Friendswood man on trial for endangering Shuttle.

A Friendswood man pleaded guilty Monday to selling NASA a space shuttle part that prosecutors allege could have endangered astronauts’ lives.

Richard J. Harmon, 60, the former owner of Cornerstone Machining Inc. in Alvin, pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge of fraud involving a space vehicle part. U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes scheduled Harmon’s sentencing for June when he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Lewis presented the judge with a written summary of Harmon’s crime. It stated that Harmon, who had worked in the aerospace industry for decades, subcontracted to build two fasteners for $18,795 each and agreed to meet all precise specifications or let authorities know about any changes.
The fasteners would hold cargo to the space shuttle and prosecutors allege if a defect had caused the cargo to come lose in ascent into orbit, “it would almost certainly have resulted in the destruction of the shuttle.”
Harmon’s shop was making one of the fasteners when a cutting machine made a gash in the aluminum, and Harmon agreed to have it welded over.

He did not tell the contractor that hired him, Spacehab Inc., about that mistake, Lewis’ written fact scenario stated. Harmon also failed to inform the lead contractor, Lockheed, and NASA.
The weld caused the fastener to lose 40 percent of its strength, the government claimed. “Ultimately Lockheed scrapped the (part) because the gash and weld created too great a risk that it would fail in flight and destroy the space shuttle,” Lewis’ fact scenario concluded.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE.

Friendswood shuts out La Marque, 22-0

From staff reports
The Daily News
Published March 28, 2009

Baseball

Friendswood 22, La Marque 0

Alex Anastas hit two home runs to lead Friendswood (12-5, 5-0) to the blowout victory.

Kevin Thornton got the win on the mound for the Mustangs.

Vincent Huerta took the loss for La Marque (5-9, 0-5).

+++

Alvin 7, Ball 0

Aaron Stewart struck out 18 to lead the first-place Yellowjackets.

Stef Hernandez was hit with the loss for Ball (8-7, 1-3).

MORE SPORT SCORES HERE.

2009 KIDFISH Event on Sunday, March 29

2009 KIDFISH Event on Sunday, March 29

Friendswood, TX - The 7th Annual KIDFISH Event has been scheduled in Friendswood on Sunday, March 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Centennial Park pond. Sponsors for the KIDFISH event include The Goddard School, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, Hometown Bank of Friendswood, Cornerstone Maintenance, Edward Jones, JSC Federal Credit Union, Korner Klub 4 Kids and the City of Friendswood Community Services Department.

The KIDFISH Foundation will stock over 750 pounds of adult fish in the Centennial Park Pond for participants to catch. There is no pre-registration required. Bait, tackle, and loaner rods will be provided to children who do not have their own equipment. Starting March 23, participants can pick up their registration forms at local schools, the Friendswood Community Services Department, Friendswood Library, Friendswood Activity Building, Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, and on the day of the KIDFISH Event.

KIDFISH is a non-profit outreach program designed to give children 16 and under the chance to experience the sport of fishing and the outdoors. A minimum donation of $10 will allow participants to receive awards such as t-shirts, hats and trophies, and the funds go towards expanding the KIDFISH Program. It is not necessary to bring a donation to participate. All children will receive a goodie bag, KIDFISH ribbon, and diploma. Longest fish winners, first and second place in each age group, will receive a large trophy.

This event will qualify event participants for the 2009 KIDFISH Classic. Qualifiers for the classic will be the top fundraisers over $50, the children catching the longest fish in their age group and any child fundraising $100 or more. The Classic will feature unforgettable fishing for trophy catfish up to 30 pounds. First prize will be a $1000 savings bond for the child and $1000 cash for the child’s school.

For registration information or to volunteer at the event, contact KIDFISH toll free at 877-733-5646 or 254-982-4887 or go to www.kidfish.com.

