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Austin City Council votes to change code implemented to fight 'stealth dorms'

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

Austin (KXAN) — The Austin City Council voted Thursday to amend a city code that caps the number of unrelated adults living in a residential home from 4 people up to 6 people in a residential home.The amendment was sponsored by council members Qadri, Fuentes, Pool, Valeasquez and Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis.Qadri, who represents District 9, said the limit City Code Title 25 was outdated and no longer served a purpose amid the current housing crisis facing Austin.During his remarks at the meeting, Qadri said he visited with members of the council back in 2014 when the cap was placed. He said it was enforced at that time to quash 'stealth dorms' or homes zoned for single-family use but that host multiple unrelated people."The four-person cap has long outlived its usefulness and it unduly constrains our ability to address the current housing crisis," Qadri said.Qadri and Mayor Pro Tem Ellis said the cap presents more harm amid rising rent, home, and land prices."At a time when rents cont...

Austin FC season ticket prices climb higher than in past seasons for 2024

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Austin FC season ticket holders were surprised when they were recently contacted about renewing their seats for next season.Following an email sent to season ticket holders by the club, fans who want seats at every game learned they are going to hand over more cash to watch the Verde and Black. For a fan with a single ticket in section 233 of Q2 Stadium, as an example, the price per ticket is currently around $55. When multiplied by 17 for each home game, it works out to $931 for season tickets. Next season, the same seat is going to cost the fan $1,045, an increase of $114 or about $6.71 per game. It's more than double the increase in previous seasons.Season ticket prices for one seat in Section 233 at Q2 Stadium2024: $1,0452023: $9312022: $8842021: $836Season ticket holders also get other perks, like tickets to early-round cup and other tournament matches along with early access to playoff tickets and a free MLS Season Pass membership ($14.99 /month or $99/sea...

'It's a miracle she even survived': Car crashes up 37% on US 290 in Hays County

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) - A crash put one young woman in the hospital for weeks on a stretch of road many say is dangerous. The Hays County Sheriff's Office said a majority of the crashes and traffic stops on U.S. Highway 290 are happening in Dripping Springs. One of those car crashes involved Coral Gibson. "It's a miracle she even survived. It's probably the worst non-fatal collision I've seen," her husband David Gibson said. David said he and Coral have been married for six years. (Photo: David Gibson)David said he and Coral have been married for six years. (Photo: David Gibson)David said he and Coral have been married for six years. (Photo: David Gibson)David said he and Coral have been married for six years. (Photo: David Gibson)The head-on car crash completely changed Coral's life. "With these kinds of injuries, she'll never be the same person again," Gibson said. "It's a very traumatic scenario."David said she drove on U.S. 290 west of Dripping Springs when a driver hea...

Tired of mowing the lawn? New app launching in Austin to find someone else to do it

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you're tired of mowing your lawn, fear not! An app is launching in Austin this week to help you find someone else to do it instead.GreenPal describes itself as "Uber-like." The app helps homeowners find on-demand lawn mowing at their convenience, according to a press release.So how does it work? First, you list your lawn care needs on the app, along with the date you'd like. GreenPal says vetted lawn care pros can then bid on the app before you choose who you want to work with based on ratings, reviews and price, the release states.Once complete, the mower will send you a time-stamped photo showing the completed work. You then pay on the app and can set up future appointments if wanted.The app is already operating in 250 markets across 48 states. More than a million homeowners have already signed up, the release said.

Gov. Tim Walz signs $2.6B infrastructure plan, a bipartisan success from a partisan session

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

Gov. Tim Walz signed a $2.6 billion public infrastructure package Thursday, the largest in state history and the biggest bipartisan success of an often partisan legislative session.The two bills together use $1.5 billion in borrowing and $1.1 billion in cash to fund a long list of projects statewide. They include roads and bridges, bus rapid transit lanes, drinking water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades, construction at state-run and tribal colleges and universities, facilities for state parks and trails, affordable housing and community centers, to name just a few categories. And the state money will leverage hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds.The Democratic governor signed the legislation just upstream from the landmark Hennepin Avenue bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, where then-Gov. Rudy Perpich signed a projects bill in 1988 that funded construction of the span. The new package includes $3.5 million for predesign work ahead of event...

