Stabbing victim recovering after lumberyard attack
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
A Tomball man is recovering in a Woodlands hospital from
a vicious attack by a co-worker that eventually required
brain surgery.
Hank Hubbard was allegedly stabbed in the head by a
co-worker Dec. 11 at McCauley Lumber, which required
subsequent brain surgery for Hubbard. According to hospital
officials, he is in good condition.
Photo by Brian Walzel
According to the Tomball Police Department, Hank Hubbard
was stabbed just above his temple on Dec. 13 by Victor
Segura while the two were at work at McCauley Lumber,
located at 27210 SH 249 in Tomball.
The two were working in the store’s lumberyard, owner
Frank McCauley said, when a fight broke out between them.
Det. Ron McGuillon of the Tomball PD said a dispute arose
between the men when Hubbard asked Segura to perform typical
work duties.
“(Segura) was asked to do a regular task and he said no,”
McGuillon said.
It was then that Segura allegedly stabbed Hubbard in the
head with a pair of elongated, sharpened pliers.
A co-worker rushed into the store, alerting McCauley and
others of the incident. They then helped a bleeding and
wounded Hubbard into the store and into a vehicle.
McCauley said he immediately rushed Hubbard to Tomball
Regional Hospital. However, according to McCauley, Hubbard
was then emergency air lifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital
in The Woodlands, where he subsequently underwent brain
surgery.
According to a hospital spokesperson, Hubbard was listed
in good condition as of press time last week.
McGuillon said he was expected to recover fully with no
long term effects.
Police are on the lookout for Segura, who fled the scene
after the attack. Both McGuillon and McCauley believe Segura
fled to Mexico following the incident.
McGuillon said Segura left his wife a note prior to his
leaving, telling her that “he was having problems with
employees at work.”
McGuillon believes it may be difficult to apprehend
Segura now that he may be in Mexico.
“We’re kind of stuck,” McGuillon said. “The Mexican
government doesn’t really work with us too well, it’s
something very serious.”
Segura is also wanted for an outstanding warrant in
Montgomery County for an assault charge.
Christmas comes early for Tomball children
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Thanks to the efforts of the Tomball Police Department,
Christmas came early this year for more than 20 Tomball
children.
Pictured above, Alyssa Reinbold looks over the DVD selection
at Wal-Mart while officer J. Smith helps her pick one out
during the Tomball Police Department’s annual Shop With A
Cop event, held Dec. 20.
Photo by Brian Walzel
For the culmination of its annual Shop With A Cop
program, Tomball PD officers took 23 under privileged
children shopping at the Tomball Wal-Mart Dec. 20, each with
the opportunity to spend up to $200.
The kids roamed the Wal-Mart aisles, grabbing toys off
the shelves for themselves and picking out gifts to giveaway
for Christmas while officers followed close behind, lending
a hand when needed.
“It’s really an exciting thing,” said officer Jennifer
Torres. “It just brings tears to your eyes.”
Each Tomball officer escorted a child through the store
and helped them pick out toys, clothes and even video games.
One child used most of his money to purchase a Sony PSP,
a portable gaming device.
The money was raised through a number of fundraisers the
Tomball Police Officer’s Association holds each year. This
year, the association raised more than $2,000.
Wal-Mart also donated funds to the cause.
This marks the fifth year the Tomball PD has hosted its
Shop With A Cop Program.
According to Torres, the students were selected for the
program by their respective school principals, who
identified under privileged children who they thought would
benefit most from the experience.
Capt. Rick Grassi said the program is meant not only to
provide kids with the gifts they may not otherwise receive,
but also to form relationships with the Tomball community.
“The purpose of this is to develop a relationship between
the youth and law enforcement,” said Grassi.
The event got underway at about 10:30 a.m. as Wal-Mart
employees eagerly waited outside of the store for the
arrival of the officers and children. After several minutes
of craning their necks down SH 249 for signs of their
arrival, a PT Cruiser squad car sounded its siren as the
caravan paraded into the parking lot. The employees cheered
and the children waved from the cars as sirens wailed and
horns honked.
After a quick photo session amidst the calamity of
haphazardly parked cars and excited children, it was off to
a quick breakfast at the McDonald’s inside the store. Each
officer wheeled a cart through the store as the kids debated
on video games or movies, clothes or action figures.
Tagging along was the department’s Blue Santa, who
quickly saw the adoration of not only the children taking
part in the program, but Wal-Mart shoppers, as well.
