Sugar Land fundraiser gives first look at new public safety training facility Man sentenced to two 18-year terms for sexual assault of a
child
Staff Reports
In late September, a Fort Bend County jury convicted a Houston man of two charges of sexual assault of a child and sentenced him to 18 years in prison for each crime. Emmanuel Aransiola, 54, will serve the two sentences concurrently but must serve half his time before even being considered for parole, according to a news release from the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.
According to Assistant District Attorney Tristyl McInnis, lead prosecutor in the case, Aransiola targeted a 15-year-old girl while she was walking in her neighborhood on November 22, 2023. The defendant and victim had not previously met, but he convinced her to get into his vehicle, where he later sexually assaulted her.
Afterwards, the victim immediately disclosed the assault to her family who contacted law enforcement. Police gathered home surveillance videos and used the aid of a license plate reader to find the vehicle, which was registered to Aransiola. The victim identified the defendant in a photo line-up. DNA evidence was also secured that confirmed the defendant’s identity,
The Finest & Bravest Foundation of Sugar Land, in partnership with the City of Sugar Land, hosted a special fundraising event on October 11 called Red & Blue United at a location long talked about but never accessed by the public – Sugar Land’s new Public Safety Training Facility.
The event offered a rare, one-time opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility and connect with first responders through an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at their daily operations.
“This is not just another event or another
venue; this is a moment in time that will likely never happen again,” foundation president and Council member Suzanne Whatley said in opening remarks. “We have the privilege tonight of celebrating where excellence meets purpose – where those who serve are prepared to lead the field in both skill and heart.”
Nearly 390 guests arrived decked out in their best red and blue attire complete with sequins, cowboy boots, and hats – which didn’t stop them from enthusiastically trying on combat gear and helmets as they explored the training grounds.
“This facility represents a big step forward
EXPANDING HORIZONS
UH SUGAR LAND CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW ENGINEERING
AND TECHNOLOGY BUILDING
Juhi Varma
“People
Sugar Land woman files new lawsuit against Fort Bend County medical examiner
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Just a week after a federal magistrate dismissed a Sugar Land woman’s federal lawsuit against the Fort Bend County medical examiner, filed a new one – with new allegations – stemming from the investigation of her husband’s 2020 death.
In December 2022, Yvette Atkinson filed a civil suit against Dr. Stephen Pulstilnik, along with Fort Bend County and County Judge JP George and other members of Commissioners Court in the U.S. Southern District of Texas. In the lawsuit, Atkinson, then represented by New York-based attorney Ty Clevenger, alleged that
but last week’s ribbon cutting marked
Attendees of the Red & Blue United event at Sugar Land’s new Public Safety Training Facility last weekend had the opportunity to watch how firefighters control the flow path of a dangerous fire. Contributed photo
Emmanuel Aransiola, 54, of Houston, was convicted in September of two charges of sexual assault of a child and sentenced to 18 years in prison for each crime.
Courtesy Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
A Sugar Land woman has filed a new lawsuit against Fort Bend County Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Pulstilnik stemming from the investigation of her husband’s 2020 death. Here, Pulstilnik is seen addressing Fort Bend County Commissioners Court earlier this year. Photo by Ken Fountain
in how Sugar Land supports and trains its first responders,” said Kevin Barker, Region 5 vice president of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land, who helped guide guests as part of the club’s collaboration with the gala.
The interactive demonstrations available to guests included tactical simulations with SWAT officers, drone operation displays, and hands-on firefighting practice with electronic extinguishers.
“This is a basic rifle setup, helmets, the ballistic plates, gas mask and a shield that we have depending on what your job is on the SWAT team,” said Lt. Jesus Estrada, gesturing to a table lined with unloaded rifles. Behind him, guests tried on tactical vests, explored a mock training facility, and watched as officers demonstrated an arrest scenario.
“Everybody carries plates and helmets and gas masks, for sure,” Estrada said. “Your point guy has a shield. The point guy is at the very front of the team that goes into the house.”
There was a strong focus on fire safety and training as well. Guests tried out a fire extinguisher simulator, where a virtual fire appeared on a screen and the extinguisher – shaped like a real one but functioning like a remote – had to be used with proper technique to “put out” the flames.
Afterward, firefighter Adam Lopez led groups through a mock house fire.
