Bay Area Edition | April 2024

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Bay Area Edition VOLUME 6, ISSUE 9 APRIL 26MAY 28, 2024

Ethan Green (center), a 21-year-old League City volunteer reghter, puts out a car re with other reghters April 2.

RACHEL LELANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

League City all-volunteer re department adapts to growing community

recruitment numbers and looking to possibly add new re stations. In the meantime, League City is taking steps to fully utilize its current reghters, including sign- ing a contract with volunteers in December 2023.

him to pursue reghting. “I think after the rst structure I [put out], it pretty much locked it in that I wanted to be a career reghter,” Green said. As city estimates show the population surpass- ing 120,000, League City is closely monitoring

BY RACHEL LELAND

On April 2, Ethan Green, a 21-year-old volunteer reghter, responded with his team to a car re o League City Parkway Green, one of League City’s 140 volunteers, said his uncle, a former League City reghter, inspired

CONTINUED ON 16

Also in this issue

Impacts: James Avery Artisan Jewelry opens (Page 6)

Education: Clear Creek ISD trying to increase enrollment (Page 9)

State: Texas Space Commission announced in Houston (Page 19)

Community: Check out pre-K programs in the Bay Area (Page 20)

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Angela Bonilla Melissa Enaje Wesley Gardner Cassandra Jenkins Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Dave Manning Jessica Shorten Haley Velasco Aubrey Vogel Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Jatziri Garcia Ellen Jackson Matt Mills Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White

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Impacts

• 19028 Gulf Freeway, Friendswood • Instagram: Mille Cafe

4 Sunshine Kitchen Established in 2021, the bakery sells baked goods like croissants, lemon bars, cheesecakes and pies, as well as custom cakes. • Opened March 19 • 2800 Marina Bay Drive, Ste. J, League City • www.sunshinekitchentx.com 5 Cold Stone Creamery The ice cream chain offers a variety of ice cream and related treats, such as cakes, pies, cookie sandwiches, smoothies, shakes and coffee drinks. • Opened in December 6 KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot The restaurant is a “hands-on, all-you-can-eat experience” with an assortment of traditional Asian hot pot options with Korean barbecue flavors. • Opened Feb. 19 • 20794 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.thekpot.com 7 La Mer Cafe The business sells an assortment of pastries, clean coffee and Blue Dragon gym snacks. • Opened March 20 • 228 Marina Bay Drive, Ste. D, Kemah • 281-549-4433 • 300 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster • www.coldstonecreamery.com 8 Texas Flex Fitness The 20,000-square-foot gym holds over 200 pieces of strength and cardio equipment. The brand’s original location is in Seabrook. • Opened March 2 • 2409 Bay Area Blvd., Houston • www.texasflexfitness.com 9 CANA Tea & Coffee The shop serves fruit teas, an assortment of boba teas, green teas, smoothies and Vietnamese coffee, and

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER

Seabrook

146

Nassau Bay

2351

CLEAR LAKE

GALVESTON BAY

DAVIS RD.

518

GRAND OAK BLVD.

11 12

528

SOUTH SHORE BLVD.

WEBSTER ST.

League City

LINKRD.

Webster

646

W. LEAGUE CITY PKWY.

2004

including avocado toast, acai bowls and fruity pebbles pancakes, along with dinner items, such as birria tacos, Mexican burgers and more. • Opened in February • 2920 W. Bay Area Blvd., Ste. D, Webster • Instagram: Salseria 3 Mille Cafe The café offers an assortment of drinks, including traditional Vietnamese egg coffee, different variations of black teas, passion fruit tea and strawberry matcha

Now open

1 MercyGate Church The church opened a new congregation in League City, and will meet at League City Intermediate School. It is also building a new location in the city as well. • Opened Feb. 18

• 2588 Webster St., League City • www.mercygatechurch.com

lattes, among other items. • Grand opening held Feb. 18

2 Salseria The restaurant offers breakfast and brunch items,

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

serves banh mi and popcorn chicken. • Soft opened Jan. 24 • 16801 El Camino Real, Houston • 832-224-9823

