Fort Bend County commissioners last week – over the advice of an attorney the court had previously used to advise on redistricting matters –voted along party lines to approve the rules for the citizens advisory committee it had previously empaneled to do a rare, mid-decade redistricting of the county’s precinct lines.
But that 3-2 vote came only after – following a rare, behind-closeddoors mid-meeting conference of commissioners and the county attorney – the commissioners agreed
to drop several clauses of the draft rules that referred to the controversial 2021 redistricting plan as unequivocally being in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act. It was just the latest salvo in the redistricting imbroglio that has consumed much of the court’s meetings since March. As with the Texas Legislature’s current effort to redraw congressional district lines, the Republican-led Fort Bend effort is occurring in the middle of the decade. Typically, redistricting at the state and local level is done soon after the once-per-decade U.S. Census results are released.
Fort Bend County Republicans have long chafed under the 2021 maps which was pushed through by a Democratic majority on the court that then included County Judge KP George. George, who is facing several criminal charges, announced his switch to the Republican Party in June, reversing the court’s partisan balance and giving new impetus to the redistricting effort.
At last week’s meeting, af
ter hearing from several public
PROSECUTORS:
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
In a court document filed last week, Fort Bend County prosecutors for the first time provide specific details in their felony money laundering charges against County Judge KP George, saying he illegally transferred campaign funds during his 2018 campaign to pay property taxes and make a down payment on a new house.
The details are part of prosecutors’ response to a motion by George’s defense attorneys for the court to quash the felony indictment, which was handed down by a grand jury in March. George’s attorneys argue in their motion that the original indictments, which were scant in detail, were overly vague and did not state an underlying criminal act to justify a charge of money laundering.
At a status hearing last Thursday (the day after prosecutors filed their response), the attorneys agreed on a trial date on February 3, 2026. A hearing on the defense’s motion to quash is set for October 27 in the 458th District Court.
In the response to the defense attorneys’ motion, Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson, head of the public integrity division of the prosecutor’s office, writes that in January 2019, George “filed a campaign finance report for the period October 28, 2018, to December 31, 2018. In it, the Defendant (George) reported under oath that his balance as of December 31, 2018, was $399. His actual campaign account balance was $37,128.94.”
Two weeks later, according to prosecutors, George transferred $30,000 from his campaign account to his personal account,
Photo by Ken Fountain
Photo by Ken Fountain
Fort Bend County commissioners consider a vote on rules for its new citizens redistricting advisory committee. After some changes, the court along party lines approved the rules.
followed by another such transfer of $16,500 in March 2019. George used those funds to pay his personal property taxes and toward a down payment on a new house, according to prosecutors.
“The Defendant not only concealed the campaign contributions from his January report but also concealed the transfers from the subsequent campaign finance report,” Thompson writes. Thompson writes that in one of the money laundering cases, prosecutors allege that federal wire fraud is the underlying criminal activity, while in a separate case the underlying offense is tampering with a governmental record, referring to the campaign finance report.
“Under the tampering theory, the State alleges that the Defendant intentionally omitted more than $30,000 from his campaign finance report to conceal the funds and convert them to personal use. The Defendant’s act of knowingly making a false entry in a governmental record with the intent to defraud, converted the unreported funds into proceeds of an illicit act,” she writes.
“Under the wire fraud theory, the State contends that the Defendant knowingly engaged in a scheme to defraud campaign donors and to obtain money by fraudulent pretenses. As part of the scheme, the Defendant solicited and accepted thou-
sands of dollars in campaign contributions that he used to personally enrich himself by way of two bank transfers totaling $46,500. This scheme constituted wire fraud. The Defendant then comingled the illicit proceeds with legitimate funds (a portion of which was used to pay his property taxes), withdrew a combined amount as a cashier’s check, and used it as a down payment on a new home. This series of transactions satisfies three of the four ways of committing money laundering,” Thompson writes. Thompson argues that under Texas legal precedent, the indictments and the response to the motion to quash together serve as sufficient notice to George of the prosecutors’ case against him. Furthermore, prosecutors showed their entire case file to George’ attorneys in June, she writes.
