Category: San Antonio News

More kids in Bexar County died by homicide, suicide, and accidental deaths in 2020 when compared to the previous 4 years, according to the latest 2020 Bexar County Medical Examiner report.

Brandy Martinez, an RN, is the co-chair of the Child Fatality Review Team and is a Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator for Brooke Army Medical Center. She says the unofficial numbers for 2021 show the trend might continue.

“We’re following more or less the same trends, unfortunately. There’s been a lot more deaths to review, so we aren’t as concurring as we normally would be,” she said.

The fatality review team is made up of more than 30 people and organizations that advocate for children. These include Metro Health, juvenile probation, law enforcement, Department of Family Services, mental health advocates, and physicians. Each year the group takes an in-depth look at the reasons behind the child deaths to look for trends and come up with a way to reduce those deaths through advocacy, education, or linking the community to resources.

In the past, the group has looked at various prevention initiatives, including safe storage of firearms, constant supervision of kids around water or a vehicle, proper restraint of children in vehicles, and practicing safe sleeping with infants.

“After we review each case, we determine why is this case preventable or not preventable? And most of these deaths are preventable by some sort of intervention. Sometimes it’s just a supervision issue. Other times, it’s much more complicated than that,” Martinez said.

The Community Action meeting will be on January 6th. The team will then pass on their reviews to a state fatality review team, which advocates for policy changes to protect children at the state level.

The City of San Antonio will be adding three new COVID-19 testing sites through a partnership with Community Labs to address testing capacity and wait times that some have said lasted hours.

Wednesday’s COVID-19 numbers

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District said the omicron variant had led to a three-fold increase in daily cases of COVID-19.

Metro Health’s COVID-19 dashboard showed an increase of 2,757 new cases, with a 7-day moving average of 2,875. There were also seven new deaths reported Wednesday, bringing the total to nine deaths over the past seven days.

There are 569 COVID patients in local hospitals, with 134 in ICU and 48 on ventilators. Metro Health’s dashboard shows there are 11% of staffed beds available and 65% of ventilators available.

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

Demand for testing surges across Bexar County

The new testing sites come as demand surges at no-cost and private sites throughout Bexar County.

Dr. David Gude, chief operating officer of Texas MedClinic, which also offers COVID testing, estimates their San Antonio locations handle between 1,200 and 1,500 tests per day. And some spots are reaching their capacity for other patients, too.

“The testing that we’re doing along with the sick, you know, the ill people and injured people that we’re seeing — we are seeing as many as we possibly can, and we’re having at some point in the day to say ‘We can’t add anymore. I’m sorry,’” Gude said.

Gude said the network of Texas MedClinics is also dealing with a 15% decrease in staff members due to their own COVID-19 issues.

ALSO ON KSAT.COM: Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in San Antonio

Metro Health said it’s new no-cost testing sites will be stationed at the Alamo Colleges District Support Operations Building, Palo Alto College and St. Philip’s College.

“Because of the increased demand for people seeking to get a COVID-19 test, we know we need to do more – and we are,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a written statement included in a Metro Health news release.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said new omicron cases are driving up hospitalizations in our area and is urging the community to do what it can to ease the stress on the local hospitals.

“This burden on hospitals is affecting doctors, nurses, and other key medical staff, who are also getting sick and are having to miss work, unable to care for patients in our hospitals,” Wolff said in a written statement. “If you haven’t already, get vaccinated.”

New testing sites coming as early as Thursday

Metro Health says no appointment is necessary for the new sites, and testing will be done for walk-ups only. Results are expected to be provided to patients within 24 hours, Metro Health added.

The following are the new Community Labs locations and times of operation

Alamo Colleges District Support Operations Building, 2222 N. Alamo St. 78215

Opens Thursday, January 6 at 8 a.m.

Hours of operation Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Palo Alto College Building 20, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. 78224

Opens Friday, January 7 at 8 a.m.

Building 20 – Performing Arts Center

Hours of operation Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Philip’s College, 1801 Martin Luther King Dr. San Antonio, TX 78203

Opens Monday, January 10 at 8 a.m.

Hours of operation Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

———

Metro Health says three more sites will be announced as the locations are confirmed, and it will notify the public when they are expected to open.

“We encourage anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested, so they don’t spread the virus to others if they are positive. We hope these additional testing sites will help meet and alleviate current demand,” said Metro Heath Director Claude A. Jacob in a written statement. “Remember that we have the tools we need to contain this virus. Please mask up, get vaccinated and get your booster shot if you’re eligible. Please do your part to protect San Antonio by staying home if you are sick.”

KSAT Q&A with Mayor Ron Nirenberg

Nirenberg joined anchors Steve Spriester and Myra Arthur during Wednesday’s KSAT Q&A to discuss testing capacity in the city. He said officials are working to secure more rapid tests.

