The 03-13-24 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

In last week’s primary elections, Fort Bend County primary voters were largely in step with their counterparts across Texas and the states that held Super Tuesday primaries, with Democrats overwhelmingly choosing President Joe Biden and Republicans choosing former President Donald Trump. After the Super Tuesday contests,

it’s all but assured that the November presidential race will be a rematch of the one in 2020.

In still-unofficial results, Biden won 31,175, or 79,82 percent, of the 31,175 votes cast in Fort Bend, far ahead of this closest competitor, motivational author and speaker Marianne Williamson. who took 6.87 percent of the vote.

In the Republican primary, Trump won 42,556, or 75.37 percent, of the 56,464

votes cast, well ahead of his remaining major competitor, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who took 2,685 votes, or 19.23 percent. Haley, who had previously vowed to remain in the race through Super Tuesday and lost all of the Tuesday races except Vermont, suspended her campaign the following day but pointedly did not endorse the former president, saying he had to earn the votes of her supporters.

In perhaps the most close-

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to Expeditionary Strike Group operations to forcible entry missions in major theaters of war.

Work continues apace to create a memorial project at the burial site of 95 people who had died while part of the convict labor leasing system in a property which now is the site of a Fort Bend ISD campus, leaders of an affiliated community group said on Saturday. Board members of the Friends of the Sugar Land 95, which is partnering with Fort Bend ISD on the memorial project, held a quarterly meeting in the massive cafeteria of the Fluor campus in the Lake Pointe area of Sugar Land.

“Sugar Land 95” is the name applied to the deceased convicts whose unmarked remains were discovered during preparatory work on the site of For Bend ISD’s future James Reese Career and Technical Center in 2018. The discovery set in motion a series of legal proceedings and

ly watched local race, longtime Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers easily defeated his Republican challenger, businessman Mike Khan, taking 62.52 percent of the vote to Khan’s 37.48 percent.

In November, Meyers will face Taral Patel, who took 51 percent of the vote in a

five-person Democratic primary. Patel, a former chief of staff to Fort Bend County Judge KP George and staffer in the Biden Administration, enjoyed significant support from the Democratic establishment in the race.

controversies, which made national and international headlines, as the ugly history of the area’s convict leasing system became widely known.

“We’re

that he began. We don’t want him to be forgotten. That’s the main reason I got involved in the project,” Marilyn Moore told the attendees.

After providing the attendees an overview of the group’s

The City of Sugar Land will hold its annual International Art and Kite Festival - Page 3

“The sailors who make up Team Tripoli really are the best the Navy has to offer,” said Capt. Gary Harrington, commanding officer of Tripoli. “We say it all the time, our Navy is nothing without the men and women who serve on the deckplates each and every day. I truly believe that the continued success of our Navy, and Tripoli specifically, is due in no small part to the contributions of our sailors.”

With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States

The boundaries of Precinct 3, which Meyers has served since 1997, were redrawn to favor a Democrat in a redistricting map pushed through by the new 3-2 Democratic majority on Commissioners Court in 2021. A win by Patel in November would solidify that majority, marking a significant turn in Fort Bend’s political tenor.

“I am humbled and grateful to the voters, supporters, and volunteers who made this victory possible,” Meyers said in a press release.

“Precinct 3 today is far more diverse than before redistricting, and the margin of victory was larger than four years ago. That shows people appreciate my record of serving constituents fairly, effectively, and always working toward innovative solutions.

“Earning a solid majority of votes shows that Fort Bend Precinct 3 residents care about a candidate’s qualifications and want a leader with a track record of protecting the taxpayer and working across party lines to achieve the best results for all,” Meyers said.

For his part, Patel said in a press release, “Voters have spoken clearly: Together, we

is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America. “We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Rodriguez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am most proud to be able to not only serve my county and my command but also be able to make lifelong connections and friends with sailors in my unit and across the ship,” said Rodriguez. “Being able to make the rank of petty officer second class in five years is also a big

won and our campaign will be moving forward to the General Election.”

