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Hear that? The hissing Texas mushroom is blooming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Texas star mushrooms are blooming -- and hissing -- throughout Central Texas. The Texas star – scientific name Chorioactis Geaster and commonly known as both the Devil’s Cigar and Texas star – is the official State Mushroom of Texas. Legislation designating it as such was filed in 2021 by former House Rep. Ben Leman and later signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. Did you know Texas has an official state mushroom that hisses? The mushroom appears during cooler months and grows only on the decomposing cedar elm tree stumps and roots in the U.S. The rare mushroom has been found only in Texas and over 6,000 miles away in Japan, where it grows on decaying oak trees. Oh, and yes, it hisses. “[The Texas star] will open up into a leathery star of four to eight points,” said Angel Schatz with the Central Texas Mycology Society. “That's when it starts to send off its spores, and sometimes you can hear an audible hiss,” S...

Travis County sobering center to double capacity after renovation funds approved

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County sobering center will soon undergo renovations that will double its capacity after funds for renovations were unanimously approved by the Travis County Commissioners Court. The Austin-Travis County Sobering Center has served over 10,000 people since 2018 and is "known for creating innovative solutions to meet community needs," according to a release. Sobering Center celebrates 5 years in Austin The Sobering Center in a release that renovating the center will double the capacity and "provide better utilization of the building so that those safely sobering up and those already sobered and waiting to get into treatment can have their own space."Additionally, Central Health has also come on board as a payer for income-eligible patients staying at the center longer while waiting to access long-term care. "This is such an exciting way to wrap up our first 5 years of service to the community. These two partners demonstrate years of effort from our staff...

Texas department alleges telehealth provider overbilled Medicaid claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Auditors with the Texas Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General determined a behavioral health services provider allegedly incorrectly billed the state for add-on psychotherapy sessions, OIG officials said in a Tuesday release. Those alleged incorrect billings include using providers who weren't enrolled in Medicaid, the release added.The OIG audited PsyClinic between June 1 and Dec. 31, 2021. During that period, the OIG claimed PsyClinic received more than $381,000 for over 4,300 claims. Those service claims included psychiatric evaluations, maintenance and add-on services, the OIG release said.OIG officials said that while PsyClinic is enrolled in Texas' Medicaid program, four out of the 11 healthcare providers that consulted with patients hadn't been authorized to work with Medicaid clients, per the release. The OIG evaluated 60 claims and found that 16 allegedly involved non-enrolled providers, leading to $1,450 in "erroneous billing.""OIG auditors...

Granite Shoals mayor addresses fallout from committee discussion on euthanizing feral cats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

GRANITE SHOALS, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Granite Shoals is working to rebuild its partnership with the Hill Country Humane Society after the nonprofit ended its collaboration with the city over comments made by Granite Shoals' Wildlife Advisory Committee.Recordings from a Nov. 6 WAC meeting revealed extensive conversations on how to deal with feral cat colonies in the city. Committee members said Nov. 6 that there were four feral cat colonies, with approximately 400 cats in total.During the hour-and-a-half-long discussion Nov. 6, committee members discussed several options for managing the feral cat population; however, the majority of that meeting centered on means of how to trap and kill cats. Committee members also discussed where to dispose of the remains.“We have a location on this property that’s called deer heaven,” a committee member said at the Nov. 6 meeting. “I’m sure it could be kitty-cat heaven too.” PAST COVERAGE: Recording reveals Granite Shoals committee proposed...

Nationally touring Lego convention to return to Eagan next spring after sold-out 2023 stop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

After a sold-out visit earlier this year, the Lego fan event Brick Convention is returning next spring.Brick Convention, which tours nationally, is set to be held Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14, at the Eagan Civic Arena. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the door.The convention will include displays from professional Lego artists and “meet-and-greets with Lego celebrities,” although specific details are still under wraps. Attendees can also spend time building their own creations in “brick pits” with thousands of Legos and collaborate with one another on a massive medieval Lego castle.This year was Brick Convention’s inaugural season, and its two-day Twin Cities stop was fully sold out. For the 2024 event, organizers plan to adjust the layout of the convention’s floor plan to reduce lines and crowd sizes.The event also has a charitable component, raising money for a nonprofit called Creations for Charity that purchases Lego sets to give away as holiday gifts. During its...

