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Travis County creates Community Legal Services Division for 'more fair and equitable' legal system

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Commissioners Court voted on July 25 to create two new departments that will comprise a new "Community Legal Services Division," according to a press release from the Commissioners Court.The two new departments are the Community Legal Services department and the Data, Policy and Performance Management department. The former will expand public defenders and work to ensure defendants have legal counsel during their first appearance in court. The latter will study how the county handles diversion, workforce development and reentry efforts. Previous: Travis County’s largest mental health facility is its jail, Judge Brown looking at diversion options “The Commissioners Court and I are committed to providing robust and effective criminal legal representation,” said Travis County Judge Andy Brown in the release. “The creation of these two Departments will help the county provide the highest quality services to our community and make sure w...

'I wish it wasn't ending.' Departing Austin FC player speaks to fans at send-off

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Following the news that former Austin FC winger Diego Fagundez would leave the club, dozens of fans gathered Tuesday night to send the beloved player off. “I'm a little emotional, but I just want to say thank you to everybody since day one. You guys treated me and my family with a lot of love,” Fagundez told a crowd of around 100 FC fans.  MORE: Austin FC’s Diego Fagundez traded to LA Galaxy for Memo Rodriguez, cash Austin FC announced Tuesday that the club would trade Fagundez to the LA Galaxy for its midfielder, Memo Rodríguez. In addition to getting Rodríguez, Austin FC said it would also receive up to $900,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), including $300,000 of guaranteed 2023 GAM, for the trade. “I wish it wasn't ending,” he continued. “You guys are still gonna be my family no matter what.” Fagundez said he was just as surprised as his fans to hear the news that he was traded, but “soccer is like that sometimes. We got to move on and go som...

10-acre fire reported near Georgetown

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

WEIR, Texas (KXAN) – Firefighters are battling a 10-acre fire Wednesday afternoon in Weir, which is northeast of Georgetown, Williamson County said.The fire was reported to Williamson County Emergency Communications around 1:40 p.m. at County Road 150 and FM 972.Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The fire didn't force any evacuations but it did burn a barn and a car, Williamson County said.The Weir Fire Department is the lead agency at the scene with support from Hutto, Jarrell, Williamson County ESD 10, Leander, Liberty Hill, Round Rock, Sam Bass, ESD 7 and Bartlett, Williamson County said. The Williamson County Sheriff's Office, EMS and Office of Emergency Management are also responding.

'They saved us': Crews continue to battle Bastrop fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Central Texas is on high alert as wildfire season continues on, but there are more dangers than just the fires.Crews are working in extremely hot conditions, with temperatures well above 100 degrees.The latest fire sparked in Bastrop has burned more than 100 acres.”Man, we had so many planes and helicopters out here it sounded like Vietnam,” said Keith who lives across the street from where fire crews were fighting the fire.The fire started Tuesday afternoon and by Wednesday it had more than doubled in size. Crews spent the afternoon putting out hotspots and responding to any fires that popped up again.“I feel for the guys they worked their butt off,” said Keith.Walter Flocke with the Texas A&M Forest Service says Crews have to be careful in these hot conditions especially when they are decked out in their protective gear, which can be very hot. At least one home affected as Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 100 acres, 50% contained ”Obviousl...

Feura Bush man convicted of predatory sexual assault

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

GREEN ISLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On the afternoon of August 2, John Ferrara, 55, was convicted of predatory sexual assault against a child. Ferrara faces 25 years to life in state prison. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the indictment, Ferrara engaged in sexual conduct against a female child between February 1, 2016, and June 4, 2018. The child was between the ages of 5 and 8. Sentencing is scheduled for September 15.

