Local News: 

Ron Rangel, judge for Bexar County District Court, retracted himself from overseeing the upcoming trial of former Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela, who is on trial for perjury. The decision was made to guard against the appearance of bias. 

CPS Energy aims to give customers a one-time billing credit this month. The company will spend $3.5 million on credits to those who lost power for 24 hours or more during February’s winter storm. 

San Antonio’s landmark art piece, the Torch of Friendship, was tagged with graffiti earlier this week. After tourists notified park police of the vandalism, a report was filed with SAPD, and the city has since contacted a specialist to repair the damage. 

The Department of Public Safety announced a “no refusal” policy for DWI tests during the Poteet Strawberry Festival. Those arrested from Thursday, April 8 to Sunday, April 11, will not be allowed to refuse a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test. 

San Antonio-based company HEB has ended its relationship with Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texan quarterback who is facing several allegations of sexual assault. 

Coronavirus:

Bexar County residents are more amenable to getting the COVID-19 vaccine than they were six months ago. In September, 31% said they were unlikely to get inoculated; in March, the number dropped to 16%, showing the county’s change in opinion. In the same poll, 81% said they were already partially vaccinated. 

As of Monday, San Antonio’s COVID-19 positivity rate went below the 5% threshold for the third consecutive month. Health officials have indicated the rates below the 5% threshold indicate that transmission is more manageable. 

On Monday night, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez reported 208,606 total COVID-19 cases and 3,366 total deaths in Bexar County. An increase of 144 new cases and no new deaths were added to the count. In addition, there are 199 hospitalizations.

 In Texas, 13,825,974vaccine doses have been administered. 14,4%  of the population has received their first dose and  17.9% have been fully vaccinated. In Bexar County, 217,100 people, 11.2% of the population, have received the first dose and 341,895 people, 17.5%  of the population, have received both doses.