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Stressing community trust, county commissioners consider candidates for Housing Authority board
At its meeting July 16, the Travis County Commissioners Court considered six applicants to fill two vacancies on the board of the Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC). Commissioners will make a final decision this coming Tuesday. Candidates focused on the importance of transparency with the community, especially since HATC...
Travis County culinary instructor talks local benefits of Texas Michelin Guide
Career and technical educator Jayma Vaughan with the Travis Early College High School discusses the Austin ISD culinary program, and how the Michelin Guide heading to Texas could increase opportunities for students.
New leader at helm of Strategic Housing Finance Corp. of Travis County
The Strategic Housing Finance Corp. of Travis County has a new leader. Dianna Grey has been named the new executive director of SHFC, according to a July 18 announcement. SHFC is a nonprofit that partners with private developers to boost access to affordable housing. Grey, who previously served as the homeless strategy officer for the city of Austin, has been SHFC’s interim director since January.
New LTISD library policy highlights parental involvement, bans harmful material
The board of trustees approved a new library policy at a July 17 meeting following a presentation by Amanda Prehn, LTISD director of curriculum and instruction. (Chloe Young/Community Impact) Lake Travis ISD has adopted a new library policy recognizing a parent’s role in choosing what their student reads and revising...
Congressman Casar allocates nearly $2 million for Kyle and Travis County water services
AUSTIN, Texas — Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) presented the City of Kyle and Travis County with almost $2 million on Thursday as part of the Reclaimed Water Master Plan to help improve water services for residents living in both areas. Casar was joined by local elected officials and leaders...
Austin libraries turn to off-duty law enforcement to address mounting safety concerns
The Austin Public Library is seeking additional law enforcement support to address safety issues. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact) The Austin Public Library is turning to county sheriff's deputies to address worsening safety and security issues across its system. The overview. Since April, the APL has spent more than $16,000 on extra...
The Best Way to Fight Heat Waves and Outages Is to Green the Grid
Heat waves have killed thousands around the world in recent months. As periods of exceptionally high temperatures become increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change, drastic action is required to limit the damage. The electric power sector is both contributing to the problem as one of the principal sources of greenhouse gas emissions and being hurt by it, as seen by the early arrival of a powerful storm like Hurricane Beryl and lower water levels at Lake Mead threatening the Hoover Dam’s ability to produce energy. The United States, the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases and the second largest polluter today, has begun cleaning up its power...
With an ambitious food plan ready for adoption, all that’s missing is the financing
City Council members heard a briefing Tuesday on a far-reaching food plan designed to eliminate historical barriers to food access in Austin and Travis County. If all goes as planned, the draft proposal will return to City Council on Aug. 29 for possible adoption. The Travis County Commissioners Court is expected to be briefed on the plan Aug. 8.
Texas adds two fugitives to most wanted list, offers $5,000 reward
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added two fugitives with ties to Central Texas to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Fabian Martinez Toribio, a 25-year-old criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, has been wanted by the Austin Police Department since January 2024 for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Additionally, in February 2024, a warrant was issued out of Travis County for his arrest for possession of a controlled substance. Martinez Toribio was previously arrested and convicted of entry without inspection in April 2018 and was subsequently removed from the United States. In October 2023, he was arrested by the Manor Police Department for resisting arrest/search and possession of a controlled substance, then bonded out of jail. Martinez Toribio is 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, and has ties to Travis County, including the cities of Austin and Pflugerville.
Travis County unveils plans for federal funding, seeks public feedback
Travis County officials are working to identify projects eligible for federal funding to support affordable housing for FY 2024-25. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact) Travis County commissioners received an update July 16 regarding the five-year strategic plan being developed to secure federal Community Development Block Grant funding for fiscal years 2024-28. Annually,...
ATCEMS Plants Time Capsule in Historic Station
With renovations well underway at Austin-Travis County EMS Station One, ATCEMS this week held a ceremony to install a time capsule within the walls of the historic station. Opened in 1982, ATCEMS Station One was the first free-standing municipal EMS station in the country and has been undergoing much-needed renovations to update the space and expand its capacity, with the eventual goal of housing two ambulances and a district commander. Renovations began early last year and were funded by a bond passed by Austin voters in 2018. The bond also included renovations to four other aging EMS and fire stations.
We wanted to know how many Austin-area school districts have deficits. So we asked them.
If you thought your school district was the only one with money troubles, think again. Many districts in Central Texas are struggling due to a combination of factors: The base level of per student funding hasn’t kept up with inflation, federal pandemic relief for schools is ending, and the Texas Legislature is requiring districts to do more without providing enough funding to cover the extra expenses.
New leader to know in Austin housing
The Strategic Housing Finance Corp. of Travis County has a new leader. <\p> Dianna Grey has been named the new executive director of SHFC, according to a July 18 announcement. SHFC is a nonprofit that partners with private developers to boost access to affordable housing. Grey, who previously served as the homeless strategy officer for the city of Austin, has been SHFC’s interim director since January. <\p>
2 fugitives with Austin-area ties added to Texas most wanted list
Two fugitives with strong ties to Austin and nearby Bastrop have been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday. Fabian Martinez Toribio, 25, and Octavio Cruz Hernandez, 32, both have extensive criminal histories in the Austin area. DPS...
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