“People who live in South Austin and use Stassney Lane will soon have safer and more convenient ways to cross the street or get to a public transit stop. Crews from the Austin Transportation Department will start phase two of a project aimed at improving pedestrian crossings, bike infrastructure and bus stops.”KVUE
“The Austin Police Department has made an arrest and is looking for another person in connection with a homicide that took place back in April in South Austin. It happened on April 26th in the 6200 block of Boxcar Run at 11:53 p.m.”CBS AUSTIN
“About 70 COVID-19 vaccines were given to festival goers during weekend one of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, according to authorities.Constable George Morales, who oversees Travis County’s vaccine strike teams, told the Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday of the latest vaccine distribution.Officials said the 70 vaccines were a part of the 763 doses that were given in Travis County last week.”PATCH
“An elderly woman was struck and killed by a car in south Austin last week, authorities said Monday. The crash took place around 8:55 p.m. Friday near the 7000 block of E. Riverside Drive and Frontier Valley Drive.”PATCH
“Tesla officially moved its headquarters from Palo Alto, California to Austin, Texas CEO Elon Musk announced at the company’s 2021 annual shareholder meeting.”CNBC
“Make the most out of an autumn trip to pumpkin patches near South Austin by planning to play a few games beforehand. The best experiences at the nearby fields this fall can become treasured childhood memories when you organize a friendly competition among young pumpkin patch visitors.”PATCH
“People who live in South Austin and use Stassney Lane will soon have safer and more convenient ways to cross the street or get to a public transit stop.” @KVUE
“This morning, Austin Energy had around 3 dozen homes without power, but around by 5:25 a.m. that number jumped to 7,772.” FOX7 “People were seen fighting over food in the dumpster at an H-E-B store in South Austin on William Cannon and I-35 yesterday.” FOX7 “A residential development containing 375 units and rising up to seven floors at the…
On November 2nd, 2021 Texans will have the chance to vote on 8 statewide propositions. Austinites will have the chance to vote on 2 city propositions. You can learn about them here and we encourage you to vote!
Texas State Propositions
Prop #1 The 2021 ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment authorizing the professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues.”
Lotteries approved in Texas in 1989 for a State Lottery, Charity bingo events, and Charity raffles
In 2015 the list was increased to add major sports teams; Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Football and Soccer.
In 2017 they added additional sports leagues, NASCAR and other motor sports, and hosts of PGA events.
This amendment adds Rodeo to the long list.
Prop #2 The ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county.”
This is really a change to allow counties to use up to 65% of increasing tax revenue to pay off debt and finance the purchase of land, development and construction of roads and other infrastructure in areas they designate as “blighted” or “underdeveloped”. Terms they get to define. We have already seen where the left is going with “infrastructure.”
Prop #3 The ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment to prohibit this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations.”
This is an amendment to the Texas Constitution which guarantees freedom of worship. Reading that section (Section 6) I don’t see where there is a prohibition against doing what CA and other states have done – closing churches during emergencies, when people most need them!
Prop #4 The ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge.”
This adds new, more stringent qualifications for the mentioned judges. I am all in favor of doing what we can to make sure our justices are well qualified and experienced. I wish they would make it easier to remove judges that attempt legislation from the bench. But that isn’t covered.
Prop #5 The ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment providing additional powers to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office.”
Currently the Commission can only handle complaints against judges. This amendment would give them power to investigate candidates for judicial offices, as well. On its face it may help inform the voters about candidate misconduct but I wouldn’t count on it’s not being misused for political purposes.
Prop #6 The ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.”
Why? This is a sneaky thing. The Constitution already guarantees the rights to have visitors during hospital care – this changes the Constitution to add the word “AN” meaning ONE and only ONE caregiver. It further gives the legislature the ability to provide guidelines for the visitation and policies used by hospitals. On the other side it prevents the governor from saying “no visitors at all” using his emergency powers.
PROP #7 The ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a person who is disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse’s residence homestead if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death.” -and –
Prop #8 The ballot will read… “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.” Ad Val taxes are Property Taxes, by the way. There are currently some 17 different types of people that receive this benefit. It started with the military, then first responders, jailers, then HHS employees, chaplains, Parks and Rec’s employees that “help” with law enforcement. These amendments will have the effect of property tax abatement on the survivors of those killed “in the line of duty,” not just in combat and extend the benefit to school taxes if the spouse is 55 or older at the time of death.
City of Austin Propositions
City of Austin Proposition A
The 2021 ballot will read… Shall a petitioned ordinance be approved to enhance public safety and police oversight, transparency and accountability by adding new chapter 2-16 to establish minimum standards for the police department to ensure effective public safety and protect residents and visitors to Austin, and prescribing minimal requirements for achieving the same, at an estimated cost of $271.5 million – $598.8 million over five years?
