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Commissioners approve $499 million budget

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend County Commissioners Court has unanimously approved a new, almost $500 million budget for the 2023 fiscal year that will include new funding for law enforcement, including pay raises to keep pace with surrounding employers.

“The sheriff’s office had historically been challenged in getting competitive pay and benefits. To personnel,” said Manuel Zamora, assistant chief deputy with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. “As a result, we had vacancies; We are hoping that now the pay is competitive, we can attract the best and brightest.”

The 2023 budget will, among other measures, provide funding for all public safety employees to receive 4 percent raises at minimum, according to the county.

The commissioners court in a 5-0 vote approved a 2023 fiscal general budget that includes about $489 million, with about $10.8 million set aside for the drainage district, according to documents.

The decision came at the same time that commissioners adopted a lower tax rate of about 43.83 cents per $100 of valuation, down from about 46.4 cents per $100 of valuation..

Despite lowering the tax rate, the budget is about 11 percent larger than the previous budget because of rising property values across Fort Bend County.

The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Visit www.FortBendStar.com

Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 47 • No. 52 • $1.00

New affordable housing open in Richmond

By Landon Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

More than five years since Hurricane Harvey struck the region in 2017, flooding structures across Fort Bend County, state and local officials last week celebrated the opening of a $17.6 million apartment complex meant to help replace some of the

low-income housing lost during that storm.

The Huntington at Richmond - a $17.6 million project funded through federal disaster recovery grants - will provide about 76 percent of its 140 apartments to low-to-moderate income residents, according to officials with the Texas General Land Office.

County Judge KP

George, in comments during the grand opening, said it was critical to provide options like the Huntington in counties with high average median incomes, because some residents don’t earn so much.

“We are marked as a rich county,” he said. “But we have always had a huge

SEE HOUSING PAGE 3

The Huntington at Richmond affordable housing community opened last week. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

Staying at home

Brittany Adams gets sworn in as a police officer with the Fort Bend ISD Police Department. Adams is one of more than 25 members of the department to have graduated from the district itself. (Contributed photo)

From grad to law enforcement, FBISD hires alumni as officers

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Brittany Adams’ long and winding road toward becoming a police officer took a big step forward this week in a place where her interest in law enforcement first began – at Fort Bend ISD. The Fort Bend ISD graduate this week was sworn in as one of the district’s newest police officers, becoming more than 25 members of the

department to come from the ranks of the school district itself.

“I’ve always loved law enforcement,” she told the Fort Bend Star before the swearing in ceremony. “I’m always watching crime shows on TV.” School police officers have become a growing topic of conversation in districts across the state and country as families demand increased security in response to recent shootings, like

the one in Uvalde.

Soon, Fort Bend ISD may be in the market for many more officers just like Adams, if voters approve giving the school district extra tax revenues in November, said David Rider, the district police chief.

As part of a voter approval tax rate election, or VATRE, the district plans to hire one police officer to patrol each of the district’s 54 elementary schools, Ridder said. For a department

with about 76 sworn officers, that would mean a significant uptick in hiring, and at a time when it’s already hard to find candidates, he said.

An entry-level police officer out of the academy earns about $52,000 per year, Ridder said.

“We’re talking about doing some creative things to recruit more officers,” he said.

That need for officers means the trend of district graduates moving into the department is

important for the future, Rider said.

“It’s been sort of word of mouth,” Rider said of the trend. “With us having officers in schools, we’ve been able to educate students about what it is we do.”

Graduates serving as police officers also means that they have a sense of ownership in what happens on campus that someone who

SEE OFFICERS PAGE 3

One arrested, two in trouble after fights at Hightower

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

One student was arrested and two face disciplinary action after a series of events at Hightower High School last week, but reports about a school shooting are not credible, Fort Bend ISD officials announced on Friday.

Families across the district fretted last week after an image circulated online about an attack at Hightower High School, according to a news release. District police are still investigating the matter, which appears unrelated to the other issues, but it doesn’t appear the threat was credible, according to the release.

