Oscar Brockett Passes Away
University of Texas at Austin Professor Emeritus and internationally known theater historian Oscar Brockett has passed away. He died Sunday morning after suffering a stroke. In the late 60s he wrote “History of the Theatre”. The website for UT's Department of Theatre and Dance says:
History of the Theatre, the top–ranked and highest–selling theatre history text of the 20th century. Translated into many languages, including Chinese, Arabic, and Czech, his books have attracted world–wide readership. In 1998, a national conference was held at UT to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the publication of History of the Theatre and to honor its author.
Professor Brockett was 87 years old.
Services Set for Rep. Edmund Kuempel
Funeral services are set for Texas State Representative Edmund Kuempel. He will lie in repose at Tres Hewell Mortuary in Seguin today. His funeral is tomorrow morning at Faith Lutheran Church also in Seguin.
Following the funeral, Representative Kuempel will be buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. He died after suffering a heart attack Thursday at the age of 67.
Testimony Continues in DeLay Case
The second week of testimony in former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's case begins today. DeLay is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the 2002 Texas elections. DeLay says he is not guilty. Prosecutors will continue presenting their case at the Travis County Criminal Justice Complex. If convicted he could face up to life in prison.
Austin Picking Chief Animal Services Officer
Austinites have a chance to meet the finalists for the city's new chief animal services officer position tonight. This person will oversee the transition from the Town Lake Animal Center to the city's new animal center on Levander Loop in East Austin.
The public meet-and-greet will be at Town Lake Center (Austin Energy's office), Assembly Room No. 130, 721 Barton Springs Road from 6-8 p.m. Read more about the five candidates interviewing for the job today here.
Austin Police Monitor Interviews this Week
Austin will soon have a new police monitor. That person's job is to promote good relations between the Austin Police Department and the community. The monitor handles complaints from the public about police officers.
Six semifinalists will interview for the City of Austin's police monitor position on Friday. Read more about the applicants here. Current Police Monitor Cliff Brown is resigning next month. He was elected as judge of the 147th District Court in Travis County in last Tuesday's voting.
