West Nile virus detected in Sugar Land
The city of Sugar Land has confirmed the presence of West Nile virus at a mosquito trap located near Greatwood Parkway and Wood Dale. The mosquitoes were trapped last week, and Sugar Land was notified over the weekend, that at least one mosquito in the trap tested positive for West Nile, according to a news release.
The city said it will increase mosquito treatment in surrounding areas and is working closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services to trap and test mosquitos for the presence of the West Nile virus. The traps supplement the city’s larvicide and mosquito spraying operations.
Humans can contract West Nile virus from a mosquito bite. Infected mosquitoes get the virus from feeding on infected birds. The virus can cause serious illness or death.
Dr. Joe Anzaldua, the city’s medical director and health authority, urges residents to take precautions to reduce West Nile exposure.
“Residents should use insect repellent whenever they are outdoors and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active,” said Anzaldua, who added that the city of Sugar Land has a comprehensive monitoring and testing program intended to keep the public safe. “People over 50 years old and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if infected with the virus. If people have symptoms that cause them concern, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately.”
There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. The uncommon, if not rare neuro-invasive illness, also known as West Nile Encephalitis, may include symptoms such as a stiff neck, vision problems, body tremors, mental confusion, memory loss and seizures. The milder, more common form of illness is West Nile Fever. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle and bone aches, nausea and drowsiness. People with the milder form of the illness typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will
In raucous meeting, commissioners pass new district map
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
In a meeting that was unmatched for drama during Fort Bend County Commissioners Court’s months-long battle over redistricting precincts, a Republican majority on Monday passed a new map with two solidly Republican precincts and two solidly Democratic precincts.
In doing so, they made good on their longsought goal of getting rid of the map passed by a then-Democratic majority in 2021 that gave Democrats a 3-1 majority. The Republicans at the dais and their supporters in the audience at the Fort Bend County Historic Courthouse said would bring political “balance” back to the governing body of what is an evenly divided county.
But the Democrats on the body – Precinct 4
Commissioner Dexter McCoy and Precinct 2
Commissioner Grady Prestage – said the new map splits the Asian-American Pacific Islander community – which had been concentrated in Republican Andy Meyers’s Precinct 3 – and also reduces the voting strength of the county’s Hispanic population. They also warned that the rare, mid-decade redistricting effort – which saw several different rationales since it began in February – could leave the county open to lengthy and costly litigation that could do further damage to the county’s image after a series of headlinegrabbing battles over the past several months.
IN THE PINK
FORT BEND COMMUNITY HONORS BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS
Community members celebrate breast cancer survivors during the Fort Bend County
Walk last Friday. Photo by Juhi Varma
By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER
More than a hundred people dressed in vibrant shades of pink gathered Friday afternoon for Fort Bend County Health and Human Services’ annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
Participants circled Richmond’s Mirabeau B. Lamar Homestead Park as Katy Perry’s “Roar” played over the speakers, setting an uplifting tone for the event.
“We are not just walking for a
cause, we are walking for people – mothers, daughters, sisters, colleagues, friends, neighbors – we walk for the survivors with us, a symbol of courage and resilience, and we walk for those who are still fighting to remind them they are not alone,” said Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “Every family has a story connected to this particular illness. We are coming together to show support and create awareness.”
In the US, an estimated 42,680 breast cancer deaths (42,170 in women, 510 in men) will occur in 2025,
State of the Schools set for Nov. 6
Staff Reports
The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Education Division will host the 18th Annual State of the Schools event on Thursday, November 6, from 11:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond.
Dr. Marc Smith of Fort Bend Independent School District, Dr. Roosevelt Nivens of Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, and Dr. Robert Bostic of Stafford Municipal School District will be the featured speakers at the event. The three districts together serve more than 120,000 students. Smith became superintendent of
Fort Bend ISD, the sixth-largest district in Texas, in January 2024. Before that, he served as superintendent of Duncanville ISD in the Dallas area after previously serving in administrative roles in Fort Bend ISD.
Nivens became superintendent of Lamar CISD in 2021. Previously, he served as superintendent Community ISD, a district encompassing four communities located in the DallasFort Worth metroplex. In September, he was named 2025 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).
