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Developer rejects state's final offer to acquire former state park site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The developer who purchased the site of a now-former state park has rejected the state's final offer to purchase the property.Dallas-based Todd Interests became the owner of the Fairfield Lake State Park property, about 70 miles east of Waco, at the start of June. The previous owner, Vistra Energy, sold the 5,000-acre property, including the park, five years after closing its power plant by the lake. From state park to private development: The twisting timeline of Fairfield Lake Negotiations for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to purchase the property failed. TPWD had leased the land for the park from Vistra for 50 years. The new owner announced intentions to cancel the lease and turn the property into a private community with multi-million dollar homes and a golf course.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted June 10 to acquire the property from Todd Interests through eminent domain. As part of those proceedings, TPWD submitted an offer to the develo...

Austin, Travis County issue local disaster declaration amid wildfire danger, ongoing heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin and Travis County leaders discussed ongoing efforts to address record-breaking heat and the potential for wildfires Tuesday. Several city and county officials talked about wildfire and disaster preparation at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. A total of 30 fires have burned 2,826 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area, as of Aug. 13. You can find an active map here. Another 7+ days of triple digits but hints of change ahead According to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, the city ranks sixth in the nation in the number of homes at risk of wildfire. The top five cities are in California. Because 90% of wildfires are caused by people and are preventable, Watson said the city has been "paying specific attention" to homeless encampments and taking precautionary measures in wildfire prevention through relocating people staying at encampments into shelters. According to the mayor, 70 people and 15 pets were recently relocated from an encampment in the West ...

Two "mild" days with low humidity

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The highs today will not reach 105° and higher. Most of our daytime maximum temperatures will peak in the middle/upper 90s to 102° for many locations. Only a Heat Advisory will be in effect until 9 p.m. for Caldwell and Fayette Counties where the highs may approach 104° and the heat index could approach 110°. I don't think that will happen, however. A comfortable afternoon with humidity dropping to the teens and 20sThat's because a cold front has completely cleared out of the area leaving a dry northeast wind for the rest of the day. Wind speeds will generally average around 10 mph but some gusts up to 15 to 20 mph will be possible.There are no Red Flag Warnings this afternoon but the Wildfire Danger remains very high for much of the viewing area.Tuesday's wildfire dangerSinking air and plenty of sunshine will also result in increased levels of ground-level ozone. An AIR QUALITY ALERT is in effect for the I-35 corridor, Bastrop County and Caldwell County today.Ozon...

For second time this year, Austin sets record for most 105° days in a row

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A heat record that stood in Austin for 100 years has been broken for the second time this year.Camp Mabry, Austin’s official weather reporting site, hit 105° or higher every day between Aug. 4 and Aug. 14, a total of 11 days in a row. That ties with an 11-day streak last month as the longest streak of consecutive days at or above 105°.Prior to that, the record stood at 9 days, set in August 1923. Weather Extremes: What are the hottest and coldest temps in Austin history? Temperatures above 105° are becoming more common. Austin has weather records dating back to the 1890s. Since then, 105° has been reached a total of 214 times. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade While we did see a surge in the cumulative total number of 105°+ days in the 1920s, the majority have been much more recent than that. In fact, more than 65% of all days at or above 105° have been since the year 2000.Put another way, the total number of 105° ...

Human case of West Nile Virus found in Williamson County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 15, 2023WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County and Cities Health District said a female resident in northern Williamson County has been diagnosed with West Nile Virus. This is the first human case of the illness for 2023.The WCCHD said the disease is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The agency said severe infections can cause complications such as encephalitis and meningitis.“Mosquito activity continues to be very high across Central Texas, and we would like to encourage the community to be careful when going out outside to enjoy activities, especially early mornings at dawn and evenings at dusk,” WCCHD Medical Director Amanda Norwood said.The WCCHD recommends the public wear insect repellents that contain DEET when outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants especially if out at dawn or dusk, and drain o...

