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1 HPD officer killed, another injured in northeast Harris County while serving warrant

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One officer is dead and another is injured after a shooting in northeast Harris County.

The incident happened around 7:30 a.m. at the Timber Ridge Apartments on Aeropark Drive near Crosswinds Drive, authorities said.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said William “Bill” Jeffrey and Sgt. Michael Vance with the HPD Major Offenders Unit were serving a high-level felony arrest warrant at the location.

When they arrived, Finner said a woman believed to be in some sort of relationship with the suspect answered the door. At that point, Finner said the suspect immediately came out and opened fire on the officers.

Both Vance and Jeffrey were transported to Memorial Herman, one via Life Light and the other by ambulance. According to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Jeffrey was killed in the shooting. Vance is in surgery and expected to recover, Turner said.

“Police officers never know what they’re going to face when they leave their homes,” Turner said. “During the course of their duty, (their work) is inherently dangerous … Pray for the Jeffrey family, and then pray for the full recovery for Sgt. Vance.”

The suspect who opened fire at the officers was also killed in the shooting. According to the suspect’s family members, the suspect was 31-year-old Deon Ledet.

Finner said the woman and a small child were in the apartment at the time of the shooting.

Witnesses described hearing gunfire minutes before 7:30 a.m. Monday. Many were parents taking their children to school.

Lynn Turner, who lives in a unit near the unit at which Ledet lived, said she was getting ready to leave for work this morning when she saw a woman, carrying a child, run.

“She was running with the baby this way and as soon as she started running with the baby that’s when they started shooting,” Turner said.

Turner was outside with her dog. She said after she saw the woman, all she could do was a duck.

“It was nothing but smoke,” Turner said. “You could hear shots and there was nothing but smoke and we had to stay down cause everything smoked,” Turner continued.

When the smoke cleared. Two men were down: Senior Police Officer William “Bill” Jeffery and Deon Ledet, the suspect.

Turner said the shooting occurred as parents brought their children to school.

“It was overwhelming and it was too much.  It was a lot of kids out here,” Turner said.

Monica Scott said she was leaving to drive her child to school when she saw the officers arrive to serve a warrant for Ledet’s arrest.

“As I was leaving out, taking my son, I saw an officer outside. One was outside at their back door,” Scott said.

Scott didn’t witness the gunfire exchange which occurred after she saw officers approach the apartment. She expressed sorrow for Senior Police Officer Jeffery, Sgt. Vance, and Ledet.

“It’s just a sad situation. We just never know what people are going through and I just pray for all the families cause we never know, man, you just never know,” Scott said.

Lynn Tuner had similar thoughts.  Grief swept her face as she recounted dodging bullets.

“It’s just sad. We just have to pray for the officers, and pray for their families and pray for the deceased’s family,” Turner said.

Source: www.click2houston.com

WANTED: Suspect responsible for Robbery

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Crime Stoppers and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office need the public’s assistance identifying the suspect responsible for a Robbery.

On Saturday, August 14, 2020 at approximately 7:44 p.m., an unknown suspect robbed a store located in the 13500 block of Beechnut St. in Harris County, Texas. During the incident, the suspect was observed stuffing merchandise into backpacks. The suspect fled the scene in a (silver Dodge SUV) in an unknown direction of travel.

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.  

Report a Tip Now!

Se forma la tormenta tropical Peter en el Atlántico

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La Oficina de Seguridad Nacional y Manejo de Emergencias del Condado Harris (HCOHSEM, por sus siglas en inglés) está monitoreando el curso de la tormenta tropical Peter, la cual se formó hoy al este de Puerto Rico. Según el pronóstico actual del Centro Nacional de Huracanes, Peter no representa una amenaza para Texas o la costa del Golfo de México. También es probable que la tormenta tropical Rose se forme hoy cerca de la costa de África.

