From our family to yours, we wish each of you a very Merry Christmas
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 20, 2017
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 40 • No. 19
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Court upholds Reynolds’ conviction Legislator continues appeal while seeking re-election
Reynolds seeking answers to oil well odors
By Theresa D. McClellan FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
By Theresa D. McClellan FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
When an oil well blew out in Southwest Houston near Texas Parkway and the Fort Bend County Tollway in early December, authorities assured residents all was safe despite the strong smell of hydrogen sulfate gas in the air. Now more than a week after the Dec. 6 blow out, the smell is still strong and a former state investigator who once worked with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) investigating odor complaints is calling foul. “I don’t think we were told the whole truth,” said Dr. Neil Carman, the Clean Air Program
State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, will continue to appeal a conviction against him for barratry, also known as ambulance chasing, while he runs for a fifth term in the Texas House in District 27. He is also investigating health claims made by state agencies regarding an oil well that blew out earlier this month in his district. He is pictured here giving a legislative update in Missouri City last summer. (Photo by Joe Southern)
Director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club and former TCEQ investigator. “There was some misrepresentation. It only takes a single breath of hydrogen sulfate gas. It
takes very little to cause adverse health effects. We haven’t done a good enough job in Texas,” he said. Carman spoke Friday at the site of the blowout
during a press conference organized by State Rep. Ron Reynolds. Reynolds, the ranking member of
SEE SMELL PAGE 5
Even though he could be facing a year in jail after an appellate court ruled against him, State Rep. Ron Reynolds said he is so confident his conviction for barratry will be overturned by a higher court that he is running again in 2018 for his House District 27 seat. A local district attorney, however, said the Appeals Court decision brings Reynolds “one step closer to justice.” “I feel that the appellate court unanimous decision affirming the correctness of the trial court and jury brings him one step closer to justice,” said Montgomery County prosecutor Joel Daniels, one of the prosecutors in the case. Reynolds was convicted in 2015 of barratry, commonly called ambulance chasing. He was one of eight Houston area lawyers charged in 2013 with the offense and the only one who did not accept a plea. He represented himself in court. In November, a threepanel appellate court
upheld the initial decision by Montgomery County jurors that he worked with a convicted felon to solicit clients for his law firm. Texas law states that attorneys cannot contact clients within a 30-day period of an accident. Robert Valdez had a chiropractic business and Reynolds claimed he thought Valdez was recommending his medical clients. The prosecutors argued that Valdez used fresh police reports immediately following vehicle crashes, contacted the drivers who were not at fault, and gave the names to Reynolds for his personal injury law business in exchange for payment from Reynolds. It is a misdemeanor conviction and does not preclude Reynolds from serving as a state representative, Daniels said. “The evidence showed he was paying an ex-convict named Robert Valdez to send him cases that Valdez had illegally solicited,” Daniels said.
SEE REYNOLDS PAGE 6
Questioning authority: People protesting President Trump
F-Trump woman tells her side of story By Theresa D. McClellan FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Gale McCray, known as the Old Man With a Sign, made a visit to Missouri City last week to see fellow President Donald Trump detractor Karen Fonseca. (Photo by Joe Southern)
Old Man With a Sign brings message here By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
He’s an old hippie. She’s a kindred spirit. Gale McCray, 75, of Fort Worth – better known as the Old Man With a Sign – was recently in Missouri City for a few days to meet Karen Fonseca and see the f--- Trump sticker on her pickup truck. “I wanted, you know, just to meet her,” McCray said. Along the way it gave him an excuse to visit his sons in Waco and San Antonio. “The f--- Trump lady. That’s not my deal. My message is about as far away from that as it can get,” he said, noting that they do share a common desire to have President Donald Trump removed from office. McCray has become an Internet sensation by traveling around the country and standing on street corners with his sign that reads “Trump, that boy don’t act right.” “It’s crazy. How it got
started? – Trump got elected,” he said. McCray is a retired mailman, recreational therapist, and school bus driver. He was unhappy when Trump was elected a year ago and went to see his representative in Congress, but wasn’t satisfied with the response. “I gotta do something,” he said. He thought about it for a while before coming up with the idea. “There’s a little bit of a ham in me so I thought well, just make a sign and make it big. I’m glad I made it big. Makes it real simple, real sturdy,” he said. He started out holding the sign at an intersection about five or six blocks from where he lives in low-income senior housing. “I’ll stand at this intersection … and I’ll do it every once and a while as it hits me, that’s it,” McCray said. Then one day someone
SEE SIGN PAGE 10
During a meal at a local Chinese restaurant, a silver-haired man paying for a carryout meal spotted Karen Fonseca across the room and asks, “is that your truck?” Parked a couple spots down from the front door of the Rice and Roll restaurant in Stafford was Fonseca’s infamous white GMC Sierra with the stickers on the back window dismissing President Donald Trump and Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. Fonseca, seated with her 19-year-old daughter and a reporter, nodded, and smiled. The man gives a wide grin and gave a thumbs-up gesture. “I like it,” he said and walked out grinning. It’s a scene repeated daily, Fonseca said, but even more so once her message went viral after the sheriff posted a picture Nov. 15 of the truck on Facebook stating he’d received multiple complaints and wanted to talk with her. Nehls stated at the time that her message of “F--- Trump and f--- you for voting for him” was inciteful and could “breach the peace” if someone took it personally. He said he could charge her with disorderly conduct and the following day she was arrested while leaving the Rice and Roll restaurant with a bowl of soup. The arrest sparked a flurry of outrage over freedom of speech. Nehls said once he learned her identity he removed the post from his Facebook page. He also learned she had a felony warrant for an alleged fraud from a 2014 incident. She was arrested on that charge. The arrest created a flurry of protest from those who said the sheriff targeted Fonseca because he did not like the message and violated her First Amendment right to free speech. Fonseca was surprised because she had the sign on the truck for nearly a year. Last year on Dec. 23 she went to Austin and got married. Her husband Mike had a small sticker on his truck with the
Karen Fonseca poses with some of her merchandise in back of her pickup truck with the anti-Trump message on it. (Photo by Theresa D. McClellan)
same message and the truck was stolen. It took two months to get another truck and her husband said he wanted a bigger sign. By now Trump was in office and Fonseca said she was growing weary of the new president. “I know f--- Trump is a bold statement to say how you feel. You can say, ‘we don’t like Trump or impeach Trump.’ Everyone says that. But when you’re mad you say ‘f--- Trump and f--- you for messing up our world,” Fonseca said. The mother of 12 dismisses the concerns from some who are upset when they see the truck on the road and have to explain the obscenity to their
children. “I understand, but they can hear this in their music,” she said. “And what about the president and what he is doing?” “I don’t like the border wall separating families, and he has the audacity to say Mexico will pay for it,” she said. “The few who do make it over here are not causing the high crime; they are trying to raise a family. And crime, it’s in every nationality. But he’s all about separating. We are one. I’d say to Trump, ‘why don’t you try to help them and not separate them.’” News of her arrest landed in newspapers across the country and abroad. Now she is selling merchandise
including bumper stickers, hoodies, and sweatshirts online and in person when she travels across the state meeting folks who engaged her on Facebook. The first Go Fund Me page was created by one of her daughters following the arrest. She was released on bond and the case is expected to go to court in January. She said it involves a dispute between Fonseca and a former family friend she stayed with during her divorce from her husband of 22 years. Now, Fonseca is traveling across the state with her message. People want to get
SEE FONSECA PAGE 3
THE STAR
PAGE 2 • Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Santa delivers for Richmond children
of 2 Best 017 FORT BEND STAR
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More than 40 children and their families were treated to a Christmas party complete with a tree, lots of gifts, refreshments and activities for the children last week, hosted by the Richmond Police Department. Santa delivered stacks of gifts to each child individually. Officer Vladimir Golovine and dispatcher Danell Gaydos coordinated the party, but the entire department participated in selecting the families, buying the gifts and making sure everyone had a good time. (Photo by Diane Strehl)
Sugar Land’s Whiskerville now open for pet adoptions 12-20-17
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Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman cuts the ribbon dedicating the opening of Whiskerville, a new expansion of the animal shelter. Pictured with Zimmerman are city council members, city staff, shelter staff, volunteers and Santa Claus. (Photo by Joe Southern) SUGAR MILL ...................... $212,070
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From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
The city of Sugar Land celebrated the grand opening of Whiskerville, an expansion of the animal shelter facility, on Dec. 12. The event included facility tours, hot cocoa, snacks and
photos with Santa. Whiskerville was added to accommodate a planned increase in operations. Staff and volunteers transformed the 2,400 square foot facility into a feline friendly house for the shelter’s cats and kittens. The building also includes a veterinarian room, wildlife room, a break room and a managerial office.
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The existing 4,300 square foot animal services building is officially named Barksburg and will be home to dogs and puppies. The current facility housed 24 dogs and 35 cats, but the additional space will allow a total capacity of 62 dogs and 112 cats. The new addition ensures the animal shelter is ready to serve all Sugar Land residents, including the recently annexed residents of Greatwood and New Territory. The shelter is currently offering a special adoption rate of $40 for dogs and $30 for cats from Dec. 16-23. The fees include vaccinations, spaying/ neutering and a microchip with a lifetime registration. The shelter is also taking requests for special deliveries of adopted pets by Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus will have time to make up to four deliveries to families who live within the Sugar Land city limits. For more information about the shelter or pet adoptions, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/ petopia or call 281-275-ADOG (2364).
