11-30-22 Edition of The Ft Bend Star

Area man convicted for sexual abuse of child

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

On Nov. 18, a Fort Bend County jury found a Sugar Land man guilty of con tinuous sexual abuse of a young child and sentenced him on November 21 to 65 years in prison without the possibility of parole, the Fort Bend County Dis trict Attorney announced in a press release Monday.

Carlos Alexander Cas tillo Crespo, 27, was con victed of for repeatedly abusing a child from 20192021.

“The trauma this man caused this child at such a young age is immeasur able," Assistant District Attorney Jessica Ramos, lead prosecutor said in the press release. "I asked the jury to sentence the defendant harshly so he could never inflict this type of harm on any other child again. Their steep verdict does just that. He will not be eligible for re lease from prison until he is 92 years old.”

Prosecutors presented evidence that Castillo Crespo admitted to law enforcement that he sexu ally abused a young girl for two years beginning when the child was nine years old and Crespo was 23. Crespo told police that he was in love with the young girl.

“The defendant wanted the jury to believe he had a romantic relationship with this child and show him mercy,” said Dulce

Local hospital announces $231 million expansion

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A Houston area healthcare giant is ex panding its footprint in Fort Bend County.

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital this week announced that it is expanding its cam pus to meet the growing needs of the region, with Fort Bend County's population expected to reach 1 million by 2027.

Through a recently announced $231 million investment, the expan

sion project will include a large build-out of one of the existing towers on campus, which will add new medical/surgi cal beds, new universal beds, and a new neona tal intensive care unit.

The project will also expand catheter ization lab capacity as well as key outpa tient areas, including emergency department rooms, operating rooms, endoscopy suites, CT and X-ray capabilities, key ancillary areas, and parking capacity.

“Memorial Hermann

Sugar Land Hospital is situated in one of the fastest growing regions in Greater Houston, and as we work to meet the health needs of our community, it is clear that we must grow alongside them,” Mali sha Patel, SVP and CEO of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and South west Hospitals, said in a press release. “Our ul timate goal is to ensure we can continue provid ing the highest-quality

Coming together

Fort Bend Interfaith Thanksgiving service draws diverse audience

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The spacious sanc tuary of St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sug ar Land was filled near to capacity Monday for the Fort Bend Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, where representatives of various faiths offered prayers and reflections

from each of their tra ditions that resonated with the evening's theme, "Together in Love and Friendship."

It was the first time the annual event, presented by the Fort Bend Inter faith Community, was held in person since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the previ ous two years, the event was held virtually.

"It's been three years, but we're here," Fr. Drew Wood, pastor at St. Lau rence, said in opening remarks, to the applause of the attendees who had braved some somewhat dreary weather to come to the event.

"We are here to be re spectful towards each other, to get to know each other a little better, and to pray for peach in

the world, peach in our country, peace in our families," he said.

Among the highlights of the event: the festival choir of Christ Church Sugar Land performed a song titled "Total Praise"; a choir from the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center performed a song based on a poem by Iman alBusiri; Cantor Renee Waghalter sang a mov

ing Jewish prayer; and three monks from the Universal Door Buddhist Medication Center used glasses filled with water - from pure clear to mud died -- to illustrate how people's life experiences and confuse them about their true selves.

Members of Hindus of Greater Houston, wear

Wonderful Indonesia Festival spreads local culture

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A slight chill in the air didn't keep hundreds of people from turning out for the Wonderful Indo nesia

by the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia, returned to Sugar Land for the second time, after its first time in 2019. In previous years, the event had been held at the con sulate's headquarters in Houston's Westchase district.

The event's move to Sugar Land is meant to highlight the cultural and economic ties be tween the area and In

donesia, Consul General Andre Omer Siregar and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman told

"We welcome every body," Zimmerman said.

Indonesia,

The

Members of the Sikh community perform a traditional Punjabi song of prayer during the Fort Bend Interfaith Thanksgiving Service last week. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

Festival at Sugar Land Town Square on Sunday and enjoying the tastes and cultural offer ings of one of the largest countries in the world.

event, sponsored

attend ees as they opened the festivities, with both of them gamely playing on traditional Indonesian drums.

an archi pelago nation comprised

Crespo

Erika Sinegar, the wife of the Indonesian general consul, dances at Saturday's festival while Aurelia Sky performs. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

Pictured is Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. The hospital has begun an expansion that aims to keep up with the county's growth. (Photo courtesy of Memorial Hermann)

SEE EXPANSION PAGE 4

Shown

from

Sugar Land Holiday Market, which was held last weekend at Sugar Land Town Square. The annual market drew hundreds of community members out

(Photos by Ken Fountain)

Buffs blow by Lake Creek for regional final berth

The Marshall Buffalos, a pe rennial power in the Class 5A playoffs in recent seasons, had a shocking first-round exit last season. This season, however, a focused Buffalos’ squad has reminded Texas high school football fans why they have been a force to be reckoned with in postseason play.

