Austin news

• Hard freeze overnight, then a slowly-warming weekend

  04-02-2022 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures warmed to 42 degrees Friday afternoon in Austin, allowing much of the ice and sleet accumulation to melt.Temperatures rose above freezing at Camp Mabry at 1 p.m. Friday, concluding a 32-hour freeze that began early Thursday morning. While many roadways melted and dried, shady spots and overpasses remain slick -- especially so in the Hill Country.
  Watch for wet areas refreezing overnight as two more hard freezes are expected over the weekend. Continue to protect
  
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• TCSO working homicide in Del Valle

  04-02-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office says they're working a homicide in the 16900 block of Hayride Circle in Del Valle.
  In a tweet sent out around 2:45 p.m. Friday the office provided no additional information but did say a media briefing would be held at 3:30 p.m.This is a developing story and will be updated.
  
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• Man found dead, another found shot in Del Valle

  04-02-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was found dead and another was found shot in the 16900 block of Hayride Circle in Del Valle Friday, according to the Travis County Sheriff's Office.
  TCSO said around 10 a.m., deputies responded to the area for a gunshot wound report. Once they arrived, they found one man "obviously deceased" and another with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
  TCSO said the injured man was taken to the hospital.
  Detectives are searching the home where the incident took
  
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• Man charged with murder after argument, shooting in Del Valle trailer

  04-02-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — An argument while people were trying to change a flat tire eventually led to one person being shot to death, and the alleged shooter now faces a first-degree murder charge, an arrest affidavit said.Travis County deputies arrested Marcos Enrique Mendoza, 42, in connection with the shooting Feb. 4 at 16901 Hayride Circle in Del Valle. Of the two people shot, TCSO said Gerald Carl Vanbrakle Jr. was shot twice in the face by a .40-caliber handgun and died. The oth
  
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• LIVE: TCSO working homicide in Del Valle

  04-02-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office says they're working a homicide in the 16900 block of Hayride Circle in Del Valle.
  In a tweet sent out around 2:45 p.m. Friday the office provided no additional information but did say a media briefing would be held at 3:30 p.m.This is a developing story and will be updated.
  
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• Pence: Trump is 'wrong' to say election could be overturned

  04-02-2022 21:46 via kxan.com
  
  Former Vice President Mike Pence on Friday directly rebutted Donald Trump's false claims that Pence somehow could have overturned the results of the 2020 election, saying that the former president was simply “wrong.”In a speech to the conservative Federalist Society in Florida, Pence addressed Trump's intensifying efforts this week to advance the false narrative that he could have done something to prevent Joe Biden from taking office.“President Trump is wrong,” Pence sai
  
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• Trash, recycling pickup in Austin suspended for rest of week

  04-02-2022 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Trash and recycling collection is canceled for the rest of the week, according to the city.Austin Resource Recovery, the department that manages these services, is asking residents to bring their carts inside to prevent them from sliding away. If you're missing out on pickup this week, collection will restart on your next scheduled service day.Texas winter storm live updates: Frigid Friday in storeIn addition to services being suspended due to the ice storm, the Recycle &am
  
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• Travis County COVID-19 vaccine clinics closed this weekend due to weather

  04-02-2022 21:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County's COVID-19 clinics will not be open this weekend due to cold weather, the county announced.
  That includes the Travis County Expo Center drive-thru location and the county's mobile vaccine clinics.
  There are two spots giving out COVID-19 vaccines Saturday, according to Travis County's vaccine event information page: the southeast Austin Public Library starting at 10 a.m. and the "Old Sims Elementary School" starting at 11 a.m. There are no events scheduled for
  
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• AOC plans Texas trip to campaign for Casar, Cisneros

  04-02-2022 21:05 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — Two Texas Congressional candidates are hoping a visit from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will fire up their Democratic base just before early voting begins in their respective primaries.
  Ocasio-Cortez asked her more than 12 million Twitter followers Friday, "Texans, are you ready?" She then shared that she's coming on Feb. 12 in San Antonio to support Greg Casar and Jessica Cisneros. "This one’s going to be special," she wrote.
  The New York progressive law
  
