12-23-2020 Edition of the Fort Bend Star

FBISD football squads advance in playoffs - Page 4

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WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 23, 2020

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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 44 • No. 18

Harvest Green MUD nixes annexation plan

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

We Cook! You Eat!

Harvest Green residents, including one vocal board member of Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District (MUD) 134E, halted a plan

by Johnson Development to annex a non-adjacent tract of land for a residential development that could have saddled Dalyn Hoegemeyer, AAMS residents of the Hoegemeyer, AAMS Financial Dalyn Advisor Richmond neighborhood Financial Advisor 4502 Riverstone Blvd. #904 with nearly $40 million in Missouri City, TX. 77459 Bus. 281-494-3737 additional taxes.

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During a Dec. 16 board meeting, Jason Kirby, a resident who sits on MUD 134E board, said the plan to annex 300 acres a mile south of Harvest Green near Plantation Drive and Harlem Road was not in the interest of anyone but the developer.

Kirby motioned to decline the developer’s offer.

Kirby was joined in opposition by board member Chad Norvell, the newly elected Precinct 3 Constable in Fort Bend County, and the measure passed unanimously.

“We’re literally talking about a piece of property that’s a mile away from the existing subdivision,” Kirby said. “It’s not going to be part of our subdivision. It’s not like when I bought my house, and I said, ‘OK, I’m moving into this community and I’m going to be part of it.’ This is nothing that anyone living in our section knows anything about. They

SEE ANNEXATION PAGE 7

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Nehls reveals plan for first term in D.C.

Residents of Harvest Green are served by MUD 134E. MUD board member Jason Kirby led the opposition to a proposal by Johnson Development to annex a 300-acre plot of land near Harlem Road that was rejected in a Dec. 16 board meeting.

(Photo by Stefan Modrich)

Spreading cheer

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls was elected in November to become the next U.S. Representative in Texas’ 22nd Congressional District, which includes 75 percent of the county. He will be part of a class of 57 freshmen members of Congress.

During a Dec. 15 Zoom meeting with Don McCoy, president of the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce and Republican State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham, Nehls outlined his agenda for his first term in Washington, D.C. and addressed his expectations for the 117th Congress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Republican Congressman-elect said he has been a vocal critic of restrictive policies aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, which Nehls said are harmful to small businesses. He also took a jab at congressional leaders, chiding them for not providing additional coronavirus stimulus relief.

“Small businesses are suffering today. There’s a lot of games being played in Washington,” Nehls said. “It just seems like they’re not coming to a compromise. It’s a stalemate up there, whether it’s (Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi) or whoever just not willing to come to the table and come up with a plan that will help and benefit the American people and the small business owners. It’s shameful.”

Nehls has drawn national attention in recent weeks, taking a victory lap in making

SEE NEHLS PAGE 7

Richard Reyes, center, stands with Sonia Rash, left, vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Chapter 2911, and Vicki Cruz, president of Chapter 2911, during a holiday toy drive Saturday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Rosenberg. Reyes’ “Pancho Claus” nonprofit organization has served the Houston area for 40 years, and Reyes dressed up as Pancho Claus to hand out toys during his first such visit to Rosenberg, home to one of Fort Bend County’s largest Hispanic and Latino populations. (Contributed photo)

Rosenberg welcomes Pancho Claus for holiday toy drive

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

One of Houston’s most beloved local characters has been a holiday mainstay for more than 40 years.

He wears a zoot suit and prefers a low rider to a sleigh and a fedora to a stocking cap. And he goes by “Pancho Claus” instead of St. Nick.

Richard Reyes, an actor, writer and community activist, has been a mentor to many through his various

to generations of children and parents who grew up hearing about Pancho Claus and his crew tossing toys into packed stadiums in previous years.

But before Saturday, Pancho Claus had never made a public appearance in one of Greater Houston’s most vibrant Latino communities — Rosenberg.

Sonia Rash, one of Reyes’ former students, is a Sugar Land resident who is the vice president

SEE CLAUS PAGE 7

SLPD investigating neighborhood assault of woman

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Nehls

A volunteer passes out toys to a family during a holiday toy drive Saturday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Rosenberg. (Contributed photo)

avenues for serving others in Houston’s Second Ward and the city’s many other heavily Hispanic and Latino neighborhoods.

Reyes said the idea for Pancho Claus came from a Chicano adaptation of “The Night Before Christmas” based on the widely-read poem from Clement Clarke Moore.

“Our community started believing I was Pancho Claus, and I started getting requests for toys,” Reyes said.

His cult following across Houston has endeared him

The Sugar Land Police Department (SLPD) is investigating the assault of a 46-year-old Sugar Land woman that police said occurred Nov. 5, according to surveillance video.

During a news conference Wednesday at SLPD headquarters, SLPD Sgt.

Matt Levan and the Tejani family said Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers (FBCCS) is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the ongoing investigation.

