Category: San Antonio News

“The diversity in our store reflects the diversity of Texas and we are excited to create positive change in improving the lives of essential workers across the state,” the letter reads.

Under the ticker symbol BRCC, share prices for Black Rifle — co-headquarted in San Antonio and Salt Lake City — opened Thursday at $16.

In October 2020, JPMorgan Chase announced a five-year racial equity plan to use $30 billion towards the racial wealth gap.

Enrique M. Barrera Parkway was once Old US Highway 90 up until September of 2015. It was a decision the West Side community says they never wanted to happen.

On Thursday, a unanimous city council vote changed the name again, this time now to be called, Historic Old US Highway 90.

Residents and business owners in the stretch of Enrique M. Barrera Parkway fought to stop the name change in 2015, but lost. Shortly after, a new rule went into effect stating changed street names cannot be changed again for at least five years.

“Words can’t explain the way we felt, you feel like you have somebody kick you in the gut because you did everything right, everything we were suppose to do, we did it and it didn’t go our way,” Javier Gutierrez, part owner of Del Bravos Record Shop said.

Guttierez and others along the highway, like Mike Cooremans, owner of M4 Auto Supply, waited the five years but kept fighting. And their work didn’t go unnoticed.

District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Harvda said Thursday’s vote was a result of a strong community-led effort, but that more work needed to be done.

“We will offer different avenues to honor councilman Barrera in my district, and maybe outside of my district because he was a really good man,” Harvda said.

According to those happy with the change, the issue with name change had nothing to do with the person it was honoring, as the late Enrique M. Barrera was a former councilwoman and Edgewood ISD trustee. The issue the West Side residents had was they felt like a part of them was being taken.

“Old Highway 90, it identifies us. The name it identifies us here,” Guttierez said.

The other issue is the name change was bad for business. It confused customers, and some saw the new name and thought the store had moved locations.

Others would use GPS and end up on Enrique Avenue that is a quarter mile away from Enrique M. Barrera Parkway. The business owners say they hope the latest change brings their business back.

A multi-generation, family-run farm in Poteet has learned the key to success — adapting.

Last year, the Garcia Farms, which grows strawberries, took a hit. The February winter storm wreaked havoc on its crops.

“A lot of our plants got damage. They got hit hard. We lost production,” said Ronin Garcia.

But this year, the farm is thriving. Despite recent waves of freezing weather, the crops look healthy. That’s thanks to Ronin Garcia and his father, Donovan Garcia, trying different methods to protect their crops.

“The nitrogen that goes into the soil actually creates a greenhouse effect because of the plastic. It creates a more dense atmosphere underneath the plastic, and that creates a temperature rise above what the actual temperature is on the outside,” explained Donovan Garcia.

The Garcias have learned through experience. You could say farming runs in their blood.

“I’m a sixth-generation strawberry farmer. I’ve been out in the fields since before I could walk,” said Ronin Garcia.

His father, Donovan Garcia, told KSAT how their family farm weathered last year’s storm. Instead of giving up, they did the thing you’d least expect.

“We actually decided to grow even more and start a second patch at a different location…the temperatures are always going to vary from one part of the county to another. We decided to spread out our produce in different areas and take a chance,” stated Donovan Garcia.

Now, their plants are on track. The Garcias predict a good harvest.

“It’s a good family tradition. I take it to heart. I love my grandpa to death. He was my role model, and like my father, I like serving the community. I like helping the community most,” said Ronin Garcia.

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A 22-year-old woman is behind bars after San Antonio police said she injured her 5-year-old daughter, leading to her death.

According to SAPD Officer Ricardo Guzman, Katrina Rose Mendoza is charged with one count of injury to a child.

The charge stems from an incident on Feb. 7, when Mendoza took her child to an area hospital, unresponsive with “visible injuries,” police said. It’s unclear what those injuries were, but the child later died at the hospital after medical staff attempted to revive her.

