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New bill takes aim at Texas program blocking driver license renewals over unpaid traffic tickets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas program that allows judges to block driver license renewals over unpaid traffic tickets will face possible changes, and even repeal, this legislative session.It comes after a KXAN investigation revealed more than 980,000 current court orders, as of Oct. 2022, sent to Texas Department of Public Safety vendor OmniBase to block drivers from getting their license renewed.  Already, more than 445,000 Texans can’t get their license renewed or replaced if they are flagged under the state’s Failure to Appear and Pay program, according to DPS data. The system, critics say, leaves some of the state’s poorest drivers in debt, without a license for years, and at risk for more charges – and even jail time – if they get on the road. Nearly 1M drivers at risk of losing licenses. Are you one of them? “I think a cynical person can say this just looks like a way for them to make money,” Bernal said. “This is not a street crime. [These are] traffic tickets. [These are] park...

Travis County Commissioners to vote on future of mental health diversion center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

Travis County, TEXAS (KXAN) -- Travis County Commissioners could vote to move forward with recommendations from a forensic mental health project conducted by Dell Medical School Tuesday. The project report identified five “high priority” recommendations made at the end of the 10-month project, which looked at people in Travis County’s jail with mental health and substance use disorders. The recommendations were the following:Make data sharing easier and update the county’s “technology platform”Create a mental health diversion centerPilot housing programs and establish permanent housing solutionsIncrease the number of peer specialists where people would intersect with the mental health and criminal legal systemReinstate the counsel at first appearance program Report: 5 ways to keep people with mental health disorders out of Travis County’s jail According to the report, there are roughly 900 people with a “mental health identifier” in the Travis County jail at any given time, that a...

Waco teen receives $10K cancer grant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - Blain Lenoir, 19, received big help to pursue his college career after years of battling Leukemia. Blain was given a $10,000 scholarship through Northwestern Mutual's 2022 Childhood Cancer Survivor program. The scholarship aims to ease the financial burden for families who undergo childhood cancer treatments. Northwestern Mutual Foundation president, Steven Radke says, "Childhood cancer robs children and their families of far too much, and that should not include the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a college degree."Blain was diagnosed with cancer in November 2015. At the time, he was 11 years old playing competitive baseball. What his family thought was a typical baseball tournament turned into a scare. After three games in 24 hours, his family noticed a large bump on the side of his neck. Doctors diagnosed him with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Blain was technically cancer free on December 24, 2015, just a little over a month after his diagnosis...

Saratoga offers free Narcan training and distribution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

CORINTH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, a free Narcan training and distribution event will be held at the Corinth Fire House at 16 Saratoga Ave. Participants will be taught how to recognize an opioid overdose and learn how to administer Narcan. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! After, participants will receive a free Narcan rescue kit. The kit contains two doses of Narcan, a rescue breathing face shield, a certificate of training, a drug disposal system, and a mental health and substance use disorder resource guide.The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Residents unable to attend can access a Narcan training video and register to obtain an overdose rescue kit here.

Statewide surplus vehicle and equipment auction dates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) will be hosting several surplus vehicle auctions through July. For more information on items and terms of sale, you can visit the NYSStore: Surplus website, email [email protected], or call (518) 457-6335. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Auction schedules:Tuesday, April 25, 9:30 a.m. at the NYS Fair Grounds, 581 State Fair Boulevard, SyracuseTuesday, May 2, 9:30 a.m. at NYS Police – Troop F, 55 Crystal Run Road, MiddletownWednesday, May 3, 9:30 a.m. at NYS Police – Troop K, 2541 Route 44, Salt PointThursday, May 4, 9:30 a.m. at Harriman State Office Campus Auction Lot, 1220 Washington Avenue, AlbanyTuesday, May 9, 9:30 a.m. at NYS Department of Transportation at 5450 South Bay Road, North SyracuseWednesday, May 10, 9:30 a.m. at NYS Police – Troop D, Route 5, 261 Genesee Street, OneidaTuesday, June 6, 9:30 a.m. at NYS Department of Transport...

