Austin news

• City of Hutto investigation reveals ex-employees using official info for personal gain

  12-04-2017 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Hutto’s city attorney is requesting an outside investigation into whether or not city employees misused official information.
  The city released a press release stating it has identified a series of incidents where employees and others might have disclosed or used information that they obtained by means of their employment for non-governmental purposes. Texas law prohibits public servants from releasing information that would not have otherwise been public.
  The c
  
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• City of Hutto: Ex-employees used official info for personal gain

  12-04-2017 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Hutto’s city attorney is requesting an outside investigation into whether or not city employees misused official information.
  The city released a press release stating it has identified a series of incidents where employees and others might have disclosed or used information that they obtained by means of their employment for non-governmental purposes. Texas law prohibits public servants from releasing information that would not have otherwise been public.
  The c
  
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• Armed road rage suspect led to lockdown at two Round Rock schools

  12-04-2017 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A lockdown of Hopewell Middle School and Union Hill Elementary School has been lifted following a police search for an armed road rage suspect.
  Officers were searching for the suspect in the area of Perch Trail and Bass Loop in Round Rock. They say the suspect, who officers have identified, ran from the scene on foot. They found his weapon in the backyard of a home.
  The two schools are located on Gulf Way, just northeast of the police activity. At around 4:2
  
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• Blanco Middle School counselor accused of having relationship with student

  12-04-2017 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO, Texas (KXAN) — Blanco Middle School counselor Lisa Rogers has been arrested, accused by authorities of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
  Superintendent Dr. Jon Buck Ford, in a letter to school parents, said, the school district was notified Tuesday evening that Rogers had been arrested. Ford says there is an ongoing criminal investigation and sought to reassure parents that “the safety and well-being of all of our students remain our highest priority.&rdquo
  
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• Blanco ISD counselor arrested for alleged relationship with student

  12-04-2017 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO, Texas (KXAN) — Blanco Middle School counselor Lisa Rogers has been arrested, accused by authorities of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
  Superintendent Dr. Jon Buck Ford, in a letter to school parents, said, the school district was notified Tuesday evening that Rogers had been arrested. Ford says there is an ongoing criminal investigation and sought to reassure parents that “the safety and well-being of all of our students remain our highest priority.&rdquo
  
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• Man accused of killing Austin defense attorney at his home

  12-04-2017 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Authorities have made an arrest in the murder of Austin defense attorney James Short. Justin Twyne, 24, has been charged with first degree murder.
  Short, 74, was found dead last week inside a bathroom in his Rockwood Circle home, in southwest Travis County, after a 911 call reported a deceased man at 11:48 a.m. on April 7. According to a police affidavit, detectives at the scene believed the death was a homicide after finding a stab wound that appeared to be caused by
  
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• 2,600 doses of K2 seized after possible distributors arrested

  12-04-2017 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Surveillance of an east Austin apartment prompted Austin police to arrest two men suspected of distributing the synthetic drug that has caused a ‘total drain’ of downtown emergency resources.
  Augustine Amaro, 21, and Rojelio Amaro Jr., 24, are walking the streets of Austin after posting bond for their felony possession charges they received when police arrested them Tuesday around 1 p.m. at the apartment located at 1137 Gunter St.
  Rojelio Amaro Jr., left, and Au
  
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• Further DNA testing denied in Rodney Reed case

  12-04-2017 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — The state’s top criminal appeals court affirmed on Wednesday a lower trial court’s denial of further DNA testing of numerous pieces of evidence in the case of death-row inmate Rodney Reed.
  Reed’s defense team sought post-conviction testing of more than 40 items related to the killing of Stacey Stites. A Bastrop jury convicted Reed of capital murder and sentenced him to death for strangling, sexually assaulting and dumping Stites along a rural
  
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• ‘Charging Bull’ sculptor accuses NYC of violating his rights by leaving ‘Fearless Girl’ up

