Tomball PD considering red light cameras

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Tomball drivers should be prepared to say “cheese” as they speed through a light-controlled intersection. Even though there may not be any cops in the area, that doesn’t mean they may not be watching.

The Tomball Police Department is currently exploring the possibility of installing cameras at several busy intersections in hopes of cutting down the number of red-light runners and accidents.

The announcement came Feb. 2 at the Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce First Friday Luncheon.

Capt. Rickey Doerre of the Tomball Police Department spoke to the crowd of community and business leaders about the possibility of installing cameras at several city traffic light-controlled intersections.

His presentation also included a short sample video of an intersection on SH 249 where drivers could be seen running red lights. “What’s interesting is that, if you listen, you can hear the cars accelerating as they enter the intersection,” Doerre noted.

Texas has the fourth highest number of red light accidents in the nation, but according to Doerre, red light cameras have led to a significant decrease in such accidents.

In documented cases, traffic-controlled intersection injury crashes were reduced by 25 to 30 percent once cameras were installed, Doerre said.

According to the police department, there were 900 fatalities in intersection accidents in the U.S. in 2004.

“It’s our responsibility to pay attention to those numbers and do something about it,” Doerre said.

In Washington D.C., red light running fatalities dropped from 16 percent to 2 percent after the city installed cameras.

According to Doerre, potential vendors have visited the city for the last four months to discuss plans with the department about the possibility of implementing the camera system.

In September of 2000, the city of Garland became the first in Texas to implement the traffic surveillance program and, according to Doerre, more than 70 municipalities in the state have either installed red light cameras or are “showing interest” in doing so.

Cameras would be activated by a vehicle entering an intersection on a red light, not yellow. Texas law states entering an intersection while a light is yellow is not a violation, Doerre said.

Three pictures would also be taken of the vehicle: one of the vehicle entering the intersection, one while in the intersection and the last while the vehicle leaves the intersection.

If a camera records a vehicle running a red light, the video is reviewed by law enforcement officials and trained personnel of the camera company. If it is determined a particular driver ran a red light, a citation would be issued.

Doerre said being caught on film running a red light would not be a criminal violation, but rather a civil violation.

“When you run a red light, that’s a choice you’ve made.”

According to Doerre, the camera systems “wouldn’t cost the city or the taxpayers anything,” but would be funded by the revenue they generate through citations.

Doeree said the department has not set a specific date or time table to approve or install the cameras.

Pictured, (left to right) Dr. Tucker Shaw examines Diamond, Tiffani Fann’s black Labrador, and Astro, a chocolate Labrador belonging to owner Carrie Walton. The Mobile Vet Clinic visits Magnolia every first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Steinhauser’s, located at 18821 FM 1488. Dr. Larry Shaw, and his son, Dr. Tucker Shaw, sponsor the clinic. With the help of Jeannie Shaw and many veterinary assistants, the Mobile Vet Clinic provides low-cost immunizations, medical care and treatment to animals.
Photo by Cari Herr

Group’s concerns push city to establish new position

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

The efforts of a group of community and business leaders in Tomball have persuaded the city to establish a new position at city hall, one that is hoped would ease the process of building in the city.

The Tomball City Council voted to approve the new position of Community Development Coordinator at a Feb. 5 meeting.

The vote came after more than two weeks of meetings between council members, city staff and representatives of a group of concerned citizens who have been meeting since late 2006 to discuss issues they have faced with the city.

According to Clifford Parker, a spokesman for the group, many in the construction and real estate communities have faced problems establishing new developments in the city due to tight restrictions by city ordinances, a lack of communication between the city and developers and a host of other issues.

“We started meeting and we realized a common issue and that there was a very real problem,” Parker said.

The initial result is the new staff position at the city, which City Manager Ben Griffin believes will ease the building process.

“He is going to be a contact person for people wanting to do projects, building within city,” Griffin said. “For instance if you’re doing a subdivision, he’ll help guide you through the process.”

The city had yet to fill the position last week. Griffin said he hopes to hire someone as soon as possible.

Some of the concerns of the group, Griffin said, were legitimate ones and he agreed the city could do more to ease the construction and development process.

“I felt like their concerns were well thought out and it really enabled the city to think about process,” he said. “There’s always room for improvement.”

Parker said the group was pleased with the city’s action to establish the position.

“Yes, we are pleased,” he said. “And it’s not an us against them situation. We want to help the community.”

