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Goose Creek CISD students will soon have new opportunities to explore science and technology thanks to a historic investment from the ExxonMobil Foundation.

ExxonMobil announced the foundation has awarded Goose Creek CISD a record $180,000 grant—the largest contribution the company has ever made to the district. The funding will support new science instruction initiatives for elementary students while also expanding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) experiences for students and families across the district.

A significant portion of the grant will help launch an Elementary Science Achievement Initiative, providing enhanced instructional resources and additional support for fifth-grade students preparing for the Texas STAAR Science assessment. District leaders hope the program will strengthen science achievement for students across all learning groups, including emergent bilingual learners.

The grant will also fund a new STEM Exploration and Family Engagement Initiative, designed to introduce students and their families to STEM careers through hands-on learning experiences. As part of the program, Goose Creek CISD plans to host a districtwide STEM Night later this fall that is expected to welcome more than 3,000 students and family members for interactive activities, demonstrations and career exploration.

ExxonMobil officials said investments like this help prepare students for future careers while strengthening the local workforce pipeline. Goose Creek CISD leaders say the new funding will provide additional opportunities for students to build critical science skills and spark interest in careers that are in high demand throughout the Baytown area and beyond.

For a community with a long history of industry and innovation, the grant represents another major investment in helping today's students become tomorrow's engineers, scientists, technicians and problem-solvers.

Millions of birds will soon be making their way across Southeast Texas during their fall migration, and Greater Baytown area residents can play an important role in helping them reach their destination safely.

According to the City of Baytown, community involvement is one of the most effective ways to protect migratory birds. Through the Lights Out, Texas! initiative, residents and businesses are encouraged to turn off or dim non-essential outdoor lights during peak migration periods to reduce the number of birds that become disoriented by bright nighttime lighting.

While fall migration officially runs from August 15th through November 30th, experts say the busiest period will be from September 5th through October 29th. That's when the greatest number of birds are expected to pass over Texas, making those weeks the most important time to turn off non-essential outdoor lights overnight.

Most of this remarkable migration happens while we're asleep. Guided by the moon, stars and Earth's magnetic field, millions of birds travel hundreds or even thousands of miles as they head south for the winter. Texas sits along one of North America's busiest migration routes, with millions of birds passing overhead each spring and fall.

Artificial lighting can confuse migrating birds, causing them to circle brightly lit buildings, waste valuable energy, or collide with windows and structures. Simply switching off unnecessary lights during the overnight hours—especially from about 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.—can dramatically reduce those risks.

The City of Baytown says creating a bird-friendly community benefits more than wildlife. Healthy bird populations help support local ecosystems, contribute to biodiversity, and enhance the natural beauty that makes places like the Baytown Nature Center such special destinations for residents and visitors alike.

The city's Parks, Recreation, Nature and Tourism team says it envisions a community where people, nature and wildlife can thrive together. By taking a simple step like turning off non-essential lights during migration season, everyone can help make Baytown a safer stop along one of nature's greatest journeys.

Sometimes the smallest actions—like flipping a light switch—can have the biggest impact.

Learn more about Baytown’s Bird Friend Community click here

Learn specific lighting guidelines here

La Porte police have arrested Eric Johnson in connection with the 2012 death of Shawn McCloskey following a renewed review of the case. The investigation involved the La Porte Police Department, the Texas Attorney General's Cold Case Unit, and other law enforcement partners. Officials say the new investigation uncovered additional evidence that led to the arrest.

Authorities said Shawn was found unresponsive on July 19, 2012, after spending the night in the care of Johnson, who was his mother's boyfriend at the time. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined the toddler had suffered multiple blunt-force injuries, and his death was ruled a homicide.

Although investigators identified Johnson as a suspect early in the case, officials said there was not enough evidence at the time to make an arrest. The case remained open and was selected this year for a comprehensive cold case review, which ultimately led to new evidence and criminal charges.

While no arrest can erase the loss of a child, the development marks an important step toward justice for a case that had remained unresolved for many years. It also serves as a reminder that investigators continue pursuing answers for victims and their families, even long after a case leaves the headlines.

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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. 🛍️
Be sure to check the list on both Thursday and Friday — sometimes we receive new submissions after Thursday’s edition has already gone out.

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! 😊👀

La Porte ISD is hiring - See their current openings

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Last Quiz: Mount Rushmore features the faces of four presidents. Which one appears on the far right?
Answer: D) Abraham Lincoln
The carving was completed in 1941 after 14 years of work.