JUNE 19, 2019 NOW OPEN
OUTSOURCED
Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Preserve now open to the public.
$76,252, spent outsourcing inmates for one week.
– Page 6
– Page 2
Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
75¢
Vol. 124 • No. 12
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
Southwest Kyle Public Improvement District okayed for assessment plans BY KATIE BURRELL
The city of Kyle is in multiple Public Improvement District (PID) agreements in an effort to allow more home projects and upgrade city areas. Kyle City Council recently approved a preliminary assessment plan for yet
Goforth Road rezoning cause of concern for neighbors
The total PID will house a total of 540 singlefamily homes, 345 apartment units and 13,000 square feet of commercial retail space.
another PID. The Southwest Kyle PID is located on 171 acres between Roland Lane and Opal Lane
along I-35. The PID was approved over a year ago, according to Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell, who said the city sees
PIDs as a way to benefit the city and its residents in ways it cannot on its own. The PID will allow the developers of the
area to apply a PID tax to its residents to pay off 20-year bonds. This PID will be divided into two phases, according to Jon Snyder, Kyle’s PID administrator. “This was the approval for the planning of phase one,” Snyder said. “There
KYLE PID, 9
Ultimate Frisbee
BY KATIE BURRELL
REZONING QUESTIONED, 12
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III As the 2019 school year came to a close, students and alumni joined Hays High staff in the annual Ultimate Frisbee tournament held on campus. The event was spearheaded by Hays High educators Billy Norton and Chris Gardner and featured students past and present. See more photos, page 7.
Coming Up Kyle Downtown Development Meeting Business owners and Kyle residents are encouraged to attend a meeting with Kyle officials to discuss the development of the downtown area. Topics will include parking, zoning and design.The meeting is Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m. at the Kyle City Hall, 100 Center Street.
$
Kyle Movie in the Park
Kyle begins its Movie in the Park Series this month in its new location in City Square Park. The June 21 Movie in the Park will feature the film Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Food and coolers are allowed. Movie begins at sundown.
FIRST YEAR ON US
Kyle develops marketing plan for tax rebate program, nixes expansion.
– Page 9
INDEX
A rezoning request for 127 acres of agricultural land along Goforth Road to residential has been met with vitriol and concern from surrounding residents. Land owners Robert and Karen Schlortt have requested to rezone 127.46 acres of agricultural land to Neighborhood Commercial, Community Commercial, Residential Condominium and Single-Family Residential zones. The land is currently used for agriculture and has one home on it but was annexed in 2016 as part of Kyle’s corporate limits. The land is south of the Southlake Ranch subdivision and the Kensington Trails neighborhood, which according to the city, is considered low density. The property’s neighboring citizens disagree with the low-density diagnosis and have written to the city requesting
Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters free program
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program will host a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training June 20 in Kyle. The free program will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Kyle Fire Department 1, 210 W. Moore St. It is being offered in collaboration with the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership.
News……………… 2, 12 Opinion………………… 3 Sports…………………… 4 Education……………… 5 Community………… 6-8
Closed crossings on FM 150 hurting business BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Nestled off the beaten path in the Hill Country, surrounded by the loud buzzing of the summer cicadas, are a plethora of destination businesses which are losing money by the week. Typically, the summer season is the busiest for the numerous wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants in the rural parts of Hays County. But a road closure is keeping people away, costing some businesses up to a 20 percent loss during this peak season. Driftwood is a quaint destination portion of Hays County. The drive is scenic, filled with various low water crossings, wildlife encounters and the roaring waters of the Hill Country. However, one of the most scenic portions of the drive, a low water crossing over Onion Creek on FM 150, is closed, cutting off a major thoroughfare to Driftwood. “It’s having a big impact on those business owners out there and it’s been over 40 days and counting that the road has been closed,” said Driftwood Historical Conservation Society (DHCS) committee member Casey Cutler. “The May flood had a huge impact on the crossing, so we’re just waiting for the best.” The DHCS and business owners met with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) last week on the status of the road. Cutler said the conversation with the state agency was positive, but the road desperately needs to open once again. On the periphery of the road closure sits Vista Brewing, a modern brewery tucked away between the wildflowers and trees of Driftwood.
CLOSED CROSSINGS, 8
IDEA Academy drawing more students, applying for building expansion BY KATIE BURRELL IDEA Academy in Kyle has applied for permission to expand its building into phase two if the school’s expansion plan. IDEA Kyle is currently located at 640 Philomena Dr. in the northern part of Kyle. The school currently
Business……………… 9 Service Directory…… 11 Public Notices……… 10 Classifieds…………… 10
serves 704 students, according to IDEA Kyle, who are in Kindergarten through third grade and sixth through seventh grade. The 30,000 square foot expansion will allow IDEA Kyle to serve high school students as well, a concern for Hays
IDEA ACADEMY, 8
NEWS
Page 2
Hays Free Press 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
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
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.
$76,252 spent outsourcing county inmates for one week, more outsourcing to continue BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Hays County will now outsource inmates to Fort Bend County, a roughly 146-mile trek as the Hays County Jail continues to operate at capacity. The move comes after the county has been forced to outsource inmates due to its overpopulation woes in the jail, costing the county and taxpayer tens of thousands a week, and millions a year. This week alone, the county spent $76,252 outsourcing inmates to nearby counties. “The more we discuss this, the less gets done and the more gets spent,” said concerned resident
Dan Lyon. “Is there any plan to stop this at all? We’re going bankrupt. We’re being bled dry without taxes for doing this, which doesn’t help the prisoner, or help us.”
LETTERS GUIDELINES
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
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.
because of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, I’m not allowed County Judge to keep an overcrowded Ruben Becerra jail,” Villapando said. “I said he is against have to find other counoutsourcing but ties that have bed space remains optimistic to move my inmates to.” the county can find solutions to the issue The ongoing overduring Tuesday’s crowding of the jail, in commissioners court conjunction with ismeeting. sues regarding indigent defense, has led to the formation of a criminal justice task force to make recommendations to the PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO court. Hays County Judge Corrections Bureau Ruben Becerra has priCaptain Julie Villapando oritized criminal justice said the inmate popureform for the county in lations tend to increase an effort to streamline a during the summer process that is currently months. slow moving. “Unfortunately, Becerra said he is not
a fan of outsourcing inmates but understands the county’s hands are tied. Lyon said he believes a large portion of the inmates in the jail is non-violent offenders. Part of this plan could potentially give aid to non-violent offenders instead of funneling them through the criminal justice system. “I consider (outsourcing), and very optimistically when I say it, a bandaid,” Becerra said. The county judge remains optimistic that the task force can make recommendations to help the county.
COUNTY INMATES, 12
Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between June 10 and June 16, 2019.
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.
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
A firefighter prepares to head out to an emergency call in Kyle. PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Emergency officials prepare for the worst BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
An increasing number of natural disasters is beginning redefining how people and governments plan for disasters in unprecedented measures. Residents across Hays County share a common enemy: floods that have swept homes, businesses and taken lives with them. But as these tragedies become the norm, cities are upgrading their disaster relief efforts, unlike anything they have in the past. "Natural disasters in Texas are not only bad but also many," said Wallethub Analyst Jill Gonzalez. "The state has had 104 climate disasters that caused more than $1 billion in damages since 1980, and this is the highest number nationwide." This equates to roughly $10,000 in losses per capita, one of the largest losses from disasters in the country. Texas ranks 42nd in loss amounts from climate disasters per capita, according to a new 2019 report by Washington
Chester is a 3-year-old, neutered male, Labrador Retriever mix. He loves taking long walks on the beach or really just playing in any body of water. Chester gets along well with other dogs and is bright eyed, stubby tailed, and ready to light up your life with his sweet smile.
D.C. personal finance company Wallethub. In conjunction, Texas has the highest share of uninsured people in the country, leaving experts to believe that the aftermath of natural disasters could be financially devastating for the population. But there are steps local jurisdictions are taking to alleviate some of these threats. In Kyle, the departments of communications, public works, parks and police have developed strategies to try and mitigate the economic and safety threats flooding poses. "I can't speak for how it was before I was here, but our officers are equipped with swift water rescue gear and are trained by the fire department for emergency water rescues," said Kyle Chief of Police Jeff Barnett. Barnett said all vehicles are geared up, gassed up and ready to go before a storm hits. Before a storm, the other depart-
EMERGENCY PREP, 8
Katie is a 1-year-old, spayed female, domestic shorthair Tabby. She’s a supercharged sweetheart with a purr like a V8! She’s really happiest when you are near and will rub on you all day long. She does well with other feline friends. This little lady is young, spunky and ready to melt your heart!
