Houston TX Living

$1 bus service ready to roll

2008-10-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

October 2, 2008

By Chris Paschenko / The Daily News

TEXAS CITY — The city’s first fixed-route bus service is scheduled to roll Oct. 20, and it’ll only cost $1 to ride. Texas City commissioners had a first look during their Wednesday meeting at the proposed route on Ninth Avenue between Sixth Street and Mall of the Mainland. Mayor Matthew T. Doyle said there will be 15-20 stops at businesses such as Mainland Medical Center, the Veterans Administration clinic, the mall and also at city hall. The fee to ride one of the two, 19-seat, wheelchair-equipped buses will be $1 for adults and 50 cents for seniors, the disabled and children, Doyle said.

DK

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DEA researcher from Woodlands was killed on visit to New Orleans

2008-09-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Authorities have arrested two people linked to credit cards stolen from a Woodlands federal agent who died after he was severely beaten during an apparent robbery in New Orleans last week.

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Toddler dies after 10 hours in hot car

2008-08-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Khou.com - Aug. 14, 2008

WEBSTER, Texas -- A grand jury will reportedly hear the case of a 3-year-old boy who was found dead after being left in a hot car for more than 10 hours Wednesday afternoon.
It happened in Webster.
Police said that the boy's grandmother was supposed to drop him off at day care Wednesday morning, but apparently forgot. When she returned to her car in the 400 block of NASA Parkway 10 ½ hours later, she discovered the toddler strapped in his car seat.

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Two families devastated by deadly collapse

2008-07-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

khou.com - July 18, 2008

Two heartbroken Houston families spent Thursday trying to wrap their minds around a stairway collapse that killed their children.

The collapse happened late Wednesday at the Westwood Fountains apartment complex in southwest Houston.

Four-year-old Miguel Angel Robledo and 10-year-old David Vasquez were playing Hide and Seek in the maintenance stairwell when it suddenly came crashing down.

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Traffic slow as molasses on Hwy. 6 after syrupy spill shuts down road

2008-07-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

khou.com - July 18, 2008

Hwy. 6 reopens 8 hours after molasses spill
SUGAR LAND, Texas -- It was just before midnight Thursday that a sticky mess was cleaned off the lanes of State Highway 6. About eight hours after a big rig hauling a load of molasses overturned on the Highway 59 feeder at Highway 6, police reopened the roads to traffic.

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Texas Cities on Top in Population Growth

2008-03-27T07:47:00.001-07:00

The Houston metropolitan area ranked fourth in the nation for overall population growth between 2006 and 2007, according to new census data — an increase demographers attributed largely to the region's economy. Full Story

Houston City Council Signs Union Contract

2008-03-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Houston municipal workers celebrated Wednesday after the City Council approved a union contract that will give 13,200 employees an immediate 3 percent raise.

The 13-2 vote made Houston the first city in Texas to sign a pact with employees who are not police officers or firefighters. Full Story

New Option For Recycling Computer Equipment

2008-03-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Goodwill Industries of Houston and Dell announced the launch of the Computer Works store and Reconnect program. Consumers in the greater Houston area now have a free recycling program for used computer equipment through Reconnect and a store to purchase gently used computer hardware and software solutions at Computer Works. Full Story

Houston Realty Agents Stay on the Bullish Side

2008-03-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Home sales are down, but the local economy is thriving compared to many parts of the country says Houston Realtors.

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$19.2M Refi Pays Equity Partner

2008-03-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

The Midwest investor, a new investor in the Houston real estat e, obtained $19.2 million in refinancing for the 372-unit Oaks of Timbergrove Apartments. The borrower used the funds to pay back an equity partner that had helped with the asset's acquisition and renovation.

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Del Webb Houston Brings Positive Growth

2008-03-22T00:33:00.000-07:00

he first Del Webb community in the Greater Houston Area will bring many of the traditional positive aspects of growth and avoid many of the undesirable aspects of expansion to the city of Richmond and Fort Bend County.

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Discover the established communities in Greater Houston area at Fort Bend County homes.

John F. Staub's Houses Changed the Face of Houston

2008-03-21T23:44:00.000-07:00

Architect John F. Staub left multiple marks on Houston's landscape, building elegant but unpretentious homes between the 1920s and the early 1960s.

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See beautifully designed Houston TX Homes online.

Skate Houston Expects Hundreds Of Competitors

2008-03-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Hundreds of ice skaters will flock to Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center to participate in one of Houston area's largest ice skating competitions of the year. Full Story

Residential Energy Efficiency Program Shows Big Savings For Houston Neighborhoods

2008-03-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

Mayor Bill White announced today the results of a City analysis of its Residential Energy Efficiency Program, which has helped thousands of citizens weatherize their homes and has saved them money through double-digit reductions in their energy use. Full Story

Houston's 2007 Job Growth Much Higher Than Thought

2008-03-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

(Houston Chronicle) - The final tally is in and the Houston economy is growing much faster than anyone realized.It turns out that the local economy ended 2007 by creating 100,100 new jobs during the year, an increase of 4 percent, according to data released Thursday by the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story

Sales of Custom Homes in Sugar Land a Million-Dollar Success for Sienna Sales Staff

2008-03-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

When it comes to selling Sugar Land new homes, Nancy Simmons and Ida Grossman with Sienna Plantation have been recognized by the prestigious Institute for Luxury Home Marketing for their recent performance in the million-dollar and above luxury home market within Fort Bend County.

