Texas

New “resiliency center” at Houston Community College aims to prepare Texas’ largest city for disasters

Published

3 years ago

April 26, 2022

New “resiliency center” at Houston Community College aims to prepare Texas’ largest city for disasters

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Previously six years alone, Houston has confronted seven main disasters together with a number of floods, an influence grid failure, Hurricane Harvey and a global pandemic.

The frequency of those occasions has prompted Houston Group School to spend money on an formidable new coaching program for first responders, building employees and enterprise workers to minimize the lethal toil these disasters deliver.

On Tuesday, HCC leaders unveiled their plans for this system that features a $30 million resiliency operations middle outfitted with a 39-foot-wide swift water rescue channel, a 15-foot-deep dive space, and a 100-foot-long “rocky gorge” of boulders which are above and under the water floor to supply further impediment coaching.

“Our imaginative and prescient for this essential initiative is to construct a stronger, extra resilient Houston the place each Houstonian may be plan conscious and response prepared,” HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado stated at a information convention asserting the middle. “Each enterprise can put together for the long run.”

The catastrophe simulations a part of the resiliency operations middle is on the coronary heart of this new program, which is able to practice first responders and residents in find out how to sort out flooded residential streets that embrace obstacles like floating particles, underwater automobiles and downed energy strains.

The middle will embrace coaching in rescue automobiles and will likely be used yr spherical to copy varied emergency conditions.

“What a firefighter would undergo with the coursework to get certification could be a lot totally different from a citizen,” Maldonado stated. “However definitely residents are going to be utilizing that facility to have a greater understanding of what flooding means, what could possibly be within the water, what sort of contaminants, what sort of hidden drains may cause an issue for youngsters. So it’s not going to be only for the high-level first responders.”

HCC will supply its first courses this summer season for big employers and small companies. This system is in response to a name from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner that 500,000 metropolis employees change into licensed in “resilience efforts.” As the consequences of local weather change present further threats, cities and states throughout the nation have begun to consider find out how to put together and mitigate for catastrophic occasions.

A 3D rendering of the Floodwater Rescue Training Facility. — A rendering of HCC’s deliberate resiliency operations middle.

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Houston Group School

A complete price ticket to construct and function the brand new program has not been launched. Price of the programs vary from a couple of hundred {dollars} to only over $1,000 relying on the extent of coaching concerned. Program organizers say they anticipate federal workforce coaching {dollars} and employers to cowl a lot of the fee for first responders and enterprise workers that enroll.

The Texas Legislature permitted almost $5 million to design the coaching middle. One other $10 million has come to HCC in personal donations, Maldonado stated. To date, the two-year neighborhood faculty has developed a 20-hour non-credit primary preparedness and restoration program that features public rescue, medical triage, particles elimination or facility building.

The course will even assist college students perceive provide chain challenges, building and facility wants, catastrophe communications and coordination.

College students can take courses in danger evaluation for his or her houses, find out how to help neighbors throughout an emergency, and the function and worth of insurance coverage.

Maldonado stated college students will take an evaluation to measure their expertise and pinpoint areas of coaching they need or want. This system will begin out with non-credit programs which are open to all residents.

“The pathway {that a} scholar takes will likely be a operate of the place they’re right now,” he stated. “Whether or not they wish to do that professionally or whether or not they’re after this as a neighborhood supporter and wish to assist handle their neighborhood. “

Finally, Maldonado stated, the varsity hopes to develop affiliate diploma packages.

The brand new resiliency middle design is anticipated to be accomplished by 2024.

Disclosure: Houston Group School has been a monetary supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan information group that’s funded partly by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Monetary supporters play no function within the Tribune’s journalism. Discover a full record of them right here.

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Texas

Tips on protecting plants and property as North Texas homeowners prepare for freeze

Published

47 minutes ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Tips on protecting plants and property as North Texas homeowners prepare for freeze

01:41

NORTH TEXAS — In a couple of days, temperatures are expected to drastically drop. This weekend is a good time to get prepared.

Richardson homeowner Stephanie Brownell is now preparing her home for freezing temperatures while it’s still pleasant outside.

“I don’t like cold weather, so I’ve come out and I wrapped all my faucets and then put covers on them,” she said.

She’s also moved all her potted tropical plants inside.

“So for this freeze you’re going to want to bring in anything that’s tropical, tender vegetation such as house plants, and things like that,” Fort Worth Botanic Garden Senior Director of Horticulture Keith Brock said. “Most of your annuals will be fine.”

He said based on the forecast, water your plants now if you can.

“Water has insulating quality,” he said. “It also makes sure that plants are not under stress because like water, you want your plants in good shape when we get these kinds of temperatures. I would start no later than tomorrow.”

He said for the most part, outdoor plants don’t need to be covered. However, if there’s any concern based on the type of plant you have, you can always throw a frost cloth or an old sheet on it.

Brownell said her gardenias are vulnerable to the cold. She’s making the preparations now, hoping they pay off in the coming days.

