School board president, lawmaker clash over funding
Spring Branch ISD Board President Chris Earnest sharpened criticism against his State Senator, Paul Bettencourt. Tuesday night (Feb. 27, 2024) Bettencourt posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) sharing a recent opinion piece from the district’s former superintendent questioning the district’s recent funding shortfall.
Man gets life sentence for killing a father in front of his daughter at Dave & Buster’s near Spring Branch
A Houston man was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing a 37-year-old father during an armed robbery outside of a theater complex near Spring Branch in 2021, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Monday.
Man in custody on unrelated charges in Southwest Texas charged with murder in deadly Spring Branch drive-by shooting
The Houston Police Department said a man who is in custody on unrelated charges in southwest Texas has been charged with murder in connection to a deadly drive-by shooting in the Spring Branch area.
Spring Branch mulch fire: Residents concerned about air quality as flames expected to last for more than a week
A fire in Spring Branch that has been burning for nearly a week now could burn for several more weeks if left alone. That’s according to fire officials who say that likely won’t happen because crews are hard at work keeping it contained.
Suspect accused of killing ex-wife, her boyfriend in Spring Branch turns himself in to authorities after quadruple shooting, HPD says
A man who is accused of killing two people, including the mother of his child, inside of a home in Spring Branch on Thanksgiving Day has reportedly turned himself in to police.
Suspect accused of fatally shooting ex-wife, man, injuring 2 others in Spring Branch home arrested, charged: HPD
An investigation is underway after a man fatally shot his ex-wife and another man and then injured two others while they were having Thanksgiving dinner at a home in Spring Branch, officers with the Houston Police Department said.
Flower power: Freedom Floral in Spring Branch uses shop to support other women-owned businesses
Freedom Floral, a full-service flower shop in Houston’s Spring Branch district, opened in the summer of 2020 by three moms, Chelsea Wrobel, Bridget Azzam and Jenna Scott, all on a mission help support other local women in business and share the power of the female tribe.
4-year-old watching cartoons molested by plumber while his boss, girl’s parents in home, DA says
An apprentice plumber from Spring Branch has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting a 4-year-old girl in the living room of her home while his boss and the girl’s parents were looking at an upstairs bathroom, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Thursday.
Spring Branch ISD teacher on administrative leave after lesson containing racist word
A post circulating on social media in the Spring Branch community has caused concern. Students at Stratford High School in Spring Branch ISD voiced concern over feeling uncomfortable with a class activity by a teacher who officials said is now on administrative leave.
One year after massive explosion at Watson Grinding, homeowners still dealing with the aftermath
HOUSTON – One year after an explosion devastated the Spring Branch community, homeowners are still dealing with the aftermath. The blast took place at the Watson Grinding & Manufacturing Company on Jan. 24, 2020. The explosion is being blamed for the death of two Watson Grinding & Manufacturing Co. employees and another person who’s family filed a lawsuit against the company. “We are in a much better position in terms of regulating what is next to you than we were before the Watson explosion. The former owners of Watson Grinding & Manufacturing Co. issued this statement Friday through a public relations firm ahead of the anniversary of the explosion:As we reflect on the terrible event that occurred one year ago, we express our sincere condolences to everyone affected.
4 charged in street-racing event that caused $46,000 in damage to Ikea parking lot
HOUSTON – Arrest warrants have been issued for four men, accused of taking part in an illegal racing event in the parking lot of an Ikea in the Spring Branch area, court documents confirmed Monday. Video of the racing event was shared on social media and posted to YouTube, court documents said. A manager of the Ikea, located in the 7800 block of Katy Freeway, told police the event left behind a lot of damage to the parking lot. “The [manager] informed [the officer] that the damage to the parking lot is estimated to be $46,000 to repair,” according to court documents. Both Smith and Fontenette, according to court documents, were driving a Dodge Charger seen in the video.
Sushi Pop opens new location in Spring Branch area
HOUSTON – Sushi Pop is opening at The Shops at Hilshire Village in the Spring Branch area. The restaurant offers a relaxed casual space to enjoy Japanese-inspired dishes, such as poke bowls, sushi rolls and ramen. They provide a variety of traditional and daring options from raw to cooked. The Shops at Hilshire Village is located north of Interstate 10 and west of Interstate 610 in the Houston area. The address is 1505 Wirt Road.
Former owner of rehab centers accused of sexually assaulting 3 female residents
HOUSTON – The former owner of a halfway house in Spring Branch is accused of sexually preying on troubled women he was supposed to be helping. Michael Hubacek, 42, was charged with sexually assaulting three women that were clients of the private substance abuse treatment centers he operates in Spring Branch. He was arrested Wednesday morning and made his first court appearance to hear the charges against him. On Thursday, the police said he seems to have a type, which is usually attractive women struggling with addiction. Police are asking for more victims to come forward, no matter how long ago the assault was committed against them.
