Local teen killed while escaping police
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
A Magnolia area teenager was killed July 16 when he slammed his 2004 Chevy
Impala into a tree after trying to escape Tomball police.
Carl Smith, 17, was killed while fleeing from Tomball Police when his 2004 Chevy
Impala hit a tree.
Carl Edward Smith, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel in
the 1600 block of Baker Drive, where his car lay destroyed in a ditch near a
tree.
The passenger in the vehicle, Brandon Baker Reed, 17, of Magnolia, was listed
in critical condition as of press time last week, according to Tomball Police.
According to the Department, the chase began at approximately 4:30 a.m. when
Tomball police observed Smith’s Impala speeding through the 800 block of Lizzie
Lane. The officer then initiated a traffic stop in the 800 block of W. Main St.
Smith pulled into the parking lot of Regions Bank as if he were going to
yield, the Department said, but “accelerated through the parking lot, refusing
to stop for the police officer.”
Smith then turned west onto Baker Dr. and lost control of his car while
attempting to negotiate a turn, according to the Department, entered a ditch and
struck a tree near Tomball United Methodist Church.
Smith’s body was transported to the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office
for autopsy. This marks the third reported fatality accident in Tomball in 2006,
the Department reported, one more than all of 2005.
The Tomball Police Department is currently investigating the accident.
Shopping extravaganza celebrates 34 years of community
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
The First Annual Tomball Night, advertised as a back-to-school shopping event
in August of 1973, was so successful, then Mayor Ben Scholl declared August 4th
as Tomball Night. For 34 years the event has held the citizens of Tomball
enchanted in a fantastic display of community camaraderie and local spending
loyalty.
What originally started as an effort to educate and entice citizens to spend
at home, has become a community night-out event that draws thousands from
outside the city as well as inside. The original agenda of dunking booths
featuring local community leaders, car-bashing contests, barbeque stands, and
even a needle-in-a-haystack contest sponsored by Klein’s Super Market, along
with a band were big hits.
“It started out pretty small and kept growing,” said former Tomball Night
Chairman Jim Rice and then manager of the new Beall’s department store. “I was
always surprised to see the husbands. Some were bank presidents, some were car
dealership owners. It was the second biggest sales day of the year next to
Christmas eve.”
In later years other events were added to the agenda such as a style-show in
1974, held on Main Street. In 1975 and 1976 floodlights were added, keeping
onlookers enthralled. Souvenirs and contests, food offered by local
organizations and clubs, door prizes and raffles, along with local talent and
bands have always been at the top of the list of extras, however, the big draw
was, and always has been, the discounts, bargains, specials and giveaway’s that
local merchants offer to shoppers throughout the evening.
“After 1976 banks ceased staying open as well as service industries such as
real estate and insurance companies and it became more of a retail event,” said
Diane Holland, former Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce President. “It became too
much of a security liability for them.”
Over the years events and activities have come and gone. In the mid-1980’s
restaurants began participating, offering fun, food and discounts to shoppers;
while a few years later then Guaranty Bond State Bank discontinued holding it’s
annual dunking booth when the bank was sold.
After 1993, the Mystery Shopper was introduced to add fun to the mix of
activities. Anyone identifying the Mystery Shopper would win cash prizes.
In 1999 the state of Texas offered a Sales Tax Holiday, which coincides with
the annual Tomball Night that doubled the state record for clothing and footwear
sales that first weekend. This year the Texas State Comptroller’s office is
predicting a $46.1 million dollar spending spree across Texas over the tax free
holiday weekend. Since the introduction of tax free weekend, Tomball Night has
reached magnificent proportions in drawing shoppers to the area for the weekend.
Retail merchants stay open late offering refreshments to shoppers while the
Chamber encourages shopping through gift certificates and prizes. This year a
“Battle of the Bands” is scheduled to take place along with the traditional
“Parade of Lights” and fireworks display finale.
Especially new on this year’s agenda is the “beyond” part of the event tag
line, “Tomball Night and Beyond.” This year merchants will participate all
weekend in the Tomball Night event with discounts, bargains, specials and
giveaways. Spending locally provides increased prosperity in terms of jobs,
salaries and improved sales tax revenues, which support city-managed services
for citizens.
Great things are in store for those who come to the stores so, shop away
Tomball.
