El Dorado bridge closed to traffic
In case you haven’t been in the area recently, the El Dorado overpass on the Gulf Freeway is closed while the intersection is being rebuilt.
The existing overpass is being demolished and a new at grade intersection is being constructed. Once it is complete, the freeway main lanes will go over El Dorado. To get to the other side while construction is underway, go to the next exit and make a U-turn.
Register now for fall COM classes
College of the Mainland is now taking applications for fall classes, offering students different options – Credit Classes, Continuing Education Classes, or the COM 50 Plus Program. Whether one is interested in working in a hospital room, boardroom or control room, COM can help a student get there.
Credit classes prepare students to enter an in-demand field or transfer to a four-year university. To apply to the college, complete the application at www.com.edu/apply by Aug. 12. Register for classes at www.com.edu/register by Aug. 22. First-time college students should meet with an advisor to register for New Student Orientation before registering. For payment options, visit www.com.edu/paymentplan For more information, call 409-933-8264.
COM also offers continuing education classes for those who want to enter health care, public service or industry or who want to maintain certifications. Students can also pursue an interest with art, fitness or Spanish classes. Registration for continuing education classes begins Aug. 3.
Visit www.com.edu/ce/schedule for the complete list of options.
The COM 50 Plus Program offers fitness, art and technology classes for those of all ages looking to connect and create. It also provides extended travel trips and workshops on topics from senior safety to health care. Day trips to nature centers, museums and plays are offered exclusively for those 50 plus. For more information call 409-933-8226 or visit www.com.edu/50plus.
Former judge in trouble again
A former Galveston County judge found himself back in jail again last month, held on a $600,000 bond and facing two felony counts of online impersonation.
Christopher Michael Dupuy, 43, of League City was charged with creating fake escort ads on backpage.com featuring two former girlfriends and providing their personal phone numbers. Dupuy was on probation at the time for previous offenses while serving as a judge.
Crime down In Houston
Overall crime in the City of Houston is down, with decreases in most categories compared to the same time one year ago.
Police Chief Charles A. McClelland Jr. recently released crime statistics showing overall crime in the city. Two categories of importance to many citizens — home burglaries and burglaries of motor vehicles — showed the largest decreases with numbers of those crimes dropping 18.9 percent and 10.4 percent respectively for the first six months of 2015. Thefts and auto thefts were also down, with overall property crimes 7.1 percent lower than last year.
Violent crime in Houston showed a 1.7 percent decrease in total numbers of incidents. The category with the largest increase is murder, which is up 44 percent for the first six months of the year. Murders were up 58 percent for the first three months of the year, so the number is trending down the last three months. Robberies have shown a slight increase of 1.3 percent, while rapes have decreased 9.4 percent and aggravated assaults dropped 4.8 percent.