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Kyle City Council moves forward with $39.8M Bunton Creek Road Project

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:33:16 -0500

Relief may soon be on the horizon for drivers and families navigating Bunton Creek Road, as progress continues on a major infrastructure project funded by Kyle’s historic 2022 Road Bond.

Currently, a congested two-lane corridor, Bunton Creek Road, is slated for a full makeover. The city plans to expand the stretch from two to four lanes, complete with a dedicated center turn lane designed to ease severe traffic delays.

Easing Traffic and Improving Safety

For local residents, the upgrades cannot come soon enough. Commuters regularly report long delays during peak hours, particularly around school drop-off and pick-up times.

"This is a really bad road for traffic," said local resident David Barr Kirtley.

Jennell Rayos, another area resident, noted that school drop-offs often turn into lengthy ordeals. "Trying to drop off your kid...you’re sitting in traffic from 45 minutes to an hour, and that’s just to get out of Kyle," Rayos said.

In addition to road widening, the project introduces key pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure:

A 10-foot-wide sidewalk along Bunton Creek Road from Lehman Road to Porter Cove.
A 12-foot-wide Vybe Trail along Center Street from Old Stagecoach Road to Veterans Drive, which was recently approved by the Kyle City Council.

Residents have advocated for dedicated footpaths for years, largely due to safety concerns for students walking to nearby Lehman High School.

"A lot of the kids in the neighborhood have to walk from their houses to Lehman High School, and the current route is not safe," Kirtley said.

Another local resident, Holly Wilson, pointed out the current conditions students face during bad weather: "Right now, when it rains, when they’re walking to and from school, they’re walking in mud."

Rising Costs and Community Concerns

The project is part of Proposition A, a $294 million road bond approved by voters in November 2022—the largest in the city's history. Bunton Creek Road is one of eight major projects included in the bond, which also features planned intersection upgrades at South Goforth Road.

However, the cost of the project has grown significantly. Originally estimated at $28.6 million in 2022, projected costs have risen to $39.8 million.

City officials are exploring cost-saving measures, with calculations indicating that potential design adjustments could save up to $3.73 million. However, some community members worry that cutting costs could compromise safety or long-term usability.

"We are not being shortsighted and building them too narrow, because eventually that’s going to cost taxpayers a lot more money," Wilson warned, emphasizing that paths need to be built wide enough to handle long-term growth. "Having to redo the project over again because they realized it was not wide enough for people to use safely."

Kirtley echoed those concerns, advocating for the project to stick to its original scope. "My position is that they should just do everything right and do it the way that I was promised, and get more money to complete everything... rather than trying to cut corners and make things less safe and less useful than what voters approved."

Unintended Impact on School Bus Routes

As the city evaluates pedestrian additions, City Council members raised questions about how new sidewalks might impact local school bus routes.

Under Texas state guidelines, school districts receive state funding to provide bus transportation to students within a two-mile radius only if the route is designated as "hazardous"—such as roads lacking sidewalk infrastructure.

Hays CISD acknowledged that adding sidewalks could alter those designations:

While the specific impact on Bunton Creek Road routes remains under review, Hays CISD emphasized that it routinely adapts to infrastructure changes across the fast-growing district. Adjustments in similar cases have included adding crossing guards, high-visibility street markings, warning signs, and flashing beacon lights at key intersections.

Project Timeline and Next Steps

Construction was initially set to begin this fall, but the timeline is currently being updated while the city completes an intersection improvement analysis.

Key elements of the overall project—including a proposed roundabout and plans to move utilities underground—are currently paused for re-evaluation and are expected to be brought back before the City Council in the near future.

19 deaths in 5 years: Manor city leaders push for urgent U.S. 290 safety upgrades

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 19:27:44 -0500

Following a string of deadly traffic accidents along U.S. 290, local officials in Manor are raising the alarm over hazardous roadway conditions and demanding swift safety improvements.

The push for action follows two deadly crashes along the corridor over the past two weeks, highlighting growing concerns among residents and city leaders about the rapidly expanding east Travis County thoroughfare.

Rising death toll

Crash data reports reveal that between 2020 and 2025, U.S. 290 in Manor was the site of 2,700 vehicle crashes, resulting in 19 fatalities.

Local leaders say the situation has worsened significantly in recent months. Two fatal accidents occurred near Gregg Manor Road, bringing the short-term death toll to alarming levels.

"We’ve had 19 deaths from 2020 to 2025. And in the past two months we’ve already had three," said Sonia Wallace, Manor City Councilwoman. "That number is unacceptable. We’re having too many and something’s got to be done."

Local officials point to poor lighting, short traffic signal cycles that prompt drivers to run red lights, and rapid regional population growth as key drivers behind the spike in severe collisions.

