Latest news with #CentralTexans
Associated Press
08-08-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Velocity Credit Union Breaks Ground on New Southwest Austin Branch
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 7, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Velocity Credit Union is proud to announce the official groundbreaking of its newest branch, located at the southeast corner of Davis Lane and Brodie Lane in Southwest Austin. This expansion reflects the credit union's continued commitment to serving its growing membership and delivering convenient, modern financial services to communities across Central Texas. The new, full-service branch is designed with flexibility and member experience at the forefront. Members will enjoy the benefits of modern technology and personalized service at the site, which includes two Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) drive-thru lanes, teller pods, four private offices, and dedicated spaces for the Branch Manager and Assistant Branch Manager. 'Expanding into the fast-growing Southwest Austin community is an exciting milestone for us,' said Debbie Mitchell, Velocity Credit Union President & CEO. 'We're thrilled to bring our personalized service, local values, and financial empowerment to more members — right where they are.' The branch was designed in collaboration with Studio Steinbomer Architects ( ), Tsen Engineering, Wilson & Girgenti Engineering Services, Wuest Group Civil Engineering and Austin Canyon Corporation ( ), General Contractors, ensuring thoughtful design and construction aligned with Velocity's member-first values. This new location marks an exciting time for the organization, coinciding with Velocity's broader brand refresh—including a new logo and updates to all existing branch locations. The Southwest Austin branch is expected to open in the first quarter of 2026. For more information, visit About Velocity Credit Union: Velocity Credit Union has served Central Texans for over 75 years with a mission to provide exceptional financial products, personal service, and support for the communities it serves. Membership is open to those who live or work in the five-county Austin area. MULTIMEDIA: Photo 300dpi: Photo caption: Velocity Credit Union President/CEO Debbie Mitchell (second from right) joins with members of our architectural and contracting firms in breaking ground on the credit union's newest branch, located at the southeast corner of Brodie Lane and Davis Lane in Austin, TX. The facility is slated to open in first quarter 2026. NEWS SOURCE: Velocity Credit Union Keywords: Texas Business, Velocity Credit Union, finance, banking, credit, loans, checking, credit union, community, service, AUSTIN, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Velocity Credit Union) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P128333 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How the recent rainfall is impacting crops
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — While many Central Texans may prefer clear skies and sunshine, the recent stretch of rainfall is being welcomed by farmers across the region. After a prolonged period of heat, steady rain has helped replenish soil moisture and revive pastures that had been without adequate water for months. 'We were so dry June to about the 1st of April this year, where we were really, really behind,' said Shane McLellan, an extension agent for agriculture in McLennan County. 'We were about half of what our normal rainfall is for that same time period, and now we're past that. We're catching up on some missed rain.' According to McLellan, the timing of the recent rainfall has also worked in farmers' favor. 'It's coming at a time of year when it's probably the least destructive—excessive rainfall anyway,' he said. For retired farmer and rancher Michael Moon, monitoring rainfall is still part of his daily routine. Moon uses a digital mapping tool to track precipitation across seven different farms and pastures. 'It gives me up-to-date and real-time information on the amount of rain we're getting at each farm.' Moon said the rain has been mostly beneficial, with only minor concerns about standing water in low-lying areas. 'The only thing that I can see that it might hurt is some low ground that might stand water,' Moon said. 'But for the most part, it's going to be very good.' While this rainfall may cause short-term inconvenience for some, it's proving to be a much-needed resource for farmers hoping to rebound from last year's dry spell and prepare for a stronger growing season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Following federal announcement, Gary Job Corps to close after 60 years
SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – A large no-cost education and career technical training program in San Marcos will close after 60 years. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra posted to Facebook on May 30 that Gary Job Corps, which opened in 1965, would cease operations by the end of June. The program offered free education and vocational training to hundreds of Central Texans. 'In a major development, the U.S. Department of Labor has announced that it will halt operations at several Job Corps centers nationwide, including the Gary Job Corps campus just outside San Marcos—long known as the largest of its kind in the country,' said Becerra in his post. The decision to suspend the program drew bipartisan pushback, according to our media partners at The Hill. The U.S. Department of Labor announced it would be pausing Job Corps centers after an 'internal review of the program's outcome and structure.' 'Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community,' said DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in a May 29 press statement. 'However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the program's possibilities.' The statement from the department said that the program has faced financial challenges. This decision follows an April analysis of the Job Corps program. A summary of the analysis is a follows: Average Graduation Rate (WIOA Definition): 38.6% Average Cost Per Student Per Year: $80,284.65 Average Total Cost Per Graduate (WIOA Definition): $155,600.74 Post separation, participants earn $16,695 annually on average. The total number of Serious Incident Reports for program year 2023: 14,913 infractions. Inappropriate Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assaults Reported: 372 Acts of Violence Reported: 1,764 Breaches of Safety or Security: 1,167 Reported Drug Use: 2,702 Total Hospital Visits: 1,808 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas heat cramping your outdoor walking routine? Try these shady strolls for hot days.