Marshall raced past previously undefeated Mont gomery Lake Creek 55-18 at Delmar Stadium last week end, punching the Buffalos’ ticket to the Region III-5A fi nal for the fourth time in the past six seasons.

The Buffalos (12-1) will face off with District 9-5A rival Port Neches-Groves (11-2) in the regional final at 7 p.m. Friday at Galena Park ISD Sta dium.

It will be the second meet ing between the two teams this season, with the Buffalos defeating the Indians 35-14 on Sept. 24.

Quarterback Jordon Davis continued his prolific season, amassing over 400 total yards and seven touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) for the Buffalos. It was the fourth time this season Davis has accounted for at least four touchdowns in a game, and the second time he has ac counted for seven scores.

Do-everything receiver and University of Houston com mit Ja’Koby Banks had 12 catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns for the Buffalos, while sophomore receiver Ja’Kayden Ferguson also hauled in two touchdown passes.

Fulshear falls to end historic season

The Fulshear Chargers had a historic season, but saw that campaign come to an end in the regional semifinals last weekend, dropping a 31-13 decision to Smithson Valley.

Davion Godley ran for two touchdowns in the game for the Chargers, who finished the 2022 campaign with a school-record 11 wins and the

program’s first regional semi final berth.

Class 6A

The Hightower Hurricanes lost a 38-21 decision Hous ton C.E. King on Saturday to see their season end. It was

regional semifinal for the Hur ricanes, who returned to the Class 6A ranks this season for the first time since 2017.

Running back Jeremy Payne had a pair of rushing touch downs for the Hurricanes, who finished the 2022 season with a 10-3 overall record in

their return to Class 6A.

Elsewhere, the Ridge Point Panthers have also seen their season come to an end with a 47-24 loss to the Atascocita Eagles in the Region III-6A semifinals. The Panthers’ sea son ended at the hands of the Eagles for a second consecu

tive season, finishing the year with a 10-3 record.

Ezell Jolley had a rushing touchdown for the Panthers, while Austin Carlisle had a 92-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Bethel-Roman as well as a 75-yard scoring toss to Mason Dossett.

The Marshall Buffalos' football team celebrates following a win over Waco University on Nov. 18. The Buffalos defeated Montgomery Lake Creek 55-18 last weekend to advance the Region III-5A final against Port Neches-Groves. (Photo from Twitter)

ing full costumes and makeup, enacted a skit telling the stories of Ram and Krishna, manifesta tions of God in the Hindu faith. A group of Sikh mu sicians sang and played a Punjabi song of prayer on traditional instruments.

After a benediction by Pastor Will Starkweather of St. Martin's Luther an Church, the service ended with choir made up of youth from various religious traditions per forming a song titled "Let There be Peace on Earth," which was joined in by the attendees. Afterward, a reception was held in St. Laurence's community center.

The Fort Bend Inter faith Community formed about a decade ago, largely spearheaded by Rabbi Josh Lobel, then of Congregation Beth El (who has sent moved to another state), accord

ing to Nihal Zakaria, a member of the the FBIC board. Lobel and Zakaria, an attorney and member of the Maryam Islamic Center who was associat ed with Interfaith Minis tries of Greater Houston, agreed that Fort Bend, a highly religiously diverse community, needed an interfaith organization of its own, Zakaria said.

"I miss my Indonesian food," she said.

Aside from the annual interfaith service, the FBIC holds annual Dinner Dialogues, where people of different faiths have dinner together and en gage in conversation, and youth projects, including the annual Martin Luther King Youth Day of Ser vice.

Other than those al ready mentioned, the

back in Indonesia.

of more than 17,000 is lands stretched across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, is the world's most populous Muslim nation. Other faiths include Christian ity, Buddhism, Hinduism and many indigenous re ligions.

There were plenty of cultural offerings on dis play at the festival. Sev eral booths featuring tra ditional Indonesian fare, as well as some not-sotraditional, lined one side of the square.

