Category: San Antonio News

The Cougars held a ceremony for star basketball players Wednesday night at Clark High School.

Aaliyah Roberson and Hailey Adams were recognized for their McDonald’s All-American nominations.

The ceremony was supposed to be a surprise, but coach said some already knew about it. Still, the two seniors were thrilled and honored.

Clark is having a fantastic season. They’re 26-2 overall and 12-0 in District 28-6A with four games to go.

On Friday night, they have a big district showdown with Reagan.

The Rattlers are 25-6 and 11-1 in the district, with their only district loss coming to Clark 56-49 about a month ago.

Although San Antonio is nearing the tip of its COVID-19 surge winter peak, the city hasn’t quite reached the summit yet.

According to Dr. Ruth Berggren, an infectious disease specialist with UT Health San Antonio, data shows the omicron variant is still ravaging through the community as cases continue to increase.

However, she said the infection rate could start to decline as soon as next week.

“I wish I could tell you that it’s already coming down… The progress and warning indicators show that the rate of rise is certainly slowing down. But we’re at 39.4% positivity in the community. That’s up 1.1% from last week,” Dr. Berggren said. “The rate of rise is slowing down, which signals to me that by next week, we may well be looking at a lower community positivity rate… That gives me hope, and I feel encouraged. But we haven’t started going down the hill yet.”

Once the city does reach its peak, the battle is still far from over.

Dr. Berggren said it took the city about a month to reach its peak in COVID-19 infections, and it could take just as long for the risk level to return to normal levels.

“Even if we are going down starting today or tomorrow, it took us a month to get to the top of the mountain. And it’s going to take probably an equal amount of time to get down. So people still need to be really careful,” Dr. Berggren said.

Aside from the uptick in COVID-19 cases, concerns are rising in regards to the newest COVID-19 variant, BA.2, or “stealth omicron.”

The new variant isn’t all that surprising to health officials, given the high infection rate being seen globally, which can allow the virus to mutate.

According to Dr. Berggren, there’s still no reason to panic, as little is known about its severity or threat level.

“The main thing I know about stealth omicron is that it’s not surprising. That as long as we are allowing COVID-19 to propagate through populations and not controlling it, it will mutate. That’s what viruses do. Generally speaking, the variants that will emerge are gonna be the ones that are most successful in propagating,” Dr. Berggren said. “That’s gonna mean variants that are more infectious. So it’s not surprising at all. What we don’t really know is whether this will be significant in terms of making people sicker.”

In the meantime, health officials are reminding the general public to get their COVID-19 vaccinations and their booster shots to help mitigate the virus spread and ease symptoms.

Residents are also encouraged to wear face masks when in crowded, public areas and to get tested if they begin experiencing symptoms.

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Thursday’s COVID-19 Numbers

Metro Health’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 4,297 new cases and a 7-day moving average of 5,059 cases. There were 7 new deaths reported, according to the data. Fifty one new deaths have been reported over the past seven days, totaling 5,079 since the pandemic began.

Website live: Order free COVID-19 tests from the government

There are 1,289 COVID patients in local hospitals, with 263 in ICU and 123 on ventilators. Metro Health’s dashboard shows there are 9% of staffed beds available and 60% of ventilators available.

See more of today’s COVID-19 statistics and city resources for the public here.

Weekly progress and warning Indicators

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported a COVID-19 positivity rate of 39.4% this week, a 1.1% change from last week’s rate of 38.3%.

This week’s risk level remains at “severe” and is worsening, officials said.

The progress and warning indicators — including a two-week case comparison, hospital trends, average case rate and positivity rate — are critical. Hospital stress is severe.

These indicators and the positivity rate are updated on Tuesdays.

ALSO ON KSAT.COM: Metro Health reports 125,100 COVID-19 cases since late December

City health officials offer the following testing guidelines

Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.A positive self-test result means that you have an infection and should avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to someone else.A negative self-test result means that you may not have an infection. Repeating the test with at least 24 hours between tests will increase the confidence that you are not infected.Ask your health care provider if you need help interpreting your test results.

Click here to access more information about other city no-cost testing sites.

Also on KSAT:

Here are the COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinics taking place around San AntonioWhere to get tested for COVID-19 in San Antonio, Bexar CountyWhere to get a COVID-19 vaccine in San Antonio

While symptoms of COVID-19 for children under 18 years have reportedly been less severe, a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month warns there could be serious long-term effects.

The report signals children with COVID-19 were at least 30% at a higher risk of developing Type 1 diabetes one month after recovering from the virus.

