Northeast San Antonio Metrocom Edition | February 2025

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Northeast San Antonio

Metrocom Edition VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 FEB. 15MARCH 14, 2025

Local organizations work to support veteran programs Serving those who served

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One of the challenges for veterans is the amount of time it can take to get the assistance needed, and the most common assistance requested from veterans is related to disability services, said Billy Rodriguez, quarter master of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8315. “You have to provide a lot of documentation to get through the process,” Rodriguez said.

BY JARRETT WHITENER

As populations across the Northeast San Anto- nio Metrocom continue to increase, the number of veterans in each city rises, making up more than 20% of the population in Schertz and Cibolo. Surrounding cities, such as Live Oak, Selma and Universal City, have a veteran population of 13%- 15%, while the veteran population in New Braunfels is around 9.3%, and Seguin is around 7.64%

18.9% of Northeast San Antonio metro residents are veterans.

CONTINUED ON 22

Veterans who served in Vietnam receive honorary pins for their service in front of the Guadalupe County Veterans Outreach Center, which houses multiple organizations dedicated to serving veterans. (Courtesy Guadalupe County)

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Impacts

5 James Family Tax The business offers tax preparation services in Schertz. James Family Tax is locally owned by husband-and-wife duo Richard and Alexis James, and has a location in San Antonio. • Opened Jan. 30 • 1996 Schertz Parkway, Ste. 204, Schertz • www.jamesfamilytax.com 6 El Jinete The deli—located inside Elite Mart—serves enchiladas, burritos, tacos and more. • Opened Nov. 15 • 2262 FM 1103, Cibolo • Instagram: eljinete_cibolo 7 Krowned Beard and Barber The woman-owned barbershop is locally owned by Sherrie Wilson and offers services for all hair types for men, women and children. • Opened Jan. 6 • 902 Pat Booker Road, Ste. A, Universal City • Instagram: Krowned Beard and Barber 8 Whataburger The chain restaurant offers burgers, chicken sandwiches and more. • Opened Jan. 13 • 400 Cibolo Valley Drive, Cibolo • www.whataburger.com

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• 520 Kitty Hawk Road, Ste. 110, Universal City • www.cityvet.com/location/universal-city

Now open

Coming soon

1 Bob Mills Furniture The furniture store sells sofas, mattresses, entertainment centers and other pieces. • Opened Jan. 24 • 17975 I-35, Schertz • www.bobmillsfurniture.com

3 Dutch Bros The Oregon-based coffee chain sells hot and iced coffee drinks, smoothies, teas and energy drinks. • Opened Jan. 3 • 781 Cibolo Valley Drive, Cibolo • www.dutchbros.com 10

9 Top Tier Hair Beauty Supply The business will offer a variety of hair care products. • Opening March 7 • 2451 FM 1103, Ste. 141, Cibolo • www.toptierhairbeautysupply.com

2 CityVet The Dallas-based pet clinic offers a range of wellness and preventative care services for pets, including spaying and neutering, grooming and baths, day care, boarding, vaccinations and more. • Opened Dec. 16

4 Elite Mart The gas station sells a wide range of snacks and beverages. • Opened Nov. 15 • 2662 FM 1103, Ste. 200 Cibolo • Facebook: Elite Mart

Relocations

10 Zen Bubble The bubble tea and boho-chic fashion store relocated

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LoopDeco The company works with local businesses and nonprofits to find a place for furniture that can be resold. The business reuses around 90% of the picked- up furniture, which can be resold, donated or recycled through businesses in the area. • Launched Feb. 1 • Serves the Greater San Antonio area • www.loopdeco.com

from Main Street to 2451 FM 1103, Ste. 137, Cibolo. Zen Bubble offers a selection of custom made tea beverages including milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies and other drink options. • Relocated Jan. 13 • 2451 FM 1103 Ste. 137, Cibolo • www.zenbubblellc.com

Coming soon

In the news

11 Guadalupe County Schertz Annex The $4.14 million renovation project will accommodate more voters, according to the county’s website. The new design will increase the capacity to 190 people, decreasing the potential for voter lines extending to outside the building. • Reopening this spring 12 Pilates Reformer Studio The Schertz Family YMCA opened a Pilates reformer studio. The Pilates reformer studio features eight reformers that can be used by beginners or experienced users of Pilates equipment. • Opened Jan. 20 • 621 Westchester Drive, Schertz • www.ymcasatx.org/schertz • 1101 Elbel Road, Schertz • www.guadalupetx.gov