Greg Thibodeaux and Chrisye Lucia of Pasa dena enjoyed a beef-andrice dish. Lucia, who is an Indonesia native who has lived in the U.S. for sever al years, said she came at the invitation of a friend who was one of the event organizers.

Thibodeaux, who origi nally hails from Louisiana and calls himself a Ca jun, said he was glad to be able to partake in a bit of his girlfriend's culture, as he's never visited her home country.

There were also sev eral booths selling Indo nesian-style garments.

Christina Munser and her husband, Morten, sold traditional batik, a form of clothing used primarily for special occasions. Ba tik cloth is made through a special wax-resist tech nique developed in Java, one of Indonesia's largest islands.

Chrstina said she learned the labor-inten sive technique from her grandparents and hopes to pass on the cultural knowledge. Besides her own clothing, she sells batik made by women

On the plaza in front of City Hall, there was a full day's worth of entertain ment, emceed by Audra Gorsuch and Titin Span gler, both of the consul ate.

Among the acts on dis play were traditional and modern dancers, a couple of fashion shows, and singer Aurelia Sky M.D., a plastic surgeon who said she is embarking on fi nally making her singing dreams come true. At one point, Erika Siregar, the consul general's wife, was able to coaxing her hus band, Zimmerman, and A.H.N. Myung-Soo, the visiting Consul General of the Republic of Korea, up for a dance.

Perhaps the most in volving entertainment was the performance of an ensemble playing the traditional instrument

area faith communities that participated in this year's event were: Tho reau Unitarian Universal ist Congregation of Fort Bend, Houston Baptist Church, JBB Jain Society, and Bahai'i Faith of Sugar and and Fort Bend. They represent only some of the FBIC's member orga nizations, which can be found at fbictx.org.

known as the angklung, a wind instrument made of bamboo tubes. Much like handbells, each in strument plays a par ticular octaves, so songs are played with several people.

The "choir" performed two songs, "You Raise Me Up" and the Louie Arm strong classic "What a Wonderful World," along with members of the Awty International School choir and musicians from Clements High School.

Afterward, members of the audience were invited to try their hand on the angklung, with an instruc tor leading them through a rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

The event took place just one day before the devastating November 21 earthquake on the Indo nesian island of Java.

and most comprehensive care in the heart of Fort Bend County for all those who need us, for many years to come.”

This latest expansion builds upon current proj ects previously approved for Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, including a $10 million operating room expansion, which is already underway with an anticipated comple tion date of spring 2023.

“This is such an excit ing time for our campus and also for Fort Bend County,” Patel said. “With the growth of the Memo rial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital campus, we continue to seek to posi tively impact our Fort Bend County community beyond our walls. We are excited about the job

H CONVICTED FROM PAGE 1

Salazar, the other pros ecutor in the case. “We are thankful they recog nized that this was sexual abuse and focused instead on getting the victim the justice she deserved.”

“While we cannot un due the harm that the defendant caused, we

creation that will accom pany this project and the overall economic impact that this will bring to our community.In addition, another project sched uled to begin in early 2023 involves construc tion of a new five-story, 135,000-square-footmedical office building designed for a multi-tenant build out. The expansion will also create an additional 150 jobs.

"Our system recogniz es that we cannot realize our vision of creating healthier communities without investing in neighborhoods all across our region," Patel said.

"This is just one of the many ways that Memo rial Hermann is able to best serve each and ev ery one of our patients with compassionate, per sonalized care.”

can ensure that the de fendant never harms an other child. The jury’s punishment was just and our children are safer as a result," District Attorney Brian Middleton said. Castillo Crespo was tried in the 434th District Court before Presiding Judge J. Christian Becer ra.

Members of Universal Door Buddhist Meditation Center give a clear water demonstra tion. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

Events highlight county’s incredible diversity

By

Last week in this space, I discussed Fort Bend Coun ty's incredible diversity, which has gained notice from near and far. As I not ed, Fort Bend may be the single most diverse county in the United States, with the four major racial groups at near parity, the result of demographic trends that have played out over the past three decades or so.

Since I wrote that col umn, I've reported on three events that shone a light on that diversity.

On Sunday, November 20, the Consulate General of the Republic of Indo nesia hosted the "Wonder

ful Indonesia Festival" at Sugar Land Town Square. This was the first time the event had been held since the pandemic, and the sec ond time it was held in our county after years at the Consulate headquarters in the Westchase District. (By the way, if you've never been there, I recommend going and checking out the museum of Indonesian cul ture and history on the first floor).

