Community Corner
🌱 City Manager Receives A Raise + 🤘 Volleyball Heading To Final Four
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Austin.
Good morning, friends and neighbors! I hope you all are staying safe (and dry) this gloomy Sunday morning. It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily, here with the most important local news and community updates.
Cozy up while we cover:
- A local veteran and his family received the ultimate Christmas blessing.
- City Council approved another raise for Austin's City Manager.
- Longhorn Volleyball is advancing to the Final Four!
- A host of different holiday festivities are taking place all day, all over town, too.
But first, today's weather:
Low clouds and not as warm. High: 67 Low: 58.
Here are the top stories today in Austin:
1) The Longhorn volleyball squad beat Ohio State in the regional finals and is advancing to the Final Four! Texas will play the winner of the NCAA Palo Alto Regional Final between Stanford and San Diego in the NCAA Semifinal on Dec. 15. Texas Sports has a full recap of yesterday's match here.
2) As the 66th homicide of the year came in this week, many are wondering what the city is doing to tackle crime in and around Sixth Street. KXAN reports that Council Member Kathie Tovo launched the "Safer Sixth Street initiative" back in 2021. Tovo said city council has "done what they can, putting the policies in place needed to make changes on Sixth Street – and it's now up to departments like APD, transportation, and entertainment services to implement the changes." There are two measures that Tovo and other city officials think would result in immediate improvements for the area, head to KXAN to learn more.
3) The Austin City Council approved an 11% raise for Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk. Council members agreed to bump Cronk's base salary to $388,190.40 – a $38,000 raise from his current compensation. Community Impact reports: "Cronk's pay adjustment was approved 8-0-3 with council members Paige Ellis, Kathie Tovo and Alison Alter abstaining." This decision was met with both gratitude and disdain from some council members and community members. Community Impact has more on this story here.
4) Any chance you're in the market for a rooster? In early November, Austin Animal Center (AAC) received 34 roosters and 9 hens after Austin Police Department busted an alleged cockfighting ring. All of the hens have been adopted but 32 of the roosters still need a new home. The AAC was already at capacity before receiving the roosters, but now it's in desperate need of community assistance. Head over to KUT to learn more.
5) Feel good news: Scott Felder Homes partnered with Operation Finally Home to surprise a local military veteran with the ultimate Christmas present! U.S. Marine Corporal, William Makaafi, and his family were surprised with a mortgage-free home. The Statesman reports that "Makaafi struggles with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, memory loss, and chronic lumbar strain that made it almost impossible for him to maintain employment and a healthy life." Makaafi was picked out of 25 or more applicants during a vigorous vetting process to find the right family for the 18 mortgage-free homes that will be given away across the country from Operation Finally Home. Learn more at The Statesman.
Today in Austin:
- (Kid-Friendly) Free Christmas Party at the North Austin YMCA. (10 a.m.)
- 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
- Maggie's Holiday Market at Hotel Magdalena. (12 p.m.)
- Radha's Music School Presents: A Touch of Music at Empire Control Room. (1 p.m.)
- Hands-On Workshop: Make a Mini Living Wall at Articulture Designs. (1 p.m.)
- Open House + Holiday Market at The Cathedral. (2 p.m.)
- A Christmas Carol at The Topfer at ZACH Theatre. (2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Bass Concert Hall. (3 p.m. & 7 p.m.)
- Ice Rodeo at The Four Seasons Austin. (4 p.m.)
- Austin's Jingle Jam ft. Ja Rule, Ashanti, Ying Yang Twins, and more at HEB Center. (5:30 p.m.)
- Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
- 2023 Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. (7 p.m.)
- Campfire Queer Storytime at The VORTEX (7 p.m.)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another 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