Closings

13 Axeshack The business offered axe throwing, craft cocktails and pizza. • Closed Dec. 29 • 313 Schneider Drive, Ste. 121, Cibolo 14 Quest Escapes The business offered VR and real-life escape rooms. • Closed Dec. 19 • 700 FM 78, Ste. 105, Cibolo

15 Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe The franchise—locally owned by Cole Leinneweber, Mark Parmerlee and Lexie Leinneweber—will serve homemade dips, Gyros, salad bowls and soups. • Opening May 1 • 22103 Bulverde Road, Ste. 104, San Antonio • www.tazikis.com

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Development

BY JARRETT WHITENER

Business park welcomes first tenant Universal City’s Northlake Business Park celebrated the opening of the first tenant—Motic Instruments—on Jan. 24 at 1500 Northlake Pass, Ste. 197, Univer- sal City. Motic is a leading manufac- turer of microscopy tools with over 2,500 employees and offices all over the world, according to the company’s website. Prior to the move to Universal City, Motic Instruments was located off Tri-County Parkway in Schertz, according to the company’s website. The background Northlake Business Park, located at 1500 Northlake Pass, Universal City, is part of a master-planned community focused on commercial spaces, increasing the number of retail,

NORTHLAKE PASS

WHAT IS AN AUDIOLOGIST? Primary hearing healthcare professionals found in private clinics, hospitals, and schools.

UNIVERSAL CITY BLVD.

Minimum degree requirement is a Doctorate in Audiology.

office and warehouse tenants in the city, according to the city’s website. Motic occupies around 30,000 square feet of space in the development, with the entire development offering around 372,000 square feet upon completion, according to a Jan. 9 news release Digging deeper The development is owned by San Antonio based developer Cavender and Hill Properties, and site plans show the property featuring a total of five buildings upon completion of both phases of development.

WHAT WE DO

Evaluate and diagnose hearing and balance disorders. Can help people living with tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Licensed to prescribe, fit and dispense hearing aids and other assisted listening technology for patients of all ages.

DR. PHALLON DOSS

Retail project coming soon to Cibolo

THE DOSS AUDIOLOGY TEAM

The project—located at FM 1103 near Turning Stone, in Cibolo. The overview The project was permitted in November, according to reports from Cibolo's Economic Develop- ment Corporation. The project features 1,200- 6,759 square feet of space, according to site plans from Houston-based real estate agency NewQuest. It is currently under construction with an estimated delivery date of July. What else? While the retail center will have four spaces for tenants, two

TURNING STONE

1103

have already been filled, accord- ing to the site plans, listing Jimmy John’s as a tenant of the development. The development will be located next to Elite Mart, which opened in November. A Scooter’s Coffee is also planned for the area next to the retail center.

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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

FIRST EDITION!

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT FEBRUARY 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

EXCURSIONS: A Port Aransas Quest CRITTER: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: A Western Wear Pair FEATURE PREVIEW: Panhandle Fires, One Year Later

Above: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas.

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

Dear Fellow Texan, WELCOME

I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to bring you this special edition of Texas Monthly ’s February issue within the pages of Community Impact . One great Texas institution meets another. Community Impact and Texas Monthly have shared goals: to equip you with the news and perspectives that help you understand your state and your neighborhood and inspire you to engage with the people and places that surround you. Each month, we’ll provide you a kind of sampler of what Texas Monthly has to offer. Food, drink, travel, critters, and a taste of some of the award-winning storytelling Texas Monthly is known for. Enjoy the next few pages, thank you for welcoming us into your home, and please consider subscribing to Texas Monthly. —ROSS McCAMMON

EXCURSIONS Among the Craniacs North America’s tallest bird stalks Port Aransas once again. Its fans are back too. BY ROSE CAHALAN

I'M LEANING ON the rail of the Scat Cat, a red-and-white charter fishing boat in Aran- sas Bay, when two bottlenose dolphins leap majestically out of the water alongside our wake. The midday February sun gleams on their fins as the pair chases us. “Look!” I shout. A few of my sixty or so fellow passengers turn to watch, but this is only a warm-up for the real stars of the show: the whooping cranes. Today’s tour is part of the Whooping Crane Festival, an annual four-day winter celebra- tion of one of the continent’s rarest avian

species—and its tallest. About two thousand birders have descended on Port Aransas, a Gulf Coast town of around 2,900 residents on Mustang Island, for the twenty-seventh iteration, which is packed with more than fifty events, including birding tours and lectures by scientists. (This year’s festival happens February 20–23.) Before the arrival of European settlers, more than ten thousand of these birds soared across the continent, but habitat destruction and overhunting drove them to the brink. By