#WHATASNAP: Behind the Scenes at the 2020 VYPE Houston Football Photoshoot
The football stars of Houston were socially-distanced and masked-up as we hosted the 2020 VYPE Houston Football Photo Shoot powered by Whataburger. Over 300 of the city's top players attended shoots at Spring Branch's Tully Stadium, Sheldon ISD's Panther Stadium and Spring ISD's Planet Ford Stadium. A special thanks to Athletic Directors Paige Hershey, Willie Amendola and Derek Fitzhenry for making this photo shoot a reality for the athletes. Check out the behind the scenes video below! Click here to visit your local Whataburger and make sure to check out #WhataSnap.
#WHATASNAP: Behind the Scenes at the 2020 VYPE Houston Football Photoshoot
The football stars of Houston were socially-distanced and masked-up as we hosted the 2020 VYPE Houston Football Photo Shoot powered by Whataburger. Over 300 of the city's top players attended shoots at Spring Branch's Tully Stadium, Sheldon ISD's Panther Stadium and Spring ISD's Planet Ford Stadium. A special thanks to Athletic Directors Paige Hershey, Willie Amendola and Derek Fitzhenry for making this photo shoot a reality for the athletes. Check out the behind the scenes video below! Click here to visit your local Whataburger and make sure to check out #WhataSnap.
Spring Branch Independent School District: What you need to know so far about the 2020-2021 school year
Spring Branch is asking parents for their input on the 2020-2021 school year. During a special meeting with the Board of Trustees, Superintendent Jennifer Blaine discussed the option of starting the school year with both in-school and online instruction. No other information was provided, as the district continues to evaluate other measures to ensure the safety of students this coming August. Measures not in placeSocial distancingTemperature screeningsPartitioningMasks/PPEClass size limitsExtracurricular activitiesNo information provided at this time. Do you have questions about Spring Branch ISDs plan?
Spring Branch mother struggling to get United refund for $2,300 after coronavirus ruined plans
HOUSTON – One Spring Branch woman said it has been a nightmare trying to get a refund from United Airlines. With coronavirus death toll was rising, Gardner, her children, and several family members opted out of the trip. Another week went by; she said she called Wednesday. About 40 minutes later, she said she spoke with a United representative, who told her the request was denied because she voluntarily canceled the flight. Gardner said the representative said the best offer was to submit her refund request.
Officials: Spark ignited propylene leak causing explosion at Watson Grinding
HOUSTON – An electrical spark ignited a propylene leak at a Spring Branch business last week and caused an explosion that damaged more than 400 surrounding buildings, officials said Friday. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said propylene began leaking from one of the tanks at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing sometime between 1 a.m. last Thursday and 1 a.m. last Friday. ATF investigators said they believe an electrical spark that is a normal part of any electrical system ignited the leaking gas. There is no indication that arson, sabotage or vandalism was involved in the blast, ATF investigators said. Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said patrols of the affected neighborhoods will continue and there have been no reports of looting in the area.
Spring Branch couple files lawsuit after deadly explosion destroys their home, injures their children
HOUSTON – A Spring Branch couple has filed a lawsuit against Watson Grinding and Manufacturing. “I turned the light on, and I just saw the whole ceiling was gone and it was all on the bed, I couldn’t see my son,” Burnam said. “My daughter, she wakes up crying, it’s just hard.”The family hired attorney Ryan Zehl with Zehl & Associates. Zehl said Watson Grinding and Manufacturing needs to take responsibility for the explosion. The couple said the toughest part is feeling like the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing are not doing their part to help them during this difficult time.
Residents living in homes impacted by explosion still displaced, city engineers expected to assess damages
Heap's sister-in-law Carole Goff is among the hundreds of people whose homes were severely impacted by the explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing Friday morning. Like many residents who live in the Spring Branch area, Goff woke up that morning to a loud blast. Goff said the city is sending engineers to her home and others nearby to inform them of the status of their property. An informational meeting for impacted residents will be held on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Kamins Motorcars at 4314 Steffani Lane. Speakers at the meeting will discuss how to navigate the insurance and legal process for those residents with damaged homes.
’It’s a warzone over here’: Here’s what people who live near explosion scene are saying
HOUSTON – A massive explosion rocked northwest Houston early Friday, shaking many people in the Spring Branch neighborhood out of their beds. The blast was reported about 4:20 a.m. at Watson Valve Services near the corner of Gessner and Clay roads. Residents who live near the epicenter said windows were blown out of their homes. Most will look back on this day never forgetting the vast damage, the neighborhood will never be the same. Investigative reporter Mario Diaz exclusively toured a damaged home along with local officials:See what residents are saying about the explosion in these videos.
Suspect faces slew of charges in connection with shooting of postal worker, attempted shooting in Spring Branch
Investigators later discovered a connection to another shooting incident at the Costco Gas station on Bunker Hill Road, according to Harris County Attorney’s Office. The same suspect who shot Jackson also attempted to shoot a person at the gas station, officials say. An officer reviewed video surveillances near the gas station, according to a document filed in court. About a month later, Williams was arrested for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in Bellville in Austin County. Then, the Tomball Police Department arrested Williams in September 2017.