“(Rapid tests) have some degree of inaccuracy. They’re not as good as the PCR tests in terms of the accuracy of the data. But it does give you an answer quickly,” Nirenberg said during the KSAT Q&A.

Nirenberg told Spriester and Arthur that the omicron has taken over many cities in Texas and the nation at the same time, leading to more significant numbers at hospital systems despite some people reporting milder symptoms with the new variant. The mayor said that, while the city was prepared for another surge, the numbers of those infected are growing faster than anticipated.

“The rise in the number of cases, the incredible jump of 11,000 cases in three days to start the new year here is actually how fast this thing has risen. Remember, two weeks ago here in the city, we were at a 2% positivity rate. That’s jumped to 27% in two weeks,” Nirenberg said during the KSAT Q&A.

Watch the full interview with Nirenberg below

City health officials also 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 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 healthcare provider if you need help interpreting your test results.

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

Like many restaurants in San Antonio that have struggled for months to hire new workers since the lockdown ended, the staff shortage at Nicha’s has been compounded by the latest COVID-19 surge fueled by the omicron variant.

“Makes things even more difficult because now we have staff members feeling ill, not coming to work,” said Nicha’s General Manager Michael Elizondo.

Fortunately, none of the employees have tested positive for the virus, Elizondo said.

“To keep the rest of our staff and our customers safe when they’re not feeling well, we give them the day off, and the next day if they need it,” he said.

Elizondo said he’s never seen anything like this in his 20 years in the restaurant industry.

“Never, never. We’ve been under staff a couple of times in the past, but it doesn’t last long. A week, two weeks maybe, never for this duration of time,” he said.

Justin Clark, Nicha’s head server, said, “We just continuously lose employees because of what’s going on.”

As a result, he said, others are working extra trying to cover for those who can’t be there.

“People are just tired,” Clark said.

Kelsey Erickson Streufert, spokeswoman for the Texas Restaurant Association, said Nicha’s is hardly alone.

“There’s no doubt this is a tough time for restaurants across the state,” Streufert said.

As it is, she said the Texas Restaurant Association estimates 9,000 of the state’s 50,000 restaurants didn’t make it through the pandemic.

What’s happening now, Streufert said, is “the latest twist and turn on the roller coaster that has been COVID 19.”

Even so, Streufert said the association continues to assure the public the industry is doing whatever it can to keep everyone safe through its Texas Restaurant Promise, the industry’s COVID-19 health and safety policy.

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New Businesses New business licenses and corporate formations. -Sales Tax Permits Company: El Chivito, Address: 204 Crossroads Blvd. #2, City: Balcones Heights, State: TX, Zip: 78201, Phone: 210-257-0656, Type: nonclassifiable, Sic: 99, Recdate: 2021-12-07, Jurisdiction: Bexar County Company: Helotes Tactical Firearms LLC, Address: 14546 Old Bandera Rd., City: Helotes, State: TX, Zip: 78023, Type: retail-miscellaneous, Sic: 59, Recdate: 2021-12-09, Jurisdiction: Bexar County Company: Scars and Stripes…

Judgments Legal judgments filed or recorded in local county offices. -Abstracts of Judgment Type: A, Business or Person: B, Plaintiff: Bottom Line Equipment LLC, Defendant: Environmental Industrial Services Group Inc. (foreign-Chambers County), Defaddr: 5353 W. Alabama St. #340, Defcity: Houston, Defstate: TX, Defzip: 77056, Amount: $39,954, Winner: plaintiff, Caseno: 20DCV0067 B, Bookpage: 20210335022, Filedate: 2021-12-01, Recdate: 2021-12-02, Jurisdiction: Bexar County Type: A, Business or Person:…

Red light cameras are a sore subject for many drivers as two communities in our area still have them on the roads.

Leon Valley and Balcones Heights are two cities still allowed to operate the cameras despite a 2019 ban, leaving some drivers fuming.

“When I first got this in the mail, the first thing I thought in my mind is I was very angry because this is misleading,” said Jason Campbell, who received a ticket in Balcones Heights.

While the 2019 law passed by the Texas Legislature allows Leon Valley and Balcones Heights to keep their cameras because of existing contracts, they’re not allowed to use it against you if you don’t pay the ticket when it comes to renewing your vehicle or license.

Unpaid tickets can be reported to a collection agency, but they are not authorized to be reported to a credit bureau.

“They need to take them down and they need to stop sending these out,” Campbell said. “How many people have paid this instead of paying a bill?”

On the city website, Balcones Heights touts the safety benefits of the cameras. It points to a continued reduction in crashes at the intersections where they are posted.

