Austin news

• VIDEO: Officer’s body cam captures troublemaker goat

  07-08-2017 23:32 via kxan.com
  NORMAN, Okla. (KXAN) — An unusual suspect jumped onto a police car in Oklahoma, and the officer caught it on his body camera.
  A young goat repeatedly climbed onto the hood of the car, even after its owner lifted it off.
  VIDEO: Cow vs. cop: Temple police officer narrowly avoids charging heifer 
  The Blanchard Police Department posted the video on its Facebook page Sunday and wrote “Body cams are useful for convincing the Chief that a goat did it.”
  
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• Increased number of crashes force Kyle police to work overtime

  07-08-2017 22:48 via kxan.com
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – As more people move to the outskirts of Austin, the steady growth is causing some big problems for small police departments.
  In Kyle, Police Chief Jeff Barnett says his officers are working overtime due to the amount of crashes happening, not only on Interstate 35 but in the city of Kyle as well. According to Barnett, the average amount of crashes his officers are working each month is around 122.
  Barnett says the Kyle Police Department only has 44 police officers, and
  
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• Third Boy Scout dies from East Texas sailboat electrocution incident

  07-08-2017 21:55 via kxan.com
  HALLSVILLE, Texas (KETK) — A third boy has died following a Saturday afternoon boating incident on Lake O’ the Pines.
  According to Justin Braun, his nephew, Thomas Larry, 11, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Shreveport on Monday.
  First responders, as well as those who live in the area, say the amateur sailors from Boy Scout Troop 620, identified as Will Brannon, 17, Heath Faucheux, 16, and Larry, were paddling down Alley Creek in a catamaran, when the 30-foot metal mast eit
  
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• At transgender camp, children as young as 4 find safe space

  07-08-2017 21:45 via kxan.com
  EL CERRITO, Calif. (AP) — In some ways, Rainbow Day Camp is very ordinary. Kids arrive with a packed lunch, make friendship bracelets, play basketball, sing songs and get silly. But it is also unique, from the moment campers arrive each morning.
  At check-in each day, campers make a nametag with their pronoun of choice. Some opt for “she” or “he.” Or a combination of “she/he.” Or “they,” or no pronoun at all. Some change their name or pronouns
  
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• NHL: Players under contract in minors can’t go to Olympics

  07-08-2017 21:22 via kxan.com
  Players with NHL contracts, even those in the minors, will not be allowed to participate in the Winter Olympics next February.
  Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the league’s stance to The Associated Press on Monday. The league announced in April it wouldn’t be stopping its season to go to the Olympics for the first time since 1994, but questions had remained about players in the American Hockey League and ECHL.
  “A decision has been made that all players under NHL contract
  
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• Woman accused of packing loaded gun into carry-on at Austin airport

  07-08-2017 21:02 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Bellville woman was arrested last Friday, accused of having a loaded gun in her carry-on bag at the Austin airport.
  According to an arrest affidavit, a Transportation Security Administration agent came across the firearm in the bag while at a checkpoint. When authorities questioned 64-year-old Charlotte Schafler, she said she borrowed the bag from her husband and hadn’t checked it prior to packing it.
  Schafler stated that her husband had a handgun license and was th
  
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• Mom files $4.2M suit against woman in texting suicide case

  07-08-2017 19:54 via kxan.com
  DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — The mother of a teenager who killed himself has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Massachusetts woman convicted of manslaughter for encouraging him to take his own life.
  Lynn Roy is seeking $4.2 million in lost future wages for her son Conrad Roy III. The lawsuit was filed against Michelle Carter last month in Norfolk Superior Court on behalf of her son’s estate.
  Roy was 18 when he died of carbon monoxide poisoning in 2014. The the
  
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• Former Gov. Mark White will lay in state at Capitol on Thursday

  07-08-2017 19:31 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The body of former Gov. Mark White will lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on Thursday, Aug. 10 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. prior to his burial.
  Funeral services for White will take place in Houston at the Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. White will be buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin in a private ceremony Thursday afternoon.
  White died at the age of 77 on Saturday in Houston. The 43rd governor of Texas took office in 1983. 
  
