The 03-15-23 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Fort Bend soccer squads preparing for playoffs - Page 2

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Missouri City rejects proposal for charter school

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

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The city of Missouri City recently rejected a proposal for a new YES Prep campus that would have allowed the school to set up shop in Missouri City

The Missouri City Council last week unanimously rejected a special use permit that would have allowed the charter school YES Prep to construct a new elementary school campus serving up to 700 students at the intersection of the Sam Houston Parkway and McLain Boulevard.

YES Prep's application for the permit had previously been rejected twice by the city's Planning & Zon-

ing Commission, largely over concerns related to increased traffic. In response, the charter school had pared down its original design for the school, to be called Braes Oaks Elementary, from a maximum capacity of 1,000 students to 700. The P&Z commission ultimately voted to recommend that proposal to City Council.

The March 6 Council vote came after numerous comments from members of SEE SCHOOL PAGE 4

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Man sentenced for vehicular manslaughter Staff Reports

The city of Sugar Land's animal shelter, with an ambassador pictured above at Constellation Field in January, is attempting to turn the page following last year's investigation into the shelter which resulted in several terminations (Photo from Facebook)

Sugar Land animal shelter looking to rebound from turmoil

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A Richmond man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on March 23 on a charge of manslaughter for the vehicular death of Justin Varghese, 19, in 2021, according to a news release from the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office.

Cedric Adam Mayberry, 44, had pleaded guilty and asked 458th District Court Judge Chad Bridges to decide his punishment after an evidentiary hearing.

According to Chief Vehicular Crimes Prosecutor Alison SEE SENTENCED PAGE 5

Mayberry

After receiving a raft of negative publicity last year following the revelation of unauthorized euthanizations and the firing of several employees, the Sugar Land

animal shelter is working hard to turn a new page.

The shelter has a new staff veterinarian, Dr. Carolyn Bender, and two interim service managers in place who assured members of the the city's animal advisory board in a meeting last week that a new emphasis on ethical

standards is now in place at the shelter.

Last September, Sugar Land officials announced that an investigation into unauthorized euthanizations at the shelter found that more than 38 dogs and cats had been killed without following proper procedure, according

to previous reporting by the Fort Bend Star.

At least five shelter employees were fired in connection to the investigation, and the city was working with local, state and federal law enforceSEE SHELTER PAGE 5

Kendleton park getting African American memorial

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

After recent approval by Fort Bend commissioners, work will soon begin on the $4 million development of an expanded Bates M. Allen Park which will include a memorial to honor the contributions of African-Americans to the county in Kendleton, a historically Black community.

Kendleton was founded shortly after the end of the Civil War by formerly enslaved people and

quickly became one of the most prominent AfricanAmerican communities in Southeast Texas, according to Fort Bend Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy. The expanded Bates M. Allen Park will encompass the Newman Chapel and Oak Hill cemeteries, longimportant landmarks in Kendleton.

Among the people interred at Newman Chapel Cemetery is Benjamin Franklin Williams, a Republican lawmaker during

the Reconstruction Era and the only Black man ever nominated to be Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and Walter Moses Burton, the first Black sheriff in U.S. history.

McCoy, who is Black, took office in January after defeating his predecessor, Ken DeMerchant, in the Democratic primary and then winning in the general election in November. DeMarchant had This architectural rendering by Daimian Hines of the Houston SEE MEMORIAL PAGE 4

firm Hines Architecture+Design shows an initial design for the expanded Bates M. Allen Park. (Courtesy Hines Architecture + Design

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THE STAR

PAGE 2 • Wednesday, March 15, 2023

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SPORTS

Ridge Point's boys soccer team has clinched its fourth District 20-6A championship in the past five seasons thanks to a pair of wins to finish off the regular season. (Photo from Twitter)

HS Soccer: Ridge Point boys clinch District 20-6A title

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

At least as far as the area’s soccer season goes, everything has come up Ridge Point in the District 20-6A title races.

Last week’s the Panthers’ boys’ soccer team put the finishing touches on their respective district titles and will enter postseason play as one of the area’s teams to beat.

On the boys’ side, the Panthers clinched their title by way of a 2-0 win over Austin on March 7 and a 5-1 win over Travis on March 10, coupled with a Bush loss to Austin on March 10.

It is the fourth district title in the last five seasons for the Panthers, who are 12-45 overall on the season and finished 10-2-4 in district play.

Bush will finish as 20-6A’s

No. 2 seed with a record of 13-4-2 overall and 10-3-2 in district play.

George Ranch is currently holding a one-game lead on Austin for the district’s No. 3 seed after defeating Dulles 6-2 on March 7. Four different players scored Austin is also in the playoffs after splitting a pair of matches last week, losing 2-0 to Ridge Point on March 7 before defeating Bush to improve to 10-5-4 overall and 8-5-2 in district play.