Grassi said what impressed him the most was that many of
the children, when given the opportunity to buy for
themselves, would buy Christmas gifts for their parents or
siblings.
“That just shows you what kind of kids they really are,”
he said.
Blizzard blows ski trip for area church
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
An unexpected blizzard in Colorado left youth from
Tomball Bible Church and Northwest Bible Church in Spring
stranded in Pueblo, Colo. for four days, canceling a
week-long ski trip.
Pictured left to right are Tomball High School seniors Chad
McCoy, Holly Hutchins, and Chris McCoy at The Tribune
following their return from Pueblo, Colo. after their ski
trip was cancelled due to a blizzard.
Photo by Cari Herr
The group of more than 100 left the Houston area on Dec.
19 expecting to be skiing by the next day. They never made
it to the lodge at Copper Mountain Ski Resort, said Diana
McCoy, whose two 18-year-old twin sons, Chad and Chris,
called her from the road.
As road conditions worsened, the bus transporting the
students proceeded into Pueblo and eventually came to a
halt.
“We never got to Denver,” said Chris. The National Guard
had the roads blocked and traffic stopped to remove several
vehicles that had flipped over in the storm, he said.
They had no showers and little food over the four-day
ordeal and the restroom on one of the busses broke leaving
the large group to share the one. With no food or shelter,
the group slept and ate on the busses for four days.
“Our bus got dirty. We tried to keep it clean.” said
Chad. “But it’s impossible to clean with so many people.”
Pastor Jim Singleton of the Bread of Life Church in
Pueblo invited them to stay at the church and sleep the
night of Dec. 20. Parents of some of the students contacted
the Red Cross who provided blankets for the travelers.
Though adults and youth alike had to sleep on the floor,
the blankets were a welcome relief from the cold. Without
the intervention of the Red Cross, the group could have been
stranded with no where to turn.
“We were thankful that people came, “said Chris, who was
expecting to enjoy his first ski trip. “Otherwise we would
have had to sleep on the bus again.”
Though no skiing took place, the trip turned out to be a
fun and interesting adventure despite the storm. Youth
enjoyed dining at Taco Bell, Subway and McDonald’s, where a
snowball fight between the two churches was the highlight of
the day.
“You hear about them, but to have the Red Cross help your
children brings it home,” said McCoy. “I’ll be more apt to
give to the Red Cross from now on.”
Holly Hutchins was also on the Tomball Bible Church bus.
Instead of celebrating her 18th birthday at the ski resort,
Holly was treated to a tiny party, in a cramped bus by her
friends.
“They took two Little Debbie cakes and put a one and an
eight (candle) on each of them,” she said. “We pretended
they were lit.”
With so much time lost, the ski trip was cancelled and
the group returned to Texas, arriving at the Northwest Bible
Church around 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Most were just glad to
be going home to warm baths, beds and food.
Out with the old, in with the new Ball club
appeals for second chance
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
There’s a new girl’s softball association in Magnolia and
“it’s a whole new ballgame,” according to Clint Brown, who
was recently appointed as President of the Magnolia Area
Softball Association (MASA).
The name is new, the club’s motto is new, but does it
reflect a new attitude for an old club?
Brown says yes, and is asking “for the opportunity to
prove that girl’s softball is back on the right track in
Magnolia. We have implemented several checks and balances in
our system to insure there will be no further improprieties
of any kind.”
This is the second name change for the ball club, which
has been struggling all year with politics, scheduling and
funding. The previous club name of Magnolia Girls Softball
Association (MGSA), under the leadership of Lori Tanton,
gave way to the West Montgomery Girls Softball Association (WMGSA)
under a new board and the leadership of Alan Horne.
The name change did not last for long, however, and was
quickly replaced with MASA, trading Horne for Brown.
“The name change more clearly represents the area in
which players live,” said Brown.
Additionally, the club has implemented criminal
background checks on coaches, board members and umpires,
including a sex-offender search. Financial safety measures
have also been initiated to prevent any one person from
having too much power, said Brown
The catalyst to tighter financial controls and the series
of name changes stems from legal action taken against Lori
Tanton, the President of the Magnolia Girl’s Softball
Association, for aggregated theft by check. Tanton recently
won a third rescheduled court date in litigation with
Magnolia Foods relative to those charges.
“Our board requires three signatures on checks for
accountability,” he said.
