Category: San Antonio News

The gap between equity-rich homes and those considered underwater widened at the close of 2021.

The weather might be cold but these date night ideas could heat things up for couples on Valentine’s Day.

From casual hot spots like Cosmic Mayhem Blacklight Mini Golf and Bar to fine dining like J Prime Steakhouse, this list has something for every Valentine.

Yelp compiled a list of the “best date night spots” from businesses in the food, restaurants, local flavor, arts and active categories.

For the list, Yelp focused on locations with a large concentration of reviews that contained the word “date” and then ranked the locations based on factors like the number of reviews and an average rating of the reviews with the word “date.”

If a date night spot made the list and is part of a chain, the highest-rated location was used, according to Yelp.

Best Date Spots in San Antonio:

J Prime Steakhouse Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse Cosmic Mayhem Blacklight Mini Golf and Bar Cover 3 Domingo Brasão Brazilian SteakhouseBoudro’s On the River Walk The Esquire Tavern Copa Wine BarLiberty Bar Japanese Tea Garden Maverick Texas Brasserie Bar 1919 Little Italy Restaurant Ida ClaireSoutherleigh Fine Food and BreweryAldo’s Ristorante Italiano The Magnolia Pancake HausBrasserie Mon Chou Chou Embers Wood Fire Grill & Bar

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Comal County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country and it’s no secret why. The scenery is beautiful. But for some, that is exactly why development is concerning.

Much of Comal County sits over the contributing and recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer. To understand it better, we visited one of the many caves found in the county.

“At one time, the cave was filled with water. And then, as the water levels have dropped over geologic time, it’s left these relics of conduits that move water through the system,” explained Geary Schindel, president of the National Speleological Society, who guided us through a central Comal County cave. “So these caves allow us to look at the fabric of the limestone to understand better how groundwater moves through the system, how it goes from recharge to discharge.”

The process of recharge to discharge to area springs occurs quicker than you might think, which is why some feel preserving and protecting these caves are crucial.

“It’s vitally important because water is life, right? And we have these caves are basically direct conduits to the water supply,” explained Helen Ballew, a conservation consultant for the Comal County Conservation Alliance.

Ballew believes Comal County runs the risk of damaging its natural resources with rapid, and in some cases, unregulated development.

”It’s coming in every which way and it’s not just on the fringes of New Braunfels growing out of the Canyon Lake area. It’s all over now,” said Ballew. “So, you have these beautiful open landscapes that are natural areas or even agricultural lands, and they’re converting into subdivisions and strip centers and quarries in some cases.”

Damage to caves like the one we visited have been documented. In fact, according to the owner of the cave, a road was once slated to come close to the entrance of the cave. After it was brought to the county’s attention, according to the landowner, the plan was abandoned.

Ballew’s mission is to give landowners options.

“Many of them are feeling so much pressure from developers calling them every week to buy their land that we work with them to put conservation easements on their property,” said Ballew.

A conservation easement would protect the land and what’s below for years to come. But, for those who want to make Comal County their new home, can preservation of natural resources and development of Comal County co-exist? Ballew argues that they can, but more planning is needed.

”It needs to be planned better. There need to be many areas that are not just part of a subdivision development that’s maybe done right, but how about a county park? How about a state park?” suggested Ballew.

Our trip into the cave showed us just how fragile the underground formations are and how directly connected to the aquifer these caves can be. And our adventure down into this cave doesn’t end here.

That trip underground is part of a bigger story that myself and Meteorologist Sarah Spivey and the KSAT Explains teams will be airing about the aquifer.

It’s part of our KSAT Explains series, set to air on February 8th. You can catch the entire episode on our digital platforms.

San Antonio police are investigating a shooting that severely wounded one person on the city’s East Side early Monday morning.

Officers were called around 5:30 a.m. to a home in the 200 block of Longview Drive, not far from South W.W. White Road after receiving word of shots fired.

