February 10, 2021 Hays Free Press

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 SERVICE IS KEY

SENIORS SIGN

Black family espouses public service as important cog.

Seven Dripping Springs High School seniors sign letters of intent.

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Vol. 126 • No. 46

PEACE AND PROGRESS Black history panelists share hope for change

BY MEGAN WEHRING

KYLE – When a petition to get Texas State University to offer a Black history class in the 1990s was successful, Johnnie Wilson was one of the first students to take the course.

Wilson was part of a Kyle panel discussing the importance of Black history month and why education is the root to understanding.

Kyle hosted the first dialogue in a series of three on Friday to commemorate Black History Month. It is aimed at providing a platform for community members and leaders to participate in open, honest conversations about a specific topic or issue. During the Feb. 5 meeting, 10 people joined the conversation, giving diverse opinions as to why residents still need to recognize Black History Month.

Moderator Dex Ellison started off the conversation with this burning question: What does Black history mean to you?

“As African Americans, we were left out of history for a very long time,” answered Kyle resident Vanessa Westbrook.

“There were gaps and the big reason for that was we actually didn’t have a way of documenting anything. There was a time when we couldn’t read and write in this country.”

Westbrook wears many hats in the Hays community: election judge, historical commission member and chair of the African American Heritage Committee. She is also the former chair of the West Ranch to Market 150 Committee and former lecturer at Texas State University.

Westbrook explained that now that the Black community has the ability to be educated, there are new discoveries of what happened in

“It is so important that we educate, not only ourselves as adults, but our children and have truthful conversation. Rewrite our history books. Rewrite our textbooks. Put everyone in textbooks.”

history.

“When I think of Black history, I think of respecting the past, reflecting on the past and now bringing the past to light so that others can get that information and we can pass it along,” Westbrook said.

Pastor Marquet Curl

pondered on the question and said only word comes to mind when he thinks of Black history –frustration.

“History can be shaped based upon the lens in which it is spoken through or from,” Curl

BUDA – Buda Black History Celebration 2.0 kicks off on Feb. 20, with a theme different from last year’s. Unlike the year prior, the event will be virtual to keep in line with COVID-19 safety precautions.

The celebration will be broadcast from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Buda Black History Celebration Facebook page. Within those two hours, Ray Bryant, Buda’s first Black city council member, and his son, Derrick David Bryant, councilman in Lockhart, will MC the event. There will be an array of talented performers, from singers to jazz musicians, speakers from Black sororities and fraternities, ballet dancers and a reading of the book “All Because You Matter.”

While the program fits in a multitude

The celebration will be broadcast from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Buda Black History Celebration Facebook page. of talents in its two hours, there is more to think about and celebrate during Black History Month.

This year’s Black History Month theme will be “Lift Every Voice.” Behind that theme lies the idea of empowering young people to lift their voice and to have the necessary hope and strength to overcome obstacles, explained

BUDA BLACK HISTORY, 6

Adrian Gooden

Grace Bohannan Castañeda

Vanessa Westbrook

Jonnie Wilson

Richard Dixon

Derrick “David” Bryant

Aaron Taylor

Pastor Marquet Curl

Travis Mitchell

Levi Griffith

Kyle considers regulating where sex offenders live within city limits

BY MEGAN WEHRING KYLE – Out of more than 50,000 residents living in the city of Kyle, 68 are registered sex offenders. Kyle officials are working to implement a new ordinance that will define residency regulations for registered sex offenders.

One out of every 830 Kyle residents is a registered sex offender, one of the highest reports

The ordinance would amend the Kyle City Code to establish child safety zones that would make it unlawful for certain sex offenders to reside within 1,500 feet of premises where children commonly gather. per capita in Central Texas, according to Kyle Police data. Chief Jeff Barnett presented the ordinance during the Kyle City Council’s regu-

TEXAS HISTORY Texas’ first printer couldn’t catch a break.

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Suspect arrested in 2015 murders on Sledge Street STAFF REPORT

BLACK HISTORY DIALOGUE, 6

Buda to celebrate Black History Month differently

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Dex Ellison

Serving Hays County, TX

lar meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

The ordinance would amend the Kyle City

SEX OFFENDER LAW, 2

these difficult years,” the statement read. “News KYLE — Kyle Police ar- of this arrest does not rested 47-year-old Larry bring our family any joy.

Simon of We only hope that if the Louisiana suspect is found guilty, on two justice will help keep him capital from hurting another murder family the way he has charges on hurt ours.”

Tuesday, The Wright family also Feb. 2, requested that the media for a 2015 respects their privacy at double this time. homicide.

While the investigation SIMON No bond was extensive, Barnett was set. said he is grateful for the The city asked for a bond team who worked on the of $500,000, gvien the case. brutality of the murders “I want to offer a speand Simon’s previous fail- cial thanks and appreure to appear in court. ciation to the hard work In 2015, Kyle police and dedication of the officers responded to a detectives from the Kyle home in the 800 block of Police Department and Sledge Street in reference the Texas Rangers who to a welfare call, after a have continued to keep relative was concerned this case a priority since because they had not 2015,” Barnett said. heard from the occuAn autopsy report in pants of the home for 2016 ruled the deaths of several days. After reCombs and Wright as a ceiving no answer at the homicide, with the cause door, police forced entry of death as gunshot and found the bodies of wounds.

James Wright, 45, and The case hung on for Tina Combs, 44. many years. As late as Simon was a known 2017, lab analysis for associate of Wright and DNA testing from the was identified as a perDepartment of Public son of interest early in Safety had not yet been the investigation. On Feb. received.