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H FONSECA, FROM PG 1 pictures of themselves with the truck so a second go Fundly.com account was started to pay for traveling expenses. Any additional monies will go toward helping the elderly get public transportation to the polls, she said. So far she raised $930 from both campaigns. Even State Rep. Ronald Reynolds stepped in to support Fonseca and stood up with her when she gave a press conference following her arrest. “What outraged me was that she was targeted. I never saw anyone from the right criticize anyone who had an ‘F’ Obama vulgarity and I saw plenty in Fort Bend County,” he said. “There was never any outrage, but she was targeted because she was criticizing Trump and she was used as a political football for his (Nehls) agenda to run for Congress. So she reached out to me, I stepped forward and gave her someone, Attorney Brian Middleton, who is doing this pro bono because her rights were violated.” Reynolds said he is “not buying” the idea that she was arrested the day after the sheriff posted on his Facebook page and it was because of the fraud charge. “Coincidence, I don’t think so,” he said. Fonseca said she does not like the way Trump treats women. “He has no family values. I don’t see them when he’s groping the women. He makes fun of the disabled and I have a special needs son.
He mocks the elderly and he is very divisive. But we are all one,” she said. She is gratified, she said, to see support coming from all races and demographics and from across the country and abroad. She sold bumper stickers to people in Japan and Britain. She went to Austin recently fulfilling a request to come sell her merchandise and to allow people to take pictures with the truck. Not everyone is supportive. The message angers some older, white people, she said. She recalled a moment in a Walmart parking lot where a motorist waited for her return and tried to interview her with his camera phone running. “He stood in my face asking why do you represent this, why don’t you like Trump,” she said. She believes he was taping a live segment because he kept looking into his phone while questioning her and shoving the camera in her face. “I got in my truck and said, ‘tell your people if they like this kind of entertainment to go f--- themselves too,’” she said. She said strangers have made up stories about her online. When they learned she had a dozen children it was assumed that they all had 12 different fathers and she was on welfare, she said shaking her head. Her children ranging in ages 6-24 are all from the same father from a 22-year marriage. She went through a divorce that took three years to complete. “We can’t live together but we make it work for the kids,” she said. “We have shared
weekends with the little ones.” Because of the stress of the divorce, she said, she quit her job after working a year and a half at the Fort Bend County sheriff’s Office as a jailer. She said she met Nehls after working there for three months when he came to the jail for a talk. He was two years into his first term. She was surprised, she said, when she saw him walking down the hall and he stopped to ask her the location of the briefing room. “What kind of boss doesn’t know where the briefing room is,” she said. She enjoyed her stint at the jail where some were behind bars for tollbooth violations and others with more serious offenses. She said she would talk with anyone, unless they were a child molester or murderer. Fonseca said she also worked as a guard at a state prison in Huntsville. Fonseca was born and raised in the Catholic Church tradition in the Richmond/ Rosenberg area. “That was my grandmother’s upbringing. She instilled in me strong family values. I grew up a hard road. I didn’t have a father. I left home when I was 16. But everybody has a story and that’s what I would tell the inmates. I would listen to them and encourage them,” she said. Some have found her on Facebook and told her they appreciated how she treated them. Fonseca no longer clings to one religion. “You have to be one with God; he knows everything. I see the haters out there but I don’t judge them. I see me as a person for everybody.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017• PAGE
Skin doesn’t matter, religion doesn’t matter, sexual preference doesn’t matter,” said Fonseca. “You have to see what they project.” She said her goal is to see Trump impeached and to empower those sitting on the sidelines to vote and become active in civics and know the law. Fonseca recalled a time in Richmond when an officer stopped her as she was getting gas. He wanted to give her a ticket because of her truck message. “I told him I would accept the ticket if he could show me what I was doing wrong,” he said. He looked for 20 minutes and could not find anything. Another time two police officers in Houston driving alongside her laughed at the message and asked to take a picture of the truck. One of the officers, she said, told
her to take her time getting through the intersection so he could get a good photo of the back of the truck. Fonseca said she has no words for the sheriff. “I have no words for him but I want to thank him for putting us on his Facebook
page and putting me on blast instead of coming to talk to me. It opened eyes onto what kind of sheriff we’ve got,” she said. “This has done me a favor because I have most everyone coming up to me and saying I’m glad you are doing this.”
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THE STAR
PAGE 4 • Wednesday, December 20, 2017
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Pictured from the left are Elizabeth Munoa, Hope For Three family assistance coordinator; Barbara Jones, Fluor senior manager, community and public affairs; and Darla Farmer, Hope For Three, executive director and founder, as they celebrate this holiday season with a gift of $5,000 from Fluor Cares, the charitable foundation of Fluor Corporation. (Submitted photo)
Fluor Cares grants $5,000 to Hope For Three charity Staff Reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Fluor Corporation has a tradition of community service and philanthropic support. Fluor Cares, the foundation of the corporation, engages and empowers employees to make a difference in their communities. Not only do
employees give back, the foundation magnifies and extends Fluor’s philanthropic impact by supporting nonprofit organizations. This holiday season, Hope For Three, a local nonprofit and autism advocacy group, was given a gift of hope. Barbara Jones, Fluor senior manager, community and public affairs, presented Elizabeth Munoa
and Darla Farmer a $5,000 check to provide direct support to families and children living with autism. “Gifts like this ensure children with autism have access to vital therapies and services they might otherwise go without,” Munoa said. “We’re honored to receive such a tremendous gift this holiday season; it truly is a gift of hope.”
Richmond sailor at work
MONDAY – FRIDAY, 7AM-6PM
281-499-1126 www.Charltonsbodyrepair.com Staffordshire Rd at 5th Street Stafford, TX 77477 Personnel Specialist Alberto Martinez from Richmond instructs sailors during visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) training aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin. Mustin is operating as part of the Ronald Reagan Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of it’s allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. (Submitted photo)
Christmas Perspectives HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH
BAPTIST CHURCH
CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-261-5985 2719 Kingsbrook Lane, Missouri City, TX 77459 Preachiing & teaching from the King James Version “Faithful to His Word and His Will” Sunday School for all ages 9:15 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am & 6 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 7 pm www.cbcmissouricity.org
HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 Ed Byrnes, Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am • 6:00 pm Sunday Worship 10:45 am • 6:00 pm Wednesday: 7:00 pm Bible Study / AWANA “A Place To Call Home” - www.hbctx.org
THE FORT BEND CHURCH • 281-980-8322 1900 Eldridge Road • Sugar Land Byron C. Stevenson, Senior Pastor Wednesday Bible Studies Adult – noon • All ages – 6:30pm Sunday School: 7:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. www.thebend.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: 8:15 am Contemporary: 9:30 am / Traditional: 10:55 am Sunday School for all ages available at 9:30 & 10:55 am. www.christchurchsl.org
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • 281-499-3502 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX 77459 8:00 am: Chapel Worship 9:15 am: Sunday School For All Ages 10:30 am: Open Skies Worship in the Fellowship Hall 10:30 am: Sanctuary Worship For more information, please visit www.fumcmc.org
SUGAR LAND METHODIST CHURCH • 281-491-6041 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Worship @ 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 am Bible Study, all ages, @ 9:45 am www.sugarlandmethodist.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 Bible Study (all ages): Sun 9:00 am & Wed 7:00 pm Tuesday Adult Bible Class: 10:30 am In the heart of Mo City - with the city at heart
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
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-499-2310 4200 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, 77459 Sunday School 9:00 am Fellowship & Coffee 10:00 am Worship 10:30 am www.southminpres.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
“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:14
FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Perspectives: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. When it comes to Christmas, there are many perspectives in which it may approached. It may be a perspective on its meaning or a perspective based on what we may be dealing with in life. No matter where you are, we want you to join us as we look at Christmas Perspectives. Your perspective may be the frustrations of buying Christmas gifts (we understand you). There
are other whose perspective of the holiday is family, fun, and the sharing of gifts. To others, it is approached with a perspective of joy, peace and/or happiness. Then, there are others who may have a sad, hopeless, and even confused perspectives. At Heritage Baptist Church of Missouri City, we will be looking at Christmas perspectives from two different points of view. One will be from the perspective of the chosen ones, Mary and Joseph; the young virgin who gave birth to Jesus and her fiancée. The other perspective will be from
the divine reality; a Savior. Our hope is that you will take the time to share your Christmas with us beginning this Sunday morning at 10:45am, as we talk about Christmas Perspectives. From this mini-series on Christmas, come and take a look with us at these two perspectives and see how they match up to yours. Our Christmas schedule is: December 17th @ 10:45am worship, December 24th @ 10:00am Christmas snacks, 10:45am worship and 4:30pm Candle Light Service. Please join us at 2223 FM 1092, Missouri City, Texas 77459
HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH 2223 FM 1092 • Missouri City, Texas 77459 281-403-4994 • www.hbctx.org heritagebcmc@gmail.com
Living out the gospel and love of Jesus every day.
Join us for Christmas Eve Service December 24. 4:30pm A family oriented time of Christmas worship. If you would like to share a favorite Christmas memory there will be a time to do that. There will also be story time for the children with Pastor Ed and we will close out our time together with candlelight singing.
