Category: San Antonio News

A San Antonio man is being remembered as a loving father, husband and motorcyclist after he was killed in a fatal crash involving a suspect still at large.

Mariano Lugo, 30, died while on his way home Sunday morning around 2:00 a.m.

Esperanza Lugo, his aunt, shared the best memories she had of her nephew.

“He was very special,” she said. “He was loved by everybody, including his family, friends and his bike club.”

She said the part of him she will miss the most is his big smile.

“He was always happy,” Esperanza said as she got emotional. “He was just an amazing person. Amazing. He would go out of his way to make sure he helped us with whatever we needed.”

San Antonio police said Mariano was driving his Suzuki through a green light at the intersection of Southcross Blvd and I-35 when a Honda Accord ran a red light, causing him to crash into the driver’s side of the car.

Mariano Lugo was ejected before the suspect who caused the crash ran off on foot.

“I am hoping with their conscious they realize what they did,” Esperanza said. “It is just so sad for them to just take off and leave somebody there. It is just tragic. Very tragic. We are going to find out and catch them. We are going to find out who they are. I just don’t know why they would just take off. After what happened to him. He was separated into three parts. It is just terrible.”

She said Mariano was a part of the Blox Starz and he loved giving back to his community.

He leaves behind his parents, several siblings, his wife and four children.

“It is sad,” she said. “The mom and dad are not doing well. Especially the mom. She is very, very hurt. His kids were so attached to him. His son hasn’t stopped crying.”

At this time, the suspect is still at large but if caught, they will face a charge of failure to stop and render aid causing death.

The family hopes anyone with any information will call police.

In the meantime, Mariano’s motorcycle club is planning a candlelight vigil at the site of the crash Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

The vigil will be open to the public.

An off-duty Bexar County sheriff’s deputy is facing possible termination after being arrested for drunken driving overnight, according to the sheriff’s office.

Rolando A. Garza, 27, was arrested at 2:07 a.m. Sunday by San Antonio police and is charged with driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor, according to authorities.

Garza has served with the sheriff’s office for four years and is assigned to the detention bureau. However, following his arrest, he has been placed on administrative leave pending termination “in accordance with BCSO policies and procedures,” officials said in a release.

A separate administrative investigation is ongoing, pending the outcome of Garza’s criminal case, the BCSO said.

Garza’s bond is set at $8,000 and he is still being held in the Bexar County Jail, court records show.

We’ll bring more updates as they become available.

A prescribed burn set in Bastrop County last week is now 95% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

The fire, which has burned 812 acres of land so far, was set last Tuesday by Texas Parks and Wildlife in Bastrop State Park. As of Sunday, fire officials were still monitoring its remnants.

The flames unexpectedly spread beyond the intended fire boundaries, forcing about 150 households to evacuate. However, residents were able to safely return to their homes on Wednesday, according to a report from the Texas Tribune.

Now, county officials are looking to hold TPWD accountable.

In a letter sent out Friday by Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape, he said TPWD never got the county’s permission to have the prescribed burn.

“To be clear, Texas Parks and Wildlife did not ask for our permission to conduct a prescribed burn this past Tuesday, nor did we give them permission to do so. As a state agency, they conduct these events under the direction of a fire boss using national standards for prescribed burns. I have made it clear to TPWD that the use of controlled burns in Bastrop County must never again threaten our citizens or their residences,” Pape said.

Pape said he hopes to get a “full account” of what happened when the fire got out of control.

“We want to know every detail about this fire. I expect to receive a plan from TPWD very soon that will lay out a full review of this event and I will keep you informed of the process and the finding,” Pape said.

You can read the full letter issued by Pape below.

Prescribed burn gone wrong likely sparked wildfire in Bastrop County, officials say

Evacuations underway as wildfire burns in Bastrop County

A mother and a 5-year-old boy are injured after their SUV busted through a fence and rolled down an embankment outside of a North Side hotel, according to San Antonio police.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon at an extended stay hotel near Highway 281 and Evans.

Police say a family of four was inside of their SUV when the dad, the driver, started backing up out of a parking spot.

