79-year-old dies after single-vehicle crash - Austin news - NewsLocker (2024)

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department released the identity of a 79-year-old man who died after he was in a single-vehicle crash in south Austin last month.
APD said officers responded shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, June 28 to a single-vehicle crash in the 1200 block of West Ben White Boulevard Service Road.MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2024?The driver, identified by APD as Gerald Farcus, 79, was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead. &nbs

Victim identified in northwest Austin deadly crash

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department announced on Tuesday night, it has identified Samantha Spears, 30, as the victim in a fatal motorcycle crash on Sunday at 9:57 p.m. The crash occurred at the intersection of West Parmer Lane and McNeil Drive.
APD said Spears was the motorcyclist and was pronounced deceased on scene.
The driver and passengers of the vehicle remained on scene and were not injured, according to APD.
Austin Police said this crash is being investigated as Austin's 41st fa

Spectrum services restored across Texas, spokesperson says

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spectrum has restored an outage that impacted users across Texas for about 7 hours Tuesday, according to a company spokesperson.
“As of 7:30 p.m. Spectrum services have been restored in parts of Texas that were affected by a third-party infrastructure issue caused by the impact of Hurricane Beryl. We apologize for the inconvenience," a spokesperson said in the latest update KXAN received via email Tuesday evening.
KXAN has followed up with Spectrum, asking for more details

Biden blames Texas officials for delayed federal response to Beryl

AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Texas is receiving federal aid for Hurricane Beryl later than needed because state leaders were slow to request an official disaster declaration from the White House, President Joe Biden told the Houston Chronicle Tuesday.With Gov. Greg Abbott out of the country on an economic development trip in Asia, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has served as acting governor amid the storm, making him responsible for putting in the state’s request for aid.A White House spokesperson

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Rainfall to increase horsefly population in Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN)— The heavy rainfall throughout Texas is expected to fuel the horsefly population in the coming weeks, according to Texas A&M Agrilife research.Horseflies do not only target horses -- they feed on the blood of both animals and humans, the report said.
Horsefly season is in the summer due to their egg laying period in the winter and spring, according to the research. Since there has been more rainfall within the last few months and flooding from Beryl, more of these pests a

'Breaks your spirit': Houstonians exhausted by frequent disasters

HOUSTON (Nexstar) -- At 92 years old, Gladys Goffney is hardly fazed by the latest storm to rock Houston. As she raked up the remnants of Hurricane Beryl in her front yard Wednesday, she recounted the many disasters she has endured over the decades.Carla, way back in 1961. Katrina in '05, then Rita, Ike, Harvey, Alberto, Beryl. The names of hurricanes become markers of time for anyone who has lived in Houston long enough."You never recover from these storms," she said while surveying her leaky g

Meta to remove posts targeting ‘Zionists’ with antisemitic tropes

(The Hill) — Meta expanded its policy around posts that target “Zionists” to ban speech that uses the term in a way that uses antisemitic tropes or other threatening language against Jews or Israelis, the company said Tuesday. The policy expands which posts targeting “Zionists” will be removed based on how the term is treated, compared to Meta’s previous hate speech policy that more narrowly banned the term when it was used as a stand-in proxy term for J

Oklahoma social studies education to be reformed with help of conservative influencers

(The Hill) – Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Tuesday a committee with conservative activiststasked with rewriting the social studies standards in his state. “The new approach to social studies standards will ensure the social studies standards are chronologically sound, reinforced, and reiterated through a student’s primary and secondary education, will empower schools to teach from primary sources, and will inspire in students a love of country

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Bartlett hopes jail reopening will boost local economy

BARTLETT, Texas (KXAN) -- A prison in Bartlett is making a comeback. The state closed, what was known as, the Bartlett State Jail in 2017 because there were not enough inmates. But now, it's opening back up. And that's a welcome sight to the people who call Bartlett home."It used to be full of antique shops and such and it's gone away," said Emily Kruse. She knows a thing or two about the local economy. Kruse owns and runs the Red and White grocery store right in the middle of town.Bartlett Uni

Crash between semi-truck, motorcycle shuts down traffic on I-35 at Yager Lane

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A crash involving a semi-truck and motorcycle is shutting down traffic in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 at Yager Lane in north Austin, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.Shortly after 2 p.m., Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to the crash in the 12300 block of North I-35 for the crash, the agency said on social media. One person was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center "with critical-life threatening injuries," medics said.Around 3:30 p.m., TxDOT s

