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(L. Brent Gilmore/Hello & Co. Photography)
Ivana and Andrew Casterlin welcomed a healthy baby boy in 2021.
For many Austinites, 2020 couldn't end fast enough as they looked forward to the fresh start a new year symbolizes. For some families, the day was made even sweeter with the welcome of new additions.
Paulo Andres Casterlin Escobar came into the world three seconds after midnight on Jan 1. The 7.1 pound healthy baby boy was born to parents Ivana and Andrew Casterlin at Ascension Seton Medical Center. Young Paulo was the first baby born in Austin in 2021.
Meanwhile, St. David's saw the second birth of the year just 30 minutes later. Kesha Matthews gave birth to her baby boy Jordan Arvie Jr. just months after Hurricane Laura forced the family to flee from Lake Charles to Austin.
A spokesperson said this is Matthews' and Arvie's third child.
Austin Pets Alive! also welcomed their first litter of 2021 this weekend when one of their felines, Sparkle, gave birth to two kittens in a foster home. Anthony, Abigail and their three-year-old mother will all be available to go into their forever home(s) in a couple of months when the kittens are old enough.
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Zane Minors, Luke Nicklos, and Jaden Greathouse during a game earlier in the season.
In what was called the "Dodge Bowl" among fans and the media, Coach Todd Dodge adds to the Chaparrals' trophy case by bringing home the State Championship for Westlake High School a second time. Westlake was able to hold off the Southlake Carroll Dragons, winning 52-34 and becoming back-to-back State Champions for the first time in school history.
<p>The Texas State Championship game put father and son coaches head to head against each other, and this time dad got the upper hand. Todd faced off against son Riley Dodge Saturday night in one of the most highly anticipated State Championship games in a decade. </p><p>Southlake was able to strike first, scoring on a 10 play 3:35 minute drive that was capped off by Owen Allen scoring his 27th touchdown of the season for the Dragons. It didn't take long for the Chaparral's to answer back. Yale commit Zane Minors was able to score on the first possession for Westlake on a 75-yard touchdown run. It the pace for the first half between one of the state's best offenses and a Chaparral defense that only allowed 5.5 points per game to opponents all season.</p><p>After Minnesota commit Brady Boyd's 49-yard touchdown reception from former Longhorn commit Quinn Ewers, Southlake was able to take a touchdown lead with 6:24 left in the first quarter. Westlake's Grey Nakfoor was able to even the score on a 39-yard touchdown run making the score tied at 14 to end the first quarter.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d86b1bddb63ba1fc567bdc7ee82fbf6f" id="b8c5c"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350616525334523909"><div style="margin:1em 0">Quinn Ewers ⏩ Brady Boyd!
#UILState #UILonFSSW https://t.co/IGi7QQdfRk</div> — Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com)<a href="https://twitter.com/dctf/statuses/1350616525334523909">1610847047.0</a></blockquote></div><p>After a Southlake punt, Westlake was able to take the lead. Offensive player of the game, junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, was able to connect with Jaden Greathouse for Greathouse's 13th touchdown of the season for the Chaps. The Dragons answered back in style. After a fourth down conversion to RJ Maryland from Ewers, the Dragons tied the game up with Boyd's second touchdown of the game from 27 yards out. The 21 first-half points were the most points given up on the season—let alone in the first half—from Todd Dodge's team.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="75d004904b3cd032c1e2e08b930cf5aa" id="4fdfd"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350621705266454532"><div style="margin:1em 0">There's a reason his name is GREAThouse.
Perfect throw from Cade Klubnik, too.
#UILState #UILonFSSW https://t.co/YCHHdLgFi1</div> — Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com)<a href="https://twitter.com/dctf/statuses/1350621705266454532">1610848282.0</a></blockquote></div><p>After Cade Klubnik was able to get into the endzone for his 14th rushing touchdown of the season, Micheal Taaffe had the first of his Defensive MVP moments. Taaffe, who had an interception in last year's championship, picked off Quinn Ewers. Westlake ended the season +25 in turnover differential, one of the best in the state. The interception stopped Southlake from taking the lead, keeping the score tied at 21 going into halftime.<br/></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d86b32b91d01442e9926d4ce38a7f47a" id="bc23b"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350625748080582657"><div style="margin:1em 0">EWERS TO BOYD
HOW?!?!
