La Porte PD officer under investigation for alleged involvement in Heights-area capital murder case
A La Porte Police Department officer with three and a half years on the job is under investigation for the misuse of official information or bribery by the Texas Rangers, according to a search warrant obtained by KPRC 2.
DuPont company and former employee sentenced in deadly 2014 chemical release
DuPont Company has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced for criminal negligence in connection with a 2014 incident that killed four company employees, according to the United States Attorneyโs Office Southern District of Texas.
These live beach cameras show what it looks like as Tropical Storm Nicholas approaches the Texas coast
Tropical Storm Nicholas is expected to strengthen as it approaches the Texas coast, threatening to bring heavy rain and floods. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for many of the stateโs coastal regions.
LyondellBasell: What do we know about the company, its presence in the Houston area
LyondellBasell โ the company that owns the plant where two workers were killed and 30 others were injured after a chemical leak Tuesday night โ is one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world and owns 18 locations in Texas, according to its website.
City of La Porte investigating โstrong natural gas odorโ impacting Deer Park, Pasadena area
LA PORTE, Texas โ Investigation underway after a strong natural gas odor affecting the Deer Park and Pasadena area, according to La Porte Emergency Management. Harris County Pollution Control and La Porte Fire Department are investigating the cause of the odor. The City of La Porte is aware of a strong natural gas odor in the city. The La Porte Fire Department and Harris County Pollution Control are investigating. The League City Volunteer Fire Department and Police Department are investigating the strange odor being detected citywide.
La Porte ISD offers 400 boxes of produce to area families at food distribution site
LA PORTE, Texas โ Gratitude went much farther than the line that stretched into Sens Road Tuesday outside of La Porte Independent School Districtโs Support Services Center. The parking lot hosted a food distribution site that offered 400 boxes of produce to area families, including Lorena Perez. The farms provide food for La Porte ISD year-round, through The Common Market Texas, an organization that pushes sustainable farming. โWeโre going to be able to feed thousands of people by the end of the week,โ said Margo Robertson, outreach coordinator at The Common Market Texas. Robertson said 1,000 boxes total were donated and theyโll be distributed throughout the area, helping area families as well as farms.
DuPont, former employee federally charged in deadly 2014 chemical release that killed 4, officials say
LA PORTE, Texas โ A Houston federal grand jury has indicted DuPont and a former employee for knowingly violating requirements of federal safety regulations and negligently releasing an extremely hazardous substance in a deadly 2014 chemical release at a La Porte plant, federal officials announced Tuesday. The indictment alleges DuPont and Sandel knowingly failed to implement certain DuPont procedures federal regulations required. DuPont is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, and owns chemical manufacturing plants around the world, including the La Porte facility. A news release said Sandel ran the Insecticide Business Unit at the La Porte plant and was responsible for ensuring employees in the unit followed applicable federal safety regulations. If convicted of the federal safety regulations violations, Sandel faces up to five years in federal prison while the negligence charge could result in an additional one-year term.
Video: Check out more than 100,000 lights at D&D Christmas Land holiday display in La Porte
Add it to your list -- thereโs another light display to check out this holiday season. D&D Christmas Land located in La Porte invites families to experience its holiday attraction for free. The walkthrough features more than 100,000 lights, newly-added yard art, and a model train display. According to the D&D Christmas Land Facebook page, the event is free to attend but donations are appreciated. D&D Christmas Land is located at 4922 Valley View Drive La Porte, Texas
All clear given in La Porte after fire in Seabrook prompts shelter-in-place order
LA PORTE, Texas โ A shelter-in-place order that was issued for parts of La Porte because of a fire in Seabrook has been lifted. Emergency officials said the fire was burning at the Odfjell Terminal Houston facility on Port Road and the shelter-in-place was issued as a precaution. The Harris County Fire Marshalโs Office said a pallet and hydraulic fluid were burning and that the fire was out. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the countyโs Pollution Control Department and the Fire Marshalโs Office were monitoring air quality in the area. In a statement, Odfjell officials said the air samples that have been collected meet acceptable air quality standards.
