Tag Archives: Houston

Ashby plaintiffs score a win

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Most of them, anyway. A Harris County jury sided with residents of a neighborhood near Rice University and awarded some of them damages totaling close to $1.7 million in their fight to keep developers from building a 21-story high-rise in … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Yes, Council is short on women

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It is what it is. The Houston City Council will have its fewest women in 15 years this January, which political observers called a troublesome regression for one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. Just two women will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

North Line opens this Saturday

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Exciting times. Two major transportation projects scheduled to open in Houston this week – perhaps on the same day – represent distinct and sometimes warring visions of regional mobility and growth. On Saturday, the Metropolitan Transit Authority will open its … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Saving Rice Stadium

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Houston has another historic stadium in it that’s seen better days, but this one is still in use and has some hope of being restored to its former glory. As a place to watch a game, there are few better … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is CM-elect Stardig term limited or not?

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I brought this up yesterday in my wrapup of the city and HCC runoffs, and I’m asking it again here in the hope that someone who can provide a definitive answer will offer one. The question I have is whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Meet the Houston Dash

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

They’re Houston’s newest sports team. The Dynamo announced [Thursday] the launch of the Houston Dash, a women’s professional soccer team that will enter the National Women’s Soccer League as an expansion team for the 2014 season. Owned and operated by … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Runoff results: Rough day for incumbents

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I have no complaint about the results. With all precincts reporting, controversial first-term council incumbents Helena Brown, in northwest Houston’s District A, and Andrew C. Burks Jr., in At-Large Position 2, fell to their challengers, as did HCC trustees Yolanda … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Anthony Robinson named to crime lab LGC

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Excellent choice. The latest appointment to the city’s crime lab oversight board brings a unique perspective to the post. Anthony Robinson spent 10 years in prison for a rape he did not commit before being exonerated by the kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Anthony Robinson named to crime lab LGC

HISD approves change to nickname and mascot policy

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Three schools in the Houston Independent School District are likely to have new mascots that no longer reflect a connection to Native American culture or history after preliminary board approval Thursday night of a policy proposed by Superintendent Terry … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Karbach set to expand

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. Fast-growing Karbach Brewing Co. intends next year to build a new brewery that will give it the capacity to make three times as much beer as it has made in 2013 and, eventually, several times that. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

District I runoff overview

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s runoff and a rivalry, all in one. Saturday’s runoff in City Council District I, which covers downtown and the East End, pits the protégés of two pillars of Hispanic politics against each other in the sort of showdown political … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

HCC runoff overview

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

A cursory look at the invisible races. In District 1, incumbent and former state representative Yolanda Navarro Flores faces political newcomer Zeph Capo. Capo, a 41-year-old former science educator, is a vice president of the Houston Federation of Teachers. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Runoff Day today

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This is it, kids, our last election for 2013. You can find your polling place here. There were two last overview stories yesterday in the Chron, both blogged above, so there’s nothing else to do but go vote if you … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Final EV totals

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the final Harris County EV tally for the 2013 runoff, and here’s how the numbers stack up against the four most recent citywide runoff elections that did not include a Mayoral race. Year Absent Early E-Day Total Absent% Early% … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Final EV totals

At Large #2 runoff overview

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

One of these runoffs is not like the others. On paper, the Houston City Council incumbent most at risk heading into Saturday’s runoff elections is first-termer Andrew Burks, in At-Large Position 2. Challenger David Robinson had spent more than $201,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Dome’s status is complicated

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Is it a landmark or not? If so, what kind? Mayor Annise Parker this week called an effort by the city historical commission to designate the Harris County-owned Astrodome a city landmark “ill-advised,” and said she had no plans to … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We still need to do more to protect bike riders

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The story of Chelsea Norman just breaks my heart. They call it the “ghost bike.” It is painted completely white, even the tires, and chained to a street post in Montrose. The shrine near West Gray and Waugh marks where … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Runoff 8 Day Finance Reports

