FBISD recognizes outstanding teachers - Page 3
A church and pharmacy in Missouri City recently teamed up to donate supplies to the city's first responders. Read more about the effort inside today's edition on Page 3. (Contributed photo)
WEDNESDAY • APRIL 15, 2020
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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 44 • No. 86
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Fort Bend County reveals COVID-19 hot spots Park Manor Quail Valley in Missouri City recently reported 28 cases of COVID-19. (Photo from Facebook.)
By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Fort Bend County launched an updated website Monday that provides more specific information about residents who test positive for COVID-19, including the zip code, precinct and jurisdic-
tion of cases. “Providing multiple mapped views of accurate case count density allows citizens and stakeholders to
better assess community impact," Dr. Jacquelyn Minter, director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, said in a news release. Among area zip codes, 77459 had the county's most cases with 64, accord-
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City, county leaders to hold PPE drive in Stafford By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
While many citizens are essentially on lockdown, Fort Bend County’s first responders are directly in the line of fire of COVID-19. City, county and federal leaders are looking to protect them from the spread of the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus strain, and they’re asking for the community’s help in doing so. On Monday morning, U.S. Rep. Al Green joined Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella, Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford and Fort Bend County Judge KP George to announce their collaboration on a donation drive seeking personal protection equipment (PPE). Those items will be given to each municipality’s first responders. “(Our first responders) are putting their lives on the line every day on the front lines. It’s essential that we get this equipment for them,” Ford said. “Please, if you know anyone who has any extra PPE items, please send them our way. Our first responders are in dire need of this equipment.”
SEE DRIVE PAGE 4
County Judge KP George addresses reporters. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
Elkins' Kassidi Davis asks for time during an at-bat. Davis, who has played the final softball game of her career because the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of several area athletes attempting to deal with the abrupt end to their senior seasons. (Contributed photo)
Local athletes cope with coronavirus cancellations By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Elkins’ 12-9 loss against Clear Springs on March 10 did not come with a sense of finality for Kassidi Davis, at least not initially. The Lady Knights had 12 more games on their regular-season schedule. More than a month later, though, Davis has come to realize it was the last game of her softball career. After the loss against Clear Springs, the UIL called off all high school sporting events and other extracurricular activities throughout Texas because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools in the state are closed until at least May 4
Kassidi Davis
per an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, effectively ending high school sports for the 2019-20 school year.
Davis, an Elkins senior who will be attending Texas A&M University next year, has been hit especially hard by the abrupt end to the season. She will not be continuing her softball career in College Station. “I’ve been playing since I was 9 years old,” Davis said. “To hear that was my last game, and not even know it, really broke me down for a little bit.” She’s not the only athlete struggling with the stoppage. Hundreds of senior athletes around the area also are trying to move forward after their campaigns were cancelled in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new strain
of coronavirus. Davis described playing for the Lady Knights as a family, and that family has been separated prematurely. “We’ve been trying to stay optimistic about this whole thing, but it’s a really difficult thing to go through,” she said. Austin High School baseball player Nicholas Cason saw former Houston Astro Marwin Gonzalez have a career season in 2017 while playing six different defensive positions, subsequently finding the inspiration to adapt on the field. Cason, who primarily plays outfield, learned how to play multiple infield positions and pitch after that point.
He is now trying to adopt the same mentality off the field. “I have no regrets about my career, and I’ve never been one to dwell on the past,” Cason said. “When I found out the season was over, I was sad for a little bit. But after a few days passed, I was ready to get it going again. Now that the season’s over, I’m ready to start getting better for next year.” The Bulldogs played their final game of the season March 13 against Bellaire during a non-district tournament, ending their campaign with a 3-3 tie. Although the team was
SEE ATHLETES PAGE 7
Telehealth on rise during pandemic By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Dr. Esther Ngare has offered members of her practice at Brazos Springs Direct Primary Care a telehealth option since opening her office at 4103 S. Main St. in Stafford last year. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, she is one of several healthcare providers in the area that
have expanded their telehealth usage to assuage concerns of patients who still need their medical needs addressed while adhering to social distancing guidelines. “People would always prefer to come to the office before,” Ngare said. “But now everybody understands that there are visits for the time being that we must do via telehealth, and they’re appreciative they can
still see their doctor.” The demand for telehealth services is on the rise, according to a recent survey from customer experience IT vendor Sykes that found two-thirds of respondents are now willing to try virtual care. Last month, the U.S. government set aside many of its restrictions on
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THE STAR
PAGE 2 • Wednesday, April 15, 2020
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much of the Houston area, along with the country and the world, to a standstill. But business must continue, even with schools closed and many people working remotely from home. As of publication, the businesses featured on this page were still open and ready to serve the community.