Madonna announces rescheduled tour dates, with a new St. Paul show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

Madonna has announced the dates for her rescheduled Celebration Tour, including a Feb. 13 stop at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center.Ticketholders can use their previous tickets for the new date or seek a refund at the point of purchase. Tickets, which are dynamically priced, are currently selling for as high as $570 for a standard ticket.Madonna announced the tour, her first-ever greatest hits outing, in January, with a July 30 stop planned for the X. But in late June, just weeks before the first date, her manager Guy Oseary wrote a post on Instagram that said she had developed a “serious bacterial infection,” which led to a stay in the ICU. Later reports suggested she was deep into intensive rehearsals when she fell ill.In July, Madonna returned to social media to confirm the North American tour dates were postponed.“Thank you for your positive energy, prayers and words of healing and encouragement,” the 64-year-old wrote. “My focus now is my health and getting stronger and I ass...

The anatomy of Vikings receiver Jordan Addison’s catch that didn’t count

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

Vikings receiver Jordan Addison caught it. Let’s get that out of the way first and foremost.After being gifted a free release off the line early in last Thursday’s preseason opener against the Seahawks in Seattle, Addison raced up the field at full speed, slowed down 12 yards or so into his route, then quickly accelerated out of his cut as he worked his way toward the outside.What the 5-foot-11, 175-pound rookie did next showcased how special he could be for the Vikings someday. Though turning Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson into a pretzel would have been enough, Addison took it a step further, morphing into Vikings legend Cris Carter to make a spectacular grab along the sideline.The only problem? The officials ruled the pass incomplete and head coach Kevin O’Connell decided not to challenge the call on the field. There’s no way Addison could have gotten both feet down while fully extending to secure the ball, right?They didn't give Jordan Addison thi...

Queensbury eatery to be on 'America's Best Restaurants'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Heidelberg Inn, located at 352 Quaker Road in Queensbury, is set to be featured on “America’s Best Restaurants." The company brings attention to independently-owned restaurants around the United States. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! During the visit, the eatery’s popular dishes will be highlighted, and owner John Weber will be interviewed. The Heidelberg Inn opened in 1972 and has been owned by Weber for over eight years.The restaurant serves German cuisine, has an outdoor covered biergarten, and the staff wear traditional lederhosen or dirndls. A popular menu item is the "German Tour," which is a platter of veal jagerschnitzel, a choice of one wurst, and sauerbraten. Glenville cafe to be on ‘America’s Best Restaurants’ The eatery celebrates Oktoberfest, a German beer festival, which runs from mid-September through October. The Heidelberg Inn has German beers on tap available in liters shape...

Troy man arrested in connection to suspicious fires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Troy man wanted in connection to several suspicious fires and larcenies is in custody. George W. Leque, 44, also known as George Brundige, was arrested by a Troy Police Patrol Officer and arraigned in Troy City Court. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police identified Leque as the suspect in the fires through surveillance videos provided by community members. Leque is also alleged to have stolen various items from parked and unoccupied vehicles in Troy.Investigations are ongoing to determine if Leque is involved in other recent incidents. He is currently being charged with:Arson in the second degreeTwo counts of Arson in the third degreeBurglary in the second degreeCriminal Mischief in the third degreeCriminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fourth degreeIdentity Theft in the third degreeCriminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degreeLeque was remanded to the Rensselaer County J...

Fugitive wanted in St. Louis bank robbery arrested in Arizona

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:54:42 GMT

PHOENIX - The FBI recently arrested a fugitive wanted in a St. Louis bank robbery, a man who had been on the run for more than six years. Federal authorities announced that the man accused, 65-year-old Daniel Harris, was arrested last Wednesday in Phoenix, Arizona. The St. Louis and Phoenix FBI divisions followed up on several leads over the last several years to narrow down Harris' location. Road rage mystery solved as ghost driver gets prison time Harris faces federal charges in the robbery of a St. Louis Community Credit Union location on March 15, 2017. Federal authorities issued an arrest warrant on Oct. 11 that same year. According to a memo from the FBI, Harris allegedly entered the credit union, presented a note that he had a firearm and took off with an undisclosed amount of money. The FBI said he has ties to St. Louis City and East St. Louis. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ...