The reverberations of the national economic downturn are echoing through Pearland with the planned plant shutdown of Weatherford International.

Mr. Turtle, played by Manvel High School student Dustin Olso, shows off during the Mustang Bayou Turtle Race on Saturday. The race usually involves people paying to adopt numbered plastic turtles which are then dropped into the bayou and float to the finish line. But because of this year's record rains, organizers were unable to set up the finish line in the bayou, so the winning numbers were drawn from a drum. The event raises funds for the Alvin ISD Education Foundation's Innovative Teaching Grants. Photos by Wendy Rudnicki.

Click the photo above for more pictures from the event.

Tom Payne of Pearland plays pickleball
Funny name, addictive sport. That’s pickleball, and it’s a hit at the Vic Coppinger Family YMCA, attracting daily games with players from all age ranges.

Pearland school officials plan to review the district’s safety policies and procedures after a visitor brought a handgun into the Administration Building on Feb. 27 – the second handgun incident in six months. Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the district's Administration Building, 1928 N. Main.