Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Michael Horton Officials have released the identities of the two victims in a fatal car accident in Channelview. The two victims were identified as Crystal Njepu OUR FIRST REPORT: Woman and infant dead, 2 children hospitalized after vehicle plunges into water in Channelview The accident happened late in the afternoon on Friday Crystal was driving near the 17300 block of Market Street Crystal reportedly suffered a possible medical emergency causing her to leave the roadway and veer onto a gravel path on the south side The vehicle came to an abrupt stop for about one minute it accelerated forward into a grassy area and subsequently into the water The car began to sink rapidly and was carried by the current under a nearby bridge A witness who stopped to help entered the water and managed to break the back window of the vehicle This courageous act allowed the witness to rescue the front passenger and the back left passenger from the vehicle who were children between the ages of five and seven the driver was found unresponsive and showed no signs of life when emergency medical services arrived on the scene During the extraction of the vehicle from the water Anna was discovered in the back right passenger seat The case remains active and is under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s Vehicular Crimes Division Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved Michael is a Kingwood native who loves visiting local restaurants and overreacting to Houston sports He joined the KPRC 2 family in the spring of 2024 from Texas A&M University in 2022 and his M.A from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023 TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Meet the Team Careers at KPRC Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group experienced severe flooding due to heavy rainfall this flooding led to the rupture of several pipelines releasing petroleum products into the river causing a massive fire that destroyed homes The fire burned for nearly a week before it was fully extinguished This disaster resulted in 574 reported injuries primarily from smoke inhalation and minor burns The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of pipeline infrastructure during extreme weather events and underscored the importance of stringent safety measures in flood-prone areas For the people who live in Channelview that day was a nightmare that they have never forgotten Texas Public Radio’s Texas Matters is bringing you part two of Fumed an investigative podcast series about Channelview an unincorporated community outside Houston and in the heart of America’s petrochemical industry The series is from our partners at Public Health Watch – a nonprofit newsroom, is called Fumed. It tells the story of two stubborn Harris County residents who challenged the powerful companies that they say are taking over their once peaceful neighborhood their community and the very idea of what it means to be a true Texan In the previous episode we learn about Carolyn Stone and Greg Moss They have settled into quiet lives in Channelview neighborhoods that suit their very different personalities Carolyn and her husband live in an old house in South Channelview It has a big backyard where she can garden There’s a large park for fishing and picnicking just a short walk away and neighbors across the street who host get-togethers on decks overlooking the San Jacinto River Greg lives upstream in the River Bottom an isolated and marshy area in East Channelview where he’s free to boat and fish on the San Jacinto River He has a manufactured house and a workshop where he repairs boats he’s content with the life he has built for himself industries and barges begin moving in—and Channelview started to change Listen along as Public Health Watch unpacks the stories of people who live in the shadows of America’s chemical plants and oil refineries Your gateway to environmental health knowledge Join the Environmental Health News community The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has recorded high benzene emissions for nearly 20 years outside K-Solv a barge-cleaning and chemical distribution facility in the southeastern corner of Channelview The highest levels exceed even Texas’ benzene guideline — the weakest in the nation — but aren’t being recorded by a state monitor That means the community’s cancer risk could be higher than previously thought This article originally ran on Public Health Watch and is republished here with permission Dangerously high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene continue to plague Channelview despite warnings from state regulators that began almost 20 years ago Data collected during the state’s most recent air monitoring trips include one benzene reading that was three times the Texas hourly guideline benzene fumes were so strong that scientists with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality experienced headaches and had to leave the area an unincorporated community east of Houston but the TCEQ didn’t finalize its reports on the findings until this year Public Health Watch obtained them through open records requests Nearly half of the one-hour averages the TCEQ’s mobile monitoring team recorded exceeded what California says is safe Three were at least 20 times higher than California allows The readings also exceeded what is considered safe by the city of Houston which created its own benzene guidelines in 2020 If the levels found in Channelview had been recorded there residents would have received one evacuation order eight shelter-in-place orders and eight alerts Channelview residents received no notifications The TCEQ spokesperson said the agency has reviewed the science supporting benzene guidelines used by other institutions but none of it has “warranted a reevaluation of TCEQ’s” guidelines “Just because a scientific study is more recent does not make it the best scientific evidence,” the spokesperson said The spikes the TCEQ monitoring team found in 2021 and 2022 are especially alarming because they weren’t recorded by the state’s closest stationary monitor whose annual readings are used to gauge residents’ cancer risk Public Health Watch discovered the discrepancy when it compared hourly readings collected by the field scientists with hourly readings from the stationary monitor a nationally recognized expert in environmental science and a professor at Rice University used data from the stationary monitor to calculate the total lifetime cancer risk from chemical exposure for residents of south Channelview