February 16, 2022 Hays Free Press

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 CANDIDATES CLASH

STATE-BOUND

Hays County judge candidates clash before election, spurring litigation.

Johnson Jaguars send four to state wrestling competition this weekend.

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Vol. 127 • No. 47

Serving Hays County, TX

Money in limbo More rental assistance funds lost as county looks for new manager

Above is a portrait on a wall of the Katherine Porter School of the school’s namesake.

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON As the search for a new Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program manager continues, Hays County has lost more rental assistance funds for the program — and residents that are most in need of aid are at risk of not receiving any in a timely manner.

County officials reported on Feb. 11 that another $1.7 million in rental assistance funds was recaptured by the U.S. Treasury Department on Feb. 10. This comes after $772,291 was recaptured in September.

The county initially received $6.9 million in funds from the Treasury’s ERA1 program in January 2021. Funds were to be paid to landlords, utility service providers and hotels to aid qualified residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 relative to rental and utility payments in order to prevent evictions and shut off utility services.

Additionally, the county decided to handle the management of the program “in-house,” rather than hire a third party, in order to lower administrative costs and maximize the funding available to residents.

The Treasury has specific guidelines for disseminating the funds, and, under the federal guidelines for this grant, periodically reviews the county to assess the funding distribution.

While the county has paid out about $1.2 million since the program’s official inception in July 2021, the now $2.4 million total loss is due to the county not meeting the Treasury’s “targeted milestones for distribution.”

While there are still millions of dollars in funds remaining, the county is at risk for getting more funds recaptured in the future if milestones continue to not be met.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, 2

The Infarm Growing Center in Kyle is estimated to be operational within six months. Different job positions will be available including production, hub management, warehouse specialists, maintenance technicians and quality assurance.

Infarm farming upward

Urban farming network to set up in Kyle

BY MEGAN WEHRING KYLE – A global urban farming network sets its eyes on building a growing center in Kyle.

As a part of the company's expansion roadmap for the nation, Infarm chose the city of Kyle as the second location in the U.S. The facility will be equipped with more than 40,000 square feet of growing capacity, which will allow for the production of more than 2.2 million pounds of salad per year.

“We are beyond proud

“This new farming model can be as much as 400 times more efficient than soil-based agriculture and uses no chemical pesticides.”

several Infarm modular large-scale farming units that stand up to 33 feet tall, which will ultimately require less space and water compared to traditional farming.

“This new farming –According to an Infarm spokesperson model can be as much as 400 times more efficient to welcome Infarm to the investing in the region and than soil-based agriculcity of Kyle," said Maysetting up business in Kyle, ture,” an Infarm spokesor Travis Mitchell in a creating jobs and making person said, "and uses news release. "Agri-Tech even more sustainably no chemical pesticides. innovations are of growing sourced, fresh, local It requires on average, importance for our food produce available to our 95% less land and uses systems and supply. That’s region.”

95% less water through why it’s great to see a globThe Kyle location will al vertical farming leader also be designed with VERTICAL FARMING, 8

Early voting is on Early voting continues through Feb. 25. Election Day is March 1. Below are some of the local races that will be on the ballot. Follow the QR code below for a sample ballot and see page 6 for voting locations.

GOVERNOR

Republicans: Allen B. West, Greg Abbott, Kandy Kaye Horn, Don Huffines, Paul Belew, Danny Harrison, Rick Perry and Chad Prather Democrats: Beto O’Rourke, Joy Diaz, Michael Cooper, Rich Wakeland, Incencio (Inno) Barrientez

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 45 Republican: Michelle M. Lopez Democrats: Erin Zwiener, Angela “Tía Angie” Villescaz and Jessica “Sirena” Mejia

DISTRICT JUDGE, 207TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Republications: Mark E. Cusack, Tracie WrightReneau, Charmaine Wilde, George Carroll Democrats: N/A

DISTRICT JUDGE, 274TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Republican: Gary Steel Democrat: N/A

DISTRICT JUDGE, 428TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Republicans: Bill Henry Democrats: Joe Pool

CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Republican: David Puryear Democrat: Kelly Higgins

COUNTY JUDGE

Republican: Mark Jones Democrats: Brandon Burleson and Ruben Becerra

JUDGE, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW #1

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2

Republicans: Mike Gonzalez and Andy Hentschke Democrats: Richard “Pepe” Cronshey, Linda Aguilar Hawkins and Michelle Gutierrez Cohen

Republican: Chris Johnson Democrat: Paul Hill

Republican: Dan O’Brien Democrat: Elaine S. Brown

Republican: Beverly Crumley Democrat: Avery Anderson

LINES REDRAWN

UIL redistricting creates new matchups for our high school competitors.

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Republican: Britney Richey Democrat: Daphne Tenorio

JUDGE, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW #2

DISTRICT CLERK

Republican: Linda Duran Democrats: Edna R. Peterson and Elaine Cárdenas

COUNTY TREASURER

Republican: Robert Updegrove Democrat: Jimmy Alan Hall

JUDGE, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW #3

COUNTY CLERK

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4

Republicans: Walt Smith and Joe Bateman Democrats: N/A

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 4

Republican: John Burns Democrat: N/A

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 3 Republican: Andrew Cable Democrats: N/A

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 2 Republicans: N/A Democrats: Beth Smith and Amaya Cuellar

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 1 Republican: N/A Democrat: Maggie Hernandez Moreno

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 5

Republicans: Karen Marshall and Terry Strawn Democrat: Sandra Bryant

Visit the Hays County Election website for all races and voting locations.

The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. 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

Art-based school in flux Katherine Anne Porter ‘family’ fighting to keep it the same

BY MEGAN WEHRING WIMBERLEY — Everybody has a safe haven. For some students, that place is in the classrooms and hallways at Katherine Anne Porter School (KAPS).

KAPS is a public charter school, with creativity and diversity as a part of its mission, located in Wimberley serving the Hays County area and surrounding cities. The school has become a family to many, a place where every single person is welcome.

But after receiving word that the academic environment could change, thousands signed an online petition to preserve the school. Over 50 parents and students, including alumni, also expressed their concerns at the KAPS Board of Directors meeting held on Monday, Jan. 31.

The Board considered a merger for KAPS with ResponsiveEd, a charter school operator, for a Premier High School; this type of school is a college-preparatory program that prioritizes credit recovery, credit acceleration and career and technical education (CTE).Through Premier, students would complete this program self-paced, which is fairly independent study, with a teacher present in the classroom.

“We heard you,” said Ronnie Pinkerton, former Board President. “We thank you for your input. It is incredibly refreshing to see this kind of activation of the KAPS community, the community, staff, alumni and current students. We feel there is sufficient time to get together between the board and the community to look at strategies and solutions.”