Proposition A sets a mandate for staffing and sets minimum standards that will provide oversight and accountability on both the police department and city leadership. As we look ahead to more city growth, we must make public safety a top priority. Prop A would do exactly that.
City of Austin Proposition B
The 2021 ballot will read… Shall the City Council be authorized to convey or lease approximately 9 acres of parkland currently used as the Central Maintenance Complex (CMC) located at 2525 S. Lakeshore Blvd. through a public bidding process, where the total value of the bid is equal to or greater than the appraised fair market value of CMC, in exchange for at a minimum: 1) at least 48 acres of waterfront land contiguous to an existing City park; and 2) the cost or construction of a new maintenance facility for the Parks and Recreation Department on other city-owned land; and 3) partial or full funding for the removal of Fiesta Gardens’ existing maintenance facility and restoration of that land to parkland?
Parcel on South Lakeshore Boulevard that voters are being asked to approve for trade.
Image: FOX7 As Texas deaths caused by opioid use have risen, Austin has installed its first Narcan vending machine. This machine was deployed by the N.I.C.E. Project (More Narcan In Case of Emergency) in conjunction with Sunrise Homeless Navigation. What is Narcan? It is a nasal spray drug that prevents death from overdosing on opioids…
“Roughly a dozen families living at a mobile home park in South Austin who received 60-day notices to leave will be able to stay for the time being after a Travis County judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday.” KUT 5 Fun Things in South Austin – DO512 “A 25-year-old man has been arrested for…
“Austin Public Health (APH) said it has identified four positive mosquito pools for West Nile Virus while doing routine monitoring for mosquito-borne diseases. The pools were found in the 78744 ZIP code area during the past two weeks.”KXAN
“A colorful, 140-foot mural was installed by the Southern Oaks neighborhood of Austin to greet travelers on Buffalo Pass in south Austin.”KXAN
“All northbound lanes of Interstate 35 are open again after two 18-wheelers crashed and closed the freeway Tuesday morning.”KXAN
“This year, as the pandemic turned the education world on its head, many families began looking at private schools or homeschooling for the first time, according to local school districts’ data. This noncomprehensive guide provides insights into private schools around Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs, from specialized instruction to different religious affiliations.”COMMUNITY IMPACT
“When Albert Demi and his wife, Melanie, adopted Cooper in college, the retriever would not eat. Then, one day he stole a bite of their sandwich, and it seemed like his entire demeanor changed.”COMMUNITY IMPACT
Austin City Council voted to increase their pay by 40% last week by an overwhelming margin. Out of the eleven members, only three opposed this egregious hike in pay; Paige Ellis (D8), Vanessa Fuentes (D2), and the redoubtable Mackenzie Kelly (D6).
In 2020, the city council removed $150 million from the Austin Police budget. While this author has given special attention in the past to the obscenity of losing our sex crimes unit, there is another element that was eliminated causing all too tragic consequences.
“The Austin Police Department is investigating the death of a person after they were struck by a train early Friday morning in south Austin.”CBS AUSTIN
“If you’re looking to add a fuzzy ball of four-legged love and affection to your life, look no further than these South Austin area shelters for a pet you can adopt.”PATCH
“Legend says in the ’20s, it was a hangout spot for train robbers the Newton Gang, Carvalho said. Roughly 50 years later, the likes of Willie Nelson and Janis Joplin performed at the venue.”COMMUNITY IMPACT
“The long-awaited tiki bar from the Ramen Tatsu-ya group, Tiki Tatsu-ya, has finally announced its opening date. Tiki Tatsu-ya will open at 1300 South Lamar Boulevard on Monday, October 4.”EATER AUSTIN
Today, we will specifically look at mass shootings, trying to understand what exactly they are. By striving to understand the horrors that rock our headlines all too often, we may gain insight into how to prevent them.
In the wake of mass shootings, Americans are regularly told that these atrocities do not happen in other developed countries. This, we are to believe, is the damnable result of the Second Amendment to the Constitution.
Austin has decided to launch an experiment with Universal Basic Income (UBI) in partnership with the nonprofit UpTogether. The program, when implemented, will send $1000 per month to 85 low-income individuals in the city.
Congratulations to Austin’s new Chief of Police, Chief Joseph Chacon. He has been Austin’s Interim Chief during difficult times of rising crime and a police staffing crisis.
We do wish that the City Manager had considered a potential Chief from outside the department, aligning with the wishes of the police officers.
But, we hope the council will show its full support, not just for the new Chief, but for all officers going forward. We wish Chief Chacon the best of luck, and ask all Austinites to pray for him as our city faces unprecedented challenging times.
