna Plantation a total of $99 million taxexempt bonds in April 2017, and approximately $52 million of the bonds will be designated as Green Bonds, part of a $484 million bond package approved by the District’s voters in 2014. The bond issue will be senior managed by

The Fort Bend Independent School District will make history by becoming the ﬁrst in Texas to issue Green Bonds, which will ﬁnance the environmentally-sustainable construction of three new elementary schools. The district plans to issue

Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co., LLC (SCSCO) the nation’s top minority- and woman-owned municipal finance firm, with offices throughout the nation, including three in Texas. Proceeds from the sale of the Green Bonds will finance the construction of Donald Leonetti Elementary School in the Sienna Plantation subdivision, James C. Neill Elementary in the Harvest Green subdivision, and James Patterson Elementary in Grand Vista, all in Fort Bend County, one of Texas’ fastest growing areas, located about 20 miles southwest of Houston. Following the approval of the 2014 Bond Program, the FBISD Board of Trustees adopted its Elementary School Education Specifications,

James C. Neill Elementary in Harvest Green which state that the District’s future elementary schools should be designed to LEED/ high-performance standards and obtain LEED certiﬁcation. The three new elementary schools opening for the 2017-

NOTICE OF ELECTION (Orden de Elección) An election is ordered to be held on May 6, 2017 for voting in the Fort Bend Independent School District Trustee Election to elect one person for each position to serve the full terms of positions 1, 4 and 5. (Se ordena una elección que sera el día 6 de mayo 2017 para votar en la elección regente del distrito escolar independiente de Fort Bend para elegir una persona para que sirva los términos completos de las posiciónes uno (1), cuatro (4) y cinco (5). Early Voting by Personal Appearance will be conducted as follows (La votación adelantada, solamente en persona, se llevará a cabo de tal manera): Main Early Voting Site (Locación Primaria): Fort Bend ISD Administration Building, Lobby 16431 Lexington Boulevard Sugar Land, Texas 77479 And such other early voting polling places as may be designated or amended by the early voting clerk pursuant to Section 271.006 of the Texas Election Code, which may include, but are not limited to, the following: Branch Early Voting Sites (El lugar de la votaciόn adelantada será): Monday-Friday April 24-28, 2017 (Lunes-Viernes) (Abril 24-28, 2017)

Saturday April 29 (Sábado) (Abril 29, 2017)

Sunday April 30 (Domingo) (Abril 30, 2017)

Irene Stern Community Center 6920 Fulshear-Katy Road, Fulshear, TX Missouri City Old Municipal Court 1522 Texas Pkwy, Missouri City, TX Fort Bend County Road & Bridge 3743 School Street, Needville, TX Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX Richmond Water Maintenance Facility 110 N. 8th St., Richmond, TX

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

First Colony Conference Center 3232 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX Hightower High School 3333 Hurricane Lane, Missouri City, TX Four Corners Community Center 15700 Old Richmond Rd, Sugar Land, TX Sugar Land Branch Library 550 Eldridge, Sugar Land, TX James Bowie Middle School 700 Plantation Dr, Richmond, TX Randall’s 5800 New Territory Blvd., Sugar Land, TX

8:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

Sienna Branch Library 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City, TX Sugar Land City Hall 700 Town Center Blvd, Sugar Land, TX Chasewood Clubhouse 7622 Chasewood Drive, Missouri City, TX

10:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.

Fort Bend ISD Admin. Bldg. 16431 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, TX

8:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.

Stafford City Hall 2610 Main St., Stafford, TX

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.

CLOSED (Cerrado)

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Kendleton Church of God 619 FM 2919, Kendleton, TX

MondayTuesday May1 - 2 (Lunes-Martes) (Mayo 1-2,2017)

7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.

Applications to vote by mail should be mailed to (Las aplicaciones para votar por correo deberán enviarse a): John Oldham Fort Bend County Elections Administrator 301 Jackson St. Richmond, TX 77469 Email: vote@fortbendcounty.tx.gov The last day to receive an application for a ballot to be voted by mail is at the close of business on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 (El último día para recibir una aplicación para su papeleta de voto por correo sera al final de labores el martes 25 de abril 2017). The deadline for receiving early voting ballots by mail is Saturday, May 6, 2017 no later than 7:00 P.M. (La fecha límite para recibir por correo su papeleta de votación por adelantado será el sabado, 6 de mayo 2017 a las 7:00 PM).