EDITOR IN CHIEF, TEXAS MONTHLY

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Its Reputation As a Ranch Pest Is Changing. The most common of the five species of prairie dogs in North America, these charismatic creatures today inhabit only about 2 percent of their native range, which once covered roughly 100 million acres of the Great Plains. Agriculture and urban development have consumed much of that habitat, and some ranch- ers, worried that these prairie dogs were competing with cattle for grass, exter- minated them. It turns out, though, that they are beneficial for grasslands. SO HOW DO THEY HELP? Prairie dogs nibble down the woody shrubs that could hide their predators and that often take over grasslands. This preserves habitat for birds and animals such as pronghorn. Plus, the rodents’ digging mixes and aerates the soil, and their scat provides nutrients. HOW DO WE KNOW FOR SURE? Scientists collected data from a group of GPS collar–wearing cattle that grazed on three pastures within a pre- serve. In warm seasons, the herd spent more time on the prairie dog colony than in areas outside it. I HEARD THEY CARRY PLAGUE. IS THAT TRUE? Prairie dogs are susceptible to the syl- vatic plague, caused by the same bac- terium as the bubonic plague. But it’s primarily fleas, not rodents, that spread it. At a respectful distance, you can en- joy them without fear. —Robyn Ross CRITTER BLACK�TAILED PRAIRIE DOG

early efforts to revive whooping cranes with captive breeding. During several breeding seasons in the late seventies and early eight- ies, he even lived in a shed with a female crane named Tex, who had imprinted on humans after hatching at the San Antonio Zoo. “Cranes require a great deal of space,” Ar- chibald said. “Each species selects a different type of wetland or grassland.” Unfortunately, those are some of the most easily destroyed habitats: With no trees to cut down, develop- ers can simply pave them over. Captive breed- ing has played a crucial role in the comeback of the species. In the past decade, the Dallas Zoo has picked up the baton, as one of seven organizations in the U.S. and Canada to carry on Archibald’s legacy of breeding baby whoop- ing cranes to release in the wild.

1941 only 21 whooping cranes were left in the wild. Today, after decades of extensive conservation work, there are about 700 wild whoopers left. Wherever there are cranes, there are crani- acs. The birders who visit Port Aransas—“We estimate the economic impact to be near $1 million,” says Brett Stawar, president and CEO of the town’s tourism bureau—bring with them an intense enthusiasm. The undisputed king of the craniacs is George Archibald, the 78-year-old cofounder of the International Crane Foundation. Archibald was a leader in

A birder at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas, on December 14, 2024; birders in Port Aransas; a sign at the preserve.

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

January 18-February 14

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MADE IN TEXAS

All Loud on the Western Wear Front With its bold colors and modern designs, the Kennimer label is drawing the attention of pop stars and New York Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, In Texas OUT THERE

BY TAYLOR PREWITT

A video of a horse riding in the back seat of a pickup truck in Fort Worth went viral on social media, with one viewer commenting “living in fort worth this normal to me at this point.” A woman in Dallas booked a rental car for one day, then drove to Wash- ington State and continued to use the vehicle for 46 days , telling Spokane authorities that she didn’t return the car because she was too busy. Claiming to be a member of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force special opera- tions unit, a man from Manor de- frauded victims of more than $12 million by falsely telling them that they were at risk of violence from drug cartels and offering “protec- tion” in exchange for money. A Richardson resident was named CNN’s 2024 Hero of the Year for running a nonprofit in North Texas that helps people going into treat- ment for addiction find temporary homes for their dogs. Billionaire Tilman Fertitta became the first restaurateur in Texas to of fer A5 Wagyu bone-in ribeyes from the Kagoshima region of Japan, which he sells at one of his Houston steakhouses for $1,000 each. Researchers at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi detect- ed low levels of fentanyl and other pharmaceuticals in the blubber of dolphins swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. —Meher Yeda

while Ben, who hails from the small East Tex- as town of Latch and previously worked in graphic design, handles the hats. They jump in to help each other with tedious tasks such as adding rhinestones or handsewing when needed. “We’ve always just worked well to- gether,” Ben says, recalling early collabora- tive projects that included a hot dog–cart side hustle and a screen-printing business. They work as a team to conceive a collection’s overarching look and theme. The couple are motivated by their network of musician friends, many of whom have be- come clients. “We’re excited to show people it’s not a trend,” says Bonnie of Western style. “It’s a staple.” They’re looking forward to de- buting a few couture looks in New York. Some of the pieces, which incorporate subtle nods to the Victorian era (such as high collars and covered buttons), are so intricate that they required around seventy hours of detailed handsewing.