Now open

Coming soon

10 Via 313 Pizzeria The pizzeria offers pizzas with an assortment of toppings, including smoked pepperoni, mushrooms, calabrese, prosciutto and more. • Opening late August • 1065 W. Bay Area Blvd., Friendswood • www.via313.com 11 Forum Beauty & Wellness Studios The facility allows beauty and wellness professionals to use and do business out of. It has 32 fully furnished salon suites and will offer professional amenities, such as shampoo bowls, styling chairs and onsite laundry. • Opening May 1 • 1130 Grand Oak Blvd., Ste. 100, League City • www.forumbeautywellnessstudios.com 12 Slate Table + Bar The restaurant is marketed as a fusion eatery, combining classic Italian dishes with international flavors, owner Robert Slater said. • Opening in May • 1120 Grand Oak Blvd., Ste. 200, League City • https://slatetableandbar.com 13 Skechers The store offers a variety of shoes, sandals, boots and accessories. • Opening June 25 • 19433 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.skechers.com

audio and video equipment, and comfortable seating. • 8902 Seawall Blvd., Galveston • www.galvestonprimetime.com 16 Tex Fun and Social The amusement center features a trampoline park, arcade games, pickleball, go-karts, laser tag, bowling and a restaurant, among other things. • 10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Texas City • www.texfunandsocial.com 15 James Avery Artisan Jewelry The jewelry store offers crafted jewelry pieces for men and women in sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold, bronze, and gemstones. The business also sells charms, pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. • Opened April 6 • 3010 Gulf Freeway S., Ste. 1, League City • www.jamesavery.com

18 Swig The drive-thru soda shop offers customizable carbonated drinks with a “dirty twist,” including flavor mix-ins, creams, purees and fresh fruits. Swig also serves boba teas, sweet teas, energy drinks, refreshers, hot chocolate and snacks. • Opened April 25 • 2413 Bay Area Blvd., Houston • www.swigdrinks.com

other products. • 103 Davis Road, Ste. E, League City • www.theboxbak.com

19 MaidPro League City The business celebrated its 10-year anniversary in March. It specializes in cleaning homes, apartments and commercial spaces. • 3366 E. FM 528, Ste. S, Friendswood • www.maidpro.com/league-city 20 WhiteWater Express Car Wash Formally known as Spout Car Wash, the business came under new ownership in April. • 1508 W. League City Parkway, League City • www.whitewatercw.com

In the news

Expansions

17 The Box Bakery & Kitchen Previously Fiona Bakery, the business has come under new ownership. It will provide custom cake orders and

14 Galveston Primetime The new entertainment option at the theater features 14 bowling lanes with Brunswick bowling equipment,

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY HALEY VELASCO

Clear Creek ISD looks to new programs to curb trend of declining enrollment

Diving in deeper

Polsen said there are a number of solutions being implemented to resolve the district’s enrollment challenges. For example, the district has expanded its full-day tuition-based prekinder- garten program, which will bring in about 400 new students for the upcoming school year. The district has also launched a limited open enrollment program for students of federal employ- ees and peace officers who live within 10 miles of the district, Polsen said. While Polsen and officials remain optimistic about turning the tide on enrollment issues, chal- lenges resulting from those losses are expected financially in both FY 2024-25 and future years. Along with declining enrollment, the state’s student allotment is at $6,160—a rate that has remained in place since 2019—which officials say is making it harder to keep up with costs. Special education programs also cost more to run, and as a result are also straining the budget, officials said. While CCISD’s enrollment has declined overall, programs such as the bilingual and special needs programs are adding more students to their respective rosters.

Chief Communications Officer Elaina Polsen said in an April 8 email the reason for the decline is due to the district’s school boundaries being built out. Polsen also said the district is “graduating more seniors than [the district has] kindergarteners.” As a result, officials said they are looking to areas like the district’s expanded pre-K program and its open enrollment for certain families, which could add hundreds of students over the next several years and help alleviate some of the losses.

With discussions surrounding fiscal year 2024-25’s budget starting at Clear Creek ISD, officials are looking at both current and future budgetary constraints—and how declining enrollment is exacerbating those challenges. However, while CCISD officials expect to lose nearly 4,000 students between 2020-2028, officials remain optimistic about the district’s future due in part to various programs and incoming housing projects that could help bolster district enrollment—and in part its budget—in the years to come.

