07/04/2009

Houston issues heat advisory for residents
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat advisory and the City of Houston has activated its heat Emergency Plan to keep its citizens safe during these hot summer months.

Pop diva Beyoncé returns home to help fight hunger in Houston
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Beyoncé came back her hometown of Houston to invite fans to help Feeding America deliver millions of meals to the hungry. 

Mattress Mack Back in Business
Just 44 days since the massive fire destroyed the Gallery Furniture Warehouse off I-45, and the showroom is open again. In lavish style, Jim McIngvale, Mattress Mack, treated customers to free hamburgers and drinks, as he cut the ribbon to usher customers back into his store.  

Two men shot in Northwest Houston; one dies from injuries
Police need your help finding the suspect(s) who shot two victims on Saturday. Harris County Deputies responded to a call in the 8700 block of Shoal Creek in Northwest Harris County.

Groom dies in car crash on wedding day What was supposed to be a day of celebration for one family has now become a day of mourning.  A groom has died on his wedding day.

Three-alarm blaze leaves 65 Baytown residents homeless A three-alarm apartment fire has severely damaged units in Baytown on Friday. Baytown Fire Department responded to the blaze at the Sunshine apartment complex around 10:30 p.m.

Mario Gomez: Temperatures today are hot as a firecracker
Conditions are hot and dry across the state of Texas.  We can expect to see some triple digit temperatures as our Fourth of July weekend forecast is another sizzler. 

07/03/2009

Bank robbery suspect crashes in Cleveland, Texas during get-away
One suspect is now in custody following a bank robbery on Friday. Police say that at 9 a.m., a suspect robbed the People’s State Bank in Shepherd, Texas.

Houston Tea Party Society to rally at Discovery Green
The Houston Tea Party Society is setting the stage for what some anticipate will be the largest tea party demonstration in the nation this holiday weekend. 

Saving Cents: Vacationing in San Antonio
Taking a break on a family vacation does not have to break the bank.  Texas offers scores of places to visit at bargain prices and San Antonio is one of the most popular.

Body of Texas soldier returned home: Funeral Saturday
The body of a soldier who died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom is now back at home with his family. Twenty-two-year-old Specialist Joshua L. Hazlewood, of Manvel, Texas, died in Arifjan, Kuwait on June 25.

Houston’s famous Creole restaurant celebrates 40th anniversary
One famous Houston restaurant chain is celebrating a big milestone. Frenchy’s is turning 40!

07/02/2009

Boy who took principal's car on joy ride strikes again

An 11-year-old student with special needs was pulled over by police for running a stop sign after he took his teacher's car for a joy ride earlier this week.

Allen Parkway to close this weekend
If you’ve driven down Allen Parkway lately, you’ve seen the preparations for Houston’s big Fourth of July celebration.

Learn 'Thriller' dance moves at Discovery Green Thursday night
Are you just dying to cut a rug, zombie-style? Fans in Houston plan to gather Thursday night to honor Michael Jackson.

Baytown cops search for serial taggers
Baytown police say a suspect or group of suspects is on a graffiti spree in their town.

League City enforces mandatory water rationing
League City has joined the list of local communities enforcing mandatory water rationing. It’s the first Galveston County city to issue a mandatory order.

Arson investigating fire at The Pit Stop
Arson investigators were looking into the cause of a fire at a Houston-area bar Thursday morning.

Houston home destroyed by fire
A two-story Houston come was completely destroyed in a fire late Wednesday night. HFD crews were called to the scene at Ferguson and Carver around 10 p.m.

Harris County deputies: 1 dead, 1 hurt in shooting at Eclipse Night Club
A victim was dead and a second hospitalized after an early-morning shooting at a Houston-area night club.

Off-duty deputy tackles suspect after fatal shooting at Metro bus stop
A suspect was in custody Thursday after a Wednesday night shooting at a Metro bus stop.

HPD: Man found shot to death on apartment complex sidewalk
HPD Homicide detectives were looking for clues Thursday morning after finding a dead body on a sidewalk at the Canfield Lakes apartments.

07/01/2009 Despite drought, Houston's water system collects less money The less rain that falls from the sky, the more money the city of Houston makes by selling water. It is a rule of thumb that the city has lived by in rainy seasons and dry ones, but it does not appear to be true this year; At least not yet.

Bulldozer clips freeway ramp Earlier on Wednesday, a truck pulling a bulldozer tried to go under the overpass when the bulldozer cab clipped the bridge and fell onto the road.

Southwest Houston business opens, 10 months after Ike
Hurricane Ike forced family owned Three Brothers Bakery on south Braeswood to close its doors, but now, almost 10 months later, the open for business sign is up again.

06/30/2009

Hot weather, chance for rain Tuesday
The weather will be hot again in Houston Tuesday, but compared to the last week, it might feel downright nice for some.

Official: TSU student shoots alleged robber from Yates High A high school student was shot in the neck by a TSU student after an attempted robbery at a Metro bus stop near, according to police. The TSU student said he shot the teen in self-defense.

Senators come to MD Anderson to hear Texans' health care concerns
Several senators will be in Houston Tuesday to talk about health care reform.

HPD: Charges pending against woman in boyfriend's death
Charges are pending against a 38-year-old woman in the death of her boyfriend, police said Tuesday.

NASA to test repairs to Endeavour's external fuel tank
NASA plans to conduct a test Wednesday on the space shuttle Endeavour to see if an external fuel tank leak has been repaired.

Houston City Council to tackle towing issue
The Houston City Council is looking for ways to make it easier to track down cars once they’ve been towed. Every year, 135,000 cars are towed from illegal parking spots or for traffic violations in Houston.

Activists: Houston a 'sanctuary city'; HPD must change illegal immigrant policy
Critics who have labeled Houston a “sanctuary city” plan to renew calls Tuesday for a change inside the Houston Police Department when it comes to handling illegal immigrants.  US Borderwatch tells 11 News it plans to speak out as early as Tuesday’s city council meeting. 

Attorneys await decision on Stanford's bond
Attorneys for Texas financier R. Allen Stanford are hoping a federal judge will side with them and allow their client to be free on bond while he awaits trial on charges he swindled investors out of $7 billion.

Oswalt throws 2-hitter, Astros beat Padres Roy Oswalt is rounding into form. The Houston Astros’ ace dominated the San Diego Padres again, pitching a two-hitter and retiring his final 18 batters in a 3-1 victory Monday night.

18-wheeler flips, spills drill pipes on freeway
An overturned 18-wheeler had an Eastex Freeway ramp completely blocked early Tuesday morning, backing up traffic for commuters.

Landry's mulls selling, demolishing iconic Flagship Hotel Landry’s Restaurants Inc. is in talks with a potential buyer for the Flagship Hotel, again raising questions about the fate of the rare, iconic property on pilings over the Gulf of Mexico.

Many FEMA trailers vacant in Galveston
More than three months after it opened, the mobile home park at Schreiber Field in Galveston is still only half full.

Handicapped resident complains about new Dickinson City Hall
Tuesday is to be the grand opening of an $8 million city hall and library complex, but a handicapped resident complains the facilities are inaccessible for people like her.

Voluntary water rationing in League City
League City on Monday joined a growing list of Galveston County cities urging residents to conserve water.

06/29/2009 State: $300K Ponzi scheme targeted elderly Instead of buying peace of mind, scores of Texans lost a piece of their retirement savings after doing business with a Houston man selling affordable pre-paid funeral and cremation services.

The fight over speed humps in Kingwood Sagebien, like her neighbors, is afraid for the kids which is why she and 11 neighbors asked the city to install two speed humps.

Kidnapping suspect leads Harris County deputies on a chase
An alleged kidnapper wound up behind bars Monday after leading Harris County deputies on a chase.

