More industrial growth is coming to San Antonio’s East Side.

Plans for San Antonio’s first Advanced Rapid Transit system have been in development since 2020 and recently the project reached a new milestone, which could mean federal funding.

VIA President and CEO, Jeffery Ardnt believes an ART system will be convenient for passengers.

“ART will be a high-frequency service,” he said.

The system is part of the voter-approved Keep San Antonio Moving Plan, which secured funding for transit projects and other area improvements.

However, VIA officials are specifically eying a Capitol Improvement Grant.

“You don’t automatically get it. You have to meet certain requirements,” Ardnt said.

The CIG is a program with the Federal Transit Administration. The grant funds large capitol projects, but there’s a list of necessary requirements.

The FTA must first give the plans an approval rating. Ardnt said VIA requested an early evaluation and received a medium-high rating.

According to VIA, that is the second-highest rating possible. Ardnt said that gives them the drive to move their plans forward.

“It gives us a very high level of confidence that we have a project that the FTA is going to be willing to fund in the cycle,” he said.

VIA is currently in the project development phase. Some of the features include dedicated lanes, off board fare collection, and leveled platforms.

The goal is to make future trips fast and easy.

The proposed line would stretch along the north and south corridors of San Pedro Avenue and would connect some the county’s most frequented areas for working commuters. Ardnt said that starts with both the Medical Center area and the San Antonio International Airport.

“It serves two of the three largest employment centers in Bexar County,” he said.

VIA hopes the proposed ART system will connect people to their employment opportunities, especially those who rely on the service.

Although the project still has miles to go, Ardnt said VIA will stay ahead of the curve.

“We’re seeing continued growth. We anticipate a lot of growth so our transportation network needs to be prepared,” Ardnt said.

VIA will host several public meetings throughout the year to get the community’s input. Officials hope to complete the project by 2027.

Minority-owned San Antonio businesses looking to open their first store front now have a chance to apply for funding from the real estate firm.

A jury found Peripheral Vascular Associates had submitted more than 7,000 false claims to Medicare for ultrasounds it hadn’t performed.

A fire that started in one home on the city’s West Side quickly spread to two others that were especially close to it.

It broke out after 9:30 a.m. Friday in the 1600 block of Elvira Street, not far from Guadalupe Street.

San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood says crews that were called to put it out faced an uphill battle.

“One of the factors is the houses are very close (together), and there was a lot of stuff between the houses,” he said.

At one point, there were nearly three dozen crews battling the fire.

Still, the flames and smoke damaged a total of three homes – two on Elvira Street and one behind them on El Paso Street.

Hood says eight people were displaced and will get assistance from the American Red Cross.

He says he is grateful the fire happened when it did, as opposed to just a few hours earlier when strong winds would have caused even more problems.

“You can imagine last night when we had 30 mile an hour winds. If this fire would’ve happened last night it would’ve burned the entire block down,” Hood said.

During the height of the fire, nearly everyone on that block evacuated their homes as a precaution.

All but the families in the three homes that burned were allowed to return home later.

Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Hood says fire crews also had to call Animal Care Services for help in locating some missing pets that apparently got out while they were fighting the fire.

Happy Friday, everybody.

Let’s start off with a very important parent alert about infant formula that may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria.  Abbott Nutrition is recalling certain lots of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare. There are reports of four babies getting very sick, including one in Texas.

Parents, check the expiration date. If it’s April 1, 2022, or later, then you need to check the codes. The affected products have a number on the bottom starting with the first two digits 22-37 and also contains K8, SH or Z2 in the code.

Holy guacamole, folks!  You can expect the price of avocados to climb. I know they already fluctuate a lot anyway. The U.S. banned the import of avocados from Mexico last weekend. H-E-B told me they don’t anticipate a supply disruption, but some other businesses, especially restaurants are definitely concerned.  Here’s a link to our story.

Thinking about buying a new car? It’s not easy these days with supply issues. But we can still dream and plan, right?  Consumer Reports is out with its annual list of top picks in various categories. One new one on their list this year is Ford’s Mustang Mach E. In addition to that electric vehicle, there are some other hybrids on the list. Check it out here.

President’s Day is Monday and holidays typically mean sales. The biggies will be mattresses and appliances. However, with prices up on just about everything, you may want to wait for inflation to cool off. If you really need a new mattress or dishwasher, though, now is a good time.

