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It’s all about safety this week, as students head back to class plus major West Loop closure this weekend

Thousands of students started their fall semester in these last few days. Happy back-to-school season to Klein, Galena and Fort Bend ISD among many many others. I’m sure you’ve definitely seen the traffic pattern change in your morning drive. It is BUSY out there. I remember looking at Spring Cypress Road near Klein Cain High School and it was dark red. Drivers, now that it’s getting a bit more congested out there, you’ve got to leave with extra time in the morning. We have so much going on early in the morning in our neighborhoods with kids headed back to class. School buses are running, kids riding their bikes or walking to school...the last thing you want to do is to rush out the door and speed down your neighborhood streets. Let’s do our best to keep our students safe out there!

Houston’s biggest road projects: The West Loop/Southwest Freeway Interchange rebuild

In 2019, the West Loop between the Katy Freeway and the Southwest Freeway was named the most congested highway segment in the state of Texas, and now in the country, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The ongoing intricate, mega-sized project to rebuild the West Loop/Southwest Freeway interchange is aimed to help alleviate some of that congestion while also improving safety along this stretch of road.

‘My baby didn’t deserve to be shot’: Mother of 1-year-old boy hit by Houston police gunfire speaks

HOUSTON – The mother of a 1-year-old boy hit by gunfire from a Houston police officer who was shooting at a robber earlier this month spoke about the incident for the first time Tuesday. According to police, the robber jumped out of a vehicle and into another vehicle where a woman was pumping gas. Police said they spotted a weapon as they moved in on the man and a 15-year veteran of the Houston Police Department opened fire, killing him. Police said that a 1-year-old who was in the back seat of the vehicle at the gas pump was hit by gunfire. Crump said Legend was hit in the head by a bullet and not grazed as police have described.

VIDEO: Robbery suspect killed, baby injured in officer-involved shooting in SW Houston, police say

HOUSTON – A robbery suspect is dead and a bystander’s baby was injured after an officer-involved shooting Wednesday, Houston police said. Officers said the shooting happened in the 7900 block of Southwest Freeway around 11:35 p.m. According to the Houston Police Department, officers spotted a vehicle that was suspected in a robbery. Investigators said the chase went onto Beltway 8 and then onto the Southwest Freeway feeder road. The suspect then crashed and stopped at a gas station, Jack’s Grocery, at 7931 Southwest Freeway, police said.

HPD: Pedestrian killed in hit-an-run accident on Southwest Freeway

HOUSTON – A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle and killed Saturday night along the Southwest Freeway in Houston’s Upper Kirby neighborhood, authorities said. Just after 1 a.m Saturday, units were dispatched to a location near the intersection of the Southwest Freeway and Kirby Drive in reference to the auto-pedestrian accident. On arrival, police found the man lying in a main lane of the freeway. After the initial striking vehicle drove off, police said the man was struck by additional vehicles. Police said they don’t yet have a description of the initial striking vehicle.

Have you seen him? Jose Alexander Sanchez sought, accused of sexually assaulting a child in 2019

HOUSTON – Have you seen Jose Alexander Sanchez? Detectives learned that the fugitive, Jose Alexander Sanchez, sexually assaulted the victim. Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, charging and/or arrest of the suspects in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.

Painted Tree Marketplace in Sugar Land features nearly 200 vendors on Small Business Saturday

SUGAR LAND, Texas – This year, the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop people from supporting Small Business Saturday. The Painted Tree Marketplace, located on Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land, showcases almost 200 small business vendors. On Saturday, the business was booming at the Painted Tree Marketplace. Nicole Flores is the store manager at the Painted Tree Marketplace and she owns the Sassy Gal Boutique. The Painted Tree Marketplace is open from 10 a.m. -8 p.m. every day.

Ask 2: Why do they keep closing 59 between Gessner and Fondren?

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Why do they keep closing 59 between Gessner and Fondren? Answer: Terrence lives on the Southwest part of town and wanted to know why the Southwest Freeway keeps getting shut down for construction on the weekends. I spoke to the Department of Transportation and they said, the construction taking place between Gessner and Fondren is not part of the interchange project with the West Loop. The project is planned to be complete by the end of December/beginning of next year, weather depending.

