Tuesday, June 19, 2018

US 59-IH 610 interchange to get major overhaul

For many commuters living around the Galleria area, traffic on IH 610 at US 59 is almost always at a standstill. Now, the Texas Department of Transportation is finally going to fix the problem that has plagued the area for years.

To understand the problem, you have to look at the stretch of IH 610 between IH 10 and US 59 on the west side. With exits at nearly every major intersection, traffic seems to always back up. Another problem is there is no direct interchange from IH 10 to US 59. Commuters are forced to get on IH 610 and then sit in traffic until getting off on US 59. Another problem lies in the design of the interchange itself. While it is a traditional flyover type of interchange, the influx of traffic around the Galleria trying to get on either 610 or 59 has created a real mess.

When TXDOT completed the IH 10 to US 290/IH 610 interchange, they could have also set their sights on fixing the backlog of traffic around the Galleria. This did not happen. Now, officials once again have to shut down a major interchange in order to fix the traffic nightmare.

The six year project is already underway. Some exits in the Bellaire area are already closed off. This includes some exits around the busy Meyerland Plaza shopping mall. Fournace Street exit off 610 is already closed off.

One of the main problems is the interchange design. On some parts, two lanes merge into one before entering the freeway main lanes. This forces traffic to merge and causes major traffic jams throughout the day. Another problem is the location of the interchange. With all the traffic around the Galleria, there really is no way to get on IH 610 or US 59 from the Galleria without backtracking. This also causes a lot of traffic jams during the day.

The biggest improvement will be to the ramps connecting US 59 and IH 610. The first thing that will change are the one lane connection ramps. These will be widened to two lanes to eliminate major weaving. Upgrades to the interchange itself will bring it up to current design standards. Vertical clearance and sight lines will also be improved. Detention ponds will be added to control flooding.

An article in the Houston Press said that anyone who has had the unfortunate luck of spending even a few minutes on Highway 290 between the North Loop and Cypress knows that “gridlock” can be a relative term. This entire stretch of road is also being widened because of an increase in traffic. As  the expansion of the ever congested thoroughfare continues through the end of 2017, all Houston drivers can do is lament the closures and do their best to avoid the area. If you don't live or work on the northwest side of town, that certainly helps.

But what is going to happen when what is arguably the worst freeway interchange in the state of Texas is rebuilt will make the 290 construction traffic look like a broken stoplight at 10:30 p.m. on a Sunday night in the country. For most Houstonians, the greatest concern will be the plan to completely redo the interchange at US 59 and the West Loop. It is one of the most congested interchanges in the state of Texas thanks to its proximity to the Galleria and one of the most affluent parts of Houston.

Given how awful the traffic is at nearly every hour of every day, the change should be welcome, but it comes at a price. The project is expected to take four years beginning in 2017. For those who aren't great at math, that means we will be dealing with a mess on the southwest corner of the Loop through 2021. For perspective, the miles-long stretch of 290 has been under construction for four years already and it has felt like a decade. Now, apply that torture to the most congested freeway intersection in Texas.

So, get ready, drivers. It's going to be a long four years. And, if you live in the already terribly traffic laden Galleria area, our best advice is to consider moving.

The project also addresses several needs. Many of the one-lane direct connectors are over capacity and projected growth would increase demand. There are no shoulders, low vertical clearances, below minimum sight distances, and crashes in merge areas. This all equates to major backup and delays in the area around the Galleria.

Hopefully the new connector ramps will improve traffic flow and help to ease congestion on the two freeways. Only time will tell if the project not only was done correctly, but also will pay off in the long run.


Opioid Epidemic Knows No Boundaries

By now, we have heard about the rise in deaths related to opioid abuse. What many people fail to realize is that addiction usually starts with the street drug heroin. When injected, heroin induces a high that can last for a long time. It also is why many people choose to shoot up with it. When the supply runs out, they turn to opioids.

Oxycodone, OxyContin, Fentanyl, and other powerful pain medicines have surged into homes. Normally used after surgery to ease pain, these same drugs have found their way into the hands of corrupt doctors. These so-called pill mills churn out pain killers in large quantities. All it takes is a person faking a major injury to start the cycle of addiction. Once hooked, quitting is almost impossible.

Why is quitting almost impossible after a person is addicted? The reason is that opioids are more powerful than the average pain killer. This leads to needing more of the same drug to produce a high.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine and Doctor Anna Lembke, prescription opioid abuse is an epidemic. In 2010 alone, there were a reported 2.4 million opioid abusers in the U.S. alone. The number of new abusers had increased a staggering 225% between 1992 and 2000.

Over half of the abused opioids come from a doctor's prescription. In many instances, these same doctors are fully aware of the fact their patients are addicted, yet these drugs are still prescribed. In fact, many patients who are abusing these medications are not using them for the intended use or are diverting them to others who in turn get hooked.

Recent changes in the philosophy of pain treatment, cultural trends in attitudes toward suffering, and financial disincentives for treating addiction have only made the problem worse.

Over the last century, and especially as morphine derived drugs increased, a paradigm shift occurred. Today, pain management and treatment are every doctor’s responsibility. In today's society, treating pain is seen as the only option in modern medicine. There are other ways to treat pain without resorting to opioids right away. Tylenol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs can be just as beneficial and have a lower rate of addiction.

When a physician colleague that Dr. Lembke knew was asked how they deal with the problem of opioid addiction in patients who abuse them, the answer was that sometimes the right thing has to be done and not give the opioids out. The physician also knew that this action could lead to a bad rating on Yelp. This leaves someone to wonder about the other times that opioids are intentionally given to abusers.

A cultural change has also contributed to physicians' dilemma that all suffering is avoidable. Some segments of our society believe that any kind of pain is a pathological indicator and amendable to treatment.

Some segments of society also believe untreated pain can cause a psychic scar leading to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Doctors who deny patients who report feeling pain may be seen as withholding relief and inflicting further harm through psychological trauma.

No one understands this better than addicted patients, who use their awareness of cultural narratives of victimization and illness to get their fix. One patient said that they knew they were addicted, but it was the doctor's fault for prescribing the opioids in the first place. “I will sue the doctor if I am left in pain,” the patient said.

The mainstays of treatment for addiction are both education and effective counseling, which take time.

Time spent with each patient is modern medicine's least valued commodity from a financial perspective. This is especially true in emergency departments, where physicians are usually evaluated on the number of patients seen rather than the amount of time spent with the patient.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA) and Dr. Patrice Harris, the epidemic of opioid addiction has continued to take victims. Those responsible for health care and policy are looking at ways to stop these needless deaths. As medical professionals, these people have a professional and ethical responsibility to end this epidemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a guideline on prescribing opioids. The AMA shares the CDC's goal of reducing opioid abuse and applauds the agency for making this a high priority. Specifically, the AMA is concerned about the CDC's recommendations for specific dosage and duration limits.

