April 28, 2021 Hays Free Press

APRIL 28, 2021 PLAYOFF RUN

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See who and what are on the ballot for your area on Election Day.

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Hays Free Press HaysFreePress.com

Vol. 127 • No. 5

Serving Hays County, TX

County commissioners hit by judge’s lawsuit saga

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

HAYS COUNTY – First, she sued the two Hays County Court at Law (CCL) judges, then she amended her lawsuit to include the Hays County commissioners.

Judge Millie Thompson, CCL #3 judge, continues her pursuit in appointing a court

coordinator of her choice by amending her lawsuit to include Hays County Judge Ru- THOMPSON ben Becerra and commissioners Debbie Ingalsbe, Mark

Jones, Lon Shell and Walt Smith. The amended lawsuit also seeks injunctive relief, unlike the first lawsuit where she sought declaratory relief.

Declaratory relief is a request for a court’s judgement stating the rights of the parties without ordering any specific action or listing awards for damages. An injunc-

tive relief is a remedy used to restrain a party from doing certain acts or requires a party to act a certain way.

In this case, Thompson continues to ask for sole discretion to appoint her own court coordinator, one of her original requests. In Hays County, only Administrative Judge Chris Johnson can

hire the court coordinators.

But in the amended case, she is seeking for the commissioners court “to approve a reasonable salary for that coordinator.” Her choice for a court coordinator would have a salary of $60,000, according to the lawsuit.

COMMISSIONERS SUED, 2

J&J vaccines to resume in Texas next week

BY SAHAR CHMAIS Texas will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after receiving the greenlight from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is an important tool in our fight against COVID-19, and the scientific review over the last 11 days has affirmed its safety and effectiveness,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) commissioner. “We know some Texans prefer the simplicity of a single-dose vaccine, and the ease of storing and handling this vaccine gives providers more flexibility. Resuming the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will pre-

J&J VACCINES, 2

Protesters prevail PHOTO BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Brian Zabcik, wastewater campaign organizer for Save Barton Creek Association, addresses a crowd of protesters at the Polo Club in Rooster Springs.

Developer in Dripping Springs withdraws wastewater plant permit

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Following protests from environmental groups and concerned local residents, Dripping Springs property owner Stephen Cleveland withdrew his application for a wastewater treatment plant.

According to a press

“after hearing all the impassioned people in the meeting last night, our family has decided to ask that our application be withdrawn.”

–Stephen Cleveland, Dripping Springs property owner

release from Save Barton Springs Association, Cleveland wrote an email to TCEQ stating that,

“after hearing all the impassioned people in the meeting last night, our family has decided to

ask that our application be withdrawn.”

The reason for the withdrawal may have

been based on legalities, not based on the protests.

One day after the city of Dripping Springs requested a hearing regarding the permit, Cleveland withdrew his request.

In 2017, Cleveland applied for the plant’s

PERMIT WITHDRAWN, 4

Kyle explores restricting where sex offenders live

BY MEGAN WEHRING

KYLE — City council and officials are reviewing a potential ordinance that could restrict where convicted registered sex offenders may live in the city of Kyle.

Kyle Chief of Police Jeff Barnett and Officer Dago Pates introduced the regulation

on Feb. 2 before city council. The proposed ordinance established child safety zones that would make it unlawful for certain sex offenders to reside within 1,500 feet of where children commonly gather.

But, Kyle City Council requested that Barnett would consider reducing the restric-

DSISD HEAD DSISD names finalist for superintendent.

–Pages 8

tion to 1,000 feet. This would cover at least 60% of the city.

At the April 20 meeting, council voted 6-1 in favor of setting the distance requirement to 1,000 feet. Mayor Travis Mitchell was the dissenting vote; he suggested 500 feet for a middle ground number that would cover

about half of the city.

Following the first presentation on Feb. 2, Pates said that he has received an influx of calls from registered sex offenders interested in moving to Kyle since the city has not established an ordinance yet.

A second reading is still needed for final approval.

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

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Door to door sales are back in Buda

BY MEGAN WEHRING BUDA — Companies are allowed to apply for solicitation permits in Buda, following a temporary suspension last August.

Buda City Council unanimously approved repealing an ordinance that suspended the solicitor permit process. Staff said a local pest control company asked the city to reconsider the permit restrictions since the Texas mask mandate was lifted.

“Since we do have a business coming forward looking to promote their business,” said council member Matt Smith, “and if they are willing to go through the process and actually register, I can support bringing them back online.”

Staff added that this only lifts the solicitation suspension; it is not related to wearing a face mask or not wearing a face mask when going door to door. An additional ordinance would need to be brought forward if city council wanted a face mask requirement for solicitors.

Companies can request 90-day solicitation permits for $250. It is unlawful for any peddler or solicitor to engage in business within city limits without a permit from the city clerk.

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NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 28, 2021

Boiling problem: House groundwater bill under review

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

In a rare occurrence, Hays County Commissioners were in sync on a decision opposing the language of a bill that would affect groundwater conservation rules in Hays County.

Constituents have sent letters to County Judge Ruben Becerra and commissioners Lon Shell, Walt Smith and Debbie Ingalsbe opposing HB 4618, according to the commissioners. This bill was created to improve the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District’s (HTGCD) ability to measure water usage, protect water quality, clarify the definition of a Connection Fee and give the district authorization to shift the district’s funding from a growth or development-based

connection fee system to a production rate system.

Although commissioners were in favor of a bill that would support the conservation of water earlier this year, Smith said that “the devil is in the details” in regards to the wording of the bill.

HB 4618 would give districts the ability to require permitting, metering and production fees on residential wells that were established after Sept. 1, 2001, under chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code. District 45 St. Rep. Erin Zwiener issued an apology on social media stating that her office is aware of a drafting error in the bill in regards to the well establishment date.

“Neither I nor the HTGCD board have any intention of requiring permitting, metering, or production fees on

“New development and additional wells are coming to Northwestern Hays County and possibly penalizing those who are already here and operating under the rules which were in place when they put in their infrastructure would seem arbitrary at best.”

–Walt Smith, Hays County Commissioner, Pct. 4

residential wells that are already operational,” Zwiener’s statement read.

“We also do not have any intention of requiring permitting or production fees for agricultural wells.

The drafting error is the use of the date of September 1, 2001 instead of September 1, 2021. We will be releasing a committee substitute that corrects the error before

the hearing.”

Smith sent Zwiener a letter on April 12, stating two main issues that will negatively affect residents.

One issue was with the timetable, as to not penalize residents who have lived in Hays County before Sept. 1, 2021.

“New development and additional wells are coming to Northwestern Hays

County,” Smith wrote, “and possibly penalizing those who are already here and operating under the rules which were in place when they put in their infrastructure would seem arbitrary at best.”

Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country and water in Central Texas is a precious resource. Preserving water rights and availability for residents in the dramatically increasing population was one of the main intentions, Smith explained.

Besides the penalization of residential wells, Smith took issue with another section of the bill which would also affect agricultural water use by mandating metering agricultural wells.

“I believe that as private property owners in Texas, we have a duty to

preserve our resources,” his letter read, “and no one is better at that stewardship than the farmers and ranchers who earn their living from the land on a daily basis.”

While Smith said he is in support of incentivized programs funding the metering of wells for producers to assist them in establishing their historical usage, a mandate would be problematic.

A bigger issue the county faces is the thousands of homes coming to the area, which have a greater impact on the aquifer than the establishment of certain agricultural uses, Smith explained.

Commissioners unanimously voted to oppose HB 4618 as it is currently written, for that is in the best interest of Hays County residents, stated the resolution.

Nature-based infrastructure bill passes Texas House

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

A bill that incentivizes nature-based infrastructure passed in the Texas House on April 21.

HB 2350, introduced

by District 45 St. Rep. Erin Zwiener, encourages nature-based infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The bill targets communities seeking loans for wastewater system upgrades

and provides them access to additional funds for projects such as rain gardens, wetlands and other projects that slow storm waters and allow them to percolate into aquifers, or be taken up by plants — an alternative to water running off surfaces and contributing to flooding.

Funding for these projects comes from the Green Projects Reserve, a pass-through federal

grant program administered by the Texas Water Development Board.

“I’m glad that my colleagues agree that nature-based infrastructure is a critical tool for mitigating flooding,” said Zwiener. “In addition, nature-based infrastructure can also assist with aquifer recharge, water purification, outdoor recreational space, and reducing heat islands. HB

politicians have been working on solutions for efficient water preservation methods, given the limited water supply in the region.

CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS NOTICE OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 In compliance with the requirements of the City Charter, Article VIII, Section 8.13, the City of Kyle completed an audit of all accounts and funds of the City by an independent certified public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

Highlights of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the Independent Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 include the following:

Continued from pg. 1

on her docket.

“The existing coordinator, assigned to her by the other CCL judges, is resistant to implementing changes, for whatever reason,” the lawsuit reads.

“Prolonging the process of appointing a court coordinator will cause significant injury in the form of an even more bloated backlog.”

The case goes on to state examples of the issues Thompson is facing

with her coordinator, such as the coordinator’s refusal to search for jail reports for defendants who have not made bond so they may be placed on her jail docket for bond review.

Hays County District Judge Bruce Boyer recused from the case.

The hearing is set to take place in Judicial District Court No. 22, where the retired Judge Tim Sulak will preside over the case.

