HTX News

UPDATE: HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN SEARCH FOR MISSING MARIA ORTIZ

A heartbreaking development in the search for 58-year-old Maria Ortiz, who disappeared from the New Caney area.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says human remains were discovered Sunday, August 9, in a wooded area near Maria’s home.

Investigators say preliminary findings are consistent with the remains being those of Maria Ortiz, but official identification is still pending through dental records.

Authorities say initial information indicates Maria may have died from natural causes. However, the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.

The discovery came during continued search efforts involving law enforcement, Texas EquuSearch, Montgomery County Search and Rescue, family members, friends and volunteers.

After weeks of searching, this is a devastating development for Maria’s family and everyone who has helped look for her.

Maria has not yet been formally identified. We will update this story when authorities confirm her identity and provide additional information.

Please keep Maria’s family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.

VEHICLE CRASHES INTO HUFFMEISTER ROAD BUSINESS:

A vehicle crashed into U-Wash Laundromat, located at 11202 Huffmeister Road in Houston, Sunday afternoon, causing significant damage to the building.

Deputies with Harris County Precinct 4 are on scene investigating.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

Officials have not released additional details about what led to the crash. This is a developing situation.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) is seeking assistance finding next of kin for URSULA RENATE STEINKOENIG

Ms. Steinkoeing is a White Female (DOB:09/15/1938) who died in the 1200 block of Shadowdale Drive in Houston, TX, on 03/25/2026.

Please call the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences at 832-927-5000 and refer to case ML26-1089 if you know Ms. Steinkoenig or next of kin.

Learn More:
https://www.namus.gov/UnclaimedPersons/Case #/157411

THOUSANDS OF HISD STUDENTS WILL LOSE AUTOMATIC FREE LUNCH STARTING MONDAY

More than 35,000 students at 33 Houston ISD campuses will no longer automatically receive free lunch when the 2026–27 school year begins Monday.

The change comes after the campuses no longer met federal requirements for the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools in high-poverty communities to provide free meals to every student without requiring families to apply.

The change is connected to a sharp decline in SNAP participation following new federal eligibility rules. Houston-area SNAP enrollment fell by about 155,000 people over the past year, including roughly 85,000 children.

Students at the affected HISD schools can still receive free or reduced-price lunch if their families qualify, but they must submit a meal application.

Breakfast will remain free for every HISD student.

Someone in Texas is waking up a $2 million winner after Saturday night’s Powerball drawing!

The winning numbers were:

5 • 9 • 35 • 54 • 63
🔴 Powerball: 7
⚡ Power Play: 3X

There was NO jackpot winner, meaning the massive jackpot rolls over to the next drawing.

But one Texas ticket matched all five white balls and, thanks to the 3X Power Play, turned a $1 million prize into $2 million!

Four other tickets sold in Arizona, Florida, Michigan and New York also matched all five white balls for $1 million each.

If you won $864 MILLION, what would you do first?

Buy a house? Quit your job? Pay off your family’s debts? Travel the world? Or disappear and tell absolutely nobody?

MOTORCYCLIST CRITICALLY INJURED AFTER FLEEING DPS ON I-45

A motorcyclist was critically injured Saturday night after reportedly fleeing from a Texas DPS trooper on I-45 near the 610 South Loop.

According to DPS, the trooper attempted to stop the motorcycle, but the rider refused to stop and continued northbound. The motorcycle reportedly reached speeds of more than 100 mph while weaving through traffic before crashing into a highway barrier near the South Loop.

The rider was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The crash investigation resulted in closures along I-45 near the 610 South Loop. The freeway was shut down for the investigation but has since reopened to traffic.

The investigation remains ongoing. No additional information about the rider has been released at this time.

UPDATE: TWO DEAD FOLLOWING OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING NEAR FONDREN

Two men are dead following an officer-involved shooting late Saturday night at 8820 Westheimer Road, near Fondren.

According to Houston police, officers were dispatched around 11:45 p.m. after reports of a person down inside a parking garage. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and another man standing over him with a firearm.

Officers repeatedly ordered the armed man to drop the weapon. Police say he failed to comply, and multiple officers opened fire, striking him.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The identities of the two men have not been released. Investigators are working to determine exactly what led to tContentwatch HQting and the subsequent confrontation with officers.

The investigation remains ongoing.