City controller asks OIG to investigate Houston Airports Systemโs director over $760,000 in fines waived for concessionaires
Houston City Controller Chris Brown is calling for the Office of Inspector General to open an investigation into the manner in which Houston Airports System Director Mario Diaz settled liquidated damages with a concessionaire and their partner, who has ties to former Director City Council Relations William Paul Thomas, who was convicted in federal court back in July for conspiracy tied to bribes.
Ground stop lifted at Hobby Airport after runway lighting issue resolved, officials say
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at William P. Hobby Airport Monday evening as airport personnel work to resolve an issue with the lighting system on a runway, according to airport officials.
Breakfast Taco Full Of Crystal Meth Found By Hobby Airport TSA Agents
In one of the more absurd news alerts the Houston Press has received in recent history, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that its security officers at Hobby Airport discovered a breakfast taco full of eggs, cheese, what appears to be brisket and a small bag of crystal meth earlier...
houstonpress.comHobby Airport update: All flights resume after water issues caused cancellations, other issues
HOUSTON โ An airport official says all flights to Hobby Airport will resume after water issues forced officials to cancel or divert all flights Wednesday afternoon. Foti Kallergis, director of Communications & Public Relations for Houston Airports, said workers were trying to restore water to a limited capacity to the airport. โOur team is manually providing non-consumable water to airport restrooms from mobile water storage tanks,โ Kallergis said in a statement. โWe are working to restore water โ in a limited capacityโ to the entire airport.โThursday morning, officials for Hobby Airport shared a tweet that said water had been successfully restored. Our crews worked all through the night to successfully restored water โin a limited capacity โto Hobby Airport,โ the tweet said.
Houston woman reunited with bracelet containing mother's ashes
When Hobby Airport traveler Shara Fisher discovered her cherished bracelet containing her mom's ashes was missing, she was beyond distressed. "I had left voicemails at Dallas Love Airport Lost and Found and Hobby Airport Lost and Found." Thanks to another Hobby Airport traveler, Desiree Encinas, and the power of Facebook, Fisher was reunited with the bracelet that carried her mother's ashes on January 28. Looking back at the unique reunion of the bracelet, Fisher felt it was a sign from her mother. Then, they plan to spread her mother's ashes in Sedona.
chron.comIllinois woman to be reunited with special bracelet lost in Hobby Airport
HOUSTON โ An Illinois woman is thankful after a bracelet containing her late motherโs ashes was found in Hobby Airport. โI lost my mom on Christmas Eve so I had not had the bracelet very long.โAfter she lost the bracelet, Fisher and her family had flooded social media in the hopes someone would find the bracelet. Coincidentally, Arizona happens to be Evelynโs special place, where she asked that her ashes be spread. โWeโre going to all go together and spread ashes in Sedona,โ said Fisher. She says sheโs thankful the lost bracelet wound up in the hands of someone, who would recognize that it was important to someone else.
Bracelet appearing to hold loved oneโs ashes found at Hobby Airport. Can you help find its owner?
The bracelet found at Hobby Airport, as published on social media by Desiree Encinas. HOUSTON โ Could you help find the owner of a bracelet that was found at Houstonโs Hobby Airport? A post that has been shared on social media is asking for help returning the special bracelet to its rightful owner. The original Facebook post shows a bracelet that appears to contain a loved oneโs ashes inside a heart-shaped container that is engraved with a thumbprint. Encinas said she thinks someone will know something and she soon will get the special bracelet back to the right person.
Father, daughter meet for the first time after 50 years
HOUSTON โ It was an emotional reunion for one Tomball, Texas father and his daughter, who were separated at her birth and then came together again after 50 years. Winskiโs daughter, Kerri Beggs, said at the age of 19, she began a quest to find her biological father. Beggs, who now lives in Tucson, Arizona, took a plane to Hobby Airport on Friday, a flight that was delayed. For the first time after a lifetime of missing each other, the father and daughter embraced each other. For the last four months, Iโve been looking forward to this day.โAdded Winski, โSheโs my little girl.
New hop-on jet service takes off: Houston to Dallas for just $99
HOUSTON โ โHop-onโ jet service, JSX is cutting the time it takes to travel from Houston to Dallas. With JSX, Texans can forget the hassle and experience the luxury of no crowds, a private terminal and business class legroom โ starting at just $99 each way. The jet service began offering travel between Houston and Dallas on Friday. In anticipation of the busy holiday season, JSX is offering daily roundtrip service between private terminals at Houstonโs William P. Hobby Airport and Dallas Love Field. Flights can be booked online or through the JSX app.