SUNY offering classes to help grow Direct Support Workforce

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Twelve SUNY campuses across the state will soon be offering courses for those who currently are or want to become Direct Support Professionals. "Direct support professionals are the folks who work with, care for, advocate with folks with developmental disabilities," said Cynthia Proctor, SUNY Director of Communications and Economic Policy Development.Blaise Bryant is a communications specialist with the NYS Association on Independent living and says he knows first hand just how important these workers are."Homecare workers allowed me, in addition to working my full time job, be a part of the community and advocating for a world that is inclusive and assessable for people with disabilities," said Bryant.But like with many industries, there’s a shortage of these workers."There’s about 130,000 people with developmental disabilities in this state and the vacancy rate for open positions ranges by something like 17-27 %," said Proctor. In an effort to grow the work...

Beloved animal rescue activist dies

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Cydney Cross, a beloved local animal rescue activist suddenly passed away recently. Local animal rescue organizations are now paying tribute to Cydney and her rescue work which was especially centered around Pitbulls.Inspiring Women of the Capital Region: Cydney CrossNicknamed the Grandmother of Pitbull rescue, Cydney started 'Out of the Pits' in 1994, an organization devoted to rescuing the breed she thought of as misunderstood. “Cydney’s been doing this — 'Out of the Pits' — for 29 years, and prior to that she was in rescue for Greyhounds. So, the last 40 to 50 years of her life has been devoted to dogs” said Maggie Blodgett, Co-VP Out of the Pits.Cydney was working up until the end. Just 3 weeks ago she was at the Healthy Pet Center in Latham buying supplies for dogs that she rescued.Sirena Sanders works at the chain store where Cydney was a regular customer. She says Cross was truly devoted to her work with dogs. “She worked endlessly. She would some...

Saratoga's poet laureate receives fellowship award

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The city's own poet laureate has been announced as an awardee of a prestigious fellowship award. Poet Laureate Joseph Bruchac was spotlighted this week as a recipient of the Poet Laureate Fellowship Award by the Academy of American Poets. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “I feel doubly blessed by this fellowship," said Bruchac. "First by being recognized by the Academy of American Poets, one of our nation's most important voices for poetry; second, and more importantly, by the way its support will enable me to better carry out my role as the first Poet Laureate of Saratoga Springs.”Bruchac was one of 23 poet laureates chosen across the united states for this year's award. He and his fellow awardees have each received $50,000 for their work in the medium of poetry. Since 2019, the academy has given $5.45 million to 104 poet laureates from around the U.S.“I want to congratulate the very first poet...

Upstate hospitals to receive $1B annually

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

ABLANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Upstate hospitals will be getting a financial boost in the amount of one billion dollars every year. Hospitals will use the money as they see best fit. "Better health care, addressing the doctor and nurse shortage, which we’ve seen so much for, smoother operations, decreased weight times, more telemedicine, so much more. It’s just great news," said State Senator Chuck Schumer at a press event on Wednesday. Weekend activities at Moreau Lake State Park Schumer said for years upstate New York has struggled with low Medicare reimbursement, making it difficult for hospitals to pay higher wages, hire new employees and retain staff. Some employees even moving out of state to take up health care positions that pay more. "This is gonna mean more jobs for upstate New York and more health care, better health care for upstate New York," she said. Gary Fitzgerald, President of the Iroquois Health Care Association said, this is something advocates have been working on fo...

Barnes-Jewish Hospital again named among best US hospitals, top in Missouri

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:32:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - An annual report once again names Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis among the nation's best hospitals. U.S. News & World Report released its annual “Best Hospitals” rankings on Tuesday, which recognized Barnes-Jewish among the 22 best hospitals in the United States. Unlike past years, however, there wasn't a national ranking attached. However, the report once again recognized Barnes-Jewish Hospital as the best in Missouri. ‘Life Goes On, Man’ : Cardinals look ahead to future after deadline deals According to the report, Barnes-Jewish ranked nationally in 11 of 15 measured specialties: cancer; cardiology & heart surgery; diabetes & endocrinology; ear, nose & throat; gastroenterology & gastrointestinal surgery; geriatrics; neurology & neurosurgery; obstetrics & gynecology; orthopedics; pulmonology & lung surgery; and urology.“Our team is grateful to be recognized as a national leader on this prestigious list for the 30th time – coincidi...