MARCH 15, 2017 BLANCO RIVER
REBEL RELAYS
Local author debuts book about Blanco River.
Rebel, Lobo track and field athletes hit annual relays.
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Hays Free Press
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Vol. 120 • No. 51
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Judge rules congressional district must be redrawn BY ROSS RAMSEY AND JIM MALEWITZ of the Texas Tribune
Some of Texas’ 36 congressional districts violate either the U.S. Constitution or the federal Voting Rights Act, a panel of federal judges ruled Friday. In a long-delayed ruling, the judges ruled 2-1 that the Texas Legislature must redraw the political maps it most recently used for the 2016 elections.
Specifically, they pointed to Congressional District 23, which stretches from San Antonio to El Paso, takes in most of the Texas-Mexico border and is represented by Republican Will Hurd of Helotes; Congressional District 27, represented by Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi; and Congressional District 35, a Central Texas district represented by Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin. The 166-page ruling by the San Antonio-based district judges was the lat-
est in a complicated case that dates back to 2011, and comes just two election cycles away from the next U.S. Census – when the state would draw a new map under normal circumstances. In 2013, the district court found evidence that lawmakers intentionally discriminated when redrawing the boundaries. But the U.S. Supreme Court soon complicated the case when it struck
An area resident holds up a sign protesting gerrymandering of Texas congressional districts at a February town hall meeting in Dripping Springs.
GERRYMANDERING, 2A
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
New election policy in place after ballot snafu BY LOGAN MCCULLOUGH
news@haysfreepress.com
A policy lapse that resulted in more than 1,800 ballots not counting towards the Nov. 8, 2016 election has led to the implementation of new policies and procedures within the Hays County Election Administration. Jennifer Anderson,
Sobering sights at Shattered Dreams
who took over the job of Elections Administrator on Jan. 1 of this year after former administrator Joyce Cowan’s retirement, said that even one vote left untallied is unacceptable. “Everybody that comes to vote wants their vote to be counted and their voice to be heard,” said Anderson.
ELECTIONS, 2A
The family of Michael Mince is looking for answers, as well as closure in his death. He’s pictured above with his mother and sister. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINCE FAMILY
Shattered Dreams – an anti-drunk driving program designed to show high school students the horrors of drinking and driving – was held at Hays High School this past Monday. The illustrative event has been organized annually by Judge Beth Smith and area emergency personnel since 2001. Shattered Dreams will take place at Lehman High School in 2018. See story and more photos on page 3B.
PHOTOS BY BECKY TENNEY
COMING UP Stephen Dunn Reading and Book Signings
TEXAS WINE
Wineries show concern over proposed bill. – Page 1D
INDEX
Poet Stephen Dunn will hold a reading and signing at The Wittliff Collections on Thursday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. and the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center on Friday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. Dunn is the author of sixteen books, including “Different Hours,” which won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for poetry. He has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Rockefeller Fellowship, and three fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. Since 1974 he has taught at Richard Stockton College of NJ, where he is Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing.His work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Nation, New Republic, the New Yorker, Georgia Review, and the American Poetry Review.
Hooked On Fishing Tournament On Saturday, March 25, the city of Kyle will hold its annual spring fishing tournament at Lake Kyle for all adults with a valid Texas Freshwater Fishing License. This unique tournament will test your strategic ability to catch qualifying species of fish in Lake Kyle: Large-mouth bass, sunfish/perch and channel catfish. See www.cityofkyle. com/recreation/ fishing-tournaments to register and for a schedule.
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Still searching for answers on victim of hit-and-run BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
A protective personality for family and friends was the norm for Kyle teen Michael Mince. Like many older brothers, Michael was protective of his younger sister, said Karin Mince, Michael’s mother. That and sports primarily his favorite team, the Texas Longhorns, were the two passions that fueled him. “He was bullied a lot when he was younger,” Karin said. “He became everyone’s protector as he grew up.” It wasn’t until after
Business ……… 1-4D Service Directory ..... 3D Classifieds ………... 2D Public Notices … 2D, 4D
Michael’s tragic death in a still unsolved hit-andrun Dec. 26, 2016 that she realized just how protective her son was. Stories of Michael calling friends to check on them at their lowest points emerged. “He lived his life thinking everyone else in the world was good, too,” Karin said. “He never accepted there were bad people. He wanted to see the good in everyone.” Karin, along with many family members and friends, hope the benevolence in people can finally lead to justice for her son.
HIT-AND-RUN, 4A
Page 2A
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HISTORY
Founded April 10, 1903, by Thomas Fletcher Harwell as The Kyle News, with offices on the corner of Burleson and Miller streets in the town’s oldest remaining building. It merged into The Hays County Citizen in 1956. The paper consolidated with The Free Press in October, 1978. During its more than 100-year history the newspaper has maintained offices at more than a dozen locations in Kyle and Buda.
Hays Free Press • March 15, 2017
Gerrymandering Continued from pg. 1A
down a key section of the Voting Rights Act that had forced Texas to seek permission before making changes to election procedures. But that didn’t end the legal battle. The U.S. Department of Justice and other plaintiffs pressed on in the case, and Texas held elections using interim maps drawn by judges. In its decision Friday, the court still found that mapdrawers acted with an impermissible intent to dilute minority voting strength or otherwise violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. “The Court finds that this evidence persuasively demonstrates that mapdrawers intentionally packed [concentrated certain populations] and cracked [diluted certain populations] on the basis of race (using race as a proxy for voting behavior) with the intent to dilute minority voting strength,” U.S. District Judges Orlando Garcia and Xavier Rodriguez wrote in the
Congressional District 35, which includes part of Hays County, is represented by Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin. The district’s boundaries must be redrawn after being ruled unconstitutional last week.
majority opinion. In his dissenting opinion, Judge Jerry Smith of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals called the case moot under previous rulings, and he sharply criticized the Justice Department. “The Department of
Justice has overplayed its hand and, in the process, has lost credibility,” Smith wrote. “The wound is self-inflicted. The grand theory on which its intervention was mainly based – that invidious racial motives infect and predominate in the drawing
of the 2011 district lines has crashed and burned. I respectfully dissent from the refusal to dismiss for want of jurisdiction.” The majority ruling loosened the case from a lengthy limbo; Groups suing the state complained the judges were dithering
after hearing arguments in 2014. Texas Democrats quickly rejoiced in the decision late Friday night. “Tonight is a victory for the voting rights of all Texans,” Gilberto Hinojosa, the state party chair, said in a statement.
Elections: 1,800 uncounted ballots usher in new policy Continued from pg. 1A
According to state law, because the election results were already canvassed by Commissioners Court, those results, without the 1,816 missing ballots, stand. Anderson explained what this means is that the numbers that were up, went up a little further; there was no overturn of an election other than the Anthem MUD. Anthem MUD is a municipal utility district west of Kyle. The Anthem MUD vote in the November election was set to create the district, elect a board of directors and then to levee the tax for the MUD. Anderson said that there were only two eligible voters in that election, and after the election results were made public reporting the vote “against,” both voters announced they had voted “for” in favor of the MUD’s bond. This led to an investigation in which Anderson discovered one Mobile Ballot Box (MBB), which is a device that communicates with voting booths and records all votes to calculate a final tally in an election, was not recorded in the election. There are more than 40 MBBs used during the elections throughout Hays County. “The missing MBB was back in our storage, a room where those who do tally and store our equipment, and it was just not anywhere secured – just laying on a shelf in a box,” said
Anderson. The only reported Anthem votes from the MBB recording was one vote against. There were no votes for, so the missing MBB contained those two votes for the anthem MUD. Anderson said this single vote most likely came from human error. Anderson’s motivation into starting the investigation came from not only concerns that she had heard throughout the county, but also because there were some unanswered questions about the way the reporting had come out after the election. Fortunately for voters, this MBB was changed out on the second day of early voting, so it didn’t affect the whole voting period, rather the first two days of early voting at the Hays County Government Center. An election contest ultimately overturned the results in favor of the Anthem MUD. The May elections will be Anderson’s first election working alone as Elections Administrator for Hays County, and she has started implementing policies and procedures to make sure a problem like this is avoided in the future to ensure citizens that their vote does indeed matter. The first policy involves a log system that is put in place to list the locations of all the MBBs and their replacement equipment. Those items will be locked inside Anderson’s office. The elections office will also continuously
back up the E-slates on replacement equipment. “If we replaced equipment here at the government center, if we had backed up the actual voting machine that night, we would have seen the difference that night,” said Anderson. Anderson said she will also cross-train to help improve accountability. “I now have two people doing the programming and two people working on the equipment,” said Anderson. “Prior to this
there was just one person doing those things. I’d like to see nobody singularly doing anything in this office. I think there should always be two sets of eyes, two minds and two signatures.” After the problem came forth about the missing votes, some citizens of Hays County who are in favor of paper ballots have voiced their opinions against electronic polling. However, Anderson said that the election
office would have never known about this missing MBB if they didn’t have electronic equipment. She was able to go back months afterwards and figure out what happened; with paper they would have not been able to do this. “You’re going to have equipment failures at times,” said Anderson. “It’s about knowing how to track that equipment, keep it in the chain of custody and make sure it’s secure.”
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Opinion
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It’s beyond me how someone could do something like that and not have any ill feelings ... . It’s in the news. It’s not like they don’t know. I’m not sure how they sleep and continue with their life.” –Karin Mince, mother of Michael Mince. See story, page 1A.