“At no time was there an

active shooter and no shots were fired on the campus,” according to the district.

“Also, no serious injuries occurred during the incidents.”

But one student did bring an airsoft gun on campus and two groups of students face disciplinary action for a verbal and physical altercation during lunch, according to the district.

Extra police officers will patrol the campus and campus leaders will host assemblies with the student body to explain why the behavior was unacceptable, according to the release.

The district canceled a pep rally, but the weekend’s football game went ahead as planned, albeit with additional officers on site, according to the release.

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Real Estate Agent, MBA, CNE, ABE Army Veteran (RET) • 832-702-5241 Jerry@dreamhomesbyjerry.com

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THE STAR

PAGE 2 • Wednesday, September 21, 2022

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For decades now, we at the Fort Bend Star have worked to bring community members all they need to know to understand life in the county – from politics to business to culture.

It’s our hope to continue bringing you all the latest news for years to come. But reporting in 2022 looks different

F O R C O U RT OF APPEALS

D E M O C R AT Please Vote for Judge Mike Engelhart for the First Court of Appeals, Place 4 on November 8, 2022.

Early voting starts October 24th.

than it has before, and readers have evolving needs in the fast-paced digital age.

The goal is simple – to distill our latest re-

porting into bite-sized pieces that arrive each weekday morning in your email inbox. The tidbits also include links to our reporting online.

Subscribe to our newsletter using the QR code. When you point a phone camera at the code, it’ll take you to a website where you can sign up to receive our free newsletter every Monday through Friday.

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Wednesday, September 21,, 2022 • PAGE

3

More security cannot always be the answer But that’s hardly been the only instance lately of false threats leading to hours of anxiety and uncertainty as parents and students alike wait to learn whether they’re in danger or whether someone with a sick sense of humor woke up and decided to put everyone on edge for a day.

A SWAT team, for instance, checked classrooms at Heights High School in Houston last week after someone called in a report of an active shooter, according to a news article in the Leader newspaper. Before law enforcement administrators could explain what had happened to listeners, parents and students at the school posted frantic mes-

sages on social media and heard rumors that as many as 10 children might be dead.

A USA Today report found more than 30 school districts across the country had received false alarms and threats about campuses within the last week.

Sadly, we live in a day and age where such calls can’t be dismissed out of hand.

Just last school year, a gunman shot and killed 19 elementary schoolchildren and two teachers and injured another 17 people at an elementary school in Uvalde, according to a Texas Tribune article. And that shooting is just the tip of the iceberg in an expansive list of school shootings in re-

cent years.

Parents are understandably upset and calling for more security to prevent future shootings and school districts and law enforcement agencies across Fort Bend County have announced plans to hire more officers, patrol schools more often and more.

For instance, if voters approved a tax rate election in November, Fort Bend ISD plans to hire enough officers to have one patrolling each elementary school campus full-time, according to district administrators.

Perhaps more officers, or more high-tech security features or more secure campuses will reduce the likelihood of school shoot-

ings.

One must ask whether this is the future we want for our children and our children’s children, however.

Those of us of a certain age can remember a time when schools were a mostly carefree space. You showed up to learn, you played and ate with friends and you got to go home and tell your parents about it at the end of a school day.

No doubt school district police officers are trying their best to protect students while also balancing their unique position in schools to build relationships with students.

But should every elementary school need its

own police officer to make sure students are safe at all times? What effects does this gradual increase of safety measures have on students’ well-being?

District administrators and law enforcement professionals have limited oversight over a specific slice of the pie – school security – and the work they do thinking outside the box and slowly covering more and more job duties should be commended.

If we can picture a better future, a future without quite so much stress and anxiety, it’s worth asking ourselves, who should be part of the conversation that isn’t currently?

Online, shows that there are about 29 affordable apartment properties in Fort Bend County with a combined 3,421 units.

On Sept. 14, the Huntington at Richmond held a grand opening on the affordable housing community at 2221 Richmond Parkway in Richmond.

