Cities & Counties
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…
Converse voters keep mayoral, City Council incumbents
By Edmond Ortiz Converse’s longtime incumbent mayor and three sitting City Council members had no trouble fending off challengers en route to election victories on Nov. 4. What you should know Mayor Al Suarez secured a 10th straight term as Converse’s top elected leader, collecting 51.9% of the vote for an outright win. Suarez is…
Cibolo: Latimer elected mayor; December runoff looms for 2 council seats
By Edmond Ortiz A local small business owner has been elected mayor of Cibolo in a Nov. 4 election that included voters retaining one incumbent City Council member, and sending two other council races to a December election runoff. What you should know Kara Latimer, a previous council candidate, received 58.7% of the vote over…
Incumbent narrowly upset in Schertz mayoral election
By Edmond Ortiz A political newcomer topped Schertz’s incumbent mayor in a close race on Nov. 4. What you should know Ralph Rodriguez, chief of Bexar County Emergency Service District No. 2, collected 50.8% of the vote during the city’s elections, ousting two-term Mayor Ralph Gutierrez. Rodriguez, a Clemens High School graduate and a Buffalo…
Bexar County voters pass Spurs arena, rodeo district funding measures
By Edmond Ortiz The San Antonio Spurs’ made a giant leap forward Nov. 4 in their mission to land a new, downtown arena as voters approved an otherwise controversial funding proposal. What you should know According to the Bexar County Elections Department, 52% of voters approved Proposition B, which authorizes the county to increase its…