Hays Free Press • March 15, 2017
Page 3A
From the mind of Steve Bannon? No, Mel Brooks
“M
y, how presidential.” For all those, including the reputedly lucid, who said Donald Trump “turned a new page” with a “presidential” State of the Union, the next page he turned was a bucket of brine right in the kisser. You know now that as he left the House chamber his face turned south from what he’d just said, like a months-old infant getting that first taste of grapefruit. Yecchh. Statesmanship tastes like death. To cleanse his pallet: Almost as soon as the new, presidential-like Trump reached his porcelain throne for a Twitter break, he accused his predecessor of the crime of wiretapping him. Later he would accuse President Obama of springing dozens of terrorists on the planet from Gitmo releases, though almost all of the releases in question came under George W. Bush’s watch. The “new, more presidential” Trump did these thing based on the kind of information children used to glean from the back of a box of Wheat Chex – which is pretty much how he’s been briefing himself throughout. All of this brings into question the role of Steve Bannon. He’s supposedly a smart guy. But nothing Trump has done as president emits anything that could be called smart. Bannon’s out as Trump’s brain. Mel Brooks is in. Trump clearly is doing what the movie-maker envisioned in “The Producers,” in which two corrupt individuals try to make a quick buck by staging a play certain to fail. Increasingly, we can be confident that this is exactly what Trump intends. The idea: be president just long enough to ramp up the price of his properties, ensure the economic future of his bumbling sons, sell Ivanka products, and bail out of Air Force One somewhere over the Arizona desert with a briefcase full of cash. Yes, Trump is in a hurry to make things fail. Every appointee he’s chosen is sworn to destroy the department from within. It’s like the army enlisted in
YoungAt-Large by John Young
Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles” to rough up the town of Rock Ridge. Trump’s taste and haste for wreckage is evident in what the House has proposed, and he’s blessed, in dynamiting the Affordable Care Act, leaving millions of Americans strapped again to Big Insurance’s railroad tracks. Paul Ryan is in a bigly hurry offering something, anything, to set this plot in motion. Hence, we see such commissary leftovers as health-care savings accounts, which are basically great for anyone with lots of money to save. This entree calls to the GOP buffet line like a filmy slab of limegreen Jell-0. This is bad policy that only exists because Republicans, who don’t believe they should do anything whatsoever to help the poor, want to say they, in fact, are doing something. And this way they won’t. So, too, with Trump. He couldn’t care less about the result. He couldn’t care less about the losers at the raw end of a very raw deal. Like the politically ambitious Hedley Lamarr in “Blazing Saddles,” Trump is on the great ego trip. He wants to be famous, to be all-powerful, and the only way to do that is through destruction. Blow it all up, man. Then you can retire on your riches and bask in acclaim from your kin. We can see Trump inspiring his heinous appointees, and Congressman Ryan, and Sen. McConnell, with these immortal words from Mr. Lamarr: “Men, you are about to embark on a great crusade to stamp out runaway decency in the West. Now, you men will only be risking your lives, whilst I will be risking an almost certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.”
News and Sports Editor Moses Leos III
I
met John Reistoffer in Caracas in the late 1990s. He, his brother and I planned to drive to Lake Guri in east central Venezuela to fish for peacock bass. A bonus which I did not expect was the geological tour of the country as we were driving SE across the Orinoco R. to the lake. You see, John was a petroleum geologist working for the Venezuelan oil company and knowing what’s under the dirt and its history is part of his job. He spoke of the formation of the tepuis from which the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls, originates. It was fascinating. After several hours of that – of which I could’ve easily listened to more – was a history of the economics, politics and culture of the country. This is where it turned bad. He said you have to watch your stuff all the time. Thievery is a national pastime. The government officials are mostly kleptocrats and with oil reserves enough to last another 200 years, the benefits seldom reach the man on the street. Mineral wealth, he told me, had enormous potential but the feds were strict about claims rights, allowing an individual only a 10-meter square area to mine. And when the miners took their gold to town to buy supplies, the feds’ roadblocks always guaran-
I could be wrong by Ray Wolbrecht
He said you have to watch your stuff all the time. Thievery is a national pastime. teed they got a share. Why is it that way, I asked, generally south of the Rio Grande ... the corruption, I mean. He told me that when the pilgrims came to America it was to establish a new order, one different form the old oppressive one they left in Europe. They wanted to live free and honestly and not be under the thumb of the aristocracy. But when the Conquistadores left Spain for the New World it was to steal as much as they could and go home. This legacy they left in the lands they conquered. And now we know that under Hugo Chavez, Venezuela became a failed state. Why? I have been to Colom-
jyoungcolumn @gmail.com
bia three times now, camping in tents on the Terecay R. not far from the border of Venezuela. Although with the same heritage I found the Colombians to be relatively happy and helpful people as compared to the skeptical Venezuelans. They got rid of Pablo Escobar 23 years ago and retook the running of the country back from the drug lords. Kyle’s own Marta Randall grew up in Colombia and remembers how unsafe it used to be. Gregorio Sokoloff was fishing with us this recent last time. A Colombian with an American college education and a Russian geneology, he also gave us insights to the culture of his country. I had remarked on what fantastic gains Colombia seemed to have made since the demise of Escobar and he agreed but added that it was far from complete. Not so much in the cities but in the rural areas the mindset still exists that if a man is in your way you go get a gun and shoot him. Lawlessness is down but still too present. Why? All of this reminds me of what Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in his book “Democracy in America”, and that is … America is great because America is good. Adding to this is R.D. Walker’s article, “Why Do People Obey the Law?” Walker says a vast
majority of Americans obey the law because of (1) fear of penalties, but mostly because, (2) it’s the right thing to do. Citizens of other countries see their government twist the law, apply it arbitrarily, or ignore it altogether. They feel that government has violated the social contract between them and itself and eventually feel that they have no longer the responsibility to their end of the contract. Example: When the mayor of Baltimore illegally told the police to stand down and let the rioters loot, and burn. Not only did the government avoid its responsibility to uphold the law, it gave de facto permission to the rioters to continue their malfeasance. Venezuela, a failed country, and Colombia, a country trying to come back from near failure, should be observable lessons what could happen to America if the law continues to be ignored by its government and its citizens. Tocqueville also said that when America ceases to be good it will cease to be great. So where do we go from here? Ray Wolbrecht is a retired dentist who practiced for many years in Kyle. rbrickwall@gmail.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Longtime Texas newspaperman John Young now lives in Colorado.
Hays Free Press Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton
What made America great
RE: IN SUPPORT OF STUDENTS, MARCH 8TH I support students expressing their views and being proactive. However, when they proceed to protest during school hours, which breaks the law, their action disrupts the learning process and the education to others as well as themselves. The march on Feb. 16th showed defiance and disrespect for the laws of this country in which they live, receive their education, and other benefits at
taxpayers’ expense. It is questionable what was learned, protesting during school time, a law that they don’t want enforced. Substantially, it was a ploy to get out of class without concern for the learning process. In communicating with Superintendent McKie concerning the protest march, he did admit that the school district of Hays does not condone their actions during school hours. He would not discuss the punishment given to the students due
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to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. However, he assured me punishment was in place for the students who left school during the march. In addition, he commented any further protests of this type will be controlled and not allowed without consequences. These students need to concentrate on their education to benefit themselves in the future. Protesting of any kind needs to be accomplished outside of school hours and with parental super-
vision. We, as taxpayers who pay and support the schools, need our dollars to be utilized for the betterment of all students. All students do need to abide and adhere to the school policies and laws and not disrupt the learning process for others and themselves. We, the taxpayers, deserve this respect. God Bless America and God Bless and keep all students safe. Renee S. Hill Buda
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Hays Free Press • March 15, 2017
Page 4A
Buda says voices heard at Lege BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
City of Buda representatives had a successful run during Buda’s Inaugural Legislative Day at the capitol on last Wednesday. According to Buda Public Information Officer David Marino, the trip was a joint effort of city of Buda staff, Buda Economic Development Corporation and Buda Area Chamber of Commerce. “It was a very productive day,” Marino said. Marino said Buda representatives split off into small groups with gift baskets in hand to visit every office in the Capitol in order to convey the importance of certain bills, such as Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) and the use of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds to improve sportsplex facilities, on the legislative agenda. In addition to the directors of city departments, a few Buda city council members were in
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF BUDA
Buda City Manager Kenneth Williams and State Representative Jason Isaac talk during Buda’s day at the legislature.
attendance to press Buda’s interests at the capitol. Buda Mayor Todd Ruge, council member Lee Urbanovsky and council member George Haehn took part in Buda’s first Legislative Day and got a peek behind the curtain at politics at the state level. “I think it went very well,” Ruge said. “It opened a lot of doors for us.” Marino said the main objective behind the Legislative Day for Buda officials was to “make connections” with state
legislators in order to “let Buda’s voice be heard at the state level.” Approximately 30 to 40 people from Buda, including local business owners, took half the day visiting the 200 various offices at the capitol. “Every office in the state (Capitol) saw someone from Buda,” Ruge said. According to Marino, the other half of the day was set aside for an educational session where Buda officials heard legislators discuss bills on ASR, transportation issues and
HOT funds. According to the Buda Economic Development Corporations Director Ann Miller, the Buda Tourism department contributed to the Buda basket by giving pens and koozies. Miller also said that the EDC board had some promotional items to contribute to the gift baskets, including Jardine’s chili seasoning. Miller said the visit’s funding came collectively from the three entities and was “a team effort”. Legislators seemed interested in the legislative priorities of Buda, Miller said, and some circled agenda items after talking with Buda officials. “I’m calling this one our inaugural (Legislative Day) since we plan on having a day at the capitol every session even if there is no Buda legislation up for discussion,” Miller said. Currently the two main legislative priorities for Buda, ASR and HOT bills are on the floor for discussion.
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Keeping you out of the dark
Hit-And-Run: Family still needs answers Continued from pg. 1A
Through the help of a gofundme account, Karin and others have crowdsourced $1,200 that will be offered as a reward for information leading to an arrest in her son’s case. That amount is in addition to a $1,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers. Karin said the motive behind offering the reward was to reinvigorate interest in her son’s case. While she passed along potential leads from her Facebook page to police immediately after the incident, Karin said the leads are starting to “die down.” Mince, 15, was killed when he was struck by
a red Dodge Ram 3500 dually pickup truck while walking along FM 2001 near Niederwald. The pickup, according to authorities, had a welder in the bed and would have had right side damage and a missing side mirror. But according to a Department of Public Safety spokesperson, there are currently no new leads in the investigation. Karin said authorities have been very limited on information they have released to her because the investigation remains active. She said they don’t want to provide details they are not ready to release.