1 seriously injured after crash between semi-truck, motorcycle on I-35 at Yager Lane

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A crash involving a semi-truck and motorcycle shut down traffic in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 at Yager Lane in north Austin on Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.Shortly after 2 p.m., Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to the crash in the 12300 block of North I-35 for the crash, the agency said on social media. One person was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center "with critical-life threatening injuries," medics said.Around 3:30 p.m., TxD

Lulu Sun falls in Wimbledon quarterfinals to Croatia's Donna Vekic

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It was quite a run for former Texas Longhorns tennis player Lulu Sun at Wimbledon.After winning three qualifying matches to get into the Grand Slam event and then claiming four consecutive matches to become the first Texas player to reach the quarterfinals at a major, Sun bowed out in three sets to Croatia's Donna Vekic.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersSun grab

State commission could give landmark status for historic UT-Austin building set to be demolished

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A state commission could take steps to delay the University of Texas at Austin's plan to demolish a historic campus building.The university plans to demolish the Steve Hicks School of Social Work building to make way for a football practice facility.PREVIOUS: Historic UT building to be demolished for football facility; Group tries to stop teardownThe Texas Historical Commission is expected to consider giving the social work building State Antiquities Landmark status during

State history museum to honor late Texas leader with free family event

AUSTIN (KXAN) —TheBullockTexas State History Museum will honor its namesake — the late Texas Lt. Gov. BobBullock — with a free, family-friendly event this weekend.The event commemorates Bullock's 95th birthday and starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, according to a release from the museum.
There will be free exhibition admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., activities for families to enjoy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sweet treats. You can view which exhibitions are currently o

As melanoma cases rise nationally, how does Texas fare?

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, July 9, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The American Cancer Society anticipates more than 100,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in the United States this year, as the National Cancer Institute is tracking upticks in cases nationally.
Earlier this year, the American Cancer Society announced an ominous record: More than two million new cases of cancer were expected to be detected in the U.S., marking the

WCSO: 1 dead after 'suspected overdose' in Georgetown

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a 46-year-old man died of a suspected overdose in Georgetown, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.On Monday, the WCSO Organized Crime Unit (OCU) responded to the call for a "suspected overdose death" at 1221 Winding Way in Georgetown, the release said. When deputies arrived, they found the man dead. Officials are not identifying him at this time, as they are notifying the next of kin, according

Gypsy Rose Blanchard announces pregnancy with boyfriend

*Attached video: Gypsy Rose Blanchard out of prison years after persuading boyfriend to kill abusive mother(WJW) – Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was released from a Missouri prison in December of 2023 after serving eight years, announced her pregnancy on YouTube Tuesday.Blanchard spent the better part of the last decade in prison after admitting in court to asking her ex-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn to kill her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who experts say likely suff

Spectrum services restored after reports of outages across Texas

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On Tuesday evening, a Spectrum outage that left customers across Texas without internet or cable was restored after several hours, a spokesperson with Spectrum told KXAN.The international broadband service provider confirmed the outage in a post on X at 1 p.m.“As of 7:30 p.m. Spectrum services have been restored in parts of Texas that were affected by a third-party infrastructure issue caused by the impact of Hurricane Beryl. We apologize for the in

Spectrum reports outages across Texas

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Spectrum is currently addressing an outage that has left customers across Texas without internet or cable.The international broadband service provider confirmed the outage in a post on X at 1 p.m."We are aware of outage affecting customers in the Texas area," Spectrum's support team stated in a social media post. "We apologize for inconvenience and are working to resolve as quickly as possible."Spectrum did not provide an estimated time service restoratio

Austin eyes safety upgrades to Cameron, Dessau Road amid high crash volumes

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, July 9, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Cameron Road and Dessau Road could soon undergo a safety upgrade, courtesy the City of Austin's proposed corridor project.The potential improvements could come along Cameron Road from 51st Street to Rundberg Lane and on Dessau Road from Rundberg Lane to Parmer Lane. The possible project is years in the making after city leaders first held a listening session and launched

