A mother’s breaking point
The case of 31-year-old Oninda Romelus from Brazoria County is one of the most heartbreaking stories we’ve seen this year. Authorities say Romelus called 911 after allegedly shooting her four children — killing two and critically injuring the other two.
Deputies tried to save the children, but a 13-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene. An 8-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl were flown to a Houston-area hospital and are expected to recover.
Court records describe Romelus as paranoid and distracted when questioned after the Oct. 4 shooting. Investigators said she repeatedly glanced toward the door and told them she “couldn’t talk about it.” When pressed, she reportedly said, “Instead of them doing it to me, I’m going to do it to them,” later adding, “Kill them all.” At one point, she allegedly told deputies she hadn’t called 911 — she had “called the devil.”
Documents paint a haunting picture of a woman in deep psychological distress, making incoherent statements and referencing the supernatural. Romelus, who once made national headlines after appearing on Paternity Court, had reportedly struggled with motherhood. CPS confirmed prior contact with the family but has not released details.
While we often ask how something like this could happen, we should also be asking why didn’t we see it coming? Too many people in our communities are silently fighting mental illness — carrying pain, trauma and hopelessness behind forced smiles. We need to pay attention to the mental health of those we love.
Pain before progress: Avoid I-10…for the next two years
If you thought Houston traffic couldn’t get any worse — brace yourself. Beginning Oct. 24, the westbound lanes of I-10 near the White Oak Bayou area will be reduced to two lanes as TxDOT begins another phase of its $407 million elevation project. The construction is expected to last until mid-2026, meaning plenty of backups and delays on one of Houston’s busiest stretches of freeway. But as frustrating as it will be, this project is also designed to save lives and property by reducing flood risks that have plagued this corridor for decades. My take? Let’s all pack our patience and remember that short-term inconvenience often leads to long-term improvement. Houston’s growth isn’t slowing down — and neither is our traffic — so these infrastructure updates are critical, even when they test every ounce of our calm. But if you need me, I’ll be in the house because I can’t stand traffic.
Diddy, Trump and the pardon parade
Only in America does a former president casually mention that Sean “Diddy” Combs — the same mogul facing serious charges — has asked him for a pardon, all while answering questions about Ghislaine Maxwell. Trump told reporters he’d “look into it,” but admitted a pardon for Diddy is “more likely a no.” Still, the very mention of the request adds another bizarre twist to an already sensational story. Whether it’s celebrity privilege, political posturing or just another headline-grabbing moment, it’s hard not to shake your head at how blurred the lines between power, fame and accountability have become. We can’t blame Diddy for trying for a pardon, but in the court of public opinion, Diddy’s reputation is already on trial — and no presidential pardon can fix that.
