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Community Corner

🌱 Head Coach Candidates + Custom Home Goods

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

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Chris, your host of the Houston Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town these days. Including news about:

  • The Texans new head coach candidate lineup.
  • A controversial road reconstruction project.
  • Unique locally-produced home goods store FOUND.

But first, today's weather:

Clouds giving way to sun. High: 75 Low: 62.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

  1. Whether you agree with the firing of Texans head coach Lovie Smith or not, the team is already lining up candidates to replace him. League sources confirmed that the Texans have put in a request to interview at least five different coaches already. These coaches include Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Ryans is a top contender who has a history of playing with the Texans though he did end up filing a lawsuit against the team for an injury he suffered while playing at NRG Stadium. Meanwhile, young buck Ben Johnson could bring the offensive pressure the Texans have long needed after bringing the Lions from the 22nd-ranked offense in the NFL to number four over the course of a single season. (Houston Chronicle)
  2. A road reconstruction project in the Third Ward near Texas Southern University has been rife with controversy and County Commissioner Rodney Ellis is adding fuel to the fire with a letter proposing the project be paused and retooled but only if the city pay several more million dollars. The reconstruction on Blodgett street began in March of last year and originally sought to add bike lanes and improve drainage in the area. However, locals have complained that the bike lanes being introduced at the cost of a vehicular lane will worsen traffic in the area. Though residents share these concerns, data shows that less than 30 percent of Third Ward households have access to personal automobiles. Nonetheless, Commissioner Ellis is speaking up for his concerned constituents and believes that the city should pay their part for approving the original project plan in the first place. (Houston Public Media)
  3. West Alabama home goods store FOUND marks their 15th year managing custom home goods collections with unique items for interior designers and home decor enthusiasts. FOUND is run by owner Ruth Davis who has long completed custom works at the request of designers but has recently expanded her business to completing homeowner requests as well. Customers say there's always a new surprise waiting whenever you visit FOUND as Davis is known for unexpected displays. Davis said of her products, "It's just like clothes. I used to have 15 pairs of black pants; I never met a pair of black pants I didn't like. It's the last thing I need in my wardrobe. You really need the opposite of what you are drawn to or it gets boring. You might see (something) in here and not like it, but put it in a house and it adds a funky, different vibe." (Houston Chronicle)
  4. Nature Remembered is a solo exhibition by artist Bogdan Mihai going on display in Silver Street Studios throughout this month. The exhibition features a series of animal porcelain figures that highlight the special attention we should pay to the natural world. Additionally, Mihai hopes his art will inspire others to take more care with regards to nature preservation. The exhibition runs through the entirety of this month and will be open from 9-5 Monday through Saturday. You can attend the opening reception on January 12th from 5pm - 8pm. (Visit Houston)
  5. A Houston-area 3rd grade teacher was shot and killed in a suspected domestic violence case according to police. Wendy Duan, 28, taught reading and writing for Boone elementary at Alief ISD. Police have not confirmed Duan's relationship to the suspect in custody. The teacher's public Twitter account is home to many photos of her passion for teaching. Duan's neighbors described her as both young and vibrant. Alief ISD is providing crisis counseling at Boone elementary while teachers and students attempt to cope with the sudden and tragic loss. (KHOU.com)

Headlines you need to see:

  • DATA: Percentage of Houstonians with bachelor's degree jumps to nearly one-third in latest census data (Community Impact Newspaper)
  • Houston taqueria customer shoots robber: Grand jury to determine whether armed man will be charged for Eric Washington's death (KTRK-TV)
  • Houston traffic ranking: Drivers wasted $1,200 in congestion last year (Houston Chronicle)
  • Houston may eliminate fines for overdue library books (Houston Chronicle)
  • Texas-based vitamin and supplement retailer opens new location in League City (Community Impact Newspaper)

Today in Houston:

  • Concert: Houston in Harmony with Alex Navarro at Houston Public Library (2 PM)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Rudyards (6 PM)
  • The Page Turners Book Club at Spring Branch Memorial Branch Library (6:30 PM)
  • The Neon Rouge Cabaret Show at Isis Theater (7 PM)
  • Concert: Mekong: Soul at Asia Society Texas Center (7 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III took to Twitter about the Texans' decision to fire Lovie Smith. RG III tweeted that it was just plain wrong for the team to hire and fire two black head coaches after a single year at the helm back to back when their job should have been to build a new roster for the future. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • The University of Houston Cougars have clawed their way to the top of a the Associated Press top 25 men's college basketball poll. It's the first time they've snagged the number one spot since the 1980s. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • A taqueria on South Gessner where a robber was killed by a customer just days ago was targeted again last night. Surveillance video shows a man breaking into the business late at night. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)

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That's it for today. Talk more tomorrow!

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

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