WEATHER ALERT
Houston ISD police investigating bomb threat at Bellaire HS; school placed on secure mode
Read full article: Houston ISD police investigating bomb threat at Bellaire HS; school placed on secure modeBellaire High School has been placed in secure mode after a bomb threat was made during the school day Wednesday.
Bellaire High School principal implements new policy following controversial ‘Times of Palestine’ yearbook page
Read full article: Bellaire High School principal implements new policy following controversial ‘Times of Palestine’ yearbook pageBellaire High School principal implements new policy following the controversy surrounding a student's reflection on the Israel-Gaza conflict in the 2024 yearbook.
Bellaire High School principal ‘surprised and disappointed’ by controversial ‘Times of Palestine’ page in yearbook
Read full article: Bellaire High School principal ‘surprised and disappointed’ by controversial ‘Times of Palestine’ page in yearbookA controversy surrounding Bellaire High School's yearbook has sparked a debate over the coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Houston wig shop murder examined in new episode of The Evidence Room: ‘He’s a killer. He’s going to kill’
Read full article: Houston wig shop murder examined in new episode of The Evidence Room: ‘He’s a killer. He’s going to kill’The KPRC 2 Investigates true crime docuseries 'The Evidence Room' is in its fifth season, streaming exclusively on KPRC 2+.
HISD investigating after former Bellaire HS student trespasses, brings gun on campus, police say
Read full article: HISD investigating after former Bellaire HS student trespasses, brings gun on campus, police sayHouston Independent School District police are investigating after a former Bellaire High School student trespassed and brought a gun onto the campus on Monday.
Bellaire HS student among 3 family members killed in crash on FM 2920 near Waller County, officials say
Read full article: Bellaire HS student among 3 family members killed in crash on FM 2920 near Waller County, officials sayA Bellaire High School student has been identified as one of three people killed in a two-vehicle crash on FM 2920 near the Harris County-Waller County line on Sunday, according to the Houston Independent School District.
NAACP hosts town hall over alleged racial slurs made by members of Bellaire High School’s baseball team
Read full article: NAACP hosts town hall over alleged racial slurs made by members of Bellaire High School’s baseball teamAt the center of the calls for termination are Nick Ozuna, Bellaire High School’s head baseball coach, as well as his assistant coach Robert Manuel. Both are accused of not correcting their players’ alleged racist taunts.
‘Must be kept safe’: Mother calls for changes after son is assaulted by Bellaire High School students
Read full article: ‘Must be kept safe’: Mother calls for changes after son is assaulted by Bellaire High School studentsHouston ISD confirmed Monday that administrators were investigating allegations of bullying at Bellaire High School, culminating in a student being beaten on campus by the same students who had been taunting him.
Bellaire High School Class of 2022 has record-breaking 13 valedictorians
Read full article: Bellaire High School Class of 2022 has record-breaking 13 valedictoriansHouston Independent School District’s Bellaire High School has a record-breaking 13 valedictorians, surpassing last year’s nine students who graduated with a perfect grade point average, according to a release.
Bellaire High graduate playing key role as volunteer at Tokyo Olympic Games
Read full article: Bellaire High graduate playing key role as volunteer at Tokyo Olympic GamesWhile our women of Team USA crushed it on their way to a gold medal in volleyball there was a Houston area resident playing an unseen but critical role at the Ariake Arena.
Bellaire High School has record-breaking 9 valedictorians
Read full article: Bellaire High School has record-breaking 9 valedictoriansOne Houston Independent School District high school is making history in June. Bellaire High School‘s Class of 2021 will have a record-breaking nine valedictorians crossing the stage this year.