Tragedy leaves Lady Stings ‘emotionally exhausted’

By Joshua Buckley
The Daily News
Published March 25, 2009

TEXAS CITY — After what many of the Texas City softball players have been dealing with the past few days, it was hard to fault the Lady Stings for not being completely focused for their district game Tuesday.

Seventeen-year-old Samantha Romero, a junior at Texas City High School, was killed when the car she was riding in was hit from behind on FM 1765 in La Marque on Saturday. Texas City coach Amber Maier said the tragedy was on the softball team’s mind when it was defeated by Angleton, 4-0.

“I’m not sure we would have won this game anyway, but I think it definitely hurt us,” Maier said. “We had several girls that were good friends with her, and they are mentally and emotionally exhausted. Softball is one of those sports that is 80-percent mental and 20-percent physical. If you are not mentally into a game, it can really spiral on you.”

Texas City (9-13 overall, 2-3 district) hung tough with district-leader Angleton through the first three innings, with ace pitcher Crystal Alaniz on the mound. But things began to come unraveled in the fourth.

Two Texas City errors opened the door for Kim Damien to drive in Angleton’s first run on an RBI-triple. Damien later scored on a fielder’s choice, giving the Lady Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

Angleton (16-5, 5-0) added another run in the fifth and sixth innings, both coming off errors. In all, the Lady Stings committed five errors.

“We started off strong, but (Angleton) is a very good hitting team,” Maier said. “We made a couple of mistakes and they made us pay for them.”

Read the full story HERE.

Friendswood Planning Movies in the Park Program

With a $6,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Friendswood, the city of Friendswood could start showing movies in its parks this summer.

City Council already has approved spending $3,500 to buy an inflatable screen measuring 15 feet by 20 feet, a projector, and other equipment needed to show the films.
The city owns a sound system that can be used for the showings, said James Toney, the city’s director of community services.
“This is awesome,” said Mayor David Smith, a rotary club member, who is the organization’s current treasurer. “I’m loving the possibilities.”

Funding for the venture originally was presented as part of the city’s current 2008-09 budget, Toney said. But City Council ended up cutting the money prior to its approval of the budget.
“It’s always been something on the back burner that council supported,” Toney said. “We just didn’t have the funds to add it into this year’s budget.”

Read the full story HERE.

Area Sports Scores

Santa Fe girls advance in soccer playoffs

From staff reports
The Daily News
Published March 21, 2009

H.S. Baseball

Creek 6, Ball 0

Ryan Gunhouse pitched a one-hit shutout with five strikeouts and three walks.

Greg Olson hit a solo home run in the third inning.

Creek is 8-5 (2-0). Ball is 6-6 (0-2).

+++

Brook 13, Dickinson 3

Cody Whitley, Sencion Barajaz and Josh Honc each scored for the Gators (4-9, 0-2).

Zac Enger was tagged with the loss on the mound.

+++

Lake 10, Springs 2

J.R. Bethell and Matt Corbell each had home runs for the Falcons (9-5, 2-0).

Matt Brister took the loss for Springs (6-10, 0-2).

+++

Friendswood 12, Manvel 2

Alex Anastas hit a home run for the first-place Mustangs.

Jordan Johnson got the win for Friendswood (10-5-1, 3-0).

+++

Santa Fe 10, La Marque 0

Ryan Ewald struck out 12 and Taylor Terrasas hit a home run for Santa Fe (5-9, 1-2).

+++

Texas City 7, Angleton 2

Curry Sattig hit a 3-run homer for the Stings, who defeated the first-place Wildcats.

Steven Mott, Kyle Bulpitt and Renee Filoteo each drove in a run, while Tyler Iguess had two hits.

Matt Plitt got the win for Texas City (7-8-1, 2-1), allowing seven hits with five strikeouts.

+++

H.S. Softball

Creek 4, Springs 0

Katlyn Moulder allowed just one hit while striking out 13 for Creek (16-7, 3-1).

