edmond.ortiz@gmail.com

New Braunfels council advances Tourism Public Improvement District

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,…

Read More

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

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…

Read More

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

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….

Read More

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

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…

Read More

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

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….

Read More

UTSA researchers craft app to help autism caregivers boost communication at home

By Jason P. Olivarri University of Texas at San Antonio researchers are developing a mobile app designed to help parents of children with autism practice communication strategies at home. The app, called Behavior Buddy, uses artificial intelligence to analyze conversations between parents and children and provide immediate feedback aimed at strengthening communication skills outside traditional…

Read More

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

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…

Read More

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

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…

Read More