If the CDC proposals reduce deaths caused by abusing opioids, they will prove to be valuable. If not, the AMA will need to mitigate them. While the AMA shares the CDC's goal of saving lives and reversing the epidemic, the AMA will work with the CDC and other agencies to take steps in this direction.

In the meantime, countless patients come to emergency departments and doctors' offices every day reporting pain and receiving opioids despite known or suspected addiction to these powerful drugs. Health care providers have become hostages of the patients. The ultimate victims though are the patients themselves, who are not getting the treatment for addiction they both need and deserve.

On May 5, 2022, more than one dozen medical professionals across eight federal districts were charged with fueling the opioid epidemic.

The Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force carried out the raids. According to Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite, who was part of Wednesday's criminal announcement in Cincinnati, Ohio, over 75,000 Americans died last year due to opioid overdoses.

The defendants span seven states and account for roughly $7 million in opioid-related fraud loss according to the Justice Department.

One pharmacist in Florida allegedly sold 219,567 pills of oxycodone and 112,840 pills of hydromorphone on the black market between 2019 and 2021. In another case, an Alabama physician and a codefendant are accused of signing off on fraudulent prescriptions and medical bills for patients across three different medical clinics. And in Tennessee, a family medicine doctor allegedly ordered doses of opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone for patients who did not need them.

In another case, a Kentucky dentist was charged with allegedly prescribing opioid pills without a legitimate medical purpose in August 2020. That month, the dentist provided three opioid prescriptions to a 24-year-old dental patient over a span of five days, prosecutors claimed. The patient later died from a morphine overdose allegedly tied to one of the dentist's prescriptions, according to the Justice Department.

“From January 2016 to September 2020, a review of just the dentist prescribing showed that they issued approximately 3,577 prescriptions for Oxycodone, totaling approximately 62,943 pills that were dispensed to patients," prosecutors also alleged in a recent court filing, prescriptions that they say likely fell "outside the accepted practice of dentistry." The dentist’s defense attorney, Robert McBride, did not comment on his client's pending case, which is set to go to trial later this month, according to court records.

The Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force has so far charged 111 defendants over three years. In all, those defendants are accused of prescribing 115 million controlled substance pills. One person dies from a drug overdose every 5 minutes throughout the United States, the Drug Enforcement Agency said Wednesday.

"These medical professionals…are operating no differently than any drug dealer," U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth L. Parker said Wednesday. "They are simply donning white coats while they are prescribing dangerous levels of opioids."


Wednesday, May 2, 2018

March For Our Lives Takes Over Houston

On March 24, 2017, demonstrators from around the country gathered to call for a reform on the nation's gun laws. Among the cities that were the site of demonstrations and protests, was Houston. While the protest was small compared to Washington, D.C., hundreds gathered to raise their voice and call for stricter gun control laws.

As I made my way through the crowds and asked people what brought them to the rally, two signs caught my attention. One was a person dressed as Santa holding a sign that had a naughty list which included Congress and the National Rifle Association and a nice list which featured students. Another sign that caught my attention was one that said arms are for hugging.

Students as young as 14 showed up at the rally to raise their voice. Teachers, students, educators, and parents gathered to hear a number of keynote speakers.

There were many student groups at the demonstration from all over the Houston area. I had a chance to speak with educators, parents, and students to find out what brought them to the march. The main reason was to make their voice heard. They all said enough is enough and that something needs to happen.

Speaking with a group of students from Lamar High School, one student said they were demonstrating in order to show support for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Students. Another student said they wanted to get the word out about calls for gun reform. Another said they were demonstrating in order to make schools safer for students. Still another student said that it is time to reform gun laws.

Among the featured speakers was Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. He said that the youth are the leaders of today and this is a defining moment. "When students lead a demonstration, things can change. We need to make America safe again." He went on to say that the city works for its citizens. "The city is the employee and the citizens are the employer." One of the highlights of the speech was when Mayor Turner announced his commission to end gun violence. "We need to fulfill our potential and protect our children." He concluded with the chant "NOW IS THE TIME!"

One keynote speaker at the rally stated that multiple bills addressing gun reform were never even brought to the floor for a debate. This did not sit well with the crowd as they gave a resounding disdain after hearing what was just stated. "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal," The speaker told the crowd.

Another speaker told the crowd that we are tired of our elected leaders in Washington not listening to our voices. "We will march forward. We will make change," the speaker concluded.

Speaking with a group of students from Rice University, I found out one of them graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 2017. One student told me that action needs to be taken. Another one said that the issue of gun reform needs to be addressed. The students as a whole demanded action be taken in Washington and in Houston. Another student said they were at the rally because they were inspired by the students of Stoneman Douglas High School and wanted to become involved. Still another said that gun safety needs to become a priority.

One parent that I talked with stated that she was there to stand with the students because action has not been taken. Another person, who is a teacher, said they want to be able to do their job and not worry about an active shooter situation.

A group of students from Cypress Woods High School told me they wanted to see change and that as a nation, we have become desensitized to mass shootings.

Another group of students, who wished not to identify their school, told me they wanted change. "We want to feel safe in school," one student told me. Another one said that their school does not do practice drills for mass shooter situations. "We want to feel safe everywhere," a student told me. They all agreed enough is enough and it's time for change.

I also got to speak with a group of students who attend a school where gun violence is the norm. Group leader RJ told me that there is a high rate of gun violence on the campus. "We are all against violence," she told me. RJ and her friends said they live for the purpose of preventing gun violence in schools.

A group of students from the University of Houston told me the campus has loose gun laws and that a tragedy like that of Marjory Stoneman Douglas could be prevented with tighter regulations.

"It can happen to anyone. We need to change the gun laws," Hannah Boyd, who is a student told me. She did not wish to give out where she attends school.

"It's become the norm," Kate said, wishing not to give out her school name. "People don't realize the United States is the norm when it comes to mass shootings."

Olivia, who wished to not give out her school, told me that gun violence affects everyone and that she wanted her voice to be heard.

"Kids have a voice, whether they realize it or not," Grace, who attends Spring Forest Middle School, told me. "We can make a difference."

Chants of "Vote Them Out" "Books Not Bullets" "Hey hey Ho ho The NRA has got to go" and "Hey Hey NRA, how many kids did you kill today?" filled the air on the way to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz's downtown office. When he failed to show up, the crowd began to chant: "Where's Ted Cruz?" After waiting a while longer, the protestors headed back to the park to regroup.

Ted Cruz, who represents Southern Texas, has been seen by many as not getting much done since he took office in 2012.

Many GOP representatives and senators have announced they will not seek re-election this year. This follows on the heels of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in which 17 students were killed. Lawmakers have come under increasing pressure from young and first-time voters to pass legislation on gun reform.


