Austin news

• Bicyclist hit by minivan downtown dies a week later

  29-09-2017 23:47 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The bicyclist struck by a minivan in downtown Austin last week — 33-year-old Justin Richard Shapiro — has died from his injuries.
  Police say Shapiro exited a private driveway in the 600 block of West Fifth Street, near Nueces Street, when he began riding the wrong way westbound on a one-way street.
  He was then hit head-on by the Dodge Caravan around 2:28 a.m.
  Shapiro was taken by Austin-Travis County EMS medics to Dell Seton Medical Center. He died there at 7:16
  
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• Taco Quest: Fresa’s Chicken al Carbón

  29-09-2017 23:39 via kxan.com
  Click here for more information.
  
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• Wrong-way driver in deadly motorcycle crash gets 12 years in prison; no fine

  29-09-2017 23:15 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The driver who crashed into a motorcyclist while driving the wrong-way on Interstate 35 in 2015 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. The motorcyclist, Domonick Turner, died in the crash.
  John McClintock, 32, was charged with intoxication manslaughter after the crash in which he drove in the wrong direction for 11 miles north on I-35 from US 183 in Austin. Officers chased McClintock as he drove the wrong-way around 4 a.m., and jurors watched their dash cam video during
  
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• Health Secretary Tom Price resigns amid private plane criticism

  29-09-2017 22:51 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s health secretary resigned Friday, after his costly travel triggered investigations that overshadowed the administration’s agenda and angered his boss. Tom Price’s regrets and partial repayment couldn’t save his job.
  The Health and Human Services secretary became the first member of the president’s Cabinet to be pushed out in a turbulent young administration that has seen several high-ranking White House aides ousted.
  
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• Man killed in crash near Loop 360 bridge identified

  29-09-2017 22:16 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The man who died in a crash on Loop 360 Monday near the Pennybacker Bridge has been identified by police.
  Officers say a black Chevrolet Camaro was stopped in the outside lane at the red light on southbound Loop 360/North Capital of Texas Highway at Courtyard Drive when the driver of a white Cadillac, 34-year-old Brandon Keith Martinez, crashed into the Camaro from behind.
  Police say the Cadillac ended up in the inside lane, where it was hit on the driver’s side by a
  
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• Attorney: ‘No doubt’ OJ Simpson goes to Florida after prison

  29-09-2017 20:15 via kxan.com
  LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson will live in Florida following his parole from a Nevada prison where the former football star and celebrity criminal defendant has been held for the past nine years after a robbery conviction, his lawyer said Friday.
  Attorney Malcolm LaVergne didn’t specify where Simpson would live in Florida, although Tom Scotto, a close friend who lives in Naples, Florida, has offered his home.
  “He’s going to Florida,” LaVergne said. “There&rsqu
  
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• State Fair of Texas kicks off Friday with amazing selection of fried foods

  29-09-2017 19:16 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (KXAN) — More than two million people will enter the gates of the State Fair of Texas this year; the fair opens Friday and Big Tex is there to greet every last one.
  Big Tex, the 55-foot tall and 26,000 pound cowboy, is sporting a new addition to his usual garb, a button that shows his Texas-sized support for victims of Hurricane Harvey. It reads “Texas Strong.”
  The State Fair of Texas is known for wild, unusual and typically deep-fried foods, hands out awards to the most
  
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• Whole Foods experienced data breach

  29-09-2017 19:08 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN/NBC) — Credit and debit card information was compromised in a data breach at Whole Foods. The company says not all customers are affected, however.
  Whole Foods says hackers got information only from customers who bought meals or drinks at in-store restaurants or bars. Those venues use a different point-of-sale system from the main checkout systems. The data breach does not affect those who only shopped at those checkouts or online at Amazon.com.
  The grocer has not confirmed ex
  
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• Make-A-Wish sending Texas boy to Alaska

  29-09-2017 19:07 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An 8-year-old from Canyon Lake will be heading north as he gets his own Alaska adventure.
  Bryton found out he would be heading to the Last Frontier during a surprise party in Buda on Thursday. He has mitochondrial disease, which is a chronic illness that causes physical, developmental and cognitive disabilities.
  SouthWest Water company is sponsoring the trip, and it and Make-A-Wish worked to plan the event at Logan’s Roadhouse — and give Bryton other gifts like
  
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• Northbound I-35 shut down at William Cannon Dr. for semi in roadway

  29-09-2017 18:21 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police shut down all lanes of northbound Interstate 35 at William Cannon Drive after a semi truck’s load slipped, causing it to block the roadway.
  The truck was carrying a concrete barrier and blocked two lanes of traffic headed northbound around 10:40 a.m. As of 11 a.m., officials had completely shut down the road and had traffic exit onto the frontage road so they could get the semi back on its way.
  Police officers are in the area to direct traffic.Semi block
  
