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Community Corner

🌱 Online Shopping Safety Zones + Domestic Violence Rising

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

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Wipe off the turkey crumbs, Houston! It's me, Chris, your humble servant of the Houston Daily — ready to guide you through the upcoming holiday season. Today, we'll look at:

  • HPD offering a safe space for online trades.
  • A tragic Thanksgiving dinner.
  • Why domestic violence should be on your mind.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny. High: 72 Low: 60.

Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. The Precinct 1 Constable's office will serve as a 'safety exchange zone' for Houstonians purchasing goods online this holiday season. The lobbies of Constable's offices at 1302 Preston street and 7300 N. Shepherd drive will be staffed by a police deputy to oversee transactions. The lobbies will function as trading zones from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. starting Nov. 28. The new 'safety exchange zones' are meant to provide a safe space for online shoppers to meet in person without the need of supplying their home addresses to strangers. Police hope the exchange zones will reduce instances of fraud and crime this Christmas. (Community Impact Newspaper)
  2. A Houston Thanksgiving dinner saw more than turkey blood after a past lover committed a double homicide at a Spring Branch home. Yonetsy Montriel Granado, 38, entered through the backdoor of the home and started shooting shortly after the family had finished dinner. Granado killed a man and woman at the dinner and injured another man and a 15-year-old boy. Police investigation revealed that he fired enough shots to warrant reloading his weapon. HPD Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu said, "This is a very sad situation. It's Thanksgiving. People are supposed to celebrate with their families. And we do know that this was a domestic-related incident." Granado turned himself into San Antonio police and is being charged with four felonies. (FOX 26 Houston)
  3. Domestic violence homicides in Harris County have almost doubled in comparison to previous years, and experts say the holiday season will lead to even more domestic crimes. Harris county logged 37 domestic violence homicides in 2020 and 46 in 2021, but Maisha Colter, the CEO of Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA), says she's aware of at least 70 cases that have occurred this year. Colter added "I am very discouraged. We have a lot of work to do in our community in terms of letting people understand how significant it is. Domestic violence is very, very unfortunately common." Over a 24-hour span this Thanksgiving weekend, Harris County saw three separate domestic violence homicide incidents. (FOX 26 Houston)
  4. Newly installed giant murals across Downtown Houston are drawing attention to the city's need for more pedestrian friendly infrastructure. Ten different murals decorating buildings from Lamar street to Franklin were put up by internationally-recognized street artists as a part of the art exhibition BIG ART. BIGGER CHANGE. Each mural was created with a social theme in mind that Houston can work on to improve its future as a metropolitan hotspot. For example, Houston's own Anna Marietta debuted her addition "Sharing the World" which highlights the need for people to come together despite their differences. While the exhibition is over, the murals will remain up in Houston for at least a year. Check them out while you still can.(PaperCity Magazine)
  5. A flight out of Hobby airport had to be grounded due to an unruly passenger who was ultimately taken into FBI custody. During the Southwest flight, the arrested passenger injured another passenger badly enough that he had to be taken to the hospital when the plane landed. Exactly what caused the confrontation between the two passengers was not released by officials. The FBI is currently investigating the incident. (KPRC Click2Houston)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Iran wants US kicked out of World Cup after US changed flag on social media to support protesters (KTRK-TV)
  • Off-duty deputy opens fire on suspect caught breaking into his vehicle in west Houston, HPD says (KPRC Click2Houston)
  • Legacy of Late Houston Billionaire Spotlighted in Record $2.37 Million MFAH Grand Gala — Fayez Sarofim's Impact Continues (PaperCity Magazine)
  • 5 New Homes For Sale In The Houston Area (Houston Patch)
  • Houston Grand Opera's popular mariachi opera 'Milagro del Recuerdo' returns to Wortham Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 8 - Dec. 18 (KTRK-TV)

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Today in Houston:

  • Private Houston Brewery Cart Tour (4 p.m.)
  • Free Hookah Mondays at Bar 2200 (5 p.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Richmond Arms (6 p.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Brass Tap (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • The U.S. Coast Guard managed to find and rescue a cruise passenger nearly a day after he fell overboard. Officials believe he treaded water for almost 21 hours. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • The Walmart manager who shot and killed six coworkers in Virginia left a "death note" on his phone. In the note, he apologizes for his future actions while also blaming the victims and his own parents for driving him to commit the murders. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • Lionel Messi played in front of 88,966 spectators when Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 on Saturday. Messi scored the leading goal from the top of the box to save Argentina from elimination in what will be his final World Cup performance. (KPRC2 / Click2Houston 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. Enjoy the week ahead. ⚽

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