Palm Heights Community Church Holds Neighborhood Event

Palm Heights Community Church held Neighborhood Event

SouthSaToday.Com
By Robert Castillo

SAN ANTONIO, TX -  Members and school staff  from the Palm Heights Community Church along with Councilmen David Medina held their first community event this weekend on the grounds of Palm Heights Neighborhood Center located on 1201 W. Malone St. Some local businesses also contributed to the event.

Aside from the public service, the purpose for the event was to raise awareness of the fact that the Palm Heights Baptist Church has been in the commuity for almost 100 years and is scheduled to undergo a name change to Palm Heights Community Church.

"We are hoping that this event is successful, so we can continue to hold such events at least quarterly." Said Karen Smith, member of the group. "We want to do this for the community, for all the parents and their children."

Sarah Smith stated, "We are also very interested in getting the youth involved."
Besides three different bands providing the entertainment, free hot dogs and refreshments were available for the public.

Mark Perez, Burbank's new head coach

Mark Perez, new head coach at Burbank High in San Antonio, Tx.

SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo

SAN ANTONIO, TX - Burbank High School has selected a new head coach.
Coach Mark Perez has been named the new Head Coach of Burbank High School replacing Coach Joe Castillo who has taken a position at North Garland High School.

Perez served as defensive line coach at Brackenridge High School during the 2011-2012 season ending a seven year stint at that school. He had spent one year at Burbank before his move to Brackenridge High.

Coach Perez stated that he was well aware of Burbank's 9-32 ranking and aside of making coaching assignments for the coming season, he feels strongly that they need to change the team's mindset and make them understand that they can succeed.

As to his coaching team, Perez indicated that he has an idea of what he wants to do adding that he will bring Coach James McCall from Brackenridge with him as his defensive coordinator.
The new head coach has been having meetings with his coaching staff explaining his background and his expectations for the program.

"I am going to meet with them individually and find out their goals and expectations," he added. " I have strong ties to Burbank and I feel like I've come home. Even though I have been an Owl and then an Eagle...this is the place where I got my start...and I would love to see it succeed."

Perez was born in San Antonio and graduated from Highlands High School where he played football under Coach Ken Grey. Following his high school graduation he attended Southwest Texas State University where he earned an athletic scholarship under Coach Bob Debesse and Coach David Bailif who is now the head coach of Rice University.

Perez earned his Bachelor Degree in Exercise and Sports Science and minor in Health Education. He currently holds a Master's Degree in Sports Administration.

He is married to Jennifer Perez, who works in Nursing and has two children ; Jaden age 6 and daughter Maddison age 10.

Tornado Rips Through Devine

Josie Juarez's home is totally destroyed by tornado in Devine, Texas. Photo by
SouthSaToday.Com

SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo

DEVINE - "I was talking with her on the phone when she started screaming."  
That was how Josie Juarez describe the moment the EF 2 tornado demolished her home as Jessi Juarez, her 15 year old daughter was home alone.

Mrs. Juarez was at a church function when she noticed the weather changing. She reached her daughter who was crying and telling her that the house was starting to shake.

Jessi was told to move immediately to the bathroom for her safety. As the mother raced home, she could hear her daughter screaming then lost phone contact.

"It was pitch dark when I got home and I could not see the house and soon realized that it was gone. In a panic I made my way through all the debri looking for my daughter and found her unharmed but our house was completely gone."

A block away 25 customers at Charlie's Ice House faced the tornado's wrath as it ripped the roof of the building at approximately 8 pm. Owner, Marilyn Banks suffered minor injuries but was happy that no one was seriously hurt. Early this morning, repairs were already underway with the hope of opening for business. A patron of Charlie's Ice House stated that he heard a loud whistling sound before it hit the establishment. Moments later the structure started moving.

At sunrise, the affected area was littered with aluminum roofing, insulation, broken lumber and uprooted trees and shrubs. The entire area was cordoned off with peace officers controlling access to the area impacted by the tornado.

The EF2 tornado was spawned by one of two large weather cells that moved over the area causing damages in Devine, Lytle and south San Antonio. Law enforcement reported some six known injuries as a result of the storm.