Focus On San Antonio -

Meet the candidates running in Garden Ridge, Kirby, Live Oak, Selma, Universal City

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Voters in four Northeast Side suburban cities have several candidates to consider ahead of their respective May 2 City Council elections. A fifth city has no contested election, but one resident there is asking local voters to enter her name on a key position on their ballot. Garden Ridge Retirees Jesus “Jesse”…

Light Bites: Selena-inspired speakeasy launches; Jason Dady’s Mexico Ceaty opens April 20; Southtown bar closing in May

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago08 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The Fiesta edition of Light Bites is highlighted by the long-awaited opening of Chef Jason Dady’s Mexico Ceaty concept on the Riverwalk, the unveiling of a Selena-inspired bar in downtown, and the launch of a new fried chicken and waffle spot on the Far West Side. Additionally, a Castle Hills restaurant adds…

Transit Tracker: Alamo Heights to improve Broadway intersection; South Alamo fully reopens; new Loop 1604 closures slated

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The Fiesta-edition of Transit Tracker highlights an upcoming Broadway Street project coming to Alamo Heights, and a milestone in a lengthy – and beleaguered – project on South Alamo Street in downtown. Elsewhere, more long-term road closures are starting as part of the Loop 1604 project, and Shavano Park continues to make…

Judson ISD moves forward with cutting staff positions, changing school boundaries

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The Judson Independent School District is proceeding with plans to eliminate positions toward achieving a balanced budget, as well as plans to redraw school boundaries to accommodate a long-term campus consolidation effort. Staff position reductions The Judson ISD school board voted 6-1 April 14 to approve a recommendation to jettison 7% of…

What to know about Fiesta 2026 and where to go

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago010 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Fiesta, San Antonio’s annual 11-day citywide party, officially gets underway April 16. While Fiesta veterans have their favorite, longtime events, there are still changes, helpful tips, and unofficial Fiesta happenings to keep in mind this time around. Out and about A majority of Fiesta events take place in downtown or the urban…

North East ISD to offer open enrollment to help address deficit, but school closures still on table

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz North East Independent School District will introduce open enrollment in the 2026-2027 academic year as part of a larger push to grow student enrollment and improve its financial picture. But inviting young families living outside of NEISD’s boundaries to register their child is one of many strategies that district officials are mulling…

San Antonio unveil skate, bike parks; YMCA’s offers new play spaces

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The city of San Antonio has opened two new skate parks, and two area YMCA’s have upgraded their recreational amenities. San Antonio parks San Antonio officials have increased the number of public skateboarding parks in recent years, with the city’s West and South sides receiving the latest additions. Local leaders gathered April…

Business Briefs: New ventures launch in Southtown, Boerne, New Braunfels; Painted Tree Boutiques closes

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The latest San Antonio-area business openings are highlighted by the relocation of a motorcycle manufacturer from California to New Braunfels, a new multimedia content studio in Boerne, and Southtown welcoming a new record store and a larger space for a pet-centric destination. Additionally, The Local SATX has unveiled a new, free route…

Castle Hills police chief resigns; captain named interim chief

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Castle Hills Police Department is experiencing an unexpected leadership change following the department head’s abrupt resignation. What is happening Gary McHone recently submitted his resignation as police chief, less than seven months after he took office. Jose Davila, who was promoted to captain and patrol commander last November, was named interim police…

NEISD: Conservator could be appointed to enforce cell phone ban in schools

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The Texas Education Agency is recommending having a conservator to enforce a new state law banning student use of cell phones during the school day in the North East Independent School District. What you should know North East ISD Board President David Beyer used the school district’s digital platforms April 10 to…

New OB/GYN clinic opens on San Antonio’s Far West Side

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Officials with Methodist Healthcare and Methodist Hospital | Westover Hills gathered with local civic leaders April 9 to celebrate the opening of Methodist Physicians | Westover Hills OBGYN at 5126 W. Loop 1604 N., Suite 328. What you should know Located in the medical office building next to the hospital, the clinic…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (April 9-19)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago019 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. STAGE Now through April 11 Overtime Theater presents final performances of “GLAAD to Know You.” It’s a comedy about a popular queer…

SCUCISD to hold public meetings, campus tours ahead of May 2 bond election

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Residents in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will have four opportunities in April to learn more about a $295 million bond that the district will present to voters in May. What you should know SCUCISD voters will consider the multi-proposition bond package at the May 2 local elections, the result of…