IN LESS THAN a decade, Ben and Bonnie Kennimer have gone from teaching them- selves hat making and clothing design to cus- tomizing looks for some of music’s biggest stars. Their eponymous Western wear label, which they founded in Houston in 2017, is fa- vored by Fort Worth songwriter and soul sing- er Leon Bridges, the Houston trio Khruang- bin, DJ and producer Diplo, and pop star Joe Jonas. One of Bonnie’s dresses, for renowned songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jenee Fleenor, is housed at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. And this February the couple will take their creations to a New York Fashion Week runway for the first time. Now based in Bonnie’s hometown of Aus- tin, the married couple splits the work down the middle: Bonnie, who has a background in costuming and tailoring, designs the clothes,

Ben and Bonnie Kennimer.

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

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An estimated 15,000 head of cattle were killed in the Panhandle fires of February 2024.

flag warnings, an alert the National Weath- er Service issues a few dozen times a year in the Panhandle when a combination of strong winds and low humidity increases the risk of extreme wildfire. Though rain had been plentiful that winter and grass was thriving, unseasonably warm February temperatures had dried it out quickly. What should have beenarancher’sblessing—bountifulfieldsfor grazing—had instead turned into something ominous: “fuel load.” Adam, a 31-year-old with a slight build, shag- gy brown hair, and bright blue eyes, has the plumb posture of a man who takes pride in his work.He’dstartedpreppingforfireseasonthe week before, securing insurance for most of the 712 cattle he owned with his wife, Aubrie, a 30-year-old with sympathetic brown eyes and strawberry blond hair. They’d decided against paying the higher premiums to cover the full herd, largely because they’d made it through the previous five seasons unburned. Adam was no stranger to fire risks. The youngest of two boys, he’d known he want- ed to be in the cattle business since he was a five-year-old playing with a toy Ford pickup that was identical to the one his dad drove around their family’s ranch in Canadian, an almost utopian hamlet of 2,300 in the rolling sand hills and caprocks northeast of Amarillo. Adam earned a degree in ranch management at Texas Tech University. That’s where he met Aubrie, the daughter of an accountant and a rodeo competitor turned professor who’d given up horses when his children were born. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

WHEN THE TOWERING black plume first sprouted on the western horizon, it wasn’t much cause for alarm. The sky in the north- eastern Panhandle is near-boundless, and from his Hemphill County ranch Adam Isaacs often spottedsmokefromfiresthatwereahundred miles away. Few of them ever threatened his property. This one, he knew, had gotten started roughly seventy miles west, and though the winds were blowing his way, the flames had a lot of ground to cover before Adam would allow himself to get concerned. His land, his livestock, his loved ones—none were at risk. Not right away. But the potential was there. That Monday morning, February 26, had brought one of the 2024 fire season’s first red

FEATURE PREVIEW

Where There’s Smoke After last year’s historic Panhandle inferno, Adam and Aubrie Isaacs are among the many ranchers in the region weighing how—and whether—to carry on. BY EMILY McCULLAR

READ THIS FEATURE AND MORE IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE TK AUDIENCE SPACE

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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

State

Events

BY HANNAH NORTON

BY THALIA GUZMAN

When the 89th Texas Legislature convened Jan. 14, state lawmakers had filed dozens of bills that could adjust transportation policies directly affecting Texans. Their proposals include creating a new high-speed rail line, allowing voters to approve future toll projects and increasing penalties for distracted driving. Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and Rep. John Bucy, both Democrats representing Austin, filed legislation in November calling for a high-speed rail project that would link San Antonio, Austin and Dallas along I-35. Under Senate Bill 424 and House Bill 483, Texas would partner with a private entity to build and operate a new rail line that would reach at least 110 miles per hour. State lawmakers propose rail line

a love of the arts and sciences. • Feb. 26, 4 p.m. • Free • Schertz Public Library, 798 Schertz Parkway • www.schertz.com Storytime and Stay and Play The City of Garden Ridge Library will have hands-on activities and games for children. • Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. • Free • The City of Garden Ridge Library, 9400 Municipal Parkway, Garden Ridge • www.ci.garden-ridge.tx.us

