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Austin, TX

Austin 4-year-old attacked by dog; owner being evicted by city

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Austin 4-year-old attacked by dog; owner being evicted by city


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The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) is evicting a tenant after their pit bull attacked a four-year-old girl.

“She’s just a good little girl. She likes animals even though she was viciously attacked,” said Makeba Lafleur-Davis, Sahirah’s grandmother.

On May 20, four-year-old Sahirah was attacked by a pit bull mix at the Meadowbrook Apartments in South Austin. She now has to wear a bandage over her face as her wounds heal.

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“The bite went through her cheek, so there are stitches inside of her mouth as well,” said Lafleur-Davis.

Lafleur-Davis says Sahirah was playing outside under the watch of her mother when a woman walked by with a dog on a leash.

Sahirah’s mother says her daughter loves dogs, so she asked if the dog was friendly and if Sahirah could pet it. The woman walking the dog said yes, and then the four-year-old continued to play. When Sahirah went back to the dog a second time, the dog attacked her, and the owner released the leash.

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“The dog went full-fledged on Sahirah, and the owner did not command the dog to get off of her or try to pull the dog off of her,” said Lafleur-Davis.

Sahirah’s mom let out a loud scream which scared the dog off her daughter. She says her daughter was lying on the ground lifeless and bleeding. Sahirah was rushed to the hospital where she went into surgery.

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Her family has set up a GoFundMe for her medical expenses. 

According to the lease at the Meadowbrook Apartments, pets must be kept on a leash and weigh no more than 30 pounds. It also lists pit bulls and pit bull mixes as restricted breeds not allowed to reside on the property. 

Because of this, the Housing Authority of the City of Austin has initiated eviction proceedings against the tenant owners of the pit bull.

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Sahirah’s family says the owner of the dog has not reached out to them to apologize.

“It makes me upset. It just makes me more upset that there is no humanity to the situation. It’s been ten days now and the owner has not come by, has not tried to reach out, has not tried to apologize,” said Lafleur-Davis.

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FOX 7 Austin walked over to where the tenant who owns the pit bull lives. He agreed to speak to FOX 7 anonymously and said his dog is not aggressive.

He revealed his sister was the one who was walking the dog when the incident happened and his understanding of what unfolded is based on her recollection. He said the little girl came up behind his dog which sparked the attack.

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He said he was shocked to hear about what happened and claimed he offered to help the family with medical expenses. The family denies that happened.

He told FOX 7 his dog is in animal control’s custody. He believes this situation has gotten out of hand.

“It’s just like the matter of the incident that happened, you know what I’m saying? And it’s just a little girl. We understand, and we take responsibility,” said the dog owner.

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HACA released a statement to FOX 7 Austin on the incident, saying:

“The Housing Authority of the City of Austin was made aware of a recent incident that took place at one of its properties, Pathways at Meadowbrook Apartments, in which a pit bull dog attacked a four-year-old resident of the property. HACA is grateful that the child received prompt medical attention. We reached out to the child’s family and offered our assistance and hopes for her speedy recovery.

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The attack occurred in the common area of the apartment complex. The pit bull was outdoors without a leash or restraint when the incident occurred. 

In response to this incident, HACA management has initiated eviction proceedings against the tenant owners of the pit bull. Eviction is warranted given that the tenants were in violation of the terms of the lease and of HACA’s pet policies which explicitly prohibit both the possession of pit bull breeds and any animals weighing more than 30 pounds. The owners were also apparently in violation of a City of Austin ordinance which requires that dogs be kept on a leash and under control in all areas that are not designated as “off-leash.” 



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Austin, TX

Vote and vibe: Where to toast (or mope) at 2024 election night watch parties in Austin

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Vote and vibe: Where to toast (or mope) at 2024 election night watch parties in Austin


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Whether you’re ready for a celebration, dreading the results or eager for the election cycle to be over, it’s best not to spend election night 2024 alone. Several Austin venues will host watch parties with food, friends and foes as you get ready for the results Tuesday.

Hold hands and cross fingers at Hotel Vegas and Volstead’s watch party

Need a strong pregame for the results? The adjacent East Austin bars are teaming up to host a joint watch party with themed cocktails served all night.

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Guests can watch the results roll in on big screens on the patio. There will also be televised analysis inside Volstead Lounge. Enjoy live DJs, election night games and tacos from El Borracho Tacos starting at 5 p.m.

The party is free to attend. Guests can RSVP on Facebook.

Down some patriotic shots at Star Bar’s Texas-style watch party

The West Austin bar will host a free election night watch party, Texas-style. Customers can catch election updates from open to close and snag limited-edition Quinn-Arch buttons ($3) and hats ($20) touting University of Texas quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Election results will be shown on TVs across the bar.

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Enjoy some blue and red jello shots as well as pizza from VIA 313.

The party will start at 4 p.m. and run until close at 2 a.m. No ticket or RSVP is needed for the event. More information is at starbartexas.com.

Ride the emotional roller coaster at Cheer Up Charlie’s election night carnival

Cheer Up’s is bringing the Election Day feel to the Red River Cultural District. The election night extravaganza will include drag and stand-up comedy shows, tarot and astrology readings, and a petting zoo for voters needing some animal comfort.

Want to dance it out? There will be live DJs. Voters can also eat their feelings. A bake sale will be happening, alongside a sock and blanket drive for the unhoused.

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The party will run from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets start at $19 and can be purchased online.

Watch the results at Travis County Republicans’ election night party

Voters are invited to swing by and catch the election results with fellow Republicans in Travis County. National news as well as the county clerk’s website will be monitored for key races. Candidates and local leaders are also expected to deliver remarks. There will also be surprise guests throughout the evening.

The event will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Guests must register online to get the address for the event. Security officers will check photo IDs for entrance.

