05-11-2022 EDITION OF THE FORT BEND STAR

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Ousted city manager won't get severance pay - Page 2 Extend Fence Life

WEDNESDAY • MAY 11, 2022

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SLPD’s Robins retiring after four years as police chief

By Matt deGrood

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Sugar Land Police Chief Eric Robins was short and to the point when asked what led him to announce his retirement earlier this month, after four years in the job and 33 years in public service.

“It was time,” he said.

While Robins’ time as police chief was relatively short, the longtime law enforcement member has been with the

police department since 1992. A native Houstonian, the 52-year-old Robins joined Sugar Land Police Department as a patrol officer and moved through the ranks from detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief.

During his time in Sugar Land, Robins watched as the city evolved from a quiet bedroom community into the county center of some 118,000 people that it is today,

Robins

he said. And with that, the nature of policing in Sugar Land has also evolved, he said.

“Our biggest task has been keeping up with the growth and diversity of the city,” he said. “We want to ensure there’s diversity in the department to meet the needs of all our residents.”

When Robins started, for instance, there were about 34 sworn officers in the department, he said. Now, that has increased to about 174 sworn officers, he said.

Unlike some police chiefs who’ve spoken about the new difficul-

ties of policing in recent years, Robins said law enforcement faces great possibilities when it comes to technology and rethinking the art of policing moving forward.

“It’s important for us to understand the culture and the history of law enforcement and how peoples’ perceptions came to be,” he said. “It’s important for us to stay engaged.”

SEE ROBINS PAGE 7

Conservative crew

Newcomers win Responders seats on FBISD battle fire board of trustees

at county’s Parish plant

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Investigators are working to determine what might have caused a hydrogen fire at one of the Houston region’s biggest power plants in Fort Bend County that drew agencies from across the area to fight the blaze.

The Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, Hazmat Response Unit and several fire departments at about 5 a.m. Monday responded to a report of a hydrogen fire at the W.A. Parish Generating Plant, 2500 YU Jones Road, in southeastern Fort Bend County, according to a news release from County Judge KP George’s office.

County officials hadn’t received any reports of injuries during the fire, according to the Monday morning news release.

Emergency responders early Monday received reports that f lames were coming out of a building at the station and that the fire had knocked the unit off line, according to the release.

NRG Energy owns the plant and did not respond to a request for comment about the fire as of Monday afternoon.

Firefighters as of Monday afternoon had the fire under control, and crews were checking for hot spots and further extensions, according to the release. The cause of the fire was still undetermined.

The plant, which has smoke stacks that can be

SEE FIRE PAGE 7

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Two challengers won election to the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees on campaigns of change and fresh perspective on a board that has already seen a host of new faces arrive in recent years to lead off a crowded May election in Fort Bend County.

Rick Garcia edged out 12-year incumbent Jim Rice for the Position 3 spot on the board of trustees, according to complete but unofficial results from Saturday. More than 9,102 people voted for Garcia, or about 51.7 percent, compared to Rice’s 8,503 votes, or 48.3 percent.

And in the district’s other race, David Hamilton held a slim lead over his two opponents, with 8,365 votes, or 47.95 percent, according to complete but unofficial results. Attorney Orjanel Lewis finished in second place with 44.83 percent of the vote, and Shell McClue ended the night with 1,261 votes, or about 7.23 percent, according to complete but unofficial results.

There are no runoff elections in FBISD, so barring any additional updates, Hamilton will claim the Position 7 spot left vacant when President Dave Rosenthal opted not to run for reelection.

Here are the county’s other major election results: Elsewhere in the county, chal-

Rick Garcia, right, won the Position 3 seat on the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees. David Hamilton, left, was leading the Position race based on no cial res lts t center is ep blican State ep acey etton (Contributed photo)

lenger Suzette Thompson upset incumbent Greg Holsapple for election to Stafford MSD’s Position 4 seat on the board of trustees with 90 percent of precincts reporting. Thompson won about 51.95 percent of the vote compared to Holsapple’s 41.99 percent, according to the latest results. Edward Rector was in third place with about 6 percent

of the vote.

On Stafford City Council, incumbent Don Jones looked set to retain his Position 4 spot with 90 percent of precincts reporting, although he also could face a runoff. More than 367 people voted for Jones, or about 49.13 percent, compared to Adam Sanchez’s 320 votes, or 42.84 percent, and Constantine ‘Costa’

Thanos’ 60 votes, or 8 percent, according to county results.

Sugar Land’s city council races stood in stark contrast to many of the other campaigns, with incumbents easily winning reelection.

SEE ELECTION PAGE 7

Panthers’ Gordon rising as triple jump star

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Karson Gordon may only be a high school sophomore in physical age. But his trackand-field exploits the last two seasons have been those of a seasoned veteran.

Because of those performances, the Ridge Point High School 10th-grader is one of the fastest-rising stars on the triple jump scene – not just in Texas, but in the country.

“When you triple jump, you can’t just be a good athlete – you have to be technical and

See related story on ..................

PAGE 4 be on top of your stuff,” Gordon said last week. “That just makes it feel special to me, because when I do well, it gives me a sense of pride because I know my work has paid off.”