Teen found guilty of manslaughter in 2020 Bellaire HS shooting, police say
Read full article: Teen found guilty of manslaughter in 2020 Bellaire HS shooting, police sayHOUSTON – A Bellaire High School student that killed another student on campus was found guilty of manslaughter, according to Bellaire Police Department Assistant Chief Onesimo Lopez. The unidentified suspect, who was 16 at the time, shot 19-year-old Cesar Cortes in the chest inside the JRTOC supply room on Jan. 14, 2020, according to officials. Cesar Cortes, 19, was fatally shot at Bellaire High School on January 14, 2020. Courtesy: Click2Houston.com (KSAT)The student and another person were arrested at a convenience store nearly four hours after the shooting. At the time, investigators said the shooting was possibly unintentional but reckless and that the suspected gunman seems to show no remorse.
Bellaire High School, other HISD schools close campuses Tuesday after positive COVID-19 cases
Read full article: Bellaire High School, other HISD schools close campuses Tuesday after positive COVID-19 casesHOUSTON – Bellaire High School closed its campus Tuesday following a positive COVID-19 case Monday, according to school officials. Bellaire High School released the following letter to parents:This letter is to notify you that an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was present at Bellaire High School today. If you or your child have not received notice of close contact and the need to quarantine, then you or your child was not identified as a close contact. Other closed HISD campusesOther schools that have closed due to COVID-19 cases include Foerster Elementary School, Daily Elementary School and Lanier Middle School. While Bellaire High School and Foerster Elementary School have reported positive cases, Daily Elementary School and Lanier Middle School have presumed positive cases.
Freddy's Poll: VYPE Houston 2020 Public School Girl's XC Runner of the Year Fan Poll
Read full article: Freddy's Poll: VYPE Houston 2020 Public School Girl's XC Runner of the Year Fan PollVYPE wants the fans to vote for their favorite Houston Runners! This week, it's the Public School Girls! The Freddy's Poll of the Week VYPE Houston 2020 Public School Girl's XC Runner of the Year Fan Poll is now live! Please contact VYPE Media directly if you have any questions, comments, or concerns around our Fan Polls. Freddy's Poll: VYPE Houston 2020 Public School Girl's XC Runner of the Year Fan Poll (Poll Closes Thu 7/30 at 7pm)
Kids bringing guns to school at an alarming rate
Read full article: Kids bringing guns to school at an alarming rateOn January 14th, Cesar Cortes, a senior at Bellaire High School, was shot and killed inside the school’s JROTC supply room. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2016-17 school year, there were more than three-thousand cases of kids bringing guns to schools. While exact data from 2018-2019 isn’t clear, a report from Fortune Magazine found nearly four-hundred school gun incidents reported in the media, including six in Harris County. Fortune spoke with experts who say schools aren’t properly reporting the incidents because there is no nationally enforced reporting system. “Everyone is focused on the rights they have, but not the responsibility.”Channel 2 Investigates crunched the numbers for school gun incidents in the Houston area, and Monday night at 6 p.m., we’ll talk to authorities about possible solutions, and we’ll hear from a victim of school gun violence about what needs to be done.
HISD looks at sweeping security changes following Bellaire shooting death
Read full article: HISD looks at sweeping security changes following Bellaire shooting deathBELLAIRE, Texas – Houston Independent School District interim superintendent Grenita Lathan discussed several steps being taken to address security on the district’s campuses. Word of these measures came after Lathan and other HISD officials met with students at Bellaire High School. I’m a parent, my child attended this school,” Lathan said. While she declined to name the 20 campuses since the decision is not final, Lathan said HISD has already plotted out costs. Lathan said in addition to meeting with student leaders at Bellaire, she will meet with campus leaders at all 45 high schools.
Bellaire HS shooting suspect told officials where gun was, DA says
Read full article: Bellaire HS shooting suspect told officials where gun was, DA saysParents of Bellaire High School students are complaining that the Houston Independent School District is yet to release details about what happened on Jan. 14 and how a gun was able to make it into the school again. Lathan promised more answers would come Thursday when Lathan plans to speak with students about the shooting. The school shooting victim, 19-year-old Cesar Cortes, was bound for the Army and loved to serve. His family told KPRC 2 that they were disappointed in HISD’s lack of school security. “They need to have community input-'What would you accept as far as school security?
