June 9, 2021 Hays Free Press by Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch

JUNE 9, 2021 BBQ BOOST

14 INNING FINISH

Austin food truck gets incentive to start brick & mortar business in Buda.

Dripping Springs Tiger baseball team ends playoff run with hard-fought 14 innings.

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Hays Free Press HaysFreePress.com

Vol. 127 • No. 11

Serving Hays County, TX

Kyle to ban camping and begging BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Kyle City Council has followed in the footsteps of some surrounding cities – prohibiting camping and begging on public property. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading, which would add in code to Chapter 23 on Miscellaneous Offenses under Unlawful

Activities in Public Areas. The added code states that residents cannot camp within city limits unless it is in a campground or unless by consent on private property. It also states that no one can beg or solicit money in public spaces, which include streets, highways, parks, parking lots, garages, alleyways, sidewalks, transportation areas,

This is not a punishment that we are trying to bring upon anybody, but basically a protection for our residents, the businesses and for our environment.” –Michael Tobias, Kyle City Council member

These violations are considered Class C Misdemeanors and punishable

schools, office buildings, apartment buildings, businesses and more.

with up to a $500 fine. “This is a very important and controversial topic,” said Council Member Michael Tobias. “As you know what is going on in other big cities… in Austin and other states, in California. This is not a punishment that we are trying to bring upon anybody, but

CAMPING/BEGGING BAN, 10

Kyle preps for roads bond package BY SAHAR CHMAIS Concern that as Kyle’s population grows, its streets are not keeping up with the change. A proposed bond could help resolve the issue. On Tuesday night, Kyle approved hiring Gap Strategies, a consulting firm for urban planning and infrastructure, for a possible transportation bond package to be set on the November election agenda. Kyle will work with the firm over the next few months to review public input received through a community survey and other outreach initiatives. So far, the city’s survey has received 685 responses, or 1.2% of Kyle’s population, on a variety of topics. About 50% of residents were dissatisfied with the street maintenance and 74% found it to be an important issue. Streets with strong maintenance interest include Stagecoach Crossing, Kyle Parkway, Windy Hill Road, Center Street, Bunton Lane, Goforth Road, Dacy Lane, Bebee Road and more. Additionally, residents voted on sidewalk maintenance with about 65% satisfaction. City council unanimously approved payment to Gap Strategies not to exceed $65,000 for its services related to the bond.

Buda sets bond election for Nov. BY SAHAR CHMAIS It comes down to what Buda residents are willing to pay to improve their roads, parks and drainage systems; but there is a possibility the existing residents do not have to pay at all. What if Buda could count on the incoming residents to pay? The most probable solution to enhancing the community is another bond package. As more people move in, the income from their property taxes will help cover the cost of a bond package, which accrues small interest and gets paid over several decades. “If you can plan in advance before the growth gets [to a city],” said Jeff Barton, co-founder of Gap Strategies, a consulting firm for urban planning

BUDA BOND PACKAGE, 4

PHOTOS BY DAVID WHITE Above, Amber Badajosa gets her hair cut to donate to Wigs for Kids. Below are donors Ryan Travis (left) and Lizzie Gibson.

Cut-a-thon yields wigs for kids BY DAVID WHITE Two Girl Scout Troops from Buda and the owner of Buda’s Salon One 12, Rebecca Acosta-Ojeda, partnered in a benefit to collect hair for wigs. It’s a project called Wigs for Kids, a program that has been providing hair replacement and support for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Alopecia, Trichotillomania, burns and other medical issues at no cost to children or their families. Acosta-Ojeda and the Girl Scouts collected hair from 13 donors at a cut-a-thon this past Saturday at Salon One 12. The salon is one of the ambassador salons around the country that can be found on the

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

wigsforkids.org website, where people get their hair cut and donate to the program. Donors must have at least 12 inches of hair to cut to be

Coming Up ARTS IN THE PARK IS BACK

Arts in the Park is back this week, beginning Thursday with a performance by Ray Wylie Hubbard at the Buda Amphitheater beginning at 7 p.m. Friday night will be the showing of Moana. This feature film will begin at 8:45 p.m. at the Am-

phitheatre, so pack up the kids and some blankets and head out to the park for some free family fun.

PEC MEMBER MEETING

Members are invited to the PEC Headquarters Auditorium in Johnson City, 201 South Avenue F, for the Annual Meeting which will take place immediately

POOL CLOSED

Hamilton Pool closed for the summer due to winter.

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Jury trials to resume in Hays County courts

able to donate. The goal for the Acosta-Ojeda and the Girl Scouts is 20-40 wigs. They are accepting monetary donations, as well. Each wig prosthetic

costs about $1,800 to make. For those wanting to get a haircut and donate, Salon One 12 offers half-price haircuts for eligible donors.

before the June Board of Directors meeting June 18 at 9 a.m. There will be no voting at the meeting.

Founders Memorial Park Community Pool will be open to residents looking to cool down from the scorching sun. Admission rates to the pool differ for residents and nonresidents and depend on age. Pool passes can also be purchased online at www.apm. activecommunities.com/ dsrp/Membership. To find out the swim schedules and more details about the pool, visit www. cityofdrippingsprings.com/ page/parks.Aquatics.

KYLE MARKET DAYS

Market Days has returned for the summer. Market Days will be the second Saturday of each month at Gregg-Clarke Park.

FOUNDERS PARK POOL TO OPEN Although the Hamilton Pool Preserve is closed for the summer, the

The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323

After a year of suspended jury trials due to COVID-19, Hays County District Courts will resume jury trials on June 7 and County Courts at Law will resume July 6. With people returning to the court, new health precautions will be put in place. “It is important that we ensure the health and safety of litigants, attorneys, visitors, court staff, judges and any other individuals entering the buildings housing the courts,” said Judge Gary Steel, who serves as the Local Administrative District Judge. Steel was instrumental in coordinating a safe return to court, according to Hays County. The guidelines will not require face coverings, but will continue to follow social distancing rules, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards, Steel said. Additionally, protective protocols may be required during hearings on objections or motions related to proceedings, communication protocols and summoning jurors, he said.

COUNTY COURT IS BACK, 5

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NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • June 9, 2021

Hamilton Pool Preserve prohibits summer swimming

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BY ZOFIA REYES

Hamilton Pool Preserve will be closed for swimming this summer after rocks began falling into the pristine water – an issue caused by the February snowstorm. Snowvid has followed Texans into the summer as freezing temperatures eroded rocks from towering cliffs causing them to fall into the pool and its surrounding areas. This safety hazard led the preserve to prohibit all swimming until further notice, and geologists are currently working to evaluate the endangerment. Guided hikes will also be delayed and the trail below the cliffs will be closed off for visitor safety. Some activities will continue at the preserve

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As Buda continues to be a high-demand destination where people want to move, it has been attracting more developers. The newest addition could be The Reserve, an extension to the undeveloped Colony at Cole Springs. In the original proposal, the builders for Colony at Cole Springs said they would bring 501 homes to the development and were not planning to expand. That changed. On Tuesday night, Meritage Homes sent a representative to present an adjacent development of 300 homes to Buda City Council. The Reserve homes will sit on 109 acres of land with

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for visitors who still want to enjoy a view of the natural pool. Individuals can still sit at the picnic tables that overlook the 50-foot waterfall that runs through

limestone outcroppings. Onlookers may even spot some of the unique wildflowers and birds this preserve holds. To partake in the

activities, Hamilton Pool Preserve requires reservations for a visit which can be made at www.parks. traviscountytx.gov/parks/ hamilton-pool-preserve.

