Austin news

• Mayor wants to clear up confusion over $720M transportation bond

  28-09-2016 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, Austin Mayor Steve Adler spent most of his morning trying to clear up any confusion on the transportation bond the city is hoping voters will pass in November. Adler’s goal was to address the overall cost of the Smart Corridor Plan, which is $1.5 billion, but voters are asked to approve a $720 million bond.
  According to the city, while the overall cost of the project is much higher than the allotted bond, the confusion stems from matching grants and
  
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• Austin mayor addresses cost of November’s mobility bond

  28-09-2016 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, Austin Mayor Steve Adler spent most of his morning trying to clear up any confusion on the transportation bond the city is hoping voters will pass in November. Adler’s goal was to address the overall cost of the Smart Corridor Plan, which is $1.5 billion, but voters are asked to approve a $720 million bond.
  According to the city, while the overall cost of the project is much higher than the allotted bond, the confusion stems from matching grants and
  
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• Frost Bank in North Austin robbed, second time since May

  28-09-2016 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are at the scene of a bank robbery in North Austin, Wednesday afternoon.
  Police said they were called to the Frost Bank at 111 E. Anderson Ln. at 3:07 p.m. The same bank was robbed in May. 
  KXAN has a crew on the way to the scene. We’ll update the story as we get additional information from police. 
  
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• Probe: Malaysian jet downed by missile launcher from Russia

  28-09-2016 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  NIEUWEGEIN, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch-led criminal investigators said Wednesday they have solid evidence that a Malaysian jet was shot down in 2014 by a Buk missile that was moved into eastern Ukraine from Russia.
  Wilbert Paulissen, head of the Central Crime Investigation department of the Dutch National Police, said communications intercepts showed that pro-Moscow rebels had called for deployment of the mobile surface-to-air weapon and reported its arrival on July 17, 2014, in rebel-contro
  
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• Texas student forced to change out of slave costume

  28-09-2016 22:29 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON, TX (KPRC) — A Texas high school student says he was forced to change his outfit after showing up to school dressed as a slave for “Decades Day” at his high school on Tuesday.
  Brian Ibe is a senior at Ridge Point High School in Missouri City.
  This week is spirit week, in honor of homecoming. Each day, the students dress up in costume according to the day’s theme.
  On Tuesday, the theme was “Decades Day,” and Ibe showed up to school wearing a ball and ch
  
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• Mosquito tests positive for West Nile Virus in Hutto

  28-09-2016 22:29 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — A mosquito sample collected from Creekside Park in Hutto has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
  The lab result came into the city of Hutto on Tuesday, after the sample was collected and sent to a state lab in Austin on Sept. 20. In response to the test result, the city is enhancing its mosquito control efforts and will continue treating standing water with larvacide.
  It’s important to note, there are no reported human cases of the virus in Hutto. Williamson Co
  
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• Clinton bags big GOP endorsement, Trump fights persistent sexism charges

  28-09-2016 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (MEDIA GENERAL) – With just 40 days separating Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton from Election Day, both campaigns are fighting for positive press coverage.
  Early voting starts soon in many states. Busy Americans are beginning to pay close attention. So this is an absolutely critical time.
  Unfortunately for Trump, his week has been consumed by two-decade-old sexism and racism charges, which his recent statements have extended for several additional news cycles.
  Clinton, fol
  
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• Texans place JJ Watt on injured reserve

  28-09-2016 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans have placed star defensive end J.J. Watt on injured reserve and his return this season is in doubt.
  Coach Bill O’Brien announced Wednesday that Watt had re-injured his back and that putting him on IR was the best thing for his long-term health.
  The team was still exploring the injury and it’s unclear if it will require surgery. He is not expected back before December, if at all.
  Watt, who has won Defensive Player of the Year for the past two s
  
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• Man faces jail if he doesn’t tear down personal backyard church

  28-09-2016 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  TOPEKA, KS (KSNT) – A Topeka man has just three days left to tear down his personal church that he built in his backyard or he’ll have to go to jail.
  While ‘Love they neighbor’ is plastered on a sign attached to one of the structures, there hasn’t been much love from neighbors since he started building the them 15 years ago. The buildings have been the center of controversy on Southwest 33rd Street.
  Myron Holter was convicted by the Topeka Municipal C
  
