08-18-2021 Edition of the Fort Bend Star

More county residents getting vaccinated - Page 2

The Swinging Door in Richmond was a trip back in time during a recent visit. Read our review today on Page 8. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)

WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 18, 2021 Check out

our Daily specials

Local entities remain at odds over COVID guidelines

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

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DEA seizes more than 700 million pills in Fort Bend

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Wednesday seized more than 700 million pills and shuttered operations at a Sugar Land pharmaceutical distribution company as part of an opioid investigation, according to the administration.

No one has yet been criminally charged in connection to the seizure, and the raid happened because of a suspension order that resulted in all controlled substances being removed, said Sammy Parks, spokesperson for the Houston division of the DEA. “Woodfield Distribution LLC has been and continues to maintain active discussions with the DEA to address areas of concern related to governance and oversight of business operations,” according to the company involved in the operation. “The alleged violations are being taken seriously by Woodfield Distribution LLC and every effort and attention is being made to resolve this situation in a timely and efficient manner for our clients in the near term.”

The company was founded in 2010 in Boca Raton, Florida and has offices and warehouses in Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Ohio, according to the company’s website.

It specializes in supply chain and warehousing needs for prescription and overthe-counter medications, according to the website.

Investigators on Wednesday served the company three suspension orders that immediately suspended DEA registrations for failure to maintain efficient controls against the diversion of controlled substances, according to the administration.

The investigators seized all controlled substances, in part, because the company allegedly illegally imported more than 200 million opioid pills and didn’t properly account for more than five million pills, according to the DEA. Agents during the investigation found the facility in Sugar Land allegedly stored millions of controlled substances in unsecured aisles and failed to report thefts and losses and allegedly falsified records, according to the DEA.

SEE PILLS PAGE 7

Visit www.FortBendStar.com

Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 45 • No. 52

Monday dawned like some kind of bloodless draw in the statewide battle over mask mandates and the legality of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders, with a late Sunday Texas Supreme Court ruling largely restoring the status quo.

Just last week, Fort

Parents walk their child down the hall last week. Several entities have been fighting over COVID guidelines (Contributed photo)

Bend County joined a host of other Texas counties to challenge in court Abbott’s ability to ban local municipalities from instituting mask mandates, with county officials arguing they were necessary with school beginning across the state.

A judge quickly granted Fort Bend’s request for a temporary injunction, and so began a dispute between the county and

the local school districts, with most of them choosing not to follow a mandate from County Judge KP George.

“FBISD continues to highly encourage all students and staff to wear face coverings whether they are vaccinated or not, wash their hands often, practice proper nutrition and get

SEE GUIDELINES PAGE 7

A new chapter

Hightower hoops standout signing with pro league

By Landan Kuhlmann

LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Bryce Griggs, who has been attending Hightower High School in Missouri City, has signed with the new Overtime Elite League. (Rendering courtesy of Overtime Elite)

One of the area’s best high school boys’ basketball players is forgoing both his senior year of high school and a college career to sign with a brand-new professional basketball league – a move that comes with both the chance of wealth and elite coaching, but also significant risk.

Bryce Griggs recently signed a two year, $1.2 million agreement with the Overtime Elite League – a new organization launched by short-form video content company Overtime.

But to do so, Griggs also gave up any chance of playing college basketball.

The upstart league is backed by names such as the richest person on earth, Jeff Bezos, and basketball stars such as Kevin Durant, according to a CBS Sports article. But recent years have also seen the spectacular collapse of several other upstart leagues in other sports, such as the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and the XFL. “The pitfall for a league like this is that the fans, when the league starts, don’t know the teams at all,” said David Berri, a professor of economics at Southern Utah University.

Berri has spent decades researching sports and economics.

“In order for a league or sport to survive, the fans have to develop an emotional attachment to what you’re putting in front of

them,” Berri said. “If you take those same players (on high school or college teams) and put them in a different entity and give them a different name, the fans don’t have an attachment.”

But that’s not stopping arguably the area’s best high school basketball player over the last few seasons from taking a leap of faith. Griggs, who has been a standout at Hightower High School over the past three seasons, has signed with the Overtime Elite League (OTE), and will be part of its inaugural season this September according to a Friday press release from the League.

The league targets rising high school juniors and seniors as well as post-graduate athletes ages 16-18 from around the world, according to its website. Anywhere from 24 to 30 players will train, live and be enrolled in an academic program at the league’s facility in Atlanta, according to the website.

“I truly believe he’s got the skill and the ability to play in that league,” said Stephen Woods, the head coach at Hightower High School in Missouri City and someone who has coached Griggs for the past three seasons. “I’m hoping he does well.”

According to a report from 247 Sports, Overtime has raised $30 million publicly for the league and has held private fundrais-

SEE HOOPS PAGE 7

FEMA Risk Rating 2.0 could help show true flood risk, expert says

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A growing number of Fort Bend County entities have come out against Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Risk Rating 2.0, arguing it will lead to more expensive flood insurance rates for most policyholders.

But experts argue, while FEMA’s process has been somewhat flawed, the new assessment is a necessary

improvement as flooding conditions worsen across much of Texas.

“They’re doing a significant overhaul in the way they calculate risk,” said Joel Scata, a water and climate attorney with the National Resources Defense Council. “This will make it more in line with traditional homeowner insurance, in terms of how they calculate that risk. This will be more property specific.”

Essentially, before the Risk Rating 2.0, FEMA’s National

Flood Insurance Program calculated rates largely based on what flood zone a home falls into, Scata said. The previous rating system did not take into account the specific condition of each home, such as whether it was elevated or otherwise hardened, he said.

Officials with FEMA did not respond to a request for comment about the new risk rating system as of Monday afternoon.

Some other factors in assessing insurance premiums will

and size of the nearest body of water, among other items, according to FEMA. Under the new rating system, some homeowners might actually see their insurance rates decline, Scata said.

But this hasn’t stopped cities like Sugar Land, and even Fort Bend County, from coming out against the new rating system.

Sugar Land’s concerns are a lack of transparency in the include flood frequencies and sources, issues such as erosion, distance to water and the type

SEE RISK PAGE 7

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Real Estate Agent, MBA, CNE, ABE Army Veteran (RET) • 832-702-5241 Jerry@dreamhomesbyjerry.com

4500 Highway 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478

THE STAR

PAGE 2 • Wednesday, August 18, 2021

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Delta fears cause uptick in vaccines in Fort Bend County

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A growing concern about the spike in delta variant cases of coronavirus has led to more people getting vaccinated in recent days, at least in some parts of Fort Bend County.

For instance, doctors at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital administered more than 2,000 vaccines, including more than 1,400 first-dose vaccines on Aug. 10, said Esther Schinzler, spokesperson for the hospital.

That number was the highest one-day total since the

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start of May, she said.

The news comes as good news for local medical experts, as more than 97 percent of patients at the hospital have tested positive for the delta variant, Schinzler said.

“Also, on the first two days of this week, we administered a total of almost 3,600 vaccines, doubling the volume we were seeing a month ago,” she said.

While some individual hospitals and groups were seeing a burst of vaccine success amid fears of the delta variant, it’s not clear Fort Bend County as a

whole has seen such a big uptick.