โThe Blobโ coming to 1940 Air Terminal Museum: What you need to know
HOUSTON โ The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is hosting a drive-in movie showing Saturday ahead of Halloween. The museum, located at Hobby Airport, will show the movie โThe Blobโ starring Steve McQueen in his debut role. The museum is encouraging attendees via a Facebook event post to purchase their ticket in advance as they have a limited amount of space available so COVID-19 protocols and social distancing can be followed. Admission is $25 per vehicle and $20 for museum members and refreshments will be available for purchase. The drive-in movie will begin at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets in advance, click here.
New Houston Botanic Garden is 132-acres of plants, hiking trails, water features and more
HOUSTON โ Time to add another safe, and fun local outdoor activity to your to-do list! Weโre talking about the brand-new Houston Botanic Garden, located off I-45 just across from Hobby Airport. Itโs a 132-acre plant museum with hiking trails, water features, and a family discovery center, and it opens this Friday. Here are some of the weekends to look forward to:Sept. 18, 19, and 20 โ Celebrating Latin AmericaOct. 2, 3, and 4 โ Celebrating AsiaOct. 16, 17, and 18 โ Celebrating AfricaOct. 30, 31, and November 1 โ Celebrating The MediterraneanVisitors are encouraged to buy tickets online at Houston Botanic Garden. Watch Lauren Kelly and President/General Counsel Claudia Gee Vassar give us a special sneak peek.
Hurricane Laura evacuees staying in Houston hotels being transitioned to other cities across the state
Like many others that evacuated to Houston following Hurricane Laura, they checked into local hotels with the costs covered by the state through Friday. If families need help with transportation, the Red Cross can help them get there. The TDEM said displaced families that still need help need to call a hotline number so that everything can be processed. โWe do thank Houston. I do thank Texas.
Investigation underway after man found shot to death at SE Houston apartment
HOUSTON Houston police are investigating a deadly shooting at an apartment complex near Hobby Airport. Officers responded to a reported shooting around 7 p.m. at the Broadway Casa Apartments Tuesday night, Lt. Larry Crowson said. First responders found a man dead in the courtyard of the complex, Crowson said. The residents reported hearing several gunshots and then they called us that the male was deceased in the courtyard, he said. Investigators said it is unknown if the man lived at the complex.
Man drives to Walgreens after being shot in SE Houston; search for suspect underway: Police
HOUSTON Police said they are searching for a suspect who shot a man near a Walgreens by Hobby Airport, where people are waiting in line to get tested for COVID-19. Officers said the incident happened near the 8300 block of Broadway at around 3:50 a.m. Authorities said the gunshot victim drove over a sidewalk, through bushes and crashed into a truck, then called out for his mother. According to police, the victim also crashed into someone who was in the line waiting to be tested. Police said they are now looking for the suspect responsible for the shooting after they said he fled the scene.
Five-car crash closes all outbound lanes on Gulf Freeway, near Hobby Airport
Five-car crash closes all outbound lanes on Gulf Freeway, near Hobby AirportA major, five-car crash has closed all outbound lanes on the Gulf Freeway, according to Houston police. A major, five-car crash has closed all outbound lanes on the Gulf Freeway, according to Houston police. Photo: Houston Transtar Photo: Houston Transtar Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Five-car crash closes all outbound lanes on Gulf Freeway, near Hobby Airport 1 / 1 Back to GalleryA major, five-car crash has closed all outbound lanes on the Gulf Freeway, according to Houston police. TranStar cameras showed emergency personnel siphoning off traffic at the exist for Clearwood Drive, near Hobby Airport. Houston police said to expect traffic delays, but it didnt provide any initial information on the crash.
chron.comRecord-breaking heat expected in Houston today
Record-breaking heat expected in Houston todayForecasted temperatures in Houston could break daily records at Hobby Airport and in Galveston on Wednesday, March 24, 2020. Forecasted temperatures in Houston could break daily records at Hobby Airport and in Galveston on Wednesday, March 24, 2020. Photo: National Weather Service Photo: National Weather Service Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Record-breaking heat expected in Houston today 1 / 1 Back to GalleryUnseasonable heat might help Houston break its own record for a daily high temperature recorded at Hobby Airport today. High temperatures in the upper-80s are expected throughout the Houston area, with some places predicted to reach 90 degrees for the first time this season, according to the National Weather Service. Parts of Houston could also reach 90 degrees today, a feat normally achieved in the first week of May each year, according to meteorologists.