Low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents are defined as households that are earning 80 percent or less of the Area Median Family Income (AMFI).

The Huntington at Richmond was a $17.6 million

project which was built to replace affordable rental housing damaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

The storm flooded more than 7,000 homes in Fort Bend County when it stalled over the region in late August 2017.

The complex was funded via more than $588 million in federal Community Development Block Grant and Disaster Recovery (CDBGDR) funds that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has set aside for recovery.

The Texas General Land

Office is handling distribution of that funding.

Funding is going toward rebuilding or repairing 82 multifamily rental housing complexes that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 in 48 eligible counties.

“We have worked very hard with everyone to make sure we identify where a need is, and where some of the units that were damaged were located and where populations that are needing affordable housing were,” said Brittany Eck with the GLO.

Nearly 76 percent of the 141 units in the Huntington at Richmond are guaranteed for low-tomoderate income residents, according to the GLO. The apartment complex will be restricted for low income housing only for 15 years.

“People can possibly find their homes (through this program),” George said last week. “There are so many other opportunities in different parts of Fort Bend County who need something like this.”

means balancing law enforcement with an understanding that you’re ultimately working with children, Rider said.

After graduating from the district, Adams actually returned shortly after turning 20 and worked for 11 years as a cafeteria manager for several elementary campuses before deciding to pursue a career in law

enforcement.

Adams’ relationship from her time as a student and afterward with several district officers helped her down the path, she said.

“The last one-and-ahalf years, I’ve given all my effort to becoming a police officer,” she said.

Now that she’s completed the academy and been sworn into the de-

partment, Adams will spend time training at campuses across the district before receiving a posting, she said.

“I want to encourage the students of the district to be the best representation of themselves while also protecting every person and thing that is a part of FBISD,” she said.

Matt deGrood MANAGING EDITOR

For those that follow news across the Houston region in recent weeks, you might have noticed a depressing trend.

In this edition of the Fort Bend Star, we wrote about how a false threat call and multiple fights had led to the arrest of one student and many scared and nervous parents in Fort Bend ISD.

★ HOUSING FROM PAGE 1 need for affordable housing here.”

The average median household income in Fort Bend County was about $100,189 in 2020, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. But about 7.4 percent of the county’s 858,527 residents live in poverty, or about 63,530 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

A report from the website, Affordable Housing

★ OFFICERS FROM PAGE 1 didn’t graduate from the district might not have, Rider said.

“Them wanting to come back speaks about that sense of ownership they have,” he said. “We want people who really care about the kids.”

Working as an officer in a school district

OB

ITU A RY

ROBERT NEIL RACK (BOB) SEPTEMBER 13, 1945

SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

Robert Neil Rack (Bob) passed away on September 11, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his son Christian Scott Rack. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Mary Francis (Franny) Guidry Rack, his daughter Erin Jill Rack Panos, son-in- law Daniel L. Panos, his grandaughter Hadley Sophia Panos and two sisters Nancy Whittington and Linda Devault.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday September 24, 2022 from 2 to 5pm at the at 2880 La Quinta Dr., in Missouri Quail Valley City center located City, Texas.

✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢

Fall 2022 Edition Postponed to 9/28/22 The Fort Bend Star Guide is a twice a year product that serves as a guide to everyday living in our unique community. Where to go, places to see, things to do and services that are available in Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, Stafford, and Fort Bend County.

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THE STAR

PAGE 4 • Wednesday, September 21, 2022

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Cowboys Corral: Misael Tamarez rising fast in Astros system Landan Kuhlmann SPORTS REPORTER

It’s always best to take raw minor league results with a grain of salt. Because as much as I love numbers and use them all the time, there are certain instances where they can lie or be twisted to suit a narrative. We need human eyes, too, and the ideal scouting report includes both numbers and the human element.

And it is that vein which we introduce this week’s player spotlight, 22-yearold right-handed pitcher Misael Tamarez, who was promoted to the Space Cowboys earlier this month after spending the entire season with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Tamarez has made two starts so far in Sugar Land since his promotion, al-

lowing just two runs in nine innings of work, striking out 11 batters and walking four. He most recently appeared on Sept. 14 against Salt Lake City, tossing five shutout innings with seven strikeouts.

