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Travis County dive team stays busy searching for bodies in Lake Travis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — "You are literally searching with five eyeballs, which are attached to the end of your fingers. You're going by feel only," described Travis County Sheriff's Office Dive Team Captain Jeremy Turner.Turner, the no-nonsense leader and veteran of the team, is describing the conditions his divers are up against when searching for bodies up to 100 feet below the surface of Lake Travis. Watch KXAN documentary "The Wake: Secrets of Lake Travis" We met Turner along with his 16-member team on a windy and overcast spring day on the shoreline of Lake Travis' Bob Wentz Park. They were there in their dry suits practicing searching for underwater bodies, dropping a dummy and prop gun off a boat, and instructing the team to go find them. Turner's vivid description of eyeballs on your fingertips is a reference to the near-zero visibility below the surface. Travis County Sheriff's Office Dive Team Leader Jeremy Turner watches a training dive. (KXAN Photo/Tom Miller)"On a regular day...

New water reservoirs to help south Austin in emergencies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City council approved the design contracts for two water reservoirs in south Austin that are meant to increase water access to people during emergencies. Southwest residents were hit hardest during the 2021 winter storm, according to Austin Water. Southwest Parkway Transmission Main & Elevated Reservoir project and the South I-35 Elevated Reservoir project will enter the design phase for the next three years, be under construction for an extra three years, and be operational by 2030, Austin Water director Shay Ralls Roalson explained. "We'll make this water system for them much more robust and resilient," Ralls Roalson said. Circle C neighborhood reacts to new projectsKaren Hibpshman has been the manager of the Circle C homeowners association for the past 10 years, serving in that position during the 2021 winter storm. She said the impact of the storm was traumatic for the 18,000 people who call Circle C home. "It was stressful because it was something completel...

Austin plastic surgeon volunteers medical treatments in West Africa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-based plastic surgeon is volunteering her time and talent to help those who need it most.Earlier this month, Dr. Tosan Ehanire treated several skin cancer patients and burn victims in Liberia.Within the West African nation, the use of open fires for cooking in homes has made severe burn injuries a common occurrence.Due to the country’s scarce medical resources, many of these wounds remain untreated for years."Injuries are very common, especially among women and young children who carry out these domestic activities,” Ehanire said.Over a 10-day span, she operated on seven patients.One of them included a two-year-old baby girl, who was suffering from a severe chemical burn injury on her face."We did a surgery to release those scars,” Ehanire explained. “To open up her mouth, so that she could actually eat."The Austin-based plastic surgeon volunteers for Liberia Medical Relief.Dr. Kevin Strathy helped found the nonprofit as a lifeline for medical supplies and ...

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Hilton over fees and room rates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Attorney General's office announced Wednesday it sued the Hilton hotel chain for "misleading consumers about the true costs of hotel rooms in violation of Texas consumer protection laws."Tuesday's lawsuit filing came after the AG's office sued Hyatt Hotels on May 15 accusing that company of violating Texas law by “marketing hotel rooms at prices that were not available to the public as advertised.” Texas AG sues Hyatt over unadvertised room fees The Attorney General's office said on May 16 it entered a fee settlement with Marriott International to make sure the company discloses fees and rates consumers would pay in advertisements and during the room booking process.In the Hilton lawsuit, the AG's office alleged that the hotel chain "developed a troubling pattern of forcing mandatory fees onto their customers." Among the Attorney General office allegations: consumers are often not fully made aware of these (mandatory) feesthey (consumers) were shown the ...

Report: Loons striker Luis Amarilla might head back to Ecuador

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

Minnesota United’s slumping striker Luis Amarilla has been linked in a possible return to Ecuadorian club Liga de Quito.The news site Bolavip said Wednesday, via a Spanish translation, that Liga de Quito is in negotiations with the Loons for Amarilla to come back to the Ecuadorian club.This report coincides with the Loons being in the market for a new striker once the summer transfer window open July 5, the Pioneer Press understands. The club seeks a forward with a proven goal-scoring record, and that acquisition would come with a bigger price tag.Meanwhile, Amarilla occupies one of the Loons’ three Designated Player spots, and one of those three DP slots would need to be open to bring in the type of player MNUFC is believed to be targeting this summer.Amarilla signed a two-year contract going into the 2022 season, with two club options for 2024 and ’25 seasons, meaning his deal can expire after this season. Amarilla receives $810,000 in guaranteed compensation in 2023, according to...

Schenectady man pleads guilty to child pornography charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to receiving hundreds of images and videos of child pornography. Daniel Quintero, 38, faces five-20 years in prison when he is sentenced. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Quintero admitted that from May 1, 2019, to March 2, 2022, he downloaded images and videos of child pornography. Upon his release, he is also set to serve a term of supervised release between five years and life, with a maximum fine of $250,000. Quintero is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26.

State Troopers to increase patrols amid Memorial Day Weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Police will increase patrols to crack down on drunk, impaired, and reckless driving during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. Starting on Friday and running through Tuesday, May 30, a special enforcement period will commence with Memorial Day being one of the busiest travel holidays of the year. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Drivers can expect increased sobriety checkpoints and patrol cars during the holiday weekend. Both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) cars will be used as part of this crackdown. According to the University at Albany's Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), 237 people were killed and 4,394 were injured in drunk driving-related crashes in 2022. Another 237 people were killed in drug-related crashes. 5 things to know this Thursday, May 25 State Police say during Memorial Day Weekend in 2022...

Crash on Patroon Island Bridge closes two lanes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a crash on I-90 westbound on the Patroon Island Bridge; near the Albany and Rensselaer County Line, has closed two left lanes of five. Drivers in the area should expect delays. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Stick with News10 as more information regarding this crash becomes available.

Crash on I-90 westbound in Albany closes one lane

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a crash on I-90 westbound at Exit 6; US 9 in Albany has closed one left lane of four. Drivers in the area should expect delays. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Stick with News10 as more information regarding this crash becomes available.

Dozens of area high school students discuss gun safety today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:36:06 GMT

ST. LOUIS - About a dozen area high school students will discuss gun safety Thursday.Students from St. Louis Public Schools and Confluence Academy will take part in the discussion. It's this afternoon at the Sun Theater in Grandel Square. Edwardsville High School asst. principal accused of sex with teen Just this month alone, there has been at least 21 area shootings involving children, with nine being killed. The students will discuss what to do in case of a school shooting, and where to get free gun locks.Thursday's event is organized by the group Educators for Gun Safety.