The timing couldn’t be worse. COVID-19 cases are surging in the middle of mountain cedar season, causing doubts for some who may have seasonal allergies.

“We’ve been extremely busy these last couple of weeks,” said Dr. Erika Gonzalez, founder, president and CEO, of South Texas Allergy and Asthma Medical Professionals (STAAMP).

Gonzalez said December and January have historically always been busy with mountain cedar in the air.

But with the omicron variant taking hold in Bexar County, Gonzalez said, “It mimics so many of the symptoms of allergies that we’re also seeing those people with concerns coming in.”

She said, thankfully, the majority of patients so far have been suffering from allergies.

“They have a history of previously not doing well during the cedar season,” Gonzalez said.

However, she said her office had seen increased COVID-positive cases in the past week.

Gonzalez said it’s probably allergies if someone has a history of allergies, such as cedar fever, and the antihistamines and nasal sprays are working. Also, she said an itchy nose and throat aren’t usually the result of an infection.

Gonzalez said allergies also could cause low-grade fevers, no higher than 100.4 degrees. She urges anyone with a higher fever to get checked out by their physician.

“It’s very important to try to reassure patients that even though COVID is increasing, there’s other things that are going to mimic those symptoms,” Gonzalez said.

“We just have to be vigilant,” she continued. “When in doubt, get tested.”

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San Antonio documentary film director César Martinez Barba, 27, is receiving accolades for tackling the tough subject of deportation.

Martinez Barba’s 20-minute short film, “Dial Home,” captures the loneliness and reality of deportation — people feeling like they don’t belong anywhere. It highlights some men and women who spent their lives in the United States and then were deported to Mexico.

“We’re not from here. We don’t speak Spanish. We’re not from over there because we’re Mexicans. There are a lot of people who are just caught in between. It’s not because we chose to,” said one of the women in the documentary.

Often once they get to Tijuana, the only jobs they’re suited for are at call centers.

“People are working a job where they’re speaking in English on the phone every day with people in the country that they used to live in, yet they are in Mexico trying to rebuild their lives,” Martinez Barba said.

“When you’re at work, it feels like you’re still working in the U.S., but as soon as you leave those call center doors, it’s different,” said a man in the documentary.

“Dial Home” has screened at many film festivals, including the San Francisco International Film Festival, where it won “Best Documentary Short Film,” making it Oscar-eligible.

“Winning the award was a surprise because the film was made with a lot of care and love but very few economic resources, and it was a really small team,” Martinez Barba said.

Then, in September, the New Yorker picked up the film and showed the documentary for free online.

Martinez Barba is honored but said he values one thing the most: “That this story is available to more people, and there’s a greater visibility to this subject matter. Stories about what happens to people after they’re deported, I think, are far and few between.”

Martinez Barba credits his childhood in San Antonio, specifically his mentors at the SAY Sí organization, for inspiring his love of filmmaking. SAY Sí provides diverse populations with creative development, arts and cultural experiences, and training opportunities.

“I’m Mexican American, and I’m interested in telling Mexican American stories, and for me, this is another example of how complicated that identity can be. I think because I was able to grow up in a city that really was deeply Mexican American, deeply Tejano, deeply Hispanic in so many ways, it was really important for me to honor that experience and the place I call home,” Martinez Barba said.

Martinez Barba said future projects already in the works would continue championing Mexican American stories.

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A local search and rescue organization joined the San Antonio Police Department and the FBI in their mission to find Lina Khil, the 3-year-old who disappeared from an apartment complex’s playground.

On Wednesday, the Search and Rescue SATX organization hit the ground running at the Medical Center Field, about three minutes down the road from the Villas Del Cabo Apartments on Fredericksburg Road.

“We are expanding the search,” said Nina Glass, the organization’s director. “What SAPD is doing — we are going outside of their search area and helping them.”

The organization even got its K9-Unit involved.

“We got an article of clothing from the family, so he is on a scent-tracking mission,” Glass said. “Everyone that is walking and doing a grid search is looking for anything. They have all seen what she was wearing, know she has a jacket and black shoes, so anything in that nature to say a child was coming through here.”

Volunteers made their way through thick brush during the search.

“We have long pants,” said Leticia Hernandez, one of the volunteers. “We have boots. We have the things to protect us, and we are traveling in pairs, so we don’t get lost.”

The search hit close to home for some volunteers.

“It is really scary because if I am in the store with one of my great-granddaughters and I lose them for a minute, it scares me,” said Marilyn Kruse, another volunteer. “My heart stops beating.”

“As a mother, I can only imagine what the family is feeling. But as a child, I can’t imagine being out here alone,” Hernandez said. “We are expecting some colder weather coming this Sunday, so it is pretty frightening.”

Glass said they are not 100% confident Lina is in the area they searched, but they hope to find any clues to help with the investigation.

If you are interested in joining a search with the organization, you can learn how on their Facebook page — Search and Rescue SATX.

Glass said they are planning another search Thursday morning, and they believe Lina’s family will be joining them.

