A Colorful History of Textiles exhibit opens: Page 12
Josh Ortega, chief operations officer for HBOT America, shows two of the hyperbaric chambers they have for clients in Houston and Missouri City. See story on page 9.
WEDNESDAY • JULY 11, 2018
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 41 • No. 47
Fort Bend County Fair entertainment lineup released From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
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The Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo has announced the 2018 entertainment lineup. There will be 13 musical artists performing during the fair’s 10-day run. Grand Ole Opry legend John Conlee is among the wide variety of musical acts that will be bringing their talents to the Brazos stage from Sept. 28 through Oct. 7. “Our lineup features a mix of Texas music, traditional country music, Tejano music, and something for everyone to enjoy. We are thrilled that some artists will be returning, and others will be making their debut, but it is sure to be a good time for all,” said James Duke, 2018 Fort Bend County Fair president. Kicking off the fair will be the Turnpike Troubadours on Friday, Sept. 28. The Turnpike Troubadours have
crisscrossed the nation on their recent tour and continue to be one of the most sought-after acts. The Oklahoma natives most recent album release made Rolling Stone magazine’s 40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2017. Micky and the Motorcars, an Austin-based alternative-country group, will be opening and making their debut at the fair. Koe Wetzel, the pride of East Texas, will be playing for his first time at the fair on Saturday, Sept. 29. Wetzel brings a strong mixture of southern rock energy and East Texas charm that will be a crowd pleaser. Wetzel has a large fan base and has been one of the most requested top artists on Spotify. The duo from the Panhandle, Shotgun Rider, will be opening. On Sunday, Sept. 30, the fan favorite Siggno will return to headline the day’s entertainment. The Grammy-nominated band has been a power-house in providing entertainment and packing in the Sunday crowd. Inicio and Elida
Reyna y Avante will also be performing as part of the day’s musical lineup. On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the fair will be throwing it back with the Spazmatics. The ’80s throwback band will be making their debut at the fair. Dressed like over-the-top nerds, the Spazmatics put on a great show for people of all ages. John Conlee will be kicking off the second weekend of the fair on Friday, Oct. 5. The legendary country music artist will be returning to the fair with his long list of hits. For over 40 years, Conlee has performed to audiences of all ages with his talents and unique voice. Randall King will be opening. Parker McCollum will be headlining on Saturday, Oct. 6. The talented singer/songwriter from Conroe is one of the hottest acts in country music and is making his first appearance at the fair. Parker will bring his style
SEE FAIR, PAGE 6
John Conlee will be one of he headliners this year at the Fort Bend County Fair.
Kids take on congressman
Fourth of July fireworks Families relax on the outfield of Constellation Field last Wednesday for the fireworks show that concluded 4th Fest at the stadium, hosted by the Sugar Land Skeeters and the Fort Bend Star. Several thousand people attended the festival to enjoy games, live music, vendor booths and food despite heavy rains earlier in the day. Cool temperatures and clear skies made for a fun evening for the annual celebration. (Photos by Joe Southern)
U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, back right, and Keerah Nails struggle to keep up with Jonathan Salazar and Jocelyn Higgins as they drive the basketball down the court Friday during a game between Olson, some of his staff members, and other adult representatives from the Boys and Girls Club of Stafford against several of the children who participate in the program. The friendly game served as a grand opening of the new gymnasium at the club. For the first half of the game, Olson wore a yellow T-shirt that said, “Call me hoops bus driver” on the front and “Takin’ Stafford to school!” on the back. “These kid’s got some game, too! They’re not just regular basketball players, they’re pretty darn good,” Olson said. Despite being down 18-6 early in the game, the children won 45-41. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the gym will be held July 25 at 10:30 a.m. at 3110 Fifth Street in Stafford. (Photos by Joe Southern)
Skeeters battle former Skeeters when Road Warriors hit town Former Skeeters take to life on the road with traveling team By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
When the Road Warriors came to Sugar Land four weeks ago they brought with them five former Skeeters players and a coach. The six of them outnumbered the five returning players on the Skeeters roster. (The number of returning Skeeters players dropped by one in the middle of the weeklong series when Sugar Land let pitcher Brett Marshall go.) It wasn’t by accident that such a high number of former Skeeters fill the pitching staff for the Road Warriors. Credit for that goes to Pitching Coach Rafael “Raffy” Montalvo, who was with Sugar Land for two seasons before Manager Pete Incaviglia arrived in the offsea-
son and cleaned house. “I did bring (them),” Montalvo said in an interview while the Road Warriors were in Sugar Land. “I know those guys a lot – A.J. (Andrew Johnston), Chris (Treibt), (Zech) Zinicola, I know what they’re capable to do, especially with the guys that are pitchers, and I know they’re good pitchers, so I believe in them. Those guys did a great job for me in the past. I’m glad to have them on my side. Every place I go, if I have a job I will take them with me because those guys are very loyal.” The players said they are happy to play under Montalvo. “Raffy, he was a pitching coach last year, and bullpen coach and everything,” Treibt said. “He’s done a great job, he’s reached out to the guys that were Skeeters, and something happened and he reached
out to them and asked them to come play, and who wouldn’t want to play for him? He’s a great guy; he gets us everything that we need and tries to make the best of the situation. Great guy! I’m very blessed to have an opportunity to play for him. And (Road Warriors Manager) Ellie Rodriguez, he’s right there; he’s on top of everything. He said, ‘Raffy, we need these guys, they’re your boys, go get them.’” As is the case in professional baseball, changes happen. On June 25 the Road Warriors parted ways with Montalvo. While he was here last month, Montalvo recalled good times in Sugar Land. “It’s very nice. Everything’s different in the clubhouse in the hometown, but I know it’s nice here; the way that people treat us,” he said. “I live here, I live
in Houston. This is my hometown, it’s not Sugar Land, but I live like 40 minutes away, so for me, I’m glad to be back home in Texas. All the clubbies and everyone treat us well, ’cause I know them well. Even the fans, front office people, they treat us very good. They’re very class people here.” The Road Warriors are a league-operated traveling team. This is the fourth time the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball has done this in order to make an even number of teams. Last year the Bridgeport Bluefish were disbanded and a team will start next year in High Point, N.C. In the interim, the one-hit wonders are filling in the gap. Montalvo is in his second stint with the Road Warriors. He said being on the road all season is a challenge.
Road Warriors pitcher Andrew Johnston peers from the visitor’s dugout during a game last month at Constellation Field. Johnston was with the Skeeters three seasons and is part of a group of five former Skeeters players on the traveling team. (Photo by Joe Southern)
“It’s tough. You have to be very mentally prepared for this, but this is the second time that I did it. I did it
in 2012. I was a Road War-
SEE WARRIORS, PAGE 7