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas
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 Committed to your pet’s health since 1978
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
Endanger/Abandon.................................................1 Injury to Child/Eld/Disabled.....................................1 Civil Matter............................................................12 Information............................................................13 Compliance Check................................................14 Property Lost/Found/Negl.......................................3 Alarm Business......................................................46 Alarm Residential..................................................43 Alarm – Panic .........................................................1 Animal Calls...........................................................76 Field Euthanasia......................................................1 Loose Livestock......................................................7 Assault.....................................................................5 Assault - Aggravated...............................................1 Assist EMS............................................................13 Assist Fire Dept.......................................................5 Assist Outside Agency..........................................15 Suspicious Package................................................1 Burglary Habitat......................................................3 Burglary Building.....................................................2 Burglary Vehicle.......................................................4 Criminal Mischief.....................................................1 Environmental Crime...............................................1 Death Investigation..................................................4 Disorderly Conduct.................................................3 Disturbance Noise.................................................19 Disturbance Physical Fight....................................16 Disturbance Verbal................................................18 Driving Under Influence...........................................1 Child Custody..........................................................2 Violation of Order ....................................................1 Narcotics Information..............................................2 MIP Alcohol.............................................................1 Public Intoxication...................................................2 Fraud.....................................................................11 Credit/Debit Abuse..................................................6 Harassment.............................................................8 Threat......................................................................4 Mental Health Follow Up.........................................4 Mental Health Invest................................................6 Mental Health Transport..........................................4 Canine Search.........................................................2 Canine Training........................................................1 Drone Deployment..................................................1 Violation City Ordinance..........................................3 Missing Person........................................................3
Runaway .................................................................2 Public Assist..........................................................23 Disabled Vehicle....................................................20 Close Patrol...........................................................35 Foot Patrol ..............................................................2 Parent Discipline Assist...........................................2 Unsecured/Open Building ......................................1 Welfare Concern....................................................29 Suicidal Person.......................................................5 Investigation..........................................................21 Supplement...........................................................64 Suspicious Circumstances....................................21 Suspicious Person...................................................9 Suspicious Vehicle................................................27 Wanted Person........................................................8 Identity Theft...........................................................2 Theft......................................................................16 Vehicle Theft............................................................1 Unauth Use Vehicle.................................................2 Recovered Stolen Vehicle........................................2 Accident Minor......................................................22 Accident Hit and Run..............................................8 Accident Major/Injury............................................11 Accident Unknown..................................................3 Abandoned/Stored Vehicle......................................8 Traffic Control..........................................................1 Directed/Area Enforcement.....................................5 Traffic Hazard........................................................36 Attempt to Locate.................................................59 Parking Enforcement.............................................12 Traffic Stop..........................................................318 Trespassing...........................................................10 911 Abandoned...................................................246 911 Hang Up...........................................................1 Deadly Conduct.......................................................1 Discharge of Firearm...............................................5 Private Tow/Repo....................................................9 Weapon Concern.....................................................1 Abdominal Pain/Problem.........................................1 Poss Prohibited Weapon.........................................1
The following is a list of highlighted calls made to law enforcement agencies in Hays County between June 10 and June 16, 2019. The location is where the crime was reported or responded to, but may not indicate where the crime actually happened. Agency Activity Date HCSO Burglary - Building 06/10/2019 BPD Burglary - Vehicle 06/10/2019 BPD Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/10/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/10/2019 HCSO Missing Person 06/10/2019 HCSO Recovered Stolen Vehicle 06/10/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 06/10/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 06/11/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/10/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/10/2019 BPD Assault 06/11/2019 HCSO Burglary - Habitation 06/11/2019 HCSO Burglary - Vehicle 06/11/2019 HCSO Burglary - Vehicle 06/11/2019 HCSO Death Investigation 06/11/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/11/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/11/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 06/11/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 06/12/2019 BPD Vehicle Theft 06/12/2019 HCSO Burglary - Building 06/12/2019 HCSO Burglary - Habitation 06/12/2019 HCSO Death Investigation 06/12/2019 BPD Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/12/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/12/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/12/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 06/12/2019 BPD Assault 06/14/2019 HCSO Burglary - Vehicle 06/14/2019 HCSO Death Investigation 06/14/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/14/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/14/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/15/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 06/14/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 06/15/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/14/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/14/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/14/2019 HCSO Inj to Child/Eld/Disabled 06/15/2019 HCSO Assault 06/15/2019 HCSO Burglary - Habitation 06/15/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/15/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/15/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/16/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/15/2019 HCSO Alarm - Panic 06/17/2019 HCSO Assault - Aggravated 06/16/2019 HCSO Assault 06/16/2019 HCSO Death Investigation 06/16/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/16/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 06/16/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 06/16/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/16/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 06/17/2019 HCSO Deadly Conduct 06/16/2019
Time Location 10:55:06 Valley Sierra Ln, Driftwood 19:38:37 Royston Rd, Buda, Speedy Stop 19:21:46 Bartons Xing/Jack C Hays Trl, Buda 14:04:58 Wimberley Village Square Parking 11:09:42 Woodbrook Trl, Buda 17:01:18 Grassy Field Rd, Austin 16:55:22 Robert S Light Blvd/IH 35 Fr Buda 0:13:13 IH 35 Fr, Buda, Fast Break 4 7:56:06 7080 Niederwald Strasse, Kyle 20:17:21 310 Mcgregor Ln, Dripping Springs 23:40:22 Livonia Dr, Buda 7:45:31 Bristlecone Dr, Driftwood 15:20:58 Tailwind Dr, Kyle 17:38:02 RR 12, Driftwood, YMCA 7:55:41 S IH 35, San Marcos, Canyon Trail RV Park 19:12:13 Hunter Ridge Rd, San Marcos 22:08:02 US 290 Dripping Springs, Whataburger 21:37:31 S Old Stagecoach Rd, Kyle 2:34:34 Jack Rabbit Ln, Buda 3:33:04 Foust Dr/Industrial Way Dr, Buda 6:11:39 W US 290 Dripping Springs, Dollar General 16:35:22 Grand Prairie Cir, Dripping Springs 9:51:17 Shrike Dr, Buda 20:04:45 Old San Antonio Rd, Buda, Walmart 11:29:36 Mathias Ln, Kyle 14:44:40 Gatlin Creek Rd, Dripping Springs 13:48:45 Bearkat Canyon Dr, Dripping Springs 22:22:30 Main St, Buda, Brooklyns 16:58:47 Goforth Rd, Kyle, Dollar General East Side 20:01:04 Wimberley, Twin Mountain Manor 15:26:32 Falconwood Dr, San Marcos 23:22:38 Natchez Dr, Buda 2:29:09 RR 1826, Driftwood 22:51:52 500 N FM 1626, Buda 1:33:25 RR 967, Buda Elementary School lower campus 6:56:34 2951 FM 2001 Buda 17:59:02 Trautwein Rd, Austin 21:19:37 Packsaddle Pass/RR 12, Wimberley 18:59:57 Glosson Rd, Dripping Springs 23:09:06 RR 1826, Driftwood, Camp Ben Mcculloch 11:04:24 Airport, Highway 21, San Marcos 20:48:58 Sunrise Dr, Kyle 23:52:19 Tranquility Mtn, Buda 1:22:13 RR 1826, Driftwood, Camp Ben Mcculloch 17:22:00 Windy Hill Rd/FM 2001, Buda 1:42:39 Deertrail Dr, San Marcos 23:48:39 Driftwood Ct, Dripping Springs 13:48:03 Dripping Springs, Springs Apartments 12:17:16 Palomino Ln, San Marcos 10:55:21 High Rd, Kyle, Family Dollar 18:15:36 RR 1826, Driftwood, Camp Ben Mcculloch 20:21:42 Grandview, San Marcos 19:06:30 S Old Bastrop Hwy/Centerpoint Rd, San Marcos 0:26:58 Pleasant Valley Rd/Woodacre Dr, Wimberley 12:04:30 Janzet Dr, Kyle
Opinion
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The county wanted the preserve to benefit the environment, residents and hopefully the school children. This is a lot of natural land that is uninterrupted by development and we are glad to see it open.” –Mark Jones, Pct. 2 Hays County Commissioner on Dahlstrom Preserve. Story on pg. 6.
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Page 3
GUEST COLUMN
Separating fact from fiction with pipeline BY STEVE EVERLEY, TEXANS FOR NATURAL GAS A planned natural gas pipeline that will cross part of the Hill Country has been the focus of a considerable amount of discussion in recent months. As with any infrastructure project, local citizens have raised questions and concerns about the Permian Highway Pipeline. While many of these are understandable, some of the more alarming accusations from pipeline opponents – which also happen to be garnering the most media attention – are simply not supported by the evidence. For example, some opponents have declared that pipelines do not belong in the Hill Country. What you might not know is that there are already more than 810 miles of existing underground pipelines in the region. The fact that these lines have not generated news is actually news itself: Hill Country pipelines operate safely. Achieving that level of safety with minimal intrusion into the community’s daily operations is a testament to how pipeline companies operate in the Hill Country. If we already have existing pipelines moving natural gas safely over and around local aquifers, it follows that this is not an existential threat to the water supply, as the opponents suggest. Certainly concerns about local water quality should be taken seriously. No one wants polluted water. But it’s also true that no one wants to be unnecessarily alarmed about risks to his or her community. Many of the concerns about potential impacts to water presume that the Permian Highway Pipeline will be transporting oil. But this is a natural gas pipeline. The landowner leases and the multitude of permits and approvals from federal and state regulators are all based on the pipeline transporting natural gas. Any change to that would require the developer to restart the entire approval process, which could take months or even years. Pipeline opponents have also used pictures of massive explosions like in a Hollywood action movie, all to suggest the same alarming scene could come to the Hill Country. Once again, inflating the risk for the PHP using images that have no relationship to the project only serve to needlessly incite fear among local residents. Finally, many opponents are suggesting this project isn’t in our interest because Texas is now exporting record volumes of natural gas. The implication is that if we’re exporting a product, then any infrastructure that supports it only serves the interests of end users in other countries, while we only shoulder the costs and risks. Imagine applying that logic to Texas farmers, who rely on export markets and international trade. Or American-made vehicles exported to our trading partners, or the advanced manufacturing processes that produce computer chips used in machines around the world. We rightly support and even encourage these projects in the United States, because they serve not just an abstract notion of the national interest, but also the local communities that host the production facilities and transport networks. Last year, Texas ran a $2 billion trade surplus with Mexico. Laredo recently became the country’s largest trading port, thanks in large part to increased energy exports from Texas. It wasn’t too long ago that we were concerned about over-reliance on imported energy. We’ve flipped that equation, thanks in large part to places like the Permian Basin and our ability to connect the energy produced there to end users, domestically and abroad. Pipelines are the safest means of transporting natural gas, and critical infrastructure projects like the Permian Highway Pipeline represent the best way to expand the benefits of the Texas energy boom to as many residents as possible. Steve Everley is a spokesman for Texans for Natural Gas.
