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Community Corner

🌱 Back to School + Houston Theater Week + AMBER alert answered

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

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Wake up, Space City! It's me, Chris, your humble servant of the Houston Daily — coming right back at you with the plug on what's happening.

First, today's weather:

Humid with a thunderstorm. High: 89 Low: 76.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

  1. HISD started back to school today; here's what parents need to know. Firstly, breakfast and lunch will continue to be served for free at schools where 40 percent or more of the school population is eligible for them. You can also apply for them at HSPVA, Harvard Elementary, Horn Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Travis Elementary, Oak Forest Elementary, River Oaks Elementary, West University Elementary, and Roberts Elementary. Safety is at the top of the minds of many parents and teachers, and the HPD has been equipped with 200 additional rifles and ballistic shields to help keep schools safe. Masks are no longer required to be worn anywhere on campus, but the HISD website still cautions to take preventative measures. (Houston Chronicle )
  2. Houston Theater Week is back this year with some big changes that make taking advantage of discounted prices easier than ever. In the past, theater week only offered discounted prices for a single day and you would have to go pick them up in person. Now, theater week will offer discounted ticket prices for an entire week (August 22-29) and you can purchase these tickets online! Simply visit HoustonTheaterWeek.com, enter promo code HTXARTs, and enjoy tickets to a variety of shows at a fraction of the original cost. (Houston Press)
  3. During the 2021-22 school year, HPD investigated thirty-four credible school shooting threats. These investigations are the result of HISD's "Say Something Anonymous Reporting System" app. Significant school shooting concerns posted to the app are investigated by police, sometimes in the middle of the night. If you or someone you know is concerned about a possible school shooting in the HISD, take advantage of this technology to prevent a tragedy. We're better safe than sorry, and the anonymous nature of the app provides posters with complete privacy. (KTRK-TV)
  4. Police arrested a suspect for the kidnapping of a three-year-old girl after finding him and the girl holed up at a motel nearby the kidnapping location. An AMBER alert had been launched for the girl who went missing early in the morning on Sunday. Her parents told police that when they woke up Sunday morning, their daughter was gone and their apartment door was left open. Police were able to identify the suspect thanks to the vigilance of an early-bird neighbor who saw the man and the girl leaving her apartment. HPD Chief Troy Finner said, "To see the father and that kid in the ambulance and being able to talk to the father and the kid ... it's amazing." (KHOU.com)
  5. Houstonian Lonnice McCaskill-Thomas is trying to raise awareness for medical pregnancy issues after receiving a $5,000 blood thinner prescription she needs to take before her delivery to have a fighting chance of surviving. Lonnice is an army veteran who served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and ordinarily receives her medical benefits through the VA. However, after being found susceptible to a blood clot condition she has been prescribed a new medication that isn't covered her veteran's benefits. It comes at a cost of $321 a week for a bare minimum dosage. Lonnice's husband, Emmanual, said, "I have to remain strong because I don't wanna face being here with them alone. I can't be a mother to my daughters." Lonnice is scheduled to give birth to her fourth child on September 7 and has been told to take the precaution of writing out a will before she sees the delivery table. (FOX 26 Houston)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Hit-and-run: Houston mother wants answers after son is left paralyzed after being hit by unidentified car Thursday (KTRK-TV)
  • A rainy week ahead for Houston, but also a cooler one for late August (Space City Weather)
  • Dennis Rodman says he'll visit Russia to help Brittney Griner (Houston Chronicle)
  • Afsaneh Aayani revives Houston's avant-garde puppetry scene (Houston Chronicle)
  • HISD makes food pantries more accessible to local communities (KPRC Click2Houston)

Today in Houston:

  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Richmond Arms (6 p.m.)
  • Hunchback of Notre Dame auditions at Class Act Productions (6 p.m.)
  • Chess night at Friendswood Library (6:30 p.m.)

Featured Kitty:

Delia is a six-year-old domestic medium hair available for adoption at the SPCA.

She's sure got some whiskers on her.

From my notebook:

  • TxDOT numbers show road rage incidents in Texas are up for this year. In 2021, 204 road rage crashes were documented. So far this year, there's already been 209. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • Perhaps one of the most iconically American food items is the McDonald's Big Mac, and you'll soon be able to order one with a chicken patty. Later this month, MickeyD's will unveil this new menu item. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • A dive team found the body of missing Californian teen Kielny Rodni on Sunday. Her car was found upside down in 14' of water. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

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Now you're armed with current events and ready to throw down in H-town! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow. Peace ✌

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

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