Mayor Turner and local leaders gathered to announced several city-wide multi-cultural celebrations to highlight the historical and regional importance of June 19. A new website was launched highlighting the variety of events around town from historical tours, talent shows and festivals to films, bike rides, and even a brunch cooking class and parades. Read the full press release and visit the Juneteenth Houston website for events taking place across Houston.

of people."

The Houston Public Library (HPL) hosted an inaugural commemorative lecture on Wednesday, May 25 about former Houstonian, George Floyd's tragic death that ignited worldwide protests two years ago. The lecture was delivered by Mayor Turner with opening remarks by Dr. Melanye Price, endowed professor of Political Science and Inaugural Director of The Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Social Justice at Prairie View A&M University. Following the lecture, Mayor Turner declared May 25 as George Floyd Remembrance Day in the City of Houston.

Attendees included George Floyd’s family members, HPL Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, Houston City Council Members Abbie Kamin and Carolyn Evans-Shabazz. The event highlighted the City of Houston and HPL’s efforts to chronicle race and social justice movements and capture the accounts of witnesses to history. Read the full article on the City of Houston website.

Pack, Stay Connected, and be Alert are key actions to prepare for the next emergency (hurricane, floods, new pandemic surges, etc.). These three points can help you and loved ones from being caught unprepared.

Pack essential items in your kit:

Gather enough non-perishable food (dried nuts, high fiber bars, canned tuna, crackers), water, canned pet food (if applicable) for at least two weeks. For example, mothers of infants should pack baby formula.

Take extra clothing, children’s books/toys, hygiene products and first aid supplies including bandages, cotton swabs, alcohol wipes, etc.

Prepare a supply of prescription(s). For example, people living with diabetes should have glucose tablets, insulin, etc.

Store copies of important documents such as passports, photo IDs, emergency contacts, children’s school records, welfare ID (if applicable);

medical records including insurance information, medication lists, dosages and doctor’s contacts in an easy-to-carry waterproof bag or container.

Make sure to pack a flashlight with batteries, chargers/charging adapters for phones and other electric devices, breast pumps, etc.

Stay connected with family & friends:

Keep a list of emergency numbers for all family members, neighbors, and friends, in case you get separated.

Have your contact information updated with family, friends, and caregivers.

Be Alert by staying informed:

Stay tuned to local media for updates and timely information. You can also stay informed online at https://gohealthyhouston.org/.

Sign up for AlertHouston to receive emergency alerts via email, text message or phone: https://houstonemergency.org/.

CenterPoint Energy has a streetlight outage reporting tool designed to allow customers to report damaged or obscured street lights. The tool provides a method for customers to locate streetlights by number, address, or location through an easy-to-use map. After an outage is submitted, CenterPoint Energy will then send you a follow-up email once the repair has been completed.

Steps to report a streetlight outage:

1. Visit Centerpoint.com and click the blue button to report the outage.

2. Locate the streetlight

Locate the damaged streetlight by entering the address or streetlight number. Another way to locate the outage is by clicking the “Locate me” option using the icon.

3. Click the streetlight that is not working correctly

After you’ve identified the damaged streetlight, click on the pink circle, which will allow you to report the issue.

4. Enter information about the issue

You will then be prompted to a drop-down menu with a list of options that allow customers to specify the

streetlight issue. If the issue isn’t shown on the list, please give a detailed description of the issue in the “Additional Info” box.

5. Interested in receiving confirmation receipts and repair updates?

Submit your name, email, and phone number to receive a status update on the streetlight repair. Repairs are typically targeted within 72 hours of reporting.

To report a city tree that needs pruning or request a tree removal permit contact the Urban Forestry section by calling 311 or visit the 311 Houston Service Center online at www.houston311.org to submit your request.

The Equitable Vaccination Acceptance and Distribution to Houston Complete Communities Initiative, also known as VAX HOU, is a Complete Communities project supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. VAX HOU's mission is to increase COVID-19 vaccinations, address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and advance health equity in the Houston Complete Communities.

To accomplish these goals, the VAX HOU team coordinates vaccine events conveniently located in the Complete Communities neighborhoods. These vaccine events are free to the public and are conveniently located in their own neighborhoods. Upcoming events for June include:  

On Thursday, May 19, city officials and partners celebrated the opening of the new Avenue Center, a resource hub for low-to-moderate income Houstonians. Located in the Near Northside community at 3517 Irvington Boulevard, the 31,000 square foot community hub provides homebuyer education and counseling for working families, after-school programs, fitness and nutrition, financial literacy classes, and computer labs. The facility also includes a Legacy clinic and the YMCA Children’s Academy. Visit the City of Houston Housing page to read the full press release. 

Also in May, the Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) celebrated completion of the rehabilitation of 18 apartment homes called Gale Winds Apartments in Near Northside with the help of Hurricane Harvey Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery 2017 grant funds (CDBG-DR 17).