Bostic recently announced his retirement after having led Stafford MSD for more than a decade.
Previously, he served as assistant superintendent at Denton ISD. SMSD in the only municipal school district in Texas.
Education Division Chair Jennifer Henrikson will moderate a discussion exploring each district’s strategic vision, upcoming initiatives, and priorities for the 2025–2026 school year and beyond. Attendees will gain firsthand insight into how local schools are preparing the next generation to meet the evolving needs of our workforce and community. This event is presented by our
according to the American Cancer Society’s 2025 report. Fort Bend County Health and Human Services (FBCHHS) has been hosting an annual BCA walk for county employees for five years.
In Texas, the incidence of invasive breast cancer in women is among the highest in the nation, about 123 cases per 100,000 women, said Deputy Medical Director Dr. Nichole Brathwaite- Dingle of Fort Bend County. Alarmingly in Fort Bend County, about 31% of breast cancer cases in women of all ages are diag-
nosed at a late stage.
“We can and must do better when treatment becomes significantly more challenging, and outcomes can be even worse when diagnosed at that later stage,” she said.
Many who attended were breast cancer survivors, undergoing treatment, or had a personal connection to it, such as knowing someone affected or walking to honor them.
“Today is about unity support and hope as our Fort Bend County
The new Fort Bend County precinct map, passed along party lines Monday, is designed to create two solidly Republican districts and two solidly Democratic districts.
Courtesy Office of Fort Bend County Judge KP George
The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce will host the 18th Annual State of the Schools event on November 6.
have no symptoms and will recover on their own. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact their doctor.
The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends practicing the “Four Ds” as precautionary measures:
Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside.
Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Drain standing water where mosquitoes breed.
It’s also important for residents to eliminate standing water around their homes, an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
For more information, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/ fightthebite.
Common breeding sites include old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters.
Monday’s specially called meeting followed the formal receiving last week of five maps that emerged from the Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee, comprised of two members each appointed by the commissioners. Jacob Lee, the committee chair appointed by County Judge KP George, provided a lengthy presentation on the various factors that went into the drawing of the maps using a free software platform, as he’d promised McCoy he would do during a contentious exchange last week.
And while the tone of Monday’s meeting began with more civility than the previous one, it became increasingly contentious as McCoy began to question Lee and Richard Morris, the outside attorney hired by the court along partisan lines to advise the redistricting committee – about new legal guidance that was incorporated into the formal order included in the agenda item to approve a new map.
McCoy repeatedly pressed Morris – whose nearly fourdecade practice has focused mostly on representing school districts – on advice he had shared with commissioners only on Friday. But Morris strenuously refused, saying that advise was subject to attorney-client privilege, which only the court could waive by a majority vote.
McCoy then read aloud the proposed order, which made reference to the 2021 map having been drawn to make his Precinct 4 a “coalition district,” which he later told reporters meant that it was drawn so that a group of minority residents would make up a majority. McCoy said the coalition district rationale was brand-new, since the originally stated impetus for the redistricting effort, based on a remark made by then-Democrat George in one of the 2021 meetings, was that the precincts had been drawn along racial lines, which is illegal under state and federal law.
That was followed by a lengthy public comment period during which people of both political parties, and a couple of professed independents, argued for or against the various maps. Two maps emerged as the top contenders: referred to as the “Mike Gibson” map
after one of the committee members appointed by Meyers, and another map drawn by the two appointees of Republican Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales, which most resembled the 2021 map.
Supporters of the Gibson map said it’s primary advantage was that it didn’t move any current office-holders out of their homes. The fact that Meyers was moved out of his Sugar Land home in the 2021 map had been a bone of contention since the map – which was introduced by George and brought to the court’s dais by McCoy, his then chief-of-staff, at the very end of the 2021 process – was passed.
To emphasize the extremely partisan nature of the meeting, some speakers referred to Monday as either Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day, based on their political affiliation.
When the item at last came to a vote, each of the commissioners spoke about why they were voting the way they were and their own part in the process. McCoy, who is Black, spoke at some length about the racial history of Fort Bend County, likening the current redistricting battle in a highly diverse county to the reaction of white supremacists to the election of Black officeholders during the Reconstruction period following the Civil War.
