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Austinites come together to support the family of those killed in North Texas car crash

After a fatal accident on Nov. 24, locals mourn the death of Austin couple Jose and Sara Miñán.
Jose and Sara died after a collision with a pickup truck. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the driver, Michael Bowman, failed to yield the right of way when making a turn and crashed into the couple's car. Both Jose and Sara were pronounced dead on the scene after the car caught fire. It is believed that Bowman took his life after the crash.
One of the couple's children, Eli, was in the car when the collision happened. He was airlifted to a hospital in Abilene with minimal injuries and has since reunited with friends and family of the Miñáns.
Sara was a teacher at Redeemer School, a private school in Austin, and Jose owned Great Works Painting in Austin.
In a recent post by the Redeemer School, Sara Miñán is remembered as a faithful and loving teacher, who was adored by many.
The tragic accident has brought community members together to honor the couple's legacy in Austin and help support their two boys, Eli and Ander. The boys, ages 9 and 8, have been staying with family friends of the Miñán's in Austin since the accident, according to KXAN.
Hope Chapel, the Miñán's home church, also shared a post in remembrance of the couple.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support the boys immediate and long-term needs, with all the money going directly to Sara's mother, Rosie McElroy.
Comments on the GoFundMe page illustrate the over pouring support and love many had toward the couple.
As of Monday, over $35,000 has been donated to the fund, which has a goal of $50,000.
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Popular
Barton Springs Pool is on a condensed schedule while the city tries to fill out its lifeguard roster.
The popular pool is currently closed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays while it navigates a lifeguard shortage. The city is offering bonuses to new applicants who can start by early June.
Austin Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Jodi Jay said there are 207 lifeguards ready to work and 100 incoming but the department needs 750 to be fully staffed.
Zoom out: The pandemic has had a lasting impact on hiring—in 2019, the city was able to hire 850 lifeguards.
Why it matters: The city needs at least 400 lifeguards, plus 30 with open water certification, to open pools on a modified schedule by June 4. Without hitting that mark, some facilities could limit hours or close.
The job pays between $16-19 an hour, anyone over 15 can get certified and there are bonuses on the table:
- $500 bonus if you get certified and start working by June 6.
- $500 bonus if you work through August 14.
- $250 bonus if you get advanced certification.
(Shutterstock)
For years Austin has been one of the top 5 places to live in the U.S., according to an annual ranking from U.S. News and World Report. But this year, Austin dropped out of the top 10.
The publication ranked Austin at No. 13, down from No. 5 last year, No. 3 in 2020 and No. 1 in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Cities ranking in the top this year were No. 1 Huntsville, Alabama, No. 2 Colorado Springs and No. 3 Green Bay, Wisconsin.
So why did it rank lower this year?
The hot housing market is part of the reason. The report states "Austin offers a lower value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income."
Still, Austin was the highest-ranked Texas city on the list. Adding to its desirability are its live music capital roots and the growing tech scene. The next Texas area on the list was Dallas-Fort Worth coming in at No. 32.
U.S. News says it analyzed 150 metro areas in the U.S. to make the list based on the quality of life, the job market, the value of living there and people's desire to live there.
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