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Bexar County has inked a deal that will give residents a discount on prescription drugs and add funds to another county health program.

The Coast-2-Coast RX Card is free to anyone, and Martin Dettelbach of Financial Marketing Concepts Inc., said it's similar to other prescription discount cards. He said his company has worked out agreements with pharmaceutical companies based on volume.

It’s still nearly a year before the Mission Reach is completed, but a new stretch is now open to the public. The San Antonio River Authority and Bexar County have added an additional 1.5 mile loop near Theo Avenue and a hike and bike bridge over Concepciόn Creek.

SARA General Manager Suzanne Scott said the $3.5 million restoration of this section of the river will include the planting of new trees.

Candidates don’t often miss the opportunity to deflect what another candidate might be saying, but Texas Senate District 25 candidate John Courage, a Democrat, has frequently had the chance to speak to voters by himself lately; even though his opponent, Republican Donna Campbell, has been invited to the same events.

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) said CPS demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment by recycling 92 percent of its disposable materials in 2011. The alliance is honoring the utility with a leadership award for Outstanding Construction and Demolition Programs.

Whether Mayor Julián Castro's Pre-K 4 SA early education initiative will pass or be voted down is too close to call at this point in early voting, but with all the debate over the issue, Castro doesn't seem surprised.

"I always assume that any election is going to be a close election," said Castro Monday at the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse. "I want folks to know Pre-K 4 SA is supported by our seven biggest Chambers of Commerce, by all seven living former mayors, by our biggest employers. There's a reason for that."

"The goal is to really create a vibrant, walkable, livable downtown area," said Tom Kennely of UTSA's Institute of Economic Development, who could be talking about any city in the United States, or even San Antonio.

Located on Hwy. 87 east of San Antonio, La Vernia is a community of about 1,000. UTSA is working with the City of La Vernia to bring people back to the community's downtown area, and the university also offers business development and community development for 79 counties from its San Antonio office.

It’s the first day of early voting and Bexar County Residents are flocking to the polls. TPR's Joey Palacios talked to a few voters outside the Wonderland Mall polling place about which presidential candidate they support and Pre-K for SA.