2, Kyle Police obtained an Even then, Barnett arrest warrant for Simon and his department in connection with the continued to investideaths. gate the case, until they Chief Jeff Barnett prohad enough evidence vided a statement from to present to the Hays the Wright family during County District Attora virtual conference on ney’s office.

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021.

Family members of the “Today, the Wright victims were frustrated, family wants to express but Barnett said years gratitude to all of the ago he could not release many friends of our dear information because, by Jimmy that have been so doing so, it could jeoparsupportive of us through dize the case.

Property crime on the rise

BY MEGAN WEHRING KYLE — The city of Kyle did not make the list of Texas’ 50 safest cities in 2020 — it ranked 73.

Buda was ranked at 66, San Marcos at 191 and Austin at 232, according to a Safewise report that utilizes FBI crime data. Police encourage residents to be mindful of their surroundings as burglaries and theft are on the rise.

“We would want to remind people that when you are not actively outside to close all the doors and secure property,” said Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett.

A most recent incident occurred on Four Seasons Farm off West Farm to Market 150 in Kyle.

Police responded to

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a physical disturbance call at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30. Responding deputies were advised that residents Ryan Goza and Courtney Goza were about to leave their residence until they discovered that their daughter’s bicycle was missing from their yard. The entire incident was captured on the Goza’s home surveillance system.

The Goza’s also witnessed suspect Christian Jiron, 28, stealing from the garage of another family in their neighborhood.

Jiron was arrested on theft and burglary of habitation charges, along with two existing warrants.

“We are grateful that they had a home security system and were very observant,” Barnett said.

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NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 10, 2021

Black family espouses local service as important cog

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

There is an instinctual phenomenon of “counting,” little known to those who are not Black.

“You know what I mean when I say counting?” Ray Bryant, Buda’s first Black city council member, asked. “Every black person knows what that means and that’s what we do.

When we walk into a room we start counting and see how many other Black people are in there. It’s automatically in us.”

Most of the time, he counts up to two – himself and his wife, Sandra Bryant. The Bryants’ goal is to increase that number of Black community participants and bring them to the table. For many years, the Black community has not felt important; trying to undo that suppression takes time mentally because they have not felt like they had a place, Ray Bryant said.

And when Black people got a seat at the table, there was not of a lot of value to it because they were seated there as a token, Ray Bryant explained.

That is because society

Sandra and Ray Bryant

was told there had to be someone there.

“We need to be at the table,” and Ray Bryant followed this advice and taught his family this gem.

“Someone said a long time ago, ‘if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.’”

So, Ray Bryant encouraged his wife to become more active in the community. Not behind the scenes, which is where she used to be involved,

but out there in front of people so she can lead by example. Sandra Bryant eventually became the first Black person to sit on Hays CISD’s Board of Trustees. Ray Bryant’s son, Derrick David Bryant, inherited his father’s sociable personality and eventually became the second Black man elected to Lockhart’s City Council.

This family has been able to etch their names

onto many firsts, but these feats come in the 21st Century.

“It’s baby steps that we are taking, hoping that they impact big steps down the line,” Sandra Bryant said. “Who knows what will come afterwards, but I think we just need to continue to push forward. There is lots of change in Hays County, and while we embrace where we are, we look forward to where we’re going.”

The Bryants’ drive and sense of community comes from many places, but it stems from their belief in God. That is their foundation for how they treat each other and their community. They reach out with a hand of kindness and want everyone to know that they are here, listening, trying to help find answers to residents’ questions.

Outside of their public servant jobs, the Bryants’ jobs still tie to helping others out. Sandra Bryant owns a business, Keeping Communities Connected, to teach people about activities happening. This year, she expanded her

business to begin giving scholarships and internship opportunities to those between the ages of 12 and 21.

Ray Bryant works for Texas Disposal System and has been there for 11 years. For his 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job, Derrick Bryant makes sure fathers know the importance they have in their children’s lives, especially in their developmental years. He also owns a family entertainment business, named Bryant Enterprises Family Entertainment.

Working to serve the community is not their full-time job, it seems to take up much of their time. Still, they do it with open arms.

“It’s a lot of work,” Ray Bryant said, “but when you’re passionate about

Sex Offender Law: Where can they live?

Continued from pg. 1

Code to establish child safety zones that would make it unlawful for certain sex offenders to reside within 1,500 feet of premises where children commonly gather. These locations include, but are not limited to: public parks, private or public schools, daycare centers, playgrounds, arcades or youth athletic fields.

It would also define a child sex offender as a person who is required to register on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Sex Offender Database because of a conviction involving a minor.

Registered sex offenders would also be restricted from decorating their home or having an exterior porch light on Halloween within 1,500 feet of a child safety zone, according to the proposed ordinance.

Not all council members applauded the proposed ordinance. Mayor Travis Mitchell was the only council member who was determined to shine a light on the families of registered sex offenders, while also having an ordinance to follow.

“I just don’t know if it’s right for a child to feel unsafe because three blocks down the road,” Mitchell said. “There’s someone who, 10 years ago, was convicted of a crime that they paid the consequences for and they are trying to live there peacefully. I just don’t know if those registered sex offenders are what we should be thinking of as threats.”

Flores-Cale, agreeing with most of council, is in

favor of the ordinance to protect the children who live in Kyle.

“I don’t know if I would be comfortable living next to a sex offender than hurting their feelings,” Flores-Cale said. “My heart goes out to those people who are in those bad situations. Why bend to the minority when all this ordinance wants to do is protect our children?”

Officer Dago Pates said the ordinance was inspired by a previous conversation with a new Kyle resident who is a reg-

istered sex offender. The resident decided to move to the city of Kyle instead of Cedar Park due to the lack of an ordinance, along with affordability and close distance to Austin.

