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Community Corner

🌱 Pet Food Pantry Event + Rise In Police Officer Retirement

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)

Hello, and good morning, everyone! It's Jessica back in your inbox bright and early on this warm Tuesday morning with a download of the most important local news and community updates.

Settle in with your morning coffee while we cover:

  • The Austin Humane Society is hosting a Pet Food Pantry event this week.
  • Austin Police Department is having a spike in retirement activity.
  • John Mellencamp is in town this evening!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 85 Low: 65.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Roughly 77 Austin Police Department officers could retire by the end of March. The Austin Police Retirement System (APRS) tells KVUE it has signed retirement paperwork for 50 officers, and an additional 27 are "out for signature." The spike in retirement activity comes after a contentious couple of weeks of negotiations between the Austin City Council and the Austin Police Association. KXAN has more on this story here.

2) The CapMetro Rail Red Line will be temporarily suspended through March 3. The Red Line is ceasing operation to allow construction crews time to work on the new McKalla Station at Q2 Stadium. CapMetro will provide a shuttle that serves the Leander, Lakeline and Howard stations before going to the Downtown station. Bus services from all rail stations will also head downtown. Check out the full scoop here at KVUE.

3) An Austin ISD bus monitor is facing second-degree felony charges for an "improper relationship" with a student who has a developmental disability. KXAN reports that Vazquez was fired the same day of his arrest, and was on leave since Nov. 11, "when the allegation was first reported." KXAN has more on this story here.

4) Austin's hotel industry is preparing for an increase in demand from the upcoming 2023 SXSW Conference. Local hotel managers report that bookings this spring look more on par with pre-pandemic levels. "We do anticipate that this year's south by southwest to be better volumes than last year, and even 2019," said W Austin Hotel general manager, Joanna McCreary. CBS Austin has the full story here.

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Today in Austin:

  • 6-Week Wheel Focus Class at Feats of Clay Pottery. (9 a.m.)
  • (Free) Books and Babies at Austin Public Library, North Village Branch. (11 a.m.)
  • (Free) Credit 101 Workshop at Austin Public Library, Central Branch. (12 p.m.)
  • Red Bench Conversation on Light: "Combating Bigotry and Hate" at Congregation Agudas Achim. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Muse: Will Of The People World Tour featuring Evanescence at Moody Center. (7 p.m.)
  • Emotional Oranges: The Pulp Fiction Tour at Emo's. (7 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at The Garden at the 704 (7 p.m.)
  • John Mellencamp: Live And In Person 2023 Tour at Bass Concert Hall. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

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You're officially in the loop for today! 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com

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