Massive Fire Erupts at Decommissioned Power Facility in Bacliff, Texas
A Large plume of smoke is seen in the distance with a Galveston County Sheriff’s vehicle in the foreground
A large overnight fire tore through a decommissioned power plant near Bacliff, Texas early Sunday, sending a towering column of smoke into the sky and drawing a multi-agency emergency response across Galveston County.
The blaze began around 2:30 a.m. at the old PHR Peakers Plant off State Highway 146. Firefighters arrived to find several structures fully involved. At least five massive water-cooling towers collapsed as flames spread through the abandoned facility. Crews reported significant challenges reaching all sides of the plant because of limited access points and surrounding water channels.
Despite the scale of the fire, officials said no injuries have been reported. The site has been inactive for years and no workers were inside at the time.
Residents in nearby San Leon were advised to shelter indoors for several hours due to thick smoke drifting across the area. The plume was visible on weather radar and could be seen for miles along the Galveston Bay coastline. Early air monitoring did not indicate hazardous chemical levels, although officials urged people with respiratory sensitivities to avoid prolonged exposure.
Multiple fire departments from across the county responded and remained on scene throughout the morning as the structure continued to smolder. Authorities expect hotspots to burn for an extended period because of the size of the complex and the debris left behind by the collapsing towers.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire marshals will begin a full assessment once the site cools enough for safe entry. Since the facility has long been offline, investigators will be looking at potential external ignition sources, unauthorized access, or structural failures that may have contributed.
Highway 146 near the plant experienced delays as crews worked the scene, and drivers were warned to expect intermittent closures as cleanup continues.
Officials plan to release additional information as soon as the investigation advances.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Sugar Land
SUGAR LAND, Texas (Nov. 5, 2025) — A tragic crash in Sugar Land claimed the life of a motorcyclist Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities say the collision happened around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Texas Highway 6 and U.S. 59 when a green motorcycle was struck by a white SUV.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and immediately began performing CPR on the rider. Despite their efforts, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to officials, the driver of the SUV remained on-site after the crash and attempted to render aid to the victim. No other injuries were reported.
The Sugar Land Police Department is leading the investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Drivers were urged to avoid the area for several hours as the crash investigation team processed the scene and cleared the roadway.
The identity of the motorcyclist has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Executes Realistic Active Shooter Drill in Humble
In the early hours this morning, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) conducted a high-fidelity active shooter training exercise at the Woodforest Bank branch located at 6400 FM 1960 E in Humble, Texas. The exercise spanned approximately 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., placing deputies in a simulated “bank-robbery turned active-shooter” scenario.
An actor plays a dead suspect/victim
According to public notices issued by HCSO ahead of the drill, residents in the area were briefed that a large first-responder presence would be visible and that the exercise could impact traffic or cause confusion if not anticipated.
Training Design: No Script, Realistic Pressure
What set this exercise apart was its intentionally unpredictable nature. Deputies arriving on scene had minimal information: they knew only that they were responding to an activeshooter event. They were not briefed on how many actors (shooters, victims) would be involved, or exactly what actions those actors would take. This “no-script” approach was used to heighten realism and pressure decision-making under uncertainty.
From a nearby staging area—parked in the lot of a local Walmart Supercenter—units responded with lights and sirens, mirroring real-world rapid deployment tactics. Deputies then moved into the bank scenario as though responding to an actual emergency.
The drill’s design is consistent with the types of active-shooter preparedness policies already published by HCSO, which place priority on life-saver actions, clear staging areas, threat containment, and coordinated medical evacuation protocols.
Why It Matters: Building Capability for the Unexpected
HCSO’s training philosophy emphasises that real events rarely come with advance warning or perfect information. By creating a setting in which deputies have to make rapid decisions with incomplete data, the agency is working to sharpen tactical speed, situational awareness, inter-unit communication, and victim-care execution.
In a press notice, officials reminded the public that the training is intended to “save lives” by giving law enforcement hands-on experience dealing with the chaos and stress of active threats. The pre-drill notice also underscored that the presence of lights, sirens, and large emergency-vehicle movement during the early-morning hours is part of the exercise and not a real incident.
