In what wildlife biologists describe as a “concerning” development, the neurological disease CWD, or chronic wasting disease, has been detected in a mule deer in Lubbock County. According to a news release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the tissue samples from the 8.5-year-old mule deer were collected on Feb. 26 as part of “routine deer mortality surveillance.” The release explains that, “Because eradication is thought to be impossible once CWD becomes established in a population, it is imperative that TPWD work with landowners, hunters and other agencies to contain the disease within a limited geographic area and prevent it from spreading further among Texas deer populations.” TPWD is working with the Texas Animal Health Commission to develop a “containment and surveillance zone” in the area where the affected mule deer was found. John Silovsky, wildlife division director for TPWD, said, “It remains vital that we keep on task to protect our native deer, which are important for our outdoor heritage and the economy across our state.” CWD is fatal in cervids, which includes deer, elk and moose.

If you would like to be an official voice helping determine how Project Connect moves forward with equity in mind, you have until March 5 to get in an application to join the Community Advisory Committee. The group will have an advisory role about such things as anti-displacement strategies, community involvement and communication, and design features that will help a diverse community of transit users. Each member’s term will be two years, with an expectation that the committee will meet monthly. Find more information about the committee’s makeup and goals on the Capital Metro website.

Construction on Kingsbury Commons in Pease Park is drawing to a close, with just two more months of work anticipated before wrapping up. In the meantime, starting this Wednesday, the pedestrian bridge at 15th Street will be temporarily closed while the parking lot curbs and pavement are reinstalled and bicycle racks are put in. Access to the trail behind the construction trailer will also be closed during that time, as will the eastern trail from the pedestrian bridge on the south end to the low-water crossing at the north end of Kingsbury Commons. Trail access will be diverted to the sidewalk along North Lamar Boulevard. See a full project update for Kingsbury Commons here.

After the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals rejected a petition from three Austinites seeking to force the city to change the ballot language for Save Austin Now’s proposal to reinstate bans on public camping, City Council postponed consideration of an item to change the language. The trio – Linda Durin, Eric Krohn and Michael Lovins – appealed the ruling to the Texas Supreme Court early Thursday. According to a city spokesperson, “Item 7 on today’s special-called Council agenda, which relates to ballot language for Proposition B, is being withdrawn following last night’s Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the city.” He explained that the item would be placed on the agenda for Tuesday’s work session and Thursday’s Council meeting, “as a placeholder in case of an adverse ruling from the Texas Supreme Court. The city continues to believe the ballot language correctly identifies the chief features of the proposed ordinance.” Also Thursday, the National Homelessness Law Center filed an amicus curiae brief in support of the city. The brief, filed by attorney Joseph M. Abraham, argues that “regardless of how the ballot describes the proposed ordinance, both the ultimate text of the proposed ordinance and its effect remain the same: to return to failed policies of criminalizing the status of being homeless.” While supporters of the lawsuit say the city’s language ignores a city charter provision requiring the ballot language to match the caption on the petition, the city and its supporters argue that use of that language is not required and that the ultimate goal of Proposition B is to make homeless people into criminals. Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir has said that next Wednesday is the final day to change the ballot language for the May 1 election.

A handy new tool called the Recycling and Waste Drop-Off Locator helps Travis County residents who are engaged in storm cleanup find “the most convenient and appropriate location for different types of storm damage debris and other waste materials,” according to a news release from the county. From mattresses, furniture, garbage and batteries to paint, electronics, tires and construction debris, the locator will find a place to dispose of, reuse or upcycle it. The menu allows users to select the material they’re trying to dispose of or enter an address to find a nearby drop-off location. If you have items that can be reused, visit the Austin Reuse Directory for instructions on where to take them.

Today, City Council will hold a special called meeting with just eight items on the agenda. Aside from a briefing on Covid-19 and the upcoming vote on the city’s camping ordinance, the meeting will focus on the impact and aftermath of winter storm Uri. Council members will take up items on waiving permitting and development fees related to storm cleanup, and loosen requirements for plumbers. Council will also look at the effect of the storm, power outages and ongoing water supply problems in a resolution that seeks to mitigate the overall impact on residents, including utility bills. (A separate ordinance will, if approved, explicitly waive city utility late fees.) The plan, insofar as these things actually exist, is to take up the briefings in the morning with speakers and the rest of the agenda to follow after lunch. Though the agenda has not yet been posted, Council’s regular meeting next Thursday will likely address most of the items that were on the canceled Feb. 18 agenda.

