Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Were you near South Gessner when Sydney Marquez disappeared?

And on the Houston Patch calendar - Christmas deals at Diamond Exchange Houston

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Cheers Houston! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Were you near South Gessner when Sydney Marquez disappeared?
  • How investigators say a north Houston business hid a rooster-fighting ring
  • Why a Houston grand jury is targeting alleged leaders of Tren de Aragua

Also on today's calendar: Christmas deals at Diamond Exchange Houston and 6 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Sunny and not as warm, with a high of 66 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Saturday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 78, low: 66.
  • Sunday: A thundershower in spots, with a high of 77 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Family searching for woman missing in Houston: 'It's been a nightmare' (fox26houston.com) — Houston police and a visiting family from El Paso are urgently searching for 24-year-old Sydney Marquez, last seen near a bus stop on South Gessner Road and later linked to an abandoned car on Bellaire Boulevard. Loved ones are canvassing local businesses, reviewing surveillance, and pleading for tips as investigators work with METRO to trace her movements.
   

2. Woman charged after authorities bust rooster-fighting ring behind north Houston business (click2houston.com) — Authorities have charged a 58-year-old woman after uncovering an alleged rooster-fighting ring behind a north Houston business, where dozens of birds were found dead, injured, or in poor condition. Harris County Precinct 1’s Animal Cruelty Unit seized 68 live roosters, which were taken to the Houston SPCA, and the woman now faces a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.
   

3. Houston grand jury brings terrorism charges against alleged Tren de Aragua gang leaders (houstonchronicle.com) — A federal grand jury in Houston has issued terrorism-related charges against four alleged leaders of the Tren de Aragua gang, accusing them of supporting a designated foreign terrorist organization and smuggling cocaine and gold into Texas. While prosecutors describe the gang forming violent cells and taking over neighborhoods, they do not cite specific incidents in the Houston area, and several suspects remain fugitives facing potential life sentences.
   

4. Good news for Texas drivers: Gas is nearly 40 cents cheaper than the US average. How low are prices in San Antonio? (kens5.com) — Houston drivers are currently paying some of the lowest gas prices among Texas’s big cities, with regular averaging about $2.43 a gallon, even cheaper than San Antonio. As millions of Texans prepare to drive for Christmas, statewide prices sit roughly 40 cents below the national average. Diesel in Houston is also among the lowest, easing costs for local commuters and truckers.
   

5. Who enforces Texas' new parental rights law? Houston judge raises question while weighing legal challenge (houstonpublicmedia.org) — A federal judge in Houston is weighing a legal challenge to Texas’ new “parental rights” law, which restricts LGBTQ-related discussion, clubs, and services in public schools statewide. Houston ISD is among the districts sued, and local students describe how the law has already shut down GSA clubs and strained relationships on campuses around the Houston area.
   

📸 Around Houston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Houston

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📣 Houston Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday December 19
  • Pickleball Open Play Fridays - (50+)
    West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
    1:00 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • 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

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:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Local Student Athletes Get Major Boost from JJ Watt Foundation —sally magnuson Read on Patch
  • FREE Mini Blizzard Treat Available At DQ Restaurants In Texas —Mary Coker Read on Patch
  • I am very happy to share that Empanada has found his forever home with his new brother.
    I loved caring for this sweet baby and glad he has a home during the holidays. Thank you to everyone who helped me with his journey. (Nextdoor Royal Oaks Village)
  • LOST DOG
    PLEASE HELP!! MY DAUGHTER WONT STOP CRYING FOR HER PUPPY She responds to the name Coco. She is super sweet. She will not bite Last seen around… (Nextdoor Glenn Abbey)
  • Burlington posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate - Part Time in Houston. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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