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Exclusive: Hays County Tax employee arrested and accused of selling license plates, registrations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles are investigating after a Hays County employee was arrested, accused of illegally selling license plates and vehicle registrations for months, along with a state-licensed inspector who is accused of illegally selling vehicle registrations, according to several law enforcement sources who shared the information exclusively with KXAN.The Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office is now being audited, and law enforcement officers said this could just be the beginning. TxDMV officials said they are "aware of concerns" with the now former employee but declined an interview, citing the ongoing investigation."Department staff have been cooperating with both county office leadership and law enforcement investigating the issue," TxDMV spokesperson Adam Shaivitz said in a statement. "Department staff are conducting compliance reviews of all office operations to ensure the actions were limited to a single county em...

Municipal utility district approved for 14K-home community north of Jarrell

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- The Arizona-based developers that aims to transform more than 7,000 acres straddling Williamson and Bell counties, near Jarrell, into what they call a "new town" with up to 14,000 homes secured approval for a municipal utility district during this year's Texas Legislature.The Texas House of Representatives and Senate last month passed House Bill 5367 to create Solana Municipal Utility District No. 1 — which, if signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, could be used to finance infrastructure and facilities on the land."We’re truly grateful for all the support we’ve received, including from the Texas Legislature, the leadership of Bell County and Williamson County, and the cities and towns in the neighboring areas. We’ll make sure they can look back with pride at being early supporters of this grand-scale new community at Solana Ranch," DMB Development LLC CEO Brent Herrington said this week in an email.

High school basketball: Daniel Freitag, the state’s top 2024 recruit, commits to Wisconsin

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

Badgers basketball coach Greg Gard continues to capitalize on the pipeline from Minnesota to Wisconsin.Wisconsin’s latest get came Friday, when Bloomington Jefferson point guard Daniel Freitag committed to the Badgers. The 6-foot-2, four-start point guard is the 90th-ranked prospect in the nation in the Class of 2024, per 247 Sports.Freitag, who is heading west in the fall to play his senior year of high school at Southern California Academy, made his announcement via 247 Sports’ YouTube feed. He entered the day with five finalists: Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Baylor, Virginia and Minnesota.But the Gophers ended their recruitment of Freitag in March after landing a commitment from fellow in-state point guard Isaac Asuma, a top-150 recruit in the Class of 2024 out of Iron, Minn.On his commitment livestream, Freitag said he committed to the Badgers because his bond with Gard and associate head coach Joe Krabbenhoft was “unmatched.”“I think they did a really go...

Artist Christopher Marley debuts ‘Exquisite Creatures’ at the Science Museum on Saturday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

As an artist and naturalist, Christopher Marley has found a colorful but unusual calling.His exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul features preserved animal specimens and other natural objects arranged in mosaic-like geometric patterns. Beetles, seashell-like ammonites, crystals, lizards and more form a three-dimensional kaleidoscope of the natural world.Marley was scheduled to be on hand in February for the opening of the temporary exhibit, dubbed “Exquisite Creatures,” but his initial appearance was stymied by bad weather.He’ll be at the Science Museum in person from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to help kick off its summer programming, which include a series of activity-centered “STEM Adventure Saturdays.”About 2% of the specimens in the exhibit are North American. Much comes from the tropics, especially Southeast Asia, as well as Africa and Europe. Among his favorite collection spots, Marley is affiliated with an entomology an...

Lynx rookie Diamond Miller has sprained ankle, to be re-evaluated in ‘following weeks’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

At 0-6 and with any hopes of overachieving versus preseason expectations quickly dwindling, the 2023 Lynx season is shaping up to be a year judged on development.But even that may be difficult to gauge, particularly in the coming weeks. Rookie star Diamond Miller, Minnesota’s No. 2 overall draft pick and a key pillar of the Lynx’s future, will miss weeks with the sprained ankle suffered in Tuesday’s loss to Dallas, the team announced Friday.The 22-year-old wing’s growth was set to be a major storyline this season for the Lynx as the franchise shifted with a mindset toward the future. It appeared as though Miller was indeed progressing.After a slow start to the season, the rookie was off to a brilliant start against Dallas. Through 12 minutes of playing time, Miller had eight points, five rebounds and four assists. In those 12 minutes, Minnesota outscored Dallas by 10 points.Perhaps, Miller was starting to find her stride. Then came the unfortunate injury, whi...