In the Class 5A ranks, Kempner and Fulshear finished the regular season as the co-district champions of District 20-5A with identical 10-1-3 marks. The two teams tied 1-1 on March 7 before Fulshear defeated Foster 4-2 on March 10 and Kempner took down Lamar Consolidated by the same score.

Terry finished third in

the district with a 10-2-2 mark thanks to wins over Foster (3-0) on March 7 and Randle (7-3) on March 10. Lamar Consolidated, meanwhile, will be the fourth seed with a 7-6-1 mark following losses to Willowridge and Kempner.

On the Class 4A side, the Needville Blue Jays are the District 21-4A champs thanks to a 6-0 win against La Marque on Saturday, finishing the regular season 16-2-3 and 9-1-2 in district play.

Stafford will also head to the postseason despite losses to Iowa Colony and Columbia last week, finishing 14-7-2 and 5-5-2 in district competition.

Girls For Ridge Point’s Lady Panthers, the road to the district title was a little anticlimactic, as Ridge Point (17-0-5, 14-0-2) finished at least three games clear of

any other district rival in winning their fifth straight district championship and eighth in the last nine seasons. The Lady Panthers defeated Austin 4-0 on March 7 and took down Travis 10-0 on March 10 to finish without a regulation district loss for the fourth straight season.

Elsewhere in 20-6A, the No. 2 seed is still to be determined, with Elkins and George Ranch – separated by just a single match – still fighting for playoff positioning. The two teams are set to square off Monday, with Elkins set to clinch the second seed with a win.

The Lady Knights (14-35, 10-3-2) stormed through last week with a 10-0 win over Hightower on March 7 followed by an 11-0 win over Dulles on March 10.

Four different players found the back of the net for Elkins against Hightower,

with Amelia Olawu and Ellie Pitts netting a hat trick apiece and Isabella Paiva stopping every shot to earn the clean sheet in goal.

George Ranch, meanwhile, won its only match of the week last week, a 6-0 victory over Dulles, to improve to 12-6-4 overall and 9-3-3 in district competition.

Clements is also headed back to the playoffs for a second straight season.

The Lady Rangers (9-5-3, 8-3-2), will play Dulles next Monday in their regular season finale.

On the Class 5A side, the Foster Lady Falcons (18-4, 14-0) are district champions for a fifth consecutive season, polishing off an unblemished district slate with wins over Terry (10-0) on March 7 and Fulshear (3-1) on Feb. 10.

Despite the loss, the Lady Chargers are still District

20-5A’s second seed after finishing 13-9 overall and 11-3 in district play.

Kempner will enter postseason play as the third seed after splitting a pair of matches. Ava Baley scored the lone goal for Kempner (11-9-2, 10-4) in their 1-0 win over Fulshear on March 7, and also scored both regulation goals in a shootout loss to Lamar Consolidated on March 10.

The Lady Mustangs clinched the district’s fourth playoff seed thanks to the shootout win, finishing the regular season 12-10-1 and 8-6 in district play.

In Class 4A action, Needville’s Lady Blue Jays are headed to the playoffs as District 21-4A’s No. 2 seed with an 11-1 victory over La Marque last Saturday. The Lady Blue Jays finished the regular season 18-4 overall and 10-2 in district play.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2023 • PAGE 3

SPORTS

Catcher Maddie Morris (swinging) and the Travis Lady Tigers swept through last week with a pair of wins to stay tied with Ridge Point atop the early District 20-6A softball standings. (Photo from Twitter)

Softball roundup: Travis, Ridge Point still atop 20-6A

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

For many seasons, the Ridge Point Lady Panthers have held serve atop the District 20-6A softball standings. The last two seasons, the Travis Lady Tigers have been the team to beat with back-to-back titles.

And if early indications show anything, it’s that those two teams are the ones to beat once again.

Travis swept through a perfect week with two wins to stay unbeaten in district play. Not to be outdone, however, Ridge Point won its only game of the week last week to remain undefeated and tied atop the district with

Travis.

Travis took down Austin 12-0 on March 7 before defeating Clements 150 on March 10 to move to 7-4 overall and 6-0 in District 20-6A. Ariel Kowalewski had a two-run homer against Clements for the Lady Tigers, who have now won five consecutive contests.

Ridge Point, meanwhile, pounded out 14 total hits in their 12-2 win over Elkins on March 7 to improve to 13-5 overall and 5-0 in District 20-6A. Reagan Green went 4 for 4 with a double, a homer, and four RBIs in the game for the Lady Panthers, while Jade Uresti had three hits and Braelyn Daniels homered and drove in three runs of her own in the win.

