🌱 Mayor Turner's Anti-Crime Initiative Criticized + River Oaks Theatre Bought

Rise and shine, Houston! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started. Here's what's going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and cold. High: 40 Low: 31.

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Here are the top five stories in Houston today:

1. The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Certificate at Houston Community College Central has been certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Providers (NABCEP). The certification ensures the public that HCC's Solar PV installer education meets or surpasses the highest level of standards. (Houston Community College)

2. Members of the Houston Super Neighborhood Alliance are criticizing Mayor Sylvester Turner's $44 million dollar anti-crime initiative as both late and non-inclusive. Leaders say they remain ready to be a part of the process if the city will listen to them. (Fox 26 Houston)

3. The historic River Oaks Theatre has a new owner, Houston-based Star Cinema Grill, who says it will preserve the name, history, Art Deco design, and legacy of the cinema. Mayor Sylvester Turner joined Star Cinema Grill representatives, members of Friends of the River Oaks Theatre, and others to celebrate the news on Wednesday. (CultureMap Houston)

4. Sheldon Independent School District announced that it is investigating after a middle school student claimed he was forced inside a clothes dryer by at least one older student. It allegedly happened as students helped a coach with athletic laundry. Disciplinary action and charges could be on the way as well in the incident. (KHOU 11)

5. Houston has a plan to make 11th Street safer by reducing vehicle lanes from two to one and add bike lanes and turn lanes for cyclists. Houston officials will showcase updated plans for the road Monday during an online meeting with Heights neighborhood groups. (Houston Chronicle)

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Today in Houston:

• USIC North Houston Job Fair at USIC Office. (10:00 AM)
• Houston Home and Garden Show at City of Houston (12:00 PM)
• White Rhino Patio & Cocktail Bar - Ribbon Cutting. (5:00 PM)
• Lady Panther Varsity Soccer vs. Sterling HS at Northside HS. (5:00 PM)
• Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra at The Shepherd School of Music. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Houston Independent School District is closely monitoring weather conditions in the area. Should there be any change to the weather affecting normal school operations, they will provide updates on social media channels and on HoustonISD.org. (Facebook)
• Houston Fire Department is warning citizens of the dangers of supplemental heating. (Facebook)
• Dr. Peter Hotez and "the Grandmother of Juneteenth" Opal Lee are among the Texans nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. (Facebook)
• Houston's City Council voted to extend More Space: Main Street, which closes certain blocks of Main Street downtown to vehicles and allows restaurants and bars set up tables in the roadway to serve customers. (Facebook)
• Leaders In Training (LIT) Summer Experience Applications are now open with YMCA of Greater Houston. Elevate your leadership, build your confidence and make new friends as an LIT. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.