Austin news

• Boarding home residents fornicating and trespassing, according to lawsuit

  29-12-2016 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Neighbors of Zoe’s Safe Place say the North Austin boarding home’s residents are a nuisance, and they are disrupting business, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
  Lawrence E. Meyers, as a manager of the Ramon Burstyn Irrevocable Trust, is the plaintiff and filed the petition and application for permanent injunction. The trust owns two commercial properties that are leased by a motorcycle shop and optometrist office next to Zoe’s Safe Place
  
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• Russia says new US sanctions signal Obama’s ‘aggressive foreign policy’

  29-12-2016 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia’s interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.
  The State Department also has kicked out 35 Russian diplomats from its embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the U.S. The diplomats were declared persona non grata for acting in a &l
  
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• Two dead in possible murder-suicide in Round Rock

  29-12-2016 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Police are at the scene of what they believe to be a murder-suicide in Round Rock, Thursday afternoon.
  Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the home at around 12:45 p.m. The initial report to police was that one of those involved was armed with a handgun. Deputies arrived at the home on Hunters Lodge Drive in the Vista Oaks subdivision to find a man and woman deceased with gunshot wounds.
  Police have blocked off the area around the
  
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• Police believe two dead in Round Rock a result of murder-suicide

  29-12-2016 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Police are at the scene of what they believe to be a murder-suicide in Round Rock, Thursday afternoon.
  Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the home at around 1 p.m. Named of the deceased are being withheld until the family is notified and deputies say there is no threat to the public.
  A KXAN Viewer says there is a large presence of law enforcement near the intersection of Indian Oaks and Hunters Lodge Cove, just north of Ranch to Market
  
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• Husband, wife die in murder-suicide in Round Rock

  29-12-2016 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The death of a couple in Round Rock has been deemed a murder-suicide.
  Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the home at around 12:45 p.m. Thursday. The initial report to police was that one of those involved was armed with a handgun. Deputies arrived at the home on Hunters Lodge Drive in the Vista Oaks subdivision to find a husband and wife deceased with gunshot wounds.
  “It is an unfortunate, tragic situation. Two people have l
  
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• San Antonio-area police officer accused of sexually abusing teen

  29-12-2016 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A longtime San Antonio-area police officer has been arrested on a charge that he engaged in a sexual relationship with his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter.
  Forty-two-year-old Jesus Gonzalez was being held Thursday at the Bexar County jail on a count of continuous sexual assault of a child.
  An arrest warrant shows the girl’s mother notified authorities after finding images on a cellphone.
  Records provided by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement show Gonza
  
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• Fire rips through Blanco Riverside Bar

  29-12-2016 20:57 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO, Texas (KXAN) — A fire destroyed a popular bar and restaurant along the Blanco River in Blanco Thursday morning.
  The Blanco County News reports the fire started around 9 a.m. at the Blanco Riverside Bar. It took firefighters about an hour to get the fire under control.
  Officials tell the Blanco County News the fire caused heavy damage to the business. No one was injured in the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
  Fire rips through the Blanco Riverside Bar o
  
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• Top 10 viewed stories on KXAN.com in 2016

  29-12-2016 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a year where Donald Trump dominated the news landscape, it was no different on KXAN.com. But it wasn’t all Trump, all the time.  KXAN.com kept you updated on all the news happening in the area.
  Here are the most read stories on KXAN.com in 2016.
  10. ‘Lion’s share’ of I-35 rock attacks linked to one man
  From the summer of 2014 to the summer of 2016, Austin police said nearly 100 cars were damaged from rocks that were thrown along Interstate 35
  
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• SH 71 eastbound down to one lane at US 183

  29-12-2016 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you’re trying to get to Austin Bergstrom International Airport on Thursday, there are some lane closures around there due to a water main break.
  The water main break at US 183 South and State Highway 71 was reported around 9:30 a.m. While crews are working to repair the problem, the ramp from northbound US 183 to eastbound SH 71 is blocked. SH 71 going eastbound is also reduced down to one lane at the intersection.
  Drivers should expect these closures to continue t
  
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• Travis County takes over ownership of historic federal courthouse

  29-12-2016 18:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After sitting empty for the past several years, the historic federal courthouse in downtown Austin will be transformed into a probate court for Travis County.
  On Thursday, the deed for the building located at 200 W. 8th St. was officially transferred from the federal government to Travis County. On hand for the occasion were U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and General Services Administrator Sylvia He
  
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• Judge: Texas must give number of heat-related prison deaths

