Category: San Antonio News

A man is in critical condition after he was struck by a red SUV while trying to merge onto I-35 overnight, according to San Antonio police.

The incident happened around 10:30 p.m., Friday, on I-35 and Division Avenue.

Police said the man, 61, was trying to get into the northbound lanes of I-35 when he was struck by the SUV while on his motorcycle.

He suffered head trauma and was taken to University Hospital by EMS in critical condition.

The driver of the SUV left the area before officers arrived and police are still working to track them down.

SAPD closed off the I-35 northbound lanes for a few hours as they worked to process the scene. The investigation continues.

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Habitat for Humanity has dealt with distribution issues and rising prices due to inflation, costing the organization about $15,000 for every home it builds.

“Supply chain issues have been absolutely crazy trucking disruptions have made prices soar. Two-by-fours a couple of years ago cost us $2 apiece. Now they cost us $5 apiece, and they’re still climbing,” said Stephanie Wiese, vice president of Habitat for Humanity San Antonio.

Despite all the obstacles, Wiese said the organization still had a successful year. It built 51 new homes for low-income families.

Wiese said all the organization achieved was possible because of the effort of the community, city, and county.

“This year, the San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation was able to help us with 20 additional homes they helped with the overage,” Wiese said.

The last home built this year was signed for on Friday by a single mother who will be living there with her 18-year-old son. She said she’s been moving from apartment to apartment for the past few years.

“It’s just exciting because it’s beautiful. I just — I love it. I love the fact that there is more space,” said first-time homeowner Maria Diaz.

Next year, Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to build 53 homes, even though they expect to see similar issues.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District’s COVID-19 data seems to be pointing in the right direction. However, some local doctors warn that may not be the case as end-of-year holiday gatherings approach.

Metro Health’s COVID-19 dashboard shows the risk level at mild, positivity rate under 2% and fewer than 200 people hospitalized.

Dr. Bryan Alsip, the chief medical officer of University Health, said, “We’re fortunately not seeing a lot of patients with COVID right now, which is great.”

“I think still a word of caution is important because we can’t count on that lasting,” he added.

Alsip said the pandemic continues to evolve. He said, since it began, it’s changed rapidly in Bexar County and elsewhere at least three times, if not more.

Alsip said the new COVID-19 omicron variant could make it change yet again.

With two cases of the omicron variant confirmed in Bexar County so far, Alsip said, “It’s really important people continue to keep their guard up.”

He said one reason other communities are seeing more omicron cases is the testing of wastewater, while San Antonio uses genome sequencing.

Alsip said omicron is known to spread quickly, but its severity remains in question. If it is more severe than the dominant delta variant, he said, “We’re certainly going to be seeing a lot more cases get admitted.”

But even if it isn’t as severe, Alsip said, a significant number of people could get infected or re-infected.

“Some of those individuals could be at risk for severe disease because of age or underlying medical conditions, and they’re very likely to be hospitalized,” he said.

Rudy Arispe, a spokesman for Metro Health, said the department had seen an increase in vaccinations. He said it’s important to remember COVID-19 already has claimed 4,968 lives in Bexar County.

“With omicron variant now in our community, we once again remind residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Arispe said.

He said 2.8 million vaccines already have been administered in Bexar County, including booster shots.

But during the holidays, if it’s unknown whether family or friends are vaccinated, Alsip said to be cautious.

“Whether it be wearing a mask or trying to maintain some distancing or moving some sort of celebration outdoors,” Alsip said.

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Nathaneal Soto and Jogenia Gonzalez wanted to take advantage of the super low mortgage rates, so they refinanced their loan for huge savings.

“Before, I was paying 4.7%. Now, it dropped to 2.8%,” Soto said. “We are saving about $400.”

With mortgage rates still near historic lows and the potential for big monthly savings, why don’t more homeowners do it?

“Despite the prospect of saving thousands of dollars off their loan, many homeowners are not refinancing their loans to take advantage of these historically low interest rates,” said Consumer Reports’ Octavio Blanco. “We know that’s especially true for minority homeowners.”

A recent study found that 6% of all re-fi applications came from Black borrowers. Nine percent came from Latinos.

Refinancing often takes time and money. Banks need all of the same information you provided when you first were approved. That means gathering proof of employment, tax returns, credit checks and other financial documents. It can feel overwhelming and not worth it.

Added to that, the pandemic, which hit Black and Latino communities harder than other groups, may also have hindered refinancing efforts.

There is help available to bridge the gap. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency can help answer questions and get borrowers started.

“They can help you get your documents in order, explain what refi options are best suited for you, assist you in calculating the costs and how long it will take to pay those back,” Blanco said.

Click here for a link to those agencies.

In San Antonio:

City of San Antonio Department of Neighborhood and Housing Services: 210-207-5309Greenpath Financial Wellness: 888-860-4167Money Management International: 866-232-9080Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America: 210-826-2828Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio: 210-533-6673Our Casas: 210-354-2400

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A new experience that brings one of the key locations of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo to life was unveiled Friday with a ceremony for the Palisade Exhibit.

According to a news release, the exhibit is a partial reconstruction of a fence-like fortification used during the historic battle.

Located approximately where it was during the battle, it is believed that David Crockett fought at the Palisade, a news release said. The exhibit will also feature a four-pounder bronze cannon replica.

The Palisade joins the Alamo’s 18-Pounder Losoya House as the second recreated portion of the fort during the battle.

The two exhibits help give visitors a greater understanding of where the fighting took place in what is Alamo Plaza today.

KSAT12 news anchor Myra Arthur served as the emcee for the event. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick were guest speakers.

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The Scooby Van of San Antonio has created libraries inside Bexar County district courtrooms where families can pick up free books.

“The Groovy Giving libraries is a new concept. We wanted to have a way to make books accessible to the kids,” said Linda Pearson, founder of Scooby Van of San Antonio.

The nonprofit gives free books to underserved kids that aims to create excitement about reading.

The organization partnered with Bexar County court judges to create spaces inside Bexar County district courtrooms to encourage reading.

One library is in the children’s play area at 100 Dolorosa Street on the third floor.

The other Groovy Giving Library is open to the public inside the Paul Elizondo Tower located at 101 W. Nueva Street, Suite 405.

Bexar County employees helped fill the two new libraries by donating about 1,000 books.

Outside the Groovy Giving Libraries there will be donation boxes for people to drop off books.

Pearson hopes this is just the beginning.

“The goal is to make sure every kid gets a book,” Pearson said.

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