Deputies responded to an alarm at the Stop and Grab convenience store located at 9401 Highway 6 S near the Fort Bend-Harris county line.

The suspects broke into the building through one of its glass doors.

The burglars stole mostly cartons of cigarettes and fled the scene headed east on Highway 6.

Still photos taken from video tape shows two black males, one wearing a gray shirt covering his head, a black short-sleeve T-shirt with white screening on the front and light-colored shoes. The second suspect was wearing a white shirt which covered his head, a black T-shirt and dark-colored shoes.

Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to the apprehension and filing of charges against the suspects involved in this crime.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office at 281-341-4665 or Fort Bend Crime Stoppers, Inc. at 281-342-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be texted to CRIMES (274637) or submitted online at www.fortbend-tx-crimestoppers.org.

All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office reported Chester Ray Brown was located safe and in good physical condition at the VA hospital in Houston earlier this afternoon.

At around 5 a.m., staff members at a group home in the 15300 block of Riverside Grove in the Mission Bend area discovered Brown was missing and had apparently left without informing staff members.

A missing person alert was then issued for Brown, who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia.

Ashley Ann Jackson, 22, turned herself in Friday night at the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.

Another suspect, Johnathan Charles Simmons, 22, was arrested Oct. 13.

Both are suspects in two recent bank robbery cases. Each is facing two counts of aggravated robbery with $100,000 bond for each count.

Simmons also has a $50,000 bond against him for another aggravated robbery charge out of Harris County, as well as a parole violation.

The Capital One Bank robbery occurred Oct. 3 in Cinco Ranch, with three suspects robbing the bank at gunpoint at about 11:30 a.m.

Shortly before noon on Oct. 6, the IBC Bank in the 10500 block of Hwy. 6 South was robbed, with four suspects rushing into the bank brandishing handguns and demanding money.

Investigators at first believed there was only one female involved in both cases. It has now been determined there were two females involved.

Arrest warrants have also been issued for Amyllia Bruno, 25, of Houston in each case.

Detectives also are seeking information leading to the arrest of a fourth subject, a male known as “Farouk.”

Anyone with information on Bruno or “Farouk” is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-341-TIPS (8477) or the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office at 281-341-5664.

Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers has posted a reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to the arrest and filing of charges on these two suspects.

All calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

As a Guardian Angel supporter, the auto mile sponsoring one of the six homes on the agency’s 2011 CASA Christmas Home Tour scheduled for Dec. 9 – 10.

GUARDIAN ANGEL SPONSORS – The Richmond-Rosenberg Auto Mile will once again be a Guardian Angel sponsor for the Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s CASA Christmas Home Tour. Shown, from left, are Rosenberg-Richmond Auto Mile representatives Mike Shaw, Ron Ewer and Chris Gillman, as well as Child Advocates of Fort Bend Development Director Patty Green and Executive Director Ruthanne Mefford.

This is the second year of a three year partnership between Child Advocates of Fort Bend and The Rosenberg-Richmond Auto Mile.

A Fort Bend holiday tradition, the CASA Christmas Home Tour offers guests the opportunity to view six beautifully decorated homes while helping to raise much needed funds to support CAFB’s programs serving abused and neglected children.

The presenting sponsor for the 2011 tour is the Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation.

This year’s tour will feature homes in First Colony, Greatwood, Sugar Creek, Riverstone and Sienna Plantation.

Proceeds from the Christmas Home Tour help Child Advocates of Fort Bend advocate for the needs of abused and neglected children in this community.

Through its two programs, Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Children’s Advocacy Center, the agency touches the lives of more than 400 young victims each month.

The second public hearing will take place next Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m., also at city hall.

The public hearings are necessary steps in the city’s proposed annexation of six areas currently in the extraterritorial jurisdiction.

In total, the six proposed areas for annexation comprise 1015.9 acres or approximately 7 percent of the city’s current land area of 14,272 acres.

The City of Rosenberg’s main purpose in proposing annexation of the areas is to expand the city’s tax base to cover the costs of services provided these areas, specifically, the cost of fire protection, a service from which inhabitants in unincorporated areas currently benefit, but for which only city residents currently pay.

Rosenberg also seeks to bring these areas into its boundaries in order to be better able to plan for the future provision of water services to the entire region.

