Cities & Counties
Kirby pursues $15M in upgrades; controversy surrounds council member’s ouster
By Edmond Ortiz Kirby City Council on July 9 narrowly approved a plan to issue $15 million in certificates of obligation to upgrade infrastructure and city facilities and department equipment. But as some council members and many residents have voiced reservations about the city taking on new debt, lingering tensions at the council dais boiled…
Live Oak announces death of City Council member
By Edmond Ortiz Live Oak residents and leaders are paying their respects to late Live Oak City Councilmember Aaron Dahl, whose death was announced by the city July 10. A Connecticut native, Dahl moved to Texas where he earned a master’s degree from Texas A&M University. The architect then moved to San Antonio for work…
Bexar County looks to develop ‘nursery’ to aid young families in crisis
By Edmond Ortiz Bexar County will explore the creation of a program that local officials and children’s advocates say will help protect at-risk minors while their adult caregivers contend with particular difficulties. What is a crisis nursery Commissioners Court unanimously voted July 7 to direct county staff to develop a crisis nursery, which would offer…
Spurs add ‘home’ away game; property purchase part of Project Marvel information meetings
By Edmond Ortiz The San Antonio Spurs may have fallen short in the NBA Finals and while the offseason is underway, Spurs officials are busy expanding the team’s branding, and advancing matters related to a planned downtown sports and entertainment district. Arena leasing Bexar County Commissioners voted 4-0 July 7 to amend the Spurs and…
San Antonio mayor responds to ICE’s plan for East Side detention facility
By Edmond Ortiz Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones continues to press the federal government for more details on its plan to convert a vacant industrial building in east San Antonio into a detention center for undocumented immigrants. What ICE is saying Jones dispatched a letter July 2 to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, doubling down on…
Alamo Heights’ new park will honor youngsters who died in 2025 Hill Country floods
By Edmond Ortiz Alamo Heights is opening a public park, which will be dedicated to the memories of three youths with local connections who perished in last summer’s Hill Country floods. Residents are invited to the July 11 grand opening of Kellyanne Park, located along Viesca Street between the Heights Pool parking lot and Alamo…
San Antonio’s top cop to retire earlier than announced
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh is expected to appoint an interim police chief shortly before or after the July 4th holiday weekend as current Police Chief William McManus is leaving the position sooner than originally planned. McManus announced last January that he would be retiring from service to the city of…
South Side neighbors question fuel tech firm’s proposal for ex-brewery site
By Edmond Ortiz Many residents of a South Side neighborhood are wondering about a local company’s rezoning request and vision for a former brewery site, which includes possibly turning the building into a hub for fuel research. What is happening Headquartered in north central San Antonio, VP Racing Fuels is under contract to buy the…
Buoyed by the city, Toyota’s South Side expansion further boosts San Antonio’s manufacturing sector
By Edmond Ortiz City Council was quick and enthusiastic June 19 in formally approving a set of economic development incentives designed to support Toyota Motor Corp.’s plan to expand its South Side automobile production footprint on the South Side. The move bolsters San Antonio’s booming manufacturing industry. What is happening Toyota will build a $2…
San Antonio leaders wary of potential budget cuts, tax hike idea
By Edmond Ortiz City Council members are feeling squeamish about the possibility of a property tax increase and cutting deep into various expenses as local officials struggle to chip away at a budget deficit ahead of the next fiscal year. What you should know Like many governmental taxing entities, San Antonio is facing a blend…