🌱 Railroad Crossing Improvement Grant + SPD Behavioral Health Unit

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 89 Low: 66.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Savannah today:

1. Chatham County is set to receive nearly $2 million in federal funding to improve busy railroad crossings. Polly Trottenberg with the United States Department of Transportation explained that the funds would be used to remove 11 at-grade crossings. This move is designed to reduce the amount of time drivers are left waiting while trains block intersections, as well as reduce the number of collisions that occur between trains and cars. (WJCL)
2. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved over $3.5 million in funding for Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) through its annual Continuum of Care Competition. All of the programs that CSAH applied for were fully funded, including City 54, Eagles Landing, Union Mission, EOA Tom D. Austin House, and more. CSAH Executive Director Jennifer Darsey Du- Long said that the full funding of the organization's programs is a testament to the hard work and dedication that CSAH and its partners provide in their work to support people experiencing homelessness in Savannah. (Savannah Tribune)
3. The Behavioral Health Unit with the Savannah Police Department has doubled in size from two officers to four. Officers in this unit ride with a doctor and licensed clinician several times during the week, and other officers can call the Behavioral Health Unit for support when responding to calls that involve a mental health crisis or substance abuse. These officers receive additional training on top of Crisis Intervention Training and their goal is to de-escalate situations with a more holistic approach. Since its inception, the unit has had more than 600 encounters with people needing assistance, with 23 of those instances resulting in arrest. (WTOC)

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Today in Savannah:

Thursday, June 8

• Creative Coast Coffee Hour At Foxy Loxy Cafe (10:30 AM)
• Meditation Group At Cosmic Corner (6:00 PM)
• Karaoke Battle New Skool Vs. Old Skool Jams At Stafford's Public House (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• At SCAD Museum of Art, admission is free on the second Sunday of each month for Savannah locals! Stop by this Sunday, Jun. 11 to explore the museum's exhibitions. (SCAD Museum of Art)
• The Savannah Civic Center announced that the country's longest-running drag tour, "A Drag Queen Christmas," will be coming to Johnny Mercer Theatre on Dec. 26. Tickets will be available this Friday, Jun. 9 at 10:00 a.m. (Savannah Civic Center via Instagram)
• The Savannah Children's Theatre has announced an upcoming production of "The Phantom of the Opera." Performances will take place Jul. 7-16, and tickets are available here. (Savannah Children's Theatre via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Joyce Nash

About me: Joyce is a freelance writer and poet whose work has appeared in the Hello Gloria newsletter and Nine Cloud Journal. Her background ranges from journalism to fitness instruction and spans the east coast to the West. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two cats.