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Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
Travis Scott: Astroworld Festival returning in 2021
On the day of his birthday, Travis Scott announced that his Astroworld Festival will officially return in the fall of 2021.
The official dates will be through November 5-6 at NRG Park in Houston. In a press release, the festival cited overwhelming demand as well as rave reviews for the decision to expand to two days this year.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Fans are being encouraged to get their tickets early due to high demand.
Born in Houston and a graduate of Elkins High School, Scott is confirmed as the festival’s headlining performer as he readies for the upcoming release of his new Utopia album.
The previous Astroworld Festival in 2019 featured Scott as well as the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Pharrell Williams, Migos, Marilyn Manson, and many more. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 version was canceled, but back then, Scott promised Astroworld Festival would make a comeback.
Source: www.click2houston.com
The criminal penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana would be reduced under a bill OK’d by the Texas House
The Texas House preliminarily approved a bill that would lower the criminal penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana and provide a path for many Texans charged with such a crime to expunge it from their criminal records. The bill applies to possession of one ounce or less — approximately two dime bags.
Currently in Texas, possession of up to two ounces of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, which can be punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. House Bill 441, authored by state Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, would reduce possession of one ounce or less to a Class C misdemeanor, which carries no jail time. Police also wouldn’t be allowed to make arrests for possession at or under an ounce.
In a committee hearing, Zwiener said the language had been worked on with Gov. Greg Abbott’s office and praised the “bipartisan conversation” over reducing possession penalties. The House passed a similar measure two years ago, but Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opposed it and quickly declared it dead in the upper chamber. Patrick’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Several Texas prosecutors and law enforcement agencies have already stopped arresting and prosecuting people found with small amounts of marijuana on their first offense. A 2021 University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll found that 60% of Texas voters believe possession of small or large amounts of marijuana should be legal for whatever purpose.
HB 411 is one of many attempts to lower the criminal penalties for marijuana possession statewide — 10 bills in the Legislature address the issue, but only one other bill has made it out of committee. House Bill 99 would get rid of arrests and driver’s license suspensions for marijuana possession only punishable by a fine. Its author, Rep. Steve Toth, R-Woodlands, is a notable conservative who told the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee that he did not support decriminalization or legalization, but nevertheless believes the racial disparity in marijuana arrests must be addressed.
According to a 2020 report by the American Civil Liberties Union, Black Texans were 2.6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession in 2018 than white Texans despite similar usage rates nationwide. In both 2018 and 2019, about 30% of those arrested for marijuana possession in Texas were Black, despite the state population is 12%, Black.
Class B misdemeanors carry other penalties, such as not being able to obtain a firearm license for five years and automatic driver’s license suspension. Lowering the charge to a Class C misdemeanor and allowing for record expungement would also eliminate the barriers and stigma associated with having a criminal record while applying for jobs and financial assistance.
Marijuana possession charges have also gotten more complicated since the Legislature legalized hemp and hemp-derived products — such as CBD oil — last session. Difficulty differentiating between legal hemp and illegal marijuana led to a drop in the number of low-level possession charges in the state. In 2019, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported more than 45,000 arrests for possession of marijuana — a decrease from the nearly 63,000 reported arrests in 2018. In July of 2019, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a memo instructing DPS officers to issue citations, rather than make arrests, for possession of fewer than four ounces of marijuana.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Our 5 Favorite Downtown Dives
Best Bar for Drinking Before Grocery Shopping
MKT Bar
Come as you are to this no-frills joint located inside the beloved Phoenicia Specialty Foods market. Though it otherwise has all the atmosphere of your local Starbucks, the bar feels buzzy when a DJ or live band hits the stage, which is often and gets packed when there’s a concert or a basketball game at nearby Toyota Center. As a bonus, pretty much every wine on offer pairs well with the store’s flaky baklava. Just saying.
Best Bar for Partying Like a (Literal) Rock Star
Dirt Bar
If you think bars should be loud and dark, have bathrooms full of graffiti, and employ bartenders rather than mixologists, this is your place. Too hip to be a dive and too rock ’n’ roll for the hipsters, the Dirt nevertheless has a large fan base. Don’t be surprised if the headliners performing across the street at House of Blues pop in after their set.
