Official site of Tribune News serving Tomball, Magnolia and Waller

Nearly 20,000 acres scorched. Almost 80 homes destroyed. Firefighters battling heat, wind and flames for nearly two weeks. These are some of the heartwrenching memories from the Tri-County wildfire that ravaged the area near Magnolia just a year ago.

But for every bad memory it seems as if there were many more heartwarming stories. Like the horse that was saved after suffering burns to nearly 40 percent of its body. Houses still standing, even though the earth was scorched all around it.  Firefighters from as far away as Alaska showing up to help.

“It was amazing to see what the community was able to do and what it did to help the firefighters,” Jared Karns, with the Texas Forest Service said.

Magnolia Fire Chief Gary Vincent agreed.

The absolute support we had from the community and the efforts of the firefighters was great,” he said. “A lot of people put their lives on the line and did a tremendous job.”

"My son was with the volunteer fire department,” said resident Becky Yountz. “He was having dinner with us and he got called to go to the fire station. None of us imagined he wouldn't be back for six days. They all worked so hard --- day and night --- I don't know how they did it."

The weeks leading up to the fire, officials said were almost like waiting for the inevitable. No rain for months. Conditions just kept getting drier and to top it off a tropical storm was headed for Louisiana, bringing no water relief, but sending the winds this way -- winds that can fuel a fire.

“The drought conditions were the worst I had ever seen,” Vincent said.

Once the winds came from Tropical Storm Lee, the perfect “storm” had arrived.

“These wrap around dry winds are what caused the fire to spread,” Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams said.

On the day of the fire, Vincent knew his department was up against it when he saw the first column of smoke.

“When I saw that I knew it was a major event,” he said.

While firefighters battled the inferno, members of law enforcement and Montgomery County’s Emergency Management Office began the painful process of evacuations.

One of those evacuees was Erin Redwine, who lived in the Ranch Crest subdivision.

“You never think it will happen to you, but we had all of ten minutes to get out,” Redwine said. “You really need to be sure to keep important papers all in one box so they are easy to grab. People should to be ready to take their pets with them when something like this happens -- I saw one poor dog left tied to a tree."

Vincent said that while 76 houses were lost in the fire, more than 10,000 were saved due to efforts on the ground and in the air. Officials estimate that more that $1 billion in property was saved.

Karns, Vincent and Williams hope the event stirred up some awareness in the community on what to do to help ensure their home is protected.

“We had what we hope was a once in a lifetime event, but you have got to prepare for it,” Williams said.

“It is incumbent that people prepare beforehand,” Vincent added.

Karns said one way residents can educate themselves on how to prepare is by visiting the Texas Forest Service firewise site at texasfirewise.com.

“It’s very important to learn these firewise techniques to keep yourself, your family and your property safe.”

Tribune Correspondent Cheryl Garcia contributed to this report.

TOMBALL - A straight shot to the Beltway from Tomball is inching closer to reality, as the Harris County Commissioners Court approved contracts with several engineering firms.

The expansion of SH 249 into a six-lane toll way, was approved by the court earlier this year and will run from the Tomball bypass to where the current freeway ends just north of Spring-Cypress Road.

The commissioners are looking at breaking ground about a year from now.

“I’m very excited,” Harris County Pct. 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle said. “This road is a road that a lot of people have had a desire to see completed for awhile now.”

The court approved more than $7 million in expenditures for design plans, environmental studies, utilities, lighting, landscaping, signs and planning.

The overall plan is to eventually extend the highway through a sliver of Montgomery County, where SH 249 merges into FM 1774. The court is now looking at when the best time to complete the second phase, along with Montgomery County. Montgomery County is also in the beginning stages of looking into its part of the expansion.

“Everyone understands that as you increase mobility in that area that it increases the benefits for both counties as a whole,” Cagle said.

Harris County has planned all along to extend the highway north to Tomball, as there is already a huge median between the north and southbound lanes.

Current plans call for the toll road portion to be EZ tag only and will be the standard fee for Harris County toll roads.

The project was pushed along by Cagle, after being approached by members of the new 249 Partnership. The group includes members in Tomball, Magnolia and Navasota and exists to promote growth along the 249 corridor. They are currently working with TxDOT to promote expanding 249 through Navasota. That expansion would create a highway running from Houston all the way to College Station.

“This is a very good first step to make Texas A&M more connected to Houston and Harris County,” Cagle said.

Expenditures approved by the court for the expansion included nearly $2.8 million to engineers Binkley & Barfield, $1.5 million to Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville, $1.3 million to I.S. Engineers, $1 million to Aguirre & Fields, as well as several others listed under a million dollars.

