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TxDOT prepping for weekend flooding risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

AUTIN (KXAN) -- Emergency crews across the region are preparing to respond to this flood risk, and that includes the Texas Department of Transportation.Traffic anchor Erica Brennes sat down with Bradley Wheelis, a spokesperson for the TxDOT Austin office, to learn more about the role they play during flooding events.Erica: "Brad, there's a lot of rain predicted for the Austin area. Multiple inches. What are the TxDOT crews doing to prepare for this upcoming storm?"Brad: "TxDOT crews are on standby to respond to any weather-related incidents. For the most part, our crews help in setting up barriers when roadways are flooded, but we assist in any which way we can during one of these severe weather events."Erica: "Are there any added challenges regarding brush that may be leftover washing, downstream blocking drains, culverts, that sort of thing that TxDOT has to deal with or monitor after the winter storm."Brad: "That's always a concern. Anytime you have a weather event like this, esp...

Bills by the handful perish as Texas House hits crucial late-session deadline

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Some lawmakers cheered, others anguished as the Legislature zoomed past a crucial midnight deadline Thursday, leaving more than 140 House bills on the scrap pile.Democrats had maneuvered since the start of the week to delay action in the House, dragging out debate in an effort to wear down the Republican majority, which still had multiple bills on guns and the treatment of transgender Texans awaiting passage at the deadline.The “chubbing,” as the delaying strategy is called, continued Thursday. At one point, El Paso Democrat Joe Moody questioned Rep. Mark Dorazio, R-San Antonio, about whether he had seen the entire “Leprechaun” filmography to research his bill on linking debit card transactions to the Texas Bullion Depository, which holds silver and gold.As some yawned at their desks as debate wore on, other lawmakers turned to humor, whistling the sound of bombs falling to indicate a bill dying.Among the doomed GOP bills were Rep. Ellen Troxclair of Austin...

Southeast Austin charter school increases security after threatening letter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Austin charter school said Friday it would operate on a normal schedule after it informed parents on Thursday of a letter threatening harm to the campus on Monday, May 15. According to officials at Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School, they contacted Austin Police about the threatening letter and "the investigation determined where the threat originated and the individual was taken into custody."Wayside told parents in the letter there was "no longer an active threat to the STMS school community at this time." The campus said it would increase security as a precaution and counselors would be available Friday to support scholars, staff and families who need it. Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School is in southeast Austin, located on the northeast corner of Interstate 35 and William Cannon.

EMS sending boats to South Texas in preparation of flash floods

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Heavy rainfall in the forecast could bring about flash flooding this weekend, and with the potentially severe storm, Austin-Travis County EMS has deployed a boat team to south Texas.Around 6 a.m. Friday, a crew consisting of five special rescue operations personnel towed off two boats from the ATCEMS Station 1 in south Austin.In Austin, two other fully staffed MS boats would stay in town to help locally, while a third boat is on standby. Their deployment is part of a partnership with a state and FEMA rescue task force based in College Station.In the past, they've been sent off to save lives during hurricanes Ian, Harvey and even Katrina.Keep in mind, these boats are used for any type of emergency incident, with their primary objective including water rescues, such as pulling people out of flooded lakes and rivers.“We’re going to have a high volume of rain this weekend, so there are houses that will need to evacuate and people may be stuck,” ATCEMS Commander Craig Smi...

St. Paul man gets 5-year prison term for gas station shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

A two-time convicted felon was sentenced to five years in prison for a shooting at a St. Paul gas station last year.Thaddeus Antoine Johnson, 40, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a gun in connection with firing several gunshots at cars at the Holiday gas station at Rice Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Frogtown on Jan. 26, 2022.Thaddeus Antoine Johnson (Courtesy of the Ramsey County sheriff’s office)Johnson, of St. Paul, is barred from possessing a gun because of felony drug convictions from 2003 and 2012.Charges of intentional discharge of a firearm that endangers others and possession of stolen property were dismissed as part of a February plea agreement.According to the criminal complaint, Johnson and his friend pulled up to the gas station just after 7 p.m. Johnson got out and was walking toward the store when someone in a sport-utility vehicle turned into the lot and shot his friend.Johnson fired in the direction of two other vehicles at...

