Austin news

• Round Rock residents say leaning utility poles don’t look safe

  13-04-2017 23:17 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Driving in Round Rock has certainly become more difficult over the years. Maybe when you’ve been caught in delays you’ve noticed the utility poles that are distinctly leaning to the side at US 79 and Red Bud Lane.
  Bryan Powell has lived in Round Rock for eight years. “I’ve noticed the poles for quite a few years and they seem to be leaning more,” he says.
  Powell says he has noticed the leaning utility poles at US 79 and Red Bud Lane
  
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• San Marcos residents asked to report storm-damaged property

  13-04-2017 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — At least three homes, Bonham and Bowie elementary schools and the San Marcos Public Library were damaged in Tuesday’s storm and flooding.
  Now the city of San Marcos is asking for your help filling in the missing pieces to find out the extent of the storm damage on residents’ property.
  Anyone who had damage to their property in Tuesday’s storm are asked to fill out a survey on the city website, which asks multiple choice questions to ga
  
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• Texas insurance commissioner David Mattax dies of cancer

  13-04-2017 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — Texas Insurance Commissioner David Mattax has died of cancer.
  Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Thursday that he was mourning “the loss of a friend, a colleague and a distinguished public servant” who “truly dedicated his life and career to the state of Texas.”
  Abbott appointed Mattax insurance commissioner — tasked with overseeing Texas’ insurance industry — in 2015.
  Mattax previously spent 23 years in the attorney general’s
  
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• Father of Texas State student dragged by bus files lawsuit

  13-04-2017 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  MARTINDALE, Texas (KXAN) – A number of Texas State University fraternities, sororities and a party bus company are all facing a lawsuit following the death of a Texas State student last October.
  Jordin Taylor’s body was found at Cool River Ranch on Oct. 30 after a Halloween party. According to the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor was found under the rear axle of the bus after being dragged more than 500 feet. The bus is owned and operated by the Skyline Party Bus
  
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• Police chase with sports car ends in SH 71 rollover near Spicewood

  13-04-2017 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A sports car whipped by motorcycle deputies on Paleface Ranch Road Thursday afternoon, speeding at more than 100 miles per hour.
  The deputies gave chase at around 11:15 a.m., but lost sight of the Nissan 350Z before learning it ran a red light on State Highway 71.
  A witness told KXAN the driver in the Nissan ran the red light after seeing the motorcycle deputy make a U-turn. The suspect, identified as Jeremiah Ramirez, then swerved into oncoming traffic to get
  
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• ‘Light of Hope’ event works to prevent child abuse, raise awareness

  13-04-2017 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Last year, Texas Child Protective Services completed 166,753 investigations that confirmed 58,664 children were victims of abuse or neglect in the Lone Star State. More than 200 children in Texas died due to abuse or neglect last year.
  CPS is joining with local governments, community groups, service organizations, activists and other partners to spotlight preventing, recognizing and reporting child abuse. April is also national child abuse prevention month.
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• Boys and Girls Club of Austin celebrates 50 years

  13-04-2017 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There’s a party in Austin and you’re invited.
  Kids in Austin will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Boys and Girls Club of Austin at one of 28 parties across the city.
  The program originated as the “club that beats the streets” and has come a long way to where it’s at today, focusing on children’s futures.
  Misti Potter joined Kate Weidaw on KXAN News at Noon to discuss the significance of the club’s 50th year.
  To find a clu
  
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• Texas Tribune on voter ID law, sanctuary cities

  13-04-2017 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) — Another busy week in Texas politics. Texas Tribune’s Alana Rocha sat down with KXAN on Thursday to recap the decision on the controversial voter ID law as well as the sanctuary city bill at the Texas State Capitol.
  On Monday, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi ruled for a second time that Texas’ strict voter ID law was intentionally crafted to discriminate against minorities. The judge likened the ballot-box rules in Texas to a “
  
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• Get your taxes sent ASAP, there are no extended post office hours in Austin

  13-04-2017 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you’re one of those people that loves waiting in line at the post office or waiting until the last possible second to files your taxes, you might be up a creek on April 18.
  You might consider learning how to E-file because that’s the reason post offices across Austin will close at their normal time on tax day.
  “With more people filing income tax returns electronically, the Post Office has seen a significant decline in mail volume from last minute tax fi
  
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• Austin now offering rebates on chicken coops