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• Two students, teacher injured in South Carolina elementary school shooting

  28-09-2016 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  TOWNVILLE, SC (WSPA) – Anderson Co. deputies said there was a shooting at Townville Elementary school Wednesday afternoon.
  They say one teenage suspect is in custody and there is no longer an active threat.
  Two students and one teacher were hurt and taken to hospitals, according to Taylor Jones with Anderson Co. Emergency Services. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
  SC Highway Patrol is on scene helping to clear room and secure the scene.
  Investigators are said
  
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• ‘Kitty City’ welcomes unwanted cats

  28-09-2016 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  MANDAN, N.D. (KFYR) North Dakota’s Triple H Miniature Horse Rescue helps out all kinds of animals, but up until this summer, it had mainly focused on farmyard animals. Now, its founder is welcoming some new furry additions to their Mandan rescue farm: cats.
  Alison Smith, the founder of Triple H, says caring for animals is just something she feels she has to do. When she heard other rescues and pounds were filling up, she knew she had to act.
  “Well first it’s heartbreaking,
  
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• PHOTOS: Police need help identifying serial robber

  28-09-2016 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Law enforcement agencies along Interstate 35 in Central Texas need help identifying a man who they say has robbed several businesses.
  The suspect, described as a white man in his 40s, is connected to a July robbery of a MetroPCS at 2712 S. Congress Ave. Austin police say in that robbery he showed a weapon and demanded money.
  Detectives have recently learned the same suspect appears to be responsible for other similar robberies of telecommunication stores in other cities. Th
  
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• Colorado brewery plans to sell cannabis-infused beer nationwide

  28-09-2016 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  AURORA, Colorado (KUSA) – There are hundreds of breweries in Colorado, but “Dad & Dudes” in Aurora is doing things a little differently.
  “They’re coming from around the world wanting to try cannabis-infused beer,” says Mason Hembree, the “Dude” of Dad & Dudes.
  Hembree is the beer creator and has waited a year to get the federal green light on his recipe. He’s on the way to selling General Washington’s Secret Stash in all 50 stat
  
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• Getting around ACL: Transportation options, road closures

  28-09-2016 16:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A big event coming to Austin this weekend will bring more than music lovers to the city. Drivers should expect heavy traffic delays and road closures during the ACL Music Festival.
  Expect the usual roads around Zilker Park and Barton Springs to close starting Friday morning. The festival is happening this weekend and the next.
  Hail A Honda
  To help keep people from driving to the festival and avoid the traffic headache, Honda is offering free rides to ticket holders for both
  
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• Audit: Too many barriers to file complaints against APD officers

  28-09-2016 14:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city has unveiled the findings of a new audit looking into the way complaints against city police officers are handled.
  According to the report, the probe was requested by Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo. City leaders will get an in-depth breakdown of the audit Wednesday morning.
  The study examined 1,200 complaints filed against APD officers between October 2013 and December 2015. About 60 percent of the complaints were made by citizens, the audit discovered.
  The g
  
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• Lightning strike kills runner on Austin-area trail

  28-09-2016 14:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — An Austin woman who was found dead on Sept. 25 in Travis County has been ruled death by a lightning strike.
  Michelle Ann Wolfe, 37, was discovered by a runner around 5:36 p.m. on River Place Boulevard in west Travis County. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office says there were no signs of foul play.
  Detectives said a fallen tree limb near Wolfe’s body appeared to have been burned. The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined she died
  
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• Austin woman found dead from lightning strike

  28-09-2016 14:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — An Austin woman who was found dead on Sept. 25 in Travis County has been ruled death by a lightning strike.
  Michelle Ann Wolfe, 37, was discovered by a runner around 5:36 p.m. on River Place Boulevard. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office says there were no sings of foul play.
  Detectives said a fallen tree limb near Wolfe’s body appeared to have been burned. The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined she died accidentally by a&nbs
  
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• One dead in San Marcos I-35 crash

  28-09-2016 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Interstate 35 in San Marcos is back open after a person died in a crash Wednesday morning.
  Just before 2 a.m. a truck with a trailer broke down and stopped in the right southbound lane. A car crashed into the truck near McCarty Lane killing one person. Police have not said which car the deceased person was in.
  Currently there is debris scattered across the highway.
  Detours
  Try the feeder street for an alternate route.#HaysCoTraffic: Deadly crash has closed S
  