Buda anticipates 300-home development BY SAHAR CHMAIS

512-504-3637 1180 Seton Pkwy, Ste 425 Seton Hays Medical Office Building

The developers said they will do more road improvements in addition to the bridge, which would connect to Jack C. Hays Trail. They will also add 29 acres of parkland, expand the amenities center and the pool space. 55-foot lots, to the west of the Colony at Cole Springs. Council members were skeptical and had many questions during the workshop; most importantly, they raised eyebrows at how this subdivision will affect traffic. A new Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) is on its way to give a better idea than the last TIA from the Colony at Cole Springs proposal. The developers

said they will do more road improvements in addition to the bridge, which would connect to Jack C. Hays Trail. They will also add 29 acres of parkland, expand the amenities center and the pool space. The proposed improvements include re-aligning Cole Springs Road for safety and efficiency and adding two new north-south connectors to Old Black Colony Road and to the beginning of the

Collector Road. Members worry that creating more connectors to Old Black Colony Road will not improve traffic, but only add more choke points. Another concern that Councilman Paul Daugereau and Mayor Pro-Tem Evan Ture shared is the size of the lots. They said it would be better for Buda to have bigger lots that sit on half-acres of land, as the city has a need for that size. Plans for The Reserve are still at their preliminary stages as the developer seeks more guidance from the city. More workshops and ideas will be brought in front of the city council before it can choose to annex the project.

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Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If you can plan in advance before the growth gets [to a city], it’s cheaper to plan it now than it is to retrofit a road later when it becomes more crowded.” –Jeff Barton, co-founder of Gap Strategies. Story on page 1A

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • June 9, 2021

Page 3

Long live the handshake After more than a year of strict COVID mandates, my state has triumphantly reopened. But, some argue, we better think twice before we offer a celebratory handshake. On Memorial Day, Pennsylvania began allowing restaurants, stores, sporting events, schools and other organizations to once again operate at 100% capacity. However, some are telling us it would be best if certain activities, such as our greeting rituals, never go back to normal. In April 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that as our country opens back up, some behaviors, such as the handshake, must change. “When you gradually come back, you don’t jump into it with both feet,” Fauci told podcast host Kate Linebaugh on The Journal. “You say, what are the things you could still do and still approach normal? One of them is absolute compulsive hand-washing. The other is you don’t ever shake anybody’s hands.” Fauci explained that an end to the handshake would prevent the spread of germs and “probably would decrease instances of influenza dramatically in this country.” From a purely antiseptic standpoint, Fauci is correct. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Americans aren’t very good at killing germs by properly washing their hands with hot soap and water. But if we give up our handshake ritual entirely, what else might we be giving up? Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, author of “The Handshake: A Gripping History,” tells MSN that the handshake is “rooted in our DNA.” “The handshake is one of the gold standards of human connection and that is why we see it so much all over the world,” she says. Before COVID, business magazines stressed the importance of a proper handshake to make a good impression on others. A 2011 Huffington Post article titled “The Power of a Handshake: How Touch Sustains

Guest Column by Tom Purcell

Personal and Business Relationships” explains how the power of touch sustains personal and business relationships. It cites University of Iowa research that found that the handshake is rooted “in the age old need to connect with other people.” The handshake is “a first step toward affiliation: the building of a bond with another person.” It is “the foundation of trade with others.” The article further explains that our feelings about someone else, and the pleasure we feel in cooperating, all begin with a handshake. That surely has been my experience. When someone greets me with a cold, clammy handshake and a weak grip, my impression of that person is not positive. When someone’s grip is too tight and he or she looks me in the eyes too eagerly, my impression is that he or she is trying too hard and lacks confidence. Then there is the individual whose grip is just firm enough – whose eye contact is perfectly natural and confident – who begins building in me an immediate sense of well-being and trust. Quite simply, despite the risks, the handshake has long been a powerful form of human communication. Ironically, as the world opens back up – and the handshake ritual is discouraged – National Handshake Day is just three weeks away. Celebrated the fourth Thursday of every June since 2005, it pays homage to the multi-generational ritual of using the handshake to reach out and welcome others and offer a gesture of friendship, peace and forgiveness. Goodness knows we could use more friendship, peace and forgiveness in these divisive times. How much harder will it be to cultivate all three in a world in which the handshake is no longer welcome? Tom@TomPurcell.com

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

Columnists Bartee Haile, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts Proofreaders Jane Kirkham

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CORRECTIONS

Fight over Critical Race Theory hits the statehouse Everyone’s complaining about Congress, but if you want to track the real, festering growth of Trumpism and its corrosive effect on our politics, you’re better served keeping your eye on state capitols throughout the land. Take my home state of Pennsylvania, where the Republican-controlled state House kept itself busy last week by advancing bills that expand gun rights and restrict the rights of people who can get pregnant. Those solutions in search of a problem come even as some lawmakers seek to ban transgender scholastic athletes from competing in sports that correspond to their gender. And as if that were not enough, two GOP House lawmakers threw another log on the culture war fire last week, as they began seeking co-sponsors for legislation that would ban the state’s 500 school districts from teaching what’s broadly referred to as “critical race theory,” and withhold taxpayer funds from districts that run afoul of this ill-conceived proposal should it ever find its way into law. The fight over critical race theory, which scholars view as an overdue attempt to educate public school students on how racial disparities are embedded in U.S history and society, has become the latest bete noire of the right, with conservatives arguing that teachers are trying to inject race into what they think is a colorblind system. The Pennsylvania proposal echoes that con-