DEC announces return of Invasive Species Awareness Week

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Agriculture and Markets announced that the state's 10th annual Invasive Species Awareness Week will take place from June 5 through June 11. Free events and challenges will be offered throughout the state as well as online. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The DEC describes invasive species as plants, animals, insects, and pathogens not native to an area that cause damage to the environment, agriculture, economy, and public health. New York is susceptible to such pests due to being so integral to international trade and travel. Events will include guided hikes and paddles, screenings of the program "Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species", and more. Daily informational webinars will also be held at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saratoga County Fair announces early-bird ticket sale "Invasive Species Awareness Week is an ...

Critically endangered red wolf cubs born in captivity in South Dakota

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The population of an endangered species is growing at the Great Plains Zoo after two of its red wolves became first-time parents to six pups. The litter includes two females and four males. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Photo from the Great Plains Zoo. Photo from the Great Plains Zoo. The Great Plains Zoo said Red Wolves are the most endangered canid species in the world and there’s only about two dozen living in the wild. Officials at the zoo are closely monitoring the puppies via camera and regular checkups. The zoo is asking people to use low voices around the Red Wolf exhibit.  Beloved swan from NY pond killed, eaten; 3 teens charged in her death The parents, Camelia and Uyosi, came to Sioux Falls in October from Washington and Texas, respectively. They “are amazing parents. I wouldn’t expect anything less from them,” said Joel Locke, the zoo's animal care director. “We are fortunate to ha...

New bill to study bridge collisions in NY

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- As we approach the summer months, we can expect more travel on the roads. The state legislature is pushing for a bill to increase safer travels by enforcing a bridge collision study through DOT. According to the Department, there are nearly 200 bridge hits in New York, every year. The reasons for those collisions vary between improperly stored equipment on trucks, violation of vehicles posting signs, and more.  Capital Region Heart Walk and Run being held in Albany "We may have more low bridges in New York State than any other state in the country," said key sponsor of the bill, Senator John Mannion. He said with bridge collision numbers climbing, a study should be done to determine best options moving forward, "What are the options here to help solve this problem or lower the number of strikes? It could involve significant investment to actually change the road or change the bridges or additional warnings that are out there." Mannion said in his discus...

Man wanted in St. Louis jewelry store robbery

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Police are asking for the public’s assistance with identifying a man accused in a St. Louis jewelry store robbery last month. The robbery happened around 10 a.m. on May 24 at St. Louis Jewelers. The store is located in the 2700 block of Cherokee Street in the Gravois Park neighborhood. Woman claims weight-shaming at a St. Charles water park Investigators say an employee allowed the suspect inside the store after he tapped a buzzer requesting entry. From there, the suspect asked to look at some merchandise in a locked display. The employee took out some items for the suspect to hold. After that, while in possession of various pieces of jewelry, he reportedly asked the employee to buzz the door open so he could leave the store. The employee initially hesitated to buzz open the door, but the suspect reached inside a bag and indicated he had a weapon inside. The employee then buzzed the door open and the suspect took off. No one was hurt in the robbery. Close ...

Fire damages garages behind Central West End homes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Firefighters have been called to the 4300 block of Laclede for a garage fire. The fire damaged two other nearby garages. Power lines located behind the Central West End homes were also down, and arcing.The fire appears to be out. Images from Bommarito Automotive SkyFOX Helicopter show damage to the building's roof.The cause of the fire is still under investigation.