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Man sentenced to 10 years in prison after Austin synagogue fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The man who pled guilty in the 2021 arson of an Austin synagogue was sentenced by a federal judge to 10 years in prison. The judge also recommended a mental health facility and that marshals put him on a suicide watch. Franklin Barrett Sechriest pleaded guilty in April to arson and hate crime damage to a religious property. Man accused of Austin synagogue arson pleads guilty to 2 charges In October 2021, arson investigators responded to a fire that started on the ground outside of Congregation Beth Israel in central Austin.According to the government's sentencing memorandum filed on Nov. 20, normal sentencing guidelines call for a prison term of 60-63 months or 5 years. However, prosecutors asked Judge David Ezra to sentence Sechriest to 120 months or 10 years in prison due to the "tremendous damage" they say Sechriest did and what they call "his deep-seated hatred of persons of the Jewish faith." ‘I set a synagogue on fire’: Man accused in Austin arson faces fe...

Austin recommends Barton Springs Bridge replacement post-analysis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council will consider Nov. 30 approval of an item to replace Barton Springs Road Bridge, following a preliminary engineering report that found "significant degradation" in the bridge's deck and structure.Officials said in a memo Tuesday a full bridge replacement would be the most cost effective option, compared to rehabilitative work. Engineering teams suggested the bridge's replacement should incorporate a three-span structure with "Y-shaped" piers, the memo added. PAST COVERAGE: Barton Springs Bridge in need of major rehabilitation, here is what is coming next Currently, approximately 20,000 vehicles travel across Barton Springs Road Bridge each day, per city documents. Preliminary city estimates anticipate construction and soft costs for the project will amount to roughly $37 million.Under the three-span structure replacement, the reconstruct...

Texas' Christmas tree industry generated $714M in 2022

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

TEXAS (KXAN) — Texas' Christmas tree industry contributed more than $700 million to the state's economy in 2022, according to a Tuesday Texas A&M Forest Service release.The Texas A&M Forest Service found more than four million real Christmas trees are sold each year statewide. Last year, the real Christmas tree industry had an overall impact of $714 million on the state economy — when accounting for direct, indirect and induced impacts — and helped assist almost 6,000 jobs statewide.When broken down into direct economic impacts, the Texas Christmas tree industry generated $397 million and employed just shy of 4,000 people, the Texas A&M Forest Service said.“It’s a tradition in many households to have a real Christmas tree,” said Dr. Aaron Stottlemyer, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Analytics Department head, in the release. “The process of going as a family to pick out a tree is a fun activity that supports rural economies across the state.” RELATED: Will Texas Ch...

A Hudson grocer’s death left a hole in the community. A budding co-op hopes to help fill it.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

HUDSON, Wis. — When Fresh and Natural Foods owner Kerry Larson passed away this summer, residents here mourned the loss of their friend and the way he held court at the town’s close-knit grocery store.Fresh and Natural customers didn’t look for items, they looked for people. When a customer needed a specific cut in the meat department, they went and found Bill. When they had a question about produce, they looked for Brittany. Kerry even met his wife, Kris, at the store.Larson’s death at 64 left the future of the store uncertain, but Hudson Grocery Cooperative announced this week that they plan to purchase Fresh and Natural Foods, aiming to carry on that legacy, and also build their own as a community-based, locally sourced grocery store.The sale is expected to be finalized Thursday.“I have very fond feelings for the store and how it all happened,” Fresh and Natural Foods President Kris Larson said. “It’s going to be hard, but at the same time, with him gone, it is for the best. And ...

Bagel company opens for business in North Bennington

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

NORTH BENNINGTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Bennington Bagel Company has its operations up and running, getting ready to make bagels for the people of North Bennington and beyond. On Monday, its first day open, the business closed its online ordering after just four hours before reaching max capacity. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Bennington Bagel Company is owned by Lauren Carifio, the head chef, and Steven DeTeso, who focuses on operations. As of now, Bennington Bagel Company is a licensed home bakery that sells sourdough bagels.When orders are open, customers can order their bagels online for pickup on either Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. The bagels will be made fresh on that scheduled morning to be picked up at a home on Dunham Avenue in North Bennington."We're pleased with the response so far and we're really open to feedback," DeTeso told NEWS10. Hattie’s in Albany expected to open in first few months of 2024 The Bennington ...

