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Travis County fentanyl deaths more than double between 2021, 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Fentanyl-involved accidental overdoses more than doubled between 2021 and 2022, as Travis County leaders detail an ongoing public health crisis.The 2022 annual report from the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed there were 417 accidental overdose fatalities countywide in 2022, with 245 of those linked to fentanyl. By comparison, 308 total people died from fatal accidental overdoses in 2021, with 118 of those involving fentanyl."The problem has grown significantly worse," Travis County Judge Andy Brown said during a press conference Wednesday morning. As Travis County nears its fiscal year 2023-24 budget approval, Brown said he will be asking county commissioners for $750,000 next fiscal year to support an overdose fund. He said the necessity to build a more robust response network and expand its critical infrastructure and support for community partners is critical.At the state level, Brown called on politicians to approve a number of init...

Austin man 1 of 3 sentenced in scheme to solicit millions of dollars through 'scam' PACs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN) — An Austin man was one of three people sentenced for charges related to a scheme to solicit millions of dollars in contributions to two political action committees, or PACs, that said the funds would support presidential candidates during and after the 2016 election cycle, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice. According to court documents, from 2016 through at least April 2017, the three men operated two PACs — Liberty Action Group PAC and Progressive Priorities PAC — that solicited contributions from the public through robocalls and radio and internet advertisements, the DOJ said. The two PACs made it seem like the contributions would be used to support the presidential nominees of the two major political parties, according to the DOJ. Instead, the men used the money on themselves and to fund additional fraudulent solicitations, the release said. Specifically, the two PACs raised approximately $4 million in con...

Talks to avoid school bus driver strike in Forest Lake continue Friday; strike could happen Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

School bus drivers in Forest Lake and officials with the Forest Lake Area School District will meet Friday morning to continue negotiations with the help of a mediator, as the possibility of a strike looms nearer.If an agreement isn’t reached, the district’s 76 school bus drivers and special education bus aides could strike as early as Tuesday.“We have cleared our calendars for the weekend,” said Amy Perusse, negotiator and business agent for Teamsters Local 320, the union that represents the drivers and aides. “We can stay as late as we need to on Friday and we’re willing to work through the weekend, so we have something to take back to the membership on Monday.”Citing low wages and long work days, the union notified district officials on April 15 that they had filed an intent to strike with the state Bureau of Mediation Services. The drivers’ contract expired in September. Union and school district officials have met to negotiate six times since then, Perusse said, but...

Snowplow rodeo pit drivers against one another

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — At the Buffalo Niagara International Airport Fire Department on Wednesday, plow drivers from across the U.S. fight for the title of World's Best Snowplow Driver.Competition ends for the "snowplow cowboys" at 4 p.m. The rodeo takes place at the 55th annual Snow Symposium. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Drivers compete on a specially designed obstacle course and display their smooth moves as they fight to the finish and see who has what it takes to be the best in snow!" the NFTA said. "Competitors are judged by how well they prepare for their ride and safety skills while the clock is ticking to win cash prizes and plaques!"

Douglass home listed on National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The National Park Service added the site of the Douglass family home—currently the location of School Number 12—to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom on Tuesday. Historians estimate that the Douglasses helped roughly 400 fugitive slaves while living in Rochester. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In 1852, Frederick and Anna Murray-Douglass moved into a home at 999 South Avenue. It was at the top of a hill on the outskirts of town, an ideal stop along the Underground Railroad for those looking to escape slavery."What sacred land this is and how many people's lives were forever changed on this land," said Erica Mock, the Executive Director of Douglass Family Initiatives. "It is time. These two great figures, Frederick Douglass and Anna Douglass, were a pivotal part of the Underground Railroad." Nashville student barred from prom for wearing suit getting private prom In 1872, the Doug...

Schenectady Police investigate shooting on Tuesday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Tuesday night. Police responded to the parking lot of 1200 State Street at around 9:50 p.m. and located a male who had been shot in the lower body. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The male was transported to the Albany Medical Center for treatment. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Schenectady Police Department tip line at (518) 788-6566.

Capital Cup for Kids to raise $175K for local charities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On April 29, over 400 local adult hockey players will compete for the title of 2023 Capital Cup for Kids Champion in five different divisions. Presented by Lexus, the Capital Cup for Kids fundraiser will benefit Building on Love and Make-A-Wish Northeast NY. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In addition to the hockey games, there will be a sled hockey demonstration by the Stride Capital District Sled Hockey Warriors at 2:30 p.m. Following the demonstration, there will be an opportunity for those interested to give sled hockey a try.The list of events on Saturday are:8 a.m. to 9 p.m: Games every hourNoon to 4 p.m: Family Day activities2:30 to 5 p.m: Stride Capital District Sled Hockey Demo/Learn to Play3:30 p.m: Family Open Skate4:30 p.m: Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyThere is also a raffle and auction accessible online. Raffle prizes include a $1,000 Visa gift card and two tickets to the Yankee...

New targets a reality for 4-H archery program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Warren County 4-H is getting an extra arrow in the quiver of one of its education programs. The chapter's youth archery program is getting a boost from a national organization. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Pennsylvania-based Lancaster Archery Foundation named Warren County 4-H's archery program as the recipient of a grant to help the targets stay busy. Warren County 4-H runs archery programs spanning 8 weeks, open to all new and current 4-H members ages 8 and up. The group said on Facebook that the Lancaster Archery grant has allowed for the purchase of new targets from 3D archery. "Warren County 4-H educators are especially excited at the opportunity to expand the 3-D target shoots and field archery. Using 3-D targets will allow youth to prepare for archery competitions as well as cultivate an appreciation for the sport of hunting," the organization said.Some of the county's 4-H archery pr...

Upcoming restaurant openings in the Capital Region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- From cafés to mac and cheese to tacos to Chick-fil-A, several restaurants in the Capital Region as planning to open this year. Here are some restaurant openings to look out for in the coming months. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! SpringSia Crêperia, Crossgates Mall, 1 Crossgates Mall Road in GuilderlandPlanning to open at the end of AprilMean Max Brew Works, 251 River Street in TroyPlanning to open in MayUpton Coffee Company, 751 Hudson Avenue in StillwaterPlanning to open in MayThe Pretty Paw Lounge, 370 Mariaville Road in RotterdamPlanning to open the second week of MayAroma Joe’s, 660 Hoosick Road in BrunswickPlanning to open in early or mid-MayKindred, 84 Henry Street in Saratoga SpringsPlanning to open late MayNat’s Mountain House, 6589 Route 23A in TannersvilleHoping to open in JuneVolcano Asian Bistro and Hot Pot, 2309 Nott St E in NiskayunaPlanning to open mid-JuneAllie B’s Mac & Cheese...

Massive fire breaks out at 'Three Kings Pub' in University City

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:21:13 GMT

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. - Firefighters were called to the Delmar Loop Wednesday morning for a three-alarm fire at a University City pub and restaurant. Smoke could be seen coming from The Three King's Public House.The University City Police Department got the call around 3:30 a.m. They saw flames shooting from the roof of the kitchen area. Occupants were safely evacuated the building, then crews from Ladue, Pattonville, and St. Louis City came to the scene to help. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW There are apartments above the pub, which caused further problems with the fire. Some of the units have spaces between floors and roofs. That resulted in the fire spreading in between the spaces.FOX 2 spoke earlier with the battalion chief from th...