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Community Corner

🌱 Body Found In Lady Bird Lake + City Preps For Safety At SXSW

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 hope you all had a chance to enjoy the incredible weather we had this past weekend! It's officially Monday in Austin and I'm back in your inbox to help you start your morning off on the right note, with the most important local news and community updates.

Grab your morning java while we dive into:

  • Spring Break and SXSW 2023 are almost here — learn how the city plans to keep everyone safe.
  • A local jewelry company will have its gems on display at the 95th Academy Awards — keep scrolling for the scoop.
  • A proposed bill strives to offer tenants additional protections.

But first, today's weather:

Low clouds, fog breaking. High: 82 Low: 63.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) A body was recovered from Lady Bird Lake on Sunday morning. EMS arrived at the 700 block of West Riverside Drive just before 10 a.m., after witnesses reported a body in the water. The victim was declared dead on the scene. KVUE has more on this story here.

2) As we inch closer to the 2023 South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) and Spring Break, Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) and law enforcement officials are ramping up their staffing and resources. Cpt. Darren Noak of ATCEMS told KVUE: "We basically treat that [SXSW] as a city within a city. So we really create our own EMS system in that area in with the hopes of keeping the ambulances that are on duty normally in their normal response districts." Austin PD will also be launching its "no refusal" initiative to minimize drunk driving incidents. Learn more here at KVUE.

3) A proposed bill filed by Texas State Representative Sheryl Cole would require apartment complexes and landlords to repair broken air conditioning systems. Seems wild that this isn't already a "thing," huh? Cole's proposed legislation would require apartment complexes to provide air conditioning that "maintains a temperature of 10 degrees below the recorded temperature outside the apartment or 85 degrees, whichever is lower." The legislation also would require landlords or property managers to fix broken air conditioning units within five days of the incident report, or provide the tenant with alternate accommodations until the repair is complete. KXAN has more on this piece of legislation.

4) Hundreds gathered on the LBJ Lawn for the 2023 Holi celebration yesterday. Members of the University of Texas' Hindu Student Association hosted the event, which featured exuberant colors, spontaneous fun and the marking of spring blossoming with new beginnings. Check out the Austin-American Statesman's photos!

Today in Austin:

  • Books and Babies at Austin Public Library, North Village Branch. (11 a.m.)
  • Homeschool Origami at Austin Public Library, Central Branch. (1 p.m.)
  • Hyperreal Film Club Presents: "Thomasine & Bushrod" + Local Short Film at Hotel Vegas. (7 p.m.)
  • String Theory Comedy at Blackerby Violin Shop. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at 400 Rabbits, Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 💎 Red carpet jewels: "A local jewelry business owner, Dale Ellison, will have her pieces featured in 2023 Oscars gift bags." (KVUE via Facebook)
  • 🏀 Let's support our UT Women's Basketball Team: "Join us at Moody Center tomorrow (Monday, March 6) to celebrate our Big 12 championship! 🤘" (Texas Women's Basketball via Facebook)
  • ⚽️ Austin FC off to a strong start: "Austin FC captured its first win of the 2023 season Saturday in dramatic fashion as Maxi Urruti's 88th-minute goal clinched three well-earned points for the Verde and Black against CF Montreál." (Austin Chronicle via Facebook)

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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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com

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