Lee esta historia en español. Health officials in Austin and Travis County announced Wednesday that they are lifting “all Covid-19 emergency rules and orders, effective immediately.” Masking is now optional in most city facilities, except for the airport, clinical settings and jails. According to officials, orders related to masking in public schools, as well as […]
Public Safety
Posted inPublic Safety
City office working to prevent violence
Austin is seeking strategies to prevent gun violence, help at-risk young people avoid the pitfalls associated with violence, and assist victims of trauma. It’s all the job of the Office of Violence Prevention, which is a part of Austin Public Health. Michelle Myles, manager of the violence prevention office, briefed City Council at Tuesday’s work […]
Posted inPublic Health
Construction will soon begin on Central Health’s new clinics in eastern Travis County
Construction will soon start on two new health centers in eastern Travis County aimed at expanding access to underserved communities. Central Health, Travis County’s health care district, is constructing the health centers in Del Valle and Hornsby Bend. The centers, which are expected to open next year, are part of the agency’s plan to address […]
Posted inPublic Health
Health leaders developing plan to help those with substance use disorder
For the past two years, a network of local stakeholders has been thinking about how best to help community members who struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. After two years of “planning to plan,” representatives from the Travis County Department of Health and Human Services, the city of Austin and Central Health have […]
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Austin looks into opening a trauma recovery center
Austin’s Public Health Committee is taking a look at establishing a trauma recovery center in the city to help victims of violent crime navigate their way to recovery. The resolution, which the committee passed last week, directs city staff to look at the feasibility of funding and opening a center, which would cost at least […]
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As Covid numbers improve, city eyes increasing homeless shelter capacity
As Covid-19 infections and other public health indicators related to the pandemic continue to improve locally, City Council members want advocates for the area’s homeless population to look at increasing capacity at shelters around the city. At a recent joint meeting, City Council members and Travis County commissioners looked at whether the Austin Resource Center […]
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Another demonstrator is suing Austin and an APD officer after being shot with a beanbag round
Austin is being sued in civil court by another demonstrator who was struck by so-called “less-lethal” rounds during protests over police violence and racial justice in 2020. On Tuesday, Bomani Barton filed a civil suit against the city and the Austin police officer he claims shot him three times with beanbag rounds on May 30, […]
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Commission recommends moving APD forensics lab
With little fanfare, Austin’s Public Safety Commission voted unanimously Monday to ask City Council to move the Forensic Science Bureau out of the Austin Police Department, making it independent both in structure and budget. Commissioners signaled last month that they would likely take up such a resolution this month after hearing from Assistant City Manager […]
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Entertainment permit among actions Council envisions for safer Sixth Street
The city could institute an entertainment permit for nightclubs and other late-night gathering spots downtown as part of its plans to curb violence in the Sixth Street entertainment district. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with an assortment of programs and other actions related to the Safer Sixth Street effort that was launched […]
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Austin OKs $2.95 million settlement for Brad Levi Ayala, teen injured by police at 2020 protests
Austin City Council agreed to pay Brad Levi Ayala $2.95 million for injuries suffered after being shot by an APD officer on May 30, 2020. Ayala, who was 16 at the time, suffered brain trauma as a result of the shooting. Nicholas Gebhart, a nine-year veteran with the department, has been indicted for the shooting. […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin drops down to Stage 3 Covid risk guidance
Austin-Travis County has moved to Stage 3, the middle level, of Austin Public Health’s Covid-19 risk-based guidelines. The numbers of new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations continue to fall as the worst of the omicron surge subsides in the area. The move follows revised masking guidance issued Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The area […]
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Austin moves to Stage 4 of its risk-based Covid guidelines ahead of SXSW, Austin Rodeo
Austin is no longer at its highest level of Covid risk-based guidelines. Austin Public Health announced Thursday that it’s lowering its guidance to Stage 4. That means fully vaccinated people in the five-county area should wear masks when shopping, dining and gathering with people outside their households. People who have not been fully vaccinated, including […]