All results / Stories / Jo-Carolyn Goode

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Toni V. Smith: 14 Years Later and Still Fighting

A boxer never steps into any ring ill-prepared. Muscles in their body must be trained for weeks to condition the body, build endurance, and enhance speed. The mind must be trained to focus. If a boxer believes they are stronger and faster than their opponent, they have already lost the fight. But how do you prepare for a fight when you know nothing about your opponent? There is no time to plan a strategy. It’s as if you are being sucker-punched from the get-go, leaving you confused – Is your on-the-defense mechanism to bob and weave or duck and jab? How does you prepare for the fight of your life?

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Local Girl Stars in TUTS' Seussical

Tap into a child’s imagination and there is no wonder what they might conjure. An oversized one-eyed yellow monster with feet for hands, people with orange Mohawks, blue faces, and green fangs instead of teeth or maybe a dog that meows instead of barks while his tail gets longer. That’s the beauty of a child.

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The Right to Choose: Whose Rights Are Really Being Protected?

Having the freedom to choose is one of the undeniable rights that every natural born American has. Because we are all created equally with the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we all know what it means to be free. However, when one American's right to choose negatively effects another American's inalienable right, who is really in the right and who is wrong? That is the big question when it comes to the new executive order from the office of Gov. Greg Abbott issued this past week.

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Chris Hollins: Defender of the Right to Vote

Proper preparation warrants productive possibilities. When Chris Hollins assumed the office of Harris County Clerk, after a 3-2 party vote of the Harris County Commissioners Court, he had three priorities in mind. His goal was to ensure that every resident of Harris County, regardless of party, race, creed, religion, or area of town in which they live, could vote in a safe, peaceful and convenient manner. Having shattered all previous Harris County voting turnout records, Hollins has blown even his own mind with Election 2020.

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Harris County Attorney Takes Action: Sues Texas' Environmental Agency Over Concrete Batch Plant Rules

Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, alongside a coalition of Houston-area community groups, is taking a bold stand against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The lawsuit addresses the agency's failure to enforce immediate compliance with its new standard permit for existing concrete batch plants, instead of granting a grace period of up to 10 years.

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Get Ready to Vote: Harris County's First-Ever Joint Primary Elections Tomorrow, March 5!

Attention, Houstonians! Tomorrow marks a historic moment as Harris County hosts its inaugural Joint Primary Elections. With over 500 vote centers open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., voters have the opportunity to make their voices heard and shape the future of our community. Under the countywide polling place program, voters can cast their ballots at any vote center in Harris County. Check out www.HarrisVotes.com for a list of vote centers and wait times.

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Judge Hidalgo Defends the $11 Million Contract for Targeted Community Vaccine

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is facing heat over an $11 million contract to help certain communities get COVID vaccinated.

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Prosecutors and HPD Investigators Appeal for More Victims of Serial Sex Predator

In a concerted effort to combat sexual violence and secure justice for victims, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, accompanied by key officials from the Harris County District Attorney's Office (HCDAO) and the Houston Police Department (HPD), will host a pivotal news conference. The event aims to apprise the public of a suspected serial sex predator and implore individuals to step forward if they have been affected.

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Revolutionizing Medical Education: Ibn Sina Foundation and Sam Houston State University Partner for Clinical Training at OakBend Medical Center

Collaboration Marks a New Era in Healthcare Advancement for Fort Bend County

In a monumental stride towards enhancing medical education and healthcare accessibility, the Ibn Sina Foundation, in conjunction with Sam Houston State University - College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), proudly announces the establishment of the Ibn Sina Clinical Training Region at OakBend Medical Center in Fort Bend County. This groundbreaking collaboration promises to elevate medical standards and community health initiatives in the region to unprecedented heights.

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Harris County Considers 100% Property Tax Exemption to Boost Childcare Providers

In the wake of COVID-19, childcare facilities in Houston and Harris County have faced unprecedented challenges. However, relief might be on the horizon as local authorities contemplate significant property tax exemptions for qualifying providers. Houston recently paved the way by approving a 100% tax exemption, and now, Harris County is poised to follow suit. These measures aim to alleviate financial strains on childcare providers, ensuring their sustainability and accessibility to families in need.