Saving Cents: No-dig gardening
Lots of people are Saving Cents by gardening these days, but it takes a lot of digging to start one. However, there is another way that requires no digging. 

Court order to end unlawful pollution at Texas City BP plant
BP Products North America Inc. agreed Monday to a court order forcing the petrochemical giant to end what state officials said are illegal pollution emissions at its Texas City refinery.

Wharton County dedicates memorial for officers killed in line of duty
Wharton County on Monday dedicated a new memorial honoring officers killed in the line of duty. The idea came about after the death of Game Warden Justin Hurst.

State: Ponzi scheme bilks Texans out of retirement savings
They thought they were buying peace of mind, knowing that when their final days came, their “affairs” would be in order.

Man injured in fire at Houston apartment complex
A man was hospitalized early Monday after a fire at a Houston apartment complex.

Man shot dead at Houston sports bar
Harris County Homicide investigators are looking for clues in a shooting at a Houston sports bar.

Still hot, but a chance for rain Monday
Monday will be hot again, but 11 News Meteorologist David Paul says we’ve got a decent chance for some thundershowers later on in the day.

Fallen officer's daughter: 'He will always be in my heart' HPD Officer Henry Canales was remembered at a memorial service Monday as a dedicated family man who gave his life protecting the citizens of Houston. Slideshow: Memorial service

Man shot in leg during botched holdup in Kroger parking lot
Police said three men were picking up party supplies at a Kroger Sunday night when an armed suspect leapt out from between cars and held them at gunpoint in the parking lot.

NASA trainer heads to Arctic base for month-long simulated Mars mission
League City resident Stacy Cusack left Sunday for a simulated Mars base in the Canadian Arctic, a two-story pillbox where she’ll don a mock spacesuit for Extra Vehicular Activity excursions and keep careful watch for curious polar bears.

Officials seek to dismiss lawsuits filed by Galveston prisoners after Ike
The county’s legal department will seek dismissals of all lawsuits filed by prisoners who claimed living conditions were intolerable in the days after Hurricane Ike’s landfall in Galveston.

Prosecutor: Foreign ties make financier R. Allen Stanford flight risk
Prosecutors say Texas financier R. Allen Stanford’s bond should be revoked because his international ties make him a serious flight risk.

Police horse tramples, injures woman at Pride Houston Parade
A 50-year-old woman watching the annual Pride Houston Parade was kicked and stomped by a police horse and will likely need plastic surgery.

Couple finds stranger dead in bathroom
A Houston couple who awoke to the sounds of gunfire found a man they didn’t know shot to death in their bathroom.

06/28/2009

Couple involved in early morning accident, husband dies at scene
A man was killed after he pulled his car onto the shoulder of the Eastex Freeway at Kingwood on Sunday morning.

06/27/2009

Mario Gomez: Trouble brewing in the tropics
There's some trouble brewing in the tropics. 11 News Meteoroligist Mario Gomez is keeping tabs on the tropical wave over the Western Caribbean.

More extreme heat for Houston area
This weekend will be another scorcher! Houstonians face extreme heat as temperatures are expected to rise over 100 degrees for the fifth day in a row. 

Early morning fire destroys family home in Northwest Houston
A Houston man returned home with his wife and three daughters early Saturday morning to find that his entire home had gone up in flames. The fire completely ruined the one-story brick home located on Mountain Rose and South Wood Hollow.

06/26/2009 Teens, children falling victim to drug violence in Juarez Drug violence is spiking again in the Mexican border city of Juarez.  Several of the recent murder victims are U.S. citizens.  At least 60 percent of the murder victims in Juarez are under the age of 25.  Some are children.

Police: 3 armed gunmen rob Baytown Valero Investigators with the Baytown Police Department are searching for three men they say robbed a Valero store located in the 3000 block of West Baker Road on June 24.

Manvel soldier's death under investigation
The Department of Defense announced Friday the death of an Army soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kurait.

10 Juveniles arrested in Richmond, Rosenberg school burglaries
Rosenberg police arrested ten juveniles suspected of burglarizing schools in the Lamar ISD in January.

Montgomery County coroner makes ruling in taser death
A coroner has ruled that the death of a Montgomery County man who was tasered a homicide.

Big Air Dogs compete at Houston’s Discovery Green Park
A national dog competition is being held at Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston.

New garbage collection routes in Houston
The City of Houston Solid Waste Management department will be re-routing garbage collection in the north service zone. 

Clues sought in Popeye's Chicken murder Edward Veeruppen, 19, was killed as he worked as the night manager at the Popeye’s Chicken on FM 529 on May 1.

Judge delays Stanford's release on bond
A federal judge has delayed releasing Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford on bond until he can review a decision to allow the accused financier to be free until he is tried on charges he swindled investors out of $7 billion.

Letters link Son of Sam killer and Houston crime victims' advocate
The letters are unfailingly polite. There’s nothing to suggest that they were penned by David Berkowitz, known as the Son of Sam, who once terrorized New York City with his missives.

SACS takes TSU off probation
Texas Southern University, which has battled financial and management problems, was taken off probation Thursday by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the university’s accrediting agency.

Judge delaysStanford's release on bond
A federal judge ruled Friday that Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford will have to spend at least the weekend behind bars until he can review a decision to release the financier on bond until his fraud trial.

Dead trees to be removed in Galveston
Dead trees that need to be removed for Hurricane Ike recovery in Galveston will be hauled away starting the week of July 6.

Man killed, teens injured in crash
Police suspect alcohol and excessive speed contributed to a two-car crash that killed one man and injured two teenagers, authorities said Thursday.

League City man comes home for lunch, walks in on robbery
A League City homeowner came home for lunch only to find two suspected robbers inside. The knife-wielding men tied the 62-year-old man up with a necktie after forcing him to show them where all his valuables were.

Fire guts house; firefighter hits teen
Fire gutted a San Leon family’s hurricane-damaged house that was just a few weeks shy being move-in ready, a fire official said Thursday.

06/25/2009 Two years later, microwaved baby living a happy life in College Station Kaylee Croxton is a bossy, pink-loving, 2-year-old girly girl. Two years ago, inside a Galveston motel, her biological father put her inside a microwave and turned it on. Slideshow: Kaylee Croxton

Cy-Fair school board to vote on homestead exemption
The Cy-Fair ISD school board on Thursday is expected to vote on whether to keep the district’s homestead exemption.

Saving Cents: Grow your own garden
More and more people are planting their own vegetable gardens during these recessionary times, according to master gardeners.

Police believe Alvin house fire was set to cover up homicide
Police in Alvin are investigating a house fire they believe was set to cover up a homicide.

Continental Airlines celebrates its 75th anniversary
Houston-based Continental Airlines is celebrating its 75th anniversary. They’re marking the occasion with a new Boeing 737 plane.

Doctors: Hairline fracture in Yao Ming's foot not healing The hairline fracture in Rockets center Yao Ming’s left foot has not responded to treatment, team officials said in a press release Thursday.

Bolivar protesters march at Mass
About half a dozen protesters marched across the street from Galveston’s San Giovanni Mass on Wednesday.

Al Roker brings $540,600 to Galveston hurricane-recovery group
Erin Toberman wiped tears from her eyes as she watched volunteers unload home appliances, plumbing fixtures, paint and air-conditioning units from a bright yellow Penske moving truck.

Galveston County hires media firm for storms
Galveston County commissioners on Wednesday approved hiring a media consultant to manage the emergency operations center’s public information duties during hurricanes and other emergency situations.

Valero loses power, cranks up flares
A brief power outage forced the shutdown of two process units at Valero’s Texas City refinery Wednesday, a company official confirmed. Because of the loss of power the company had to increase its use of flares.

30-year-old man drowns in pool
A 30-year-old man drowned in a swimming pool at a home at Dalmatian and Almeece Wednesday night.

