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Community Corner

🌱 Oath Sleepers + Keeping Houston Green

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 humble servant of the Houston Daily — coming right back at you with the plug on what's happening. Today, we'll look at:

  • Far-right extremist Oath Keeper group entrenched in local law.
  • Proposed changes to Texas community college funding.
  • The first measure of land preservation in Houston.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 70 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

  1. An investigation into the membership of the local anti government group the Oath Keepers found that a number of police and elected officials are members of the extreme organization. The Oath Keepers are a far-right extremist group that has many prominent members fighting federal charges for the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. capital. Over 30 cops and eight elected officials were discovered to be involved last month, and now an additional 25 current law enforcement officers and nine presently elected politicians in Greater Houston have also been outed for their membership. While many of these cops and local officials responded to requests for comment by denouncing the group, others believe that the government is using the Oath Keepers as a scapegoat for an attack they orchestrated themselves. According to current and former members, the group draws people in using the idea that their members promise to stand up to their oaths to serve the Constitution. However, once involved, the group's anti government agenda begins to rear its head. (KHOU.com)
  2. Texas' state funding model for community colleges might be seeing some serious changes as local educational leaders tout focusing funds towards schools where students are performing better. Chancellor of Lone Star College, Stephen Head, said, "The old model was based on growth. That's not a long-term solution for community colleges. For years I've been advocating that the model be based on outcomes or performance." Meanwhile, some Houston-area businesses applaud the proposed change as they flounder to fill advanced positions that require specific degrees. They believe that incentivizing schools towards higher-level learning will lead to more graduates prepared to fill these roles. Presently, Texas funds community colleges based on the number of hours that their students take. (Houston Chronicle)
  3. The Houston City Council passed an ordinance last week that will protect 7,432 acres of land across 26 parks. The ordinance is a significant land preservation act that local officials passed in order to provide habitat for wildlife, reduce levels of urban heat, improve air and water quality, and provide natural educational opportunities for the public. Kelli Ondracek, natural resources manager for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, said, "Prior to now, there has never been any type of land preservation legislation or ordinances in the City of Houston. Now that these areas have been approved as nature preserves, they will be protected and they won't be able to have development. They're just dedicated to nature." (Houston Public Media)
  4. Soul food is often one of Houston's most overlooked restaurant offerings, but it has been a staple of our community for years. Local African American neighborhoods especially have a long tradition of serving this cajun-adjacent cuisine. If you haven't had the opportunity to taste the comfort of these meals for yourself, it's well past-time you lifted a spoon. Houston This Is It Soul Food, Soul Food Vegan, Cupcake Kitchen, and Alfreda's Soul Food in the Third Ward are all great options for starters. However, there's also the Greasy Spoon and Mikki's Soul Food in Pearland, Esther's Cajun Cafe and Soul Food in the Heights, and Soulfood by Catherine in Central Southwest. Lastly, Lucille's in the Museum District is especially well-known for its lavish take on the typically low-key comfort food. (Houstonia Magazine)
  5. Dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan has been lauded as the 'cheapest Michelin star restaurant' since 2019 and will finally see its Katy location open doors this fall. In case you're unfamiliar, dim sum is a traditional south Chinese meal consisting of small dishes that primarily feature plates of small dumplings. The long-awaited arrival is scheduled to open doors on either the last week of October or the first week of November depending on the results of inspections scheduled for later this week. Visitors can expect to be served some of the very best rice rolls, steamed shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork rolls, and more. The Houston location will join Tim Ho Wan's 60 other restaurants across 13 different countries. (Houston Chronicle)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Houston Fire Department units rescue 2 civilians trapped inside trench at construction site at Bomar Street and Montrose Boulevard (KTRK-TV)
  • TxDOT to dedicate $12B to Houston projects over 10 years (Community Impact Newspaper)
  • Sugar Land accepts $1.2M donation for Cullinan Park improvements (Community Impact Newspaper)
  • Houston forecast: Cold weather surging its way south; temps to fall to mid-50s Tuesday (KHOU.com)
  • Massive sales dip continues to hit local markets (The Leader)

Today in Houston:

  • Toddler Tuesdays at Discovery Green (10:30 a.m.)
  • Hess Houston Corporate 5K at Memorial Park Eastern Glades (4 p.m.)
  • Taco Tuesday at El Pueblito Patio (5 p.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Rudyard's (6 p.m.)
  • Core-focused yoga at Discovery Green (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • On Sunday, a record 21,284 fans showed up to PNC Stadium in downtown Houston to watch the Houston Dash play in the National Women's Soccer League quarterfinals. The Dash lost to Kansas City in stoppage time, but the game still broke attendance records for both the franchise and the league. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • Interim General Manager Jack Easterby of the Texans was fired yesterday. Even so, it seems like a fever dream to even imagine that the Texans will become a real team any time soon. (KPRC2 / Click2Houston via Facebook)
  • The Astros' incredible success this season has led to an unintended casualty: the cancellation of Elton John's final Houston performance. Fans will have to try and see him at another venue in the U.S. (Houston Public Media via Facebook)

Featured Doge:

Galant is a nearly 2-year-old Rottweiler available for adoption at the SPCA.

What a well-behaved looking boy.

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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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