The CDC estimates that using the J&J vaccine in the U.S. will prevent more than 2,200 intensive care admissions and 1,400 deaths over the next six months. The J&J vaccine has caused rare but serious cases of blood clots in combination with low blood platelet counts, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS. So far, 15 of the 7 million people who received the J&J vaccine developed TTS – most were women between the ages of 18 and 49 and experienced symptoms one to two weeks

after vaccination.

CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend vaccination with J&J vaccine resumes among people 18 years and older.

“However, women younger than 50 years old should be aware of the rare but increased risk of [TTS],” according to the CDC vaccine recommendation. “TTS is a serious condition that involves blood clots with low platelets. There are other COVID-19 vaccine options available for which this risk has not been seen.”

J&J Vaccine

Continued from pg. 1 vent hospitalizations and save lives in Texas.”

A recent study showed millions of Americans did not go back to take their second dose for a variety of reasons, some feared side effects of the second dose or believe they are sufficiently protected from one shot.

Although the J&J vaccine usage was reapproved on April 24, Texas has not received doses from the federal agency for this week, said Douglas Loveday, DSHS press officer. The vaccines will be available next week, Loveday added.

preservation bill, HB 4618, during the 87th Legislative session.

As people continue to flock to Hays County and Central Texas, some

The independent auditor’s report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 was reviewed and accepted by the City Council during their regularly scheduled meeting held on April 20, 2021.

Commissioners Sued Thompson had previously stated that she had a series of problems with her coordinator, and in the amended lawsuit she added that she has a backlog in her court. In the Hays CCL, the coordinators work for multiple judges. One of the coordinators that Thompson attempted to fire, Chris Perez, has moved off of Thompson’s services.

Thompson has another coordinator who works

2350 will help communities to develop and fund locally directed projects that fit their needs.”

Zwiener has also introduced another water

• The independent auditors conducted their audit of the City's financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.

• The auditors issued a "clean" or an unqualified report on the financial statements of the City of Kyle for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. This the highest level or the best type of independent auditor’s report that can be issued on the financial statements of a governmental entity including city governments in the United States of America.

• The independent auditor’s report did not identify any audit findings or deficiencies regarding the City’s financial management policies, internal controls, or the City’s accounting and financial reporting systems.

• Based on the independent auditor’s examination and audit of the City’s financial records, the auditor’s report states that ”the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business- type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City as of September 30, 2020, and the respective changes in financial position and, where applicable, cash flows thereof for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.”

• For fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the City's Net Assets totaled $407.0 million, Net Liabilities totaled $121.2 million, and the combined Net Position totaled $285.8 million.

• The City’s overall net financial position of $285.8 million as of September 30, 2020 is an increase of $52.4 million or 22.5 percent as compared to the prior fiscal year.

• The ending fund balance for the City's General Fund at September 30, 2020 totaled $21.4 million on a modified accrual basis (GAAP). This is an increase of $5.8 million from the prior fiscal year.

• Revenue and transfers-in for the General Fund for fiscal year ending September 30, 2020 from all sources totaled $35.6 million on a modified accrual basis (GAAP).

• Expenditures and transfers-out for the General Fund for fiscal year ending September 30, 2020 totaled $29.8 million for public safety, public works, parks and recreation, permits and inspections, land planning and zoning, code enforcement, animal control, public library, municipal court, economic development, capital improvement projects, and general government functions.

A complete copy of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Independent Auditor’s Report for fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 is available on the City's website at: https://www.cityofkyle.com/finance/city-kyle-financial-audits Date Issued:

April 21, 2021

Issued By:

Perwez A. Moheet, CPA Director of Finance City of Kyle, Texas

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Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I want students to be present in their classes (in-person or virtual) because I don’t want them to miss out on anything.”

–Eric Wright, Hays CISD superintendent. Story on page 4.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 28, 2021

Page 3

Offensive Some people shouldn’t be vocabulary in a position of authority remastered Just when I thought all the nonsensical attempts to erase chapters of American history had stopped with statues being razed, school mascots getting kicked to the curb and streets being renamed, something even more ridiculous has erupted like a boil on a cowboy’s butt. Y’all might not’ve heard about this yet, but I tend to keep my ear to the ground, mostly due to vertigo. It seems like a few individuals in the real estate business have determined that the term “master bedroom” might be offensive to some folks.

As we literate Americans know, more than 150 years ago, there was slavery in parts of the world, and the owners of the slaves were often called “master”.

So, to thwart the notion that only slaveholders could sleep in the master bedroom, this part of the house may soon be called the “primary bedroom”. It’s true. I kid you not.

Now, I don’t want to sound insensitive, but isn’t removing a particular word from our vocabulary because it has a brittle link to slavery just a tad ludicrous?

I’m no lexicographer (go ahead and Google that word), but I bet “master” was an ordinary word long before Jefferson Davis was even born. But, hey, if the word is causing sensitive homeowners to toss and turn in their beds every night, let’s grab the buttend of our #2 pencils and eliminate “master” from our gargantuan glossary.

Now, if we kick the “master” out of our bedroom, we should go the whole hog and wipe the word completely out of our dictionary. Let’s not be semi-gluteal and just erase it from real estate listings.

Let’s eradicate it like we did to smallpox and slavery. If we can’t have a master bedroom, we certainly can’t have a master bathroom.

Parents will have to use ordinary bathrooms, ones with no brassieres drying over the shower curtain or issues of Guns & Ammo on the back of the toilet.

We won’t have a master plan to guide us through our endeavors. I suppose

Crow’s Nest

by Clint Younts

we can have a mediocre plan, and hopefully we won’t screw up too badly as we go along.

So, we attend college for four or five years, depending on our beer consumption, earning a bachelors degree and then decide to further our education. We won’t be able to obtain a Masters Degree in the future. To keep from offending folks, we’ll have to call it something else, like Bachelor 2.0 Degree or a Supplemental Schooling Degree.

What’s the military gonna do if they can’t use “master” in their nomenclature? Privates will no longer shout “Sir, yes sir, Master Sergeant!”

Will Sarge now be Super Sergeant? And how about the master-at-arms? What are sailors going to call this petty officer? Person-atarms?

Can we still refer to Alfred Hitchcock as the “Master of Suspense” or rename him “One Scary Dude”? What about the rapper Master P? I wonder what he thinks of us changing his stage name to Just Another Rapper.

I reckon we will no longer have a chess master or a master of ceremonies. No more Master Chef. I have a son-in-law who considers himself a grill master. I guess from now on he’ll just be another weenie roaster.

Are there other words in our vocabulary that we should expunge? We can’t consider ourselves as rebels any more, although we can still be rebellious.

We can’t wait one cotton-pickin’ minute any longer, and Aunt Jemima will be flipping pancakes under the name Pearl Milling Company. I’m sorry, but I’m a little ticked off, and I’m not just whistlin’ Dixie.

Y’all can go along and let them delete history, but I will continue to visit local brew masters and keep working on my literary masterpiece.

Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton

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Reporters Megan Wehring, Sahar Chmais

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

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

Getting to and from places in Kyle can sometimes be a frustrating task, given the persistent road closures throughout town. Fairly, we should give the town recognition for seeking out improvements in traffic and roads as often as it does. While it can sometimes feel like roads take forever to fix or adjust, and we wish for speedier completion, we have to appreciate that it does take time, especially when it is being done correctly. Additionally, there’s a lot of roads and only so many people to fix them and dollars to spend on them. Practice patience.

That being said, I’ve tried to take a different approach to getting places. Walking. Occasionally also riding my bike. Both of these methods of transportation are better for our health, and better for our Earth. Physical exercise doesn’t have

David White, Distribution

CORRECTIONS

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

of that car was in the military. Here you have a man wearing the uniform of his country being treated as if he was a second-class citizen, by a brutish officer who when told by Nazario that he was afraid of getting out of the car - was told "you should be afraid."

"You should be afraid."

No American should ever say that to an American soldier, an Army medic.

The fact that another man in uniform said it is reprehensible.

I hate that I have to write this column, at this time. But if I remain silent when this sort of thing happens, I have no right to shout out my support for the honorable warriors who police our streets competently, courageously and with humility every day, every hour, every minute. And I have no intention of ever giving up that right.

In my daily walks, I pass by the memorial plaque that commemorates the place where Daniel Faulkner was murdered by Mumia abu Jamal. I also walk by the memorials to Charles Knox, and the mural to Sgt. Robert Wilson.

I hope they'd understand why I wrote this column.

Copyright 2021 Christine Flowers. Flowers is an attorney and a columnist for the Delaware County Daily Times, and can be reached at cflowers1961@ gmail.com.

walked to and from the few shopping areas. If I’m wrong, ok, you got me ... but based on what I hear from others, I

by David believe I’m sort of right Abdel about the walkability issue. Granted, we don’t to be in a gym lifting have many places worth weights, it can just be the walking to, so that might act of moving around, be part of it. I doubt so why not do it? Well, in people are going to walk Kyle, I’m learning that it’s to HEB and walk home actually a bit difficult. with their groceries, If I take my boy out that might be asking for a stroller walk, I’ve too much. However, I found that often in my wouldn’t mind walking subdivision there are to a local place to eat sidewalks that just seem (the few we have) or local to not exist in places, or watering hole (the even ramps/crosswalks absent fewer). I’d rather not where one would think waste gas when I could they would exist. Venget the exercise. turing out into town, I’ve In that same vein, it found it very difficult to is incredibly difficult to walk to and from places bike anywhere. One, bike because large sections of lanes don’t exist. Two, town simply don’t have drivers seemingly hate sidewalks. This is not, as cyclists. I recall this beof now, a walkable town. ing a very divisive issue Fairly, it depends on during the mayoral race where you live. I have when I brought up bike not walked around every lanes in a public space. subdivision. I’ve not I don’t understand why

The Kyle File

we would want to stifle a healthy alternative form of mobility.