Suspect leads cops on 45-minute chase through Galveston County
A suspect led police on a chase through multiple cities in Galveston County early Thursday morning. Police said an officer tried to pull over a PT Cruiser in Galveston around 3 a.m.

A heat advisory is in effect for Houston
If you plan to be outside, well, you’d better have plenty of water with you because it's going to be hot.

Kitten has surgery after boys twist part of her rear leg off
A mutilated kitten had surgery in College Station to remove its rear leg after part of it was twisted off in an alleged attack by two boys.

Magistrate sets bond for R. Allen Stanford, appeal planned
A magistrate has set bond at $500,000 for Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford but delayed his release until Friday to give prosecutors time to appeal.

Court documents detail shooting death of undercover HPD officer Two suspects charged with capital murder in Officer Henry Canales' death appeared in court Thursday. Prosecutors say Officer Canales died from a single gunshot wound to the back. | Images

06/24/2009

La Marque residents asked to conserve water
La Marque residents are the latest in the Houston area who are being asked to conserve water.

The life of an undercover officer
Across Houston, drug dealers, human traffickers, prostitutes and gang members are all talking to people they believe are fellow criminals, but they’re actually undercover police officers.

Houston's dead 'big box' stores come back to life as schools
Across Houston, there are some 250 big, empty buildings that once housed retailers including big names like Finger Furniture, Target, Circuit City and Albertson’s (according to figures provided by brokers CBRE and Grub & Ellis). Some have been vacant for months, some as long as five years.

Officer Canales' friend: He was a good guy
Friends and colleagues of Henry Canales, the Houston Police Department officer killed in the line of duty, described him as a man of many passions – a dedicated lawman, a championship drag racing aficionado and a devoted husband and father.

People who live where HPD cop was fatally shot say they want out
Police on the streets in the Sharpstown say that the area is one of their busiest areas in the city.

City Hall honors a fallen HPD officer
At Houston City Hall, there was a pause for prayer for fallen Houston Polive Officer Henry Canales. The prayer was led by the man who was with the officer's family at the hospital when they learned that doctors could not save him.

Family of suspect who allegedly shot undercover officer speaks out Holding back tears outside their northwest Houston home, relatives of Roberto Carrillo say he had never been in trouble in the past.

Jury struggles with decision over $35 million
A jury in a civil lawsuit involving the city of Houston crime lab told a judge it was at an impasse, but that judge told them to continue deliberating.

Mobile cameras used to fight crime The Greater Sharpstown Management District has put up four mobile camera units at what officials call hotspots for crime.

Investigators find Ecstasy, other drugs in vacant Magnolia home
Sheriff’s investigators in Montgomery County confiscated 5.6 kilograms of Ecstasy and other drugs at an empty home in Magnolia Tuesday.

Tipster leads deputies to suspect in Fort Bend Co. armed robberies
Investigators have arrested a man they suspect is behind a series of aggravated robberies in Fort Bend County.

NASA’s new moon probe sends back moon shots
NASA’s new lunar probe launched less than a week ago has already sent back some shots of the moon.

Saving Cents: Spend less on gas, kill nasty cockroaches on the cheap
Viewers regularly e-mail their money-saving ideas to 11 News, and the latest batch includes tips on saving at the gas pump, on long distance calls and on pest control.

Firearm industry, ATF team up to stop illegal gun purchases
The firearm industry and the ATF are joining forces to stop the illegal purchase of guns in Houston.

Police seek suspects in alleged sex assault of Houston teen The search is on for two men police say sexually assaulted a teenage girl in northwest Houston.

Newly-built plane makes emergency landing on residential Chambers County street
A newly-built plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Chambers County Wednesday morning after its engine stalled.

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upholds Bart Whitaker's death sentence
The conviction and death sentence for Sugar Land man who arranged the killings of his mother and brother so he could collect a $1 million inheritance have been upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Freebie alert: New Chipotle giving away burritos in Humble
If you’re in the mood for a free meal – and really, who isn’t?! – you need to head over to Houston’s newest Chipotle Wednesday.

Prison bus crashes on Gulf Freeway
A group of prisoners had to switch buses in the middle of the freeway Wednesday morning after a single-vehicle crash. It happened on the Gulf Freeway at 59.

2 charged with murder in HPD officer's death Capital murder charges have been filed against two suspects in the shooting death of HPD Officer Henry Canales. Police believe the suspects, Andres Nava-Maldonado, 41, and Xiomara Mendez-Rosales, 36, are in the country illegally. Leave your condolences | Images

Undercover police officer shot, killed in Walgreens parking lot An undercover Houston police officer was killed Tuesday night in a shootout in a Walgreens parking lot. Officer Henry Canales, a 16-year veteran of HPD, was participating in a reverse sting operation when he was fatally shot. Leave your condolences | Images

Trial date set for ex-astronaut Lisa Nowak
A trial date has been set for the former astronaut charged with driving from Houston to Orlando to confront a romantic rival.

Researchers at UTMB find ways to block Ebola infection
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch reported that they have discovered two biochemical pathways that the Ebola virus relies on to infect cells.

Galveston, Bolivar Catholic parishes move toward consolidation
It’s not official yet, but Roman Catholic congregations on Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula are moving forward with plans to consolidate into a single family.

Senate accepts impeachment articles against Judge Kent
Members of the U.S. Senate are expected to receive today four articles of impeachment against Judge Samuel B. Kent.

More stifling heat ahead for Houston
It’s going to be hot again, but there’s something new in Wednesday’s forecast—the chance for rain. At least for some of us.

06/23/2009

Lawmaker asks power companies to show compassion
Record-breaking June heat in Houston has State Representative Sylvester Turner asking power companies to distribute a little compassion with their electricity.

Houston hiring more lifeguards
This year 104,000 people are showing up to swim and that means the Houston Parks Department is in need of more lifeguards to watch over swimmers.

Some fireworks banned in Harris, Brazoria counties
Harris and Brazoria county officials have issued bans on certain kinds of fireworks. The dry weather is cited for the action.

Friendswood police warn residents to be on the lookout for suspicious van
Police in Friendswood are asking residents to be on the lookout for a suspicious vehicle after an incident involving two kids.

Deputy rushed to hospital after passerby finds him passed out on side of road A Precinct 3 deputy was rushed to the hospital after he collapsed on the side of the road. It happened just before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Commissioners declare Tuesday 'Ahn Reiss Day'
The Harris County Commissioners Court declared Tuesday “Ahn Reiss Day.”

Continental pilot who died on trans-Atlantic flight laid to rest in Conroe
The Continental Airlines pilot who died during a flight over the Atlantic was laid to rest Tuesday morning.

It's going to be another scorching day "If we actually hit 100 in Houston that will break a record because 99 is the record for the day," said 11 News Meteorologist David Paul.

Saving Cents: Get your hair done on the cheap
To save dough on your ‘do, you don’t need to look any further than a nearby beauty college. They offer salon services that are cheaper than what the tip amounts to at regular salons. Just do a Google search to find one near you.

Crystal Beach man in hospital after fist fight with drinking buddy
A Crystal Beach man who was beaten at his home Saturday waited until Monday to call for help for his head injuries, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

Discussion on smoking ban lights up again in Galveston
The Galveston City Council will decide Thursday whether to reconsider a controversial ban on smoking in bars and restaurants that failed three years ago.

Council may stop work on League City dog park
One League City councilman wants to leash a proposed $194,000 park for pooches the city approved last year.

Wrong-way driver causes wreck on Galveston's West End
Four people had to be taken to a Houston trauma hospital after an early morning accident on FM 3005 that police said was caused by a wrong-way driver. Investigators suspect the wrong-way driver also was drunk.