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Haeckerville Pharmacy provides wide range of healthcare Haeckerville Pharmacy does so much more than a traditional pharmacy as they strive to meet the needs of every patient in Fort Bend County. Though it remains a place where someone can get a prescription filled, Haeckerville also offers a broader range of treatment that cannot be had in summation anywhere else. The pharmacy also serves as a diabetic, mental health and erectile health center. Many people with diabetes still don’t understand the importance of taking routine blood sugar testing at home, according to the pharmacy. The data supports that people who routinely monitor their blood sugar levels have healthier outcomes. Many people with insurance don’t realize their diabetic supplies are covered by most insurance. Haeckerville Pharmacy wants to be your diabetic supply provider. Convenience and local mean a lot. Haeckerville delivers via a courier service and has convenient curbside pick-up, and also has a bioenergetic pharmacist who will review a patient’s data and make recommendations on how to get better outcomes. There are also glucose meters for patients who are either blind or visually impaired that talk you through the testing that are available at Haeckerville, which is also normally covered through most insurance. “We don’t just supply diabetic supplies, we supply on going information to both the patient and doctor to give you a higher level of care than most traditional models are currently providing,” the pharmacy said. “Some people have never been shown the proper way to test and how to retrieve their data from their blood glucose monitor and that is where our bioenergetic pharmacist will aid the patient.” Finally, Haeckerville also offers a tele-med service that specializes in both erectile health and birth control. You simply schedule an appointment with your tele-med doctor and your prescription is sent straight to the pharmacy. Aside from physical well-being, Haeckerville also strives to
Shown above are just a few of the services and products offered at Haeckerville Pharmacy in Missouri City. (Contributed photos)
focus on mental health. In today’s busy society, taking medication on a daily basis is many times a challenge. Haeckerville works with your doctor if you have been diagnosed with Bipolar I or Schizophrenia if once a month Abilify Maintena injections are an option for you. “These injections are done in the privacy of our consultation room,” the pharmacy said. “Our bioenergetic pharmacist gives personalized coaching and will
navigate between the doctor and patient to achieve successful mental health outcomes.” The pharmacy also works with natural remedies and pharmaceutical options for mental health, carrying a wide range of CBD products along with a pharmaceutical grade of OTC vitamins. Haeckerville is also still the only pharmacy in the nation that performs Bioscan, an electrical analysis of the entire body. It pin-
points the exact organs that are causing the distress and also energetically pinpoints the solution – both pharmaceutical and nutritional – that will resolve the issue. Dr. Ferryl McClain, who administers the test, said it is best performed in person but can also be performed with a spit and/ or hair sample of the patient in compliance with the COVID-19 regulations. Haeckerville also sells Elderberry Syrup by Wildflower
Organics which is made locally and is a favorite for people who want to increase their immune system. For more information on the Bioscan, visit www.bioeworks. com Haeckerville Pharmacy 9402 Hwy 6 Suite 400 Missouri City, Texas 77459 (281) 915-0793 www.haeckervillepharmacy.com
THE STAR
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 • PAGE
3
Former Oilers coach, Missouri Spring in their step City resident Biles dies at 88 From Staff Reports
Former Houston Oilers head coach and Missouri City resident Ed Biles died the morning of April 5 following a long battle with leukemia, according to an announcement by the Tennessee Titans. He was 88. Biles lived in the Quail Valley section of Missouri City for 45 years. A couple years ago, he moved into a Missouri City retirement community called The
Biles
Huntington. “He was in peace and comfortable,” Biles’ son, Mike, wrote April 5 on Facebook. Biles served on the Oilers’ coaching staff for 10 years, including as head coach. He was the team’s defensive coordinator under Bum Phillips during backto-back AFC title-game appearances in 1978 and 1979. Biles was the Oilers’ head coach from 1981-83. During his time as head coach, Biles posted an 8-
23 record before resigning midway through the 1983 season. He spent parts of 15 seasons in the NFL, initially as an assistant for the New Orleans Saints. After three years as a scout and position coach with the New York Jets, Biles was hired by Oilers coach Sid Gillman in 1974 to work under defensive coordinator Phillips. When Phillips became the head coach in 1975, he promoted Biles to defensive coordinator.
Missouri City church, pharmacy donate PPE to first responders
The Quail Valley Garden Club recently awarded the Yard of the Month for April to Peter and Barbara Thompson of Missouri City. The Thompsons landscaped their twostory traditional-style home using evergreen shrubs, English Ivy and seasonal flowers. (Contributed photo)
Fort Bend ISD names 2020 district teachers of the year By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
About a dozen members of Faith Fellowship Church of Fort Bend in Missouri City took some time last Thursday afternoon to help protect the area’s first responders against COVID-19 by donating hundreds of personal protection equipment (PPE) items. In collaboration with Missouri City’s Glenn Lakes Pharmacy and community donors, the church provided more than 400 N95 surgical masks to the Missouri City Police Department and Missouri City Fire and Rescue Department along with hand sanitizer, gloves and disinfecting wipes. “We are amazed and awed by how God worked all these connections out so our church could provide PPE for our brave and courageous men and women of the Missouri City police and fire departments,” said Marsha Wong, who led the effort and heads up the church’s missions team. Wong said the missions team, inspired by a desire to give back, brainstormed the idea of helping the city’s first responders with PPE about a week beforehand. Two weeks prior to that, she had discovered that pharmacist Mona Finley and Glenn Lakes were compounding their own hand sanitizer. One pitch later, the partnership was on. “She just likes to help the community,” Wong said of Finley. Finley said the opportunity was too important
Missouri City first responders load up on supplies donated by Faith Fellowhip Church of Fort Bend and other community donors on Thursday, April 9. (Contributed photo)
to pass up given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus. As of Tuesday morning, Fort Bend County health officials had reported 577 cases and 14 deaths caused by COVID-19. For her part, Finley and Glenn Lakes Pharmacy also donated 100 bottles of hand sanitizer, 100 sets of gloves and 100 disinfecting wipes in addition to several masks. “I just thought it was so important to help the first responders. I was really excited when (Marsha) approached me with the idea for it,” she said. “(This effort) shows that we’re a family community here, and we all believe in helping one another.” First responders on the
scene were grateful for the community’s support. Kyle Vincent with Missouri City Fire and Rescue said Thursday’s donation brings the total of masks donated to its first responders to near 2,000. Community members have also donated old painter’s gowns and other items. “It’s really cool to see the community come together. They’ve really stepped up,” Vincent said. “People have come by with other supplies…anything they’ve got that they think we could use out here. It’s been really beneficial. We really appreciate the community and what they’ve done for us.” Wong said the church will attempt to donate more supplies as possible in the coming weeks and months. Church members have also been working on a separate
project writing letters of encouragement and prayer to first responders in efforts to thank them for their service to the Missouri City community. “It’s amazing that we were able to do this all within one week,” Wong said. “(We want) to encourage them, let them know we’re praying for them and that we appreciate them.”