Saturday, March 17, 2018

Students Walk Out to protest gun violence

In light of the recent school shooting in Florida and no strides being made on gun reform, students across the country walked out of school on Wednesday in protest. 

Aware of the consequences, students walked out at 10 am local time and stayed out of class for 17 minutes in honor of the 17 deaths. 

Many GOP lawmakers, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio, have come under fire for accepting campaign donations from the powerful National Rifle Association. The interest group regularly supports GOP candidates due to their stance on gun issues. 

Fed up with lawmakers taking money, many students who survived the massacre went to Tallahassee to take their issue directly to state lawmakers. What would happen is disappointing. The bill, which would essentially ban anyone with severe mental health issues from purchasing assault weapons was vetoed by GOP governor Rick Scott. 

Students even went to Washington and participated in a listening session with Donald Trump. While many were disappointed, strides have been made. Trump has promised to sign a bill to pour millions of dollars into mental health funding. 

As long as the GOP controls the Senate and Congress, gun control will remain on the back burner. 

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Buffalo Bayou Service Project

On Friday, April 15, 2016, students gathered for a day of fun and learning about wetland ecosystems. The day started off for my group with a presentation on recycling. I learned that earthworms and many types of beetles are responsible for breaking down tree and yard waste. Many types of fungi, including mushrooms, also help to break down tree and yard waste. This all turns into very rich compost, which is excellent for growing plants in.

Many people do not realize that some types of fungi are edible. If you encounter a fungi and do not know if it is edible, the best thing to do is to leave it alone. Leave the decisions to trained experts and biologists.

The next stop was the sustainable garden. With the world’s population growing, one of the main problems is growing enough food to feed everyone. One solution is home gardening. Growing your own fruits and vegetables saves both greenhouse gases and valuable land. While some members of my group spread compost in new garden beds, I helped shovel the compost into the wheelbarrow and dump it into the new garden beds.

Another thing I learned is that the sprinkler system is solar-powered. This means that a solar panel converts sunlight into electricity which in turn runs the sprinklers.

The best part of the day was a tour of White Oak Bayou and Buffalo Bayou. I learned that many of the plant species are not native to Southeast Texas. This includes Chinese Tallow as well as many of the cattails, reeds, and rushes found in the bayous. I was appalled at how much trash accumulates over the course of one week. The main reason for this is that many of the creeks and bayous drain into these two main bayous, which then flow into the Gulf of Mexico.

Many people do not realize that all of their litter and pet waste eventually ends up in Houston’s waterways. If this is not collected before reaching the Gulf, the trash poses a threat to wildlife.
Every five days, people from Buffalo Bayou Service Project come out to clean up the trash. They do this on boats with nets dragging behind. The nets capture the trash and make it easier for workers to put it into bags.

One of the neat things the groups got to see is the original Houston Ship Channel. When the Allen brothers first settled in Houston, the Ship Channel was the biggest driver to the city’s economy. As the container ships became bigger, the original Ship Channel was closed and was moved to the east side of town where it remains today. Another thing that was interesting is that an old, historic building was being restored. Once complete, the Buffalo Bayou Service Project will move in and the rooftop will house a garden.

The next thing my group did was a recycling poster. Using only the materials provided, the group had to promote the benefits of recycling products.
UHD professors who specialize in the areas discussed were available to answer questions and give lectures on the topics presented. The day was full of valuable information that can be taken into consideration when you think something is not recyclable or won’t end up in Houston’s waterways.

Crusaders clinch top seed

February 24, 2012 was a night many Crusader fans will not forget. Having already clinched the regular season title outright, the Bulldogs were the final victory needed to secure the top seed in the standings. The game would turn out to be nothing short of a thriller as the Crusaders jumped out to an early 10 point lead and never looked back.

Going wire-to-wire, Valpo never let Butler get any closer than six points. This was also helped by a technical foul on the Butler bench and one of their better players fouling out. Two more of their players would also end up with four fouls as well.

After the game, the celebration began with Ryan “Rowdy” Broekhoff accepting the Regular Season Championship Trophy. The celebration continued in the locker room. Sophomore guard Jay Harris said that everyone was jumping around and having a good time.

When asked about what it was like to sweep Butler, senior Nick Shelton said, “Butler’s always the team you want to beat. It was exciting to finally be able to sweep them.”

Jay Harris echoed the same. “Butler’s always good, so it’s a great feeling to beat them.”
This is the first time since joining the Horizon League that the team has won the regular season outright. The Crusaders also have secured a double bye into Saturday’s semi-final against Milwaukee or Butler.

Will the magic of 1998 be repeated or will an NIT berth await them? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure though, and that this team is not who everyone thought they were.

East End Business Traffic Increases

With the completion of the MetroRail Green Line out to Magnolia Park Transit Center, businesses along the newly completed stretch have seen an increase in traffic. While some have suffered, most of the stretch of rail between Altic/Howard Hughes and Magnolia Park Transit Center have seen increased sales.

One pharmacist, who did not wish to be identified, stated that ever since the rail line was completed, business has increased. She also attributed the increase to the Walgreens buyout of TriCare insurance with CVS/Pharmacy.

Other businesses have seen mixed results. Overall, the completion of the rail line has helped the East End. Before the rail line was completed, many businesses were not easily accessible. If people did not have personal transportation, they were just out of luck. Now, many people who live along the rail line can not only get to Downtown, but to Hobby Airport via Magnolia Park Transit Center and the rail.

Whether or not the gamble pays off is yet to be seen. It is still too early to tell how much of an impact the rail extension has made on the area’s economy.

Faces of the Opioid Epidemic

By now, we have all heard on the news about the opioid epidemic and how it’s become a national crisis. What you don’t know is that anyone can become a victim. It’s not just the poor and rural areas of the country. It’s places like New York City, Northern California, and Chicago that are seeing a surge in opioid overdoses.

What usually starts out as a routine visit to the doctor for a sore back or pulled muscle can spiral into an addiction to pain pills and heroin. This is not to say that all doctors are corrupt. There are a lot of good ones out there who want to help the patient get better.

Even pharmaceutical companies are cracking down on the overuse and abuse of prescription pain pills like Oxycodone and OxyContin. One giant just announced they would only dispense 10 days of pain pills at a time in an effort to prevent abuse. Pill mills and corrupt doctors are the ones fueling the epidemic. By overprescribing powerful pain meds, they are only making it harder for people to get help.

According to People Magazine, heroin and other opioids are claiming lives throughout the U.S. at a staggering rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drug overdoses now kill more
Americans than either guns or car accidents: 52,000 in 2015 alone, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

One person dies of an overdose every 10 minutes.

The vast majority of those deaths, approximately 80 percent, have taken place in white communities. Experts suggest this is in part because white Americans generally have better access to health care
and are more likely to be prescribed narcotics, and research shows that four in five heroin users first abused prescription pills.

