Page 10 - BSB_4_25

By Lou Duggan~ News Briefs Of Local Interest ~T he San Antonio metro area has been experiencing steady employment growth. As of December 2024, the total nonfarm employment in the San Antonio metropolitan area was approximately 1,210,800, reflecting a 2.0% increase from the previous year. The unemployment rate for the area was 3.4%, which is lower thanthe national average of 3.8%.89th Legislature Update Property Taxes:The Texas House and Senate are drafting legislation to allocate $3 billion to schools, which is anticipated to reduce property taxes for homeowners. In addition, the proposed bill would raise the homestead exemption to $140,000 for adults and $150,000 forseniors and those with disabilities, for a total of another $3 billion in relief.Texas Cyber Initiative:Governor Greg Abbott has declared the creation of the Texas Cyber Command as an emergency item for the 89th Legislative Session. This initiative aims to strengthen Texas’s ability to anticipate, detect, and prevent cyberattacks. The Texas Cyber Command will partner with the University of San Antonio to leverage their resources and deploy innovative cybersecurity capabilities.The command center will provide state and local agencies with cybersecurity resources, support services, professional development, post-attack investigations, and incident response planning.Abbott emphasized the importance of this initiative due to Texas’s significant role in the economy, oil production, and trade, making it a target for cyberattacks from hostile foreign nations. The Texas Cyber Command is one of seven emergency items Governor Abbott is focusing on this legislative session.Water Infrastructure:House Bill 1344 has been introduced as a result of a new Texas 2036 report highlighting the critical challenges Texas faces regarding drought and water supply. The report estimates that the annual economic damage to Texas’s large, surface- water-dependent municipalities could reach $40 billion if a multi-year drought occurs. Texas needs to invest at least $154billion over the next 50 years in water infrastructure to support its growing population and economy.The Texas Water Development Board projects that the state’s water demand will increase from 17.7 million acre-feet in this decade to 19.2 million acre-feet by the 2070s, while available water supplies will decrease from 16.8 million acre-feet to 13.8 million acre-feet. The report emphasizes the importance of water planning and investment to secure Texas’s water future and safeguard its economy. The report underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges to ensure the state’s continued growth and prosperity.NJROTC Cadet Alexa Bowers Recognized With The Gilliam Academic AwardSubmitted By Scott Outlawmithson Valley High School Senior and NJROTC Cadet Alexa Bowers, a Bulverde resident, recently earnedan appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, as well as being selected as the NJROTC Area 18 recipient of the Joseph C. Gilliam Academic Award.This is an extremely prestigious academic award that is awarded to only one cadet out of all the cadets within 30 NJROTCunitsinTexas. Alexa’sappointment to the Naval Academy and the earning of the Gilliam Award is a testament to Alexa’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to the belief that academic success is the path to success in the future. Alexa is an outstanding student at Smithson Valley High School who is ranked in the 10% of her class, Captain of the Debate Team, state ranked mountain biker and has been very involved in her community by volunteering her spare time to various community and neighborhood causes. As the Company Executive Officer, Alexa has been a strong leader in the successes of the SVHS NJROTCGloria Deo Academy Lady Lions Secure Back-to-Back State ChampionshipsFront Row: Ava Johnson (Jr.), Gemma Schill (Jr.), Lexi Miles (So.), Ellenor Ebrom (Jr.), Savannah Osuna (Jr.)Coaches: Ruben ‘PoPo’ Osuna, Darin Miles, Alison Carnahan, Head Coach Jason OsunaBack Row: Lillie Ross (Jr.), Macaley Street (Fr.), Lilliana Lange (Jr.), Caily Miles (Jr.), Faith Chandler (Jr.)commitment to excellence extends beyond the scoreboard, reflecting the strong values instilled within the program.Following their state title win, GDA was well represented in the TAIAO State All- Star Game, where four players— Juniors; Gemma Schill, Ava Johnson, Faith Chandler, and Savannah Osuna—were selected to compete for the South Region team. Led by Coach Jason Osuna, the South claimed victory, marking another triumph for GDA basketball.On the boys’ side, GDA Varsity Seniors Evan Spondike and Zach Smith were honored with selections to the Division 1 South Region Varsity Boys team, further highlighting the depth of talent within the school’s basketball program.With back-to-back girls state championships and a program filled with standout athletes, the future looks bright for the Gloria Deo Academy basketball teams—not just because of their success on the court, but because of the way they represent their school and community.ubmitted By Lori OsunaSTBuilding Communication for LifeSPEECH & LANGUAGE CENTER AT STONE OAKSpeech Therapy Pediatric Feeding TeletherapyAccepting New Clientswww.stoneoakspeech.comprogram and a committed member of numerous NJROTC competitive teams to include the NJROTC Academic, Drill, and Physical Fitness teams.After graduation from Smithson Valley High School, Alexa will pursue her dream of becoming a Naval Aviator by attending the United States Naval Academy. We wish Alexa continued success in her academic endeavors and her pursuit of her “Wings of Gold”!he Gloria Deo Academy (GDA) Varsity Girls Basketball team has once again proven theirdominance on the court, winning the 2025 TAIAO State Championship on Saturday, February 15. The Lady Lions successfully defended their title with a commanding 48-31 victory over Stephenville FAITH High School in Georgetown, TX, capping off an impressive 29-6 season.Their journey to the championship began with a South Regional victory in San Antonio on February 7, earning them a spot at the state tournament at the Round Rock Sports Center on February 14. With a series of dominant performances, the Lady Lions swept through the competition, setting the stage for their championship showdown the next day.While their competitive spirit and talent on the court are undeniable, what truly sets this team apart is their character and class. Whether in victory or defeat, the Lady Lions uphold the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity, making them role models both on and off the court. Their10www.bsbhighlights.comApril 2025LLAOTCAY44299.510D.49