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election starts Oct. 22 in Texas. In Tomball early voting will be held at the public works building, 501 James Street. Hours and times are Oct. 22-26 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 28 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 29 - Nov. 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Magnolia early voting will be at the Magnolia Fire Department, 18215 Buddy Riley Blvd. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22-26, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 28 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 29-Nov. 2. In Waller County early voting will be held at Houston Oaks Country Club, 26705 Heger Rd. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22-24 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 25-Nov. 2, with the exception of being closed Sunday, Oct. 28.

Harris County Commissioners have agreed to a proposal to help Montgomery County build its portion of the SH 249 toll road.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by commissioners, states that Harris County will lend up to $20 million to develop SH 249 from Spring Creek to FM 1774.

"To understand this you have to go back about 10 years when the Westpark Freeway and the Ft. Bend Highway was going in," said Harris County Pct. 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle. "There were concerns that Harris County was going to spend a lot of money on our side and then have to wait for Ft. Bend County to catch up."

So Harris County eventually agreed to lend Ft. Bend County $15 million to complete their portion, according to Cagle.

"That success is the model for our partnership with Montgomery County," he said.

Cagle said that while Montgomery County could ultimately afford the project on its own, the length of time it would take would slow the project.

"It could delay it, even by several years," he said.

Cagle said the speed with which Harris and Montgomery counties have come together to start the project has caught the attention of state officials.

"TxDOT has now committed to extending the Aggie Freeway all the way out to highway 6, once it is complete to 1774," he said.

The first phase of the project will be Harris County's, where they will expend 249 from Spring Cypress Road to FM 2920. Construction on that is expected to begin this fall. The second phase, from FM 2920 to FM 1774, will begin about a year later. Cagle said TxDOT will follow a year after that, beginning work on the extension to SH 6 in Navasota.

Cagle praised Montgomery County Commissioner Craig Doyal for his hard work and cooperation on the issue.

"He (Doyal) definitely understands that a rising tide floats all ships," he said.

Cagle said the loan will be at a standard commercial rate, which Montgomery County will pay back once they secure revenue bonds, which will then be paid off using toll revenues.

"This area is so congested that it has hindered its growth," Cagle said. "This is akin to taking the locks off this area and allowing business to just flow in."

"With the 249 project and Grand Parkway coming soon as well, I see this area becoming a prime attraction for business and growth, not just regionally but nationally as well," he added.

Magnolia Chamber of Commerce Chairman Barry Tate knows this development is important to the area and its businesses.

"We want to be sure our chamber members are informed about the SH 249 road project, because we feel this project could really impact them, both during construction and after the road opens," Tate said. "That is why we are devoting our February luncheon to this topic, and have invited quest speakers to be sure everyone has a chance to get their questions answered."

A Magnolia woman has been arrested and charged in Harris County, after she allegedly embezzled nearly $200,000 from her Tomball employer.

Cindy Lee Berry, 44, was charged with Theft of greater than $100,000, but less than $200,000, after officials allege she stole the money over a period of a year-and-a-half fromher employer Johnston Water Well Service. The thefts allegedly took place from Jan 2011 through August of 2012.

The owners of the company have also filed a civil suit in Montgomery County against Berry. Their attorney in the civil case, Field Hudgens, said that the Johnston's discovered some irregularities when looking over their books.

"It came to my client's attention that there were irregularities in the books, checks were missing among other things and an audit showed that there was nearly $200,000 missing," Hudgens said. "After more digging it became clear to them who was responsible."

At that point the Johnston's turned over the information to the Harris County Sheriff's Office who investigated the case.

"We worked with law enforcement agencies to provide all the information to them," Hudgens said.

After completing a lengthy investigation, the Harris County District Attorney's Office filed charges against Berry a month ago, after a grand jury decided to indict her.

"The DA's office has taken a very hard look at this case and is treating it as a very serious matter," said assistant district attorney Lester Blizzard. "It was reported to us and we found evidence to support the alleged embezzlement."

Berry was arrested on April 18. She made a $100,000 bond on April 26 and was released.

Her attorney Stephen Jackson of Conroe said he is still in the early stages of building Berry's defense strategy.

"I have been in touch with her civil attorney and the district attorney is cooperating with us in handing over the information we need," Jackson said. "We will be digging into the records in order to get to the bottom of this. It's a private matter for the Berry's and we will help them through this."

Laura Johnston, who owns the business with her husband, said that the ordeal left her stunned.

"We didn't suspect anything and when we found (the theft) it was a big shock," she said. "We felt betrayed."

Hudgens said he is trying to work out a settlement agreement with Berry's civil attorney.

"We are in the process of contacting Berry's attorney to try and reach an agreement so they can recover some of their money," he said. "I am happy to report that Johnston Water Well Service has survived and continues to be a viable and strong business in Tomball."