According to a news release from the city, SLPD responded to an assault in the 20 block of Wilmington

SEE ASSAULT PAGE 7

Sugar Land resident Shefali Tejani, at podium, speaks during a Dec. 17 news conference at the SLPD headquarters Surveillance videos show she was asaulted Nov. 5.(Photo from Twitter)

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FBISD thespians win big during annual festival

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A number of Fort Bend ISD high school students recently took center stage at this year’s Texas State Thespian Festival.

The theatre festival, held virtually due to COVID-19, included hundreds of drama students and

teachers from throughout the state over four Saturdays from Oct. 24-Dec. 5. Participants attended workshops, auditioned for collegiate programs and scholarships, and competed in individual and group events.

Among the state’s honorees from FBISD schools were Ridge Point High School’s Myles Keys, who

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Austin’s Caitlyn Harris and Clements’ Pradanya Subramanyan each won $1,500 scholarships.

Ridge Point’s Talya Hammerman was also selected as a State Thespian Officer.

A complete list of students qualifying for nationals in both group and individual events is below: Solo Musical Erin Brogan – Ridge Point Arwen Costello – Elkins Mia Harryman – Dulles Crystal Ike – Kempner Emma Kuo – Clements Lola Miertschin – Kempner Briana Martinez – Austin Jordan Okeke – Bush Rachel Omotoso – Bush Nicholas Pizzuti – Ridge

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Do political careers have expiration dates?

Just the other day, I heard that someone’s work position had reached its expiration date. In this case, it was being suggested that the person needed to step down from a particular job because of his long-term tenure in that role. It had nothing to do with his accomplishments or even age.

Is it possible that careers have hidden expiration dates or should they have them?

For the political office holders, term limits

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may be what determines the finale or expiration date. But there are also elected office holders who keep their positions because they have been unopposed, keep getting re-elected and are not

restricted by term limits, along the lines of the longest-serving mayor in the U.S., Stafford City Mayor Leonard Scarcella, who died in June at age 79. He was opposed a couple of times, but never defeated during his 50-year tenure.

Then, there are elected office holders who may need work expiration dates imposed on them.

First of all, because they were probably not that interested in the position sought and ended up elected by default. Those

surprise wins have taken place in Fort Bend County. And, a win is a win.

For those warm bodies in office, we probably need to have a recalibrated Fitbit fitness product strapped on them. The original gadget measures activity, exercise, food and other things. A recalibrated one could be invented to measure levels for making headway on public issues and concerns related to the business of the office.

And, we would then re-

Herrera, Virippan to compete for vacant Stafford City Council seat

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

While Stafford Mayorelect Cecil Willis and recently re-elected City Councilmen Don Jones and Ken Mathew have not yet been sworn in to begin their new terms, the 2021 election cycle is already in motion.

A special election to fill Willis' vacated seat on the council, Position 5, has been scheduled for Feb. 20. Filing opened Dec. 14 and the last day to file is Jan. 11.

Stafford City Secretary Tomika Lewis wrote in an email Wednesday that Tom Virippan and Xavier Herrera had filed to run for Position 5.

Herrera, a Stafford MSD board member since 2015, announced his candidacy back on

July 22 in a Facebook post on a newly-created campaign page.

Herrera is the communications director for Fort Bend County Judge KP George, a position he began in January 2019.

Prior to that, he worked for the Harris County District Clerk’s office, where he dealt with public affairs, legislative affairs and community outreach for four years.

The University of Houston alumnus also spent a year in the office of the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector as a community outreach manager and six years working for the City of Houston as an office manager and city community liaison.

Virippan also has a background in education, as a former teacher and principal.

view performance. This is wishful thinking, of course.

But in Fort Bend we also have current office holders that don’t have specific “best by” dates when it comes to functioning in their public offices. These are people who are able to set aside partisan issues and dedicate themselves to making a difference in public service.

Some of these will be up for re-election in Fort Bend soon. What we need

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with master’s degrees in education, economics and world history, according to his campaign website.

Most recently, Virippan lost his election as the Republican challenger to incumbent State Rep. Ron Reynolds for the House District 27 seat.

The length of a Stafford City Council member term is three years, and members may not serve more than four

consecutive terms.

Willis had planned to run for re-election in Position 5 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread to the U.S. and prior to the death of former Mayor Leonard Scarcella in June. Scarcella’s term was not set to expire until 2023.

On May 1, council members Alice Chen and Wen Guerra will be up for re-election for Position 1 and Position 2, respectively.

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More assistance available to businesses

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Small businesses still reeling from financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic have another chance to get some relief.

On Dec. 8, Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved another round of relief for the area’s small business community. Qualified ap-

plicants can be granted up to $25,000 while funds last, according to an alert from the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce.

To apply, a business must meet the following criteria: · Have at least one employee and made at least $25,000 in revenue in 2019 · Show financial impact as a direct result of COVID-19 · Incurred any expens-

es/losses since April 3 Businesses may use the grant funding for expenses such as mortgage and rental payments, personal protective equipment (PPE), payroll and inventory costs.