Elsewhere in the dis-

trict, George Ranch also won both games last week and winning via forfeit on Monday. Karrlaughn Deas had a homer, double, and triple and two RBIs for George Ranch (9-6-1, 5-2) in a 16-1 win against Hightower on March 10, while Mariah Garner went 4 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs as part of an attack that saw seven players record multiple hits. Deas also homered twice and drove in six runs in a 170 win over Bush on March 7, and Kathleen Dolan had two homers. Zaria Turner was strong in the circle in both games, striking out 15 batters over seven total innings while allowing just five total hits.

Prior to its forfeit against George Ranch on Monday, the Dulles Lady Vikings

picked up a 13-2 win over Hightower on March 7.

Maya Salinas homered twice and drove in five runs for Dulles (5-9, 3-3) against Hightower, while Sidney Burford (three hits, two RBIs) and Kellan Ton (three hits) were also strong. Macie Wolfe also struck out eight batters in six strong innings in the circle.

Montia Cuba had two hits for Hightower (7-10, 1-4) against George Ranch, while Adriuana Coleman drove in a run in the loss to Dulles.

Class 5A Foster’s Lady Falcons continued their strong early season play with a pair of District 20-5A wins last week, beating Lamar Consolidated 4-3 on March 7

before taking down Willowridge 15-0 on March 10. Jordan Tosch had two hits and two RBIs for the Lady Falcons (19-3, 3-0) against Lamar Consolidated, while Sophie Brammer and Madison King combined for 11 strikeouts and just four hits allowed in the circle.

Fulshear also remained undefeated with a pair of wins last week over Marshall and Terry. Gabriella Castillo had two triples and an RBI for Fulshear in its 19-0 win against Marshall on March 7, while Ryan Stratman tripled and drove in three runs.

Nicole Cambric and Camryn Dickey had two hits and two RBIs apiece, and Cambric followed that with three hits including a homer against Terry on

March 10. Ava Galaviz had three RBIs against Terry and Emma Hagemann drove in two. The Lady Chargers also threw a pair of run-rule no-hitters in the two wins.

Terry split a pair of games last week, homering four times in a 10-3 win over Kempner on March 7 before losing to Fulshear. The Lady Rangers were 12-7 overall and 1-1 in district play ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with Lamar Consolidated.

Aubree Jones had a homer and a double for Lamar Consolidated in the loss to Foster, though the Lady Mustangs bounced back with a 16-0 win over Marshall on March 10 to improve to 11-5 overall and pick up their first district win.

HS Baseball: Familiar faces, early suprises continue strong play Landan Kuhlmann SPORTS REPORTER

As the area’s baseball season gets into full swing, several teams – both those familiar with success in recent seasons, and some new faces – are making strong early statements with tournament success.

And several teams continued their early season success in tournaments around the Houston area last week.

What follows is a rundown of notable tour-

Bend last week Class 6A Ridge Point continued strong early season play with a 9-1 win over Bush on March 7 before going 3-1-1 in tournament play.

Travis Vlasek and Carter Groen each homered for the Panthers (10-4, 1-0 district) in a 6-3 win over Galveston Ball on March 11, while JJ Kennett drove in both runs in a 2-2 tie with Barbers Hill on March 10. Kennett also had three hits and two RBIs in the win over Bush, and Kellen Gradisar allowed just one hit in six innings of work on the mound to earn the win.

Clements also had one of the area’s strongest weeks, bouncing back from a 7-2 loss against George Ranch in their District 20-6A

ISD Tournament March 9-11. Fletcher Garcia had two hits and three RBIs for the Rangers (9-6, 0-1) in a 19-2 win over Spring Woods on March 11, while Mitchell Taylor had three hits and Jaxon Kunath and Max Cimino had two hits apiece. Nathan Nafegar struck out six while allowing just one run in a 4-1 win over Katy Taylor on March 9.

The Hightower Hurricanes went 2-1-1 last week, winning their District 20-6A opener 4-0 against Travis on March 7 before going 1-1-1 in tournament play March 9-11. Angel Gutierrez and Braylen Kizzee had two hits apiece for Hightower (6-2-1, 1-0) against Travis, and also combined for 14 strikeouts on the mound to complete the shutout.

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George Ranch followed up the win over Clements on March 7 by going 1-3-1 at the Big Kat Tournament March 9-11. Blake Beheler and Ryan Barton each homered for the Longhorns (7-9-2, 1-0) in their 6-3 victory over Cy Ridge on March 11. Tre Aikens had five combined hits and four RBIs on March 9 as the Longhorns lost 139 to Montgomery and tied Tomball Memorial 6-6, while Beheler also homered and drove in three runs against Montgomery.

Bush went 0-3 at the FBISD Tournament last week on the heels of a 91 district-opening loss to Ridge Point on March 7, but still had several strong performances.

Dominic Medrano homered and drove in two runs for the Broncos (4-11, 0-1) in a 54 loss to Sam Rayburn on March 9, while Diego Perez had two RBIs in their 6-3 defeat to Spring that same day.

