Thanks to shale futures and a strong economic incentive program, Deer Park and the rest of the Houston Port Region are in the midst of the "good old days" in 2013, said Chad Burke (pictured) of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. Photo by Bobby Vasquez.

Although much of country is still experiencing economic downturn, the area around the Port of Houston region is in the midst of "the good old days." According to Chad Burke, the executive director of Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, the footprint of the area, which includes Deer Park is in strong economic times.

"Things are wonderful in our region for a lot of different reasons," Burke said. One of those reasons is the new accessibility to previously untapped resources, he told the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce at its Business of the Year luncheon.

"There has been natural gas in shale rock for years. We've known that it's been there," he said. Only within the last few years has technology developed that allows for it to be drilled and procured.

"It was previously untappable," he said. Projections for the petrochemical industry, including that in the region have grown exponentially.

The following is a list of arrests filed by the Deer Park Police Department from May 20-27, along with 12 warrant arrests. The information was retrieved from P2C. All locations are posted as blocks. Suspects are innocent until proven guilty. Court decisions are not reflected in this report.

May 20
1:17 p.m. No Drivers License, 400 W. X St.
5:19 p.m. No Drivers License, 2700 Pickerton Dr.

May 22
4:24 a.m. Possession of marijuana, 100 E. Thirteenth St.
9:58 p.m. Possession of marijuana, 4400 Durant Ave.
9:58 p.m. Possession of marijuana, under 18 years of age, 4400 Durant Ave.
11:01 p.m. Driving while intoxicated, 5600 State Hwy. 225

May 23
2:30 a.m. No Drivers license, 3800 Beecher Dr.
5:28 a.m. Driving while license invalid, 800 Center St.
11:57 a.m. Driving while license invalid, 1800 Park Ave.
11:32 p.m. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, 7600 Spencer Hwy., two arrests

DP back in state championship tournament after sweep

The Deer Park Lady Deer softball team is heading back to Austin to defend its state title after defeating Brazoswood 4-1 to finish a sweep in the Region 3 finals. The series was played at University of Houston's softball field.

Back in the circle was freshman pitcher Payton McBride. After surrendering a solo-homerun in the second inning she settled in nicely allowing three hits with five strikeouts and three walks.

"Sometimes you're going to make one mistake here and there and that one just cost her. Sometimes mistakes nobody knows about. She did great," said Carrie Austgen, Lady Deer head coach.

Down by a run in the third inning. Alana Tinker smoked a homerun to left field that tied the game at 1-1.

Deer Park got back on the board in the fifth when catcher Jo Rivera led off with a single to right field followed by a Tinker double to right center. After Caitlin Plocheck intentionally walked to load the bases, Rhonda Jarvis came to the plate.

The 5U Astros are seeking gift card and item donations for young victims of the Moore, Okla. tornadoes. Photo provided by Ron Martin.

Some of Deer Park's youngest citizens are lending a hand to citizens of tornado-ravaged Moore, Okla.

The 5U Astros from the Deer Park Youth Baseball Association are banding together to collect items and gift cards. Astros team parents Ron Martin and Tonya Grochett are spearheading the efforts. Coach Alan Hardin spoke to the Moore Youth Baseball Association President Ron Cartmill.

Cartmill said the tornado spared his home but many other members of the league lost everything. The league was forced to cancel the remainder of their season, including the playoffs.

"Because of the similarities between Deer Park and Moore and baseball being America's sport, we decided to focus our efforts on the players, parents and families through our own youth baseball team," Martin said.

DP's Alana Tinker (17) scores just ahead of the tag to give the Lady Deer a 5-2 edge in Thursday's first game of the Region 3 softball final. Deer Park will attempt to sweep Brazoswood tonight at the University of Houston at 7 p.m. Photo by Deer Park Photos.

A four-run first inning was enough for the Lady Deer to take Game 1 of a best-of-three 5-2 Regional Final series against Brazoswood Thursday night.

Freshman pitcher Payton McBride went the distance and was part of a first inning where all nine Deer Park hitters came to the plate. Haley Harrison led the game off with a single and later scored on a fielder's choice by Rhonda Jarvis, who was safe at first. Jarvis and Caitlin Plocheck, who also singled in the inning came home on Lexi Fryar's single to centerfield, gave the Lady Deer a 3-0 edge. Fryer later scored on Shelby Garnhum RBI single to give Deer Park the early 4-0 lead.

Deer Park received a scare in the second inning when Plocheck, who started at first, lined a single to leftfield, but stepped on first base awkwardly. Although she was removed from the game with a mild ankle sprain, she later returned to leave her mark on the game. Garnhum, in the lineup as the designated player, played at first the remainder of the game.