JULY 15, 2020
HAYS CO. DEMOCRATIC RUNOFF RESULTS*
HAYS CO. REPUBLICAN RUNOFF RESULTS* U.S. Rep., Dist. 35
Guillermo William Hayward 46.51% Jenny Garcia Sharon 53.49%
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St. Rep., Dist. 45 Kent “Bud” Wymore 37.19% Carrie Isaac 62.81%
St. Brd. of Ed.
U.S. Senator
Robert Morrow 21.45%
Royce West 47.62%
Lani Popp 78.55%
√
√
Mary MJ Hegar 52.38%
County Chair
√
Donna Haschke 61.14%
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Angela “Tia” Villescaz 38.86%
* – RESULTS AS OF 10:25 P.M. TUESDAY
Railroad Comm.
Roberto “Beto” Alonzo 37.72% Chrysta Castaneda 62.72%
√
* – RESULTS AS OF 10:25 P.M. TUESDAY
Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
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Vol. 126 • No. 16
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Hays County, TX
Face masks? Debate over medical excuse BY ANITA MILLER
designated license plates, so he’s equally familiar Dripping Springs with what that status resident Nathan Kaspar allows him. knows his way around the So it was somewhat Americans with Disabiliof a surprise when, after ties Act (ADA). “I grew up County Judge Ruben Becaround it,” says Kaspar, erra issued an order rewhose mother’s sister was quiring “all people” age 10 born blind. and over to wear masks in He’s also a disabled vet- public to slow the spread eran of the Navy with 24 of COVID-19, nobody else years service, and has DV seemed to understand
there are exemptions to that directive. In the days after the order was issued, Kaspar, whose doctors have recommended he not wear a face mask, was denied entry to three local businesses. “I was very rudely kicked out of there,” he said of visits to an H-E-B, Whataburger and Home
Depot. “I tried to talk to them,” he told the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch, to explain that he was exempt from the order. But nobody seemed to know about the exemptions, which he said were not mentioned on window stickers Becerra made available to local businesses. “The problem is, in
Uber for public transit? Kyle says yes
UBER IN KYLE, 7
and the next time he went to H-E-B the experience was much different. “I bought groceries today,” he said on July 8. “The young lady at the door asked if I needed a mask and I said, “No. Doctor’s orders.” He even encountered resistance from the
MASK EXEMPTIONS, 10
Longtime Hays CISD employee fired for improper FB posts HAYS FREE PRESS STAFF
BY MEGAN WEHRING The city of Kyle is partnering with Uber Technologies to provide residents with more flexible transportation by early August. Residents will request rides using the Uber mobile app. Kyle officials will distribute a voucher link to users through the app. Users will be eligible to start subsidized rides for trips that start and end within city limits. Riders will be expected to pay the first $3.14 of a trip and the city will subsidize up to $10 per trip after that. Operations will run 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The original six-month program was approved for an $80,000 budget. Jerry Hendrix, chief of staff for Kyle, is concerned about having a limited budget as the end of the fiscal year approaches. “We only have two months left of the fiscal year,” Hendrix said. “Council has the ability to adjust that if they would like. We’ve also earmarked $150,000 potentially in next year’s budget.”
rolling out signage and press releases, they don’t say (that there are exemptions). They just say an order is issued for all citizens.” Not satisfied, Kaspar pursued the issue with the management of all three businesses who had turned him away. A senior Whataburger official actually called to apologize
Getting the food out
PHOTO BY ANITA MILLER
A volunteer prepares to load a box of food into a waiting vehicle on Saturday during a Central Texas Food Bank mass distribution event in Kyle.
Hays CISD to consider retiring Rebel mascot on Thurday BY MEGAN WEHRING The Hays CISD Board of Trustees will consider voting to retire the Rebel mascot at Thursday’s meeting. In a statement provided to the Hays community, administration recommends
the Board to delay selecting a new mascot. “The district did attempt to conduct a top-choice selection process for a new mascot in early July,” the statement read, “However, the new mascot selection campaign was interrupted
by unexpected circumstances that affected the process. The administration does not believe it was able to obtain enough student response during this process to be confident that the responses fully
REBEL MASCOT, 9
Cite & Divert policy hailed as step toward greater justice BY ANITA MILLER Indigent rights activists are among those praising the adoption of a progressive criminal justice initiative announced by Hays County officials on Wednesday. Sheriff Gary Cutler and District Attorney Wes Mau, both Republicans, announced that a Cite & Divert policy will be effective on Sept. 1 with
the HCSO along with the police departments of Kyle, Buda, San Marcos and Texas State University. The move is a step beyond the Cite & Release policy adopted by San Marcos PD earlier this year in that it gives officers the discretion to allow certain offenders the chance to avoid the criminal justice system entirely and keep their record clean. The program, long
HELPING OUT Friends Foundation gets special $1K gift. –Page 4
supported by community organizations, has been discussed since 2019. However, in a joint announcement Wednesday afternoon, Cutler and Mau said issues including the rise of COVID-19 infections in the county jail spurred them to act. The announcement was made at the conclusion of a virtual meeting
CITE & DIVERT, 8
The Hays CISD terminated a longtime employee last week within hours after allegations of improper conduct surfaced on Facebook. The employment of Communications Specialist David Bowe was terminated on July 9 for “engaging in conduct that falls short of district expectations” and “communication that demonstrates a lack of professional judgement.” No charges have been filed, but the district, in a statement issued after Bowe’s firing, said it “will continue to cooperate with investigating authorities including Child Protective Services and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office” regarding any “potential allegations.”