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• TCSO: Subject of Texas CLEAR Alert murdered by boyfriend

  04-02-2022 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office is looking for Luis Angel Montes in relation to the death of his girlfriend, Camerina Trujillo Perez, the subject of a CLEAR Alert sent to Texas residents last week.
  A warrant has been issued for Montes' arrest, TCSO announced. Bail is set at $1 million. Montes is not in custody as of midday Friday.
  The CLEAR Alert for the 38-year-old woman last seen in Pflugerville was discontinued Saturday night. The news that Mon
  
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• TCSO: Subject of Texas CLEAR Alert likely murdered by boyfriend

  04-02-2022 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office is looking for Luis Angel Montes in relation to the death of his girlfriend, Camerina Trujillo Perez, the subject of a CLEAR Alert sent to Texas residents last week.
  A warrant has been issued for Montes' arrest, TCSO announced. Bail is set at $1 million. Montes is not in custody as of midday Friday.
  The CLEAR Alert for the 38-year-old woman last seen in Pflugerville was discontinued Saturday night. The news that Mon
  
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• Some Hays County residents under boil water notice after maintenance issue

  04-02-2022 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Roughly 100 people in Hays County are being asked to boil their water until samples can be taken to determine the water is safe, a release from Texas Water Utilities said. There were maintenance issues at the water treatment plant and the system lost pressure.The people impacted are the customers in the River Oaks Ranch water system.
  People impacted are asked to boil water for drinking, cooking and ice making. Water needs to be brought to a "vigorous rolling boil" an
  
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• Tesla to build new industrial facility on Austin campus

  04-02-2022 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Tesla Inc. is adding another massive industrial facility to its electric vehicle manufacturing campus in eastern Travis County.The Austin-based company has plans for a "Project Cathode," which news outlets are reporting will be a facility used to produce cathodes — part of a battery's makeup — for manufacturing its own batteries. $500M project planned near Tesla; plan includes 2,500 single-family homesTesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) officials filed
  
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• Car door frozen? Here's how to get it open and not break anything

  04-02-2022 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - There is a lot of ice out there this morning following the ice storm. If you need to head out the door, you may find yourself dealing with a frozen car door. You can actually damage your door if you don't clean that ice off the right way. Since we don't deal with ice very often in Central Texas, we thought it might be a good idea to show you what you need to do.First method: The Door Push MethodIf there isn't much ice on the door, you can try simply pushing against it several tim
  
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• Driving after the winter storm? Watch out for 'Ice Missiles'

  04-02-2022 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - If you're hitting the roads today, you may have noticed a lot of cars driving around with ice still covering them. This can be extremely dangerous and could cause an accident or damage to a passing vehicle.Often called "ice missiles", these leftover shards of ice can slide onto a driver's windshield or even fly off at a high speed. AAA advises clearing off any "ice missiles" before hitting the roads; saying "snow (or ice) cascading from your car’s roof can limit visibility
  
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• Austin concludes 32-hour freeze; but we freeze again tonight

  04-02-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Although we are done with the falling freezing rain and sleet, leftover ice continues to be a concern on some roads and walkways.Temperatures at 1 p.m. rose above freezing at Camp Mabry, concluding a 32-hour freeze that began early Thursday morning. While many roadways are melting and dry, shady spots and overpasses remain slick -- especially so in the Hill Country.
  Partly to mostly sunny skies are also aiding in melting this afternoon, but two more hard freezes are expecte
  
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• Austin concludes 32-hour freeze; but tonight looks frigid again

  04-02-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Although we are done with the falling freezing rain and sleet, leftover ice continues to be a concern on some roads and walkways.Temperatures at 1 p.m. rose above freezing at Camp Mabry, concluding a 32-hour freeze that began early Thursday morning. While many roadways are melting and dry, shady spots and overpasses remain slick -- especially so in the Hill Country.
  Partly to mostly sunny skies are also aiding in melting this afternoon, but two more hard freezes are expecte
  
