Will the San Antonio River ever be swimmable? KSAT Explains
The San Antonio River defines our community. However, few of us would ever willingly jump into the urban reaches of the waterway. It’s not, by any stretch of the imagination, as clean as the nearby Comal or Guadalupe. Why is that? KSAT Explains.
South Texas Pride Q&A: San Antonio to host first-ever Pride Month river parade in mid-June
This year’s Pride Month will feature the first-ever Bud Light Pride River Parade by Visit San Antonio on June 18. Maggie Thompson, director of River Walk operations, joined this episode of the South Texas Pride Q&A series to discuss more about the parade and what visitors can expect.
Veteran from South Side running 100 miles on San Antonio trails for autism awareness
Frank Vasquez is a veteran of the Marines, ultra-runner and motivational speaker. On April 23 and 24, he will be the first person to run 100 miles around San Antonio through the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System for autism awareness.
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5 parks around San Antonio to visit this spring
San Antonio – Spring is here and it is time to get outside, but you don’t have to go far to enjoy the great outdoors. These 5 San Antonio area parks are great spots to enjoy the weather before the summer heat arrives. Brackenridge Park - The park is home to a stretch of the San Antonio River, the Japanese Tea Garden, Sunken Garden Theater, the San Antonio Zoo, Lambert Beach and Tony “Skipper” Martinez ball fields. Hemisfair Park - Hemisfair is a community with residences, local businesses and three public parks in the heart of San Antonio. To learn more about these parks as well as other parks to visit around the city, head to the San Antonio Parks & Recreation website.
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This popular Instagramable SA bar on the river has White Claw margaritas and chill vibes
SAN ANTONIO – As seen on KSAT 12′s “Texas Eats,” Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen opened near downtown in 2020 and has quickly turned into an iconic spot to take pictures for social media. Earlier this month, David Elder made a post on the Elder Eats Facebook page and it went viral. It showcased Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen’s customer favorite: the White Claw margarita. “Elsewhere is about an experience,” said Terrin Fuhrmann, owner of Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen. AdFollow KSAT 12′s Texas Eats on Facebook and Instagram.
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At least 3.8 million fish on Texas coast killed by winter storm, TPWD says
SAN ANTONIO – The winter freeze killed nearly 4 million fish along the Texas coast in what officials are calling the largest fish kill event since the 1980s. The Upper and Lower Laguna Madre bays which are off the South Texas Coast were hit particularly hard, according to TPWD. The estimated 3.8 million fish killed in Texas consisted of 61 species, with 91% of those include non-recreational fish like hardhead catfish and pinfish. Just before the freeze, TPWD closed fishing on the Texas coast that could have further impacted wildlife. Other wildlife species impacted by the storm include axis deer, blackbuck, nilgai antelope and multiple bird species, according to TPWD.
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San Antonio will continue a St. Patrick’s Day tradition by dyeing the San Antonio River green
SAN ANTONIO – A St. Patrick’s Day tradition will still take place in downtown San Antonio this year. Maggie Thompson, the executive director of the San Antonio Riverwalk Association, said the San Antonio River will turn green for the annual “Dyeing of the River Walk.”Visitors on the River Walk will be able to see the green dye from Saturday, March 13 through Wednesday, March 17 for free, she said. A parade and festival, however, will not take place despite Texas Gov. This is the second year the River Walk Association was forced to cancel the annual events due to COVID-19. Last year, it was abruptly called off as shutdowns began to take place in San Antonio and cases began to rise.
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Fish found dead along San Antonio River, Texas coast after freezing weather event
The Environmental Sciences Department is continuing to monitor the sightings, and officials said the dead fish are not caused by poor water quality. Anyone who spots dead fish along the river is asked to contact the River Authority’s Environmental Investigations team online or by calling 866-345-7272. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said fish on the Texas coast first started dying off on Feb. 14. Among the fish species impacted were spotted seatrout, red drum, sheepshead, grey snapper, snook, black drum and tarpon. Other wildlife species impacted by the storm include axis deer, blackbuck, nilgai antelope and multiple bird species, according to TPWD.
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Gun allegedly used in Whataburger shooting found by divers in River Walk, SAPD says
SAN ANTONIO – A gun that was allegedly used during a shooting at the downtown Whataburger last week was recovered by divers in the River Walk portion of the San Antonio River on Thursday. San Antonio police said divers from the Texas Department of Public Safety located the weapon in the water near East Commerce Street and Losoya Street. The suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Pedro Ortega, tossed the weapon into the river as downtown bike patrol officers chased him, police said. (KSAT)No injuries were reported in the shooting that occurred Friday night in the 400 block of East Commerce Street. The shooting happened Friday night in downtown San Antonio, on E. Commerce and Losoya Streets.