Erin Jones

Raised in Richardson, Erin Jones is proud to call North Texas home. Her passion for journalism began in elementary school. For a 5th grade graduation memory book, she was asked what do you want to be when you grow up? She wrote journalist.

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Texas expected to host Florida State transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday

Published

9 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Texas expected to host Florida State transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday

After a quiet period in the NCAA transfer portal around the holidays, the Texas Longhorns are active again with a report from 247Sports that head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are expected to host Florida State Seminoles transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday.

Florida State EDGE transfer Marvin Jones Jr. is expected to visit Texas today, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
The former five-star recruit, who is coming off a visit to Oklahoma, ranks as the third-best uncommitted defensive player in the portal. Had four sacks this year.… pic.twitter.com/pE8FUnd99M
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 3, 2025

The son of 10-year NFL veteran and former Florida State standout Marvin Jones, the younger Jones has one season of eligibility remaining. Jones previously took a visit to Oklahoma.

A 6’5, 255-pounder out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage in the 2022 recruiting class, Jones was ranked as the No. 24 player nationally and the No. 3 edge, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He chose Georgia over 32 other offers, taking official visits to Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma, and USC.

In Athens, Jones tallied 16 tackles, including 5.5 for loss with 2.0 sacks, playing in 12 games in 2023, including a start in the SEC Championship Game, recording 12 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry as a sophomore.

Jones transferred back to his home state to play for his father’s alma mater as a junior, but departed Tallahassee after the Seminoles finished last in the ACC with a 2-10 record overall and 1-7 mark in conference play. At Florida State, Jones started in nine of his 11 appearances despite some injury issues, totaling a career-high 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. Jones totaled 16 pressures and 17 defensive stops, including two sacks among four total pressures against Cal.

Texas has a need for edge at the edge position with the departure of Barryn Sorrell following the 2024 season and the entrance of junior Justice Finkley into the NCAA transfer portal. 247Sports ranks Jones as the third-best available defender in the portal.

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Memphis basketball vs North Texas: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

Published

19 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Memphis basketball vs North Texas: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

The Memphis basketball team’s early season schedule has been one of the strongest in the country.

It has also featured an array of contrasting styles and looks. Coming off a commanding road victory over an FAU team that is more offensive-oriented, now the Tigers (11-3, 1-0 AAC) turn their attention to North Texas (11-3, 1-0), which prefers to focus more on defense.

The Mean Green travel to Memphis for a game Sunday (4 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2). It will be the only regular-season meeting between the two.

North Texas is coming off a come-from-behind win at home over UAB on Tuesday. The Blazers were the preseason favorite according to a poll of the AAC’s coaches to win the league. The Tigers earned a win over FAU on Thursday.

Here are three things to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday’s game.

The ‘blessing’ of having Dain Dainja

Memphis big man Dain Dainja feasted on FAU in the second half, scoring all 16 of his points during a 6:54 span.

The former Illinois and Baylor player is averaging 11.4 points per game (fourth on the team), and he’s doing it off the bench.

Coach Penny Hardaway has called it a “luxury” to have a player of Dainja’s caliber playing a reserve role. On Thursday, he went with a new word.

“What a blessing to have Dain Dainja coming off your bench,” he said. “At any time, he can get going. When he got his fourth foul, I left him out there and went with the two bigs (Dainja and Moussa Cisse). They did really well. Dain adds a different layer, because he can score the ball in bunches.”

How to capitalize on momentum

Memphis’ Tyrese Hunter said there was plenty of room for improvement after the FAU win.

The senior guard, who scored 20 points, rattled off a list of things: Keep the confidence level high, pay attention to the scouting report, and maintain the same energy level for a full 40 minutes.

But there was one item very clearly at the top of the list.

“Learn from your mistakes,” he said.

The Tigers committed 19 turnovers and gave up 25 points off those miscues. They also gave up 19 offensive rebounds, which led to 18 second-chance points for FAU.

North Texas basketball scouting report

It’s all about the defense for North Texas.

The Mean Green are second in the nation in steal percentage (15.1%). Eight different members of the roster have registered 10 or more steals through 14 games, led by Latrell Jossell’s 23.

But the Mean Green can create turnovers in other ways. North Texas is fourth in the country in turnover percentage defense (24.4%), and its opponents are averaging 15.1 turnovers per game.

The latter is a top-50 mark in Division I. But Memphis has overcome turnover-minded teams. The Tigers committed 13 turnovers versus Ole Miss and 16 against Missouri but won both of those home games comfortably.

Scoring points is not something North Texas emphasizes. The Mean Green has put up more than 73 points just twice since early November and has only topped 80 points once this season against Mississippi Valley State. That’s partially because of personnel. But it’s also a result of coach Ross Hodge’s philosophy. North Texas plays at one of the five slowest paces in the country, which was also the case last season.

Memphis basketball score prediction vs. North Texas

Memphis 77, North Texas 68: The Mean Green can be a feisty bunch. But the Tigers at home will be more than they can handle.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.

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