She said they face a risk as high as 78 cases in 1 million people — more than double the state and national average of 30 in 1 million if the monitor isn’t capturing benzene emissions from Channelview’s southeastern corner as Public Health Watch’s analysis suggests who co-authored the paper that helped shape Houston’s guidelines said Channelview’s benzene levels are “unacceptably high.” “I definitely wouldn’t want to be the person exposed to this,” she said Yvette Arellano, founder of the Houston-based environmental justice group Fenceline Watch wasn’t surprised that Channelview residents weren’t notified about the high concentrations — or that the TCEQ’s monitor isn’t positioned to capture emissions from an area with a history of benzene pollution “Folks who live in communities throughout the [Houston] Ship Channel know this isn’t new news,” said Arellano whose group advocates for people who live near polluting industries This is industry in the Wild West within a major city of the country.” Channelview is a few miles upriver from the Houston Ship Channel a 52-mile long waterway lined by hundreds of industrial facilities The barges that transport chemicals to and from the channel’s ships and chemical plants often dock in the majority-Latino community of 45,700 “I definitely wouldn’t want to be the person exposed to this." - Loren Hopkins The most recent tests in Channelview were conducted in June by scientists from Texas A&M University who have a monitoring van similar to the TCEQ’s a respiratory toxicologist who leads the team said they recorded instantaneous levels of benzene similar to the spikes the TCEQ found in 2021 and 2022 An instantaneous reading lasts for one second Johnson said she will share the results with the TCEQ and will hold a community meeting for residents in January A TCEQ spokesperson said the agency has no plans to address Channelview’s benzene levels because the annual averages recorded by the stationary monitor are within the state guideline “These concentrations of benzene do not represent a risk to human health or the environment and no further action is needed,” the spokesperson said A Public Health Watch investigation published last year found that Texas regulators have known since at least 2005 that Channelview residents are being exposed to high levels of benzene — and that the TCEQ monitoring team has often recorded the highest benzene emissions in the southeastern corner of the community That’s where a barge-cleaning and chemical distribution facility called K-Solv is located less than 600 feet from houses The agency cut back on its mobile monitoring program in the mid-2000s and partnered with Texas universities and a private company — FluxSense Inc — to periodically monitor chemical levels in Harris County FluxSense’s most recent report doesn’t mention K-Solv by name but includes maps that label the area immediately around the facility as “Site A.” The report said that since at least 2013 FluxSense has “regularly noted” one source of “persistent and significant” emissions of benzene and several other chemicals that attack the nervous system A TCEQ spokesperson confirmed that the source was Site A Scientists with the consulting firm FluxSense Inc documented a large benzene plume on September 23 from “Site A,” which is the immediate area around K-Solv Emissions peaked at 1068 parts of benzene per billion (ppb) parts of air and traveled through neighboring homes When a fire broke out among K-Solv’s chemical tanks in 2021 the TCEQ’s then director of monitoring said in an email to his staff that the facility was “known for benzene emissions.” K-Solv CEO Todd Riddle has consistently denied that the company is a major source of benzene emissions Riddle declined to be interviewed for this story but in an email he said his company’s benzene emissions are “tiny” compared to “the other companies and barges upwind and around us.” “K-Solv is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and prioritizes the health and safety of our Channelview residential community,” Riddle said “We’ve invested millions of dollars in advanced pollution control systems to ensure a healthy environment for our employees and neighbors.” The TCEQ has allowed K-Solv to expand four times since the agency discovered high levels of benzene near the facility in 2005 K-Solv can now legally release almost 20 times more volatile organic compounds — which include benzene — than it did in 2005 Last year the TCEQ allowed K-Solv to open a second releases volatile organic compounds into the air The TCEQ has taken two steps over the years that make Channelview’s benzene problem look better on paper even as other states were tightening their protections The hourly benzene guideline was weakened by 620% (from 25 parts of benzene per billion parts of air The annual guideline was weakened by 40% (from 1 ppb to 1.4 ppb) The TCEQ also moved the stationary monitor farther from K-Solv and it’s no longer downwind of the company The agency said it chose the new location so it could install a more sophisticated monitor that was too large for the old site During the 18 months before the monitor was moved it recorded rolling annual benzene averages that exceeded even the TCEQ’s weakened annual guideline by up to 50% annual benzene emissions have never exceeded the guideline the TCEQ released guidelines to protect its field scientists from chemical emissions It suggests they leave an area if instantaneous benzene levels exceed 1080 ppb as they did four times during the Channelview trips Unlike earlier TCEQ monitoring reports from Channelview the reports from the 2021 and 2022 trips don’t name K-Solv who managed the TCEQ mobile monitoring team for 17 years reviewed wind directions and sample locations included in documents filed with the reports He said the data show that the scientists looked for benzene sources throughout south Channelview including barges moored along the San Jacinto River and facilities south of Channelview’s homes they were clearly focused on emissions from K-Solv and from barges waiting to be cleaned at the company’s dock “There’s no doubt from looking at the data that the primary source of the elevated benzene concentrations was from around K-Solv,” Doty said A TCEQ spokesperson said the agency doesn’t identify sources of pollution until investigators follow up on the monitoring team’s findings A review of agency records shows that K-Solv was the only company investigated as a result of the 2021 and 2022 monitoring trips the scientists collected data outside K-Solv and other facilities including one of the country’s largest refineries