Fort Bend ISD recently recognized two teachers that stood out above the rest. Kelly Stavinoha of Madden Elementary was named the district's 2020 Elementary Teacher of the Year. "(Stavinoha) believes it’s important to prepare our next generation of scientists, programmers, engineers, and mathematicians from a young age," the district said in a news release. "He understands that every one of his students may not have a career in STEM, but the challenges in his STEM class teaches them grit and determination. He knows that all teachers can make a life-long impact on their students." Meanwhile, Clements High School choir director Janet Menzie was honored as the district's Secondary Teacher of the Year. "Her goal as an educator is to prepare her students to have a productive and meaningful adulthood," the district said. "... Her hope is that they will find a place to continue their passion for singing. It is important to her that they use
Stavinoha
Menzie
the lessons they have learned in the choir program to express themselves and work hard for their goals and dreams." Both will advance to the regional teacher of the year competition, with an opportunity to advance to the Texas teacher of the year program.
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak
and the cancellation of several community gatherings, please check with each organization for updated information about the status of their events.
Sugar Land foundation seeking donations for safety equipment By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The Sugar Land Legacy Foundation (SLLF) announced Friday that it is seeking monetary donations so it can purchase safety equipment for its “SAFE AND WELL” project aimed at supporting the city’s emergency operations in response to COVID-19. SLLF is asking the community to help raise funds that will go toward the purchase of items such as emergency-rated masks, gloves, sanitizing supplies and other equipment needed by the city’s first responders. “Sugar Land Legacy Foundation’s mission 713-433-6421 includes the support of qual14700 Almeda Rd. ity-of-life projects, and there Houston, TX 77053 is no better time to supwww.HoustonHumane.org port these unsung heroes who are putting their life in jeopardy to serve their city,” SLLF chairperson Sunil Sharma said in a news release. “As the foundation that supports the city, we want to help in any way we can to provide safety and wellness of Sugar Land and the surrounding areas.” Residents who wish donate to the foundation’s “SAFE AND WELL” project can visit donorbox.org/ safe-well. Anyone with questions about the project can visit sugarlandlegacy.org, email sugarlandlegacy@gmail. Hello, my name is Salsa. I am a black and white domestic shorthair mix and I am a little over 2 years old. Come by and visit com or call 832-779-8609. with me today. I would love to meet you!
BAPTIST CHURCH
HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 John Strader , Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am 6:00 pm Wednesday 7:00 pm AWANA/Youth www.hbctx.org METHODIST CHURCH
CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888 A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary Simple Service / Prayer & Communion: 8 am Contemporary: 9:15 am / Traditional: 10:30 am Modern: 10:30 am Sunday School for all ages available at 9:15 www.christchurchsl.org EPISCOPAL
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH • 281-499-9602 605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 SUNDAY: 10:15 am Worship Rite Two www.allsaintsstafford.org
CHURCH OF CHRIST
MISSOURI CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-261-8944 2019 Bright Meadows Dr. - Missouri City, TX 77489 www.mocitycoc.org Sunday morning services: 10:15 am (includes separate youth, bible hour and nursery services)
Sunday evening services: 5:00 pm Last Sunday 1:30 pm Bible Study (all ages): Sun 9:00 am & Wed 7:00 pm Iron Mens Bible Study 1st Monday 6:30 pm
STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507 402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477 SUNDAY: Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Worship: 10:30 a.m. Afternoon Worship 5:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY : Bible Study 7:00 p.m. www.staffordchurchofchrist.org LUTHERAN CHURCH
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS 281-242-7729 800 Brooks St., Sugar Land Sunday: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Contemporary Worship (Nursery Available) 4:00 pm Spirit of Life Worship
Scripture of the week
“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” - Deuteronomy 20:4
THE STAR
PAGE 4 • Wednesday, April 15, 2020
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
Keep your friends close while socially distancing My parents sometimes say I’m a glutton for punishment when it comes to social media and digital interaction. They may be right considering much of the internet is filled with faceless, anonymous people shouting into the void – usually to the detriment and annoyance of me and those around them. But right here, right now? I think it’s a rare period in time when the connection provided by social media and the advancement of technology can provide a sense of normalcy and even healing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The necessity of physical social distancing – staying at least 6 feet away from people who do not live in the same household – doesn’t mean we need to distance ourselves in every way. On the contrary, we need to keep our friends closer than ever through any means available. I’ve made many of my best friends through online connections over the last few years. People hundreds
★ HOT SPOTS FROM PAGE 1 ing to Monday's online data. Missouri City had the most confirmed cases among area municipalities with 82. Included in that total is the Park Manor Quail Valley nursing home, which confirmed last Thursday that 28 residents and employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Park Manor Quail Valley President and CEO Derek Prince said in a statement that the home identified its first positive case on March 30. All 12 employees who tested positive are quarantining at home, according to Prince. Ten of the
Landan Kuhlmann LEAD REPORTER
of miles apart have become connected by Astros baseball – or a lack thereof – and the Randy Rogers Band. And they’ve been key in keeping me sane during this unprecedented time for our area. We need human connection. Whether it’s gossip over the proverbial office water cooler or throwing back a few drinks at our favorite local watering hole, such conversation does wonders for escaping the monotony our day-to-day lives too often become – if only for a few minutes or hours. For decades, friends and co-workers have served as sounding boards for stress in our lives while aiding in our healing processes. infected residents are being treated at a hospital, while six are being treated at the facility. “We remain committed to keeping our residents safe and protected during this novel virus,” Prince said. Among other Fort Bend municipalities, Sugar Land had 61 reported COVID-19 cases as of Monday, while Stafford had 23 cases and Rosenberg had 21. Five other zip codes -77489, 77494, 77479, 77469 and 77407 -- had at least 40 cases apiece. To see the updated site, visit covid-19-fort-bend-county-response-fbcgis.hub.arcgis. com/
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Dealing with Essential Tremor
Essential tremor is a disorder of the nervous system which causes unintentional shaking or trembling of nearly any part of the body; though the arms, hands, and fingers are most commonly affected. It is not considered to be a dangerous condition and the exact cause of it is unknown, though it has been associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain or a genetic defect. Certain beta-blocker medications such as propranolol (Inderal) decrease tremors by relaxing nerves in the body and may cause dizziness and tiredness. Antiseizure medications such as gabapentin (Neurontin) work to block the signals in the brain that can trigger the tremor. For more frequent or persistent tremor, Botox (obotulinumtoxin A) may be prescribed to reduce the shaky movements. These injections can decrease tremors for up to three months and may cause feelings of weakness at the injection site.
Those interactions are as much the spice of life as anything. So what can we do when they become largely unavailable to us, as they have with social distancing requirements that require the closure of all bars, clubs and dining rooms? The quarantines have not actually changed my typical routine much. Monday through Friday, I make the round trip to and from the Star’s office. Rarely do I go out anywhere armed with anything but a story lead or news tip. But I’m aware that the same cannot be said for many of my closest friends, who are teachers, bartenders and others not considered “essential.” I also know a few nurses who are on the front lines around the state who must take extra precautions once they leave work – if they ever do. At an early age, I had a succinct phrase drilled into my brain. It was three little words – “People need people” – and I don’t even remember who first uttered it to me. But its meaning
comes into much clearer focus when we encounter situations like the COVID-19 crisis impacting Fort Bend County. Some alone time often does wonders for the soul, allowing us to recharge our own batteries much like power cords charge the phones always glued to our hands. But how much “me time” is too much? One of my best friends lives in California, working as a bartender. She has been quarantined for the better part of several weeks, and has just about gone mad. My older sister and several friends are teachers around Texas who miss seeing their children’s faces each day. They just want normal life back. And that’s where social media and new technology can – at least temporarily – actually make things more bearable instead of being the reason they become unbearable. My teacher friends have begun using Zoom, an online conference call and video chat that allows them
to speak face-to-face with their students, conduct online lessons or just catch up on what they’ve been doing with their impromptu vacation. I’ve seen evidence of the same from educators in both Fort Bend ISD and Stafford MSD. So, too, have many folks on the self-proclaimed Astros Twitter that I’ve become involved with online who live in Sugar Land, Richmond and other areas of Fort Bend County and the Houston region. For 45 minutes or an hour, we don’t have to talk about the coronavirus or temporary joblessness that pervades nearly every conversation. We’re just people, talking about our kids or this cool new online game we’ve discovered. We’re music junkies debating the merits of different genres, or friends talking through shared struggles. It may seem inconsequential from the outside looking in. But I think these types of connections are more important than ever right now – if for no other reason than keeping our
sanity. Even from taking part in just one of the Zoom sessions, I could almost see the weight lifted off the shoulders of several people, just from a short conversation with someone they previously knew solely by their Twitter handle. I felt the same way. Bottom line: Relationships and interactions with those around us are necessary components of making our way through this topsy-turvy world and its curveballs. And for the time being, I think social media and advanced technology can serve as a boon to that purpose rather than a detriment. We may not be able to meet our friends in person for another several weeks. But those friendships remain a vital component in making it through life. So just this once, I’d encourage everyone to take a headlong dive into the technological and social media era we’re living in. Let’s keep our friends closer than ever.
Missouri City H-E-B reports COVID-19 case on staff By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
While many citizens are essentially on lockdown, Fort Bend County’s first responders are directly in the line of fire of COVID-19. City, county and federal
leaders are looking to protect them from the spread of the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus strain, and they’re asking for the community’s help in doing so. On Monday morning, U.S. Rep. Al Green joined Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella,
Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford and Fort Bend County Judge KP George to announce their collaboration on a donation drive seeking personal protection equipment (PPE). Those items will be given to each municipality’s first responders. “(Our first responders) are
putting their lives on the line every day on the front lines. It’s essential that we get this equipment for them,” Ford said. “Please, if you know anyone who has any extra PPE items, please send them our way. Our first responders are in dire need of this equipment.”