“I am looking forward to a clean, respectful, and civil campaign that focuses on educating voters on our platform and the issues at hand,” Patel said. “Together, we make Fort Bend the best place in the world to live. Our diversity, our interconnectedness, and our positive spirit are our greatest assets.”

In other major races, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas easily won the Republican primary against two competitors, taking 87.23 percent of voters in Fort Bend. In November, he will face challenger Colin Alred, who won the Democratic primary statewide and in Fort Bend.

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat whose Houston-centered Texas 7th District includes part of Fort Bend, easily won in the Democratic primary against Pervez Agwan. In November, she will face Republican primary winner Kenneth Omoruyi.

U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican who holds the 22nd District seat in Congress, ran unopposed in the Republican primary and will face Democratic challenger Marquette Green-Scott in November. U.S. Rep. Al Green, a Demo-

accomplishment.” Rodriguez serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“The U.S. Navy keeps the American dream alive,” said Rodriguez. “We serve the American people but also help care for those less fortunate across the globe by promoting peace through strength.”

Rodriguez is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my dad, Sergio, for always being there for me and pushing me to be the best man I could be,” added Rodriguez. “From a young age, he taught me how hard work pays off, and I work hard every day to make him proud.”

crat, also ran unopposed in the District 8 primary.

In perhaps the most closely watched local race, longtime Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers easily defeated his Republican challenger, businessman Mike Khan, taking 62.52 percent of the vote to Khan’s 37.48 percent.

In the other highly contested countywide election, Sheriff Ed Fagan easily won in the Democratic primary, taking 55.81 percent of the vote in a four-person race.

In November, he will face former sheriff’s deputy Marshall Slot, who took 61.77 percent of the vote in a three-person Republican primary.

In perhaps the biggest upset among local races, Texas Rep. Jacey Jetton lost to challenger Matt Morgan in the Republican primary in District 26. Morgan, who won 53.81 percent of the vote to Jettons 38.65 percent in a three-person race.

In November, Morgan, who had received endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, will face Democrat Daniel Lee, who ran opposed in that primary.

Find the full unofficial results at fortbendcountytx.gov/government/ departments/electionsvoter-registration/2024election-results.

County Precinct 3 Commissioner’s Office and Fort Bend ISD. “We have been assured on more than one occasion that $1.5 million will be allocated for the Sugar Land 95 memorial project. So we’re waiting on the check,” she said. Moore acknowledged that there are other groups who feel that no work should be done on a memorial project until after all of the remains are identified and any potential descendants are contacted. Fort Bend ISD has contracted an outside firm to perform DNA testing on the remains, but thus far there have been few positive matches.

“The people who are buried there have been buried there for over 100 years. And there is a debate about whether or not we should wait until then. But if we wait until then, it will never happen,” Moore said.

The Friends of the Sugar Land 95 is working with Fort Bend ISD to seek funding from grants and other sources to raise the balance of the

funds needed to complete the project, Moore said. No date for groundbreaking has been set, she said. “We want to involve the community, and there will be opportunities for community involvement on a personal basis if people choose to do so,” she said.

Barbara Jones, another member of the Friends of Sugar Land 95 board, gave a detailed and emotional account of her work with Reginald Moore in advocating for a fitting memorial to those who had died while taking part in the convict leasing system.

Jones, a native of Fort Bend County, said she didn’t know about the program until she met Moore. Jones said she believes the project will be an important teaching opportunity not just for Fort Bend residents, but others as well.

“This is a fantastic teaching experience that we have right here at our back door. Bring in the busses, bring in the folks to come and learn about convict leasing,” she said. “This is a great opportunity, and we have to do it for future generations.”

One of the handful of

community members who attended the meeting was Jennifer Whitney, a pediatric nurse practitioner and mother of four who moved with her family from a town outside Pittsburgh to Sugar Land last year. She said she attended because she believes it is important that the history of the Sugar Land 95 be remembered.

