Area roundup: Washburn, Simms named to 14-5A team
A district championship isn’t won without some outstanding individual efforts. As could be expected District 14-5A champions College Park prevailed on the recently announced All-District 14-5A team.

Baseball: Westmoreland named 18-4A Coach of the Year
When your team wins the district, it makes you an easy pick for coach of the year. That’s the philosophy Magnolia baseball coach Dale Westmoreland took upon being named the District 18-4A Coach of the Year for the 2009 season. The Bulldogs captured the district championship with an impressive 13-1 record (23-7 overall).

Baseball: Area circuit keeps on growing
Three years ago, Klein Collins head baseball coach Kent Meador founded the North Houston Baseball League to give future varsity and junior varsity players a chance to play together during the summer.

Sports calendar

The Woodlands, Friendswood the class of Texas
The winners of the Lone Star Cup in the state’s two highest classifications come from Greater Houston, as The Woodlands repeated as the 5A champions and Friendswood debuted as the 4A champions.

Rangers hunt down thieves in cattle country
Livestock thefts have shot up, worsening industry problems.

Pentagon bargains finding a home with Texas officers
Dozens of financially pressed police agencies are “shopping” a list of discarded and surplus military equipment.

Family of gay Houston sailor found dead faults military
An aunt says officials did little to help after Houstonian August Provost, who was found dead Tuesday, said he was being harassed for being gay.

Houston-area vendors hold out hope fireworks sales pop
In spite of warnings and citations by fire officials, area residents headed to fireworks stands to stock up on things that will go boom in the night.

Dead Galveston trees may branch out into ship repair
Some of the Galveston trees killed by Hurricane Ike might be used to refurbish the world's only remaining wooden whaling ship.

Heat likely cause of 82-year-old twins’ deaths
A neighbor called 911 and firefighters forced their way into the twins’ South Side home to find both women dead inside the sweltering house.

Fort Worth mayor wants feds' help in gay bar raid inquiry
A man suffered a severe head injury when Fort Worth police and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents inspected the Rainbow Lounge on Sunday.

Denton-area cab driver found stabbed, burned
Firefighters found his body Thursday night about five miles west of Texas Motor Speedway

Witnesses, suspect sought in funeral home slaying
Harris County authorities say Richard Toussiant, 22, fatally shot Oscar Byrd, 38, after an argument with mourners at a child's memorial service.

Gas prices fall ahead of peak July 4th weekend
AAA said July 4th is the time of year when gas prices peak, making this year's levels nearly $1.50 per gallon lower than 2008.

Texas hit man gets life in killing of Michigan couple
Miguel Servando pleaded guilty in November to two counts of murder-for-hire. Two Houston men are accused of hiring him.

North Texas student crowned Miss Texas
Kristen Blair, competing as Miss North Texas, has won the Miss Texas crown and will represent the Lone Star State at the Miss America pageant.

Sailor questioned in seaman's death
Investigators have linked a sailor to the crime through both physical evidence and his own statement.

Investigators look into death of teen found in closet
The 18-year-old was found inside her home in the 10100 block of Lazy Lagoon, near FM 1960 and Jones.

Officers, mayor square off over immigration
Houston police union wants city to overturn ban on questioning residents about status, but Bill White said there will be no change.