Carrie Arsenault kept thinking about her children. She had just finished a belated birthday dinner with a friend and was heading home about 10:45 p.m.

The morning and evening commutes for about 27,000 drivers on RM 2222 became a major headache Wednesday after a 50-foot-long chunk of pavement washed away about 5 a.m., forcing the closure of the West Austin artery.

Seventeen-year-old Ericka Gracia cried in her mother's arms Wednesday while her father dug backyard graves for her dogs that were killed by the early-morning flood that destroyed her house and scarred her young life.

When forecasters predicted how much rain the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine could pour onto Central Texas early Wednesday, they estimated that most of the area would see 1 to 3 more inches of rain, with isolated regions getting 12 inches or more.

The City of Austin may forgo some holiday cheer this year to spruce up city parks. A majority of City Council members want to use $374,000 set aside to produce the Trail of Lights to hire more parks maintenance workers instead.

A group opposed to a proposal to annex the San Marcos school district into Austin Community College's taxing district has filed for an injunction against city leaders, accusing the mayor and a member of the San Marcos City Council of using city resources "in connection with their advocacy of the annexation." The political action committee, Citizens Advocating Responsible Education - SMCISD , filed a petition last week that seeks to stop Mayor Susan Narvaiz and Council Member Kim Porterfield from using city facilities and resources to promote the annexation.

Even the rescuers have to be rescued sometimes. One STAR Flight helicopter crew got to see that scenario firsthand early Wednesday when it was dispatched to pull three men - including two Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services personnel and a member of the Weir Volunteer Fire Department - stranded in the rising waters of the San Gabriel River near Georgetown.

The State Fire Marshal's Office stands behind its controversial conclusion that Cameron Todd Willingham started the house fire that killed his three children in 1991, contradicting arson experts and scientists who insist the agency relied on bad science in its investigation.

• A story on Wednesday's Page B1 misstated the number of candidates who participated in a debate hosted by the Hill Country Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 23 and the Hays County Law Enforcement Association.

A federal grand jury has indicted six men from Austin and one from Elgin in a case in which they are accused of agreeing with an undercover agent to rob a drug stash house.

Hays County sheriff's office investigators have charged three men with murder and are searching for a fourth in connection with a homicide investigation.

County moves toward solar farm tax breaks Travis County commissioners voted 4-0 on Tuesday to move forward with tax incentives for a planned solar farm in northeastern Travis County.

San Marcos 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony: 9 a.m. Saturday. Program includes flag ceremony, tolling of the bell and a moment of silence.

HEALTH Seton disputes Forbes listing Forbes.com has listed Seton Medical Center Austin as the fifth most profitable hospital in the nation.

William H. Goetzmann, a retired University of Texas professor of American studies and American civilization who won the Pulitzer Prize in history in 1967 for his book "Exploration and Empire," has died.

Barton Springs/Barton Creek Greenbelt closed; call golf courses to check availability.

CENTRAL TEXAS DIGEST Austin Man sought in Wells Fargo heist Police are investigating a bank robbery in which a man walked into a Wells Fargo branch in the 3200 block of Red River Street about noon Saturday, demanded cash and fled on foot, said Austin police spokesman Cpl.

Symposium explores public art, partnerships, engagement and more Sept. 11.

Decker Elementary School's kitchen has gone high tech. A computer system paid for with a federal stimulus grant has given the kitchen staff a swifter way to organize menus, keep track of daily work and inventory, and monitor ovens and other appliances.

Kennedy Ridge Estates residents whose water service has been shut off might qualify for emergency county funds to help pay their water bills.