Rosenberg officials said the city evaluated the potential long term impact of providing fire services through the Rosenberg Fire Department to unincorporated areas. Although Fort Bend County has provided some funding as partial reimbursement for the services in the past, the amount is nowhere near adequate to cover the actual costs of providing them. As a result, existing Rosenberg taxpayers are subsidizing the costs of fire protection in unincorporated areas.

Because of this, as well as the anticipated rising costs of fire protection coverage in the future due to continued growth, Rosenberg City Council voted to terminate fire services provided by the City of Rosenberg as of Sept. 30, 2013, for any unincorporated areas that do not have a fire services agreement.

Should the proposed areas be annexed, based on 2010 property valuations the addition of these tracts would add approximately $34 million in taxable value to the city tax rolls. At the current tax rate of $0.50 per $100 valuation, this amount would generate approximately $171,000 per year in additional property tax revenue for the city.

A home with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay $500 in City of Rosenberg taxes, which would be utilized to help offset the costs of providing essential services such as fire and police protection, street and road maintenance, code enforcement and animal control to the newly-annexed areas. These services would be provided upon the effective date of annexation at a similar level of service to that now being provided to other areas in the city.

One of the main benefits residents in the proposed areas for annexation will receive is the opportunity for improved Insurance Service Office, or ISO, ratings. Improvements in ISO ratings can result in lower fire insurance premiums for property owners.

The city is working to improve its ISO rating to a “2” and plans to build a new fire station in the Bryan/Spacek Road area in the next two years. In addition, the city is purchasing a 75-foot aerial ladder truck in 2012. Those additional improvements are expected to help achieve the goal of an ISO rating of “2” by the end of 2013.

In addition to improved fire protection, bringing annexed areas into the city allows Rosenberg to plan for future water and wastewater infrastructure needs in accordance with its overall Capital Improvement Plan and Groundwater Reduction Plan.

Along with the construction of Fire Station No. 3, plans currently include improvements to Bryan Road, improvements to Spacek Road, a new water line along FM 2977, a water storage tank on FM 2977, a new water line along Spur 529 and a new water well and storage tank at the intersection of Spur 529 and Highway 59.

Annexation is the process by which cities extend their municipal services, regulations, voting privileges and taxing authority to new territory. It is also a means of ensuring that residents and businesses outside a city’s corporate limits who benefit from access to the city’s facilities and services share the tax burden associated with constructing and maintaining those facilities and services.

Cities annex territory to provide areas with municipal services beyond those available in rural areas; to create efficiencies in service delivery, particularly for public safety services; to apply city development standards; to protect and expand the tax base; and to maximize the return on a city’s investment in infrastructure and business incentives.

Rosenberg staff and city council evaluate potential areas for annexation on an annual basis.

Individuals are invited to attend the two public hearings to voice their opinions regarding the proposed annexation.

One of the hold-ups took place at a bank in Cinco Ranch, the other on Hwy. 6 near the Mission Bend area.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Ashley Ann Jackson, 22, and Johnathan Charles Simmons, 22, for their reported participation in the robberies of the Capital One Bank in the 23900 block of Westheimer Parkway, as well as the IBC Bank in the 10500 block of Hwy. 6 South at West Belfort.

The Capital One Bank robbery occurred Oct. 3, with two black males and one black female robbing the bank at gunpoint at about 11:30 a.m.

The IBC Bank robbery occurred Oct. 6, with three black males and one black female rushing into the bank just before noon, brandishing handguns and demanding money.

Fort Bend County sheriff’s deputies are looking for tips to locate Jackson and Simmons.

Anyone with information on either of the suspects is asked to call the Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-341-TIPS (8477) or the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office at 281-341-5664.

Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers has posted a reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to the arrest and filing of charges on the two suspects. There is a similar reward being offered for information on the remaining unidentified suspects.

To send an anonymous tip to Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers, call 281-342-TIPS (8477), text FBCCS plus the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submit information online at www.fortbend-tx-crimestoppers.org.

DYER

Those were among the details of Dyer’s capture provided by Fort Bend County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Brady during a midday news conference formally announcing Dyer’s capture.

Brady also said Dyer was tired and hungry when he was captured, and that the constant pressure of the search helped wear the fugitive down.

“He’s in pretty good shape considering the pressure he’s been under,” Brady said.

Brady said Dyer had been hiding in thick brush during daylight hours, coming out only at night to avoid police. After being captured, Dyer told deputies searchers were “within 10 meters” of his hiding spot at one point, but passed him by.

