Cities & Counties
$50K in grants awarded to 2 Alamo Heights-area nonprofits, 1 local initiative
By Edmond Ortiz Three local nonprofits are planning to use a combined $50,000 in newly awarded grants to enhance parks and recreational amenities in Alamo Heights. What you should know Alamo Heights City Council on Nov. 10 approved Community Improvement Grants totalling $50,000 to the Alamo Heights Little League, Friends of Hondondo Creek Trails, and…
More housing choices, economic resiliency are keys in Universal City’s new comprehensive plan
By Edmond Ortiz Universal City’s new long-range comprehensive plan prioritizes preservation of parks and open space, and increasing the diversity of housing choices, types of jobs available in town, and opportunities for economic development and expansion. What you should know City Council voted Nov. 18 to adopt what local officials dub Vision 35, a 10-year…
New art park destination opens on East Side
By Edmond Ortiz A local grassroots arts organization has unveiled its efforts to make an east San Antonio public park more art friendly. What is happening Members of the San Antonio Street Art Initiative, a nonprofit, and special guests gathered Nov. 18 at Healy Murphy Park for a ceremony to commemorate the park’s new features,…
Bexar County to launch housing stability program in latest move to expand affordable housing
By Edmond Ortiz Bexar County will develop an initiative meant to offer short-term, immediate aid to eligible homeowners and renters who are at risk of eviction. This program is part of the county’s ever-growing effort to address housing affordability. What you should know County commissioners voted 4-1 on Nov. 18 to use $500,000 in revenues…
Local group begins effort to educate convicts on voting rights
By Edmond Ortiz The League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area is starting to roll out an initiative to inform incarcerated and formerly incarcerated citizens of their voting rights. What is happening League officials said on Nov. 18 that the organization received a $5,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to launch its…
Milestone marked at north Bexar County fire station
By Edmond Ortiz Members of two far North Side first-responder agencies achieved a watershed moment Nov. 18 during the construction of a new fire station. What is happening Officials with Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 3 (ESD 3) and the Bexar-Bulverde Fire Department gathered for a topping-out ceremony at Fire Station No. 103, which…
Former mayor Nirenberg formally launches challenge to Sakai for Bexar County judge
By Edmond Ortiz Although he filed paperwork for his candidacy earlier in the week, former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg held a Nov. 15 rally to officially launch his campaign for Bexar County judge. Nirenberg throws his hat into the ring Having just ended an eight-year mayoral run last June, Nirenberg is now turning his…
Warning lights, road upgrade among recommendations after deadly flooding event
By Edmond Ortiz A local engineering firm has recommended installing warning lights and elevating part of a road where a flash flooding event last June led to the deaths of 11 people. What you should know Justin Murray with the engineering company Kleinfelder briefed the City Council on Nov. 6 about the results of his…
San Antonio takes next step in efforts toward saving rainbow crosswalks
By Edmond Ortiz Local LGBTQ community members say they remain undeterred by the state’s threats to remove the rainbow crosswalks at North Main Avenue and Evergreen Street near downtown San Antonio. What is happening City officials filed an exemption with the Texas Department of Transportation on Nov. 5, contending rainbow crosswalks do not violate state…
Windcrest voters retain mayor, oust incumbent, tap Presti for open council seat
By Edmond Ortiz Windcrest’s incumbent mayor survived a challenge from the city’s former mayor on Election Day, Nov. 4, but a sitting City Council member was not so lucky in his re-election bid. Meanwhile, voters selected a Windcrest native to the council. What you should know Dan Reese secured a fifth term as Windcrest’s mayor…