Austin news

• Central Texas business owner misses immigration renewal, forced back to UK

  19-03-2022 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  DRIFTWOOD, Texas (KXAN) — A Central Texas pet boarder originally from the United Kingdom is being forced back to her home country for overstaying her visit. It all came down to a hiccup during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  You'll find Driftwood Kennels on a 13-acre patch of land in Driftwood. The property has been managed and owned by Joan Harrison for 15 years.
  "Oh gosh, it's my heart, it's my world. It's my everything," said Harrison.
  Harrison's house also sits on the property that can house ov
  
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• Travis County fire crews benefit from teen's Eagle Scout project

  19-03-2022 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Manor Early College High School student is turning his Eagle Scout project into a thank you to local firefighters.
  Fernando Escobedo is a member of Boy Scout Troop 4277. He has been meeting with the employees at the Travis County Emergency Services Department since May of 2021 to see how his project could benefit fire crews.
  "They do a lot, they're everywhere, they're always working 24/7," Escobedo said. "I came over and I was asking them what could give the
  
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• Tar Heels survive ejection, big rally, beat '21 champ Baylor

  19-03-2022 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — So much for the idea that North Carolina is soft against top-tier competition. These Tar Heels are going to the Sweet 16 after knocking off the defending champions.No, it wasn’t easy. The Tar Heels blew a 25-point second-half lead after Brady Manek was ejected for a wild elbow and starting guard Caleb Love fouled out, and they had some issues when top-seeded Baylor turned up the full-court pressure. But they never fell behind, played with poise in overtime an
  
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• American lost in Ukraine flew into war to help sick partner

  19-03-2022 18:27 via kxan.com
  
  James “Jimmy” Hill refused to postpone his trip to Ukraine last month to bring medical treatment to his longtime partner Irina Teslenko, who has been suffering from progressive multiple sclerosis, his family said Saturday.Hill, 68, was killed in a Russian attack on the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, this week, as Teslenko received treatment at a local hospital. His family says she and her mother are trying to leave the city, but because of her condition they would need an ambu
  
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• Watch: Man having heart attack saved by quick-thinking gym patrons

  19-03-2022 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  HUNTLEY, Ill. (WGN) — An Illinois man who works out five to six times a week is thankful after quick-thinking fellow gym patrons saved his life.The day after Christmas, Brian Kuhn, 61, had a very close call when working out at an Anytime Fitness near his house."At 20 minutes on the bike, I felt my heart miss a beat," Kuhn said. "I didn't even make a full rotation with the pedals, that's when you see me on the video totally collapsing."Tim Gagnon was on a treadmill nearby and rushed over to
  
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• Gas thieves in Florida accused of hacking pumps to get cheap fuel

  19-03-2022 17:38 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Florida officials arrested four men this week, accusing them of using a device on gas pumps that allowed them to pump fuel for pennies on the dollar.
  The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services made the arrests on Wednesday. Commissioner Nikki Fried said she takes these types of crimes seriously."Anytime that we're seeing a theft like this, or actual fraud, we have zero tolerance," Fried said. "And we're going to come in and it's a very clear symbol to
  
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• Doctor used COVID loan for down payment on $1.7M yacht, officials say

  19-03-2022 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) – A doctor in New York was sentenced to 51 months in prison Friday after he fraudulently obtained more than $3 million in COVID emergency loans, officials said.
  Dr. Konstantinos Zarkadas used the money to buy a $1.7 million yacht, lease luxury automobiles and get Rolex and Cartier wristwatches, according to U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. He pleaded guilty in November 2021 to disaster relief fraud and wire fraud in connection with his rece
  
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• 3 Russian cosmonauts arrive at space station wearing Ukraine's colors

  19-03-2022 17:34 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Three Russian cosmonauts arrived at the International Space Station on Friday wearing yellow flight suits with blue accents, colors that appeared to match the Ukrainian flag. The men were the first new arrivals on the space station since the start of the Russian war in Ukraine last month.Russian space corporation Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Denis Matveyev and Sergey Korsakov blasted off successfully from the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan in th
  
