AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/author/suzanne-mcbride/)
Eighty-two Austin residents have died since the pandemic hit earlier this spring, health officials said Saturday. The residents have ranged in age from 26 to 97 years old, with most deaths being of those over 60.
There are programs available in Austin for people who want to continue treatment or seek help for the first time. Austin native Jerome McNutt, who’s been sober for 19 months, says he’s taking things one day at a time and encourages others to do the same. “This is a good time to get your life right.”
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, Congressman Danny K. Davis and others warned Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to Loretto Hospital closing. They pleaded for more funding for the hospital, the community’s largest private employer.
Photographer Sasha Phyars-Burgess recently discussed her work “UNTITLED,” a photographic exploration of race, class and space in Austin, at the Oak Park Public Library. The project was supported by a short-term summer fellowship from the Black Metropolis Research Consortium.
Torriente Toliver tips with about 35 people who gathered Friday night at the Westside Health Authority to learn how to protect themselves from kidnapping and assault. Toliver, a former teacher, is the owner of Mind Body Defense. State Rep. La Shawn Ford organized the free session.
The only way to determine if someone’s name is in the database is to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the police department – something more than 120 people have already done. Earlier this month, a FOIA workshop was held to help Austin residents learn how to submit a FOIA request.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act with the aim of reducing the costs of phone calls made by the 2 million people incarcerated across the U.S. and their families. The lawmaker and others pushing for the legislation, including the American Jail Association, say the current system lacks competition and results in high and unreasonable rates.
In its first year, the campaign to improve Austin garnered $13 million in investments. That includes a record $10 million gift from BMO Bank. “It’s been a really momentous year. There’s been a lot of success,” said Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together. The nonprofit, launched in 2010, is the driving force behind the quality-of-life plan.
The nine sites that are open to the public are Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (901 S. Central Ave.); Austin Community Family Center (501 N. Central Ave.); Austin Town Hall Cultural Center (5610 W. Lake St.); Catholic Charities Father Augustus Tolton Peace Center (5645 W. Corcoran Place); Columbus Park Refectory (5701 W. Jackson Blvd.); Fraternite Notre Dame (502 N. Central Ave.); Kehrein Center for the Arts (5618 W. Washington Blvd.); St. Martin’s Episcopal Church (5700 W. Midway Park); and Third Unitarian Church (301 N. Mayfield Ave.).
High school seniors can start completing the Free Application for Financial Student Aid form. All seniors attending Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School are required to fill out the FAFSA, apply to at least 10 colleges and submit at least two scholarship applications.