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Former President Bush recovering in Maine hospital after suffering neck injury

UPDATE July 19: Former president George HW Bush was released from the Maine Medical Center after four days of treatment for a fractured vertebrae. He is recuperating at his Kennebunkport home. He is in a hard neck brace, but the "halo" variety, press spokesman Jim McGrath said by email.

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George H.W. Bush is recovering at a Maine hospital Thursday after injuring his neck during a fall at his home in Kennebunkport. The 91-year-old former president is in fair condition after fracturing his C2 vertebrae Wednesday, Bush's press spokesman Jim McGrath said in a statement.

The president never lost consciousness, and the injury he sustained neither impinged on his spine nor resulted in any neurological deficits. He continues to have normal use of his limbs.

The plan is to let this injury heal on its own without surgery. President Bush will remain at Maine Medical Center to be fitted for a brace to immobilize the injured area, to continue physical therapy, and for further evaluation.

We do not discuss timelines for discharge, but do not believe this will be a prolonged recovery period at MMC."

Bush's attending physician, Dr. William D’Angelo, will outline President Bush’s injury and recovery later today and CultureMap will update this story at that time. UPDATE: D'Angelo told reporters that Bush "is a tough guy. I am impressed." According to a CNN report, D'Angelo said it usually takes a patient of Bush's age 3-4 months to heal from this type of injury. The former president is in a neck brace now and be in an extended brace when he is up and around.

President Obama phoned Bush to wish him a "speedy recovery" and extend his best wishes on behalf of him and the first lady, according to Eric Schultz, White House deputy press secretary.

Bush, who has Parkinson's disease and cannot walk on his own, neverthless leads an active life, having celebrated his 90th birthday last year with a sky dive. He was hospitalized for seven weeks at Houston's Methodist Hospital in late 2012 and early 2013 with bronchitis and was admitted to the same hospital late last year for a brief period after complaining of shortness of breath.

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Hot Headlines

New $400M project in Katy leads our 5 most popular stories this week

Photo courtesy of NewQuest

The new Texas Heritage Marketplace will be located along Interstate 10 and the newly completed Texas Heritage Parkway in Katy.

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the biggest Houston news of the week. Developers have broken ground on a $400M project in Katy, and a familiar building in the Heights is poised to become a neighborhood bar. Plus, a wealthy Houston suburb tops a national ranking. Get the details on our hottest headlines below, then find some weekend fun here.

1. Houston developer breaks ground on $400 million, 165 acre Katy project. Those driving along the frontage road of Interstate 10 and the newly completed Texas Heritage Parkway in Katy might have noticed a big new project under construction. That’s because Houston-based commercial real estate firm NewQuest just began work on its $400 million, 165-acre, mixed-use shopping center in Waller County.

2. This wealthy Houston neighbor is the fastest-growing suburb in America. The Houston-area city of Fulshear has been keeping a secret from the rest of Texas: It's now the No. 1 fastest growing affluent suburb in the country.

3. Houston's only kosher steakhouse abruptly loses rabbinic certification. One of Houston’s most prominent kosher restaurants is in a dispute with the rabbis who determine whether or not it's in compliance with Jewish law. Genesis Steakhouse & Wine Bar faces an uncertain future after an announcement from the Houston Kashruth Association that the restaurant is no longer under its supervision.

4. Houston's next great neighborhood bar conjures West Texas vibes in the Heights. Beginning in February, the two-story brick building at 3921 N. Main will take on a new role as home of Starduster Lounge, a neighborhood bar from Will Thomas, along with some assistance from Benjy Mason.

Starduster Lounge exterior Starduster Lounge occupies a historic building on N. Main St. Photo by Quit Nguyen

5. Harris County property taxes have skyrocketed 25 percent since 2019. Houston homeowners may be getting sticker shock looking at their property tax bills in 2025: Harris County property taxes have skyrocketed among the highest levels in the U.S., according to a recent report by information services provider CoreLogic.

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