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Community Corner

🌱 Drive Sober 2023 + Smuggled Sarcophagus

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

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Hi all. It's me, Chris, your host of the Houston Daily. We're back in action for 2023, so let's get this party started. Today we have these stories and more...

  • The danger of driving in Harris County.
  • A Mexican prison attack out of Hollywood cinema.
  • A stolen Egyptian sarcophagus leaves the HMNS.

But first, today's weather:

A couple of morning showers. High: 72 Low: 52.

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Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. Harris County leads the country in intoxication-related deaths on the road, making it the most dangerous place to drive in America. In 2022, Harris county saw 11,605 cases of DWI, 56 cases of intoxicated assault, and 41 cases of intoxicated manslaughter. It's also worth considering that these numbers fail to represent lone intoxicated drivers who end up killing only themselves. The largest number of these charges are filed between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through January 2nd. While we may be officially out of the weeds for now, it's well worth considering crossing drinking and driving off your to-do list forever as we enter the new year. (KTRK-TV)
  2. A Mexican gang leader and 24 other inmates were freed during a prison attack in Ciudad Juarez just across the border from El Paso. A total of 17 individuals died during the attack, 10 of which were prison guards. The gunmen responsible rolled up in armored vehicles on Sunday and unleashed fire on the prison entrance as well as a number of dormitories. Escaped inmates were identified as members of the Mexicles gang associated with the Caborca cartel. The Mexicles gang has had a strong presence in Ciudad Juarez for decades. State police who retook control of the prison say they discovered a number of drugs stocked in the prison including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and meth. Furthermore, a handful of prison cells had been turned into "VIP" lodgings that included televisions and more. (KPRC Click2Houston)
  3. A featured sarcophagus from the Houston Museum of Natural Science was returned to Cairo, Egypt following U.S. authorities discovering it had originally been looted. The inspection happened as a part of efforts by Egyptian authorities to return stolen antiquities to their rightful place in Egypt. In 2021, Egyptian authorities succeeded in returning over 5,300 illegally taken artifacts. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg says the coffin was smuggled through Germany to the United States back in 2008. He explained, "This stunning coffin was trafficked by a well-organized network that has looted countless antiquities from the region. We are pleased that this object will be returned to Egypt, where it rightfully belongs." (Chron)
  4. Houston is no stranger to producing stellar artists and albums, so let's take a look back at some of the best music to come out of the Bayou City in 2022. For starters, Beyoncé's return to the limelight in her new album Renaissance caught the entire music industry off guard. Supposedly, it's only part one of a three part series this queen of the music industry plans on releasing in the future. H-town classic rapper Z-Ro also released a new album earlier this year called Pressure that mixed his signature hard hitting style with melodic country church choir sounds. Lastly, it's impossible not to mention rising star Tobe Nwigwe and his album moMINTS. Nwigwe has made appearances across multiple media platforms in 2022 including Netflix, NPR, the Wakanda Forever soundtrack, and more. Currently, he is a Grammy nominee for best new artist. (Houston Press)
  5. Members of the Houston chapters of the Mothers of Jack and Jill America, Inc. were introduced to society as young women at the debutante ball last Thursday. The company's eleven Houston chapters with over 700 members were founded over 70 years ago as a method for introducing young women to eligible young men. While the ball's original purpose way to find young ladies a suitable husband, much has changed since. Today, Jack and Jill functions as a launching pad for young people to enjoy exceptional opportunities. President of the Houston chapter Jocelyn Greely said, "It's a historically African-American organization where mothers are the members who seek to create opportunities for their children through community involvement, philanthropy and education." Jack and Jill memberships are only attainable through legacy status or invitation. (Houston Chronicle)

Headlines you need to see:

  • HPD: Nearly 50 people arrested in Houston, accused of illegal gunfire, drunk driving (KHOU.com)
  • Celebratory gunfire almost hit 3-year-old after flying through window, lodging into wall (FOX 26 Houston)
  • Jeremy Renner in 'critical but stable condition' after snow-plowing accident, publicist says (KTRK-TV)
  • Houston fire personnel respond to warehouse fire, 4th time in last 5 days (FOX 26 Houston)
  • Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow says Ukrainian rocket strike kills 63 Russian soldiers (KTRK-TV)

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Today in Houston:

  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Rudyards (6 p.m.)
  • Pretty Woman: The Musical at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (7:30 p.m.)
  • Comedy: Jimbo & Jumbo's Big Fun Show at The Secret Group (8 p.m.)
  • Comedy: Open Mic at Midtown Bar & Grill (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Two helicopters collided in mid-air near the Sea World theme park in Australia. Four passengers died from the collision and three others were seriously wounded. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • The Texans finished a winless season at their home stage of NRG Center in a battle against the Jaguars. First pick in the coming NFL draft is the consolation prize as if it will help. (Houston Chronicle via Facebook)
  • Elon Musk is making headlines again for being the first person ever to lose $200 billion from their net worth. The steep drop in personal wealth comes from Tesla shares dropping 65% as of December 30: a decline that some onlookers claim was helped along by Musk's bungled position as CEO of Twitter. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

Journey is a one-year old Curly Coated Retriever available for adoption from the SPCA.

She comes well-trained and absolutely loves the outdoors.

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! Making any progress on those New Year's Resolutions? Yea, me neither. Talk tomorrow.

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

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