Man dead after gunfire in Houston’s Third Ward area

Here is the latest Local News from the Houston Chronicle.

Man dead after gunfire in Houston’s Third Ward area

A man died early Wednesday morning in a shooting in southeast Houston.

Police kill dog after it attacks N. Houston homeowner

Police shot and killed a dog early Wednesday that was attacking its owner inside the family’s north Houston home.

Sheila Jackson Lee posts rebuttal to Paul Ryan’s DC intern selfie

There seems to be a rivalry brewing in Washington, D.C. between Speaker Paul Ryan and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee concerning what appears to be the ethnic diversity of their party’s interns.

Appeals court: Texas voter ID law violates Voting Rights Act

AUSTIN — Texas’ voter ID law violates a key section of the Voting Rights Act, a federal appeals court affirmed Wednesday, striking down a controversial measure passed by the state’s Republican-led legislature in 2011

Chronicle to become host for Right-to-Know Network
The Houston Chronicle will begin publishing federal data on the environment, health and safety that was formerly maintained by the Center for Effective Government, the newspaper and the nonprofit announced Wednesday. The Right-to-Know Network, a collection of thousands of records about U.S. chemical stockpiles, toxic releases and pollution, has for 27 years given researchers, media and the public access to hard-to-come-by government information. The newspaper, well regarded for its work on chemical safety, and its nonprofit partner will continue to update and provide free access to this critical tool in helping local communities understand the risks they face from toxics stored and used in their own neighborhoods.

Harris County jail inmate flees while on work program

Authorities said Christopher Brunson, 42, fled while on a work program at a civic center in the Humble area.

Houston mayor vows to release all footage of Alva Braziel shooting

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he plans to release “all the video we have” regarding a police shooting this month in which city officers killed an armed black man.

Texas Lt. Gov. Patrick urges Cruz supporters to get behind Trump

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick exhorted Texas’ delegates to the Republican National Convention to drop past allegiances to Ted Cruz and other unsuccessful candidates and “get on board” with GOP nominee Donald Trump, even as some Cruz loyalists predicted Trump will lose.

Cruz is slated to address the convention later Wednesday, a widely anticipated speech because Cruz may or may not endorse Trump.

Rape victim suing county after being jailed following courtroom collapse

A rape victim is suing Harris County and the county’s law enforcement agencies for jailing her over the Christmas holidays after she had a psychological breakdown on the witness stand while testifying against her attacker.

 

Federal judge orders Bland wrongful death suit to mediation

A federal judge in Houston Wednesday sent the wrongful death lawsuit by Sandra Bland’s mother to mediation. Bland died by apparent suicide in a Waller County jail cell a year ago, after a traffic stop for an illegal lane change.

If attorneys cannot resolve Bland’s mother’s demand for damages — based on allegations of gross negligence by the county and Department of Protective Services officer Brian Encinia — the matter will return to U.S. District Judge David Hittner’s courtroom within the already scheduled timeframe

Man dead after gunfire in Houston’s Third Ward area

A man died early Wednesday morning in a shooting in southeast Houston.

Report: Preteen joyrider released to care of relatives

The 12-year-old girl whose joyride turned into a high-speed chase through Montgomery County will be released to the care of her aunt and uncle, according to KPRC on Tuesday.

Fallen officer recalled as a good hearted father and husband
Hundreds gathered Monday to celebrate the life of fallen Bellaire police officer Marco Antonio Zarate, a beloved father and husband who died last week in a high-speed motorcycle crash. Law enforcement officers turned out in force in Houston for the funeral of Zarate. A seven-year veteran of the Bellaire Police Department, Zarate, 52, died when his motorcycle crashed during a high-speed chase. From a young age, Marco Zarate’s mother said her son showed integrity, Bellaire Assistant Chief of Police Michael Leal recalled. On July 13, Zarate was flagged outside a Target store in the Meyerland shopping center by a loss prevention officer who had chased two men out of the store for allegedly stealing items.

Woman reportedly pulled from vehicle after it drove into bayou

A woman was pulled from a northwest Harris County bayou on Tuesday, according to reports.

Tattoo of boyfriend’s name leads to violent confrontation, police say

A Huntsville man is facing assault charges in Montgomery County after an argument about his girlfriend getting a tattoo of his name allegedly led to an altercation.

After the woman’s aunt argued on July 8 with the boyfriend about the tattoo, he put her aunt in a chokehold, according to the sheriff’s office. When the woman tried to help her aunt, her boyfriend allegedly bit her hand.