Best Bar for Pretending You’re in Mexico
The Pastry War
This little bar sources its tequilas and mezcals from Mexican distilleries that harvest their agave sustainably and mixes them with ingredients like jamaica (hibiscus) and spicy Tajin. Have a couple of habanero-serrano margaritas amid the Día de los Muertos figurines and café lights, and you’ll swear you’re drinking on a lively patio in Guadalajara. The place even accepts pesos.
Best Bar for a Drink with Bill Nye
Moving Sidewalk
The vibe here could easily feel pretentious if it weren’t for the kitschy cocktail menus, inspired by everything from Astroworld to the movie Point Break—and, most importantly, a puckish obsession with the science-y side of drinks. The bartenders, led by managing partner Alex Gregg, first wowed us with the Anna Nicole Smith cocktail, a classic White Lady that morphs into a Corpse Reviver No. 2 halfway through drinking, thanks to liquid nitrogen and other stuff you once learned about in chemistry class.
Best Bar for Pretending “New” Downtown Never Happened
Sunny’s Bar
It wasn’t so long ago when to live and hang out downtown was to be a bit of an odd duck, someone who rejected the siren call of the McMansion in favor of an urban loft and weekend strolls through empty downtown streets. If that was you, your bar was this friendly, laid-back dive, where the jukebox is almost always playing something cheesy and Jell-O shots are almost always on offer. Owner Sunny Vik is usually on hand, ready to chat and pour you a strong drink. Just don’t try to make off with one of her koozies.
Source: www.houstoniamag.com
CRIME STOPPERS OF HOUSTON FUGITIVE FRIDAY
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PORT HOUSTON POSTS LARGEST MONTHLY CONTAINER VOLUME
Commission Adopts MWBE Policy Navigating a Brighter Future for All HOUSTON – The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met virtually in regular session on Tuesday for its April meeting. Chairman Ric Campo reflected on the priorities of Port Houston’s future, as he emphasized its commitment to continued investment in infrastructure to keep growing and sustaining 1.35 million Texan jobs, and providing opportunities to thrive for small and minority, and women-owned businesses (MWBE). Activity at Port Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal. The meeting opened with encouragement and support from Harris County officials and the City of Houston, including Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. These officials commended the Port Commission for improving and strengthening opportunities for minorities and women-owned companies to access Port Houston business, through its new MWBE policy, an item on the Port Commission’s agenda. Later in the meeting, the Port Commission approved the Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Development Policy, accompanied by the Amended and Restated Small Business Development Policy. The officials also expressed support of Port Houston’s efforts to achieve continuous improvement of the Houston Ship Channel through the Project 11 deepening and widening project, keeping Port Houston competitive and generating jobs and economic impact for the region and the state. Notably, the Commission awarded the first Project 11 construction contract at the meeting – and more than half of the total $24 million in contracts approved at the meeting supported Project 11 efforts. “Each step forward in this project represents the future prosperity of over 3.2 million Americans who rely on this channel for their livelihoods, and the future generations who will benefit from these investments for decades to come,” Chairman Campo said, concerning this significant milestone. In his operational update, Executive Director Roger Guenther announced that container volume in March was the highest ever. Port Houston handled 297,397 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the last month, a 20% gain over March of last year. Guenther also announced the production of a special video offering a unique “behind the scenes” look at what makes Port Houston work. “Navigating the Future” includes Guenther, Chairman Campo, and others as they discuss a port activity, the economic outlook, infrastructure, environmental and MWBE initiatives, and much more.
Source: porthouston.com
RRC Commissioners Assess More Than $460,000 In Penalties
The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $466,393 in fines involving 105 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on April 27. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.
Seven dockets involved $222,496 in penalties after operators failed to appear at Commission enforcement proceedings. Master Default Orders can be found on the RRC Hearings Division webpage.
Operators were ordered to come into compliance with Commission rules and assessed $36,897 for oil and gas, LP-Gas or pipeline safety rule violations. Pipeline operators and excavators were assessed $207,000 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules. Master Agreed Orders can be found on the RRC General Counsel webpage.
In the absence of timely motions for rehearing, decisions are final as stated in these final orders.
