$6,000+ FOR AN ANDROID PHONE?

Press Release: And you thought your iPhone was so cool. Tag Heuer, known for making lux watches, has released one of the cooler-looking smartphones we've ever seen. But don't get too excited--one Tag Heuer Link Android smartphone will set you back $6,750.

What's with the price? The Link Android, which runs on the old-generation Android 2.2 (Froyo), comes with a steel, 18-carat rose gold- or titanium-finished case. (It kind of looks like it belongs to a Jedi knight, right?) Trims come in calfskin, alligator, lizard, or carbon leather. (Fancy!)

It features a Gorilla Glass screen, a high-strength thin sheet of glass used as a protective cover with scratch resistance and durability, and offers up 256MB of RAM and 8GB on a memory card to save the pics you take with its 5-megapixel auto-focus HD camera.

It can also house 11 hours of music playback. The phone goes on sale this month TAG Heuer retailers.

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MAN ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF PREGNANT FEMALE VICTIM!

Press release: Houston police have arrested a suspect charged in the death of a female found at 9500 Scranton at 11:55 p.m. on June 16.

Alexander Adam Jackson (b/m, DOB: 1-13-87) is charged with murder in the 209th State District Court.  He is accused in the death of Sherell Nicole Baldwin, 24, of Huntsville, who was pronounced dead at the scene.  An autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences revealed she had suffered various types of trauma and was in her third tri-mester of pregnancy. 

HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officer M. Miller and Officer M. Brady reported: 

HPD patrol officers responded to a call of a burned body found in a field at the above location.  When officers arrived, they found Ms. Baldwin deceased and partially burned. 

Family stated Baldwin traveled from Huntsville to Houston to meet her friend, suspect Jackson, on June 15.  Her family lost contact with her shortly after her arrival.

Further investigation identified Jackson as a suspect in this case.  On Thursday (June 30) Jackson was arrested without incident and later confessed to killing Baldwin.  Jackson also admitted he dumped Baldwin's body in the 9500 block of Scranton and returned the following evening to set her on fire.

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HOUSTON ATTORNEY FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST NAACP AND ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR!

Press Release:

Frye and Associates, PLLC, announces that they have filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Ms. Tracie Jackson against the NAACP after learning that the National and Houston offices were aware of the questionable financial activities of Houston Executive Director Yolanda Smith, and took no action.

Based on new information that has been released, including 1) the findings of the National NAACP 2006 audit and 2) the suspension of the Basic Civil Law Services and the Interest On Attorneys Trust Accounts grants by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, the attorneys for Tracie Jackson are filing a lawsuit against the National NAACP office, the NAACP Houston Branch and Yolanda Smith.

The allegations in the suit (see attached complaint) consist of violations pursuant to Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act: RICO, the Texas state laws regarding breach of fiduciary duty and negligent retention and hiring of Yolanda Smith.

“It is clear that both the National and Houston NAACP offices were fully aware of the activities of Yolanda Smith and allowed them to continue” said Jackson’s lead attorney, Jeremy Brown.

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HOUSTON CITY COUNCILMAN GIVES FIRE DEPARTMENT A GIFT!

Council Member James Rodriguez presented the Houston Fire Department with a new $4500 dollar hydraulic TNT Cutter for HFD to use for such things as cutting through burglar bars, iron gates, and most importantly extrications from major motor vehicle accidents.

HFD responds to more than 50 motor vehicle incidents a day and at least one of these usually requires extrication and the need to use cutters. Fire Chief Terry Garrison pointed out that, the less time and effort our members have to take in removing obstacles, the less likely they will be involved in an injury while resolving the emergency.

“This type of equipment is critical to not only the safety of citizens, but also to the brave men and women of the fire department,” Garrison said.

This is the second time Council Member Rodriguez has stepped up to the plate to help insure the safety of citizens and firefighters with a cutter donation in 2009 to Fire Station 18. This new and needed piece of equipment will be housed at Fire Station 26 in southeast Houston.

"Public safety remains my priority. We must equip our first responders with tools to help them operate efficiently and keep them safe as they put their lives on the line day in and day out. I am honored to have dedicated my FY10 excess budget funds to purchase a cutter for Station 26, which is a crucial tool for saving lives," Rodriguez said.

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RADIO NEWS LEGENDS RELEASED FROM THEIR JOBS AT KTRH!

The Insite hears two long time news radio personalities have been terminated.  J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes are both legends in Houston.

In fact, both KTRH news readers who have worked together for nearly 3 decades were inducted into the radio hall of fame back in 2009.

But we're hearing the station is going in a new direction and so that left no room for Hughes and Pritchard.

The Insite attempted to reach management at KTRH but so far we have not heard back.

The Pritchard and Hughes team anchored the morning drive on the AM news and talk station here in Houston!