Because neighboring cities like San Marcos and New Braunfels do not have a current ordinance relating to this matter, council member Yvonne Flores-Cale said she commends Kyle Police for bringing this forward.

“It confuses me that progressive cities like

San Marcos and New Braunfels don’t have this ordinance,” Flores-Cale said. “I’m huge on being proactive. I do not want to be reactive. I don’t want something to happen and we need to respond.”

Barnett and his department will look into reducing the distance restrictions to 1,000 feet, upon Mitchell’s request.

A first reading of the ordinance will be presented at the next council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16, with revisions.

something it stops being work. Sometimes it goes on autopilot because it’s just what you want to do.”

When Ray Bryant ran for city council, he did not do it because he was a Black man, he did it because he saw a need.

He could sit down with various individuals and brainstorm to solve issues the community was facing. Later on he realized that he was the first Black man on council.

Setting an example for young kids and young adults became a bonus in his contributions to the community. And as their family motto goes, if you can see it, you can be it.

So Derrick Bryant goes out in Lockhart, attends sporting events and inter-

SERVICE IS KEY, 4

CITY OF BUDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS A citizen’s point of view provides valuable insight into the operations of the City’s and Council's decision-making process. The contribution of a Board and Commission Member is crucial to the success of Buda's representative government. The City of Buda is seeking applications from qualified volunteers to serve on the various Boards and Commissions. A list of Boards and Commissions and their related duties and qualifications are available on our website at www.ci.buda.tx.us/ boards. Effective April 1, 2021, the following openings/ vacancies will be available: Construction Board of Appeals, Dupre Local Government Corporation, Economic Development Corporation, Historic Preservation Commission, Library Commission, Main Street Advisory Board, Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning & Zoning, Sustainability Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Senior Task Force on Aging.

The online application is available on our website at www.ci.buda.tx.us/applications. We encourage all to complete the application online. You may also download and submit your application via mail to the City Clerk, 405 E. Loop St., Building 100, Buda, TX 78610, email cityclerk@ci.buda.tx.us, or fax 512-641-5817.

The deadline to submit a completed application is March 31, 2021, for the April 2021 appointments. For additional information, please contact the City Clerk at 512-523-1014.

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Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We need to be at the table. Someone said a long time ago, ‘if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.’”

–Ray Bryant, Buda’s first black city council member. Story on page 2.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 10, 2021

Page 3

Give love a try – during a pandemic The Kyle File

by David Abdel

ing when and if a social scene will reopen, and if it will ever be at the scale it was prior.

While creativity has reached into the dating world during the pandemic, many appear to be absent from that space.

Online apps like Hinge, and local favorite Bumble have increased in popularity, even now running ads on television. However, many local singles are frustrated because they’ve been using those apps for years due to a lack of a dating scene locally (their views not mine).

I could understand this because I was single and struggling to find people to date in Kyle for a time. To be fair, my wife and I met on a dating app, however she lived in Austin and I was in Kyle. Funny story, we only matched because I happened to be using the app when I was waiting in line for bagels in Austin. Had I not opened the app at that time, we wouldn’t have been in each other’s areas, and never met and created the beautiful life and family we now share.

Others have taken to having online dates, which I think is great and allows people to get to know each other prior to meeting in person. But friends tell me that it’s a bit too impersonal, and that feeling you get being around someone, either good or bad, is lost and is often an important indicator in the early stages of dating. I still highly suggest putting yourself out there in the digital space and trying new things if you’re single. We may be stuck in this sort of holding pattern socially for years to come, so it’s worth giving it a shot.

For the married couples, don’t let the lack of a place to go stop you from having a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Get creative. Find a new recipe for an amazing dish online and cook it together. Order decorations and dress up your dining room for a fancy meal (some restaurants have great togo V-Day specials). Build a makeshift backseat in your living room for a drive in movie. There’s no limit to what you can think of.

Most of all, single, dating or married, there’s more love in the air than COVID particles.

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Everyone’s favorite “love it or hate it” holiday is coming up: Valentine’s Day. It got me thinking about the nature of relationships, especially during this pandemic. I was trying to brainstorm some ideas about what to do with my wife for the holiday, so I enlisted some feedback from friends. It was a surprisingly fruitful conversation each time. My married friends had the typical response of flowers and dinner, maybe some chocolates. I’ve always felt like these were tired efforts, void of creativity so I dismissed them fairly quickly. My single friends, complete with an eyeroll, asked why bother celebrating this year at all. I began to notice something.

Most of the people I spoke with, regardless of relationship status, seemed down about the holiday.

It appears as though this pandemic is affecting our ability to find and celebrate love. My married friends said they will probably treat it like any other day, since the pomp and flair of a traditional Valentine’s Day seemed to be missing. They didn’t feel comfortable going out to eat, it would be hard to get a secret gift on a shared Amazon account and sneak a delivery into the house, and there wasn’t much enthusiasm about getting all fancied up to have dinner at home. The luster of the day had worn off. I suggested that it isn’t the ‘what you do’, or ‘what you get’ that makes the holiday special, it’s just the expression of love. While everyone agreed, there just seems to be that something extra missing in this pandemic world that makes the holiday seem a little less special.

My single friends bemoaned another year without a partner. This one was especially difficult, as they said, because the pandemic virtually eliminated the dating scene. For them, there was a tinge of satisfaction knowing that the joy of people in a relationship wouldn’t be shoved in their faces this year, but I could tell they were a bit let down because in some small way, Valentine’s Day gave them hope. That eternal “that’s going to be me and my one true love next year” attitude that many singles have around the holiday seemed to be missing, instead replaced with a blight on the heart. Social distancing has created a fear that singles will remain so for longer than anticipated, not know-

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SPORTS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 10, 2021

Seven seniors sign letters of intent

Service is Key

Seven Dripping Springs High School seniors signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level Wednes-

acts with students. They may not know his position in the community, but seeing him there, interacting with kids and encouraging their passion, becomes a way for Derrick Bryant to enact the family motto.