Weekend conference to explore San Antonio’s creative economy

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Downtown San Antonio will be the setting this weekend for a conference where creators, entrepreneurs, investors, technologists and community leaders will discuss how creativity contributes to the evolution of San Antonio and other major cities. What you should know The inaugural Creative Futures Conference, happening April 10 and 11, will offer keynotes,…

Light Bites (April 7): Vietnamese eatery launches near Windcrest; Yemeni cafe opens in Medical Center; Boerne BBQ spot to close; Castle Hills event promotes local restaurants

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz This new edition of Light Bites highlights the openings of a Yemeni coffee shop in northwest San Antonio, a Far West Side donut shop, a Vietnamese restaurant, an East Side barbecue spot, and a Stone Oak eatery at the old Le Peep location. Additionally, Castle Hills restaurants will again be featured in…

Kirby leaders mulls disciplinary action against council member

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Kirby’s elected officials are looking to sanction a City Council, instead of possibly removing her, for allegedly violating the city charter. What is happening City Council went into a special April 6 meeting to consider the possibility of ousting Councilmember Susan Street over claims of interfering with city staff, among other allegations….

UTSA’s newest classroom building meant to benefit students, industry

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) has unveiled its newest downtown academic facility that university officials said will further boost the local talent pipeline, and help to further foster collaboration and innovation. What you should know An April 6 ribbon-cutting was held for San Pedro II, a 180,000-square-foot…

San Antonio nonprofit opens new HQ to further support for military families

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio-based nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels held a March 31 ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate the opening of a larger national headquarters. What is happening According to a news release, the new, bigger home office in the north central side of town affords Soldiers’ Angels an opportunity to grow a permanent…

Dietz, Gutierrez advance to Schertz City Council runoff election

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Sarah Dietz and Raquel Gutierrez are headed to a runoff election to vie for the vacant Schertz City Council Place 6 seat, the result of a special April 4 election. According to Guadalupe County elections data after the polls closed April 4, Dietz, a realtor and former local teacher, had collected 45%…

News Briefs (April 3): San Antonio councilor critical of public housing measure; NISD unveils new sports complex; Converse fills council vacancy

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A San Antonio public housing agency is moving forward with a controversial plan that is not sitting well with at least one City Council member. In other recent San Antonio news, council is opting to wait to talk more about the mayor’s proposed voting commission, and a city panel approved conceptual plans…

Transit Tracker (April 3): Major Southeast Side road project begins; public invited to Cesar Chavez street renaming meetings; New Braunfels wants input on bike/walk plan

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz While San Antonio rolls out a key street improvement measure at Brooks, the city is also authorizing other infrastructure projects on the Northwest Side and just north of Terrell Hills. Also, San Antonians are invited to two public forums to offer ideas to rename Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Elsewhere, New Braunfels officials are…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (April 3-12)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago014 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. WELLNESS Each Saturday Wellness at The Tobin is a weekly series of fitness and exercise classes designed to nurture the body and…

Biofest Days event reflects momentum in San Antonio’s bioscience industry

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz April means it is Fiesta season in San Antonio. But within San Antonio’s bioscience and healthcare communities, April also marks the return of an event designed to highlight industry capabilities, achievements and collaboration opportunities present locally and around the region. What is happening Biofest Days, organized by the nonprofit BioMedSA, has evolved…

4 candidates ready for April 4 special council election in Schertz

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Schertz voters will again head to the polls April 4, facing their second special City Council election in less than three months. What you should know Four residents are running to fill the vacant Place 6 council seat and replace Allison Heyward, who resigned to mount an ultimately unsuccessful bid in the…

Lone Star Brewery redeveloper asks neighbors to help reimagine South Side site

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The company that plans to remake the former Lone Star Brewery site wants to know what community members want to see at the future redevelopment. What is happening Executives from Southstar, the New Braunfels-based firm that finished the acquisition of the 32-acre property in January, held a meeting March 30 with more…

Methodist Healthcare unveils critical care transport service

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Methodist Healthcare held a March 30 ribbon cutting to launch the Methodist Healthcare Critical Care and Specialty Teams, a medical transport service line devoted to providing comprehensive care during internal and interfacility transfers. What you should know According to a press release, the new service includes four critical care ambulances, ground or…

Rainbow sidewalks unveiled in Tobin Hill

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A handful of City Council members joined local LGBTQ community members March 29 to celebrate the installation of rainbow sidewalks along a key Tobin Hill neighborhood street. The Pride-themed sidewalks replace rainbow crosswalks that the city was forced to remove to comply with an order from the governor. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked…

