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THE STAR
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Wednesday, January 8, 2014 H
Is your blood pressure too high, too low or just right?
Fort Bend ISD board reviews school zoning and capacity options
High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, confusion and be a symptom of serious illness. Blood pressure that’s “just right” is an important component of overall good health. So what is “just right” blood pressure and how do you maintain it? “Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart beats,” says Earl Mangin, Jr., M.D., board certified cardiologist with Methodist Diagnostic Cardiology of Houston. “Your blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Systolic pressure, the top number in your blood pressure reading, is the measurement of pressure when your heart beats, pumping blood through the body. Diastolic pressure, the bottom number, is the pressure in between beats, when the heart is at rest. In general, your blood pressure is considered normal if it’s above 90/60 and less than 120/80 mm Hg.” Sometimes called the silent killer, high blood pressure (HBP), or hypertension, can damage your body for years before it causes noticeable symptoms. Left unchecked, high blood pressure can have deadly results. A 15 mm Hg rise in systolic pressure may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (including stroke, heart attack and heart failure) by 56% in women and
shows that Area A will continue to grow very rapidly over the next five years with new elementary schools as the most pressing need. Several schools are already stressed from the growth in the area including Oakland at 143%, Holley at 131% and Cornerstone at 129%. Options include building additions at over-utilized schools and add two or three new elementary schools including one in Aliana. "Not building an elementary school in this area is not an option", Richter told the board. "Part of the recommendation is the district's need to absorb land when you can because you're going to need it". Area B also has several elementary schools that are over-utilized including Commonwealth at 140% and Townewest at 128%. One option calls for building a larger elementary school on the Townewest site and renovating Lakeview. New and existing apartments could mean adjusting feeder patterns to alleviate additional overcrowding. At the middle school level, options include an addition to First Colony Middle School and turning Lake Olympia Middle School into a transportation facility for the district. Richter told the board that high schools are "starting to feel pinching" in terms of
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Dr. John Passmore, M.D., cardiologist and Earl Mangin, Jr., M.D., cardiologist 32% in men. HBP also causes arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), eye damage and vision loss. Although low blood pressure is more loosely defined than HBP, most normal blood pressure doesn’t dip much below 90/60
mm Hg. And any significant and sudden drop in blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or more can cause problems. Symptoms of low blood pressure include blurry vision, confusion, dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, weakness and sleepiness. If you experience symptoms of low blood pressure, sit or lie down and raise your feet above the level of your heart. Also, talk to your doctor. It’s important to find the exact reason for your drop in blood pressure to determine its seriousness and which treatment is best. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mangin or another cardiologist with Methodist Diagnostic Cardiology of Houston at the Sugar Land or Houston office, call 713.776.9500.
“Knockout” game in Fort Bend injures elderly man By LeaAnne Klentzman As 2013 wound to a close police in a northern Fort Bend County town learned of a “Knockout” that severely injured an elderly Katy man. “Knockout” is the name given to the attacks that have been occurring across the country and posted to the internet. Reportedly, it is a game called “Knockout” and is described as approaching an unsuspecting person on the street and hitting them so hard they are knocked out. Such is the incident that occurred in Katy,Texas back on November 24, 2013. According to police, the “Knockout” target was a 79 year old man walking down a rural street. Reportedly he was approached by a younger man who got out of his vehicle walked up to him, greeted him, then hit him knocking him to the ground causing severe head injuries. The victim needed medical treatment but did not contact police. Days later, at a restaurant in a nearby town, the crime was discovered when Conrad Barrett
bragged to an off duty peace officer and showed him the video relating to the “Knockout” on his cellphone; that night the phone and video were seized by police and as evidence of a crime. The case was referred to Katy Police as the crime took place in their jurisdiction, then it was forwarded to federal authorities where charges of a HATE crime were filed against Conrad Alvin Barrett, 27, of Katy who was arrested December 26, 2013. Barrett has remained in federal custody since his arrest. Barrett is being represented by Houston attorney George Parnham who said that Barrett is very sorry for the victim and that he (Barrett) has a history of mental health related issues. The “Knockout” game is not unique to this incident and has been spreading across the country. As far back as 1992, charges for “Knockout” assaults have been filed in jurisdictions in Illinois, Missouri, Washington and New York. Conrad Barrett and his family have been long time residents of north Fort Bend County.