In recent weeks, prosecutors have filed subpoenas to several businesses and other entities connected to George, who had previously worked as a financial advisor.
After last week’s status hearing, Jared Woodfill and Terry Yates, George’s defense attorneys, maintained to reporters that the charges against George are being used as a “political weapon” against George by the office of District Attorney Brian Middleton. Middleton is a Democrat, as was George before he announced that he had switched his affiliation to Republican in June – months after the charges against him had been brought.
Neither Woodfill nor George would discuss when they believe George and Middleton became “political opponents,” but said that information would come out in the course of the case. A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office has denied that there is any political motiva-
Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate
The FORT BEND COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 24 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2025 on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 12:00P.M. at the offices of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, 3200 Southwest Freeway, STE 2400, Houston, TX 77027. Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.
Visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to your local property tax database on which you can easily access information regarding your property taxes, including information about proposed tax rates and scheduled public hearings of each entity that taxes your property.
FOR the proposal: Brandyn Cottingham, Barbara Rozell, Keli M Schroeder, Robby McGinnis, Deborah Depinet
AGAINST the proposal: None
PRESENT and not voting: None
ABSENT: None
The following table compares taxes on
Should you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact the tax office at 281-482-0216. The Property Tax Assistance Division at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts provides property tax information and resources for taxpayers, local taxing entities, appraisal districts and appraisal review boards.
tion behind the cases.
Meanwhile, George also faces a misdemeanor count of misappropriation of identity related to a purported online “fake hate” scheme conducted with Taral Patel, his former chief of staff and a failed candidate for Precinct 3 Commissioner. Patel has
accepted a plea deal and is working with prosecutors in their cases against George.
While George’s attorneys are appealing a judge’s denial of a motion to quash the misdemeanor indictment, the case is progressing in a Fort Bend County court. A hearing in the case, in
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
which George’s attorneys will argue for a December trial date – before next year’s primary election – was set for Thursday, August 21, after the Fort Bend Star’s print deadline. George has said that he plans to run for a third term, this time as a Republican.
Drymalla Construction Company, LLC (CM at Risk) is soliciting Qualifications/ Proposals from Subcontractors/Suppliers for GMP 9 - Lamar Consolidated ISD LCISD Stadium Expansion Phase 2. Project consists of the expansion of the existing seating at the Stadium and other ancillary work. The scope of work is defined by the drawings and specifications issued. Qualifications/ Proposals are due at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at the offices of Drymalla Construction Company, LLC, 608 Harbert, Columbus, Texas 78934, via fax 979-732-3663, or email to bid@drymalla.com. NO PHONE BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. A virtual pre-proposal meeting will be held August 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Access to this meeting is included in the Project Manual. For information on how to obtain copies of the Request for Qualifications/Proposal documents call 979-732-5731, or email Sharon Fisher at sfisher@drymalla.com.
Photo by Ken Fountain
Fort Bend County Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson, head of the public integrity unit, center, and other prosecutors leave a court hearing. Prosecutors allege County Judge KP George used campaign funds to make a down payment on a house and pay personal property taxes.
EDITORIAL
Name your pol
THE GROCERY
– The on-
STORE
ions are here, as usual, and so is the tasteless kale which I really don’t like, but the carrots have morphed into organic lettuce. The Head & Shoulders is now brooms. They’ve done it again, changed everything from where they were to someplace else and for no discernable reason. Change for the sake of change. I’m an old dog and don’t need any new tricks. All of which leads me to think about changing my U.S. representative – redistricting – which I am already tired of thinking about and I’ll bet so are you.
Baring a tsunami or a swarm of locusts hitting Austin, we all know what’s going to happen: Under orders from President Donald Trump, our governor, Greg Abbott, bends his knee (sorry for the cliché) and orders Texas Congressional districts be redrawn (aka gerrymandered) to elect more Republicans. And we know what’s going to happen: the Guv gets his way, the greedy,
Lynn Ashby Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
unlawful Republican state representatives will beat the chaotic, leaderless Democrats. Choose your poison: corruption or incompetence?