Clear Creek ISD's enrollment forecast

50K

42,379

38,460

40K

36,939

30K

-12.84%

Impacting CCISD’s budget

20K

CCISD is expecting to lose nearly 4,000 students in this time period.

$8.3M 1,000+ $13.1M $14.5M

saved by reducing 131 staff members in past two years students added to special programs since 2019-20 projected budget shortfall in FY 2024-25 projected budget shortfall in FY 2025-26

10K

*PROJECTED TOTAL SOURCE: ZONDA EDUCATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NOTE: PROJECTED SHORTFALLS DON'T INCLUDE POSSIBLE CONTINGENCY FUNDS SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Annual starts New home build starts and sales within Clear Creek ISD Annual sales

Looking ahead

Polsen said despite the lack of large enrollment growth, she still sees the district as a desirable place for students to attend based on demographics. “While Clear Creek ISD is not growing at rapid pace like it once did, ... 90% of school- aged children who live within the district attend their neighborhood public schools,” Polsen said in an email.

Between 300-500 new homes are expected to be added annually over the next two to three years, according to a fall 2023 report from demographics firm Zonda Education, which does an annual report for CCISD. But that is contrasted by an overall slowing real estate market in the area, as both new housing builds and sales are slowing down, according to Zonda.

2017 2018 2019

2021 2020 2022 2023

SOURCE: ZONDA EDUCATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

BAY AREA EDITION

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Education

BY HALEY VELASCO

Applications open for language program Clear Creek ISD has opened applications for the dual language two-way program, which will be available to select schools across the district. What you need to know The program is for incoming kindergarten students for the 2024-25 school year, and will be oered at ve elementary schools and three intermediate schools, according to the district’s website. It oers students the opportunity to learn Spanish or English, depending on the student’s home language. Parents must attend a parent meeting prior to submitting the application, which is due by 3:45 p.m. on May 3, according to the district’s website. The application for the program can be found on CCISD’s website.

Clear Creek ISD’s board extends superintendent Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved an extension to Superintendent Karen Engle’s contract from three years to ve years at its March 26 meeting. The gist In February, the board conducted Engle’s rst-year superintendent performance evaluation and awarded her an overall outstanding rating, according to agenda documents. After receiving this rating, the board further requested to extend Engle’s contract from three to ve years, board trustee Arturo Sanchez said at the meeting. Sanchez said that a raise would typically be rewarded to the superintendent from a positive performance rating, but Engle declined a raise “due to the nancial constraints facing the district,” Sanchez said.

"From the board and from our district, I can’t say thank you enough to Dr. Engle for everything that she’s done from her service and dedication to our students. Every decision she makes I feel like truly is for the students."

JESSICA CEJKA, BOARD TRUSTEE

Engle was originally named CCISD’s superin- tendent at the board’s meeting in December 2022, according to district documents. Before that, Engle was named the interim superintendent, following the former Superintendent Eric Williams’ leave of absence and announcement of voluntary retire- ment in July 2022. While Engle’s contract was set to end in 2025, this extension will allow Engle to remain superin- tendent through December 2027, Sanchez said at the meeting.

Clear Creek ISD approves additional pre-K stang

500

+855%

400

applied for the 2024-25 school year, according to district documents. The program provides “foundational learning” in several areas, including language, math, science and social studies, documents show. This expansion will cost a little more than $1.6 million and will be funded using the $6,000 tuition rate charged to families who attend, documents show.

To help keep up with the growth of its tui- tion-based pre-K program, Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees on March 26 approved additional stang of 16 teachers and 16 paraprofessionals. The overview After CCISD ocials opted to expand the district’s tuition-based pre-K program last year to all the district’s campuses, more than 400 students

300

200

100

2018 -19

2019 -20

2020 -21

2021 -22

2022 -23

2023 -24

2024 -25

SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

BAY AREA EDITION

Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

Potential battery storage facility causes concern A solar energy company is facing opposition from League City residents for attempting to build a battery storage facility in the community. The gist At a March 4 League City Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, close to a dozen residents took issue with the facility being near their homes. League City City Council was expected to vote April 9 on whether Cypress Creek Renewables could build a battery electric storage system, or BESS, near Washington Street and Hwy. 3, but that date has been postponed to May 14 following residents’ comments. The site would balance the load of the electric grid for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, said Parker Sloan, director of com- munity and economic development at Cypress Creek Renewables.