Jackson Mahomes' attorney requests to file documents under seal

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

OLATHE, Kan. - The legal team for Jackson Mahomes on Thursday filed a motion to seal documents in his criminal case for sexual battery charges from an incident earlier this year. Court documents in the case against Mahomes became public last month. The affidavit provides additional details about the allegations that led to charges. Ralph Yarl’s family: ‘What the judge needs to hear’ Mahomes is charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery. He is also charged with one count of battery.According to the document, Overland Park police responded to Aspens Restaurant on Feb. 25, 2023, after a man reported Mahomes shoved his son.As officers investigated the claim, they spoke to the woman who owns the restaurant.The woman then reported Mahomes allegedly grabbed her by the throat, forced her head back and kissed her three different times shortly before officers arrived, according to the affidavit.She told investigators she did not consent to any of the contact.Mahomes will be in c...

Rockies swept in four-game series by Arizona for first time since 2002 as Pierce Johnson blows save in 5-4 defeat

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

The Rockies were a strike away from victory in Thursday’s matinee at Chase Field but folded instead when closer Pierce Johnson blew his first save of the year to send the Diamondbacks to a 5-4 walk-off win.Rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll delivered the two-RBI single in the ninth off Johnson that gave Arizona its first four-game sweep over Colorado in 21 years and sunk the Rockies further into the basement of the National League West.Arizona, meanwhile, moved into a tie with the Dodgers for first place in the division with the comeback victory that erased a strong outing from Colorado right-hander Connor Seabold and the would-be winning homer from rookie shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.Seabold threw 5 1/3 innings and was tagged for one earned run, with five strikeouts to two walks. But the bullpen leaked oil into the ninth before Johnson (11-of-11 on save chances coming in) gave away the game.“(Johnson) is not invincible,” Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters. “...

One person injured after police fire guns in Aurora

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

One person has been injured after police officers fired shots in Aurora. #APDAlert There is a large police presence near the intersection of East 8th Avenue and North Dayton Street in District 1 where shots have been fired by police.As of right now, we believe all Officers involved are okay and 1 person has been injured as a result of the shooting.… pic.twitter.com/9Yf8XbxoOp— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) June 1, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Thornton police shoot, injure man who shot at officers after chase leads them into Denver Crime and Public Safety | Man killed in Boulder police shooting wanted for domestic violence in Adams County Crime and Public Safety | Parents of Christian Glass say son would be “horrified” over his cause of death Crime and Public Safety | Family of Christian Glass to receive $19 million in settlement over son’s 2021 police shooting death Crime and Pu...

Sherman Oaks middle school teacher charged with sexually assaulting 2 students

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

A man who works as a middle school teacher in Sherman Oaks has been charged with sexually assaulting two eighth grade students, officials announced Thursday.Kareen Spann, 47, was charged with lewd act on a child under 14 and one misdemeanor count of child molestation, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.Investigators allege Spann, a teacher at Louis Armstrong Middle School, started having “inappropriate communication” with a student in April that led to grooming. The grooming then allegedly led to inappropriate and unlawful touching, officials said.That same month, Spann is accused of assaulting a second student on school property during lunch time.The defendant has pleaded not guilty and is set to appear in court on June 21.“Children deserve to feel safe and secure in their environment, and it is the responsibility of adults to protect them from any form of abuse or exploitation,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “These types of crimes against vulner...

Canoga Park woman dead, husband missing after boat capsizes in Alaska during family trip

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:23:12 GMT

A Canoga Park woman is dead and her husband is missing after a boat capsized in Alaska during their family vacation, officials and a loved one said.The woman's sister also died. The incident occurred around 10:20 p.m. May 28 when a 30-foot charter vessel carrying five people capsized in the area of Low Island in Sitka Sound, Alaska Department of Public Safety detailed.One person was eventually found unresponsive in the water near the boat. The 57-year-old Hawaii resident was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.He was identified by Alaska officials as Maury Agcaoili.Robert Solis and Brandi Tyau are seen in an undated Facebook photo provided by a family member. Around 5 p.m. Wednesday, two bodies were recovered from the sunken boat and are believed to be sisters Danielle Agcaoili, 53, of Hawaii, and Brandi Tyau, 56, of Canoga Park.Brandi’s husband, Robert Solis, 61 of Cangoa Park, is still missing, along with the boat operator and captain Morgan Robidou 32, of Alaska.Mich...