Category: San Antonio News

Monday will mark the 100th birthday of the legendary “Golden Girl” Betty White. But despite White’s passing, some in San Antonio are still planning on celebrating.

On Jan. 17, the San Antonio Zoo will host “Thank You For Being a Friend Day” to honor White’s legacy of work in animal welfare, conservation efforts, and zoo advocacy.

Standard admission to the zoo will be $8 and San Antonio Zoo members can bring a friend, free of charge. Those 65 years or older will also receive free admission.

“Zoos and wildlife around the world lost a hero,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO at San Antonio Zoo. “Betty White understood and supported the efforts of zoos to educate the world as well as the work accredited zoos do to conserve wildlife across the globe.”

All discounts are available at the zoo front gate on Monday and cannot be purchased online.

The zoo will be open on Monday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Editor’s note: Each weekend, we share five stories that captured the attention of the Alamo City over the past seven days. Here are the most-read stories of the week. 1. San Antonio Asian eatery named one of 10 best new restaurants in U.S. Local favorite Best Quality Daughter earns its spot among America’s best new restaurants, according to USA Today’s 10Best. 2. San Antonio star chef rolls out limited-time New Orleans-style menu. Chef Steve McHugh…

Ridesharing, a decade ago the closest thing we had was the carpool to work and school, now it’s the norm to hit your app and have a complete stranger pick you up and drive you wherever you need to go. But there are dangers to think about.

A new report from Lyft revealed there were more than four thousand cases of sexual assault over a three-year period. Uber reported almost six-thousand sexual assaults over two years. There is no foolproof prevention to keep riders safe, but there are precautions riders can take to stay safer.

With more than 25 percent of the U.S. population requesting a ride at least once a month, how can you make sure you’re safe? First, prepare your purse. Carry a charged cell phone, a credit card, and cash. Also, think about what items, like keys or pens, could be used for self-defense. Share your trip with others. Both Uber and Lyft make it easy with share buttons directly on their apps.

Before you get in, ask the driver if they know your name and confirm their name, car, and license plate match what is on your phone. Once inside, do not share any personal information. Always sit in the backseat. If something seems off, end the rideshare early. And now, new ride-sharing options are emerging that give women more control in their rideshare choices.

Safr is a gender matching rideshare option in Boston and Orlando. Drivers undergo background checks before being approved. The cars have an SOS button that riders and drivers can touch in case of an emergency. It’s just one way rideshares are becoming safer this year.

Be aware that sexual assaults are more likely to happen on weekend nights when more rideshare users are intoxicated.

Sources:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10121977/Lyft-recorded-4-000-cases-sexual-assault-three-years.html

https://www.reviews.com/insurance/car/ride-share-safety-tips/

https://policyadvice.net/insurance/insights/ride-sharing-industry-statistics/

https://www.reviews.com/insurance/car/ride-share-safety-tips/

Contributor(s) to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, 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

Consumers are more health-conscious than ever before, so some food manufacturers are pulling out all the tricks to convince people to buy highly processed and unhealthy foods.

Class action litigation against food and beverage companies hit a record high last year, as consumer advocates fight back against food labels that try to take advantage of consumers. What you read on the package may not be what’s inside.

Healthy, all-natural, low-fat, humanely raised… the list goes on and on.

“It can be very misleading to the consumer.” Explains Tara Collingwood, RDN.

Common misleading food labels include… ‘made with whole grains’. This implies 100 percent of grains used are whole. It really means the recipe includes a pinch of whole grains. Choose only products labeled 100 percent whole grains.

Collingwood further explains by stating, “I always say it’s made with very little of that particular ingredient.”

When the label says ‘multi-grain’, it implies more healthful whole grains but many of these foods are full of refined grains, so nutritionists say to disregard this label completely. The word ‘natural’ implies no man-made ingredients, organic and non-gmo. What it really means… nothing at all!