Join the Travis County Democratic Party at the Driskill

Democrats from across the county will watch the election results unfold at the historic Driskill hotel. Attendees will get a chance to rub elbows with some elected officials and candidates. Who better to share the suspense with than the folks on the ballot?

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The watch party will happen from 7 to 11 p.m.

Interested in attending? You can register for the event online.



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Austin, TX

Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas week 10 rankings

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Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas week 10 rankings


The tenth week of the 2024 Texas high school football season is in the books.

Check out our rankings for the tenth week of the season, which featured matchups like Bowie vs Austin High, Taylor vs LBJ, Cedar Park vs Leander, Lake Belton vs Georgetown, and the FOX 7 Game of the Week, Bastrop vs Pflugerville.

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View the highlights and scores for Week 10 here.

POST-WEEK 10 RANKINGS

CLASS 6A

  1. WESTLAKE (8-1, defeated Del Valle 77-0)
  2. LAKE TRAVIS (8-1, defeated Akins 51-0)
  3. VANDEGRIFT (8-1, defeated Westwood 49-0)
  4. DRIPPING SPRINGS (7-2, Idle)
  5. ROUND ROCK (8-1, defeated Stony Point 22-17)

CLASS 5A

  1. LIBERTY HILL (8-1, defeated Crockett 56-0)
  2. GEORGETOWN (8-1, defeated Lake Belton 65-21)
  3. CEDAR PARK (6-3, defeated Leander 47-31)
  4. WEISS (6-2, lost to College Station 44-38)
  5. BASTROP (7-2, defeated Pflugerville 38-28)

CLASS 4A

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  1. LBJ (9-0, defeated Taylor 46-14)
  2. WIMBERLEY (7-2, defeated Smithville 56-0)
  3. LAMPASAS (8-2, defeated Marble Falls 61-7)
  4. LAGO VISTA (7-2, defeated Geronimo Navarro 23-7)
  5. LA GRANGE (6-3, defeated Giddings 63-7)

CLASS 3A

  1. BLANCO (6-3, Idle)
  2. LLANO (8-1, defeated Marion 38-12)
  3. LEXINGTON (8-1, defeated Comfort 62-0)
  4. THRALL (6-4, lost to Rogers 61-27)
  5. ROCKDALE (3-6, lost to Troy 62-28)

CLASS 2A/1A/OTHERS

  1. MASON (8-1, defeated Johnson City 63-17)
  2. REGENTS (8-1, Idle)
  3. GRANGER (6-3, defeated Snook 35-0)
  4. THORNDALE (6-3, defeated Harper 40-25)
  5. HYDE PARK (6-3, defeated Brentwood 43-20)



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Austin, TX

Nature’s Treasures Texas grows Austin’s magic with a bigger location opening next year

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Nature’s Treasures Texas grows Austin’s magic with a bigger location opening next year


Nature’s Treasures of Texas, a beloved haven for crystal enthusiasts and fans of spiritual treasures, is excited to announce its expansion to a larger location, set to open January 2025.

The new venue will increase the store’s size from 14,000 to 25,000 square feet, allowing for an expanded selection of products that cater to more clientele. Customers can look forward to a broader array of crystals, minerals and fossils, along with unique jewelry pieces and home decor items that celebrate the beauty of nature.

“We’re going to develop new partnerships with other local businesses for cross-promotion and featuring their products in our store. This will allow us to showcase beautiful, natural world items like plants and wood crafts, aligning perfectly with Nature’s Treasures,” retail manager Michael Kallstrom said.

Nature’s Treasures focuses on providing a welcoming environment where customers can explore and receive support during their discoveries. First-time visitors have no need to worry, as the staff is ready to assist and will even offer a grounding crystal to help ease any anxiety.

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Understanding that not everyone has the same experience with spiritual and metaphysical items is fundamental to the Nature’s Treasures approach. Each person’s journey with these treasures is deeply personal and shaped by their unique needs and feelings.

As visitors step into the store, they can explore a diverse array of crystals and minerals, discovering what truly resonates with them. This exploration is essential, allowing individuals to connect with the energies of different items and understand how they make them feel on a deeper level.

This commitment to understanding customer needs and preferences has fostered a loyal following, playing a crucial role in the store’s growth since its inception.

“Nature’s treasures is the brainchild and passion of Karen Richards, who founded the company in 2000. It started as a hobby when she used crystals, minerals and natural decor to stage her furniture store,” Kallstrom said. “Customers began asking to buy these items, so she decided to turn her hobby into a business. She started with a shelf of crystals, which grew into dedicated rooms at each store, eventually leading to what Nature’s Treasures is today.”

Over the years, this focus on connection has transformed Nature’s Treasures into more than just a store; it has become a beloved community hub.

“We have a larger event center that is already up and running, so we will be able to host larger community and private events to help build our community and neighborhood back up when we move,” Kallstrom said.

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Nature’s Treasures continues to welcome customers at its original location at 4103 N. I-35, Austin. The new event center at 11055 N. I-35, Austin is currently open and operational, featuring a pop-up shops, weekend practitioners and special events.

“This is a great place to shop for your holiday presents and try something new because we will have seasonal holiday events and sales like our Customer Appreciation Sale Nov. 23-Dec.1, 12 Days of Giving Back Dec. 1-12 at our new 11055 Event Center and 12 Days of Giving Sale Dec. 12-24,” Kallstrom said. “We want our former customers to get a chance to say goodbye to the store but we also want new customers to feel comfortable to come in, take a deep breath, walk around and see what draws their attention.”

For updates on Nature’s Treasures’ location change, subscribe to their newsletter or visit NTRocks.com. To learn more about their product offerings and shop online, visit their online store at naturestreasuresatx.com.

The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.



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