Austin news

• AFD battles 4-acre brush fire in southwest Austin

  04-07-2017 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire Department firefighters battled a brush fire caused by an electrical arc in southwest Austin Tuesday afternoon.
  AFD responded to the fire on a private ranch near SH 45 and Escarpment Boulevard around 1:30 p.m. The fire was contained at four acres, but crews remain on scene putting out hot spots.Crews continue to battle extreme radiant heat from cut cedar piles as well as ambient temps pic.twitter.com/DmiuVmYhu7
  — Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) July 4,
  
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• UT Austin to begin offering online Masters of Nutrition degree this fall

  04-07-2017 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students seeking their Master of science in Nutritional Sciences at UT Austin will soon be able to receive their entire degree from a laptop in their own home. This entirely-online master’s program will be available for the first time this fall.
  Molly Bray, chair of UT’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, explained that what sparked this program was a change in requirements for dietitians.
  “All registered dietitians will be required to have master’s
  
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• Joey Chestnut wins 10th title, gobbles a record 72 hot dogs

  04-07-2017 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Joey “Jaws” Chestnut gulped, chomped and powered his way to a 10th title on Tuesday, continuing his record-setting reign as the chowing champion at the annual Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest.
  Shoving water-soaked buns and wriggling franks into his mouth on a hot, sunny day on the Coney Island boardwalk, he downed 72 dogs and buns in 10 minutes to beat his own record and hoist the Mustard Belt for a 10th time. The San Jose, California, ma
  
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• July 4th honor flight takes veterans on a trip to Washington D.C.

  04-07-2017 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Twenty-four World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans kicked off their 4th of July with a special flight to our nation’s capitol.
  Honor Flight Austin departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Tuesday morning for Washington D.C. Before boarding their plane, the veterans were greeted by a procession led by the TSA Honor Guard and Austin Police Department Bag Pipes and Drum Corps.
  The trip will give the group the opportunity to experience memorials built in the
  
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• 16-year-old boy drowns in Lake Georgetown

  04-07-2017 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A 16-year-old boy has drowned while swimming in Lake Georgetown Tuesday afternoon, police say.
  According to Georgetown Police, the boy had been swimming near the boat ramp in Cedar Breaks Park, on the south side of the lake, when he went under and did not surface, just before 12:30 p.m.
  The Georgetown Public Safety Dive Team recovered his body around two hours later in 32 feet of water. The boy’s name has not been released at this time.
  
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• Thousands in north Austin neighborhood delight in annual July 4th parade

  04-07-2017 21:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 4th of July wouldn’t be what it is without parades and street sides lined with children and families dressed from head to toe in red, white and blue.
  That was the scene along North Hills Drive Tuesday morning in North West Austin, with hundreds waving flags at oncoming service vehicles, antique cars and marching bands. Neighbors’ smiles cracked while catching candy and bodies stayed cool underneath the spray of water guns courtesy of local athletic tea
  
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• Man’s body discovered in the Comal River on Fourth of July

  04-07-2017 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — A group of river-goers discovered a man’s body in the Comal River on the 4th of July.
  The New Braunfels Police Department responded to the 300 block of South Gilbert Avenue just after 11 a.m. for reports of a possible drowning.
  When police arrived, they found that a group of river-goers had located a man  in the water unconscious and not breathing. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but were unsuccesful.
  The identity of the man has not
  
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• PHOTOS: Central Texans celebrating Fourth of July

  04-07-2017 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s America’s birthday and people are celebrating all across the area with parades, fireworks and other fun festivities.
  Here’s a look at what is happening around the various cities. Have a cute patriotic picture to share, submit it via our ReportIt page.
  If you’re looking for a big fireworks event, check our listing here. Fourth of July 2017 Fourth of July Fireworks at Avery Ranch on July 3, 2017. (Report It:Ash Kumar)Families at Red, White and Bud
  
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• North Austin amusement park Kiddie Acres closes after 38 years

  04-07-2017 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A North Austin amusement park that has delighted children for decades took its final ride on Friday.
  The owners of Kiddie Acres Amusement Park & Miniature golf, located at 4800 Howard Lane, made the announcement on Facebook, saying they were retiring after 38 years.The amusement park, which featured a merry-go-round, train, miniature golf, boats and pony rides, was a popular spot for children’s birthday parties and other events.
  According to the Kiddie Acres&rsquo
  
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• Kiddie Acres closes after 38 years, will auction off rides

  04-07-2017 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A North Austin amusement park that has delighted children for decades took its final ride on Friday.
  The owners of Kiddie Acres Amusement Park & Miniature golf, located at 4800 Howard Lane, made the announcement on Facebook, saying they were retiring after 38 years.The amusement park, which featured a merry-go-round, train, miniature golf, boats and pony rides, was a popular spot for children’s birthday parties and other events.
  According to the Kiddie Acres&rsquo
  
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• Man charged with making terroristic threat on Cap Metro bus

