Austin, TX
Central Texas first responders remember 9/11 with annual hockey game benefit
First responders remember 9/11 with benefit game
The Austin First Responders Hockey Club hosted the fifth annual 9/11 memorial ice hockey game on Wednesday at the Crossover Gold Rink in Leander.
LEANDER, Texas – The Austin First Responders Hockey Club hosted the fifth annual 9/11 memorial ice hockey game on Wednesday at the Crossover Gold Rink in Leander.
People remember where they were on September 11, 2001, especially the men and women who were on the frontlines in New York City that day.
James J. Stefanich was an NYPD Detective for 14 years and an officer for six years.
“Total chaos. No one expected anything like that,” said James J. Stefanich. “We thought it was possibly World War III.”
Remembering Sept. 11, 23 years later
A day of remembrance as the nation marks 23 years since September 11. From New York to Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., Americans are taking a moment to pause and remember the thousands of lives lost that day.
While most Americans watched the attacks unfold on live television, James J. Stefanich was in the thick of it. He worked as an NYPD detective the morning the planes crashed into the World Trade Center.
“Thought maybe we’d get held over for a little over time until we saw the video of the second plane going, and my boss immediately goes, ‘go and put all your gear on. This is real,’ and it was crazy after that,” said Stefanich. “Unfortunately, nobody knew what to do. It was an unprecedented time.”
Stefanich inspired the annual fundraising game hosted by the Austin First Responders Hockey Club.
Luis Velazquez is one of James’ teammates and an officer as well.
Austin firefighters remember 9/11
Several events were held in Austin in observance of the 9/11 attacks. There was also a ceremony to recognize Texas first responders who were killed or injured in the past year.
“We thought a good way to honor him and the sacrifice of a lot of people during 9/11 was to hold a benefit game,” said Luis Velazquez.
The team donates the proceeds from their 9/11 memorial hockey game to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
“I’m overwhelmed every year by the support, it’s beautiful,” said Stefanich. “It’s tough not being with other cops and firemen from New York during this time. So, my first year here, I was by myself, so this is a great thing for me, especially getting all this support.”
The profits from the 2024 event benefited a Round Rock firefighter whose teenage daughter recently passed away in an ATV accident.
9/11 Memorial Tower Climb at COTA
The Samaritan Center is memorializing the anniversary of 9/11 with a stair climb at the Circuit of the Americas Observation Tower. The event honors the victims and heroes from the tragedy. Tierra Neubaum has more.
“It’s a great outlet. First responders deal with a lot of stress, and getting out here every Sunday to kind of blow off some steam, I think, is a really good way to fight depression, suicides,” said Velazquez.
First responders come together to show their support and give back to others in their field.
“As long as we have a good time, I’m happy,” said Stefanich. I don’t care if I win or lose. I want to win, but I’m just happy to be here with my brothers and sisters. You know, it makes life a lot easier for me.”
They hope to bring positivity to a dark day in American history by honoring the lives lost on 9/11 and make a difference.
“If we can put a positive spin on the way we celebrate this day, I think it’d be beneficial for everybody,” said Velazquez.
Austin firefighters remember 9/11
Several events were held in Austin in observance of the 9/11 attacks. There was also a ceremony to recognize Texas first responders who were killed or injured in the past year.
AUSTIN, Texas – The ceremonies held on Wednesday were not just about remembering who was lost, but to honor three other things: dedication, courage and sacrifice.
A steady line of Austin firefighters worked their way up and down the Pleasant Valley Training Tower. Each step added up to 1,368 feet, which is the height of the World Trade Center.
The annual climb in Austin was organized the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
AFD Lt. Jerry Cohen said it is considered the longest running memorial of its kind in the nation.
“We have firefighters that are participating in this that weren’t even born on 9/11. We have a lot of them that were schoolchildren during 9/11. And then we have some guys like myself that were there as a firefighter during 9/11. So, now I think that’s the biggest thing is to see we have a generational change, but in a good way that they’re participating. And hopefully once I’m gone, they’ll continue, and this memorial to never forget 9/11,” said Lt. Cohen.
Remembering Sept. 11, 23 years later
A day of remembrance as the nation marks 23 years since September 11. From New York to Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., Americans are taking a moment to pause and remember the thousands of lives lost that day.
In downtown Austin, a memorial ceremony was held at the old Buford Fire Drill Tower. Among those attending was former New York firefighter Louis Strandberg. He was in Ground Zero when the second tower collapsed and now lives in Austin.
“It’s important that we never forget. We always remember, you know, I don’t want to say it’s nice, but it softens my heart that I have an event like this to come to,” said Standberg.
