🌱 Mayor Signs Mental Health Proclamation + Evergreen Acquired By City

Hello, everybody! It's Thursday in Savannah and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and nice. High: 76 Low: 55.

Business owners and marketers in Savannah: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Savannah:

1. On Tuesday, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson signed a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the city. The proclamation aims to encourage citizens to nurture, protect, and support themselves and others affected by mental health challenges. Mayor Johnson also emphasized the need for employers to extend grace and support their employees experiencing mental health issues. (WTOC)
2. The City of Savannah has announced the successful acquisition of Evergreen Cemetery for a sum of $143,000. The purchase comes after a four-year effort to secure the land, which had become overgrown and unkept in recent years — causing concern for those with loved ones buried there. With the cemetery now under Savannah's ownership, city officials have pledged to restore the site and honor those who are interred there. (WTOC)
3. The City of Savannah and local nonprofit profit Step Up Savannah have partnered to launch the Ignite Advantage project, with the goal of promoting economic inclusivity. The project aims to support minorities in starting their businesses, as well as help minority-owned businesses overcome everyday challenges. City leaders have hailed it as an economic engine that will address issues related to poverty in the city. (WSAV-TV)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Savannah Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Savannah Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Savannah:

• Storytime At W. W. Law Library (10:30 AM)
• Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Awards At Charles H. Morris Center (5:30 PM)
• Infamous Cirque At Oglethorpe Mall (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• UPDATE: the Savannah Police Department reports that 15-year-old Jayda Turnbow has been located. Jayda had been reported missing since Apr. 25 in East Savannah. (Savannah Police Department via Facebook)
• In the mood for some live music? Here's a roundup of who's playing in Savannah this and next weekend. (Connect Savannah.com)
• The SCAD Sand Arts Festival kicks off tomorrow (Friday, May 5) down the road in Tybee Island. After SCAD students and grads build their seaside masterpieces, participants and spectators alike are invited to level the sculptures during the Sundown Stomp. (SCAD - The University for Creative Careers via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (May 9)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.