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Barton Springs tree 'Flo' scheduled for removal, city to hold celebration of life

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said the iconic Barton Springs leaning pecan tree “Flo” is tentatively scheduled to be removed Sept. 14.Third-party Certified Arborists completed their assessments of the tree after it was discovered to have an infection known as Kretzschmaria deusta, a wood decay fungus.Brittle Cinder Fungus seen on a tree (City of Austin photo)The city said all four Arborists recommended the removal of “Flo” due to safety concerns and the lack of treatment options, so the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) said it would remove the tree. RELATED: Barton Springs pecan tree ‘Flo’ diagnosed with infection PARD said it recognizes the importance of the tree to many community members and welcomed people to visit “Flo” for a Celebration of Life ceremony Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Barton Springs Pool.The city said the event honoring “Flo” would feature a water blessing and provide attendees with time to say farewell.PARD said it was collecting stori...

RRISD PD to start self-dispatch service, continues partnership with county dispatch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Independent School District said while it is starting its own dispatch service for its district police force, it is not terminating a dispatch agreement it has with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.Friday, screenshots of an internal letter from Williamson County to RRISD expressing concerns about the self-dispatch service circulated on social media. Parents criticized what appeared to be a lack of communication between the WCSO and RRISD about the matter and how it could complicate how 911 calls were distributed.RRISD Superintendent Dr. Hafedh Azaiez said the contents of that letter are now "moot" as the district is already working with WCSO on its plans for a dispatch service. "It is not uncommon that school districts have their own dispatch, but there are always going to be some kind of partnership with another law enforcement agency. So we're not stopping this service. We're just enhancing what we have," Azaiez said.Williamson Count...

Build-a-Bear launches Dia De Los Muertos collection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Build-a-Bear is launching a collection inspired by Dia De Los Muertos. The bears and their outfits have traditional Catrin and Catrina makeup and costumes. Marigold flowers can be seen in the fabric of their clothing. (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter) Marigolds are often associated with the Day of the Dead as it is believed the bright flowers attract the souls of those who have died. Build-a-Bear announced the launch on its social media along with some educational photos of the cultural significance of the items used on that day. The collection is out now and available online.

Fugitive Level 3 predatory sex offender is back in custody in Minneapolis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

A convicted Level 3 predatory sex offender who had gone missing while on intensive supervised release is back in custody.Hennepin County sheriff’s deputies took Archie Randle into custody without incident Thursday night in Minneapolis after they spotted him near the downtown Hennepin County Medical Center a few hours after a statewide alert was issued, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections. He was being held in the Hennepin County jail Friday pending transfer to DOC custody.Archie Randle (Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Corrections)Randle was released from DOC custody on June 27 under intensive supervised release but cut his GPS monitoring bracelet on Aug. 25, according to the DOC, and absconded from his registered address in Minneapolis. Since then, he’d been spotted at several locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul.His convictions include first-degree criminal sexual conduct, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, soliciting a child to engage in s...

Uber for teens launches in Capital Region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Uber is now offering rides to teenagers in the Capital Region. Parents and guardians can use their own account to invite their teen to set up a profile, and they can start requesting rides on their own.There are a number of safety features in place. Teens must give drivers a pin number to ensure they're getting in the right car. Parents can track the ride on their phones from start to finish and can contact the driver during the trip. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The company said only the most experienced, highest-rated drivers are allowed to take teen riders, and their drivers undergo repeated background checks."And parents have said it's a game changer," Uber communications associate Sarah Casanovas said. "It really helps them balance their work schedules, their teen's schedules, whether they're going to a sports practice, maybe an after school activity. It's really just been a way to give parents peace of ...

NXIVM co-founder released from federal prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Nancy Salzman, the co-founder of the Capital Region-based sex cult NXIVM, has been released from prison. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Salzman was transferred from a correctional facility in West Virginia to a community confinement facility on Thursday. Salzman was sentenced two years ago to 3.5 years in prison.Salzman, formerly of Halfmoon, was also fined $150,000 and sentenced to three years of probation.

Hoosick Falls declares State of Emergency after storm damage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Damaging winds and rain left half of the Village of Hoosick covered in debris, with many down trees taking out power lines and cutting off power to thousands. The damage prompted Mayor Robert Allen to declare a state of emergency Thursday night but on Friday power had been restored to most.The state of emergency was declared just after 9:00 P.M. Thursday, around the same time National Grid says 3,300 of its Hoosick Falls customers lost power.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! On Friday afternoon less than 200 people were still without power, Mayor Allen said, most of them would have power restored before midnight with a few stragglers expected to have power by Saturday afternoon.He said the emergency declaration was made so the village can address immediate safety needs.“What that does, that allows us to make emergency spending and address any emergency needs that you normally wouldn’t be able to,” sai...

St. Louis County officer makes desperate plea for kidney donor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. - A St. Louis County officer is trying to cast a wider net to find a kidney. He's taking matters into his own hands with hopes that someone can help him. Sgt. John Spicer is hopeful someone has a big heart. “My kidneys do not filter anymore, that’s why I need dialysis,” said Spicer. “I have two kidneys that do not function.” Sgt. John Spicer with the St. Louis County Police Department. He’s listed with the National Register for Kidney Disease to receive a donor kidney. His blood type is A-negative, meaning he can receive a kidney from someone who is type A or O. Spicer reached out to the police association, feeling that he couldn’t be alone. He found another St. Louis County Police employee in need of a kidney. “We’re kind of on the decline stage at the same level,” said Spicer. “He’s on a different doctor group than I am, the BJC group, and I’m on the SLUH group side, but they still talk." FOX 2 photographer run over after community threatens to tow cars Taylor Georg...

Broncos RB Javonte Williams hasn’t played in a regular-season game in a year. He wants to make it count vs. Raiders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

Ironically, running back Javonte Williams’ first game back is against the same team he was playing when suffered a devastating injury. Or maybe it’s fate.The Broncos’ season opener against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon will mark the first time Williams has played in a regular-season game in almost a year. His last memory of meaningful football was getting carted off the field in Las Vegas after tearing his ACL in the third quarter last October.The months after featured a remarkable recovery process, which led to Williams being on the practice field at the start of OTAs, participating in training camp and playing in Denver’s preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Williams might be on a pitch count against the Raiders, but the moment he steps on the grass at Empower Field at Mile High will be a reward for his journey back from a devastating injury.“When I got here for OTAs, he was already dang near ready to go,” running back Samaje Perine said. “That just speaks volumes ...

Santa Monica hospital looking to identify patient in intensive care unit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:20:51 GMT

A hospital in Santa Monica is asking for the public's help to identify a patient who is currently in the intensive care unit.The man, believed to by 62 years old, was brought to Providence Saint John's Health Center late Sunday night. Hospital staff say the man was unresponsive when he was brought to the Santa Monica hospital by police after he was found in the Venice area.Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica is asking for the public's help to identify this patient who has been hospitalized since Sept. 3, 2023. (Saint John's Health Center)He remains hospitalized and unable to "participate in his care," the hospital said.He's described as being 5 feet 8 inches and around 215 pounds with short dark hair with slight gray on the sides, a mustache and a light beard.Anyone with information about the man's identity is urged contact Saint John's Health Center at 310-829-5511 and ask for the nurse supervisor. Calls can also be directed to the intensive care unit at 310-829-8745.Due to ...