Santa Fe neighborhood raises flag to honor troops every day of the year
Each morning at sunrise most residents of Triple Bar Estates emerge from their homes to raise an American Flag.

Houston modeling studio owners sentenced to prison on conspiracy charges
Two Houston modeling studio owners have been sentenced to prison on federal conspiracy charges after originally pleading guilty to bribery, fraud and prostitution related charges connected to their businesses.

Investigators: Man stabbed lover in sexual encounter gone wrong Investigators say Thomas Ashford, 22, admitted to stabbing Alfred Nahapetian, 60, to death in a fit of rage. Deputies found Nahapetian's body in his Harris County home over the weekend.

06/22/2009

Video game surgery: Houston hospital builds surgical simulator
In a low-light room they liken to a cave, doctors use an Xbox controller to manipulate video images of patients’ livers, colons, even brains, looking for the best ways to do life-and-death procedures.

Man sought in 4 Fort Bend County robberies Fort Bend County deputies are looking for a knife wielding man, they say, robbed four stores this weekend. During the robberies, the suspect placed the store clerks in a headlock and put a knife to their throats, say authorities.

New metal utility poles built to withstand hurricanes in Bolivar
When the next hurricane blows through Galveston County, Entergy Corp. officials believe their new metal utility poles could help restore electricity sooner to residents of the Bolivar Peninsula.

Video slot machine bill awaits Perry’s signature
A bill that could aid law enforcement in the regulation of video slot machines sits on Gov. Rick Perry’s desk, awaiting his signature.

Crews raise Bolivar's Highway 87
Crews working on a $6.16 million road project funded by a federal economic stimulus program will begin raising Bolivar Peninsula’s only highway, which was damaged by Hurricane Ike. Work is scheduled to start today.

Residents of Conroe, Sugar Land, The Woodlands asked to conserve water
Three Houston-area communities are under voluntary water conservation orders.

Texas Fireworks Association asks retailers not to sell 2 kinds of fireworks
The Texas Fireworks Association in Harris County is being proactive about preventing fires this summer.

HPD: Violent crime down in Houston
According to HPD, the city’s violent crime rate has dropped 1.9 percent this year, and the murder rate is down 9.6 percent.

9-year-old Houston boy drowns at Southeast Texas water park
Deputies say 9-year-old Andre Johnson was swimming at Boomtown U.S.A. in Rose City when he could not immediately be located by his family. Lifeguards found the boy’s body in about 7-8 feet of water.

Houston man, wife killed in plane crash
A Houston businessman and his wife died when their small plane crashed in a cotton field in Floyd County. Officials identified the victims as 53-year-old Rainer Aberer and 56-year-old Sharen Lee Severson.

Saving Cents: Get cheap glasses online
When we tell people they can get glasses—frames and lenses—for as little as $8, they often ask, “What’s the catch?”  There doesn’t seem to be one.

Forecast: Houston's hot and getting hotter
It looks like Monday will bring another one-word forecast for Houston: Hot. It was hot over the weekend, it’s hot right now and it will still be hot in the days to come.

Services Tuesday for Continental pilot
Services are planned Tuesday for a Continental Airlines pilot who died during a flight from Brussels to Newark, N.J.

Deputies: Grandmother questioned in her husband's death Deputies say it all started when a domestic argument escalated at a Harris County home.  When deputies arrived, they found the husband had been shot. He was airlifted to Memorial Hermann in critical condition where he died.

Suspect, daughter suffer minor injuries in Houston police chase
A man led police on a chase Monday morning while his daughter was a passenger in his truck. Police said they tried to pull over the truck around 3 a.m. at 59 and Buffalo Speedway.

Police: Driver left critically injured passenger at scene of crash
Police say a driver left his critically injured passenger at the scene of a crash on Eldridge early Monday morning. It happened around 3 a.m.

Baby, mom seriously injured in crash with suspected drunk driver
A baby and its mother were Life Flighted to Memorial Herman in serious condition late Sunday night after a crash with a suspected drunk driver.

Judge wants his lawyers to review vehicle he's accused of keying
A Houston judge wants his own experts to look at a vehicle he is accused of vandalizing a neighbor's car.

HCC gets grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Houston Community College is getting some help from a big-name foundation.

Town hall meeting set to discuss Galveston housing
Galveston residents are invited to attend a town hall meeting Monday night to talk about housing.

Houston No. 1 in 'owner give-up' car insurance scams
More car owners are getting involved in insurance scams known as “owner give-up.” That’s where the car owners abandon or destroy their vehicles and report them as stolen to collect insurance money.

Murder suspect gets away after SWAT standoff at Houston home Police came to the home in the 8800 block of Chatwood early Monday morning to serve a warrant for Francisco Lopez. Lopez is suspected of shooting his niece’s husband and her brother last week.

06/20/2009

Water boil order issued in Fort Bend County
The order was issued because two wells that serve Municipal Utility District 34 can no longer meet demand and that is causing water pressure to drop dangerously low.

Reward offered in Pasadena murder case It's been more than one month since Salvador Rojas was found dead in the trunk of his car. The Rojas family and Crime Stoppers have joined forces to find the person who killed the 49-year-old father.

06/19/2009 What's next for Houston's economy? Houston rises and falls with oil.  Half of the city’s economy is linked to energy, and what happens in the oil market will make the difference between a recovery and a collapse.

Mug shot of judge accused of keying neighbor's car released A Harris County Grand Jury indicted Judge Woody Densen on Thursday. He is charged with criminal mischief.

Caught on camera: Dollar General heist
The cameras were rolling when an armed thief targeted the Dollar General Store located at 15045 Ella Blvd. on Tuesday, May 12.

Houstonians celebrate Juneteenth Friday
Friday is Juneteenth, which marks the day in 1865 the slaves in Galveston learned they were free. That was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was actually signed.

Perry to sign UTMB funding bill in Galveston
Governor Perry will head to Galveston Friday to sign a bill giving UTMB an additional $150 million. The money will help repair the damage from Hurricane Ike.

HPD officers bike to Rhode Island to raise money for cancer fight
A group of Houston police officers set off on a really long bike ride Friday. They’re heading to Providence, R.I., to raise money for the fight against cancer.

Unsolved murders, drugs cast a shadow over tiny, historic town
Barrett Station is a tiny town formed over 120 years ago by a former slave. But these days, its history is overshadowed by murder and drugs. There are at least 15 unsolved murders in the area.

Police: One dead, another injured in driveway shooting
Houston police are investigating a double shooting that left one man dead. It happened around 8:45 p.m. Thursday at Woolworth and Lyons.

HPD: Man shot during argument over rent
A man was dead and another hospitalized Friday after an argument over rent ended in gunfire. It happened around 9 p.m. Thursday at Van Zandt and Homestead in Houston. 

Texas City toddler drowns in pool
A 20-month-old boy drowned in a west Texas City pool Thursday afternoon, Texas City police said.

Spending bill pre-empts House vote on Kent impeachment
House impeachment proceedings against Judge Samuel B. Kent, although initially scheduled for Thursday, were pre-empted by a daylong voting marathon on a spending bill and postponed, possibly until today.

Art exhibit showcases black history
An exhibition on slavery winds along dark wood walls in Stringfellow Orchard House in Hitchcock, with paintings richly detailing a story of pain and hope.

Saving Cents: Juneteenth celebrations and other free weekend events
Every Friday we bring you information on weekend events that are inexpensive and fun for the whole family. This week the focus is on Texas’ historic Juneteenth holiday.

06/18/2009

ATF Agent: Mexican drug cartels' arms race has roots in Houston
Just south of the border in Mexico, there’s a bloodbath under way. Thousands have been killed and hundreds are missing – all casualties of a war between rival drug cartels. To fight that war, the cartels need weapons, and their arms race has roots in Houston.

