Austin news

• Texas CPS no longer issuing Visas to undocumented child crime victims

  22-12-2016 23:18 via kxan.com
  
   
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — U Nonimmigrant Visas, also known as U-Visas, were implemented in 2000 as part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. It allows immigrant victims of crime to stay in the United States for up to four years and makes their family members eligible to apply for a green card.
  “It is really a key role that CPS plays in protecting immigrant children who are abused and neglected,” Edna Yang, the assistant deputy director at American Gatewa
  
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• VIDEO: Take a look inside Austin’s Amazon Prime Now Hub

  22-12-2016 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Are you a procrastinator? Is your Christmas shopping taking too long? If only there was an easier way! If you’re an Amazon Prime member, there is.
  Until 11:59 p.m on Christmas Eve, Amazon drivers will be on the roads bringing last minute gifts to those that place an order for one hour delivery by 10:59 p.m. Or, get that order in by 9:59 p.m. and choose two-hour delivery to save a little scratch.
  Amazon’s one-hour delivery holds up to test
  If you’re an Amaz
  
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• Brownsville sees its 6th locally transmitted Zika case

  22-12-2016 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A sixth person in the Brownsville-area has been diagnosed with a locally acquires case of Zika virus.
  While all six locally transmitted cases have been in Cameron County, health officials say this most recent case is not thought to be connected to the other cases. In response, local public health workers are testing members of the patient’s household and going door-to-door in the patient’s neighborhood.
  All pregnant women in the area, with or without symptoms, a
  
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• Ammunition explodes in Hudson Bend shed fire

  22-12-2016 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters said they had a hard time fighting a shed fire in the Hudson Bend area because there was live ammunition in the building. Smoke coming from a
  The Lake Travis Fire Rescue says the fire started around 1:05 p.m. in the 17100 block of Feather Rock Trail. One viewer who was miles away from the fire sent KXAN video showing the billowing black smoke. says ammunition exploded in
  Emergency crews says the ammunition housed in the shed exploded. No one was injured in the
  
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• Fort Worth police responds to viral video claiming excessive force, racism

  22-12-2016 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — A Facebook video posted by a Fort Worth woman Wednesday night regarding how a Forth Worth Police Department officer handled a 911 call is quickly gaining traction online.
  The video posted on Porsha Craver’s Facebook account shows an officer arresting her aunt and her two cousins, who said they called police for help. The video starts with a woman, whom NBCDFW identifies as Jacqueline Craig, explaining to the officer that her 7-year-old son was grabbed and c
  
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• It’s official: Clinton wins popular vote by nearly 2.9 million

  22-12-2016 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton received nearly 2.9 million more votes than President-elect Donald Trump, giving her the largest popular vote margin of any losing presidential candidate.
  Certified results in all 50 states and the District of Columbia show Clinton winning nearly 65,844,610 million votes — 48 percent __ to Trump’s 62,979,636 million votes __ 46 percent — according to an analysis by The Associated Press.
  Clinton is the fifth presidential candidate in Ameri
  
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• Home of Trump golf course seeks money for security costs

  22-12-2016 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey township that’s home to one of Donald Trump’s golf courses is asking the federal government to help cover security costs for the president-elect.
  NJ.com reports Bedminster Township officials wrote to Republican Rep. Leonard Lance last week saying they don’t want to “disproportionately” burden their taxpayers for Trump’s visits to Trump National Golf Club.
  The township says such visits could result in ove
  
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• Texas bounces back with 96-60 trouncing of UAB

  22-12-2016 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Andrew Jones knew he would receive significant playing time as a Texas freshman this season.
  Jones, after all, was a big-time recruit on a team that lost all five starters from last season. Jones knew something else.
  “I had to grow up quickly,” he said. “It’s not high school basketball.”
  Jones, like most of his teammates, has struggled. But the Longhorns’ point guard appears to be making a breakthrough. Jones produced 16 points, six
  
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• Passengers removed from flight after reportedly harassing Ivanka Trump

  22-12-2016 20:48 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WCMH) — An airline booted a passenger off a flight from New York after he reportedly harassed Ivanka Trump.
  Trump was on the JetBlue flight with her husband Jared Kushner and children.
  New York university professor Mark Lasner tweeted that his husband was “chasing (Jared and Ivanka) down to harass them.” His tweets have since been deleted.
  Lasner said in another post that his husband “expressed displeasure in a calm tone” about Trump and Kushner’s pr
  
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• Police: Suspect with ‘Crips’ ties arrested for East Austin murder

  22-12-2016 20:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A suspect is now in custody for the July murder of Brandon Grant, who was found dead lying in the middle of Johnny Morris Road.
  Joseph Sterling, 28, is accused of killing Grant on July 16 allegedly over some stolen crack and cocaine, according to the affidavit. Police say an interview with a family member revealed that Sterling is believed to be a “high-ranking member of the Crips,” a street gang.
  In the early morning of July 16, Grant’s mother,
  
