Cities & Counties
Local nonprofits answer call for ‘crisis nursery’ that aids at-risk young families
By Edmond Ortiz A local nonprofit aims to boost Bexar County’s efforts to develop a system for helping young families who struggle to stay together amid personal crises. What is happening Officials with Respite Care of San Antonio said Aug. 18 that they are growing the San Antonio-area’s first crisis nursery, a safety net of…
City Council narrowly rejects call for a Spurs arena funding election
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio City Council voted 6-5 Aug. 17 to nix a proposal to let San Antonio voters formally consider the city’s pledge of $489 million in specific-use funds towards construction of a new San Antonio Spurs arena downtown. What you should know Worries about the city’s $158 million budget deficit, a proposed…
Converse council mulls controversial asphalt plant proposal
By Edmond Ortiz Converse City Council meets Aug. 18 to consider permitting an asphalt plant that could arise in the middle of town. What you should know Local officials are looking at a special use permit application for an asphalt plant on a vacant 26-acre lot on Farm Road 78 between Legion Drive East and…
Windcrest tries to get tough with panhandlers
By Edmond Ortiz A newly adopted ordinance in Windcrest gives local police more flexibility in directly dealing with individuals who are panhandling or aggressively seeking money from local merchants and residents. But an executive leader of one San Antonio-based nonprofit that serves the homeless population says law enforcement is only one part of a larger,…
San Antonio council mulls tax hike and challenging budget; PreK 4 SA election set
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio City Council is weighing a proposed property tax increase that local leaders hope will help to pare down a budget deficit, but they still face a range of proposed spending cuts and other tough fiscal decisions before arriving at a new budget. The council is also adding a special election…
City Council to hold special meeting to weigh possible fall election on Spurs arena funding
By Edmond Ortiz City Council will have a special meeting at 9 a.m. Aug. 17 on whether to call a Nov. 3 election on the city’s previous pledge to allocate nearly $500 million in specific-use funds for the San Antonio Spurs’ planned downtown arena. The meeting is to be held at City Council chambers, 114…
1 community center opens, 2 more centers in the works
By Edmond Ortiz Harlandale neighborhood residents recently marked the opening of a new community center while the city is beginning the replacement of two other community centers in Midtown and on the South Side. Harlandale ISD Leaders with the Harlandale Independent School District gathered Aug. 7 to formally dedicate Edmundo M. Zaragoza Multipurpose Center at…
San Antonio leaders want a pause on data center growth
By Edmond Ortiz Three San Antonio City Council members have signed a memo, asking for a council vote on a moratorium on new data centers by the end of August. Council members gathered Aug. 7 outside of City Hall for a press conference, seeking an ordinance that establishes a three- or six-month pause on the…
Council creates Project Marvel advisory panel; county advances coliseum grounds deal
By Edmond Ortiz The city of San Antonio is proceeding with the creation of a resident-driven committee that will help to offer ideas on key aspects of a proposed downtown sports and entertainment district, which would be anchored by a new San Antonio Spurs arena. Planning towards the Spurs’ scheduled departure from its current home,…
News Briefs: Bexar County OK’s jail intake plan; Balcones Heights council mulls mayoral no-confidence vote; zoning panel backs Southtown rezoning; free bus rides to school available
By Edmond Ortiz Bexar County Commissioners are committing to a series of long-range plans designed to reform how arrestees, especially those with medical or mental health issues, are initially processed upon arrival at the Bexar County Jail, and how they are addressed in custody. Elsewhere, Balcones Heights City Council entertained recent attempt to vote no…