Survey: Children's Cancer Hospital among top US pediatric cancer care facilities
The Children’s Cancer Hospital at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has earned its place among the top facilities for pediatric cancer care in the country.

HPD unveils new property room
The Houston Police Department on Thursday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new state-of-the-art property room on Washington Avenue.

Deputies: Suspect opened fire on pursuing officer during chase
A suspect opened fire on a deputy early Thursday morning during a police chase. It started in the 6700 block of Green Yard when a Harris County deputy attempted to pull over a car.

Hot times in the city: Are your kids getting enough water?
With temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s Thursday, health experts want to remind families to drink plenty of water. 

Saving Cents: How to make your own dishwashing detergent
Making your own dishwashing detergent calls for two natural ingredients and will cost five times less than what store-bought name brands cost.

Report: Houston least affected by falling home prices
Houston is getting a good report that says the city is the least affected by falling home prices. According to the Brookings Institution, Houston comes in first place when it comes to the U.S .housing market. 

Convenience store clerk charged with illegally selling Viagra
Friendswood Police have arrested a convenience store clerk they say was selling Viagra over the counter.

Friendswood hot tub homicide remains unsolved The Friendswood Police Department is still searching for answers in a homicide case from last December.

Houston to stay hot and dry
11 News Meteorologist David Paul said it may be time to get those leaves off the top of your homes because the weather is dry and hot.

Texas City refiners under fire for not reporting incidents
Power outages at two Texas City refineries late Tuesday afternoon set off a series of extended flare burns. While there was no emergency, representatives from the two companies were summoned to city hall for failing to report the incidents to city emergency management officials.

Man charged with DWI after fatal wreck
A Montgomery, Ill., man was charged with driving while intoxicated following a wreck that killed a father and injured his wife and two children, authorities said Wednesday.

More than 200 Galveston County seniors fail TAKS test
For the third year in a row, hundreds of seniors failed to graduate from area high schools this year because they couldn’t pass the state’s standardized exam.

Bond hearing canceled in Texas City DWI deaths case
Tracy Leal had expected to be in a Galveston County courtroom Wednesday to look for the first time into the face of the man accused of killing her daughter.

Galveston County Commissioners review Bolivar recovery plan
County Commissioners got their first look Wednesday at a broad plan for rebuilding on the Bolivar Peninsula.

House vote on Judge Samuel Kent impeachment scheduled
The U.S. House of Representatives has scheduled today two hours of debate to precede a vote on whether to impeach Judge Samuel B. Kent, an official said.

Police find missing child taken from father
Police have found a little girl that was taken from her father on Wednesday.

06/17/2009

More teens undergoing bariatric surgery
Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents, and data indicates it’s getting worse. In Houston alone, 22 percent of children – that’s about 220,000 kids – are obese.

Investigators seek help finding suspect in fatal hit-and-run
Witnesses said Jerardo “Jerry” Luis was traveling on his motorcycle on a feeder road in the 15400 block of the Katy Freeway around 8:50 p.m. on April 13 when the incident occurred.

Continental: Biofuel flight was a big success
Continental Airlines may have come up with the first truly green machine.

Mom wants answers on Continental flight mix-up Wendy Babineaux said she is “getting the run-around” in her efforts to find out from Continental how her daughter, who flew out of Houston, ended up in Fayetteville, Ark. on Saturday when she was supposed to go to Charlotte. N.C.

Summer swine flu cases jump in Houston
The swine flu doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Metro board member resigns; White ready to name replacement
A spokesman for Houston Mayor Bill White says he will nominate Terence Fontaine to replace pastor James Dixon II on the Metro board of directors.

Harris County clerk accused of stealing money appears before judge
A Harris County clerk accused of stealing money faced a judge Wednesday.

Huey Long to be laid to rest Friday in Houston
Funeral arrangements have been made for one of Houston’s most prominent musicians. Jazz legend Huey Long passed away last week at 105.

Hot weather will hang around all week
11 News Meteorologist David Paul said the mercury will rise into the upper-90s across the Houston area.

Hungry? Houston's newest Chipotle giving out free burritos Wednesday
You know what tastes better than a burrito?  A free burrito. And this isn’t the stuff of fantasy, folks – you can get yourself a free burrito today at Houston’s newest Chipotle!

Dynamo hosting tryouts for their latest commercial If you want a chance to tell the country why you love the Dynamo, you need to head to the east side of Robertson Stadium on Saturday.

Saving Cents: Make your own cleanser
Making your own household cleanser is easy, quick and it has a couple extra benefits besides Saving Cents.

Elderly woman's death in Gulf ruled drowning by suicide
The death of a woman found floating in the Gulf was ruled to be self-inflicted, authorities said Tuesday.

Officials looking at blueprint for rebuilding Bolivar Peninsula
County commissioners today are scheduled to get their first look at a plan to rebuild the Bolivar Peninsula after Hurricane Ike. The plan is still in its formulation stages but will be part of a workshop following the commissioners’ regular meeting.

Dad killed in Galveston crash
A man thrown from and pinned beneath a pickup was killed Tuesday in a two-car crash, and police have arrested another man suspected of driving while intoxicated, authorities said.

Bolivar church fight moves to federal court
The Galveston-Houston Catholic Archdiocese successfully argued to have a lawsuit in a dispute with parishioners about the proposed demolition of a church at Port Bolivar moved to a federal court from a state district court.

Many of Galveston County’s boat ramps, piers still closed because of Ike
Despite being surrounded by water, Galveston’s free access to the bay has been limited since Hurricane Ike knocked out one of the most popular boat ramps in the county.

Behind bars: Judge Kent's new job runs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Kent received a 33-month sentence after his Feb. 23 guilty plea to an obstruction of justice charge for lying to authorities investigating his nonconsensual sexual contact with two of his female employees.

Shuttle launch delayed by hydrogen leak
For the second time in four days, a potentially dangerous hydrogen gas leak forced NASA to delay shuttle Endeavour’s launch to the international space station, this time until July at the earliest.

06/16/2009 Unsteady ground: Houston's fault lines slowly tear homes apart When you think of Houston, fault lines usually aren’t the first things that come to mind. But that doesn’t mean they’re not there. In fact, there are roughly 300 known faults in the Houston metro area.

Police seek suspect accused of setting girlfriend on fire Police say Uriel Vargas Alvarado threw gasoline on his girlfriend and lit her on fire at her Houston apartment. The woman is in critical condition with burns to 70 percent of her body.

Woman stole, sold Hurricane Rita trailer
A Texas woman who stole a Hurricane Rita travel trailer and resold it has pleaded guilty to theft of government property.

Texas power record stands despite scorching heat
Despite high temperatures toying with triple digits again Tuesday, the demand on the state’s power grid did not break a record, as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas had predicted it might earlier in the day.

Times Square’s kissing sailor donates poster to DeBakey Veterans Affairs
A piece of history will be donated to the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Tuesday. The famous poster, called V-J Day in Times Square, features a WWII sailor kissing a nurse. 

Family of woman paralyzed from Continental flight asks for help
The family of a South Texas woman left paralyzed after an injury during a Continental Airlines flight is asking for help.

Hurricane Ike victims get helping hand
A new program will be unveiled Tuesday that is designed to help people overcome Hurricane Ike. The program is called Recovery for Ike Survivors Enterprise, or “RISE” for short.

Neighbors speak out against waste treatment plant
People who live near a waste treatment plant on Little York will get their chance to complain to the state on Tuesday.

Houston police prepare for city-wide warrant round-up
If you have any outstanding city warrants in Houston, now is the time to take care of them.  Houston police are getting ready to round up people wanted by the law. 

Reward offered in 3-year-old cold case
Police need the public’s help locating a suspect in a 3-year -old cold case.  They are looking for the person who killed 25-year-old Avinash Miranda. 

