By Mary Alys Cherry
Dr. Bonnen to chair
House Appropriations
State Rep. Greg Bonnen, MD has been named chairman of the Texas House Committee on Appropriations, which drafts the state’s biennial budget, setting state spending levels and allocating funds for all state programs.
“I am honored to be appointed to chair the Appropriations Committee this legislative session,” said Rep. Bonnen (R-District 24). “I look forward to passing a balanced budget that addresses our state’s most critical needs. I am also excited to work alongside my new committee colleagues and am proud that Speaker Phelan entrusted me with this important responsibility.”
Chevron Refinery named
2021 Industry of the Year
The Pasadena Chamber has announced that Chevron Pasadena Refinery is the recipient of the Industry of the Year Award recipient for 2021.
Former recipients of the Industry of the Year Award gather annually to review organizations that exemplify characteristics of involvement in charitable organizations, community projects, and that place emphasis on safety, environmental and quality control standards in their respective industry.
Chevron Pasadena Refinery exemplifies all of these characteristics and more, it was decided. “Not only are they great community partners here in Pasadena, but very supportive and involved in the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce as well,” the chamber added.
Mud Lake renamed
Lake Mark Kramer
Mud Lake has a new name — Lake Mark Kramer, honoring the life-long conservationist, now retired.
The renaming became official Monday, Jan. 11 as about 100 people gathered online, including Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner, who got permission for the name change from the State of Texas. Armand Bayou Nature Center Executive Director Tim Pylate also participated in the ceremony, as did George Regmund, who worked on many projects with Kramer at the nature center for nearly 40 years.
Until his recent retirement, Kramer served as chief naturalist and conservation director at the nature center for 25 years before retiring. Earlier, he worked for eight years with the Harris County Parks Department, leading tours and teaching classes.
Seabrook fire
said accidental
Seabrook first responders were dispatched to an apartment fire at the Villas by the Bay apartment complex at 2800 E. NASA Parkway on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 6:40 p.m.
Crews made an interior search and found an active fire in the walls of multiple units; however, the fire was quickly distinguished and no injuries were reported. Five apartment units are currently displaced due to water damage and fire discovery efforts. Preliminary damage estimates ranged from $30,000 to $40,000. The investigation by the Seabrook Fire Marshal has deemed the fire to be accidental, based on statements and evidence of plumbing repair in the unit of origin.
Agencies and departments which responded to the fire include the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department, Seabrook EMS, Seabrook Fire Marshal, Seabrook Police Department, Webster Fire Department, Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Port of Houston Fire Department and League City Fire Department.
ICM Pantry needs help
The Interfaith Caring Ministry Pantry needs your help! It is running low on these items:
- Bar soap and shampoo
- Feminine hygiene products
- Baby diapers (size 4,5,6)
- Dry, bagged beans
- Canned pasta
- Peanut butter
- Jelly
All donations will be given to neighbors in need at Interfaith Caring Ministries, which provided food pantry support for more than 3,000 families in Friendswood ISD and Clear Creek ISD in 2020.
Pantry donations may be taken to this location: 151 Park Ave., League City 77573
NASA, Japan okay
Gateway partnership
NASA and the Government of Japan have finalized an agreement for the lunar Gateway, an orbiting outpost that commercial and international partners will build together. This agreement strengthens the broad effort by the United States to engage international partners in sustainable lunar exploration as part of the Artemis program and to demonstrate the technologies needed for human missions to Mars.
Under this agreement, Japan will provide several capabilities for the Gateway’s International Habitation module (I-Hab), which will provide the heart of Gateway life support capabilities and additional space where crew will live, work, and conduct research during Artemis missions. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) planned contributions include I-Hab’s environmental control and life support system, batteries, thermal control, and imagery components, which will be integrated into the module by the European Space Agency (ESA) prior to launch. These capabilities are critical for sustained Gateway operations during crewed and uncrewed time periods.
“We’re honored to announce this latest agreement with Japan to support long-term human exploration on and around the Moon as part of the Artemis program,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “Strengthening our international partnerships and commitments to Artemis puts humanity on a solid path to achieve our common goals of sustainable lunar exploration by the end of this decade.”
Seabrook body
shop catches fire
Seabrook first responders were dispatched to a structure fire at Bay Area Body Shop at 3110 Bayport Blvd. on Sunday, Feb. 21, at approximately 12:55 a.m.
Upon arrival heavy fire was seen from multiple buildings on-site, however, only the main body shop was impacted. The fire was extinguished by 5:30 a.m.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Office of the Seabrook Fire Marshal.
Memorial Hermann earns
Cancer Gold Standard
The CEO Roundtable on Cancer has accredited Memorial Hermann Health System with the CEO Cancer Gold Standard recognizing its efforts to reduce the risk of cancer for its employees and covered family members.
“Each year Memorial Hermann helps thousands of cancer patients find hope and healing, and we are equally devoted to providing our employees with the resources they need to stay healthy and cancer-free,” said Erin Asprec, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Memorial Hermann Health System. “We are honored to receive the CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation in recognition of these efforts.”
The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of CEOs, founded by former President George H.W. Bush, created the Gold Standard to recognize employers for taking exceptional health and wellness measures on behalf of their employees and family members.
To earn Gold Standard accreditation, an employer must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by taking concrete actions in five key areas: emphasize prevention by prohibiting tobacco use and supporting tobacco cessation efforts; promoting healthy lifestyles through physical activity, healthy nutrition and weight management; providing health insurance options that encourage detection of cancer at its earliest stages, ensure access to quality care, and allow participation in cancer clinical trials; promoting employee awareness of these initiatives; and supporting the needs of cancer survivors in the workplace.
Three are arrested in
league city stabbing
Three people are in custody and a stabbed victim was hospitalized following a fight that occurred in the 600 block of Newport Boulevard in League City on Feb. 22, at approximately 6:18 p.m.
When League City Police arrived, they found a male victim with multiple stab wounds, and the suspect had fled the scene. The investigation revealed that there were seven people present when the stabbing occurred. “A disturbance started while Gavin Fruge was moving out of the home. Fruge and his girlfriend, Angel Schroder Crowley, were involved, then assaulted a female resident,” police said.
“During the assault, James Dawn, 45, tried to intervene and was stabbed multiple times by Jerry Baxter,” police said. “After fleeing from the scene, Baxter was later located at his home in Huntsville, where he was taken into custody. James Dawn was treated at the hospital and released.”
Police said they had taken the following in custody Angel Schroder Crowley – white/female, 24, charged with “Assault Causing Bodily Injury” and held under a $2,500 bond; Gavin Fruge – white/male, 23, charged with “Assault Causing Bodily Injury–Family Violence” and placed under a $2,500 bond; Jerry Baxter – white/male, 51, charged with “Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon” and given a $40,000 bond.