Keeping cars off the road improves traffic, and potentially lowers traffic accidents. It’s better for the environment.

It adds a homey feeling to our town. It increases the number of people who can get around town, thus potentially increasing economic output. What’s the issue?

With all of the new development taking place throughout Kyle, my hope is that mobility takes a greater place in the priority list. We need to increase the means by which people can safely traverse this town. We need to connect, in as many ways as possible. I believe people are much more likely to go somewhere and spend their hard earned money, if they don’t always have to drive to it. That’s my two cents, if you disagree, walk it out.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Office Manager Arlene Monroe

of their temperaments, their lack of self-control or empathy, their inability to calmly assess a situation or their sense of

by Christine Nietzschean supremacy, Flowers they are unfit to hold the societal imprimatur that a raging mob. commands "obey me."

One of the officers inAnd that's why the volved, Joe Gutierrez, has people who have said to been fired. There's still me something along the no information on what's lines of "Well, if you do happening with his part- what the police say you ner, Daniel Crocker. won't have a problem" Race should not be an just don't get it. issue, because Nazario is That is not supporting Afro Latino, and Gutierthe police. That is enrez is also Latino. Race abling the bad ones to do is going to be an issue, the things that the good because in this climate, ones find abhorrent. it's unavoidable.

That must be what it's But I am a white wom- like to live in, say, Myanan who knows of white mar. men and women who Some have said that have also had problems the officers were justified when the police have in their actions because stopped them, people when they put their who cannot be character- sirens on, Nazario didn't ized by their epidermal initially stop. And I unattributes. I have witderstand that argument. nessed some extremely But the circumstances unreasonable acts by of that "stop" turned out those who wear the unito be illegal, since the form, abuses in attitude officers were aware that and authority. None of Nazario had temporary them were justified, but plates and still pursued none of them rose to the him. The circumstances level of actual abuse. of that "stop" were also Making this about charged because there race obscures a greater was no reasonable suspiproblem if we excuse the cion that the driver had actions of Joe Gutierrez. done anything wrong, And those of us who that he was weaving, that don't believe the police he was speeding, that should be defunded and he was causing a threat who honor their presence to other drivers. They in our lives and commuapparently had nothing nities need to speak out. other than their subjecThere are people who tive sense that this car should not be in posiwas not his car. tions of authority over the And the worst thing rest of us. Either because about it is that the driver

Guest Column

Wishing for walkability

Elizabeth Garcia

Columnists Bartee Haile, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts

NEWS TIPS

At a time when police are being attacked on all sides for brutality, racism, recklessness and all sorts of social sins and criminal acts, I hesitate to write this column.

I hesitate, not because I think that what I am about to say is wrong, but because words have been used as weapons and in the wrong hands, they misfire and they wound. I hesitate, because the very last thing I want to do is wound the good men and women of the fragile blue line.

On December 5, 2020, Caron Nazario, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, was kicked and pepper sprayed when he refused to get out of his car during what turns out to be an illegal traffic stop.

The reason we are only hearing about this now after four months is that Nazario has filed a lawsuit against the small Virginia town where the assault took place. He's seeking damages in excess of $1 million.

The video of the incident is unassailable proof that the two police officers involved in the traffic stop, allegedly due to Nazario driving his SUV with a missing license plate, don't deserve my support.

If I were to extend the benefit of the doubt to them, I'd never again have the right to stand up for an officer who, in the course of putting his life on the line, is attacked by

RE: EDITORIAL CARTOON, APRIL 21

him with devils and in hell????? If this is the case, this individual must I found this to be offen- be the Lord. Only Jesus knows the true character sive and out of character of the person that is being for the paper.

Since when can some- judged in this picture. We were not at the event that one become the judge transpired and cannot be of a person and picture

DEADLINES

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

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

judges.

Yes, a court of law, 12 jurors, I should say found him guilty. I do believe that they thought if they did not there would have been riots all over the nation from coast to coast.

So now our justice system

LETTERS GUIDELINES

has been comprised too.

I hope this nation can heal and that the Lord will have mercy on all of us at the end of our lives.

Only HE can make that final decision.

Renee S. Hill Buda

We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@haysfreepress.com.

Page 4

NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 28, 2021

HCISD could lose millions if students do not return

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Easy as Pie: Kyle awaiting official designation

BY MEGAN WEHRING

matical Pi. An official designation KYLE — Pie Capital of would welcome more Texas could be in the city tourists, council member of Kyle’s near future.

Dex Ellison said.

Kyle City Council “I think this council has unanimously approved done a great job of worka resolution of support ing on some projects our of bills HCR 12 and SCR city is going to be known 22 that will be presented for years and decades to at the 2021 Texas Legiscome,” Ellison said. “This lature. If passed, the city is certainly another atwill officially get to enjoy traction. My hope is that pie life. there will be many things “This is just a resothat will bring people to lution to show support the city of Kyle including at the local level,” said the things that deal with Samantha Armbruster, pie.” communications director.

Council member Pie plays a major role in Yvonne Flores-Cale said the city of Kyle’s branding, that she would like to see including the Texas Pie even more pie companies Company downtown, the in the city. annual Pie in the Sky Hot “My fear is,” Flores-Cale Air Balloon Festival and said, “not that [the Texas the newest addition of Pie Company]would, but Uber $3.14. The rideshare if this company ever closprogram refers to mathe- es, I want to make sure

that we can stand behind the whole Pie Capital of Texas idea.”

Flores-Cale added that she spoke with residents outside of the city who would be interested in visiting Kyle if there was more than just one company selling pie.

Armbruster said the legislation would increase branding efforts and could help keep Kyle on the map for future pie businesses.

“When you are celebrating a brand, you want that constant celebration of it,” Armbruster explained. “This is just one more way to bring the parade and really celebrate it as a brand which will bring attraction in a lot of different ways, one being economic development and business.”

Hays CISD is urging students to attend their classes so the district does not lose millions of dollars in state funds.

If in-person attendance in the last six weeks of this school year is not greater than in-person attendance from last October, Hays CISD could lose up to $7 million, said Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright.

“That is important money that allows us to pay our teachers, buy supplies, and offer our students the best possible resources,” Wright wrote in a letter to parents. “It’s also your money. Every dollar the state has in its coffers is money that comes from you and other taxpayers.

Your children are due that $7 million and we want to bring it back home so they can benefit from it. We can do that by meeting the attendance target.”

Due to COVID, rather than counting the average daily attendance for this year, the state is holding districts harmless for lower attendance, if they can meet certain criteria, said Hays CISD Chief of Communication Tim Savoy. Rather than funding Hays CISD for this year’s attendance, the district would be funded on an average of

“Your children are due that $7 million and we want to bring it back home so they can benefit from it. We can do that by meeting the attendance target.”

–Eric Wright, Hays CISD Superintendent

daily attendance for the past three years.

To qualify for the hold harmless funding, which is about $7 million, at least 68.4% of Hays CISD students must physically be in class for at least eight days each in the final six weeks of the year, Savoy explained.

But attendance has been down for all students – in-person and online. The average daily attendance in 2020-2021 has been 93% and in the prior school year it was over 95%.

The district receives a basic allotment of $6,160 per student per year, an amount that gets reduced per student for absences. Funding is the same for in-person and virtual students.

Additionally, Hays CISD receives addition funding because it is a fastgrowth school district, Savoy said.

While missing class has been affecting school funding, it has also increased student failing rates. Wright said he wants to emphasize that attendance is first

and foremost about the presence of students in order to receive a full educational experience.

“That’s the most important consideration,” Wright said. “I want students to be present in their classes (in-person or virtual) because I don’t want them to miss out on anything.”

Wright added that if a student is unable to attend class due to health issues or other reasons, caregivers should make the best decisions for loved ones, even if it means an absence from school.

To help fix the issue, campuses will create attendance incentive programs, similar to what is seen during every normal school year, Wright said.

“I know it’s not the most popular messaging – attendance tied to school funding – but, in a strange way, it’s nice to see us take a step back to the familiar,” Wright said.

“Here’s hoping we continue to take steps that, once and for all, put this pandemic behind us.”

Permit Withdrawn: Developer in Dripping Springs gives in to impassioned pleas Continued from pg. 1

permit for his 17-acre commercial property located on the southwest corner of US 290 and Sawyer Ranch Road. When the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a draft permit in April 2021, residents living near the Long Branch Creek created an uproar about the environmental issues the plant allegedly could cause.

The permit would allow disposal of up to 45,000 gallons of effluent a day.

Ron Johnson along with other protestors said they are not against development and did not want to stunt the growth of businesses, but the effects of the waste could ruin Long Branch Creek, a tributary of Barton Creek. The waste could contain levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, elements usually found in fertilizer, which would feed algae growth.

