Plane Crashes in La Porte

By Nakia Cooper / KHOU.com
La Porte, Texas -- La Porte residents are surprised when a plane falls out of the air and lands on their lawn.

La Porte police were called to the 10,600 block of North H Street for reports of a plane that crash landed in a backyard.

Investigators say the experimental single engine aircraft had just taken off from the La Porte Municipal Airport when it dropped out of the sky.

The pilot said he lost control of the aircraft after the plane failed to gain altitude.

The left wing clipped some trees and the plane went down, crashing into a nearby backyard.

Residents ran over to over to help the pilot who had broken his leg.

The pilot was airlifted to Memorial Hermann by PHI helicopter for emergency treatment.

Rescuers said the pilot also appeared to suffer head trauma.

FAA and DPS are investigating.

No one on the ground was injured.

Senior Citizen Program Hosting Casino Extravaganza and Plans Trip to Paragon Casino

Friendswood, TX – July 9, 2009 – The Friendswood Senior Citizen Program will be traveling to the Paragon Casino in Marksville Louisiana on Wednesday and Thursday, August 12 and 13, 2009 and will later be hosting a Casino Extravaganza on Friday, August 28, 2009 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For those seniors interested in taking a trip to the Paragon Casino, the bus will depart from the Friendswood Activity Building located at 416 Morningside Dr. at 8 a.m. on August 12 and return at approximately 8 p.m. the next day. The cost for the trip is $50 per person (based on a double occupancy room). The package includes transportation, room, a $10 food coupon to use at the Casino restaurant, and a $20 cash perk for gambling.

The Casino Extravaganza, held at the Friendswood Activity Building on August 28 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., is a free event and all area seniors are welcome to attend. This three hour party will feature casino games, dancing, and music by musician Peter Hoth. Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Poker will be available, all manned by professional dealers. Refreshments will also be provided.

Those with questions or who wish to RSVP for either of these events are asked to call Genie Balderaz with the Friendswood Senior Program at 281-482-8441.

Friendswood Man Arrested On Heroin Charges

FRIENDSWOOD - Friendswood Police, serving a probation violation warrant, found a quantity of narcotics and steroids in the violator's home.

Police served the warrant Tuesday at a residence in the 1500 block of Windsor Drive in Regency Estates. The violator, Joseph David Bender, 23, was searched incident to arrest and found to be in possession of a vial of liquid heroin and a dozen Vicodin pills.

During a safety sweep of the house, officers observed in plain view, another vial, which later tested positive for heroin.

The homeowner signed a consent to search allowing officers to perform a more thorough search of the residence. The subsequent search turned up approximately $3,000 in cash, several vials of liquid steroids and six grams of black tar heroin.

Bender was jailed on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. The charge is a second degree felony with a $150,000 bond. The probation violation warrant carried no bond.

Bender was convicted in Harris County District Court in January 2009 for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Friendswood Police arrested him May 6, 2009 when he was found to be in possession of more than 77 grams of black tar heroin. The probation violation warrant was linked to his May 6 arrest.

Pearland Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure

Pearland man charged with indecent exposure at Friendswood Public Library
10:44 AM CDT on Friday, July 10, 2009
KHOU.com staff report
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas—A Pearland man was in custody Friday after police said he was caught masturbating at the Friendswood Public Library.


Friendswood PD

Thomas Whitmarsh
Police were called to the library, located at 416 S. Friendswood, around 7:20 p.m. Thursday.

A library employee reported seeing Thomas Whitmarsh, 68, exposing himself and masturbating in an open area of the library.

Whitmarsh told police he’d recently been caught doing the same thing by officers in Pearland.

He said he was not cited in that incident.

Friendswood police have not yet confirmed that with Pearland authorities.

Friendswood library personnel had consulted with police twice before in June, expressing conern about Whitmarsh’s suspicious behavior.

Whitmarsh was charged with indecent exposure and issued a criminal trespass warming.

He’s currently being held in the Friendswood Municipal Jail on $1,000 bond.

Updated: Houston Area 4th of July Fireworks Events

HOUSTON—The 4th of July means fireworks across the U.S. and Houston is no exception.

There are dozens of celebrations in our area, but the largest is the Freedom over Texas festival this weekend. It is presented by Shell.

The free event is at Eleanor Tinsley Park. This year, organizers are honoring Houston’s military heroes and the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Country singer, Texas native Clay Walker will be the main act. He will take the stage at 8 p.m. Right after that at 9:30, fireworks will light the sky.

If you’re thinking about heading there you should know about some road that will be closed.

On Thursday, a couple of lanes along Allen Parkway were closed. They include roads between Taft Street and downtown.

Also, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Allen Parkway will be completely closed to traffic.

If you’re in The Woodlands, there are several events where you can celebrate.

First there is the Star-Spangled Salute which is being held Friday night at the Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion.

You’ll hear patriotic music presented by the Houston Symphony.

Friday at 9 a.m. you can see the South Montgomery Parade which runs through The Woodlands Town Center and Market Street.

Finally, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. you can head to the Red, Hot and Blue Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza at Town Green Park and Waterway Square.

There’s also a lot to celebrate in Fort Bend County Saturday, July 4 th.

In Sugar Land, the festivities include The Red White and Blue Fest at Oyster Creek Park. Those events begin Saturday and run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The city of Stafford and the Fort Bend Symphony will celebrate by treating the public to a free patriotic concert.

Freedom Rings 2009 will be held at the Stafford Centre and starts at 5 p.m.

In Missouri City, the public is being treated to a July 4 celebration at Buffalo Run Park.

The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. and the fireworks blare into the night sky at 9.

Chevy Freedom Over Texas Fireworks
Location: Eleanor Tinsley Park
website: www.chevysfreedomovertexas.com
This is by far the largest celebration in the city of Houston, and the fireworks display is one of the biggest in the state. Montgomery Gentry will headline. The festival starts at 4 p.m. with performances by local acts. If you don't feel like braving the crowds, you don't have to miss our on the fun; just tune in to ABC13 from the solitude of your couch.

The Houston Symphony 4th of July Celebration
Location: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Herman Park
Led by principal pops conductor Michael Krajewski. Enjoy an All-American salute to commemorate Independence Day, and end the evening with fireworks presented by the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.

Sam Houston Race Park
website: www.shrp.com
The park celebrates Independence Day with special family-friendly activities and a spectacular fireworks display.

Firecracker Hotbox
Location: Gulf Greyhound Park
website: www.gulfgreyhound.com
Come see some of the nation's hottest greyhounds compete.

Kemah Boardwalk
website: www.kemahboardwalk.com
The 4th of July fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m.

SplashTown Fireworks Spectacular
website: www.splashtownpark.com
The park sends up the explosives after dusk.