The Board postponed the decision by 90 days, allowing the creation of a KAPS Community Strategy Committee that board member Cynthia Milonzi is leading. The main issues that the committee is addressing are the school’s finances and enrollment figures.

Milonzi explained that KAPS needs approximately $277,000 (rounded to $300,000) to cover the

KAPS IN FLUX, 8

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 16, 2022

Angie Villescaz enters race for state representative Angela Villescaz resigned from her advocate position at SAFE (Austin,TX) in order to support survivors a different way, by running to become a legislature who will prioritize health and safety issues.

Angela Villescaz moved to Kyle,TX 22 years ago and has witnessed the population explosion of the fastest growing county in America first-hand, along with the ever increasing public health and safety concerns.

Many of the problems that the new House District 45 has been experiencing ranges from racial disparities associated with the lack of Covid resources during the pandemic to the increased Amber Alerts of missing teens. Villescaz has been a passionate servant leader when it comes to survivors of abuse. "Ever since I have known Angela, she has consistently

demonstrated that her number one priority is 'SAFETY FIRST'.

In all my years in law enforcement and VILLESCAZ emergency management, I don't believe that I have ever met a fiercer advocate for families and survivors", said Alex Villalobos, former Director for Emergency Management for Hays County.

Villescaz was working for the Austin non-profit SAFE as a survivor advocate when she decided to resign in order to run for a legislative position. Her goal as the new State Rep in Hays County is to ensure that Hays receives the same level of resources that neighboring counties such as Travis County are receiving.

P

Villescaz is also well known as “Tia Angie”, a nickname given to her for being a strong voice that shows up like a fierce Mexican aunt with a chancla' in hand to defend those being bullied or treated unjustly.

She is no stranger to politics, Tia Angie was chosen

by Beto O'Rourke to serve as his Captain of Powered

by People. Beto's PAC has registered thousands of new voters in Texas and Villescaz has led the organizations ‘Drive 2 You’ program in Hays County.

Her top three campaign platform initiatives are: Public Health and Safety; Decriminalizing cannabis; and Protecting our Voting Rights Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz’s goal as the new State Rep is to make sure that Hays County is the safest and just county in Texas to live in.

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Mark Cusack campaigning for 207th District Judge HAYS COUNTY — Mark Cusack is running for the 207th District Judge position in the 2022 Primary Election. District 207 is a district court in Caldwell, Comal, and Hays Counties in Texas.

Cusack says that he stands out among other candidates for the 207th District Court because he is the only veteran, Board Certified by the State Bar of Texas in Civil Trial Law, certified by the State Bar of Texas for conflict resolution/mediator training, handled criminal cases involving capital murder, murder, and all other serious felony matters, and tried hundreds of civil cases like will contests, custody disputes, contract cases, family disputes and wrongful death.

Photo provided by the Mark Cusack campaign.

“In all the cases I have handled over 38 years, I have had one consistent question no matter what

type of dispute; when can we get to court? Due to covid, we are witnessing an unprecedented backlog CUSACK of cases that must be addressed and resolved,” said Cusack.

“The judges are walking a fine line to get cases tried without causing a spike in health care by gathering the public together for a jury trial. This problem will be with us for possibly years to come and I will be ready to go on day one.”

Cusack said he isn’t sure a person should be a candidate for district judge if they have any bias, whether implicit or express. He believes that any training that will bring insight and awareness of issues that a judge will face is positive and will benefit the perception that judges are fair

and open minded. As a trial judge, Cusack says he must be always vigilant that the results that are reached are fair, just and impartial.

Cusack thinks that due to the backlog of cases cause by the pandemic, the criminal justice system will be pushed to the limit.

“I believe that part of the job of a district court judge is ensuring that justice is always front and center. The Court must be vigilant to identify whether a lawyer is just going through the motions and is providing competent representation for all his or her clients,” said Cusack. “I am in favor of frequent monitoring to ensure that the lawyers providing representation of all criminal defendants are well both mentally and physically prepared. One person wrongfully convicted, is one too many.”

Early voting for the 2022 Primary Election begins on Monday, February 14.

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Emergency Assistance Continued from pg. 1

While there are still millions of dollars in funds remaining, the county is at risk for getting more funds recaptured in the future if milestones continue to not be met.

Matthews’ “narrow administrative approach,” Matthews said during the Feb. 1 commissioners court meeting that the program’s setbacks during his time as manager were largely caused by a lack of staffing, and that he had been asking for additional case workers.

Matthews explained that between the two workers they had, they could only process around 40 tickets a month. But with six workers — one for each precinct and the ERA office, he explained — they could have processed upwards of 480 tickets a month, which would have resulted in over $1 million in relief.

Residents have also been vocal about the program, and many spoke about their experiences during the Jan. 18 and Feb. 1 commissioners court meetings. Some spoke about how the ERA program has helped them and how it’s a necessity for

the community, while others expressed their frustrations with the program’s mismanagement and fears that funds will continue to be recaptured.

In the meantime, the county ensures that progress is being made through a more “streamlined process,” and that staff from various county offices have stepped in as volunteers to help serve the program in order to keep providing relief until a new program manager is identified.

Program manager proposals were due on Feb. 10 and will be reviewed by the evaluation committee.

Proposals have been submitted by Ardurra Group, Inc., Blanco River Regional Recovery Team, LiveStories and Metric Engineering, Inc. For more information on the program, visit www.hayscountytx.com/emergency-rental-assistance-program.

RE-ELECT STATE REPRESENTATIVE

ERIN ZWIENER Progressive Champion Mom 3x Jeopardy! Champion

Since she flipped this seat in 2018, Erin has been showing up for our community.

From working to protect our environment to strengthening our classrooms; from helping us get through COVID-19 to standing up to Republicans in Austin who attack teachers, women, students and our local communities; to delivering water after the winter storm, Erin has been here for our community.

FOR Y’ALL TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE HD 45: HAYS COUNTY

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cessfully attempted to prevent the recapture of funds twice now — in September, when they submitted a program improvement plan to the Treasury, and on Feb. 7, when Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra sent a letter to U.S. Reps. Chip Roy (R), Roger Williams (R) and Lloyd Doggett (D) asking for an “extension of time” in order to adequately allocate the funding to residents.

Becerra’s letter outlined how in the one-month period since the resignation of program manager Wesley Matthews on Jan. 7, the ERA program has processed 100 tickets in an amount of approximately $265,000, and an additional 88 tickets are under auditor review for payment processing.

In the six months Matthews was program manager, Becerra wrote, around 340 tickets were processed in an amount of approximately $835,000.

“Even after repeated direction from the commissioners court, the program manager isolated a single facet of individuals needing assistance, rather than utilizing a multi-faceted approach to reach as many citizens in need as possible,” Becerra wrote.

