Austin news

• VIDEO: 16-year-old’s reaction to getting into Harvard goes viral

  14-12-2017 23:15 via kxan.com
  BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (WFLA) — A video showing a 16-year-old student’s reaction to finding out he got into Harvard became an internet sensation.
  In the video, Aryton Little is surrounded by his classmates at T.M. Landry College Preparatory, who are all anxiously awaiting the email from Harvard that will decide his destiny.
  As he waits by his computer to find out if he was accepted into Harvard’s 2019-2020 incoming class, the email finally drops in.
  The entire room erupts
  
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• Republican tax bill drops controversial loan provisions

  14-12-2017 23:06 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers have dropped from the tax bill provisions that were criticized by students and educators as making college less affordable.
  House and Senate Republican leaders forged an agreement Wednesday on what would be the most sweeping overhaul of the nation’s tax laws in more than 30 years. The package would give generous tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest tax cuts to low- and middle-income families.
  The updated version
  
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• Hunter recalls ceiling fans due to light globe falling dangers

  14-12-2017 22:30 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hunter Fan is recalling nearly 170,000 ceiling fans due to concerns of the lighting globe being installed incorrectly due to wrong instructions.
  The fan being recalled is the “Hunter Contempo” with models 59176 in the United States and 59174 in Canada. The model number can be found on a label on the top of the motor housing.
  According to the recall, the owner’s manual instructs consumers to install the light globe incorrectly, which could cause the globe t
  
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• Motorcyclist who fell off US 183 dies from his injuries

  14-12-2017 21:19 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A motorcyclist who was thrown off US 183 near Payton Gin Road and landed 20-25 feet below Tuesday succumbed to his injuries the following day.
  Austin police say the motorcyclist, a 62-year-old man, was traveling southbound on US 183 when he collided with another vehicle. Dash camera video from a car parked at a dealership appears to show a pickup truck hitting the motorcyclist from behind.
  The crash happened on Tuesday just after 2 p.m. The motorcyclist was taken to the hos
  
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• Austin launches pilot busking program to help promote music in city spaces

  14-12-2017 21:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin is looking for a few good musicians to be a part of its paid busking pilot program.
  The city recently launched the program within the Seaholm District as a way to draw visitors to newly opened public spaces and buildings in downtown Austin. Musicians who apply and are selected will receive “prime busking spots” through the Seaholm District.
  All the musicians who are chosen for the program will be compensated through a one-time $150,000 funding
  
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• Food hall to open in downtown Austin this January

  14-12-2017 20:33 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Foodies rejoice — downtown Austin is getting its very first food hall in 2018.
  Fareground will be located at an urban plaza at 111 Congress Ave., a space that will house local restaurants and vendors as well as two bars, one of which will open later in the spring. ELM Restaurant Group manages the site, which is set to have its grand opening Jan. 18.
  “It’s so exciting to be a part of a global dining movement and have the opportunity to showcase some of Aust
  
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• New toll lanes tabled, for now, after state transportation vote

  14-12-2017 20:11 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Up until Thursday, the Texas Department of Transportation was still considering including new toll roads in its 2018 Unified Transportation Program, or UTP, despite receiving backlash from Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last month.
  The Texas Transportation Commission was briefed Thursday with the December update for TxDOT’s long-term construction program. The more than a dozen tolled projects discussed in October were not included in the revised 10-year pla
  
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• Police seize explosive-making material, 21 guns, drugs in Hutto

  14-12-2017 19:56 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tips from concerned citizens lead to a search of a home in Hutto that turned up drugs and explosives, along with 21 rifles and handguns.
  Police and sheriff’s department officers found a “sizeable amount” of methamphetamine and cocaine when they executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Pecan Street. Investigators also found guns — one of which had been reported stolen back in 1999. Officials also found “several weapons staged throughout the
  
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• Explosives, guns, drugs and alcohol still seized at Hutto home

