Texas
They established Texas’ first civilian government. How San Antonians are keeping those ancestors’ memories alive.
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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Copyright 2026 by KSAT – All rights reserved.
Texas
Fifth person dies following multi-vehicle crash in Sabine Pass, according to Texas DPS
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A fifth person has died after a deadly wrong-way crash involving multiple vehicles in Sabine Pass, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Troopers said 22-year-old Caleb Burge, who was rushed to a Beaumont hospital after the accident on Monday afternoon, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.
ORIGINAL REPORT: 4 killed in multi-vehicle crash in Sabine Pass, according to Department of Public Safety
Four other people were declared dead at the scene immediately following the wreck, including 28-year-old Cesar Rojas, 27-year-old Emmanuel Reynosa Rivas, 28-year-old Angel Dominguez, and 27-year-old Osvaldo Alvarez.
At least seven others were taken to area hospitals after the crash involving a Chevy van, Prevost bus and Audi sedan. Investigators said the van crossed into the oncoming lane and crashed into the bus. After the impact, the van went into a ditch, and the Audi hit the rear of the bus, investigators said.
Troopers did not release additional details, and the crash is still under investigation.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Texas
Texas A&M slugger named to Softball America’s All‑American Second‑Team
The Texas A&M softball team fought all season long, and while the year ended earlier than they hoped, the Aggies still produced several standout moments. At the center of those bright spots was junior utility star Mya Perez, who on Tuesday was named to Softball America’s All‑American Second Team, adding another major accolade to one of the best offensive seasons in the country.
Perez spent much of the year getting the full Barry Bonds treatment. Opponents refused to give her anything to hit, instead pitching around her, walking her, or simply wearing pitches off her elbow guard. While the approach could be frustrating, Perez never wavered from her plan.
“I just stay patient, stick to my plan, and be ready for the pitch I do get to hit.”
That discipline paid off in historic fashion. Perez became the only Division I softball player to reach base in 55 straight games this season, while also setting a program record with 31 walks. Even with limited opportunities, she still delivered elite production, finishing second on the team with 19 home runs and leading the Aggies in nearly every major offensive category:
- Batting average – .414
- OPS – 1.495
- SLG% – .893
- OB% – .602
Perez has long been one of the most gifted hitters to come through Texas A&M, and this honor only reinforces her status as one of the nation’s premier offensive threats. Despite the constant attention from opposing staffs, she continued to produce at an All‑American level, a testament to her patience, power, and maturity at the plate.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
Texas
Texas Eats NOW: Crispy Southern Fried Chicken and Endless Asian Buffet Favorites
You can watch “Texas Eats NOW” Mondays through Saturdays at 10 a.m. – Saturdays and Sundays at 11 p.m. on KSAT 12, KSAT.com, and KSAT Plus, our free streaming app.
Today on Texas Eats NOW:
GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN
812 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken is a Tennessee-born restaurant chain with roots dating back to 1953, when Napoleon “Na” Vanderbilt first began serving his now-famous spicy fried chicken recipe in Mason, Tennessee. The San Antonio location opened in Southtown in 2021 and has since become a go-to spot for crispy, wet-battered fried chicken made with a signature overnight marinade that delivers bold flavor and a juicy bite in every piece.
In addition to its award-winning fried chicken, Gus’s menu features fried catfish plates, chicken tenders, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, and classic Southern sides including collard greens, mac and cheese, pork and beans, and potato salad. Dessert favorites include chocolate chess pie, pecan pie, and the “Big Wayne,” a combination of both pies served together. During Spurs playoff season, the restaurant is also offering its “2-1-0 Spurs Special,” featuring an eight-piece all-dark chicken order for $21 every game day through the end of the 2026 playoffs.
TREASURE BUFFET
5237 Walzem Rd, Windcrest, TX 78218
Treasure Buffet is a newly opened all-you-can-eat Asian buffet in Windcrest offering nearly 100 freshly prepared dishes ranging from sushi and hibachi to Chinese-American comfort food favorites. Led by Chef Caleb Lee, who brings more than three decades of restaurant experience to the kitchen, the restaurant focuses on preparing dishes fresh throughout the day while offering guests a wide variety of flavors and options under one roof.
Popular buffet selections include fresh sushi rolls, hibachi-grilled meats and vegetables, lo mein tossed in house-made sauce, and beef and broccoli finished with sesame oil. Guests can also enjoy mochi, fried appetizers, soups, and rotating specialty items depending on the day. Treasure Buffet has quickly become a popular dining destination for families and large groups thanks to its affordable pricing, generous selection, and daily specials, including its Thursday promotion offering $12.99 adult buffets while children 7 and under eat free.
Follow Texas Eats and David Elder on Facebook and Instagram for more food info, pictures, videos and giveaways.
Copyright 2025 by KSAT – All rights reserved.
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