🌱 Cedar Fever + Grackle Gatherings

Hello, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Houston Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now, including:

• Cedar fever season.
• A COVID-19 pandemic wall created by Houstonians.
• Attack of the grackles.

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But first, today's weather:

Some clouds, then sunshine. High: 74 Low: 52.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

1. Houston is suffering from a winter allergy season better known as cedar fever. This fever is caused by high amounts of pollen from Ashe Juniper trees. Unfortunately for us, the United States and Japan are the only two places in the world where the trees thrive. The most recent spike in pollen was caused by consecutive cold fronts that made warm, thinner air rise and carry pollen particles farther. Despite being called cedar fever, this winter sickness is not a flu or virus. Instead, it's an allergic reaction with symptoms that include a runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, partial loss of smell, and slight fever. The fever can be treated by allergy medication and antihistamines if symptoms become too uncomfortable. (KHOU.com)
2. A Houston-area couple created a virtual memorial wall in order to honor all of those who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple named their nonprofit organization COVID-19 Wall of Memories, and it holds the stories of 15,000 people across the US who died from COVID-19. Founder Ruth Nasrullah said, "Having the experience of being exposed to so many stories of loss really makes it very personal, really brings it home and that's actually the experience. We're hoping for the people who come to the virtual memorial that they'll get that sense as well." They say the memorial is about remembering those that were lost more than anything, no matter how the nature of COVID-19 changes. (KPRC Click2Houston)
3. Houston area parking lots are being beset by thousands of black birds known as grackles. These fairly large black birds like to gather on power lines, trees, and parking lots where they can get a good view of dropped food and swarming insects. Beyond the slightly unsettling sight of hundreds of these birds taking flight at one time, some Houston residents are also complaining that the large companies of grackles are covering their cars in bird poop. Grackles are federally protected in Texas, and long-time Houston residents are no strangers to their large yearly gatherings. (FOX 26 Houston)
4. An innocent woman driving home in Southwest Houston became involved in a gun battle between two other vehicles when one of the cars hit her truck. Houston police say two people in a black Dodge Charger were attempting to flee from a shooter in a silver Chevrolet Malibu when the Charger slammed into the victim's car. Both the Charger and the innocent woman's Chevy came to a stop after the collision. A female passenger from the Charger was taken to the hospital with a bullet wound but refuses to cooperate with police in identifying the shooter. Houston police currently believe the incident may have been caused by road rage. (KTRK-TV)
5. The Perfect 10 Gala honoring some of the best chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers in the city returns to Brennan's of Houston on January 17th. The annual gala did not occur over the past two years due to COVID, but now it's back with a bang. The event begins at 5:30 pm with a VIP cocktail hour before guests get to sit down at 7 pm for an extravagant six-course dinner. The meal is constructed by teams of the chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers present who work to pair each dish with the best drink possible. General admission tickets for the dinner will run you $185. (houstonfoodfinder.com)

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Headlines you need to see:

• Texas ranked at bottom in access to mental health care treatments, according to Understanding Houston (KPRC Click2Houston)
• Houston-area business owners frustrated after thieves steal copper wire off pole, leaving them without power (KTRK-TV)
• Longtime Houston radio host Randy Lemmon dead at 61 (KHOU.com)
• One more day of spectacular weather before Houston's forecast turns cloudier this weekend (Space City Weather)
• Man walking to friend's house struck, killed by HPD patrol vehicle in north Harris County, officials say (KPRC Click2Houston)

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Today in Houston:

• Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz at Toyota Center (7 p.m.)
• Movie: School of Rock at Discovery Green (7 p.m.)
• Pretty Woman: The Musical at The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts (7:30 p.m.)
• Stirs Up Still Things (Dance Show) at MATCH (8 p.m.)
• Karaoke Thursdays at the Secret Group (1o p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• A Houston woman received a ticket for going 37 mph in a 35 mph speed limit zone. Now, her family is calling into question whether the citation was the best use of time by Houston police. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
• The man accused of killing Migos rapper TakeOff was released from jail after posting a $1 million bond according to court records. The suspect's bond was initially set at a much higher total, but his lawyers convinced the police to lower it significantly. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
• Model Anaya Peterson is struggling with possible blindness after getting her eyes tattooed different colors. Heterochromia is a rare condition where people are born with eyes of different colors and many find it quite enchanting; however, it's certainly not something worth losing your eyesight over. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update. Friday here we come.