"Sophia Evans," the woman who was savagely beaten and left for dead in an abandoned Del Valle house last December, fears that her attacker may never be caught. more ›

While news is still breaking on the officer shot at a north Austin Wal-Mart early this morning, we're also receiving information about a shooting yesterday evening that left a man dead and a police officer injured. more ›

A few hours before the Heritage Neighborhood Association meeting we wrote about was to take place, a message was posted on the event's facebook wall, saying, in part: "This is a small venue that will not be able to accommodate the number of people who have circulated this post. This facebook event was created to circulate information and help keep everyone informed, but there has been some confusion about the purpose of this meeting." What was designed as a neighborhood-specific meeting ended up being attended by citizens all over Austin. This speaks to - if nothing else - a desire on the part of all Austinites to have their questions answered and their concerns allayed by the authorities. At least ten officers were in attendance, and the First English Lutheran Child Development Center was standing room only. The unpreparedness of the organizers was encapsulated by the fact that they hadn't thought to/been able to procure a microphone. In the large room it was difficult to hear all that was being said, especially the opening remarks by Heritage Neighborhood Association president Paula Brown. Fortunately, speakers Commander Julie O'Brien along with other officers (and an unexpected visit from Police Chief Art Acevedo) then made an effort to raise the volume of their remarks. Here's our takeaway from the event. more ›

One week since the death of Esme Barrera and the possibly related attacks on two other women in Austin's West campus area, little in the way of hard, verifiable, information appears to have surfaced. Austin police say they're received “thousands” of tips and are in the process of following up on leads. They have requested that anyone who spoke to Barrera on New Year's Eve or in the early hours of New Year's Day contact them at (512) 477-3588. Meanwhile, we at Austinist have been following the news for you. more ›

Antonio Buehler, 34, was stopping for gas on his way home early Sunday morning when he and his friend heard a woman scream. “We look over, and we see the cop violently yanking the female out of the car,” Buehler told KVUE. As seen on the video -- taken by a cell phone from across the street -- the woman had her hands pulled straight out behind her back. Buehler said, “It just looked extremely painful.” Buehler began taking pictures of the scene, which caught the attention of the officers. Officer Oborski approached Buehler and accused him of interfering with the investigation before pushing him into the white truck seen on the video. Buehler was then taken to the BAT (Breath Alcohol Test) bus and asked to take a breathalyzer. Buehler was the designated driver that morning and had not been drinking. more ›

Brad Spies at SXSW and AMP sent out a mass email to members of the latter on the ninth, discussing the rise in Sound Ordinance violations over the past two weeks. His email explains that AMP, The City Music Office, and TBNA met with the APD to talk about the rise in venues receiving tickets for patio speakers and playing music after cutoff times. more ›

Despite what had been almost amicable dealings up til now between APD and the folks of Occupy Austin, a number of arrests were made in the wee hours of Sunday morning after protesters objected to the new ban on food tables and remained in the plaza to block the scheduled power washing... City officials met with representatives of the Occupy Austin movement today and concerns on both sides were discussed. more ›

It probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to you that this weekend -- one of Sixth Street's busiest of the year -- has been declared a "no refusal" weekend by APD. From 9pm - 5am tonight through Monday, police officers will be able to obtain blood search warrants for suspects who refuse a breathalyzer test. During the four-day July 4th weekend, 73 DWI arrests were made. Given that this is a home game weekend plus Halloween, it's likely that the number may be higher this four day weekend. Drive safe! [Statesman] more ›

In order to combat a spike in pedestrian deaths, the Austin Police Department launched a jaywalking initiative on Monday, targeting key intersections in downtown and South Austin. more ›

The City Council rejected a possible settlement deal with the family of Nathaniel Sanders II in June 2010. However, this morning, Austin City Council voted 5-2 to a $750,000 settlement. Sanders was fatally shot by APD officer Quintana in May 2009 while in a car parked in an apartment complex lot on Springdale. APD stood with Quintana, saying he made no use of excessive force, but the officer has since been fired from the force (twice). The five votes for settlement included Chris Riley, who had previously voted against settlement, and new councilmember Kathie Tovo, whose interest in the settlement is the reason it was brought up for a vote today. The votes against settlement were cast by Mayor Leffingwell and Mike Martinez. [Statesman] more ›

