MAY 18, 2016 STUPER BOWL
RUNOFF
Unicyclists battle for coveted title in San Marcos.
How much will another election cost Kyle?
– Page 1B
– Page 1B
Hays Free Press ©Barton Publications, Inc.
Vol. 120 • No. 8
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX • 75¢
Cock-aMan charged in 2013 Hays City Store robbery doodle don’t
Crime spree leads to life STAFF REPORT
found Hennington guilty of aggravated robbery of the Hays City Store in A Hays County Jury Driftwood on Oct. 10, earlier this month sen2013. tenced a man to According to a life in prison for press release, Hena 2013 aggravated nington robbed robbery of a Driftstoreowner Steven wood storeowner Parker at gunpoint. at gunpoint. The jury learned The jury during the trial learned during the punishment phase trial’s punishment that Hennington phase that Clifton Bryan HenningHENNINGTON had been sentenced to eight years in ton, 37, of Austin, prison after he had been on a was convicted of five fellengthy crime spree that ony-aggravated robberies stretched across the state. in 1999. On May 5, the jury
They also discovered that Hennington and his co-defendant, Nathaniel Jones, 31, attempted to commit seven robberies in Louisiana and Texas, and committed 27 robberies in Texas from July 2013 to January 2014, when they were arrested in Travis County. Their robbery spree spread across 20 counties, including Travis, Hays, Caldwell, Bexar and Comal counties. Eleven robbery victims testified against Henning-
Clifton Bryan Hennington was caught on camera during the Oct. 2013 robbery of the Hays City store and now faces life imprisonment for his crime spree across Texas.
LIFE SENTENCE, 2A
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT.
Buda braces for tax increase BY SAMANTHA SMITH
A Kyle man was arrested for a cockfighting charge stemming from an investigation that RODRIGUEZ started back in March 2016. Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Joshua Rodriguez, 23, of Kyle, on the charge of cockfighting, which is a state jail felony. Rodriguez was booked on May 11 and was released on May 12 on a $5,000 bond for the felony offense. A court date is still pending.
Growth spurt
Large scale Kyle development on the horizon BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Party at the Porch
PHOTO BY LINCOLN RAMIREZ
Greyish skies couldn’t hold a reveler from taking part in a trampoline and bungee ride at the 2016 Front Porch Days in Plum Creek. Wet weather wasn’t enough to hold revelers from flocking to Plum Creek for its annual Front Porch Days festival that was held May 14-15. See more photos from area events at www.haysfreepress.com. Click on the Photos link.
COMING UP Downtown Gallery Night in San Marcos
Movies in the Park: ‘The Good Dinosaur’
Thursday, May 19, join San Marcos artists downtown for an evening of food, drinks, and art. Stroll through historic downtown and learn about the growing art community in San Marcos.
NAP TIME
Businesses entertain the idea of napping on the job. – Page 1D
Bring your blanket and snacks and meet your friends at Gregg-Clarke Park in Kyle for a screening of “The Good Dinosaur” on May 20. Movies begin 30 minutes after sunset. The event is free to the public.
INDEX
TAX INCREASE, 5A
BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
COCKFIGHTING, 2A
news@haysfreepress.com
As Buda enters its annual budget process, the city is anticipating a property tax rate increase as a result of the city initiating its 2014 bond projects. On May 14, the city of Buda held its first budget meeting during a special session. During the meeting, city staff presented its projections on Buda’s growth, along with an overview of financials for the current year as well as last year. There was also discussion of city goals and visions, updates on the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and discussion of the master planning of Garison Memorial Park. Also included were suggestions of possible alternative revenue streams
Kyle man busted for cockfighting
News …………… 1-6A Opinions …………… 3A Sports …………… 1-2B Education ……… 3-4B Community …… 1-4C
Starlight Symphony Orchestra Starlight Symphony Orchestra presents “Play and Charity,” featuring Ravel’s “Bolero,” “Video Game Live,” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on May 22 at 4 p.m. at the Hays Performing Arts Center (979 Kohler’s Krossing, Kyle). All are welcome to attend this free event.
Best Bets ………… 6C Business ………… 1D Service Directory …2-3D Classifieds ……… 2-4D Public Notices …… 2-4D
A trio of development agreements approved by the Kyle City Council in early May not only increased the city’s size by ten square miles, but could pave the way for extensive development. The city worked with property owners to annex approximately 6,000 acres on the southwest side of Kyle; the agreements were all approved by 7-0 votes. Property owners included Miriam McCoy, Robert Scott Nance and Joel and Jason Bradshaw. Additionally, the city worked with Blanco River Ranch Properties, LLC and Blanco River Investments on the agreements. Within each agreement were development standards that called for large-scale residential and commercial aspects. Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers said the agreements also call for “natural areas” that should be “environmentally friendly despite the density.”
KYLE DEVELOPMENT, 5A
Page 2A
Hays Free Press The Hays Free Press (ISSN 1087-9323) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., 122 N. Main St., Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
NEWS TIPS
If you think it’s news, we probably do too! • Newsroom phone: 512-268-7862 • E-mail: news@haysfreepress. com • Mail: 113 W. Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640
NEWS
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Kyle man arrested for repeated Sheriff ’s sexual assault of a child Report BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
A Kyle man was arrested earlier this month after he was identified as the person who sexually assaulted a child on multiple occasions. Hays County authorities arrested Carlos Garcia, 40, of Kyle, who was charged with continuous sexual assault of a child, which is a first-degree felony. Garcia was booked into the Hays County Jail and is being held on $250,000
bond. According to an arrest affidavit, a Hays County magistrate issued an Emergency GARCIA Protection Order for the arrest of Garcia due to the intense nature of the offense. According to the affidavit, a female child victim under the age of 14 identified Garcia as her abuser. She had told her
mother that the abuse started in March 2011 when she was only 10 years old. Officer Mike Andrews with the Hays County Sheriff’s Department reviewed the forensic interview with the child victim and an offense report written by a Hays County deputy about the incidents. According to the report, there were ten total incidents between 2011 and 2013. A trial date has not been set for Garcia.
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.
We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@ haysfreepress.com.
HISTORY
Life Sentence
Continued from pg. 1A ton during the trial’s punishment phase. The investigation into the Hays City Store rob-
bery began when the Hays County Sheriff ’s Office responded to the scene. Scene evidence enabled
the Texas Rangers to link the robbery to others they had uncovered during their statewide investigation.
hanging from sticks outside their roosts. They also provided video of Rodriguez and another male, identified as his brother, Israel, enticing the roosters to attack each other. The roosters had their cones and spurs removed. Investigating officer Nelson Wray spoke with Rodriguez on the phone on April 21 who wanted to know why his roosters were taken from his property. Rodriguez claimed that he allowed the roosters to kick each other, but protects the birds with leather straps that cover the spurs to prevent them from hurting each other. Rodriguez told Wray that he did not fight the roosters with “knives or such.” Israel was interviewed by Wray April 21 at the Kyle substation and admitted to training and selling roosters intended for cockfighting with his brother. Joshua refused to make a statement
regarding the charge on April 28.
Cockfighting
LETTERS GUIDELINES
Founded April 10, 1903, by Thomas Fletcher Harwell as The Kyle News, with offices on the corner of Burleson and Miller streets in the town’s oldest remaining building. It merged into The Hays County Citizen in 1956. The paper consolidated with The Free Press in October, 1978. During its more than 100-year history the newspaper has maintained offices at more than a dozen locations in Kyle and Buda.
Assault 3:28 p.m. - Dahlstrom Intermediate - May 11 Assault/Family Violence 11:08 p.m. - 2XX Pebble Creek Ln - May 11 Burglary/Building 7:09 p.m. - 24XX FM 2001 - May 11 Burglary/Vehicle 6:37 p.m. - 24XX FM 2001 - May 11 , Theft 5:33 p.m. - 22XX Blk Of FM 1626 - May 11 Theft 5:33 p.m. - 22XX Blk Of FM 1626 - May 11 Assault 3:35 p.m. - Dahlstrom Intermediate - May 12 Fraud 8:13 a.m. - 30XX Old Black Colony Rd - May 12 Possession/Controlled Substance 2:40 p.m. - Hays High School - May 13 Possession/False ID 10:48 a.m. - XX Apple Blossom Dr - May 13 Theft 8:19 a.m. - 1XX Shale Cir - May 13 Burglary/Building 7:13 a.m. - 24XX FM 2001 - May 14 Burglary/Building 8:40 a.m. - 24XX FM 2001 - May 14 Environmental Crime 1:50 p.m. - 1XX Angel Hill Rd - May 14 Theft - 7:58 a.m. - 24XX FM 2001 - May 14 Intoxicated/Person 2:39 a.m. - 2XX Vermilion Marble Trl - May 15 Assault/By Contact 7:24 p.m. - Huntington Apartments - May 16 Robbery 10:45 p.m. - Murphys USA - May 16
KYLE
DEADLINES
• The deadline for display advertising and any contributed news copy in the Hays Free Press is 5 p.m. Friday the week prior to publication. • The deadline for Letters to the Editor and classified word advertising in the Hays Free Press is noon Monday the week of publication, though we encourage readers and advertisers to observe the Friday deadline.
BUDA
Continued from pg. 1A According to the arresting affidavit, Hays County Animal Control Officer Adam Halstead was dispatched to the 800 block of Lilac Street in Kyle on March 3 on a report of animal cruelty. A complainant reported to Halstead that roosters were tied to a fence and some were hanging upside down. Halstead arrived and observed roughly a dozen roosters on the property that were tied to their roosts and several roosters had their cones cut off. Halstead met with Rodriguez to address the improperly confined roosters. Rodriguez said, according to the affidavit, the roosters were tied up to prevent them from running away, but assured Halstead that he would fix the roosts. According to the arresting affidavit, the roosters were seized from Rodriguez’s property on April 21st after the complainant took photos of roosters
Assault/Family Violence 10:10 p.m. - 1XX Quail Run - May 11 Burglary/Vehicle 1:22 p.m. - 1XX High Rd - May 11 Graffiti 2:49 p.m. - Wallace Intermediate - May 12 Narcotics 1:14 p.m. - UPS - May 12 Theft/Vehicle 6:44 p.m. - 5XX Green Pastures Dr - May 12 Environmental Crime 4:36 p.m. - Area Of 7XX High Rd - May 13 Graffiti 7:43 a.m. - Wallace Intermediate - May 13 Intoxicated/Driver 9:24 p.m. - Area Of 3XX Joe Robinson Dr - May 13 Burglary/Attempted 11:56 p.m. - 2XX Ranch House Loop - May 14 Burglary/Habitation 6:00 p.m. - 4XX Buffalo Pass - May 14 Burglary/Habitation 10:51 p.m. - 1XX Twisted Crk - May 14 Burglary/Vehicle 12:47 p.m. - 44XX S Old Stagecoach Rd - May 14 Driving While Intoxicated 12:03 a.m. - Windy Hill Rd at Prairie Cir - May 14 Environmental Crime 11:41 a.m. - S Plum Creek Rd N Of Gristmill Rd - May 14 Burglary/Habitation 10:44 p.m. - 25XX Rohde Rd - May 15 Intoxicated/Person 12:01 a.m. - Stripes 1524/Valero - May 15 Assault/Aggravated/Deadly Weapon 12:38 p.m. - 301 Foster Pl - May 16 Theft 8:36 a.m. - Wallace Intermediate - May 16 Theft/Identity 4:27 p.m. - 3XX Mariah Dr - May 16
NOTICE OF RUNOFF ELECTION (AVISO DE ELECCIÓN DE DESEMPATE) To the Registered Voters of the City of Kyle, Texas:
(A los votantes registrados de la Ciudad de Kyle, Texas:) Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on June 11, 2016 for voting in a Runoff Election to elect a Council Member District 1. Notifiquese, por la presente, que las casillas electorales citadas abajo se abrirán desde las 7:00 a.m. hasta las 7:00 p.m. el 11 de junio de 2016 para votar en la Eleccion de Desempate para eligar a un miembro del Consejo de Distrito 1.
Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to: (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán adelantada por correo deberán enviarse a:) Joyce Cowan (Name of Early Voting Clerk) (Nombre del Secretario de la Votación Adelantada) Jackie is a female 4-year-old black mouth cur mix. “Looking for the perfect dog? Well, not to brag too much, but I basically am the spitting image of one! Once I get back into tip-top shape, I’d love to have a hiking or walking buddy! If an already trained, gentle, and sociable gal is your kind of dog, then I can’t imagine a better fit than me!”
Spitzer is a 4-year-old shorthair solid black male. If you’ve ever dreamed about having a Panther for a pet but couldn’t for practical reasons, come meet Spitzer. He is comfortable around respectful dogs but must be the only cat in the home. Give this boy a kingdom and he will grace you with his love and adoration.
PAWS Shelter and Humane Society
is a non-profit, no-kill shelter operated primarily on donations and adoptions.
500 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX • 512 268-1611 • pawsshelter.org
All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.
sponsored by
Town & CounTry VeTerinary HospiTal Bill Selman, DVM • Kayley O’Toole, DVM • Devony Arrington, DVM.
Committed to your pet’s health since 1978.
6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747
512-385-0486 • www.TownandCountryVetHospital.com
712 South Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 1045 (Address) (Dirección)
San Marcos, TX 78666 (City) (Ciudad) (Zip Code) (Zona Postal) Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on: (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán adelantada por correo deberán recibirse para el fin de las horas de negocio el:) June 2, 2016 2 de junio, 2016 (Date) (Fecha) Issued this the 17th day of May, 2016 (emitada este dia 17 de mayo, 2016)
Opinion Hays Free Press
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “They go to camp defined by their hand difference. When they leave (camp), they are defined by who they are on the inside.” –Amy Lake, co-director for Hands Down 2, story page 1C
May 18, 2016
Page 3A
EDITORIAL
It’s time to vote ... again
W
e know, you are tired of voting. With the March primary, then the May Kyle election, it’s hard to make yourself get back out there. But, do it. The last thing needed is a low turnout when breaking the tie between incumbent Diane Hervol and challenger Travis Mitchell for the Kyle City Council. The May election ended up in a 510-510 tie between Hervol and Mitchell. The runoff election will be June 11, and early voting begins May 31. During the May city
election in Kyle, only 6 percent of the voters turned out – 1,052 voted out of 17,409 registered voters within the city. Kyle needs to make changes to hold its elections in November. Buda made the jump and will hold its city elections in November, when the nation comes out to vote. Everyone knows to vote then. But cities have the option of holding their elections in May. Why not make the change? More people turn out of vote in November than any other time of the
year. If the city of Kyle truly wants to have as many people as possible vote, it should make the switch and move to November elections. If the council is concerned about voter fatigue, then move it to November. And, then, when someone complains about an issue, they will have no excuse. There’s so much hoopla around November elections that only people with their heads in the sand can say, “I didn’t know it there was an election.” Because if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain.
Not all Tabasco’s products are hot stuff, some are sweet
M
y cowboy daddy, the late Lawrence Ray (L. Ray) Webb, saw to it that spicy seasoning was a staple around the household when he and Mom were raising four sons. Dad spent a lot of his early childhood in Brady and spicy food – a definite Mexican influence via a significant Hispanic population – was plentiful. So, naturally he craved as much of the taste as possible. Mom, being the typical housewife and mother of the times, sought to satisfy that taste as much as possible. While her central Texas farm-raising gave her recipes and talents for creating in the kitchen,
Webb’s Wisdom
by Willis Webb
she was also good at old-fashioned canning. One area of canning involved relishes that were used to season everything, particularly the typically somewhat bland pinto bean and black-eyed peas dishes. “Chow-chow,” one traditional relish used by farming families was an onion-based but sweet in flavor in that sweeter onions were used and augmented by sweet pickles and peppers. The latter were usually of a
mild variety and might also be slightly sweet, which made for a pleasant mixture. She also made “pepper sauce,” by canning hot green peppers that produced and were held in a liquid that was definitely spicy and used on any array of vegetables from turnip greens to spinach to pinto beans to field peas. However, Dad’s desires for something “hotter” and spicier made Mother hunt for a fiery concoction simply called pepper relish. It contained hotter peppers and onions and accompanying liquid mixtures that had a definite zing to them. The chopped relish was quite good with beans and peas, and the liquid
pepper sauce livened the leafy veggies. But, there was another seasoning Dad expected to be on the table at all times “just in case nothing else spiced up the turnip greens, beans or peas: Tabasco sauce.” That red peppery liquid was applied to meats as well as to pinto beans especially and occasionally to the black-eyed shelled peas. I didn’t know there was another Tabasco sauce other than the red one until a couple of summers ago when we celebrated Life Mate’s birthday with a requested trip to Acadiana – New Iberia and surrounding territory where we found the original
Tabasco facility on Avery Island. Naturally, the sauce manufacturing facility had a ready supply of peppers, being grown both by the company and other farmers, in close proximity. The company store had all manner of Tabasco products, since the trademark sauce has created a cult in and of itself. In addition to a wide variety of sauces and seasonings, there are of course t-shirts, caps, aprons, hot pads, dishes and coffee cups with the Tabasco label. Obviously, I had to have a cap that hangs on the rack in my Man Cave and is worn alternately with other head coverings.
