Cities & Counties
9 competing in contested elections in Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Leon Valley
By Edmond Ortiz The local May 2 elections will offer only one contested match in Castle Hills, but voters in Leon Valley and Balcones Heights have plenty of candidates to consider in their own towns, including a three-way mayoral race in Leon Valley. Balcones Heights While Mayor Johnny Rodriguez has no challenger in a bid…
Packed mayoral race headlines New Braunfels election
By Edmond Ortiz Managing the speed of New Braunfels’ growth is pervasive issue for the nine residents on the city’s May 2 election ballot, including three mayoral candidates. Mayor Attorney Neal Linnartz seeks a second term as mayor. He previously led the New Braunfels Economic Development Corp. board, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee,…
Castle Hills police chief resigns; captain named interim chief
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…
Kirby leaders mulls disciplinary action against council member
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….
San Antonio nonprofit opens new HQ to further support for military families
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
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
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…
4 candidates ready for April 4 special council election in Schertz
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
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…
Rainbow sidewalks unveiled in Tobin Hill
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…