No, we're not talking an APD project to create Spartans (that would be MUCH cooler). This HALO, short for Higher Activity Location Observation, is a system of 24-hour eye-in-the-sky surveillance cameras with the ability to pan, zoom, and tilt. Four such cameras were activated Monday in areas along Rundberg Lane, positioned on telephone poles and at traffic lights. more ›

more ›

• One word to describe Netanyahu and President Obama's meeting today: awkward.
• Is it just us or do you think Syria is not taking these U.S. sanctions seriously?
• Dominique Strauss-Kahn is yet another example of how the rich and powerful always get out of jail. Let's not forget he has been indicted by a grand jury.

According to KXAN, Austin police officers might be wearing body cameras that film their actions as they deploy to crime scenes, vehicle stops, and more. The body camera offers a more intimate view of the action than a dashboard camera. Currently nine varieties of body camera are being tested by the department, and one company offers examples of how the cameras are used. Starting Friday, nine officers will be wearing one of the models for a 30-60 day testing period. Austin NAACP president Nelson Linder and Jim Harrington from Texas Civil Rights Project have both voiced their support of the cameras. Harrington noted, "It is light years better than where we have been and it is a credit to APD for doing this." Chief Art Acevedo isn't sure when APD would begin using the cameras on all officers, but notes that he'd like to watch the technology develop and the price drop in coming months. more ›

• Libya: NATO friendly fire hits rebels
• Can't stop, won't stop, Ivory Coast ex-President still holding on, barely
• No headway in Fed budget stalemate

• Are you okay with attacking Libya? If we set up a no-fly zone, we may have to.
• Did you know that there are also protests taking place in Yemen? Look out Saudi Arabia, you may be next.
• Apparently it is okay to shoot women if you are the government of the Ivory Coast.

A 72-year-old Austin man was arrested Friday and charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance after officials found 91 grams of heroin in his possession. more ›

• World peace requires high tech stealth weapons.
• Everyone in London, please panic. Pretty please?
• More proof that men are just big old meanies.

• Ivory Coast on "brink of genocide," UN ambassador reports.
• Mississippi guv lets sisters out of jail on strange condition.
• Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away. . .

• People will do anything to drive in the HOV lanes.
• Fox News is a respectable group. Just ask Juan Williams.
• So the fact that there are racist people in the Tea Party movement is a surprise?

• Jimmy Carter still delivers. It's hard to imagine Bush being able to pull this off. Ever.
• A visit to execution chambers in Japan.
• If you feed a chicken bad feed you get bad eggs. Who knew?

• Is pulling out the best move?
• Be careful when you buy breakfast tacos this weekend.
• WaPo: "The oil is still there, at least 22 miles of it."

• WikiLeaks scrutinized by U.S. Forces for risks to Afghans
• BP rival Shell sees profits rise by a third. Coincidence?
• Arizona's immigration law goes into effect, sort of.

Ten days before the the Austin City Council is scheduled to vote on an alleged $750,000 settlement for the shooting death of Nathaniel Sanders II last May, the Austin police union made its opinion known. more ›

Friday, word came that a tentative $750,000 settlement was reached between the family of Nathaniel Sanders II and the City of Austin. more ›

• Protests after conviction in Oakland.
• Iranian woman will not be stoned, but may still be killed.
• U.S., Russia swap spies.

• Gen. Petraeus arrives in Kabul to lead NATO forces.
• Bouncing containment cap may mean less oil captured.
• World Cup update: the Netherlands beat Brazil, 2-1.

• BP executive failed to answer questions, lawmakers say.
• One million people caught up in Kyrgyz violence.
• Putin boasts new Russian jet fighter better than U.S. plane.

• BP's cap funneling oil to the surface.
• BP: We have the $$$ to pay for spill
• Florida coast suffers first impact from oil spill.