Official site of Tribune News serving Tomball, Magnolia and Waller

A police chase through the back streets of Tomball ended peacefully in the suspect's driveway, as officers took the man into custody without incident Jan. 29.

Tomball police said that Ronald F. Toney, 37, of Tomball, fled from Officer C. Burns, after he tried to stop Toney in the 600 block of James Street late that afternoon.

The chase started near the city's public works building, winding its way to McPhail Street, where police say that Toney went westbound until he got to Cherry Street. Toney then allegedly headed south on Cherry, turned right on Belmont until the chase ended in the suspect's driveway on Willowick Street.

"Once he stopped, we did a high risk takedown and he obeyed all our commands," said Tomball Police Cpt. Rick Grassi. "At that point he was cooperative."

Other officers that were on location of an automobile accident near the Tomball Community Center laid spike strips across Cherry Street during the pursuit, in anticipation of Toney heading north on Cherry.

Grassi said the man gave them an odd reason for fleeing.

"When I asked him why he did it he said he didn't have insurance or a driver's license," he said. "So something that would have been a ticket, or at worse a few hours in the Tomball jail turned into a felony evading charge."

According to the Harris County District Clerk website, Toney bonded out of jail Jan. 31, posting a $5,000 bond.

Toney's previous criminal history only shows an infraction for possessing marijuana in 2011. His next court appearance is set for Feb. 18.

Members of the Tomball High School Student Council rewarded area police officers, firefighters and EMS workers for their dedication, by providing a free lunch for them Jan. 30. Students called it the Food for Courage campaign.

"We started this five years ago with a Cookies for Courage campaign and it evolved into serving an entire meal," said student council advisor Billie Ann Dio. "It's a way of giving back and a good way for the students to see the true heroes of the community."

The students served beef stew, rice, salad, bread and desserts. The desserts were made by the students, while the staff of the Tomball High School cafeteria helped make the rest of the meal.

"It's a great blessing for me to be able to do something like this," said student council President Anna Liu. "A lot of people my age don't get to contribute to their community. I get a lot out of giving back. I love getting to show them gratitude for all that they do for us."

Student Matthew Pallini agreed with Liu.

"It's very comforting to help the people who help us," he said.

Cpt. Daniel Hancock of Northwest EMS said recognition and appreciation like this makes the job worthwhile.

"We don't work for thank you's, we do this because we love to help, but something like this is very nice and motivational," he said.

Tomball Police Cpt. Rick Grassi said that seeing the area youth come together like this gives him hope for the future.

"It's wonderful to see the youth leaders of the community showing their appreciation for the men and women of public safety," he said. "Seeing these kids reach out to recognize us inspires me and I hope that we inspire them to help others as well."

Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) met with area business owners, community leaders and public servants last week, to talk about the state of Washington politics, as well as his new position as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

McCaul stopped in on his way to meet with Gov. Rick Perry in Houston.

McCaul started off the meeting by telling members that the infighting between the two parties is due to one side being stuck in perpetual campaign mode, instead of governing. His specific target was President Obama.

"He is in a mode where he says let's talk about immigration reform, let's talk about everything but the economy," McCaul said. "He's in campaign mode."

McCaul told the audience that despite his position on the Homeland Security Committee, he hasn't been invited to the White House for meetings once.

"No attempt, despite all the talk about coming together," he said.

McCaul focused a lot of his criticism on the White House and Democrats in the Senate not passing a budget in the last four years; instead they have relied on continuing resolutions just to keep the government running.

"Four years without a budget," he said. "It's one of the most irresponsible things I have ever seen."

He also said that the recent Presidential election was about scaring voters, rather than talking about tough budgetary decisions that need to be made.

"This president won the election pandering to people that receive entitlement benefits," he said. "He was scaring the hell out of people."

McCaul said that Obama's recent attempts to demonize Republicans in the eyes of the voters don't help solve the problems facing the nation.

"We all agree that there needs to be a safety net, that we need to help those less fortunate, but it shouldn't be permanent," he said.

"Greece. That's where we are headed if we don't change our way," he added, referring to the debt riddled nation with a struggling economy.

McCaul went on to talk about his ascension to the chairman's seat of the Homeland Security Committee.

The Congressman went on to say there are numerous things he currently disagrees with the Obama administration on, specifically naming the Benghazi attacks and al-Qaeda's presence in Africa.

(The Obama administration's) narrative is that the al-Qaeda threat is over," McCaul said. "The African theater proves it is not."

