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WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 27, 2019
Jack’s NEIGHBORHOOD PUB!
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 67
Arcola officer charged with sexual assault From Staff Reports
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A police officer in Fort Bend County was arrested after allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct during an early November traffic stop. The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office said Arcola police officer Hector Aaron Ruiz was arrested Nov. 20 and charged with Sexual Assault and Official Oppression stem-
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Ruiz
ming from a traffic stop a few weeks prior.
A news release from the DA’s office said the arrest came after a woman said Ruiz stopped her vehicle earlier this month before coercing her to engage in a sexual act while he was on duty. A subsequent joint investigation by the Texas Rangers, Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, Arcola Police Department and Manvel Police Department led to Ruiz’s arrest. Sexual assault is a second-degree felony pun-
ishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Official Oppression is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. “The utter violation of public trust that these allegations represent is heinous and disgraceful,” District Attorney Brian Middleton said in a statement. “My office will prosecute these criminal offenses to the fullest extent possible under the law.”
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Pack
Celebrated area sculptor dies Bob Pack, a well-known Sugar Land sculptor, died Friday. He was 72. Pack was best known locally for bronze sculptures, particularly his Stephen F. Austin bronze centerpiece at Sugar Land Town Square and the Guardian Statue in front of the Sugar Land Police Department. He also created statues of deer and ducks in Riverstone. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, their two sons and three grandchildren. Funeral services for Pack are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Sugar Land United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd.
Community members sing Hindu choir music during the 2018 interfaith Thanksgiving service hosted by the Fort Bend Interfaith Council. The annual service features praise songs and readings from Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish faith leaders, among others. (Photo by Ejazali Karmali)
All-faiths Thanksgiving service unites community By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
When Rabbi Joshua Lobel arrived at Congregation Beth El in Missouri City in 2014, he had a vision of unity. “Inside, we all have the same feelings and emotions of gratitude (during Thanksgiving),” he said. In response to that concept, he created an annual event he said highlights the diversity of Fort Bend County while reminding people they’re all the same at their core. The Fort Bend Interfaith Council (FBIC) held its fifth annual all-faiths Thanksgiving
service, with the theme of “Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World,” on Monday night at Christ Church in Sugar Land. Lobel, who has since left Congregation Beth El to lead Temple B’nai Israel in Clearwater, Florida, rallied several area faith leaders to form the council in 2015 as a call to action in response to the county’s ever-growing diversity. “When I began (at Beth El), one of my priorities was to build an interfaith community where we could learn, pray and do good works, because I felt it was important to be able to bring people together as a community,” Lobel said.
“I wanted to move us to a point where we’re living with each other in a more meaningful and relationship-oriented way.” The Fort Bend Interfaith Council is made up any religious group that “believes in building meaningful relationships” and seeks to promote dialogue and understanding throughout People of faith pray during the 2018 interfaith Thanksthe state’s most diverse giving service hosted by the Fort Bend Interfaith Council. county through events (Photo by Ejazali Karmali) such as the annual Thanksgiving service. Members harmony,” FBIC member diverse counties. It is 34 are of the Christian, Hindu, and Missouri City resident percent white, 24 percent Latino, 22 percent African Jewish and Muslim faiths, Valerie Tolman said. According to a 2018 American and 20 percent among others. “Every religion is worth- Kinder Institute survey Asian. while and has something to for the Houston area, Fort offer. We all need to learn Bend has become one of SEE COMMUNITY PAGE 6 to live together in love and America’s most ethnically
In-N-Out Burger opens at The Grid in Stafford By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
It wasn’t a sold-out concert, comedy show or movie premiere with A-list celebrities. But to drive past one of the main intersections in Stafford on Friday, one might have thought as much. California-based InN-Out Burger officially opened the doors of its two Customers line up outside the new In-N-Out Burger at The Grid in Stafford on Friday newest locations – the first afternoon. In-N-Out Stafford’s opening was one of two in the Greater Houston area two in the Greater Houston
region – on Friday. One is at The Grid in Stafford at 12611 S Kirkwood Rd., and the other is in Katy. The response in Stafford was unlike anything the owners could have hoped for. “It’s so humbling to see the customers come and visit us like they are today,” In-N-Out Assistant Vice President of Operations George Charlesworth said Friday afternoon as more
Friday. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
SEE IN-N-OUT PAGE 7
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