Applications for the latest round of relief were available beginning Dec. 18.

For more information on the grant program or to apply, visit fortbendcounty.com/grants/.

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FBISD squads roll to regional playoffs

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Last weekend was a banner one for three Fort Bend ISD high school football teams as they kept their seasons alive with playoff victories.

For some, it was old hat, while others are now in unfamiliar territory. Hightower, Marshall and Ridge Point all won with relative ease to advance to this week’s regional playoffs in their respective classifications.

Hightower and Ridge Point now turn their attention to state-ranked opponents, while the Buffalos will look to keep marching toward a return trip to the state final.

Jackson’s career night powers Panthers Last Wednesday, Dec. 16, Ridge Point running back Keith Jackson signed with the University of North Texas. Two days later, he showed why he was highly coveted by the Mean Green.

The senior tailback was just about all the offense the Panthers needed last Friday, Dec. 18, scoring a career-high four times as Ridge Point took down Jersey Village 34-21 at Legacy Stadium in Katy to earn the school’s third regional berth since 2014.

Jackson’s 40-yard touchdown scamper early in the

Ridge Point running back Keith Jackson runs the ball during a Class 6A Division I area-round game at Legacy Stadium in Katy last Friday night. The senior rushed for a career-high four touchdowns in the Panthers' 34-21 win against Jersey Village. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

second quarter tied the score 7-7, and the Panthers (7-2) took over from there.

That score provided the first of 27 unanswered points for Ridge Point during the second and third quarters.

The career night gave Jackson 976 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on the season.

Oklahoma State commit John Paul Richardson topped off the scoring with

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Panthers had four football players sign. The Travis Tigers had two signees, as did the Marshall Buffalos. Following their bi-district win, the Hightower Hurricanes also had a high-profile receiver sign.

Leading the way for Ridge Point was receiver John Paul Richardson, who signed with Oklahoma State. Richardson had amassed more than 2,100 career receiving yards and 20 touchdowns before last week's game. Running back Keith Jackson, who before last week had 812 yards and 11 TDs this year, will continue his playing career at North Texas.

Offensive tackle Cameron Plummer will be a Bearkat at Sam Houston State, while defensive lineman Jimmy Guy signed to play at Houston Baptist University.

Travis defensive back Cameron Oliver, who had 64 tackles and 17 interceptions in four seasons, was one of two Tigers to sign. He is headed to UNLV. Offensive lineman Ryder Wall will join Ridge Point’s Plummer at Sam Houston State next fall.

Two standouts for Marshall’s stingy defense also inked letters of intent Wednesday.

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down Pflugerville Hendrickson 44-14 at Waller ISD Stadium. In the process, the Hurricanes earned the school’s first regional berth since 2011.

Head coach Joseph Sam and the Hurricanes (5-4) will next square off against Manvel (8-1), which is ranked fifth in Class 5A Division II by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, at 3 p.m. Thursday at Freedom Field in Rosharon. It will

Turner Stadium in Humble.

It was the Jy’Adrian Wortham and Roland Harvey show in New Caney on Friday, with both Marshall players accounting for three touchdowns. Harvey and star receiver Chris Marshall started the scoring by connecting on an 18-yard touchdown pass, and race was on.

After Harvey’s quarterback keeper put the Buffalos up 21-7 heading into halftime, Marshall never let the Bears within single digits in the second half.

Wortham, the team’s second-leading rusher entering the contest, set a new career high with the three touchdowns.

Harvey added a 13-yard scoring strike to Marshall in the fourth, while Aaron McGowen finished the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown later in the final stanza.

Playoff Schedule Class 5A Division I Area Playoff Hightower vs. Manvel, 3 p.m. Thursday, Freedom Field, Rosharon Class 5A Division II Area Playoff Marshall vs. Nederland, 1 p.m. Saturday, Turner Stadium, Humble Class 6A Divison I Area Playoff Ridge Point vs. Humble Atascocita, 1 p.m. Saturday, TDECU Stadium

Fort Bend athletes sign with colleges

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an acrobatic catch in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

Ridge Point is set to take on Humble Atascocita (72), ranked 20th in Class 6A

by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, in the regional round at 1 p.m. Saturday at the University of Houston’s TDECU Stadium.

Hurricanes route Hawks Hightower scored early and often Friday to take

be the second matchup this season between the District 10-5A rivals, with Manvel beating Hightower 49-38 on Nov. 5.

The Hurricanes wasted little time Friday in asserting their presence. After a fumble on their first drive, Hightower reeled off 20 consecutive points courtesy of two rushing scores from Charles Shelling and a 36-yard touchdown pass from UTEP commit Ja’Kolby Longino to Nebraska signee Latrell Neville.

After Hendrickson scored to cut into the lead in the second quarter, Longino later ducked in from a yard out as the Hurricanes converted off a Hawks fumble to take a 27-7 advantage into the break.

