06-17-2020 Edition of the Fort Bend Star

Kendleton museum to observe Juneteenth - Page 3

Hundreds came out to Missouri City Baptist Church last Saturday for a food and PPE drive. Read the story inside today's paper on Page 2. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 17, 2020 BERT SCHMIDT, Agent

Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 44 • No. 95

Business assistance grant aims to boost economy

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

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Even though Texas has been gradually reopening its economy over the last six weeks, many small businesses are struggling to regain their financial footing.

Fort Bend County officials are trying to do their part to ensure business begins booming sooner rather than later.

Applications opened Monday morning for the county’s Small Business Emer-

gency Grant Program, which is aimed at addressing the financial hardships faced by small business owners due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $22 million allocated to the program comes from the federal CARES Act and was approved last month by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court.

“Our small businesses are important to our society and any community,” County Judge KP George said. “They are the backbone of our society.”

The available grants, which

are worth up to $10,000 per business, are available to small businesses that incurred eligible expenses under the CARES Act, including the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), reopening supplies, renovations, equipment, inventory and remote working expenses. They also provide assistance with leases, mortgages and utilities. The business must have incurred the expenses as of April 3, Jeff Wiley speaks Monday about Fort Bend County's assistance program for small businesses. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

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BNI Fort Bend Chapter George and Grace, two mute swans who have had a profound impact on the Sugar Lakes neighborhood, swim with their newly hatched baby. The swan family, which neighbors helped nurse and protect from an alligator that was caught last week, can usually be seen around the community. (Contributed photo)

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Teen accused of racially insensitive graffiti in Katy

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office has charged 18-year-old Dominic Reale with felony graffiti after it says he allegedly spray painted multiple vehicles with racial slurs and graphic

Sugar Lakes community rallies around family of swans

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

George and Grace don’t wear physical crowns on their heads. In fact, they aren’t even human.

But the pair might as well be royalty in Sugar Lakes, where neighborhood residents recently fought off a threat to the swans’ throne.

After nesting in the neighborhood in April and receiving 55 days of care from concerned residents, the two mute swans and their baby were released into the community’s lake May 30 on the advice of a local swan expert. It was a stress-inducing decision

Reale

swan family – George and Grace are known to some as the resident “Prince” and “Princess” – when it first nested in the area in early April. She and two others, Diane Barnes and Christina Nguyen, have been called “The Swan Ladies” within the neighborhood.

“The swans are definitely a huge part of the community,” Barnes said.

“People just love them and they’ve all embraced them.”

During the day, one or more of the ladies could be seen giving the swans a refreshing shower with a

SEE SWANS PAGE 7

Skeeters to host games in break from Atlantic League

By Landan Kuhlmann

SEE GRAFFITI PAGE 3

on the part of the neighborhood, because there were reports of alligator sightings in the lake less than two weeks beforehand.

“It was horrible,” Sugar Lakes resident Margaret Chun said, “and every few hours we would all drive around trying to locate the swans and make sure the baby was still there.”

The worry was not necessarily for George and Grace, but for their baby, Timothy DeRamus displays the alligator he caught and which didn’t yet have the relocated from Sugar Lakes last week. (Contributed photo) ability to fly away if the gator attacked. The com- it encountered the swan the lake,” Chun said. munity raised $450 to hire family.

Chun is one of three a company to remove the “Thankfully they didn’t women in the Sugar Land alligator, which was cap- get near the gator and it neighborhood who took tured June 11 – before didn’t come to that end of charge of caring for the

LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Although the home teams will be playing under a different name in a different league, baseball fans in Fort Bend County will soon have their beloved sport back in action.

Last Wednesday, the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League announced they will break from the league and host their own four-team professional

league at Constellation Field from July 3-Aug. 23. Opening Day for the Atlantic League was originally scheduled for April 30 but has been delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s imperative that we continue to serve our role in the community as a family-friendly entertainment venue,” Skeeters owner Kevin Zlotnik said in a news release. “Now more than ever we realize how important that role is.”

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Team president Christopher Hill said former MLB star Roger Clemens – a Houstonian who briefly pitched for Sugar Land in 2012 – first pitched the idea when he was working out at Constellation Field several months ago.