New Terminal A features revealed at San Antonio airport

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The city has launched newly added elements at the San Antonio International Airport designed to make some operations in the airport’s original terminal building more efficient. What you should happen Officials with the city, the aviation department and special guests gathered March 27 to celebrate the opening of a Terminal A ground…

City panel ready to study design of Missions’ new stadium; neighboring hotel, apartment towers also to be reviewed

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A city commission is gearing up to examine renderings for the San Antonio Missions’ planned downtown stadium, and for complementary new development that project partners say will help to reinvigorate the western part of the central business district. What is happening The Missions, the local minor league affiliate of the San Diego…

University Health: New partnership to improve health care starting from the South Side

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz University Health is partnering with Texas A&M University to train and retain more physicians toward caring for a growing regional population. What you should know Officials from Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine in College Station and University Health gathered March 26 at Texas A&M University San Antonio to…

The Orchestra San Antonio grows its educational opportunities

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The Orchestra San Antonio’s March 27 lunchtime show at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts marks the organization’s expansion of music educational support for area youth. What is happening The Orchestra San Antonio’s (TOSA) Youth Concert Series debuts with a noon concert that is free and open to the community. But…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (March 26-April 5)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago015 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. MUSIC March 28 Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association presents a community band festival, featuring performances from groups such as San Antonio…

Kirby City Council considers removing one of its members

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Kirby City Council will meet at 7 p.m. April 6 to mull whether to oust first-term member Susan Street for allegedly violating part of the city charter. What you should know Council met March 25 to weigh removing Street based upon the findings of an investigation conducted by City Manager Brian Rowland….

Balcones Heights mayor under investigation following heated City Council meeting

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago2 weeks ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Johnny Rodriguez’s powers and duties as Balcones Heights mayor are temporarily limited while the city investigates employee complaints against the city’s top elected leader. The move follows a tumultuous March 23 City Council meeting involving multiple heated exchanges among Rodriguez, the city attorney, and several council members. What you should know City…

Backlash continues following SAISD’s school closure, charter campus decisions

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Residents and employees in San Antonio’s centermost school district remain critical of the school board’s decisions this week to close a West Side school, and to let a Colorado-based charter education organization take over three other West Side campuses. What is happening The San Antonio Independent School District board voted 5-2 March…

Light Bites (March 23): Pinthouse Pizza opens San Antonio taproom; Southtown cafe moving; Stone Oak tearoom plans ‘Titanic’ event

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz An Austin-grown brewery and restaurant opening a San Antonio locale headlines this edition of Light Bites. Also, one burger-centric eatery opens a North Side spot while another provides an update for its upcoming North Side location. Additionally, recent launches include a Boerne cafe, and a New Braunfels Irish bar, while a Southtown…

New bike, hike trails open in 3 North Side parks

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Bicyclists and hiking enthusiasts now have new destinations at north San Antonio parks where they can enjoy their hobbies What you should know The city’s parks and recreation and public works departments held a March 18 ceremony to formally open The Grove, a new mountain bike flow trail at McAllister Park. Located…

Investigations continue in Judson ISD but with some changes

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Separate investigations of two Judson Independent School District trustees are allowed to proceed although the scope of one inquiry is being officially modified. What is happening Following a lengthy closed session in a March 19 special meeting, Judson ISD board voted 4-3 to uphold an investigation of allegations that board President Monica…

Converse City Council fills one vacancy, seeks applicants for second opening

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Jessica Hannah, who most recently served on the Converse Economic Development Corp. board, is now the newest member of Converse City Council. Council voted 3-2 March 17 to appoint Hannah to Place 4 seat, replacing Sylvia Meyer, who recently departed the council after serving little more than three years. However, local leaders…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (March 19-29)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago016 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. MUSIC March 21 A spring equinox celebratory concert will be held at the Cave Without a Name, featuring Rudi and the Rudiments….

Chavez revelations prompt halt to honors in San Antonio and beyond

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz City officials are considering changing the name of Cesar Chavez Boulevard in light of recent reported accusations that the late United Farm Workers founder groomed and sexually abused multiple girls who were part of the Latino civil rights movement. District 5 City Councilmember Teri Castillo submitted a memo March 18, asking city…

New Braunfels council advances Tourism Public Improvement District

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Local organizations responsible for promoting New Braunfels as a tourist destination will soon have a new source of funds for their marketing efforts. What is happening New Braunfels City Council voted unanimously March 9 to approve and validate petitions that support the creation of a local Tourism Public Improvement District. Once established,…

State awards $5M grant for Southwest Side railroad crossing project

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The state recently provided $5 million towards a $65.7 million project designed to reduce congestion at southwest San Antonio railroad crossing. What you should know The Texas Transportation Commission voted Feb. 26 to approve five grants, totaling $160.4 million, for five rail crossing separation projects around the state. The money, sourced from…

Changing wastewater fees to help support Fair Oaks Ranch’s treatment plant expansion

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Fair Oaks Ranch officials will begin a phased expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant, where construction will be partially funded by adjustments in customers’ wastewater service fees. What is happening City Council voted March 5 to pass a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with San Antonio-based Pesado Construction Co….

