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Storms focus east of I-35 this afternoon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 3-8" of rain has fallen overnight in portions of the Hill Country causing some localized flooding including minor flooding along the Llano river. Rainfall amounts generally ranged from 1-4" for the Austin Metro where flash flooding remains possible.Storms have also brought brief spin-up tornadoes southeast of Austin during the morning. The National Weather Service has expanded the timing of the Flood Watch, which now continues through Thursday evening.Flood watch until midnightThe rain will continue to gradually focus mostly toward areas east of I-35. Live, updated rain totals During the day on Thursday a 2 out of 4 flash flooding risk is in place for the Austin Metro. Watch out for localized heavy downpours on Thursday, which will become less numerous as we head through the day.Flash flooding risk Thursday (WPC)Another round of rain and thunderstorms happens Friday. Saturday looks drier, but more storms arrive ahead of a very potent...

Flooding shuts down Austin Recreation Center polling location

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The heavy rainfall Thursday morning led to the closure of one polling location in central Austin. The Travis County Clerk's Office announced the Austin Recreation Center, located at 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd., would have to close as an early voting site because of flooding. Staff members are now directing voters to go to other nearby locations like the University of Texas Flawn Academic Center, 2304 Whitis Avenue, or Austin City Hall, 301 West Second Street. Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the November 2023 election? "Due to flooding, the Austin Recreation Center polling site will be closed until the location can safely re-open. Our office will share updates as they become available," a news release Thursday noted. People can find a list of all the early voting locations on the Travis County clerk's website. Polls will remain open until 7 p.m. Thursday. During this election, voters are deciding whether they support 14 proposed constitutional amendments ...

346-acre Caldwell County project part of $15B plan to build 'mini cities' around Austin, Dallas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

AUSTIN (ABJ) -- On the heels of announcing a plan to invest $15 billion to essentially build 10 mini-cities around Central Texas, it might come as a surprise to hear Red Oak Development Group CEO Tom Staub admit he fully understands he didn't pick a great time to do it.He listed off the reasons: Many developers are not buying land because of high prices. Builders are being cautious about what projects they are taking on because of rising construction costs. Existing home sales are reaching decades-long lows. Mortgage rates at 8% are making home-buying difficult, and more."It seems so contrarian to go out there and do this now," Staub said. "But doing this now puts lots on the ground in 12-to-18 months. So, really, it's positioning ourselves to have the bulk of supply in Austin for builders going into 2025 and 2026. So timing couldn't be worse if you're thinking right now, but it couldn't be better two or three years out."Read the full story online at the Austin Business Journal.

Salem man pleads guilty to stealing 31 semi-automatic pistols from a licensed dealer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Salem man has pleaded guilty to stealing firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hudson Falls. Martin Taft, 48, faces at least five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Taft admitted to breaking into Calamity Jane's Firearms and Fine Shoes with co-conspirator Jonathon Combs. The two reportedly stole 31 semi-automatic pistols and then exchanged the firearms with another individual for cocaine they intended to distribute. Taft and Combs pled guilty to one count of theft of firearms from a licensed dealer and one count of using firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Combs also pled guilty to an additional count of theft of a firearm from a licensed dealer. Police took Army reservist suspected in Maine killings for evaluation in July after erratic behavior Combs faces the same minimum and maximum penalties. He will be ...

Missing South Carolina girl found in Kirkwood, Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- A missing teen from South Carolina was found safe Wednesday night in Kirkwood, Missouri. The Monroe Police Department says that Lauren Heath, 16, was found in a vehicle in the Lowes parking lot near I-44 and Meachum Park. Convicted sex offender Christopher James Porter, 30, was in the driver's seat.Christopher James PorterHeath was reported missing on October 13 from Monroe, South Carolina. She was last seen on a doorbell camera leaving her home. Billboards were put up to help find her last week.Kirkwood police were investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot near I-44 on October 25. They noticed that there was a young girl in the passenger seat. They were able to identify her as Lauren Heath after talking to the people in the vehicle. Multiple people reported dead, injured in Maine shootings Police say that Heath had her birth certificate on her. She also gave officers her mother's phone number and they called her parents.Heath told officers...