People become addicted to drugs such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin while being treated for a medical condition and then seek out more pills — or heroin — on the street when their prescription
runs out.

The problem starts in the medicine cabinet. By locking up these powerful drugs and arresting those who intentionally distribute pain pills on the streets, we can take a step in the right direction.

If you or someone you know is having problems with prescription pain medicine, do not hesitate to seek out help. There are several non-profit and government agencies dedicated to helping a person recover and stay clean.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 800-662-4357: An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it offers referrals to treatment programs around the country.

ihateheroin.org: This Iowa-based nonprofit provides info and nationwide support for recovery assistance.

learn2cope.org: A support network for families dealing with addiction.

Fox Lake Cop

It's been all over the news. The Fox Lake, Illinois officer whose death sparked an outpouring of support now is embroiled in a dark web of lies and deceit.

According to a report by Officer Joe Gliniewicz, three suspects were on the loose and the officer had been shot to death.

This spawned a massive manhunt and an outpouring of support by the community. What no one would have thought is that it was all staged.

Now, instead of being hailed a hero, Gliniewicz is being scolded. What you need to understand is that he had experience staging crime scenes. This would come in handy when he staged his death to look like a murder.

The official report by the coroner is that no defense wounds were found, meaning the death was a suicide. It only gets more twisted.

Gliniewicz had been embezzling money from the police explorers program that he founded. The money was spent on personal vacations, adult website memberships, and mortgages.

Now, Gliniewicz's wife and son are also under investigation. The memorial fund set up for the officer has also been frozen.

Apparently Gliniewicz even hired a hit am to take out the village administrator who was uncovering the fraudulent activities. This was all to keep his activities a secret.

In a shocking revelation, Gliniewicz gave teenagers 24 hour access to the police station as well as forging the signature of the police chief in order to get surplus military equipment. Many times while on duty, Gliniewicz would wear camouflage fatigues instead of the police uniform. He also spent a lot of police time running the explorer program.

He was able to get away with a lot of things because the town kept forgiving him and officials exerted almost no control over him.

The town glossed over serious allegations instead of firing Gliniewicz. He was allowed to do what he wanted and get away with it. A Lake County Sherrifg even said Gliniewicz should have been fired a long time ago.

Reconstructing Gliniewicz's career shows a series of problems followed by second and third chances, which eventually became promotions to positions of more authority.

Fox Lake mayor Donny Schmidt even admitted that accountability measures need to be put in place so this never happens again. He also acknowledged that the town is foolish if there is no acknowledgement better things can be done.

Hurricane Harvey shuts down Houston in 2017

For those of us who were around when Hurricane Ike hit in 2008, we knew Houston was going to get hit by either Tropical Storm or Hurricane Harvey. When the storm made landfall, some
parts of Houston were spared, while others got inundated with water. I had the privilege of
clearing two inches of water from my church basement the weekend after Harvey hit and shortly
thereafter, I was in Bellaire helping a family haul debris to the roadside. Just when I thought my
work was over, I was summoned by my parents to go help some friends haul stuff to the road.

What surprised me is just how much water many of the homes in the Fleetwood subdivision were
inundated with. Many of the houses lost the entire first floor because of the reservoirs
overflowing. This was not the only area to get hit with flooding. Most of Houston’s west,
southwest, and northwest sides were also impacted by high water. Parts of West University Place
and Bellaire were also flooded. The family I was helping in Bellaire had only been in their house
about nine months before the flood hit.

Houston remained shut down for days after the storm passed. Metropolitan Transit Authority
suspended service for many days. Even after service was re-instated, some routes were still
inaccessible due to high water. It was only within the past week that full service was restored.
The reason for slowly restoring service was that the flooding inundated many routes and made
them impassable for buses.

A friend who lives near Addicks Park and Ride, told me that her area completely lost
power and that her neighborhood was badly flooded. Luckily, her home was spared from total
loss.

This is the third time in three years that Houston has flooded. The first time was Memorial Day
2015 when more than three weeks of rain inundated the city. The second time was the Tax Day
flooding of 2016. When Harvey hit, many people still had not recovered from the previous two
flooding events and now had to deal with it all over again.

The biggest reason Houston is prone to major flooding is the topography. Sitting roughly 50 feet
above sea level, the land is mostly flat. With urban sprawl taking up valuable land, the water has
no place to go except into neighborhoods. Even the intricate system of bayous, gullies, and rivers
cannot handle massive amounts of rainfall at once. If we are to prevent another major flood, we
need to stop building on what was once marshland.

ICE protests in Bay Area

When current Oakland mayor Libby Schaff told residents of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement roundup, many immigrants went into hiding for fear of deportation. Schaff has been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump and has clashed with his views on many occasions. She has even declared Oakland to be a sanctuary city.

Now, government officials are investigating whether Schaff went too far. Schaff said she was only
doing her job and protecting the citizens of Oakland. The move has not been without controversy
though. Hundreds of Bay Area residents protested outside of the San Francisco ICE office with signs
saying 'Keep Families Together' and 'Stop Racist Deportations.'
With both San Francisco and Oakland being sanctuary cities, Donald Trump has said that he will freeze federal funding until the status is removed.

Donald Trump has made it clear that anyone here illegally will be deported. It does not matter what
kind of background they have. Since taking office, many illegal immigrants have sought refuge in
places of worship since ICE officials tend to stay away from those types of places.
By allowing ICE to deport illegal immigrants with no criminal background, we are showing that racism and bigotry are okay. We cannot allow immigrants who are here illegally and have no criminal past to be deported. Many of them fled their home country to escape violence and hardship. By sending them back, we are essentially telling them they do not belong here.

What becomes of this is yet to be seen. For now, we must raise our voice and denounce the racist
agenda of our current president.

Immigration Reform

By now, we have all become accustomed to Mr. Trump's racist agenda on immigration policy. It's not
the natives who helped to build this country, but rather the millions of immigrants. Catapulting on the
inability to pass an immigration reform bill, many senators used the Olympic games as a reason to
protect those who are already living in fear of deportation.

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois even went so far as putting a poster on the Senate floor
of Korean immigrant Chloe Kim Snow to make a point that all immigrants need to be protected. With
many Republicans not willing to back down without funding for the border wall, a showdown is almost certain. Mr. Trump has even said he will not sign legislation unless his planned wall is included in the funding.

Chloe Kim Snow's parents immigrated to the US in 1982. Chloe recently won the gold medal in
women's snowboard halfpipe. According to NBC, her father, Jong Jin Kim, won American hearts
before the halfpipe finals when NBC cameras showed him hoisting what appeared to be a homemade
sign reading, “Go Chloe!”
With the Republican majority at a razor thin margin, any Democratic senator could stall the passage of the proposed legislation.

