Dear Ward 8 Residents, 

Over the weekend, I received calls from community members about their loved ones in custody at the D.C. Jail. There were concerns about the facility's conditions, allegations of mistreatment and inmate fatality.

We confirmed that an inmate died in the custody of D.C. Jail on Friday while in the facility's psychiatric unit. The cause of death has not been determined and we await the Chief Medical Examiners' report. 

On Saturday, two inmates overdosed; one was revived by a staff member using Narcan and was hospitalized; the other individual was pronounced dead. 

We take these matters very seriously and want to ensure that all residents have equitable access to medical treatment and safe living conditions. My office will work with the Correctional Information Council (CIC), which is committed to following up on the matters. I also wrote a letter to Mayor Bowser stating my concerns regarding the safety of those in our care.

Our hearts and condolences go out to both of the families of the two individuals who died over the weekend. We pray for their strength during this time of grief.

Regards,

 Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.

This week, Mayor Bowser and the Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced that the District is seeking DC residents for referral to work at the upcoming SOMETHING IN THE WATER festival, taking place June 17-19.

In April, Pharrell Williams and Mayor Bowser announced that the three-day festival will be held in the District on Independence Avenue, SW.

Residents interested in applying should visit does.dc.gov/page/something-water-2022-festival. For more information about the festival, visit somethinginthewater.com.

Monday, May 16, 2022 

Outreach coordinator: Stephen Akyereko

(202) 787-2063 or [email protected]

Greetings ANC 8A:     

Once again, we want to thank you for your support and allowing us to give a presentation to the residents in your area about Lead Free DC, an initiative, whereby we are aiming to replace 28,000 lead and galvanized iron water service lines for FREE, at no cost to the customer.  

We wanted to let you know that construction started November 4, 2021. 

As you are aware, lead exposure can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead can damage the kidneys and brain and has been linked with deficiencies in neurodevelopment. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. 

To date, we have 112 of 145 identified residents (77 percent of the total LFDC eligible residents in your area) that have signed up to participate in the FREE lead service line replacement-but we need your help. We have called, emailed, and conducted door-to-door campaigns, but the remainder of residents on our list still have not signed the agreement. Attached, we are including a block-by-block list of customers that have not signed up, in hopes that we can count on your assistance in engaging with these customers.  

It is not too late for residents to participate, and we encourage them to call our Lead Free DC hotline at (202) 787-4044, and/or email us at [email protected] to obtain a copy of the agreement to sign. We’ve also attached a copy of the agreement to this update and ask that you please share this with your constituents. 

Thanks so much for assisting us with this important public health concern, and please let us know if you have any questions. 

USDA met with leaders at The Well to discuss internship and career opportunities for students. USDA wants to invest in their own backyard to create urban agricultural hubs that would offer a pipeline for students of color to pursue more agricultural careers.

Meetings & Hearings schedule