Cedar Park
GOVERNMENT
Study ranks three Texas lakes among 'dirtiest' in U.S.
A new study ranks three Texas lakes in the top 10 dirtiest lakes in the U.S. The study was released by Lake.com, a vacation rental platform that used data from the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, which is part of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Texas lakes were in West Texas, North Texas and near Austin.
Texas Cities Can Keep Fining Homeless People, Amid Rising Crisis
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that cities can enforce their own bans on homeless people sleeping outside in public places, meaning that Texas cities like Austin can keep their homeless bans in place. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment...
Williamson County honors local WWII veteran for his 100th birthday
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The Williamson County commissioners proclaimed Tuesday Archie Moczygemba Day in honor of a local World War II veteran who turns 100 years old on July 4. Moczygemba is a native Texan who served a total of 22 years, first as a U.S. marine then as...
Hundreds of Central Texas pool owners sue over 'concrete cancer' defect
Just five months after completing his pool, Patel noticed spider-like cracks oozing with white gel spreading along the outside wall. (Kameryn Griesser/Community Impact) Leander resident Sachin Patel always dreamed of affording a backyard pool for his children, but shortly after building one in 2019, his dream began to crumble. In...
Former Vista Ridge teacher pleads guilty to improper student relationship
A former Vista Ridge High School teacher pleaded guilty last month in a Williamson County court after she was accused of inappropriate interactions with a 15-year-old student in 2023, according to court documents.
Ex-aide to former Austin Mayor Steve Adler sentenced for federal conspiracy charges
AUSTIN, Texas — An ex-aide to former Austin Mayor Steve Adler has been sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $21,375 in restitution for taking payments from a nonprofit that won a federal contract he promoted. Frank Rodriguez, 73, of Dripping Springs, left his job as...
Ahead of busy Fourth of July holiday, local animal shelters look to reduce overcrowding
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — The Fourth of July holiday is just a few days away. The days after are some of the busiest of the year for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WRCAS). “July 5, July 6, July 7, that short period of time right after the Fourth...
Work begins on $19M expansion to Round Rock Sports Center
A $19 million project to expand the Round Rock Sports Center is now underway, the city shared July 1. (Brooke Sjoberg/Community Impact) A $19 million project to expand the Round Rock Sports Center is now underway, the city shared July 1. What you need to know. Work began on a...
Cedar Park leaders weigh expanding child care options throughout the city
PACE Preschool has been approved to build in Cedar Park, while Parinama Academy is still being considered. (Courtesy Adobe Stock) Following a monthlong council consideration process, one child care center is cleared to put down roots in Cedar Park, while another is still on the table. Both child care centers...
TSTA Announces Passing of Executive Director Richard Kouri
The Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) on Monday announced the passing of Richard Kouri, the association’s executive director. Kouri, 69, died on June 28 in Austin, following a lengthy illness. “Richard was one of a kind and worked tirelessly his entire career for our public school students and educators,...
Celebrate Independence Day in Central Texas: A Guide to Free Festivities
Independence Day is a time for celebration, and Central Texas offers a plethora of free events to mark the occasion. From parades to fireworks and live music, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your guide to the best free Independence Day events happening across Bastrop, Blanco, Buda, Burnet, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.
See the harrowing tales of Old Zilker Park from families who lived in the middle of it
One of the most memorable columns from "Austin Untold Stories," an American-Statesman series about city parks and a predecessor to the current "Austin Answered," was a report about three families who raised their children in the Zilker Caretaker's Cottage, a sweet house located just downstream from Barton Springs Pool. Once hidden behind...
Austin Animal Center stops intake as shelter continues to deal with capacity issues
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Animal Center (AAC) has temporarily closed intake as the shelter continues to experience critical capacity issues, the city of Austin said in a release on Monday. AAC said the decision is effective Tuesday, July 2, as more animals have been coming into the shelter...
For public transit. Against Project Connect.
Austin Needs Public Transit, Just Not Project Connect. Austin, the 11th-largest city in the US, needs better public transportation. In 1985, voters approved the creation of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro) and a 1% sales tax increase to fund it. While this generated $40 million in 1986, it will bring in almost $400 million in 2024.
New World Record Made At Sips & Sounds In Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas has been known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," for quite a long time, and that title was appropriately manifested over two days at Circuit of the Americas for the 2024 Coca Cola Sips & Sounds Summer Festival that featured two full days of live country, blues, and soul with a whole lot of refreshing Coke products that always hit the spot in our lovely Central Texas heat.
Groups call on city of Austin to adopt programs for unhoused community
Advocates are asking the city of Austin to do more to help the unhoused in the wake of a Supreme Court decision which allows cities to criminally punish those who are homeless, even if they don’t have access to shelter. Members from Austin Mutual Aid and VOCAL Texas shared...
Personal watercraft ban on Lake Austin for Fourth of July
AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department says it will ban the use of motorized personal watercrafts on Lake Austin this week. This is to ensure safety on the lake during the July 4th holiday. The city ordinance will go into effect Wednesday, July 3 and last until Friday, July...
TEA announces Generation 29 charter school decisions
Jul. 2—AUSTIN — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced Tuesday the State Board of Education (SBOE) vote following Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath's recommendation to grant Generation 29 charters. Pending contract approval and the reconciliation of any final contingencies, the following four Generation 29 charter school applicants are slated to begin serving Texas public school ...
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