Stories by Seth Smalley
Frigid temps put strain on wildlife and pets alike
As an energy crisis triggered by unusually frigid weather persists throughout the state, even our wild neighbors have struggled to adjust, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports. Mortality events have been observed in several bird species, including various species of…
Environment • By Seth Smalley • Feb 19, 2021
Animal Advisory Commission fields outcry over Gracywoods guinea fowl
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where bloodthirsty predators abound, the guinea fowl’s large numbers, fast legs, and plucky dispositions help protect them from looming peril. But over 8,000 miles away, in the charming North Austin neighborhood of Gracywoods, the birds face a…
Austin • By Seth Smalley • Feb 18, 2021
Commissioners Court endorses ESD-17 for May ballot
The Commissioners Court held a public hearing Tuesday on a contentious ballot initiative to create a new emergency services district overlay. After hearing from proponents and opponents alike, ultimately the commissioners unanimously endorsed the referendum, which will appear on ballots…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Feb 11, 2021
Ellen Wyse house denied historic designation, after owners protest
A debate at the Jan. 26 meeting of the Planning Commission centered around the merits of historic preservation versus the potentially regressive effects of a historic landmark designation on cash-strapped property owners. The owners and developer of the Ellen Wyse…
Preservation • By Seth Smalley • Feb 9, 2021
City, county partner up to launch Covid vaccine call center
Travis County is teaming up with the city of Austin to support a bilingual Covid-19 call center aimed at helping registered residents make appointments to get vaccinated. Stephanie Hayden-Howard, the director of Austin Public Health, told Tuesday’s special joint session…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Feb 3, 2021
Project Silicon Silver proceeds at a gallop
On Tuesday the Travis County Commissioners Court held a discussion on “Project Silicon Silver,” widely speculated to be the alias for chipmaking giant Samsung’s development contract. The discussion centered around acceptance of the preliminary application, along with a corresponding $150,000…
Development • By Seth Smalley • Jan 29, 2021
Subscribe to our newsletter
Cap Metro reviews details of first interlocal agreement with Austin Transit Partnership
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted Monday to approve a resolution authorizing Randy Clarke, the president and CEO of Capital Metro, to finalize a three-year interlocal agreement with Austin Transit Partnership. In addition to discussing some of…
Transit • By Seth Smalley • Jan 27, 2021
An officer, a gentleman, Cap Metro postpones board elections
A variety of issues were discussed at the Jan. 25 Capital Metro board meeting, which ranged from fielding calls from disgruntled constituents to discourse surrounding the election of new officers to the board of directors and the somewhat contentious prospect…
Transit • By Seth Smalley • Jan 26, 2021
Top doc Escott defends decision to vaccinate state legislators
Interim Austin-Travis Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott doubled down yesterday on his conviction that state legislators should receive priority vaccinations, even if it means young and healthy lawmakers receive the vaccine ahead of more at-risk people. Citing both the in-person…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Jan 20, 2021
Austin Energy touts its weatherization program for limited-income customers
Sarah Chatterjee, the new director of energy efficiency services for Austin Energy, presented the utility’s new weatherization programs for low-income customers before the Electric Utility Commission on Jan. 11. The program is aimed at providing weatherproofing modifications, optimizing energy efficiencies and…
Energy • By Seth Smalley • Jan 19, 2021
County endorses Decker Lake affordable housing project
The Travis County Commissioners Court held a public hearing Tuesday regarding a developer’s application for a Resolution of No Objection for the Decker Lake Apartments, which, if approved, will be located on Decker Lake Road, adjacent to the Travis County…
Housing • By Seth Smalley • Jan 14, 2021
Committee reviews EMS response times
Jasper Brown, chief of staff for Travis County Emergency Medical Services, spoke before the Public Safety Commission on Jan. 4 to report the quarterly incident response times for the county. The goal response time for all priority-one calls – a…
