2018: A Look Back On A Historic Year In Houston

HOUSTON, TX — The last day of 2018 is here, and while it’s a time when many look to the year as a fresh start, a clean slate, or a time for personal renewal, it is also a time for reflecting on the things that happened in our neighborhood.

There’s no doubt that 2018 was an eventful year in the Houston area, and a year when the eyes of the nation were focused on the things happening in our backyard.

At times, politics and the people here was what drew the nation, and the world to focus on what was happening in Houston, and in Texas.

Just days after Thanksgiving, President George H.W. Bush, America’s 41st President, died at his home in Tanglewood. George H.W. Bush, President And War Hero, Dies At 94

In the days that followed, the world learned of the plans for Bush’s funeral in Washington, D.C., but it was his final journey that everyone watched, and one that drew thousands of Texans to station themselves along railroad crossing between Spring, Texas and College Station to pay their final respects. Goodbye, Mr. President: Houston Bids Farewell To George H.W. Bush

Just seven months before he died, Bush said farewell to Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years.
Barbara Bush, Former First Lady, Dies At Her Houston Home

The world saw the sweet images of Bush 41, as he was known, greeting well-wishers and visitors who came to pay their respects at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston.

Months later, and only a week before Bush passed away, he sent condolences to the family of Robert McNair, the owner of the NFL’s Houston Texans who lost his battle with cancer the day after Thanksgiving. Houston Texans Owner Bob McNair Dies At 81

McNair, who brought the NFL back to Houston in 2002, five years after the Houston Oilers left the city to become the Tennessee Titans, was a fixture in the Houston area, who was known for his philanthropy long before he became the owner of an NFL franchise.

But 2018, wasn’t a year of tears for all Houstonians. In fact, it was a wild political season that began with changes manifesting during the March primaries and concluded with a big political shift in November.

During one of the most eventful midterm election cycles in our history led to landslide victories for Democrats in many local political races.

However, it was the senate race between Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke that drove many to the voting booths on Nov. 6. 2018 Election Results: Texas Heads To The Polls

When the dust settled, Cruz had maintained his Senate seat, but a blue wave swept many local Republican leaders from office.

Among the most surprising results was the loss of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett to political newcomer Lina Hidalgo, a 27-year-old Stanford graduate and first-generation American.
Election Day 2018: Key Houston Area Elections Worth Watching

The national spotlight took a different twist when Saturday Night Live comic Pete Davidson poked fun at Congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw’s wartime injury. SNL Skit Mocking Dan Crenshaw's War Injury Backfires

Crenshaw, a decorated former Navy SEAL, who’d lost an eye in combat operations in Afghanistan, bested a crowded Republican field in the March primary and defeated Democratic challenger Todd Litton to win his first political election.

Outside of politics as usual, the county sought and on voter approval for a massive flood control bond that will help toward the continued recovery from Hurricane Harvey.
County Judge Announces $2.5B Flood Control Plan

While politics and public figures were in the spotlight, tragedy also put the Houston area and Texas in the national spotlight.

On May 18, 2018, 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, who was a senior at Santa Fe High School, walked into his school at the start of the school day, and allegedly gunned down 23 people, killing eight students and two teachers. Texas School Shooting: Family Of Accused Gunman 'Stunned'
Pagourtzis was arrested and is in the Galveston County Jail facing multiple counts of capital murder.

Other less historic issues were also part of the Houston news landscape in 2018. Remember the gator hunting grandma in Livingston? Great Grandmother Kills Massive 580-Pound Alligator In East Texas

That was among the most widely read stories from the Houston area in 2018, and maybe helped solidify the old mantra: “Don’t Mess with Texas.”

Then of course, there was the story of Tomball’s Madison Gullion, who was inspired by members of the Tomball Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program, which helps provide Christmas presents to needy kids at Christmas. Tomball Girl Greets Local Police With Sweet Treats

Gullion wanted to do something nice, and saved her money from doing chores, and surprised the police department with donuts.
But there was more...

During the spring of 2018, a Kyla Viereck a Spring High School Freshman won grand champion steer at the annual 67th annual Spring Tri-Club Show and Fair. Freshman Wins Grand Champion Steer At Spring ISD Tri-Club Show

Schools were in the news in Humble and Kingwood, with Humble ISD voters approving a massive school bond in May. Voters In Humble OK $575M Bond

History was in the headlines in Fort Bend County when construction on an education center was halted after crews recovered skeletal remains of 24 people.

Officials would ultimately find 95 bodies buried at the site, which was found to be an old unmarked cemetery for victims of the Sugar Land Convict Lease program, which unjustly imprisoned former slaves and used them as forced labor in sugar cane fields and other agricultural labor. Sugar Land-FBISD OK Agreement To Relocate Historic Remains

The country made history and headlines again when Yolanda Ford was elected mayor of Missouri City, and became the first woman and first African-American told hold that post.
Yolanda Ford Officially Sworn In As Missouri City's Mayor

It’s safe to say that 2018 was an eventful year in Houston and Texas. Here’s hoping Texas and Houston continue to make headlines, and show the rest of the country that Houston is a pretty awesome city.

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