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• VIDEO: Dramatic rescue of driver from raging waters in San Antonio

  07-08-2017 19:15 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — A man was clinging to the top of his SUV as emergency crews tried to rescue him from raging waters Monday morning in San Antonio.
  WOAI reports the driver became trapped along a low-lying stretch of Pinn Road near Highway 151 around 10:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the driver was on top of the roof waiting to be rescued.
  Emergency crews had to extend ladders from two trucks to get to the stranded driver. Once crews reached him, they handed him a life jacket
  
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• Don Baylor, former MVP and manager of year, dead at 68

  07-08-2017 17:26 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Don Baylor, the 1979 AL MVP with the California Angels who went on to become manager of the year with the Colorado Rockies in 1995, has died. He was 68.
  Baylor died Monday at a hospital in Austin, according to reports. His wife, Rebecca Baylor, confirmed the death in a statement posted on Major League Baseball’s website. He battled multiple myeloma for more than 10 years.
  “Don passed from this earth with the same fierce dignity with which he played the game
  
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• One floodgate open at Starcke Dam

  07-08-2017 17:23 via kxan.com
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — The Lower Colorado River Authority currently has one floodgate at Max Starcke Dam open after 7 inches of rain fell overnight in the Llano area.
  Floodgate operations were started at Wirtz and Max Starcke Dam around 6 a.m. Monday. The floodgate at Starcke Dam is open to allow water from Lake Marble Falls to flow into Lake Travis. Records show Lake Travis has risen 6 inches since midnight.
  The LCRA says they closed the floodgate at Wirtz Dam around 10 a.m. As the
  
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• Manufacturer says corrosion caused amusement ride to break apart

  07-08-2017 17:07 via kxan.com
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Excessive corrosion on a support beam caused a “catastrophic failure” of a thrill ride at the Ohio State Fair that killed an 18-year-old man and injured seven others, the ride’s Dutch manufacturer said in a statement posted Sunday on Facebook.
  The statement said KMG officials traveled to the accident scene in Columbus to review video footage of the July 26 accident and conduct metallurgical tests of the beam.
  “It was determined that excessive c
  
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• 7 homes condemned near massive Florida sinkhole

  07-08-2017 16:40 via kxan.com
  LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. (WFLA) — Officials in Florida have condemned one more home Monday morning after a sinkhole opened up and swallowed several homes last month.
  Two more homes were already condemned Sunday near the massive sinkhole in Land O’ Lakes. The Pasco County Building Inspectors Office investigated five homes over the weekend and condemned three of them. That makes seven in total condemned.
  Two of the most recently condemned homes – 21814 and 21815 Ocean Pines
  
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• Texas police detective dies, 2 others hurt in highway wreck

  07-08-2017 15:26 via kxan.com
  ABILENE, Texas (AP) — An Abilene police detective has died and two colleagues injured when their car was struck by a pickup while traveling to a conference on preventing crimes against children.
  Thirty-three-year-old Elise Ybarra and two other detectives had just begun their drive to Dallas on Interstate 20 on Sunday evening when they slowed for traffic that backed up because of an auto accident.
  Their unmarked police vehicle then was struck by the pickup. Ybarra, who was driving, died at
  
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• Hays County Health Dept. offering free vaccinations all week

  07-08-2017 14:57 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — To get children ready for school, Hays County is offering a free immunization clinic all week.
  The Hays County Local Health Department and Live Oak Health Partners are kicking off the week-long event with a health fair on Monday, Aug. 7 at Anita Reyes Park, 401 Broadway, in San Marcos. Monday’s event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during that time there will be prizes and snacks for the children.
  If you can’t make it to Monday’s event, vaccinati
  
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• Fire damages home near Dripping Springs

  07-08-2017 14:39 via kxan.com
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Several fire agencies are working a house fire near Dripping Springs Monday morning.
  Lake Travis Fire and Rescue said they responded to a fire in the 17200 block of Avion Drive just before 5:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived at the home, flames could be seen coming from the roof of the two-story home.
  All three people inside the home got out safely.
  It is not known at this time if lightning might have caused the fire.
  Emergency crews at the scene of where a
  
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• Five children removed from Dayton home with 15 dead animals

  07-08-2017 14:32 via kxan.com
  DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN/WCMH) — A toddler is in critical condition and four others are with child protective services after Dayton Police were called to a home with “deplorable” conditions on a report that a child was not breathing.
  Early Sunday morning, a woman called 911 to report that her 1-year-old granddaughter was not breathing. When medics arrived, they found the child unresponsive. The home was littered with feces and 15 dead animals — mostly snakes, including a large
  
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• Two people rescued from high water in Shoal Creek

  07-08-2017 13:42 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Rescue crews were able to rescue two people who got stuck in high water in Shoal Creek Monday morning.
  Austin Fire Department said they were called to the 800 block of West 11th Street at West Avenue just before 6:30 a.m. When AFD and Austin-Travis County EMS crews arrived, they found two individuals stuck on a rock in the middle of the creek next to House Park.
  Firefighters were able to put down a ladder and the two people climbed up just before 6:55 a.m. AFD say
  
