SUMMARY: AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Parks and Recreation Board urges city leaders to allocate an additional $2.62 million to their budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The board unanimously voted 8-0 for the increase, highlighting the need for more full-time lifeguards and other resources. Chair Pedro Villalobos emphasized the request as a starting point, noting Austin needs 90 full-time employees for proper maintenance. Most of the requested funds would support park upkeep, with $2.24 million earmarked for maintenance, including hiring 16 full-time employees. Additionally, $385,000 is requested for the Homeless Encampment Response Team to manage encampments and aid homeless individuals.

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SUMMARY: A court case is set to determine who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Richard Montanez, a former PepsiCo executive, claims he created the snack and is suing the company for allegedly ruining his career. Montanez began as a janitor at PepsiCo and developed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos after experimenting with unflavored Cheetos in 1977. He advanced within the company, becoming its vice president of multicultural marketing before retiring in 2019. However, PepsiCo disputes his story, asserting others were already developing spicy snacks. Montanez claims PepsiCo’s actions have negatively impacted his career, and he is seeking damages for discrimination, fraud, and defamation.

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SUMMARY: Austin's Blue Starlite drive-in theater chain reported a theft at their 500 VFW Road location, where tech equipment such as projectors, laptops, and AV supplies were stolen. All Blue Starlite locations have experienced robberies over the years, with significant equipment losses, including an incident in early 2023. Owner Josh Frank expressed concerns over the inability to withstand further losses. Despite the setback, the downtown location remains open on a limited schedule. Supporters can help by purchasing tickets or booking private screenings. Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to aid in their recovery efforts. More information is available on their website.

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The post 'Pretty devastated': Austin's Blue Starlite drive-in robbed appeared first on www.kxan.com