Fresh drive: This is what the new 288 toll road looks like for one of the first drivers

HOUSTON – The 288 Expressway is officially open! In addition, the department will open the Brazoria County 288 Expressway, a 5-mile section from the Brazoria/Harris county line at Clear Creek to County Road 58 north. Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta said it’s an opening that has been a long time coming. “It will help with congestion relief on Highway 288,” Sebesta said in a press release. “We are excited to see the Brazoria County Expressway completed, allowing our residents to spend less time in traffic and more time at home with their families.”Residents can travel the expressway for free from Harris County to Brazoria County, between Nov. 16-29.

Ask 2: What’s up with the folded sign on Southwest Freeway near Sugar Land?

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: What’s up with the folded sign on Southwest Freeway near Sugarland? Answer: According to the Texas Department of Transportation, many people were wondering about the folded overhead sign on the Southwest Freeway that directs traffic to exit Sugar Land and Stafford. TXDOT responded to these multiple reports and has contacted their Fort Bend and west Harris County maintenance teams to quickly fix the issue. Send it our way, and we will try to hunt down an answer.

Update on I-610/Highway 59 construction project

The new I-69 northbound connector ramp to I-610 southbound was recently opened. Currently, crews are working on the demolition of the old I-69 northbound connector ramp to I-610 southbound. This will allow for the work to progress on the IH 610 northbound to IH 69 southbound connector. The new I-610 southbound exit to Fournace and the new I-610 southbound entrance ramp from Hildalgo/ Westheimer opened earlier this summer. Major work for the IH 610 northbound to I-69 southbound connector ramp and the I-610 southbound to I-69 northbound connector ramp will continue.

Houston city hall, Montrose Bridges to turn red, white and blue Saturday night in honor of Justice Ginsburg

Houston’s city hall in downtown and the Montrose Bridges over the Southwest Freeway will light up red,white and blue Saturday beginning at dusk to honor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last week at the age of 87. “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death has saddened Houstonians, and tonight the City of Houston will pay our respects and honor her legacy,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “Many will also continue to honor Justice Ginsburg with a commitment to work for a fair and just society. She served our country with dignity and broke down barriers. She fought until her last day and can truly rest in power.”Ginsburg, who died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer, was honored Friday in a ceremony in Statuary Hall.

Weekend construction: 3 areas Houston drivers will want to avoid

HOUSTON – Road construction in Metro Houston continues in full force this weekend, with three specific locations that could cause you delays. Weekend construction at the Southwest Freeway/West Loop interchange continues this weekend. In addition, the southbound West Loop frontage road between Richmond and Westpark will be closed. The southbound feeder on the West Loop between Richmond and Westpark Drive will be closed all weekend. I-10/I-45 InterchangeThe connector ramps from eastbound and westbound I-10 to northbound I-45 will be closed this weekend.

Man hit and killed on Southwest Freeway at 610; lanes shut down: Police

HOUSTON – Houston police are investigating a deadly crash that left a 27-year-old man dead Tuesday morning. The accident happened on the Southwest Freeway near Newcastle Drive. Investigators said the man walked across the road and into traffic before he was hit. IH-69 Southwest Fwy southbound at Newcastle, accident has all southbound lanes closed. #houtrafficCC13 — Houston Police (@houstonpolice) July 21, 2020Police are encouraging drivers to find a different route.

I-45 Expansion Project: Whats the latest?

HOUSTON The proposed I-45 expansion project is set to solve Houstons biggest congestion problems from the Southwest Freeway up to the North Beltway, with work broken down into three segments. This project has proven to be controversial as the Texas Department of Transportation plans to expand a vital part of I-45. The North Freeway expansion promises a smoother commute and green space which is often referred to as the Central Park of Houston.This part of the project is Segment three, located near Minute Maid Park. Segment two the section in between those areas improving the North Freeway from Interstate 10 up to the North Loop. north freeway expansion projectThe project plan seems to excite some Houstonians, but others say these improvements will come at a cost much higher than the estimated $7 billion.

1 dead after auto-pedestrian accident in southwest Houston

HOUSTON – A man is dead after an auto-pedestrian crash in southwest Houston. The accident happened around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday on the Southwest Freeway near Bellaire Boulevard, according to police. Authorities said the man was running across the main lanes of the freeway when he was hit by a passing Cadillac. The victim’s vehicle was found disabled on the left shoulder, police said. Officers said the driver fo the Cadillac remained at the scene and will not be facing any charges.