But this led me to a rather humiliating discovery: who exactly is my state representative? Male or female? GOP or Dem? Corrupt or incompetent? OK, Know-It-All, who is your state rep? What party? Sex (“yes” is not acceptable)? Sober? Same for your state senator, state school board member? We elect all sorts of pols, pay them, empower them to spend our hard-earned tax dollars (the legislature just approved a $338 billion twoyear budget) and they work in a vacuum. For information I check my Voter Registration Certificate which shows my VUID – 10 numbers long –
which means either my Voter Unnecessary Identification Degree or it’s a birth control device. I suspect the code is simply a way for AG Ken Paxton to see how I voted. Below that is yet another long line of numbers: “Cert. No.” Next is my birthday and time the certificate is valid: Election 3-4 a.m. Marfa.
OK, now we get to my goal: Who’s on first? The card lists “U.S. Rep” and in tiny print below the same words in Spanish and either Norwegian or Farsi. And it tells me my Congressional district (subject to change any hour). But no name. Next is “State Sen.” I think that should actually read “State Sin.” Again, no name. Finally I see “Comm. Pct.” and “J.P./Const.” Who are these people? You could hold a gun to my head or read me “The Subtle Nuances of an ICE Agent” and I still couldn’t tell you. Next Election Day –who is your District Attorney? Which candidate for Texas Land Commissioner do you prefer?
Part of this ignorance is our fault. All these people have been on the ballots. Some have spent a lot of campaign funds
soliciting our vote. In the case of Congressional wannbes, they have spent millions or, in the race for president, billions. But down ballot, I plead nolo know. Also part of the problem is indifference by the officeholders. It’s a Lone Star pattern. The Texas House delegation departed for Chicago. The Houston Texans split for West Virginia. Thousands of undocumented foreigners were shipped from here. And once our lawmakers get our money and our vote they disappear. When is the last time you ever heard from your state legislator? They are MIA. There are exceptions. My U.S. Rep (but it’s early in the day) is Lizzie Fletcher whose office sends me weekly if not daily emails on how she voted and when and where her next town meeting will be held. This is unlike her predecessor, John Culberson, aka Tom DeLay’s Sancho Panza. Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia sends me an occasional email although I’m not in his precinct, I think.
Let’s peel this onion. Texas is a thoroughly red state. In the 2024 presidential elections Trump beat Kamala Harris by a whopping 14 percent. He car-
ried 242 of Texas’ 254 counties including the heavily-Hispanic Starr County in South Texas, the first Republican presidential candidate to win there since 1892. He lost Harris, Dallas, Travis and Bexar counties. In state-wide elections whoever gets the GOP nomination wins in the general election. The choices are made in GOP primaries. So it peels down to about 5% of us pick our governor, lite gov, U.S. senators, attorney general and so on. In the 2024 presidential elections, Texas had 22.9 million folks who could vote, and of these 18.6 million were registered to vote, which is not bad. But the actual turnout was only 11.3 million or 61%, thus almost four out of 10 Texans who were registered to vote didn’t. And less than half (49.6%) of all potentially eligible voters cast ballots. That explains how we got into this mess.
One reason for all the non-voters is that our state leaders have deliberately made it hard to cast our ballots. Voter laws in Texas are among the most restrictive in the country. Our voter ID requirements are stricter than other states that only
require a signature to vote. And Texas only allows mail-in votes for a small percentage of voters, unlike other states that allow universal mail-in ballots. In 2022 a study compiled by political scientists at Northern Illinois University, Jacksonville University and Wuhan University in China (huh?), determined it was harder to vote in Texas than in any other state. In the 2024 presidential elections Texas had nearly a 6% drop in turnout from the 2020 presidential race. Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in voter turnout, Texas ranked 46th. It must be the only category where we’re even behind Mississippi. I always vote in every election, several times in fact, but I find it harder and harder. Last time the barbed wire wasn’t so bad but those landmines were mean. When I got to the voting place (3 a.m. in Marfa) it was very convenient: the ballot was already filled out. I tried to write in a candidate’s name, but a loudspeaker blared, “Clean up on booth six.”
