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Community Corner

🌱 Raspberry Rally + Disciple Descent

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

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Hi all! Chris here with your fresh copy of the Houston Daily, full of everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today's briefing includes...

  • A new Girl Scouts cookie.
  • Church attendance falling to the wayside.
  • A futuristic and secretive new bar in Downtown Houston.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, a shower; warm. High: 75 Low: 63.

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Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. The Girls Scouts of America are debuting a brand new flavor this cookie selling season. The new flavor is called Raspberry Rally and is said to be somewhat related to the Girl Scouts' arguably most popular cookie: the Thin Mint. In fact, Raspberry Rally cookies look identical to Thin Mints from exterior inspection. However, a single bite into these thin, crispy, chocolate-coated cookies will reveal that the centers are filled with raspberry flavor. Thin Mint purists may have something to say about getting the runaround from this new Raspberry impostor, but the verdict is still out on the reputation of this supposedly sister cookie. (KTRK-TV)
  2. The impact of COVID-19 on church attendance is beginning to look devastating according to new research statistics. A new study from The Survey Center on American Life at American Enterprise Institute (AEI) shows that only 66 percent of Americans attended a religious service at least once a year in spring of 2022. Just two years prior in March of 2020, that number was at 75 percent. Over the same timeline, the number of Americans who claim they "never" attend church has risen from 25 percent to 33 percent. However, research also shows that specific groups, such as conservatives, maintain church attendance rates equal to their pre-pandemic numbers. All that being said, it's difficult to say for sure whether lower church attendance is primarily a result of COVID or whether other factors have a large part to play as well. (Chron)
  3. One person is dead and four others hospitalized after a mass shooting occurred outside a club in northwest Harris county early Sunday morning. Witnesses say that they were standing in a line outside of the club when a car rolled up, multiple people got out of the vehicle, and they all began firing at innocent bystanders. Investigators determined that at least one AK47 was used in the shooting. A total of over 50 rounds were fired during the incident. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said, "If the information is correct, that somebody exited from a vehicle and began opening fire, then that's probably a good indicator that they were coming with purpose and maybe it was targeted at somebody. Maybe there was some type of beef before inside the club that spilled out. At this point we don't know." (KTRK-TV)
  4. A letter to the Houston Chronicle from a local is urging readers and lawmakers that recent resignations from the Harris County Jail's top officials point towards a need for change in the criminal system. James Babb of Friendswood wrote in to the Chronicle in an effort to raise awareness around the issue of jailing the mentally ill. Babb writes, "The jails and prisons would be much less crowded if we, as a society, decided to provide proper medications to those who cannot afford them. $12 -15,000 per year is much cheaper than the average $35,000 per year for lock-up." He also mentioned that while we hospitalize criminals with physical injuries, those with mental injuries are often caged up and ignored. (Opinion) (Houston Chronicle)
  5. A futuristic new bar called Behind Closed Doors just opened off of Main street in Downtown Houston. As the bars name suggests, there are a number of secret spaces within the bar for visitors to explore. The lighting in the bar is inspired by James Bond villain-esque coloring. Inside, you'll find three separate bar areas from which you can order drinks, assuming you can find them of course. The top floor serves as the bars primary dance floor and also serves Delta-9. Another bar area is a complete replica of a bar found in the movie The Shining. Lastly, the third bar area mirrors the grandiose and dramatic coloring and themes of the cult hit vampire movie Blade. (FOX 26 Houston)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Houston organization walking in MLK Parade to bring attention to unsolved homicides (KHOU.com)
  • Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel wins Miss Universe Competition (KPRC Click2Houston)
  • Essay: Drag saved my life. Mistress Isabelle is a beacon amid Texas' legislative darkness. (Houston Chronicle)
  • Texas Ranch for sale after 147 years owned by same family (Chron)
  • COVID fraud scheme: Dylan Kinlock, Felicia Garza plead guilty to making plan to ask people to apply for PPP loans and charge them (KTRK-TV)

Today in Houston:

  • 29th Annual MLK Grande Parade at 1200 Holman street (10 a.m.)
  • 45th Annual MLK Downtown Parade and Festival at Herman Park Square (10 a.m.)
  • $2 Margaritas and Live Music at Fat Crab Mondays (12 p.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Brass Tap (6 p.m.)
  • Comedy: Open Mic at The Secret Group (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • FOX 26 Houston: "Behind Closed Doors is a brand new bar in Downtown Houston. It's futuristic, retro and filled with secret spaces and places."
  • Dallas police are investigating whether someone intentionally released a clouded leopard from its habitation. The area of the fence where the leopard escaped from appeared to have been opened with cutting tools. (KPRC2 / Click2Houston via Facebook)
  • Teacher and coach Samantha Cummings at New Caney ISD was arrested and charged for having an improper relationship with a student. She was in her first year of employment. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • Overdue fees are now a thing of the past at the Houston Library. Additionally, a month-long amnesty period just began during which users can request that all of their past fines be cancelled. (Houston Chronicle via Facebook)

Featured Kitty:

Madre is a one-year-old Domestic Short Hair available for adoption at the SPCA.

Who's your mommy?

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll check back in with you tomorrow morning. Enjoy the holiday if you have it. Have a great week everyone!

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

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