Homicide detectives were notified of the child’s death, and they launched an investigation. SAPD said detectives found evidence that linked Mendoza to the child’s injuries.

On Thursday, Mendoza was taken from Public Safety Headquarters to the Bexar County Jail.

Jose Angel Ruiz, 25, is also charged in connection with the child’s death, according to police. Ruiz is also charged with one count of injury to a child, which is in addition to other charges he’s currently facing from separate incidents.

According to an arrest affidavit, the 5-year-old child had “visible bruises, scratches, cuts, and swelling on almost every visible part of her body.” Authorities said her injuries appeared to be at different stages of healing, indicating “continuous physical abuse over a period of time.” However, medical personnel did not confirm this.

In an interview, Mendoza told police the alleged abuse started three weeks before the child’s death when she called Ruiz and asked for help with disciplining her child.

Ruiz arrived at Mendoza’s home, and she placed the five-year-old in the back of his vehicle, according to an affidavit. Ruiz drove away with the child and later video called Mendoza.

The child was seen crying while holding up a heavy object, police said. Mendoza told the child she had to keep holding the heavy object as part of her punishment, the affidavit states. It’s unknown how long the child held the object.

Authorities said a few days passed before Mendoza saw the child and Ruiz again. When Mendoza saw the child, she had bruising on her face and had bruises and cuts on her inner thighs, according to an affidavit.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Mendoza and her two children moved into Ruiz’s apartment. She told police she witnessed several other instances of alleged abuse to her child from Ruiz.

Mendoza’s other child, a six-year-old girl, was removed from her family’s custody and is currently in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, an affidavit states.

Ruiz spoke to detectives and admitted to punishing the 5-year-old child, but he claimed Mendoza was the one who allegedly beat the child. Police said Ruiz “appeared to be deflecting responsibility for his actions onto Mendoza and the victim’s sister.” Ruiz was later booked on the injury to a child charge.

The cause of the child’s death is still undetermined and pending results from the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to police.

Further details are limited at this time. We’ll bring more updates as they become available.

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A San Antonio woman is desperate for answers after 10 years of being without her sister because of an unsolved drive-by shooting.

Valerie Coronado only has memories of Consuelo Reynosa, her sister, before the tragic day on Feb. 10, 2012.

“I miss her laugh,” Coronado said. “We would always laugh together. She used to love eating her favorite Hot Cheetos with chamoy.”

Coronado said her sister was a good woman who cherished her children, who were 2 and 4 at the time of the shooting.

“Their mom loved them so much,” Coronado said. “Like that was her life them two children. Everywhere she went, them kids were right behind her. She adored them.”

Reynosa was gunned down while driving home alongside her boyfriend on Fresno Street.

Coronado said she would never forget the day she got the call.

“I didn’t believe them,” she said. “I didn’t until a detective came and told us what happened.”

Since the shooting, life has been a struggle for the family.

Now, there are still no leads in sight on the 10-year anniversary of the tragic crime.

“Every day, we wonder who it is,” Coronado said. “Where are they? Are they going to catch them? I mean, 10 years have gone by, and still nothing. Her kids to this day are still asking, ‘Have you heard anything from the detectives?’ We have heard nothing.”

Coronado said the loss has brought their family closer together. However she still finds herself going through a deeper struggle.

“I will just lock myself in a room all day in the dark because, every day, it crosses my mind, like who, where, what, why. I ask God every day: ‘Why her? Why such an innocent person?’” Coronado said.

She said even though, at times, she finds herself getting discouraged that justice will not be served, she said she is still hopeful and faithful in God that it will be served.

“I don’t hate that person,” Coronado said. “Whoever you are, please find it in your heart to give yourself up. That is all I can really tell you. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and you know we just want answers. Someone knows something out there. Ten years have gone by. Someone has got to know something. Even if it is the smallest thing, it may just break the case.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.

After 12 fire fatalities last year, San Antonio already has seen five deaths in the first six weeks of 2022, according to Joe Arrington, spokesman for the San Antonio Fire Department.