Gordon will be among more than a dozen Fort Bend County track and field athletes headed to the UIL state track meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin next weekend

on May 12-14. He qualified for the state meet by jumping 49 feet, 11.5 inches at the Region III-6A meet last week – the second-best Class 6A qualifying time behind fellow FBISD jumper Damilare Olukosi of Travis.

It is the second straight season that Gordon has been a state qualifier in the triple jump, after finishing in fifth place at last year’s state meet as a freshman.

“I really wanted to take that next step (coming into this

SEE GORDON PAGE 7

Ridge Point High School’s Karson Gordon competes in the triple jump during a trac and field meet he sophomore has alified for the state meet in the event for a second consecutive season. (Contributed photo)

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PAGE 2 • Wednesday, May 11, 2022

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Former Missouri City manager won’t get severance pay, spokesperson says

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Missouri City will not pay former City Manager Charles “Tink” Jackson any severance pay, and the search firm that oversaw his hiring will now handle the search for his replacement without additional payment, according to the city.

The city council earlier this month opted to terminate Jackson’s employment, less than five months after it began, albeit with little in the way of discussion.

Neither Jackson nor Mayor Robin Elackatt responded to requests for comment seeking more details about the decision

as of Monday afternoon.

But Tara Powdrill Crain, a spokesperson for the city, in a followup interview with the Fort Bend Star provided some details about the decision.

The city will not give Jackson any severance pay and GovHR USA – the search firm that first identified Jackson as a candidate for Missouri City – provided a clause in its contract under which it will waive the recruitment fee for a new city manager if the selected candidate didn’t stay for a full year, Crain said.

The city paid the firm about $23,000 to find Jackson.

Missouri City also paid almost $1 million in severance payments to

Jackson’s two predecessors, Anthony Snipes and Odis Jones.

During the meeting where the council opted to fire Jackson, the council also voted to appoint Sedrick Cole as interim city manager for up to 30 days as the search firm looks, first for a full-time interim manager before conducting a search for Jackson’s replacement.

Cole had been serving as the city’s IT manager before Jackson promoted him to chief information officer. Cole’s salary was about $150,000 per year, but the council approved a temporary 20 percent increase during his time as interim city manager, according to Crain.

A 20 percent increase for 30 days would be

about $2,500, Crain said.

Jackson earned a yearly salary of about $210,000, in addition to a $600 per month vehicle allowance and a $90 per month phone allowance, according to public documents.

Jackson arrived in Missouri City after most recently holding the same city manager post in La Marque, which sits in the middle of Galveston County.

Jackson, who had served in the role there since 2019, resigned in July 2021, shortly after the city council met for hours in an executive session to discuss whether to fire him, according to the Galveston County Daily News, which covered the story.

Missouri City's Griffin named to appraisal review board

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A Missouri City resident has been appointed to a board of directors overseeing property value disputes in the county.

Rodney Griffin, who currently serves on the city’s planning and zoning commission, has been selected to serve a two-year term on the Fort Bend Appraisal Review Board.

The board is an agency that oversees and legislates property valuation disputes between property owners and the Fort Bend Appraisal District, according to a news release.

Griffin has served on Missouri City’s

ri n

planning and zoning commission since last July. He will serve on the appraisal review board’s commercial properties panel.

“I thank Judge (O’Neal) Williams for the appointment and plan to serve well,” he said.

County using billboards to warn residents about hurricane season

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Hurricane season is nearly here and Fort Bend County wants you to be prepared.

In order to reach as many

residents as possible, the Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is partnering with the digital billboard company Clear Channel Outdoor to use 10 digital billboards for public service announcements

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022 • PAGE

3

Taking a stand for transparency Matt deGrood

MANAGING EDITOR

It was during my eight years taking Latin classes that I first learned about Cato the Elder – a Roman politician who used to end every speech, literally every speech, with the phrase, “Carthago delenda est.’

The phrase translates to “Carthage must be destroyed.”

There’s always been something darkly comical to me about that mental image – of a man so dedicated to a certain issue that he was willing to introduce it, even when the topic at hand is completely unrelated.

“How about those Space Cowboys? Also, Carthage must be destroyed.”

Times have changed,

and I doubt any of us are that dedicated to the idea of destroying another country. But I do think each of us has our issue, with a capital I, that serves as our Carthage stand-in.

Fitting for a journalist, but that issue for me in recent years has been transparency.

Working as a reporter, you end up interacting with people across the political spectrum and with a wide array of opinions on how to solve given issues. I’ve always enjoyed that diversity, precisely because it makes me think. It’s helped me learn how to ask good questions.

Considering all those opinions with an open and impartial mind – a key characteristic of good journalism – has never been tricky because I enjoy those differences.

If I have any bias at all, it’s against anyone who seems afraid of transparency. After Watergate, the phrase, “The coverup was worse than the crime,” became popularized. And

it’s hard to think of anything that rings truer.

In many cases, especially those involving controversy, I suspect elected leaders, government officials and prominent residents hope to avoid looking bad by avoiding conversation about a difficult topic.

But never does avoiding a topic make it go away.