M
FDR in 2020
odern politics can be summed up this way: Republicans frequently refer to Ronald Reagan, while Democrats prefer to conjure memories of Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt's New Deal rescued the nation from the Great Depression with economic reforms and bold individual measures including Social Security. But it was FDR's unfinished business 75 years ago that profoundly inspires Democrats now seeking the presidency. In his State of the Union message on Jan. 11, 1944, Roosevelt outlined what he called a Second Bill of Rights, "under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race or creed." Among the provisions: "the right to adequate medical care," "a good education," "the right to a useful and remunerative job" and "the right of every family to a decent home." For Democrats in the current campaign these are bedrock themes. Sen. Bernie Sanders has reissued his Medicare for All plan, with the support of Senators
Guest Column by Peter Funt
Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren. "Health care is a human right," Warren and Sanders declare in their standard stump speeches, echoing the sentiments of FDR. "I am running to declare education is a fundamental right," said Harris, joining a field that widely supports one form or another of free or low-cost college, universal pre-K, and better pay for teachers. Booker has introduced legislation to establish a federal jobs guarantee program. He believes every American has the right to a job "and that right has only become more important" in today's marketplace, he maintains, where unemployment is low but many Americans still struggle to make ends meet. The other day Bernie Sanders gave a speech in Washington in which he
called for a "21st century economic Bill of Rights" that would ensure the right to health care, higher education, a decent job and affordable housing. It was pure FDR. "Together with organized labor, leaders in the African-American community, and progressives inside and outside the party," Sanders recalled, "Roosevelt led a transformation of the American government and the American economy." Sanders was three years old when Roosevelt outlined his Second Bill of Rights. He's been championing such programs since entering public office in 1981 as mayor of Burlington, Vermont. The only thing separating Sanders from FDR - and the 22 other Democrats running for president - is the single word "socialism." Sanders calls it "democratic socialism" and says it is "the unfinished business of the Democratic Party." He's right. Yet, it is also the crux of how conservatives seek to stir fear and confusion about progressive policies. Sanders reminds us of words President Harry Truman once spoke: "Social-
ism is the epithet they have hurled at every advance the American people have made in the last 20 years." Hours after Sander's speech Republican Sen. Marco Rubio released a video saying democratic socialism "is incompatible with our American values." The GOP National Committee fired off emails titled "Bernie [hearts] socialism," ending with the line "so do his 2020 comrades." The eventual Democratic nominee would probably be wise to avoid the term socialism, made toxic by Donald Trump and his enablers - not because it's wrong, but because it's a distraction. Roosevelt, who was elected president four times, noted in 1944 that liberties enumerated in the Bill of Rights "proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness." The nation will be best served if FDR's vision for expanded economic rights is finally approved by voters in 2020. Peter Funt is a writer and speaker. His book, “Cautiously Optimistic,” is available at CandidCamera.com.
A visit to my childhood home taught me how to grieve
R
ecently, I found myself standing in front of my old house in Philadelphia. From 1966, when I was 4, until 1969, when we moved to Delaware County, I lived in the two-story quasi-Victorian on the 5400 block of North 12th Street. In the 50 years since we left, I've re-imagined that house a million times through the forgiving lens of memory. That house was beloved. Seeing it in person, the house looked like it does in my dreams. Standing there was cathartic, because it reminded me of my origins in a way that almost nothing else has done over the last half-century. The summers spent in Seaside Heights, the sirens of the ambulances as they headed toward Einstein Medical Center, the elderly neighbors next door who would be close to 150 today, all came flooding back. And in an instant I was that little girl who cursed her parents for taking her away from the place she loved, to enter the savage new habitat called "the suburbs." Why am I telling you this
Hays Free Press
of every day, they will still remain insufficiently present in our lives. The best we can hope for is to take pleasure in the physical things that by Christine persist, and that formed the Flowers stage and the props for the dramas and comedies we story, with all the other more lived together. In my mother's important things happening case, this house in Logan was in the world? a big part of it. This summer marks the Looking up at the bay fifth anniversary of my moth- window on the second floor er's death, and I have only where my bedroom had been, just now started to grieve in I remembered her creativity. the way that she deserves. For Responding to my pleas for the first few years, I absorbed a canopy (way too expensive the great weight of my grief in those days), she attached a by looking elsewhere. It was flouncy valance to the ceiling impossible to look directly above my bed and convinced into the pit of sadness that me that it really was a canopy. her death created, because And it was. even my affirming faith in an Peeking into the backyard afterlife was not enough to where two beautiful pear trees blunt the trauma to my heart. had been but were no more, I I made a deliberate attempt remembered how my mother not to think of her, other than planted a vegetable garden to remember her on birthdays like generations of Italians and anniversaries, and write before her, and came up with pithy comments on social bumper crops of tomatoes for media like "as long as we gravy. remember them, they are not Gazing at the front porch, I dead." visualized her rocking one of Turns out that's not true. my brothers when he had fallI now know that even if we en on the steps and skinned think of them every moment a knee, and I almost smelled
Guest Column
Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com
Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton
Reporters Exsar Arguello and Katie Burrell
News and Sports Editor Moses Leos III
Columnists Bartee Haile, Chris Winslow, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts
Proofreaders Jane Kirkham Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialists James Darby
the Bactine and alcohol. I also remembered the time when, dressed in her bathrobe and fuzzy slippers, she had to burglarize her own home by breaking and climbing through the front window because my then-4-year-old brother locked her out when she walked me to the bus stop. And then I thought of my father, who made it possible for us to live in this paradise. He worked so hard that we rarely saw him, a fledgling lawyer with four kids under the age of 7 and huge debt. He was so proud that he could provide for us what he'd never had as a child who grew up in foster homes. Seeing that house, still there, still lovely, still filled with someone else's family, still capable of creating memories for other children, makes it easier to grieve my beloved parents, who did the best they could for us. Christine Flowers. Flowers is an attorney and a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, and can be reached at cflowers1961@gmail.com.
113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Production Manager David White Production Assistants Elizabeth Garcia, Michelle Zimmerhanzel
Office Manager Verna Wommack Circulation/Classifieds David White, Verna Wommack Distribution Kimberlee Griffon
Page 4
Sports
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Hays CISD selections to the 25-6A All District Softball Team DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
HONORABLE MENTION LEHMAN
Brianna Rodriguez, Hays
Isabell Harrington - Infield Emily Perry - Designated Player/Utility America Cienega - Infield
PITCHER OF THE YEAR Max Valdez, Hays
COACH OF THE YEAR Lisa Cone, Hays
FIRST TEAM HAYS
HAYS
Brianna Rodriguez - 3rd Base Max Valdez - Pitcher Kaylin Davis - Outfield Kari Louk - Infield Amaya Guerrero - Outfield Katie Noble - Pitcher
FIRST TEAM LEHMAN
Gabriela Rodriguez - Outfield Adriana Ybarra - Infield Seryna Avalos - Infield
SECOND TEAM HAYS
All Hays Free Press, News-Dispatch Softball Team PLAYER OF THE YEAR
OUTFIELD
Camille Corona, Dripping Springs
Amaya Guerrero, Hays Kaylin Davis, Hays Ryann Campbell, Dripping Springs
Camille Corona didn’t just break records during her standout four year tenure at Dripping Springs High. She shattered them into a million pieces. Sporting a career batting average of .522 and an on-base percentage of 1.268, as well as compiling 148 total stolen bases, Corona’s efforts will, for all intents and purposes, not be approached for some time. That includes a program record batting average of .650 in 2019. For full disclosure, Corona, a University of Texas at Austin pledge, broke her own 2018 program record batting average. Amid the myriad of accolades and accomplishments, including becoming the first Dripping Springs softball athlete to win the Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A-6A Player of the Year, we at Barton Publications unanimously choose Corona as our 2019 Player of the Year. In 2019 alone, Corona went 76 for 117 at the plate with 44 stolen bases and 27 total RBIs.
FIRST TEAM INFIELD Kari Louk, Hays Seryna Avalos, Lehman Brianna Rodriguez, Hays Kyndall Womack, Dripping Springs
Annaliese Rodriguez Catcher Emma Morales - Outfield
HONORABLE MENTION HAYS Megan Kelnar - Outfield Jordan Tovar - Infield
SECOND TEAM
FIRST TEAM LEHMAN
Mackenzie Pierpoint, Dripping Springs Izzy Bermudez, Dripping Springs Isabell Harrington, Lehman Ariana Ybarra, Lehman
SECOND TEAM HAYS
ACADEMIC ALL-STATE:
CATCHER Annaliese Rodriguez, Hays
HONORABLE MENTION Jordan Tovar, Hays America Cienega, Lehman Emily Perry, Lehman Megan Kelnar, Hays Audrey Dienhart, Lehman Katie Noble, Hays Jayna Reid, Dripping Springs Brooke Rummel, Dripping Springs
Lucas Abbott, Lehman
SECOND TEAM INFIELD Seth Stephenson, Hays Brennan Frickel, Dripping Springs Emory Saucedo, Lehman Richard Herrera, Hays
OUTFIELD Nate Tate, Hays Parker Alford, Dripping Springs Chase Ruston, Hays
PITCHER Zach Tjelmeland, Dripping Springs
INFIELD Uli Tovar, Hays Ryan Davenport, Dripping Springs Zane Lilljidahl, Hays RJ Cabela, Dripping Springs
CATCHER Matt Gustafson, Dripping Springs
*
ply. *Exclusions ap Check with HR for details.
Garrison Vaughn - 2nd Team Dean Gallagher - 2nd Team Andrew Guzman Honorable Mention Cameron Salinas Honorable Mention
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT: Garrison Vaughn Seth Stephenson Chase Ruston Arnold Galindo Andrew Guzman Cameron Salinas Tyler Cooper Jacob Cerda
CATCHER
$2,500
HONORABLE MENTION HAYS
Logan Hulon, Dripping Springs
Nick Gullo, Dripping Springs
2019 Summer Retention Bonus offered Earn up to
Shayne Miles - Pitcher Albert Martinez - 3rd base Nathan Tate- Outfield Tyler Cooper- Pitcher
PITCHER
CDL RESIDENTIAL DRIVERS
Chase Ruston - Outfield Jeremy Copeland - Pitcher
PITCHER
John Murrillo, Lehman Garrison Vaughn, Hays Ty Kaatz, Dripping Springs
WANTED:
John Murillo - Outfield Lucas Abbott - Catcher
SECOND TEAM LEHMAN
Amaya Guerrero, Hays Emma Morales, Hays Gabriela Rodriguez, Lehman
FIRST TEAM
Matt Roiland Taylor Monroe Aidan Martinez Curtis Hudgeons Brycen Lee
Aidan Martinez - Pitcher Zane Lilljedahl - 3rd Base Ulises Tovar - 1st Base Seth Stephenson - Short Stop Garrison Vaughn - Outfield
INFIELD
OUTFIELD
Up until he suffered an elbow injury in mid-April that kept him off the mound, Hays High’s Aidan Martinez was on pace for a breakout season. Compiling a 5-1 record and a bounty of strikeouts, Martinez, a University of Arkansas Pine Bluff pledge, was easily the go-to ace in a loaded Hays bullpen and was a legitimate threat for any and all opponents in the rough and tumble 25-6A. Even after being forced to shut down his arm midseason, Martinez didn’t let that prevent him from playing a key role, both on the field and in the dugout, in the Rebels’ return to the postseason. Martinez’ teamfirst mentality, combined with a stellar season at the plate, is why we at Barton Publications tab him to be our 2019 player of the year.
