Cities & Counties
Ocean preservation lab, dog park open doors in central San Antonio
By Edmond Ortiz While separate initiatives, two nature-driven destinations recently unveiled in Midtown San Antonio are meant to encourage environmental preservation and animal welfare. Engaging coral restoration at the San Antonio Zoo June 1 was both World Reef Awareness Day and opening day for the San Antonio Zoo’s Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab. Zoo officials said…
Economic development corporations under scrutiny in 2 North Side cities
By Edmond Ortiz One north San Antonio-area suburb is eliminating its economic development corporation, and residents of a neighboring town are petitioning to propose an election to dissolve their local EDC. Hill Country Village City Council voted May 21 to pass a resolution to terminate that city’s economic development corporation. The council vote realizes an…
Early voting happening for runoff elections in Alamo Colleges District, New Braunfels
By Edmond Ortiz Early voting began June 1 and continues through June 9 ahead of June 13 runoff elections that will settle one board race in part of the Alamo Colleges District, and two city council contests in New Braunfels. Alamo Colleges District Business owner Robert Garcia, and Carolyn DeLecour, a past ACD professor and…
Party runoff elections include close races for district attorney, state senate
By Edmond Ortiz Democratic and Republican primary runoff elections held in the San Antonio area May 26 had their fair shares of blowouts and narrow victories, including a high-profile match in the Bexar County district attorney’s race. The primary runoff elections held locally and elsewhere in Texas filled out the Nov. 3 general election ballot….
Transit Tracker: Alamo Heights to replace water meters; 5 cities advance railroad, street projects
By Edmond Ortiz Heading towards summer budget discussions, six San Antonio-area cities are addressing a range of infrastructure issues. Such recent initiatives include the replacement of water meters in Alamo Heights, and three Northeast Side towns seeking money to upgrade safety at railway crossings. Alamo Heights Alamo Heights City Council voted May 11 to approve…
Bexar County, Garden Ridge make strides on park, recreational initiatives
By Edmond Ortiz Bexar County is moving forward on a trio of park and recreational proposals while Garden Ridge is proceeding with plans to develop a trail at its biggest park. Bexar County County commissioners voted April 28 to advance three separate measures that are related to the county’s overall goal of offering more public…
News Briefs: San Antonians invited to learn about housing bond’s impact; diabetes insulin aid program resumes
By Edmond Ortiz This edition of News Briefs highlights the start of a series of public meetings regarding San Antonio’s affordable housing bond, and the re-launch of a city-hosted diabetes insulin assistance program. Affordable housing meetings The city of San Antonio is hosting a slate of meetings where community members can get information and provide…
Sarah Dietz wins Schertz City Council runoff election
By Edmond Ortiz Realtor Sarah Dietz handily won the May 16 runoff election for Schertz City Council Place 6. With 5.2% of voters casting ballots, Dietz received 59% of the vote against Raquel Gutierrez, a community volunteer and wife of Ralph Gutierrez, who lost his mayoral re-election bid last November. Both women advanced to a…
Boerne City Council addresses infrastructure projects
By Edmond Ortiz Boerne City Council met May 12 to address a key road project and a couple of water main initiatives. Adler Road improvements Council voted to amend the city’s current contract with engineering firm Freese and Nichols, which is serving as the design consultant on the Adler Road improvement project, which initially centered…
New dog park opens on South Side; Brackenridge Park to add natural playscape
By Edmond Ortiz A south San Antonio park is the site of the city’s newest public dog park, and a local nonprofit has begun construction on a unique playscape in a park north of downtown. South Side dog park The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, the city’s capital delivery department and City Council District…