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Community Corner

🌱 12-Hour SWAT Situation + Toll Road Rate Hikes + Austin Film Fest 🎞

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Austin.

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Good morning, everyone! I'm back in your inbox this morning with the latest and greatest local news and community updates.

Settle in with a hot mug of coffee while we dive into:

  • 12-hour SWAT situation ends with suspect in custody.
  • Voters may see some extra faces at their polling location this election.
  • Rate hikes are on the way for Central Texas toll roads.
  • Austin Film Festival kicks off today, ACL Hall of Fame Induction, and plenty o' Halloween events and activities! Keep scrolling for the full scoop ⬇️

But first, today's weather:

Increasing cloudiness. High: 81 Low: 60.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) A man who refused to leave a home in South Austin was arrested following a 12-hour SWAT situation. An armed man barricaded himself inside a home on Collins Creek Drive (near South Pleasant Valley Road and East Oltorf Road). KVUE has the details.

2) Voters may see some extra faces at their polling location this election — poll watchers. Poll watchers have been a thing in Texas for quite some time, but in 2021 Senate Bill 1 (SB1) was passed and ultimately boosted protections for partisan poll watchers. That said, locals have seen an increase in poll watchers since early voting kicked off on Monday. Neighbors, curious to learn more about what this means for you, and what poll watchers can and cannot do? KVUE has the scoop here.

3) Rate hikes are on the way for Central Texas toll roads. KXAN reports: "Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, a new 8.2% toll rate increase will be applied to Central Texas toll roads. The increase results in a $0.04 to $0.14 increase per toll gantry on 183A, 290, 71, 45SW and 183 Toll, and the MoPac Express Lane will increase by $.05 per segment." Just when I was getting comfortable using 183 Toll to beat the I-35 traffic! Woof. KXAN has more on this upcoming change here.

4) An 18-year-old victim was found shot inside a crashed vehicle in West Austin. CBS Austin reports that the crash happened shortly after midnight on Saturday, Oct. 22 near North Mopac Expressway and FM 2222. Anyone with information or video of the incident should call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. CBS Austin has more on this developing story.

5) A new affordable housing community is being built in Southwest Austin. NRP Group kicked off construction on Tuesday of a 318-unit, affordable housing community, "The Bridge at Estancia," in the Estancia Hill Country development near the intersection of I-35 and State Highway 45. Learn more about this community here at KXAN.

Today in Austin:

  • Austin Film Festival at various locations. (8 a.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Texas School for the Deaf's Trunk o' Treat at Gamblin Field. (4:30 p.m.)
  • Levitation Festival at various locations. (4:30 p.m.)
  • Austin Pets Alive! Thrift Halloween Event at Austin Pets Alive! Thrift - 51st. (5 p.m.)
  • ACL Hall of Fame Induction & Celebration Honoring Sheryl Crow & Joe Ely at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6 p.m.)
  • Heavyweights: Stand-Up Comedy at East Austin Comedy Club. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Steve Lacy at Emo's. (7 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🎤 Lizzo came to town this week, and put on a show! "Deafening cheers that lasted several minutes broke out again and again during the Austin edition of The Special Tour, hosted by the rapper/singer/master flutist also known as Lizzo, at the Moody Center on Tuesday night." (Austin360 via Facebook)
  • ⚽ The watch party you won't want to miss:"It's the most highly anticipated game in Austin FC history. ⚽️🌳 If you are not traveling to Los Angeles, the MLS team is hosting a watch party to see the #Verde play against LAFC in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final." The event will be at the Q2 Stadium. (CBS Austin via Facebook)
  • 🍂 Family fun for everyone at Fall Fest: "Come join us at Doris Miller Auditorium for Lisa's Fall Fest. We'll have games, prizes, and family fun for everyone. See you there!" The event will be this Friday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. (Austin Parks & Rec via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Jessica Collins

About me: Jessica is happy to call Austin her home for the past 10+ years. She loves the outdoors, arts & cinema, dining, and all of the natural beauty that Central Texas has to offer.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Daily? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com

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