Austin news

• Gigantic gator takes a stroll through Florida nature reserve

  16-01-2017 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  POLK COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — People on social media are going crazy over a massive alligator recorded Sunday at a nature reserve in Polk County, Florida.
  The alligator was recorded crossing a path Sunday at the Circle B Bar Reserve, a protected wildlife area near Lakeland.
  The woman who filmed the gator, Kim Joiner, says it is the biggest alligator she has ever seen.
  Largest alligator ever found in Texas has new home
  Read more: bit.ly/2jRhLQl
  
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• Father, toddler swept into ocean by wave on Oregon beach

  16-01-2017 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  NORTH BEND, Ore. (AP) — The Coast Guard says it has resumed a search for a father and his young son after a wave swept them to sea from an Oregon beach.
  Coast Guard Petty Officer Amanda Norcross said a helicopter crew was continuing the search Monday.
  The 31-year-old Eugene-area man and his 3-year-old son were walking Sunday on a beach about 2 miles north of Cape Blanco when the wave struck.
  The boy’s mother saw it happen and called authorities.
  Crews in helicopters and search boats
  
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• Witnesses describe weekend crash that killed woman, injured 4 others

  16-01-2017 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police are still investigating the cause of a two-vehicle collision that left one woman dead and four other people injured early Sunday morning in northwest Austin.
  Officers responded to the crash involving a Chrysler and Jeep shortly after 2:30 a.m. at the northbound US 183 and Pond Springs Road exit ramp.
  When medics with Austin-Travis County EMS arrived, they found the female front passenger of the Chrysler was dead.
  Three witnesses told KXAN News that the man drivi
  
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• Woman sexually assaulted by her Uber driver in San Antonio, police say

  16-01-2017 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) — A now former Uber driver was arrested in San Antonio on Sunday, charged with the sexual assault of a female passenger he drove home last year, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
  Gabriel Vazquez, 40, drove the 22-year-old woman home on Oct. 12, 2016 after she requested a ride from Uber. The woman was having drinks at a local bar, police say, and was intoxicated to the point she needed help walking.
  She told officers that the driver followed her inside
  
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• Police: Uber driver sexually assaulted female passenger in San Antonio

  16-01-2017 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) — An now former Uber driver was arrested in San Antonio on Sunday, charged with the sexual assault of a female passenger he drove home last year, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
  Gabriel Vazquez, 40, drove the 22-year-old woman home on Oct. 12, 2016 after she requested a ride from Uber. The woman was having drinks at a local bar, police say, and was intoxicated to the point she needed help walking.
  She told officers that the driver followed her inside
  
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• Gene Cernan, last man to walk on the moon, dies

  16-01-2017 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — NASA announced Monday afternoon that astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, has died.
  Cernan, 82, was the commander of what would be the last mission to moon, Apollo 17, having the distinction of being the last astronaut to leave footprints on the lunar surface.
  In total, Cernan logged 566 hours and 15 minutes in space, of which more than 73 hours were spent on the moon, according to his NASA biography.
  He began his NASA service after being one of 14 astrona
  
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• American YouthWorks help beautify historic slave cemetery

  16-01-2017 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to honor King’s legacy, it’s also a Day of Service for many volunteers.
  For American YouthWorks, the Day of Service means beautifying the Burdett Prairie Cemetery in southeast Austin. The historic slave cemetery is where dozens of former slaves, emancipated African-Americans and their descendants were buried.
  Adama Brown has lived in east Austin her whole life and emphasizes the importance of maintaining the historic sit
  
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• US official says Orlando shooter’s widow has been arrested

  16-01-2017 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. law enforcement official says the FBI has arrested the wife of the Orlando nightclub shooter.
  The official says Noor Salman was taken into custody Monday morning in the San Francisco area and is due in court Tuesday in California. She’s facing charges in Florida including obstruction of justice.
  The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
  Noor Salman moved to the San Francisco area after her husband, Oma
  
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• Kyle looks to increase city manager’s salary after housing kerfuffle

  16-01-2017 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — After questions arose last month as to why the city of Kyle was purchasing a home for its city manager and future city managers, City Manager Scott Sellers ultimately decided to decline the deal, claiming it wasn’t a good political move.
  Since the housing option is now off the table, the Kyle City Council is looking to enter into a new three-year contract with Sellers that includes a salary increase. City documents indicate Sellers’ base salary will be incr
  
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• City of Kyle looks to increase city manager’s salary after housing kerfuffle

  16-01-2017 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — After questions arose last month as to why the city of Kyle was purchasing a home for its city manager and future city managers, City Manager Scott Sellers ultimately decided to decline the deal, claiming it wasn’t a good political move.
  Since the housing option is now off the table, the Kyle City Council is looking to enter into a new three-year contract with Sellers that includes a salary increase. City documents indicate Sellers’ base salary will be incr
  
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• Game wardens searching for person poaching deer near Canyon Lake

