DISTRICT 3

The town hall covered a wide variety of issues like homelessness, street racing, prostitution, drugs, and shootings.

Following an increase in gun violence, District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran and SAPD Chief William McManus are co-hosting a public safety town hall.

An advisory committee made up of council appointees has created the first draft of a new council district map, based on the 2020 U.S. Census numbers. Under the proposal, nine out of 10 districts would have their boundaries shifted.

Pete Arredondo Pete Arredondo, a Uvalde High School class of 1990 graduate who presently serves as chief of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Department, says he is ready to serve District 3 on the Uvalde City Council. He has been going door-to-door in council District 3, listening to concerns and taking notes. “The

The current seat for District 3 South Texas College trustee announced their bid for reelection last Friday in a news release.

Census data that will determine how the city of McAllen redraw their districts showed that the city's District 1, 2 and 6 are over populated and residents there will have to be redistributed to the other districts.

Candidate filing for three positions on the Uvalde City Council opened two weeks ago, but no one has yet filed for any of the seats, including the District 3 seat which will soon be vacated by incumbent Rogelio M. Muñoz. There are about two weeks left to file before the Feb. 18 deadline. Filing opened on Jan. 19. The municipal […]

After more than a month of heated debate, the new single-member district map is in the city’s books to help residents find their voting precinct for the May election.

Mihm is filling the District 3 seat previously held by Tony Diaz, who retired in October.

HARLINGEN — The city’s new voting district boundaries might be going into the law books. On Wednesday, commissioners are planning on putting the new district boundaries into the city’s book of ordinances. Boswell requests commissioners rescind mapBefore commissioners consider voting on the ordinance, Boswell plans to request they reconsider adopting the new district lines. Commissioners plan to set boundaries into booksMeanwhile, Puente said commissioners plan to go ahead with setting the new boundaries into the ordinance book. Meanwhile, critics accused Perez, Puente and Uribe of redrawing the districts’ boundaries to give them political advantages.

HARLINGEN — The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit charging the city’s new single-member district boundaries unconstitutionally moved thousands of District 2 registered voters into District 3, denying their right to vote for commissioner in the May election. “Obviously, we are disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision and do not agree with it,” Uhlhorn, Meade and their wives stated. “We suspect the court felt there was just too little time to decide such an important voting rights issue. “The justices of the Texas Supreme Court decided this morning that they will not get involved in the dispute regarding district boundaries for Harlingen city commissioners including the May 7 election of commissioners for Districts 1 and 2,” they stated. “Because of those differences, we were hopeful that the justices on the Supreme Court would be willing to intervene and protect our constitutional right to vote,” they argued.

HARLINGEN — City leaders are questioning whether the redrawing of Harlingen’s five single-member districts’ lines could change the balance of power on the City Commission. However, Mayor Chris Boswell downplayed the role the new district boundaries will play on the commission’s makeup. “There’s a notion that all the people moved from District 3 to District 2 are affluent, upscale voters,” he said. Since a previous commission drew up the city’s original single-member district map in 2008, District 2’s upscale area spawned candidates who dominated some elections, Puente said. In his proposal, Rios described each district’s “ideal” population as totaling 14,366 based on the new Census that set the city’s population at 71,829.

The city’s demographics are shaping Harlingen’s five voting districts. Across the new map, factors such as income helped the City Commission’s new majority carve out the single-member districts’ boundaries.

Earlier this week, Commissioners Richard Uribe, Frank Puente and Rene Perez voted to redraw the district map while shifting much of District 2’s upscale bloc into District 3, which includes the Treasure Hills area. On Thursday, Puente said shifting the affluent bloc out of District 2’s working-class area makes District 3’s demographics more uniform. “It’s more fair representation,” he said, referring to the new district map during an interview. Original map proposalThe law calls on commissioners to realign boundaries to try to balance the five districts’ population numbers. During the last 10 years, growth also swept across District 3, which numbered 14,757 residents, and District 1, with 14,135 residents.

A major Christmas weekend storm caused whiteout conditions and closed key highways amid blowing snow in mountains of Northern California and Nevada, with forecasters warning that travel in the Sierra Nevada could be difficult for several days.