Initial overview The Astros initially signed Tamarez at age 19 for $15,000 out of the Dominican Republic back in 2019. He would post a 2.56 ERA in 38.2 innings between the club’s Dominican Summer League squad and rookie Gulf Coast League team that season, striking out 44 hitters while walking 24.

Following the lost 2020 season, Tamarez went on to amass a 3.76 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 76.2 innings between Class-A Fayetteville and High-A Ashville.

The strikeout rate jumped to 12.1 K/9 in 2021 (up from 10.2 the previous season), while the walk rate dropped from 5.6 BB/9 to a mark of 4.5 last season.

It’s been a little bit of a struggle so far in 2021 for the 22-year-old, with a

Tamarez

4.62 ERA in 103.1 innings for Double-A Corpus Christi, though the swingand-miss is still there with a rate of 10.6 K/9. As a result, the Astros still saw enough in the live arm to keep his fast rise going and promote him to Sugar Land earlier this month.

All of that has combined to make Tamarez check in as the Astros’ No. 19 prospect according to MLB Pipeline’s midseason

rankings. So what makes the young fire baller so fun? Let’s dive in and take a look.

Landan’s lowdown The numbers have admittedly not been the most sparkling for Tamarez thus far in 2022. But here’s the thing – when you have a young player, sometimes the process and makeup are most important early on in the game, as opposed to raw results.

Of course you want results, and ultimately the 22-year-old needs to consistently produce results to build on the enormous potential in that right arm.

But under the hood, there is plenty to love about the young hurler.

Between 2020 and 2021, Tamarez’s fastball jumped from the low-90s to the mid-90s and touched 99 miles per hour last season according to MLB Pipeline. He complements that offering with a curveball and slider, and a changeup. And he has maintained that velocity this season, which has helped maintain a strikeout rate around 29 percent this season.

That said, the walk rate has also jumped back up from an already-high 11.7 percent in 2021 to around 12.7 percent so far this season. So it appears that Tamarez is still battling the strike zone and having a tough time consistently putting the ball over the plate.

However, this is where the human element of evaluation comes into play. I have not personally seen Tamarez. But what I do know is that he is still just 22 years old, and the Astros’ decision-makers clearly see the potential bundled up in the right arm given his quick rise across four levels of minor league baseball since the start of 2021. At this point, trust the track record of the franchise that seemingly appears to have a wishing well where they can scoop productive pitchers up on a whim.

Projection The Astros have tended to repeatedly find diamonds in the rough in the pitching ranks on the international market and turn them into at least

solid everyday contributors to their championship runs. Those like Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy, and Cristian Javier have all come from the international market has largely unheralded prospects. But Javier has emerged as weapon as both a starter and reliever, while Valdez has turned into one of baseball’s premier workhorse elite starters.

And Tamarez, I think has the upside to be another of those weapons the Astros have found more often than not in recent seasons, one which has helped keep them among baseball’s elite despite losing stars such as Carlos Correa, George Springer, Gerrit Cole, and others in recent seasons.

At only 22 years old, the upside is tremendous. I would put his ETA at midto-late 2023 as a potential bullpen weapon with the occasional start, similar to the club’s recent usage of top prospect Hunter Brown.

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Wednesday, September 21, 2022 • PAGE

5

Mirelles carries Rangers to first victory of 2022 Landan Kuhlmann SPORTS REPORTER

It has not been an auspicious start to this season for the Clement Rangers, on the heels of the program’s first postseason berth in 15 years last season.

But they’re hoping last week’s results are a step back in the right direction, as they got off the mat thanks to one of their starts.

The Rangers took down Elkins 26-21 last Thursday, getting their first win of the season in the process.

