Austin News latest RSS headlines - Austin News.net

Burnet County Jail inmate dies

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:17:33 -0400

Burnet County officials are investigating the death of a jail inmate.Sheriff's officials say Burnet County Jail personnel reported that an inmate died due to a self-inflicted cause about 7:30 p.m. Saturday.The inmate, whose identity has not been released, was taken to the Travis County medical examiner's office for an autopsy, according to the Burnet County sheriff's ...

Sheriff confirms murder suspect is dead

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:32:43 -0400

BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - The Burnet County Sheriff has confirmed the prime capital murder suspect in a deadly shooting and house fire died in the Burnet County Jail Saturday. Sheriff W.T. Smith told KXAN News the main investigator on the case identified the body at the medical examiner's office Sunday morning as Gregory Mark Currie, 30. His cause of death has not been confirmed. Law ...

Sheriff Murder suspect killed himself

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:32:43 -0400

BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - The Burnet County Sheriff has confirmed one of two capital murder suspects in a deadly shooting and house fire killed himself in the Burnet County Jail Saturday. Sheriff W.T. Smith told KXAN News the lead investigator identified the body of Gregory Mark Currie, 30, during an autopsy at the medical examiner's office Sunday morning. Smith said Currie tore a bed ...

Two injured in I-35 crash

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:45:08 -0400

Two people were taken to the hospital early Sunday after a collision on northbound Interstate 35 north of Wells Branch Parkway, according to Austin police.Police say the crash involved two people on a motorcycle and another vehicle, but it was initially reported that pedestrians had been struck by a vehicle.The collision occurred about 7:15 a.m. and northbound traffic has been slow due to the ...

Burns On bonds and interest rates market is the great equalizer

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:27:43 -0400

I have two questions about bond investments. First, with individual bonds, would a person be better off keeping the bonds to maturity when rates went up and receiving the full value at maturity? Or should he sell and reinvest in higher interest rate bonds? Second, does this work with bond funds? Do fund managers hold bonds to maturity, or do they generally sell and reinvest when interest rates ...

Holland looks to maintain season-long consistency

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:21:02 -0400

In a rotation with two rookie right-handers and a converted reliever, Rangers left-hander Derek Holland has become increasingly important to his team. Delivering a level of consistency so far this season, Holland has tossed seven or more innings and allowed four runs or fewer in six of his eight starts. He'll look to give the Rangers that same kind of boost on Sunday against the Tigers in ...

Texas behind the curve on regulating fertilizer plants

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:54:51 -0400

If the West Fertilizer Co. plant had been in Illinois, state regulators there likely would have inspected it annually, making sure that its bins storing tons of ammonium nitrate were still in good shape and that the potentially explosive chemical wasn't spilling out. Though not charged with fire prevention, had they spotted a fire hazard, officials say, there is a good chance they would have ...

Austinites try for $600 million Powerball jackpot

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:51:41 -0400

One after another customers have been coming in all day for a chance to win $600 million. From 3-4 pm Saturday afternoon, the Texas Lottery Commission reported more than $1million in sales alone.Customers were visiting Everytime Grocery on South Congress throughout the day for their chance to win the big jackpot.The current jackpot started at $40 million dollars on April 3rd, but after 12 draws ...

Kelso Street artist seeks justice for dog shot by officer

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:03:36 -0400

Maybe Austin police should start carrying sausage links and squeaky toys, instead of packing heat, to deal with pets.Julian Reyes, an Austin street artist who goes by the name of the Lizard King, is grieving over the loss of his dog, Shiner ...

Work continues on Rundberg clean up

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:27 -0400

For a year now, Austin police have been trying to clean up one of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in the city, Rundberg Lane. officers are once again returning the neighborhood to continue a 100% enforcement initiative. The enforcement initiative will focus on Rundberg Lane from Middle Fiskville Road to Lamar Boulevard. This includes the service road South of Rundberg Lane along Interstate 35 ...

UT graduates react to heightened security

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:27 -0400

UT graduation ceremonies looked a little like airport checkpoints on Saturday due to the added security.Dennis Chartier with the UT Police Department says the bag check is something they've added this year."We're not allowing any bags in over 12 inches and if you do have a bag, it will be checked," Chartier said.Chartier says they've also added some more officers and a ...

School rankings show innovation pays

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:15:40 -0400

When students at Spicewood Elementary School use textbooks, which is rare, they compare the information in them with other sources, on the lookout for misinformation and bias.It's all part of teaching students how to navigate what Principal Beth June calls a "fire hose" of information available today. The International Baccalaureate program school in Northwest Austin focuses on ...

Austin’s tech scene Fewer workers but healthier ecosystem

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:15:38 -0400

Back in 2001, just before the inevitable collapse of the high-tech boom -- and long before Austin had transformed into the more diverse and healthier technology ecosystem it is today -- every new perk seemed better than the last.Recruiters dangled new cars and ski weekends to entice the top college graduates. Students negotiated salaries for summer internships. And in Austin, when a night's ...

