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INSIDE STORY | Skeeters outfielder makes a generous donation, page 8 the Public
The deputy who loves taming gators - p. 2
the Opinion
Should schools arm teachers?- p. 3
Star Spotter WEDNESDAY | AUG 27 | 2014
An opportunity to volunteer - p. 10
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 37 • No. 1
Bond isn’t specific about Career/ Tech
READY FOR KICKOFF
Page 4 A general manager for Johnson Development discusses Imperial, Harvest Green projects
By Michael Sudhalter msudhalter @ fortbendnews.com
Speech champion
Ridge Point High sophomore running back B.J. Rainford, left, competed against Clements High senior defensive back Lane Prado in a scrimmage last Friday. Ridge Point, Clements and 11 other Fort Bend schools begin competition this weekend. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter)
With her speech, “Goodbye Wi-Fi,” Missouri City’s Kelly Sargeant finished third in the world’s largest speech contest. last Saturday in Malaysia.
INSIDE TODAY’S STAR Ashby’s take on national politics Page 2 A new medical clinic in town Page 8 Upcoming community events Page 9
The Fort Bend Star now has a partnership with KHOU Channel 11
Thirteen local schools to begin season this weekend By Michael Sudhalter msudhalter @ fortbendstar.com
You’d be hard-pressed to find an area with better football programs – from top to bottom – than Fort Bend County. Need proof of that? The seven Fort Bend ISD schools that reached the playoffs last season won their opener. And Stafford High did, too. The Star’s football preview is just the beginning of our comprehensive sports
coverage of 11 Fort Bend ISD schools, along with Fort Bend Christian and Stafford. The University Interscholastic League has created a 6A classification for the first time in its history, and Hightower, Austin, Clements, Travis, Kempner and Dulles will play in 6A23, along with the three Alief ISD schools. But 5A-23 will actually be the more competitive district with 5A state contenders Elkins and Ridge
Point leading the way. Bush, Marshall, and Texas City will contend for a playoff spot, while Willowridge is going to surprise some people. Stafford will look to duplicate its success under second-year head coach Ron Counter at the 4A level, and Fort Bend Christian hopes to build upon a 7-3 season. Blue chip prospects, talented teams and state titles hopes will define the 2014 season, and we’re glad you’ll be here to follow it with us.
The Fort Bend Southwest Star 4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 700 Stafford, Texas 77477 281-690-4200 281-690-5200 fax starnews@fortbendstar.com www.fortbendstar.com
THE INDEX Fort Bend’s Finest.....................2 Classified.............................. 6-8 Community Calendar...............9 Fort Bend Starspotter............10 Real Estate Showcase.......8-9B
See Section B
H SEE BOND, PG 5
O P E N I N G W E E K E N D S C H E D U LE Thursday’s games Katy Seven Lakes at Travis (Mercer), 6 p.m. Brazosport at Willowridge (Hall), 7 p.m. Austin at Klein Forest, 7 p.m. Friday’s games Dulles at North Forest, 7 p.m. East Bernard at Stafford, 7 p.m. Marshall at Houston Madison, 7 p.m. Bellaire at Elkins (Mercer), 7 p.m. Ridge Point at Clear Creek, 7 p.m. Eisenhower at Hightower (Hall), 7 p.m. Fort Bend Christian at Danbury, 7:30 p.m.
EDITOR’S NOTE :
Saturday’s games Alief Taylor at Bush (Mercer), 6 p.m. Clements at Katy Taylor, 6 p.m. Kempner at Rayburn, 6 p.m.
This week’s story on the proposed Fort Bend ISD bond is the third in a series of stories. This story focuses on the district’s Career & Technical program plans
HHHHHHHHHHHH
Dulles and Marshall scrimmaged last Friday. Both teams will open the season on Friday in Houston with Dulles visiting North Forest, and Marshall traveling to Madison. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)
Sugar Land can expect changes if budget’s approved By Christina Martinez
Imagine saving a couple of hours, plus a few bucks in gas money, on that trip to The Woodlands to hear Michael Buble’s songs or George Lopez’s humor. That could become a reality the proposed Performing Arts Center comes to fruition in 2016. That development is dependant on whether the city passes its budget for the Fiscal Year 2015. City Manager Allen Bogard submitted the budget to the City on July 22. Last week , the City discussed the budget at a Thursday meeting and the proposed budget will be finalized in September, according to Bogard. Last December, Council approved a Construction Manager at Risk agreement
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LABOR DAY
Christina @ theleadernews.com
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Fort Bend ISD has $59.4 million allocated to Career & Technical improvements – approximately one-sixth of its proposed $484 million bond that will be presented before voters on Nov. 4. The district hasn’t decided whether to construct a new Career & Technical facility or to boost current facilities, but the $59.4 million is listed within the construction portion the bond. “The ($59.4 million) is a placeholder to address the needs of the students and the community to comply with House Bill 5,” said FBISD chief operating officer Max Cleaver said. “We were uncomfortable putting that off to Phase 2.” Career/Technical Education in FBISD encompasses a wide variety of studies including Health/Science, Business/ Finance, Marketing Education, Agricultural/Natural Resources, Architecture/Construction, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics, Welding, Engineering, Education Training, Automotive, Information Technology, Culinary and Firefighting. House Bill 5 is a bipartisan comprehensive educational reform bill that the state legislature passed last year. Among other things, HB5 emphasizes the importance of Career/Technical Education. The bill states that all students
Monday, September 1
Classified / Ads deadline is this Friday at 2 p.m.
The office will open Tuesday at 9 a.m.
DO YOU HAVE PAIN? LET US HELP. A rendering of the Art Center of Sugar Land by MartinezJohnson Architecture. (Submitted) with Linbeck Group, LLC for the City’s new performing arts center – the agreement allots for $98,500. The arts center will house approximately 6,500 seats and will sit on around 38.5 acres of City-owned property in the Telfair commercial district, southeast of U.S Highway 59 and University Boulevard. Linbeck was selected
from a list of five firms after a formal request of qualifications and interview process in August. Linbeck has completed more than $3 billion in construction projects in the past six years, including – Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie, Tobin Center for Performing Arts
H SEE BUDGET, PG 5
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