ATX PULSE 11/8/24 (free) (sponsored by No Scrubs): ECHO Proposes $350M Plan to 'End Homelessness' // APD Officer Kills Carjacker // Dead Body Found in NE Austin // Water Main Breaks Downtown // #5 Texas Hosts Florida at 11am on Sat

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2024

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 84° / L: 59°. Rain later? Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

TOP NEWS

“ECHO’s $350M plan offers to ‘effectively end’ homelessness in Austin,” Austin Monitor’s Chad Swiatecki — “The city is projected to need $35 million annually over a 10-year period to effectively end homelessness via a plan that emphasizes adding hundreds of permanent supportive housing units while also addressing emergency shelter and prevention steps to keep people from losing their homes.

City Council’s Public Health Committee met on Wednesday and received a presentation from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) on the recently completed modeling and forecasting of the city’s homelessness trends. The 10-year plan is seen as a way to move the city’s high numbers of chronically homeless individuals back into stable housing while efficiently providing aid to stop at-risk residents and families from losing their homes.

The report focuses on expanding housing capacity across emergency shelters, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing, with total costs expected to reach around $24.4 million for 550 emergency shelter units, $104.5 million for 2,355 rapid rehousing units and $217.4 million for 4,175 permanent supportive units. The plan proposes an annual, staged investment schedule that anticipates shifts in available funding, such as the expiration of specific federal support from the American Rescue Plan that the city has relied on in recent years.

Kate Moore, vice president of ECHO’s homelessness response system strategy, said the number of chronically homeless people – from 25 percent to 30 percent of those who are in the agency’s management system – is larger than peer cities and other major cities in Texas. Moore said part of that anomaly comes from the city not adding permanent supporting housing units commensurate with its sharp population growth.

“We’re already seeing an increase in people moving into (new) permanent supportive housing. This will help us address this but we need to keep our eye on this number,” she said. “Despite this large growth in the (Homeless Response) System, we are still playing catch-up. Austin’s inventory of shelter and housing remains the lowest among big cities in Texas and among the lowest among our peer cities.”

Council Member Vanessa Fuentes said she supported the plan, calling the total $350 million cost “a manageable number that we can make if we make the necessary strategic policy proposals.”

The recommended policy steps focus on an “inverted funnel” approach, in which more emphasis is placed on long-term housing and support rather than on simply expanding short-term shelter options. That strategy is intended to reduce the chronic, cyclical nature of homelessness by ensuring that more individuals transition to stable housing rather than relying on temporary solutions.

David Gray, the city’s homeless strategy officer, said his office is looking at what methods other major cities use to fund their homelessness response needs, with corporate giving and philanthropy added to all available sources of public funding.

The city’s next bond package in 2025 or 2026 is expected to include a substantial request for funding for housing and resources related to housing for those experiencing homelessness. Council Member Ryan Alter said the city also has to find approximately $50 million over the next two years to replace the Marshalling Yard emergency shelter and provide the money needed for rapid rehousing services.” Austin Monitor

THE BLOTTER

“Man who carjacked woman, stole another car is shot, killed by Austin police,” via Fox 7 Austin — “The Austin Police Department is investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Northwest Austin.

Police say it all started a little after 3 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, when officers attempted to stop a man who carjacked a woman in Four Points.

"From a woman that was waiting to go into work," Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said.

The suspect then stole another car from an H-E-B about half a mile away.

Police found the stolen vehicle at the MAA Canyon Creek Apartment Complex off FM 620. When the suspect was found, he kicked down the door to an apartment.

Chief Davis said when he was walking out of the unit, officers asked him to stop.

"He started to run, turned, pointed his weapon at the officers and fired a shot. Officers returned fire and the subject was unfortunately pronounced deceased here," Chief Davis said.

The suspect died from his injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Austin police say officers were trying to stop a man who carjacked a woman in Four Points.

Residents are shocked after hearing a string of crimes that led to the shootout with officers.

"I come to Starbucks all the time," Steiner Ranch resident Peyton Chronert said.

On Thursday afternoon, Chronert and her friend, Kaida Self, were picking up their drinks at the Starbucks in Four Points in Northwest Austin.

