Ike has claimed his first official death. It wasn't one of the idiots who decided to stay in the West End of Galveston; it was some poor kid in Montgomery County.

A 10-year-old boy was standing in his front yard watching his Dad cut branches off their pine tree; a branch fell and killed him.

The family wasn't identified, but Jesus -- the tragedies have begun.

(We're having trouble with links on this laptop; so check the Chron for further info on this.)

-- Richard Connelly