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I did not get to looking at the 8 day finance reports for the November election – too many candidates, not enough time. But there was no reason I couldn’t take a gander at the 8 day reports for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

At Large #3 runoff overview

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron moves on to At Large #3, and unlike the other two previews there are new things to learn about the candidates involved. Mayor Annise Parker could be the biggest loser in the runoff race for the At Large … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

District D runoff overview

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Clearly, it’s Runoff Overview Week at the Chron. Whittled down from 12 candidates to two last month, the Houston City Council District D race is a David-and-Goliath runoff. Towering Dwight Boykins, 50, narrowly missed clinching the general election outright with … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

District A runoff overview

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the same old story, just a little louder this time. Three years ago, when city voters narrowly approved what would become a controversial monthly drainage fee to fund $8 billion of street and flood projects in the next two … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Evaluating the strip club settlement

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some interesting feedback on the city’s recent legal settlement with area strip clubs. South Texas College of Law professor Matthew Festa said the payments are not his central concern, noting cities often condition building permits on a business planting trees … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Evaluating the strip club settlement

Last day of runoff early voting

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: “Tuesday, December 10th is the last day of Early voting for the City of Houston and Houston Community College System Runoff Election,” noted Harris County Clerk and Chief Election Official, Stan Stanart today as he urged voters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Grier editorializes for HISD policy change on school mascots and nicknames

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s HISD Superintendent Terry Grier’s op-ed in the Chron about the likely forthcoming change in HISD policy on school mascots and nicknames. HISD must retire, respectfully, school symbols that no longer reflect the values of who we are – proudly … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

HISD to take action on “Redskins” nickname

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. Houston school district officials, plunging into a national controversy, are considering a policy change that would ban mascot names that might play on racial, ethnic or cultural stereotypes. Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier is expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Austin B-Cycle coming

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Took ’em long enough. Service will launch Dec. 21 with 110 bikes and 11 stations, including one sponsored by the Chronicle. The full project will be completed by March 1, 2014, with expanded stations planned to service the UT-Austin campus, … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Austin B-Cycle coming

Ashby trial update

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

We’re more than two weeks into the Ashby highrise lawsuit trial, and the defense is now presenting its case. Let’s check in on them, shall we? One of the developers hoping to build a high-rise near Rice University made a … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Runoff voting is underway

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

So early voting is underway for the City of Houston and HCC runoffs. Day One totals are here, and Campos ponders their locations. I’ll take a crack at projecting turnout once the EV totals are in, but if you don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Council hears the Mayor’s payday lending ordinance

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Reaction was mixed, though it appears likely there is enough support to pass. The proposed ordinance would limit payday loans to 20 percent of a borrower’s gross monthly income and auto title loans to 3 percent of the borrower’s gross … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rest of Larry Marshall lawsuit dismissed

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

That’s that. The three-year legal drama involving HISD trustee Larry Marshall has ended after a federal judge again ruled against a construction contractor alleging it was harmed by a bribery scheme. U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison agreed last week to … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rest of Larry Marshall lawsuit dismissed

Runoff Q&A: Roy Morales

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Note: As we know, the runoff election in At Large #3 is not what many people were expecting. In particular, Democratic voters have been trying to make a choice in that race. While both candidates have been busy reaching out … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Back to private investors for the Dome

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Sure, why not? Commissioner El Franco Lee, whose Precinct 1 is home to the county-owned Dome, said Commissioners Court is “not under any time constraint” in deciding what to do with the vacant stadium. “The only constraint we’re under is … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Working to solve the food desert problem

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This is a success story on two levels. A number of area grocery stores like Jim’s Super might not be around if it were not for a little-known local Vietnamese immigrant family. John Vuong took over his first store in … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston, Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Who watches the private police departments?

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Not good. A veteran state lawmaker said Monday he is outraged by televised images of Rice University police officers striking a suspected bicycle thief with batons and appalled the university can refuse to release details because it is a private … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments