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
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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
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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.
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