Becerra went on to say that while they are aware they have not met the targeted milestone, they are hopeful they will be granted the ability to retain funding and prevent future recaptures, given the measures they have taken to get the program on track and the significant progress made since Matthews’ departure.

Despite Becerra’s claims that the program’s shortcomings were a result of

Find More Election Information Here Pol. Adv. Paid for Erin Zwiener for Texas House.

Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“This new farming model can be as much as 400 times more efficient than soil-based agriculture and uses no chemical pesticides.”

–According to an Infarm spokesperson

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 16, 2022

Page 3

Subscribe to Crow’s Nest + I don’t know about all y’all, but I’m fed up with all these TV streaming services. You know those channels or networks or whatever they call themselves; they are as numerous as fire ants on a marshmallow. If y’all have one of those Roku thingamabobs and have an hour to kill, just take a gander at all the streaming channels available. No, don’t do it right now. Go ahead and finish reading this or you might forget about me.

If any of y’all are anywhere as old as I am, you might recall back when you were a kid and having just three or four channels to watch, depending on weather conditions. Your dad might’ve wrapped aluminum foil around the TV antenna for better reception, and he probably also had you move the rabbit ears around until you found the right spot.

Some of you young whippersnappers are wondering what rabbit ears are, but you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. And if I told you our phones were wired to the wall, you’d probably think I was plumb loco.

Oh, I could reminisce about the good old days for hours, but I’m here today to fuss about some of these stupid streaming channels.

First of all, there are some channels that were once on regular cable TV, but now they planted the plus sign behind their name and are streaming through the Ethernet. The “Plus” means they’ve added new shows and some are commercial free, but it also means you have to pay extra for it.

So, with me being a tad frugal, I simply don’t subscribe to these channels. I’d rather have a plus sign in my bank statement than a minus sign. I think I pay too much already for the streaming channels I currently have, and I’m not about to pay an extra $4.95 a month just to watch some show that I used to watch back when the channel had no plus sign.

Now, these greedy network executives have come up with a way to get poor folks like me to

Crow’s Nest

by Clint Younts

dish out an extra $4.95 every month. They start a steaming channel that’s free, and then they air a really good show on it.

You watch one episode and then another. You’re hooked like a bass on a spinner lure. Then, the following week, you sit in front of your TV, all excited to see what Beth does this week, and the show’s not on.

After flipping through all 203 channels on your TV, you can’t find your new favorite show. So you go online and see you have to subscribe to Paramount + to watch episode 3.

You’re thinking this ain’t right, but then you start having Yellowstone withdrawals. You’re hooked like a meth addict. You need a hit.

You’ve gotta see who Rip takes to the train station this week. Then, after paying for yet another channel, the show jumps ship and I can’t get it on any network.

Oh, Paramount’s not the only streaming service to do this.

Peacock showed its true colors when it premiered a new show recently. I watched it and was all excited to see episode 2. But what to my wondering eyes should appear but a message on my TV screen that said I have to subscribe to Peacock + to watch the rest of the episodes.

Stinkin’ bird!

I’m sure other streaming services stoop to this devious practice. It reminds me of those drug pushers who hand out a free sample to a high school kid, then charge a large amount when the kid returns for more.

Or a pharmaceutical company that claims their pill is nonaddictive. It’s kinda hard not to pay an extra $4.95 to see Sam Elliot and Tim McGraw in a great cowboy show. Lucky for me, I can watch other cowboy shows for free on GRIT as long as the weather cooperates and I find the right spot to put my TV antenna.

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CORRECTIONS

The scandalous silence about China It’s possibly the only scandal we are allowed to discuss.

In 2015 the peaceful and tiny world of competitive curling was rocked by a broom kerfuffle that sent the ancient sport reeling.

Curling — which is currently getting its quadrennial global TV exposure at the Winter Olympics in Beijing — is a civilized, nonviolent sport invented in 16th Scotland.

As described by Britannica, in curling two teams of four players compete by sliding heavy stones — concave on the bottom with a handle on the top — across the ice with the goal of each team getting its stone closest to the center tee or button.

Each player takes turns delivering two stones, while two other members of the team use brooms to sweep the “pebbled” ice — thus altering the ice’s smoothness and temperature — to guide or “curl” the stones to their desired destination.

The sport’s jovial nature turned bitter in 2015 when some players began using brooms with advanced fibers and brush-head inserts that significantly enhanced their ability to alter the stone’s

fabric used for all brushes in sanctioned championship Guest events.

I bring up the “Great CurlColumn ing Scandal of 2015” because

by Tom Purcell that minor scandal was fully debated and settled out in the open. course.

Compare that to the major Smithsonianmag.org scandal going on right now reports that, according to at the Winter Olympics in critics, the rougher fabric on China — where oppressive the new broom heads “can behavior by a dictatorial too easily change the way a government is a daily reality curling stone moves down for 1.4 billion citizens. the ice, negating the precise As the autocrats in commoves and strategies that munist China commit genoplayers use.” cide on Uyghur Muslims, A fierce hullaballoo punish dissidents and jail resulted. or “disappear” any citizens “The resulting explosion bold enough to criticize their caused a stream of accusagovernment’s repressive politions, agreements, broken cies, the expected response is agreements… even some silence — by everyone. near-fisticuffs,” reports theThe International Olympic Curlingnews.com.

Committee and political and Some players conducted business leaders are eager for on-ice experiments to show the world to look the other that the new brooms made way. it so much easier to alter the We don’t want to upset the direction of the stones that a people in charge of the fastest team of hack amateurs could growing consumer market use them to outplay a team of in the world, after all, when seasoned pros. our global corporations, our The World Curling Federa- politicians investing in Chition addressed and resolved na-related stocks and many their broom scandal with others like Nike and the NBA grace and transparency and have so much money to today there’s one standard make there.

Athletes competing in the winter games who routinely use their public platforms to criticize wrongs in open countries are warned by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that their safety may be at risk if they criticize China’s policies.

The best our spineless political leaders could do to protest China’s notorious human and civil rights violations was cobble together a diplomatic boycott that will keep an official U.S. government delegation at home.

Meanwhile, this loud silence about China’s genuinely scandalous actions is beyond shameful.

It allows its autocrats to use the Olympics to polish its international status while the IOC and global leaders skirt a golden opportunity to use the Olympics to spotlight China’s abuses and demand change.

As I said, the curling scandal of 2015 is possibly the last scandal we are allowed to discuss.

Tom Purcell is an author and humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Email him at Tom@TomPurcell.com.

Social justice isn’t microwavable When he said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,” Martin Luther King Jr. was as serious about patience as he was about persistence.

Patience: a hefty ask in a tormented year like 1968. But at least the word “wait” was in our vocabulary then. We don’t do that in 2022.

Today every calculation is instant and uses zero-sum math.

