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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.

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

• Deaf Social Where Bakery - Feb. 7th - 11 am @ Heart & Whisk Bakery 4618 N. Main St., Baytown

• West Chambers Deaf Social – Feb. 14th @ 11 am. @ The Toasted Yolk in Mt. Belvieu 13001 I-10 East

  For a complete events calendar click here

UH Bank Robbery Suspect
Accused in Separate Baytown
Sexual Assault Investigation

Court records indicate that a man recently arrested in connection with an armed bank robbery on the University of Houston campus is also facing charges tied to a separate violent crime involving a Baytown-area employee.

According to publicly filed court documents and police information, the suspect, a 24-year-old man, has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, and aggravated robbery stemming from an incident reported in mid-December. Authorities say the alleged offense began outside a Baytown business and continued across multiple locations.

Investigators allege the victim was followed after leaving work and later confronted by an armed individual. Court filings state the suspect forced the victim to comply with his demands and attempted to obtain money before fleeing the scene. The victim later reported the incident to police and was taken to a hospital for an examination.

Law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions worked together on the investigation. According to police statements, surveillance footage from nearby properties, along with license plate reader technology, played a key role in identifying a suspect vehicle. Investigators were then able to narrow their focus and develop probable cause.

Court records state that the victim later identified the suspect during a photo lineup conducted by authorities. The suspect was subsequently arrested and remains in custody on a combined bond exceeding $5 million.

Officials also confirmed the suspect was on probation for a prior aggravated robbery conviction at the time of his arrest. In addition to the charges related to the December incident, he is facing separate charges connected to the recent armed robbery at a University of Houston campus bank.

In a statement, police emphasized the role of technology and interagency cooperation in advancing the case and identifying a suspect. Authorities said the collaboration helped remove a violent offender from the community while prioritizing public safety.

The South Houston Police Department is the lead investigative agency. Officials said the investigation remains ongoing and that no additional details will be released at this time.

K-9 Enzo and K-9 Big
Retire From Baytown
Police Department

Two longtime police service dogs with the Baytown Police Department have officially retired and will remain with the handlers who worked alongside them throughout their careers.

K-9 Enzo and K-9 Big both concluded their service due to age, health, or length of duty after years assisting officers with patrol operations, suspect apprehension, detection work, and public safety efforts in Baytown.

Under Texas law, retired law enforcement animals may be transferred to eligible individuals. In both cases, the dogs were approved to be turned over to their assigned handlers — Officer Cody Dodson for K-9 Enzo and Officer Jeff Spencer for K-9 Big — based on their demonstrated care, responsibility, and dedication to the animals’ well-being.

Department officials said the retirements allow both dogs to transition from active duty into a well-earned next chapter, remaining with the officers who partnered with them throughout their service.

Proposed Baytown Event Center
Design Contract
Approved by City Council

Baytown City Council voted to move forward with the planning phase of a new multi-purpose event center during Thursday’s council meeting. The vote approved a contract for design services, which allows the project to begin detailed planning and public engagement.

City officials explained that the event center is the result of years of planning and community input. Early ideas date back to 2017 and 2018 with a recreation feasibility study, followed by the city’s Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan in 2021 and the Strategic Plan adopted in 2022. These plans identified the need for more recreation, entertainment, and community gathering spaces in Baytown.

The project is funded through a $75 million payment connected to a long-term economic agreement with ExxonMobil. City leaders emphasized that this funding is restricted for a community facility and is tied directly to the agreement. Without the agreement, the $75 million would not be available. In addition, ExxonMobil continues to make annual payments to the city under a separate arrangement that supports general city operations.

City staff also reviewed how the project’s location was chosen. Several sites were studied over time, but earlier options faced challenges such as high land costs, environmental concerns, and expensive infrastructure needs. The current site was selected in 2025 because the city already owns the land, which reduces overall costs. Officials also said the site supports long-term plans to strengthen and reinvest in the south side of Baytown, near existing parks, schools, and community facilities.

The event center is planned as a flexible space that can host youth sports tournaments, community programs, and entertainment events. Plans may also include incorporating the existing library into the overall facility to allow shared programming and more efficient use of space.

Council members stated that the goal is to create a facility that can operate without long-term subsidies from the city. During the design phase, the city will work with consultants to study operations, layout, and costs while gathering input from residents and local stakeholders.

The planning and design phase is expected to take about a year. If the project continues as scheduled, construction could begin in 2027, with completion targeted for late 2028.

La Porte ‘Coffee with a Cop’ Invitation

The La Porte Police Department invites you to join them for Coffee with a Cop!

A relaxed and informal opportunity to meet your local La Porte officers, ask questions, share concerns, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation. No speeches. No agendas. Just coffee, conversation, and community connection.

Wednesday Jan. 14th 8:30-10 am @ Chick-fil-A, 9101 Spencer Hwy., La Porte

Run For Your Wildlife
at the Baytown Nature Center

Dress up like your favorite wildlife. Hit the trails. Choose a timed 1K or 5K surrounded by marsh, water, and trees. When the run ends, the fun keeps going, live animals from the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center and light refreshments waiting at the finish.

 📅 Saturday, February 28th
🗺️ Baytown Nature Center - 6213 Bayway Dr., Baytown
💵 Early Bird Pricing (through Feb. 2):
1K – $5 | 5K – $10

After Feb. 2:
1K – $10 | 5K – $15

Registration closes Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 8 AM. To sign up, visit Baytown.org/events

🛍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 on 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

Last Quiz: Which U.S. state has the most natural lakes, even though it’s known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”?
Answer: C — Minnesota
Minnesota actually has over 11,800 lakes larger than 10 acres. The nickname undersells it, but the reputation is well earned.