Austin
New Dates for Austin Pride 2017 Confirmed
Additional testing has revealed increasing levels of neurotoxins in algae at a greater number of locations. Samples were taken on Monday, August 12, 2019, at Auditorium Shores, at Red Bud Isle and at Barton Creek. Samples at Barton Creek were taken just below the pedestrian bridge over Barton Creek on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. All the samples contained greater amounts of neurotoxins than found the previous week.
Red Bud Isle remains closed. The public should not allow their dogs to swim anywhere in Lady Bird Lake. In addition, they should keep their dogs out of Barton Creek where algae is present.
In addition to swimming, dogs should not be allowed to drink the water in these locations. People should avoid handling the algae and minimize their exposure to the water. Boating and paddle-boarding is still allowed at your own risk. Pets and people who come into contact with the water should rinse off. If symptoms develop, they should seek immediate medical attention.
“Barking Springs” at the spillway of Barton Springs Pool is upstream of this area. Water at Barking Springs is cold and flows from Barton Springs and Barton Creek. At this time, we believe people and pets can continue to swim in this area at their own risk. They should avoid going downstream to areas with floating algae. They should be aware that bacteria is always a concern in smaller waterways where there is a high concentration of dogs.
Previously, algae in Barton Creek downstream of Barton Springs appeared to be a mix of harmless green algae. However, the most recent samples showed a low presence of blue green algae in the Barton Creek area of Lady Bird Lake. These samples did test positive for neurotoxins. This is a reminder that the situation is evolving and can change rapidly. Watershed Protection will be taking more samples for testing tomorrow.
The algae will naturally die off when cooler weather returns in the fall. At this time, the City of Austin has not identified a safe and effective way to treat or remove the algae, and it is likely that Red Bud Isle will remain closed for the next several weeks.
On Sunday, August 4, the City of Austin warned residents not to allow their pets to swim in or drink from Lady Bird Lake after being told that a dog had died from possible exposure to harmful algae. Since then, the City has been told about three other dogs who have died after swimming in the lake.
On Monday, August 5, the City was able to confirm the presence of algae that could produce a neurotoxin.
Drinking water remains unaffected by this situation. Austin Water regularly looks at algae levels on Lake Austin and Lake Travis and has not seen levels of concern for drinking water. Austin Water does not currently use Lady Bird Lake as a source for drinking water.
Dogs who ingest water contaminated with this toxin could have a number of symptoms. On the severe end, it could result in respiratory paralysis and death. Look for these signs in your pet within minutes to hours of exposure:
- Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea
- Foaming at the mouth
- Jaundice, hepatomegaly
- Blood in urine or dark urine
- Stumbling
- Loss of appetite
- Photosensitization in recovering animals
- Abdominal tenderness
- Progression of muscle twitches
- Respiratory paralysis
The amount of toxins the dog ingests and licking of the fur are factors.
In people, possible health effects include:
- Dermatologic signs or symptoms such as rash, irritation, swelling, or sores
- Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms
- Respiratory signs or symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Neurologic signs or symptoms
- Ear symptoms
- Eye irritation
Austin Public Health routinely tracks emergency department visits. We have not seen any increases in unusual conditions that may be related to exposure to the water. APH will continue to monitor.
If members of the public have questions or concerns, please have them call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000.
Source: City of Austin website
Austin
Austin Police Launch Safe Place Initiative
APD Safe Place will help those who are victims of a hate crime identify and find a safe place to take shelter and contact 9-1-1.
The Austin Police Department announced the launch for its SAFE PLACE Initiative today during a press conference at Halcyon Wednesday afternoon led by Austin Police Chief Brian Manley, Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk, Austin City Council Member for District 6 Jimmy Flannigan and Lesbian & Gay Peace Officers Association – LGPOA President Sgt. Mike Crumrine.
The new partnership between the police department and local businesses, which is free and voluntary, will help those who are victims of a hate crime identify and find a safe place to take shelter and contact 9-1-1.
Safe Place was started by the Seattle Police Department in 2014 to address low reporting of anti-LGBTQ crimes and school bullying incidents by increasing public trust in law enforcement and feelings of safety in the community. The program has since been initiated by over 200 police agencies across the United States and Canada and was expanded in 2018 to include anyone who may have been a victim of a bias crime.
The Safe Place symbol is trademarked and depicts a police shield surrounding the colors that traditionally have symbolized the LGBTQ+ community since the 1970s. The Safe Place decal is meant to convey inclusion and intersectionality with any and all individuals, regardless of their race, political beliefs, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation and/or identification, or any other differences either actual or perceived.
Businesses who want to participate in the APD Safe Place initiative should contact the program coordinator Christian Mendoza by email or phone at 512-974-4734.
Austin
Officials: Keep Pets Out of Lady Bird Lake
Owners strongly advised to keep pets out of Lady Bird Lake.
-
#dragATX 2020 Calendar
$25.00$20.00
september 2019
The NBA’s Expanding Relationship with the LGBTQ Community
Castro Questions Biden’s Memory, Democrats Express Unease
El Paso Democrat Sen. José Rodríguez Announces Retirement
Penfold Theatre presents GHOST QUARTET
Mighty Swell Takes on White Claw
Austin Sports
Austin Pride Week 2019
New Texas Law Will Outlaw Unsolicited Nudes
Castro Questions Biden’s Memory, Democrats Express Unease
El Paso Democrat Sen. José Rodríguez Announces Retirement
Rejection of LGBTQ Student Group Leads to a Fight at “Unambiguously Christian” Baylor