It was more of the same in the second half as the Hurricanes kept Hendrickson at arm’s length thanks a 23-yard scoring strike from Longino to Dajon Debose and Shelling’s third touchdown run in the third quarter.

Wortham, Harvey lead Buffs to regional Marshall defeated Montgomery 48-28 last Friday night at Randall Reed Stadium in New Caney to keep its undefeated season intact.

The Buffalos (11-0) have advanced to their fifth straight regional playoff and will face Nederland (9-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday at

LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Even though it came amidst a pandemic, last Wednesday, Dec. 16 was still the celebration of the beginning of a new chapter for a number of the area’s high school athletes who will continue their athletic careers at the college level.

Ahead of area-round playoff games last weekend, the Ridge Point

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Fort Bend Christian Academy football players Remington Strickland (left) and David Kasemervisz signed with Texas A&M and Stanford, respectively, on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

(Photo from Fort Bend Christian Academy)

tackles, 7 sacks) will stay close to home at Rice University, while safety Christian Jackson (95 tackles, 7 interceptions) signed to play at Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

Hightower receiver Latrelle Neville, who has more than 450 receiving yards in parts of two seasons, signed with Nebraska.

On the private school circuit, Fort Bend Chris-

tian Academy offensive lineman Remington Strickland and receiver David Kasemervisz also signed with big-time programs.

Strickland will play at Texas A&M, while Kasemervisz will be at Stanford.

Austin volleyball player Kiara Liedy signed to play at Centenary College, while Bulldogs baseball player Ryan Branch will play at Murray State College.

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5

Local residents charged in alleged fraud scheme

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Law enforcement officials arrested Zheng “Miranda” Zhou, 53, of Missouri City, and Kun “Bruce” Liu, 40, of Sugar Land on Dec. 14 on charges of alleged involvement in international trade fraud violations stemming from an alleged decadelong scheme involving tires from China, according to a Dec. 15 news release from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Zhou and Liu made their initial appearances in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas Dec. 15 in Houston, at which time the criminal indictment was unsealed, according to the DOJ. A federal grand jury returned a criminal indictment against eight individuals, according to the DOJ. A related civil complaint has charged 14 individuals and a Missouri City-based company, Winland International Inc., in the alleged scheme. The Department of Justice’s Civil Division filed the civil complaint Dec. 11, alleging trade

fraud in the U.S. Court of International Trade. The complaint names the eight criminal defendants and six other individuals, as well as Winland International Inc., which was allegedly doing business as Super Tire Inc., located just south of the intersection of Fondren Road and Sam Houston Tollway at 723 Buffalo Run. Zhou is named as the director of Super Tire Inc. in its 1999 registry with the Texas Secretary of State, according to the Texas Comptroller’s Office.

The indictment and complaint allege the defendants conspired to avoid anti-dumping tariffs associated with off-the-road (OTR) and light vehicle and truck (LVT) tires from China, according to the DOJ. Working through and with Winland, individuals allegedly imported OTR and LVT tires from companies that were subject to antidumping duties associated with Chinese tire manufacturers who had engaged in unfair trade practices in the U.S, the DOJ said in the release.

“For more than a decade, Zhou and her co-conspir-

ators are alleged to have sought to gain an unfair competitive advantage at the expense of U.S. companies and consumers through a series of schemes in violation of fair trade practices and U.S. import regulations,” said Mark B. Dawson, a special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Houston.

“Working closely with our U.S. and foreign law en-

C LASSIFIED

duties, according to the DOJ. The complaint further alleges U.S.-based defendants conspired with defendants in China to obtain falsified invoices and entry records of Chinese tire companies that were subject to a lower duty rate than the actual manufacturers of these tires. Defendants allegedly submitted these falsified records to U.S. Customs officials when importing tires into the United States, so that Winland could avoid paying the higher duty rates, according to the allegations. The indictment and complaint also allege the defendants used these falsified records to understate the value of these tires, further lowering the amount Winland owed in duties.

“The Civil Division, through the Department of Justice’s Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF), will continue to partner with U.S. law enforcement agencies and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to aggressively investigate and pursue individuals and companies who attempt to evade U.S. customs laws and target the U.S. manufac-

forcement partners, and in coordination with the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, we were able to uncover these alleged deceptive practices leading to the criminal indictment and imposition of almost $21 million in civil penalties.”

The value of the tires in question allegedly exceeded $20.9 million and resulted in the deprivation to the United States of more than $6.5 million in import

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turing base with unfair trade practices,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffery Bossert Clark said in the statement. “We recognize the importance of ensuring that U.S. manufacturers are competing on a level playing field.”

The Houston Trade/ Revenue Interdiction and Enforcement Team conducted the collaborative investigation along with Customs and Border Protection’s Automotive and Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise with the assistance of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to the DOJ. “Customs and Border Protection (CBP) takes its trade mission of protecting the U.S. economy very seriously as we strive to maintain fair trade and preserve American jobs from predatory practices,” said CBP’s Director of Detroit Field Operations Christopher Perry.