City Council looks at future water needs As League City’s population continues to grow, officials are re-evaluating the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure. What you need to know On March 26, League City City Council voted for new water and wastewater master plans to meet the growing city’s water needs. League City, which is 40% undeveloped, has access to 28 million gallons of water per day but will need to secure access to an additional 20 million gallons of water per day to meet demand when the city is fully built out, according to agenda documents. Officials are also working to expand the Southwest Water Reclamation Facility to potentially triple the water produced per day by 2033, Executive Director of Development Services Christopher Sims said.

Proposed location of facility

2 Parr Elementary School

1 Battery facility

OAKS OF CLEAR CREEK HOMES

WASHINGTON ST.

LEAGUE CITY PKWY.

battery storage facility 100-megawatt

potentially rezoned 4.34 acres

SOURCES: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY, CYPRESS CREEK RENEWABLES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Those opposed Residents’ concerns included the facility’s loca- tion and safety issues. Resident Dave Kauffman said he hoped the city would assess the facility’s risks. “I’m not against the concept, ... but I am against the location,” Kauffman said.

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Harris County jails remain understaffed Harris County officials described in late March how the county is struggling to manage its over- crowded jails. Factors discussed at a March 25 media meet- ing and March 26 meeting of the Harris County Commissioners Court include inadequate staffing, specialty inmate populations which require a higher level of supervision than the general popula- tion and the challenges faced with staffing a facility that operates 24/7. Digging deeper Tonya Mills with the county administration department said 73% of people in custody are in a preadjudication status, or pretrial status, which she said was an exceptionally high number. Mills said those waiting longer for trial or to be seen by a judge have a negative impact on the overall jail population.

Child care centers eligible for tax aid

2023 Harris County jails detention officer staffing rates

Filled positions

Vacant positions

JAN. FEB. MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

155 165 153 165 202 210 209 209 241 240 241 168

1,588 1,578 1,586 1,574 1,537 1,529 1,530 1,530 1,588 1,498 1,499 1,514

An estimated 327 Harris County child care providers now qualify for 100% property tax exemption after Harris County commission- ers authorized the exemptions at a March 26

court meeting. The framework

JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.

Just six days prior to the county approval, members of the Houston City Council also passed a similar tax exemption, paving the way for child care facilities in both the city of Houston and Harris County to apply immediately for the exemption. For the exemptions to apply to the 2024 tax year, eligible child care facilities should submit their applications by April 30 to the Harris Central Appraisal District.

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Mills also said the average days to transfer inmates is increasing. While transferring inmates to out-of-state facilities may provide temporary relief, and court cases are beginning to process faster, she said it doesn’t address the underlying problem.

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BAY AREA EDITION

Transportation

Events

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

BY ASIA ARMOUR

Residents traveling through the Hwy. 3 and FM 518 intersection could see disruptions as League City is planning work on the area potentially later this year. Officials are looking to both add and modify several lanes at the intersection to improve traffic in the area, according to League City’s website. Lane work will include extending and creating several left- and right-turn lanes. The latest estimate for the project shows it’s expected to come in at $1.9 million, which will come out of city’s general fund, project manager Scott Tuma said in an email. Hwy. 3, FM 518 intersection to see construction

live zydeco music, carnival rides for kids and local merchandise vendors. It’s hosted by a Texas nonprofit that works with local charities that benefit veterans, children and the disabled. • May 18, 1-6 p.m. • $35 (all you can eat), kids free • 10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Texas City • https://bigasscrawfishbash.com GameShowdown Hosted by a League City Teen Advisory Board member, this event will offer children ages 12-18 the opportunity to participate in a variety of classic game shows at the Library Theater, located in Helen Hall Library. The event will host attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. • May 21, 5-6:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 100 W. Walker St., League City • www.leaguecitytx.gov Family Overnight at Space Center Houston Space Center Houston is hosting a family overnight event that allows families to camp out under a Falcon 9 rocket, or in Independence Plaza under a Boeing 747. • May 25-26, 5 p.m.-10 a.m. • $79.95 (per person) • 1601 E. NASA Parkway, Houston • www.spacecenter.org

A closer look

The impact

May

Motown Tribute Houston-area musicians Blaque Vinyls will perform throughout the day at Kemah Boardwalk to celebrate the iconic Motown sound out of Detroit, which elevated generational artists, such as Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Marvin Gaye.