Collingwood states that “There are certain words that are not regulated. So, for example, natural.”

And if a label does not list sugar as the first ingredient, it doesn’t mean the sugar content is not high. All of these ingredients are substitutes for sugar. And family-farmed is popular now but be aware… the USDA says the words can describe any farm in which the operator or their relatives own at least half the business, which adds up to 97 percent of the nation’s farms.

“I think instead of just even looking at the front of the package, turn the package around and look at those nutrition facts.” Says Collingwood.

So, to protect yourself, ignore the claims on the front packaging. Study the ingredients list. Avoid foods that list refined grains, sugar, or hydrogenated oils as the first three ingredients. Instead, choose items that have whole foods listed at the top.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/science/food-labels-lawsuits.html

https://www.gaplesinstitute.org/5-misleading-food-labels/

Contributor(s) to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, 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

San Antonio police and Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help in solving the murder of Gilbert Aaron Rocha.

The incident happened at 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 26, 2016 on Huebner Road and NW Military Drive.

Police said Rocha, 25, was the front seat passenger in a blue Ford Explorer heading west on Huebner. The passenger of another vehicle fired multiple shots at the Explorer, striking Rocha and the driver.

Rocha died from his injuries, and authorities believe there were two suspects involved.

Anyone with more information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP.

More on KSAT:

San Antonio police, Crime Stoppers seek tips in double-murder case

A man was found fatally shot in an open field overnight on the city’s Northeast Side, and San Antonio police are still searching for the suspects responsible.

The incident happened around 12:41 a.m. Saturday in the 14100 block of Nacogdoches Road.

Officers were initially called to the scene for shots fired. However, when they arrived, they found a man in an open field with a gunshot wound.

A caller told police they heard the gunfire and moments later, saw two people get into a white Ford F150 truck and leave the area.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials.

Officers are still searching for the suspects and further details are limited. We’ll bring more updates as they become available.

More on KSAT:

San Antonio police, Crime Stoppers seek tips in double-murder case

On the eve of Saturday’s community blood drive at the AT&T Center, a San Antonio mom urged everyone to roll up their sleeves.

“There’s a crisis now, and we need people to donate,” said Brandi Morkovsky.

Blood donation is a personal issue for Morkovsky. Her daughter, Amy, relies on blood transfusions to stay alive.

The 3-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia on Jan. 13, 2021. In the last year, Amy received seven blood transfusions.

“This year has felt like 10 [years]. When she was diagnosed on that day…it was incredibly difficult,” Morkovsky said.

According to the Red Cross, cancer patients, accident victims, and people with blood disorders also depend on donations.

Unfortunately, Morkovsky worried her daughter won’t be able to continue depending on those donations.

This week, the Red Cross declared it’s first-ever national blood crisis, saying not enough people are donating blood.

To help, Morkovsky took matters into her own hands. Earlier this week, she donated blood through the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

“I was scared. I knew I had to do it for Amy and for those who need it. I don’t have her blood type. But for those who need [my type], I wanted to do it,” she said.

Morkovsky urged everyone to do the same, if possible.

“It’s one poke and 15 minutes of your time…and once you’re done, you’ve saved a life,” she said.

Saturday’s blood drive is taking place at the AT&T Center from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Also on KSAT.com:

American Red Cross declares national blood crisis as donations decline during pandemicDoctors and patients worry during nationwide blood crisisMayor Ron Nirenberg declares blood emergency in San Antonio, Bexar County

Darius Garland scored 28 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat San Antonio 114-109 on Friday night, extending the Spurs’ losing streak to five.

Jarrett Allen finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds for Cleveland, which won its third straight and fourth in five games.

Dejounte Murray had 30 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists for San Antonio, which is 1-7 in the new year. Keldon Johnson added 18 points and Bryn Forbes had 15.

The Spurs struggled against Cleveland’s frontcourt of 7-footers Evan Mobley and Lauri Markkanen, and the 6-11 Allen.