Elkins also had a tough week at the Alvin Tournament last week, going 0-3-1 to fall to 4-8-1 on the season, though there were still several strong individual showings. Braylon Payne had three hits (two doubles) and two RBIs in an 11-7 loss to Alvin on March 11, with Jonathan Moye also homering and Santiago Pacheco and

Greyson Boyd adding two hits apiece. Payne also tripled and drove home a run in a 4-4 tie with Friendswood on March 10, while Alex Hale and Trey Bartee had an RBI apiece.

Class 5A Foster went 3-2 at the Strake Jesuit Tournament March 9-11. Coleman Briggs, Julio Cuotto, and Hayden Holchak all had two hits apiece for the Falcons (11-6) in a 7-3 victory over Strake Jesuit on March 11, while Cuotto and Chase Batten drove in three runs apiece as part of the Falcons’ 11-0 run rule victory against Caney Creek on March 10. Jackson Low threw a complete game with seven strikeouts on the mound against Caney Creek, while Cooper Schwank and Josh Ramirez had two RBIs apiece in a 9-3 win over Westside on March 10.

Terry went 2-2 in the Brazos Bash Tournament over the weekend, improving to 7-8 overall ahead of district play. Eric Garza had two hits and two RBIs at the plate in a 9-2 win over Ganado on March 9 while also throwing 6.1 strong innings on the mound, and Andrew Garza had four RBIs to go along with three hits as part of the Rangers’ 7-4 victory over Brazos on March 11.

LOOKING FOR

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EVENTS?

The Lamar Consolidated Mustangs had a solid showing at the Boling Tournament last weekend, going 2-2 on the weekend to move to 3-11 on the season. Tylan Hill had two hits – both doubles – in a 3-2 victory over Vanderbilt Industrial on March 11, while Alejandro Ruales and Zach Holmes had two hits and two RBIs apiece in the 8-2 win over Palacios on March 10. Holmes was also strong on the mound against Palacios, striking out seven batters in 5.2 innings while allowing just three hits.

Nathan Bravo had a double, a home run, and five RBIs for Willowridge in a 16-6 loss to Iowa Colony on March 9, while Kendron Penson also had two hits in the loss. With the loss, Willowridge dropped to 3-4 on the season.

Class 4A The Needville Blue Jays won their only game last week, a thrilling 11-10 comeback win over Sweeny in the District 12-4A opener. Needville (10-2, 1-0) were stif led much of the night but scored all 11 runs over the final two innings – including nine in the sixth inning – to rally for the walk-off win.

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THE STAR

PAGE 4 • Wednesday, March 15, 2023 H MEMORIAL FROM PAGE 1

already begun working on the idea of creating the new park, McCoy said, and he decided to take the project on after taking office.

But the ball really got rolling under the leadership of former U.S. Pete Olson of Sugar Land, who along with fellow members of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and some other

H SCHOOL FROM PAGE 1

the public, many of them residents of the Fondren Park subdivision, immediately adjacent to the property of the proposed campus, which is zoned for industrial uses.

All of the Fondren Park residents raised concerns about the impact that the school would have on traffic in and around their neighborhood, as well as its proximity to Fire Station No. 2 on McLain. One of the entranceways to the school would have been directly adjacent to the fire station's egress onto McLain.

The Council also heard from three representatives of Fort Bend ISD who opposed YES Prep's application. Fort Bend ISD, like most pubic school districts, has made keeping charters schools - which are public schools run by private

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

area service clubs decided to address the dilapidated conditions of many of the gravesites in the two cemeteries. Fort Bend County had purchased the property on which the cemeteries are located many years ago, as previously reported by the Fort Bend Star.

As Olson has told the Star, he had read up on the history of Williams and decided to pay a visit to the grave of a man he considers "a Texas hero." But once he saw

the unkempt state of the two overgrown cemeteries, he grew angry and began the push to help restore them to some semblance of their former glory.

The Exchange Club, along with other service organizations, Boy Scout troops and the like have since held frequent clean-up events at the two sites.

But the lack of connection between the two cemeteries other than a rudimentary trial led to Ol-

son, DeMerchant and his successor McCoy to push for a more comprehensive park design, including a permanent memorial honoring Black residents of Fort Bend, which Commissioners Court approved earlier this year.

The county funding will come from the current parks bond program, but the entire project will also be funded through outside grants and other private contributions, McCoy said.

Initial designs of the park have already been developed by Daimian Hines of the Houston-based Hines Architecture + Design Frim, whose projects include the Jamaica House of Parliament and Maritime Museum in Harlem, New York. The initial renderings feature a landscaped trail system connecting the two cemeteries, a small lake, and a permanent, sculptural monument.

In the months ahead,

there will be public meetings to seek input on the project. Actual work on the project is expected to begin next year, McCoy said.