The Skeeters organization is turning the idea into action in an attempt to generate revenue during what has so far been a lost 2020 season.

SEE BASEBALL PAGE 8

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THE STAR

PAGE 2 • Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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Food, PPE drive helps underserved area community

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

State Rep. Ron Reynolds wants COVID-19 out of his community.

On Saturday morning, a partnership with the City of Houston attempted to do its small part in eradicating it from the Missouri City area Reynolds serves.

“There’s been a high number of my constitu- Donations from the Houston Food Bank were handed out ents here in the vicinity Saturday at Missouri City Baptist Church. (Photo by Landan who have tested positive Kuhlmann) for COVID-19,” Reyn- at-risk populations – part- during the COVID-19 olds said. “We wanted to nered with Reynolds, the pandemic,” said Dr. be here today to serve a Houston Food Bank and Kathy Flanagan, chair of community that’s been other organizations for a the H.E.R Task Force.

The City of Houston donated masks and other personal protective equipment that was handed struggling and provide massive food and personout to Missouri City residents on Saturday. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann) According to World them with things that will al protective equipment Population Review, about help them get through (PPE) drive last weekend 41.5 percent of more than 333 as of Sunday, accord- “Combined with new hand sanitizer and therthis crisis.”

Missouri City Baptist 75,000 residents in Mis- ing to the county. economic challenges, mometers.

Houston’s Health Eq- at souri City are African Church.

The Houston Medisome of our neighbors The virus has also uity Response (H.E.R.) “We’re here as rapid American. The city has been most prevalent in now face increased food cal Forum, comprised of Task Force – launched by responders to the needs also reported the most African Americans, ac- insecurity as well as black physicians and afMayor Sylvester Turner of communities of color COVID-19 cases among cording to Fort Bend little-to-no resources to filiated with the National in April as an interven- and communities that incorporated cities in County, with that popu- acquire items for novel Medical Association, tion for vulnerable and have been underserved Fort Bend County, with lation accounting for coronavirus protection was also on hand to about 31 percent of the and to maintain general provide educational materials. health.” county’s positive cases.

“This virus is still in the To help address those “The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and needs in the Houston- midst of our community, intensified health ineq- Fort Bend region and so we want to be mindful uities in communities Missouri City, the Hous- of that,” Turner said. “We where people were al- ton Food Bank donated want to keep people safe ready struggling,” read 500 packages of food for while still meeting their a news release from the effort, while Hous- needs. This is a team efthe City of Houston. ton donated face masks, fort.”

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Wednesday, June 17, 2020 • PAGE

3

Let’s drive to the finish line, Fort Bend The phrase “punch it in” is familiar in football circles as a term meaning to finish off a drive with a touchdown.

But it can also generally be used to mean finishing what you started. And I think the term fits here in Fort Bend County as the battle against COVID-19 rages on. What I’m getting at is that while I believe most everyone in the county, from elected officials to residents, has done a whale of a job during all of this, we can’t let the state’s reopening distract us from the end goal – beating this virus.

In about six weeks since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott allowed the statewide stayat-home order to expire and businesses to reopen beginning May 1, the number of reported positive cases in Fort Bend County more than doubled from 1,133 on May 1 to 2,402 as of Tuesday morning.

Much of that can certainly be attributed to the increased testing in the county – with 13,955 tests

Landan Kuhlmann LEAD REPORTER

conducted at its testing sites since May 2 compared to just 3,960 through May 1 – but it’s still worth noting. Last week, the county sported about a 10.6 percent positive test rate, with 268 cases out of 2,537 tested. That’s lower than the overall rate of 13.4 percent, and there were three straight days heading into last weekend with rates in single digits – some positive signs.

But just like in sports, it could all be for naught if we don’t finish the job. The virus is still hanging around us in the Greater Houston region, and we need to tread lightly.

On the whole, I think Fort Bend County resi-

dents – at least in my experience – have done a phenomenal job in doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus strain. Whenever I’ve covered large-scale events during the pandemic such last week’s Black Lives Matter protest in Sugar Land or Saturday’s PPE drive in Missouri City, I have seen most – if not all – in attendance adhering to social distancing guidelines. If social distancing is not possible, the majority have worn masks.

And while it may seem like overkill to some I’ve spoken with, I’m not so sure it is anymore.

