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1,500 miles of sidewalks are missing citywide. Here's what Austin's doing about it

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin has approximately 1,500 miles of missing sidewalks citywide -- and disabilities commission members are encouraging city staff to speed up that work as much as possible.Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department (ATPWD) is poised to bring updates to its sidewalks, crossings and urban streets plan before council in September. Heading into fiscal year 2023-24, ATPWD will lay out its list of priority sidewalks in need of creation or refurbishments, largely using equity determinants to see where the needs are greatest.What does the city's sidewalk network look like right now?There are approximately 2,800 miles' worth of existing sidewalks within the city network, with roughly 1,500 miles of gaps existing. Since the department's last update six years ago, the city has increased its sidewalks network from 2,400 miles to 2,800 miles -- but members of the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities said at July 14 meeting that a robust, connect...

Nearly a quarter of suicide hotline calls in Texas going unanswered, data shows

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Over the past three months, as many as a quarter of calls being made to 988 -- a suicide and crisis hotline launched almost exactly a year ago -- go unanswered in Texas every month, according to data from 988.Here's what the data shows: In April, Texas 988 call centers received just north of 14,000 calls. The answer rate was 75%In May, the number of calls jumped up to more than 15,000 calls. The answer rate was 76%In June, Texas call centers got more than 14,200 calls and answered 80% of themThe hotline, formally known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, was shortened to make the number easier to remember more than a year ago. Shortly after its launch, 988 reported it saw a roughly 45% increase in calls. PREVIOUS: 988 mental health hotline gets funding to expand, enhance services Earlier this year, ...

MAP: East 5th improvements planned for CapMetro rail, trail access

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin and CapMetro are collaborating on two projects' worth of improvements planned along the Red Line Trail and rail lines between Navasota and East 7th streets.The two-project uphaul aims to improve trail and sidewalk access, rail transit services and intersection safety within the project scope. CapMetro is recommending double-tracking the rail in two project zones:Project 1: Navasota Street to Robert T. Martinez Jr. StreetProject 2: Robert T. Martinez Jr. Street to East 7th StreetAs part of the proposed initiative, the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department is analyzing East 5th Street between Navasota Street and Pedernales Street "to support bicycle, pedestrian and vehicular access and safety with these rail improvement projects." This specific area features the intersection of five trail networks:Plaza Saltillo crosstown bikewayEastLink TrailRed Line TrailMoKan/Southern Walnut Creek TrailU.S. Hwy. 183 shared-use pathways(Courtesy: CapMe...

Lakeville star swimmer Regan Smith bumps medal count to three at world championships

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

Regan Smith continues to collect medals at the World Championships in Japan.The Lakeville swimmer added a silver and a bronze to her total on Thursday, finishing second in the 50-meter backstroke and third in the 200-meter butterfly.Smith swam the 50 back in 27.11 seconds, just three hundredths behind Australian Kaylee McKeown. That time was also just one hundredth of a second off Smith’s personal best in the event.“I’m really happy with that race. I think it was a really tight race and really fast,” Smith said. “I’m really pleased with my time.”Particularly because the swim came so closely after Smith’s swim in the 200 fly, a race she finished in 2 minutes, 6.58 seconds. Canada’s Summer McIntosh won that race in 2:04.06.The bronze comes after Smith failed to medal in the event at the 2022 World Championships.“So I’m making my way back up,” Smith said, “and I’m very proud of that.”The final race for the 21-year-old Mi...

St. Paul police investigating daytime homicide in Dayton’s Bluff

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

Police are investigating a daytime homicide in St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood on Thursday.A man was shot just after 2 p.m. at Third and Earl streets. The police department said they plan to release additional information later today.The homicide was the 19th of the year in St. Paul; there were 22 in the city as of this date last year.Homicides are down 22 percent in the first half of this year in the seven-county metro area, compared to last year, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Minneapolis man sentenced for firing shots in Mall of America Nike store Crime & Public Safety | Gynecologist accused of sexually abusing over 200 patients is sentenced to 20 years in prison Crime & Public Safety | Minnesota man used social media to sexually exploit girls, including one in Ramsey County, charges say Crime & Public Safety | Missing F...

