The Westside Health Authority’s community-based movement, the Good Neighbor campaign, will be hand delivering homemade cards on Valentine’s Day.
7th congressional district
Congressional candidates debate issues at Austin forum
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All four Democrats running for the 7th Congressional seat, which represents Austin in Congress, appeared at last week’s event: Congressman Danny Davis, and challengers Anthony Clark, Kina Collins and Kristine Schanbacher.
election
Presidential candidate Bloomberg opens office in Austin
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Presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg opened a field office in Austin at 5607 W. Division St. earlier this week. He’s one of eight Democrats seeking that party’s nomination to challenge President Donald Trump in the fall general election.
Protection
Self-defense instructor offers tips on protecting yourself
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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.
election
All but one 7th congressional candidates attend forum
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Though incumbent Rep. Danny K. Davis was absent, the other three candidates – high school teacher Anthony V. Clark, healthcare advocate Kina Collins and attorney Kristine Schanbacher – made the case for voters to support them in the March 17 Democratic primary.
computer literacy
Columbus Park gets techie
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A high school student is helping teach West Side youth ages 11 to 17 the basics of computer technology with the help of U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis and Austin Peoples Action Center. There is room for anyone interested in taking the six-week course.
education
Little change in Austin schools’ enrollments, ratings
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Half of Austin’s public schools are categorized as underutilized in a recently released report. Another report gave two of Austin’s 13 Austin elementary and high schools a higher rating than the year before, while four schools saw a drop in their ratings.
health
A runner’s journey
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Austin resident Vanessa Stokes reflects on life while on the road as she trains to run the Chicago Marathon in 2020.
gang database
Groups seek to end Chicago Police Department’s gang database
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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.
incarcerated
Sen. Duckworth, advocates push for bill to lower phone calls from prison
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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.
quality of life plan
Austin celebrates first year of 5-year quality of life plan
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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.