Running back JR Mirelles continued his strong start for Clements (1-3, 1-1 district) with 123 yards rushing on 25 carries, adding two catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. It is the fourth straight game finding the end zone at least once for Mirelles, who has 549 total yards (374 rushing, 175 receiving) and five touchdowns through the season’s first month. John Lewis also had 109 rushing yards and a score.

Jaxon Hart had seven catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns for Elkins

(1-2, 0-1) in the loss.

The George Ranch Longhorns are still unbeaten in the early portion of District 20-6A play, taking down Austin 23-13 Thursday for their second consecutive win. Running back Jaden Shelton keyed the offensive attack for the Longhorns (2-2, 2-0) with 174 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Cody Ford had 11 tackles including a sack to lead the defense.

Foster continued to roll as the season nears its midway point, defeating Angleton 35-7 last Friday to move to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in District 10-5A. Ashton Ojiaku had 227 yards rushing and two touchdowns for Foster, the third time this season he has rushed for at least 200 yards in a game and his fourth straight contest with multiple scores. Dylan Apponey caught a touchdown pass for the fourth straight game, and has now hauled in six scoring tosses this season.

In Class 4A action, the Needville Blue Jays bounced back from a loss last week with a 29-0 win over Sweeny last Friday.

Running backs Diego Ochoa (73 yards, 1 touchdown) and Da’shawn Burton (64 yards, 1 touchdown) led the offense for the Blue Jays (3-1, 1-0), while Alex Coffin had an interception return for a score.

Clements JR Mirelles runs the ball during a 2021 game against Ridge Point. Mirelles had 201 total yards and a touchdown in the Rangers' win over Elkins last week. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

This week’s schedule Thursday Willowridge vs. Nederland, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium Travis vs. George Ranch, 7 p.m., Tully Stadium Randle vs. Montgomery Lake Creek, 7:30 p.m., Traylor Stadium Friday Austin vs. Elkins 7 p.m.,

Mercer Stadium Ridge Point vs. Dulles, 7 p.m., AISD Memorial Stadium Fulshear vs. Terry, 7 p.m., Traylor Stadium Stafford vs. Needville, 7 p.m.

Foster at Friendswood, 7 p.m., Winston Stadium Saturday Marshall vs. PNG, 1 p.m.,

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13 Stafford 21, Lamar Consolidated 10 Foster 35, Angleton 7 Magnolia 42, Terry 14 Brookshire Royal 34, Willowridge 28 Bryan 31, Randle 10 Magnolia West 51, Kempner 3

Last week’s scores Needville 29, Sweeny 0 Travis 32, Dulles 25 Clements 26, Elkins 21 George Ranch 23, Austin

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OB

ITU A RY

MICHAEL LEE EMMER NOVEMBER 3, 1958

Michael was born in Oakridge, Tennessee to Thomas Lee and Dorothy Easterling Emmer.

Michael graduated from Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado with a certificate in Auto Mechanics and maintained an ASE Certification. Michael later completed courses in diesel, drafting and Autocad at Horn Drafting and CAD Center in Houston. For seven years, he worked for several oil drilling companies managing crews and maintaining equipment in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Michael returned to auto mechanics and managed a number of auto parts and repair facilities. He retired in 2016 as

AUGUST 19, 2022

an Assistant Manager for O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Michael was well-liked by his many friends and co-workers. He particularly enjoyed mentoring others and celebrating their successes.

Michael is survived by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy Emmer; two brothers, Daniel Emmer and Steven Emmer; and two nephews, Mark Kummer and Matthew Kummer.

Memorials in Michael Emmer’s name may be donated to: Texas Children’s Hospital. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.katyfh.com for the family of Michael Lee Emmer.

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WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2022 SENIOR EXPO: • FREE Admission • FREE Food & Drinks • Gifts and drawings • Games and activities • Educational information on health, finances and legal concerns • A chance to meet experts who will offer free advice on a number of senior issues • An opportunity to mingle with friends

SIGN UP NOW TO ATTEND. CALL FOR DETAILS TO BE A VENDOR.