Rather, it’s by speaking out and explaining exactly what you do and do not know that will most diffuse a tense situation.

Several years ago, I covered a small Texas city (that shall remain nameless) that through mismanagement and a lack of expertise had found itself in the mud.

Whoever was in charge of overseeing the city’s fiscal stability had failed, and the council had accidentally budgeted more money than the city had in the bank to cover its expenses.

At first, the response from city leadership had been silence and embarrassment. But quickly, the news spread through the

community and elected leaders were forced to grapple with the scope of the problem.

Solutions didn’t come quickly or without pain, but by talking about the matter publicly and honestly, community members, the council and city administration were able to band together in support of a greater cause.

And I’m pleased to report that the city experienced something of a 180-degree turnaround in the months and years that followed. An innovative police chief oversees a hard-working department, a dedicated city administrator has worked through the worst of the city’s budget woes and much of the previous political strife is firmly in the rearview window.

The more I’ve gotten to know Fort Bend County, the more I realize some would do well to learn from this city’s example.

The difference between the more stable and more chaotic communities in Fort Bend County seems to be one of transparency

and openness. Simply put, those that are open and willing to work together, do. It’s those communities that fail to recognize they ultimately work for their residents – that if residents aren’t able to see the inner workings of government and judge whether they’re happy with it or not – that have run into issues again and again.

Readers, take this column as a call to hold elected leaders account-

able – to be transparent and honest with you, even when it’s difficult.

If you’re an elected leader reading this column, know that what I’m advocating will be good for everyone in the end.

Even if you think you might save face in the short run by refusing to talk or provide information, that never pans out.

And, at the very least, increased transparency will stop me from writing more columns like these.

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Citgo 6 families rally for progress in Washington D.C.

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Families of Americans imprisoned abroad, including a Houston-based representative for the Citgo 6, attended a rally in Washington D.C. early May 4 to raise support for the U.S. government to intervene on their behalf.

“People being reunited with their family is so much more important than that icky feeling of working with an entity you might not want to,” said Alexandra Forseth, a Houston Heights resident whose father and uncle have been imprisoned since November 2017 by the Venezuelan government.

More than 55 Americans are wrongly imprisoned in other countries and the families of those people are all part of an organization no one wants to be, according to event organizers.

Included in that number are the five remaining members of the so-called “Citgo 6” that are still imprisoned in Venezuela, a group that includes several Fort Bend County residents.

The Citgo 6 were all executives at the Houston-based oil-and-gas company who were called to a business meeting in Caracas, Venezuela, a few days before Thanksgiving in 2017, when they were arrested by the government of

Nicolas Maduro.

Citgo is a subsidiary of PDVSA, an oil-andgas company run by the Venezuelan government, and the men were arrested, accused of trying to make a deal that would financially inhibit PDVSA and convicted in November 2020 by a Venezuelan judge.

Then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the convictions “wrongful” and described the judicial proceeding as a “kangaroo court.”

Earlier this year, Houston, and Tomeu VaCitgo executive Gus- dell. tavo Cardenas, of Katy, Forseth is the daughwas one of two jailed ter and niece of Alirio Americans freed by the and Jose Luis Zambrano, Venezuelan government respectively, and repreafter talks with the Unit- sented the families at last ed States. Cardenas spent week’s gathering. more than four years in a “We always prayed our Venezuelan prison. cases would be resolved The other still-de- before we were all in the tained Citgo 6 members16651 same space,”Freeway, she said.

Southwest Suite are Sugar Land resident200 Sugar Other attendees inLand, TX 77479 (phone) Jorge Toledo, Katy resi-713-774-5131 cluded the (fax)mother 713-774-of dents Jose Angel Pereira7122James Foley, a freelance and Jose Luis Zambra- war correspondent who no, Zambrano’s brother,WWW.SWOBGYN.COM was abducted in Syria Alirio, who has family in and later killed in 2014.

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PAGE 4 • Wednesday, May 11, 2022

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Bush girls relays look to make mark at state meet Landan Kuhlmann SPORTS REPORTER

Bush High School’s girls relay teams are tired of finishing in second place.

And armed with some of the best times in the nation this season, they’re looking finish first at a highest level.

The Lady Broncos are sending two relay teams to the UIL state track meet in Austin next weekend, with both their 400 and 800 relay squads punching tickets last week at the Region III-6A meet. And they are headed to Mike A. Myers Stadium with one goal in mind.

“We want the gold,” senior Raylen Russell said.

Russell, a four-year letterman in the Lady Broncos’ track program, runs the opening leg of both relays. In particu-

lar, the 400 relay team of seniors Russell, Rachel Joseph, and Christina Pleasant along with freshman Amariya Hardeman has taken a huge step forward this season under first-year head coach Tiwana Stewart.

The quartet posted the best time in the nation (45.40 seconds) in the event according to AthleticNet during the area meet on April 21. Their qualifying time of 45.49 at last weekend’s regional meet was the best seed time in the state in Class 6A by nearly four-tenths of a second, giving them a legitimate shot at the title when the state’s best converge on Austin this weekend.

“I’m so thankful, and I’m excited…because I know we can do some big things (in the 4x1),” Joseph said.