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YouTuber’s San Antonio River Walk video cut short after failing to obtain permit
SAN ANTONIO – A popular outdoorsman who has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube was stopped by San Antonio police while diving for what he calls “urban treasure” in the River Walk portion of the San Antonio River. In a police report obtained by KSAT, Jordan was stopped at 11:52 a.m. on Oct. 19 by San Antonio police for violating a city ordinance: Swimming in San Antonio River, which is a misdemeanor offense and can be punished by a fine of up to $500. Jordan was cited by Park Police for swimming in the San Antonio River, which is prohibited by City ordinance Sec. “The safety of all visitors is of utmost importance to the City of San Antonio, especially as this is an active and historic waterway.”Maggie Thomspon, a spokeswoman for the San Antonio River Walk, said the city does not allow people to go into the river because of traffic from city maintenance boats and Go Rio tour boats. Watch the video in full below:Related: ‘There’s no place for this in the River Walk,’: SA River Authority says wakeboarding is illegal at city parks
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Man arrested after firing gunshots into Whataburger in downtown San Antonio, SAPD says
SAN ANTONIO – A man was arrested after firing gunshots into a downtown Whataburger restaurant and throwing his weapon into the San Antonio River, San Antonio police said. No injuries were reported in the shooting that occurred Friday night in the 400 block of East Commerce Street. Four downtown bike patrol officers went after Ortega and arrested him, but not before he was able to throw his handgun into the San Antonio River, according to police. The shooting happened Friday night in downtown San Antonio, on E. Commerce and Losoya Streets. Ortega was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and officials are still working to retrieve the gun from the river.
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ACS investigates after kitten in crate thrown off Southtown bridge into San Antonio River, drowns
SAN ANTONIO – Animal Care Services has opened an investigation after a person was seen throwing a crate with a three-month-old kitten inside off the Arsenal bridge in late September. The crate was retrieved from the river, but the black, short-haired female kitten had already died. Investigators found paper towels and a 2020 San Antonio coupon book inside the crate. ACS is investigating after a crate with a kitten inside of it was thrown off the Aresnal bridge in San Antonio in late September 2020. Investigators found the dead kitten with a 2020 San Antonio coupon book inside.
A roundup of social distancing-friendly events, places in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO From art to drive-in movie screenings to kayaking, now is the time to head outdoors and see what San Antonio has to offer, even during a pandemic. See a list below for some additional social distancing-friendly events and places in San Antonio. Drive-thru at San Antonio ZooDrive-thru sessions are still being held on Fridays and Saturdays in August. Volunteers, artists and Centro San Antonio staff painted words that celebrate dark skin in the streets around Travis Park. For a full list of state parks within driving distance of San Antonio, click here.
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Swamp rats live along the San Antonio River Walk
SAN ANTONIO – Swamp rats are having a moment. After a story about their invasion of a Texas park went viral, KSAT reached out to the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and learned that the orange-toothed rodents live here, too. The number of swamp rats trapped in past years:2019 - 10 nutria2018 - 60 nutria2017 - 32 nutriaDid you know the world’s largest bat colony can be found just outside San Antonio? If you see a nutria along the San Antonio River you can report the sighting to the San Antonio River Authority at (866) 345-7272 or on the SARA website sariverauthority.org/contact-us-0. “Our staff worked to find an appropriate solution to the damage caused by the Nutria-rat population in an effort to preserve the project’s ecosystem and the health of the San Antonio River.”
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Explore the San Antonio River to celebrate National Rivers Month
SAN ANTONIO Ditch your couch and head over to the nearest access point to the Mission Reach Hike and Bike Trail to celebrate National Rivers Month. June marks the month-long celebration to treasured rivers across the country, including the San Antonio River. Hansen is the San Antonio River Authoritys, or SARAs, watershed and parks operations manager. Due to COVID-19, the San Antonio River has been a popular spot for families. Read also:11 places to get out of the house, go on a hike in San Antonio areaHave some reel fun close to home at these San Antonio fishing spotsStunning swimming holes near San Antonio
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FIRST LOOK: First colorful barges revealed for Day of Dead Parade in SA
SAN ANTONIO – Day of the Dead San Antonio revealed the first of its trajineras arriving from Mexico ready to delight and entertain residents during the Catrinas on the River Parade, a new parade illuminating the San Antonio River with the spirit of the Day of the Dead on Nov. 1. "We're bringing props and this beautiful collection of skulls," said Javier Ruiz Galindo, CEO of the Day of the Dead Parade San Antonio. Full Screen 1 / 17"(Loteria is) the game we play in Mexico," said Montserrat Oliver, spokeswoman for the Day of the Dead San Antonio. The river parade also serves as the grand opening of Day of the Dead San Antonio, launching the festival with a special ceremony afloat a barge as the parade kicks off. Day of the Dead San Antonio makes its debut this fall as a citywide celebration with a full slate of events never before experienced in San Antonio.