“We’re still looking and we’re still vested in this,” Karin said. “We’re serious to find the person who did this.” But for Karin and her family, finding justice is the goal as the investigation nears its third month. Karin said she hopes the person “would have somewhat of a conscience” to give themselves up. However, she said the search has never “been about vengeance, never been about hate,” but to get answers and give her family peace of mind. She wants answers for herself, as well as her two surviving children.
“It’s beyond me how someone could do something like that and not have any ill feelings,” Karin said. “Knowing what you have done. It’s in the news. It’s not like they don’t know. I’m not sure how they sleep and continue with their life.” Even as she waits for justice to come, Karin remembers a son who wanted to have a job, find a wife, raise children and live a life “making people happy.” “It’s sad to realize how wonderful we was,” Karin said. “Hearing all of the wonderful stories and lovely things he’s done for (friends), it’s amazing.”
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Sports
Section B SHATTERED DREAMS Annual program on safe driving returns to Hays High. – Page 3B
@hfprebelsports @hfplobosports
March 15, 2017
Lady Rebs top Lobos 12-2 in rivalry game BY QUIXEM RAMIREZ
news@haysfreepress.com
Hays High third baseman Lulu Arroyo winds up to throw the ball across the diamond.
Hays pitcher Maxine Valdez’s confidence was wavering. After pitching three consecutive innings without allowing a hit or a baserunner, Valdez allowed two runs to score in the fourth inning. She hit a batter, gave up a single, and two wild pitches put a pair of runners in scoring position. Lehman’s two runs in the fourth were courtesy of Gabby Rodriguez and M. Trinbur. Valdez, still reeling from
Lehman’s rally, started the next at-bat with three consecutive balls. By then, Hays softball coach Lisa Cone had seen enough. She visited the mound to console her young pitcher. “I just said, ‘Relax, make the defense work, don’t try and do too much,’” Cone said. “That was it.” Cone left Valdez in the game, trusting she would find her way out of the jam. Valdez forced a popout to the catcher and struck out the next batter in three straight pitches. Lehman never scored
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
SOFTBALL, 2B
HCISD athletes hit Shelton Relays
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Hays High varsity boys took third place in the Rebel Relays Friday, with 129 points. San Antonio Reagan took first place with 146 points, and Canyon High second place with 145 points. Other schools in order of overall standing: Bastrop, 4th, 57 points; Dripping Springs, 5th, 40 points; Wimberley, 6th, 35 points; Lockhart, 7th, 28 points; Akins, 8th, 21 points; Lehman, 9th, 19 points. Hays High varsity girls took second place in the Rebel Relays Friday, with 161 points. San Antonio Reagan took first place with 168 points, and Canyon High third place with 79 points. Dripping Springs took 4th place, and Lehman took 5th.
Rebel Relay Results
HAYS BOYS VARSITY
100M Dash: Roland Crayton, 2nd 200M Dash: Nate Matthews, 3rd, Sam Gonzales, 6th 400M Dash: Robbie Woodworth, 2nd, Triston Tate, 3rd 110M Hurdles: Damian Fiscal, 3rd, Garrett Moore, 6th 800M Run: Robbie Woodworth, 2nd, J. Tamale, 6th 300M Hurdles: Damian Fiscal, 4th, Garrett Moore, 5th 4x100 Relays: Cade Powell, Roland Crayton, Darian Moore, Charles Bohannon, 2nd 4x400 Relays: Charles Bohannon, Triston Tate, Ian Blount, Robbie Woodworth, 3rd 4x200 Relays: Darian Moore, Sam Gonzales, Dillon Baker, Travis Selby, 2nd Long Jump: Dillon Baker, 1st, Charles Bohannon, 2nd Shot Put: Seth Seale, 2nd Discus: GalvanVasquez, 3rd
Pole Vault: Cole Ritchie, 6th
LEHMAN BOYS VARSITY
1600M Run: T. Malrey, 6th 800M Run: T. Malrey, 1st Triple Jump: K. Priestly, 2nd
HAYS GIRLS VARSITY 100M Dash: Camille Dickson, 1st, Brianna Kaminski, 4th 200M Dash: Camille Dickson, 1st, Brianna Kaminski, 3rd 100M Hurdles: Dasinique Kellouge, 2nd, Kameron McFadden, 4th 800M Run: Meagen Gilliam, 3rd 300M Hurdles: Nicole Lewis, 1st, Kameron McFadden, 2nd 4x100 Relay: Natalie Effiom, Anais LaHue, Samantha Sloat, Breajee McMillian, 4th 4x400 Relay: Meagen Gilliam, Trinity Wella, Nicole Lewis, Samantha Sloat, 2nd
4x200 Relay: Camille Dickson, Anais LaHue, Samantha Sloat, Brianna Kaminski, 1st Long Jump: Camille Dickson 1st, Brianna Kaminski, 3rd, Trinity Wells, 6th Shot Put: Karlene Armstrong, 6th Triple Jump: Trinity Wells, 3rd, Brianna Kaminski 5th, Natalie Effiom, 6th High Jump: Casey Reagan, 1st, Alexa McFadden, 2nd Pole Vault: Lauren Sikoski, 2nd
LEHMAN GIRLS VARSITY
100M Dash: Bria Arrant, 3rd 200M Dash: Bria Arrant, 2nd 4x100 Relay: Samirah Cunningham, Bria Arrant, Ironesha Walton, Briana Garcia, 2nd Long Jump: Bria Arrant, 5th Shot Put: Seauanna Watson, 2nd Discus: Seauanna Watson, 4th
Sports
Page 2B
Hays Free Press • March 15, 2017
Protection may be coming for referees with newly filed bill BY QUIXEM RAMIREZ
news@haysfreepress.com
Back in 2015, Marble Falls High School center snapped the football to its quarterback intent on running out the game clock to secure its 15-9 victory. Two members of the John Jay High School team had other ideas. As the ball was snapped, a safety from John Jay slammed an unsuspecting official, Robert Watts, to the ground. Watts’ head snapped back and another John Jay football player lowered his shoulder into the official as he crumpled to the ground. The story made national news, because of the severity of the attack. These were high school kids assaulting an official during a football game, after all. “This is 100% unacceptable behavior no matter what happens,” said Terry Franks, chief of staff for Texas Representative Jason Isaac. “You can’t take this kind of action.” Victor Rojas and Michael Moreno were suspended for the rest of the 2015-16 season. Rojas, a sophomore, was later
“People say ‘boys will be boys’ and that was off-putting to me and Representative (Jason) Isaac ... A very serious lesson needs to be learned here. Once you cross a barrier like that you’re going down a real slippery path that we may not be able to come back from.” – Terry Franks, chief of staff for Texas Representative Jason Isaac
reinstated and allowed to participate in athletic events after his suspension was complete. Watts, who lives in Buda, reached out to his local representatives to begin a conversation about the importance of protecting officials. Isaac, presiding over Texas House District 45, and his staff brought in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to continue the discourse. Thus, House Bill 2768 was born. The legislation – known as the Referee Protection Bill – details a plan allowing UIL to permanently ban an athlete from high school sports. Prior to this proposal, Franks said UIL didn’t have the authority to
institute a punishment of this nature. “They hadn’t seen anything like this,” Franks said. “When you talk to some of the national referee associations, the numbers are getting pretty high on these things. That was alarming to us, so we wanted UIL to have a tool that they can use to say ‘hey if someone does something so egregious that you can tell’ then they don’t need to play in high school sports anymore.” Franks said short-term suspensions in situations similar to the John Jay case could induce problematic behavior in the future. “People say ‘boys will be boys’ and that was
off-putting to me and Representative (Jason) Isaac,” Franks said. “A very serious lesson needs to be learned here. Once you cross a barrier like that you’re going down a real slippery path that we may not be able to come back from.” Hays athletic coordinator Neal La Hue said he supports the bill. He added that schools should have a policy to deal with these situations if they arise, too. “I think it’s meant to keep people safe and as far as the punishment phase I don’t have a comment on that,” La Hue said. “It’s fine. You need to teach kids that it’s a game. It’s not life or death and you don’t have to take it out on the referees.” The bill, filed March 2, would take affect Sept. 1, 2017 if it passes through the Texas Legislature. “I think the Referees Protection bill has a pretty good shot of getting through,” Franks said. “I think the issue is very near and dear to people’s hearts. You can’t imagine a 16- or 17-yearold young adult doing something like that and not face a serious repercussion.”
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Lehman High shortstop Alyssa Martinez takes a swing during Friday’s district game against Hays.
Softball: Lady Rebs top Lobos 12-2 in rivalry game
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Continued from pg.1B
again and the Hays softball team picked up a convincing 12-2 victory over its cross-town rivals Friday night. “That one inning they got a little rally going, we shut them down,” Cone said. “I was proud of that.” Valdez pitched the entire game, allowing just two runs and one hit in six innings. “She did an awesome job on the mound tonight,” Cone said. “I’m very proud of her. She’s got great pitches and I think they had a hard time catching up.” With Valdez going to work, the Rebels’ offense provided more than enough oomph to earn a blowout win. Hays’ Brianna Rodriguez lined a double to centerfield on the first pitch of the game. Kaylin Davis intended on giving up an out to move Rodriguez over to second base, but Lehman misplaced the bunt and both runners were safe. A soft-line drive from Lou Arroyo scored the first runner and a wild pitch on the ensuing pitch added another Rebel run. By the end of the first inning, Hays led 2-0. “We have been playing from behind a lot so this game we changed things around,” Cone said. “We got on the ball early and stayed on the ball. That was good for us. Scored a lot of runs offensively and held them defensively.” Everything came
“They were having fun and that’s very important. It’s also a crosstown rival and they know how important the game was and how important it was to come out and get on them and stay on them.” –Lisa Cone, Rebel coach
together for the Rebels Friday night. Hays scored runs in the first, second, third, fourth and sixth innings. Rodriguez finished 3-of-4 at the plate, with two doubles, a walk and two runs batted in. Her last hit, another line drive to centerfield, drove in the game’s last run. “Our energy tonight was great and that has a lot to do with it,” Cone said. “They were having fun and that’s very important. It’s also a cross-town rival and they know how important the game was and how important it was to come out and get on them and stay on them.”
