January 1, 2020 Hays Free Press

JANUARY 1, 2020 DEMENTIA

GOING UP

AGE of Central Texas to host seminar on dementia.

Pay By Mail toll charges to increase 50 percent.

– Page 2

– Page 2

Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

75¢

Vol. 125 • No. 39

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Christmas robber still at large STAFF REPORT

Hays County authorities are seeking a man who robbed a Dripping Springs convenience store at gunpoint early Christmas morning.

It happened at approximately 2:05 a.m. at the Corner Store of Dripping

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6 foot 3 inches and 200 lbs. with a reddish blond bear wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses and a black beanie.

Springs at the intersection of Sawyer Ranch Road and U.S. 290.

The suspect, described as a white male, approximately 6 foot 3 inches and 200

lbs. with a reddish blond bear wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses and a black beanie, escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash after displaying a handgun.

He reportedly left in a white four-door passenger car.

If you have information regarding this incident, identity of persons, where-

abouts, etc., please contact Detective Brian Wahlert at 512-393-7343 or brian. wahlert@co.hays.tx.us. You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1-800-324-8477 from anywhere in the U.S. or submit your information anonymously online to Tip Line: P3tips.com

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

One of the cell dogs waits to walk the proverbial stage with his trainer at a Feb. 5 graduation ceremony.

Cell Dogs

Kyle Correctional offenders train shelter dogs for new homes

BY MOSES LEOS III A sense of pride filled the mind of Kyle Correctional Facility offender Slade Windsor as he and his dog, Buck, prepared to show the fruits of their labor in February of 2019.

At the end of 2018, Windsor and his cell-mate first met Buck, a shy lab mix that didn’t want to interact with anyone.

Through the PAWS of Central Texas Cell Dog

CELL DOGS, 9

Hays High teen saves child from drowning

PHOTOS BY EXSAR ARGUELLO An overflow crowd full of Hill Country residents showed up at the Wimberley Community Center in January to show their concerns and opposition to the Permian Highway Pipeline. Many showed up with signs.

Kinder Morgan Pipeline tops headlines for 2019 and beyond

BY STAFF REPORTS

In January of 2019, hundreds of residents packed into the Wimberley Community Center Tuesday to gain advice on how to fight a 430-

mile underground natural gas pipeline that’s expected to bisect Hays County.

The PHP is a proposed natural gas pipeline that’s expected to start in west Texas and end in

Houston.

According to county officials, Kinder Morgan was proposing the pipeline as a “highway,” which qualifies the pipeline as “common carrier status,” giving Kinder

Morgan the right of eminent domain.

In March, transparency issues surrounding Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline pro-

KINDER MORGAN, 9

PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN BRATTON

A still photo from a YouTube video shows the moment Hays High freshman Evan Bratton jumped into Onion Creek to save a drowning boy.

BY MOSES LEOS III

SAVED FROM DROWNING, 2

SH45 opened The 4.5-mile, four-lane toll road that connects MoPac in south Austin to FM 1626 near Bliss Spillar Road in Hays County opened on June 1.

TOP MOMENTS See some of our top news stories from 2019.

– Pages 2-9

INDEX

The incident happened during Spring Break when Hays High freshman Evan Bratton and two of his friends took to Camp Ben to record themselves fishing for their YouTube video channel.

With a GoPro camera strapped to his chest, Bratton recorded the excursion, which had been going according to plan.

Things changed, however, when a young boy and his sister walked near a rope swing where the group had moved to fish. Seconds later, the

PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY

News……………………

Opinion Page…………

Sports……………………

Education………………

2 3 4 6

Community…………… 8 Classifieds…………… 10 Public Notices……… 10 Service Directory…… 11

NEWS

Page 2

Hays Free Press

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

TxTag customers to save more than ever, while Pay By Mail surcharges to increase to 50 percent

The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610.

ISSN#1087-9323

The 50 percent surcharge for Pay By Mail transactions helps defray the rising administrative costs associated with these mailed payments, such as viewing license plate images, generating and mailing invoices and processing payments.

SUBMITTED REPORT AUSTIN – TxDOT’s annual toll rate increase is set to start Jan. 1, 2020.

The biggest increase will be felt by drivers who still pay by mail, as the surcharge for those transactions will increase to 50 percent of the base rate paid by all toll users.

This means motorists with a TxTag account will experience an even larger comparative discount on tolls – a discount of 33 percent compared to Pay

By Mail rates.

The 50 percent surcharge for Pay By Mail transactions helps defray

NEWS TIPS

If you think it’s news, we probably do too!

• Newsroom phone: 512-268-7862 • E-mail: news@haysfreepress.com • Mail: 113 W. Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640

CORRECTIONS

Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the pages of the Hays Free Press will be corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.

DEADLINES

• The deadline for display advertising and any contributed news copy in the Hays Free Press is 5 p.m. Friday the week prior to publication.

• The deadline for Letters to the Editor and classified word advertising in the Hays Free Press is noon Monday the week of publication, though we encourage readers and advertisers to observe the Friday deadline.

LETTERS GUIDELINES

We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals.

Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification.

Letter writers are limited to one letter per month.

Letters can be emailed to csb@haysfreepress.com.

HISTORY

Founded April 10, 1903,

by Thomas Fletcher Harwell as The Kyle News, with offices on the corner of Burleson and Miller streets in the town’s oldest remaining building.

It merged into The Hays County Citizen in 1956.

The paper consolidated with The Free Press in October, 1978. During its more than 100-year history the newspaper has maintained offices at more than a dozen locations in Kyle and Buda.

the rising administrative costs associated with these mailed payments, such as viewing license plate images, generating and mailing invoices and processing payments.

Raising this surcharge to 50 percent also brings TxDOT Pay By Mail rates in line with other toll authorities in Austin and Dallas and across the country, and further incentivizes

having a TxTag account.

TxTag users always pay the lowest tolls. For example, a TxTag driver traveling on SH 130 from Interstate 35 to Parmer Lane will be charged a discounted toll of $3.76, as opposed to a Pay By Mail customer who will be charged $5.64 for the same distance. TxTag customers also avoid the extra fees and inconve-

nience of paying by mail, and when signing up for AutoPay with a credit or debit card, the TxTag sticker is free. TxTag works on all toll roads in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

It’s fast and easy to sign up for TxTag online at TxTag.org or by calling 1-888-468-9824. Central Texas drivers also can pick up a TxTag in person at the TxTag Customer

Service Center at 12719 Burnet Road in Austin and Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Offices in Georgetown, Pflugerville and New Braunfels.

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail, and public transportation across the state. Through collaboration and leadership, we deliver a safe, reliable, and integrated transportation system that enables the movement of people and goods.

AGE of Central Texas to sponsor seminar on dementia SUBMITTED REPORT AGE of Central Texas will host the free caregiver support seminar exploring “Meaningful Activities for Persons with Dementia” on Saturday, Jan. 18. Part of the on-going workshop series to help family members effectively care for an older adult, the free seminar will be held from

10 a.m. to noon. at Onion Creek Senior Center, 420 Barton Crossing, Buda.

AGE of Central Texas caregiving and dementia experts Naomi Dalsbo and K.C. Lawrence will explore activities that caregivers and care recipients can do together, with an emphasis on stimulating activities for persons with dementia. Dalsbo serves as the

activities director for the Williamson County Thrive Social & Wellness Center, and Lawrence is program director for the early memory loss support program.

Registration for the conference is free, but space is limited. Participants can register by calling 512-6009275, or online at http:// www.TinyURL.com/AGEjanuary2020.

For more information on the programs and resources provided by AGE of Central Texas, visit www.

AGEofCentralTX.org or call 512-451-4611.