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (March 12-22)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago014 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. CINEMA March 13 A free screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film “The Birds” will be held on Will’s Plaza at the Tobin…

Light Bites (March 11): Bonds Rock Bar reopens on South Side; new eateries launch in Windcrest, Leon Valley; culinary events at St. Anthony Hotel, Clementine

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The latest openings in San Antonio’s bar and culinary community include a new sandwich shop in Leon Valley, a Windcrest buffet restaurant, a revived rock music-driven bar on the South Side, a downtown honky tonk, a brunch-focused Stone Oak-area spot, and a new Hemisfair hotel. Elsewhere, the Pearl area is getting a…

The Spurs and these San Antonio educators, innovators and musicians are taking part at SXSW

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The San Antonio Spurs and a number of local educators and musicians are participating at this year’s South by Southwest conference in Austin. The education-centric portion of the event, called SXSW EDU, runs March 9-11 and includes a range of presentations, panel discussions and special events concentrated on the state of education….

Business Briefs (March 9): South Side business park, Beacon Hill bookstore among new ventures; showrooms headed for La Cantera

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A independent bookshop in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, a workspace complex on the Southeast Side, and a Toyota pickup truck axle assembly plant are among the newly opened businesses and ventures in the San Antonio area. Elsewhere, a new owner took over a STEM skills/coding provider in Cibolo, a stretch fitness center…

Transit Tracker: San Antonio provides updates on Blanco Road, South Alamo Street; Toepperwein Road project pushed back

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago5 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz This edition of Transit Tracker features updates on projects affecting Blanco Road at Loop 1604 on the North Side, and South Alamo Street in the heart of downtown. Elsewhere, Balcones Heights started a final phase of improvements on Crestview Drive, an electric vehicle charging station opens in Windcrest, and Converse’s effort to…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (March 6-15)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago09 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. MUSIC March 12-15 Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair affords Tejano music fans a chance to enjoy live performances by many musical artists,…

San Antonio council seeks policy, code changes to counter migrant detention centers

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Acknowledging that they cannot keep the federal government from setting up migrant detention centers inside city limits, San Antonio’s elected leaders said March 5 they hope to impose policy and code changes to protect local residents while such structures are operational. What is happening City Council voted 8-2 to pass a resolution…

Park, bike lane improvement projects noted in San Antonio, Boerne

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio is moving forward with two separate recreational projects meant to boost a East Side neighborhood and Woodlawn Park area. Meanwhile, Boerne officials said they are making progress with the Northside Community Park improvement initiative. East San Antonio San Antonio City Council approved a March 5 meeting consent agenda item that…

Nirenberg’s defeat of Sakai in county judge race headlines area primaries

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A former San Antonio mayor upsetting Bexar County’s top elected leader was one of the key outcomes in the local March 3 Democratic and Republican primaries. What you should know According to Bexar County Elections Department, 22% of the county’s registered voters cast a ballot in this year’s Democratic or Republican party…

Nearly all local school districts decline to allocate prayer time under new state law

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Boerne Independent School District is one of only 15 Texas public school districts that are opting into a new state law that seeks to offer time for students and employees to pray on campus. What you should know More than 1,200 Texas public school districts and charters had until March 1 to…

March 3 is Election Day for party primary voters in Texas

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Texas voters will head to the polls March 3 as state Democrats and Republicans determine which candidates of theirs they would like to see advance to the Nov. 3 general midterm elections. Locally, GOP and Democratic primary voters will consider several contested races for San Antonio-area Congressional and state legislative posts as…

New Braunfels wants to improve its downtown parking experience

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz New Braunfels officials are exploring how best local residents and downtown merchants could benefit more from the city’s fledgling managed downtown parking program. A parking system overview Council was briefed Feb. 23 on the city’s 6-month-old downtown managed parking program, which has gotten mixed reviews from New Braunfels residents and affected business…