Not only does this affect the aesthetics of the pristine waters with overpopulated green bits floating in the water, it could degrade the quality of water for animals and humans, said Chris Herrington, an environmental officer

with the city of Austin.

The stringy algae would change the fish habitat and the nutrients in the waters, affecting the animals who depend on it. When the algae dies and decomposes, it would lower oxygen levels in the water, Herrington said.

Besides these environmental repercussions, residents of the Polo Club, a neighborhood located close to the first release location, were worried about the damages this would have on their children.

Parents said their kids always go out to play in the five ponds and the creek in the neighborhood. One parent asked if it would be appropriate to let her child play in partially treated sewage.

Others were worried that they could no longer fish in these waters. And many were concerned about the odor this plant would cause.

Dripping Springs also had issues with the permit. On April 20, the city requested a contested hearing from TCEQ. The city and Cleveland entered into a Municipal

Services Agreement on Sept. 8, 2020. The agreement states that upon annexation, the property owner should either: withdraw its application with the TCEQ TPDES application, or enter into a separate agreement with the city regarding, but not limited to, treatment levels and beneficial reuse of the property’s wastewater.

On Sept. 8, 2020, the property was annexed by the city. It was not until April 21, 2021 that Cleveland withdrew his permit application, one day after the city issued its contested hearing request.

One day prior to removing his permit request, Cleveland spoke at a TCEQ meeting regarding the issue and said he wanted the permit for the plant because that is the cheapest option for his property.

Other methods of wastewater disposal exist and surrounding businesses use these practices.

The most common methods would be to irrigate land using the treated waste, or install a septic system. Cleveland claimed that these alternative

practices would cost him an estimated $2 million.

While Cleveland was not willing to pay the estimated amount, property owners in the Polo Club said that his decision threathens their homesites. Homeowners in the neighborhood with ponds backing up to their property own parts of the ponds, Henry Wischmeyer said.

Many residents and the city said they have a vested interest in the case.

“The city has a unique and personal interest in this matter that is not common to members of the general public because,” the Dripping Springs hearing statement read, “1) the property is within the City Limits, and the City has an interest in preserving and protecting the environment within its City Limits; 2) the City has an enforceable contract with the landowner concerning the matter identified above; and 3) City Code of Ordinances 22.06.001 (quoted above) gives it an interest in promoting its policy within the City limits.”

The Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch contacted Cleveland to get a state-

ment on his decision, but Clevelanddid not respond as of press deadline.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 28, 2021

NEWS

Page 5

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

Health-care expansion defeated in House A bid to expand health coverage for low-income Texans failed in the Texas House last week, 80-68.

State leaders have long opposed expanding the Medicaid program, which is largely funded by the federal government. The measure that failed last week would have allowed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to negotiate a funding agreement with the feds, called a 1115 demonstration waiver, that would cover more uninsured Texans without technically expanding Medicaid, according to various media sources, including the Texas Tribune.

Just over a week ago, the Biden administration rescinded a federal 1115 waiver approved in the final days of the Trump administration, which would have provided the state billions of dollars over the next decade to cover emergency care for uninsured Texans. The state was exempted from the normal public notice process, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Gov. Greg Abbott blasted that decision, saying it “ob-

Capital Highlights

by Gary Borders

structed healthcare access for vulnerable Texans.”

Backers of health-care expansion are pinning their waning hopes on House Bill 3871, sponsored by Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Carrollton.

Her bill also uses an 1115 waiver to attract federal funding to expand Medicaid eligibility as well as increased in Medicaid reimbursements to doctors, according to the Tribune.

But time is running out with the bill still stuck in committee.

If that bill fails to pass, Texas officials will have to begin renegotiating with the Biden administration to restore the funding.

More than 650,000 Texans lost their employer-sponsored insurance during the pandemic. Texas has the highest number and highest percentage of uninsured residents in the nation, according to the Texas Comptroller’s Office.

MASS TRANSIT LOSES EVEN MORE RIDERSHIP DURING PANDEMIC

Mass transit in Texas has been experiencing a decline in ridership the last few years, according to a Fiscal Notes report by the comptroller’s office. The outlook has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, with steep drops in ridership, revenue and service.

According to census data, “in terms of population share, Blacks and Hispanics are overrepresented among public transit riders, as are those with relatively low incomes. Comparatively large shares of those with jobs in education, health care, recreation and food services — the workers most affected by the pandemic — use public transit to get to work,” the report noted.

However, the pandemic has taken its toll on mass service, particularly in urban areas. Houston Metro reported its total ridership in December 2020 was 53.6 percent lower than in December 2019. Research scientists, such as Michael Walk with

the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, say the use of multiple modes of transportation can make mass transit more appealing to riders.

With the state experiencing explosive population growth, transportation officials hope to keep public transit a viable option both in urban and rural areas, according to the comptroller’s report.

continue to share messages encouraging various communities to get vaccinated. We are also relying on trusted voices within those communities to speak up and let their neighbors know that the available COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to end the pandemic and restore normalcy.”

MEDIA AD CAMPAIGN TO BOOST VACCINES BEGINS

VACCINE DOSES NOW OVER 10 MILLION MARK; COVID-19 CASES STEADY

A $1.5 million television and radio ad campaign was launched last week by the Texas Department of State Health Services to encourage Texans to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The ads, in both English and Spanish, feature several doctors urging folks to get the vaccine, as the pace of shot administered has slowed.

“Our research shows that individual health care professionals are the most trusted voices for people deciding whether to get vaccinated,” said DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt. “Over the coming weeks we will

The number of Texans who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine reached 10.56 million as of Sunday, according to DSHS. The number of folks who are fully vaccinated hit 7.11 million, which is about 24% of the state’s population.

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Texas rose slightly last week compared to the previous week, to 23,684, with new deaths dropping slightly at 359, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University. Similarly, lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals

was at 2,793 for the same period, down slightly from the previous week, according to DSHS.

TEXAS LIFTS PAUSE ON J&J VACCINE Vaccine providers in Texas can resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, DSHS announced.

The Centers for Disease Control paused use of the one-dose vaccine in mid-April after 15 cases of blood clots were identified, primarily in women between 18 and 49. That’s out of more than 7 million shots administered nationally.

Boosters of the vaccine point to the simplicity of a single-dose vaccine and the ease of storage, according to Hellerstedt, the DSHS commissioner.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. gborders@texaspress.com

Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between April 12th - April 18th, 2021.

Below is a sample of events reported by law enforcement from April 12th - April 18th, 2021. The location is where the event was reported or responded to and may not necessarily be where the event occured.

911 Investigation.................................................................................271 Accident.................................................................................................57 Accident Fleet..........................................................................................1 Accident Auto Pedestrian.......................................................................0 Accident Hit and Run............................................................................10 ACO Abandoned Animal.........................................................................4 ACO Barking............................................................................................1 ACO Bite Case.......................................................................................10 ACO Cruelty Neglect...............................................................................2 ACO Deceased Animal............................................................................1 ACO Follow Up......................................................................................21 ACO Information Call..............................................................................4 ACO Injured / Sick.................................................................................11 ACO Live Trap..........................................................................................0 ACO Loose Livestock............................................................................20 ACO Other................................................................................................3 ACO Stray..............................................................................................16 ACO Unrestrained Animal.......................................................................8 ACO Vicious Animal................................................................................5 ACO Wildlife...........................................................................................18 Alarm Bank..............................................................................................0 Alarm Business......................................................................................54 Alarm Residental...................................................................................27 Alcohol Violation......................................................................................0 ASP Referral............................................................................................4 Assault ..................................................................................................40 Assist EMS/Fire.....................................................................................13 Assist Outside Agency..........................................................................13 BMV..........................................................................................................3 Burglary Building.....................................................................................4 Burglary Residence.................................................................................1 Business/Industrial Contact....................................................................7 Cancelled Without Assignment..............................................................0 Child Safety Incident.............................................................................12 Citizen Assist/Service Call....................................................................70 Civil Matter.............................................................................................12 Civil Process Service...............................................................................1 Code Compliance..................................................................................24 Community Contact..............................................................................20 CPS Referral..........................................................................................33 Credit/Debit Card Abuse.........................................................................7 Crime Prevention.....................................................................................1 Damaged Property..................................................................................8 Death Investigation.................................................................................5 Disturbance Verbal..................................................................................0 Drug Offences..........................................................................................3 Fireworks.................................................................................................0 Forgery/Fraud........................................................................................16 Game/Hunting/Poaching........................................................................1 Harassment/Stalking.............................................................................20 Identity Theft..........................................................................................12 Indecent Exposure..................................................................................0 Illegal Dumping........................................................................................3 Inpersonating...........................................................................................0 Information.............................................................................................10 Investigation............................................................................................0 Kidnapping/Unlawful Restriant...............................................................0 Law Enforcement....................................................................................8 Lost / Found Property.............................................................................8 Mental Health........................................................................................19 Missing Person/Runaway.......................................................................5 Noise Complaint....................................................................................24 Other......................................................................................................14 Patrol/Premise Check.........................................................................251 Reckless Driving....................................................................................67 Recovery Stolen Property.......................................................................1 Robbery...................................................................................................0 Sex Offenses............................................................................................1 Solicitation...............................................................................................0 Supplement/Follow Up.........................................................................62 Suspicious Activity................................................................................79 SWAT/CNT...............................................................................................0 Test...........................................................................................................0 Theft/Stolen...........................................................................................28 Threat.......................................................................................................7 Tobacco Violation....................................................................................1 Traffic/Roadway.....................................................................................62 Traffic Stop...........................................................................................281 Trespass.................................................................................................26 Violation of Order....................................................................................1 Warrent Service.......................................................................................9 Weapon....................................................................................................7 Welfare Concern......................................................................................2