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Houston’s Third Gun Buyback Scheduled for Feb. 18th at Deussen Park

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez have announced a gun buyback at Deussen Park on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also attended the news conference. The event is part of Harris County’s initiatives to prevent gun violence. This is the third gun buyback co-sponsored by Harris County Precinct One in seven months, resulting in about 2,000 firearms being taken off the street. Residents will be able to turn in firearms in exchange for gift cards worth $50, $100, $150, or $200 at the upcoming buyback, with no questions asked.

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Latinos Power Up to Vote

The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that in the next six months Latinos will no longer be the minority but the majority. A static that excites the members of Jolt, the largest Latino progressive organization in Texas, since with greater numbers comes greater power. However, legislators are not utilizing Latinos' political power. Latinos across the country are expected to support different agendas, show up at the ballot box, and check this and that box but no one is really listening to what they want. No one is taking the time to invest in the community but expects the community to invest in them. Antonio Arellano, Interim Executive Director of Jolt, thinks it is time out for that. If any political party wants to capture Latinos they must first invite them to the party.

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Commissioner Ellis, March of Dimes and Harris County Public Health Officials will Provide Local and National Updates on Maternal and Child Health

News Conference Held in Conjunction with Maternal and Child Health Conference

Join us for a vital pre-event feature, where Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, along with esteemed representatives from March of Dimes and Harris County Public Health (HCPH), will provide crucial updates on maternal and child health at both local and national levels.

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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Opens Up About Clinical Depression and the Path to Recovery

Over 21 million Americans are grappling with clinical depression, and among them is Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. In an open letter to Harris County residents, she revealed her diagnosis and her decision to take a leave of absence for treatment. Hidalgo's message underscores the necessity of treating mental health conditions with the same importance as physical ailments. .She emphasizes that the long-standing stigma surrounding mental health has stopped individuals from seeking the essential help they need.

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Harris County Commissioners Earmark $32 Million to Give Students Digital Access for New School Year

Having a good education can set an individual up to handle all kinds of opportunities in life. Access to this type of education is not always readily available to all students for a variety of reasons. Obstacles are unique for each generation. For students of today, the biggest problem is the lack of Internet access and/or digital devices.

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#CAP Dow Promise Virtual Summit Gives Students a Head Start On College Admissions

Dow knows how to keeps its promises. In 2000, they took their original promise and expanded it to make a broaden stance of their support to the community with an initiative called The Dow Promise Program. The annual competitive grant program allows organizations to obtain a grant up to $10,000 for use for a sustainable project with longevity in the community. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter was a proud recipient of a $5,000 grant that they used to host the #CAP Dow Promise Virtual Summit.

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Vote with Ease: METRO Provides Free Rides to Polls for 2024 Elections

As the 2024 primary elections draw near, METRO is proud to announce its partnership with the League of Women Voters to offer free rides to polling locations across the Houston area. Ensuring accessibility and convenience for voters, METRO invites registered voters to hop on board METRORail, local buses, METRORapid, curb2curb, and METROLift paratransit services at no cost on select dates.

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Justice Served: Louisiana Man Receives Life Sentence for Double Shooting Tragedy

In a somber culmination of a tragic case, a Louisiana man has been sentenced to life in prison for a heinous act that resulted in the death of an innocent woman and left another victim seriously injured. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the verdict on Wednesday, underscoring the gravity of the crime and the pursuit of justice for the victims.

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What to Expect at the Polls

With predictions of this election having extremely high voter turnout Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins and his office are making sure everything is in order before election day. The goal is to make sure that every voter can have the accessibility, safety, and convenience to vote their way.

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Empowerment Through Technology: Fort Bend County Libraries' Senior Series Leads the Way

In a bid to empower older adults and their families with the tools for safe and effective technology usage, Fort Bend County Libraries' University Branch Library proudly presents "Help! Technology is Tough!" This enlightening program, part of the Senior Series, is slated for Friday, March 15, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon at Meeting Room 1, nestled within the library premises at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the esteemed University of Houston campus.