Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be partnering with HEB and its beneficiary, For the Children, to host school supply drives ahead of the upcoming school year at various HEB stores. Capital Metro will park buses in two HEB parking lots from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 23 (2508 E. Riverside Drive and 14208 […]
2022
Posted inWhispers
Happy birthday, Bob Bullock
This Sunday, the Bullock Texas State History Museum is throwing a party – a birthday party to celebrate the legacy of its namesake Bob Bullock. Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., family-friendly activities, a photo booth with costumes, and free sweet treats are just some of the temptations in store. Visitors can also […]
Posted inPolice
City, police union prep for ‘more substantial’ meetings as labor contract nears expiration
With three months until the current labor agreement expires, the city of Austin and the Austin Police Association are making progress toward a new contract that balances the city’s goals of increased transparency and oversight with the union’s goals of pay raises and other benefits. “The next couple of meetings will be probably the more […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning Commission considers working group to tackle ‘archaic’ land use code
Austin’s Planning Commission is once more dipping its toes into turbulent waters, with plans to form a working group that would tackle small-scale reforms to the 38-year-old Land Development Code. On Tuesday commissioners opted to postpone action for another two weeks to iron out differing opinions over approach. Commissioners aim to reconvene next Tuesday with […]
Posted inWhispers
ACC helping students pay for college
Starting with the beginning of the pandemic, Austin Community College District has distributed more than $58 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, or HEERF, to more than 16,420 students, according to a press release from ACC. The money has gone to help students who struggle to pay for college. Brittany Ligon, an ACC student […]
Posted inWhispers
Fountain takes a break
Anyone hoping to cool their jets at the Liz Carpenter Fountain should know that the fountain will be closed today for “repairs to the filter system,” according to a parks department post on Facebook. Even fountains need attention sometimes. The fountain, at 201 Dawson Road, will reopen Thursday “when maintenance is complete.”
Posted inDevelopment
City formulates $98 million financing plan to cover Colony Park gap
The city is asking Travis County to contribute $30 million to the development costs of the Colony Park planned unit development in Northeast Austin, part of a proposed financing package of $98.8 million needed to complete the project. A city memo released Tuesday outlines several details related to the ongoing development that is being led […]
Posted inPublic Health
A limited supply of monkeypox vaccines and tests is heading to Travis County after case confirmed
Austin Public Health is requesting testing supplies and vaccines from the federal government to help address the potential spread of monkeypox in the area. The rare disease is caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, aches, chills and a rash of pimples or blisters. It can spread when someone comes in contact with an […]
Posted inPreservation
East Seventh historic zoning case sails through Planning Commission
A 116-year-old property at 902 E. Seventh St. stands a fighting chance against demolition following the Planning Commission’s recommendation last Tuesday to zone the site historic. The single-story folk Victorian home, currently operating as storage space for neighboring restaurant Gabriela’s, was purchased in 2019 as part of a package deal with several nearby properties. Despite […]
Posted inWhispers
LCRA cuts water to downstream interests
Severe drought with no relief in sight has led the Lower Colorado River Authority to cut off water to agricultural customers. Currently, the entire Hill Country watershed is in extreme drought. LCRA controls the flow of water through the lower Colorado River basin, and the interruption means that no Highland Lakes water will be available […]
Posted inWhispers
Roots & Wings is on the horizon
The 2022 Roots & Wings Festival – the annual citywide celebration of all things trees and pollinators – is winging its way toward Austin at high velocity. The actual event, a fusion of Arbor Day and Monarch Appreciation Day, will take place Oct. 22-Nov. 5. Area nonprofits and other organizations that would like to host a […]
Posted inParks
Parks board agrees to honor lifetime resident with plaque
The Parks and Recreation Board heard strong opinions about the renaming of Pan American Neighborhood Park at its June 27 meeting. The board had previously received an application from family members to rename the park in honor of longtime resident and coach Augustine “Tony” Castillo. But rather than changing the park’s name, the board agreed to […]