Houston-area school district gifts $1,000 to most employees for COVID-19
LA PORTE, Texas โ The La Porte Independent School District is offering $1,000 to most employees under a resolution approved Tuesday night by the districtโs board of trustees. The employees earned the incentive for going โabove and beyond their duties and responsibilitiesโ during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the board resolution. Trustees voted unanimously to extend a one-time incentive and retention payment to each employee of the district who was employed by Sept. 8, 2020. Substitutes, temporary workers and employees who are on paid or unpaid administrative leave do not qualify for the payment, according to the district. Employees who qualify will receive the payment by the time the district closes for the holidays on Dec. 18.
VYPE CAMPUS CLIPS: Lee flies past Goose Creek-Memorial
Baytown Lee used an explosive passing game to fly past Goose Creek Memorial 28-14 in an all-important District 9-5A DI contest. QB Christian Olige threw for four scores, three going to Adrian Boston. Olige is just under the 1,000-yard plateau for passing yards in just five games. Lee currently holds the fourth playoff spot behind Port Arthur Memorial, United and La Porte. GC-M is off next week before playing Sterling.
Are Paetow, Lee, Lake Creek for real? The Class 5A Top 10
Hightower heads way north to play Class 6A The Woodlands, while Lake Creek shocked Class 6A FB Travis last weekend. 3 Katy Paetow Panthers (2-0) DNP; Next Up KempnerNo. 4 Fort Bend Marshall Buffs (2-0) Defeated Galena Park 62-0; Next Up NorthsideNo. 9 Lake Creek (2-1) Defeated FB Travis 30-29; Up Next LegacyNo. 10 La Porte (2-1) Lost to Port Arthur Memorial; Next Up LeeOthers to Watch: Fulshear (3-0), Willowridge (2-0), FB Kempner
Suspected serial scammer in Houston-area arrested again as victims describe litany of scams
Chad Skelton was arrested in Chambers County this week on several charges, including theft, deceptive business practices, and fraudulent use and possession of personal ID information. Both men say they paid Skelton hundreds of dollars for pre-employment screenings and then never heard from him again. Melissa Harpster, the secretary at First Baptist Church Highlands, said Skelton told her he was a soldier about to be deployed and needed some money. โHe called up and said he was in the military and that he was helping the people in Louisiana from the hurricane,โ Harpster explained. โAltogether, we gave him over $300.โChannel 2 Investigates other law enforcement agencies may be looking into Skeltonโs recent activities.
La Porte ISD will provide free meals to all students, district says
HOUSTON โ The La Porte Independent School District announced this week that all of its students will begin to receive free meals after the U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the Summer Food Service Program. The program will also provide free curbside meals for children 18 and younger who are not enrolled in the district. โThis (waiver) essentially allows us to provide meals to all children without the added burden of determining who is eligible and who isnโt,โ said Yvonne Bennett, La Porte ISD nutrition director. โIf students are not present in the vehicle, the parent or guardian must present the studentโs school ID number or badge to the cashier. Find more information on the La Porte ISD website.
Spencer Solves It: Search for auto repair shop to help struggling single mother with engine trouble
Since then, Raquel said she has dedicated herself to working hard and raising her five beautiful children. A month without pay, forget about it and now its going on five months with no pay, Raquel said. So thats when Raquel decided to contact Spencer Solves It. Now, the Spencer Solves It team is working on finding a trustworthy, honest, auto repair shop to donate both a new engine and their labor costs to give Raquel a new engine. For a woman who has worked so long and so hard, we think at Spencer Solves It think it is high-time someone step-up and help her out for a change.
