🌱 Fewer COVID-19 Cases Than Last Week + May 6 Ballot Details

Good morning, San Antonians! Elaine Thompson here, your host of the San Antonio Patch newsletter — here to impart everything you need to know that's happening in town these days. Including:

• This week's COVID-19 numbers are lower than last week.
• May 6 ballot elections: who's running and who's not.
• San Antonio native will face 4+ years in prison.

But first, today's weather:

Warm with clouds and sun. High: 83 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories today in San Antonio:

1. Officials reported fewer than 1,000 COVID-19 cases within the last week. This means that the numbers for COVID-19 are trending down by 50%, and improving from the rate two weeks ago. "There are more local patients hospitalized with COVID-19, however, though the increase is marginal." To stay up to date on hyper-local numbers, visit COVID19 San Antonio. KENS5 has more details.
2. Here's some info on the May 6 elections ballot: S.A. Justice Charter proposes not spending funding on marijuana arrests and abortions. Even in controversy, incumbent Mario Bravo is running for re-election for District 1. District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval is stepping down to take a job with University Health. District 10's seat is open after Clayton Perry decided not to run following hit-and-run and DWI charges. Mayor Ron Nirenberg is running for re-election. More election details on mySA.
3. Isabella Pollok, a San Antonio native, was featured in the Hulu documentary "Stolen Youth" and now faces 4+ years in jail. Pollok was recruited by Lawrence Ray in heinous crimes against her college classmates. Her statement before being sentenced was: “I believed and supported someone who controlled me in ways I cannot understand. I will live with the guilt forever. I badly hurt my friends and I am ashamed and deeply regret it. I am truly sorry.” The judge partially imposed her sentence due to Pollok's cruelty toward a woman who Ray forced into prostitution. The full story is at KSAT San Antonio.

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Today in San Antonio:

• Starting Out Wild: Breakfast for a BIRD! at Urban Ecology Center Classroom (10 a.m.)
• “Soy De Tejas: A Statewide Survey Of Latinx Art” at Centro De Artes Gallery (10:30 a.m.)
• Happy Hour at Iron Cactus (3 p.m.)
• Black History Month Mixer at Estancia Del Norte (5:30 p.m.)
• Chris Tomlin at Summit Church (6 p.m.)
• "Fences" by August Wilson at The Classic Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• San Antonio Police warns: "Scammers are posing as San Antonio police officers and telling victims they have been flagged for purchasing suspicious equipment before demanding money." (KSAT San Antonio)
• Contemporary Art Month: "The CAMGrants are three application and merit-based micro-grants of $1,000 that are supported and founded by five female patrons of CAM. The grants are intended to support contemporary artists living and working in San Antonio." (San Antonio Current)
• San Antonio couple gets engaged on TV: "Marissa Dawn Larochelle and Julio Lopez agreed to get hitched during the morning news program’s wedding week. They met in 2020 and have now picked out wedding jewelry with the help of Neil Lane, a celebrity jeweler." (550 KTSA)
• San Antonio restaurants for Lent: "During the Lenten season, people around San Antonio will hit their favorite seafood spots for meatless Fridays. Restaurants and chains are offering specials and new menu items to commemorate the season." (KSAT San Antonio)
• H-E-B buys up property in North Texas: "H-E-B is set to dominate the grocery store market in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area as the San Antonio-based retail giant buys up more property in North Texas. The company has bought a nearly 15-acre property on the southeast corner of Preston Road." (Laredo Morning Times/paywall)

Photo of the day:

Got a cool photo to share? Send it to me: WritingWithElaine@gmail.com

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Elaine Thompson

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