“These civil penalties and criminal indictments should serve as a warning to those who attempt to defraud our government and do harm to our economy and American businesses.”

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Notice is hereby given application is being made to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission by Mings Chinese Restaurant Inc., for a Mixed Beverage Permit doing business as Aki Steak and Sushi to be located at 510 Hwy 6, Suite 180, Sugar Land, Fort Bend,TX 77478.

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AT&T Mobility Services, LLC (AT&T) proposes to construct a 30’ pole near 1480 Sawdust Rd in Spring, Montgomery County, Texas (Project 48035).

In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the 2005 Nationwide Programmatic Agreement, AT&T is hereby notifying the public of the proposed undertaking and soliciting comments on Historic Properties which may be affected by the proposed undertaking. If you would like to provide specific information regarding potential effects that the proposed undertaking might have to properties that are listed on or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and located within 1/2 mile of the site, please submit the comments (with project number) to: RAMAKER, Contractor for AT&T, 855 Community Dr, Sauk City, WI 53583 or via e-mail to history@ramaker.com within 30 days of this notice

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Highly Contagious Skin Infection

Impetigo is a skin infection that primarily affects infants and young children. It initially appears as red sores on the face, nose, around the mouth. It can to other parts of the body like the hands and feet. When the sores first appear it can easily spread to other children because the infection is highly contagious. The sores sometimes ooze yellow liquid and crust with a yellow-brown mesh. Signs of a severe form of impetigo include blistering or painful, pus-filled open sores.

Doctors will often prescribe an antibiotic ointment to apply to the lesions two or three times a day for a certain period of time, until the lesions clear. In some cases a course of oral antibiotics may be taken in addition to the ointment. Antibiotics that belong to the beta-lactamase resistant antibiotics are usually prescribed because these medications are more likely to kill the bacteria.

Blues guitarist Keb' Mo' will perform Feb. 20 at Fort Bend Christian Academy's Boots, Blues and BBQ event.(Photo courtesy of Fort Bend Christian Academy)

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GARAGE SALE? FBCA to host blues concert at Constellation Field Let the community know with an ad in the Star!

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Lovers of blues music in Fort Bend County have an event to put on their calendar for next year.

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draising event Feb. 20 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, according to a news release from the school.

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Tickets start at $60. For more ticket and sponsorship information, please visit fortbendchristian. org/concert. For more information about Keb’ Mo’, visit https://kebmo. com/.

Sugar Land wins digital cities honor From Staff Reports A division of Home Hands Group LLC

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The City of Sugar Land recently topped the list of cities ranging in populations from 75,000124,999 in the 2020 ranking of Digital Cities by the Center for Digital Government (CDG), a national research and advisory institute on in-

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The complete list can be viewed at g o v t e c h . c o m /d c / d ig it a l - c it ie s/D ig it a l Cities-Survey-2020-Winners-Announced.html.

"I'm proud of the work that Sugar Land has done to use technology to better serve our residents," City Manager Michael W. Goodrum said in a news release. "Our continual improvement in ranking reflects the work we've put in to increase transparency and inclusion, and it's an honor for that effort to be recognized."

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Fund your Future

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WCJC’S Fund Your Future resources are limited in availability for qualified students enrolling with WCJC for the Spring 2021 semester. Visit wcjc.edu for details.

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Discounted Tuition & Fees Program

Funds from the CARES Hispanic-Serving Institutions Grant will be used to fund Spring 2021 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 for WCJC students who attended in Spring 2020, when the COVID-19 national emergency was declared, but did not enroll at WCJC in Fall 2020.

Students enrolled in Allied Health majors, Pre-Allied Health majors or in Emergency Medical Services courses may qualify for a $1,000 scholarship.

Students must reside in one of 15 specific counties – Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, Colorado, Dewitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Karnes, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria, Waller or Wharton – or within the Needville Independent School District. Deadline for the Johnson Foundation scholarship is Jan. 15, 2021.

Pioneer Restart Debt Forgiveness Program

This program offers a waiver of up to $500 for former WCJC students who left school with an outstanding balance but plan to return to the college for the Spring 2021 semester.

Spring 2021 First-Time-at-WCJC Scholarship

WCJC’s Tuition & Fee Installment Plan enables students to pay 20 percent of their tuition and fees up front, plus a $35 non-refundable enrollment fee, and then spread out the remainder of their tuition in equal monthly installments. All registered WCJC students can apply for an installment plan.

Additional assistance is being provided for WCJC students who take more than 13 hours of academic transfer courses. Under this policy, tuition and fees will be waived for any courses above the 13 credit hours. For example, an in-district student taking 19 credit hours will pay roughly $1,214 – the same amount paid by a student taking only 13 hours.

