This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱 Drought Improvements For Central Texas + Labor Day Weekend Events

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Austin.

Jessica Collins's profile picture
Jessica Collins, Neighbor
|
(Patch Media)

Hi friends and neighbors! Happy Friday and Happy Labor Day Weekend. It's Jessica, back with your latest copy of the Austin Daily. I'm here with all of the important local news and updates.

Grab your coffee and settle in while we cover:

  • 🎉 Major drought improvements for Central Texas.
  • 🎉 ATC-EMS is getting much-needed raises.
  • A puppy party, a smattering of exciting Labor Day Weekend events, and much more ➡️

First, today's weather and allergy report:

🌧️ High: 94 Low: 75. High humidity and a thunderstorm.
🍃 Grass Pollen: low. Ragweed: moderate. Mold: moderate. Dust & Dander: extremely high.

Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Good news: Two weeks of rain show major drought improvements for Central Texas. KXAN's drought monitor shows that the areas of Central Texas reflecting the "extreme" drought category and the as-bad-as-it-gets "exceptional" category continue to decrease in size! We still have a long way to go, but it's encouraging to see progress.

Weather officials believe the drought should continue to improve for at least the next two weeks as our cooler and wetter-than-normal weather pattern is expected to stay in place across our area. Head over to KXAN to review the Drought Monitor map and learn more.

2) Austin-Travis County's emergency medical personnel are getting a raise. Plagued by high turnover and staffing shortages since the beginning of the pandemic, ATC-EMS has finally received some good news! KUT reports that the City of Austin reached a deal with EMS negotiators late last month, and the Austin City Council Thursday unanimously approved the one-year contract with medics. While the deal is merely a stopgap, EMS employees could see raises of anywhere from 4 percent to 11 percent, depending on their position. KUT has more on this story here.

3) Residents facing eviction at a South Austin mobile home park will be able to stay for the time being. Earlier this summer, the residents of Congress Mobile Home Park were given a 60-day notice to vacate the property. But on Monday, a Travis County judge issued a temporary restraining order giving over a dozen families living at the Congress Mobile Home Park temporary piece of mind. KUT reports that the judge's order is temporary and gives residents some time until a final ruling in the case is made. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12. Check out the full story here at KUT.

4) An arrest has been made in the fatal hit-and-run in Circle C. Austin Police Department said 18-year-old Weston Holtz turned himself in at the Travis County jail on Wednesday afternoon. KXAN has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

  • Puppy Party with Austin Humane Society at Jo's Coffee. (9 a.m.)
  • GOOD LOOKS In-Store Performance & Record Signing at Waterloo Records. (5 p.m.)
  • Triathalon at Parish. (7 p.m.)
  • Spyro Gyra at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
  • Experimental & Electronic Music Studio (EEMS) at Bates Recital Hall. (7:30 p.m.)
  • "The Inheritance," Pt 1 at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Comedy Bebop!, A Stand-Up Showcase at Blackerby Stage & Studio. (8 p.m.)
  • Jose Pasco at the VORTEX. (8 p.m.)
  • Poetry Jam — Open Mic & Showcase at Victory Grille. (8 p.m.)

Things to do in Austin this Labor Day weekend:

  • Lakeside Summer Music at Mozart's. (Sept. 2-4)
  • Season Opener: Texas Longhorns Football at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. (Sept. 3)
  • Screen on the Green Presents: "Luca" at Fareground Austin. (Sept. 3)
  • Stretch Musik Band: Pre-Labor Day Party at Victory Grille. (Sept. 4)
  • WeaselFest 2022 at Fair Market. (Sept. 4)
  • Sunset Yoga | Moonlight Swim at Barton Springs. (Sept. 4)

Community Chatter 💬 :

  • 🤘 Texas Football is BACK! This Saturday, the squad is officially back in burnt orange. (Texas Football via Facebook)
  • 🏐 Longhorn volleyball takes it home, with its first dub in Greg this season. 🤘 #HookEm (Texas Volleyball via Facebook)
  • 🍽️ Looking to try new restaurants in the Austin area? There is no better time than now —more than 80 restaurants are set to participate in Austin Restaurants Weeks 2022, running from Sept. 1-11! (Austin 360 via Facebook)
  • 🏠 Big news in the real estate world. Two of Austin's top real estate firms join forces in a big merger. (CultureMap Austin via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

Events:

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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

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

More from Austin