Mobley added 15 points and Markkanen had eight.

The trio also helped stymie Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, who was scoreless on just four field goal attempts and no free throws.

Cleveland shot 53% from the field in the first half, with a pair of alley-oop dunks to Mobley and Allen. The Cavaliers finished with four alley-oop dunks. Allen threw down the final one with 1:53 remaining to give the Cavs a 108-103 lead seconds after Markkanen stuffed a one-handed dunk over Poeltl.

The Cavaliers had a 20-point advantage in scoring 60 points in the paint. The Spurs attempted to keep pace by going 15 for 34 on 3-pointers but couldn’t maintain a lead in the third quarter.

San Antonio was on a 15-6 run in the final 5 ½ minutes of the period to take its largest lead before Cedi Osman drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to pull Cleveland within 86-84.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Point guard Rajon Rondo missed his second straight game with a sore right hamstring. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff did not have an update on Rondo’s return. … Isaac Okoro had six points in 16 minutes in his return after missing five games due to a sprained left elbow. … Cleveland is 14-9 on the road after going 9-27 last season. … Kevin Love had seven points and four rebounds in 16 minutes. He entered the game averaging 18.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in his previous 10 games.

Spurs: Derrick White and Tre Jones remain in the league’s health and safety protocols due to COVID-19. Coach Gregg Popovich said he does not know when either will return. … Murray leads San Antonio in points, assists and steals, and is second in rebounding. He entered the game averaging 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 2.1 steals. … Drew Eubanks missed the game with an unspecified illness, which was not COVID-19. Eubanks was in uniform, sitting with the team on the bench.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: At Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Spurs: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in solving a double murder case from two years ago.

The incident happened Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 at 8:45 p.m. when Vanessa Mujica, 22, Kyle Warren, 29, and another man drove to a McDonald’s restaurant in the 8000 block of Culebra to purchase narcotics.

Police said the meeting was arranged through Snapchat. The suspects involved arrived in a four-door, dark-colored Acura TL.

The transaction happened in the parking lot and later escalated, leading to Mujica and Warren being shot. Both of them later died from their injuries, according to officials.

The suspects left the scene, heading toward Timber View Drive. The search for them continues.

Anyone with more information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP.

More on KSAT:

SAPD releases surveillance footage of suspect vehicles in drug deal shooting that killed 2

Texas country music legend Robert Earl Keen announced Friday that he will officially take a step back from touring and public performances later this year.

He wrote a note to his fans on his website, saying as of Sept. 4, he will no longer tour or perform publicly.

Keen, 66 and a Houston native, said his decision isn’t due to him falling ill, nor an “existential crisis.” Rather, he said he believes it’s time for him to go out of the business the same way he entered it — with “passion and enthusiasm.”

“It’s with a mysterious concoction of joy and sadness that I want to tell you as of September 4th, 2022, I will no longer tour and perform publicly. I plan to continue to write songs, interview a wide variety of celebrities and contributors for our Americana Podcast. I also embrace this as an opportunity to further support the musical community and the ever expanding body of young talent on our horizon,” Keen said in a statement. “I’m a strong believer in clarity and truth. As much as I love what I do, it’s more important that I do it well or not at all. I’m not sick or experiencing any existential crisis. I feel that making a decision and quitting the road while I still love it, is the way I want to leave it.”

Keen said he is grateful for the support he’s received, and for those who have touched his life over the years.

“My family, friends, band members, fans, co-workers, teachers, advisors, confidants, and peers only begin to tell the story. I feel connected to everyone of them,” Keen said.

His band’s last two or three shows will be held at the Flores Country Store in Helotes. The band also plans on throwing a fan appreciation party on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

For more details on his upcoming performances, or to read his full letter to fans, visit his website here.

More on KSAT:

Robert Earl Keen refinanced his home to make sure band was paid, had health insurance at start of pandemic, Forbes reports