HOUSTON — What began as a major dental procedure involving 17 extractions has turned into an unus

ual recovery story for Houston entrepreneur and Absolutely Amazing Alkaline H2O founder LaMont Gilbert.

And according to Gilbert, even the dental professionals following his recovery were surprised by what they saw.

Gilbert underwent surgery on August 7 after dealing with extensive dental problems and infection. Seventeen teeth were extracted during the procedure.

He weighed approximately 275 pounds on the day of surgery.

The days that followed were anything but ordinary.

Gilbert says that although he was prescribed pain medication, he did not actually receive it until six days after surgery.

During those first six days, he says his recovery routine consisted primarily of prescribed antibiotics, soup and hydration.

But it was what happened at his follow-up appointments that caught everyone's attention.

DAY SEVEN

At his seven-day follow-up, Gilbert returned to his oral surgeon to have his recovery evaluated and his stitches removed.

According to Gilbert, the surgeon was impressed enough with the progress of his healing that he recommended moving forward with five dental implants.

The recommendation came much sooner than Gilbert expected.

Gilbert says the surgeon then asked him to contact his general dentist, Dr. J. Carlos Garcia, while he was still in the office.

The surgeon knew Garcia was scheduled to examine Gilbert several days later and wanted his opinion on the recovery before proceeding.

THEN CAME DAY NINE

Gilbert arrived for his appointment with Garcia expecting another routine evaluation.

Instead, he says the conversation became another remarkable moment in the nine-day journey.

According to Gilbert, Garcia told him:

“You have such miraculous healing ability. I have never seen it.”

Garcia subsequently discussed moving forward with the next phase of Gilbert's implant process.

For someone who had undergone 17 extractions only days earlier, the development was significant.

THEN THE CONVERSATION TURNED TO WATER

Gilbert is not simply a dental patient.

For nearly a decade, he and his wife, Orvella Gilbert, have built Houston-based Absolutely Amazing Alkaline H2O™, a bottled alkaline-water company recognizable by its signature blue bottles.

Gilbert says hydration had remained a constant throughout his recovery.

His routine during the initial days consisted of his prescribed antibiotics, a largely soup-based diet and the water he already drinks daily.

During his appointment, Gilbert and Garcia discussed the water and Gilbert's recovery experience.

Before Gilbert left the office, he says Garcia ordered five cases of Absolutely Amazing Alkaline H2O.

Gilbert is careful not to characterize his experience as scientific proof that alkaline water caused his accelerated recovery.

Instead, he says he is documenting exactly what happened.

The surgery happened.

The photographs are real.

The follow-up appointments happened.

And two dental professionals personally examined his recovery.

What role hydration—or any other individual factor—played in the speed of that recovery would require medical evidence beyond one person's experience.

But Gilbert says the experience has given an already deeply personal business an entirely new meaning.

A BLUE BOTTLE WITH A NEW CHAPTER

Absolutely Amazing Alkaline H2O was already Gilbert's business.

Now, he says, the product has become part of one of the most personal stories he has ever shared publicly.

Gilbert documented the journey with photographs from before surgery, during the procedure, immediately afterward and throughout the following nine days.

Rather than simply telling people about the transformation, he decided to show them.

Seventeen teeth.

Nine days.

Two dental professionals.

One documented journey.

And one familiar blue bottle that was there throughout it.

Gilbert summed up the experience in the closing words of the video documenting his recovery:

“This is a true story. No names were changed to protect the innocent.”

Sincerely,
The Waterman™

— SOUTHSIDE SIGNAL

Oklahoma City has finished 100th out of America’s 100 largest cities in the 2026 American Fitness Index—marking the seventh consecutive year at the bottom of the rankings. (KOCO)

The annual report examines far more than gym memberships. Cities are evaluated using 35 health and community factors, including physical activity, chronic disease, nutrition, parks, walkability, public transportation and access to recreational resources. (Runner's World)

Oklahoma City joined Memphis, Port St. Lucie, Indianapolis and Lubbock among the five lowest-ranked cities. Meanwhile, Arlington, Virginia, was named America’s fittest city for the ninth straight year. (Runner's World)

But this ranking is not simply about blaming residents for failing to exercise. A community’s design, access to healthy food, safe walking areas and affordable recreational opportunities can all make staying active either easier—or much harder.