We managed to select a small number of Tabasco flavors – Now Original, Chipotle, Buffalo Style and Sweet & Spicy Tabasco sauces grace our table. But, my personal favorite, and one with which I douse meats and vegetables is Raspberry Chipotle. It has just the right combination of sweet and hot, although Dad might have preferred the Habanero, Green Pepper or Garlic. After all variety is the spice of life. Willis Webb is a retired community newspaper editor and publisher of more than 50 years experience. wwebb1937@att.net
State News
High court rules school finance method is constitutional
T
he current method devised by the Texas Legislature in 2011 to fund public education does not violate the state constitution, the Texas Supreme Court unanimously ruled May 13. The lawsuit challenging the state’s education-funding method originally was brought in 2011 by more than 600 school districts identifying themselves collectively as the Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition. Lawyers for the coalition argued that the state falls short of the constitution’s imperative of equitable funding by failing to provide enough money for school districts’ classroom instruction, maintenance and operation and other critical budget areas. Article 7 of the constitution says: “A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to estab-
Capital Highlights by Ed Sterling
lish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.” In a 100-page ruling, the court said the current system ensures that “all Texas children have access to a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic, and educational opportunities of our state and nation.” The court agreed that the current funding system, while imperfect, is “good enough” to satisfy the constitutional mandate, and going forward, it is up to the Legislature, not the courts, to amend the funding formula. Gov. Greg Abbott called the ruling “a victory for Texas taxpayers and the Texas Constitution.” Lt. Gov. Dan Pat-
Hays Free Press
rick, House Speaker Joe Straus, Attorney General Ken Paxton and many Republican lawmakers joined the governor in welcoming the ruling. Paxton echoed the ruling in saying school finance “must be debated and shaped by the Texas Legislature, not through decades’ worth of ongoing litigation in the court system.” In contrast, organizations such as the Texas Association of School Boards, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Texas Democratic Party and a number of Democratic lawmakers expressed disappointment over the nine-member, all-Republican court’s ruling. Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said, “The Texas Supreme Court’s ruling held that the state’s school funding system met ‘minimum constitutional requirements,’ turning a cold shoulder to at least twothirds of Texas school districts that were desperately seeking relief from an inequitable,
inefficient and unsustainable school finance system that Texas courts had previously labeled unconstitutional.” Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, said, “Our children deserve more than a minimal education and the Legislature should do all they can to ensure we repair this broken system. Over five million public school students are counting on us.” Speaker Straus acknowledged “there is ample room for improvement” in school funding and said the Texas House “will continue working to deliver value for taxpayers and provide an outstanding education for our students.”
Revenue is up slightly
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on May 11 announced his office would send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $767.7 million in local sales tax alloca-
Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com
tions for May. The total was based on sales made in March by businesses that report tax monthly, plus sales made in January, February and March by quarterly filers. It is 1.1 percent more than allocated in May 2015. “The cities of Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso and Fort Worth saw noticeable increases in sales tax allocations,” Hegar said. “Energy-centric cities such as Houston, Odessa and Midland continue to see decreases in sales tax allocations.”
Blaze ruled intentional
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on May 11 announced its research laboratory’s finding that the April 17, 2013, fire at the West Fertilizer Company plant in the town of West, Texas, was intentionally set. Fifteen people died and some 160 were injured in the fire and explosion.
“We will gladly assist in any way possible in the days ahead to expose the criminals behind this heinous crime,” said David Maxwell, director of law enforcement for the Texas attorney general’s office.
GOP meets, Dems are next
The Republican Party of Texas held its state convention May 12-14 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. The final party platform is available online at texasgop.org. The Texas Democratic Party will hold its state convention June 16-18 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The party platform is available online at txdemocrats.org. Ed Sterling works for the Texas Press Association and follows the Legislature for the organization.
edsterling@texaspress.com
113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 • 512-268-7862 122 Main St., Buda, TX 78610 • 512-295-9760 www.haysfreepress.com
Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton
Reporters Paige Lambert, Samantha Smith,
Proofreaders Jane Kirkham
Production Manager David White
News and Sports Editor Moses Leos III
Columnists Bartee Haile, Chris Winslow, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts
Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialists James Darby, Pam Patino
Production Assistant Christine Thorpe
Circulation/Classifieds Suzanne Hallam Distribution Gabe Oranelas
NEWS
Page 4A
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Runoff ahead for Kyle District 1 race Cost of Runoff Election
PEC election voting begins May 19
Total Cost ......................................................... $4,534.20 Mitchell
BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Kyle voters will hit the polls again next month as they attempt to settle the tie between a pair of candidates vying for the Kyle City Council District 1 seat. On Tuesday, the Kyle City Council officially set June 11 as the date for a runoff election for the race between incumbent Diane Hervol and challenger Travis Mitchell. Early voting begins May 31. The decision to hold a runoff came after voting results from the May 7 election remained the same following a recount on Monday. Hays County elections administrator Joyce Cowan said the recount showed no change in the vote, which had Hervol and Mitchell in a 510510 tie. Mitchell, who owns Mitchell Motorsports in Kyle and is running in his first election campaign, said the results of the recount “showed the elections office did a great job on May 7.” But Mitchell said he didn’t expect the numbers to change, even with the prospect of possible provisional or military/overseas ballots pending. According to the city, there were no military or overseas ballots mailedin, nor were there any provisional ballots. “It didn’t come as a surprise,” Mitchell said. Mitchell had concerns about voter fatigue which could limit the
Look for your PEC election ballot in the mail or your email inbox!
Electronic voting system programming and testing .......................................... $375
Vote to fill two seats on PEC’s Board and decide whether the Co-op ensures a member’s right to speak at Board meetings. Early voting ends June 10.
Election kits and other election supplies .................. $152 Election judges and clerks 9 clerks/judges x $140 on election day ................. $1,260 2 clerks/judges x $760 for 8 days of early voting ........$1,520
Vote early and be eligible for prizes, including a home theater package, Nest Learning Thermostats and $100 gift cards.
Judges/clerks fees for pickup and delivery of supplies – 3 workers x $25.....................................$75
Members also may vote at the PEC Annual Meeting June 18 in Dripping Springs.
Early voting ballot board personnel – 3 ......................$90 Central counting station personnel – 2 ....................$150 Manager and tech support personnel – 2 ................$150 Misc. election costs – sample ballots, processing payroll, postage, telephone, travel, add’l supplies, poll worker training ................$350 County Election Services Contract Admin Fee ......$412.20 number of Kyle citizens casting ballots. He cited the March Primaries, followed by the May elections, and then the runoff. Mitchell added that with only two candidates on the June 11 ballot, as opposed to eight total on May 7, it could mean fewer people casting their vote. “It’s beyond frustrating to voters who are trying to participate,” Mitchell said. “They are being asked to come to the polls almost every month. We have to do something.” Mitchell said changing
the city charter from needing a majority vote to a plurality vote was one way to settle ties in the future. He also believed the city’s charter amendment to move council elections from May to November could spur voter turnout in the future. Mitchell said he plans to engage voters “in every way possible” and that he is “excited to move forward with my vision for Kyle.” “My plan and my goal is to increase votes for me in this next election,” Mitchell said. “I’m giving it everything I can and in my power to
get the message out. No excuses.” Hervol was not available as of press time for comments.
Pedernales Electric Cooperative pec.coop/election
Hays Free Press Keep up with all the latest news at www.HaysFreePress.com and like us on Facebook.
512-302-5555 800-252-1310 www.atfcu.org
300+ Free ATMs | Free Checking 24 Austin Metro Locations
Auto Loans
New, Used, and Refinance as low as
Hervol
APR1 Up to 60 Months
Home Equity Loans as low as
Commercial Real Estate Loans 3
APR1
5 Years Fixed No Closing Costs
5 Years Fixed 2
No Pre-Payment Penalty
Join Online Today! Become a member and get access to our great rates and services.
Visit www.atfcu.org to learn more. Annual Percentage Rate. Actual rate may vary depending on credit qualifications. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Auto loan rate advertised is our lowest rate for the purchase of a new or used vehicle, or the refinance of an existing loan from another lender. 2Austin Telco pays all standard closing costs for Home Equity/HELOC loans below $100,000. These costs include: title search, flood determination, credit report, and county filing fees. If necessary, additional fees for appraisal, survey, and/or title company closing costs will be the responsibility of the borrower. Estimated costs will be disclosed upon receipt of application. 3Rate applies to 1st lien commercial real estate loans with a loan to value of 80% or less; construction/development loan rates/terms may vary. Federally insured by NCUA. Austin Telco NMLS #422857 1
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Page 5A
Kyle Development: Large scale development on the horizon Continued from pg. 1A
“We hope the quality of development can match the hill country setting, to match the character it’s located in,” Sellers said. According to Sellers, discussions on annexing the land began in 2015 when Hays County tabbed Corridor C as its preferred alternative for the FM 150 realignment project. After meetings with Hays County and the city, Sellers said the property owners approached Kyle with the “strategic catalyst of development at some point.” Sellers said the annexation process was done to “preserve and protect the development of the area” and ensure “higher development standards.” But he also said reaching the agreements required a high level of complexity, including balancing the needs of the
property owners with the needs of the citizens at large. “We had to put together an agreement that was fair to both sides and strategically advantageous to the city in the long run,” Seller said. One aspect, Sellers said, was offering incentives to the property owners. That included Chapter 380 sales tax and property tax rebates. Sellers said a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) would be created on the Nance property that would go toward helping fund a bridge to extend Cypress Road over the Blanco River. Another was to make future development pay for some of the debt obligations for existing infrastructure needs, Sellers said. Sellers referred to the city staff’s amendment of
the Nance and McCoy will have PIDs, What Kyle’s development agreements properties Sellers said their densities should offset the cost of could bring to the city? infrastructure. What could be the Total acres annexed into the city – 6,517 acres results of the agreements? Possibly an influx of comTotal projected Living Unit Equivalents (LUE’s) – 21,421 mercial and residential development. Blanco River Ranch Nance-Bradshaw property That includes the Blan2,166 acres 2,973.5 acres co River Ranch property, 4,221 LUE’s 9,000 LUE’s which has set aside roughly 300 acres for a future corporate campus, along Nance-McCoy and Blanco River Investments with 1.05 million square 2,898 acres feet of commercial space. 8,200 LUE’s In addition, Sellers said the city is anticipating a “destination resort” on the the Public Improvement the PID. property. District (PID) policy to With a reverse PID, up to He said Blanco River allow for an out-of-city “re- 10 percent of the PID bond Ranch has been talking verse PID” in the Blanco would go toward funding with prospects for a River Ranch subdivision. PID related expenses outpossible hotel. According The purpose of a PID side of the PID. to Sellers, the move could is to collect assessments Sellers said the reverse open up the Blanco River from properties that go PID could offset debt serarea for recreational and toward funding infrastruc- vice the city would have to commercial use. ture improvements within provide otherwise. While He said it’s a large part
NEWS BRIEFS
Tax Increase: Buda braces Continued from pg. 1A
for the city. City Finance manager Sidonna Foust presented to council the overall financial state of the city and said the numbers, “looked good.” But Foust said property tax rates would be increasing as previously discussed during the initiation of the 2014 bond projects. Faust said to expect slightly higher rates than normal. Buda’s current property tax rate is .2979 per $100 taxable valuation. While a set rate for the increases hasn’t been determined, Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said those increases wouldn’t go beyond the original estimate of 20 cents. Council member Angela Kennedy said at the beginning of the bond process, the council received citizen input on what increase was acceptable in exchange for the improvements of the bond projects. Kennedy said that the amount of property tax increase presented to citizens and council that was agreed upon was roughly an increase of $20 a year. Foust said to council that the property tax increase may happen at an accelerated rate than previously planned, but will not exceed the agreed upon amount. But one of the messages conveyed to council was that the city would have to buckle down on spending in general. Ruge said despite the double-digit growth in revenue, the city might want to start considering cutting back in general. “Even though times are good in Central Texas right now, there is no way of knowing how long that will last,” Ruge said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Along with all the growth Buda has been experiencing, there comes with it the need for more services to citizens. Ruge identified the need to hire more city staff now versus when the new Municipal building opens in two years. “With the growth we can expect to need to hire more staff such as our growing library department and police force,” Ruge said. The future of Buda’s environmental footprint was also discussed. Kennedy introduced the idea for approving a sustainability commission made up of citizen volunteers. She hoped the commission would be the voice of council and citizens when contemplating sustainability concerns in Buda’s future plans. The topic of alternative revenue streams was also discussed. That included the possibility of charging developers a “street tax,” which would go for building and maintaining the roads they need for new developments, along with a beautification fee,
Buda’s projected year end financials for FY 2015-2016 Property tax collected..............................$4.18 million Total taxable values for 2015.....................$1.21 billion Total debt balance as of Sept. 30, 2016.......$41,069,518 Total projected debt balance for Sept. 20, 2017...................................... $139,785,172
GENERAL FUND
Projected Revenue......................................... $9.655,000 Projected Expenses......................................... 9,655,000 Revenue over expenses................................................. 0
WATER
Projected Revenue......................................... $2,714,329 Projected Expenses....................................... $2,894,415 Revenue over expenses...................................-$180,086
WASTEWATER
Projected Revenue......................................... $3,751,370 Projected Expenses....................................... $3,259,516 Revenue over expenses.................................... $491,854
SANITATION
Projected Revenue......................................... $1,614,438 Projected Expenses....................................... $1,282,010 Revenue over expenses.................................... $332,428
INTEREST AND SINKING
Projected Revenue......................................... $3,845,097 Projected Expenses....................................... $4,109,804 Revenue over expenses...................................-$264,707
HOTEL/TOURISM
Projected Revenue............................................ $601,267 Projected Expenses.......................................... $485,995 Revenue over expenses.................................... $115,272
OTHER (EXCLUDING SANITATION)
Projected Revenue......................................... $1,370,042 Projected Expenses....................................... $1,414,453 Revenue over expenses.....................................-$44,411
FYI Buda Stats
• The city of Buda now boasts 12,976+ people and a median household income of $96,464 • Growth Since 2010– 77.9%
• It also has earned the title of fastest growing city in Texas over 10,000 people by the Texas State Demographer • Median age – 33
• Median Household size – 2.94
• Average Household Income - $96,464
• 20 single-family neighborhoods in city limits; several more in ETJ • 84% owner occupied; rising home costs
• Fastest growing city in Texas over 10,000 (TX State Demographer)
• 300+ acres of parks with more coming
• Almost 5 square miles of annexation over the last five years or small fee charged on residents’ utility bills. Ruge was in favor of the street tax being charged to developers. But Ruge said he wouldn’t see residents approving the beautification fee unless it was voluntary. Kennedy mirrored Ruge’s sentiments about the street tax and the beautification fee ideas. She said residents could choose to opt out of the beautification fee if they wish do so.
of the city’s desire to find a “destination appeal.” “Kyle has never had that opportunity (to use the Blanco River) until now,” Sellers said. While there is an influx of growth on the horizon, Sellers said the city is “putting together” plans to identify funds from the reverse PID to improve water and wastewater service. While he said the city wouldn’t be able to serve the coming growth today, the long term developments have “multiple bond issues” that could pay for servicing the area. Sellers said he anticipates a time frame of 30 to 40 years for build out. “It’s imperative that we have a long term plan to address these infrastructure needs today, inclusive of these developments,” Seller said.
