edmond.ortiz@gmail.com - Focus On San Antonio

News Briefs: Bexar County OK’s jail intake plan; Balcones Heights council mulls mayoral no-confidence vote; zoning panel backs Southtown rezoning; free bus rides to school available

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com1 week ago3 days ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Bexar County Commissioners are committing to a series of long-range plans designed to reform how arrestees, especially those with medical or mental health issues, are initially processed upon arrival at the Bexar County Jail, and how they are addressed in custody. Elsewhere, Balcones Heights City Council entertained recent attempt to vote no…

Converse looks to part ways with VIA

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com1 week ago1 week ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Converse voters will go to the polls Nov. 3 to determine whether the city should keep VIA Metropolitan Transit service. What is happening City Council voted Aug. 4 to put the VIA service withdrawal proposal on a local ballot, an action that officials said would allow the city to free up more…

Judson ISD signals no-go on property tax hike election

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com1 week ago1 week ago04 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The Judson Independent School District appears not to be going forward with another effort to propose a property tax increase in a November 2026 election. What you should know Sixty percent of Judson ISD voters took part in a special November 2025 election where they rejected a district proposal to raise the…

Spurs arena, Wolff Stadium and the new Missions ballpark: Where do things stand?

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com1 week ago1 week ago09 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The beginning of August is accompanied by plenty of public discourse involving funding for the proposed new San Antonio Spurs’ arena, the construction of a new San Antonio Missions’ ballpark, and what should happen with Wolff Stadium once the Missions leave that venue. Project Marvel debate arises Talks among local residents and…

Methodist Healthcare snaps up, rebrands Texas MedClinics

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com1 week ago1 week ago02 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Methodist Healthcare has bought 18 Texas MedClinic urgent care facilities in the San Antonio area as part of HCA Healthcare’s acquisition of Texas MedClinic, a statewide network of 40 urgent care centers. What is happening Methodist Healthcare made the announcement Aug. 3, as Texas MedClinics have transitioned to CareNow Urgent Care, where…

Cities big and small recognize the benefits of investing in public art

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 weeks ago2 days ago012 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The power of art and art education was front and center of a July 29 CNTR/CTY panel discussion at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts where Alyssa Avenatti, executive director of the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, shared the value of supporting the arts. According to Avenatti, a presentation from the…

Light Bites (Aug. 1): Southtown bookshop launches; new eateries open in Northeast Side suburbs, Medical Center, New Braunfels, Boerne

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 weeks ago3 days ago06 mins

By Edmond Ortiz The latest edition of Light Bites highlights new dining and beverage spots in Boerne, Northwest San Antonio, New Braunfels, Schertz and Windcrest, as well as some notable closures in San Antonio’s bar and restaurant scene. Plus, the South Side and Southtown are home to a new gaming destination, and a new independent…

Bonham Exchange briefly closing for fire sprinkler install; relocation eyed for Paramour Bar

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz August is beginning with the brief closure of a historic downtown nightclub where owners say they will use the down time to install a new fire suppression system as required by the city. Elsewhere in downtown, the owners of a rooftop bar are inviting fans to spend a bit more time at…

Shavano Park, neighboring counties, agencies aim to make strides on water supply issues

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

By Edmond Ortiz Shavano Park is enacting a new fee designed to help shore up the town’s water supply. Elsewhere in the San Antonio-area, a handful of local governments and water supply agencies along the Interstate 35 corridor recently secured more than $140 million to support various initiatives meant to protect or improve their water…

Things to Do In and Around San Antonio (July 30-Aug. 9)

edmond.ortiz@gmail.com2 weeks ago2 weeks 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. MUSIC Weekly Disco Alfresco, presented by the Brackenridge Park Conservancy and SoundCream Airstream DJs, features local and visiting DJs playing different genres…