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It was noted that 10 firefighters from Austin went to New York 23 years ago.
“And keep in mind, those firefighters who served and went after the building collapsed, some of them are suffering from some serious medical conditions. So, we need to make sure they get the treatment they need,” said AFD Chief Joel Baker.
Austin Battalion Chief Travis Lee Maher was among those sent to New York. That mission was brought up by Governor Greg Abbott during a ceremony in North Austin.
“Chief Maher fought through the rubble to save and recover victims caught in the collapse of the World Trade Center. During that mission, he was exposed to a toxic mix of chemicals, debris and dust,” said Governor Abbott.
9/11 Memorial Tower Climb at COTA
The Samaritan Center is memorializing the anniversary of 9/11 with a stair climb at the Circuit of the Americas Observation Tower. The event honors the victims and heroes from the tragedy. Tierra Neubaum has more.
Maher passed away, and his family was presented with the Star of Texas Award. Maher’s heroism, according to Abbott, is what makes Texas and the USA exceptional.
“And we will also never forget the men and women who ran toward danger on that horrific day of 9/11. We marvel at the valor of the emergency first responders that day. We’re also grateful for the first responders who bravely serve Texans each and every day,” said Gov. Abbott.
The Star of Texas Award was given out to a total of 23 Texas first responders who have died or been injured in the past year. Other Austin recipients include:
- AISD PD Officer Val Barnes; who was shot by a gunman on the campus of Northeast Early College High School.
- APD Officer Anthony Dupree Martin; who was struck and killed by a vehicle while on his motorcycle near Liberty Hill.
- APD Officer Ysidro Ramon Mendoza; who survived after being hit by a vehicle.
- APD Officer Joseph Strother; who was shot by the same gunman that shot officer Barnes.
The names of all the 2024 recipients of the Star of Texas Awards are:
- Firefighter Brady Weaver, Arlington Fire Department.
- Officer Matthew J. Thorpe, Arlington Police Department.
- Battalion Chief Travis Lee Maher, Austin Fire Department.
- Sergeant Val Barnes, Austin Independent School District.
- Senior Officer Anthony Dupree Martin, Austin Police Department.
- Officer Ysidro Ramon Mendoza, Austin Police Department.
- Detective Joseph Strother, Austin Police Department.
- Officer Steven Robert Nothem II, Carrollton Police Department.
- Officer Kyle Mathew Hicks, Corpus Christi Police Department.
- Senior Officer Vicente Mathew Ortiz Jr., Corpus Christi Police Department.
- Detective Edgar F. Morales, Dallas Police Department.
- Officer Tyler Morris, Dallas Police Department.
- Deputy David Walter Bosecker, Eastland County Sheriff’s Office.
- Deputy Joseph J. Villarreal, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.
- Officer David R. Lipsey Jr., Graham Police Department.
- Deputy Armando Esqueda, Harris County Sherriff’s Office.
- Senior Deputy Hugo Rodriguez, Hidalgo County Sherriff’s Office.
- Sergeant Mauricio Valle, Houston Police Department.
- Lieutenant Milton Gabriel Resendez, San Benito Police Department.
- Firefighter Danny Keith Ireton, Stanton Volunteer Fire Department.
- Deputy Brent Brown, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.
- Trooper Lyndon Johnson, Texas Department of Public Safety.
- Officer Troy Costello, Woodville Police Department.
The Star of Texas Award has been held since 2003. More than 700 awards have been issued.
The ceremony closed with “Peace” as the final word offered in the Benediction. It was a reference to what first responders try to bring in times of chaos.
Texas high school football 2024 schedule: Dates to know
Dates to know for the 2024 Texas high school football season and playoffs, which end in mid-December.
UIL football district play gets underway this week.
Texas A&M Consolidated vs. Weiss and Stony Point vs. Vandegrift should draw plenty of attention, but there’s several good games on tap. Check out our reporters Rick Cantu, Colby Gordon and Caleb Yum for this week’s coverage.
