County

The Texas Legislature created three new Harris County district courts effective September 1. Judge Shawn Thierry was invested September 25 as the first judge of the 515th, a court directed to give preference to civil cases from across the county.

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare has filed notice that his office will not seek the death penalty against Lee Gilley, who is charged with capital murder and is in Italian custody fighting extradition. An Italian court is expected to take up the case in October.

Harris County Treasurer Carla Wyatt was issued a citation for failure to control speed after Houston police said she caused a four vehicle crash on the North Freeway on September 18, KPRC 2 reports. No one was injured, and the crash report records no allegation of impairment.

A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on September 18 that the EPA unlawfully terminated the $7 billion Solar for All program. Harris County, awarded $250 million under the program and a plaintiff in the case, stands to have its funding restored. The EPA says it is considering an appeal.

Harris County Commissioners Court approved six agreements with community organizations worth $181,105 to provide meals to homebound residents at its September 22 meeting, Community Impact reported.

Harris County Commissioners Court approved eight escrow agreements September 22 for Harris County Flood Control District work in six watersheds, including the San Jacinto River watershed that drains Kingwood, Humble and Atascocita.

An off-duty Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot a man Sunday afternoon in the Mission Bend area after reporting that he was breaking into a neighbor’s home, the sheriff’s office said. The man is in critical but stable condition. No charges have been announced.