Artificial smoke filled the space to mimic low visibility during an actual blaze, giving guests a realistic sense of what firefighters face – without any danger. Each participant also got the chance to handle a real thermal imaging camera, just like the ones used in live emergencies.
“A couple years ago, with the funds raised for this event, we were able to get thermal energy cameras for everybody on the truck,” Lopez said.
Modern homes contain far fewer natural fibers like wool and cotton and far more synthetic materials, which burn much faster and hotter, Lopez said. Plastics have a burn rate
similar to gasoline, meaning a house fire today involves far more flammable fuel. This leads to intense heat and thick smoke, causing rooms to reach “flashover” more quickly, he said.
“So you basically stack your house with gasoline, and if it catches on fire, that’s what’s burning,” he said. “Now with a lot more synthetics are in houses, there’s a lot more smoke.”
“I think it’s a great opportunity for a great organization that really gives back a lot to the fire department,” said division chief Dutch Schultz.
“This is an opportunity for us to kind of show in depth each way that we’ve made that money work for us and get us ahead, quicker and provide a better service.”
The following first responders were honored at the gala: Firefighter of the year: Jacob Varner
Paramedic of the year: Brian Mund
Engineer/operator of the year: Gene De Los Santos
Employee of the year: Gene De Los Santos
Sugar Land police officer of the year: Johnny Partida Supervisor of the year: Jesus Estrada
Dispatcher of the year: Joshua Bailey
Civilian of the year: Trista Korczynski
The 2025 Finest & Bravest scholarship recipients are: Lauryn Bromonsky, Katelhyn Garcia, Katlyn Huynh, Matthew Morales, Joshua Sosa, Christ Thompson and John Volek.
About the Sugar Land Public
Safety Training Facility:
Sugar Land Public Safety Training Facility officially opened its doors just two weeks ago, marking a major milestone for the city’s first responders. It was funded by voters in the city’s 2019 GO Bond.
For years, Sugar Land’s police, fire, and EMS departments trained outside the city, facing scheduling challenges and potential delays in response times. The new 23,000-square-foot secure facility – located near the old prison and the Sugar Land Regional Airport – brings all training under one roof, enhancing coordination and preparedness for emergencies ranging from floods to critical incidents.
“What stands out the most to me is the pride that the police officers, firefighters and EMT’s take in the new facility and in their careers,” said Council member Stewart Jacobson. “Knowing that their city council and our citizens are 100% behind them makes a real difference, I’m told.”
To access the site, guests attending the recent Red & Blue United gala were shuttled in on luxury buses from the Reese Center, since the training center is not open to civilians.
The Finest & Bravest Foundation of Sugar Land is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness and support all of Sugar Land’s first responders. Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.
Sugar Land City Council member Suzanne Whatley, president of the Finest & Bravest Foundation, announces the organization’s 2025 scholarship winners: Lauryn Bromonsky, Katelhyn Garcia, Katlyn Huynh, Matthew Morales, Joshua Sosa, Christ Thompson and John Volek. Photo by Juhi Varma
THE TELEPHONE – “Hi, Lynn. This is Suzanne Laptop, and I am calling you with an emergency notice. We need to deposit ten thousand dollars in your account from FEMA for damages incurred by Hurricane Harvey. At the tone give the name of your bank, account number and password. Again, this is an emergency and the transaction will expire in twenty-four hours.” Well, my momma don’t raise no idiots. I can spot a scam at least from across the den, but I do wonder how someone, probably in Albania, got my name and phone number.
This brought me to thinking about phones – how they have changed just in recent years, their technology, the growing and ever-more sophisticated scams and Albania. I have a cell phone but, unlike millions of others, I still have a land line, too. It’s part of a package with Disable Cable that includes my phone, TV cable, computer and dishwasher settings. When the cable goes out, which is weekly if not daily, I still have my cellphone. I am not alone. Today 98 percent of adult Americans
On hold for phony advice
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
now own a cellphone of some kind. About nine-in-ten (91%) own a smartphone, up from just 35% ownership in 2011. As we might expect, almost all younger folks (18 to 29) have a cellphone (99%), and each day Americans spend 4 hours and 30 minutes on their mobile phones and check their phone 144 times per day. (I found this last statistic hard to believe until I found a second survey which reported 150 times a day.) Smartphones are especially common among Americans with lower household incomes and with lower levels of formal education. Maybe they spend too much time checking their phones to get a job and go to school.