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said that Jong Jin Kim chose a life of sacrifice leaving his home country and family with a faith that his children could succeed in the US. Fellow Senator Dianne Feinstein of California said in a tweet “Congratulations to California's own @ChloeKimSnow on winning Olympic gold! The Kim family's story reminds us all that the contribution of immigrant families helps make America great.”

Whether immigration reform is passed remains to be seen. For now, we can only hope the House and
Senate can come together and give millions of immigrants a reason to come out of the shadows

New Changes For Metro

On January 24, 2016, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County rolled out a series of changes and enhancements to their bus network. Changes included adjustment of running times, changing route configurations, and moving stops along routes to alleviate congestion inside some of the transit centers.

One route that saw a significant change was line 82 (Westheimer), which runs from the old Downtown Post Office to West Oaks Mall. At first, the peak frequency during rush hour was eight minutes. This worked for a while until buses started to become overcrowded. Now, instead of running every eight minutes during the morning and afternoon rush, buses now run every six minutes. This has led to a significant decrease in overcrowded buses and the changes have worked so far.

Another route that saw significant changes was line 56 (Airline/Montrose), which runs from the Texas Medical Center Transit Center to Greenspoint Transit Center. The first change was making the September 2015 detour along Fulton-Lyerly-Airline on the northbound trip permanent. The other change was moving the stop at Fulton and Deerfield to Northline Transit Center effective November 30, 2015 in order to create a safer passenger waiting area.
“I actually like the new system, minus the weekend flea market traffic on Airline,” driver Dee stated who drives route 56 on the weekends.

Line 85 (Antoine/Washington), also saw a major change that now allows it to stop across the street from Downtown Transit Center instead of stopping inside the Transit Center. One driver likes the change since it was very congested inside Downtown Transit Center before the changes went into effect. Instead of terminating inside the Downtown Transit Center, the line now stops across the street. One driver, who wished to not be identified, likes the change. “The changes are a lot better since it was really congested inside the Transit Center.” Since some of the buses are accordion-style, regular buses sometimes had trouble pulling out of their loading areas. Accordion style buses are longer than standard buses and bend in the middle. This makes them harder to pull into spaces designed for standard buses. “There were times when two accordion-style buses would pull in. They may not have to leave right away either,” the driver, who did not wish to be identified, stated. This made it necessary to find a different end point for the buses since the Downtown Transit Center was not designed for longer accordion-style buses.

Line 47 (Hillcroft), which runs between Airport Blvd and Northwest Transit Center also saw a schedule change. A 6:40 am northbound trip and a 3:45 pm southbound trip were added to reduce passenger overloads.

One passenger, who has only been riding the bus system for about one month, found it to be an effective mode of transportation. “It’s actually a lot easier to understand the routes now and figure out which bus services connect at major intersections or Transit Centers and Park and Ride lots.”

Line 65 (Bissonnet), which runs along Bissonnet between Wheeler Transit Center and Synott Road, also had a major change. Weekday eastbound peak times between 6:00 am and 7:30 am were 12 minutes. Due to an increase in ridership demand, the time was changed to 10 minutes since the bus connects to the METRORail Wheeler Station platform.

Another passenger said that they liked the addition of line 84 (Buffalo Speedway)to Northwest Transit Center. They also liked that the buses run more frequently. “I love the fact you can now text and get real-time information about buses arriving at every stop. There are also other features that I have not tried yet.” One thing that really impressed them is that the drivers are really good about lost and found. “I also like the motor coach bus service during the week that service the Park and Rides as well as some Transit Centers.”

Not all passengers like the changes, though. One passenger commented that the buses are slower since the changes were implemented. Another passenger did not like the new route changes since they now have to take three different buses to work instead of just one bus. The only thing they like so far is the frequency that the buses run.

University of Houston-Downtown student Sixto Pina stated that he hated the changes at first since the correct bus did not always pull in right away to Denver Harbor Transit Center. One thing he did like though is how often the buses run. He also likes that students ride for half price with a discounted Q-Card or Day Pass purchased at METRO headquarters.

So far, the changes have made a difference. The differences have reduced passenger overloads, made the bus system more predictable and reliable, and added more buses during peak rush hour periods. The real test though will come when Spring Break and Rodeo Houston come in March.

MetroRail Green Line finished

Ever since the line opened, along with the Purple Line in 2016, the temporary terminal station for the Green Line was Altic/Howard Hughes. This was because the Harrisburg overpass was not finished. The issue was soil contamination. Instead of going under the railroad tracks, Metro had to build an overpass.

To celebrate the completion of the overpass, passengers get free rides on the Green Line only until January 22. A community celebration is planned for that day from 2pm until 4pm with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and special remarks to begin at 2:15 pm. The location is at 6200 Harrisburg underneath the Harrisburg overpass bridge.

One bus driver, who wished not to be identified, said that the overpass took longer than expected to complete. With the line terminating at Magnolia Park Transit Center, people living near Hobby Airport and the east suburbs can now easily get to downtown quicker.
“With the completion, the Green Line has seen an increase in ridership. Magnolia Park Transit Center allows passengers to easily transfer from many different bus lines to the train.”

I was also told that Metro is planning on extending the Purple Line to Hobby Airport at some point. This would make it even more convenient for people living on the southeast side to get into downtown.

On January 22, Metro officially opened the East End overpass. The event was marked with a community celebration. I got a chance to speak with some of the community members to get their take on the completion.

Stephanie Darling, who works with the East End Foundation, said that the completion of the Green Line connects neighborhoods that were originally cut off from the light rail line. “There is a lot of public art, including over 38 murals. With the proximity to the Museum District, people on the East End can now enjoy local art without having to go to the art museums.” The goal is to bring people to the East End and allow them to enjoy the area’s history.

Diane Schenke, who also works with the East End Foundation, said that the completion of the overpass was to integrate the area with Downtown Houston. “With the ability to travel from Magnolia Park Transit Center to downtown with fewer stops is a step forward.” Unlike the Burnett Transit Center/Casa De Amigos overpass on the Red Line, the Harrisburg overpass is open underneath. “This allows local artists to come out and showcase their work without the feeling of being boxed in.”

Other prominent members were at the event, including Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, and Councilwoman Carla Cisneros.

Metro chairwoman Carrin Patman said that this overpass was special because it marked a milestone of connecting all of the East End to Downtown. “The connection to Magnolia Park Transit Center now means the East End is officially open for business.”

Mayor Sylvester Turner said that it was an exciting day for the East End. “Houston actually started on the East End way back in 1826, which is something many people don’t know about. With the completion, advances in mass transit to downtown are now available.” He also said that patience was key.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee worked with Congressman Gene Green on getting the Green Line out to Magnolia Park. “Community concerns were a big obstacle, but we were able to assure people that a light rail extension would be beneficial.” She also stressed that public transportation is vital to a city like Houston.