That may sound strange coming from someone who previously said in this space that he wasn’t going overboard on the precautions, I’ll admit.

But this thing has been unpredictable almost from the start, so I’ve changed my tune a little bit due to its evolving nature and a stark realization.

Kendleton museum to observe Juneteenth

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Bend County Heritage Unlimited Museum in Kendleton will hold its annual gathering in observation of Juneteenth this Friday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the museum, 630 Charlie Roberts Ln. Juneteenth is an annual holiday celebrated June 19, commemorating the date when slaves in Texas found out they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation issued in 1863.

Union general Gordon Granger read the federal orders in Galveston

nearly two years later on June 19, 1865.

Kendleton is a freedmen's town founded shortly after the Civil War on the banks of the San Bernard River, according to the Texas Independence Trail website. The museum focuses on the lives of African Americans in Kendleton and surrounding areas of Fort Bend County in attempts to “unveil African American History in a gallery-style museum,” according to its website.

It also hosts activities such as quilting workshops, heritage days, local art displays and an emancipation reenactment. During the

celebration Friday, the museum will have giveaways, music and food to accompany its galleries portraying African American life in Fort Bend County.

The museum will be following social distancing and personal protective equipment recommendations from the state of Texas during the event. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the contagious upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus strain.

There will also be masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant available at the museum the day of the event.

Sugar Land student receives $2,000 college scholarship From Staff Reports

Sugar Land’s Damon Spencer recently received a $2,000 scholarship to attend the University of Houston as part of Essity’s annual scholarship program for children of employees.

Coronavirus Poem.

We live in a scary World today It's different than Before No more hugs kissing Our happiness gone away Like never before The virus has taken our Loved ones away Families suffering Like never before The fear of the unknown Has arrived The worry of what will happen Tomorrow to you and me Coronavirus on our mind's Coronavirus everywhere Our lives in danger Like never before We practice social distancing Every day to keep the virus At bay as we shop in different ways Were asked to stay at home Like never before When will this Virus ever go away But I promise I'll love and pray for everyone Suffering Every day.

David P Carroll.

Since creating its annual scholarship program 13 years ago, Essity – a global hygiene and health company – has given more than $751,000 to high school seniors and college students. This year, 51 students received a total of $75,500 in Essity scholarships for their full-

time education next year.

The winners were selected based on academic achievements, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, statement of goals and an outside evaluation.

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While I can maybe fight off anything I come into contact with, it’s not just about me. My best friend for more than a decade and his wife, who I hang out with on at least a weekly basis, are expecting a newborn son here in the next week or so. My parents, who are 58 and 68 years old, are part of a group that is at higher risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19.

That’s what this is about – not just our own personal health, but those around us. For the last few months, any time I’ve had any small get together, I’ve had to distance myself from my family for at least two weeks to ensure I don’t pass anything along to them. It will be the same in a couple of weeks with my friend’s newborn, which is due about the time I’m scheduled to have a small gathering for another friend’s bachelor party.

Wearing a mask is certainly cumbersome, and having to spend time apart from those I care about the

★ GRAFFITI FROM PAGE 1

drawings in the Katy portion of Fort Bend County.

FBCSO said it received more than a dozen calls beginning at 5:45 a.m. June 3 from those in the 6900-7000 blocks of Pembrough Lane and Glen Rosa Drive regarding criminal mischief. Upon

most is insanely difficult at times. But if that’s the small price I have to pay to ensure I don’t potentially infect those I love? I’ll take the tradeoff every time.

And I think that’s a mindset that would benefit everyone in Houston and Fort Bend County, both in the short and long-term.

I have friends who work in or run businesses that had to partially or completely shut down due to the stay-at-home order. I know the economy needed a boost, so I was largely in agreement with the decision to begin slowly reopening over the last six weeks. I also completely understand the desire to resume normal life – whatever that looks like at this juncture – as soon as possible. There are no words to describe how mad I almost got just working from home a couple of days per week since this whole thing started, so I can only imagine what those who were stuck longer feel.

And I get the resistance to wearing masks, especial-

ly in the middle of summer in Texas – those things feel hot as an oven after just a few breaths.