“I just want to make sure that this gets as much as a spotlight as it deserves, that it gets the support, financial and otherwise,” Whitney said.

“I’m also trying to educate myself, since I’m new to the area,” she said. “I’m from West Virginia, where they skimmed over a lot of things. I just want to make sure that I have a clear of history that I can pass on to my schools and not depend on the schools to do that.”

She said it’s important to her not only that the memorial is built, but that is is used for education and remembrance of the individuals.

Learn more about the project at fortbendisd.com/sugarland95. Learn more about Friends of the Sugar Land 95 at sugarland95.org.

SECTION 00010 ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids on the original forms, signed by an ofcer of the Company, will be received by Fort Bend County MUD No. 25 (the “Owner”) for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment and for performing all work required for the construction of: Manhole Rehabilitation Annual Service (2024) (the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 3:00 P.M., April 4, 2024 in the District Ofce located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

April 4, 2024 in the District Ofce located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

Specifcations and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577

In general, the Work consists of cleaning the existing well, and replacing the existing well pump and motor at Owner’s Water Well No. 4.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference Call will be held on Tursday, March 21, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. Prospective bidders must contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call. Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available. All bids must be accompanied by proposal guaranty in the form of a Certifed or Cashier’s Check, or Bidders Bond drawn to the order of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25, and in the minimum amount of fve percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days afer receipt of bids except with

Leonela Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner

Specifcations and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations:

Civcast USA

Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577

Te

Leonela

The burial site of the “Sugar Land 95” as it currently appears on the campus of Fort Bend ISD’s James Reese Career and Technical Center. Photo by Ken Fountain

International Art and Kite Festival to be held March 23 at Sugar Land’s Crown Festival Park

The City of Sugar Land invites residents to enjoy an entertaining day of fun activities and excitement at its annual International Art and Kite Festival on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at The Crown Festival Park, 18355 Southwest Freeway.

Kite enthusiasts will decorate the sky with splashes of color, unique kite shapes and exceptional kite-flying skills.

The main stage will feature upbeat cultural dance performances with entertainment acts to include the rhythmic Caribbean beats ensemble, Steel Vibrations, who will perform a show-stopping routine and local dance groups who will also grace the Cultural Main Stage.

Non-stop children’s activities will be featured in the Kids Zone with inflatables and a stage for kid-friendly acts. Trackless train rides will continuously depart from the Kids Zone throughout the duration of the event. Craft booths, strolling characters, artisan booths and more will be displayed for families to enjoy. A variety of food trucks will be

on location with an assortment of food choices and desserts. Throughout the event, attendees can participate in chalk art and kite flying competitions. First- , secondand third-place prizes will be awarded for each category. Online registration is encouraged for all contests. Register by visiting www.sugarlandtx. gov/1719/International-ArtKite-Festival. General festival admission along with competitions are free. Free shuttles will be available from the University of Houston-Sugar Land campus and public parking will be available onsite at Brazos River Park and The Crown Festival Park. Limited handicap parking will be available onsite. Plan for traffic delays. Those who would like to participate by hosting a Country Booth at the event, volunteer to help onsite or become an event sponsor, should contact the Sugar Land’s Parks and Recreation Department at (281) 275-2825 or visit www. sugarlandtx.gov/specialevents. For other updates, follow Sugar Land Parks and Recreation on Facebook, Twitter and Insta-

Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra to hold family-friendly concert on March 23

Fort Bend County Libraries will present a free, musical performance, “Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant,” by the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, on Saturday, March 23, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

This family-friendly concert is a great way to foster a young child’s love of music. In this interactive performance, based on Jack Prelutsky’s children’s book “Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant”, the orchestra will demonstrate how music can be used to tell a story or interpret a poem.

Children will learn about various orchestral instru -

ments and how the orchestra evokes different types of emotions for various styles of music.

