Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Conrad Masterson and reappointed Todd Boykin and Jerry Bob Daniel and to the Red River Authority of Texas Board of Directors for terms set to expire on August 11, 2027.
Conrad Masterson of Cee Vee is a retired technology executive and investor. He was previously the Founder and CEO of Nanotechnology Foundation of Texas, CEO of Commerciant, Vice President of Houston Technology Center, and managing director of ROI Group. He previously served as President of the Technology Executives Roundtable and a member of the Institute of Management Consulting. He was with Ford Motor Company in his early career, where he held management positions in corporate finance and systems. Masterson received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from The University of Oklahoma.
Todd Boykin of Amarillo is a landowner and a partner in the law firm of Burdett, Morgan Williamson and Boykin. He is Board Certified in Residential and Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Boykin received a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Tech University and a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University School of Law.
Jerry Bob Daniel of Truscott is a self-employed rancher and real estate investor. He is co-founder with his wife, Eugenie Daniel, of the Circle Bar Ranch located in Knox County. He is a director of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association serving as member and former chair of Cattle Health and Well Being Committee. He is also a member of the National Cattlemen Beef Association and serves on the Agriculture Policy Committee. Additionally, he is Vice President of the Pitchfork Land and Cattle Co. Board of Directors and is the Finance Committee Chairman. Daniel received an associate degree from Vernon Junior College.
Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division need the public’s assistance identifying the suspect(s) responsible for a Murder.
On Monday, October 11, 2021, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Rudy Escobar was shot and killed in the 10200 block of Club Creek Dr. in Houston, Texas. During the investigation, the victim’s body was discovered behind a local business. The victim died as a result of the gunshot injuries they sustained during the shooting.
The family of Rudy Escobar is requesting the community’s help with identifying the suspect(s) responsible for this murder.
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect 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.
Here we go, the Houston Astros versus the Atlanta Braves for World Series glory. While this matchup would have been a reasonable prediction back in spring training, it was an unlikely scenario at the trade deadline on July 30, when the Braves had a 2% chance to represent the National League and superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. had been lost for the season with a torn ACL.
The Astros are in the World Series thanks to an offense that has scored 67 runs in 10 playoff games, with six of their seven wins coming by at least five runs. Forty-five of those 67 runs have come with two outs, a testament to a lineup that had the lowest strikeout rate in the majors in the regular season. The Braves are here after knocking off the powerful defending champion Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. Their 88 wins were the fewest of the 10 playoff teams — not including 2020, this is the first World Series without at least one 100-win team since 2015 (and the Rays and Dodgers were both on a 100-win pace last season) — but Atlanta has been a roll since early August.
Here’s your guide to the 2021 World Series, which starts Tuesday at Minute Maid Field in Houston:
What the Astros have on the line: Can a villain atone for previous sins? It happens in the movies, but this is baseball. It will take a long time before the Astros are viewed as anything but the sport’s outlaws, so instead of redemption they’ll seek history. After reaching their fifth straight league championship series — just the third franchise to do that — they now appear in their third World Series in five seasons. Along the way, they had seasons of 101, 103 and 107 wins. With a second championship in this run, one without an asterisk, they will cement a legacy as one of the best teams of all time. Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yuli Gurriel are the core four who have been there all along. Altuve has won an MVP award, Altuve and Gurriel have won batting titles, Bregman has finished second in the MVP voting. With Correa heading into free agency, these could be their final games together — a final opportunity to secure their place as one of the greatest infields ever.
What the Braves have on the line: The opportunity to erase years of playoff failure. Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz helped win the only World Series title in the franchise’s Atlanta era in 1995. The Braves have made 16 trips to the postseason since then without a championship. That includes 12 appearances since their last World Series berth in 1999. This is hardly the best Atlanta team in that stretch, but it has been clicking the past two-plus months. Remember, the Braves didn’t have a winning record until Aug. 6. Since then, including the playoffs, they’re 40-21, becoming just the fourth team to reach the World Series despite having a losing record at the All-Star break (joining the 1991 Braves, 1973 Mets and 1964 Cardinals). The 88 wins aren’t an impressive season total, but they dispatched the 95-win Brewers and 106-win Dodgers to get here.