Severe winter weather can be deadly and we want you to be as prepared as possible for the next major storm that will hit the Austin metro area. Below, you will find ways to be prepared. Please take every suggestion seriously. The intention of this article: To ensure you have the soft/hard skills and options…
“Austin police say a domestic disturbance and alleged assault initiated the response at 11:44 p.m. Wednesday at the Post South Lamar apartment complex, located at 1500 S. Lamar Blvd. But after officers heard the man may have had multiple firearms in his residence, that led to the SWAT team assisting.”KXAN
“Austin firefighters rescued a person living in a south Austin apartment after a kitchen fire Friday morning. The Austin Fire Department was called to the Lantana Ridge Apartments, located at 6630 W. William Cannon Drive, between Southwest Parkway and U.S. 290.”KXAN
“Beloved Japanese grocery store Asahi Imports is opening a second location on South Lamar. The new location will open at 3005 South Lamar Boulevard in the Barton Hills neighborhood sometime at the end of September or early October.”EATER AUSTIN
“The 138-acre Brick and Mortar District could bring thousands of residences and tons of spaces for businesses to this fast-growing community.”AUSTIN BUSINESS JOURNAL
“A man was arrested following a SWAT team response at an apartment complex in south Austin early Thursday morning.” CBS AUSTIN
6:07PM – Austin, TX USA South Austin Republican Club Dallas Emerson, Communications Director & Data Analyst dallas@southaustinrc.org Keep Voting Former President Donald Trump released the following statement yesterday, October 13th, 2021: This message has been received as a threat to the Republican Party; somehow to address the alleged fraud of the 2020 election. There are…
“People who live in South Austin and use Stassney Lane will soon have safer and more convenient ways to cross the street or get to a public transit stop.” @KVUE
On November 2nd, 2021 Texans will have the chance to vote on 8 statewide propositions. Austinites will have the chance to vote on 2 city propositions. You can learn about them here and we encourage you to vote!
In 2023 we have a chance to change the composition of the Austin City Council. What the really means is that we have a chance in 2022 since candidates can start officially running one year prior to the election in November of 2023.
In South Austin we will have two seats up for the taking in 2023; District 8 and District 5. Both of which will be in striking distance for Republicans.
District 8 is already showing prominence with the recent news of lawyer and retired judge Richard Smith throwing his hat in the ring for the District 8 spot.
On Saturday, September 18th, Mr. Smith will host a soft launch for his campaign in order to introduce himself to the South Austin community. He will be present to answer questions, present his platform and meet community neighbors.
We highly encourage you to attend!
*Note: This is not a formal endorsement of Mr. Smith’s run for District 8 City Council.
“Legend says in the ’20s, it was a hangout spot for train robbers the Newton Gang, Carvalho said. Roughly 50 years later, the likes of Willie Nelson and Janis Joplin performed at the venue.” COMMUNITY IMPACT
“The Austin Police Department on Friday identified the man who was found dead lying in the road with multiple gunshot wounds early Wednesday morning in South Austin.” CBS AUSTIN
“Commercial developer and operator Unico Properties has sold Bouldin Creek, a 170,000-square-foot office building in South Austin to San Francisco-based DivcoWest for an undisclosed price. Unico Properties developed the five-story building in partnership with Manifold Real Estate and OakPoint Real Estate. Amenities include a 2,500-square-foot coffee shop, rooftop terraces, fitness center and two acres of green space.” REBUSINESS ONLINE
“A popular community garden that serves several hundred people with local produce has stopped distributing to customers.” KXAN
“A person was taken into police custody following a SWAT call at a south Austin office building Wednesday night.” PATCH
“Happy weekend, South Austin! Below, we’ve included some of this week’s top events from around the South Austin area. Here’s a roundup of local events coming up in the area this weekend.” PATCH
“If you’re shopping for a new house, you’ve likely already pored through all the internet listings for your area. And while you may have learned roughly what these houses are like from the photographs, you just can’t beat an in-person encounter with the real thing.” PATCH
“Austin police reported to the 1300 block of Southport Drive at around 11:34 p.m. after witnesses heard gunshots and saw a man on the ground. Officers found theinjured man, and despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at 12:06 a.m.” KXAN
“Commercial developer and operator Unico Properties has sold Bouldin Creek, a 170,000-square-foot office building in South Austin to San Francisco-based DivcoWest for an undisclosed price. Unico Properties developed the five-story building in partnership with Manifold Real Estate and OakPoint Real Estate. Amenities include a 2,500-square-foot coffee shop, rooftop terraces, fitness center and two acres of green space.”REBUSINESS ONLINE
“If you’ve been wanting to add a four-legged ball of love and affection to your family, start with these South Austin area animal shelters for a pet to take home.”PATCH
“Emergency personnel responded to 2300 block of the West Ben White Boulevard service road around 10 p.m. Sunday, ATCEMS says. The person was “possibly unconscious” according to initial reports. The adult was taken to South Austin Medical Center, ATCEMS says.”KXAN
Dear Supporters and Volunteers, Hello! It’s crunch time and we need you more than ever. Lani and team will be block walking in Austin this Saturday and we would love to see you there. Please email campaign manager Ruth Funk at lanipopp4sboe@gmail.com for details.
Welcome! 