🌱 Grisham Middle School Holiday Gifting + Railroad Strike Predictions

Hello there, Round Rock! I'm here in your inbox to inform you about things that are going on in town, including news about...

• Grisham Middle School is helping a family in the Season for Caring program
• Round Rock West Drive to Bluff Drive at East McNeil Road will be closed throughout the night
• Local truck driving school operations manager breaks down what could unfold if national railroad strike happens

But first, today's weather:

I know...Bust those sweaters and jackets back out as winds are subsiding and temps are much cooler than yesterday's 80 degree weather! High: 57 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in Round Rock today:

1. Grisham Middle School is rallying around the Afshar family this holiday season. The Afshars have experienced the tragic loss of their patriarch, Adib Afshar, when he "was killed for working with American contractors in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan." Read more about the Afshars, their bright ambitions and how you can help, via the "Season for Caring" program at the Austin American-Statesman.
2. A traffic crash "shut down Round Rock West Drive to Bluff Drive at East McNeil Road" Tuesday evening and Round Rock police expected the roads to remain closed throughout the night due to an investigation being conducted. Check back with KEYE TV CBS Austin for additional updates on this incident.
3. With a national railroad strike looming, if contracts between workers' unions and railroad companies can't be agreed upon by Dec. 9, Eldon Featherston, operations manager at Community Truck Driving School in Round Rock and Pflugerville, explains that “A single [rail] car can haul three to five semi trailers. So if they shut down, we already have a truck shortage.” Visit KXAN to read how Featherston breaks down the way shortages, supply demands and rising costs could affect our economy.

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Today in Round Rock:

• Discount Wednesdays ($5.25 Movie Tickets for All) at Flix Brewhouse (All-day)
• Online Zoom Meeting with Experts in Assisted Living Facilities *Virtual* (9 a.m.)
• Free Weekly Breathwork Class at Soul Dimension *Zoom Meeting* (Noon)
• Everyday Cyber Security with Round Rock Police Department at Round Rock Public Safety Center (6 p.m.)
• WilCo Dem Veterans Monthly Meeting at Rio Grande Restaurant (6 p.m.)
• Music on Main with Love and Chaos Band at Prete Main Street Plaza (7 p.m.)
• Karaoke Night at The Alcove (7:30 p.m.)
• Rockey's Rocking Comedy Show at Rockey's Piano Bar (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Do you love pizza, the way I love pizza? Our local Via 313 serves up Detroit-style pies and is "looking for 50-70 Pizza Enthusiasts to join their Round Rock team." Via 313 offers competitive pay, paid time off, health insurance, discounted meals, and more! (Restaurant News)
• Attention, those who ride Round Rock transit routes! A reminder that several changes are coming to routes, including discontinuations, adding on of a new "on-demand" request feature, and ways to get to destinations despite changes. The new transit routes happen Jan. 9. (Community Impact Newspaper)
• Feeling festive? Round Rock Gardens offers a variety of fresh Christmas trees! Check out their detailed offerings here, and read how to properly care for your live tree so that you can enjoy it throughout the holiday celebrations.

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• Brungot Farms — (Visit website)
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That's it for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Round Rock Daily? Contact me at RoundRock@Patch.com