Twice-convicted Houston killer Max Soffar, suffering cancer, dies in prison
Twice-convicted Houston capital killer Max Soffar, condemned for the murder of a teenaged girl in a bowling alley shooting spree, died Sunday at Livingston’s Polunsky Unit. Soffar’s conviction was overturned by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that the killer had received insufficient legal representation at his trial. In 2014, death penalty opponents led by Louisiana nun Sister Helen Prejean presented a petition bearing more than 100,000 names to then-Gov.
Adolf Hitler School for Friendship and Tolerance, Trump Elementary among names suggested for school
When a Texas elementary school decided to change its name from its current namesake, Confederate general Robert E. Lee, it sought suggestions from the public. And while school officials will get the final say in what the school will be renamed, that didn’t stop residents from giving their not-so-helpful input.
Police: Man may have suffocated 2-year-old daughter for interrupting his video games
A Watauga man has been charged with capital murder in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, who died in December.
Stabbing at SW Houston apartment leaves 1 dead
A man was stabbed to death during a fight at an apartment complex in southwest Houston early Sunday.
Man stabbed to death at child’s birthday party
A man was fatally stabbed in front of several children at a north Houston birthday party on Saturday night.
Turner follows through on promise to relocate Greenspoint area flood victims
Turner moved to make good on his promise to provide temporary housing for flood-displaced residents by securing hotel accommodations for families who had been living in city shelters.
Body found may be missing Shoreacres teen
The nonprofit group Texas Equusearch found a decomposing female around 11:35 a.m. in a wooded area on the corner of Westview and Baywood the street where 15-year-old Abigail “Abby” English lived, according to Cedrick Collier, a sergeant at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, which is now leading the investigation. The identity of the body cannot be confirmed until a Harris County medical examiner performs an autopsy, Collier said. VK Lynne, a musician in North Hollywood, Calif., and friend of English, described the teen as a shy, sweet musician who “deserved a better childhood than the one she was given,” without offering further detail. About 75 volunteers responded and fanned out in five teams beginning at 8 a.m. from their base at the San Jacinto College of Maritime Training Center, 3700 Old State Highway 146 in La Porte, according to Frank Black, an Equusearch search coordinator.
All you need to know about recovering from the storm
If you have flood insurance, contact your insurance company or agent to file a claim. When you’re doing repairs, make sure to check contractors’ qualifications and references, and get several different quotes. Starting Monday, county residents can call 713-274-3880 for permitting questions, and can also call the engineering department at 713 274-3900. Currently, reporting helps the county and the city get an idea of where the damage is and the scope of the damage, both important if the area is going to get federal emergency funds that would help people do repairs. Dial 211 for help with a variety of social services, including for food and medical needs. The Salvation Army of the Greater Houston Area has been distributing food and water to affected residents, they can be contacted at: 713-752-0677. […] funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are not available for people affected by the flood. The city is working on a plan for debris removal but is encouraging residents to pile debris outside their homes in different categories: vegetation, building materials, appliances, electronics and hazardous waste like cleaning liquids, paint, lawn chemicals or automotive oils.
Guatemalan woman sentenced in transcontinental human smuggling ring
A Guatemalan woman was sentenced in federal court in Houston Friday for her role in an elaborate human smuggling operation that ushered more than a dozen undocumented immigrants from India via South and Central America to the United States.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. sentenced Rosa Astrid Umanzor-Lopez, 36, to three years in federal prison. Officials expect she will face deportation upon the conclusion of her prison term.
‘Harry Potter’ puppies up for adoption at the Houston Humane Society
Eight German Shepherd puppies are currently up for adoption at the Houston Humane Society and they should be favorites of muggles and squibs alike.
Photos tell story of Houston’s historic Tax Day Floods
When Houstonians awoke Monday morning, they were greeted by a deluge of water that few could have expected. Take a look back at the historic Tax Day Flood as documented by Houston Chronicle photographers.
Police officer gave ride to teen later charged in slaying of Texas freshman Haruka Weiser
An off-duty Central Texas police officer gave a teenage runaway named Meechaiel Criner a ride to Austin about 10 days before the youth was charged in the killing of University of Texas freshman Haruka Weiser.
Pasadena police explain viral video of woman’s arrest
A viral video showing a police officer apparently dragging a woman out of a vehicle in Pasadena this week is making the rounds, with a member of her family outraged at what she calls the brutality in the brief clip. It’s only 22 seconds of what the Pasadena Police Department says was a much more complicated situation.
Truck falls into hole near Katy Freeway
A wrecker was able to free a truck that had dropped through a hole in a parking garage roof of a west Houston shopping center.
HISD teacher charged with indecent exposure
A Hogg Middle School teacher was arrested and charged with indecent exposure on Thursday after allegations that he exposed himself to a student.
Police find owner of tiger that roamed Conroe
A day after a young tiger was spotted wandering the streets of Conroe wearing a collar and a leash, police have tracked down its owner.
2 killed, 3 hurt in Conroe accident
The three-vehicle accident happened along Texas 105 East near South Walker Road after 11 a.m. According to Montgomery County Hospital District EMS, two people were killed in the wreck and three others were transported to Conroe Regional Hospital. A person registered to carry a concealed handgun confronted three men suspected of stealing clothes from a Woodlands sporting goods store, then tried to shoot out the tire of their vehicle as they tried to flee the parking lot, authorities said. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the incident occurred about 12:25 p.m. Friday when three men entered the Academy store at 1360 Lake Woodlands and made off with “large amounts of assorted clothing merchandise.” Authorities said the getaway vehicle crashed into numerous vehicles and a tree in the parking lot. A Hogg Middle School teacher was arrested and charged with indecent exposure Thursday after allegations that he exposed himself to a student.
Mayor sends displaced flood victims to hotels
Mayor Sylvester Turner moved on Friday to make good on his promise to provide temporary housing for flood-displaced residents.
Reports: Car with kids inside leads police on chase in N. Houston
Two children were caught in a scary situation as police in north Houston on Friday night, according to reports.
Police looking for white pickup that fatally struck pedestrian along Texas 249
Authorities are looking for the driver of a white pickup who hit and killed a man walking along the far right side of northbound Texas 249 at Cypresswood and then sideswiped another vehicle.
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