Cities & Counties
Affected by the shutdown? This is where to help or get help
By Edmond Ortiz The federal government shutdown has entered a second month, some San Antonio-area agencies, nonprofits and businesses have stepped up to help those in need. What you should know A federal judge over Halloween weekend ordered the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to tap into contingency funds to provide partial…
Decision time arrives for Spurs arena, rodeo district proposals
By Edmond Ortiz The Nov. 4 election will offer a last opportunity for Bexar County voters to weigh in on two funding measures that could, if approved, support construction of a new San Antonio Spurs arena, and project impacting the Freeman Coliseum/Frost Bank Center complex. What you should know Election Day polls will be open…
Gear up for Nov. 4 elections in Cibolo, Converse, Schertz, SCUCISD, Windcrest
By Edmond Ortiz Voters casting a ballot on Nov. 4 will help to determine the fate of mayoral races and 9 City Council contests in four Northeast Side cities, while three elections in one Northeast Side school district will be finally decided. What you should know The Nov. 4 elections will include mayoral and council…
Relocated senior program part of Cibolo’s newly renamed, renovated community center
By Edmond Ortiz The Cibolo Senior Program is now among the first tenants at the town’s newly rebranded community center. What you should know A ceremony was held at the renamed Cibolo Community Center, 203 S. Main St., to formally welcome the Cibolo Senior Program, which was moved from the Cibolo Grange Hall, which sits…
New art installation at Southwest Side park goes interstellar
By Edmond Ortiz A recently completed art display at a southwest San Antonio park is meant to inspire visitors’ contemplation of their place in the universe. What you should know Local artist Doroteo Garza finished work on Ujuālnān in Pearsall Park. Ujuālnān means “grand sky” in Pajalate, a Coahuiltecan language that was previously spoken by…
San Antonio council member launches program for upgrading cluster mailboxes
By Edmond Ortiz Registered neighborhood associations in San Antonio City Council District 8 may get their cluster mailboxes improved or replaced with little effort. What you should know District 8 Council member Ivalis Meza Gonzalez announced on Oct. 21 that her office was introducing a Replacement Anti-Theft Mailbox Program (RAMP), a pilot initiative designed to…
Professor: Arena, coliseum proposals still face hard road as early voting continues; opponents challenge city leaders
By Edmond Ortiz Midway through early voting on an election concerning two venue funding proposals, one local political professor says it is too early to tell whether voting trends bode well for either measure, particularly the one that could affect support for a proposed Spurs arena. Meanwhile, one grassroots group recently filed an ethics complaint…
Schertz council member Tim Brown dies at age 69
By Edmond Ortiz Schertz community members are mourning Place 7 City Council member Tim Brown, whose death was announced by the city on Oct. 19. He was 69. No cause of death has been provided. What you should know Brown spent more than 25 years with the U.S. Air Force, from which he retired as…
Former mayor, investor challenge Windcrest’s incumbent mayor in election
By Edmond Ortiz Windcrest’s incumbent mayor faces a challenge from the town’s former mayor and a financial planning professional. Focus On San Antonio recently sent questions to filed candidates in contested races, inviting them to share experiences and backgrounds that are relevant to the public office that they are seeking, and to have them offer…
Bexar County fire chief challenges Schertz mayor in reelection bid
By Edmond Ortiz Schertz’s Nov. 4 elections will feature a contest between the incumbent mayor and the fire chief of a rural Bexar County first responder agency. Each elected position carries a three-year term. Schertz voters will also be asked to weigh in on an annexation proposal. Focus On San Antonio recently sent questions to…