RedScare

Chron article explaining a little more about the intricasies of warrants and arrest without all of the blame. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7457799.html Note that, other than conducting surveillance of the woman, there is not a lot of suggestion that HFD or the DA's office did anything terribly wrong. I would also point out that while the article states that it is not unusual for someone to flee prosecution, it should have also stated that the overwhelming majority of defendants do not flee. The most common situations involve low level crimes where defendants simply do not show up for court and are eventually re-arrested. It is also not unusual to see Mexican nationals run back across the border to evade prosecution. I recall a recent case where a Mexican murder suspect ran across the border before arrest. Interestingly, he was later gunned down in the street gangland style, making one wonder if it was an ordered hit.

Give me the Cliff Notes version. I don't feel like wasting 20 minutes of my life on youtube videos. By the way, it's psych, a shortened version of 'psyched out'. A sike is a dry creek.

As an owner of an original bungalow who has been forced to stop renovations in midstream due to this ridiculous ordinance as well as the diminished value of my home, I am uniquely qualified to call you out as a pathological liar. An ordinance that causes me to stop renovations because the renovations approved and permitted in 2009 for my garage are now outlawed on my house is the very definition of extreme. I hope you stay in your crappy house in your district, because I'd give you an earful if I ever saw you on my block. And, no, my wonderful half-renovated bungalow is not historic, though that doesn't mean I don't care for it dearly, and don't want architecturally ignorant morons telling me what I can't do with it.

To begin with, it's only 1/5 of life or 99 years. Additionally, there is a good chance that one could be paroled after serving 25% including good time credits, meaning the maximum 20 year sentence might be discharged in less than 5 years. That's IF the defendant received a maximum sentence for a crime of not doing anything. It is much harder to get maximum sentences when one is accused of acts of omission (leaving children unsupervised) than acts of commission (pointing a gun at someone's head), since the girl clearly did not intend that anything bad happen to the children. She is guilty of extremely poor judgment versus committing a violent act. Additionally, while not all of the charges are listed, it appears that the sentences are not eligible to be stacked under Penal Code section 3.03. There are other ways to attempt to get consecutive sentences (Code of Criminal Procedure 42.08), but there are some limitations. And it is unlikely the defendant knew all of these things before deciding to flee.

Redistricting and the adding of two extra single member districts is required once the City reaches 2.1 million residents, but also may be undertaken on its own without reaching that threshold. All indications so far are that the City will add the two districts, considering the count is less than 600 from 2.1 million and the City believes it was undercounted.

I was thinking the same thing about you.

I find it unfortunate that both the Fire Department and the DA's office are being forced to criticize each other due to the media's and the public's demand that someone be blamed for the woman's flight from the US. Clearly, HFD was still interviewing witnesses on Saturday, after the woman had fled. They were still collecting evidence. Given the nature of prosecuting cases involving fires, caution on the part of investigators and prosecutors is understandable. As for the woman's flight, no one knows the content of the tip from Crime Stoppers. It may have been weak. Given that the woman is a US citizen, her entire immediate family is living in the Houston area, with only distant relatives in Nigeria, it is not automatic that she would flee. In fact, it is unusual. Surveillance on the woman may have been appropriate, but the Fire Department does not need permission to do that. Sounds like they did not find the tip credible either. I know people in both departments and they are both dedicated and professional. Neither should be blamed for a US citizen fleeing to Nigeria less than 48 hours after a fire, when the maximum punishment is only 20 years. That is uncommon. The accusations of blame are coming from further up the ladder on both sides. It is a shame. But, when children die, people become emotional and unrealistic. The Arson squad and the DA's office are just going to have to weather the storm.

No, it's not. The GOP just swept into power in November. Corporate welfare is alive and well, as the slashing of entitlement programs will free up more money for the corporations. And federal, state and local governments are cutting their payrolls, which will require more corporate contracts to do the work that was formerly performed by government workers.

The 2010 Census map shows virtually the entirety of the Heights losing population. http://blogs.chron.com/newswatch/2011/02/correction_2010_census_map_for.html The most likely cause of the population decline is that more upper middle class singles and couples moved into the Heights area, displacing lower income minority families. Interestingly, the entire North Side also lost population. This, combined with the state budget cuts that may cost HISD $200 to $350 million suggests that not only has the school age population not increased, as was suggested, but that some schools will, and probably should close, so that others may be kept open at the high level demanded by Heights residents. I do not envy HISD's problem, and I hope Heights residents are realistic about the issue, though I have experienced the unreasonable demands that some can make.