Johnston said she hopes other business owners learn from her situation.

"People need to be watching," she said. "I don't want this to happen to others."

If convicted, Berry could face a punishment of two to 20 years in state prison.

The Magnolia Farmers and Artisans Market, also known as Sweet Magnolia Pickins, is now offering vendors a rebate. Market manager Boo Henderson explains it is due to a new fee charged by the county.

“For vendors who sign on with the market for six months or more, we will cover the cost of the new food vendor permit, should the county require one,” she said. “Let me emphasize this is for food vendors subject to the new permit, only.”

A new state law allows counties to require a new permit for any food vendors that pass out samples or are required to keep temperatures at a constant level. While only some Texas counties have chosen to enact the new permit, Montgomery County is requiring it.

Regardless of the status, the local market wants to keep vendors. As a result, the City of Magnolia 4B Economic Development Corporation that operates the market is making the “rebate” offer.

“We have had many loyal vendors since we began in 2008,” Henderson said. “And, many people come to find these particular vendors at our markets. We don’t want this new permit to scare them away so we have found a way to recoup their possible extra expense of approximately $125 per year and are offering to cover it.”

In other news, the market will hold a costume contest for children at 2 p.m., Oct. 21. All area children are invited to turn out for this special fall market and “trick or treat” at each vendor for no fee.

The Magnolia Farmers and Artisans Market is held on the first and third Sundays of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

There is no admission for Sweet Magnolia Pickins and parking is free. Visit, sweetmagnoliapickins.net for more information or a vendor application, or call Henderson at 832-934-2648.

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A 35-year-old child predator and registered sex offender from Liberty County thought he was going to meet and have sex with a 15-year-old girl when he went to an East Montgomery County store Tuesday afternoon. Instead, he found himself surrounded by cops and placed under arrest by the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. 

Precinct 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden said his agency launched the investigation that led to the sting and arrest after a local mother contacted his office saying an adult male had befriended her 15-year-old daughter on Facebook and was making inappropriate comments. Investigators from Constable Hayden’s office and Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable’s Office who have been specially trained in dealing with cybercrimes against children then took over the teen’s Facebook page and continued the dialogue suspect Stanley Haney had begun with the girl. Haney’s sexually explicit messages intensified as he pressed for a meeting and sexual intercourse with the online persona who he was repeatedly told was 15 years old.

As the investigation continued, assisted by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, a sexual encounter was planned for Tuesday afternoon. Haney was to meet the teen at a store in Patton Village, which is where he learned his online prey was not a child, but a police officer with a warrant for his arrest. He was taken from his vehicle to the back of a patrol vehicle and to the Precinct 4 office in New Caney for processing before he was released to the custody of the Montgomery County Jail. Patton Village and Splendora Police Departments assisted in apprehending Haney- an operation that went very smoothly.

Investigators said Haney meant business, arriving at the Patton Village store as scheduled, with a freshly opened box of condoms. The Constable said Haney’s story could easily have ended very differently, with one more person damaged for life.

“I believe we prevented the sexual assault of a child today,” Constable Hayden said. “I’m very proud of our agency and all those that assisted.”

Actually, investigators said Haney planned to have sexual contact with at least two children this week. A second investigator was also on Facebook posing as a 13-year-old girl from The Woodlands and Haney had made arrangements to meet and have sex with “her” on Friday.

Haney is already listed on the Texas Sex Offender Registry and was convicted of Failure to Comply With Sex Offender Registration in December 2010, which is a second-degree felony.

Constable Hayden said he could not stress enough the importance of parental supervision of children’s online activities.

“Children are naturally trusting and easily deceived - Monsters like Stanley Haney know this,” Hayden said. “They seek out victims who don’t have a parent or guardian paying attention like the mother who is responsible making us aware of Stanley Haney.”

“Know who your children are talking to, and know what they’re talking about,” he said. “And check the Texas Sex Offender Registry regularly to see who’s in your area. Your child’s safety is worth the time it takes.”

Stanley Ray “Stan” Haney is charged with two counts of second-degree felony Online Solicitation of a Minor. He is currently in the Montgomery County Jail, held without bond.

After Haney’s arrest, Constable Hayden and investigators from Precincts 3 and 4, assisted by Liberty County Precinct 6 Constable John Joslin executed a search warrant at Haney’s residence on CR 3183 in unincorporated Cleveland. Haney lives in his family home, along with his parents, younger brothers, and his 7-year-old daughter.

Investigators found marijuana in plain view inside the residence, which is in unincorporated Cleveland. The Liberty County Precinct 6 Deputy Constables arrested Haney’s two younger brothers for misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana. They were transported to the Liberty County Jail.