By that math, the House’s advancing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to be stopped by a Republican filibuster, is nothing at all.

Technically this is true.

Historically? No. Mark that effort. Mark it as a crucial step in the right direction – impeded by the very forces that blocked civil rights and voting rights for generations.

Expectations are a problem in 2022, though. We are used to having our popcorn in seconds, the answers to all questions in the palms of our hands.

The polls show, barely a year into his presidency, Biden’s having to contend with that. It’s “Joe vs. the Microwave” – whether on voting rights, inflation or the pandemic.

Patience be damned.

But let’s review a few things.

Quick. Without that smartphone, tell us what

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DEADLINES

to ride to the rescue on voting rights were disappointed Young at then as they are now. Even after Brown vs. Board of EduHeart cation, I doubt anyone siding

by John Young with King and his cause held out much hope for salvation by the highest court. major civil rights Supreme No. The hope for an end Court ruling happened in to discrimination and voter 1944. That’s OK. I couldn’t oppression rested solely with answer the question either those assigned to make the until perusing a civil rights nation’s laws: Congress. timeline.

This is where one of the We aren’t talking about central cudgels of systematic 1954 (Brown vs. Board of Ed- racial oppression came into ucation). We speak of Smith play: the filibuster. vs. Allwright, 10 years earlier A rather quaint delaying -- a death blow seemingly tactic dating back to the middealt to vote suppression: 18th century, it has become the abolition of the “white a monster. And as Adam Jetprimary” in the South. tleson writes in “Kill Switch” Before the ruling, prima(from the insider term for the ries were entirely up to the filibuster), at least through parties, which could decide the ‘60s “the only issue it was who (and what color) could deployed against with any vote. As pertained to the vote, consistency was civil rights.” so much for those “unalienWith that obstacle loomable rights” of the Founders, ing at every step whenever and of the 14th Amendment civil rights came to the fore, (1868) and the 15th (1870).

Lyndon Johnson’s cajoling The thing is, Smith vs. enough members of both Allwright did not end parties to pass both the 1964 discrimination at the ballot Civil Rights Act and the 1965 box. It simply added to the Voting Rights Act has to rank challenge of installing “legal” as the greatest legislative barriers to equal represenachievement since Lincoln tation. shepherded the 13th AmendThose barriers – poll ment to slavery’s end. taxes, literacy tests, outright Let the record state that violence and intimidation – the very same arguments the endured for a generation. losing segregationists used to Be advised: Americans oppose Johnson’s measures then who were hoping for an – you know, about federal enlightened Supreme Court overreach and “states’ rights”

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– were dusted off this time, too. Sparkling oratory, New Segregationists.

Is a Johnson- or Lincoln-style coalition-building possible in 2022? No, it is not – not when one party is the party of Trump, who owes his place in history to Jim Crow-style appeals to white grievance.

But, again, the action by this Congress – House advancement of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act – is a marker. It’s not going away.

It’s a point on the nation’s timeline from which to keep advancing when conditions allow.

It’s possible that retrograde voices in the Supreme Court will deal one or more blows to voting rights this year. It’s possible that Democrats will lose one or both of their majorities these mid-terms.

That just means that a party that better reflects the nation will have to retool, regroup, win the day and move the marker another step in the right direction as it did in 2020.

Or maybe the Republicans’ odious and corrupt leader will help Democrats make a successful case to voters this time like he did when last atop the ballot.

Longtime newspaperman John Young lives in Colorado. Email: jyoungcolumn@ gmail.com.

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.

Page 4

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 16, 2022

County judge candidates clash ahead of election A verbal altercation that allegedly turned physical between Ruben Becerra’s wife Monica and Brandon Burleson’s mother Rose occurred during a Martin Luther King. Jr. memorial celebration on Jan. 16 in San Marcos. The Burleson’s have sought a temporary restraining order and $250,000 in damages.

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

The race between Hays County Judge democratic candidates Brandon Burleson and incumbent Ruben Becerra has turned contentious with a legal battle.

A verbal altercation that allegedly turned physical between Becerra’s wife Monica and Burleson’s mother Rose occurred during a Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial celebration on Jan. 16 in San Marcos. The Burlesons have sought a temporary restraining order and $250,000 in damages.

Additionally, Burleson

BECERRA

BURLESON

has filed a $1 million civil lawsuit against the Becerras, along with two other citizens, for making oral and written defamatory statements about Burleson that allege he sexually assaulted minors.

Individually, Becerra and Burleson have had

their share of legal troubles.

Becerra was fined $500 in December 2021 by the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) for a campaign finance violation – his third since 2016 – for failing to timely file the July 2020 and January 2021 semiannual reports.

Becerra’s two previous campaign violations also

each resulted in a $500 fine from the TEC. In September 2019, Burleson, the founder and CEO of Skylight Party Bus Co., was released from a legal case regarding the death of 20-year-old Texas State University student Jordin Taylor.

Taylor was found deceased in October 2016

underneath one of the company’s party buses at Cool River Ranch in Martindale. Evidence found that Taylor’s cause of death was having been dragged around 500 feet, not by being hit by the bus; it is unknown how she wound up under the bus.

Both candidates have released individual state-

ments regarding the January 2022 incidents, with Becerra saying “the matter is in the hands of the justice system, and I trust that they will investigate and adjudicate the matter fairly,” while Burleson said he “would not address lies and a failed attempt to distract from the issues the citizens of Hays County want to hear about.”

Early voting for the March 1 primary election ends on Feb. 25. Becerra or Burleson will then face Republican Mark Jones, current Pct. 2 commissioner who is running unopposed, in the November 2022 election.

TEXAS HISTORY: Cal Farley saved boys at bottom of barrel

C

al Farley’s huge heart suddenly gave out on Feb. 19, 1967, while the founder of Boys Ranch attended chapel with his “cowboys.”

The homespun humanitarian knew all about broken homes. Cal was just a boy himself, when his father walked out on his wife and six children.

He had no choice but to quit school after the eighth grade to help with the chores on the family farm in Minnesota.

Cal’s ticket out was his aptitude for athletics.

Jumping at the chance to play semi-pro baseball for $15 a week, the teenager left his unhappy home and never looked back.

Six years later, Cal joined the doughboy crusade to make the Old World “safe for democracy.” He passed the time after the armistice by winning the welterweight wrestling championship of the American Expeditionary Forces and the Inter-Allied crown in a match against the Australian titleholder.

Cal rolled into Amarillo in 1923 as the second baseman for the local minor-league team. To pick up a few extra bucks between games, he wrestled anybody rash enough to accept his advertised challenge “to stand the biggest man in town on his ear.”

With a wife and a daughter, named after close friend Gene Tunney, to support, Cal retired from the diamond and the ring.

By the early 1930’s, he had become a successful businessman and popular radio personality with his own daily show.