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• Man killed in San Marcos I-35 crash identified

  28-09-2016 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Interstate 35 in San Marcos is back open after a man died in a crash Wednesday morning.
  Just before 2 a.m. a truck with a trailer broke down when the driver hit debris in the road. The trailer’s brakes were disabled causing the truck to stop in the right southbound lane.
  A Lexus crashed into the truck near McCarty Lane killing the passenger, 45-year-old Donald Eugene Wilson. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Lexus was
  
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• Police cracking down on northwest Austin distracted drivers

  28-09-2016 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police will be scouring northwest Austin on Wednesday seeking distracted drivers.
  Similar to the targeting on Interstate 35 last week, a Capital Metro bus will haul police around the city so they can look into cars to find drivers violating the law. When they spot an offending driver, a motorcycle officer will be deployed to track down the driver and hand out a ticket.
  “It’s not surprising that people are doing it, what’s surprising to me is that pe
  
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• Police cracking down on north Austin distracted drivers

  28-09-2016 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police will be scouring north Austin along U.S. Highway 183 between Burnet Road and Spicewood Springs Road on Wednesday seeking distracted drivers.
  Similar to the targeting on Interstate 35 last week, a Capital Metro bus will haul police around the city so they can look into cars to find drivers violating the law. When they spot an offending driver, a motorcycle officer will be deployed to track down the driver and hand out a ticket.
  “It’s not surprising
  
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• Survey wants your opinion on downtown parking problems

  28-09-2016 13:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites are familiar with the struggle to find downtown parking. You drive around in an endless loop only to end up parking across the highway forcing you to trek back into the city on foot.
  One agency wants to know exactly what you think about the limited downtown parking spaces. This will be the first large-scale study of its kind in Austin.
  With few spaces and too many cars, the study is asking what should the city and businesses do to make it better? That is the ques
  
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• Watch: Fiancé loses ring during proposal at Yankees game

  28-09-2016 12:04 via kxan.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) – Ladies, let’s have a quick conversation. What’s the most romantic place your beau could pop the question? A baseball game, right?
  Forking out the $100 fee to get your names on the jumbotron. Delicately ensuring he doesn’t drip any nacho cheese on his jersey before the break in the fifth inning. It’s the stuff of Shakespeare.
  One young Romeo decided to propose to his girlfriend at Tuesday’s game at Yankee Stadium, and, well, things didn’
  
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• Motorcyclist killed in Mopac crash

  28-09-2016 10:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- Austin police have shut down the southbound lanes of Mopac near the Hancock Drive overpass while they investigate a crash that left one man dead Wednesday morning. Austin Police say an SUV and a motorcycle crashed around 2:30 this morning. According to APD, the motorcyclist had died by the time officers arrived. Austin-Travis County EMS says the man was in his 40’s. The driver of the SUV stayed on scene. Police are expected to give a media briefing later Wednesday morni
  
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• Motorcyclist killed in crash, southbound MoPac reopens

  28-09-2016 10:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police have reopened the southbound lanes of MoPac near the Hancock Drive overpass while they investigate a crash that left one man dead Wednesday morning.
  APD shuts down southbound lanes of Mopac as they investigate a crash that killed a motorcyclist. (KXAN: Tom Rapp)Austin Police say an SUV and a motorcycle crashed around 2:15 a.m. According to APD, the motorcyclist died by the time officers arrived. Austin-Travis County EMS says the man was in his 40’s.
  
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• Motorcyclist killed in crash, southbound MoPac closed

  28-09-2016 10:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police have shut down the southbound lanes of MoPac near the Hancock Drive overpass while they investigate a crash that left one man dead Wednesday morning.
  APD shuts down southbound lanes of Mopac as they investigate a crash that killed a motorcyclist. (KXAN: Tom Rapp)Austin Police say an SUV and a motorcycle crashed around 2:15 a.m. According to APD, the motorcyclist died by the time officers arrived. Austin-Travis County EMS says the man was in his 40’s. The
  
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• Motorcyclist killed in crash on MoPac

