Latest news with #KHOU
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Texas Renaissance Festival Founder Found Dead at Home Weeks After Court-Ordered Sale of His Event
Authorities say George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival, was found dead in his Todd Mission home on Wednesday, May 21 Earlier this month, a judge ordered the festival be sold following a failed $60 million deal Coulam founded the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival, has reportedly been found dead at his home. Law enforcement officials said the Todd Mission Police Department (TMPD) responded to Coulam's home on Wednesday, May 21, where the 87-year-old Ren Fair founder was found and pronounced dead, according to The Houston Chronicle. Coulam's body was found around 9 a.m. local time, CBS affiliate KHOU and NBC affiliate KPRC-TV reported. The Texas Renaissance Festival confirmed Coulam's death in a post on its Facebook page. 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival,' the post read. 'For more than 50 years, he built a community that has become a cherished tradition for generations of performers, staff, and guests.' 'At this time, we ask for respect and privacy for Mr. Coulam's family and the extended Texas Renaissance Festival family as they grieve,' it continued. The cause of Coulam's death is under investigation. The TMPD said there is no suspected danger to the public, according to the Chronicle. Todd Mission Mayor Steve Mensing and Police Chief Ryan Rutledge did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Known to many as 'King George,' Coulam founded the Ren Fest in 1974, according to KHOU and KPRC-TV. Earlier this month, a Grimes County judge ordered the festival be sold following a lawsuit, KHOU reported. The judge also awarded $22 million in damages plus $1 million in legal fees to the plaintiffs, RW Lands, Texas Stargate and Royal Campground. The judgment was made following the failure of a $60 million deal, according to KPRC-TV. Anthony Laporte, attorney for Meril Rivard, who owns the companies involved in the lawsuit, said his client was 'reeling' from the news of Coulam's death, per the Chronicle. He called Coulam's death 'a sad loss.' 'Obviously, my client is saddened by the loss of George,' Laporte said. '(Meril Rivard) liked George, he got to know George.' Rivard said in a statement to the Chronicle that he and his family were 'shocked' by the news. 'Our thoughts go out to his loved ones,' he stated. 'Like everyone else who loves the Texas Renaissance Festival, we remain committed to ensuring that the festival lives on, and we are working steadfastly to make that happen.' Laporte said the process to complete the transaction for the festival is expected to 'move forward.' He added, 'We have a firm belief and commitment in Ren Fest 2025.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Texas Renaissance Festival typically takes place in October, and lasts for six weeks, according to KHOU. Some former festival employees previously sued Coulam for sexual harassment and alleged they were wrongfully terminated from their jobs, per the Chronicle. Settlements were reached in June 2019 and June 2021. Additionally, Coulam was the first mayor of Todd Mission since it was incorporated in 1982, until Mensing was elected earlier this month, according to CBS affiliate KBTX-TV. Read the original article on People
Axios
21-05-2025
- Axios
George Floyd mural in Third Ward demolished
A Third Ward building famous for having a mural commemorating George Floyd was torn down this week, ahead of the five-year mark of his death. Why it matters The demolition sparked outcry from community members, who lamented that it was a "project of erasure." The building that housed the mural, at the corner of Elgin and Ennis streets, was left a pile of rubble with no clear future. Flashback: The mural was painted in 2020, after Floyd's murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer five years ago Sunday. The building also housed other works of art and was part of a string of buildings on the block with murals. Others still intact nearby commemorate Breonna Taylor, Vanessa Guillén and rapper Takeoff. The vacant building was damaged in a fire in 2024 but remained standing until this week. What they're saying: Third Ward historian Naomi Carrier told KHOU she was upset to see the building destroyed and wants more preservation of Third Ward history. "Give me two years and that'll be a two- or three- to four-story condo on this block," Carrier said. "Preservation helps us know what came before us." The intrigue: Other mural dedications to Floyd are still standing around the neighborhood. They include one by Houston artist Donkeeboy near Jack Yates High School, where Floyd attended. The mural was surrounded by flowers and a statuette of Abraham Lincoln this week. Plus, another mural depicting Floyd at the former site of Turkey Leg Hut is still intact — although its future is uncertain amid the restaurant's downfall. What's next: To commemorate the anniversary of his death, the Houston Public Library is hosting the 4th annual George Floyd Memorial Lecture on Thursday.