Dyer was captured by Deputy Jerry Goodrich around 8:30 a.m. near Farmers Road and The Grand Parkway. Officers responded to the area after receiving a tip from a resident who saw Dyer walking shirtless down the street.

Nearby Oakland Elementary School was briefly on lockdown while the arrest was taking place.

Brady said Dyer initially gave deputies a false name, Darrell Harris, but otherwise made no effort to resist arrest.

“The guy gave (the deputy) a fictitious name, but then they found identification in his pocket that said he was Charles Dyer,” Brady said. “At that point, he admitted, ‘Yes; I’m the guy you’re looking for.’”

Dyer told arresting deputies he had walked to a nearby Sonic Restaurant for a cherry drink. He was carrying that drink at the time he was captured.

Brady said Dyer was unarmed when he was captured, but told deputies he did have a gun at one point. He said he disposed of the weapon “where it will never be found.”

Dyer did have $1,500 in cash and a GPS in his possession when he was taken into custody.

Previously clean-shaven with a shaved head, Dyer had allowed his hair and beard to grow while he was on the run.  

Dyer had been the subject of a massive manhunt since Sunday when the FBI received information he was in the Sealy area. The search shifted to Fort Bend County after the fugitive was spotted in Wallis and then in Orchard.

The former U.S. Marine had been scheduled for trial last week on charges he raped and sodomized a seven-year-old girl. When he failed to show up in court, a federal warrant for “unauthorized flight to avoid prosecution” was issued and the FBI began the search for Dyer.

He had previously been to court on the child rape charges, but a mistrial was declared.

Dyer is also described as a militia member and has posted numerous videos on You Tube containing anti-government rants.

DYER

Dyer, 31, was reportedly taken into custody earlier this morning after he was spotted walking shirtless down a street in the Pecan Grove area.

He did not resist officers and was taken into custody without incident, according to police sources.

Dyer was captured in the 9700 block of Mason Road near Oakland Elementary School. The school was placed on lockdown for a short period of time while deputies made the arrest.

The sheriff’s office has called an 11 a.m. news conference to provide additional details on Dyer’s capture.

Dyer has been the subject of a massive manhunt since Sunday when the FBI received information he was in the Sealy area. The search shifted to Fort Bend County after the fugitive was spotted in Wallis and then in Orchard.

The former U.S. Marine had been scheduled for trial last week on charges he raped and sodomized a seven-year-old girl. When he failed to show up in court, a federal warrant for “unauthorized flight to avoid prosecution” was issued and the FBI began the search for Dyer.

He had previously been to court on the child rape charges, but a mistrial was declared.

Dyer had been considered to be armed and dangerous.

Based on information released to media outlets, it appears Dyer has been captured.

According to a media notice just issued by the sheriff’s office, Chief Deputy Craig Brady will “provide information on the capture of fugitive Charles Dyer.”

InstantNewsFortBend will provide more details as they become available.

One unconfirmed report put Dyer as close as Fulshear.

Authorities, led by the FBI, are looking for Dyer after he failed to appear in an Oklahoma courtroom last week on charges he raped a seven-year-old girl.

Law enforcement officers consider Dyer, a former Marine, to be armed and dangerous.

After spending much of Sunday searching in the Sealy and San Felipe areas of Austin County, the focus has now shifted to the small community of Wallis following reports of a man matching Dyer’s description knocking on doors and asking for a ride to Houston.

Wallis is located on the Austin-Fort Bend county line, roughly 10 miles south of Sealy.

Police are concentrating their search along the length of a railroad track that runs along Texas Hwy. 36. The search area includes everything from Sealy to Rosenberg and adjacent areas, including the towns of Wallis and Orchard.

There was also one report of a man matching Dyer’s description walking along a rural road near Fulshear; however, that report could not be confirmed.

Still, searchers warn Dyer could be anywhere in the area.

“He could have caught a ride hitchhiking or hopped a train as it rolled by,” one deputy said.

In a series of videos posted on You Tube, Dyer claims the charges against him are the result of a government plot against him because he is a “Constitutionalist.”

Building Official Michelle Kirchner said the city is looking for team captains with good leadership skills to oversee distributing informational flyers and notices to residents; recruit and organize volunteers; set up trash dumpsters, recycling bins and tree chippers and supervise clean-up crews.

There will be a training meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at Fulshear City Hall for those wanting to take part in the effort. Residents wanting to volunteer but who are unable to attend tonight’s meeting can contact Kirchner at mkirchner@fulsheartx.com.