‘School security is the worst’: Mother of Bellaire HS shooting victim blasts school, district for lax security
Read full article: ‘School security is the worst’: Mother of Bellaire HS shooting victim blasts school, district for lax securityBELLAIRE, Texas – The mother of the teen shot and killed at Bellaire High School last week spoke with Bellaire police detectives Monday. “The whole school district, school security is the worst. "The pistol believed to be the weapon used in last Tuesday’s shooting at Bellaire High School has been recovered and is in possession of the Bellaire Police Department,” Chief Byron Holloway stated. In a Friday statement, acting Superintendent Grenita Lathan said HISD was exploring measures to increase student safety. In the days since the fatal shooting, Bellaire High School has restricted entrances and instituted bag checks, among other updated security procedures.
Weapon believed to be connected to Bellaire High School shooting found, city says
Read full article: Weapon believed to be connected to Bellaire High School shooting found, city saysHOUSTON – A weapon connected to a shooting at Bellaire High School last week that left one student dead, was found Monday, according to the City of Bellaire. “The weapon believed to be used in the Bellaire High School shooting that occurred last Tuesday has been found,” City of Bellaire Executive Assistant Raquel Porras wrote in a post on Nextdoor. After the shooting, the suspect was at large for about four hours before he was arrested. The teen suspect faces a manslaughter charge and is being held without release at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Center. ‘Want accountability’: Bellaire High School students hold protest at HISD headquarters after shootingA mental health evaluation was ordered for the teen suspect Friday and police previously said the teen appears to show no remorse.
Friends, students and community gather to celebrate the life of Bellaire High School student César Cortés
Read full article: Friends, students and community gather to celebrate the life of Bellaire High School student César CortésHOUSTON – A large number of people showed up Saturday afternoon to pay their respects and say goodbye to 19-year-old César Cortés. Cortés died Tuesday after being shot in the chest by a fellow student at Bellaire High School Tuesday, investigators said. Cortés’ funeral was at West University Baptist Church. The funeral services ended at 5 p.m when family members brought out Cortes’ casket and placed it into the hearse. While investigators have not released a motive for the shooting, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said the shooting may have been unintentional.
Bellaire High School students hold protest at HISD headquarters. Police continue the search for weapon
Read full article: Bellaire High School students hold protest at HISD headquarters. Police continue the search for weaponBELLAIRE – Emotional students and community leaders gathered at the steps of Houston Independent School District headquarters Friday night demanding action by the school board. This is after 19-year-old Cesar Cortes was shot and killed at Bellaire High School Tuesday. Students are asking the board for more transparency, not only in this case but other recent gun-related incidents on campus. The alleged shooter, a 16-year-old Bellaire High School student, has been charged with manslaughter. Students gathered at Bellaire High School Friday afternoon for a vigil to remember and honor Cortes.
New HISD board members sworn in, discuss Bellaire High School shooting
Read full article: New HISD board members sworn in, discuss Bellaire High School shootingHOUSTON – Two days after the shooting death of a Bellaire High School student, new school board members are sworn in at the Houston Independent School District. He was shot Tuesday when a fellow JROTC member at Bellaire High School brought a gun to school. “Parents don’t search children’s room, because the question should be, where did the gun come from? (“It’s) based on threat assessment that’s based on a plan communicating with parents,” said board member Anne Sung. “We don’t want to perpetuate the school to prison pipeline, so we don’t all of the sudden want to put up metal detectors and more police at a school,” said new board member Judith Cruz.
