Cities & Counties
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…
Mayoral matchup leads off Cibolo council elections
By Edmond Ortiz A past local school board trustee and a small business owner are vying to be the mayor of Cibolo in the Nov. 4 elections, which include races for three council positions. Focus On San Antonio recently sent questions to filed candidates in contested races, inviting them to share experiences and backgrounds that…
Polling tight on San Antonio arena, rodeo grounds proposals ahead of election
By Edmond Ortiz Just as early voting for a special Bexar County election is set to begin, a new poll shows lukewarm support for the use of venue tax revenues to build a new San Antonio Spurs arena and to develop a year-round stock show and rodeo district. What’s happening Early voting starts Oct. 20…
Castle Hills officials, ex-City Council member settle years-long lawsuit
By Edmond Ortiz Castle Hills City Council voted Oct. 14 to ratify a settlement agreement with former Councilmember Sylvia Gonzalez, ending a lawsuit that she originally filed against the city five years ago. What’s happened City officials approving the settlement agreement comes 16 months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on her case and declared…
Mayoral race highlights Converse elections
By Edmond Ortiz Two former City Council members and a local business owner are challenging Converse’s longtime mayor in his re-election bid in Converse’s Nov. 4 city elections. Aside from a crowded mayoral race, Converse will consider races for three other council positions. Focus On San Antonio offered questions to every candidate on the ballot,…
A glance at newly passed budgets in 4 Northwest Side cities
By Edmond Ortiz Officials in Balcones Heights, Fair Oaks Ranch, Grey Forest and Helotes are sticking with the basics in their newly passed Fiscal Year 2026 city budgets, which took effect on Oct. 1. Helotes City Council voted on Sept. 25 to adopt an $11 million general fund budget, which will support the replacement of…