Houston - Houston Stringer

Dr. Matthews warns slumlords to “get your pocketbook ready” after Vance Plaza walkthrough

11May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston, Public Interest

Dr. Matthews warns slumlords to “get your pocketbook ready” after Vance Plaza walkthrough

HOUSTON, TX – Dr. Matthews toured Vance Plaza Apartments, also known as Vance Gardens, located at 7301 Jensen Drive, alongside residents who alleged unsafe and unsanitary living conditions at the property during what she described as the first apartment visit under Houston’s newly passed slumlord ordinance. https://youtu.be/ApShLNzmv1Q?si=Cimf3Pz6MmbxfMWu During the walkthrough, residents pointed to alleged structural damage, mold, plumbing issues, sewage concerns, pest infestations, damaged stairways, exposed areas around units, and water intrusion inside apartments. One resident alleged management attempted to evict her after a dispute involving rent payments and stated a judge later dismissed the case. Another resident alleged tenants were unable to access their mail after ma...

Driver killed after Tesla crashes into ditch, rolls over and strikes tree

10May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Driver killed after Tesla crashes into ditch, rolls over and strikes tree

SPRING, TX – A driver was killed after a Tesla crashed into a ditch, rolled over multiple times, and struck a tree in Spring earlier today. The crash occurred around 3:40 a.m. in the 26000 block of Lexington Road. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and EMS responded after receiving an alert regarding the crash and arrived to find a red Tesla in a ditch on the southbound side of the roadway. https://youtube.com/shorts/uAqDFniBgbE?feature=share Investigators said the driver, described as an African-American male who appeared to be in his 20s, was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a curve. The Tesla left the roadway, rolled over approximately three times through a ditch, and struck a tree. The impact caused the...

Man shot in leg after confronting driver of loud vehicle at northwest Houston apartment complex

10May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Man shot in leg after confronting driver of loud vehicle at northwest Houston apartment complex

HOUSTON, TX – A man was shot in the leg after confronting the driver of a loud vehicle at an apartment complex in northwest Houston late Saturday night. The shooting was reported around 11:55 p.m. at the Diamond Ridge Apartment Homes located at 6407 Antoine Drive. https://youtube.com/shorts/GSVg7kLhdc4 According to the Houston Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call and found one adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg area. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening and non-critical injuries. Police said the victim was able to provide officers with a description of the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle. While officers were gathering information, the vehicle matching that description reportedly returned to the s...

Motorcycle rider flees during attempted traffic stop by Bellaire police on West Loop

10May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Motorcycle rider flees during attempted traffic stop by Bellaire police on West Loop

HOUSTON, TX – A motorcycle rider fled from Bellaire police after an attempted traffic stop on the West Loop just before 1 a.m. The rider was seen traveling southbound on the West Loop without headlights on when Bellaire police attempted to pull them over. The rider did not stop and continued driving. https://youtube.com/shorts/VT2V6XbqDQA?feature=share A couple of minutes later, the rider took the Fournace Place/Bissonnet Street exit at the last second before speeding away. The rider then ran a red light, got back onto the West Loop, and continued to flee from Bellaire police. It is unknown what happened after that.

Father critically injured after shooting at Pemex gas station, son in custody

9May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Father critically injured after shooting at Pemex gas station, son in custody

HOUSTON, TX – A father was critically injured following a shooting at a gas station in northeast Houston late last night. The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. at the Pemex Gas Station located in the 700 block of Kress. According to the Houston Police Department, northeast officers responded to a shooting call and learned during a preliminary investigation that two family members, a father and son, became involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical. Police said the son pulled out a firearm and discharged it, striking the father. It is unknown how many times the father was struck, but he was transported to a hospital in critical condition. The son, described as being in his late teens or early 20s, is in custody. Charges are pending further investigation and will...

Tensions rise as Dr. Matthews visits Sterling Point after an ordinance targeting slumlords passes

8May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston, Public Interest

Tensions rise as Dr. Matthews visits Sterling Point after an ordinance targeting slumlords passes

HOUSTON, TX – Activist Dr. Matthews and Houston City Council At-Large Councilmember Willie Davis toured the Sterling Point Apartments following the recent passage of a City of Houston ordinance aimed at targeting apartment complexes with repeated code and safety violations. https://youtu.be/CAs1Y1Sy4jE During the walkthrough, Dr. Matthews and residents raised concerns about broken gates, possible fire hazards, pest infestations, mold, damaged structures, and other maintenance issues at the property. Dr. Matthews stated the ordinance now carries penalties ranging from $250 to $2,000 per day per citation for apartment owners found in violation. Councilmember Davis said the ordinance was refined to avoid penalizing compliant apartment owners while targeting what he described as “ba...

Driver arrested after pursuit ends when vehicle runs out of gas at Popeyes

8May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Harris County, Houston

Driver arrested after pursuit ends when vehicle runs out of gas at Popeyes

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – A driver was arrested after a pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle reportedly ran out of gas at a Popeyes in north Harris County. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office Traffic Crimes Unit, deputies were investigating a parking lot takeover near Greens Road and Interstate 45 North when they observed a vehicle doing donuts in the parking lot. Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but investigators said the driver fled, leading deputies on a several-mile pursuit at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Investigators said the pursuit came to an end after the vehicle apparently ran out of gas at a Popeyes. The driver then fled on foot before deputies captured him a short time later. No injuries or damaged citizen vehicles were reported. Authorities said the ve...

Teen killed, another wounded in possible drive-by shooting in southeast Houston

8May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Teen killed, another wounded in possible drive-by shooting in southeast Houston

HOUSTON, TX – A teen was killed and another was hospitalized following a possible drive-by shooting in southeast Houston. The shooting occurred around 3:56 p.m. in the 8700 block of Black Hawk Ridge near Great Hawk. According to the Houston Police Department, officers responded to reports of a drive-by shooting and found two male victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the second victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Investigators said the victims appeared to be in their early or late teens. Investigators also said there was some type of verbal altercation that escalated into gunfire. Investigators believe a vehicle may have been involved in the shooting, but police did not release a description...

Montgomery County constable deputies pursue motorcycle rider into Houston

6May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston, Montgomery County

Montgomery County constable deputies pursue motorcycle rider into Houston

HOUSTON, TX – A motorcycle pursuit that started in Montgomery County Precinct 4 ended overnight in Houston after the rider was believed to have entered a parking garage in the Sawyer Yards area. https://youtu.be/52cw9mHFIe0 Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Houston Police Department assisted during the pursuit. The motorcycle was believed to have entered the parking garage of Art House on Edwards Street. No additional information has been released at this time.

Firefighter escapes injury after falling through roof during house fire

5May

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Firefighter escapes injury after falling through roof during house fire

HOUSTON, TX – A firefighter was uninjured after falling through a roof while battling a house fire at a single-story home with heavy smoke and fire conditions. https://youtu.be/wmm4bgrdqRA irefighters arrived at the home on Glenhurst in Southeast Houston to find a large amount of pressurized smoke and began ventilating the structure by cutting into the roof. During those operations, a portion of the roof gave way, causing one firefighter to fall into the structure. The firefighter landed on his feet and started to find his way out. Immediate rescue teams that were in place and other crews were able to locate him, apply water to control the fire, and remove him from the home. He was evaluated by EMS and determined to be uninjured. According to officials, the fire was relati...