Family of slain repo man to speak out against ex- firefighter
Family members plan to speak out Tuesday about a former Houston firefighter who shot and killed a man who was trying to repossess his car. It happened in 1998.

Two injured in crash that sends truck over Galveston seawall
Two people were injured when their truck collided with the rear of an unoccupied car and plunged off the seawall, authorities said Monday.

Metro light rail train derails
A Metro light rail train derailed this morning near the Medical Center, delaying the first set of riders for a short period of time.  The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday during a training run, according to Metro officials. 

Correlation probed in League City carjacking, robbery
Police are investigating whether a woman’s weekend carjacking in Alvin is related to a man’s arrest on armed robbery charges in League City.

83-year-old woman believed to have drowned in Galveston
A woman found floating in the Gulf, who was pulled from the surf and taken to a hospital, has died, authorities said Monday.

Judge postpones hearing on Friendswood's plan to issue debt
A Travis County judge on Monday postponed a hearing until July to determine whether Friendswood can issue $11 million in debt without voter approval and buy park land outside city limits.

Commission to discuss new Galveston beach building setback
Hurricane Ike gave island officials a temporary reprieve from complying with new state beach building regulations that suggested houses should not be built within 300 feet of the dunes.

06/15/2009 School administrators head for resorts at taxpayers’ expense Despite tight budgets for many public school districts, at least one in the Houston area is spending thousands of dollars this summer on hotel rooms and meals at local resorts.

Kidnapping report leads to big pot bust at alleged victim's home A Montgomery County woman who called deputies to report her husband had been kidnapped ended up going to jail on drug charges.

NASA schedules Wednesday launch of space shuttle Endeavour
NASA will try to launch space shuttle Endeavour again Wednesday, after repairing a hydrogen gas leak that thwarted the first attempt.

Help4Galveston coordinates Ike volunteer projects
A few days at the beach in Galveston will take on different meaning this first summer after Hurricane Ike.

USS Stewart exhibit reopens after Ike
The USS Stewart military exhibit at Seawolf Park in Galveston has reopened nine months after Hurricane Ike.

1929 Ford Roadster flips in Conroe after car show, killing 1
The rollover of a 1929 open-top Ford Roadster left one person dead and three others hurt in Conroe.

Seawolf Park plans hinge on FEMA
The Galveston Park Board of Trustees is trying to convince the Federal Emergency Management Agency that repairs to the pavilion at Seawolf Park would cost more than half of what the building is worth.

Expanded mainland bus service starts Monday
An expanded bus service for Texas City and La Marque starts today with new routes, new stops and a new name.

Judge Kent is now behind bars
As federal Judge Samuel B. Kent reports for prison Monday, U.S. House members were expected to convene impeachment proceedings against the convicted jurist possibly this week.

Police: Galveston's Club 23 a nuisance, could lose liquor license
One of the oldest bars in Galveston could lose its license to serve booze. Police complained to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission that Club 23, 2009 23rd St., is a neighborhood nuisance, serving known felons and prostitutes.

Police: Man stabbed in carjacking at Houston Jack in the Box
A late-night snack took a terrifying turn for a man waiting in line at a Houston Jack in the Box. He was approached by a suspect who ordered him out of his car.

Pasadena dad pleads for answers two years after son's disappearance
A Pasadena father made a plea for answers on the second anniversary of his son’s disappearance Sunday. “If they have a heart in them, let my son come back to his family,” David Esparza said.

Neighbor: I used my shirt to put out flames on burning woman Neighbors told police the woman ran out of her apartment engulfed in flames Sunday night. After they put out the fire, she was taken to the hospital in critical condition with burns to 70 percent of her body.

06/13/2009 Texas City teen injured in fatal crash ready to face DUI suspect in court Priscilla Selvera is three months into her recovery from a shattered pelvis, a broken tailbone and a foot partially paralyzed by severe nerve damage. She was injured in a crash that killed two of her friends.

District H voters pick Ed Gonzalez for Houston City Council
In November, voters moved Adrian Garcia out of the Houston City Council and installed him as Harris County Sheriff. On Saturday, they picked a Houston Police sergeant to replace him.

HISD's plans to close historic Fifth Ward school put on hold
HOUSTON—One of Houston’ s most historic schools won’t close down after all – at least, not yet. HISD’s school board had voted to shut down E.O. Smith Middle School, which is located in the Fifth Ward.

Friends, family gather to remember soldier from La Porte
Friends and loved ones gathered Saturday morning in La Porte to remember a fallen soldier.

06/12/2009 Home invasion robbers target upscale home in Galleria area Houston police are looking for two robbers who terrorized three people in an upscale neighborhood Friday morning. The victims were tied up while the robbers ransacked the house and took money, jewelry and other valuables.

Hotel ZaZa to host poolside pet party
Do you have a posh pet who can’t wait to get their paws poolside?

Saving Cents: Free family fun in Houston this weekend
There are free or low-cost fun events for families in Houston this weekend that include a little jazz, a big parade and some “mad science.”

Toddler drowns in Rosenberg pool
A 2-year-old boy drowned in a Rosenberg swimming pool Thursday afternoon.

Everything looking up for Saturday launch
NASA is zipping through the final hours of the countdown for space shuttle Endeavour, on track for a Saturday morning launch.

Heat wave: Blistering temps expected through the weekend
It’s been hot in Houston all week, and precipitation has been hard to come by. 

HPD probes fatal shooting in west Houston
Houston homicide investigators are looking for three suspects in connection to a deadly shooting on the west side of town.  

Sugar Land man accused of selling counterfeit computer products to US Marines
The federal indictment charges Ashoor with trafficking in counterfeit Cisco computer products. The Marines ordered the Cisco products for their operations in Iraq.

Fisherman's body pulled from Gulf near Galveston's South Jetty
The body of a fisherman was pulled from the shallow Gulf water near the South Jetty late Thursday, authorities said.

Mayor: Friendswood not suing residents
Friendswood is not suing its residents by asking a judge to validate the city’s plan to issue $11 million in debt without voter approval, Mayor David Smith said.

People upset vehicles were towed during Texas City Funfest
Some residents are angry their parked cars and trucks were towed during the city’s annual Funfest, and they want the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event, to foot the bills.

Galveston residents may be on the hook for tree removal costs
Property owners might have to pay the full cost of having their dead trees cut down and hauled away.

Man Tasered after leading cops of slow-speed chase through two cities
A man accused of stopping his car on the interstate was shocked with a Taser after leading police on a slow-speed chase through two cities, authorities said Thursday.

06/11/2009

Can you trust your locksmith?
When Stewart Presnall’s meal at a local restaurant was interrupted by screams, he ran outside. He said he saw a man beat up a woman and run off with her keys.

Caught on camera: Randall's Pharmacy armed robbery The search is on for the armed man who robbed the Randall's Pharmacy at 16616 Champion Forest on May 26. Investigators say that at around 3:50 p.m. a man pushing a shopping cart went to the Pharmacy inside the Randall's Store and told the two pharmacy employees he had a prescription to be filled.

NASA gives unanimous 'go' for launch
NASA managers have given a unanimous “go” to Saturday’s launch of space shuttle Endeavour.

Passenger killed in crash on FM 249
Around 9 p.m., the driver was in a Nissan traveling southbound when he slammed into the back end of a Jeep near West Road.

Saving Cents: Get cheaper movie tickets and discount dining gift cards
Most of us like to see a good movie now and then, but the price can make us feel like we’re at a horror show.  Adult tickets are typically $9.50 -- Never mind the costs at the concession stand.

The end of TV as we know it: DTV switch happening Friday
It’s the end of television as we know it—at least in one technical sense. Television stations across the country are in the process of abandoning traditional analog signals in favor of digital ones. The switch for KHOU-TV will happen at precisely 6:45 a.m. Friday. 