The Facebook posts, largely by former students at Hays High School, showed up on July 8 and accused Bowe of making inappropriate comments and suggestions. The Facebook posts, largely by former students at Hays High School, showed up on July 8 and accused Bowe of making inappropriate comments and suggestions. Some of the posters attended the school as re-
IMPROPER POSTS 9
Petition launched over city tax hike proposal BY MEGAN WEHRING
give more than they can,” the petition states. Kyle resident Scott Nevil The petition also raises started an online petition awareness for the entire hoping the City Council community of Kyle to come will vote against a property together before city council tax increase. votes on the matter. City council members “We must stand up have said they want to against this injustice and direct the city manager and contact our representatives director of finance to devel- and make sure they are op a budget and property representing the people, tax rate calculations for the not their agendas!” the next fiscal year. It would petition states. be based on an 8.0 percent At the July 7 council cap instead of a 3.5 percent meeting, Kyle resident Viccap allowed under Senate tor Medina raised his own Bill 2. concerns about changing In the event of a disaster the tax rate during the declaration, Senate Bill 2 COVID-19 pandemic. allows the deferral of the “I would hope that the 3.5 percent cap and then council reconsider and take allows the 8.0 percent cap a second look at this due to instead. the current situation with Within the span of an the COVID-19,” Medina hour, the online petition said. “I think our city has received 32 signatures. been spending a little bit The petition addresses the too much money on other community’s concerns if things that are not really the tax rate changes. important.” “This is simply unacKyle City Council will ceptable! With so many discuss the possible tax still out of work, we cannot rate change at the budget expect our community to workshop in August.
The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
NEWS
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
County struggles with contact tracing amid COVID spike BY SAHAR CHMAIS
in Hays County, will not get a call about contact Contact tracing, a tracing. So far, thousands method that helps track of tests in Hays Counand control the spread of ty were administered infection, is slipping out of through the National Hays County’s grip. With Guard. new cases spiking, limited Phone calls are not the testing, people not partic- only issue standing in ipating in contact tracing the county’s way when it and backed up labs, the comes to contact tracing. coronavirus is rapidly The county Health spreading. Department only has two The Hays County Health epidemiologists on staff Department said it does and three or four individcontact tracing through uals who input the data to crowd sourcing, which the Department of State is when an individual is Health Services in order asked to inform people for people to get the conthey have been in contact tact tracing call, explained with that they tested posi- Crumley. tive. The county also calls When individuals get residents to collect inforthe call, there is no guarmation for contact tracing. antee that contact tracing Resources are limited will be effective. Some and not every testing site people do not answer their adheres to contact tracing. phone when a tracer calls It is not a straightforward and they never call back, practice, given that there and some people give conare two entities, state and tact tracers wrong inforlocal, who do the testing, mation to begin with. and that test results are “I think if individuals not coming back in a time- took responsibility and ly manner. participated in crowd Tammy Crumley, direc- sourcing,” Crumley said, tor of countywide opera“then contact tracing tions, said that individuals would continue in aiding who get a coronavirus to stop the spread. But test through the National there’s a stigma of ‘oh Guard and not at a clinic don’t talk about so and so
When individuals get the call, there is no guarantee that contact tracing will be effective. Some people do not answer their phone when a tracer calls and they never call back, and some people give contact tracers wrong information to begin with. having it, because it’s a medical issue.’ But if we shared that information, we might get somewhere.” When large numbers of contact tracing go undone, in a sense, it may become ineffective, Crumley said. Another issue stands in the face of contact tracing, and that is test result time. Alex Villalobos, the county’s chief of staff, said that right now COVID-19 PCR (nasal swab) test results are taking between two to 14 days because labs are inundated. Tests given by local clinics are taking less time, while those going to state labs are taking longer because they see thousands of tests a day. To combat the slowed testing, Villalobos said the county is adding more staff members and increasing test equipment.