Hays CISD selections to the 25-6A All-District Baseball Team FIRST TEAM HAYS
OUTFIELD
Aidan Martinez, Hays
Seryna Avalos Kenna Weisenburger Brianna Lopez Audrey Dienhart Ariana Ybarra Gabriela Rodriguez Lauren Villareal Lexi Bechtel America Cienega Aliyah Tanguma
Lexi Bechtel, pitcher Audrey Dienhart, catcher
Max Valdez, Hays
Bailey Hudgeons, Dripping Springs
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Carla Aleman Celeste Cisneros Alexis Cooks Kaylin Davis Abby Garcia Amaya Guerrero Megan Kelnar Kari Louk Katie Noble Annaliese Rodriguez Brianna Rodriguez Jaeden Tovar Jordan Tovar Max Valez
LEHMAN
SECOND TEAM LEHMAN
PITCHER CATCHER
All Hays Free Press, News-Dispatch Baseball Team
SOFTBALL ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT SELECTIONS
• Local driving opportunities • Competitive pay • Great benefits • Paid holidays • Paid time off • Uniforms provided • Weekly pay
TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
Apply online at www.TexasDisposal.com/careers or call 512-329-1778
www.AustinENT.com Comprehensive ENT Care for All Ages
Hearing Aid Services & Sales
Ear & Hearing
Hearing Aid Services
Hearing & Balance Evaluation Chronic Ear Infections Dizziness & Vertigo Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) Ruptured Ear Drum
Thyroid & Parathyroid
Ultrasound & Needle Biopsy Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery
Allergy
Comprehensive Allergy Testing Allergy Shots & Drops
KYLE
Children’s ENT
Ear Tube Placement Tonsil & Adenoid Surgery Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery
Nose & Sinus
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery In-office Balloon Sinuplasty
Diagnostic Hearing Tests
Comprehensive Hearing Exams Immittance Testing OAE, VNG and VRA Testing Brian Schwab, M.D.
Throat, Head & Neck
Sleep Apnea Hoarseness/Vocal Cord Dysfunction
TWO LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA
1180 Seton Parkway Suite 420 Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-5282
Hearing Aid Sales, Programming Fittings, Cleanings & Repairs Earmolds & Custom Ear Plugs Hearing Protection
Mark Dammert, M.D.
Michael Yium, M.D.
LOCKHART
1005 W. San Antonio #A Lockhart, TX 78644 (512) 444-7944
Amber Bass, Au.D.
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Page 5
Education
PHOTO BY JIM CULLEN
Students get tour of new Johnson High School
Earlier this month, members of the inaugural freshman class at Moe & Gene Johnson High got to get their first look at the new campus. The students, members of the Class of 2022, will be the first group to attend the school when it opens in August. On Aug. 3, Hays CISD will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the school.
COURTESY PHOTO
Retiring teachers
On June 4, Science Hall Elementary faculty and staff celebrated the retirement of educators Sue Thames and Gloria Lopez-Guerrero. Between them, the two educators have devoted 75 years of service to Texas education.
COURTESY PHOTO
For the pets
During the 2019 school year, Fuentes Elementary Aiden Minor and 20 of his classmates collected two truck loads of gently used items for pets and donated them to the PAWS Animal Shelter in Kyle. Helping the project was Hays CISD educator and sponsor Jennifer DePizzo.
PHOTO BY JERRI LOPEZ
BVES Pilots Summer Reading Program
Earlier this month, the Blanco Vista Elementary School 1st and 2nd grade students selected 10 books to keep forever. In addition, they also added a summer comprehension packet to their tote bag of books to work on over the summer. On “Meet the Teacher Night,” the students will turn in their reading packet to their new teacher and receive a mini-field trip reward in September. The overall goal of the program is to prevent the “summer slide.”
Kyle Montessori school looking to expand after city approval Now delivering to Buda! BY KATIE BURRELL
A Kyle area Montessori school’s plan to rezone for expansion got the green light from city leadership May 21, despite a few bumps in the road. By a 7-0 vote on first and final reading, the Kyle City Council May 21 approved rezoning property that houses La Casa de Bambini, also known as the Montessori School of Kyle, to Residential 3 (R-1-3). The rezoning item, however, came to the dais under complicated circumstances. The property where the school is located, 701 Scott Street, was not correctly zoned, despite the campus’ existence. Half of that property was zoned as Agricultural (AG) while the other half was Residential 1 (R-1). School officials planned to move into a second building on the parcel, but the city requested a rezoning for the plots of land. According to city documents, for “reasons unknown,” the school was not required to incorporate Kyle development regulations prior to opening. City officials said R-1-3 was preferred as it allows for more than one home to exist on a property. R-1 zoning allows for the property to house only
one structure. However, city officials said Montessori Schools count as public schools and are allowed in most types of zoning. During a May 14 public hearing, teachers at the school spoke about the importance of the school’s expansion, as it was the first of its kind to exist in Kyle in 2002 and is one of the few non-traditional education options within the city. Genevieve Vaughn, owner and operator of the school, said the school seeks to not only expand, but also begin projects to improve the current building. Parents and teachers
said the need for children to attend Pre-Kindergarten has risen. Although House Bill 3, which allows all-day Pre-K funding in Texas, many parents will still be looking to holistic schooling before their child ages into first grade. “I lived a quarter mile down the street from the Montessori school for 15 years and they’ve been a great neighbor,” said resident Lisa Starlin. “We’ve got this big neighborhood across the street from them now, so there is more need for more quality childcare in our neighborhood.” Kyle’s options for Pre-K will expand in the fall semester with Hays CISD’s
increased capacity for Pre-K classes. However, all-day Pre-K mandated by the State of Texas will still be available only to qualifying children, not all children. The Montessori’s teachers and parents are hoping the expansion will allow the school to take children off the school’s waitlist and put them into the classroom. “This project is especially important to our family,” said resident Ashley Stagni. “This project will allow us to have two separate rooms, which means a more quality education. If we want better elementary schools, better pre-schools are what we need.”
NOW OPEN!
340 Old San Antonio Rd, Suite C Buda, TX 78610
(512) 856-5150
BUFFET HOURS:
11-2 every day, 5-8 Sunday and Wednesday
For all the latest news in Hays County, go to .com Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities
Page 6
Community
HAYS FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO
Above is a photo taken on the Dahlstrom ranch circa the 1940s.
Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Preserve now open to the public BY KATIE BURRELL The project the late Gay Ruby Dahlstrom worked for almost a decade over is now complete and open to the public as a nature preserve and conservation easement. Hays County, the Hill Country Conservancy and the Dahlstrom family announced the opening of the Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Preserve. The nature preserve is located in Buda on the Dahlstrom Ranch spanning 384 acres of undeveloped land. Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said the county fully supported the PHOTO BY CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON project and invested more Above, Gay Ruby Dahlstrom announces that 2,275 acres of than $5 million into it. the Dahlstrom Ranch would be set aside for preservation in a “The county wanted 2010 press conference. the preserve to benefit the environment, residents compliant. Dahlstrom was a and hopefully the school “The family needed to longtime resident of children,” Jones said. make the land profitable,” the county, moving “This is a lot of natural here with her family in land that is uninterrupted Jones said. “They didn’t want it 1937. Dahlstrom was a by develto fall wife and mother, and opment into de- she was an entrepreand we Visitors can pay velopneur who codeveloped are glad $3-5 for a day pass ment for educational software for to see it homes Kapstrom Inc. Dahlopen.” and tour through and strom also had a hand The the land through busiin redeveloping the preserve nesses. Buda Mill and Grain opened the Hays County There’s property in Downtown in May Parks Department. only Buda. with one spot Dahlstrom’s impact guided Additionally, vison the on the community is tours, but itors can hike a preserve seen as overwhelmingthe famwhere ly positive. Before her ily has 3.15-mile walking you can death in 2014, Dahlexpandtrail. The trail ineven see strom wanted to leave ed access a house the area better than she to the cludes .75 miles in the found it which is how area this that is American disthe idea for an open-tomonth. tance.” the-public conservation Visitors Disabilities Act Aceasement began. can pay (ADA) compliant. cordDahlstrom’s son and $3-5 for a ing to three daughters will carday pass ry on the legacy of the and tour through the land the Hays County Parks Department, the park will preserve in her name. through the Hays Counonly allow 60 guests per More information ty Parks Department. day in order to limit traffic about accessing the Additionally, visitors can and human impact on the preserve and reservahike a 3.15-mile walking land, much like the rules tions can be found at trail. The trail includes .75 miles that is American applied to the Jacob’s Well http://jwna.checkfront. Natural Area. com/reserve/. Disabilities Act (ADA)
OBITUARY NORRIS Billy Jack Norris, 77, of Burnet, Texas, passed away on May 30, 2019 in Austin, Texas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on June 22 at 7:45 pm at the Shady Hollow Community Center located at 3303 Doe Run, Austin, Texas 78748. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 11:30 am at the Bethel Community Center, 6821 FM 963 Burnet, TX 78611. Bill was born in Burnet, Texas on March 19, 1942 to Andrew Jackson Norris and Vesta Elizabeth Cowan Norris. He graduated from Buda High School in 1960.
He married Carol Ann Barrow on December 15, 1962, and she preceded him in death. He remarried on January 1, 2000 to Vickie Bills. They were married for 19 years. He is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Vesta Norris, Sisters Hazel Lea Jones, Nellie Jo Brown, Betty Sue Voelcker. He is survived by wife Vickie Bills, his siblings,
Bobbie Jean Brigham, June Cathryn and her spouse Cecil DeLancey, his daughters, their spouses, grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Alice and Jeffrey Reeves, Buda, TX, Nancy and Geoffrey Blish, Austin, TX, grand children Clayton and Dana Reeves, Richmond, TX, Kevin Reeves, Buda, TX; Kenny Reeves, Buda, TX; Sheldon Wall, Austin, TX; and Courtney Reeves, Buda, TX, and Kinsley Grace Reeves, Richmond, TX. He was a lineman, electrician, and supervisor for the City of Austin Electric Department from January 1961 to April 1991. He spent 30 years with the city.