AGE of Central Texas is a leading regional non-profit delivering services, education, and assistance supporting the area’s rapidly growing population of older adults and their caregiv-

ers. Serving residents in Central Texas, AGE’s six core programs include adult day health care, caregiver education, early memory loss support, health equipment lending, resource information, and peer-based computer classes for older adults. Founded in 1986, AGE’s services cultivate strength, compassion, and community.

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW

SmileDirectClub to bring jobs to Kyle

BY ANITA MILLER

The largest employer in the city of Kyle will be taking up shop in what was only a few years ago a sheep farm.

The Kyle City Council, along with Hays County Commissioner Mark

Jones, the Greater San Marcos Partnership and others welcomed SmileDirectClub in early October. The business manufactures teeth aligners, to a new facility at the Hays Logistics Center on Vista Ridge.

Under the terms of

an incentive package approved by both the Kyle council and the Commissioners Court, the company will hire 439 people in its first year of operation, bringing that number to 643 during its second year and achieving a final payroll of 850 employees

in its third year.

All the jobs will meet a “minimum pay requirement” of around $40,000 a year and will all be generated locally. Additionally, the business received a $2,215,000 grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund through the office of Texas

Governor Greg Abbott.

“This has been a long time coming,” Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said, giving a nod to the “team effort” that led up to the announcement. “If not the biggest, this is one of the largest job announcements in our city.”

Kyle fireworks show ends with unexpected bang

BY KATIE BURRELL

On July 15, Kyle City Council members met Kyle’s Independence during a regularly schedDay festivities ended uled council meeting to with a bang, literally, afpublicly discuss their ter the vendor’s fireworks concerns with Chad show went awry.

Stanley, the general

manager of Pyro Shows of Texas, and the city’s parks department.

Kyle’s July 4, Independence Day Fireworks Show experienced an explosion approximately 10 min-

utes into the scheduled 30-minute performance.

The fireworks were supposed to explode in the air, but this year, the show happened on the ground.

The next day, videos sur-

faced of residents running from the incident and holding up objects that had flown toward them.

Kyle’s fire department was at the scene and reported no injuries.

above water for a few seconds,” Bratton said.

Without hesitation, Bratton, who quickly realized the severity of the situation, immedi-

ately climbed down an embankment and leapt into Onion Creek to retrieve the boy. Within ten seconds, Bratton grabbed the boy out of

the water and got him back on land. He and his friends then went and found the parents, who thanked them for the rescue.

Saved From Drowning Continued from pg. 1

boy grabbed the rope and swung into Onion Creek.

Bratton wasn’t initially sure if the boy could swim when he splashed

in; it didn’t take long for Bratton to get his answer.

“I could kind of tell (he couldn’t swim) because he only stayed

www.AustinENT.com Comprehensive ENT Care for All Ages

Hearing Aid Services & Sales

Ear & Hearing

Hearing Aid Services

Hearing & Balance Evaluation Chronic Ear Infections Dizziness & Vertigo Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) Ruptured Ear Drum

Thyroid & Parathyroid

Ultrasound & Needle Biopsy Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery

Allergy

Comprehensive Allergy Testing Allergy Shots & Drops

KYLE

Children’s ENT

Ear Tube Placement Tonsil & Adenoid Surgery Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery

Nose & Sinus

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery In-office Balloon Sinuplasty

Diagnostic Hearing Tests

Comprehensive Hearing Exams Immittance Testing OAE, VNG and VRA Testing Brian Schwab, M.D.

Throat, Head & Neck

Sleep Apnea Hoarseness/Vocal Cord Dysfunction

TWO LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA

1180 Seton Parkway Suite 420 Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-5282

Hearing Aid Sales, Programming Fittings, Cleanings & Repairs Earmolds & Custom Ear Plugs Hearing Protection

Mark Dammert, M.D.

Michael Yium, M.D.

LOCKHART

1005 W. San Antonio #A Lockhart, TX 78644 (512) 444-7944

Amber Bass, Au.D.

Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” –Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

Page 3

A fresh gesture of concern

O

BY DICK POLMAN

h swell. The Republican Senate’s so-called “moderates,” who combine big talk with little action and fuse noble rhetoric with hapless inertia, appear to be readying themselves for another year of deeming certain Trump desecrations as “unhelpful” or “unwise.”

One member of this club – which I call the Fellowship of the Furrowed Brow – spoke up earlier this week. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she’s “disturbed” that Mitch McConnell is colluding backstage with the legal team of defendant Donald Trump in advance of his Impeachment trial in the Senate.

Mainstream media outlets think this is big news.

According to the New York Times, it’s “a potentially significant crack in Republican unity.” We’ll see. To me, it sounds like the Furrowed Brow Fellowship’s standard sponginess, the kind we’ve been getting for the past three years from Murkowski and Republican Senate colleagues like Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Ben Sasse, Rob Portman, and Lamar Alexander.

First they mouth honeyed words, then (far more often than not) they vote with Trump and abet his abuses.

It’s nice that Murkowski is “disturbed” that McConnell has “confused” the trial process. But it would truly serve the public interest if she and her furrowed-brow brethren denounced McConnell’s goal of granting Trump a speedy exoneration.

Under Senate rules, 51 senators (all 47 caucusing Democrats and a mere 4 Republicans) can set the terms of that trial.

That’s what conservative Trump critics would love to see. Bill Kristol, the longtime conservative commentator and activist, co-writing with a University of Texas academic in a right-leaning online magazine, deftly frames the issue: “If a bipartisan group of public-spirited constitutionalists on both sides of the aisle come together, they can tell McConnell that he will only get 51 votes…if he works with them to fashion a fair process that allows for crucial documents to be compelled to be produced, and a reasonable number of witnesses to be called….The only way to get to that outcome is if some Senate Republicans refuse to lower themselves to be the mere agents of an unprincipled and partisan leader and instead rise to the demands of principle and statesmanship.”

“Some Senate Republicans…” He’s referring to the Fellowship of the Furrowed Brow – which, Murkowski aside, has said very little about McConnell’s determination to rig the game for Trump. Are they terrified that Trump will tweet at them? Are they scared of the grassroots Trumpists back home? Or is it basically because their “moderate” image is overblown, given the fact that as senators they vote their party the vast majority of the time?

I’ll go with door number three. A recent vote serves as the perfect metaphor.

Back in October McConnell nominated, for a federal judgeship, a 37-year-old right-winger who’d been rated “unqualified” by the nonpartisan American Bar Association. In the ABA’s words, Justin Walker “does not presently have the requisite trial or litigation experience (and) has never tried a case as lead or co-counsel, whether civil or criminal.”

No matter. Every member of the Furrowed Brow Fellowship – Murkowski, Romney, Sasse, Collins – voted to put Walker on the federal bench. Just as they’ve consistently abetted Trump’s far-right takeover of the bench.

Sasse, in particular, has been verbally upset with Trump for a long time, but he has voted with Trump 86 percent of the time and voted (along with Collins and then-Furrowed Browist Jeff Flake) to put accused sexual assaulter Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court.

One would think that confronting McConnell on the impeachment trial rules, and demanding witness testimony, would be easy calls. Those are popular positions. According to the latest Morning Consult/Politico poll, Americans – by a margin of 54 to 27 percent – want the Senate to bring in additional witnesses. Independents are on board, 51 to 27 percent. Even a plurality of Republicans are on board, 43 to 38 percent. Numbers like that have apparently inspired Murkowski to deem herself “disturbed” by the prospect of a rigged exoneration.

Yes, only four Republicans are needed to ensure a real trial. But that would require them to act, so what we’re more likely to hear are various synonyms of “disturbed.” Keep your ear cocked for these potential Furrowed Brow adjectives: Concerned.