According to Russell, Bush has long been known for the 800 and 1600 relays – but not so much the 400 relay, making this season’s exploits even more special.

Bush High School’s Raylen Russell (right) prepares to hand the baton to Rachel Joseph during a meet. Russell, Joseph, and the rest of the Lady Broncos' 400- and 800-relay teams are headed to the state meet this weekend as one of the best teams in the nation so far this season. (Contributed photo)

“Having a team actually go to state (in the 4x1) is really shocking to people,” she said. “…This season was such a complete opposite (180-degree) turn from last year. Just knowing that we made (it to) state, regardless of what happens, is amazing.”

Adding to the motivation of the 800 relay

– which includes Russell, Pleasant, and Hardeman along with senior Demeri Duplechain – is the sting of finishing as the state runner-up to Desoto at last year’s state meet.

Russell, Joseph, and Pleasant all ran on that team, which was the second Lady Broncos’ 800 relay to be the runner-up

in the last three seasons.

But they want more.

The 800 relay’s qualifying time of 1:37.66 at the Region III-6A meet was the third-best seed time.

It was also the fifth-best time run by any team in Texas this season regardless of classification, and the eighth-best time in the country.

“We don’t want the silver anymore,” Russell said. “We’re tired of being second place, being the runner-up.”

And in the eyes of their coach, there’s no team more motivated or prepared to win it all. Russell and Joseph – both fouryear lettermen – have used their experience to guide the teams this season, according to Stewart, making her job a little bit easier. Russell has a scholarship to Houston Baptist University, while Joseph is committed to run at Iowa State next year.

“These girls are very experienced and have been through this program…they want to be successful, and they know how to be successful,” Stewart said. “And that’s gotten them to where they are today.”

With their eyes on the prize, the Lady Broncos are looking to make their mark – and they won’t look back.

“We’ll just do whatever we’ve got to do,” Russell said.

Ridge Point rallies for bi-district series win

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Ridge Point Panthers’ baseball team is accustomed to postseason success, having won at least one series in six of its last 10 postseasons and making two trips to the regional tournament in the last five seasons.

They had to work a little bit harder to advance this year, but did so by tapping into a reservoir of resolve.

After dropping Friday’s opener against Seven Lakes, 1-0, the Panthers roared back to take both games on Saturday to advance to the area round.

Justin Vossos dominated at the plate for Ridge

Ridge Point High School's Hunter Nichols delivers a pitch during a baseball game. The Panthers rallied after dropping their first game in a bi-district series against Katy Seven Lakes to book a spot in the area round of the playoffs. (Photo from Twitter)

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Point in a 6-2 win Saturday morning, racking up four hits and three RBIs to help the Panthers keep their season alive. Jack McKernan then took over on the mound in the second game of the day, hurling a threehit shutout while striking out seven batters to catapult Ridge Point into the next round.

Ridge Point (27-4) will face Stratford (19-10-1) in the area round this weekend.

The rest of 20-6A did not fare so well. Travis failed to score in a two game sweep at the hands of Katy, while Elkins dropped both games to top-ranked Katy Tompkins. George Ranch won their opener 15-3 against Katy Taylor on Friday, but lost both Saturday games to end their season.

Class 5A

Foster followed up a District 24-5A regular season with a dominating bi-district performance. The Falcons swept Houston Northside in two games, improving to 23-8, and will face Barbers Hill in the area round. Coleman Briggs had two hits including a double in the Falcons’ 13-0 win in Game 1, while Sam Hardcastle drove home two runs.

Fulshear swept through Houston Austin with wins of 11-4 and 10-0 on Friday.

The Chargers (19-9-1) will square off with Crosby (24-4-3) this weekend.

Kempner saw its season end with two losses to Houston Waltrip, ending their season with a 16-13-1 record.

Class 4A Needville followed up a strong regular season with a bi-district sweep of Port Lavaca Calhoun. The Blue Jays won Game 1, 11-1, before taking Game 2, 30. Jess Lollar had a homer and three RBIs for the Blue Jays (23-5) in Game 1, while Kody Gibbs struck out six in five innings of work in Game 2.

The Blue Jays will play Canyon Lake (25-6) in the area round this weekend.

Softball George Ranch kept its dream season alive, toppling District 18-6A champion Bellaire in three games to advance to the program’s first regional quarterfinal in more than a decade. The Lady Longhorns (19-10) will square off with Katy Seven Lakes (20-10) in the third round next weekend.

Kennedy Marlow led the way offensively for George Ranch in the 80 clincher on Saturday afternoon with three hits, while Jesyca Johnston and Mariah Garner had two RBIs apiece. Senior hurler Nora Thompson also spun a complete-game shutout in the circle for the Lady Longhorns while scattering eight hits.

Class 5A The Foster Lady Falcons pulled off possibly the biggest upset of the weekend, walking off defending 5A state champion Barbers Hill 2-1 on a wild pitch on Friday night. Foster (31-5) will play Santa Fe in the regional quarterfinals next weekend.