But this virus is still hanging around the Houston region and even making a strong comeback in the City of Houston and Harris County, which includes some portions of Missouri City. So we’re not out of the woods just yet, and I think we still need to operate as though it could make a comeback in Fort Bend if we’re not careful.

I think we’re still at least several months away from truly getting back to any semblance of normalcy, which seems excruciatingly long to many of us.

But we’ve got to hold on.

In recent weeks, countries like New Zealand have completely reopened after having zero remaining active cases.

That’s the goal. So please wear a mask, wash your hands and maintain social distancing, Fort Bend.

We’re bearing down on the opponent’s goal line – let’s punch it in.

arrival to the scene, a news release from FBCSO said deputies found 16 vehicles spray painted with racial slurs, graphic drawings and the phrase “Be Gone.”

“I am proud of the diverse community we serve and will never tolerate this kind of behavior,” Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said.

Reale could face additional hate crime-related charges in the incident, according to FBCSO. His bond has been set at $5,000.

When he was charged with felony graffiti, Reale already was in Fort Bend County Jail on an unrelated assault charge.

Follow @FortBendStar

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak

and the cancellation of several community gatherings, please check with each organization for updated information about the status of their events.

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PAGE 4 • Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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Missouri City's municipal court, New Fort Bend transportation rec center reopen for business facility honored with TPWA award

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

As the state continues to reopen under the COVID-19 pandemic, several Missouri City facilities have reopened their doors to the public in a limited capacity.

Municipal Court hearings will now be conducted in person at 3845 Cartwright Rd. after being held virtually since April, according to the city.

Face coverings are required during trials, as is social distancing for those seated in the courtroom. Individual temperature checks will be performed before each session, while sneeze guards will be

placed between the defendants and the prosecutor, judge and clerk, according to the city. In order to maintain social distancing, the city said court proceedings will be limited to civil cases so as to not require a jury.

Defendants have also been asked to not bring any individual to court unless the person is providing physical assistance.

Visitors to the lobby are strongly encouraged to wear facemasks and maintain 6 feet of distance with any nonfamily member. The city said the lobby will be disinfected each day and hand sanitizer will be available.

The city’s Recreation

By Landan Kuhlmann

& Tennis Center located at 2701 Cypress Point Dr. also reopened to the public in a limited capacity with modified hours on Monday. The center is open from 6 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Friday and Saturday with many of the same restrictions, and reservations will be required.

For more updates on city services and potential reopenings during COVID-19, follow Missouri City’s social media pages @MissouriCityTX or its website at missouricitytx.gov.

LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

On June 10, the Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association (TPWA) selected the Fort Bend County Public Transportation Facility project for its 2020 Project of the Year Award.

A news release from TPWA said the $21 million project, which opened its doors in January, serves as a one-stop shop for Fort Bend’s transportation department. The facility includes administrative, operations, maintenance, fuel depot and bus washing services while housing the county’s 60 buses.

Prior to consolidating

For more updates on area facilities as the state continues to reopen, follow us @FortBendStar

Shown here is the Fort Bend County transportation facility, which recently garnered a statewide honor. (Contributed photo)

all services to the new facility at 3737 Bamore Rd. in Rosenberg, the county had previously performed all of those functions from four separate facilities around Sugar Land.

TPWA said the new facility allows Fort Bend to combine its transportation functions into a single location for im-

proved efficiency and service.

“A tremendous amount of time, energy and good old-fashioned sweat went into creating this wonderful facility to give us the space and flexibility we needed to grow our program,” Fort Bend County transportation director Perri D’Armond said.

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As of the date of this publication (June 17, 2020) the City of Sugar Land will limit meeting attendance to 25% capacity in order to maximize social-distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the City of Sugar Land has elected to conduct this meeting online. Members of the public wishing to view the meeting live may do so at the links referenced above. Members of the public desiring to make comments during the public hearing may submit their written comments to the Office of City Secretary (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov). Comments should reference the hearing in the subject line, must be received by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2020, then will be read into the record during the public hearing. Members of the public desiring to make their comments during the published date and time of the public hearing may attend the meeting (subject to the 25% capacity attendance maximum; or may e-mail (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov) or call ((281) 275-2730) the Office of the City Secretary by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2020 to register and receive instructions for participation remotely during the hearing.