MASA’s board of directors is comprised of those who were
elected at a June 26 MGSA meeting, with the exception of
Brown. That election prompted the first name change to WMGSA,
which was endorsed by the Montgomery County Parks
Department. Due to health issues, previous board President
Alan Horne resigned and Brown was appointed to replace him.
“I’m pretty dedicated to this league,” said Brown who has
15 years of experience in league ball and travel ball. He
has been the State Director for the United States Fastpitch
Association (USFA) for five years.
“It’s a passion,” Brown said. He is proud of the fact
that he has coached eight young players in girl’s fastpitch
softball who have gone on to play college ball. He is
excited about renovations and playing field expansions that
will be taking place through the winter at the Magnolia
Youth Park.
The club is planning for a USFA tournament in Conroe at
the Conroe Area Girls Softball Association fields Jan.
19-21. Registration for the spring season is $85 and begins
Jan. 6, running every Saturday through Feb. 3. Late
registration and tryouts are on Feb. 3 at the Magnolia Youth
Park. Opening day is March 3. For more information logon to
www.WMGSA.org or e-mail
Brown at
MagnoliaSoftballcb@sbcglobal.net.
With league play starting in the spring, funding is a big
issue.
The club has some big names in the community backing it
and that, along with team and sign sponsors, registration
fees, concessions and T-shirt sales, will get the new
association off from a rocky start with enough funds to pay
for the ballpark lights, the umpires and the trophies.
“We’re struggling, but we’re going to make it,” Brown
said. “All of our efforts are for you, the parents and the
area youth. Hopefully this time next year, we’ll have kids
on the field.”
“I feel very confident they’re doing all the right
things,” said Montgomery County Parks Department
Commissioner Corliss O’Shaughnessy. “They’ve got a new board
and they’ve applied for their charter. We have a good
working relationship with them. I think they are going to be
a great club.” |
Board members and administrative staff of Tomball Regional
Hospital (TRH) gathered in the spirit of Christmas to
entertain employees throughout the hospital’s daylong
Christmas party Dec.15. Consisting of board members,
administration and staff, the Tomball Regional Medical
Center Christmas Choir has more than 25 members and is
directed by Leonard Chambers, a member of the TRH Board of
Directors. In addition to classic tunes and traditional
Christmas carols sung by Laura Tahri from the hospital’s EEG
department, the chorus group entertained employees with
holiday favorites.
Students must pass TAKS to walk at MISD
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
The Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) approved
a new graduation policy at its Dec. 11 board meeting, which
will limit a student’s participation in graduation
ceremonies to those who have passed the Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test.
The action comes as a result of too many students
participating in graduation ceremonies who have not passed
the state mandated TAKS test.
“In recent years it has been the policy of Magnolia
Independent School District to allow students who have not
passed TAKS, but that have completed all credits required
for graduation, to walk during (the) graduation ceremony. In
looking at the data, the number of students not having
passed TAKS, but that have participated in graduation has
risen greatly over the last few years,” the district said.
The district’s concern stems from a jump in 2001 of one
student to 18 students in 2006 that did not pass TAKS, but
did participate in ceremonies. Of those 18 students, only 10
returned to retake the TAKS test and only five of those
passed, said Superintendent Michael Holland.
The statistics are larger for the Alpha Academy. Of the
40 students who had completed graduation credits and
participated in ceremonies in 2006, 11 had not passed TAKS
and none returned to retake the test.
“The test has grown more difficult, subsequently, more
students are not passing,” said MISD Board President Glenn
Addison.
Students who participate in ceremonies, but have not
passed TAKS may believe they have earned a diploma, but in
actuality have not, said Holland “We are concerned about
accountability to the diploma.”
The district’s concerns are well founded according to a
2004 report issued by a Montgomery County United Way
Priorities Task Force. The report gathered information from
state and national government sources as a benchmark and
reviewed trends relative to expanding demands for services.
The report reveals an astounding “40,000 adults (in
Montgomery County) ages 25 and older did not graduate from
high school.” Estimated projections increase that number to
more than 50,300 adults by 2008. According to the district’s
Web site, students who meet any of the state’s criteria for
being at-risk of not graduating from high school are
eligible for services funded through state compensatory
funds. They may be students who have not passed TAKS, who
have been retained, who read below grade level, who are not
making passing grades, who are pregnant or who speak a
primary language other than English. A student’s at-risk
status is reviewed annually to decide on appropriate
intervention services. For more information on the MISD TAKS
remediation program, contact the MISD Education Support
Center after Jan. 2, 2007 by calling 281-356-3571.