After the performance, children are invited to get an up-close look and learn more about the different instruments during an instrument “petting zoo” in the Bohachevsky Gallery, on the lower level inside the library.

Guided by Music Director Dominique Røyem, the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus has been serving the communities of Fort Bend County for more than 25 years. FBSO is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that supports local community musicians and artists.

The performance will be presented in an outdoor am-

phitheater, and seating is concrete. Theater-goers are encouraged to bring cushions to sit on. Glass containers, alcoholic beverages, and popcorn are not allowed in the amphitheater.

Presented by Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, this interactive, family-friendly performance is made possible by the Friends of George Memorial Library.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, see the FBCL website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call George Memorial Library (281-342-4455) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734). More information can be found at the Fort Bend Symphony’s website, fbso.org.

Music Director Dominique Røyem will lead the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra during a family-friendly concert at the George Memorial Library on March 23. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries

LYNN ASHBY Columnist

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

THE FREEWAY –“Get outta the way!” I tell a gray ‘61 Oldsmobile going 25 mph on I-45. Gray Oldsmobiles are only driven by little old ladies who should be back in their nursing homes.

“Move it!” I tell a pickup with a gun rack. I do this with my windows up and the radio on (“The Best of Bagpipes”). This is for safety. On Houston-area freeways one does not audibly yell or gesture at one’s fellow motorists since most of them are armed and dangerous, including little old ladies in gray Oldsmobiles. An 18-wheeler is going the speed limit and lets me

pass. I wave at the driver, but soon there will be no driver, because a Texasbased company plans to start putting driverless semi-trucks on the road later this year with its initial route on I-45 between Dallas and Houston. Kodiak Robotics announced it is ready to roll out the “world’s first driverless-ready semi-truck designed for scaled deployment.” According to “The Independent Traveler,” a Kodiak executive says, “It has all of the hardware features, all of the redundancies, all the components, everything we need to begin driverless operations later in 2024.” In case of a problem, the trucks have backup parts, and in at least one case, it has two backup parts, and a backup power system. This begs the question: if something goes wrong with, say, the brakes or headlights, and there is no driver, who fixes the problem? In any event, Kodiak says its vehicles have been on the road (apparently with a stand-by driver just in case) for five years and have done routes as far east as Atlanta. More than 18,000 miles of high-

ways have been mapped into their system. The only step needed now is to see if the truck is as safe as a human driver. So the tests are going to be made on I-45. You’ve been warned. I can see there are many advantages to field trucks with no drivers. No sick-outs, no strikes, no bathroom breaks, no limits on how many hours a driver can drive, no limit of how many six-packs of Bud per shift and don’t use the sleeper bunk while in motion. But no jobs for employees serving coffee and frozen pizzas at the Choke & Puke truck stops because there will be no long-haul drivers. This brings up a sticky point. There were over 902,000 truck drivers employed in the U.S. in 2020, which is less than the industry required at that time so there may be far more drivers today. Trucking is responsible for most of the overland freight movement in the U.S. with the market being worth $732.3 billion in 2020. One way to look at it is to gander at the Houston downtown skyline and remember that virtually every single nut, bolt, brick and slab of con-

crete was delivered there by truck. Famed racing driver and Houstonian A.J. Foyt once observed, “I feel safer on a racetrack than I do on Houston’s freeways.” Would you feel safer with driverless cars? They are already around, but with checkered records. A company called Waymo One currently operates 24/7 across 225 square miles of Metro Phoenix. Austin has long been a testing ground for driverless cars and their technology, something the city of Austin has encouraged. In 2017, Austin’s then-Mayor Steve Adler said he wanted Austin be to automated vehicles what Detroit has been to traditional automakers. Unfortunately, last September after a UT football game, due to a computer glitch, 20 of Austin’s fleet of driverless taxies all ended up at a major intersection, causing a massive traffic jam. But who gets the traffic tickets? This reminds me of the old joke: “Welcome to United flight 123 on our first pilotless flight. This fully automated plane has been thoroughly tested and is perfectly safe. Nothing can go wrong … go wrong