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Eagle Scout project to honor former mayor L ike Marcia McClendon says, ““You never know what beauty you may come across in Mountain City.” At our house, for over a week, we’ve been mesmerized watching a glamourous red dragonfly with shimmering wings. When I mentioned on FaceBook the dragonfly’s repetitious dipping onto the surface of a puddle at the base of our Big Boulder Birdbath, Penny Moulder commented, “That is how they deposit their eggs.” A red dragonfly has also visited The Garaway’s on Maple and The Puckett’s midway on Live Oak Drive. And, Donna Helm on Pecan commented, “I have orange stinging caterpillars eating up one of my new plants.” Near the front of the city last Wednesday, Teresa Williams caught sight of a roadrunner sitting on the tailgate of a parked pickup truck. “He/she was just sitting looking lost on the back of this truck.” Drew Hilton, son of Amy “Mountain City Fun” Hilton, started a GoFundMe to raise $3,000 for his Eagle Scout project, a Message Board (for city official notices and Loving Mountain City announcements) and bench that will
community events represented by the community message center. There will be an “In Memory/ Honor Donation” list on by Pauline the opposite side next to Tom our city trail map. If you make a donation of $100 sit near the front of the city or more, your loved ones in memory of Mountain name can be engraved on City Mayor Phillip Taylor. this list. Please be sure to It was described in council comment your name and meeting as “TPWD-style”. the memory/honor of. For To donate, find a link Example: Amy Hilton in on the Facebook of Loving honor of her Boy Scouts MountainCity or search Drew and Cameron Hilfor “Drew Hilton” on Goton. If you are a business FundMe.com. or community leader that Here’s how Drew dewould like to be listed in scribes the project: the business/community For my Eagle Project, I leader donors list please will design a new comcomment the name you munity message center would like displayed with in memory of our Mounany donation of $250 or tain City Mayor Phillip more. Thank you all for Taylor to honor his goal your support in this projof a united community. ect that is very important Mayor Taylor was an Eagle to me It is my goal to Scout himself and helped complete this project by me and my fellow scouts September 1st and have with our Boy Scout goals the red ribbon cutting on in many different ways September 14, 2019. To over the past 6 years. I feel reach this goal I hope to this project best honors have collected at least 75% him and his service to our of my campaign by July community. Any donation 29,2019. is greatly appreciated. The Mark your calendar. total cost of the project is September 14 is also the estimated to be $3,000. date for the annual Fire & All funds raised by this Ice Festival. campaign will go directly Send tidbits, please, to to the construction of ptom5678@gmail.com the community message (subject: tidbit.) board, the red ribbon Thanks! Love to you, cutting, and associated PTom
Mt. City Montage
Twelve Texans flew on Doolittle raid A ll available participants in the recent “Doolittle Raid” on Japan, including half of the dozen native Texans, were honored at the White House on Jun. 25, 1941. Nothing better describes American morale in the weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor than that old West Texas saying “lower than a snake’s belly.” No one was more acutely aware of that fact than President Franklin Roosevelt, who insisted immediate retaliatory action be taken. Jimmy Doolittle, a 45 year old lieutenant colonel, devised a plan that would have been dismissed out of hand under any other circumstances. If the navy could get him close enough to the Japanese Home Islands, he would launch 16 B-25’s from the deck of an aircraft carrier on a oneway bombing mission of Tokyo and nearby cities. Doolittle figured the medium range bombers would have just enough fuel to reach friendly territory on the Chinese mainland not occupied by the Japanese. Once there, the 80 crewmen (five per plane) could be secretly spirited out of the country by resistance fighters and ordinary peasants. On Apr. 18, 1942, the six-ship task force was spotted by a Japanese picket boat that radioed the sighting before being sunk. Doolittle and the captain of the carrier Hornet agreed the “go” order had to be given ten hours and 170 nautical miles ahead of schedule. First into the air was Doolittle’s B-25 followed by the only bomber that carried two Texans: Lt. William N. Fitzhugh, co-pilot, and Douglas V. Radney, engineer-gunner. Born in Temple, Fitzhugh was a graduate of Galveston’s Ball High and the University of Texas, while Radney hailed from Mineola and had gone to school in Mexia. Crew No. 2 had no trouble finding its targets in the daylight or a safe place to land in the dark – a rice paddy. Linking up with their escorts within
Texas History by Bartee Haile
hours, the two Texans and their three crewmates made it out of China without so much as a scratch. Things did not go as smoothly for the third plane, the “Whisky Pete” piloted Lt. Robert Manning Gray of Killeen. Flying on fumes and blinded by a thick clouds, he had no choice but to order the crew to bail out not knowing what awaited them down below. Gray landed on the side of a hill a few feet from the edge of a steep precipice. The unlucky gunner came to earth even closer to the cliff, lost his footing and plunged to his death becoming the first of three fatalities. Like many of the Doolittle Raiders, Gray stayed in the so-called “China-Burman-India Theater.” Six months later, he was killed in action at the age of 23. The airfield at Fort Hood was renamed in his memory. Co-pilot Lucian Nevelon Youngblood of Pampa was the co-pilot of the fourth bomber to clear the deck of the Hornet. He survived the raid along with the rest of the crew only to perish in a plane crash in the Mexican mountains west of Big Bend five months after the surrender of Japan Rodney Ross “Hoss” Wilder of Taylor attended UT and Southwestern University before enlisting in November 1940. The co-pilot of Crew No. 5 spent the rest of the war in Europe and rose to the rank of colonel before his discharge in 1947. The eighth B-25 experienced engine problems before take-off that persisted on the flight to Tokyo and resulted in heavier than normal fuel consumption. With no chance of reaching the Chinese mainland, the pilot turned north toward the Soviet Union. Instead of sending the Americans on their
way with a full tank, the officially neutral Russians confiscated the aircraft and interned the crew that included bombardier-navigator Nolan Anderson Herndon of Greenville. But in May 1943 their obliging hosts arranged for an “escape” to British-controlled Iran. Crews No. 9, 11, 12 and 13 each contained a single Texan. They were in order: 1) co-pilot James M. Parker, Jr. of Houston and a Texas Aggie; 2) co-pilot Kenneth E. Reddy of Bowie, victim of a stateside crash five months after the raid; 3) co-pilot Thadd Harrison Blanton of Archer City, who made a career of the military retiring in 1961; and 4) pilot Edgar E. McElroy of Ennis, who did the same retiring in 1962. John A. Hilger of Sherman was another Aggie and at 33 the oldest Texan on the raid. The pilot of Crew #14 served on the staff of Admiral Chester A. Nimitz for the last year and a half of WWII and retired in 1966 as a brigadier general. That leaves Robert L. Hite of Odell, co-pilot of the sixteenth bomber. Hite and his crewmates parachuted right into the enemy’s clutches. Two with a third captive were executed as war criminals, and the other three POW’s were not freed until August 1945. Hite was the last living Texan, when he passed away in 2015 at 95. He was survived at the time by two raiders, but as of April 2019 they too are gone. Rarely mentioned but important to understand is the price the Chinese paid for their part in the Doolittle Raid. The Japanese executed everybody remotely suspected of aiding the American aviators going so far as to annihilate entire villages. The estimated death toll was a quarter of a million of men, women and children. Need a speaker with a Texas twist? There’s none better than Bartee Haile! Contact him at barteehaile@gmail.com for more information.
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Page 7
On behalf of our entire staff, please accept our condolences on the passing of your loved one. When you are ready, I would be honored to assist you in creating a monument that will express your love for years to come.
Sincerely, Brenda Keller Independent Representative
512-644-1769
brendakeller7@gmail.com Email or call to schedule your appointment.
DEBBIE THAMES AGENT
Debbie Thames Insurance Debbie Thames Insurance Agency Agency
AUTO • HOME LIFE •• HEALTH BOAT • HEALTH AUTO • HOME • LIFE ••BOAT 251FM N.1626 FM #2C 1626 #2C TX • Buda, 251 N. • Buda, 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
For all the latest news in Hays County, go to .com
Ultimate Frisbee
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
As the 2019 school year came to a close, students and alumni joined Hays High staff in the annual Ultimate Frisbee tournament held on campus. The event was spearheaded by Hays High educators Billy Norton and Chris Gardner (top right) and featured students past and present.
Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615
Debbie Thames, Agent
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
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
Rosebrock
Veterinary Clinic 2325 FM 967 • 312-0701
Texas Crossword Solution
Come worship with us ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
CHURCH OF CHRIST
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda
Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770
Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle
BAPTIST 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 Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626
1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. David Leibham, Pastor • Rev. Amado Ramos, Assoc. Pastor 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)
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
Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited) Vertical Chapel 5700 Dacy Lane (McCormick M.S.), Buda
Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle
Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda
Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda
The Well Buda
Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle
CATHOLIC
METHODIST
Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda
Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda
Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald
Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.
St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland
Santa Cruz Catholic Church
EPISCOPAL
The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda
A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle
Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle
St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle
Texas Crossword, from page 8
Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda
Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle
Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx
New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd.
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
Elm Street & San Marcos
*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m.
*Informal Worship (Worship Center)-11 a.m. Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m.
Rev. Lisa Straus Office 295-6981 • www.BudaUMC.org
Like us on Facebook
Hays Free Press Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities
Pure Texas
Spring Water! Privately owned From local springs
FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE Friendly, Courteous Service
Call 1-866-691-2369
Sudoku Solution
PENTECOSTAL
Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle
Buda United Methodist Church
TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP
PRESBYTERIAN
Sudoku Puzzle, from page 8
Hays Hills Baptist Church
Contemporary Sunday worship 10:45 a.m. 401 FM 967, Buda, TX
9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school
www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626
Christ-centered, Bible believing, friendly. A place to ask questions… and find some answers. Come grow with us! RESURRECTIONBUDA.ORG
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
Like us on Facebook
Hays Free Press Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities
Page 8
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Closed Crossings Continued from pg. 1
ing eight weeks to open a critical path to Driftwood,” Killough said. “We are all asking for a longterm and short-term solution, because that low water crossing has closed in the past before, just never this long.” As a destination town, a major appeal to Driftwood is its rural environment. Its economy is agriculture, shifting away from livestock and embracing grapes, perfect for Texas wines. This has brewed a winning formula for business owners and visitors. The tourism-based economy has thrived in the past decade with the boom of these businesses. But Cutler said it’s a balancing act to keep Driftwood, Driftwood. The region is one of the last untouched gems of Hays County. The population growth of the corridor cities is largely unnoticed in Driftwood. “The drive, wineries and everything else is why people come out here,” Cutler said. “Without one of them, we fear to lose that. We want that feeling to be preserved.” There are talks about building a bridge as a
ENTERTAINMENT
3200 Kyle Crossing (512) 523 9012 Experience it in
EVX
Cinema Eatery & Social Haus
$5 Tuesday Frenzy
PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Vista Brewing owner Karen Killough, says she has one employee who normally has an eight-minute commute, now has a 45-minute commute due to the low water crossing – an inconvenience that is deterring customers from visiting as well.
long-term solution to the flooding, but that is controversial too, Cutler said. The Onion Creek low water crossing is a tourism hotspot. If a bridge is built over the crossing, Cutler fears it could take away from the attractive drive. “The road has never been closed this long and it’s really hurting, but we need to find a solution
so this doesn’t happen again,” Cutler said. Developing new structures would take away from the aesthetics of the region, which Cutler and the DHCS are trying to protect. For now, businesses like Vista Brewing continue to push along in the summer heat, hoping more favorable weather conditions will keep the
flooding events, including a recent storm in May 2019. Before these events, the parks department will drain waterways to mitigate flooding, charge generators, brief staff and prep its emergency management plan.