Each month, Waller Independent School District’s Holleman
Elementary sets a goal for its Box Tops for Education
program. In December, the students were challenged to
collect 2,000 tops and labels. If the goal was met, the
student who collected the most from each grade level would
get to paint a teacher’s hair a wacky color. On Dec. 15 HES
first grader Kalie Whitehall (pictured, right) paints first
grade teacher Julie Muchow’s (center) hair green while the
school’s Box Tops for Education Coordinator Sharon Kaderka
(left) cheers her on. The Box Tops for Education program
helps individuals raise money to support their school by
clipping box tops and labels from participating products,
and then turning them in to their selected participating
school for a return of approximately 10 cents a piece. Since
1996, the program has earned $6,615 for HES, with $2,154
raised in 2004-05 alone. Previously, the money has been used
to buy math manipulatives, books, supplies, and more for the
students. Those who would like to get involved in the Box
Top for Education Program to help raise money for a school,
contact their school or visit
www.boxtops4education.com.
Bulldogs, Cougars garner first team recognition
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Following disappointing seasons for both the Tomball
Cougars and the Magnolia Bulldogs on the gridiron, both
schools saw some consolation when their respective
all-district teams were announced recently.
Following a 2-8 season in 15-5A, the Magnolia Bulldogs
saw two of its seniors garner first team all-district
recognition. Safety Michael Hinkelman and punter Brad Hicks
were both first team honorees.
Hinkelman led the Bulldogs in interceptions with three on
the season.
Magnolia received a bit more recognition on the 15-5A
all-district second team, where senior tight end Jared
Moyers, senior defensive lineman David Canales and senior
safety Randy Stewart were honored.
Major postseason awards went to Lufkin quarterback Jeremy
Clayborn, who was named as the district’s most valuable
player. Offensive Player of the Year was Lufkin wide
receiver Dez Bryan and The Woodlands’ Taylor Skaufel was
named Defensive Player of the Year.
Oak Ridge’s Bob Barrett and College Park’s Richard Carson
shared Coach of the Year honors.
The Tomball Cougars struggled through a similar 2-8
season, but received a little more first team recognition on
the district 16-5A all-district squad.
Senior Eric Ritts was named first team center, as was
junior offensive lineman Ryan Anderson and senior linebacker
Osiris Taylor.
Garnering second team recognition were senior offensive
lineman Andrew Hennecke, wide receiver Dustin Edwards,
defensive lineman Tyler Golden, and cornerback Nick Chavez.
Edward was the team’s leading receiver with 349 yards
receiving and two touchdowns, while Chavez tied for the team
lead with a pair of interceptions.
Westfield quarterback Dwayne Stewart was the district’s
Offensive Player of the Year, while Klein Forest’s Brian
Stacey was named Defensive Player of the Year.
The Magnolia Police Department (MPD) coordinated efforts
between the Houston Police Department (HPD) and the Society
of Samaritans to bring the joy of Christmas giving to the
home of Brenda Deveraux on Dec. 20. HPD Bike Patrol Officer
Denton Rowley and his wife, Susan, participate in the HPD
Blue Santa Program, which enables them to bring Christmas
gifts to five children each year. “This is a way to give
back to our community,” said Rowley, who has worked the HPD
for 17 years. Pictured left to right is (front row) Netta
Allen, Deveraux and Ebony Smith, (back row) MPD Chief Ron
Cunningham, MPD Lt. Mike Smith, Rowley, Susan, and MPD
Dispatcher Sandra Wilcox.
Police action not a Hollywood video
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Hollywood was not filming a new action movie on Dec. 15,
the Magnolia Police Department officers were just doing
their jobs. But Magnolia residents out and about town around
9:40 p.m. witnessed a real live show as officers took no
chances with what started as a routine traffic stop.
Ironically, the stop occurred in the parking lot of
Hollywood Video after Officer Jorge Anez observed a vehicle
stop on the railroad tracks at the intersection of FM 1488
and FM 1774. Proceeding through the light, Anez flashed on
his lights and pulled over the driver identified as Jaime
Martinez, 26, of Pinehurst.
When Anez approached the vehicle, he immediately noticed
a 10-inch knife resting between the back floorboard and the
seat next to a passenger’s leg, later identified as Victor
M. Lopez, 18, of Houston. Following department procedures
for illegal weapons, Anez requested back up assistance from
Cpl. Mike Alexander.
