local news

Water Resolution Passes Despite Republican Concerns, Democrat Protests

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:18:07 +0000

A House budget committee passed Senate Joint Resolution 1 to fund state-related water plans. The measure sets up an empty fund that the state can use to fund water projects over the next 50 years, and now heads to the House floor for a vote.

While many of the committee confidently voted for the resolution, others had reservations.

Aerospace & Manufacturing Industries Still Need To Fill Jobs

Eileen Pace — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:14:18 +0000

Business and education leaders met this week about guiding more workers into the aerospace and manufacturing pipeline because there still are not enough workers to fill jobs available in San Antonio.

The meeting offered local aerospace and manufacturing business leaders the chance to speak with school districts and the Alamo Colleges about several pressing items:

Jump-Start Theater's Lease Expiring, Blue Star Looking Forward

Joey Palacios — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:09 +0000

For about the last 20 years the Jump-Start Performance Company could been seen on stage at the Blue Star Arts Complex, but now they are looking for a new home.

Jump-Start started producing it’s cutting-edge performances at the Blue Star’s theater space before there were First Fridays, before there was a Southtown scene.

That scene is now about to be without its most theatrical presence.

JBSA Salutes As Fallen Airman Returned Home To Boerne

Eileen Pace — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:39:23 +0000

People came in Air Force buses and in their own vehicles, lining 36^th Street leading to the gate at the Kelly Field Flight Line where the chartered plane landed with the remains of Capt. Mark Tyler Voss of Boerne.

Voss, who was assigned to the 93^rd Aerial Refueling Wing, died in the crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker in Kyrgyzstan two weeks ago on May 3, but on Thursday he was returned home.

Lawmaker Finds Last-Minute State Funding Mechanism For Roads

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:15:00 +0000

At this point in the legislative calendar many bills are facing a looming demise, but Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said he has found another way to get money for transportation needs.

"One of the obvious ways is to take some money in the budget and devote it to our energy related zones that have borne the burden of most of the oil and gas production. They are just simply deteriorating and they’re not safe anymore," Darby said.

House Democrats Holding Out Over Education Funding On State Budget Bill

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:59:20 +0000

After meeting for hours behind closed doors, House Democratic leaders declined the Republican deal on the state’s budget bill.

Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, the vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus, said House Democrats are unified in their stance against the budget in its current form, which promises $3.2 billion for education funding.

Gov. Perry Closer To Getting His $1.8 Billion In Businesses Tax Breaks

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:29:08 +0000

A bill that provides $630 million worth of tax incentives has already made its way out of the House, and is now heading to the Senate floor for a vote.

The bill has been altered from its original wording, streamlining those benefiting down to one business group.

Lawmaker Seeking Alternative Path For Immigrant Driver Permit Bill

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:32:32 +0000

At this late stage in the legislative session, most bills that haven't made it out of at least one chamber are left to the wind, but there is still a chance for a bill with bipartisan support that proposes to provide immigrants without legal documentation a driver’s permit.

Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, is carrying the bill, which was authored by Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.

Fallen Deputies To Be Honored At Public Ceremony

Eileen Pace — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:36:10 +0000

As part of National Police Week, San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff's Department are honoring their slain officers and deputies.

SAPD held a ceremony earlier this week and Sheriff Susan Pamerleau will hold a special candlelight vigil Thursday evening for members of her department - the first time Bexar County has held such a private event.

Tejano Matriarch Immortalized By U.S. Postal Service

Joey Palacios — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:52:02 +0000

Lydia Mendoza has been called the first lady of Tejano and Conjunto Music and Wednesday the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a forever stamp in her honor as part of a music legends series.

La alondra de la frontera (the lark of the border) was honored at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on the West Side.

Mendoza was born to a musical family in Houston in 1916 and she progressed in her talents, eventually mastering the 12-string guitar.

Mendoza is one of several pioneering musicians being honored in the postal services' Music Icon stamp series.