18 school year will include green features such as building materials with higher levels of recycled content, energy efficient HVAC equipment, and heat reducing features such as light-colored building materials and green space. They will open at the start of the 2017-2018 school year. “Texas’ population is booming and we need to build new, state-of-the-art schools to continue to provide the highest quality education for our children,” said Keith Richard, Managing Director and head of the Texas Region for SCSCO. “As municipalities plan ahead, it must be done in a way that helps protect and preserve our environment for future generations who will benefit from these new schools. With Earth Day coming up, what better time to reflect and act on our commitment to leave a greener, healthier world for our children.” “As construction of our three schools continues, Fort Bend ISD is excited to issue green bonds and seek new financing opportunities by expanding our investor base as part of our strong commitment to fiscal responsibility,” said FBISD Chief Financial Officer Steve Bassett. FirstSouthwest, a division of Hilltop Securities Inc. will

serve as the financial advisor and Bracewell LLP will serve as the bond counsel to the District. Greenberg Traurig, LLP will serve as underwriters’ counsel. Green Bonds are a new and growing sector of the national municipal bond market, allowing public entities to finance capital construction in a way that supports environmentally responsible investment. The District will be the first school district in the state to take advantage of this unique financing opportunity, joining the University of Texas and other institutions of higher learning in recent years, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Indiana University, all of whom have issued Green Bonds to finance LEED certified buildings. “Our new schools include state-of-the-art energy-saving features that will help us save on operating costs,” said FBISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Dupre. “Issuing these green bonds demonstrates our conservative approach to managing our building program.” The District currently enrolls 74,500 students on 75 campuses and is expected to increase to 85,000 students by 2026.

James Patterson Elementary in Grand Vista

Bird watching

With the diverse ecological systems that are represented in Texas, the state has become known for the unparalleled bird-watching opportunities that can be found in the diﬀerent regions. Because birding is easy for all ages to enjoy, it is a popular family activity that can lead to a lifelong hobby. Fort Bend County Libraries will present a special program, “The Basics of Bird-Watching,” on Wednesday, May 3, beginning at 10:30 a.m, in Meeting Room 2 of the University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus. Marianne Feeney, a volunteer at Brazos Bend State Park and Houston Audubon, will talk about the wide variety of birds that can be found in the Gulf Coast area, and how to identify and classify them by their markings, behaviors, and habitats. She will also talk about how to choose an appropriate pair of binoculars. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the University Branch Library at 281-633-5100 or the library system’s Public Information Oﬃce at 281-633-4734

INDEPENDENT •APRIL 12, 2017 • Page 6

News

HCC’s Dr. Ritu Raju Named American Council on Education Fellow The American Council on Education (ACE) named Dr. Ritu Raju, Division Chair, Speech, Communication, and Sign Language at Houston Community College (HCC) an ACE Fellow for the 2017-18 academic year. The ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration. Fortysix Fellows, nominated by the senior administration of their institutions, were selected this year following a rigorous application process. Nearly 1,900 higher education leaders have participated in the ACE Fellows Program since 1965, with more than 80 percent of Fellows having gone on to serve as senior leaders of colleges and universities. The 2017-2018 class will kick oﬀ its work this fall as ACE prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2018. “Fulfilling higher education’s 21st century mission depends upon a visionary, bold and diverse global community NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION (AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ESPECIAL)

To the registered voters of the County of Fort Bend, Texas: (A los votantes registrados del Condado de Fort Bend, Texas:) Notice is hereby given that the polling place listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., May 6, 2017 for voting in a special election to adopt or reject the creation of the proposed County Assistance District No. 9 and the imposition of a sales and use tax at the rate of one percent for the purpose of financing the operations of the district, as ordered by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court on February 14, 2017 (Aviso por este medio es dado que el lugar de votación a continuación será abierto de 7:00 a 19:00, 06 de mayo de mayo de 2017 para votar en una elección especial para adoptar o rechazar la creación del Condado propuesto asistencia distrito no. 9 y la imposición de ventas y usar impuestos a razón de uno por ciento para financiar las operaciones del distrito, según lo ordenado por la corte de Comisionados del Condado de Fort Bend en 14 de febrero de 2017.)

County Assistance District No. 9 (Asistencia Distrito No. 9 del Condado de Fort Bend) LOCATIONS OF POLLING PLACE: (DIRECCION(ES) DE LA CASILLA ELECTORALES) PRECINCT All

3083

POLLING PLACE

ADDRESS

CITY

Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex

4520 Reading Road

Rosenberg

ZIP 77471

Monday-Friday April 24-28, 2017 (Lunes-Viernes) (Abril 24-28, 2017)

Saturday April 29 (Sábado) (Abril 29, 2017)

Sunday April 30 (Domingo) (Abril 30, 2017)

Monday-Tuesday May1 - 2 (Lunes-Martes) (Mayo 1-2,2017)

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

Applications for ballot by mail should be mailed to: (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán adelantado por correo deberán enviarse a:) John Oldham Fort Bend County Elections Administrator 4520 Reading Road Rosenberg, Texas 77471-2133 Phone 281-341-8670

Signed applications may also be delivered by fax to 281-341-4418, or by email attachment.to vote@fortbendcountytx.gov. (Las solicitudes firmadas también pueden ser entregadas por fax al 281-341-4418, o por correo electrónico attachment.to vote@fortbendcountytx.gov.)