When the actual voting occurred, there was a final squabble over the passage of an amendment to the motion that turned into a full-blown shouting match between the commissioners, County Judge Bridgette Smith-Lawson, Morris, and the outside lawyer. The fracas even drew in Precinct 2 Constable Daryl Smith, Jr., who got up from the audience to try to intercede.
The so-called “Gibson map” finally passed, 3-2 along partisan lines.
After the meeting ended, all of the members of the court except Morales and spoke individually to reporters.
Prestage, the longest-serving commissioner (since 1990), said the regretted the vote and the fact that the new map particularly splits the South Asian community, one of the most concentrated such communities in the United States. He said he hoped that after the months-long battle the court could move back to a more civil posture.
McCoy said it was “a dark day for Fort Bend County.” He said it was highly likely that in next year’s election a Democrat would take the county judge’s seat, again reversing the partisan balance on the court after George’s switch in affiliation to Republican in June. If that happens, McCoy said, he would definitely support a Democratic effort to change the precinct lines again, before the 2030 Census.
George read to reporters a lengthy statement in which he said he was proud that the vote had restored “fairness” to the court’s partisan makeup. He also disavowed what he said was a lot of “misinformation” that was put out during the lengthy battle. Some have alleged that George, who is facing a host of political and legal troubles, made a “deal” with Meyers to push the redistricting through in exchange for political and legal backing.
George said he was not concerned about the possibility of litigation over the new maps or the prospect of the battle causing lasting damage to the county’s reputation.
title sponsor Stantec and sponsored by AUTOARCH Architects, LLC, Fort Bend Family Promise, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, Houston City College, Infrastructure Associates, Jamail & Smith Construction, Johnson Development Corp., Linebarger Law Firm, LLP, MWA Architects, PBK Architects, Inc., Pfluger Architects, Rogers, Morris & Grover, Smart Financial
Credit Union, Spalding | Nichols | Lamp | Langlois, Thompson & Horton LLP, University of Houston, VLK Architects, Wharton County Junior College, and Whitley Penn, LLP. Registration and sponsorships are now open for Fort Bend Chamber members. Presenting Sponsor: $2,500, includes seating for ten (10) with priority placement at event, company logo on all marketing materials and social platforms, and recognition during event. Underwriting Sponsor: $1,200,
includes seating for eight (8) with priority placement at event, company name on all marketing materials and social platforms, and recognition during event. Corporate Table: $800, includes seating for eight (8) at event. Individual Member Reservation: $50, includes individual reservation at event. Details of upcoming events can be found at www. FortBendChamber.com or by contacting Rebekah Beltran at 281-566-2158 or Rebekah@ fortbendcc.org.
Houston Filipino Street Festival returns to Constellation Field on Oct. 18
Staff Reports
The Filipino Young Professionals of Houston will once again host the Houston Filipino Street Festival on Saturday, October 18 from noon-7 p.m. at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.
An annual tradition at Constellation Field, the Houston Filipino Street Festival features food, cultural performances, games, live music, raffle prizes and
more with activities for all ages. Attendees will experience the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines. Tickets are $19 in advance and $22 on the day of the festival, and children seven and under receive free admission. Groups of five or more can purchase tickets for $17 per ticket, and parking is free for all attendees. All ticket prices are inclusive of service fees. Proceeds from the
Festival support the FYP scholarship fund along with youth educational initiatives and charitable endeavors that benefit the local community. Tickets can be purchased at mlb.tickets.com/?agency =MILBPV&orgid=55531& pid=9570131. For inquiries relating to the Houston Filipino Street Festival, contact FYP at htownfilfest@fyphouston.com or by calling (832) 397-6864.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy questions hired attorney Richard Morris from the dais as Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers listens. Photo by Ken Fountain
Deck the chairs with boughs of folly
Breaking News! The Texas Democratic Party is moving its headquarters from Austin to Dallas. Wait. This just in! Who cares? Just a few upset folks, but first an explanation.
The historically ineffectual and constantly defeated Texas Dems are gathering up their “Beto for Whatever” bumper stickers and their dusty but unused victory hats and horns and are traveling up I35 from the People’s Republic to Big D (motto: “JFK Who?”).