The vehicle’s brakes failed and the SUV went through a wrought iron fence and rolled down an embankment, where it came to rest on its side, according to officers.

The mother injured her hip and the boy had a cut on his head — both were non-life threatening injuries. They were taken to an area hospital by EMS for further treatment and evaluation.

No other vehicles were involved and the investigation continues. We’ll bring more updates as they become available.

After more than a year of the uncertainty involving COVID-19, people are feeling restless, not to get back into the office, but to leave their jobs entirely. A whopping 55% of Americans say they will look for a new job this year. But before you quit, there are ways to re-assess your current job to make it work for you, or to make sure you don’t burn bridges on your way out.

Should you stay… or should you go?

Before you quit, try reassessing your duties and make it work for you. Expanding your responsibilities within the company can offer the growth you’re looking for without leaving.

E.B. Fisher the CEO of Eden Software & Solutions says that “As an employer you’re trying to constantly make sure that people are in the right position.”

Something to consider if you’re learning new skills; stay put until you know them. Then, create a mission statement for yourself. Decide what you want out of your next job and don’t settle. Build a team that will help you through the process.

Career.com says don’t leave with a bang. Rage-quitting burns bridges in your field and could hurt your chances of landing your next job. Don’t tell co-workers, word will travel fast. Quit in person to your direct supervisor and don’t insist on just giving two weeks.

Fisher states that “They wanna make sure it was a clean transition.”

And don’t be hurt if your boss lets you go sooner than expected. Fisher says, “The psychology of it is once you give your resignation, you’re checking out.”

So, it’s important not to slack off in your last few weeks and make your exit interview count.

“Try to leave on a good ground because you never know when you’re gonna run across people again.” Fisher adds.

A few more things, always ask for a reference letter before you leave, find out when you’ll receive your last check and if your benefits will have any gap. One final piece of advice… don’t trash talk your company while you’re leaving or when you start your new job.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210903-why-rage-quitting-is-all-the-rage-this-year https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-quit-your-job-2058462 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/27/great-resignation-heres-what-to-think-about-before-you-quit-your-job.html https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/27/great-resignation-heres-what-to-think-about-before-you-quit-your-job.html

Contributor(s) to this news report include: Danielle Gober, Producer; Robert Walko, Videographer and Editor. To receive a free weekly email on Smart Living from Ivanhoe, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk

Although this year’s winter weather hasn’t been near as impactful as last year’s, San Antonio officials aren’t hesitating when it comes to preparedness.

Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez joined Leading SA on Sunday to discuss what local leaders learned from last year’s freeze and what goes into the decision-making process.

“Well, we learned a lot. You know, one of the areas that we focused on was communication and not just communication internally within the city, but also with the utilities and most importantly, the communication to our community. I think from a resident’s perspective, when there’s a weather event like the one we had in February of last year or the event that we had last week, they expect to see a united front where the city, the utilities, the county and other agencies that respond to an emergency like that,” Villagomez said.

Villagomez said it’s not just communication between the city and its agencies that goes into winter weather preparedness — it’s also coordination.

“We work closely with SAWS, CPS and the county pretty much on a daily basis because of the services that we provide to the community. In the case of an emergency, that collaboration is key. We the city cannot provide those services to the community. We are not collaborating and knowing what’s going on at CPS, at SAWS and the county as well. To your point, CPS is our main liaison with ERCOT and they keep us abreast of any, any areas that we should be aware of. Again, with the goal of providing those critical services to our community and again showing that collaboration within the different entities here in San Antonio,” Villagomez said.

Aside from the city taking steps to prepare for incoming winter weather, Villagomez said there are a few things you can do at home as well.

“So one of the things that we have done as a city working with SAWS and CPS, our residents can visit our websites and you’ll find a lot of resources on how to prepare today. So don’t wait until there’s an event or two days prior to the event. But being aware of why are those things that you can have at home an emergency kit, a family communication plan, what would you do if an event happens? Who would your children call? Who would you call if you need assistance? Also, very critical, are there vulnerable members of your family? Also, to ensure that they register with the city and the utilities so we can provide those critical services to them,” Villagomez said.

You can watch the full interview with Villagomez in the video player above.