After meeting for several months late in 2006, the group presented its findings, a document signed by more than 60 members of the business community, to the city in January.

“We wanted to communicate with (the city) in open and frank discussions,” Parker said.

Griffin said the experience of working with the group was a positive one.

Even though the city has made what Parker believes to be a positive response to the group’s concerns, he said they would still meet and continue their discussions.

“We want to be part of the solution,” he said.

Waller High School’s Johnson signs with UT

Waller High School’s star running back, senior Colton “Cody” Johnson, officially signed his national letter of intent to play football for the University of Texas at Austin Feb. 7 after verbally committing to play for the Longhorns in the fall.

Waller High School senior running back Colton Johnson signs his national letter of intent to play for the University of Texas at Austin Feb. 7. Pictured are (back row, left to right) WHS Principal Kelly Baehren, Bulldogs’ Offensive Coordinator coach Jason Morley, Bulldogs’ Running Back Coach Mike Miller, Bulldogs’ head coach Jim Phillips, (front row, left to right) Johnson’s mother, Shirley Williams, and Colton Johnson.
Submitted Photo

In 2006, Johnson, 5’10,” 225 pounds, rushed for 1,743 total yards on 187 carries, averaging 9.32 yards per carry. He scored 21 touchdowns in 2006 and was named first team all-district, first team Rivals.com, second team all-state, and Ford Player of The Week following his performance against Nederland when he rushed for 352 yards on 21 carries and five touchdowns.

As a junior in 2005, Johnson played a successful first year at running back carrying the ball a total of 1,551 yards on 156 carries for an average of 9.94 yards per carry. He scored 20 touchdowns in 2005 and was named first team all-district, first team Super Team (Dave Campbell’s Texas Football), second team all-area, and the Bulldogs’ most valuable player.

J.L. Lyon staff face off with students in ‘Souper’ Bowl

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

A “Souper” Bowl was held at J.L. Lyon Elementary between the staff and fifth grade students on Feb. 2 and included a staff potluck and school-wide donations of food and soap for the St. Matthias food pantry in Magnolia.

Pictured, (left to right) Amber Shepherd, Kristen Roden, Alec Torres, Justin Braziel, Tracy Colley and Joshua Carbo, who successfully evaded Colley (on ground), punter for the teachers. Fifth graders played a competitive passing game against staff members in a "Souper" Bowl football game Feb. 2.

Montgomery County Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Judge Matt Masden and Pct. 5 Deputy Constable Billy Masden refereed the event. Teachers scored the first touchdown and held the students at bay with a good running game. The students met the challenge and evened the score with an excellent passing game, coming into the fourth quarter at 28-28.

It was nip and tuck as the teachers gave away a touchdown in the final 10 minutes. With the students on top, confidence levels soared, leaving the students vulnerable. The teachers found an opening to even the score with a 35-35 final.

Playing for the J.L. Lyon teacher’s team were Mrs. Mugavero, Mrs. Colley, Mrs. Patton, Mrs. Bostain, Mrs. Poissoitt, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Quinlin, Mrs. Roden, Mrs. Gillenwater, Mrs. Willimason, Mrs. Holmes and Ms. McNulty.

The J.L. Lyon student’s team was comprised of Kaytryn Logston, Haley Fernandez, Chanse Squires, Quincy Cobble, John Grunkemeyer, Uriel Mendoza, Justin Kmiec, Amber Shephard, Kaitlyn Ginter, Jesus Martinez, Jorge Flores, Colton Ratliff, Morgan Story Javier Botello Travis Rogers, Corbin Barnese, Edwin Gonzales, Justin Braziel, Tyler Currie, Colton Johnson, Dakota Evans, Juan Martinez, Jovan Sanchez, Josh Carbo, Cody Holden, Alec Torres, Travis Roy.

Fifth grade Beckendorf Intermediate students made fleece blankets to donate to the community. For three years, students have been participating in the Blanket Tomball project. This year the students made nearly 50 blankets. Pictured (center), Emily Bayard.
Submitted Photo

Tomball  Chamber Selects Citizen of the Year

The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce held its 2007 Gala, “A Simple Night of Black and White,” Feb. 2 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. At the event, TOMAGWA’s Judy Deyo was named Citizen of the Year. She was presented the award by last year’s Citizen of the Year Stephen Hohl. Pictured above (from left to right) are Miss Tomball 2007 Lilly Robinson, Hohl, Deyo and Chamber Chairman B. Allen Fletcher.
Submitted Photo

Animals seized due to cruel treatment

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

It didn’t take long for Dep. Constable Gordon Welch of the Montgomery County Pct. 5 Livestock Division to process a warrant for animal cruelty and neglect following a fifth visit on Jan. 29 to the home of Jason Hughes.