Here is the Central Texas high school football schedule for Week 3:
Thursday’s Austin-area football games
District 25-6A
Vandegrift (1-1) at Stony Point (1-1), 7
District 12-5A DI
A&M Consolidated (2-0) at Weiss (2-0), 7
Non-district
Glenn (2-0) at Bowie (2-0), 7:30
Austin High (2-0) at Johnson (2-0), 7
New Braunfels Long Creek (1-1) at Crockett (0-2), 7:30
LASA (1-1) at Northeast (0-2), 7:30
Belton (0-2) at East View (1-1), 7
Friday’s Austin-area football games
District 25-6A
Vista Ridge (1-1) at Round Rock (2-0), 7
McNeil (0-2) at Westwood (0-2), 7
Cedar Ridge (0-2) at Hutto (1-1), 7:30
District 12-5A DI
Hendrickson (1-1) at Hays (1-1), 7:30
Anderson (2-0) at College Station (2-0), 7:30
Lehman (0-2) at Lockhart (0-2), 7:30
Non-district
Humble Atascocita (2-0) at Westlake (2-0), 7
Lake Travis (2-0) at Midland Legacy (0-2), 7
Dripping Springs (1-1) at Harker Heights (2-0), 7:30
Del Valle (1-1) at Leander (1-1), 7
Akins (1-1) at Manor New Tech (1-1), 7:30
Copperas Cove (1-1) at Georgetown (2-0), 7
Huntsville (1-1) at Cedar Park (1-1), 7
El Paso Eastlake (1-1) at Liberty Hill (1-1), 6
Rouse (1-1) at Waco Midway (2-0), 7
Wimberley (2-0) at LBJ (1-0), 7:30
McCallum (1-1) at Dallas Pinkston (0-2), 7
Pflugerville (2-0) at Fort Bend Christian (0-2), 7
Navarro (2-0) at Travis (1-1), 7:30
Bryan Rudder (2-0) at Connally (1-1), 7:30
San Antonio Wagner (0-1) at San Marcos (0-2), 7:30
Elgin (0-2) at Montgomery (2-0), 7
Bastrop (1-1) at Prestonwood Christian (1-1), 7
Burnet (0-2) at Academy (0-2), 7:30
Marble Falls (1-1) at Llano (1-1), 7
Taylor (0-2) at Lago Vista (1-1), 7:30
Salado (0-2) at Giddings (1-1), 7:30
La Grange (1-1) at Smithville (0-2), 7:30
Jarrell (2-0) at Caldwell (1-1), 7:30
Thrall (2-0) at Eastside (0-2), 7:30
Austin Achieve (0-2) at Florence, 7
Lampasas (2-0) at Killeen Chaparral (2-0), 7
Luling (1-1) at San Antonio Burbank (1-1), 7
Waco Riesel (1-1) at Thorndale (1-1), 7
Off this week: Cedar Creek, Manor
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Photo by Gabriel C. Pérez/ KUT News
During the pandemic, Austin came to exemplify the story of housing across the country: Prices went through the roof. In 2021, the average monthly rent in the region rose 25 percent. Similar increases happened in cities in California and Arizona.
But that narrative has flipped. As tens of thousands of new apartments have opened in Austin and the rate of people moving to the city has slowed, rent prices have been falling. For more than a year.
According to new numbers from Zillow, Austin is now leading the country in declining rents. But this time few other large U.S. cities are following.
The typical monthly rent in the Austin metro is down nearly 4 percent compared to last summer. Rents in similarly priced cities – including Dallas, Phoenix and Atlanta – are rising. The average monthly rent in Austin is now anywhere between roughly $1,500 and $1,800.
In the early years of the pandemic, demand for apartments rose. Tens of thousands of people moved to the city because they could suddenly work remotely. Meanwhile, some residents already living here decided to leave shared living situations and find apartments on their own.
In response to the demand for housing, rent prices rose at an incredible pace. To builders, this indicated a need and a business opportunity: more homes.
“A lot of builders … they look at the demographics and they look at the job growth and they look at projections and they say, ‘You know what, this is going to be a good place for me to build,’” Kim Betancourt, vice president of multifamily research at mortgage-backer Fannie Mae, said. “This is what happened with Austin.”
In 2021, local governments in the Austin area issued permits to build nearly 51,000 homes, according to census data. While not every developer that receives a permit eventually builds, this represents a rate of permitting much higher than in other cities at the time.
Because construction takes several years, apartments permitted years ago are now opening. At the same time, the population surge that defined Austin in 2020 and 2021 has slowed.
More homes, fewer new people. Thus, rent prices began to fall last summer.
“It’s that building bonanza that helped to bring costs back down to earth,” Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow, said.
Divounguy stressed that “back down to earth” does not necessarily mean more affordable. In 2022, nearly half of all renters in the Austin area lived in housing they could not afford, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Economists predict that Austin’s falling rents won’t last beyond next year. Because of construction costs, developers are building less than they were just two years ago.
“It’s not gonna last long,” Betancourt said.
This story was produced as part of the Austin Monitor’s reporting partnership with KUT.
The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.
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