#UILState #UILonFSSW https://t.co/BZBBNrmmc2</div> — Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com)<a href="https://twitter.com/dctf/statuses/1350625748080582657">1610849246.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The Chaps got the ball to start the second half, and Klubnik picked up where he left off. The junior quarterback rushed for a season-long 44 yards that would set up Grey Nakfoor for his second rushing touchdown of the game from three yards out. On the first Southlake possession, Taaffe made one of the best plays in Westlake history. One second down, Taaffe was able to make a one-handed interception on Ewers. The turnover lead to another score for the Chaparrals making the score 42-21 and all but sealing the game for Coach Todd and his team.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="597e4c0985e39dd5df5189c71c0ea467" id="f1714"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350642075537170442"><div style="margin:1em 0">ONE-HANDED INTERCEPTION 😳
@Westlake_Nation DB Michael Taaffe goes full Odell Beckham Jr. for his second INT of the… https://t.co/QHW1YITsrW</div> — FOX Sports Southwest (@FOX Sports Southwest)<a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsSW/statuses/1350642075537170442">1610853139.0</a></blockquote></div><p>After a third rushing touchdown for Nakfoor, Southlake Carroll was finally able to score with 4:31 left in the game on a ten-yard touchdown catch from Ewers to RJ Maryland to make the score 52-27 after a missed two-point conversion. The score snapped 24 unanswered points scored by Westlake against Southlake. Southlake was able to score one last time on an Owen Allen rushing touchdown to make the final score a more respectable 52-34 win for Westlake.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="aabce2e76e46066e58f3ecaeb5c9a4b0" id="e920b"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350660199154126848"><div style="margin:1em 0">IT'S OVER!
Austin Westlake wins the 6A Division I State Championship! 🏆
#TXHSFB | @uiltexas | #UILonFSSW |… https://t.co/0FB9EhO0nG</div> — FOX Sports Southwest (@FOX Sports Southwest)<a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsSW/statuses/1350660199154126848">1610857460.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The dueling quarterbacks both ended with great numbers: Offensive MVP Cade Klubnik going 18-20 for 220 yards and a touchdown to pair with 111 yards rushing and two scores, and Quinn Ewers had 351 yards and three touchdowns to go along with two interceptions and a fumble.<span></span></p><p>For Todd Dodge, the championship marks his sixth title coaching at the 5A/6A level, making his already legendary career a little more special. The win for Westlake made them the first team in school history to win back-to-back state titles and sets them up to be the first team since Allen to try to win three championships in a row at the 5A/6A level ('12-'14). For Coach Riley, Southlake is already projected to win their district next season with the returns they are projected to have. Fans should not be surprised if we are in for a "Dodge Bowl II" next season.</p>
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(Christa McWhirter)
After supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in a deadly riot last week, the FBI circulated an internal bulletin warning of armed protests being held at all 50 state capitols at least until Inauguration Day.
Here in Austin, local and state law enforcement officials have ramped up security around the Texas Capitol, the Texas Legislature has adjourned until Jan. 26 and downtown businesses have boarded up their storefronts—again.
