Austin has a new online search tool aimed at matching renters with affordable housing in the city. The Affordable Housing Online Search Tool, or AHOST, maps income-restricted housing for would-be renters based on household income and size and returns results that include lease information, cost, schools, amenities and application criteria. According to a press release from the city about the new tool: “The searchable map and listing of income-restricted affordable rental housing is drawn from the Comprehensive Affordable Housing Directory, which is a comprehensive online data tool for planning and tracking housing inventories and construction programs across the City of Austin.” A live demo of AHOST will stream today at 10 a.m. on the city’s ATXN.

The Austin Parks Foundation has announced $130,000 in 2020 fall community grant awards. The ACL Music Festival Grants support community-initiated improvement projects in the city, and since 2006, APF has awarded more than $3 million toward community park projects. This fall, the organization awarded $50,000 for construction of a new basketball court in Gus Garcia District Park. In Southeast Austin, $40,000 went toward creation of a new trail and installation of a water fountain in Kendra Page Neighborhood Park. A $25,000 grant helped fund a new soccer field in Perry Neighborhood Park, and at Patterson Neighborhood Park, a $5,000 grant will help pay for baseball field improvements. In addition, a $10,000 grant to Pease District Park will fund the installation of a new, inclusive “contemplative space” and signage that acknowledges the land’s history, which includes slavery and segregation.

Amid what Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott calls “a significantly worsening situation,” the health authority has extended emergency rules designed to help slow the spread of Covid-19. Last week, he said the region “reported the highest number of new cases since September. We are up over 140 percent in a little over a month, and 60 percent in the past week.” The rules, which expire on Dec. 31, 2020, were adopted as authorized by Ordinance No. 2020709-003, and “govern individuals and sites within the City of Austin and impose requirements reasonably necessary to protect public health from Covid-19 during this critical moment of transmission.” The emergency rules are separate from the city and county orders.

Montopolis residents are thrilled by the completion of the newly redeveloped Montopolis Recreation and Community Center. The new 33,000-square-foot facility replaces the former 40-year-old recreation center, which was in poor condition “and could no longer meet the needs of a growing community,” according to a news release. The new Montopolis center features plenty of space for “recreational uses, public health services, educational programming areas, a commercial kitchen and more.” While the facility is not yet open to the public, eager residents may watch a video showcasing the new center or view photographs of the building and its interior. Find more info on the project website.

Republican Jay Wiley, who unsuccessfully ran for the City Council District 6 seat in 2014, has endorsed his former opponent, Jimmy Flannigan, in the December runoff. That might have been a surprise to Mackenzie Kelly, Flannigan’s runoff opponent, especially since Kelly seems to be operating out of the Republican playbook. Wiley posted on Facebook Thursday, “I am a conservative Republican and am supporting Jimmy Flannigan for reelection … I know Jimmy. He is a committed, selfless public servant who cares deeply about the future of Austin. As an Austin City Council candidate myself, I got to know Jimmy and his dedication to our neighbors. We have serious political differences, but we share common cause in our respect for thoughtful, meaningful public policy that improves the lives of Austin citizens.” On the other hand, Wiley said Kelly is “extremely unqualified to serve in a position of public trust. I know her to be profoundly unserious in her public and private affairs and thoroughly void of the kind of judgment we need to confront various issues in Austin. We have had enough clown shows in politics recently, we cannot afford another in our backyard.” Over in District 10, there was a less dramatic endorsement from a former opponent. Pooja Sethi and Alison Alter released a joint statement praising each other. Sethi said, “We simply cannot afford to be divided as we move forward as a city to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, reimagining public safety, and an economic recovery for our great city. Alison Alter has the formal and on-the-ground training essential to represent our district. Jennifer Virden will not be the unifying voice our Council or city need at this crucial moment. Rather than being represented by someone who would be an opposition vote, I support Alison Alter because I believe she will continue to stand up for District 10 residents.” Alter said, “Pooja is a passionate advocate who has worked at City Hall as an Asian American Quality of Life Commissioner and is committed to giving voice and agency to the most vulnerable communities. As I continue to serve District 10, I’m committed to working with Pooja to fight for all people.”

