Latest news with #Galveston
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Galveston County: Father, daughter killed in Gilchrist; suspect dies in Chambers County, officials say
The Brief Galveston County deputies found the victims deceased outside a home late Friday night. Chambers County deputies went after a vehicle matching the suspect description. The suspect reportedly died by suicide after barricading himself inside the vehicle. GILCHRIST, Texas - A suspect is dead after shooting a man and his adult daughter to death in Galveston County, according to officials. What we know At about 11:30 p.m. on Friday, deputies were called to shots fired in Gilchrist. Officials arrived at the 900 block of Kirkpatrick Road and found two people deceased outside a home. Galveston County authorities have since identified the victims as 45-year-old Eric Dopp from Houston and his daughter, 24-year-old Wisdom Hall from Pearland. A witness told officials that there was an argument between the victims and the suspect, 38-year-old Johnathan Findley from Pasadena, when the shooting happened. Findley left the scene before deputies arrived. Galveston County authorities shared a description of the suspect's vehicle with nearby law enforcement agencies. While deputies remained at the scene, they were told via dispatch that Chambers County deputies were chasing a suspect vehicle that matched the description they sent out. Allegedly, Findley stopped and barricaded himself in the vehicle on the I-10 service road. Officials say he then shot himself inside the vehicle. What we don't know There is no information about the argument that led to the initial shooting. Galveston County officials say the suspect and victims were visiting a mutual friend in Gilchrist when the incident took place. The Source Galveston County Sheriff's Office
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Galveston Island Beach Patrol warns of rip currents during Memorial Day
The Brief Interim Chief Lt. Austin Kirwin discusses beach conditions during Memorial Day. Lt. Kirwin shares safety tips on how to stay safe if you are caught by rip current. Lt. Kirwin shared the importance of following all beach safety guidelines. GALVESTON CO, TX - On Memorial Day, many people are either planning to take a trip to Galveston or have made their way down to the island, but Galveston Island Beach Patrol has a warning about rip currents this Memorial Day. Lt. Austin Kirwin with Galveston Island Beach Patrol says they are flying a red flag on the island because of a lot of wave action going on. What they're saying "So there are going to be very strong rip currents, Lt. Kirwin said, "So as you come down, and you look next to the beach, you notice there is a no swim sign. We call that our no-swim zone, and we want to make sure you stay far, far away from those areas." Lt. Kirwin adds that when looking for a place to stop along the beach, keep your eyes open. "The next thing we say is drive down the beach and figure out a good beach to go to, find one with a lifeguard on the stand. How you know a lifeguard is there is because you know the flag is raised above the tower with the logo flag, and the condition flag. Also swim within your ability," said Lt. Kirwin. Why you should care Lt. Kirwin adds jetties are a primary location where rip currents form. "So, as the water pushes against the jetty, it forms a current of water that acts like a rover that goes out to sea. So next to the jetty next to the piers, next to anything that sticks out in the water, they do pull you out to the water, and they do pull you out to sea," said Lt. Kirwin. Lt. Kirwin said if you find yourself in the middle of a rip current it is important to remain calm, but also why it's important to designate a water watcher when enjoying the beach with others. "The current does not pull you under. A lot of people think it does. It only pulls you out to sea, so the best thing you can do is return to shore and remain calm is yell and scream for help. The biggest problem with rip currents is people begin to panic and once you panic you become more tired faster and that's when things start to go bad," said Lt. Kirwin. "You should also designate a water watcher, so if you come down with six people, let five swim and let that sixth person sit there and watch the water and keep the extra eyes on those people." The Source FOX 26 Reporter Leslie DelasBour spoke with Galveston Island Beach Patrol about rip currents.