The real question is: What changes should city leaders make to help residents live healthier lives?

📡 The SouthSide Signal

#SouthSideSignal #OklahomaCity #AmericanFitnessIndex #HealthNews #CommunityHealth #Fitness #PublicHealth #HealthyCommunities

A prominent Black family has decided to withdraw a $1 million scholarship endowment from the University of North Carolina Wilmington after the school said it could no longer preserve language prioritizing students committed to serving the African American community.

The scholarship was created to honor Dr. Leroy Upperman, a respected physician and educator whose legacy was deeply rooted in service, education and uplifting Black communities.

According to the family, UNCW’s new direction follows the UNC System’s anti-DEI “Equality Policy,” which prevents the university from maintaining the scholarship’s original mission.

Instead of changing the purpose of the fund, the family chose to move the endowment to Howard University, where Dr. Upperman earned his medical degree.

Students currently receiving the scholarship will continue to be supported through graduation.

The family’s message is clear: Dr. Upperman’s legacy is not negotiable.

📡 The SouthSide Signal

#SouthSideSignal #HowardUniversity #UNCW #Scholarship #BlackEducation #BlackLegacy #DEI #HigherEducation #CommunityService

The battle over hemp-derived THC products in Texas is far from over.

State Sen. Charles Perry says he plans to introduce another bill that would ban THC products across the state when lawmakers return to Austin for the next legislative session in January 2027.

Texas lawmakers previously passed a sweeping THC ban in 2025, but Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed it, saying the proposal faced legal problems. Abbott instead pushed for stricter regulations, stronger enforcement, age restrictions and tighter rules for how THC products are tested and sold.

Supporters of a complete ban argue that intoxicating hemp products are too easy for children to access and that the current regulations are not working.

Business owners and industry advocates say a total ban could shut down thousands of Texas businesses, eliminate jobs and destroy an industry estimated to be worth billions of dollars.

Texas currently has more than 8,500 retailers selling hemp-derived products, including gummies, beverages and other THC items.

⚠️ To be clear: A new statewide ban has not passed. This is a renewed effort expected to be debated during the 2027 Texas legislative session.

Should Texas completely ban THC products—or regulate them like alcohol and keep them away from children?

👇🏾 Let us know what you think.

Follow The SouthSide Signal for news that affects our communities.

The renewed proposal and January 2027 timeline were reported following comments from Sen. Perry at a Texas Capitol hearing. (houstonchronicle.com)

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston music community is mourning the loss of Krystal Jordan, better known as Judy World, after she was fatally stabbed Saturday morning in southeast Houston.

According to Houston police and court records, 28-year-old Kayla Wynita Rodgers has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Jordan's death. Officers responded to the scene around 9:55 a.m., where they found Jordan suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Rodgers remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident. (KPRC)

Family members say Jordan had gone to the apartment complex with her mother and young daughter to collect money from her boyfriend when an argument allegedly broke out with his sister. Loved ones say Jordan tried to walk away before she was stabbed. Those details have been shared by family and friends and have not been confirmed by law enforcement. (KPRC)

Jordan leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter, along with family, friends, and fans who are grieving her loss. As the investigation continues, authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact investigators. (KPRC)

💔🕊️ Rest in Peace, Krystal "Judy World" Jordan. Your voice and legacy will not be forgotten.

#KrystalJordan #JudyWorld #Houston #HoustonNews #Texas #RIP #Justice #SouthSideSignal

HOUSTON, TX — Every successful business reaches a point where the small conversations begin turning into opportunities with major organizations. For Houston entrepreneur LaMont "The Waterman" Gilbert, that moment may be arriving.

