Cheryl Ettinger and Caprice Garcia are running for the North East ISD board of trustees District 7 seat in the May election.

The details: Community Impact reached out to the candidates who will be on the ballot.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.

More information on the May 3 election can be found on the North East ISD website.

As Segment 3 of the Loop 1604 North Expansion project reaches its final phases, the Texas Department of Transportation is beginning construction on San Antonio’s first diverging diamond interchange at the Blanco Road and Loop 1604 interchange.

This new configuration is designed to ease traffic congestion at one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the region.

The overview: Jennifer Serold, public information officer for the TxDOT's San Antonio district, said the new Blanco Road and Loop 1604 diverging diamond interchange, or DDI, will temporarily shift traffic to the left side of the road, allowing free‑flow left turns, shorter signal cycles, and safer, more efficient movement through one of the region’s busiest intersections.

Looking ahead: A full weekend closure is anticipated to occur in March, with Serold stating that the shift will not occur over March 13 so as not to interfere with spring break. TxDOT officials said the speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph during construction but will be raised back to the normal 45 mph once construction is complete.

A new beverage-inspired literary experience has opened its doors in a historic part of San Antonio.

In case you missed it: Honey Flutters Teas & Books held a grand opening ceremony on March 8, owner Melissa Swift told Community Impact.

Located at 18771 FM 2252, Bldg. 23—inside Bracken Village near Selma and Garden Ridge—the shop is both a tea room dining experience and a bookstore complete with clubs and events.

“It’s been a whole new chapter, and it was time for me to choose what that meant for me,” Swift said. She said this is the first time she has owned a business after leaving the corporate world.

Related highlights: On the tea menu is an assortment of curated teas, from casual green tea to international flavors, according to their website.

• 18771 FM 2252, Bldg. 23, San Antonio

Year over year, the number of homes sold decreased in the 78108 and 78233 ZIP codes but increased in the 78148 and 78154 ZIP codes, according to the most recent data compiled by the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

Digging deeper: The average prices of homes listed for sale in the Northeast San Antonio Metro area over the past six months were between $250,000-$373,000.

In February, the majority of homes sold in the Northeast San Antonio Metrocom were in the $200,000 to $399,999 price range. Homes also spent more time on the market in the 78233 and 78108 ZIP codes in February, data shows.

• ​​Boerne ISD pays off $45.6 million in bond debt in an effort to reduce interest payments
• Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark Resort to open new ride
• Locally owned vintage store with over 50 vendors opens in San Antonio
• Hyatt Regency Hill Country opens 2.2-acre swimming lagoon as part of $100M renovation
• Local nonprofit to restore first stone home in New Braunfels
• Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Shavano Park alderman