The University of the Incarnate Word men’s basketball game against Trinity University, initially scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within Trinity’s program, according to UIW officials.

The universities have not set a makeup date for the game.

UIW will host Dallas Christian College on January 2 at the McDermott Center.

On Wednesday, Trinity University posted a notification that indicates their spring semester will not begin until Jan. 31, 2022. Staff will be asked to work remotely before the semester begins. Students and staff are both urged to get their booster shots ahead of the start of classes.

Trinity appears to be the first San Antonio university to delay the semester. Other universities are also considering the move.

As the new year quickly approaches, San Antonio Metro Health officials warn residents who plan to celebrate to exercise caution amid a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Metro Health officials say they have seen a “three-fold increase” in COVID-19 cases, with the increase in cases being attributed to the omicron variant.

The Texas Department of State Health Services says omicron accounted for 84.9% of state-wide COVID-19 cases for the week of Dec. 12 – Dec. 18.

Metro Health officials predict a similar increase in San Antonio.

“The Omicron variant is responsible for the expected increase in daily cases we are seeing. This variant is highly transmissible, but we can all do our part to contain its spread,” Metro Health Director Claude A. Jacob said. “Get vaccinated as soon as possible if you are not already to help prevent infection from COVID-19 and spreading it to others. Get a booster dose if you are eligible. Getting vaccinated can help prevent serious illness or hospitalization, and people who have breakthrough cases are much more likely to only have mild or no symptoms.”

For those who plan to attend New Year’s Eve festivities, Metro Health officials say the best way to avoid getting COVID-19 is to be vaccinated, wear a well-fitting mask, and get tested.

Metro Health officials say you should self-test if you plan to attend an NYE gathering. If you receive a positive result with a self-test, it means you are infected and should avoid gatherings. If your self-test result is negative, you may not have COVID-19. Officials say you should repeat testing at least 24 hours after your last test to ensure negative results.

“Metro Health also recommends everyone wear a mask regardless of your vaccination status,” Jacob said. “It can’t be stressed enough that if you are feeling ill even if you think it’s just allergies, stay home and get tested.”

You can find a list of COVID-19 testing sites here.

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As San Antonio Covid cases spike, the new site will offer no-cost testing — with no appointment necessary.

A lawsuit filed in Bexar County this month seeks to have a candidate for the 285th District Court thrown off the primary ballot.

The suit, filed Dec. 17, accuses candidate Lisa Uresti-Dasher of having multiple discrepancies on her sworn application for the position. A hearing in the case is slated to start next week.

Uresti-Dasher’s primary opponent, attorney Nadine Neito, filed the suit which also names the Bexar County Democratic Party. It comes roughly two months before the primary election, set to take place on March 1.

Contentious campaign

The 15-page lawsuit claims that Uresti-Dasher’s application filed with the Bexar County Democratic Party last month contained “several facial defects,” including using two versions of her name: Lisa Uresti-Dasher and Lisa Uresti Dasher.

“Thus, she has not filed a sworn application using her stated legal name as required by the Texas Election Code. Defendant Dasher, the Bexar County Democratic Party and (Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Monica) Alcantara are in violation of the Texas Election Code by insisting on including ‘Lisa Uresti-Dasher’ on the ballot for the Democratic Party primary because Dasher’s surname is ‘Dasher’ not ‘Uresti-Dasher’ as the name on the sworn application suggests. Dasher herself writes that her last name is Dasher on her application but swears to the application under a different name,” the suit states.

“Dasher’s attempt to use a name that is not her legal name on the ballot was not accidental but was done deliberately for the obvious purpose of attempting to gain a political advantage by emphasizing her Hispanic maiden name and to ride the coat tails of her father, Mr. Uresti, a longtime elected official in Bexar County, Texas. This is exactly the type of thing that the Legislature by these provisions of the Election Code was trying to prevent,” the lawsuit states.

Uresti-Dasher is the daughter of Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti and the niece of disgraced former Texas state senator Carlos Uresti, who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for federal fraud and money laundering convictions.

The lawsuit also states that Uresti-Dasher provided inaccurate information about how long she has lived in the state of Texas as well as the district the court represents, Bexar County.

“Dasher, using her non-legal name, swears that she has lived in the State of Texas for the last 40 years and has lived in the district for the last 35 years,” the suit states.

Reached by telephone Wednesday, Uresti-Dasher acknowledged living in Pennsylvania while her husband went through medical training as well as living in Minnesota and Wisconsin while attending law schools in those two states.

Uresti-Dasher also lived, for a time, in Harris County, according to her and a check of public records.

A judge denied a request to grant a temporary restraining order in the case Tuesday. The suit is scheduled for a hybrid in-person/virtual hearing Jan. 4.

Uresti-Dasher has been subpoenaed to appear, along with Alcantara, who did not respond to a request seeking comment for this story.

The subpoena for Uresti-Dasher instructs her to provide a number of items related to her background, including her driver’s license, voter registration card and documents related to her past employment.