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
Extreme heat will make it feel more like August than May for Texas, parts of southeastern US
HOUSTON — Sweltering heat more commonly seen in the throes of summer than in the spring is making an unwelcome visit to Texas and other parts of the southeastern United States this week, prompting forecasters to tell residents to use caution outside. 'Definitely more like August this week than May,' Cameron Self, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's office in the Houston and Galveston area, said Tuesday.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Texas housing market faces challenges after surge of listings
By Homeowners have realized they are unable to make a quick buck by renting out vacation property in a stunning coastal Texas town because they have flooded the housing market. Buyers snapped up houses in Galveston during the pandemic with the hopes of being able to convert the properties into short-term rentals. During that time, the number of registered short-term rentals in Galveston more than doubled, with 2,300 listed in 2021 to 4,900 two years later. However, now many of those who purchased homes on the picturesque island have come to realize that it is actually a competitive, expensive and labor-intensive field. Climbing insurance costs, increased taxes and struggles to get bookings have led many owners to sell, according to the Houston Chronicle. The surge of listings have turned Galveston into a buyer's market, and many people are seeing their houses sit for months. Homes for sale in Galveston grew 42 percent in the past year, with nearly 1,000 listings in the first quarter, according to the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR). The coastal enclave has approximately 17 months of housing supply, over double the 4 to 6 months supply needed to be considered a balanced market. Local real estate agents told the newspaper that many investors were misguided and bought their homes in the wrong parts of town, resulting in them not being able to secure bookings. 'Galveston is a lovely place… but we're not the Hamptons,' said Tom Schwenk, broker-owner of Coldwell Banker TGRE. 'Some of them were being represented by Realtors who weren't really familiar with the island,' said broker Louis Salas. 'They didn't look at comps or the actual numbers. They were just excited.' Another problem forcing vacation rental owners to sell is rising taxes and insurance costs. In 2024, Galveston County began treating short-term rentals as businesses, putting an additional tax on the furniture and personal property inside rental homes, according to the newspaper. 'We're already paying registration fees, hotel taxes, full property taxes and now we're being taxed on the furniture inside, too. It's like, "Wow, really?" said Chris Wren with Galveston property manager Wren Nest Management. Costs are also increased because Galveston owners are required to have home, flood and windstorm insurance. Insurance premiums in Galveston's three main ZIP codes rose an average of 23 percent to 26 percent between 2019 and 2023 for a $400,000 home, according to 'People (who were) paying $400 for flood insurance are now paying triple,' said Alex Monteith with Galveston-based Insurance Junction. Now, many of those former vacation homes that were listed on Airbnb and VRBO are being sold - and sitting stagnate on the market.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Greedy Airbnb owners get nasty shock after driving up property prices in pretty Texas coast town
Homeowners have realized they are unable to make a quick buck by renting out vacation property in a stunning coastal Texas town because they have flooded the housing market. Buyers snapped up houses in Galveston during the pandemic with the hopes of being able to convert the properties into short-term rentals. During that time, the number of registered short-term rentals in Galveston more than doubled, with 2,300 listed in 2021 to 4,900 two years later. However, now many of those who purchased homes on the picturesque island have come to realize that it is actually a competitive, expensive and labor-intensive field. Climbing insurance costs, increased taxes and struggles to get bookings have led many owners to sell, according to the Houston Chronicle. The surge of listings have turned Galveston into a buyer's market, and many people are seeing their houses sit for months. Homes for sale in Galveston grew 42 percent in the past year, with nearly 1,000 listings in the first quarter, according to the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR). The coastal enclave has approximately 17 months of housing supply, over double the 4 to 6 months supply needed to be considered a balanced market. Local real estate agents told the newspaper that many investors were misguided and bought their homes in the wrong parts of town, resulting in them not being able to secure bookings. 'Galveston is a lovely place… but we're not the Hamptons,' said Tom Schwenk, broker-owner of Coldwell Banker TGRE. 'Some of them were being represented by Realtors who weren't really familiar with the island,' said broker Louis Salas. 'They didn't look at comps or the actual numbers. They were just excited.' Another problem forcing vacation rental owners to sell is rising taxes and insurance costs. In 2024, Galveston County began treating short-term rentals as businesses, putting an additional tax on the furniture and personal property inside rental homes, according to the newspaper. 'We're already paying registration fees, hotel taxes, full property taxes and now we're being taxed on the furniture inside, too. It's like, "Wow, really?" said Chris Wren with Galveston property manager Wren Nest Management. Costs are also increased because Galveston owners are required to have home, flood and windstorm insurance. Insurance premiums in Galveston's three main ZIP codes rose an average of 23 percent to 26 percent between 2019 and 2023 for a $400,000 home, according to 'People (who were) paying $400 for flood insurance are now paying triple,' said Alex Monteith with Galveston-based Insurance Junction. Now, many of those former vacation homes that were listed on Airbnb and VRBO are being sold - and sitting stagnate on the market.