Last week, the county stopped testing, but sites will be up through July 16, seeing 500 patients per day. Even if testing is slow, Villalobos believes a major benefit from it is getting a census on community spread and hotspots. Once the county knows which communities are seeing extreme infections, it will better understand how to address the situation. Since Hays County’s large spike in late June, cases are beginning to decrease, but there are several reasons that might affect the numbers. For example, according to data recorded on the Hays County COVID-19 webpage, the county had 210 new COVID-19 cases on June 18, and 92 new cases on July 10.
Breaking down the psychology of coronavirus BY SAHAR CHMAIS Worldwide, populations grieved the same loss at different times. China was the first to experience this loss, then Italy and Europe, and more countries along with the U.S. followed suit; not one country was left unscathed. The coronavirus made everyone grieve the loss of our old lives. Some lost their loved ones to the virus and some have not, but in reality we all lost our lives as we once knew them. “You know when you have a death in the family and life stops,” explained
These adjustments and changes in freedom are what make people grieve. Beyond the initial shock, humans are still unable to go back to the old normal and that has made us undergo heightened anxiety and depression. Luann M. Sandahl, a licensed professional counselor in Kyle, “you just deal with the funeral and trouble management. That is what happened for those first two weeks. Everybody’s life as we knew it just passed away.”
As people buried their old lives and began adjusting to a new and bewildering lifestyle, they passed through stages of grief. COVID-19 will not go away anytime soon; vaccines are still in the works, cases are continuing to spike in the
U.S. and other countries, and life does not seem to be heading into normalcy soon. These adjustments and changes in freedom, according to Sandahl, are what make people grieve. Beyond the initial shock, humans are still unable to go back to the old normal and that has made us undergo heightened anxiety and depression. More complications are coming about in the U.S as cases continue to rise and government regulations continue to change. The topic of coronavirus
CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY, 10
Several factors could explain why these numbers have gone down, Crumley said. It could be because the county and state government enacted policies requiring people to wear masks in public, shut down bars, tubing outfitters and more. But the other factor is that labs are backed up and testing has decreased. Crumley said it would be difficult to come to a conclusion now on the direction of infection rates and whether the number of those infected has actually gone down. “Everyone wants more testing and now we got it,” Crumley told Barton Publications. “Now what will we do, our lab is backed up. That’s why you hear people in the medical profession say we don’t need to get that many
tests; instead go home and quarantine.” At the end of the day, Crumley added, we do not have vaccines or treatment and that is why she does not see the point of administering an influx of tests. Data gathered will eventually be helpful, Crumley said, but right now it is only showing us who is testing positive and negative. The best defense we have against the virus for the time being is following guidelines that ask people to stay home when they can, wear a mask in public, frequent handwashing and social distancing. Government efforts may also be another piece to slowing the spread. “I think with restrictions back in place, we will start seeing a slowdown,” Crumley said.
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Opinion
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I should be able to buy groceries and a cheeseburger same as anyone else without getting the third degree or looked at like some menace to society.” –Nathan Kaspar, Dripping Springs resident - Story on page 1.
Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
Page 3
Sage advice Y
’know, if it weren’t for this corona virus, I’d’ve never had learned how many smart folks there are out there using social media. Well, at least on Facebook since I don’t tweet or do any other form of chatting with strangers. And being home a lot in an attempt to keep myself and my family healthy, I have more time to drink coffee and scroll down countless pages on Facebook. I had no idea how helpful fellow Facebookers can be. There are a mess of self-proclaimed experts posting “facts” about science, medicine, history, politics and sports. Some of these scholars might post something that makes me rub my chin and say, “Hmmm. I never thought about that”, while some folks post a theory that leaves me wondering what recreational drugs this guy’s using while binge watching “X-Files”. I guess there are a lot of medical professionals and scientists out of work because I see so many scholarly posts on this corona pandemic. Complete strangers are offering sage advice on how to keep from contracting the virus. I’m so thankful these folks remind me to wash my hands, something I should’ve been doing for the past 60 years. Where were these advisors back in the ‘80s when I was performing artificial insemination on cows? If I had been advised to wash my hands back then, I bet my sandwiches would’ve tasted better. All the controversy over wearing masks has got me all befuddled. Some folks say it helps and some say it doesn’t. Anyone who has ever crawled under a house to remove a decomposing possum knows all too well that a cloth mask doesn’t stop that horrendous stench from invading your nostrils and squatting in your sinus cavities for a several hours. Perhaps some expert on masks can substantiate my theory that wearing a mask when encountering a skunk will help only if the polecat is wearing a diaper. How many of y’all just rubbed your chin and said, “Hmmm?” I have seen lots of folks debating climate change and global warming. Both sides have theories, and some are legitimate, but
Crow’s Nest by Clint Younts
some folks are complete wackadoodles. Like those in the Flat Earth Society. They like to post a lot on Facebook. I guess they have nothing better to do. I doubt any of them are taking a cruise or going deep sea fishing. Something I won’t check out anymore are political posts. Good Lord, there are a mess of folks on social media with a rather large twig inserted in their rectal orifices. No matter which political party you belong to, if you post anything political, some irate extremist from the other side will vehemently disagree. I could post something about it being hot in Texas during July, and some nutjob with twisted undies will claim it never got hot here until Obama was elected. Or Bush, depending on their affiliation. Some folks really get downright mean replying to a harmless comment. I used to read comments attached to an interesting post, but there are way too many negative, profanity-filled replies that I move on after blocking those nasty cretins from ever appearing on my page. Now, to make my Facebook a little friendlier, I block every stranger and snooze many “friends” who posts political stuff or other controversial subject matter. I enjoy sharing jokes and puns on Facebook. I’ll read posts on Texas history, and I’ll look to see who has a birthday. I might even send them well wishes. I enjoy seeing photos of sunsets, wildlife and kinfolk, but I wish people would stop posting pictures of food. There’s nothing more depressing than seeing tantalizing photos of BBQ or Mexican food while I’m heating up a Hot Pocket. And if some opinionated Facebooker starts blathering about a violation of their Constitutional rights, he will quickly be shuttled off to the Land of the Blocked. Meanwhile, as once advised by our founding fathers, I will continue my pursuit of happiness and scroll on down the page.
Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton News Editor Anita Miller Sports Editor Moses Leos III Reporters Megan Wehring, Sahar Chmais, Chase Rogers Columnists Bartee Haile, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts Proofreaders Jane Kirkham Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialist
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A resilient beauty
M
y daily walk to the Post Office with Goldie always seems to yield something worth pondering. Ever since May, on through today, I have witnessed the wonder a “vacant” lot across the street from the post office provides. I put the word vacant in quotes because it is anything but empty, without merit, “Without content or occupant, not put to use, not lived in.” With apologies to Webster, this vacant lot does not qualify. This lot is filled with the most wondrous array of wildflowers Texas has to offer. Most of which, I’m sorry to say, I do not know their names. But they are more than worthy of
virus burnout. Protesters are angry the government is restricting their “freedom.” If they want to protest, protest by Mark the treatment of black Stoub and brown Americans instead. Even our Presiour consideration, and dent, (I cannot call him more specifically, our my President), flaunts admiration and awe. all the safeguards our As spring gave way scientists say will keep to summer, the vestigus from getting this es of the wildflowers deadly virus. turned to grass. My gaze It is safe to say the dishifted to the post office visions of our past have grounds itself which are made this present crisis guarded by the only wall even more dangerous. worth having -a wall of So, I offer the image crape myrtle trees surof a vacant field of the rounding the post office humble wildflower to proper. provide a respite from I bring up this all the turmoil, crisis, glimpse of beauty with and division we face. the backdrop of the And to offer one more COVID-19 pandemic bit of nature’s wisdom. clearly in mind. We are It was not just beauty in the midst of coronalifting my soul and put-
Goldie Walks