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• Man who allegedly stabbed customer in Austin sporting goods store sentenced to 3 years

  19-03-2022 14:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man who allegedly stabbed someone in an Austin sporting goods store last year has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
  Police say Nicholas James McPherson, 41, stabbed a customer at the Academy Sports and Outdoors store at 12250 Research Boulevard in April 2021 leaving a "one-inch wide by two-inch deep wound on the top of the victim's left shoulder."
  The arrest affidavit says the victim and McPherson didn&rsq
  
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• One injured after early morning shooting in north Austin

  19-03-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was injured after a shooting at an apartment complex in north Austin. That person's injuries are not life-threatening, the Austin Police Department said.
  It happened at 8600 North Lamar Boulevard a little after 7 a.m. Saturday.No arrests have been made, APD reported.No additional information was available Saturday morning. This article will be updated as police are able to release more.
  
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• One arrested after reportedly attacking someone with an ax near Rainey Street

  19-03-2022 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was taken to the hospital late Friday night after police say they were attacked by someone with an ax.
  The Austin Police Department says a suspect was taken into custody on 85 Trinity Street, roughly two blocks from Rainey Street.
  It happened around 10 p.m.
  No other information about the incident was immediately available.
  
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• One arrested after reportedly attacking 3 with ax near Rainey Street

  19-03-2022 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Three people were injured late Friday night after police say they were attacked by someone with an ax. Two of those people were taken to the hospital, another refused, Austin-Travis County EMS said.
  The Austin Police Department said a suspect was taken into custody on 85 Trinity Street, roughly two blocks from Rainey Street.
  It happened around 10 p.m.
  No other information about the incident was immediately available.
  
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• One arrested after reportedly attacking 3 with an ax near Rainey Street

  19-03-2022 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Three people were injured late Friday night after police say they were attacked by someone with an ax. Two of those people were taken to the hospital, another refused, Austin-Travis County EMS said.
  The Austin Police Department said a suspect was taken into custody on 85 Trinity Street, roughly two blocks from Rainey Street.
  It happened around 10 p.m.
  No other information about the incident was immediately available.
  
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• List: Some of the big events happening at SXSW Saturday

  19-03-2022 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The final weekend of South by Southwest has arrived but there are still quite a few events to catch Saturday.
  The keynote speaker on Saturday is Michelle Zauner who will be signing copies of her book Crying in H Mart: A Memoir. That will happen at 1 p.m. in the Austin Convention Center, ballroom D.
  There will also be an Austin Stands with Ukraine showcase at the Speakeasy featuring Oleksandra Zaritska of KAZKA, the only Ukrainian musician who was able to get to the United States
  
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• Moontower Just For Laughs Austin 2022 lineup

  19-03-2022 13:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's biggest comedy festival keeps getting bigger.The Moontower Just For Laughs will return April 13-24 with over 150 comics taking over the capital city. New star power includes Sarah Silverman, Neal Brennan, Tim Dillon, and Matteo Lane.HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 05: Bobby Lee attends the premiere of FX's new comedy series "Reservation Dogs" at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 05, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)SANTA MONICA,
  
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• Former Nutty Brown owners enlist Snoop Dogg, Dwight Yoakam to help break in new Round Rock venue

  19-03-2022 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, TEXAS (KXAN) — The owners of Nutty Brown Amphitheater are back with a new venue in Central Texas.A new era will be birthed at an all new space in Round Rock, at a music venue that will go by 'Round Rock Amp'. The new location stretches 18 acres and is located at the former McNeil Park along I-35, south of the University Oaks Shopping Center. The new space will now be able to accommodate concerts, festivals and other community events, according to a city media release.&ldqu
  
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• Flights delayed at Austin airport after investigation into bomb threat

  19-03-2022 13:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several flights out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport were delayed overnight while officers worked a bomb threat at the airport.The bomb threat was reported at about 11:20 p.m. Friday.Flights were delayed taxiing to their gates or diverted while police worked at the scene.At about 1 a.m., the threat was cleared and operations returned to normal, the airport said.The Austin Police Department told KXAN it was a false alarm.
  