"Driving between here and Elgin, it’s extremely dark on the road, and even if someone had an accident, you might not see them," Wallace said.

Short-term fixes and long-term mobility plans

To address immediate hazards, the City of Manor is collaborating with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) on short and long-term infrastructure improvements.

TxDOT Intersection Improvement Project: Lane extensions/additions, upgraded traffic signals, street lighting, and roadway repaving. Completion is expected in late 2027.
U.S. 290 Extension Project (Manor to Elgin): Proposed tolled main lanes, U-turn bridges, lengthened turn lanes, and signalized pedestrian/vehicle crossings. A final decision is expected in early 2028.

"It's a need for us"

Wallace stressed that infrastructure projects must move quickly to prevent further loss of life.

"Hopefully it will start sooner than later because it’s a need now. It’s not a ‘do you want this to happen’; it’s a need for us to have this happen," Wallace said. "We’re working towards getting a lot of these things done, it’s just a matter of time."

Sam Samaripa, Wallace's opponent in the upcoming election for Manor City Council Place 4, suggested hiring more law enforcement officers as an immediate way to enhance safety.

"There are numerous drivers who blatantly violate traffic laws and the City of Manor needs to hire sufficient officers to monitor the roadways. Safety should be one of our main concerns, not only on the roadways but at home as well," Samaripa said. "The City needs to hire the eight officers currently needed to bring our force to capacity. We also need to bring salaries up to date in order for us to retain our experienced officers. The expansion of HWY 290 is needed, but it is in the future, and we need to take action now."

Transportation agencies are currently gathering public feedback on proposed design options for the U.S. 290 corridor, with a final decision on the extension project expected in early 2028.

Rain, mud, and music: ACL 2026 kicks off Weekend One at Zilker Park

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 20:42:35 -0500

After weeks of Zilker Park being fenced off for setup, the gates have officially opened for Weekend One of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Heavy rainfall transformed the grounds into a mud-covered playground, but dedicated music lovers proved that wet weather could not dampen the festival spirit.

For many attending, braving the wet weather was simply part of the adventure.

Crowds flooded in from across the globe, willing to put up with flight delays and soaked shoes for a weekend of live music.

"I’m from Kansas City, Missouri, so what was that, 13, 14 hours," said attendee Flannery Simmons, highlighting the long journeys fans made to reach Austin. Others traveled even farther: "I’ve got family coming from Europe."

Historically known for blistering heat and clear skies, ACL Fest brought a cloud-covered forecast that caught some off guard—prompting last-minute gear runs for rain boots and extra ponchos.

Attendee Patrick Jamison shared how his group adapted quickly: "We got ponchos—we got ponchos to share, too."

For festival veterans used to enduring Texas heatwaves, the rain was a welcome tradeoff.

"Whether you romanticize it and think about the fact that at least it’s not hot and we’re not going to get sunburnt, or you can be miserable," said Ava Guerrero. "So I think we’re all just trying to be excited about it."

Despite overcast skies and damp conditions, attendees maintained high energy throughout the day, noting that iconic sets only feel more memorable in the rain.

"It’s going to be a fever dream," one attendee said. "Like, let's say Charli XCX—if it’s pouring down rain on us, it’s not going to deter me."

Over 30 artists took the stage on opening night, setting the bar for the rest of the weekend.

Festival goers can expect even more star power as the event continues, with major sets from Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, The Chainsmokers, and local Austin bands lined up across the weekend stages.

2026 ACL Music Festival: Festival goers weigh safety, travel concerns amid wet weather

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 20:03:31 -0500

With heavy rain expected across Central Texas this weekend, festival goers heading to Austin City Limits (ACL) are weighing safety, travel conditions, and tickets as they decide whether to brave the weather or stay home.

Festival goers prepare for 2026 ACL Music Festival despite wet weather

While some ticket holders are choosing to sell their passes out of caution over travel conditions, others are locking in their plans and boarding flights despite the stormy forecast.

Social media platforms like TikTok have been flooded with concern from attendees debating whether to stick to their travel plans, with videos questioning flight reliability and festival conditions gaining traction ahead of Weekend One.

For Cameron Valenzuela, who is traveling from Phoenix to Austin, canceling wasn't a practical option. Between flights, Airbnb accommodations, pet boarding, and festival passes, Valenzuela estimates he has invested around $1,000 into the trip.

"We couldn't sell our tickets—nobody would buy them," Valenzuela said. "At that point, you're going to lose out on so much money that you have to just go."

Rather than staying home, Valenzuela decided to keep his Thursday night flight and pack heavily for wet conditions.

"I have six ponchos here, which we will be using," Valenzuela said. "I just bought boots, and I have insoles in my boots to make sure that they're comfortable. I have my backpack, I have like hand sanitizer."