  16-01-2017 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  CANYON LAKE, Texas (KXAN) — Game wardens are trying to find out who is responsible for poaching white-tailed deer near the Canyon Lake area with a bow and arrow.
  The Texas Parks and Wildlife say two white-tailed deer were killed in the past month. The first buck was killed on Dec. 14 on Farm to Market 2673 near Cranes Mill Road. The second was killed on Jan. 12 near Grandview Forest, close to Canyon Lake Golf and Country Club.
  A photo of the 12-point buck seen around the Startzville a
  
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• Game wardens searching for deer poacher near Canyon Lake

  16-01-2017 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  CANYON LAKE, Texas (KXAN) — Game wardens are trying to find out who is responsible for poaching white-tailed deer near the Canyon Lake area with a bow and arrow.
  The Texas Parks and Wildlife say two white-tailed deer were killed in the past month. The first buck was killed on Dec. 14 on Farm to Market 2673 near Cranes Mill Road. The second was killed on Jan. 12 near Grandview Forest, close to Canyon Lake Golf and Country Club.
  A photo of the 12-point buck seen around the Startzville a
  
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• Oklahoma City firefighters rescue cow stuck in swimming pool

  16-01-2017 18:12 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Think it’s hard for firefighters to rescue a cat in a tree? Try a cow in a swimming pool.
  Firefighters in Oklahoma City were summoned Sunday morning after a homeowner reported hearing some sort of “snorting” coming from his swimming pool area.
  Emergency responders arrived and discovered a hole in the swimming pool’s liner and a cow trapped in the water.
  Oklahoma City Fire Department Battalion Chief Benny Fulkerson says firefighters used their pu
  
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• Winner of MLK Children’s Oratory Competition talks about her speech

  16-01-2017 15:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lives on in young students involved in the 12th Annual MLK Children’s Oratory Competition.
  Finalists from Barbara Jordan Early College Prep, Blackshear Elementary Fine Arts Academy, Maplewood Elementary, Volma Overton Early College Prep and Texas Empowerment Academy competed in a five-minute speech based on the theme:  “As we continue with the legacy of Dr. King and if he were alive today, what would you personally di
  
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• Cast your vote in Austin Chronicle’s Austin Music Awards

  16-01-2017 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –The Austin Chronicle is now taking entries for the Austin Music Awards. Since Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, it’s going to be hard to decide who is the best Austin musician or the best Austin band, that’s why the Austin Chronicle wants your opinion!
  Sarah Wolf with the weekly magazine talks about what categories are new this year.
  Deadline to vote is Jan. 31. All the winners will be announced at the Austin Music Awards on Sunday, March 12 during S
  
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• Limited edition Tim Duncan cereal hits HEB shelves

  16-01-2017 14:48 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — It’s not a box of Wheaties, but Tim Duncan is gracing boxes of H-E-B Slam Duncan O’s. The limited edition cereal with the Spurs’ star officially goes on sale Monday.
  H-E-B says the cereal boxes will have a strict limit of six per customer. The San Antonio-based grocery store chain said the cereal is to celebrate and honor Duncan’s legacy as “one of the most beloved Spurs’ players of all time. HEB is producing up to 400,00
  
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• Police: 5 killed in shooting at nightclub at Mexican resort

  16-01-2017 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — A Mexican police officer said Monday a gunman has killed at least five people and wounded nine others at a nightclub in the Caribbean coast resort of Playa del Carmen.
  The officer who gave the information spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to give details about an ongoing investigation.
  He said that investigators were interviewing witnesses, but didn’t provide further details. The motive for the shooting was unclear.
  The Blue Parr
  
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• Austin honors Martin Luther King Jr. with annual march, day of service

  16-01-2017 13:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Many people have the day off from school or work in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, but hundreds of people will spend the day marching and rallying in Austin in remembrance of the civil rights icon.
  The annual ‘Community March’ is hosted by the Austin Area Heritage Council. Now in its 24th year, this year’s theme is Love=Unity=Power. Organizers say the day is meant to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity an
  
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• Lockhart couple killed in crash will be laid to rest Monday afternoon

  16-01-2017 13:46 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — The funeral for a young couple killed in a crash in Lockhart last week will be held Monday afternoon at the Lockhart High School gymnasium.
  Lauren Garcia, 18, and Isaac Garcia, 21, no relation, died Wednesday evening when another driver ran into their vehicle head-on on Farm to Market 672 and County Road 182. The Lockhart Independent School District says the two were high school sweethearts. Isaac graduated from Lockhart High a few years ago and Lauren was graduati
  
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• Lockhart couple killed in crash laid to rest Monday