Fulshear’s Lady Chargers’ season ended in heartbreak, losing two games to Santa Fe over the weekend. Gabby Castillo had three hits and the lone RBI in a 4-1 loss on May 6 for Fulshear, which finished the 2022 season with a 22-13 record.

The Lamar Consolidated Lady Mustangs also got swept in the area round, falling in two games to top-ranked Friendswood and ending their season with an 18-13 mark.

Class 4A Needville saw its season come to a close last weekend, dropping two games to Boerne on Friday (9-2) and Saturday (12-5). Jaycie Croatt had three hits on Saturday while Jessalyn Gregory drove in two runs for the Lady Blue Jays, who finished the season with a 20-11-1 record.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022 • PAGE

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Memorial Hermann Sugar Land earns nursing care recognition

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

One of the area’s bestknown medical facilities recently earned a national honor for patient care.

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, 17500 W. Grand Parkway S., announced April 26 that the hospital earned magnet recognition from The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The award recognizes “nursing profesMemorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital recently received a national magnet honor for its sionalism, teamwork and nursing care. (Contributed photo) superiority in patient care,” according to a news release

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May is National Better Hearing Month

May is National Better Hearing Month and Advanced Hearing Center is encouraging everyone to make an appointment to have their hearing evaluated.

Patients should not wait to check their hearing until Terry Snook hearing loss is so significant it’s impacting their ability to AuD, FAAA participate in your work, social events, or conversations with loved ones. Sometimes changes in hearing may not be immediately noticeable but can make a big difference in someone’s quality of life.

Hearing loss impacts a large number of Americans. According to a 2016 study by the National Institutes of Health NIDCD, approximately 15 percent (37.5 million) of American adults aged 20 to 69, have some trouble with hearing and approximately 28.8 million could benefit from the use of hearing aids. As the baby boomer population ages, more Americans are forced to face hearing health challenges.

Research demonstrates that untreated hearing loss in seniors is related to poor health outcomes including significantly increased falls and dementia. Individuals with even mild hearing loss experience significant impact in the form of reduced quality of life and cognitive health.

Audiologists are the experts in hearing healthcare. While hearing aids are the most commonly recognized treatment for hearing loss, there are many factors that go into determining the best treatment for a patient. Everyone should have a baseline test and continue to monitor and protect their hearing. Call us today to schedule your hearing evaluated!

from the hospital.

According to ANCC’s website, less than 7 percent of all registered hospitals earn the magnet recognition nationwide. Memorial Hermann Sugar Land is the eighth hospital in the Memorial Hermann system to earn the honor, according to the news release.

"As we celebrate this honor, it is with the acknowledgment that our nurses have demonstrated this exceptional level of care to our patients every day, including throughout an unprecedented historic and challenging time,” Memorial Hermann

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Sugar Land senior vice president and CEO Malisha Patel said.

The news release said hospitals that earn the recognition typically display higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information as well as lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates, higher job satisfaction among nurses, and lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

“This honor is concrete evidence of our nurses’ commitment to always putting the patient first,” MHSL Chief Nursing Officer Seleria Fletcher said.

For more information on Memorial Hermann Sugar Land hospital, visit their website at memorialhermann.org/locations/sugarland.

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That way you can keep up with all the latest happenings on our website in between weekly print editions.

COMPREHENSIVE DIGESTIVE CARE in Sugar Land

At Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, we provide you with personalized, advanced care to diagnose and treat digestive conditions. Our team of specialists treats both common and complex conditions using in-depth testing and advanced technologies, while providing compassionate, expert care to achieve the best possible outcomes — all close to home.

We provide a full spectrum of personalized care for the following conditions, including: • • • • • •

Abnormal liver enzymes Acid reflux disorders and GERD Celiac disease Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis Dysphagia or swallowing difficulty Food intolerances

• • • • •

Gallbladder and biliary system diseases Gastroparesis and achalasia Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Motility disorders Pancreatitis

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/gastroenterology or call 281.801.9303.

THE STAR

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H ROBINS FROM PAGE 1

H GORDON FROM PAGE 1

The biggest change in recent years is that now police departments allocate more resources to solving specific issues, whether they be drugrelated or mental-health crises, he said.

“When I first started, you were basically either locking people up, or taking them out of the city,” he said. “Now, you’re dealing with more specific issues.”

During Robins’ time, he oversaw several initiatives that reduced crime through technology, such as a network of license plate recognition cameras, according to the city.

If a department is going to succeed at community policing, it requires community engagement and input, he said.

“In Sugar Land, that means being mindful of our business and community population as well,” he said.

One reason Robins was happy to retire now is that he’s confident the right people are in place at the department to continue steering it forward in a positive direction, he said.

“I think there are smart and bright men and women in the department now who are up to the challenge of continuing to evolve with the city,” he said.

Robins plans to leave the job June 1, according to the city.

“I’d like to thank Eric for his unwavering service to our community,” City Manager Michael Goodrum said of Robins’ decision. “His self less commitment to public service has ensured we remain among the safest cities in the nation.”

The city will conduct a nationwide search for the department’s next chief, and assistant City Manager Doug Brinkley will serve in the role on an interim basis, according to the city.

Robins plans to take some time off after his retirement, but said he doesn’t think he’s entirely done with law enforcement.