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• Northbound I-35 completely shut down for two hours for semi in roadway

  29-09-2017 18:21 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police shut down all lanes of northbound Interstate 35 at William Cannon Drive after a semi truck’s load slipped, causing it to block the roadway.
  The truck was carrying a concrete barrier and blocked two lanes of traffic headed northbound around 10:40 a.m. As of 11 a.m., officials had completely shut down the road and had traffic exit onto the frontage road so they could get the semi back on its way. At 1:39 p.m. the road re-opened.
  Police officers were in the
  
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• Man allegedly exposes himself to UT Austin staff

  29-09-2017 17:41 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin Police Department is searching for a suspect who allegedly exposed himself to UT staff.
  UTPD tweeted that the man exposed himself Thursday at 1616 Guadalupe Street. That address matches the one for the UT Administration Building and the Guadalupe Garage.
  Police say the man was black, with a short afro. He had white earbuds and black pants. Police said in a tweet “This was the full description given to us by the victims. Please know we
  
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• Amazon’s Treasure Truck arrives in Austin with Nintendo entertainment system

  29-09-2017 17:39 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amazon’s famed Treasure Truck is rolling into Austin Friday, bringing with it a unique way to shop.
  The truck will drive around the city and offer specific “unexpected surprises” several times a month, according to a release. People can get exclusive items just for the truck, or deals on trending technology, holiday specials or local favorites. Customers can subscribe to get notifications when the truck is en route to a new place with a new surprise. They
  
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• Lake Travis softball coach placed on leave for alleged ‘inappropriate conduct’

  29-09-2017 17:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Lake Travis Independent School District softball coach has been accused of inappropriate conduct.
  The district confirms William ‘Billy’ Coleman was the head coach at Lake Travis High School and has been placed on paid administrative leave as of Thursday.
  Coleman began working at that school in August, and was previously the head coach at Canyon Randall High School in Amarillo, according to Lake Travis ISD. It says it will not provide any more information until
  
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• Golfer Phil Mickelson takes selfie with Bush Obama and Clinton

  29-09-2017 16:17 via kxan.com
  JERSEY CITY, N.J. (WIVB) — Pro golfer Phil Mickelson recently took a selfie with not one, not two, but three former U.S. presidents.
  The photo, showing Mickelson, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton was taken at the 2017 Presidents Cup in New Jersey.
  Mickelson tweeted “When you can take a selfie with three US Presidents, you do it!”
  The three former presidents each served as honorary chairman of the event in the past. President Donald Trump is the current honorar
  
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• $1M lawsuit from family of woman killed in south Austin crosswalk

  29-09-2017 16:03 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The family of a school receptionist who was hit and killed by a car while crossing the road near where she worked is suing the City of Austin, as well as two drivers involved in the collision. It alleges the crosswalk lights were not working when she was killed.
  “The City of Austin owes pedestrians a duty to correct the absence, condition, or malfunction of a traffic-control device when it has actual constructive notice of the problem, and it failed to do so,” t
  
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• No more juvenile curfew in Austin

  29-09-2017 15:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council voted Thursday to end the city’s rule for juvenile curfew. It had been in effect for 27 years.
  Those under 17 would previously receive two warnings before getting a citation if they were out and about between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The rule will officially expire Sunday.
  Interim Police Chief Brian Manley once supported the curfew, but changed his mind after reviewing its impact.
  “Each and every one of those the initial reasons of interacting
  
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• US to Americans: Stay away from Cuba after health ‘attacks’

  29-09-2017 15:52 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States delivered an ominous warning to Americans on Friday to stay away from Cuba and ordered home more than half the U.S. diplomatic corps, acknowledging neither the Cubans nor America’s FBI can figure out who or what is responsible for months of mysterious health ailments.
  No longer tiptoeing around the issue, the Trump administration shifted to calling the episodes “attacks” rather than “incidents.”
  The U.S. actions are sure to
  
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• US slashes Cuba embassy staff, warns Americans not to visit

  29-09-2017 15:52 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Friday abruptly warned Americans not to visit Cuba and ordered more than half its Havana embassy personnel to leave the island in a dramatic response to mysterious recent “specific attacks” harming the health of U.S. diplomats.
  The actions deal a blow to already delicate ties between the U.S. and Cuba, longtime adversaries who only recently began putting their hostility behind them. The embassy in Havana will lose roughly 60 percent of its
  
