A Seguin woman was awarded $8.5 million after a jury found she was defamed in a documentary that aired on Netflix, a San Antonio toddler was found dead after she wandered from her Northwest Side home, and the Spurs’ top executive gave an encouraging update on Gregg Popovich’s recovery from a stroke. These were the most-read stories this week:
A Bexar County jury awarded nearly $8.5 million to Seguin guardian Tonya Barina after finding she was defamed by a “Dirty Money” episode that falsely cast her as exploiting her great-uncle Charles Thrash. Netflix and the producers settled before trial, but jurors found former attorney Phil Ross, his ex-associate Jo Ann Rivera and members of the Martinez family liable, and the judge directed a verdict against the family after they presented no defense.
Authorities investigated the death of 2-year-old Aryana Trevino Martinez, who was found unresponsive hours after wandering from a Northwest Side home and later pronounced dead. Relatives reported her missing, an Amber Alert went out, and searchers found her in a brushy area off Belle Ellen Drive as the medical examiner worked to determine the cause and manner of her death. Neighbors said investigators believed she slipped out a back gate and walked barefoot about a half-mile to an overgrown area with a creek. About 100 residents joined the search.
Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said Gregg Popovich continues to make strong progress in stroke rehab, attacking it with the same purpose he brought to coaching. Popovich stepped down as head coach after missing the final 77 games, moved to president of basketball operations and remained a presence by advising the young core during the Finals run. The Hall of Famer amassed five championships and an NBA-record 1,422 regular-season wins during his 29-year tenure. Under first-year coach Mitch Johnson, San Antonio reached the NBA Finals behind Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper but lost to the Knicks in five. Buford’s remarks offered one of the most detailed public updates on Popovich’s recovery since he left the bench.
San Antonio hospitals scores big in U.S. News rankings
U.S. News named three San Antonio hospitals among the Best Regional Hospitals in Texas: Methodist Hospital, Baptist Medical Center and Methodist Hospital Stone Oak. Methodist ranked No. 1 in San Antonio for the third straight year and No. 13 in the state, while Baptist placed No. 2 locally and No. 21 statewide, and Stone Oak ranked No. 3 locally and No. 30 in Texas. U.S. News evaluated 589 Texas hospitals and recognized 38, with Houston Methodist Hospital topping the state and the only Texas facility on the national Honor Roll.
La Panaderia fined for child labor and wage violations at three San Antonio sites
The U.S. Department of Labor found three La Panaderia Bakery & Café locations in San Antonio violated federal child labor and wage laws, and the owner paid $45,000 in penalties and back wages. Investigators said the restaurants employed a 13-year-old and let a 15-year-old work overnight, failed to pay one worker for two overnight shifts and denied overtime to employees who worked at multiple locations. The agency said the violations occurred at sites on East Houston Street, Fiesta Texas Drive and Broadway, while two other locations were not cited. La Panaderia said minors accompanied parents without management’s knowledge and were not on the payroll and that it does not hire underage workers.
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