  12-04-2017 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The sculptor of Wall Street’s “Charging Bull” statue is accusing New York City of violating his legal rights by allowing the “Fearless Girl” statue to be installed facing the bronze beast, without his permission.
  Attorney Norman Siegel told The Associated Press that Arturo Di Modica will explain at a news conference Wednesday exactly how he’s challenging city officials who issued a permit for the bronze girl to stay until February. Siegel
  
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• Family of slain Texas teen to murder suspect: “We will find you”

  12-04-2017 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  BROWNSVILLE, Texas (KVEO) – A missing person case out of Harlingen is officially a homicide investigation.
  Skeletal remains found at a Rio Hondo canal have been identified as 19-year-old Nahomi Rodriguez.
  “I thought this would only happen in movies until it hits home,” said Enedina Sanchez as she faces a sea of media and law enforcement officers.
  Sanchez is Nahomi’s aunt and spoke on behalf of Rodriguez mother as the family begs for justice to be served, “We haven&r
  
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• Travis County DA: Grand jury won’t review all officer-involved cases

  12-04-2017 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hoping to give the public a better understanding of how her newly formed unit to investigate officer-involved shootings will work, Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore announced that not every use of force case involving an officer will be presented to a grand jury.
  “My goal is to give this community some assurance that these investigations do not just involve an examination by the police department, but also involve an independent evaluation by the district
  
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• Texas bill lets officials deny issuing gay marriage licenses

  12-04-2017 17:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas Senate has preliminarily approved a hotly debated bill allowing county judges and other officials to refuse to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couple because of personal religious objections.
  Sen. Brian Birdwell’s proposal passed 21-10 on Tuesday but only applies in when other officials without objections can step in and issue marriage documents. If the substituting official is located outside the county where the marriage license is being sought, documen
  
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• United to compensate people on flight when man dragged off

  12-04-2017 17:27 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines sought to quell the uproar over a man being dragged off a plane by announcing on Tuesday that it would no longer ask police to remove passengers from full flights and would compensate customers who were on the flight when the man was removed.
  In an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” aired Wednesday, United parent company CEO Oscar Munoz said he felt “ashamed” watching video of the man being forced off the jet. He has pro
  
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• United: Airline won’t use police to remove passengers

  12-04-2017 17:27 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — The chief executive of United Airlines said the carrier will no longer ask police to remove passengers from full flights after the uproar over a man who was dragged off a plane by airport officers in Chicago.
  In an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” aired Wednesday, Oscar Munoz said he felt “ashamed” watching video of the man being forced off the jet. He has promised to review the airline’s passenger-removal policy.
  Munoz, who lea
  
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• Prosecutor: ‘Manchester by the Sea’ inspired duo to kill son

  12-04-2017 17:11 via kxan.com
  
  NORWICH, N.Y. (AP) — A couple decided to kill their disabled adoptive son and cover up the crime with a house fire after watching the Oscar-winning movie “Manchester by the Sea,” according to the New York prosecutor handling the case.
  Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said during a bail hearing for Ernest and Heather Franklin last week that Jeffrey Franklin, 16, was killed within two hours of the couple watching the film on Feb. 28, two days after the movie won A
  
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• Missing rail bridge causing delays on westbound US 290

  12-04-2017 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westbound drivers on US 290 should expect delays near Oak Hill as crews work to repair a bridge damaged by a crash.
  The rail bridge at US 290 and Williamson Creek will have concrete barriers in place by rush hour Wednesday, a Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson said.
  The westbound lane will be closed until those barriers are in place much to the ire of drivers.
  KXAN’s Traffic Reporter Amanda Dugan said at around 9 a.m. that the delay was more than 30 minut
  
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• WATCH: Crash and grab burglars make off with guns, ammo

  12-04-2017 16:05 via kxan.com
  
  ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (WFLA) – The security camera video is amazing.
  Just after 2 a.m. Sunday, a blue Toyota Tundra barreled through the front of “Sunshine State Armory” on Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills.
  As the driver backs out, three men wearing hoodies dash in. They load up on guns and ammo. One man runs out with an armful of long guns.
  Zephyrhills Police are trying to see if this case is tied to similar crimes across the Tampa Bay area.
  ”We don’t know that. Certainly
  
