Note: Events with + in front indicates newly added event!

While we strive to ensure that all of our events are current and accurate, please always check to ensure that the event is still scheduled and that the information below is correct.

• Deaf Social Where Bakery - Jan. 3rd - 11 am @ Heart & Whisk Bakery 4618 N. Main St., Baytown

• West Chambers Deaf Social – Jan. 10th @ 11 am. @ The Toasted Yolk in Mt. Belvieu 13001 I-10 East

• +Family Wellness Festival [Goose Creek CISD] Jan. 31st from 9am-12pm
  @ Ross S. Sterling High School

  For a complete events calendar click here

A Safety Reminder
After Recent Tragic Crashes

Dear Readers:

We’re truly sorry that today’s stories involve serious accidents and loss of life. Our goal is always to share informative and, when possible, upbeat community news—but some days require us to report difficult events.
We hope these stories serve as a reminder to slow down, stay alert, and look out for one another on our roadways, especially during the busy holiday season.

Officer Indicted on Manslaughter
Charges Following Fatal Baytown Crash

A Baytown police officer has been indicted in connection with a crash in October that resulted in the deaths of two children, according to court records.

A grand jury returned indictments charging Officer Michael Hightower with two counts of manslaughter and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The crash occurred shortly after 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the intersection of Goose Creek Drive and West Baker Road.

Baytown Police said Hightower was on duty and driving a marked patrol vehicle at the time of the collision. A van driven by a woman carrying five young children was also involved. Two of the children, ages 8 and 10, were airlifted to a hospital, where they later died from their injuries. The condition of the remaining children was initially unknown.

Hightower suffered a leg injury and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

According to court documents, investigators allege Hightower was traveling at a high rate of speed without activating his emergency lights or siren.

A crash report states that Hightower was traveling on West Baker Road and had a green light at the Goose Creek Drive intersection. The van was attempting to turn from Goose Creek Drive onto West Baker under a blinking yellow arrow. The report notes that Hightower’s speed affected the van driver’s ability to react.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office filed the charges on Friday. Hightower later turned himself in on Monday and has since posted a $150,000 bond. He had been with the Baytown Police Department for approximately two years and was on medical leave following the crash.

Baytown Police confirmed that two siblings remain hospitalized in critical condition nearly two months after the incident.

Man Killed in Auto-Pedestrian
Crash Involving Baytown Police Cruiser

Investigators are working to determine what led to a deadly auto-pedestrian crash involving a Baytown police cruiser early Sunday morning.

According to the Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office, the crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. on State Highway 146 northbound near Port Road [near La Porte]. Officials said an on-duty Baytown police officer was traveling in a marked patrol vehicle when a man was struck while on foot in the main lanes of the highway.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed the Baytown police officer was not injured in the crash.

The victim was later identified by family members as 27-year-old Gary Lane Graber. Family members said Graber had stopped along the highway due to a major oil leak in his Chevrolet Suburban and was outside the vehicle when the collision occurred.

The Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office is leading the investigation. No additional details about the circumstances surrounding the crash have been released.

34-Year-Old Man Killed
in DWI Pedestrian Crash
Near I-10 & Garth Road

A driver has been arrested after police say he was driving while intoxicated and struck a pedestrian early Sunday in the Baytown area.

According to police, the crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. on the East Freeway near Garth Road. A 34-year-old man was hit while on foot and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said the driver was taken into custody and charged with driving while intoxicated. Officials noted that the charge could be upgraded as the investigation continues.

No additional details about the victim or the driver have been released.

Year End Publishing Update!

As we head into the busiest time of the year, we know your days are full — holiday events, family gatherings, last-minute errands, and everything in between, we don’t want to add to the chaos.
To give you a little breathing room (and honestly, to catch our breath too!), we’ll be shifting to a lighter publishing schedule for the next couple of weeks.

 Here’s the plan:
• Next week: We’ll publish Today & Thursday — Dec. 16 & 18 
• Week of Dec. 22: No editions
• Dec. 30: One special year-end issue
• Back to full schedule: Tuesday, Jan. 6

We’ll still bring you the updates that matter most — just in a slightly slimmer format and fewer emails.

We appreciate every single one of our readers and are grateful to be part of your daily routine. ❤️

Thank you for being here with us — more good things ahead!

🛍Local Garage, Yard & Estate Sales!🏷

Please help us spread the word: share this newsletter with your friends, neighbors, and anyone who loves a good deal. Encourage them to subscribe so they never miss a sale. And if you're planning a sale of your own, be sure to submit your info by Tuesday at 5 PM to be included in this week’s issue!

Friendly Note: Garage and Estate sales are as unpredictable as the Texas weather—sometimes they pop up, sometimes they blow away! 🌦️ Hosts may change times, addresses, or even cancel altogether. We just share the info; the rest is part of the treasure-hunting adventure. 🛍️

📌 Check back Thursday!

Job Listings Now on a Separate Page! 🎉

To make scrolling easier for everyone, we’ve moved job listings to a separate page! If you're job hunting, check it out—if not, enjoy a quicker read! 😊👀

Click job listings page

Friday’s Quiz: Which planet in our solar system has the largest volcano?
Answer: C. Mars
Olympus Mons on Mars is the largest known volcano in the solar system, nearly three times taller than Mount Everest.