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PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Above: Hays Rebel Kaylin Davis slides feet first into home plate in Friday’s district game at the Lady Rebel softball field. Below: Hays High shortstop Illy Cisneros fields the ball and prepares to make a play in Friday’s district game against Lehman
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Education
BLANCO
Local author releases new book about Blanco River. – Page 1C
Hays Free Press • March 15, 2017
Page 3B
Olympic hopeful brings waterskiing to Hays CISD BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
It took a nationally ranked Hays High water ski student for the Hays CISD board to make changes to its excused absence policy. The Hays CISD school board passed a resolution last month stating that students participating in non-UIL events will no longer receive an unexcused absence on their record and instead will have the absence excused as if the student
“The best thing for us is the opportunity to say ‘yes’.” –Merideth Keller, HCISD board trustee
were participating in a UIL event. According to school board member Merideth Keller, speaking on her own behalf, the creation of the resolution came about in response to the needs of one Hays CISD student in particular, 17-year-old Rebel senior Emma Morgan, a nationally qualifying
water skier. Keller said the resolution would go into effect immediately but she was unsure of the administrative details involved in the creation of a water ski class except that the school board’s resolution detailed that a faculty member oversee the elective course. “The best thing for us
is the opportunity to say ‘yes’,” Keller said. Morgan’s dad, Matt Morgan, said Emma has been water skiing since she was eight years old. However, the family only ran into issues with her attendance at school when she got older and started qualifying for bigger events. Morgan said his daughter, a senior at Hays High, represented the U.S. on the Canadian-American (CANAM) team in
WATERSKI, 4B
PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT MORGAN
Emma Morgan and her coach Jimmy Siemers about to jump on the Yarra River in Melbourne Australia at Moomba Masters.
Shattered Dreams Anti-drunk driving program brings consequences to life BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
A
look of shock showed on the faces of Hays High seniors Damian Fiscal, Kayler Erwin and Breanna Rodriguez as they were each doused with varying amounts of syrupy fake blood Thursday. The concoction, part of the Hollywood-style effect of the Shattered Dreams program, stained clothes and wasn’t exactly comfortable. But for the three and many others who took part in the event, what it all signified – the fake blood, the wrecked vehicles – was a chance to hit home to this generation the realities of drinking and distracted driving.
Origins
Shattered Dreams, which began in Hays CISD in 2001, is a program meant to raise awareness and deter drinking and driving among teens, said Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith. She brought the program to Hays CISD after reading Wimberley ISD was having a similar program in 2000. After watching the program with her daughters, Smith talked district officials into organizing their own program. Ever since then, Smith has helped organize Shattered Dreams, which is funded entirely through sponsorships. Smith said she has been involved in eight Shattered Dreams programs, with five of those at Hays High and four at Lehman High, which opened in 2004. The program consists of two experiences. The first involves a mock accident scene involving teen actors who experience a fatal drinking and driving collision. To make it as real as possible, Smith enlists the help of various law enforcement and emergency officials who handle such incidents on a daily basis. The second experience extends to the aftermath of the accident and reaction of those who participated in the event. Smith said 24 to 25 stu-
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
A select few are chosen to participate in the accident scene. One student, who is the “drunk driver,” is arrested and taken to jail. Others are victims who either “die” at the scene, or are transported to a hospital. The second part of the accident experience extends to the aftermath of the accident and reaction of those who participated in the event. (Browse and buy photos at bartonpublications.smugmug.com.)
dents are chosen to participate and are selected through an application process. Certain aspects are considered when students are selected. Many become the “living dead,” which signify teens who die in alcoholrelated accidents. Those students are pulled out of class by a “grim reaper” and helper. In some Shattered Dreams programs, a uniformed officer announces the mock death of that student and reads an obituary that is prewritten. That student then goes back to class, but is not allowed to speak to classmates. A select few are chosen to participate in the accident scene. One student, who is the “drunk driver,” is arrested and taken to jail. Others are victims who either “die” at the scene, or are transported to a hospital. Smith said some students who pariticpate have parents who may be alcoholics, or know a family member or friend who has been in, or has died of, an alcohol-related accident. Fiscal, who played the role of a victim in the crash scene, said he opted to participate as the experience hit close to home. “It’s cool because I have a lot of family members who have been in a lot of accidents because of drinking and driving,” Fiscal said about being a part of the Shattered Dreams experience.
Preparation
To prepare for the actual accident scene, Smith enlists the help
of makeup artists, and Hays CISD graduates, Jon Claeton and Andrew DeLeon. The two work to make the victims in the accident look as authentic as possible. DeLeon, who has volunteered in four Shattered Dreams,
said he researches bodily injuries associated with car accidents to ensure the makeup he applies is as realistic as possible. The focus is to provide a more visceral impact on students, DeLeon said. “It’s fun doing all of the makeup, but I have to
remember what it symbolizes,” DeLeon said. “I have to pretend this is a victim of a car wreck. It’s very sad to look at.” Claeton, who is heavily involved in recovery programs and has worked in commercial haunted houses, has participated
in Hays CISD Shattered Dreams since 2001. Claeton said he’s seen “way too many” people die from drinking and driving. “We want to wake someone up and make
SHATTERED DREAMS, 4B
Education
Page 4B
Hays Free Press • March 15, 2017
Waterski
Continued from pg. 3B October of 2016 and just recently competed in the biggest water ski competition in the world, the Moomba Masters in Melbourne, Australia. Morgan said that Emma trains about 1520 hours a week, and she remains dedicated to her studies and is currently number 10 in her class with plans to go to Rollins College in Florida after graduation on a water skiing scholarship. Morgan also said that a driving reason for the resolution, and thus the creation of the new water ski class at Hays CISD, was to “lay the groundwork” for her younger brother and sister, both of whom water ski and have future aspirations of competing. “I would certainly
hope that Hays CISD and school districts all over the nation can work with parents and faculty in the future to help these extraordinary kids meet their goals,” Morgan said. Morgan really gives the credit to the Hays CISD school board, school board member Keller and the Director of Student Services for Hays CISD Neil Bonavita for the determination to get the resolution passed. “It was really all their hard work and dedication that made this possible,” Morgan said. “Hopefully, this can be used as a template going forward for us and other school districts and parents interested in helping kids compete in sporting events at the national level.”
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Shattered Dreams Continued from pg. 3B
sure they don’t do this for real,” Claeton said. Erwin said it was “intense” to be transformed into an accident victim and “just seeing the injuries come to life.” “It’s very scary for me. I’m not dead, but if this was real, this is terrifying, knowing this happens to people all of the time,” Erwin said. Experiencing the scene was equally intense for all involved. Both Rodriguez and Erwin, who were inside of the wrecked cars, heard the sounds of emergency officials using the jaws of life to “extricate them.” Erwin said she wasn’t quite sure how to act during that time. Rodriguez said one of the more daunting aspects was getting zipped into a body bag. “I was scared. The glass was coming down on me, there was noise everywhere,” Rodriguez said. “Even though it was a mock accident, it felt so real.”
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Impact
Smith said the effectiveness of the program remains even with today’s tech savvy society. One aspect is to incorporate the dangers of texting and driving, which has been done for several years. Another is the impact felt by the participants and their parents. Smith said those who take part in Shattered Dreams are taken away to a retreat afterward where they talk about their experiences. Smart phones are taken away and they have no contact with their families, unless it is an emergency. They then write letters to their parents and vice versa, explaining what life would be like without them. Smith said interest also
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PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
To prepare for the actual accident scene, Smith enlists the help of makeup artists, and Hays CISD graduates, Jon Claeton and Andrew DeLeon.
remains, as parents asked about the 2017 program, which almost didn’t happen due to the size of the student population at Hays. DeLeon said he hopes the program provides an impact to
students. “Every one of them is different, each has a different impact,” Smith said. “I hope it saves one of these lives. I don’t know, we’ll never know, if it did.”
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Drive-in passes through Buda, parks in Manchaca – Page 1D
Hays Free Press
HaysFreePress.com
March 15, 2017 • Page 1C
‘With God anything is possible’
Buda reverend chosen as first female bishop suffragan in area diocese BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
B
uda’s own Reverend Jennifer BrookeDavidson, 56, of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Buda, was elected the first female Bishop Suffragan by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas on Feb. 25. She was chosen out of seven total nominees. Brooke-Davidson’s journey to the rank of bishop-elect started when she was ordained as a priest in 2009 after graduating from Fuller Theological Seminary. She then served as the Assistant Rector at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wimberley from 2009 until 2011 when she found her home at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Buda. According to www. st-liz.org, prior to ordination Brooke-Davidson received a degree in history from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Texas. According to the website www.livingchurch. org, the other nominees for bishop were Rev. Chris Cadel, Rev. Chris Cole, Rev. John Hill, Rev. Lisa Mason, Rev. Jonathan Wickham and Rev. Robert Woody. After thanking the
After quoting a passage from the second chapter of 1 Corinthians, BrookeDavidson said, “With God, anything is possible, and I suppose it is possible that God can make me a bishop.” other six nominees and adding what a privilege it was to walk with them on this journey, BrookeDavidson said, “We will be good friends forever.” The website www.dwtx. org noted that in order to win the election to bishop the candidates needed to receive a majority of votes from both the clergy and the lay delegates. “Brooke-Davidson secured election on the sixth ballot, receiving 55 votes from the clergy and 153 votes from the lay delegates,” the website stated.
PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SMITH
Jennifer Brooke-Davidson was elected as the first female Bishop Suffragen by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.
After quoting a passage from the second chapter of 1 Corinthians, BrookeDavidson said, “With God, anything is possible, and I suppose it is possible that God can make
me a bishop.” Brooke-Davidson will be serving as the Diocese 6th bishop and will be serving alongside the Diocesan Bishop and the Rt. Rev. David M. Reed.
Just because BrookeDavidson was elected to the position of bishop doesn’t mean she has the official title yet. Only if all the bishops and standing commit-
tees consent will BrookeDavidson be ordained as Bishop Suffragan during a worship service held on July 29 at the Episcopal School of Texas in San Antonio.
