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'Ended up living in the woods': Hays County homeless advocates want more low-income housing

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — More affordable housing options are coming to Hays County after commissioners voted to join the Texas Housing Foundation, a public housing authority. "We're able to put a lot of multifamily development down on the ground," Texas Housing Foundation President and CEO Mark Mayfield said. Mayfield said it's already a part of Williamson County, Llano County, Bastrop County, Blanco County and Burnet County. "Everyone has to have a place to live," Mayfield said. "That's why we exist is to try to create those opportunities."While many said it's a step in the right direction, some housing advocates are pushing for more. Low-income housing needsGeorge Barbour never thought he'd see the day he'd have his own apartment. "I didn't have nowhere to go, no source of income and I didn't know anybody. I ended up living in the woods," Barbour said. He was homeless and his health was deteriorating. "I just kept getting sicker and sicker," Barbour said. "The city found me in ...

Twins’ Byron Buxton lands on injured list days after being hit by pitch in ribs

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Byron Buxton avoided the worst-case scenario when he was plunked on the ribs last Thursday by a Tanner Bibee fastball.But while he was fortunate to escape without any broken bones, Buxton hasn’t seen the field since then. And on Tuesday, after days of playing short-handed, the Twins made the decision to place the designated hitter on the injured list with a left rib contusion.Twins manager Rocco Baldelli had said on Sunday that he was hopeful that Buxton might be back on Tuesday. Instead, he’ll have a chance to heal for the next week. The move is retroactive to June 3, meaning Buxton would be eligible to return next Tuesday when the Twins play the Milwaukee Brewers.While Buxton was thankful to walk away from the incident without a fracture, the pain got to be so great the first night that he slept in a chair because he couldn’t lay on his side.“To know there’s nothing wrong and it’s just a bruise. For me, that’s a big positive,” Buxton said after hearing his X...

Canada wildfires are leading to air-quality alerts in U.S. Here’s how to stay safe

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

Canada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning. The smoke has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a poor air quality alert for New England, a day after parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota received a similar advisory. Last week, U.S. officials as far south as Maryland, Baltimore, Virginia and Pennsylvania reported being impacted by the wildfires.Here’s a summary of what’s being evaluated and some suggested precautions:WHAT’S HAPPENING?Smoke from Canada’s wildfires has been moving into the United States since last month. The most recent fires near Quebec have been burning for at least several days.The EPA said hazy skies, reduced visibility and the odor of burning wood are likely, and that the smoke will linger for a few days in New England.“It’s not unusual for us...

Women’s hockey: Gophers assistant coach Natalie Darwitz exits

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

The Minnesota Gophers women’s hockey team will have plenty of new faces on the ice next season as they work to get back to the NCAA Frozen Four. They will also be lacking a very familiar face behind their bench.On Monday, Gophers head coach Brad Frost confirmed that associate head coach Natalie Darwitz will not return for the 2023-24 season.“I can confirm that Natalie is no longer a member of our coaching staff,” Frost said, via text message. “She is a great alum and ambassador for women’s hockey. We appreciate all she has done for our program both as a player and a coach.”No additional information about the circumstances of her departure from the program were offered. As of Monday afternoon, Darwitz’s name had been removed from the list of Gophers coaches on the school’s website. Reached via text message, Darwitz, 39, said she would prefer to “let things settle” before speaking publicly.A two-time national champion player for the Gophers, Darwitz has spent the last two ...

Michael Tisius executed for murder of rural Missouri jailers

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

BONNE TERRE, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Corrections carried out its execution of a man convicted of killing two Randolph County jailers in 2000.Michael Tisius gunned down unarmed guards Jason Acton and Leon Egley while attempting to break Roy Vance out of jail. Tisius was joined by Vance's girlfriend, Tracie Bulington, during the crime. The jailbreak was unsuccessful after Tisius and Bulington failed to find the keys to unlock Vance's cell.Tisius and Bulington were arrested later that day in Wathena, Kansas.The execution was carried out at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Tisius, 42, died via lethal injection. He was declared dead by 6:10 p.m. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Tisiu...

