May 2022
- Travis County declares public health crisis as drug overdoses skyrocket in Austin | kvue.com
- Travis County declares Public Health Crisis amid rise in drug deaths | KEYE (cbsaustin.com)
- Travis County officials declare drug deaths a public health crisis | Community Impact
- Procedural change sparks disagreement at Commissioners Court - Austin MonitorAustin Monitor
From the Austin American Statesman
A troubling jump in drug overdoses in the community has Travis County leaders poised to declare a public health crisis — but not without a plan on how to address it.
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court postponed a vote to declare a public health crisis, citing their desire to find out more from local experts on how to tackle the issue.
“We have more deaths on the street than ever before from overdose,” Commissioner Ann Howard said. “Our first responders are dealing with this, and we heard almost weeping officers a couple of weeks ago about their clients they’re concerned about on the street, and finding them dead. This is a real-life, right now problem ... so we have work to do.”
Travis County has become one of the top five counties in the state for opioid-related emergency calls, according to Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority. A majority, she added, is occurring largely because of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate with effects similar to heroin but much more powerful. It can be found as a pill, powder, patch, solid, or liquid, and it can be lethal even in tiny doses, authorities have said.
April 2022
- Travis County Commissioners question Central Health leadership amid community concerns | Community Impact
- Travis County to make improvements to substandard county roads
- Travis County hosts open house on Thomas Springs Road Project
March 2022
February 2022
- Travis County, CAPCOG reach nearly 1.5M people using Warn Central Texas
- Pharmaceutical opioid companies pay out – but will it be enough? - Austin Monitor
- Travis County endorses settlements against major opioid companies | Community Impact
- Travis County endorses lower speed limits for two Lake Travis ISD schools
December 2021
- Ann Howard reflects on first year in office
- Travis county continues efforts for mental health diversion center
- Howard: Travis County development is not our Violet Crown
November 2021
- Reimers Ranch Park designated as an International Dark Sky Park
- Travis County sets new commissioner district boundaries for next decade
September 2021
- Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard talks homeless funding | FOX 7 Austin
- County pledges more than $100 million to eradicate homelessness in three years
- Travis County allocates $110 million to house the homeless
- Travis County Earmarks $110 Million In Federal Funds To Combat Homelessness
- Travis County commits $110 million in federal funding to combat homelessness
- Travis County Commissioners unanimously passed a plan to invest $110M in supportive housing
- 'We're blown away' | Travis County Commissioners Court votes to allocate $110M to rehousing the homeless
- Travis County Commissioners Court approves $110 million for rehousing homeless
- Travis County OKs plan to spend $110 million to house homeless
- Travis County Commissioners Court to discuss allocating $110 million to rehousing the homeless
- Travis County Commissioners Court to discuss investing $110 million in supportive housing
- Travis County may spend $110 million in federal relief funds to house homeless
August 2021
- Travis County educates residents on wildfire risks
- Austin American-Statesman: Travis County, Austin to host wildfire preparedness town hall on Aug. 25
June 2021
- Travis County settles lawsuits with sex assault survivors. Will Austin do the same?
- This week's Austin Chronicle article covering women's jail
May 2021
- Commissioner Howard in the Austin American Statesman: County's fiscal responsibility pays off
- Wildfire risk is higher because of the winter freeze
April 2021
- Travis County establishes Civilian Conservation Corps to tackle climate, environmental projects | Community Impact Newspaper
- Commissioners approve Road and Bridge Division’s 2021 work plan
March 2021
February 2021
- Winter storm aftermath: Did the historic freeze lead to an increase in coronavirus cases in Texas?
- Western Travis County cities banded together during the storm
- Austin-Travis County Distributes Thousands Of Cases Of Water From FEMA
- Powerless: Life around Austin without electricity, heat, water amid historic winter storm
January 2021
- Austin-Travis County extend eviction moratorium orders until April 1, work to distribute millions more in rent relief (KXAN)
- Austin-Travis County extends eviction moratorium, gains more rental assistance funding (CBS Austin)
- Local leaders extend eviction moratorium, rent assistance services (FOX 7 Austin)
