Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What South Austin billboard investigators hope will reveal in Francesca Ortiz’s case

Happening soon: Titanic. The Human Story on the Austin Patch calendar

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Tuesday August 25th Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Austin? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What South Austin billboard investigators hope will reveal in Francesca Ortiz's case
  • What Paige Ellis' failed petition means for Austin's District 8 seat.
  • Why are James Talarico yard signs vanishing along Kinney Avenue?

Also on today's calendar: Titanic. The Human Story and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Near-record heat, with a high of 105 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Toasty conditions, temps: high: 106, low: 79.
  • Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 100 and low of 77 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Francesca Ortiz case: Family of woman killed in South Austin speak out, want answers (fox7austin.com) — Family members of Francesca Ortiz are turning to a new billboard along I-35 in South Austin to seek tips in her June killing outside a local apartment complex. Austin police say she was brutally beaten and are asking anyone with photos, videos, or information from the night before her death to come forward. Tips can be shared directly with APD or anonymously through Capital Area Crime Stoppers.
   

2. Paige Ellis will not run for third term after petition falls short of needed signatures (kvue.com) — Austin City Council Member Paige Ellis will leave office in January after her petition to seek a third term for the District 8 seat fell 62 signatures short of the city's requirement. Austin rules cap council members at two terms but allow a third with enough petition support, which Ellis' campaign believed it had met. She thanked Southwest Austin supporters and says she'll stay engaged in the city in new ways.
   

3. Talarico signs disappear from South Austin neighborhood (kvue.com) — A South Austin resident says his James Talarico campaign signs have twice vanished from his Kinney Avenue yard, and he's now filed a report with Austin police. Neighbors along the mile-long street have also noticed missing or newly secured signs, raising concerns about intentional removal during campaign season. Despite losing two signs, the resident plans to put up more.
   

4. Vegetation fire contained in NE Austin, crews extinguishing hot spots (cbsaustin.com) — Austin firefighters quickly contained a small vegetation fire Monday night near Centre Creek Drive and Cross Park Drive in northeast Austin, keeping it under one acre and away from nearby structures. Several fire trucks blocked roads while crews knocked down hot spots and asked drivers to avoid the intersection. Officials have not yet released the cause of the blaze.
   

5. Man sentenced to 40 years for 2025 murder of 15-year-old in SE Austin (cbsaustin.com) — A Travis County jury has sentenced Victor Orellana-Carranza to 40 years in prison for murdering 15-year-old Neithan Jadiel Montenegro-Chavarria after an altercation at a southeast Austin home in 2025. Prosecutors say Orellana-Carranza assaulted his child's mother, left, then returned with a gun and opened fire on two teens, killing Montenegro-Chavarria. The district attorney's office says the conviction aims to honor the victim and support his family's healing.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The New Luxury Is Confidence: Inside the Rise of the Modern Mommy Makeover —LaGuardia Media PR Presswire Read on Patch
  • Hilton posted a job opening for Guest Service Agent (On Call) - DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin in Austin. Apply here.
  • Mastec, Inc. posted a job opening for Underground Distribution Laborer/Groundman in Austin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Austin here.

Ok Austin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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