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Trump hater delivers distasteful message about free speech A
s a journalist and lifelong defender of the First Amendment, I find this column to be excruciatingly difficult to write. I never want to see anyone’s right to free speech or free expression infringed, especially by the government. At the same time, I find my moral values of decency, honor, and respect to be violated whenever anyone flagrantly abuses that right. This is the case with Fort Bend County resident Karen Fonseca and her infamous white pickup truck with the vulgar “F--- Trump” window sticker. I don’t know Fonseca and to the best of my knowledge have never met her or her husband Mike Fonseca. Nor have I seen their truck in anything other than photographs. Those photographs, however, are hard to miss, especially on social media. I have an extremely low tolerance of vulgarities (swear words, cuss words or whatever you want to call them), which is ironic because as a
H SMELL, FROM PG 1 the House Committee on Environment Regulations, held the conference in a Missouri City field near the blowout. Reynolds said he invited TCEQ and representatives from the Railroad Commission of Texas, which has jurisdiction over oil and gas exploration, production and transportation. Neither organization attended the press conference but both issued a statement. The commission said cleanup is 70 percent complete and well under control. They also stated there was no evidence of spills impacting the wells, waterways homes or lands, said Reynolds. TCEQ stated the blowout caused a small rotten egg smell. “It is odorous, not necessarily harmful, and has the potential to cause headaches and nausea,” the agency said in a statement. “They have maintained that during this investigation when their staff noted odors, low levels of hydrogen sulfate have been detected below levels that would be a health concern or an immediate threat to public health and safety. TCEQ has also noted that odorous levels are not necessarily harmful levels,” said Reynolds. Carman made his comments after Reynolds shared the response from TCEQ. Carman said that concerns about hydrogen sulfate gas are nothing new. “In 1992, efforts to take concerns more seriously were opposed by the industry. Environmental proponents wanted to lower the acceptable levels to 10 parts per billion but it stayed at 80 parts,” he said. Before working in the private sector for the Sierra Club, Carman worked 12 years as a field investigator in the Permian Basin located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico and described by Chevron Gas as one of the most prolific oil and natural gas basins in the country. “I worked 12 years for TCEQ. We tested and responded to citizen complaints about air pollution and the most common complaint was hydrogen sulfate gas. We knew in 1992. The EPA wanted to declare it a hazardous air pollutant. It is not officially recognized but it should be a toxic gas,” he said. Carman also said it is possible the wells are too close to homes and more needs to be done to protect residents. “People should be a least a quarter to a half mile away. It depends on what is in these wells. The agencies need to err on the side of caution,” said Carman. Since his comments contradicted TCEQ, Reynolds said he will take those concerns back to the state agency. “Public safety is paramount, the industry is
youngster I had quite the potty mouth. Obviously I have outgrown that and have learned to tame my tongue. I find that people who will not or cannot communicate without swearing are generally people lacking in self-control and/or have inept communication skills. I do not think more of those who cuss but less – a lot less. This is especially the case when the vulgarity is printed in such a way that the message is onedirectional. In Fonseca’s case, she is boldly displaying her message to the world around her without receiving immediate response in return. A few weeks ago she received a response. Numerous
people complained to the sheriff’s office about it and Sheriff Troy Nehls took action. He posted a submitted photo of the offending truck on his Facebook page asking if anyone knew the owner. “If you know who owns this truck or it is yours, I would like to discuss it with you,” he wrote. “Our Prosecutor has informed us she would accept Disorderly Conduct charges regarding it, but I feel we could come to an agreement regarding a modification.” The sheriff’s post ignited a firestorm of protest about the sheriff attempting to violate Fonseca’s right to free speech (which I believe he was). Shortly after she was identified to the sheriff, Fonseca was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant in an unrelated case. Her supporters continued to cry foul, saying she never would have been arrested if it were not for the sticker. (It’s my thought that if you have a warrant out for your arrest, the last thing you’d
want to do is attract attention to yourself. That and with a warrant she would have eventually been arrested anyway. All this did was expedite the process.) The giant window decal that started this mess reads “Yeah … F--- Trump and F-- you for voting for him.” It included the drawing of an upraised middle finger. Although the discussion Nehls wanted did not appear to take place, Fonseca did make a modification. Next to her first sticker she put a smaller identical one that exchanged Trump’s name with Troy Nehls. There were many who speculated that the only reason Nehls went after Fonseca was to create some publicity for a potential run for Congress. Not only did Nehls deny that, he opted not to run. In the meantime, Fonseca has been trading on her 15 minutes of fame (or infamy) by selling stickers and shirts with her vulgar, profane message of hate. She is the one who is capitalizing on the incident
secondary. We will follow up and follow through. These comments have not been independently verified. But he is a former TCEQ investigator and we take that very seriously,” he said. Also present were representatives from the HAZmat team of the Houston Fire Department who responded to the original incident because it borders Houston; the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal; and David Carl Evans, the president of the Super Neighborhood Council in District 41, a consortium of 15 to 20 communities in Fort Bend County in southwest Houston and Missouri City neighborhoods. As he spoke during the Friday press conference after hearing Carman’s comments, Evans said, “I’m concerned smelling this odor and wonder are we safe at this location.” Evans said he has been getting calls, texts, and emails from residents asking, “what are they trying to do, kill us?” According to their
Facebook page, the Fort Bend/Houston Super Neighborhood is located in far south, southwest Houston and is generally located between the South Sam Houston Tollway/Beltway 8 and McHard Road, and between Hiram Clark Road and Fondren. Fort Bend/ Houston is a collection of middle-class subdivisions developed in the 1960s and 1970s in northeastern Fort Bend County. Beginning in the 1970s, the area has attracted middle-class African-American families. Most of the housing in the area is single-family. New home construction has recently resumed in the southeastern part of this Fort Bend ISD community. Evans said the Super Neighborhood Council in August adopted a clean air and water bill for the area. “We want to make sure chemical plants are meeting the high standard of safety. We want to address the odors at the Blue Ridge Landfill and the Pearland Lift Station,” said Evans. “We have problems with air pollution
and we want to assess the impact of contaminants and research the unaddressed odors. So I reached out to Ron Reynolds. I want to hold our elected officials accountable to the children and the elderly.” Reynolds said he has served four consecutive sessions on the House Committee on Environmental Regulation. “I am very aware and too often hear the horror stories of these dangerous gas leaks and chemical spills and the potential dangerous health effects that can happen following these incidents. “Last session I filed House Bill 2753. This legislation would have required TCEQ to examine their rules on inspections and leak detection to see if improvements could be made, precisely to avoid these types of accidents and fugitive emissions. Unfortunately, my legislation did not pass, so I will be prefiling this legislation again next November, and make it a must-pass priority for me,” Reynolds said.
FAITH, FAMILY & FUN JOE SOUTHERN EDITOR
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Most people take their feet for granted and do not bother to give them any special care. Feet with corns, calluses, bunions, cuts, and blisters are hidden out of sight in shoes and sneakers and quickly forgotten until foot pain occurs. The truth is feet require regular care before they begin to hurt. Many common foot ailments can be avoided or controlled more easily if feet are checked regularly by a podiatrist. Untreated medical problems tend to get worse. Podiatrists can teach people how to care for their feet and how to recognize skin changes that could signal the onset of foot troubles. Good foot hygiene and early diagnosis are excellent ways of protecting feet from unnecessary discomfort. Since life can be complicated enough without having to contend with foot problems, professional advice from a podiatrist who has been specially trained to care for feet is your best defense. We’re on your side here, no matter what is causing problems with your feet. From blisters to bone deformities to sports injuries, we feel our experience, expertise, and compassionate attitude can help. Office hours are by appointment at 3143 Hwy. 6 South call 281-980-3668. HINT: Foot pain interferes with the enjoyment of many everyday activities including walking, standing, and sleeping.
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Calling out a double standard Dear Editor, This is in response to F. Collins of Sugar Land who stated that Sheriff (Troy) Nehls has a double standard regarding sexual harassment because he had voted for President Donald J. Trump. President Trump, who was recorded in a men’s locker room while being egged on by another male, said some
wedge between citizens and law enforcement, vilifying police at a time when there needs to be more communication with and compassion for our uniformed protectors. Lost in all of this is any reason for her dislike of President Trump. Her real message is not being delivered, or is it? Maybe her message isn’t so much targeted at Trump as it is at all of her neighbors who voted for him and even those of us who didn’t vote for him but must still be subjected to her vulgar message of hate. Let’s be clear, her message is one of hate and disrespect. Personally, I can’t stand for that. So that is why I find this column so hard to write. I should be cheering her for championing free speech, but my moral compass won’t allow me to do that when the message is so vile and repulsive. I can only hope and pray that she will someday see the error of her ways and find a positive message that will help solve problems, not cause them.
and has been enjoying the status of an Internet celebrity. All kinds of people have been cheering her on and posing for photos with her and the truck, including State Rep. Ron Reynolds. She has become a poster child for free speech. Fonseca has given voice to those who are tired of living under the perception of an oppressive police state. While it’s hard to argue that, in my book she is a villain. She has taken so much of what is wrong in this world today and flaunted it as if it were something glorious to behold. It’s disgusting and disheartening. Set aside the free speech issue for a moment and look at what she has accomplished. She has further eroded levels of decency. She encourages the use of profanity, which benefits no one and just stirs negative passions in people. She encourages disrespect for authority. She is aiding significantly to the moral decline in society. She is further dividing a country that is in desperate need of unity. She is driving a
questionable things regarding men in power and women. Question for F. Collins – what kind of person does this make you? Did you vote for Hillary (Clinton)? Did you know her husband was impeached for improper behavior? Did you know many women accused Bill Clinton of rape? They didn’t conve-
niently wait until an election to accuse him either. Did you also know all these women said they were threatened by Hillary to keep quiet! So when it comes to double standards and which party should acquire more integrity, you should look at the Democrat Party. K. Doyle Missouri City
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The Truth About Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that is characterized by the slow destruction of cartilage in the ends of the bones. Cartilage is a type of tough and flexible tissue in the body that helps protect the bones from rubbing against each other. The most affected joints include the hands, neck, knees, and hips. Symptoms include joint pain, joint tenderness, bone stiffness after periods of rest, and bony lumps around a painful joint. Osteoarthritis tends to occur more frequently in older people, women and individuals who may suffer from high blood sugar, thyroid disorders, and obesity. Osteoarthritis tends to worsen with time. Therapies are available to help relieve the pain and strengthen joints, but there is no cure at this time. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may relieve any sensations of joint pain. Over the counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) may be taken to help reduce pain and inflammation. A stronger version of these may be prescribed by a healthcare professional. Even stronger pain medications, called narcotics, are available if the pain does not go away. Surgical correction of joints and bones may be an option for those with a very severe form of osteoarthritis that affects daily activities.