Springs drops to 8-6 on the season (2-2 district).

+++

Friendswoood 1, Dawson 0

Kelly Smith earned the win. She gave up three hits and struck out 14.

Friendswood (14-6-1, 2-2) scored in the first inning. Carrie Flores walked and moved to second on Aimee Konet’s single. Flores scored on a two-out error by the third baseman.

Caitlin Bennett had a double for the Lady Mustangs.

+++

Texas City 6, La Marque 0

Crystal Alaniz struck out 16 while recording the shutout for the Lady Stings (9-12, 2-2). Alaniz also had three hits and two RBIs, Cheyenne Cash drove in two, and Casey Oliver and Chelsea Huggins each had an RBI.

Jennifer May struck out seven but took the loss for La Marque (11-7, 1-3).

+++

H.S. Girls Soccer

Santa Fe 4, C.E. King 0

Visiting Santa Fe won its first playoff game since 2005.

Kat Hamric scored two goals and Kourtnee Leflet had two assists.

Mary Hunt and Ashley Kovacevich each scored one goal.

Goal keeper Tyler Steinbach made four saves.

The Lady Indians will play Houston Reagan at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Houston ISD’s Dyer Stadium.

+++

College Baseball

Galveston College 15, Blinn College 11 (10 innings)

On Wednesday in Brenham, Tyler Fiebrich hit two home runs and had five RBIs for Galveston.

Dan Lazarou was the winning pitch

May 9 Election Candidates File

Area cities and school districts will be holding elections May 9. Potential candidates had until Monday at 5 p.m. to file the proper paperwork to get themselves on the ballot.
Following is a list of who filed by the deadline. Incumbents are listed with an (i).


Alvin
District B
• Eileen Cross, 54, co-coordinator, office and disability services
• Charles Buckelew, 65, retired
• Gene Lyng, 81, retired
District C
• Jim Landriault, 47, sales manager (i)
At-large Position 1
• Charles Batty III, 30, funeral director (i)
• Ramiro Mondragon, 45, electrician
• Armando Cespedes III, 35, Realtor
Charter changes
• Permit city to establish economic development programs including grants and loans that are not inconsistent with authority granted to the city by state law.
• Require petitions for recall of an elected official to state a reason for the recall and to require the presenter of the petition to sign at the bottom of each page.
• Allow city council to re-appropriate budgeted revenues and expenses during emergencies resulting from natural or manmade disasters.
• Require an independent board of ethics and compliance and an ethics ordinance that is not required to duplicate and restate state law.


Alvin ISD
Position 1
• Pete Vincent, 70, retired from NASA (i)
Position 2
• Earl Humbird, 49, chemical plant operator (i)
Position 3
• Mark Patterson, 51, banking investor
• Tiffany Wennerstrom, 39, retired teacher


Brookside Village
Three at-large seats
• Don Jordan, 53, safety professional (i)
• Joe Milstead, 70, retired (i)
• Craig Bailey, 40, police officer (i)


Friendswood
Mayor
• David J. H. Smith, 48, real estate broker (i)
Position 1
• Michael E. Barker, 57, self-employed/sales (i)
Position 3
• Jim Hill, 66, self-employed (i)
Charter changes
• A measure to no longer require the city manager to reside within the city limits of Friendswood.
Bond election
• First proposition is for $3.1 million and would pay for improvements to city parks.
• Second proposition is for $6.5 million, of which $6 million would be spent for a new library at a yet-to-be-determined location. The remaining $500,000 would be used for turning the city’s existing library at 416 S. Friendswood Drive into a community center.


