The Bay Area Observer - La Porte, Morgan's Point, Shoreacres & Seabrook

09/26/2024

09/13/2024

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GALVESTON, Texas - A young male toddler had to be taken to a hospital via life flight after a near drowning in La Porte, officials say. According to La Porte Police Department, a male toddler was found in the water in the 3000 block of Fondren in Galveston Bay around 11:15 a.m.

09/12/2024

From the City of La Porte:

At approximately 11:15 a.m. the City of La Porte Police, Fire, and EMS responded to the 3000 block of Fondren regarding a young child (preschool-aged) being pulled from the bay. The child was revived and transported by air ambulance to a regional hospital. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated by the La Porte Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

09/10/2024

"Pickleball for All" - Adaptive Pickleball at Chicken N Pickle (Webster, TX)
210 Blue Heron Drive in Webster

The new Chicken N Pickle in Webster, Texas, is hosting “pickleball for all” with free monthly “adaptive pickleball” practice sessions! Adaptive pickleball is a modified version of pickleball designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities. Children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities are invited to learn, have fun and increase awareness of adaptive pickleball the second Tuesday of every month. There is no cost to participate, and Chicken N Pickle provides all equipment, including wheelchairs designed specifically for playing pickleball. A special coach for adaptive players provides instruction during Chicken N Pickle’s “all abilities” programming.

Taylor Nichols is a former motocross athlete who suffered a career-ending and life-changing spinal cord injury while racing that confined him to a wheelchair. Six years later, Nichols is a national trailblazer for adaptive pickleball and para pickleball coach for Chicken N Pickle. Read more about Nichols at Pickelball.com and on Facebook.

“I’ve seen people who’ve never been in a sports chair or have been in a wheelchair all their life and they’ve never gone out, done a physical activity, or been able to participate because they’re usually sitting on the sidelines watching. And now, they’re out on the court playing,” said Nichols. “Once they get out there, it’s like the light switch goes off. I truly believe pickleball is for everyone.”

Chicken N Pickle says pickleball is “very user-friendly.” Because the pickleball court is much smaller than a tennis court, the sport is less physically demanding. You don’t need a racket background, or even an athletic or sports background. Most anybody can pick up a paddle and have fun playing. There aren’t too many sports like pickleball where a grandfather can play with a grandchild. It’s also a lifestyle sport that’s improving peoples’ social lives. Players often get hooked the first time they pick up a paddle and play, which isn’t always the case with other racket sports.

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball remains the fastest-growing sport in the United States, with the Houston area being one of the most popular places to play!

Chicken N Pickle in Webster proudly offers free “Pickleball for All” Adaptive Pickleball for children and adults with disabilities the second Tuesday of every month (September 10, October 8, November 12 and December 10) from 6 - 8 p.m. Chicken N Pickle also hosts bi-weekly “Newbie Nights” for those getting into the swing of pickleball. Learn more and make reservations here https://www.reservecnp.com/webster-tx/event/newbie-night/.

09/07/2024

🚲 We are excited to announce a new event series, Cycle the City with Mayor Helton!

Join Mayor Helton for a monthly bike ride to connect with the community and explore the City of La Porte together! These rides will occur on the Third Tuesday of every month, starting at 6:30 pm.
⏰The first ride will be on September 17 at 6:30 pm.
📍This ride will start at the Main Street Food Truck Park & Entertainment Center, 402 W Main St.

First-time riders get a custom LP Bike Bell and if you participate in 6 rides, you will get a Mayor's Ride Challenge coin!

Bicycles are legally considered vehicles on Texas’s roadways, so be sure you know the rules of the road and are respectful of all road users.

08/01/2024

Boil Water Notice for the City of La Porte, Bayside Terrace Neighborhood | August 1, 2024

Due to an extended outage related to a water main repair in our system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the City of La Porte public water system to notify all affected customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
Affected Areas (Does not affect any other areas in La Porte):
- 300 Block of Falk Avenue
- 3000 Block of Layne
- 3000 Block of Bonner Drive
- 100 - 300 blocks of Bayside Drive
- Delta Court Apartments

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice-making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Read the full notice here: https://www.laportetx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=327

07/23/2024

SBA DISASTER RECOVERY | COMMUNITY TOWNHALLS

Commissioner Adrian Garcia is hosting a series of disaster recovery town halls in collaboration with the Small Business Administration (SBA). Residents, homeowners, business owners, and local nonprofits impacted by recent storms are encouraged to attend. Attendees will learn about various assistance programs, understand the application process, and ask specific questions about their situations.

• July 24 at 6 p.m. | Aldine Management District Office
• July 25 at 6 p.m. | Baytown Community Center
• July 26 at 6 p.m. | BakerRipley Ripley House
• July 29 at 6 p.m. | Bay Area Community Center
• July 30 at 6 p.m. | Flukinger Community Center

Learn more and register at www.seabrooktx.gov/recoveryassistance

07/23/2024

The City of La Porte and Harris County Precinct 2 are working together to repair Sylvan Beach Park after Hurricane Beryl. We're committed to re-opening as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience!

07/12/2024

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the La Porte Police Department mourns the loss of Deputy Fernando Esqueda, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on July 11, 2024.

We offer our support to the men and women of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Please know that you are not alone in your sorrow. We stand with you in solidarity and are here to support you in any way possible.

To Deputy Esqueda's family and friends, we extend our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time.

07/10/2024

| There will be a public cooling center open at the Jennie Riley Community Center, at 322 N. 4th Street, from 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10. Remember to keep family members and pets cool and hydrated, as today's heat index may reach 105 degrees. Please use caution using generators.