Considering the donkeys’ track record in political victories, this relocation is like the well-worn example of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The move came after the State Democratic Executive Committee, the party’s governing board, voted on September 13 to close the party’s Austin headquarters and move them to Dallas. Why? The organization has a new chair, Kendall Scudder, who, you will be surprised to learn, lives in Dallas. I guess he wants to Uber to work.
As for who cares, the party’s employees in Austin care. According to the Texas Tribune, the relocation has prompted an angry exodus. Every member of the party’s
LYNN ASHBY Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
top staff, including the executive director, chief of staff and two communications staffers, is departing after Scudder required them to agree to move to Dallas by November – or else be laid off. A fifth top staffer has already quit, and more departures among the seven other staffers are expected. This chaos throws the party into a state of upheaval ahead of critical midterm elections. Timing, it’s the Dems’ secret weapon, as Joe Biden said when he kept running for president until 107 days before the election. As an aside, Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign was the shortest in American history.
The change in the party’s HQ is only part of the Texas Dems’ new outreach plan. They are maintaining an office in Austin (I think it’s
manned by a furloughed FBI agent sitting behind a card table on Congress Avenue) as well as opening new outposts in Amarillo, Houston and –hold your applause – Eagle Pass, which has a population of 28,103, most of whom are bored Texas National Guards and immigrant smugglers.
Again, according to the Texas Tribune, all of this –particularly the mass exodus of veteran party organizers – is not setting well with mega-donors and national Dem leaders. But Scudder has his plusses. His supporters note he helped revive the party’s finances. As of mid-September, the party had raised $2.1 million this year, enough to pay off the $500,000 debt that Scudder encountered when he took over as chair in March.
But he’s only been in office those seven months, and his term only runs until the state party’s convention next June, when thousands of party delegates are set to elect the next full-term chair. Staffers were hesitant to move to Dallas at the whim of a chair who may not be around after that. What if a new chair wants to move the party’s home to, say, Eagle Pass? Meanwhile, the headquarters of the Texas
Republican Party are ostensibly in Austin. That’s a cover since every political reporter in the state knows the actual Texas GOP leaders meet at the Midland Petroleum Club. Moving out of the home of the centrally located state capital, state offices, the legislature (because of Gov. Greg Abbott’s unending call for special sessions, Austin is now the lawmakers’ legal residence) and the closeness of Longhorn football games, doesn’t seem wise, but it’s not without precedent. Jay Hartzell moved from Austin to Dallas. If you don’t recognize the name, Hartzell was president of UT-Austin, but suddenly announced last January that he was becoming president of SMU. Why leave a major state university to become head of a much smaller religiously oriented private school? See: Gov. Abbott and the legislature above.
Besides being Chairman Scudder’s home town, Dallas has much to offer. Like the State Fair of Texas, the Cotton Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE), better known as Y’all Street, and companies like AT&T, American Airlines and now Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The Dems should have considered Houston, which is known for the Astrodome, Enron and the Oilers. OK, forget it. Thousands of people are moving to Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, just bring your own water. (The counties can’t keep up.) So how about relocating to the beautiful Texas Hill Country? Nope. Or South Padre with those sandy beaches, and watch Elon Musk’s rockets explode? Those angry, displaced HQ employees might buy that. Anyway, moving the deck chairs may not be the solution to the party’s problems. Look at their plight. As we have noted before, both of our U.S. senators are Republicans. Texas has 38 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and of these, only 12 are Dems. One seat is open since the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner. In the Texas Legislature, the elephants are an easy majority: Senate: Republicans 20, Democrats 11. In the House: Republican 88, Democrat 62. The last time the Dems held a majority in the Texas Legislature was 1995. The last time a Dem won a statewide election was 31 years
ago. It is the nation’s longest current losing streak. No Democratic presidential candidate has won Texas since Jimmy Carter in 1976. Donald Trump rules in the Lone Star State, easily beating Hillary Clinton (by 9 percentage points), Joe Biden (by 6) and Kamala Harris (by 14). Of Texas’ 254 counties, in the last presidential election Trump won in 242 of them and gained ground: 10 of the Texas counties that Biden won in 2020 went to Trump in 2024. These margins are a landslide. With congressional redistricting, the GOP may increase its power even more. Ah, the good old days for Texas Dems. That was back when two Texas Democrats controlled Congress: Lyndon Johnson ran the Senate and Sam Rayburn ran the House. Texas got whatever it wanted. That’s what Kendall Scudder faces. It’s like being named commander of Pearl Harbor on December 8 of 1941. So good luck to the luckless Dems. Just watch out for icebergs. Ashby is staying put at ashby2@comcast.net
