Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Houston transplant scandal turned into a major wrongful death suit

Also, don't miss New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local on the Houston Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 30th 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 Houston transplant scandal turned into a major wrongful death suit
  • How Houston’s new rental rules collide with a Third Ward shooting
  • How is S.H.A.P.E. Center rebuilding its Third Ward landmark after the fire?

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 55 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 63, low: 47.
  • Thursday: Nice with partial sunshine, with a high of 71 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Family files wrongful death lawsuit against UTHealth, Houston surgeon accused in transplant scandal (houstonchronicle.com) — A Houston-based family has sued UTHealth and a local transplant surgeon, alleging database changes at Memorial Hermann’s liver program kept a 70-year-old patient from receiving a life-saving transplant. The case follows a broader transplant scandal that halted abdominal transplants, drew federal sanctions, and led to new leadership at the Houston program, raising serious questions for local patients awaiting organs.
   

2. Shooting of teens at short-term rental comes days before new city ordinance begins in Houston (khou.com) — Houston’s Historic Third Ward is reeling after two teenagers were shot at a large party in a short-term rental, just as the city prepares to enforce new rules on these properties. Starting January 1, hosts must register rentals or risk being delisted, with stricter enforcement coming April 1, as neighbors and responsible hosts debate whether the ordinance will truly curb party houses.
   

3. S.H.A.P.E. Community Center celebrates Kwanzaa after Third Ward blaze (fox26houston.com) — S.H.A.P.E. Community Center is pushing forward in Houston’s Third Ward, celebrating Kwanzaa while rebuilding after a January fire gutted its historic Live Oak building. Programs continue from smaller Almeda Road offices, and leaders say they need volunteers and donations to close a roughly $1 million funding gap to fully restore the site.
   

4. Houston's own Beyoncé now a billionaire, Forbes reports (click2houston.com) — Houston readers can celebrate a hometown milestone: Beyoncé, who grew up here and once performed halftime for the Houston Texans, has officially reached billionaire status, according to Forbes. Her fortune comes from decades of hit music, world tours, and savvy business ventures, cementing her as one of the most financially successful entertainers with deep Houston roots.
   

5. 'My brother': Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton share friendly trash talk in Rockets' win over Pacers (houstonchronicle.com) — Houston basketball fans just watched the Rockets top the Pacers 126-119 at Toyota Center, with Kevin Durant dropping another 30-point performance. Courtside, injured Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton kept things lively, trading friendly trash talk with Durant as the two close friends bonded over shared Achilles rehab experiences.
   

📸 Around Houston

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • THANK YOU PECAN GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD AND PEOPLE WHO DRESSED UP TO MAKE IT MORE MAGICAL!!!
    After candle light service at River Point Church on Christmas Eve, we have made it a tradition to visit Pecan Grove neighborhood to drive around the… (Nextdoor Mission West)
  • My father lives at One Montreal Place 2120 El Paseo #2409 Houston, Tx 77054 and last night my cat got out on the patio.
    He has been calling and tapping cans but still no sign. I’m begging anyone who sees this and is nearby please keep an eye out, he just moved and I’m… (Nextdoor Reliant Cambridge)
  • In observance of New Years Day, Precinct 4 Community Centers and Offices will close early at noon on Wednesday, December 31st, and will reopen on... (X: HCPrecinct4)
  • Houston neighbors, as temperatures drop, let’s look out for one another and make sure our community is ready. Preparedness is about more than just... (X: NeighborHOU)
  • carstar posted a job opening for Porter in Houston. Apply here.
  • The Reserves Network, Inc. posted a job opening for Ocean Freight Expeditor 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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