“It’s unfortunate my opponent has gone this route,” said Uresti-Dasher, who referred to Nieto’s lawsuit as a “Hail Mary” attempt to get her removed from the ballot.

The suit also states that when applying for a vacancy in the 144th District Court, following the death of Judge Ray Olivarri last year, Uresti-Dasher “swore she had lived in Texas for the last 3 years and had lived in the district for the last 3 years.”

Asked about the apparent discrepancy Wednesday, Uresti-Dasher told the KSAT 12 Defenders, “That was a mistake, I guess, on my part,” before pointing out that was an application that later went before Democratic precinct chairs and not onto a ballot for a vote by the general public.

Reached by telephone Wednesday, Uresti-Dasher’s attorney Doug Ray told the Defenders his client is eligible to be on the ballot and that he believes the suit lacks merit.

Pressed for additional information about his statement, Ray said Uresti-Dasher’s legal team would get into those details in court, if necessary.

Early voting for the March 1 primary is scheduled to begin February 14, according to the Texas Secretary of State.

“What this is about is the integrity of the bench, the integrity of the elections. I guess she felt that putting the truth down is not something that she wanted the public to see,” Nieto said via telephone Wednesday.

Court records, letters sent by camps for both candidates and comments from each candidate show significant bad blood between the two sides ahead of early voting.

Dec. 7, an attorney representing Uresti-Dasher sent Nieto and her campaign manager a cease and desist notice, accusing them of defaming his client and making false statements about her qualifications and integrity as a candidate, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Defenders.

A letter sent to Alcantara by attorneys for Nieto Dec. 8 pointed out many of the same alleged discrepancies contained in the lawsuit and demanded that Uresti-Dasher’s application be rejected by the Democratic party.

When asked for comment about the suit Wednesday, Uresti-Dasher listed several tax liens filed against Nieto in the past.

Nieto acknowledged resolving and being released from federal liens after agreeing to pay an amount less than what the IRS at first demanded. She claimed the matter was incorrectly filed as two liens and pertained to a single tax matter.

Nieto acknowledged being the subject of three, much smaller tax liens filed at the state level but said she had resolved all of them and that they had occurred so long ago she could no longer speak to what they were about.

Both candidates, coincidentally, are graduates of South San Antonio High School who completed undergraduate studies at the University of Texas.

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As new coronavirus infections surge mostly due to the omicron variant, Trinity University made the decision to delay the start of spring classes, according to the school’s website.

On Wednesday, the university posted the notification which indicates the spring semester will not begin until Jan. 31, 2022. Staff will be asked to work remotely before the semester begins. Students and staff are both urged to get their booster shots ahead of the start of classes.

Trinity appears to be the first San Antonio university to delay the semester. Other universities are also considering the move.

On Wednesday, St. Mary’s University said officials are monitoring infections during Christmas break and that their Critical Incidents Response Team will continue to meet regularly ahead of the spring semester.

Similarly, Our Lady of the Lake University also indicated they are monitoring the surge as they prepare for the spring semester.

“The university will continue to follow local, state and federal guidelines and will make adjustments if necessary,” according to the school’s website. “Any updates will be posted on this page and will be communicated to the community.

The University of the Incarnate Word issued a similar message, stating it is monitoring the situation “to inform decisions about safe campus operations.”

Alamo Colleges officials also confirmed to KSAT 12 News that they are closely monitoring the surge.

Though University of Texas-San Antonio currently plans to start the semester on Jan. 18, officials told KSAT 12 News the school’s public health task force continues to evaluate conditions as that date nears.

Texas A&M San Antonio officials also said there are currently no plans to delay the spring semester but they are monitoring the situation.

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2021 will likely go down as the year when movie watching changed forever, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that there are still plenty of bad movies to go around. Some were streaming, some were in theaters, and some were a hybrid between the two, but none of them are worth giving more than one viewing, if that.

A San Antonio police officer served a 20-day suspension after sending multiple text messages to a woman he met while handling a disturbance call, according to records recently obtained by KSAT 12 News.

Officer Juan Bruno was suspended without pay between Nov. 28 and Dec. 17, according to the suspension records. He was initially given a 30-day suspension, but the punishment was reduced after he appealed the decision.

On June 18, Bruno was dispatched to a disturbance on S. New Braunfels Avenue that involved the woman, according to the suspension records.

“What is your name, beautiful,” Bruno asked the woman during the call, according to his body cam footage.

Roughly one minute after clearing the call, Bruno began texting the woman, mostly about her appearance and relationship status. The suspension records included the following text messages:

The woman told police she never initiated the text message exchange and stopped responding after 9:25 p.m. because the text messages made her feel “uncomfortable.”

The department issued a “no contact” order, barring Bruno from contacting the woman again.

The department’s investigation found that Bruno “brought reproach and discredit to himself and the department while he attempted to develop a personal relationship” with the woman.

Bruno has been with the San Antonio Police Department since 2015, records showed.

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