Two men are injured after a shooting outside of a nightclub near downtown overnight, according to San Antonio police.

The shooting happened around 12:51 a.m. Sunday in the 3000 block of N St. Mary’s Street.

Police said that several people were walking to their car when a suspect started shooting at them. The suspect then drove away in a truck.

A man was critically injured and taken by EMS to the Brooke Army Medical Center, officers said.

While police were investigating, a second man arrived at Methodist Metro Hospital. Police said he was transported to the Brooke Army Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers said that both men knew each other and were with each other when they were shot.

Police do not have a suspect description at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

A Houston deputy was shot and killed during a traffic stop overnight and the man responsible is still on the run, according to authorities.

Cpl. Charles Galloway, 47 and a 12-year veteran with Precinct 5, died around 12:45 a.m. Sunday in the 9100 block of Beechnut Street, according to a report from KSAT’s sister station, KPRC.

Galloway tried to conduct a traffic stop on a white Toyota Avalon. However, the situation escalated when the driver got out of the vehicle and immediately fired gunshots toward Galloway and his patrol vehicle, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner tells KPRC.

The man then got back into his vehicle and left the scene. There’s currently no description of the man; however, deputies said he’s driving a newer-model Toyota Avalon.

Witnesses claim the man used an assault-type weapon during the shooting, according to deputies. He is still on the run.

Galloway was pronounced dead at the scene, KPRC reports. He leaves behind a daughter and a sister, according to Constable Ted Heap.

Corporal Galloway joined in 2009, and has served Harris County for more than 12 years, according to Precinct 5 officials. He most recently worked as a field training officer in the Toll Road Division.

A search is still underway for the shooter and the investigation continues.

You can watch the full news conference below, courtesy of KPRC:

More on KSAT:

Motorcyclist dies from injuries after shooting on Northwest Side, police say

A motorcyclist died from his injuries after a shooting broke out between him and another driver on the city’s Northwest Side overnight, according to San Antonio police.

The incident happened around 4:10 a.m. Sunday in the 100 block of E. Skyview.

Officers were initially called to the area for a shooting in progress. However, when they arrived, police found a man on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.

There was also a handgun and a motorcycle lying next to him.

Upon further investigation, police said the man was on his motorcycle when a white, four-door sedan pulled up next to him.

Video surveillance showed the motorcyclist and the other driver talking before the situation escalated into a shooting, with both of them firing rounds.

The motorcyclist and the other vehicle were struck by the gunfire. A woman ran from the vehicle as shots were fired and soon after, the vehicle left the area.

Police said the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on scene. Officers are still searching for the woman who ran from the vehicle, and the driver.

Further details are limited and the investigation continues.

It’s been pretty dry this winter, with drought increasing around South Central Texas. In fact, much of the KSAT 12 viewing area is experiencing at least moderate drought, with extreme drought in spots.

Needless to say, we could use a little rain, so it’s good news that showers are expected overnight and Monday. The downside is that the Monday morning commute will be damp, potentially causing issues on the roads.

Here’s what you need to know:

SUNDAY

With overcast skies all day long, it’ll be difficult to warm-up much above the low- to mid-50sAlthough it’ll look like it’s going to rain throughout the day today, showers won’t begin until after midnight

OVERNIGHT

Overnight, scattered rain will move into South Central TexasWhile we can’t rule out a clap of thunder, storms are unlikely and severe weather is NOT a concern

MONDAY

Expect a damp morning commute Monday, so give yourself a little extra time to get to where you need to goScattered showers will be around San Antonio through lunch, with skies clearing from west to east in the afternoonIt’ll be cool with highs in the low- to mid-50s

RAINFALL POTENTIAL

A quarter to half an inch of rain is a safe bet around the metro area Higher rainfall totals farther eastUnfortunately, for our drought-stricken western counties, only a few hundredths of an inch of rain is possible

TUESDAY

Comfy with highs in the mid-60s before our next front knocks temps back into the 50s for the remainder of the week

7 DAY FORECAST

STAY IN-THE-KNOW

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If you end up wanting to share weather pictures with the weather team, you can submit photos and videos here, and your submission may get featured on KSAT.com or on air.