WOW LOOK HOW THIN CHRIS TRITICO HAS GOTTEN!

If you haven't seen high powered Houston attorney Chris Tritico in a while you may be shocked.

Tritico has managed to drop nearly 50 pounds in 12 short weeks.

Chris says he did it under a doctor's care. How?

Tritico says the doctor placed him on a shake diet. He would drink 5 of the mixtures a day and you see the results.

Chris is now at his ideal weight of 173 pounds.

Tritico says, "I feel really good."

As a result of his poundage drop he's been able to dump his diabetic pills along with six other medications.

Way to go Chris!

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RICE KRISPIES CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND HOW YOU CAN CLAIM YOUR $15!

You don't have to show a proof of purchase to claim $15 in a class action lawsuit against Kellogg. Just be someone who bought Kellog's Rice Krispies or Cocoa Krispies between June 1, 2009 and March, 1 2010.

The lawsuit contends that the cereal maker falsely advertised that the two cereals supported your immune system even though it didn't have adequate data to back the claim.

Kellog settled a similar lawsuit last year over its Frosted Mini-Wheats, which claimed to "clinically improve kids' attentiveness by nearly 20%."

You can get $5 per box you bought, up to 3 boxes per household. Get and submit your online claim form, attesting under penalty of perjury that you did indeed buy the cereal, at cerealadvertisingsettlement.com.

GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY AND A PACK OF NEWPORT CIGARETTES!

The Insite has learned the Houston Police department has taken down a bold serial robber today.

The man is identified as 33 year old Anthony Joseph Bellar.  He's accused of robbing Valero stores in Houston more than a dozen times.

Bellar was arrested early Tuesday morning when he returned to the Valero store he'd robbed 12 times before
since March.

In all the Houston man with an extensive criminal background is accused of robbing various Valero stores and one Exxon at least 15 times.

Captain Bruce Williams tactical unit took down the suspect!

Captain Bruce Williams with the Houston Police department says Bellar was so bold that he robbed one store while two state troopers sat outside in their vehicles.

In another instance Bellar allegedly robbed a Valero after saying hello to the private security guard on duty.

One more thing, Captain Williams says Bellar always asks for a pack of Newport cigarettes when he demands money in the robbery.

Williams believes the man could be responsible for a long list of other robberies!

COP WHO ALLEGEDLY THREW TEAR GAS LIKE DEVICE AT RODEO FIRED!

Mike Hamby 

FOX 26 NEWS HAS LEARNED A VETERAN HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER HAS BEEN FIRED...

IT WAS AT THIS YEAR'S HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO WHEN OFFICER MIKE HAMBY WAS ACCUSED OF THROWING SOME TYPE OF SMOKE BOMB OR TEAR GAS TYPE DEVICE INTO A BARBECUE TENT.

THAT'S AFTER HE REPORTEDLY BECAME ANGRY WITH A GROUP PEOPLE.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR HPD CONFIRMS HAMBY, WHO WAS OFF DUTY DURING THE TIME OF THE EVENT, HAS BEEN TERMINATED FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

HE'S BEEN WITH HPD SINCE 1980.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL COMES TO HOUSTON!

Nancy Sutley

White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley will join Mayor Annise Parker to engage in outdoor activities with local youth at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, Texas this Tuesday, June 28, 2011.

President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative is a 21^st Century land and water conservation agenda to reconnect Americans with the outdoors.

Environmental education and access to local parks and green space is especially important to America’s youth in urban centers where they often lack access to outdoor space. 

Joe Turner

Chair Sutley and Mayor Parker will join area students in invasive species removal and water quality testing, and discuss the value of urban land conservation for recreation and education.

The Insite has learned Sutley will also meet with Houston Parks Director Joe Turner at this Tuesday event. 

Stay tuned for updates!

DO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCKETS POWER DANCER!

The Houston Rockets will host open auditions at the Memorial Hermann Wellness Center on July 9 and 10 for those interested in being a Rockets Power Dancer. Registration forms, general information, and audition day timelines can be found on Rockets.com.


The Rockets Power Dancers are an award winning and nationally recognized dance team, best known in Houstonfor their show stopping routines at Rockets games. Ladies auditioning for RPD will need to display a mix of hip-hop, jazz, pom and dance technique. RPD applicants should also be 18 years old, a high school graduate and have current full time employment or school enrollment.

WHEN:          Saturday, July 9- Rounds 1 & 2

                        9:00am- 5:00pm

                        Sunday, July 10- Round 3

                        Noon- 5:00pm

                         

WHERE:       Memorial Hermann Wellness Center

                        7731 Southwest Freeway (59 and Beechnut)

CONGRATULATIONS TO KPRC REPORTER CARL WILLIS WHO'S HEADING TO HOTLANTA!