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Marshall runs past Willowridge 70-37 Wilson led the Buffalos with 25 points, and Stewart added 17. Willowridge was led by Xavier Calhoun with 16 points, 11 coming in the fourth quarter. The Buffalos are now 12-5 in Coach James Bailey’s first season at Marshall. “We are on the learning curve. We have some guys who are young and new to varsity,” he said. “Guys coming up from the junior varsity and the freshman team. We only have one guy with major varsity experience. Anthony Norman was the starting point guard last season, and we have Terrell Wilson, who is a tremendous point guard. He is very smart with the ball, and a great ball handler. Both guys will handle the ball for us. We will see who else steps up. Our rotation changes every game. We grade basketball efficiency and that is how we decide our starting lineup.” The Buffalos under Coach Gary Nichols finished second in the state in Class 5A last season. After the
By Bill McCaughey FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
After an evenly fought first quarter, the Marshall Buffalos went on a 19-4 run in the second quarter to lead 30-19 at halftime, and they never looked back as they beat Willowridge 70-37 last Tuesday at Hopson Fieldhouse. Willowridge played the Buffalos tough in the first quarter as they jumped to a 7-4 lead, but they couldn’t hold it and Marshall led 11-10 at the end of the quarter. The Buffalos found their stride in the second quarter as Anthony Norman scored seven points, and Terrell Wilson and Payton Stewart had four points each. Wilson stayed hot in the third quarter as he scored nine of the Buffalos 15 points, while Willowridge was held to eight points. Wilson went on to score eight points in the fourth quarter as the Buffalos won 70-37.
A Marshall player rejects a Willowridge shot during their game last week. (Photo by Bill McCaughey)
season, Nichols retired and Bailey, a former player of Nichols at Willowridge, was named head coach. After Willowridge, Bailey played at Bradley University under Coach Stan Albeck. At Bradley University, the National Association of Academic
Advisers for Athletics honored James in 1992 as one of the top 10 athletes in the nation, and he was voted 1990 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason New Comer of the Year and to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Academic 1st Team in 1991 and 1992.
Marshall’s Evan Cordones wins the opening tip of the game against Willowridge. (Photo by Bill McCaughey)
Elkins’ Sowells and Bjorngeld voted to Volleyball All District First Team to the District 23 5A Volleyball All District First Team. In addition, Elkins had Rayven McKenzie and Tawyne King voted to the second team, and Jo Jyotis and Maurisa Harris were
By Bill McCaughey FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Kyra Sowells and Marissa Bjorngeld of Elkins were voted
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voted honorable mention. Also voted honorable mention were Angel Johnson and Osarose Banigo of Marshall, and Tatyana Hamilton and Zionna Brown of Willowridge. Elkins also placed 10 players on the District All-Academic team. They are: Marissa Bjorngjeld, Ashley Cyriac, Madison Babb, Rayven Mckenzie, Jo Joy, Laura Pace, Kyra Sowells, Maurisa Harris, Jesica Joy, and Elizabeth Ward.
District 23 5A Volleyball All District Awards and Teams Most Valuable Player: Torie Frederick, Manvel
Offensive Player of the Year: Kylie Verm, Santa Fe Co-Setters of the Year: Abigail Harness, Manvel and Caitlyn Pasco, Shadow Creek Defensive Player of the Year: Britney Ellisor, Shadow Creek Newcomer of the Year: Cecilia Harness, Manvel
Elena Dondonay, Santa Fe Arianne Renaud, Shadow Creek Brook Jefferson, Shadow Creek Amber Johnson, Shadow Creek Kyra Sowells, Elkins Marissa Bjorngeld, Elkins Ashlynn Lewis, Texas City Logan Kelly, Ball High
Second Team Natalie Honore, Manvel Amia Allison, Manvel Shelby Browning, Manvel Coach of the Year: Rachael Douglas, Santa Fe Susan Kennedy, Manvel Julia White, Santa Fe Grace Soma, Shadow Creek First Team Trinity Polar, Shadow Creek Aeris Ramsey, Manvel Rayven McKenzie, Elkins Delaine Fulton, Manvel Tawyne King, Elkins Taylor Frederick, Manvel Macee Medina, Texas City Tori Smith, Santa Fe Jennifer Herrera, Texas City Kassidy Taves, Santa Fe Caroline Baze, Ball High
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Stories that we covered this year: • Hurricane Harvey • Skeeters and manager change • Willowridge High School mold problem and affects on students • Local elections Contribute by going online to www.fortbendstar.com/donation or send your donation to Fortbend Star 3944 Bluebonnet Dr. Stafford, TX 77477
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Laura Mifflin, Ball High Gloria Pulido, Galena Park Honorable Mention Breanne Saldivar, Manvel Macy Witt-Nobles, Manvel Breanne Harris, Santa Fe Cassi Cruz, Santa Fe Halle Sanders, Shadow Creek Lauren Davis, Shadow Creek Jo Jyotis, Elkins Maurisa Harris, Elkins Ashleigh Rivas, Texas City Haley James, Texas City Kaila Lee, Ball High Lexie Koehler, Ball High Jennifer Ramirez, Galena Park Bailey Richey, Galena Park Angel Johnson, Marshall Osarose Banigo, Marshall Tatyana Hamilton, Willowridge Zionna Brown, Willowridge
H REYNOLDS, FROM PG 1 Reynolds ended up having his law license suspended and filing bankruptcy because he could not practice. He said those were issues with his private practice, not his role as a state representative. Still a believer in law, Reynolds said he is taking the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeals. “I am optimistic that the Court of Criminal Appeals will render a decision in my favor,” Reynolds said. “In the last election, I had four quality opponents, but my constituents know my record. I am accused of allowing someone to market personal injury cases on my behalf in less than 30 days. It has nothing to do with my role as a state representative and most of my constituents are able to distinguish between this and my legal practice.” He said he is proud of what he has been able to fight for as a state representative. “I’m the proud co-author of the equal pay act,” he said. “I don’t think any man should be paid more for doing the same job as a woman. I was proud to be the only male joint author.” He introduced bills to impeach President Donald Trump, to create a special prosecutor to handle cases when an officer harms or kills an unarmed person, a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15, and a bill to create a singlemember district for the Fort Bend Independent School District. Some of his bills garnered hearings but did not pass. He said hearings are often the first step leading to passage. “Our elected officials don’t reflect the values of the majority, only the top 3 percent of the population but that is changing,” he said. “I have the confidence of the people that matter, my constituents who can hire and fire me. I’m around in the community and I’m hearing them say, ‘we wish you wouldn’t be the target of this, we’re supportive of you and plan to vote for you,’” he said.
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Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing: 6:30 p.m., January 9, 2018, City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, to hear all persons interested in the proposed update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. The City set forth a vision through Master Planning to develop a first class park system. The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (PROSMP) outlines guidance and vision for the future of parks, open spaces, and recreational opportunities in the City. With the help of the many citizens that have provided their input and with the dedication of the PARCS Board we will continue to build a system that can provide healthy, fun, and interactive parks and programs for residents of all ages, cultures and abilities. The proposed plan reflects extensive community input. Learn more about the draft Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan by visiting the project webpage at www.sugarlandtx. gov/PROSMasterPlan, or by contacting the City of Sugar Land Parks Department by email at ParkRec@sugarlandtx.gov or phone (281) 275-2825. The agenda item for this meeting will be available on the City website at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and Videos”.
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LEGALS
LEGALS
Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing: 6:30 p.m., January 09, 2018, City of Sugar Land City Council Chamber, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, to hear all persons interested in the proposed Conditional Use Permit for a Self-Storage Facility on 2.20 acres located along Voss Road in the General Business (B-2) District; and further described as follows: Being a tract containing 2.203 acres in the Alexander Hodge League, Abstract No. 32, Fort Bend County, Texas located on Voss Road and east of State Highway 6. Details of the proposed conditional use permit may be obtained by contacting the City of Sugar Land Development Planning Office by email planning@sugarlandtx.gov or phone (281) 275-2218. The agenda item for this meeting will be placed on the City website at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and Videos” Planning & Zoning Commission no later than Friday, January 5, 2018.
HELP WANTED
LOOKING FOR
A BROKER
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No Experience Necessary New Agent Training
Keller Williams Call Chad 281-265-0000
LEGALS
LEXINGTON BLVD. ANIMAL HOSPITAL
PROPOSED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A SELFSTORAGE FACILITY LOCATED ON APPROXIMATELY 2.20 ACRES ALONG VOSS ROAD AND EAST OF SH 6 WITHIN THE GENERAL BUSINESS (B-2) DISTRICT.