"When I have a mobile order, I leave my car on, and I just go in, and I get my Starbucks, and then I come back out because it's like a one-minute trip," Chronert said.

Chronert said she'd think twice about that now. Just hours before, Austin police said a man carjacked a car in the same parking lot.

"Next time I go inside to get my mobile order, I'm going to turn my car off and take my keys inside," Chronert said.

In the 2.5-mile stretch along FM 620 where this all happened, APD reports a total of about 420 crimes this year, including two robberies, 19 aggravated assaults, and 24 burglaries. 

Reported crime is up in the area about 8% compared to the same time period last year.

Chief Davis said she plans to provide an update Friday to share more details. Video of the shooting will be released within 10 days per APD protocol.” Fox 7 Austin

“APD investigating after body found in Northeast Austin,” via Fox 7 Austin — “Police are investigating a deadly shooting in Northeast Austin.

Austin police said on Thursday, Nov. 7, around 6 p.m., officers responded to a call about gunshots in the 6400 block of US 290.

When officers arrived, they found a victim with gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to a local hospital, but later died from their injuries.

Police said a suspect is not in custody.

If anyone has any information on the incident, contact the Austin Police Department.” Fox 7 Austin

“Teen critically injured in shooting near ACC Eastview campus, secure order lifted,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra — “Austin police have issued the all-clear at Austin Community College Eastview Campus following a heavy police presence near the area Thursday night.

The campus issued a secure order at around 5:12 p.m. It was lifted a short time later at 5:43 p.m.

According to Austin-Travis County EMS, they responded to a reported gunshot wound incident at around 4:34 p.m. near the campus. EMS transported a teenage victim to a local trauma facility with critical, life-threatening injuries.

It's unclear if a suspect has been arrested in this shooting incident.

Activities and classes resumed their regular schedules after the all-clear from the police.” CBS Austin

“Teen shot and injured in Manor, a week after deadly stabbing at Manor Senior HS,” CBS Austin’s Abigail Velez — “One teen is in custody and another recovering after a shooting in Manor Wednesday night.

Manor Police said this happened around 7:45 p.m. in the Presidential Glen subdivision in east Manor.

Officers responded to the scene after reports of a 16-year-old bleeding from a gunshot wound to the leg.

"EMS was able to transport him to the hospital where he's currently in stable condition," said Manor PD Detective, Marshall Surovik.

Police arrested 18-year-old Khamren Ward in connection to the shooting. He's currently facing a charge of deadly conduct with a firearm.

Manor PD said Ward is not facing a more aggressive charge because they are still collecting evidence related to who fired the shot that injured the teen.

Investigators said several rounds were fired, with some of them hitting nearby homes.

"I want to thank God because my family is safe but the only thing is my car and my garage... It's terrible," said a nearby homeowner, Deih No.

No's home, car, garage, and window were hit by bullets, leaving bullet holes in her property.

No said the bullets struck just feet away from her 2-week-old baby.

Manor PD said they recovered multiple firearms and bullet casings at the scene.

Wednesday night's shooting happened just three miles away from Manor Senior High School, where last week another teen was killed in a stabbing.

"You really can't escape the violence, and it's hard," said Spirit Hall, a Manor Senior student and resident in the Presidential Glen neighborhood.

The community is still reeling from 18-year-old Darrin Loving's death, and now they are dealing with a shooting in their neighborhood. Both incidents involved teens.

"We have too many juveniles running around and somebody is going to get seriously injured or they're going to die," said Detective Surovik.

Surovik said for the last year, there has been a trend of violence involving teens in Manor, especially gun violence.” CBS Austin

“Sexual assault, other incidents at San Marcos apartment complex; police look for suspect,” via Fox 7 Austin — “The San Marcos Police Department is investigating multiple incidents at an apartment complex, and it believes the same person is responsible.

The incidents were reported between October 31 and November 1 and happened at the Copper Beach apartment complex in the 1700 block of Mill Street.

The suspect is described as follows:

• White or Hispanic male

• About 6" tall

• Heavyset with spiked or combed over hair

• Last seen wearing a gray shirt, black shorts and white shoes

"We have a couple of calls of what people frequently call a peeping tom, where the suspect was standing outside a bottom floor of an apartment peering inside through open windows, where the curtains were not pulled," says San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge.