Troubled.

Puzzled.

Perturbed.

Disconcerted.

Unsettled.

Worried.

Is there room on that list for infuriated or outraged? Not on their watch.

Dick Polman is a veteran national political columnist based in Philadelphia and a Writer in Residence at the University of Pennsylvania. dickpolman7@gmail.com

Hays Free Press Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton News Editor Anita Miller Sports Editor Moses Leos III

Have you lived – really lived – the 2010s?

D

o I owe someone an apology for not taking a more active role in the iconic cultural, technological and political developments of the 2010s?

I had good intentions of being a full participant in the decade; but other things kept coming up, and suddenly the 2010s are about to pass the torch to this century’s version of “The Roaring Twenties.”

Where has the time gone? (As the Romans said, “Tempus fugits – but not aboard a Boeing 737 Max, if it can help it!”)

It seems like only yesterday that a boss could playfully slap a subordinate on the buttocks and send her to try FLAGGING DOWN a cab so they could take a leisurely lunchtime tour of Confederate monuments. (“Oh, and let’s buy a new office dictionary while we’re out. This one has way more pronouns than we’ll ever need.”)

It seems like only yesterday that society got its lectures from old guys such as Al Gore and John McCain. Now we

Guest Column

by Danny Tyree

have a cottage industry of TEENAGERS lecturing us on gun control, climate change, menopause, Early Bird Specials, hip replacements, varicose veins, Lawrence Welk, etc.

It seems like only yesterday that “taking a knee” was fossil-hunter lingo and a “trigger warning” was something Ralphie’s father gave him in “A Christmas Story.”

It seems like only yesterday that TV was plugging along with its traditional level of unoriginality – blissfully unaware of the tidal wave of reboots, remakes and sequels that was coming. I understand that an updated 10-hour miniseries of Thomas Edison’s five-second 1894 silent movie “Fred Ott’s Sneeze” is in the works. (“Research & Development says, just be sure one of the nostrils is Asian and the other is Hispanic.”)

It seems like only yesterday that journalists were in a less defensive mode. (“According to multiple insider sources, Donald Trump conspired with Napoleon Bonaparte and Tsar Nicholas to invent the myth of ‘fake news.’”)

It seems like only yesterday that no one was proposing funeral homes be equipped with stationary bikes and Pilates mats in case the deceased IDENTIFIED as still living.

I can’t name a single significant 2010s trend in fashion, architecture or art. I got so wrapped up in daily survival that I never got around to using blockchain, occupying Wall Street, trolling strangers on social media, playing Fortnite, initiating a hashtag, binge-watching anything, listening to Bruno Mars or post-country Taylor Swift, watching the antics of Honey Boo Boo, taking sides in the NFL’S Tom Brady “deflategate” controversy or having anything to do with “50 Shades of Grey” (including whatever that gluten-free blob in

Twas the Day after Christmas … ’Twas the day after Christmas, and all through this house, Pine needles were scattered like poop from a mouse.

My stocking was flung upon my La-Z-Boy chair, I was hoping more Hershey Kisses were still in there.

Our children were back home, grandkids playing with new toys, Me watching ESPN, fussin’ about the Dallas Cowboys.

Maw’s in her she-shed, and me unscrewing the cap Off a bottle of whiskey, then I’d take my nap.

When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter, I sprung out of my chair and Jim Beam made a splatter.

Away to the window, I sped like the Flash!

My left knee buckled and into the tree I did crash.

The setting sun on unraked leaves and dead grass Gave a luster of midday through dust-covered glass.

When what did my wondering, blood-shot eyes see, But a mess of feral hogs rootin’ beneath an oak tree.

And Maw out of her shed. Dang, that gal can run.

Yelling “The hogs are back. Grab your gun!”

More rapid than a sloth on a dose of Prozac, I lifted my rifle out from the gun rack.

As I rushed outside, I whispered their names, None I can print here. For shame, shame.

Ow! Sticker. Ow! Splinter. Ow! Pebbles and rocks.

I forgot my boots. I’m just wearing socks.

Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com

Reporters Camelia Juarez Columnists Bartee Haile, Chris Winslow, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts

Proofreaders Jane Kirkham Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialists James Darby

the back corner of the refrigerator is).

But I’m sure my theoretical grandchildren will someday take it for granted that I did all those things, while hobnobbing with Elon Musk. Just like youngsters now think Ike Eisenhower sent the National Guard to make sure every single American used a coonskin cap and a Hula Hoop.

I have tried keeping a sense of humor, which I am assured is a bad thing. (“Inscriptions show that the ancient Mesopotamians engaged in “Yo’ momma is so idolatrous…” jokes.

Therefore, humor is cultural appropriation and….”)

Yes, the 2010s have been a little unnerving for someone who came of age in the 70s. I keep juxtaposing the eras and suffer nightmares about Evel Knievel sustaining critical injuries while trying to jump a MAN BUN with his motorcycle!

Danny Tyree welcomes email responses at tyreetyrades@aol.com and visits to his Facebook fan page “Tyree’s Tyrades.”

Crow’s Nest

by Clint Younts

To the bottom of my porch, behind a stack of logs, Now blast away! Blast away! Blast those dang hogs!

Like dried leaves during an October twister, Those sows scattered, leaving behind their sister.

Out of my yard, those pigs sprang, From my rifle, ear-piercing shots rang.

And then in a twinkling, I heard just beyond the bluff, The pawing and prancing of each little hoof.

As I turned my head and spun around, I quickly chambered another round.

He was caked in mud, from his head to his curly tail, A huge wild boar, straight from the bowels of hell.

His tusks were sharp, his snout was really long.

And I had a notion to send him back t’where he belonged.

I took a deep breath, praying my aim’s true.

In an instant, that hog became buzzard stew.

I spoke not a word, but texted the husband of my daughter.

Said, “You should see the hog I just shot. You really oughta”.

As my phone buzzed and it’s inbox chimed, Giving a nod, up my porch steps I climbed.

Back to my recliner, I needed to wet my whistle.

To ward off the rigors, I filled that crystal, And emailed my neighbors that the hogs have all left, And not to call me ‘cause all that shootin’ has left me deaf.

113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Production Manager David White Production Assistants Elizabeth Garcia, Michelle Zimmerhanzel

Office Manager Verna Wommack Circulation/Classifieds David White, Verna Wommack Distribution Kimberlee Griffon

NEWS

Page 4

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

TOP SPORTS MOMENTS IN 2019

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Joyful noise was aplenty when Hays Rebel catcher Annaliese Rodriguez (left) and Brianna Rodriguez (right) celebrate with teammate Katie Noble (13) after she belted a home run in Game 2 of the team’s best-of-3 series against San Antonio Holmes in April. The Hays High softball team completed a successful 2019 campaign by winning the 25-6A district crown and finishing as regional quarterfinalists.

PHOTO BY JAMES NIÑO

Lehman Lobo guard Cameron Jones (10) leaps toward the bucket while also trying to avoid contact with an Austin High defender during a play-in game at Hays High in February 2019.

Despite falling a game short of reaching the playoffs, Lehman High’s boys basketball team made history in 2019 by winning a school-record 16 games during the regular season and finished with a program-best 7-9 mark in district play.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Johnson Jaguar Cross Country took 11th place at inaugural state run. Runners (L-R) Cameron Roberts, Lucille Lunsford, Andrea Camarillo, Jenica McMahon, Kyra Gaddy, Abby Louk, Emily Polk are joined by managers and head coach Ashley Laughlin for a team photo after running in the UIL 4A girls cross country championships.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Lehman Lobo senior Luis Rangel (left) bear hugs a teammate after the team secured the 25-6A district crown following a road win over Akins in mid-March.