Issued this the 14th day of February 2017. (Emitada este día 14 de Septiembre, 2017.) __________________________________ Robert E. Hebert, County Judge (Firma del Juez del Condado)

Raju of institutional leaders, and the ACE Fellows Program plays a key role in cultivating these leaders,” said ACE President Molly Corbett Broad. In addition to her faculty role, Raju is the treasurer of the Faculty Senate. She holds a Ph.D. in Technical Communication and Rhetoric from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in English from Sam Houston State University. Raju has over 15 years of experience in teaching, as well as in developing and implementing academic programs. She CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain WRIT OF EXECUTION issued by the clerk of the County Court at Law 1 of Fort Bend County, Texas on March 6, 2017 in cause numbered 08-CCV-035961 styled UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS vs. LINDA W. SCOTT, in which a judgment was rendered on NOV 7, 2008 in favor of UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS for the sum of Twenty Four Thousand One Five Hundred Fifty One Dollars and Twenty Two Cents ($24151.22); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on April 4, 2017 and will on May 2, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of Linda W. Scott to and in the following described Real Property LOT TWENTY-FIVE(25),IN BLOCK 1, OF CREEKSHIRE,SECTION ONE(1) AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN in volume 34, page 4 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, commonly known as 3538 MEADOW CREST LN,SUGAR LAND, TX 77478 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MAY 2, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 268TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on MAR 2, 2017 in cause numbered 16-DCV-230721 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. JULIO CARLOS MARRON AND MARIA ROCIO MARRON, in which a judgment was rendered on AUGUST 12, 2016 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Eleven Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Seven Dollars and Five Cents ($11837.05); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on Mar16, 2017 and will on May 2, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of JULIO CARLOS MARRON AND MARIA ROCIO MARRON to and in the following described Real Property LOT 19, IN BLOCK 1 OF COLONY OAKS SECTION ONE, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO(S). 1009/A AND 1009/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 3314 CREEKSTONE DR. SUGAR LAND, TX 77479(PROPERTY) The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MAY 2, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

also has a long and extensive track record of service and has served on a number of committees and councils at HCC, such as the Web Governance Committee, Technology Council, and LMS Committee. Raju was a board member at-large for the Council for Programs in Scientific and Technical Communication from 2012-2014. Raju was honored with a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence in Teaching Award in 2013. She was nominated for Best Dissertation Award in Technical Communication in 2011 and has several academic publications and conference presentations to her credit. Raju served the IndianAmerican and the Houston community in various capacities. A proud graduate of Leadership Houston, she serves on the Board of Asian Scholarship Program Inspiring Results and Excellence (ASPIRE) and will be honored at the organization’s annual gala in September. Raju served on the boards of the Indo-American Charity Forum and Youth Leadership Development Program. She is an avid lover of classical music and dance, and she writes poetry and reviews. The ACE Fellows Program combines retreats, interactive learning opportunities and visits to numerous campuses. Fellows also conduct projects of pressing concern for their home institution and seek to implement their findings upon completion of the fellowship placement. At the conclusion of the fellowship year, participants return to their home institution with new knowledge and skills that contribute to capacitybuilding efforts, along with a network of peers across the country and abroad. Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 15 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singlyaccredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities. To learn more, visit www. hccs.edu. CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 240TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on MARCH 2, 2017 in cause numbered 16-DCV231219 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. MARY JANE E. OROZCO, in which a judgment was rendered on OCT 06, 2016 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Seven Thousand One Hundred Forty Two Dollars and Sixty Two Cents ($7142.62); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on APRIL 4, 2017 and will on MAY 2, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of MARY JANE E. OROZCO to and in the following described Real Property LOT NINE(9) IN BLOCK FIVE(5) OF LEXINGTON COLONY SECTION THREE-A(3A), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE 1856/A AND B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1229 AUTUMN VILLAGE DR, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77459. The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MAY 2, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

INDEPENDENT • APRIL 12, 2017 • Page 7

NEWS State educators group names award in honor of Lamar CISD Superintendent After years of demonstrating his passion for learning, his commitment to children and his leadership on the state level, Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Randle will now have an annual statewide award carry his name. The Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) has created the Dr. Thomas Randle Demonstration District Spotlight and Award program. Each year, school districts from across Texas will vie for the chance for the award and to be a “Randle Demonstration District” and receive the award at the state’s annual conference. “ TA B S E a n d N A B S E (National Alliance of Black School Educators) have recognized Demonstration Schools for years,” said TABSE’s Financial Secretary, Dr. Chris Pichon. “However, 2017 was the ﬁrst year of the TABSE Demonstration District Spotlight. I shared this idea with TABSE President Michael McFarland, and we collaborated with Dr. Randle to spearhead the ﬁrst spotlight presentation.” Lamar CISD and three

Lamar CISD Board President James Steenbergen and Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Randle. other school districts were selected to present their success regarding school improvement, student achievement and district innovations. “As a result of his dedication to TABSE and his continuous success as a district leader, we decided to name the honor after Dr. Randle for all future recipients,” Dr. Pichon said. Moving forward, the process will be competitive. The TABSE conference committee for Demonstration Districts

will use similar criteria—improvement, achievement and innovation—to select districts deserving of this award. Districts will have the honor of being a Randle Demonstration District and receive an award at the annual TABSE banquet. Dr. Randle was a founding member of TABSE, which received its charter in 1986.

