Katy McElroy

Love a block party? The Aldrich Street Fair: Have a Ball is for you. Located in the Mueller complex, Aldrich Street was named for named for veteran Texas Ranger Roy Aldrich, who operated a farm on this site. The event at 1911 Aldrich St. will feature glassblowing demonstrations, a bubble artist, cocktails by Tito’s Vodka, […]

The city is in the process of creating a master plan for the improvement of Givens District Park. As part of the process, the Parks and Recreation Department has been holding meetings for members of the community to share what they’d like to see improved and added. The department has scheduled the third meeting for […]

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has recently released a report, co-authored by Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, on how to make elections more auditable and secure. Out of the 41 recommendations, a county press release notes that the authors agree that Recommendation 4.11 is the most important: “All new voting systems must […]

The Austin Transportation Department has announced that the Technology Improvement Surcharge fee will soon be applied to applications for Street Event and Safety permits. The 4 percent surcharge for transactions in the Right of Way Management Approval Network (ROWMAN) permitting system first went into effect on Oct. 1, 2017, but until now it had excluded […]

This week, the city will begin replacing the temporary water barriers on the southern portion of Cesar Chavez Street near B.R. Reynolds Drive with permanent guardrail to ensure sufficient separation between users of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and everyday traffic. The guardrail will cover 480 feet, from behind the curb […]

According to the AtoZdatabases, approximately 93 percent of all businesses in Austin have fewer than 100 employees. That’s why since 2009 the city’s Small Business Program, in partnership with the University of Texas Center at Austin for Professional Education, has been hosting classes to help local small business owners and their employees hone their business […]

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been hashing out the details on its budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19. The entire proposal is viewable online, along with the past budgets and other financial information. As part of the process, the agency has been hosting public information sessions where community members can voice their opinions on and […]

Preservation Austin has announced the recipients of its 2018 Merit Awards. The group has been giving the awards since 1960 to those dedicated to preserving Austin’s architectural, cultural, and environmental heritage. This year boasts the largest crop of award-winners Preservation Austin has seen, with 18 recipients. It includes a wide range of structures and buildings, […]

A group of education advocates, including Austin Independent School District Trustee Ted Gordon, is threatening to sue the district if it does not immediately address inequities facing students of color in the district. According to KUT, at a press conference Wednesday the group released a manifesto “demanding that the district make the student achievement of minority […]

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Saturday, Sept. 15, to Monday, Oct. 15, and the Austin Independent School District will join the rest of the country in using the time to recognize the diverse heritage of people here in the United States with ancestral roots in Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America. As is tradition, […]

On Aug. 30, Menchaca Elementary School celebrated its groundbreaking. The Austin Independent School District marked the occasion with a performance by the Akins High School band. At the event, students talked about the benefits of the new campus on its existing site, which will up the school’s capacity to 870 from 606. Visitors also created […]

The city has been exploring ways that the Fire and Transportation departments can work in concert to ensure public safety and mobility function at the most efficient level to keep all residents safe and sound. If you have ideas on what kinds of factors the departments should be considering as they move forward with this […]