  14-12-2017 19:56 via kxan.com
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Tips from concerned citizens led to the search of a home in Hutto that turned up drugs and explosives, along with 21 rifles and handguns.
  Hutto police, which only recently created a Street Crime Unit, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deputies found 4 grams of methamphetamine and 6.5 grams of cocaine when they executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Pecan Street — next to Farm to Market 1660 — around 5:30 a.m. Thursday.
  Of the firearms inv
  
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• The Latest: States warming up net-neutrality lawsuits

  14-12-2017 19:17 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the FCC’s vote on eliminating net-neutrality protections for the internet (all times local):
  2:10 p.m.
  State attorneys general are now threatening lawsuits against the federal government’s repeal of “net neutrality” rules.
  New York’s attorney general says he’ll lead a multistate lawsuit to stop the Federal Communications Commission’s rollback of rules that guaranteed equal access to the internet. Democrat Eric Schneide
  
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• Deion Sanders’ former mansion being auctioned off

  14-12-2017 19:02 via kxan.com
  COLLIN COUNTY, Texas (KXAN/KXAS) — The former home of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders can be yours! (For a hefty price, of course.)
  The 29,000-square-foot mansion in Collin County is also known as Chateau Montclair. Built in 1999, it has nine bedrooms, 10-and-a-half baths, a 3,000-square-foot walk-in closet, a 14-car garage, three swimming pools, a barber shop and a pair of bowling lanes.
  George Strait’s San Antonio mansion up for sale
  Interested buyers must submit offers for Thursda
  
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• Sea turtles shocked by cold returned to Gulf of Mexico

  14-12-2017 18:31 via kxan.com
  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (AP) — Sixty endangered Atlantic green sea turtles that went into shock when South Texas experienced snowy weather have been released back into the Gulf of Mexico.
  The Brownsville Herald reports that hundreds of onlookers watched the turtles’ return to the water on Wednesday at Isla Blanca Park.
  A total of 72 cold-stunned turtles washed up during the cold spell. Kat Lillie, assistant curator at Sea Turtle Inc., says some of the turtles have stayed behind bec
  
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• VIDEO: Man wearing UPS vest takes package from south Austin home

  14-12-2017 18:09 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A south Austin homeowner says their surveillance camera caught what appears to be someone posing as a UPS employee to steal packages left on their front porch.
  Stacie Putnam says three packages were delivered at her home on Winterstein Drive shortly before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Nineteen minutes later, the camera catches a man on the front porch. The man is dressed in jeans and has a vest that has UPS on it. He also has on a baseball cap. The man grabs a large box
  
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• UPS fires worker seen stealing package from Austin home

  14-12-2017 18:09 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A south Austin homeowner says their surveillance camera caught what appears to be someone posing as a UPS employee to steal packages left on their front porch.
  Stacie Putnam says three packages were delivered at her home on Winterstein Drive shortly before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Nineteen minutes later, the camera catches a man on the front porch. The man is dressed in jeans and has a vest that has UPS on it. He also has on a baseball cap. The man grabs a large box
  
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• Rep. Farenthold to retire after finishing his term, following sex harassment scandal

  14-12-2017 17:06 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN/KRIS/AP) — Amid sexual harassment allegations and a House Ethics Committee investigation, Rep. Blake Fahrenthold, R-Corpus Christi, says he will retire at the end of his term, which expires in 2019.
  Nueces County Republican Party Chair Mike Bergsma told NBC affiliate KRIS that Farenhold would not seek re-election. However, since he did not withdraw before Tuesday, his name will still appear on ballots in Texas.
  The committee is investigating whether Farenthold sexual
  
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• WATCH: Man climbs tall tree to save cat stuck for 3 days