McCaul said that al-Qaeda has seen resurgence since the Arab Spring uprising in North Africa, raising money and securing weapons.

"Al-Qaeda has reconstituted in North Africa, raised $100 million and grabbed arms caches from Libya, so we need to make sure that stays over there," he said. "These are serious weapons when compared to what they or the Taliban possessed."

Another concern of McCaul's are the recent calls from the Arab world to release Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, otherwise known as the Blind Sheik, who was convicted and jailed in connection with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. McCaul said the fact that the United States has imprisoned Rahman, combined with recent al-Qaeda chatter promising "shocking" attacks in the U.S., is a big concern to him and members of his committee.

When it comes to the Benghazi attacks, McCaul said he has a hard time reconciling the stories presented by the White House and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with other accounts presented about the attack that killed a U.S. ambassador.

"I brought up a classified security document that was sent to (Clinton's) office and she admitted that she never saw it, her staff never saw it – well, who saw it?" he said.

A few months ago Magnolia was planning to build a recreation center in Unity Park that would house both tennis courts and a public pool. Since then, plans have been scaled back to only include the tennis courts. But the good news for Magnolia residents is that a new public pool may still be built, just not in Unity Park.

Economic Development Coordinator Deborah Rose Miller explained the change.

"After careful consideration, the city determined that maintaining a public pool is cost prohibitive at this time," she said. "In addition, there is limited land in the part available and it made more sense to use it for the tennis courts. What we hope will happen is to expand the current Magnolia natatorium next to Magnolia High School and create an outdoor pool there."

Terry Jones has been the director of the Michael D. Holland Aquatic Center (the Magnolia natatorium) since it opened in 2003. Under his direction, the center has shaped many high school all-state swimmers and divers and the open-to-the public Magnolia Aquatic Club has produced both state and national champions. He does, however, see a tremendous need to expand the current center.

"We would like to see construction of an outdoor 50 meter pool," Jones said. "With two high schools and a larger population, our district has outgrown the present facility. We are continuing to grow, so we need to get the community behind this effort as soon as possible. We are at capacity for swim events right now and a new larger pool would allow us to accommodate more events and long course competitive swimming events. When you have 300 or 400 people involved in two-day swim events, it is an economic boon to the town."

Like many similar venues, the Olympic-sized "long course" pool could be used year-round, even in cold weather, by maintaining the water at a constant temperature and utilizing a "thermal blanket" to retain heat when the pool is not being used.

"Maintenance on an outdoor pool is actually less expensive than on an indoor one," said Jones.

Jones feels money would be saved by building a new pool next to the existing one.

"The location next to Magnolia High is very central for our district and the existing high school parking lot would accommodate all the cars that would accompany large meets," he added. "Much of the current infrastructure is already in place at the current natatorium, which would reduce operating costs."

He sees a big advantage for the community is the fact the pools would be used by both MISD and Magnolia residents.

"Right now the aquatic center is being used by the public for learn-to-swim programs, junior swim teams, masters' swim programs and recreational swimmers," said Jones. "With another, larger pool, even more people could benefit."

Many residents are excited about tennis courts at Unity Park - especially since four of the courts are planned as smaller "quick start" courts which are used for teaching children under 10 tennis skills.

Randy Ortwine is the citizen co-chair of the Magnolia Community Foundation and a past president of the Houston Tennis Association. He believes there is a great demand for the opportunity to learn tennis in Magnolia. 

"We want to have the courts open by the end of summer," he said. "We plan to have four full-size lighted courts and four 'quick start' courts, which will be some of very few in the county."

Ortwine has heard from kids and their parents who can't wait for courts to be available. And many adults who enjoy playing in tennis leagues have been asking about the courts.  The courts will also provide a great opportunity for Magnolia ISD students to develop tennis aptitude.

"I am confident that in just a short time Magnolia will have its own tennis association, like many larger towns do," he said.

In the meantime, Magnolia ISD and the Community Foundation will share in managing the courts.

Miller stated that bids are going out right now for construction of the Unity Park tennis courts. She believes there will be further opportunities to develop the park in the future.
"Right now we need more land, not only for this park but for others in the community," Miller said. "We hope to uncover land purchase opportunities below market value, which happens if land is less desirable for building, or to locate donors who want to leave a legacy for future generations."

The City of Magnolia and the Magnolia Community Foundation will be hosting Mardi Gras on the Stroll, Feb. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event will include live music, a Cajun Cook-off and an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Record for number of participants in a dancing umbrella parade. Visit www. magnoliacommunityfoundation.org or call 713-806-3453 for more information.