"It's all about coordinating between all of our agencies to plan for the worst possible outcomes," said Kyle Communications Director Kim Hilsenbeck. "It's a team effort and we are always improving how we plan for these events."
Continued from pg. 2
Harvey was really the one changed a lot." Major regions across the state were affected by Harvey, some of which are still living through those horrors today. On June 13, 2019, Governor Greg Abbott signed a $1.6 billion storm and flood resilience plan. Additionally, the legislature appropriated $3 billion in Harvey relief funds, two years after the devastating storm. In Kyle, the hurricane was a major test for the city during and after the event. Since Harvey, the city has survived other major
road open during the season.
1250 WONDER WORLD DR.
(512) 805 8005 EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.
Bingo
Sundays at 2 p.m. Great Fun Great Food $100 Minimum Game Prize $500 Progressive Jackpot
Texas Crossword and Sudoku sponsored by
Santa Cruz Catholic Church,
Parish Activity Center
1100 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610 Texas Bingo License No. 17424803181
Sudoku
IDEA Academy Continued from pg. 1
CISD, which reports 400 students transferring to IDEA Kyle last year. However, the district reports 150 students returning to HCISD after leaving IDEA Kyle. “We’re not exactly sure what the expansion includes,” said HCISD Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy. “We’ve sent information requests to prepare ourselves but have received no response so far.” Savoy said the growth of the charter school will have an impact on the district as state funding is allocated to school districts per number of students. “This isn’t a major concern for us,” Savoy said. “Although we lose some students through transferring, we are still growing at a fast pace and many students and their parents prefer what we have to offer.” Kyle’s Planning and Zoning Commission heard IDEA Kyle’s proposal June 11 and gave it a 5-1 approval. Their recommendation will be sent to city council, who will consider a concern the commission had. IDEA Kyle’s current location serves under 1,000 students but will see a significant increase once the school takes on high school education. The increased population could exacerbate a traffic issue according to the commission, who hopes council will take a look at the issue. “Is it my imagination or do we already have a traffic issue here,” said commissioner Jo Fenety, at the meeting. Fenety said she would like council to ask for a traffic plan from IDEA Kyle, which the city is
IDEA Kyle’s current location serves under 1,000 students but will see a significant increase once the school takes on high school education. The increased population could exacerbate a traffic issue according to the commission, who hopes council will take a look at the issue. authorized to do according to the Texas Department of Transportation. (TXDOT) The proposal, if approved, does not focus on traffic nor does it need to pass any traffic standards. The school is building the remaining structure up to size and aesthetic standard, according to Will Atkinson, Kyle city planner. Now, the proposal is being sent to the city council dias for discussion and approval. Regardless of traffic or district funding, charter schools could become more popular in the area according to district officials. Charter schools are publicly funded and typically tuition-free. These schools often admit students on the basis of their academic and behavioral records, which many parents find appealing.
SPOT
1180 Thorpe Lane (512) 210 8600
Emergency Prep ments will help barricade roads, move sandbags and assist residents across town. Equipped with the power of social media and smartphones, the departments can communicate road closures as they are reported to the general public. This is specifically advantageous for low water crossings which are prevalent in the rural parts of the county. "We have seen a lot more flooding in recent years then we did decades before that," said Kyle Parks & Recreation Director Kerry Urbanowicz. "I think Hurricane
ENHANCED VIEWING EXPERIENCE
For all showtimes and listings, please check our website or call showline!
THE
Vista Brewing, like many of the other businesses, receives customers from across the Austin Metropolitan area. These patrons escape the hustle and bustle of the big city for a scenic drive and good beer. It’s what has made Driftwood a tourism hotspot with the population boom of Travis and Hays counties. “I have an employee who lives on the other side of the closure, making an eight-minute commute a 45-minute one,” said Vista Brewing owner Karen Killough. “We get calls every week asking if we’re still open … People who live on the other side of the crossing are not going to drive an hour to get here. It doesn’t make for an enjoyable experience for anyone,” Killough said. “It’s been closed for too long, and we hope it’s open soon.” During the first two weeks the low water crossing was closed, customers reported that GPS indicated the entire road was closed, causing confusion. “If it opens again at the end of the month, you have to ask why it’s tak-
Texas Lehigh Cement Co., LP
See Solution on 7
See Solution on 7
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Page 9
Business
FIRST YEAR ON US
FYOU offers rebates on businesses’ first year ad valorem taxes – up to $10,000 – to encourage development and construction of businesses both small and large.
Kyle develops marketing plan for tax rebate program, nixes expansion BY KATIE BURRELL
concern about the program and whether it is Debate about the really attracting outsideeffectiveness of a Kyle tax of-Kyle entrepreneurs. rebate incentive program Council member is pushing city officials to Daphne Tenorio had pregive it a marketing make- viously sought to expand over. the view of the program Plans to make over the to allow in-Kyle business First Year on Us (FYOU) owners who have already program was discussed completed construction at the June 4 Kyle City to apply. Council meeting. City The program limits leaders discussed the applicants to those who project after the city’s first have yet to begin conparticipants in the three- struction on projects in year-old program, who all the city. applied in 2019, received “We don’t have any tax rebates for meeting incentives for small criteria for funding. businesses in Kyle aside However, Kyle City from this one,” Tenorio Council members voiced said during a previous
“They must apply before the work is started. The purpose of the program is to encourage new commercial construction. It is to increase the property tax base.”
–Diana Torres, Kyle Director of Economic Development
meeting. The council decided to research options for expanding the pool of applicants, but brought back the item June 4 with a desire to expand marketing efforts instead. Diana Torres, Kyle Director of Economic Development, was tasked
with developing a marketing plan to draw more attention to the program, and eventually draw more small businesses to Kyle. “They must apply before the work is started,” Torres said. “The purpose of the program is to encourage new commer-
cial construction. It is to increase the property tax base.” The plan is currently just a preliminary approach to satisfy marketing needs for this year and it includes adding materials to a brochure and updating the city’s website. “We would do a digital campaign that would run through the city and the economic development department,” Torres said. “And we would do a video.” The marketing will be seen mainly on Kyle’s social media pages and website. The overall goal
is to attract businesses that are currently outside of Kyle. The city hopes business owners, realtors and contractors will come to know of the incentive and spread the word. “I’m personally very happy to see this taken to the next level,” said Mayor Travis Mitchell. “It was beneficial to the applicants that did come this year. This shows we are very serious about attracting small business.” For some council members, the plan has not answered their questions about what Kyle can do for small businesses currently built in Kyle.
to pad their bottom line through what could be seen as an incentive, but the way Kyle has used PIDS is to increase the quality of the develop-
ments,” Mitchell said. The developers for the PID will be taking their next steps in designing a plat for their designs this year.
Kyle PID
Continued from pg. 1 will be two sections of the ing this PID, was the need PID, improvement areas for better storm water one and two.” maintenance and serSnyder said the total vice in the area. Another PID will house a total of was the city’s interest in 540 single-family homes, silencing the train horn 345 apartment units and policy. 13,000 “This square would do feet of significant “Instead of commerstormcharging the cial retail water space. whole city for this improvePhase ments to (train crossings), one is 86 the area,” acres of we could levy the Mitch330 sinell said. PID. Developers gle-family “PIDs are homes can’t be asked to a financial only. The tool for pay this, but the prelimdevelopers inary taxes paid by PID so their planning projects residents could process can be that was more go toward it.” approved viable. by council There’s –Travis Mitchell, Kyle Mayor 6-1 June 4, a possiwill allow bility for developdevelopers ers to begin designing to pad their bottom line their plats and determine through what could be needs for the area. seen as an incentive, but One consideration by the way Kyle has used the council when approv- PIDs is to increase the
What’s a PID?
Public Improvement District – An economic development tool that helps finance public improvements • Improvements range from streets, sidewalks, water and wastewater drainage facilities, landscaping aesthetics and park facilities • Taxes are assessed on only the land within a certain district. Homeowners know the amount when they purchase their home • Value does not change based on value of home. • Able to be prepaid at any time by homeowner without penalty • PID bonds are issued; they are controlled by city or county
quality of the developments.” Mitchell said the cost for changing the two train crossings in the area to silent crossings could cost up to $500,000. The cost is too high for the city, but the city and the PID share an interest in changing the crossings. “Instead of charging the whole city for this, we could levy the PID,” Mitchell said. “Developers can’t be asked to pay this, but the taxes paid by PID residents could go
toward it.” Mitchell said PIDS work much like HOA neighborhoods, but unlike an HOA, the PID could not change the scope of its project after the fees and taxes are assessed. Residents who move into these developments understand what type of neighborhood they are part of and that their costs go toward both functional and aesthetic upgrades. “With a PID, There’s a possibility for developers
Women in Leadership This special edition will feature women in the workforce whether they are white collar, blue collar, or are so unique they can’t be defined by collar. The full color glossy magazine will be distributed to subscribers, news racks and also be available at businesses in Hays County – reaching over 12,000 readers in the community.
512.504.9988
121 hall professional ctr suite e
KYLE,TX WWW.FACESINTHEDARKtattoo.COM
We’re hiring
in Dripping Springs!
The Women in Leadership special edition will be distributed in the Hays Free Press August 7 and the News-Dispatch August 8. Reserve your space now. Deadline is Friday, June 28 Full and half page ads will include a free Q&A featured in the edition
Visit us at our career fair and learn how to join the team at one of ARC’s newest clinics in Central Texas!
