Official site of Tribune News serving Tomball, Magnolia and Waller

The Tomball City Council received the annual audit during its regular meeting Mar. 4 and city officials said the results show the city is in sound financial shape. Every year the city is required to have an independent audit of its finances completed by an outside agency.

"The point of an audit is to provide an opinion on the financial statements of the city," said Sara Roberts, of the CPA firm Weaver and Tidwell, who performed the audit.

City finance director Glenn Windsor told city council members that property values increased nearly 18 percent during the last fiscal year – the largest increase in the past five years. Much of the increase is due to Tomball Regional Medical Center being purchased by a private company and becoming a taxable property for the first time.

Sales tax revenues also jumped nearly 18 percent. Officials and financial experts believe the increase in sales tax revenue will continue, as the area is rapidly growing each year.

The general fund balance showed a decrease of nearly $2 million; however that was due to a transfer of more than $2 million to the capital projects fund. Not taking that transfer into account, the general fund had an increased balance of more than $200,000, Roberts said.

Capital projects during the last fiscal year included the completion of Brown-Hufsmith Road, renovations to the main fire station on Quinn Road, as well as a land purchase for the planned Tomball Business Park.

In other business the council approved to waive fees and costs associated with the Lions Club Car Show, which will be held at the Depot Plaza April 21.

Tomball Police Chief Robert Hauck then addressed council about renewing the juvenile curfew ordinance, which must be renewed every three years. The council must hold two public hearings on the issue, before voting to retain it, amend it or drop it all together.

"My recommendation is that we continue the ordinance without change," he said.

The current curfew ordinance states that minors may not be in public during the hours of 12 a.m. until 6 a.m., with some notable exceptions like work, emergencies or running errands for their family. Hauck said that while there doesn't seem to be a big curfew issue within the city, having the ordinance serves as a deterrent.

"It's a reasonably written ordinance," he said.

The council will hold a second hearing on the ordinance during its Mar. 18 meeting.

The Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce will be holding its first monthly networking breakfast Mar. 19, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Luby's Cafeteria, 28750 Tomball Pkwy., in Tomball. There is a $10 charge for chamber members and a $15 charge for non-members. For more information call 281-351-7222, or email admin@tomballchamber. org.

Tomball Elementary fourth grade student Giancarlo Maldonado (right) took first place at the Tomball ISD Bilingual Spelling Bee. Canyon Pointe Elementary third grade student Andrea Torres (left) took second place.  Both students spent hours each day practicing spelling words after school.  Maldonado won the competition in nine rounds after correctly spelling the word diamond in English and Spanish.         

ONGOING EVENTS:

MONDAYS:
TOPS - (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Magnolia Methodist Church, Commerce and R. L. Butler Street, Magnolia, 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 713-582-6904.
Alanon step meeting, 23802 FM 2978, 6:30 p.m. For more information, 281-744-5233.
TUESDAYS:
Double-Six Dominoes, Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., 10:30 a.m. to noon. Call 936-931-5030 for details.
PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Support Group, Tomball United Methodist Church, 1603 Baker St. in the Faith Building FB-4, 7 p.m. For more information, call 281-351-1249.
Open Craft Night, Graceview Baptist Church Education Center, 25510 Tomball Pkwy., 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a craft to work on. For more information, call 832-216-5093.
WEDNESDAYS:
Exercise class, Tomball Community Center, 221 Market St., 9 a.m. The building opens at 8 a.m. for early walking.
Bridge, Hockley Com-munity Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., 9 a.m. For details call 936-931-5030.
THURSDAYS:
Pinochle, Tomball Com-munity Center, 221 Market St., 9 a.m.
Water Color Class, Tomball Community Center, 221 Market Street, 10 a.m. to noon. For information and to sign up call 281-255-6221.
FRIDAYS: 
Senior Covered Dish luncheon and games, Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call 936-931-5030.
Alanon discussion meeting, 23802 FM 2978, 6:30 p.m. For information, 281-744-5233.