ting a spring in my step. It was how long they lasted. How persistent they were. They were just downright tenacious! We will have this virus with us for years to come. But what is also true we can see nature’s beauty everywhere we look. It would be good if we had the eyes to see, the heart to appreciate it, and the mind to receive the message it sends. Kyle resident Mark W Stoub is the author of two novels: “Blood Under the Altar” and “The Fifth Trumpet: Fire in the Blood.” And a new memoir, coming soon: “A Vagabond Pastor: Lost and Learning to Love it.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PROTECTION DURING VOTING? On Thursday, July 9, 2020, I exercised my right to vote at the Hays County Early Voting Precinct at Roger Hanks Parkway in Dripping Springs. The man in front of me was not wearing a mask. This caused me great consternation, so when I got home, I looked up Governor Abbott’s mask requirement. It appears that Governor Abbott thought that the COVID-19 situation was grave enough to warrant making a requirement to wear masks in public, but voters are expendable. Masks are not required in voting precincts. With Texas posting record number of new COVID-19 cases almost daily, is Governor Abbott saying that voting precincts have some magical qualities that we don’t know about? Texas has blocked the ability to vote by mail in the upcoming November election, and they are also going to roll the dice
DEADLINES
with voters’ lives. Do we really want people with so little regard for human life to be making decisions on our behalf? Wake up, Texas! Voting is your right! You should be entitled to exercise your rights without endangering your lives. Gregg Abbott is a public servant. Let him know you want to be protected while exercising your right to vote. Eda Haynes Matthews Leslie Hunt Dripping Springs
OPEN LETTER TO BUDA CITIZENS On June 16, 2020, the Buda City Council held its regular council meeting via teleconference. One of the items on the agenda was consideration of the adoption of a resolution in support of equality and justice. This resolution was proposed in the light of ongoing world-wide protests over the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. During the formal dis-
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cussion period, Council Member Ray Bryant, the first and only African-American member of Buda’s City Council, spoke powerfully about his own lived experience as an African-American, and proudly in support of the resolution. The final speaker during the discussion period was Buda Mayor George Haehn. Speaking in a public forum, as the elected leader of the City of Buda, Mayor Haehn took this opportunity to object to the wording of the equality and justice resolution. He asserted that African-American victims of police violence should not be publicly named unless we also name police officers who have been killed in the line of duty, and questioned the very existence of systemic racism: “When we include the words ‘systemic and institutional racism, I cannot accept that. I have not seen it.” This is the very definition of white privilege; if it hasn’t happened to me, it cannot exist. Mayor Haehn went on to say:
LETTERS GUIDELINES
“The idea that the entire system is rigged, and it’s intrinsic racism, I cannot accept those words.” The City Council went on to vote 6-1 in favor of the resolution, Mayor Haehn voting against. The passage of this resolution is a symbolic first step, important but inconsequential in and of itself. Without the hard work of self-examination and reform, multiple steps taken in concert with all involved parties – government, police, communities of color – our minority communities will continue to bear the brunt of systemic racism and institutional injustice. At this vital inflection point, to have a leader who rejects the most basic terms of the conversation is unacceptable, which is why I have asked that Mayor Haehn to either apologize to his community and commit to personal growth, or to step down as Mayor of Buda. Terry Cummings, RN Buda City Council Single Member District C
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NEWS
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
Census 2020
San Marcos still lowest in participation
No 2020 liftoff for Pie in the Sky BY MEGAN WEHRING
ling the event is upsetting yet understandable The COVID-19 pandue to safety concerns. demic has once again “It’s a little sad to see infringed on a tradition it not happen this year important to the combut I know due to the munity. circumstances, public Labor Day Weekend safety is priority numin the city of Kyle will ber one,” Rizo said. not be the same this Despite the ciryear. cumstances, council Kyle City Council member Alex Villalobos decided to cancel the reflects on Pie in the Sky annual Pie in the Sky festivities from previous event for 2020. Due years. to concerns over the “I’m going to miss coronavirus, council the pie in the face and members believe it is the pie eating contest,” in the community’s Villalobos said. best interest to skip the City staff are looking event this year. at possibly hosting an Council member amended event for Robert Rizo said cancel- Labor Day weekend.
BY ANITA MILLER
DS Rotary Club presents check to Friends Foundation STAFF REPORT
incurred additional expenses purchasing Rotary Club of Dripping personal protective Springs’ Don McGraw equipment but the presents The Friends safety of our clients and Foundation President volunteers is paramount.” Kathy Carriker a check “The Friends for $1,000.00 in support Foundation’s 27th of Our Daily Bread™, Annual BBQ Fundraiser a program providing at the Salt Lick has been meals to local area elderly cancelled. To sustain our residents. “We’re more several vital programs than happy to help such the Board has decided to a giving organization hold an online auction and look forward to a this year with details to continued relationship,” be announced,” Carriker said McGraw. added. “In spite of the For information about COVID-19 (coronavirus), programs benefiting meals are being delivered the elderly or to make on regular schedules,” a donation visit www. Carriker said. “We’ve thefriendsfoundation.org
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What Mountain City lacks in population it is making up for in participation — regarding Census 2020 at least. The tiny municipality MEJIA (population 780 in 2018) leads Hays County in terms of participation in the Constitutionally-mandated count of everyone living in the U.S. According to the most recent figures presented to the Hays County Commissioners Court, 88.5 percent of Mountain City residents have responded by filling out their Census form. That figure has stayed steady for some time. Anita Collins, assistant to Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra, and the county’s Census coordinator Jessica Meija briefed the court July 7 on outreach efforts. Meija participated over the phone because, she said, she is in quarantine because of COVID-19. Second in terms of participation is Bear Creek, an unincorporated Hays County village, where 77.1% of the population have completed their Census forms. Bear Creek edged up 0.6% since the last update. Buda, with a participation rate of 71.3%, edged up 1.4%, though Kyle, with a participation rate of 63.5%, stayed the same.