WHEN: Wednesday, June 26, 4–6pm WHERE: ARC Dripping Springs WHAT: Meet us and apply for the following open positions • Clinic Manager • LVN • Medical Assistant
Brought to you by
Hays Free Press 113 W. Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640 u 512.268.7862 u www.HaysFreePress.com
ARC DRIPPING SPRINGS 27760 Ranch Road 12 Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Opening this summer!
• Business Office (full-time & part-time)
Apply online today at myARCcareer.com
Classifieds
20 words for $8!
• Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 • Email paper@haysfreepress.com We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER
Hays Free Press
Page 10
Employment FIREWORKS STAND MANAGER NEEDED
Garage Sale GARAGE SALE
Make up to $3,000 in ONLY 11 days managing a fireworks stand. NO INVESTMENT REQUIRED! June 23- July 4, Go to www.mrwfireworks.com to submit app or call 210-6223788 Monday through Friday.
Saturday, June 22, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 400 Crossroads Drive, Dripping Springs. Furniture, clothes, baby items, household items.
BE YOUR OWN BOSS - RUN A FIREWORK STAND!
Puppies For Sale
Operate a Fireworks Stand in your area. June 24 - July 4. Must be at least 21 yrs old and have travel trailer or camper available. Great for Teachers, Bus Drivers, College Students, Seasonal Workers or Fund Raising for Youth & Religious groups. For more information call 512-303-4438 or email: info@buyamericanfireworks.com
DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $12 per hour for flexible 8 & 16 hr shift schedules. Health/life/dental insurance after 60 days. Min. requirements: Must be 21 yrs old, HS/GED, clean TDL, clean criminal history, pre-employment TB skin test, and drug screen. Growing (20+ year old) non-profit organization. www.pegasusschool.net. Call (512)432-1678 for further information.
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
AKC GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER PUPPIES
Champion bloodline.Vet checked. Shots. Parents on site. $600. Call/Text 512-7314673.
Housekeeping NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSEKEEPING IN HAYS COUNTY?
Call Fabiola at 512-545-1318. Reliable, trustworthy, honest. References available upon request.
Advertise in the Hays Free Press. Only $8 for 20 words or less!
• Place your classified ad by calling 512268-7862 • Email paper@ haysfreepress. com We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER
State-Wide Advertising Network
Public Notices REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Buda Economic Development Corporation is accepting sealed proposals for Executive Search Firm. Request for Proposal documents are available at the Buda Economic Development Corporation Office located at 405 E. Loop Street, Bldg. 100EDC, Buda, TX 78610, and online at www.budaedc. com. The deadline for submissions is no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Questions should be directed to Mandy Shaw at 512.295.2022 or mandy@ budaedc.com.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Buda Economic Development Corporation is accepting sealed proposals for Legal Services. Request for Proposal documents are available at the Buda Economic Development Corporation Office located at 405 E. Loop Street, Bldg. 100-EDC, Buda, TX 78610, and online at www.budaedc. com. The deadline for submissions is no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Questions should be directed to Mandy Shaw at 512.295.2022 or mandy@ budaedc.com.
CITATION BY PUBLICATION
To all persons interested in the Estate of Therese Ann Esparza, Deceased, Cause No. 19-0208-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 in this estate on the 12th day of June, 2019, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Therese Ann Esparza, 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 later 10:00 a.m., on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days, exclusive of the day of Publication, from the date this citation is published, at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, Texas. All persons interested in this case are cited to appear before this Honorable Court by filing a written contest or answer to this Application should they desire to do so. To ensure its consideration, you or your attorney must file any objection, intervention, or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays County, Texas on or before the above-noted date and time. Applicant’s Attorney: Matthew W. Brown 6515 Broadway San Antonio, Texas 78209 (210) 681-6353 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 13th day of June, 2019. Elaine H. Cárdenas County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By Darren Jones, Deputy
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby Given to all interested persons that the City of Creedmoor proposes a Varance request from Jame Stinson for lot sizes to 1 acre and to allow density limits on future lots on purposed subdivision at 5536 Williamsom Rd. Creedmoor Tx. 78610. Legal Description of parcels: ABS 159 SUR7 CORBIN W P ACR 49.732 (1-D-1) ABS 159 SUR 7 CORBIN W P ACR 51.198(1-D-1) Two Public Hearings will be held by the City Council on the July 18, 2019 1. At 7:15 pm at the Creedmoor Community Center 12513 FM 1625 Creedmoor Tx. 78610 2. At 7:30 pm at the Creedmoor Community Center 12513 FM 1625 Creedmoor Tx. 78610
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to City of Buda Charter, Article III, Section 3.11 (D). Ordinances, that the Buda City Council, at its regular meeting on June 18, 2019, adopted an ordinance amending the Exhibit “B” Fee Schedule, adding a new service and rate to Article A11.00 Utilities, (v) Sanitation service rates, (4) Commercial Recycling, (B) 4 cu. yd. dumpster, of the municipal government of the City of Buda for the remaining fiscal year October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019; providing for penalties for failure to comply with such ordinance(s); providing for publication; and, providing for an effective date. By: Mayor George Haehn. Attest: Alicia Ramirez, City Clerk. (full text is available in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 405 E. Loop Street, Building 100, Buda, TX, during business hours and on www.ci.buda.tx.us.)
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Betty Jo Muldrow King, Deceased, were issued on June 5, 2019, in Cause No. 19-0180-P pending in the County Court at Law No. 3 of Hays County, Texas, to: Diane Lynn King Powell. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. Diane Lynn King Powell c/o Law Office of Angela C. Dickerson, P.C. 105 E. Gonzales Street, Suite 205 Seguin, Texas 78155 DATED the 11th day of LEGAL NOTICE June, 2019. NOTICE IS HEREBY LAW OFFICE OF ANGELA GIVEN, pursuant to C. DICKERSON, P.C. City of Buda Charter, By: Angela C. Dickerson Article III, Section 3.11 State Bar No. 05821600 (D). Ordinances, that the 105 E. Gonzales Street, Buda City Council, at Suite 205 its regular meeting on Seguin, TX 78155 Public Notice June 18, 2019, adopted Telephone: (830) 379-7227 an ordinance amending Notice of Public Hearing Facsimile: (830) 379-7228 Chapter 24 of the City of Email: angela @ NOTICE IS HEREBYBuda GIVEN TO ALL Code of Ordinances angeladickerson.com by repealing and replacing INTERESTED PERSONS, THAT: Article 24.06, establishing NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE regulations for Water Morningstar Storage wishes Resource Management and The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing to avail themselves of the Conservation; providing Texas of chapter 59 on Provision a request by Environmental Allies for penalties for failure GP, of the Texas Property Code to comply with such Inc. (Z-19-0041) to rezone approximately by conducting a Public Sale ordinance(s); providing for to 2.544 the highest bidder for acres ofcash land publication; from Construction and, providing on their premises. This sale forWarehouse an effective date. By: Manufacturing ‘CM’ to District is listed below. The company Mayor George Haehn. for property 1251Alicia Bunton reserves the right to located reject any atAttest: Ramirez,Creek City bid and withdraw any from the Clerk. (full text is available Road and to rezone approximately 2.4962 sale at any time. in the Office of the City aDate: c r e07/03/2019 s o f l a n d f r oClerk, m City C o Hall, n s t405 r u cE.tLoop ion Time: 10:15 AM Street, Building 100, Buda, Manufacturing ‘CM’ to Warehouse District Location: Morningstar TX, during business hours for property Bunton Creek Storage 1001 W located Goforth at 1251-A and on www.ci.buda.tx.us.)
Road, in Hays County, Texas.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The and Zoning Commission may NoticePlanning is hereby Given to all interested persons, that: recommend, and the City Council may The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing on a consider, assigning anyGP,zoning district request by Environmental Allies Inc. (Z-19-0041) to rezone approximately 2.544 acres of land from which is equivalent or more restrictive. Con-
struction Manufacturing ‘CM’ to Warehouse District for property located at 1251 Bunton Creek Road and to A public hearing will heldfrombyCon-the rezone approximately 2.4962 acresbeof land struction Manufacturing ‘CM’ to Warehouse District for Planning and Zoning Commission on property located at 1251-A Bunton Creek Road, in Hays Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 6:30 P.M. County, Texas. The Planning and Zoning Commission may recom-
A public hearing willmay be consider, held byassigning the Kyle mend, and the City Council any zoning districton which is equivalent more2019 restric-at City Council Tuesday, Julyor16, tive. 7:00 P.M. A public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 6:30 P.M.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is HEREBY GIVEN to all interested persons that the City of Creedmoor purposes to Annex the property at 11580 Old Lockhart Rd. and re-zone the properties at 4400 FM 1327 and 4402 FM 1327 and at 11580 Old Lockhart Rd. and FM 1327 and 11819 Carl Rd and 3912 FM 1327 belonging to TDS and BGICO: ABS 24 Del Valle S ACR 25.39(1-D-1) TRT A WILLIAMS RALPH K SUBD ID 300586 ABS 24 DEL VALLE S ACR 7.1440 ABS 24 DEL VALLE S ACR 29.5200(1-D-1) ABS 24 DEL VALLE S ACR 69.23 ABS 24 DEL VALLE S ACR 1.00 Two Public Hearings will be held by the City Creedmoor on the 18th day of July: 1. At 7:45pm at the Creedmoor Community Center 12513 FM 1625 2. At 8:00pm at the Creedmoor Community Center 12513 FM 1625 By the order of the City of Creedmoor tx. Robert Wilhite City Administrator, Creedmoor
Road , Buda Tx 78610 Units B221 – Jimmy Alcala – Chair, Bike, ice chest , Freezer, Gui tar, TV, Vacuum , cook ware, fan. 2071- John White - Baseball cards, boxes, totes, suitcase, books, cookware 2045- Elizabeth HowellClothes, side Table, clothes, cleaning supplies B213- Caretia Lubinski – Clothes, Household décor, Dresser, Heater, Cookers, totes , Very Full.
Kyle City Hall Council Chambers A public hearing will be held by the Kyle City Council 100 W Center St., Kyle, Texas on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. Kyle City Hall Council Chambers
Owner: Environmental 100 W Center St., Kyle, TexasAllies GP, Inc. Agent: Travis A. Robinson, P.E. Owner: Environmental Allies GP, Inc. (512) 887-3191 Agent: Travis A. Robinson, P.E. (512) 887-3191
!