Motorola developed the first
portable cell phone in 1973. It was shaped like a brick and weighed around 2.4 pounds. This brings us to a little background. Alexander Graham Bell, a Scottish immigrant who somehow went undiscovered by ICE, invented the telephone (and co-founded AT&T), along with the metal detector and probably the Graham cracker. He held 18 patents. On March 10, 1876, Bell spoke to his assistant, Thomas A. Watson, with the first recognizable sentence transmitted by phone: “Mr. Watson come here, I want you.” Just three days earlier, Bell (what a great name for the Father of the Dial Tone) had been granted a patent for his invention. But it wasn’t an instant success. Western Union rejected an offer to buy the rights for $100,000, believing it wasn’t a rival to the telegraph. A decision it later regretted.
When Bell…excuse me, my phone is ringing. “Hi, do you remember last week when we…” I interrupt. “Who is this?” We now segue into phone manners. Do you have people call you and begin talking with no intro? Bad
manners. The caller knows who you are. Possibly where you are. And you know zero about the caller. Perhaps he or she thinks he/her has such a distinctive voice that you will immediately recognize that person, but unless it’s Robert Kennedy, Jr. or Caller ID tells me, I haven’t a clue. Do not use your iPhone while driving, otherwise your call may end with, “…so after I collected the ransom I…is that a stalled Peterbilt in the AAAG!” It is very annoying to be talking to someone and have that person distracted with a crying baby, a barking dog or a fire in the kitchen. Which reminds me of a story about Lyndon Johnson. Sen. Evert Dirksen was finally elected minority leader of the Senate. He had always been jealous of LBJ, being majority leader, leaving the Capitol every day in his chauffeur-driven limo with a telephone. So on Dirksen’s first day in his new position, Dirksen calls LBJ and says, “Lyndon, I need to talk to you, so I’m calling you from my car.” Pause. “Excuse me, Ev, but my other phone is ringing.”
“A team player will be with you in a moment, or maybe an hour. Your call is very important to us, so please stand by.”
Then I listen to “The Best of Croatian Polkas” like I’ve got nothing better to do. Being put on Hold means the company you are trying to reach is too cheap to hire enough wage slaves to handle customers’ calls. How long do you get put on Hold? The average American spends 13 hours annually waiting on Hold for customer service. 0n Hold with automated customer service in one lifetime is 43 days. I assume that means 43 24-hour periods. But this is immediate service compared to other waitings:
• 32 minutes whenever you visit a doctor
• 28 minutes in security lines when you travel
• 38 hours each year waiting in traffic and those living in big cities – the Houston region springs to mind – wait in traffic more than 50 hours annually
The solution is to…wait. My other phone is ringing. Maybe it’s LBJ. “Meester Hashby, dis is Billy Bob callink you…” No
doubt you also get calls from someone “callink” to sell you something. The first clue is the call is probably out of Manila or Dacca and it’s not Billy Bob on the other end. The second clue is in the background you can hear 20 others making the same pitch.
Of course we have our own homegrown pests. “Hey, I finally reached you. You’re harder to get than my wife’s top shelf in the kitchen. I’m Sergeant Mackerel from the Friends of the Police Association and…” It’s a recording, obviously, and I doubt there really is a Sergeant Mackerel. I get these from “law enforcement” callers mainly around the holidays, but they are not limited to then.
All of this is not a whine, just an observation. Actually, the first phone call was not, “Mr. Watson come here, I want you.” It was “Watson, I am calling you with an emergency notice. I need to deposit ten thousand dollars in your account.” Ashby is on Hold at ashby2@ comcast.net
Missouri City election matters for Missouri City and Fort Bend County
Editor's note: The following
op-ed is provided by the Fort Bend Business Coalition. This piece does not necessarily reflect the views of the Fort Bend Star or its staff. The Fort Bend Star welcomes opinion articles on matters of interest to Fort Bend County residents. Publication is at the discretion of the editor. Send submissions to editor@fortbendstar.com.
This November 4, 2025, Missouri City voters will go to the polls to elect the leadership for their city. This race is not only critical for the citizens of Missouri City; it is critical to the overall future success of Fort Bend County.
Why is the Missouri City municipal election critical for our future? Because experienced, effective city leadership is vital for a successful, pros-
CRIME FROM PAGE 1
according to prosecutors.
“This case is a reminder that protecting children requires all of us to be vigilant. We must notice when something doesn’t look right and speak up. One person’s voice can stop a predator and save a child,” McInnis said in the release.