<p><strong>Law enforcement</strong> </p><p>The Texas Capitol reopened on Jan. 4. Two days later, it closed abruptly due to the Capitol riot, which was accompanied by <a href="https://austonia.com/trump-rally-photos" target="_self">a local protest</a> of Trump loyalists with signs that read "Hang traitors" and vehicles decorated with Qanon hashtags. By Tuesday, it had reopened in time for the first day of the Texas legislative session. Lawmakers gathered for the first time in two years, amid the ongoing pandemic and under <a href="https://austonia.com/state-capitol-security" target="_self">heavy security presence</a>.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<a href="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQzNTczOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNTc4NDE5OH0.1aL6UyM08vDA0B9LlJS8itZ_9FG9IwcsqSaF6B8uTlk/img.jpg?width=980" target="_blank"><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="50c8763703f436ad600db1767aed8409" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="9feb1" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQzNTczOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNTc4NDE5OH0.1aL6UyM08vDA0B9LlJS8itZ_9FG9IwcsqSaF6B8uTlk/img.jpg?width=980"/></a>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">DPS troops lined the Texas Capitol Jan. 7 after pro-Trump protesters infiltrated the U.S. Capitol.</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">
(Bob Daemmrich)
</small>
</p><p>The police presence will continue at least through Jan. 20, when President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be inaugurated.<br/></p><p>The Texas Department of Public Safety has deployed additional officers to the Texas Capitol and "is continuously monitoring events and their impact on public safety," according to a statement shared with Austonia. "While we do not discuss operational specifics, DPS will continue to adjust our operations as needed to maintain public order and address potential threats."</p><p>DPS Director Steven McCraw told state senators this week that authorities are monitoring multiple sects, which could prompt the need for reinforcements if they decide to travel to the capital and band together, as <a href="https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/15/texas-readies-fbi-warns-state-capitols-protest-threats/4174667001/" target="_blank">the Austin American-Statesman reported Friday</a>. </p><p>The Austin Police Department confirmed it has "reports of planned assemblies" in a similar statement. "We fully respect people's ability to exercise their First Amendment rights, and we will be prepared to respond as needed to ensure the community's safety," it read in part.</p><p>DPS has not requested the assistance of the Travis County Sheriff's Office, but the agency has a plan in place to respond if that changes, a spokesperson wrote in an email.</p><p>Meanwhile, federal law enforcement is also at work.</p><p>The San Antonio branch of the FBI said its "efforts are focused on identifying, investigating and disrupting individuals that are inciting violence and engaging in criminal activity," in a statement shared with Austonia. </p><p>And the U.S. Attorneys representing the four districts in Texas <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/us-attorneys-warn-dont-mess-texas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">issued a press release</a> on Wednesday headlined "Don't Mess With Texas," which announced their intent to prosecute any crimes committed at the Texas Capitol or elsewhere in violation of federal law. </p><p><strong>Elected officials</strong></p><p>After the riot at the U.S. Capitol, three Democratic state senators, including Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan asking them to prohibit firearms at the Texas Capitol on the opening day of the legislative session.</p><p>"As there are still individuals who are questioning the legitimate results of the November General Election, it is imperative we take action to prevent this anger from making its way into the halls of the Texas Capitol," they wrote.<br/></p><p>The state Republican leadership denied the request.</p><p>"We've had security briefings and also had increased trooper presence for Opening Day," State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said in a statement shared with Austonia. "We all felt safe, protected and able to focus on the business of the people." </p><p>Two days into the session, both houses of the Texas Legislature adjourned until Jan. 26, which will keep lawmakers away from the Capitol until after Inauguration Day. Coupled with the increased police presence, this vote has led State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, to feel more safe. "That, of course, will help," she told Austonia. </p><p>But Goodwin remains concerned about the prospect of violence on Wednesday. "Of course, there will be those who show up at the Capitol, and I just think that people should be very wary and cognizant of what's going on around them," she said. </p><p>In the meantime, she is focused on her work as a legislator. </p><p>Last month, Goodwin filed a bill that would make it a class B misdemeanor to display a firearm while "attending or within 500 feet of a public demonstration." She was prompted to do so by the death of Garrett Foster, who was shot by <a href="https://austonia.com/army-sgt-daniel-perry-who-claims-he-shot-blm-protestor-garrett-foster-was-driving-for-uber" target="_self">an Uber driver</a> while attending a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin last July. </p><p>"If somebody is at a rally to express their point of view, we don't need that extra tension in the air," she said. </p><p>She also plans to be at the Capitol on Jan. 19, the day before the inauguration, to advocate against Confederate Heroes Day, <a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/texas-confederate-heroes-day-abolish/" target="_blank">a state holiday</a> that sometimes conflicts with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is on Monday.</p><p><strong>Local businesses</strong> </p><p>A handful of downtown businesses—including 7-Eleven, Total Men's Primary Care and a post office branch on Congress Avenue—have boarded up their storefronts ahead of Inauguration Day.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2bd5c673303e0ccbb4fdaa8ce129252e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="16fef" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTQ1NTUwNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNDExNDA0OH0.3GXfuJ6ijXZgpMp5hvAYrKxdhSJtfOv9qcgUTs7C_dk/img.jpg?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(Christa McWhirter) </small></p><p>Buford Snyder, who owns Snyder Commercial Glass Service, <a href="https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/safety-concerns-arise-after-some-armed-protesters-show-up-at-texas-capitol/" target="_blank">told KXAN</a> that his company boarded up several businesses this week amid concern about looming protests.<br/></p><p>Still, many storefronts remain uncovered. </p><p>Eric Joyner, a security guard in the area, says most of the buildings he patrols were untouched over the summer, when protestors gathered en masse in response to police violence and racial injustice. "You just never know what's going to happen though," he said. </p><p><em>Christa McWhirter contributed to this story.</em></p>
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(TechCrunch/CC)
COVID-19 is still raging on, reaching the Texas House earlier this week, but Austin's tech sector is booming.