Aurora police to release body camera footage of officer shooting 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

Aurora police on Friday will release body camera footage showing an officer fatally shooting a 14-year-old boy suspected of participating in a robbery of a convenience store.Family members of the 14-year-old, Jor’Dell Richardson, and their lawyers watched the footage at Aurora police headquarters Tuesday, police officials and family representatives said.State law mandates that law enforcement agencies wait 72 hours after showing body camera footage to the family of someone killed by police before releasing it publicly. Aurora police Chief Art Acevedo will hold a news conference Friday when the video is released, according to a news release.According to police, officers chased a group of teenagers who ran from a convenience store near the intersection of East Eighth Avenue and Dayton Street. A sergeant on patrol noticed the group and asked for backup because the teens were wearing medical masks and sweatshirts, a news release from the police department said. Police took two tee...

PGA Tour commissioner has ‘heated’ meeting with players after LIV Golf merger

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

By DOUG FERGUSON (AP Golf Writer)PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan spent more than an hour explaining to players Tuesday afternoon why he changed his mind about taking Saudi funds in a surprise collaboration, saying it ultimately was for their benefit.And to think it was nearly a year ago to the day that Saudi-funded LIV Golf teed off in its inaugural event as a rival and a threat, flush with defectors from golf’s top circuit.Morals were questioned. Lawsuits were filed. Golfers doubled down on their affiliations.A merger, it seemed, wasn’t in the cards. But on Tuesday, professionals from both tours were caught off guard by news that their worlds would collide — that the PGA Tour, European tour and LIV Golf were merging.“As time went on, circumstances changed,” Monahan said in a conference call after the meeting. “I don’t think it was right or sustainable to have this tension in our sport.“I recognize everything I’ve said in the p...

DIA, Hudson, Lochbuie under severe thunderstorm warning

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

5:45 p.m.: A tornado warning in effect until 6:15 p.m. is in effect for Weld County. A tornado was observed, but no hail is expected. The warning is for an area southeast of Gilcrest and northwest of Hudson.Tornado Warning including Weld County, CO until 6:15 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/lmrn6gQWft— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 6, 20235:35 p.m.: Thunderstorms are moving north and a severe thunderstorm warning includes Lochbuie and Hudson along the Interstate 76 corridor north of Denver International Airport. The warning is posted until 6 p.m. Half-dollar-size hail and 50 mph winds are expected.Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Denver Intl Airport CO, Lochbuie CO and Hudson CO until 6:00 PM MDT pic.twitter.com/Ljk5rJ6y07— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 6, 20235:35 p.m.: A flood advisory for a widespread part of the metro area includes eastern Denver, Aurora, eastern Centennial, Castle Rock, Commerce City and Parker and is in effect until 8:15 p.m., according to the Natio...

Singer, model tried to traffic more than 200 pounds of cocaine in SUV, Sheriff's Office says

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

A singer-songwriter from Van Nuys and her fitness influencer friend may be facing federal charges after they were arrested in Alabama last week while allegedly trafficking more than 200 pounds of cocaine, according to reports.Racquelle Dolores Anteola, 34, of Van Nuys and Melissa Dufour, 36, of Miramar, Florida, were arrested early Thursday while driving on Interstate 10 in Mobile County, Alabama, according to local media outlet Lagniappe.Anteola, aka Rahky, is a singer and rapper based in Los Angeles, according to her Instagram profile. Dufour, who goes by @melimacbarbie_on Instagram, is a fitness model and the owner and designer of a clothing brand called Sexy Sweats.Sheriff's officials told Lagniappe that the women were driving from Houston to Atlanta in a Ford Expedition with "hidden compartments" that contained 217 pounds of cocaine valued at about $3 million."The vehicle’s back seat was modified with a steel aftermarket compartment," according to Lagniappe's report. "The SUV’s...

Campsite booking app hiring 'Chief Outdoor Officer' to spend entire summer outdoors

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT

Feeling burnout from your 9 to 5 office job? Is the sound of Mother Nature calling out to you becoming too loud to ignore? If you want to ditch the cubicle this summer in favor of the great outdoors, you'll want to make sure your resume is up to date.Campspot, a website and app for booking private campgrounds, is currently hiring a "Chief Outdoor Officer." The seasonal, three-month position comes with a $10,000 travel stipend, a $2,000 monthly "salary" and a virtual assistant to help with any of the finer planning details.You won't need to attend any Zoom meetings or combat the daily commute. The only requirement, the company said, is a love of camping."As the leading booking site for private campgrounds in North America, Campspot knows that the most memorable summers can be made of the littlest moment," the company said in a release.The chosen applicant will have no shortage of recreation options this summer. Campspot said the Summer COO will be able to enjoy waterparks, stargazing...