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Mother Who Drowned Her Two Children Sentenced to 40 Years

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A Houston mother who drowned her two children, ages 5 and 7, in 2016 pleaded guilty to two counts of murder on Monday in exchange for 40 years in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“This mother knew what she was doing, she knew it was wrong, and we vowed to seek justice for these two children,” Ogg said. “This plea agreement means that family members will not have to testify and this woman cannot appeal her conviction or the sentence.”

Sheborah Latrice Thomas drowned her daughter, 5-year-old Kayiana Thomas, in the bathtub of the family’s home in the 3000 block of Tierwester in southeast Houston on Aug. 12, 2016. She put her daughter’s body on a bed, then called her 7-year-old son, Araylon “Ray Ray” Thomas, to the bathroom and drowned him.

A day later, she put the children’s bodies into a trashcan behind the house and went to her job and tried to get her paycheck early.

Unable to leave town, she tried to dig a hole for the bodies, but when she couldn’t dig a hole large enough, she rolled the bodies under a neighbor’s house.

She started packing up her house and throwing things away. She told a friend that she had drowned the children and had to leave town, but he thought it was a joke. When he realized she was not joking, he asked more questions and she apparently showed him where the bodies could be found. He then contacted Houston police.

Assistant District Attorneys James O’Donnell and Sarah Moss prosecuted the case.

“Justice means that Sheborah Thomas is being held responsible for taking these children’s lives,” O’Donnell said.

Moss agreed. “It gives the family closure, and the children can finally be at rest.”

WHO KILLED KODY GREGORY? SUSPECT WANTED FOR FATAL HIT AND RUN

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Reward of up to $5,000 leading to the charging and arrest of the suspect(s) in this case.
Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department Vehicular Crimes Division need the public’s assistance identifying the suspect(s) responsible for a Hit and Run – Failure to Stop and Render Aid – Fatality.

On Sunday, January 29, 2023, at approximately 12:21 a.m., the victim was struck by a vehicle in the 700 block of Pease St. in Houston, Texas.  During the incident, the victim was riding a scooter when they were struck by the suspect’s vehicle which was traveling northwest bound.  The suspect(s) fled the scene without rendering aid to the victim. As a result of the collision, the victim suffered major injuries and died.

Due to the nature of this case, little information is known about the suspect or the vehicle they were operating.

Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect(s) 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.

VICTIM: KODY GREGORY
REPORT A TIP NOW

Let’s rodeo!

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Welcome To The Show!

It’s almost time and we can’t wait to see you at NRG Stadium for RODEOHOUSTON! Don’t be shy, RSVP to your Concert Facebook Event and share in the excitement with other fans!

Viva El Amor | This Friday at 7:30 PM | Get Tickets Now!

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Viva El Amor

MECA’s Annual Valentine’s Day serenade returns to the TBH Center. Beloved MECA alumni and mariachi music star, Vanessa Alonzo will share the stage with Jazz songstress, Ermelinda Cuellar. Alonzo will be accompanied by Trio Chapultepec of San Antonio, TX and Cuellar by pianist Bob Henschen and Thomas Helton on Bass. The evening will culminate in a collaboration that blends the two genres of music in an original adaption of “Cucurrucucú Paloma,” a Mexican huapango-style song written by Tomás Méndez Sosa in 1954 and made popular by music greats like Pedro Infante and Lola Beltrán.

 

Viva El Amor is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Reserve Your Tickets

Our MECA Ballet Folklórico prepares for the upcoming Bailes de mi Tierra Competencia Folklórica in Cedar Creek, Texas this weekend!

Thank you to those that came to the showcase and helped fundraise for this competition with your support!

Meet the Ballet Folklorico team on MECA’s Instagram!
The 18th Annual Frida Festival Call for Artists!
Apply For Viva Frida! Call For Artists 
Since 2005 we have been celebrating the legacy and inspiration of Frida Kahlo. The visual exhibit will be held at MECA at TBH in the East End starting on April 8th. Please read the application thoroughly. Contact Lizbeth Ortiz at curator@meca-houston.org for any questions.

Upcoming MECA Presents Events

Primavera Party

Saturday, March 4th | 1:00 PM

Celebrate spring with MECA! Featuring a performance from Charlie Y La Tribu Cubana, an array of artisan vendors, yummy food, and refreshing drinks!

 

Charlie y La Tribu Cubana plays Latin music indigenous to Cuba. Dance floor available, let the music move you!

Visit our Website

Homenaje A La Mujer:

An Alice Valdez Tribute

Friday, March 24th | 7:30 PM

Join us for Homenaje A La Mujer: An Alice Valdez Tribute, a performance featuring an all female cast of Mariachi MECA Alumni and MECA Ballet Folklorico dancers as we celebrate Alice Valdez’s contribution to the arts in Houston.

Tickets Coming Soon

Riyaaz Qawwali

Friday, April 14th | 7:30 PM

Riyaaz Qawwali performs the gripping music style called Qawwali. The qawwali musicians represent the diversity and plurality of South Asia. The ensemble’s musicians, who are settled in the United States, hail from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh and represent multiple religious and spiritual backgrounds.

Tickets Coming Soon

18th Annual Frida Festival

Saturday, April 29th | 11AM – 7PM

Join us in celebrating the 18th Annual Frida Festival curated by Lizbeth Ortiz and this year hosted at MECA Historic Dow School!

