CITY & SCHOOLS
News from Dallas, Dallas County & Richardson ISD
Dallas City Council meets Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St., Dallas. www.dallascityhall.com Dallas ISD board of trustees meets Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at 5151 Samuell Blvd., Dallas. www.dallasisd.org Richardson ISD board of trustees meets Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at the RISD Administration Building, 400 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson. www.risd.org Dallas County Commissioners Court meets Aug. 15 and Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. in the Allen Clemson Courtroom of the Dallas County Administration Building, 411 Elm St., Dallas. www.dallascounty.org MEETINGS WE COVER CITY HIGHLIGHTS DALLAS Following a rise of cases in the city, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins signed an emergency declaration Aug. 5 to receive more doses of the monkeypox vaccine. During a press conference, Jenkins said Dallas County has received 5,000 doses of the vaccine and has 224 con rmed cases. The virus is primarily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, and having close contact with a large number of people is a major risk factor, according to the county’s Health and Human Services Department website. DALLAS After a mosquito sample tested positive for the West Nile virus in late-July, city o cials are urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites by reducing outdoor activity during the evening and nighttime hours. Dallas-area residents who are outside during these times are advised to cover their arms and legs, and use a mosquito repellent. DALLAS Eligible residents could qualify to receive a $30 subsidy to help with internet bills, according to an Aug. 1 city press release. The subsidy will be provided through a Federal Communications Commission initiative called the A ordable Connectivity Program. In addition to the subsidy, the program also provides up to a $100 discount per household toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop or tablet, according to the city’s press release. TEXAS The state has received approval to extend emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program bene ts for August, a move o cials said will help around 1.5 million households. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide over $305.5 million in August SNAP bene ts, and each eligible household will receive at least $95 in emergency aid, according to a news release.
Richardson ISD selects lone nalist for new superintendent
BY JACKSON KING
O cials advise awareness of heat- related illnesses after accepting Stone’s resignation. During the July meeting, the board voted unanimously in support of Branum for the position, citing her past experience with the district. She joined RISD eight years ago as assis- tant superintendent before becoming the district’s deputy superintendent. “Tabitha Branum demonstrated that her unique leadership capabil- ities and track record of success in RISD were exactly what the commu- nity was looking for,” Board President Regina Harris said. “Ms. Branum can relate to RISD, has shown leadership in building community consensus, is transformative and has a strong academic conviction.” With her appointment, Branum will become RISD’s 10th full-time
superintendent since 1946. According to district o cials, Branum has been a Texas educator
RICHARDSON ISD The board of trustees named interim Superinten- dent Tabitha Branum the lone nalist to become the district’s next super- intendent during its July 18 meeting. Branum could not be o cially hired as superintendent by the district until 21 days after being named lone nalist, according to Texas state law. As of press time on Aug. 8, the board planned to approve Branum’s hire at an Aug. 9 meeting. Richardson ISD has been in need of a permanent superintendent since December when the board of trustees accepted the resignation of former Superintendent Jeannie Stone. The board then named Branum as the district’s interim superintendent
for 25 years and has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, technology leader, principal and curriculum leader. “I am honored and humbled to continue my service to RISD as superintendent,” Branum said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the trust that our board has placed in me, and I accept this responsibility with great excitement for the future of Richard- son ISD, our students, our sta and our community.” Tabitha Branum SAFETY TIPS County o cials stated residents could follow a few tips to help prevent heat-related illness. • Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If a home does not have air conditioning residents may qualify for an emergency AC window unit by calling 214-819-1976. Heat-related illnesses may occur when the body is unable to properly cool itself, according to the release. These illnesses include heat rash, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal. • Consider exercising early in the morning or later in the evening. Stay in shaded areas to allow your body to cool down and recover. • Check local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips. SOURCE: DALLAS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Mayor shares new public safety initiatives
BY MATT PAYNE
DALLAS Mayor Eric Johnson has laid out a series of new public safety initiatives. Johnson’s o ce sent a statement July 5 outlining initiatives that build upon Police Chief Eddie Garcia’s violent crime reduction plan. The statement follows a June 15 presen- tation given by Garcia and other police sta sharing updated statistics related to crime in Dallas. A new policy on removing blight in the city is in the works, according to the mayor’s statement. Johnson and the city attorney’s o ce are working together “to take the city’s blight remediation e orts to the next level” by modeling it o a program imple- mented in Philadelphia.
BY JACKSON KING
DALLAS COUNTY O cials with Dallas County Health and Human Services are advising residents to be aware of rising temperatures after reporting a heat-related death July 21. According to a county release, the patient was a 66-year- old Dallas resident who had underlying health conditions. “We are experiencing extreme heat this season, and this again reminds us how important it is to take every possible precaution,” DCHHS Director Dr. Philip Huang said in the release. “Hydrate con- stantly and limit your time outdoors to protect against the intense heat.”
City of Dallas warns residents of fraudulent water disconnection calls
BY MATT PAYNE
214-651-1441, which is deceptively labeled as Dallas Water, a July 7 news release from the city stated. The calls advise residents to make a payment to avoid disconnection. Customers are not called by Dallas Water Utilities before service discon- nections, the release states, despite
the phone number being the actual customer service number. Disconnec- tion notices are sent by mail. Those who suspect they have made payments through the fraudulent calls are encouraged to send an email to forgery-dpd@dallascityhall.com and to contact their nancial institution.
DALLAS Customers of Dallas Water Utilities should beware of fraudulent phone calls and text messages from a phone number demanding payment, according to the city. Calls and messages in both English and Spanish are coming from
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LAKE HIGHLANDS LAKEWOOD EDITION • AUGUST 2022
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