HAVING VISION PROBLEMS? IT COULD BE CATARACTS

SPECIALIZING IN:

• Cataract Surgery • Premium IOL Implants • Lasik Surgery • Glaucoma - Medical and Surgical • Macular Degeneration

Schedule your visit today 512.443.9715 www.HowertonEye.com PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Central Texas Lobo Oscar Saavedra (left) fights with a Cajun FC player for the ball during a late May match at Shelton Stadium. The 2019 campaign was the final season for the Central Texas Lobos in Hays County. Next season, the Lobos will play at a new complex in south Austin.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Lehman Lobo Zach Hickey (6) redirects a corner kick toward the goal late in the first half of their game against the Hays Rebels at Shelton Stadium. Hickey and the Lobo boys soccer team made history in 2019 by securing Lehman High’s first UIL team sport district championship this past spring.

Lehman finished as bidistrict finalists.

Kyle Office 5401 FM 1626, Ste 365 Kyle, TX 78640 Austin Office 2610 S IH-35 Austin, TX 78704

Three locations to serve you Southwest Austin Office 5625 Eiger Rd, Ste 100 Austin, TX 78735

It won’t cost you the shirt off your back, but it may cost you about the same as a shirt.

Hays 2

$4

Buy a subscription to the Free Press for only $42 a year.

Call 512-268-7862 or email paper@haysfreepress.com

HaysFreePress.com

www.

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

Page 5

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Lehman High sophomore Nikayla Fitzgerald plunges into the long jump pit at the 2019 Texas Relays held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin in late March. Fitzgerald was one of a handful of athletes who advanced to compete at the UIL State Track and Field Meet in May.

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays Rebel catcher Jack Otto (right) races down the third base line to tag a hapless Westlake Chaparral baserunner caught in a rundown in April. The win helped catapult the Rebel baseball team into the postseason where they finished as area finalists in 2019.

Hays High wide receiver Bryant Lewis hangs onto the ball while falling into the end zone for a touchdown pass from Rebel quarterback Durand Hill in the fourth quarter of their September tilt with Dripping Springs. The Hays Rebel football team was playoff bound once again in 2019, completing the season with an 8-3 overall mark that included seven straight wins to start the year.

• Locally owned and serving the community for 13 years • Board certified pediatric dentists • Treat kids 6 months to 18 years old • Saturday appointments

512-504-3637

1180 Seton Pkwy, Ste 425 Located in the Seton Hays Medical Office Building

Debbie Thames Insurance Agency

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BOAT • HEALTH

Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm 251 N. FM 1626 #2C, Buda, TX 78610 Office: (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 dvthames@austin.rr.com

PHOTO BY ALBERT SANCHEZ

Hays Rebel high jumper Michael Boudin focuses on completing an attempt at the 2019 Tiger Relays in Dripping Springs.

Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated

Otis is a male, 5-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog. His favorite activities include romping around the play yards with his girlfriend Daffodil, rolling on his back in the sun, sliding on his stomach down grassy hills, working on food puzzles and dreaming of his very own fur-ever home.

Pippa is a female, 5 ½-year-old White and Black.

She enjoys her human subjects much more than she does their feline counterparts. In fact, if she had it her way, her kingdom would consist only of humans. Think you’ve got what it takes to charm this regimented Royal? You can find her at the PAWS in Dripping Springs!

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas

is a non-profit, no-kill shelter operated primarily on donations and adoptions.

500 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX • 512 268-1611 • pawsshelter.org

All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.

sponsored by

Town & CounTry VeTerinary HospiTal Committed to your pet’s health since 1978

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays Rebel senior guard Lily Guevara (right) drives toward the baseline with a Smithson Valley Ranger closely defending.

Bill Selman, DVM • Kayley Goldsmith, DVM • Ben Fox, DVM 6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747 Give us a call at 512-385-0486

NEWS

Page 6

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

TOP MOMENTS IN EDUCATION

Hays CISD opens its fourth high school

PHOTO BY JIM CULLEN

In early June, members of the inaugural freshman class at Moe & Gene Johnson High got to get their first look at the new campus. The students, members of the Class of 2022, were the first group to attend the school when it opened in August.

Buda alumni celebrate final year at historic campus

BY MOSES LEOS III

Buda High alumnus Billy Lancaster shows off his letterman jacket.

which back then closely mirrored Mayberry from the “Andy Griffith Show.” It was a time when Brewington and his friends regularly biked to Onion Creek to hunt frogs without worry.

“If someone in Buda today saw six or eight boys with rifles across their handlebars, every law officer in the county would have been called,” Brewington said.

Legacy Day also was a chance for alumni and educators who attended Buda Elementary well after consolidation to reconnect, too.

Longtime Buda resident Heather Goll, a 2007 Hays High graduate, got the chance to meet with Peggy Ferguson, her 3rd grade teacher and a 25-year educator at Hays CISD schools.

It was a special moment for Ferguson, who left the Buda area roughly four years ago.

“I don’t get to see these people too often. That’s why today was really important

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III Former Buda Elementary Lower Campus educator Peggy Ferguson (left) poses for a selfie with former student Heather Goll.

to me,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson, who taught at the lower campus for roughly a decade, said many alumni, especially those whose families have gone to the campus for generations, used Legacy Day as a way to show the younger generation what their grandparents or great-grandparents did in their youth.

Nolan Kunkel, who served as Buda Elementary principal for more than 20 years, called Legacy

Day “something like an old homecoming.” It also brought back memories of an environment that was much simpler and without the worries of issues at larger districts.

As Hays CISD transitions to a new Buda Elementary campus, most alumni welcomed the new facility, citing a need to match the area’s growth. Some have some reservations about it.

All had a bittersweet feeling as Buda turned a page on a piece of its history.

Bingo

Sundays at 2 p.m.

Great Fun Great Food $100 Minimum Game Prize $500 Progressive Jackpot

Santa Cruz Catholic Church,

“For someone that worked here as long as I did, you have a lot of memories, but you hate to see it happen,” Kunkel said. “You’d like to think this old school will always be here and part of it will be.”

ENTERTAINMENT

3200 Kyle Crossing (512) 523 9012 Experience it in

EVX

ENHANCED VIEWING EXPERIENCE

For all showtimes and listings, please check our website or call showline!

THE

to graduate at what had been the all-white Buda From the moment he set schools, said it was “amazfoot in the Kunkel Room at ing” to see the turnout at Buda Elementary Upper the event. It also brought Campus Saturday, Billy back memories of how Lancaster’s mind instantly small the school system was traveled to days gone by. at the time.

Where today is a carpetFrom 1951-52 to 1952-53, ed meeting area, back in the Buda High graduated 26 day it was once an auditototal students; what is today rium that played host to a Buda Elementary Upper variety of old Buda High Campus housed all 12 Buda traditions and assemblies. It ISD grade levels. Annette was, in fact, the place where Rodriguez said for many Lancaster received his letalumni who have lived in terman’s jacket for exploits the area for years, Legacy on the football field.

Day wasn’t a “comeback, Nearly six decades later, just a come over.”

Lancaster, a 1960 Buda High “We’ve seen quite a few graduate, proudly wore that old friends we haven’t seen maroon jacket symbolizin years and years and we ing small-town life in rural talk about old memories Texas. and the things we won’t “This was a fun place let anyone know about,” to be. I wouldn’t trade Annette Rodriguez said. anything for the time I A tour of the historic had here,” Lancaster said. campus stirred memories “Growing up here was for Mike Brewington, who great.” attended Buda schools until Similar memories, and consolidation happened much more, were shared right as he was about to during Legacy Day, an event enter high school. Brewingcelebrating the historic ton remembered many of Buda High and Elementary the physical landmarks and building in its final year of how it related to his time operation. Next year, Hays there.