Some 796 people on Aug. 8 and 306 people on Aug. 9 received the coronavirus vaccine, a sizeable decline from a high of more than 8,000 per day in mid-March 2021, according to data provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

There has, however, been a general uptick in vaccinations across the state, said Douglas Lovelady, a spokesperson for the state department of health services.

Fort Bend County saw

Dozens of hospitals across the state ran out of intensive care unit beds over the weekend as delta variant cases spiked, according to an article in the Texas Tribune.

The vast majority of new coronavirus cases have been among unvaccinated Fort Bend County residents, according to health experts.

The beds should be saved for residents having other medical issues, such as heart attacks, Freudenberger said as he asked residents to get vaccinated.

FBISD trustees interviewing new candidates for superintendent spot being considered to replace Dupre until the board of trustees names a lone finalist – something that should happen later in August, said Sherry Williams, a spokesperson for the district.

Dupre announced in November 2020 he planned to resign by December 2021.

He since stepped down.

Diana Sayavedra has been serving as the acting

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend ISD’s Board of Trustees last week conducted the first round of interviews for a new superintendent to replace Charles Dupre, who resigned.

The district will not release a list of who all is

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an increase of about 300 new coronavirus cases each day last week, and health officials expect an increase this week, according to county health officials.

The situation got so bad that Joe Freudenberger, the CEO of OakBend Medical Center, released a video statement, asking residents to get vaccinated because all of the intensive care units were full with COVID-positive patients, almost all of whom hadn’t been vaccinated.

“It’s really, really bad out there,” he said.

Sayavedra

superintendent since Dupre left.

The search to replace Dupre, who was first hired in 2013, has been beset with a few delays. The board in June approved a revised schedule that could delay the superintendent search between one and three months, according to Board President Dave Rosenthal.

Stay November art festival in Sienna INFORMED accepting submissions for entry

fortbendstar.com

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Artists of all ages could have the chance to showcase their work during a local art festival later this year.

The Sienna Art Festival is scheduled for Nov. 6. in the Sienna neighborhood of Missouri City. Participants of all ages and mediums will be able to show their tents and displays at the new model home village at Sienna Oaks Lake, 8611 Azalea Crossing Court.

Spots are limited, and interested artists can sign up at siennatx.com/art-festival.

A news release said adults will compete in a show for prizes, while younger artists will be placed into age-specific brackets. The cost for adults is $175 for an outdoor space and $275 for an indoor space, while artwork from younger artists will be displayed in a separate dedicated tent for a

Artist Edward Meanley displays his work during the 2019 Sienna Art Festival. (Contributed photo)

$10 fee.

This will be the second annual festival, according to the release. The first event in 2019 drew nearly 50 artists who came from as far as Austin to participate, but was postponed last year due to COVID-19. This year’s event will also include live music, wine and food according to

the release.

“Our first event was so relaxing, with people browsing the paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery and more while they sipped wine and enjoyed each other’s company,” Sienna marketing director Allison Bond said. “We are hoping to create the same type of ambiance this year.”

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021 • PAGE

3

When it comes to incentive agreements, details are important Always look for the numbers, is the one rule I’ve learned in my time as a journalist.

Economic incentive agreements are funny things – cities love them, because they think they help draw businesses that might not otherwise come. Businesses love them, because they earn incentives that might not be possible elsewhere.

But residents seem inherently suspicious of them.

The reality is often more complicated than any side would portray it.

Last week, we reported that Texas Instruments was thinking of leasing the third floor of its Sugar Land facility, in part to stem economic difficulties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The city at the time approved a revision to a 2014 incentive agreement that would allow for the Dallas-based company to sublease one floor of its 155,000-square foot facility.

Sugar Land in 2014 inked that incentive agreement with Texas Instruments, under which the company would receive a 50 percent tax abatement for 10 years and a $2.5 million grant from the city’s development corporation if the company created 375 jobs and invested more than $35 million in the Sugar land campus, according to a Dallas Morning News article.

Fort Bend County also gave Texas Instruments a 75 percent tax abatement on improvements and personal property for 10 years at the same time, according to the article.

This year’s revision, then, would not alter the original terms of the first agreement, but would only bring more tax rev-

The company received just 16.14 percent of the 50 percent tax abatement in 2020 and 14 percent in 2021, according to the document.

Officials with the city of Sugar Land argue the numbers aren’t necessarily as bad as they seem.

“This is actually very typical, if you look at any city that does economic incentives, it’s rare for companies to meet that employment threshold,” said Elizabeth Huff, Sugar Land’s economic development director.

When companies meet with cities about economic incentive agreements, they do their best to estimate how many employees they might have, but typically estimate much higher than actuality, Huff said.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that the incentive agreement only counts employees that physically work at the Sugar Land location, Huff said. Anyone who works remotely wouldn’t count toward the incentive requirements, she said.

And, despite the fact

Matt deGrood MANAGING EDITOR

enue, according to city officials at the time.

That may be true, but a deeper look at the documents shows that Texas Instruments, even before the pandemic, had struggled to hire the requisite number of employees to meet the agreement, according to records provided to the Fort Bend Star.

Texas Instruments, as of 2016, had 308 employees, according to city documents tracking the incentive terms. The documents don’t list an employee number in 2015 and 2017, but the number declined further to 292 in 2018, 265 in 2019, according to the document.

Then, starting in 2020, the number of employees declined to 248 and then 239 in 2021, according to the document.

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that Texas Instruments hasn’t brought on as many employees as initially touted, the move is still beneficial to Sugar Land, because of how renowned the company is, Huff said.

The company was once one of Stafford’s biggest employers, sitting on a campus that has now become home to The Grid development. That campus closed and relocated to its new Sugar Land headquarters, according to a 2016 Houston Business Journal article. At

E E E E

the time, the campus had more than 500 employees.

Among Sugar Land city officials, there’s some sense that the chance to work in the same building as Texas Instruments might actually draw a company to town that wouldn’t otherwise come, Huff said.

“There could be some synergies,” she said.

Texas Instruments has met investment numbers for each of the years it has been in Sugar Land, according to documents.

Ob

itu a ry

So, add it all up, and what do you have? Is this a good deal or a bad deal for Sugar Land?

I’m certainly no economic development expert, and I won’t pretend to be. Both sides here seem to have some legitimate points.

But in either case, it’s well worth probing deeper into the details surrounding this arrangement. For, a simple case of x for x becomes something infinitely more complicated and interesting with a little examination.

E E E E

GLENN FORD WINSTON JOCHEC SEPTEMBER 2, 1934

Glenn Ford Winston Jochec, 86, of Stafford, Texas was born on September 2, 1934 in Bellville, Texas to Franklin & Rosie Jochec, and went to be with Our Lord on August 10, 2021.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Glenda Jochec Stewart, his parents Franklin & Rosie Jochec, and his brothers Al & Leonard Jochec.