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Houston Area Communities Featured on Top-sellers List

2008-03-17T00:53:00.000-07:00

Four Houston-area master-planned communities are among the top-selling such areas in the United States, according to real estate advisory firm RCLCO.

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Find new homes in Houston from these famous Houston Homebuilders.

Houston Feeling Effects of Housing Downturn

2008-03-11T23:43:00.000-07:00

It's not quite clear yet if Houston is feeling the strain of the economic slowdown in the United States, however the weakened housing market is beginning to show itself, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

The Fed did not have employment numbers, but said the biggest indicator for Houston was the slowing down of the housing market. Single-family construction in Houston permits were down 27 percent from January 2007, and existing-home sales were down 14 percent. Year-to-date foreclosures were up 16 percent in the first two months of 2008 compared with last year.

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Houston Cashes in on Dallas GreenHunter

2008-03-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

After spending 90 percent of 2007 capital expenditures on a renewable fuels campus in Houston, Dallas-based GreenHunter Energy Inc. is sending another significant chunk of change south.

Access full story here.

More about Houston communities at Houston Realty.

Ranching & Wildlife Expo Starts Today in Houston

2008-03-05T05:54:00.000-08:00

March 5-8, 2008
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reliant Arena
Houston, Texas

Features wildlife-related exhibits from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Showcases presentations from experts in the field. Continuing educational units (CEUs) are provided on various educational seminars related to ranching and wildlife. An auction is included for hunting and fishing trips, bird watching excursions, and wildlife artwork.

More Details

See also other Houston Texas attractions at Houston Realtors.

Houston TX News Sources

2008-02-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Houston News - Houston, Texas breaking news, headlines, weather, and sports
Houston County Courier
The Houston Chronicle - Houston Daily Newspaper
KHOU TV - Channel 11, CBS Network Affiliate
KPRC-TV - Channel 2, NBC Network Affiliate
KUHT - Houston Public Television - Channel 8, PBS Network Affiliate
KTRK - Channel 13, ABC Network Affiliate
KETH - Trinity Broadcasting Network (Religious) Affiliate, Channel 14
KTXH - UPN Network Affiliate, Channel 20
KLTJ - Religious Programming, Independent, Channel 22
KRIV - Fox Network Affiliate, Channel 26
KHWB-DT - WB Network Affiliate, Channel 38
KPXB - PAX Affiliate, Channel 49
KSEV 700 AM
KWWJ 1360 AM
KILT 610 AM - sports
KSEV 700 AM
KTRH 740 AM
KPRC 950 AM
KLAT 1010 AM

Houston Areas

2008-01-25T07:23:00.002-08:00

Houston is a truly metropolitan city on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Known for its strong oil industry economy, warm climate and beautiful scenery, Houston is a very popular place to live and work. There are a lot of nice places in Houston. A few areas that truly stand out are:

Houston/Harris County Central

Houston harris County Northwest

Houston/Harris County Southwest

Houston/Harris County Southeast

Houston Harris County Northeast

Montgomery County

Waller County

Fort Bend County

Brazoria County

Galveston County

These areas are all in the general greater Houston area and all have their own unique features and amenities. Common to all these areas, however is their proximity to all the attractions and activities of Houston, while at the same time having easy access to some of the most beautiful country in Texas. For some homebuyers, the recent turmoil in the mortgage industry and the rising number of foreclosures has created an opportunity. Many foreclosed homes can be bought at well under market value. There are a number of good resources available to research Houston Foreclosures.

Texas is # 1 Carbon Polluter

2008-01-25T07:23:00.001-08:00

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas is the state with the most carbon pollution, more than California and Pennsylvania combined. Some factors contributing to this are:

Texas has 19 coal burning plants

Texas lacks a well developed mass transit system

Texas has a disproportionate number of large trucks and SUVs

Hybrid vehicles comprise less than 1 percent of all registered vehicles in Texas
Associated Press - January, 2008