CISD plans to move Buda That included running, Elementary to a new locathen hopping, the 99 steps tion on Old San Antonio leading to the old football Road. field below the upper camThe event drew in hunpus in full uniform during dreds of alumni, including his junior high football many who attended Buda playing days. schools prior to consolidaBrewington recalled the tion in 1967. controversy surrounding Onesimo “Tete” and Anconsolidation, but felt it was nette Rodriguez, who grad- an issue that the “old timuated from Buda High in ers” in Buda and Kyle had, 1952 and 1953 respectively, as opposed to students. celebrated the countless “It wasn’t that they hated memories they made at the each other, but they dang old campus. Tete Rodriguez, sure didn’t like each other,” a high school football star Brewington said. and the first Latino student A key change was Buda,

SPOT

1180 Thorpe Lane (512) 210 8600 Cinema Eatery & Social Haus

$5 Tuesday Frenzy

Parish Activity Center

1250 WONDER WORLD DR.

Texas Bingo License No. 17424803181

EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.

1100 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610

(512) 805 8005

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

Page 7

OBITUARY LEMING Samuel Walter Leming, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend died on Dec. 19, 2019.

He was born on May 7, 1936, to Samuel Hubert and Leona Inez Barnard Leming in Austin.

His education included the Pflugerville, Austin, and Manor schools in Texas and he was a graduate of Manor High School in 1954.

After high school, he was employed with Moyer's Grocery Company of Austin.

He was later employed with the H.E.B. Grocery Company as a meat cutter and market manager where he retired after 35 years of service. His years of service with H.E.B. were spent in Austin, Del Rio, Harlingen, and again in Austin where he was recognized for outstanding achievement and excellence in new H.E.B. store openings.

On July 18, 1959, he married the love of his life, Mary Gail Cowan, at a home wedding in in the home of Laura and Albert Cowan at Topsey, Texas. Two children were born to this union – Walter Mark Leming and Linda Gail Leming Hunt.

He accepted Christ as his Savior at the Crestview Baptist Church of Austin.

Leming loved his country and proudly served nine years in the Texas National Guard of the 49th Armored Division. In 1962, he was called into active duty with the United States Army at Fort Polk, Louisiana and served as Staff Sergeant.

While at Fort Polk, he was one of 16 men who were awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in the 249th Quartermaster Battalion of the 49th Armored Division.

Leming was a member of the Manchaca Baptist Church and a member of

PHOTOS BY JAMES NIÑO

Going Green for Jake In support of Jake Jackson, a Hays High School student and athlete who was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2019, teammates all wore green wristbands at the Sept. 21 game against Anderson and joining the team were the cheerleading squad, band, drill team and the Hays fanbase, who wore green with shirts that read “All in for Jake.” Green is Jake’s favorite color. Right, Hays head coach presents Jake Jackson with a football autographed by the team following the 35-13 victory over Anderson.

Lehman sub fired, arrested after hitting student

BY ANITA MILLER

The attention of the nation turned to Kylein November in the wake of an alleged assault by a substitute teacher that sent a 16-year-old special needs student to the hospital.

Tiffani Lankford, 32, who was substituting in a Spanish class at Lehman High School on Friday, Nov. 8, was fired by the Hays CISD later that day and arrested before she could leave the premises.

She was charged with aggravated assault with

a deadly weapon, a second degree felony, and jailed under a $10,000 personal recogLANKFORD nizance bond.

The student was taken to the hospital by her father for evaluation, and was said by her family’s attorney to have suffered “severe” injuries including traumatic brain injury and acute post-traumatic

Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615

Debbie Thames, Agent

251 N. FM 1626, Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda, Texas 78610 312-1917

BUDA

DRUG STORE

203 Railroad Street Downtown Buda Pharmacy 312-2111 Fountain 312-2172

anxiety. The assault, as captured in the classroom by cell phone video, showed the student seated at her desk with her back to the wall as Lankford punched her several times, threw her to the ground and then appeared to stomp on her head. Lt. Dennis Gutierrez of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said that Lankford’s use of her foot likely constituted a “deadly weapon.”

Lankford, a resident of San Marcos had no prior criminal history in Hays County.

Come worship with us ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

CHURCH OF CHRIST

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770

Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle

BAPTIST First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626

Your Hometown McDonald’s

McDonald’s of Buda 15359 IH-35, Ste. B • P.O. Box 1364, Buda, TX 78610

512-312-2383

Locally owned and operated by Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson

Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

Texas Crossword Solution

Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.

St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland CHRISTIAN

Santa Cruz Catholic Church

1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. David Leibham, Pastor • Rev. Amado Ramos, Assoc. Pastor CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 8:30 a.m. (Spanish), 11 a.m. (English) 5 p.m. (English)

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda EPISCOPAL St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland The Well Buda

CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Texas Crossword, from page 8

the H.E.B. Retirees Club.

He was an avid gardener and after his retirement, he and his wife, Mary Gail, began to grow and sell vegetables at local farmers' markets.

Leming and Mary Gail enjoyed history and traveled to places of historical interest. Due to his career as a market manager, he developed many culinary skills and cooked and served various meat entrees for his family, guests and family reunions through the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a niece, Melissa Leming, a nephew, Lesley Cowan, sister-in-law Eugenia Cowan, brothers-in-law Kendall, Gene, Noel, Paul and Jan Dale Cowan, Tommy Gwan and sonin-law William B. Hunt.

To cherish his memory, he leaves behind his wife, Mary Gail, of 60 years; children: son, Walter Mark Leming of Bastrop, daughter, Linda Gail Hunt of Argyle, Texas; two grandchildren: Trevor Wayne Hunt of The Colony, Texas, Dustin Grant Hunt of Argyle, Texas, greatgranddaughter, Emmy Grace Hunt, brother, Patrick Leming and wife, Gaynell of Mont

METHODIST Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor

TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

Like us on Facebook

Hays Free Press

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities

Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

Pure Texas

New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)

Spring Water!

Vertical Chapel 5700 Dacy Lane (McCormick M.S.), Buda A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

Sudoku Solution

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd. PRESBYTERIAN St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca

Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle

Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666

*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m.

Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m.

*Informal Worship (Worship Center)-11 a.m.

Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m.

Rev. Lisa Straus Office 295-6981 • www.BudaUMC.org

FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE

Call 1-866-691-2369

Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

Elm Street & San Marcos

Privately owned From local springs

Friendly, Courteous Service

Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

Buda United Methodist Church

Belview, Texas, sister, Patsy June Bennett and husband, Roy of Dayton, Texas, sisterin-law, Linda Cowan of Briggs, Texas, sister-inlaw Pansy Hughes of Roanoke, Texas, Bonnie Schoonover of Bryan, and many nieces, nephews and cousins that he dearly loved.

Leming was a quiet man with deep thoughts and will be remembered for the many ways that he showed deep love for his wife, children, grandchildren, greatgrandchild, and for a loving extended family and friends.

The family wishes to thank Pastor Jason White and the members of Manchaca Baptist Church, the doctors and nurses at South Austin Hospital and Legend Oaks Rehabilitation at Kyle, Texas, and many neighbors and friends for their many expressions of love and care.

Funeral services were Monday, Dec. 23 at Manchaca Baptist Church Interment was at Live Oak Cemetery in Manchaca.

Go to www.

HarrellFuneralHomes. com to share a fond memory , photo or condolence with Samuel’s family.

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 8

First Baptist Church

Hays Hills

A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161

Baptist Church

Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service

Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m.

Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school

Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m.

AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

Nursery Provided www.firstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com

NEWS

Page 8

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

TOP MOMENTS IN COMMUNITY World of color

Buda woman uses home for self expression

BY MOSES LEOS III When she first stepped foot in her new home on Towhee Drive in Buda 18 years ago, Missy Stephenson didn’t just see a single-story ranch-style residence.

She saw a fresh canvas.

Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, Stephenson fulfilled the desire to paint her world as she saw fit. A world that called for pastel colors, stripes, polka dots in the interior and various matching accoutrements that all expressed the joy she feels in her heart on a daily basis.

“All the people who have come to see my home, they’ve had many wonderful comments,” Stephenson said. “Many say they can feel the joy and the love. They say it’s amazing as busy as it is, but it goes.”

So when Missy and her husband opted to

downsize and put their house on the market several months ago, they had hoped to find someone who would equally appreciate the home’s interior.

What they didn’t expect was how their little home in Leisurewoods became an overnight viral sensation. Their listing on Redfin.com had generated more than 1.7 million views in May. Amid the notoriety, both Stephenson and her husband hope to find the right person who might PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III keep the joy that’s lasted Missy Stephenson’s ecclectic home stylings in the Leisurewoods subdivision of Buda, have gone viral on Redfin.com with for nearly two decades. more than 1.7 million views as of May 21. See full story at www.haysfreepress.com.

“You know, my home isn’t going to be for While they have received owned the land back in everybody. But it’s going to That includes having to While in a perfect world the 1800s. Some have be for somebody out there deal with those who might offers from prospective Stephenson finds the right disagree with Stephenson’s clients, they’ve also seen suggested Stephenson turn match for the house, she that’s different like me,” style. Neither have read, or those who wish to check her home into a museum.

Stephenson said. “I’m not also understands her labor “I’m not always sure if the only different person in care about, reviews posted out the uniqueness of the of love might not last, about their home. residence. they’re coming to see the the world.” either.

Recent weeks have That includes a burial home or they’re coming to Generating as much “At that point, it’s their also led to an influx of ground for former rancher see the art,” Stephenson internet interest in house. Once they buy it, I people calling and asking George Daniels, his wife said. “I don’t care. Either their listing was a new have no say,” Stephenson to check out their home. and two sons, who once way is fine with me.” experience for the couple. said.

Kyle child gets his hearing restored

BY ANITA MILLER

It was supposed to be a routine checkup for fiveyear-old Thomas Curtis of Kyle, who was about to start kindergarten. But what his family was told was devastating – that Travis was fine except for nearly total hearing loss that, in the words of his grandfather Thomas Gunn, “probably couldn’t be fixed with a hearing aid.”

“We just assumed his lack of attention when being talked to by teachers and family was a normal five-year-old’s rebuke of authority,” Gunn said.

Further testing revealed Thomas’ inner ear was working perfectly, but his hearing was blocked, possibly by fluids. That diagnosis prompted the family to pray and for Thomas’ Dad, Allen, to even take

time off work in order to be more closely involved in his son’s treatment and healing.

“Anesthetics and surgery, especially for a five-year-old, has risk and is somewhat terrifying for family,” Gunn said. The surgery was performed at the Hays Surgery Center on Sept. 6.

“Surrounded by prayer and love of the family, including Thomas’ brother from San Antonio and an aunt all the way from Chicago, Thomas arrived into post-op hugging Pablo, his favorite stuffed bear,” he continued.

As Thomas came out from under the influence of the anesthetics, he was peppered with questions.

“Can you hear?” “How does it feel to hear?”

Everyone held their breath, Gunn said, as Thomas gave no immedi-

Buda artist turns personal need into profitable sideline

ate answer. Finally, he put both hands over his ears and responded, “It’s too loud!”

“Maybe it’s just an act of medical technology, or maybe not,” the boy’s

grandfather said. “The Curtis family certainly believes the 100 percent restoration of this happy child’s hearing was performed by a higher authority.”

Texas Crossword and Sudoku sponsored by

Texas Lehigh Cement Co., LP

Sudoku

See Solution on 7

BY DALE ROBERSON

fields lived in Jonestown on a lakefront property.

What would entice a He needed a gate for his person to build an 11’ property and found that aluminum horse? decorative gates like the An automobile logo. one he wanted were very Rex Butterfield expensive. built the horse “I said I can in his Buda shop build one myself,” as homage to he said. his favorite car, So he designed Ferrari. Butterfield and built an and his wife drive impressive gate the iconic Italian for his property. car and are longSoon it caught the time members of notice of some the Austin Ferrari neighbors who BUTTERFIELD inquired where Club.

The club holds he got it. That a party every Friday eveled to him designing and ning prior to the annual building gates. In spite of Formula 1 race at Circuit a battle with cancer, he of the Americas (COTA) continued to build them. near Elroy. Butterfield After moving to Buda modified a trailer and about five years ago he took the horse to the most got commissions to build recent party. gates in Ruby Ranch A self-taught artist, where he fabricated seven Butterfield designs his for one property owner. work on a large table in That led to other commishis shop. sions.

“I can’t draw anything But Butterfield’s intersmall,” he said. “I lay it est in cars never waned. out on a table like this,” He purchased a Maserati motioning to the steelsedan, removed the body top about 10’ X 20’ in the from its chassis, cut it center of the shop. in half and shortened it.

He began his career in The purpose is to build a the automobile business replica of a sports car of as owner of a body shop.

At that time the ButterFERRARI ARTIST, 9

The family of Thomas Curtis, who was about to start kindergarten this year, thought he had an attention problem, but found out that he had 90% hearing loss, which has since been corrected with surgery.

See Solution on 7

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

Page 9

Cell Dogs

Continued from pg. 1 program, Windsor and his “cellie” trained Buck to leave his emotional shell and prepare for life in a new home. Windsor showcased those skills by getting Buck to follow a series of commands during a Feb. 5 graduation ceremony For offenders in the Cell Dog program, getting to work with their four-legged friends offers more than a glimpse of life outside the prison

walls. It also helps them learn the soft skills needed when they return to society.

Dori Naiver, a resident trainer with the program and a dog trainer for over 40 years, said the Feb. 5 ceremony was the second set of dogs that graduated through the program, which has been operating for roughly five years.

Cell Dogs, which lasts about eight to 10 weeks,

allows PAWS to introduce 10 shelter dogs to 20 offenders. Dogs in the program are trained by the offenders, who team up to interact and care for the dog during that time frame.

Naiver said some of the dogs will have forever homes once they graduate. Several of the dogs are ideal candidates to become either therapy or service dogs in the future.

Kinder Morgan

Ferrari Artist

Continued from pg. 1

vided more fuel for opponents fighting to keep the project from going through the Hill Country.

Those arguments and much more were brought to the forefront in a public meeting held at Hays High March 6.

Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said adding roadblocks to Kinder Morgan’s path could force the company to seek another route.

Also, in March, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District held a public discussion to see how Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) could affect groundwater sources.

In May, roughly a week after multiple parties filed suit against Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP), the Houston-based firm fought back by filing a motion to dismiss the claims, according to a press release.

The filing, submitted May 7, asked the judge in charge of the case for a summary judgement based on “ample reasons” for dismissal, according to Kinder Morgan officials. It is

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

After Buda resident Rex Butterfield designed a gate for his property, friends and neighbors came to him wanting something similar.

The settlement offer, which was detailed by attorney Bill Christian, requires that the city and Kinder Morgan would enter into a right-ofway agreement stating that the city would not be subject to additional delay costs in excess of what is allowed by statute. Also, the city would issue Kinder Morgan a road crossing permit. unknown at this time if a decision on the motion has been made.

A Travis County District Judge dismissed litigation aimed at halting the pipeline in mid-June.

