Leander water issues improve as repairs continue on barge, water restrictions remain

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Leander water issues improve as repairs continue on barge, water restrictions remain LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Leander said water pumps that failed last week and caused tighter water restrictions are getting closer to operating at full capacity. As its water supplier continues those repairs, it asks customers to keep conserving water. Central Texas cities issue water restrictions Leander is currently under Phase 3 water restrictions, which limit all outdoor watering to hand-held only.These restrictions were a result of several water pumps on a raw water barge operated by the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority failing last week.As of Wednesday, BCRUA's General Manager Karen Bondy said almost all pumps on the barge are now up and running."BCRUA's raw water barge has seven pumps that supply lake water to the water treatment plant. Five pumps can deliver the full capacity of the plant, with two pumps as backups. Since Friday, six pumps have been available, with the seventh available 75 percent of the day. Crews are working to bring the seventh pump to f...

Review: Gloomy, repetitive ‘Oppenheimer’ is a, not the, bomb

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Review: Gloomy, repetitive ‘Oppenheimer’ is a, not the, bomb Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is his most Christopher Nolany film to date.As such, his many acolytes will absolutely adore every moment of its sprawling three hours and extol its virtues to anyone who will listen. More casual moviegoers, however, are going to walk out wondering what, exactly, they just endured.The 52-year-old London native broke through with 2000’s “Memento,” a complex and brilliant noir thriller about a man with a form of amnesia attempting to sort out both his past and his future. Shot in both color and black and white with a taut 113-minute running time, it established Nolan as one of the most creative filmmakers of his generation and allowed him to make a series of increasingly ambitious films, including the greatest comic book movie of all in 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” and earn five Oscar nominations on the way.Crucially, he spent two decades working exclusively for Warner Bros., a company that gave him the freedom to follow his muse. His 1...

No charges against St. Paul officer who fatally shot man who fired first, prosecutors say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

No charges against St. Paul officer who fatally shot man who fired first, prosecutors say A St. Paul officer will not be charged with fatally shooting a 24-year-old man in December who was the first to fire his gun, the Ramsey County attorney’s office announced Wednesday.After an investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, prosecutors concluded Sgt. Cody Blanshan’s use of deadly force against Howard Peter Holliday Johnson was justified under Minnesota law.Officers responded on Dec. 5 just after 6 p.m. on a woman’s report that Johnson assaulted her in the area of Earl Street and Hudson Road. She said it happened in the presence of their twin sons. He left before police arrived.Police set up a perimeter and were searching the area when officers saw Johnson walking while carrying a firearm, according to prosecutors’ memorandum about the case and their review. Officers told Johnson to drop his gun, but he ran away.A minute later, Blanshan was driving on Hudson Road and saw Johnson walking on the sidewalk with a gun. Johnson walked ...

High school freshman from St. Paul wins speech award at state Capitol

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

High school freshman from St. Paul wins speech award at state Capitol When approaching the topic “Securing the Blessings of Liberty in 21st Century America” Chesterton Academy (Hopkins) freshman Francesca Chastek, of St. Paul, says she realized that changing laws was only part of the solution, there is also a necessary mindset shift.“We could change all these laws, but if people don’t want to take advantage of their liberty, then it won’t matter. So we have to do is something a lot deeper than just changing our rules,” Chastek saidHer speech title “How to Escape the Prison You Build” recently won her first place at the Speaking Proudly speech competition and $2,500.Speaking Proudly is a non-profit project of Metro Republican Women. The competition is designed for young women to research and engage in the U.S. Constitution, according to Sherie Wallace, public relations for Speaking Proudly.On June 17, the day of the competition, Chastek got to the Capitol at 8 a.m. and ended up giving the speech four time...

Local teen goes from graduation straight to the kitchen with new business

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Local teen goes from graduation straight to the kitchen with new business ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A local Guilderland High School grad wasting no time getting his future started. Seventeen-year-old Mateo Sánchez cooking up a storm with a passion. Just one week after graduating high school, the ambitious teen set up a Hispanic-inspired café bearing his name—Cafe TEO."It feels amazing and just sharing it with people is, like, one of my favorite things," he says in an interview with NEWS10's Mikhaela Singleton.Mateo opening up shop inside his mom’s event bakery business, Delicias Latina, on Delaware Avenue in Albany. Three weeks later, and the business is going strong even seeing repeat customers. Mom, Elaine Escobales Bonifacio, says the idea for Cafe TEO came up after Mateo had been helping out in the bakery."He hated frosting the cakes," she laughs. "I think he finally realized that, yes he does love the kitchen, he does love the environment, but not in the bakery aspect of it. And so when we started talking about café stuff, you know, I just asked him w...