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• Records, lawsuits reveal foundation problems plague massive Austin development

  04-02-2022 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:
  In the south Austin neighborhood Lennar at Bradshaw Crossing, dozens of homeowners have had to repair their foundations, more are trying and others are suing the developer who they say is not honoring their warranties. The developer stands by its work and said it will help with repairs. A KXAN investigation uncovers much of the data that would tell you about problem soil underneath your home is not required to be submitted to the city before it approves permits to start c
  
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• Major new home development in Austin plagued with foundation issues

  04-02-2022 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:
  In the south Austin neighborhood Lennar at Bradshaw Crossing, dozens of homeowners have had to repair their foundations, more are trying and others are suing the developer who they say is not honoring their warranties. The developer stands by its work and said it will help with repairs. A KXAN investigation uncovers much of the data that would tell you about problem soil underneath your home is not required to be submitted to the city before it approves permits to start c
  
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• Two taken to hospital after vehicle rollover in southeast Austin

  04-02-2022 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people are being taken to the hospital with what EMS described as "potentially serious injuries" after a crash near southeast Austin.
  Austin Travis County EMS said Austin Fire and Austin Police were responding to a crash just before 11:15 a.m. Friday involving a vehicle rollover on eastbound E. Ben White Blvd. near Montopolis.Dangerous wind chills ahead of slow warm upAccording to ATCEMS, one person was trapped inside the car.
  A second ambulance was requested after emer
  
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• H-E-B stores back open after weather impacts

  04-02-2022 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- H-E-B stores in Central Texas opened on a delay Friday morning in response to a winter storm that forced school and business closures across the state.
  While those stores are now open, as of 8 this morning in many locations, H-E-B warns that curbside or delivery options may be limited.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Central Texas H-E-B stores closing early Thursday due to winter weatherH-E-B posted the following on its website, in part, about its response to this storm:
  In preparation of the
  
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• 500 pounds of ice; the added pressure on power lines this week

  04-02-2022 16:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - After a couple of days of freezing rain and temperatures below 32 degrees, one of the main concerns is lingering ice and its impact on power lines. Ice can be heavy and cause lines to snag or snap.Half and inch of ice can add 500 pounds of weight to a power line. According to the Omaha Public Power District, on a 920 foot long transmission line, that much ice will cause the line to sag four feet lower than normal.Make that 3/4 an inch of ice and it will cause a power line to sag
  
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• After 'quiet' night, Austin Energy works to restore power to several hundred customers Friday morning

  04-02-2022 16:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy crews have been working to restore power to people impacted by a winter storm that rolled through Central Texas this week.
  Overnight Thursday into Friday, lineworkers in the field had a "relatively quiet night," according to a tweet from the utility. Around 6 a.m., crews were working to restore power for about 370 customers affected by two different outages.
  By 8:45 a.m., power had been restored to all but 13 customers.Texas winter storm live updates: Fri
  
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• After 'quiet' night, Austin Energy works to restore power to 340 customers Friday morning

  04-02-2022 16:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy crews have been working to restore power to people impacted by a winter storm that rolled through Central Texas this week.
  Overnight Thursday into Friday, lineworkers in the field had a "relatively quiet night," according to a tweet from the utility. Around 6 a.m., crews were working to restore power for about 370 customers affected by two different outages.
  By 8:45 a.m., power had been restored to all but 13 customers.Texas winter storm live updates: Fri
  
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• Texas' power grid passes peak Friday morning, no conservation alerts expected

  04-02-2022 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Friday morning, ERCOT's live supply and demand tracker reported demand for power in Texas hit 68,681 MW at 8:40 a.m. The tracker projects demand will decrease throughout the rest of the day.Throughout the week, the state has reported it did not expect to issue conservation alerts. "We have a high degree of confidence our grid, we feel very comfortable in our current situation," ERCOT's interim CEO Brad Jones said Thursday.
  Earlier this week, Gov. Greg Abbott reiterate
  
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• Here's how to thaw your pipes after a freeze