On July 21, Kinder Morgan filed a lawsuit against the city of Kyle stemming from Kyle’s pipeline safety ordinance that was approved by its city council in May. Among other contingencies, the new rules would require the PHP to be buried some 15 feet underground in some areas.

In mid-September, in a special called meeting, the city of Kyle unanimously approved an offer to settle pending

litigation with Kinder Morgan.

Under terms of the deal, the city exempted the energy giant from its new pipeline ordinance in exchange for two cash payments totaling $2.7 million.

The settlement offer, which was detailed by attorney Bill Christian, requires that the city and Kinder Morgan would enter into a right-of-way agreement stating that the city would not be subject to additional delay costs in excess of what is allowed by statute. Also, the city would issue Kinder Morgan a road crossing permit.

Construction on the pipeline began in Blanco County in October.

Continued from pg. 8 which only about four are known. At least three are in museums, he said.

The body of the Maserati body would have to be fashioned in aluminum.

“I buy aluminum from a local (Austin) company,” he said but noted recent tariffs have made it more expensive.

So how did this lead to the horse?

Although Butterfield has procured some special machines to form aluminum, mistakes on the car body parts were made. Those mistakes became material for the Ferrari statue. The head alone took two months to get right.

On a trip to Italy the Butterfields met a producer of a TV program called “Off the Grid” in which F1 drivers are featured in situations not pertaining to racing. She said she was planning a program prior to the COTA race and needed some horses.

“I didn’t know anything about horses,” Butterfield said, “But I said I’d help.”

Back in Texas he contacted a friend who had horses. They shot the program with the horses

and an F1 driver in Zilker Park.

As a result, the producer got the Butterfields paddock passes to the recent race. Paddock passes give the bearer admittance to almost all areas of the race track including contact with owners, mechanics and technical crew and most, important of all, the drivers.

Butterfield has a cap signed by seven F1 drivers including World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

“I was offered a good price for that cap, but I

wouldn’t take for it,” Butterfield said.

Ferraris and Maseratis are not the only vehicles he has an interest in. He also owns a 1991 Nissan “Figeroa,” of which only 20,000 were built, most remaining in Japan.

Butterfield, accompanied by his Great Dane Lexi, continue to work in his Buda shop.

The horse will soon have a place on a revolving pedestal in his yard where it will probably be seen as the largest wind vane in Hays County.

Classifieds

20 words for $8!

• Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 • Email paper@haysfreepress.com We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER

Hays Free Press

Page 10

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

Employment

IRS is HIRING

Public Notices

The Austin IRS is hiring over 2,100 3-8 month Seasonal and Temporary Positions

Tax Examiners, Data Entry Clerks and Clerical positions available All Applicants must be U.S. Citizens including Naturalized Citizens For more information and to apply online go to:

IRS.USAJOBS.gov or email WI.AUSTIN@IRS.gov The IRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Subscribe

Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $12 per hour for flexible 8 & 16 hr shift schedules.

Health/life/dental insurance after 60 days. Min. requirements: Must be 21 yrs old, HS/GED, clean TDL, clean criminal history, pre-employment TB skin test, and drug screen. Growing (20+ year old) non-profit organization. www.pegasusschool.net.

Call (512)432-1678 for further information.

Subscribe to the Hays Free Press for only $42 a year.

Call 512-268-7862, email paper@haysfreepress.com or visit us on our website, www.haysfreepress.com.

For all the latest news in Hays County, go to .com

TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

NOW HIRING CDL AND NON CDL DRIVERS

2002 Hyundai Elantra picked up from IH35, marker 212 after an accident. VIN KMHDN55D22U061675.

Can be picked up at Pete's Wrecker Service, 300 S. Front Street, Kyle, TX.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Buda Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at 6:30 PM at the in the Council Chambers at Buda City Hall, 405 E. Loop Street, Bldg.

100 Buda, TX 78610 to discuss the following item: Replat of Marlboro Country, Block A, Lot 18, City of Buda, Hays County, TX, addressed as 128 and 130 Hy Road, Buda, TX 78610.

At said time and place, all such persons shall have the right to appear and be heard. Of all said matters and things, all persons interested in the subject matter herein mentioned shall take notice.

Excellent Benefits: Paid Training, Paid Time off including holidays, Retirement, 10% Night Differential, Public Transportation Subsidy, Veteran’s Preference

DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS

NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE

GRANT SERVICE PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF GRANT ADMINISTRATOR SERVICES FOR WINDY HILL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT RICHMOND BRANCH “RFP NO. 2020-01-JE” The City of Kyle submitted an application to the Texas General Land Office under the 2015 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Fund to support infrastructure.

Accordingly, the City is seeking to contract with a qualified Grant Administrator or Service Provider (individual/firm) to assist with the administration,

environmental, right of way, and construction oversight of the contract for the Windy Hill Road Improvements at Richmond Branch.

Proposal specifications may be secured from the City website.

Please submit one (1) electronic copy (CD or flash drive) and four (4) complete bound copies of your proposal of services and cost for the proposed services to the office of Leon Barba, P.E., City Engineer, City Hall, 100 W. Center St., Kyle, Texas 78640. Proposals shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked: Request for Proposals for the Procurement of Grant Administrator Services Provider for Windy Hill Road Improvements at Richmond Branch “RFP No. 2020-01-JE” The City of Kyle will accept sealed proposals for Grant Administrative Services for the Windy Hill Road Improvements at Richmond Branch project until 10:00 A.M., January 15, in the City’s Engineering Department, located at City Hall at 100 W. Center Street, Kyle Texas. Proposals received after this time will not be considered.

Proposals will be acknowledged on January 16, 2020 at 8:00 A.M. Attendance is not required.

All interested persons are invited to attend the acknowledgement at City Hall, Falcon Room.

Section 3 Residents, Minority Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises are encouraged to submit proposals. The City of Kyle is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer.

No fax submissions will be accepted. No late submissions will be accepted. All submissions received after the deadline will be returned unopened.

CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS Leon Barba, P.E. City Engineer

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Morningstar Storage wishes to avail themselves of the Texas Provision of chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code by conducting a Public Sale to the highest bidder for cash on their premises.

This sale is listed below.

The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time.

Date: 01-13-2020 Time: 10:15 AM Location: Morningstar Storage, 1001 W. Goforth Rd., Buda, TX 78610 Units: Unit 2178 - Melissa Moncada - House hold goods Unit 3160 - Kimberly Jacox - Weed eater, clothes, personal items Unit 3173 - Laranda Compos - Table, box, vacuum

LEGAL NOTICE

An application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Package Store Permit (P) and a Beer Retail Dealer’s Off Premise License (BF) by Budz Vapes, LLC doing business as Buda Liquor to be located at 17020 S. IH-35, Suite A/B/D, Buda, Texas 78610. Owner: Nirmal Vaswani.

Texas State-Wide Advertising Network

Up to $4,000 Sign On Bonus

for experienced Residential and Site Service Drivers (restrictions apply)

• Competitive Pay and Benefits Paid Leave and Holidays • Weekly Pay • Local Driving Opportunities with Home Driving Time

512-329-1778 www.TexasDisposal.com/Careers For Sale COMPUTER FOR SALE

Macbook 12” laptop. Early 2016. 1.1 Ghz processor, 8 GB memory. Call Cyndy, 512.753.2700.

House For Rent HOME FOR RENT

Large home in country setting. Four BR, 2.5 bath, two living rooms,fire place, large office. Sits on 3/4 acre. Will be available in March 2020. $2,200/month. Small dogs (under 20 pounds) allowed with non-refundable deposit. Call for information. Cyndy.

512.753.2700.