Glenn is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Sedonia Engelhardt Jochec; daughter, Valerie Jochec Williams and husband, Chris; son in law, Mark Stewart and wife, Sue; grandsons, Weston & Colby Stewart and Anthony “A.J.” Williams; granddaughters, Tiffany Williams Wagner and husband, Matt; Kayla Stewart Cook and husband, Cameron; Emalee Smith and husband, Alan; Erin Stewart and husband, Matt McLeese; and Ellee Best and husband, Sam. Great-grandchildren, Hazel & James Wagner; Elliott, Audrey & Anna Cook; Sophie & Bennett Smith; Harper & Judin Best; and his only living brother, Lloyd Jochec and wife, Barbara, and multiple

E

AUGUST 10, 2021

nieces & nephews.

Glenn moved from Bellville to Stafford, Texas at a very young age and graduated from Missouri City High School. After receiving a basketball scholarship to Sam Houston State University, he graduated with a Business Degree in 1957. He met the love of his life, Sedonia Engelhardt, and they married having 64+ wonderful years together. Glenn honorably served our country in the United States Army and Army Reserves. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Sugar Land for 57+ years and served as

a Deacon and Elder and taught Sunday school for years. He retired from Champion (later Simpson) Paper Company after 38 years of devoted service.

Glenn was a man of character, strength and love. He never met a stranger and could make you feel like he knew you forever even if you had just met. He loved to tell a good story. He was a tremendous athlete and still holds basketball records at Sam Houston. He would say his claim to fame was receiving Honorable Mention AllAmerican behind Wilt Chamberlain.

His greatest joy in life was his love for his family and above all, his love for the Lord. He will truly be missed by all.

Viewing and visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at Davis Greenlawn Funeral Home at 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd. in Rosenberg, TX. Funeral services for Glenn will be held 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Sugar Land at 502 Eldridge Rd in Sugar Land, TX.

✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATE The FORT BEND COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 24 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2021 on Thursday, September 2nd at 12:00PM located at Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP, 3200 Southwest Freeway, 24th floor, Pecos Room, with supplemental telephone access at 888-240-5984, access code: 2868263.. Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners..

FOR the proposal: : Robert Atkinson, Barbara Rozell, Brandyn Cottingham, Robby McGinnis, Deborah Depinet AGAINST the proposal: None PRESENT and not voting: None ABSENT: None The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

Tax Rate

Last Year $1.26000/$100 Adopted

Difference in rates per $100 of value

$0.00000

General homestead exemptions available (excluding 65 years of age or older or disabled person’s exemptions) Average residence homestead taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) and percentage of increase (+/-)

$207,046.00

$212,499.00

$0.00

$0.00

$207,046.00

FORT BEND COUNT Y

BAPTIST CHURCH

HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 John Strader , Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am 6:00 pm Wednesday 7:00 pm AWANA/Youth www.hbctx.org METHODIST CHURCH

0.00%

Percentage increase/decrease in rates (+/-) Average appraised residence homestead value

This Year $1.26000/$100 Proposed

Worship Directory CHURCH OF CHRIST

STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507 402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477 SUNDAY: Worship: 10:30 a.m. www.staffordchurchofchrist.org

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-240-3195

A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Sunday Schedule 8:30 am Blended Worship 9:30 am Sunday School for all ages 10:30 am Traditional & Contemporary Worship www.christchurchsl.org

502 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Reverend Dr. Fred Seay, Pastor Sunday Worship In Person 11:00 am / Nursery Available Worship Online on YouTube www.fpcsl.org

$212,499.00

$2,608.78

$2,677.49 $68.71 2.63%

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ELECTION TO REDUCE TAX RATE If the district adopts a combined debt service, operation and maintenance, and contract tax rate that would result in the taxes on the average residence homestead increasing by more than 8 percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the voter-approval tax rate under Section 49.23603, Water Code.

The 86th Texas Legislature modified the manner in which the voter-approval tax rate is calculated to limit the rate of growth of property taxes in the state.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact the tax office at 281-482-0216.

EPISCOPAL

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH • 281-499-9602 605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 SUNDAY: 10:30 am Worship Holy Eucharist www.allsaints-stafford.org

Scripture of the week

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

- Romans 10:17

THE STAR

PAGE 4 • Wednesday, August 18, 2021

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Skeeters spotlight: Peter Solomon Spring Training in 2019, and came away more than Landan impressed.

So without further ado, Kuhlmann let’s dive in.

General overview Solomon was initially SPORTS drafted in the 21st round REPORTER by the San Diego Padres out of high school in 2014, but wound up passing on the offer and choosing to play collegiately at the The Houston Astros University of Notre Dame. have an abundance of He then posted a 3.85 ERA young arms, seemingly in three seasons with the able to find them growing Fighting Irish, leadting to on trees every season. the Astros selecting him But just because there in the fourth round of the are many, there are a few 2017 draft. who stand out above the Following a stellar rest, and that includes pro debut in 2018, durthe subject of this week’s ing which he posted a Skeeters Spotlight feature 2.32 ERA in 100.2 innings – right-handed pitcher across two levels, Solomon Peter Solomon. I got the underwent Tommy John chance to see Solomon in surgery in 2019 before CO-

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Call for details 281-242-9070

14015 SW Freeway, Bldg. 2, Sugar Land, Texas 77478

LAST WEEK’S SCORES August 9: Round Rock 7, Sugar Land 5 August 10: Round Rock 8, Sugar Land 7 August 12: Sugar Land 5, Albuquerque 5 August 13: Albuquerque 5, Sugar Land 4 August 14: Albuquerque 4, Sugar Land 3

Solomon VID-19 wiped out the 2020 season for all prospects Despite all of that, however, he entered the 2021 season as the Astros’ 12thranked overall prospect and the organization’s sixth-ranked pitching prospect. Solomon has a 3.86 ERA in seven starts since the beginning of July, striking out 48 hitters and allowing opponents just a .597 OPS against him.

Landan’s Lowdown On the surface, it’s tough to get a gauge on Solomon.

Due to the arm surgery and cancelled 2020 season, that’s almost two full years of potential development that became lost for the young right-hander, who turned 25 years old on Monday.

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But the Astros also showed a tremendous vote of confidence in the young man when Solomon, who is protected on the club’s 40-man roster, was selected to the major league roster briefly earlier this season when the bullpen was ravaged by overuse and inconsistency. He made two appearances on April 14 and April 16, then one additional appearance on July 1.

The lost 2020 season may have been a blessing in disguise for Solomon in hindsight, as it allowed him ample time to recover from Tommy John and regain his strength. Before the surgery, scouting reports had him sitting 92-96 MPH with his fastball with a low-to-mid-80s curveball and slider along with a changeup. So far this season in Triple-A West with Sugar Land, he has been sitting in the mid-90s with the fastball and in the same range with his offspeed pitches.

During his brief three-

outing stint at the MLB level, he was heavy on the fastball (61.4 percent usage), and averaged almost 94 MPH. His curve (19.3 percent usage) was at 79 MPH on average, while the slider and changeup both sat 83-84 MPH. So it does not appear as though velocity is the issue for Solomon, which is always one of the first things to check for when a pitcher returns from Tommy John. And unlike many recent hard-throwing Astros hurlers, he appears to have remedied his command issues as his pro career progresses.