06/27/2024

We're hiring! Save the date for our Summer Job Fair which, will be held at James H. Baker Middle School.

06/27/2024

06/27/2024

NEW STAFF ALERT! La Porte ISD

06/27/2024

“NEW” STAFF ALERT! AKA Welcome Back 🧡 La Porte ISD

06/27/2024

For five consecutive years, the La Porte ISD Nutrition Department has earned the statewide 'Best of the Bunch' honor for serving locally sourced meat, produce and bread to our students! We're already looking forward to what's to come in the 2024-25 school year. Congratulations to Director Ralph Wilkins and the entire Nutrition Team!

05/17/2024

Update 0819PM: Lanes are back open.

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| SH 146 southbound lanes at McCabe Rd are closed. Seek alternate routes.

05/09/2024

UPDATE: Missing person found and reunited with family.

Police investigators seek help locating missing La Porte resident

On Tuesday May 7th, 2024, George Richardson, an 84-year-old male resident from La Porte TX, was last seen by a family member at around 4:00 p.m. At approx. 5:00 p.m. that same afternoon, his car, a 2007 purple Ford Fusion Texas Reg. -8043, was seen on camera traveling within the City of Morgans
Point, TX. The vehicle’s last known location, also captured on camera, was in Pasadena, TX. within the 3900 block of Red Bluff Rd, around midnight on Wednesday May 8th, 2024.

Mr. Richardson was last seen wearing a multi-colored short-sleeved button-up shirt, black pants, black shoes, and eyeglasses. George suffers from the onset of Alzheimer’s dementia.

A Sliver Alert is currently active, and he has been entered into the State & National database as a missing person. Police advise, if George or his vehicle are located, please notify your local law enforcement agency or La Porte Police directly at 281-471-3810. LPPD’s Criminal Investigations Sergeant J. Plemons is the case agent and can also be contacted at 281-842-3159.

05/08/2024

Clear Creek High School Evacuation Recap

League City, Texas – To keep you informed, Clear Creek High School was evacuated around 8:40 a.m. on
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, after a bomb threat was made against the campus. As part of Clear Creek ISD’s
Standard Response Protocol, students and staff exited the building as police conducted a full sweep.

With the help of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, League City Police Department, Texas Department of
Public Safety and the Harris County Sheriff's Office, police detained the person who allegedly made the bomb
threat call to the school at 9:20 a.m. Police completed their sweep of the building, and the evacuation was lifted
at 9:29 a.m. Students and staff have reentered the building at this time and school will continue as normal.

04/24/2024

A Gofundme page has been set up for Connie Fortune who passed on Monday.

Connie Fortune was a pillar of the La Porte, TX community. Inspired by her husbands sobrity, she help… Anthony Felscher needs your support for Connie Fortune

04/23/2024

Early morning structure fire at La Porte residence

On Monday morning, April 22, 2024, at approximately 6:50 a.m., the La Porte Police Department’s (LPPD) Dispatch Center received a call regarding a structure fire in the 300 block of S. Virginia Street. The La Porte Fire Department (LPFD) responded and, while en route, received notification of a victim trapped in the structure. Firefighters arrived on location to find heavy fire and smoke conditions and immediately began to attempt a rescue. LPPD, the La Porte Fire Department (LPFD), and the La Porte Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams also responded immediately and mutual aid was provided by the Port Houston Fire Department, Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department, and Seabrook Fire Department. Unfortunately, fire conditions pushed firefighters out of the structure and the adult female victim was unable to be rescued. Fire crews are still on location and the incident is under joint investigation with the La Porte Fire Marshal’s Office (LPFMO) and the LPPD Criminal Investigations Division.

* UPDATE*

The City of La Porte Police Department (LPPD) has presented charges on a murder and arson case in the city, which have been accepted by the Harris County District Attorney’s office. Upon questioning, suspect Sarah Leanne Flores confessed to starting a fire at the home she shared with the elderly victim, Connie Fortune. On Monday morning, April 22, 2024, at approximately 6:50 a.m., the La Porte Fire Department (LPFD) and other first responders arrived at a structure fire in the 300 block of S. Virginia Street, and were made aware that a victim was believed to be trapped in the structure. Firefighters arrived on location to find heavy fire and smoke conditions and immediately began to attempt a rescue but were unable to evacuate the adult female victim. The La Porte Fire Marshal’s Office (LPFMO) and the LPPD Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation and were provided with witness information regarding a possible suspect and motive for the fire being started, resulting in the murder charges accepted on Flores.

04/09/2024

03/21/2024

Order at http://www.galvestonbaycoffee.com

03/21/2024

NOW HIRING: LA PORTE ISD TO HOLD MARCH 21 JOB FAIR

La Porte ISD will hold a job fair on March 21 as part of a push to fill several positions going into the 2024-25 school year.

Positions include classroom teachers, librarians and paraprofessionals, as well as opportunities in the district’s Special Programs department and Business Office. A list of available positions is at https://lpisd.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.

The job fair will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the La Porte High School Student Center, 301 E. Fairmont Pkwy.

Those who are interested in attending the job fair are asked to preregister for the event. Visit lpisd.org and find the preregistration link on the page pop.

03/07/2024

The Paleisgracht general cargo vessel arrived yesterday afternoon to Barbours Cut Container Terminal with a delivery of 7 hybrid-electric rubber-tired gantry cranes, one of several deliveries of RTGs that will make their way to Port Houston terminals. These RTG cranes will support operations at Barbours Cut, making its fleet of RTGs a total of 64.