The commissioner said the proposed park will be a long-overdue homage to the contributions of African-Americans to Fort Bend County, but also a way for people of all backgrounds to learn about this important part of the county's history.

companies - on a "level playing field" with public school districts. That, in fact, is one of Fort Bend ISD's legislative priorities in the current session by the Texas Legislature.

Fort Bend ISD school board president Kristen Malone and board secretary Shirley Rose-Gilliam both spoke during the initial public speaker portion of the meeting, explaining that they had taken time from a concurrent board meeting because the issue was so important. Both said they were speaking as members of the public, not as representatives of the district.

Malone, a Missouri City resident, said she was concerned as a taxpayer and a resident about the effect the proposed campus would have on the area.

But she also discussed the differences between how school districts with elected boards have state requirements on such

things as building new facilities (which must be approved by voters) and other things that charter school do not have to adhere to. Lat month, the FBISD board called for a $1.2 bond election, the largest in the fast-growing district's history, on May 6.

Both she and Rose-Gilliam said that even with the additional requirements, Fort Bend ISD outperforms charters schools in terms of academic outcomes. They also pointed out that in the area of the city where the YES Prep campus was proposed, Fort Bend ISD schools elementary schools are not at student capacity.

Later in the meeting, Fort Bend ISD Deputy Superintendent Steven Bassett also spoke against the proposed special use permit, voicing many of the same concerns as the two board members.

Speaking on behalf of YES Prep was Carmen

Darville, the charter company's chief of operations.

Herself a Missouri City resident with two children attending FBISD schools, Darville said that the charter school is about providing educational choice to parents, particularly to those of modest means who don't have the opportunity to send their children to private schools.

Keith Weaver, YES Prep's director of construction and design, laid out the process by which the charter company had revised the proposed school site design to address the concerns raised by residents at an open town hall, and ultimately came up with a plan that met the approval of both the Fort Bend Commissioners Court and the city's P&Z commission.

A YES Prep Bares Oaks Secondary School alumna who now works as a counselor for the charter company also spoke, saying that the school had

provided her with an educational experience that she could not have received otherwise.

Some of the most impassioned comments came from Fondren Park residents.

"Do not disrupt our subdivision," Glenda Lewis, president of the Fondren Park Board of Directors, emphatically said, summing up the feelings of the residents.

During the discussion among the council members, most members raised concerns about the increased traffic near Fondren Park and the the approaches to the campus. One of the proposed primary entrances to the campus was directly off the Beltway 8 access road, with another directly proximate to Fire Station No. 2.

The vote had to be taken twice after Mayor Robin Elackatt said he was confused my District Council member Monica Riley's

motion to deny the application, and it appeared he voted against it - that is, in favor of the new school.

In other business, the Council unanimously approved a final agreement with the Phillips 66 company involving an easement the company holds in the property that will be the site of the expanded Freedom Tree Park. The agreement allows the city to proceed with the planning of the project, which is slated to begin next year.

U.S. Rep. Al Green, whose 9th District includes most of Missouri City, appeared and praised the Council and city staff for their efforts in enhancing the park, which marks the spot where formerly enslaved people were told after the end of the Civil War that they were free. Green had helped broker the agreement with Phillips 66 at city officials' urging.

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H SHELTER FROM PAGE 1

ment agencies to determine whether there was any criminality involved, according to the Star's reports.

The revelations drew the ire of animal advocates in the city and beyond, many of whom had longstanding concerns about how the city calculates its save rate. City officials said at the time that it was reviewing how it makes its calculations and whether any changes needed to be made.

City officials have also been considering shifting its shelter funding toward a re-

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 • PAGE 5

gional shelter and partnering with a nonprofit organization to oversee operations, city spokesman Doug Adolph told the Star in October.

During the March 8 meeting of the animal advisory board, the members heard a presentation on fact-findings and possible actions on revisions to the shelter's euthanization and sterilization policies and medical standard operation procedures, as well as a discussion of the shelter's community engagement program and a discussion of partnership options.

Assistant City Manager Robert Venezuela told the members that staff had a meeting with the Best Friends

nonprofit group about what public shelters and private entities have the best practices.

The city has had conversations with shelter officials in Pascal County, Fla. Anther meeting was scheduled with shelter officials in El Paso, he said.

Dawn Steph, the city's director of environmental and neighborhood services, discussed the work so far on proposed policy and procedures updates.

Under the new euthanization policy, a medical decision to euthanize would have to be made by the staff veterinarian and approved by the shelter supervisor, Steph explained.

A decision of euthanize an

animal based on emotional or behavioral issues would be made by the supervisor and signed off by the veterinarian, Steph said. Those decisions would then to go the shelter's leadership team (the animal services manager, the veterinarian, and the supervisor), who would make the final decision as a body.

