WASHINGTON AVENUE

There is a major traffic alert in Houston.

As the Friday night crowd arrived on Houston’s Washington Avenue, a recent shooting was still on the minds of some.

Houston police are investigating a shooting they said left five people injured at a hookah lounge on Washington Avenue Tuesday.

A Houston-area man has been arrested and charged after officials found him outside of a club on Washington Avenue with an AR-15.

HOUSTON – Some bars and businesses along Houston’s Washington Avenue were decorated in green for St. Patrick’s Day, marking the first big celebratory night since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in Texas. “It’s been a year since we’ve been locked up and it’s been nice to get out and about,” said a Houston resident Jason Griffin, who decided to head out early. Greg Abbott lifted the state’s mask mandate and allowed businesses to open at 100% capacity. “It’s been a lot less people than it’s been before but some people wearing masks, some people are not,” said a man named Bud, who had a green mask to match his outfit. Weather’s wonderful and after that freeze there, it’s a very good time to be outside these days.”

Turner encouraged all Houston-area business to continue to enforce the mask policy, despite Abbott’s order. — Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 8, 2021The Houston Health Department announced that the city’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 13.1%, which is up from last week. During the news conference, the Houston Health Department said the U.K. COVID-19 variant was growing in Houston’s wastewater. On Feb. 8, the U.K. COVID-19 strand was found in 21 of the 39 wastewater plants in the city, according the Health Department. The Brazilian and the South African variant was also found in the city’s wastewater, but the Health Department was not able to release the exact measurements just yet.

HOUSTON – State and local leaders, along with health care workers, will gather Sunday to condemn and demand a “Mask Off” party at a local nightclub located on Washington Avenue be canceled. AdLocal leaders and health experts condemn a “Mask Off” party at a local nightclub located on Washington Avenue. Max Levy said he wouldn’t be attending but believed the nightclub had a right to do what they wanted. “I do believe it’s the personal businesses right to decide for themselves what dress code they want to enforce whether that’s a mask or no mask,” Levy said. He said he understands COVID fatigue is real but believes we have come too far not to be responsible.

Twisted Grilled Cheese, a popular Houston food truck devoted to the gooey grilled sandwich, recently opened its first brick-and-mortar location on Washington Avenue. Twisted Grilled Cheese at 5555 Washington Avenue operates Sunday through Thursday, 11a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 13 gourmet sandwiches anchor the offerings: Signature sandwiches include The 5 Cheese Pepperoni, The Smokehouse Brisket, The Buffalo Chicken, The Halal Philly Grilled Cheesesteak, The Halal Philly Grilled Chicken, and The Twisted Burger. The food truck will continue operating. It will circulate through several locations, including the Power Center Food Truck Park, the Galleria Food Truck Park, and the Foodie Trucks Park in Katy.

A new open-air lounge, The Sporting Club, opened Thursday on Washington Avenue at Roy Street. The restaurant is at 5102 Washington Avenue. The menu at The Sporting Club focuses on fresh seafood, light coastal Italian bites and upscale spins on classic bar favorites, including salads, pizzas and desserts. “We are excited to bring the all-new concept of The Sporting Club to the Washington Corridor,” said Dan Wierck, the owner of the parent-company SoClutch Group. The dining space features exposed brick from the original building with opulent crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors, natural weaving and topiary wallpaper line the textured walls.

WACO, Texas – A historical 19th century Texas estate, described as “one of the most beautiful and historically significant homes in Waco,” has landed on the market for $1.39 million, per a listing from the Houston Association of Realtors website provided by Waco-based real estate agent Adrianna Walker. The one-of-a-kind home, which dates back to 1885, was built by none other than Wade Morrison, founder of Texas-made soft drink Dr Pepper. Its backyard boasts a California-style pool and a cabana with a fireplace, TV and outdoor kitchen. Check out the images below, courtesy of HAR, for a virtual tour inside the grand Lone Star estate:For more information on the home, click here. 1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)1503 Washington Avenue (HAR)What do you think of this historical Waco home?

PortaVino is now reopened. The BYOB Italian restaurant initially opened on March 8 but was shuttered just eight days later amid the coronavirus pandemic, Paper City Mag reports. The restaurant is named PortaVino which in Italian translates to bring wine." PortaVino is operating up to 50% seating capacity and offers unlimited patio seating, in compliance with reopening guidelines. It is located at 7800 Washington Avenue, where it splits into Hempstead and Old Katy Road.

“My entire adult career has been Barry’s Pizza, so stopping that even temporarily is difficult.”The restaurant tried curbside delivery for a couple of weeks. "There's a lot that goes into a full-service restaurant that we're not using right now," said general manager Shawna Heflin. Just one example of thousands of cases -- business owners navigating a financial fight against a deadly and costly enemy. So you can’t get kicked out of your home and no eviction court cases will move ahead. Landlords can file those cases but right now they are not being heard.