as well, although some of those efforts have failed. A group of Republican attorneys general from 20 states this week sent the by John Biden administration a 10Micek page letter chastising federal officials for using two grant tention, arguing that “our programs as “a thinly veiled schools should be teaching attempt at bringing into that every individual is our states’ classrooms the equal under the law and deeply flawed and controthat no individual should versial teachings of Critical ever be labeled superior or Race Theory and the 1619 inferior simply due to their Project.” race or genetic makeup, Meanwhile, conservative nor be held responsible for groups such as the Heritage actions taken by others with Foundation and the Amersimilar traits.” ican Legislative Exchange Such teachings, the Council, which provides lawmakers further argued, right-wing lawmakers with “interfere with our constitu- what’s known as ‘model tional duty to support and legislation’ that they can use maintain a thorough and in their own states, also have efficient system of public stepped up pressure on education to serve the needs conservative state lawmakof the Commonwealth.” ers to rein in the teaching of Which, of course, is non- critical race theory. sense. Lawrence Paska, the But that hasn’t kept executive director of the such efforts from proliferNational Council for the ating nationwide, as GOP Social Studies, a group that lawmakers have succeeded represents social studies in pushing it to the top of teachers, told Policy Watch state legislative agendas, NC that he worries about the Policy Watch reported last amount of control lawmakweek. ers are trying to exert over Governors in Idaho and teachers’ classrooms. Oklahoma already have “We’re concerned with signed measures to forbid this notion of … limiting the teaching of critical race discussion about things like theory in schools this year. racism, sexism and discrimArkansas’ Republican govination, that we can’t talk ernor let a similar measure about those things. That’s become law without his both against what we do in signature, while proposals social education but more in Iowa and Tennessee are importantly, it’s against waiting for their governors’ the very definition of First approval. Amendment freedoms and Lawmakers in North Car- academic freedom for both olina, Arizona, Louisiana, teachers and students,” Missouri, Texas, Utah, West Paska told Policy Watch. Virginia and other states Paska said the goal of have waded into the debate, teaching the faults of the

Guest Column

country is to help make students better citizens, not to shame them. That the bills are coming at a time of heightened awareness of racial and class disparities laid bare by the pandemic is hardly coincidental. And one Black lawmaker from Pennsylvania says he believes it’s a “dereliction of duty” for the Pennsylvania Legislature to waste time – and the taxpayers’ money – on distractions at a time when so many are in need. “Critical Race Theory is not taught in k-12 schools. It’s an analytical approach to understanding inequality and how the law might address persistent inequalities,” Rep. Chris Rabb, a Philadelphia Democrat, told me. “It is taught in some law schools and graduate schools of education. All across the country peddlers of racial division are spreading misinformation to justify creating a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist,” Rabb continued. “What does exist is structural inequality and deep racial disparities. Analyzing their root causes is not controversial. Continuing to deny racial justice, however, is nothing less than cowardly and reckless.” In other words, it’s another day at the office for the modern GOP. An award-winning political journalist, John L. Micek is Editor-in-Chief of The Pennsylvania Capital-Star in Harrisburg, Pa. jmicek@ penncapital-star.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THINK ABOUT THE LIFE

wrenching thing protect the life. Speak for the tiny silent After reading the almost 4 life. Start by not haphazardhalf page columns of the ar- ly and brainlessly creating ticle “Local woman reflects a baby, but once a life is on abortion law changes” in created, don’t accept the the June 2 paper, I have to line of the abortionist. I say, acknowledge the truth that with millions of others, that hardship exists. Some of is a life. Reach out. Get some these hardships are due to help. Honor life. Thanks for our own choices and some allowing me to speak. thrust upon us by circumKaren Depwe stances. None of these hardDripping Springs ships would justify taking a human life. As science IN SUPPORT OF JUDGE LINadvances, it becomes more DA RODRIGUEZ clear how the “tissue” that On Tuesday, June 2, the grows in a woman’s body is Hays Commissioners Court a human being. Most peovoted 3 to 2 for the appointple accept that when they ment of Daniel O’Brian as are excited about the new the new judge for the Court life. I would just ask those of Law #3, all while Judge contemplating abortion Linda Rodriguez had been decisions to consider the presiding over Court of whole truth about the little law #3 across town. Judge body, the life growing within Linda Rodriguez is a highly them and do the hard, incompetent judge with convenient, unplanned, gut decades of judicial experi-

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.

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• The deadline for display advertising and any contributed news copy is 5 p.m. Friday the week prior to publication. • The deadline for Letters to the Editor and classified word advertising is noon Monday the week of publication, though we encourage readers and advertisers to observe the Friday deadline.

ence and very well respected by her peers. During public comment, citizens expressed their support for Judge Rodriguez, citing her impressive qualifications and demonstrated fairness as a Judge. For the Commissioners Court to appoint someone other than Judge Rodriguez, is a slap in the face to all those affected by future rulings – and to Judge Rodriguez herself. The inequities and partisan nonsense of Hays County has once again reared its ugly head. As a Latina – and a woman with firsthand experience with this type of good ‘ole boy cronyism – it angers me beyond words. What I witnessed was three white men appoint another white man with less qualifications over a highly capable, experienced, and proven Hispanic woman

LETTERS GUIDELINES

who is actively performing those duties as a judge. For the commissioners to then muse about a possible “consolation” seat for her to fill as an “associate” judge is disingenuous and an appalling insult.Judge Linda Rodriguez should have been appointed without hesitation to the position of Judge Court of law #3. What the Commissioners Court has achieved in their blatantly, self-serving decision to ignore the people’s will by this 3-2 appointment is to galvanize all those who have ever felt ignored and dismissed, passed over without justification. Change is coming, Hays County. Change is coming... Dr. Michelle Cohen Founder of Hays Latinos United and concerned citizen

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

Page 4

NEWS

Life of a Bond

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • June 9, 2021

Priority Items for a Buda Bond

A city or local municipality identies a need for a project(s). Sometimes the projects are too large to fund through sales tax, revenues or property taxes without raising the tax rate, which can create instability in the tax rate.

In those cases, the entity decides to fund the projects through a bond and calculates the cost of the bond.

Once the financial details are sorted, the bond package is presented to voters during the general election cycle, which occurs in November.

How Much Residents are Willing to Pay Monthly

If the bond passes, the entity sells the bond to private investors on the stock market. Bonds are repaid over an extended period of time with low interest rates.

Extended repayment could be especially advantageous to growing cities. As more people come in, they bring added revenue, new businesses, sales tax and add to the tax roll. The burden of bond repayment does not fall solely on the existing residents, if at all – depending on entitiy’s calculations.

Buda Bond Package Continued from pg. 1

and infrastructure, “it’s cheaper to plan it now than it is to retrofit a road later when it becomes more crowded.” Whether residents want Buda to remain a small city or they embrace the growth, it is expected that the population will continue to increase and reach 40,000 by 2040. Buda’s unstoppable growth has caused a traffic issue that people cannot turn a blind eye to. Roads have become congested and worn down – unable to support the near 18,000 residents and incoming developments. Maintaining the growth while keeping up a certain quality of life may need the intervention of yet another bond, which is expected to be ready by early August, to be voted on in November. How much the bond will cost residents depends on several factors, but there is a possibility that the bond will not hike up taxes on existing residents, according to Barton. Buda has been collecting residents’ options from a survey

Whether residents want Buda to remain a small city or they embrace the growth, it is expected that the population will continue to increase and reach 40,000 by 2040.