City staff also presented council with an overview of the Garison Memorial Park property and discussed what the master plan might entail, as well as what the plans for the existing structures on the property should be. Drew Wells, Director of Parks and Recreation, told council that the Master plan for Garison Park should be completed by the summer, then conveyed to council for action.
Marketplace Avenue now open
After a three year wait, Kyle’s first project under the city’s 2013 road bond initiative is now complete. Kyle City Engineer Leon Barba said Tuesday Marketplace Avenue, the first of the city’s five road bond projects, is now open. He said the city is “trying to wrap up” the Marketplace project, and that there is a “good chance” for the installation of street lights. Barba said the Goforth Road project began construction March 21. He said the city hopes to finish construction in front of Fuentes Elementary by Aug. 22. Construction on Bunton Creek Road is slated
to begin in September, Barba said. But the city must acquire 14 parcels of right-of-way for the Burleson Street project before construction begins November 2016.
Buda PD gets kudos from colleagues
Praise was given to the Buda Police Department Tuesday following a presentation from Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd on the current state of the department and its future plans. Kidd began by extolling the importance of police force training, saying that an officer who attends a police academy completes at least 700 or more hours of coursework. He added that the state mandates at least 40
hours of additional training per training cycle, which for Buda’s police department, is every two years. Buda Police officers complete about 150 hours of additional training every two years, so they are more than meeting state requirements, Kidd said. “We are as prepared, if not better prepared, than any other law enforcement agency in the country,” Kidd said. City Manager Kenneth Williams added, “We are very pleased with the way officers interact with the public here, they are very approachable.” Buda council member Angela Kennedy echoed similar sentiments. “We really have a lot to be proud of in you and your leadership and the Police force here in Buda,” Kennedy said.
Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures The law gives property owners the right to protest actions con- cerning their property tax appraisals. You may follow these appeal procedures if you have a concern about: • the market or appraised value of your property • the unequal appraisal of your property • the inclusion of your property on the appraisal roll • any exemptions that may apply to you • the qualification for an agricultural or timber appraisal • the taxable status of your property • the local governments which should be taxing your property • the ownership of property • the change of use of land receiving special appraisal • any action taken by the chief appraiser, appraisal district or appraisal review board (ARB) that applies to and adversely affects you. Informal Review Please attempt to discuss your problem with a staff appraiser, before the date you are scheduled. He/she may be able to help you resolve your problem and avoid the formal hearing with the ARB. Review by the ARB If you cannot resolve your problem informally with the county appraisal district (CAD) staff, you may have your case heard by the ARB. The ARB is an independent board of citizens that reviews prob- lems with appraisals or other concerns listed above. It has the power to order the CAD to make the necessary changes to solve problems. If you file a written request for an ARB hearing (called a notice of protest) before the deadline, the ARB will set your case for a hearing. You will receive written notice of the time, date and place of the hearing. If necessary, you may request a hearing in the evening or on a Saturday or Sunday. Prior to your hearing, you may ask to review the evidence the CAD plans to introduce at the hearing to establish any matter at issue. The law provides that before a hearing on a protest or immediately after the hear- ing begins, you or your agent and the CAD shall each provide the other with a copy of any written material intended to be offered or submitted to the ARB at the hearing. To the greatest extent practi- cable, the hearing will be informal. You or a designated agent may appear in person to present evidence or you may send notarized evidence for the ARB to review at your hearing. The CAD repre- sentative will present evidence about
your case. You may cross-examine the CAD representative. The ARB will make its decision based on the evidence presented. In most cases, the CAD has the burden of establishing the property’s value by a preponderance of the evidence presented. In certain protests, the chief appraiser has the burden of proving the property’s value by clear and convincing evidence. You should review ARB hearing procedures to learn more about evidence and related matters. You can get a copy of a protest form from the ap- praisal district office, Hays Central Appraisal District, 21001 IH 35 N, Kyle, Texas, 78640 or on our website www.hayscad.com. You should not try to contact ARB members outside of the hearing. The law requires ARB members to sign an affidavit saying that they have not talked about your case before the ARB hears it. Review by the District Court, an Arbitrator or SOAH After it decides your case, the ARB must send you a copy of its order by certified mail. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to appeal. If you choose to go to court, you must start the process by filing a petition within 60 days of the date you receive the ARB’s order. In certain cases, as an alterna- tive to filing an appeal in district court, you may file, not later than the 45th day after you receive notice of the ARB order, a request for binding arbitration with the county appraisal district. In cer- tain cases, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). An appeal to SOAH is initiated by, not later than the 30th day after you receive notice of the ARB’s order, filing with the chief appraiser of the county appraisal district a notice of appeal. Appeals to district court, binding arbitration, or SOAH all require payment of certain fees or deposits. Tax Payment You must pay either the amount of taxes due on the portion of the taxable value not in dispute or the amount of taxes due on the property under the order from which the appeal is taken. More Information You can get more information by contacting your appraisal district at Hays Central Appraisal District, 21001 IH 35 N, Kyle, Texas, 78640, (512) 268-2522. You can get additional information on how to prepare a protest from the Comptroller’s publication, Property Tax Basics, available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/proptax/ pdf/96-1425.pdf.
Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures Usual Deadline On or before April 30 for residence homesteads and May 31 for all other property (or 30 days after a notice of appraised value was mailed to you, whichever is later). The filing deadline is postponed until the next business day if the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal state or national holiday. Late protests are allowed if you miss the usual deadline for good cause. Good cause is some reason beyond your control, like a med- ical emergency. The ARB decides whether you have good cause. Late protests are due the day before the ARB approves records for the year. Contact your appraisal district for more information. Special Deadlines For change of use (the appraisal district informed you that you are losing agricultural
appraisal because you changed the use of your land), the deadline is not later than the 30th day after the notice of the determination was mailed to you. For ARB changes (the ARB has informed you of a change that increases your tax liability and the change did not result from a protest you filed), the deadline is not later than the 30th day after the notice of the determination was delivered to you. If you believe the appraisal district or ARB should have sent you a notice and did not, you may file a protest until the day before taxes become delinquent (usually Feb. 1) or no later than the 125th day after the date you claim you received a tax bill from one or more of the taxing units that tax your property. The ARB decides whether it will hear your case based on evidence about whether a required notice was mailed to you.
* The deadline is postponed to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday.
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Page 6A
Prop 5 could mean greener pastures for Buda parks BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
The Buda City Council earlier this month approved the Garison Park Master Plan into the Proposition 5 budget of the city’s 2014 Bond initiative. Proposition 5, which was part of the 2014 bond that was approved by Buda voters, includes improvements to City Park as well as surrounding parkland and trails. Buda Director of Parks and Recreation Drew Wells said the creation of the master plan for Garison Park calls for an amendment to the overall design contract with Design Workshop for all Proposition 5 projects.
“The acquisition of the Garison Park property was very lucky for the city of Buda and will offer more recreational capabilities like a natural swimming hole that we need to have a master plan for before it can be made available to the public.” –Angela Kennedy, Buda council member
The amendment will cost an additional $8,640 to the already capped bond amount of $8 million. Council based its decision on the Buda Parks and Recreation Commission when it approved the contract amendments. According to the Bond Committee, the bond money should go to the improvements needed at
City Park, as well as the creation of a future plan for Garison Park. Wells said that language within Proposition 5 was primarily for City Park development, but it was broad enough to allow improvements to other parkland in Buda. “The design plan for City Park and the design plan for Garison Park are closely related due
to their proximity to one another,” Wells said. “[A] nd we were given the opportunity to plan them simultaneously, which will allow us to better execute design aesthetics for both parks in the future.” Wells said the fact that the city will have a Master Plan for Garison Park doesn’t mean council will take action on it. The Garison Park
master plan will be submitted to the Parks and Recreation Commission, who will review it and hear citizen feedback on what features they would like to see in the future plans of the park, Wells said. Mayor Todd Ruge was in favor of the master planning of Garison Park and said, “It sets a benchmark for what we want that park to look like in the future.” “I think it’s appropriate to get these plans done now so the citizens can choose where the funding will go when it comes in,” Ruge said. Councilmember Angela Kennedy echoed both Wells’ and Ruge’s sentiments about the amendment to the Proposition 5 budget to
include the Master plan of Garison Park. “The acquisition of the Garison Park property was very lucky for the city of Buda and will offer more recreational capabilities like a natural swimming hole that we need to have a master plan for before it can be made available to the public,” Kennedy said. Kennedy and Wells agreed that City Park, Garison Park and Stagecoach Park have the potential to become a parkland corridor in the future. Kennedy said she was confident in her vote to approve the Garison Park Master Plan after the Parks and Recreation commission supported it. “They support it, so I support it,” Kennedy said.
Kyle makes slight changes to wrecker ordinance BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
An amendment to the city’s existing ordinance on wrecker companies will help the Kyle Police Department streamline how it works with two truck operations. Earlier this month, the Kyle City Council approved the changes in the city’s wrecker ordinance by a 4-2 vote. Council members Diane Hervol and Daphne Tenorio voted against the measure. Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said the amendments were mostly “housekeeping” in nature. The amendments were completed in response to changes to the city’s wrecker ordinance in March 2015. That update required wrecker companies interested in
Elect
participating in the city’s wrecker rotation to follow certain guidelines. Those included applying to be considered on the rotation, and that companies must have a vehicle storage facility (VSF) within city limits. Barnett said the new amendments “cleaned up a few small operating procedures.” “It was to clean up language and updated language to match state law and to properly reference state laws that regulate,” Barnett said. One of the amendments included prohibiting tow truck companies from calling the city’s dispatch center to voice complaints about the city’s rotation. Prior to the passage of the amendments, he said tow truck companies were “regularly” lodging “complaints or anonymous
One of the amendments included prohibiting tow truck companies from calling the city’s dispatch center to voice complaints about the city’s rotation.
complaints for all kinds” of state and local violations against other tow truck companies. “We are way too busy to handle those types of complaints (at the dispatch center),” Barnett said. He went on to add that any complaints made by wrecker companies should be submitted to the department in writing. Other changes include narrowing down contact information for wrecker companies to one number. The amendments also require wrecker companies
and VSFs to be in compliance with all other codes and regulations prior to the issuance of a tow truck permit in Kyle. “In order to renew or to get a new tow truck permit in Kyle, companies must be in compliance with all city codes,” Barnett said. Council also directed staff to look into the possibility of creating a city owned and operated tow truck and a VSF. With a possible city owned VSF, Barnett said it could allow the department to take all
police initiatied tows to that facility. Other tows would go to the VSF of the tow truck company on rotation. Barnett said the department is in the “process of waiting for
We will match your best price and beat it! 1946 S IH-35 SAN MARCOS 512-396-5555
review” and plans to present the idea to council “later this summer.” “It could take a while to gather credible information to present (to council) and schedule a presentation,” Barnett said.
Sleep-EZ Mattress & Box
Twin Full Queen King
$155 $205 $265 $355
5-Piece Dinettes starting at
$189
Free Layaway!
Mitch Johnson as your Hays Co. Constable, Pct. 5
My name is Mitch Johnson. I’m a Republican candidate for Hays County Constable Precinct 5, which serves citizens in and around Buda, Texas. My commitment to the citizens of Hays County extends beyond running for this position. I have roots in this community and for over 30 years my wife and I have called Buda home. We built our house in Old Town Buda. We are members of the First Baptist Church of Buda where we got maried. I’m also a member of the Onion Creen Senior Center. This commitment also extends to my career in law enforcement, having served and protected the citizens of Hays County as a licensed Master Peace Officer for 27 years, as Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff ’s Office and Deputy Constable of Precinct 2. While with the Hays County Sheriff ’s Office, I received the following awards: • Nomination for Supervisor of the Year in 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001 • Received the award in 2000, and 2003 as Supervisor of the Year • Nomination of Detective/ Investigator of the Year in 1992, 1996, 1997 • Received the award for Detective/Investigator of the Year in 1991 In addition to being a member of the Hays County law enforcement community, I have served in other law enforcement capacities, such as a Police Chief. I will bring more than 37 years of law enforcement experience to this position. Commitment to law enforcement and being your Constable requires me to be diligent with training. At this time, I am trained in civil process required by the State of Texas, as well as the State and Federal Legislative Update. Over the years, the need for adequate training has led to a continuous training record of 2,284 hours. Some of my experience and training include:
Endorsements
• Management Experience & Management Training • Trained in Criminal Law & Civil Law • Instructors Proficiency Certificate • Certification for Investigative Hypnotist • School Based Law Enforcement Training • Advanced Human Trafficking • Asset Forfeiture & Racial Profiling • Mental Health Certification • Cultural Diversity, Child Abuse & Identity Theft Training • FEMA NIMS Training Hays County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state and as we all experience this growth this makes the need for committed and experienced law enforcement personnel critical. As taxpayers, you expect to have these types of men and women working for you. This is the time to have well trained, dedicated and professional Peace Officers keeping our community safe for you and your families, and also do the job of the Constable Office – serving civil papers, courtroom security and serving as bailiffs. The need for a Constable that is going to be accountable and available to the public, work with the citizens in our community, be connected with other law enforcement agencies and be engaged with other departments throughout the country is what citizens deserve. That is why I am asking for your vote for me on May 24, 2016 and let me be YOUR CONSTABLE.
I have known Mitch Johnson professionally for about 18 years. His career in law enforcement has been one of the highest standard. He has great leadership skills and is always concerned about the betterment of the community. That is why I support Mitch Johnson for Constable of Precinct 5, Hays County. – Constable Darrell W. Ayres I was certified/licensed law enforcement from 1979 to 2004. I have known Mitch Johnson since 1980. My last position was as Assistant Chief Deputy with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. I have never heard of John Ellen of Cedar Park. I do not normally get involved in other county’s political situations, however, I will make an exception in this one. Mitch Johnson is one of the most straightforward, honest, trustworthy, hard working law enforcement officers I had the pleasure of working with in my twenty-five years of service. He will not lie to you and he will not play political games with you. He will look you straight in the eye and tell you what he is going to do and then he will do it. Mitch Johnson is your best choice for Constable of Precinct 5 in Hays County. – Jim Harrell Sr. Constables have all the same duties as the Sheriff with the added responsibility of civil process service. Those civil process duties include the service of restraining orders, protective orders, tax suit citations, individual lawsuit notices and much more. These are all very important and some require immediate attention. The proper running of the various courts’ business depends upon the timely service of process. I have visited with Mitch at length regarding the inefficiency of the Pct. 5 Constable’s office. It is time we had
a constable who is willing to do the work required of the office and be a reliable resource for the citizens of this precinct. It is critical that experience transcend all else when selecting a constable. The duties and skills of the office require expertise which can only be learned after several years on the job and many hours of continuing education. I have known Mitch Johnson professionally for several years and find him to be very knowledgeable regarding the duties and laws of the state as they pertain to constables. Mitch Johnson’s 35-plus years of experience would truly be an asset to our county government. It is for this reason that I recommend him to you, without reservation, for the office of Constable Pct. 5. Respectfully submitted in support of good government, – Cecelia Adair, Hays County District Clerk, Retired
My name is Billy Bloom, a former Captain with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. I am enthusiastically endorsing Mitch Johnson for Hays County Precinct 5 Constable. I have had the privilege of knowing Mitch Johnson for twenty (20) years. I began working with Mitch in 1996, while with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. I observed that Mitch was a knowledgeable and gifted Investigator and Peace Officer. I left the Sheriff’s Office in 2000 due to family obligations, but Mitch and my friendship continues to this day. There have been times over past years that Mitch and my paths have crossed in law enforcement, and I do value his insights and vast knowledge. I encourage all the citizens in Hays County Precinct 5 to vote for Mitchell Johnson for Constable. I know that he will be attentive to the needs of all citizens and put your interests first. – Thanks, Billy
I have known Mitch Johnson since 1985. Over the years he has proven to be a hardworking and very knowledgeable officer. He is a longtime resident of Buda with deep roots in his community and strong family ties. In January 2009, Mitch came to work for me as one of my Deputies. To this day he continues to be a hard worker and a very knowledgeable Deputy Constable for my department. If elected, Mitch will be a ‘Working Constable’ and serve any and all civil process papers that is sent to him, along with providing safety and security as Bailiff for the Justice of the Peace. That is why I am endorsing him and he has my complete support for the position of Hays County Constable Pct. 5. –Constable Kohler I have known Mitch Johnson for about 18 years. He and I worked together at the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and during that time he was nothing but professional in his dealings with the public and fellow law enforcement officers. Mitch has excellent people skills and has the experience and ability to be the next Constable of Precinct 5. Mitch has lived in Precinct 5 for as long as I have known him and is quite involved in activities in Precinct 5. As a former Constable in Precinct 5, I fully endorse Mitch Johnson as the next Constable of Precinct 5. – Leroy Opiela Also endorsed by the following: Retired Justice of the Peace Lamont Ramage, Pct. 5 and Retired Constable Lupe Cruz, Pct. 1
Remember to Vote on May 24!