Guitar legend Huey Long dies at 105 Guitar legend Huey Long, the last surviving member of the original Ink Spots, died June 10 in Houston at the age of 105. Long was born in Sealy, Texas.

Five contractors questioned in Houston man's death released from custody in Iraq
Five American contractors being held in connection with the death of a Houston man were released from custody in Iraq.

Rabid skunks found in Fort Bend County
If you live in Fort Bend County, be on the lookout for rabid skunks.

Job fair Thursday at Hilton Houston Southwest hotel
Are you looking for a job? Head over to the Hilton Houston Southwest Hotel.

Police seek suspect in shooting at Stafford Studio 6 motel
Police in Stafford were on the hunt for a gunman Thursday after a shooting at a Studio 6 motel. It happened at the Studio 6 on the Southwest Freeway near Alpine around midnight.

Police arrest DWI suspect allegedly involved in two overnight crashes
A suspected drunk driver was arrested Wednesday night after police say he caused two accidents.

Akron's Mack Rhoades named athletics director at U of H University of Houston President Renu Khator on Thursday named Mack B. Rhoades IV as the university’s new athletics director, succeeding Dave Haggard, who retired in May. Rhoades will assume his new duties this fall.

Body of soldier who died mysteriously in Afghanistan returns home
The body of a soldier from La Porte will arrive in Houston Thursday afternoon. The circumstances surrounding the death of Jarrett Griemel are still a mystery.

Investigators seek suspects in Cinco Ranch home invasion Fort Bend County investigators are seeking the public’s help finding two men who robbed a couple in their Cinco Ranch home.

Advocates pushing Galveston levee study
If the city’s leaders hope to lure new investors across the causeway, they will have to convince them their investments will be safe from any future Hurricane Ike-like storm surge, say two members of the committee that drafted the city’s long-term recovery plan.

3 murder indictments for DWI suspect in Mother's Day seawall crash
A grand jury returned three murder indictments Wednesday against an island man accused of driving while intoxicated during a Mother’s Day wreck that killed three people on the seawall.

Police: Dickinson woman found dead in her home is a homicide victim
A Dickinson woman’s suspicious death was ruled a homicide, authorities said Wednesday.

Molotov cocktail sparks house fire
A family awoke to a serious scare early Thursday morning when someone threw a Molotov cocktail into their home.

Burn, baby burn: Really hot weather ahead
While a lot of Texans woke up to stormy weather Thursday, the big story in the Houston area will be the heat. 11 News Meteorologist Mario Gomez says Thursday will likely be the hottest day yet, with a high near 97.

Three-alarm blaze erupts at plastics warehouse Fire officials say it could be days before a spectacular blaze at a plastics recycling warehouse near the Houston Ship Channel can be regarded as completely extinguished. Slideshow: Images from the scene

06/10/2009

New pavement may make Beltway 8 safer for drivers
The Harris County Toll Road Authority is experimenting with a new type of pavement that could save your life. "It's called PFC," explained Quinton Alberto of the Toll Road Authority. PFC stands for Permeable Friction Course.

Kent's impeachment sent to House A House committee has endorsed impeachment charges against a federal judge accused of sexual assault and lying to the FBI.

Former President Bush to jump out of a plane -- again -- for his 85th birthday
Former President George H. W. Bush has some daring plans for his 85th birthday. He’s going to jump out of a plane – again!

Houston women get glam and give back with the 'Diva Exchange'
Some Houston divas are getting glam without wiping out the balance on their ATM cards.  They are swapping clothing and updating their wardrobe on the cheap.   It’s all happening in Houston homes, and it’s called “Diva Exchange.”

NASA counts down toward Saturday launch
NASA is counting down toward the weekend launch of space shuttle Endeavour.

He calls himself 'The Beast,' Houston police call him a rapist Houston police are seeking the public’s help finding a sex assault suspect who is also a person of interest in his wife’s disappearance two years ago. "He abused her. He hit her with a baseball bat on her knees," said Brenda Kimble, the missing woman's mother.

DTV transition to take place June 12; Ch. 11 kicks off DTV Help Line
By law, full-power television stations nationwide must end their analog broadcasts and begin broadcasting exclusively in a digital format on June 12, 2009.

Saving Cents: Viewer tips on lowering AC costs, cooking what's in your pantry
Viewers have e-mailed some great money-saving tips into 11 News on feeding your family, saving a little money on soap and a really smart way to keep cool during Houston’s hot summer nights.

Firefighter hospitalized for heat exhaustion after Houston house fire
Paramedics transported a firefighter to the hospital early Wednesday morning to be treated for heat exhaustion. It happened after crews responded to a house fire in North Houston around 1:30 a.m. 

UTMB emergency room to reopen Aug. 1
The University of Texas Medical Branch’s emergency room will reopen Aug. 1, closing a health care gap that worried residents and burdened other trauma centers for almost a year after Hurricane Ike.

Investigators look for clues after Dickinson woman found dead in home
Investigators are searching for clues in the suspicious death of a Dickinson woman after a relative found her body Tuesday morning.

Four charged in beating outside bar
Four men, including two brothers, have been accused of the severe beating of a San Leon man outside a bar, authorities said Tuesday.

Police: Man drops kids off at ex-wife's house, gets beaten with shovel
A man who went to drop off his children at his ex-wife’s residence was beaten by two men with a shovel, authorities said Tuesday.

Family of teen crash victim fights to keep accused killer in jail
The man charged in the drunken driving deaths of two Texas City teens remains in the Galveston County jail without bond. That could all change next week when Jim Howard III goes before a district judge requesting he be granted bail.

Rush hour nightmare: 18-wheeler flips, crushes two cars on Highway 288 Thousands of people were late for work Wednesday after a blowout led to a multi-vehicle crash. Two cars were smashed by a big rig, which ended up on its side, blocking all of the inbound lanes. Slideshow: Crash scene

06/09/2009

Pharmacists take extreme measures to protect themselves from thieves
Simon Pedroza believes that being a pharmacist is all about caring, so he always tries to keep his pharmacy stocked with everything his customers need. But for strangers looking for trouble, Pedroza stocks something else: a shotgun.

Judge halts demolition of Bolivar Peninsula's only Catholic church
A judge on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order to halt the demolition of a Catholic church on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Changes ahead for garbage collection
Houston’s Department of Solid Waste Management is about to enact one of the largest re-routing efforts in the city’s history, in a move aimed at stream-lining garbage collection while saving tens of thousands of dollars in the process.

Pasadena wastewater treatment plant shut down
An industrial wastewater treatment plant in Pasadena has been shut down.

Police, medical examiner investigate death of man found in Baytown canal Officials are working to determine the cause of death of a man whose body was found in a Baytown canal. The body was found Monday in the 3300 block of Rollingbrook.

Keeping kids safe this summer
With many kids out of school for the summer break, experts say now is the time to childproof your home from any trouble. They recommend a number of tips.

Houston man pleads guilty to contractor fraud after Katrina
After listening to three witnesses at the start of his trial, a Houston man decided to plead guilty to scamming seven Slidell, La.-area residents out of more than $140,000.

Federal report finds 'alarming' rate of deaths at Harris County Jail A U.S. Department of Justice report found the troubled Harris County Jail has experienced an alarming number of inmate deaths due to poor medical care, citing 142 deaths since 2001.

Pace quickens for impeaching Judge Kent A House panel has voted 10-0 to recommend impeachment of U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent of Galveston, who has been convicted of lying about sexual assaults of two female employees.

Saving Cents: Save big on appliances at the 'scratch-and-dent' store
If you are in the market for new appliances, check out the “scratch-and-dent” store in southeast Houston.  They have fridges for 50 percent off and flat-screen TVs for 55 percent off.