Texas History

by Bartee Haile

Meanwhile, the deepening Depression was tearing many families apart and turning unsupervised youngsters loose on society.

Cal’s answer to the juvenile crime wave gripping Amarillo was a sports program to keep the kids off the street and out of trouble.

With the help of likeminded merchants and a building donated by rancher Julian Bivins, Cal opened the Maverick Club in January 1934.

The response was overwhelming with 1,400 active participants in the first 12 months.

The privately funded program was not all fun and games. Needy members were given free clothes, shoes, haircuts and medical attention. When it came to taking care of his boys, Cal could talk the birds out of the trees.

The Maverick Club took an immediate and meaningful bite out of underaged crime. The number of adolescent offenders shipped from Amarillo to the state reformatory dropped from 18 in 1933 to only two in ’34.

Rather than rest on his laurels, Cal turned his attention to the one boy in ten who needed much more than the Maverick Club could provide. “We can’t reach those boys at the bottom of the barrel unless we can provide a home for them,” he told rancher Bivins. “Not just some place

Cal Farley

to spend their afternoons, but somewhere where they will get 24-hour care and discipline, where they can get the ‘raising’ they missed in their own homes.”

Julian Bivins had just the place – the wide-open spaces at the Old Tascosa townsite 40 miles outside of Amarillo. Cal accepted the generous offer, convinced the caretaker and his wife to stick around until permanent staff could be

hired and started looking for his initial batch of boarders.

The Maverick Club referred Cal to a 12-year-old truant whose infrequent attendance invariably ended in a fight. Cal had to bite his tongue as the mother rambled on about how stupid, vicious and out of control her son was.

When the woman finally paused for breath, he asked, “Will you turn him over to us to raise?”

“Sure,” she flippantly replied. “I’m leaving town myself.”

“When?” Cal inquired drily implying that it could not be soon enough.

“There’s a bus at two this afternoon.”

“I wish you’d get out of here right now,” he snapped, “and leave me this boy.”

That neglected child and four others moved to the ranch in March 1939.

Nine more, along with a superintendent and a cook, arrived in time to celebrate the first Christmas.

Cal sold his business in 1947 and devoted his last 20 years to Boys Ranch. His Panhandle pardners could not have had a better or more effective spokesman.

When a reporter from the Saturday Evening Post toured the unique spread in 1962, 300 boys from 32 states lived 36 to a dorm under the watchful eyes of a live-in couple. Fourteen hundred had come and gone in nearly a quarter century, and fewer than 50 had washed out.

Cal Farley gladly shared the secret of the Boys Ranch success with the visiting journalist. “In the first

place, we give these kids some affection, make them feel they have a place in the world and are wanted. We can be tough when we have to be, but I won’t stand for brutality.

“Second, the steady boys at the ranch help us show the wild ones how to conduct themselves. The older ones who have earned it are appointed junior leaders, and I never cease to be amazed at how much they can help in turning an undisciplined animal around in his tracks and making a decent kid out of him.”

“Murder Most Texan” is a must read for fans of true crime and Texas history.

Order your copy for $24.00 by mailing a check to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.

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D & D Insurance Agency Serving Hays County since 1983 “Call us for all of your insurance needs” Angie Dahl

Wimberley: 512-847-5549 or 512-847-9325 Dripping Springs: 512-894-2286

Sudoku puzzle courtesy of www.4puz.com

See solutions on page 5

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 16, 2022

Page 5

Business Briefs

PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON Buff City Soap employees give a soap-making demonstration at their grand opening celebration Feb. 10.

Buff City Soap opens in Kyle Buff City Soap is bringing plant-based soap and body products free of toxins, sulfates, chemicals and animal products to Kyle.

The business held its grand opening on Feb. 10 and features a bar and liquid soap, bath bombs, body scrubs, body butters, laundry soap and more, all of which are handmade in front of customers daily out of their in-store soap makery.

Products are also customizable, with over 30 scents that allow guests to customize the ingredients used and create a unique

scent profile.

They will also hold soap making classes and parties, which are expected to begin in about a month.

Founded in 2013, Buff City Soap has since expanded to over 100 stores across the U.S., aiming to offer a high-quality alternative to commercial soap and disrupt the consumer goods industry by focusing on transparency of the ingredients and process.

“I am excited to bring Buff City Soap to Kyle,” local owner Billy Perkins said. “We really have something to offer everyone, and most people have never seen anything like this concept before.”

Buff City Soap is located at 5401 FM 1626, Suite 310 in Kyle Marketplace.

Local legal eagles start own firm More than 200 Hays County citizens, lawyers, and dignitaries attended the launch party Huckaby Hicks, PLLC at Assemblage Contemporary Craftsman Gallery in Buda Feb. 10.

Their firm will be based in Buda.

Angie Roberts Huckaby spent the first decade of her legal career with the Hays County District Attorney’s Office. She started as a law clerk and once licensed, she became a civil prosecutor handling every aspect of civil justice with distinction and was promoted to the Chief

position in July of 2017.

Prior to working as an Assistant District Attorney, Whitney Hicks worked as an associate HUCKABY at a premier family law firm in Austin for two years.

The party featured central Texas local Landry Mcmeans’ art. HICKS Music was performed by central Texas celebrity Jordan Mathew Young from 2021 The Voice.

Do you have a news tip to share with us?

Do you have a news tip, or an idea for a story? Do you know someone in the community that does something amazing?

Do you have a not-for-profit community event you’d like to share?

Email news@haysfreepress.com or call us at 512-268-7862

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

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

Sudoku Solution

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

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

EPISCOPAL

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

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 Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 4

Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

Texas Crossword Solution

Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W. CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Texas Crossword, from page 4

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 Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda

Join us in person or online.

Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

Spring Water!

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Vertical Chapel 400 Old Post Road, Kyle A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle

Friendly, Courteous Service

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

Call 1-866-691-2369

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

BUDA

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

DRUG STORE

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

PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle

Journey United Methodist 216 Kirkham Circle, Kyle

CHRISTIAN

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

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

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

New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd. PRESBYTERIAN

First Baptist Church

A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161 Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.

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

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

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

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

Pure Texas

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

St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland

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

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

Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda

Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle

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

Hays Free Press

Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle

St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle

Baptist Church

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Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald

METHODIST

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TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP

Nursery Provided

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

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

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM

Sunday Morning

11:00 AM

Sunday Worship

5:45 PM

Wednesday Meal

6:30 PM

Wed TouchPoint SCBC Preschool Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries

A Family of Faith... www.sunsetcanyonchurch.org

(512) 894-0480

4000 E. HWY 290

Page 6

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 16, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROJECTS PROPOSED TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY OF BUDA 4B CORPORATION (BUDA EDC), A "TYPE B" ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SALES TAX CORPORATION

DISTRICT 12-5A, DIVISION I

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

UIL draws new redistricting lines for high schools Who will play whom this upcoming season?