FBISD, continued from page 1
capacity at Kempner, Elkins, and Clements. Area C shows elementary schools over-utilized but high schools among the most under-utilized in the district. Options include building additions at Scanlon Oaks, Schiff, and Sienna Crossing and building two or three new elementary schools including one in Sienna South. Ridgemont Elementary, which needs $5.5M in repairs would be turned into an Early Childhood/Pre-K center. Willowridge High School, which is only at 50% utilization and needs $20M in repairs would be torn down and a smaller high school built on the same site. Blue Ridge Elementary, which is located next to an industrial
PAGE 5
site, would be closed and a new elementary school built on the Willowridge site. Heritage Rose Elementary, which is under-utilized at 50% would be turned into a middle school. Plans also call for another high school to be built to relieve overcrowding at Ridge Point. There will be two steering committee meetings in January to discuss the options and present a formal plan to the board. In February the board will approve the five year Facilities Master Plan and the District Strategic Plan. The elementary school boundary plan will not be discussed until the spring. All of the information from the Jacobs report and the DejongRichter report are available on the district's website.
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Rededication of the Margaret Havens Library tells story of “Remarkable Woman” REDEDICATION, continued from page 1
Southwest Texas State and received her bachelor’s degree in 2 ½ years. She would go on to earn her Masters in Education and eventually return to Missouri City to teach and “give back.” The Mayor also spoke of Margaret’s belief that the kids in Stafford were entitled to a better education. “During this time,” the Mayor said, “Three-hundred other cities were trying to create breakaway districts. Margaret felt that Stafford had an opportunity to do something special
for the kids.” The first day of school for kindergarten was August 26, 1982. Currently, Stafford MSD is the only school district of its kind in the United States. Also present for the festivities, Congressman Al Green, who presented a flag that had flown over the US Capitol in Margaret Haven’s honor to the new library. The Congressman said, “This is a remarkable woman. If her life stands for anything it’s that one person with determination and an education can have an impact on others.”
BAPTIST CHURCH
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-499-2310
2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 Dr. Charles Murphy, Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30am - 6:00pm Sunday Worship 10:45am - 7:00pm Wednesday: 7:00pm Bible Study / AWANA "A Place To Call Home" - www.hbctx.org
4200 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, 77459 Contemporary Worship Service: 9:00am Sunday School: 10:15am Traditional Worship Service: 11:15am www.southminpres.org
METHODIST CHURCH
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SUGAR LAND • 281-240-3195
502 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Sunday Worship 8:30am • 11:00 am 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Sunday School for All Ages 9:30am Sunday Worship: 8:15am - 9:45am - 11:05am Pastor's Bible Study Tuesday 7:00 pm the hub - 11:00am Sunday School for all ages - 9:45am LUTHERAN CHURCH www.cumcsl.org
CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • 281-980-6888
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • 281-499-3502 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX 77459 Sunday School all ages: 9:00am Combined Worship: 10:30am www.fumcmc.org
SUGAR LAND METHODIST CHURCH • 281-491-6041 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Worship @ 9:00am and 11:15am Bible Study, all ages, @ 10:10am www.sugarlandmethodist.org CHURCH OF CHRIST
MURPHY RD. CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-261-5216 2025 FM 1092 • Missouri City Sunday Worship: 9:30am - 5:00pm Bible Classes: Sunday 10:45am Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30pm www.murphyroadchurch.org
SUGAR LAND CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-561-0881 15590 Voss Road • Sugar Land • www.slcoc.org Sunday Worship Services: 7:00am • 10am • 5pm Bible Study (all ages): Sun. 9am & Wed. 7pm Tuesday Seniors' Bible Study: 10am Scripture of the week Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. —John 1:12
FISHERS OF MEN LUTHERAN CHURCH (LCMS) • 281-242-7711
2011 Austin Parkway - Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.fishersofmen.org Sunday Worship: 8:30am - 11:00am Sunday School classes for ages 2 & up: 9:40am
NEW HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA) • 281-499-7611 1424 FM 1092 Rd., Missouri City, 77459 Worship w/Holy Communion: 8:00 & 10:30 am Education hour for all ages: 9:15am www.newhopelc.org
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS 281-242-7729 800 Brooks St., Sugar Land Sunday: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Contemporary Worship (Nursery Available) 4:00 pm Spirit of Life Worship NON DENOMINATIONAL
BRIGHTON CHURCH • 281-988-7755 11925 SW Frwy 59 • Stafford (Between W. Airport and Murphy Rd.) Sunday Worship: 10:30am www.brightonhouston.org • Refreshing & Relevant
FREEDOM CHURCH • 281-240-1055 121 Wood ST. • Sugar Land, TX 77498 Sunday Worship: 11:00am www.facebook.com/freedomchurchintl Pastor - Bryan Eggenbeger
To place an ad in The Fort Bend County Worship Directory 281-690-4200