After walking 5.3 hitters per nine innings at Notre Dame, that rate has fallen to 3.3 BB/9 during his two full seasons as a pro.

And all the while, the career strikeout rate of 10.7 K/9 is consistent with his college mark (10.4/9).

This season at Sugar Land, he has punched out 89 in 72.2 innings, good for 11 K/9 in 16 appearances. So the swing-and-miss ability has not diminished either, while he has a reputation for maintaining his velocity deep into outings.

Prediction: While Solomon has the makings of a middle or back-of-rotation starter, his path to becoming a major league regular appears murky, with four current Astros starters

– Framber Valdez, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers, Jr. and Luis Garcia – all under team control for at least several more seasons.

That said, he appears to be a candidate for a bullpen that could be very much in flux to begin the 2022 season, as it has multiple key cogs set to hit the open market as free agents. You can count on seeing him at the big league level regularly beginning next season, likely as a multi-inning reliever and spot starter.

Quick hits Mashing Matijevic: Infielder J.J. Matijevic went on a power surge last week, winding up 6 for 20 with four extra-base hits and four RBIs. He is second on the team with 10 homers so far this season.

Stubbs shines: Catching prospect Garrett Stubbs was an on-base machine, reaching base in 11 of his 22 plate appearances last week, including drawing six walks. Stubbs leads all current Skeeters with a .419 OBP. Just Joshin’: Josh James, who is on a major league rehabilitation assignment, threw three scoreless innings of relief last week. He allowed just one hit across three appearances, striking out six hitters without a walk.

Skeeters honor Needville Little League

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The area's minor league baseball team recently took the time to recognize a Fort Bend County little league team that lost its chance to play for a spot in the Little League World Series.

The Sugar Land Skeeters honored the members of the Needville Little League baseball prior to the second game of their doubleheader against the Albuquerque Isotopes Monday night at Constellation Field.

Along with a pre-game

recognition, members of the team also throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.

The Needville Little League team was sent home from the Southwest Regional tournament last week after a member of the team's traveling party tested positive for COVID-19, a decision that caused an uproar amongst the team's supporters. They were one of three teams sent home.

The positive coronavirus test ended the title hopes for Needville, which was the Texas - East sate champion. They had been scheduled to play the Louisiana state champion prior

to teh positive test.

There has been a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds in hopes of getting the team reinstated. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/ needville-little-league-12uall-stars-defense.

Almost $19,000 had been donated as of Monday night.

"We need your help to #RightTheWrong that has happened to our 12 year old boys and our entire community," part of the description reads. "These boys worked tirelessly from T-Ball to fulfill their dream of going to the Little League World Series.

GOT NEWS?

All Game Are Subject To Change

Email your news to

ALB - ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES OKC - OCKLAHOMA CITY DODGERS RROCK - ROUND ROCK EXPRES TCMA - TACOMA RAINIERS ELPA - EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS LAVE - LAS VEGAS AVIATORS

editor@FortBendStar.com

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate The Sienna Parks and Levee Improvement District of Fort Bend County, Texas will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2021 on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 11:30 a.m., by teleconference at +1 210-728-6937, Conference ID: 563 997 020# or at 202 Century Square Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.

A Helping Hand from

Ed’s Pharmacy 3740 Cartwright Road (@ FM 1092)

(281) 499-4555 FOR the proposal:

K. Beckman, T. Jones & G. Yarborough

AGAINST the proposal:

(none)

PRESENT and not voting:

(none)

ABSENT:

S. Nowak & J. P. Richardson

Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

Last Year Total tax rate (per $100 of value) Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase in rates Average appraised value General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) Average taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase in taxes if Proposed tax rate is adopted And percentage of increase

$

0.450 /$100 Adopted $377,682

This Year $ $0.000 /$100 0.0000%

$ 0 $377,682 $ 1,699.57

0.450 /$100 Proposed $384,831

$ 0 $384,831 $1,731.74 $32.17 1.8928%

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ELECTION TO REDUCE TAX RATE If the district adopts a combined debt service, operation and maintenance, and contract tax rate that would result in the taxes on the average residence homestead increasing by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the voter-approval tax rate under Section 49.23603, Water Code.

The 86th Texas Legislature modified the manner in which the voter-approval tax rate is calculated to limit the rate of growth of property taxes in the state.

Questions regarding this notice can be directed to the tax office at (281) 499-1223.

Atrial fibrillation is a term that describes a medical condition that results when blood flow to the body is limited due to irregular and very fast heart beats. The upper and lower chambers of the heart normally coordinate a healthy amount of blood flow with every beat. In atrial fibrillation the irregular electrical signals to the heart causes the upper chambers to quiver. The result is a poor pumping of blood from that area. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include palpitations, weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and confusion. This condition can lead to an increased risk of blood clot formation.

Medications used in atrial fibrillation are designed to control the heart rate and help protect the person from complications of a blood clot. Amiodarone (Cardarone, Pacerone) is a common antiarrhythmic drug that is used to help the heart revert to a normal rhythm. It can cause some bothersome side effects like nausea and dizziness. Blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) are used to help prevent blood clots from forming. Warfarin has many drug and food interactions and would require regular blood tests to make sure the medication is working properly. Some newer anticoagulants are available that eliminate the need for routine blood tests.

2x4.5 Ed’s Pharmacy - 06-10-15

Share your

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021 • PAGE

5

Elkins educator recognized with regional teaching honor

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Elkins High School's Sherman Batiste was named the Region IV Teacher of the Year during the Region 4 Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony on Aug. 4.

Batiste, who graduated from FBISD's Marshall High School, will represent Region 4 at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Texas Teacher of the Year Program in Dallas this fall, according to a news release from the

Batiste district.

Batiste received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and his Master of Science degree in Sociology from Texas A&M University-

Kingsville, where he played football and received All-Conference honors all four years.

He is entering his third year with Elkins, where he teaches World History and Personal Finance literature. Batiste also serves the Knights' junior varsity and varsity wide receivers coach.

“He is an amazing educator because he knows why he became a teacher and works from that 'why' every day,” Elkins principal Cynthia Ward said.

“He lives his purpose in the classroom and on the field. Coach Batiste

3 Generations of Quality Service, Integrity & Honesty

inspires those around him. He is an asset to the education industry, and it is a privilege to serve alongside him.”

“Hearing my name

Charlton’s Garage & Station & Auto Sales in Stafford, Texas, 1951-1970.

Owned by E.C. Charlton.

Follow The Star on social media @FortBendStar

“I love spending time with my grandkids. I’m a hands on grandma, I like to be down on the floor to play.