Albany International Airport and TSA preparing for spring break surge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany International Airport and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are preparing for a surge in air travel traffic with students and families flying for spring break. With the break continuing through April 12, travelers should expect traffic in the airport to exceed pre-pandemic levels, according to the Albany International Airport. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! To accommodate the expected increase in passenger traffic, the TSA security checkpoint will be open every morning at 3 a.m. The airport is offering travelers a variety of parking choices, including:Economy E-Lot/$6.00 per dayLong Term Ground/$10.00 per dayGarage/$14.00 per dayThe airport is reminding passengers to pack smart and make sure they do not have any prohibited items, including explosives, flammables, knives, razors, firearms, replica weapons, etc. To avoid delays, passengers can view the TSA's "what can I bring?"...

North county McDonald's restaurants raising money Tuesday for hit-and-run victim

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Several McDonald’s restaurants in North St. Louis County will donate proceeds from Tuesday's sales to the family of a recent hit-and-run victim. Investigators say Willetter Anderson-Watson was crossing South Florissant Road when she was struck by a Volkswagen turning from Woodstock Road. That driver went to check on her when Anderson-Watson was struck by another vehicle. The second vehicle left the scene, and Anderson-Watson died from her injuries. She was 61 years old. Trending: St. Louis rage -- Chicago’s thin-crust pizza featured in the New York Times Anderson-Watson worked at a Hazelwood McDonald's location on Lindbergh Boulevard. McDonald's announced it would donate ten percent of all sales from six stores between 11a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday to Willetter’s family to help cover part of the funeral expenses.The following North St. Louis County locations will be participating: 7300 N. Lindbergh, 6304215 Florissant Oaks, 630316883 Parker Road, 630331090 Shac...

Letters: Finding the right mayor in a large field of candidates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

Finding the right mayor in a large field of candidatesRe: “Mike Johnston for mayor,” March 12 editorialThe Denver Post Editorial Board’s endorsement of Mike Johnston for mayor is a blatant continuation of the past 12 years of Michael Hancock’s power alliance with wealthy business owners and lobbyists. The contributions to Johnston’s campaign are proof that the imbalance of power would continue to the detriment of the needs of the masses.As an owner of a commercial property with small business tenants and a community equity activist in Globeville for many years, it is another betrayal of promises, passions, and stakeholder investments of time and energy in low-income neighborhoods such as Globeville. I fear that with Johnston as mayor, the least-resourced neighborhoods will continue to bear the brunt of the most egregious problems in the city: homeless encampments, crime, drugs, non-existent basic infrastructure, toxic pollution, and more. Denver needs a...

San Pablo man shot in Oakland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

OAKLAND — A 43-year-old San Pablo man was shot in East Oakland early Tuesday, authorities said.His condition was not immediately available.The shooting was reported about 12:43 a.m. Tuesday outside in the 1400 block of 100th Avenue.Police said it appears the man got into an argument with another man who shot him before fleeing. The man was found unconscious with a bullet wound to his lower torso, authorities said.Police have not yet been able to talk to the man. Until they can, it is not known why he was in Oakland, why he was shot or if he knew the gunman, authorities said.A detailed description of the suspect had not been released.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the shooter. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3426 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.

Los Gatos Gala honors local restaurants, wineries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:14 GMT

It was a festive occasion and a big turnout for the annual Los Gatos Gala March 9 at Testarossa Winery saluting the restaurants and wineries of our town. Among those feted was David Kinch, who is retiring from his Michelin-starred Manresa restaurant. Kinch is credited for putting Los Gatos on the gourmet foodie map. He says he will take a break, then focus on more casual fare at his Bywater Restaurant and Manresa Bakery. Bywater, at 532 N. Santa Cruz Ave., features Creole and Cajun plates plus raw bar fare. Manresa Bread originated in the restaurant, and now offers gourmet breads and pastries at its own site at 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave.Los Gatos Poet Laureate Jen Siraganian invites poets and would-be poets to submit their work for the second annual Los Gatos Poetry Contest. “I’m collaborating with the Los Gatos Library to host a poetry contest for children, teens and adults who live, work or attend school in Los Gatos,” Siraganian says. “Last year, I judged over 90 submissions, and this...