OTHER OUTREACH EFFORTS MEJIA DETAILED INCLUDED:
• 255 residents reached through bilingual yard signs placed throughout the county • 1,200 residents reached through Central Texas Food Bank distributions in Kyle • Approximately 5,000 reached through tables and signage at free COVID-19 testing sites.
Rounding out the Hays County municipalities with participation rates above the Texas average of 56.8 percent is Dripping Springs at 59.9% (up 0.2). Municipalities below the state average are, in order, Woodcreek at 59.1% (up 0.3%), Wimberley at 55%t (no change), Uhland at 52.0% (no change) and Niederwald at 51.0% (no change). Bringing up the bottom is the county seat of San Marcos, with a participation rate of 42.6% (up 0.3%). That last number, noted Pct. 1 Commissioners Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, needs work. Meija agreed, and said that around 500 San Marcos residents had been reached through the Hays County Food Bank. Mejia also mentioned Census banners put up at different locations in Driftwood and Dripping Springs, and a countywide youth essay contest that is intended to encourage children to
CENSUS UPDATE, 6
Sudoku puzzle courtesy of www.4puz.com
Buda Library enacts temporary protocols The Buda Public Library building is closed but library staff is available by phone Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Curbside pickup for reserved items, class supplies and reading logs is on Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 5 p.m. People needing another
pickup time can email the librarian at librarian@budalibrary.org. The digital library is always available. They also have many storytimes and activities on the Buda Library home page at www.budalibrary.org/281/BudaLibrary-at-Home.Check its website for the most up-to-date information on library operations at www.budalibrary.org.
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
Page 5
COVID-19 creates all kinds of stress. Here are some tips for coping with it The millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought globally are creating stress over everything from personal health to employment, lifestyle, and finances. Given these difficult circumstances, it’s more important than ever for people to know about coping mechanisms to better manage stress, protect their immune system, and increase their chances of staying healthy, says Dr. Nammy Patel, DDS (www.sfgreendentist. com), author of Age With Style: Your Guide To A Youthful Smile & Healthy Living. “COVID is maximizing stress for so many people,” Dr. Patel says. “It has a far-reaching impact into every part of our lives, and if we don’t manage the stress, it severely affects our bodily systems – causing burned-out adrenals, high cortisol, and thyroid issues, to name a few consequences of high-stress levels. Thus, the immune system is lowered, and we are more vulnerable to illness. “This era we are living in is very traumatic, and it’s very concerning. In dentistry, gum disease, sleep disturbances or apnea, and teeth breakage can all be evidence of stress. Poor oral health, as studies show, can be a gateway to medical issues. People often don’t identify how much stress they’re under, and how it’s affecting them physically, until they actually get sick.” Dr. Patel has the follow-
“This era we are living in is very traumatic, and it’s very concerning. In dentistry, gum disease, sleep disturbances or apnea, and teeth breakage can all be evidence of stress. Poor oral health, as studies show, can be a gateway to medical issues. People often don’t identify how much stress they’re under, and how it’s affecting them physically, until they actually get sick.” –Dr. Nammy Patel
ing suggestions people can incorporate into their daily lives to better deal with stress: • Adhere to a healthy diet. While in quarantine or a new normal in which people are spending the vast majority of their time at home, having healthy foods at home and not over-snacking are vital considerations. “We must be more mindful of the foods we put in our bodies,” Dr. Patel says. “Eat as many greens and whole foods as possible. Avoid dairy products as they increase mucus production in the sinus and the chest, leading to lots of sneezing and congestion. The coronavirus enters the nose and makes a home in the sinus, and to increase immunity, it’s important that the sinus and chest are not inflamed. Food prep makes it easier to eat healthy while working from home. Prepare salads and other healthy meals in advance.” • Don’t over-indulge
in drinking. “For some people, drinking is the only source of enjoyment during the pandemic,” Dr. Patel says. “And we see people who are isolating having Zoom calls with friends while drinking wine. The problem is that one glass turns into two or more, and with the sugar content of wine, you may wake up during the night. This disturbs sleep, and sleep is when the immune system regenerates. Restorative sleep is essential to our health.” • Take vitamin supplements. “Often, those with adrenal fatigue don’t take in enough essential nutrients as stress increases their body’s nutritional demands,” Dr. Patel says. “To address adrenal and cortisol burnout, take multivitamins in order to get trace minerals.” • Develop a morning ritual. “Deep breathing exercises can be calming and get you out of the hyper state,” Dr. Patel says. “You want to get rid of the ‘fight or flight’ mode and
enter the ‘rest and digest’ state of mind.” • Find a stress management activity that works for you. Many people don’t like to exercise, but Dr. Patel notes exercise doesn’t have to be rigorous to be effective. “A type of exercise one enjoys doing at home like walking, running, or yoga goes a long way toward releasing stress hormones,” she says. “And for those who like intense workouts, it’s all good in terms of reducing stress. Another good stress management technique is using biofeedback mechanisms like alpha state meditations to increase immunity.” “The disruption of daily life by COVID-19 has caused us to rethink many things that we do,” Dr. Patel says. “How we deal with stress needs to be a priority now, and it’s not overly difficult if you develop good daily habits.”
