Austin news

• PHOTOS: Police oust pipeline protesters in North Dakota

  27-10-2016 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  CANNON BALL, N.D. (AP) — Law enforcement officers wearing riot gear and firing bean bags and pepper spray on Thursday ousted protesters from a camp on private land in the path of the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
  Hundreds of armed state and local police and National Guard — some on foot and others driving trucks, military Humvees and buses — began the operation at midday and slowly enveloped the camp, arresting more than a dozen protesters who refused to leave.
  There were no seri
  
  Read more

• PHOTOS: Police begin arresting pipeline protesters in North Dakota

  27-10-2016 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  CANNON BALL, N.D. (AP) — Armed soldiers and law enforcement officers dressed in riot gear on Thursday began arresting protesters who had set up a camp on private land to block construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
  Several protesters were led away and put in trucks, including at least one handcuffed, as authorities converged on the camp in North Dakota.
  Law enforcement officers and soldiers driving trucks, military Humvees and buses began to advance at midday and formed a horsesho
  
  Read more

• Bad drivers force Kyle police to increase neighborhood patrols

  27-10-2016 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – Kyle residents are begging to see more police in their neighborhoods and the police are listening. The Kyle Police Department recently started sending their motorcycle cops into the neighborhoods to help with traffic concerns.
  “We’ve had a tremendous amount of request for their presence in a neighborhood, especially in the residential neighborhoods,” said Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett. “People are tired of seeing people running the stop signs,
  
  Read more

• WATCH: Tow truck driver takes Nissan GT-R for joyride

  27-10-2016 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON, Texas (KPRC/KXAN) — When you own a $110,000 supercar, you’re probably not going to let anyone drive it. In Brian Montgomery’s case, he didn’t even know anyone had driven it until after the fact.
  “It’s an exotic sports car,” he says to KPRC in Houston of his Nissan GT-R. “It can go zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.7 seconds. It’s an extremely fun car to drive, put it that way.”
  On Sunday, the car started acting up, so Montgomery h
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• The British are coming! Double-decker bus added to CapMetro fleet

  27-10-2016 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A piece of London is coming to the streets of Austin. Capital Metro is launching a test double-decker bus as part of its regular MetroExpress service starting on Monday, Oct. 31.
  The bus, built by leading British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, will be used to see if double-decker buses are a feasible option on commuter heavy routes like Interstate 35, MoPac Expressway and U.S. 183. While the pilot program is only two weeks long, passengers will be ab
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: Deer runs through diner before crashing through window

  27-10-2016 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  ST. JOHN, IN (WCMH) — Diners at one Indiana restaurant didn’t order the venison, but still got a surprise when a deer ran through the Aspen Cafe.
  The deer crashed through a window, ran over tables and scared a woman near the entrance when it almost ran into her.
  But the deer pulled a dine and dash and smashed through another window as it exited the restaurant.
  Despite a few moments of shock and some cleaning up, no injuries were reported in the deer’s dash.
  
  Read more

• Victim in deadly crash with garbage truck identified

  27-10-2016 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 21-year-old man who died in a crash with a garbage truck in North Austin on Wednesday has been identified by the office of the medical examiner.
  Spencer Salomon Monroe, of Austin, was driving a Honda Civic when he crashed into the back of a garbage truck owned by a private company. The truck was picking up trash at around 3:20 a.m. near the intersection of Koenig Lane and Woodrow Avenue when the crash happened.
  Police say Monroe died at the scene.
  Koenig Lane was c
  
  Read more

• Man bites Halloween decoration, and it’s caught on camera

  27-10-2016 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — One Franklin Township homeowner was angry to learn someone had torn a hole into her inflatable black cat decoration, but she was able to at least get a laugh at the security video.
  It’s clear that Lisa Gourdouze loves Halloween, but mostly she loves the decorations.
  But Sunday morning she found her giant cat inflatable had lived its ninth life.
  “I was coming out here and I noticed my big Halloween cat was deflated so I kind of looked over there and there w
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Sergeant facing disciplinary action on handling of K9s

  27-10-2016 20:29 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A Williamson County sergeant who lost one K9 and had another that was found with fleas, ticks, and sores is now no longer allowed to have police dogs in his care.
  Williamson County Sheriff James Wilson will decide if any punishment will be levied against Sgt. Randy Batten after he attended a disciplinary hearing a few weeks ago. Batten was responsible for K9 Chico, who was found dead in March on the side of the road af
  