Mercury spill evacuates Hazelwood USPS distribution center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been called to investigate a mercury spill at the United States Postal Service distribution center in Hazelwood. The facility has been evacuated.The Environmental Emergency Response team is on the scene. The Missouri DNR says that there is a report of a mercury release onto a mail processing table and conveyor belt. Teaspoon-size amounts of the toxic substance were visible on a table and mercury beads could be seen on a conveyor table next to the area.Cleanup efforts are being coordinated with an environmental contractor.Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that can be a liquid or a gas. Exposure can cause health issues like eye irritation and respiratory problems. Workers may be harmed by exposure depending on dose and duration.

Kia to install anti-theft software for free at St. Louis Galleria this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. - Heads up, Kia owners. You can take your vehicle to the St. Louis Galleria this weekend and get new anti-theft software installed in your car for free. Kia America is holding a software upgrade service center event this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, Kia owners can visit a mobile clinic for a software upgrade. Multiple people reported dead, injured in Maine shootings This comes in an effort to reduce Kia thefts around the St. Louis region. The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County both reported 10 times as many Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts in 2022 compared to previous years. Police claim the ability to steal a Kia or Hyundai became wide-known from a TikTok trend earlier this year, leading to a spike in such thefts not only in St. Louis, but also nationwide. Many believe these videos first started gaining attention on YouTube last year. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. ...

SLUH star Ryan Wingo chooses Texas over Mizzou

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

ST. LOUIS - From St. Louis, to Columbia, Missouri, to Austin, Texas, the college football world was paying attention to a big announcement Wednesday afternoon. Ryan Wingo, a talented wide receiver for the St. Louis University High School Jr. Billikens, made his college choice. There was hope that Wingo would stay in-state and join the Missouri Tigers. On Wednesday, he committed to the Texas Longhorns. St. Louis CITY SC set to face Sporting KC in first playoff round Mizzou and Texas were long believed to be the top choices for Wingo leading up to his decision. A consensus five-star recruit, Wingo says it was an agonizing decision, and he was leaning toward Texas before Mizzou's recent success. "Picking [Texas] over a home state school that's on the rise, it's pretty tough," said Wingo. "Mizzou's season for sure had me rethinking, especially with how good they're playing. They had a big push for sure. Wingo is believed to be one of the top recruits to come out of Missouri in severa...

Cash reward offered to identify reckless ATV driver in Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

MOUNT VERNON, IL – The Mount Vernon Police Department is offering a cash reward for information about an individual who has been causing property damage by riding a four-wheeler around schools, businesses, and government buildings. The police department is offering a $500 cash reward for anyone who can provide information about this individual who has been speeding recklessly on a four-wheeler, particularly in Veterans Park and in areas with children present during events. Moreover, the four-wheeler's operator has been traveling at high speeds on major roadways and avoiding law enforcement when confronted.  ‘Basketball Wives’ star Brittish Cierrah Williams sentenced to prison The police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying and apprehending the driver. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mt. Vernon Police Department at 618-242-2131. Information leading to the identification of the offender(s) is eligible for a $500 reward. For those wis...

Millions stolen from funds meant to feed children in need; Missouri exec charged

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:21 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A Missouri nonprofit executive is accused of stealing millions of dollars from a program intended to feed low-income Missouri children, including some funds acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connie Bobo, 44, of St. Charles, serves as the executive director of the New Heights Community Resource Center, a nonprofit designed to provide meals to low-income, school-age children after school and during the summer.A federal indictment revealed Wednesday accuses Bobo and New Heights of falsely claiming to have served at least three million meals to children between February 2019 and March 2022. The indictment alleges these were meals that New Heights neither actually purchased nor supplied. ‘Basketball Wives’ star Brittish Cierrah Williams sentenced to prison The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) paid Bobo around $11 million. The indictment claims she spent around $4.3 million on personal expenses, including a $1 million home for herself, other ho...