Austin, TX
Austin’s city manager fired over botched winter storm response
![Austin’s city manager fired over botched winter storm response](https://thumbnails.texastribune.org/43fEoeTTQeG86uYeHeWrfDObCwA=/1200x630/filters:quality(95):focal(0x0:4000x2667)/static.texastribune.org/media/files/04dab19587fd1523987372791b163980/0215%20Cronk%20City%20Council%20EG%2001.jpg)
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Two weeks after Austin officers as soon as once more got here underneath hearth for his or her flawed response to a serious winter storm, Metropolis Council members fired town’s high official — whom they blamed for persistent issues dealing with main disasters.
The Metropolis Council ousted Metropolis Supervisor Spencer Cronk, who oversees town’s day-to-day operations, in a 10-1 vote Wednesday — with newly elected Mayor Kirk Watson among the many votes to eliminate Cronk. An interim metropolis supervisor will take over Cronk’s duties Thursday.
Cronk, who headed town since 2018, fell out of favor with council members after a winter freeze earlier this month knocked out electrical energy for tens of 1000’s of households and companies, who grew pissed off ready for town to inform them when the lights and warmth would come again on. Poor communication was additionally a key failing through the lethal 2021 winter storm, in line with a metropolis audit.
However what sealed Cronk’s destiny was a flareup final week over town’s contract with the Austin Police Affiliation, the union that represents town’s law enforcement officials.
Council members deliberate to vote final Thursday on a measure to attempt to lengthen the union’s present contract for one yr. Metropolis and union negotiators have been hammering out a brand new multiyear contract, however council members didn’t wish to approve a brand new police contract earlier than a Might referendum wherein voters will weigh in on civilian oversight of Austin’s police power.
The evening earlier than the vote, Cronk threw council members off steadiness by asserting that town and union had struck a tentative settlement on a brand new four-year contract. At a tense and complicated assembly, Cronk put up stiff resistance to beginning up contemporary negotiations when each events had already tentatively agreed to a longer-term deal — and warned of dire monetary penalties if the council handed on the four-year deal.
In remarks after Cronk’s firing, Watson labeled Cronk’s method to the police union contract “all-or-nothing B.S.” that difficult the council’s efforts to steadiness the desire of the voters with the necessity to do proper by town’s officers.
“Let me be clear: We aren’t going to do our enterprise like this anymore,” Watson mentioned Wednesday. “It stops immediately. The outcomes are too essential.”
Finally, the Metropolis Council obtained its manner. In a 9-2 vote Wednesday afternoon, council members instructed town’s negotiators to hammer out a one-year extension of the union’s present contract.
Cronk initially struck a contrite tone over the winter storm, apologizing final week for town’s delays speaking with the general public and vowing that town would make enhancements. However after Watson and three council members introduced Saturday that they deliberate to contemplate his termination, Cronk defended his selections, notably across the police union contract.
Cronk mentioned in an announcement Wednesday he revered the council’s choice.
“I thank the Austin group for the chance to guide this nice metropolis, and I thank our Metropolis workers for his or her constant dedication to offering the perfect public service,” he mentioned.
One of many metropolis’s top-paid officers, Cronk will get a severance fee — about $463,000 — equal to his wage and different advantages.
The council appointed Jesús Garza — Austin’s metropolis supervisor from 1994 to 2002, throughout Watson’s earlier tenure as mayor, and uncle of Travis County District Lawyer Jose Garza — to work as interim metropolis supervisor whereas town hunts for a everlasting substitute. Garza’s first day is Thursday.
It’s unclear how lengthy it would take Austin to discover a new metropolis supervisor. In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Watson wouldn’t decide to a timetable.
“We’ll take the suitable time to get the perfect metropolis supervisor we are able to,” Watson mentioned.
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Austin, TX
U.S. Supreme Court denies Rodney Reed's petition for a new trial
TEXAS — The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down death row inmate Rodney Reed’s most recent petition to review his claims of innocence.