“You deserve to live in a community where you feel safe, and we work towards that goal each and every case. This conviction keeps the streets safer for our children, and also provides justice for the victim,” Assistant District Attorney Arsheilia Oliver said.
“The thorough investiga-
perous community. City leadership affects citizens in a most direct, hands-on manner, oftentimes more so than federal governance. City leadership is paramount in shaping the future of a municipality for decades to come. City leadership determines whether a city thrives or fails. Having the right leadership matters. It matters now, and it matters for our future. The Fort Bend Business Coalition (FBBC) is dedicated
tive work by Meadows Place Police Department was instrumental in locating the defendant, working with the family, and obtaining evidence in this case,” District Attorney Brian Middleton said. “While most assaults are by someone known to the child, ‘stranger danger’ remains a threat we should all reinforce with our families.”
The case was tried in the 240th District Court before Presiding Judge Surendran K. Pattel. Sexual Assault of a Child is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Child Advocates of Fort Bend can be contacted at 281-344-5100 or through the website, ww.cafb.org.
PUBLIC LIVE AUCTION FORT BEND COUNTY Site: 9110 Long St., Needville Saturday – October 25th – 10 AM FEATURED HEAVY EQUIPMENT, VEHICLES, TRUCKS & MISC CAT D4K2 Dozer, Cat 416B Loader Backhoe, Cat 324 EL Hydraulic Excavator, Kobelco SK250 LC Excavator, Cat 308 E2 CR
to cultivating and supporting elected officials who understand and act on the needs of the business community by exercising common sense in making decisions and developing policies. And as a former Mayor of Sugar Land for eight years, let me assure you running a city requires business acumen.
Collaboration
As our closest neighbor to a major metropolitan area and with a population nearing 105,000 residents, Missouri City is an integral part of our county, and Fort Bend’s success is built on collaboration between local government and our business community. This collaboration takes vision, experience and dedication to attracting quality employ-
ers, strengthening small businesses and managing multi-million-dollar budgets to ensure a thriving, economically sound community. Having the right city leadership in place matters for the future of Missouri City and Fort Bend County.
Business Development
Missouri City businesses –both attracting new business and supporting the existing business community – are the backbone of the city’s economy. With close proximity to Houston, the Fort Bend Toll Road, and expanding subdivisions, Missouri City is strategically located for multiple business interests. It takes leadership, experience and resources to assist businesses as they navigate
the challenges of a growing community. It takes a city government who will work with and for business interests. It takes a council empowering Missouri City businesses and vendors to succeed. Through the development of the Small Business Advisory Council and a homegrown business vendor forum, the current Missouri City Council has demonstrated effective leadership in business development helping secure the city’s economic future.
United, Cogent Leadership
A city’s mayor and council members must work together as a cohesive team with a common goal. This message of leadership, teamwork and responsible governance attracts both residents and
businesses to a community. Their structure and message should be unified. Three experienced candidates in this election with a solid reputation of collaboration is critical to achieving successful governance. A united city council with clear, concise communication equates to good business practices. Find the Fort Bend Business Coalition's candidate endorsements at fortbendbusinesscoalition.com. Find information on polling locations at fortbendcountytx.gov/your-county/news/ elections-voter-registration/ election-day-polling-locationnov-4.
Find the League of Women Voters of Fort Bend's Voters Guide at lwvtexas.org/fortbend-county#gsc.tab=0.
Lynn Ashby Columnist
GHP: Region more diverse, more educated, and aging at a slower pace than the nation overall
Staff Reports
Editor’s note: In its “Economy at a Glance” report for October, the Greater Houston Partnership – the regional chamber of commerce – examines new American Community Survey (ACS) data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, which shows the Houston metropolitan region growing more diverse, more educated, and aging at a slower pace than the nation overall.
According to a Greater Houston Partnership analysis of new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Houston metropolitan region is growing more diverse, more educated, and aging at a slower pace than the nation overall.
Each fall, the U.S. Census Bureau releases new American Community Survey (ACS) estimates, showing how the nation’s demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics have changed relative to the previous year. The 2024 data, released in September, includes estimates for Houston and other major metro areas. In this issue of Glance, the Partnership examines some of the ways the region has changed over the past decade. Subsequent editions of Glance will look at the same ACS data in greater detail, comparing Houston to its peer metropolitan areas.
race – a group that has nearly tripled during the same period.
