Sewage spills into creek tributary

Roughly 100,000 gallons of sewage spilled from a manhole in southeast Austin on Tuesday evening and made its way into a tributary of Williamson Creek, a spokesman for the Austin Water Utility announced on Wednesday.

Officials said residents near the 6000 block of Wagon Bend Trail, just southeast of the intersection of Interstate 35 and East Stassney Lane, should avoid the creek and its tributaries.

Jason Hill, a spokesman for the utility, said tree roots growing through a manhole cover and wastewater line had caused the backup and overflow of the sewage.

On Wednesday he said crews were working to clean up as much of the sewage as possible. Public drinking water supplies were not affected, he said.

The Austin school district is inviting community members to learn about and give feedback on proposed facility recommendations for its fine arts program.

The district will collect feedback at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Bowie High School, 4103 Slaughter Lane.

Seton Southwest Hospital at 7900 FM 1826 will celebrate the opening of an expanded maternity area and other improvements totaling $8.2 million at 11 a.m. Thursday. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony and tour the improved areas.

The expansion features a new labor and delivery wing, including a neonatal intensive care unit.