  Read more

• Man adopted at age 3 and brought to US from South Korea, to be deported

  27-10-2016 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A South Korean man flown to the U.S. 37 years ago and adopted by an American couple at age 3 has been ordered deported back to a country that is completely alien to him.
  “It is heartbreaking news,” said Dae Joong (DJ) Yoon, executive director of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium, who had been in contact with Adam Crapser.
  Crapser remains confined in an immigration detention center in Tacoma, Washington, pending his deportation.
  C
  
  Read more

• Wait Times at Travis County Voting sites

  27-10-2016 20:15 via kxan.com
  
  APP Users: Tap here to launch the interactive map
  
  Read more

• WWF: Two-thirds of the world’s wildlife may be extinct by 2020

  27-10-2016 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  GLAND, Switzerland (WCMH) — If there isn’t something done, more than two thirds of the world’s wildlife could be gone, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
  According to the WWF’s latest bi-annual Living Planet Index, there has been a 58 percent overall decline in the numbers of fish, mammals, birds and reptiles since 1970.
  “This is definitely human impact, we’re in the sixth mass extinction. There’s only been five before this and we’re defini
  
  Read more

• 4-year-old girl wants apology from pumpkin smasher

  27-10-2016 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  BELLEVUE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The Halloween spirit seems to be missing on Harpeth Bend Drive in Bellevue.
  Neighbors told News 2 you won’t see pumpkins on porches because they were tricked and their jack-o-lanterns were all smashed over the weekend.
  Denise Thomas had two pumpkins snatched from her front porch over and smashed in the roadway.
  Smashed pumpkin (WKRN photo)“People smash pumpkins sometimes, but a week before Halloween? I mean come on. It was every single house. I mean it
  
  Read more

• Parents claim RRISD buses overcrowded, kids sitting on the floorboard

  27-10-2016 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A group of Round Rock Independent School District parents have taken to Facebook and NextDoor to voice concerns about their students riding home on overcrowded buses. Parents claim their middle school students have been forced to ride three or four to a bus seat. In some instances, the parents say the children are forced to stand in the aisles or sometimes even sit on the floorboard of the bus.
  “As part of your tax dollars, you assume that your child has a
  
  Read more

• Has our next drought already begun

  27-10-2016 18:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While it is impossible to be certain, the beginning stages of our next drought may already be underway. Only .27 inches of rain has fallen at ABIA this month, .17 inches at Camp Mabry. September was also drier than normal in Austin, with two inches of rain at Mabry—nearly an inch below normal.
  With little chance of rain for the rest of the month, it is likely this October will be the 9th driest since 1891 in Austin, and 5th driest since records began at ABIA in 1942.
  
  Read more

• $90K worth of stolen beer was reportedly an inside job

  27-10-2016 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police have determined the theft of $90,000 worth of beer from a distributing company in south Austin was an inside job. Achilles Salazar, 22, is accused of stealing the beer during the entire month of September from his employer, Capital Beverage Distributing Company. A sizeable portion of the beer was discovered at a home in Bastrop County last week during an interagency investigation.
  According to an arrest warrant, Salazar stole cases of Dos Equis, Modelo and Corona and
  
  Read more

• Large amounts of Fentanyl discovered in Lubbock drug bust

  27-10-2016 16:55 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KXAN) — Several people were arrested in Lubbock after federal agents conducted search warrants in a major drug bust, according to KBLK.
  The agents apprehended one woman and two men for possession of the drug Fentanyl, which Lubbock Police Chief Greg Stevens told KBLK is “much bigger than methamphetamine.” The apartment complex where the drugs were found on 4th Street is now being called a decontamination site as crews clean up the area.
  The Drug Enforcement
  
  Read more

• MuseAustin fundraising to help local victims of domestic violence

  27-10-2016 15:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One in four women are the victims of domestic violence and one in seven men.
  This weekend a fundraising concert will honor survivors of domestic violence. Gary Santana joined us in the KXAN studio to discuss the MuseAustin event. He is the foundation director of Survive2Thrive, the local group benefiting from the fundraiser.
  “Survive2Thrive is working to provide a national dynamic ecosystem of life-saving resources for survivors of domestic violence and sexual as
  
  Read more

• No Refusal efforts launch ahead of Halloween

  27-10-2016 14:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While many people are putting the finishing touches on their Halloween costumes getting ready for a night of spooky fun, Austin police are announcing their No Refusal initiative.
  Police will launch this effort for Halloween weekend starting on Friday night and ending Tuesday morning at 5 a.m. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday police will pull you over if they suspect you are drunk driving. No Refusal allows officers to issue a blood search warrant on the spot if you refuse one.
  
