Featured

Tyra Watkins Blood Drive, May 31

Published

10 years ago

May 30, 2014

The Randle and Watkins families, in conjunction with the Second Baptist Church Health Ministry, are working together again to sponsor the 9^th American Red Cross blood drive in honor of 15-year-old Vallejo resident Tyra Watkins, who suffers from sickle cell anemia.

The blood drive will be held on May 31 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The American Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make giving blood a part of their summer plans as much as barbecues, ball games and road trips.

“A seasonal slump in blood and platelet donations typically begins with Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer,” said Sara O’Brien, communications manager, Northern California Blood Services Region. “Schools out of session, family vacations and busier schedules all contribute to less time for donors to give. But, patients like Tyra, don’t get a summer break from needing blood.”

Tyra’s struggle with sickle cell anemia has caused her to endure multiple blood transfusions in the past. So many, in fact, that now she can receive only very specific blood that has been matched beyond the traditional ABO typing. Her struggle and pain has inspired her family and friends to sponsor blood drives in her honor. The good news is that Tyra has been hospital-stay free for approximately one year.

“It was very hard to see Tyra go through pain because of her disease. She’s a trooper though. I really admire her,” her great-aunt Eileen Randle said. “Without people donating blood to provide her with transfusions, she would always be in pain.”

Since April 2012, a total of 224 pints of blood have been collected at drives held in Tyra’s honor. Each pint can potentially help save up to three lives. These pints may have helped to save more than 650 people.

The blood drive will be held at Second Baptist Church, 1170 Benicia Road in Vallejo. It is open to the public and donors are encouraged to sign-up in advance.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit redcrossblood.org (enter sponsor code: TYRABTT) or contact Eileen Randle at (707) 315-1900 to schedule an appointment.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), meet height and weight requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height), and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. For more information, contact Sara O’Brien at (510) 821-1200.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.