An investigation into the fire that started in Oak Hill on Sunday, April 17th, when a then homeless man left a fire unattended to go buy beer has come to a close. Charges against 60-year-old Michael Bernard Weathers have been dropped because there is not enough sufficient evidence to link him to the fire. more ›

Former Austin High School student Hollan Dyer, 18, was riding shotgun in a blue Toyota Prius in Oak Hill when the car came upon the cyclist, Austinite Brad (last name withheld). According to detectives, Dyer allegedly remarked to his fellow passengers something along the lines of, "I hate cyclists on the road!," then, evidently steamed, rolled down his window and fired at the victim. more ›

Polls are open from 7am to 7pm. more ›

Image from Fix290.org. Despite TXDOT's incessant bleating about lack of funds, they apparently still have plenty of cash to build the controversial Phase II toll roads, including the particularly controversial twelve-lane highway in the sky at the Y (71 and 290 in Oak Hill). In an era of concerns about budget cuts, pollution of Barton Springs and CO2 emissions, it seems like an egregious waste of resources to build this monstrosity that helps Hummer-drivers hurtle... more ›

Hey, thanks Austin! We're thrilled that you chose us as your 2007 Best of Austin pick for Local "Fun" Web Site. Needless to say, it's a tremendous honor to be recognized two years in a row (last year, we tied with the Chronicle itself for Best Local Entertainment Web Site). We solemnly swear that we'll continue to entertain and, on those lucky occasions, enlighten you with the best in Austin culture and news. And, to... more ›

Authorities in New York arrested 43-year-old Paul Devoe III, the man believed responsible for a grisly quadruple homicide that happened in Jonestown, Texas, this weekend. Devoe is also allegedly linked to the murder of a bartender in Marble Falls last Friday, as well as another slaying in Pennsylvania. Details remain scarce, but a spokesman for the Travis County sheriff's department described Sunday's crime scene as "fairly bloody, fairly gruesome." The Capital Area Metro Planning... more ›

TxDOT has increased its estimated cost for five of the new highways it wants to build around Austin to a total of $2.5 billion. This is especially troublesome because Congress has recently cut federal highway funding, and is expected to cut more in the future, leaving a potential shortfall of between $1 and $1.8 billion. more ›

Two local paramedics are being investigated by Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services after an attempt to help a former co-worker get away with drunk driving. A call was made to 911 early Tuesday morning saying that a man had passed out in a car near an Oak Hill intersection. The two paramedics were first to the scene, recognized their friend, and called the cops to say no police action was necessary. more ›

After vehemently encouraging Austinites to indulge in the splendor of live musical entertainment, Mayor Will Wynn's charisma is now focused on more literary pursuits. Wednesday, March 28th, at 7pm marks the official start of the annual Mayor's Book Club. For the sixth installment of the book club Mayor Wynn has chosen Stephanie Elizondo Griest's Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana. To get readers in the mood, the City of Austin is... more ›

Riding north on Lamar, under the Union Pacific bridge, there are some annoying blue panels that people often mistake for traffic signs. Well, believe it or not, that's art, and someone has decided to supplement deface that art by adding stickers informing people "you are now leaving South Austin." more ›

The Hill Country Alliance, along with the Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods, is hosting a debate with all of the candidates running for Texas House of Representatives, District 47. The region included in District 47 is under a tremendous amount of pressure from growth and development pushing out of Austin. We need to make sure we find a candidate who will protect the natural resources, scenic beauty and camp grounds for all the hippies. more ›

Operation Interdependence is one of thirteen shipping stations in the nation that package what in Iraq becomes luxuries (soap, toothpaste, peanuts), and it's right here in Austin. Each month, they send out fifteen boxes with 50 baggies full of sample sized goodness, and every now and then, a super luxury, like a CD-R. They work out of Slaughter Creek Self Storage, which is in South Austin, twice per week. They package the baggies into boxes at Hope Presbyterian Church on the last Sunday of each month. more ›

It is no secret that Austinist loves animals. If you share the love you might consider a trip out to the Austin Zoo where everything from giant turtles to black bears are lounging in the Texas sun. more ›