Volunteers will receive a T-shirt, lunch, water and snacks.

The first-ever community clean-up is being co-sponsored by the city and Fort Bend Corps.

From 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. July 30, Fulshear residents will be able to bring junk and debris to dumpsters located next to city hall. The collection is restricted to Fulshear residents only, and those dropping off material will have to show either a driver’s license with Fulshear address or current water bill.

Residents who need help removing material from their property can contact the city and a clean-up team will be sent to assist.

Property owners must sign a permission form to allow the volunteers onto their property. Residents will be given stickers to mark the items they want removed by the clean-up teams.

Kirchner said the July 30 event will only be the first of larger scale effort.

“This is considered phase 1 of this project. Phase II will be in September or October and on a bigger magnitude.”

The clean-up is for individuals only and not for commercial interests.

Authorities said Doris Walters of Pasadena died in the pile-up.

Walters was reportedly the occupant of a pickup truck involved in the chain-reaction collision.

One other person was taken to the hospital with what police described as non life-threatening injuries. No additional on that person was immediately available.

According to the preliminary investigation, and empty 18-wheel tanker truck came upon traffic that was either stopped or barely moving in the outbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway overpass at the Grand Parkway shortly after 5:30 p.m. The truck driver was unable to stop and plowed into four other vehicles.

The collision sparked a fire that engulfed the big rig and three of the smaller vehicles.

At least two other vehicles were then involved in a secondary collision behind the first wreck.

Even after the wreckage was cleared, southbound lanes of the freeway remained closed for hours as Texas Department of Transportation personnel investigated the overpass for structural damage.

It was finally reopened shortly before midnight.

Council members approved the city’s first-ever noise regulation ordinance, giving the police department an additional tool to help control disturbances.

Police Lt. Kenny Seymour, who is the city’s acting police chief, said his officers found themselves limited in dealing with loud-party and other noise related complaints.

“Once we come out there and ask them to turn it down, we leave and they turn it back up. In those cases, we have very little latitude; this would give us a lot more latitude,” Seymour said of the proposed ordinance.

He said officers encountering people who were uncooperative about turning down loud noise had limited options beyond making an arrest for disorderly conduct. In many cases, Seymour said, the disturbance did not rise to a level that warranted an arrest.  

The noise ordinance can also be used for other situations like continuously barking dogs or loud vehicles, he said.

Still, Seymour stressed, officers would continue to first ask for voluntary cooperation.

“If we get a complaint, the first thing we do is ask them to turn (the noise) down,” he said. “There’s no immediate citation.”

Under provisions of the ordinance, noise levels will not be allowed to exceed 85 decibels in the daytime and 70 decibels at night, as measured 60 feet from the source. The police department is acquiring a decibel meter to measure noise levels.

In addition to exceeding established decibel levels, the ordinance also prohibits “ongoing or continuous” noise.

Several council members expressed concern about animal noise since many long-time residents still raise livestock on their property. Mayor Tommy Kuykendall and City Administrator C.J. Snipes both stressed the ordinance is based on a “reasonable standard” that allows officers to use discretion in enforcing the new noise standards.

“We’ll still have logic and judgment along with this,” Kuykendall said.

Alderman Jeff Roberts urged the police department to “use good judgment and be courteous” in enforcing the new ordinance.

Following discussion, the new regulations were approved on a unanimous vote of the council.

The budget includes all funds, a five-year financial plan and five-year capital improvements program.

Bogard also said he intends to propose a tax increase to council members to help fund the budget. The amount of that increase will be finalized after the city receives its certified tax roll later this year.

“In order to prepare for fiscal year 2012, we must assess our financial strength today,” Bogard said. “I am pleased to inform you that the City of Sugar Land stands strong today in fiscal year 2011, as we have in years past, to meet our financial obligations and prepare for our future.”

He also noted the last several years for the city were atypical.  Impacts from the national economy resulted in a local slowdown in growth and development for the first time in 25 years.  

Sugar Land returned to modest growth in revenue streams in fiscal year 2011.  Sales tax collections, budgeted flat over fiscal year 2010, were four percent higher than budgeted through July, and year-end estimates show the city ending the year better than budgeted.

The city achieved a reduction of $1.1 million in personnel expenditures with the elimination of 18 positions, approximately 6.2 percent of the non-public safety, general fund workforce.  The reduction was accomplished without layoffs.

