🌱 Affordable Housing Nonprofit Awarded $38M + Search For Missing Teen

Good morning, San Antonio neighbors! Elaine Thompson here, filling you in on what's happening in town. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know that's going on locally, including news on:

• Gov. Abbott met with immigrant protestors.
• Police search for missing 15-year-old girl.
• Local affordable housing nonprofit plans 138 units.

But first, today's weather:

Variable cloudiness. High: 58 Low: 44.

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Here are the top stories in San Antonio today:

1. When Gov. Greg Abbott prepared to give his State of the State address at a magnet factory in San Marcos, he was met with protesters who gathered to tell their side of the story. Carolina Canizales of San Antonio's Immigrant Legal Resource Center said, "Governor Abbott is not the Texas that we deserve, especially when he has used immigrants as the scapegoat for all of his failures.” Canizales also noted that around 200,000 households in San Antonio have undocumented parents, which puts the families at risk of separation, due to laws that Abbott has forced upon local governments. More on this story at San Antonio Current.
2. San Antonio Police are searching for 15-year-old Hailey Rae Deaton, last seen on Wednesday on the northwest Side of town. She was last seen on West Laurel Street near Culebra Road, "wearing a red hoodie, black sweats, white shoes and carrying a black backpack." Hailey is 5 ft. 6 in. with brown hair, green eyes and a missing front tooth. Contact the San Antonio police missing person unit if you have any information. (WOAI)
3. Alamo Community Group, a local affordable housing nonprofit, was awarded $38 million in 4% state tax credits to fund construction of Cattleman Square Lofts. The project is a fully-affordable apartment building with 138 units planned, with about 21 of those units slated at 30% less than the average rental rates. The nonprofit hopes to close in May, with possible further private funding to allow start of construction 30 days after officially closing. Executive Director Jennifer Gonzalez believes more affordable projects will happen because Alamo Community Group pioneered some of the first-time risks to do it. (KSAT San Antonio)
4. Mother of murdered 19-year-old Gabriel Sanchez said: "I am not at peace." Jassidy Sanchez still mourns the death of her son and his girlfriend Sanaa McNeil, after the two were found brutally killed in a motel room off Seguin Road on Jan. 17. Sanchez "started social media pages called 'Justice for Gabriel and Sanaa' to help police get tips." She is working to be the voice for both teens and believes this crime may have been done by someone they knew. To learn more, visit KENS5.

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Saturday Feb. 17 Events:

• San Antonio Black History Bus Tour at Carver Branch Library (10 a.m. + 1 p.m.)
• Lakeshore's Imagination Builders at Lakeshore Learning (11 a.m.)
• Market Days at Towers of Americas (11 a.m.)
• San Antonio Mardi Gras 2023 at Arneson River Theatre (Noon)
• Fiddle and Traditional Music Jam Group at Antonio Strad Violin (1 p.m.)

Sunday Feb. 18 Events:

• The Healing Arts Festival & Market at The Rim (11 a.m.)
• BARKADELIC! A benefit for Footbridge Foundation at Blue Star Arts Complex (Noon)
• August Wilson's "Fences" at Carver Community Cultural Center (2 p.m.)
• 2023 18th Olympiad LIVE Performances at Arneson River Theater (3:30 p.m.)
• Hyperbubble Film Fiesta at The Lonesome Rose (5 p.m.)

My personal picks:

• Dispose household hazardous waste today, 8 a.m. - noon: "The city of San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) is hosting a free household hazardous waste event today!" Tell your neighbors! (KSAT San Antonio)
• Stealing air conditioners is a federal violation: "In the Greater Harmony Hills neighborhood two men cut a refrigerant line, stole an air conditioning unit and drove away in less than a minute." Kens5
• UTSA "Run for Fun(ds)" details: "The UTSA Alumni Association will host the 39th Annual Diploma Dash City Championship 5K, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, February 25." (UTSA)
• Who's ready for some kayakin' fun?! "Water activities will come to Woodlawn Lake and Elmendorf Lake." My San Antonio
• Restaurants that stood the test of time: "Serving up meals for more than 50 years — in some cases, more than a century. Some have even stayed in the family the whole time, becoming multi-generation affairs." (San Antonio Current)
• For the San Antonio fit fam! "San Antonio Sports officials announced the king and queen of the 2023 Fiesta FitFest at the F45 gym on Friday." (KSAT San Antonio)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Antonio Patch newsletter? Contact me at WritingWithElaine@gmail.com.