Hwy. 3 and FM 518 lane work Various lanes at the Hwy. 3 and FM 518 intersection will either be extended, or created.

Work is expected to begin by the end of the year or in early 2025, depending on the timeline of both the bids and League City City Council’s approval of said bids, Tuma said in an email. It’s expected the work will take about a year, but that will also depend on what the final bids come back with, he said. When work does start, motorists can expect lane closures, mainly when workers are constructing the new right-turn lanes, Tuma said in an email. Streets affected will include the FM 518 and Hwy. 3 intersection, Dallas Street, Magnolia Street, League Street, Houston Avenue, East and West Galveston Street, and the 2nd Street and Hwy. 3 intersection. “The city and our consultant will work with the contractor to minimize impacts,” Tuma said in an email.

New or extended right-turn lane New or extended left-turn lane

• May 11, 1-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah • www.kemahboardwalk.com

Galveston County Children’s Festival Bounce houses, agility challenges, face painting, a petting zoo, carnival games, food trucks and photo ops with the Houston Astros world series trophy are just a few of the features for this first-ever children’s festival at Water Street in Dickinson. • May 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • $25-$50 (admission) • Water Street Square, Dickinson (I-45 South, just past FM 517 on feeder road) • www.galvestoncountychildrensfestival.com Bigass Crawfish Bash This 10th annual food festival will feature all-you- can-eat crawfish, plus other food and drink vendors,

Cinco De Mayo Kemah Boardwalk will host a full day fiesta to celebrate Mexican culture. The event will include a folklorico dance performance, a live DJ, kids arts and activities, and a Mexicana fiesta dance performance. • May 5, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah • www.kemahboardwalk.com

LEAGUE ST.

518

SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

BAY AREA 1033 Bay Area Blvd (281) 486-9558 LEAGUE CITY

KEMAH 243 FM 2094 (281) 538-9095 SEABROOK 3126 Nasa Pkwy (281) 326-5127

196 Gulf Fwy S (281) 316-2140

League City all-volunteer fire department adapts to growing community From the cover

About the program

The big picture

Despite being an all-volunteer department, League City in 2016 received an Insurance Services Office score of 1—the scale’s highest possible score—placing the city in the 99.5% percentile nationwide for both on-staff and volunteer fire departments, according to League City’s website. An ISO assesses fire departments on their adherence to safety and operational standards to determine property insurance costs, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. “We’re one of the only volunteer fire depart- ments that has that top ranking as well,” Mayor Nick Long said at League City’s Feb. 29 State of the City address. ISO grades more than 50,000 fire departments nationwide, but only 75 Texas departments and 411 nationwide departments have earned a Class 1 rating, according to Community Volunteer Fire Department’s website. To capture an ISO score, cities are rated on factors within three major categories—com- munications, water and the fire department, according to the Texas Department of Insur- ance. The following items within those catego- ries are measured: • Dispatch and the department’s 911 system • Water supply • Number of fire stations • Training hours • Response times and the number of firefight- ers a department can get on the scene of a structure fire within nine minutes League City will be graded for a new ISO in 2026, according to League City’s website.

League City has agreements with nearby cities, such as Webster, for automatic aid in emergencies. This means firefighters can be dispatched from one city to another, ensuring the required personnel are always available. For example, a structure fire requires up to 16 firefighters to be present at once. For League City’s current size, Daniel Gibbs, who has been a League City firefighter for 21 years, said having 180 volunteers would be ideal. Considering that there are 140 volunteers—with an annual attrition rate of five firefighters— recruitment is a priority, Gibbs said. “Fire doesn’t know the difference between a paid individual and a volunteer,” Gibbs said. “So you have to be just as well-trained, informed and educated as you are as a professional volunteer. So we don’t cut corners … just to make numbers.”

Established in 1939 with 33 volunteers, League City’s Fire Department initially served a rural community. However, as the city grew, the department had to adapt to fighting fires in an urbanizing environment. With about 40% of League City still undeveloped, officials expect urbanization to continue. “The responsibilities of course increase with that over time,” Fire Chief Michael Lugo said. “Response times is … a very particular piece to it along with staffing of the [fire department].” In December, League City Volunteer Fire Department Inc. signed a contract with the city mandating that two fire stations have fully staffed volunteer engines. However, the department has also created other avenues for backup support.