Construction for affordable housing development in Schenectady begins

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The construction of Mosaic Apartments, a two-building development with 60 units in Schenectady's Mont Pleasant Neighborhood has been announced. The apartments will have one four-story building with 46 units and a three-story building with 14 units. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! All apartments will be affordable to homes earning just at or below 60% of the area median income. The development will be all-electric and energy-efficient, including 30 units with onsite support services for seniors and those with disabilities. “Today’s investment in Schenectady will create dozens of much-needed affordable, energy-efficient apartments in the heart of one of the city’s most vibrant communities,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis by creating affordable and supportive housing opportunities that enhance neighborhoods for existing residents and futur...

Pedestrian killed in crash on I-255 near Dupo, Illinois

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

DUPO, Ill. - A pedestrian was killed in a crash Wednesday morning near Dupo, Illinois, according to Illinois State Police. The crash happened just after 10 a.m. Wednesday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 255. It happened around milepost 6 in Monroe County. U.S. Steel idles steelmaking at Granite City Works ‘indefinitely’ Illinois State Police and other first responders arrived at the scene within minutes. It's unclear what led up to the crash. Crews are working to collect more information and clear the scene of the crash. Southbound traffic in the area has been shut down. Crews are working to reroute traffic onto Illinois Route 3. If possible, drivers are encouraged to avoid the area. This is a developing story. Illinois State Police are handling the investigation. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

Blues see mixed results at season's quarter point, power play among NHL's worst

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

ST. LOUIS - If the NHL playoffs started today, the St. Louis Blues would hold the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. That said, the notes are only one-quarter through the season, and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. The Blues will bring an 11-9-1 record into their final November contest Thursday. The path to this point has been a bit inconsistent: No losing streaks past two games, but no winning streaks past three games.After a rare playoff miss last season, there have been some encouraging signs the Blues could be close to finding a groove and proving last year was a fluke. Blowout wins against recent Stanley Cup champions in the Colorado Avalanche (8-2) and Tampa Bay Lightning (5-0) show what the Blues are capable of in top form. Mizzou Football poised for New Year’s Six bid: Which bowl game might they play? The goaltending tandem of Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer, minus a few starts, has stood tall, combining for a .946 save percentage and 1.63 goals against ...

Customers may love Walmart's newest feature even if they can't see it

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Walmart is a major player in online shopping and shipping speed is a large factor in making any purchase. Amazon is perhaps best known for its Prime service, which offers free delivery and expedited shipping. Now Walmart is expanding its parcel network, which is expected to increase shipping speed.Customers may not notice it in stores, but the parcel stations will help Walmart customers get their online orders sooner. They plan to have over 40 parcel stations in stores by the end of the year, with many already operating for the busy holiday season. The goal is to expand the feature to more locations in 2024.Walmart is using its 4,700 stores strategically. These stores, situated within 10 miles of 90% of the U.S. population, have transformed into more than just places to shop. They now serve as online fulfillment centers and delivery hubs, supported by a vast transportation and last-mile delivery network. How time-of-use pricing plan is impacting electric bills Current...

Foot-long cookies are coming to Subway restaurants in 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:52:30 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Subway will be offering foot-long chocolate chip cookies, and you can get your hands on it this National Cookie Day. If you're in Chicago, Dallas, Miami, or New York, select Subway restaurants will turn into Cookieway, where you can try the foot-long cookie for free with the purchase of any foot-long sub.On Monday, December 4th, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time, head to these Subway locations for your free foot-long cookie:Chicago: 604 S Wabash Ave., Suite D, Chicago, IL 60605Dallas: 1222 Commerce Street, Suite 150, Dallas, TX 75202Miami: 2795 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140New York City: 545 8 Ave., New York, NY 10018Subway, has been selling freshly baked cookies for years. Now the foot-long cookie will be available in restaurants nationwide in 2024. The chain says that last year's limited run of foot-long cookies at a Cookieway pop-up in Miami received an overwhelming response. Now they're making it a permanent addition to the menu.Subway is offering a sneak peek ...