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Has your car been stolen? Austin auto theft on the rise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Auto theft in Austin continues to be a growing issue as more and more people are falling victim.In October of 2022 there were 403 auto thefts, but in October of this year, there were 575.A look at yearly data shows a 32% increase in auto thefts. So far this year there have been 5,633 according to the APD Chief's Report.Back in May, detectives said they were investigating a growing number of thefts targeting Kia and Hyundai cars throughout the community.The Austin Police Department’s auto theft interdiction team said some of these auto thefts are likely part of the “Kia Challenge” making the rounds on social media. They described this scheme as thieves exploiting a “design vulnerability” in Kia and Hyundai vehicles, which makes it easier for them to steal.Police said thieves are ripping apart the steering column, exposing the wiring and then somehow using a USB to eventually start the vehicles and drive away.According to APD, buying a locking bar and placing it on you...

How to help Austinites struggling to pay rising utility bills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Tuesday after the Thanksgiving holiday is known as "Giving Tuesday" to encourage people to help others in need in their community, including those struggling to pay their rising utility bills. The City of Austin Utilities is reminding neighbors about its Gift of Comfort program, which allows anyone to donate money and make a payment towards a specific customer’s utility bill as a gift. This is happening ahead of Austin Energy customers seeing another rate increase in December. Austin Energy rate increasing 5% in December The utility recently shared it's raising its power supply adjustment rate by 5% starting on Dec. 1. According to Austin Energy, that will translate to less than $2 more per month for the typical residential customer. The utility's general manager said in a memo the increase is “due to a lack of adequate progress toward making up for the existing PSA under-recovery.” How does this program work? People can pay for any amount of a customer’s bil...

With Athan Kaliakmanis ‘inconsistent,’ Gophers look for QB in portal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

The Gophers needed quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to step up and fire a bullet in the second half of Saturday’s game against Wisconsin.Trailing 21-14 in the third quarter, the Gophers faced third-and-7 from the Badgers’ 42-yard line. Kaliakmanis had plenty of time to throw, and an open receiver was available for a big first-down conversion.But Kaliakmanis’ pass sailed well over Elijah Spencer’s head. FS1 cameras captured head coach P.J. Fleck slightly shaking his head and crossing his arms over the missed opportunity, while Kaliakmanis put his hands on his helmet.After that off-target throw, the Gophers punted, Wisconsin scored a touchdown on the next drive and went on to win 28-14 and recapture Paul Bunyan’s Axe.That play had plenty of companions in Kaliakmanis’ first full regular season as a starter. He completed only 53 percent of his passes (156 for 294) for 1,838 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games.On fourth down in Saturday’s fourth quarter, Kali...

Food truck, custom gift shop celebrating grand openings in Gloversville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two Gloversville businesses are having their grand openings on Saturday, December 2. The EmpowHERing Designs ribbon cutting will be at noon and the Nibbles & Bites food truck is set for 2:30 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! EmpowHERing Designs, located at 45 South Main Street, opened its doors on October 24. Owned by Brandie Loucks and Karen Curry, the shop sells customizable items such as shirts, tumblers, and more. The grand opening celebration includes a visit from Santa, baked goods, and hot chocolate. The Nibbles & Bites food truck will be in the parking lot outside Beau Monde Progressive Hair Studio & Day Spa at 235 North Main Street for the grand opening celebration. Owner Heather Lynn also owns Beau Monde. Queensbury’s new German restaurant sets opening date The food truck serves gourmet waffles and will also serve grab-and-go dishes, sandwiches, bagels, avocado toast, an...

'Stuff the Bus' toy drive 2023 in Colonie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Kids helping kids. Students at Forest Park Elementary in Colonie partnered with Toys for tots for the annual Stuff the Bus toy drive.Albany Co.’s annual Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays program returnsLined up across the school's gymnasium stage were gifts and trinkets that will end up under the Christmas Tree of a child in need. For 17 years 'Toys for Tots', the Village of Colonie and the U.S. Marine Corps have teamed up with kids for this effort. Children grabbed the donated toys off the stage —literally stuffed them into black bags — a multitude of which filled up a school bus. Staff Sergeant Ted Kleniewski has been a part of the event for 7 years.“It’s invigorating and it gives you a lot of hope. I guess you could say, to see kids be so passionate about something about giving back. Normally you would think kids want to keep their toys South Colonie schools and their kids. They know all about giving back" the military man told us. District Superintendent D...