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• Round Rock firefighters finish Christmas decorating for woman who fell

  22-12-2016 19:12 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock firefighters gave an elderly woman a special present after she fell and wasn’t able to finish decorating for Christmas.
  They were called to the woman’s house on Wednesday after she injured herself while setting up her Christmas tree. The firefighters made sure the woman was okay, but noticed that she appeared upset.
  She told them she wouldn’t be able to finish decorating her Christmas tree. The firefighters came to her rescu
  
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• Santa gets help from Austin retirement community

  22-12-2016 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Not all elves live at the North Pole. Santa is getting help from a special community of workers in Austin this year.
  Residents of Querencia Barton Creek, a retirement community in southeast Austin, are helping Santa by answering letters written by kids at Children’s Blood and Cancer Center, CBCC, in Austin, part of Dell Children’s Medical Center.
  Staffers at Dell Children’s put a mailbox up in the center at the beginning of December. The mailbox is es
  
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• Woman accused of punishing children with hot peppers

  22-12-2016 18:04 via kxan.com
  
  LAKE WORTH, FL (AP) — Authorities say a 28-year-old Florida woman punished three young children by putting hot peppers in their mouths.
  Palm Beach County Sheriff’s officials say Angelina Andres was arrested Tuesday on three counts of child abuse.
  The Palm Beach Post reports a witness told investigators that Andres left bruises on one of the children after hitting her with a belt buckle and made her wear a sweater to school to hide the bruises.
  The report says a child told t
  
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• 5 vehicle crash snarls traffic on US 290

  22-12-2016 17:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A five car crash is causing a major backup on US 290 just before South First Street.
  The crash around 9:50 a.m. is on the 1300 block of W US 290, between South First and Manchaca. The left lane is closed in the US 290 eastbound direction while police work to clear the debris in the area.
  KXAN Traffic Map: Detours
  Austin/Travis County EMS says one person has been transported to the South Austin Medical Center with minor injuries.
  Our KXAN traffic map is showing a slow down t
  
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• Ohio Supreme Court rejects teen rapist’s 112-year sentence

  22-12-2016 17:51 via kxan.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A 112-year prison sentence imposed on a convicted rapist for crimes he committed at age 15 is unconstitutional because it doesn’t allow any opportunity for possible release, a divided Ohio Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
  The court’s 4-3 ruling came in the case of Brandon Moore, who was tried as an adult and convicted in the 2001 armed kidnapping, robbery and gang rape of a 22-year-old Youngstown State University student.
  The woman was abducted as she arrived
  
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• Program allows you to donate to Goodwill using your empty Amazon boxes

  22-12-2016 17:21 via kxan.com
  
  SEATTLE, WA (WCMH) — Amazon and Goodwill are teaming up to make it easier for you to donate your old toys, clothes, or accessories.
  The way it works is after you’ve unpacked your merchandise from Amazon, you fill the box with clothing, accessories and household goods you no longer need and print your free shipping label from GiveBackBox.com. Then let UPS or the U.S. Postal Service deliver your box to the nearest participating Goodwill.
  Goodwill sells the donated goods, and
  
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• Romanian Santa aids kids of dead, wounded soldiers

  22-12-2016 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The children have lost their fathers or seen them come home bearing terrible wounds of war.
  But for at least one day, Romania’s defense ministry and Santa Claus were able to bring fleeting smiles to the faces of all.
  19 month old Maya is held by a performer while her mother photographs her next to a man wearing a Santa Claus outfit, after a Christmas show for children of Romanian military families. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)This month’s Christmas party at
  
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• Woman facing DWI charge after driving into Lady Bird Lake

  22-12-2016 15:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman who drove into Lady Bird Lake Wednesday night is now facing a DWI charge, according to Austin police.
  Officers say she was pulled out of her car by a pedestrian around 9 p.m. on Cummings Street and Rainey Street. The woman was arrested by police and is in custody at the Travis County Jail.
  A wrecker pulled her Honda out of the lake and impounded it.
  She was not injured in the crash.
  We are working to get more information. 
  