“The protein that (COVID-19) uses to infect the lungs is a protein that is present in the beta cells, (which) are the cells that make insulin,” said Alberto Chávez-Velázquez, an endocrinologist with University Health and UT Health San Antonio. “So, one of the hypotheses is that the virus (uses) this protein to enter the cells, causing inflammation in the cells. It may affect the function, and it is not entirely clear whether this is permanent (or) temporary.”

The report is based on data collected between March 2020 and February 2021 from two health databases, including IQVIA and HealthVerity.

ALSO ON KSAT.COM: Study linking pediatric diabetes to COVID-19 puts parents on alert

Chávez-Velázquez notes the study is a limited analysis.

“The database it contained about records of about 2.5 million children, so it’s a sizable sample size,” Chávez-Velázquez said. “Frequently, when they contract COVID, the glucose controls is much, much worse, and in a lot of cases, they remain with diabetes. The glycemic control in many, many cases also worsens, so this is consistent with the trend that we are seeing here.”

The endocrinologist said inflammation in the body and organs could be dangerous for any person with diabetes.

“The body becomes (resistant to) insulin, so the pancreatic beta cells have to increase the insulin secretion to meet that increased demand or increased resistance.”

A demand he warns a person at risk of developing diabetes would not be able to produce.

“That is going to translate into a worsening of their glucose levels,” Chávez-Velázquez said.

Although information including underlying conditions, weight and environment aren’t included in the report, Chávez-Velázquez said it could help shed light on preventative measures and early detection of prediabetes and diabetes.

“The vaccination will have a big impact, not only in limiting the rate of infection but also in potentially decreasing bad outcomes in patients at high risk,” Chávez-Velázquez said. “The earlier prediabetes (is identified), the sooner the intervention can be started.”

Symptoms for diabetes include dehydration, increased thirst, excessive urination, severe fatigue, blurry vision, among others.

KSAT Q&A: Local doctor provides insight into studies regarding risk of diabetes in children after COVID infection

The announcement of the retirement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, one of the few remaining liberals on the court, was disappointing to Al Kauffman, a professor of law at the St. Mary’s University School of Law.

“It will be a real loss,” Kauffman said. “His position on the court was very important and very respected.”

READ MORE: Justice Breyer confirms he is retiring from Supreme Court

Kauffman said Breyer, who served on the high court for 28 years, often was able to get justices to agree on decisions promoting equality.

“His legacy is that he was one of the greatest champions of equality,” Kauffman said.

He said Justice Breyer respected people from a broad spectrum of backgrounds.

“His opinions showed that he very much supported opinions which respected people of minority groups, whatever that minority group is,” Kauffman said.

Justice Breyer said at Thursday’s announcement alongside President Joe Biden that he would step down from the high court after his successor is confirmed.

The president said he is committed to his campaign promise of nominating the first African-American woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I will nominate a historic candidate, someone who is worthy of Justice Breyer’s legacy,” Biden said.

But unlike when Breyer was confirmed with widespread bipartisan support in 1994, Kauffman said the last three confirmations to the U.S. Supreme Court encountered political opposition.

“I understand President Biden’s position of trying to reach across the aisle,” Kauffman said. “This would be one time where possibly he could do that.”

ALSO ON KSAT.COM

Breyer: A pragmatic approach searching for a middle ground

From Oscar Mayer hot dogs to some Capri Sun juice pouches, more groceries will cost you more in the coming weeks.

Kraft Heinz informed customers it would raise some of its prices in March, including Oscar Mayer lunch meats and hot dogs, turkey bacon, Velveeta cheese, Maxwell House Coffee and some Capri Sun juice bags.

Procter & Gamble already has announced price hikes for February on some Tide and Gain detergents and Downy fabric softeners.

For a lot of families, the weekly grocery shop is eating their lunch.

“It seems they go up. Not every week, but every day,” said shopper Ermont Miles.

Shortages and supply chain issues involving ingredients, transportation and labor have been driving prices up — a trend that’s expected to continue this year.

So it pays to strategize.

Hannah Chalfance said the increases in meat prices has been most noticeable, so she shops around.

“I kind of price comparison and shopping at stores where you get the best deal for your buck,” she said.

Miles says he tries to buy in bulk.

“And, only eat and use what you need,” he said.

You can also save money when you get to the checkout.

If you don’t want to clip paper coupons, you can download your store’s app and use digital coupons.

Using a credit card that offers money back on grocery purchases can help, too, especially if you buy a lot.

For example, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express gives you 6% back. There is a limit, however, and an annual fee after the first year. And, remember to pay the card off every month to avoid interest.