“I want to make sure [the kids] see somebody in the community that they can reach,” Derrick Bryant said.

“They don’t have to know I’m a councilman.

I just wave and say hi, approach them and let them know someone in their community cares about them. I want to make sure they succeed and know what’s out there, that they sky is the limit.”

Just as this family carries messages of hope and elevation to the community and the self, they carry a heavy weight on their back. Their skin color, especially when they are outside of their communities, can be construed as a threat, Derrick and Ray Bryant described their situation.

When they leave the comfort of their towns, where they are known, the Bryants know that anytime they get pulled over could be detrimental and life threatening.

“I realize that every day I put my feet on the ground and go out into society that I am perceived as a threat because I am wearing this skin,” a somber tone washed over Ray Bryant’s joyful demeanor. “I have learned to live with that; and I live in two worlds.”

Ray Bryant explained that one world is the White world – he lives through the motions, goes to work, gets his paycheck and he does what he needs to. Then there’s his world. In his other world he needs to teach his children what they need to do as Black people, if they get pulled over by the

day, Feb. 3, at Tiger Stadium. Football players Coleman Chapman, Carter King and Jack Masters, cross country/ track athletes Maddie Livingston and

Madison Tafoya, and baseball players Reece Dunn and Ryan Kimball were the seven students who made their commitments official.

JACK MASTERS, FOOTBALL, SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES

Jack Masters is a three-year letterman and two-year starter for the Tigers.

He primarily played center as a senior, but spent time at every offensive line position during his career.

Masters was named to the All-District First Team in 2020 and was tabbed the 2019 District 12-5A Lineman of the Year, leading the Tigers in blocking statistics the last two seasons. He was part of the Football Leadership Council and is the son of Adam and Jennifer Masters. Coach: Galen Zimmerman.

MADDIE LIVINGSTON, CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Maddie Livingston is a four-year letterwinner for the Tigers in cross country and track. She is a four-time state qualifier in cross country, helping the Tigers to a fourth-place team finish in 5A this past fall. She holds the school record in the 5K for cross country, and the 1,600 and 3,200 meters in track.

In January, Livingston was named to the Austin American-Statesman’s All-Central Texas Team. The is the daughter of Randy and Brooke Livingston, Maddie is involved in National Honor Society and FCA. Coach: Marisa Tuzzi.

MADISON TAFOYA, CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK, PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY Madison Tafoya is a two-year varsity letterwinner for the Tigers in both cross country and track. She is a twotime state qualifier in cross country, helping the Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the 5A state meet in 2020. She also competes in the 3,200 meters for the track team. Madison is the daughter of Patrick and Juli Tafoya. Coach: Marisa Tuzzi.

REECE DUNN, BASEBALL, EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Reece Dunn is a two-year letterwinner at catcher for the Tigers. During the 2020 season, he ranked in the top five in batting average, hits, and RBIs. He is expected to be the starting catcher for the Tigers in 2021. Over the summer, he played for club team GPS Legends. He is the son of Robert and Whitnee Dunn. His sister Riley is also a collegiate athlete, playing softball at Nicholls State.

Coach: Chris Payne.

CARTER KING, FOOTBALL, DORDT UNIVERSITY (IOWA)

Carter King is a three-year letterman at wide receiver and linebacker. He started the last two seasons and was named to the 2020 District 12-5A First Team at linebacker. He was nominated for academic all-state honors as a senior after earning a place on the academic all-district team the previous two seasons. Carter will finish in the top three percent of his graduating class and plans to major in Psychology and Kinesiology at Dordt University. He is part of the Football Leadership Council, Student Council, National Honor Society, the PALS leadership group, and FCA Huddle. He is the son of Chris (the Tigers' Defensive Coordinator) and Tracy King. Coach: Galen Zimmerman.

RYAN KIMBALL, BASEBALL, HENDRIX COLLEGE (ARKANSAS)

Ryan Kimball is a two-year letterwinner in the outfield for the Tigers. He started the last 12 of 15 games last season in left field, and is a nationally ranked outfielder by Perfect Game. Last summer, he played for the Prospects National Team (PNT). Ryan is also a two-year letterman for the Tiger football team. An academic all-district honoree, he is undecided on a major at Hendrix College. He is the son of Matthew and Susan Kimball. Coach: Chris Payne.

COLEMAN CHAPMAN, FOOTBALL, BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY (SOUTH DAKOTA)

Continued from pg. 2

police.

“I have to put on a couple of hats just to survive,” Ray Bryant said. “I know I’m a threat. In Buda if I get pulled over I’m fine because I’m a council member and I feel safe here. We have a great police department.

But anywhere else in America, if I was travelling and a light goes on behind me, I promise you fear grips me, I don’t know if I’m going to make it home that night. That’s my life.”

Black History Month is a great start to get the conversation going, the Bryants agreed, but they stated a simple fact; they are Black 365 days of the year, not just for one month.

Recognizing Black history opens an avenue of learning about Black culture and Black history, which is American history. During this month, people should open up these topics, use it as a way to learn more about Black history, especially those who share that culture.

Learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks is a great appetizer to the culture, Derrick Bryant said, but it should open up people’s palates to learn of more great contributions that Black people have made to this world.