Ashby writes-in at ashby2@ comcast.net
GHP provides look at its ‘Houston Facts ‘25’
Editor’s note: In its
“Economy at a Glance” report for August, the Greater Houston Partnership – the regional chamber of commerce – looks at the Partnership’s Houston Facts ‘25 publication, providing high-level information on the region’s geography, demographics, economy, and key industries, among other aspects of life in the region.
On August 6, the Greater Houston Partnership released its “Houston Facts ‘25” report. Highlights from the report are found below:
Geography
Metro Houston (known formally as the HoustonPasadena-The Woodlands Metropolitan Statistical Area by the U.S. Census Bureau) consists of 10 counties: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, San Jacinto, Waller, and Austin.
The region spans 8,838 square miles of land, making it larger than the U.S. states of Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Jersey. It includes 125 separate cities and 37
Staff Reports
The Greater Houston housing market experienced a summer shift in July, with growing inventory and steady demand helping to stabilize prices, according to the Houston Association of Realtors. This has created a more balanced and sustainable market heading into the second half of the year.
According to HAR’s July 2025 Housing Market Update, single-family home sales increased 9.2 percent year-over-year. A total of 8,300 homes were sold compared to 7,601 last year, when Hurricane Beryl temporarily halted market activity for several days.
July marked the largest year-over-year decline in home prices since 2023. The median price was down 3.1 percent to $339,000. The average price was $434,664, which is 1.9 percent below last year’s level. Active listings reached an all-time high in July, exceeding 40,000 available homes in the Houston area. This represents a 38.2 percent increase from the same time last year. The average list-to-sale price ratio has held steady at approximately 94 percent over the past year.
“The rising inventory levels have led to modest price adjustments by sellers,” said HAR Chair Shae Cottar with LPT Realty. “While some
census-designated places.
Demographics
The region’s population is even more impressive than its land mass. As of July ‘24, it is home to approximately 7.8 million people, making it the fifth-largest U.S. metro behind New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas/Fort Worth. If it were an independent state, it would be the 14th largest in the country, with a population slightly smaller than Washington but larger than Arizona, Tennessee, or Massachusetts.
The population has been growing rapidly, adding 645,949 new residents since the start of the decade (April ‘20 to July ‘24). International migration accounts for the majority (51.1 percent) of
homeowners are adjusting their expectations, many homes are still attracting solid offers. This is a good indicator that the Houston market continues to be in a relatively healthy and balanced spot.”
Housing Market Overview
July marked the third consecutive month of growth for the Greater Houston real estate market with strong buyer demand. Total property sales were 9.0 percent above where they were in July 2024. The boost in sales activity was accompanied by a 7.2 percent increase in total dollar volume, which topped $4 billion.
Active listings, or the total number of available properties, rose 31.1 percent to 61,144 units, which surpasses the previous record set in June of this year.
Single-Family Homes Update
Single-family home sales in the Greater Houston area were up 9.2 percent year-overyear in July. A total of 8,300 homes sold compared to 7,601 last year when Hurricane Beryl brought activity to a standstill for several days. Pending sales experienced a notable 32.2 percent jump, which is an encouraging sign of continued buyer interest.
The median home price in July was $339,000, which is 3.1 percent below where it was during the same month last
these new residents, while domestic migration and natural population change (i.e. the number of babies born minus the number of people who die) account for 20.6 and 28.4 percent, respectively. Nearly 1.9 million Houstonians (or roughly one-in-four) were born outside the U.S. Since Houston is so close to Latin America, it should be no surprise that the majority (62.1 percent) were born in that region. But significant swaths were also born in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
Metro Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the United States, with no single ethnic group representing a majority. The largest ethnic groups are Hispanics or Latinos of any race, White non-Hispanic,
Black non-Hispanic, and Asian non-Hispanic.
Economy Houston’s economy remains one of the largest and most diverse in the nation. The value of all goods and services produced in metro Houston was valued at $697 billion in ‘23. That is more than the value produced by most countries across the globe. In fact, if the region were an independent country, it would have the 22nd most valuable economy in the world, behind Switzerland and Poland, but ahead of countries like Argentina, Belgium, Sweden, and Ireland.