Historic mansion to host holiday scavenger hunts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Locust Grove Estate is hosting its annual holiday scavenger hunt inside the historic mansion. Participants will follow clues from a special holiday story and search for items among the 20 decorated Christmas trees. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! This Hudson Valley holiday tradition is available on December 3, 10, and 17 between noon and 3 p.m. The event is best suited for families with kids ages four and up.Tickets are available to purchase online for $10. Children under 4 are free. Tickets may also be available at the door for $15.

Director who built CU Presents to retire after 30 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

Joan McLean Braun built CU Presents into what it is today: the home of all performing arts at the University of Colorado Boulder, with 500 events a year spanning from opera and concerts to Shakespeare and theater.Braun, born and raised in Boulder and an alum of the university, was appointed the executive director of CU Presents in 2001 and will retire in June after a 30-year career at CU Boulder.“We were not CU Presents before (2001), so to come together and have that organization be successful and of value to the partner organizations is absolutely a legacy that I’m really proud of,” Braun said.Sabine Kortals Stein, the senior director of communications for the College of Music, said Braun’s passion for the arts led to her vision for CU Presents.“She really single-handedly built this entity that is now CU Presents,” Stein said, adding, “She had the vision and foresight and knew who to collaborate with.”John Davis, dean of the College of Music, said Braun brought art to people who d...

Would-be robber opens fire on Long Beach convenience store during getaway attempt, LBPD says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

An armed robber targeted a Long Beach convenience store early Monday morning and opened fire while fleeing the scene.At about 4:15 a.m., the robber, only described as an adult man, entered an ampm store in the 6000 block of Long Beach Boulevard and tried to steal multiple things before he was confronted by another man, according to the Long Beach Police Department.After a "physical altercation," the robber "fled on foot and fired a gun multiple times back at the business," according to LBPD spokesperson Officer Eric Stachura. He was not able to get away with any stolen merchandise, police said.The second man was not hit by the gunfire, though he did sustain non-life-threatening injuries, for which he declined medical help. No one else was hurt. The shooter remains at large.Nancy Fontan and Erin Myers contributed to this report.

Another Southern California city likely to ban single-use plastics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

Irvine could become the latest California city to ban single-use plastics, including water bottles, bags, straws and even mylar balloons.The Irvine City Council is set to hold public comment and vote on the proposed ordinance Tuesday night.The ban, which would take effect next year, is similar to those already enacted by dozens of California cities and counties and follows a state law requiring non-compostable, single-use items be reduced substantially over the coming years.Irvine’s ordinance would “expressly ban the use of expanded polystyrene and plastic containers” used in food service and retail. This would cover non-reusable bags, take-out containers and utensils. It would also prohibit the sale of mylar and latex balloons. Paper or plastic? Major change will affect all online Walmart orders Waivers could be issued only if businesses can prove “no product equivalent in function to the banned product exists,” the proposed ordinance states.The movement to ban single-use plastic...

Porch pirates are coming. Here's how to protect your packages

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:41 GMT

It's officially the holiday season, which means you're likely to be ordering gifts online and maybe receiving some of your own through the mail.In both cases, packages left unattended can prove irresistible to thieves who are willing to snatch a box in hopes it contains an expensive present.Sometimes, all it takes is a visible camera system to deter would-be thieves, but not always.So how can you protect yourself from the holiday headaches a stolen present creates? Experts have a few suggestions.Consumer Reports offered a few tips, most of which boil down to better communication with whoever is sending and delivering the package.For instance, Amazon and Walmart offer "inside access," which lets a delivery person enter your home to drop off packages in a secure location that others can't access. If you're uncomfortable letting a delivery person into your home, you could provide special delivery instructions to UPS, FedEx or USPS, better ensuring that the package is left in a location...