Customers that took misleading COVID-19 test at now-closed Houston area clinic upset with โschemeโ
LA PORTE โ The doors at the Clinica Hispana in La Porte remained close after the State Attorney Generalโs Office filed a lawsuit against the business Wednesday. Officials said the man that runs the clinic is not a doctor, and the diagnosed COVID-19 tests he provided were actually antibody tests. RELATED: Texas AG sues Houston area clinic, says COVID-19 tests are not as advertisedโBecause of my lack of research I was also a victim,โ Jolene said. Jolene said she and her father visited Clinica Hispana last month after experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms. That feeling led her to the hospital, where she and her father tested positive for COVID-19.
Houston-area families can get free food at these distribution events every Saturday through mid-Sept.
LA PORTE, Texas โ Wells Fargo is partnering with the Houston Food Bank to distribute meals to those who need them. The distribution will start Saturday at the Wells Fargo La Porte Branch on 1001 Highway 146 South. People can drive up to the branch between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to get food. โWells Fargo has a long-standing commitment to help our local communitiesโespecially during challenging times. We are glad to bring nourishment for many families and hope this modest gesture lifts spirits and reminds people that they are not alone.โ
VYPE Houston 2020 Volleyball Preseason Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year Poll
VYPE wants the fans to vote for their favorite Houston Volleyball player! The VYPE Houston 2020 Volleyball Preseason Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year Poll is now live! All athlete polls and their content are only associated and created by VYPE Media and its staff. Please contact VYPE Media directly if you have any questions, comments, or concerns around our Fan Polls. VYPE Houston 2020 Volleyball Preseason Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year Poll (Poll Closes Wed 7/22 at 7pm)
La Porte City Councilman removed from Monday night meeting for refusing to wear mask
LA PORTE, Texas โ A member of the La Porte City Council said he was escorted out of Monday nightโs council meeting for refusing to wear a face mask. The council started the meeting with a vote requiring everyone at the front table to cover their faces. Reached by phone on Tuesday night, Councilman Steve Gillett said he made the motion and raised concerns about his own health. Both sides said the other could take part in the meeting remotely, even in another room in La Porte City Hall. Garza said he plans to attend the next council meeting and will not be wearing a mask.
VYPE Awards 2020: Public School Girls, Boys Cross Country
Here are the finalists for Public School Boys and Girls Cross Country. GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE- Carly Ahrens, KingwoodCarly Ahrens took eighth overall at the 2019 UIL Class 6A State Cross Country Meet. The freshman posted the best time on the Kingwood cross country team, which finished second overall just behind Southlake Carroll. BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE- Spencer Cardinal, The WoodlandsThe Woodlands' Spencer Cardinal finished 3rd overall at the UIL State Cross Country Meet. Houston Methodist serves as the official health care provider for the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Rice Athletics, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeoโข, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera.
Itโs a girl: Foal born at Houston SPCA after La Porte animal seizure
HOUSTON โ A female baby horse, also known as a filly, was born on Memorial Day to a horse rescued from a neglect situation in La Porte last September. Itโs a happy conclusion for a story that began in the public eye in September when the fillyโs mother and 10 other emaciated horses were removed from a property in La Porte in the 1700 block of Sens Road after the owners failed to properly care for the animals. Lavender and her mother (Houston SPCA)Julie Kuenstle, a representative of the Houston SPCA, told KPRC 2 that the babyโs name is Lavender and that she was born at the Houston SPCA Equine Center. READ KPRC 2โฒs ORIGINAL REPORTING ON THE LA PORTE ANIMAL SEIZURE.
Boy, 4, dies after being accidentally shot by older sibling in La Porte, police say
HOUSTON โ A 4-year-old boy died Tuesday afternoon after his older sibling accidentally shot him, according to the La Porte Police Department. The incident was reported around 2:20 p.m. in the 10200 block of Old Orchard Road. La Porte police said the child was airlifted to the Medical Center for treatment where he later died. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation. Please check back for updates.