Cannabis Growers Showcase seeks to sell excess cannabis

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Cannabis Growers Showcase seeks to sell excess cannabis ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Getting legal cannabis could get easier in New York. The Office of Cannabis Management approved a measure known as the The Cannabis Growers Showcase which could make it easier for stakeholders to sell excess product. "Hopefully they get these rules and regulations out fairly quickly and you know it’s summer time … you don’t wanna buy weed in the middle of the winter," said Jeremy Jimenez, CEO of Honest Farm Co. Jimenez has an excess 1000 pounds of cannabis. Our Capitol Correspondent, Amal Tlaige was told that among all growers, there’s 250,000 pounds of flour waiting to be sold, an oversupply from the 2022 growing season. Cultivators prepared the product thinking more dispensaries would have opened shop by now. The Cannabis Growers Showcase seeks to fix that issue, it will allow three growers to partner with one retailer to sell their products at certain festivals and events; this includes farmers and processors. But John Kagia, Director of Policy at OCM said ...

Warren County announces hazardous waste disposal event

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Warren County announces hazardous waste disposal event QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On August 26, Warren County residents can dispose of hazardous waste like cleaners, pesticides, and other household chemicals at the Queensbury Highway Department at 742 Bay Road. The hazardous waste collection event will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Staff will not accept items like gasoline, munitions, automotive oil, batteries, asbestos, pharmaceuticals, infectious waste, or tires. Oil-based paints, primer, and stains can be disposed of at select paint retailers year-round. Registration is required. The event is open to Warren County residents only. Registration can be done online, by mail, or in person at the Warren County Department of Public Works at 4028 Main Street in Warrensburg. Residents can also register by fax at (518) 623-2772.

Wine from New York State to be sold in Puerto Rico

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Wine from New York State to be sold in Puerto Rico ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) For the first time, New York State wines will be sold in Puerto Rico.A finger lakes winery will be making history, again. Meaghan Frank said it was her Great Grandfather, Dr. Konstantin Frank, who first planted European grape varieties in New York State."He basically utilized a technique that was very common in Europe where by you graft American root stock with vinifera— the European piece of the vine, and that was successful. That was the first time chardonnay, Riesling, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, all these varieties were possible," explained Meaghan Frank, Vice President of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery.Frank said this created a quality revolution for New York Wine making. Now, decades later, the Frank family’s winery is teaming up with Serrallés Imports to be the first from New York to sell wines in Puerto Rico."New York Wines are world class. They are premium wines. They deserve recognition and respect and they deserve to be accessible by wine enthusiast...

Ulster County adopts law protecting drag performers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Ulster County adopts law protecting drag performers KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On July 18, the Ulster County Legislature unanimously adopted the "Drag is Not a Crime Act". The local legislation will add diverse forms of gender expression to the Ulster County Human Rights Law. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The new legislation's inclusion of gender expression as a protected class intends to assist those who have been discriminated against in obtaining justice. The adoption of the law makes Ulster County among the first in the country to increase such protections for the LGBTQ+ community. “By passing this proposed local law, we are announcing to the country that Ulster County is a welcoming place for everyone to live and express themselves, as they truly are without fear of discrimination," said Vice Chair Peter Criswell, the author of the legislation. "I am grateful to those who gave public comment, sent emails, letters, and postcards, and called their legislator in favor of...

Albany man convicted in 2020 fatal shooting case

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:58:57 GMT

Albany man convicted in 2020 fatal shooting case ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One of the suspects in the murder case of William Hooks was convicted in Albany County Supreme Court on Wednesday afternoon. Jaiquan Allah, 26, was convicted of murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and assault in the second degree. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the indictment, in June 2020, Allah intentionally, either personally or by acting in concert with another, caused the death of Hooks by shooting him with an illegally possessed handgun. Allah was also accused of physically harming a second victim.Sentencing is scheduled for September 8. Allah faces up to 40 years to life in prison.