“The City of Balcones Heights operates a red-light safety camera program to protect all people who live, work, and visit our City. It began in 2006,” said City Administrator David Harris in a statement to KSAT 12 News. “The 2019 Legislature discontinued new programs in the state and grandfathered existing programs to continue with its vendor until the end of the contract. The Balcones Heights contract with ATS/Verra Mobility runs through 2034. Balcones Heights Police Department reminds motorists to come to a complete stop at all red lights and stop signs. Rolling stops or “California stops” do not count. Thank you for making our community safe for everyone.”

A bill authored by Rep. Phillip Cortez of San Antonio sought to allow both cities to get out of their contracts, but it failed to advance during last year’s legislative session.

The Leon Valley City Council voted last April to explore getting out of its deal with the company that operates the cameras, but for now they remain in place.

Council members plan to bring up the issue again at the annual town hall meeting later this month.

At a recent meeting, they said the proceeds from fines and fees are used for improvement and safety projects, while acknowledging there’s not much they can do to compel people to pay.

Have questions about transportation or traffic? Let us know, and your answer may be our next story. Find past answers on our traffic page.

As the new year begins, some San Antonio pups need your help at a second chance for life.

San Antonio Pets Alive!, a foster-based rescue organization, urgently needs fosters for two at-risk momma dogs, their puppies, and other orphaned puppies in the shelter.

Due to the high number of viral illnesses that can harm puppies and dogs in the kennels, SAPA! says they need to get the puppies into foster homes as soon as they can.

SAPA officials say they need fosters for momma-dog, Nikita, and her five puppies.

They also are looking for foster parents for momma-dog Ellie and her six puppies.

SAPA officials say orphan pups Phoenix and Acacia are looking for foster homes as well.

The last set of orphaned pups looking for a home is seven, four-legged friends SAPA has named the Spiderman puppies.

SAPA officials say those who choose to foster through the organization will be provided with formula, bottles, food, support guidance, and an electric heating pad.

All fosters are asked to provide is a temporary home and love for the pups.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent for these puppies, you can fill out an application on the SAPA! foster page. You can also email foster@sanantoniopetsalive.org.

With increased surging COVID-19 infections and the rise of the omicron variant, you may find yourself under the weather and stuck at home. Consumer Reports has some great options to help you pass the time while you get better.

With more streaming services than ever, a dedicated streaming player is often the best way to access them all, even if you have a smart TV. They may offer features and services that your TV lacks.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a good value at $35 ($55 in Canada), and it did well in CR’s tests.

And just because you can’t be with your friends in person doesn’t mean you can’t hang out. With a gaming console or computer, you can play with friends online. But you’ll need a good headset to talk with them while you’re playing.

Look for a headset that’s both comfortable and has great sound quality, including the microphone. You’ll also have to decide if you want a wired model, which is often cheaper, or a wireless one, which will give you more freedom.

For a wired model, the Turtle Beach Recon 50 is an affordable choice at $25 ($45 in Canada), and it got perfect scores for design, sound, and comfort in CR’s user study. For $149 ($190 in Canada), the wireless SteelSeries Arctis 7 scored just as well.

And even though you might not be in the mood to cook, you’ll still need some nourishment. Consumer Reports evaluated consumers’ experiences with four major food-delivery services and found that Postmates deliveries were prompt most often.

So with some good food, entertainment, and friends, getting better just got a little more comfortable.

Of course, always check with your doctor if you’re not feeling well, especially if you’re running a fever, about the best course of treatment.

The murder trial of Edison Carraman is wrapping up on Friday and deliberations will soon begin.

The trial began this week despite the latest COVID-19 protocols suspending in-person trials this month. That is because the jury was selected before Christmas.

Carraman is on trial for the March 27, 2020 shooting death of his cousin Kristopher Carraman.

San Antonio Police Investigator Kevin Dorsey took the witness stand Wednesday morning and talked about how he was able to find a suspect to the murder so quickly.

Several witnesses at the scene were able to tell responding officers who they saw shooting from a black car.

“I was able to look up the name that was given on the radio by the responding officers and that name was Edison Carraman,” Dorsey said.

During cross examination, defense attorney Raymond Martinez asked Dorsey how he was able to quickly conclude that Carraman was the shooter and if he knew for sure there wasn’t more than one person inside the vehicle where shots were fired from.

Dorsey said that family members at the scene were witnesses to the crime and one of them had not only witnessed the shooting, but also had a text message exchange with Edison Carraman who stated he was going to the house on West Pyron Avenue.

A crime scene investigator also took the stand Wednesday and showed photos of evidence collected at the scene.

Those photos included shell casings from the scene and a bullet fragment that was found inside the victim’s baseball cap.