In an effort to help Austinites navigate home repairs post-storm, the city has launched a new website: austintexas.gov/atxrepairs. The site offers information on plumbers, electricians and contractors as well as info on city permitting, code compliance and assistance programs for those – homeowners and renters alike – impacted by winter storm Uri. According to a press release about the new portal, it will continue to be updated as resources become available.

It’s not your imagination: Last week Central Texas was plunged into a frozen nightmare of subfreezing temperatures and pointy icicles. But, today the sun is shining and it’s time to go swimming! In fact, after being closed due to the “Severe Weather Emergency,” Barton Springs Pool and Deep Eddy Pool are reopening today, Thursday. Admission to both pools is free until further notice. Find pool hours of operation here. Barton Springs will close again from March 1-12 for “regularly scheduled maintenance” that includes removing some gravel from the pool “in an effort to return the pool to its natural depth.” Workers still have some storm damage to repair at Big Stacy, Bartholomew and Springwood pools, which will be closed until the structural and plumbing repairs are completed.

Photo by Jim Kelly made available through a Creative Commons license.

Now that water service and electricity have been restored to nearly everyone in the county, Travis County Judge Andy Brown has rescinded two severe-weather orders made last week to conserve water and power. As of today, car-washing businesses may resume normal operations, and the restrictions on using exterior lighting have been rescinded. And with the lights back on, everyone can see clearly just how dirty all the cars are.

Editor’s Note: Andy Brown is on the board of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, the parent nonprofit of the Austin Monitor.

There is no HEB for birds and wildlife. Throughout the year, wild creatures spend every waking hour foraging for food for themselves and their young. When there is not enough food, animals die. Winter storm Uri created such perilous conditions for wildlife in Central Texas that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking community members to report “any animal mortality events they observe on their property, ranches, or in their neighborhoods” in an effort to help wildlife biologists who are studying the impacts of the storm on natural resources. Submit your reports to iNaturalist. According to TPWD, “The prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures, coupled with a limited availability of food resources due to snow and ice, has had some impact on wildlife resources; however, given the secretive nature of most wildlife species, the full extent of the impact cannot yet be determined.” Many dead or downed bats have been found as well as dead songbirds, waterfowl and woodpeckers. The department is most concerned about native deer who rely on vegetation that has lost foliage due to the freeze. According to the news release, “TPWD is hopeful that, despite the cold temperatures, the moisture from the snow and ice was able to be absorbed by the soil and as temperatures warm up, the usual spring green-up will take place statewide.” Travis County residents who find downed bats, birds or other wildlife in need of assistance can find a list of wildlife rescue and rehab groups here.

On Monday the city submitted a catastrophe notice to the state attorney general. A catastrophe notice allows city departments that are dealing with a natural disaster, such as winter storm Uri, to suspend public information requests so they can focus their attention on providing “life-saving assistance” to residents. According to the announcement, “Departments whose operations were not affected by the winter weather will continue to respond to public information requests under normal procedures. These notice provisions were passed by the Texas Legislature in 2019 in response to Hurricane Harvey. Several governmental entities have used this procedure during the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This extreme winter weather event is the first time the city of Austin has implemented this notice.”

Now that winter storm Uri has passed, residents are tasked with cleaning up the damage it caused. To aid in the recovery, the Austin Disaster Relief Network is coordinating a volunteer effort with Central Texas VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) and Crisis Clean Up in Bastrop, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties, Austin and Round Rock. Anyone who needs help cleaning their home or debris is encouraged to call 1-800-329-8052 for help from volunteers. The hotline will be open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.  and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. Homeowners can register for assistance until Tuesday, March 2. “Hundreds of residents across the region have suffered tremendous damage during this past week of snow and ice,” ADRN Executive Director Daniel Geraci said. “Homes flooded as frozen pipes burst, and several houses were damaged or lost in fires caused by space heaters. These are devastating circumstances and we can come together as a community to help these people recover and rebuild so they can return to safe and clean homes.”