For all the latest news in Buda, Kyle and surrounding communities, visit

.com

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

Page 11

Service Directory Air Conditioning

NEMEC HEATING & AIR CHRIS NEMEC

“Proudly Serving Central Texas”

Residential • Commercial • After Hours Available

Email: Chris@nemecheatingandair.com O. 512-312-9081 • C. 512-789-5132 Buda, Texas 78610 • TACLA 34861C

Automotive

AMM Collision Center

Computer Help

Now Open in Kyle

3/4 mi. north of Dairy Queen

Austin

Consulting Setup Training Backups Upgrades

Drippings Springs

21681 IH-35 11740 Manchaca Rd. 3990 Hwy 290

894-3888

262-1013 292-1060

Computer Systems Software Development Networking Technical Systems Maintenance

mike@haystech.com

Legal Services

WHO DOES YOUR LANDSCAPING/LAWN? Taking care of your yard so you can play!

Attorneys and Counselors At Law

LANDSCAPING AND LAWN SERVICE

• Flower Beds • Fencing • Sprinkler Systems • Patios • Mowing, Edging and Cleanup • Tree Trimming and Removal • Rock Gardens • Garden Boxes • Build Sheds • Leaf Raking

Call Jesse Reyna at 512-788-2180 or email apa6207@sbcglobal.net

130 Hall Professional Center, Kyle, TX 78640

512-268-6425

Pool Service The only call you need to make TICL #629

Component Selection Digital Photos System & Process Docs Website Maintenance CD/DVD Duplication

Want help selecting the best value?

Office systems not maintained?

Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless?

Lawn Care

Offering competitive pricing and superior service in the Manchaca, Buda, and Kyle area since 2010

APC

Automotive

Service Pros, LLC

Buda Automotive Full Service Car & Truck Repair

Air Conditioning • Heating • Electrical

601 S. Loop 4 • Buda

Service • Repair • Installation

512-295-2832

Call

512-410-7739

You know us... by our reputation!

www.APCServicePros.com TACLB015741E

Licensed and Insured

Major Credit Cards Accepted

TECL 24139

Handyman

Financial Planning Financial Planning

Reliable Handy Man Painting, Remodel & Home Repair, Flooring & Tile, Carpentry, Decks & Fences, Pressure Washing, Gutters, Cleaning & Repair, RV Repair

Professional Office Home and RV Service in north Hays Co.

3 Great Locations!

Kyle

Air Conditioning

BUSINESS LAW/ WILLS/TRUSTS/ PROBATE/FAMILY LAW/DIVORCE/ CUSTODY/ CONSUMER LAW/ DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT/ PROPERTY LAW/ LANDLORD-TENANT LAW/PERSONAL INJURY/DWI/ CRIMINAL DEFENSE/ DEBT/DEFENSE/ GENERAL CIVIL LITIGATION

Pool Service

G&S

Serving S. Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994.

Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE

Pool and Spa Service 512-326-4695

FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM

www.gspoolspa.com

512-965-3465

Zachary Barton

Zachary Barton 512-686-7589 512-686-7589

Get your honey-do list done right.

107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX

ReliableHandymanTX.com

107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX

20+ Years of Experience • Insured

Financial Planning• Insurance Planning Investment Planning Financial Planning• Insurance Planning Investment Planning

512-618-0482 • DHALL45@Yahoo.com

Plumbing

Newspaper For all the latest news in Hays County, go to

P

rince

.com

Subscribe to the Hays Free Press for only $42 a year.

Call 512-268-7862, email paper@haysfreepress.com or visit us on our website, www.haysfreepress.com.

Plumbing Company

• Residential Repair Specialist • Remodeling & Water Heaters • Sewer Cleaning & Replacements • Slab & Gas Leak Repair • BBB Member

312-0710

Serving Hays County since 1990 MC • Visa

Remodeling & Repairs

Roofing

Wild West Remodeling

Area Roofing

O Painting O Tile O Siding O Decks O Trim O Door & Window Replacement O Drywall Repair O Custom Cabinets O Patio Covers O Electrical & Plumbing

#M14369

• 40 yrs. Experience • Family Owned • Family Operated • Backflow Testing and Devices

Company Since 1991

O

Curtis Dorsett

Serving HayS County Residential & Commercial

• All types of roofing • Seamless rain gutters • Attic and wall blown insulation

• Free eStimateS • Insurance Claims Welcome

512-402-4704

Ron Johnson

“No Job Too Small or Too Big”

OWNER

(512) 312-5050 Member of the BBB

Septic Services

Septic Services

ALL AMERICAN WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS, LLC

SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

Locally serving our community since 1982.

(512)

312-0002

Septic Problems... LET US HELP!

www.ALLSEPTICCHECK.com

Septic Tank Pumping & Servicing

Tank Lid Replacements & Tank Refurbishing

Aerobic System Servicing

Septic Inspections & Consulting

Aerobic Licensed Maintenance Provider

Fully Licensed & Insured For Your Protection

Hydrojetting & Pump Replacements

Shoe Repair

• Boot Experts • Purse Repair • Belt Repair • Luggage Repair • Shoe Care Products

AustinShoeHospital.com locations in 1010Locations in Central Central Texas Texas including: including: 1911 Ben White and Manchaca Rd • 512-440-8788 Rockand Ave.Nutty RoundBrown Rock Rd - 512-244-9124 12119316 WRound Hwy 290 • 512-827-3398 306WSouth Park 6781 HwyBell 290Cedar in Oak Hill- •512-219-8387 512-288-6386

SEPTIC PUMPING • CLEANING REPAIRS • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

(512)

Septic Repair & Installation Specialist

282-3889

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Tree Service

Lees Trees

38 years experience in the hill country Firewood • Pruning • Removal • Chipping Planting • Cedar Posts • Bulk Mulch

Free Assessments & Estimates • Insured MARCUS LEES (512) 858-4018 leestreestexas@gmail.com

SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC. Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.

www.SellmanSepticServices.com

Tree Services Austin Oak Wilt Services, LLC Serving the Central Texas Hill Country • 26 years experience managing Texas Oak Wilt • Consultation, diagnosis and treatment • Fungicide macro-injections • Fully licensed and insured • Preferred vendor referrals • Locally-owned small business

512-550-2213

austinoakwiltservices.com

8211 Burnet Rd. Austin - 512-453-1961

Texas State-Wide Advertising Network

Commercial & Residential

Newspaper For all the latest news in Hays County, go to .com

Subscribe to the Hays Free Press for only $42 a year.

Call 512-268-7862, email paper@haysfreepress.com or visit us on our website, www.haysfreepress.com.

NEWS

Page 12

Hays Free Press • January 1, 2020

THE WORD PLACE 512-302-5555 | www.atfcu.org

as low as

APR1

Up to 5 Years Fixed

Coming spring of 2021 CONTACT:

JEFF BARTON (512) 964-0918

JOHN D. SANFORD (512) 924-1459

Premium office and retail-service spaces.

The Word Place, on Marketplace Avenue, with visibility to I-35, green space, amenities, roof deck, mixed use building with commercial and residential.

•

Auto Loans

Build-to-suit available for anchor tenant(s), 1000 - 3000 SF. 1 minute to I-35, 5 minutes to Seton, 5 minutes to Old Town.

New, Used, and Refinance

Tailored “micro offices” with shared conference room, amenities, tech, 1st and 2nd story views, elevator, outdoor deck, also available.

512.964.0918

as low as

•

2.75

% APR1

Up to 72 Months

Annual Percentage Rate. Actual rate may vary depending on credit qualifications. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. This Auto Loan rate is applicable for the purchase of a new or used vehicle, or the refinance of an existing vehicle loan from another lender. Federally Insured by NCUA. Austin Telco NMLS #422857

1