With new members on the court this past year, Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez has been rethinking the court’s longtime processes. (Ann Howard, who represents Precinct 3, assumed office at the start of 2021, while County Judge Andy Brown assumed office in late 2020.) Gómez, who was elected in 1994 and is the longest-serving commissioner […]
Andrew Logan
Posted inElections
Why some residents won’t be able to vote in the District 4 special election
Some residents in the newly drawn City Council District 4 map will not be able to vote in the upcoming special election to fill Council Member Greg Casar’s seat. “This is a unique situation,” said Jannette Goodall, who retired as the city clerk in November. “This is the first time in the 21 years that I’ve […]
Posted inPlanning
Austin continues to make progress on bold 2016 sidewalk initiative
Halfway through a 10-year plan to upgrade the city’s network of sidewalks, officials say the initiative has gone better than expected but still needs considerable work to extend walkability to the majority of residents. “It feels like a tale of two cities: It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times,” said John Eastman, […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Emergency alerts now available in American Sign Language
For the first time, community members who are deaf, hard of hearing or blind will be able to receive accessible emergency notifications. The city of Austin and Travis County launched the Accessible Hazard Alert System, or AHAS, on Oct. 4. The new program allows users to receive emergency notifications in the form of a video with […]
Posted inCity Council
City adopts resolution to expedite supportive housing for homeless
City Council adopted a resolution in September establishing an expedited review and prioritization program for residential developments that provide housing for the homeless. Mayor Steve Adler sponsored the resolution, along with Council members Kathie Tovo, Ann Kitchen, Pio Renteria, and Greg Casar. “The origin of the proposal was a desire to get as many units […]
Posted inPreservation
Can the Dry Creek Café be saved?
Austin realtor Sherry LeBlanc was devastated when she found out the Dry Creek Café & Boat Dock was set to close its doors on Oct. 31. The historic watering hole was “more of a community than a bar” for her and her husband, who bartends and books the live music. Longtime owner Jay “Buddy” Reynolds […]