  14-12-2017 16:25 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — They climbed a tree with the help of ladders and pulleys, all to rescue a cat who had been stuck there for three days.
  The situation first came to the attention of Austin Lost and Found Pets when a woman posted a photo on her Facebook page Dec. 8, saying the cat “didn’t even come down during the snow” after it climbed a tree in the Northwest Hills area in Austin.
  Stephanie Martens was tagged in the post, and brought it to the attention of the ALFP communit
  
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• Texas Senate to review sexual harassment policies and procedures

  14-12-2017 15:51 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a wave of allegations against politicians across the country, including two Texas senators, the state Senate will hold a hearing to address the policies and procedures surrounding how the Legislature will handle reports of sexual harassment.
  The Senate’s Administration committee hearing on Thursday follows a House Administration hearing at the beginning of the month, in an attempt to create clear guidelines for reporting inappropriate sexual behavior, and provid
  
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• Texas Senate reviews sexual harassment policies and procedures

  14-12-2017 15:51 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a wave of allegations against politicians across the country, including two Texas senators, the state Senate held a hearing to address the policies and procedures surrounding how the Legislature will handle reports of sexual harassment.
  The Senate’s Administration committee hearing on Thursday follows a House Administration hearing at the beginning of the month, in an attempt to create clear guidelines for reporting inappropriate sexual behavior, and providing p
  
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• City manager, Austin Convention Center Study, asbestos testing on council agenda

  14-12-2017 15:25 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the items topping Thursday’s city council agenda. This is the last regularly scheduled meeting before council members break until the end of January.
  Lead and asbestos testing and abatement during demolitions
  A city audit released in August revealed safety risks aren’t all being taken into consideration when it comes to demolitions. The audit found some properties may not even be tested for asbestos as state law requ
  
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• What is net neutrality and why does it matter?

  14-12-2017 15:13 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP/NBC/KXAN) — “Net neutrality” regulations, designed to prevent internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and Charter from favoring some sites and apps over others, are on the chopping block. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission plans to vote on a proposal that would not only undo the Obama-era rules that have been in place since 2015, but will forbid states to put anything similar in place.
  Here’s an overview of what the developm
  
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• Disney buying large part of 21st Century Fox in $52.4B deal

  14-12-2017 14:32 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — Disney is buying a large part of the Murdoch family’s 21st Century Fox for about $52.4 billion in stock, including film and television studios and cable and international TV businesses, as it tries to meet competition from technology companies in the entertainment business.
  The deal gives Disney film businesses including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox 2000, which together are the homes of Avatar, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool. On the tele
  
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• CLEVER: Residents fill pothole with mini Christmas tree

  14-12-2017 14:13 via kxan.com
  JACKSON, Miss. (KXAN/WLBT) — A group of Mississippi residents took Christmas to the streets — literally. The people living in Jackson plopped a mini, decorated tree in the middle of a pot hole after waiting weeks for the city to repair it.
  Some have had tires blow out due to sinkholes around the city.
  “Hopefully we will get some preparations done on the streets here in Jackson so things like this won’t happen to people,” said Chester Henderson.
  New trend? Some peopl
  
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• Woman charged with injuring son who had 323 medical visits

  14-12-2017 13:18 via kxan.com
  DALLAS (AP) — A woman who records show took her 8-year-old son to Texas hospitals and pediatric centers more than 320 times has been arrested and charged with injury to a child with serious bodily injury. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports 34-year-old Kaylene Bowen-Wright remained in Dallas County jail Wednesday on $150,000 bond after her Dec. 6 arrest.
  Child Protective Services says the child was seen 323 times at hospitals and pediatric centers in Dallas and Houston and underwent 13 ma
  
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• Dog-friendly restaurant raising money to buy bulletproof vests for police K9s

  14-12-2017 13:01 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A group that provides emotional and financial support to families of fallen first responders is starting a new program to help local police departments buy bulletproof vests for K9 officers.
  Thursday evening, the 100 Club of Central Texas will be raising money for the new vest program to help protect the four-legged police partners. It’s a proactive step for the typically reactive organization that hopes the financial aid will help departments that can’t afford
  
