#Local Austin Feeds 001

[gregorycpeters]

Capital Metro launches new ride-hailing service, plus 4 other things you need to know in Central Austin this week

Here’s what you need to know to start your week in Central Austin: 1. Capital Metro joins the ride-hailing industry  Capital Metro will launch a new ride-hailing bus service called Pickup tomorrow. The new service will allow riders to arrange on-demand transit trips in the Mueller, Windsor Park and Coronado Hills neighborhoods using a mobile app. It’s free during the pilot program and runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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[gregorycpeters]

Flash flood warnings issued as rain falls across Greater Houston area

The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for different portions of the Greater Houston area—including Houston, Spring, Sugar Land and Missouri City—as thunderstorms continue throughout the region on Sunday. Flash Flood Warning including Houston TX, Pasadena TX, Atascocita TX until 6:45 PM CDT http://pic.twitter.com/Ird4CjXMjR — NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) June 4, 2017

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[gregorycpeters]

5 things Katy residents should know this weekend

Between events and new businesses in the Katy area, here are some things to keep in mind today through Sunday: Events this Saturday, June 3 Brazilian Country Party The Brazilian Women Foundation and Next Brazilian Productions and Adonai Houston host a Brazilian-themed event at the Wildcatter Saloon with traditional Brazilian food vendors and performances planned. $10. 4-11 p.m. The Wildcatter Saloon, 26913 I-10, Katy. http://ift.tt/1NTZd8Q KW Premier 5K FunRun Run for a cause with Keller Williams Premier Realty at its third annual event at Villagio Town Center in Cinco Ranch. All proceeds are donated to The Ballard House. Race begins […]

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[gregorycpeters]

Breaking News: Low water pressure in Bee Cave/Hamilton Pool Road area to be “restored shortly”

The West Travis County Public Utility Agency stated in a news release at 5:53 p.m. that, due to a traffic accident near the vicinity of Hamilton Pool Road and Bee Cave Parkway, water pressure in the following neighborhoods is affected: Spillman Ranch Falconhead Homestead Spanish Oaks. A fire hydrant and a 6-inch water line belonging to the utility were involved in the accident, resulting in “a severe leak to the [WTCPUA’s] 12-inch water main.” The agency initially closed a 12-inch water main valve “to prevent excessive draining of the utility’s system.” The valve on the 12-inch line valve has been re-opened, […]

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[gregorycpeters]

LANE CLOSURES: Parts of MoPac to shut down starting tonight until June 8 amid ongoing construction efforts

Driving to or from downtown Austin for a night out during the next week? Find out if you’ll need to avoid MoPac as construction continues on the ongoing MoPac Improvement Project. These are the following lane and ramp closures anticipated the next few days: • Between Enfield Road and RM 2222, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 10 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday, 10 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday and from 7 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday. • Various ramps will be closed, including RM 2222, 35th Street, 45th Street, Windsor Road […]

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[gregorycpeters]

Know these Interstate 35 overnight closures in the Austin area before hitting the road this week, June 4-7

Various construction work continues along I-35 during the next week. Here are some of the notable lane and ramp closures scheduled by the Texas Department of Transportation: Travis County • The Woodward Street entrance ramp will be closed and northbound traffic between Woodward Street and Woodland Avenue will be reduced to one lane Sunday through Wednesday nights from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. • Several southbound exit ramps will be closed overnight throughout the week. Southbound Exit 245 near Howard Lane will be closed 9 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday morning. Southbound Exit 243 between Howard and Rundberg Lane […]

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[gregorycpeters]

3 things to know about The Woodlands Wine & Food Week, June 6-10

The 13th annual Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands runs from June 6-10. 1. Guests will be able to choose from samples of more than 500 wines and food from 75 chefs. There are seven events during the five-day celebration, the theme of which this year is “Inspired! Flavors.” 2. Guests can purchase tickets for each event separately, allowing them to pick the events tailored to specific interests. Two of the biggest events during the week are the H-E-B Wine Walk at Market Street on June 8 and the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase on June 10.

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[gregorycpeters]

INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: How the Texas ‘sanctuary cities’ bill came to life, and the city of Austin’s efforts to kill the new law

On Friday, Austin formally filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas, challenging the constitutionality of Senate Bill 4—the “sanctuary cities” bill. The city joins San Antonio, El Paso County, El Cenizo and several advocacy groups in its fight to kill the new state law that tightens the state’s illegal immigration policy and threatens to remove local leaders who fail to comply with the law. The timeline below chronicles how we got from the bill’s filing in the Texas Senate to the several lawsuits and protests that ensued in the wake of its passage.