Per-capita personal income in the region was $72,453 in ‘23, approximately $2,643 higher than
the national average. This suggests that the average Houstonian earns more than the average American – but that only tells part of the story. Among the 20 most populous U.S. metros, Houston is the 2nd most affordable according to the ‘24 C2ER Cost of Living Index, with an overall cost of living that is 5.8 percent below the U.S. urban average. The region’s housing, utility, and transportation costs are also significantly lower than those found elsewhere in the country. This means that not only do Houstonians earn more, but their dollars go further.
Since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in April ‘20, the region has added 645,000 jobs. Employment growth has been supported by national economic momentum, strong global trade ties, rising corporate investment, and sustained population growth. As of June ‘25, total employment was just under 3.5 million jobs while the unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent, consistent with a strong labor market.
A total of 175,520 business establishments operate in the
year. The average price also declined, down 1.9 percent to $434,664. The price per square foot was $180, which is unchanged from last July.
Active listings for singlefamily homes reached 40,112, which is up 38.2 percent compared to last July. Months of inventory grew from 4.2 months to a 5.5-months supply this year, which marks the highest level since June 2012. That figure exceeds the current national inventory of 4.7 months, as reported by the National Association of Realtors. Days on Market increased from 45 to 50 days. Broken out by housing
segment, single-family home sales in the Greater Houston area performed as follows:
• $1 - $99,999: increased 26.3 percent
• $100,000 - $149,999: increased 39.1 percent
• $150,000 - $249,999: increased 25.5 percent
• $250,000 - $499,999: increased 6.0 percent
• $500,000 - $999,999: increased 0.5 percent
• $1M and above: increased 7.5 percent HAR also breaks out sales figures for existing single-family homes. In July, existing home sales increased 8.8 percent year-over-year,
with 5,963 closings compared to 5,479 a year earlier. The average sales price declined 2.4 percent to $446,483, while the median price was down 2.6 percent to $341,000.
Townhome/Condominium
Update Consumer demand held steady in Houston’s townhome and condominium market in July. Sales were statistically flat with a total of 468 units sold compared to 466 a year earlier. The average price increased 2.6 percent to $266,501, and the median price declined 1.1 percent to
region. The largest sectors in terms of the number of establishments are professional, scientific, and technical services; health care and social assistance; retail trade; accommodations and food services; and construction. Together, these five sectors represent the majority of business establishments in the region.
Twenty-six companies on the Fortune 500 are headquartered in the Houston area. This makes Houston the third-highest ranking metro for Fortune 500 companies behind New York City (with 62) and Chicago (with 30). Fortune also designated Houston as the fourth best place to work in the country. The region is home to over 60 companies that earned $1 billion or more in revenue in ‘23, including 12 companies earning $25 billion.
Find the full “Economy at a Glance” report at houston. org/houston-data/economy-ata-glance-august-2025. Find the full “Houston Facts ‘25” report at https://wpb.houston. org/app/uploads/2025/08/ Houston-Facts-2025Publication.pdf.
$217,500. Active listings of townhome and condominiums reached 3,514 in July, raising months of inventory from 5.1 months last year to 8.3, which is the highest level since August 2011.
Houston Real Estate Highlights in July
• Single-family home sales increased 9.2% year-over-year; • Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 45 to 50 days; • The single-family median price declined 3.1% to $339,000; • The single-family average price was down 1.9% to $434,664; • Single-family home months of inventory expanded to a 5.5-months
Mamie George Branch Library begins monthly game nights
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mamie George Branch Library (320 Dulles Ave. in Stafford) will begin a monthly Board-Game Night on Monday, August 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., in the makerspace area of the library.
This come-and-go event will take place on the fourth Monday of every month. All ages are welcome, but children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. A variety of board games will be available, but those attending are welcome to bring
LIBRARY FROM PAGE 1
bile devices. Initially, basic services – such as searching the catalog and placing holds – will be available on the app, but more features will continue to be added after the launch.
During the months that the network was down, library staff continued the process of ordering new books and materials, but without a functioning computer network, the records were unable to be uploaded and the items remained unavailable.
