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Community Corner

🌱 $16M In Settlements + Project Connect Updates 🚊 + Pedicab Crash

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)

Happy Friday, neighbors! Who's ready for Halloween weekend? If you're like me, you're looking forward to an excuse to gorge on a bucket of fun-size candy bars. Anywho, I am back in your inbox with the latest news and community updates.

Grab your mug of coffee and settle in while we cover:

  • The City of Austin officially paid out $16.6 million to injured protesters.
  • You've heard about Project Connect, but – when are the trains coming?
  • A pedicab driver was arrested following a crash in downtown Austin.
  • Spooky weather and plenty of Halloween events are coming. Keep scrolling for the deets. ⬇️

But first, today's weather:

Drenching morning t-storms. High: 74 Low: 54.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) The City of Austin has officially paid out $16.6 million to protesters injured in May 2020. The Statesman reports: "...Austin has now settled an eighth lawsuit brought by a person injured by a police officer during the May 2020 social justice protests." This most recent settlement will go to Joe Herrera, a U.S. Army veteran who was "shot in the leg by an officer with a less-lethal bean bag munition." Head to The Statesman to learn more about Herrera's case and other related settlements.

2) We're officially two years into the Project Connect initiative and many community members are wondering when they can expect to see more progress. KXAN investigators took a closer look at whether the massive light rail project is still on track – check it out.

3) A pedicab driver was arrested on Tuesday morning following a crash in downtown Austin. The crash resulted in the pedicab passengers being ejected from the vehicle and landing in the hospital with major injuries. CBS Austin reports: "Officers said [driver] had a strong alcohol odor, and his eyes were bloodshot, glassy, and dilated. Officers determined he was intoxicated based on the conditions he exhibited during their interaction." CBS Austin has the full story here.

4) Spooky weather alert: storms are brewing across Central Texas today. Heavy rain, small hail, damaging winds, and lots of lightning are possible with this line of storms. Head over to KXAN for the full weather report.

Today in Austin:

  • Austin Film Festival at various locations. (9 a.m.)
  • C'est la Vida at The VORTEX. (5 p.m.)
  • Lucktoberfest 2022 at Luck Ranch. (5 p.m.)
  • Levitation Festival at various locations. (5:30 p.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Blue's Clues & You! Live On Stage at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (5:30 p.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Community Cinema Presents: "Hocus Pocus" at Community First! Village. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Reba with special guest Terri Clark at Moody Center. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Josh Abbott Band with Hailey Whitters at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Me First and the Gimme Gimmes with Surfbort and The Black Tones at The Far Out Lounge. (6:30 p.m.)
  • A Night Of Comedy at Monks Jazz Club. (7:30 p.m. + 10 p.m.)
  • 10th Annual Spooky Silent Disco at the Belmont. (10 p.m.)

Top Halloween Events This Weekend:

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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