★ DRIVE FROM PAGE 1 The drive will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, April 16 at the Stafford Centre at 10505 Cash Rd. Ford, Scarcella, George and Green will personally be on hand to accept donations of items such as masks, hand sanitizer and more. The accepted items are as follows: · Biohazard bags · Bleach spray & wipes · Disposable surgical & isolation gowns · Eye protection and goggles · Face shields · Hand Sanitizer with 60% alcohol · sopropyl alcohol · N95 masks or surgical masks · PAPR respirators with all equipment · Shoe covers · Sterile & nonsterile latex-free gloves Officials will also be accepting monetary donations to go toward the purchase of additional PPE equipment in the coming weeks and months. Checks can be made out to each
04-12-17 - Ed’s Pharmacy - 2 x 4.5
C LASS I F I E D FOR SALE
Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford addressed reporters during a news conference Monday about the county's joint PPE donation drive. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
respective city or municipality. “This is something that has impacted all of us, and we believe that united, we can conquer this disease,” Green said. “United, we can be prepared to go forward so that our economy can open again. We still have much work to do in conquering this disease.” Houston’s International Management District
A DS
(IMD) and Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC) are among those to have donated money. The ACC also has donated hundreds of PPE items. “We are at this critical time in this community,” IMD Chairman Wea Lee said. “We definitely need to work together hand in hand.” Fort Bend County health officials have reported 577
cases of COVID-19 in the area as of Tuesday morning, including 14 deaths. According to the World Health Organization, the disease has infected more than 1.7 million people worldwide in 213 different countries and caused more than 111,000 deaths. “We have an obligation to protect our first responders,” George said. “That’s why we are doing this.”
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Drymalla Construction Company, Inc. (CM at Risk) is soliciting Qualifications/ Proposals from Subcontractors for the Lamar Consolidated ISD High School and Junior High Renovations and Additions. Project consists of High School Classroom and Administration Renovations, Band and LGI Additions. Junior High, Choir Renovations and Additions. Qualifications/Proposals are due at 2:00 PM on Wednesday April 22, 2020 at the offices of Drymalla Construction Company, Inc., 608 Harbert, Columbus, Texas 78934, via fax 979-732-3663, or email to bid@drymalla.com. NO PHONE BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED! For information on how to obtain copies of the Request for Qualifications/ Proposals documents call 979-732-5731, or email Jason Labay at jason@drymalla.com. Documents are available online at http://www. drymallaplans.com and Virtual Builders Exchange.
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LEGALS SUGAR LAND POLICE DEPARTMENT Tow Truck Rotation List Pre-Application Meeting
CALL TO PLACE HELP WANTED ADS 281.690.4200
The City of Sugar Land will soon accept applications from tow truck companies to create a new rotation list for nonconsent towing services. The new rotation is expected to begin in July. The City non-consent towing program is a two-year term. A pre-application meeting will be held on May 20, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sugar Land Police Department training room to discuss the application requirements, selection process and answer any questions prospective applicants may have about the process. All interested companies are highly encouraged to attend. Due to limited space, we request only one representative from each company if possible.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS MAYFIELD PARK RESTROOM SITE WORK The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME: Mayfield Park Restroom Site Work CIP PROJECT NUMBER: PK1901 LOCATION OF WORK: 106 Avenue D, Sugar Land TX, 77498 Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from www.CivCastUSA.com. Sealed bids in triplicate, one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, Office of the City Secretary, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.
Please RSVP Professional Services Sergeant Shane Bracken: 281-275-2926
A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2020 as a Skype Meeting. Meeting information to be posted on CivCast.
HELP WANTED
Questions regarding this bid must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. on April 24, 2020. Please contact Karen Rogers, ASLA, LEED-AP at M2L Associates (713)722-8897. The City Council will award the contract as provided in the Invitation to Bid. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.