ABOUT DR. NAMMY PATEL, DDS Dr. Nammy Patel, DDS (www.sfgreendentist. com) operates a practice called Green Dentistry in San Francisco and is the author of Age With Style: Your Guide To A Youthful Smile & Healthy Living. A graduate of the University of California’s School of Dentistry, she is a leader in the movement to bring environmental sanity and well-being into the dental world. Dr. Patel focuses on helping patients recognize the vital connection between dental health and whole body health.
Walnut Springs principal picked for Harvard Institute Walnut Springs Elecation. The members of mentary Principal Methe cohort represent 43 linda Gardner is among school districts and two 62 school leaders charter schools. from across In years Texas who have past, the group been selected traveled to as educators to Harvard during attend summer the summer to institutes at participate in the Principals’ one of the weekCenter at the long institutes. Harvard GradHowever due uate School to COVID-19, of Education this year they GARDNER sponsored by the are invited to Raise Your Hand participate Texas Foundation, a in an optional online non-profit organization course facilitated by working to strengthen Harvard this summer. public education in The group also will meet Texas. virtually each month to Gardner just comdiscuss their problem of pleted her first year in practice, attend the 2021 Dripping Springs ISD Raise Your Hand Texas following 14 years in Leadership Sympovarious positions in sium, and then head to Bastrop ISD, including Harvard next summer principal at Lost Pines to participate in their Elementary. She will be selected institute. eligible to attend one of For every participant two institutes focused on in the Harvard Institutes, leadership, then will join the foundation covers all the Raise Your Hand Tex- expenses for the attendas Regional Leadership ees including tuition, Collaborative, which travel and hotel – investconnects alumni in ing on average about regional groups who visit $9,200 per attendee, for a each other’s campuses, total of about $1 million conduct instructional in sponsorships for 2019, rounds, share best prac- and more than $9 miltices, and problem-solve lion since the program’s on current issues in edu- inception.
HaysFreePress.com HaysNewsDispatch.com for Hays County news
Texas History: Jim Well’s word was law in the valley
T
wenty-eight year old James Babbage Wells, Jr. arrived at the southern tip of Texas on July 22, 1878 with a burning desire to make the most of a fresh start. The son of a proud but far from prosperous hero of the Lone Star Revolution had been in Brownsville only a few days, when he was surprised by an unexpected offer of employment. Judge Stephen Powers, the man who called the shots in South Texas, needed to replace a junior partner killed in a duel and wanted to know if the newcomer would consider joining his prestigious law firm. There had been nothing to keep Wells in Rockport. His practice was in the doldrums and his bank account in dire need of a cash transfusion after he drained it to save his father from financial ruin. Judge Powers did not have to ask twice. In no time at all, Jim Wells’ courtroom expertise impressed not only his new employer but the clique that counted in the Rio Grande Valley – the big ranchers. In an historic defense of ancient land grants, he won 20 of 21 litigations. By deftly pulling the fat out of the fire for several influential families, the young lawyer performed a priceless service none would ever forget. Taking Wells under his wise old wing, Judge Powers showed him the ropes in the unique realm between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. Then as today, with a population overwhelmingly Mexican, the Valley was a world unto itself and in many ways a part of Texas in name only. The fast learner soaked up every bit of information his tutor generously shared, and his choice of brides – the judge’s niece – did nothing to hurt his chances. When Powers passed on in 1882, his 32-year-old protégé was ready to fill his shoes. The traditional roles of
Texas History by Bartee Haile
patron and peon defined daily life in South Texas during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The predominantly Anglo landowners exercised a benevolent brand of nepotism, and in return the Mexican laborers deferred to their wisdom in public affairs. This relationship resulted in bloc-voting as dependable as the sunrise which laid the foundation for a permanent political machine. The election code of that era was tailor-made for packing polls. All that a Mexican migrant had to do in order to vote was to declare his intention to seek U.S. citizenship. This legal loophole not only opened up elections to blatantly unqualified voters but also encouraged the importation of aliens from the other side of the border for the sole purpose of casting bought and paid for ballots. A practice called “corralling” guaranteed heavy turnouts for the South Texas machines. The faithful were assembled on election eve for an all-night barbecue and herded en masse the next morning to the polling places. To simplify the process for those not fluent in English, the ballots were color coded – blue for the Wells slate and red for the opposition ticket. With a gift for give-andtake consensus, no one played the game better than Wells. After consolidating control of his home county of Cameron, he engineered the evolution of identical lockstep organizations in adjacent jurisdictions. Archie Parr in Duval County and Manuel Guerra in Starr each ruled his own roost but followed Wells’ lead on state and national issues. Every once and awhile,
