Monday’s filing deadline for the Republican and Democratic primary elections in Texas has come and gone, and one name in particular is strikingly absent from the field seeking to replace Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton: Sheriff Hamilton himself. The incumbent made waves earlier this year when he announced his plans to step aside at the […]
Caleb Pritchard
Posted inPremium Types
Tipsheet: Travis County, 12.15.15
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. 2. Approve resolution in support of continued participation of Planned Parenthood in the Medicaid program in Texas. (Judge Eckhardt & Commissioner […]
Posted inWhispers
Candidates fill the ballot ahead of Monday’s filing deadline
Travis County Precinct 3 Constable Sally Hernandez filed to run for sheriff in East Austin on Friday. Hernandez joined fellow Democrats Don Rios and Todd Radford in the quest to replace current Sheriff Greg Hamilton. Republican Joe Martinez has also filed his candidacy in the race. Conspicuously absent from the ballot so far are declared […]
Posted inTransit, Transportation
Cap Metro rolls out downtown MetroRail station plans
Capital Metro has scaled down its ambitions for a permanent MetroRail station in downtown Austin. The transit agency showed off at a public meeting on Friday its preferred concept for the station, a much more conventional rendering compared to the swooping modernist proposals floated last year. Also missing is the grand appellation by which the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Travis County
County considers, delays action on mixed-use development
Seeking a united front, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt delayed action at Commissioners Court on Tuesday on an innovative mixed-use development project in North Central Austin. The agenda called for the court to vote on whether to send out a request for proposals, or RFP, from private developers for the project at 5325 and 5335 […]
Posted inTravis County
County nixes revenue to save inmates money
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday to forgo a six-figure revenue stream in the name of letting jail inmates and their families save money on telecommunications services. The commissioners voted 3-1 to modify a contract with Securus Technologies Inc., with Commissioner Gerald Daugherty casting the lone vote in opposition. Commissioner Brigid Shea was […]
Posted inTravis County
Commissioners Court adds security screenings
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt has announced that all visitors to weekly Commissioners Court meetings will be subject to security screening starting next week. A non-operational metal detector standing in front of the court chambers at the regular meeting Tuesday heralded the heightened security to come. The change comes amid heightened anxiety over the rising […]
Posted inWhispers
Eckhardt responds to mass-gathering decision
It probably won’t surprise many readers to learn that Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt has welcomed the recent decision by a state district judge to dismiss a legal challenge against the county’s newly adopted guidelines for mass gatherings. Last week, Judge Tim Sulak rejected Euphoria Music and Camping Festival’s request for an injunction against the […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 12.8.15
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. 4. Consider and take appropriate action regarding County response to weather events in Travis and surrounding counties. (Judge Eckhardt) Monitor’s Take: […]
Posted inWhispers
Hernandez teases “big announcement” in December
As expected, December could usher in a big change in the heretofore quiet race for Travis County sheriff. Precinct 3 Constable Sally Hernandez has revealed that she will make a “big announcement” on Dec. 3 at El Mercado in downtown Austin. Hernandez has been expected to join the sheriff’s race for several months. She has […]
Posted inWhispers
County votes on CTRMA appointees
Travis County will definitely return one of its three appointees to the board of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority while giving another one the chance to apply for another term. At a truncated regular voting session on Tuesday, the Commissioners Court voted 4-1 to reappoint David Armbrust and open up the application process for […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 11.24.15
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. 2. Consider and take appropriate action regarding County response to weather events in Travis and surrounding counties. (Judge Eckhardt) Monitor’s Take: […]