The Festival was established as a celebration of the birthday of Frida and her life, art and passions. Apply for Viva Frida! Art Exhibit call for artists here: bit.ly/CallForFrida

Festival is FREE to attend

MECA Visual Art Exhibits

February

2 – 28

Criatura

TBH Center

Mon – Fri: 1 PM – 9 PM

Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 2 PM

March

5

TBA

TBH Center

Mon – Fri: 1 PM – 9 PM

Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 2 PM

Reception: March 4th, 6 PM

RSVP for Opening Reception

April

8

Viva Frida!

TBH Center

Mon – Fri: 1 PM – 9 PM

Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 2 PM

Reception: Saturday, April 8th

6 PM – 9 PM

RSVP for Opening Reception

View All Art Exhibits…

MECA’s work to provide year-round, high quality arts education, social services and vigorous academic support is made possible by generous contributions from the following donors:

Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee Announces Settlement of JUUL Lawsuit

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Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee announced a settlement of the county’s lawsuit against e-cigarette company JUUL Labs, Inc. over claims that JUUL deceptively marketed its products to children. The county received the second largest settlement for a local government in the nation.

“I’m proud of this outcome settling our lawsuit against JUUL. We’re bringing real money to the county to ensure we’re protecting our youth from e-cigarette use,” said Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. “This case was always about reducing youth nicotine addiction in our communities. I want kids across Harris County to go on to live long, healthy lives. That’s one of many reasons why I plan to do everything I can to protect public health.”

In 2021, Harris County became the first governmental entity in Texas to file suit against JUUL. Harris County’s settlement is part of a global settlement with JUUL Labs, Inc resolving numerous cases brought by government entity plaintiffs, including school districts, cities, and counties. The distribution of Harris County’s settlement funds will be decided by Commissioners Court.

JUUL Labs, Inc. is an American electronic nicotine delivery system company. JUUL Labs makes the Juul electronic cigarette, which uses a heating element to convert a nicotine solution into an aerosol, which can then be inhaled by the user.

 

Montgomery County Animal Shelter over capacity, asks for community to take in pet

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The Montgomery County Animal Shelter (MCAS) is asking the public for help getting dogs out of the shelter.

MCAS is asking for the community’s help from adopters, fosters, and rescue partners to take in a pet. The shelter says all pet adoption fees are reduced to $10 for National Love Your Pet Day which falls on Monday.

Galena Park murder-suicide

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Man kills girlfriend’s daughters, family friend, himself.

Family members said the victims were 19-year-old Sayuri Gill, her 13-year-old sister, Melany Torres, and a family friend. They said Gill was six months pregnant. Four people were killed Saturday night in an apparent murder-suicide in Galena Park, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

It happened around 10:30 p.m. at a home on 2nd Street near N. Main St. and Clinton Dr.

According to Gonzalez, a 12-year-old called the Galena Park Police Department and said she was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend, who also shot people at the house. She told police that she grabbed her 1-year-old niece and ran to a neighbor’s house for help when she got the opportunity.

When authorities got to the home, they found three girls who had been shot to death. According to family members, sisters Sayuri Gill, 19, and Melany Torres, 13, were found dead. They said Gill was six months pregnant and the mother of the 1-year-old who survived the incident. A 14-year-old family friend was also killed in the shooting.

A 38-year-old man was found dead in the master bedroom with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

According to Gonzalez, the man was in a relationship with the homeowner, who is the mother of Gill, Torres and the surviving 12-year-old girl. Authorities said the mother wasn’t home at the time of the shootings. Gonzalez also said the suspect was not the father of any of the girls he killed.

Gonzalez said the man started shooting at the girls following an argument. He shot Gill before shooting Torres and the 14-year-old family friend, officials said. He then assaulted the 12-year-old and told her to run for her life.

“He then proceeded to sexually assault a 12-year-old that was inside the residence,” Gonzalez said. “After that, he told her to go ahead and run from the house … she did so and ran out of the residence without any clothing.”

The 12-year-old survivor was taken to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries, the extent of which are unknown.

“It’s just a tragic situation. It makes no sense, it’s all senseless and it’s very tragic,” Gonzalez said. “But our investigators will try to put all the pieces together and our condolences go out to the victim’s families and everyone impacted by this and the entire city as well.”

Neighbors react

Neighbors said they were in disbelief and shock. Some have lost sleep over the incident.

“No, I couldn’t … just thinking about those young girls losing their lives. It’s just unbelievable,” one neighbor said.

Maria Del Consuelo Reyes-Hernandez jumped in to help when she saw the 12-year-old and 1-year-old survivors. She said she saw the girl, who wasn’t wearing any clothes, carrying the baby. She and another neighbor brought the girls in and gave them some clothes.

Reyes-Hernandez said the girl told her what she had just endured. She said the girl told her that she ran from the house after she was sexually assaulted and told that she would be killed unless she left.

Source: khou

ALL TRAILS LEAD TO HOUSTON

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In 1952, four men traveled on horseback from Brenham, Texas, to raise awareness of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. Today, more than 2,000 trail riders partake in the Rodeo’s signature tradition each year. Riders hit the trail in an attempt to recreate the Old West, and in doing so, find a common ground that links us all to the Rodeo.

Be a part of history and support the 10 trail rides as they cross the great state of Texas toward their destination, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.