NBISD officials approved several measures during their regular Dec. 13 board meeting.

Another well-known name is joining the race for Texas' District 35.

Rebecca Viagran, who finished out her City Council tenure earlier this year, will run for Texas' 35th Congressional District.

Rebecca Viagran has her eyes on Texas’s 35th Congressional District, according to two sources, including one close to her. Though she did not definitively confirm her plans, Viagran told KSAT she is “seriously considering” running for the seat as a Democrat and is “looking forward to making an announcement on Saturday, Dec. 11.”

The New Braunfels ISD board is anticipated to vote on its redistricting plan as early as December.

The McAllen Public Utility filed a petition last week challenging rate increases set by the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3.

The South Side could get a new San Antonio Police substation as part of the 2022 bond program, which the police department has indicated would also mean expanding the department.

Residents living along Sligo Street on the South Side seem to be on the same page when it comes down to wanting speed bumps. This need became even more critical after a teen was struck by a car while trying to catch the bus for school.

East Southcross has now become a notorious major thoroughfare on San Antonio’s Southeast Side. SAPD records show there’ve been 59 crashes and one fatality in the past 10 years on that road.

Neighbors living along East Southcross where an SUV crashed through a home injuring a child is hoping for a police crackdown on speeders.

When San Antonio City Council members return from their break next month, the top issue on their agenda will be the city budget. Fixing roads and streets will be part of the discussion.

Former District 3 councilwoman Rebecca Viagran spoke with the San Antonio Report about her time on City Council and what's next for her.

Brownsville will have two new city commissioners on the commission that have never held public office before, unofficial election results indicate.

Here are the unofficial results for today's runoff elections in Brownsville and Harlingen.

Early voting continues in Brownsville’s runoff election where two positions on the Brownsville City Commission are up for grabs — the District 3 and District 4 seats.

Arlington voters added two familiar faces in city hall and community advocacy to City Council in its latest election cycle.

The current councilwoman, Rebecca Viagran, has reached her four term limit, leaving the seat open. Competing to replace her on the council is her sister, Phyllis Viagran, and Tomas Uresti, a former Harlandale ISD school board trustee and state representative for District 118.

As the sister of District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, one could argue that Phyllis...

Early voting gets underway Monday in runoffs for city council seats.  The early voting period will run through Tuesday, June 1, with poll closures on...

The San Marcos Academy baseball team had six players voted to the TAPPS All-District teams for Division III-District 3: Alex Davis and Mason Loep were both selected to the All-District First Team, Jul[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Sports San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

A vote by the San Antonio ISD school board Tuesday at a special meeting extends Superintendent Pedro Martinez's contract through 2025.

San Antonio City Council District 3 will see new leadership after the May 1 election since incumbent Rebecca Viagran reached her limit of four terms.

Two City Council positions and 18 city charter amendments are included on the May 2021 ballot.

Incumbents Bergquist and Hennessee pull ahead while Drasta falls behind.

Holy Cross baseball seems to be on a mission to prove that it’s a better team in the...

Candidates running in the New Braunfels City Council election will have the opportunity to share about their goals for if they are elected.

SAN ANTONIO – Over the past eight years, District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran has been instrumental in the growth on the city’s South Side. Viagran joined Leading SA on Sunday to discuss the next steps for her district and her own career as she nears her term limit. “Some economic development we are seeing, the job growth with TJX, with the medical schools and in advanced manufacturing hub here in San Antonio, with Toyota and Navistar so close to one another. “And I’ve learned so much and what I would love to do is continue to work in public service. I will always keep all options for public service on the table.

SAN ANTONIO – The South Texas Veterans Health Care System administered Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to enrolled veterans at Texas A&M University-San Antonio on Saturday. The South Texas VA said they aspired to vaccinate 500 veterans living on the South Side of San Antonio who have difficulties reaching other vaccination sites offered throughout the area. San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reports more than 16,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in District 3, and 256 people have died of COVID-19 in that area. “We have a high percentage of people that do not have health insurance in the southern sector of San Antonio,” Viagran said. RELATED: How to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in San Antonio when appointments are available

District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran says enough is enough. Viagran said she’s paying special attention to the stretch of Commercial Avenue near Sunglo Drive. Speeding vehicles is an issue Viagran says has been plaguing the area for years now and keeping people up at night, too. “Is it making the road from four lanes, two lanes on each side, to just one lane on each side with the center turn lane? Vigaran said depending on the chosen course of action following community input and traffic evaluations, there could be physical changes to this stretch of Commercial Avenue as early as this summer.

click to enlarge Courtesy of Food Policy Council San AntonioTo promote access to fresh, affordable produce in low-income neighborhoods, the city of San Antonio is expanding its Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI) to a total of 20 stores by year’s end.HCSI — which began as a pilot program last year in Southeast San Antonio's District 3 — uses a cost-sharing process with stores to promote the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. As of this week, the project is expanding to districts 1, 2, 4 and 7, covering San Antonio's center city plus the Southwest, near East and near West sides.The initiative builds partnerships with community health leaders and business owners, giving small neighborhood groceries the experience and equipment necessary to sell produce successfully without a subsidy.“I started this pilot program to combat food insecurity and bring healthy food into corner stores throughout San Antonio. This access gives people the ability to buy healthy fruits and vegetables at a low cost,” said District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, who helped develop the program. “When I see my constituents purchasing these healthy foods and being so complimentary of the program, I know this is filling a need and it makes me want to do more. I am happy this program is continuing to grow throughout San Antonio.”For more information, visit the Food Policy Council of San Antonio's website

All Photos / FacebookNorth East ISD District 3 candidates Ione McGinty and Omar Leos. Texas District 23 Congressional candidates Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones. An editorial in the October 29 issue of the San Antonio Express-News points out anti-LGBTQ claims made in two local political races: The first for a seat on the NEISD school board, the other a race for a U.S. House seat. An October 20 interview with the Express-News reports that McGinty, when confronted with criticism of her campaign’s flyer said, “I think that’s ridiculous. The claim takes Jones’ words out of context.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio’s District 3 is the largest area in the city and is also home to the most food deserts, where large portions of the population lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables. “We do not have any access to readily available fresh fruits and vegetables, unfortunately, because of the lack of grocery stores out there. She says the community needs a big-box grocery store. We got fresh fruits and vegetables -- avocado, tomato, cucumbers,” Viagran said. “We got that fresh fruit and partnered with that Corner Store to have that food out there at a reduced cost.”District 3 has eight convenience stores that carry fresh produce.

SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word Cardinal Clinic and San Antonio Metro Health District are hosting a drive-thru flu clinic on Saturday. Before the flu shot clinic, District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran along with Mayor Ron Nirenberg and UIW leaders will host a ribbon-cutting and kick-off ceremony for the drive-thru free flu vaccination campaign. Doctors across the country are urging people to get their flu shot and help the country avoid what they are calling a 'twindemic" of the flu and COVID-19. The Metro Health Immunizations Clinic is open by appointment only at this time. For more information please visit the Metro Health website.

BOERNE, Texas – The city of Boerne has postponed the May 2020 general election for City Council District 3 due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. City officials said the general election has been postponed until Nov. 3. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation suspending certain provisions of the Texas Election Code and Texas Water Code to allow all local political subdivisions that are utilizing the May 2 uniform election date to postpone their election to the Nov. 3 uniform election date, city officials said. City officials said the District 3 council member currently holding office will continue to exercise the same duties until the council member takes his or her oath of office following the November uniform election. The unopposed council members for Districts 1 and 5 will take their oaths of office at the first city council meeting in May 2020, city officials said.

