March 13, 2024
Spring Sale |
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 | Yasmeen Khalifa, Audience Engagement Producer |
Best of the Bayou
Today we're talking about Houston's multimillion dollar illegal dumping problem...
If you read one thing: As Houston struggles to address a multimillion dollar illegal dumping problem, some City Council members are taking matters into their own hands, spending tens of thousands of their allotted funds to bankroll cleanup teams.
What is the issue?
Illegal dumping has been a longstanding problem in Houston, posing a variety of environmental and physical risks to the communities nearest to it.
Contaminants from improperly disposed waste can leak into soil and groundwater, and the waste itself can attract mosquitos, rats and other vermin, according to Harris County Pollution Control. In certain cases, HCPC says illegal dumping can also increase the risk of local flooding when trash blocks storm drains and inlets.
How is the issue being addressed?
Six council members have opted to respond directly to these risks, creating "hot teams" to address the issue. These teams set out across their districts multiple days a week in search of trash and clean up as much as they can before even more piles up.
As the city faces a projected $160 million shortfall in the next fiscal year – and most city departments are asked to reduce their budgets – these hot teams may prove to be a short-term solution to a long-term environmental problem. The Solid Waste Management Department, which is charged with curbing illegal dumping, lacks the human or financial resources to adequately tackle the problem, says Mark Wilfalk, who leads the department.
How do council members feel about the short-term solution?
Council members are divided over whether it is the best use of their district service funds. Council Member Tarsha Jackson, who runs one of the hot teams, says it shouldn't be the responsibility of council members to tackle an issue that falls within the purview of a city agency.
Other council members with hot teams do not mind spending their money on the problem, saying their teams can often respond quicker than Solid Waste ever could.
Read Abby Church's full story here.
Stay in the Loop
Photo by: Susan Barber
📰 Need to Know
- Follow the 2024 eclipse's path of totality in Texas. A total solar eclipse will cut across North America on April 8, providing a spectacular show for 12.8 million Texans who live in the path of totality.
- NASA's Houston space center avoided its biggest hit from agency budget cuts. Houston's Johnson Space Center appears to have avoided the biggest hits from the agency's first budget cuts in a decade.
- Gulfton, Kashmere Gardens will get $43.4M for sidewalk and drainage work. Federal officials committed $43.4 million to sidewalk, drainage and shade improvements in the long-neglected neighborhoods.
- Pedicabs need a permit and insurance for passengers in order to operate. Houston officials are urging rodeo patrons to confirm pedicabs are permitted by the city before accepting rides.
- Texas sees hundreds of spring break DUI crashes. This year, TxDOT plans to change that. A traveling "not-so-fun house" geared toward drunken driving prevention is visiting popular spring break spots this month as part of a statewide campaign encouraging people to drive sober.
💼 Business
- U.S. oil production in 2023 set new world records. The Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico is the largest oil-producing region in the country, accounting for roughly 40% of all U.S. crude oil production.
- LyondellBasell, Exxon are backing industry talks on a federal plastic recycling fee. Some of the worlds largest product manufacturers and petrochemical companies are in discussions with members of Congress around the creation of a federal fee on packaging materials to fund the expansion of recycling infrastructure.
- Group 1 Automotive expanded its footprint with three recent acquisitions. Group 1 Automotive acquired dealerships expected to bring millions in annual revenue.
🚗 Outside the Loop
- Failing Montgomery County court equipment will be replaced for $85K. Montgomery County commissioners agreed to spend $85,000 to replace the audio and visual equipment in the 9th District Court after the system failed during a recent criminal trial.
- League City may expand Flock cameras to neighborhoods. League City began installing more Flock license plate cameras at or near parks and may expand the program.
- Missouri City may change how it pays police and fire incentives. Missouri City may change its incentive program for newly hired police officers and firefighters.
- A Galveston County deputy is accused of sexually abusing a child, authorities say. A Galveston County Sheriff's deputy was placed on administrative leave after being accused of sexually abusing a child in the '90s.
- The first Harris County Precinct 4 bus design contest winner has been announced. Bridgeland High School student Emma Cardenas was surprised by Pct. 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones as she became the first winner of a new bus design contest.
Point of View
Photo by: Yasmeen Khalifa
HPD's dropped rape case is unacceptable. It's time for an outside investigation.
Chief Troy Finner's assurances and Mayor John Whitmire's appointed panel aren't enough. Bring in the FBI or Texas Rangers, writes the Chronicle Editorial Board.
- Congratulations to Gov. Abbott and his rich donors. Those ridiculous amounts of money and time could've actually helped schools and children, one reader writes.
Houston vs. All Y'all
Photo by: Darren Abate, Associated Press
Rockets 103, Spurs 101: Houston extends its road winning streak to four games.
Life without Alperen Şengün saw the Rockets rely on their defense to pull out their fourth-straight road win Tuesday in San Antonio.
- March Madness: Where Texas teams are projected to land in the tournament. UH is secure as a No. 1 seed. Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas and TCU appear safe, but Texas A&M and Sam Houston have work to do.
- Sage Newman is poised to continue his RodeoHouston success after a strong showing. Sage Newman, no stranger to success at RodeoHouston, posted his first series victory Tuesday as he looks to three-peat as saddle bronc champion.
- Brazil and Mexico are set to play soccer friendly at Kyle Field on June 8. The first international soccer match to be played at Kyle Field could draw a record crowd of over 100,000.
- Formerly out of baseball, Luis Contreras is vying for an Astros bullpen job. The Venezuelan right-hander, who for a time lived at the baseball training facility where he worked, hasn't allowed a run in four Grapefruit League outings.
Get Out
Photo by: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle
Meet the Zac Brown Band, making its ninth 'Comeback' to RodeoHouston.
The Zac Brown Band has played the rodeo multiple times, and each show has been a master class in musicianship.
- The eighth-annual Houston Latino Film Festival looks to be its biggest yet. Titles include docs on Frida Kahlo, the Mars Volta and a Houston high school soccer team; the drama "The Long Game" with Dennis Quaid; and the world premiere of Mexican drama "Vergüenza."
- A Tour de Houston date was announced. Here's how to participate. The announcement comes a few weeks after officials assured supporters the event would occur despite initial reports of its cancelation.
- What to know about Houston's Interactive Aquarium before visiting during spring break. Houston's Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve in Humble offers visits with animals, snorkeling with stingrays and fun all spring break.
- Scarface, Rick James musical are among top Houston live events to see this week. Scarface, a Rick James musical and Patti Lupone are among top Houston live events to see this week.
Texas strawberry season is in full swing, y'all. I'm beyond excited because Houston farms are inviting the public to come hand-pick strawberries. I'm from East Texas where there are blueberry and blackberry farms galore, but no strawberry farms. I can't wait to go pick some strawberries this year. Have you been before, and where did you go?
Puzzle of the Day: SpellTower
Find and clear words by selecting tiles in the grid. Words must be made up of contiguous tiles. You can use diagonals and cross your own path.
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