This whisper has been corrected to reflect the fact that Wiley did not run for Council in 2016.

With students back to on-campus learning at Barbara Jordan Elementary, Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare has moved its Covid-19 testing clinic to the Turner-Roberts Recreation Center at 7201 Colony Park Loop. Health officials said they moved the testing clinic so it would not “interfere with students, parents and teachers getting back into the classroom.” Yvonne Camarena, CommUnityCare’s chief operating officer, said in a news release, “Like most of the country, Austin is seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases and CommUnityCare wants to continue to make testing as accessible as possible, especially in Eastern Travis County.” The mobile health clinic has been operating at Barbara Jordan Elementary for nearly two years, and Covid-19 testing was added this spring. However, with the campus open again, CommUnityCare said there was not enough space in the parking lot for the mobile clinic, Covid-19 testing and traffic from parents, teachers and school staff. Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, which is run by the parks department, is next to Overton Elementary School. Testing is available on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Mayor Steve Adler, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, the Office of Police Oversight and the Equity Office will be co-hosting an online town hall to allow community members with disabilities to share their experiences with the Austin Police Department with city leaders. Mayor Adler said in a news release about the event, “We are committed to working toward universal access for persons with disabilities. Austin must lead on facilitating full inclusion with respect to learning, working and playing in our city. That means taking the time to listen to community members living with disabilities and understand their experiences.” American Sign Language and Spanish interpretation will be offered and additional language translations and accessibility accommodations are available upon request. The event will be held on Zoom. RSVP here to receive login info. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6-8:30 p.m.

The Austin Independent School District has decided to raise the base pay for substitute teachers and teaching assistants, giving certified substitutes who work regularly the opportunity to earn up to $210 a day. The pay increase goes into effect Monday, Nov. 16. The district is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year. The work schedule for substitute teachers is flexible and they may generally work as many or as few days as they like while teaching a variety of subjects. Find more details about the pay increase and information about working as a substitute teacher or teaching assistant at AISD here.

Common Ground for Texans is inviting Austinites to attend a timely panel discussion analyzing the recent election and its aftermath. Moderator Mike Ignatowski and panelists City Council Member Leslie Pool, KUT News reporter Ashley Lopez and 19th News staff writer Barbara Rodriguez will discuss local, state and national election results and their significance. Join the Zoom meeting here on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2-4 p.m. Meeting ID: 826 7133 9020; passcode: 57935547. Attendees may RSVP on Facebook.

District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison has given her colleagues plenty to think about in an 11-page resolution directing the city manager to develop a process and scope for a comprehensive long-range plan for the eastern crescent. The plan should take into account how the city might encourage equitable transit-oriented development, job stability and high-quality public spaces. And she wants staff members to figure out how to pay for that. The resolution does mention Travis County, the expo center and the Austin Rodeo, but Council Member Jimmy Flannigan said at Tuesday’s work session that he would be providing some additional language related to Travis County. Several Council members, including Alison Alter, had other questions and perhaps they will get more answers at Thursday’s meeting.

Today, city of Austin administrative offices and facilities will close in observance of Veterans Day. All City Council offices as well as library curbside and reference services are included in the closures. The Austin Animal Center and Little Walnut Creek Library, Givens Recreation Center and Southeast Library Covid-19 test sites will also be closed. However, the St. Johns drive-thru testing site will be open by appointment. Austin Resource Recovery services will not be impacted by the holiday. Find more information about city closures and city Covid-19 testing sites online.

The Zilker tree-lighting ceremony will be a bit different this year, just like everything else. The good news is, if you are someone who has avoided the ceremony due to a distaste for crowds, this might be your year. All of the 2020 festivities will take place virtually, on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. The online event will feature performances from the Barton Hills Choir and the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble. Those who would like to “attend” may tune in to ATXN, Channel 6, YouTube or Facebook Live.