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[gregorycpeters]

Collin College plans to offer three bachelor degrees

Collin College is now closer to being able to offer at least three bachelor’s degrees. Senate Bill 2118, which would allow Texas community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, received approval from both the Texas House and Senate on May 28. If Governor Greg Abbott approves, the bill will become law and will allow Collin College to offer not only a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree but also a bachelor of applied technology degree and a bachelor of applied science degree.

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[gregorycpeters]

Here’s a roundup of Alamo Drafthouse’s signature series events

All eyes were on Alamo Drafthouse Cinema yesterday when a sexist email published on Austin Mayor Steve Adler’s personal website berated the theater’s decision to hold a women-only screening of the film “Wonder Woman.” In his response, Adler admonished the author of the email, calling his views “an embarrassment to modernity, decency and common sense.” The Austin movie theater chain is well known for its fondness of themed, albeit sometimes less controversial, film screenings or “movie parties.” Here is a selection of some of the signature series events hosted by Alamo Drafthouse.

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[gregorycpeters]

Construction along Capital Metro line near Leander set for June 5-30

Rail bridge construction in Leander is scheduled to start June 5 and will affect MetroRail service through June 30. Capital Metro will be making upgrades to the railroad bridge between its Lakeline and Leander rail stations. The bridge work is required to enable long-term speed, safety and reliability enhancements along the MetroRail line, according to a statement from Capital Metro. The construction will affect the last morning departure from Leander to the downtown Austin station and the first afternoon train from downtown to Leander. Customers traveling southbound from Leander on the 8:40 a.m. train will board a dedicated bus to take […]

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[gregorycpeters]

Austin state Rep. Dawnna Dukes absent for more than 50 percent of votes in Texas House during 85th legislative session

Confusion circulated prior to the 85th legislative session over the fate of the Texas House seat held by Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin. In September 2016, Dukes announced she would resign in light of health concerns from a 2013 car accident. A pool of candidates indicated their own desire to replace Dukes as the representative for House District 46. Then, just a day prior to session the start of the session, Dukes indicated she would, in fact, serve her term as representative.  On the heels of this news came the indictment of Dukes on three separate corruption charges. Yet, Dukes still said she would serve. […]

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[gregorycpeters]

Straight-ticket voting has been eliminated in Texas, but won’t go away until 2020

Texas entered the 85th legislative session as a minority among its peers—one of only 10 states that offered a one-punch voting option on election ballots. The state will leave as part of the majority, however, after Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 25 on Thursday. The bill, by Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, will start the process of eliminating straight-ticket voting, but have no immediate effect before 2020. Starting Sept. 1, the secretary of state will distribute a notice that straight-ticket voting will be eliminated, and then develop a process to follow through on the elimination. Democrats largely opposed the bill throughout the […]

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[gregorycpeters]

Music in the Square, “Evita” and summer festival: 4 things to do in Frisco this weekend, June 2-4

Summer is kicking off in Frisco with several events taking place this weekend. Frisco residents will be able to attend a music festival or community theater presentation of the Tony award winning musical “Evita.” Friday Music in the Square This annual music festival will begin today and will continue throughout the month of June. Various musicians will perform each Friday for this free outdoor event from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Frisco Square at Simpson Plaza, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. Moving Colors plays this week. http://ift.tt/2qJIN45

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[gregorycpeters]

Frisco’s real estate market by the numbers

Market Data (as of Jan. 1, 2017) Total Frisco housing units:  57,406 Collin County: 34,961 Denton County: 22,445 Median single-family home appraisal: $353,210 Median monthly mortgage: $2,341 Median monthly rent: $1,355 Households with seniors: 21.6% Single-parent households: 10.7% Vacancy rate: 3.4%

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[gregorycpeters]

Pool season begins, annual Spring Home & Garden Show: 4 things to do in The Woodlands area this weekend, June 2-4

1. June 2: Pool season begins The Woodlands Township pools and spraygrounds open for the summer season on June 2 and stay open until August 15. Season passes for Township pools are available for purchase online and in person. $40 (residents ages 3-64), $15 (residents ages 65 and older), $6 (residents ages 2 and under), $120 (non-residents ages 3 and older). http://ift.tt/1uHVQhp 2. June 3-4: Spring Home & Garden Show

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