On late Sunday evening on Davis Lane, Scott W. McKinney was found by APD officers badly injured with his van crashed in a ditch. Following his transport to University Medical Center at Brackenridge and attempts to save his life, he died from his injuries. Hospital officials ruled out alcohol or other substances, and additionally found Mr. McKinney's injuries were not consistent with a crash. APD detectives investigating the scene and reviewing Mr. McKinney's autopsy report of his injuries concluded the cause of his crash and death was the premature explosion of a homemade bomb. According to APD, Mr. McKinney likely was holding the bomb, intending to throw it on an empty side of Davis Lane while he drove. Unexpected was the bomb going off in his hand. The investigation is still ongoing. [Statesman] more ›

Most of the time when a business closes in Austin, we all bitch and moan for a little while about how things-they-are-a-changin' and summarily place all of the blame on condos/gentrification/Californians, and then move through the Kübler-Ross stages of grief fairly quickly into acceptance. Our beloved music venue, coffee shop or restaurant is gone, with nothing but fond memories to mark its place in our personal histories. But in extremely rare cases, a business evolves and finds rebirth. Thus is the case with the late, great downtown green-curry-lovers mecca Thai Tara. more ›

The Oak Run Apartments near Banister Ln. and Hwy 71 were set ablaze last night after someone left a match on their couch. The two-alarm fire at the complex took an hour to extinguish after 20 fire trucks were called to the scene; the blaze displaced 16 people and left one woman hospitalized for second-degree burns on her hands. While authorities were searching apartments for residents, they found an unarmed hand grenade (of the type used for military training). The owner of the weapon is (as of yet) unknown. [KEYE] more ›

There's a new restaurant on South 1st St., and odds are good that locals may have passed it by without noticing. In spite of the entire front wall boldly displaying its name, Somnio's Cafe occupies what might be a cursed location: recessed from the street with a windowless facade, nearly invisible in the enormous, crowd-pleasing shadows of Freddie's and Polvo's. more ›

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

"We're not publishing the list in our news columns, period": Statesman Editor Oppel on why the paper will not include a listing of precinct voting locations on election day. McCain stopped in San Antonio today. Bill Clinton spoke in town today. On the primary race between Glen Maxey and incumbent Nelda Wells Spears. Power outage in East Austin this afternoon. While her father was tied up, a robber sexually-assaulted a 15-year-old girl in a South Austin apartment yesterday morning. Semi veers off Dallas highway ramp and falls onto Continental Avenue; at least 3 are dead. more ›

Photo by Steve Hopson for Austinist.com
• For those who are watching from home but don't have access to CNN, local PBS affiliate KLRU will be airing the debate on tape-delay, starting at 9pm
• DailyKos has an informative rundown of each democratic candidate's proposed legislation and their record in the Senate (thanks, MikeB)
• Chelsea Clinton will speak at ACC’s South Austin Campus tomorrow morning at 9:45am. The event is free and open to the public

After taking statements and checking evidence, APD thinks that Tevin Park-Flowers' death at NYOS was accidental. 3-year-old rescued from meth lab home in South Austin. Fire in neighboring building that damaged the Austin NAACP's office last night ruled to be arson. Flame-themed bar coming to E. Sixth Street, brought to you by the 36-year-old owner of Qua and Vicci. Catholic church leaders angry at St. Mary's University in San Antonio for housing a Clinton rally last night. more ›

It's time to play the name game! The Friends of the Austin Public Library and the Monster Book Store, located at 5th and Mary in South Austin, are moving and looking for a new, snappier name. They want to tap the collective creativity of Austin. Suggestions will be accepted through February 14th. more ›

Besides the wonderful events highlighted by the flyers above, there are a few other shows on New Year's Eve in Austin worth noting: more ›

Image from City of Austin Watershed Protection Dept. 108,000 gallons of wastewater drain into tributary to Harris Branch Creek, killing fish and possibly harming nearby residents who use well-water. Manhunt on for man who shot and killed someone during a card game in Bastrop this morning. Truck overturns in South Austin, takes power lines with it. Georgetown cop indicted for sexually assaulting a female in custody. Dawnna Dukes may have an opponent in her race... more ›

Image of criminal couple (Bonnie and Clyde) from WikipediaThe media often portrays criminals as warped master-minds, or at least uncaring creeps. A less popular, but more true to form characterization would be just-plain-stupid. Aspiring criminal master-minds, the husband and wife team of Alan and Basilia Gonzalez, were able to round up "four to six accomplices" according to KXAN, but we wouldn't go so far as to call it an organized burglary ring. A moniker like... more ›

"Barista Babe" From Unrelated Source, Found on Seattle MetblogsA new coffee trailer in South Austin is hoping to capitalize on the recent "sexpresso" fad that's taken over Seattle. Latte Dolls offers a selection of coffees and espresso drinks served by scantily-clad female baristas with stripper fascinating names like Kyana, Alysha, and Reyna. Touting itself as a "highly-personalized, memorable and convenient coffee alternative to morning commuters and the mobile labor force of Austin," the stand plans... more ›

Photo by fotocitizen on flickr Ann Richards' gravesite doesn't have a permanent marker yet. Classical guitar a popular subject in Austin schools. Gas line broken this morning in South Austin has been capped. Local man crushed by a dump truck Saturday evening. Aggie news: Mike Sherman to be new A&M football coach. Mother and stepfather of "Baby Grace" arrested; the case is still being investigated. Mississippi GOP senator Trent Lott is resigning . . .... more ›