Also of note

February

High-speed rail line proposal

Mindful Meditation at Concrete Yoga Concrete Yoga will host a guided meditation class featuring three styles of yoga, led by instructor Kristy Dougherty. Attendees can make a reservation on the main website or through the MindBody system. • Feb. 22, 11 a.m.-noon • $20 (class included with membership) • Concrete Yoga, 203 Rawe Ave., Cibolo • www.concrete-yoga.com/workshops-events Family Workshop at The DoSeum Family workshops at The DoSeum explore STEM and art activities. The dissection workshop will teach participants about the anatomy of squids. The class will provide all materials needed and registration is required. • Feb. 23, 1-2:30 p.m.; 3-4:30 p.m. • $65-$75 registration required • The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway, San Antonio • www.thedoseum.org/family-workshops Discovery! Children ages 6 to 9 will be able to participate in science and art activities. The program is designed to inspire young minds to engage with their community and foster

Dallas

Rep. Stan Gerdes, R-Smithville, filed HB 1589, which would require voter approval for new toll projects. Beginning Sept. 1, toll entities would not be allowed to construct new toll lanes or roads unless authorized by voters in each county impacted by the project. State lawmakers have an estimated $194.6 billion available for general- purpose spending as they write the 2026-27 state budget, Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Jan. 13. “When [taxpayer money] comes in to us to spend on roads and infrastructure, are we being responsible with it?” Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, said Dec. 12. “We all know that every new road we build, we are also responsible for the maintenance of that road, and that’s a continuing expense.”

High-speed rail line

March

The Big Bounce America The touring inflatable theme park features large bounce houses and other custom-built attractions with ball pits and slides. The theme park will have timed sessions for children and adults. • Feb. 28-March 2 • $22-$45 • S.T.A.R. Soccer Complex, 5103 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio • www.thebigbounceamerica.com

Austin

Annual Big TX Fun Crawfish Boil The crawfish festival will have a crawfish eating contest, carnival rides, character photo opportunities, a petting zoo and live entertainment. • March 7-23, times vary • $12 (adults), $8 (children) • Retama Park, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma • www.bigtxfun.com

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Government

Schertz single-family rezoning denied Schertz City Council denied rezoning a property off Savannah Drive Jan. 7. The proposed rezoning would have changed the density allowance of a proposed neighborhood project. The overview While the property is already zoned for resi- dential development, the change in zoning would allow for 26-acres of smaller lot size requirements. The most notable change of the zoning would be with the width of lots, decreasing from a 70-foot requirement to a 60-foot requirement. The surrounding neighborhoods have lot sizes with a 60-foot width requirement, making the property in question one of the only areas with zoning for larger lots, according to agenda documents. Under the proposed zoning, the development

Cibolo works through police staffing needs The Cibolo Police Department is increas- ing recruitment efforts to bring the depart- ment up to the staffing levels needed to provide services to the entire city. The department has a total of 10 vacan- cies, Police Chief Thedrick Andres said during a Jan. 14 council meeting. Following an agreement with Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD and city council, staffing increased by 33.33% from July and August. The overview To address staffing challenges, the depart- ment offers sponsorships for incoming officers who attend a police academy. Those that receive sponsorship can sign a four-year contract with the city, Police Department Sgt. A.J. Zikus said.

Schertz single family property

would include 111 lots composed of 74 60-foot- wide lots and 37 70-foot-wide lots. The denial of the rezoning request does not prevent the developer from constructing sin- gle-family housing in the area. Since the area is still zoned for single-family development, the developer can move forward with the project using minimum lot sizes with a width of 70 feet.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY JARRETT WHITENER

New Schertz council member sworn in Benjamin Guerrero was sworn into Schertz City Council Jan. 28, following the canvassing of votes from the Jan. 18 runoff election between Guerrero and Tim Dusek. Results show Guerrero with 51% of votes, while Dusek received the remaining 49% votes. How we got here Following the resignation of Tiffany Gibson in September, a special election was called Dec. 14 to fill the Place 4 seat. Out of five candidates, Dusek and Guer- rero received the highest number of votes, receiving 28.99% and 22.38% respectively. Due to neither candidate receiving more than 50% of votes during the Dec. 14 elec- tion, a runoff was required by the Schertz City Charter.

Universal City pursues trail funding Universal City staff are pursuing grant funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Recreation Trails Grant Program for the construction of a trail connecting the back of Universal City Park to Kitty Hawk Road. This trail would continue the trail development from Veterans Park to Universal City Park, eventu- ally connecting to Historic Evans Road in Selma. The details Universal City’s City Council approved an ordinance allowing staff to apply for the grant Jan. 21. If awarded, the grant would require the city to match 20% of the funds. Public Works Director Randy Luensmann said the city’s portion of the payment would be around $75,000 if grant funds are received. The project is planned to be constructed by city staff, which will help take funding as far as it Location picked for Cibolo animal shelter Cibolo City Council on Jan. 28 gave city staff direction to move forward with the new animal shelter. The details Bryan Hugghins, executive director of safety and infrastructure, said staff looked at putting the animal shelter in the same loca- tion as the current shelter, which is located at 108 Cibolo Drive, Bldg. 3, but decided the area at the corner of Haeckerville Road and Schaeffer Road would be a better location. The final architectural design for the facility is expected to be brought back to city council in May, Hugghins said.