improvements, Garison Park is another project the city has set its eyes on. Drainage projects are also an issue the city may be able to tackle in the bond. More than 60% of the survey respondents said they would be willing to pay more taxes to see improvements in Buda, but not everyone agrees

about priority projects wishlist gets put in the the city can add on or bond, it will cost the improve. The survey taxpayers, Barton added. had 564 participants. Besides dozens of road It comes as no surprise that nearly 50% of residents voted in favor of improving roads. The second priority was parks and trails improvement. Gap Strategies is still working on the bond package and has four more meetings to go before the items are finalized. The city has not assessed the bond cost, REAL ESTATE make the move.™ said deputy city manager, Micah Grau, but there are some figures in the works so residents can get an idea on what to expect. If the bond is about $50,000,000, it would ® REALTOR , GRI, CLHMS not cause a tax increase, according to Barton. Specializing in residential, acreage and farm/ranch properties However, the overall wishlist costs more than that; after more meetings Dripping Springs • Wimberley and input, there will Driftwood • Lakeway • Spicewood be more information South, Southwest and Central Austin on whether or not to slim down the bond. If everything on the melanie.fenelon@compass.com • (512) 658-0773

on how much more they are willing to pay. About 16% of the respondents said they do not want any tax increases. It is not too late for residents to voice their opinions about the bond. They can leave comments on what they envision for Buda at www.budabonds. com/contact, or

directly contact their representatives. Buda will have a better idea of what the bond will look like in one month, Grau said. DISCLAIMER: Jeff Barton, co-founder of Gap Strategies, is married to Cyndy-Slovak Barton, publisher of the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch.

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COMMUNITY

Page 5

From the barrio to Beverly Hills “The Dirty Dozen” opened in movie theaters nationwide on June 15, 1967 with a popular Texas-born singer in his first serious role. Trinidad Lopez III inherited his musical talent and stage presence from his father, who was a singer, dancer, actor and gifted musician in his hometown of Moroleon, Mexico. He and his wife Petra crossed the Rio Grande in the mid-1930s as undocumented immigrants and worked hard to make a new life for themselves in Dallas. The third Trinidad, who like his father was called Trini, was born in 1937 in the povertystricken barrio known as “Little Mexico.” To support a growing family that came to include four daughters and two sons, Trini II worked as a manual laborer during the day and a cantina entertainer at night, while Petra took in laundry in addition to her household chores. Trini the younger was 11 years old, when his father spanked him for “hanging around with the wrong kind of kids.” Feeling guilty over the severity of the punishment, he bought

the back of the bus.” Fifteen and anxious Texas to get on with his life, History Trini dropped out of high school his senior year. by Bartee To help his struggling Haile family financially as well as to launch his career, the boy a $12 pawnshop he began playing in the guitar and taught him local clubs and bars, how to play it. several of which were The memory of that owned by Jack Ruby the life-changing event future assassin of Lee always brought a smile Harvey Oswald. to Trini’s face. “That was In 1957 he met the the greatest reward of my West Texan, who was life,” he would say. setting the rock and roll In no time at all, world on fire. Buddy Trini was plucking his Holly recognized the proudest possession for Dallasite’s talent right nickels and dimes on the off and introduced him street corners of “Little to his record producer. Mexico.” Passersby liked More to stay on good it even better when terms with Holly than the youngster sang, anything else, Norman especially traditional Petty invited Trini and Mexican folk songs. his band The Big Beats to Beyond the borders his studio in Clovis, New of the close-knit Mexico. neighborhood, Trini The long and costly encountered the racial trip turned out to be a bias and discrimination bust. Neither Petty nor typical of the times. his bandmates wanted When asked he spoke Trini to sing, which was frankly about his why the two records they childhood experience: cut were instrumentals. “I grew up in a very Fed up with the producer prejudiced part of the as well as his supposed country. My father friends, Trini returned to would take us to a little Big D determined to go it hamburger place – and alone. they wouldn’t serve us. For the next five years, Then, when we would get he continued to make in a bus to go to school, the rounds of the Dallas they would tell us to sit in club circuit. He did

Valentina’s BBQ to receive $200+K incentive BY SAHAR CHMAIS

“If I Had Hammer” that reached No. 1 in 36 countries and No. 3 in the U.S. As a single, it sold more than a million copies and earned the singer his one and only gold disc. For the rest of the Sixties and the Seventies, Trini performed before packed houses wherever he went, especially in Las Vegas and most of Europe. He shared a Paris stage with The Beatles on the eve of their 1964 American invasion. He loved to tell the story of how he “stole the show” from the future “Fab Four” every night. “The French newspapers would say, ‘Bravo, Trini Lopez! Who are the Beatles?’” Trini recorded more than 60 albums prior to his death from COVID-19 in August 2020. He never married and had no children. As the lifelong bachelor once explained, “I’ve always been a loner.” Read all about the early years of the oil frenzy in “Texas Boomtowns: A History of Blood and Oil” Order your copy for $24.00 by mailing a check to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.

If a person has tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous 30 days or currently has COVID-19, judges will require the parties to communicate that information with the court. Judges may permit witnesses to testify remotely if the individual has symptoms of COVID-19, tests positive, has been recently exposed or is vulnerable, Steel said. People who are considered vulnerable include individuals over the age of 65 or have underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma and a compromised immune system. If a juror meets one of more of these criteria, he or she may contact the District Clerk’s office at 512-393-7660 to be excused. This includes teleconferencing, hybrid teleconferencing or an in-person processing in a limited access courtroom. Other precautions that will be taken include the limitation of physical or paper exhibits/evidence where it is reasonable to convert to digital form. Judges could also limit the passing and shared use of microphones during the jury proceedings.

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Texas Lehigh Cement Co., LP

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Gov. Abbott signs lifesaving bill BY ZOFIA REYES

Relations for ACS CAN. It is predicted that Governor Greg Abbott 11,000 Texans will be recently passed a bill that diagnosed with colorectal is geared toward getting cancer this year, and that more Texans tested for about 4,000 of them will colorectal cancer – an not survive. By increasing effort that is expected to screenings, advocates save thousands of lives. hope this number will Senate Bill 1028 was decrease. passed by Abbott on “Colorectal cancer is June 4, and was creatone of the few cancers ed in order to provide that can be prevented accessible and affordable if caught early,” said colorectal cancer testing Anjee Davis, president of for Texans ages 45 and Fight CRC. “...it is more up. Organizations such as important now than ever Fight Colorectal Canthat we remove barriers cer (Fight CRC) and the and increase access to American Cancer Society this life saving screenCancer Action Network ing.” (ACS CAN) have been Setting the age for advocating for this bill as testing at 45 increases they seek to decrease the the chances of catching number of deaths from colorectal cancer, as colorectal cancer. the usual age for testing “If Texans received reg- begins at 50. In recent ular screenings for colyears, the rate of colorectal cancer, thousands orectal cancer in adults of future deaths could be younger than 50 has inprevented,” said James creased, showing a need Gray, the Texas Senior for testing at a younger Director of Government age, granted by this bill.