San Antonio council votes 8-1 to formally censure mayor

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Eight San Antonio City Council members voted Feb. 27 to officially censure Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones for violating the city’s code of conduct and workplace anti-harassment policy. What you should know The reprimand comes less than one month after a widely reported Feb. 5 argument between Jones and District 1 Councilmember Sukh…

Boerne proceeds with designs for new animal shelter, police dispatch center

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago5 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The city of Boerne is partnering with onr architectural company on two separate projects that will yield a new municipal animal shelter and a new police dispatch area. New animal shelter Boerne City Council on Feb. 24 passed consent agenda items covering the two projects. Council authorized city staff to execute a…

News Briefs (Feb. 25): VIA says no to free fares; Selma to build public safety training center; Leon Valley OKs monument site, sustainability pledge

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A decision by San Antonio’s mass transit agency to not pursue a free-fare program highlights this round of news briefs. Elsewhere, Selma is getting ready to build a fire and police emergency training complex, and Leon Valley has both finalized a location for a public veterans’ monument, and opted to continue a…

Judson ISD to close 3 elementary schools to try and reduce budget deficit

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Judson Independent School District will be closing Franz and Rolling Meadows elementary schools and Park Village Blended Learning Academy after the end of the current academic year. What you should know The Judson ISD school board voted 5-2 on Feb. 24 to approve administrators’ proposal to shutter those campuses; the vote comes…

Converse seeks to fill City Council vacancy

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Eligible Converse residents interested in joining the City Council have until 5 p.m. March 9 to apply for a vacant council position. Sylvia Meyer, who had been elected to Place 4 council seat in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, recently departed her council post. Whomever is appointed to replace Meyer will fill…

2 new long-term North Side roadway closures get underway

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Construction crews overseeing two North Side freeway projects were set to begin months-long closures Feb. 23. Loop 1604 Contractors are closing the westbound Loop 1604 entrance ramp from O’Connor Road as part of the ongoing freeway expansion and improvement project. This ramp closure is scheduled to last through June. According to the…

City Council to vote on censuring the mayor Feb. 27

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones will face a censure vote Feb. 27 from City Council for allegedly violating the city’s code of conduct. Following a two-hour closed session discussion Feb. 23, the council proceeded to schedule the censure vote. That meeting begins at 10 a.m. Five council members sent a memo to city…

Light Bites (Feb. 20): One Italian eatery ends brief closure, another plans to shutter; Jason Dady launches crawfish pop-up

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago08 mins

By Edmond Ortiz This edition of Light Bites is highlighted by La Foccacia’s owner deciding not to retire, and the owner of Luce Ristorante deciding to hang up his apron for good. Elsewhere, the far West Side has a new hot chicken eatery and a new bar with food options. Additionally, renowned local chef is…

See who is running for a council or school board seat on May 2

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago4 months ago08 mins

Feb. 13 marked the end of the filing period for the May 2 local elections, and more than one dozen San Antonio-area cities and school districts will have contested races. Local government entities such as New Braunfels and the Alamo Heights Independent School District will have multiple contests while voters in Kirby, Shavano Park, the…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (Feb. 19-March 1)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago016 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. MUSIC Feb. 20 The String Queens, a trio that performs an array of music, from 1700s classic compositions through popular contemporary tunes,…

Business Briefs (Feb. 18): Midtown bookshop, nonprofits in Boerne and New Braunfels among new San Antonio-area ventures

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago08 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The launches of a Midtown bookstore, healthcare clinics in Stone Oak, Live Oak and the South Side, boutiques in Garden Ridge and Leon Valley, and nonprofits in Boerne and New Braunfels are among the newest businesses and organizations to open in the San Antonio area. This new edition of Business Briefs also…

Nirenberg/Sakai match headlines county elections among San Antonio-area primaries

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A contest between San Antonio’s previous mayor and the current Bexar County judge is among the San Antonio-area county races that are featured in local Democratic and Republican primaries, which are set for March 3. More than 12,000 Bexar County voters participated in the first day of early voting, Feb. 17, ahead…

Early primary voting underway in 11 San Antonio-area Texas House, Senate districts

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago09 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Voters in 11 San Antonio-area state legislative districts began casting votes Feb. 17 ahead of the March 3 Democratic and Republican primaries. State Senate District 19 Democratic incumbent Roland Gutierrez has no challenger in his effort to continue representing a state Senate district that covers east, south and far West San Antonio,…

Judson ISD board votes to close Judson Middle School; new interim superintendent chosen