Kinsler out of lineup Murphy hits second

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:59:01 -0400

Email ARLINGTON -- Ian Kinsler was out of the Rangers' lineup for the second straight game with sore ribs Saturday night and with Elvis Andrus bumped up into the leadoff spot again, manager Ron Washington made the surprising move of inserting struggling left fielder David Murphy into the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Washington said Kinsler is available to run or play defense but still ...

Discomfort not something for Ogando to be shy about

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:59:01 -0400

Email ARLINGTON -- Sometimes the language barrier gets in the way but manager Ron Washington says he's pretty sure that Alexi Ogando now understands that it's his responsibility to let someone know if he's having some sort of discomfort, even if he's experienced it before. Ogando landed on the 15-day disabled list this week with some biceps soreness in his pitching arm that ...

Martin letting secret out about strong arm

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:59:01 -0400

Email ARLINGTON -- Rookie Leonys Martin's arm is about to be a secret no longer. His bullet, on-the-fly throw to the plate to nail a sliding Andy Dirks at the plate in the third inning Friday night was his team-leading third outfield assist this season. Washington said Martin has the strongest outfield throwing arm on the team and his spreading notoriety may soon make opposing third-base ...

Burns making bullpen decision harder for Rangers

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:59:00 -0400

ARLINGTON -- Called up as an extra reliever when starter Alexi Ogando was placed on the disabled list, right-hander Cory Burns has given manager Ron Washington something to think about when the team has to send someone out Monday to make room for starter Josh Lindblom, who is coming up from Triple-A Round Rock to start against the A's. It was assumed that Burns would be sent back out to ...

PolitiFact Was Obama’s statement about Austin’s tech economy on the mark

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:20:58 -0400

Austin rocks, President Barack Obama indicated during his May 9 swing through the area, thanks in great part to its technology-related businesses.After listing plans by Apple, Visa and General Motors to add jobs in Austin, Obama told students and teachers assembled at the Manor New Tech High School, "According to one report, the tech sector now drives more than one-quarter of Austin's ...

Austin haze result of Mexican fires

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:48:16 -0400

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Take a look at Austins skyline and youll notice it is pretty hazy Saturday afternoon. Its all because of agricultural burning in Mexico and Central America. Breezy southerly winds are helping pull the smoke into Central Texas. MORE: Jim Spencer's BLOG The yearly burning of brush and trees allows farmers to clear land and also brings smoky air to Central Texas. At times the ...

Todays MLB starting lineups May 18

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:15:51 -0400

Below are starting lineups that have been made public by the clubs. A lineup is not official until it is handed to the umpire. Additional lineups will be added as they become available: Arizona Diamondbacks: 1. ...

The Blotter Second charge filed against murder suspect

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:37:19 -0400

Second charge filed against murder suspect Another charge has been filed against a man accused of fatally shooting one man and injuring another in an attempted robbery in April.Last week, Drexell Washington, 21, was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Reynaldo Ortega, 19, outside of an East Austin apartment complex, according to an arrest affidavit. On Thursday, he was also charged with ...

Construction to cause delays on MoPac

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:32:06 -0400

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Traffic on MoPac is about to get a little slower but in the end will help alleviate drive time in Austin. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority hired CH2M HILL in February of 2013 to complete the project which will add new lanes on north MoPac from Ladybird Lake to Parmer Lane. Beginning Sunday lanes along MoPac will be closed from Ladybird Lake to Parmer in 15-minute ...

Record highs expected today in Austin

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:41:26 -0400

Load up on water and shade, Saturday could hit record highs, according to the National Weather Service.Pat McDonald, a meteorologist with the weather service, says Austin will likely tie or break the previous record high of 94 set in 2003 at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The record in downtown Austin was set in 1925 at 97, according to the weather service.At 3 p.m., Austin-Bergstrom ...

My Pet Learning Discipline

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:27:01 -0400

Service Dogs Inc. shows you have to use treats to encourage discipline with your dog. You want to use treats to get and treat your dog's attention. Be sure you have good eye contact. Allow your dog to smell your hand, then when get the desired behavior, offer your dog a treat. This use of treats also can extend to other ...

Weekend Gardener Rainwater harvesting

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:57:37 -0400

AUSTIN (KXAN) - This week John meets with Dani Slabaugh of Yard To Table Gardens to talk about rain water collection. Slabaugh designed and built this Thai Rain Jar cistern for Paige Hill of Urban Patchwork Neighborhood Farms using the traditional construction method. She used a container of mulch wrapped in chicken wire which she then covered with a thin layer of cement. The mulch is then ...

Pet of the Week Austin