The 36.2 ppb 40-minute average taken outside K-Solv was the highest of the day taken in a 20-minute sample on industrial roads south of Channelview The morning after the scientists left, a worker at a nearby plant complained to the TCEQ that K-Solv was releasing “very strong and concentrated natural gas and propane odors in the area.” The fumes were so powerful that night-shift workers couldn’t leave the building, according to the TCEQ follow-up report The monitoring team returned to south Channelview less than two weeks later in November 2021 One afternoon, the scientists heard a loud sound “similar to a pressure release or gasket opening from the direction of K-Solv,” according to the trip report The sample’s instantaneous levels peaked at 1,940 ppb — far above the 1,080 ppb where the TCEQ now suggests that scientists leave the area The sample’s maximum one-hour average was 85.2 ppb more than 10 times higher than California’s guideline Two samples exceeded even the state’s weakened one-hour guideline of 180 ppb The instantaneous readings were so high — between 800 and 1,000 ppb — that they left the area and monitored remotely officials would have issued a shelter-in-place order but Channelview residents received no notifications TCEQ field scientists recorded a one-hour benzene average of 203.5 ppb The scientists reported having headaches and had to leave the area Credit: TCEQ Mobile Monitoring Report for November 2021 trip when the scientists were working about a mile away the instantaneous readings skyrocketed to 2,487.9 ppb more than twice the concentration at which the TCEQ suggests its staff leave the area The highest recorded one-hour average was 534.6 ppb nearly three times Texas’ guideline and almost 67 times the California limit Scientists once again reported strong gasoline odors and headaches If such readings had been taken in Houston the surrounding neighborhood would have been evacuated Although the trip report didn’t identify a source of the benzene it noted that the sample was taken near five facilities K-Solv was the only company the TCEQ investigated afterward the mobile monitoring team recorded high levels of toluene The TCEQ report said it didn’t discuss these findings because the levels didn’t exceed state guidelines “It’s obvious that they didn’t want people to see these numbers Two years later is pretty outrageous — more than pretty outrageous.” — Tim Doty former manager of the TCEQ mobile monitoring team Three weeks after the scientists’ November trip the worker who had complained about K-Solv in October contacted the agency again The worker said the odor from K-Solv infiltrated the vents of their job site a runny nose and a headache “due to the strength of the odor.” The same worker submitted a third complaint in February 2022 “The complainant stated that the odors have been occurring for more than two years and is mainly present overnight but disappears shortly after sunrise,” the follow-up investigation report said The lowest one-hour average outside K-Solv was 4.3 ppb The highest average at the monitor during that period was just 0.1 ppb FluxSense took chemical readings throughout Harris County for studies conducted by the TCEQ and the University of Houston The TCEQ’s chief toxicologist asked the scientists to pay attention to Channelview, “particularly for benzene,” according to internal emails. A TCEQ air official gave the team a Google Map showing “locations of interests.” K-Solv was the only facility labeled in south Channelview The FluxSense report said that when the wind blew from east to west the scientists “almost always detected” benzene at the fence line of Site A “It is apparent that benzene emitted from Channelview Site A … is transported through the [neighboring] residential area,” the report said The average benzene concentration at Site A was the highest recorded anywhere in the county — almost 5 times higher than the second-highest average which was taken across the Ship Channel in Deer Park One plume downwind of Site A had an average benzene concentration of 168 ppb and a maximum instantaneous reading of 1065 ppb FluxSense also noted that during daylight Site A’s emissions were “significantly diluted” by the time they reached the stationary monitor likely “due to the distance” — about a mile — between the facility and the monitor said the company is “responsible for less than 0.01% of the share of benzene emissions in the area,” according to its environmental consultants He did not respond to questions about the data supporting that number Riddle said that when TCEQ investigators visited the facility in 2021 and 2022 there were “at least four occasions” when they found no “visible emissions” or volatile organic compounds FluxSense scientists captured benzene levels throughout Channelview in September 2022 concentrations outside Site A exceeded 100 ppb but dropped to below 2.5 ppb by the time emissions reached the TCEQ’s stationary monitor about a mile away In May — two years after the TCEQ monitoring team’s 2022 trip to Channelview — the agency finalized its last report and proposed a $164,996 penalty against K-Solv for 17 violations found during follow-up investigations said the delay between the monitoring trips and the finalized reports was “ridiculous.” He said it typically took his team four to six months to finalize reports “It’s obvious that they didn’t want people to see these numbers,” Doty said “Two years later is pretty outrageous — more than pretty outrageous.” The TCEQ said its timeline for preparing reports varies depending on the project and there was a large volume of data,” an agency spokesperson said “In the interim period before the report was final communication between the Monitoring Division and regional office occurred to facilitate follow-up activities.” The penalty document the TCEQ sent K-Solv detailed the company’s 17 alleged violations It said the company ran its pollution control equipment improperly for nearly 74 hours between November 12 and December 31 It said K-Solv committed the same violation almost a year later: this time for 202 hours and 55 minutes between January and April 2023 K-Solv also didn’t load liquid chemicals in a way that limits emissions and it sometimes stored benzene at 100% concentration — twice as much as its permit allows Five violations were for not maintaining required records including annual testing for tank trucks and weekly inspections for several pieces of equipment The TCEQ gave K-Solv a month to respond to the state’s allegations the agency sent the case to its litigation division Riddle blamed one of the violations