“It’s frustrating. It’s heartbreaking that these fatalities that we’ve seen this week have all been preventable,” Arrington said.

As an example, he said the fire last Tuesday in the 9500 block of Mider on the North Side started by “improperly discarded smoking items.” He said the victim had been smoking in bed.

Smoldering cigarettes or cigars often lead to fires, especially around combustible items, Arrington said.

Another woman was killed in the most recent fire at about 1 a.m. Thursday in the 200 block of Utah on the East Side.

Arrington said it was caused by a space heater that fell over.

He said space heaters must be used properly and as an added safety measure, it’s best to turn them off at bedtime and bring out the extra blankets.

Sandwiched between those two fires, the victim of another one Wednesday in West Bexar County wasn’t immediately found.

He said not only did first responders have to fight the fire in the 9800 block of Misty Plain, but they also had to fight their way through the clutter that filled the house.

“It’s just a horrible set of circumstances that occur,” said Bexar County Fire Marshal Chris Lopez. “In a situation like that, it begins to cascade and just gets worse.”

Lopez said he urges friends and family members to do whatever’s possible to protect those who are in unsafe living conditions.

“Please, try to do something to help them out and try to get them some help,” Lopez said.

Arrington said by calling 311, they can be referred to resources that can assist them in helping their loved ones.

He said SAFD also has a website, FireSafeSA.com, which also has potentially life-saving information.

“Have a plan. Practice those escape routes,” Arrington said. “Make sure everyone is doing what they can to stay safe.”

When it comes to online flower delivery for Valentine’s Day, is what you see what you get? And, what do you get in a $50 bouquet?

Consumer Reports ordered flowers from several well-known legacy florists and some newcomers that sell flowers directly to consumers. They were sent to staffers in four cities and received three arrangements for around $50 each.

“We assessed the bouquets to see if they resembled what was pictured online, how long they lasted, and what was the overall quality of the flowers,” said Anna Kocharian with Consumer Reports.

Farmgirl Flowers was a hit in the two cities where they were delivered. Flowers arrived in excellent condition, protected by a large box, in attractive burlap and ribbon. The $25 expedited shipping charge paid off in longer-lasting bouquets that opened as the week progressed.

Teleflora was a different tale in two cities: The Los Angeles recipient got the wrong arrangement, along with a “get well soon” balloon. The flowers were fresh but with one slightly browned rose. The New York City bouquet was quite different from the online example. There were no lilies, yellow carnations, or yellow spray roses. The roses that came were clearly at the end of their life cycle.

1-800 Flowers sent a fresh, long-lasting bouquet to Seattle, but similar flowers delivered to Dallas arrived with some crushed and broken blooms.

Bouqs flowers arrived in Seattle looking just as advertised. In L.A., the recipient missed the delivery, and the flowers sat at a FedEx branch for five days. But customer service quickly arranged for replacement buds.

The bottom line is that you can find flowers for $50. But ultimately, you’ll be paying about $70 or more when you factor in shipping and handling fees.

A tip that might save you some money and provide a nicer bouquet is to consider using a local florist in the area where the flowers will be delivered.

According to its website, 1-800 Flowers deliveries are backed by a 100 percent smile guarantee. The company says it will do whatever it takes to make your order right. With Teleflora, if your flowers arrive damaged, the company asks you to contact customer service, which can help more quickly if you provide the reference number for your order.

A crash involving two 18-wheelers has caused a temporary shutdown on a portion of W. Loop 1604, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies are responding to the crash Thursday afternoon in the 700 block of W Loop 1604 S. All southbound lanes from W. Loop 1604 N and Potranco to W. Loop 1604 S and Marbach Road are shut down, according to the BCSO.

It’s unknown if there are any injuries from the crash at this time.

Traffic is slow-moving in the area and is being re-routed to the W. Military exit. Drivers are urged to find an alternate route as authorities work to clear the scene.

We have a KSAT 12 crew on scene and we’ll bring more updates as they become available.