LOCAL EVENTS:
March 11 A Homecoming is being planned for former pastors and members of Magnolia United Methodist church, 419 Commerce St. on April 21. Old photos of the Church and/or its members are needed to create a memory book. Call 281-356-6647 with any information.
March 11 Art Explorers Around the World, Lone Star College Tomball Community Library, 1 p.m. 2nd thru 6th grades will explore Indonesia. For more information, call 832-559-4235.
March 11 Paranormal Book Club, Lone Star College Tomball Community Library, 7 p.m. Group will discuss "Blood Bound," by Rachel Vincent. For more information, call 832-559-4200.
March 12 Trip to Arbor Gate, Tomball Community Center, 221 Market St., 9 a.m. For more information, call 281-255-6221.
March 12 Art Explorers Around the World, Lone Star College Tomball Community Library, 4:30 p.m. 2nd thru 6th grades will explore Indonesia. For more information, call 832-559-4235.
March 13 Bunny Hat Wall Hanging Class, Tomball Community Center, 221 Market St., 10 a.m. to noon. Call 281-255-6221 for details.
March 13 Senior Citizen Bus Trip to the Houston Livestock Show, Hockley Community Center. Group will depart at 9:30 a.m. Call 936-9831-5030 for details.
March 14 Trip to Arbor Gate, Tomball Community Center, 221 Market St., 9:30 a.m. Group will learn about herbs. Sign up by calling, 281-255-6221.
March 14 Inspirational book club, Lone Star College Tomball Community Library, 7 p.m. Group will discuss "Matthew's Story," by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. For details, call 832-559-4200.
March 14 Stamp Collecting, Hockley Com-munity Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., 1 p.m. Sign up by calling 936-931-5030.
March 14 Magnolia United Methodist Women's Annual Salad Luncheon, Magnolia United Methodist Church, 419 Commerce St., 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dine at the church or place a takeout order before noon by calling 281-356-6647.
March 15 Senior Citizen St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., 10 a.m. Call 936-931-5030 for details.
March 16 Benefit for Neil MacDonald "The Professor," Molly's Pub in Tomball, 1 to 6 p.m. Chili cook-off, live auction, games and prizes.
March 16 Walk Tomball, 201 Elm St., 9 a.m. Breakfast stop at El Emperador, 601 W. Main with $1.50 breakfast tacos and $1.50 drinks.
March 16 Tomball Farmers Market at the corner of FM 2920, and Cherry Street in Historic Downtown Tomball, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 16 Pokemon League, Lone Star College Tomball Community Library, 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 832-559-4235.
March 17 Just for Today AA group, First United Methodist Church in Waller, 7 p.m. For more information, call 713-870-1010.
March 18 Crochet Scarf Class, Tomball Community Center, 221 Market St., 10 a.m. to noon. Call 281-255-6221 for details.
March 18 KIDLIT, Lone Star College Tomball Community Library, 1 p.m. 3rd - 5th grade. Enjoy crafts, puzzles, discussion, games and snacks. For more information, call 832-559-4235.       

MONTHLY EVENTS:
March 11 Shining Star 4-H, Smith Elementary, 7 p.m. For club information, call 281-259-9161.
March 12 Magnolia City Council, Sewall Smith Council Chambers, 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd., 7 p.m.
March 12 Northwest Harris County Aggie Mom's Club meeting, Houston Distributing Company, 7100 High Life Drive and Cutten Road, 7 p.m. Featured speaker will be Texas A&M University President, Dr. R. Bowen Loftin. For details, visit nwhcaggiemoms. org.
March 12 Magnolia 4-H Club, J.L. Lyons Elementary School on Nichols Sawmill Road, 7 p.m.
March 14 Tomball Charter Chapter American Business Women's Association meeting, Lone Star College Tomball, 30555 SH 249 in the Elmer Beckendorf Confer-ence Center. 6 p.m. networking and 6:30 dinner meeting. For details, call 713-206-5557 or contact kebel@sbcglobal. net.
March 14 Tomball Chapter- AARP meeting, Amegy Bank, 28201 SH 249, 2 p.m. For more information, call 281-255-4662.
March 14 Magnolia 4A Economic Development Corporation, Sewall Smith Council Chambers, 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd., 3:30 p.m.
March 14 Magnolia 4B Community Development Corporation, Sewall Smith Council Chambers, 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd., 5:30 p.m.
March 16 Tomball Postcard Club, Lone Star College Tomball Community Library, 2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.
March 17 Sweet Magnolia Pickins Farmers and Artisans Market, corner of FM 1488 and FM 1774, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information visit, sweetmagnoliapickins.net.
March 18 Waller City Council Meeting, Waller ISD Board Room, 2214 Waller St., 7 p.m.

GET OUTTA TOWN!:
"A TOUCH OF DANGER" - Houston: Now- March 23 Theatre Suburbia, 4106 Way Out West Drive. For more information, visit theatresuburbia.org.
HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO - Houston: Now-March 17 Reliant Park. Enjoy rodeo action, livestock shows and more. Visit rodeohous
ton.com for more information.
"ANNIE" - Cypress: Now-March 17 The Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Rd. For more information, call 832-495-3030 or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  
HERB FESTIVAL - Huntsville: March 16 Wynne Home Art Center, 1428 11th St., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call 936-291-5424.

Salem Lutheran School's eighth grade basketball team, the Saints, won the Lutheran Middle School State Tournament recently, defeating San Antonio Shepherd of the Hills in the championship game. They will now head to the Lutheran National Tournament in Indiana later this month. The Saints are 20-5 this season and many of the players will be headed to Tomball Concordia Lutheran next year. Pictured are (front row, from left) Kale Jones, Grant Jacobs, Blake Moran, (back row, from left) Clayton Cooper, Coach Bucky Honeck, Kyle Happe, Jett Shipper, Tyler Wysocki, David Wolf, Stephen Fitzgerals, assistant coach Bill Honeck Sr. and Conner Andrus.