La tormenta tropical Peter es la decimosexta en la temporada de huracanes del Atlántico, la cual finaliza el 30 de noviembre de 2021. Ahora es el momento preciso de revisar su kit y plan de emergencia. Manténgase informado por medio de las actualizaciones de HCOHSEM en línea, en las redes sociales o regístrese para recibir Ready Harris Alerts.

Para obtener más información sobre cómo prepararse, consulte nuestra guía de preparación y evacuación para huracanes. También puede enviar un mensaje de texto con GULF2021 al 888777 para recibir actualizaciones sobre la temporada de huracanes.

James Beard Foundation Announces Kwame Onwuachi to Host 2021 James Beard Awards: Stories of Resilience and Leadership

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Today, the James Beard Foundation announced2019 James Beard Rising Star Chef Award winner Kwame Onwuachi will host the 2021 James Beard Awards: Stories of Resilience and Leadership, taking place in the host city of Chicago and additional satellite cities on Monday, September 27. This broadcast event will celebrate and honor the independent restaurant community and those who have made a significant impact on the industry.

Along with additional presenters and musical performances, the broadcast will include video features from community members across the country and highlight inspiring stories of passion, community, innovation, resilience, and leadership under the extreme conditions of the past 18 months. Those being featured are representative of so many in the industry who played and continue to play a part in supporting their local communities and the industry.

Onwuachi, along with Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation will be joined by the following presenters from the food and beverage community:

  • Chef Monti Carlo of Food Network’s Help my Yelp from Chicago, joined by the James Beard House Fellows
  • Edward Lee, Chef/Owner of 610 Magnolia and James Beard Book Award winner for Writing
  • Stephen Satterfield, Food Writer, Producer, and Host of 2021 Netflix docu-series High on the Hog: How American Cuisine Transformed America
  • Tanya Holland, JBF Awards Committee Chair and board member, Award-winning chef, author, and restaurateur from Oakland, CA

Special musical guest performances live from Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia will also be broadcast and will include Chicago Blues Royalty and Chicago’s Own Wayne Baker Brooks brought to us by Choose Chicago; Demola the Violinist joined by the Houston Ballet II, ballerina Lauren Anderson and a host of cultural performers, brought to us by Houston First Corporation; and vocalist Laurin Talese, brought to us by Visit Philadelphia.

Additionally, viewers joining the celebration from home will have the chance to preorder an Awards watch party kit curated by emerging chefs who have been a part of the reinvention of the James Beard House, the 2021 James Beard House Fellows: Mimi Chen, Theodore Coleman, Sofia Mendoza, and Nicole Merino. Party kits will include signature bites from each Fellow and will be available here for purchase from September 8 through September 16 for $155.00 per box that caters for 4 people. Party kits will be shipped to guests to arrive by Saturday, September 25. Capital One cardholders who purchase an Access Pass will receive a party kit and additional exclusive gift, courtesy of Capital One.

The broadcast will be aired on Twitter (@beardfoundation) using the hashtag #jbfa from the host city of Chicago, on September 27th at 7 P.M. CT / 8 P.M. ET / 5 P.M. PT.

In addition to the live broadcast, the Foundation will host guests outdoors atop the Harris Theater in Chicago to enjoy delicious bites while watching the broadcast. Simultaneously, small satellite events in select cities across the country will be hosted to tune in to the broadcast, including:

  • Houston at Lucille’s with Dawn Burrell, Chris Williams, and local host Houston First Corporation
  • Oakland at Town Fare by Tanya Holland at the Oakland Museum of California, hosted by JBF Awards Committee Chair and board member, Tanya Holland, and featuring Reem Assil of Reem’s California and Dominica Rice-Cisneros of Bombera
  • Philadelphia at SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Kitchen with Ben Bynum, Stephanie Willis, local host Visit Philadelphia, and Food Editor at Philadelphia Inquirer and James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards committee chair, Jamila Robinson
  • Washington, D.C. at Moon Rabbit with Kevin Tien