  29-12-2016 18:14 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the state to disclose the number of heat-related deaths that have occurred in Texas prisons since 1990.
  U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison at a hearing Wednesday in Houston gave the state 30 days to comply.
  The order comes as part of a federal civil rights lawsuit filed in 2013 that contends at least 13 inmates have died of heat-related deaths since 2007, including 11 in 2011 when a heat wave brought some of the hottest temperatures on record.
  The
  
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• Cedar count reaches second highest level in recorded history

  29-12-2016 17:47 via kxan.com
  
  Allergy sufferers beware, strong winds from a dry cold front early this morning have kicked up cedar pollen. A lot of cedar pollen.
  According to our allergy partners at Allergy & Asthma Associates, today’s cedar count of 21,952 grains per cubic meter is the second highest cedar count in recorded history.
  Here’s where it ranks compared to other recent cedar pollen spikes:
  Mid-1990s
  32,000 grains/cubic meterDec. 29, 2016
  21,952 grains/cubic meterJan. 15, 2014
  21,400 grain
  
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• Texas teenager opts for pushups after being caught with pot

  29-12-2016 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A North Texas police officer recently gave a teenager the option of being cited for marijuana possession or doing 200 pushups after the boy was caught smoking pot outside a movie theater.
  The teen opted for the pushups after Arlington officer Eric Ball smelled the odor of marijuana.
  Police Lt. Christopher Cook says Ball was working an off-duty detail at the theater when he came across the teen. He found the boy’s mother inside the theater and the woman hugged
  
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• Thousands of dollars worth of fireworks stolen from Big Tex stand

  29-12-2016 17:17 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — When the owner of OH’ HAIL Fireworks by Big Tex went to open his stand Wednesday morning, he found his shelves nearly empty. The owner of the stand located at SH 130 and Parmer Lane said the thieves came in and stole thousands of dollars worth of fireworks.
  The operator of the fireworks stand says the burglary happened sometime between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m on Dec. 28. The operator sleeps in a trailer next to the stand, but says he didn’t hear anything.
  
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• $15K worth of fireworks stolen from Big Tex stand

  29-12-2016 17:17 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — When the owner of OH’ HAIL Fireworks by Big Tex went to open his stand Wednesday morning, he found his shelves nearly empty. The owner of the stand located at SH 130 and Parmer Lane said the thieves came in and stole nearly $15,000 worth of fireworks.
  The operator of the fireworks stand says the burglary happened sometime between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m on Dec. 28. The operator sleeps in a trailer next to the stand, but says he didn’t hear anything. When
  
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• Federal court rules police can shoot your dog if necessary

  29-12-2016 14:03 via kxan.com
  
  SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – A federal court recently made a ruling that could be pretty scary for most dog owners. It said police can shoot your dog if the animal moves or even barks when an officer tries to enter your home.
  But, is using that kind of force on a dog too excessive?
  “I think that really the first option should be their Taser not their gun,” Cindy McManus, a dog owner said.
  McManus is a dog lover and works at Savannah Animal Care. When she first heard the ruling she wa
  
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• Neighbor saves family from house fire injuring 3 kids, 1 adult

  29-12-2016 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A family of six is calling their neighbor a hero for noticing their house was on fire and waking everyone up to get out safely Thursday morning.
  “I kicked open the garage door to make it to the backdoor and I was just yelling and telling everyone to get out of the house and everybody made it,” said neighbor Chad Harrigan, who the family says saved their lives.
  Harrigan says he saw the glow coming from their home on the 4700 block of Nuckols Crossing around 5:40
  
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• Neighbor saves family from house fire, 4 injured

  29-12-2016 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A family of six is calling their neighbor a hero for noticing their house on fire and waking everyone up to get out safely Thursday morning.
  “I kicked open the garage door to make it to the backdoor and I was just yelling and telling everyone to get out of the house and everybody made it,” said neighbor Chad Harrigan, who the family says saved their lives.
  Harrigan says he saw the glow coming from their home on the 4700 block of Nuckols Crossing around 5:40 a.m.
  
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• House catches on fire in Southeast Austin injuring 3 kids, 1 adult

  29-12-2016 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three children and one adult have been taken to the hospital after their house caught fire in southeast Austin Thursday morning, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  The house’s porch on the 4700 block of Nuckols Crossing caught on fire and then spread around 5:40 a.m. The family was woken up by a window of the house breaking and not the smoke alarm.
  The Austin Fire Department says they had trouble getting water to the house because it was so far from the street. Th
  
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• ‘Merry Christmas!’ Georgia baker botches Hanukkah cake