VFW Teacher of the Year Huggins Elementary music teacher Melinda Norwood is the Rosenberg Veterans of Foreign Wars’ K-5 Teacher of the Year. Huggins Assistant Principal Kayla Hoth nominated Norwood for her service to the community. “Ms. Norwood volunteers her time to lead a school choir and trash can band each year,” Hoth wrote. “Both of these groups of students perform at various community events throughout the year including the Mayor’s Breakfast, Fulshear community parades and special events. The two groups also visit local nursing homes to perform for residents. Through these events, students learn what it means to give back to the community they live in by performing and volunteering at the events.” Norwood received the honor April 3 at the Rosenberg VFW.

Melinda (Jill) Norwood and Huggins principal Janice Harvey.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION (AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ESPECIAL)

To the registered voters of the County of Fort Bend, Texas: (A los votantes registrados del Condado de Fort Bend, Texas:) Notice is hereby given that the polling place listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., May 6, 2017 for voting in a special election to adopt or reject the creation of the proposed County Assistance Districts and the imposition of a sales and use tax at the rate of two percent for the purpose of financing the operations of the districts, as ordered by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court on February 14, 2017 (Aviso por este medio es dado que el lugar de votación a continuación será abierto de 7:00 a 19:00, 06 mayo de 2017 para votar en una elección especial para adoptar o rechazar la creación de los distritos de asistencia propuestos de condado y la imposición de ventas y uso de impuesto a la tasa del dos por ciento para financiar las operaciones de los distritos, según lo ordenado por la corte de Comisionaos del Condado de Fort Bend en 14 de febrero de 2017).

County Assistance District No. 7 (Asistencia Distrito No. 7 del Condado de Fort Bend) County Assistance District No. 8 (Asistencia Distrito No. 8 del Condado de Fort Bend) County Assistance District No. 10 (Asistencia Distrito No. 10 del Condado de Fort Bend) County Assistance District No. 11 (Asistencia Distrito No. 5 del Condado de Fort Bend)

LOCATIONS OF POLLING PLACE: (DIRECCION(ES) DE LA CASILLA ELECTORALES) PRECINCT

POLLING PLACE

3095,3119,3130,3148 Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex All

ADDRESS

CITY

4520 Reading Road

Rosenberg

ZIP 77471

Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted at the: (La votación adelantada en persona se llevará a cabo en:) Schedule for: Rosenberg Annex Building - 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX Horario para: CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 268TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on FEB 27, 2017 in cause numbered 14-DCV-219758 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. VIRGINIA WONG, in which a judgment was rendered on APRIL 14, 2015 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Six Thousand Four Hundred Fifteen Dollars and Fifty Five Cents ($6415.55); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on MAR 16, 2017 and will on MAY 2, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of VIRGINIA WONG to and in the following described Real Property LOT 5 IN BLOCK 2 OF REPLAT OF LEXINGTON COLONY SECTION FOUR,AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE 1013/B AND 1014/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS(PREMISES)THE STREET ADDRESS IS 1318 MUSSELBURGH COURT, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77459 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MAY 2, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 268TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on FEB 27, 2017 in cause numbered 15-DCV225432 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. MATTHEW J. WELLS., in which a judgment was rendered on MAY 27, 2016 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Seven Thousand Three Hundred Eight Dollars and thirty one Cent ($7,308.31); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on MAR 16, 2016 and will on MAY 2, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of MATTHEW J. WELLS to and in the following described Real Property. LOT TWENTY FIFTY EIGHT (58), IN BLOCK TWO (2) OF LEXINGTON COLONY, SECTION THREE-C (3-C) A SUBDIVISION, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE 2007/A AND B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MAY 2, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

Monday-Friday April 24-28, 2017 (Lunes-Viernes) (Abril 24-28, 2017)

Saturday April 29 (Sábado) (Abril 29, 2017)

Sunday April 30 (Domingo) (Abril 30, 2017)

Monday-Tuesday May1 - 2 (Lunes-Martes) (Mayo 1-2,2017)

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

CLOSED (Cerrado)

7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m

Applications for ballot by mail must be received no later than the close of business on April 25, 2017. (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán adelantada por correo deberán recibirse para el fin de las horas de negocio el día 25 de Abril, 2017) Issued this the 14th day of February 2017. (Emitada este día 14 de Septiembre, 2017.) __________________________________ Robert E. Hebert, County Judge (Firma del Juez del Condado)