Race and Ethnicity
The Houston region, already one of the nation’s most ethnically and racially diverse metros, has grown even more diverse over the past decade. Since 2014, the region’s Hispanic or Latino population has increased by nearly 700,000, while non-Hispanic Black and Asian populations have added over 200,000 residents each. The non-Hispanic white population has declined slightly, though part of this change may be due to the growing number of residents who now identify with more than one
Hispanic or Latino residents make up the largest racial/ ethnic group in the region, followed closely by non-Hispanic white residents. But, as has been the case since the late 1990s, no single group constitutes a majority.
Age
Houston continues to be younger than the nation as a whole, with a median age of 35.7 years old compared to the U.S. median of 39.1. The region’s population is aging, but at a gradual pace. The median age has increased by one year
and eight months since 2014 – but it held steady between 2023 and 2024. Improved healthcare technology and declines in harmful behaviors such as smoking have extended life expectancies and helped expand Houston’s senior population. A decade ago, residents aged 65 and older made up about 1 in 10 Houstonians, but last year they accounted for roughly 1 in 8.
Foreign-Born Population
More than 1 in 4 Houstonians was born outside the United States. In 2024, 25.4 percent of the metro area’s
residents were in a foreign country, up from 23.1 percent in 2014. Nationwide, the share of foreign-born residents in 2024 was significantly lower at 14.8 percent Houston added more than 480,000 foreign-born residents over the decade, with international migration representing the region’s largest source of population growth. Metro Houston’s foreign-born population now exceeds the total populations of 12 states (Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming) and the District of Columbia.
Houston’s foreign-born residents come from all corners of the globe. Just under half (48.5 percent) come from Central America (defined by the Census Bureau to include Mexico), 24.9 percent come from Asia, 8.6 percent from South America, 7.0 percent from Africa, 6.0 percent from the Caribbean, 3.9 percent from Europe, 1.0 percent from North America, and 0.2 percent from Oceania.
The three Central American countries of Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras are the most common places of birth for the region’s foreignborn population, but the Asian countries of India and Vietnam are not far behind, with over 100,000 residents each. Despite their prominence, these five countries account for just 13.8 percent of Houston’s foreign-born residents.
Note: The geographic area referred to in this publication as “Houston,” “Houston Area” and “Metro Houston” is the ten-county Census designated metropolitan statistical area of Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX. The ten counties are: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller. Find the full “Economy at a Glance” report at houston.org/ houston-data/economy-at-aglance-october-2025. Find the recently released ACS data at census.gov/programs-surveys/ acs/news/data-releases/2024/ release.html.
Mission Bend library to host financial aid program on Oct. 25
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mission Bend Branch Library is hosting a four-part college-preparedness workshop, “S.T.E.P. Into College,” this fall. College-bound students and their parents will get free, helpful information on the college-admissions process, financial aid, and making plans or considering alternatives.
The next workshop in the series, “T: Tackle Financial Aid,” will take place on Saturday, October 25, from 2-3 p.m., in the Computer Lab of the library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Road, in northeast Fort Bend County.
William Keaton, director of college readiness at Yes Prep Public Schools, will explore the financial costs of attending college and ways to make it more affordable. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the differences between grants, loans, and other types of aid.
Keaton will provide step-bystep instructions for completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which many colleges require for scholarship and loan consideration. He will also explain the TASFA and the CSS Profile. Hear about strategies that can be used to maximize financial aid and scholarships. College-bound students and their parents, as well as any-
one returning to college after a break, are encouraged to attend.
The series will continue with the following workshops: “E: Engage After Applying” on November 15; and “P: Plan for What’s Next” on December 13.
The workshops are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, however, and registration is required. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Mission Bend Branch Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library (832-471-5900), or by visiting the Adult Reference desk at the library.
UHSL FROM PAGE 1 LAWSUIT FROM PAGE 1
served as chairman of the UH System’s board of regents.
“Everybody was so upset that we have so much land here, so much potential here, but we didn’t see any effort from the UH System to really grow the Sugar Land campus,” she said. “We promised the community that we were serious about it.”
She highlighted how bringing technology and engineering programs to Sugar Land aligns with the region’s growth. Technology is one of the most popular programs at UH’s main campus, and Sugar Land’s tech-rich economy makes it an ideal location to expand, she said.