SAN ANTONIO – Two City Council members are self-quarantining and virtually attending Thursday’s City Council meeting due to the novel coronavirus. San Antonio councilman voluntarily quarantines after vacationAdViagran said she was notified Tuesday that two attendees at the Congressional City Conference - National League of Cities, which she also attended, tested positive for the virus. #SouthsideSticksTogether Posted by Rebecca Viagran on Thursday, March 19, 2020She said the two patients are not from San Antonio and that she believes she is at low risk of exposure and not feeling any symptoms. City Council to vote on extending bar, restaurant closures for 30 daysCity Council will vote on Thursday to extend an emergency declaration that bars and restaurant dining rooms to close amid the coronavirus pandemic. AdCOVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

SAN ANTONIO – City Council voted to extend a San Antonio’s emergency declaration ordering bars and restaurant dining rooms to close amid the coronavirus pandemic. Closures will be extended for 30 days until April 19, City Council voted Thursday. Restaurants and stores that violate the emergency order could pay civil penalties and fines, Nirenberg said Wednesday. Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger told City Council that 13 potential cases are under investigation. Read more about Bridger’s presentation here:COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

North East Independent School District board trustees selected a longtime educator to fill a vacant board seat Monday night, more than a month after trustee Joseph Trevio resigned. Omar Leos, who is Harlandale ISDs fine arts coordinator, will join the board and represent District 3, which covers the southwestern part of the district and includes LEE High School. There were many great applicants but ultimately we feel that Mr. Leos is the best person to fill the District 3 seat, board President Shannon Grona said, acknowledging Leos background as an educator. Seven District 3 residents applied for the open board seat. Applicants included Leos, Amy Mayo McLin, Christopher Ashok Mammen, Dolores Serna, Justin Hill, Lucy Reyna, and Melissa Lopez.

A 1953 Bentley was totaled after a major wreck in Crosby on Oct. 10, 2019. A major wreck in Crosby Thursday night totaled a classic car, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The driver was taken to a hospital in "fair condition," but their 1953 Bentley was a total loss. Deputies from district 3 responded to a 1 car major in Crosby. The 1953 Bentley crashed into a concrete culvert and appears to be a total loss.

click to enlarge Lea ThompsonL to R: San Antonio Food Bank Chef Kelly Daughety and Gas N' Go Owner Shaukat Momin demo a healthy salad recipe, using fresh produce available to District 3 residents. In Southside San Antonio, where neighborhood corner stores outnumber grocery stores, residents are more likely to find Fritos rather than fresh fruit. Healthy Corner Store Initiative , a pilot program aimed at bringing fresh and affordable produce to the district, sales of fruits and vegetables there have increased nearly 600%This is such a blessing. We have food stamps, but most stores around here just have candies or sodas," District 3 resident Selena Salazar said. At that point, produce sales are likely to jump further from 600% to 4,000%.

SAN ANTONIO - Requests for a new police substation in District 3 were pushed aside during the San Antonio 2020 fiscal budget proposal. Residents and District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran have been voicing their requests for a substation they say is needed in the area. "We talk about equity in the city of San Antonio, but there is only one police substation south of Highway 90," Viagran said. Viagran said she is confident her district will eventually get a substation. Recent data she said she has seen shows an increase in violent crimes in the South Substation service area, which includes District 3.

Requests for a new police substation in District 3 were pushed aside during the San Antonio 2020 fiscal budget proposal. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

click to enlarge Ruben G. LizaldeFor South Side San Antonio families, especially those living in District 3, its easier to buy food from the neighborhood corner store than find healthy, affordable produce at a supermarket.However, the VIVA SA! Healthy Corner Store Initiative a pilot program developed in partnership with District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, the Food Policy Council of San Antonio (FPCSA), UIW's School of Osteopathic Medicine and Metro Health San Antonio is working to bring healthy and affordable foods to residents, one corner store at a time.District 3 residents are invited to eat, shop and see the growth for themselves on Friday during the VIVA SA! Culinary Demo with Viagran at Highland Food Mart at 2402 Hicks Ave. starting at 10 a.m.The event will demo easy-to-make dishes using fresh produce, with Chef Kelly Daughety of San Antonio Food Bank on-site to share free recipe cards with shoppers.Since launching in April, VIVA SA! "Were just growing this and hopefully other districts look to take this on, because theres small pockets of food deserts in every district. We hope that if we keep pushing this it will spread throughout the city in years to come."

SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio City Council District 3 will host a back-to-school health fair Saturday. Backpacks filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year will be given away. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the event courtesy of the San Antonio Food Bank and Deco Pizzeria. In order to receive the backpacks and school supplies, students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. You do not need to live in District 3 to attend or receive free school supplies.