Reluctant Reb Local author guides readers takes first through Blanco River history Texas pardon O STAFF REPORT
n March 21, 1877, Guy M. Bryan wrote the new President of the United States, an old college classmate, to recommend a relative for the Supreme Court. William Pitt Ballinger had no idea why the caretaker governor of Texas summoned him in the middle of May 1865. But he was relieved to learn Pendleton Murrah and Gen. John Bankhead Magruder had accepted the fall of the Confederacy as an irreversible fact. The war was over, and they needed someone to negotiate a separate peace for Texas. For once Ballinger’s stubborn opposition to secession would come in handy. The victorious Yankees might be willing to talk to a Unionist, who had not shed a single drop of blood for the Lost Cause. Accompanied by Ashbel Smith, a diplomat that negotiated treaties for the defunct Republic, Ballinger sailed for New Orleans on May 27, 1865. His twin objectives were to keep northern soldiers out of Texas and freed slaves working for their former masters. Gen. Edward Canby was polite, even gracious, and let the visitors have their say. Then he told them there was no way Texas could avoid military occupation, which began on Jun. 19 with the
Texas History by Bartee Haile
arrival of 800 troops in Galveston. But Canby and his better known superior, Gen. Philip Sheridan, did assure the two-man delegation they would do everything in their power to maintain a stable black labor force. For a discussion of political matters, Gen. Canby suggested the Texans speak directly with President Andrew Johnson. Ballinger and Smith decided to heed his advice and hung around New Orleans waiting for their travel documents. But the Washington trip was canceled by soreheads back home. Radical Republicans, whose property Ballinger confiscated as Confederate receiver, “opposed me representing Texas for I had been engaged in the most odious work of the rebellion.” Ballinger learned upon returning to Galveston that Johnson had issued a general amnesty, which wiped the slate clean for most southerners. Only two groups of former Confederates, government officials and those with assets in excess of $20,000, were exempt and had to apply for presiden-
TEXAS HISTORY, 2C
Author Wes Ferguson and sponsoring editor Andrew Sansom will celebrate the launch of a new book, “The Blanco River,” on Saturday, April 8, in Kyle. The public is invited to the free event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center at 508 Center Street. Texas A&M University Press published “The Blanco River” in February, but Ferguson has been researching the river since he was editor of the Hays Free Press in 2011-12. Working with photographer Jacob Croft Botter, they explored all 87 miles of the Blanco from its headwaters near Luckenbach to the river’s end in San Marcos. “Paddling, swimming and wading the river was the adventure of a lifetime,” Ferguson said. “Everybody loves the Blanco, but I learned there is so much more to it than most people realize. The river changes from day to day and bend to bend.” Presenters at the April 8 event include Ferguson and Botter as well as a mapmaker, geologist, botanist and flood survivor who contributed to the book. A reception will follow. “Our presenters will explain what happens to the Blanco River when it goes
underground,” Ferguson said. “We’ll also find out why there are plants growing along the Blanco that are found nowhere else in the Texas Hill Country.” The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University sponsored Ferguson’s book project, which was fully funded by the Burdine Johnson Foundation. The book has already drawn high praise from critics such as Wimberley author Joe Nick Patoski, Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine editor Louie Bond and Steven L. Davis, the president of the Texas Institute of Letters and curator of the Southwestern Writers Collection in San Marcos. “Ferguson’s book is
PHOTOS BY JACOB BOTTER
Author and former editor of the Hays Free Press, Wes Ferguson, released his second book entitled the Blanco River. Ferguson’s first book is entitled Running the River: Secrets of the Sabine
both a trustworthy guide into the rich and hidden history of the Blanco and a reminder of its sudden, destructive power. It also serves as a warning of the river’s extinction in the path of unchecked development. A captivating, necessary read for anyone who values this Texas treasure,” wrote Bryan Mealer, New York Times bestselling author of “Muck City” and “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” A former Kyle resident, Ferguson is also the author of “Running the River: Secrets of the Sabine.”
‘The Blanco River’ book launch What: The official release of The Blanco River, a nonfiction book from Texas A&M University Press When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8 Where: Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center, 508 Center St., Kyle TX
COMMUNITY
Page 2C
Hays Free Press • March 8, 2017
OBITUARIES FINCHER Dennis (Denny) Fincher, age 65, resident of Kyle, Texas died unexpectedly on February 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas following an accident. Denny was born in 1952 in Biloxi, Mississippi to David and Theda (Collins) Fincher. He grew up in Downey, California and graduated from Warren High School in 1970. He married Jacqueline Stocker in 1972 and had two sons Straun and Tyler. He is survived by his sons and their wives, three granddaughters, his father and stepmother, his sister and brother and their spouses, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of relatives all who loved him very much. There will be a funeral service at the First Baptist Church in Kyle on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
FLETCHER Horace Lee Fletcher, Jr., born March 6, 1934 at 2:38 p.m. to Horace Lee Fletcher, Sr. and Frances Walser Fletcher in Austin, Tx., celebrated two birthdays this year as he entered heaven’s gates on his earthly birthday at 1:35 p.m. at the age of 83. He was raised by his grandparents, Viola and Ben Walser, on their farm
in Smithville until his teenage years when they moved to Austin where he graduated from Austin High School in 1951. Horace enrolled as a med student at the University of Texas before he married the love of his life, Fay Maxine Spradling. They met and then were married at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on March 27, 1954 by Brother A.D. Eberhart. Horace worked for the Cross Allen Company for many years, which moved his young family, Fay and first three children, to Del Rio, Texas in 1961. He later ran the machine shop for Winn Auto Parts. The family added three more children born in Del Rio. They then moved to Abilene with the Dr. Pepper- Pepsi Cola Distributing Co. before he was recruited to run the service department at Hanner Chevrolet in Baird, Tx. They returned to the Austin area to be near family in 1987. Horace had great respect and appreciation for law enforcement and helped form the first reserve deputy unit for Val Verde County. He later worked for a private Security Company after they returned to Austin and then started his own auto consulting and repair business before settling in Buda. After retiring from automotive work he worked for United Apartment Group until he retired at the age of 80. Horace enjoyed being actively involved in his community. He served on the Buda Historical Committee, was an active member and deacon of First Baptist Church Buda where he served for fifteen years, and was currently
How to make microclimates work to your advantage A
ccording to the Garden Helper’s Dictionary, a microclimate can be thought of as ‘variations of the climate within a given area, usually influenced by hills, hollows, structures or proximity to bodies of water.’ So what does this mean, and how can it affect gardening and landscape projects around your home? It could mean that it’s a lot colder (or warmer) where you live, compared with the next town, or the next street . . . or even just 10 feet away from your chosen planting spot. Gardeners should greet this as wonderful news. Once you begin to understand some of the intricacies of micro-climates, it will allow you to get away with ‘daring’ experiments with plants that normally would not survive in our climate. For example, there are several citrus trees around town that survived into the teens during the chilly Jan. 7 weekend with little damage. Some were planted facing south, up against a tall building which protected them from the north wind, allowing them to benefit from the heat retained in the building’s exterior walls. To help readers understand this fascinating subject, here are six micro-climate concepts.
1. URBAN HEAT ISLANDS Buildings, roads and other concrete structures within cities absorb heat all day; they then
Ask Amanda by Amanda Moon
serving on the Board of Directors at the Onion Creek Senior Citizen Center. His father, mother, brother, and one grandson, Justin Robert Fletcher, preceded him in death as well as son-in-law, Harry Montague. He is survived by his wife of sixty- three years, Fay, his six children, Maxine Montague of New Braunfels; Debbie Koehler, husband Ken of Buda; Robert Fletcher of New Braunfels; Sheila Carmon, husband Curtis of San Antonio; Donnie Fletcher, wife Allison of Nashville, TN; and Shelly Settles, husband Tim of San Antonio; plus thirteen grandchildren with four spouses, and nine greatgrandchildren. Jeanette Larson Stewart grew up with the Fletcher family and called Horace “Daddy2”. Grandpa, Grampy,
Pa, Pee-Paw, and Daddy 2 will always be loved and missed. Visitation was held on Friday, March 10 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle. Services was held on Saturday, March 11 at First Baptist Church, Buda. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Together We Build Fund at First Baptist Church Buda. 104 S. San Marcos St., Buda, Texas, 78610.
HEADRICK Marguerite Williams Headrick peacefully passed away February 18, 2017, at Orchard Park of Kyle, Texas at the age of 91. Marguerite was
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born in Port Arthur, Texas on October 14, 1925 but grew up in Evans, Louisiana. She married her one love Vester R. Headrick and they built their life in Monroe, LA. After his passing, she moved to Austin, Texas in the late 1980s to be closer to her sister and family. She eventually ended up in Driftwood where she enjoyed gardening and the peace and quiet of the Texas Hill Country. Marguerite donated her body to the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center. At her request, there were no services, but a time of visitation will be held for family and friends Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2 PM to 4 p.m. in Orchard Park’s Life Enrichment Room, Kyle, TX. Marguerite’s faith in God was fundamental in her life. A dear friend of
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release this warmth slowly at night, and raise the average night temperatures compared to the surrounding outer edges of the city. Notice how Camp Mabry’s low temps are always several degrees warmer than readings from the airport. Since I live in the Round Rock city ‘proper,’ I can get away with more tropical plants at my house than my parents, who live south in Buda.
2. THE EFFECT OF LARGE BODIES OF WATER If you live near a lake or pond or the ocean, you’ll notice a high moisture level and humidity in the air. On the plus side, this moderates temperatures of the surrounding area, but it also makes everything seem a little ‘sticky.’ The effects of this extra moisture are most pronounced in coastal areas and large lakes and can create its own weather, i.e. The Great Lakes region ‘lake-effect’ snow storms.
3. COLD AIR SINKS The higher you live on a hill, the warmer in general you will be relative to the valley beneath you. Even small hills can make a difference. The last killing frost we had about 10 years ago saw agaves
ASK AMANDA, 4C
hers stated “She was my spiritual raft in the ocean of my life.” Her sense of humor, zest, take life by the horns attitude, love and friendship will be missed. She was predeceased by her husband of many years, Rev. Vester R. Headrick (Monroe, LA), her sister, Arthurete “Rete” Parker, (San Marcos, TX) and her parents, Jeff and Ava Turner Williams, (Evans, LA). She is survived by her niece, Donna Stirman (Buda,TX), nephews Victor Parker (Leander,TX), Steve Parker (Driftwood, TX), and Jeff Parker (Leander, TX), several great nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Orchard Park and Health Sense Hospice for their warm, kind care while Marguerite lived there.