Last week, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) completed its Realignment and Reclassification process by releasing brand new athletic district alignments for the next two seasons. Here in Hays CISD, Johnson High athletics joins the new District 26-6A that features several Austin area schools, including perennial state powers Westlake and Lake Travis. Dripping Springs High School will also be a major contender in the district Hays High and Lehman High athletics – with the exception of football – will join the new 25-5A district

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(s) being considered by the EDC

as follows: 1. Project Land Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 505.158 and 505.159, the Buda EDC proposes to fund the purchase and future development of real property in the City of Buda or its extraterritorial jurisdiction, for the purpose of promoting or expanding new business development, such expenditures not to exceed a total amount of $250,000.00 (Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and no/100s).

2. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section(s) 505.152, 505.158 and 505.159 the Buda EDC

proposes to fund certain Recreational/Community/ Park Enhancements in the City of Buda, not to exceed a total amount of $100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars and/no 100s).

Information on any public hearing concerning the above project(s), 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

PUBLIC NOTICES, 7

Impact of UIL realignment on Hays, Johnson, Lehman and Dripping Springs high schools DISTRICT 26-6A

DISTRICT 12-5A, DIV. I (FOOTBALL ONLY)

Johnson Lake Travis Westlake Bowie Austin Anderson Dripping Springs Akins Del Valle Austin High

STAFF REPORT

Hays Lehman Comal Canyon Comal Smithson Valley San Antonio MacArthur San Antonio Wagner Seguin Boerne Champion

DISTRICT 25-5A Hays Lehman Cedar Park Leander Leander Glenn Leander Rouse Liberty Hill Lockhart

that features teams from the Leander and Cedar Park areas, as well as Lockhart and Liberty Hill. In football, Hays and Lehman will join the new 12-5A, Division I that includes two

Comal ISD schools, Seguin and three San Antonio-area squads. The all new UIL districts will go into effect starting fall 2022 and continue through the end of the 2023-24 school year.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 16, 2022

Page 7

Classifieds PUBLIC NOTICES INVITATION FOR BIDS IFB # 22-026 REHABILITATION OF DOWNTOWN GROUND STORAGE TANK

Sealed bids will be received by the Purchasing Manager of the City of Buda for the above referenced solicitation. The City is seeking to enter a contract with a qualified contractor for furnishing all labor, materials and equipment for the work required for the rehabilitation of the rehabilitation of the ground storage tank as listed in the Specifications for City of Buda – Downtown Ground Storage Tank prepared by Dunham Engineering. The work consists of rehabilitating a 130,000-gallon ground storage tank located at 121 Main Street, Buda, Texas 78610 (see Map(s) in Drawings section).

The solicitation package with plans and specifications are available electronically at QuestCDN at www.questcdn.com.

This project will be federally funded whole or in part.

Therefore, this solicitation and resulting contract will be subject to the requirements of 2 CFR 200 and other applicable federal regulations.

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at Buda City Hall, 405 E. Loop Street, Buda, Texas 78610 at 2 PM February 24, 2022 in Classroom 1005. Attendees please RSVP to Dalton Warren, E.I.T. by email Dalton.Warren@hmttank.com Bids shall be delivered to City of Buda City Hall, Attn: Purchasing Bid Box, 405 E. Loop St., Bldg. 100, Buda, Texas 78610. Write “SEALED BID” with the Bid Number, Name, and Due Date on the outside of the shipping package. Bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m., March 11, 2022. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.

All bids shall be accompanied a bid bond in the in the amount of 5% of the total bid amount.

Questions may be directed to the City of Buda Purchasing Office via email at purchasing@ ci.buda.tx.us.

in a sealed envelope to City of Buda, City Hall Purchasing Bid Box, 405 E. Loop St., Bldg.

100, Buda, Texas 78610. Write “SEALED PROPOSALS” with the RFP Number, Name, and Due Date on the outside of the shipping package.

Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 p.m., March 3, 2022.

Questions may be directed to the City of Buda Purchasing Office via email at purchasing@ ci.buda.tx.us

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Robert B. Roach, Deceased, were issued on February 7, 2022, in Cause No. 21-0521-P, pending in County Court at Law No. 3, Hays County, Texas, to: Patricia L. Roach, Independent Executor. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law to the Independent Executor c/o Robert Giberson, Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 430, Buda, Texas 78610.

GRANT SERVICES PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Kyle is soliciting service providers for one or more Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants from the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Water Development Board and/or other sources, including Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, and/ or Flood Mitigation Assistance.

Accordingly, the City seeks to contract with a qualified service provider for pre-award, plan writing services and post-award management of HMA project(s).

Please submit 1 electronic copy of your proposal of services and a statement of qualifications to jrearp@cityofkyle.com with subject SOQ_HMA_(Firm name).

Proposals must be received by the City no later than 5 pm on Friday, March 4, 2022 to be considered. The City reserves the right to negotiate with any and NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVENas per TOtheALL all proposers, Texas NOTICE TO BIDDERS Professional Services ProcureINTERESTED PERSONS, THAT: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ment Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management RFP #22-029 Standards.

Minority hearing Business The City of Kyle shall hold a public LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING Enterprises, Small Business on ADVOCACY a requestSERVICES

by Stephen Buffum, of AND Enterprises, WomenP.E. Business Enterprises, and labor surplus Sealed proposals will be (Z-22-0097) to rezone Costello Inc., area firms are encouraged to received by the Purchasing approximately 201.4 land from submitof proposals.

The City‘A’ of Manager of the City of Buda for acres Kyle is an Affirmative Action/ theto above referenced solicita‘R-1-1’ (Single Family Residential 1) for tion. The City of Buda is seeking Equal Opportunity Employer. located at 1899Servicios Six Creeks Blvd, in de traducción están to property enter a contract with a qualidisponibles por peticion. fied firm to provide the following Hays County, Texas. services: NOTICE TO CREDITORS • Develop a Legislative Agenda • The Monitor Interim Legislative is hereby givenmay that Planning and ZoningNotice Commission Work original Letters of Administration and the forCity Council may • recommend, Monitor Legislation During the Estate of Juan Arturo Session Lopez Vargas, Deceased, were consider, assigning any zoning district • Reporting issued on January 24, 2022, in restrictive.

• which Advocacyis equivalent or more Cause No. 21-0396-P, sitting in Complete specifications are matters probate of Hays County, in the solicitation package which Texas, to: Mayra Rodriguez.

Abepublic hearing held the may obtained online at Bid- willAll be persons havingby claims Net www.bidnetdirect.com. against this Estate which ison Planning and Zoning Commission Proposals are to be delivered currently being administered are

Public Notice Notice of Public Hearing

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 6:30 P.M.