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LEGALS
PNOTICE OF BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION DANGEROUS BUILDING HEARING 538 LONGVIEW DRIVE
The City of Sugar Land Building Official has deemed the single family residence located at 538 Longview Drive, Sugar Land, Texas 77478 a public nuisance and a Dangerous Building per the City of Sugar Land Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Article XII, Sec. 3-190. The property is dangerous to life, safety, and the general health and welfare of any occupants or the people of the city. The City recommends the exterior of the building be repaired, all entryways be secured, and the rear exterior stairwell be properly secured or removed. A hearing of the Building Standards Commission has been scheduled for January 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. N., Sugar Land, Texas 77479. During the hearing, the owner, lienholder or mortgagee must submit proof of the scope of any work that may be required to bring the property into compliance and the time it will reasonably take to perform the work. The Building Standards Commission will review all information concerning the property and make a final determination regarding the actions to be taken at the property. Details regarding the property and the associated Building Standards Commission hearing may be obtained by contacting the City of Sugar Land Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department at 281-275-2170. The Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at Public Works Building B, 111 Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land, Texas. CITY OF SUGAR LAND - LEGAL - 12-20-17 CITY OF STAFFORD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the City of Stafford Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas and before the City Council of the City of Stafford, Texas on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas for the purpose of receiving testimony for and against the following: An ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the Code of Ordinances, the same being the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by amending the ordinance and creating a new Planned Development District (PDD) zoning classification of approximately 8.33 ACRES of land. The property to be rezoned is described as all of Unrestricted Reserve B, Block 2 “The Fountains” Section 1; all of Unrestricted Reserve C, Block 1 “The Fountains” Section 1; all of Unrestricted Reserve D-2, Block 1 “The Fountains” Section 1, Replat of Reserve D; consisting of approximately 8.33 acres along Fountain Lake Drive near Executive Drive. All residents of the City of Stafford and other interested parties are invited to attend and will be given the opportunity to be heard. /s/ Tomika Lewis City Secretary
THE STAR THE STAR
PAGE 8A 8 • Wednesday, December 20, 2017 PAGE H Wednesday, November 8, 2017
F ORT B END
H OME S HOWCASE SOLD IN 10 DAYS
8 OFFERS
4 OFFERS IN 7 DAYS
D SOL
D SOL
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New Territory/Chapel Bend - Designer touches throughout this gorgeous home! Upgrades incl: tile flring in all baths/kit/ breakfast & gleaming hardwood flring in the rest. Kit. & baths w/high-end granite. SS GE Appls. Vaulted ceilings in Main LR w/wall of windows overlooking 20’X10’ covered slate patio w/outdoor Kit. No backyard neighbors-backs to a greenbelt. $268,000 Call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200 (VM4414IP)
SUGARWOOD – Gorgeous Custom Home with $130k in Upgrades/Updates Incl.-Custom Kit. Cabinets w/soft closing drawers & slideout shelves, High end Granite counter tops, SS dual fuel range/ double oven, Built-in SS JennAir counter depth Ref., Wine ref., tumble tile splshbk., 5’’Hardwood flring, brush marble & flagstone flring downstairs. Pool/Spa w/ prt.cv.patio. $399,900 Call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200 (VM1714RP)
SWEETWATER TOWNHOMES TOWNHOMES –– Lovely Lovely 2-story 2-story SWEETWATER Townhome Backs Backs to to Greenbelt Greenbelt && Lake Lake w/ w/ Townhome Fountains in in Gated Gated Community! Community! Open Open Concept Concept Fountains Kit. to to Liv. Liv. Rm Rm w/Vaulted w/Vaulted Ceilings Ceilings && gas gas FP. FP. Kit. Features: Plantation Plantation Shutters, Shutters, 2’’ 2’’ Blinds, Blinds, Features: Laminate ‘’wood ‘’wood style’’ style’’ Flooring, Flooring, New New 18’’ 18’’ Tile Tile Laminate Flring in in Kit./entry Kit./entry (5/17), (5/17), French French Doors Doors off off Flring Master && Liv.Rm. Liv.Rm. All All bedrms bedrms w/Waterview. w/Waterview. Kit. Kit. Master w/lots of of counter/cabinet counter/cabinet space space && gas gas range. range. w/lots Master Bedrm Bedrm down. down. Lots Lots of of storage storage space. space. Master Bkyd w/cov. w/cov. Patio Patio && Wrought Wrought Iron Iron Fence Fence w/ w/ Bkyd Gate to to Greenbelt. Greenbelt. Roof(‘16). Roof(‘16). Original Original Owner! Owner! Gate $310,000 Call Call Virginia Virginia Mack Mack 281-207-5200 281-207-5200 $310,000 (VM4202GW) (VM4202GW)
5 OFFERS IN 3 DAYS
7 OFFERS
3 OFFERS IN 5 DAYS
D SOL
D SOL
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AUSTIN MEADOWS – Fantastic Upgraded Rare 1-story 4/2.5/2 home w/detached garage. Sitting area off master could be study w/bay window overlooking landscaped backyd & door to backyd. Pergola sytle covered Saltillo tiled patio. Wooded lot w/ No backyard neighbors! All tile & hardwood flooring. Upgraded KIT w/granite counters & SS. appls. $365,000 Call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200 (VM3310ST)
RAGUS LAKE ESTATES - Darling 1 story, 3/2/2-Att. with Laminate ‘’wood like’’ flooring thru-out except tile in the bathrooms. Lg. 20 x 15 Liv. Rm. w/Raised Ceiling & a nice accent Corner Fireplace. Open Kit. Concept. French mill bead board accent in brkfast. Lg. fenced back yard, great for outdoor entertaining. Energy Efficient features: Radiant Barrier, Added Insulation, Solar Screens on back windows & storm doors. $170,000 Call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200 (VM14111VH)
Bridgewater/Commonwealth – Gorgeous all brick 1-story Perry Home on huge wooded cul-de-sac lot w/3 car det. garage. Fresh paint/new carpet (5/16). Granite countertops in kitchen & island. New roof 12/15. A must see! $415,000 Call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200.(4911GHC)
NEW LISTING
Full Price in 1 Day
D SOL
See us online www.FortBendStar.com See us online www.FortBendStar.com
F ORT B END
A Northington / East Bernard area – Enjoy Country Living at it’s Best! Lovely 1-Story Stone & Brick Hm on 2 Acres. Home completed 7/17-Never Lived In! Tons of ‘’WOW’’ Factors Include: Custom Wood Accents, Bead-board Ceilings, 9’’ Baseboards, Energy Efficient Double Paned Windows, Travertine w/granite accents & ‘’wood like’’ tile slat Flooring, Granite counters, Wood Beam Accents,
COMMONWEALTH/BRIDGEWATER, Highly sought after 1-Story Home. Updates: New Carpet(10/17), New Int./Ext. Paint(2017), Master Bath Remodel(9/17), New Roof(9/17)! Added Features: Kit. w/Granite Countertops w/bullnose edging & Travertine Tumbled Stone Bk. Splash. Antiqued Painted Wood Cabinets & Center Island. Rich Hardwood 5’’ slates, Marble & Tile Flooring, Windows w/2’’ Blinds, Custom Built-In Shelving in Fam. Room w/Gas Log Fireplace. Desired Location w/Highest test scored Elem, MS & Clements High. Low taxes. No flooding. $399,900 Call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200 (VM4930HW)
4 OFFERS
SOLD IN 4 DAYS
D SOL
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Shadow Glen At Riverstone – Over $50,000 in upgrades-Gorgeous Perry 1-story w/Brick & Stone accented ext. & lushly landscaped corner lot w/ stately pecan tree & several oaks. High Ceilings w/crown molding, 2’’ blinds, lg. tile flring or 5’’ slated hand-scraped dark engineered hardwood flooring through-out. Lg. Covered patio. Sprkl. sys. 3-car gar. $385,000 call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200 (6011SLL)
OXFORD/COMMONWEALTH – Fabulous Sought After All Brick 1-Story Home (Past Perry Model) - Shows Pride of Ownership! Open Concept Flrplan. Kit. w/Huge Island, Granite Counter Tops. Laminate ‘’wood like’’ Flooring. 4th Bedrm/2nd Study is open to main liv. area. Updated HVAC-2006, Water Heater 2009 & Solar Screens. Formal Liv./Library w/wall of built-in cabinets, desk & shelving. All Bedrms w/Lg. Walk-in Closets. Oversized Utility rm w/ room for extra refrig. Lush Landscaping & backyard Water Fountain stays. $375,000 Call Virginia Mack 281-207-5200 (VM4411KB)
ARLENE SUSAN ROLSEN LERNER CRS, Realtor
Broker Luxury Property Associate Specialist
Selling Ft. Bend’s
finest homes since 1985. 281-437-5044
H OME S HOWCASE The Virginia Mack Team
ABR, CBR, CRS, GRI, HALL of Fame, PLATINUM CLUB
(281) 207-5200
RE/MAX Southwest • (281) 491-1776 X5200
www.ftbendhomes.com
www.virginiamack.com e-mail:virginiamack@ftbendhomes.com Each office office Independently Independently Owned Owned & & Operated Operated Each
Astros GO
PRICE REDUCTION
Congratulations to the World Champion Houston Astros for a job well done!
RIVERSTONE - Custom stucco & stone Darling built home located on quiet cul-de-sac. Open light & bright energy efficient 3 bedroom + study. Spacious chef’s island kitchen, SS appliances + built in fridge. Hardwood floors. Executive master bedroom suite has sitting area + stunning master bath. 2nd floor media/gameroom + 1/2 bath. Nature views from sun room & covered patio. No rear yard neighbors! usan erner $590,000 Call Arlene Rolsenroker 281-414-8400ssociate (3826SU)
BEND/HOUSTON STRONG 281.414.8400 “From myFORT Family to yours, Happy Holidays!” -s
LernerRealtySolutions.com
l
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281-413-9732 AnitA Milne 281-413-9732
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UNDER CONTRACT - 6 DAYS
“May you & yours be Filled with : CRS, Realtor Broker Associate The Gift of Faith Luxury Property The Blessing of Hope Specialist & the Peace of His Love At Christmas time & RIVERSIDE/CALLOWAY PARK - 3-story LAKE OLYMPIA - Well cared for, 1 story. townhome near Throughout Med Center, UofH, TSU, the Wood-laminate in living area just installed. Selling Ft. Bend’s Museum District, Downtown. Beautiful up- Open floor plan, high ceilings. Refrigerator, 281-437-5044 coming finest homes since 1985. grades throughout. All appliancesNew included.Year” washer, dryer included. 3/2/2 $189,000. 3/2.5/2 $359,500. Call Susan Lerner (281)437-5044 LernerRealtySolutions.com Located next to park. -Arlene Rolsen 281.414.8400 Call Susan Lerner (281)437-5044 (3347KI) (2923PW)
BEARD REALTY REALTY GROUP GROUP BEARD
12-20-17 COLDWELL BANKER SOLD
MEADOWSPLACE PLACE MEADOWS
MEADOWSPLACE PLACE MEADOWS
SOLD SOLD
SOLD SOLD
QUAIL NORTH LAKEVALLEY OLYMPIA
Cul-de-sac with park across the street, this 4 Lease –2 4½bedrooms, 2 ½a baths, bedroom, bath home has great floor plancul-de-sac with formals with fireplace. lot plus withden landscaping ABR, CDPE, CRS, GRI Master on the back with double closets. services included. Big living roomBig laundry with half bath, nicely landscaped down, covered patio, kitchen open back yard retreat. Windows across the back of to living & breakfast. Formal dining, RE/MAX Fine Properties Properties the den to bring the outside in. Nice kitchen up. $1950/mo.(4639SC) & breakfast. Close to elementary, shopping, 281-265-5533 •• Each Each Office Office gameroom Independently Owned Owned && Operated Operated easy access. $174,900. (3327 MC)
BECKY FAUST 713-828-9007 MEADOWDALE MEADOWDALE 3/2/2••$189,900 $189,900 3/2/2
SCOTTSDALE SCOTTSDALE 3/2/2••$179,000 $179,000 3/2/2
ROOF11YR, YR,FOUNDATION FOUNDATIONREPAIRED REPAIREDW/W/TRANSFERABLE TRANSFERABLE ROOF WARRANTY.A/C A/C4/5 4/5YRS.OPEN YRS.OPENPLAN. PLAN. WARRANTY.
