An in-house investigation by the Alvin ISD Police Department has determined that an e-mail warning about gang activity is a hoax, Police Chief Eugene Lewis said. The e-mail warned of a gang initiation involving the placement of a bloody child seat along a roadside to lure female motorists out of their vehicles.

Courtesy Leadership PearlandLeadership Pearland member Jenny Brannon, above center, writes on a day of learning about education in Pearland. It included things you might not expect - a meal by young culinary wizards at Dawson High School, a meeting with Nolan Ryan Junior High's spelling bee whiz Aditya Chempudupaty and details about belly dancing at Pearland College Center.

The city of Alvin expects to finalize the purchase of 33 acres in mid-February that would be the future site of a $7 million conference center. The Alvin school district is among groups being consulted about what events can be held at the proposed center.

The National Weather Service predicts that snowy conditions will end this afternoon in Pearland and the greater Houston area.