on a clerical error that led the company to mistakenly record that it had stored benzene at 100% concentration He said K-Solv went ahead and signed the penalty documents — including the benzene violation — because it was “the simplest way to resolve the matter.” The penalty document says companies get that discount if they “satisfactorily comply with all the ordering provisions within the time frames listed.” Public Health Watch asked the TCEQ why K-Solv qualified for the discount despite missing the original deadline and the two-week extension K-Solv signed the order and paid the penalty amount in the proposed agreed order On a Saturday afternoon, the Channelview Fire Department received a call about a strong propane smell from an unknown source. Firefighters discovered that a 250-gallon tank at K-Solv was leaking liquid butyl acetate and “creating a vapor cloud” that was approaching homes, according to the fire department’s report Butyl acetate is a highly flammable chemical found in lacquers and nail-polish removers safety and security described butyl acetate as “a product used in everyday perfume and personal care products.” Firefighters suggested that residents of three nearby houses evacuate until the leak was contained Polluting facilities are required to report butyl acetate leaks to the TCEQ only if the emissions exceed 100 pounds A TCEQ spokesperson said the agency contacted K-Solv about the incident and the company “indicated the release was below the reportable quantity.” The spokesperson said that the agency coordinated with Harris County Pollution Control Services and was told “there were no offsite impacts and further assistance from TCEQ was not requested.” K-Solv said it is conducting an internal investigation to prevent similar incidents “K-Solv is proud of its proactive approach to environmental management,” the company said in its statement to the media “and will continue to work diligently to safeguard the health and well-being of Channelview residents – many of whom are our valued employees.” hand-picked by our editors and researchers We offer a host of daily and weekly options Nonprofit organizations MADE SAFE and Plastic Pollution Coalition released the new Healthy Pregnancy Guideto help parents-to-be navigate the challenges of making healthier living choices for babies and the planet a newsroom powered by Environmental Health Sciences It all improves the health of our communities Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Brittany Taylor CHANNELVIEW Texas – A woman and an infant are dead and two children were rushed to the hospital after being pulled from a submerged vehicle in a causeway in Channelview according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Witnesses called 911 after seeing a vehicle with passengers inside enter the water and submerge Authorities say one of the witnesses dove into the water and rescued two children who were seen struggling on top of the vehicle before it became fully submerged Deputies said the 39 year old woman’s body was recovered from the water were taken to a hospital and are in good condition Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said an infant Sad update: an infant, believed to be 1 yoa, has been pulled from inside the vehicle. The infant is deceased. The two children at the hospital are said to be in fair condition. https://t.co/tHrm5Kp6FO A dive team and marine unit responded to the scene Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said investigators are trying to determine what led to the vehicle entering the water He said the driver possibly had some type of medical emergency Cedric Collier said the vehicle was not going fast at all and had been seen on a surveillance camera starting and stopping before the incident Collier said the two kids who were rescued also made comments indicating their mother had been in distress University of Houston alumna and Houston-native Sad update: an infant, believed to be 1 yoa, has been pulled from inside the vehicle. The infant is deceased. The two children at the hospital are said to be in fair condition. https://t.co/tHrm5Kp6FO HOUSTON – The owner of a construction company in Channelview was arrested and charged Thursday after at least 14 tons of broken concrete and wood were illegally dumped along the service road of Interstate 10 in 2023 according to the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office is accused of violating the spirit of the “Don’t Mess With Texas” campaign by ordering his employees to carry out the multi-ton dumping at 17400 East Freeway (I-10) Service Road in 2023 The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine “Our Environmental Crimes Division is proud to help protect the environment across all of Harris County from its heavily industrial areas to its most scenic manicured neighborhoods,” Constable Alan Rosen said “Please join us in this effort by alerting authorities to illegal dumping and any other suspected fouling of our community.” Tossing trash onto a Houston-area interstate highway feeder road violates the famous “Don’t Mess With Texas” slogan.\n\nOn the other hand allegedly authorizing the dumping of at least 14 tons of broken concrete and wood onto such a place can lead to state felony charges that carry a maximum penalty of two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.\n\nAfter investigating and interviewing construction company owner Vance Holt Jr deputies with the Precinct One Constable’s environmental crimes division arrested him on such charges today (April 10).\n\nHolt allegedly ordered employees to carry out the multi-ton dumping at 17400 East Freeway (I-10) Service Road in 2023.