Should the Centers for Disease Control, and/or the prevailing appropriate authority, lift the restrictions related to social-distancing and the avoidance of large and small gatherings in public spaces prior to 72 hours of the date of the public hearings, the City of Sugar Land will provide notice to the public on the City Council meeting agenda at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas.”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS REZONING FROM STANDARD SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) OR GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (M-2) TO THE HILL AREA RESIDENTIAL (HR-1) FOR APPROXIMATELY 9.7 ACRES AND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 2, ZONING REGULATIONS City Council Public Hearings: 5:30 p.m., July 07, VICINITY MAP: 2020, City of Sugar Land City Council Chamber, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, hosted via live stream at http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/1238/SLTV-16-LiveVideo or https://www.youtube.com/sugarlandtxgov/ live and Sugar Land Comcast subscribers can also tune-in on Channel 16 to hear all persons interested in the City-initiated Rezoning from Standard Single Family Residential (R-1) or General Industrial (M-2) to The Hill Area Residential (HR-1) for approximately 9.7 acres located (1) on the north side of Lakeview Drive, between Wood Street and drainage parcel R157753 (38 singlefamily lots addressed 203 Lakeview Dr. through 715 Lakeview Dr.); and (2) on the south side of First Street between Main Street and Wood Street (Lonnie Green Park). City Council will also hold a public hearing for proposed amendments to Chapter 2 Zoning Regulations of the Development Code.

Learn more about the draft changes by visiting the project webpage at www.sugarlandtx.gov/TheHill, or by contacting the City of Sugar Land Planning Department by email at longrangeplanning@sugarlandtx.gov or phone (281) 275-2218. The agenda items for this meeting will be available on the City website at www. sugarlandtx.gov/ under “Meeting Agendas” City Council no later than Friday, July 3, 2020. Request details or provide feedback on the proposed Rezoning or Development Code amendment online at www.sugarlandtx.gov/PublicHearingComment.

As of the date of this publication (June 17, 2020) the City of Sugar Land will limit meeting attendance to 25% capacity in order to maximize social-distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the City of Sugar Land has elected to conduct this meeting online. Members of the public wishing to view the meeting live may do so at the links referenced above. Members of the public desiring to make comments during the public hearing may submit their written comments to the Office of City Secretary (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov). Comments should reference the hearing in the subject line, must be received by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2020, then will be read into the record during the public hearing. Members of the public desiring to make their comments during the published date and time of the public hearing may attend the meeting (subject to the 25% capacity attendance maximum; or may e-mail (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov) or call ((281) 275-2730) the Office of the City Secretary by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2020 to register and receive instructions for participation remotely during the hearing.

Should the Centers of Disease Control, and/or the prevailing appropriate authority, lift the restrictions related to social distancing and the avoidance of large and small gatherings in public spaces prior to 72 hours of the date of the public hearings, the City of Sugar Land will provide notice to the public on the City Council meeting agenda at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas.”

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The agenda item for this meeting will be placed on the City of Sugar Land website at www.sugarlandtx. gov under “Meeting Agendas” City Council no later than Friday, July 3, 2020. Request details or provide feedback on the proposed Rezoning online at www. sugarlandtx.gov/PublicHearingComment or contact City of Sugar Land Planning Department at (281) 275-2218.

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LEGALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED REZONING OF 4.80 ACRES FROM STANDARD SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) DISTRICT FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN – GRANTS LAKE TEMPOS SECTION TWO (TOWNHOME COMMUNITY) City Council Public Hearing: 5:30 p.m., July 7, VICINITY MAP: 2020, City of Sugar Land City Council Chamber, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, hosted via live stream at http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/1238/ SLTV-16-Live-Video or https://www.youtube.com/ sugarlandtxgov/live, and Sugar Land Comcast Subscribers can also tune-in on Channel 16, to hear all persons interested in the proposed rezoning of approximately 4.80 acres from Standard Single Family Residential (R-1) to Planned Development (PD) District Final Development Plan for the existing Grants Lake Tempos Section Two (townhome community) located at the intersection of Grants Lake Boulevard and State Highway 6; further identified as being located in the Elijah Alcorn League, Abstract One, Fort Bend County, and platted in 1982 as Grants Lake Tempos Section Two, Volume 32, Page 4 of the Plat Records of Fort Bend County, Texas.