On Nov. 22, 2023, Reed filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, which is a request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the case for review. This came after a judge denied Reed a new trial in 2021. The presiding judge, State District Judge J.D. Langley, stated in his ruling that Reed had not proven he is innocent. The Supreme Court denied the writ of certiorari Tuesday.
With this latest development, it is now solely up to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to determine whether Reed will be granted a new trial.
Reed was sentenced to death for the 1996 killing of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. He was accused of raping and strangling Stites in Bastrop and leaving her by the road.
Reed claimed evidence in the 1998 trial was suppressed by prosecutors that would’ve exonerated him, including that Stites and Reed were having an affair. The death row inmate has long maintained that Stites’ fiance, former police officer Jimmy Fennell, was the actual killer and killed Stites because of the alleged affair.
Lawyers for Reed also said he wanted to DNA test crime-scene evidence he believed would have exonerated him. This includes the belt that was used to strangle the victim. The Supreme Court ruled in April that the DNA testing could still be considered.
Reed remains a death row inmate presently and it is unclear when a date for his execution will be set.
Austin, TX
Texas hiker dies on trail at Grand Canyon National Park; officials warn of extreme heat
![Texas hiker dies on trail at Grand Canyon National Park; officials warn of extreme heat](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/River-Trail-NPS.jpg)
A hiker collapsed and died on a trail in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona over the weekend, prompting parks officials to warn about the dangers of hiking in extreme heat.
Scott Sims, 69, of Austin, Texas, was attempting to reach Phantom Ranch via the South Kaibab Trail for an overnight stay when he was found semi-conscious around 7 p.m. Saturday, the National Parks Service (NPS) said in a statement on Monday.
Sims became unresponsive a short time later, and bystanders performed CPR until three NPS paramedics arrived, parks officials said. All attempts to resuscitate Sims were unsuccessful.
Sims collapsed on the River Trail, about halfway between the Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch, according to the NPS. Temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can reach 120 degrees in the shade, the agency said.
HIKER LOST FOR 10 DAYS FOUND ALIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MOUNTAINS
Scott Sims was found semi-conscious on the River Trail at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday. He became unresponsive a short time later. (National Park Service, File)
“Park rangers strongly advise not hiking in the inner canyon during the heat of the day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” NPS said.
![South Kaibab Trail](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/south-kaibab-trail2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Temperatures on the trail can reach 120 degrees in the shade, NPS said. (Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images, File)
Officials said that its efforts to help hikers during the summer months may be delayed due to limited staff, an increased number of rescue calls, safety requirements for staff and helicopter usage being limited in extreme heat or periods of inclement weather.
COUPLE MISSING IN UTAH MAY HAVE BEEN SWEPT AWAY IN FLASH FLOOD WHILE EXPLORING TRAIL ON UTV
NPS and the Coconino Medical Examiner are investigating the death. No cause of death was immediately provided.
![South Kaibab Trail](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/south-kaibab-trail.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
No cause of death was immediately provided. (Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images, File)
The death comes after a Salt Lake City fire captain died in a rafting accident at Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado.
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An NPS review of deaths in national parks between 2014 and 2019 found that hiking was the second-deadliest recreational activity behind driving, while drowning caused the second-highest number of unintentional deaths after motor vehicle crashes.
Austin, TX
Victim found dead in South Austin; APD investigating
![Victim found dead in South Austin; APD investigating](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox7austin.com/www.fox7austin.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1280/720/snapshot-7.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
APD investigating homicide in South Austin
FULL VIDEO: The Austin Police Department gives more information on a homicide investigation in South Austin
AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Police Department is investigating after a person was found dead in South Austin.
Austin police said on Monday, July 1, around 5:30 p.m., officers were called to investigate a homicide at an apartment complex in the 6700 block of Windrift Way.
When officers arrived, they found a victim who had penetrating injuries. The victim was pronounced dead on scene.
A person of interest and witnesses are being interviewed by detectives.
Police said this is believed to be an isolated incident.
This is a developing story, refresh for the latest updates
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