🌱 Teacher Pensions On The Fence + Funding For The Homeless Community

Good morning, San Antonio neighbors! Elaine Thompson here in your inbox with your new edition of the San Antonio Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening in town these days, including ...

• Potential raise for teacher pensions
• More funding to help homeless community
• Real estate imposters on the rise

But first, today's weather:

Very warm. High: 91 Low: 58.

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Here are the top stories in San Antonio today:

1. Teacher pensions might be raised by 4%. Retired teacher Christine Taylor balks at the miniscule increase after waiting a long 17 years of receiving stagnant payments during inflation periods. Taylor hopes that HB 600 will bring the cost-of-living-adjustment up to 6%. Bills need to be passed through both the Texas House and Senate to bring this to reality. Check with KENS5 for more.
2. The San Antonio-Bexar County’s annual Continuum of Care (CoC) increased an additional $2.9 million for the 2022 fiscal year. "More than $7 million will go toward permanent supportive housing while $2.75 million will assist individuals escaping domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, among other dangerous situations." A waitlist for people needing housing jumped to 70,000, which sparks the need for more funding and attention for the houseless community. KENS5 has more on this story.
3. San Antonio realtor Jozannah Quintanilla almost lost $200,000 to a real estate scammer. The U.S. Secret Service is warning potential vacant lot land buyers to properly vet and go through the buying process with caution. Many people across the country are getting scammed by imposters who fake being land owners, virtually meeting to close a sale, and disappearing after money is wired to the fraudster. Luckily for Quintanilla, selling agent Sarah Buhidar caught the red flags last minute and didn't go through with the sale or cash transfer. Visit KSAT San Antonio for more details.

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Today in San Antonio:

• The Fleeks at Sanchos Cantina Y Mas (5 PM)
• Women's History Month: Women & Whiskey with Nancy Garrison at Hotel Emma (5 PM)
• CarFest 2023 at Freeman Coliseum (6 PM)
• Jazz in the Garden at Japanese Tea Garden (6:30 PM)
• "The Pajama Game" at The Public Theater of San Antonio (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• COVID tracker: "Health officials in Bexar County are reporting a slightly higher tally of new COVID-19 cases this week, potentially as a result of March spring break travel. Metro Health tallied 791 infections for the week starting on March 22 and ending March 28." (KENS5.com)
• What is the Hope Lodge? "The American Cancer Society and Methodist Healthcare Ministries are joining forces to give housing options for people facing cancer and their families. The new facility, Hope Lodge, will provide free, temporary lodging for people who are traveling to South Texas for their cancer treatments." (KENS5.com)
• Judson ISD searches for new superintendent: "On March 29, a special meeting was held to conduct interviews with superintendent candidates. Two more interview dates are scheduled for March 31 and April 1." (Community Impact Newspaper)

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• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 3)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Elaine Thompson

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