OPENFLOOR FLOORPLAN, PLAN,RECENT RECENTDISHWASHER/AC/WATER DISHWASHER/AC/WATER OPEN HEATER.NICE NICEPATIO PATIO&&PRETTY PRETTYFRONT FRONTYARD! YARD! HEATER.
MEADOWSPLACE PLACE MEADOWS
BRAYSVILLAGE VILLAGE BRAYS
MEADOWSPLACE PLACE MEADOWS
SOLD SOLD
SOLD SOLD
SOLD SOLD
DORRANCE DORRANCE 3/3/2••$159,900 $159,900 3/3/2
OPENDEN/KIT DEN/KIT––UPGRADED UPGRADEDREFRIGERATOR, REFRIGERATOR, OPEN JENNAIR AIR66COOKTOP, COOKTOP,22OVENS. OVENS.NEW NEWA/C A/CININ2014! 2014! JENN
WILLOWBEACH BEACH WILLOW 3/2/2••$159,900 $159,900 3/2/2
LIGHT&&OPEN OPENFLOORPLAN! FLOORPLAN!TILE TILEININENTRY/DEN/KIT/ ENTRY/DEN/KIT/ LIGHT DINRM. RM.WOOD WOODLAMINATE LAMINATEININBDRMS. BDRMS.22YEAR YEARHI-E HI-EAC! AC! DIN
MEADOWDALE MEADOWDALE 4/2/2••$232,900 $232,900 4/2/2
MANYUPDATES! UPDATES!NEW NEWROOF, ROOF,UPDATED UPDATEDMASTER MASTERBATH, BATH, MANY SPARKLINGPOOL, POOL,GREAT GREATCUL-DE-SAC CUL-DE-SACSTREET! STREET! SPARKLING
SIENNA PLANTATION
Huge 3/3/2 with study on the creek in Hickory Hollow. Beautiful trees, unique floor plan, close to schools, over 3000 sf per tax rolls. Fantastic island kitchen great for big parties! Flagstone patios, covered patio front & back, huge master & bath, lovely, restful views. Atrium. $289,900 (10018LH)
SILVER LAKE
4 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, portecochere, Newmark home with double staircase, fireplace in master, fantastic master bath. Over 3800 sf per tax rolls, ready to sell. Island kitchen, bulter’s pantry plus deep kitchen pantry, big laundry, gameroom up. Easy to show. $403,500. (2930TC)
Wishing you a Merry Christmas with all the joy you can handle!
OPEN SUNDAY NEW LISTING
12-20-17 - BECKY FAUST
QUAIL VALLEY
SIENNA STEEP BANK VILLAGE
DEL WEBB
cell: 713-898-3938 office: 281-980-5050
Lovely 22 story story home home inin the the heart heart ofof Lovely Quail Valley. Valley. Close Close toto the the golf golf course course Quail Quail Valley Valley Civic Civic Center. Center. Large Large && Quail corner lot, updated kitchen and corner lot, updated kitchen and master bath bath with with granite granite ---- slate slate % % master wood laminate floors. Wet bar with wood laminate floors. Wet bar with granite for for entertaining!! entertaining!! Carpet Carpet inin granite bedrooms. Master Master bedroom bedroom down, down, bedrooms. high ceilings, ceilings, study, study, 33 bedrooms bedrooms high and game room up. Recent roof!! and game room up. Recent roof!! Don’t miss miss it!it! $279,900 $279,900 Don’t CALL BARBARA BARBARA MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY CALL
Absolutely charming charming 1-story 1-story Absolutely with pool! pool!HighHigh with ceilings,ceilings, grangranite, breakfast ite, woodwood floors,floors, breakfast bar. bar. Open floorplan withaa large large Open floorplan with kitchen. Great kitchen. Great forforentertaining. entertainFlex Flexroom ing. room between between 22 bedrooms. Lovely Lovely landscaping. landscaping. bedrooms. Shows like like aa model model home home and and Shows $279,500 pricedtotosell! sell!$284,500 priced
barbarajmontgomery..com com barbarajmontgomery
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BARBARA MONTGOMERY
montgomb@ @garygreene garygreene..com com montgomb
713-898-3938 713-898-3938
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CALL BARBARA BARBARA MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY CALL
Gorgeous‘’Martin ‘’Martin Ray’’ Ray’’ plan. plan.Study Study Gorgeous could be be 3rd 3rd bedroom. bedroom. Enclosed Enclosed could stairs to to attic attic inin garage. garage. Epoxied Epoxied stairs garage floors. floors. Upgraded Upgraded master master garage bath && huge huge kitchen. kitchen. Upgraded Upgraded bath fans, cabinets, cabinets, plantation plantation shutters, shutters, fans, granite, built-ins, built-ins, high high ceilings, ceilings, granite, sprinkler system, system, elevated elevated dishdishsprinkler washer. Screened Screened inin porch! porch! This This washer. house shows shows like like aa model! model! DecoDecohouse rated beautifully!! beautifully!! Open--lite-Open--lite-rated airy!! DID DID NOT NOT FLOOD!!! FLOOD!!! $339,900 $339,900 airy!! CALL BARBARA BARBARA MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY CALL
Terrific Newmark Newmark home home inin great great Terrific location inin the the heart heart of of Sugar Sugar location Land, Exemplary Exemplary schools, schools, close close to to Land, shopping, schools, schools, and and freeway. freeway. shopping, Island kitchen kitchen open open to to family family area, area, Island abundant cabinets, formal dining abundant cabinets, formal dining and living. living. Large Large private private backyard backyard and with garden garden beds beds and and fruit fruit trees, trees, with no neighbors neighbors and and room room for for aa pool pool no and play equipment. Study upstairs and play equipment. Study upstairs could be be 5th 5th bedroom. bedroom. DID DID NOT NOT could FLOOD!!! Priced Priced to to sell! sell! $325,000 $399,950 FLOOD!!! Call Barbara Barbara Montgomery Montgomery Call
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THE STAR
1/2 PAGE GARY GREENE 12-20-17
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 • PAGE
TOP PRODUCERS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2017 MOIRA HOLDEN TOP PRODUCER & TOP LISTINGS SOLD with sales in excess of $1 Million
SAEID ARIANPOUR TOP BUYER SALES with sales in excess of $1 Million
SARA NGUYEN TOP LISTER
BARBARA K. MOODY TEAM
TOP PRODUCERS, TOP LISTER & TOP BUYERS SALES/TEAMS
with sales in excess of $1 Millions
SUSAN GREER GROUP TOP LISTINGS SOLD/TEAMS with sales in excess of $1 Millions
ALSO WITH SALES IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION
• A new concept in carefree, maintenance-free living. • Meet new friends and enjoy every day to its fullest with fun classes, seminars, happy hours, and more! • Enjoy contemporary and spacious floor plans filled with designer finishes and fixtures. • Resort-style amenities and services.
CONNIE ZUBIZARRETA
2323 TOWN CENTER • SUGAR LAND 281-980-5050 • www.garygreene.com
9
THE STAR
PAGE 10 • Wednesday, December 20, 2017
H SIGN, FROM PG 1 posted a picture of him and his sign on social media. “I know about social media but I never experienced it,” he said. The picture went viral. “It kept me going, just kept snowballing,” he said. “I knew it was over the top a little bit when a New Zealand radio station contacted me and said ‘can we do a short interview?’” People kept posting pictures and McCray’s fame grew. Now he helps operate a Facebook page called Old Man With a Sign. “Somebody said you need to go to Washington, D.C., and I said all right,” he said.
To The Patients of Dr. Nwanyieze Amajoh
It is with mixed emotions that we announce that Dr. Nwanyieze Amajoh will no longer be seeing patients at Southwest Ob Gyn Associates effective January 12, 2018. Southwest Ob / Gyn Associates have been serving the community for the past 20 years and while Dr. Amajoh’s presence will truly be missed, her spirit of caring and providing excellent patient care can be found in every physician within our group. It is our hope that you will continue to trust us with your care. Please call our office at 713-774-5131 to receive assistance with transitioning your care to one of the other physicians within our group. You may contact our office or visit our website at www.swobgyn.com and complete a request for release of medical records if you choose to continue care outside our practice. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of caring for you and we look forward to seeing you soon.
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
His co-administrator of the Facebook page suggested he start GoFundMe account to fund the trip and he raised $2,000. He went around Washington for a while but never made contact with the press. He said people loved taking pictures with the sign. He even caught the attention of and befriended noted activist Annabel Park. When he does travel, he likes to drive and spread his message along the way. “I have a Prius and I sleep in the back if I have to,” he said. Usually he will put out the word of where he is going and he’ll get volunteers to take him in for a night. His first newspaper coverage came in a paper in
Paris, Texas. Since then he’s had coverage almost everywhere he’s gone except his hometown of Lawton, Okla. “The editor, I talked to him, he interviewed me, took a photograph. Never did a story,” he said. He later found out the publisher nixed the story fearing reaction in the heavily Republican area. On a trip to Lawton, McCray said he had his most emotional experience. He stopped in a Dairy Queen in Nocona and the girl at the counter commented on his button with the same message. He gave her one with the condition that she agree to wear it, which she gladly did. Knowing what an outcast that could make her
in her community, he went back to his car and wept, praising her courage. He said every once and a while police will try to stop him, but they back off when they realize they don’t have a legal leg to stand on. He said he gets a lot of reaction from passersby. “I usually write about how many middle fingers I get,” he said. “I acknowledge the positive things, too.” He said he sees himself as the messenger. It’s his message that resonates with people. “I’m not trying to change anybody. I can’t do that, I’m not that good. That’s a futile effort. What I am doing is saying we’re here and we’re not going away,” he said.