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• Couple leaves waitress generous tip and offers to pay off her student loans

  12-04-2017 15:39 via kxan.com
  
  WAIKIKI, HI (KHON) — A waitress at a popular Waikiki restaurant got a very big surprise during her shift.
  Cayla Chandara had been pulling double-duty at two different restaurants in Waikiki.
  She was waiting on a couple from Australia at Noi Thai Cuisine last week.
  She says they hit it off, and they talked quite a bit as the couple dined at the restaurant.
  Texas Trump supporter overwhelmed by reaction to $450 tip
  “They asked me where I was from, and I told them I m
  
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• MADD launches new alcohol awareness campaign for teens and parents

  12-04-2017 15:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With prom season approaching, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is launching a campaign to bring parents and teens together to talk about the dangers of drunk driving.
  The group says its Power of Parents program and PowerTalk 21 campaign will help parents feel more confident talking to their teens about the dangers of underage drinking and why they should never ride in a car driven by someone who has been drinking.
  Parents are encouraged to download Power of Parents handbooks a
  
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• Barton Springs Pool closed due to flooding

  12-04-2017 15:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People looking to unwind with a little swimming Wednesday are going to be out of luck if they were heading to Barton Springs Pool.
  Heavy Tuesday rains have caused concerns about flooding, prompting the closure.
  Austin Parks and Recreation Department will monitor the situation to determine when the pool can reopen.
  The pool was last closed in February after a similar situation.
  For more information, you can call the Barton Springs Pool hotline at 512-867-3080 or Austin Parks
  
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• New Texas school buses could be required to have seat belts

  12-04-2017 14:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas legislators approved $10 million in 2009 for the installation of seat belts in school buses but little progress has been made in the nearly eight years since. Legislators now will be deciding whether or not to make the seat belts a requirement for every new bus purchased in the state.
  The previous legislation required buses to be retrofitted with three-point seat belts, a move that raised the eyebrows of school districts already trying to deal with budget concerns. Si
  
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• State workers rally for first pay raise in 2 years

  12-04-2017 13:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hundreds of state employees are expected to rally outside the State Capitol Wednesday at noon, calling on lawmakers to provide a pay raise for state workers. Right now, the budget does not include a raise. The last raise for state employees was in 2015 when they received a 2.5 percent raise – at the same time their pension contribution went up by 2.6 percent.
  The Texas State Employees Union is calling on lawmakers to use some of the $12 billion in the Rainy Day Fund t
  
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• Plane makes emergency landing west of Llano

  12-04-2017 12:59 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO, Texas (KXAN) — The pilot of a plane that landed on a road west of Llano Tuesday night is safe and received no injuries.
  According the the Texas Department of Public Safety, they were called around 10:20 p.m. for a plane down about a mile west of downtown Llano, where Highway 71 and State Highway 29 run on the same stretch of road.
  RELATED: Pilot with 230 lbs. of marijuana on board arrested at Llano airport
  Authorities said they wouldn’t have more information until Wednesday mo
  
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• Texas students want a say in school curriculum

  12-04-2017 06:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — Students pressed lawmakers for a say in what they learn and how they learn at Texas public schools Tuesday.
  House Bill 1585 would require school districts get input from students before making any major curriculum changes.
  Currently, state law only requires public school districts to hear public comment from teachers, parents, and community members.
  “I really would have taken my education way more seriously if I had some sort of input,” said Uyiosa Elegon.
  A
  
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• Around 50 people rescued in San Marcos flooding

  12-04-2017 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The city of San Marcos says at least 50 people had to be rescued in floodwaters Tuesday.
  The impact of the flooding went beyond water rescues and road closures, it also left behind some significant damage to homes.
  Reports of blocked drainage systems across the city have some people wondering whether new development and construction projects are making matters worse.
  Franklin Lee, Sr., has lived in his home on Valley Street his entire life. “This time here
  
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• Wimberley businesses take precautions for possible flooding