What Dusty Baker has on the line: The Hall of Fame. The 72-year-old Astros manager is back in the World Series for the first time since his 2002 Giants lost to the Angels in seven games. It’s the longest span between World Series appearances since Bucky Harris was the player-manager for the Washington Senators in 1925 and then the manager for the Yankees in 1947. Baker is 12th in regular-season wins. The 11 managers ahead of him have all won a World Series and all except Bruce Bochy are in the Hall of Fame. Dusty’s managerial career has been filled with heartbreaking losses, mostly notably his Game 6 defeats with the Giants in that 2002 World Series and the Cubs in the 2003 NLCS. As the Astros wrapped up the ALCS with a 5-0 win in Game 6, he thought of those games. “Game 6 has been my nemesis in most playoffs and that’s what I was thinking,” Baker said after the victory. “I mean, you got to get past your nemesis. I was afraid of electricity when I was a kid, so now I’m an owner of an energy company. You try to get past things in your life.”
Except the Astros still need four more wins. If they can do it — and for Dusty’s sake, maybe they better do it in five games — Baker should start preparing his Cooperstown speech, a final reward for a remarkable professional baseball adventure that began in 1967. If that day arrives, let’s hope he gives the speech with a toothpick in his mouth while wearing his wristbands to wipe away the tears.
What Brian Snitker has on the line: The 66-year-old Atlanta manager hasn’t lived most of his baseball life in the headlines like Baker, but his story honors all those baseball lifers out there. He has been a member of the Braves organization since 1977. As a player, he reached Triple-A for two games. He began managing in the minors in 1982 and had been a loyal organization member for 40 years when the Braves first named him interim manager in 2016. They kept him in the job after he went 72-90 in his first full season in 2017, and he has since managed the club to four straight NL East titles.
When the Braves made the final out to eliminate the Dodgers, he thought of his wife, Ronnie, and his two kids. “I know that she’s been real emotional through a lot of this, and rightly so,” he said afterward. “She’s the one that drug our kids all over the Southeast and I would leave in February and come home in September and she would hold a job and cheerleading and baseball and all that and it was a lot of that stuff.” He also pointed out that the Snitker family is now guaranteed a World Series trophy: Son Troy is an assistant hitting coach for the Astros.
Neither Baker nor Snitker was hired for his analytics acumen and both hires went against the managerial trend of younger, recently retired players. Both, however, might be described best as baseball people, and were the right person for the job at the right time — Baker to help bring stability to the Astros after the cheating scandal rocked the organization, Snitker to help guide a young team out of a minor rebuilding project and into contention.
Don’t overlook what they’ve done this postseason, however. Both have adapted to the times. Baker has had quick hooks with his starters as needed and understands the importance of relying on a bullpen. Snitker used a bullpen game to win Game 4 of the NLCS, and his decision to hit for starter Ian Anderson in the bottom of the fourth in Game 6 proved to be one of the key moves of the postseason when Ehire Adrianza singled to set the stage for Eddie Rosario’s game-deciding three-run home run.
Eddie Rosario hits a big three-run home run to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Braves a 4-1 lead over the Dodgers.
Last call for Carlos Correa and Freddie Freeman? You can argue the Astros’ turnaround began when they drafted Correa with the first pick in the 2012 draft. He reached the majors in 2015 and the Astros made the playoffs that season, the first of six postseasons in Correa’s seven seasons with the team. Freeman is the face of the Atlanta franchise, one of the most popular players in the majors. Like Correa, he reached the majors when he was just 20 years old. He has been a five-time All-Star and won the 2020 NL MVP before finally reaching his first World Series.
After all the playoff disappointments through the years, Freeman described beating the Dodgers as “pure joy. It really is. … Usually we’re sitting in our locker, you know, and just like just thinking about the whole season and getting ready for next year, and we actually did it.”
Since Correa reached the majors, the two have been among the best players in the majors, Correa ranking sixth in Baseball-Reference WAR among position players, Freeman ninth.
Both players are set to become free agents after this World Series. It’s hard to imagine Freeman playing for another team given his stature with the Braves and his still high level of production at 32 years old, but any time a star player reaches free agency there is the risk of seeing him leave. Correa, on the other hand, is viewed as likely to leave the Astros — with perhaps the Yankees and Tigers leading the pursuit to sign him.
Relievers, relievers and more relievers: Heading into the World Series, relievers have thrown 54% of postseason innings. For the Astros, it’s been 57%, and for the Braves, 49%. So if you haven’t watched much postseason baseball this year, don’t be surprised to see the churn of relievers starting early in the game.