Volunteer staff Full-time staff

9 minutes

1,864 calls received in 2023

was the average response time in 2021

(Population)

League City (121,598) 140 Pasadena (147,662)

120 hours

5 cadets

of training through College of the Mainland required to be a volunteer

on average, graduate from class each year

200

Sugar Land (110,077) 140 Pearland (132,300) 100 The Woodlands (115,716) 163

$16M-$18M

8,000 hours of collective training required annually by volunteer firefighters

of taxpayers’ money is saved annually with volunteers vs. full-time employees

SOURCES: LEAGUE CITY, PASADENA, PEARLAND, SUGAR LAND AND THE WOODLANDS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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League City’s fire stations

The condition

League City boundaries * Has a minimum of three firefighters staffed during the daytime Undeveloped land

The contract signed between the League City Volunteer Fire Department Inc. and the city mandated that two of the city’s six fire stations have fully staffed engines with volunteers. One is located at Fire Station 2, and the other at Fire Station 6, with a minimum of three fire- fighters staffed during the daytime, Lugo said. In the event of a structure fire, those two engines will respond first, and available volunteers will be notified and report to the nearest of the city’s six fire stations to support if they can, Lugo said. This allows for quicker responses to fires. “To get from the far east side to deep west if there’s a house fire, … that’s a long time depend- ing on the route you have to go,” Lugo said. As League City moves toward developing its unused land, the city is looking closely at increasing its number of fire stations to fill in the gaps and service in newly developed areas, city officials said.

1 Station 1 2 Fire and EMS Station 2*

518

3 Station 3 4 Station 4 5 Station 5 6 Station 6*

W. LEAGUE CITY PKWY.

646

517

NOTE: UNDEVELOPED PORTION OF MAP IS MOSTLY UNUSED LAND BUT CONTAINS SOME NEIGHBORHOODS. SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Looking ahead

In their own words

As League City continues to grow, the city is considering adding at least two more fire stations, which could cost between $10.6 million and $12 million to build, according to the fire department. “Once we pick a site, it’s ... [three] years to design and construct and to get a station up,” City Manager John Baumgartner said.

“Because League City itself is so diverse, ... we have everything from blue-collar

“A lot of people don’t even realize that … we’re a volunteer department, and kind of the correlation with that is how

workers that are volunteers to literally NASA scientists, rocket scientists, business owners and project managers.” DANIEL GIBBS, 21-YEAR LEAGUE CITY FIREFIGHTER

much money the city saves in taxes by not having to pay us full-time salaries and benets.” KEVIN MATTLER, FIVE-YEAR LEAGUE CITY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER

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State

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Gov. Greg Abbott announced March 26 the members of the Texas Space Commission. Abbott, along with Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, Texas state Rep. Greg Bonnen and Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche, made the announcement at a speaking engagement held at Johnson Space Center on March 26. State officials said they hope the new boards will help advance Texas’s aerospace industry in a variety of ways, including economically and technologically. The commission is made up of nine members, according to a news release from Abbott’s office. Abbott on March 26 called it a more “profound effort” to involve the state in aerospace developments. 9 people chosen for space board

The background

Texas Space Commission board members

• Gwen Griffin , CEO of the Griffin Communications Group - Houston • John Shannon, vice president of Exploration Systems at the Boeing

Statewide representation

The commission was created after the Texas Legislature in June 2023 passed House Bill 3447. As described by the bill, the commission is meant to “strengthen this state’s proven leadership in civil, commercial and military aerospace activity,” and “promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace opportunities” within the economy. The bill also allocated $350 million for the commission, a new space consortium, a research fund and the Texas A&M space institute, according to the bill. The space institute will be built out next to Johnson Space Center’s main campus in Houston. “Texas has always been the leader in the United States space program, since its inception,” Abbott said.