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The Judson Independent School District board, in separate votes Feb. 16, chose to close Judson Middle School and opted to pick a new interim superintendent, but the meeting included more heated exchanges between trustees and the removal of one board member from the session. School closure The Judson ISD board has recently…

41 San Antonio-area Congressional candidates enter early voting ahead of March 3 primaries

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Early voting begins Feb. 17 for the March 3 primaries, and 41 Democrats and Republicans are eyeing four San Antonio-area Congressional seats, two of which are considered by political observers as being wide open for the taking. U.S. Representative, District 21 Republican Chip Roy is running for the GOP nomination in a…

Northeast Side school district to float $295M bond in May

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Voters in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will go to the polls May 2 to decide the fate of the district’s proposed $295.6 million bond. What you should know The school board voted unanimously Feb. 12 to call a May 2 election, where district voters will be asked to consider three…

Judson ISD trustees green-light investigations of 2 school board members

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Trustees of a Northeast Side school district used a special Valentine’s Day meeting to authorize internal investigations into two school board members. What you should know The Judson Independent School District board unanimously approved beginning a formal investigation into two employees’ complaints filed against trustee Jose Macias. The board also voted 4-3…

Here’s how San Antonio leaders hope to protect residents amid illegal immigration crackdown

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago08 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A majority of San Antonio’s elected leaders said they want to pursue ways to help protect local residents as the federal government ramps up local immigration law enforcement actions, but some city officials said there is only so much the city can legally do. What is happening City Council voted 9-2 on…

Alamo Heights council OKs plans for 2 business buildings; gets briefed on school district’s redevelopment projects

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Alamo Heights officials have green-lit planned improvements for two notable downtown commercial buildings, and receive an update on the local school district’s redevelopment program. City Council took action Feb. 9 on these issues, including passing a consent agenda addressing designs for upgrades and repairs at the former La Madeleine French Bakery and…

News Briefs (Feb. 11): San Antonio mayor faces censure; Castle Hills OKs new short-term rental rules; Judson ISD readies school closure list

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The newest slate of news briefs are highlighted by an internal investigation of San Antonio’s mayor for alleged misconduct, Castle Hills revising rules covering short-term rentals, and a Northeast Side school district preparing to call for campus consolidations. San Antonio mayor under fire San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is being investigated…

9 plays, musicals offered in February across San Antonio area

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz February is a busy month for local fans of live theater. From a high school musical and a children’s play about taco-loving dragons to community theater offerings and adaptations of major productions, there is something for everyone this month across the San Antonio-area. Overtime Theater Overtime Theater is offering performances of “Acts…

Construction starts on fourth Schertz fire station

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Schertz city officials and Schertz Fire Department staff gathered Feb. 5 to ceremonially mark the launch of construction of a fourth fire station. Schertz Fire Station No. 4 will be located at 17355 Wiederstein Road. San Antonio-based Marksmen General Contractors is overseeing development of a 16,000-square-foot, $8.8 million facility, where construction is…

Light Bites (Feb. 9): New restaurants open in Stone Oak, New Braunfels; eatery, brewery give to charity; downtown hotel reveals culinary program

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com6 months ago6 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz This new edition of Light Bites includes new culinary ventures in Stone Oak and New Braunfels, local charities receiving donations from a downtown brewery/coffee spot and a Pearl district eatery, and the temporary closure of a Castle Hills restaurant. Additionally, a downtown hotel announces its upcoming culinary offerings, and a West Side…

News Briefs: Judson ISD fires superintendent; San Antonio council rejects Guajolote Ranch district; TxDOT opens final North Side flyover ramp; Converse starts pet safety measure

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago6 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz This round of news briefs includes the firing of a Northeast Side school district leader, San Antonio City Council rebuffing a developer’s key request for a proposed massive residential community. Also, a new flyover ramp at a major North Side freeway intersection has opened to traffic while closures affect traffic in two…

Judson ISD board under more fire heading toward potential removal of district leader

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Elected leaders of the Judson Independent School District remain the target of community criticism and even litigation while they prepare to vote to possibly fire their superintendent. Special meeting scheduled The JISD board will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4 where trustees are due to have a closed session…

News Briefs: San Antonio breaks ground on South Side police station; Judson ISD board president under fire; New Braunfels-area district boosts projects

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The launch of development of a South Side police substation, the advancement of Brackenridge Park improvements, and the painting of rainbow sidewalks at local Planned Parenthood facilities highlight the latest bits of news from around San Antonio. Also, members of a Northeast Side school district are petitioning for the removal of their…

San Antonio panel denies Guajolote Ranch petition, but what comes next for the developer?