Here are some of Austin's most breaking stories, broken down into bite-size pieces, so you can be informed quickly.
<p><strong>Austin Convention Center receives first patients:</strong> The Austin Convention Center's alternate care site opened its doors on Tuesday and received its first three patients on Thursday. Following the surge resulting from holiday gatherings, hospital admissions for the virus have been on a steady incline, which puts other emergency patients at risk. With up to 200 spare beds to relieve hospital ICUs, Austin Public Health hopes the site will help control the overwhelming surge.</p><p><strong>Bumble files to go public:</strong> Austin-based matchmaker app is ready to get <a href="https://www.statesman.com/story/business/2021/01/15/austins-bumble-files-paperwork-go-public/4175483001/?utm_source=SND&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=statesman" target="_blank">on the market</a>—the stock market, that is. Bumble filed its registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, estimating that the initial public offering could raise $100 million, and could hit the stock market as early as this year. Though it hasn't released the number of shares it plans to sell or the price range, keep an eye out for the ticker "BMBL" on the NASDAQ.</p><p><strong>Chencho Flores dies after COVID-19 complications: </strong>Lifelong Austinite and multi-talented musician Chencho Flores said a final goodbye to his home city on Jan. 10 after suffering <a href="https://www.austin360.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/01/14/chencho-flores-renowned-austin-conjunto-musician-dies-covid-19/4159208001/?utm_source=SND&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=austin360" target="_blank">COVID-19 complications</a>. The 91-year-old began playing music around the community in the 1940s, picking up guitar, accordion and eventually becoming known for his singing and MC abilities. He stayed active in the community with Conjunto Los Pinkys up until his death.</p><p><strong>COVID-19 in the House: </strong>State Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, tested positive for COVID-19 three days after the Texas lawmakers called this year into session, he <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/15/texas-house-member-coronavirus-quarantine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">told the Texas Tribune</a>. Deshotel had received a test six days before he tested positive and said he had "no idea" how he contracted it, though he is now in quarantine. The news came the day after House members gathered for the start of 2021 session, which will not require members to get tested before they enter the chamber. Upon hearing the news, some House members, including Democrats Erin Zwiener and Michelle Beckley, said they would quarantine according to CDC guidelines.</p><p><strong>Digital Realty goes east: </strong>Joining an ever-growing list of companies making Austin home base, <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-realty-announces-relocation-of-global-headquarters-to-austin-tx-301208446.html" target="_blank">Digital Realty announced Thursday</a> that it would be packing up and moving its HQ from San Francisco to Austin. Austin has become a choice destination for business owners with <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-oracle-hq?q=oracle" target="_self">Oracle</a> and <a href="https://austonia.com/tesla-gigfactory-site-plan?q=tesla" target="_self">Tesla</a> both announcing their move to the city last year. Digital Realty already has Texas roots: an office in downtown Dallas and more than 30 data centers around Texas. The company did not announce when they would make it to Texas but they maintain they will keep a strong presence in San Francisco.</p>
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