Library users will enjoy discovering thousands of new books that can now be made available on shelves or placed on hold in the online catalog. More and more items will be added to the branch libraries as the logistics for loading, transporting, and shelving the new materials allow.
New collections and services – such as Wonderbooks, Kanopy+, and PressReader –will soon be available. A new “Library of Things” will be launched at George Memorial Library in Richmond later this fall.
REDISTRICTING FROM PAGE 1
speakers on both sides of the issue, commissioners moved to vote on the draft rules which had been drawn up by the citizens redistricting committee.
In the previous meeting, the three Republican members of the court - George, Meyers, and Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales - each appointed two members to the committee. Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage and Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy, both Democrats, declined to appoint any members.
Three of the introductory clauses of those rules together
their own favorites games, as well.
“Gaming of all types at the library encourages individuals to interact with a diverse group of peers, share their own expertise with others, and develop new strategies for gaming and learning. It provides an opportunity for families to reconnect with the educational, recreational, and social value of games,” the library system said in a news release.
“Fort Bend County Libraries recognizes the educational, social, and mental-health benefits of play for
The free “Teacher in the Library” homework-help service (grades 3-6) will resume for the new school year on September 2 at George Memorial Library in Richmond, the Mission Bend Branch, and the Missouri City Branch. The “Lawyer in the Library” service continues to be available at the Willie Melton Law Library in the Fort Bend County Justice Center.
Access to LinkedIn Learning for Libraries and The Wall Street Journal has been restored.
Existing users of digital collections such as OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla may find that they will need to update their library settings in the app. Overdue fines were waived during the network outage. For items that were checked out between February 24 and September 1, fines will continue to be waived until November 30. Items checked out starting on September 2 will resume the regular check-out schedule and will accrue fines as soon as they are overdue.
Free programs and activities for children, teens,
made the assertion that the district boundaries under the 2021 map “do not comply with the Voting Rights Act,” requiring the mid-decade redistricting. Since the effort began, Meyers had repeatedly claimed that the county was in danger of being sued by the federal government over the current maps. Immediately after the agenda item was brought up, McCoy asked the commissioner for a “ brief recess” to discuss the item with County Attorney Bridgette SmithLawson behind closed doors. Commissioners typically hold an executive session after the bulk of a meeting’s business is done, but rarely is such a session held in the
all ages and offers a variety of opportunities throughout the library system for individuals to come together to play on a regular basis,” it said. Materials for this activity were made possible by the Friends of the Mamie George Branch Library. The activities are free and open for the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbendlibraries. gov) or call the Mamie George Branch Library (281-2382880) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Six months after suffering a targeted breach of its computer systems, Fort Bend County Libraries will launch its new computer and online systems on September 2. In this file photo, patrons fill the First Colony Branch Library after last year’s Hurricane Beryl.
and adults continue to be available at all locations. The children’s programs resume their fall schedule in September.
Special activities and giveaways celebrating the re-launch of the new network are planned at the branch libraries through -
middle of a meeting.
The “brief recess” lasted approximately 40 minutes. After the commissioners emerged, Meyers made a motion to withdraw his earlier motion to approve the draft rules, followed by a new motion to excise the clauses involving the Voting Rights Act. The motion ultimately was approved 3-2, along party lines. Then followed a motion to approve the new draft rules. At that point, McCoy embarked on a lengthy discourse in which he referenced a discussion he’s had in the previous week with Robert Bass, an Austin-based attorney who specializes in redistricting law and who
out the week, starting on September 2, culminating with a big Re-Launch Party on Saturday, September 6, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, at George Memorial Library (1001 Golfview, Richmond). The Re-Launch Party will feature giveaways, activities, and sweet treats. Library
had been engaged to advise the county on redistricting following the 1990, 2000 and 2020 censuses. McCoy read aloud in its entirety an email that Bass sent to him in which he offered his viewpoints on the advisability of the county doing a mid-decade redistricting. (In a later phone interview with the Fort Bend Star, confirmed the essence of the views ascribed to him by McCoy.)