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Watkins named Teacher of the Year in return to SMSD

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Arianne Watkins never dreamed she would be the one standing in front of her peers in recognition of her efforts.

But on June 10, that became reality as she was named Stafford MSD’s Teacher of the Year in her first year back following a oneyear absence.

“It was definitely a shock,” she said. “They called my name and I just stood there for a second – it was this overwhelming feeling.

Then I started crying.”

Watkins recently finished her fourth year teaching Algebra I to freshmen at Stafford High School. Born and raised in New Orleans, she moved to the Houston area before the 2012-13 school year and taught at Klentzman Intermediate School in Alief ISD for three years before making the move to Stafford.

Immediately, she said, she was right at home due to demographic, socioeconomic and social similarities between Stafford and her Louisiana hometown.

“There’s this tremendous feeling of community and familiarity – everybody knows everybody,” she said. “That’s why Stafford was the place we decided upon.”

Forming that type of relationship has always been a passion for Watkins. She is an alumnus of Teach For America – where members commit to teaching for two

Watkins

years in a low-income community employed by local schools – and said her love of community has always driven her to go beyond just a lesson plan.

“Most teachers don’t think of this as just a job or a paycheck – it’s a work of the heart.

When you look at a school and its place within a community, you look at everything and start to see the role you have is so much bigger than just teaching a math concept,” she said. “It really starts to be this work of building up your community, and you want the kids to feel pride in themselves, their area and the place they’re growing up in.”

After three years at SMSD from 2016-18, Watkins said she took a brief detour to KIPP Houston Public Schools before the allure of SMSD drew her back for the 2019-20 school

year.

“When I first started teaching, I thought I was really bad at it. I was not good at all,” she said with a laugh.

“When I realized I wanted to come back, I decided to read all the books and practice all the skills. I was going to be great at it.”

It appears as though the work has paid off, and Watkins is happy with where she’s put down roots.

“We want every kid to have quality instruction, especially kids at schools like (Klentzman and Stafford) – those are the kids who need it the most. When you can stay and try to build them up, that’s crucial,” she said. “And even when you (try to better yourself), you don’t think anybody’s watching. You’re just doing it because you want to be good for yourself, your kids and your community.”

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 • PAGE

★ SWANS FROM PAGE 1 hose, bringing them fresh vegetables or filling up their donated baby pool in which they could take a cooling dip to simulate their normal lake habitat.

Additionally, the women hung signs in the neighborhood that said “Slow Down ~ Swan Crossing” to warn drivers of cars going too fast. They also put up a bright orange fence to keep the public from intruding and asked passersby to stand on the sidewalk, with George standing guard over Grace and her eggs all the while.

“We just tried to do everything we could to keep them from getting hurt,” Chun said.

Barnes said residents initially reported sightings of a gator on May 18 – just five days before they had originally planned to release George, Grace and their recently hatched babies. A call to the Texas Game Warden on May 29 eventually connected the neighborhood to a wrangler for Gator Country Adventure Park in Beaumont, and the community

raised $450 for the gator’s eventual capture and relocation according to Barnes.

For two weeks following the swans’ release into the lake, the neighborhood could not always be on watch. And another alligator sighting June 7 prompted wrangler Timothy DeRamus to make his way out to the neighborhood a third time, when he was able to capture the gator and remove it from the lake.

The enclosed lake within Sugar Lakes has had swans paddling around and nesting for years. About 6-8 months ago, however, George and Grace began to consistently catch everyone’s eye, according to Barnes.

“The funniest part was that since everybody had taken such ownership of them, they had all these different names,” she said with a laugh. “The whole neighborhood has adopted them – they’re just a bunch of moochers because they go from house to house on the lake and everybody feeds them something (from their docks).”

According to information on the city of Sugar Land

website, alligators have become more prevalent as more waterways are added to Fort Bend County, and their most active months in the area are from April through July. But that fact didn’t make residents any less eager for the gator to be out of their lake.

“It took him three tries,” Barnes said. “I told them if they catch it, call me. And if I don’t answer my phone, you beat on my door so I can get a picture.”

Chun said the swan family has brought them closer as a community.

“I really welcomed it in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, because we all had something we loved doing all day,” she said.