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • APRIL 12, 2017

AUTOMOBILE : Lexus NX 300h By BARBARA FULENWIDER The Lexus NX, one of the bolder luxury-utility vehicle designs on the road, has made all-wheel drive standard on the NX 300h hybrid for 2017. It is a boon to value along with the newly standard Scout GPS Link, for the standard display audio system. With the app on the driver’s smartphone, navigation maps and turn-by-turn directions appear on the car’s central display screen. Lexus integrated navigation system remains an option. As one would expect, the Lexus NX 300h emphasizes eﬃciency with 33 mpg city / 30 mpg highway / 31 mpg combined EPAestimated fuel economy. The NX 300h’s system combines output

consumption indicator, in a 4.2inch screen, coaches the driver to operate the vehicle as economically as possible. For 2017, the NX 300h makes the electronic on-demand allwheel-drive system with intelligence standard. Instead of transfer gears and a driveshaft to the rear wheels, the system uses a second, independent electric motor to drive the rear wheels when needed to help maintain optimal traction. The foundation for the vehicle’s agility and ride comfort is a highly rigid body structure with MacPherson strut front suspension and a trailing arm double wishbone rear suspension that separates the coil springs and dampers to help

from a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a small high-torque electric motor through its transmission. The system varies power between the gas engine and electric motor, or combines both as needed. The result is a combined 194 horsepower. Regenerative braking changes the electric motor to a generator that captures the kinetic energy of the wheels when the brake is applied, storing it in the nickelmetal hydride hybrid battery pack. In EV drive mode, under certain conditions, the NX 300h can run solely on the electric motor for up to 0.6 miles at lower speeds (below approximately 25 mph). A hybrid system indicator and fuel

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF TEXAS

§ § §

FORT BEND COUNTY

optimize agility, control and ride comfort. The NX cabin is offered in five variations and a choice of available heated or heated / ventilated front seats. Lexus detailing shows in the front dome lights and map light that illuminate at the light touch of a finger while footwell lighting accentuates the luxury ambience. Designers carved out maximum space with the NX design so there is plenty of room for passengers and gear. Storage in four compartments beneath the cargo floor provide space for keeping valuables out of sight. The standard 60:40 split/recline lower or raise the seats individurear seat can be upgraded with a ally using switches on the instrupower-folding option. You can ment panel, on the side of each rear seat or within the luggage compartment. The available power liftgate, which includes memory height, likewise can be operated by

BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER OF SALE

and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on March 24, 2017, seized, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in May, 2017, the same being the 2nd day of said month, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Fort Bend and the State of Texas, to-wit: Sale #

Cause # Judgment Date

Acct # Order Issue Date

Style of Case

Legal Description

Adjudged Value

Estimated Minimum Bid

04-DCV134011 11/12/15

005000000007090 FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL VS. ENOCH LATHAM SURVEY, ABST LORINE ALFORD, ET AL 50, UNDIVIDED 80% INT IN & TO 1 4.00 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, MARCH 16, 2017 MOST NORTHERLY PORTION OF NORTH 25 ACRES OF 50 ACRES, VOL 65, PG 87 & VOL 182, PG 560*

$123,510.00

$68,200.00

08-DCV161869 10/08/08

590400026590090 FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL VS. LOT 59, BLK 26, QUAIL VALLEY 7 ANDREW ROSS, ET AL LA QUINTA SECTION, CLERK'S FILE NO 9370637* MARCH 16, 2017

$183,180.00

$110,000.00

09-DCV176079 11/25/15

005000000003590 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. IDA 1 HAMMOND, ET AL MARCH 16, 2017

4.176 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, MOST SOUTHERLY PORTION OF NORTH 25 ACRES OF 50 ACRES TRACT, ENOCH LATHAM SRVY, ABST 50, VOL 65, PG. 87*

$136,650.00

$53,600.00

09-DCV176079 11/25/15

005000000001590 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. IDA 1 HAMMOND, ET AL MARCH 16, 2017

3.00 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, MOST SOUTHERLY PORTION OF NORTH 20 ACRES OF A 50 ACRES TRACT, ENOCH LATHAM SURV, ABST 50, VOL 65, PG 87*

$98,170.00

$35,100.00

16-DCV229314 01/06/17

002900000025090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 1 CHARLES RAY RANDLE, ET AL MARCH 16, 2017

C. FULSHEAR SURV, ABST 29, VOL 202, PG 430*

$29,830.00

$6,500.00

16-DCV229315 12/09/16

LOT 10, BLK 10, CITY OF FULSHEAR, VOL U, PAGE 180*

$162,810.00

$6,200.00

16-DCV229371 01/06/17

338000010010090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 1 DANNY DAVIS, AKA DANNY MARCH 16, 2017 RAY DAVIS, AS INDEPENDENT EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF CORINE OLIVER, DECEASED 571902004007090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. PAMELA S BAUM, AKA 7 MARCH 16, 2017 PAMELA SUE BAUM, ET AL

LOT 7, BLK 4, REPLAT OF PALMER PLANTATION AT LAKE OLYMPIA, REC'D IN SLIDE NO 891/B*

$183,100.00

$22,200.00

16-DCV231029 01/11/17

734000002019091 FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL VS. LOTS 19 & 20, BLK 2, RICE ALFREIDA FORD, AKA 4 SUB'D, VOL 321, PG 256* MARCH 16, 2017 ALFREIDA HARRIS FORD

