Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why are Houston’s low-level marijuana arrests suddenly surging?

Happening soon: Block Party – Meyerland Floor & Decor on the Houston Patch calendar

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Friday September 18th Patch AM
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Hello Houston! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are Houston's low-level marijuana arrests suddenly surging?
  • What should Houston patients know about this cosmetic surgeon's legal troubles?
  • Why did Kanye's St. Petersburg shows vanish while Houston's stayed?

Also on today's calendar: Block Party – Meyerland Floor & Decor and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 95 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 93, low: 75.
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 93 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Houston Mayor Whitmire Blames District Attorney For Misdemeanor Marijuana Arrest Spike (nugmag.com) — Houston residents are seeing a sharp rise in misdemeanor marijuana arrests, and Mayor John Whitmire is publicly blaming Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare's office for being more willing to prosecute low-level cases. Court data show prosecutions surged beginning in 2024, sparking debate among current and former prosecutors over who's responsible and how cannabis enforcement should work in the city.
   

2. Family sues Sono Bello, doctor after liposuction allegedly leaves mother brain-damaged (news4sanantonio.com) — A Houston-area family is suing cosmetic surgery chain Sono Bello and Dr. Dare Ajibade after a liposuction left 28-year-old Junis Maldonado with severe brain damage and in a rehab facility. Texas Medical Board records show prior disciplinary actions involving Ajibade, and he continues to practice in Houston, raising questions for local patients researching cosmetic procedures and doctor histories.
   

3. Concerts in St. Petersburg have disappeared from the official website of Kanye West's tour (news-pravda.com) — Kanye West's October tour schedule now lists just two international stops, including a performance in Houston, after planned St. Petersburg concerts quietly disappeared from his official site. Local fans can still expect the Houston show, while Russian dates remain unconfirmed amid venue and permitting disputes overseas.
   

4. Alvarez hits 40th home run, Astros beat Royals 6-2 to move 1 game ahead of Rangers for AL West lead (newser.com) — Houston baseball fans just watched Yordan Alvarez crush his 40th homer as the Astros slugged five total long balls to beat the Royals at home and reclaim the AL West lead over Texas. With the team back over .500 and holding the tiebreaker, every remaining game in Houston now carries major playoff stakes.
   

5. America's safest big cities: 2026 study (abc17news.com) — Houston appears near the bottom of a new national ranking of safety among large U.S. cities, based on crime, traffic fatalities, and disaster risk. The study, covering 83 cities with populations over 250,000, uses FBI, CDC, and FEMA data to compare how well communities like yours balance big-city opportunity with everyday security concerns.
   

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What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Harmony School of Excellence - Sugar Land Earns Top State Honor as 2026 Lone Star Ribbon School —Candice Keutzer Read on Patch
  • Holiday Designer John Mark Headlines Madisonville Christmas Company Open House —Dana Read on Patch
  • Get Ready for the Spooktacular Monster Mash Run —St. Steven PR Read on Patch
  • Good Morning, neighbors..
    Alil words of encouragement… Some of us are carrying things we don't talk about. We still get up, go to work, take care of our responsibilities,… (Nextdoor Sunny Side)
  • Highly recommend Raul with ASAP for garage door repair or maintenance.
    Excellent communication and service. VERY fair prices. Only recommended what was actually NEEDED, and did a fantastic job. QUICKLY. (Nextdoor Champions Park)
  • Phillips 66 Company posted a job opening for Commercial Scheduler III, Clean Cargoes in Houston. Apply here.
  • BakerRipley posted a job opening for Business Service Unit Supervisor (2634) in Houston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Houston here.

Ok Houston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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