JULY 6, 2022
H-E-B TO DONATE $10 MILLION FOR NEW SCHOOL IN UVALDE PAGE 7
SHREK THE MUSICAL PAGE 10 © Barton Publications, Inc.
Hays Free Press
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HaysFreePress.com
Vol. 128 • No. 17
Serving Hays County, TX
BETO O’ROURKE VISITS BUDA
Red, White and Buda gets surprise visitor on July 4
BY CJ VETTER
governor, for state representative and for majority control of the state legislature,” O’Rourke said. BUDA - At the annual Red, The Red, White and Buda White and Buda celebration, Buda celebration is a long-standing residents received a surprise visit tradition of Buda, and features plenty from gubernatorial candidate Beto of food, entertainment and fireworks. O’Rourke. Stopping by for the The day-long celebration kicked off festivities, Beto also made a point of with a bike parade, followed by a being in Hays County on July 4 due to festival at City Park. The park also its long democratic history. offered its natural beauty, playground Beto’s arrival in Buda was mostly and splash pad for visitors to enjoy. unannounced, and he arrived initially Two live performances, by Shinyribs to give a speech in the town's gazebo and Jack Ingram, also took place, on Main Street, before heading to and were soon followed by a firework the park with his family to enjoy the spectacular. festival. His purpose for being in Buda, “This is the epicenter of democracy besides wanting to attend Red, White in the state of Texas. This is where I and Buda, was to further grow his want to be on the 4th of July. Where grassroots campaign. we celebrate the founding ideals of “This is the fastest growing county this country, including free and fair in America, bar none. This is where elections. So, I’m excited to be here,” more people are choosing to come O’Rourke said. “We’re excited to go in the entire state of Texas, with 254 over and just have some fun. We counties from which to choose. This brought our kids. Very rarely do Amy is the place. This is also the place that and I get to take our kids out on the I think, by and large, will determine road and so we consciously chose this the outcome of this election, for place.”
PHOTO BY CJ VETTER
Beto O’Rourke walks down to the park from the gazebo alongside the crowd.
Hays HS swim coach dies
PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
County considers second animal shelter
COURTESY OF CITY OF SAN MARCOS
The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is currently the only animal intake shelter in the county, which has led to years of struggling with overcapacity, expensive operational costs and volunteer staffing issues.
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
in the county. The Hays County commissioners court heard HAYS COUNTY — The a presentation for a second San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter may finally animal shelter, following find some relief after years a feasibility study, at its of struggling with being the meeting on June 21. Commissioners only animal intake shelter approved funding for the study and issued the request for proposals at meetings in 2021, which led to the selection of Team Shelter USA and Animal Arts in March 2022 to conduct a needs assessment for a centralized Pet Resource Center. Commissioners Debbie Ingalsbe and Lon Shell have been at the forefront of these efforts. Dr. Sara Pizano of Team Shelter USA and Heather Lewis from Animal Arts presented the study at the meeting, outlining the potential programs, costs and goals of a new shelter that would supplement SMRAS. Pizano said that
OPINIONS – PAGE 4
her team has been trying to undo an antiquated 150-year-old animal welfare system that is currently “set up for failure,” and that while San Marcos is trapped in this system currently, there is a great opportunity to help people and pets in other ways. Per the study, a shelter facility should be the last option for pets when all other alternatives for placement have been exhausted. Research has indicated that most pets entering shelters are often from socioeconomically disadvantaged pet owners in underserved communities, and that oftentimes, they want to keep their pets — they just need some temporary help. Because SMRAS is currently the only intake animal shelter in the county, it experiences overcapacity, expensive operational costs, volunteer staffing issues and more. A new shelter
would alleviate much of the stress that is placed on SMRAS, which often shares on social media its urgent need for adopters and fosters to help alleviate the overflow of animals kept in cages in the front office or the shelter having to make difficult decisions about an animal’s fate. Additionally, proactive programs could dramatically reduce the number of pets entering the shelter system. The new shelter would also be able to offer veterinarian services for the county, including microchips and trap/spay/neuter/release programs, which were recommended to be run by a nonprofit organization. The total estimated cost of the new shelter is around $23.3 million, and would include an interior and exterior pet resource center and open door model veterinary care clinic facilities totaling nearly 24,000 square feet
Clary with assistant swim coach Justyn Payne.
Hays CISD and Hays High School are mourning the unexpected death of longtime Hays HS teacher and coach Lance Clary. Clary was the swim and water polo team coach for Hays HS, and part of the HCISD family since August 2000. The Hays HS Athletics Department said that Clary was a beloved teacher, mentor, coach, family member, and friend to all, and will be missed.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Kyle man arrested in connection to death of 7-month-old STAFF REPORT The Kyle Police Department has arrested Mark Anthony Briones, 32, of Kyle in connection to the death of a 7-month-old infant. On Monday, June 20, the
See SHELTER, page 10
See ARREST, page 10
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Mark Anthony Briones