Comal ISD updates library materials policy following passage of Senate Bill 13
Comal ISD updated its library materials policy Aug. 28 following the passage of Senate Bill 13.
The overview: Texas lawmakers passed SB 13 during this year's regular legislative session, and it became law Sept. 1. It aims to give parents and school boards more oversight over school library books, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Per the bill, Texas public school districts must adopt new policies to review books, solicit public comments and require board approval before adding new materials to the campus library catalogs for circulation.
The bill prohibits library materials:
With “profane content” or “indecent content”
Rated sexually explicit by the vendor
That contain “harmful material"
That are pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable, as referenced in Board of Education vs. Pico
That refer to a person to a website containing content prohibited by the law by a link or QR code
466th Judicial District Court holds first virtual court hearing
The 446th Judicial District Court held its first hearing in Comal County in September as part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's, or TDCJ’s, Virtual Court Program in September, according to a news release.
Only a select number of TDCJ courts implemented the program earlier this year to test the process and work out any issues, but because of its success, all the district courts in Comal County are now participating in the program, according to a news release.
Major takeaways: The TDCJ-initiated program utilizes technology to conduct remote court appearances rather than transport a defendant who resides in TDCJ across the state. The Virtual Court Program reduces the county's expenses for ongoing cases and minimizes the security risks associated with transporting inmates. The program also reduces the need for bench warrants, according to the news release.
M.Y. Chockdee Oriental Market & Restaurant serves authentic Filipino dishes in Universal City
There aren’t many places in San Antonio that offer sit-down Filipino dining and an Asian grocery market all-in-one.
At M.Y. Chockdee Oriental Market & Restaurant, located at 115 E. Lindbergh Blvd., Owner and Chef Merle Ramirez said they have both—along with catering options and more.
The backstory: Ramirez said she wanted to bring her love of cooking to the United States, so she moved from the Philippines to Texas in 1985. During that process, she met her husband, Yong—who trained her to become a professional cook.
“Eventually, we wanted to open our dream,” Ramirez said. “So we started extremely small.”
The couple began by selling food at various flea markets and local concession stands.
“Our end goal was to have a little store and a little restaurant, but we had to start somewhere,” Ramirez said.
But it wasn't until they gained a local following for their cuisine that they opened in Universal City in 1999.
Knight Office Solutions celebrates 35th anniversary in Texas
A Texas-based information technology support service is recognizing its 35th year serving residents and businesses across San Antonio and other big cities in the state.
Put in perspective: Knight Office Solutions has a location at 12961 Park Central, Ste. 1470 in North San Antonio.
Stephanie Hallum, a Sales Coordinator for the company, said they’re celebrating the anniversary all year long.
What’s special about it: Knight Office Solutions also has locations in Austin, Houston, the Rio Grande Valley and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to their website.
IT specialists at the business provide around-the-clock technical support, document management and remotely managed printing services for companies of all shapes and sizes.
They also have a selection of printers, copiers, production equipment, business phones and more, the website says.