George Memorial Library to host Genealogy Lock-In on Oct. 17
Staff Reports
In recognition of FamilyHistory Month in October, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Genealogy & Local History Department at George Memorial Library will join the Genealogy Network of Texas (GNT) in a state-wide, collaborative Genealogy Lock-In for familyhistory buffs on Friday, October 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Room 2C of the library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond. A series of teleconferences with topics of interest to family-history researchers will be streamed throughout the day. Participants may attend to view all the sessions, or they may choose to view individual sessions. The schedule is as follows:
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. – “The Stories of Our Lives: Beginning Your Family-History Research,” presented by Curt Witcher, Director of Special Collections at Allen County Public Library. Discover (or review) simple steps to take when starting your family-history research. Get tips on comfortably gathering as much information as possible and then organizing it in a way that makes it quick and easy to share or access. Developing an efficient organizational process in the beginning makes future steps and new discoveries even more possible.
• 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. –“From Names to Narratives: A Simple Guide to Writing,” presented by Hannah Kubacak, Librarian at Waco-McLennan County Library’s Genealogy Center. Learn the art of biographical writing by weaving historical context, personal anecdotes, and family lore into one’s ancestors’ stories. Review tips on maintaining accuracy while crafting a compelling narrative to preserve and share your family history. This presentation will help researchers transform their genealogy research into captivating biographical sketches cherished by future generations.
• 1:05-2:05 p.m. – “Following a Civil Case Through Documents Filed in Court,” presented by J. Mark Lowe, FUGA, Ky-Tn Research Associates Researcher. Learn the basics of the legal system and gain a better understanding of the process of following a case through court, including dockets, orders, depositions, and more. Find the key to solving a problem using these records.
• 2:20-3:20 p.m. – “All in the Family: Using Collateral Research to Build Your Family Tree,” presented by Sandra Crowley, Director of Development for the Texas State Genealogical Society. Collateral research is a powerful genealogical method that extends beyond direct ancestors to investigate the broader family network. Explore strategies to find additional records, reconstruct family dynamics, and navigate challenges post by missing di-
rect ancestor documentation. This approach is useful when primary records are scarce, offering contextual clues, migration patterns, and unexpected biographical details. Learn to transform fragmented family history into a rich and comprehensive narrative.
• 3:35-4:35 p.m. – “Family Trees Get Smart: AI as Your Genealogy Assistant,” presented by Sherri Taggart Ahmadzadeh, Chief Genealogist at Family Tree Tracer, LLC. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how people discover, analyze, and connect family-history records. Join us to explore the emerging ways AI tools are revolutionizing genealogical research – from document analysis to pattern recognition to breakthrough research techniques. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just getting started with digital research, this presentation will help you harness AI’s potential in uncovering your family’s story. Additional video presentations will be available for viewers to enjoy at their convenience. These bonus videos will not be shown at the library because to time constraints, but links to the videos will be available to everyone who registers for this event. The links to the videos will expire and only be viewed on the day of the event, for a 24-hour period.
“Researching Your Scandinavian Ancestors,” presented by Carl Smith, Manager of the Family-History Research Center at the Clayton Library campus in Houston. The countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden did an excellent job of recording and preserving their church and government records -- from early-modern history until the present – many of which are accessible online. Learn about record sources and strategies for researchers who are ready to uncover their Scandinavian family roots.
“Research Road Trips: Productive for You, Fun for Family,” presented by Jessica Horne Collins, President of the Clayton Library Friends. Uncover your family’s past with a balance of research and family fun. Learn how to prepare yourself for research trips to libraries, courthouses, archives, and other repositories. Explore ways to take completed and in-progress research and craft a road trip that showcases your family history to loved ones of all ages.