For Baker, the heavy relief usage was born out of necessity when Astros starters pitched a combined 6.2 innings in the first four games of the ALCS. It was a minor miracle the Astros were able to split those four games before Framber Valdez bounced back with eight dominant innings in Game 5 (the longest stint of any starter this postseason) and Luis Garcia tossed 5.2 scoreless innings in Game 6. Still, with Lance McCullers Jr. likely to miss the World Series after not pitching since leaving Game 4 of the ALDS with forearm discomfort, Baker will have to rely on his bullpen.
The Braves have used just three traditional starters in their playoff run, starting Charlie Morton on short rest in Game 4 against the Brewers and going with a bullpen game against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS (with Drew Smyly pitching 3.1 innings in relief as the long man).
Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee filed a lawsuit today on behalf of Harris County against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), challenging an amendment to the commission’s Air Quality Standard Permit for Concrete Batch Plants. Many of Houston’s concrete batch plants operate according to the standard permit and the amendments adopted by the TCEQ threaten local residents and the environment. The permit’s pending amendment will exempt facilities from pollutant emissions and distance limitations set by the Texas Clean Air Act. Harris County’s own modeling, using TCEQ data, shows that emissions from concrete batch plants far exceed standards set to protect public health.
“The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not doing enough to protect residents and ensure we have clean air,” said Menefee. “There are approximately 130 concrete batch plants in Harris County, and the placement is disproportionally found in underserved neighborhoods. For example, there several plants in Aldine and South Houston, while there are none in River Oaks. Your zip code should not determine whether you get to breathe clean air. Every Harris County resident deserves to be protected from harmful chemicals.”
During the 30-day public comment period held by the TCEQ, Harris County noted several concerns with the standard permit. Community members and elected officials from the local, state, and federal levels also identified problems, including lack of information and notice in Spanish. However, these concerns went unaddressed as the TCEQ moved forward with implementing these changes.
About the Harris County Attorney’s Office
Christian D. Menefee serves as the elected, top civil lawyer for Texas’ largest county. The Harris County Attorney’s Office represents the county in all civil matters including lawsuits. Menefee leads an office of 250 attorneys and staff members. He entered office at 32 years old, making him the youngest person and first African American elected as the Harris County Attorney.
Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Special Victims Division-Adult Sex Crimes Unit need the public’s assistance locating fugitive Terrian Leescott Brewer, who is wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Robbery.
On Wednesday, September 29, 2021, fugitive Terrian Leescott Brewer robbed and sexually assaulted the victim in the area of E. Memorial Loop Dr. in Houston, Texas. During the incident, the suspect attacked the victim, held a sharp object close to their neck and threatened them with a gun in an attempt to steal their belongings. The suspect also sexually assaulted the victim numerous times around the listed location. The suspect fled the scene in a white four-door newer model sedan in an unknown direction of travel.
Fugitive Terrian Leescott Brewer is a black male, 30 years old, approximately 6’03”, 225 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect 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.
The language in this press release is intentional and could have legal implications. Please do not change the copy of the paragraph above.
Siguiendo la tradición de la música mexicana, Majo Aguilar presenta su primer álbum con mariachi titulado “MI HERENCIA, MI SANGRE”. Con esta producción, la joven cantante muestra que el talento y amor a este género corre por sus venas gracias al legado de su familia.
Detrás de este gran material, existen varios meses de preparación en los que Majo Aguilar trabajó de la mano del reconocido productor Chucho Rincón y su hijo Fabián Rincón, quienes fueron sus cómplices en la creación de esta joya musical que seguro conquistará el corazón del público.
“MI HERENCIA, MI SANGRE”” incluye 10 temas que Majo Aguilar retoma de diversos géneros musicales para plasmar su estilo único y además un tema inédito titulado “Me Vale”, con el que aporta su talento como compositora junto a los autores mexicanos Bruno Danzza y Adrián Navarro. Cabe destacar que el álbum cuenta con la valiosa participación de grandes y distinguidos acordeonistas en el género Regional Mexicano como: Javier Ríos de Grupo Invasores, quien suma su talento en la canción “En toda la chapa”, El Rey del Acordeón Ramón Ayala en “Mi destino fue quererte” y Kiko Montalvo en “Gaviota traidora”.
El lanzamiento de este álbum viene impulsado también con el estreno de un vídeo que corresponde al tema “Qué bonito”, éxito de la cantante Rosario y que Majo, haciendo gala de su talento vocal e interpretativo, reversiona con el acompañamiento del mariachi. La grabación de este material audiovisual se desarrolló en el Teatro Juárez localizado en el pueblito mágico “El Oro”, Estado de México.