Looking Ahead: Infrastructure & Continuous Training
Beyond this specific drill, the county is progressing toward a new dedicated facility for response-to-active-shooter training. The Office of the County Engineer in Harris County notes that a multi-million-dollar project is in pre-design to build a simulation building, classrooms, and other critical infrastructure for training law-enforcement agencies in active attack and rapid-response scenarios.
This investment underlines a broader shift: agencies like HCSO are moving beyond periodic tabletop exercises into full-scale immersive training, reflecting lessons learned from past events and evolving threat environments.
Local Impact & Community Awareness
For residents and local businesses near FM 1960 East and the Woodforest Bank location in Humble, the early-morning timing of the drill (5:00–6:30 a.m.) helps minimise disruption to regular operations, but still offers a realistic window for deputies to simulate responses during low-visibility conditions (pre-dawn).
Local drivers were advised to anticipate increased emergency vehicle traffic in the staging and deployment areas, and to remain calm if they see unfamiliar lights or response activity. Public communications emphasised that this was a training scenario, not an active threat.
Conclusion
Today’s exercise demonstrates HCSO’s commitment to proactive preparedness. By simulating a high-risk bank scenario with no advance script, deputies are placed into conditions that more closely mirror real incidents—where variables are unknown, the threat is active, and lives may hang in the balance. Coupled with investment in dedicated training infrastructure, the department is reinforcing readiness not just for next time, but for the unpredictable.
As the county’s population grows and public venues become more complex, training like this helps ensure that response teams are not only equipped—but conditioned—for rapid, decisive action when seconds matter.
‘No Kings Day’ brings thousands into the streets across Greater Houston
Protesters march from Discovery Green to City Hall in downtown Houston.
HOUSTON (Oct. 18, 2025) — Demonstrators gathered at multiple sites around Greater Houston on Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” mobilization opposing what organizers describe as rising authoritarianism in the United States. Local meet-ups were scheduled from late morning into the evening, with rallies reported in Downtown at Discovery Green and City Hall as well as in suburbs including Katy, Pasadena, Pearland, Richmond, Conroe, Clear Lake, and Huntsville.
Houston television outlet KPRC reported “thousands” took part across the metro, with downtown crowds rallying outside City Hall on Saturday night. A photo package by the Houston Chronicle also depicted large groups marching through the central business district.
US Representative Jasmine Crockett speaks at City Hall
What the events looked like on the ground
Multiple locations & rolling schedule. According to local listings compiled ahead of the day, gatherings were planned at nine Houston-area sites, including Discovery Green (12–2 p.m.) and Houston City Hall (2–6 p.m.), with additional meet-ups noted in Kingwood, Cypress, and The Woodlands.
Peaceful demonstrations. Coverage of Saturday’s actions in Houston and nationwide described family-friendly marches featuring homemade signs, costumes, and democracy-themed slogans. Local outlets did not report significant incidents tied to the Houston events as of Saturday night.
How Houston fit into the national picture
The Houston rallies were part of a coordinated day of action spanning all 50 states. National reporting described one of the largest mass protest days in recent years, with organizers citing thousands of local events and very large overall participation. (Organizer counts varied by outlet; figures were still being assessed late Saturday.)
The demonstrations followed an earlier “No Kings” mobilization in June and centered on warnings about concentrated executive power, federal crackdowns on dissent, and the militarization of immigration enforcement.
Key Houston moments and visuals
Downtown rallies: Crowds assembled at Discovery Green in the early afternoon before a later gathering at City Hall, where demonstrators urged civic engagement and voter turnout.
Scenes from the streets: Photojournalism published by the Houston Chronicle showed thousands moving through Downtown corridors, with office-tower onlookers watching as marchers advanced with banners and signs.
What’s next
Organizers behind the “No Kings” coalition signaled additional virtual briefings and follow-up actions after October 18, positioning the Houston-area groups as part of a continuing national campaign.
Houston Police Investigate Multiple Overnight Incidents Across the City
HOUSTON — October 13, 2025
Houston authorities are investigating a series of violent and deadly incidents that occurred across the city and surrounding Harris County overnight, leaving several people dead and others injured.
Woman Killed, Man Wounded in Southwest Freeway Shooting
Houston Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened around 2:50 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 8100 block of Southwest Freeway.