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• Ex-South Texas officer sentenced for role in drug scheme

  22-12-2016 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A former South Texas police officer has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for stealing cocaine and then staging a fake bust to cover up the theft.
  Former Mission police officer Hector Mendez was sentenced Wednesday in federal court. The 46-year-old Mendez is also a former Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer.
  A jury in July found him guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
  Prosecutors
  
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• Kellyanne Conway is heading to the White House

  22-12-2016 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway is headed to the White House, where she’ll serve as counselor to the president.
  The announcement was made by the president-elect’s transition team early Thursday.  Conway served as Trump’s third campaign manager and is widely credited with helping guide him to victory.
  She is also a frequent guest on television news programs. Conway had said previously that she planned to move her family to
  
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• Pedestrian hit by CapMetro bus in East Austin

  22-12-2016 13:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pedestrian is injured after she was hit by a Capital Metro bus on Parker Lane and East Oltorf Street, according to Austin police.
  The crash happened around 6:20 a.m. Thursday morning. The woman is estimated to be in her 50s and has minor injuries.
  Officers are still on the scene, but they say there are no road closures at this time.
  MORE: Mother suing CapMetro for daughter’s death
  CapMetro is currently facing a lawsuit over another crash that happened in September w
  
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• Syria’s Assad hails ‘victory’ in Aleppo

  22-12-2016 13:24 via kxan.com
  
  BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad says the “victory” in the northern city of Aleppo is not only for Syria but for all countries fighting terrorism, especially Russia and Iran.
  State TV says Assad made the comments during a meeting Thursday with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari.
  Iran and Russia have been Assad’s strongest backers since the civil war began in March 2011.
  Syrian rebels are withdrawing from Aleppo as part of a Russian-
  
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• Police: Florida woman gave baby ‘Molly’-infused water

  22-12-2016 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida woman was arrested Tuesday in Palm Beach County after allegedly giving a baby in her care the drug “Molly” last August.
  Dan’nese Camacho, of Cooper City, is charged with child neglect after Broward County police said she mixed a 6-month-old infant’s bottle with MDMA-infused water and fed it to the child, while under the influence of MDMA herself
  An unidentified person told police he or she left their apartment on Aug. 24, 2
  
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• Austin skyline will continue to change in 2017 as housing booms

  22-12-2016 13:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Home construction continues to boom across Central Texas.
  The latest nationwide numbers show that the rest of the country is selling homes near record speed; the highest since 2007. Analysts say people want to take advantage of a healthy economy and low mortgage rates, which are expected to rise next year.
  What does the future of the Austin’s housing market look like?
  Economists say 2017 will be another strong year for Austin. With at least 30,000 newcomers moving to
  
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• Trump brothers moving away from father’s controversial Texas ‘charity’

  22-12-2016 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — Donald Trump’s two oldest sons are distancing themselves from their father’s Texas charity.
  The Opening Day Foundation advertised exclusive access to President-Elect Trump in exchange for high dollar donations to unnamed “conservation” charities. For $1 million donors would get Donald Trump’s ear for the day after he is sworn in as President.
  They’re essentially selling access to the president. That amount would also give donors the o
  
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• NORAD tracking Santa for Christmas

  22-12-2016 10:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- Kids aren’t the only ones counting down the days until Christmas. The people who work to keep America safe are waiting to track Santa and his team of reindeer.
  The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has a website with the countdown to Santa’s big delivery day. Once Santa begins his journey, you can follow his path around the world. You can also play games, watch videos and learn about Santa’s history. NORAD has been tracking Santa’s path since
  
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• Two suspects arrested in Eagle Mart robbery

  22-12-2016 10:23 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK (KXAN) – Two suspects in custody after the December 4th robbery of the Eagle Mart.
  Police arrested 20-year-old Brandon Lee Saunders and 25-year-old Pamela Jean Salinas on December 15th.  Round Rock police credit anonymous tips after releasing surveillance video, to locating the suspects.  Saunders and Salinas have been charged with Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon.
  Saunders is in the Bexar County jail after being arrested in San Antonio.  Salinas remains in
  
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• Composer from Austin injured in Berlin Christmas market attack

  22-12-2016 05:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Russell Schulz, a former longtime Austin resident, was injured in the truck attack on a Christmas market in central Berlin, Germany on Monday.
  In a post to his Facebook page Tuesday, Schulz said, “Friends, I am okay, only minor injuries. We were five. Two died. Two in the hospital for a long time. I cannot explain what happened.”
  In all, 12 were killed and nearly 50 injured outside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, filled with a mix of tourists and l
  
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• ‘Citations’ issued to shoppers for not hiding valuables in cars

  22-12-2016 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days left until Christmas and many people are out shopping for last minute gifts, but law enforcement warns, thieves are out too, looking for the presents you leave inside your car.
  Travis County sheriff’s deputies are using a surprising strategy to try and prevent these break-ins from happening.
  “We’re out here with the Sheriff’s Combined Auto-Theft Task Force, which is a grant-funded program through the state of Texas to basically try to
  
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• Austin Boys & Girls Clubs raise $70K after bus was burned

  22-12-2016 03:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area have received more than $70,000 to pay for a brand new bus.
  Their previous bus, the clubs’ largest mode of transportation for field trips in the Austin area, was intentionally set on fire over the weekend. 
  KXAN’s Kevin Schwaller reported the bus could carry 44 passengers. “This bus is old. It’s been around a long time, but we’ve taken very, very good care of it for a long time,” Mar
  