The 2021 James Beard Awards: Stories of Resilience and Leadership are presented by CapitalOne, the official credit card and banking partner of the James Beard Foundation. Through this first-of-its-kind partnership, Capital One cardholders enjoy unique access to James Beard Foundation programming. The James Beard Awards are proudly hosted by Choose Chicago and the Illinois Restaurant Association and presented in association with Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports, as well as the following sponsors: Premier Sponsors: American Airlines, the official airline of the James Beard Foundation, Deloitte, S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, Stella Artois; Supporting Sponsors: All-Clad Metalcrafters, Marriott Bonvoy®, National Restaurant Association®, Skuna Bay Salmon, White Claw® Hard Seltzer; Patron Sponsors: Ecolab, Kendall College at National Louis University, Lavazza, PeopleVine, Rocket Mortgage, Valrhona, and Windstar Cruises, the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, with additional support from Château d’Esclans, The Spire Collection, and VerTerra Dinnerware. Intersport is the Official Broadcast Partner of the 2021 James Beard Awards.

The James Beard Foundation previously announced that it would not be handing out awards in 2021 while the program underwent a review and renewal of policies and procedures, ensuring a. more transparent, accessible, and equitable process for the future James Beard Awards. The. audit results can be found here. The first post-audit James Beard Awards will take place in 2022.

Through the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign, the organization is working to provide critical resources to help the independent restaurant industry survive the COVID-19 crisis and come back stronger, more equitable, and more resilient. For information on the Foundation’s Open for Good campaign, please visit jamesbeard.org/openforgood.

News about the Awards will be regularly updated and posted to jamesbeard.org/awards and on the Foundation’s social channels (@beardfoundation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #jbfa).

 

COVID-19 SAFETY
Maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our guests, chefs, and venue teams to experience our events is a top priority. The James Beard Foundation will adhere to city, state, and/or federal regulations along with the policy of our host restaurants and venues, which may include: wearing masks when not at your table, maintaining 3 feet of distance away from other guests, and/or providing proof of vaccination and/or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. All policies are subject to change. Guests attending James Beard Awards events will be alerted of the final policy in an email at least two (2) business days prior to the event date. The Foundation thanks their guests for their continued understanding and compliance with these measures for heir safety and the safety of those around them.
About the James Beard Foundation
The James Beard Foundation celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, while pushing for new standards in the restaurant industry to create a future where all have the opportunity to thrive. Established over 30 years ago, the Foundation has highlighted the centrality of food culture in our daily lives and is committed to supporting a resilient an  flourishing industry that honors its diverse communities. By amplifying new voices, celebrating those leading the way, and supporting those on the path to do so, the Foundation is working to create a more equitable and sustainable future — what we call Good Food for Good™. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the James Beard Foundation launched the Open for Good campaign to ensure that independent restaurants not only survive, but that the industry is able to rebuild stronger than before. For more information, subscribe to the digital newsletter Beard Bites and follow @beardfoundation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Clubhouse. The James Beard Foundation is a national not-for-profit 501c(3) organization based in New York City.
About Capital One
At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them great products, rewards, service, and access to unique and unforgettable experiences they are passionate about. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Learn more at capitalone.com/access.
About Houston First
Houston First Corporation is the official destination management organization for the city of Houston. In addition, Houston First owns the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel, manages the George R. Brown Convention Center along with 10 city-owned properties, and developed the Avenida Houston entertainment district. To learn more, visit HoustonFirst.com.

Tropical Storm Odette Forms in the Atlantic

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The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is monitoring the course of tropical storm Odette which formed today in the mid-Atlantic. Based on current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, Odette poses no threat to Texas at this time.

Harris County’s ‘StoryMap’ Awarded State Accolade on Innovation at 2021 TAMIO Conference

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The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) was honored with state best innovation award at the annual Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) conference in Round Rock.

HCOHSEM is one of many jurisdictions that have faced the unprecedented challenge of providing clear public information on COVID-19. As the emergency management agency for the third largest county in the nation, HCOHSEM created the COVID-19 StoryMap to create awareness and educate the public on the origins of coronavirus and its ongoing effect on public health.