Walkers and passersby have previously changed their routes to come by and see the swans, while cyclists from Sugar Creek and other neighborhoods continue to stop by each evening to check on them.

“Even today I can go down where they’re swimming, holler George’s name and he creates a wake paddling over,” Chun said. “He knows who he is, and mama comes after him with the baby.”

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THE STAR

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, June 17, 2020

★ ECONOMY FROM PAGE 1

when George issued the county’s stay-at-home order that expired at the end of April.

Once the initial $22 million is expended, officials encouraged business owners to still apply as they could take the data back to commissioners court for a potential $12 million in additional funding if the need arises.

“Even if it appears you’re not the perfect fit for the application, please apply,” County Auditor Ed Sturdivant said. “It’s

our team’s goal to qualify all of these businesses.”

To apply for the grant, businesses must meet the following criteria, among others: · Employ anywhere from 1-20 full-time equivalent employees.

For businesses with multiple locations, the employee count will be calculated by location. · Have at least $100,000 in revenue and not exceed $2 million based on 2019 income. If they were not in business for the full 12 months in 2019, they are to use an average of income for the last three months preceding

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the April 3 stay-at-home order.

- Have incurred a loss of revenue of 25 percent or more as a direct result of the pandemic.

Through June 29, the program is exclusively available to applicants who applied but were either denied or not able to receive funding due to program funds no longer being available from the Small Business Association’s PPP, EIDL or EIDG programs, according to the county. Beginning June 30, all eligible applicants may apply on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We know this program is not going to be able to help all small businesses that have needs,” Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce CEO Kerri Schmidt said. “But it’s our hope that through this first phase of implementation that we’re going to learn how we can improve eligibility requirements should there be that funding.”

Business owners with questions about the program or their eligibility can email auditor.covid@fortbendcountytx. gov or visit the county’s website at coronavirusfortbend. gov/covid19-small-businessemergency-assistance-grantprogram.html.

“We need the economy to roar,” said Jeff Wiley, director of the Fort Bend County Economic Development Council.

“And we’re looking forward to that process of restoration.”

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

★ BASEBALL FROM PAGE 1

The Skeeters said each team in the new league will consist of former major leaguers and an assortment of professional players who’ve appeared at affiliated minor league levels as well as those from independent leagues.

Players will be tested for COVID-19 at least once a week as well as prior to their arrival in Sugar Land, according to the Skeeters.

“We’re a baseball team, so trying to figure out how we can play in this environment is of the utmost importance,” Hill said.

Initially, Hill said the idea did not seem feasible, because it would have required many players to be released from their contracts with Major League Baseball organizations.

Just a few weeks ago, however, he said that obstacle was largely removed.

More than 1,000 minor leaguers have recently been released from their contracts as part of MLB’s plan to reduce affiliated minor league baseball from 160 teams to 120 beginning in the 2021 season.

“Given the unfortunate releases of hundreds of

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minor league players over the last few weeks, we realized there was a major need for a league like this,” Zlotnik said.

The Skeeters are gathering a pool of players who are set to be drafted by the managers of the new league’s teams prior to their arrival. Sugar Land manager Pete Incaviglia has committed to managing one team in the league, while Clemens and his son Koby – who spent parts of the 2012-14 seasons with the Skeeters – have agreed to manager another. The other two managers have yet to be determined.

“That opened up the door,” Hill said. “…There were multiple scenarios over the last several months that have presented themselves, and we were always looking at those options. When this one started, day by day it seemed like a better opportunity for the players.”

Seven games will be played at Constellation Field each week for a total of 28 games per team. According to a news release from the Skeeters, single games are anticipated to be played on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with doubleheaders scheduled most Saturdays and Sundays.

“I’m excited to be a part of this and I think the Zlotniks and the Skeeters organization are providing a great opportunity for these younger players to keep their skill sets sharp,” Roger Clemens said.

Creating their own league disrupts the Skeeters’ affiliation with the Atlantic League, at least for 2020. According to a report from

Lancaster Online, an emergency meeting of Atlantic League directors Thursday night determined that even if the league resumes play with its six other teams, Sugar Land will not be part of it.

Atlantic League President Rick White said a decision on playing is expected this week. Hill declined to comment on the league’s decision.