Councilwoman Carla Cisneros, who represents District H, said that she and the councilman from District I worked together to get funding for the completion of the Green Line. “This overpass is still a work in progress, since there is going to be a history timeline on the east end as you head toward Magnolia Park Transit Center.”

Newspapers disappearing from city centers

If you ever venture into Downtown and go by the Theater District, you will not help but notice a vacant building being demolished. That building was the home of the Houston Chronicle. According to websites, the Chronicle’s downtown building had its own three story printing press. Two of the three stories were below ground, while one was above ground.

In July 2014, the newspaper announced that it was relocating all of its downtown employees to the former Houston Post building near IH 610 and US 59. This baffled some people since the former building in downtown had a printing press.

The only reason the newspaper would want to move is because it was now printing at the West Loop building. The cost of sending the paper to print from the downtown location apparently was not feasible.

North Carolina Bathroom Bill gives dire results

Many of us are quite aware of the North Carolina law requiring transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds to their birth gender. The bill, which has drawn national scrutiny, was passed by a Republican controlled legislature and a Republican governor in 2016. What they did not anticipate was a backlash from LGBT activist groups and athletic bodies.

The NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference were the first to react. All sporting championship events were relocated to other venues and the ACC pulled its championships for the current athletic season out of the state and moved them to neighboring South Carolina.

Following in the NCAA’s footsteps, the National Basketball Association also pulled the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte. This was intended to send a dire message to the state legislature that discrimination in any form will not be tolerated.

Things have not been easy for the newly elected Democratic governor either. Just when it seemed that a repeal might be in the works, GOP leaders convened a surprise session that was strictly designed to prevent the repeal of the controversial bill. Democratic governor Roy Cooper, who was elected to the position last November, has tried to get the bill repealed.

Close to $4 million in lost revenue has resulted from the fallout of passing the bill.

Valpo Drops Fourth Straight to Detroit

In what was supposed to be Homer Drew’s 600th career win in 2009, turned out to be just the opposite as the Detroit Titans upset the Crusaders 56-55. This was only the second win in the Horizon League for the Titans. Valparaiso has now dropped four of its last five.

“It is definitely a game we should have won. There are no moral victories from here on out,” Associate Head Coach Bryce Drew said.

After jumping to an early 16-9 lead, Valparaiso gave up a 16-2 at 9:28 in the first half. This would eventually cap a 6:30 minute scoring drive for the Titans. With 2:58 to go, the Crusaders got back on the board. Senior center/forward Urule Igbavboa scored his first two points with 1:47 left before halftime.

With Detroit riding a 29-26 lead going into the second half, it was obvious this game was going to be not only a slugfest, but a thriller as well. For almost the entire twenty minutes, neither team could seem to hold onto the lead as there were six lead changes.
“Erik Buggs did a great job of handling the ball for us as well as making good plays for us. Mike Rogers also got off to a good start,” Bryce Drew said.

What started out as a 32-28 lead for the Titans did not last long as Howard Little’s three- pointer made it a 34-32 Crusader lead. After back to back steals by Little, Jake Diebler tied it up at 34. Shortly after Detroit regained the lead, Cameron Witt’s three-pointer put the Crusaders back on top at 37-36.

With ten minutes to go, the Titans once again regained the lead. With 8:40 to go and trailing 39-37, Urule Igbavboa nailed a three to put Valparaiso up 40-39. Five minutes later, Michael Roger’s three made it 49-47 in favor of the Crusaders. After Detroit once again took a 51-49 lead, Urule Igbavboa nailed a three to tie it at 51 with 3:10 to go.

“With the short season that is left, hopefully we can learn from this. The coaches can only do so much,” Drew said.

Freshman Erik Buggs once again regained the lead for the Crusaders at 55-54 with 35 seconds left. While blocking a shot that could have given Detroit the lead for good, Buggs was called for his fifth foul. Then with 0.9 seconds to go, Igbavboa fouled out. This ultimately translated into a 56-55 loss for the Crusaders.

Poor shooting ended up being the demise of the Crusaders. Making only 20 of 49 or 41% of your field goals and committing seventeen turnovers will not win games. Making only 10 of 22 or 45% of your free throws is inexcusable. Missing nine free throws in the first half helped give the Titans only their second Horizon League win.

Valparaiso played well enough to win. A home game in the first round of the tournament is all but out now as the Crusaders are 6-18, (3-10).

The only highlight was the big stops made in the last 90 seconds including Urule fouling out to prevent a would-be layup. After the Titans went one for two from the line, Valparaiso’s only hope was to grab the rebound and hope for a Hail Mary bucket as time expired.

Next up is the Loyola Chicago Ramblers who come to the ARC on Friday, February 13 for a 7:05 p.m. tip off.

Butler loses four in a row to Valpo in 2012

While it wasn’t a sellout crowd on a Saturday night, the atmosphere inside the ARC sure made it seem that way. A packed student section and a screaming crowd of over 4000 fans made sure the Bulldogs did not have an easy game this time around. Butler has lost its last four meetings with the Crusaders, including a loss at Hinkle earlier this year and three straight at the ARC.

Down by as much as five just over three minutes into the opening half, Valpo would claw back to tie the game at eight before taking the lead for good. The next nine minutes saw a 23-four run by Valpo. The Crusaders lead 25-11 with just under eight minutes to play in the first half. The Bulldogs cut into the deficit heading into the break, however, out-scoring Valpo 13-five over the last portion of the opening stanza to make it a 31-24 Crusader lead at the half.

The bulldogs tried to rally in the second half, but could not get any momentum going. An 18-six run by Valpo for most of the second half saw Butler down 49-30. Unable to get any closer than 15 points, the Crusaders continued to put the lead out of reach. A final 16-12 run prevented any hope of Butler advancing to the championship game.

Valpo will now play Detroit Tuesday night at 8 pm for the right to go to the NCAA tournament. Fans can catch the game on ESPN and ESPN3.com. Let’s show our support as the Crusaders look to go back to the Big Dance for the first time since 2004.

What’s Next for METRO? You Decide

Ever since August 2015, not much has changed for the new bus network. In order to address
community concerns, METRO held a series of listening tours in order to get feedback from the
different areas of Houston.

The big question is what’s next? That’s up to riders and concerned residents. The biggest gain
was improving the broken network and making it a high frequency/high demand system. Another
question is what makes sense from the 2003 voter referendum? What kind of transportation
should be used? That is all up to you the rider.

Two big flaws are mobility and connections. Some bus routes do not serve park and rides or
transit centers along their route. This makes it harder for people to make a connecting bus route
to get to their final destination. The big mobility flaw is more miles of light rail. Right now, there
are only 24 miles of light rail and none of it goes out to the suburbs. The reason for this is
Houston area representatives Ted Poe and John Culberson always disagree on who should pay
for the extensions of rail line. The 2003 referendum passed and included more miles of light rail.
Express service can also be enhanced to accommodate midday commuters wanting to get home.
Right now, most express service only runs weekday mornings and late afternoon/evening. The
exception is the Bush IAH express which operates 7 days a week between downtown and
Terminal C at IAH.