“Resources for New OrleansArea Genealogical Research,” presented by Stephen Stuart, President of the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans. Family historians can access a wealth of libraries, archives, and other resources to learn more about their roots in Southeast Louisiana. This presentation provides an overview of those resources – both prominent and lesser-known – and key features of their collections. Participants will also receive contact information to
get started.
Lunch is not included, but those attending the workshop are welcome to bring a lunch with them.
Co-sponsored by the Central Texas Genealogical Society, the Texas State Genealogical Society, and the Genealogy Network of Texas, the workshop is free and open to the public.
Seating is limited, and reservations are required. To register online at Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov), click on “Classes & Events,” select “George Memorial Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library’s Genealogy & Local History Department (281-3412608). Those registering may choose to view the presentations at the library, or they may opt to receive the link to view them at home
Shakespeare-by-the-Book festival features 'The Merchant of Venice: Vegas Edition'
Staff Reports
This fall, Fort Bend County Libraries' Sugar Land Branch Library will host a free series of Financial Literacy workshops designed to give teens a better understanding of personal finances, credit cards, and money-management skills that will help them succeed in the adult world after high-school graduation.
The series of classes will be presented by Fort Bend County Extension Agent Janelle Johnson. Each month's session is a standalone topic; students may choose to attend individual programs, or they can opt to attend the whole series.
The series will begin on Monday, October 13, with a program on "Budgeting 101." The class will take place from
5-6 p.m., in the Tech Center of the library, 550 Eldridge Road.
In this class, teens will learn how to create and stick to a budget by tracking income and expenses, prioritizing needs over wants, and saving for future goals.
The series continues on November 10 with a program on "Managing Credit." Students will learn how credit cards, loans, and credit scores work. They will also hear about strategies for using credit wisely while avoiding excessive debt.
The final program in the series – "Introduction to Credit Cards & Insurance" –will take place on December 8. This class will delve more deeply into the use of credit cards, including how they
work and how to avoid debt. Those attending this class will receive tips for using credit cards smartly and responsibly. Students will also get an overview of insurance types – including health, auto, and renters' – and why they are an important part of financial planning.
The series is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, however, and registration is required. To register online at the library's website (fortbendlibraries.gov), click on "Classes & Events," select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call the Sugar Land Branch Library (281-238-2140) or FBCL's Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate
The Sienna Parks and Levee Improvement District of Fort Bend County, Texas will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2025 on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 11:30 a.m., at 202 Century Square Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77478 or by video conference at https://districtmtg.com/mqd 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: T. Jones, G. Yarborough, A. Young & D. Wong
AGAINST the proposal: (none)
PRESENT and not voting: (none)
ABSENT: S. Nowak
The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.
In conjunction with The Live Oak Playhouse, Fort Bend County Libraries presents the 2025 Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival featuring “The Merchant of Venice: Vegas Edition” at George Memorial Library on Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25. Back row (L-R): Hunter Tortorice as “Gratiano;” Will Larson as “Bassanio;” Neil Health as “Solanio;” Sofia Uribe as “Salerio;” Front: Daivon Barone as “Lorenzo/Morocco”. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries
THESE ARE THE SURVIVORS AND THEIR MESSAGES:
family comes together to honor and recognize our colleagues who are breast cancer survivors and their families,” said Maria Alanis-Caireli, public information officer at FBCHHS. Alanis-Caireli shared that her older sister had also been diagnosed with the dreaded disease.
“My sister, who is just two years older than me, spent the last year battling breast cancer, and I’m so happy and proud to say that she’s also a survivor,” she said.
Before the walk began, participants gathered under a canopy at Eugene Heimann Circle for speeches and recognitions. This year, the following Fort Bend County employees were honored as breast cancer survivors. Each took the microphone to receive their certificate, share their personal journey, and offer a message inspired by their fight against the disease.
• Diane Garcia, Revenue Cycle Manager, Emergency
Medical Services
Her message: “We don’t know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice.”
• Katie L. Herrington, Staff Director, Precinct 2
Commissioner – 27th year as a survivor
Her message: “You are stronger than you think. Keep fighting.”
• Juli Johnson, Medical Examiner Investigator –fifth year as a survivor
Her message: “You are stronger than you know, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t lean on those who love you.”