  28-09-2016 10:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police have reopened the southbound lanes of MoPac near the Hancock Drive overpass after a crash that left one man dead Wednesday morning.
  APD shuts down southbound lanes of Mopac as they investigate a crash that killed a motorcyclist. (KXAN: Tom Rapp)Austin Police say an SUV and a motorcycle crashed around 2:15 a.m. According to APD, the motorcyclist died by the time officers arrived.
  Austin-Travis County EMS says the man was in his 40’s. The driver
  
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• National Coffee Day is Thursday: Here’s where you can get a free cup of coffee & more

  28-09-2016 09:50 via kxan.com
  
  Like most Americans, you probably like to start your morning off with a cup (or two) of coffee. This Thursday is National Coffee Day and there are lots of amazing discounts and giveaways for you to choose from!
  Here are some of the places we’ve confirmed that are offering specials to celebrate your caffeine addiction:
  1. Krispy Kreme: Not only are they giving away a FREE 12 oz cup of coffee, you also get a FREE Original Glazed Doughnut to go along with it.2. Dunkin’ Donuts:
  
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• Student arrested for bringing gun to McNeil High School

  28-09-2016 05:55 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A student who brought an unloaded firearm to McNeil High School was arrested by Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday.
  “Our team worked quickly with law enforcement to search, apprehend, and assess the situation, determining that students and staff were safe,” Principal Courtney Acosta said in a letter to the high school community. “It is our protocol to immediately contact all of our parents and employees if there was an ur
  
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• Travis County residents question boil-water notification effectiveness

  28-09-2016 01:48 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Eastern Travis County residents are questioning the effectiveness of boil-water notifications after a Sunday water utility pressure problem led to notifications in their area that some did not receive.
  Austin’s Colony area resident Rosita Sayer said she drank her tap water Monday morning, after Hornsby Bend Utility Company issued a boil-water notice for her neighborhood. Sayer only later heard there was a boil-water notice. She said she wo
  
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• Police take murder suspect into custody near Georgetown High

  28-09-2016 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Sources say Silvestre Franco-Luviano, 40, the man accused of kidnapping a Georgetown man on Monday and wanted in connection with two murders in the Dallas area over the weekend, has been taken into custody in Georgetown.
  Georgetown High School was placed on lockdown, as authorities searched an apartment complex in the 2100 block of North Austin Avenue for the man. Police said they received information just after 5 p.m. that he was inside one of the apar
  
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• Police scouring area near Georgetown High for murder suspect

  28-09-2016 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Georgetown High School is on lockdown, as authorities search the area for Silvestre-Franco Luviano, 40, accused of kidnapping a Georgetown man on Monday and wanted in connection with two murders in the Dallas area over the weekend.
  A spokesperson with Georgetown Independent School District says while staff are still inside the building, football players and band members were previously released.
  KXAN Viewers say they were ordered by police to stay in th
  
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• Murder suspect arrested in Georgetown deported 3 times

  28-09-2016 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Silvestre Franco-Luviano, the man accused of kidnapping a Georgetown man on Monday and wanted in connection with two murders in the Dallas-area over the weekend, has been captured in Georgetown.
  As tactical teams were trying to begin negotiations with the 40-year-old suspect Tuesday evening, a fire broke out in the apartment, located in the 2100 block of North Austin Avenue, where police believed the suspect was located. Shortly after the fire brok
  
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• Manhunt for murder, kidnapping suspect ends with Georgetown arrest

  28-09-2016 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Silvestre Franco-Luviano, the man accused of kidnapping a Georgetown man on Monday and wanted in connection with two murders in the Dallas area over the weekend, has been captured in Georgetown.
  As tactical teams were trying to begin negotiations with the 40-year-old suspect Tuesday evening, a fire broke out in the apartment, located in the 2100 block of North Austin Avenue, where police believed the suspect was located. Shortly after the fire brok
  
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• Father of girl grabbed at Austin library responds to critics

  28-09-2016 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A father whose 11-year-old daughter was grabbed by a man at an Austin library says if he had called police sooner, a second attack on a child might not have happened.
  The father, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he and his daughter were at the North Village Branch Library on Saturday afternoon when his daughter came up to him and said, “Daddy, a man tried to grab me.” The girl was able to point out the man, later identified as 30-year-old Hubert Justin
  
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