BottleConnect™, a Houston-developed marketing platform that transforms an ordinary reusable bottle into a dynamic customer engagement tool, has officially begun pursuing what could become its first major professional sports partnership—the returning Houston Comets.

While no agreement has been announced, Gilbert believes the opportunity represents exactly what BottleConnect was built to do.

"This isn't about selling bottled water," Gilbert said. "It's about creating a connection that lasts long after someone leaves the arena."

BottleConnect combines a custom-branded reusable bottle with a dynamic QR code that can be updated at any time without changing the bottle itself. Fans can scan to access exclusive videos, merchandise, ticket offers, sponsor promotions, contests, community events, player content, and much more.

For organizations, the concept turns a simple giveaway into an ongoing marketing platform.

"Most promotional items are forgotten within a day or two," Gilbert explained. "But a reusable bottle stays in someone's car, on their desk, in the gym, or at home. Every time they use it, your brand is right there."

With the Houston Comets preparing for their long-awaited return in 2027, Gilbert believes the timing is ideal to introduce a new way for professional sports organizations to engage with fans while creating additional value for corporate sponsors.

Beyond sports, BottleConnect is designed for businesses, schools, churches, hospitals, nonprofits, dealerships, and community organizations looking to strengthen customer relationships through everyday products.

Gilbert says the Houston Comets represent more than just a potential client.

"They represent the kind of organization BottleConnect was built for—one with passionate fans, strong community ties, and sponsors looking for innovative ways to stay connected."

Whether the Comets ultimately become BottleConnect's first major sports partnership remains to be seen. But one thing is already clear:

Houston's homegrown innovation is beginning to attract the kind of opportunities every entrepreneur works toward.

And if the vision becomes reality, this could be the first of many major organizations to discover that a bottle can be far more than just a bottle.

When the representatives was asked how they found out about this new concept, she answered: "I drunk a bottle of this alkaline water from the medical center, and it was so good I was just trying to reorder honestly. The rest is history.

Sometimes, the biggest catch starts with a single cast.

Interested in BottleConnect? Go to GetBottleConnect.com or call 346 242 5736

The mainstream media is quiet, but we need to scream his name. Jerard "Jay" Jackson. 28 years old. From Chicago.
​He went to Michigan for a weekend at Electric Forest with a group of friends. Now, he’s coming home in a body bag.
​The police are already rushing to call it a suicide. They want us to just accept that. But his family is pushing back hard—and the math is NOT mathing:
​ Jay had ZERO history of mental illness.
He was the ONLY Black man in his friend group.
Monday morning, he literally called the police to his campsite because he felt unsafe and tried to report an incident involving a "friend."
Hours later, he vanishes—leaving his phone and his entire life behind.
His "friends" drive all the way back to Illinois WITHOUT HIM.
The next day, he’s found dead in the woods.
​How many times are we going to see the exact same tragic story? A Black man goes out into a space where he’s the minority, ends up dead under suspicious circumstances, and authorities try to sweep it under the rug before the ink on the report is even dry!
​This isn't about starting a race war—it’s about telling the raw, uncomfortable TRUTH. History keeps repeating itself, and we are tired of the silence!
​Do NOT let them bury this man's story. Jay's family deserves a real, independent investigation, and they deserve the TRUTH about what happened in those woods.
​PLEASE SHARE THIS. MAKE IT GO VIRAL. DON'T LET THEM SILENCE JAY 
​#JusticeForJerardJackson #JayJackson #ElectricForest #JusticeForJay #ChicagoNews #MichiganNews #SayHisName #TruthForJay #BlackLivesMatter #AccountabilityNow #ElectricForest2026 #ProtectOurPeople #WhatHappenedToJay

A routine office cleanout following the unexpected death of a South Carolina sheriff has uncovered a troubling financial mystery.

After Dillon County Sheriff Douglas "Humbunny" Pernell died of a sudden cardiac event in August 2023, deputies and family members forced open a locked desk drawer — and found multiple evidence bags containing drug-seizure cash.

Some bags were intact, while others had been cut open, partially emptied, or found completely empty.