  04-02-2022 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- So you've done your due diligence: left your cabinets open, dripped your pipes and turned off any outside faucets. What now? Not from Texas? Here’s why people drip their pipes hereAs Central Texas sees the tail-end of a winter storm that brought brutal cold temperatures, some will likely find their pipes frozen. Austin Water says you'll know if that's you if you go to turn on a faucet and don't get water, or it comes out at a trickle.
  Here's what Austin Water recommends yo
  
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• Vacant house in east Austin burns early Friday

  04-02-2022 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire crews put out a house fire in east Austin early Friday morning.It's unclear what caused the fire was at 1205 Fort Branch Blvd., but AFD said the home was vacant and no injuries were reported. AFD tweeted a photo of the home at 12:47 a.m. Texas winter storm live updates: Frigid Friday in storeThe home is in a neighborhood close to Springdale Park.AFD's Eddie Martinez told KXAN on Thursday that the department is prepared to respond to not only fire emergencies but
  
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• "The grid was ready": Gov. Abbott, state leaders tout electric grid changes as success

  04-02-2022 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --As a winter storm that brought ice and freezing temperatures slowly makes its way out of Texas, Gov. Abbott and and state leaders said Friday that the electric grid performed as expected and is "more reliable than ever.""The actions taken by the legislature, by the PUC and by ERCOT have resulted in a stronger grid," Abbott said.
  The Republican governor said Texas had about 15% more power generation than last year, "as a result of the winterization that protected power generation
  
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• LIVE: Gov. Abbott, state leaders giving update on Texas winter storm

  04-02-2022 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --As a winter storm that brought ice and freezing temperatures slowly makes its way out of Texas, we expect to get an update from the governor and state leaders on their efforts to keep Texans safe and with power.
  Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to be joined by state representatives from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, ERCOT and Texas Department of Public Safety, among others responding to the storm.
  Sign up for our daily forecast newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters. D
  
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• Gov. Abbott, state leaders to give update on Texas winter storm

  04-02-2022 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --As a winter storm that brought ice and freezing temperatures slowly makes its way out of Texas, we expect to get an update from the governor and state leaders on their efforts to keep Texans safe and with power.
  Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to be joined by state representatives from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, ERCOT and Texas Department of Public Safety, among others responding to the storm.
  Sign up for our daily forecast newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters. D
  
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• Gov. Abbott, state leaders give update on Texas winter storm

  04-02-2022 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --As a winter storm that brought ice and freezing temperatures slowly makes its way out of Texas, Gov. Abbott and and state leaders said Friday that the electric grid performed as expected and is "more reliable than ever."Abbott was joined by state representatives from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, ERCOT and Texas Department of Public Safety, among others responding to the storm.
  Sign up for our daily forecast newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters. Download the KXAN
  
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• Olympics begin in China amid pandemic lockdown, boycotts

  04-02-2022 14:09 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — The country where the coronavirus outbreak emerged two years ago launched a locked-down Winter Olympics on Friday, proudly projecting its might on the most global of stages even as some Western governments mounted a diplomatic boycott over the way China treats millions of its own people.The opening ceremony began just after the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach at the same lattice-encased National Stad
  
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• APD: Icy roads prevent wrecked car from being towed on RM 2222

  04-02-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police discovered an abandoned car Friday morning wrecked on RM 2222 in northwest Austin.APD said the car had been there overnight and that no one was in the car when officers found it in the 9500 block of RM 2222 near the Ribelin Ranch area and McNeil Drive.APD said it's going to wait to call a tow truck until after sunrise because of the icy road conditions.It's just another example of how slick roads are still since temperatures plummeted into the teens overnight
  
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• Nathan Chen dominates short program, helps vault Team USA to lead

  04-02-2022 13:11 via kxan.com
  
  BEIJING (AP) — It was supposed to be a foregone conclusion that Russia's powerful stable of figure skaters, including world champions in three of the four disciplines, would run away with the team gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.Nathan Chen and the rest of the Americans must have taken exception.The three-time world champ's winning short program set the tone for Team USA on Friday, and everyone else followed suit. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue won the rhythm dance with a season-be
  