Pictured above, these emaciated horses were recently awarded to the Houston SPCA after being seized by the Constable's office due to a lack of grazing and feed, along with 24 other animals. Inspectors determined a live electrical wire was hanging down onto the ground of the pen. Hay was found on top of a trailer, out of the horses reach.
Submitted Photo

With Judge Matt Masden’s signature on the warrant, Welch, Dep. Constable Marshall Williams, and Investigators Jennifer Francis and Bob McClintock of the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) returned to Hughes’ home on Jan. 30 in the 27400 block of Violet Court in the Decker Woods subdivision to seize the animals.

What the deputy saw was described as “poor conditions with inadequate shelter and roughage” for the more than 15 pit bulls, two unknown breed of dogs, three horses, five catfish and two turtles left alive on the property. The animals were seized and taken to the SPCA rehabilitation center. Welch testified in the Pct. 5 courtroom on Feb. 7 that Hughes had a half-burned horse carcass on the property in addition to two dead puppies found on a washing machine, and one dead hedgehog, caged inside the home.

According to the testimonies of Welch and Francis, Hughes claimed ownership of the animals, except for two of the dogs, which belong to his neighbor, Lisa Smith. Both Welch and Francis testified that Hughes had admitted the pit bulls were of a “fighting bloodline.” Hughes confirmed to the Tribune that he breeds pit bulls for the purpose of selling them. He said was unaware of the intent of buyers for the purchase of the dogs.

The animals were “cruelly treated, malnourished and eating dirt and bark, with the horses being 200-plus pounds under weight,” said Welch, who has given Hughes four previous opportunities over the last two years to comply with providing humane conditions for the animals.

“The horses were emaciated and the dogs had severe cases of mange with secondary bacteria and a high level of parasite load both internally and externally. Broad spread feces throughout the property can transfer intestinal parasites like hookworms through fecal contamination,” said Francis. She also said that one of the two turtles had died after being taken to the SPCA, but both were covered in algae from being submerged in a 100-gallon aquarium with no access to sunlight.

During her testimony, Francis said that pit bulls were a dangerous breed of animal, with “too much liability to adopt out” and would be euthanized should custody be awarded to the SPCA. She later confirmed that disposition and said the horses would be rehabilitated and the remaining turtle released back into the wild.

Hughes testified that the dead horse was put down for colic, and the puppies’ mother had chewed the umbilical cord to an infective level, causing their deaths. Hughes admitted his horses were in “pretty bad shape,” but said he had hay on order for them. He later said the dead hedgehog was a result of an ant infestation.

Following Hughes’ testimony and a five-minute recess, Masden returned to the bench saying, “Mr. Hughes cruelly treated the animals.”

He cited Hughes with $68 in court costs and restitution payments totaling $3,070 to the SPCA for costs associated with the care of the animals. Masden awarded ownership of all the animals to the SPCA for disposition.

Smith, whose dogs were also awarded to the SPCA in the order, broke down in the courtroom at the verdict. Unknown to court officials, she had placed her two dogs on Hughes property for safekeeping when the animals were seized.

“The animals were left in the care of Jason Hughes,” said McClintock. “It’s his care and custody that is in question.”

The extent of damage to animals and the number of times an owner is warned determines the misdemeanor classification of a cruelty to animals offense, said Welch. To report animal neglect call the SPCA’s 24-hour injured animal rescue hotline at 713-880-4357.

Cup holder cause of three-car collision

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

A three-car collision interrupted traffic at the intersection of Theiss Road and SH 249 on Feb. 3, calling out Tomball’s finest to clear the wreck in just 40 minutes.

Tomball Fire Department washed away a fuel spill in a three-car collision on Feb. 3 at Theiss Road and SH 249.

Officer Brian Hill of the Tomball Police Department confirmed the driver of a gray four-door Jeep, Misty Blanton, was traveling southbound in the inside center lane when a cup holder rolled under the brake pedal and prevented her from braking. Blanton veered into the turning lane in an attempt to avoid hitting the red four-door Tahoe in front of her.