Date/Time Type 4/12/2021 9:40 Accident 4/12/2021 14:03 Accident 4/12/2021 15:08 Accident 4/12/2021 15:18 Accident 4/12/2021 15:55 Accident 4/12/2021 16:03 Accident 4/12/2021 16:50 Accident 4/12/2021 16:52 Accident 4/12/2021 22:53 Accident 4/12/2021 19:04 Assault 4/12/2021 19:28 Assault 4/12/2021 23:10 Assault 4/12/2021 9:28 Harassment / Stalking 4/12/2021 14:51 Harassment / Stalking 4/12/2021 15:12 Harassment / Stalking 4/12/2021 16:45 Harassment / Stalking 4/12/2021 17:55 Harassment / Stalking 4/12/2021 19:06 Harassment / Stalking 4/13/2021 0:44 Assault 4/13/2021 2:04 Assault 4/13/2021 7:00 Accident 4/13/2021 7:08 Accident 4/13/2021 17:17 Accident 4/13/2021 17:22 Accident 4/13/2021 17:31 Accident 4/13/2021 19:02 Accident 4/13/2021 22:26 Accident 4/13/2021 13:01 Harassment / Stalking 4/13/2021 13:13 Harassment / Stalking 4/14/2021 7:20 Accident 4/14/2021 12:31 Accident 4/14/2021 16:07 Accident 4/14/2021 16:52 Accident 4/14/2021 16:57 Accident 4/14/2021 17:03 Accident 4/14/2021 19:08 Accident 4/14/2021 8:37 Assault 4/14/2021 11:23 Assault 4/14/2021 12:08 Assault 4/14/2021 13:32 Assault 4/14/2021 14:03 Assault 4/14/2021 14:57 Assault 4/14/2021 15:22 Assault 4/14/2021 15:45 Assault 4/14/2021 16:14 Assault 4/14/2021 16:14 Assault 4/14/2021 18:20 Assault 4/14/2021 19:10 Assault 4/14/2021 19:31 Assault 4/14/2021 19:31 Assault 4/14/2021 11:39 Game / Hunting / Poaching 4/16/2021 8:59 Accident 4/16/2021 13:51 Accident 4/16/2021 14:38 Accident 4/16/2021 15:02 Accident HCSO 4/16/2021 15:20 Accident 4/16/2021 18:22 Accident 4/16/2021 19:40 Accident 4/16/2021 19:45 Accident 4/16/2021 10:38 Assault 4/16/2021 11:39 Assault 4/16/2021 12:18 Assault 4/16/2021 13:20 Assault 4/16/2021 8:49 Harassment / Stalking 4/16/2021 10:47 Harassment / Stalking 4/16/2021 16:43 Harassment / Stalking 4/17/2021 6:30 Accident 4/17/2021 15:44 Accident 4/17/2021 15:54 Accident 4/17/2021 17:42 Accident 4/17/2021 17:45 Accident 4/17/2021 21:15 Assault 4/17/2021 22:24 Assault 4/17/2021 23:29 Assault 4/17/2021 10:42 Harassment / Stalking 4/17/2021 19:33 Harassment / Stalking 4/17/2021 20:22 Harassment / Stalking 4/18/2021 3:44 Accident 4/18/2021 6:55 Accident 4/18/2021 7:27 Accident 4/18/2021 10:51 Accident 4/18/2021 17:42 Accident 4/18/2021 17:50 Accident 4/18/2021 18:29 Accident

Location Agency MT GAINOR RD, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO E US 290/CROW RANCH RD, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO RR 12/LONE MAN MOUNTAIN RD, DRIFTWOOD, TX 78619 HCSO RR 12, WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 HCSO TRAUTWEIN RD/FITZHUGH RD, AUSTIN, TX 78737 HCSO N OLD BASTROP HWY, SAN MARCOS, TX 78666 HCSO IH 35, KYLE, TX 78640 KYLE HCSO IH 35, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD HILLVIEW CIR, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO N CANYONWOOD DR, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO ROBERT S LIGHT BLVD 3103, BUDA, TX 78610 HCSO STAG HORN PASS, KYLE, TX 78640 HCSO E CREEK DR, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO W EL CAMINO REAL, WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 HCSO IH 35, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD MESA DR, WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 HCSO S STAGECOACH TRL, SAN MARCOS, TX 78666 HCSO JENN CV, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO GOFORTH RD, KYLE, TX 78640 HCSO GOFORTH RD, KYLE, TX 78640 HCSO ROYSTON RD, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD IH 35, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD CLAREWOOD DR/SH 80, SAN MARCOS, TX 78666 HCSO MAIN ST, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD ROYSTON RD/FM 2001, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD W US 290/N COLLEGE ST, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO IH 35, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD ROBIN RD, MANCHACA, TX 78652 HCSO STILLWATER, WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 HCSO RR 12, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO IH 35, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD 29.8875315~-97.9172425 206 NB HCSO JACOBS WELL RD, WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 HCSO YARRINGTON RD/AIRPORT HIGHWAY 21, KYLE, TX 78640 HCSO 29.8771271~-97.9284644 205 NB HCSO SAWYER RANCH RD, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO RR 12 6328, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO HILLIARD RD, SAN MARCOS, TX 78666 HCSO TIGER LN, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO RODRIGUEZ ST, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD PATRIOT DR, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD RR 967, BUDA, TX 78610 HCSO DEERFIELD DR 2, WOODCREEK, TX 78676 HCSO OVERPASS RD 615, BUDA, TX 78610 HCSO RR 967, BUDA, TX 78610 HCSO RR 967, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD PEMBERTON WAY, AUSTIN, TX 78737 HCSO CABELAS DR 126, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD SHALE CIR, BUDA, TX 78610 HCSO SHALE CIR, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD HUGO RD, SAN MARCOS, TX 78666 HCSO RR 3237/W RR 150, KYLE, TX 78640 HCSO JACK C HAYS TRL, BUDA, TX 78610 BPD N ROB SHELTON BLVD/E US 290, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 HCSO SAWYER RANCH RD/WHITE WASH WAY, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 TRAUTWEIN RD/W US 290, AUSTIN, TX 78737 RR 967, BUDA, TX 78610 HEIDENREICH LN/E RR 150, KYLE, TX 78640 MAIN ST, BUDA, TX 78610 TUMBLEWEED TRL, KYLE, TX 78640 MARIAH DR, KYLE, TX 78640 QUAIL CV, KYLE, TX 78640 OLD SETTLER RD, KYLE, TX 78640 QUARTER AVE, BUDA, TX 78610 BELTERRA VILLAGE WAY 1423, AUSTIN, TX 78737 RANCHO GRANDE DR, WIMBERLEY, TX 78676 SATTERWHITE RD/S TURNERSVILLE RD, BUDA, TX 78610 OLD SAN ANTONIO RD, BUDA, TX 78610 MAIN ST, BUDA, TX 78610 OYSTER CRK/PATRIOT DR, BUDA, TX 78610 FM 2001, BUDA, TX 78610 HAYS COUNTRY ACRES RD 13, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 EVES NECKLACE DR, BUDA, TX 78610 OVERPASS RD 915, BUDA, TX 78610 TUMBLEWEED TRL, KYLE, TX 78640 SPRING VALLEY DR, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78620 GALLOWAY LN/MESA VERDE DR, AUSTIN, TX 78737 N FM 1626/S SH 45 W, MANCHACA, TX 78652 N FM 1626/LEISUREWOODS DR, BUDA, TX 78610 RR 3237, DRIFTWOOD, TX 78619 30.0955~-97.8145 223 NB EXIT 29.8256982~-97.987577 200 NB SCHUBERT LN/CAMINO REAL, KYLE, TX 78640 30.053372~-97.836997 217 SB EXIT

HCSO BPD HCSO BPD HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO BPD HCSO BPD HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO HCSO BPD HCSO HCSO BPD

Page 6

SPORTS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 28, 2021

DS sophomore softballer is Tiger pitching sensation

BY WAYLAND D. CLARK Dripping Springs sophomore softball pitcher Jordan Cox (16-3) has 174 strikeouts in 115.2 innings and has been phenomenal this season. But don’t tell her that, because she may not want to hear it.

Cox said it’s not about the strikeouts, it’s about keeping the opponent scoreless.

“Ground out, fly out, it doesn’t matter as long as we get out of the inning and get some hits and runs,” she said after a 16-1 win over Seguin on April 20.

Cox has pitched 17 complete games and given up only 74 hits with 21 walks and 4 home runs, and out of 1,780 pitches she’s hit 3 batters and thrown 6 wild pitches.

“She is able to place the ball where we ask her to with such accuracy and get a hitter to chase a pitch off the plate, and that’s why she has more strikeouts than we anticipated this year,” said Paige Sandahl, assistant coach, after the final home game of the regular season. “It’s exciting to think we can have her for two more years.”

“I just hang with my

“She is able to place the ball where we ask her to with such accuracy and get a hitter to chase a pitch off the plate, and that’s why she has more strikeouts than we anticipated this year.”