Consulate officials and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman noted that this area is a natural for the festival, given the grow ing cultural and economic ties between Indonesia and Fort Bend.

At the festival, you could of course see lots of peo

Ken Fountain, Managing Editor

ple from Indonesia, which itself is a highly diverse country. But you could also see all kinds of faces of people who may have had no experience with that country but were excited to take in its sights, sounds, and tastes. People eagerly tired their hand at playing the angklung, a traditional

wooden instrument that works somewhat like a handbell.

The next evening, the Fort Bend Interfaith Com munity held the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land, the first time in-per son since the pandemic. This was the first time I'd attended the event, al though I have in the past attended a similar event held at the Rothko Chapel in Houston's Museum Dis trict.

As at the Rothko, the Fort Bend Service featured rep resentatives of numerous faiths: Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Unitar ian Universalism, Jainism,

Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Baháʼí faith. Some recited from their faiths' scriptures, some offered prayers, some performed music, and some even en acted ancient stories.

Despite some rainy weather, a large crowd filled the St. Laurence sanc tuary (a beautiful space, by the way), warmly taking in a little of the various faith traditions, many of which they may not have been familiar with. After the ser vice, a reception was held at the church's community center, where folks of dif ferent faiths could get to know each other a bit.

The third event, last Sun day, was the Small Business Holiday Market at Sugar Land Town Square. There

was nothing explicitly "di verse" about this event. Under a bright sky, visitors simply browsed and bought gift items from the wide variety on offer. But the vendors and patrons alike were from all walks of life, gathering together to do a little shopping and enjoy a lovely afternoon.

In a highly divisive time, especially after a time of hardship like we've experi enced these past few years, it's just nice to see people out and about, enjoying each other's company.

As always, if you have story ideas or news tips, or just want to point me toward some of the great aspects of our community, send an email to KFoun tain@fortbendstar.com.

Review: Cava brings Mediterranean fast-casual back to area

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Let's get this out of the way at the start: I've never exactly been what you'd call a foodie.

To clarify: I like to eat. I like trying new kinds of food. But I don't claim to have a highly refined palate (I even just made sure to get the correct spelling of that word). I'm not sure I ever watched a full episode of the late Anthony Bordain's show (although I know it's highly regarded, even by non-foodies), and I don't watch the chef competition shows.

So why am I venturing into this new territory of restaurant reviews, you ask? Well, for starters, it's part of my new job as edi tor of the Fort Bend Star.

More broadly, though, food is obviously important to all of us, and restaurants are an important part of our local economy. And in a grow ing and diverse community like Fort Bend County, we have a wealth of options to choose from.

For this initial foray into

the genre, I decided to keep things simple. I made a reporting trip over the weekend to Sugar Land Town Square, and chose a place there that I'd hap pened to have been to before.

One of the types of food I

do enjoy immensely is Med iterranean food. I also like the fast-casual format. So when Zoe's Kitchen, a place I had been to often, closed late last year, I was sorely disappointed.

Little did I know that in the same space would soon

open Cava, a new Mediter ranean fast-casual concept.

In fact, I just learned, the company that owns Cava bought out Zoe's Kitchen and most of the Huston locations are being convert ed. Cava began operations in Sugar Land Town Square

a few months ago, and it's a welcome addition to the lo cal restaurant scene.

Like most fast-casual res taurants, patrons stand in a cafeteria-style line as serv ers prepare their selections, choosing from a variety of fresh ingredients.

Cava has offerings in the pita and bowl categories. In previous trips, I'v stuck with the pitas, and have found them uniformly excellent. This time, I went with a bowl dish for a bit of variety.

The dishes are highly specialized, and I've often seen the servers refer to special cards to make sure they'e using the specified ingredients. But the servers, whom I've always found be eager and cheerful, always make sure to ask if you'd like to make any changes.

I chose the Balsamic Date Chicken bowl, with a pita on the side. It's made with grilled chicken, eggplant dip, red pepper hummus, brown rice, spinach, a bal samic date vinaigrette, and more.

It was excellent, with the chicken grilled just right. While I've stuck with the pita dishes in the past, it

encouraged me to try out some of other bowls.

The new restaurant has a very graceful, understated decor with modernistic wooden tables and chairs. With light instrumental pop music wafting from the sound system, it's quiet enough to hold a conversa tion, but not TOO quiet.

If you're looking for highquality but reasonably priced Mediterranean food in a casual setting, you can't go wrong with Cava.