Federal Direct Student Loans

Students who have a complete financial aid file at WCJC and are achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress may qualify for subsidized and/or unsubsidized student loans. The fixed interest rate on 2020-2021 direct student loans is a low 2.75 percent.

Financial Aid Special Condition Request

This scholarship is available for incoming Spring 2021 WCJC students who have no prior enrollment in credit-hour courses at WCJC, beyond dual credit.

The scholarship amount is $1,000.

This request enables qualified students to receive an increased Pell Grant award and possibly additional subsidized loan funds. It’s aimed at WCJC students who have faced a reduction in household income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spring 2021 Endowment Scholarships

Pell Grants

More than 70 endowment scholarships are available, each in varying amounts and each awarded based on donor specifications.

Students who display exceptional financial need may be awarded a Federal Pell Grant. A Pell Grant is a form of “gift aid” that does not have to be paid back.

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THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

★ CLAUS FROM PAGE 1 of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Chapter 2911. She approached him with the suggestion to pay a visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The organization partnered with the Fort Bend County Tejano Democrats (FBCTD) to hold a toy drive on a rainy Saturday morning.

“It’s really about bringing the community together, letting them know that they’re not forgotten,” Rash said. “I explained to him that there is a need for someone like him to come out here. He’s so well-known and I wanted him to know that he’s also well-known here, not just in Harris County.”

The drive-up event included donations and invited those in need to drive up to collect toys. Despite the weather, Veronica Piña, chair of FBCTD, said enough toys were collected to provide for at least 120

★ ANNEXATION FROM PAGE 1 never made any kind of unknown moral obligation to help develop someone else’s property. It’s not in any of their disclosures.”

Kirby hailed the result as a victory for residents, but warned there is no legal recourse for the developer or other board members who could in theory continue to bring up the annexation as an agenda item and try to force it through in Kirby’s absence.

“I’m 100 percent confident that it could have gone the other way with just one thing extra,” Kirby said. “I was surprised, and I’m very excited.”

He said if the annexation plan were to proceed, it would “fundamentally change the balance” of Harvest Green from “one MUD that is Harvest Green to another MUD that is half-in, half-out with a side, satellite facility.”

“The people I’ve talked to,

★ NEHLS FROM PAGE 1 appearances on Fox News and posting on social media about attending an orientation in Washington for the newly-elected U.S. Representatives. On Dec. 16, he and four other incoming Texas GOP freshmen were part of a group of 26 House newcomers who signed on to a letter to Pelosi calling for a House investigation into the U.S. presidential election in a Facebook post.

Nehls has not publicly congratulated Presidentelect Joe Biden, whose win against President Donald Trump was solidified by the Electoral College on Dec. 14.

Legal challenges seeking to overturn the election results have been rejected

★ ASSAULT FROM PAGE 1 Court on Nov. 5 just after 7 p.m.

The victim, Shefali Tejani, said during the news conference she was attacked by a tall man wearing a darkcolored hoodie and a mask in the street in front of her house while taking out the trash.

Tejani told police she was struck in the head with a stick or another blunt object. She fell to the ground and was kicked and hit before running back inside her home, she said. She said the man left in a dark SUV driven by another man.

“He did not ask for anything, he did not demand anything, he did not say a word,” Tejani said. “He just started dragging me, and probably at some point, try-

Wednesday, December 23, 2020 • PAGE

7

children.

“Pancho Claus has been a servant of the Latino community,” Piña said, “especially at Christmas.”

Reyes, 70, has personally been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and perhaps has been hit harder by the virus than most. He tested positive for the virus in the summer, which prevented him from holding a “Christmas in July” event in Rosenberg like the ones he has done across Harris County for decades.

He also lost many of the traditional sponsors he relied upon to support his mission as a result of the economic turmoil that followed the onset of the pandemic.

To make up for a lack of corporate or small business sponsorships, he’s turned to the community through a GoFundMe page, which is less than $10,000 shy of reaching the goal of $75,000. Reyes said many contributors to the online fundraiser have listed Fort Bend County addresses.

He said some of the money will go to fund his organization’s everyday operations over the next year, while Reyes works on performing arts-related initiatives and also spends time counseling youths in juvenile detention centers.

“This year we didn’t feel comfortable asking anybody for donations,” Reyes said. “Everybody’s going through a crisis, it’s not the time to ask. But we had to start over after four years.

This money is going to help us rent an office and get going for our operations.”

Reyes said in the future, he hopes to bring concerts and performances to Rosenberg, whether they need to remain socially distanced or if the health conditions of the time will allow for a more conventional audience.

“We’re really working forward to that next year,” Reyes said. “It’s a beautiful community and we plan to do a lot more with (Rash) Richard Reyes carries a bag of toys to deliver during a holiday toy drive Saturday at Our Lady and LULAC and (FBTD’s) of Guadalupe Church in Rosenberg. (Contributed photo) help.”

generally speaking, there’s not one resident who either understood what this is or was for it,” Kirby said. “Just because we’re saying in a moment in time we can’t find anything that really makes this a no, I don’t see why as a resident that I’m willing to commit to a $40 million (investment).”