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said. “We’re a young team and I don’t think we’ve played our best game yet.”

Dripping Springs will face

Leander Glenn in a bi-district playoff game Thursday, April 29 at a location yet to be determined.

DSHS tennis heads to regional tournament

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STAFF REPORT DRIPPING SPRINGS — Four Dripping Springs High School tennis players are advancing to the Region IV-5A Tournament.

The mixed doubles team of Whitney Robbins and Henry Lovelace earned the district title, defeating teammates Tallulah and Lexian Andrushko by a score of 6-1, 2-6, 6-1.

Lovelace and Robbins defeated pairs from Alamo Heights and Boerne Champion in the quarterfinals

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–Paige Sandahl, Assistant Coach

teammates, play the game and love it,” said Cox who has an incredible 1.09 ERA, and has only given up 4 home runs. “What makes it even more fun is she’s doing so well and I don’t think she even knows how well she’s doing,” Sandahl said.

Cox slams the ball into her glove before each pitch. “I’m working on my snap for whatever pitch Coach Sandahl calls for but my go to pitch now is the curve ball,” she said.

“She just shows up and competes,” Sandahl

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and semifinals.

Corbin Adcox and Aidan Johannsen finished in second place in boys doubles to also advance. Adcox and Johannsen earned a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Boerne Cham-

pion in the semifinals and also picked up wins over Kerrville Tivy and Lehman.

The Region IV-5A Tournament will be held April 27-28 at the Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio.

DS baseball 2nd in district Dripping Springs hosted The Patriots from Veterans Memorial High School in San Antonio. The Tigers had plenty of offense and won the contest 12-3. The Tigers have one game remaining and have a solid hold on second place in district. The last game of the season is Friday, April 30 on the road against the Kerrville Antlers. Left, junior Nico Ruedas pitched six great innings with ten strike outs and junior Brandon Arvidson came in to close.

Below, senior Tyler Puls is congratulated at home plate after hitting a home run over the left field fence.

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Memo is a male, 1-year-old Brown and White Tabby. This handsome boy is a gentle and calm spirit with a wonderful disposition. He gets along wonderfully with his feline friends here at the shelter and loves everyone he’s ever met – with the exception of dogs. He’s a full blown stereotype when it comes to canine companions.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 28, 2021

SPORTS

Page 7

Jaguar softball progresses to postseason play Extra-inning heroics by sophomore Jordan Burnham in the bottom of the 9th frame Saturday allowed the Johnson Jaguar softball team to punch its first-ever ticket to the postseason. On April 24, Johnson qualified for the playoffs via a nail-biting 4-3 win over Boerne Champion in a battle between two teams that needed a victory to keep their seasons alive. With the win, Johnson finished in third place out of District 26-5A. Leading the way for Johnson was Reagan Barrett who had two hits in the contest, while Burnham finished with a pair of RBIs. Meanwhile in the circle, Jaguar pitcher Kylie Goad struck out eight batters over the course of nine frames.

Johnson advances to play Georgetown in a best-of-three bi-district playoff with game one at 7 p.m. Friday at Georgetown High. Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 will be played at Johnson High at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Jaguar softball team, led by head coach Katy Snell, is the first spring team sport from Johnson High to qualify for the postseason.

We proudly support our hometown teams Texas hometown friendly bank

512-858-5159

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

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III/HAYS CISD

Lobo long jumper preps for state competition

For the third time in four years, Lehman Lobo long jumper Nikayla Fitzgerald will take on the best in Texas when she competes at the UIL State Track and Field meet in Austin.

On Friday April 23, Fitzgerald captured second place in the UIL Region IV-5A girls long jump competition held at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio. Fitzgerald won the silver medal with a jump of 18-feet, catapulting her into the 5A girls state long jump competition, to be held May 7 at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. The 2021 season marks the third time Nikayla has qualified to compete in at least one event at state. Fitzgerald competed at the state meet in her freshman and sophomore seasons in 2018 and 2019 and was on track to potentially reach state in 2020 before the season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also on April 23, Fitzgerald won the bronze medal in the Region IV-5A triple jump competition with a leap of 37-feet, 11-inches.

For all the latest news in Hays County, visit...

HaysFreePress.com

www.

Texas Lehigh Cement Co., LP

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Sudoku puzzle courtesy of www.4puz.com

See solution on page 8

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III/HAYS CISD

Hays high jumper is bound for state meet

Hays High senior high jumper Michael Boudoin III has punched a ticket to the UIL State Track and Field meet. On April 23, Boudoin qualified for the state meet by taking second place in the boys high jump event at the UIL Region IV-6A meet at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio. Boudoin claimed silver with a jump of 6-feet, 6-inches, which places him into the 6A state meet to be held May 8 at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. Boudoin, who also plays football and basketball, is competing in his third sport this season. During the football season, Michael earned two first team 26-6A All-District honors at running back and defensive end in 2020. He was also named to the 6A TSWA football AllState second team as an all-purpose player. Currently, Boudoin is ranked third in the state in high jump and sixth nationally.

Hays softball drops to second place STAFF REPORT

win. The defeat dropped Hays into second in the A Bowie High grand district standings headslam hit in the bottom of ing into postseason play. the seventh frame brought Hays opens the playoffs the Hays softball team’s with a one-game, winnerdreams of a district title take-all bi-district playoff to an end Monday as the against Vandegrift at 7 Bulldogs walked off with p.m. Friday at the Hays the 26-6A crown and a 6-3 High softball complex.

See solution on page 8

Page 8

OBITUARY DOEBNER Barbara Jo Doebner, born in Austin, TX March 27, 1948, passed away on April 22, 2021 in Buda, TX.

LYLE Trenton Connor Lyle, age 19 of Burnet, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

He was a Burnet High School graduate whose passion was playing basketball and spending time with his friends and family. Connor was known as a gentle giant who loved big and got along with everyone who crossed his path. He was a man of little words but was known for giving the best bear hugs and touching the hearts of everyone he met.

Connor is proceeded in death by his grandmother Mary Sue Lyle, and grandfather Al Armenta.

Connor is survived by his parents Annie and Tony Wooten, Trent and Natalie Lyle; siblings Ava Lyle, Gabe Tercero, Fahren Jackson, Devin and Anna Jackson, Yuki Tsuboi; grandparents Mike Winkler, Lynn Winkler, and Jack Lyle; nieces Luna and Emery Jackson.

He has many cousins who adored him and extended family members who miss him dearly. Connor is giving the gift of life to others through organ donation and will continue to bless others through his gifts. A memorial service was held at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home on Saturday, April 24 with Jay Paul Roy officiating. Condolences may be made at www. clementswilcoxburnet.com.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 28, 2021

Election Day in Hays County May 1 Bond Propositions, will Vying for a seat on the of a Buda MUD 1 and NORTH HAYS COUNTY MUD 1 vote for Hays CISD Board board are Andrew Fay, propositions related to Residents of this MUD Trustee for District 3 Locations Mari Salmi, Halsey, MUD. Residents will Vote Center forAnne Early Votingthe and Election Day will be able to vote on board between Courtney Runkle Nicholas “Nico” Costilla, be able to vote on a MUD 2021 MayRoger Elections (Local and Richard W. Cronshey.

E. Davis and SylviaJurisdictions) board. Candidates running members, to fill three spots.

Candidates are Kyle Puntry, Residents can also vote for DeLeon Muzzy.

DRIPPING SPRINGS for the five positions Michael Chase, Scott one Hays CISD At Large on the MUD board are Early Voting: April 19 — April 27, 2021 The city of Dripping Redding and Mark Piening. position between Donyé BUDA MUD 1 Adrian Alvarado, Stephen Springs is having an Main Early Voting Site – Hays County Government Center Curry, Will McManus and Crawford, Lauren Crone, Residents living within election for its City Bert Aguin.

Texas law now allows voters Ramunda Gallien and the boundaries of what Council, Place 3 and Place to vote at any open polling Nicholas P .

Leschke.

Voters will be the planned Monday, April 19 7 am — 7 pm 5 positions. Competing SAN MARCOS CISD place within Hays County; in this area can also vote development known as for Place 3 are Geoffrey Tuesday, April 20 — Friday, April 23 8 am — 5CISD pmAt Large voters are not required to vote for the Hays San Marcos residents the Colony at Cole Springs Tahuahua and Charlie position Hays CISD within their precinct. To vote, can vote on two At Large will have the chance to April 24 10 amand — 2thepm Busby. Competing for Place Saturday, Bond Propositions. residents must bring a photo ID. Board Trustee positions. vote on the establishment 5 are William Travis Crow Monday, April 26 7 am — 7 pm and Sherrie Parks.

Tuesday, April 27 8 am — 5 pm The Dripping Springs Independent School District is electing Election Day: May 1, 2021 school board members.

Saturday, May 1, 2021: 7 am – 7 pm Candidates vying for a seat are Kay Kizziar, Lynn Henson, Stephanie Jennifer Anderson, Elections Administrator: (512) 393-7310 Holtzendorf, Tricia Quintero, Shannon O’Connor,Early Stefani Reinold, Election San Marcos Mary Jane Hetrick, Jeffrey Voting Day Aylstock and Thaddeus Broadway Fortenberry. Top three 401 Broadway Street #C, San Marcos ✔ ✔ vote-getters will take seats (blue building, back of the parking lot) on the board.