Vote for more than 37 years of law enforcement experience! Pol. Adv. To Elect Mitchell R. Johnson Mitchell R. Johnson, Treasurer, PO Box 824, Buda, TX 78610
Sports @hfprebelsports @hfplobosports
Section B FINANCES
Hays CISD faces budget shortfall. – Page 3B
Hays Free Press
May 18, 2016
Lobos look to rebound during summer BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
After suffering through the first winless season in program history last year, the Lehman Lobos football team look for the chance to pick itself off the canvas. Lehman High head coach Todd Raymond said a different mindset was necessary for the Lobos this offseason to “take the next step” as they prepare for play in a highly competitive 25-6A.
LOBO FOOTBALL, 2B
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Herons take down Los Bierdos in annual Stupor Bowl
STAFF REPORT
Beer, babes and high-flying, one-wheeled gridiron action hit the pavement at the San Marcos Activity Center Sunday as the season 11 of Unicycle Football wrapped up with the annual Stupor Bowl. The 2016 Stupor Bowl pitted the Los Bierdos against the Harvey Street Herons (or Haroons as the emcee chose to call them), with the Herons emerging with a 69-68 victory. Joining in the festivities was a film crew from NFL Films, which documented the festivities.
Rebel Ultimate Frisbee takes second at state
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
A change of scenery over the weekend didn’t deter the Hays Rebel ultimate frisbee team from taking second place overall at the State Ultimate Frisbee competition May 13-15. Hays, which entered the tournament Saturday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock as the bottom seed in their pool, began their trek through state with a 13-1 victory in its first game. They followed with a come-from-behind 13-5 win over Austin High. Rainstorms on Saturday forced the tournament to halt play, with the Rebels traveling to Retama Park in Selma on Sunday to continue play. Hays upended Belton and Coppell to reach the finals against Flower Mound Marcus, where Hays fell 15-6.
EXPERTS IN MAKING
I.T. WORK
(512) 531-0510 | BackToBusinessIT.com
Eagles fly past Rebels in two
Network Assessment
Strategic Planning
Advocating Needs
Implementing & Training
Managed Services
Partnering For Success
Hays Lady Rebel softball team’s deep run in the playoffs came to an end in the third round last week as Atascocita Eagles swept Hays in two games. Atascocita defeated Hays by the scores of 6-3 and 12-2 in a best-ofthree series. The Eagles won game one Friday night in College Station with a late-inning comeback after the Lady Rebels had taken a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning. Hays led 3-2 with just six outs remaining. But four of the Eagles’ runs in the game were unearned, as Hays hurt themselves with four errors in the ball game. Atascocita’s first run of the game came in the first inning, when a pair of Hays errors allowed the Eagles to score without benefit of a hit. The Lady Rebels tied the game with a run in the top of the fourth inning, then took a 3-1 lead by scoring twice in the fifth inning. The Eagles, who started seven seniors, scored one run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Atascocita then pushed across four more unanswered runs to
REBEL SOFTBALL, 2B
SPORTS
Page 2B
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
FREE Lifeline Service Available for Income-Eligible Residents If you participate in public assistance programs or meet monthly income level guidelines, you may qualify for a free phone* + 250 Minutes & Unlimited Texts.
To apply visit www.enroll.accesswireless.com Free phone is provided by Access Wireless. Access Wireless is a service provider for the government-funded Lifeline Assistance program. Lifeline assistance is provided by i-wireless LLC, d/b/a Access Wireless, an eligible telecommunications carrier. Lifeline service is non-transferable. Lifeline benefits are limited to one per household. A household is defined, for the purposes of the Lifeline program, as any individual or group of individuals, who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Violation of the one-per-household rule constitutes violation of FCC rules and will result in the customer’s de-enrollment from Lifeline. Only eligible customers may enroll in the program. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain a Lifeline benefit can be punished by fine, imprisonment, or can be barred from the program. Customers must present proper documentation proving eligibility for the Lifeline program. Your information will be validated against public records and any discrepancies could result in delays or denial of service.
WE BUY OIL, GAS & MINERAL RIGHTS Both non-producing and producing, including
Non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI)
Please provide us your desired price when you contact us and we will evaluate for a possible offer.
Lobo Minerals, LLC
P.O. Box 10906 • Midland, TX 79702 C: 806-620-1422 lobomineralsllc@gmail.com
PHOTO BY JIM CULLEN
Sendejo signs to Cisco College
Lehman Lobo baseball pitcher and first baseman Zach Sendejo, joined at the official table by his mom, Tracy Sendejo, and head baseball coach Toby Robinson, signed his collegiate Letter of Intent to play ball at Cisco College next year.
• Heavy duty galvanized Steel • Rated at 90mph winds Easy to assemble. • Fits all passenger vehicles
$887
Rebel Softball: Eagles fly past Hays
Perfect Protection for spring Storms
Continued from pg. 1B
close the game. Saturday’s game two of the series was eventful for reasons beyond softball. The game, originally scheduled for College Station, was moved to Mumford, a Class A school with a turf field, in anticipation of rainy weather. After arriving at Mumford, torrential rains came about an hour before game time, and the two teams attempted to wait until the weather moved through. The rains, however, never stopped and the decision was made to move game to Waco Midway High School. But Atascocita, which was ranked fourth in the nation at one point this year by USA Today, burst from the game with six runs in the first inning. Hays had an imposing mountain to climb, but was unable to mount a comeback. Hays’ first run of the game came courtesy of a booming solo home run to left field by senior
Protect your Vehicle with a Heavy Duty PANTHER CREEK CARPORT
Call 1-800-643-8728 • OD Funk Mfg. Inc • Since 1976
Hays Free Press Forever Memories Photography
PHOTO BY JIM CULLEN
With smiles on their faces, Hays Lady Rebels (left to right) Karina Rocha, Nadia Netek, Illyanna Cisneros, Madison Allen and Maria Arroyo show off words of encouragement and guidance prior to Saturday’s game regional quarterfinal game against the Atascocita Eagles. Despite nearly coming away with a win on Friday, Hays saw their deepest playoff run in two seasons conclude in a two-game sweep to Atascocita.
Karina Rocha in the top of the second inning. Atasocita, whose lead was cut to 6-1, responded by putting the game away in the bottom of the inning.
The Eagles tallied another half-dozen runs in the bottom of the second frame. The Lady Rebels scored another run in the fifth, but could not make up the difference.
Hays , who advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since reaching the state tournament in 2013 and 2014, finished the season with a 21-13 record.
Weddings, parties, graduations and on-location portraits (512) 665-1027 (512) 665-8930 ForeverMemoriesPhotographyKyle.com
Lobo Football: Look to rebound during summer Continued from pg. 1B
“We are trying to get the kids to understand there isn’t a higher level of football in the country, in their age group,” Raymond said. “We have to prepare full time, year around…to take that next step. That’s where we have to go.” Focusing on improving physical strength was the goal for the Lobo coaching staff, Raymond said. It’s one of the main reasons why the program decided against taking part in spring workouts on the field. Obtaining an extra PHOTO BY CHAPARRAL PHOTO scrimmage during the preseason also played a Lehman High running back Bryan Mendoza (right) attempts to run past an Austin High defender as he speeds toward the sideline during the two teams’ game on October 29, 2015. factor in the decision. Mendoza will be one of the up to 15 returning players who will make up the Lehman Lobos “It was focusing on just roster in 2016. getting physically stronger for the upcoming seaagainst Westlake, Lake and Cameron Whited. could help the Lobos as son,” Raymond said. “In Travis, Vandegrift, Vista Raymond also said the they ready for summer this new 6A district we’re Ridge and Leander and Lobos will return four of in, it’s tough and physical. football, Raymond said. rival Hays. their five starting offenThe playWe reWestlake, Lake Travis, sive line. ers are also ally felt like Vandegrift and Vista Ridge On the defensive side, we’re going “It’s a focus on preparing to all reached the area round returning players include take part in a to take the fine tuning the 7-on-7 league, of the playoffs or beyond Abel Longoria, Carl Fergutime in the in 2015. Lake Travis was son and Tristan Hernanthey spring to mental aspect, which state runner-up in 6A last dez, along with linebacker will host over focus on so in August season. Austin Lakey and defenthe summer. the weight “We’ve got to develop sive back Edward Arana. “It’s a focus room.” when we Raymond said he on fine tuning depth and numbers so we Rayhopes a year playing in the mental as- can try to match up with go out there mond said 6A will help “slow things pect, so in Au- those guys,” Raymond the team is with pads on, said. down” for his returning gust when we currently Aiding the Lobos next players. go out there (the scheme) working to season is a roster that “When you play 6A ball, with pads on, perfect its will already returns up to 15 startand you’re young and (the scheme) scheme on ers from a year previous. inexperienced, the world will already offense and be taught to Raymond said the team is moving fast,” Raymond be taught to defense them.” has “caught back up with said. “Hopefully things them,” Rayduring the numbers” when it came slow down for them a bit.” mond said. athletic to senior players. But making sure his One of the periods. –Todd Raymond Providing assistance for team “wins the close primary chalUnderthe Lobos will be quargames” is something the lenges facing standterback Jacob Zamora, team will focus on next Lehman will be the depth ing techniques, such as running back Bryan Men- year. blocking assignments and and talent of its opposidoza and wide receivers “We have to beat those tion. footwork on the offensive Tyler Henderson, Chastin people we should beat,” District 25-6A play line or running “crisp” Evans, Grayson Steineger Raymond said. will see the Lobos go up wide receiver routes,
3310 B FM 967, STE #A110, Buda, Texas 78610 Near the corner of FM 1626 and 967 We are now exclusively in Buda to accommodate your orthodontic needs.
512-523-8680 • longortho.com
EARLY DEADLINE The Hays Free Press office will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. Submit your ad by Thursday, May 26 to run in the June 1 edition of the Hays Free Press Call 512-268-7862 or email ads@haysfreepress.com to submit your ad today.
Education
SNITCHES
Quidditch youth clinic takes flight in Kyle. – Page 1C
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Hays CISD facing possible budget shortfall in 2016 BY MOSES LEOS III
The district has so far worked with projections on the increase in appraised value. The projections range from $600 million to $800 million increase. But even with an $800 million appraised value increase, the budget still would fall $2.3 million short.
news@haysfreepress.com
F
acing a potential $2.8 million dollar shortfall next school year, Hays CISD could soon start the process of tightening its belt in order to balance their budget. But with appraised values from the Hays County Central Appraisal District (CAD) not expected to come in until the end of May, Hays CISD Public Information Officer Tim Savoy said the district’s budget is still fluctuating. “The budget is most definitely a work in progress,” Savoy said. “There are place holders on what we’re hoping and expecting to receive for revenue, but some won’t be filled until later this summer.” During Monday’s school board agenda workshop meeting, Hays CISD finance director Annette Folmar said the Hays County CAD has not yet released appraised values. Folmar said the appraisal values were the “only wild card” when it came to the budget. She said the Memorial Day and Halloween floods of 2015 have affected the released of appraisal values from the CAD. “We’ve never had a delay of this magnitude,” Folmar said. She said the district was working hard to get better numbers, but it wasn’t comfortable in giving any proposals in the
amount of revenue until those values come in. The district has so far worked with projections on the increase in appraised value. The projections range from $600 million to $800 million increase. But even with an $800 million appraised value increase, the budget still would fall $2.3 million short. Currently, Hays CISD has budgeted roughly $149.5 million in expenditures for fiscal year 2016. That includes $2.7 million for 40 additional full-time teaching employees for growth and eight special education
teaching positions. School board trustee Holly Raymond was concerned there wasn’t a scenario that shows the district could have a balanced budget. “I’m not sure if we can get it to a pure balanced budget for (fiscal year) 16-17,” Folmar said. According to Raymond, the “message was clear” that the school board wanted a balanced budget. She said it was something the district worked hard to get last year. “I’m not sure how we got away from that,” Raymond said. School board trustee Teresa Tobias said it would be a “great accomplishment” to have a balanced budget, but wasn’t sure how the district could get there. “We’ve already released a lot of positions (from the budget),” Tobias said. “I think most of us would love to see a balanced budget.” Trustee Bert Bronaugh said cutting areas that affect teaching would be “counter-productive.” “A balanced budget is the goal,” Bronough said. “I’d like to see that.”
Page 3B
27 Quick and Easy Fix Ups to Sell Your Kyle/Buda Home Fast and for Top Dollar Kyle/Buda – Because your home may well be your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. And once you have made that decision, you’ll want to sell your home for the highest price in the shortest time possible without compromising your sanity. Before you place your home on the market, here’s a way to help you to be as prepared as possible. To assist home sellers, a new industry report has just been released called “27 Valuable Tips That You Should Know to Get Your Home Sold Fast and
for Top Dollar.” It tackles the important issues you need to know to make your home competitive in today’s tough, aggressive marketplace. Through these 27 tips you will discover how to protect and capitalize on your most important investment, reduce stress, be in control of your situation, and make the best profit possible. In this report you’ll discover how to avoid financial disappointment or worse, a financial disaster when selling your home. Using a common-sense approach, you will get the straight facts about what can make
This report is courtesy of ERA-Bettinger Realtors. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright©2016
Browse & buy photos seen in the Hays Free Press
Visit us online at www.HaysFreePress.com and click the Photos link
HAYS CISD REACTS TO STATE SUPREME COURT RULING “Disappointed” was the reaction from Hays CISD following the Texas State Supreme Court’s May 13 ruling of 2011 changes toward funding
HCISD BUDGET, 4B
© 2016 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 32, No. 25
Look at each piece of sports equipment below for one minute. Then cover this box with your hand. Can you name all of the items without peeking? Keep trying until you do!
his summer, the eyes of the world will turn to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the Olympic Games and the Paralympic aralympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad. Don’t let your brain get flabby this summer. Read Kid Scoop each week to give your mind and imagination a real workout as we celebrate this g his big g page international sports event. Complete each pag ge and members, share the fun with friends and family membe ers, too.
On April 21, 2016 the Olympic torch was lit in Greece. The torch stays lit as it travels the world. First it took a short trip around Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. Then it went to Switzerland, where the International Olympic Committee offices are located. After that the torch was flown to the Brazilian capital, Brasilia, to start a 95-day journey throughout the country that is host of the 2016 Summer Games.
Which swimmer will reach the finish line?
Standards Link: Oral Language: Use descriptive words, memory recall.
PARALYMPIC CAPITAL BRAZIL SUMMER SILVER TORCH RELAY GAMES WORLD ROUTE GOLD HOST HAND TRIP SIX
The torch will be passed from hand to hand by 12,000 relay runners through every state in Brazil. Ninety percent of Brazil’s 204 million inhabitants will be reached on this route before it ends its journey at the Opening Ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro. You can follow the route of the Olympic Torch. Each time you read 10 column inches of the newspaper, color in a circle along the route of the Olympic Torch.
Draw a line connecting each identical torch. Circle the one unique torch that doesn’t have a twin.
Each time you read a book this summer, color in a letter on one of the medals below. Can you read 13 books and go for the gold?
Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Students read and understand grade-level appropriate material.
or break the sale of your home. You owe it to yourself to learn how these important tips will give you the competitive edge to get your home sold fast and for the most amount of money. Order your free report today. To order a FREE Special Report, visit 27SeriousSellerTips.com or to hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call tollfree 1-866-232-9929 and enter 1023. You can call anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW.
S U L A T I P A C G
D L R O W H M M P O N E R R R O O I L L
A C Y E M S R P I D
H I X M E T C Z S B C I P M Y L A R A P
S R A U A R E L A Y
Z G I S B E T U O R
L R E V L I S F U N
Talking Pictures
Select a photo of sports stars or famous people in the newspaper. Pretend these people can talk to one another. Write a conversation for them. Put the words in “bubbles” to make the picture look like a comic strip panel. Look at the names of different teams in the sports pages of your newspaper. Imagine there are teams for each subject you study in school. Make a list of team names for a reading team, science team, math team, etc. Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.
Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.
Best Book of the Summer
What book do you recommend other kids read this summer? Have fun describing the details but don’t give away the ending.
During the Olympics, you’ll see the flags of many different countries. How many of the ones below do you recognize? Do the math to check your answers.
EDUCATION
Page 4B
PHOTO BY JIM CULLEN
2016 Lobo Totem Award winners announced
COME HOME TO THE Y THIS SUMMER JOIN THROUGH D MAY 31 AN SAVE $48!
In an annual renewal of what’s become a tradition at Lehman High School, the tenth annual presentation of the Totem Awards was made by Lobo Art teacher Debra Flynn, the originator of the concept a decade ago, which received Hays Education Foundation Innovative Teaching Grant support for its initial set-up. The tradition is permanent acknowledgement of the four-year records of outstanding Lobos and the three core campus tenets--Integrity, Wisdom, and Pride. Another special facet of the award is the tradition of having the previous year’s award-winners actually present the award to the current year recipients. Front row (l-r) are 2016 honorees Marcos Rivera (Wisdom), Tenley Lehman (Wisdom), Breanna Higgins (Integrity), Kali Palomarez (Pride), Andres Garza (Pride), and Craig Harris (Integrity); Back row are Ariceli Rangel, Jesse Perez, Neriah Sosa, Damian Alcala.
HCISD Budget
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Hays Communities YMCA Benefits
Continued from pg. 1B
public schools as constitutional, Savoy said. In 2011, Texas lawmakers cut more than $4 billion from educational funding to cover a shortfall. The move led more than 600 school districts to file a lawsuit against the state, saying the state’s public school funding system was unconstitutional. But according to the State Supreme Court, the funding system, while imperfect, was adequate to satisfy constitutional mandates to support public schools. Savoy said the district was disappointed the court didn’t rule in its favor. He said Hays CISD is $7 million behind what they would have been funded if the state hadn’t
In 2011, Texas lawmakers cut more than $4 billion from educational funding to cover a shortfall. The move led more than 600 school districts to file a lawsuit against the state, saying the state’s public school funding system was unconstitutional. But according to the State Supreme Court, the funding system, while imperfect, was adequate to satisfy constitutional mandates to support public schools. changed funding in 2011. “We don’t believe that the funding is adequate for what the needs of the students are and it reflects on the revenue we would have had if there had not been changes,” Savoy said.
He added $7 million is a “significant amount of money.” “We’ll continue to offer top quality programs and services and opportunities within the budget, but $7 million is quite a bit (to lose),” Savoy said.
• • • •
FREE Group Exercise Programs FREE Youth Classes FREE Child Watch for Y Members* FREE Y Active Sessions with a Personal Fitness Coach • NEW Full-Size Gymnasium • DISCOUNTS for Y Members on Sports Leagues, Swim Lessons, Camps & More! * For Family and One-Adult Family Members
• Gymnasium • Exercise Studios • Child Watch
Hays Communities YMCA
465 Buda Sportsplex Dr. near FM 967 & 1626 (512) 523-0099 l AustinYMCA.org
Hays Free Press.com
www.
Schools need nurses. That’s why Dell Children’s Medical Center has been providing school nurses at Austin schools for 20 years. Our Humancare nurses are there for any midday “uh-ohs.” From the playground to the ER, we’ve got you covered.
A member of the
Come See Our New Expanded Facility
Family of Hospitals
Section C
Community
NAP ROOMS
Businesses look into sleeping on the job. – Page 1D
Hays Free Press
HaysFreePress.com
May 18, 2016 • Page 1C
Quaffles, bludgers and snitches
Your local library is a place for families Check It Out
by Melinda Hodges
I
f you’ve been back to the Children’s Area of the Buda Public Library lately, you’ve seen a big change! We’ve created a play area for our younger patrons, which is aimed at children from infants to about 5 years old. There are blocks, a play kitchen, dolls, play cars, infant toys, and more back there now.
A part of the mystique of Hogwarts made its way to Gregg Clarke Park Saturday as muggles and wizards aged 7 to 12 years old participated in the city’s inaugural Youth Quidditch Clinic. The clinic was hosted by the Texas State Quidditch Team, which taught attendees the basics of the sport, which is derived from J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” novels.
CHECK IT OUT, 4C
PHOTO BY RAFAEL MARQUEZ
Opening up to change
Specialized camp helps Texas State alumna overcome difference BY MOSES LEOS III
Fighting mosquitos with the beautyberry It’s About Thyme by David Sargert
news@haysfreepress.com
S
an Marcos resident and Barton Publications employee Paige Lambert slowly moved around behind someone who was talking about her long journey. No longer the shy introvert that the camp parent was talking about, her big smile radiated and caused laughter. Then he saw her, and the fun of going back to the camp that changed her life began. The parent had been telling the students all about this amazing girl, who came to the Hands Down 2 (HD2) camp, not wanting to participate. He told the camp kids how she gained confidence, came out of her shell and soon became a counselor herself. It was a story that affected him years ago and he loved telling, every year, how much this camp helped children. For Lambert, what began as a trip to get braces for her wrists to play soccer as a tween turned into a chance encounter with the counselor who told her about a special camp. On that day Lambert met Amy Lake, co-director for Hands Down 2 (HD2), a camp offered by the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, a non-profit that helps children with special needs and chronic illnesses. For Lambert, a Texas
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAIGE LAMBERT
San Marcos resident Paige Lambert found confidence and friendship through the Hands Down 2 camp, a camp offered by the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, a non-profit that helps children with special needs and chronic illnesses.
State alumna who lives with TAR syndrome, a rare genetic blood disorder characterized by the absence of the radius bone, attending the camp bolstered her confidence and the ability to rise above limitations. She discovered the camp when she was 12 years old. Lake, who was Lambert’s
occupational therapist at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, told Lambert and her mother about what HD2 offered. Lake said the camp’s main goal is to introduce children with hand differences to other kids in similar situations. A much larger goal, Lake said, is to build their self-esteem and
confidence. “They go to camp defined by their hand difference,” Lake said. “When they leave (camp), they are defined by who they are on the inside.” Lake said Lambert was initially hesitant to attend, due in part to her introverted and shy nature. “She didn’t really have a lot of self-confidence and self-esteem at the time, which is a total 180 from today,” Lake said.
But Lambert ultimately warmed up to the idea, based on her desire to step out of her comfort zone, Lake said. That didn’t mean Lambert wasn’t hesitant when her mother dropped her off for day one of the weeklong camp. “I was literally in my mom’s car and thinking, ‘don’t make me go,’” Lambert said. “I was thinking,
OPENING UP TO CHANGE, 3C
During a recent conversation with long-time customer Connie Graves we explored the medicinal qualities of a number of plants and then got onto the subject of mosquito control. Connie shared some fascinating findings from recently completed research at the University of Mississippi. It seems the folks in rural Miss. have known for generations that American beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) works as an effective mosquito repellant. We love this kind of thing and being good scientists we set up a clinical study at the nursery which included a full laboratory funded by millions of dollars of grants from the U.S. government to save the population of the USA from the imminent zika virus pandemic while also providing jobs for all of Texas. . . just kidding! I asked our resident expert Jerry Hinson to score me some beautyberry leaves from his backyard. I crushed a few leaves in my hands, rubbed them on my legs, arms and neck and proceeded into our
IT’S ABOUT THYME, 4C
COMMUNITY
Page 2C
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Mountain City Toms return from Jamaica, mon Y ou cannot find M C Forester in Mountain City. Forester is connected to Mountain City through Mountain City Montage. An opportunity came my way to share M C’s delightful response to the April 27 column (“Old Lady Forester, roadrunners, rattlesnakes) when Editor Moses electronically touched base when I was lounging under a grass-roofed “shade hut” on rocks by the sea in Negril Jamaica. Minimal keystroking, while sipping soursop fruit nectar with lime, did not convey, “M C does not live in Mountain City.” Oh, what a hearty aloud laugh the column gave to me on Sunday when I returned. M C’s laughter had her rolling on the floor. “Oh, Lord!! I sure did laugh for the longest and just couldn’t stop. That poor editor is in the dog house, got readers REALLY confused of where I live. Well,
Mt. City Montage by Pauline Tom
we do need a good laugh anyway. Take care and do come and visit me. Love, MCL” Oh, what a week RonTom and I had “celebrating our 45th” in Jamaica. (Thank you, Southwest Airlines.) Never before have I been so heartsick the morning after a return. I longed to hear birds singing above my head and through the shutters before my eyes opened. A $1,103 shared breakfast of ackee with saltfish, callilou, and johnny cakes did not await me by a sea. (U.S. dollars, $9.35, with tax.) I did not detail to Moses that our “45th anniversary celebration” will not finish up until December 11, the birthday of Beth Smith
OBITUARY PELECH Kenneth Matthew Pelech Sr., 71, of Kyle, Texas passed away on May 16, 2016 after a courageous yearlong battle with Lung Cancer. He was born December 1, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. Kenneth proudly served in the United States Army for 4 years, where he was a medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, a mechanic at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and also served in Korea. Kenneth was one of the first volunteer cart drivers at Seton Hayes Medical Center in Kyle, TX and was also a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. Kenneth was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an avid NASCAR fan and also enjoyed cruises and casinos with his wife. Kenneth had a smile that could light up a room, a contagious laugh, the most amazing sense of humor and was loved by all who knew him. Kenneth is preceded in death by his father, Michael Walter Pelech, and son, Kenneth Matthew
Pelech, Jr. Kenneth is survived by his beautiful and loving mother, Lillian Pelech of California; his loving wife of 33 years, Barbara Pelech of Kyle; his brother, Michael Pelech and his wife, Donna, of Florida; his sister, Donna Wooley, and her husband, Michael, of California; his son, Mark Pelech of Texas; his daughter, Christine Roberts, and husband, Keith, of Mississippi; his step-son, Jeffery Hawthorne, and his wife, Dee, of Minnesota; his step-daughter, Kimberly Hawthorne of Texas; his step son, John Hawthorne, and his wife, Sonia, of Texas; his step son, Jim Hawthorne, and wife, Michele, of Texas; 14 grandchildren; 3 greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Interment will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 10 a.m., under the direction of Harrell Funeral Home, Kyle, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Lung and Cancer Association or Seton Medical Center-Hays in his memory. Condolences may be sent at www.HarrellFuneralHomes.com.
and Karen Herrmann. For our 40th, we started with a series of elements 40 weeks out. Come 50th, it’ll start Christmas Day. Whatever we do this year, even sipping a Slurpee, we are “celebrating.” We departed Mountain City the morning after the ferocious wind-andrain storm, so it wasn’t until Sunday’s walk that we took in the damage. In the Coffey’s front yard, side-by-side (seemingly grafted, but not) trees separated, almost at ground level. The oak still towers while the cedar elm sprawls across the lawn out to the street. The city council decided that limbs will not be picked up now. Rather, each homeowner will deal with their own limbs. Burning is okay. June 30, two months after the storm, is the
end of the “not safe” time span, which started February 1, for intentionally pruning or wounding live oaks according to Oak Wilt Information Partnership, a project between the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Forest Health Protection branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. June 4 is City-Wide Garage Sale. Each household sets their start time and end time. June 11 and 12 are Dumpster Days, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 4th Parade is July 4, 10 a.m.. Anyday at anytime is a good time to send tidbits. Email to ptom5678@ gmail.com (subject: tidbit) or 512-268-5678. Thanks! Love, Pauline
Bingo
Sundays at 2 p.m. Great Fun Great Food $100 Minimum Game Prize $500 Progressive Jackpot
Santa Cruz Catholic Church,
Parish Activity Center
1100 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610 Texas Bingo License No. 17424803181
Texas Crossword and Sudoku sponsored by
Texas Lehigh Cement Co., LP
See Solution on 3C
EARLY DEADLINE The Hays Free Press office will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. Submit your ad by Thursday, May 26 to run in the June 1 edition of the Hays Free Press. Call 512-268-7862 or email paper@haysfreepress.com to submit your ad today.
Sudoku
See Solution on 3C
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
COMMUNITY
Page 3C
Opening Up to Change
Sudoku Solution
Continued from pg. 1C
“They go to camp defined by their hand difference. When they leave (camp), they are defined by who they are on the inside.” –Amy Lake, co-director for Hands Down 2
rock wall climbs and zip lining. For Lambert, the turning point came when campers cheered her on to complete a rock wall climb, despite her fear of heights. “These people, they wanted me to do something cool. They see more than I’m seeing,” Lambert said. “They want me to do more than what I’m doing. They care about what I’m doing.” Over time, Lake said Lambert began to open up as the camp went along. She soon saw the transformation, as Lambert went from a person who didn’t interact with anyone, to someone who was “all in” by the end of the week. Lake said Lambert continued to transform over the
251 N. FM 1626, Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda, Texas 78610 312-1917
BUDA
DRUG STORE
203 Railroad Street Downtown Buda Pharmacy 312-2111 Fountain 312-2172
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
EPISCOPAL
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda
St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda
Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle
The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda
BAPTIST First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor
Your Hometown McDonald’s
McDonald’s of Buda
15359 IH-35, Ste. B P.O. Box 1364, Buda, TX 78610 512-312-2383 Locally owned and operated by Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson
Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626 Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle
Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda
Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda
LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Good Shepherd Ministries FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
2325 FM 967 • 312-0701
Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.
St. John Lutheran, LCMS 20 N. Camino Real (State Hwy. 21), Uhland
CATHOLIC
St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland
NEWS • LETTERS • OBITS CALENDAR • PHOTO GALLERY CLASSIFIEDS • SUBSCRIBE
CHRISTIAN
New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle
A non-denominational church with live contemporary Christian music and life giving teaching! Located 1 block off FM 2001 at 302 Millennium Dr., Kyle, Texas (Millennium Drive is an entrance road) Pastor Rusty Fletcher and family
Services Sun. 11:00 a.m. Wed. 7:30 p.m.
Call or Text 512.393.4460
Visit
afountain.org for more info.
uel Baptist Church n a m Im 4000 East FM 150 (4 miles east of Kyle) (512) 268-5471
SUNDAY: Bible Study for all ages, 9:45 a.m. Worship Service, 10:55 a.m. Pastors: (English and Spanish) Silverio Hernandez WEDNESDAY: Bible Study, 2 p.m. Men’s Bible Study, 7 p.m. Family Discipleship, 7:15 p.m. (Spanish)
and Dale Brown
God with us Sunday Service 5:30 p.m. -1st & 3rd Sundays “SING OUT” – Bring your voices and instruments -2nd & 4th Sundays 2315 FM 967, Buda WORSHIP (at Living Word Lutheran Church) - Open Communion Pastor J.D. Elshoff jelshoff@earthlink.net 512-638-6312
Make THIS your church home!
Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda
FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE
Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle
Friendly, Courteous Service
Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle New Life Sanctuary Kyle 18869 IH 35 North La Quinta Inn Meeting Room
Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770
Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca
Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170
First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666
PRESBYTERIAN
Hays Hills
CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 5:30 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. (Spanish), 11 a.m. (English) 5 p.m. (English)
First Baptist Church
A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161 Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m. Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m. AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m. Nursery Provided www.firstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com
Baptist Church
Adult, teen, children’s classes • Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school
www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626
816 Green Pastures Drive, Kyle, TX 78640 www.iicdd-kyle.org 512-937-2989
Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd • Creedmoor, TX 512-243-2837 FM
13
27
Tex
as
.4
Servicios
Pastor: Rev. David Goeke 210-635-8584 • www.stjohnlcmsuhland.org 20 N. Camino Real (State Hwy. 21) • Uhland, Texas 78640
N. Lp
Viernes, 7:30 PM Sabado, 10 AM y 5 PM
Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:15 a.m. Church Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m.
WEdnESday Pray & Devotion: 6:30 p.m.
Bible Class Worship Worship Bible Class
IGLESIA ISRAELITA CASA DE DIOS
Highway 21, Uhland
N
9:00am 10:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm
Wednesday
of Uhland , LCMS
Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Worship: 11:00 a.m.