See Solution on 3C
Hays Free Press • March 8, 2017
COMMUNITY
Page 3C
Area school, church earns honor for responsible groundwater usage
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SUBMITTED REPORT
Texas Crossword Solution
PHOTO BY CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON
Richard Paige, center, from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and School, receives the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer District 2016 Permittee of the Year designation. He was presented the award from Vanessa Escobar (left) a Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, and Blayne Stansberry, board president, at the BSEACD meeting last week.
DRUG STORE
203 Railroad Street Downtown Buda Pharmacy 312-2111 Fountain 312-2172
Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda BAPTIST First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor
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
Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626 Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda
EPISCOPAL
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda
Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle
The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South
Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle
Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda
Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda
LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Good Shepherd Ministries FM 967, Buda
Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle
Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
2325 FM 967 • 312-0701
Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.
St. John Lutheran, LCMS 20 N. Camino Real (State Hwy. 21), Uhland
CATHOLIC
Log onto www.HaysFreePress.com
St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland
NEWS • LETTERS • OBITS CALENDAR • PHOTO GALLERY CLASSIFIEDS • SUBSCRIBE
CHRISTIAN
New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle
A non-denominational church with live contemporary Christian music and life giving teaching! Located 1 block off FM 2001 at 302 Millennium Dr., Kyle, Texas (Millennium Drive is an entrance road) Pastor Rusty Fletcher and family
Services Sun. 11:00 a.m. Wed. 7:30 p.m.
Call or Text 512.393.4460
Visit
afountain.org for more info.
nuel Baptist Church a m Im SUNDAY: Bible Study for all ages, 9:45 a.m. Worship Service, 10:55 a.m.
WEDNESDAY: Bible Study, 7 p.m. Pastor Rodney Coleman 4000 East FM 150 (4 miles east of Kyle) (512) 268-5471
God with us
Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 310 San Antonio Dr., Buda
FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE
Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle
Friendly, Courteous Service
Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd.
St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca
Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170
First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666
PRESBYTERIAN
Hays Hills
CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 5:30 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. (Spanish), 11 a.m. (English) 5 p.m. (English)
Come worship with us Join our church directory by emailing paper@haysfreepress.com.
Baptist Church
9:00am 10:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm
Wednesday
Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school
COME WORSHIP WITH US! Sunday
9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service
SANTA CRUZ John CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Lutheran Church
1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. Kirby D. Garner, Pastor • Fr. José Luis Comparán, Assoc. Pastor
Call 1-866-691-2369
Word of Life Christian Faith Center 400 Old Post Road, Kyle
Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
Rev. Nancy Day Office 295-6981, Parsonage 512-393-9772 www.BudaUMC.org
Privately owned From local springs
A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle
Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770
*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m. *Informal Worship (Chapel)-11 a.m. Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m. *On 5th Sundays we conduct one service at 10 a.m. with special music.
Pure Texas Spring Water!
Vertical Chapel 801 FM 1626 (Elm Grove Elem.), Buda
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor
Elm Street & San Marcos
FM 2770, Buda, Texas 295-4801
Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle
METHODIST
Buda United Methodist Church
CENTEX MATERIALS LLC
New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda
A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE
The Well Buda
Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle
Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
ROSEBROCK
VETERINARY CLINIC
TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP
www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626
of Uhland , LCMS Highway 21, Uhland
Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:15 a.m. Church Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. David Goeke 210-635-8584 • www.stjohnlcmsuhland.org 20 N. Camino Real (State Hwy. 21) • Uhland, Texas 78640
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. Nursery Provided www.firstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com
Bible Class Worship Worship Bible Class
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 2315 FM 967 Buda, Texas 78610 Pastor J.D. Elshoff jelshoff@earthlink.net 512-638-6312
Thursday Evening Bible Study, 6 p.m., and Open Communion on the first Sunday of every month, 6 p.m. Make THIS your church home!
Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd • Creedmoor, TX 512-243-2837
Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Worship: 11:00 a.m. WEdnESday Pray & Devotion: 6:30 p.m.
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Texas Crossword, from page 2C
Come worship with us ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
DEBBIE THAMES, AGENT 251 N. FM 1626, Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda, Texas 78610 312-1917
ance efforts, served as a liaison with other members of the vestry and school administration, and offered up his own personal wells for monitoring purposes.
cooperation has enabled the St. Stephen’s to have an excellent compliance record overall. Paige helped St. Stephen’s with its permitting and compli-
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Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615
Sudoku Puzzle, from page 2C
IH-35
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and School was designated the 2016 Permittee of the Year by the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District last week. As a groundwater user, the church/ school was directly affected by the passage of Texas House Bill 3405 and the district’s annexation of the shared territory in summer of 2015. This annexation placed into effect a groundwater management scheme as well as permitting requirement for nonexempt groundwater users. St. Stephen’s stepped up to be a leader in the community by demonstrating both its willingness to support the district’s initiatives and its cooperation in complying with the new permitting and regulatory requirements in effect for the area. While managing its own permitting efforts, leaders at the church and school were extremely instrumental in organizing the district’s community informational meeting, which took place at their facilities in summer of 2015. St. Stephen’s was one of the first nonexempt groundwater users to meet with district staff so that the church/ school staff could better understand the groundwater resources. This leadership effort was led by Jeannetta Watson and Karen Titkemeyer, parish administrators, Marsha Acock, head of school, and Richard Page, a facility steward in the St. Stephen’s Vestry. Watson and her colleagues were receptive to BSEACD and their ongoing
Toll
BEST BETS
Page 4C
COMMUNITY
Classes, meetings and local events can be found on the calendar at haysfreepress.com. Email event submissions to christine@haysfreepress.com.
Hill Country Writing Symposium
This gathering of Texas authors and writers held March 16-18 at the Wimberley Village Library offers insight into writing for fiction, nonfiction and poetry as well as sessions on publishing. The seminar is presented by the Texas Authors Institute of History, a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to Texas Authors. Topics include comedic writing, writing for a young audience, record keeping and more. See Writing. TexasAuthors.Institute for a list of sessions and schedule.
National Corndog Day
Texas Night Sky Festival
This annual celebration of America’s favorite food on a stick will be held on the downtown square in San Marcos on March 18 from noon to 3 p.m. Celebrate corndogs with free treats and familyfriendly fun.
Celebrate the Hill Country’s night skies at this annual festival March 18 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Bring your whole family and your friends to a free celebration of the Texas Night Sky. Twothirds of the U.S. population can’t see the Milky Way at night, and the fault lies not in our stars, but in our lighting. Join in fun citizen science activities, see the exhibits of good lighting you can have at your home or business, learn from the pros how to take pictures of the stars and explore the night sky. The event is free and open to the public. See www. texasnightskyfestival.org for more information.
Hays Free Press • March 8, 2017
with a valid Texas Freshwater Fishing License. This unique tournament will test your strategic ability to catch qualifying species of fish in Lake Kyle: Large-mouth bass, sunfish/perch and channel catfish. See www.cityofkyle. com/recreation/fishingtournaments to register and for a schedule.
Live on the Lawn Live on the Lawn, formerly the Spring Concert Series, at San Marcos Plaza Park, will begin March 23 at 6:30 p.m. Music begins at 7:30 p.m.. Each week will feature a different sustainability theme and vendors, plus performances by awesome local musicians. The event is free and family-friendly.
Hooked On Fishing Spring Fishing Tournament
On Saturday, March 25, the city of Kyle will hold its annual spring fishing tournament at Lake Kyle for all adults
Considering Matthew Shepard
Texas State University’s leading Choral ensemble will be performing “Considering Matthew Shepard” on March 30 in Texas State’s Evans Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. “Considering Matthew Shepard” is a musical response to the tragic death of a young American boy, Matthew Shepard. Shepard was a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming who was mercilessly attacked and tied to a fence in 1998. After being found the next morning by a biker who mistook him for a scarecrow, Matthew was taken to the hospital in Laramie, Wyoming, where he succumbed to his wounds a few days later. Investigations into the murder strongly suggest that Matthew was murdered for his
homosexuality, prompting communities all around the world to mourn.
Kyle Field Day
Kyle Field Day takes it back to the schoolyard for a highenergy weekend of throwback fun and friendly competition at Gregg-Clarke Park March 31-April 1. Spend a weekend playing tug-ofwar, dodgeball, capture the flag, human foosball and more. In between activities, teams can take a break in the beer garden, grab a bite to eat and browse vendor booths. Participants must be 21+ and teams must be co-ed.
Spring Fest 5K
Ring in the spring season with the Manchaca United Methodist Church’s second annual Spring Fest 5K and Kids Dash. This fun race starts bright and early at 7:30 a.m. on April 1 at Menchaca Elementary School at Manchaca Road and FM 1626. Rain or shine, bring out the whole family for this celebration and help raise money to create opportunities for students in area schools. Register at tinyurl.com/ MUMCSpringFeAt.
Ask Amanda
Continued from pg. 1C
4. COMPASS POINTS Different sides of your home (or even a privacy fence) can have very different temperatures in both the summer and winter. Dig in plants that need cooler temps year round on the east or north side of the house. Put plants in need of extra winter protection
on the west or south side. This way they’ll get as much heat in the winter as possible and protection from the killing north winds.
5. EXPOSURE Plants planted out in an exposed area will feel fluctuations in temperature more intensely than those set closer to a structure. For example, it’s better to plant something with larger leaves that may suffer sunscald
6. REFLECTIVE SURFACES
darker ones. In the summer this heat bouncing back on to a plant could cook sensitive leaves on a 100 degree day leaving them brown on the edges with pale, washed out spots in the inner areas. Alternatively, these same places can be a life-saver for heat tolerant plants that need extra winter heat.