chron.com7-year-old girl shot during robbery near Hobby Airport, police say
7-year-old girl shot during robbery near Hobby Airport, police sayHouston police investigate after a 7-year-old girl was shot in the 8500 block of Broadway on Tuesday, March 23, 2020. Houston police investigate after a 7-year-old girl was shot in the 8500 block of Broadway on Tuesday, March 23, 2020. Photo: OnScene.TV Photo: OnScene.TV Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close 7-year-old girl shot during robbery near Hobby Airport, police say 1 / 4 Back to GalleryA 7-year-old girl caught in the line of fire during a robbery Tuesday near Hobby Airport is expected to be OK, police say. At a nearby apartment, two men had robbed another man at gunpoint and were walking along Broadway when the robbery victim started following the pair, Finner said. "Don't ever think that because of what's going on here in Houston ... that the Houston Police Department is asleep.
chron.comMan killed, woman injured in shooting near Hobby Airport
Man killed, woman injured in shooting near Hobby AirportHouston police investigate a deadly shooting in the 8800 block of Koala Drive on Friday, March 13, 2020. Houston police investigate a deadly shooting in the 8800 block of Koala Drive on Friday, March 13, 2020. Photo: OnScene.TV Photo: OnScene.TV Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Man killed, woman injured in shooting near Hobby Airport 1 / 7 Back to GalleryA 23-year-old man is dead and his girlfriend wounded after a shooting near Hobby Airport early Friday morning. The two were in the driveway of a home in the 8800 block of Koala Drive around 2 a.m. when they were both shot, police said. Two men were seen driving away from the home after the shooting in a dark-colored Dodge Charger, authorities said.
chron.comThis is how big venues, airports in Houston are protecting against spread of coronavirus
HOUSTON โ A number of large venues across Houston from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport to the Toyota Center are taking steps to combat the coronavirus. โWe know a lot of people travel through our airports, so we really want to emphasize our message, and just to do our part,โ said Houston Airport System spokesperson Augusto Bernal. There are eight total coronavirus cases in the Houston area โ three confirmed cases and five presumptive positive cases. Here is the official statement from the Toyota Center:The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center have implemented preventive measures recommended by the NBA and local and national healthcare professionals. Toyota Center has enhanced the cleaning and disinfection process of the facility between events.
HPD officer resigns after being charged with sexual assault of a minor
HOUSTON โ A 10-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, who was most recently assigned to Hobby Airport, has been charged with felony sexual assault of a child. Navid Ashraf, 41, is accused of having sex with a minor who was engaged in prostitution. According to the court filing, Ashraf paid at least $180 for the sexual experiences, which allegedly took place at a motel in the 8800 block of Airport Boulevard near Hobby Airport. According to court documents, the encounter took place in September. The situation came to light when the minor was later picked up for prostitution in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to court records.
Allegiant to start service from Hobby and is offering $33 one-way flights to celebrate
Allegiant will start flying from Hobby Airport and will include flights to four destinations along with a $33 one-way ticket promotion. The new seasonal routes from Hobby include:Knoxville, Tennessee via McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) โ beginning May 21 with fares as low as $33. Asheville, North Carolina via Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) โ beginning May 22 with fares as low as $33. Savannah, Georgia via Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) โ beginning May 28 with fares as low as $33. Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida via Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) โ beginning June 5 with fares as low as $33.
Hobby Airport beats out Bush Intercontinental Airport for domestic travel to Houston, report finds
1, while the San Antonio International Airport came in at No. Ontario International Airport - Ontario, California8. Sacramento International Airport - Sacramento, California9. San Antonio International Airport - San Antonio, Texas10. Portland International Airport - Portland, OregonClick here to view the full report and methodology.
Boy, 10, missing from Hobby area home located
Boy, 10, missing from Hobby area home locatedGuillermo Herrera was last seen about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at his home in the 8900 block of Glencrest Street, in the Hobby Airport area. Guillermo Herrera was last seen about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at his home in the 8900 block of Glencrest Street, in the Hobby Airport area. Photo: Hous Photo: Hous Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Boy, 10, missing from Hobby area home located 1 / 1 Back to GalleryUpdate: The 10-year-old boy has been located. --------Houston police are seeking help finding a 10-year-old Houston boy. Guillermo Herrera was last seen about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at his home in the 8900 block of Glencrest Street, in the Hobby Airport area.
chron.comFall finally makes appearance Monday
HOUSTON - After a seemingly eternal stretch of hot, humid, summer weather, fall will finally make an appearance on Monday! The rain will be spotty and light, so the morning commute will not be significantly impacted. Temperatures will rebound back to near 90 degrees by Thursday, but a second cold front will push through Friday. That front will bring our best chance for rain this week and significantly cooler temperatures for the weekend. Have a great week, Houston.