On Thursday, Tommy Hamilton, an SAPD detective, testified in the trial.

After responding to the shooting call on West Pyrone Avenue, he was told to go to 3131 Owasso Street where Edison Carraman lived.

There, he questioned Edison Carraman in the back of a patrol unit where he is seen telling Hamilton he did not shoot his cousin and that he had been at home.

Dr. James Feig, the Bexar County medical examiner of Kristopher Carraman’s case, testified that the 23-year-old suffered a through-and-through gunshot wound to the head.

However, the defense raised questions about who was responsible for pulling the trigger to begin with after Crystina Vachon, a forensic scientist, testified she had indeterminant findings of gunshot residue on both Edison Carraman’s clothes and hands.

“Is it possible to shoot a firearm, handle a discharged fire arm, or be in close proximity to a discharged firearm and not get gunshot residue on you?” asked the state prosecutor.

“Yes, it is,” said Vachon.

If found guilty Edison Carraman faces 5 to 99 years or life in prison.

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The family of 3-year-old Lina Khil is thanking everyone for the tremendous amount of support as they ended day 17 with no sign of their little girl.

Riaz Khil, Lina’s father, has been in close contact with Pamela Allen, the director of Eagles Flight San Antonio. Her organization works closely with families dealing with situations such a this.

Allen spoke on the family’s behalf moments before the FBI dive team ended their search efforts in the 5700 block of Babcock Road.

“Riaz and his family are just saying thank you so much to everyone who has been lifting this case up in prayer,” Allen said. “Everyone who has been thinking about Lina and who has adopted this girl as their own — they understand people care.”

Allen said Riaz Khil has been emotionally exhausted throughout this investigation.

“When we brought him out here yesterday, he was being briefed by the FBI, and he just went to his knees praying for the best outcome,” Allen said. “What he is praying for is that someone has her and is keeping her alive and that they will release her and she will be back home. He loves and misses his daughter. It was just an emotional and stressful day.”

Because of Lina’s disappearance, Riaz Khil has quit his job to focus more on his family’s wellbeing.

Allen said the Afgan community has stepped in with raising funds for the Khil family.

“This is so they could help him with resources, and groceries and utilities,” Allen said. “They put that together for him just to make sure the family is going to be OK.”

Allen said the family is not only dealing with their missing daughter, but unfortunately, they are also dealing with attacks online.

“The Afgan community has been through a lot,” she said. “Each one would tell you a story where they lost a loved one through suicide bombing or how they lost half of their family. (Riaz Khil) is no different. They came through such a war-torn area, so when they hear some of these things, ‘Oh, they sold her.’ Just negative remarks — it hurts them because they love their daughter so much, and they want her back. It’s hurtful to them. People are saying, ‘This is fishy,’ or ‘The mom this or that.’ Right now, the focus needs to be on finding Lina.”

Allen said that most of the feedback has been positive, for which Riaz Khil is thankful.

“We all want her to be found,” she said. “It is San Antonio’s Lina. It is this country’s Lina. People are so focused on this because this baby is so vulnerable, and they want her to be found.”

SAPD said Wednesday afternoon in a written statement that the day’s “dive effort concluded without any conclusive findings.” (Read the full statement below.)

If you have any information that could help in the investigation, you are urged to call SAPD’s Missing Person Unit at 210-207-7660.

SAPD statement

“The SAPD, with the support of the FBI, continue to search for Lina Sardar Khil. The footprint of the search operations has been expanded to locations near Lina’s home. Yesterday, a search of a creek bed located in the 5700 block of Babcock Road was conducted with the collaboration of an 11-person FBI Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team. This initiative broadened the grid of our search for Lina from where she was last seen on Monday, December 20, 2021, between 4:30 – 5: 10 pm at 9400 Fredericksburg Road at the Villas Del Cabo Apartments. Today’s dive effort concluded without any conclusive findings.

“Our follow up units continue to tirelessly investigate the disappearance of Lina. No resource, both from the Department and the FBI, has been spared in this investigation. Countless hours have been devoted to evidence analysis, aggressively chasing down leads, re-interviewing people, and ensuring that every piece of information is thoroughly scrutinized.

“We will continue to search for Lina. The Department appreciates the extensive coverage of Lina’s case. Your news teams have been integral in communicating accurate, timely information to the public and this service has not gone unnoticed. Our next steps include widening the scope of the search for Lina. Collecting actionable leads is critical and we urge you to continue to communicate to the public that the best way to help bring Lina home is to share any piece of information they may have by contacting the Missing Person’s Unit 210-207-7660. We appreciate the support from our Federal partners and will exhaust every lead in an effort to find little Lina.”

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