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• AP sources: US cuts staff in Cuba, citing health attacks

  29-09-2017 15:52 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is warning Americans against visiting Cuba and ordering more than half of its Havana embassy personnel to leave the island, senior officials said Friday in a dramatic response to what they described as targeted “specific attacks” affecting the health of U.S. diplomats.
  The decision deals a blow to already delicate ties between the U.S. and Cuba, longtime adversaries who only recently began putting their hostility behind them. The embassy in H
  
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• Where to get deals for National Coffee Day

  29-09-2017 14:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you’re looking for deals to jive with your love of java, here’s a brief list of where you can get your coffee fix on National Coffee Day. This list is not exhaustive, so feel free to share other deals you find in the comments section.
  Cuvee Coffee Bar at 2000 E. 6th St. is offering buy one, get one free all day. It also has a series of events throughout the day and evening. You can find details at its Facebook event.
  Stonehouse Coffee & Bar at 1105 S. Lam
  
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• Austin’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” this Sunday

  29-09-2017 14:08 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Capitol of Texas Alzheimer’s Association is hosting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sunday morning.
  “Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s Disease, and so we won’t stop until we find a cure,” Christine Casebeer said.
  She’s with the organization and says while 5,000,000 Americans live with Alzheimer’s Disease, they aren’t the only ones that need support.
  “[We] want to provide an enhanced support for our caregive
  
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• Beyonce releases surprise single for relief efforts with ‘Mi Gente’ remix

  29-09-2017 13:50 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — Beyonce has released a surprise single on which she sings in Spanish, English and French to raise relief money for those affected by hurricanes in the Caribbean and earthquakes in Mexico.
  Beyonce is featured on a remix of J. Balvin and Willy William’s “Mi Gente,” which means “my people” in Spanish. The single was released Thursday night.
  In an English verse on “Mi Gente,” Beyonce sings, “lift up your people, from Texas Puerto
  
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• Mama lynx and 7 kittens visit Alaska photographer’s porch

  29-09-2017 13:26 via kxan.com
  ANCHORAGE (WCMH) — Tim Newton woke up to the sound of something running across his deck last week. He got up and peered out, catching a glimpse of what looked like a cat.
  “I started to think nothing more of it,” he said to KTUU-TV. “But then I noticed it had really big feet and little tiny hairs on its ears. So I knew then it was probably a lynx kitten – not a full grown cat.”
  Newton, a photographer, picked up his camera and started snappin
  
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• One dies in east Travis County crash

  29-09-2017 13:08 via kxan.com
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — A person is dead after a one-car crash late Thursday night in east Travis County.
  It occurred at 10:53 p.m. near the intersection of Skog Road and Lund-Carlson Road in Elgin.
  The identity of the person who died has not been released.
  The Travis County Sheriff’s Office notified the Texas Department of Public Safety about the crash, and DPS is now the primary agency investigating the crash.
  It is expected to share more information later Friday morning about h
  
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• Council unanimously votes to explore paid sick leave

  29-09-2017 12:50 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council voted unanimously late Thursday night to develop a policy for private employers to offer paid sick leave to their workers. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, about one out of every three workers in Austin does not have it.
  About a dozen people spoke in front of city council Thursday night, most in favor of the plan. The purpose of a future ordinance would be to help many who are in low income jobs have the opportunity to take a
  
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• Council moves forward on ‘Downtown Puzzle,’ looks to address Austin homelessness

  29-09-2017 05:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council voted to move forward on the mayor’s “Downtown Puzzle” proposal — an effort to address homelessness and fund public improvements through tourism — by exploring funding options.
  The latest version of the resolution went before the council Thursday. The puzzle would create a Tourism Public Improvement District, which would take 40 percent of taxes collected from that downtown area to support and house the homeless.
  The puz
  
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• Texas wins Big 12 opener to Iowa State, 17-7

  29-09-2017 05:33 via kxan.com
  AMES, Iowa (KXAN) — Texas started Big 12 play with a win at Iowa State.
  Quarterback Shane Buechele made his first start since suffering a shoulder injury against Maryland. Buechele led the offense to three scoring drives. Buechele finished with 171 yards and one touchdown.
  The Texas defense followed up their impressive performance against USC by holding the Cyclones to 256 yards and three turnovers. Two of those turnovers came from safety Deshon Elliot who had two interceptions.
  Texas is n
  
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• APD sergeant dies after receiving severe burns

  29-09-2017 04:55 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) — An Austin police sergeant died after he received serious burns to more than a quarter of his body after a brush pile fire he was tending off-duty at his Buda home got out of control earlier this month.
  Sgt. Gary Christenberry, a military veteran, was burning the pile on Sept. 12, “something he’s done a thousand times before,” his daughter Chelsea Roberts told KXAN, after Hurricane Harvey knocked down trees in his yard. The fire flared up and caught th
  