Upon Alexander’s arrival and with guns drawn, the
officers removed all three from the vehicle. Jaime Martinez,
the driver, and his brother, front seat passenger Carlos
Martinez, 19, of Pinehurst along with the rear passenger,
Lopez, were placed in temporary custody.
The police report indicates Anez smelled marijuana coming
from inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search,
officers found marijuana stashed throughout the vehicle and
two smoke pipes in the front center console.
Small quantities of marijuana were found in a CD case on
the back floorboard, between the pages of a Bible found in
the front passenger door pocket and in the steering column.
The knife was confiscated along with the smoke pipes and
less than 2 ounces of marijuana. Anez arrested Lopez for
carrying an unlawful weapon and possession of an illegal
substance. Lopez accepted responsibility for all the
marijuana found in the vehicle and was taken to the Magnolia
Police Department for processing. Following a shift change,
Officer Greg Valdez transported Lopez to the county jail
without incident.
Neither of the Martinez brothers arrested or charged,
according to the police report. Both were released to an
adult at the scene and the vehicle was impounded. According
to Cpl. Mike Alexander, the vehicle was impounded due to the
various quantities of marijuana found in it.
When questioned regarding the department’s policy on drug
arrests, MPD Cpl. Alexander said, “If one of the subjects
claim ownership, they accept all responsibility.”
MPD Chief Ron Cunningham said he supports his officer’s
field decisions, as they must act with split-second timing
in the best interests of themselves and the community.
Local locksmith arrested in sting operation
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
A recent sting operation by Texas Department of Public
Safety (DPS) troopers has resulted in the arrest of a local
locksmith operating without the required license.
Howard Parker of Parker Lock and Key was arrested Dec. 11
when troopers working an undercover operation lured Parker
to a Spring area residence and asked that he open the doors.
When Parker failed to produce the required identification
for Texas locksmiths, he was apprehended.
According to Lt. RenEarl Bowie of the DPS, troopers set
up an operation in which Parker responded to a home to
provide locksmith services and that he used his
“locksmithing tools” to gain entry into the residence.
As of January 2004, all Texas locksmiths are required, as
part of the Private Security Act, to be licensed by the DPS.
According to the DPS, “as part of the licensing process,
fingerprint criminal history checks are performed on
applicants to ensure they do not have criminal convictions
that would prohibit them from receiving a license.”
Parker’s arrest marks the second time in as many years
that he has faced issues concerning a license. According to
Bowie, Parker was notified by a trooper in 2005 to
discontinue locksmithing services since Parker did not have
a license.
Bowie believes Parker never heeded the warning and
continued his businesses.
“It appears, at least in this case, that he did not (get
his license),” Bowie said.
Parker did not return messages from The Tribune regarding
comment for this story as of press time last week.
According to the DPS, performing locksmith services
without a license is a class A misdemeanor and is punishable
by a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to $4,000.
Bowie advises consumers that before they allow a
locksmith into their home, vehicle or entry into other
property to ensure that he or she is licensed.
Bowie also said that a locksmith who doesn’t ask a
consumer for identification may be operating without a
license.
“Be leery of someone who doesn’t ask for an ID,” he said.
An individual’s or company’s license is verifiable online
at
www.txdps.state.us/psb/. The department also warns that
“many individuals and companies are still performing
services without the required license –– and the required
criminal history check.”
Those who may encounter an unlicensed individual or
company offering to perform locksmith services, should
contact the Department’s Private Security Bureau by mail at
P.O. Box 4087, Austin, 78773-0241, by fax at 512-424-7729 or
by e-mail at
psb@txdps.state.tx.us.
Pictured above, three Tomball Fire Department firefighters
recently graduated from a Northwest Chiefs-sponsored
Introductory Firefighter Class. The class involves 134 hours
of basic firefighting modules including fire streams, search
and rescue, ventilation, incident command, salvage and
overhaul, self-contained breathing equipment, fire behavior
and more. Each of the three cadets is still in high school.
The junior firefighter program is available to young men and
women between the ages of 16 and 18 who are still in high
school. The focal point of the program is an agreement
between the student, his or her parents and the fire
department whereby the student is required to maintain a “C”
grade or higher in every course being taken in school. This
is similar to the state’s “no pass/no play” guidelines for
extracurricular activities. Picture, from left to right, are
Assistant Chief Trae Gammon, Cadet Mike Hill, Cadet Melissa
Walker, Cadet Johnny Jessie, Lieutenant Chris Thornton and
Fire Chief Randy Parr.
Submitted Photo |
