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Georgetown finds new water source, but relief is years away

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Dustin Baxter's front yard is scorched yellow and dried out other than a few green patches. "We managed to keep all the stuff right around our house alive by hand-watering," Baxter said. "It's hard to say if the if the lawn will come back, we'll probably end up losing quite a bit of our landscape."Homeowners in the western portion of Georgetown's service area are limited to only hand-watering. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost) Baxter has been limited to only hand-watering since July. His neighborhood and others are under stage 3 water restrictions and on the western edge of Georgetown's service area. The city extended water restrictions because of the drought and supply challenges. "We have continued high demand for water in our water district, as well as we've had some issues with getting contracted water. And then having some of our capital improvement projects that were planned to be online this summer had not...

PHOTOS: St. Louis Renaissance Festival returns for its 25th year

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo – The St. Louis Renaissance Festival is back, kicking off five weekends of fun. The festival runs from September 16 to October 22 and has a 25-year history. It's a family-friendly event where visitors can enjoy volunteers and vendors dressed in period clothing, jousting demonstrations, and even petting zoos. While parking is free, there is an admission fee.The ‘lore’ of the renfaire is that when you arrive, you are stepping into the village of Petite Lyon. Petite Lyon is under the rule of 13 Counts from the city of Lyon. They've extended invitations to travelers, entertainers, sellers, and skilled craftsmen from all over the country to create a special and memorable festival. This year marks the celebration of 25 years of fun and excitement.By Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz Dow...

Foggy start to the morning with sun on the way

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Some patchy fog has developed this morning. Otherwise, there are decreasing clouds today and temperatures similar to yesterday. Another weak wave moves across Illinois this afternoon, which could bring a spot shower to our far eastern counties, but there's also a very good chance that it stays east of the region. Mostly clear skies into tonight, and lows fall into the 50s. We could see some patchy fog develop, especially in our river valleys. After the morning fog mixes out on Monday, we'll have plenty of sunshine, and temperatures will climb to around 80. It was warmer and still dry on Tuesday. Rain chances increase on Wednesday.

Man fatally shot in overnight incident in St. Louis' Hyde Park Area

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- In an overnight incident, a man died due to a shooting in the Hyde Park neighborhood. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. on September 17.Officers responded to the scene at N. 21st St. and Penn Rows, where they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds, and he was not conscious or breathing. Homicide detectives, along with St. Louis police, are currently investigating the incident. At this time, it remains unclear if any suspects are in custody.

Bay Area rents see biggest drop in 27 months

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

When Bridget Wack went looking for an apartment in San Francisco in 2019, she felt like the odds were stacked against her.“It was so competitive,” she said. “People had filled out their application before seeing the apartment. There were people who were offering over the asking price. Some offered $400 more.”A sign advertising an apartment for rent is hung in the Marina District of San Francisco earlier this year. In August, rent saw its biggest year-over-year decline in 27 months, dropping by 4.3% in the San Francisco/Berkeley/Oakland metro area. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) Though she was eventually able to find a spot in the Sunset district, the hunt left her nervous about returning to the rental market when she and her boyfriend decided to search together for a one-bedroom in Oakland this fall.What she found was an utterly transformed market. Listings offered one month free — sometimes even two. Rather than leaving work early to get to a showing...

From the Roadshow archives: But officer, I can explain: Drivers’ traffic-violation excuses

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

Editor’s note: Mr. Roadshow wanted to share some of his favorite columns and stories from more than 30 years of informing, entertaining and getting things changed for Bay Area (and beyond) drivers. He’ll be back on the road with new material soon. In the meantime, please keep sending Mr. Roadshow your comments or questions to [email protected] story originally was published on July 24, 2009. The two French tourists were flying down Highway 101 through Sunnyvale in their rented Ford Taurus, hitting 100 mph.That got the attention of California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Barnett — as did their unusual excuse.The two men in their 20s said they had studied U.S. traffic laws before heading to the United States and were told that speed limit signs here are black and white — like the signs that read “101” along the freeway.Wasn’t that, they asked, the speed limit?“I let them go,” Barnett said, “and told them to make sure the sign ...

