Is Travis County DA Garza dropping more felonies? Here's what the data show

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Is Travis County DA Garza dropping more felonies? Here's what the data show Investigative Summary: Criminal case data shows an increase in the overall amount of felony cases not prosecuted in Travis County in recent years, under District Attorney José Garza. KXAN investigators sat down with Garza, who explained how his office decides to dismiss, reject or pursue a case -- and why, he says, his office is more focused on getting convictions in acts of violent crime. AUSTIN (KXAN) — Keesha Hodges can’t help but smile when she remembers her son, Javone.“He would always tell people, 'My mom is my best friend.' Like, all the time,” she said. “He'd call me: ‘Best friend, what are you doing?'"She remembers him playing with his little brothers, acting like a “coach” as they worked out together, and how nervous he was the day he got his first tattoo.“I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s so cool!’ He said, ‘That was scary, Mom, I’m not going to lie.’ He's like, ‘A tear almost came out,” she said with a laugh.Now, Keesha’s arms are decorated with the same images that her so...

Austin Convention Center to undergo 4 years of construction in expansion project

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Austin Convention Center to undergo 4 years of construction in expansion project AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin announced this week it started the process of looking for an engineering firm to design the convention center expansion project, with the target to nearly double the amount of rentable space in the building. The project has been talked about for years, with the city conducting studies and analysis on the expansion of its downtown convention center, to meet the demands of a growing city. The city says it plans to start building closure, demolition, and construction activities in 2025 and will reopen the new and improved site in 2029, according to a news release. Impact of surrounding hotels and events This means there will be four years of no conventions and events at the center, and even more construction for a downtown area that is already riddled with cranes and construction projects. Nenad Praporski, the general manager of Fairmont Hotel Austin, looks at the situation as glass half full. His hotel is right across the street from the convention ...

Austin transit leaders point to public, legal support after AG opinion on Project Connect

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Austin transit leaders point to public, legal support after AG opinion on Project Connect AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin transit leaders Monday said the strength of public and legal support will keep them moving ahead with Project Connect despite funding issues brought up in a opinion released Saturday by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. As KXAN reported, Attorney General Paxton's opinion highlighted two potential issues. One related to debt and tax structure. It pointed to the city’s intention to use the maintenance and operation tax to pay down debt. The attorney general concluded that the Texas tax code “does not authorize a municipality to “earmark” use of a voter-approved increase in its maintenance and operation property tax revenue for debt service.” MORE: Texas AG opinion questions Project Connect funding Another issue the legal opinion raised was how the Austin Transit Partnership, the agency set up to implement Project Connect, is funded by the tax. The opinion found, if brought to a court, a court would likely conclude that since the tax structure is not subj...

5 things to know this Tuesday, May 23

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

5 things to know this Tuesday, May 23 ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Tuesday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we can expect a repeat of yesterday, with more great late spring weather on the way this afternoon. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office is investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened early Tuesday morning. According to Sheriff Zurlo, two officers were shot and the resident was shot by police. All three are currently being treated at Albany Medical Center. Also, a 23-year-old man was killed in a car crash involving a Mechanicville school bus. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Tuesday morning. 1. Two deputies shot executing search warrant in Clifton ParkThe Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Tuesday morning at the Foxrun Apartments off of exit 8 in Clifton Park. Per Sheriff Zurlo, two officers were...

Two deputies shot executing search warrant in Clifton Park

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Two deputies shot executing search warrant in Clifton Park CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Tuesday morning at the Foxrun Apartments off of exit 8 in Clifton Park. Per Sheriff Zurlo, two officers were shot as they entered the apartment on a warrant for a federal investigation around 5:30 a.m., and the resident was shot by police. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! All three are being treated at Albany Medical Center at this time. News10 is told the warrant and investigation are related to narcotics that involves multiple agencies. Stick with News10 as more information becomes available.

Man shot and killed in Central West End overnight

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Man shot and killed in Central West End overnight ST. LOUIS - A 25-year-old man was shot and killed overnight in the Central West End neighborhood. This happened just before 12:30 a.m. on West Pine Boulevard at North Newstead Avenue. Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting This investigating is still active. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Overturned pickup truck crash closes I-55 NB lanes

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Overturned pickup truck crash closes I-55 NB lanes ST. LOUIS - Emergency crews were at the scene of a two-car crash that left a car overturned Tuesday morning.Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter was flying over the scene, located on Interstate55, just a bit north of Highway Z, where a car ran into a cable barrier and overturned. Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting The northbound direction remains closed as EMS crews are responding and debris is still being removed from the area. The cause of the crash has not yet been revealed, and drivers are urged to take an alternate route. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Lifelong friends ride cross-country for organ donation awareness

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Lifelong friends ride cross-country for organ donation awareness ST. LOUIS - Two men who have been friends for more than half a century are riding bikes across the country. They don't have engines on theirs, but they say a good cause is fueling their journey."We're lifelong fiends and I wanted to help him with his cause, and for myself," cyclist JD Norton revealed. "I wanted to spread the word about organ donation.""So I messaged him," cyclist Tommy Taylor shared. "I said John David, you wanna ride coast to coast with me? And I don't think it was third seconds when he got back to me and said yes."Both JD Norton and Tommy Taylor have been impacted by the need for organ donors. Taylor lost his wife two years ago to Sarcoidosis. A lung transplant would have saved her. Retired Post-Dispatch sports writer Rick Hummel dead at 77 Norton's 8-year-old grandson is also in need of a kidney.The biking duo's journey started in Santa Monica, California in April. On Monday, they stopped in St. Charles.The two hope to reach Boston by June.

Try this Front Range canyon bike ride with shoulders wide enough to feel safe | Opinion

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Try this Front Range canyon bike ride with shoulders wide enough to feel safe | Opinion Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s new series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we will offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems). Canyon highways along the Front Range offer exceptional scenery and challenging climbs to entice ambitious cyclists, but they often have minimal or non-existent shoulders. While some cyclists are willing to brave narrow, winding roads with little or no margin for error, I’m not.That’s why one of my favorite rides is Lefthand Canyon north of Boulder, a 14-mile climb with an ascent of 3,200 feet to the town of Ward near the Peak to Peak Highway and Brainard Lake. It has ample shoulders, so I always feel safe. It gets steep the last mile and a half, but that’s part of what makes it an attractive ride.Related ArticlesOutdoors | JeffCo road where cyclist was killed 15 years ago finally being widened ...

Lady Nomada opens second location in Lakewood

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:30:00 GMT

Lady Nomada opens second location in Lakewood The restaurant: Lady Nomada, 7167 W. Alaska Dr., DenverAbout: The “Baja-Coastal” restaurant, which originally debuted in Olde Town Arvada in 2021, opened a second location in Lakewood this week. From the folks behind Perdida, Homegrown Tap & Dough, Park Burger, Birdcall and Park & Co., Lady Nomada’s second location features an expansive open-concept dining room, plus oversized retro beach umbrellas and hand-painted murals on the patio that are designed to make guests feel as if they’re stepping into a boutique hotel by the beach in Cabo, according to the owners.Provided by Werk CreativeThe bar at Lady Nomada in Arvada pours margaritas, tropical cocktails, beers and wines. (Provided by Werk Creative)What’s on the menu: The all-day Mexican spot serves traditional dishes with a spin, like the Nomada Double Decker Taco with Arbol honey grilled shrimp, pico de gallo and guacamole, mini chile rellenos and potato taquitos.In addition to a full beer and wine ...