A few years ago I caught my grandson before he hit the coffee table. I caught him...but I hurt my back in the process. I couldn’t get out of bed the next day. I didn’t just want to go to the doctor and get pain meds. My son-in-law recommended SLHC, so I called and they got me in right away. At my first visit they did X-rays and discovered I had scoliosis...which I never knew about! I also have disc degeneration in my neck AND back. I joked with the doctors that it was a good thing my grandson tripped me, because without treatment these conditions would get worse over time! We worked through a customized treatment plan and now I know I can go back when I need them. After treatment I have NO PAIN. I feel so good after each time I go there. Recently I tripped and fell (because of another grandkid). I told Dr. Brazzell I was surprised I was able to get up and go without pain. He told me it was because I’m keeping my back in shape with the follow-up treatment therapy I’m doing. Dr. Harris and Dr. Brazzell are so professional, caring and efficient. They care about me and the staff treat me like family. I’m so grateful for SLHC and have already sent my daughter to see them. I trust Dr. Harris and Dr. Brazzell with my back and my health.” -Debbie Hrncir

Autos foreign & domestic Vehicle + RV detailing

Now

Then

and so greatly appreciated.”

STAYING ACTIVE WITH GRANDKIDS

Family Owned and Operated in Fort Bend County

Since 1951

called was like an outof-body experience,” Batiste said. " The love and support I have received throughout this process are unmatched

Current garage at Staffordshire & Fifth St. Stafford, Texas.

CODE: HRNCIR21STAR

Still the Same Great Service!

281-499-1126 • Staffordshire Rd at 5th Street Stafford, TX 77477 • www.Charltonsbodyrepair.com Monday – Friday, 7am-6pm

Those were the days - Charlton’s Body Repair - 01-31-18- 3colx3”

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WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBERS YOU CAN COUNT ON US!

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15510 Lexington Blvd., Ste. P Sugar Land, Texas 77478-4173 Bus. 281-265-0711 • Toll 888-850-8491 Fax 281-466-4260 • Cell 281-380-7786 Tracy@agentwalker.com

CMB HEALTHCARE, INC.

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Install, repair, sell all makes/models of garage doors & openers residential/commercial

Roseline A. Ogbeifo

Phone: 281-818-7965 Fax: 281-936-0299 After Hours: 832-888-6272 cmbhealthcare@gmail.com

Formerly known as the Fort Bend Newcomers Guide, the Fort Bend Star Guide is a twice a year product that serves as a guide to everyday living in our unique community. Where to go, places to see, things to do and services that are available in Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, Stafford, and Fort Bend County.

Fall Guide | 2021 Edition Coming September 1, 2021 Ad deadline August 24, 2021

To advertise call 281-690-4200 RECEIVE 20% DISCOUNT

When you advertise in the Fall edition before August 15th in the Fort Bend Star Guide 2021

SENIOR EXP

returns October 13th ¥ Stafford Centre REGISTER ONLINE FortBendStar.com

THE STAR

PAGE 6 • Wednesday, August 18, 2021

C LASSIFIED

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

A DS

CLASSIFIED ADS THAT GET RESULTS CALL US AT 281-690-4200

HOME IMPROVEMENT Interior and Exterior Sheetrock Repair

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We're hiring detailed oriented CLASSIFIED ADS THAT GET RESULTS CALL US Cleaning Technicians Please call 281.238.5762 or AT 281-690-4200

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TRANE ON SALE!

The ARB is a citizen board of Fort Bend County residents. ARB members serve on panels of three and preside over property disputes between property owners and the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District (FBCAD). The ARB serves as a neutral body who listens to testimony and reviews evidence from both sides to resolve the protests.

Members are compensated for hearings, meetings, and training, serve up to 3, 2-year terms, and must be available each term year May - July.

• Great Prices • Rebates!

• Financing • Warranties

Bond & Insu ed red

Interior/Exterior Painting Hardie Plank Siding • Pressure Washing Roofing • Remodeling • Carpentry Fence/Fence Repair

The Fort Bend Appraisal Review Board is now accepting applications for members to serve beginning in January, 2022

XR 16 SYSTEM

The Fort Bend ARB is interested in you if you meet the following requirements: • Have resided in Fort Bend County for at least the last two years • Are available to appear without interruption mid-May through July • Have good moral character and are motivated to participate *(Experience in finance, accounting, or leading a business/business unit a plus.)

LIMITED TIME! CALL NOW!!

Frank Garza, owner

Free Estimates

Please visit www.fbcad.org for a complete list of requirements and to download an application. An application can also be mailed to you by contacting 281-344-8623.

Completed applications can be emailed to applyforARB@fbcad.org.

Call 281-468-4250 anytime www.criticalairac.com TACLA021957E (Licensed & Insured) MNB ENTERPRISES LLC • DBA CRITICAL AIR

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Exterior - Interior Painting / Sheetrock / Granite / Roofs / Pressure Wash Carpentry / Tile Work / Bath Remodeling Hardiplank Siding / Floors / HVAC Plumbing / Electrical

★★★★★★ LEGALS NOTICE TO BIDDERS STREET REHABILITATION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: STREET REHABILITATION AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS PROJECT NUMBER ST2201 LOCATION OF WORK THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND

722 Old Colony Dr Richmond 77406 TwoMomsEstateSales.com

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Bids will be accepted by Quail Valley Utility District for the following item at the Quail Valley U.D. office, Thursday, September 9th, 2021 until 10:00 A.M., then publicly opened and read aloud.

SLUDGE HAULING AND ULTIMATE DISPOSAL Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Quail Valley U.D. office, 3134 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, Texas 77459 Phone: (281) 499-5539.

PROJECT NAME:

LEGALS NOTICE TO BIDDERS GREATWOOD VILLAGE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME: Greatwood Village Drainage Improvements CIP PROJECT NUMBER: CDR2106 LOCATION OF WORK Greatwood Village, City of Sugar Land, TX Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from www.

CivCastUSA.com or documents may be purchased for $50.00 in the office of the Project Engineer: 1920 Country Place Parkway, Suite 400 Pearland, Texas 77584.

Sealed bids one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, Office of the City Secretary, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read.

Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

Questions regarding this bid must be received by Monday, September 6, 2021 on or before 5:00 PM. Please contact Kimberly Waddell at kwaddell@ cobbfendley.com.

The City Council will award the contract as provided in the Invitation to Bid. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROPOSED BUDGET Public Hearing 5:30 p.m. City Council Meeting September 7, 2021, City of Sugar Land City Council Chamber, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North to hear all persons interested in the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget.

This budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $1,185,977 or 2.13%, and of that amount, $223,364 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.

The proposed budget may be inspected by appointment only in the Office of the City Secretary, City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; please call 281-275-2730 to schedule an appointment. The budget is available at www.sugarlandtx.gov/budget.

The Sugar Land City Council encourages all City of Sugar Land taxpayers to review the proposed budget and participate in the public hearing. You may also provide written comments or input, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/PublicHearingComment for feedback or information.

The meeting will live stream at https://www.sugarlandtx. gov/1238/SLTV-16-Live-Video or https://www.youtube.com/user/ SugarLandTXgov/live. Sugar Land Comcast Cable Subscribers can also tune-in on Channel 16.

Members of the public desiring to participate virtually during the set/posted time of the Public Comment and/or Public Hearing must e-mail (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov) or call ((281) 275-2730) the Office of the City Secretary by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Once properly registered, the Office of the City Secretary will provide instructions for direct virtual participation during the Public Comment and/or Hearing.

LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW! 281.690.4206

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Specifications and bidding documents may be obtained by registering with Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

Sealed bids one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, Office of the City Secretary, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

For questions regarding this bid, please post on Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com no later than 3:00 p.m. Thursday, August 19, 2021.

