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Community Corner

🌱 66th Homicide Being Investigated + Grand Opening: Trail Of Lights ✨

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, neighbors! It's Jessica Collins, your host of the Austin Patch newsletter. Let's get your day started off right with a quick review of the most important news and community updates.

Settle in while we cover:

  • APD is investigating its 66th homicide of the year.
  • South by Southwest is adding more than 300 artists to its 2023 music roster!
  • A community member will receive her doctorate degree at the tender age of 75.
  • This evening is the official grand opening of the 2023 Trail of Lights!

But first, today's weather:

A morning shower in spots. High: 80 Low: 66.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) A new treatment center focused on mental health programs for teenagers, opened in Southwest Austin. According to the World Health Organization, depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents ages 10-19 years old. Paradigm Treatment Center offers care for 13-to-17-year-olds who've "tried regular mental health therapy, been hospitalized, or tried an intensive outpatient program or a partial hospitalization program." The Statesman has more on Paradigm's programs, how financing works, and why this facility was long overdue for Austin.

2) A man died after a shooting in Downtown Austin. The shooting occurred at East 6th and Neches streets early yesterday morning. Police officials attempted CPR on the scene, but the victim did not survive. KVUE has more on this story here.

3) Feel-good news: a 75-year-old doctoral graduate shows that it's never too late to make your dreams a reality. Emily Salazar will proudly accept her Doctor of Education (EdD) degree tomorrow, from St. Edward's University, a goal many years in the making! Head over to KXAN to learn more about Emily's incredible journey and the impact her family, friends, and students had on her lifelong aspirations.

Fun fact: Emily Salazar was my college career counselor and had a huge impact on my professional success! Congrats to you, Emily! We're all so incredibly proud.

4) South by Southwest 2023 officially added a whopping 301 artists to its event roster! The new additions include: The Zombies, OSEES, Be Your Own Pet, and many more! Check out the full lineup here at The Statesman.

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Today in Austin:

  • 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
  • Ice Rodeo at The Four Seasons Austin. (4 p.m.)
  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
  • Grand Opening: 2023 Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. (7 p.m.)
  • Shaq's Bass All-Stars at Emo's. (7 p.m.)
  • Langhorne Slim with Lilly Hiatt at Antone's. (7 p.m.)
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Bass Concert Hall. (7:30 p.m.)
  • A Christmas Carol at The Topfer at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Turnover with Video Age & Temple Of Angels at Mohawk. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 📉 Rent prices slowly dropping: "Overall, rent in Austin is still up about 24.7% since the start of the pandemic. But in November, prices went down by about 1.2%." (KVUE via Facebook)
  • 🤝 Community member in need: "Naquisha Taylor used to see her kids every three to four months because she had been homeless since 2016. Now that she has found a place to live, she needs to furnish her apartment so that all her children can live with her." (Austin American-Statesman via Facebook)
  • 💰 Local lottery winner: "The winning ticket was sold at the H-E-B in Georgetown on Ronald W. Reagan Blvd." Congrats, neighbor!! (CBS Austin via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early 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 Patch newsletter? 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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