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Developer expresses 'astonishment' over state hearing to consider park takeover

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days after a meeting was scheduled to consider acquiring a state park through eminent domain, the developers purchasing the property have expressed their "astonishment" that the state would consider that option, in a letter sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners.Fairfield Lake State Park permanently closed to the public on Sunday. The park, about 70 miles east of Waco, has been leased to the state for decades by Vistra Energy, which formerly operated a power plant on Fairfield Lake. After the plant closed in 2018, the company gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department notice that it would terminate its lease.Vistra said it encouraged TPWD to put in a bid to purchase the property, but it did not. The company then entered into a contract with developer Todd Interests in April 2022.While Todd Interests and Vistra have not disclosed the sale price, citing confidentiality provisions in their contract, the property was listed online for more than $110 millio...

Family of man killed by APD officer last year pushes for police to commend de-escalation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The family of a man shot and killed by an Austin police officer last year are now calling on the department to recognize efforts in the future that avoid the use of deadly force. The mother and brother of Rajan Moonesinghe held a news conference Tuesday morning outside Austin City Hall, where they pushed for the Austin Police Department and Chief Joseph Chacon to create a new award to give to officers. Mark Moonesinghe, Rajan's oldest brother, said police should "establish a preservation of life medal that commends those that employ de-escalation tactics to preserve a life"Mark said the foundation created by his family in memory of his brother would even fund such an effort. He also pointed the police departments in Philadelphia and Los Angeles already give out similar honors to their officers. "De-escalation and preservation of life need to be rewarded on the same stage with officers who receive medals for valor, for Purple Hearts, for community service and the 20 e...

It's official: Austin adopts Phase 1 of Project Connect light rail plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a joint meeting Tuesday afternoon, Austin City Council, the CapMetro board of directors and the Austin Transit Partnership board of directors officially adopted the first phase of Project Connect's light rail program, paving the way for expanded transit services in the Texas capital."These great, generational programs do not happen overnight, do not happen in the blink of an eye and it takes every single one of us to make them happen," said Veronica Castro de Barrera, chair of ATP's board of directors, adding: "This board, this vision, this program will be treated with respect because it's your hard-earned money."What will the first phase of light rail in Austin look like?The adoption followed ATP's announcement of its recommended Phase 1 light rail investment late last month, featuring an initial service route running from 38th Street to Oltorf Street in the south, as well as Yellow Jacket Lane in the southeast. The now-approved first phase of light rail service...

After announcing retirement, Minnesota native Ben Ellefson sticking around with Vikings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

Ben Ellefson’s playing career is over. His time with the Vikings is not.Less than a week after Ellefson, a native of Minnesota, announced his retirement, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that the 26-year-old former tight end will be sticking around with the team in a hybrid role.It sounds as if the Vikings are still in the process of ironing out an exact title for Ellefson as he transitions to the next chapter of his life. He is expected to start his new position around training camp, helping the coaching staff, as well as the scouting department.“We just want to continue to be a resource for these guys,” O’Connell said. “He came to a conclusion that he still wants to be a part of our organization, and I sure as heck want him to be here as well.”Though he noted that injuries were a big reason for his decision to hang up the cleats for good, Ellefson noted last week on social media that he feels fortunate he can walk away from the game...

NYSP: Rotterdam man arrested for grand larceny, identity theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Rotterdam man is in custody for allegedly making multiple unauthorized withdrawals from a business he formerly worked at. Justin T. Dennis, 30, was charged with Identity Theft in the Second Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Personal Identification Information in the Third Degree. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police were made aware of unauthorized withdrawals being made from a Schenectady County Business bank account. Investigations determined that Dennis made unauthorized withdrawals with bank account information that did not belong to him. Dennis withdrew over $1,000.Dennis was arrested on June 5. He was transported to the Schenectady County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Proctors adds second show for comedian Matt Rife