All euthanasia would be performed by a licensed veterinarian, Steph said.

"This lays the groundwork of who's making the recommendations, who is signing off, and the team is making the decision," she said. "So it's not based on one person making a decision based on their reason. It is a conversation

that has to be documented.

So it takes us to a level that we haven't been at before."

At the end of the discussion, the members of the animal advisory board unanimously voted to approved the euthanization, sterilization policies and procedures.

Toward the end of meeting, Capt. Danny Cornelius, and Cindy King, the city's new interim animal services managers, introduced themselves to the board. Cornelius came from the Sugar Land Police Department and King came from the Fire and EMS Department.

"Ethics is a big deal between the both of us and that's what we're trying to preach to our

staff," Cornelius said. "You can have all of the policies in the world, and all of these things that try to guide. But if we're not hiring ethical people, and we're not training people the way then need to be trained, these policies aren't going to mean anything.

Cornelius said he and King are running the shelter as if it were a business, and employees are being held accountable to follow policies.

"I just wanted you to hear from us that we are ethical people and we hear your concerns, and are making sure that the shelter is being run the way it needs to be," he said.

hicle was stopped a red light when Mayberry’s car hit him at approximately 83 miles per hour. Varghese died on impact.

The subsequent investigation revealed that Mayberry was traveling at speeds of up to 121 mph in the seconds leading up to the crash. The

defendant’s speed at impact caused the victim’s vehicle to strike two more vehicles before coming to rest.

“Fort Bend County is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of its citizens from reckless drivers,” Baimbridge said in the release. “The defendant’s sentence sends a

message that our citizens’ lives are valued and reckless behavior will not be tolerated.”

“Motor vehicles can be deadly weapons, and when used improperly, we will hold violators accountable," District Attorney Brian Middleton said. "Drivers in Fort

Bend County should drive prudently, especially when approaching intersections and cross walk areas. A family shouldn’t be mourning the loss of their loved one, because this crime never needed to happen, but for the recklessness of the defendant.”

Manslaughter in this case is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 – 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Mayberry must serve at least half of his sentence before being considered for parole. He was probation eligible.

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PAGE 6 • Wednesday, March 15, 2023

THE PUBLIC

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Richmond to host 'Art in The Bend' festival March 25 Staff Reports

The Historic Richmond Association will host the annual Art in the Bend festival on Morton Street in downtown Richmond on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The free event will feature local fine art artisans, a Motor Madness car enthusiast show and introduce new festival that invites attendees to bring their pets

to join the festivities with Cisco Tucker’s Bark in the Park competition.

“There are a lot of choices in festivals this time of year”, Jessica Huang, committee chair of Art In The Bend, said in a news release. “What we offer is a unique experience not found in the big cities.

Richmond, the county seat of Fort Bend County is full of Texas history and local f lair. Our festivals focus on

family, friends, and community intermingled with Texas passions: art, cars, dogs, music and food.”

Parking is free with easy access. Morton Street features historic buildings, local restaurants, and shopping.

“Richmond is a great city to base out of to spend the weekend experiencing Texas hospitality from our Richmond Rocks local charm to the historical

sites in the heart of Richmond where you can also explore unique boutiques or an intimate wine bar," Huang said.

Develop Richmond is the event’s headline sponsor.

Art In The Bend is accepting applications for artisans, food trucks and

has opportunities for businesses to be included as Art Aficionado Sponsors.

Visit artinthebend.com for for information.

OPINION

New bill should strike balance between concerns, immigrants' worries Ken Fountain MANAGING EDITOR

When I spoke to the Exchange Club of Sugar Land a few weeks ago, I noted that for the first time in my professional journalism career, I am writing an opinion column here at the Fort Bend Star. But here's the thing about that: it's hard to write an opinion column when you also serve as the primary news reporter for the publication.

Notwithstanding the monumental changes that the media ecosystem has undergone in recent years, there is still a vestigial adherence to a kind of "wall of separation" between straight reportorial coverage and opinion journalism, both of which have a long and storied history in the United States and other countries which maintain a reverence for a free press.

All of this is to say that I embark on this particular column with a bit of trepidation.

As I noted in my inaugural column, Fort Bend County is an extremely diverse place. As Dr. Steven Klineberg, the emeritus professor at Rice University and longtime director of the annual Houston Area Survey often notes in his presentations, Fort Bend may be the most diverse county in the country. Not bad for a formerly rural county that was formerly made up made of up mostly of white residents, with pockets of minority communities.

Today, the four major racial groups (with AsianAmericans including those of East Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern descent) are at near-parity levels in Fort Bend. As someone who grew up in the extremely diverse community of Alief, that's been refreshing to see.

There has been much discussion recently about a bill that was introduced in the current Texas Legislature by Texas Sen. Lois Kolkhurst, called SB 147.