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• Dangerous wind chills ahead of slow warm up

  04-02-2022 11:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Although we are done with the falling freezing rain and sleet, leftover ice continues to be a concern on roads and walkways this morning.A Winter Storm Warning continues until 10 a.m. for most of the area with a Winter Weather Advisory in place for Fayette County until the same time.Not only are the icy roads a concern but dangerously cold weather is settling in as well. A rare Wind Chill Advisory is in effect areawide through 9 a.m. for wind chill values as cold as -5 degr
  
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• Dangerous wind chills ahead of slow thaw out

  04-02-2022 11:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Although we are done with the falling freezing rain and sleet, leftover ice continues to be a concern on roads and walkways this morning.A Winter Storm Warning continues until 10 a.m. for most of the area with a Winter Weather Advisory in place for Fayette County until the same time.Not only are the icy roads a concern but dangerously cold weather is settling in as well. A rare Wind Chill Advisory is in effect areawide through 9 a.m. for wind chill values as cold as -5 degr
  
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• Texas winter storm live updates: Frigid Friday in store

  04-02-2022 11:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday's winter storm that brought freezing rain and sleet has now moved on, but a wind chill advisory is in place.
  The storm brought ice accumulations as high as 0.30" in the Austin area, and elevated roadways were iced over and dangerous. Travel is highly discouraged through midday Friday.
  Sign up for our daily forecast newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters. Download the KXAN Weather app to get the latest weather forecast: Apple | AndroidA wind chill ad
  
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• Ice storm results in downed trees across Central Texas

  04-02-2022 07:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the biggest problems Central Texans are facing during this storm is trees breaking under the pressure of all the ice. We spoke to several tree removal services, and many of them started getting calls early Thursday morning well through the evening because of downed trees.  Experts with Good Morning Tree Service said broken branches are one of the most obvious signs of damage but said you should also look at your tree trunks for cracks or splits, which could indi
  
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• WATCH: Downed tree limb sets power line on fire, causes outage

  04-02-2022 05:17 via kxan.com
  
  WEST LAKE HILLS, Texas (KXAN) — Around 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Ashley Johnson was on the phone with the fire department.
  "Heard a big pop," she said. "And the next thing I know, flames are going up in the trees." 4 outages, fewer than 200 Austin Energy customers without power Thursday nightA branch, heavy with ice, fell onto the power line, according to Austin Energy, which also caused a power outage.
  While the fire outside put Johnson into this mess, the fire inside was her saving grace.Ashl
  
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• Avoid the area: Icy conditions close I-35 near Georgetown

  04-02-2022 00:43 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN (KXAN) — Police have blocked off a very icy stretch of I-35 just before Georgetown.Traffic in the northbound lanes is being detoured off the interstate at exit 259B. Traffic can then take the access road about half a mile away before entering the interstate again.Texas winter storm live updates: Freezing rain, sleet making roads icy across Central TexasGeorgetown Police said it was working multiple wrecks on the highway and asked people to avoid both north and southbound lanes.
  
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• CapMetro adopts 'critical service schedule' Friday — what that means for riders

  04-02-2022 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Capital Metro will operate on a "critical service schedule" Friday, with a limited window and restrictions based on road conditions amid this week's ice storm.The critical service schedule will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and operate on 30- to 60-minute frequencies, CapMetro officials said in a statement. This schedule "includes some local bus routes on roads that are expected to be safe for bus operation," officials added.The modified schedule comes as part of the t
  
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• Austin-Travis County EMS crews note fewer crashes during ice storm

  04-02-2022 00:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While Austin-Travis County EMS crews were busy responding to requests for service during Thursday's subfreezing temperatures and wintry conditions, Captain Darren Noak said this latest storm has resulted in fewer crashes.As of Thursday morning, ATCEMS crews responded to approximately 300 calls for help. But a major concern for the department, and a warning issued to the public, centered around hypothermia. Texas winter storm driving: I-35 deck reopened, icy roads persist"Th
  
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