\n\n“Our environmental crimes division is proud to be in a position to help protect the environment across all of Harris County “Please join us in this effort by alerting authorities to illegal dumping and any other suspected fouling of our community.” Channelview Information Channelview Texas Channelview Chatter 👀 Baytown Texas\n#pctone #illegaldumping #pollution Harris County District Attorney's Office #environmentalcrime Harris County Pollution Control Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Joy Addison Michael Horton Jalen Hurts’ path to becoming one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks began in Channelview Texas—a community deeply intertwined with his family As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their second Super Bowl appearance in three years reflected on the family’s journey and the roots of her son’s success Channelview High School holds a special place in the Hurts family history and all three of their children graduated from the school but Jalen’s achievements have brought unprecedented recognition to their community “He puts Channelview on the map,” Pamela shared “It’s incredible to see where he’s come from and where he is now.” Jalen’s football career took off in middle school he was rewriting record books and leading his team to historic victories including a thrilling last-second win against their rival “That was the best game I’ve ever witnessed,” she said recalling the pride she felt seeing her son led his team to a momentous victory Pamela attributes Jalen’s success to a combination of talent “Someone close to our family prophesied long ago that he would play professionally,” she revealed and Jalen worked tirelessly to make it happen.” Academics were never a challenge for Jalen “He’s always been disciplined and wise beyond his years,” Pamela said That maturity helped him navigate the intense scrutiny and expectations placed on him as a top-tier athlete Jalen’s college career was marked by highs and lows Hurts led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship game appearance where the team suffered a last-second loss to the Clemson Tigers Heading into 2017 Jalen was poised for another shot at the big one Hurts faced adversity when he was benched during the next season’s National Championship game lead the Crimson Tide to a comeback victory over Georgia “It was hurtful to witness your child go through something like that knowing that you can’t do anything about it But his decision was to finish the year despite all the scrutiny he was getting and all the negative criticism he was getting Jalen stayed at Alabama through the 2018 season working on his game behind the scenes and making plays when his number was called Jalen replaced the injured Tua in the 2018 SEC Championship Game leading the Tide to a come-from-behind victory of his own over Georgia “The same team that he was benched [playing against] he stepped up and won the game for the quarterback who was injured at the time,” Pamela added where he flourished under Head Coach Lincoln Riley who is known for his ability to bring out the best in talented quarterbacks and I trusted his judgment,” she explained That decision led to a record-breaking season that saw Jalen finish second place in voting for the Heisman Trophy He was taken with the 53rd overall pick by the Eagles “He’s already surpassed the average NFL career,” Pamela noted emphasizing the significance of his achievements as a Black quarterback but Jalen has proven himself through his intelligence “He doesn’t crave the spotlight—he wants to use his platform to inspire.” For young athletes looking to follow in Jalen’s footsteps Pamela offers simple but profound advice: “Anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself “It’s a historic time for Jalen,” Pamela said “I have a good feeling about this one—I think we’re bringing home the trophy.” Pamela’s pride in her son is evident in every word she speaks She sends him a message ahead of Superbowl LIX From Channelview to the NFL’s biggest stage Jalen Hurts’ journey is a testament to resilience but one thing is clear—Jalen Hurts is destined to leave an enduring legacy More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter Joy Addison joined the KPRC 2 News team in November of 2024 She is a native Mississippian and moved to Houston in 2019 HOUSTON – Guests were forced to evacuate after a fire broke out at a hotel on the eastside of Houston a fire broke out at the Fairfield Inn & Suites located at 15822 E Freeway Service Rd in Channelview According to the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office there were 32 rooms occupied at the time of the incident all guests and employees were evacuated safely and accounted for Management is currently reaching out to neighboring hotels to assist those displaced by the fire Last night, CRFD responded to assist Channelview Fire Department with a commercial building fire in a 3-Story hotel on I-10 @ Sheldon Rd; all occupants were evacuated. We stand ready to assist our mutual aid partners. pic.twitter.com/72SLwfKQW0 Investigators have ruled the fire accidental determining that it was caused by the advertising signage on the east side of the building By the time authorities arrived on the scene around 4:10 a.m. Last night, CRFD responded to assist Channelview Fire Department with a commercial building fire in a 3-Story hotel on I-10 @ Sheldon Rd; all occupants were evacuated. We stand ready to assist our mutual aid partners. pic.twitter.com/72SLwfKQW0 Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Amy Davis CHANNELVIEW, Texas – People who live near a Channelview chemical plant say they noticed a strange, metallic smell Saturday morning. They called KPRC 2 News when firefighters on-scene at the K-Solv chemical plant wouldn’t tell them what was causing the smell Investigative reporter Amy Davis drove to the plant to get more information Safety & Security Mike Sopczak emailed Davis the following statement: “Today at approximately 1300-1330 hours a tote containing a product used in everyday perfume and personal care products began to react from moisture in the atmosphere and direct sunlight As Ksolv Personnel became aware of the situation they activated our Emergency Response Team At about the same time the Fire Department and HazMat Teams began responding Ksolv personnel quickly confined the spilled material inside the containment area while as a precautionary measure the Fire Department began using water fog to suppress the odor Fire Department and HazMat personnel conducted air monitoring in the neighborhood behind the release area The authorities involved informed us that the levels were safe the Fire Department and HazMat teams have left the scene K-Solv is conducting an internal investigation." “There was nobody telling people what was going on,” Raquel Garcia told reporter Amy Davis Garcia lives just across the street from the K-Solv plant while she looked online for any news of what was happening He described a metallic smell that made his throat itch that he said started sometime Saturday morning He tried to talk with the firefighters on-scene K-Solv neighbors say a history of events that are hazardous to their health and the environment have them on edge “I do get scared to live so close and not know what happened because i have kids and it’s concerning,” Garcia told Davis State Senator Carol Alvarado is also concerned Alvarado tells KPRC 2 she is introducing legislation next session to require K-Solv and other chemical plants to tell local fire departments