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LEGALS Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Annual Service (the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 10:00 A.M., May 7, 2020 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407. Specifications and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577 The project will entail the evaluation, rehabilitation and replacement of sanitary sewers using various construction techniques and will be performed on phases pursuant to Task Order Agreements as set out in Section 00509 of the Contract Documents. A pre-bid conference call with prospective bidders will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 2:00 P.M. Prospective bidders shall contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call. Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available. All bids must be accompanied by proposal guaranty in the form of a Certified or Cashier’s Check, or Bidders Bond drawn to the order of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25, and in the minimum amount of five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after receipt of bids except with the approval of Owner. Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid from any responsible person which will be most advantageous to it and result in the best and most economical completion of the Work. The successful bidder will be required to provide a Performance Bond and Payment Bond in full amount of the contract. Leonela Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED REZONING OF 0.7906 ACRES FROM BUSINESS OFFICE (B-O) DISTRICT TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) DISTRICT FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN – LAKE POINTE CREEK BEND LIVE WORK TOWNHOMES City Council Public Hearing 6:00 p.m. May 5, 2020, City VICINITY MAP: of Sugar Land, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North, hosted via live stream at http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/1238/SLTV-16Live-Video or https://www.youtube.com/sugarlandtxgov/ live, and Sugar Land Comcast Subscribers can also tune-in on Channel 16 to hear all persons interested in the proposed rezoning of approximately 0.7906 acres from Business Office (B-O) District to Planned Development (PD) District Final Development Plan for a live work townhome development located along Lake Pointe Parkway and Creek Bend Drive; further identified as being 0.7906 acres of land located in the Brown and Belknap Survey, Abstract No. A-15, and being the entirety of Unrestricted Reserve “J-3A” out of Lake Pointe Town Center Offices Unrestricted Reserves “J-3A”, “J-3B”, and “J-3C” Replat, a subdivision situated in Fort Bend County, Texas, according to the plat thereof recorded under Plat Number 20060234, of the Official Public Records of said Fort Bend County (F.B.C.O.P.R.). The agenda item for this meeting will be placed on the City of Sugar Land website at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas” City Council no later than Friday, May 1, 2020. Request details or provide feedback on the proposed rezoning of the .7906 acres from Business Office (B-O) District to Planned Development (PD) District Final Development Plan online at www.sugarlandtx.gov/ PublicHearingComment or contact City of Sugar Land Planning Department at (281) 275-2218. As of the date of this publication (April 15, 2020) the President of the United States and the Governor of the State of Texas have issued declarations ordering restrictive social-distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the City of Sugar Land has elected to conduct this meeting online. Members of the public wishing to view the meeting live may do so at the links above. Members of the public desiring to make comments during the public hearing may submit their written comments to the Office of City Secretary (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov). Comments should reference the hearing in the subject line, must be received by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020, then will be read into the record during the public hearing. Members of the public desiring to make their comments during the published date and time of the public hearing must e-mail (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov) or call ((281) 275-2730) the Office of the City Secretary by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 to register and receive instructions for direct participation during the hearing. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE ON APPROXIMATELY 0.828 ACRES LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF HWY 6 AND SETTLERS WAY City Council Public Hearing 6:00 p.m. May VICINITY MAP: 5, 2020, City of Sugar Land, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North, hosted via live stream at http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/1238/SLTV16-Live-Video or https://www.youtube. com/sugarlandtxgov/live, and Sugar Land Comcast Subscribers can also tune-in on Channel 16 to hear all persons interested in the proposed Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the establishment of Take 5 Oil Change, an oil change facility classified in the Land Use Matrix as Auto Repair and Services, Minor, which requires a Conditional Use Permit in the General Business (B-2) District. The agenda item for this meeting will be placed on the City of Sugar Land website at www. sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas” City Council no later than Friday, May 1, 2020. Request details or provide feedback on the proposed Conditional Use Permit for Take 5 Oil Change facility, online at www.sugarlandtx. gov/PublicHearingComment or contact City of Sugar Land Planning Department at (281) 275-2218. As of the date of this publication (April 15, 2020) the President of the United States and the Governor of the State of Texas have issued declarations ordering restrictive social-distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the City of Sugar Land has elected to conduct this meeting online. Members of the public wishing to view the meeting live may do so at the links above. Members of the public desiring to make comments during the public hearing may submit their written comments to the Office of City Secretary (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov). Comments should reference the hearing in the subject line, must be received by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020, then will be read into the record during the public hearing. Members of the public desiring to make their comments during the published date and time of the public hearing must e-mail (citysec@ sugarlandtx.gov) or call ((281) 275-2730) the Office of the City Secretary by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 to register and receive instructions for direct participation during the hearing.
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County to host virtual town hall with school leadership
★ ATHLETES FROM PAGE 1 aware of the possibility of a season cancellation at that time, it remained a sudden end that hit the seniors like an anvil. “(Coach Randy Ursery) told the seniors, ‘This could possibly be your last game, so go out and play hard.’ At the time, since it was before a game I was thinking, ‘I just got to go do it,’ like always. Then after the game it really sunk in,” Cason said. “A few days passed with everybody waiting, then next thing you know they suspend the season. From there we knew it probably wasn’t going to end too well.” It won’t be the conclusion of Cason’s baseball career as he committed to play at the University of Texas at Dallas next season. However, he knows the same cannot be said for several of his teammates. “The toughest part about it for me is talking to my friends who don’t have somewhere to play next year. My best friend isn’t playing next year, and hearing him talk about how (he’s played) his final game is heartbreaking,” Cason said. “Hearing my teammates talk about that feeling hurts me more than anything, because I care about them so much and love them so much. It’s really tough.” Taylor West, a senior softball player for Elkins, has endured a similar tugging of the heartstrings now that she is headed off to play for NAIA program Jarvis Christian College next spring. “The thought that I’m probably not going to see any of (my teammates) again, since we’re all going our different ways, is heartbreaking,” she said. “The most challenging part was that I got used to seeing them every day. If you had a bad day, you always had softball to get your mind off of it with your teammates. It gets to where it’s not even about softball anymore – we had built a sisterhood.” All three local athletes
7
From Staff Reports
Fort Bend County Judge KP George will bring together the leaders of Fort Bend's school districts to provide an update to parents on school closures and academics. Stafford MSD's Robert Bostic and Fort Bend ISD's Robert Dupre will be in virtual attendance Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. along with the leaders of
Lamar Consolidated ISD and Needville ISD. The meeting will be streamed live on George's Facebook page at facebook.com/judgekpgeorge. For more information on the session, visit fortbendcountytx. g o v/y o u r - c o u n t y/ fort-bend-county-publiceducation-live-update. For more education updates like this, follow us on social media @FortBendStar
FOOT FACTS by Dr. Eric Tepper
BOARD CERTIFIED PODIATRIST, ACCPPS
Austin High School's Nicholas Cason prepares to swing. Despite his senior season being derailed by COVID-19, he will play at UT-Dallas next season. (Contributed photo)
spend this much time with them (during softball season), so I’m really grateful to have this time off with them.”