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• Police: Mom beat children for opening Christmas presents early

  22-12-2016 03:24 via kxan.com
  
  GREENFIELD, Ind. (WISH) – A Greenfield mother was charged after beating her two children who opened their Christmas presents early, according to court documents.
  36-year-old Sascha Collins faces charges of domestic battery with bodily injury to a person under 14 and domestic battery to a disabled person with bodily injury.
  Police were sent to the 2200 block of Redstone Drive on Dec. 18 after reports of child abuse were made.
  According to court documents, police said two juve
  
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• Platelet donations fall to unsafe level at Austin donation center

  22-12-2016 02:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin’s blood donation center “We Are Blood” is urging the community to donate platelets as the supply numbers have dipped to unsafe levels. Hundreds of people rely on platelets to survive.
  “It is a fight. Managing a platelet inventory is an hour by hour evaluation,” said Rachel James, the center’s director of donor services.
  Platelets are tiny cells in your blood which form clots to stop bleeding. They are commonly used f
  
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• Water heater contributed to fire at historic Georgetown restaurant

  22-12-2016 02:16 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Fire inspectors were back on the scene Wednesday afternoon at Eats on 8th, focusing their investigation on the second floor of the historic home turned restaurant. Investigators believe the fire sparked from one of the water heaters in the attic, although they don’t know what caused the heater to malfunction just yet.
  Firefighters say homeowners can face similar hazards with water heaters in their own homes. “It can’t be one of these things that
  
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• Report: Thousands of students still arrested for school offenses

  22-12-2016 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report shows Texas schools still rely on police departments to discipline students. Two non-profits, Texas Appleseed and Texans Care for Children, released a report called “Dangerous Discipline,” showing how thousands of students are being arrested.
  Charmetha Payne says her family struggles through homelessness and her son’s father’s death. Her 18-year-old son, Terrant, is on anti-depressant medication and fell asleep in class at Roun
  
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• No charges for Beaumont coach who installed locker room camera

  22-12-2016 01:44 via kxan.com
  
  BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — A grand jury has refused to indict a Beaumont high school football coach who installed a video camera in a locker room in hopes of catching a burglar.
  Kevin Flanigan has been suspended from West Brook High School since Nov. 22 after school district police found tape from the camera while investigating the theft of about $1,000 in cash and cell phones from students over the previous month.
  Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham tells The Beaumont Enterprise th
  
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• Lago Vista woman starts neighborhood watch after report of armed burglary

  22-12-2016 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) — Lago Vista police are trying to figure out what happened during a burglary call in the La Paloma neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
  Police say around 5 a.m., they responded to a call stating a burglary happened at a home on Palomino Cove. The victim told officers two unidentified people held them at gun point. The victim reportedly escaped the suspects and ran to a neighboring house to call 911. After questioning the victim and searching the area, police
  
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• Lago Vista police investigating burglary in La Paloma neighborhood

  22-12-2016 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) — Lago Vista police are trying to figure out what happened during a burglary call in the La Paloma neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
  Police say around 5 a.m, they responded to a call stating a burglary happened at a home on Palomino Cove. The victim told officers two unidentified people held them at gun point. The victim reportedly escaped the suspects and ran to a neighboring house to call 911. After questioning the victim and searching the area, police s
  
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• New ABIA parking options hope to relieve holiday traveling headaches

  22-12-2016 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you’re flying to your holiday destination this year, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is trying to make the trip as seamless and comfortable as possible.
  New parking options are a big part of it. During the Christmas holiday, the airport sees about 15,000 to 18,000 departing passengers a day. That’s several thousand more than on an average day.
  One new option to get to your check-in faster is parking in the Family Friendly Valet. For $18
  
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• Sanctioned Austin ADA attorney now targeting websites

  22-12-2016 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN (AUSTIN) — A Texas attorney, known for filing hundreds of Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits in Austin, now appears to be peppering healthcare businesses across the state with letters asking the recipient to pay $2,000 or be sued for alleged ADA website violations. The letters related to alleged ADA website violations have landed in mailboxes from Amarillo to Beaumont.
  Omar Weaver Rosales’ “demand” letters and threats of litigation
  
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• Austin ADA attorney now targeting websites

  22-12-2016 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN (AUSTIN) — A Texas attorney, known for filing hundreds of Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits in Austin, now appears to be peppering healthcare businesses across the state with letters asking the recipient to pay $2,000 or be sued for alleged ADA website violations. The letters related to alleged ADA website violations have landed in mailboxes from Amarillo to Beaumont.
  Omar Weaver Rosales’ “demand” letters and threats of litigation
  
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