Magnolia Ridge development moving forward, public hearing scheduled
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Parke Patterson of Parke Patterson Consultants, Inc., the administrator of
the Public Improvement District (PID) created in 2005 by the Magnolia Ridge
Local Government Corporation, outlined the Service and Assessment Plan at a long
awaited meeting on July 24 in the Magnolia City Council chambers.
Magnolia Ridge development is at a point where it can move forward and
groundbreaking for construction is now is expected by the end of January 2007.
Left on the agenda for the MRLGC is a wetlands study engineered by Galveston
District U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and permit as well as approval of
lot platting, construction designs, a TxDOT traffic plan and the establishment
of the lakes and dams.
In an introduction by David Broussard, an engineering consultant for Aslan
Development Company, the plan is basically unchanged following a minor study to
locate the culverts and pipes and to decide the exact terminus placement of the
railroad by Southern Pacific.
“The south end of Magnolia Ridge Blvd. is expected to swing a little,” he
said. “The plan should be signed today and out for review by the end of next
week.”
Patterson moved through the presentation quickly, clarifying the area the PID
Service and Assessment Plan would apply to, and pointed out a separate,
unplanned area which would require further development and a separate plan in
future years.
The plan consists of seven sections including a 100- to 140- foot winged
esplanade entry to the boulevard, followed by commercial land reserves for
retail development, single-family residential land lots, a 135-foot deep lake
and a detention pond reserve. The waterway ravines will be improved with two
running paths including 20-foot drainage easements.
The assessment roll and rate is set for $0.85 per $100 valuation per previous
negotiations with the City of Magnolia. There will be no assessment for roads or
the detention pond. Mayor Jimmy Thornton requested to know the average
assessment in Montgomery County and Harris County. Patterson responded that it
is $1.25 per $100 valuation and volunteered that the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would not approve a rate higher than $1.50 per $100
valuation.
In discussion that followed, the board agreed to negotiate a contract with
Montgomery County Tax Assessor/Collector J.R. Moore to administrate the
collection of assessments.
“Moore does a good job. He has a good staff,” said Thornton.
Estimates of costs offered by Broussard are at $5.6 million dollars, said
Patterson, with $1.6 million of that going to road paving. The developer will
receive reimbursement for a portion of the developing costs.
“Aslan will not clear the lots. That will be up to the home builder,”
Patterson said.
Patterson advised the board that attorney Greer Pagen of Allen Boone
Humphries Robinson LLP of Houston had resigned as legal council to MRLGC due to
conflicting interests with the city in a local Municipal Utility District (MUD).
He said the MRLGC could operate without legal council; however, he cautioned the
board to seek replacement council and offered several local attorneys for
review. The board agreed to review resumes in search of legal council and place
the item on the agenda for action at the next meeting in September.
The PID draft provided by Pagen requires additional negotiations, Patterson
said, to determine at what point the PID will be dissolved. Once the development
is built and provision for reimbursement to the developer is made, the PID could
essentially be dissolved.
The developer is requesting an estimated $3 million of the estimated $5.6
million in developing costs be reimbursed, which is less than the 70- to 100-
percent return made to MUD developers.
At the current PID assessment level, revenues would progressively accrue
against the planned 300 lots over time. The revenues could pay back the
developer over 20 years at an estimated $460 thousand annually in direct
payments, or the MRLGC could issue a bond to include development and other soft
costs to be paid back by the revenues.
A Public Hearing notice to establish developer reimbursements from the PID is
scheduled for Aug. 12 at 4 p.m. at City Hall. Following a review and appropriate
action of public comments, an ordinance could be adopted, which would include
the Service and Assessment Plan.
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Annual shopping festival now more than just one night
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
A power shopper’s dream come true, the annual Tomball Area Chamber of
Commerce Tomball Night, is set for Aug. 4 and this year, the festivities will
continue through the weekend.
The 34th annual event, this year themed “Tomball Night and Beyond,” will once
again bring thousands of bargain hunters to the “hometown with a heart” as they
hit the town in search of school clothes, antiques, food and more.
The festivities begin at 5 p.m. and continue throughout the night,
culminating with the event’s newest tradition, the Parade of Lights, at 9:15
p.m. And as always, mystery shoppers will be roaming the streets of downtown
Tomball waiting to hand out cash to the lucky shoppers who can find them in the
throng of thousands.