"Because of the seriousness of the allegations, because the behavior seems to be growing worse, we want to get this out in front of our community, and solicit anybody to come forward who may be a victim or who may have information regarding this," Standridge added.

A woman living in the apartment complex reported to police that she received a video from a neighbor on October 31 that appeared to show an unknown person looking into her bedroom window.

In the video, the unknown person appeared to look into the victim’s bedroom, while the victim was inside and partially undressed, for several seconds before running away.

"The female student in this case was either dressed, partially undressed etc.," says Standridge.

Just before 2:30 a.m. on November 1, a resident in a different building of the apartment complex reported seeing a man outside a ground floor apartment window. 

Police say the man appeared to be watching a female resident who was sitting at a desk while the blinds were open.

Officers responded to the scene, and did not locate anyone outside of the resident’s building. During a further search of the area, officers heard noises nearby and saw a man. Officers gave the man commands to stop, but the subject ran away through the complex and officers were not able to locate him.

Later the same day, San Marcos PD received additional reports from residents at the apartment complex. 

In one of the reports, a female victim told officers she was asleep with her boyfriend in his bedroom when she was awakened between 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. by an unknown man standing next to the bed and touching her inappropriately. The victim told police the man ran out of the room after she woke up and moved. 

A second victim was asleep with her boyfriend on the couch in the same apartment unit and told police she was also awakened by an unknown man between 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. who was touching her inappropriately. The second victim told police that when she woke up, the man ran out of the back door of the apartment unit and jumped off the back patio.

"There is yet another report where we believe the same suspect unlawfully entered a different apartment," says Standridge. 

A man matching the description of the offender reported to San Marcos PD by the other victims then entered an additional adjacent apartment and left through the back patio door.

"You have got to lock your apartment doors. I would also ask, especially at nighttime, that you pull your blinds closed. These crimes are sexually motivated, so, we need to close our blinds and prevent that voyerism aspect and then, if you are going to have to go outside, especially at night, I would ask that you try to find somebody to go with you," says Standridge.

The San Marcos Police Department is actively investigating the incidents and so far the suspect has not been identified or located. 

Anyone with doorbell or surveillance camera footage that captured an individual matching the description of the subject is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 512-753-2300.

The San Marcos Police Department reminds all residents to keep their doors and windows locked and remain vigilant. Any suspicious activity should be reported to police immediately.” Fox 7 Austin

“Lake Travis ISD Special Ed teacher arrested, accused of assaulting a minor,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra — “Police arrested a Lake Travis ISD Special Education teacher after investigating a complaint he assaulted a minor.

In a letter to families, the district says the complaint was made on October 29th against Rashid Mohaghegian, who taught at Bee Cave Elementary.

He was placed on administrative leave while the district police investigated, and officers arrested him Thursday morning.

He's facing a charge of injury to a child.

Superintendent Paul Norton says the district is taking the appropriate actions and he won't be returning.” CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“APD assists with water main break in Downtown Austin, road closures in effect,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra — “A water main break in downtown Austin is forcing some road closures Thursday night.

Austin police say this is happening on Trinity Street, between East 6th Street and East 7th Street.

Trinity and San Jacinto Blvd are closed while crews work on repairs.

Two crew trucks will continue working overnight.

Officers expect delays to go into the night and advise drivers to find alternate routes.” CBS Austin

“Special fund could help Council members respond to neighborhood needs,” Austin Monitor’s Amy Smith — “Under a proposal approved Thursday, City Council members may have the ability next year to fund projects in their districts without following the usual planning and budgeting processes.

The resolution, sponsored by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, directs the city manager to explore a pilot program to establish a special fund for each Council member to promptly respond to neighborhood needs, such as providing funding for sidewalk repairs or park improvements.

The funding program would take effect in the 2025-26 budget cycle. It’s uncertain how much funding would be allotted for each district or how each project would be managed.

The resolution calls for the consideration of several factors regarding the allocation of funds, including equitable dispersion, areas of historical disinvestment, high-growth areas and alignment with the city’s Capital Improvement Program.

