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A water main break on Bowie Street between Fifth and Sixth streets this morning cut off water to Whole Foods, which is closed until 4 p.

m. today because of the break.
Officials have diverted traffic from the area, starting at the east side of Fifth and Lamar, a spokeswoman for the City of Austin Water Utility said.

At about 12:15, officials said the area would likely be closed another 4-6 hours.
A 12-inch water line broke at around 5 a.m.

this morning, said Laurie Lentz, causing water to flow over the street. Since then, the water has done a lot of damage to the bedding beneath the road, Lentz added. Crews have set up traffic controls in the area and are working to shut off water valves.

Lentz said crews had not started repairs as of 12 p.m. because they were still pumping water out of the hole where the break started.

The cause of the break was not immediately known, but Lentz said that one cause may have been the stretch of rainy weather over the last few days. Rain can cause silt to shift and expand. Lentz said repairs could take several hours and drivers should avoid the area today.

20 murders for a city of 900,000. Consider yourself lucky.
While 20 murders seems like a lot and its an unacceptable figure, just thank God you re not in New Orleans, my former home.

They have had over 160 murders with a population of 1/3 that of Austin.
Merry Christmas where applicable.
A swift shot to the head for anyone that murders during the holiday season.

And on Christmas day??
At 2:10 a.

m., South Central Area Command patrol officers responded to a 911 call of a person down in the parking lot of the Regatta Apartments located at 1201 Town Lake Creek Drive. When officers arrived at the scene they located a Hispanic male with obvious trauma to the body.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives have located several individuals in an apartment where it is believed the incident occurred. These individuals may have information about the deceased.

They are currently being questioned by detectives.
Detectives believe there were people in the parking lot and surrounding area when the murder occurred. Individuals who may have information or witnessed the incident are asked to contact the Homicide tip line at 477-3588 or CrimeStoppers at 472-8477.

This case remains under investigation by APD Homicide detectives. This is the 20th murder of 2006.
One woman died and six others were displaced after a fire at a North Austin duplex at about 9 a.

m. this morning, officials said.
The fire fighters who first arrived on the scene reported seeing lots of smoke and flames coming from the doors and windows of one side of the duplex, said Lt.

Andy Reardon of the Austin Fire Department. Firefighters entering the building found the woman inside and pulled her out to attempt to resuscitate her, he said.
They were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene, Reardon said.

The woman was home alone in that unit of the duplex when the fire occurred, he said.
Six other people, who live in the unit of the duplex on Bonnie Brae Street near Teasdale Terrace had to leave their home, which suffered some smoke damage after fire, but were not injured, Reardon said. The Red Cross is assisting them, he said.

The cause of the fire and the amount of damage it caused are unknown at this time, Reardon said.
The victim from the traffic fatality today that occurred in the 2500 block of I-35 North Service Road has been identified as Metroud McKissic, 36.
It is believed that the driver of a GMC Sonoma was traveling northbound in the 2500 block of I-35 North.

The driver exited at the 32nd Street exit. For unknown reasons, the driver lost control and struck a concrete pillar.
The driver was transported to Brackenridge Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:43 a.

m. due to injuries received in the collision. There were no other individuals in the Sonoma.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or have information about this incident to call 974-4761. This case remains under investigation by APD Vehicular Homicide detectives. This was the 65th traffic fatality of 2006.

At 11:03 a.m., North Central Area Command patrol officers responded to a 911 call of a shooting at 9900 Quail Boulevard.

After arriving on the scene, officers were able to determine that an altercation had occurred between two males. During the altercation, one male discharged a weapon.
The victim was transported to Brackenridge Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

A possible suspect was located by officers a short time later. He is being interviewed by Homicide detectives.
Individuals who may have information or witnessed the incident or asked to contact the Homicide tip line at 477-3588 or CrimeStoppers at 472-8477.

This case remains under investigation by APD Homicide detectives. This is the 19th murder of 2006.
The name of the deceased is not being released.

An early morning fire in South Austin today in the 120 block of Alpine Road near St. Edward s University around 4:35 a.m.

was extinguished by three members of Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services, emergency officials said.
Paramedics H. Thomas, Jay Paladino and John Constantino were responding to a minor medical emergency at the Alpine Grove Apartments when they noticed a fire burning on the second floor landing in front of the front door of an apartment, according to an Austin Fire Department press release.

They extinguished the small fire, then directed a resident inside to the door of the apartment, which had filled with smoke. The man, who has not been identified, was carried to safety by the crew and was taken to Brackenridge Hospital for possible smoke inhalation. The original medical call, in another apartment, was handled by an additional EMS unit.