Source: www.rrc.state.tx.us
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Announces Inaugural “Spring Spawning Run”
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is hosting the first statewide virtual 5K “Spring Spawning Run” to celebrate the fish spawning season and recognize the importance of state fish hatchery efforts to enhance the fisheries resources and fishing opportunities for more than two million anglers in Texas. This year’s 5k run will take place virtually the entire month of May, which means participants can show their support from anywhere in the state at their own pace.
“This is a fun and healthy opportunity to get outdoors and show your support for Texas’ fisheries resources during the important spring spawning season,” said Tom Lang, Director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. “I know that I plan to work in my 5K with my family as we hike to some of our favorite fishing spots.”
Participants can run, walk, or bike their 5k anytime during the month and at the end of May will receive a commemorative Spring Spawning Run T-Shirt, Bib and Sticker. Registration is $30 per person and is currently open and available until May 15. Registration and donations can be made on the event website. All proceeds will go to the Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center to benefit the educational programing, exhibits, and other efforts at TFFC.
“Participating in the spawning run also helps to support the efforts at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center to connect all Texans to fishing and the state’s freshwater fisheries resources,” Lang said.
For visitors to TFFC, all or part of the 5k can be completed on the Wetlands Trail. The wetland trail winds by fishing ponds, a pitcher plant bog, alongside a forested stream and through woodland and wildflower areas before ending at a duck blind and fishing pond. The blind is over a pond where big bass and sunfish swim and Canada geese raise their young each spring.
The TFFC is located in Athens and includes a working fish hatchery, numerous aquariums focusing on underwater wildlife in the state’s freshwaters, and is home to the Toyota ShareLunker program, which invites anglers to donate thirteen-pound-plus-sized largemouth bass for research and breeding purposes. The TFFC also houses the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame which honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to freshwater fishing in Texas. The Texas Game Warden Museum, where visitors can learn about the history and current TPWD game warden operations, is also located at the TFFC. In addition, the TFFC also facilitates the annual Fish Art Contest in Texas which is part of a conservation education program designed to spark the imaginations of students while providing valuable lessons about fish and the importance of conserving Texas’ aquatic resources.
Current operating hours at the TFFC are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to wear masks, maintain appropriate social distances from others outside their party, and use hand sanitizer and wash their hands regularly.
Source: tpwd.texas.gov
Se esperan fuertes lluvias hasta la mañana del domingo
¿Cuál es el peligro?:
El Servicio Nacional de Meteorología ha emitido una alerta de inundaciones repentinas para el Condado Harris y la mayor parte del sureste de Texas hasta el domingo por la mañana.
Por ahora, un sistema de tormentas de movimiento lento han estado afectando al Condado Harris desde temprano esta mañana. Parte de las bandas de lluvia han sido muy intensas y algunas áreas han visto más de tres pulgadas de lluvia en una hora. Se espera que la lluvia continúe hasta hoy y durante la mayor parte del fin de semana.
La amenaza principal para los residentes serán las inundaciones de carreteras, intersecciones y algunas áreas bajas. Recuerde que conducir en estas condiciones puede ser extremadamente peligroso. Es recomendable reducir la velocidad, dejar espacio adicional entre usted y el automóvil que va delante y, sobre todo, NUNCA conduzca por carreteras inundadas. Recuerde: ¡Aguas, no se ahogue!
Antes de salir de su casa o lugar de trabajo, verifique las condiciones del tráfico y las carreteras en www.houstontranstar.org.
Se le aconseja a los residentes monitorear los medios locales y el Servicio Nacional de Meteorología para obtener actualizaciones del estado del tiempo.
La información sobre preparación para emergencias está disponible en www.readyharris.org.
Heavy Rains Expected Through Sunday Morning
What is the danger?
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Harris County and most of Southeast Texas through Sunday morning.
Rainfall from a slow-moving storm system has been impacting Harris County since early this morning. Some of this rainfall has been very intense with some areas seeing more than three inches of rain in an hour. Rain is expected to continue through today and through most of the weekend.
The primary threat to residents will be flooding of roadways, intersections, and some low-lying areas. Driving in these conditions can be extremely hazardous. Slow down, allow extra space between you and the car in front of you, and most of all, NEVER drive into flooded roadways. Remember: Turn Around Don’t Drown!
Before leaving your home or place of work, check traffic and road conditions at www.houstontranstar.org.
Residents should monitor local media and the National Weather Service for weather updates.
Emergency preparedness information is available at www.readyharris.org.