$17,640.00

$4,400.00

(any volume and page references, unless otherwise indicated, being to the Deed Records, Fort Bend County, Texas, to which instruments reference may be made for a more complete description of each respective tract.) or, upon the written request of said defendants or their attorney, a sufficient portion of the property described above shall be sold to satisfy said judgment(s), interest, penalties, and cost; and any property sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the said property, or their interest therein, within the time and in the manner provided by law, and shall be subject to any other and further rights to which the defendants or anyone interested therein may be entitled, under the provisions of law. Said sale to be made by me to satisfy the judgment(s) rendered in the above styled and numbered cause(s), together with interest, penalties, and costs of suit, and the proceeds of said sales to be applied to the satisfaction thereof, and the remainder, if any, to be applied as the law directs. RECENT CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY TAX CODE NOW REQUIRE PURCHASERS OF TAX SALE PROPERTY TO HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR CERTIFYING THAT THE PERSON/FIRM/COMPANY PURCHASING PROPERTY AT A TAX SALE OWES NO DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES TO ANY TAXING ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A TAX SALE DEED TO ANY PROPERTY YOU PURCHASE WITHOUT THIS CERTIFICATE. TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SALE. Dated at Richmond, Texas, March 24, 2017 Constable Wayne Thompson Fort Bend County, Texas By Deputy Notes: The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value. However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP., attorney for plaintiffs, at (713) 844-3576

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 434TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on FEB 27, 2017 in cause numbered 16-DCV-226551 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. GERMAN WOLFF. AND MARIA INES COOKLIN AKA MARIA COOKLIN WOLFF, in which a judgment was rendered on OCT 18, 2016 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Sixteen Thousand Five Hundred FortyThree Dollars and Forty Two Cents ($16,543.42); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on MAR 16, 2017 and will on MAY 2, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of GERMAN WOLFF AND MARIA INES COOKLIN AKA MARIA COOKLIN WOLFF to and in the following described Real Property LOT THIRTEEN(13), BLOCK ONE (1) OF SWEETWATER,SECTION FOUR(4) AN ADDITION, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO 1417/A AND 1417/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 4711 MENLO PARK DR,SUGAR LAND ,TX 77479 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MAY 2, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

switches on the instrument panel, door and wireless remote. A 60/40 split rear seat helps make the most of the cargo area, where an auto-retracting tonneau cover also resides. A power folding and reclining rear seat is available, too. Lexus reset expectations for premium mobile audio decades ago, and the NX melds that tradition with the needs of today’s digital audio formats. The standard display audio includes HD Radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, automatic phone book transfer, a vehicle information display and complimentary traffic and weather data provided via HD Radio. Cache radio can pause live radio for up to 15-minutes, for later listening. It’s great for saving a favorite song. Standard Lexus premium audio uses an eight-channel amplifier with a digital signal processor to restore high notes lost through compression. It plays through eight speakers, or an upgrade system that adds a center dash mid/high speaker and a subwoofer mounted in the liftgate. The multimedia system, accessed through a high-resolution seven-inch screen, provides a multitude of capabilities and also offers the Lexus navigation upgrade that includes predictive traffic information, including detour preview, ETA calculation and low-fuel coordination with nearby fuel stations. Navigation also includes the subscription-free Lexus Enform App Suite and features 3D map views. Lexus definitely provides luxury and comfort as well as some torque to the NX 300h. The hybrid retail price is $39,720 and with optional packages the tester came in at $50,708.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of MARY MAGALINE WILKINS, Deceased, were issued on February 28, 2017, in Cause No. 16CPR-029587, pending in the County Court at Law No. 5, Fort Bend County, Texas, to: SHANIKA SHUNTAY SHELTON. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: RONALD C. MULLER Gill, Revack, Samaan & Muller LLP 6575 West Loop South, Suite 600 Bellaire, Texas 77401 DATED the 5th day of April, 2017. /s/ Ronald C. Muller RONALD C. MULLER Attorney for MARY MAGALINE WILKINS State Bar No.: 14649100 6575 West Loop South, Suite 600 Bellaire, Texas 77401 Telephone: (713) 271-8282 Facsimile: (713) 271-2112 E-mail: rcmuller@grslegal.com

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on November 28, 2016 in the County Court at Law 4 of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause # 16-CCV-057875 in favor of the plaintiff- QUAIL GLEN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION., Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of$ 3,147.02++++costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on February 14th, 2017 and will offer for sale on the 2 day of MAY, 2017 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)JOE CLINTON DICKERSON, SR. had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT FIVE (5), IN BLOCK TWO (2), OF QUAIL GLEN, SECTION ONE (1), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 21, PAGE 16 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 8619 QUAIL BURG LANE, MISSOURI CITY TEXAS TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1st FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469. Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/ or Order of Sale issued on JUNE 20, 2016 by the 400th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause # 14-DCV-217292 in favor of the plaintiff- CAMBRIDGE FALLS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of $6,613.69++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/ or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on February 1st, 2017 and will offer for sale on the 2ND day of May, 2017 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant ( s) - ARVEITTA EDGE had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT TWENTYTHREE (23), IN BLOCK ONE (1), OF CAMBRIDGE FALLS, SECTION 2, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT NO. 20070047 OF THE MAP/PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 2019 LANSING COVE DRIVE, FRESNO, TEXAS 77545. TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1st FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469. Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

INDEPENDENT â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL 12, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 9

NEWS Get in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trebleâ&#x20AC;? with the Fort Bend Boys Choir â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Audition Today!