“The main priority for fiscal year 2011 was to work throughout the year to achieve structural balance between a decreased level of recurring revenues with our recurring expenditures as we prepared for fiscal year 2012,” Bogard said.  “Our efforts toward this priority have been successful.”

The proposed fiscal year 2012 budget represents a 34.8 percent decrease from the current budget, largely from non-operating expenditures. Capital projects account for the majority of budget reductions, down from a record $145.7 million in fiscal year 2011 – primarily from major projects such as the surface water treatment plant and the minor league baseball stadium – to $35.8 million planned in fiscal year 2012. 

The proposed budget is based on a three percent increase in revenues from sales tax and ad valorem taxes, as well as a surface water rate increase and user fee “cost of living” increases. Utility rates will increase as a result of the city’s conversion to surface water with construction for the surface water treatment plant currently underway. 

Solid waste rates will decrease as a result of automated collection beginning in December. 

The five-year Capital Improvement Program totals $129.8 million, with first year funding of $35.8 million included in the proposed fiscal year 2012 budget.  Still, nearly $50 million in projects requested were unable to be funded within forecasted debt and operating capacities.

Projects in the five year CIP proposal include:

• a continued focus on rehabilitation, including localized
• drainage improvements, facility renovations, park infrastructure, sidewalk, pavement, streetlights, landscaping and bridge rehabilitation;
• a renovation of the community center to house the seniors center; land acquisition for the development of destination centers including an indoor concert venue and acquisition of park land in Telfair;
• implementation of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan,
• improvements to State Hwy. 6 from Brooks Street to Lexington
• Boulevard and Dairy Ashford from U.S. 59 to Julie Rivers;
• planning for the next phase of the Brazos River Corridor, which will include a festival site and additional trails and park land; and
• water plant upgrades for surface water conversion.

The budget for city services is increasing by $2 million or 3.6 percent. That increase was attributed to compensation and benefits adjustments, along with a reallocation of positions from the utility fund that is being reimbursed through an inter-fund transfer for administrative overhead.  As a result, the utility expenses are decreasing by $460,000 or 2.4 percent. 

The proposed budget for the Sugar Land Regional Airport will see a significant increase due to the purchase of fuel that is then resold to customers.

“This budget proposed for fiscal year 2012 establishes a new normal for the city,” Bogard said.  “It is structurally balanced and addresses the city council priorities, policies and plans.”

The budget will be discussed with city council in more detail during a series of budget workshops beginning July 26. The meetings are open to the public.

Sugar Land’s fiscal year 2012 begins Oct. 1.

Today’s recount of the District 3 Sugar Land City Council race resulted in the same outcome as on election day with local attorney Amy Mitchell winning by a single vote.

The recount of ballots by hand found the same 791-790 result, leaving Mitchell with a razor-thin single-vote win over engineering consultant Howard Paul.

Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson had appointed residents Mary Von Tungeln, Kathy Huebner, Steve Porter, Joe Zimmerman and Stephen Ip to serve as the recount committee and conduct the manual count. The recount took place at the Fort Bend County Election Administration Office in Rosenberg.

Paul was not on hand for the recount and not immediately available for comment. He also has not conceded the race

There also continues to be controversy surrounding three mail-in ballots that could influence the vote total. Two of the ballots were tossed out because they were postmarked after the June 11 runoff date. A third was rejected because of a problem with the signature.

A group of Paul supporters, headed by First Colony resident Nancy Hentschel, said they were going to meet and discuss their next move.

For her part, Mitchell said she was “ready to serve the people who elected me.”

In a news release late today, the City of Sugar Land said Mitchell would be sworn into office June 28 at city hall.

Council members unanimously approved a proposal from the city’s solid waste provider, Royal Disposal, to collect recyclable materials placed in special containers at curbside.

Royal Disposal’s David Hanna said recycling can significantly reduce the amount of waste taken to the landfill.

“What many don’t realize is 65 percent of your trash can be recycled,” Hanna said. “Once people see how much can be recycled, they’ll buy into the program.”

The city’s current recycling effort involves special dumpsters placed behind city hall where people bring items for recycling. Mayor Tommy Kuykendall said that system has serious drawbacks.

“Those dumpsters are filled every week and costs the city money to have them serviced,” Kuykendall said. “Some of that material is coming from people outside the city and some prohibited items, like chemicals and electronics, are being left.”