Minnesota Aurora’s Paola Then called up to Dominican national team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

Minnesota Aurora defender Paola Then has been called up to the Dominican Republic Under-20 national team for the U20 Concacaf Championship from May 20-June 3.“Our team could not be more excited for Paola to represent her country and play at home for the U20 Concacaf Championship,” Aurora head coach Nicole Lukic said in a statement. “This is an exciting moment for all of us to see an Aurora player compete on a world stage.”Aurora, a second-year amateur club, opened preseason camp this week as it prepares for its season opener May 24 at TCO Stadium in Eagan.A player at Iowa Lakes Community College, Then is the first Aurora player from the Caribbean, but she had not yet reported to Aurora’s camp due to collegiate finals. The 19-year-old center back will go play in the continental tournament in her hometown of Santo Domingo, then join Aurora for the rest of the USL W League, which has a regular season that runs into early July.

New Stewart's proposed for Loudon Road in Latham

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Stewart's Shops has proposed a new store at 956 Loudon Road, the current location of the Sycamore Hotel. In a May 9 meeting, the concept plan was unanimously approved by the Town of Colonie Planning Board. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The proposed site also includes 2 Wellness Way, the former site of Nemith Car Wash and a part of 954 Loudon Road, which is a vacant lot. There are existing buildings for the motel and car wash, which are both proposed to be demolished.According to the site plans on the Town of Colonie website, the proposed Stewart's includes a one-story, 3,975 square foot mini-mart, 16 fueling positions, 40 parking spaces, and will eventually have electric vehicle charging stations. The shop will have about 15 employees and will be open from 4 a.m. to midnight daily. Once started, the entire project is expected to take three months to complete. New ramen, bubble tea shop opens in ...

Expert who determined cause of limo crash testifies in trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The criminal trial of Nauman Hussain continued May 12, 2023 with the prosecution calling Brian Chase, a vehicle forensics expert, to the stand. What you missed in the Schoharie Limo Crash trial Chase was hired by the New York State Police to conduct the vehicle autopsy and investigation into what caused the fatal crash on Oct. 6, 2018 through his company, Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Services and Consulting. Chase walked the jury through parts of his 83-page report, vehicle autopsy and analysis. His testimony highlighted flaws in parts of the limo's body, transmission and brakes that show a "lack of proper maintenance." Chase, through this report, determined the cause of the crash as catastrophic brake failure. He pointed to, what he called, a "considerable amount of rust" on parts of the rear brakes that he says can reduce the amount of friction and effectiveness when braking. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered righ...

These St. Louis Battlehawks have earned NFL camp invites

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The long-awaited return of the St. Louis Battlehawks proved largely successful, leading to a 7-3 record and XFL-leading average attendance of 35,000-plus fans. Despite these strides, the Battlehawks missed out on a playoff spot due to tiebreakers and will not compete for the XFL championship this weekend. However, many Battlehawks players are still being rewarded in a big way shortly after their season ended. Trending Story: Kirkwood High School’s yearbook raises concerns from others The XFL is designed to give a second chance to players who might not quite make the cut for an NFL roster, oftentimes promoting itself as a league of opportunity on social media. Players have a chance to prove their value, build on their skills and stay in shape with a similar grind to the NFL.Because of that, NFL teams have taken notice. Dozens of XFL athletes have earned invites to NFL camps ahead of the 2023 season. That includes a lengthy list of St. Louis Battlehawks players. The fol...

Broncos rookies Riley Moss, JL Skinner agree to contracts as minicamp begins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:34 GMT

As the Broncos’ newest members and hopefuls hit the field for a weekend rookie minicamp, more of the club’s draft picks are agreeing to contract terms.Third-round cornerback Riley Moss and sixth-round safety JL Skinner each agreed to their four-year rookie deals, a source confirmed to The Post on Friday morning. They join seventh-round interior offensive lineman Alex Forsyth in having that step in the process finalized.Denver’s top two picks — second-round receiver Marvin Mims, Jr. and third-round linebacker Drew Sanders — remain unsigned. Some players take longer than others to get their deals finalized, but long disputes have become rare since the rookie wage scale essentially standardized deals based on draft position.According to Over The Cap data, here’s what each of the Broncos’ five draft picks slot value looks like:Mims: Four years, $6.07 million ($1.41 million signing bonus)Sanders: Four years, $5.73 million ($1.17 million signing b...