A new law goes into effect across Texas on Tuesday, January 18 that will help pets that unfortunately spend their lives outdoors. Called the Safe Outdoors Dog Act, it lays down basic safeguards for outdoor dogs, as follows: Defines “adequate shelter” to protect dogs from extreme temperatures, inclement weather, and standing water. Previously, there was no definition for shelter, and dogs that were tethered could (and did) die from exposure. Requires access to drinkable water….

San Antonio Water System has launched a webpage that helps customers to prepare for emergencies that might affect their water services.

According to a news release, the utility set up Be Ready for the Unexpected online resource page in part following the winter storm last year that left many residents without electricity, natural gas and water.

The webpage is complete with infographics and how-to videos in English and Spanish and provides detailed instructions on what to do during a boil water notice, water outage, freezing weather and other water issues, the news release said.

“Last year’s freeze was unlike anything our community had ever experienced, and we want to learn from that and help our customers know what they can do in the event of an emergency,” said SAWS Vice President of Communications and External Affairs Gavino Ramos. “We developed these materials so customers know what they need to have on hand such as tools and supplies, as well as how to perform necessary actions, such as locating their pipes or turning off their water.”

SAWS Staff will continue updating the webpage with how-to information as it develops.

The utility is also offering customers a Be Ready Rebate (BRR) to offset a portion of the cost for a licensed plumber to check for leaks and learn how to protect their pipes. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Learn more at gardenstylesanantonio.com/be-ready-rebate.

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The nonprofit Soldiers Angels’ is gearing up for its sixth annual “Warm Feet for Warriors” sock drive, where they collect and distribute socks to deployed service members and veterans.

“It really makes a big difference for them, especially deployed service members, to get a nice new pair of socks. They’ve been wearing those same socks for months and to get a nice, clean, fresh pair is a great thing to get from home,” said Amy Palmer, president and CEO of Soldiers’ Angels.

Since the program began in 2017, over 177,000 pairs of socks have been given out.

Last year their goal was 10,000 pairs of socks and they ended up collecting more than 63,000. Palmer said this year, they are hoping to exceed that number.

“We take the black socks they can wear in uniform. But we also take fun socks that they can wear off-duty,” Palmer said.

For Army Veteran Chris Chun, he remembers what it was like receiving socks when he was deployed overseas.

“I remember walking on patrol. My feet are just absolutely soaked and just having that time to like, pull a pair of dry, clean socks out of my rucksack and putting them on my feet. And even if the boots are still a little wet, my feet feel better. I feel better,” Chun said.

Soldiers’ Angels will be collecting socks from Feb. 1 through March 31.

For information about individual donations or starting a collection drive, click here.

Port San Antonio is using DreamWeek’s initiative to help spark innovation.

DreamWeek’s mission is to celebrate humanity by creating environments for both civil and civic engagement while embracing ideas and dreams for the common good. DreamWeek is taking place now and lasts until Jan. 30.

“Well this sounds fun, this sounds challenging and I like challenging things and challenging activities so I said this would be good for me,” six-year-old Sonya Martinez, founder of the Honey Breeze Collection said.

“I want everybody to feel happy and unique,” Martinez said.

Sonya wanted to make earrings for her friends and had access to a 3-D printer. The next thing you know, a company was up and running.

“It all seamlessly came together. She made a logo and had her business name kind of figured out relatively quick,” Felicia Martínez, Sonya’s mother, said.

“It is the Honey Breeze collection and the reason we named it like that is because it’s my middle name: Honey Breeze,” Sonya said.

Sonya’s earrings are made by the 3-D printer and her story shows why DreamWeek is so important for San Antonio.

“DreamWeek is all about following your dreams right and that is why we got together with our community partners to come out and demonstrate their technology we’re hoping that’s going to spark some passion and create excitement for these jobs in STEM,” Stephanie Garcia, Port SA business development specialist said.

The programs happening over the next two weeks at Port San Antonio hope to inspire future scientists, astronauts, engineers and in Sonya’s case, entrepreneurs.

“I don’t wanna make earrings out of (a different material) because they might snap and break and I don’t want my earrings to break,” Sonya said.

And already, the six-year-old is learning business first-hand.

“I do take card or cash,” Sonya said.

You can find more about Sonya’s business by clicking here. And you can find out more about DreamWeek by clicking here.

The rest of the U.S. is quickly catching on to some fast-food addictions most Texans have been noshing for years, with one automotive-focused media site driving some national praise for two beloved San Antonio-based eateries. Online publication Jalopnik recently released its reader-curated list of the Best Drive-Thru Restaurants in America and — likely unsurprising to devourers of burgers and Tex-Mex in the Lone Star State — Whataburger and Taco Cabana, both based in San Antonio,…

The Holt family will remain the largest shareholder of SA’s only major league franchise.

A driver who San Antonio police say caused a crash at a Northwest Side intersection, killing a passenger and a pedestrian, has been arrested.

Derek Reyes, 27, has been charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter following the crash that happened around 6:45 p.m. on Monday at the NW Loop 410 access road and Fredricksburg Road, records show.

Police said Reyes was driving at a high rate of speed in the westbound lanes of the access road when he approached the intersection. He didn’t stop when he neared the red light and struck a stopped sedan from behind, police said.

A 42-year-old woman who was sitting in the front passenger’s seat of that sedan was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her name has not been released.

The driver and backseat passenger of the sedan were taken to the hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.

A man in his 30s-40s who was standing near the intersection was hit by one of the vehicles, police said. He died at the scene and his name has not been released.

Police said Reyes showed signs of intoxication and was detained at the scene.

A person who was traveling in the car with him was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Reyes’ bond is set at $200,000.

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The Cowboy Breakfast — the unofficial kickoff to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo — won’t be a public event for the second year in a row, due to COVID-19.

Instead, event organizers plan to cook and serve breakfast for San Antonio’s first responders during a private event.

This year’s Cowboy Breakfast is expected to serve about 6,500 tacos to employees of the San Antonio police and fire departments.

Each precinct will be able to drive by St. Philip’s College’s new culinary building and pick up tacos and pastries, according to a Cowboy Breakfast official.

COVID-19 also disrupted last year’s plans with organizers pivoting to instead deliver tacos to several nonprofit organizations, including Seton Home, Roy Maas Youth Alternatives and Family Violence Prevention Services.

Pre-COVID, Cowboy Breakfast was held in the parking lot of Cowboys Dancehall and attended by about 30,000 attendees and hundreds of volunteers who served up free breakfast.

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