SAN ANTONIO – America is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, but for some, the history dates back much further.

Nearly 300 years ago, 16 families traveled thousands of miles from the Canary Islands to present-day San Antonio. When they arrived, they helped establish the first civilian government in Texas.

The descendants of these families said their story is not just part of San Antonio’s legacy, but part of the American story.

“It’s important for us to know who we came from,” said Julia Lopez, president of the Canary Islands Descendants Association. “That’s how we know what tomorrow brings.”

Canary Islanders were sent by the King of Spain to settle the “New World” in 1730. They landed in San Antonio on March 9, 1731.

“You can only imagine the journey,” Lopez said. “They sailed across the Atlantic, they walked across Mexico and up into San Antonio.”

While Spanish missionaries arrived in 1718, descendants of the Canary Islanders said they were the first to establish the city’s government.

“Our families were the first mayors of San Antonio,” Sharon Pelayo Simonick. “Our families were the first council people, our families were the first sheriff.”

The Canary Islanders were also early benefactors of San Fernando Cathedral.

A devotion to Our Lady of Candelaria, the patroness of the Canary Islands, remains inside the cathedral to this day.

“I think our story is so important because we are the story of America,” Lopez said. “We’re the story of immigration, we are the story of people who came to find a better life.”

Anthony Delgado said learning more about his ancestors changed the way he sees American history.

“Learning about our ancestors’ contributions to the American Revolution makes that history more personal,” Delgado said. “I now have an ancestral investment in this thing called America and its revolution and independence.”

For many descendants, the story of the Canary Islanders is a reminder that resilience, sacrifice and the search for a better life have always been part of the American story.

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DALLAS – North Texas’ quiet weather pattern is quickly coming to an end. Strong to severe storm chances and flooding threats return this weekend and are expected to linger through next week.

Thursday forecast

Expect partly sunny skies Thursday with a south breeze. Highs will be near 80, while lows will dip into the mid-50s and low 60s. Showers will develop around Central Texas but likely will not reach the Dallas-Fort Worth area until Friday.

Weekend forecast

Low storm chances return Friday. Storms could contain gusty winds and small hail, mostly south of U.S. Highway 84. While storms are possible early in the weekend, the potential for severe weather is not expected to peak until Sunday and Monday nights.

A storm system to the west will provide energy for storm production this weekend. Scattered storms Saturday will become more widespread Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Another round of storms is expected to develop Sunday afternoon and evening. A few strong to severe storms will be possible, along with a low flash flood threat Sunday night.

7-day forecast

The active weather pattern continues into next week. Expect wet conditions with consistent thunderstorm chances throughout the workweek.

DFW allergy levels ‘very high’

Tree pollen levels in North Texas are “very high,” according to AccuWeather. Levels are expected to remain elevated until Sunday’s rain provides relief.

Mold and grass pollen levels are moderate, while ragweed levels remain low.

Prosecutors say a North Texas couple and several former members of the Godley Police Department are under investigation following a search of the couple’s home last week. Investigators report finding a device containing evidence of a five‑year prostitution conspiracy and say the couple worked with the city’s former police chief — who has also been arrested — along with other officers. Authorities also allege the group gathered intelligence on people they viewed as enemies, including members of the Godley City Council.