Int'l Business Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
George Floyd Mural Destroyed in Houston is a Sign of a 'Project of Erasure,' Historian Says
A mural of George Floyd in Houston's Ennis art block was destroyed as a result of demolition, sparking concerns amongst members of the community regarding the erasure of history. Demolition efforts conducted in the Third Ward this week have destroyed pieces of community artwork, including a mural of George Floyd painted in 2020 after his death sparked nationwide protests. Members of the community have expressed outrage at the destruction of the mural, which attracted a variety of visitors to Elgin and Ennis, KHOU reported. "I was ready to cry," Naomi Carrier, a local historian who has worked in the Third Ward for over three decades, told the outlet. "Because as a preservationist, what's left to say what this community once looked like." Carrier described how about 35 artists all collaborated on the murals that had been painted onto the building as a community project. The project allowed art students to create on a large canvas they otherwise would not have had access to. "It's a project of erasure," Carrier told the outlet. "Give me two years and that'll be two or three to four-story condo on this block." She also shared her concerns with how, a few days ago, private demolition crews began tearing down the old Riverside Negro Hospital building. Carrier acknowledged the communities worries about what is set to replace the building. "Dedicate some funding to the preservation of the history of this community before it all goes up in smoke, down in rubble," Carrier said. The removal of the George Floyd mural comes after other works of art erected during the 2020 protests have been removed or called into question. Back in March, Washington D.C. tore up its "Black Lives Matter" street mural following an ultimatum from the White House to remove it. Originally published on Latin Times
New York Post
15-05-2025
- New York Post
Wild video shows towed car swinging around Texas highway
Wild video shows a car violently zigzagging out of control while being towed backwards down a busy Texas highway — with a terrified-looking driver inside. Dontae Brown, 32, could be seen panicking in his blue sedan as it whips around through traffic on Houston's North Loop while being pulled by a white SUV driven by his laughing girlfriend. 'What are you doing, stupid?' gasped David Chairez, who filmed the now-viral video footage of the crazy scene as the sedan swung wildly between lanes — and nearly smashed into a barrier. Advertisement 'It looked like a scene from 'Fast & Furious,'' Chairez said. 'That was very reckless, and that was very dangerous.' The blue sedan was being towed backwards along Houston's North Loop on Monday. @âStormChaserHTX via Storyful Police later said Brown and his girlfriend came up with the dangerous, madcap plan because they could not afford a tow truck — with the chain they used to pull it then snapping off the car's axle, leaving it swinging around, ABC 13 reported. Advertisement Witnesses said the man's girlfriend, who was towing the sedan while he was inside, was laughing as he swerved out of control. @âStormChaserHTX via Storyful Brown appeared upset when he finally came to a stop, witness Ken Collins said. 'It was crazy, I thought they was [about to] fight, I thought he was going to jump on the driver. He was yelling at the lady, he hit his hood,' Collins told KHOU. 'She was trying to talk to him, but he didn't want to hear nothing of it. He was like, 'you messed up my car, you [messed] up my car,'' he said. Advertisement Brown was arrested for an active warrant he had out of Georgia, but no citations were given in this case, according to police.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- USA Today
Reported argument over cat with roommate leads to fatal stabbing of nursing student
Reported argument over cat with roommate leads to fatal stabbing of nursing student The nursing student, who went by Tami Dollars on TikTok, died days before she was set to graduate from university, according to a GoFundMe created for her funeral. Show Caption Hide Caption Ted Bundy, Jack the Ripper and DNA: New tech solving murders From Ted Bundy to Jack the Ripper, new DNA technology is solving murder mysteries, finding serial killers, and exonerating innocents. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY A man is accused of fatally stabbing his roommate, a British nursing student and content creator, over two dozen times at their Houston apartment, authorities say. The incident reportedly stemmed from an argument over his cat. Chester Lamar Grant, 40, was charged with murder on May 3 after Houston police found Elizabeth Tamilore Odunsi, 23, on her apartment's kitchen floor suffering from 28 stab wounds, Harris County court records say. Before finding Odunsi, officers were called to check on the apartment around 3:50 p.m. on April 26, Houston police said. When officers knocked on the door and did not receive an answer, they noticed blood on the rear concrete patio, prompting them to enter the apartment, according to the department. When officers saw Odunsi on the kitchen floor with multiple stab wounds, they also found Grant in a bedroom with at least one stab wound, police said. Paramedics pronounced Odunsi dead at the scene, while Grant was taken to a hospital in critical condition, the department added. Argument over cat reportedly led to Grant allegedly killing Odunsi A Harris County judge gave Grant a $500,000 bond, court records show. During the bond hearing, the judge commented on why Grant got the bond he did, including what led to his alleged actions. "The allegations in this case allege he stabbed his female roommate 28 times, killing her over some disagreement over his cat," the judge said, per KHOU and ABC 13 reported. "So, this is an allegedly extremely brutal murder with an extensive history of violence, which I find to be an extreme danger to the community." According to county court records, Grant has multiple convictions in Washington state for domestic violence, with his most recent being on Sept. 6, 2023. USA TODAY contacted Grant's defense attorney on May 6 but has not received a response. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 7. 'A beautiful soul, full of light, ambition, and kindness' A GoFundMe was started for Odunsi, who was known on TikTok as Tami Dollars or "TD," and it describes the nursing student as a "beloved sister, daughter, and friend." "Tami was a beautiful soul, full of light, ambition, and kindness. She was just 23 years old," the fundraiser page reads. "A devoted Christian, she was a God-fearing young woman who found strength and joy in her faith. She had a deep love for her church community, where she was actively involved and always eager to serve others with humility and grace." According to the GoFundMe page, Odunsi moved from the United Kingdom to the U.S. to "pursue her dream of becoming a nurse." Her death came days before she was set to graduate from university, the page says. "An unimaginable loss at a moment that should have marked the beginning of a bright and promising future," the fundraiser says. "Tami touched so many lives in her short time here." So far, the page has surpassed its goal of £40,000 and raised over £65,000. The money will go toward bringing Odunsi home from the U.S. to the UK so "she can be laid to rest surrounded by her family and loved ones." Tami Dollars has over 48,000 TikTok followers Odunsi's Tami Dollars TikTok account has over 48,000 followers, with her posts consistently getting hundreds of thousands of views. Her final post came on April 21, and it included text that read: "23 year old BSN grad in 2 weeks. Vacations booked. Summer is 14 days away. Starting to look human again." The caption for the post says, "I'm readyyyyyyyyyyyyy #nursingstudent #nursegraduate #tamidollars." Odunsi's other recent posts prior to her death involved her giving advice to other nursing students, including what they should do before graduating, such as researching places they'd like to work. Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@