KPRC reporter Carl Willis

The Insite would like to congratulate KPRC reporter Carl Willis.  I've learned he's accepted a reporter and fill in anchor position at WSB TV in Atlanta.

Carl's last day on the air in Houston will be July 23rd.  His first day on the air in Atlanta will be August 1st so there isn't a lot of breathing room but he can do it.

Carl says, "I'm excited about the opportunity in Atlanta and the chance to grow as a journalist.  At the same time I'm going to truly miss my friends at KPRC, the people of Houston and the Heights that's been a warm and inviting home for the past five years."

Willis has been an active reporter at KPRC since 2006.  Good luck my friend and all the best to you in Hotlanta!

NAACP LATEST NEWS: AUDIT RESPONSE AND SMITH BACK IN OFFICE!

Yolanda Smith, Dr. DZ Cofield, and former NAACP President Carol Mims Galloway

FOX 26 NEWS HAS OBTAINED A RESPONSE TO A BLISTERING AUDIT DONE ON THE HOUSTON BRANCH OF THE NAACP FIVE YEARS AGO.

IT WAS LAST WEEK WHEN WE FIRST REPORTED A 2006 AUDIT ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION FOUND LOTS OF ACCOUNTING ISSUES AND QUESTIONED RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.

A RESPONSE DRAFTED BY OFFICIALS OF THE LOCAL ORGANIZATION IN HOUSTON THAT SAME YEAR INDICATES THEY BEGAN ADDRESSING AND CORRECTING THOSE PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY.

ALSO, WE'VE LEARNED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR YOLANDA SMITH RECEIVED COMMITTEE APPROVAL TO DO BUSINESS WITH TWO RELATIVES AND A THIRD WAS CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY.

JUST LAST WEEK SMITH WAS RECONFIRMED BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESPITE AN ATTEMPT BY LOCAL PRESIDENT DR. D.Z. COFIELD TO TERMINATE HER.

SOURCES SAY THE NATIONAL OFFICE ALSO SUSPENDED THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT COFIELD FROM ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE LOCAL OR NATIONAL OFFICE.

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN FATAL ACCIDENT THAT LEFT HIS PASSENGER DEAD!

Christopher Trumpower

HPD RELEASE: Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a fatal traffic accident at 2700 North Freeway (North Interstate Highway 45) about 3:30 a.m. on Saturday (June 25).

The suspect, Christopher A. Trumpower (w/m, DOB: 10-19-85), is charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault in the 338th State District Court.

The identity of the male victim, 24, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant M. Bearden and Officer N. Rosenblatt reported:

Trumpower was driving a black Jaguar X-Type northbound on the North Freeway and approaching Patton.  All northbound traffic was stopped due to two separate traffic accidents being investigated on the North Freeway at Cavalcade.  The suspect attempted to drive between two vehicles, a silver Lincoln MKX and a green Toyota Camry.  The impact of striking the vehicles killed his front passenger.  Trumpower was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital for treatment and a mandatory blood test.  Investigators detected alcohol at the crash scene.  Charges were then filed on Trumpower.

A 26-year-old female backseat passenger in the Lincoln was taken to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

HOUSTON MAN CHARGED IN WEEKEND MURDER!

Wesley Clark

FROM HPD: Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 5801 Sunforest #1011 about 6 a.m. on Saturday (June 25).

The suspect, Wesley Clark (b/m, DOB: 11-29-84), is charged with murder in the 339th State District Court.  He is accused in the death of Steven Sadler, 25, of the above address.  A photo of Clark is attached to this news release.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant C. Elliott and Officer M. Stahlin reported:

Clark, Sadler and a witness were on the front porch of Sadler's apartment when, for unknown reasons, Clark pulled a pistol on Sadler and the witness.  According to the witness, Clark fired several times at him before turning the gun on Sadler and shooting him several times.  Sadler was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  Shortly after the shooting, Clark turned himself in to authorities and was charged in the incident.

TRAE THA TRUTH PREPARES FOR NEW ALBUM RELEASE!

Fresh off a week-long media run in New York that included a hugely successful live show at the infamous SOBs, Houston artist Trae Tha Truth celebrates the July 12th release of his solo album, "Street King", with a live concert at Houston's House of Blues featuring live performances from Lupe Fiasco, Jadakiss, Wacka Flocka and Yung Joc, accompanied by a live band.

The event is scheduled for June 28th at 8pm at the House of Blues in Houston!

THRILLER JACKET SOLD FOR NEARLY $2 MILLION DOLLARS!

(CNN) -- In an auction featuring memorabilia from the Beatles, Madonna and Elvis Presley, it was Michael Jackson who proved to be king.

The red and black jacket, winged shoulders and all, that the late pop star wore during his zombie-ridden "Thriller" video fetched a $1.8 million bid at this weekend's Julien's auction in Beverly Hills, California, according to the auctioneer's website.