“Wednesday’s announcement by the Sugar Land Skeeters demonstrates the ongoing efforts to provide baseball in each ALPB community. The state of Texas currently permits gatherings up to 50 percent of a sports venue’s capacity, unlike the mandates in other ALPB states,” White said in a statement released Friday.

“Nevertheless, the other ALPB clubs continue to make every effort to play the 2020 championship season while constantly monitoring COVID-19 developments in their states and counties.”

Zlotnik said the fourteam league presents an opportunity for the Skeeters to do what they do best for aspiring players – even during uncertain times presented by COVID-19.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on being an organization that gives players another chance,” he said.

Tickets for the games are not yet on sale and an announcement will be made once they are available.

For updates on the league, visit sugarlandskeeters.com or follow the team’s social media pages.

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words and answer the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 3944 Bluebonnet Drive, Stafford, Texas 77477.

FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the cancellation of several community gatherings, please check with each organization for updated information about the status of their events.

FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS As of now, we plan to have our kick-off meeting/ luncheon in The Great Hall at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd. on Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. during which we will install our new officers. TRTA dues for March 2020-February 2021 are now due. Members and new retirees wishing to join, please mail a personal check made payable to FBHRE for $45 directly to treasurer Cathie Ritchie at 1107 Laurel Green Rd. in Missouri City. If you are a Diamond Plus member, then you would only send Cathie a check for $10. Contact Cathie with any questions at critchie43@comcast.net ALBION HURRICANES FC AHFC has multiple campuses in and around Houston, including Sugar Land. The club invites all interested players from ages of 7-18 to contact the campus director about team placement.

Interested players should pre-register before coming out. Visit albionhurricanes.org/afhcstaff for contact information.

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195 EXCHANGE EXCHANGE, AmericaÕ s Service Club, always

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welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

SIENNA CRAFT/SEWING GROUP Sienna Craft/Sewing group. Meets every Tuesday from 10-noon at Sawmill Clubhouse in Sienna Plantation. We sew, crochet, knit, needlepoint, etc. contact Livia Erich at 281543-3524 or liviaerich@yahoo.com for additional information.

AMERICAN LEGION 271 MEETING We meet the first Thursday of every month at the Post Hall, 4520 Hwy. 36 in Rosenberg. A covered dish meal is served to members at 6:30 p.m. followed by meetings at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 281-341-9966.

AMERICAN LEGION 294 MEETING Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Old Hickory Inn BBQ, 3334 FM 1092, just north of Highway 6 in Missouri City.

For more information, please call 713-376-7295.

DAV CHAPTER 233 MONTHLY MEETING The second Tuesday of every month at the United Way fort Bend Center, 12300 Parc Crest Dr., Stafford, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, call 281-222-4888.

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Caregivers of patients with AlzheimerÕ s disease or other related dementias are invited to attend the first Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. at St. JohnÕ s United Methodist Church, 400 Jackson St. in Richmond, across from the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 713-314-1313 or 1-800-272-3900.

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801 Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-4993345.

4-H, FOOD & NUTRITION Fort Bend 4-H is looking for input from the community on how it can better serve the public. To learn more about 4-H projects, join 4-H at 7 p.m. at the University Library (14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land), visit fortbend4h. eventbrite.com or call 281-342-3034.

BECOME A FOSTER GRANDPARENT Volunteers are needed to be a role model, mentor and friend to children with exceptional needs in the community. Training, mileage reimbursement, tax-free monthly stipend if eligible. Call today to help change the world, one child at a time in Rosenberg. For more information, call 281-344-3515.

WHILE WE’RE WAITING SUPPORT GROUP For Bereaved Parents - grieving the loss of a child at any age. Meets the third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., at the First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd., Sugar Land.

For more information, call 281-413-2484.

ADOPT A SHELTER CAT Fort Bend Pets Alive is partnering with Half Price Books in Sugar Land to find homes for shelter cats and to promote literacy among young readers. School-aged children are invited to come read to a cat, receive an Ò I read to a catÓ bookmark and be eligible to adopt a cat for 50 perecent off. Held 1:30-4:30 p.m. the first Saturday of every month at 3203 Hwy 6 S, Sugar Land.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS The Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City presents a variety of programs every month. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2900 or 281-633-4734.

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