Toll roads
Two-thousand-seven begins in the car and on the road. Just as Central Texans get used to toll roads, many more miles are scheduled to open up later this year. That includes stretches of State Highway 130 from Georgetown to Seguin and Highway 183-A near Cedar Park.
Beginning Jan. 6, the free ride is over on all existing toll roads. But drivers with a TxTag can still get through toll booths faster and free until February.
Legislature
On Jan. 9, lawmakers take their seats at the State Capitol for the 80th time. The two top items on their plate this time around are public schools and immigration. Some lawmakers want to see the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Test (TAKS) out and another standardized test in its place. The Senate Education Committee would rather see what they call “end-of-course exams” in schools.As for immigration, one bill challenges the automatic citizenship of babies born to illegal immigrants in Texas. If one lawmaker has his way, it would bar them from state benefits like food stamps or health care.
Murder trial
On Jan. 22, Colton Pitonyak, a former UT student accused of murder, goes on trial. Jennifer Cave's death sent shockwaves through the area in August 2005.
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Law officers later tracked the accused 22-year-old Pitonyak to Mexico. Investigators say he shot Cave, then mutilated her body inside a West Campus apartment. He was traveling with a 22-year-old woman when officers caught up. The trial could take at least two weeks.High-end retail
In March, get ready to do some serious shopping in Northwest Austin. That's when The Domain opens for business, and with it 700,000-square-feet of high-end retail, restaurant and office space. It’ll have Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Tiffany’s, along with hundreds of luxury apartments and room to grow.The Domain sits on more than 200 acres, and borders MoPac, Highway 183 and Capital of Texas Highway. Developers also plan even more stores, restaurants, and apartments in the years to come.
New Children’s Hospital
On June 27, Seton Family of Hospitals will celebrate the completion of the new Dell Children's Medical Center.The old one is closing its doors at Brackenridge Hospital and moving to its new digs at the old Robert Mueller airport, complete with 475,000 square feet of space, 170 beds and an environmentally-friendly design. The Dell Children's Medical Center will be three times the size of the current hospital.
Missing woman anniversary
Also making news in 2007, next week will mark five years since Rachel Cooke was last seen. The Georgetown teen disappeared while jogging near her family's home on Jan. 10, 2002.Late in 2006, authorities charged Michael Moore with Rachel's death. Lawyers say he had agreed to a plea bargain, but to their surprise, Moore later pleaded "not guilty" in court. He's already serving a life sentence for the murder of a Round Rock woman.