To expound a bit on Marksmu's generalization, homes built in the late 70s to mid 80s may not be the best built. This was Houston's boom town years, and houses were being thrown together as quickly as the concrete dried. There are some custom built homes that are well constructed during every generation, but the combination of a boom period and lax standards make this a dicey time for homes. Homes built in the last 10 years under City of Houston codes are going to be fairly well built. The wind standards, as well as energy efficiency codes required in Houston homes will get you a house that will withstand 115 mph winds and a 14 SEER AC unit. You'll also get some fairly stout insulation. Homes built in the ETJ may also be built to Houston code. Homes built in the county have much less regulation. Outside of Harris County, it drops even more. Montgomery County, for instance, pretty much only checks the sewer hookup...and that's not the county, but the MUD inspector. In these areas, you are really on your own. A good house inspector is critical. At least in Houston, someone checked on the builder. Not so in the county.

Poorly? 16th is squarely in the middle of the 31 stadiums, making it squarely in mediocre territory. Additionally, the author complimented the stadium. He merely stated that the team sucks...which it does. Most of the stadiums ranked ahead of Reliant host Super Bowl teams and contenders (the Cowboys notwithstanding). But, really, a guy who's been to barely a third of the stadiums...and seen an actual football game at fewer than that...is no expert on the matter.

My 9 month ordeal with the so-called "historical preservationists" has taught me that they know nothing of historical preservation, history or architecture...and it starts at the very top. I do not pretend to know their motives. Some appear to be attempting to drive down home prices in an attempt to be able to afford to stay in the Heights. Others appear to be attempting to drive up renovation costs, so that only the upper middle class can afford to live here. It appears they both may win. Meanwhile, actual historical properties are quietly sold off as the historical preservationists whistle past the graveyard.

I put it where I shop.

Hey! I paid for the damage!

This is why we opposed the ordinance. Adding ugly additions in order to "protect" the original simply ruins the entire house. Unfortunately, we will have to watch our neighborhood decline under the weight of this ordinance, with our only recourse being that we can say, "I told you so." Not the way I wanted to see all of my hard work rewarded.

Eh, you're probably right. I was looking at the way I do it, with my free architect, who is forced to draw for beer, subs who I hire myself, and some of the work done by me. I tend to forget that a lot of people...even most...are allergic to power tools. That being said, there are a lot of hungry contractors out there. Even a nice place should be able to be negotiated down a bit.

Do you mean something like this? http://www.palramamericas.com/ A carport should not run as high as $7,000-8,000, unless you are planning a really topshelf unit. You can build a fully enclosed 20x20 garage for under $10,000. You should be able to build a very nice carport for $5,000 or possibly less.

Actually, I find it bizarre that you and Subdude have both chosen to intentionally misstate my comment. Not that I care. The writing is on the wall. The State has changed their rules to allow this activity, and cities are moving in that direction. Houston will follow. I really do not care if the two of you agree with my reasoning or not. The City will make its decision without reading any of our opinions.

The proof is that the cities still allow it. If there were risks, the cities would immediately outlaw it. By the way, Texas law used to bar dogs (other than service animals) from dining areas. A few years back, they changed the rule to allow cities and counties to allow dogs under certain conditions. This change is what prompted Dallas and Austin to relax their rules. Despite the misgivings of Subdude, it is probably only a matter of time before Houston changes with the times. http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/texas-health-code-on-dogs-in-restaurants/91926b77-749d-0694-79d7-6890113bb87b

It's really not the rights of dog owners that is the issue here. It is the rights of restaurant owners to run their business and cater to their customers as they see fit. If the restaurant owner wishes to cater to dog owners, he should have that right. You, of course, have the right not to patronize the restaurant, just as I have never entered a child-centric pizza place. By your resoning, every activity that may offend or annoy a potential patron should be regulated. I reject that reasoning as selfish and narcissistic. I can understand (though I may disagree) with the reasoning behind the no-smoking ordinance. Dogs are a different story altogether. And, please remember that I am not arguing for the right to take my dogs into restaurants (too much trouble), but merely that the process of deciding what should be regulated should not be based on a customer's "preference". There is no need to keep repeating it. I understand completely that you are advocating for regulations based on your "preferences".

This post reminds me of the myriad posts we see (usually in the summer)claiming that Houston weather is not conducive to pedestrian activity. They commonly follow the theme that one can dress for the cold, but not the heat and humidity. Every time I saw Chicago or New York buried under 20 inches or more, I imagined the residents "dressing for the cold", attempting to walk to the bus or subway in leather shoes.

You needn't take such drastic measures. It isn't bad. I live a block off of 11th. While 1 lane is slightly slower than 2, it isn't like we have gridlock or anything. The switched lanes at Heights is probably to replace the intersection. That shouldn't take more than a week, based on the Pecors and North Main construction schedules.

I hate them for the same reason I hate FB and Twitter remarks...there is seldom anything of value in them. Like Hwy 6, I thought the occasional HAIFer remark was humorous. But, the other stuff is annoying. However, the result is not that I stop coming to HAIF, it is simply that I never read (or write) on the sidebar. If you need to leave them there to improve flow, do so. Most of us know how to ignore that side of the page.

Looks just fine to me, too. And, yes, City code requires that openings in railings be small enough that small children cannot get through...3 or 4 inches, I believe.

Dammit.