Houston Police Officers’ Union posts photo of officer washing feet of a homeless Houstonian

On Tuesday morning The Houston Police Officers’ Union posted a photo on Twitter of a Houston Police Department officer washing the feet of a homeless Houston man. The officer is with the Homeless Outreach Team.

Former Houston doctor sent to federal prison for fraud

In a courtroom packed with supporters, a Houston family practice doctor was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for bilking Medicare of more than $900,000 for home health care referrals for services that were not needed or provided.

Feds: Malware attacking porn site visitors

The U.S. Marshals Service is warning mobile phone users across the country that they could end up with malicious “ransom ware” if they visit certain pornographic websites. It’s not a message from the federal government.

East Texas sheriff using yard signs to mark former drug dens

An East Texas sheriff is making sure that the citizens in his community know where the alleged bad guys are by posting signs in the front yards of homes raided for drug offenses.

Sports history milestone: Half a century of Astrodome AstroTurf

A new chapter in professional sports began this week in 1966, when AstroTurf was first installed in the Astrodome’s outfield.

 

 

Boyfriend questioned at home where pregnant woman shot in head

Investigators questioned the boyfriend Tuesday of a pregnant woman who was apparently shot in the head Monday afternoon at their Tomball-area home.

VIDEO: Backyard water slide fall could have been deadly

A Dallas man named David Salmon is currently recovering from some pretty scary injuries after falling off a water slide and onto the side of a rocky cliff in the Austin area.

Sex offender arrested for threatening to ‘purge’ people playing Pokemon Go

Nathan Cerda, 29, was arrested Friday for posting threats to Pokemon Go players on Facebook on Friday.

Video appears to show Baton Rouge shooter in Houston

The man who shot and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in Baton Rouge Sunday appears to have traveled through Houston and Dallas just days before the attack.

Houston sex offender with Tango Blast connections added to DPS’s ‘most wanted’

Christopher Soloya Jr., a 30-year-old convicted sex offender with ties to a Houston-area gang, has been listed as one of Texas’ most wanted sex offenders.

Woman accused of using a laser on HPD helicopter appears in court

A Corpus Christi woman pleaded not guilty Monday to shining a green laser at a Houston police department helicopter last week.

Abbott wants to toughen punishment for attacks on police

AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday he will push to enhance the punishment for attacks on law enforcement officers and allow them to be treated as hate crimes, citing the “heroes lost in Dallas” to a mass shooting.

“At a time when law enforcement officers increasingly come under assault simply because of the job they hold, Texas must send a resolute message that the State will stand by the men and women who serve and protect our communities,” said Abbott. “While our state and the nation continue to mourn the heroes lost in Dallas, it is time for us to unite as Texans to say no more.”

Perry: Would likely take Trump post

CLEVELAND — Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, championing Donald Trump as a conservative who can defeat Hillary Clinton in the November election, hinted again Monday that he accept a position in a Trump administration “if the role is something I’m passionate about, something I’m knowledgeable about.”

Something, he suggested, like being veterans affairs secretary.

Pedestrian hit, killed in northwest Harris County

A pedestrian died early Monday morning after being hit by a car along Texas 249 in northwest Harris County, forcing officials to temporarily shut down the roadway.

Kayakers rescued from strong currents near San Leon

Two kayakers were plucked to safety Sunday night after they were swept away in strong currents near San Peon.

Funeral set for Monday for Bellaire officer killed in high-speed chase

Funeral services for Bellaire motorcycle Officer Anthony Zarate, 52, is set for Monday in Houston.

Heat doesn’t deter crowd from Float Fest musical festival in San Marcos

Sunburns didn’t deter hundreds of residents from grabbing an inner tube Sunday and returning for Day 2 of the third-annual Float Fest music festival at the 220-acre Cool River Ranch.

‘Chemical emergency’ prompts Baytown street evacuation

The Baytown Police Department has ordered an evacuation for residents on Bayway Drive due to a “chemical emergency.”

Texas, local leaders react to Baton Rouge shootings

Car carrying couple struck by swerving pickup truck on South Loop

A couple’s car was rear-ended by a swerving pickup truck that lost control on the South Loop Sunday morning.

Man killed in home invasion as sister locked in bedroom, police say

A man was shot to death late Saturday night when a group of men forced their way into his south Houston home.

Woman critically injured in car wreck in northeast Houston

A woman was critically injured in a single-car accident overnight when she crashed into a pole in northeast Houston.