NEW PROPOSED TRAIL

KITTY HAWK RD.

518

EXISTING TRAIL

UNIVERSAL CITY PARK

will go and complete the second phase of the trail connection, Luensmann said. Upon completion, the second section, called the Cave Trail, will connect to the Cibolo Creek Trail—creating a walking path from Veterans Park to Kitty Hawk Road. Looking ahead If the grant is awarded to the city, the project will be done under the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, meaning the trail will be completed in 2026, Luensmann added. Schertz elected official compensation increased Schertz City Council and mayor compensation will be increased starting with the next group of elected officials, following an ordinance approval on Feb. 4. The overview Under the city charter, elected officials receive compensation which is adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index, City Manager Steve Williams said. With the approval of these compensation increases, neither the current mayor or city council will receive new compensation until after the next election. The mayor position alongside council places one and two will be increased after the November election, while places three, four and five will be increased in 2026 and places six and seven will be increased in 2027. What they’re saying Mayor Ralph Gutierrez made the motion to approve the ordinance without any changes to the compensation numbers. Councilmember Mark Davis voted against the ordinance.

Elected official compensation

Term

Mayor

City Council

$9,000

$6,000

$11,000

$8,000

$13,000

$10,000

$15,000

$12,000

SOURCE: CITY OF SCHERTZ/COMMUNITY IMPACT

“I think all of our council members put in a significant amount of work,” Davis said. “I do not understand the logic of a first time councilmember getting paid $6,000, but someone in their third term getting paid $10,000.” While the council agreed that the mayor does more for the city than the city council does, discus- sion focused on the actual compensation numbers. Recommendation included making the com- pensation a flat rate of $8,000 for city council and $15,000 for the mayor, which was recommended by Councilmember Robert Westbrook. Gutierrez said the tiered system will allow elected officials with more experience to have additional compensation. “It is difficult for us to have a discussion about giving ourselves more money,” he said.

Animal shelter

E. SCHAEFFER RD.

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Transportation

BY JARRETT WHITENER

Lookout Road in Live Oak reduced to one lane Construction on Lookout Road in Live Oak began Jan. 13, covering the portion of the roadway from Loop 1604 to Toepperwein Road. Road construction is expected to end in April, according to an announcement from city staff. What’s happening? During construction, the road will be limited to one lane and only drivers traveling southbound from Loop 1604 towards Toepperwein Road will be able to access the road, according to city staff. Construction does not start until the Live Oak city limits. The background The $18 million project is part of a transpor- tation bond approved by Live Oak residents

Construction ends on Lower Seguin Road Construction on Green Valley Road and Lower Seguin Road was completed at the end of January. The overview On Jan. 16 a mill and overlay on Green Valley Road was completed, while paving began on Lower Seguin Road. The Lower Seguin Road Reconstruction Project included the reconstruction of the existing road pavement to create a new road surface. This project was the final project of an interlocal agreement between the city of Cibolo and Guadalupe County. Bolton Road and Dean Road were also reconstructed under this agreement.

1604

Live Oak

in 2022. In 2023, City Council authorized the allocation of $7.42 million for the first phase of road construction projects, which included 13 roads in the city. In November, the dais authorized an additional 13 residential streets to be worked on under the bond.

FM 1103 construction resumes after 17 months Construction on FM 1103 in Schertz and Cibolo resumed Jan. 27 after being paused since July 2023 due to construction conflicts with utilities and telecommunication lines, according to previous reporting by Community Impact . What you need to know

Moving forward The full project will include the expansion of FM 1103 from a two-lane road to a four-lane road with bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The first phase from I-35 to Rodeo Way broke ground in November 2022. Cibolo City Council authorized the city manager to sign an advance funding agreement in the amount of $3.4 million for the second phase of the project, from Rodeo Way to FM 78 on May 28.

1103

Cibolo

CIBOLO VALLEY DR.

The contractor will place a protective concrete cap over the utilities to safeguard the lines. Initial work will be done in the right of way, and will not impact traffic flow, according to a news release.

RODEO WAY

Schertz

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Education

BY JARRETT WHITENER

Judson ISD discusses possible VATRE Judson ISD staff and the board of trustees held its second budget workshop Jan. 16. What they’re saying At the end of the third six weeks of the school year, the enrollment at JISD was at 23,448 with an average daily attendance of 93.8%, or 21,038 students, Chief Financial Officer Larry Guerra said.