JOHN SAZMA 281-690-4200 • JSAZMA@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 • PAGE

7

HIRELOCAL • SHOPLOCAL • EATLOCAL BOOKKEEPING : TAX PLANNING & PREPARATION : PAYROLL

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ESTATE SALES

SECTION 00010 ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION FOR BIDS

T H R E E D AY

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: Hydropneumatic Tank No. 3 at Water Plant No. 3

Plans, specifications and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations:

House and Garage FULL

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

Western Art, pottery, Depression glass, cut glass, jewelry, lots of housewares, antique Victorian Secretary, Victorian bed, beautiful country table with 12 dining chairs, large ANTLER chandelier, fire proof gun safe, clothing, sea shells collection, Zippo lighters, Dinky toys, pots and plants and garage FULL of tools. www.houstonestatesales.com 713-666-0970 Town & Country Estate Sales

HIRE LOCAL Let our community thrive

THANK YOU FOR READING

LOOKING FOR

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Attorney D’Angelo M. Lowe 7322 Southwest Frwy., Ste. 1065, Houston, TX 77074

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FOR SALE

Thurs., Fri., Sat., September 22nd, 23rd, 24th

(the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 2:00 PM, October 18, 2022 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2022, at 2:00 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.

$

ESTATE SALE

11714 MULHOLLAND DRIVE Meadows Place, TX 77477 (Off West Belfort, West of Hwy 59)

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In general, the Work consists of a new 20,000 gallon Hydropneumatic Tank No. 3, replacing the air compressor, and miscellaneous improvements to the existing hydropneumatics tank stilling well controls at the Owner’s Water Plant No. 3.

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ACCOUNTING • Accounting Position in Stafford, TX • Training provided • Non-smoking, family-friendly environment • Salary, plus bonus • Health care plan • Paid vacation • Paid holidays • 401k • Full Time or Part Time • email resume: sales@bricebarclay.com

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- 281.240.1788

Stafford near Kirkwood & Southwest Fwy

GARAGE SALES

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E. Autumn Run Circle Sugar Land, 77479

September 24th 7-1pm Mother in law downsized and I have her treasures.

Furniture, housewares, balance beam, pictures, linens, and more.

FIND THEM ON PAGE 8

EVENTS?

F O R T B E N D S TA R . C O M

FORTBENDSTAR.COM

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, September 21, 2022

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Review: Suya Hut a one-of-a-kind destination

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Consider this a oneof-a-kind review for a one-of-a-kind restaurant.

Months ago, a different food reviewer with this same publication visited one of my favorite spots in Fort Bend County and wrote – not a negative review, exactly, but one not as positive as I thought this place deserved.

Life as a food reviewer is full of missed opportunities – restaurants that have already been visited, reviews already written etc.

But in this case, so much depends on a restaurant’s reputation both in online and print reviews. And so, after thinking back on that previous review several times in recent months, I decided to pay Suya Hut a second visit on behalf of the Fort Bend Star.

Suya Hut’s story, as told on flyers inside the restaurant, is that the owner began receiving compliments about her suya and eventually decided to open a restaurant. Perhaps this is a key point about Suya Hut – while there’s a bevy of menu items featuring cuisine from across northern Nigeria, the restaurant took its name from the smoked spice meat skewer for a reason.

The Meadows Place staple offers patrons a $15 combo plate that includes suya, jollof rice and plantains. In my mind, there’s no better introduction to the wonders of Suya Hut than this.

The interior space was simple and uncrowded.

But people visit Suya Hut for the food, and it delivers in spades. The suya itself is perfectly seasoned, with a spicy kick that almost sneaks up on you along with some flavors that are so unique and interesting that I struggle to describe them.

And the jollof rice, with its tomato and onion flavors, is the perfect vehicle for the suya. The rice is at

After a soft opening earlier this year, Lotus Seafood in Stafford held a grand opening last weekend. (Photo from Facebook)

Nibbles & Sips:

Lotus Seafood hosts grand opening event for community

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Suya Hut delivered both quality and quantity with offerings such as the Chicken Suya during last week's visit. (Photo by Matt deGrood)

once interesting and flavorful enough to hold its own, while also not being so potent as to overpower the joy of chowing down on the suya. The third member of the trio – the plantains – completes the meal with a bit of sweetness to balance out the heat and stomachfilling combo of jollof rice and suya.

