AUSTIN, TEXAS – The City of Austin is encouraging its community to join in the effort of giving holiday trees a second life by repurposing them into mulch or compost. Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), the department responsible for waste management in the city, has been recycling holiday trees for over thirty years and continues to promote this eco-friendly practice.Starting on December 26, 2023, City of Austin curbside customers can conveniently place their all-natural holiday trees curbside to be collected on their regularly scheduled composting collection day. However,...
Austin Police Department (APD) detectives are actively seeking information in connection to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that took place in the early hours of Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the Ghost Hookah Lounge Parking Lot located at 13717 Burnet Road. The incident occurred at approximately 4:20 a.m.During the incident, a single victim sustained a gunshot wound. The victim was promptly attended to by APD officers and subsequently transported to a local hospital. Fortunately, the injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening.According to witnesses...
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) experienced a positive growth in passenger and cargo traffic in October 2023, according to the latest data released by the airport. The passenger traffic for the month saw a 1.91% increase compared to October 2022, with a total of 2,040,383 passengers flying during the month.Among the airlines operating at the airport, Southwest Airlines recorded a 4.1% increase in passengers, while Delta Air Lines saw a significant growth of 21.2%. However, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines experienced a decline in passenger numbers, with...
As the holiday season approaches, the employees and partners of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) have come together to spread joy and support families in the community. Through a successful adopt-a-family campaign organized by Whiting-Turner, the airport has been able to bring happiness to 39 children and 14 families who may have otherwise missed out on the enchantment of the season.The generosity displayed by the AUS employees and partners is a true reflection of the spirit of the organization. Each donated gift carries with it a thoughtful message of care...
The Austin Police Department (APD) has issued a statement regarding the recent indictment of APD Officer Daniel Sanchez. The indictment stems from Officer Sanchez's involvement in an officer-involved shooting that took place on November 15, 2022.According to the statement, Officer Sanchez was confronted with a subject who was firing a rifle indiscriminately in a densely populated neighborhood. In response to this immediate threat, Officer Sanchez acted in accordance with his training and responded to neutralize the situation.The APD has released Critical Incident...
On December 7, 2023, tragedy struck on the 2400 block of South Capitol of Texas Highway as a single vehicle crash resulted in the death of Byron Gutierrez-Rodriguez. The Austin Police Department (APD) responded to the scene at approximately 12:40 p.m.Upon arrival, officers discovered that Gutierrez-Rodriguez, a white male born on May 19, 2002, had tragically lost his life. The driver of the vehicle and another passenger were assessed by the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service (ATCEMS), but both declined transportation to a hospital.This incident marks...
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department is inviting everyone to join them for an exciting event that celebrates art, community, and innovation. Art Jam: Reinvent & Reconnect will take place at the Dougherty Arts Center on January 20, 2024, at 1 p.m. This event aims to unleash the inner artist in all of us and provide valuable feedback to the Dougherty Arts Center.According to the Parks and Recreation Department, Art Jam is a celebration of art that welcomes individuals of all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a first-time doodler, this event...
The Austin Police Department (APD) Vehicular Homicide Unit is seeking the public's assistance in identifying two persons of interest who may have information about a fatal crash. The incident occurred on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in the 2200 block of East 7th Street, resulting in the death of Migle Kungyte, a white female and an active duty soldier.Upon receiving a call about the crash at approximately 3:07 a.m., APD officers promptly arrived at the scene and discovered the lifeless body of Migle Kungyte. In their investigation, APD detectives uncovered video footage that...
The Austin Police Department (APD) is seeking the community's assistance in locating a missing endangered adult. Kathryn Annette Gragg, a 47-year-old white female, was last seen on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at approximately 10:46 p.m. Her car and personal belongings were discovered abandoned on US Highway 183 near Balcones Woods Drive.According to APD's Missing Persons unit, Kathryn's absence is considered voluntary, and there is no immediate danger to the general public. However, they are concerned about her wellbeing and are urging anyone with information about her...
Austin Police Department (APD) detectives are currently searching for leads in connection to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that took place at Barton Creek Mall on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. when shots were fired, resulting in one male individual sustaining a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.According to preliminary information provided by APD, the incident stemmed from a private party sale of merchandise arranged through a social media platform. Four males, two from each party, met up at the mall to complete the...
The holiday travel season is upon us, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is gearing up to accommodate a record-breaking number of passengers. With an estimated 22 million travelers expected this year, AUS is encouraging passengers to make their travel experience stress-free by planning ahead, arriving early, and following airport travel tips.To ensure a smooth journey, AUS advises passengers to give themselves extra time and arrive early at the airport. Whether you choose to park at AUS or be dropped off, the airport has implemented tactics to make the...
Austin Police Department (APD) detectives are currently searching for a suspect in connection to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that occurred on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 1901 E. William Cannon Drive. The incident, which took place at approximately 11:56 p.m., involved a stabbing that left a man injured but in stable condition.According to APD officers who responded to the scene, the suspect fled into a nearby wooded area immediately after the stabbing. As the investigation unfolded, detectives were able to obtain a photo of the suspect. The individual is...
The Austin Police Department (APD) is actively investigating the officer-involved shooting that took place on December 5, 2023, in the 5300 block of Austral Loop. In an effort to promote transparency and accountability, APD has released preliminary information about the incident within ten business days, as per their policy. The press release includes links to relevant audio and video materials from the ongoing investigation.The officer who discharged his Department-approved firearm has been identified as Detective Joseph Strother, who has over 12 years of service with...
The Austin Police Department (APD) has released a statement regarding the incident that occurred on Sixth Street over the weekend. The incident, which took place on Saturday, December 16th, was unfortunately not preventable, but the APD responded to the situation promptly.According to the APD, they were notified about the incident at 11:52 p.m. and the first officer arrived on the scene within a minute of the notification. The APD takes all crimes that occur in the city seriously and is continuously looking for ways to make the community safe for all.While the specific...
The Austin Police Department (APD) is seeking the public's help in locating Kathryn Annette Gragg, a missing endangered adult. On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at approximately 10:46 p.m., Kathryn's car and personal items were discovered abandoned on US Highway 183 near Balcones Woods Drive.Described as a 47-year-old white female, Kathryn Annette Gragg is 5'7" tall, weighs 145 lbs, and has hazel eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a light-colored t-shirt, black pants, and dark-colored tennis shoes.APD emphasizes that Kathryn's absence is...
In November 2023, the median sale price of a home in Travis County rose by $10,142 from the same period in the previous year, while total sales increased by 6.2%.