… go wrong.” California has lots of selfdriving cars, but there are now protests demanding an end to them. The cars have been involved in over 2,000 collisions in California since 2014. Government safety regulators warned Tesla’s self-driving tech is unsafe, and the carmaker has recalled every vehicle equipped with its “Full Self-Driving Capability” software. Even Apple, with deep pockets and an army of engineers, has just announced that it is cancelling its attempt to build electric cars with self-driving capabilities. Apple had been secretly working on the project for nearly a decade and burned $10 billion on the project.

There is the problem of public acceptance. A 2023 AAA report found 68 percent of people were afraid of self-driving cars and only 9 percent trusted them. Yet cars with no drivers might be a plus. Get the drunks off the roads. Stop those speeders who like to do 80 in a 50. No more road rage. Last year there were more than 44,000 lives lost in traffic crashes in the U.S. That’s a 4 percent decline

from 2022, but compared to pre-pandemic 2019 it’s a 13.6 percent increase. Forbes Advisor calculated one fatal car accident occurs every 15 minutes in the U.S. Here in Texas , the National Safety Council reports in 2023 there were 3,855 fatal car crashes compared to 3,965 in 2022. That’s a 2.8 percent reduction in fatal car crashes, even while the Texas population last year increased by 1.6 percent. Those crashes resulted in 4,268 lost lives in 2023 and 4,407 in 2022. That’s a lot of dead Texans.

Getting back to why Kodiak has decided to start its driverless operation on a route between Dallas and Houston. It is one of the best routes in the country in freight moving, and the distance allows the trucks to go round trip in the same day. And the company is based in the Metroplex’s suburb of Lancaster.

So on your next trip to Big D when you are passed by a huge truck weaving in and out of traffic while doing 90, be assured that nothing can go wrong … go wrong….. Ashby is driving at ashby2@comcast.net

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

13. Fishhook point

19. In a way, thrusts

20. Grimm brothers birthplace

22. Withered; dry

24. Genus salvia

26. About senator

30.

32. Work units

33.

36.

42.

46.

47.

49.

58.

Here’s the good news: the primary election season is behind us. The bad news? We still have an eight-month presidential election ahead.

I’m just kidding, of course. (Well, mostly.) Like many of you, I don’t particularly relish the next few months in terms of the presidential election, which is not just an all-but-certain rematch of the last one but seems likely to be even uglier. But as I noted in a column a couple of weeks ago, nasty politics may be the price we pay for having a functioning democracy rather than outright civil war.

Here in Fort Bend, the primaries went off without

A bumpy road ahead

any discernible hitches, and while there may have been a couple of surprises, the local candidates chosen by primary voters (who tend to be the most partisan) seem to be ones that most reflect the viewpoints and desires of their constituencies, at least at the moment. There’s a saying that goes way back, although it most often is associated with the late former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Tip O’Neill of Massachusetts: all politics is local. The idea is that even politics at the national level is beholden to the dynamics at play at the very local level. O’Neil, who was about a liberal a Democrat as they come, was Speaker during most of the tenure of Republican President Ronald Reagan, who was then seen as American conservatism’s most stalwart warrior. Even so, those two scions of Irish immigrant families are said to have had a good working relationship and even enjoyed each other’s company.

I grew up in those years, and can still dimly recall that despite the battles that took place, the business of politics

and especially governance remained largely civil. How quaint that all seems now. More recently, another saying has crept into the lexicon, flipping the other one on its head: all politics is national. With each passing election cycle, it seems that every race, at every levelfrom members of Congress down to dog catcher - becomes embroiled in every issue, every controversy, every culture war skirmish that comes along in our 247 news cycle. (In the age of social media, even the term “24-7” doesn’t do justice to the constant stream of information, er, content we receive.)

