🌱 Student Chef Conquers ADHD + Narcotics Worth $200K Found In Car

Hello, San Antonio! Whether you're spending this time at the rodeo, doing lovey-dovey things with your significant other, or relaxing at home, I'm here to share everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town this weekend, including news on:

• A 12-year-old student rose above her ADHD struggle through cooking.
• Former police officer avoided jail time with a guilty plea.
• Narcotics worth $200,000 were found during a traffic stop in Northside San Antonio.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 62 Low: 36.

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Here are the top stories today in San Antonio:

1. A young San Antonio resident, 12-year-old Victoria Taylor, was "coated" as a junior executive sous chef, following her personal struggles with ADHD. When Victoria was having issues in school, her mother, Tori Warford, didn't know how to help her, as previous attempts weren't successful. Thankfully, her passion for cooking helped her focus and gave her purpose. With the support of her sister and mother, Victoria runs a catering business, "Chef Vickie." Her dream is to open up her own restaurant in the future. For more on this inspiring youth, visit KSAT San Antonio.
2. San Antonio police officer Adam Franklin-Alonso entered a guilty plea to child abuse charges from last year. "Rather than go to jail, the 30-year-old will serve one year of probation and attend parenting classes, according to KSAT's story. He's also on the hook for nearly $1,000 in restitution and court costs, the report states." San Antonio Police say nine other incidents of possible abuse are on record against the officer. For more details, visit San Antonio Current.
3. On San Antonio's Northside, a traffic stop happened at Loop 1604 West and Bitters Road, and a K9 alerted officials to narcotics. Deputies found five kilograms of cocaine with a total street value of $200,000. "45-year-old Willian Naranjo Carachure, was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance of 400 grams, a first-degree felony." Carachure's bond was set at $100,000. (mySA)
4. Retired KSAT weatherman Steve Browne's now-deleted tweets blaming women in leadership for coworker Greg Simmons' resignation, are ruffling viewers and past colleagues' feathers. Former KSAT anchor Karen Gallagher shot back at Browne's deleted social media posts, as she assumed his posts were partially directed at her. Gallagher suggested to Browne that with scrutiny of Simmons' resignation, they should "lift him up" rather than point fingers. To read more details, visit the San Antonio Current.
5. Today is "free landfill day" in San Antonio! Here's some of what to expect: Hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; locations of Waste Management Landfill and Republic Services Landfill; must bring picture ID and CPS Energy bill. Accepted materials: "Appliances, water heaters, toilets, furniture, mattresses, carpet, fencing material, and tires." For all the official details, check out KSAT San Antonio.

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Today in San Antonio:

• Movie in the Park at Tower of the Americas (All Day)
• ACT at Alamo Heights High School (7 a.m.)
• Debate Tournament at Madison High School (7:30 a.m.)
• Coffee Festival at Travis Park (8 a.m.)
• Heart Health Fair / Feria de la salud del corazón at Methodist Hospital (9 a.m.)
• SPR Parent Community Meeting at Judson Early College Academy (9 a.m.)
• Mardi Gras Festival at Six Flags (10:30 a.m.)
• "Love at First Bite" at Wonderland of the Americas (11 a.m.)
• Ali Siddiq at Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club (7 p.m.)
• Ryan Bingham at San Antonio Rodeo (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Weather alert for the weekend! "A cold front made its way into the San Antonio area overnight and brought high winds for the city to wake up to on Friday, February 10. Here’s what to know about this weekend’s weather in case you have any Super Bowl watch party or pre-Valentine’s Day plans." (mySA)
• Live Music & Heritage Festival Guests: "The San Antonio Parks Foundation will present the 5th Annual Chaparral Music & Heritage Festival, celebrating the music, flavors and history of South and Central Texas. Featured performers include Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel, LA 45, The Texases, and more." (CultureMap San Antonio)
• San Antonio Zoo fun today: "Another quick message from Dr. Evan Antin and some special feathered friends! Meet Your Next Ex is this Saturday! Let nature take its course for a fun night of specialty drinks, wild speed dating, amazing animal interactions, and so much more." (San Antonio Zoo Facebook)
• San Antonio Rodeo contest! "Want to rock out with Lynyrd Skynyrd? Solve this puzzle for the chance to win 2 tickets to see him at Rodeo on Feb. 23rd at 7pm!" (San Antonio Rodeo Instagram)
• San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo live music: "From Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert to Willie Nelson, the Rodeo has been helping break out Texas talent for more than 74 years! Come see the Rodeo debut of William Beckmann THIS Sunday, February 12. You won't want to miss it." (San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Facebook)
• A trip down memory lane with San Antonio Spurs: "On April 24, 1994, David Robinson broke Iceman’s 63-point franchise record and secured the NBA scoring title 💪 In an all-new episode of the The Ring of the Rowel, journey back to the night of The Admiral's historic 71 point performance!" (San Antonio Spurs Facebook)

For the Foodies:

• Date night restaurants: " We rounded up 20 San Antonio restaurants that deliver on both delicious food and romantic ambiance for a date night you won’t soon forget." (San Antonio Current)
• PSA for the chicken wing lovers! "Here are some of the tasty restaurants and bars in San Antonio where you can devour some finger lickin’ good wings." (mySA)
• Enjoy noodles during this weekend's cold weather: "There’s no shortage of local restaurants with ramen on the menu, but foodies in the area have made it known which ramen bowls are a must-try and why." (mySA)
• Buzz-worthy non-alcoholic spirits infused with hemp: "San Antonio-based company Powered by Plants has launched tequila, rum and gin infused with live cannabis resin." (San Antonio Current)

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Featured events:

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! I'll see you soon.

— Elaine Thompson

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