Cameron Miller, the District Engineer for MUD 134E, also of Jones & Carter, Inc. in Houston, said the developers would be eligible for nearly $40 million in reimbursement from residents had the annexation plan been adopted.

He said the total cost of the project would have been $365 million, and that its proposed tax rate of 71 cents was “in line with what the district’s tax rate is today.”

Kirby said the notion that keeping the tax rate the same would have no impact is based on an assumption that he said is without merit.

“All (the analysis) shows is that it does no harm under

ideal conditions,” Kirby said.

“Given a perfect analysis, the best we can hope for is that it doesn’t negatively impact the residents, or the current customers, or taxpayers in the district.”

Kirby said the board spent an entire meeting trying to collect taxes from a poor homeowner, and argued that adding more debt during an economic downturn spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic was imprudent.

“During a time period in which two of my neighbors have lost their jobs and are continuing to pay taxes, why in the world would you vote to add more liability?” Kirby said. “How could you in good conscience add more liability when no one is showing any positives?”

Sam Johnson, the attorney for MUD 134E, works for the Houston firm Coats Rose, which represents Johnson Development.

A spokesperson from Coats Rose did not respond to phone calls and emails

seeking comment.

Johnson said during the meeting that Edible Group LLC, doing business as Agrihood Living, approached the board about an annexation and paid $1,000 for a feasibility study regarding the potential annexation.

Agrihood Living also was the basis for Harvest Green’s model, centered on a sustainable, farm-to-table lifestyle with community gardens.

Agrihood’s pitch for annexation was to creative a similar enclave of neighborhoods Another company, Agmenity, owned by Scott Snodgrass, was involved in the proposed development.

Agmenity specializes in urban and suburban farming, implementing community composting and greenhouses and gardening events, and even an apiary for raising honey bees.

Snodgrass said because MUD 134E is the closest MUD to the Agmenity’s property, and that the size of the property is smaller than

most MUDs, that the annexation was beneficial to him from a business standpoint.

“We definitely understand the position of (Kirby) not wanting to do anything that would further add any additional tax or even slow down the lowering of the tax rate to the community,” Snodgrass said.

Miller said the project would cost $2.47 million, and Agrihood’s proposed share of the cost would be $1.87 million.

The proposal would also involve a $712,000 water line extension along Harlem Road. A new wastewater treatment facility is estimated to cost $70.5 million, Miller said.

Kirby said the MUD’s existing wastewater treatment plant is among its biggest expenses, at nearly $500,000 annually, split between MUD 134E and MUD 143.

Marcella Penick, a Harvest Green resident, said her concern was not only financial, but also about the

uncertainty of entering into a long-term contract with a residential area she said isn’t even part of the same homeowner’s association.

“At any point, (the Agrihood and Agmenity groups) can choose to change the agreement and it will affect us,” Penick said. “There’s no bumper there for the people who are already living here and paying into the system.

We’re going to be in a contract with people that we don’t know.”

Going forward, Kirby said it will be important for the board to be vigilant and for the public and Harvest Green residents to be more aware of the decisions the MUD makes in considering future annexations or proposals from third parties outside the district.

“Legally, they could bring it up every day, but in reality it’s hard to go back at the same apple without something happening,” Kirby said.

“I think it’s probably done, but you never really know.”

by the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

But Nehls wrote Dec. 16 that “millions of Americans and many of my constituents are skeptical of the 2020 election results. That's why I recently joined some of my freshman colleagues in demanding an investigation into the claims of fraud. Our elections are the bedrock of our Republic and we owe it to the American people to at least investigate.”

It is unclear if Nehls questions the validity of his own win against Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni. They competed to succeed U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, a Republican who did not seek a seventh term.

Nehls referenced the presidential election near the end of the hour-long Zoom session in reflecting

upon the year 2020 as “one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history.”

“Once Jan. 20 is finished with the inauguration of the next president, we are going to require an enormous amount of healing,” Nehls said.

Nehls also said he wants to focus on criminal justice reform, echoing a recurring topic during his campaign of rehabilitating criminals through vocational training programs and giving them the opportunity for a fresh start in a trade such as welding or HVAC installation and repair.

“I believe that there are areas in the criminal justice system that are broken,” Nehls said. “I would like to share some of the success stories we’ve had here in the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s

Office over the past eight years as it relates to re-entry programs, trying to help place our non-violent offenders who are in our jails for an extended period of time, trying to help them with vocational training programs.”

Nehls also said he is seeking membership in the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure (HCTI).

He said it was an important committee to residents of Fort Bend County and that Olson served on it during his first term.

“I believe at some point in time here in 2021 there will be a very large infrastructure package passed out of Washington,” Nehls said. “I think it is going to be bipartisan. When you look at what we’ve had to deal with with flood mitiga-

tion and the Memorial Day flood (in 2016) and Hurricane Harvey (in 2017), I think that would be a step in the right direction.”