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Amid a high demand for Matt Rife tickets, Proctors Theatre in Schenectady has added a second show. The show will be on January 31, 2024 at 10 p.m., right after the first show at 7 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Pre-sale tickets for the 7 p.m. show went on sale on Tuesday, causing Proctors to experience high call volumes to its box office. As of noon, the show was almost sold out. At 2 p.m., Proctors announced that they added the 10 p.m. show.Rife is a comedian, actor and TikTok star. He has over 13 million followers on TikTok with over 2 billion views globally. He made his television debut on MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out,” and has been in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Fresh Off The Boat,” and “Bring The Funny.” Rife also has two self-released stand-up specials. Comedian Matt Rife to perform in Schenectady Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. There is a limit of four tick...

Missouri River Bridge crash closes WB I-70 for hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

ROCHEPORT, Mo. -- Emergency crews worked for hours to clear a crash on the Missouri River bridge west of Columbia.The crash involving a loaded cattle trailer, a pickup, and at least four other vehicles, forced emergency crews to close the westbound lanes of Interstate 70. Eastbound traffic was down to one lane because of emergency responders helping clear the the crash.Missouri River Bridge Crash Update:These are pictures of the crash scene provided by @BooneCountyFire. At least five vehicles are involved, including a loaded cattle trailer. More information will be provided as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/ey4KgSHUUY— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) June 6, 2023Traffic is being rerouted to Highway 40.The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash happened before 11 a.m. It is not known when I-70 will reopen.Emergency crews are focused on handling the situation and have not said yet if anyone was injured in the crash.

Woman shot during confrontation at Alton Rent-A-Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - A woman was airlifted to a St. Louis-area hospital Tuesday after being shot inside a Rent-A-Center store in Alton.According to Chief Jarrett Ford, Alton Police Department, the shooting occurred around 10:10 a.m. in the 2800 block of Homer Adams Parkway. Police received two 911 calls: from a woman indicating she'd been shot and a Rent-A-Center employee reporting the incident.Officers arrived to find the victim in a parked car near the store. First responders with the Alton Fire Department took her to a local hospital before she was moved to St. Louis. Missouri governor denies clemency for man facing execution today Chief Ford said investigators learned the victim had come to the store to confront a relative who works there. The victim had an order of protection against her, prohibiting her from contacting the relative and from being at the store.The victim and her relative got into a verbal argument which turned physical. Another Rent-A-Center employee took out a fire...

Atlanta project decried as 'Cop City’ gets funding approval from City Council

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta City Council early Tuesday approved funding for the construction of a proposed police and firefighter training center, rejecting the pleas of hundreds of activists who packed City Hall and spoke for hours in fierce opposition to the project they decry as “Cop City.”The 11-4 vote just after 5 a.m. is a significant victory for Mayor Andre Dickens, who has made the $90 million project a large part of his first term in office, despite pushback to the effort. The City Council also passed a resolution requesting two seats on the Atlanta Police Foundation’s board. In a statement, Dickens said the passage of the budget resolution “marks a major milestone for better preparing our fire, police and emergency responders to protect and serve our communities.”“Atlanta will be a national model for police reform with the most progressive training and curriculum in the country,” he said.The decentralized “Stop Cop City” movement has galvanized protesters from across the co...

Canadian smoke triggers air quality alert for St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- It's another hazy day in St. Louis with temperatures returning to the 80s to near 90 today. Wildfire smoke from eastern Canada is being drawn southwest into our region. Some people have also reported smelling the smoke in the air.There is an orange air quality alert for the St. Louis area. People with heart or lung disease, elderly people, and children should limit time outdoors.Canadian wildfire smoke in MissouriThese fires are in eastern Canada. A blocking pattern in the atmosphere is sending the smoke as far west as Kansas City. The smoke is heaviest along the east coast of the United States.The smoke looks like a milky haze to the skies, despite the blue sky breaking through. The smoke appears to be thinner than Monday.A weak front will drift across the region from northeast to southwest Wednesday with a couple of showers or spot storms possible. Moisture is very limited, so coverage is going to be very sparse and of little help in easing dry conditions.The odds f...