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Texas DPS to send resources to help with Austin police staffing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City leaders, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety, will announce Monday that DPS resources will be deployed to Austin as part of a violent crime task force in the city, a law enforcement source told KXAN. Austin street takeovers highlight persistent problem: Staffing shortages Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, interim City Manager Jesús Garza, Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw will hold a press conference Monday afternoon to announce a new plan to "address safety concerns," according to a city release.The release states leaders will discuss a "new plan to keep Austin safe as staffing shortages continue to create challenges for public safety departments."Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed DPS resources to Dallas in a similar initiative in 2020, according to a previous release from Abbott's office.The 2020 release from the governor's office said multiple DPS resources were sent to DFW as pa...

Cooler, windy weather arrives overnight with an isolated thunderstorm

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A pleasant day is underway with plenty of breaks of sunshine and mild, comfortable temperatures.A cold front pushes through the area tonight that may spark an isolated shower or thunderstorm. The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a marginal risk (1 out of 5) of strong to severe thunderstorms tonight. Hail appears to be the main threat.Severe storm outlook overnightTuesday will be breezy and cooler with most highs in the middle/upper 60s to a few low 70s. The north wind will gust in excess of 25 to 35+ mph.Wednesday will be the coolest day this week with lows from the middle/upper 40s to low 50s and highs below normal in the middle to upper 60s. An upper-level low is in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Washington. It will head to the southern Rockies by Thursday. Once again, there will be a chance of late-week showers and thunderstorms although the probabilities are low.The set up will be similar to those of the past few weeks. A dry line will move across th...

CapMetro to finish temporary police HQ construction in coming year

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro is expected to finish construction on its upcoming police department in the coming year, officials announced at a Monday afternoon board meeting.The transit authority announced a $3 million, 7.5-year lease of a 9,200-square-foot space on Cameron Road back in December. The facility is set to be a temporary headquarters until CapMetro finds a more permanent location for its police department.Under current estimates, work on the building will finish in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023-24 — for reference, the first fiscal quarter runs from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Eric Robins currently serves as CapMetro's transit police administrator. Once the police department is certified and comes online, he'll serve as police chief.Robins told CapMetro's board Monday the department is eyeing 46 sworn staff and 11 civilian staff personnel by FY27. Transit officers will serve as one leg of CapMetro's public safety program, which includes public safety ambassadors and inte...

City of Austin now hiring summer camp staff

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's getting warm and summer is right around the corner.Austin Parks and Recreation is now hiring seasonal summer camp counselors. Pay starts at $20 per hour, and sick leave is provided for all staff. Applicants must be 18 years old or older. The department said in a press release that counselors are needed to "lead and inspire children and teens through educational experiences, activities, and adventures."Multiple positions in Community Recreation, Cultural and Art, Nature Based as well as Inclusion and Adaptive Programs are currently hiring for the summer.According to the release, many full-time staff members at the department started their careers as summer camp counselors.

St. Paul: With demolition imminent, final Pedro Park design, renderings are unveiled

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

As demolition crews prepare to make room for downtown St. Paul’s long-awaited Pedro Park, a final park design has come together on paper.A landscape architect with St. Paul Parks and Recreation announced on Monday the department has completed the design process for the updated Pedro Park plan and published the final graphics for the long-term vision.A one-page bird’s-eye-view rendering is available online at tinyurl.com/PedroFinal2023, and 26 character sketches depicting visitors interacting with the park amenities are at tinyurl.com/PedroSketches2023.The city floated three conceptual designs in February and chose one based in part on public feedback.The final concept calls for a wedge-shaped green, with the block bisected by a curving, tree-lined walking trail that extends along both 10th and Robert streets in an arc. A park entrance at the intersection of the two streets would be marked by a plaza, terrace, fountain and splash pad. Potential amenities elsewhere in the ...