There are many cash-back apps such as Ibotta and Fetch Rewards that can put money back in your wallet. With Fetch, for example, you simply scan your receipt to get points, which can later be redeemed for gift cards.

Some of the tried-and-true money-saving moves are low-tech.

Buy frozen produce — it’s nutritious and cheaper than fresh. Buy store brands, which are typically significantly less expensive than name brands.

And, shop with a plan and a list to avoid impulse buys.

More on KSAT:

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas kick off 2022 cookie seasonStop using Leachco infant loungers, CPSC warns

After a weeklong trial, a federal jury decided Bexar County and University Health were not liable for the death of a mentally ill woman who died in jail.

Janice Dotson-Stephens, 61, died in December 2018, roughly five months after she was arrested on a criminal trespassing charge. She was held in jail on a $300 bond.

Her family filed a lawsuit against the county and University Health, who were in charge of her health while she was jailed.

The family was shocked by the ruling, according to their attorney Leslie Sachanowicz.

Dotson-Stephens suffered from mental health issues, which should have been documented due to prior arrests in her past that resulted in mental health detentions, her family alleged.

This time, however, Dotson-Stephens remained in jail while waiting for a psychological evaluation that was ordered months before her death in August 2018, according to the lawsuit. All the while, jail staff and UH officials did not address Dotson-Stephens’ mental health needs, they alleged.

The county and hospital’s attorneys argued that they were unable to care for Dotson-Stephens, who refused to meet with her attorneys, go to court, have her blood pressure taken or accept any other treatment, according to court filings.

Though he was disappointed by the ruling, Sachanowicz said he had a message for the Dotson family.

“I reassured the family that their mother did not pass away in vain,” Sachanowicz told KSAT on Thursday.

Dotson-Stephens’ death, along with the death of other people jailed on minor charges, helped spark reforms in the jail and in the courthouse.

Read more:

Family of inmate who died at Bexar County Jail didn’t know loved one was detainedInmate who died in BCSO custody had been held since July on $300 bond

Three Houston police officers were shot following a possible police chase Thursday, according to the Houston Police Department.

According to KSAT’s sister website, Click2Houston.com, the incident reportedly happened near the midtown area near the 2100 block of McGowen Street. One of the officers was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center while the other two were transported by HPD. The officer’s conditions are unknown at this time.

Houston police said the suspect fled the scene in a white Mercedes.

Businesses in the area are being asked to stay inside while authorities search for the suspect and investigate the scene.

The shooting comes less than a week after a Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constable was killed in the line of duty.

Cpl. Charles Galloway, 47, a 12-year veteran with Precinct 5, died early Sunday after he tried to conduct a traffic stop. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said the driver got out of the vehicle and immediately fired gunshots toward Galloway and his patrol vehicle. The suspect, Oscar Rosales, 51, was found Wednesday in Ciudad Acuna, across the U.S.-Mexico border from Del Rio, reported KPRC, KSAT’s sister station in Houston, reported.

Click here to get the latest developments on Thursday’s shooting from Click2Houston.com.

The Four Sixes Ranch, or 6666 Ranch, is officially under new ownership.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Taylor Sheridan, who writes, produces and acts in the hit show “Yellowstone,” is at the helm of the group who made the purchase.

The Four Sixes Ranch is comprised of 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, which is roughly 142,372 acres, Dixon Creek Ranch in Carson and Hutchinson Counties, which is approximately 114,455 acres and Frisco Creek Ranch in Sherman County, which is estimated to be 9,428 acres.

When the ranches were first listed — they came with a combined asking price of $341 million.

Forth Worth Star-Telegram reported that the ranch was sold for $192.2 million on Friday.

The Fort Worth Business Press also confirmed the news stating “the sale was made to a group led by screenwriter/producer Taylor Sheridan, who grew up in Texas and graduated from R.L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth.”

Four Sixes Ranch has been featured heavily in the last season of “Yellowstone,” which stars Kevin Costner, among others.

A description of the ranch on listing agent Sam Middleton’s website states that former ranch owner Anne Marion “felt a strong responsibility towards the improvement of the land and water resources. She had a love for the land and ranching was in her blood. During her tenure, the 6666 Ranches attained a national reputation for fine quarter horses and quality cattle.”

It’s never too early to start thinking about — or mentally escaping to — summer music festivals. After five years of Float Fest — the very Texan tradition of floating down the Guadalupe River in between some 20 full-fledged concerts — music lovers and dedicated floaters generally know what to expect. But this July 23 and 24, after a move and a revival, there are a few retuned upgrades. The good old Float Fest is…

A Windy City transplant was tasked with a challenge from a work-from-home screen. Now, he and his team have measured success to present to investors.