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Community Corner

🌱 Carbon Emissions Close-Up + Tickets For Free Food

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Houston.

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Wake up, Space City! It's me, Chris, your faithful retainer of the Houston newsletter — coming right back at you with the plug on what's happening. Today you'll find news about...

  • Harris County greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Firearm background checks for the mentally challenged.
  • Citations for handing out free food.

But first, today's weather:

A morning shower in places. High: 82 Low: 69.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

  1. While traffic may appear to be the predominant source of greenhouse gases in Harris County, emissions from refineries are much higher when compared properly. The Exxon Mobil refinery at Baytown produces nearly 12 million tons of CO2e annually. In comparison, 17 million tons of greenhouse gas is made by Harris County traffic every year. However, this is just one refinery in the Houston area. The Galveston Bay Refinery and Exxon Mobil Beaumont Refinery produce 7 million and 6 million tons of CO2e every year respectively. In addition, Harris County is home to 102 facilities that are required to report emissions data to the EPA with 14 of these facilities producing over 1 million metric tons of CO2e yearly. Texas as a whole houses more than three times as many of these kinds of facilities than any other state with a total of 1,862. (Houston Chronicle)
  2. Texas lawmakers are receiving bipartisan support to strengthen background checks for those with a history of mental illness purchasing firearms. Specifically, legislators want courts to share involuntary mental health hospitalizations for juveniles age 16 and older. This information would go on file with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System(NICS) and prevent those with a history of mental health issues from buying guns. Despite Congress passing gun legislation back in June that enforces this law, it has failed to make a difference in Texas due to state courts refusing to report juvenile mental health commitments. However, the Texas Judicial Council determined that failure to report this information was an honest mistake and called on lawmakers to make reporting requirements clear. (Chron)
  3. A volunteer organization known as "Food not Bombs" was cited by police for the second time this week for feeding the homeless outside of the Houston Public Library. The city ordinance being enforced has been nicknamed the "Anti-Food Sharing Law" and requires organizations to get permission from the city before feeding groups of five or more people. Civil rights lawyer Randall Kallinen said, "Although I'm a lawyer, and this is a technical thing, it is personal because, at its simplest, they're outlawing feeding people." A federal lawsuit has been filed against the city ordinance preventing food handouts. Meanwhile, Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement saying that Houston community members have felt the Houston Public Library is unsafe recently. He feels that the library should be a welcoming, inclusive place where anyone who visits can find comfort. (FOX 26 Houston)
  4. Two men were shot and hospitalized at around 3 a.m. in the morning after a horse contest at Rancho El Dorado. The contest was not affiliated with the Houston Rodeo in any way. Police involved reported that the two men were shot in a grassy area outside the venue. Both of those shot are expected to survive. Police currently have no motive for the shooting and continue to investigate. HPD Sgt. Rossow said, "The only information we have of the suspects is a dark-colored sedan, fleeing the scene, going towards S. Post Oak in an unknown direction of travel." (KHOU.com)
  5. Cowboy Bob is a musical about breaking out of life's ruts and is showing at the Alley Theatre through March 26. The musical features a historical figure from Dallas who robbed banks without a gun for many years. The figure in question was a woman who would dress up as a male cowboy and hand notes to bank tellers to fill a bag with money. The musical follows a waitress at a restaurant who takes inspiration from this cowboy to gain the courage to move on from her job. Another important character to the musical is Manager Bill who struggles to form meaningful relationships with his employees while simultaneously keeping his corporate overlords happy. The show features many time skips and includes a variety of music from indie rock to folk to country. (Houston Press)

Headlines you need to see:

  • University of Houston removes diversity, inclusion statements from hiring practices (FOX 26 Houston)
  • Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's 1st-ever drone show WOWS guests this weekend (KPRC Click2Houston)
  • Bun B is offering $1,000 for his missing Houston Rodeo UGK poncho (Houston Chronicle)
  • Houston gator sighting: Video shows alligator soaking up the sun at Houston's Buffalo Bayou Park (KTRK-TV)
  • TxDOT's 'Drive Sober. No Regrets.' campaign moves through Houston prior to spring break (FOX 26 Houston)

Today in Houston:

  • Roller Rink at Discovery Green (5 p.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Brass Tap (6 p.m.)
  • Moulin Rouge: The Musical at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (7:30 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Pimlico (8 p.m.)
  • Concert: Jason Aldean at the Houston Rodeo (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Gary Rossington, guitarist of American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died at age 71 on Sunday. Rossington survived a plane crash in 1977 that killed two other band members, a backup singer, and a road manager. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • Natural Pawz avoided bankruptcy thanks to its founders coming out of retirement and saving the brand's 24 locations and 140 employees. The founders of Natural Pawz said, "Our legacy, and the hard work for 15 years, we didn't want it to just be wiped off as an afterthought."(FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • The Hindu celebration known as the Festival of Colors is being celebrated in multiple locations throughout Houston. The festival involves donning white clothes and splashing yourself and others with color powder. For information on where to observe the holiday, check the link. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

Featured Pup:

Nova is a 4-year-old German Shepherd available for adoption at the Houston SPCA.

He's a little shy so he's looking for an owner with lots of patience and love.

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That's it for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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