Continued from pg. 1

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

Sudoku puzzle courtesy of www.4puz.com

the Buda Economic Development Corporation Valentina’s BBQ, an (Buda EDC). Austin-based food truck, The money is proposed will leave the city to make to be used for equipment Buda its new home in a purchase expenses re6,000 square-foot brick lated to the opening and and mortar restaurant. operation of the restauIn light of this venture, rant, said Traci Anderson, the Buda City Council the Buda EDC executive approved a $228,000 director. budget amendment “At the next meetings incentive to the incomthey will actually have ing business, which will the agreements for the bring tax revenue, jobs incentives to be officially and business to downapproved,” Anderson town Buda. The one-time told the Hays Free Press/ fund will be provided by News-Dispatch.

succeed in getting his foot in the door with two small record labels, but nothing came of it. Then in 1962, The Crickets called Trini out of the blue. They needed a vocalist to take the place of Holly, who died in a plane crash three years earlier, and wondered whether he might be interested. Trini flew to Los Angeles at his own expense to audition for the part of the “next Buddy Holly.” But, as he later recalled, The Crickets were too busy partying to talk business. That keen disappointment turned into the opportunity of a lifetime that, in his own words, completed Trini’s journey “from the barrio to Beverly Hills.” Overnight he became the star attraction at PJ’s, a favorite with the Hollywood crowd and other celebrities. It took just two shows for Frank Sinatra to sign Trini to a contract with his own recording label Reprise. In a few short weeks, the live album “Trini Lopez At PJ’s” was soaring up the charts in the United States and Europe. Trini’s debut album featured the smash hit

County Court is Back

See solution on page 7

Page 6

COMMUNITY

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • June 9, 2021

Tiger Baseball season ends with 14 inning loss STAFF REPORT

ROUND ROCK – Just as the clock struck midnight at Concordia University’s Tornado Field early Saturday, so too did the Dripping Springs Tiger baseball team’s magical playoff run. A dramatic 14th inning walk off RBI single by Rouse High’s Michael Solomon brought Tiger dreams of state to a close as the Raiders escaped with a 2-1 win in Game 2 of the UIL Region IV-5A final. Rouse advanced to the UIL 5A state tournament by sweeping Dripping Springs in two contests. Dripping Springs (30-12-1) trailed 1-0 after four frames before battling back and tying the game in the fifth. Tiger senior and University of Texas baseball signee Cameron O’Banan took advantage of a pair of two out walks late in the fifth inning and ripped an RBI single to draw the score even. From there, Dripping Springs and Rouse went toe-to-toe in a tense pitcher’s duel that went

limited the Raider offense to only four hits over the next eight frames. Cody Evans was outstanding on the mound in relief of solid pitching from the starter Brandon Arvidson, who went six innings, striking out 10 Raider batters until the game was delayed more than 35 minutes due to lightening. Evans pitched flawlessly for seven scoreless innings before

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK

Rouse’s game winning hit sometime after midnight. The tenacious Tiger defense forced Rouse to strand 10 runners on the base paths, which included leaving the bases loaded in the sixth inning. However, Dripping Springs’ offense equally struggled against adept Rouse pitching, limiting Dripping Springs ability to cash in on multiple

TIGER BASEBALL, 7

We proudly support our hometown teams Texas hometown friendly bank

Above, Luke D’Alessandro tries in vain to chase down a ball Rouse hit about 365’ that bounced off the wall in left center field in the bottom of the fourteenth inning, scoring the winning run for the Raiders.

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deep into extra innings. Dripping Springs’ pitching staff, which conceded 16 total walks in an 11-1 Game 1 loss to Rouse the night previous,

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • June 9, 2021

COMMUNITY

Page 7

OBITUARY SANCHEZ

She was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, cousin and friend. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fidel and Felicitas, as well as her brothers Ricardo Sanchez and Henry Sanchez, her sister Elsa Paredes, aunt Irma Gonzalez, and her cousin Jorge “Choche” Cantu. Left to mourn the loss of this loving woman are her husband Juan Ramon Vela, jr. daughters Leslie Christine Rios & Liliana Vela, son Juan Ramon Vela III, brother Fidel (Alma) Sanchez, Alfonso “Poncho” Sanchez, Alberto (Socorro) Sanchez, all of Laredo, TX, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

in 2001 where he excelled in many things, especially Patricia sports. He was a member Sanchez, age of the 2000 State Cham51, passed pionship Football Team away on and was selected as an All May 31, American. 2021, at her In 2004, he married his residence high school sweetheart in Kyle, Tx. She was born and the love of his life, October 8, 1969, in Laredo, Menda Baker, in Coleman, Texas to Fidel Sanchez, Texas. They moved to San Sr. and Felicitas Gonzales. Angelo in 2006 where he She grew up in Laredo graduated from the Police and graduated from Nixon Academy and served as a High School in 1988. patrol officer for the San Pat found a new start Angelo Police Department. in Austin in 2008 with her In 2007, they welcomed daughter Leslie and hustheir daughter, Brylee and band Juan Vela. Her family the following year moved describes her as beautito Hays County where he ful, a talented cook who joined the Hays County never wanted anyone to Sheriff’s Office as a deputy. go hungry, loved her pets – They welcomed their son, Chikis, Beanie and Canela. Kelan in 2011. Dustin SPECKELS Pat was known for her served the Sheriff’s Office addictive laugh and loving in various departments Dustin warm heart. She would and found his passion as Kyle Speckalways make everyone feel els, loving a narcotics officer. He was like family. a member of CLEAT and husband Among her other loves, TNOA, and held many and father, of were collecting Precious certifications including Buda, Texas, Moments figurines and his Master Peace Officer passed away Hummel figurines. Despite on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at License. her limitations imposed by the age of 38. Dustin was a dedicated health challenges, Pat rose husband and father. He Dustin was born on to the occasion for her made a significant impact April 5, 1983, in Ballinger, family, always providing Texas and graduated from on so many lives around a warm and loving home. Panther Creek High School him. He lived for his family

and loved traveling, hunting, fishing, camping and watching his kids compete in sports. Dustin was a member of The Connection Church in Buda. He is survived by his wife Menda, daughter Brylee and son Kelan of Buda, Texas; his father Joe and wife Lynn Speckels of Clyde, Texas; his mother Tawnya and husband Alan Davis of Coleman, Texas; his brothers Jerome Speckels (Abilene, Texas), Charles Speckels and wife Monique (Abilene, Texas), Brandon Speckels and wife Christina (Bullard, Texas), and Trent Davis and wife Jennifer (China Springs, Texas); his father-in-law, Marty Baker (Midland, Texas); his mother-in-law, Melissa Baker (Round Rock, Texas); his brotherin-law Myles Baker and wife Desiree; his grandparents Otis and Jackie Murray (Winters, Texas), Bobby and Betsy Davis (Coleman, Texas), Wayne and Pam Hilcher (Waco, Texas), and OL Bronner (Abilene, Texas); and his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew, and cousins. Dustin is proceeded in

death by grandparents, Roger and Beverly Speckels, and Donna Bronner; and uncle Clay Hilcher. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, June 7 at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center, located at 979 Kohlers

Crossing in Kyle, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home in San Marcos, Texas. For more information and to sign the online registry, please visit thomasonfuneralhome.com.

Solidified remains are a clean alternative to ashes that allow you to live comfortably with your departed.

