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🌱 Patch AM: How a burst pipe ruined one west Houston family’s Christmas morning

Happening soon: New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local on the Houston Patch calendar

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Friday December 26th Patch AM
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Good day Houston! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a burst pipe ruined one west Houston family’s Christmas morning
  • How Houston ICU care shaped this DPS trooper’s long road back
  • How close Houston came to topping Texas’ mobile-home rankings

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local and 4 more events.

Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Fog will lift in the morning, with a high of 82 and low of 69 degrees.
  • Saturday: Areas of morning fog, temps: high: 81, low: 66.
  • Sunday: Very warm, with a high of 83 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. After Christmas morning flooding, a Houston woman saves her mother's ashes — and little else (khou.com) — A west Houston family’s Christmas morning turned into chaos when a burst pipe flooded their Trails of Woodlake apartment, ruining most of their belongings and forcing them from their home. Houston firefighters shut off the water, but the leasing office and management remained unreachable through the holiday, leaving the family to rely on relatives while they wait for answers about repairs and housing options.
   

2. New updates on recovery of critically injured DPS Trooper Austin Parrott (fox4news.com) — A DPS trooper critically injured in a 2024 crash spent months in intensive care in the Houston area before being moved to a North Texas rehab facility for 24/7 treatment. His family says he’s now surrounded by therapy animals and ongoing support while a judge prepares to decide next month whether the driver accused in the crash will face criminal punishment.
   

3. San Antonio is among U.S. cities with most mobile homes, study says (star-telegram.com) — Houston trails just behind San Antonio in a new ranking of U.S. cities with the most mobile homes, with about 11,000 units in the local housing mix. A statewide study highlights how manufactured homes, which cost roughly half a typical Texas house, are becoming a key affordability option as a new law pushes cities to allow them in at least one zoning district.
   

4. Texas Megachurches Are Among the Biggest in the World (koolfmabilene.com) — Houston stands out in Texas for hosting three of the state’s ten largest megachurches, including one that can seat around 45,000 people. The piece highlights how enormous some congregations have become while reminding readers that the right church is about fit, not size, whether in Houston or smaller Texas towns.
   

📸 Around Houston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Houston

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📣 Houston Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday December 27
  • Gourd'gous Glass Pumpkin Patch
    Glassblowing Houston , 17442 FM 2920 Rd , Tomball
  • Tomball Farmers Market Weekly All local farmers market
    Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce , 205 W. Main Street , Tomball
    9:00 am
  • TOMBALL ART MARKET
    Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce , 403 Commerce Street , Tomball
    9:30 am
    • Monday December 29
  • Yoga Flow M, W, F (50+)
    West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
    8:30 am
  • Monday Bridge Open Play (50+)
    West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
    9:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Houston PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
  • HVAC Solutions Texas — (817) 325-7310
    Improve Your Home’s Air Quality, Houston!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Thank you, Neighbors!
    I can’t believe we did it! Thank you to all the generous neighbors who donated time, money, gifts, and supplies. Praise God we got Christmas gifts… (Nextdoor Park at Shady Villa)
  • Merry Christmas everyone!
    I just wanted to thank three people who went above and beyond this season to help me. It is because of their loving grace and kindness my electric… (Nextdoor Bear Creek Village)
  • Former director of the National Hurricane Center and longtime KHOU Chief Meteorologist Neil Frank has died.... (X: HOUBizJournal)
  • On this Christmas Eve morning, District 45 had a busy start: 3 working fires before noon, including a house fire near 9200 Richland Dr. The crew that... (X: HoustonFire)
  • Ryder posted a job opening for Forklift Operator in Houston. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Houston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Houston here.

Ok Houston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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