Editors’ note: The opinions and ideas expressed in My Ex-Boyfriend's Band are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the outlook and belief of anyone else in the Ist network. It's been a big year for Graham Williams. Last December, he joined forces with Alamo Drafthouse to put on the inaugural Fun Fun Fun Fest, one day of indie, punk and electronic music on three stages in Waterloo Park. It was... more ›

Skeletor playing drums, found on Joystiq.comLast night's town hall meeting on the proposed noise ordinance changes drew a record turnout at Momo's, bringing out a crowd that consisted mostly of local venue owners, musicians, and longtime residents. As we mentioned yesterday, the meeting was held to discuss a proposal put forth by the Austin City Planning Commission that would basically lower the decibel (dB) rating for music venues from the current limit, 85 dB, to... more ›

Round Rock ISD announces another case of MRSA. Wash your hands, y'all! (see video at right) Woman attacked and sexually assaulted by man and two women in her South Austin apartment earlier this week; Police think she was specifically targeted, but didn't know her attackers. Laura Hall won't get a new trial, but her family isn't giving up. Southwest Key moves to their new facility. Local Ron Paul supporters ask Leslie to participate in... more ›

La Luz is having a Halloween fiesta tomorrow. The new-ish South Austin boutique is inviting the public out for live music by The Early Tapes, refreshments, a spooky photo booth, games, prizes and activities. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. at 2009 S. 1st St. Explore the treasures of India with Marigold's Fall Festival today at 6 p.m. If you've never heart the rhythms of tabla and sitar, check... more ›

P&K Grocery, South Austin's fancy mom-and-pop corner store, has gone out of business. Though open for only a year and a half, the tiny market on West Mary became a neighborhood staple, offering, among a host of more exotic specialty foods, wonderful sandwiches, hot dogs, and (best of all) cupcakes. The store did what it could to help out the community, and, in turn, became a much-appreciated part of the community as well. "We are... more ›

D’Ette Cole incorporates found objects items in every aspect of her work. You could say this is her signature, but D’Ette’s style is not easily summed up. “It’s Texas flavor without being hokey,” she says. “No cowboy boots hanging on the wall.” What does pop up in her art and décor are elements of surprise. One of D’Ette’s newest projects transforms empty plastic water bottles into hanging light displays, which almost looks like a... more ›

After a long, hot summer, it’s time to check out Austin’s new fall fashions and get in the mood for shopping. Tribeza’s Fourth Annual Style Week is right around the corner—Wednesday through Sunday, to be exact—and there are plenty of fun events open to the public. Style Week is kicking off with a happy hour at By George’s South Congress location, where you can nibble on goodies from Cissi’s Market and peruse the flirty fashions.... more ›

Citing "severe exhaustion," Amy Winehouse cancels entire North American tour... to the surprise of exactly no one Texas State scores highly in U.S. News' latest "America's Best Colleges" ranking Love 'em or hate 'em, those Gibson guitars scattered around town are going up for auction in October Armed man in Williamson County barricades himself in truck, prompting highway closure for nearly two hours Might the Marriott deal be on the chopping block? A horribly... more ›

UT Austin professor receives national award for "distinguished service to education in librarianship" A kid in South Austin gets an explosive reaction after he attempts to use real bullet in toy gun Hurricane Dean looks like it's heading to Mexico, but FEMA says Texans should still look out A Dallas man allegedly murders his mother, keeps her decomposing body in the house for days until neighbors complain about "a stench" Austinite Lynne Smith successfully swims... more ›

Our first experience with Independence Brewing Company came just a few short years ago when browsing the beer aisle at a nearby Austin grocer. Shuffling past the quick favorites (Lone Star) and growing tired of the old standbys (Shiner) we noticed the logo of a shaggy-haired kid jumping, cannonball-style, into a pool not unlike Barton Springs. With curious minds and ever-growing sobriety, we jumped in and discovered what has quickly become one of our... more ›

Our first experience with Independence Brewing Company came just a few short years ago when browsing the beer aisle at a nearby Austin grocer. Shuffling past the quick favorites (Lone Star) and growing tired of the old stand-by's (Shiner) we came upon the logo of a shaggy-haired kid jumping, cannonball-style, into a pool not unlike our own Barton Springs. With curious mind and ever-growing soberness, we delved further to discover what has quickly become... more ›

Same thing, another week. As you move on to the next line on the calendar, you're still out there trying to make a connection. Sadly you let most of them slip by without saying a word. We understand, no one wants to be overzealous and get shot down. If only you had some place to find a second chance. Oh yes, Missed Connections. If only you had someone to sort through and find the... more ›

A little over a week before the third season of Weeds is set to debut, Austin Police last Saturday raided a South Austin home where they discovered 185 marijuana plants, all apparently healthy. Arthur Bass and Oscar Borjon Lopez, both in their early fifties, were arrested and charged with possessing controlled substances. Also found in the house on Lunar Drive were cocaine and alprazolam, a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders and depression. No... more ›

The subject of jewelry comes up again and again when we're hitting the streets and getting the scoop on Austin’s fashion scene. Everybody seems to know somebody in Austin involved in making or selling it. Even Eliza Page, the upscale jewelry store in the 2nd Street District, carries over a dozen local designers. It was impossible to interview everyone, so we selected four young designers to profile: Melissa Lancaster, just starting her collection Part-time... more ›