  12-04-2017 04:21 via kxan.com
  
  WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — On Tuesday, floodwaters put parts of Central Texas underwater. A storm system dropped seven inches of rain in less than two hours in San Marcos and the surrounding area.
  The Blanco River has been steadily rising going into Tuesday night, and is expected to crest just over 8 feet. Flood stage is 13 feet.
  Bill Appleman, owner of the Creekhaven Inn in Wimberley, has been taking precautions in case of flooding. His bed and breakfast was hit hardest duri
  
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• National Domestic Violence Hotline could go unanswered if Trump cuts funding

  12-04-2017 03:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Every year the National Domestic Violence Hotline, headquartered in Austin, receives nearly half a million calls from battered men and women pleading for help, but their federal funds are on the chopping block, according to President Trump’s budget proposal.
  The hotline is supported by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. President Trump’s proposal would cut that entire department by 18 percent.
  The CEO of the Domestic Viol
  
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• Hays County moves forward with Onion Creek flood prevention program

  12-04-2017 02:13 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Tuesday morning, Hays County commissioners approved an agreement to work with Travis County regarding flood control measures. Both counties will work together to adopt floodplain regulations, guide future development, and will look at the possibility of buyouts.
  A possible use of that property could be green space or parks. Some neighborhoods in Travis County have already started that process.
  “I know that they have talked to my neighbors,” said Phili
  
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• Hays County extends alcohol sales to 2 a.m.

  12-04-2017 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — People in Hays County will now be able to buy alcoholic drinks later.
  On Tuesday, Hays County Commissioners unanimously voted to pass an agenda item extending the sale of mixed beverages, wine and beer to 2 a.m. Prior to this, businesses and restaurants in the unincorporated areas of the county had to stop selling alcohol at midnight.
  The county is keeping in step with cities within the county that have voted to extend alcohol sale hours as well. In 2014, the ci
  
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• Records: Driver who ran into church bus had taken pills

  12-04-2017 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (AP) — Court records say a 20-year-old man whose pickup collided with a New Braunfels church last month in rural Texas, killing 13 people, had taken prescription medication before driving and had marijuana in his truck.
  The San Antonio Express-News reports that the court records show state troopers found two whole marijuana cigarettes and five partially smoked ones in Jack Dillon Young’s truck after the March 29 crash on a two-lane highway about 75 miles west of San Ant
  
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• Lago Vista ISD braces for state to pull funding away

  12-04-2017 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) — Many school districts are bracing for some tough decisions this fall as a stream of state funding dries up. It’s happening all across Central Texas and Lago Vista ISD is slated to lose 10 percent of its total budget and nearly all of its state funding.
  “It’s challenging to say the least,” said Lago Vista Chief Financial Officer, Melissa Lafferty.
  The handful of people in Lago Vista school administration face losing $1.2 million i
  
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• Lago Vista ISD braces for 10 percent cut in state funding

  12-04-2017 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) — Many school districts are bracing for some tough decisions this fall as a stream of state funding dries up. It’s happening all across Central Texas and Lago Vista ISD is slated to lose 10 percent of its total budget. 
  “It’s challenging to say the least,” said Lago Vista Chief Financial Officer, Melissa Lafferty.
  The handful of people in Lago Vista school administration face losing $1.2 million in state funding through a
  
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• Wet roads were likely a factor in deadly Round Rock crash

  12-04-2017 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A woman who died in a two-vehicle crash on Gattis School Road in Round Rock Monday has been identified.Round Rock police say 34-year-old Renee Nicole Husen, of Round Rock, was driving eastbound on Gattis School Road when she “failed to control” her speed as she approached the intersection of Meister Lane. Police say she crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a Jeep headed westbound.
  Husen died at the scene. The driver of the Jeep was taken to the hospi
  
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• Massage parlor busted after hundreds of condoms clog pipes

  12-04-2017 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A husband and wife accused of running a sex shop posing as a massage parlor in northwest Austin were revealed after hundreds of condoms clogged part of their sewage system.
  On Feb. 7, a detective was assigned to investigate Jade Massage Therapy, at 11416 N. Farm to Market 620 — near Anderson Mill Road — after getting a tip from the property’s management company about possible prostitution at the massage parlor. It was the second such tip the Aust
  
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