It’s happening all across the country, and here in Texas and Fort Bend, we’re not immune. As the election gets ever nearer, expect to hear from local candidates and officeholders many of the same arguments and talking points you’ll hear on your favorite (or least favorite, as it were) hyperpartisan news outlet. We can only hope that there will be less vitriol here in Fort Bend, but we’ll have to see.

While we’re mentioning

Houston man sentenced to 60 years for aggravated robbery

Staff Reports

more details of the case would be released after all three cases are disposed.

Timothy Eric Gulley, 29, was convicted of aggravated robbery and sentenced to 50 years in prison stemming from an October 2022 robbery at a shopping center. Courtesy Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Offce

those hyper-partisan media outlets, I want to take some time to discuss how the Fort Bend Star will cover the election season ahead. Since I began as editor not quite a year-and-a-half ago, I’ve sometimes been asked if the Star publishes endorsements of candidates. The short answer is ‘no.” The more comprehensive answer is that this is a very small publication, and we simply do not have the bandwidth to take on all of the races that touch Fort Bend County. To write endorsements properly, media outlets should interview (or try to) all of the candidates and deeply research all of the issues.

Even large metropolitan dailies with dedicated opinion section staffs have trouble doing that, and the Star, you may have noticed, isn’t one of those.

On a related note, I should provide a little refresher about the Star’s overall role, at least as I see it. The Fort Bend Star is a nonpartisan paper, and under my watch, it will remain one. We are a general interest newspaper, and however small we are, we serve a vibrant

and diverse part of what many experts say is one of the most diverse places in the nation. And we’re not just ethnically diverse. While Fort Bend may have for many years a bedrock “red” county, we’re becoming more and more “purple.” People living here have a wide range of views on all of those national issues I touched on above, along with the local ones. All of those viewpoints should be heard in that proverbial “marketplace of ideas” we learned about in school. I’ve mentioned before that as the lead news reporter for the Star who strives to remain objective, I sometimes struggle to write columns that have a strong viewpoint. In one of the strongest I’ve written, I editorialized that there is no place for hate in Fort Bend politics. I must admit, that seems to me to be a no-brainer, but sadly, some poor souls disagree.

In terms of news coverage, here is what readers can expect from the Star. If you have an issue that you think is particularly salient to the Fort Bend community

that you think deserves coverage, please contact me. It’s an important part of my job to stay abreast of what people are thinking about. I will hear anybody out. But let’s have an actual conversation. Tell me (with civility, I hope) what your concerns are. But please remember: as the editor, it’s within my purview to decide if and when a story warrants coverage, and how that coverage takes shape. You may or may not like the result, but you can be assured that I have tried to give all of the viewpoints a full airing before a story appears.

So that’s my pledge. I’ve been doing journalism for a while, and it reflects the values I was taught and, despite all of the changes in the media landscape that have occurred since, I still believe are the ones that work best. As for the coming election season: as a famous movie quote goes, buckle up, it’s going to a bumpy ride. But hang on, and we may just get through this together.

Fountain braces for impact at KFountain@fortbendstar. com

Two men arrested for stealing diesel fuel

Staff Reports

Fort Bend County Sheriff’s deputies and investigators recently arrested Alfred Chapur Dominguez, 26, and Karel Cardenas Caballero, 28, for stealing diesel fuel from local gas stations in the county.

Beginning in January and through February, 2024, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into diesel fuel thefts occurring at gas stations in the Richmond and Sugar Land areas, according to a news release from the department. During their investigation, investigators discovered that in January, a total of 639 gallons of diesel fuel were stolen from a gas station located in the 10100 block of S Hwy 6 in Sugar Land. During February, a total of 690 gallons were stolen from a gas station located in the 6400 block of S Peek Road in Richmond. Reportedly, the suspects were utilizing a minivan equipped with battery-operated pumps to syphon fuel into tanks concealed inside the van.

