Get your body ready for resolutions: Page 2
EARLY HOLIDAY DEADLINES FOR THE STAR December 26 edition will deadline on Thursday, December 20th January 2nd edition will deadline on Thursday, December 27th Have a Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year!
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 19, 2018
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 18
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Jack’s
NOW A NEIGHBORHOOD PUB! Under new ownership 281-498-3410 11720 Wilcrest Houston, Tx. 77099
$25
(1) LARGE & (1) MEDIUM PIZZA Pick-up or Deliver Open 7 days a week
15215 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-201-8525 Exp. 12/31/2018
Pets make great gifts but are terrible surprises By Donna Hill FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
While considering all the facts about adopting a family pet is crucial, it’s especially important during the holidays. Animal shelter volunteers agree that potential pet owners need to be ready for the commitment involved in taking care of any animal. However well intended, choosing a pet at the animal shelter for someone else as a surprise gift doesn’t always work out for the family or the pet. Kathryn Ketchum, Animal Services Manager at the City of Sugar Land Animal Shelter and Sugar Land Petopia offers advice for anyone thinking about adopting a pet, especially parents who may be thinking about adding a new member of the family on Christmas Day. Ketchum says do not get an animal to give to someone else. Gift certificates are the way to go. “We suggest making a gift certificate for someone; maybe include a pet bed or toy along with it, that way you can put something under the tree. Then the person comes in with the certificate to the shelter and they can choose
SEE PETS, PAGE 9
Tucker found his home for the holidays. A favorite of volunteers at Fort Bend County Animal Services, he was adopted last week from a family in Orange. (Submitted photo)
Marshall High School football captains Daylan Malveaux (70), Ja’Mikel Williams-Sims (20), Nautica McCarther (9), and Derek Ledet (31) carry the late Drew Conley’s jersey to the coin toss of Friday’s state semifinal playoff game. Conley was shot to death, allegedly by his uncle, during a domestic dispute Dec. 10 in Houston. (Photo by Bill McCaughey)
Tragedy & Triumph Marshall football player shot, killed by uncle By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Marshall High School football player Drew Conley was shot and killed Dec. 10, allegedly by his uncle following an argument at their southwest Houston home, police said. The shooting took place around 11:45 p.m. in the 6900 block of Riv-
er Bluff in Houston. Police said the uncle, whose name was undisclosed, and Conley, a 17-year-old senior, were fighting, when the uncle picked up a rifle and shot Conley in the upper leg. Conley was taken to a hospital where he died. Conley wore number 3 for Marshall and played safety. Both teams honored him at Friday’s Class 5A Division I semifinal game where the
105 years strong!
Buffaloes beat Corpus Christi Calallen in San Antonio. (See Sports on page 6.) Police said Conley lived with his aunt and uncle for about a month, and that they were in the process of making him move out. Police reported that the uncle is being questioned and is cooperating. The case has reportedly been referred to the grand jury and no charges have been filed.
The uncle reportedly claimed it was self-defense. “It was a tough week, but the team persevered,” Marshall Head Football Coach James Williams said. “They loved Drew. We all loved Drew. We did this for Drew. He was a great kid. I know he is up there watching. We love him. This win was for him.” (Bill McCaughey contributed to this report.)
Making history in Missouri City
By Donna Hill FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
When Margaret Gatti was born, Woodrow Wilson was president, Pancho Villa left exile in the United States to return to Mexico, and the Ford Motor Company introduced its first moving assembly line. Gatti, who was born in December of 1913, celebrated her 105th birthday recently at Brookdale Senior Living. Family members and the many friends she’s made at the center were there to help her celebrate. Gov. Greg Abbott and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman sent official proclamations to her for her birthday. She’s only been at the retirement home since last year, but it’s easy to see she’s made the adjustment from living at home with her granddaughter to a community atmosphere. Busy with bingo and getting her her nails and hair done, Gatti continually enjoys meeting people and socializing in general. While her hearing is not what she’d like it to be, the League City native still loves being part of any conversation. Growing up, her hometown was pretty small
Margaret Gatti celebrates her 105th birthday at Brookdale Senior Living in Sugar Land. (Photo by Donna HIll)
– just 112 people. When asked what job she held, she proudly explained, “I was a farmer. We raised all kinds of vegetables: beets, carrots, turnips, cabbage, bell pepper.” She pauses only for a moment to recall, “and tomatoes in the spring.” The oldest of three children, Gatti helped raise her two younger siblings - including a sister who lived to be 93 years old. Although she comes from a family of longevity - her mother lived
SEE BIRTHDAY, PAGE 9
Yolanda Ford, right, enjoys a light moment with Missouri City Councilmember Chris Preston, left, after she swore him in for another term as her first official action as mayor. Ford was the first black and first woman to be elected mayor of Missouri City. She was sworn in moments earlier by Judge Debra Sinclair, second from left, while City Manager Anthony Snipes looks on. (Photo by Theresa D. McClellan)
SOUTHWEST
FORT BEND’S TOP SELLING AGENTS
Outstanding Agents Outstanding Results
of 2 Best 017 FORT BEND STAR
Readers’ Choice
Each Office Independently Owned & Operated
Serving Your LOCAL Community for 30 YEARS
www.buysellsugarland.com • 281-491-1776