Despite concerns that severe weather could disrupt the event or lead to cancellations, Valenzuela remains determined to enjoy the weekend.

"It's just a lot of like components together that are trying to take down the festival vibe, but I'm not gonna let it get to me," Valenzuela said. "I'm flying through the storm—all for ACL at the end of the day."

Has ACL been canceled before?

The last time the festival was forced to cancel a full day due to weather was in 2013, when severe flash flooding prompted organizers to shut down the final day and issue partial refunds to attendees.

Meanwhile, festival organizers are addressing other rumors circulating among attendees online—specifically concerns regarding "Dillo Dirt," a local recycled compost made from yard trimmings and treated sewage solids.

In a social media update posted ahead of the event, ACL organizers clarified that while Dillo Dirt was used on Zilker Park grounds in 2009, it has not been used since and will not be present at this year's festival.

Austin first responders train to handle Tesla Cybercabs as severe weather approaches

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 19:20:51 -0500

Driverless vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight across Austin.

However, the recent rollout of Tesla's Cybercab—a fully autonomous vehicle built without a steering wheel or traditional door handles—presents new tactical challenges for local emergency crews ahead of expected severe weather.

First responders train to handle Tesla Cybercabs

To prepare, the Austin Fire Department recently completed training conducted by Tesla on how to safely navigate the vehicle’s unique emergency features.

The hands-on session included extrication techniques—such as sawing through door hinges to gain access inside—and learning how to direct or move the driverless cars on scene.

The training comes at a critical time as local officials prepare for upcoming rain and potential street flooding, conditions that have historically presented hurdles for autonomous vehicle fleets.

Flooding concerns & past precedents

Navigating high water remains a major wildcard for self-driving technology.

"We're not sure how well all of them can manage still or sort of floodwaters," said Andre Jordan, Austin Fire Department's Division Chief for Special Operations and Homeland Security.

The concern stems in part from past incidents involving other autonomous rideshare providers in the area. Division Chief Jordan noted that Waymo vehicles have previously driven into standing water and stalled in deep puddles, though he added that Waymo has since implemented measures to prevent similar issues.

With Cybercabs now entering the mix, city officials are closely monitoring how the driverless technology handles storm conditions.

"So we'll have to wait and see," Division Chief Jordan said. "We don't have a city strategy except to pay attention and to make sure that our expectations are known—that this is a concern of ours."

Public safety vs. public hesitancy

While emergency personnel are adapting their tactical responses, the introduction of handle-less and wheel-less vehicles has raised skepticism among some local commuters.

"In the event that you're in the Cybercab and something goes wrong, I feel like that kind of puts it out of your hands a little bit," UT student Kennedi Lewis-Picklesimer shared. "That's kind of putting too much trust in technology that I don't have at the moment."

Despite these community concerns, Division Chief Jordan believes the specialized training gives first responders the necessary tools to handle emergency scenarios as they arise. Furthermore, he emphasized that the overall risk to the general public remains low.

"I don't think that autonomous vehicles are going to be a particular public safety concern because there are relatively few vehicles and the companies are paying a lot of attention to what they're doing," Division Chief Jordan said.

What to expect during severe weather

While autonomous rideshare services like Waymo and Tesla are not expected to suspend operations entirely during standard rain showers, protocols will shift if weather conditions deteriorate.

If a formal flood warning goes into effect for the Austin area, local officials expect driverless companies to restrict or alter their fleet operations to ensure passenger and public safety.

2026 Election: Texas counties rush to process tens of thousands of backlogged voter registrations

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 21:29:01 -0500

County election offices across Texas are in an "all-hands-on-deck" sprint to process tens of thousands of delayed voter registration records following a technical error at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The transfer failure left voter registration applications and address updates stuck in system queues for nearly a year, forcing local election staff to scramble ahead of the October 5 voter registration deadline.

What caused the system breakdown?

In a statement explaining the cause of the backlog, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) detailed how software changes from an outside contractor interrupted regular file transfers to the state:

While state agencies resolved the technical glitch in mid-September, local county registrars now bear the burden of processing the influx before registration deadlines close.

What does this mean for Central Texas voters?

Earlier this week, county tax offices received flood alerts of incoming data containing everything from brand-new voter applications to routine driver's license address changes dating back to last October.

Travis County alone received approximately 36,000 delayed records to review and enter manually.

"It was a surprise. It was jarring. It was disappointing. I expect more from our partner with the State of Texas at DPS," said Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Celia Israel.

To meet the deadline, Israel noted that staff across multiple divisions within the Travis County Tax Office are volunteering for overtime and stepping in to perform continuous data entry.

Israel expressed concern that the problem highlights broader vulnerabilities in automated voter enrollment, adding that Travis County is drafting a formal letter to DPS outlining their concerns.

