Tom Curtis

Jan 20, 2013 — By Tom Curtis

Thirty years ago, people couldnt believe it: The old man’s elixir boosted crops, ate up sewage, and made the desert bloom. Today half a dozen Texas companies claim the elixir does all that and a whole lot more.

Jul 31, 1990 — By Tom Curtis

As the Mega Borg blazed, the Gulf absorbed the toxic oil spill.

Apr 30, 1990 — By Tom Curtis

The mysterious Texan who tried to take over Austrailia’s mighty Bond Corporation last January look good on paper-but paper was about all he had.

Jun 30, 1989 — By Tom Curtis

Jim Wright’s attorney Steve Susman is living proof that clients may lose, but lawyers don’t.

May 31, 1989 — By Tom Curtis

Triple threat: Scientists fret that an underground nuclear dump will pollute the Pecos; surveyors set off a storm over the center of Texas; cities sweat safety risks from stolen aluminum.

Apr 30, 1989 — By Tom Curtis

Houston mayoral candidate Fred Hofheinz has an incumbent and a rumor to defeat; Phil DeVries has a singing caterpillar to find; Zavala County must make a private prison pay its way; and Lori Johns is out to prove she’s the best woman on the drag strip.

Apr 1, 1989 — By Tom Curtis

Windsurfers add sparkle to Corpus Christi Bay; the Johnson family says a poignant farewell to one of its own; the golden arches attain alpine heights—but come crashing down in Houston.

Apr 1, 1989 — By Tom Curtis

When the St. Johns returned to their house after having it sprayed for bugs, they discovered why those friendly pest-control people are called exterminators.

Dec 1, 1988 — By Paul Burka and Tom Curtis

The newest threat to Houston mayor Kathy Whitmire is an old face; an investigation of an acid leak turns sour; a Texas congressman may take over the banking committee.

Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis

The resurrection of a former “see-through” office building. How a land developer diversified—into jaguars. And secrets of the “vultures” who buy up, fix up, and fill up troubled Houston apartments.

Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis

An entrepreneur captures customers in public rest rooms. A high-tech plant moves from oil to medicine. Space and biomedical manufacturing are finally off the drawing boards. And a former union boss becomes a bingo mogul.

Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis

Engineer Saba Haregot’s love affair with Houston (it’s not just all those job offers). How natural gas is helping to reinflate the economy. And a shuttered plant that tempers oil pipe opens up.

Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis

Don’t break out the champagne yet. Sure, things are better, but there’s still a long way to go. And the main reason for the recovery is the market—Houston is a bargain.

Mar 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis

Going broke is for poor people. Here’s a whole chapter of Texans who have found ways to clear the books without losing their ranches, Rolls, or Rolexes.

Feb 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis, John Taliaferro, Drew Jubera and David Theis

We all need a place to call our own.

Jan 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis

When Houston’s Hermann Hospital sought a cure for its financial ills, it decided to perform major surgery on its agreement with the UT medical school next door.

Nov 1, 1987 — By Tom Curtis

Onward through the fall at SMU; home on the fringe with Rob Paul; good news from the catalog jungle; a taste of Longhorn.

Aug 31, 1987 — By Tom Curtis

In 1980 a white girl was raped and murdered at Conroe High School, and the police quickly arrested a black janitorial supervisor. Now it looks as if the case wasn’t so open and shut after all.

Jan 1, 1980 — By Tom Curtis

Galveston has withstood tidal waves, hurricanes, gamblers, and tourists. Can it survive a superport?

Jul 31, 1979 — By Tom Curtis

Houston police said they shot Randy Webster because he pointed a gun at them. Randy’s father set out to prove they were lying.

Apr 30, 1978 — By Tom Curtis

In a dirty little factory, workers made an insecticide that poisoned them and then almost got us all.

Aug 31, 1977 — By Tom Curtis

If you ever go to Houston, you’d better walk right. You’d better not gamble, and you’d better not fight.

Apr 1, 1977 — By Tom Curtis

In the middle of the booming Houston economy are some new movers and shakers.

Feb 1, 1977 — By Tom Curtis

South Texas has had a revolution, but itís not the one José Angel Guttiérrez planned.

Jul 31, 1976 — By Tom Curtis

This politician controls the purse strings of the richest city in Texas. And he’s ready for bigger things.

Mar 1, 1976 — By Tom Curtis

From a long heritage of paternalism Fort Worth gropes toward democracy.