Ribbon cutting held for Art Pavilion at FBCA

Tour Choirboy Braden Abdulla Bend Boys Choir and how fan page, YouTube channel or they have been making a dif- Twitter; or, call the choir ofference in the lives of boys for ďŹ ce at (281) 240-3800 to learn over three decades by visiting about their various music protheir website at www.fbbctx. grams, concerts or to schedule org as well as their Facebook an audition.

National Educator of Excellence

Foster High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jocelyn Aventurado is a National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ProStart National Educator of Excellence. The state ProStart Coordinator nominated Aventurado, who teaches Culinary Arts at Foster. She was selected by NRAEF â&#x20AC;&#x153;because you demonstrate excellence in the classroom and passion, commitment and creativity in all components of the ProStart program.â&#x20AC;? ProStart brings together the restaurant industry and

schools, giving students a platform to discover new interests and talents to open doors for fulďŹ lling careers. It provides a curriculum that includes all facets of the industry and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry. As a ProStart National Educator of Excellence, Aventurado receives a free trip and will be honored at the Education Excellence Awards reception and dinner at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago on May 18. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also participate in special programming, followed by a walking food

tour of historic Chicago restaurants. She will also attend the National Restaurant Associations Annual Restaurant Show. As a ProStart National Educator of Excellence she is also nominated for International Food Manufacturers Association (IMFA) Honors and for the James H. Maynard Award. IFMA presents the Educator of Excellence annually to two ProStart educators. Golden Corral presents the James H. Maynard Award, which includes a check for $5,000.

Fort Bend Christian Academy celebrated the grand opening of its 7,000 square-foot Art Pavilion on Sunday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and art demonstrations. Guests enjoyed a cupcake truck celebrating the growth of the school over the past 30 years, and studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awardwinning artwork was on display to recognize their 6th State Championship at the TAPPS Art competition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This ribbon-cutting represents a gracious thank you to the FBCA community, nine years of continued legacy from our FBCA alumni in the arts, families of those alumni, FBCA administration, Sundance Construction, Merriman Holt Powell, FBCA Board of Trustees and my wife Sara and our two boys Bo and Justus,â&#x20AC;? Fine Arts Department Head Robert Sanders said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you to all the donors who invested in this building and made the new equipment possible.â&#x20AC;? Head of School Dr. David Pitre, multiple board members, faculty, staďŹ&#x20AC; and families joined together for the celebration. Attendees were able to walk through the new building and see a fully-outďŹ tted welding department with a blasting cabinet, compressor lines, a new plasma cutter, wood-working stations, Raku kiln for ceramics and more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This equipment establishes a stronger one-to-one teaching time so students develop quality and mastery in concept, composition and execution,â&#x20AC;? Sanders said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new Art Pavilion was key in getting four pieces ďŹ nished for State,â&#x20AC;? Sanders said. The Visual Arts Program at Fort Bend Christian Academy

encompasses a wide variety of mediums including threedimensional pieces, two-dimensional pieces, ďŹ lm and more, so students can discover their individual passions and express their creativity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The number of people who showed up Sunday afternoon for the dedication of the magniďŹ cent Arts Pavilion reďŹ&#x201A;ects how vibrant and successful the arts are at FBCA,â&#x20AC;? Dr. Pitre said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love the balance at the heart of the school: academics, arts, athletics and a grounding in a most sincere and thoughtful Christian faith.â&#x20AC;? The Pavilion encompasses 7,000 square feet and is used as multi-purpose space for art, sculpture, jewelry making, industrial design and more. It is also utilized for showcasing the arts on the FBCA campus.

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Boys who love music and singing can get in â&#x20AC;&#x153;trebleâ&#x20AC;? with the Fort Bend Boys Choir by auditioning for their 36th concert season! Entry into one of their treble choirs (for unchanged voices) is by audition only. These auditions will be held on Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 Noon at the First United Methodist Church-Missouri City. Boys should be 8 years old or going into the third grade for the 2017-2018 school year. Scholarships and payment plans are available in addition to carpool assistance. Call the Fort Bend Boys Choir oďŹ&#x192;ce for more audition details and/ or if you need to schedule an alternate date. Also, ask about Music Magic, their music enrichment program for 6 and 7 year old boys â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no auditions required! Boys learn so much more than music as a member of the Fort Bend Boys Choir. They become leaders and develop time management skills, selfconďŹ dence, self-esteem and citizenship. There are no benchwarmers or substitutes in choir! Each boy plays an integral role in the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success. Find out more about the Fort

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Do you suffer from constipation? The Houston Center for Clinical Research is now accepting patients for a new clinical trial for patients with constipation. You must be 18 years or older to participate and have less than 3 bowel movements per week. Qualified participants will receive all study drug and procedures at no charge and compensation for participation will be provided.

