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South Austin had the most fireworks complaints over Fourth of July holiday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin 311 received almost 1,000 calls complaining about fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday, data shows.Between 12 a.m. on July 2 and 6 a.m. on July 5, Austin 311 received a total of 929 firework-related service requests, according to data obtained by KXAN.The majority of those — 699 — were on the Fourth of July itself, while 106 were in the early morning hours of July 5. A further 99 calls were on July 3.A breakdown by zip code shows a concentration of calls in south Austin. One hundred calls were received from the 78748 zip code alone, and 60 came from neighboring 78745.East Austin's 78741 had the third most calls, with 51 in total.At least one complaint was received from 41 zip codes over the holiday period.

Black artists at Belwin Conservancy challenge racial stereotypes

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

Belwin Conservancy welcomed Tomas Alvarez and Whitney Terrill as artists in residence this June.The Conservancy partnered with the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery to create a residency for local Black artists interested in connecting with nature and creating art. Alvarez and Terrill shared a private studio at Belwin for study, work, meditation and creating art during the month of June. Both artists received a $1500 stipend.“We believe nature belongs to everyone and we are seeking to change the narrative that Black people ‘don’t do the outdoors,’” Tina Burnside, co-founder and curator of MAAHMG said in a press release. “We hope this residency will play a role in Blacks reclaiming outdoor spaces.”Terrill, originally from Minneapolis, focuses on painting, photography and printmaking. Her works often feature topics such as the environment, gender, faith and her African faith.Minnesota photographer Thomas Alvarez at the Belwin Conservancy. (Courtesy of Belwin Conse...

Letters: Legacy admissions? It’s about time for scrutiny

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

About timeMy response to the article “Legacy Admissions under new scrutiny”:  Good. It’s about time. What’s fair is fair.Mary E Baker, St. Paul Experience with trans people?I have given considerable thought to the June 29 Letter to the Editor titled “An ugly, false idea” and find myself wondering what experiences the letter writer has had with trans adults and with children who are dealing with identity discomfort. My guess is very little if any.The emergence of transgender adults and of children dealing with gender identity questions as a political football is indeed inflicting severe pain, fear and restriction of medical and psychological services, much less compassion, in the lives of those individuals dealing with the issues and on those who care for them.It is credibly reported that adults and children dealing with gender identity issues experience significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation, depression and eating disorders than those who are not.These folk...

Tuesday hottest in decades or centuries. Wednesday hotter?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

By MELINA WALLING and SETH BORENSTEIN (Associated Press)The planet’s temperature spiked on Tuesday to its hottest day in decades and likely centuries, and Wednesday could become the third straight day Earth unofficially marks a record-breaking high. It’s the latest in a series of climate-change extremes that alarm but don’t surprise scientists. The globe’s average temperature reached 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (17.18 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday, according to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, a common tool based on satellite data, observations, and computer simulations and used by climate scientists for a glimpse of the world’s condition. On Monday, the average temperature was 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit (17.01 degrees Celsius), setting a record that lasted only 24 hours.For scientists, it’s a sweaty case of I-told-you-so.“A record like this is another piece of evidence for the now massively supported proposition that global warmin...

When Missouri drivers can expect construction on I-70 to start

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The largest item in the nearly $50 billion state budget this year includes the long-awaited widening of Interstate 70 and work on the 200-mile stretch will start this summer. Back in January, Gov. Mike Parson asked lawmakers to approve money to expand I-70 in Columbia and suburban areas of Kansas City and St. Louis, but during debate this past session, that plan nearly tripled. Now that the governor has signed off on the plan, billions of dollars will be spent over the coming years to improve the major interstate. "We're actually kind of behind other states in the investment into the interstate system, the reconstruction and expansion of it," Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation Patrick McKenna said. "Instead of taking 30 years and piecemealing it, let's take advantage of this time and get the entire project done."It's being called a big win for Missourians. If you drive, I-70 from outside St. Louis, to Columbia and then on to the suburbs of K...