“I just think Black history needs to be celebrated across life,” Sandra Bryant said. “We have doctors, lawyers, people who invented things, officers, so many other things that African Americans contribute to society. I want [younger generations] to know Black culture expands beyond the basketball court and music. That’s who we are for some, but beyond that, there’s lots of other things we contribute that are positive.”

Coleman Chapman is a three-year letterwinner at kicker for DSHS. He was named the District 12-5A Kicker of the Year in 2018 and is a two-time Academic All-District Team selection. Chapman holds the school record for most consecutive extra points and recorded the second-longest field goal in school history. Chapman also competes for the Tigers in soccer and track/field. He will be majoring in Mathematics at BHSU and is the son of Larry Chapman and Allison Troupe. Coach: Galen Zimmerman.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 10, 2021

COMMUNITY

Page 5

OBITUARIES ALBA Nieves Alba, 71, beloved Father, died on January 25,2021. He entered this world on Aug. 5, 1949 in Austin, born to Victoriano Orono Alba and Carolina Yglecias Alba.

Nieves enjoyed barbecuing anytime, anywhere and any day of the week.

He also loved to spend his free time beside any body of water with a fishing pole in hand. And if he wasn't cooking or fishing, you better believe you could catch him in a vehicle with his children going for long drives with no destination at all. There was nothing he loved more than his children and family other than one exception. Nieves absolutely adored his grandchildren and there was nothing he wouldn't do to put a smile on their

faces. His personality was beautiful and laugh was contagious and will leave everyone with everlasting memories.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his son Kyle Lee Alba, brother Nicolas Alba, sister Migela Mamone .

He is survived by his brothers Santos Alba, Victor Alba and spouse Dominga, Domingo Alba and spouse Becky, sisters Augustina Juliano and spouse Les, Paula Stewart and spouse Jerry, Sarah Alba, and sister-in-law Amelia Alba, five children Shasta Alba and spouse Johnny Dougherty, Katie Alba and spouse Mario Woodward, Kiley Alba-Lira and spouse John, Angel Martinez, Jobe Falcon and 12 grandchildren, two god sons Les Juliano Jr. and James Stewart, as well as two best friends Becky and Robert Whited.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Febr. 13

at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle. Tributes can be posted to his webpage at www. harrellfuneralhomes.com.

LEIJA Mario Leija, 57, beloved husband and father, died on January 31, 2021. He entered this world Jan. 10, 1964 in Nuevo Leon, born to Bernardo and Maria Leija.

Mario was a great husband, father, grandfather, pastor and friend. Mario’s favorite thing to do was be around his wife, kids and grandkids when he got the chance and make tacos or even have a BBQ together.

He enjoyed reading and learning the word of God on his own time. With the help of God he was called to begin the church named “Un Mejor Pacto” and loved to preach the word

of God the way that he did.

He was always there for everyone and anyone and could ever rarely get a “No” from him. He was always a helpful, loving and caring man of God. What he loved more than anything was having all his family gathered together for a Sunday service to hear the word of God. He is survived by his wife Nilza Leija and his children Lizette Leija, Mario Leija, Sara Leija, Abigail Leija, Nathan Leija, Timothy Leija, Anneth Leija and Edith Leija. Mario Leija is also survived by his grandchildren Jalen Williams, Benjamin Williams, Maurice Spencer, Victoria Spencer, Mateo Spencer, Makayla De La Cruz, Nevaeh De La Cruz, Andrew De La Cruz and Josiah De La Rosa.

Visit www.harrellfuneralhomes.com to leave a tribute for Mario on his obituary webpage.

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Texas’ first printer couldn’t catch a break On Feb. 16, 1817, a Boston teenager with a handcranked press produced the first printed words in Texas history – the long-winded manifesto of a doomed expedition.

On his way to free Mexico from Spanish tyranny, Francisco Xavier Mina docked at an American port to take on provisions. He also picked up a printer for his British-made press, an adventurous 16-year-old named Samuel Bangs.

During a short stopover at Galveston Island, the youth put his employer’s high-minded ideas on paper. The ink had hardly dried on the rambling manifesto, when Mina ordered his tiny fleet to weigh anchor. But the would-be liberators no sooner landed on the coast of Mexico than the Spaniards cut them to pieces.

The terrified tagalong survived the bloodbath but feared each day might be his last as one by one his companions were put to death. Bangs was informed at last that his life had been spared because the prac-

sult in his release. However, in spite of their proclamaTexas tions promising liberty for all, the victorious revoluHistory tionaries refused to turn

by Bartee Haile him loose.

But Bangs would not take no for an answer and tical authorities needed month after month politely his expertise. No one knew petitioned for a pardon. In how to operate the cap1823, after six and a half tured printing contraption. years in Mexican custody, While still technically he finally obtained permisa prisoner, the American sion to leave the country. opened a primitive shop Red carpets and brass in Monterrey and became bands were in short supply the first printer ever in the for Bangs’ Boston homeMexican city. Bangs adapt- coming. His mother had ed to his new environment given her missing son up by accepting baptism in for dead and moved away, the Catholic Church and and his sister had died changing his name to Jose leaving her estate, includManuel Bangs. ing Bangs’ inheritance, to In 1821 he was given a a conniving husband, who measure of freedom and gave him a shoulder colder appointed official governthan the Massachusetts ment printer with a salary winter. of 18 pesos a month. Forced Bangs sued his stingy to provide his own food, brother-in-law, winning shelter and clothing on only a fraction of what was the miserly wage, he soon rightfully his. He managed decided he had been better to locate his mother, but the off in chains. reunion turned out to be a Later that same year, heartbreaking disappointBangs naively presumed ment. that the overthrow of the Writing off his relaSpanish regime would retives and his native New

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TEXAS HISTORY, 8

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Sudoku Puzzle, from page 3

England, Bangs married a childhood sweetheart, the one person who had waited for him, and settled in New York City. But life in the Manhattan anthill eventually made him homesick for, of all places, sunny Mexico.