One shouldn’t favor quantity or quality when it comes to dining, but it certainly doesn’t help that Suya Hut delivers serious bang for your buck when it comes to those combos.

In the end, I ate and ate until I was stuffed and had

Friday-Saturday Entrée prices: $11.99-$18.99 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: No Senior discount: Suya Hut No Address: 11720 W. Healthy options: Airport Blvd. Suite 600, Egusi Soup Meadows Place Star of the show: Hours: 11 a.m.-9 Chicken Suya ($15) p.m. Monday-ThursRating: 5 out of 5 day; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. stars

more than enough left over for a second big meal the next day.

It’s not every day that we’ll choose to revisit a restaurant, but in this case, the Meadows Place staple deserves everyone’s attention.

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR OCTOBER 13 FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS TO MEET Meeting Thursday, October 13th from 1:00-3 p.m. at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd. in the Venue Room. Speaker: FBISD Superintendent, Christie Whitbeck. Bring large can of soup and crackers. Arrive earlier to socialize, sign in and pay dues if you haven't already. All Fort Bend and Harris County I.S.D. retired public educators are invited.

For more information, call 713-206-2733.

ONGOING FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB 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 welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com PROPEL SOCCER ACADEMY Fall recreational teams practice with a Propel Soccer Coach every Monday and Wednesday. Practice Time: between 5:30-8:00 Weekend Games! Season: September 7th- November 13th Who: 6-12 year oldsWhere: Practices- Sienna. Games at Hickory Slough Sportsplex in Pearland. When: Practices Monday and Wednesdays Games will be Saturday mornings before noon (U8-U10) or Sunday afternoons before 6pm (U12).

GOT NEWS? EMAIL YOUR NEWS OR PRESS RELEASE TO EDITOR@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

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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

Following a soft opening in June, Lotus Seafood hosted a grand opening event for the Fort Bend County community at its newest location in Stafford, 2903 S. Main St., last weekend.

Lotus offers diners both grilled and boiled seafood such as shrimp, oysters and tilapia, according to its website, as well as both boneless and traditional chicken wings in the customer’s choice of eight different sauces. It also has rice and noodle bowls along with po-boy sandwiches and sides such as seasoned or Cajun fries, egg rolls and hush puppies.

The restaurant offers dine-in and carry-out service.

For more information on Lotus Seafood and what the restaurant has to offer, visit its website at lotus-seafood.com.

Missouri City brewing company celebrating 5th anniversary A Fort Bend area brewery is coming up on an anniversary, and is in-

viting the community to come celebrate with them this weekend.

On Saturday, Texas Leaguer Brewing at 13503 Pike Rd. in Missouri City will celebrate the locallybased brewery’s five-year anniversary. It began in 2017 under the direction of owner Nathan Rees.

There will be several anniversary beer releases, the brewery said, along with food trucks on site from Houston Made Burgers, Hearth and Dome, The Rooster, and TexIce. Visit txleaguer.com for more information on the brewery.

Cheesecake Factory opening at Katy Mills The Cheesecake Factory was scheduled to open in the northern part of the county at Katy Mills Mall, 5000 Katy Mills Circle, on Tuesday, according to an announcement from Katy Mills.

Cheesecake Factory will be open at Katy Mills for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch according to Katy Mills.

For more information on the Cheesecake Factory, visit the restaurant’s website at thecheesecakefactory.com.

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words and answer 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

Practice Time: between 5:30-8:00 For more information, please email us at info@ propelsocceracademy.com!

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 YEAR To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www.fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/.

FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www. fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www. facebook.com/FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

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 281-217-5799 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 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 281240-3195 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 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 281-344-3515.

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

14090 S.W. Freeway Suite #200 Sugar Land, TX

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