Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How worried should Austin dog owners be about this shelter virus?

And on the Austin Patch calendar - Arboretum Food and Artisan Market

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 18th Patch AM
Thursday December 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Austin! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How worried should Austin dog owners be about this shelter virus?
  • Which Austin intersections just got much safer for people walking and biking?
  • How will Eanes ISD’s new superintendent tackle funding and competition?

Also on today's calendar: Arboretum Food and Artisan Market and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and warmer, with a high of 76 and low of 42 degrees.
  • Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 66, low: 49.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 77 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Austin Animal Center reports canine pneumovirus outbreak, nearly 100 dogs affected (cbsaustin.com) — Austin Animal Services is battling a canine pneumovirus outbreak at the city shelter, with nearly 100 dogs showing cold-like symptoms and strict new precautions in place. Dog adoptions are limited to homes without other dogs, intake is restricted to emergencies, and officials urge owners to keep coughing pets home while the city seeks foster homes, bedding, and enrichment treats.
   

2. Downtown Austin safety pilot program results show decrease in left-turn crashes with pedestrians (fox7austin.com) — Austin’s Vision Zero pilot in downtown and nearby corridors has cut left-turn crashes involving pedestrians by 46% and reduced crashes with cyclists and scooter riders by 32%. Using low-cost delineator posts and speed humps at 16 intersections, the city plans to keep the devices in place and expand them to more locations after strong safety and cost-saving results.
   

3. Eanes ISD superintendent talks new job, funding (kxan.com) — Eanes ISD, based in the Austin area, is welcoming a new superintendent on Jan. 1, 2026, as funding pressures and school competition intensify statewide. Incoming leader Kirk Koennecke, a nationally recognized superintendent, says he’ll focus on protecting Eanes’ reputation, advocating for funding, and working with the community to prioritize how tax dollars support students and teachers.
   

4. Austin-Travis County EMS graduates 17 cadets to help fill 100 staffing vacancies (cbsaustin.com) — Austin-Travis County EMS just graduated 17 new cadets to help ease roughly 100 open medic positions as call volumes climb across the city. After voters rejected a property tax hike for EMS, the department is leaning on overtime funding and new strategies like community health paramedics, mental health responders, and telehealth to stretch resources while keeping ambulances staffed.
   

5. Hannah Terrell Named Austin Public Library Director (austinchronicle.com) — Austin’s public library system has a new permanent leader: longtime librarian and current interim director Hannah Terrell has been named director of Austin Public Library. With nearly two decades of experience, she plans to expand programming for teens, seniors, and disadvantaged communities as APL heads into its centennial year, emphasizing staff training and stronger connections with young people and unhoused patrons.
   

📸 Around Austin

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Austin

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Austin Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • Homeschool Kids - Aluminum Foil Penny Boats
    Pflugerville Library , 1008 Pfluger St W , Pflugerville
    2:00 pm
  • Winter Parties
    Joe Lee Johnson El Austin, TX 78728
    2:15 pm
  • 50% Off Wines Wanderlust Wine Co!
    Wanderlust Wine Co. Eastside , 702 Shady Lane , Austin
    3:00 pm
  • Luminations
    Wildflower Center , 4801 La Crosse Ave. , Austin
    5:45 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Austin PatchAM possible:

  • The Steam Team — (512) 451-8326
    Austin’s trusted experts in water, fire and mold restoration
  • K&M Steam Cleaning — (512) 836-8900
    Carpet Cleaning in Austin, Texas

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • University Partners posted a job opening for Groundskeeper/Porter - Student Housing in Austin. Apply here.
  • Paradies Lagardere - The Paradies Shops, Inc. posted a job opening for Apply Today - Retail Stock Replenisher $21.63/Hour // Austin Bergstrom Airport 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: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Austin