Arch Manning's audible: He's now in EA Sports College Football 25

AUSTIN (KXAN) — He's in the game.Ten days before the official worldwide release of EA Sports College Football 25, Texas quarterback Arch Manning called an audible, announcing he'll opt into the game and have his name, image and likeness featured on the Texas Longhorns roster.What Arch Manning, Quinn Ewers said about each other at Manning Passing AcademyOriginally he declined to be part of the game, saying he wanted to focus on actual football rather than being in a video game. It releases

'Extremely active season' predicted in updated Atlantic hurricane forecast

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Colorado State University has released its updated forecast for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and researchers are projecting an "extremely active season."The forecast calls for 25 named storms and 12 hurricanes, with six of those hitting Category 3 or greater.
This is up from their original forecast back on April 6, which originally called for 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes. The new forecast already includes Alberto, Beryl, and Chris, all named

Tracking the Tropics: Quieting down for now, but for how long?

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- What was at one point a category five hurricane, Beryl is now over land and will continue to weaken over the next few days.This has been an early, long-lived storm that has broken numerous records since forming 12 days ago.
It first reached category five strength with winds of 160 mph on July 1, making it the earliest category five hurricane on record, by 15 days.
Beryl continued to strengthen as it moved through the Caribbean. Its peak wind speed topped out at 165 mph, mak

LIVE: Tracking the Tropics | Quieting down for now, but for how long?

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- What was at one point a category five hurricane, Beryl is now over land and will continue to weaken over the next few days.This has been an early, long-lived storm that has broken numerous records since forming 12 days ago.
It first reached category five strength with winds of 160 mph on July 1, making it the earliest category five hurricane on record, by 15 days.
Beryl continued to strengthen as it moved through the Caribbean. Its peak wind speed topped out at 165 mph, mak

Austin Energy sending crews to Houston to help with Hurricane Beryl recovery

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy is sending 20 lineworkers and support personnel to Houston Tuesday afternoon to help with restoration efforts as millions were left without power in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.
Beryl made landfall Monday around 4 a.m. near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Beryl was later downgraded to a tropical storm.The storm left flooding and wind damage in its path, and at least six people have died in Texas because of it.6 pe

Property damage from Beryl? How to file an insurance claim

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, July 9, 2024.TEXAS (KXAN) -- As Texans impacted by Hurricane Beryl begin assessing any storm damages, the Texas Department of Insurance is stressing the importance of kickstarting a claim process.What to do when filing an insurance claimProperty owners are advised to connect with their insurance company as quickly as possible and be prepared to describe any damages sustained from the storm with as man

Austin man drowns in Nolan Creek in Belton

BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) - An Austin man is dead after drowning in Nolan Creek on Monday night.The Belton Police Department responded to a drowning call in Nolan Creek, near Liberty Park, around 8:48 p.m.
Witnesses said they saw a man, later identified as 55-year-old Arturo Chagolla, jump into the creek to swim. However, police say he was swept up by the current.Officers engaged in life-saving efforts, but Chagolla was later pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman. Polic

Body found in West Lake Hills late June identified as missing elderly woman

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A body that was found in West Lake Hills last month was identified as an elderly woman who went missing, according to the Austin Police Department.
APD said in a release Tuesday morning the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office positively identified the body as Anne Ringold, 70.APD seek public’s help to find elderly woman last seen downtownRingold was reported missing June 25 after she was last seen the day before in downtown Austin.
On June 25, Austin-Travis County EMS

Second evacuation route opens for Steiner Ranch area years after 2011 wildfire

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — In case of emergencies, a second evacuation route is ready for Steiner Ranch residents.
The new evacuation route will give Steiner Ranch neighbors another option in case of emergency evacuations, according to Travis County. The additional route will reduce evacuation time for the area.PREVIOUS: Travis County to build Steiner Ranch evacuation route more than a decade after devastating firePlans for the additional route began years ago after a 2011 wildfire wher

Nonprofit providing financial help for retired military, police dogs

HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- When a police or military dog is given the honor to retire from service, they are usually left without any financial support to pay for their medical needs. It is a problem that Jason Johnson noticed and what led him to create Project K-9 Hero.
"To make sure that no K-9 goes without the care it needs, and that those individuals that served our country, whether it be in our communities or overseas, do not go into personal financial debt," Johnson said when asked why he star