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City Council to implement rules of new state law that will likely lead to fewer parks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council will vote Thursday to implement necessary changes to parkland dedication ordinances in order to comply with a new state law that passed last session and will go into effect in January.Previously, Austin's ordinance required developers to provide nearly 10 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents or face a fee. The new state law requires local officials to reduce that amount down to 3,000 square feet in Austin’s downtown and to three acres in suburban neighborhoods. “The bill requires Austin to make substantial changes to the current parkland ordinance to comply with state law, and there is very little room for the city’s discretion in the new ordinance language,” said Robynne Heymans, a principal planner at the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.The bill, House Bill 1526, also caps the total amount of parkland dedication for projects in Austin's city limits at 10%. The former ordinance capped parkland dedication at 15% in the urban core and h...

Austin eyes development of total eclipse plan ahead of April phenomenon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, Austin City Council will consider Thursday directing Interim Manager Jesús Garza to create a plan that covers access, safety and celebration of the natural phenomenon.The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in the area where Austin is located was in the 14th century, per city documents. The next opportunity after April 8 where it will be visible in Austin will be in the 24th century, documents added. TOTAL ECLIPSE NEWS: Planning a trip? How to view April’s total solar eclipse from a plane Under the proposed direction, Garza would work with city partners such as Visit Austin, the Austin Parks Foundation, school districts and area governments with focuses in four specific areas:Information:Create a public awareness campaign about the total solar eclipsePrepare and share basic information surrounding the total solar eclipse, including the timing of it, a map showing its path of totality and safety information ...

Picture Butte hopes RPAP will aid in physician struggles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsPicture Butte’s mayor, said the Town has, “a lot of work to do,” to get a partnership with Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RPAP) off the ground.During the Oct. 24 regular council meeting, Lynsey Robinson of the southern Alberta RPAP gave a delegation, providing information on how the RPAP program can provide resources to better equip municipalities in ongoing attraction and retention efforts for health care professionals.Funded through Ministry of Health, RPAP is given money and resources to support retaining and attracting rural health care providers, supporting health care providers through profession development, and liaising with various committees and AHS, while also providing a wide variety of programs.Robinson said she currency works with six attraction and retention committees in southern Alberta, including in Pincher Creek, Vulcan, Claresholm, Milk River, Bassano, and working to “extend that,”“We primarily deal with attraction and reten...

Poor reception frustrating for Butte residents and business community

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsPoor cellphone coverage in Picture Butte continues to be an issue brought forward by frustrated residents and business owners.Council discussed the ongoing complaints from residents during the recent Oct. 23 council meeting.Coun. Feist noted, “over the last few days, people have been asking me about the cellphone coverage in town and I keep telling them to talk to their provider. More towers are needed,” and added, “that’s all they can do.”“It’s terrible all over town, people are just having issues with it all over.”Mayor Moore said, “for the cell service, Rogers is supposed to be putting out one of those boosters.”However the boosters are not slated for installation until 2024.Eva Penner, President of the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce, said it remains an ongoing concern for many business owners in Picture Butte area, and the nearby town of Nobleford.“As a Chamber, we are here to advocate on behalf of our businesses and if there is no...

Accessibility projects on the go in Coaldale for 2023-25

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsSome accessibility improvements will be coming to Town facilities in Coaldale.During their regular Oct. 23 meeting, Coaldale town council discussed recommendations from a local accessibility group.Founded in December 2020, Access Coaldale is a community group with the goal of improving accessibility within the town. They completed an audit of Town-owned buildings in 2021, identifying accessibility upgrades for infrastructure and facilities.Upgrades were ranked in terms of overall importance with consideration based on location importance, improving functionality, promoting independence, convenience versus necessity and improving health and safety.At the end of 2022, council approved the Access Coaldale – Accessibility Fund as part of the 2023-2025 Operating Projects budget.“Based on the individual ranking of each of the features listed in the audit report, and the group discussions, the following accessibility projects were proposed by the grou...