Call us to learn more 512-443-1366 www.HarrelFuneralHomes.com

Tiger Baseball Continued from pg. 6

situations to score a go-ahead run late in the game. Dripping Springs left 14 Tigers stranded on the bases, including leaving the bases loaded in backto-back innings in the 10th and the 11th frames. When asked about this year’s incredible 2912 season, head coach Chris Payne referred to conversations he’d had with one of the winningest coaches in collegiate baseball history, Augie Garrido, who said, “Pressure is a choice.” Payne said those words hit him hard. “It’s a great lesson in life – you’re going to wake up and have to fight this or that – baseball is a game where you’re supposed to fail. This team embodied pressure, they thrived on it and achieved with it.”

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All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

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Right, with rain falling, Cody Evans delivers a pitch in the tenth inning in Friday night’s second game. He pitched seven scoreless innings before Rouse’s game winning hit in the bottom of the fourteenth inning to win 2-1.

In the State 5A Semifinal, Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill (35-8-1) plays Amarillo (33-9) Thursday, June 10 at 4 p.m., Rouse (30-10) will

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

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

Sudoku Solution

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

CHURCH OF CHRIST

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

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

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

BAPTIST

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

EPISCOPAL

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

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

Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626 Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W. CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Texas Crossword, from page 5

Bill Selman, DVM • Kayley Goldsmith, DVM • Ben Fox, DVM 6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747 Give us a call at 512-385-0486

Come worship with us

Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor

Texas Crossword Solution

Committed to your pet’s health since 1978

meet Hallsville (32-8) the same day at 7 p.m. all at Dell Diamond. The State Championship game is June 12 at noon at Dell Diamond.

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 5

Town & CounTry VeTerinary HospiTal

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

Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

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

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

Friendly, Courteous Service

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

Call 1-866-691-2369

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

BUDA

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

DRUG STORE

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

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

Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx

CHRISTIAN

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

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

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

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

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

Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

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

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

First Baptist Church

A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161 Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m. Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m. AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

Pure Texas

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

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

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

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

Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda

Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle

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

Hays Free Press

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

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

Baptist Church

Like us on Facebook

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

METHODIST

Hays Hills

TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP

Nursery Provided

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

Your Hometown McDonald’s

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

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Locally owned and operated by Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM

Sunday Morning

11:00 AM

Sunday Worship

5:45 PM

Wednesday Meal

6:30 PM

Wed TouchPoint SCBC Preschool Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries

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

(512) 894-0480

4000 E. HWY 290

Page 8

NEWS

Classifieds

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • June 9, 2021

SEE HELP WANTED AND WANTED CATEGORIES ON PAGE 10

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code hereby gives notice of public sale under said act to wit: This sale will be held June 25, 2020 at 2:30 PM on StorageAuction. com. The property in the storage unit(s) listed under tenant’s name is being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Safe-nSound Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid or to cancel any public sale advertised. Announcement made the day of the sale takes precedence over any printed materials. KAYLA FISHER – 7.5X10 CC – Wooden entertainment center, full bed and Frame, and Wooden Chest.

PUBLIC NOTICE By order of the Hays County Commissioners Court, notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. in the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, the Hays County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing to consider: ESTABLISHING A “NO PARKING” ZONE ON SUNRISE DRIVE IN SUNRISE ACRES SUBD. IN THE WESTERN ROW NORTH OF SUNRISE CIRCLE.

NOTICE OF SALE Notice of public sale of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien. Sale to be held at A&D Storage at 3280 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX 78640 on June 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. Unit items to be sold to the highest bidder. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenants: (i) Edward Gomez - miscellaneous household items; (ii) Viviana Yanez - miscellaneous household items; (iii) Delorez Garcia - miscellaneous household items; (iv) Marissa Salazar - miscellaneous household items.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Hays CISD is Requesting Proposals for Bid #18052105VL Elementary School Shade Structures – Various Campuses. Proposals will be accepted until 06-102021 at 2:00 p.m. local time. Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing Office (512-268-2141 ext. 45092)

between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Proposal responses must be returned to the HCISD Purchasing Office 21003 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640, by the date and time indicated above. Late Bids will be returned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive all formalities in the bid process.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Notice of 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 June 29, 2021 at 11 AM. Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder. All Units have some miscellaneous household items, boxes, furniture. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenant (s): ISABEL SALAZAR: Christmas, roaster, bins; SERGIO GARCIA: shop tools, supplies, electronics, automotive; MARTIN WIERS: bedding vacuum; MARTIN WIERS: beds, lamps; DAVID BOLLINGER: bed, appliances; DEMETRIUS LINCOLN automotive, appliances.

NOTICE OF SALE Morningstar Storage wishes to avail themselves of the Texas Provision of chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code by conducting a Public Sale to the highest bidder for cash on their premises. This sale is listed below. The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time. Date : 06/28/2021 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Storage Auctions. com Unit: 2009– Brittany Nevarez– ice box, washer and dryer, antlers, jewelry box , tools, totes, boxes, AC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PROPERTY TO SATISFY A LANDLORD’S LIEN Sale to be held Online at Storagetreasures.com by competitive bid. Anytime Storage, LLC 2401 Windy Hill Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 Will be ending on or after

June 29, 2021at 11 AM Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder. All Units have some miscellaneous household items, boxes, furniture. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenant(s): Tyler Gelzaines: rugs, keyboard, shelves, bedding, clothes, art.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROJECTS PROPOSED TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY OF BUDA 4B CORPORATION (BUDA EDC), A “TYPE B” ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SALES TAX CORPORATION The Buda EDC, a “Type B” Economic Development Sales Tax Corporation, hereby gives notice, pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code, Sec. 505.160, that the Corporation intends to undertake the following projects as appropriate in Fiscal Year 2020-2021: Land, buildings, equipment, facilities, expenditures, targeted infrastructure, and improvements found by the Board of Directors to promote new or expanded business development. Specifically, capital project contributions for City of Buda: ($200,000.00); contributions towards the Business Retention and Expansion Program: ($58,000.00); Contributions for new business recruitment: ($4,000.00); Contributions for Sponsorships and Community Outreach: ($21,500); Expenditures for Promotional and Marketing Activities: ($115,000.00); Buda Business Development Program and Small Business Programs/ Grants: ($115,000.00 (total)) including but not limited to: Southern Patio Enclosures, Inc. ($10,000.00), Zoi Clinic, PLLC ($10,000.00), Michael Fallon d/b/a Casa Alde ($10,000.00); Large Business Incentives: ($543,060.50 (total)) including but not limited to Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, LLC ($228,707.00), Buda Mill & Grain Co. ($114,353.50); City of Buda Sportsplex ($25,000.00); Information on any public hearing concerning the above project, if required, will be noticed by agenda and available on the website of the Buda EDC in accordance

City of Kyle, Texas Notice of City Council Budget Meetings and Public Hearings for Proposed Operating and Capital Budget Fiscal Year 2021-2022 The Kyle City Council is scheduled to conduct worksessions, meetings, and public hearings on the City’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 to review revenues, expenditures, and fund balances for all City Funds. This review and discussion will cover property tax rates, water and wastewater service rates, storm drainage fee, other fees and charges for various City programs and services, capital improvement projects, requests for additional personnel, requests for new equipment and vehicles, and other budgetary items. The Kyle City Council is scheduled to hold budget meetings and public hearings on the City’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 on the following dates: • City Council Budget Workshop No. 1: (Completed)

Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 8:00 a.m.