Bellaire High School sets new safety guidelines as students return after fatal shooting
Read full article: Bellaire High School sets new safety guidelines as students return after fatal shootingBELLAIRE – Classes resumed Thursday at Bellaire High School after a shooting killed a 19-year-old student, identified as Cesar Cortes. New safety guidelinesIn the wake of the shooting, school officials decided to implement some new, more stringent safety rules on the campus. Until further notice, all students will enter the building through a single-entry point, according to Bellaire High School Principal Michael McDonough. “These are initial precautions and more long-term, sustainable changes are being developed by the school safety and security committee,” McDonough said. Movements led by StudentsStudents Demand Action, a student-led group at Bellaire High School, are planning a demonstration and rally Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the HISD headquarters.
Family identify teen killed in Bellaire High School shooting
Read full article: Family identify teen killed in Bellaire High School shootingBELLAIRE, Texas – Family members identified the teenager shot and killed on Tuesday at Bellaire High School as 19-year-old Cesar Cortes. “He had no enemies, he was a good kid.”The Bellaire High School JROTC confirmed that Cortes was a member. “It’s a whirlwind for everybody.”Classes at Bellaire High School were canceled on Wednesday. Officials at the Houston Independent School District released the following statement:“HISD will cancel classes for students at Bellaire High School tomorrow, Wednesday, January 15. Bellaire High School students should report to school on Thursday, January 16.”HISD Superintendent Grenita Lanthan said the district will also provide counselors for students who were impacted by the shooting.
There were 4 other students in the room during the Bellaire High shooting. Here’s what they say happened
Read full article: There were 4 other students in the room during the Bellaire High shooting. Here’s what they say happenedHOUSTON – There were four students in the room with Cesar Cortes and the accused gunman when the fatal shooting occurred at Bellaire High School Tuesday. The four students, all seniors, said the shooting happened inside the JROTC supply room in the JROTC building at Bellaire High School minutes before the 4 p.m. bell. JROTC uniforms, practice rifles and other equipment are kept in the supply room, the students said. One male witness said the accused gunman walked up to him and said: “I have something to show you. The students said the gunman walked Cesar to the door, opened the door, left Cesar on the railing of the ramp just outside the JROTC building and walked away.
Surveillance footage shows arrest of student charged in connection with Bellaire HS shooting
Read full article: Surveillance footage shows arrest of student charged in connection with Bellaire HS shootingBELLAIRE, Texas – The student who is believed to have shot and killed another student at Bellaire High School on Tuesday was charged with manslaughter Wednesday morning. After making the arrest, authorities are seen looking in, around and under the dumpster. After the arrest, Bellaire High School released a statement confirming that an arrest had been made in connection with the shooting and that classes would be canceled Wednesday. “HISD will cancel classes for students at Bellaire High School tomorrow, Wednesday, January 15," HISD said in the statement. READ: Teen killed in Bellaire High School shooting identifiedA vigil will be held for 19-year-old Cesar Cortez at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Evelyn’s Park (Great Lawn).
2 arrested after student shot to death at Bellaire High School, police say
Read full article: 2 arrested after student shot to death at Bellaire High School, police sayOfficials said the accused gunman is also a student at Bellaire High School. “Our hearts go out to that student’s family, his friends, his classmates and the staff here at Bellaire High School,” she said. She said Bellaire High School is expected to be open Wednesday with heavy security present but later announced in a press release that classes will be canceled. HISD released the following statement:“HISD will cancel classes for students at Bellaire High School tomorrow, Wednesday, January 15. The city of Bellaire Mayor Andrew S. Friedberg released the following statement:We're all shocked and devastated by this afternoon’s senseless tragedy at Bellaire High School.
Bellaire High School graduate selected as Rhodes Scholar
Read full article: Bellaire High School graduate selected as Rhodes ScholarThe Yale University senior is a graduate of Bellaire High School. “This is incredible news for Liana, her parents, Yale University, Bellaire High School and the district as a whole,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. We can only imagine what greatness lies ahead for her.”Wang is a 2016 graduate of HISD’s Bellaire High School. “I remember how incredibly high-achieving she was,” Bellaire High School Principal Michael McDonough said. The Bellaire High School community is exceptionally proud to be part of her amazing story.”Wang is an Economics major at Yale.