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Community Corner

🌱 The City's Unhoused Relocation Efforts + 🍔 🍟 For A Good Cause

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, friends and neighbors! Happy Hump Day — we're halfway through the week! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily — back in your inbox bright and early with the most pressing local news and community updates.

Settle in with your morning java while we dive into:

  • Missed this week's mayoral debate? We've got a recap.
  • A free Gingerbread House Challenge that you'll definitely want to RSVP the kids for.
  • Central Texas toll company owes thousands of customers a refund.
  • Order burgers, fries and shakes for a good cause! We've got the scoop!

But first, today's weather:

Low clouds, then some sun. High: 79 Low: 70.

Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Austin Justice Coalition, a local civil rights nonprofit, and the City of Austin have been dropped from police officers' lawsuit. As a refresher, five Austin Police officers indicted for aggravated assault in 2020 protests filed a lawsuit saying they were issued "less lethal bean bag rounds known to be defective and dangerous." Defendants in the suit originally included the City of Austin, munition manufacturers, Black Lives Matter, Mike Ramos Brigade and Austin Justice Coalition. The lawsuit is still pending against a handful of other remaining parties. KVUE has more on this story here.

2) Feel-good news: On Dec. 10, all P. Terry's Burger and Taco Ranch locations will donate that day's profits to Season for Caring! All you have to do is stop by, order food and enjoy. Any excuse to order a cheeseburger, fries and a shake from P. Terry's, is a good enough excuse for me! The Statesman has more details here.

3) The city's Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative recently relocated 48 unhoused community members from a northeast encampment to a temporary shelter. KVUE reports: "HEAL carries out closures of Austin encampments that pose the highest public health and safety risks. The latest initiative helped move 45 people from an encampment at Gustavo 'Gus' L. Garcia District Park, near Cameron Road and East Rundberg Lane, and three people from an encampment near the Asian American Resource Center on Cameron Road." The city detailed that it works alongside the Homeless Outreach Street Team, Austin Resource Recovery, and other local partners to ensure people are "compassionately moved from encampments into shelter, with a clear path to housing and services." Head over to KVUE to learn more about the city's HEAL initiative.

4) Did you catch KVUE's Austin mayoral candidate debate? Fret not! KVUE has a recap of the debate as well as a recording of the event. Check it out here.

This is your friendly reminder that early voting ends this Friday, Dec. 9 and Election Day is next Tuesday, Dec. 13. Find your nearest polling location and hours here.

5) The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) will owe refunds to more than 1,000 customers. CTRMA claims a glitch in its billing system resulted in "about 1,200 TxTag and CTRMA customers being charged late fees, even though they paid their bill on time." FOX 7 Austin reports that this issue impacted a small subset of payments processed between Oct. 21 and Nov. 14. CTRMA claims it's working to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible, and that impacted customers should receive refunds shortly. FOX 7 Austin has more on this story here.

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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.)
  • Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO at Moody Center. (6 p.m.)
  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
  • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Dianne Reeves with Samara Joy at The Paramount Theatre. (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.)
  • She Wants Revenge at 3TEN. (7:30 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • ✨ Battle of the Holiday Lights: "A championship of cheer. A war of winter wonder. A donnybrook of décor. It's time for a Christmas light battle." The Statesman has pinned both Peppermint Parkway and the Trail of Lights into the ultimate battle royale. Check out which attraction came out on top! (The Statesman)
  • 🎟️ Austin's Moody Center tops highest-grossing arena list! "According to Billboard, Moody Center earned $62,695,359 in 2022." WOW!!! Not bad for a venue less than 12 months old. (CultureMap Austin)
  • 🍬 Have kiddos who love to bake? "Montopolis Recreation Center is hosting a Gingerbread House Challenge! Register today to compete and win prizes. Supplies will be provided at the center." (Austin Parks & Rec via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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

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

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