COME WORSHIP WITH US! Sunday
8:30 a.m. Traditional service 9:45 a.m. Contemporary service 11:00 a.m. Blended service
Santa Cruz John Catholic Church St. Lutheran Church
1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. Kirby D. Garner, Pastor • Fr. José Luis Comparán, Assoc. Pastor
Call 1-866-691-2369
Word of Life Christian Faith Center 400 Old Post Road, Kyle
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor
Rev. Nancy Day Office 295-6981, Parsonage 512-393-9772 www.BudaUMC.org
Privately owned From local springs
A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle
Journey United Methodist 5151 Industrial Way Dr., Buda
*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m. *Informal Worship (Chapel)-11 a.m. Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m. *On 5th Sundays we conduct one service at 10 a.m. with special music.
Pure Texas Spring Water!
Generations Church 801 FM 1626 (Elm Grove Elem.), Buda
Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle
Elm Street & San Marcos
FM 2770, Buda, Texas 295-4801
Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle
METHODIST
Buda United Methodist Church
CENTEX MATERIALS LLC
New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda
A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE
The Well Buda
Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle
TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP
Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle
Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle
Log onto www.HaysFreePress.com
Texas Crossword, from page 2C
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Rosebrock
Veterinary Clinic
Texas Crossword Solution
Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda
162 5
Debbie Thames, Agent
Sudoku Puzzle, from page 2C
Come worship with us
Tu
rne
rsv
ille
Rd
.
45
FM
Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615
course of her eight years attending the camp. “She was a person who felt like she felt loved, no matter what she did,” Lake said. “Whether she failed or succeeded, she was still going to be successful and loved because she tried.” For Lambert, the time at HD2 helped strengthen bonds with her camp mates, who, she said, became her family. “I made my whole life around this camp every year. They’ve become my family,” Lambert said. “They would be the people I call at 2 a.m. if I had issues and my mom and dad couldn’t help.” Lambert’s experiences at HD2 led her to become a counselor at HD1, a weeklong camp
for children ages 4 to 9 years old and their families. With HD1, Lambert said her goal was to help parents and children adjust to life with a hand difference. But for some parents, worries about whether their child will get married or will struggle in college were legitimate issues. “These kids are five years old. All they’re worried about is getting the toy out of the bottom of the Cracker Jack box,” Lambert said. “With HD1, it shows kids and their parents that it’s okay. Your kids are going to be fine.” For Lambert, the camp taught her she could overcome physical limitations. It also taught her how to be confident in dealing with people more “in a positive, than a negative way.” Lake, who has been a part of the camp for 15 years, said seeing people such as Lambert who succeed motivates her. “It’s so fulfilling to me. The kids tell me all the time that I give so much to them, but they give so much to me,” she said. “I feel happy and I feel like I’m
IH-35
‘I don’t want to,’ and ‘what are you doing to me?’,” Once at the camp, Lambert did her best to talk with her fellow campers. It was a challenge, Lambert said, based on her introverted nature. But she soon realized that even though everyone in HD2 had somewhat similar hand differences, it was something no one ever talked about. Discussions instead focused on topics such as issues with school, dealing with bullies, and talking about relationships. “You’re talking about that, not about your hand difference. It’s to understand how to get enough confidence to not think of your hand difference in those situations,” Lambert said. “You talk about what normal kids talk about. The social awkwardness of a teenager.” Over the course of a week, Lambert slowly began to warm up to the ideas and support given by HD2. The counselors, whom Lambert called “superheroes,” provided not only guidance, but also motivation to accomplish tasks, such as completing
La Casa de Dios, que es la iglesia del Dios vivo, columna y apoyo de la verdad. 1a Timoteo 3:15
THE WELL Matt Behrens, Pastor
512-693-4790 matt@TheWellTX.com @justmattbehrens
P.O. Box 184 Buda, TX 78610
Toll
www.TheWellTX.com
C o m e wo r s h i p w i t h u s Join our church directory by emailing paper@haysfreepress.com.
COMMUNITY
Page 4C
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Life of pioneer family on west Texas frontier was rough R
ichard Franklin Tankersley enlisted in an allvolunteer company of “minutemen” on May 24, 1858 and spent the next 60 days combing the West Texas countryside for hostiles. While he was making the frontier safe for neighbors and perfect strangers, his wife and six children – alone and unprotected – faced the constant threat of attack from the same Indians. Either the head of the household minimized the danger or never gave his loved ones’ predicament a second thought. There can be little doubt, however, that Annie Allen Tankersley was starting to have her own second thoughts about a life-changing decision made ten years earlier. In 1848 she was the 20-year-old daughter of a wealthy Louisiana planter, when she fell in love with the handsome Mississippian who soon became her husband. Five years later, R.F., as Richard Franklin preferred to be known, convinced his obliging bride that the opportunity of a lifetime was waiting for them in Texas. They packed everything worth taking in a couple of covered wagons and headed west with their baby girl and two trusted slaves. The small but determined party crossed the Mississippi River by flatboat and did not stop for more than a night or two until they reached Georgetown. Any hopes Annie may have had of putting down permanent roots in an established
gelo newspaper repeated a story often told about This Week her: “When her husband was gone, Mrs. Tankersin Texas ley could be found sitting History at dusk with a gun across her knees, ready for any by Bartee Haile attack.” It is thought that R.F. community were dashed first laid eyes on the site by R.F.’s announcement of the Tankersleys’ next they were resuming their homestead while scoutwestward trek. ing for Indians during R.F. was looking for the Civil War. Years later, plenty of elbow room one of the grown children with good grazing, and had a vivid memory of that was where the Tankthe South Concho River ersleys in 1864. She made could still their new For the past describe home. “huge flocks four months, From of turkeys, their and antelope half of the crude and deer time he had cabin (that) roamed south of in herds of been away, Brownthousands. wood, he Annie and the The buf“ranched falo came in children had more herds that in than two the distance been living in million looked like acres the officer’s great swarms of open of flies.” quarters at range, In five which Fort Concho at years, R.F’s included cattle herd the insistence more than an area that ran doubled to of a major from west 1,700 threeof Brownworried about and four-yearwood to old steers. their welfare. Brady, With several Chrishired hands, toval, he drove the Mertzon, the headwaters livestock to California of (the) Middle Concho where he was confident River, Bronte, Robert Lee of getting a fair price and Winters” accordin gold for live beef on ing to the San Angelo the hoof. Instead of the Standard-Times. expected $18 a head, he During R.F.’s frequent received $25 which more and lengthy absences, than made up for the 700 Annie Tankersley had no steers lost on the trail. one but herself to depend Fearing $25,000 in gold upon having long since coins would prove too sent the unhappy slaves great a temptation for back to Louisiana. In a his employees, R.F. paid 1978 article, the editor them off and booked emeritus of the San Anpassage on a ship to
Galveston. On the last leg of the epic journey, two fellow travelers relieved him of $500, a pittance in light of the fortune hidden in his bulging saddlebags. R.F. arrived home with his life and his money only to find his family nowhere in sight. For the past four months, half of the time he had been away, Annie and the children had been living in the officer’s quarters at Fort Concho at the insistence of a major worried about their welfare. Not to be upstaged by some meddling hero in a uniform, R.F. built a home for Annie and the kids across the river from the fort in the new settlement of Santa Angela – the future San Angelo. Meanwhile, he invested the enormous profit from his California adventure in land and, of course, more cattle. With the largest herd in the region, the next logical step for R.F. was to supply Fort Concho, Fort McKavett and Fort Stockton with beef. To keep the hungry soldiers well fed, he constructed and operated his own meat processing plant. After 28 years of marriage, Annie filed for a divorce in 1876. It had been a long time coming, and R.F. evidently did not contest the lawsuit or the equitable division of property. R.F. remarried within in the year and fathered seven more children in a tiny hamlet not far from San Angelo that he named for himself – Tankersley. That was where he was buried in
1912 following his death at the age of 84. Free at last to pursue her own dreams, Annie showed herself to be quite the businesswoman. She used the money from the divorce settlement to open the Concho House Hotel and kept it going through two fires and a
major flood. The former southern belle was 71 years old when she passed away at her San Angelo home in 1902. Bartee’s three books and “Best of This Week in Texas History” column collections are available for purchase at barteehaile.com.
DEBBIE THAMES AGENT
Debbie Thames Insurance Debbie Thames Insurance Agency Agency
AUTO • HOME LIFE •• HEALTH BOAT • HEALTH AUTO • HOME • LIFE ••BOAT 251FMN.1626 FM #2C 1626• Buda, #2C TX • Buda, 251 N. 78610 TX 78610 Office: (512) (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 Office: 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 Email: dvthames@austin.rr.com Email: dvthames@austin.rr.com Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated
Greenhouses! 11726 Manchaca Rd. Austin, TX 78748
(On the corner of Frate Barker Rd.)
512-280-1192 Visit: www.itsaboutthyme.com Email Chris Winslow at: iathyme@yahoo.com
It’s About Thyme Continued from pg. 1C
way-overgrown vegetable garden. This is generally a dreaded exercise as the chiggers have made a home there along with their annoying buddies the mosquitos and other mouths with wings. I hate those things and my ankles have itched for the rest of the day from previous excursions
there. ‘Cowboy up’ I told myself as I walked toward the bramble: ‘This is for science!’ I worked in the grass and weeds for over an hour. Not one bite! Not ONE! The plant is also an ornamental gem with deep green leaves and violet/magenta clusters of berries on the stems. (Jerry has a secret stash
of a rare white berry variety he offers to special customers: code word ‘google.’) It grows to 7’ x 7’ and requires well drained soil. It also makes a good jelly. (More on that in the future.) Unfortunately it is NOT a mammal repellant and all sorts of furry critters love it; adjust
accordingly. Science + Food + Aesthetics = Must Have! Happy gardening everyone!
In addition to the play area, we’ve also added to our collection of board books and created a Parenting Collection, which contains books,
audios, and DVDs for parents to get more information about different aspects of parenting. We plan on continuing to add to
this collection, along with other parenting resources. Connect with early childhood learning at the Buda Public Library!
If you have a question for Chris, send it via email to iathyme@yahoo. com. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 www. itsaboutthyme.com
Check It Out
Continued from pg. 1C One reaction people might have is “What? Why are there toys in the libraries?” And that’s a good question! The Buda Public Library is working to earn the Family Place Library™ certification. This certification shows that we’ve expanded our children’s services and parenting resources. Children in that younger age group are developing their brains and building social and mental skills by playing with these toys and tools. Playing allows young children to try out new vocabulary and practice new situations in a safe environment. It also can help them figure out how the world works. For example, a young child can use the blocks to build a tower. She figures out that if she doesn’t build a stable base, the tower falls over, but if she does build a good base, she can make the tower quite tall. That’s real-world physics at work. She then learns that if she doesn’t let her big brother build too, he’ll knock down her tower. There are the real-world social skills coming into play.
TexSCAN Week of May 15, 2016 HOME BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY TO GET PAID DAILY, Great Home Business, Please call 832225-5005 first. Ask about $100 cash referral! Fred 469-909-6624, fredcornell@ legalshieldassociate.com, LegalShield, Independent Associate BUY OR SELL AN RV ONLINE, Best RV Deals and Selection, Owner and Dealer Listings, Millions of RV Shoppers, Visit RVT.com Classifieds, www.RVT.com, 888-574-5499
DRIVERS WANTED ATTN: CDL DRIVERS – Avg. $60k+/yr $2k Sign-On Bonus Voted Best Fleet 2016 Love Your Job and Your Truck CDL-A-Req – (877) 258 – 8782 driveformelton.com Drivers-OTR Miles! Paid loaded/Empty on Practical miles. Volvos/APUs, 1 year OTR Exp. Req. Good Home time/benefits. www. Climateexpress.com or 1-636-584-6073 OWNER OPERATORS ONLY! 80% Gross on Flatbed Freight! Home Weekends. Permits Provided. File/Pay Fuel Taxes. Owner Operators Lease Today! DCL-A, 25 yrs., 2 years OTR experience 870336-9051
EMPLOYMENT
REAL ESTATE
WALk-IN BAThTUB sales person wanted. $100,000+ $4,000/mo guaranteed. Sales experience required, Call Jerry Stewart at 913-276-2143 Ewing Enterprises, LLC
62 ACRES, Val Verde County, Northwest of Comstock. West Texas brush cover, fenced 2 sides. Deer, turkey, javelina, quail. Long term owner financing with 5% down or TX vet financing. 800-876-9720, www. ranchenterprisesltd.com
SCHOOL/TRAINING AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get started training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Av i a t i o n I n s t i t u t e o f M a i n t e n a n c e 1-800-475-4102
INSURANCE AGENTS EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed - Leads, No Cold Calls - Commissions Paid Daily - Lifetime Renewals -Complete Training - Health & Dental Insurance - Life License Required. Call 1-888-713-6020
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ExPANDINg OUR business area and increasing the number of property units in our database. We are widening our network of real estate agents and need more representatives in our account receivable department. It pays 1500-5000USD plus benefits and takes only little of your time. Required Computer Literate. 24 Hours Access Internet Weekly. Must be Efficient and Dedicated. Interested and need more information, Contact Harry Dufrene Email: maturehome@hotmail.com or text (440) 606-6371
MOBILE hOMES with acreage. Ready to move in. Lots of room, 3 Br 2 Ba. Quick and easy owner financing (subject to credit approval). No renters. 817-983-7784
FINANCIAL SERVICES RECEIVINg PAYMENTS from real estate you sold? Get Cash now! Call Steve: 1-888870-2243,www.SteveCashesNotes.com
Run Your Ad In TexSCAN! Statewide Ad .................$550 288 Newspapers, 844,050 Circulation
North Region Only .....$250 95 Newspapers, 297,505 Circulation
South Region Only ....$250 101 Newspapers, 366,627 Circulation
West Region Only ......$250 92 Newspapers, 205,950 Circulation
To Order: Call this Newspaper direct, or call Texas Press Service at 1-800-749-4793 Today!
NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 1-800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop
Extend your advertising reach with TexSCAN, your Statewide Classified Ad Network.
Share the news Publicize your engagements, weddings, anniversaries, new babies or birthdays to the Hays County community with an ad in the Hays Free Press. $105 ad includes text and photos. Call 512-268-7862 or email tracy@haysfreepress.com.
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
COMMUNITY
NEWS UP with your weekly edition of the Hays Free Press
H Local city and county news H Hays CISD sports and school news H Community events and features
Only $32 a year in-county.
Mail in the form below or call Suzanne at 512-268-7862 to start receiving your local newspaper.
Hays Free Press Name__________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________ Zip______________________Home Phone No.________________________________ Email __________________________________________________________________
o Check Enclosed o Charge credit card Credit Card # ____________________________________________________________ Exp. Date __________ /__________ 3# Security Code __ Amount $_______________ Signature ________________________________________________________________
Hays & Travis Counties 3 Years ____$80 2 Years ____$52 1 Year ____$32
Out of County ____$100 ____$68 ____$45
Over 65? Take 10% off!
Out of State ____$155 ____$108 ____$56
Mail check and form to the address below to begin receiving the number one newspaper serving Buda, Kyle and surrounding communities.
113 W. Center St. • Kyle, TX 78640 • 512-268-7862 www.HaysFreePress.com
Page 5C
BEST BETS
Page 6C
COMMUNITY
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Classes, meetings and local events can be found on the calendar at haysfreepress.com. Email event submissions to christine@haysfreepress.com.
Starlight Symphony Orchestra
ENTERTAINMENT
3200 Kyle Crossing (512) 523 9012
Starlight Symphony Orchestra presents “Play and Charity,” featuring Ravel’s “Bolero,” “Video Game Live,” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on May 22 at 4 p.m. at the Hays Performing Arts Center (979 Kohler’s Krossing, Kyle). All are welcome to attend this free event.
Experience it in
EVX
For all showtimes and listings, please check our website or call our showline!
$5 Tuesdays Any Movie. All Day.
Downtown Gallery Night
Thursday, May 19, join San Marcos artists downtown for an evening of food, drinks, and art. Stroll through historic downtown and learn about the growing art community in San Marcos.
ENHANCED VIEWING EXPERIENCE
Excludes special events & advanced showings. EVX & 3-D upcharges still apply
New Year. Same Price. 2016 Refillable Tubs and Cups.
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Movies in the Park: ‘The Good Dinosaur’
Be sure to visit our website!
Bring your blanket and snacks and meet your friends at Gregg-Clarke Park in Kyle for a screening of “The Good Dinosaur” on May 20. Movies begin 30 minutes after sunset. The event is free to the public.