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Representatives for a Florida-based company still face overwhelming opposition – at least at the local level – in their efforts to build a 3,000-home, master-planned community in northwest Bexar County. Despite opposition from environmental organizations, grassroots groups and area elected officials, representatives for Lennar Corp. say they still have the legal authority…

City moves forward with bus fare program to curb student absenteeism

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The city of San Antonio is officially providing money for a pilot program designed to reduce student absenteeism by underwriting bus passes for middle and high schoolers who otherwise may have trouble getting to school. What you should know The City Council voted Jan. 15 to approve the District 7 council office’s…

San Antonio council gets updates on Project Marvel, Missions stadium plans

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago011 mins

By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio city staff sat with City Council Jan. 14 to brief the elected leaders on the latest developments and next steps regarding the envisioned construction of a new downtown sports and entertainment district, and the building of a new San Antonio Missions stadium. Project Marvel plans Ben Gorzell, the city’s chief…

San Antonio ISD in flux: One school targeted for closure, another school being renovated

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The San Antonio Independent School District is starting 2026 by beginning an improvement project at one campus, and considering the closure of another school. Proposed closure of Carvajal Elementary The school board is due to meet Jan. 20 to formally consider shuttering Carvajal Elementary School after the end of the current academic…

Filing begins for May 2 San Antonio-area city council, school board elections

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Eligible residents in 18 cities and nine public education districts across the San Antonio area have through Feb. 13 to file for a city council or school board seat that will be on the May 2 local election ballot. The May 2 election filing period started Jan. 14 in the following cities…

Early voting starts Jan. 13 for Schertz council runoff election

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Early voting begins Jan. 13 for a runoff election to fill Schertz’s vacant Place 7 City Council seat. What you should know John Carbon and Dr. Robert Sheridan, the two top vote-getters in the city’s Dec. 20 special election, advanced to the Jan. 31 runoff. None of the five candidates in the…

Judson ISD’s suspension of superintendent roils community members

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Many Judson Independent School District residents say they are angered and confused by the school board’s decision to suspend the district’s superintendent. What you should know A special board meeting on Jan. 10 started with an agenda item calling for trustees to consider Superintendent Milton Fields’ employment status and duties. Five hours…

Universal City paves way for new food truck park

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Food truck operators have a new spot on the Northeast Side to set up shop and feed area residents. What you should know The Universal City City Council voted 4-2 on Jan. 6 to approve the development of a mobile food truck park at 1980 Universal City Blvd. The approved agreement with…

Things To Do In and Around San Antonio (Jan. 9-19)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago09 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com MUSIC Jan. 11 Tuesday Music Club will have a Founders’ Day event, celebrating the club’s 125th anniversary and 75th anniversary of the…

Milestones loom in 2026 for major developments in San Antonio area

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com7 months ago7 months ago015 mins

By Edmond Ortiz While population explosion across the San Antonio area continues, so does the growth of commercial and residential developments around the tri-county region. Below is an update on nearly 20 select residential, commercial and mixed-use projects that are in various phases of ongoing development in and around San Antonio. The projects range from…

New mural to be unveiled on East Side on Jan. 16

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago7 months ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The city plans to formally dedicate a new mural designed to celebrate San Antonio’s East Side and its people. A public dedication ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 16 where the city’s arts and culture department will help to fully reveal a 600-foot-long mural, called “Heirlooms: East Side Pride,” on the…

Rainbow sidewalk installation on Main Avenue allowed to proceed despite legal challenge

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago7 months ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The city looks to keep installing rainbow-colored sidewalks along a segment of North Main Avenue in efforts to replace rainbow street crosswalks, whose removal were ordered by state officials. However, for some city and community leaders, controversy remains on how local officials let go any further debate around the rainbow crosswalks and…

New H-E-B store now open on the far West Side

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Grocery chain H-E-B is kicking off the new year by opening its newest far West Side store. A grand opening took place at 6 a.m. Jan. 7 for the retailer’s nearly 127,000-square-foot store at 15489 Culebra Road near Texas 211. The company began construction on the $29 million store in August 2024…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (Jan. 2-11)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago8 months ago09 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com MUSIC Jan. 3 Texas A&M Singing Cadets will be in concert at the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church to benefit the San…

San Antonio aims to grow registered apprentice program to aid employers, job seekers