With the relatively recent advent of the national “Tax Free Weekend,” Tomball
businesses this year will be continuing their Tomball Night specials throughout
the weekend, said the Chamber’s Frankie Stewart. Tomball Night has steadily
grown into one of the Houston areas most popular events. Stewart estimates more
than 20,000 shoppers will visit Tomball for Tomball Night, some coming into town
from as far away as Livingston and Galveston.
While the sales and discounts will no doubt attract collective pocket books,
the sights, sounds and tastes of Tomball should please the senses. Restaurants
such as Taco Cabana and Molly’s Pub will be offering discounts on menu items,
while dozens of booths around town will be offering such treats as barbecue,
kettle korn, candy, desserts and other fun fare.
The Chamber is once again selling raffle tickets for a chance to spend $1,000
anywhere in Tomball. Tickets are $1 per ticket or $10 for 12 tickets. For
tickets, call 281-351-7222. Chamber members will also be selling raffle tickets
throughout the night.
What is sure to be one of the must-see events for Tomball Night, Paul’s
Pizza, located in the new Kroger Town Center, will be hosting an eating contest.
Kuk Sool Won of Tomball will be performing at least two martial arts
demonstrations throughout the night, one at the Wal-Mart shopping center and one
in the Academy parking lot.
Also in the Wal-Mart parking lot, the Lions Club will continue its tradition
of selling barbecue on Tomball Night. This year marks the first that both the
U.S. Army and U.S. Navy have taken part, Stewart said. The Army will sponsor a
rock-climbing wall while the Navy will have a Navy canvas for festivalgoers.
One of the marquee events of this year’s Tomball Night will certainly be the
Nifty 50s Car Show in parking lot of Lowe’s on FM 2920. According to Stewart,
more than 400 classic cars from the 1950s will be on display. In the Klein’s
Super Market center, barbecue will be sold while a presentation entitled
“Cloggers On The Move” will be held.
Both Main Street and Market Street will be home to dozens of niche
businesses, live entertainment, food and other festival attractions. This year’s
Parade of Lights will give onlookers the chance to see more than 20 parade
entrants show off their creativity down Main Street.
Magnolia residents invited for first National Night Out
The City of Magnolia will hold its First Annual National Night Out Aug. 1
from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Brookshire Brothers parking lot, located at 18538 FM
1488. This event will celebrate the 23rd Annual National Night Out. Residents
can get informed on how to make their community a safer place to live.
Bring your lawn chairs and stay a while. Come register for contests and enjoy
free pizza. The Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department will offer free balloons and
fingerprinting for children. Refreshments donated by Brookshire Brothers and
Food Basket will be served. Bring your friends and neighbors and visit with
local law enforcement officers.
The Montgomery County Search and Rescue Unit will be on hand to answer your
questions about crime prevention programs for the community. Currently the
Magnolia Police Department has three, licensed Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officers (TCLEOS) on staff who will be handing out information.
The Magnolia Police Department is looking for the newest resident as well as
the longest resident living in the city limits. The newest resident could be
that cute new baby, or it could be that sweet newlywed couple from across the
street that is new to town. The longest resident could be someone born here, or
someone who moved here long ago and decided to stay. Awards will be given to the
winners in attendance around 8 p.m. Come and put your name in the hat for the
contest.
Man arrested when drugs, loaded gun found in safe
On July 20, Harris County Sheriff Deputies S. Loftin and W. Terranova
received a call from a Harris County Narcotics Officer, advising there was
possible drug activity at a residence in the 13000 block of Huffmeister Road in
North Harris County.
According to the Sherrif’s Office, Loftin and Terranova went to the location
where they were met by the narcotics officer. The resident was identified as
Scott Kelley, 21. Kelley was asked if he lived at this home and he stated that
he did. The deputies told Kelley that it had been reported there were drugs
being sold out of the home and asked if he had any drugs in his possession.
Kelley told deputies he did have approximately 2 ounces of marijuana in his
safe, but it was for personal use only, the Sherrif’s Office said.
Kelley also stated he had quit selling drugs about a month and a half ago.
The deputies asked Kelley if they could look inside his safe.