"Jogging in this midday heat? Are you a crazy person?" Admit it: You've screamed this invective (silently) in the general direction of some ultra-fit runner during Austin's six months of extreme heat. For most of us, if we have not already retreated entirely to air-conditioned houses or vehicles, we run — or at least walk — outdoors strictly before 8 a.m. or perhaps at dusk. Walking during the middle of the day, however, can be less than utterly hellish if one sticks to the shady side of the street. For that matter, it can be downright pleasant if one seeks out the deep shade of mature trees in public places. With that in mind, we've chosen an escalating set of outdoor walks for Central Texans to try during daylight hours this summer. Remember: Wear hats, drink water, monitor your vitals. The well-tended grounds of the 1888 granite Texas Capitol were designed to serve as a gathering place for celebrating or protesting, often at the same time. They also function as a green space or grand public park. (Cattle grazed around the more modest 1853 limestone Capitol that rose at the same location.) Enormous live oaks shade many of the curving pathways, and sycamores, replanted during the 1990s renovation of the Capitol Complex, line the formal processional walk to the south of the baroque domed structure. On the grounds, take time to examine the many monuments, some of which recall darker chapters in the state's history. The newish Capitol Mall to the north of the grounds currently broils in the sun, but should cool off once the landscaping matures. When the Austin Dam on the Colorado River collapsed in the 1900 flood, city leaders realized that without a major source of electricity, Austin was destined to remain a government and college town rather than a manufacturing center. It became instead the "Home City," or "City of Homes." Thus civic energy was applied — unevenly — to the leafy hoods within walking distance of Central Austin. Take to the sidewalk or, if safe, the streets. Shade will guide your way through Holly Street, Hyde Park, Tarrytown, Old West Austin, Foster Heights, Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, Old Austin, Zilker, North University, Cherrywood, Pemberton Heights, Hancock, Guadalupe, Clarksville, Windsor Park, French Place, Harris Park, Aldridge Place, Hemphill Park, Heritage, East Cesar Chavez, Old Enfield, Travis Heights East, and the original parts of West Campus and Central East Austin. The inner ring of suburbs, built rapidly after World War II, tells a different story, however, because developers planted quick-growing, quick-dying species. The mature shade today is spottier. If you live farther out, try the historic centers of your community. You are not free to wander aimlessly around schools and colleges. Times being what they are, public safety demands tight security on some campuses. Yet a great number of public activities — sporting events, museum exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, celebrations and receptions, readings and nonacademic research — happen on more than 10 shady Central Texas college campuses. You should tour, for instance, the University of Texas' first-rate collection of public art, overseen by the award-winning Landmarks program. Long ago, UT Regent Lutcher Stark ensured that the 40 acres would be shrouded with Gulf Coast live oaks from his home region in Southeast Texas. Central Texas is blessed with numerous parks, greenbelts and nature preserves. They are not always right where we might want them to be, and scarce public funds mean their improvements are often made possible by do-good groups such as the Parks Foundation, Trail Conservancy, Pease Park Conservancy, and in the case of the rapidly expanding Violet Crown Trail, the Hill Country Conservancy. (A new entryway for that 30-mile trail is under construction at Barton Springs.) Make your summer plans carefully. Austin manages more than 150 miles of trails and many hundreds of acres of parkland. Map out your walks or even hikes — which are like walks, but hiking requires that you pay more attention to your path — carefully based on what you learned about your body from the shorter summer excursions. Take water and use sunscreen. Consider packing bug spray and trail mix. Now you are ready for the crown jewel: The Butler Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake. While some segments of the 10-mile loop are open to the sun, much of it runs through protective shade. Points of entry are numerous. Construction continues on the "wishbone" bridge that will allow trail lovers to skip the Longhorn Dam, named not for the UT teams, as one might assume, but rather for a Colorado River ford used by cattle drivers on the Chisholm Trail. If it functions like the previous stretches of boardwalk, the bridge will make us see our city differently. More: There are gators in Lady Bird Lake? 6 cool facts about wildlife on Austin's urban trail You are not required to walk the entire 10 miles. Several other bridges allow one to cut back to your original point of entry if so desired. This is a popular path, so practice trail etiquette, which can be boiled down to remaining alert, respectful and kind. The Butler Trail weaves our city together — north, south, east and west. As with almost all other social aspects of Austin, it is seen and employed differently by different individuals and groups. Now, even in the shade, the Butler Trail gets hot. A breeze off the lake helps. Still, early morning or very late afternoon are best times to stroll during the six hot months. Please send questions and tips to mbarnes@ This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Avoid Texas' excessive heat with shade at parks, trails, hoods, more
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials Urge Water Safety Ahead of Summer Season
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — May is recognized as National Water Safety Month and as summer approaches and temperatures rise, many Central Texans will be looking for ways to cool off — and taking a swim is often the go-to solution. However, experts warn that it's crucial to stay safe and be prepared before heading into the water. Chris Bradford is the associate executive director of the YMCA in Waco. He says drownings happen more often than people may realize. 'The leading cause of accidental death in children between the ages of one and four is drowning,' Bradford said. 'Children are more likely to drown than they are to be in a motor vehicle accident. So if your child cannot learn to swim, the best thing that you can do is put them in swim lessons or make sure that they are in that U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.' This same advice applies to area lakes, including Lake Waco. 'Life jackets only work if you use them, so we highly recommend that you're wearing them when you're out on the water,' said Arianna Jacinto, Lake Waco's lead park ranger. 'We have designated swim beaches here around our lake. We have Twin Bridges and we have Airport Park, and both of them are delineated with swim buoys to help keep boats out, and we also have life jacket loaner stations.' Jacinto said the life jacket loaner stations are free to use, and are available for anyone on the water. Visitors are encouraged to return the jackets after use so others can stay safe, too. Whether you're swimming at home this summer, at a public pool or out on the lake, the message remains the same — stay aware, be prepared, and always prioritize safety, no matter your age. 'You are more likely that your child does not learn to swim if you yourself cannot swim. Fear is transferable to our children. So if you have a fear of the water, your children will have a fear of the water,' Bradford said. Experts agree that enrolling in swim lessons is one of the best investments a family can make to prepare for summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