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago8 months ago07 mins

By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio city officials hope that 2026 will see more local businesses take advantage of a federally funded program designed to boost the number of available registered apprentices. What is happening Representatives with the city’s workforce development office have said they want to shine a light on their Registered Apprenticeship Program, where…

Business Briefs: End-year closures hit local restaurants; chain eateries open new spots

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago8 months ago011 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Two renowned Pearl restaurants, a longtime Live Oak comfort food spot and a near-East Side brewery/distiller are among the well-publicized closures to strike the San Antonio area culinary scene at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, several chains recently opened new local storefronts in San Antonio, Converse, Schertz and New Braunfels. Elsewhere, Tejano…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (Dec. 26-Jan. 4)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago8 months ago012 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com STAGE Dec. 29 and 30 “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” brings to life Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet with help from whimsical puppets and…

Opposition groups prepare for legal battle vs. proposed Guajolote Ranch development

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com8 months ago8 months ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Heading into 2026, opponents of a controversial residential development proposed for northwest Bexar County are gearing up for a legal fight against the massive community. What is happening Scenic Loop Helotes Creek Alliance, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance and the city of Grey Forest plan to appeal by the end of January the…

News Briefs (Aug. 20): Therapy dog arrives in Alamo Heights ISD; Tobin Hill hospital sees progress on murals; city OKs airport Terminal A/B project

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com18 hours ago18 hours ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz This edition of News Briefs features the introduction of a trained counseling dog helping students at an Alamo Heights school, and the approval of key leaders for an upcoming San Antonio International Airport project. Also, local residents recently applied their creative skills toward a mural project at a Tobin Hill neighborhood hospital….

Durango to replace Cesar Chavez in city street name reversal

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com1 day ago1 day ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The name Durango Boulevard is returning to city street signs. City Council unanimously voted Aug. 20 to remove the name Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard in favor of the former road name, Durango Boulevard, an action that applies to a busy east-west corridor that runs between Southwest 36th Street on the West Side…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (Aug. 20-30)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 days ago1 day ago012 mins

Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com. CINEMA Aug. 20 San Antonio’s World Heritage Office will present a free screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at Mission Marquee Plaza….

Converse council nixes asphalt plant proposal

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 days ago2 days ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Converse City Council voted unanimously Aug. 18 to reject the construction of an asphalt manufacturing plant. Council took the city planning and zoning commission’s narrow approval of a special use permit, which was being sought to build an asphalt plant on an undeveloped tract along Farm Road 78 near the Salitrillo Creek…

Layoffs to accompany re-tooling of A Night In Old San Antonio

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 days ago20 hours ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Expected city budget moves are prompting the organizer behind one of the biggest Fiesta San Antonio events to consider some major changes going into the 2027 festival and beyond. What is happening The Conservation Society of San Antonio, the organization responsible for A Night In Old San Antonio (NIOSA), announced Aug. 19…

Contested races await Schertz, Windcrest voters in November

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 days ago2 days ago03 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Schertz and Windcrest will have full slates of contested races in the Nov. 3 elections. Aug. 17 was the deadline for local candidates to snag a Nov. 3 election ballot spot in one of the five San Antonio-area cities and school districts slated to hold an election this fall. Here are the…

Local nonprofits answer call for ‘crisis nursery’ that aids at-risk young families

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com3 days ago3 days ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz A local nonprofit aims to boost Bexar County’s efforts to develop a system for helping young families who struggle to stay together amid personal crises. What is happening Officials with Respite Care of San Antonio said Aug. 18 that they are growing the San Antonio-area’s first crisis nursery, a safety net of…

San Antonio ISD voters to consider bond, tax hike proposals

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com3 days ago3 days ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The San Antonio Independent School District board voted Aug. 17 to put a property tax increase and a new bond package on the local Nov. 3 ballot. But some school board members admit the election measures will be a hard sell to voters. What is happening San Antonio ISD is joining five…

SCUCISD to propose tax hike to voters in November

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com3 days ago3 days ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Voters in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will for a second straight year consider a property tax increase. The SCUCISD school board voted Aug. 17 to call the special election Nov. 3. If approved by voters, the district would raise the maintenance and operations portion of its property tax rate 12…

City Council narrowly rejects call for a Spurs arena funding election

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com4 days ago4 days ago010 mins

By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio City Council voted 6-5 Aug. 17 to nix a proposal to let San Antonio voters formally consider the city’s pledge of $489 million in specific-use funds towards construction of a new San Antonio Spurs arena downtown. What you should know Worries about the city’s $158 million budget deficit, a proposed…

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