In the email, Bass wrote that he reviewed the current map approved in 2021 before it was voted on, and that in his expert opinion it conformed with all Voting Rights Acts and other legal requirements. (In previous meetings, there
visitors may also choose to get a limited-edition library card, recently designed by winners of the Library-Card Design Contest for Library Card Sign-Up Month! “We thank you for your patience and appreciate your continued support,” said Library Director Roosevelt Weeks. “We look forward to introducing everyone to our new, enhanced system!” For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www. fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).
had been allegations that the final map, which was introduced by George and brought to the dais by McCoy, then his chief of staff, had not been previously reviewed by an attorney.)
Furthermore, Bass wrote, any effort to do a mid-decade redistricting was highly inadvisable because there is no current, census-tract data on which to base such an effort.
Other data, such as voting precinct data, is not appropriate for a full redistricting, Bass wrote.
“I do not perceive at this time any significant reason to undertake mid-decade redistricting,” McCoy quoted Bass from the email.
McCoy said that since the
2020 Census, more than 500 new subdivision plats have been approved by the county. “There are innumerable communities that did not exist then that exist today,” he said. Without collecting new population data before doing a redistricting, the county puts itself at risk of disenfranchising many residents and being challenged in the courts, he said.
Following McCoy’s remarks, George quickly called for a vote. The motion to approve the rules passed 3-2, again along party lines. A full video of the meeting can be found at fortbendcountytx.new.swagit.com/ videos/352321.
Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mamie George Branch Library will begin a monthly BoardGame Night on Monday, August 25.
Back-to-back homers help Space Cowboys clinch series win over Salt Lake
Community Reports
Back-to-back homers from Edwin Díaz and Brice Matthews in the eighth lifted the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (18-24, 57-60) to a 4-2 series-clinching win over the Salt Lake Bees (20-25, 49-70) on Sunday night at Constellation Field. Sunday was the seventh time Sugar Land has hit back-to-back homers this season and the first time since August 6. The Space Cowboys won threeconsecutive games over the Bees to clinch their series, four games to two. In the bottom of the sixth, Sugar Land took their first lead of the game as Díaz walked to start the frame and Logan Davidson pummeled a two-run homer to left as the Space Cowboys went up, 2-1. However, the Bees tied the game in the top of the seventh with a run scored on a wild pitch on a strikeout.
After RHP Luis Contreras (W, 2-2) picked up the final two outs in the top of the eighth to post a zero, Sugar Land retook the lead in the bottom half. Díaz drilled a solo homer to left before Brice Matthews belted a 376-foot solo shot as the Space Cowboys smashed back-to-back home runs to pull ahead, 4-2. RHP Nick Hernandez (S,4) was summoned from the bullpen for the ninth and struck out the side in order to close out Sugar Land’s 4-2 win and clinch the series for the Space Cowboys. In the top of the first, Matthew Lugo hit a solo homer, giving Salt Lake a 1-0 lead, but LHP Colton Gordon responded by stranding the bases loaded in the top of the second with an inning-ending strikeout and leaving a runner in scoring position in the top of the third.
César Salazar led off the home half of the third with a walk and Colin Barber slapped a single through the right side, putting runners on the corners with one out. However, RHP Shaun
Anderson sidestepped the runners as Sugar Land was held off the board through three innings.
After a scoreless fourth, RHP Jayden Murray entered in the top of the fifth and posted the Space Cowboys’ fourth-straight shutout inning on the mound. RHP Logan VanWey came in for the top of the sixth and stranded two runners on base.
NOTABLE:
• Colton Gordon went 4.0 innings on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits with four walks and five strikeouts on 71 pitches and 40 strikes.
• Brice Matthews bombed his 13th homer of the season with a solo shot
in the eighth. Matthews has been a part of five of the seven times Sugar Land has gone back-toback this season. The second baseman has also reached base in 34 of his last 37 games with the Space Cowboys.
• · Logan Davidson went 1-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and a run scored on Sunday, extending his onbase streak to 10 games, with three doubles, three homers, six RBI, six walks and seven runs scored.
• Edwin Díaz drove the game-winning homer in the bottom of the eighth, his second homer in his last three games.
• César Salazar extended
his on-base streak to 17 games with a walk.