• City Council Budget Workshop No. 2:

Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 8:00 a.m.

• City Council Budget Workshop No. 3:

Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 8:00 a.m.

• City Council Budget Workshop No. 4: (includes public hearing and 1st Reading of Budget & Property Tax Rate Ordinances)

Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

• City Council Budget Workshop No. 5: (includes public hearing & 2nd Reading of Budget & Property Tax Rate Ordinances)

Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

All Kyle residents, taxpayers, business owners, and interested persons are invited to attend the City Council’s budget meetings and public hearings to provide their comments to the City Council. An electronic copy of the City’s proposed operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 will be available on the City's website beginning June 28, 2021. A printed copy of the complete proposed budget document will also be available for public inspection during business hours beginning June 28, 2021, at Kyle City Hall located at 100 West Center Street, Kyle, Texas, and at Kyle Public Library located at 550 Scott Street, Kyle, Texas. Date Issued:

June 9, 2021

Issued By:

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

with the Texas Open Meetings Act. For more information, please contact: Traci Anderson, Executive Director Buda EDC Telephone: (512) 295-2002

NOTICE FOR PROPOSALS Sealed Proposals will be received by the Finance Department of the City of Buda until 2:00 p.m. July 1, 2021, for “RFP 21-007 Financial Auditing Services”. Request for Proposals may be obtained from the Purchasing Manager at the Buda Municipal Building, 405 E. Loop St., Bldg. 100, Buda, Texas 78610 or go to www.texasbidsystem.com. The City of Buda, Texas (“City”) is soliciting proposals from qualified and experienced public accounting firms, whose principal officers are independent certified public accountants (“proposer”) to provide the following services for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

ABANDONED VEHICLE VIN: 1JJV281W56L977828 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 BLACK PICK UP LOCATION: 16859 S IH FRONTAGE ROAD BUDA TX 78610 IMPOUND DATE: 06/04/2021 RELEASE 24/7 WITH PROOF OF OWNERSHIP/VALID STATE ISSUED ID TOTAL DUE AS OF 06/07/2021 $411.02

• Audit services for performance of the City’s annual financial audit. • Audit services for the City’s single audit of State and Federal grants. • Performance of other related services as stated herein. • Additional special assistance as needed. ADDRESS AND MARK ENVELOPE: “RFP 21-007 Financial Auditing Services” TO: Purchasing Manager, City of Buda, 405 E. Loop St., Bldg. 100, Buda, Texas 78610. TO BE OPENED: 2:00 p.m. JULY 1, 2021.

NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE SALE WHEREAS, on December 9, 2009, a certain Adjustable Rate Home Equity Conversion Deed of Trust (“Reverse Mortgage”) was executed by BARBARA HUDNALL AND HAROLD HUDNALL, as mortgagor in favor of METLIFE HOME LOANS A DIVISION OF METLIFE BANK N.A., as mortgagee and BROWN, FOWLER & ALSUP, PC, as trustee, and was recorded on December 16, 2009 under Clerk`s Instrument Number 2009-90032265, Book 3790, Page 607 in the real property records of Hays, Texas. WHEREAS, the Reverse Mortgage was insured by the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (the “Secretary”) pursuant to the National Housing Act for the purpose of providing single family housing; and WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Reverse Mortgage is now owned by the Secretary, pursuant to an assignment dated March 31, 2017, and recorded on April 21, 2017, under Clerk`s Instrument Number 17013485 in the real property records of Hays County, Texas; and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Reverse Mortgage in that the Mortgagors no longer occupies the property; and WHEREAS, the entire amount delinquent as of July 6, 2021 is $662,827.46; and WHEREAS, by virtue of the default, the Secretary has declared the entire amount of the indebtedness secured by the Reverse Mortgage to be immediately due and payable; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, 12 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR part 27, subpart B, and by the Secretary’s designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, recorded on October 15, 2007 in Dallas County under Clerk’s File Number 20070369306, notice is hereby given that on July 6, 2021, at 12:00 PM local time or no later than three hours thereafter, all real and personal property at or used in connection with the following described premises (“Property”) will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder: LOT 19C, OF THE RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 11,12A,12B, 14A,14B,15A,15B,16A, AND 16B OF LAS LOMAS, SECTION II, A SUDIVISION IN HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 6, PAGE 93, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS.

Commonly known as: 101 CAMINO DE ROBLE, WIMBERLEY, TX 78676. The sale will be held in Hays County, Texas at the following location: ON THE FRONT STEPS OF THE HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDING, OR THE PRECEDING AREA IS NO LONGER THE DESIGNATED AREA, AT THE AREA MOST RECENTLY DESIGNATED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER`S COURT or as designated by the County Commissioners Court. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid $662,827.46. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorate share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale. When making their bids, all bidders except the Secretary must submit a deposit totaling $66,282.75 in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check made out to the Secretary of HUD. A deposit need not accompany each oral bid. If the successful bid is oral, a deposit of $66,282.75 must be presented before the bidding is closed. The deposit is nonrefundable. The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered within 30 days of the sale or at such other time as the Secretary may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence. This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. If the Secretary is the highest bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveying fees, all real estate and other taxes that are due on or after the delivery date of the remainder of the payment and all other costs associated with the transfer of title. At the conclusion of the sale, the deposits of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them. The Secretary may grant an extension of time within which to deliver the remainder of the payment. All extensions will be for 15-day increments for a fee of $500.00, paid in advance. The extension fee shall be in the form of a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of HUD. If the high bidder closes the sale prior to the expiration of any extension period, the unused portion of the extension fee shall be applied toward the amount due. If the high bidder is unable to close the sale within the required period, or within any extension of time granted by the Secretary, the high bidder may be required to forfeit the cash deposit or, at the election of the foreclosure commissioner after consultation with the HUD representative, will be liable to HUD for any costs incurred as a result of such failure. The Commissioner may, at the direction of the HUD representative, offer the property to the second highest bidder for an amount equal to the highest price offered by that bidder. There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redemption, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commissioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herein. HUD does not guarantee that the property will be vacant. The scheduled foreclosure sale shall be cancelled or adjourned if it is established, by documented written application of the mortgagor to the Foreclosure Commissioner not less than 3 days before the date of sale, or otherwise, that the default or defaults upon which the foreclosure is based did not exist at the time of service of this notice of default and foreclosure sale, or all amounts due under the mortgage agreement are tendered to the Foreclosure Commissioner, in the form of a certified or cashier’s check payable to the Secretary of HUD, before public auction of the property is completed. The amount that must be paid if the mortgage is to be paid in full prior the scheduled sale is $662,827.46, plus all other amounts that would be due under the mortgage agreement if payments under the mortgage had not been accelerated, advertising costs and postage expenses incurred in giving notice, mileage by the most reasonable road distance for posting notices and for the Foreclosure Commissioner’s attendance at the sale, reasonable and customary costs incurred for title and lien record searches, the necessary out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Foreclosure Commissioner for recording documents, a commission for the Foreclosure Commissioner, and all other costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure prior to reinstatement. Tender of payment by certified or cashier’s check or application for cancellation of the foreclosure sale shall be submitted to the address of the Foreclosure Commissioner provided below. Date: June 7, 2021 L. Keller Mackie Foreclosure Commissioner Mackie Wolf Zientz & Mann, P.C. Parkway Office Center, Suite 900 14160 Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX 75254 (214) 635-2650 (214) 635-2686 Fax