Saturday is Election Day. Here are the local elections happening throughout Hays County.

ELECTION DAY VOTING LOCATIONS Saturday, May 1 2021, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

✔

CITY OF HAYS

Two candidates, Hanna Ballou and ✔ J. Terry Strawn, ✔ are competing for City of Hays City Council, Place 4.

City of Hays residents ✔ will be able to vote for Hays CISD At Large Trustee. They will choose between Donyé ✔ ✔ Curry, Will McManus and Bert Aguin for the position.

Residents will also vote on the Hays CISD School Bond Propositions.

✔

CITY OF UHLAND

Uhland residents will ✔ vote for their new mayor.

Candidates are Victoria A. Hunter and Naomi Rae ✔ Schrock. Residents will✔ also vote on the Hays CISD School Bond Propositions.

HAYS CISD AT LARGE

✔

All residents living within ✔ the Hays CISD will be able to vote on the Hays CISD Bond Propositions ✔ and for one At Large spot on the Hays CISD board.

Candidates are Donyé Curry, Will McManus and Bert Aguin.

✔

HAYS CISD DISTRICT 3

✔

District 3 residents, in ✔ addition to being able to vote for the Hays CISD

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

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

Sudoku Solution

Dunbar Center

801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos

Hays County Government Center

712 South Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos (including Caldwell County SMCISD voters)

San Marcos Housing Authority/ CM Allen Homes Texas State University Performing Arts Center Buda Elementary Upper Campus (Historic School Site — Kunkel Room)

300 San Marcos Street, Buda

Hays Hills Baptist Church

1401 North FM 1626, Buda

HCISD Transportation Department McCormick Middle School

5700 Dacy Lane, Buda

Wallace Middle School

1500 West Center Street, Kyle Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs City Hall

511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs

Hays County Precinct 4 Office

195 Roger Hanks Parkway, Dripping Springs

Come worship with us ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

CHURCH OF CHRIST

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

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

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

BAPTIST

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

EPISCOPAL

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

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 Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W. CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Texas Crossword, from page 7

21003 Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Kyle (including Caldwell County HCISD voters) 2385 High Road, Uhland (including Caldwell County HCISD voters)

HCISD Arnold Transportation Building

Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor

Texas Crossword Solution

405 Moon Street, San Marcos Buda & Kyle

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 7

820 Sturgeon Drive, San Marcos

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

Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

Spring Water!

Privately owned From local springs FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE

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

Friendly, Courteous Service

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

Call 1-866-691-2369

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

BUDA

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

DRUG STORE

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

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

Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx

CHRISTIAN

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

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

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

St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca

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

Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

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

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

First Baptist Church

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

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

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

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

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

Pure Texas

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

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

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

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

Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda

Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle

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

Hays Free Press

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

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

Baptist Church

Like us on Facebook

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

METHODIST

Hays Hills

TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP

Nursery Provided

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

Your Hometown McDonald’s

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

512-312-2383

Locally owned and operated by Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM

Sunday Morning

11:00 AM

Sunday Worship

5:45 PM

Wednesday Meal

6:30 PM

Wed TouchPoint SCBC Preschool Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries

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

(512) 894-0480

4000 E. HWY 290

Hays Free Press • April 28, 2021

Page 9

Johnson inaugural Spring Show

Debbie Thames Insurance Agency

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BOAT • HEALTH

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

Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated

Full-Circle Aftercare

In a first for Johnson High School, the Rosettes Dance team celebrated its inaugural Spring Show April 17 at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center. Last year, the Rosettes’ 2020 Spring Show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fast. Simple. Safe.

Keeping you safe by simplifying the next steps after a loss.

The staff at Harrell Funeral Homes provide each family we serve with aftercare help.

You can stay safe at home, and we will help you complete all the non-legal tasks and notifications over the phone in as few as 1 to 3 days.

This year, the Rosettes presented top-tier group and solo acts featuring a variety of musical and dance styles and disciplines. Joining the JHS dancers were teams from McCormick and Dahlstrom middle schools. The Rosettes are led by director Brooke Lowden.

512-268-8200 HarrellFuneralHomes.com

Service Directory Air Conditioning

Nemec HeatiNg & air cHris Nemec

“Proudly Serving Central Texas”

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

Lawn Care

WHO DOES YOUR LANDSCAPING/LAWN? Offering competitive pricing and superior service in the Manchaca, Buda, and Kyle area since 2010

Taking care of your yard so you can play!

LANDSCAPING AND LAWN SERVICE

Zachary Barton

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

Zachary Barton 512-686-7589 512-686-7589 107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX

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

107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX

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

Dirt Cheap

Professional Office Home and RV Service in north Hays Co. Consulting Setup Training Backups Upgrades

Computer Systems Software Development Networking Technical Systems Maintenance

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

Want help selecting the best value?

Office systems not maintained?

Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless?

For all the latest news in Hays County, visit

www.HaysFreePress.com or

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com To subscribe call 512-268-7862 or email paper@haysfreepress.com

Rick-Rob Trucking

Rick-Rob.com robinnds@aol.com

512-858-7952

mike@haystech.com

Legal Services Attorneys and Counselors At Law

130 Hall Professional Center, Kyle, TX 78640

512-268-6425

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

Plumbing

Newspaper

Loam • Topsoil • Sand • Gravel • Roadbase Asphalt Millings • Granite • Compost Mix Tractor Work Available Specializing in Country Driveways

P

Pool Service

rince

Plumbing Company

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

#M14369

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

312-0710

The only call you need to make TICL #629

512-326-4695

Serving Hays County since 1990

www.gspoolspa.com

MC • Visa

Pool Service Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner

Remodeling & Repairs

Septic Services

Wild West Remodeling

ALL AMERICAN SEPTIC SOLUTIONS, LLC

One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM

512-965-3465

O Painting O Tile O Siding O Decks

O Trim O Door & Window Replacement O Drywall Repair O Custom Cabinets O Patio Covers O Electrical & Plumbing

Curtis Dorsett 512-402-4704

“No Job Too Small or Too Big”

Locally serving our community since 1982.

Septic Problems... LET US HELP!

www.ALLSEPTICCHECK.com

Septic Repair & Installation Specialist Septic Tank Pumping & Servicing

Tank Lid Replacements & Tank Refurbishing

Aerobic System Servicing

Septic Inspections & Consulting

Aerobic Licensed Maintenance Provider

Fully Licensed & Insured For Your Protection

Hydrojetting & Pump Replacements

Shoe Repair

Septic Services

SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC. (512)

312-0002

SEPTIC PUMPING • CLEANING REPAIRS • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

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

AustinShoeHospital.com

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

www.SellmanSepticServices.com

G&S

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

Pool and Spa Service

Commercial & Residential

locations in in 10 locations Central Texas Texas, including: 1010Locations in Central Texas including: including: 1911 Manchaca • 512-440-8788 3932Ben RR White 620 S.and in Bee Caves Rd • 512-263-4630 316 Round Rock Ave. Round Rock 512-244-9124 12119 and Nutty • 512-827-3398 1911 W W. Hwy Ben 290 White Blvd. in Brown Austin Rd • 512-440-8788 306WSouth Park 6781 HwyBell 290 in Hill- •512-219-8387 512-288-6386 3300 Bee Caves Rd.Cedar in Oak Westlake • 512-329-8104

8211 Burnet Rd. Austin - 512-453-1961

(512)

Financial Planning Financial Planning

Computer Help

282-3889

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Tree Service

Lees Trees

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

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

Page 10

NEWS

Hays Free Press • April 28, 2021

Classifieds EMPLOYMENT

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

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

Call (512)432-1678 for further information.

GARAGE SALES

Sales Position Barton Publications is looking for an advertising representative to sell all kinds of products – print and digital advertising and more. Full to part-time work available. The more you work, the more you get paid.

Contact Tracy Mack, tracy@haysfreepress.com

PLUM CREEK GARAGE SALE

Plum Creek Neighborhood Spring Community Wide Garage Sale Saturday, May 8th, dawn until dusk.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

TDS IS NOW HIRING! Find your career with us.

Visit our website www.texasdisposal.com/careers to view and apply! For more information call 512-329-1778

Join Our Team Today!

Regional advertising starts at $250 per week.

ESTATE SALE

900 Peaceful Valley Rd in Kyle Saturday May 1 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Due to COVID, the sale will be for adults only and masks will be required

273

Participating Texas Newspapers

For more information, email tracy@haysfreepress.com or call 512-433-0926

PUBLIC NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

Competitive Pay, Great Benefits and Paid Leave.

Texas Press Statewide Advertising Network

Now offering Hiring Bonus up to $8K for CDL and Non-CDL Drivers and Mechanics.

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of THERESA FRANKS, Deceased, were issued on April 19, 2021, in Docket No. 21-0135-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: TAMARA ROGERS. The residence of the Independent Executrix is in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas.

Address claims in care of the representative, TAMARA ROGERS, Independent Executrix. The post office address to which claims may be presented, is: c/o TAMARA ROGERS, Independent Executrix 134 East Sierra Circle 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.

Address claims in care of TAMARA ROGERS, Independent Executrix.

DATED the 21st day of April, 2021.