exactly what chemicals are on-site to require more fence line monitoring for leaks and to increase penalties for illegal emissions Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved Understanding Flares: More Than Just a Flame Flares are essential environmental and safety control devices used to burn vented gases in a controlled manner Their operation is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S Flares help safely burn gases and serve as safeguard equipment during operational events such as power loss There are two primary types of flares at the Channelview Complex: elevated “candlestick” flares and multi-point ground-level flares Elevated candlestick flares feature a tall tower with a visible flame at the top These devices can burn gases with a 98-99% efficiency and use steam to reduce smoke The operators fine-tune the process to keep things running smoothly Ground flares sit at ground level behind protective walls taking up more ground space than traditional candlestick flares One of the ground flares at Channelview is the size of two football fields These units have a 99.5% gas destruction rate flares are constantly monitored by cameras and analyzers to ensure everything is running as designed Flaring is a critical safety and environmental control measure that helps the site operate safely What's a Turnaround and How Will It Affect the Community A turnaround is a planned maintenance and engineering activity in which a specific operating unit within the site is shut down Turnarounds are essential for maintaining the safety and reliability of our operations During our upcoming turnaround scheduled from March through May 2025 you may notice traffic changes in the area there will be heavier traffic flows along Sheldon Road and Wallisville Road due to the additional contractors needed to complete the work orange flow signs were placed at key intersections in the first week of February we also have staggering start/end times for contractors law enforcement will also be on hand to manage the traffic lights. you may also spot a visible flame and steam coming from our flare stacks This is a normal part of our safety and environmental control procedures where we use the flares to manage and combust any process materials produced during regular operations or startup. Flaring is closely monitored to meet all state and federal regulations Safety is a priority at the Channelview Complex We work hard to maintain a culture of safety and responsibility for our employees and the community Below is a map of the area where lighted signs and law enforcement will regulate traffic at peak times When Safety Becomes a Lifestyle: Channelview Complex Emergency Response safety isn’t just a priority—it’s part of the LYB culture There is an Emergency Response Team (ERT) of 223 highly trained members that provide rapid and specialized gear and is prepared to respond to any situation from hazardous materials incidents to marine spills The team is divided into five specialized groups: Fire Haz-Mat Training is the cornerstone of ERT readiness year-round exercises onsite and at the prestigious Texas A&M Fire School These sessions sharpen their skills and prepare them for real-world challenges By maintaining its state-of-the-art emergency response capabilities the LYB Channelview Complex enhances the safety of its workforce and surrounding communities while reducing reliance on local emergency services This commitment to self-sufficiency highlights LYB's dedication to being a responsible neighbor and industry leader in safety LyondellBasell remains focused on being a responsible corporate neighbor actively collaborating with local stakeholders and investing in programs that promote safety economic development and social well-being. CAER LINE Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) is an online system and app for community members to view posted messages and alerts regarding operational updates from local facilities Channelview Complex actively participates in posting to the site whenever there is an event of public interest the Community Advisory Panel to Lyondell and Equistar (CAPLE) meets eight times yearly to discuss site operations sitewide environmental performance and emergency response The mission of CAPLE is to provide an ongoing dialogue between the LyondellBasell Channelview Complex and the surrounding community. CAPLE promotes substantive two-way communication on community and/or company concerns and the environment. This communication is directed to specific actions with the goal to develop mutual understanding and partnership between the industry and the community which will enhance the quality of life in the area CAPLE meetings are open to Channelview, Crosby and Highlands community members. The group meets approximately eight times yearly in January, February, April, May, August, September, October and November. Meeting times vary each month. For more information on CAPLE, email CAPLEFacilitator@gmail.com The LyondellBasell Channelview Complex has approximately 2,200 employees and contractors and is one of the company’s largest operating sites it is approximately 4,000 acres with several manufacturing facilities The raw materials produced at Channelview Complex are used in everyday goods askchannelview@lyb.com © LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Cathy Hernandez CHANNELVIEW, Texas – Channelview ISD has created a unique and fun way to make literacy a priority for their students through what they’re calling a Literacy Bus and it travels to different schools and places in the community It’s aimed at addressing the literacy challenges students face in Channelview ISD by enhancing literacy skills and building a love for reading and that way that anybody can get on and be able to find something that they would like to read and take home and relax and have fun with it,” said Librarian Candi Boehme SEE ALSO: Houston’s newest bookstore, ‘Good on Paper,’ gears up for 2025 with exciting books and community events The district transformed a big yellow school bus into a library “One of our major goals of our district is to ensure that all of our students are able to read on grade level by third grade,” said Superintendent Dr “Every book on this bus is accessible to families and the students for free and are available in multiple languages and all our high interest and on multiple reading levels so that all of our students in our school district have access.” SUGGESTED: ‘Turning Pages’: How Books for Development is building libraries and changing lives globally LyondellBasell donated $65,000 to build and fill the