Stories by Seth Smalley
Coming soon to Del Valle: More money for dual-language pre-K
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court, commissioners voted to make a portion of American Rescue Plan Act funding available to increase access to dual-language and full-day pre-K in Del Valle in southeast Travis County. The request initially…
Education • By Seth Smalley • Aug 6, 2021
County looks to amend development code to increase fire protections
On July 27, Travis County commissioners fielded discussion regarding the Stone Ridge Estates subdivision and the Flint Rock Circle subdivision. Both developments are located in far west Travis County, off of Highway 71 in Precinct 3. While the discussion was…
Development • By Seth Smalley • Aug 5, 2021
County mobilizes to reach residents who qualify for emergency rental assistance
On Aug. 3, the Travis County Commissioners Court fielded updates on the national Emergency Rental Assistance Program from Sherri Fleming with County Health and Human Services. The program concerns rental and utility assistance programs and initiatives made available from federal…
Housing • By Seth Smalley • Aug 4, 2021
As breakthrough cases rise, top doc stresses vaccine's importance
The Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council members will convene a special called meeting today amid growing concerns about the highly infectious Covid-19 Delta variant and a shortage of ICU beds. On Monday, Austin Public Health reported that…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Aug 3, 2021
South Austin tenants aren't getting evicted but still want answers
Tenants of the Rosemont at Oak Valley apartment complex, who had previously been given abrupt (though now rescinded) notices of their imminent evictions, still have unanswered questions for the Housing Authority of Travis County. Though the Housing Authority has since…
Housing • By Seth Smalley • Jul 30, 2021
County looks to expand jail-diversion programs
The Travis County Commissioners Court discussed the prospect Tuesday of expanding the scope of the Austin-Travis County Sobering Center to include aid (in the form of jail diversion) to those experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. Currently, the Sobering Center…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Jul 28, 2021
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County to provide short-term lodging and repairs for Rosemont residents
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court revisited the situation at the Rosemont apartment complex in South Austin, where over 80 families we had been given abrupt notice they would have to leave their homes by the end of the…
Housing • By Seth Smalley • Jul 22, 2021
Cap Metro fields updates on Project Connect
During the July 19 meeting of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors, members fielded a discussion and presentation regarding Project Connect. The presentation covered prominent dates; Blue, Orange and Red rail line updates; and MetroRapid bus line updates.…
Transit • By Seth Smalley • Jul 21, 2021
Fire/EMS station construction on pace despite pandemic
In 2017, a service needs analysis of the Austin Fire Department led to the City Council-sanctioned creation of a six-year plan to construct and staff five fire/EMS stations in the areas of most need: Del Valle/Moore’s Crossing, Travis Country, Loop…
EMS • By Seth Smalley • Jul 20, 2021
Canyon rimrock complicates reconstruction of Lake Austin boat dock
On July 7, the Environmental Commission approved a variance request to deconstruct and rebuild the Norris boat dock located at 1874 Westlake Drive. Scott Hiers, program manager for the Watershed Protection Department, presented pertinent details to the commission, including site…
Planning • By Seth Smalley • Jul 19, 2021
Delta variant may be to blame for rise in hospital admissions
On Tuesday, Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes and Austin Public Health interim Director Adrienne Stirrup updated the Travis County Commissioners Court on Covid-19 and vaccination efforts in the county. “So far, we have not received a confirmed case…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Jul 15, 2021
Housing Authority withdraws removal notice for Oak Valley residents
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court heard from some of the 85 families who were abruptly given notice last week that they would have to leave their homes at the Rosemont at Oak Valley apartment complex by the end of the…
