TUESDAY September 10, 2024 VOLUME 114 ISSUE 5 www.UniversityStar.com
San Marcos restaurants grapple with lasting pandemic effects By Lucciana Choueiry News Editor The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) reported 15% of Texas restaurants went out of business in 2021 due to the pandemic. While some San Marcos spots have remained open, Grins and Ivar’s River Pub are two that are still reeling from the effects of 2020. Grins has been on sale for a year and a half
Grins first opened its doors on Valentine’s Day in 1975. After expanding three times in the early aughts, the restaurant found its permanent establishment on North LBJ Drive. “We had to do [the expansions] because of the volume and for San Marcos at the time there weren’t a lot of restaurants,” Paul Sutphen, co-owner of Grins, said.
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A couple overlooks the scenic river from the back patio area while waiting for their food, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in San Marcos. PHOTO BY KATHERINE REA
Memory of former student lives San Marcos on after death through new bar impacted by rise in car thefts
By Marisa Nuñez Editor-in-Chief “I picked up my phone, and the first thing that I saw was a text from her grandfather, that said, ‘My Bayle’s died in Miami last night’,” Lilla Herman, Bayle’s best friend, said. “I will never forget that feeling. I sat up and my whole body, from head to toe, went numb and tingly. I remember looking down at my hands, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m gonna pass out,’ and I screamed, just screamed the loudest ever.” Herman described the death of her best friend and former Texas State student Bayle Bucceri as the worst thing that ever happened to her in her entire life. Bayle died on May 25, 2022, after a car lost control and slammed into a duplex in Miami, which overturned and burst into flames. Bayle’s friends and family remember her as exciting, fun and the life of the party. She enjoyed going out and spending time with her friends
By Ryan Claycamp Senior News Reporter
and made many memories at The Square in San Marcos. Her memory will live on through a new bar opening in The Square named after Bayle herself.
There have been an average of six vehicle thefts a week in San Marcos since Jan 1. To combat the issue, city council approved a grant application for $177,401 to combat the rise of vehicle thefts in the city on Aug. 20. According to an email the city sent to The Star, there have been 199 auto thefts since Jan. 1. Kia and Hyundai vehicles, companies that faced a class action lawsuit over their failure to install engine immobilizers, are the most frequently stolen. “The number of vehicle thefts [SMPD] are investigating is trending upward, with an average of approximately six occurring each week and nearly 200 for the year,” the city of San Marcos wrote in an email to The Star.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF LILLA HERMAN
Former Texas State student Bayle Bucceri poses for a photo, Feb. 2022, at The Belmont in Los Angeles.
TXST thrashes UTSA for first win in I-35 Rivalry history By Brendan Fielding Assistant Sports Editor Redshirt senior quarterback Jordan McCloud settled into his starting role this Saturday as the Texas State steamrolled I-35 rival the University of Texas San Antonio, 49-10 at Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium.
The win marks Texas State’s first in the I-35 Rivalry, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Roadrunners, a feat 12 years in the making. “[It’s] a huge win for the program,” Texas State Head Coach G.J. Kinne said. “[I’m] excited to get one in the win column versus those guys.”
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BITES OF SAN MARCOS
PHOTO BY KOBE ARRIAGA PHOTO BY KOBE ARRIAGA
PHOTO BY KOBE ARRIAGA
Local residents Brianne Whiteman (Left), Rayla Felgate (Center) and Cameron Felgate (Right) enjoy tacos on the outdoor patio of Torchy’s Tacos, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, near downtown San Marcos. Cameron recommends the “Trailer Park” and opts for the bacon marmalade on top.
Austin residents Harmony Jordan (Left) and Sevyn Cramer (Right) enjoy a beautiful day on The Square, while sitting and chatting in the outdoor patio of Root Cellar Cafe, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, near downtown San Marcos.
Texas State early education sophomore Danielle Godsted (Left) enjoys a cup of coffee while catching up with her friend, Grace (Right), Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Jo’s Cafe. Grace, an alumni at Texas State, is a regular at Jo’s Cafe and has been studying and enjoying the peaceful setting since freshman year.
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