The future might hold another job as chief somewhere, or another police job, but Robins is taking his time before making a decision, he said.

season),” he said. “This year I’ve got a medal on my mind.

I was just happy to make it and show everybody that my hard work has paid off.”

Football was his first love, but Gordon took up triple jump in seventh grade at the urging of his father, who he said was also a triple jumper in his own high school days.

And immediately, something clicked.

“As soon as I got into middle school sports, (my dad) was saying ‘I think you should try it,” he said. “I just said ‘OK.’ And it turned out pretty well.”

It has done that and then some. After setting a school record with a jump of 48-2.5 during his freshman season in 2021, Gordon’s 49-11.5 at this year’s regional meet broke his own record. It is also the state’s second-best jump in Class 6A this season according to AthleticNet, as well as the fifth-best jump length in the entire country.

The sophomore credits increased focus on his rest, diet, recovery and training for the improved performance this season. And while the elite results may be surprising to some – especially after he was down for nearly two months with an ankle injury earlier this season – they are not so much for Gordon him-

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 • PAGE

self.

“I knew as soon as I got back that I had to really press on the gas,” he said, noting the District 20-6A meet on April 11 was his first postinjury meet. “I wanted it to happen soon, I’m just blessed that it came along at the right time.”

Head coach Anthony Malbrough echoed his star jumper and called him a quick-learning student of the sport. “(Karson) is a lot different than your average high school athlete, because he understands all the little nuances that go with it,” he said. “He’s not just coming out and jumping every day…

He knows about being mentally prepared, knows that it’s about eating, resting and understanding the event itself.”

For Gordon, that mindset is second nature as a dualsport athlete. He is poised to take over as starting quarterback of the school’s football team next season, and has received early offers from Texas Tech and Washington State on the gridiron as well as Arizona State for track and field.

Such accountability and discipline, he said, is inherent as a quarterback and easily translates over to improving his work in the triple jump. The triple jump is a complex event, he said,

H ELECTION FROM PAGE 1 Councilperson William Ferguson fended off challenger Larry Lobue for the Position 1 seat, with 5,793 votes, or about 82.57 percent compared to Lobue’s 1,223 votes, or 17.43 percent, according to county results.

Jennifer Lane also retained her seat after finishing with 50.27

Karson Gordon competes in the triple jump. The Ridge Point sophomore has one of the best jumps in the nation this season. (Contributed photo)

where messing up just one phase can throw the whole jump into disarray – thus, focus and discipline are in high demand.

“You can know a lot about it, but to master it is a whole other thing,” he said. “…Everything I do goes into my jumps. It’s really just about holding myself accountable for everything.”

For the time being, Gordon has been one of the state and

percent of the vote in a crowded three-person race featuring Farha Ahmed and Scott Schultz. Ahmed finished in second with 34.17 percent of the vote, according to county results.

For a full list of all the county’s other races, click the link to learn more: https://results.enr. clar it yelections.com/TX/For t _ B e n d /112 4 2 8/we b. 2 8 55 6 9/#/ summary.

nation’s best jumpers in the event. And he’s keeping the same focused mindset heading to Austin, with a podium finish in his sights as he seeks a place in Texas high school track history.

“I just have to do what I did (at regionals), and fix those really small things that could’ve gotten me a longer jump,” he said. “I feel like I’ll be ready.”

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: A:

Can a repair facility save me from paying my deductible?

An honest repair shop will always say “no” to saving deductibles. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance Chuck Charlton carrier. It basically says that if you have a collision loss, you are responsible for the first portion of repairs (your deductible) and the insurance company will pay the rest. If the final repair cost is less, you’re still responsible for the predetermined deductible amount. Any reduction should correctly go back to the insurance company. There are legitimate ways to reduce your cost. An appearance allowance (credit towards your deductible usually for minor cosmetic repairs not completed) is one way but must be consulted with your insurance company. Be wary of the repair shop that offers to save you your deductible. Are they completing all repairs or is your safety being jeopardized with an inadequate repair?

H FIRE FROM PAGE 1 seen from as far away as Brazos Bend State Park some 17 miles away, has come under scrutiny in recent years both for its generating role to the Texas power grid as well as being one of the region’s biggest polluters.

The plant usually ranks in the top three power plants in the country in terms of sulfur emissions, and emits more carbon and sulfur dioxide than the rest of Fort Bend County combined, according to one Rice University researcher.