Publication Date: JuneJune 19, 2019 Publication Date: 19, 2019 Z-19-0041 Z-19-0041
Service Directory Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
Page 11
Air Conditioning
NEMEC HEATING & AIR CHRIS NEMEC
Air Conditioning
APC
Service • Repair • Installation
512-295-2832
AMM Collision Center 3 Great Locations! Kyle
Austin
Drippings Springs
21681 IH-35 11740 Manchaca Rd. 3990 Hwy 290
262-1013 292-1060
Licensed and Insured
894-3888
Computer Systems Software Development Networking Technical Systems Maintenance
Major Credit Cards Accepted
TECL 24139
Glass Service Commercial & Residential
Professional Office Home and RV Service in north Hays Co. Consulting Setup Training Backups Upgrades
You know us... by our reputation!
www.APCServicePros.com TACLB015741E
Financial Planning Financial Planning
3/4 mi. north of Dairy Queen
Call
512-410-7739
Email: Chris@nemecheatingandair.com O. 512-312-9081 • C. 512-789-5132 Buda, Texas 78610 • TACLA 34861C
Computer Help
Full Service Car & Truck Repair
601 S. Loop 4 • Buda
“Proudly Serving Central Texas”
Now Open in Kyle
Buda Automotive
Air Conditioning • Heating • Electrical
Residential • Commercial • After Hours Available
Automotive
Service Pros, LLC
Automotive
Zachary Barton
Component Selection Digital Photos System & Process Docs Website Maintenance CD/DVD Duplication
Zachary Barton 512-686-7589 512-686-7589 107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX
Want help selecting the best value? Office systems not maintained? Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless?
107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX
Financial Planning• Insurance Planning Investment Planning Financial Planning• Insurance Planning Investment Planning
mike@haystech.com
Handyman
• Contract Glazing • Storefronts • Insulated Glass
• Furniture Tops • Tempered Glass • Mirrors
Framed & Frameless Tub & Shower Enclosures
512 312 2767
5360 Industrial Way Dr., Buda, TX shallmark@dynamicglass.com
Legal Services
Reliable Handy Man Painting, Remodel & Home Repair, Flooring & Tile, Carpentry, Decks & Fences, Pressure Washing, Gutters, Cleaning & Repair, RV Repair
Attorneys and Counselors At Law
130 Hall Professional Center, Kyle, TX 78640
Get your honey-do list done right.
ReliableHandymanTX.com 20+ Years of Experience • Insured
512-268-6425
512-618-0482 • DHALL45@Yahoo.com
Pool Service
Plumbing
P
rince
Plumbing Company
• Residential Repair Specialist • Remodeling & Water Heaters • Sewer Cleaning & Replacements • Slab & Gas Leak Repair
#M14369
• BBB Member • 20 yrs. Experience • Family Owned • Family Operated
The only call you need to make TICL #629
FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM
www.gspoolspa.com
MC • Visa
Roofing Residential & Commercial
• All types of roofing • Seamless rain gutters • Attic and wall blown insulation
Press
• Free eStimateS •
O
Insurance Claims Welcome
(512) 312-5050
Ron Johnson OWNER
512-965-3465
Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities
Serving HayS County
Since 1991
One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE
512-326-4695
312-0710
Company
Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner
Pool and Spa Service
Serving Hays County since 1990
Area Roofing
G&S
Remodeling & Repairs
Pool Service Serving S. Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994.
Member of the BBB
4M Roofing Company
Septic Services ALL AMERICAN WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS, LLC Locally serving our community since 1982.
Septic Problems... LET US HELP!
I repair roof leaks. Call 512-299-8949
www.ALLSEPTICCHECK.com
Septic Repair & Installation Specialist Septic Tank Pumping & Servicing
Tank Lid Replacements & Tank Refurbishing
Aerobic System Servicing
Septic Inspections & Consulting
Aerobic Licensed Maintenance Provider
Fully Licensed & Insured For Your Protection
Hydrojetting & Pump Replacements
(512)
Roofing
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
282-3889
COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
Wild West Remodeling O Painting O Tile O Siding O Decks O Trim O Door & Window Replacement O Drywall Repair O Custom Cabinets O Patio Covers O Electrical & Plumbing
Curtis Dorsett 512-402-4704
“No Job Too Small or Too Big”
Roofing
Roofing & Repair Veteran Insulated Siding Energy Efficient Upgrades owned and Gutters & Protection operated Austin, TX 512.488.1810 brian@discountroofusa.com
Shoe Repair
• Boot Experts • Purse Repair • Belt Repair • Luggage Repair • Shoe Care Products
AustinShoeHospital.com locations in 1010Locations in Central Central Texas Texas including: including: 1911 Ben White and Manchaca Rd • 512-440-8788 316 Round Rock Ave. Round Rock 512-244-9124 12119 W Hwy 290 and Nutty Brown Rd • 512-827-3398 306WSouth Park 6781 HwyBell 290Cedar in Oak Hill- •512-219-8387 512-288-6386
8211 Burnet Rd. Austin - 512-453-1961
Tree Service
Septic Services
SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC. (512)
312-0002
38 years experience in the hill country Firewood • Pruning • Removal • Chipping Planting • Cedar Posts • Bulk Mulch
SEPTIC PUMPING • CLEANING REPAIRS • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Free Assessments & Estimates • Insured
Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.
www.SellmanSepticServices.com
Lees Trees
Commercial & Residential
MARCUS LEES (512) 858-4018 leestreestexas@gmail.com
Window Treatments 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
Page 12
Hays Free Press • June 19, 2019
County Inmates Continued from pg. 2
But for now, the county must continue outsourcing until the jail renovation project is complete, and recommendations from the task force can address the issues in the criminal justice system. Outsourcing inmates to Fort Bend County will cost Hays County $55 per day per inmate, not including the transportation costs for the roughly two and a half hour journey. “We don’t like outsourcing, but we don’t have any choice,” said Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 2
Mark Jones. On May 10, in a controversial decision, the county rejected submitting a grant application to fund a public defenders office to aid in indigent defense. Several commissioners are worried about a lack of information on the application, as well as a lack of support behind it from the county’s judiciary. Supporters of the grant application cite that the grant could have addressed some issues relating to indigent defense in the jail.
“The more we discuss this, the less get’s done and the more gets spent. Is there any plan to stop this at all? We’re going bankrupt. We’re being bled dry without taxes for doing this, which doesn’t help the prisoner, or help us.” –Dan Lyon, concerned resident
COFFEE SOCIAL HOUR
You’re Invited!
Join Alison Southern Ullom and Sky Realty for a monthly coffee hour the 3rd Friday each month, 9-11 a.m. at 156 Kirkham Cir. Ste. A in Kyle
Buying or selling? Give Alison a call at
512.256.4882
156 Kirkham Circle Suite A , Kyle, TX 78640 www.kylerealestateagent.com | aliclaire888@gmail.com
Rezoning Questioned Continued from pg. 1
the city deny the request or complete road work on Goforth Road and Bunton Creek Road beforehand. When the proposal reached Kyle’s Planning and Zoning Commission, it passed as a recommendation with a 4-2 vote. The dissenting votes were due to a lack of information provided at the time regarding a metes and bounds survey that described the locations of the various zones within the property. “I am one of the property owners that will be affected by this zoning,” said Karla Sosawong, a Kyle resident who spoke at the meeting. “The only concern that I have is the fact that we are already affected by some of the drainage there. It is a problem with how busy the road is.” Sosawong said that the residents there pay for stormwater fees but have not seen any services done for the water in the area. Sosawong said she believes the
area’s traffic and water issues will get worse with another development in the area. The council voted 7-0 to approve on the first reading of the property after hearing complaints from residents and proposals from the property’s agent. The request for condominium zoning was rejected and is to be zoned as single-family residential also. Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell however, made an objection and asked to bring the proposal back again for a second reading to be heard with a proposal for Casetta Ranch, a neighboring property using the same road which is heading to council for preliminary approval. “I wanted to look at those properties together,” Mitchell said. “They’re using the same roads we adopted from the county that are too old to keep up with the traffic.” Mitchell and the council are expected to
“I am one of the property owners that will be affected by this zoning. The only concern that I have is the fact that we are already affected by some of the drainage there. It is a problem with how busy the road is.” –Karla Sosawong, a Kyle resident who spoke at the meeting
strike a deal with both of the developers for each respective property this week, according to Mitchell. “To fix Bunton Creek, it is going to cost a couple million dollars we don’t have,” Mitchell said. “If we can use fees from these developers to cover half the cost, then we can go forth with both projects and every-
one wins. We wouldn’t have to increase taxes.” The final decision is to be made this week, and if approved, will help refurbish Bunton Creek Road once those fees are paid. Mitchell warns residents not to expect to see construction immediately, as the city would have to wait for the fees to come in for a year or possibly longer.
HAVING VISION PROBLEMS? IT COULD BE CATARACTS
SPECIALIZING IN:
• Cataract Surgery • Premium IOL Implants • Lasik Surgery • Glaucoma - Medical and Surgical • Macular Degeneration
Schedule your visit today 512.443.9715 www.HowertonEye.com Kyle Office 5401 FM 1626, Ste 365 Kyle, TX 78640 Austin Office 2610 S IH-35 Austin, TX 78704
Three locations to serve you Southwest Austin Office 5625 Eiger Rd, Ste 100 Austin, TX 78735
KNOW THE FACTS
About the Permian Highway Pipeline Project THE PROJECT WILL FOLLOW FEDERAL AND STATE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PROTECT THE WATER, AIR AND LAND GROUNDWATER PROTECTION
The Permian Highway Pipeline will transport natural gas, which is lighter than air, meaning it rises and does not sink into the ground or water table. In the extremely unlikely event of a leak, the gas will not impact the aquifer. Multiple pipelines have operated safely through the Edwards Aquifer and Texas Hill Country for decades.
REDUCED NATURAL GAS FLARING
The Project will provide a much-needed outlet for natural gas in the Permian Basin of West Texas. Due to a lack of pipeline capacity in the Permian Basin, enough natural gas was flared last year to power every home in Texas! The PHP Project will reduce flaring and associated CO2 and methane emissions into the atmosphere.
PROTECTING THE HILL COUNTRY
The Project route was designed to avoid sensitive areas whenever possible. Kinder Morgan is conducting a geological assessment including surveys of karst geography and aquifer areas and is utilizing horizontal directional drilling methods where applicable to install pipe below riverbeds and minimize any impacts.
www.PHPproject.com
PHP_Project@kindermorgan.com
833-626-0339