The City Council will award the contract as provided in the Invitation to Bid. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held at Sugar Land City Hall Cane Room, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 2 PM.

GARAGE SALE?

Bids will be accepted by Quail Valley Utility District for the following item, including delivery, to Quail Valley Utility District Office, Thursday, September 9th, 2021, until 10:00 AM, then publicly opened and read aloud: • 36,000 lbs. liquid chlorine in 2,000 lb. containers • 22,000 lbs. liquid chlorine in 150 lb. containers • 1,000 lbs. granular calcium hypochlorite • 20,000 lbs. liquid sulfur dioxide in 2,000 lb. containers

Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Quail Valley Utility District Office, 3134 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, Texas (281) 499-5539

LEGALS

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

CITY OF MISSOURI CITY

Bids will be accepted by Quail Valley Utility District for the NOTICE OF FRANCHISE ORDINANCE Pursuant to Section 10.03 of the City of Missouri City Charter, notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Missouri City will consider an ordinance granting a franchise (authority to use public rights-of-way) for a gas utility, SiEnergy, L.P., on first reading on Monday, August, 2, 2021; on second reading on Monday, August 16, 2021; and on third reading on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Missouri City Community Center, 1522, Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas. The caption for the proposed ordinance is as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY GRANTING TO SIENERGY, L.P., THE RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, EXTEND, REMOVE, REPLACE, ABANDON, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ITS FACILITIES WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION, DELIVERY, SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL GAS; CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE FOREGOING SUBJECT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

following item at the Quail Valley U.D. office, Thursday, September 9th, 2021, until 10:00 A.M., then publicly opened and read aloud.

120,000 lbs. Liquid Polyphosphate Specifications and additional information may be obtained at the Quail Valley U.D. office, 3134 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, Texas 77459 Phone: (281) 499-5539.

The aforementioned meetings will be open to the public.

FOR SALE

Note: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for special accommodations or interpretive services must be made at least 24 hours prior to the subject meeting. Please contact Michael Tubbs, Facilities and Fleet Manager at 281-403-8500.

Mike Schofield

City Secretary City of Missouri City, Texas

SERVICES MATH/COMPUTER TUTOR Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics. Bill Stewart. BSEE 281-3411582.>+

Misdemeanors $

500 DWI • Theft

p.p.

Drug • Assaults Divorce • Child Support

Attorney D’Angelo M. Lowe 7322 Southwest Frwy., Ste. 1065, Houston, TX 77074

832-953-LOWE (5693)

For questions or assistance, please contact the Office of the City Secretary (281) 275-2730.

LEGALS

CITY OF MISSOURI CITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 21-108 - PID AND TIRZ ADMINISTRATION SERVICES Commodity Code: 946-10, 946-16, 946-20, 946-49, 946-56, 946-60, 946-85 Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the RFP name and number as listed above, and the due date. Responses must be delivered to the attention of: City of Missouri City Attn: Purchasing Office – RFP No. 21-108 PID AND TIRZ ADMINISTRATION SERVICES 1522 Texas Parkway Missouri City, Texas 77489 Prior to the acceptance deadline. Responses marked improperly and therefore misdirected may be disqualified. Until final award of the contract, the City reserves the right to reject any or all responses, to waive irregularities or technicalities, to re-advertise, or proceed to do the work otherwise when in the best interests of the City. No proposal may be withdrawn during the 120 days following the RFP due date.

281-217-5799

FOR SALE

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THE FOLLOWING ADS HAVE NOT BEEN SCREENED BY THE SOUTHEASTERN ADVERTISING PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION (SAPA); Therefore, any discrepancies thereof shall not be the responsibility of the aforementioned association.

Your publisher has agreed to participate in this program and run these ads as a service to the Southeastern Advertising Publishers Association.

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THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 • PAGE

7

Stafford hosts celebration of 75 years of Indian independence Stefan Modrich

REPORTER

Last Sunday marked the 75th anniversary of India’s independence from British colonial rule.

The Houston-based Indian Culture Center (ICC) sought not only to commemorate the liberation of its people during its event at the Stafford Centre but to recognize the rich cultural traditions across India’s various regions and acknowledge the importance of gathering safely together after President Joe Biden halted all travel from India because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“India went through a lot of struggle for hundreds of years under British rule,” Malla Mekala, the event chairman, said. “Most of our culture was more or less anglicized by the British over the years. But because India is such a resilient country and has a rich culture, it has still maintained its unique identity.”

The Indian people’s use of nonviolence to gain independence remains a point of pride for IndianAmericans, Mekala said.

Two young singers perform together during the India Culture Center’s celebration of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence from British colonial rule. (Photo by Stefan Modrich) A performer sings during the India Culture Center’s celebration of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence from British colonial rule. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)

See Fortbendstar.com for related video And they also appreciate the melting pot of diversity that is Fort Bend County, he said. Neighboring Pakistan also celebrated 75 years of independence Sunday.

“You have Indians, you have Pakistanis, you have Arabic people, Africans, you have Chinese, you have everybody more or less in similar numbers,”

Mekala, a First Colony resident, said. “Many of them have businesses together, they coexist and everybody lives peacefully.”

Early Sunday afternoon, Ajay Kumar or “DJ AJ”, the event’s master of ceremonies, panned around the Stafford Centre ballroom with his phone and greeted his Facebook Live

audience with a hearty affirmation: “it’s going to be a great day.”

Assem Mahajan, the Consul General of India and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner were among the officials present at the event.

Memorial Hermann Health System set-up a blood donation station in the parking lot, and Fort Bend County Health and Human Services also offered on-site vaccinations.

Hemant Patel, the ICC’s treasurer, said the dance productions at the event were regional folk dances and wedding customs specific to certain cities across

★ GUIDELINES FROM PAGE 1

★ HOOPS FROM PAGE 1

adequate sleep,” the district wrote in a statement on Wednesday.

The debate between local districts and George continued in a series of news releases sent out into the weekend.

Fort Bend County’s Local Health Authority, Jacqueline Minter, late Friday cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidance for universal indoor masking and asked local districts to follow the CDC’s standard of care.

Emails to Fort Bend ISD and Stafford MSD seeking comment about their specific plans went unreturned as of Monday afternoon.

Tami Frazier, a spokesperson for County Judge KP George, on Thursday told the Fort Bend Star that their office hadn’t heard from any of the local districts, despite the fact that George instituted a mask mandate late Wednesday after a judge granted a temporary injunction.

Emails to Fort Bend ISD and Stafford MSD seeking comment about their specific plans went unreturned as of Thursday afternoon.

Then, on Sunday, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked mask mandates in Dallas and Bexar counties, according to an article in the Texas Tribune.

Because the ruling only applies to Dallas and Bexar counties, Fort Bend continues to have a mask mandate, said Tami Frazier, a spokesperson for George, on Monday.

Fort Bend County is just one of several Texas counties to defy Abbott’s executive orders in recent days, citing a sharp increase in the number of cases of the delta variant of coronavirus across the state.