“I am extremely proud of the work the communications team has done over the past 18 months. We are honored to accept this recognition from our peers around the state,” said Mark Sloan, Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator.

Updated regularly, the timeline shows how the COVID-19 quickly transformed public health at each participating country from an epidemic to a pandemic worldwide. StoryMap is a data visualization tool created by ESRI, Inc. The StoryMap is fed COVID information and case data from around the world and provides a quick glance into the continuous spread of COVID-19.

Disseminating reliable, understandable information and data is a critical component of an effective risk communication and community engagement strategy to fighting a pandemic. The development of the COVID19 StoryMap provided an avenue for Harris County to educate residents about the spread and impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the community. With access to visual information, residents, employers and other organizations can make informed decisions about risks involved with travel and other activities that can impact public health locally and around the world.

Link to StoryMap is provided below
http://bit.ly/CV19History 

TAMIO is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League, which was organized in 1913 and currently represents some 98% of Texas’ urban population through its more than 1,150 member cities. Guided by its purpose statement—Empowering Texas cities to serve their citizens—the League helps city leaders meet the ever-changing challenges of governance. As partners, TML and TAMIO offer the best in representation and assistance to cities and their respective colleagues.

El Son de la Negra – Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán

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Negrita de mis pesares
Ojos de papel volando
Negrita de mis pesares
Ojos de papel volando
A todos diles que sí
Pero no les digas cuando
Así me dijiste a mí
Por eso vivo penando
Cuando me traes a mi Negra
Que la quiero ver aquí
Con su rebozo de ceda
Que le traje de Tepic
Cuando me traes a mi Negra
Que la quiero ver aquí
Con su rebozo de ceda
Que le traje de Tepic

 

CRIME STOPPERS OF HOUSTON FUGITIVE FRIDAY

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In an effort to keep our neighborhoods safe, Crime Stoppers of Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s help locating the following individuals that have active Felony and/or Misdemeanor Warrants.

Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of the suspects featured. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. All tipsters remain anonymous. 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.

All warrants are active at the time this press release was created and is subject to change.  Crime Stoppers of Houston and this news organization are not making any legal claims that this is the most current legal status.

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The following individuals all have active warrants as of Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 4:15pm:
Burkhardt, Scott Ellsworth
W/M      04-13-86      5’11”/170 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
FRAUD/USE/POSS ID INFO-LESS 5
Warrant #: 1737417
Last known location: Austin Texas
Cogswell, Sarah Kathgerine
W/F      11-14-92      5’05”/134 Lbs.     Bro/Blu
AGG ASSAULT W/DEADLY WEAPON
Warrant #: 1716868
Last known location: Spring Texas
Gonzales, Gracie Marin
W/F      11-16-80      5’03”/138 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
THEFT <$2,500 2/MORE PREV CONV
Warrant #: 1736953
Last known location: Houston Texas
Haley, Christina Marie
W/F      10-16-90      5’03”/125 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
POSS CS PG 1  1 – 4 GRAMS
Warrant #: 1735803
Last known location: Spring Texas
Hightower, Britton Jaime Lee
B/M      05/28/89      6’00”/135 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
ENDANGERING A CHILD
Warrant #: 1737500, 1737499
Last known location: Houston Texas
Mcmillian Jr., Michael Dewayne
W/M      07-11-89      5’11”/162 Lbs.      Bln/Blu
ATT SEXUAL ASSAULT
Warrant #: 1525846, 1737421
Last known location: Houston Texas
Mosley, Zenia Monique
B/F      02-03-90      5’03”/190 Lbs.      Bro/Bro
THEFT <$2,500 2/MORE PREV CONV
Warrant #: 1736363
Last known location: Houston Texas
Palmer, Trevionne Deshaun
B/M      10-10-97      5’07”/165 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
ASSLT FAM/HOUSEHOLD MEM W/PREV
Warrant #: 1737284
Last known location: Houston Texas
Reyes, Brayan
W/M      11-24-01      5’05”/145 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
POSS CS PG 1 <1G
Warrant #: 1736693
Last known location: Channelview Texas
Sloan, Lauren Mae Pearl
B/F      12-26-95      5’06”/200 Lbs.      Blk/Bro
THEFT >=$30,000 <$150,000
Warrant #: 1736174
Last known location: Houston Texas
Report a Tip Now!