As Fuentes explained before the vote, “This district service fund I believe is a great way for our offices to show tangible improvements in the neighborhoods that we serve. I also see it as a great way for us to build on the 10-1 system, especially as we approach the 10-year anniversary of having district representation throughout the city.”

Co-sponsors of the item included Council members Ryan Alter, Paige Ellis and Zo Qadri, with Council members Chito Vela and José Velásquez signing on at Thursday’s meeting.

Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison said she would also like a better understanding of the status of resolutions that have been approved but not yet funded.” Austin Monitor

OTHER NEWS

“Round Rock educator’s ‘dynamic classroom’ leads to Texas Teacher of the Year honor,” Austin American-Statesman’s Claire Osborn — “Students in Westwood High School teacher Chris Mihealsick's class often find themselves outdoors.

They measure the diameter of trees on campus, take water samples from a local creek to analyze them and examine small areas of land outside the school to count the number of plant and animal species living there.

Mihealsick, who teaches advanced placement classes in environmental science for juniors and seniors, won the state teacher of year for secondary schools award in October from the Texas Association of School Administrators. She now advances to the national teacher of the year contest. Westwood High School is in the Round Rock school district.

"Chris Mihealsick is more than an outstanding classroom educator but a true champion for public education and the students she currently serves in Round Rock ISD," said Martha Salazar-Zamora, president of the association and superintendent of the Tomball school district. "She demonstrates incredible leadership and excellence in teaching by creating a dynamic classroom environment that is innovative, challenging, and one that allows her students to flourish and grow in each and every day."

Mihealsick, 46, said she likes to see her students succeed and learn new subjects. "Some students come to me pretty dejected not having much success in science class, and they start to grow more confident," she said. She said she also just loves teaching teens.

"Teenagers are funny, and I enjoy their humor," said Mihealsick, who has been teaching for 18 years at Westwood. She previously taught for five years at Austin's Crockett High School.

Her class covers a variety of topics, including geology; biology; water and water conservation; endangered species; renewable and nonrenewable energy; air pollution; recycling; and solid waste disposal.

"I really like teaching kids something brand new," Mihealsick said. "A lot of time, the students I get have never studied air or water pollution at all."“ AAS ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: Golden: “Texas football at No. 5 in the CFP? Sarkisian says it doesn’t matter right now,” Austin American-Statesman’s Cedric Golden — “As Steve Sarkisian sat down for dinner with his coaches and staffers Tuesday night, ESPN’s College Football Playoff ranking show was playing in the background.

Sarkisian said the staff likes to break bread together on Mondays and Tuesdays to break the monotony of the endless film study. The show provided a nice distraction from the norm and, as his assistants and staffers shared opinions about the different teams that were popping on the screen, something occurred to the head coach.

“What hit me is the popularity of college football right now is at an all-time high,” Sarkisian said during his Thursday media availability. “It’s incredible that we're talking about a 12-team playoff ranking system with brackets at the start of November. I was thinking to myself, ‘So are they going to do brackets like they do for March Madness? Is that what's going to happen now?’”

Sarkisian may be on to something. I’m not beyond printing out a sweet little 12-team bracket, throwing $10 in a pool and predicting the bracket like we do at the end of hoops season. That adds even some spice to what’s become the spiciest college football season in history. Shoot, I made some salsa over the weekend and went a little heavy on the chili peppers and it didn’t come close in heat content compared to what we’re about to witness this winter.

Back to Sark. He walked into the facility on Wednesday and asked his players to raise their hands if they had watched the CFP show. About half the room showed their hands.

The message is it doesn’t really matter at this point. Like center Jake Majors told me on Monday, they’re treating each game like it’s the SEC championship game and the results will speak for themselves. 

At this point, with games remaining against Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas A&M, the value of veteran leadership is at its utmost importance. The season is a grind and goals are goals, but there is such a thing as being single-minded of purpose that has to trickle down from the veterans to the younger players. 

Sure, the players love that No. 5 ranking, but that can quickly go away if they play like crud at home on Saturday against a Florida team that oddsmakers have them beating by at least three touchdowns.