County commissioners on Wednesday gathered in a hastily-called emergency meeting and agreed to file a lawsuit, challenging Abbott’s executive order banning mask mandates, nonvoluntary vaccines and limits on businesses.

Just a few hours later, a district court judge signed that temporary restraining order, giving the county the ability, at least temporarily, to institute a mask mandate.

Shortly after that, George called for a mandate in all county buildings, including public schools.

“As a parent of public school educated children, as the husband of a longtime Fort Bend teacher and as a former Fort Bend ISD school board

ers aimed at raising more money for the league.

Overtime Elite’s website says players will receive at least a $100,000 base salary to compete both within the league and in tournaments against both U.S.-based and international teams. It has backers in NBA stars such as Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and has a public valuation north of $250 million according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The Overtime company has a TV partnership with regional sports network SportsNet New York, though it is unclear whether that would be used for league games.

Berri warned that without the aforementioned attachment, it could be some time before the league builds a fan base and turns a profit, giving it significant risk potential.

He also added the public valuation for men’s sports tends to not necessarily reflect its true underlying potential and can be inflated.

“It takes decades sometimes for those attachments to develop sometimes,” he said.

“There’s no history or information to draw upon, so the league doesn’t go anywhere at first. They survive because people keep pumping money into it.”

Griggs signed with the league on a two-year, $1.2 million contract.

“I can’t be more excited to start working with Bryce and pass on what I’ve learned as a player and coach,” said former NBA point guard and former University of Connecticut head basketball coach Kevin Ollie, the league’s head of player development. “Bryce has elite talent, which you can see when he has the ball in hands, but we’re also going to turn him into an elite leader on and off the

Students celebrate returning to schools in Fort Bend ISD last week. (Contributed photo)

member, it saddens me that today, children in our community’s largest school district returned to the classroom without the ability of their leaders to employ the necessary tools, including requiring face covering to keep our children and their teachers safe,” George said.

Some FBISD parents, such as Bri Sadhwani, on Thursday said they were very upset at the districts’ unwillingness to comply with George’s order.

“Very upset and been contacting them to comply,” she said.

Not all parents agreed with Sadhwani, however.

Mary Courtney, for instance, said she felt the political fight over mask mandates was distracting from what has been overall a messy start to the school year, she said.

“The problem is way bigger than a mask mandate,” she said.

Courtney believes everyone has a right to their own personal choice, she said.

But more importantly, Courtney doesn’t believe schools are properly ventilated or sanitized, and she wishes the state would consider reinstituting virtual schooling on a grander scale, she said.

“There have been bus shortages, limited resources, teachers talking about a lack of school supplies and unsanitary workspaces,” she said.

George in recent days had been increasingly explicit in his calls for Abbott and other state leaders to do something in response to growing numbers of the delta variant.

Abbott last week asked hospitals across the state to voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures and has directed state officials to find ad-

ditional medical staff outside Texas to help, but has not removed any of his earlier executive orders, according to the Associated Press.

In fact, after several counties sued Abbott, he and Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a mandamus petition in the Fifth Court of Appeals to strike down Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ efforts, according to a news release from the governor.

“Any school district, public university or local government official that decides to defy the order will be taken to court,” according to a news release.

Amid roiling tensions between state and local leaders, officials with the Texas Education Agency on Thursday announced they would no longer issue updated public health guidance.

“In light of the conflict currently being resolved in the courts between Executive Order GA-38 and certain local orders and actions, TEA is refraining from issuing updated public health guidance at this time,” the agency tweeted.

Fort Bend County saw an average of about 300 new coronavirus cases each day last week, and health officials expect an increase this week, Minter said.

Dozens of hospitals across the state ran out of intensive care unit beds over the weekend as delta variant cases spiked, according to an article in the Texas Tribune.

The vast majority of new coronavirus cases have been among unvaccinated Fort Bend County residents, according to health experts. Children 12 and younger are not currently eligible to receive the vaccine.

★ PILLS FROM PAGE 1 The seizure is possibly the largest in Fort Bend County history.

“This case unmistak-

★ RISK FROM PAGE 1 data, models, rates or program costs as well as underlying assumptions used to formulate the new methodology, according to Councilmember Carol McCutcheon.

FEMA estimates that 77 percent of the 5 million NFIP policyholders nationwide will pay higher flood insurance

India. Men and women and children alike all wore vibrant, colorful outfits to represent the state and region they or their ancestors hailed from.

ICC President Jasmeeta Singh, who was among those who performed traditional and patriotic Indian songs at the event, said it was challenging to be true to the “values, rituals, and the cultures of India” during the pandemic.

Vandana Agrawal and Madhusuden Agrawal immigrated to Katy from India 20 years ago. They said that they cherish their freedom to celebrate their heritage with family and friends.

“That emotion and feel-

ing is beyond words,” Vandana said. “So we express it through food, music, and dance.”

The Agrawals said they have a son who recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and a daughter who is a senior in high school who was schooled in the art of Indian folk dances as a little girl. As parents, they feel an obligation to pass on the cultural norms and traditions they learned growing up in India.

“Children’s involvement is very important,” Vandana said. “Every child should know about the traditions of their motherland, and they should carry it forward to the next generation.”

floor. That’s the promise I’m making to him.”

Big risk Ollie’s promise, however, comes with some significant risk to the players. League spokesperson Joseph Feldman said that though the league will guarantee $100,000 toward college tuition if players choose to not pursue a pro career, they would not be able to go back and play college basketball on account of previously having played professionally.

“As of the rules right now, they would not be able to play,” Feldman said. “They are forfeiting their college eligibility.”

Griggs was an all-district selection during all three seasons at Hightower, and was a Class 5A all-state selection by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) in both 2019 and 2020.

He averaged 22.9 points per game in three seasons with the Hurricanes, along with 4.2 assists, four rebounds and nearly two steals per contest in 87 games.

Woods said that, despite the risk, he thinks the 17-year-old has what it takes to be successful in his new journey. “(Bryce) is a gym rat – he loves working out, being in the gym, perfecting his craft. And he’s a competitor. When you take those characteristics and put them in this league, he’ll thrive. Basketball comes natural for him,” he said. ““This is what he wanted…I would tell him to go out and do what he does.”

Berri said that the league could have some advantages, such as being able to claim providing the “best” of a certain class or age group – in this case, 16-18 year-old players – and that such startups tend to be more successful than those who don’t specialize.

Griggs was the 43rdranked recruit nationally in the Class of 2022 ac-

cording to the 247 Sports Composite rankings, and the 36th ranked recruit by Rivals entering this season. He is the 15th player to sign with OTE for its inaugural season, according to the news release. Other players include Jalen Lewis from California (No. 24 nationally) and Jazian Gortman (No. 11) from South Carolina.

Twin brothers and guards Amen and Ausar Thompson from Florida are both top 10 nationally at their position. Brothers Matt and Ryan Bewley, also from Florida are ranked No. 3 and 20, respectively, in their class, while power forward Jai Smith from North Carolina is the No. 38 ranked recruit in the Class of 2022.

“It has to establish in the minds of the consumer that what they’re watching is the best in whatever class of athlete they’re looking at,” Berri said.

