Weary group huddles around fire with rain pouring outside and city skyline reflected in windows

Austin Opens Cold Shelters, Revamps Sixth Street, Investigates Homicide

> At a Glance

> – Austin opens temporary cold shelters for the night.

> – City unveils a preliminary plan to revamp Sixth Street.

> – Police investigate a homicide on William Cannon Drive and a fatal crash on Highway 183.

> – Why it matters: Residents gain shelter options, downtown will see changes, and safety concerns are being addressed.

Austin has taken a multi-faceted approach to address community needs, opening cold shelters for the night, proposing a downtown revamp, and coordinating investigations into a homicide and a fatal highway crash. These actions aim to protect residents, improve traffic flow, and ensure public safety.

Cold Shelters Open Tonight

City officials opened temporary shelters to protect residents from the impending cold snap. They recommend registering between 6 and 8 p.m. at the Texas Center for overnight stays.

Sixth Street Revamp Plan

The city presented a preliminary design to widen sidewalks, install bollards, and reduce the number of lanes on Sixth Street. No construction date or funding has been set yet.

  • Wider sidewalks
  • Bollards for safety
  • Fewer traffic lanes

Police Investigations

The Austin Police Department is searching for a suspect in the shooting of Elias Mejía, found with gunshot wounds in a vehicle on William Cannon Drive. The department also is investigating a fatal collision on Highway 183 that killed a woman and left another charged with homicide by intoxication.

Weather Forecast

The city expects sunny, cold days through 2025, but temperatures will climb to 80°F on Friday before a cold front arrives over the weekend. Residents should prepare for fluctuating conditions as the front moves in.

Day Temperature Notes
Friday 80°F Cold front arrives
Rest of week Sunny & cold No major changes

Key Takeaways

  • Cold shelters are open to protect residents tonight.
  • A downtown plan for Sixth Street is in early stages.
  • Police are actively investigating a homicide and a fatal crash.
Modern city street plan shows Sixth Street narrowed with widened sidewalks and bollards reduced lanes with timeline backgroun

With shelters open, a downtown plan underway, and investigations active, Austin residents can stay informed and prepared for the coming weather and safety updates. Updates will continue next week for the Spanish-speaking audience.

Author

  • I’m Hannah E. Clearwater, a journalist specializing in Health, Wellness & Medicine at News of Austin.

    Hannah E. Clearwater covers housing and development for News of Austin, reporting on how growth and policy decisions reshape neighborhoods. A UT Austin journalism graduate, she’s known for investigative work on code enforcement, evictions, and the real-world impacts of city planning.

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