Good morning, Houston. Sure, the national economy may be going to hell in a handbasket, but look on the bright side: Houston's housing market is remaining pretty strong, so at least you homeowners have something of value! According to a new report, the median home value in Houston fell just $500 between the end of the third quarter 2007 and the end of the year, to $119,300 from $119,800 — still a gain of......

Good morning, Houston. Remember Mayor Bill's agreement with Clear Channel that would result in the removal of nearly 900 billboards across the city? Well, it's not necessarily a done deal after all: On Wednesday, six City Council members voted to delay the plan, saying they still had questions about its ramifications. The problem, they said, was that the deal would allow Clear Channel to move remaining billboards: "We're allowing new billboard locations to pop......

Good morning, Houston. Have you ever wondered why our freeways have multiple names — for example, I-45 south of downtown is also called the Gulf Freeway, the section through downtown is the Pierce Elevated and the part north of downtown is the North Freeway? Yeah, we have, too — and it seems we're not alone: The Chronicle's Tex-Arcana column tackled that question this weekend. The answer? In Houston, at least, the names tell where......

HPD Chief Harold Hurtt made an appearance before a City Council committee yesterday to explain his proposed new chase policy, which concerned city leaders because it would bar officers from chasing suspects who refuse to stop for minor violations. But the policy is really nothing to worry about, Hurtt told councilmembers — the problem is, it's just misunderstood. "We are not telling our officers not to pursue individuals," Hurtt said. "If the officer is only......

More info today on the criticism of HPD Chief Harold Hurtt that we talked about yesterday: There's more of it coming from City Council, and the chief has struck back — well, sorta. From City Council, there are calls for Hurtt to explain what taxpayers are getting for the money they're spending on police protection, KTRH reports. Councilwoman Ada Edwards said she would like to see data showing where funding to HPD should be spent,......