  13-04-2017 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a town where there is a funky chicken coop tour, it only makes sense that the city of Austin is now issuing a rebate to residents who purchase a chicken coop.
  Austin Resource Recovery now offers free chicken keeping classes and a $75 rebate on a coop as part of its Home Composting Rebate Program.
  If you’re interested in getting started on having backyard fresh eggs, all you have to do is attend a class, purchase a coop and then apply online for the rebate.
  The
  
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• US hit IS with largest non-nuclear bomb ever used

  13-04-2017 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Thursday struck an Islamic State tunnel complex in eastern Afghanistan with “the mother of all bombs,” the largest non-nuclear weapon ever used in combat by the U.S. military, Pentagon officials said.
  The bomb, known officially as a GBU-43B, or massive ordnance air blast weapon, unleashes 11 tons of explosives. When it was developed in the early 2000s, the Pentagon did a formal review of legal justification for its combat use.
  The
  
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• US drops ‘mother of all bombs’ on Islamic State tunnel

  13-04-2017 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces in Afghanistan on Thursday struck an Islamic State tunnel complex in eastern Afghanistan with “the mother of all bombs,” the largest non-nuclear weapon ever used in combat by the U.S. military, Pentagon officials said.
  The bomb, known officially as a GBU-43B, or massive ordnance air blast weapon, unleashes 11 tons of explosives. When it was developed in the early 2000s, the Pentagon did a formal review of legal justification for its combat use.
  The
  
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• I-35 rock thrower says AIDS made him ‘go insane,’ pleads guilty

  13-04-2017 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — I-35 rock thrower Pat Johnson appeared before a district court judge Thursday and plead guilty to four of the 11 charges against him. The situation unfolded just after lunch after an unusual court proceeding earlier in the day.
  Officers escorted Johnson in on a wheelchair where he told the judge his health is “so poor” he doesn’t think he is fit to stand a jury trial. Johnson said he’s suffered from the AIDS virus for a long time and the “virus
  
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• Lawyer says man dragged off plane has concussion, lost teeth

  13-04-2017 19:12 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — The passenger dragged from a United Express flight suffered a “significant” concussion and broken nose, and he lost two front teeth, one of his lawyers said Thursday.
  Dr. David Dao has been discharged from a hospital but he will require reconstructive surgery, said attorney Thomas Demetrio, whose law firm is representing the 69-year-old Kentucky physician.
  Dao was removed from the plane Sunday after he refused to give up his seat on the full flight from Chicago t
  
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• More DNA tests are being re-done, says DA Moore

  13-04-2017 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In violent crimes like rape and murder, you want to know the DNA in those cases are reliable and accurate to keep criminals off the street.
  KXAN News has learned the DNA testing in many Austin crimes is questionable and can’t be trusted. The Austin Police Department’s DNA lab was shuttered in June of last year after the Texas Forensic Science Commission had concerns about the lack of a properly trained staff and use of outdated methods.
  In November, a memo
  
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• Texas county official charged with DWI had tried asthma brew

  13-04-2017 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  MART, Texas (AP) — A Central Texas elected official charged with drunken driving says he tried a whiskey home brew mixed to relieve his asthma before his arrest.
  Limestone County Judge Daniel Burkeen was arrested Wednesday in Mart after police say he was observed driving in an erratic matter.
  An affidavit says Burkeen, who told the officer he has asthma, slurred his speech and smelled of alcohol. Burkeen was later freed on $1,000 bond.
  Burkeen, in a statement, said he was arrested for DWI,
  
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• All UT police officers will begin wearing body cameras immediately

  13-04-2017 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The chief of the University of Texas’ on campus police force said Thursday the fact his officers will start wearing body cameras is a “huge step forward” for campus safety.
  The cameras will record only interactions an officer has with someone while acting in an official capacity. While they could be used to record victim or witness statements, the department said they have policies in place to protect them.
  The cameras were the department’s idea. Whi
  
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• Dallas police adopts ‘cite and release’ policy for less than 4 oz. marijuana

  13-04-2017 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Dallas police this fall will start issuing misdemeanor citations and releasing some people found with less than 4 ounces (about 113 grams) of marijuana.
  The Dallas City Council on Wednesday approved the plan, effective Oct. 1. The measure, known as cite and release, applies to people with less than 4 ounces of marijuana who are not alleged to have committed other crimes.
  The Dallas Police Association questioned the measure.
  Marijuana penalty reduction up for debate by lawmake
  
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• Travis County D.A. and Austin police chief talk new ‘use of force’ policies

  13-04-2017 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore announced that not every use of force case involving an officer will be presented to a grand jury.
  The Civil Rights Division will respond to an officer-involved shooting scene, observe an investigation and be around to ask questions about the handling of a case, taking an objective look to determine if an officer committed a crime. The unit will also respond to any ‘use of force’ case.
  D.A. Moore an
  
