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Community Corner

🌱 New COVID-19 Variant Has Arrived + Elvis' Birthday Celebration

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

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Good morning, everybody. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend thus far. It's a beautiful Sunday morning in Austin and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in our community.

Settle in with your morning coffee while we cover:

  • Austin Public Health is on high alert over the latest COVID-19 reports.
  • The community filled out City Hall on Friday to watch the newly elected mayor and city council members' inauguration.
  • Have feedback on the future of Zilker Park? The deadline to complete the survey is today.
  • Check out Elvis' Birthday Bash at Hotel Vegas this evening – how fun!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 66 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) A "highly transmissible" COVID-19 subvariant has been reported in Travis County. Community Impact reports that the local outbreak of the subvariant, along with rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised Travis County's community level to "medium risk" for the first time in five months. Head over to Community Impact to learn more about this COVID-19 subvariant and what this means for community members.

2) On Friday evening, community members packed out City Hall to watch newly elected Austin City Council members and the Austin Mayor take the oath of office. Council member Velasquez (District 3), Council member Ryan Alter (District 5) and Council member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri (District 9) were elected in December's runoff election, along with Mayor Kirk Watson. CBS Austin reports: "This is the first year a mayoral term will last two years rather than four. The change stems from voters approving an amendment for future mayoral elections to align with presidential ones." CBS Austin has more on the inauguration event – check it out.

3) A young woman was found dead inside a vehicle on East Stassney Lane on Friday night. According to law enforcement officials, officers responded to the area at 8:40 p.m. after 911 calls reported shots fired and a car crash. Officers located a crashed vehicle. The victim was inside the vehicle and was reported dead 10 minutes later. The victim has not been identified neither has a suspect and APD is actively investigating this case. Learn more about this developing story here at KVUE.

4) Deadline reminder: Today is the last day for you to provide your feedback on the Zilker Park Vision Plan. The Vision Plan and more can be found here. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make your voice heard!

Today in Austin:

  • SHEN YUN 2023 at The Long Center. (1 p.m.)
  • Conscious Breathwork & Sound Healing at Sanctuary Yoga. (4 p.m.)
  • BOOT CAMP: Two-Step Intermediate Move-Swap Workshop at Sagebrush. (5 p.m.)
  • Campfire Queer Storytime at The VORTEX (7 p.m.)
  • Pure Fun Comedy at Vulcan Gas Company. (7 p.m.)
  • Soul Sundays with Soul Man Sam & The SMS Band at The Skylark Lounge. (8 p.m.)
  • Elvis' Birthday Celebration at Hotel Vegas. (9 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • ☕ Is Tim Hortons coming to Austin? "The Canadian company hopes to open 40 to 50 stores in the Austin area, a new report revealed." (KVUE via Facebook)
  • ✨ An incredible light installation will be open through May: ""Field of Light" opened in September and was to close in December 2022. Now, it will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday into May." (Austin American-Statesman via Facebook)
  • 🍴 Curious about local plant-based meal options? "You don't have to be vegan to enjoy this next wave of meatless concepts being sown across the city." Austin Monthly has curated a list of the best plant-based restaurants in town. (Austin Monthly)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday. 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 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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