Volunteers prepare community garden for summer
A community garden on Erie's east side has a refreshed new look to go into the summer season.
Volunteers woke up early Saturday morning to replant a plot located at the corner of East 6th and East Avenue, across the street from the ECAT building.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), along with some volunteers from the neighborhood, put new perennials in the ground to beautify the area.
Giant Eagle acquiring Rite Aid prescriptions in new agreement
Organizers said this project is all about community and making an impact wherever they can.
'It's really nice as you come down. This is actually the entrance to the city from the east side when you think about it, because the Bayfront road is right down there, so we have a lot of people that go by it in the day and beep their horns,' said Tom Chandley, garden steward for the WPC.
County, metro all-stars gather at media night ahead of 87th Save-An-Eye game next month
'We're really close to a gym, a school. There's a lot of traffic that comes by here from points of the day, and people really slow down to take a look at the garden,' said Matt Jenkins, the Operations Coordinator for the WPC.
The conservancy has 130 community gardens that spread across western Pennsylvania.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
‘We are still here, yet invisible.' Study finds that U.S. government has overestimated Native American life expectancy
Official U.S. records dramatically underestimate mortality and life expectancy disparities for Native Americans, according to a new, groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research, led by the Boston University School of Public Health, provides compelling evidence of a profound discrepancy between actual and officially reported statistics on the health outcomes of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in the U.S. The study, novel in its approach, tracks mortality outcomes over time among self-identified AI/AN individuals in a nationally representative cohort known as the Mortality Disparities in American Communities. The researchers linked data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 American Community Survey with official death certificates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System from 2008 through 2019, and found that the life expectancy of AI/AN populations was 6.5 years lower than the national average. They then compared this to data from the CDC's WONDER database, and found that their numbers were nearly three times greater than the gap reported by the CDC. Indeed, the study found that the life expectancy for AI/AN individuals was just 72.7 years, comparable to that of developing countries. The researchers also uncovered widespread racial misclassification. The study reports that some 41% of AI/AN deaths were incorrectly classified in the CDC WONDER database, predominantly misrecorded as 'White.' These systemic misclassifications drastically skewed official statistics, presenting AI/AN mortality rates as only 5% higher than the national average. When they adjusted the data to account for those misclassifications, the researchers found that the actual rate was 42% higher than initially reported. The issue of racial misclassification 'is not new for us at all,' said Nanette Star, director of policy and planning at the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health. The recent tendency for journalists and politicians to use umbrella terms like 'Indigenous' rather than the more precise 'American Indian and Alaska Native' can obscure the unique needs, histories and political identities of AI/AN communities, Star noted, and contribute to their erasure in both data and public discourse. 'That is the word we use — erasure — and it really does result in that invisibility in our health statistics,' she said. Issues related to racial misclassification in public records persist across the entire life course for AI/AN individuals, from birth to early childhood interventions to chronic disease and death. Star noted that in California, especially in urban regions like Los Angeles, Native individuals are frequently misidentified as Latino or multiracial, which profoundly distorts public health data and masks the extent of health disparities. 'It really does mask the true scale of premature mortality and health disparities among our communities,' Star said. Further, said Star, the lack of accurate data exacerbates health disparities. 'It really is a public health and justice issue,' she said. 'If you don't have those numbers to support the targeted response, you don't get the funding for these interventions or even preventative measures.' According to U.S. Census data, California is home to the largest AI/AN population in the United States. That means it has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in addressing these systemic issues. With numerous federally and state-recognized tribes, as well as substantial urban AI/AN populations, California can prioritize collaborative and accurate public health data collection and reporting. Star noted that current distortions are not always malicious but often stem from a lack of training. She suggested that California implement targeted training programs for those charged with recording this data, including funeral directors, coroners, medical doctors and law enforcement agents; allocate dedicated resources to improve the accuracy of racial classification on vital records; and strengthen partnerships with tribal leaders. The study authors suggest similar approaches, and there are numerous examples of successful cases of Indigenous-led health partnerships seen across Canada and the U.S. that have helped reduce health disparities among AI/AN communities that could be used as a template. These efforts would not only help to move toward rectifying historical inaccuracies, but also ensure that AI/AN communities receive equitable health resources and policy attention. 'When AI/AN people are misclassified in life and in death, it distorts public health data and drives inequities even deeper,' said Star. 'Accurate data isn't just about numbers — it's about honoring lives, holding systems accountable and making sure our communities are seen and served.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Houston LASIK & Eye Launches EVO ICL: The Latest Innovation for Patients with Thin Corneas