• Sandra Pileggi, Licensed Nurse, Clinical Health Services – seventh year as a survivor
Her message: “Cancer is only a chapter in your life, not the whole story.”
• Gabby Romero, Court Coordinator, 458th District Court – third year as a survivor
Her message: “Early detection matters. Get your mammogram done yearly.”
Additionally, Alanis-Caireli said that Presiding Judge Toni M. Wallace of County Court at Law No. 4 put together a video that was used to promote the event.
All speakers emphasized the importance of regular selfchecks for breast cancer. If you notice any unusual changes, it’s important to consult your doctor.
“Screening and early detection save lives,” Dr. Nichole Brathwaite-Dingle said.
“Regular self- checks and annual mammograms help detect cancer when it is most treatable. We encourage all of you and your loved ones to know your risk factors, know your modifiable factors, and get timely screenings at Fort Bend County Health and Human Services.” Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.
Fort Bend County issues burn ban
Staff Reports
Fort Bend County commissioners on Monday approved an outdoor burn ban for all unincorporated areas of the county.
As extreme heat persists and drought conditions worsen, the risk of wildfires continues to increase, according to officials. The Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office has been monitoring the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) – a standard tool used to assess wildfire potential. The index ranges from 0 (no moisture depletion) to 800 (extremely dry conditions). As of October 13, Fort Bend County’s KBDI
reading was 642, indicating significantly dry conditions.
After reviewing drought index data and the extended forecast showing continued heat and minimal rainfall, Commissioners Court determined that current conditions present a potential public safety hazard.
Under the Declaration and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning in Fort Bend County, residents are prohibited from burning or ordering another to burn any materials outdoors unless the fire is entirely contained within an enclosure designed to confine all flames, sparks, embers, and ash. This order restricts the
use of open flames, including the burning of trash, campfires, burn barrels, and other open-flame devices.
The burn ban does not affect the sale and use of fireworks for the Diwali holiday, Fire Marshal Justin Jurek said, although residents are required to take additional safety precautions during the fireworks displays.
County Judge KP George is authorized to rescind this declaration upon consultation with the County Fire Marshal when drought conditions improve and hazardous circumstances no longer exist.
Fort Bend County commissioners on Monday approved an outdoor burn ban for all unincorporated areas of the county. Photo by Janne Karaste via Wikimedia Commons
Participants circle Richmond’s Mirabeau B. Lamar Homestead Park as Katy Perry’s “Roar” plays over loudspeakers.
Photo by Juhi Varma
Juli Johnson, a breast cancer survivor, shared her journey from a routine mammogram revealing a stage-two tumor to treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Her therapy dog, Pearl, provided comfort and support throughout her recovery. Photo by Juhi Varma
Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com
RICHMOND/ROSENBERG ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
Please join us on Thursday, October 2, at 7 p.m. for our monthly meeting. We will be meeting in Room 105, the Gathering Room, at St. John’s UMC, 400 Jackson Street, Richmond. Andrea Williams and Syreeta Choice from CarePartners will share information about local caregiving resources and introduce a new monthly gathering place for individuals living with mild to moderate memory loss. This free, half-day programhosted at the Mamie George Community Center-ofers structured activities designed to promote social engagement, cognitive stimulation, and emotional well-being. It also provides caregivers with a much needed break while their loved ones enjoy a safe and welcoming environment.
Support groups create a safe, confdential, supportive community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems. These support groups give caregivers and others impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia a place to connect and share with one another. The Richmond/ Rosenberg Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group is for caregivers only. There are online support groups for people who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. You can contact alz.org to learn more about those particular support groups.
Questions may be sent to: gallowkj@earthlink.net
SUGAR LAND GARDENING CLUB
The Sugar Land Garden Club will hold a meeting featuring a presentation titled ‘Horticulture and Floral Design at TAMU,’ by Dr. Amit Dhingra, TAMU on Tuesday, October 21, beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Basil’s Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. Learn more at https://sugarlandgardenclub. org.
ONGOING
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES AT GPBC
In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, Grand Parkway Baptist Church will ofer 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. Benefts as a choir member include greater self-esteem and selfconfdence, 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 “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
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. FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB
EXCHANGE