Enjoy your weekend and be safe!

Marilyn

More Consumer Headlines:

Recall roundup: COVID tests, mattresses, space heaters, stools and ping pong tables recalledWhat is a bioengineered food and why do some food packages now have that label?How to shake your salt habit

If the recent chilly weather has you dreaming of an early San Antonio summer with sweltering days cooled by a delectable treat, the city’s newly revealed sculpture may have you licking your chops. Recently unveiled on the steps of Centro de Artes Gallery in Historic Market Square is a giant purple and blue paleta sculpture titled Sabor del Mercado, an appealing tidbit for the eyes created by San Antonio artist David Blancas. Sabor del Mercado…

Anyone interested in learning how to use Bexar County records for research and genealogy can attend a virtual event in honor of Black History month.

The Bexar County Black History Resource series will include experts from the San Antonio Public Library, the Bexar County Clerks Office, and the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum explaining how to access public records.

Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert Jr. will also speak at the event which starts at 10:30 a.m. on Monday.

The event will be held at The Spanish Archives located at 126 E. Nueva St. and is free and open to the public. It will also be livestreamed in this article as well as on SAAACAM’s Facebook page.

In-person guests are encouraged to arrive by 10:15 a.m. for seating.

The Bexar County Black History Resource series is presented by Lisa Jackson Productions.

The San Antonio Public Library has an archival collection with approximately 60,000 microforms, 75,000 books, 110 drawers of archival file, 11 map cabinets and over 300 cubic feet of archival collections. It’s located on the sixth floor of the Central Library at 600 Soledad Street.

The Bexar County Clerk’s Office has records that the public can search including wills, birth and death certificates, civil, probate and criminal cases, marriage licenses, property/land records and cattle marks and brand registrations.

SAAACAM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to collect, preserve, and share the cultural heritage of African Americans in the San Antonio region.

Also on KSAT:

The San Antonio International Airport honors historical ranch for Black History MonthWATCH: Award-winning filmmakers, local historian discuss Buffalo Soldiers, Black history at SAAACAM panelLa Villita museum tells history of trailblazing African Americans that shaped San Antonio

Prescribed burns are planned for Camp Bullis starting Tuesday, Feb. 22 to March 4, as weather conditions allow.

According to a news release, the prescribed burn is intended to reduce fuel loads, such as dead vegetation and thick brush, that officials said will lessen the risk of future, potentially catastrophic, wildfires.

Residents who live near the northwest portion of JBSA-Camp Bullis may see or smell smoke coming from the military post during those dates.

JBSA Fire Emergency Services personnel are coordinating with the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as fire departments in the surrounding areas to ensure the burn happens safely and remains fully contained throughout the scheduled period, the release said.

The post comprises more than 27,000 acres of ranges, training areas, and wildlands and is a crucial training location for JBSA service members.

Also on KSAT.com:

Maps: Texas Burn Bans by County and statewide Drought Monitor

Consider this a new selfie spot for Fiesta.

A paleta-inspired sculpture has been unveiled on the steps of the Centro de Artes Gallery in downtown San Antonio’s Market Square.

The 10-foot sculpture, titled “Sabor del Mercado,” debuted in time for the upcoming spring break and Fiesta season, when Market Square will be booming with visitors.

It was made by local artist David Blancas, who used acrylic, wood and resin for the piece, a news release from the city’s Department of Arts and Culture says.

“Paletas are an integral part of spring and summertime in San Antonio,” Blancas said in the release. “I create paleta sculptures as a nod to childhood memories of chasing down the paleta man.”

He has created more than 50 art pieces that pay tribute to the beloved paleta.

The department said it’s a permanent installment and free to the public.

Inside the gallery, the New York Foundation for the Arts Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program Exhibition – Round 2 is on display and the opening reception is Tuesday evening.

“This vibrant sculpture is debuting at the perfect time, as we prepare to highlight the works of 34 San Antonio artists representing 12 different countries,” the department’s interim Executive Director Krystal Jones said. “‘Sabor del Mercado’ will be a visual identifier for Centro de Artes and the Historic Market Square, which includes a wide variety of culinary experiences.”

Read also:

Pixar-themed putt-putt course is popping up in downtown San Antonio this spring