Over his on-base streak, Salazar has two doubles, three homers, nine RBI, 13 walks and nine runs scored.
After the Space Cowboys’ six-game series against Salt Lake, Sugar Land hits the road for a six-game set against the Iowa Cubs in an Interleague matchup. Games can be seen live on the Bally Sports Live App or MLB.TV and can be heard anywhere at SLSpaceCowboys.com.
This article is provided by the marketing office of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, and is used by permission.
Houston Audubon hosts Purple Martin Watch Party in Stafford
Houston Audubon is hosting a Purple Martin Watch Party on August 13 at the Old Navy parking
Community Reports
Houston Audubon is hosting a Purple Martin Watch Party on August 13 at the Old Navy parking lot in The Fountains shopping center in Stafford at U.S. 59 and Kirkwood. The event begins at 8:15 p.m. “Graceful in flight, the Purple Martin, the largest of North America’s swallows, is one of Houston’s most popular birds. In late summer, after leaving the nesting colony with fledglings in tow, Purple Martins gather daily in large flocks to feed, socialize, and roost before migrating. The Houston metro area is lucky to have Purple Martin roosts, with some areas witnessing up to 500,000 birds. From July to September, large flocks cover the sky at dusk in a dark cloud as they fly into the trees to roost, this spectacle lasting about 45 minutes,” according to the organization. “At Houston Audubon’s Purple Martin Watch Parties, the community gathers to witness the wonder of Purple Martin
flying patterns as they come together to roost every night. During the parties, Houston Audubon staff and volunteers are on hand to educate attendees about Purple Martins, their amazing journey, and how people can help protect these birds. These free, familyfriendly events are fun for all ages.” Learn more, include videos of previous watch parties, and register at houstonaudubon.org/ programs/events/all-agegroups/purple-martins. html.
Courtesy Houston Audubon
File photo by Kathy Aung César Salazar extended his on-base streak to 17 games with a walk on Sunday.
File photo courtesy Sugar Land Space Cowboys
Brice Matthews bombed his 13th homer of the season with a solo shot in the eighth Sunday at Constellation Field. Matthews has been a part of five of the seven times Sugar Land has gone back-to-back this season.
Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com
MASTER GARDENERS OFFER CLASS ON WINTER PROTECTION
Planning is an important part of good gardening. That’s why you’re invited on Friday, August 22, to attend a free online class called “Winter Protection” starting at 1 p.m. Fort Bend County Master Gardener Deborah Birge will offer tips and tricks to prepare us before the freeze hits. The 90-minute class is offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Fort Bend County, along with the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners. Advance registration is required at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/ register/tZ0tde2sqz0tHt09DmqeyB48vbBVly18QB0G#/. All registered attendees will receive a link to the class recording. Visit https://fortbend.agrilife.org/landscape-success or https://stories. tamu.edu/news/2023/11/27/create-a-cold-protection-plan-for-your-garden for more information.
ONGOING
EARTH KIND KIDS CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN
Youths in grades 3-5 can have fun this summer learning about gardening by attending Earth Kind Kids Camp, sponsored by Fort Bend County Master Gardeners.
The July 21-24 day camp will cover the topics of gardening, horticulture and environmental science through different high-energy projects that help the youths learn about seeds, plants, rain and other topics between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
Registration is open for the camp, which will be in Building D at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 Texas 36 in Rosenberg. The camp is limited to the first 25 paid participants. Register at https://agrilife.org/ftbend4h/event/2025earthkindkidscamp/ The fee is $85. Registration includes all materials, snacks and a T-shirt. For more information, contact Brandy Rader at Brandy.Rader@ag.tamu.edu
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES AT GPBC
In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, Grand Parkway Baptist Church will offer ESL classes on Tuesday nights from mid-August 2025 through May 2026. We are located at 12000 FM 1464, Richmond, across from Austin High School. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org
EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HOLDING AUDITIONS
The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www.fbbctx.org or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and self-confidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has
an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!
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 “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find 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 significant 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 first 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 fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-4193, sugarlandrotaryclub5890@gmail.com We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more info.
