Proviso classes shift to remote learning as teachers strike looms, students stage walkouts and protests
With a teachers strike looming at Proviso High School District 209, student walk-outs, protests and fires ignited in school bathrooms this week have prompted officials to shutter the district’s three high schools Thursday and abruptly shift to remote learning.
chicagotribune.comWoman dead after pickup truck slams into telephone pole, driver possibly intoxicated and traveling wrong way, police say
A woman was killed and a possible intoxicated, wrong-way driver was unharmed after crashing a pickup truck into a telephone pole at an intersection in Third Ward Monday morning, according to Houston police.
6 tips to keep in mind as you take home those live Christmas trees
As we round the corner to Christmas, many are still on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree to continue their favorite holiday traditions. But beware of the incidents that can occur when traveling with a live tree strapped on top of your car.
Tips to know before starting your generator during a power outage
In the aftermath of a storm, a generator can be a crucial part of your recovery. It can power a fan, turn on some lights and keep your food cool. But many people only use a generator in an emergency and don’t operate them properly. This can lead to serious injury or death.
Worried about flying debris on roadways? Here’s how you can avoid the nightmare and save money, hassles
It is a high-speed, highly dangerous, highway nightmare. We’re talking about road debris, items falling off other vehicles on the road and then flying directly into your path, into your car, and maybe into your windshield.
Adjusting your clocks is a great reminder to test your smoke alarms
HOUSTON – Houstonians adjusting their clocks forward this weekend should also be sure smoke alarms are working properly. The American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast region is encouraging Houstonians to test their smoke alarms. A properly working smoke alarm can significantly reduce the risk of fires, officials said. To make sure your smoke alarm is working, do the following:Be sure there is at least one smoke alarm installed on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms and sleeping areas. For more fire safety, visit the American Red Cross website here.
One Montgomery County leader who is without power shares how she’s staying warm
Meghan Ballard Arthur, of Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, is doing her best to keep her family warm. Like many residents of Montgomery County, Arthur and her family have been without power for the last 24 hours. She says she and her family have used blankets to seal windows and doors, and have moved into an inner room of the home to stay warm. She asks that Montgomery County residents be patient as crews work to get power restored, and acknowledges that power infrastructure was not set up for an event such as the one experienced in the area, with temperatures plummeting into the teens. Warming stations have been set up for residents with no power or water.
Houston Police Department increases security throughout city ahead of Inauguration Day, Acevedo says
HOUSTON – Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo announced the department will increase security across the city starting Friday through Jan. 20, the day of the inauguration. Acevedo said this comes as after rioters stormed the Capitol and breached the White House. While Acevedo said there is no specific threat to our community, the department will continue to investigate. “Be the eyes/ears of the police department,” Acevedo said. “If you hear any threat against our city or county or state or nation, please report it right away to your local agency and or the FBI,” Acevedo said.
This is what you should NOT do with your old Christmas tree
The McKinney Fire Department is advising people to dispose of their trees in a safe way after responding to a this fire. MCKINNEY, Texas – The McKinney Fire Department is offering some sage (or should we say pine) advice on how not to dispose of your Christmas tree following the holidays. Their advice: don’t try to burn your tree indoors. According to the department, they were called out to a fire Saturday morning because someone tried to burn their entire tree in their fireplace. The photo was captioned with, “This is what happens when you try to burn a Christmas tree in a home fireplace.”If you are not sure of what to do with your tree, there are plenty of places in the Houston area where you can dispose of your tree in a safe way.
Houston cranks up the heat as freezing temps arrive
HOUSTON – Houston leaders are urging people to be safe and smart as they crank up the heaters ahead of freezing temperatures expected Monday night. Officials at the Houston Fire Department also warned people about using space heaters, saying they see a spike in fire calls when the temperatures drop. Martee Boose, of HFD, said space heaters should not be run all night long and people should not use an extension cord to power them. “In the Houston area, space heaters account for 100 fires annually,” Boose said. “Using your stove or oven to heat your home instead of using a space heater -- that’s something you never want to do,” added Boose.
What to consider when planning holiday travel
Therefore, Michael Chang, infectious disease pediatrician with UT Physicians/UT Health, says traveling this holiday season is not out of the question if you consider the following:Individual Risk“First, looking at the individual risks of the people who either want to travel or planning to travel,” Dr. Chang said. “Are any of the individuals that are planning to get together high risk, individuals for severe infection? So are they, over the age of 60 to 65 do they have underlying conditions?”Community RiskAssess the community risk. “Driving in a personal car is probably lower risk than say riding in a bus or in a train,” Dr. Chang said. “Wearing masks on the flight does seem to prevent, at least has so far, seems to keep like a major spread within a plane,” Dr. Chang explained.
Ask 2 Live: Expert advice on enjoying Halloween amid the pandemic
HOUSTON – NOTE: This Ask 2 Live event has ended. ICYMI: Ask 2 Live: Expert advice for finding affordable health care in the Houston areaWhether you’re planning to skip the holiday or celebrate the night while social-distancing, there are many options to choose from and how to do it safely. KPRC 2 was joined by experts from the Houston Health Department, Crime Stoppers of Houston and Sugar Land Sara. First things first, no matter the costume, make sure you wear a mask. You’ll want to wear a reusable cloth mask to make sure you’re protected.
DPS to increase law enforcement during Labor Day weekend
AUSTIN, Texas Whether youre just driving around town or traveling this Labor Day, the Texas Department of Public Safety encourages all drivers to practice safe driving habits and exercise caution throughout the holiday weekend. Beginning Friday through Monday, the Texas Highway Patrol will increase its enforcement on Texas roads. DPS reminds all travelers to be responsible and practice safe driving habits this Labor Day, said DPS Director Steven McCraw. DPS enforcement efforts also resulted in 489 DWI arrests, 358 fugitive arrests and 354 felony arrests. Drivers are encouraged to follow these safety tips during the Labor Day weekend:
ASK 2: I will be flying to Chicago on Thursday morning from Houston Bush Airport at 10 a.m. Will it be safe to drive to the airport on that day ?