Hillcrest Village
Three at-large seats
• James Nash, 42, trade development (i)
• Adam Flores 38, accountant (i)
• Terrell Franzen, 68, retired


Manvel
Mayor
• Delores Martin, 74, (i)
Position 3
• Gary Garnett, 62, self employed (i)
Position 5
• Buddy Williams, 75, retired (i)


Pearland
Position 2
• Scott Sherman, 33, attorney
• Ben Carranza, 36, regulatory manager
• Tammy Dexter, 38, substitute teacher
• Manuel Gonzales, 36, attorney
Position 4
• Felicia Kyle, 39, attorney (i)
• Richard Oliver, 56, disabled
• Terence C. Norman, 43, attorney


Pearland ISD
Position 3
• Virgil Gant, 61, financial adviser
Position 4
• Ethan Crowell, 31, teacher
• Andrew Solomon, 43, law professor

STS-119 to Launch No Earlier Than Sunday

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:36:03 PM CDT

Space shuttle Discovery’s launch to the International Space Station now is targeted for no earlier than March 15. NASA managers postponed Wednesday’s planned liftoff due to a leak associated with the gaseous hydrogen venting system outside the external fuel tank. The system is used to carry excess hydrogen safely away from the launch pad.

Liftoff on March 15 would be at 7:43 p.m. EDT. The exact launch date is dependent on the work necessary to repair the problem. Managers will meet Thursday at 4 p.m. to further assess the troubleshooting plan.

Area Sports Scores

Chide, Robinson lead Lady Bucs to victory

From staff reports
The Daily News
Published March 4, 2009

Softball

Pasadena 5, La Marque 3

Jennifer May went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for La Marque (5-3). Alexis Guillen had one RBI, and Mikiesha Henson had a double.

+++

Clear Brook 10, Friendswood 0

Friendswood mustered two hits against its crosstown Class 5A rival.

Kelly Smith took the loss by allowing eight earned runs in seven innings.

Kelsey Eubanks and Caitlyn Garivey each had singles for the Lady Mustangs (8-3-1).

+++

O’Connell 19, Brazosport Christian 0 (3 inn.)

Cameron Chide and Lanie Robinson combined for a no-hitter in the Lady Bucs’ district opener.

Kaitlyn King was 4-for-4 with three RBIs and scored three runs. Katie Delgado was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and scored three runs. Katherine Hogan was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and scored two runs.

Abbey Laclede and Ally Delgado each scored two runs. Lacey Hayward had one RBI and scored two runs. O’Connell is 6-2.

+++

Baseball

Dickinson 5, Pasadena Dobie 1

The Gators scored four runs in the third inning to get the win.

Cody Whitley was the winning pitcher for Dickinson. He allowed two hits.

City moving forward with bond election,

By Rhiannon Meyers
The Daily News
Published February 28, 2009

FRIENDSWOOD — The city of Friendswood is moving forward with plans to fund $20 million in projects with a bond election and certificates of obligation.

While bonds require voter approval, certificates of obligation do not.

Voters will get the chance in May to decide whether to issue $9.6 million of bonds to build a new library, to convert the existing library into a community center and to improve parks. The city had planned to issue another $11 million in certificates of obligation to fund roads, parks, an animal shelter and a records building. But not all council members agree with that plan.

Councilman Jim Hill, who was one of two dissenting votes this week against a May bond election, said he thought all of the projects should be decided by voters. Certificates of obligation should not be issued, he said.

The city charter was amended by voters in 1997 to prohibit the city from issuing debt without voter approval that it could not finance from its own revenue streams, except in cases of emergency or “urgent public need.”

Mayor David Smith said there is a strong possibility the city could finance certificates of obligation without raising taxes, which would be allowable under the charter. Also, state law allows cities to issue certificates of obligation, City Attorney Bobby Gervais said. Despite what the charter says, the city could legally issue certificates of obligation per state law, Gervais said.

If voters approved the bond package and the city issued certificates of obligation, Friendswood taxpayers would see a tax increase, at most, of 6 cents per $100 valuation. That increase in the tax rate — which Smith called a “worst-case scenario” based on a prediction that the city would not grow at all — would push the tax rate to 63 cents per $100 valuation.

Read the full story HERE