DIRECTORY 1 CLANCY’S PUBLIC HOUSE
503 FM 359, SUITE 118
Richmond, TX 77406
832.847.4390 2 MO CITY SPORTS
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3760 Cartwright Rd.
@ FM 1092
Missouri City, TX 77459
359 M
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832-539-1504 3 OFF THE VINE BISTRO
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12821 Southwest Freeway
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12203 Murphy Rd,
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Missouri City, TX 77459
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3 Course Dinner $45 at 5:30 pm 4 Course Dinner w/ a Glass of Champagne $65 at 7:30 pm RSVP Only
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Special
New Year’s Eve
6x2 CLANCY’S PUBLIC HOUSE - EAT LOCAL 12-20-17
3760 Cartwright Rd. @ FM 1092
Not valid on alcohol purchases
FRI & SAT from 5pm • $28/person
3
2
1 coupon per table per visit.
Over 30 beers on tap Variety of over 50 different bottles of beer & cider
Celebrate New Year’s Eve
CATERING AVAILABLE
With coupon
Expires 1/16/2018
LIST YOUR RESTAURANT IN THIS SECTION
TUESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
Shared Dessert with 2 Big Plate purchases
Wine Wednesdays House Wines $3 per glass
2ND WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAYS
Wine Tasting 6PM $10 (3 pours) $20 (6 pours)
Half Off Appetizers
SATURDAYS
LAST FRIDAY OF EVERYMONTH
Live Music on the Patio 7PM of 2 Best 017
281.690.4200
FORT BEND STAR
Readers’ Choice
Wine Dinner call to reserve your spot!
281.242.4186
2865 Dulles Ave • Missouri City, Texas 77459
www.offthevinebistro.com 5
4
HAPPY HOURS! HAPPY DAYS! 2.99 Casa Ritas • $2.99 Domestic Beers $ .59 3 Imported Beers
$
Monday - Friday 11am to 6pm All Day Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
12203 Murphy Road, Stafford 281.568.9626
One coupon per visit, per table. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Not valid with any other offer, discount, lunch or $18.99 menu. Dine in only. Not valid with 99¢ rita special. No cash value. Valid only at 12203 Murphy Road, Stafford or 5920 Hwy 6 North, Houston locations.
City_________________State____
Zip_____________
Email____________________________________________ Would you like to join our E-Club for exclusive offers? Yes______ No______ Are you a first time customer?_____
Valid Feb. 1 - Feb. 28 2018 FBS
One coupon per visit, per table. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Not valid with any other offer, discount, lunch or $18.99 menu. Dine in only. Not valid with 99¢ rita special. No cash value. Valid only at 12203 Murphy Road, Stafford or 5920 Hwy 6 North, Houston locations.
Address__________________________________________ City_________________State____
Zip_____________
Email____________________________________________ Would you like to join our E-Club for exclusive offers? Yes______ No______ Are you a first time customer?_____
Valid Mar. 1 - Mar. 31 2018 FBS
Beautiful
5 OFF!
Valid Jan. 1 - Jan. 31 2018 FBS
Address__________________________________________
Name___________________________________________
$ .00
Email____________________________________________ Would you like to join our E-Club for exclusive offers? Yes______ No______ Are you a first time customer?_____
5 OFF!
Zip_____________
Name___________________________________________
$ .00
5 OFF!
Address__________________________________________ City_________________State____
$ .00
Name___________________________________________
One coupon per visit, per table. Excludes alcohol, tax and gratuity. Not valid with any other offer, discount, lunch or $18.99 menu. Dine in only. Not valid with 99¢ rita special. No cash value. Valid only at 12203 Murphy Road, Stafford or 5920 Hwy 6 North, Houston locations.
Party Room Available. Holiday Gift Cards Available
Book your Holiday Parties and Catering Early! CALL
281-240-3060 Purchase $100 receive $10 FREE
HAPPY HOUR EVERYDAY • 11am-7pm FREE MINI BUFFET • Monday-Friday 4pm-7pm
12821 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY • 281.240.3060
www.LasHaciendasGrill.com Catering & Party Room available for your Holiday Events.
THE STAR
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
Man gets life for sexually abusing Sugar Land girl Staff Reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
On Dec. 8, 46-year-old Christopher Shane Artz of College Station was sentenced to life in prison for the offense of continuous sexual assault of a young child. Due to the nature of the offense, he is not eligible for parole. Artz plead not guilty to the first-degree offense and requested that a jury determine his guilt and punishment. As a result, a three-day trial commenced on Dec. 5 in the 240th District Court before Presiding Judge Chad Bridges. The State, represented by Assistant district attorneys Claire Andresen and Ashley Earl, presented evidence to the jury in the form of witness testimony, photographs, and a recorded interview of the defendant speaking with detectives. Artz was represented by attorney James L. Mount.
The jury found Artz guilty of the offense in approximately 20 minutes on Dec. 7. At the punishment phase of trial, the State provided additional witness testimony on the potential affects the defendant’s acts would have on the child victim throughout her life. Mount presented expert witness testimony and argued that the defendant would not reoffend. On Dec. 8, the jury returned a sentence of life in prison. Under Texas law, the defendant must serve every day of the sentence without the possibility of parole. Evidence presented by prosecutors Andresen and Earl, both assigned to the Child Abuse Division of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, revealed that between 2011 and 2014, Artz engaged in repeated acts of aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14 years of age and indecency with a child. According to the evidence, the
acts occurred in Sugar Land, and in another state as well. The investigation was conducted by former detective, now Sergeant, Jarret Nethery, of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Andresen commended the witness who revealed the abuse she had suffered. “No matter the strength of the evidence, these are always difficult cases to prosecute. There is no statute of limitations for sex crimes committed against children because it is rare for a child to immediately disclose abuse,” she said. “The child involved in this case was incredibly brave to come forward, face her abuser, and tell the jury what happened to her. I’m glad to see that justice has been served.” Earl also praised the child. “She’s a courageous young lady who stood up to her abuser of so many years. This verdict also sends a message to the community that there are
severe consequences for those who abuse children in Fort Bend County,” she said. Artz, who did not testify during any phase of the trial, gave a statement to Sgt. Nethery and Detective Ricky Holdsworth during the investigation in which he admitted to some of the assaults that were alleged. Andresen commended the efforts of the investigating officer, saying “a diligent investigation on the part of Sergeant Nethery and the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office played a large part in the State’s ability to obtain a conviction. Fort Bend County is also very fortunate to have the Children’s Advocacy Center, which is a part of the Child Advocates of Fort Bend organization. The services for abused children provided by the Children’s Advocacy Center staff and Program Director Fiona Remko help ensure that children heal from the abuse they have suffered.”
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 • PAGE
11
Man gets life for killing Rosenberg woman Staff Reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Valentine Gonzalez Jr. was convicted and sentenced Dec. 11 for the murder of a 32-year-old woman in 2016. The defendant pled guilty to capital murder and received a sentence of life without parole rather than risk facing the possibility of the death penalty at trial. The 52-year-old Rosenberg man had fled the country but confessed to the killing when he was apprehended earlier this year. According to Assistant District Attorney Lorretta Owen, Gonzalez performed yard service for Nancy Dean on Sept. 3, 2016. At some point that evening, Gonzalez attempted to sexually assault Dean in her home. During the attack, he struck her and strangled her with his hands
before cutting her throat with a knife. In an effort to destroy the evidence of his crime, Gonzalez then set Dean’s home on fire. Gonzalez was identified as a suspect that night, but without the evidence to arrest him at that time, he was released by police. He fled to Mexico where he was eventually apprehended in March 2017. Upon his arrest, Gonzalez confessed to killing Dean. Gonzalez was eligible to receive the death penalty. The state offered a life sentence without parole in lieu of trial, which would have required Dean’s mother to testify. Experiencing severe trauma over the loss of their only child, Dean’s parents approved the plea agreement. A close family friend read the family’s victim impact statement at the sentencing, but Dean’s parents did not attend.
28 1 25 4 7 27 206 9Community 14 10 Calendar of Events 3 11 8 22 2 16 1021 7 3 FORT BEND
Fort Bend Community Calendar are for non-profit events.
Deadline is noon every Friday. Please keep wording to a minimum. Answer the “5 W’s”: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to Editor@FortBendStar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 3944 Bluebonnet Drive, Stafford, Texas 77477.
TUESDAY, DEC. 26 KWANZAA UMOJA CELEBRATION
call 281-205-4514.
SATURDAY, JAN. 20 COUNTYWIDE JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION
Join the Missouri City Kwanzaa Ujima Collective for the inaugural Kwanzaa Umoja (Unity) Night Celebration and Candle Lighting Ceremony, 5 p.m. at the Pinnacle Senior Center, 5525 Hobby Road-C, Houston. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 832-535-6237 or 281-238-2100.
Help Hope For Three Autism Advocates take over Constellation Field to bring awareness to autism. Awards, prizes and bragging rights guaranteed. Visit hopeforthree.org/ for registration or call 281-245-0640.
JANUARY 2018 YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES
SATURDAY, FEB. 24 FORT BEND PANHELLENIC RECRUITMENT WORKSHOP
Sienna Branch Library will have young adult programs during January, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd. in Missouri City. Free and open to the public. For more information and a complete list of activities, call 281-238-2900 or 281-633-4734.
SATURDAY, JAN. 6 HOME FRUIT PRODUCTION
Learn about planting and caring for fruit producing trees and vines in your garden, 9-11 a.m. at the Bud O’Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.fbmg.org or call 281-341-7068.
MANAGING DEBT
The Sienna Branch Library will present a financial wellness program, 2-3 p.m. Learn how to manage and decrease debt. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2900 or 281-633-4734.
