🌱 WNBA Star Griner Russian Detention Extended + Warwick Opening

Happy Friday, Houston! These are the most important things happening in town today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and windy. High: 71 Low: 46.

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Here are the top five stories in Houston today:

1. WNBA star and Houston-native Brittney Griner's detention in Russia has been extended for two more months to May, according to a state agency. Griner, who plays center for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested at a Moscow airport in February when a search of her luggage by authorities allegedly found vape cartridges containing an oil derived from cannabis. (Houston Patch)

2. 81-year-old Arthur Lee Bolar is charged with murder after police said he intentionally hit a man with his truck on Houston's eastside on Wednesday. Police responded to the incident at the 8800 block of Denton Street at around 9:10 a.m. The victim was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. (ABC 13)

3. Houston pastor Brandon Washington is doing what he can to fight unhealthy foods in his low-income neighborhood of Hiram Clarke, located in southwest Houston. Each month, he hosts a food giveaway that introduces free, healthy foods to anyone who wants to try them. Surplus foods from grocery stores are given out the same day and they're picked up for free with the help of Second Servings of Houston. (KHOU 11)

4. Houston homelessness has seen a 19% spike in 2022, according to The Coalition for the Homeless. The coalition's count expanded over 3,700 square miles, using volunteers to collect data for the unsheltered portion of the count, and for the sheltered portion, the coalition pulled directly from the homeless management information system, coalition officials said. Homelessness declined during the pandemic due to aid programs before the recent spike. (Community Impact Newspaper)

5. The Warwick restaurant is set to open early spring in a former Houston’s restaurant space at 5888 Westheimer Rd. at Fountain View Drive. It will provide an "elevated dining experience boasting New American fare with Southern influences." The restaurant will pay homage to one of Houston's first luxury hotels, the Warwick Hotel, which opened nearly 100 years ago in 1926. (Click2Houston)

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Today in Houston:

• Wacoal Fit For The Cure Event at Neiman Marcus In Houston Galleria At Sage. (9:00 AM)
• Rolling at Discovery Green: FUNomenal  Fridays. (4:00 PM)
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2022. (6:45 PM)
• OPERATIVO HOUSTON Presents: Elixir of Love at Garza Studios. (7:00 PM)
• Houston Rockets Vs. Indiana Pacers at Toyota Center. (7:00 PM)
• The Riot Comedy Show presents Mike Stanley. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• League City City Manager John Baumgartner was among five government officials honored on March 11 for their influence on public service in the Greater Houston area. (Community Impact Newspaper)
• Gravity Global, a marketing agency, is setting up its U.S. headquarters in Houston. (Houston Chronicle)
• Mochinut, an international mochi donut concept, is expected to open a location in late March at 3414 Business Center Drive, Ste. 130 in Pearland. (Community Impact Newspaper)
• The Erickson Realty and Moving Services program at Eagle's Trace in West Houston can help with downsizing, selecting a real estate agent, finding a moving company, and much more. (Houston Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Virtual Medicare 101 with Sid Martinez (March 22)
• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Online Discussions on the Effectiveness of Drug Addiction Treatment in a Houston Addiction Treatment (March 31)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next 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.