Like an ex-convict asking the warden for his old cell, Bangs begged his former captors to take him back.

Although undoubtedly mystified by the foreigner’s change of heart, the Mexicans granted the unusual request and allowed him to return with his wife and first child in the spring of 1827.

Three years later, as a citizen in good standing of his adopted country, Bangs secured a large grant along the Colorado River in provincial Texas. He quit his job and homesteaded the land only to discover he had been stuck with a contested title.

A clever attorney cleared the legal logjam, but Bangs paid dearly for his services.

By the time he settled with

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Page 6

NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 10, 2021

Buda Black History

Black History Dialogue: A true discussion

Continued from pg. 1

Continued from pg. 1

said. “Unfortunately, there is a lot of history that doesn’t come from the perspective of an African American male in this country. … The history and identity was taken away from us.”

Hays CISD teacher Grace Bohannon Castañeda said education is a key component in today’s current climate.

“It is so important to know the history that has come before us so that we do not repeat it,” Castañeda said. “It is so important that we educate, not only ourselves as adults, but our children and have truthful conversation.

Rewrite our history books.

Rewrite our textbooks.

Put everyone in textbooks.”

Friday’s dialogue concluded with discussion on the relevance of Black History Month and how it is celebrated today.

If there is no push from the community to celebrate Black history, there may be little to no action taken, Westbrook said. She specifically highlighted proclamations adopted by the Hays County Com-

missioner Court and local cities, along with events that the community are invited to throughout the month of February.

Black History Month paves a way for people who are not part of the Black community to learn about their peers and become more aware, Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said.

“The older I get, the more I start looking at my own history and see the world as being a little bit bigger than the world I was raised in,” Mitchell said. “[Black History Month] forces awareness upon people who otherwise would prefer not to be aware. Many of the types of holidays we discuss here and have been discussing are not holidays or seasons where many people think very much of it.”

Lockhart council member Derrick “David” Bryant agreed that without a designated month to honor Black history, some would not be educated.

Bryant also said people still need to be educated on the importance of the contributions that the

Black community has made throughout history.

“Without Black History Month, some people would not learn about Black history,” Bryant said.

“Some people that are African American would not learn without Black History Month. It’s needed because when people say Black Lives Matter and you get the response that All Lives Matter, that means Black History Month is still needed.”

This year, the city of Kyle purposely placed young individuals on the panel to allow an even more diverse perspective.

Aaron Taylor, student at the University of Texas at Austin, agreed with all the panelists that education is key.

“After the murder of George Floyd, people were saying ‘I never knew all of this stuff,’” Taylor said.

“People are still seeing stuff on TV. It’s a shame that’s how they were introduced to this but there’s still more education that’s needed.”

Panelists gave some final thoughts on the importance of the dialogue

Sandra Bryant, who received the Black History Month Proclamation Tuesday, Feb. 2.

“I am honored to have been chosen to receive the proclamation,” Sandra Bryant said. “It is important for Buda and Hays County to bring awareness and educate the community. Hays is changing, and one of the mottos I think about is ‘if you can see it, you can be it.’”

Besides lifting the voices of the young, Sandra Bryant said she wants the community to recognize the impact and voices of Black residents, beyond the work of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.

Often these are the mainstream examples society learns about, but there are many more who continue to contribute to society.

One place to look is within local representation, whether by recognizing their work or increasing that representation as Hays County continues to expand and evolve.

series.

“There’s so many other perspectives that aren’t being taken into play whenever learning about this or talking to people,” said Levi Griffith, 16-yearold junior at Lehman High School. “I just think that a setting like this allows for more openness and open-mindedness.”

Communities outside of Hays County may not be as open to conducting a dialogue similar to this, IT Helpdesk technician Adrian Gooden explained.

“In the two towns that I grew up in, I can’t really imagine something like this happening that could be honest and truthful,” Gooden said. “So the fact that we are all sitting here right now is inspiring.”

Other panelists included Richard Dixon, president of the Kyle Youth Football Association, and Jonnie Wilson, nationally board-certified counselor and advocate for marginalized students.

Kyle will host two more dialogues later this year for Juneteenth (June 19) and another in October for Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Hays is changing, and one of the mottos I think about is ‘if you can see it, you can be it.’”

–Sandra Bryant, former HCISD board member and community activist

Sandra Bryant, the first and only Black woman to serve on Hays CISD School Board of Trustees, spoke of examples close to home.

Vanessa Westbrook, CEO and Founder of Westbrook and Consulting Services, Ray Bryant and Denisha Presley, first Black principal in Hays CISD, were a few of the impactful names she boasted.

If a person does not like the way things are running and wants to see a difference, Sandra Bryant encourages them to go out and make that change.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 10, 2021

NOTICE OF SALE

Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code hereby gives notice of public sale under said act to wit: This sale will be held February 26, 2020 at 2:30 PM on StorageAuction. com. The property in the storage unit(s) listed under tenant’s name is being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Safe-nSound Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid or to cancel any public sale advertised. Announcement made the day of the sale takes precedence over any printed materials.

PATRICIA GONZALEZ - 10X15 NC Ð 10’ Ladder, Lamps, Table, Mirror, Chest of Drawers, Nightstands, Bookcase, Christmas decorations, Garden Hose, 3 truck Tires and Misc. items CARY REEVES - 10X10 NC Ð Fish Tank with wooden base, Green Table, Iron Electric Fireplace, Nightstand, Totes, Car speakers and Misc. household items.

