ICU Shortage Leads To Vet's Death + Ways to Aid Ida Victims

Houston TX

30 August, 2021

9:45 PM

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Happy Tuesday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note. First, today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 96 Low: 78. Here are the top stories in Houston today: An ICU bed shortage in Texas and surrounding states meant an Army veteran from Bellville died because he couldn't get a 30-minute surgery to remove a gallstone. Daniel Wilkinson's death was preventable, according to his doctor, and underscores the severity of the latest wave of COVID-19 in Houston and across the state. (Houston Patch) The Harris County Commissioners Court created a 69-position COVID-19 response division to take on services that Harris County Public Health has dealt with since the pandemic began, such as testing, contact tracing and vaccinations. The division will last for three years. (Community Impact Newspaper) Houston Instagram model Miss Mercedes Morr was found dead, along with an unidentified man, in her Richmond apartment. Police don't believe the two had a relationship but suspect the incident may have been a murder-suicide. (KTRK-TV) With the devastation from Hurricane Ida in nearby Louisiana, it's time for Houstonians to do what they do best: pitch in and help. Several Houston organizations are finding ways to help victims of the hurricane. ReliefGang and CrowdSource Rescue are organizing search and rescue efforts, and Mattress Mack is collecting donations and opening his Gallery Furniture showroom to displaced Louisianans. See how you can help with the efforts. (Chron) A pair of Houston parents were evicted from their apartment on Westheimer Road and separated from their toddler after their landlord rejected nearly $7,000 provided by the Houston-Harris County rent relief program. (Houston Public Media) Today's Houston Daily is brought to you by Ring, makers of home alarm systems. Ring alarm systems start as low as $199, and Ring offers free advice by phone on how to set up a system in your own home. Click here to learn more. Thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Houston! Today in Houston Free Medicare Educational Seminar hosted by Connie Health — Doneraki Gulfgate. (2 p.m.) Debate Interest Meeting — Houston Academy for International Studies. (3:30 p.m.) Sports Interest Meeting — Key Middle School. (4 p.m.) Vocal Music Guild Meeting — Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. (6:30 p.m.) 6th Grade Parent Information Session — Pershing Middle School. (6:30 p.m.) Houston Patch Notebook Visit Houston: "Happy 185th birthday #Houston! The city was founded on August 30, 1836, and keeps on growing! What's your favorite thing about H-Town?" (Facebook) Houston Police Department: "HPD Homicide Lt. Warren Meeler provide an update on search for wanted suspect Jordan Potts in the death of Shawtyeria Waites, 21. #HouNews." (Facebook) Houston Astros: "Come see Lyle Lovett and his Large Band! A limited number of concert only tickets remain for the 6th annual Diamond Dreams Gala, presented by Chevron. Proceeds benefit #AstrosFoundation and New Hope Housing. www.astros.com/gala." (Facebook) Houston Public Media: "The U.S. Department of Education sent a warning to five states on Monday that their statewide bans on mask mandates, including in schools, could violate students' civil rights. | via NPR." (Facebook) Houston Public Media: "Rescue workers set out to reach people trapped by floodwaters Monday after a furious Hurricane Ida swamped the Louisiana coast and shattered a large swath of the state's electrical grid in the sweltering, late-summer heat. | via AP." (Facebook) From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Add your business here Events: Online Auction of Overstock Motor Oil, Transmission Oil & More (August 31) Add your event That's it for today! See you tomorrow for another update. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe. — Jeffrey Perkins About me: Born in San Antonio, I was raised in Arkansas but got back to Texas as soon as I could to attend Texas A&M University, where I earned a bachelor's degree in Telecommunication Media Studies. I started my journalism career as a copy editor at The Eagle in Bryan, Texas, in 2014 and later became the high school sports beat writer for the paper. My seven years at The Eagle strengthened my passion for journalism, and I love getting to know people and telling their stories, both on the field and off. I've seen firsthand the importance of hyper-local journalism in a community, especially in an eventful 2020, when I helped with news coverage and design in addition to my high school athletics beat responsibilities. I joined Patch in 2021 as Texas Field Editor for the Conroe-Montgomery County area. I welcome your questions, comments and story ideas! Please contact me at [email protected] or (479) 264-5801. Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Houston Daily? You can email me at [email protected].