SCUCISD explores technology needs To support students, staff and facilities, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD would need approximately $6.27 million over the next three years invested in technology replacements, Technology Director Steve Barnwell said. During a Jan. 23 board meeting, Chief Operating Officer JD Mosley said the district has paid for technology improvements over the last five years through assigned fund balance in each budget. But due to funding challenges, approving assigned fund balance for upcoming budgets may not be feasible for the district, he said. Discussions will continue through the budget process, where the board of trustees will determine the best direction forward regarding supporting programs and students within the district.

Looking ahead Guerra said the district is looking into the possibility of calling a voter-approval tax rate, or VATRE, election to keep the district at the tax rate level as the FY 2024-25 budget. Since disaster pennies increased the tax rate beyond voter approval rate, it would require voter approval to keep the rate at the FY 2024-25 rate of $1.0346 per $100 valuation. Should the board decide to pursue a VATRE, the election would need to be called by the end of day Aug. 18, according to the Texas Secretary of State election calendar.

Judson ISD enrollment 26,000 23,680

Enrollment

Average daily attendance

22,900

18,000 20,000 22,000 24,000 0

21,189

20,052

2019-20 2020-21

2021-22

202-23

2023-24

2024-25

*2025-26

SOURCE: JUDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

*2025-26 NUMBERS ARE PROJECTIONS

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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Serving those who served From the cover

Measuring the impact

The overview

The Guadalupe County Veterans Outreach Cen- ter helps over 180 veterans each week, said Nancy Russell, the center’s veteran services director. It houses six programs, focusing on mental health support and financial support for disabled veterans and families, Russell said. Although the Veterans Outreach Center is in Guadalupe County, residents of surrounding counties can utilize the programs and services offered by the county. “We have Texas Veterans Commissions across the hall, and they can take anyone in the state,” Russell said. “People drive in from all over because there aren’t many TVC reps in surrounding areas.” Veterans in Northeast San Antonio also have AACOG as a resource through the Alamo Veterans Network, or AVN. This network connects veterans to other organi- zations for assistance with housing, employment, money management and other lifestyle needs. According to the 2023 AACOG Annual Report, the AVN has around 230 veteran-serving organiza- tions in the network.

older veterans, who usually need assistance, Rodriguez said. VFW Post 8315 Commander Mike Martinez said another challenge applying for assistance is the unwillingness to relive memories that may trigger reactions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health complications. To overcome these challenges, Guadalupe County and the Alamo Area Council of Governments, or AACOG, have created one- stop shops for resources. The Guadalupe County Veterans Outreach Center, or VOC, located in Seguin, houses veteran organizations in one building, with plans to expand programs in 2025.

For Schertz, Cibolo and Garden Ridge, veterans make up more than 20% of the total population, according to 2023 five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. In Selma, Universal City and Live Oak, the veteran population makes up nearly 15% of the total population. As veteran populations continue to grow, services from local organizations and government initiatives have also expanded to assist veterans and their families with access to disability services, mental health treatment and employment. Despite having access to programs, the application process can be daunting for

Northeast San Antonio Metrocom veteran populations

Veterans

Nonveterans

Schertz

Cibolo

Universal City

6,652 24,936

5,292 18,572

2,133 12,547

AACOG's impact

21.06%

22.18%

14.53%

13 counties served

Live Oak

Selma

Garden Ridge

1,765 10,316

1,041 6,851

749 2,662

230 veteran-serving organizations

14.61%

13.19%

21.96%

$300K in transportation grants for veterans services

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU/COMMUNITY IMPACT

NOTE: THESE ARE NUMBERS FROM THE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT. THE 2024 NUMBERS ARE NOT FINALIZED YET.

SOURCE: ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY JARRETT WHITENER

Digging deeper

Learn more

Through AACOG, VOC and other veteran- focused organizations, veterans and their families can receive support and assistance for lifestyle needs and navigating applications to federal programs. But many are hesitant to go through long processes or not knowing where to start the application, Martinez said. “It is important to encourage veterans to ask for help because we can’t help them if they don’t come to us,” Martinez said. Veteran aid Guadalupe County Veterans Outreach Center • 205 E. Weinert St., Seguin • www.guadalupetx.gov/page/vets.home Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8315 • 1000 FM 78, Schertz • www.vfw8315.org Disabled American Veterans • 6401 Wenzel Road, San Antonio • www.davalamo5.org Project Heroes First • 1153 N. Academy Ave., New Braunfels • www.projectheroesfirst.org Alamo Veterans Network • 2700 Northeast Loop 410, Ste. 101, San Antonio • www.aacog.gov/veteran-services San Antonio Northeast Vet Center • 9504 I-35 frontage road, Ste. 214, San Antonio • www.vetcenter.va.gov

while waiting for payments. To assist with the gap, the VFW and similar organizations step in to provide short-term services while guiding veterans through the application process to get the needed long-term care. Heidenwith said the claims process was slowed down for at least two years due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, which caused further delays in veterans having access to support. “They were three or four years behind, and I think they are just getting caught up now, but still a little behind,” he said.