@ F O RT B E N D S TA R @ F T B E N D AT H L E T I C S Elkins' Taylor West prepares to field the ball during a game against Ridge Point. (Contributed photo)
know they cannot change the past – only the future, which now looks slightly different for all of them. West said she is working out at least every other day, whether it be running sprints or doing hitting drills, to be ready as soon as college workouts begin. So too is Cason, who jokingly equated the atmosphere at his house to that of his spring workouts at Austin. Thanks to home workouts sent by the team’s strength and conditioning coach as well as running drills with his dad, he’s got a semblance of typical workouts in an atypical
world. After about a week of video games, reading and watching movies with his family following the cancellation, it was right back to the grind. “It’s about finding ways to not make excuses not to work right now,” Cason said. For Davis, that future includes preparing to enroll in A&M’s veterinary program, and attempting to take solace in a small silver lining during a difficult time. “Right now, I’m trying to focus on spending time with my family,” she said. “I usually don’t get to
SESAMOIDITIS
A sesamoid bone is a bone that is not connected to any other bone in the body, but is only attached to tendons or embedded in muscle. The largest and most obvious sesamoid is the kneecap, but there are two tiny ones in the bottom of the foot, one near the big toe and one closer to the middle of the foot. Sesamoids provide tendons with a smooth surface to slide over and help the feet bear weight. Sometimes these bones break, or the surrounding tendons may swell and become inflamed causing sesamoiditis, which may result in difficulty flexing the big toe. When a sesamoid bone is not broken, treatment can be as simple as resting and taking an anti-inflammatory. P.S. In rare cases of sesamoiditis when the sesamoid bone does not heal properly and irritation of the tendons continues, surgery can be performed to remove the bone.If your feet are giving your trouble, consider calling our office. We are just as concerned about the reason for your discomfort as we are about the problem itself. Whether your foot problem is caused by sesamoid bone issues, overuse, aging, deformity, injury, or disease, we invite you to consult with us at 3143 Hwy. 6 South. For more information about any topic we discuss in our column or for an appointment, please feel free to call us at 281980-3668.
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DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS We’re still here for you Even during these challenging times, Houston Methodist doctor offices are open and seeing patients who need our care. Though your appointment may not look like a typical appointment, our providers may see you via video visit, telephone or in person, when needed. Rest assured, we are taking every precaution to ensure we can safely see you and meet all your health care needs. houstonmethodist.org/hereforyou 281.274.7500
THE STAR
PAGE 8 • Wednesday, April 15, 2020
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce hosting virtual networking event April 23 From Staff Reports
The Fort Bend Chamber
★ TELEHEALTH FROM PAGE 1 telehealth. It also said it would relax enforcement of elements of the health privacy law, known as HIPAA, which oversees providers seeking to deliver care remotely. Open for all In light of relaxed restrictions, Ngare said she can now provide video sessions to anyone in the
of Commerce’s Chamber Young Professionals Division will host a virtual networking event called
“Fort Bend CYP Trivingo”, at 5 p.m. April 23. Events will include three rounds of bingo as well as
three rounds of trivia. For more information on the event, those interested in attending can visit the
chamber's website at www. FortBendChamber.com or contact Paige Talbott. She can be reached at 281-566-
2152 or paige@fortbendcc. org. Follow us on Twitter @ FortBendStar
area, even if they are not a member of Brazos Springs DPC, to help relieve the healthcare burden in the region. Since expanding the service to all residents, both adults and children, she said she has provided about 40 sessions over the last two weeks. Anyone wishing to register for a telemedicine session with Ngare can visit brazosspringsdpc. com/telemedicine-coro-
na. “The major (benefit) for us is access to our patients, and their access to us when they really need me,” she said. “When there are office visits, there can be some restrictions to how much access they have since they can only go into the office so often.” With patients becoming more wary of exposure to COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease caused
by the new strain of coronavirus, and doctors like herself being careful about who they allow into their offices, Ngare said her telemedicine service helps treat non-emergency clinical conditions and helps avoid further viral transmission in the community. The early feedback, she said, has seen positive experiences and success with treating patients. It may require jumping through a few more hoops, but the process is worth it, according to Ngare. “It’s definitely a plus for (the patients),” she said. Dallas-based Texas Oncology Cancer Center, which has 11 clinics in the Houston region, including one in Sugar Land, has offered telemedicine services for five years. Earlier this month, however, the statewide practice announced a major expansion of its telemedicine services to allow patients to schedule virtual visits with more than 400 physicians and 150 advanced practice providers. Texas Center for Proton Therapy, Texas Urology Specialists and Texas Breast Specialists – which has a Sugar Land location – are also participating. “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, care for cancer patients cannot be delayed,” Texas Oncology President Steven Paulson said in an April 2 news release. “We are open
and seeing patients across Texas. We accelerated the expansion of telemedicine to meet the urgent need to continue treating patients safely.” Patients can register via a video conferencing app that can be downloaded. Within the app, Texas Oncology physicians and care team members can see patients, share files, review imaging and laboratory data, and engage with patients and their families. Texas Oncology typically sees 55,000 new cancer patients statewide each year across all facilities, but has seen a significant uptick in operating through video calls during the pandemic. Dr. Debra Patt with Texas Oncology said the company has seen a rise from almost no telemedicine visits as recently as March 17 to more than 1,200 visits per day across the state as of April 7. Despite the uptick, Patt said the transition has been fairly smooth during such an evolving situation. "The feedback has been uniformly positive," she said. "...It's been an amazing way to continue serving patients while still reducing their risk." To find out more about telemedicine services at a local facility, visit texasoncology.com/serv ice s - a nd - t r e at me nt s/ medical-services-technol-
ogies/telemedicine.