Nighttime parking rates along Washington Avenue increaseWashington Avenue bar hoppers can expect to start shelling out more money for nighttime parking after the Washington Avenue Corridor Parking Benefit District recently approved a tax rate hike for certain meters during weekend hours. less Washington Avenue bar hoppers can expect to start shelling out more money for nighttime parking after the Washington Avenue Corridor Parking Benefit District recently approved a tax rate hike for certain meters ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff / Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Nighttime parking rates along Washington Avenue increase 1 / 3 Back to GalleryWashington Avenue bar hoppers can expect to start shelling out more money for nighttime parking after the Washington Avenue Corridor Parking Benefit District recently approved a tax rate hike for certain meters during weekend hours, Community Impact Newspaper reported. The area covered by the district is bounded by Houston Avenue, Center Boulevard, Lillian Street/Decatur Street and Westcott Street, per the city website. District board member Mark Fairchild told media the meter rate hike could increase annual revenue by $15,000 to $17,000. 'PARKING BARNACLE': UH parking device goes viral after student complains on social mediaRebecca Hennes covers community news.

Best Late Night: Ninja RamenWhether you're wrapping up a night spent in the club/bar bouncy-house that is Washington Avenue or just getting off a shift, stepping up into the saloon-esque Ninja Ramen is a warm grandmothers hug at the end of the night. Ninja Ramen buys fresh noods from famed Sun Noodles originally out of Honolulu and uses local farm eggs. There are three different vehicles of ramen with options to variate on each: traditional, Mazemen brothless, and Aburamen, which without the egg is vegan. Be sure to order a scoop of miso caramel to finish it all off, and the jams overhead are always on point. Ninja Ramen focuses on a few important things and does them all right.

Marathon fans do their part with funny, inspirational signsA little boy cheers on runners on Washington Avenue during the Chevron Houston Marathon, in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. A little boy cheers on runners on Washington Avenue during the Chevron Houston Marathon, in Houston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Marathon fans do their part with funny, inspirational signs 1 / 24 Back to GalleryEverything associated with the Chevron Houston Marathon seems like an astronomical task. HOUSTON MARATHON: Runners share what it takes to make it to the endBut, if you want to participate without worrying about all that work, at least you can cheer runners on with an inspirational sign. Houston Chronicle photographers captured some of the best homemade posters along the race course on Sunday morning.

The Adult Reading Center publicly announced its new name, the Adult Education Center, on June 18. Located at 2246 N. Washington Avenue, Pearland, the center is in the midst of rebranding itself as well, but has a mission of educating adult learners with improved literacy and employment opportunities. The center offers classes in English as a Second Language, citizenship, high school equivalency and job preparation, and also teaches adults with dyslexia and learning disorders. 281-485-1000. https://www.adultreadingcenter.org

Houston Margarita Crawl draws festive crowd to Washington AvenueThe start of the Houston Margarita Crawl at Fuego's Saloon. Each of the Washington Avenue area venues had drink discounts for the event. The start of the Houston Margarita Crawl at Fuego's Saloon. Houstonians braved the punishing July heat and hit the Margarita Crawl on Washington Avenue on Saturday afternoon. Click on these pics to see all the fun of Houston's Margarita Crawl-->

Lemon location in Houston's Montrose neighborhood is seen on July 1, 2019. Lemon is set to open its second location in Houstons Montrose neighborhood next week. The gastropub has already become a favorite of foodies along the Washington Avenue corridor. Lemon, said he couldnt resist the 2,700-square-foot location near the corner of Montrose Boulevard and Richmond Avenue. Guests can expect to enjoy the same tavern-style menu as the Washington Avenue location, with several new seafood additions like snapper crudo with citrus and Mediterranean snapper.

Louisiana-based indoor golf venue Loft 18 plans to open in the Sawyer Yards development off of Washington Avenue in late summer 2019. Guests will also be able to dine and drink at the venue at 2313 Edwards St., Houston. www.loft18.com

The idea was proposed in a letter to METRO dated May 15 from Central Houston, an organization affiliated with the Houston Downtown Management District. There has not been the level of community input, board vice chairperson Jim Robinson said at the board workshop. Board members acknowledged Washingtons growth and development make it an attractive corridor for transit but light rail might not be the best option. The Washington corridor is partially served by the Old Sixth Ward TIRZ and Memorial Heights TIRZ but lacks a management district. The system provides rail-like service, including dedicated lanes, signal priority and level boarding, with rail cars on rubber tires.

The anticipated Montrose location of BB Lemon, 4319 Montrose Blvd., Houston, will open July 8. Unlike its sister location on Washington Avenue, this cafe and bar has a closed-off private room, a small covered patio and sidewalk seating. Its cocktail menu will also feature three drinks specially made for the new location. 713-804-4319. www.bblemon.com