Lighter colors, including concrete, painted surfaces and limestone, reflect more heat than
Armed with this knowledge, you should hopefully be able to add
when facing west or south or damage from north winds along an opposite facing wall. It is also easier to offer plants some protection from afternoon summer heat by keeping them closer to a north or east facing wall, fence or even a taller plant.
greater diversity to the collection of plants in your landscape as you explore the peaks and the valleys and protected areas around your home. Happy micro-climate gardening everyone! If you have a question for Amanda or Chris, send it via email to iathyme@ yahoo.com. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 www.itsaboutthyme.com
ENTERTAINMENT
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frozen solid at the bottom of my street; those of us at the top of the hill had little damage.
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Texas History
Continued from pg. 1C tial pardons. Since he fell into both categories, Ballinger wasting no time in penning a personal appeal to the president. But he realized that full restoration of his rights could not be accomplished by mail. Carrying glowing testimonials from the provisional governor and lesser luminaries, Ballinger made the difficult journey through the warravaged South. His first stop in Washington was the home of a kinsman, whose influence could tip the scales in his favor. Ballinger and Samuel F. Miller had been close since their Kentucky childhood, and their warm friendship had weathered the war. Miller now sat on the Supreme Court, one of five Lincoln appointees. The reunion with his brother-in-law left Ballinger worried and depressed. Miller told him flatly, “Reason dictates that in some way you should be punished.” The justice insisted that examples had to be made of Confederate leaders, which meant prison for most and the gallows for “a half dozen of the most prominent and wicked.” When Ballinger called
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Ballinger learned upon returning to Galveston that Johnson had issued a general amnesty, which wiped the slate clean for most southerners. Only two groups of former Confederates, government officials and those with assets in excess of $20,000, were exempt and had to apply for presidential pardons. again, Miller had letters of introduction to the president and secretary of state William Seward waiting for him. One sentence leaped off the parchment: “I have never known a man whose integrity I would rely on more confidently.” Miller had gone to bat for him and knocked the ball out of the park. The pardon – the first to a Texan – was granted without the applicant setting foot in the White House. Ballinger suddenly found himself in the absolution business. He presented 40 petitions from other worthy Texans to the obliging president
and within the month had wonderful news for all 40 grateful clients. Texas’ top attorney did not secure the priceless pardons out of the goodness of his heart. His net profit after expenses was $7,500, a handsome sum for those times. Even though Ballinger’s fortune steadily grew after resuming his law practice, he always seemed preoccupied with money. It was the paltry pay that he cited as the reason for turning down a seat on the state supreme court offered in 1874 by Gov. Richard Coke. Another brother-in-law put Ballinger on the spot
three years later. As soon as Rutherford B. Hayes was sworn in as president, Guy Bryan launched an all-out campaign to convince his college chum to choose Ballinger for the highest court in the land. This time the publicservice shy lawyer could not plead poverty or trot out his second-favorite excuse that he could not bear to be parted from his family. So Ballinger argued that his Confederate past was bound to come back to haunt him and cause public embarrassment for everybody. He successfully planted the seed of doubt that undermined Bryan’s efforts and eventually compelled him to withdraw his name from consideration. The year after William Pitt Ballinger spurned a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, admiring Texans handed him the governorship on a silver platter. Once again he turned up his nose at the honor, and that was the last time anyone bothered to ask. Bartee’s three books “Texas Depression-Era Desperadoes,” “Murder Most Texan” and “Texas Boomtowns: A History of Blood and Oil” are avail-
Hill Country Conservancy is a community nonprofit dedicated to helping private landowners and other stakeholders preserve the water, wildlife, and unique character of the Texas Hill Country.
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HILLCOUNTRYCONSERVANCY.ORG
able at barteehaile.com. And look for his fourth book “Unforgettable Texans” this summer!
(512) 805 8005 EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.
Section D
Business HaysFreePress.com
BUSINESS BRIEFS by Samantha Smith
New drive-in theater detours from Buda to Manchaca
According to The Austin Business Journal’s website www.bizjournals.com, the Blue Starlite Drive-In Movie theater will no longer be relocating to Buda but instead a few miles north of Buda on Lowden Lane in Manchaca. According to the article posted on Mar. 3, the theater’s owner Josh Frank wasn’t available for comment
regarding the change in location for the drive-in. The theater plans on showing 35-millimeter as well as digital films. The Blue Starlite drivein movie theater originally opened at a location on East Cesar Chavez Street in 2010 with a move a few years ago to the old Mueller Airport Facility on East 51st Street. The Hays Free Press published an article in Dec. 2016 announcing Frank’s decision to relocate the drivein theater from the Mueller Airport Facility in Austin to Buda due to an inability to expand there.
Hays Free Press
March 15, 2017 • Page 1D
Funds not available for Buda connector
gineer John Nett had approved. Haehn made a motion to apCrozier explained to council prove the service agreement members that the with RPS Klotz and connector would Associates, with Crozier cost roughly $3.5 Mayor Todd Ruge million and the city seconding the explained “just doesn’t have motion. Council to council the funds for the members agreed project right now.” members that they want to see the However, Crozier for the conthe connector process did tell council nector get underwould cost members that if way after almost 10 they were to secure years. roughly $3.5 the right-of-way “I’ve always million and as well as other wanted this conpreliminary acnector,” Haehn the city “just tions, they would said. “Let’s do as doesn’t have be more prepared much as we can to complete the job now to see this the funds for in the future when done.” the project funding is available. At this point it is right now.” The 2014 Bond unknown whether projects currently or not funds for the total $1.4 million Cabela’s connector without the Cabela’s connector. will be included in the FY 2017Council member George 18 budget.
Buda City Council took another step Mar. 7 towards the eventual creation of a Cabela’s connector. The council approved a service agreement with RPS Klotz and Associates to create a design schematic and related preliminary studies for the segment 5 of the Main Street improvements project. Allen Crozier with HDR Engineering informed council members that the firm had gone to RPS Klotz and Associates with the councils’ directions and recommendations and they had come up with the scope of the project and the fee that City En-
Texas vines?
NET PAYMENT
CURRENT THISNET PERIOD TAX PAYMENT RATE THIS PERIOD
% CHANGE 2017 % CHANGE MARCH 2016 PAYMENTS FROM TO MARCH 2017 TO DATE 2016 TO 2017
Buda 1.500%
$414,146.24
4.39%
$1,459,454.41 3.78%
$140,699.42
3.47%
$491,301.83
$510,619.29
13.82%
$1,793,834.74 8.78%
4.87%
$8,496.23
Dripping Springs 1.25%
4.24%
Kyle 1.50%
Niederwald 1.00%
$2,411.83
15.74%
San Marcos 1.50%
$1,946,495.29 -9.34%
$7,369,776.90 -3.63%
$15,158.21
8.96%
$47,852.93
21.34%
$58,867.10
4.27%
$227,830.30
2.92%
19.76%
$11,541.64
13.00%
$4,431,171.01
-0.42%
Uhland 1.50%
Wimberley 1.00%
Woodcreek 1.00%
$3,503.64
Hays County $1,213,918.71 -2.61%
PHOTO BY PAIGE LAMBERT
Sommelier Erika Fritz, whose family owns Solaro Estate Winery in Dripping Springs, inspects a glass of wine at her family’s vineyard. Fritz is the youngest person in the nation to earn a sommelier certificate from the International Wine and Spirits Guild. Solaro Estate is one of many area wineries that would be effected by the proposed legislation.
Wineries show concern over proposed ‘100% Texas grape’ bill BY QUIXEM RAMIREZ
news@haysfreepress.com
A Texas House Bill sent to committee last week could impact the wine industry, starting September 1, 2017. House Bill 1514, filed Feb. 2, would require wineries looking for a Texas wine distinction to use 100 percent of the grapes grown on Texas farms and produce it entirely in the state to qualify. The current benchmark for consideration was 75 percent of the volume, said Terry Franks, chief of staff for Texas Representative Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs). “As the wine industries grows and becomes more sophisticated in Texas, we really need to do a lot more to protect and bring the wine industry into more of a recognized status so when you buy a Texas wine, you’re buying Texas grapes,” Franks said. Isaac and his staff used the wine industries in California, Oregon and Washington State as a model for the bill. All three states require more than 75 percent of the volume to be produced in the state, Franks said. The bill was referred to the licensing and administrative procedures committee March 9, though Franks said the
“Obviously we know the way the bill is written would be very difficult, almost unobtainable in its current form, which is why it’s a proposal ... We’re working on some language with the industry to stair step up and get close to that 100 percent over the next five or six years.” – Terry Franks, chief of staff for Texas Representative Jason Isaac
provision of the bill calling for 100 percent of the wine volume to be produced in-state will likely be unobtainable in the near future. “Obviously we know the way the bill is written would be very difficult, almost unobtainable in its current form, which is why it’s a proposal,” Franks said. “We’re working on some language with the industry to stair step up and get close to that 100 percent over the next five or six years.” The bill, as currently constituted, would cause Texas wineries to decrease the import of California grapes, which are generally cheaper by the ton than Texas grapes. Franks said businesses aren’t prepared to make this adjustment on the accelerated calendar called for in the bill. For this reason, Franks said implement-
ing the law by Sept. 1 of this year is “unrealistic.” “That would just crush a lot of the wineries,” Franks said. “We’ve heard from a lot of the wineries and they’ve had some serious concern and heartburn over that. We don’t want to hurt the industry. We want to help the industry, so we are going to substitute in some language to help out with that.” Robert Fritz, a wine maker at Solaro Estate Winery in Dripping Springs, joined in opposition of the proposal. Fritz is a member of the Hill Country Wine Association, which includes 53 Texas wineries as members. Fritz said the association “overwhelmingly” voted in opposition of the bill. “The worry is that any legislation at all slows down the industry
to the point where a number of wineries and vineyards could go out of business,” Fritz said. “That was the thought behind the vote.” The legislation would place an extra burden on the Texas agricultural system, tasked with keeping up with the rising demand of grapes. If the bill passes, Fritz is unsure if Texas can sustain the wineries’ individual needs at the rate the industry is growing. “My personal opinion is that the industry should be left alone and have the freedom to grow,” Fritz said. “And at some point when it gets bigger, then maybe there should be some regulations. Right now as a whole, for the good of the industry, we should leave politics out of it.” In the meantime, legislators and local wineries will continue to move towards a working piece of law to benefit a wine industry that provides more than 12,000 full-time jobs, according to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. “Folks out there say ‘we see where you’re going, but we need to have a longer discussion on this,’” Franks said. “We are happy to do that. This (bill) has brought this issue to the forefront and the discussion has begun in earnest.”
