Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will Central Health raise your Travis County property taxes for mental health?

Spotted on the Austin calendar: 6-Week Wheel & Handbuilding Basics Class at Feats of Clay Pottery

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Good morning Austin! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Central Health raise your Travis County property taxes for mental health?
  • West Campus students describe living with gnats and trash at Noble 2500
  • How funding cuts could shrink Farmshare Austin's fresh food programs

Also on today's calendar: 6-Week Wheel & Handbuilding Basics Class at Feats of Clay Pottery and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 97 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 95, low: 75.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 96 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Central Health considers raising Travis County taxes for mental health resources (kxan.com) — Central Health is weighing a 6–8% property tax increase that could add $10 to $44 a year to the average Travis County homeowner's bill while generating over $40 million for expanded mental health services. Austin leaders and advocates are split between concerns over affordability and urgent calls to address homelessness and behavioral health before county commissioners vote later this month.
   

2. West Campus apartment residents report ongoing bug infestation (kvue.com) — West Campus residents at Noble 2500 in Austin say a persistent gnat infestation and overflowing trash are making daily life unsanitary and embarrassing, even as classes resume at UT. After complaints to the City of Austin's Code Compliance team, inspectors cited the property owner, trash was partially cleared, new management took over, and pest control is now scheduled, but students are still waiting for lasting fixes.
   

3. Farmshare Austin seeks community support after losing city funding (kvue.com) — Farmshare Austin, which supplies affordable fresh food to about 33,000 Austinites, is scrambling to replace roughly $510,000 in city funding cuts that begin in November. Without $255,000 in new donations, the group may scale back mobile markets, home deliveries for residents with limited mobility, purchases from local farmers, and staff positions.
   

4. Texas Football financials: impact beyond athletics (cbsaustin.com) — Texas Longhorns football in Austin isn't just about game day hype; it's generating over $100 million in annual profit that helps fund other UT sports and even academics. As students pack Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for tomorrow's home opener, experts say Texas is among a tiny group of programs whose athletic revenues actually flow back to the university instead of drawing from it.
   

5. Strange Lot Album Release Show (do512.com) — An Austin-based psych rock band, Strange Lot, is celebrating its new self-titled album with a late-night release show featuring local openers and a 21+ crowd. Formed in Phoenix but now rooted in Austin's music scene, the group has grown from a bedroom project into a touring act playing major festivals like SXSW and Austin Psych Fest, drawing national attention back to the local stage.
   

📸 Around Austin

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • 146 teachers earn $1.7M in state recognitions —Tracie Seed Read on Patch
  • This Saturday is going to test my newfound patience and appreciation for being in the moment.
    I bought tickets for my granddaughter, Gracie, for the K‑Pop Takeover — the "Ultimate K‑Pop Party." When I purchased tickets for all five of us, I… (Nextdoor Austin Lake Hills)
  • It's finally Friday neighbors and I'm ready to fire up the grill for Labor Day Weekend!
    But before that let's get into last night's live action at Ken's Wild Kingdom. The HUGE armadillo returned but wouldn't get into the party pool. The… (Nextdoor Maple Run)
  • Gold's Gym posted a job opening for Front Desk Team Member - GOLD'S GYM - Austin Southeast in Austin. Apply here.
  • TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for Accounting Clerk in Austin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Austin here.

Ok Austin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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