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Central Texas Red Cross volunteers 'spread thin' during busy fire season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Officials for the Central Texas chapter of Red Cross say it needs more volunteers after a string of fires and natural disasters this summer.Between January and June this year, there were 22 home fires where Red Cross volunteers were called to help, but that number increased significantly in July and August. There were 77 fires in those two months with 55 happening in August alone, according to Red Cross volunteer Richard McAlister. Last week, Austin experienced an apartment fire on Sam Rayburn that displaced 60 people, including families with small children. "We used to operate in an environment that we kind of defined as an acute disaster phase," McAlister explained. "We knew that during the summer we would get hurricanes, and we knew that we were going to get fires, but now we're moving into a more chronic phase where there doesn't seem to be a season anymore."Volunteer numbers fall short McAlister said volunteers in Central Texas are not only helping with the inc...

Silver Alert issued for 68-year-old San Antonio man

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- A Silver Alert was issued Monday morning for a 68-year-old man who has a diagnosed cognitive impairment and was last seen in San Antonio Sunday morning. Juan Valdez is described as a white man that is 5'7" and 170 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an unknown colored t-shirt, blue jeans, and gray sneakers. Valdez was last seen at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday in the 1700 block of West French Place in San Antonio. That's in the Woodlawn Lake area just west of Interstate 10. Law enforcement officials believe Valdez's disappearance poses a credible threat to his health and safety.If you have any information regarding Valdez, contact the San Antonio Police Department at 210-207-7660.

Oak Park Heights city administrator retiring after 20 years: ‘He has the answers’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

On Oak Park Heights City Administrator Eric Johnson’s best days, he got to get out and talk to residents.“You’ve got to be reachable, get out from behind your desk, go out there and talk to folks and see what’s going on,” said Johnson, who retires this week after 20 years as city administrator. “You can’t do the job from behind a desk, or if you’re stuck in a meeting in St. Paul.”When a resident once called City Hall to complain that water was running off the street and coming up her driveway, Johnson and a public works employee headed out to tour the site. “That wasn’t really happening, but we walked the site with her and we talked with her and engaged with her,” he said.Johnson helped explain that the woman’s driveway was pitched the wrong way, causing water runoff from her roof to end up in her basement. “It was nowhere near the street,” he said. “We said, ‘If you fix your driveway, we can do some work down at the end of the driveway.’ It made the resident feel listen...

5 things to know this Monday, August 28

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It is yet again the start of another work week. Happy Monday! According to Meteorologist Matt Mackie, we can expect some morning sun with afternoon clouds and scattered showers. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Schenectady Police are investigating after a dead body was found at the Summit Towers apartments Saturday. Also, the Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating a motorcycle crash that killed a man from Fort Edward. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Monday morning. 1. Police investigating body found in SchenectadyThe Schenectady Police Department confirmed that a dead body was discovered at the Summit Towers apartments on August 26. The death is not believed to be suspicious at this time, according to police.2. Fatal motorcycle crash in Kingsbury under investigationThe Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a single motorcycle crash that oc...

MoDOT hosting meeting on I-70 expansion today

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The planned expansion of Interstate 70 across Missouri will be the focus of several MoDOT open houses starting Monday in Wentzville.That's where Governor Mike Parson signed the budget earlier this month, earmarking funding for the major expansion. MoDOT says Monday's open house is really the kickoff for the statewide I-70 improvement program. Missouri's budget for the 2024 fiscal year provides $2.8 billion in general revenue funds to add a third lane to i-70 in each direction from Wentzville to Blue Springs.We're told the project will plan, design, construct, and rehabilitate approximately 200 miles of I-70. Wood River’s Atomic Pinball Arcade is a haven for pinball and community MoDOT is currently in the planning stage of the major effort. There will be no formal presentations at the open house, but MoDOT engineers will be on hand to share preliminary information about goals and construction schedules for the project.MoDOT hopes to begin construction next s...

Transgender bills become law today

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Several new laws take effect Monday in Missouri. Among the most controversial are two laws involving transgender policies.A new state law banning gender-affirming care for minors takes effect Monday. The ruling means doctors will be prohibited from performing surgeries or prescribing puberty blockers or hormone treatments to people under 18.Patients may sue doctors who break that law or risk losing their license. On Friday, a judge allowed the rule to take effect, but more legal challenges are in the works.Last month, several law firms representing three families of transgender minors filed a lawsuit against the state, asking a judge to stop the new law from going into effect. This comes after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and the families of transgender children spent last week in court fighting over the new law. Fast and furious; Bommarito five hundred revs up following rain-delayed qualifying The judge ultimately ruled Friday that the science and medical e...

Cooler and quiet weather Monday, temperature highs in 90s by weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

St. Louis weather from Meteorologist Angela Hutti:ST. LOUIS - Goodbye to the heat of last week and the rain of the weekend.Spots of fog Monday morning. Otherwise, expect a sunny and comfortable Monday with highs in the low 80s and a quiet week ahead. We’ll enjoy cooler and less humid air at least through Thursday. It does look like we start to heat back up Friday, and we’re in the 90s next weekend. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Tropics Note: Tropical Depression Ten has become Tropical Storm Idalia. It will be moving over very warm waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to reach hurricane strength later Monday. A landfall is expected in Florida on Wednesday.Franklin is now a hurricane and is continuing to strengthen. It will bring wind and rain to Bermuda as it passes to the west. It will create rip currents along the U.S. east coast.

Residency requirement ends for St. Louis City Police today

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis City Police are no longer required to live in the city as of Monday. A new law gets rid of the residency requirement for law enforcement and public safety officers. The goal is to make it easier to hire officers. Wood River’s Atomic Pinball Arcade is a haven for pinball and community The police department has more than 100 vacancies. The FOX Files recently reported on a shortage of 911 dispatchers.Mayor Tishaura Jones will join city workers Monday morning to promote job opportunities because of the new law.

St. Louis Jewish Community Center's semi-annual used book sale returning this weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Jewish Community Center's semi-annual used book sale returns this weekend.The hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday, customers can fill a bag for $5. That will be the last day of the book sale. Fast and furious; Bommarito five hundred revs up following rain-delayed qualifying They have every genre you can imagine, including mysteries, fiction, non-fiction, and children's books.

J.B. Pritzker speaking at grand opening of 'South Central Illinois Training and Innovation Center'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:00:28 GMT

LITCHFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will be in Litchfield, Illinois, on Monday afternoon. Fast and furious; Bommarito five hundred revs up following rain-delayed qualifying He'll speak at the grand opening of the 'South Central Illinois Training and Innovation Center.'