Respectfully submitted, SCANIO & SCANIO A Professional Corporation

BY FRANCESCA SCANIO STACEY State Bar No. 24077299 144 E. San Antonio Street

San Marcos, Texas 78666 Tel: (512) 396-2016 Fax: (512) 353-2984 E-Mail: scanios@scaniolaw.com Attorneys for TAMARA ROGERS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Charles Martin Turner were issued on April 28, 2021, in docket number -20-0378P, pending in the County Court at Law Number 3 of Hays County, Texas, to Charlene Kaye Turner.

All persons having claims against the estate, which is presently being administered, are required to submit them, within the time and manner prescribed by law, and before the estate is closed, addressed as follows: Charlene Kaye Turner Representative Estate of Charles Martin Turner 400 Chatooga Lane Woodstock, Georgia 30188 Dated April 23, 2021.

THE BOLING LAW FIRM, PLLC 1301 S. Old Stagecoach Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 Tel: (877) 629-5353 Fax: (877) 629-3130

By Anna Martinez Boling SBN: 00791188 annaboling@bolinglawfirm. com Attorney for Charlene Kaye Turner

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

An application has been submitted with HAYS COUNTY for the proposed Pavo Springs Ranch Subdivision consisting of a 4.32 acre tract for a privately maintained road located at the north end Pavo Springs Trail. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150.

Tracking number: PLN-1635NP”’.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

An application has been submitted to Hays County for the proposed Replat of Lot 21, Block B of the Highlands Subdivision consisting of a 6.61 acre tract subdivided into 2 lots, located at 700 Settlers Road, San Marcos, TX 78666. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: PLN-1659-PC.

Now Hiring

Must Be Available For All Shifts Great Work Environment and Great Benefits

Starting Pay $14/hour

Assistant Managers & Deli Manager $18/hour

Hiring Cashiers, Cooks and Janitorial Paid Training and Company Benefits

Please ask for application at the location (18701 IH 35 N., Kyle, TX) Exit 217 on IH 35

Hays Free Press • April 28, 2021

Page 11

DSISD announces finalist for superintendent

BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS — In early May, the Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees will officially vote for the next superintendent.

The board named Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz as the lone finalist in the superintendent search. The announcement was made during a special called meeting April 13. Pending approval, Morris-Kuentz will begin her tenure as superintendent in May. Morris-Kuentz and her husband, John, a middle school teacher, are the parents of Timothy, Mikaela and Samuel. Her educational background

consists of a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a master’s MORRIS-KUENTZ degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Houston Baptist University and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin.

She started her career in education in 1997 as a teacher at the Winston School San Antonio.

Morris-Kuentz served the Alamo Heights district

as a high school English teacher. In 2005, she served as the Director of Instructional and Research Technology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York.

Morris-Kuentz has extensive experience working in a fast-growing district as she has served in Lake Travis ISD since 2009. As deputy superintendent, she currently provides leadership for 11 elementary and secondary principals, as well as in the Curriculum and Instruction, Communications, Development and Corporate Relations, Administrative and Legal Services departments.

During her tenure at

Classifieds PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of LELAND H. STANFORD, III, Deceased, were issued on April 20, 2021, in Docket No. 21-0111-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: CYNTHIA DRAGOO STANFORD. The residence of the Independent Executor is in Buda, Hays County, Texas.

Address claims in care of the representative, CYNTHIA DRAGOO STANFORD, Independent Executor. The post office address to which claims may be presented, is: c/o CYNTHIA DRAGOO STANFORD, Independent Executor 114 Mandan Buda, Texas 78610 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.

Address claims in care of CYNTHIA DRAGOO STANFORD, Independent Executor.

DATED the 22 day of April, 2021.

Respectfully submitted, SCANIO & SCANIO A Professional Corporation

BY FRANCESCA SCANIO STACEY State Bar No. 24077299 144 E. San Antonio Street San Marcos, Texas 78666 Tel: (512) 396-2016 Fax: (512) 353-2984 E-Mail: scanios@ scaniolaw.com Attorneys for Cynthia Dragoo Stanford

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Mac Johnson Freeman AKA Mac Lee Freeman were issued on March 29, 2021, in docket number 210060-P, pending in the County Court at Law Number 2 of Hays County, Texas, to Billy Ralph Lancaster. All persons having claims against the estate, which is presently being administered, are required to submit them, within the time and manner prescribed by law, and before the estate is closed, addressed as follows:

Billy Ralph Lancaster Representative Estate of Mac Johnson Freeman AKA Mac Lee Freeman 204 Pintail Kyle, TX 78640 Dated April 23, 2021.

THE BOLING LAW FIRM, PLLC 1301 S. Old Stagecoach Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 Tel: (877) 629-5353 Fax: (877) 629-3130

By Anna Martinez Boling SBN: 00791188 annaboling@bolinglawfirm. com Attorney for Billy Ralph Lancaster

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a MIXED BEVERAGE LICENSE by Sujoc Enterprises LLC dba The Pizza Cave, to be located at 2690 E. HIGHWAY 290 STE 100, Dripping Springs, TX, Hays County, Texas.

Owner is Joseph Cave, Managing Member.

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made With The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for A Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off - Premise Permit by Skyline Store LLC dba Kyle Food Mart to be located at 1203 Old Hwy 81 North, Kyle, Hays County, Texas. Managing Member of said LLC is Hajrat N. Prasla – Managing Member.

Lake Travis ISD, Morris-Kuentz served as acting superintendent and supervised the Human Resources, Athletics and Fine Arts departments.

Morris-Kuentz is looking forward to working with the Dripping Springs community to provide the best educational experiences for all students.

“It is an honor to be selected as superintendent finalist for Dripping Springs ISD,” Morris-Kuentz said. “I am eager to begin, and I look forward to learning our traditions, celebrating our progress, understanding our District’s and community’s needs, and

thoughtfully supporting the exciting growth ahead.

I am familiar with the opportunities and challenges in a fast-growing area, and I am confident we will work together as one Tiger family to achieve remarkable results.”

Board President Barbara Stroud said she believes Morris-Kuentz is a great fit.

“We are so pleased to announce Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz as the lone finalist for our superintendent position,” Stroud said. “Her experience, characteristics, and skills closely match the leadership profile that was developed with input from our community. We are

confident that Dr. Morris-Kuentz will provide the strong leadership Dripping Springs needs to navigate the growth in our community and to help fulfill our commitment to provide an outstanding educational experience for every student in our District.”

Dripping Springs ISD partnered with JG Consulting to conduct a nationwide search for the district’s next superintendent. The process began in January with staff and community input to develop a leadership profile.

Fifty applications were considered with comprehensive interviews of the top applicants.

DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD SCHOOL BRIEFS

DS High students excel in and out of classroom STAFF REPORT

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Several Dripping Springs High School (DSHS) students earned awards and are advancing in their respective events.

DSHS SPEECH AND DEBATE STUDENTS ADVANCE TO UIL STATE MEET Three DSHS speech and debate students qualified for the UIL State Meet after placing in the top three at the regional competition. Lily Claire Kroll finished first in Informative Extemporaneous Speaking and Lizzie Galassini finished first in Extemporaneous Speaking. Daniel Hearne finished in third place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate to also advance to the state competition. Jackson Kaiser was named a state alternate in Persuasive Extemporaneous Speaking after coming in fourth place.

As a team, DSHS was honored with the Conference 5A regional runner-up Sweepstakes Award.

JOURNALISM STUDENTS HONORED BY NSPA Six Dripping Springs High School journalism students were inducted into the 2021 Journalism Honor Roll by the National Scholastic Press

Association (NSPA).

Ramsey Hutton (Tiger Cry), Savannah Karas (Tiger Cry), Samantha Moore (Paw Print), Evelyn Peterson (Paw Print), Isabella Roske (Tiger Cry) and Cady Russell (Paw Print & MyDSHSNews) were among the 1,400 students nationally recognized for excelling in both the classroom and in their school newsrooms.

In addition to serving for at least two years on a student media staff (broadcast, newspaper, magazine, online or yearbook), the students earned a 3.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Senior inductees are eligible to compete for a $1,000 scholarship and NSPA will announce the scholarship winner in May.

TWO DSHS FFA TEAMS QUALIFY FOR STATE DSHS agriculture students were successful at district and area FFA CDEs (Career Development Events), with two teams qualifying for the state competition in May: Dairy Cattle and Environmental/Natural Resource Education.

The Dairy Cattle Team won the district title and earned third place at the area competition to advance. The team consists of Caroline Olson (fourth-highest scoring

individual), Chandler Latham (placed eighth individually), Kate Tressler and Amanda Alderson. The Dairy Cattle event provides an interest and information in dairy cattle including experience in the evaluation of dairy cattle type, production records and dairy herd management.

Students on the Environmental and Natural Resource Education team are Tyler Varnell, Zane Warren, Kayley Terrell and Caitlyn McPherson. The purpose of this event is to promote environmental and natural resource instruction in the agriculture food and natural resource curriculum.

Other district champions from DSHS were in the Horse, Poultry, and Livestock events.

The Horse team of Isabel Fernandez, Annie Terrell, Hailey Weisman and Allee Rainey were sixth at area, while the other two groups were seventh. The Poultry Team consisted of Caroline Olson, Annie Terrell, Drake Alderson and Alaina Reed. The Livestock Team was Angelina La Barre (who placed second individually), Billie Kaye Vantrease, Emma Adams, and Ginny Falls.

The competition will be held at Tarleton State University in Stephenville on April 29.

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NEWS

Hays Free Press • April 28, 2021

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