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Community Corner

🌱 Rain Headed To Town + Valentine's Day Gift Guide + Dell Layoffs

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, neighbors! I hope everyone's Tuesday is off to a smooth start! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Patch newsletter. Grab your morning coffee and let's dive into the most important local news and community updates:

  • Another round of rain and storms is headed to Central Texas.
  • A major Austin-based tech company is reducing staff.
  • Keep scrolling to learn which Austin legend won a major category GRAMMY on Sunday night.
  • Stumped on what to buy your better half for Valentine's Day? We've got the scoop on local Valentine's Day gifts below!

But first, today's weather:

Showers, heavy thunderstorm. High: 70 Low: 47.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Over 15,000 Austin Energy customers are still without power. Austin Energy expects to have power restored for all remaining customers by Sunday, Feb. 12. In the interim, the city organized a list of shelter, food and mobile solutions. Learn more about those resources here at KUT.

2) City Council members and Mayor Kirk Watson called for a review of the Austin city manager's performance in his winter storm response. City Council members will meet in an executive session this Thursday, Feb. 9 to "evaluate the employment" of City Manager Spencer Cronk. Cronk serves as Austin's highest executive and oversees all city departments. KUT reports that the city council does hold the power to fire a city manager with a majority vote — it also has the option to suspend Cronk. KUT has more on what's at stake with Thursday's executive session here.

3) Austin-based Dell Technologies will reportedly eliminate over 6,500 jobs following a major decline in demand for PCs. These cuts will equate to roughly 5 percent of Dell's total global workforce and will take the tech company's headcount to its lowest level since 2017. The Austin American-Statesman has more on this story here.

4) Another round of wet weather is headed to Central Texas. Weather officials report that isolated strong to severe storms are possible along and east of I-35 and I-37 on Tuesday into late Tuesday night. Dry weather conditions are expected on Wednesday afternoon through the weekend. Check out the full weather forecast here at KXAN.

Today in Austin:

  • (Kid-Friendly) Imagination Station at Austin Public Library, Spicewood Springs Branch. (10:30 a.m.)
  • Party On The Patio: Retro Game Night at Pinstack. (4 p.m.)
  • Teen Writer's Lab at Austin Public Library, Central Branch. (5:30 p.m.)
  • Suki Waterhouse with Blondshell at Emo's. (7 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at The Garden at the 704. (7 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🎸 A major win for Austin music: "Austin music icon Willie Nelson won the Grammy for best country album for 'A Beautiful Time' at the 65th Grammy Awards." (Austin360 via Facebook)
  • 🍛 East Austin restaurant closing: "Japanese restaurant Bento Picnic and its wine shop Saba San's are closing at the East Cesar Chavez location. The last day for the businesses at 2600 East Cesar Chavez Street will be Saturday, February 18. Owner Leanne Valenti wrote in an email that she is taking a sabbatical to "create space for what's next." (Eater Austin)
  • 💝 Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Tribeza magazine curated a list of local gift ideas that are "guaranteed to make your loved ones smile this Feb. 14th." (Tribeza)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up 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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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