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• Flights delayed at Austin airport after bomb threat investigation

  19-03-2022 13:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several flights out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport were delayed overnight while officers worked a bomb threat at the airport.The bomb threat was reported at about 11:20 p.m. Friday.Flights were delayed taxiing to their gates or diverted while police worked to determine if it was credible or not.At about 1 a.m., the threat was cleared and operations returned to normal, the airport said.The Austin Police Department told KXAN it was a false alarm.
  
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• Forecast: high ozone, fire danger and severe risk

  19-03-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As we officially enter astronomical spring Sunday, Mother Nature will throw the kitchen sink at us with elevated levels of ozone, increasing fire danger and a significant severe storm risk, all within the next 3 days.Today will feature sunshine, dry skies and comfortable temperatures (70s). Although winds won't be as strong as what we saw earlier this week, there is still a concern for wildfires - mainly west of I-35. Unfortunately, higher levels of ozone (due to lighter wi
  
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• Forecast: elevated ozone, high fire danger, severe storm risk

  19-03-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As we officially enter astronomical spring Sunday, Mother Nature will throw the kitchen sink at us with elevated levels of ozone, increasing fire danger and a significant severe storm risk, all within the next 3 days.Today will feature sunshine, dry skies and comfortable temperatures (70s). Although winds won't be as strong as what we saw earlier this week, there is still a concern for wildfires - mainly west of I-35. Unfortunately, higher levels of ozone (due to lighter wi
  
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• Fire danger Sunday followed by a severe threat Monday

  19-03-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While it may look and feel like a fantastic day with sunshine, low humidity and warm temperatures, it's also an ozone action day.IN-DEPTH: An 'Ozone Action Day' doesn't mean more pollution is being emitted on a particular day in comparison to another day. It instead has to do with the weather pattern. Days with elevated ground-level pollution are typically days with weather controlled by a high pressure system. Under this area of high pressure, sinking air 'squishes' pollut
  
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• Extreme fire danger followed by severe storm risk

  19-03-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An active 48-hour period of weather with critical fire danger transitioning to a severe risk today into Monday.Today will be another great weather day with sunshine along with some scattered clouds late in the day. The winds increase again this afternoon bringing a very high wildfire danger back to Central Texas.
  A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the Hill Country for most of the afternoon and evening given today's critical fire danger.A more significant storm system arriv
  
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• Moore powers Texas over Fairfield in first-round win

  19-03-2022 06:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Freshman Aaliyah Moore scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Texas overcame a gritty effort from Fairfield to open the NCAA Tournament with a 70-52 win Friday night on the Longhorns’ home court.Texas, a No. 2 seed, smothered No. 15-seed Fairfield early, holding the Stags under 10 points in each of the first two quarters as the Longhorns built a 39-18 lead by halftime and looked to be on cruise control.Then they had to fight off a scrappy, experienced
  
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• Dolly Parton takes on SXSW with Dollyverse

  19-03-2022 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dolly Parton is here in Austin and taking over South by Southwest.
  "I know I have a lot of Texas fans; I'm happy to be back," said the music legend. Texas is happy she's back in the 'Lone Star State.'
  The country sweetheart made her first appearance at the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals. Fans filled ACL Live at The Moody Theater Friday night, with some fans even braving the wind early in the afternoon to see the music legend.
  DOLLY at #SXSW! Dozens already lining up out
  
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• How Sobering Center could minimize police use of force downtown

  19-03-2022 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Sobering Center downtown said it had an uptick in clients this week. To prepare for South by Southwest, the facility removed its COVID-19 capacity limit.
  "People do come here to party and enjoy themselves," said Travis County Precinct 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea. "Certainly during SXSW, there's a spike in people who are drunk or inebriated in some way."Even though the festival ends Sunday, the crowds won't be gone completely.
  "On the weekends it's highly concentrated," s
  