"When you go to DPS, and you go online, and you say, ‘I’m updating my driver's license’, and they ask you ‘would you like to be registered to vote?’ If you click yes, it should be automatic. It’s disappointing that the system let us down," Israel said.

How can voters verify their status?

Local election officials urge Texas residents to confirm their voter status immediately, as the registration deadline for the upcoming general election is October 5.

Check Status Online: Visit votetexas.gov to check your current voter registration standing.
Submit a Paper Application if Unsure: If your status is unverified or incorrect, you can fill out and submit a paper voter registration application to your local county election office before October 5.
Duplicate Handling: Officials emphasize that if a duplicate record is created by filing a new paper application, county staff will automatically resolve and merge the files during data processing.

Manor ISD proposes $400M bond package for campus repairs, upgrades

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 20:23:18 -0500

As the upcoming election approaches, Manor ISD is asking voters to approve a $400 million bond package aimed at revamping facilities, updating outdated technology, and modernizing campus infrastructure across the district.

The proposal is split into two ballot measures:

Proposition A: Allocates funding for district-wide safety and security enhancements, facility repairs, and nearly $4 million for new school buses.
Proposition B: Focuses on replacing outdated classroom technology for students and staff.

Walking through Blake Manor Elementary, Manor ISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani pointed out several pressing structural issues, ranging from aging HVAC systems and cracked concrete to foundation repairs, wiring needs, and accessibility hurdles.

"This school is in need of some upgrades to their HVAC, some concrete work, accessibility issues for children and staff in wheelchairs, and a lot of technological stuff you don’t see that’s in the walls, like electrical plumbing," Sormani said. In severe cases of disrepair, Sormani noted, "we just have to move the whole classroom."

The tax impact: A rate increase, but lower bills?

If approved, the bond would increase the district’s tax rate by nearly 4 cents. However, district officials project that due to declining property values across Travis County, the average homeowner would actually see their overall school tax bill decrease by approximately $10.

Officials emphasize that individual tax impacts will vary depending on property values and exemption status. Senior citizens and those with multiple properties may see different outcomes.

"If you are over 65, and you have one homestead, but you own a rental property, it is possible you could see your tax bill increase because you [don't] get the homestead exemption on a second home, so there are different situations," Sormani explained.

Mixed reactions from Manor residents

As voters weigh the upcoming bond, community opinion remains divided. Some residents expressed uncertainty over how district funds are prioritized.

"Why would we be talking about funding the buildings when we’re having difficulty funding the teachers?" asked Kim Kline, a local resident. "But in further conversations and trying to get clarity to help make that decision, I did also realize if we don’t have buildings, then we don’t even have a place to send our children."

Kline also highlighted concerns about the district's aging bus fleet, and their air conditioners—as the reason she currently drives her daughter to school rather than letting her ride the bus.

Other homeowners believe the infrastructure improvements are long overdue.

"People have a lot of strong opinions about, you know, public schools or taxes going up, but if we want them to do more, it takes more," said Manor homeowner Ted Raffle.

Providing clarity after previous failed bond

Manor ISD attempted to pass a similar bond package last year, but the measure was voted down by the community. Sormani attributes that defeat to a lack of clear communication regarding where funds would be allocated.

In response, district officials are doubling down on outreach efforts to ensure voters understand the specifics of the 2026 proposal.

To help answer community questions ahead of Election Day, Manor ISD will host a virtual town hall next Wednesday.

Athena the owl's offspring released into the wild

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:55:52 -0500

A young Great Horned Owl with a high-profile Austin lineage has officially returned to the wild at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, marking a triumphant recovery after an uncertain start to life.

Owlet released back into the wild

The owlet is the offspring of Athena, a Great Horned Owl well known to local birdwatchers and designated as Austin's official owl ambassador.

Video showed the young bird soaring out of its enclosure and disappearing into the surrounding canopy.

When Athena laid two eggs back in April, both chicks were initially feared dead. Days later, however, staff at the Wildflower Center discovered that the second owlet had actually survived.

To ensure the young bird developed the natural behaviors needed for life in the wild, wildlife rehabilitators placed the owlet under the care of a surrogate Great Horned Owl over the past several months. The foster parent helped teach the chick essential survival and hunting skills.

After passing a series of physical and flight tests, experts determined the owlet was fully prepared to venture out on its own.

"With a Great Horned Owl, they should be angry, and they should be upset, and you know, so we’re just looking for them to react normally to us," said Jules Marin, detailing the indicators of a successful rehabilitation. "We love it when our patients hate us. That’s when we know we’ve done a really good job."

Four other foster siblings who were raised alongside the young owl are also prepared for release. Wildlife handlers plan to introduce them to different natural areas around Central Texas to avoid overcrowding local territory.

Athena has not been spotted by researchers or local birdwatchers since she departed the nest in April.