After he agreed and signed a voluntary consent to search form, Kelley
escorted the deputies inside his home and opened the safe for them.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, inside the safe the deputies discovered
two bags of marijuana, weighing approximately 3.5 ounces, 49 white capsule
pills, a vial of testosterone enanthate approximately one-third full, seven
syringes, a hand gun and 15 rounds of ammunition in the magazine clip and $4,148
in cash.
Kelley was placed under arrest and transported to the Harris County Sheriff’s
Office substation on Cypresswood Dr. The Harris County District Attorney’s
Office was contacted and charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a
Dangerous Drug were accepted.
Winter snow in summer heat brings smiles to Fields Store
Following the “Arctic Edge” Vacation Bible School closing ceremonies at The
Fellowship at Fieldstore Church, children were released to the best and maybe
the only snowball fight many will ever have.
The “Arctic Edge” Vacation Bible School kindergarten class at The Fellowship at
Fieldstore Church bombarded Trailblazer James Turnage of Waller during an
“Arctic blizzard” provided by the church at the VBS closing ceremonies on July
21.
Wearing shorts, T-shirts, tank tops and flip-flops, children and parents
alike enjoyed the snow as well as ice cream cones and hot dogs served by Pastor
John Chivis.
Ice Express pulled in to the church parking lot at 6 p.m. A crew of three
shaved five tons of bagged ice and sprayed 40 square feet of snow 3- to 6-
inches deep in the side yard. Church members then moved a 12-foot diameter igloo
made of milk-jugs onto the snow.
The snow was predicted to last an hour, but lasted more than two. Traces of
snow and ice could still be seen on the ground the next day.
Concordia ‘Cub’ reporter penning career as journalist
Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Concordia High School senior Luke Merrell isn’t used to being on the
answering end of an interview for a news story. For about the past year, Merrell
has been the one asking questions and frantically writing down notes.
Concordia High School senior Luke Merrell, above, recently participated in a
journalism workshop in which he was one of 20 local students accepted out of
more than 200 applicants.
Since beginning a fledgling career in reporting, Merrell has quickly evolved
into one of the best young journalists among Houston area high schools. He was
recently one of 20 local high school students who were selected out of more than
200 applicants to participate in the Houston Chronicle’s “Chronicle Cub”
workshop.
According to Merrell, as part of the workshop students heard presentations
from editors and writers who covered the city, local government, police beats
and more. They spoke to students about the journalism business and gave tips on
good reporting. The workshop also included lectures and hands-on instruction,
Merrell said. He then spent a day shadowing the Chronicle’s city editor to get a
taste of the everyday work of journalists.
At the conclusion of the workshop, Merrell and the 19 other participants
produced their own newspaper, the “Chronicle Cub.” Merrell’s contribution to the
publication was a story on a man named Lewis Durden. Durden, Merrell said, lived
homeless in the streets of Houston for many years until he woke up in a jail
cell one night.
Refusing to be released until he received help, Durden decided to turn his
life around, Merrell said. Durden received aid from Star of Hope, a
Christian-based charity. He is now a manager at Star of Hope, Merrell said, and
has turned his life around. Durden’s story is the type of tale that attracted
Merrell to journalism, the student said.
“I became interested in journalism my junior year,” Merrell said. “I just
really took a liking to it.” Merrell said he enjoys writing in-depth features on
issues and people. “I’m a curious person by nature, so it kind of fit,” he said.
Merrell worked on the C.H.R.I.S.T. (an acronym for Concordia Lutheran High
Revealed In Student Times) last year.
It was then that he established a series of articles called “Luke’s People.”
In the series of articles, Merrell would spend an entire day with a Concordia
student, from the time they woke up, until the time they went to bed, and write
a profile on that student. Merrell also took on the school itself, challenging
the way students worship.
“There’s always been this really rigid way of worship at the school,” he
said. Merrell believed the long-standing practice of the school’s worship was
antiquated. Instead, Merrell suggested the school assemble a Spiritual Life
Committee. “They took my advice,” Merrell said. “That’s really had the biggest
impact of anything I’ve ever done.”
Merrell is set to be the editor-in-chief of C.H.R.I.S.T. this upcoming school
year and it’s a job he hopes to continue into college, and perhaps after.
Merrell plans on attending the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.,
and wants to double major in political science and journalism. “I’d really like
to turn this into a career,” he said.
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