On Saturday April 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Missouri City Public Safety HQ, 3849 Cartwright Road, Missouri City 77459, a free paper shredding event will be hosted by Missouri City Green in partnership with Missouri City Parks & Rec. ProShred of Houston will securely shred confidential household documents and all shredded paper will be recycled. Limit 5 boxes per household. FREE event, however, donations will be accepted to fund future community wide recycling events. Event details and list of accepted items may be found at www.missouricitygreen.org. Missouri City Green is the Keep Texas Beautiful AďŹ&#x192;liate for Missouri City and is a volunteer run 501(c)3 non profit.

Call us at

832-929-6221 or VISIT www.Houstonclinicalresearch.com to see if you qualify.

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • APRIL 12, 2017

SPOTLIGHT Arts program for cancer survivors provides opportunity for expression — and healing

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital cancer survivors Fort Bend-area cancer sur- said Melissa De Los Santos, center of emotional and spiritual vivors now have a new artistic breast and gynecologic on- health. “It’s really about offeroutlet to help with emotions cology nurse navigator, who ing a more holistic approach surrounding their life-chang- developed the unique pro- to health care, something that gram along with the Director is often missing in today’s ing experience. Thriving Through Creative of Oncology Services, Amy technology-driven approach to Arts is a complimentary ex- Sebastian-Deutsch. medicine,” said De Los Santos. “Thriving Through Creative pressive art program designed Thriving Through Creative for local cancer survivors Arts provides the softer side Arts will debut May 3, 2017. and administered by Hous- of cancer care – the much The class will take place at ton Methodist Sugar Land needed, but often forgotten Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. The program gives element, of wellness,” said Hospital on the first and third survivors the opportunity to Sebastian-Deutsch. “Through Wednesday and Thursday of express their thoughts and feel- this program, Houston Meth- each month starting at 12:15 ings about being diagnosed, odist Sugar Land is helping to p.m. The mediums used will treated and surviving cancer provide the important compo- vary at each meeting along nents of expression and healing with the project. Photography, through art. “Cancer survivors — being that can provide significant painting, jewelry making and anyone who has been diag- benefits to survivors.” journaling are just a few of The art program is designed the mediums planned. Go to nosed with cancer — need time to process their emotions to help cancer survivors view houstonmethodist.org/events and doing so through creative Houston Methodist Sugar to register for a class. Contact artistic expression can be a Land not only as a place that Melissa De Los Santos at mdestress-relieving outlet for them delivers care for the body and lossantos@houstonmethodist. as well as a means of coping,” eliminates cancer, but also as a org or call 281.414.8027.

Stafford High School team wins Robotic competition The Stafford High Robotics Team reached a historic feat last weekend in San Antonio when it won the First Robotics Alamo Competition in San Antonio. The Spartans reached the finals for the first time, but they were not satisfied with simply making it there. They won the 48-team competition that featured squads from China, several U.S. states and throughout Texas. The victory marked the first time Stafford MSD had won a Robotics Competition before. “The students have displayed a profound sense of oneness, team spirit, team synergy and overall great sportsmanship,” Stafford Coach Frank Hoang said. “The competition felt like a Super Bowl game with electrifying energy.” Stafford Municipal School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Bostic brought Robotics to Stafford MSD for students in grades Pre-K through 12 to increase interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Education. These are the jobs

of the future, and they fit into Stafford MSD’s Mission of “Preparing Every Student For College or Career, without remediation.” “Robotics is providing students with the tools that they need to excel today, and in the future,” Dr. Bostic said. “Winning a Championship is proof that our students are embracing the lessons of Robotics. They have put Stafford MSD on the map and will continue to do so after they graduate and excel in STEM Careers.” The Stafford Team made the transition from a newcomer to the Robotics scene in a short period of time. They will compete in the FIRST Robotics World Championships on April 19-22 at The George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The students, with the guidance of their coaches, built their robot over a three-week span. They had to win 16 competitive matches in order to win the Championship. The team would like to thank Dr. Bostic, the Board of Trustees, sponsors, parents and teachers for their ever-present

support of this program. TEAM MEMBERS •Leonel Avellaneda 10th •Lauren Schomburg 9th •Isabella Garza 11th •Brice Graham 11th •James Phan 10th •Jayden Tran 9th •Michael Castillo 12th •Christopher Aguilar 10th COACHES •Frank Hoang - Coach •Byron Thompson - Coach •Cherise Roberts – Program Coordinator •Mr. Thinh Nguyen, Mentor •Mr. Trac Nguyen, Mentor

Local Businesses Taking Autism Action!. Local businesses are joining Hope For Three in taking action for families living with autism. During the month of April Autism Awareness Month, dozens of establishments are participating in Hope For Three’s Teen Huddle Project Puzzle. The Campaign, which is organized and implemented by Hope For Three teen volunteers, allows patrons to purchase a puzzle piece for 1 dollar and sign the puzzle in support of autism awareness, action and acceptance. Pictured are members of Teen Huddle demonstrating the circle of hope that the Project Puzzle campaign gives to families living with autism. If you would like your business to participate visit: www.hopeforthree.org/puzzle-piece-project-2017 or Call us at 281-245-0642 Hope For Three autism Advocates. Providing Help. Creating Hope. Since 2011.