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• Bandai relaunches original Tamagotchi

  13-04-2017 15:35 via kxan.com
  
  JAPAN (WCMH) – Japanese toy company Bandai is relaunching their classic handheld games, the Tamagotchi.
  The virtual pets were popular in the 1990s.
  Owners had to care for and hatch eggs, and then care for and feed the pet within.
  There have been multiple digital and altered versions over the past couple decades, but this is the first relaunch of the original game.
  Right now the toys are only available in Japan, and are selling on Amazon Japan for $13. It’s probably only a matter of t
  
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• VIDEO: 4-year-old dodges bullets as suspects fire shots into barbershop

  13-04-2017 15:16 via kxan.com
  
  CHANDLER, AZ (NBC News) — A 4-year old girl was nearly shot while playing in an Arizona barbershop.
  This video from a security camera inside the shop shows the child hanging around near the front windows.
  What no one inside knew at the time was that three men had just had a verbal dispute in the tattoo parlor next door.
  When the men left the tattoo shop and drove off, one man, Michael David Hart, 23, allegedly fired at least three rounds towards the tattoo parlor.
  Instead of hitting t
  
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• Renewed push for ‘pass the trash’ bill as Blanco ISD counselor arrested

  13-04-2017 14:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas lawmakers are renewing their fight to pass a bill that would crackdown on the growing number of teachers accused of inappropriate relationships with students.
  This comes as Blanco ISD confirmed that police arrested one of its teachers this week. Lisa Rogers is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. She has worked for the district as a counselor for 20 years.
  Crimes like this are an issue state lawmakers are so concerned about that some of them
  
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• Renewed push for bill to crackdown on inapproriate student-teacher relationships

  13-04-2017 14:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas lawmakers are renewing their fight to pass a bill that would crackdown on the growing number of teachers accused of inappropriate relationships with students.
  This comes as Blanco ISD confirmed that police arrested one of its counselors this week. Lisa Rogers is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. She has worked for the district as a counselor for 20 years.
  Crimes like this are an issue state lawmakers are so concerned about that some of th
  
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• VIDEO: Alligator vs. Horse

  13-04-2017 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Krystal Berry was with a group of friends at Paynes Prairie State Park in Alachua County when they came across something you don’t see everyday, an alligator and a wild horse in a stand-off.
  The stallion appears to have a herd behind him. He takes one look at the alligator, and nature sets in.
  The horse charges and stomps all over the gator, not once, but twice. The second go-around, the alligator takes a bite out of the horse’s leg.
  Just as q
  
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• Major healthcare company could bring hundreds of jobs to Austin

  13-04-2017 12:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A big name in healthcare could be moving to Austin and bringing 600 jobs with an average salary of $84,000. Thursday, Austin City Council will decide if they want to provide some big incentives to encourage Merck to set up shop in the city.
  It’s the latest big name company that has its sights set on Austin where company officials say they want to set up an information technology hub. Essentially, they want to invest $28 million in the city over 10 years to create and
  
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• K2, I-35 underpass lighting on Austin City Council agenda

  13-04-2017 12:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Among Thursday’s agenda items, Austin City Council is set to take on health and safety concerns tied to the homeless, as well as a housing plan that hopes to help people stay in their homes.
  IH-35 Underpass Lighting projectThis item calls for the execution of a construction contract for the project. The two parking lots under the Interstate 35 overpass between East Sixth and East Eighth Streets are federally owned lots, but fall under the city’s control through
  
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• Have your say about adding free public toilets to downtown Austin

  13-04-2017 10:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin wants to hear from you about a pilot program that could result in public toilets being installed downtown.
  The plan, suggested in January, would add free, 24-hour public toilets to the busy downtown area. The locations would still need to be determined, along with funding, design and safety; but the goal is to have strategically located toilets to benefit those enjoying outdoor activities, as well as late night crowds pouring onto the streets wh
  
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• Busy road reopens after late-night crash in Cedar Park

  13-04-2017 09:57 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Cedar Park police are investigating a Wednesday night crash between a car and a truck that shut down South Bell Boulevard, also known as Highway 183, at Little Elm Trail for several hours.
  The crash happened at 10:20 p.m
  Police had shut down all lanes of South Bell Boulevard from Avery Ranch Boulevard to Cypress Creek Road from 10:30 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. .
  Williamson County EMS first responders took three people from the crash to St. David’s Round Rock Medi
  
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• Houston City Council bans homeless camps in public places

  13-04-2017 05:10 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston City Council has approved an ordinance that bans homeless camps in public places and also cracks down on panhandling.
  Council members on Wednesday approved the measure that prohibits temporary shelters, tents and unauthorized cooking devices in public areas. People who block Houston roads, sidewalks or building entrances could be cited for a misdemeanor violation.
  Officials have said the measure was prompted by complaints from the public. The ordinance takes effe
  
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• Coyotes spotted in Round Rock have neighbors on alert

  13-04-2017 04:19 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — City officials have put out a warning to neighbors in the Round Rock West subdivision about coyotes in the area.
  A woman who reached out to KXAN said her cat was beheaded in February by the coyotes. Her wildlife camera facing the greenbelt behind her home has caught the animals on camera.
  She says the neighborhood fears taking small dogs out at night, and now are worried about being out during daytime after seeing a photo taken by a neighbor of two coyo
  
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• Top liquor regulator got ‘hazardous duty’ pay on Hawaii junket

  13-04-2017 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — The state’s top liquor regulator got “hazardous duty pay” — typically provided to state employees doing risky work — while attending alcohol industry conferences at fancy resorts in Hawaii, Florida and California, state records show.
  The reason: Sherry Cook was trained as a “peace officer” — a cop — a designation that allowed the director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to increase her take-home pay,
  
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• ACC partners with Concordia University Texas to offer bachelor’s degrees

  13-04-2017 02:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A program to offer community college students a private school degree at a much cheaper rate was announced Wednesday by Austin Community College District and Concordia University Texas.
  With this program ACC students would attend community college for three years then Concordia University for one year, graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree from ACC and a Bachelor’s of Applied Arts and Sciences from Concordia. Students in this program will study busine
  
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• Woman stealing mail from Leander doorstep caught on tape

  13-04-2017 02:33 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A woman filmed on two hope surveillance cameras stealing an Amazon parcel from the front porch of a Leander home now has the community and the police department looking to identify her.
  The theft happened just before 5 p.m. Monday on Montebelluna Place in Leander’s Travisso neighborhood. The homeowner reached out to KXAN with the video, surprised by the woman’s brazen theft with neighbors around.
  MORE: Woman caught on video stealing fruit bowl
  
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• Round Rock considering taller buildings near historic downtown

  13-04-2017 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The city of Round Rock is considering a zoning change that would allow developers to build taller buildings near the historic downtown area. The proposal would progressively raise the limits as you move west from Mays Avenue toward Interstate 35. The city says allowing taller buildings would bring more businesses into the city.
  “Particularly in this area where there is not a lot of single family residential, it just makes sense to allow the building heights
  
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• More work, same pay: state employees reeling from hiring freeze

  13-04-2017 01:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — State workers say many state agencies can’t keep up with the workload after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a hiring freeze earlier this year. Many lay the blame at the feet of lawmakers for digging this hole in the first place.
  Last budget, the state had $113 billion in state funds at its disposal. The state ended up spending less than the amount allotted. Lawmakers gave Texans $4 billion in tax relief and dedicated $5 billion to Texas highways. Then, the state didn’t
  
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• Is a delay in highway funds constitutional? Top senator asks attorney general

  13-04-2017 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a letter obtained by KXAN, Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, asked Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office to weigh in on delaying $2.5 billion in state highway funds until the next budget. The decision could dramatically impact what lawmakers do with the state budget.
  Sen. Nelson asked, “Would a delay in making each fiscal year deposit to the state highway… until September of the following fiscal year violate that constitutional prov
  
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• Parents scramble as flooding temporarily closes San Marcos Pre-K

  13-04-2017 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — San Marcos CISD temporarily closed its only Pre-K school after a fast-moving storm flooded the school Tuesday afternoon.
  The district said it called and emailed parents about the canceled classes at Bonham Pre-K, as damage response teams started a 3-day cleanup Wednesday.
  One of the district’s assistant superintendents, Monica Ruiz-Mills, said all but three or four classrooms were flooded as the storm moved through the area. Students were still in clas
  
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• Mumps cases in Texas reach 20-year high

  13-04-2017 00:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Since the beginning of this year, Texas has seen 221 mumps cases, the most the state has recorded since 1994 when there were 234 cases. The Texas Department of State Health Services says the number of mumps cases has reached a 20-year high, which has health officials worried.
  There have been multiple outbreaks across the state, but health departments are centering in on South Padre Island. Currently, the state says there have been 13 mumps cases in people who traveled
  
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