Company - Houston • Kirk Shireman, vice president of Lunar Exploration Campaigns at Lockheed Martin - Pearland • Sarah “Sassie” Duggleby, CEO and co-founder of Venus Aerospace Corporation - Friendswood • Nancy Currie-Gregg, director of the Texas A&M space institute - College Station • Evan Loomis, co-founder of ICON - Austin • Brad Morrison, founder and CEO of Atlantis Industries - Boerne • Heather Wilson, president of The University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso • Kathy Lueders, general manager of Starbase at SpaceX - Brownsville

SOURCE: OFFICE OF GOV. GREG ABBOTT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Community

Preschool guide Busy parents looking for full-time child care, early education opportunities or just a place to drop off their children for a few hours have several options in the Bay Area. This list is not comprehensive. tuition pricing • 17321 El Camino Real, Houston • www.clearlakeacademyhouston.com

2024

• 16014 Buccaneer Lane, Houston • www.littleguysfcch.com

Nasa Kids Academy The curriculum offered involves the use of play and games to teach children different concepts. The center keeps its classes small to ensure they’re individualizing instruction to meet the needs of each student. • Ages: 6 weeks-12 years • Cost: $150-$250 a week, varies on age and program • 911 Gemini St., Houston • www.nasakidsacademy.com Primrose School of Clear Lake The center is an accredited day care located in the Houston area that offers infant, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten, after-school and summer programs. • Ages: 6 weeks-6 years • Cost: call for prices

Clear Lake United Methodist Church - Preschool and Mother’s Day Out The program offers a Christian-based education that is based upon the developmental needs of children. • Ages: 3 months-5 years • Cost: $200 (registration); half day: $280-$440 a month; full day: $540-$960 a month, varies on

Clear Lake

Bell’s Little Angels Preschool This preschool is a Christian child care center serving Webster, Houston and the surrounding communities. • Ages: 0-12 years • Cost: call for prices

number of days enrolled per week • 16335 El Camino Real, Houston • www.clearlakemethodist.org/mdo

• 2010 Reseda Drive, Houston • www.bellslittleangels.com

Little Guys Family Child Care Home The center offers a low student-to-teacher ratio and a developmental curriculum for language, literacy, science, math and art for children on all levels. • Ages: 0-10 years • Cost: call for prices

Clear Lake Academy This center is a place for children to learn critical skills that can serve them in life. • Ages: 6 weeks-4 years • Cost: $100 (registration); $50 (supplies); call for

• 2411 Falcon Pass, Houston • www.primroseschools.com

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BY HALEY VELASCO

• Ages: 6 weeks-12 years • Cost: call for prices • 170 W. Bay Area Blvd., League City • www.kidsrkids.com/league-city-bay-area

League City

Children’s Lighthouse The center aims to create a fun learning environment that helps children grow. Each day includes a nap and/or quiet time depending on age, outside play and learning, and provided meals. • Ages: 6 weeks-12 years • Cost: call for prices • 4496 W. League City Parkway, League City • www.childrenslighthouse.com The Goddard School of League City This private preschool offers child care to those ranging in age from infants and toddlers to those in pre-K. Its programs are designed to nurture each child’s curiosity in a safe and caring environment. • Ages: infant through pre-K • Cost: call for prices • 2320 E. League City Parkway, League City • www.goddardschool.com Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of League City The center uses a unique mix of technology-filled classrooms, including highly trained educational staff, livestream cameras, security code entry and exclusive curriculum.

Rising Star Learning Center The Rising Star Learning Center has something for all ages. It offers sign language classes, Spanish classes, Tumblebus and dance. It also has a complete pre-K curriculum for all classes. • Ages: 0-12 years • Cost: call for prices • 3516 W. Main St., League City • www.risingstar-lc.com

St. Christopher Episcopal Church- Mother’s Day Out

Kiddie Academy of League City-West Kiddie Academy of League City-West, an educational day care in League City, offers age-specific child care programs. Their flexible, standard-based curriculum encourages children to progress in school and in life. • Ages: 6 weeks-12 years • Cost: call for prices • 1820 Butler Road, League City • www.kiddieacademy.com/academies/league- city-west

St. Christopher’s Mother’s Day Out program welcomes children ages 3 months through 5 years. They meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. from September through May and follow the Clear Creek ISD school calendar. • Ages: 3 months-5 years

• Cost: $100 (registration); $180 a month • 2100 St. Christopher Ave., League City • www.stchrischurch.org/mothers-day-out

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