Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order yesterday rolling back the state mandate to wear face masks in public areas, spurning the advice of public health professionals who warn that eliminating masks could lead to a spike in Covid hospitalizations. In response to the governor’s order, Capital Metro announced that it “will continue to maintain the federal requirement to wear a face mask on our vehicles and at our facilities, in compliance with the federal order requiring the wearing of masks … to protect the health and safety of our customers, staff and community.”

Today Austinites will get the opportunity to ask some burning questions about the city’s curbside composting program. Austin Resource Recovery team members Memi Cardenas and Amy Moosman are hosting an #AskMeAnything from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Reddit, where they will take questions about, well, anything related to curbside composting. So keep it clean, people. If you’re unable to attend the AMA, you can learn more about the curbside composting service here.

After losing their case in the 3rd Court of Appeals last Wednesday, Linda Durnin, Eric Krohn and Michael Lovins asked the Texas Supreme Court to force Austin City Council to use the trio’s preferred ballot language for the Save Austin Now proposal to prohibit public camping. On Monday, the Supreme Court asked City Attorney Anne Morgan and the city’s outside counsel, Renea Hicks, to respond to the writ of mandamus no later than 10 a.m. today. That makes for a very tight timeline. Council is meeting today and could change the ballot language, which Durnin, Krohn and Lovins argue must match the caption on the petition signed by voters. However, if the court does not rule today, Council is not likely to act. Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir has said Wednesday is the last day to change the ballot language for items on the May 1 ballot.

Central Texas residents impacted by winter storm Uri will be able to receive emergency assistance later this week at an intake center operated by Austin Disaster Relief Network. The intake center will be staffed by skilled volunteers who will help residents with food, gas, housing and repairing storm damage to their homes. Volunteers are also trained to help “connect residents with available resources including FEMA support and funds donated to the ADRN Winter Storm 2021 Fund.” ADRN Executive Director Daniel Geraci said in an announcement, “Many Central Texas residents still have damage to their homes from fallen trees and debris as well as pipes that burst during the deep freeze. Our network of churches stands ready to walk with these families impacted by the storm with the physical, emotional and spiritual support they need until they’ve fully recovered. It’s hard to overstate the impact this winter storm continues to have on families needing help with plumbing so they can have safe water, or they may even be unable to live in their homes at all because of flood damage. We’re here to help.” Pre-register for assistance at ADRN.org. The intake center will operate on Friday, March 5, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last appointment begins at 4 p.m.) and Saturday, March 6, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (last appointment begins at 3 p.m.) at Promiseland Church, 1504 E. 51st St.

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.