There are also not enough shelters at the bus stops. Out of approximately 9000 stops, roughly
2000 are equipped with a shelter. This is not adequate since most stops are outside and exposed
to the heat, humidity, and rain. Adding a shelter at every other stop or at least at major
intersections would be beneficial.
Since opening, the Purple (southeast) and Green (east) lines have doubled in ridership according
to Chairwoman Carrin Patman. This has eased congestion on the freeways, but still doesn’t
completely solve the transportation problem. At $1.25 for local and light rail, Harris County
METRO is one of the most affordable mass transit providers in the country according to
Chairwoman Carrin Patman.

The biggest problems now are the Northwest corridor and the West Corridor. With more people
moving to the suburbs, these two corridors are either maxed out with freeway expansion or will
be in the near future. The big mistake Houston made was widening the Katy Freeway. In order to
accomplish this, an existing railroad line needed to be taken out. Instead of putting commuter rail
in, construction crews were given the go ahead to take out the rail line. Now, Houston is paying
for the mistake as the Katy Freeway (I-10) is nearing capacity once again and no room for
expansion.

There are currently three ideas in the works for improving mass transit in Houston. First is
commuter bus or bus rapid transit. Under this program, 60 people can be seated with an
additional 30 in standing room only. This would be beneficial for people who want to get to
downtown or another business district quickly. Another idea is expanding the current light rail.
Each car can seat approximately 80 people with room for 90 more in standing room only. The
final option is commuter rail with approximately 190 seats per car. This option would be best for
people needing to get from the suburbs to the business districts or downtown quickly without
frequent stops.

What will be the outcome of these community meetings? It will all depend on what METRO
officials decide after compiling all the comments and complaints from listening tours.

Friday, March 9, 2018

Raiders sweep Crusaders in 2009


After a rain and snow soaked weekend that forced the cancellation of the UIC series, the Valparaiso Crusaders hoped to continue their perfection against the Raiders of Wright State.

The first game of the series gave the fans a run for their money as the teams had to play ten innings aand two hours and forty-three minutes before a winner was declared.

After a stand up RBI double by Jamie Perkins in the 1st inning with two outs to put the Raiders up 1-0, Joylyn Ichiana made it to first. Kelsey Phalen then hit a blooper after the twelfth pitch to advance Ichiana to second.

After back to back errors allowed the Raiders to take a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the third inning, Karen Korb took the walk. Sara Strickland then hit an RBI double to cut the lead in half. Jordan Rutkowski followed up with an RBI single of her own to the score at two with two outs. Rutkowski then got second on a wild pitch.

In the 4th inning, Wright State’s Burrow RBI regained the lead. Then with two outs, Louie Haney got an RBI triple to put the Raiders up 4-2. After Ichiana walked on four straight pitches, Sadie Connor got a base hit to advance Ichiana to second. An error by the second baseman allowed both to advance, but neither made it home.

In the fifth inning, an RBI single put the Raiders up 5-2. Just when the fans thought that all hope was lost, Jordan Rutkowski had a base hit and proceeded to steal second without a throw by the pitcher. Jill Jacobson’s sacrifice hit put runners on second and third after Wright State pitcher Palmer walked Karen Korb with one out. Sara Strickland’s three run home run once again tied the game at five and sent it to extra innings.

When asked what it felt like to tie the game, “It felt really good since it got the team fired up,” she said. “I went to the plate thinking ‘A base hit is all that I need since Korb is a really fast runner’.” “I was really excited,” she exclaimed. “Everyone was building off of each other’s momentum.”

Three innings later in the eighth, Wolter drew a leadoff single. Another single by Lisa DeBruzzi put Wolter on second. A third consecutive single by Kelsey Phalen loaded the bases. Three quick outs however, ended the threat.

After Wright State took an 8-5 lead in the 10th inning, Kelsey Phalen reached base on a Fielder’s Choice play. She then scored to make it a 9-6 lead for Wright State. A run by Jill Jacobson to make it a 9-7 lead for Wright State was as close as Valparaiso got. 

DACA program to go back to appeals court

When Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was unofficially terminated last September, Trump gave Congress six months to work out a deal to give recipients a path to citizenship. With the March deadline fast approaching, there is still no path to citizenship for the DACA recipients.

In the latest road block, the Supreme Court sent the Trump administration's appeal back to the appellate court. Now, it's up to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to determine DACA's fate. With so much hanging in the balance, many young and undocumented immigrants are worried about deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are deporting illegal immigrants in mass numbers. The sad thing is that most of these immigrants have no criminal record. Trump does not seem to care. If you are here illegally, you run a high risk of deportation.

With the administration currently focused on the Russian probe, it seems that nothing will be done. The main snarl is that Republicans want funding for a border wall to go with the DACA renewal. Democrats, on the other hand, want an opportunity for the recipients to become citizens. As long as the GOP controls the House and Senate, the DACA recipients will have to wait.

Under the current program, that former President Obama created by executive order, children who were brought here illegally by their parents can apply for work permits as long as they maintain good standing with the federal government. Currently, most of the recipients are in school pursuing an education that will lead to a job. Denying these people a path to citizenship will only hurt the economy.

According to SFGate.com, the Supreme Court won’t render a decision until June of 2019, which means another year and a half of uncertainty for DACA recipients

In the meantime, the court action “provides us protection from Trump’s deportation force,” Eliana Fernandez, a DACA recipient and a plaintiff in the New York lawsuit, said in a conference call by supporters of the program. Fernandez, who entered the United States at age 14 and now is a homeowner, legal services worker and a mother of two U.S. citizen children, called the president’s order “an attack on me, my family and my community.”
Established by former President Barack Obama’s executive order in 2012, DACA allows two-year reprieves from deportation and work permits to immigrants who entered the U.S. without authorization before age 16, have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, attended school or served in the military, and have no serious criminal records.
In September, Mr. Trump rescinded the program, calling it illegal. The current court ruling allows the program to continue for now. Legislation to prolong the program has stalled in Congress over the proposed border wall funding, which Trump is using as a means to get his way. Earlier this year, the Senate failed to pass five different bills relating to immigration reform.

Trump wants to build the border wall, eliminate chain migration, and make the country great again. What he is actually doing is bringing back the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s. His racist agenda is specifically targeted toward minorities. By supposedly getting rid of these people, the white race will reign supreme.

Until a long-term proposal is worked out, DACA will remain tied up in the legal system, putting hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants at risk of deportation. 

Monday, January 22, 2018

Victims of disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor speak out

#MeToo and #TimesUp have spread like wildfire on social media lately. Now, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University are dealing with the fallout. Disgraced doctor Larry Nassar, who has already pleaded guilty to child pornography charges, is now accused by over 100 victims of sexual misconduct and assault. Under the disguise of medical treatment, Nassar would do things to his victims that are beyond horrific.