Market Days keeps it Kyle
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Only $7.50 each!
EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.
Join us for inspiring songs of musical theater paired with Scripture followed by BBQ in the courtyard.
The sweet smell of kettle corn, mixed with the bustle of vendors selling their wares resonated in City Square Park last weekend as Kyle held its Market Days event. The theme for Saturday’s event was “Keeping it Kyle,” which saw the event partner with the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce. Revelers also took in live music as Larry Lange and Joanna Ramirez took center stage in the gazebo, followed by The Imperial Starlighters.
512-268-4200
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Hablamos Español
Dr. Steve Howard and Associates
3D - The best mammogram for all women
3D MAMMOGRAPHY
*
DETECTS 41% MORE INVASIVE CANCER Request an appointment at ausrad.com or call 512.453.6100. *Also known as breast tomosynthesis.
Section D
Business HaysFreePress.com
Hays Free Press
May 18, 2016 • Page 1D
Where’s the best place to start a career? Austin, of course, has the lowest unemployment rate, 2.8 percent, of all the 150 cities ranked in the study. Austin’s rate is four times lower than in Fresno, California, the city with the highest unemployment rate, 11.4 percent.
STAFF REPORT
Getting their Zs
Nap rooms trend growing across the country BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
With new technology quickly sweeping the nation, and updates to tech gadgets arriving at lightning fast speeds, it makes a person wonder when they can plan time for sleep. Americans, with their on the go lifestyle, can find it hard to get in the recommended eight hours each night. But for some companies, the idea of a nap room could be a solution to help employees fight workplace fatigue. An article in TODAY in March 2013 highlighted companies like the Huffington Post and Nationwide Planning Associates for pioneering the nap room movement in the country. The companies, according to the report, claimed that they did so
An article by TODAY in March 2013 highlighted companies like the Huffington Post and Nationwide Planning Associates for pioneering the nap room movement in the country. The companies, according to the report, claimed that they did so in hopes of making their workforce more productive. in hopes of making their workforce more productive. Some companies have installed nap rooms that are equipped with actual beds, blankets, and pillows, as well as keeping the room dark and quiet. According to the article, other companies have opted to purchase Energy Pods made by a company called Metro Naps, a special designed chair where employees can catch a power nap on the job. Energy Pods are used in four different continents and 20 countries around
Sales tax revenues continue to climb BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Smaller cities saw big gains when it came to sales tax collection figures last month. According to the May sales tax reports, Niederwald, Woodcreek, and Uhland had sales tax collections rise by 30 percent or more from May
2015. Meanwhile, Buda saw its sales tax collections rise 26 percent from May 2015, as the city raked in roughly $569,000 last month. Kyle had a 14 percent increase in sales tax collections from May 2015. The city collected just over $661,000, which increased its year-to-date total to $2.75 million in sales taxes collected.
the world. The Huffington Post New York office currently has two nap rooms with plans to add a third for its growing staff. A November 2014 Huffington Post article identified results of a July 2014 study by Sleep Review that said nap pod use was on the rise. While nap rooms are on the rise in larger cities, such as New York, they are slowly catching on in Central Texas. Neal Kelly, the Chief Operating Officer at Seton Medical Center Hays, said
Hearing Aid & Audiological Services • Programming • Fittings • Cleaning & Repairs • Tubing Changes • Earmolds • Custom Ear Plugs • Hearing Protection • Assistive Listening Devices • Recasing • ‘Dry and Store’ Kits • Immittance Testing • Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations
• Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) • Otoacoustic Emission Testing (OAE) • Video Nystagmography (VNG)
2016 payments to date
Year-to-date change from 2015 to 2016
$569,410.10
+26.48%
$2,358,307.47
+6.22%
1.25%
$187,214.25
+19.04%
$793,057.04
+14.38%
Kyle
1.50%
$661,516.00
+14.65%
$2,754,816.76
+20.64%
Niederwald
1.00%
$3,196.31
+35.02%
$12,561.89
+25.19%
San Marcos
1.50%
$2,602,273.66
+10.63%
Uhland
1.50%
$13,145.50
+32.16%
$67,518.61
+46.00%
Wimberley
1.00%
$89,962.51
-1.70%
$369,731.48
+15.93%
Woodcreek
1.00%
$4,270.28
+30.85%
$17,358.24
+17.20%
$4,132,741.21
+13.36%
Current rate
Net payment this period
Buda
1.50%
Dripping Springs
Hays County
$12,349,324.18 +10.04%
$18,732,854.76 +11.37%
Two locations to serve you
Pediatric and adult care
Ear & Hearing
Location
512.268.5282
Thyroid and Parathyroid
1180 Seton Parkway Suite 420 Kyle, TX 78660
Location
1005 W. San Antonio Suite A Lockhart, TX 78644
512.444.7944
Highest starting salaries (adjusted for cost of living) in order: Houston, TX; Durham, NC; San Jose, CA; Dallas, TX; and Tacoma, WA. Lowest starting salaries, increasing from 150: Honolulu, HI; Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; and New York, NY.
20th; Fort Worth 21st; Grand Prairie, 24th; San Antonio, 26th; Lubbock, 34th; El Paso, 41st; Arlington, 50th; Laredo,51st; Garland, 70th; Brownsville, 101st. Top city in the nation is Salt Lake City, which came in first in Professional Opportunities ranking and 10th in Quality of Life. Of all the 150 cities ranked, Detroit, Michigan came in last.
KYLE (512) 268-5282 1180 Seton Parkway, Suite 420, Kyle, TX 78640
Ear, Nose and Throat Services • Chronic Ear Infectons • Ruptured Ear Drum • Hearing and Balance Evaluation • Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) • Dizziness & Vertigo
Kyle
Other notes of interest...
Austin Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic
Enjoy the Sounds of Life Again
Lockhart Amber Bass, Au.D, CCC-A
NAP ROOM, 4D
Change from May 2015 to May 2016
Local gov’t
Hearing Centers of Austin Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, LLC
in an emailed response that the hospital does have call rooms or sleep rooms throughout the facility for that purpose. He said the rooms were built to accommodate those physicians who must remain on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We also have several tranquility rooms for staff,” Kelly wrote in his response. “These are quiet places where a staff member can take a break and re-group or close their
College graduates are flooding the market right now, and it seems that local grads are in one of the best places in the U.S. to start their careers. According to WalletHub, an online organization that looks at issues relating to business, Austin ranks third in the nation of the top 150 cities to start a career. Houston is not far behind, placing ninth in the nation. Austin ranks ninth in the Professional Opportunities rank and seventh in Quality of Life rank. For the Class of 2016, the job market is looking up, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Hiring in general is on the rise, as employers report that they plan to hire a recent college grad. Looking at Texas cities, it is worth noting that Houston has the highest monthly median starting salary (adjusted for cost of living), $3,705. That figure is nearly three times higher than in Honolulu, the city with the lowest, $1,332, also adjusted for cost of living. Austin, of course, has the lowest unemployment rate, 2.8 percent, of all the 150 cities ranked in the study. Austin’s rate is four times lower than in Fresno, California, the city with the highest unemployment rate, 11.4 percent. Hays County’s rate is close behind, coming in at 3.2 percent, as of March 2016, according to the Federal Reserve Bank economic research center. Job growth is reported at 2.82 percent, with the future job growth over the next ten years predicted at 42 percent. Other Texas cities coming the top 150 for best places to start a career: Amarillo, 8th; Houston, 9th; Corpus Christi, 10th; Irving, 12th; Dallas, 17th; Plano,
• Ultrasound and Needle Biopsy • Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Allergy
• Testing for Pollen, Mold, Dust & Pet Allergens • Allergy Shots/Drops
Children’s ENT
• Ear Tube Placement • Tonsil & Adenoid Surgery • Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery • Allergy Testing • Sublingual Therapy
Michael Yium, MD
Nose & Sinus
• Endoscopic Sinus Surgery • In-office Balloon Sinuplasty
Thomas Nowlin, MD
Throat, Head & Neck
• Sleep Apnea • Tonsil/Adenoid Surgery • Hoarseness
Visit us online at www.AustinENT.com
Mark Dammert, MD
Classifieds
20 words for $8!
• Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 • Email paper@haysfreepress.com • Place online at www.HaysFreePress.com. • We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover • DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER
Hays Free Press
Page 2D
Employment
Furniture For Sale
LOOKING FOR CLASS A CDL DRIVER
NOW HIRING SITE MANAGER AT THE BUDA MEALS ON WHEELS SITE
Meals on Wheels Program is hiring a Site Manager at the Buda site. The position is part-time 5 days a week for 4 hours a day. Will train. Call Helen at 979-540-2991.
ADMIN ASST. NEEDED
Part-time for growing insurance agency. Experienced in health/life arena preferred, but will train. MS Office a must. 512-551-2091 or email resume to Kurt@ SimplifyMyRetirement.com.
TO: DOE VALLEY INC., AND UNKNOWN SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS AND TO ALL UNKNOWN OWNERS, HEIRS, OR CLAIMANTS IN THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN, Defendants(s) GREETINGS:
RECLINER SOFA FOR SALE
Excellent condition. 79” long x 36” deep. Cupholders and storage. Great buy at $400. Call 512-831-9214.
Appliances For Sale
TEXAS HOME HEALTH OF AMERICA
Hiring now for Care Partners in the Kyle, Buda, and San Marcos area. Flexible schedule, part-time work, competitive rates.
Call for more information: 512-634-1880
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
The nature of said suit is as follows: PLAINTIFF REQUESTS THE COURT GRANT HIM A JUDGMENT FOR TITLE AND POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY WHICH IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS SUIT, BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED AS LOT 3, WOODCREEK, SECTION NINETEEN (19), A SUBDIVISION IN HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 1, PAGE 289, PLAT RECORDS, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, AND BEING MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1 TAMMY TERRACE WIMBERLEY, TEXAS 78676 AND SUCH OTHER AND FURTHER RELIEF TO WHICH PLAINTIFF MAY BE JUSTLY ENTITLED.
WHIRLPOOL REFRIGERATOR FOR SALE
Double door/ white, 25 cubic foot. Like new. $600. 512831-9214
ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at office, on this the 13th day of April, 2016. REQUESTED BY: Joseph J. Malone STEVENS & MALONE LLP PO BOX 727 Wimberley, Tx. 78676 512-847-9277
Lawn care, mowing, edging, weed eating and clean up. 512-484-5838.
SOME BENEFITS MAY APPLY. MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN, LIVE IN HAYS COUNTY, TX, HAVE DRIVERS LICENSE, RELIABLE VEHICLE, & BE AVAILABLE TO WORK DAY, EVENING, & WEEKEND HOURS. TO APPLY CALL 877-474-5226 BY MAY 20, 2016 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO DENVER.RECRUIT@CENSUS.GOV WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, CITY, & COUNTY TO SCHEDULE ATTENDANCE AT OUR RECRUITING SESSION IN SAN MARCOS, TX ON MAY 24, 2016 The U.S. Department of Commerce is An Equal Opportunity Employer. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application process, please notify the agency. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Garage Sales HOMETOWN KYLE’S COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
Saturday, May 21st. 8am-? Off FM 150 in Kyle Many homes, too many to count! Don’t miss a house.
MARKET DAY (MULTI FAMILY GARAGE SALE)
Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 9865 Camino Real (Hwy 21) in Uhland. Crafts, plants, food, furniture & many more items.
Public Notices replacement bridge. No additional right-of-way is required for the proposed project, and there are no displacements. Displays showing the proposed project’s location and geometric design will be available for viewing at the Public Meeting. The information will also be available for public inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the TxDOT South Travis Area Office located at 9725 South IH 35, Austin, Texas 78744. All interested citizens are invited to attend this Public Meeting. Written comments from the public regarding this project are requested and may be presented for a period of 10 calendar days following the meeting. Written comments may be submitted either in person or by mail to TxDOT’s South Travis Area Office, Mr. Victor Garcia P.E., Area Engineer, 9725 South IH 35, Austin, Texas 78744. Written comments must be received by June 16, 2016 to be included in the Public
Meeting Summary. The Public Meeting will be conducted in English. Persons interested in attending the meeting who have special communication or accommodation needs, or need an interpreter, are encouraged to contact Ms. Kelli Reyna at 512-832-7060. Requests should be made at least two days prior to the Public Meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs. If you have general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project, you may contact Michelle Romage-Chambers, P.E., at 512-292-2402. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and TxDOT.
PUBLIC NOTICES, 4D
ADVERTISEMENT TO BIDDERS Lennar Homes of Texas Land and Construction, Ltd., hereafter called OWNER, is requesting sealed written Bids for providing all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and incidentals, complete and ready for intended use, and for performing all Work required for the following Project: STONEFIELD SECTION 11 Located at: Buda, Hays County, Texas The Work consists of a water, wastewater, and drainage improvements per the construction plans. Bid Documents may be secured from the office of the Engineer, Cunningham Allen, Inc. 3103 Bee Cave Road, Suite 202, Austin TX 78746, on their FTP site. They can be reached via email at rcouch@cunningham-allen.com. Sealed Bids will be received at Cunningham Allen, Inc. 3103 Bee Cave Road, Suite 202, Austin TX 78746. ALL BIDS ARE DUE 5 minutes PRIOR TO Public Bid Opening at 11:00 am (Austin time) June 2, 2016. ALL Pre Qualification packages ARE DUE at the Pre Bid Conference. ALL BIDS NOT RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE DATE AND TIME SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR CONSIDERATION. The time recorded by Cunningham Allen, Inc. upon receipt of the Bid, is the time of record. All CONTRACTORS and SUBCONTRACTORS must be registered to do business in the State of Texas prior to submission of a Bid. Prime Contractors are responsible for ensuring that their Subcontractors are registered in the State of Texas. All Bids shall be accompanied by an acceptable Bid Bond executed on forms furnished by OWNER in an amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid, as specified in Section C-200, Instructions To Bidders. Performance and payment bonds when required shall be executed on forms furnished by OWNER. Each bond shall be issued in an amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Amount by a solvent corporate surety company authorized to do business in the State of Texas, and shall meet any other requirements established by law or by OWNER pursuant to applicable law. Minimum insurance requirements are specified in the General Conditions and Supplementary Conditions. Minimum wage rates, unless otherwise specified in the General Conditions and Supplementary Conditions, shall be in accordance with the regulations established by the State of Texas and the Federal Government. Contract Time is of the essence and all Work shall be substantially completed as specified in Section C-520, Agreement between Owner and Contractor. OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Bids and to waive any minor informality in any Bid or solicitation procedure (a minor informality is one that does not affect the competitiveness of the Bid). A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on May 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. (Austin Time) at Cunningham Allen, Inc., 3103 Bee Cave Road, Suite 202, Austin TX 78746. Bidders not attending the Pre-Bid Conference will not be allowed to submit a Bid for the project. AUTHORIZED CONTACT PERSON: Richard G. Couch, P.E. telephone (512) 327-2946 email rcouch@cunningahm-allen.com
Service Directory Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning
NEMEC HEATING & AIR
FREE ESTIMATES FOR REPLACEMENTS SERVICE • SALES • INSTALLS DUCT CLEANING • LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED, INSURED AND REGISTERED
www.AIM4AC.com • 512-312-9080
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
BEVERLY CRUMLEY Hays County District Clerk 712 Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 2211 San Marcos, Texas 78666
By: ________________________ Charlotte Ladd, Deputy
MARTINEZ LAWN SERVICE
20-35 HRS A MONTH. $12.35/HR & $0.54/MILE
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in conjunction with Hays County, will hold a public meeting regarding the proposed replacement of the bridge on Post Road (County Road 140) over the Blanco River in Hays County, Texas. The meeting will be held on June 6, 2016 at the Kyle First Baptist Church, 400 West Center Street, Kyle, Texas, 78640. The meeting will be held in an open house format from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The purpose of the Public Meeting is to present the proposed project to the public and receive comments. The proposed project would replace the concrete slab bridge, which was washed out by flooding in the fall of 2015, with a prestressed concrete slab structure on concrete substructure and drilled shafts. A temporary structure is currently in place. A detour from Post Road to IH 35 will be necessary during construction of the
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days after you were served this citation, the same being 23RD DAY OF MAY, 2016 a default judgment may be taken against you. YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to appear and answer before the 22nd District Court, Hays County, Texas, at San Marcos then and there to answer the PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL PETITION filed in said Court on 5TH DAY OF APRIL, 2016, and said suit being numbered 16-0671 on the docket of said Court, wherein William H. Hudgens, Jr. is Plaintiff and Doe Valley Inc., Unknown Successors and Assigns is the Defendant.