As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: I will be flying to Chicago on Thursday morning from Houston Bush Airport at 10 am. Answer: Answer: Tropical Storm Laura is now a Category 1 Hurricane and is expected to intensify today in the Gulf Coast before making landfall late Wednesday. 3 hurricane at landfall which will be late Wednesday night into early Tuesday morning. Please pay close attention to our storm team coverage, Frank Billingsley, Britta Merwin, Khambrel Marshall, Justin Stapleton and Eric Braate will be tracking Laura’s every move and will provide the latest updates as they become available.
STORM SAFETY TIPS: what Houston firefighters want you to know ahead of Hurricane Laura
HOUSTON As Hurricane Laura looms closer, many may be wondering if theyre really ready for the worst. Community Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Kris Parrent shares what their team is doing and what you can do ahead of the hurricane. The Community Volunteer Fire Department was officially established on April 12, 1971. Here are some important storm safety reminders to help you get ready for Hurricane Laura. Community Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Kris Parrent shares what their team is doing to prepare for the storm.
Back 2 School: School bus safety tips for drivers
HOUSTON Its been a problem in this neighborhood, according to Fort Bend County resident Dina Gusten. She lives in the Sienna neighborhood and says shes seen a significant amount of crashes in the Sienna Village of Anderson Springs. I am concerned about drivers and I think everyone needs to be on the same page and be re-educated on what theyre supposed to do since school is coming up, Gusten said. This is why its so important to share this information with drivers, as select students will be heading back to school soon. So, here are the dos and donts, according to Texas Department of Transportation:
What you need to know about firework safety for Fourth of July
HOUSTON – Officials informed Houston residents on how to stay safe ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. The Houston Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office held a news conference at 10 a.m. regarding fireworks. During that conference, people were reminded that fireworks are dangerous and illegal to use within city limits and some parts of Harris County. If you plan on setting off fireworks, follow these safety guidelines:Follow the law. Make sure fireworks are legal in your community.
Humans can infect their pets with coronavirus, FDA says
The Food and Drug Administration posted a video Friday that says pets likely cant spread the coronavirus, but they can get it from people. Limited information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates while humans can infect their pets, the transmission risk seems to be low. The FDA suggests following these tips when caring for a pet during the pandemic:Make sure pets are leashed when outside and practice social distancing when walking. If you are unable to find pet care, you should wear a face covering when around your pet. To learn more and to find other FAQs about coronavirus and pets, click here.
Would you know what to do during a tornado? We have tips
As mid-May arrives, tornado season begins to reach its peak, proving to be a big threat, and nearly every state in the United States can experience a tornado. Having said that, do you know the safest things you can do for you and your family should a tornado strike near your home? Because of that, it’s smart to consider what room may be safest for you, in the event of a tornado. Mobile homes are simply not designed to withstand a tornado or strong winds in severe storms. [WATCH: When you see a tornado while driving, here’s what to do]The time to find shelter is when you are under a tornado warning, so while all of this is helpful information, the best thing you can do is know the signs before a tornado hits.
6 tips to help families navigate childcare and getting back to work
HOUSTON – On Friday, Texas started to loosen up its stay-at-home restrictions, which means more working parents will soon be going back to work. Rania Mankarious, executive director with Crime Stoppers of Houston, shares tips to help working parents and their families adjust. Courtesy: (iStock)Here are some of Mankarious’s tips for working parents. • If there is a pool, make sure kids know how to swim or that they don't swim while you are gone. • Have rules set up on who can come over and what outdoor activities they can do.
Safety tips and best practices when heading to the grocery store
HOUSTON – Trips to the grocery store have always been a family event for many people, but with the Stay Home Work Safe order, we should really only be heading out for essential items. We want to reduce the number of people in that store and practice social distancing effectively,” said Sujata. The next time you head to the grocery store or pick up food from a restaurant, Sirsat offers these tips to stay safe:Wash store-bought produce thoroughly with cool water then dry the produce with a disposable paper towel. Recommendations circulating on social media to wash produce with soap are inaccurate, and Sirsat notes that this could be harmful since soap is toxic when consumed. Watch above as Sujata gives her tips and best practices for going to the grocery store, and once you get home.
How to stay safe when using ride-sharing services
He shared safety strategies he said all riders should know before ever getting into the back of a rideshare vehicle. According to Dupree, sitting behind your driver will make it more difficult for them to grab you for an attack. “If you’re behind him, you have the time to get out of the vehicle,” said Dupree. Check the window to see if it can roll down, that way you can open the door from the outside. Is he having conversations on a cellphone, in a very low tone or low voice that sounds suspicious?
Beware: Several feral hog sightings reported in Seabrook
SEABROOK, Texas – Seabrook Animal Control is warning residents about feral hog sightings in the area. In a Facebook Monday, the Seabrook Animal Shelter let residents know that Seabrook Animal Control has received “several calls” regarding packs of feral hogs at Wildlife Park, which is located off Red Bluff Road. Seabrook Animal Control have received several calls regarding packs of feral hogs at Wildlife Park just off Red Bluff... Posted by Seabrook Animal Shelter - Texas on Monday, February 17, 2020Officials advised that typically the hogs won’t bother people if they are left alone. “Most feral hogs, in particular female mothers, will only charge someone when they feel provoked or threatened. Officials said feral hogs feed mainly at night and during the twilight hours, but may go out and search for food during the day in cold or wet weather.