The discovery triggered a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation, which revealed that deputies had been directed to hand seized drug money directly to the sheriff, bypassing standard evidence procedures.

Investigators found that required tracking records were frequently missing. In total, nearly $49,000 in seized funds remains unaccounted for.

Because Pernell died before the investigation launched, no criminal charges were filed. The case has renewed calls for stronger oversight of evidence handling and asset forfeiture practices statewide.

Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy, has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman killed in July 2024.

Massey had called 911 herself — seeking help after believing someone was outside her Springfield, Illinois home.

During the encounter, Massey picked up a pot of hot water. Prosecutors argued Grayson unnecessarily escalated the situation, shooting the unarmed woman in the face.

Testimony also revealed Grayson did not immediately render aid after firing.

The verdict closes one of the nation's most closely watched police use-of-force cases. Grayson now faces sentencing, with his conviction carrying the possibility of a lengthy prison term under Illinois law.

Massey's death sparked nationwide protests and reignited urgent conversations about police accountability, use of force, and training reforms across the country.

A Houston attorney, Michael Stuart Driver, 46, has been arrested and charged with murder following a deadly altercation with his roommate, Jesse Reyes, 48, late Thursday night.

The incident occurred around 11:55 p.m. on June 27 at a home on the 1600 block of Vassar Street, where both men lived together.

Police said Driver flagged down officers at the scene, admitting he had shot Reyes after an argument turned physical.

Paramedics with the Houston Fire Department responded, but Reyes was pronounced dead at the home.

Driver was taken into custody and is being held at the Harris County Jail as the case proceeds through the 232nd Criminal District Court.

The investigation is ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact the Homicide Division.

The charge remains an allegation until proven in court.

Widespread concern has erupted online after a viral social media post claimed comedian Martin Lawrence was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.

As of now, no official confirmation has come from Martin Lawrence, his family, or representatives regarding the diagnosis.

Lawrence, beloved for his roles in the iconic sitcom Martin and the popular Bad Boys movie franchise, has inspired generations through his comedy and acting.

Health rumors about celebrities tend to spread rapidly on social platforms, emphasizing the importance of waiting for verified updates before drawing conclusions.

Fans worldwide continue to share messages of support and hope, eagerly watching for any credible news from Lawrence’s camp.

The situation remains unconfirmed at this time.

HOUSTON, TX — Local entrepreneur LaMont "The Waterman" Gilbert, CEO of Absolutely Amazing Alkaline H2O, has launched his company’s innovative BottleConnect™ DIY Empty Bottle System on Amazon, putting his three decades of experience into a nationwide spotlight.

BottleConnect™ stands out as a turnkey branding platform, enabling businesses, nonprofits, schools, and influencers to order premium empty bottles ready for private-label customization.

This solution allows anyone to create their own branded bottled water products — no manufacturing infrastructure needed.

Gilbert’s journey reflects both determination and vision, now giving Houston a role in national e-commerce innovation.

As Amazon sales begin and broader market expansion is planned, Absolutely Amazing Alkaline H2O evolves from a local hydration brand into a national resource for anyone looking to build their own brand identity.

For Gilbert and his team, it’s about more than water — it’s about opportunities that extend well beyond Houston.

Long before the rise of fitness influencers, Bruce Lee redefined the boundaries of athleticism, discipline, and speed, leaving an enduring impact on martial artists, athletes, and military professionals worldwide.

Lee’s approach went far beyond cinema—he relentlessly studied human performance, consistently pushing his physical and mental limits.

Though some legendary claims about Lee’s abilities can’t be officially verified, his commitment to innovative training, explosive strength, and mental sharpening set new standards in the world of fitness.

His regimen was known for isometric exercises, rapid reaction drills, hours of shadowboxing, intensive grip work, and creative hand-eye coordination techniques.

For Lee, speed meant eliminating wasted motion and allowing the body to respond instinctively—an approach that influences sports and self-improvement philosophies to this day.

Over 50 years later, Bruce Lee stands as a symbol of relentless self-improvement and human potential.