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• Round Rock teen programs light show for charity, neighbors

  14-12-2017 05:12 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Sixteen-year-old Cole Gedwillo has spent his evenings lately tinkering with the 50,000 lights he has installed on his Round Rock home, timing the lights out to more than 10 different songs — each taking him two days to program.
  His parents used to put up lights for the holidays when Gedwillo was growing up, but over the last five years, he’s taken over his family display. For the last two years, he’s accepted donations for Helping Hands Basset R
  
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• Round Rock teen builds epic light show, gives profits to charity

  14-12-2017 05:12 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Sixteen-year-old Cole Gedwillo has spent his evenings lately tinkering with the 50,000 lights he has installed on his Round Rock home, timing the lights out to more than 10 different songs — each taking him two days to program.
  His parents used to put up lights for the holidays when Gedwillo was growing up, but over the last five years, he’s taken over his family display. For the last two years, he’s accepted donations for Helping Hands Basset R
  
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• Kentucky lawmaker facing assault allegations kills himself

  14-12-2017 05:06 via kxan.com
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker in Kentucky facing sexual assault allegations has killed himself.
  Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell says Rep. Dan Johnson shot himself Wednesday on a bridge in Mount Washington, Kentucky. Tinnell confirmed the death to WDRB-TV in Louisville.
  The 57-year-old Johnson was elected to the state legislature in 2016. On Monday, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in
  
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• Possible DWI driver crashes into Williamson County deputy

  14-12-2017 05:01 via kxan.com
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody says it’s lucky there wasn’t a law enforcement line of duty death Wednesday night when a deputy’s vehicle was hit while investigating another crash.
  The deputy’s unit was hit on northbound MoPac Expressway at the State Highway 45 west/east split. Fortunately, the deputy was uninjured.
  Sheriff Chody says the entrance to westbound SH 45 was closed after the crash.
  A photo of the crash shows the l
  
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• Seasonal nonstop flight from Austin to Colorado ski resort begins

  14-12-2017 05:00 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new nonstop seasonal flight between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, launched Wednesday from the South Terminal.
  The inaugural flight ceremony included ViaAir and Steamboat Springs Resort representatives, live performances by Raina Rose, cake and a ribbon cutting, the airport said in a statement.
  Olympian Billy Kidd, the first U.S. men’s slalom silver medalist, was the featured speaker at ViaAir’s launch.
  The flight will
  
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• Tavis Smiley, suspended by PBS, vows to fight back

  14-12-2017 03:08 via kxan.com
  NEW YORK (AP) — PBS has suspended radio and TV host Tavis Smiley after finding what it called “troubling allegations” of sexual misconduct, making him the second high-profile star to be ousted from a network known for its high-brow, genteel programming.
  The Public Broadcasting Service said Wednesday an independent investigation uncovered “multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS.” His show’s page at PB
  
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• PBS suspends distribution of Smiley show for misconduct

  14-12-2017 03:08 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — PBS said Wednesday it has indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley’s talk show after an independent investigation uncovered “multiple, credible allegations” of misconduct by its host.
  PBS said it had engaged an outside law firm to investigate “troubling allegations” against the host, it said in a statement.
  “This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley,” the statement said. “Th
  
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• Fallen San Marcos police officer remembered as beloved role model

  14-12-2017 02:30 via kxan.com
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) — Hundreds of law enforcement officers, friends and family members gathered in San Antonio Wednesday morning to say goodbye to Officer Ken Copeland, the first officer killed in the line of duty in San Marcos.
  “It’s times like this that the silent majority isn’t so silent and they show us the love and support that they have for us,” said San Marcos Police Chief Chase Stapp.
  A message said repeatedly about Officer Ken Copeland was that it’s no
  
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• Texas among top 10 states for obesity rate

