Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topic ranges from a continued search for an Olmos Park missing woman to Bexar County partisanship over voter registration.
Still in search of Suzanne Clark
Suzanne Clark Simpson and her husband Brad Simpson attended an event at a private social club, The Argyle, on Sunday, Oct. 6. This was the last time anyone would see Suzanne. According to the arrest affidavit, Brad reported her missing to Olmos Park Police Department on the evening of Monday, Oct. 7. Earlier that day, their child had not been picked up from school, which prompted the school to notify Brad. On Oct. 8, the school staff let police know the child notified them that her parents were “fighting.” The child also told staff that Suzanne had a bruise on her elbow.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 12:42 a.m., there was an arrest warrant out for Brad. The charges that were brought against him were assault-family violence and unlawful restraint. At 1:30 a.m., The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office arrested him. Brad has been uncooperative throughout the investigation, as his wife is still missing. Any information regarding Suzanne’s whereabouts can be reported to Detective Hector Ruiz at 210-209-2701, Detective Melissa Campbell at 210-219-2702 or Olmos Park Dispatch at 210-822-2000.
Bexar County partisanship
Bexar County Commissioners court has decided to continue to utilize mail voter registration forms. There is still some concern from the Republican Party over the bias and the potential voter fraud the election could face. A contract was created on Sept. 3. with the Civic Government Solutions which allowed the printing and mailing of state voter registration forms to unregistered voters. The purpose of this contract was to make sure all citizens were able to register and vote in the upcoming elections.
“The right to vote is a foundation of democracy, and voter registration is a gateway to civic participation. Bexar County’s nonpartisan effort to provide voter registration applications to targeted eligible citizens is within the authority of the county and consistent with state law,” Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai explained.
Republican Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a suit that the new program would allow individuals to violate the law. This effort was met with a block by State District Judge Antonia Arteaga because the voter registration forms were already mailed out. Bexar County Chairwoman Monica Alcantara expressed admiration for the contract.
“[The Bexar County Democratic Party] wants everyone to vote, whether you’re a Republican or whether you’re a Democrat. The process should be easy for everyone and made available to everyone,” Alcantara said.
Young woman shot to death on the North Side
Kayla Salas, 18, was shot by two unidentified men who fled on foot near eastbound on Dean Street. The victim’s mother drove her to the intersection of Howard Street and Dean Street just before 7 p.m. on Oct. 10. The two unidentified men were supposed to meet with the mother and daughter, but shots were fired. Both mother and daughter returned to their car and pursued the two individuals, prompting them to fire more gunshots. One of the bullets traveled through the front window, hitting Salas. She was pronounced dead at the scene. There is an ongoing investigation and police have a witness as well as surveillance footage.
One year-old boy mauled by a pitbull
On the evening of Monday, Oct. 7, one-year-old Jiryiah Johnson was pronounced dead at Brooke Army Medical Center. According to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, Johnson was left with his babysitter Heather Rodriguez, 36, who then left baby Johnson with her 13-year-old daughter. Both the baby and 13-year-old locked themselves in the room where multiple pit bulls followed them to chew down the door. At this point, the door was disheveled, and one of the pitbulls made its way into the room.
“The 13-year-old was able to maintain control of the baby, but at this point, it was being described to me as almost a tug-of-war for the baby between at least one of the dogs and the little girl,” Bexar County sheriff Javier Salazer explained.
Rodriguez had a previous citation for having the dogs unleashed when they would not let a man out of his car. She is being charged with injury to a child with serious bodily injury by omission and remains at the Bexar County Jail. There could be more charges relating to the injuries to her own daughter.