Houston airports ranked among best and worst in the country, study says
freeimages.com/krzysiucHOUSTON - Houstons two airports are among the best and the worst in the country, according to a study released Wednesday. According to the study, Bush Intercontinental Airport is the 17th best in the country, while Hobby Airport is the ninth-worst. However, once travelers arrive at Bush they have the best amenities of any Houston airport (ranked 15th in the country) and a decent record of on-time flights (ranked 14th in the country), Yates said. Nation's best and worstAccording to the study, San Diego International Airport was the best in the country, followed by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Portland International Airport in Oregon. That was followed by Orlando International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Airplane fuel spill prompts hazmat response at Hobby Airport
Airplane fuel spill prompts hazmat response at Hobby AirportA Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 taxis after landing at Houston's Hobby Airport. This year, it amounts to an average bonus of about 10 percent of a Delta employees annual pay. less A Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 taxis after landing at Houston's Hobby Airport. This year, it amounts to an ... more Photo: Bill Montgomery /Houston Chronicle Photo: Bill Montgomery /Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Airplane fuel spill prompts hazmat response at Hobby Airport 1 / 1 Back to GalleryPassengers on a Delta flight safely exited the plane Thursday afternoon at Hobby Airport after a fuel leak was reported in one of the aircraft's tanks, Houston Airport System spokesperson Bill Begley said. The flight was en route to Hobby Airport around 5:20 p.m. when it reported issues with the fuel tank, Begley said.
chron.comPrivate jet runs off runway during hard landing at Hobby Airport
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A private jet ran off the runway at Hobby Airport during a hard landing Tuesday afternoon.The incident involving seven people on the Cessna aircraft happened just before 12:30 p.m., according to Bill Begley, spokesman for the Houston Airport System.The jet suffered a brake failure, causing it to run off the runway and come to a rest in the grass.Begley said there was no damage to the the plane.The plane flew from Pueblo Memorial Airport Sunday, and was scheduled to fly to Aspen, Colorado at 6:36 p.m. Tuesday night.
abc13.comHouston police helicopter makes hard landing at Hobby Airport, officers OK
Houston police helicopter makes hard landing at Hobby Airport, officers OKHouston police officers investigate after a Houston Police Department patrol helicopter made a hard landing at Hobby Airport on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Houston police officers investigate after a Houston Police Department patrol helicopter made a hard landing at Hobby Airport on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Photo: OnSceneTV Photo: OnSceneTV Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Houston police helicopter makes hard landing at Hobby Airport, officers OK 1 / 9 Back to GalleryA pair of Houston police officers operating a patrol helicopter are OK after making a hard landing Thursday night at Hobby Airport. Satterwhite pledged to support changes to the Air Support Division, if needed to keep officers safe. "If there's anything we need to do to ensure their safety going forward," he said, "we're going to do that."
chron.comHPD chopper makes hard landing at hangar near Hobby Airport
HOUSTON - A Houston Police Department helicopter made a hard landing Thursday at the agencys hangar near Hobby Airport. According to a tweet, a pilot and flight training officer were aboard the chopper when it hit the ground about 8:40 p.m. There is damage to the helicopter but we are very fortunate our officers are okay, the tweet read. One of our Fox helicopters had a hard landing incident near our hangar at 8400 Larson (near Hobby Airport) about 8:40 pm. Fortunately, our pilot and flight training officer on board were able to get out of and walk from the aircraft without serious injury.
Why JetBlue says it's leaving Hobby Airport for IAH
JetBlue plans to move its operations from Hobby Airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport later this year. In a press release, JetBlue noted the many advantages that IAH offers including technology upgrades like interactive kiosks and free Wi-Fi. The last flight at Hobby will be Oct. 26 and the next day they will start flying out of IAH. JetBlue plans to operate from IAH's Terminal A. Customers currently booked on JetBlue flights to and from Hobby on or after Oct. 27 will be automatically rebooked on flights to and from IAH.