USA gymnasts Aly Raisman, Mikayla Maroney, and Simone Biles have all come forward with stories of what Nassar did to them. As the chief doctor for USA Gymnastics, Nassar would supposedly treat the athletes with medical care. This is where things get horrific. Nassar would use a technique called grooming to slowly gain the trust of the female athletes before assaulting them. All three are slated to make victim impact statements during the sentencing phase of the trial, which is expected to wrap up later this week.

It does not stop with USA Gymnastics. Several Michigan State female athletes have also accused Nassar of sexual assault. One victim told Nassar that “Little girls do not stay little forever. They eventually grow into strong women who will come back to haunt you.”

Female athletes as young as six years old became victims. Nassar has shown little to no remorse during his sentencing. He is often seen covering his face with his hands as victim after victim speaks out about what they endured. Tragically, not all victims are alive today. One of the victims committed suicide at the age of 23 after being abused by Nassar at the age of 12. The mother read a statement detailing the horrors her daughter endured during treatment.

Both Michigan State and USA Gymnastics continue to deny any wrongdoing by Nassar. In the wake of the scandal, many board members of USA Gymnastics have resigned or have been terminated. In a statement, USA Gymnastics says that it is committed to athlete safety and security.

Today, many of Nassar’s victims are battling a range of mental illnesses. These range from crippling anxiety to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to loss of trust with medical professionals. What those victims went through should not have happened in the first place. Even after telling their parents about the abuse, many were blamed for not doing much about it.

Hopefully, Nassar will be sent away for the rest of his life and never be allowed to walk free again. Justice will never fully come to these victims. They are forever changed and scarred by what Nassar did.

Friday, January 19, 2018

Houston protests GOP debate at UH

On Feb. 26, the University of Houston held a Republican Party presidential debate at the Moores  Opera House. Beginning at 7:30pm, insults and accusations ran rampant. Senators Marco Rubio  and Ted Cruz double-teamed front-runner Donald Trump, criticizing his bankrupt businesses and  illegal hiring practices. Trump responded by ragging on Rubio’s unpopularity among his fellow  GOP senators and accusing Cruz of borrowing money from Goldman Sachs. Gov. John Kasich  urged America’s kids to “shoot for the stars,” and Dr. Ben Carson fielded the question of  appointing Supreme Court justices by saying that he would look “at the fruit salad of their life.” 

Inside was a political free-for-all. 

Outside were nearly all of UH’s students – and all of Houston’s media. That includes  Dateline Downtown. When two Dateline reporters arrived at the locale to cover the event,  they were told by security that they needed tickets to enter. Strange. The UH.edu website  said, “The University of Houston does not have debate tickets available. All tickets are  managed by the Republican National Committee.” 

We were sent to the nearby tents, where we were told we could be granted media credentials.  When we reached them at around 7:05pm (after being stopped by police), We were told that the  only media outlets allowed in the Moores theater were CNN and Telemundo. This was  confirmed by KTRK anchor Ilona Carson, who wrote on Twitter, “None of us got to go inside  Moores for the debate itself.” Regarding the presence of media, she revealed that “everyone  besides CNN and Telemundo were in the spin room in [the] Athletic Facility.” That would be the  UH Athletics-Alumni Center, 0.2 miles from the debate site itself. Also, “you had to get  credentials weeks early. We couldn’t get our whole team credentialed – they were limited.” 

Seats for students seeking to watch the debate were also limited. According to the Houston  Chronicle, UH received tickets for just 25 of the 800 seats in the theater, per their agreement  with CNN. Of those, 14 went to the UH regents, President Renu Khator and “special guests,” a  UH spokeswoman said. The remaining 11 went to the students, faculty and staff via a lottery.  The result, according to the Chronicle, ff was that six students were seated for the debate. UH  student Connor Hendricks said that attempting to 

locate tickets was “incredibly difficult,” but added that he felt honored to have UH be the host  for the event. 

Below are quotes that Dateline reporters got at UH the night of the GOP debate, from people  gathered outside. 

Liam Wright (Students for a Democratic Society) -“We want to invite everyone to a post debate  forum where we can debate on current issues. It will be on March 8 at 5pm in the class Social  Work 101.

Liam Wright- “Students here did not like that they were not allowed to attend the  debate.” 

Liam Wright-“We feel it is not a representation of democracy.”


Alex (UH Student) -Trump is a monster -It’s amusing that a reality star is running for president 


Sydney (UH Student) -“As the manager of the campus opera house, the closure of campus has left  me unable to work the last three days.” 


Shauna (Protestor) -“I am a Muskoke Creek Native American. Donald Trump, who is an  immigrant himself, wants to deport those same people.” 


Alissa Carrie (UH Student) -“Having the debate on campus is a good thing. It brings our  university to the national spotlight.” 


Ivonne Ruiz (UH Student) -“Closure of campus has made the last few days very unproductive as  it has interrupted campus life.” 


Amy Schully (Fight for 15 Black Lives Matter Movement) -“We want to raise minimum  wage to $15/hr. We want to be able to form unions, $7.25 is not doable as a minimum  wage today.”



Snow and Ice shut down Houston

Old Man Winter paid the South a surprise visit during the days following MLK Day. In a region not used to winter weather, the snow and ice caught many people off guard. Texas Department of Transportation crews worked feverishly to fill trucks with sand and salt ahead of the winter storm.

Bridges and overpasses were treated with de-icing and anti-icing solution. Both Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport prepared their de-icing trucks. While some people did choose to venture out, most of Houston remained shut down.

This is not the first-time winter weather has hit the region. In March 2014, a winter storm also threatened the city. Luckily, only the northern outskirts bore the brunt of that storm. It seems that Houston does not take winter storm warnings lightly. City officials constantly monitor weather patterns and send out alerts if conditions are expected to deteriorate.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of Harris County, or METRO suspended service starting on January 16. By the next day, only METRORail was in service and bus routes remained suspended until 2 pm. This was done out of caution since some bus routes were still not clear of ice on the roads.

The weather was not the only thing people dealt with. Much of the city got a tenth of an inch of ice and even saw snow. While this may not seem like a big deal, ice on the roads poses many problems. The most dangerous is black ice, which is almost impossible to see. Temperatures also plunged into the teens and twenties in many parts of the city. This type of hard freeze is enough to burst water pipes and kill sensitive plants.

With winter still in full swing, many people in Houston are hoping this will be the last winter storm for a while. Despite the cold and snow, people seemed to enjoy the taste of winter while it lasted.

While conditions have improved, there are still spots that have ice on the roads. This will mostly be limited to very high overpasses and freeway connector ramps. If you see ice and snow, take it slow. It’s not worth risking your life.