🌱 Dead Fish At Shoal Creek + Street Racing Arrests + Family Events

Hi, everyone! Happy Friday and Happy St. Patrick's Day. I hope you're wearing your green to avoid any pinchings! It's Jessica here, your host of the Austin Patch newsletter, with a download of the most important local news and community updates.

Cozy up while we cover:

• Guess which Hollywood legend's tearful SXSW keynote left the entire room in tears!
• Austin Pets Alive! needs the community's help — keep scrolling for the scoop.
• Plenty of free, family-friendly fun is happening across town this afternoon.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and breezy. High: 59 Low: 42.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Austin PD reports that 17 more individuals are facing charges in connection with last month's "street takeovers." A statewide task force was launched after a group of cars did illegal donuts, damaged police cars, and injured pedestrians on South Lamar Boulevard on the night of Feb. 18. The investigation of this incident is ongoing. KUT has more on this story here.

2) Dozens of fish were found dead in Shoal Creek after a waterline break. The creek water also turned green and murky — and not in honor of St. Patrick's Day! The water main break resulted in chlorinated drinking water pouring into Shoal Creek. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reports that the break was repaired and it will continue to monitor the waterway until it returns to normal conditions. Learn more here at The Austin American-Statesman.

3) Community assistance needed: Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is asking for help from Austinites after two dogs were brought to the shelter with gunshot wounds. Yodeling Pickle and Samia both arrived at the shelter after suffering gunshot wounds from separate shootings. In addition to donations to cover critical care, APA! said it was also searching for medical fosters for the two dogs. KXAN has more on this story.

4) You can buy a treasured piece of Austin history. Blue Moon Estate Sales is holding an estate sale at Nau’s Enfield Drug. The legendary pharmacy dates to the 1950s and announced its closure back in September. This estate sale at 1115 West Lynn St. will not be an auction. It's first-come, first served, and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow, and then from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The Austin American-Statesman has the full scoop here.

Today in Austin:

• Willie Nelson and Family’s Luck Presents: 11th Annual Luck Reunion 2023 at Luck Ranch. (11 a.m.)
• (Free, All Ages) Waterloo Records 2023 Day Parties (Day 4) at Waterloo Records. (11 a.m.)
• (Free, All Ages) ACIDFEST with Thee Lucifer Sams, BALTHVS, Cactus Flowers, The Courettes, and more at The Far Out Lounge. (12 p.m.)
• (Free, All Ages) Austin Reptile Show at Austin Public Library, Ruiz Branch. (1 p.m.)
• Spring Break! Family Board Games Galore at Austin Public Library, University Hills Branch. (1 p.m.)
• Loro Management, OVRLD and Topo Chico Presents: Live At Central Machine Works at Central Machine Works. (3 p.m.)

P.S.: In honor of St. Patty's Day, Eater Austin has a list of "Where to Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Austin With Beer and Food" – check it out!

Community Chatter:

• 🎸 Big announcement from The Moody Center: "Grammy Award-winning country artist Chris Stapleton will bring his 'All-American Road Show' tour to Austin on Friday, Oct. 20." (KVUE via Facebook)
• ⚠️ Continued road closures: "Hey Austin! Road closures will continue for a few more days in the downtown area. Remember to plan your route accordingly. Our officers will be at barricades and around the area for any emergencies that may arise." (Austin Police Department via Facebook)
• 💙 A touching SXSW speech: "William Shatner gave a gut-busting, tear-welling South by Southwest keynote, leaving his seat often to discuss a life defined by outer space." (Austin360 via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com