NYSP: Johnsonville man arrested for alleged ATV theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

SCHAGHTICOKE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- John H. Rifenburgh, 38, of Johnsonville, was arrested following an investigation into a suspicious person complaint. Rifenburgh was taken into custody on December 16. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to State Police, a homeowner in Schaghticoke reported a person had requested to use the bathroom at their residence. The homeowner denied the request as they did not know the person. Rifenburgh was also reportedly looking into the neighbor's vehicles.The homeowner prevented Rifenburgh from leaving until police arrived. Investigations determined that the ATV that Rifenburgh was in possession of was stolen from a nearby garage. Police also found that Rifenburgh had a controlled substance. Rifenburgh was taken into custody and charged with burglary in the third degree, grand larceny in the third degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, and criminal possession of a controlled su...

33-year-old sentenced for attempted child enticement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A West Rutland resident was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for attempting to entice a minor in New York. Scarlet Shadows, 33, was also ordered to serve 15 years of post-release supervision and will be registered as a sex offender upon release. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Shadows, formerly known as Randy Emillion Goodreau, admitted to trying to entice and coerce an individual believed to be an 11-year-old girl. Shadows exchanged sexually explicit messages with the individual and someone believed to be the child's guardian. Shadows then traveled to Warren County in January 2022 intending to have sex with the child. Shadows brought an engagement ring, condoms, and gifts for the child.

Vanity, no profanity: Illinois rejects 304 plates for being too cheeky

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

ILLINOIS – Be careful what you wish for your license plate in Illinois. The Secretary of State has the right to reject any personal or vanity license plate that doesn't fit their guidelines or is too hard to read for law enforcement. Secretary of State Alex Giannoulias has released the 2023 license plate naughty list, revealing that more than 300 plates were rejected this year due to profanity, offensive language, or illegibility. Some of these plates were deemed too obscene or defamatory.Illinois offers an option on its website called "Pick-A-Plate," allowing residents to create their own license plate for their vehicles. However, certain guidelines must be followed to have your choice honored.The Secretary of State’s office received nearly 55,000 requests for vanity and personalized plates this year, with 304 being denied. The office flags combinations of letters and numbers that can be construed as lewd or offensive, including expletives, racial labels, sex and drug references, a...

St. Louis County woman loses $7,000 from unfinished deck projects

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A man allegedly persuaded a St. Louis County woman to pay him privately for home improvement projects several years ago that he never started. The accused man, formerly employed as a St. Louis-area contractor, now faces a felony charge, per Missouri court records. Prosecutors have charged Jody Flynn, 51, of Imperial, Missouri, with one count of felony stealing in excess of $750. According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Flynn was assigned to remove a customer's deck and replace it with a new one while he worked for Chesterfield Fence and Deck. Soulard bar owners question legitimacy of NYE bar crawl promoted online Court documents state that after he removed the deck, he claimed that mold removal would be necessary and that the company would not move forward with more work. After that, Flynn reportedly offered to complete the work independently of his employer. The woman agreed to a contract that called for Flynn "to replace a handrail on the front po...

Parkway West High School student earns perfect ACT score

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:20:54 GMT

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - A junior at Parkway West High School recently earned a perfect ACT score of 36, the highest possible score on the ACT college placement exam.The Parkway School District announced Thursday that Felicity Jackson earned a perfect ACT score in September. A perfect ACT score of 36 is quite an accomplishment. Less than one percent of students who take the test nationwide attain a perfect score. Are you using your headlights properly? Missouri law has guidelines on light usage The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures students’ knowledge andskills in English, reading, mathematics, and science, including analysis and problem-solvingskills that determine college and career readiness.Jackson hasn't yet decided on a university to attend after high school, but the Parkway School District says she plans to study something related to visual arts, biology or zoology. ACT scores are accepted at all major four-year colleges and universities across the U.S.