All as more fully appears of record on file in this office, and which reference is here made for all intents and purposes.
Lawn Service
HAS OPENINGS FOR YEAR-ROUND, PART-TIME, SURVEY INTERVIEWERS.
Public Notice
THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION
Trucking Company Located in San Marcos Area Looking for Class A CDL Driver with minimum 3 years Experience Pulling Belly Dump or End Dump. Commission Paid 512-376-4878
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Hays Free Press
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Page 3D
Service Directory Automotive
AMM Collision Center
Now Open in Kyle
3/4 mi. north of Dairy Queen
Buda Automotive
Austin
Adware Spyware Malware Installations Service Software Hardware Custom builds
601 S. Loop 4 • Buda Call
512-295-2832 You know us... by our reputation!
Drippings Springs
21681 IH-35 11740 Manchaca Rd. 3990 Hwy 290
Major Credit Cards Accepted
894-3888
262-1013 292-1060
Concrete Work
Like us on Facebook
A Computer Werks
512-694-1746
www.acomputerwerks.com
Home Repair
Professional Office Home and RV Service in north Hays Co. Consulting Setup Training Backups Upgrades
Dirt Cheap Tractor Work Available
Glass Service
Berry Glass Company Commercial & Residential • Contract Glazing • Storefronts • Insulated Glass
• Flooring • Painting • Remodels • Carpentry Serving Hays County and surrounding areas • Trim Work • Special Design • Free Estimate • Doors & Windows • References Available • Handyman Service Jim ‘Blu’ Cooke, 512-781-2911 • Decks & Railings steelhorseconstructors@gmail.com • Soffitt & Facia • Hardi Siding • Honey-dos
512 312 2767
Rick-Rob Trucking 512- 858-7952
5360 Industrial Way Dr., Buda, TX berryg4129@aol.com
robinnds@aol.com
Legal Services
Constructors
Home Repair/Remodeling
• INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PAINTING • ACOUSTIC CEILING TEXTURE REMOVAL • WALLPAPER REMOVAL
ALL PHASES OF REMODELING
O Painting O Tile O Siding O Decks O Patio Covers O Trim O Door & Window Replacement O Drywall Repair O Custom Cabinets O Electrical & Plumbing
Curtis Dorsett 512-402-4704
“No Job Too Small or Too Big”
Painting
Bring out the best! Call
Ball Brothers
Locksmiths
A
O
1-800-PAINTING
Est. 1985 • License B11969
512-443-3444
512-360-7062
Great References! Book online @
lockmedic@aol.com
BallBrothersPainting.com
Plumbing
The only call you need to make
rince
• Residential Repair Specialist • Remodeling & Water Heaters • Sewer Cleaning & Replacements • Slab & Gas Leak Repair
#M14369
• BBB Member • 20 yrs. Experience • Family Owned • Family Operated
TICL #629
512-326-4695
312-0710
www.gspoolspa.com
MC • Visa
Roofing Company Since 1991
O
Tree Service
Serving HayS County Residential & Commercial
• All types of roofing • Seamless rain gutters • Attic and wall blown insulation
Lees Trees 30+ years in the Hill Country
• Free eStimateS • Insurance Claims Welcome
Ron Johnson OWNER
Serving S. Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994.
Pool and Spa Service
Serving Hays County since 1990
Area Roofing
G&S
(512) 312-5050
Firewood • Pruning • Removal • Chipping Planting • Cedar Posts • Bulk Mulch Free Assessments & Estimates • Insured
Marcus Lees Affordable Oak Wilt Treatment (512) 858-4018 by TTH Inc. TDA #270421 leestrees@vownet.net (512) 921-4661
Member of the BBB
• TAPE, FLOAT & TEXTURE • CARPENTRY & POWER WASHING • DECK STAIN & FENCES
Schedule ball moss treatment for March
• FULLY INSURED, FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • EXCELLENT REFERENCES UPON REQUEST • 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
512-470-3953
Pet Care
Pest Services
Burnett’s Pest & Lawn Services
Just Like Home Pet Care Where Your Pet is Family
Leah J. Mangham,
Owner Serving Kyle, Buda and surrounding areas
512-912-6696
burnettspestcontrol.com
Call 512-376-1200 or email JustLIkeHomePet@aol.com
Dale Burnett and Ken Graef
A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals... – Proverbs 12:10
TDA License 0710914
Pool Service
Pool Service
Plumbing Company
512-268-6425
L ENTIA RESID ING WWW.ALEXPAINTINGAUSTIN.COM PAINT
Interior Painting Exterior Painting Drywall Repair Deck/Fence Staining
Auto - Home - Business
P
TCEQ Landscape Irrigator (LI0020603) Sprinkler System Installation, Repair, and Maintenance • Lawn Drainage (214) 598-9243
130 Hall Professional Center, Kyle, TX 78640
ALEX PAINTING & DRYWALL
Remodeling
ALC
Attorneys and Counselors At Law
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
Painting
Wild West
Locksmith
• Furniture Tops • Tempered Glass • Mirrors
Framed & Frameless Tub & Shower Enclosures
Lawn Sprinklers
Steel Horse
Component Selection Digital Photos System & Process Docs Website Maintenance CD/DVD Duplication
mike@haystech.com
Specializing in Country Driveways
www.rick-rob.com
Computer Systems Software Development Networking Technical Systems Maintenance
Want help selecting the best value? Office systems not maintained? Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless?
Dirt
Loam • Topsoil • Sand • Gravel • Roadbase • Asphalt Millings • Granite • Compost Mix
Hays Free Press
Computer Help
Business, Residential or Commercial
Full Service Car & Truck Repair
3 Great Locations! Kyle
Computer Service
Automotive
Remodeling
TRI-COUNTY CONSTRUCTION
Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM
512-965-3465
Specializing in custom remodeling and insurance repairs since 1984. Fully insured.
Let us make your dreams a reality! 512-282-6224 • 512-280-0085 fax bob.jones@tri-countyconst.com
Tree Trimming
Window Treatments
Clipper Contracting, LLC Bob Clipper, Owner
512-850-9188 • clipper_bob@yahoo.com Locally owned and operated
All your outdoor needs Tree Removal/Trimming • Decks Privacy Fences & More
Beautiful Blinds, Shades, Draperies & Shutters Custom window treatments at affordable prices!
Graber, Hunter Douglas, Norman & more. Low prices with lifetime guarantees and fast professional installation.
Call 512-847-8970
for free consultation & price quote.
www.MadeinTheShadeofwimberley.com
Septic Services
Septic Services
ALL AMERICAN WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS, LLC
SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Locally serving our community since 1982.
(512)
312-0002
Septic Problems... LET US HELP!
www.ALLSEPTICCHECK.com
Septic Tank Pumping & Servicing
Tank Lid Replacements & Tank Refurbishing
Aerobic System Servicing
Septic Inspections & Consulting
Aerobic Licensed Maintenance Provider
Fully Licensed & Insured For Your Protection
Hydrojetting & Pump Replacements
(512)
Septic Repair & Installation Specialist
SEPTIC PUMPING • CLEANING REPAIRS • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
282-3889
COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC. Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.
www.SellmanSepticServices.com
Commercial & Residential
Hays Free Press • May 18, 2016
Page 4D
Public Notices NOTICE FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Sealed Qualifications will be received in the Office of the City Administrative Assistant of the City of Buda until 3:00 p.m. May 26, 2016, for “RFQ 16004, Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing & Customer Service Inspection”. Request for Qualifications may be obtained from the Purchasing Manager at the Buda Municipal Building, 121 Main St., Buda, Texas 78610 or go to www.TexasBidSystem.com click on Bid Opportunities. ADDRESS AND MARK ENVELOPE: “RFQ 16004, Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing & Customer Service Inspection” TO: Purchasing Manager, City of Buda, 121 Main St., Buda, Texas 78610. TO BE OPENED: 3:00 p.m. May 26, 2016.
HAYS CISD IS REQUESTING PROPOSALS
Hays CISD is Requesting Proposals for RFP #18051603SC Waste Resource Management Services. Request for Proposals will be accepted until May 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. local time. Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing Office (512-268-2141 ext 6035) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday or on the Public Purchase web site (www.publicpurchase.com). Responses must be into the HCISD Public Purchase web site by the date and
time indicated above. Late proposals will be returned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all RFPs and waive all formalities in the RFP process.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of LINUS R. WILKS, deceased, were issued on May 6, 2016 under Docket number 16-0115-P, pending in the County Court of Hays County, Texas to SYRREL CHRISTIAN WILKS. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the Estate addressed as follows: Syrrel Christian Wilks Independent Executor Estate of Linus R. Wilks C/O Andrew Gary P.O. Box 727 San Marcos, Texas 78667 All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. Dated this 10th day of May, 2016 Andrew Gary, Bar #7721000 P.O. Box 727 San Marcos, Texas 78667 512-396-2541 andrewgary@grandecom. net Attorney for Syrrel Christian Wilks
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of PHILIP
OLBERT, Deceased, were issued on April 11, 2016, in Cause No. 16-0102 pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas to Roxanne Keidaish, as Independent Executor. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the estate, addressed as follows: Roxanne Keidaish Esate of Philip Olbert, Deceased c/o The Craig F. Yo`ung, Attorney at Law 108 E. San Antonio 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.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Public Sale of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien. Sale to be held Online at Storagetreasures.com by competitive bid. Anytime Storage, LLC 880 Windy Hill Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 Will be ending on or after May 27, 2016 at 11 a.m. Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenant(s). KYLE MARESCA – Appliances, electronics, sporting goods, furniture, auto parts, tool box, household items, & misc.
TABC NOTICE
Chapter 59 Texas Property Code. They will conduct a Public Sale to the highest bidder for cash on their premises. This sale is being listed below. The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time. Morningstar Mini Storage wishes to avail themselves of the Texas Provision of chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code. This sale is listed below. Date: 06/06/2016 Time: 11 a.m. Location: Morningstar Mini Storage, 1001 W. Goforth Rd., Buda, TX 78610 Units: Unit 2093 – Shelia Mae Burbage – Hope chest, furniture, boxes, etc. Unit 3004 – Danny Ramirez – Tennis racquets, boxes, etc. Unit 3137 – Sheila Mae Burbage – Child’s rocking chair, Christmas décor, boxes, etc.
Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine & Beer Retailer’s Permit (BG) by PHO THAISON 3 LLC dba Pho Thaison, to be located at 5401 S. FM 1626 #370, Kyle, Hays County, Texas. Members of said corporation are Son Xuan Nguyen and Thailai Vuong-Nguyen.
TABC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that FM 2001, LLC d/b/a Poco Loco Supermercado is applying with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine & Beer Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit to be located at 2951 FM 2001, Buda, Hays County Texas. Manager: Asifali Karowalia.
CITATION BY PUBLICATION THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF HAYS
To all person interested in the Estate of Edith Elisabeth Magallanez, Deceased, Cause No. 16-0116-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas. The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION TO DETERMINE HEIRSHIP AND FOR LETTERS OF INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION in this estate on the 4th day of April, 2016, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Edith Elisabeth Magallanez, Deceased, and their respective shares and interests in such estate. The Court may act on this Application at any call of the docket on or after 10:00 a.m., on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days from the date of posting this citation, which will be Monday, the 18th day of April, 2016, at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, Texas.
Nap Room
Continued from pg. 1D students are given pillows and blankets when they arrive. The lounge can fit 30 people at a time and is open during the same hours as the student center. According to Rahmann, 24,000 people visit the LBJ student center per week, and a “good percentage” utilize the nap room. During finals week, when Rahmann
said students don’t get enough sleep, the lounge helps them catch up on sleep. While the lounge, which was designed specifically for students, has been around for 18 years, Rahmann said faculty and staff are welcome to use it as well. “I’m interested in doing a lounge for faculty and staff at a higher level someday,” said Rahmann.
All persons interested in this case are cited to appear before this Honorable Court by filing a written contest or answer to this Application should they desire to do so. To ensure its consideration, you or your attorney must file any objection, intervention, or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays County, Texas on or before the above-noted date and time. Applicant’s Attorney: Susan J. Haney 808 West 10th Street, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 476-2212 Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at the office of the Hays County Clerk in San Marcos, Texas on this the 6th day of May, 2016. Liz Q. Gonzalez County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By: _____________________________ Duston Crewes, Deputy
On t he S Inter pot view s
!
INVITATION FOR BIDS Sealed bids addressed to the City of Kyle, will be received until 2:00 P.M. on Thursday the 2nd. day of June, 2016 at the Public Works Administration Building of the City of Kyle located at 520 Ranch Road 150 in Kyle, Texas 78640 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for furnishing all labor, material, tools and equipment and performing all work required for TENORIO ADDITION WASTEWATER SYSTEM REHABILITATION PHASE ONE-B consisting of approximately 2,850 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer line, 11 concrete manholes and 40 service connections including approximately 2,150 linear feet of 4-inch yard line and various line appurtenances in an existing residential subdivision.
of tak w La th e ee st is ad k inc v to re ant dib ag le e off er !
eyes for a few minutes of silence.” The trend isn’t limited to high-powered corporations like Google and Proctor & Gamble or the medical field. Texas State University has bought into the idea that sleep revives people and stimulates productivity. The university in 1998 built a sleep lounge, now called Boko’s Lounge, in the LBJ Student Center for students to sleep inbetween classes. Jack Rahmann, Director of the Student Center at Texas State University, said Boko’s Lounge is different than other student lounges. Rahmann said the lounge is located in the basement of the student center where it’s always kept dark. He said it has overstuffed furniture and
PUBLIC SALE
No Initiation Fee
Bids must be submitted on the Bid Form provided, and must be accompanied by a bid security in a penal sum approximately equal to and not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. The security shall be in the form of a certified check or cashier's check, or bid bond furnished by a reliable surety company having authority under the laws of Texas to write surety bonds in the amount required, with such security made payable without recourse to the City of Kyle. The envelope containing the bid shall indicate clearly on the front that the bid is for TENORIO ADDITION WASTEWATER SYSTEM REHABILITATION PHASE ONE-B. The final Notice of Award of Contract shall be given to the successful bidder by the City of Kyle within sixty (60) days following the opening of bids and no bidder may withdraw his bid within sixty (60) days after opening thereof. The successful Bidder must furnish a performance bond and payment bond on the forms provided, each in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount, from a surety company holding a permit from the State of Texas to act as surety.
Offered through May 31st... NO INITIATION FEE for the first 100 NEW Fitness and Tennis Members! Take advantage of our Special Construction Pricing, as initiation fees for Fitness and Tennis Memberships will increase effective June 1st as follows:
June 1 – June 30 July 1 – July 31 Effective August 1:
$650 Initiation Fee to join $750 Initiation Fee to join $1,000 Initiation Fee to join
Million Dollar Renovation
• New State of the Art Fitness Center • New Legends Bar & Grille • Complimentary Group Fitness Classes
Golf Memberships are also available!
www.OniOnCreekClub.COm
To learn more about our membership opportunities, please contact Marcia Rindfleisch, Membership Director at 512-383-2028 or via email at marciar@onioncreekclub.com Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/onioncreekclub
State statutes including wage and hour provisions and contract regulations must be adhered to as they relate to this project. Contractors will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Copies of the Specifications and Bid Documents are on file and may be examined at the following locations: • Public Works Building 520 E. RR150, Kyle, Texas 78640. • Neptune-Wilkinson Associates, Inc., 4010 Manchaca Road, Austin, Texas 78704. • McGraw Hill Construction Dodge, 3315 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913 • Builders Exchange, 4047 Naco Perrin, San Antonio, Texas 78217. Bid Documents, Plans and Specifications may be obtained at the office of Neptune-Wilkinson Associates, Inc. located at the address above upon payment of fifty dollars ($50.00). No refunds will be made. The right is reserved, as the interest of the City of Kyle may require, to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities in bids received. Honorable R. Todd Webster, Mayor City of Kyle
The Hays Free Press office will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. Call 512-268-7862 or email paper@haysfreepress.com to submit your ad by May 26 to run in the June 1 edition of the Hays Free Press.