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Memo: "Drastic steps" needed to properly staff Austin airport tower

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Air traffic controller staffing for the tower at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has "already fallen behind the rapid increase of air traffic within our airspace," according to a memo sent to regional air traffic control representatives. Just last month, the CEO for United Airlines blamed such staffing shortages - which are occurring nationwide - for recent delays that plagued various airlines.A spokesperson for AUS said air traffic control shortages impact airline operations more than airport operations. Airport operations include monitoring airport roadways, the airfield and parking versus things like flight schedules.Air traffic controllers communicate with pilots within 40 miles of the airport. Crews in the tower According to the air traffic control staffing memo obtained by KXAN, the tower has seen "unprecedented growth in air traffic over the last two years," and staffers are "working mostly six-day workweeks" to keep up. The memo asks the FAA...

Drugs, homeless camps continue at East Austin Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drugs and homeless camps continue to plague a popular east Austin park.People living near Parque Zaragoza told KXAN back in May that they don't feel safe and want something done, but today the problems continue."We have had to lock up a lot of stuff and we never had to before." said Kathy DeLeon who lives across the street.In May, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department told us the camps in the park have been cleared multiple times over the last year and a half."A lot of homeless people," said a man who lives nearby. "A lot of drug use around the clock."Other people living nearby tell us they are upset with how the city has enforced the camping ban."Where do we turn? Where does the community turn to? Who is in charge here?" said a man living nearby."It doesn't seem like the government is doing what is in the best interests of the community," said a woman who lives down the street from the park. Councilmember calls community meeting after drug concerns ...

'Really upsetting': Graffiti, fires prompt more security cameras, patrols at Hays County park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- More security cameras and patrols are coming to a Hays County park. That's after the Five Mile Dam Park was hit with graffiti and fires in one week. "There were letters. There were some pictures. There were like little flames and flowers. I remember seeing a cow. There were some inappropriate pictures and words as well," said Education Coordinator for the Hays County Parks Department Katherine Sturdivant. The Fourth of July fire Sturdivant said sometime after the park closed on the night of Fourth of July, a fire was accidentally set by a suspected stray firework. "There was a lot of trash from fireworks scattered about the whole upper and lower area here," Sturdivant said. The Hays County Parks Department said the trees and plants were meant to help stabilize the banks and filter water better to maintain water quality. (Photo: Hays County Parks Department)She said it was quickly put out by the local fire department, but the damage is done. "It's really...

Wanted New Brighton man jumps from parked MSP plane, hides in food service truck, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

A 44-year-old from New Brighton opened an emergency exit door on a parked airplane at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, leaped to the airfield and hid in an airline food service truck, police say.The man was a passenger on a Sun Country Airlines flight from Orlando, and he jumped from an emergency exit over the wing about 11:15 p.m. Sunday as other passengers were departing the plane at Terminal 2, according to Jeff Lea, Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman.Officers had been waiting at the gate to arrest the man for allegedly violating a restraining order, Lea said. He also had a warrant from Wright County for a first-degree controlled substance offense, according to an Airport Police report.Airport Police started searching for the man, with assistance from other agencies. The search didn’t affect the airport’s operations, Lea said.Employees reported about 11:40 p.m. that the suspect was inside a food service truck. Officers arrested him on suspicion ...

Groundbreaking for The Heights development in St. Paul in advance of soil remediation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

For some 40 years or more, the Hillcrest Country Club in St. Paul used mercury to control fungus along its golf course fairways, greens and tee boxes. Bolander Construction will soon begin removing soil running at least six inches deep in those locations, and up to one and a half feet of contaminated dirt along the greens, to prep the land for up to 1,000 new housing units and 1,000 new jobs.Environmental engineers with Braun Intertec will then test the soil, and if necessary, more dirt removal will follow.That’s step one of many. The shuttered clubhouse off Larpenteur Avenue will be demolished before the end of August, one of the more visible milestones in the gradual redevelopment of the 112-acre Hillcrest site into the future East Side live-work destination known as The Heights.“It’s such a big, unique shift,” said George Hoene, a senior project manager with the St. Paul Port Authority, which acquired the defunct golf course and sizable brownfield from the...

New monthly film series to focus on films made in or by Minnesotans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul is launching a new monthly series devoted to films made in and/or by Minnesotans.It kicks off July 17 with a screening of “Hollywood Fringe” at the Main Cinema in Minneapolis. Tickets are $15 and include a 6 p.m. reception and screening at 7:30 followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. For more details, see mspfilm.org.“Hollywood Fringe” debuted in 2020 and played several film festivals, including the 2021 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, where it won the audience choice award.A dark comedy about acting, life and fringe festivals, “Hollywood Fringe” stars Justin Kirk (“Succession”) and Jennifer Prediger as two ex-Minnesotan actors in Los Angeles who stage a Fringe play about trying to make art in an industry town. It was produced, written and directed by Minnesota filmmakers Megan Huber and Wyatt McDill and features music from local favorites John Munson (Semisonic, the New Standards) and Lucy Michelle.Film Threat called it ...

Police urge people nationwide to look out for escaped inmate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

(NewsNation) — People nationwide are being asked to be on the lookout for an escaped Pennsylvania inmate, even as more than 200 officers continue searching within the area where they think he is still likely to be.Authorities said they are aggressively following leads in the manhunt for Michael Charles Burham, a murder suspect who escaped from a Pennsylvania jail last week.Those leads include possible sightings of Burham and reports of break-ins at unoccupied structures. While law enforcement officials believe Burham is still in the general area, they are also urging people nationwide to familiarize themselves with his photo and be on the alert. ‘Just release the files’: Rep. Burchett claims UFOs exist Authorities are also working to collect possible DNA evidence from supplies or locations they believe may be connected to Burham.Burham was being held pending charges of burglary, arson and kidnapping. He escaped from the jail by climbing up exercise equipment to a window ...

Altamont Avenue in Rotterdam closed due to downed, damaged power poles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A portion of Altamont Avenue in the town of Rotterdam closed Tuesday evening for several downed electrical poles. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Around 3:10 p.m., a car crashed into a power pole in the area of Rensselaer Avenue and Altamont Avenue. Police said the damaged pole broke and fell, which caused several other poles to fall in the area of Altamont Avenue. Fire crews also responded for vehicles on fire and spilled oil on the road.Altamont Avenue between Crane Street and Amsterdam Avenue is expected to be closed for several hours. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid this area.

St. Louis County discusses property tax relief for seniors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - An effort to help seniors on fixed incomes stay in their homes through a program to freeze real estate taxes.This legislation stems not only from increasing real estate taxes but also from a bill signed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson last week.Senate Bill 190 creates a program to freeze real estate taxes for anyone old enough to be eligible for Social Security benefits. Members of the Committee of the Whole got a chance to delve into Bill 114 Tuesday afternoon. Council members said they would like to hold the bill, do more research, and find a more sustainable solution.Bill 114 allows seniors in St. Louis County to access this benefit and remain in their homes. However, Councilman Mark Harder, who filed the bill, said no formal decision has been made yet.“The next step is tonight at the meeting. And I haven’t decided yet whether we're going to move this bill forward and vote for a final vote or if I’m going to hold it. That decision hasn’t been made at this...

2 men shot on Hampton Avenue in south St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:17 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Two men were wounded in a shooting Tuesday afternoon along a popular corridor in south St. Louis.According to a spokesperson for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting occurred just after 4 p.m. in the 5300 block of Hampton Avenue.One victim was shot in the eye and right shoulder. The second victim suffered a gunshot wound to his throat.Both victims were taken to a local hospital and are listed in stable condition.