MATTHEW LEESEKAMP - 7.5X10 CC Ð Futon Base, Recliner, Steps with drawers.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Robert Nicholas Jocius Deceased, were issued on January 22, 2021, in Cause No. 20-0394-P pending in the County Court of Hays County, Texas, to: Lorraine Hope Jocius.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

The Estate of Robert Nicholas c/o: Zachary P. Hudler Attorney at Law P.O. Box 1728 Johnson City, Texas 78636 DATED the 8th day of February 2021. /S/ Zachary P. Hudler Zachary P. Hudler Attorney for Independent Executor State Bar No.: 24032318 P.O. Box 1728 Johnson City, Texas 78636 Telephone: (830) 868.7651 Facsimile: (830) 868.7636

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FEBRUARY 10, 2021

In accordance with Texas Local Government Code Section 505.160, the City of Buda 4B Corporation, a Texas non-profit 4B economic development corporation (“ Buda EDC”), provides this

public notice of a project being considered by the EDC as follows: 1. Park Improvement Project Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 505.152, the Buda EDC proposes to fund certain park improvements projects in the City of Buda, not to exceed a total amount of $100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars and/no 100s), as described below: i. Water irrigation improvements to the Buda Sportsplex in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00; ii. Playground equipment improvements to Bradfield Park in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00.

Information on any public hearing concerning the above project, if required, will be noticed by agenda and available on the website of the Buda EDC in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Traci Anderson, Executive Director Buda Economic Development Corporation

CITATION BY PUBLICATION

To all persons interested in the in the Estate of Gary Lee Barag, Deceased, Cause No. 20-0399-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas.

The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbcrcd and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION FOR INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION AND TO DETERMINE HEIRSHIP in this estate on the 10th day of December 2020. requesting that the Court determine who arc the heirs and only heirs of Gary Lee Barag, Deceased, and their respective shares and interests in such estate.

The Court may act on this Application at any call of the docket on or after 10:00 A.M. on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days, exclusive of the day of Publication, from the date this citation is published at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, Texas.

All persons interested in this case are cited to appear before this Honorable Court by filing a written contest or answer to this Application

should they desire to do so.

To ensure its consideration, you or your attorney must file any objection, intervention, or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays County, Texas on or before the above-noted date and time.

Applicant's Attorney: Anna Martinez Boling 1301 S. Old Stagecoach Road Kyle, Texas 78640 877-629-5353 Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at the office of the Hays County Clerk in San Marcos, Texas on this the 4th day of February 2021.

Elaine H. Cardenas County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos. Texas 78666 BY: Dominic Whitfield, Deputy

NOTICE OF GUARDIANSHIP

Notice is hereby given that original Letters of Guardianship for the Estate of Dania T. Morales, An Incapacitated Person, were issued on February 3, 2021, in Cause No. 20-0033-G, pending in the County Court-at-Law #2, Hays County, Texas, to: Silvia and Fernando Morales.

The residence of the Guardian is 183 Hiver St., Kyle, Hays County, Texas, 78640; the post office address is: c/o: David Glickler Attorney at Law 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, Texas 78640 All persons having an interest in the guardianship are hereby instructed to contact David Glickler.

DATED the 3rd day of February, 2021.

John A. Hall & Associates, P.C. 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 By: David Glickler Attorney for the Applicants State Bar No.: 00787549 E-mail: glock@johnhalllawfirm.com

PUBLIC NOTICES, 8

LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Beer Retail Dealer’s Off-Premise License and a Wine Only Package Store Permit by Quality Licensing Corp. d/b/a Quality Licensing Corp. (Store #4130) Fuel Center located at 20585 Interstate 35, Kyle, Hays County, Texas 78640. Officers of said company are John Scudder, President; Matthew W. Allen, VP; Wayne Hamilton, VP; David L. Reading, Assistant Secretary.

*Certain positions

INVITATION FOR BIDS Continental Homes of Texas, LP (Owner) on behalf of North Hays County Municipal Utility District No. 1 invites the submission of sealed Bids from qualified bidders for: North Hays County MUD No. 1, Trails at Windy Hill Phase Six & Seven “Paving, Drainage, Water & Wastewater Improvements.”

The work shall consist of the following: RCP Drainage Piping, Including Approximately 18”- 54” Pipe, Concrete Box Culverts, Junction Boxes, Inlets, Headwalls and Appurtenances; Water Piping, Including 8” PVC Pipe, Valves, and Appurtenances; Gravity Wastewater Piping consisting of 8” PVC Pipe, Manholes, and Appurtenances; Excavation, Embankment and Paving; Water Quality Pond Outfall Structures and Grading; Sedimentation & Erosion Control; and Various Other Site Improvements.

Sealed Bids addressed to the Owner and marked "Bid for North Hays County MUD No. 1, Trails at Windy Hill Phase Six & Seven Improvements" will be received until 10:00 AM on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Project Engineer's office, BGE, Inc., 101 West Louis Henna Blvd., Suite 400, Austin, TX 78728.

Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Project Engineer's office, BGE, Inc., 101 West Louis Henna Blvd., Suite 400, Austin, TX 78728.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at the Project Engineer's office, BGE, Inc., 101 West Louis Henna Blvd., Suite 400, Austin, TX 78728.

Plans, specifications and bidding documents may be examined without charge at the offices of BGE, Inc., 101 West Louis Henna Blvd., Suite 400, Austin, TX 78728. Plans, specifications and bidding documents may be obtained without charge from www. civcastusa.com. Bidders must register on this website in order to view and/or download plans, specifications and bidding documents.