Notice of Public Hearing A public hearing will be held by the Kyle Notice is hereby Given to all interested persons, that: at City Council on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing on a 7:00 P.M. request by Stephen Buffum, P.E. of Costello Inc., (Z-220097) to rezone approximately 201.4 acres of land from ‘A’ to is ‘R-1-1’ (Single Family for property This a meeting takingResidential place at 1) Kyle City located100 at 1899 CreeksStreet, Blvd, inKyle, Hays County, Hall, W. Six Center Texas Texas.

The Planning and Zoning https:// may recommend, 78640; Spectrum 10;Commission and the City Council may consider, assigning any zon-

www.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/kyle-10ing district which is equivalent or more restrictive. live A public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 6:30 P.M.

A public hearing will beRiver held byRanch the Kyle City Council Owner(s): Blanco Properties on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. LP This is a meeting taking place at Kyle Agent: Stephen Buffum, P.E. City Hall, 100 W. Center Street, Kyle, Texas 78640; Spectrum 10; https:// 512-646-3463 www.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/kyle-10-live Owner(s): Blanco River Ranch Properties LP Agent: Stephen Buffum, P.E. 512-646-3463 Publication Date: February 16, 2022 Publication Date: February 16, 2022 Z-22-0097 Z-22-0097

required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

Estate of Juan Arturo Lopez Vargas c/o Mayra Rodriguez 3918 Legend Pond New Braunfels, Texas 78130 DATED February 14, 2022.

Respectfully submitted, THE GARZA LAW FIRM, PLLC 326 North LBJ Dr., Ste. 164 San Marcos, Texas 78666 (512) 667-7324 Ana Marilín "Mari" Garza State Bar No. 24084385 mari@marigarzalaw.com Attorney for Mayra Rodriguez

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that Amber Bilbo Bates has been appointed Independent Administrator for the Estate of Harvey Brian Bilbo, jr Deceased November 20, 2018; #19-0103 pending in Hays County Court, Texas. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the Estate, addressed as follows: Representative, Estate of Harvey Brian Bilbo, Jr., Deceased c/o: The Fowler Law Firm, P.C. Attn: Terry L. Belt 8310 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. 150 Austin, Texas 78731 All persons having claims against this estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.”

DATED the 15th day of February 2022.

By: Terry L. Belt State Bar No. 02109500 Email: tbelt@thefowlerlawfirm. com The Fowler Law Firm, P.C. 8310 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. 150 Austin, Texas 78731 (512) 441-1411 (512) 469-2975 (fax) Attorney for Independent Administrator

IN THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT OF MORGAN COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. SM-21-346

YOU WILL TAKE NOTICE THAT on the 17th day of November 2021, Jimmy Brinkley filed a Complaint seeking a money judgment against Bambi L. Brown. Notice is hereby given that you have fourteen (14) from the date of the last date of publication to answer the complaint or risk that a Default Judgment may be entered against you.

Jimmy Brinkley, Plaintiff, Bambi L. Brown, Defendant February 9, 2022

NOTICE OF 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. The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time. This sale is listed below: Date : 03/03/2022 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Storage Auctions. com Unit 3104 - Nadia Dozier Heater, paints, clothes, microwave, Furniture Unit 2110 - Cherella McCormick Household décor, Furniture, totes , boxes, mattress Unit 2191 – Kenneth Case - 2 bed frames , totes, disc brakes 4, baby stuff

CITATION BY PUBLICATION

TO: UNKNOWN HEIRS OF BRIAN COOK AND TO ALL UNKNOWN OWNERS, HEIRS, OR CLAIMANTS IN THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN, Defendants, GREETINGS: YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days after you were served this citation, the same being FEBRUARY 28, 2022 a default judgment may be taken against you. In addition to filing a written answer with the clerk, you may be required to make initial disclosures to the other parties of this suit. These disclosures generally must be made no later than 30 days after you file your answer with the clerk. Find out more at TexasLawHelp.org.

YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to appear and answer before the 428th District Court, Hays County, Texas, at San Marcos then and there to answer the PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL PETITION SEEKING A JUDICIAL JUDGMENT FOR FORECLOSURE filed in said Court on AUGUST 5, 2021, and said suit being numbered 21-1872 on the docket of said Court, wherein Pennymac Loan

Services, LLC is the Plaintiff and Brittany Wells; Tammy Pauley Gunter; Unknown Heirs of Brian Cook is the Defendant.

The nature of said suit is as follows: ENFORCEMENT OF NOTE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 105 COLT LOOP, KYLE, TEXAS 78640 AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS: LOT 3, BLOCK B, SILVERADO AT PLUM CREEK SECTION lA, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN VOLUME 10, PAGE 183, PLAT RECORDS, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS All as more fully appears of record on file in this office, and which reference is here made for all intents and purposes.

ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at office, on this the 12th day of January, 2022.

REQUESTED BY: Sammy Hooda Marinosci Law Group PC 14643 Dallas Parkway, Suite 750 Dallas TX 75254 972-331-2304 BEYERLY CRUMLEY Hays County District Clerk 712 Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 2211 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By: Jane May, Deputy

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the terms of the provisions of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code that San Marcos Retails, Inc. d/b/a Blossom Wine & Liquor has filed application for a Package Store Permit. Said business to be conducted at 2041 IH 35, Building B, Suite 400, San Marcos, Hays County, TX 78666. Owner: Pradip Parajuli, President/Secretary.

EMPLOYMENT

DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS 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.

NOTICE OF SALE

In accordance with the provisions of State of Texas law, there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to safety an owner and/ or manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Storage King USA location(s) listed below, and, due notice having been given to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired goods will be sold to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of at a public Auction to be held online atwww.StorageTreasures. com, which will end on February 24 at 11:00AM. At store 072, 19580 S IH 35, Kyle TX 78640, ph# 737.404.5020. Delani Jackson-hsld gds/furn,boxes,Delania Mitchell- kids toys, Shirley Robinson-frn, Sarah Lomeli-Clothes,misc. Amber Preston-washer/dryer. Robert Hernandez-tools, totes, misc.

Adriana Estrada- kids frn, twn mattress. Dalia DeLuna-carpet/ sofa, Ruben Contreras-frn, Heather Bean, bikes,tos,boxes,misc Norma Rojas- wicker funiture, mattress. Ashley Whitt- totes,bxs, kids toys, large appliances/clothes/misc.

LAND FOR SALE

TEXAS STATEWIDE ADVERTISING NETWORK

Page 8

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • February 16, 2022

Vertical Farming Continued from pg. 1

an optimized irrigation system and by recycling water, nutrients and using the evaporated water of the plants. Because the crops are grown closer to the consumer, they also require 90% fewer food miles to get to the consumers' plates."