7

May God Bless our Men and Women in the Military

Charlton’s Body Repair Local Family Business since 1957 1131 Staffordshire @ 5th Street • Stafford, TX 77477 www.charltonsbodyrepair.com

Rick Garcia, right, celebrates after winning his Fort Bend ISD trustee election over incumbent Jim Rice. (Contributed photo)

C LASSIFIED

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LEGALS

Stafford Municipal School District is seeking request for qualifications from qualified companies to provide Audit Services for the District. Proposal responses are due on or before May 24, 2022 by 2PM CST. Proposals can be found on the SMSD website at: https://www.staffordmsd.org/departments/fiscal-responsibility Dedrea Norman, CFO Stafford MSD 1633 Staffordshire Road Stafford, TX 77477

United States District Court for the District of Nevada Civil Action No. 2:22-cv-00254-GMN-NJK INTERNATIONAL MARKETS LIVE, INC., a New York Corporation dba iMARKETSLIVE; Plaintiff(s) v. DE’EL WOODS, an individual; Defendant(s) SUMMONS IN A CIVIL ACTION To: De’el Woods, 826 DeSoto Dr., Richmond, TX 77406, A lawsuit has been filed against you. Object o: Action: This is a Complaint for BREACH OF CONTRACT VIOLATION OF UNIFORM TRADE SECRETS ACT, DEFAMATION PER SE, TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACTUAL RELATIONS, TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE, and FRAUD Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it) - or 60 days you are the United States of a United States agency or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(2) or (3)- you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or plaintiff ’s attorney whose name and address are: Law Offices of P. Sterling Kerr. 2450 St. Rose Pkwy Suite 120. Henderson. NV 89074, If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. You also must file our answer or motion with the court. CLERK OF COURT. /s/ UNKNOWN Deputy Clerk, Date: 2/10/2022 Published in The Fort Bend Star Newspaper.

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THE STAR

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Review: Messina Hof a fine place to spend free time

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Messina Hof's sauvignon blanc paired well with the margherita pizza during last week's visit, making a return trip inevitable. (Photo by Matt deGrood)

being quite warm outside).

The server assisting me was quick and efficient and the food and drink came much faster than expected given how busy the winery was.

Having spent quite a bit of time in Italy over the years, I can tell you I’m quite picky when it comes to that Neapolitan staple, the margherita pizza. But the pie that arrived at my table was reminiscent of some of the best ones I’ve had.

The cheese melted in your mouth and the bread had a certain fluffiness and crispiness that is hard to recreate anywhere outside of a wood oven.

And the sauvignon blanc

was the perfect complement as well as the ideal drink to kick off the weekend and bask in the warmth of the weather.

Perhaps even better than the food was the chance I got to talk with some of the winery’s employees about their wine.

One bartender gave me a sample of his favorite Messina Hof wine (the name of which sadly escapes me) that was quite tasty. And another employee helpfully wouldn’t let me leave without bringing a bottle of malbec home to my wife.

All in all, I could not have enjoyed my visit to Messina Hof Harvest Green more.

My stay was altogether too brief, and I look forward to my return.

Messina Hof Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen

Address: 8921 Harlem Rd., Richmond Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday Entrée prices: $13-$40 Kid-friendly: Yes Senior discount: No Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: Blazed berry salad ($15) Star of the show: Margherita pizza Rating:

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR MAY 12 LIBRARIES OFFER INTRODUCTORY HANDSON COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY CLASSES Do you have a new Kindle or Nook™, but you’re not sure how to use it? Fort Bend County Libraries’ First Colony Branch Library will have an E-Reader Question-and-Answer session on Wednesday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to noon, in the Meeting Room of the library, located 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land. The session is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www. fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the First Colony Branch Library (281238-2800) or the library system’s Communications Office (281633-4734).

MAY 12 FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS LUNCHEON/MEETING The meeting is Thursday, May 12, at 11 a.m. in The Great Hall, Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd.; End of Year Pot Luck Lunch; Program: Induction of 2022-2023 Officers; speaker: MFAH, Gerry Aiken, "Art in Bloom"; Bring items for auction; Children's Book Project raffle. All Fort Bend and Harris County I.S.D. retired public educators are invited. More information, call 713-206-2733.

MAY 14 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION 30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Join the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association for its 30th Anniversary Gala "Dancing with the APAHA All Stars", Saturday, May 14 at 6:00p, at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria.

The Bollywood-themed night includes cocktails, auction, awards ceremony, and dance competition featuring Dr. Cindy BerthelotLy, Nabil Shike, Lilu Cheng, and Christine Ho. The winning dance team will receive a mirrored disco ball trophy and $1,000. For more information, visit https://www.apaha.org or call 832-9222089.

MAY 14 LAMBDA SIGMA CHAPTER OF DKG MEETING/LUNCHEON Saturday, May 14, the local chapter, Lambda Sigma, of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international professional society of leading women educators will meet in the home of Mary Ann Dolezal, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Induction of Officers, meeting, end of year review, luncheon. Women educators who are interested in learning about DKG , contact dkglsnews2020@gmail.com.

MAY 16 MISSOURI CITY BRANCH LIBRARY OFFERS EMAIL 101 Learn how to set up a free email account on the Internet. The class will also cover basic email functions. The class will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, May 16. Missouri City Branch Library is located at 1530 Texas Parkway. Call 281-238-2100 for information or register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the

Monday - Friday 9 - 6 Saturday 10 - 2 After hours by appointment

Fort Bend Star, 14100 Southwest Frwy. Ste 230, Sugar Land, TX 77478

FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS

ONGOING PEACE OFFERS-SCHOOL-AGE PARENT ENGAGEMENT VIRTUAL SERIES Join “Parent Engagement School-Age Virtual Series” that P.E.A.C.E. (http://peacenurtureskids.org/) offers at no-cost to parents on Tuesdays in May to advance their children’s academic and school success and nurture the socialemotional development of teens. Call 832-415-3088 or email: pps4peace@yahoo.com.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three

hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org JAM WITH SAM Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and uses a variety of studies throughout the year. The breakfast, coffee and donuts are free. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church office at 281-491-6041 or Mike Schofield at 281-2175799 for more information.

