Category Archives: Katy

LOL, BRB…RIP – Katy TX Impacted by Distracted Driving

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Katy TX Distracted DrivingAs a Katy insurance agency, we walk with our clients and community through car accidents and no matter the case they are always tough. But when it involves teens and young parents, it brings additional heartbreak. Within the last few months, the community of Katy, Texas has lost two young women because of distracted driving; one a young Katy mom and the second, a 2012 graduate of Katy High School. In 2010, 18% of injury crashes were reported as distracted affected crashes. You can read that statistic and dismiss it, but when it’s someone you know the reality of these statics begins to hit home.

The term “distracted driving” can refer texting, general cell phone use, grooming, eating, adjusting music or navigational systems or even just talking to fellow passengers. That being said, text messaging while driving poses the biggest threat to drivers. In fact, the risk of texting while driving increases the risk for a crash by 23 times as compared with an undistracted driver.

And of course, teens are at heightened risk for distracted driving. Not only are they inexperienced drivers, but they are also more confident in multi-tasking while using a mobile device. In essence, it’s second nature to the generation that has grown up with mobile technology. In fact, 40% of American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger (Pew).

In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver (VTTI). What if you knew just one of these people? Would it change your view of distracted driving? We all falsely assume that these statistics and behaviors apply to everyone else. The deaths of these two young women in the Katy community should bring this delusion to a staggering halt.

Educate your teens on distracted driving, whether they are the driver or the passenger. And above all, be an example yourself. For more information and educational tools, visit www.distraction.gov. Please keep the Katy families mentioned in your prayers and don’t let another family have to go through this loss.

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Cinco Ranch Junior High Teacher Honored by ‘Live with Kelly & Michael’

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This is Teacher Appreciation Week across the U.S., but in Katy, Texas we’re shouting extra praise in the direction of one unique teacher. Suzette Steward teaches Special Education at Cinco Ranch Junior High and was honored yesterday on ‘Live with Kelly & Michael’ as winner of the Top Teacher Search which includes a prize of $25,000 going to her school. What a blessing not only for Suzette, but for Cinco Ranch Junior High as well!

As you watch the video of Suzette and the joyous faces of her sweet students, you can tell the impact that she makes in the lives of these kids.

Suzette goes beyond being their teacher during the school week. She has taken it upon herself to provide extra opportunities on weekends as well and has filled many gaps in the breadth of opportunities available to special needs children.

Suzette actually opened a camp for special needs children that she runs in her “spare” time. While many of us in the workforce look to weekends and holidays as time to relax, she uses this time to give back to the students. She’s amazing.

At Dagley Insurance & Financial Services, we want to add our thanks as well to the praise that she is duly receiving from around the nation. We thank Suzette for serving not only the students at Cinco Ranch Junior High, but also our entire community of Katy, Texas.

We are blessed to have such a wonderful woman in our midst. She is a hero. Oh, and did we mention that as part of the prize package Suzette will receive a vacation to Tahiti? It’s much deserved and we hope she enjoys it!

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Celebrating the Life of Katy Historian Roberta Rylander

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Roberta Rylander Katy TX HistorianThe Katy, Texas community lost a beautiful woman this past Sunday. Roberta Opal Rylander not only contributed to the active legacy of Katy, Texas, she has helped to preserve it along the way.

Roberta Rylander was the daughter of Katy’s first pharmacist. She graduated as Katy High School’s Salutatorian in 1936 and went on to earn her degree from the University of Texas. In 1943 she married Fred Rylander and after a few years in Miami, the couple returned to Katy to raise their two children in 1951.

Upon returning to Katy, Roberta immediately became actively involved in volunteering within the community in such organizations as the Katy Literary Club and Methodist Church.

During this time she began to grow more interested in the preservation of Katy history to the extent that with the aid of a few others, formed the Katy Heritage Society.

Roberta and her family contributed their own homestead to the Katy Heritage Society in 1991. “The Wright House” is currently located in Katy’s Heritage Park and houses many local treasures. Through both monetary and volunteer contributions, Roberta was instrumental in the preservation of several Katy landmarks.

Because of the impact that Roberta Rylander had on the Katy community over the last several decades, Roberta Rylander Elementary was dedicated as her namesake in 2004.

Through her ceaseless efforts to better our community, Roberta Rylander has left a legacy that will benefit generations to come. We are grateful to have had such a woman of character, resolve and foresight as a leader within the Katy community.

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Peter Cottontail Comes to Katy

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800px-Hase_mit_Ostereiern_(2)The Easter Bunny will be making three appearances in Katy, Texas this Spring! His local stops are on March 23, 2013.

City of Katy Parks and Recreation

The City of Katy Parks and Recreation is hosting Breakfast with the Easter Bunny that day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Harvest Plaza (5701 3rd St., Katy TX). The event will include Easter activities and pictures with the Easter Bunny. The cost is $5.

Brookwood

Brookwood is holding Breakfast with the Easter Bunny as well from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on March 23rd. In addition to Easter activities and pictures, a Easter animals for petting will be provided by Katy Feed & Tack. Reservations are required, as breakfast will be served at the Café at Brookwood. The menu and pricing can be found at www.brookwoodcommunity.org. For reservations, please call 281-375-2100.

Katy Mills Mall

The Katy Mills Mall will be hosting an Easter event including crafts, activities and a visit with the Easter Bunny later that afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

This will be a great time to get classic photos with the Easter Bunny before the Egg hunts begin the following week. Besides, who doesn’t love a good Easter Bunny sighting in Katy?

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Lower Your Susceptibility to Katy Car Burglaries

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As your trusted insurance agency in Katy, Texas we want to make sure that you’re aware that lately the Katy Area has experienced a rash of car burglaries at two local restaurants near Grand Parkway and Westpark Tollway.

According to local news, the thief got away with the usual items: checkbooks, laptops, iPads and prescription medications. As of now, the culprit is still at large. So what can you do to make yourself a less likely target for a car burglary or theft?

It’s a no-brainer, but get a car alarm! Better yet, get a system that notifies you when it goes off.

Don’t tempt the thieves. Keep valuable items out of sight. If you absolutely must have one of these items with you, put it in the trunk, but make sure you do so before you reach your destination.

Purchase a starter disable switch. The thief will be at a dead stop if he’s trying to steal your car. Just make sure the switch is hid very well.

Don’t display decals that give insight into the type of car alarm your car employs. This will allow thieves to go through their mental playbook before they even begin their job.

Look for parking places that are near entrances if you’re at a restaurant, movie theater, mall, etc.

Even if you plan to run into a gas station, house or any pit stop really quickly, do not leave your car unlocked or running. Thieves are watching for these specific actions.

Take your purse with you inside the gym. Burglars are on the lookout for those that walk into the gym with only their water bottle and towel. From observation, they now know there’s a pretty good chance you left your wallet in the car.

If you do everything on this list does that mean you’re no longer susceptible to car theft or burglary? Of course not! If a thief really wants to break in, he will. However, the point of these tips is to place as many deterrents in front of him as possible.  The more hurdles a thief has to overcome make you a

not so easy target. Also, the more time it take for a thief to complete the job means they also have more time to get caught before fleeing the scene.

Stay alert at all times and play it safe!

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