HCTI already has five Texans, including three from the Houston area — Democrat Lizzie Fletcher of the 7th Congressional District, Republican Randy Weber of the 14th Congressional District, a coast district which runs from Beaumont to Freeport, and Republican Brian Babin, whose 36th Congressional District includes the Bay Area and stretches to the Texas-Louisiana border.

Another committee that Nehls acknowledged would be a more natural fit for him given his 21 years of military service in the U.S. Army and law enforcement experience with the City of Sugar Land and in Fort

Bend County was the House Committee on Homeland Security (HCHS).

Four Texans, all of whom have Houston-area constituents, serve on HCHS. Two are Democrats, including Al Green of the 9th Congressional District, which covers Missouri City and Stafford, and Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents the 18th Congressional District and large portions of Houston.

Republicans Michael McCaul of the 10th Congressional District and Dan Crenshaw of the 2nd Congressional District also are HCHS members.

Nehls said committee assignments likely won’t be determined until the second week of January.

ing to pull me towards the car.”

Tejani was transported to a local hospital with serious head injuries, Levan said.

Tejani said she was struck six or seven times in the head. “(Tejani) needed to have 52 stitches done and weeks of rest in order to physically recover from the pain that she endured,” Tejani’s daughter, Shanaya Kassam said. “We’re asking the public to please help us find who did this.”

Levan said a review of surveillance video showed a vehicle matching the description of the SUV parked nearby for at least an hour prior to the assault. The city released an edited version of the video purporting to show the moments before and after the assault that can be viewed online.

Levan said the vehicle is likely a black or dark-colored SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe.

Police said the assailant’s intent was to severely injure Tejani and that the attack was not random. Levan said no motive has been established.

“To help me get closure on this, I need to find out what was the motive, who did it,” Tejani said. “I’m asking the public to try to help give any clues as to who that person could be and why this happened.”

Those with any tips or information can call (281) 342-8477 or visit fortbend. c r i m e s t o p p e r s w e b.c o m .

Additionally, the mobile application P3 Tips can be downloaded and used to submit tips on Apple and Android devices at p3tips.com/ community/index.htm.

Follow Stefan Modrich on Twitter @StefanJModrich

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PAGE 8 • Wednesday, December 23, 2020

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Review: Old Hickory Inn hits on atmosphere, misses on taste

By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

As I have argued previously in this space, aesthetics are a crucial component of the dining experience.

Old Hickory Inn Barbecue has been a Houston-area institution since 1963. The Missouri City location has gathered a loyal following from generations of residents in nearby Quail Valley and beyond, in an idyllic location at Township Square filled with charming red-brick buildings.

Before my visit, I had heard and read much about Old Hickory Inn, so I had long been anticipating the chance to check it out. Alas, I’m not even sure it’s the best barbecue joint in Missouri City, let alone in Fort Bend County.

And though I always like to give credit where I think it’s due, you didn’t come here to read about

Pictured is the Brisket Dinner with coleslaw and mac and cheese from Old Hickory Inn Barbecue in Missouri City.(Photo by Stefan Modrich)

above-average coleslaw or passable mac and cheese.

There was nothing egregiously wrong or amiss about my Bris-

ket Dinner, which I had sliced ($14.50), not chopped ($12.95), just for the record. It was tender, but not the most flavorful I’ve ever had, and I did

depend on the accompanying sauce an awful lot, which I’ve learned is not ideal by the lights of most Texans.

What was the reac-

tion I was looking for? I always dream of the bite that is going to make me jump from my seat or stop to realize I should slow down and savor a memorable experience – think of all the times you’ve said “wow” aloud or to yourself after trying something delicious. But unfortunately, that moment never happened for me at Old Hickory Inn. That’s not to say the whole trip was a waste, far from it.

The service at the restaurant was polite, friendly and prompt, and the staff has set up an efficient system for delivery and takeout orders.

I’m intrigued by several items on Old Hickory Inn’s menu, including the Fried Catfish Po-Boy ($8.95) and the Sliced Baker ($10.95), a baked potato with your choice of ham, sausage links, pork, turkey or chicken.

If you’re a big enough fan of turkey that you traditionally eat it not only on Thanksgiving

but also on Christmas or throughout the holidays, smoked, fried and Cajun 15-pound turkeys are available for pickup for $64.94.

Have you been to Old Hickory Inn before? Got any recommendations for dishes to try there or anywhere else? I’m all ears. You can reach me at smodrich@fortbendstar.com or on Twitter @ StefanJModrich.

Old Hickory Inn Barbecue

Address: 3334 FM 1092, Missouri City Dining Options: Dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, delivery via DoorDash and Uber Eats Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. FridaySaturday Entrée prices: $7.50$16.50 Kid-friendly: Yes Senior discount: No Healthy options: None Star of the show: Brisket Dinner

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Tel: 281-242-1881 907 Eldridge Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77478