The Fort Bend County

Alfred Chapur Dominguez, 26, is charged with Violation of Motor Fuel Tax Requirement and Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument.

Sheriff’s Office Burglary and Theft Investigators followed leads identifying the suspects who were subsequently caught during a theft of diesel fuel at a gas station located in the 6600 block of Grand Mission Blvd., in Richmond.

The suspects were arrested and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail and charged with Violation of Motor Fuel Tax Requirement, a second-degree felony. Dominguez was also charged with Unlawful Use of Criminal

Karel Cardenas Caballero, 28, is charged with Violation of Motor Fuel Tax Requirement. Courtesy Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Offce

Instrument, a third-degree felony.

“We will not tolerate crime of any kind in Fort Bend County,” Sheriff Eric Fagan said in the release. “Specifically addressing the theft of diesel fuel, beyond the immediate impact on businesses and residents, it contributes to environmental harm through spills and leaks. Ensuring the well-being of our community and the safety of our environment is of vital importance.”

University Branch library to host girls’ debate documentary on March 25

In recognition of Women’s History Month in March, the “Reel Talk” film series at Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library will feature a documentary about challenges faced by women on Monday, March 25, from 6-8 p.m, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus.

The film to be shown is “Girl Talk: A Local, USA Special,” about five girls competing in

the cutthroat, male-dominated world of high school debate. The film amplifies the voices of young women in America, providing a glimpse into the lives of the next generation of leaders and changemakers. This PBS film, which is not rated, is available in FBCL’s Access Video on Demand digital collection, and it is being shown publicly with permission from Infobase. The movie screening is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries

website (www.fortbend.lib. tx.us), or call the University Branch Library (281-6335100) or the library system’s Communications Office (281633-4734).

Attendees are advised to park inside the gated lot (VISITOR LOT 4). Bring your parking ticket with you inside the library to be validated by library staff. Parking is free if you get your ticket validated. Parking outside the gated lot may result in a parking violation from the University of Houston.

Perla Bayoneta Cuaycong passed away peacefully in her home. Besides her was her devoted husband, who tenderly and unfailingly took care of her while she battled both Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Born September 5, 1954, in Bacolod City, Philippines, Perla spent her early years amid the bustle of a small island city. Island life suited her just fine. Perla’s sun-kissed, honey-colored skin was a delightful testament to her love of nature and her preference for the outdoors. In her youth, Perla was outgoing, vivacious and fun-loving, attracting many friends and admirers. Most persistent among her admirers was Alfonso, a young local troublemaker, who set out to win Perla’s affections after a chance meeting with her at the college campus cafeteria. Alfonso’s persistence eventually paid off and the two wed. Their love spanned several decades and continents, and endured through hardships, disease and death.

Perla was a creative spirit, who loved to write poetry

and create art. She largely neglected these passions to focus her energy on mothering three children, who – now as adults – desperately wish to have more time with her. She loved her children fiercely, sacrificing any personal comfort, vanity, luxury or pleasure to improve their lives. Leading by example, Perla instilled in her children the importance of hard work, strong morals, faith in God and fidelity to family. Her children’s fond memories of her include warm apple pies made from scratch, carne frita dinners, horror movie nights, gardening in her backyard, late night

snacking, handmade Halloween costumes, marathon lectures, surprise road trips and room makeovers, handheld walks to the ice cream store and her infectious laugh. We miss you so much, Mom, and wish we could have made more memories with you!

Perla is survived by her loving husband Alfonso Cuaycong, Jr. (“Jun”); her sisters Yolanda Medenilla and Teresita Maglonso; her children Amethyst Thormann, Primrose Cuaycong and Alfonso Cuaycong, III; her sons-in-law James Thormann and Danny Listyo; her future daughter-in-law Minh Evans; and her grandsons Raiden and Dylan, who dearly miss their beloved Lola who used to serve them ice cream for breakfast behind their mother’s back.