“There never was a brake,” said Wes Smith, who was driving a green Suburban, also hit by Blanton in the collision.

Blanton hit the Tahoe, pushing it into the intersection. Her Jeep then bounced off Smith’s Suburban before she regained control of her vehicle and came to a stop.

“The lady in the red Tahoe was sitting in the lane next to us. And the lady in the Jeep never stopped,” said Smith’s wife, Ruth, a passenger in the green Suburban. “She plowed right into the back (of the Tahoe). The Jeep hit the Tahoe and then bounced off of us.”

As fuel spilled onto the roadway from the vehicles involved, Tomball Fire Department arrived on the scene to wash away the fuel with a Microblaze solvent. Northwest EMS was called to take the driver of the red Tahoe, Delores Shivers, who complained of neck pain, to Tomball Regional Hospital for treatment.

“The cup holder rolled under my foot and I could not stop,” said Blanton. She was clearly upset at having caused the accident, saying she had just moved to Tomball and sold her only other vehicle. “All I could do was get that thing out from under my foot and then brake,” she said.

Junior posse passes baton for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Members of the Harris County Junior Deputy Sheriff’s Mounted Posse arrived at high noon on Feb. 3 to issue invitations to area residents to attend the 75th annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The Harris County Junior Deputy Sheriff’s Mounted Posse passed the baton and issued proclamations and invitations to local dignitaries of Magnolia and Montgomery County at the Malcolm Purvis Library, located at 510 Melton St. in Magnolia on Feb. 3 at high noon in true historical western fashion. Pictured left to right on horseback are Chelsea Witbeck, Caylynn Wolf, Bryce Rowley, Jessica Terry, Devin Bereman, Chaney Wolf, John Chapman. Dignitaries present to receive proclamations are pictured left to right as Blendermann, Houston Police Department Officer and Posse Drill Master Denton Rawley, Posse President Courtney Chapman, Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) MVFD Assistant Chief Kevin Walter, District Chief Klaus Grote`, District Chief Alan Paulk, MVFD Assistant Chief Jon Hall, MVFD Chief Gary Vincent, Assistant Chief Greg Chellette, Magnolia City Councilman Todd Kana, Pct. 5 Judge Matt Masden Magnolia City Councilman Rick Carby, Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton, Magnolia ISD Trustee Cecil Bell, Jr., Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage, Pct. 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal, Pct. 5 Constable David Hill, Magnolia ISD Trustee Charlie Riley, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Representative unknown, Magnolia Police Chief Ron Cunningham, and Harris County Sheriff’s Dep. Warren Conner. Posse riders (standing front row) Seth Blendermann, Kelsey Supak and Matt Rowley, as well as Chapman delivered the proclamations

More than 20 City of Magnolia and Montgomery County officials and law enforcement agents were on hand at the Malcolm Purvis Library to receive proclamations issued by County Judge Robert Eckels and Houston Mayor Bill White and to witness the passing of the baton from posse members to local dignitaries.

The junior posse is a 55-year-old group with two chapters, totaling 38 members. The tradition of a “Pony Express” ride to issue proclamations to surrounding communities has been a highlight of the rodeo for 30 years.

“Instead of delivering mail, we deliver proclamations in the old west style, including the old chaps uniform,” said J.A. Blendermann, coordinator and liaison from Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas.

The rodeo kicks off with Go Texan Day on Feb. 23 followed by a parade on Feb. 25 through downtown Houston with rodeo and concert performances beginning Feb. 27 and running through March 18.

The admission costs vary and provide entry into the rodeo and concert arena, the animal show and exhibition arena, shopping and exhibition areas and the carnival. Children age two and under are admitted free. Daily admission to Reliant Park is $6 for adults, $3 for children age 3 to 12, and free for children age two and under.

Admission includes entry into either the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and carnival on Feb. 22-24, or to the livestock and horse shows, carnival, The Hideout (21 and older), and shopping and food areas, Feb. 27 through March 18. The carnival opens on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 10 a.m. for all weekends of the rodeo.

The Houston Livestock Show and rodeo has set all-time records for general attendance in 2004 at 1,890,174; rodeo attendance in 2003 at 1,215,913; and the all-time record for performer attendance was set in 2006 at 72,867 for Brooks & Dunn.

For more information log on to www.rodeohouston.com or call 832-667-1080 or contact any Ticketmaster at 1-800-726-1313.