He also noted a recent survey of Cross Creek Ranch residents found 60 percent of those responding saying they wanted curbside recycling.

The new service will cost an additional $3 per month; however, residents will be able to opt out of the service.

Residents taking the curbside recycling service will pay $16.48 per month; those opting out will pay $13.48.

City Administrator C.J. Snipes said people will be given a period of time to decide whether or not they want the additional service.

“Folks will have a 45-day window to opt out,” Snipes said.

Royal will provide recycling containers for residents to use. Each container will contain information on what materials can be recycled.

Preliminary plans are for regular waste collection to continue every Wednesday, with recycling pick-up on Saturdays; however, Hanna said those plans were subject to change.

In addition to providing the recycling service, Royal will take over the city’s solid waste billing. Bills will be sent out on a quarterly basis.

Hanna stressed that any resident needing assistance with their solid waste service or billing should contact the company.

“We will work with them in every way possible,” he said.

The body remains unidentified and detectives are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The body was discovered shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday evening when a resident of the Preserve at Colony Lake apartment complex was placing garbage in the dumpster.

The body was reportedly partially buried beneath some garbage in the dumpster.

The apartment complex is located between Stafford and Sugar Land.

Deputies are continuing the investigation.

The order is effective at 12:01 a.m. this Friday, June 24. 

The order will remain in effect for 60 hours unless extended by Gov. Rick Perry. 

Hebert has sent a request to the governor to extend the ban through 7 a.m. July 5.

If extended by the governor the sale or use of fireworks will be effectively banned for this year’s Fourth of July period. 

The fireworks prohibition does not apply to municipal or governmental sponsored fireworks displays and does not apply to a privately sponsored display that has been approved in advance by the County Fire Marshal.

Hebert said today’s rainfall will not make enough of a difference in the dry conditions to risk the use of fireworks.

“Although rain is moving through the greater Fort Bend area today, the ten-day forecast predicts an immediate return to drought conditions through July 4, which requires that I take this action in the best interest of public safety,” Hebert said.

Fort Bend County is experiencing severe drought conditions, with measurements on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index of 727 as of today.  The KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is a measure of soil moisture and an indicator of fire potential. 

A number of neighboring counties and municipalities have banned or are considering banning fireworks this season due to the dry conditions.

Earlier this week, Harris County banned all fireworks in unincorporated areas. All municipalities in Harris County already have standing bans on the use of fireworks.

City officials said the decision was made “after careful consideration” of public safety concerns related to the ongoing extreme drought conditions and heightened fire risk.

The celebration had been scheduled for Monday, July 4 at Seabourne Creek Nature Park.

“Rosenberg officials have observed the devastating fire conditions which have occurred throughout Texas, and city officials are taking proactive steps to ensure that the community and its residents are not put at any further risk by hosting a fireworks show,” the city said in a statement announcing the cancellation. “Additionally, city officials want to ensure that the city’s public safety resources, including fire and police equipment and personnel, are available to respond to emergency situations as necessary.” 

Rosenberg officials also said they were grateful for the support the event has received to date from sponsors and community groups, and are looking forward to making next year’s celebration better than ever before.

Mayor Vincent Morales, Jr., also urged residents to use caution during the holiday period. 

“We are all disheartened to know that we won’t be able to celebrate July 4^th together as a community at Seabourne Creek Park; however, we understand that our obligation as representatives of the City of Rosenberg is, first and foremost, to protect the lives and property of our citizens.  We hope everyone is able to enjoy the holiday and responsibly celebrate our nation’s independence by spending valuable time with family and friends,” Morales said. “I encourage Rosenberg residents to follow the city’s lead and be especially careful this July 4^th given the imminent fire danger we are facing.  I remind you that fireworks are prohibited within the city limits of the City of Rosenberg year-round, and that Fort Bend County has issued a fireworks ban in the unincorporated areas of the county.  I also encourage you to take extra precautions in your daily activities given the increased fire risk in our area.  We thank everyone who has pledged their support for Family 4^th so far, and look forward to working to make our 2012 event better than ever.” 

Anyone with questions regarding the cancellation is asked to call the city at 832-595-3301.

According to preliminary reports, a resident was placing garbage into a dumpster around 10 p.m. at the Preserve at Colony Lake apartment complex and spotted the body.

The apartment complex is located between Stafford and Sugar Land.

The body was that of a male; however, no identification was found.

There was no immediate word on how the man may have died.

Deputies are continuing the investigation.