“This new building represents the next leap forward,” said Pradeep Sharma, professor and dean of the College of Engineering. “By next year, UH Sugar Land will educate more than 4,000 students across ten undergraduate degrees in engineering and technology, as well as multiple graduate programs – from biotechnology and mechanical engineering technology to information systems and cybersecurity.”
Sugar Land ranks third among the best cities to live in Texas, Khator said, with 62% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree – more than double the state average. About 25% of its population is under 18, and the city was recently named the No. 1 “business-ready” city in the U.S. by Verizon Business. Job growth is projected to rise another 20% in the coming years, she said.
Funds for the $65 million facility came from a 2021 funding package approved by the Texas Legislature for UH System facility construction and renovations. Construction began in October 2023.
SAB2 features wet and dry labs, computer labs, faculty offices, collaboration areas, traditional and active learning classrooms, as well as student advising offices and lounge spaces.
“A lot of the classrooms and stuff, look really nice, and have really good like computers and like desks and stuff,” said engineering student Jonathan Nguyen, 23, about the new building. “And the environment, I like it a lot more than the main campus. This is our senior design class.”
“Think about the education-rich community that is here,” said Khator. “Think about all the innovation that’s going to take place here. Think about all the need for startups and everything that’s going on here.” Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.
According to the original lawsuit, Simon Atkinson, founder and CEO of Texas Surveys, a company that performs laser scanning and digital modeling, “likely took his own life at least in part because the COVID-19 pandemic caused serious harm to his business,” the family’s sole source of income. According to the lawsuit, his widow, Yvette Atkinson, was entitled to $1 million in death benefits, which she needed to keep the business operating and support her thenteenaged son.
According to the lawsuit, Dr. William McClain, a forensic pathologist, performed an autopsy within days and “found no evidence of foul play.” Likewise, the Sugar Land Police Department investigated and “quickly concluded that Mr. Atkinson died of suicide,” according to the complaint. The Fort Bend Star independently confirmed that was the finding of the police department, and that there had been no further investigation since.
The original complaint states that after about a week after Simon Atkinson’s death, Yvette’s brother Steve Sanchez called Pulstilnik to ask why his office had not yet issued a death certificate, since she could not receive the insurance benefits without the certificate.
“Their discussion quickly turned to a heated argument,” the complaint states. “Thereafter, Defendant Pulstilnik retaliated by refusing to list a cause of death on Mr. Atkinson’s death certificate.”
According to the lawsuit, Sanchez repeatedly called County Judge George about the matter and asked for a meeting. When he finally did meet with George, the judge said he couldn’t do anything because of “an ongoing investigation.”
Pulstilnik neither finalized the death certificate nor convened an inquest – a judicial hearing where such cases are investigated – for more than a year, according to the original complaint. When an inquest was finally convened in early 2023, Pulstinik demanded that Yvette Atkinson provide him with all of the ammunition from the house that was purchased for the gun that her husband apparently used so that he could personally perform a firearms test, which the complaint states he was not qualified to perform.
A Fort Bend justice of the peace later ordered Yvette Atkinson to provide the ammunition, which she did “notwithstanding a letter from a Sugarland (sic) police detective stated that its investigation of Mr. Atkinson’s death was closed.”
According to the lawsuit, all of the ammunition, which amounted to 75 rounds, was provided to Pulstilnik on June 1. But he took no action until an attorney for Atkinson sent a letter to Fort Bend Commissioners Court “explaining the history of retaliation and bad-faith delays,” the complaint states. In later court documents, it was revealed that in January 2023, almost a year and a half after Simon Atkinson’s death and a month after the lawsuit was originally filed, Pulstilnik made his official ruling that the death was a “homicide.”
Job Description:
In March 2024, U.S. Federal Magistrate Andrew Edison ruled that George and his colleagues on Commissioners Court could not be sued by Atkinson because they were entitled to “qualified immunity,” a legal doctrine that gives wide latitude to public officials in the performance of their duties. But Edison also ruled that Pulstilnik was not entitled to qualified immunity in Atkinson’s claim that he made a false ruling of homicide in retaliation for her and her brother’s efforts to try to get Pulstilnik to make a ruling.
After that ruling, the case mostly languished until October 8, when Edison issued a new final order dismissing Atkinson’s lawsuit on procedural grounds. Edison wrote that Atkinson and her new, New York-based lead attorney, Eden Quainton, had failed to properly amend her claims in later amended complaints.
