With Cesar Chavez falling out of favor, my modest proposal is to rename Austin’s former 1st Street after local restaurant legend, Matt Martinez, whose first business was on the street in question. @KirkPWatson
AUSTIN MAN shot and killed a construction worker at 6am outside a North Lamar bar. He disappeared for two months before SWAT pulled him from a Central Austin apartment last week.
The shooter, Jesus “Loco” Ramos, had been cycling through Travis County courts for years. Prosecutors had plenty of chances to stop him. They waited until a man was dead.
2019: Arrested for felony cocaine possession. Prosecutors reduced it to a misdemeanor. Plea deal; 30 days.
2019: Arrested for felony evading arrest with a vehicle. Dismissed.
2020: Arrested again for felony evading with a vehicle. Reduced to a misdemeanor. Plea deal; 30 days.
2021: APD's Gang Unit busted an open-air drug ring on Walnut Ridge Drive involving masked men waving rifles in the street. Ramos was caught after a car chase and foot pursuit. A loaded revolver was found next to his seat. He was already a convicted felon and prohibited from having a gun.
Prosecutors nevertheless declined to prosecute.
2022: Arrested for aggravated robbery with a firearm -- a first-degree felony, up to life in prison.
DA rejected the case in five days. No charges filed.
2022: Arrested again carrying a weapon as a convicted felon. Sat for two years. Dismissed -- prosecutors just took the gun.
2025: Crashed his truck into a tree near UT, fled on foot, identified by his face tattoos. Prosecutors gave him a diversion program. Case dismissed January 8, 2026.
January 12, 2026 — four days later: Seferino Hernandez-Perez was shot and killed outside of Paris Lounge on N Lamar.
7 charges before the murder. 4 felonies. Every one reduced or thrown out. 0 jury trials. 60 total days in jail.
Now the victim’s children are trying to raise enough money to bring their dead father’s corpse back to Mexico.
Recent data for Travis County (encompassing Austin) shows felony case outcomes vary. Under DA Garza (2021-2022), ~50% of closed felony cases were declined prosecution (KXAN analysis). This compares to 27% in 2018-2019. Rejections made up 56% of drops, dismissals 44%. For 2024, 263 cases missed indictment deadlines, leading to 61 dismissals (Statesman). Downgrade stats are limited; many pleas reduce charges. No full 2025 data available yet.
🚨 BREAKING: In an INCREDIBLE development, 43 critically missing children were just SAVED before Christmas in Florida thanks to federal involvement with local police
Aged 1-17.
THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT!
"This was the largest missing child operation EVER conducted in northern Florida!" ☀️
"We're very proud to say that 43 children will now be home safe for the holidays." 🙏🏻
"According to the U.S. Marshals, through Operation Northern Light, children ranging from one and a half to 17 years old were reunited with their families."
"After 12 days, 43 children were found all across Florida."
"This video, taken by the Leon County Sheriff's Office in Florida, shows federal agents and law enforcement officers working behind the scenes to rescue dozens of critically missing children."
Hallelujah!
Notre Dame is the Meghan Markle of college football-
Royal by its own declaration, separated from all family by choice, and convinced the system is rigged against it.