Bills share another look at stadium plans

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — New renderings of the planned venue to replace Highmark Stadium are in. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Buffalo Bills released new images of the plan for the team's future home on Monday morning. Currently, the multi-year construction plan calls for the new stadium to be built across the street from the current one on Abbott Road in Orchard Park.(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills)(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills)(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills)(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills)(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills)(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills)(Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bills) Bills release updated stadium renderings The construction project, which is estimated to cost approximately $1.4 billion, is expected to begin later this year and wrap up in 2026. Funding for the new stadium was broken down into the following sources:Buffalo Bills: $550 millionErie County: $250 mill...

Student hit by a vehicle while crossing Ballston Avenue

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- At around 2:30 p.m., the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office was notified that a Ballston Spa student was involved in a motor vehicle vs. pedestrian collision. The collision occurred on Ballston Avenue near the Ballston Spa High School and Middle School complex. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say a 2010 Ford Focus was traveling north when it struck a 14-year-old student. The student was transported to the Albany Medical Center for treatment. Investigations into the collision are ongoing. Crisis Teams at the Middle School and High School will be available on Tuesday for student counseling services.At this time, Mayor Frank Rossi is asking parents to stop using the business parking lot across from the High School to pick up their children. In a social media post, Rossi wrote, "The School District is trying mightily to reduce the need for crossing on Ballston Avenue, and we need to do what w...

Siena Poll shows voter attitudes towards state budget proposals

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The budget deadline is a little less than a week away. New York voters are weighing in on proposals in a new Siena poll.Governor Kathy Hochul is still sticking by her proposal to make changes to bail reform. Her goal is to give judges more discretion and remove the least restrictive means standard for serious offenses—something some in her own party are against."The voters are with the governor on this one," explained Steve Greenberg Nearly 3/4 of voters— 72% support it compared to 20% who oppose it. And this may surprise some people. It’s got support from 69% of republicans, 71% of independents, and 76% of democrats, so by a small margin, Democrats support that proposal even more than republicans do.https://scri.siena.edu/2023/03/27/overwhelming-support-for-millionaires-tax-strong-support-for-banning-flavored-tobacco-strong-opposition-to-suny-tuition-hikes/A recent Siena Poll also found that when it comes to the Governor’s proposal to increase tuition for SU...

Easter in the Adirondacks: Easter Bunny comes to Old Forge

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

OLD FORGE, N.Y. (WSYR) — Celebrate Easter in the Adirondacks this year with the Easter Bunny in Old Forge! Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Water's Edge Inn is hosting a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny event from March 31 through April 2 filled with a hot cocoa welcome, games and other activities. The Water’s Edge Inn Easter Bunny event will have other highlights including a coloring contest and free swimming in the indoor pool.“This weekend is going to be lots of fun for the entire family,” says Katie Wojdyla, Water’s Edge Inn Marketing Director said. “Families & Kids will enjoy getting excited for Easter—including all of the fun Easter activities and even swimming in the indoor pool!” Easter festivities in the Capital Region Reservations must be made in advance for one or two nights by calling (315) 369-2484. More information can be found on Water's Edge Inn's website.EventDateTimeComplimentary Hot Continent...

Diversity initiatives within Missouri agencies run into GOP attack on ‘woke’ government

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:35:50 GMT

High employee turnover has plagued Missouri’s Department of Social Services for years.The department’s staffing woes have contributed to a range of problems — from foster children languishing in state care for longer than they should be to disabled residents waiting months to receive federal food benefits to investigators unable to keep up with child abuse and neglect complaints.Gov. Mike Parson dispatched one of his top lieutenants — his former deputy chief of staff, Robert Knodell — to the agency in 2021 to address the long list of challenges, top among them employee morale and retention. In a November presentation to the governor’s cabinet, Knodell zeroed in on one retention measure he believes has proven especially promising.The “Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging” group that the department formed in 2020.According to Knodell’s presentation slides during the cabinet meeting, obtained by The Independent through a Sunshine Law request, more than 400 employees had participated...