bus with a wide range of books for infants to high schoolers They’re the future leaders,” said Chris Block with LyondellBasell “And so giving them the resources they need in this case to ensure that they can read it at grade level really prepares them for the future and really helps to bring up that next workforce The partnership is preparing students for the future by fostering a love for reading “The literacy bus gives these kids ownership of being able to read and picking out something that nobody can take back from them,” said Boehme MORE: Reach Out and Read, Harris Health bridging literacy gap with free books at wellness exams The literacy bus will be at the Channelview Fire Station on February 6. They have a few other stops on their upcoming schedule. Click here for the full list Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Ninfa Saavedra Brittany Taylor Texas – A 2-year-old child has died after being hit by a vehicle in Channelview Monday afternoon Deputies responded to reports of a child being hit by a vehicle in the 16400 block of Woodrow Street around 2:15 p.m James Lovett said the driver was entering the driveway when the child was play outside The toddler was rushed to a Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital in critical condition The child was pronounced dead shortly after arriving Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez clarified that the driver did not stay at the scene following the incident and fled after initially stating the driver did stay It was another driver not involved in the crash who stayed at the scene this is the second incident involving a child in the Houston area on Monday a Milby High School student was fatally hit by a train while walking to school It’s not clear if the child in this incident was coming from school or what exactly happened Stay informed with KPRC 2's Breaking News Alerts Zachery Lashway Morris' original court appearance was scheduled for Feb 11 but was since changed — court officials did not disclose why HOUSTON – A 76-year-old repeat offender is set to appear before a judge on Feb who is currently charged with indecency with a child - sexual contact Morris was arrested after being accused of walking up to a 14-year-old Channelview ISD student asking the boy for a hug and then reaching out and grabbing his genitals while Morris grabbed the Aguirre Junior High School student’s private area he was charged with a sex offense involving a child and sentenced to five years probation Morris faced another charge for a sex offense against a child was not registered as a sex offender; however he did not commit a crime by failing to register The state’s first sex offender registration laws took effect on Sept requiring registration for those convicted of sex crimes on or after Sept Since Morris’ offenses occurred in the 1970s and 1980s as sex offenders are typically required to register for life or 10 years Zachery “Zach” Lashway anchors KPRC 2+ Now He began at KPRC 2 as a reporter in October 2021 The Bulldogs take a 59-0 lead early in the fourth quarter Rayyan Bataineh kicks it through the uprights for Summer Creek Jamicah Jones catches his first of the game The Bulldogs extend their lead to 42-0 early in the second half Brown catches his secong touchdown pass of the game to give Summer Creek a 35-0 lead sets up a 2-yard touchdown run from Eugene Burnett The Falcons fumble and the Bulldogs recover in their own territory Thomas finds Tre Brown through the air for a touchdown Blake Thomas rushes for a short-yardage touchdown High School On SI will serve as the premier destination for high school sports fans delivering unparalleled coverage of high school athletics nationwide through in-depth stories The launch of a dedicated high school experience expands Sports Illustrated’s reach to even more local communities as fans can now truly follow athletes from “preps to the pros” on a single platform bringing them closer to the action than ever before For more information, visit si.com/high-school To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App JACK BUTLERJack Butler is the Regional Editor of the Midwest for SBLive/High School on SI Jack has covered high school sports in Oregon © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Christian Terry Texas – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says a 16-year-old is in critical condition after an accidental shooting in Channelview Friday Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said it happened in the 800 block of Donfield Street was handling a gun and unintentionally fired it The teenager who was shot was transported to the hospital in critical condition @HCSOTexas deputies responded to a residence at the 800 blk of Donfield. Three teens in a room; one teen (15) was handling a firearm and may have fired unintentionally, striking a 17-yr-old. The wounded teen has been transported to a hospital in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/G8jY0btjE5 A sergeant at the scene told KPRC 2 the teenagers were playing video games at the time of the incident and that there was an airsoft gun and a real gun in the room They are still working to figure out where the real gun came from and whether or not it was stolen Investigators are also calling it a “freak accident.” There are still many questions about this incident KPRC 2 will update you with any new information we receive Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing @HCSOTexas deputies responded to a residence at the 800 blk of Donfield. Three teens in a room; one teen (15) was handling a firearm and may have fired unintentionally, striking a 17-yr-old. The wounded teen has been transported to a hospital in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/G8jY0btjE5 CHANNELVIEW, Texas – A Channelview Independent School District student is facing real life consequences after admitting to making threats against her school, according to the Harris County Pct READ: School threats prompt lockdowns, arrests in Houston and across the country Andrea Torres, an 18-year-old Channelview High School student has been charged with felony terroristic threat Deputies responded to the high school after being notified of a threat to “shoot up the school.” The threat was sent to another student using a communications app RELATED: Houston area schools dealing with threats this week. What’s the best way for districts and parents to respond? The threat was investigated and deputies identified Torres as the person responsible for making the threat When questioned, Torres reportedly admitted to making the threat as well as threatening