  Read more

• Deadly SXSW crash survivors blame festival for safety issues

  27-10-2016 13:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A deadly night described by witnesses as chaos while bodies flew through the air and people watched in horror.
  Some survivors from the fatal South by Southwest crash on March 13, 2014 will have their lawsuit heard in court Thursday afternoon. They claim the festival could have done more to keep them safe.
  This case will be heard in the district civil court, but a decision could be weeks away. Several people were injured when Rashad Owens drove his car through a barrier and
  
  Read more

• Suspects break into The Oasis, steal $1,000 worth of alcohol

  27-10-2016 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Central Texas restaurant known for its stunning views overlooking Lake Travis is offering a $500 reward if you can catch two burglars.
  Surveillance video shows the first break-in on Aug. 3 and the second in September at The Oasis. Two men waited for the last person to leave the parking lot. Then they broke in and took several bottles of alcohol worth $1,000.
  The second break-in in early September was around 1:30 a.m. A man broke a glass door on the side of the restaurant.
  
  Read more

• PHOTOS: Suspects caught on camera burglarizing The Oasis

  27-10-2016 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Central Texas restaurant known for its stunning views overlooking Lake Travis is offering a $500 reward if you can catch two burglars.
  Surveillance video shows the first break-in on Aug. 3 and the second in September at The Oasis. Two men waited for the last person to leave the parking lot. Then they broke in and took several bottles of alcohol worth $1,000.
  The second break-in in early September was around 1:30 a.m. A man broke a glass door on the side of the restaurant.
  
  Read more

• Crack a cold one and celebrate National American Beer Day

  27-10-2016 12:16 via kxan.com
  
  (MEDIA GENERAL) – Not that most of us need an excuse to crack a cold one, but Thursday is National American Beer Day, and you’d be doing your country a disservice if you don’t sip some domestic suds.
  The modern American beer industry is inching toward its bicentennial – Yuengling, the widely accepted longest-running American brewery, was founded in 1829 – and continues to grow and adapt. Through the nation’s founding, to prohibition, the growth of the macro br
  
  Read more

• Dangerous stretch of Manchaca getting additional safety improvements

  27-10-2016 06:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man in his 20s died Wednesday in a three-vehicle crash just south of Austin’s most dangerous intersection, Manchaca Road and Slaughter Lane. KXAN checked in to see where efforts to improve safety in the area stand.
  A year ago, yellow posts were placed along Manchaca Road to prevent people from cutting across four lanes of traffic, forcing drivers to safety find a turnaround point. The thing is, Austin’s Transportation Department says the bulk of the $1.6 milli
  
  Read more

• Additional safety improvements coming to Manchaca fatal crash area

  27-10-2016 06:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man in his 20s died Wednesday in a three-vehicle crash just south of Austin’s most dangerous intersection, Manchaca Rd. and Slaughter Ln. KXAN checked in to see where efforts to improve safety in the area stand.
  A year ago, yellow posts were placed along Manchaca Rd. to prevent people from cutting across four lanes of traffic, forcing drivers to safety find a turnaround point. The thing is, Austin’s Transportation Department says the bulk of the $1.6 million i
  
  Read more

• Boil water order for some neighborhoods near Travis/Hays line

  27-10-2016 05:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Due to a break in a water main, West Travis County Public Utility Agency’s (WTCPUA) customers, located along and either side of U. S. Highway 290 between Circle Drive and the Travis–Hays County Line, experienced a period of low pressure or water outage.
  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires the WTCPUA to notify customers within the subject area of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. The n
  
  Read more

• UT vice president condemns ‘affirmative action bake sale’