Cava

Address: 2260 Lone Star

Dr., Sugar Land Hours: 10:45 a.m.-10 p.m. Entrée prices: $10-$15

Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: No

Senior discount: No Healthy options: Greens and Grains Bowl

Star of the show: Ba salmic Date Chicken Bowl

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Mark Wayne Kinsey walked

Jesus’

2022, in the Woodlands,

born on September 24,

He

in Angleton,TX,

preceded in death by his parents Alford Glyn and Shirley Ann Preismeyer Kinsey. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Sally Root Kinsey, son Jonathan Kinsey, son Brandyn and daughter-in-law Rebecca Kinsey, son Nathaniel and daughter-in-law Katherine Kinsey, and granddaughter Addisyn Kinsey.

Throughout his life, Mark believed in the transformative power of education and its impact on the lives of others. Many of the activities he participated in early in life inspired his later educational pursuits and service to others. He became an Eagle Scout and was a member of the National Honor Society, Band, Choir, Society of Physics Students, and Baptist Student Union throughout High school and college. He graduated with a bachelor of science

His sense of humor and creativity inspired countless students at Memorial High School, St. Johns School, Elkins High School, and Clements High School throughout his 40-year teaching career. During summer

breaks, he consulted for The College Board and the American Association of Physics Teachers as a Physics Teacher Resource Agent, presenting continuing education for physics teachers across the country. Mark used creative ways to teach high school students about physics—helping create Physics Day at Astroworld, and taking several high school’s robotics and Olympiad teams to state and nationals.

Mark deeply loved music and was an accomplished musician, choir and handbell director, pianist, and organist. He shared his musical talents with multiple churches, serving as an organist for nearly 30 years of his life.

All are welcome to attend and wear his favorite color blue at the memorial service on December 2nd, at 2 pm at Sugar Land Baptist Church, where he and Sally were members for over 20 years.

Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

This Balsamic Date Chicken bowl, pictured, was a refreshing change of pace during a recent return visit to Cava in Sugar Land Town Square. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

in Physics from Sam Houston State University in 1979 and became a beloved and accomplished physics teacher and mentor.

Annual Sugar Land tree lighting slated for Dec. 2

will offer sweet treats and hot cocoa.

The City of Sugar Land invites families to enjoy festive musical and theat rical performances at the 20th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Sugar Land Town Square on De cember 2 from 5-8 p.m. All activities and entertain ment are free.

In addition to musi cal entertainment on the main stage, the event will feature figure skating per formances from Sugar Land Ice & Sports Cen ter's top talent. Attendees are invited to take a stroll in the Winter Wonderland Tree Forest and stop by Sugar Land Lane, which

Strolling characters will provide fun photo oppor tunities, and stunning ice sculptures will be sculpted onsite. There will also be photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a station for writing letters to Santa will be onsite for little ones' last minute wishes.

Toward the end of the night, a special visitor will join Sugar Land Mayor Joe R. Zimmerman and Sugar Land City Council for a community countdown to the tree lighting, with fireworks and "snow" to conclude the event.

Onsite food and bever ages will be available for purchase; event entry and

parking is free. There will be free shuttles to and from Mercer Stadium, 16403 Lexington Blvd., of fered to event participants from 4:30-8:30 p.m.

For event updates and details, visit www.Sugar LandTX.gov/TreeLighting. For information about other special events and programs, contact Sugar Land Parks and Recreation at (281) 275-2825, or visit www.SugarLandTX.gov/ Parks. To get event-related updates via text, text SL TreeLighting to 91896 to subscribe. For other up dates, follow Sugar Land Parks and Recreation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @SugarLand Parks.

Missouri City Snowfest and Parade set for Dec. 2

1522

will take place along

wright

a.m.,

From

The City of Missouri City will hold its 38th Annual Snowfest Parade and Snowfest 2022 on December 3. The parade

Cart

Road beginning at 9

featuring floats, dancers, marching bands, and more. The Snowfest itself will take place from 3-8 p.m. at the City of Mis souri municipal complex,

Texas Parkway. The event will feature a giant snow hill, carnival rides, a holiday market, pictures with Santa Claus, food, games, entertainment, the lighting of holiday tree and a fireworks show.

From Staff Reports

other court

Summons

were served on you outside the State of Arizona, your Answer must be filed within THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the date of service, not counting the day of service. Requests for reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities must be made to the court by parties at least 3 working days in advance of a scheduled court proceeding. GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Superior Court of the State of Arizona in and for the County of NAVAJO.

By:KPATTERSON Deputy Clerk