another student. She was eventually arrested and taken to the Harris County Jail and booked into the detention facility READ: ‘We need this to stop’: School threat hoaxes increase across Houston area Brittany Jeffers Michael Horton CHANNELVIEW, Texas – A Channelview Independent School District student continues to face real-life consequences after admitting to making threats against her school, according to the Harris County Pct has been charged with felony terroristic threats and deputies identified Torres as the person responsible for making the threat Torres’ court date has been rescheduled to Oct Channelview ISD said in part the district is working closely with law enforcement to ensure the school community’s safety Channelview ISD District administrators were made aware of a social media threat targeting Channelview High School from a CHS student An investigation was immediately launched and Channelview High School families were made aware of the results Thursday evening The student responsible for making the terroristic threat was located quickly As a result of the arrest and in alignment with the Student Code of Conduct We absolutely will not tolerate this type of behavior nor any threats being made against any of our students or staff.” Will the nationally ranked Mustangs keep pace against the winless Falcons Scroll down for score and game updates from pregame to stadium teardown on Thursday night Four-star Colorado committed defensive back/wideout Quanell Farrakhan Jr housed a 68-yard punt return for TD early and North Shore didn't look back in a drubbing of 6A District 23 for Channelview moves to 7-0 ahead of a showdown with nationally ranked Atascocita who is also undefeated on the season and in district play a four-year standout and transfer from The Woodlands has been maybe the Mustangs' top playmakers this season The Mustangs are the No. 8 ranked team in the country and No. 3 overall team in Texas Last week, Kaleb Bailey passed for a few touchdowns and ran for one more in a 70-0win over district foe Goose Creek Memorialon Thursday and company have a winless district foe at home on Thursday 1 rated cornerback and an Ohio State commit and 4-star Colorado-committed wide receiver Quanell X Farrakhan Jr The Mustangs have three 200-plus-yard rushers It's been a less successful season for the Falcons who are 0-7 coming off of a 41-19 loss to Kingwood in Week 7 Can Channelview slow North Shore's speed -- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx ANDY BUHLERAndy Buhler is a Portland Oregon-based sportswriter with more than nine years of experience covering high school sports across the country He's covered the likes of Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason served on state tournament seeding committees and launched the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national boys basketball rankings He has covered everything from the Final Four MLS in Atlanta to local velodrome before diving into the world of preps His bylines can be found in The News Tribune (Tacoma CW39 Houston These guys are bringing some Savor Y Cultura to one local school Channelview ISD has just launched its first-ever mariachi program at Channelview High School tells us more about it while the band pull some strings HOUSTON (KIAH) - Meteorologist Idolina Peralez shares the safest spots in your home to be near and which ones to avoid Stay close to the interior like a hallway or a closet large hail location probability near Houston area - CW39 meteorologist Idolina Peralez shares the locations where possible isolated tornadoes high winds and strong storms are most likely north of I-10 CW39's Kara Willis breaks down everything you need to know about REAL ID before the deadline Texas Lottery on 'Life Support' AUSTIN (Nexstar) — State Sen was one of the first lawmakers to call for an investigation into the Texas Lottery Commission over their alleged role in a controversial 2023 Lotto Texas drawing he laid out the case for abolishing the commission altogether “I apologize for the length of this,” Hall said to the Senate State Affairs committee as he went into detail about why the lottery should be abolished “It’s very important that you know some of the specifics of the laws where it appears they maybe continuing to be broken by a criminal organization deeply embedded within our government.” shifting the Lottery Commission’s remaining funds to the Foundation School Program and leaving the state’s charitable bingo operations in the hands of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Full story at https://cw39.com/lottery/state-sen-bob-hall-calls-for-end-of-texas-lottery-amid-scandal/ Why your property tax bills may be lower this year 10-year-old swept away on walk home in Brenham Texas (KIAH) – A man is dead after being shot by Harris County Sheriff’s deputies overnight outside a medical facility near FM 1960 and Kuykendahl Deputies say they found the man sleeping in his car and tried to remove him when the situation escalated deputies opened the car door and first attempted to use a Taser on the man they say it wasn’t enough to get him to comply As deputies physically pulled the man out of the vehicle they say he revealed a large butcher knife Deputies have not released the man’s identity at this time but did say that body cam footage will be released within 45 days Houston Zoo’s northern Caiman lizard Phillip is back on exhibit after undergoing treatment for a rare medical diagnosis After a battle with jaw cancer and months of expert veterinary care Phillip has reunited with his companion George and resumed his role as an ambassador for his species HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is at the scene of a deadly shooting in the eastern part of the county Tuesday night The sheriff’s office said it happened in the 1400 block of Oakengates Drive, near the intersection of Sterling Green Blvd. in the Channelview area Ben Beall with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit they received initial information that it was a drive-by shooting through information given by witnesses they were able to determine it was actually an argument between the adult son of the homeowner and her boyfriend that escalated both of them produced handguns and shot at each other,” Beall said The son of the homeowner was pronounced dead at the scene The other man was shot in the leg and was taken to a hospital and is going through surgery Beall says they are still in the initial stages of the investigation and are looking to interview more witnesses as well as see if any surveillance video captured the shooting