According to police, a family inside the home had heard gunshots and went outside to investigate. That’s when, police say, the residents found a relative wounded, lying on the ground.

SAPD said the victim was shot multiple times and that his wounds are life-threatening. He was taken by EMS to an area hospital. The victim’s name and age were not released.

At this time, a motive for the shooting is not currently known. No arrests have been made in the case and a description of the shooter was not given. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

KSAT12 has a crew at the scene. This is a developing story. Stay with KSAT12 both online and on-air for more information.

Two residents and two guests managed to safely escape a fire inside a Northwest Side duplex late Sunday night, the San Antonio Fire Department said.

The fire was called in around 9:45 p.m. at a duplex in the 8500 block of Echo Creek Lane, not far from Eckhert Road and Huebner Road.

Firefighters said when they arrived, they found flames making its way up into the attic. The fire was contained to one side of the duplex, as they fought the fire defensively until they were able to make entry into the home.

The fire was put out quickly and without incident.

The SAFD said both the residents and guests made it safely out after discovering the fire inside the walls of the house. No injuries were reported.

The San Antonio Fire Department and San Antonio Police Department both answered the call.

The cause of the fire is not currently known.

A defective fireplace was the cause of a house fire on the city’s South Side early Monday morning, the San Antonio Fire Department said.

The fire was called in around 1 a.m. at a home in the 400 block of Cass Avenue, not far from Interstate 10 and Nogalitos Street.

Firefighters said they arrived to find flames showing from the home. The fire was knocked out quickly and without incident.

Fire officials said a defective fireplace is likely to blame for the fire, as the chimney had leaked smoke into the attic. The owner of the home managed to get out safely and was not hurt.

Authorities say, however, the home is a total loss. It is unclear as where the owner will go.

Panelists at the San Antonio Manufacturers Association meeting said they need the manufacturing industry’s feedback to better meet the needs of local companies.

Drybar has over 20 employees locally, and is looking to hire 50 to 70 new employees this year.

Continued growth along the Interstate 35 corridor has driven up demand for care.

Editor’s note: This story was published through a partnership between KSAT and the San Antonio Business Journal.

A multibillion-dollar unsolicited offer by Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. to purchase Cedar Fair LP has left a wake that stretches as far as New Braunfels.

The Hill Country city is home to one of two Schlitterbahn water parks that are part of the Cedar Fair portfolio, and it’s only 30 miles from a competing attraction in San Antonio owned by SeaWorld.

“Schlitterbahn is an anchor employer during the summer months and produces significant indirect economic impact to local businesses and residents,” Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce CEO Jonathan Packer said.

Veteran industry expert Dennis Speigel, founder of International Theme Park Services Inc., said New Braunfels could feel the impact of a SeaWorld acquisition.

“There could be some divestiture for sure,” he said.

But SeaWorld, which operates an Aquatica water park next to its namesake park in San Antonio could see some extra value in Schlitterbahn, a major attraction in a high-growth area along the Interstate 35 corridor.

“It’s one of the best water parks in the United States. And it’s performing quite well under Cedar Fair,” Speigel said. “Maybe there is an opportunity to cross pollenate.”

After dealing with backlash from animal rights groups for years, and after enduring multiple changes in leadership, there has been more emphasis, Speigel said, in rides and attractions. That could also potentially work in Schlitterbahn’s favor in a SeaWorld deal.

SeaWorld has, according to a Bloomberg report, offered Cedar Fair $3.4 billion. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, Cedar Fair reportedly passed on a $4 billion offer from Six Flags, causing some analysts to characterize the reported SeaWorld offer as too low.

Click here to read the full story on San Antonio Business Journal.

Also on KSAT:

SeaWorld makes $3 billion-plus offer to buy Ohio-based theme park company that owns SchlitterbahnFlorida-based childcare franchise announces expansion into San Antonio areaAmerican Airlines to cut 30-plus SA flights as omicron clouds spring recoveryFrost Tower, downtown San Antonio’s ‘crown jewel,’ is up for sale