Colorado Rapids acquire left back Andrew Gutman from Atlanta United for $400,000 in GAM plus incentives

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

Like the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to signify trading was open, once 9 a.m. struck on the opening day of the Major League Soccer secondary transfer window, the Colorado Rapids announced they had completed a significant move.On Wednesday the Rapids acquired Andrew Gutman, a 26-year-old seasoned left back from Atlanta United FC, in a deal that could fetch upward of $650,000 in General Allocation Money and additional assets. Colorado will pay the “Five Stripes” $300,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM), $100,000 in 2024 GAM, and gave up an international roster slot. Additionally, Atlanta could receive up to $150,000 in conditional GAM if multiple incentives are hit.The Rapids will be on the hunt this summer for fresh players as the team looks to avoid the dreaded “Wooden Spoon,” mockingly awarded to the supporters of the team with the league’s worst record. Colorado currently sits in that spot with a record of 2-10-8 on 14 points.Re...

68 people killed in crashes on California highways over Fourth of July weekend

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

Dozens of lives were lost in crashes on California highways over the long Fourth of July weekend.The California Highway Patrol released sobering totals that showed 68 people were killed during the agency's Maximum Enforcement Period, which went into effect Friday evening. Nearly half of all those killed were not wearing seatbelts, CHP said. Man loses part of hand in July 4 fireworks mishap The CHP Maximum Enforcement Period was in place from Friday through the July 4 holiday, with increased law enforcement officers looking out for drunk or speeding drivers.In total, across the multi-day enforcement period, CHP officers issued 9,700 citations for speeding and made 1,224 arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence. That's an average of one arrest every five minutes, CHP said. Why have traffic fatalities increased in California? CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee called the results of the weekend long enforcement period "concerning."“All of these deaths were preventable, and th...

Illegal fireworks suspected in fire that torched Corona yard

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

A fire possibly caused by fireworks torched the backyard of a home in Corona Tuesday night.Residents say a neighbor was setting off illegal fireworks during a 4th of July party when the blaze began. Flames could be seen burning 20 feet into the air in a video shared with KTLA. Barbara Tucker’s neighbors alerted her of the blaze around 9 p.m. Ring video provided by Barbara Tucker shows firefighters responding to a blaze at her Corona home on July 4, 2023. (KTLA) What’s left are blackened tree stumps and damage to the south side of Tucker’s home of 45 years. Trees she planted when she first moved in are now gone.“Now look at it, it’s destroyed by fireworks,” Tucker told KTLA.Tucker's Ring camera captured some of the chaos as neighbors rushed to help placate the flames.Moments later, firefighters arrived and told Tucker and her husband they had to leave.Despite warnings ahead of the holiday on the dangers of setting off illegal fireworks, the blaze was one of many to break out in the I...

Dozens of stray pets brought to Orange County animal shelters following July 4th

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

Although humans may enjoy the festivities of July 4th, the holiday can be a very anxious and scary time for pets.More pets go missing during the Fourth of July weekend than at any other time of the year, according to American Kennel Club.OC Animal Care in Tustin has been busy dealing with at least 57 stray dogs who were brought to shelters during the holiday.During the celebrations, “the sudden noises and unfamiliar experiences can cause dogs to panic, resulting in them escaping from their homes or yards in search of safety,” explained OC Animal Care officials.Some of the dogs have since been reunited with their owners, including Shadow, who ran away from Yorba Linda.Other pets, however, have not been so lucky and remain separated from their loved ones. For owners still searching for their lost pets, there are several resources. “If you're looking for your dog, one of the best things that you could do right now is check out our website at ocpetinfo.com,” advises Jackie Tran, with OC...

15-year-old boy faces attempted murder charges after stabbing in San Bernardino County

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:36:50 GMT

A 15-year-old boy was arrested and is facing charges of attempted murder after a stabbing last month in Twentynine Palms, authorities announced Wednesday.  The incident occurred on June 14 at around 11:30 p.m. in the 6400 block of Desert Queen Avenue, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  Deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station responded to the scene on reports of a stabbing and located a 15-year-old male victim suffering from a large stab wound to his upper chest. The teen was later rushed to the Desert Regional Medical Center for medical treatment and no further information was provided on his condition.  The suspect in the stabbing had already fled the area by the time deputies arrived.   Video of deputy slamming woman to ground in Lancaster released by L.A. County Sheriff’s Department An investigation into the stabbing eventually led to the identification of another juvenile teen from Twentynine Palms.  “On Jul 4,...