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Glimpse of the future Even after the pandemic passes, Ngare hopes – and even expects – that both patients and caregivers will have seen enough value in the practice to make it a mainstay in the medical community. She said telemedicine removes many barriers such as time constraints and means of reaching the doctor’s office that exist in a modern world – creating a more streamlined model of care. “What this has done is help people realize that it can be done, and it’s not as hard as people thought it would be," she said. “... There is so much coming out about why telehealth should be an essential part of our healthcare system. It’s going to be difficult to put the genie back in the bottle.” Patt echoed the sentiment, saying the practice will open some eyes. "So many things will be different with how we interact in the post-coronavirus era," she said. "We've all had to make virtual visits and other things work for us, so I think we'll approach the world differently. "It allows their doctor to really care for them in their home. I think it's in the best interests of the patient, for sure." Follow us on social media @FortBendStar
Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words and answer the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 3944 Bluebonnet Drive, Stafford, Texas 77477.
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In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the cancellation of several community gatherings, please check with each organization for updated information about the status of their events. FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS We will not be meeting in April or May. As of now, we plan to have our kick-off meeting/luncheon in The Great Hall at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd. on Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. during which we will install our new officers. TRTA dues for March 2020-February 2021 are now due. Members and new retirees wishing to join, please mail a personal check made payable to FBHRE for $45 directly to treasurer Cathie Ritchie at 1107 Laurel Green Rd. in Missouri City. If you are a Diamond Plus member, then you would only send Cathie a check for $10. Contact Cathie with any questions at critchie43@comcast.net ONGOING DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday morning at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land ( 502 Eldridge Rd. ). For more information call 281-240-3195 EXCHANGE EXCHANGE, AmericaÕ s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@ reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about! SIENNA CRAFT/SEWING GROUP Sienna Craft/Sewing group. Meets every Tuesday from 10-noon at Sawmill Clubhouse in Sienna Plantation. We sew, crochet, knit, needlepoint, etc. contact Livia Erich at 281-543-3524 or liviaerich@ yahoo.com for additional information.
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MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801 Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-4993345. BECOME A FOSTER GRANDPARENT Volunteers are needed to be a role model, mentor and friend to children with exceptional needs in the community. Training, mileage reimbursement, tax-free monthly stipend if eligible. Call today to help change the world, one child at a time in Rosenberg. For more information, call 281-344-3515. WHILE WE’RE WAITING SUPPORT GROUP For Bereaved Parents - grieving the loss of a child at any age. Meets the third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., at the First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd., Sugar Land. For more information, call 281-413-2484. AMERICAN LEGION 271 MEETING We meet the first Thursday of every month at the Post Hall, 4520 Hwy. 36 in Rosenberg. A covered dish meal is served to members at 6:30 p.m. followed by meetings at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 281-341-9966. AMERICAN LEGION 294 MEETING Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Old Hickory Inn BBQ, 3334 FM 1092, just north of Highway 6 in Missouri City. For more information, please call 713-376-7295.
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ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Caregivers of patients with AlzheimerÕ s disease or other related dementias are invited to attend the first Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 400 Jackson St. in Richmond, across from the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 713-3141313 or 1-800-272-3900. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Pregnancy Resource Medical Center has moved to 4411 Avenue N in Rosenberg across from Navarro Middle School. Volunteers are needed on a continual basis. For information on volunteering or supporting the PRMC in other ways, email info@prmcfortbend.org. 4-H, FOOD & NUTRITION Fort Bend 4-H is looking for input from the community on how it can better serve the public. To learn more about 4-H projects, join 4-H at 7 p.m. at the University Library (14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land), visit fortbend4h. eventbrite.com or call 281-342-3034. STORY SPINNERS WRITING CLUB Hosted by the George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond. 5:30-8 p.m. All levels welcome to write, share, learn and support. Free and open to the public. The program meets on the third Thursday of every month. For more information, call 281-342-4455 or 281-633-4734. ADOPT A SHELTER CAT Fort Bend Pets Alive is partnering with Half Price Books in Sugar Land to find homes for shelter cats and to promote literacy among young readers. School-aged children are invited to come read to a cat, receive an “I read to a catÓ bookmark and be eligible to adopt a cat for 50 perecent off. Held 1:30-4:30 p.m. the first Saturday of every month at 3203 Hwy 6 S, Sugar Land. CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS The Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City presents a variety of programs every month. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2900 or 281-633-4734.
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DAV CHAPTER 233 MONTHLY MEETING The second Tuesday of every month at the United Way fort Bend Center, 12300 Parc Crest Dr., Stafford, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, call 281-222-4888.
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