Houston, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston, Texas - HOUSTON, TX – Houston LASIK & Eye, a globally recognized center for laser vision correction, is proud to announce the addition of EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) to its comprehensive selection of vision correction solutions. This revolutionary technology offers new hope for patients with thin corneas, severe refractive errors, and dry eye who previously were not candidates for traditional procedures like LASIK. Unlike LASIK, which reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, EVO ICL involves implanting a biocompatible, collagen-based lens between the iris and the natural lens through a tiny incision. This procedure preserves the corneal tissue while delivering exceptional visual outcomes, representing a notable advancement in vision correction technology. "We're thrilled to bring EVO ICL to our patients in Houston and beyond," said Dr. Amjad Khokhar, Medical Director at Houston LASIK & Eye. "This technology combines the long-term results of LASIK with the removability of contact lenses, offering an ideal solution for patients with thin corneas or chronic dry eyes who weren't candidates for traditional laser eye surgery." The EVO ICL procedure takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and often provides immediate vision improvement. The lens is designed to treat astigmatism from 1.0 to 4.0 diopters and nearsightedness ranging from -3.00 to -20.00 diopters. Additionally, the implant offers UV protection and reduced glare, enhancing overall visual quality. With over 2 million lenses successfully distributed worldwide and a remarkable 99% patient satisfaction rate, this technology has proven its effectiveness across diverse patient populations. The procedure itself is remarkably straightforward; after administering a topical anesthetic, your eye surgeon creates a small incision and injects the folded lens through a specialized cartridge, where it naturally unfolds to fit seamlessly in your eye. Key benefits of EVO ICL include: sharp, clear, high-definition vision, excellent night vision capabilities, no exacerbation of dry eye syndrome, rapid recovery with minimal downtime, preservation of corneal tissue, removability if needed, and built-in UV protection. Houston LASIK & Eye's adoption of EVO ICL technology aligns with its commitment to providing cutting-edge vision correction solutions. Founded in 2005 by Dr. Khokhar, the practice has established itself as a leader in ophthalmological care, attracting patients from across the United States and internationally. The center's reputation for excellence has drawn patients from every continent except Antarctica, cementing its status as a premier global destination for vision correction. Houston LASIK & Eye offers a comprehensive range of ophthalmological services, including LASIK, EVO ICL, and treatments for various eye conditions. With state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to personalized care, the practice has become a destination for patients seeking premium vision correction services. "At Houston LASIK & Eye, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, technologically advanced eye care," added Dr. Khokhar. "With the addition of EVO ICL, we can now help even more patients achieve freedom from glasses and contacts, regardless of corneal thickness." The best candidates for EVO ICL are individuals between 21 and 45 years old with no history of serious eye conditions or previous ophthalmic surgery. Houston LASIK & Eye offers complimentary consultations to determine candidacy for this procedure. With locations in Houston, Sugar Land, and Pearland, Houston LASIK & Eye continues to expand its services while maintaining its commitment to personalized care, advanced technology, and exceptional outcomes. For more information about EVO ICL or to schedule a consultation, please call Houston LASIK & Eye at 281-240-0478 or visit their website. ### For more information about Houston LASIK & Eye, contact the company here:Houston LASIK & EyeDr. Amjad Khokhar,(281) 240-0478info@ Southwest Freeway, Suite 350,Houston, TX 77074 CONTACT: Dr. Amjad Khokhar,
The Hill
07-06-2025
- The Hill
Hundreds of pharmacies are set to close: How it could impact you
(NEXSTAR) — Several retail pharmacy chains have shuttered some of their stores this year, with more on the way for others, like Rite Aid, which filed for bankruptcy in May. It could create what some refer to as 'pharmacy deserts,' areas in which drugstores and the additional services they provide may not be available for miles. And in areas where other pharmacies are picking up the slack, it could have an impact on current customers. 'Closures of major chain pharmacies often create ripple effects across the community,' E. Michael Murphy, an assistant professor of clinical pharmacy at The Ohio State University, told Nexstar via email. Nearby pharmacies, independent or part of a chain, can see 'a sudden increase in patients,' he explained, which could 'lead to longer lines, and increase strain on the health care team.' It could also disrupt your medical care. Shuttering pharmacies in larger cities, like New York City and Philadelphia, may have limited impacts. Take, for example, a Rite Aid located in Philadelphia that has been designated for closure. A three-minute walk down the road will take you to a Walgreens and a local pharmacy. Within smaller communities, that may not be the case. Customers may need to drive to a nearby town to pick up their prescriptions, which 'could have some negative consequences on their adherence to their medication,' Lucas A. Berenbrok, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, explained to Nexstar. 'For those without reliable transportation, especially older adults or people with disabilities, traveling even a few extra miles can be a serious barrier,' Murphy said. That could lead to delayed access to prescriptions and missed dosages. Closing pharmacies also reduces health access points for people. In addition to filling prescriptions, pharmacies are able to provide vaccines, chronic disease management, urgent consultations, over-the-counter treatments, and certain health tests. 'There's a lot more going on at the pharmacy now than ever before,' Berenbrok explained, outlining how pharmacists helped to administer the COVID vaccine during the pandemic, for example, and the additional services they can provide in some states. He went on to explain that while online pharmacies can help fill the void of shuttered drugstores, they're largely unable to accommodate the additional services pharmacies provide. 'They also assume reliable internet access, digital literacy, and stable housing, which are barriers for many vulnerable patients,' Murphy said. 'For communities losing local pharmacies, online options may fill part of the gap but cannot replace the full range of services a community pharmacist provides.' Berenbrok agreed that mail-order pharmacies have 'a time and place' because of their convenience, but they require planning ahead, which may not be useful for certain medications like antibiotics. If your pharmacy is closing soon, Murphy recommended being proactive and asking your pharmacist where your prescriptions are being sent and whether that pharmacy has your insurance and medication history. He also encouraged asking for a 90-day supply or mail-order option for prescriptions if transportation is a concern. Chains poised to take on former Rite Aid clients, like CVS and Walgreens, say they're prepared to welcome new customers. Even if your prescriptions are not moving to a new pharmacy, you may want to make sure your prescription is being filled a day or two before you need it rather than the same day that your current supply runs out, Berenbrok said. Then, if you're short on time and facing a long line, you won't miss a dose. Murphy also suggested contacting elected officials and urging them to take action. 'While pharmacists are committed to stepping up to meet the need, without adequate state and federal policy changes to address the broken business model that caused the pharmacy to close in the first place, we will continue to see pharmacies close and patients having to navigate the loss of their trusted health care professional.'