Added to the more than 75 various herbs, salads and leafy greens the company currently produces, the spokesperson explained that Infarm is expanding its portfolio to include 40 new products this year including mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, peas and strawberries.

Nearly 2 million people will be served in the Central Texas region once the facility opens.

“Opening our next Growing Center in Texas is strategically important for Infarm as Texas and the region around Austin are high potential markets for our fresh produce," said Erez Galonska, CEO and co-founder of Infarm, in a news release. "When fully equipped, the Growing Center will be able to feed more than 18 million people living in the Texas Triangle, bringing fresh produce from our controlled, localized systems

PHOTO BY MATTHEW LEONARD Jaguar wrestler Alyssa Escareno, on center podium, took home first place in her weight class Saturday. She will continue to state competition with fellow Jags Refugio Salgado, Cohen Beacom and Daniel Morris.

Johnson Jaguars sends four to state wrestling competition Johnson Jaguar history was made at the Toney Burger Activity Center Saturday as the school's wrestling program fielded its very first Regional Champion.

Four Johnson Jaguar wrestlers are officially state bound after they excelled at the UIL Region III wrestling

meet in Austin at the Toney Burger Center this past weekend.

Jaguar wrestler Alyssa Escareno led the way as she took home first place and the Region Championship in the 102 lbs. weight class, winning her Regional Final bout with a third-round pin. Over the course of the

weekend, Escareno finished with a 4-0 record at Region and notched three of those victories by pin. She now earns the No. 1 seed in the 102 lbs. weight class into the 5A Girls state tournament, which will be held at the Berry Center in Cypress.

Joining Alyssa at state will be Refugio Salgado,

Cohen Beacom and Daniel Morris, who will compete in the Boys 5A state wrestling meet in Cypress. Both Refugio and Daniel earned the bronze medal in their respective weight classes and Cohen finished in the top five to earn a spot at State.

District powerlifters earn their rankings at Hawk Invitational On Jan. 22, the iconic clang of weights on barbells filled the Joe Graham Gym rafters at Hays High as several area schools, including Hays, Lehman and Johnson, competed in the 2022 Hays Hawk Invitational Powerlifting meet. Leading the way was the Lehman Lobos girls powerlifting team which continued its state title defense with a first place finish in the team standings, scoring 71 points on the afternoon. On the boys side, the Johnson Jaguars

powerlifting team secured first place honors with a 53-point finish. All told, 15 Hays CISD students earned individual first place honors in their respective weight classes, with Lehman High winning nine total individual first place honors.

Congratulations to all Hays CISD powerlifters on a fantastic showing this weekend. You can view more photos from this event here: https://hayscisd.smugmug. com/.../Hays-Hawk-Invitational.../

Individual first place winners at the Hawk Invitational GIRLS

Kendall Gutierrez (Lehman) Jasmine Rodriguez (Lehman) Jasmine Jaimes (Lehman) Kaitlyn Diers (Lehman) Laisha Perez (Lehman) Isabelle Vasquez-Villareal (Hays) Crystal Martinez (Lehman) Olivia Valdez (Lehman)

BOYS

Julian Enriquez (Johnson) Ikaika Engleman (Lehman) Brandon Melendez (Johnson) Diego Macedo (Lehman) Christian Ramirez (Hays) Garrett Zuma (Johnson) Dylan Clifton (Hays)

The Infarm Growing Center in Kyle is estimated to be operational within six months.

Different job positions will be available including production, hub management, warehouse specialists, maintenance technicians and quality assurance: Open positions will be posted on https://www. infarm.com/ join-us/ that minimize climate and supply chain risk by growing food reliably 24/7, 365 days per year close to consumers."

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KAPS in Flux

Continued from pg. 1 budget shortfall for this year only. The school has a mortgage balance of approximately $76,000 (rounded to $100,000) and they added an additional $100,000 as a buffer that could take care of some building maintenance. Milonzi’s goal of $500,000 is for the 90-day postponement.

“We are going to do everything we can with all of the input we can get,” Milonzi told the Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch, “and all of the energy that was created to raise the funds to keep the school going. We have to talk about how to increase enrollment and how we keep our good teachers on board. I don’t think five or six people alone can do this but I truly believe the community can.”

WHY KAPS? Founded in the late ‘90s, KAPS has become more than an institution to many.

Even years after graduation, alumni showed up to voice that the school is like no other and it should remain for future generations.

“I don’t think most alumni from high school will show up with tears in their eyes trying to make sure this is a place and opportunity for our future generations in a way that we did,” said Alisha Berber, alum and founder of the KAPS PTSO. “We feel so very lucky to have the staff that we have and the teachers we have.

What makes KAPS so unique is the fact that it’s a small school where all of the teachers know the students very personally, care and show up. We need those

“We feel so very lucky to have the staff that we have and the teachers we have. What makes KAPS so unique is the fact that it’s a small school where all of the teachers know the students very personally, care and show up. We need those teachers. We appreciate those teachers. It’s something you can not duplicate.”

–Alisha Berber, alum and founder of the KAPS PTSO

teachers. We appreciate those teachers. It’s something you can not duplicate.”

Berber added that KAPS is a place where all students are welcome, especially those who don’t necessarily “fit the mold of regular schools.”

Parent Lindsey Michelle Allen agreed, based on her daughter’s experience.

“Traditional public schooling did not work for my student,” Allen said.

“In order to thrive, she required a different type of learning environment that a school district was unable to provide. After a very difficult 8th grade year, we began to research other options for her education.

KAPS was originally at the top of our list because of the school’s location.

Ultimately, we chose KAPS after speaking with several alumni about the positive impact the school had made on their lives.”

Some students even discover KAPS to be their saving grace, parent and alum Jordan Elliott found out after watching her daughter battle daily with emotional

tribulations throughout her eighth grade year.

“KAPS has a purpose to provide a unique, sometimes last chance, educational opportunity to students,” Elliott explained. “But beyond that, to provide a place that nurtures the whole child, fosters creativity, invites citizenship beyond the classroom and in a nutshell – changes and saves lives.”

Pretty Girl is a female, 1-year-old, domestic short hair mix. Wet food, catnip, and a cozy spot is what this kitty is looking for! Pretty Girl is bonded to her sister Spanky and is looking to be adopted with her.

Dee is a female, 3-year-old, Hound mix. Dee likes to play with other dogs, go on walks, and get the most adorable zoomies. She’s done well with people of all ages and wouldn’t mind children in the home.

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

Committed to your pet’s health since 1978

Kayley Goldsmith, DVM H Elizabeth Garriott, DVM H Michelle Kurkowski, DVM 6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747 Give us a call at 512-385-0486

We proudly support our hometown talent Texas hometown friendly bank

512-858-5159

401 E. Hwy 290W. P.O. Box 1243 Dripping Springs, TX 78620