Sponsored by Sienna Plantation Homes

Houston Living - News Around the Region

2008-01-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

AIRLINES
Tax-related charges on the future value of Continental's pension plans will reduce the airline's fourth quarter earnings between $70 and $140 million.
AUSTIN — Bank of America's plan to acquire Countrywide Financial Corp. means it would assume Countrywide's contract to create 7,500 new jobs in Texas, which has many wondering if B of A will carry through with the original contract.
REAL ESTATE
Offices go up for sale in Galleria area Crescent has put its Five Post Oak Park office building in the Galleria area on the block. The 28-story property is being offered clear of debt without a formal asking price. Amegy Bank is the largest tenant, occupying more than 30 percent of the building. The 567,396-square-foot tower is more than 90 percent leased.
Holliday Fenoglio Fowler was hired to sell the building and parking garage, which sit on 3.6 acres at 4400 Post Oak Parkway. The building is owned by a joint venture between Crescent Real Estate Equities and General Electric Pension Trust.
ENERGY
Risk seen if thirst for gasoline eases. U.S. refiners face a threat from a potential slump in demand for gasoline, Marathon Oil Corp.'s refining chief said Wednesday in Canada.
Falling demand from consumers is a "risk for the entire energy industry," Gary Heminger, executive vice president at Houston-based Marathon, said at a conference in Calgary on oil sands.
IN OTHER NEWS ...
Houston-based eCORP has received $40 million from California-based private-equity investment management firm PCG Capital Partners, the company said. The funds will finance the development of natural gas storage facilities and for other general purposes.
El Paso Corp. agreed to sell oil and natural gas assets in three transactions for a combined $517 million. The properties, onshore in the U.S. and in the Texas Gulf Coast, have proven reserves equivalent to 191 billion cubic feet of natural gas, Houston-based El Paso said. It didn't identify the buyers.
Houston Chronical - 01/16/2008

Sponsored by Houston Real Estate

Ground Broken for Woodforest Development.

2008-01-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

MONTGOMERY - Woodforest and Montgomery County officials have broken ground on the 2,700-acre neighborhood's welcome lodge. Much more than a welcome lodge, this master-planned development will be in Conroe's extraterritioral district, seven miles west of I-45, four miles north of The Woodlands and three miles south of FM 2854. This project is made possible by an series of agreements between The Woodlands and the City of Houston which will allow the city of Conroe to annex the entire development when it is completed in approximately 30 years. This will elimintate any uncertainty of the development's future for potential home buyers.
Woodforest officials plan to be able to greet builders and buyers at the 4300 square foot lodge by next fall. The lodge will showcase an overview of the master-planned communitie's features - schools, churches, neighborhoods, parks and trails. When completed, the community is projected to be home to approximately 18,000 residents.
Woodforest will be planned and developed by The Johnson Development Corporation, which has built communities across the nation and in Houston for more than 30 years. Houston-area developments include:

Fall Creek, off U.S. 59 and Beltway 8;

Edgewater and Tuscan Lakes, south of Interstate 45 and Beltway 8;

Riverstone and Sienna Plantation, just south of Texas 6, between Texas 288 and U.S. Highway 59.
Woodforest planners have also worked with Montgomery and Conroe Independent School Districts and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office to create plans for future schools and emergency services for the development. Model homes are expected to be available for viewing by Spring 2009. Homes are expected to cost $150,000 to more than $1 million.

Houston Neighborhoods & Areas

2008-01-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

The following areas are Houston's most popular areas for living:

Houston Heights
Memorial
Downtown Houston
Bellaire
River Oaks
West University
Montrose
The Woodlands
Katy
Midtown Houston
Uptown Houston
Sienna Plantation in Sugar Land

Houston TX Suburbs

2008-01-02T20:16:00.001-08:00

Houston is a vast metropolitan area located in Fort Bend County, Texas. The city is growing rapidly, having more home builder communities THAN ANY OTHER US CITY! The City of Houston is very spread-out, so many move to the Houston suburbs. Suburbs of Houston are classified as either inside or outside "the loop" (Loop 610).

Here is a list of Houston's most popular suburbs:

NORTH HOUSTON SUBURBS

HOUSTON SUBURBS

Tomball, Texas
League City, Texas
Pasadena, Texas
Bellaire, Texas
Pearland, Texas
The Woodlands, Texas
Shenandoah, Texas
Le Marque, Texas
Conroe, Texas
Clear Lake, Texas
Texas City, Texas
Kingwood, Texas
Baytown, Texas
Hockley, Texas
Humble, Texas
Alvin, Texas
Dayton, Texas
Magnolia, Texas
Spring, Texas
Fairfax, Texas
Friendswood, Texas
Spring Valley, Texas
Galveston
Bay Town

HOUSTON COUNTIES

Harris County
Fort Bend County
Brazoria County
Montgomery County
Galveston County

Sugar Land Realtors - Homes in Sienna Plantation

Houston TX Real Estate Links

2007-10-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

HAR HOME SEARCH - HAR MLS Search
Clear Lake Subdivisions - Clear Lake neighborhoods
Houston Neighborhoods - Houston Neighborhoods
Clear Lake Maps - Clear Lake arial images.
Clear Lake Hotels & Motels - Clear Lake accomodations.
Area Crime Statistics - Houston Police Department
School Finder - Schools by county, district, campus and/or zip code.
Texas School Information - TX School Info
School Information - Texas public schools ratings
Friendswood ISD - Friendswood Schools
Clear Creek ISD - Clear Creek Schools
Mold Information - Mold Info
Real Estate Center - Texas A&M Real Estate
Houston Rainfall Map - Harris County