  27-10-2016 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A top University of Texas at Austin official condemned an “affirmative action bake sale” held on campus Wednesday.
  The UT chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) sold baked goods to students at varying prices based on their race and gender. YCT held a similar bake sale in September 2013.
  “YCT joins a handful of student groups at other universities who over the years have used the same reductive tactic to garner the spotlight for their views on affirm
  
  Read more

• Allegations against ex-child psychiatrist lead to policy changes

  27-10-2016 04:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A counselor for one of the alleged victims of molestation by former child psychiatrist Dr. Charles Fischer took the stand Wednesday, stating she filed a complaint alleging molestation of a patient in 2011.
  Dr. Charles Fischer accused of molesting boysCourtney Tate, a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, testified that she began seeing the alleged victim, the first witness to take the stand in the trial, in 2009. Tate testified that the alleged victim, whom we are not ident
  
  Read more

• MetroRapid ridership lags along North Lamar and South Congress

  27-10-2016 03:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin nears three years with MetroRapid bus service, ridership along the North Lamar/South Congress corridor is lagging below projections.
  Capitol Metro’s premium bus service including WiFi, fewer stops and other features launched in January 2014. The project cost was $47.6 million with 80 percent of that coming from the Federal Transportation Administration’s Very Small Starts program.
  “Ridership in the North Lamar/South Congress corridor, led by
  
  Read more

• State officials say don’t bring your guns to the polls

  27-10-2016 02:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — Wednesday is the third day of early voting in Texas, and already a record number of people have packed into polling locations across the state. But no matter which candidate you’re shooting for, election workers are reminding Texans to leave your guns at home.
  Texas is one of six states that generally prohibits guns in polling places. According to the state law, firearms are not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place or voting station on the day of election or
  
  Read more

• State officals say don’t bring your guns to the polls

  27-10-2016 02:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — Wednesday is the third day of early voting in Texas, and already a record number of people have packed into polling locations across the state. But no matter which candidate you’re shooting for, election workers are reminding Texans to leave your guns at home.
  Texas is one of six states that generally prohibits guns in polling places. According to the state law, firearms are not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place or voting station on the day of election or
  
  Read more

• Top 3 things confusing voters at the polls

  27-10-2016 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Record numbers of voters are lining up to cast their ballots early, but there are a few things still throwing some voters off when they get to the polls. According to Travis and Williamson County clerks, here are the Top 3 things they want to clarify:
  1. You must have an ID (Kind of TRUE) 
  Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir says, “I would say if there is no reason to be confused. If you have an ID bring it.”
  These are the following approved forms
  
  Read more

• Voters say hours, locations make it harder to vote in Hays County

  27-10-2016 01:16 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — There’s been a record-breaking number of early voters in many counties so far this year. In Hays County, the numbers are up, but some say the hours and the locations are making it hard for everyone to vote.
  For the first week of early voting, counties like Travis and Williamson are staying open until 7 p.m., in Hays County, election officials are turning voters away at 5 p.m.
  “Every time someone doesn’t vote, that’s another voice
  
  Read more

• Family pleads for tips on who gunned down single mother of two

  27-10-2016 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The family of a single-mother who was shot and killed while delivering newspapers in Bastrop County in June is pleading with the public for any information regarding the suspect or suspects.
  On June 9 just after 4 a.m., Jessica Brown, 32, was out on her second job delivering newspapers when authorities say she was “gunned down” in her car. Sheriff Rosanna Abreo says Brown was “shot repeatedly.” After getting shot, Brown’s ca
  
  Read more

• Smoke on flight at ABIA forces passengers to use ladder

  27-10-2016 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A United Airlines plane landed safely Wednesday at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after smoke was reported inside the plane.
  The flight, coming from Denver, stopped short of the gate and passengers used a fire engine ladder to get off the plane. An airport spokesperson said no passengers were injured.
  The plane was a regional jet that holds 72 to 100 passengers. The incident did not affect any other flights or cause any delays.
  Austin firefighters say they responded
  
  Read more

• Firefighters respond to smoke indicator light on Austin flight

  27-10-2016 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A United Airlines plane landed safely Wednesday at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after smoke was reported inside the plane.
  The flight, coming from Denver, stopped short of the gate and passengers used a built-in ladder to get off the plane. An airport spokesperson said no passengers were injured and no smoke or fire were found.
  The plane was a regional jet that holds 72 to 100 passengers. The incident did not affect any other flights or cause any delays.
  Austin fi
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!