  29-12-2016 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  THOMASVILLE, Ga. (MEDIA GENERAL) — Well, one Georgia baker has had better days.
  A photo of a botched cake, first unearthed by The Daily Dot, is making the rounds on social media today. A person named Ben Altman posted the photo of a Hanukkah cake to Facebook on Tuesday, quoting his brother: “This is what happens when you order a cake for a Hannukah [sic] party in Thomasville, GA.”
  Here’s the photo, then we will dissect all of its delicious flaws.First, and most glaringly
  
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• Victim pistol whipped, robbed on Christmas day date

  29-12-2016 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Christmas night date turned into a robbery for a man just “looking for love” on the dating website Plenty of Fish, according to the affidavit.
  On Dec. 25 Austin Police say Cherice Rachelle Doster, 25, lured the victim by setting up a date on the website. The victim agreed to meet her at the Hunter’s Chase Apartments, just off Pond Springs Road around 9:15 p.m.
  Officers say, when the victim arrived, they went into an apartment that the victim describ
  
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• Christmas date turns into robbery for Austin man ‘looking for love’

  29-12-2016 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Christmas night date turned into a robbery for a man just “looking for love” on the dating website Plenty of Fish, according to the affidavit.
  On Dec. 25 Austin Police say Cherice Rachelle Doster, 25, lured the victim by setting up a date on the website. The victim agreed to meet her at the Hunter’s Chase Apartments, just off Pond Springs Road around 9:15 p.m.
  Officers say, when the victim arrived, they went into an apartment that the victim describ
  
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• Family of naked man who died after jumping on cars says he was set-up

  29-12-2016 12:43 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla.  (WFLA) – Tampa Police continue their investigation into the bizarre incident that played out on Dale Mabry Highway Wednesday morning.
  Nathan Howard Hamilton, 39, ran across the highway, jumped on a car, and then repeatedly bashed his head into the windshield.
  He was later taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he died.
  Family members spoke exclusively to News Channel 8’s Paul Mueller, telling him that they believe he was on drugs, but there’s more to
  
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• Man shot to death in northwest Austin, police searching for suspect

  29-12-2016 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police say a man is dead after a shooting on Quinn Trail around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The shooting was on the 12900 block of Quinn Trail, near Parmer Lane and McNeil Drive.
  Man dies in shooting on Quinn Trail (KXAN Photo/ Todd Bailey)Austin/Travis County EMS says victim is estimated to be in his 20s. He was shot after a disturbance and taken to the hospital where he died.
  “About 1:30 a.m. the Austin Police Department responded to Quinn Trail regarding reports of
  
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• Man dies in northwest Austin shooting, police searching for suspect

  29-12-2016 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police say a man is dead after a shooting on Quinn Trail around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The shooting was on the 12900 block of Quinn Trail, near Parmer Lane and McNeil Drive.
  Man dies in shooting on Quinn Trail (KXAN Photo/ Todd Bailey)Austin/Travis County EMS says victim is estimated to be in his 20s. He was shot after a disturbance and taken to the hospital where he died.
  “About 1:30 a.m. the Austin Police Department responded to Quinn Trail regarding reports of
  
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• Man dies in North Austin shooting, police searching for suspect

  29-12-2016 11:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police say a man is dead after a shooting on Quinn Trail around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
  The shooting was on the 12900 block of Quinn Trail, near Parmer Lane and McNeil Drive.
  Man dies in shooting on Quinn Trail (KXAN Photo/ Todd Bailey)Austin/Travis County EMS says the man is estimated to be in his 20s. He was shot after a disturbance and taken to the hospital where he died.
  “About 1:30 a.m. the Austin Police Department responded to Quinn Trail regarding reports o
  
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• Scores honor Carrie Fisher at Austin lightsaber vigil

  29-12-2016 05:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Before news of her mother’s death came out, scores of Star Wars fans came out in Austin to honor the memory of Carrie Fisher
  The Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar held a lightsaber vigil for the actress best known for her Star Wars movie role, “Princess Leia”.
  Many fans dressed in Star Wars costumes, paying tribute both to Fisher and the character she brought to life.
  PHOTOS: Remembering Carrie Fisher through the years
  Niki Powers, a Princess Leia fan,
  
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• Texas GOP could face inner party battle in upcoming session

  29-12-2016 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — The State Capitol building is pretty quiet this time of year, but that will change when the Texas legislature convenes Jan. 10.
  “There will be a fight that brews,” said political consultant, David Butts.
  Political insiders, like Butts, expect this will be a contentious session with the some internal battles within Texas GOP over local control versus state control. Some hard line Republicans want the state to have more of a say in what loca
  
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• Austin police looking for drunk drivers for extended no refusal days