Bigger gains for smaller cities in sales tax revenues Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced last week he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $619.7 million in local sales tax allocations for March, 5.8 percent more than in March 2016. Hays County will see $1.2 million of that total, as sales tax revenues dropped slightly this month. Smaller cities Woodcreek, Niederwald and Uhland continue their seasonal upticks, while the county’s larger cities saw minimal revenue increase over last year. These allocations are based on sales made in January by businesses that report taxes monthly.
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Public Notices NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Sealed proposals addressed to Hays Shadow Creek Development, Inc. (“OWNER”) on behalf of North Hays Municipal Utility District No. 1 (“DISTRICT”) for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work required for the construction of SHADOW CREEK DETENTION POND IMPROVEMENTS will be received at the office of Texas Engineering Solutions, LLC (“ENGINEER”) at 3815 S. Capital of TX Hwy, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704 until Friday, March 31st, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud. Any proposal received after the closing time will be returned unopened. Proposals shall be plainly marked with name and address of the BIDDER and the following words: PROPOSAL FOR SHADOW CREEK DETENTION POND IMPROVEMENTS The SHADOW CREEK DETENTION POND IMPROVEMENTS proposal includes approximately: construction of 3 detention ponds with a limits of construction of approximately 9 acres, including earthwork and outfall structures and all associated appurtenances. All work must conform to State of Texas, County of Hays and North Hays Municipal Utility District No. 1 rules and criteria. Copies of the Specifications and Bidding Documents may be examined or obtained from the ENGINEER on or after Thursday, March 16, 2017. They will be on file at the office of Texas Engineering Solutions at 3815 S. Capital of TX Hwy, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704, where they may be examined without charge, or they are available electronically upon request. For electronic copies of the plans and contract documents please e-mail ccarlton@txengs.com. A Cashier’s Check, Certified Check or acceptable Bidder’s Bond, payable to Hays Shadow Creek Development, Inc. in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the Bid must accompany each bid as a guarantee that, if awarded the Contract, The BIDDER will enter into a contract and execute bonds within ten (10) days of award of the Contract. Performance and EDUCATION Payment Bonds shall also be executed on the forms furnished by the OWNER and shall specifically provide for “Performance” and for “Labor and Materials Payment”. Each bond shall be issued in an amount of one hundred percent (100%) of contract price by a solvent Surety company, authorized to do business in the State of Texas and acceptable to the OWNER. The OWNER reserves the right to reject any and all bids to waive any and all technicalities and formalities in bidding. The OWNER reserves the right to determine which bids are most advantageous to the OWNER and the DISTRICT, and to award the Contract on this basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after opening of the bids. If a submitted bid is withdrawn within said period, bid guaranty shall become the property of the OWNER, not as penalty, but as liquidated damages, or OWNER may pursue any other action allowed by law. A pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 at 1:00pm at the offices of the Engineer (Texas Engineering Solutions) at 3815
S. Capital of TX Hwy, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704. While the pre-bid conference is not mandatory, prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to attend, as well as visit the site prior to bidding.
CITATION BY PUBLICATION
To all persons interested in the Estate of Travis Scott Schiller, Deceased, Cause No. 17-0075-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas. The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION FOR DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP AND APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR WITH LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 401 .003 AND 401 .005 OF THE TEXAS ESTATES CODE in this estate on the 2nd day of March, 2017, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Travis Scott Schiller, 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 often (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: John H. Gilliam 302 W. MLK Dr . San Marcos, TX 78666 512-535-3089 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 6th day of March, 2017. Liz Q. Gonzalez County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666 Liz Q. Gonzalez 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By Christopher Alaniz, Deputy
NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM REESE YOUNG, DECEASED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that original Letters of Testamentary for the Estate of William Reese Young, Deceased, were issued on July 12, 2016, in Docket No. 16-0207-P pending in the County Court of Hays County, Texas, to Larry Allen Young, who now holds such letters. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are hereby required to present them to my attorney, Michele N. Dodd, at the address given below, before suit on same are barred by the general statutes of limitation, before such estate is closed, and within the time otherwise prescribed by law. The address to which claims may be presented is P.O. Box 868, Big Lake, Texas 76932. DATED: September 12, 2016. BY: Larry Allen Young
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of JAMES W. RAGSDALE, deceased, were issued on March 7, 2017 under Docket number 170053-P, pending in the County Court of Hays County, Texas to LUTHER WILBURN. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the Estate addressed as follows: Luther Wilburn Independent Executor Estate of James W. Ragsdale C/O Andrew Gary 108 E. San Antonio St. San Marcos, Texas 78666 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 this 8th day of March, 2017 Andrew Gary, Bar #7721000 P.O. Box 727 San Marcos, Texas 78667 512-396-2541 andrewgary@grandecom. net Attorney for Luther Wilburn
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of DARRELL E. HORTNESS, deceased, were issued on March 7, 2017 under Docket number 17-0015P, pending in the County Court of Hays County, Texas to DARA JEAN ZOBOROSKI. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the Estate addressed as follows: Dara Jean Zoboroski Independent Executor Estate of Darrell E. Hortness C/O Andrew Gary 108 E. San Antonio St. San Marcos, Texas 78666 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 this 8th day of March, 2017 Andrew Gary, Bar #7721000 P.O. Box 727 San Marcos, Texas 78667 512-396-2541 andrewgary@grandecom. net Attorney for Dara Jean Zoboroski
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Irma Belia Huffman, Deceased, were issued on March 7, 2017, in Cause No. 17-0052-P, pending in the County Court at Law No. TWO, HAYS County, Texas, to: Carrol Phillip Huffman. 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. c/o: John Hall Attorney at Law. 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 DATED the 7th day of March, 2017. John Hall Attorney for Carrol Phillip Huffman State Bar No.: 08759880 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 Telephone: (512) 268-6425 Fax: (512) 268-5405 E-mail: johnhall@lawyer. com
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Page 4D
Public Notices PUBLIC NOTICE
By order of the Hays County Commissioners Court, notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, March 21st at 9 a.m. in the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, the Hays County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing to consider: Replat of Lot 13, Burnett Ranch Section 2.
CITATION BY PUBLICATION
To all persons interested in the Estate of Mark Steven Hendricks, Deceased, Cause No. 17-0046-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas. The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION FOR DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP AND FOR LETTERS OF INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION in this estate on the
7th day of February, 2017, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Mark Steven Hendricks, 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 abovenoted date and time. Applicant's Attorney: Fay Cliett Gillham 516 West Hopkins, Suite A San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 392-3300 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 28th day of February, 2017. Liz Q. Gonzalez County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By Alfredo Sanchez, Deputy
parents from fraudsters? For starters, urge your parents – repeatedly, if necessary – to never give out personal information over the phone or online. Scammers have gotten quite clever at impersonating legitimate businesses or organizations – for example, unless you are looking closely at the email, you might think the logo of a bank or another company is being accurately depicted. Again, though, reputable businesses typically don’t send messages that are demanding, threatening or otherwise employing some type of extreme language. Also, stress to your parents that they should never wire money to a random account. Plus, remind them about the truth of “no risk” offers: Any financial offer that sounds too good to be true is just that – untrue. Every legiti-
mate investment carries both risks and rewards. Here’s another suggestion: Older adults who have debt problems may be especially vulnerable to offers that claim to “clear up” all their debts. But there’s no quick fix to this problem, and any caller who claims otherwise is likely being deceitful. Encourage your parents to discuss their debt situation with an honest, professional debt counselor or a financial advisor. Finally, if your parents don’t already work with a trusted, qualified financial professional, introduce them to one. Your parents worked hard all their lives. Do what you can to help them enjoy their “golden years” in dignity.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code hereby gives notice of public sale under said act to wit: This sale will be held on March 28, 2017 at 11:45 AM. Safe-n-Sound
REQUEST FOR BIDS
Self Storage is located at 1602 Goforth Road, Kyle, Texas 78640. 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-n-Sound 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. Auctioneer: Chad Larson # 17344 Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenants: Joe Lopez 10x20 – Household misc. items; Josh Cox 10x20 – Bedroom set, Household Misc. items; Yvette Deleon 7.5x10 – Full of Household misc. items; Martin Fuentes 10x5 – Misc. items.
Hays CISD is Requesting Bids for Bid #18-031703SC Concrete Work. Bids will be accepted until March 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. local time. Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing Office (512-268-2141 ext 46035) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday or on the Public Purchase web site (www.publicpurchase. com). Bid responses must be into the HCISD Public Purchase web site 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 PUBLIC SALE
Of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien. Sale to be held Online at
Storagetreasures.com by competitive bid. Anytime Storage, LLC 880 Windy Hill Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 Sale will be ending on or after MARCH 24, 2017 at 11 AM. Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/ CREDIT. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenant (s): MAXIMINO MORAN – ELECTRONICS, VACCUM, SPEAKERS, FURNITURE, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, MISC. BOXES; ERIC SIMS – TOOLS, CONTRACTOR SUPPLIES, BAGS, MISC.
Financial Focus Continued from pg. 1D
victimized again. Changing power of attorney or beneficiaries –If your parents suddenly decide to name someone new as their “agent” (the person responsible for carrying out a power of attorney), you may need to investigate. And the same is true if your parents change the beneficiary designation on their investment accounts or insurance policies.
UNUSUAL URGENCY TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT If you learn that your parents want to make some type of investment “immediately,” you should be concerned. No reputable financial professional would ever pressure them – or anyone else – to “act now” on an investment. Apart from watching out for the above signs of trouble, what else can you do to help guard your
Jon Albright, CFP®
Financial Advisor 251 N FM 1626 Bldg 2 Ste B Buda, TX 78610 512-312-2840
Janet Ross
Financial Advisor 251 N FM 1626 Bldg 2 Ste B Buda, TX 78610 512-312-2840
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
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