Southwest Austin

Spelman

Council members offer alternative energy rate plan

Three Austin City Council members unveiled an alternative energy rate plan May 14 that cuts the residential rates in Austin Energy's proposal by about half.

Coffee with Impact

Photo by Blake Rasmussen

Seven superintendents discuss testing, budgets and the lawsuits surrounding school funding

Satellite Bistro and Bar

Photo by Tiffany Young

Cafe's former satellite location takes center stage

Lone Star School of Music

Photo by Kevin Stich

School strives to create musicians 'the Austin way'

Austin Zoo

Photo by Kevin Stich

Zoo/sanctuary takes in surrendered animals

Legend Oaks

Data on the Legend Oaks neighborhood

Market Editor's Note

On redoubling efforts

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Features

As statement, Austin task force agrees on larger $575M potential bond package

The proposal, approved by the 15-member citizen task force May 14, is a departure from a recommendation from city staff to cut a $1.5 billion list of capital improvement needs to packages of $400 million, $300 million and $200 million.

May 16, 2012 by in Northwest Austin

Meet the four finalist teams for the Waller Creek design competition May 15

The Waller Creek Conservancy invites Austinites to meet the four design teams chosen as finalists in the national design competition being held to decide who will win the right to shape the future of downtown Austin.

May 15, 2012 by in Central Austin

Commission sets hearing for input on new Central Texas area code

The Public Utilities Commission of Texas is asking for the public's input on a planned 737 area code overlay for the 512 area code.

May 2, 2012 by in Central Austin (2 Comments)

Travis County approves contract with Apple

In exchange for meeting certain requirements, Apple will receive a 60 percent base rebate on property taxes each year for the first 10 years and then a 40 percent rebate in the last five years of the agreement.

May 1, 2012 by in Northwest Austin

Early voting begins for May 12 election

Registered voters who want to take advantage of early voting to cast a ballot in local elections may do so at any of the Travis County polling locations, rather than just at their designated polling place as they would be required to on Election Day.

Apr 30, 2012 by in Central Austin

Scenic Brook, Windmill Run neighborhoods mark wildfire anniversary

On April 17, 2011, wildfires damaged or destroyed 21 homes in the Scenic Brook and Windmill Run neighborhoods. On April 29, neighbors gathered in Windmill Run Park to mark the anniversary and thank volunteers.

Apr 30, 2012 by in Southwest Austin

City of Austin to revise water conservation codes

With summer approaching, the City of Austin is looking to rework its water conservation codes to ensure it will be on par with future demands of residents and businesses while being better prepared to contend with imminent droughts.

Apr 27, 2012 by , in Southwest Austin (7 Comments)

Programs help grow small businesses

Photo by Joe Olivieri

Programs help grow small businesses

Spuntino, a line of thick cut bread chips, started out as a creative way to use up day-old bread.

Apr 27, 2012 by in Southwest Austin (1 Comments)

Federal agency green-lights rapid-transit bus routes

Photo by Joe Olivieri

Federal agency green-lights rapid-transit bus routes

With federal funds in place, Capital Metro is set to complete design work on MetroRapid, the two-route rapid-bus system that will run along North Lamar Boulevard to South Congress Avenue and Burnet Road to South Lamar.

Apr 27, 2012 by in Southwest Austin (1 Comments)

City and county news

The City of Austin announced April 12 that the Austin Animal Shelter is waiving the adoption fee for all ready-to-go pets in an effort to help reduce the overflow of animals.

Apr 27, 2012 by , in Southwest Austin

2012 Election coverage | April 2012

2012 Sunset Valley City Council Election Responses given to Community Impact Newspaper

Apr 27, 2012 by in Southwest Austin

Austin ISD board: STAAR test will not count toward students’ f

Photo by Kevin Stich

Austin ISD board: STAAR test will not count toward students’ final grade this school year

In April, many Texas elementary and middle school students, including those in Austin Independent School District, got their look at the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests, which that replaces the Texas Assessment of Knowledge

Apr 27, 2012 by in Southwest Austin

Communication, preparedness have improved since Pinnacle wildfir

Photo by Kevin Stich

Communication, preparedness have improved since Pinnacle wildfire

In April 2011, the Pinnacle wildfire destroyed 10 homes, damaged 11 homes and caused an estimated $5 million in damages across 100 acres

Apr 27, 2012 by in Southwest Austin

Austin medical school closer to becoming reality, Sen. Watson says

State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, provided an update April 25 on his “10 goals in 10 years plan” to build a medical school in Austin at a monthly meeting of the Urban Land Institute.

Apr 25, 2012 by in Central Austin

City of Austin appoints new chief financial officer

City of Austin Manager Marc Ott announced April 23 the appointment of Elaine Hart—Austin Energy senior vice president of Finance and Corporate Services—as the city's new chief financial officer.

Apr 24, 2012 by in Central Austin (1 Comments)

Creadle

Joe Olivieri

Austin school board decries high-stakes testing

Austin Independent School District became the most recent Texas school district to speak out against high-stakes testing for students.

Apr 24, 2012 by in Southwest Austin

Austin officials help announce diversity in the workplace initiative

The Austin Anti-Defamation League issued a challenge April 20 to area businesses and organizations to establish a culture of respect and acceptance in the workplace.

Apr 23, 2012 by

Capital Metro bus

Photo courtesy Capital Metro

Capital Metro to recommend new contractor for bus services

The Capital Metro board will vote on a new contractor April 23 to manage 850 union employees. However, the employees and the transit agency still disagree on certain wages and benefits.

Apr 19, 2012 by in Northwest Austin

Trader Joe's comes to Austin

Courtesy David Prasad

Trader Joe’s to open downtown Austin store in 2013

Representatives of alternative grocer Trader Joe's announced plans April 18 to open its first Austin location in 2013. The company will build its new Austin store at the Seaholm development site in southwest downtown.

Apr 18, 2012 by in Central Austin (2 Comments)

Election coverage
Check out Community Impact Newspaper's previously published content on municipal and school board elections, and find election night results.
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