Hays Free Press • June 9, 2021

Page 9

Classifieds PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF EXCLUSION HEARING

NOTICE OF EXCLUSION HEARING

TO THE OWNERS OF PROPERTY WITHIN LASALLE MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 2:

TO THE OWNERS OF PROPERTY WITHIN LASALLE MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 3:

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing shall be held on Friday, June 18, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. solely by telephone/video conference. Any member of the public may participate in this hearing remotely via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89062430030?pwd=TX psVEhYTzM3VEF5Mm8zMjlIT2tKQT09, or by dialing 1-346-248-7799 or 1-253-215-8782 (Meeting ID: 890 6243 0030; Passcode: 403629), at which hearing the Board of Directors of LaSalle Municipal Utility District No. 2 (the "District") will announce its conclusions relating to land or other property to be excluded from the District and will receive and consider petitions for the exclusion of land and other property from the District. However, should the Texas Governor’s March 13, 2020, Proclamation regarding COVID-19 expire prior to the date of this meeting, the meeting will be held in person at Doucet & Associates, 7401 B. Hwy. 71 West, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78735.

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing shall be held on Friday, June 18, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. solely by telephone/video conference. Any member of the public may participate in this hearing remotely via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85835600525?pwd=RTB uaWJUYmVqOVh4c0drbFB3dVJ1Zz09, or by dialing 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-9128 (Meeting ID: 858 3560 0525; Passcode: 589924), at which hearing the Board of Directors of LaSalle Municipal Utility District No. 3 (the “District”) will announce its conclusions relating to land or other property to be excluded from the District and will receive and consider petitions for the exclusion of land and other property from the District. However, should the Texas Governor’s March 13, 2020, Proclamation regarding COVID-19 expire prior to the date of this meeting, the meeting will be held in person at Doucet & Associates, 7401 B. Hwy. 71 West, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78735.

All persons who own property within the District have the right to present petitions for exclusions and to offer evidence in support of the petitions and have the right to contest any proposed exclusion based on either a petition or the conclusions of the Board of Directors and to offer evidence in support of the contest. The legal descriptions of the property to be excluded are on file and open for public inspection in the administrative office of the District at Winstead PC, 401 Congress Avenue, Suite 2100, Austin, Texas 78701 or by email addressed to kstuddard@winstead.com.

A petition for exclusion conforming to all requirements of Chapter 49, Texas Water Code, must be filed with the District at least seven (7) days before the hearing in order to be considered.

LASALLE MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 2 ATTEST:

LASALLE MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 3 ATTEST:

/s/ Mark S. Baldwin Assistant Secretary, Board of Directors

/s/ Ross N. Allen Assistant Secretary, Board of Directors

/s/ Kevin L. Bales President Board of Directors

/s/ Edward Wilhelm President Board of Directors

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STATE NEWS

Hays Free Press • June 9, 2021

Population gains, losses in state detailed The U.S. Census Bureau has released its sub-county population estimates from April 2010 to July 2020. That includes population estimates for the 1,200 incorporated places in Texas. Nine additional Texas towns were incorporated in the past decade, while 13 additional cities surpassed a population of 50,000. The Texas Demographic Center reported that of the 71 Texas cities with populations of more than 50,000, only two lost population – continuing the trend of smaller towns and areas in the state losing population to larger cities. More than 55% of the state’s population growth has been in cities with more than 50,000 residents. Small and mid-sized cities surrounding major metropolitan areas, such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Houston, saw the fastest growth rates, while many of the cities in West Texas and the Panhandle were among the 372 Texas cities that lost population, according to TDC.

EMERGENCY FOOD BENEFITS EXTENDED Benefits for families under a federal nutrition plan have been increased through September, the Texas Health and Human

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

Services Commission announced last week. Under the American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden in March, states can provide eligible families up to $35 per month to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Clients of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program are eligible. “Texas WIC provides foods that have great nutritional value – providing key nutrients at key stages of development,” Texas WIC Director Edgar Curtis said. “This nutritional support early in life builds stronger, smarter, healthier and happier children and Texans. Fresh fruits and vegetables, which are loaded with vitamins and other plantbased nutrients, are at the forefront of that strategy.” The HHSC also announced it is providing roughly $208 million in emergency food benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, extending the maximum SNAP benefits allowable through June. All SNAP recipients will

get a minimum of $95 in emergency allotment, in addition to the 15% increase that continues through September. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by HHSC.

STATE TO RELEASE $5 BILLION IN SCHOOL FEDERAL AID Months after congressional action on a coronavirus relief package, the Texas Education Agency announced Friday that school districts may begin applying for their portion of $5 billion in aid. According to the Austin American-Statesman, how much each district will receive varies. Districts that saw large enrollment declines because of the pandemic will likely not receive as much money, because TEA will divert some of the funds to make up for funding provided at pre-pandemic levels. Much of public-school funding in Texas is based on average daily attendance. However, during the 2020-2021 school year, districts were not penalized when students stayed home.

West resigned Friday, sparking speculation he is considering a statewide race. The Republican party issued a statement that West “will take this opportunity to prayerfully reflect on a new chapter in his already distinguished career.” West has not ruled out challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, who last week touted a re-election endorsement from former President Trump. Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. gborders@texaspress.com

Camping/Begging Ban Continued from pg. 1

basically a protection for our residents, the businesses and for our environment.” Kyle is heavily investing in parks and trails projects; having this type of ordinance will help keep these open spaces safer and the environment cleaner, Tobias added. The code change is similar to what San Marcos has done and the city has used a lot of similar language as used by that city, said Council Member Yvonne FloresCale. While Kyle does not have a problem with beggars, the city is taking a proactive measure to prevent an issue from developing, said Mayor Travis Mitchell. “In the event that the scenario might develop,” Mitchell said, “we

will have the proactive law in the books so we’re not being retroactive. Because it’s always harder to be retroactive, especially on something like this, where they think they are allowed to and we have to pass a law and move them.” Kyle is not completely free of people soliciting money and items. Tobias said he has been approached at some businesses with people asking for money and cigarettes. This also will not completely stop solicitation at people’s homes, as some organizations and entities are protected by the freedom of speech, such as religious-type activities, said the city attorney. Solicitation from door-to-door will not be affected by the new code.

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