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Why is Austin behind on tree trimming? Audit calls for more accurate data, planning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Sept. 27, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City auditors dug into why Austin Energy is "behind" on tree trimming around the city and recommended more accurate data and long-term planning could help, according to a new report.Austin Energy trims trees around power lines year-round, in order to prevent tree branches frombrushing up against or falling on power lines -- causing outages or even wildfires. In February, following an ice storm that took down tree limbs and knocked out power for thousands of people over several days, city leaders faced questions about the effectiveness of the utility's vegetation management program. BACKGROUND: Why vegetation management is ‘critical’ to preventing power outages during winter weather Council ultimately directed the Auditor's Office to take a closer look. A draft of the audit, published this week and up for consideration at an Audit and Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, noted sev...

San Marcos City Council voices support for single-use container ban at city parks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- A single-use container ban could be coming to the City of San Marcos. "I am desperate to see this pass," said Council Member Matthew Mendoza. "I think it's well overdue."Last week, the city council showed unanimous support to move forward with creating a ban at all city parks. While it was only a discussion item and there was nothing to be voted on, every council member agreed they'd like to see a ban created. "Let's do it. Let's leave behind a legacy of a cleaner, greener future," said Council Member Jude Prather. It's something people in the area said they've been wanting for years now. Previously, the owner of a retail store near the San Marcos River said he'd like to see a "can ban." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: San Marcos campsite sees slow business in summer because of intoxicated tubers “They can still go out and tube. I guess if you want to carry whatever you want to drink in your Camelback, you certainly may because it’s a non-disposable container,” he ...

24-year-old dies after crashing on I-35 frontage road

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Sept. 27, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The driver involved in a single-vehicle crash on the Interstate 35 frontage road earlier this month died from injuries obtained in the crash. Merced Junior Elizalde Cortez, 24, crashed a pickup truck near the intersection of East Fourth Street and North I-35 Service Road around 6:20 a.m. Sept. 6. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023? Cortez was taken to a local hospital, where he died on Sept. 8. This incident is being investigated as Austin's 65th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 68 fatalities for the year. The crash is still under investigation. Anyone with any information should contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

'We have fallen so short': Audit committee slams poor conditions at Austin Animal Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A city-led audit and independent report conducted on the Austin Animal Center were presented Wednesday and revealed failures in the shelter's open intake operations and poor conditions for animals staying at AAC, despite the shelter meeting its "no kill" policy threshold.The City of Austin produced its own audit of AAC, as well as hired Tim Crum with the National Center for Animal Shelter Evaluations to produce his own independent report. These analyses focused on three critical questions surrounding operations at AAC:Why are there space issues at the shelter?Are the animals being treated properly?Is the City of Austin's live release status sustainable?Keith Salas, assistant city auditor with the City of Austin, presented findings to the city's Finance and Audit Committee Wednesday. Through their research, the city's audit team found the shelter isn't operating as an open-intake facility, nor is it providing the level of care city leadership would like to see from i...

Dallas police: Murder suspect taken into custody by UT Austin police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Sept. 27, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The suspect in a downtown Dallas murder was taken into custody this week by University of Texas at Austin police, according to the Dallas Police Department. According to a release, DPD officers responded to the 1400 block of Elm Street, which is in the downtown area, around 1:15 p.m. Monday and found Jenean Chapman, 46, dead in an apartment. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday determined Chapman’s death was a homicide. James Patrick, 48, was identified as a suspect in Chapman's death. Patrick was taken into custody in Austin by UT police on Wednesday, according to DPD. Dallas police said Patrick will be charged with murder and is in custody in Travis County.According to Travis County jail records, Patrick is being held on a $100,000 bond and has an "out of county felony" charge.

Albany jeweler opening third location in Queensbury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A jewelry store with locations in Albany and Clifton Park is bringing a third outlet north. Hannoush Jewelers will open its new location along Route 9 - where another jeweler recently closed up shop. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Owners David and Albert Hannoush will be moving into the space at 1054 Route 9 in Queensbury, near Six Flags Great Escape and the Glen Drive-In. The space has been home for the last decade to Louis Jewelers. Owner Louis Carciobolo closed the store earlier in September, announcing his own retirement. His desire was to find another family jeweler to use the space - and the Hannoush family fit the bill.“After getting to know Louis, we found that we share the same spirit of putting our customers’ needs in front of making a quick sale,” said Hannoush Jewelers co-owner David Hannoush. “This and other shared values make us confident that we can pick up where Louis left off and co...

Trick-or-treat at Grafton Lakes State Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

GRAFTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Ring in the spooky season with a fun evening at Grafton Lakes State Park on October 14! Families can partake in fall activities, including crafts and games, and see unique animals with special guest Uncharted Wild. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The special Halloween event runs from 3 to 7 p.m. The highlight of the evening is a jack-o-lantern-lit trick-or-treat nature trail. There will be 15-minute time slots, with the earliest time slots reserved for families with small children, and those with sensory sensitivities. The event costs $4 per person. To register, call (518) 279-1155 ext. 2. Let the park know if your family fits the above criteria and would like an early time slot.

JJ Rafferty's in Latham to close, building for sale

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- JJ Rafferty's Bar & Grill, located at 847 Loudon Road in Latham, is closing. A bartender at the restaurant confirmed the closure to NEWS10. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A post on the JJ Rafferty's Facebook page reads "our last weekend" with the schedule for karaoke on September 28, the Doug Villano Band on September 29, and the Donna Tritico Band on September 30. However, the bartender said they do not have an exact closing date yet.The JJ Rafferty's property has also been listed for sale on the CBRE website. The 2,756-square-foot restaurant building can be sold with all the furniture and fixtures or repurposed. The property is listed for $875,000. Son of Egg in Albany closes until further notice NEWS10 has reached out to the JJ Rafferty's owners and management, but has not heard back yet. The owners also own JT Maxies on Wolf Road in Colonie and Peddlers Bar & Bistro in Clifton Park.

'Omega Block' delaying Midwestern fall temperatures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- What happened to the fall weather? It is nearly October and a lot of Midwesterners want to know when it will start showing up in the forecast. The National Weather Service says that an Omega Block is shifting the jet stream over the Midwest, near Canada. This is keeping the cooler temperatures along the coasts while the center of the country remains warm and dry.Omega Block jet stream patternThe chance for rain is over after the storms rolled out of the area Wednesday morning. The rest of the week will be sunny and dry with above-average temperatures. Average highs this time of year are in the upper 70s. Forecast highs are well into the 80s. Adam Wainwright says he has thrown his final pitch The Omega Block is expected to stick around from Thursday until early next week. The pattern in the jet stream gets its name from its resemblance to the Greek letter Ω.Meteorologist Glenn Zimmerman explained during his long-range fall weather forecast that the first freeze near St...

Atlantic remains active as NHC expects new tropical storm to form this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:12:20 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center is continuing to watch Tropical Storm Philippe and a disturbance, which is expected to become the next named storm.The NHC said it is watching an area of showers and thunderstorms that continue to show signs of organization.The system is located about halfway between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles. Hurricane Ian victim told roof can be repaired, but roofers say it must be replaced It could become a tropical depression or a tropical storm in the next day or so while it moves west-northwest across the central tropical Atlantic. The system has a 90 percent chance of development over the next two days. If the storm forms, it will become Rina, the 17th named storm of the season.Meteorologists said if the system forms, it will likely stay out to sea.The NHC is also tracking Tropical Storm Philippe. Philippe has maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and is expected to weaken over the next few days.The system is located abou...