49ers QB Brock Purdy is new face of regional Toyota commercials

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

Brock Purdy is joining an even more exclusive club than San Francisco 49ers starting quarterbacks: Toyota’s lead pitchmen.Purdy is the new face of Toyota’s Northern California advertisements, becoming just the third Bay Area athlete in the last 20 years to become the face of the Japanese car company’s regional commercials.Toyota has previously made Steve Young and Buster Posey the center of its campaigns for several years each. But after Posey retired following his 2021 season, Toyota Dealer Association president Dave Johnston said he and Trey Curtola, chairman of H/L Agency, spent the year thinking of their next campaign.“There was nothing that really stood out, and then, bam, this lightning rod kid comes out of nowhere and leads the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game,” Johnston said. “Nothing is more electrifying and magnetic than an NFL quarterback. Everybody loves football, it’s must-see, and the quarterback is No. 1.”Purdy’s ascension from the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft t...

The hidden pricetag of California’s public schools

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

At Scotts Valley High, a school eight miles north of Santa Cruz, the track is made of dirt.Todd Hoffman, the volunteer coach, calls it the ’70s retro track. And despite years of trying, it’s something he hasn’t been able to upgrade. Hoffman heads up a fundraising group, one which, through parent and community donations, pays for 90% of the school’s athletic budget, he says — from the kids’ uniforms to the coaches’ salaries to the transportation to and from games. Every year, parents are asked to give $200 per child, per sports team to the club, a sum that Hoffman says wouldn’t fully cover the costs even if everyone paid them.“It feels like we’re keeping it all going,” said Hoffman. “And that’s sad.”For years, schools across California have been supported by parents, communities and education funds, groups which have long filled the gaps between what students need and what the state provides. Depending on the wealth of the community around those schools, those gaps might ...

The pros and cons to Warriors potentially bringing on Dwight Howard

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

It was just over a decade ago that the Warriors were desperate to trade for Dwight Howard. Stephen Curry was one of the names Golden State lofted to the Orlando Magic in return for the then-superstar’s services. But Howard had no interest in a long-term future with the downtrodden Warriors and demanded a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile Curry transformed into a global superstar and Golden State into a lasting dynasty.Now fate has come full circle and roles reversed: After a season in the Taiwanese League, 37-year-old Howard wants back into the NBA and Curry’s Warriors are offering a chance to land one of their final two roster spots. In this case, the Warriors won’t be courting Howard.With a camp invite, Howard likely has to convince head coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. that he’s willing to accept a lesser role — playing behind Draymond Green and Kevon Looney — than he was accustomed to during his All-Star years a ...

High school football roundup: Live Oak, Menlo School among Saturday’s winners

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:18:22 GMT

No. 22 Menlo School 28, Menlo-Atherton 13The Knights won the battle of Atherton thanks to a big day from quarterback Mikey McGrath and a number of timely defensive plays. It was Menlo School’s first victory against Menlo-Atherton since 2014. McGrath threw three touchdown passes, the first one a 26-yard toss to Nicky Scacco in the first quarter.Scacco scored his second TD of the day in the second quarter, high-pointing a ball in the corner of the end zone to give Menlo School a 14-0 lead. Brady Jung turned a McGrath pass into a 79-yard touchdown reception with 3:47 left in the first half, handing the Knights a 21-0 lead. Then came a flurry of action at the very end of the first half. Menlo School’s Palmer Riley intercepted a M-A pass, but the offense couldln’t do anything with it. With 10 seconds to go in the half, the Bears got on the board with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Xander Eschelman to James Grey. Menlo-Atherton got the ball back after the touchdown, but Menlo School’s Jack...