Lyle Heidenwith, senior vice commander for Disabled American Veterans Chapter 61, said disability services and mental health are the primary forms of assistance veterans search for. While veterans can apply for compensation for disabilities, the process can be long and stressful, especially for older veterans who may have a more difficult time providing documentation. “I have seen it take three months, and I have seen it take up to seven years,” Heidenwith said. During the application process, disabled veter- ans are not being compensated, which can lead to income challenges and other lifestyle needs

What’s being done

Funding breakdown

According to 2023 veteran affairs funding, Gua- dalupe County veterans received the most funding compared to counties surrounding San Antonio, reaching expenditures of around $548 million. While many of the services offered around the community are targeted toward veterans, surviv- ing spouses and other family members can also apply to specific programs designed to provide assistance to those who lost a loved one in the military, said Carmen Davila, Guadalupe County public information officer. “We wanted people to be aware that it is a resource for the family,” she said. Russell said aside from disability and surviving spouse services, mental health is one of the grow- ing support areas for veterans, and many veterans do not take advantage of mental health programs.

Guadalupe County

$548.4M

Comal County

$454M

Hays County

$217.9M

SOURCE: GUADALUPE COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

“A lot of the Vietnam veterans have kind of ignored their needs,” Russell said. Alongside mental health support, younger veter- ans have a difficult time readjusting to civilian life after serving, Martinez said.

SOURCE: GUADALUPE COUNTY, ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Real estate

In December, year-over-year median home prices increased in Schertz, Selma, Live Oak, Universal City, Cibolo and Garden Ridge. Residential market data

Homes sold

December 2023

December 2024

+155.56%

-50%

+21.21%

-33.33%

+53.33%

78266

78154

78108

78148

78233

1604

Median home sales price

78154

78108

December

2023

2024

78233

$379,950 $329,975 $359,900 $295,000 $255,000

$450,950 $339,000 $377,250 $321,450 $264,500

78148

78266

78154

78108

78148

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78233

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Average days on market

Average home price in the last 6 months

December 2023

December 2024

+23.17%

-24.72%

-5.31%

+163.16%

-20.55%

78266 $577,763

78154 $356,971

78266

78154

78108

78148

78233

78108 $399,242

Homes sold by price point in December

78266

78154

78108

78148

78233

5 2 2

- -

$800,000+

78148 $308,213

0 0

$600,000-$799,999

10 51 17

$400,000-$599,999

3 2

13 33

$200,000-$399,999

78233 $292,573

<$200,000

NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION

Business

BY THALIA GUZMAN

The candle shop specializes in Texas-themed candles.

Kristina Knapp is the owner of Yellow Rose Candle Co.

PHOTOS BY THALIA GUZMANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Candle shop sells Texas-inspired scents in Cibolo

“I just started experimenting because there was so much inspiration from Texas, so the rst candle I ever made was a Bluebonnet fragrance candle and that was very successful,” Knapp said. The shop also oers goat’s milk soap, wax melts, beard oil and other items. What’s special about it? Yellow Rose Candle Co. oers themed can- dle-making workshops where guests can create a custom candle—something the Schertz and Cibolo area previously did not have, Knapp said. Knapp said the experience is open to all ages and encourages her guests to “unleash their creativity.”

For Kristina Knapp, crafting candles was a calming break from her corporate job. Little did she know her hobby would one day become a full-time business. Knapp launched Yellow Rose Candle Co. in January 2022, where she began selling candles, soaps and air fresheners at local farmers markets. In April 2024, she opened her rst storefront in downtown Cibolo at 203 Rawe Ave. What they oer Yellow Rose Candle Co. specializes in Tex- as-themed, woodwick candles with scents inspired by the elements of Texas, such as Texas Yellow Rose, Fields of Bluebonnets, Texas Coastline and Fredericksburg Peach.

Yellow Rose Candle Co. oers luxury reed diusers.

203 Rawe Ave., Cibolo www.yellowrosecandle.com

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