Shortly after that ruling, Quainton told the Fort Bend Star he believed Edison’s ruling was “completely wrongheaded,” and that he planned to file an appeal of the ruling directly with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Instead, Quainton on October 15 filed a new lawsuit on Atkinson’s behalf, naming only Pulstilnik in his individual capacity as a defendant. In the new complaint, Atkinson for the first time is identified as a person of Mexican descent, which plays into the new allegations contained in the complaint.
In the complaint, Atkinson alleges she contacted several people in Fort Bend County government to complain about Pulstilnik’s delay in issuing a
death certificate. According to the complaint, she learned that Pulstilnik had made numerous statements to the effect that Atkinson, her late husband, and her brother Steve Sanchez were involved in “some weird pyramid schemes” and “financial tomfoolery.”
Pulstilnik told others that the Sugar Land Police Department and others were suspicious of Atkinson, and that she and her brother were refusing to cooperate in the investigation of her husband’s death, according to the new lawsuit.
According to the complaint, much of the evidence for the new claims came about through discovery in the original, dismissed lawsuit.
The new lawsuit alleges Pulstilnik violated Atkinson’s and Sanchez’s rights to due process, based on their ethnicity, as well as her property rights. They also claim that Pustilnik defamed them.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, including for economic losses, emotional distress, and reputational harm, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. The case has tentatively been referred to U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray. An initial conference in the case is set for January 30.
Quainton did not respond to requests for comment on the new lawsuit by the Fort Bend Star’s deadline. Earlier, he told the Star that Atkinson ultimately was able to receive the death benefits she sought.
Pulstilnik did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
Responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining web applications. This includes working with frontend and backend technologies, collaborating with the product team to implement new features, optimizing website performance, and ensuring cross-browser compatibility.
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field
• Proficiency in web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Experience with backend frameworks (ASP.NET, Django, Node.js)
• Familiarity with version control systems (Git) Salary: 64000 Email: normakesaria@gmail.com
number: (281) 690-0697
Mission Bend Branch Library will host a program on applying for college financial aid on Oct. 25.
File photo
Local Culture Local Culture
Review: ‘Merchant of Venice’ brings Vegas glitz to the George
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
In summer 2024, I wrote a column about my longtime love of the Houston Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park and, during the 1990s, Fort Bend County Libraries' own Shakespeare-by-the-Book festival. When I wrote that column, I bemoaned the fact that the Fort Bend version seemed to have faded away in the mid-aughts.
I hadn't known when I wrote that column that the library system and Missouri Citybased Live Oak Playhouse were preparing to relaunch the Shakespeare-by-the-Book festival that October with a production of "Twelfth Night," one of the Bard's most reliable romantic comedies. Not knowing much about Live Oak Playhouse, I went to the performance hopeful but with no great expectations, only to be delighted with what I experienced, as I tried to convey in my review.
This year, the troupe returns for the latest entry, “The Merchant of Venice: Vegas Edition”, and I’m glad to report that Shakespeareby-the-Book is really coming into its own, again. I saw the premiere on Friday night at the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at Richmond’s George Memorial Library and had a fine time. The performance will be held again this Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. both nights. We should say at the start that, as the program (accessible through a QR code available to audience members) notes, "The Merchant of Venice" long been regarded by scholars and Shakespeare afficianados as one of his "problem plays." Partly that has to do with its sometimes uneasy mix of boisterous comedy, romance, and some menace. More importantly, "Merchant" has gained considerable controversy over the years for its treatment of the story's main antagonist, the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Written in the late-1500s, a time when Jews throughout Europe had long been subjected to extreme prejudice and discrimination, "Merchant" presents Shylock as a character who embodies many of the bigoted tropes Jews were (and all too often still are) subjected to, including being greedy, illtempered, and vengeful. It's worth doing a bit of research (I recommend the Wikipedia entry as a start) to learn how
in more recent years, critics and scholars have suggested that Shakespeare's treatment of Shylock is perhaps more nuanced, with the character receiving some amount of empathy in the text. But let's back up a bit. The merchant of the title is Antonio, a well-to-do but aging player in Venice's wealthy shipping industry whose younger friend, Bassanio, a bit of a ne'er-do-well who has wasted his fortune, comes to him seeking a loan so that he can court the rich and
beautiful heiress Portia. But Antonio's wealth is currently leveraged in shipments that are out at sea, so the cash-poor merchant advises Bassanio to go and see what his credit can fetch among the Venetian lenders.