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• Austin looks at making hands-free ordinance more strict

  07-08-2017 13:08 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some changes could be coming to the way you use your phone in your car.
  Monday, the Public Safety Commission is giving a few recommendations for changes to the cities texting while driving ordinance. During the meeting, the commissioners will look at three different amendments.
  One change would make it illegal for drivers to use their phone during a stop light, including no gps maps or navigation system and no changing music.
  The second would keep drivers from usi
  
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• Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announce separation

  07-08-2017 12:43 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announced Sunday that they are separating after eight years of marriage, sparking a wave of shock and sadness online about the demise of one of Hollywood’s most popular power couples.
  The actors announced their breakup on social media in a joint statement confirmed by Pratt’s publicist.
  “We tried hard for a long time, and we’re really disappointed,” the actors wrote. “Our son has two parents who love him very
  
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• Several power outages reported as Monday morning storm moves in

  07-08-2017 12:42 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As a storm moves through Central Texas early Monday morning, several utility companies are reporting outages.
  According to Austin Energy’s website, the bulk of its outages is in west Austin as of 5:30 a.m.
  Bluebonnet Electric had 2,500 customers without power near Webberville along Farm to Market 969 in east Travis County and Bastrop Counties, but everyone had their power restored by 6:15 a.m.
  Oncor has several hundred customers without power scattered throughout Will
  
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• More families qualifying for free preschool in AISD

  07-08-2017 12:16 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Less than half of Central Texas kids are ready for kindergarten which is leading to lower test scores. That is a recent finding by the E3 Alliance, an education collaborative based in Austin that studies ways to improve education. Monday begins Pre-K registration for schools within the Austin Independent School District and this year more parents can get their child in for free.
  For the first time this year, children who have a parent who is a firefighter or police off
  
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• 30 treated at Oklahoma hospital after tornado

  07-08-2017 12:02 via kxan.com
  TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The Latest on a tornado that struck Tulsa, Oklahoma. (all times local):
  5:20 p.m.
  St. Francis Hospital spokeswoman Lauren Landwerlin says about 30 people have been treated at the hospital’s trauma center and three were admitted in “non-critical condition” after a tornado struck near midtown Tulsa.
  The figure of 30 injured is up from 13 initially reported taken by ambulance to hospitals. A city spokeswoman says many people were taken to hospitals by pri
  
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• Free admission to National Parks for 4th graders and families

  07-08-2017 11:20 via kxan.com
  (NBC) – As we are just two weeks away from the new school year, there’s something parents of 4th graders should be reminded of.
  All 4th graders and their families are granted free admission to National Parks and other federal lands for a full year, with a 4th grade pass. The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year. Through the following Summer, beginning in September and ending in August.
  To get your pass, just click here.
   
   
  
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• Golf tournament honors Lake Travis murder victim, creates new legacy

  07-08-2017 05:55 via kxan.com
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — As the Travis County Sheriff’s Office enters the final stages of its investigation into a double murder, friends and family of Dale Guthrie came together to honor him and his girlfriend of 11 years, Susan Gulla-O’Leary. The couple was shot back in March.  Proceeds from Sunday’s Dale Guthrie Memorial Golf Tournament will be put toward a scholarship fund for a Lake Travis High School senior golfer.
  The family says it’s a way for them
  
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• Man, 57, found dead in San Marcos River

  07-08-2017 05:09 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Texas State University police are investigating after a man who went missing was found dead Sunday in the San Marcos River.
  Hilario Castilleja, 57, was last seen wading in the river near a bridge at Aquarena Springs Road at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
  University police sent out a missing person notice, but later his body was found in the same area at 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
  If you plan to go swimming, there is help to stop drownings available at many public swimming
  
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• Astros close homestand in style

  07-08-2017 05:08 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros continue to find ways to win, with their latest victory coming thanks to a player who was called up from the minors just a day earlier.
  Juan Centeno hit an RBI single with two outs that capped a four-run rally in the ninth inning, lifting the Astros over the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6 Sunday for their 71st victory.
  Centeno was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Saturday when catcher Evan Gattis landed on the disabled list with a concussion.
  “He’s take
  
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• Some lucky Alfred Angelo customers pick up their orders