“So many of our older players know this is way too early to worry about where our ranking is,” Sarkisian said. “What we need to worry about is what we do, and we need to focus on our preparation.”” AAS ($)

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook enters transfer portal after departure from team,” KVUE’s Johann Castro — “Sophomore wide receiver Johntay Cook is no longer a member of the Texas Longhorns.

Head Coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Cook's exit from the team on Thursday. The specifics of Cook's departure are unknown, but Sarkisian said the decision was "mutual."

"We have nothing but respect for he and his family," Sarkisian said during a videoconference on Thursday. "We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Cook signed with the Longhorns as a five-star recruit in 2023, joining as a member of a highly-touted recruiting class that also included quarterback Arch Manning, running backs CJ Baxter and Tre Wisner, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and defensive back Malik Muhammad.

While his fellow 2023 recruits have seen consistent playing time this season, Cook had begun to be phased out in recent weeks following the emergence of true freshman Ryan Wingo. His last appearance came against Oklahoma on Oct. 12 and his last recorded catch came against Mississippi State on Sept. 28.

Cook had eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns this season, after having an almost identical eight receptions for 136 yards in his true freshman season in 2023.” KVUE

CENTRAL TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: “Texas high school football scores for Thursday, Nov. 7,” KXAN’s Billy Gates — “As the Texas high school football regular season begins to wind down, the playoff brackets are starting to take shape.

Georgetown sealed a district championship with a 31-7 win over Cedar Park on Thursday at Gupton Stadium.

Hendrickson clobbered Cedar Creek 77-0 and LBJ nearly did the same 67-0 over Eastside. Buda Johnson was on the wrong end of a 70-14 tilt against Cibolo Steele.

Check out the rest of the scores from around Central Texas below:

Cibolo Steele 70, Buda Johnson 14

Georgetown 31, Cedar Park 7

Hendrickson 77, Cedar Creek 0

LBJ 67, Eastside 0” KXAN

QUICK LINKS

~ Will there be a recount for the election in Texas? What state law says - AAS ($)

~ 480-foot mixed-use tower plans approved in Austin's South Central Waterfront - Community Impact Austin

~ ‘Homophobic and misogynistic’: Texas State University president condemns campus demonstration - KXAN Austin

~ ‘You are in Slave Group B’: Racist texts sent to Austin students - KXAN

~ Urban Outfitters coming soon to The Domain - Community Impact Austin

~ Travis County readies 6 priority bills for Texas’ 89th legislative session - Community Impact Austin

~ Remnant now selling curated vintage clothing in Leander - Community Impact Austin

~ Legal questions cause delay in considering changes to petition rules - Austin Monitor

~ Fayette County landowners get temporary win in fight against proposed wind turbine project - KVUE

~ 'Farm-to-wok' Chinese restaurant Wu Chow closes north Austin location - Community Impact Austin

~ Fort Worth title company McKnight expands into Austin - ABJ

~ Trudy's restaurant revives some beloved dishes and plans for expansion in comeback bid - ABJ

~ National multifamily developer makes its Austin debut - ABJ

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ VETERANS DAY 2024: “Honor and commemorate: 5 ways to celebrate Veterans Day 2024 in Central Texas” AAS ($)

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Fri

~ COMEDY: Melissa Villaseñor. Capital City Comedy Club (11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Bldg B Unit 100, Austin). Shows at 7pm and 9:30pm. Tix $28 and up here.

Sat

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: #5 Texas vs. Florida. DKR Memorial Stadium. 11am kickoff. (ABC). Resale tix available on Seatgeek here.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Mat Kerney (with Darren Kelly). ACL Live. Show 8pm. Tix $34.50 and up here.

~ COMEDY: Melissa Villaseñor. Capital City Comedy Club (11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Bldg B Unit 100, Austin). Shows at 7pm and 9:30pm. Tix $28 and up here.

Sun

~ LIVE MUSIC: The Black Crowes (with Big Sugar). ACL Live. 7:30pm. Tix $69 an up here.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Pat Green (with Mason Lively & Jon Young). Haute Spot (1501 East New Hope Drive, Cedar Park). Doors 6pm, show at 7pm. Tix $37.50 and up here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Senior Policy Analyst: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Salary: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 / monthly. Info / apply here.