  14-12-2017 01:56 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas is struggling with its obesity rate, according to a new report by the United Health Foundation.
  The state ranks 34 in overall health, dropping one spot from 2016. Texas is among the top 10 states dealing with a high obesity rate. Some organizations focused on improving the health of Texans say there are a variety of ways the state can use these findings.
  “What it’s going to take is a concerted effort and we’re going to have to come together and say t
  
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• Man seriously injured after being shot in central Austin

  14-12-2017 01:06 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was seriously wounded after being shot near the intersection of North Lamar Boulevard and Airport Boulevard in central Austin on Wednesday.
  Austin police officers responding to a shots fired call were sent to an apartment building at 6408 Burns St. around 4:49 p.m.
  Medics with Austin-Travis County EMS took the adult male to Dell Seton Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
  An age range for the victim was not immediately available. Police say they did not h
  
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• For a second time in 2 days, men rob Houston hotels of ATMs

  14-12-2017 00:57 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (AP/KXAN) — For the second time in as many days a gang has stormed into a Houston Marriott hotel lobby and dashed out with an automated cash machine.
  Houston police say the manager of a Courtyard by Marriot hotel on the city’s west side reported about five to eight men carried out the ATM, tossed it into an SUV and drove off around midnight Tuesday.
  Police Lt. Larry Crowson says authorities are trying to determine if the heist is connected to a similar robbery a night earlier
  
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• Missing West Texas woman found slain in dumpster, 1 arrested

  14-12-2017 00:45 via kxan.com
  ODESSA, Texas (AP) — Police say a West Texas woman reported missing has been found slain in an Odessa trash bin and her boyfriend’s roommate is charged with her death.
  Police say 22-year-old Kevin Lee Roberts of Odessa was being held Wednesday on a murder charge after his arrest near Weatherford, nearly 300 miles (482 kilometers) away. Roberts was located Tuesday night driving a car belonging to the victim’s boyfriend, who hours earlier reported her missing.
  Officers interviewe
  
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• NO CONTRACT: Austin City Council votes for more negotiations with APD

  14-12-2017 00:44 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department still does not have a new contract, as city leaders voted just before midnight to send the contract back to negotiations, something many in a big crowd that gathered at Austin City Hall called on council members to do.
  Council requested a new contract be presented to them by the end of March. Previously, the Austin Police Association said before Wednesday’s vote that if the contract was rejected, it would not go back to the negotiating tab
  
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• City hall packed for Austin PD contract negotiations

  14-12-2017 00:44 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department may be just hours away from finding out if they will have a new contract to work under. A big crowd gathered at Austin City Hall, some calling on council members to scrap the entire contract altogether.
  More than 150 people signed up to speak during public testimony on the contract. At one point it was standing room only and at capacity.
  Austin police supporters showed up wearing “Keep Austin Safe” blue t-shirts. While those who oppo
  
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• Austin City Council votes to send Austin PD contract back to negotiations

  14-12-2017 00:44 via kxan.com
  Update: Just before midnight city leaders voted to send the contract back to negotiations. KXAN will have the latest on KXAN News Today at 4:30.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —The Austin Police Department may be just hours away from finding out if they will have a new contract to work under. A big crowd gathered at Austin City Hall, some calling on council members to scrap the entire contract altogether.
  More than 250 people signed up to speak during public testimony on the contract. At one point it
  
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• Elgin man wins grand prize in Weekly Grand scratch off

  14-12-2017 00:29 via kxan.com
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — An Elgin man is pocketing $831,000 after playing the Weekly Grand scratch-off.
  Texas Lottery says Jose Ariza Millan claimed a top prizewinning ticket worth $1,000 per week for 20 years. Instead of taking the weekly payment, which would have totaled $1.04 million, Millan opted for the one-time lump sum payment.
  Millan bought the winning ticket from the Citgo Food Mart located at 301 S. Main St. in Elgin. That convenience store is also eligible for a $10,000 retailer bo
  
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