  07-08-2017 05:07 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Alfred Angelo customers were able to walk away with some of their purchases Sunday.
  The location in the Arbor Walk sent a message that some items were at the store and that customers could pick them up during a two-hour window from 4 to 6 p.m.
  KXAN spoke with some relieved people as they got their dresses and other items.
  “We actually had to come from Corpus,” said Randi Villarreal, who came and picked up a slip. “They called me about Wednesday or Thu
  
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• Rare August tornado sends 30 to hospital in Tulsa; no deaths

  07-08-2017 04:24 via kxan.com
  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A rare late summer tornado smashed into a shopping district of Tulsa early Sunday just hours after it was packed with people, sending more than two dozen people to hospitals including two with life-threatening injuries, many of them from restaurants that were either preparing to close or were still open.
  No deaths were reported from the tornado that struck shortly after 1 a.m. in the midtown area of Tulsa, according to city of Tulsa spokeswoman Kim Meloy.
  National Weat
  
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• New Orleans floods raise questions about city pumping system

  07-08-2017 04:23 via kxan.com
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Heavy weekend rainfall in New Orleans overwhelmed the municipal pump stations, leaving parts of the community flooded, and some officials say they’re not satisfied with the city’s response.
  “Are our city pumps working as they should?” Councilman Jason Williams said, according to local news reports. “If we can’t handle a bad storm, then what will we do when there’s a hurricane?”
  Williams said the council will meet Tuesday to
  
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• Philadelphia-bound flight encounters turbulence, injuring 10

  07-08-2017 04:07 via kxan.com
  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — American Airlines says 10 people on a flight from Greece to Philadelphia were injured during severe turbulence.
  The airline says Flight 759 was heading to the city from Athens with 287 passengers and a dozen crew members Saturday when it briefly encountered severe turbulence shortly before landing. American says the fasten seat belt sign was on at the time.
  After the flight landed at 3:10 p.m., three passengers and seven crew members were taken to a hospital for evaluat
  
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• Man swallows drugs, dies after police take him into custody

  07-08-2017 02:17 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A man in his 30s died Sunday morning after he was handcuffed by police when they responded to a call early Saturday about a man who had swallowed a large amount of drugs, said the Austin Police Department.
  Police responded to the call about the man, identified as Chris Givens, 33, at about 6:56 a.m. Saturday morning in the 500 block of Deen Avenue just east of North Lamar Boulevard and south of East Rundberg Lane. They were told that he had consumed the drugs and was showin
  
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• Father comforts daughter just before she dies after hit-and-run in Taylor

  07-08-2017 01:29 via kxan.com
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) – The Taylor Police Department is searching for the person responsible for hitting two teen girls on the east side of Taylor Saturday evening. One of the girls was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
  According to police, it happened just before 9 p.m. in the 1000 block of Old Thorndale Road east of North Main Street and north of East 4th Street.
  Police said the vehicle that hit the teens may
  
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• Man, daughter accidentally shot in ice-chest mishap while visiting New Braunfels

  07-08-2017 00:41 via kxan.com
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) – A man and his daughter visiting New Braunfels from Midland are recovering in the hospital Sunday after a rifle accidentally discharged and shot both of them, said the New Braunfels Police Department.
  It happened at about 12:10 p.m. in the 400 block of East San Antonio Street near Prince Solms Park and Schlitterbahn.
  Police said the rifle was laying on the backseat floorboard of a Chevrolet pickup when the man, 46, attempted to lift an ice chest into the backse
  
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• Donors hand out 1,500 backpacks, lots more in Marble Falls back-to-school event

  07-08-2017 00:39 via kxan.com
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) – Several sponsors joined forces and put on a successful Back to School Blast event in Marble Falls on Saturday.
  The group says its mission is to provide supplies and services to families that set them up for a positive school year.
  More than 150 volunteers gathered at Marble Falls Middle School and handed out 1,500 backpacks and more than 1,000 pairs of socks and shoes.
  Each backpack was filled with school supplies, a bible and gift card to Chick fil-A.
  There we
  
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• 2 Boy Scouts killed, 1 hurt in East Texas boating accident

  07-08-2017 00:24 via kxan.com
  AVINGER, Texas (AP) — Authorities say two Texas Boy Scouts were killed and another critically hurt when their sailboat hit an overhead power line and apparently electrocuted the youths.
  The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department says the accident happened Saturday afternoon at Lake O’ The Pines near Avinger, 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of Dallas.
  Agency spokesman Steve Lightfoot says Sunday that Boy Scouts ages 18 and 16 died at the scene, while an 11-year-old was critically injur
  
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