The family is eternally grateful to all the friends, neighbors and relatives, who offered their support, generosity and kindness through the final years of Perla’s life. May God bless each of you!

Donations can be made in Perla’s honor to Houston Area Parkinsons Society at haps.org.

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Let the community know in our Community Calendar!

Contact: editor@fortbendstar.com

713-433-6421

14700 Almeda Rd

Houston, TX 77053

www.HoustonHumane.org

DOLLY AND LORETTA

Hello, we are Dolly and Loretta!

Dolly enjoys laying in bed all day long while Loretta enjoys playing with her toys and making new friends!

These two are a bonded pair and would make the PURfect companion! Stop by the Houston Humane Society and consider making these sweet girls a part of your family! ADOPT DOLLY!

HOPE FOR THREE TEEN HUDDLE

Is revving up for its annual Car Wash for Kids sponsored by Sugar Land Baptist Church and OCuSOFT on Sunday, April 7th, at C & C Dental, 17003 SWF, Sugar Land from 10 am to 2pm. Student volunteers promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for their autistic peers. Donations from this FREE, Eco-friendly, waterless car wash impact local families. This Eco-friendly car wash is free, but donations are welcome. Ready to lend a hand? We need volunteers ages 12 and over. Choose from two shifts or stay all day. Volunteer now and be part of something meaningful. Register today at www.hopeforthree. org/events.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

OF FORT BEND

The League of Women Voters of Fort Bend, a nonpartisan organization, will provide voter registration and education events prior to the Feb. 5 deadline to be a registered voter in the March 5 Primary election. Locations, dates, and times include: (1) Wednesday, 1/24 -- Fort Bend YMCA, 4433 Cartwright Rd, Missouri City 7:30am - 12:30pm and 5 - 7pm; (2) Thursday, 1/25 -- First Colony Library 3:30 - 5:30pm; (3) Sat., 1/27 -- Cinco Ranch Library 10:30am - 1:30pm and University Branch Library 11am - 2pm; (4) Tuesday, 1/30 and Wednesday, 1/31 -- WCJC Sugar Land, Brazos Hall, 9am - 2pm; (5) Thursday, 2/1 -- ThriftWise, 501 Hwy 90E, Richmond -- 10am - 1pm. Register to vote, update your current voter registration, and get nonpartisan voting information at any of these events, or contact lwvfortbend@gmail.com.

NO HOCUS POCUS IN MUSIC MAGIC CLASS FOR

6 & 7-YEAR-OLD BOYS!

Young boys need music in their life for mental, physical and emotional growth and the best place to receive quality music instruction is with the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas! They ofer Music Magic, an eight-week music enrichment class for six and seven-year-old boys. The Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, currently in its 42 nd season, brings music alive with the use of movement, musical games, singing and other child-centered activities. Boys learn about pitch matching and rhythm awareness in addition to developing large muscle coordination, increased focus and better musicianship. Music Magic helps boost brainpower, sparks creativity and forges strong connections with others. No auditions are necessary for the class – just a love of music and singing! Serving as Music Magic director is Founder and Artistic Director William R. Adams who leads this class on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., beginning March 19 and ending May 14 at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City. Music Magic will then sing at the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 18! Classes are limited in size so please call the choir ofce at (281) 240- 3800 to pre-register or visit their Music Magic web page at https://fbbctx.org/our- programs/music-magic/. Be sure to stop by their Facebook page for the latest on the Fort Bend Boys Choir's Music Magic class and the organization's public performances.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942

311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718

For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB

The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuf” for our members and the community. Please fnd our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.

FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a signifcant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com.

THE SANCTUARY

FOSTER CARE SERVICES

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264

Meets the frst Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/ Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281785-7372 for more information.

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best ft for getting involved with a local, nonpolitical, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail.com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www. ftbendliteracy.org.

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly ofer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events.

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY

SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO

HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195.

EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfnancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.