Rosenberg has new council member -- Page 6
Interior and Exterior
Pressure Washing
Sheetrock Repair
Painting by Tod “Where Quality Counts”
Tod Griffin (281)
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 25, 2019
Bring in the
NEW YEAR! With the band “TNT” 9:30 pm-1:30pm TUES. DEC. 31ST
George Ranch puts unique spin on Christmas tradition By Landan Kuhlmann
NEIGHBORHOOD PUB!
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
281-498-3410 11720 Wilcrest • Houston, Tx. 77099
It’s the time of year when flurries of people are rushing around, searching for that perfect Christmas gift. They might be able to find them at George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond through next weekend – by way of a modern-day time machine. George Ranch Historical Park is in the midst of showcasing more than 100 years of Texas Christmas customs, traditions and decorations at its annual Christmas in the Park. Held each year on every Saturday of the month during December, the daytime experience – a collaboration between George Ranch Historical Park and the Fort Bend History Association – transports visitors through Christmas pasts while exploring the customs and decorations of the 1830s Santa holds a smiling child at one of George Ranch Historical Park's previous Christmas in the Park celebrations. through the 1930s. This year's events go through Saturday, Dec. 28. (Contributed photo) The final session of this year will be next Saturday, big light displays or crazy young children and adults Prairie Home for a Christ- classes are also held from Dec. 28. music happening. It’s just alike, while Santa Claus mas treat or visit Santa’s 11 a.m.-2 p.m. “It’s just a very differ- a homey, down-to-earth visits the children and temporary workshop at “It’s a very nostalgic ent take on the holidays,” holiday celebration.” reads them a story during the 1930s George Ranch said Jennifer Farrell with There have been hands- each session. Visitors can Home & Cattle Complex. the Fort Bend History As- on historical craft sites for stop by the 1860s Ryon Special holiday activity SEE CHRISTMAS PAGE 6 sociation. “We don’t have
ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY CAKE TODAY!
Rustika Rustika Café & Bakery Café & Bakery NOWOPEN NOW OPEN Next to Corelli’s Italian CUSTOM CAKES + PASTRIES + COOKIES Next to Corelli’s Italian + COFFEE + SOUPS + SANDWICHES
CUSTOM CAKES + PASTRIES + COOKIES + COFFEE + SOUPS + SANDWICHES
3227 HWY.6 281-494-4230 SUGAR LAND, TX 77478
auto - home - life
Thad Olive 1716 Dulles Ave. Suite 102 Sugar Land, TX. 77478 832-999-4292
www.agentolive.com
Interior Painting Exterior Painting Sheetrock Textures Power Washing
100 OFF of$500anyorjobmore! 713-298-8393 $
Insured • References www.smart-improvements.com
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Celebrating a simpler time
Jack’s
PAINTING
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 71
265-7134
Insured Free Estimates References Since 1981
Top Stories of Sugar Land 95 saga leads
2019 By Landan Kuhlmann
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Marshall's Malik Hornsby spins to elude Aledo's Caden Anderson (29) in the Class 5A Division II state championship game Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Hamm/Courtesy of Dallas Morning News)
The year 2019 brought a plethora of changes to Fort Bend County. Stories ranging from the hotly contested debate over the fate of the “Sugar Land 95” to more flooding impacts and resulting repair projects, along with shifting political landscapes, continued development and new leaders, have impacted those in the area.
What follows is a rundown of the top stories in our community over the last year as picked by our staff: Sugar Land 95 reburied Whichever side of the issue Fort Bend residents fall on, this topic has been the most contentious. In February 2018, while starting construction on the James Reese Career and Technical Center, Fort Bend ISD discovered 95 sets of human remains at an abandoned and unmarked
year full of contention, changing landscapes
cemetery on its property at 12300 University Blvd. The Sugar Land 95 are believed to have been incarcerated African-Americans leased to a local plantation through the state-sanctioned convict leasing program in the late 1800s or early 1900s. With the backing of FBISD and Fort Bend County officials, a state law was amended earlier this year to allow the county to operate a cemetery. FBISD announced in July that it had reached an agreement to convey
the land to the county and pay the county $1 million to help cover costs associated with reinterring the remains. But negotiations with the county later stalled after FBISD pulled its monetary offer and the two sides disagreed about the need for court oversight in reinterring the remains. FBISD later announced that it partnered with a Missouri City funeral home to reinter the remains. Following a dedication ceremony in November, amidst about 15 protesters, FBISD said it reinterred the
remains at the same site where they were originally discovered. Political landscape undergoing shift The biggest news here was U.S. Rep. Pete Olson announcing his retirement from representing District 22, which includes much of Fort Bend County, effective at the end of his current term in 2020. He said it was to spend more time with fam-
SEE 2019 PAGE 7
Buffs again fall to Aledo in final By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Marshall has been one of the most dominant high school football programs in the region over the last two seasons as skilled playmakers like Malik Hornsby and Devon Achane have brought crowds to their feet with
SEE MARSHALL PAGE 8
Sri Preston Kulkarni narrowly lost District 22 to Pete OlPolice escort Swatara Olushola out of a November memorial service for the Sugar son in 2018. He is among more than 20 candidates vying Land 95 at the James Reese Career and Technical Center. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann) to replace Olson when he retires in 2020. (File photo)
Specials
SERVING LUNCH Monday margaritas 2 for $5.00 & DINNER Wednesdays mix fajitas for 2 for $24.99
Happy Hour
Happy hour margaritas Tuesday’s $2.99 all day Wednesday - friday 11:00 to 6:30 $3.99
www.mygallitos.com
OUR LOCATIONS
PARTY ROOM IN RESTAURANT
We cater parties, business groups, homes book your christmas party
3385 HWY 6 Sugar Land TX 77478 • 281-313-1401 12030 Murphy Rd Houston TX 77031 • 281-988-9705