A Cashier’s Check, Certified Check, or acceptable Bidder’s Bond in the amount of five percent (5%) of the Bid must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds will be required as stated in the Contract Documents.

All questions pertaining to the bid must be submitted at least seven (7) calendar days prior to bid opening through www.civcastusa.com in the Q&A portal.

The prices and terms of the bid must be made on the forms included in the Contract Documents.

The Owner may, on its own initiative, issue Addenda before the Bid opening and, if necessary, delay the Bid opening to ensure that bidders have had sufficient time to consider the Addenda. All Addenda issued for this project will only be posted on www.civcastusa. com. You will be notified of Addenda automatically through email if you download Contract Documents via civcastusa.com.

A Bid which, in the opinion of the Owner, deviates significantly from the Contract Documents, and which has not been clarified through a written Addendum prior to Bid submittal deadline, shall be considered an exception to the Contract Documents and grounds for the Bid to be rejected.

Bidders should read and understand all terms and conditions contained in these Contract Documents.

The Owner reserves the right to accept the lowest and best Bid as deemed by the Owner, or reject any and/or all Bids. The Owner may request qualification information including references, bonding, insurance and other information for use in determining the lowest and best Bid. Any bid may be withdrawn prior to the above scheduled time for the opening of the bids or authorized postponement thereof. Any bid received after the time and date specified will not be accepted.

Page 8

NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 10, 2021

Public Notices Continued from pg. 7

REQUESTS FOR BIDS

Hays CISD is Requesting Proposals for RFP #27122001VL Propane Fuel System. Proposals will be accepted until March 05, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. local time.

A site visit will be held on 02-25-2021 @ 10:00 a.m. at Uhland Transportation Center, 2385 High Road, Uhland, TX 78640. Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing Office (512-2682141 ext. 45092) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Proposal responses must be submitted on the Public Purchasing website https://www.publicpurchase. com/by the date and time indicated above. Late Bids will be returned unopened.

The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive all formalities in the bid process.

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

State of Texas, County of Hays Cause: 18-0508 By virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 274th District Court of HAYS County, Texas, August 19, 2019, in cause numbered 180508, styled COMMUNITY OF AMBERWOOD HOEOWNERS

ASSOCIATION, INC. versus MICHAEL J, ORTIZ, SR., on a judgment rendered against MICHAEL J, ORTIZ, SR.; I did on January 28, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., levy upon as the property of MICHAEL J, ORTIZ, SR. the following described real property: Lot 1, Block B of Amberwood Phase One, a subdivision in Hays County, Texas, according to the map or plat of record in Volume 10, page 351 of the Plat Records of Hays County, Texas more commonly known as 165 Redwood Drive, Kyle, TX 78640 (“Property”).

On March 2, 2021, being the first Tuesday of the month, between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the Hays County, at the South Door, 712 Stagecoach Trail of the Courthouse of the said County, in the City of San Marcos, Texas, I will sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the right, title and interest of MICHAEL J, ORTIZ, SR. in and to the real property described above.

Dated at Kyle, Hays County, Texas, January 28, 2021.

Michael Torres Constable, Pct. 2 Hays County, Texas 5458 FM 2770 Kyle, Texas 78640

by Patrick Chasse, Deputy Notice to Bidders: You are buying whatever interest, if any, the Debtor has

in the property. Purchase of the Debtor's interest in the property may not extinguish any liens or security interests held by other persons. There are no warranties, express or implied, regarding the property being sold, including but not limited to warranties of title, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Notice to Judgment Debtor: If there is any property, real or personal, you want to point out for levy in lieu of the above described property, you must contact this office immediately.

PUBLISHED NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested persons that the City of Creedmoor, Texas discuss and possible take action on a 10 acres Replat of 70.7190 acres owned by Carl Cole, 12610 Wright Rd Creedmoor Texas, ( ABS 155 SUR 6 CAPLES E 70.7190) and a rezoning of the same 10 acres.

City of Creedmoor Council will meet on March 18, 2021 at the Creedmoor City Hall at 12513 FM 1625 Creedmoor, Texas at 7:10 pm. All persons interested in the above have the right to appear and be heard.

By the order of the City Council of Creedmoor, Texas, Robert R. Wilhite Administrator.

Texas History: First printer Continued from pg. 5

the shyster, all he had left was one of the original four leagues of river-front property.

Struggling along with a small newspaper in Victoria, a wary Bangs watched the Lone Star Revolution with mixed emotions.

Understanding the passions on both sides, he was paralyzed by indecision and sat out the conflict.

While Texans celebrated their San Jacinto triumph, the grieving editor buried his wife, a victim of a yellow fever epidemic. Depositing his two boys in a boarding school back east, the widower began a new life.

From his brief visit 20 years earlier, Bangs vaguely remembered Galveston as “a piece of the prairie that had quarreled with the mainland and dissolved the partnership.” He found to his surprise that the pirate outpost had been replaced by a real town, the largest in the new Republic, and the gypsy printer launched the island’s original newspaper.

But no matter how hard he worked, Bangs could not make a success of the Galveston paper nor any of his later enterprises including a hotel at Point Isabel. A blue-collar printer at heart

rather than a bottom-line businessman, he was never on speaking terms with profit.

After a ship sank with all his worldly possessions and he nearly lost his life in a stagecoach encounter with Indians, Samuel Bangs left Texas for good. The first printer in Lone Star history spent his last years toiling

in impoverished obscurity as an ordinary pressman in Kentucky.

“Texas Entertainers: Lone Stars in Profile” is full of talented Texans who deserve a curtain call. Order your copy by mailing a check for $24.00 to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.

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