Cannabis licenses on hold may get the green light Monday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — In August, a New York Supreme Court judge's order blocked the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) from issuing more recreational dispensary licenses. Next week, a decision in that case is expected. Cannabis roll out woes continue A lawsuit brought on by disabled veterans claimed that OCM left their group out of the first rounds of licensing.“This thing is coming to a conclusion, for sure,” said OCM Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon. He said that a decision will be made on Monday.The judge's temporary restraining order halted almost all cannabis licensing in New York. And in order for an applicant to move forward in those processes, OCM says that decision is now left up entirely to the judge.   Heermance Memorial Library denied grant funding Cannabis law specialist Fatima Afia said that if the ruling is in favor of OCM, the injunction would be lifted. Then, the approval process can continue.  But if the ruling favors the veterans, it could spell doom ...

Dunkin’ opens next-generation store on Washington Ave

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, Dunkin' is celebrating the grand reopening of its restaurant at 1425 Washington Ave with free giveaways, merchandise, and a limited number of $20 gift cards. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to noon and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “We are thrilled to be a part of Dunkin’s next-generation store initiative and are excited to unveil this innovative new restaurant just across from the University at Albany’s main campus,” said Dunkin’ franchisee Howard Novick. “The new menu offerings and approachable atmosphere will grab the attention of Dunkin’ fans and help keep the university community running on Dunkin’ for years to come.”The newly remodeled Dunkin' features a modern design and increased energy efficiency. Innovative technology includes a tap system that will serve eight consistently cold beverages and top-quality espresso machines.

Man admits setting ex-girlfriend’s St. Louis County home on fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man appeared in federal court on Wednesday and admitted setting fire to his ex-girlfriend's home in St. Louis County while she and members of her family were asleep.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Christopher Willis, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of maliciously damaging or destroying by means of fire.Willis told the court he entered his ex's home on Nero Drive on the morning of April 29, nearly six days after they broke up, went into the basement, and set fire to her clothes.The ex-girlfriend said the fire alarm woke her up and that she was able to safely evacuate the residence with her daughter and aunt.As part of a plea agreement, both prosecutors and Willis' lawyer agreed to recommend a five-year sentence to the judge. Willis will be sentenced on Jan. 30, 2024. He had faced up to 20 years in prison.

St. Louis County's update on winter road crew preparedness

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Despite staffing shortages, St. Louis County will have crews working around the clock this winter.“We’re struggling with staff like every business sector in the country, but we have people in place to make sure our roads get clear,” County Executive Sam Page said. “We will have people working overtime in 12-hour shifts, and we will pull recruits from other parts of the county government to operate the smaller vehicles to make sure that our streets get plowed.”The county’s Department of Transportation and Public Works says their goal is to make roadways passable after snow and ice events in a safe and effective manner. St. Louis police investigate 6 sudden deaths St. Louis County covers 3,166 miles of roads and streets, with a fleet of 115 snowplows across the county. They deploy from an operations division that’s divided into five districts, in which all districts house their own salt, equipment, staff, and mechanics.Ryan Pierce, the county’s operations man...

Family of mother, 10-year-old daughter killed in Lakewood apartment fire sue for wrongful death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:27 GMT

The family of a mother and daughter killed in a Lakewood apartment fire in 2022 is suing the apartment owner, property management company and two teenagers charged with starting the fire for wrongful death.Kathleen Payton, 31, and her 10-year-old daughter Jazmine Payton-Aguayo died in the Oct. 31 fire at Tiffany Square Apartments, which was started by two teenagers.Payton’s adoptive mother, Mary Jo Portales, and Jazmine’s father, Rogelio Aguayo, filed the lawsuit in Denver district court on Monday.The lawsuit provides new details about the fire at 935 Sheridan Blvd. that killed Payton and Jazmine and injured 10 others in the early hours of Oct. 31.A 12-year-old boy and 14-year-old boy were arrested for starting the fire and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, arson and criminal mischief. The older boy, now 15, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to seven years in the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services.According to the...