La nieta de las leyendas Antonio Aguilar y Flor Silvestre nació para brillar y posicionarse como una de las jóvenes promesas en este género gracias a su personalidad e indiscutible talento vocal e interpretativo.
“Mi herencia, mi sangre” ya se encuentra disponible en todas las plataformas digitales
A Texan who murdered a Houston security guard and fled to Mexico, but was later captured and returned, has been convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Friday.
“As the saying goes, ‘You can run, but you can’t hide.’ We are grateful to everyone who had a role in bringing this killer back home to Texas and finally delivering justice for this family,” Ogg said.
Jonathan Vasquez, 27, was convicted of capital murder Thursday and automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole for the robbery and murder of Saul Cruz on December 22, 2015.
Vasquez and Daniel Moreno, 26, who has already been convicted and sentenced to life in prison for capital murder, robbed and shot Cruz while he was in his patrol car at 4735 Anderson.
Cruz, who had been a security guard for about a year, was working an overnight shift, when Vasquez and Moreno ambushed him from behind and then ran away, around 4:10 a.m. Both of the men fired at Cruz’s car.
Houston Police officers released surveillance photos and video of the suspects the day of the shooting. Moreno and Vasquez were identified as the suspects shortly thereafter by a tip to Crime Stoppers of Houston. Moreno was arrested six days after the killing by Houston Police homicide detectives.
Vasquez had fled to the border city of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where he was located in 2018, thanks to information obtained by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office deputy, in the Texas city of Laredo.
Mexican authorities then arrested Vasquez, a US citizen, and handed him over at the bridge over the Rio Grande to waiting members of the US Marshals Service Violent Offenders Task Force.
The elderly security guard had emigrated from El Salvador and worked for years as a mechanic and at other jobs despite his dream of being a police officer. When he finally got his U.S. citizenship, he was too old to be a regular law enforcement officer, Instead, he got a job as a security guard to help out where he could.
“We stand behind all of our first responders, our law enforcement officers, and security guards as they tackle some of the toughest jobs in our community,” Ogg said.
Assistant District Attorney Dave Brucker, who prosecuted the case with ADA Natalia Leon, said the evidence showed this was a senseless and sad criminal episode.
“It’s incredibly senseless, because these two men were trying to rob him of a handgun and it’s so sad because of the loss of life , the loss to his entire the family,” Brucker said after the verdict.
Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Special Victims Division need the public’s assistance locating fugitive Manuel Gutierrez, who is wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.
On Sunday, October 4, 2020, fugitive Manuel Gutierrez performed inappropriate acts with the child victim in the 13000 block of Wirevine Ln. in Houston, Texas. During the investigation, the victim made an outcry of abuse and detectives learned that the fugitive sexually assaulted them.
Fugitive Manuel Gutierrez is a white male, 21 years old, approximately 5’09″, 170 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair.
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect 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.
The language in this press release is intentional and could have legal implications. Please do not change the copy of the paragraph above.
Yesterday Crime Stoppers of Houston, along with law enforcement and community partners, announced an increased cash reward and made a community plea for tips in the shooting of the three Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Deputies.
The organization continues to receive calls from concerned citizens wanting to help. As of today, October 21, 2021, the cash reward available in this case is up to $76,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect(s).
Anyone with any information is urged to report to Crime Stoppers of Houston via the following ways:
“Someone out there knows who did this,” Crime Stoppers Deputy Director Nichole Christoph said, urging tipsters to come forward. “You do not have to carry this burden on your shoulders. This is not your burden to carry.”
We are grateful for all entities involved in this case, especially to Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman, Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Tilman Fertitta and The 100 Club Exec. Director William Skeen for partnering with us.
We will provide updates as information becomes available.
Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee filed a lawsuit today on behalf of Harris County against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), challenging an amendment to the commission’s Air Quality Standard Permit for Concrete Batch Plants. Many of Houston’s concrete batch plants operate according to the standard permit and the amendments adopted by the TCEQ threaten local residents and the environment. The permit’s pending amendment will exempt facilities from pollutant emissions and distance limitations set by the Texas Clean Air Act. Harris County’s own modeling, using TCEQ data, shows that emissions from concrete batch plants far exceed standards set to protect public health.
A Texan who murdered a Houston security guard and fled to Mexico, but was later captured and returned, has been convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Friday.