The winning price was exponentially above the estimated bid of $200,000 to $400,000. Part of the proceeds will go toward the Shambala Preserve where Jackson's two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, have been living the past five years.

The jacket had been given to Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, the singer's longtime costume designers, to use as a reference for concert performances of the "Thriller" song. It includes an inscription to them on the jacket's lining, and the sleeve is signed, "Love Michael Jackson."

Its sale came exactly two years after the then 50-year-old Jackson was killed by a surgical anesthetic called Propofol, which a Los Angeles coroner ruled killed the singer in combination with several sedatives found in his blood.

The jacket wasn't the only piece of history from the late King of Pop that was part of the auction. The signature fedora Jackson wore during his Bad Tour was sold for $16,250, a handwritten note to friend Elizabeth Taylor went for $5,625 and a signed pillowcase fetched $3,584. And a bidder paid out $330,000 -- more than 10 times what Julien's had expected to get -- for one of the famous, shiny, crystal-covered gloves that Jackson wore during the 1980s.

"Michael Jackson has an unbelievable fan base," Darren Julien, the auction house's president, told CNN earlier this month.
Other pieces of history, from other members of music royalty, were also featured at the auction. While gold records and instruments were common items, others were more practical -- like Frank Sinatra's boots (selling for $2,500) and his 1986 Jaguar car ($19,000). as well as the U.S. Army-issued sewing kit of Elvis Presley's that went for $1,536.

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HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FOUND LIABLE OF VIOLATING MAN'S RIGHTS!

A federal judge and jury on Friday found Houston liable for a long practice of violating people’s rights against unreasonable seizures.

 

In May of 2008 over 100 Houston police officers illegally raided the Pink Monkey--a LEGAL after hours club in the revitalized Houston downtown area. Police were caught on film tackling and slamming completely innocent people to the ground and then illegally detaining hundreds for up to two hours without any suspicion whatsoever. 

 

The Pink Monkey was the culmination of 4 years of illegal raids involving thousands of mostly minorities at

about 30 legally open clubs around Houston.

 

Police were caught on video slamming and tackling people to the ground and holding them in handcuffs without any reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing in violation of the 4th Amendment to the Constitution.

 

Officer Reid Cashdollar was seen on video taking Donald Boyd--a stroke victim working at the Pink Monkey to afford medicine--to the ground.

 

“I wanted the City of Houston to stop arresting and injuring completely innocent people.” said college student Boyd.

 

“This is the largest example of complete disregard for people’s rights I have ever seen in Texas. It dwarfs the infamous Kmart Raid where hundreds were illegally detained and arrested by Houston police officers in 2002.” said his lawyer Randall Kallinen. The Kmart Raid resulted in over a million dollar loss to the City--over $600,000.00 to pay citizen claims and their lawyers alone.

HOUSTON ATTORNEY FELIX CHEVALIER CELEBRATES HIS BIRTHDAY!

Felix and Melinda Spaulding Chevalier

The Insite had a chance to attend the birthday party of Houston attorney Felix Chevalier.  It was held Saturday night at the Bronze Peacock in the House of Blues.  The event was put together by Felix's wife and my coworker FOX 26 anchor Melinda Spaulding.  Dozens of people showed up to help Felix enter the 40 year old club.  Young fella.  The theme was Havana nights.  Chevalier is of Cuban descent and enjoys a good cigar.  The cake was also designed as a humidor with cigars in it but I slipped on the job and forgot to take a picture of the cool cake.  The Insite would like to thank the gracious host and her husband for such a cool party.  By the way, the couple is expecting their second child.  They already have a young daughter whose name is Landon!

MICHAEL VICK COMES TO HOUSTON TO HELP FOSTER KIDS!

THE FOOTBALL PLAYER CONTINUES TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY!

I don't have to go into any kind of back story to explain who NFL quarterback Michael Vick is.  By now, he's a household name.  Anyway, the football player was in Houston Saturday night for an event that shows he's on the right track.  He was the guest of honor for a fundraiser for Foster children.  Dozens of Houstonians donated their money and time to be a part of the event to help those young people who are looking for a family.  While Mr. Vick was extremely late it wasn't his fault.  Because of weather along the east coast several of their flights into Houston had been delayed all day.  Vick's flight was no exception.  He arrived at the fundraiser with less than 10 minutes left on the clock at the House of Blue.  However, Vick was kind enough to stay beyond the end time and mingled with the guests and thanked them for coming.  KPRC's Kim Davis was the emcee of the event and there were reps from DePelchin's Children Center on hand as well.  Here are some of the pictures the Insite snapped and I'd like to personally thank Phyllis Bailey and Muriel Funches for allowing me in as Houston's tamed Paparazzi!