The bill as originally authored by the Brenham Republican, whose 18th District includes part of Fort Bend, called for a ban on the ownership of Texas real estate by people and entities from four countries deemed adversarial to the United States - China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

There's no doubting the tensions between the U.S. and those countries, as news events bring home to us nearly every day.

But Democrats and immigration advocates immediately pounced on the bill, alarmed at what the saw as a xenophobic intention behind it. There was much publicity, including in national news outlets, as well as numerous protests against the bill, including one held by Fort Bend County Judge KP George (an Indian-American) and other Democrats at the Fort Bend County Courthouse.

I'm still fairly new to this job, and I didn't have deep experience with the local political scene. I was aware of the controversy, but hadn't been able take a close look into it.

But when I later tagged

along with the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce on their Fort Bend County Day trek to the Texas Capitol on February 27, I had my fist opportunity. The first event of that long day was a bipartisan luncheon panel of area legislatures, where Kolkhurst and her fellow Republican, Texas Rep. Jacey Jetton, set out to explain the bill in a more concerted way than before.

Kolkhurst told the attendees that the bill was still undergoing revisions that she said would address many of the concerns raised.

Democratic Rep. Suleman Lalani, one of the first two Muslim representatives recently elected to the Texas Legislature said he was pleased that the bill was being modified.

On March 2, the Senate Committee on State Affairs held a hearing in which Kolkhurst laid out the latest version of the bill. She explained that its impetus was concerns that had been brought to her by residents across her district about real estate purchases near critical infrastructure, including near military bases.

The new version of the bill includes modifications that clarify what is meant by real estate, and allows for U.S. citizens and people who are dual citizens to purchase real estate.

The hearing went on for several hours, including many people who spoke about the bill. While there were a handful of supporters, including some from immigrant communities, the vast majority spoke against it. Their concerns were largely related to the fears that such a piece of legislation could lead to backlash against immigrants, which has been on the rise in recent years.

Those concerns are wellplaced. We've seen a rise in discrimination, even violence, against people of different backgrounds in this country in recent years.

Anti-Asian sentiment was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which had its origins in China. AntiMuslim sentiment has been a mainstay at least since the 9/11 attacks. Antisemitism likewise has been on the rise of late.

Perhaps ironically, a recent online story by the

Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University highlighted a paper by academics at the George W. Bush Institute. According the the Kinder story, the study titled "Immigrants and Opportunity in American Cities” finds that "in the past decade, immigrant populations fueled immense population growth in cities and suburbs in particular."

"In the Houston metropolitan area, the report finds that immigrants are thriving best in Fort Bend County, ranked No. 8 in the country, and Brazoria County, ranked No. 15.

Harris County was ranked No. 99," the Kinder Institute reports.(The full story can be found at kinder.rice. edu/ubanedge.)

One hopes that as SB 147 makes its way through the Legislature, a balance between the security concerns from which it arose and the very real concerns that immigrant communities have about it can be found.

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

C LASSIFIED

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 • PAGE 7

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FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MARCH 17TH AND 18TH | 8am-3pm

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Natalie Marie Hade, Deceased, were issued on October 7, 2022, in Cause No. 22-CPR-038037, pending in the County Court at Law No. 5, Fort Bend County, Texas, to Angela Jean Hade.

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(the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 2:00 P.M., April 5, 2023 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

Bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577 In general, the Work consists of replacing the natural gas generators at Owner’s Water Well Nos. 1 and 2 & Lift Station Nos. 1, 3 and 4.

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Generator Replacements at Water Well Nos. 1 and 2 & Lift Station Nos. 1, 3 and 4

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A N Y

Sealed bids on the original forms, signed by an officer of the Company, will be received by Fort Bend County MUD No. 25 (the “Owner”) for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment and for performing all work required for the construction of:

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Leonela Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner SECTION 00010 ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION FOR BIDS

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All bids must be accompanied by proposal guaranty in the form of a Certified or Cashier’s Check, or Bidders Bond drawn to the order of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25, and in the minimum amount of five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after receipt of bids except with the approval of Owner. Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid from any responsible person which will be most advantageous to it and result in the best and most economical completion of the Work. The successful bidder will be required to provide a Performance Bond and Payment Bond in full amount of the contract.

JULY

S C R A P

R E P

Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available.

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A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference Call will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 4:00 P.M. Prospective bidders must contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call.Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available.

AD

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T A P S

Sealed bids on the original forms, signed by an officer of the Company, will be received by Fort Bend County MUD No. 25 (the “Owner”) for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment and for performing all work required for the construction of:

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SECTION 00010 ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION FOR BIDS

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LEGALS

Specifications and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations:

DATED the 10th day of March 2023.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER – Enterprise Content Management in

281-217-5799

(the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 3:00 P.M., April 5, 2023 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

c/o: Robert Foster 412 S. 9TH Street Richmond, Texas 77469

HELP WANTED

Mike Schofield

Water Well No. 2 Rehabilitation

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

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A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference Call will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 3:30 P.M. Prospective bidders must contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call.

Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available.

All bids must be accompanied by proposal guaranty in the form of a Certified or Cashier’s Check, or Bidders Bond drawn to the order of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25, and in the minimum amount of five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after receipt of bids except with the approval of Owner. Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid from any responsible person which will be most advantageous to it and result in the best and most economical completion of the Work. The successful bidder will be required to provide a Performance Bond and Payment Bond in full amount of the contract.

Leonela Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner

THANK YOU FOR READING

GARAGE SALE? LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW!

THE STAR

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, March 15, 2023

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to jsazma@fortbendstar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 14100 Southwest Frwy. Ste 230, Sugar Land, TX 77478

FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS

LIBRARY’S SENIOR SERIES IN FEBRUARY

grams,” find the program on the date indicated. Participants may

FOCUSES ON TECHNOLOGY IN MARCH

also register by calling George Memorial Library (281-342-4455).

“The Truth About Technology for Seniors” – a program in the Senior Series for older adults and their family members -- on Friday, March 17, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus.

The program is free and open to the public.

SUGAR LAND GARDEN CLUB MARCH PRESENTATION:

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service or-

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ganization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail.com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

A What Is That Herb, and Why Should I Plant It? Tricia Bradbury: 10 A.M.Tuesday March 21st. St. Basil’s Hall, 702 Burney Rd, Sugar Land. Free!

LEARN ABOUT LONG-TERM PREPARA-

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We wel-

TIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

come everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional

AT LIBRARY PROGRAM

and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-

Fort Bend County Libraries will present a special program, “LongTerm Preparation for Children with Disabilities,” on Thursday, March 30, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, in the Meeting Room at the Missouri City Branch Library, located at 1530 Texas Parkway. For more informa-

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 20222023 YEAR

tx.us) or call the Missouri City Branch Library (281-238-2100) or the

To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www.

library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/. FBJSL will also be hosting

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multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League.

ACHIEVE DREAMS AT MISSOURI CITY

Information regarding attending these events is available at www.

BRANCH LIBRARY PROGRAM

fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Missouri City Branch Library will host motiva-

14090 S.W. Freeway Suite #200

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tion, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.

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tional speaker Cydney Rax for a special program on “Balance & Boundaries:

LITERACY COUNCIL OF

How to Keep It Together as You Pursue Your Dreams,” on Saturday, March 25, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 1530

FORT BEND COUNTY

Texas Parkway. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults

website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the library system’s Communica-

to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting

tions Office (281-633-4734).

Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Lan-

LISA N SIMS, AGENT Monday - Friday 9 - 6 Saturday 10 - 2 After hours by appointment

11647 S Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77498 Toll Free: 281-201-2448 lisa@agentlisasims.com

guage (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information,

HOPE FOR THREE TEEN HUDDLE

call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org

Sunday, April 2, 2023. Hope For Three Teen Huddle is revving up for its annual Car Wash for Kids presented by Sugar Land Baptist

JAM WITH SAM

Church on Sunday, April 2nd, at C & C Dental, 17003 SWF, Sugar

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of

Land from 10 am to 2 pm. Student volunteers, ages 12 and over,

music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gos-

promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for their peers with

pel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please.

autism. This Eco-friendly car wash is free, but donations are wel-

We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening

come. Volunteers and sponsors needed. Visit www.hopeforthree.

to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners

org/events to learn more.

and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-

HOPE FOR THREE WILL HOST ITS

3165 for further information.

INAUGURAL FAMILY FUN FEST

THURSDAY MORNING

Saturday, April 22, 2023. Hope For Three will host its Inaugural Fam-

BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN

ily Fun Fest, presented by Fred and Mabel R Parks Foundation, on Saturday, April 22nd, at River Pointe Church, 5000 Ransom Rd.,

Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers

Richmond, from 10 am to 1 pm. The outdoor festival provides an

a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and

inclusive opportunity for local families whose children, teens, and adults have special needs. Families must be Fort Bend County residents and register to attend. Volunteers and sponsors needed, details at www.hopeforthree.org./events

GOLF FOR A CAUSE 2023 BENEFITTING THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES April 24 at Sienna Golf Club in Missouri City. For sponsorship and player details, please go to our website at https://www.sanctuaryfostercare.org/golf Questions? Reach out to Jenny Fridge at 713483-4003

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 281-217-5799 for more information.

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

ONGOING

.

THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

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, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES’ ONLINE BOOK CLUB

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

Online meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Free

2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch,

and open to the public. Registration is required; to register online

education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For

www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Pro-

more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.

Have a Non Profit?

Need to get it out there?

Put here in our community calendar!

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