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Community Corner

🌱 Power Grid Stability + Mail Theft Uptick + Local Teddy Bear Drive

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)

Hi, everyone – good morning! I do hope you're sitting (or laying, no judgment!!) somewhere warm and cozy while reading your Monday edition of the Austin Daily.

Settle in while we cover the most important local news and community updates, which includes:

  • Energy experts weigh in on the upcoming cold front and power grid stability.
  • A local family turns their front yard into a Winter Wonderland for a good cause!
  • Local health officials are concerned over the "tripledemic."
  • Longhorn football star sets his sights on the NFL.

But first, today's weather:

Periods of rain. High: 48 Low: 45.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Many local emergency rooms are growing concerned, as the "tripledemic" cases continue to grow. Dr. Mason Mileur defines the "tripledemic" as the simultaneous battle against COVID-19, flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections happening in Central Texas and across the country. Head to FOX 7 Austin to learn how Dr. Mileur recommends you keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.

2) Energy experts say the power grid is expected to withstand this week's cold snap. Doug Lewin, president of Stoic Energy, believes temperatures this week are not expected to drop as low as they did during Winter Storm Uri back in 2021. In addition to less severe weather, Lewin believes ERCOT's increased power plant and equipment inspections and the lack of forecasted snow put us all in a much better position to stay safe. KVUE has more on this story here.

3) The Strategic Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) board voted to sell the Rosemont at Oak Valley apartments to a local housing nonprofit. In 2021, the corporation decided that 87 of its 280 units were uninhabitable due to code violations or dilapidation, and evicted more than 80 families. This left many families living in hotels waiting for updates on repairs that never came to fruition. The local nonprofit taking over the property, Foundation Communities, "owns and operates 23 communities in Austin with a model that offers on-site support services — education, financial stability, and health programs — for families," The Statesman reports.

4) Feel-good news: a local Austin family turns its 3.5-acre property into a winter wonderland to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation! The Maywald family started installing lights on their property back in July to make sure the installation was ready by Thanksgiving. The lights are available every evening from 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 28. This would be a great night out for the kiddos, this holiday! Learn more here.

5) With tax deadlines growing closer, law enforcement officials noticed an uptick in property tax checks being stolen. "'These checks were stolen from the mail, washed and cashed,' said Travis County Tax Assessor Bruce Elfant." Neighbors, please keep an eye on your mailboxes, and consider paying your property taxes online. Head over to KXAN to learn more.

Today in Austin:

  • (Kid-Friendly) Anime Art Camp at The Art Garage. (10 a.m.)
  • 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Frozen Art Camp at The Art Garage. (10 a.m.)
  • Ice Rodeo at The Four Seasons Austin. (4 p.m.)
  • Community Bond Oversight Committee Meeting Tour at various locations. (5:30 p.m.)
  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
  • Teddy Bear Drive + The Grinch Movie Night at Pitch. (6 p.m.)
  • Texas Stars vs. Rockford IceHogs at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (7 p.m.)
  • 2023 Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. (7 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🏈 College football is coming to a theater near you! "Austin fans can catch three of the biggest games, including the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Eve, as well as the College Football Playoff National Championship in January at Cinemark Southpark Meadows." (CultureMap Austin)
  • 🍸 Drink and be merry: The Sippin' Santa holiday pop-up has returned to East Austin bar Nickel City. (The Statesman)
  • 🤘 Longhorn football update: Bijan Robinson will forgo his senior year and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. Bijan added that he will not play in the Alamo Bowl with the Longhorns. (KVUE)

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