City of Friendswood wants judge to rule on voter approval on debt
The city has asked a Travis County judge to say it is legal for Friendswood to issue $11 million in debt without voter approval.

Galveston City Council mulls helping homeowners cut dead trees
All six trees surrounding Rita and Robert Roth’s historic east end home are dead.

DA seeks felony murder charges in Mother's Day seawall crash
A man accused of killing two children and a man in a seawall crash could face felony murder charges, an official said Monday.

Bike cop pursues fleeing car in Galveston
A bicycle patrolman peddled fast enough to keep up with a fleeing car until an officer in a police car caught the suspect, authorities said Monday.

Pasadena police chase ends with suspect shot, truck in living room When Rufel Muniz, 75, walked out of his bedroom late Monday night, he says he found the bed of a Dodge truck in the middle of his home. Without even knowing it, Muniz was staring at the end of a police chase.

Hot times, summer in the city: Tuesday will be 'a real scorcher'
“We’ve been in the mid-90s a couple of weeks ago, but now we’re going to stretch that out right into the weekend,” 11 News Meteorologist Mario Gomez said.

06/08/2009

Deputies: Grandpa drowns in Lake Conroe in front of grandson
Deputies say a 66-year-old man and his 9-year-old grandson were trying to put their boat in the lake when it floated away. The man jumped into the rough water to retrieve it and drowned.

Saving Cents: Cheap fun for kids
School districts across the Houston area are officially on summer break, and parents are scrambling to find activities for their kids.  If you’re not careful, the cost of kid entertainment can really add up.  That’s where Saving Cents comes in.

Bush Intercontinental Airport celebrates its 40th anniversary
Bush Intercontinental Airport is celebrating its 40th anniversary. On this day, back in 1969, the big airport opened.

HPD hosts blood drive in honor of injured officer
The Houston Police Department is hosting a blood drive Monday. The drive is in honor of Officer Lloyd Morrison.

Young neighbor helps residents escape apartment fire
The Eastex Fire Department responded to the scene of an apartment fire late Sunday night.

Houston couple expecting sextuplets If all goes well, Amanda and Thomas Stansel will welcome a super-bundle with 60 fingers and 60 toes — sextuplets — at summer’s end. If Amanda successfully delivers six living babies, she will join a small sorority of women worldwide.

Alvin ISD to fire bus driver over alleged relationship with Manvel High student
Alvin ISD says it plans to fire a bus driver over her alleged relationship with a Manvel High School student.

Investigators probe post-birthday party shooting in Houston
What began as a family celebration Sunday night ended in gunfire early Monday morning. 

Officials ready to cut down trees killed by Hurricane Ike in Galveston
Texas tree experts are bringing a member of the U.S. Forest Service to the island Tuesday, hoping to get federal officials interested in funding a $2 million plan to replace trees killed by Hurricane Ike.

17-year-old girl killed in crash
A 16-year-old girl was killed Sunday night in a single-car crash on a residential Houston street. It happened around 8:30 p.m. on Carver near Carmel.

District to demolish Texas City school buildings
When Kendra Anderson looks at a classroom door at Franz Kohfeldt Elementary School, she sees her father’s face framed inside the tiny window.

Young couple gunned down in Houston park Houston homicide investigators said a 19-year-old man and his 17-year-old wife were sitting at a picnic table in McCollough Park when an unknown suspect walked up and opened fire. Both victims were shot multiple times.

Friends, strangers raise funds for injured firefighter's medical bills Thomas Shuster, 26, was working at O’Reilly Auto Parts last Monday when investigators say a suspected drunk driver in a stolen car hit him. Shuster lost one leg at the scene. His other leg was amputated at the hospital.

06/05/2009

Parents of rabies victim break their silence
Zach Jones was taking a nap when a bat flew inside his bedroom through an open window. He brushed it off and told his parents it didn’t bite him. He didn’t realize something was wrong until five weeks later.

Innocent children detained at Texas immigration facility
When Denia Calona and her family came to the U.S. to escape domestic abuse in Honduras, they spent four months in the T.D. Hutto detention center outside Austin.

La Porte soldier dies in Afghanistan Specialist Jarret Griemel, 20, was killed Wednesday while serving at a forward-operating base in Gardez, Afghanistan.

Sketch released of Woodlands attempted kidnapping suspect Montgomery County investigators are hoping a sketch will help them nab a man who allegedly tried to kidnap at least two young women.

Check out these Houston-area weekend events -- They're fun and free!
Looking for something to do this weekend? You’re in luck.  There are loads of fun events happening in the Bayou City, and the best part is, they’re free!

Charges upgraded in Liberty County shooting that left 7-year-old dead A grand jury in Liberty County on Wednesday indicted Gayle and Sheila Muhs on murder charges, as well as seven counts of attempted murder.

Former Houston student among victims of Air France crash A young boy who attended school in Houston was among the victims of the Air France jet crash. Alexander Bjoroy, 11, lived in Houston from 2003 to 2005 and was a student at The British School on Watonga.

Friday's weather: It doesn't get much better than this!
When it comes to June weather in Houston, it doesn’t get much better than today.

Memories of Ike weigh on Galveston's summer
Another hurricane season is the last thing Galveston wants to think about after last year’s devastation from Hurricane Ike.

HPD: Convenience store shooting victim managed to call 911, describe gunman
Houston police say a convenience store owner who was shot during an apparent robbery attempt managed to call 911 to describe the gunman.

5 families displaced by apartment fire
Five families have been moved to different apartments after a fire in southwest Houston.  It started around 3:30 a.m. at the Forest Green Apartment complex in the 7000 block of Fonvilla.  Crews say the fire began inside a vacant apartment. 

Rocks, wet cement dropped on 288
Cars and trucks on the northbound exit lanes of Highway 288 to Highway 59 ran across some rough road early Friday morning.

Man fatally shot outside Buffalo Fred's Ice House in Houston
According to police, a large crowd inside Buffalo Fred’s Ice House on N. Shepherd at 27th Street started fighting, and the manager kicked them out.

Texas Land Commissioner fights Open Beaches Act exemption
Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is asking Gov. Rick Perry to veto legislation that would allow Bolivar Peninsula property owners to rebuild houses that ended up on the public beach after Hurricane Ike.

Frustrations mount as mosquitoes swarm in Galveston County
First it was the surge from Hurricane Ike, but now residents of the Bolivar Peninsula are dealing with a surge of a different sort — mosquitoes. And it’s just not just the peninsula.

Police: Two homeless women killed in Galveston were slain by same man
Two homeless women found dead in or near vacant houses in February were slain by the same man, authorities said Thursday.

Pet snake saved from house fire
No one was hurt in a fire at a house in the 6800 block of West Bayou that the Hitchcock fire chief said started in the garage.

11/01/2008 Foreclosure tour bus rolls into Houston A tour bus more commonly found in California, Florida, Arizona—the states with the highest number of foreclosures—is in Houston now. Real estate broker Kevin Riles bought the foreclosure tour bus and almost every week is offering a new tour.

10/27/2008

Houston job postings up a month after Ike
If you’re worried about keeping your job, who could blame you? The current economic crisis has everyone concerned, but state records show Houston’s job market is actually doing better than it was before Ike hit our area.

10/22/2008 Thousands in Harris County may be wrongly banned from ballot box Thousands of local voters may find themselves banned from the ballot box, and it may all be a mistake. The 11 News Defenders have found case after case of people rejected from voting registration when they shouldn’t have been.

10/15/2008

Seniors getting 'resort style amenities' at assisted living center
David Blaker, 90, loves classical music just as much as he loves his apartment at the Buckingham Assisted Living Center. The center offers assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care.

06/20/2008 Surviving high gas prices in Houston Experts say that some cars that require premium don’t always need the higher priced fuel.