Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, Feb. 8, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is emailed to subscribers and available at www.taylorpress.net.
Downtown mural dedicated to Olympian
“With humble beginnings, you have to start somewhere … My talent and my work ethic is speaking for itself. I still got a long way to go,” Fred Kerley said after seeing himself painted on a water tower in the place he grew up.
The Taylor community gathered together near the intersection of Main Street and Lake Drive Saturday morning to dedicate a mural to Kerley, an Olympian and hometown hero.
The ceremony happened after an ice storm took a toll on the city, but many people still came out to show support.
The mural was painted by artist Adam Davenport, who used a 1 ½ inch brush to paint the entire 40-foot-tall mural. Davenport said using a small brush allowed him to really capture Kerley and all of his details.
The ceremony ended with Kerley taking time to sign autographs and take pictures with the community capturing moments that all involved will remember forever.
“It’s a blessing and seeing the community come together like this for a nice thing ... not only for myself, but the community, and me showcasing my talent to the world,” Kerley said about the event.
City, Oncor outline recovery efforts
Public Information Officer Stacey Osborne said last week Baum is the Emergency Operations Coordinator for the center, which was activated Tuesday, Jan. 31, and he has been leading twice daily meetings for the recovery efforts.
Mayor Brandt Rydell said in a prepared statement last week he issued a disaster declaration to help the city take any necessary measures to keep the city safe, mobilize resources and funds for assistance to those who were harmed by the storm, and to apply for state and federal disaster relief as it become available.
City crews have completed work on clearing roads of fallen trees and branches in our area, and are offering different options to residents, free of charge, for limb removal from the curbs.
Residents are permitted to bring their wood directly to the city facility located at 1200 Welch St., but they must contain branches only, no leaves, plastic bags or trash.
As of Monday evening, Feb. 6, Oncor Electric Delivery said power had been restored for almost everyone after the storm.
“We have completed restoration for those who can safely accept power for the winter storm—we completed that yesterday evening,” said Kerri Dunn, an Oncor spokeswoman Feb. 7. “The outages that you are seeing now are potentially from the wind yesterday or from any other reason that could come with a power loss, so car accident, wildlife, new vegetation, that sort of thing.”
Dunn said there still may be individuals who do not have power after the storm because it cannot be restored safely.
Library gets mental health grant
Healthy eating classes, yoga, journaling and even babysitting for special events could be coming to the Taylor Public Library soon.
At the Jan. 26 meeting of the Taylor City Council, city leaders approved receiving a two-year grant immediately for $25,000 each year from the St. David’s Foundation, the charitable arm of the hospital, to fund mental health initiatives through the library.
