Local News
Austin musician gets 32 years in killing
Austin — A musician in Austin has been sentenced to 32 years in prison over what prosecutors say was a drug-related slaying.
A judge on Monday sentenced 35-year-old Fred Ora Ridings III over the August 2008 killing of 37-year-old Ronnie Whited. A jury on Friday convicted Ridings of murder in the shooting.
Ridings, who plays guitar and upright bass, appeared with bands at clubs throughout Austin.
His mother, Virginia Ridings, testified that her son had memory loss and paranoia over the past decade after he had been in a car accident.
Defense attorney Kent Anschutz says Ridings is mentally ill.
Prosecutor Leslie Booker argued that Ridings is dangerous and had sought a 60-year prison term.
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Prosecutors: Teen used arrow to kill woman
A teenager living next door killed the founder of a popular San Antonio restaurant with an arrow before setting her house ablaze and bankrolling a spending spree on her credit cards, prosecutors told a jury Monday.
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Michael Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty
Michael Jackson's doctor pleaded not guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop star at a brief hearing that had all the trappings of another sensational celebrity courtroom drama.
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Top 2 Dem. gov. hopefuls talk jobs, death penalty
Democratic hair care businessman Farouk Shami guaranteed Monday that he would create 100,000 jobs available to everyone, offer free electricity and an enact a moratorium on the death penalty if elected governor of Texas.
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Texas State students in the running for spot on the red carpet
With enough votes, two Texas State University students could be on the red carpet for the 82nd annual Academy Awards
- Toyota plans to recall 300,000 Priuses
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Space shuttle blasts off on last night flight
Endeavour and six astronauts rocketed into orbit Monday on what's likely the last nighttime launch for the shuttle program, hauling a new room and observation deck for the International Space Station.
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Hooked on hooking fish
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The road to ruin
The number of real properties affected by post-bankruptcy court filings in the Austin district, which includes Hays County, rose only three percent from 2008 to 2009. However, the dollar value of those properties jumped by 47 percent.
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Meetings developing MY35 concept to present to TxDOT
Through this summer, regional leaders will meet monthly as part of a new citizen-driven planning effort to develop a blueprint of improvements for the Interstate 35 corridor to be recommended to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
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With the launch of a revamped Web site, the San Marcos Daily Record is offering new ways to follow local news, sports and events.
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Prosecutors: Teen used arrow to kill woman
