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Community Corner

🌱 Officers Not Indicted + Kids' Slime Party + New Year's Eve Events

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, Austin! I'm here in your inbox this crisp, winter morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know that's going on in town.

Grab your morning coffee and get cozy while we cover:

  • Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) expands its naloxone distribution program.
  • Stuck on what to do for New Year's Eve? We've got some ideas below.
  • Austin Community College to receive a JET grant.
  • A holiday slime party for the kiddos this afternoon — how fun!

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a passing shower. High: 67 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Austin police offers won't face legal consequences for the killing of 27-year-old Alex Gonzales, after a Travis County grand jury didn't return an indictment against them on Tuesday. On Jan. 5, 2021, two officers shot Gonzales in South Austin. KUT reports APD Officer Gutierrez's account of the incident, and when responding on-duty officers arrived at the scene, bodycam footage showed Gonzales reaching into the back of his car before he was then shot and killed. Gonzales's girlfriend and 2-month-old son were in the car at the time of the shooting. His girlfriend was also shot. In spite of the grand jury's decision, Gonzales' family is moving forward with a lawsuit against the City of Austin over the fatal shooting. Learn more about this story here, from KUT.

2) Austin Community College (ACC) will receive $331,722 from a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant. On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that "public community, state, and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools across the state" will receive a total of $54 million in JET grants. ACC's funding will go toward purchasing and installing equipment to provide training for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers. KVUE has more on this exciting announcement here.

3) Crews have officially begun breaking down the Austin Trail of Lights – sigh! If you're like me, you've always wondered whose job it is to set up/break down the beautiful installation, what happens to gorgeous decorations during the off-season, and what happens to the 800+ Christmas trees! The Austin American-Statesman got behind-the-scenes coverage on what it takes to restore Zilker Park – check it out!

4) All Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) district command units will now carry life-saving naloxone kits for distribution to the general public. Naloxone is an easy-to-administer nasal spray that quickly reverses overdoses from fentanyl and other opioids. Many school districts are now also keeping naloxone on campus. KVUE has more on this news here.

Today in Austin:

  • Ice Rink at The Long Center. (10 a.m.)
  • Kids Create: Snowflake Making at Austin Public Library, Ruiz Branch. (1 p.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Holiday Slime Party at Austin Public Library, Milwood Branch. (4 p.m.)
  • Heavyweights: Stand-Up Comedy at East Austin Comedy Club. (6:30 p.m.)
  • The Most Wonderful Crime Of The Year: A Burlesque Murder Mystery at The Ballroom At Spiderhouse. (7 p.m.)
  • Toadies with Flickerstick at Emo's. (7 p.m.)


  • Superstition Grand Opening ft. Chromeo at Superstition. (9 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 💡 Did you know? "Warming up your car before driving in cold weather could cause long-term damage to the engine. Most vehicles built after 1980 no longer need to warm up before driving, and experts say driving after 30 seconds to a minute after starting your car is a best practice." (KVUE via Facebook)
  • 🫶 Community kindness: "Thank you to the Vandry Hope Foundation for personally donating snack packs for officers working on Christmas Eve and Christmas day!" (Austin Police Department via Facebook)
  • 🥳 Unsure about your New Year's Eve plans? Eater Austin has compiled a list of where to party on New Year's Eve in Austin! (Eater Austin)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you all tomorrow morning for 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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