Blog

Onion Creek residents urge Austin council to ramp up buyout efforts

Posted: 6:58 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 Benito Arellano, a 39-year-old father of three, has been waiting for a city buyout since the 2013 Halloween flood brought a foot of water into his Onion Creek home. He used his own money to rebuild the home he’s lived in with his wife since 1998, only to … Continue reading Onion Creek residents urge Austin council to ramp up buyout efforts →

Flood death toll climbs to four

Posted: 6:25 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2015  by Nicole Cobler and Katie Urbaszewski The death toll from last week’s floods in Central Texas climbed to four as Comal County officials announced Monday they had recovered the body of a man who had been swept into a creek. Three people died in Travis County. “We’ve lost … Continue reading Flood death toll climbs to four →

After ballot mix-up, Martindale voting for mayor again

By Nicole Cobler - American-Statesman Staff MARTINDALE — The city of Martindale is so small every vote truly does matter. Yet, election officials somehow lost track of who should be voting for mayor in May, forcing a redo next week for the first time anyone can remember in the history of the 160-year-old town. Mistakes … Continue reading After ballot mix-up, Martindale voting for mayor again →

Weekend storms bring mostly good news for Austin area

Posted: 8:32 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 | By Nicole Cobler - American-Statesman Staff Despite its ominous billing as the most powerful hurricane in the Western hemisphere, by the time Patricia swept through Mexico and then Texas, there was less damage than feared in its wake. Patricia hit Mexico’s Pacific coast on Friday night as … Continue reading Weekend storms bring mostly good news for Austin area →

Three Austin firefighters hurt Sunday in condo blaze

Updated: 2:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 | By Patrick Beach and Nicole Cobler - American-Statesman Staff Three Austin firefighters barreled into a burning condominium Sunday morning when they heard reports that a resident was trapped inside. The resident was out of town, but the firefighters did not realize that before the second floor collapsed beneath their feet … Continue reading Three Austin firefighters hurt Sunday in condo blaze →

Burnet paramedic killed in wreck would have become firefighter Monday

Posted: 6:55 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 BURNET — Daniel Hampton would have completed his paperwork to become a full-time firefighter at Brady Fire Department on Monday – a dream he had since he was 14 years old. Instead, friends and family will come together Thursday to mourn his death after he was killed on … Continue reading Burnet paramedic killed in wreck would have become firefighter Monday →

Austin lawyer charged in murder plot has criminal record

Posted: 5:11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 An Austin attorney whom police have accused of being a heroin dealer and offering a man money to kill someone had run-ins with the law years ago, court records show. James Newton Walker, 62, was jailed Friday and charged with solicitation of murder. According to an arrest affidavit, … Continue reading Austin lawyer charged in murder plot has criminal record →

New Central Texas lands join areas preserved by state

By Nicole Cobler - San Antonio Express-News via Associated Press PIPE CREEK — Superintendent James Rice spends each day maintaining 3,757 acres of Hill Country land northwest of San Antonio in hopes that it will eventually be open to the public. He is the only employee at the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area, so … Continue reading New Central Texas lands join areas preserved by state →

Euphoria festival sues Travis County over restrictions

Austin American-Statesman Travis County is facing a legal challenge after county commissioners approved further restrictions on noise levels of large events outside city limits. The Euphoria Music and Camping Festival filed the lawsuit last week, claiming the ordinance approved in August by Travis County commissioners is unconstitutional. According to the lawsuit, the ordinance restricts the … Continue reading Euphoria festival sues Travis County over restrictions →