Leader February 13

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r Remember Yo! u Valentine Flowers, Plantsn S&unGdaify!ts

Inside Today: Perspective on loans for small businesses • Page 4A

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MICHAEL SILVA

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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston

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Saturday, February 13, 2021 • Vol. 66 • No. 07

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Sinclair compromises with community on expansion Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com A virtual town hall meeting Monday to update the Timbergrove community on amendments to a plan that originally called for adding two temporary buildings to Houston ISD’s Sinclair Elementary - while removing 23 mature pine trees from the campus - was attended by more than 80 people, including representatives of both Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin. Principal Lee Mashburn announced a revision to the school’s

expansion plan, which he described as a “polarizing issue.” Sinclair now plans to install one modular building of eight classrooms and one restroom building before the start of the 2021-22 school year, which Mashburn said will require the removal of 8-12 trees. Mashburn said he had met with faculty and staff before the town hall and received positive feedback about the modification. “I appreciate that HISD has come to the table and is listening to constituents’ concerns – that’s what we had asked of them along with an alternative plan that

would protect the trees,” Kamin said. “Because this new proposal was just announced (Monday), we are still reaching out to residents to see how they feel about it. Neighbors and parents of the school have been so engaged, and it’s important for their voices to be heard.” Sinclair parent Jacki Schaefer described the decision as politically conscious, calling it “one in which everyone ended up getting a little of what they want and a little of what they didn’t.” In January, Mashburn advoSee Sinclair P. 5A

All the Stops

Photo by Adam Zuvanich Sinclair Elementary and Houston ISD, after considering feedback from the community, have amended their expansion plan for the Timbergrove Manor campus.

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INSIDE. Image from ih45northandmore.com Shown is the project area for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project.

TxDOT plan to overhaul I-45 inches forward

Art of this world. The stars of “Meet the Artists” will have their work on display.

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

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Good and good for you. Eating dark chocolate on Valentine’s Day comes with health benefits.

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Photo from Twitter U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, foreground, joined Heights community members last Saturday, Feb. 6 as they protested a sevenstory storage facility planned for 730 E. 11th St.

Opposition to storage facility escalates By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Getting their kicks. Some of the area’s high school soccer teams are faring well this year.

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Heights residents picked up a heavy hitter last weekend in their ongoing fight against a seven-story storage facility planned for the neighborhood. But after the owner of Big Visit Tex Storage reached a comprotheleadernews. mise of sorts with the Houston com to see full statements from Heights Association (HHA), prethe Houston venting the business from setting Heights Association up shop on East 11th Street apand Big Tex Storage pears to be a long shot. developer Bobby U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Grover. who represents the Heights as part of Texas’ 18th Congressional District, joined about 50 protesters who gathered last Saturday, Feb. 6, near the under-construction property at 730 E. 11th St. They See Big Tex, P. 5A

Love for Luby’s. Local residents are preparing to part ways with an iconic cafeteria chain.

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By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Contributed photo Rickey Polidore Jr., a Houston artist, embraces his 2005 Chevy Silverado on Feb. 3 after it was stolen in the Heights area and recovered by authorities less than 12 hours later.

It already had been a rough start to the year for Rickey Polidore Jr., who lost his father to COVID-19 about a month ago. Then he lost his pickup truck, which was stolen late Feb. 2 in the Heights area, and he thought it was gone for good. Less than 12 hours later, though, Polidore was feeling fortunate. The Houston artist also felt a special connection to his late father.

Rickey Polidore Sr. must have been looking out for his son from above, the younger Polidore said, because his 2005 Chevy Silverado – which contained his father’s death certificate and was in the process of being transformed into an art car – was found mostly unharmed and intact the morning of Feb. 3 near Aldine-Westfield Road. It was spotted by a trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to the Houston Police Department, and Polidore was reunited with

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Houston artist reunited with truck after area theft

THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 4A Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 4B Puzzles...................................................... 3A Sports. ....................................................... 4A

Contributed photo Heights residents gathered on East 11th Street last Saturday, Feb. 6, to protest a Big Tex Storage facility planned for the neighborhood.

A contentious plan to expand Interstate 45 in downtown and north Houston took another step toward coming to fruition Feb. 4, when the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced it had completed the environmental impact process for its North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). By issuing a “Record of Decision,” TxDOT said it completed a clearance process outlined by the National Environmental Policy Act and is moving to the detailed design phase of the project, which is expected to cost more than $7 billion. Among other changes to the existing roadway, which was built more than 50 years ago, the plan calls for expanded express-lane capacity on I-45 between downtown and Beltway 8 along with re-routing the freeway near downtown, including making it parallel with I-10 on the north side. TxDOT said the purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow, hurricane evacuation routes and stormwater drainage, along with accommodating high-occupancy, electric and self-driving vehicles. But the plan has drawn widespread criticism because it will displace homes and businesses in low-income commu-

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his truck shortly thereafter. “I’m thankful. I feel like a served citizen,” Polidore said. “It was pretty quick.” HPD spokesperson Kese Smith said the truck was reported stolen early Wednesday morning from the 4600 block of Norhill Blvd., where Polidore said he had parked it while visiting a friend nearby. Once he saw it was missing, Polidore said he figured his truck would be pilfered for parts because it See Theft P. 5A

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