VYPE Houston Fan Poll: Boys Track Runner of the Year
VYPE has scoured the standings on MileSplit.com and have gathered the best of the best in each running category. Go crazy track nation and vote for the 2020 VYPE Houston Boys Track Runner of the Year in this fan poll. All athlete polls and their content are only associated and created by VYPE Media and its staff. Please contact VYPE Media directly if you have any questions, comments, or concerns around our Fan Polls. VYPE Houston Boys Track Runner of the Year Poll (Closes Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m.
34 coronavirus cases reported among residents, staff at LaPorte Healthcare Center
HOUSTON โ An assisted living facility in La Porte, Texas has 34 cases of coronavirus, Harris County health officials announced Tuesday. Just four days ago, there were only five cases at the LaPorte Healthcare Center but as of Tuesday, 34 residents and staff members at the facility have tested positive. โThe facility is currently under strict health control orders that were issued to ensure appropriate infection control and prevention measures are taken,โ officials wrote in a release. The LaPorte Healthcare Center is one of several assisted living facilities in the Houston-area to report clusters of coronavirus cases. Last week, Galveston County officials announced 83 cases of coronavirus among residents and staff at the Resort at Texas City.
5 people test positive for coronavirus at assisted living facility in LaPorte
LA PORTE, Texas โ Five people have tested positive for the cornonavirus at an assisted living facility in LaPorte. According to representatives with the facility, five residents and staff members tested positive for the virus. Staff who have tested positive are following the guidance of their physicians and are no longer working in the center. The Galveston County Health District said that 83 employees and residents at The Resort at Texas City tested positive for the coronavirus. Greg Abbott announced that 30 patients at that facility will undergo a new treatment with Hydroxychloroquine.
What happens when a coronavirus patient arrives at a clinic?
Davita Hall, who works at the clinic, said she would first put on a mask and immediately meet the patient at the front desk. She said she would place a mask on the patient, as well. If all that information indicates coronavirus as a possible cause for the patientโs illness, the authorities are called. The patient wouldnโt be allowed to leave until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determines where they would be placed into quarantine. Everything that the patient touches that canโt be sanitized will be thrown away, such as pens and blood pressure cuffs.
Officials searching for La Porte man last seen at Grand Canyon on Dec. 22
HOUSTON โ Officials are searching for a La Porte man who went missing at Grand Canyon National Park more than a week ago. Martin Edward OโConner, 58, was last seen Dec. 22 at Yavapai Lodge, where officials say he had been staying since Dec. 17. OโConner is described by NPS officials as a physically-fit white man weighing 145 pounds and 5 feet, 10 inches tall. Martin Edward O'Conner of La Porte, Texas was last seen on Dec. 22, 2019 at Yavapai Lodge located on Grand Canyon's south rim. (Facebook | Emergency Services & Law Enforcement - Grand Canyon NPS)Grand Canyon Rangers are urging anyone who might have seen or spoken to OโConner to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009.
La Porte man convicted of sex crimes against children gets 370 years in prison
LA PORTE, Texas โ A La Porte man convicted of seven felony counts related to sexual crimes against children was sentenced to 370 years in prison earlier this month, according to a release from the La Porte Police Department. He is to serve the 370 years consecutively with no chance of parole. In Dec. 2018, Crowell was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child. โEvidence collected from those search warrants revealed additional child victims sexually assaulted by Crowell, spanning back decades into the early 1990s.โThe Harris County District Attorneyโs Office opened two extra cases against Crowell which were never prosecuted. The additional cases brought the number of Crowellโs victims to four.
Kinkaid takes over No. 1 spot in VYPE Private School baseball rankings powered by Barcelona Sports
[adsanity align='alignnone' id=377]In the newest rankings by VYPE powered by Barcelona Sports, Tomball has continued to be one of the most impressive 5A teams in the city. In 6A, Cypress Ranch continues its run of dominance but teams are chasing close behind for the coveted top spot. We sell sports equipment, customized uniforms and professionally fitted accessories for football, baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball and track and field. 12 Fort Bend Travis (22-6, 12-1)No. 5 Cypress Christian Warriors (21-8, 11-3)No.