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. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/ events 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, America’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, 281-5751145 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 713-859-5920 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 281-3443515.

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mortar location, the restaurant is expanding its menu.

According to a Facebook post from the restaurant, Big Mammas will start serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. beginning this weekend.

For more information on Big Mammas Home Cooking, community members can call 832-440-2984 or visit bigmammashomecooking. com. Big Mammas can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Japaneiro’s to debut plant-based menu A Sugar Land Town Square favorite will soon debut a special menu for health-conscious diners. Japaneiro’s, an Asian fusion restaurant at 2168 Texas Dr., announced May 5 that the spot will soon be debuting a plant-based food and drink menu.

Diners’ options will include the Kizami Roll, which has yuca, asparagus and grilled green onion, wrapped in soy paper topped with avocado and kizami wasabi.

Email to jsazma@fortbendstar.com or mail to:

MAY 21 FORT BEND MUSEUM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH FREE DAY OF ADMISSION On May 21, 1972, the Fort Bend Museum opened its doors to the public and has been sharing early Texas and Fort Bend County history with the community. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Fort Bend Museum will be offering free admission into the Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Refreshments and yard games will be available for families to enjoy along with historic house tours. To learn more about upcoming events visit: fortbendmuseum.org/events.html.

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Bar Louie in Sugar Land is one of several local dining establishments offering food and drink specials this month.

(Photo from Facebook)

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MAY 17 PETER HOTEZ, MD, PH.D. & DR. EMILY HOTEZ, PH.D. COVID-19 IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY LIVE ZOOM SESSION Hope For Three Autism Advocates and Access Health are honored to announce an intimate session with world-renowned doctors Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., autism dad, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development in Houston, and his daughter, Dr. Emily Hotez, Ph.D. Join the one-hour live Zoom session on May 17, 2 p.m. CST. Pre-registration required at www.hopeforthree.org/ hotez.

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Several restaurants in or near Fort Bend County are offering special deals this month to celebrate national food and drink holidays, with plenty of options to satisfy every palate.

For National Hamburger Month, Bar Louie is offering 50 percent off all craft burgers with a choice of fries or tots for dine-in customers every Tuesday at participating locations throughout the month of May, according to a news release.

There are two Bar Louie locations in Fort Bend County, one at 2707 Commercial Center Blvd. in Katy as well as another at 16089 City Walk Blvd. in Sugar Land. The bar is also offering $6 wines on National Wine Day from 4-7 p.m. May 25. For more information, visit barlouie.com.

Elsewhere, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is offering diners a Brisket Classic Sandwich on May 28, National Brisket Day, for $9.95, which will include a choice of chopped or sliced slow-smoked brisket on a brioche bun. There is a Dickey’s restaurant in Katy at 29633 Highway Blvd.

Missouri City chicken restaurant now serving brunch Big Mammas Home Cooking has been open since early April at 8736 State Highway 6, Suite 100 in Missouri City.

And barely a month into operations at its first brick and

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words

program. Classes are free and open to the public.

MAY 17 PETER HOTEZ, MD, PH.D. & DR. EMILY HOTEZ, PH.D. COVID-19 IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY LIVE ZOOM SESSION Hope For Three Autism Advocates and Access Health are honored to announce an intimate session with world-renowned doctors Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., autism dad, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development in Houston, and his daughter, Dr. Emily Hotez, Ph.D. Join the one-hour live Zoom session on May 17, 2 p.m. CST. Pre-registration required at www.hopeforthree.org/ hotez.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS! 35+ YEARS SERVING FORT BEND COUNTY 281-243-2344 281.243.2300

Nibbles & Sips:

Local eateries offering food 'holiday' specials

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

There are few things in this world more pleasant than sipping wine and learning about what you’re drinking at a winery.

Even better if it comes alongside tremendous food.

Late last week, I found myself at Richmond’s Messina Hof winery, funnily enough, in search of a quick meal after my initial choice fell through.

The Richmond location is the College Station-based winery’s fourth to open (the others being in Grapevine and the Hill Country), but the experience seemed quite unique.

Messina Hof Harvest Green, 8921 Harlem Rd., is situated inside a relatively new subdivision, and almost literally backs up against homes in the neighborhood.

An expansive parking lot invites visitors in by the scores to a building that looks pristine.

If I had any complaints at all about my visit to Harvest Green, it’s that it proved almost too popular of a destination. Despite the fact I was dining alone, and that I was easygoing on where I sat, the wait staff was so busy that it took several minutes before someone even had the chance to assist me.

I don’t blame the staff at all – it looked packed from what I could tell.

Luckily, that short wait was quickly forgotten as soon as I sat down and started looking over the menu.

I didn’t take much time before settling on a margherita pizza alongside a glass of sauvignon blanc (it

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