Bassanio meets with Shylock, who has previously suffered much bigoted abuse from Antonio. The moneylender agrees to give Bassanio an interest-free loan, but only if Antonio agrees to give him a "pound of flesh" if he's unable to make good on the debt at
the required time. Antonio, confident that all his ships are about to come in, agrees.
All the while, Portia is upset that she is unable to choose a husband on her own, but must agree to marry the man who successfully solves a riddle posed by her late father. There are other subplots involved, but it's probably best not to describe them all here.
As with last year's production, "Merchant" isn't set during its original time and setting. Rather it's set in the Las Vegas of the 1950s, when that city was just beginning its identity as "America's Playground." Think of Vegas in the Rat Pack-era, with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and the rest of the gang. The glamorous, glitzy but somewhat seedy aspects of Vegas (if you've been there, you know) are actually quite in keeping with a play that is involved mostly in the getting, and keeping, of wealth and privilege. The spare set design and great costumes enhance the effect.
The cast members, ranging from very experienced to some just getting started, are first-rate. I once (just once) performed in a community theater production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" in San Diego. It wasn't great. The Live Oak Playhouse isn't like that at all. This production could easily be performed in any of the smaller professional theaters around Houston.
Jim Allman brings the right mixture of gravitas and pathos to Antonio, who despite
being the title character is more acted upon than acting in the convoluted plot.
Will Larsen as Bassanio and Renata Smith as Portia bring a lot of high energy and humor to their sometimes duplicitous wooing, as do Hunter Tortorice as Bassanio's friend Gratiano and Haylee Feng as Portia's maid and confidante Nerissa. Daivon Barone really shines in two roles: Bassanio's friend Lorenzo and the Prince of Morocco, one of Portia's suitors. As Lorenzo, Barone courts Shylock's daughter Jessica, well-played by newcomer Printsessa Contrera.
One of the things I noticed this time around was that the background players in most scenes are constantly having their own interactions, not just standing around. The players are constantly in motion, which really keeps the audience engaged.
As for the character of Shylock: Ty K. Fisher is stupendous in the role. Physically imposing with a powerful voice, Fisher brings more than a little menace to the role, especially in the climatic trial scene where he seems poised to exact Antonio's debt to him.
Any performance of Shylock is judged by the character's famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" monologue, where the moneylender bemoans the prejudice he has long endured, comparing it to the lives led by his Christian contemporaries. It's an emotionally wrenching scene, and Fisher performs it exceedingly well.
The fact that Fisher is a Black actor in a production
where Antonio and most of his circle are played by white actors lends an extra dimension to that scene and to the production as a whole. During a time when antisemitism and other forms of bigotry are on the rise, this "Merchant" reminds us that all of us need to be vigilant about guarding against our own prejudices, our own tendencies to see people who differ from us in some way, as "the Other." Maybe that's what Shakespeare was getting at.
On a lighter note, the library and Live Oak Playhouse seem to have taken my advice from last year's review and moved Shakespeare-by-the-Book back to the evening hours. Watching "Twelfth Night" from a concrete amphitheater during an early autumn day last year was brutal.
Patrons at this weekend's concluding performances are encouraged to bring stadium seats or cushions. Beach and lawn chairs are allowed only in two designated rows of the amphitheater, and space is available strictly on a firstcome, first-served basis. Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Food trucks are on hand to provide snow cones and other treats.
I'll leave you with this. On opening night on Friday, during one of the funnier scenes, a Texas bullfrog could be seen hopping along the front pathway before coming to a stop just below center stage. If that isn't the magic of live theater, I don't know what is. Fountain takes his bow at KFountain@fortbendstar.com
Antonio (Jim Allman), left, and Shylock (Ty K. Fisher) square off in the Live Oak Playhouse's Shakespeare-by-the-Book production of "The Merchant of Venice" at the George Memorial Library. The production concludes October 24-25. Photos by Ken Fountain
Bassanio (Will Larsen) woos Portia (Renata Smith) as Gratiano (Hunter Tortorice) and Nerissa (Haylee Feng) look on. Lorenzo (Daivon Barone) woos Jessica (Printsessa Contreras).
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-offers 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, confidential, 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 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 selfconfidence, 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.