  29-12-2016 04:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We’re still days away from the anticipated New Year’s Eve festivities, but Austin police want to remind you, they have been out since Dec. 15 and will continue to enforce no refusal through the first day of 2017.
  “We want people to come [to Austin] and have a good time, but be smart about it, be safe about it, because it’s not just the Police Department’s responsibility, its the community’s responsibility to make sure that everybody that
  
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• Police investigate thousands of dollars worth of toys reported stolen

  29-12-2016 04:03 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop police are looking into the reported theft of gifts from the Bastrop Pink Santa program.
  “It’s aggravating, I just don’t know what to do,” said Patricia Stark, president of Bastrop Pink Santa.
  Stark spent Wednesday going through inventory to identify which toys were missing. She initially estimated the value of the missing gifts to be at least $2,000. Stark says, because of the theft, the organization had to give children gifts from t
  
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• Bastrop Pink Santa reports thousands of dollars worth of toys stolen

  29-12-2016 04:03 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop police are looking into the reported theft of gifts from the Bastrop Pink Santa program.
  “It’s aggravating, I just don’t know what to do,” said Patricia Stark, president of Bastrop Pink Santa.
  Stark spent Wednesday going through inventory to identify which toys were missing. She initially estimated the value of the missing gifts to be at least $2,000. Stark says, because of the theft, the organization had to give children gifts from t
  
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• Oldest American veteran needs help staying in East Austin home

  29-12-2016 02:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In his 110 years on this planet, Richard Overton has seen a lot. The country’s oldest veteran has met many presidents and celebrities, but the one place the United States Army veteran enjoys the most is his front porch.
  Overton built his East Austin house in 1945, and it’s now a struggle to stay inside. His current caretaker can no longer provide for him and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits do not cover around the clock at-home care. “When you&rsquo
  
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• New cremation fee passed on to Travis County families

  29-12-2016 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County will now start charging families who want a cremation $25. The authorization fee went into effect last week after Travis County commissioners passed the measure in October.
  Robert Falcon, who owns Affordable Burial and Cremation Service, is concerned about the fee. He said the cremation permit is quick and all done electronically, so he doesn’t understand why the county is now charging families. “There is no plausible reason why,” said F
  
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• Utility relocation brings safety concerns in eastern Travis County

  29-12-2016 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Construction can be seen everyone in the eastern sector of Travis County. But some who live along Farm to Market 969 are worried about how one project is leaving utilities exposed.
  Three large holes, several feet deep, sit outside Cecilia Ryan’s house on FM 969 in between Farm to Market 973 and Blue Bluff Road. She says they’ve been there for more than a month.
  “I don’t know what to do. I wish I could leave. I’d leave right now an
  
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• Thieves steal computers from Hays County Food Bank

  29-12-2016 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Just before Christmas, thieves targeted the Hays County Food Bank and stole computers they use on a daily basis to make sure food gets to those in need.
  “We had about $2,000 worth of computer equipment stolen from us,” said Hays County Food Bank Communications Coordinator Mallory Raschke.
  Without that equipment, the food bank was left checking in all of their clients and donations by hand. A process that would normally take minutes, took hours.
  &ldquo
  
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• Two dead in Apache helicopter crash into water near Houston

  29-12-2016 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  SEABROOK, Texas (KXAN) — A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter went down in the water in the Houston Ship Channel, Wednesday afternoon.
  According to KPRC, two people are confirmed dead in the crash.
  Rescue crews were in recovery mode following the crash in shallow waters not far from shore. Video shows a Coast Guard helicopter and dive teams are at the scene, along with first responders on dry land at the Bayport Cruise Terminal.
  Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Kendrick
  
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• Reports: Apache helicopter goes down in water near Houston

  29-12-2016 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  SEABROOK, Texas (KXAN) — A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter went down in the water near Seabrook, Texas, near La Porte, Wednesday afternoon.
  According to KTRK, rescue crews are now in recovery mode. Video shows a Coast Guard helicopter and dive teams are at the scene, along with first responders stationed on shore at the Bayport Cruise Terminal.
  KTRK cites the U.S. Coast Guard as reporting two people were on board the helicopter when it went down in the water, around 20 miles southe
  
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• Apache helicopter goes down in water near Houston

  29-12-2016 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  SEABROOK, Texas (KXAN) — A U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter went down in the water in the Houston Ship Channel, Wednesday afternoon.
  According to KTRK, rescue crews are now in recovery mode. Video shows a Coast Guard helicopter and dive teams are at the scene, along with first responders stationed on shore at the Bayport Cruise Terminal.
  Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Kendrick says the Apache helicopter based at nearby Ellington Field was carrying two people. Witnesses h
  
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