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• ‘All we can do right now is wait’: APD sergeant fights for life after severe burns

  29-09-2017 04:55 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) — An Austin police sergeant is fighting to recover from serious burns to more than a quarter of his body after a brush pile fire he was tending off-duty at his Buda home got out of control earlier this month.
  Sgt. Gary Christenberry, a military veteran, was burning the pile on Sept. 12, “something he’s done a thousand times before,” his daughter Chelsea Roberts told KXAN, after Hurricane Harvey knocked down trees in his yard. The fire flared up and caug
  
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• Austin Firefighters Association, Council come to agreement on pay standards

  29-09-2017 04:36 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council has come to an agreement with the Austin Firefighters Association on hiring, pay and vacation standards.
  Mayor Steve Adler said the agreement addresses issues with firefighter overtime and vacation. As part of the deal, vacation leave is no longer factored into overtime calculations.
  The mayor also said it appears diversity is improving in AFD’s ranks, something the Department of Justice has been monitoring since 2014. The department’s wages
  
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• High school student honored for saving child from drowning

  29-09-2017 04:22 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An LBJ Early College High School freshman is getting a lot of attention this week for saving a child’s life.
  The Austin Independent School District honored Marcus Weakly at Monday’s school board meeting.
  Weakly, 14, was swimming with friends at an apartment complex pool in east Austin on June 17, 2017. He was playing with a beach ball when a friend pointed to a 4-year-old boy underwater at the bottom of the deep end — lifeless. He dove down to take a
  
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• Mother faces down man who sold her daughter for sex

  29-09-2017 02:58 via kxan.com
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – A predator accused of abusing children all over Texas for years is finally going to prison. Prosecutors say Bernell Quillens was selling children for sex all over the state.
  Investigators say he spent about a thousand dollars a month to post online ads in Austin, San Marcos, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Galveston and cities in between. They also say he visited seven other states: California, Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada and Mississippi.
  On Wedn
  
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• Trips down the aisle halted at Austin church until ‘inclusion of all people’

  29-09-2017 01:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Leadership at an Austin church have decided not to perform any more wedding ceremonies, in an effort to support members of the LGBT community. The Methodist Church currently does not allow its clergy to officiate same-sex marriages.
  First United Methodist Church of Austin, just across the street from the State Capitol, announced the decision after a vote over the weekend.
  “It has been over a year of thoughtful, prayerful, work by the whole church,” senior pas
  
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• Rabid live bat found at Dripping Springs Elementary School

  29-09-2017 01:21 via kxan.com
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A live bat found near the front entrance of Dripping Springs Elementary School this week has tested positive for rabies.
  The Hays County Sheriff’s Office said the bat was found outside around 3:25 p.m. Monday and later tested by the Department of State Health Services.
  If you or someone you know may have come in physical contact with the bat, please call the sheriff’s office animal control unit at 512-393-7896 or the Department of State Health S
  
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• Parents of man killed by APD officer suing the city of Austin

  29-09-2017 00:49 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The parents of a 20-year-old man shot and killed by an Austin police officer in May are suing the city.
  Jason Roque’s parents say they called 911 for help when their son was suicidal. But they say neighborhood security footage shows police did the opposite of helping their son.
  “Police didn’t handle the situation the way they should,” said Roque’s father, Vincente Roque, in a press conference Thursday. “Otherwise, we would have him h
  
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• Teen with cancer couldn’t go to homecoming, so his date brought the dance to him

  29-09-2017 00:13 via kxan.com
  HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — Blake Mounts, a senior at Hilliard Darby High School, couldn’t go to his homecoming dance because of a recent cancer diagnosis, so his date brought homecoming to him.
  Mounts was recently diagnosed with childhood Leukemia, after a school resource officer noticed he was looking pale and advised him to see the school nurse.
  Because of his diagnosis, he had to miss the school’s homecoming dance.
  According to CNN, Mounts’ best friend
  
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• Cheers, tears and hugs as wounded Scalise returns to Capitol

  29-09-2017 00:06 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Greeted by hugs, tears and a roaring standing ovation, a hobbling Majority Whip Steve Scalise returned to the House on Thursday, more than three months after a gunman sprayed fire at a baseball practice and left the lawmaker clinging to life.
  “You have no idea how great this feels to be back here at work in the people’s house,” the 51-year-old Louisiana Republican said to a chamber packed with lawmakers, including senators who had crossed the Capitol to
  
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