Officers arrived to find a woman dead from gunshot wounds and a man suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. Detectives are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses as the search for the shooter continues. The identity of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Deadly Crash on Spur 5
Just before midnight, police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Spur 5 near Old Spanish Trail. Investigators say a green Jeep Cherokee was speeding southbound when it struck a concrete barrier, then a tree. The driver died at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.
Motorcyclist Dies in Northeast Houston Wreck
Minutes later, another fatal crash occurred on Old Humble Road near Greens Road. According to investigators, a motorcyclist ran a red light and collided with a white GMC Denali. The rider was thrown from the bike and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The driver and passengers of the GMC were not injured.
Teens Arrested After Armed Robbery and Chase
In northwest Harris County, deputies arrested two 14-year-old boys accused of robbing a man at gunpoint around 12:15 a.m. in the 14500 block of Tomball Parkway. A third suspect, believed to be under 10 years old, was also involved but will not face charges due to his age.
Investigators say the suspects fled in a stolen car and led deputies on a short pursuit before crashing. The two older juveniles are now facing aggravated robbery and felony evading charges.
Ongoing Investigations
All four cases remain under investigation by Houston Police and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are urging anyone with information about these incidents to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS.
Overnight Crime Roundup: Sharpstown Shootout, Fatal Shooting on Sydnor Court, and After-Hours Bar Raid
HOUSTON, TX (October 12, 2025) — It was another busy night for law enforcement across Houston and Harris County, with multiple violent incidents and police operations unfolding overnight. Here’s what we know so far:
Sharpstown Shootout: Teen Suspect in Custody
A 17-year-old male is in custody after opening fire on officers during a tense standoff late Saturday night near the 6600 block of Harbor Town Drive in the Sharpstown area.
According to Houston Police, officers were responding to reports of shots fired when the suspect began shooting in their direction. A SWAT team was called to the scene, and after several hours, the suspect surrendered peacefully.
No officers were injured in the exchange, and the investigation remains ongoing. Charges are pending.
Fatal Shooting on Sydnor Court
Just after 12:55 a.m., Houston Police were called to the 1000 block of Sydnor Court after neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots.
When officers arrived, they discovered a 33-year-old man unresponsive from gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Detectives say the suspect fled the area before police arrived. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending family notification. HPD is urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.
After-Hours Bar Raid in Northwest Harris County
Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office raided an illegal after-hours bar operating near Veterans Memorial Drive and West Greens Road.
Investigators described the location as a “hub for criminal activity,” with reports of weapons, drugs, and possible prostitution taking place inside. Several individuals were detained, and the operation is now under further review by the county’s Organized Crime Unit.
Authorities say these unlicensed establishments often serve as magnets for violent crime and are working to shut down similar spots across the county.
October 11th, 2025 Crime Rundown
Houston Sees Series of Violent Incidents Across City Saturday Night
HOUSTON, TX (October 11, 2025) — Police across Houston are investigating several violent incidents that unfolded late Friday night into Saturday, leaving multiple people injured and sparking safety concerns ahead of the weekend.
Man Shot Multiple Times Near NRG Stadium
Just after 8:30 p.m., Houston Police responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex off Westridge and Kirby Drive, not far from NRG Stadium.
When officers arrived, they found a 22-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in stable condition.
Investigators have not released a motive or suspect description but believe the shooting may have stemmed from an argument in the parking area. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding buildings.
Road Rage Turns Violent on North Freeway
A separate shooting unfolded on the North Freeway near the North Main entrance ramp, when what began as a road-rage confrontation quickly escalated into gunfire.
According to police, one driver got out of his car and began striking another vehicle. The second driver, fearing for his safety, allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot the aggressor.
The wounded man was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive. Authorities say both parties have been detained for questioning as investigators determine whether the shooting will be classified as self-defense or aggravated assault.
Gun Fired After High School Football Game
Tensions also flared in northwest Harris County following a Cy-Fair ISD high school football game at Pridgeon Stadium.
As crowds exited the parking lot, someone reportedly discharged a firearm, sending fans running for cover. While no gunshot injuries were reported, several people were hurt in the ensuing panic.
Deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses to identify the shooter. The district emphasized that safety is a top priority and that law enforcement presence will be increased at future events.