TUESDAY, JAN. 9 DIGGING FOR YOUR ROOTS
Presented at Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Learn how to access online tools for family history research. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2140 or 281-633-4734.
THURSDAY, JAN. 11 THE AAUW FORT BEND
Branch meeting at Kelley’s Restaurant, Stafford. Lorraine Schroeder, M.A., LPC, LGBTQ Resource Center director, will speak on connectedness, positivity, empathy, relator, and responsibility at 7 p.m. The public is welcome. Email fortbend-tx@aauw.net, or visit http://fortbend-tx.aauw.net/.
TUESDAY, JAN. 16 BEAT THE PACK/ STOP SMOKING PROGRAM
Sponsored by Houston Methodist Sugar Land, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Main Conference Room A. Participants will meet once a week for four weeks with a trained facilitator who will provide tools, tips and support to help smokers create and follow a “quit plan.” The program will be offered each quarter. Registration required. Please visit houstonmethodist.org/events and search for Beat the Pack, or
The annual recruitment sign-up is from 10 a.m. to noon at Parkway United Methodist Church, 5801 New Territory Blvd. For young women who are high school seniors or collegians, and their parents that wish to know more sorority recruitment in the fall of 2018/spring 2019 school year. For more information, visit www. fortbendpanhellenic.org.
ONGOING 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 to 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 281-6334734.
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 cat” bookmark and be eligible to adopt a cat for 50 perecent off that day. Held 1:30- 4:30 p.m. the first Saturday of every month at 3203 Hwy 6 S, Sugar Land.
FORT BEND RECOVERS HURRICANE HARVEY HELP
Those needing help with a recovery plan for home repairs, or any unmet needs, Fort Bend Recovers is here to help. Call one of these Helplines today: Case Management Helpline 281-207-2555, Spiritual/Emotional Helpline: 281-207-2505, Lone Star Legal Aid 866-659-0666. A case manager will contact you and get you started on your road to recovery. Visit www.fortbendrecovers.org for more information.
713-433-6421 14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, TX 77053 www.HoustonHumane.org • Spay/Neuter surgeries • Wellness Exams • Vaccinations • Heartworm tests, prevention and treatment • Flea and tick medication • Microchipping
FREE RABIES VACCINE with the purchase of any shot package *Coupon must be presented at time of service. Expires: DECEMBER 31, 2017
NAMI FORT BEND LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Chinese Family Support Group to support all Chinese speaking families with a family member living with mental illness. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call NAMI 281-494-5193 or Chinese line 832-273-3117.
BOOK OF MORMON STUDY GROUP
Free study sessions focusing on the sermons and teachings of the Book of Mormon prophets - King Benjamin, Nephi, Alma, and Jacob about the Savior Jesus Christ begins at 7:00 PM on Thursday nights at 14555 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Call (713) 371-8979 for more information. See www.mormon.org.
AARP MISSOURI CITY CHAPTER #3081 MONTHLY MEETING
Monthly meeting at Missouri City Recreation/Tennis Center. 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City. Second Monday of every month. 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. Fun/Food/Fellowship/Learning. Contact Buddy or Barbara 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.
OYSTER CREEK ROTARY CLUB MEETS
The Oyster Creek Rotary Club meets every Friday at noon at The Quail Valley Centre(Golf Club), 2880 LaQuinta, Missouri City. All are welcome to come. For Information contact Bike Baker, 281-770-0060, thealchemist65@yahoo.com.
THE MOM’S CLUB OF SUGAR LAND NORTH
Are you a stay at home mom? They would love to have you join their group. Playgroups, socials, mom’s night out, book clubs, and many more fun things planned! Any age children are welcome, or just come yourself if your children are in school. For more info, email momsclub_sln@yahoo.com. New Pathfinders Group Of Narcotics Anonymous, 4203 Avenue H, Rosenberg 77471, Monday and Tuesday from 8-9 p.m., Wednesday from 8:15-9:15 p.m.
HOPE SWEET HOPE
Hope Sweet Hope Group of Narcotics Anonymous, 16755 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Room 201, 7-8 p.m.
Honored to be your choice for life insurance.
EXPERIENCE COUNTS! 27+ YEARS SERVING FORT BEND COUNTY
Call us today!
281.243.2300 •
One Sugar Creek Center Blvd.
Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX
LISA N SIMS, AGENT
www.KenWoodPC.com
Enjoy Your Event. Let Us Do The Cooking.
CATERING
Any Size Event / Group CRAWFISH and BBQ. Award Winning
Call:
832.606.0897
Monday - Friday 9 - 6 Saturday 10 - 2 After hours by appointment
CALL
(1-877-252-4776)
Locally owned and operated, since 1979
WWW.25AIRPORT.COM
BASHANS PAINTING & HOME REPAIR Commercial / Residential Fully Insured Reference Available
FREE ESTIMATES NO PAYMENT UNTIL COMPLETION
11647 S Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77498 Toll Free: 281-201-2448 lisa@agentlisasims.com
Alief MEDICAL SALES
$25 AIRPORT RIDE SERVICE
1-877-25Airport
SPRING CLEAN UP
Every Saturday to help revitalize the community in North Rosenberg. If you or your group would like to join, please email: Barry@ attackpoverty.org or christina@attackpoverty.org.
PATHFINDERS GROUP
24:7 DADS
Empowering fathers to develop bonds with their children and improve their parenting skills. Free to any father. Six-week sessions. Babysitting provided with advance notice. Mamie George Community Center Rosenberg. Call 281-202-6264 to reserve a spot.
Low Cost Animal Wellness Clinic
FORT BEND RECOVERS
Those with items to donate to help victims of Hurricane Harvey can drop them off at Fort Bend Recovers Donation Warehouse at 1400 FM 2218, Richmond (former Tractor Supply Company Warehouse) Visit www.fortbendrecovers.org for a complete list of items that are accepted and more information.
11843 Wilcrest, Houston, Texas 77031 Murphy at Southwest Freeway, U.S. 59
281-530-3232
www.AliefMedicalSales.com
RAMIRO RODRIGUEZ • AUTO • HOME INSURANCE • BUSINESS An Independent Agency
20 Years Experience
281.347.6702
Working For You – NOT The Insurance Company.
281.731.3383 - Cell
bashanspainting@earthlink.net
Be a part of the
COMMUNITY CALENDAR & tell readers about your non-profit event! Send your info to: Editor@FortBendStar.com
281-240-8701
THE STAR
PAGE 12 • Wednesday, December 20, 2017
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
Our Veteran Conservative Leader
Dedication • Hard Work • Conservative Results
Pictured are the recipients of this year’s Fort Bend County Fair scholarships. (Submitted photo)
Fort Bend County Fair scholarship application deadline is Jan. 26 The Fort Bend County Fair is giving back through its scholarship program and now is the time to apply. The opportunity to earn a fair scholarship is open to a wide range of qualifying students. The fair will provide $4,000 scholarships to 45 Fort Bend County students. Since 1979, the Fort Bend County Fair has given 823 scholarships to the county’s youths. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. Texas A&M freshman Courtney Ramirez is enjoying her first year
RICK
away at college. She was a recipient last year of a fair scholarship. The new Aggie is thrilled with the financial boost and said, “things at Texas A&M have been great and very busy especially with finals. I have made many new friends. I joined a Christian sorority on campus and was recently voted in as sorority president for the year of 2018. I think the most challenging thing about college at first was finding my classes on the huge campus and also creating a structured environment for myself. I can’t wait to see what next semester has to offer
Business Honor Roll
MILLER T E X A S S TAT E R E P R E S E N TAT I V E DISTRICT 26
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! www.vote4rickmiller.com
On Wed, Dec. 27th Fort Bend Businesses will be listed in chronological order by the number or years they have been serving the community! This is one of the highest read features each year in the Fort Bend Star and you can participate. Star readers like to see how long their favorite companies have been around! Call your Star rep today, don’t miss out!
281-690-4200
pd pol ad • Rick Miller Campaign, Bruce Bond, Treasurer
for me.” The proceeds from the 2017 Fort Bend County Fair and the Fort Bend County Fair Life Membership Fund provide the necessary monies to allocate the scholarships. The scholarships are divided into different divisions depending on the applicants’ fair involvement and their field of study. Eligible candidates are required to submit their completed scholarship application by the January deadline. Applicants, parents, and school counselors are urged to review the guidelines and rules carefully. Students wanting to apply for a Fair scholarship must meet certain requirements: They must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Fort Bend County or zoned to a school in Fort Bend County; be a high school senior and graduate by the spring semester of 2018. “Get your applications in; this is an extraordinary opportunity for all high school seniors. Last year we had recipients who were lifelong fair participants while others had very limited time; if any at the fair,” said Cindy Schmidt, Fort Bend County Fair Manager. Selection of the recipients will be based on several qualifications including: scholastic standing, leadership, citizenship, need, and fair participation. During the application process, candidates will declare what type of scholarship that they will be applying. Restrictive, non-restrictive, open, vocational, or art scholarships are some of the classifications options that candidates will have to choose. For more information on the 2018 scholarship rules and application, visit fortbendcountyfair.com or call the fair office at 281-3426171.
NOW OPEN
INJURIES DON’T HAPPEN ON A SCHEDULE Specialized orthopedic care for unexpected injuries
At the Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic at Sugar Land, we’re expanding our services and hours to better serve the needs of Fort Bend County and surrounding communities. When you need immediate orthopedic care, count on our knowledgeable doctors and staff to quickly evaluate and treat your injury, and get you back to your active life. The clinic provides treatment for:
Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. No appointment required
• Acute orthopedic injuries
• Injured tendons
• Sports injuries
Office visit pricing
• Concussions
• Minor dislocations
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures and broken bones
• Painful or swollen joints
• Torn ligaments
Major insurance plans accepted
16811 Southwest Fwy., Suite 200 Sugar Land, TX 77479 | 281.609.7547
houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics-sl
Chronic conditions, spine injuries motor vehicle accidents and workers’ compensation injuries are not treated at the injury clinic. Please call 281.201.0396 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate physician for those conditions.