Adirondack Labyrinth offers wellness in the woods

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

BAKERS MILLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - This week, a spot at the end of a dirt road in the Adirondack town of Johnsburg became connected to seven other locations in five countries around the globe. That connection wasn't physical, or electronic. Instead, it could be found in a weaving path, carefully decorated with stones and flowers, inviting anyone in need of a place to become centered and find inner peace. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On a rainy Thursday, the ribbon was cut on the Adirondack Labyrinth, a 70-foot-wide outdoor creation built on part of 100 acres of space owned by wellness destination ASA Adirondack. The path to completion has wound just as the labyrinth itself does - leading through two and half years of work, 50 volunteers, and $40,000 in building costs. Just like visitors entering a labyrinth, the folks behind the project have left it feeling rewarded."The purpose of this labyrinth is community and connection," sai...

5 World Trade Center will transform into 1200 housing units

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- State leaders are bringing new housing units to the Five World Trade Center Site. A portion of those homes will be offered to those directly impacted by the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The project also comes with an affordability component. Schenectady woman sentenced for unemployment benefits theft "While we may never be able to close the hole in our hearts from those we lost on 9/11, at least today, we can close one of the holes left behind in this hallowed ground," said Governor Hochul at a press conference on Thursday. It’s been two years in the making and was finally approved today. 1200 units will be built at the Five World Trade Center site; transforming an old parking lot into new homes. 320 units will be affordable housing and 80 will be offered to those who lived or worked in Lower Manhattan during the 9/11 attacks. Once construction is complete, this will be the largest affordable housing development and only residential site at the World Trade Ce...

Albany PD chaplain offers solutions to local violence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Bishop Avery Comithier, one of Albany PD’s official chaplains, is calling for changes to the way the city responds to community violence and proposes some solutions as well.Pastors on PatrolIncidents like the Village & Barber Beauty Shop shooting on May 13th has prompted The Elijah Missionary Baptist Church pastor to say stopping violence isn’t as simple as taking guns off the street, it's a matter of mindset of those holding the weapon. “As long as there's a demand, as long as these young men and whoever is using these guns, there will be a supply. And if you can take away the demand part of it, the supply wouldn't matter” the Bishop told us. While Comitheir supports the city’s means to curb violence, he’s critical of their ends like gun buyback programs and community barbecues which he says don’t actually cut to the root cause of criminal behavior. Albany county youth in the crossfire of gun violence“I applaud the Albany police chief, the department, fo...

Schenectady woman sentenced for theft of unemployment benefits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady woman has been sentenced for the theft of over $150,000 in unemployment benefits using stolen identities, according to the Schenectady County District Attorney's Office. Amy Peru, 27, was sentenced on July 27 after pleading guilty to second-degree grand larceny. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The investigation conducted by the New York State Offices of the Inspector General and state police determined that Peru assumed the identities of several people in order to apply for and fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits in their names during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Peru directed the funds to financial accounts that were solely controlled by her. Further investigation revealed that Peru gained access to these online accounts and personal identifying information under the guise of assisting the victims with filing for unemployment. At least seven people fell victim to Peru'...

Moreau man found guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:24:00 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Moreau man accused of striking and killing tow-truck driver Alex Bleickhardt on September 15 has been found guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide. Justin Rodriguez faces twelve-and-a-half to twenty-five years in prison. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the evidence, Rodriguez had a history of four prior drunk driving convictions and had his license revoked. Despite this, he obtained a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado work truck, which he had at the time of the crash.Before the fatal accident, Rodriguez was seen at the Applebee's in the Town of Wilton, where he consumed excessive amounts of alcohol and appeared severely intoxicated. While leaving the parking lot, Rodriguez struck multiple curbs and almost hit a parked car. He even crashed through a metal post and chain barricade in the area of Hoffman's Car Wash.Witnesses on I-87 North saw Rodriguez's vehicle swerving across lanes and tra...