However, he also cautioned that with college athletes now being able to sign endorsement deals and getting benefits on their name and likeness while in school, leagues like OTE could face some competition in the next few years.

The OTE also faces competition from the NBA’s own G-League, which has drawn some prospects away from college.

If that happens, the success of the league – and its players – could potentially be at risk.

“You’re trying to enter a space where there already is something there that has an emotional attachment. If you’re willing to be patient and wait, then eventually you might turn a profit,” he said. “If you wait long enough, you’ll have a product where you can’t lose money on it, because the fans are addicted.”

For more information about the Overtime Elite League, visit overtimeelite.com/

ably demonstrates DEA’s commitment to using all available tools to combat our nation’s opioid crisis and to ensure registrants remain compliant in DEA’s continued efforts to reduce

the diversion of controlled substances and make our communities safer and healthier,” said Daniel Comeaux, the DEA’s special agent in charge for the Houston Division.

rates under Risk Rating 2.0.

In Texas, 86 percent of the 768,600 NFIP policyholders will see increased flood insurance rates, and in Fort Bend County, more than 95 percent of the 64,584 NFIP policyholders will see an increase.

But cities shouldn’t just consider existing homeowners when thinking about the new risk ratings, but prospective ones as well, Scata argues.

“One benefit of this new program is it ensures people pay what they should be paying, and also that they know the true risk of a home,” Scata said.

Scata conceded the federal agency should have done a better job disseminating information and data about the new risk ratings, but the end result is residents should have a more accurate idea of an area’s flood risk, he said.

THE STAR

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, August 18, 2021

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Review: Rustic Swinging Door serves Nibbles & Sips: Cigar lounge opens up barbecue classics in Richmond in Sugar Land

By Stefan Modrich

SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A visit to The Swinging Door truly feels like a brief sojourn to another era.

The Richmond institution has been serving its classic smoked meats in a rustic farmhouse setting since 1973, when it was founded by Steve Onstad and his father Ward Onstad.

In nearly 50 years, this old-school barbecue joint has hosted some of Houston’s finest, including Earl Campbell and other members of the Houston Oilers. The ABC “Monday Night Football” crew of Don Meredith, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford from 1970-1983 also made several visits to The Swinging Door during trips to call Oilers games.

on fields along Farm to Market Road 359.

The first thing your server will bring to your table, no matter what you order, is a plate of jalapeños, onions and pickles.

That will be followed shortly by a plate of bread and a cup of The Swinging Door’s house barbecue sauce.

Choose from regular (one meat, two sides for $15.95) combo (two meats, two sides for $16.95) or super (three meats, two sides $19.95).

Choose from pinto beans, potato salad, chips, green beans, Pictured are the beef brisket and pecan-smoked turkey breast cole slaw or dirty rice as your from The Swinging Door in Richmond. (Photos by Stefan Modrich) sides. I went with the latter two.

The dirty rice has delicious The hearty scent of pecan the tone for a throwback to a chunks of ground beef and Casmoke and the sound of Otis more relaxed time and place jun spices.

Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The just as much as the drive there, Your meat options are beef Dock of The Bay” and Dono- through open Texas skies and brisket, pork ribs, chicken, sauvan’s “Mellow Yellow” set bales of hay spaced out neatly sage and turkey breast “slowly smoked with aged pecan” ac.

The brisket bark packed plenty of seasoning and a smoky punch, as did the turkey breast. I prefer a leaner cut brisket and moist, juicy turkey and that’s exactly what I got from The Swinging Door.

The Swinging Door

Address: 3818 FM 359, Richmond Dining Options: Dine-in, curbside pickup Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Wednesday- Sunday Entrée prices: $7.95$19.95 Kid-friendly: Yes Senior discount: No Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: None Star of the show: Brisket Rating:

For questions, call us at 281-690-4200 or email to : Jsazma@fortbendstar.com

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Spot Cigar and Bourbon Lounge held its grand opening July 3 at 3372 State Highway 6, Sugar Land.

The lounge features a pool table and TVs to watch live sporting events. The Spot has a BYOB policy.

For more information, call (903) 843-7768 or email thespotcigarandbourbonlounge@ gmail.com.

Shipley Do-Nuts opening new Stafford location Houston-based doughnut chain Shipley Do-Nuts is opening a second Stafford location at 3607 State Highway 90A Ste. 100.

Construction has begun at the new location of the doughnut and kolache purveyor and is expected to be complete in early September, according to a spokesperson for the company.

The first Shipley Do-Nuts in Stafford opened in 2009 at 611 Dulles Ave. Shipley Do-Nuts also has three locations in Missouri City, three in Sugar Land, one in Richmond and one in Rosenberg.

State Fare Kitchen & Bar

Houston-based doughnut chain Shipley Do-Nuts is opening a second Stafford location at 3607 Hwy. 90A Ste. 100. (Photo from Facebook)

adds off-menu item Last week, Greg Morago of the Houston Chronicle put together a list of off-menu items from restaurants across the Houston area.

Only one Fort Bend County restaurant was featured on the list: State Fare Kitchen & Bar, 15930 City Walk, Sugar Land.

Upon request, State Fare can assemble a weekend brunch board with avocado street corn toast, chicken and waffles, deviled eggs and silver-dollar bacon praline pancakes, according to the Chronicle.

The Spot Cigar and Bourbon Lounge held its grand opening July 3 at 3372 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land. (Photo from Facebook)

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words and answer the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to jsazma@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.

AUGUST 19 LAMBDA SIGMA CHAPTER OF DKG MEETING IN-PERSON Thursday, August 19th, the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international professional society of leading women educators, will meet in person back at All Saints Episcopal Church, 605 Dulles Ave., Missouri City 77459 (entrance at back of parking lot). Social 4:30 p.m.; Meeting 5:00 p.m.; Theme: "Get Ready to Journey"; Programs: "Self Care--Stop and Smell the Roses" presented by members; "Safety Awareness" presented by Sugar Land Officer, Lauren Stockholm; Special Chapter Acknowledgement to be given: 2020-2021 Lambda Sigma Achievement Award. Educators interested in learning about DKG , contact dkglsnews2020@ gmail.com

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SEPTEMBER 4-12 WALK, RUN, STROLL, OR ROLL FOR AUTISM! ANYTIME, ANYWHERE! Hope For Three Autism Advocates is holding their 2nd Annual Walk, Run, Stroll, or Roll.

In this nine-day affair, they offer family fun, race challenges, seasoned strollers, or wheelchair rollers to lace up and step out, anytime, anywhere during these dates. The nonprofit group encourages fun-raising for families but is not reaquired. $25 adults / $15 kids donation required to participate.

Great for families, neighbors, team-building and more. To register now, visit www. hopeforthree.org/events ONGOING SUGAR LAND AMERICAN LEGION American Legion Freeman Post 942 meets the fourth Thursday of every month at the Post facility, 311 Ulrich, Sugar Land, Texas, at 7:00 PM. All veterans are welcome. Post hall is available for rental for events. Call 713-553-5370 if interested.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving.

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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 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!

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 713-8595920 or 281-499-3345.

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.

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