APD, FBI, others arrest dozens in round-up of suspected gang members

Austin Police, along with other local and federal agencies, announced the arrest of some 30 suspected gang members Thursday following a yearlong investigation into their activities in Central Texas. Many of them are suspected to have links to drug gangs…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 1, 2011

Watershed staff presents new plan for Barton Spring Pool repairs

Representatives from the Watershed Protection Department expressed concern last week that further delays on much-needed repairs to the bypass tunnel at Barton Springs Pool could mean a lengthier closure of the pool.   In an update to the Parks and…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 31, 2011

Police Monitor calls for better officer analysis

Austin Police Monitor Margo Frasier thinks that the Austin Police Department could do a better job of identifying problematic behavior in its officers. The head of the police officers’ union agrees.   In the closing section of her department’s most…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 31, 2011

Urban Renewal Board agrees to MOU extension with city

Without discussion Monday night, the Board of Commissioners of the city’s Urban Renewal Agency opted to extend an interim Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the agency and the city of Austin for six more months, until September 20, 2011. The…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 30, 2011

House could mandate some managed mental health care in Travis County

The private firm that manages mental health care for Medicaid patients in seven Dallas-area counties may be looking to expand to Travis County—without the county’s approval. The move would come as an amendment to the Texas House version of the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 30, 2011

Council tentatively OKs new private email rules

City Council made its first move toward creating new policy related to open government issues yesterday. By a 6-0 vote, Council directed city staff to come up with a rough draft of a resolution that would establish how Council members…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 30, 2011

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AISD Board votes to cut jobs

The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees finalized its decision last night to eliminate 1,153 positions from its employee ranks.   The board declared financial exigency at the end of February. Since then, the district has been working to…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Mar 29, 2011

First two MUD applications filed under new city policy

A month after passing a new policy, City Council will soon have a chance to test its stance on Municipal Utility Districts.   Austin Water Utility’s Bart Jennings last week outlined two Municipal Utility District applications, the first submitted since…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 29, 2011

PARD discovers massive encroachment, damage to city parkland

Sara Hensley, director of Parks and Recreation, becomes visibly distressed when discussing the details of a recently discovered incident of encroachment on parkland. “It is a serious, serious issue of encroachment—the worst I’ve ever seen in my career,” said Hensley.…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 29, 2011

Lakeway marina fight goes to Travis commissioners

The legal dispute over a potential Lake Travis marina near the City of Lakeway found its way into Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. Though the commissioners were presented with the more narrow issue of whether to accept $20,000 from…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 28, 2011

Riley and Morrison dominate early endorsements

Last week the political season started in earnest, as Democratic organizations began passing out endorsements for City Council races. On Thursday evening, four groups — the Austin Tejano Democrats, Circle C Democrats, Capital Area Progressive Democrats, and South Austin Democrats…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 28, 2011

Shade gets progressive coalition endorsement

The initial surge of momentum behind former Planning Commissioner Kathie Tovo’s run for Randi Shade’s Place 3 council seat has hit something of a speed bump. On Saturday afternoon Shade earned the endorsements of four Austin democratic clubs, including those…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 28, 2011

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