  04-07-2017 17:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police have charged a man with threatening the driver of a Capital Metro bus on Monday.
  According to an affidavit, police say Timothy Warfield, 42, threatened the driver after he boarded the bus on at the corner of Anderson Lane and Burnet Road in North Austin. The driver said Warfield had gotten onto the back of the bus and tried to pay with an expired card.
  When the driver told Warfield that the card was expired and he needed to pay, Warfield allegedly ran to the f
  
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• 4 decades of patriotism: Austin man plays Independence Day concert

  04-07-2017 15:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kurt Moede started playing french horn because his brother was doing it.
  That was decades ago. Now, the Austin man plays concerts for the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
  “We’re kind of in the back as the friendly trouble makers,” Moede said about his brass brethren.
  Tuesday is another 4th of July celebration concert for Moede. He’s been doing so for more than 35 years as one of the longest tenured members of the orchestra. He’s the orchestra’s
  
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• Texas Rangers investigating deadly crash on SH 45 in Round Rock

  04-07-2017 09:54 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Texas Rangers are investigating a deadly crash that shut down East State Highway 45 Tuesday morning.
  Texas Rangers and Williams County are conducting parallel investigation for what Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody is calling a “unique situation.”
  Dispatchers at the Texas Department of Public Safety say they were notified at 12:35 a.m. about a crash.
  The Sheriff says a pickup with 6 people inside was driving along SH 45 at County Road 172, just
  
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• Texas Rangers investigating deadly crash as “intentional act”

  04-07-2017 09:54 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) —  Texas Rangers are investigating a deadly crash that shut down East State Highway 45 Tuesday morning.Dispatchers at the Texas Department of Public Safety say they were notified at 12:35 a.m. about a crash involving two vehicles on SH 45 at County Road 172. One of the vehicles was a 2008 Chevrolet pickup truck. One of the vehicles was pulling a homemade trailer.Texas Rangers are investigating the crash as an intentional act.One of the drivers was killed in th
  
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• Man killed, woman injured after being run over by pickup on SH 45

  04-07-2017 09:54 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Texas Rangers are investigating a deadly crash that shut down East State Highway 45 just after midnight Tuesday morning.
  Authorities say a pickup truck, pulling a boat, was driving along SH 45 at County Road 172, just west of Interstate 35, when a “dispute” broke out among the six people inside the truck. The driver, identified by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office as Joe Harvey, pulled over and three people got out of the pickup and continu
  
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• Dispute ends in deadly crash on SH 45 in Round Rock

  04-07-2017 09:54 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Texas Rangers are investigating a deadly crash that shut down East State Highway 45 Tuesday morning.
  Texas Rangers and Williams County are conducting parallel investigation for what Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody is calling a “unique situation.”
  Dispatchers at the Texas Department of Public Safety say they were notified at 12:35 a.m. about a crash.
  Authorities say a pickup truck with six people inside was driving along SH 45 at County Road 172
  
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• Girl found dead in Dallas kidnapped over drug theft

  04-07-2017 05:11 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Court records indicate that a 13-year-old girl who was found dead in a house over the weekend was kidnapped after the boyfriend of one of her relatives stole about 22 pounds of marijuana.
  The body of Shavon Randle was discovered at the Dallas house late Saturday night after being reported abducted Wednesday from a home in Lancaster, located south of Dallas. A 19-year-old man was also found dead in the house.
  Two men are charged with aggravated kidnapping in the case. A city o
  
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• Cursive writing requirement among Louisiana’s new laws

  04-07-2017 04:37 via kxan.com
  
  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s public school classrooms will be required to teach cursive writing to students starting with the new school year.
  That mandate, approved by lawmakers in 2016 but delayed a year so schools could prepare, is among more than two dozen new laws that take effect Saturday with the start of July.
  That also marks the beginning of Louisiana’s new budget year, so the most significant bills kicking in Saturday determine spending across agencies, program
  
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• UPS plane crashes near Alpine airport

  04-07-2017 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  ALPINE, Texas (Local2/FOX24) — A small UPS plane was forced to make an emergency landing near the Alpine-Casparis Municipal airport Monday night.
  Officials with the Alpine Police Department say the call came in around 6:07 p.m.
  The Alpine Volunteer Fire Department tells us the pilot of the plane was the only person on board. He was transported by Alpine EMS to Big Bend Regional Medical Center in stable condition.
  It is still unclear at this time what prompted the emergency landing.
  The Bre
  
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• AAA Texas offering free ‘tipsy tows’ to prevent DWIs this July 4

  04-07-2017 03:56 via kxan.com
  
  COPPELL, Texas (KXAN) — While having a designated driver should always be Plan A, AAA Texas will be providing a Plan B for Independence Day.
  AAA Texas is offering the free community service called “tipsy tow” statewide from 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, through 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5.
  Drivers, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver can call 1-800-222-4357 or 1-800-AAA-HELP for a free tow home of up to 10 miles.
  A regular AAA Texas-contracted
  
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• VIDEO: Dallas trench rescue caught on camera

  04-07-2017 03:54 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Rescue crews freed a construction worker trapped in a collapsed trench near a north Dallas country club, Monday morning.
  NBCDFW reports first responders were called to the site near the Northwood Club just after 9:30 a.m. The worker was about 10 feet down in the trench when it collapsed on him.
  Shortly before noon, crews pulled the worker out of the trench and took him to an area hospital by medical helicopter. 
  
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• Children’s hospital holds therapy dog parade for patients

  04-07-2017 03:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local hospital is helping some of their youngest patients who cannot celebrate the Fourth of July at home.
  Saint David’s Children’s Hospital, located inside North Austin Medical Center, held a different kind of parade.
  Volunteers and therapy dogs with Austin Dog Alliance wore costumes and paraded through the hallways, greeting sick children who have to stay in the hospital.
  Misty Rowlison, director of St. David’s Children’s Hospital, said, “K
  
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• Texas City commissioner charged in Galveston wreck that killed 2

  04-07-2017 03:05 via kxan.com
  
  GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — A city commissioner from Texas City is charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter after authorities say her pickup truck veered to the shoulder of a highway and struck and killed two men.
  Galveston police say 54-year-old Dee Ann Haney was detained on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, then was arrested and charged after undergoing alcohol testing. She was being held on $100,000 bond.
  The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s office identifies the
  
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• Whistleblower: State falsified background checks for home health workers

  04-07-2017 03:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — By law, home health companies must conduct proper background checks and workers must meet certain standards. The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is supposed to keep track of the background checks but a whistleblower claims that’s not happening, and the state is actually putting people at risk.
  “It broke my heart. A lot of sleepless nights,” says Jennifer Crampton who is suing the agency she where used to work. The lawsuit clai
  
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• Nurse shares how she lost sight in one eye from July 4th fireworks

  04-07-2017 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A nurse at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center is sharing the worst experience of her life, in hopes of saving others from making the same mistake this Fourth of July.
  As a freshman in high school, Amy White lost sight in her left eye after fireworks hit her. Fifteen years later, she’s able to point out what she likely could have done to prevent the traumatic injury.
  “Unsupervised, without eye protection, without any form of protection, playing with fi
  
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• Nurse shares how she lost sight in one eye from a July 4th firework

  04-07-2017 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A nurse at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center is sharing the worst experience of her life, in hopes of saving others from making the same mistake this Fourth of July.
  As a freshman in high school, Amy White lost sight in her left eye after a firework hit her. Fifteen years later, she’s able to point out what she likely could have done to prevent the traumatic injury.
  “Unsupervised, without eye protection, without any form of protection, playing with f
  
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• Veterans with PTSD using new tools to cope with fireworks sensitivities

  04-07-2017 01:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Fireworks and the Fourth of July go together like peanut butter and jelly, but for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Independence Day can recreate nightmares.
  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs reported 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans are expected to show signs of PTSD in their lifetimes. Eleven to 20 percent of soldiers who toured in Iraq and Afghanistan will likely exhibit behavior consistent with PTSD, and 12 percent of service m
  
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• Invention aims to protect vets with PTSD from traumatic fireworks displays

  04-07-2017 01:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Fireworks and the Fourth of July go together like peanut butter and jelly, but for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Independence Day can recreate nightmares.
  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs reported 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans are expected to show signs of PTSD in their lifetimes. Eleven to 20 percent of soldiers who toured in Iraq and Afghanistan will likely exhibit behavior consistent with PTSD, and 12 percent of service m
  
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• SAPD officer injured in shooting upgraded to fair condition

  04-07-2017 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Hospital officials list a San Antonio officer in fair condition as he recovers from wounds received in a gun battle with a suspect that fatally wounded the officer’s partner.
  A spokesman at San Antonio Military Medical Center offered the update Monday on Officer Julio Cavazos. Police officials say Cavazos faces a long recovery.
  Investigators say Cavazos was shot Thursday as he and Officer Miguel Moreno stepped out of their patrol car to question a man about a vehic
  
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• Chris Christie feels the heat politically after a day at the beach

  04-07-2017 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — There’s Gov. Chris Christie, lounging in a beach chair in the Oval Office. There he is again, sitting in the sand as the lovers from the movie “From Here to Eternity” roll around in the surf. And there he is, relaxing outside the meat store from “The Sopranos.”
  Christie is getting blistered online and in the real world after he was photographed with his family soaking up the sun on a beach that he had closed to the public over the Fourth o
  
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• Armed suspect threatens clerks in Bastrop bank robbery

  04-07-2017 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — A suspect threatened clerks at a bank in Bastrop Monday afternoon and was able to get away with an undisclosed amount of cash.
  Bastrop police officers were called to an unidentified local bank at around 12:02 p.m.
  The unidentified suspect showed a weapon and demanded money from the register. Police say the clerks feared for their lives and complied with the man’s demands. No one was injured in the bank robbery.
  The suspect ran from the bank before police
  
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• PHOTOS: San Marcos Pluckers workers robbed at gunpoint

  04-07-2017 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Three men followed a San Marcos Pluckers employee inside the restaurant overnight and robbed workers at gunpoint.
  San Marcos police say the robbery happened around 1:54 a.m. Monday at 105 N. Interstate 35. The three men, described by police only as black men wearing bandanas, got inside after hiding behind the restaurant’s dumpsters.
  The suspects got into an office and demanded money from the manager. They also forced him to empty his pockets at gunpoint. T
  
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