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• Austin could be missing out on major events due to recent transgender directive

  19-03-2022 04:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Visit Austin said it's losing business over state leaders' actions against transgender care for children as well as recent Texas laws that passed last year.Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate families seeking gender-affirming care for their transgender children. This came after Attorney General Ken Paxton released a nonbinding legal opinion in which he argued certain gender-affirming care "can legally c
  
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• Man, woman shot in north Austin Sunday; police searching for at least 3 suspects

  19-03-2022 03:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is searching for at least three suspects related to a shooting and robbery that wounded a man and a woman Sunday morning.
  The shooting happened around 6 a.m. on March 13 in the 9700 block of North Lamar Boulevard. That's just north of West Rundberg Lane.1 person dead following hit-and-run crash in east AustinAPD said officers responded to the area and found a man with several gunshot wounds lying outside his vehicle. He was taken to the hospital
  
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• Man dead after single-car crash in southeast Austin

  19-03-2022 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department on Friday identified a man who was killed in a single-vehicle crash in southeast Austin on March 9.He was Javier Villasenor-Reyes, 29.The crash took place at 7:15 a.m. in the 8300 block of East Ben White Boulevard eastbound. That's near the intersection with U.S. Highway 183.
  Police said the Jeep Cherokee Villasenor-Reyes was driving left the road and rolled over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Anyone with information about this crash is as
  
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• 1 person dead following hit-and-run crash in east Austin

  19-03-2022 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect involved in a deadly hit-and-run in east Austin.
  Austin Police said the crash happened just after 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 near Seventh Street and Pleasant Valley. A white car hit a pedestrian and fled the scene.2021 was the second-deadliest year on Texas roads, TxDOT data showsThe pedestrian was identified as Ricardo Alvarado, 67.
  Alvarado was taken to a hospital and died March 8.
  Anyone with information is asked to
  
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• Texas beats Hokies 81-73 for 1st NCAA tourney win since 2014

  19-03-2022 00:28 via kxan.com
  
  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Andrew Jones scored 21 points, Marcus Carr beat the halftime buzzer with a shot from well beyond halfcourt to put Texas ahead for good, and the Longhorns beat Virginia Tech 81-73 on Friday for their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2014.The sixth-seeded Longhorns (22-11) advance to a second-round East Region game Sunday against No. 3 seed Purdue (28-7). The Boilermakers trounced Yale 78-56 on Friday.After Virginia Tech’s Storm Murphy made two free throws with 2.1
  
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• Crews respond to brush fire in southeast Travis County

  19-03-2022 00:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lanes on State Highway 45 are being shut down, as crews are responding to a brush fire in southeast Travis County.
  The Austin Fire Department said it was assisting Travis County Fire Rescue just before 5:30 p.m. in the 12000 block of Wright Road near Creedmoor.Check your home’s risk of wildfire on this mapThe brush fire was reported at two acres.The Travis County Fire Marshal's Office warned about high fire danger Thursday. Extreme wildfire conditions were being forec
  
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• AFD: Brush fire under control in southeast Travis County

  19-03-2022 00:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lanes on State Highway 45 were reopened after being briefly shut down as crews responded to a brush fire in southeast Travis County Friday afternoon.
  The Austin Fire Department said it was assisting Travis County Fire Rescue just before 5:30 p.m. in the 12000 block of Wright Road near Creedmoor.Check your home’s risk of wildfire on this mapAFD said the fire was under control just before 7 p.m. The fire was 4 to 5 acres in size.
  The Travis County Fire Marshal's Office
  
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• What a courtroom loss for the city could mean for Austin home prices

  19-03-2022 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Steve Adler said the city is evaluating its legal options after an appeals court all but shot down a years-long city council attempt to loosen housing development rules.On Thursday, the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston sided with the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the city. A group of homeowners maintain the council failed to get enough public feedback on proposed changes to the land development code.Experts have said rewriting the code could spur more home co
  
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