  16-01-2017 13:46 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — The funeral for a young couple killed in a crash in Lockhart last week was held Monday afternoon at the Lockhart High School gymnasium.
  Lauren Garcia, 18, and Isaac Garcia, 21, no relation, died Wednesday evening when another driver ran into their vehicle head-on on Farm to Market 672 and County Road 182. The Lockhart Independent School District says the two were high school sweethearts. Isaac graduated from Lockhart High a few years ago and Lauren was graduat
  
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• 32 pounds of meth found during traffic stop in Jarrell

  16-01-2017 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — A traffic stop on Interstate 35 in Jarrell yielded more than 30 pounds of methamphetamines, says the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
  The department says during Friday’s stop, a search of the vehicle revealed drugs were hidden in a compartment within the vehicle. The total amount of methamphetamines the department seized was 32.7 pounds.
  The driver and the passenger were both charged with possession of controlled substance.
  “Williamson County Sh
  
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• Cargo plane crashes in Kyrgyzstan, kills 32

  16-01-2017 13:02 via kxan.com
  
  BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) — The Health Ministry in Kyrgyzstan says a cargo plane has crashed in a residential area just outside the Central Asian country’s main airport, killing 32 people.
  The ministry said Monday that the Turkish airline Boeing 747 crash-landed just outside the Manas airport, south of the capital Bishkek, killing at least 15 people in a residential area adjacent to the airport as well as 17 people onboard the plane.
  Local emergency services are working on the scene.
  
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• Two dogs killed in north Austin trailer home fire

  16-01-2017 11:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Crews with the Austin Fire Department are investigating the cause of a Monday morning fire that destroyed a north Austin trailer, leaving two people without a home.
  The fire started just before 2 a.m. on Pecan Drive, north of US 183, near Georgian Drive. While no one was injured, two dogs died in the fire.
  The two people inside the trailer were able to get out safely and are getting help from the Red Cross for temporary housing. The home is considered a total loss. The
  
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• 2 dogs killed in N. Austin trailer home fire

  16-01-2017 11:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)- Crews with Austin Fire Department are investigating the cause of a Monday morning fire that destroyed a North Austin trailer, leaving two people without a home. The fire started just before 2 a.m. on Pecan Drive, north of Highway 183, near Georgian Drive.
  Fire crews say two dogs died in the fire. The two people inside the trailer were able to get out safely and are getting help from the Red Cross for temporary housing. The home is considered a total loss. The fire department
  
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• Man walks from New York City to Austin in eight months

  16-01-2017 05:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After eight months, a man completed a trip of a lifetime in Austin Saturday afternoon.
  Michael De La Rosa traveled from New York City to Austin- all on foot. De La Rosa began his journey on May 24 and on the 240th day, he step foot at the state Capitol.
  During adolescence, De La Rosa was diagnosed with clinical depression and is using the trip as a chance to re-discover who he is. He is also using this trip to also raise the awareness of mental health across the country.
  &l
  
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• Thieves break into Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department

  16-01-2017 05:03 via kxan.com
  
  BUCHANAN DAM, Texas (KXAN) — The fire chief of the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department is in disbelief that someone would break into the department’s building and cause nearly $40,000 worth of damage.
  “Friday morning around 8 a.m. I received a couple of phone calls from different people passing by that our bay door was open,” said Chief Mark Hutson. When Chief Hutson stepped inside, he says he immediately saw a broken glass window that leads into their office. When he went
  
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• Texans look on as healthcare laws could be repealed in coming days

  16-01-2017 03:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on Friday. One of his key promises was to repeal and replace Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act. Nearly two million Texans got healthcare coverage under the law according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  The first time Kate Payne bought health insurance six years ago was through the Affordable Care Act. Before that, she didn’t have any coverage.
  “There were tax credits avai
  
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• Lake Travis community gathers a week after fire destroys mosque

  16-01-2017 02:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Islamic Center of Lake Travis and the Lake Travis United Methodist church gathered with community members in light of last week’s mosque fire.
  The “Solidarity with the Community” event was held at the Lake Travis United Methodist Church bringing in members from different religious backgrounds.
  Last week’s fire burned down the two-story Islamic Center of Lake Travis that was under construction at the time. Islamic Center of Lake Travis Board
  
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• Cowboys lose to Packers in NFC Divisional game, 34-31

  16-01-2017 02:09 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Georgetown product Mason Crosby kicked a 51-yard field goal with no time left for the Packers to beat the Cowboys, 34-31.
  Green Bay drove 43 yards in 32 seconds to set up the game winning kick after Dan Bailey tied the game for Dallas with a 52-yard field goal with 44 seconds left.
  Dallas’ ends its season with a 13-4 record.
  
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• Obama speaks on Israel, Trump in last White House interview

  16-01-2017 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The increase of Israeli settlements has “gotten so substantial” that it is inhibiting the possibility for an “effective, contiguous Palestinian state,” President Barack Obama said Sunday, in his final interview as president.
  Speaking to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Obama dismissed the idea that there is a “major rupture” in the relationship between the United States and Israel after last month’s decision by the U.S. to abs
  
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