MS-13 gang leader sentenced to life in prison for ordering the 2016 murder of a cooperating witness

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A 28-year-old leader of a Houston-area cell of the transnational gang MS-13 was sentenced to life in prison without parole for capital murder on Thursday, announced Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.

Omar Torres was behind bars in the Harris County Jail in 2016 when he ordered several other gang members to kill a witness who was cooperating with authorities and had implicated Torres in the deadly ambush of a rival gang member four months earlier.

 “Instead of showing remorse after being arrested for gunning down someone in cold blood, this defendant doubled down and had a witness killed to cover his tracks,” Ogg said. “Someone who can take life so easily deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars without the chance of ever getting out.”

 Torres, 28, was first arrested for his role in the death of rival gang member Noe Mendez who was fatally shot by several MS-13 gang members at 5720 Rampart in the Gulfton area on Feb. 24, 2016.

During that shooting, 16-year-old Estuar Quinonez was present, and he later told police about the shooting and agreed to testify against Torres, who was arrested and put in the Harris County Jail.

Four months later, gang members acting on orders that Torres phoned in from the jail ambushed and killed Quinonez at Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City on June 13, 2016.

A Harris County jury in state District Judge Brian Warren’s court convicted Torres of capital murder after almost two weeks in trial. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole. Killing a witness, or retaliation, is a capital crime.

Torres was prosecuted by the Gangs and Organized Crime Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the murders were jointly investigated by the Houston Police Department and Missouri City Police Department.

MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is a transnational gang that has members across the United States.

 

Volunteer with MECA for Día De Los Muertos Decor

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HISPANIC HERITAGE
MONTH EVENTS
Sonia Flew by Melinda Lopez
In honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and determined to continue highlighting the diversity of the Latinx community and its stories, TEATRX presents Sonia Flew, a play by Melinda Lopez.
Sonia Flew is a family drama that depicts how individual families are affected by war and politics. Audiences will meet Sonia, a Cuban immigrant raising two children with her Jewish husband in Minneapolis. As the family prepares for Shabbat, Sonia is unwilling to accept her son’s decision to enlist in the military following the terrorist attack on 9/11.
The events trigger Sonia’s memory as she relives the war-torn days in Cuba that led her parents to take a leap of faith by sending her to the United States as an unaccompanied minor during Operation Pedro Pan, a political maneuver that separated thousands of Cuban children from their parents.
This production will be performed in English. Performance is held at the TBH Center.
Friday, September 17th & Sunday, September 19th, 2021
At 7:30 PM (Both dates)
TBH Center, 333 S. Jensen Dr, Houston TX 77003
Volunteer Opportunities
Join us this Saturday for a workshop in the art of making paper flowers. Led by cultural expert, Aurora Aiken and assisted by MECA Visual Arts Instructor, Julio Luna, this workshop will introduce you to the technique behind the beautiful flowers used for decorating numerous celebrations from Cinco de Mayo fiestas and birthdays to weddings. Specifically in this workshop, we will be creating the Cempazuchitl (marigold), which are used in Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.
Materials will be provided by MECA but we encourage you to bring your preferred pair of scissors.
Saturday, September 18 from 11 AM to 1 PM
MECA – Dow School Auditorium
1900 Kane Street
Houston, TX 77007
Additional flower making opportunities by appointment:
Monday through Friday,
September 20 – October 20 between 5 and 7 PM.
After completing your Volunteer form,
please email it to info@meca-houston.org
MECA’s work to provide year-round, high quality arts education, social service and vigorous academic support is made possible by generous contributions from the following donors:
 1900 Kane Street,
Houston, TX 77007
713.802.9370
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