the ballot-box charade in Cameron County provoked legislative cries for a cleanup, but all attempts at reform were nipped in the bud or simply ignored. In defense of Wells against the charge that he was a cold-hearted tyrant, a supporter cited his concern for constituents “whose notes he has endorsed and paid, whose babies he has played with, whose tangles he has untangled and whose troubles he has made his own for more than 30 years.” Wells could be compassionate one moment and ruthlessly hard as nails the next. Failing to entice a defiant sheriff back into the fold, he said, “I have done all in my power to conciliate, and I shall devote all I can to crush. I am too old a frontiersman to even think of wounding a snake. Kill it or leave it alone.” This particular “snake” turned up dead, the victim of an apparent assassination. The crime was never solved, and for years the rumor persisted that Wells was responsible for the murder of the lawman. Accused of indiscriminate violence against Valley Mexicans, the Texas Rangers came under such severe scrutiny that the very survival of the legendary corps was at stake. Although he acknowledged the Rangers’ complicity in a few homicides,
Wells did not waver in his staunch support. “I want to add that there were a lot more that should have been killed.” Ninety-six years after his death, the name of Jim Wells still stirs up a hornet’s nest of polar-
ized opinions. To critics he remains a symbol of pure evil, while admirers remember him as a Mussolini who made the trains run on time. The truth likely lies somewhere in between. Read about Bonnie and
Catalina is a female, 2-year-old Red Lacy mix. She always has this adorable smile plastered to her face and seems ready to take on new situations with optimism. Catalina does well with other dogs, loves to play and be silly, and enjoys going for walks around our shelter. This girl is what we call a Goldilocks size too. Not too big, not too small. Just right.
Clyde and other Thirties outlaws in “Texas Depression Era Desperadoes.” Get your copy at reduced price of $20.00 by mailing a check to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.
Rick Astley is a male, 5-year-old Shorthair Flamepoint. Rick’s cool with cats, cool with dogs, cool with kids, cool with adults, cool with being picked up and held, cool with pretty much everything. We honestly can’t say enough good things about this Rick Astley. Ever met a cat with a future so bright he has to squint? Well, now is your chance!
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
We proudly support our hometown teams Texas hometown friendly bank
512-858-5159
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
Owners urged: register wells near route of PHP pipeline STAFF REPORT
water wells and the HTGCD issued a warning to As construction of the other well-owners located Kinder Morgan Permian within five miles of the Highway Pipeline propipeline’s path. Kinder gresses across the Texas Morgan is still developing Hill Country, the Hays a protocol for mitigation, Trinity Groundwater Dis- and says it is working trict is urging the owners with landowners in the of water wells to register area. them. “We consider those Construction on the wells (within a five mile 430-mile, 42-inch natural radius) to be the most gas pipeline is currently vulnerable to contamihalted near Chimney nation in the event of a Rock Road in Blanco construction accident or County, where a karst transmission rupture,” feature was hit March 28 the HTGCD spokesperson while a contractor was said. But because of the attempting the first of two earlier breach “we must required bores under the take the threat of acciBlanco River, but contin- dents seriously.” ues elsewhere. The organization said The karst fracture threats during construcfouled nearby drinking tion include “silt contam-
Abbott says more DOD resources on the way AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has activated additional U.S. Army Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces (UAMTF) to assist the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. At the Governor’s request and as part of a whole-of-nation approach, one UAMTF arrived in San Antonio on July 6th, an additional task force arrived in Texas to support the Houston region today, and four UAMTFs, along with a U.S. Navy Acute Care Team and four U.S. Navy Rapid Rural Response teams, will be deployed to additional
ination from right-of-way clearing, pipeline boring, trenching and/or construction machinery fuel or hydraulic oil spills.” Once the pipeline starts transmitting natural gas, the threats consists of “accidental punctures, pipeline joint failures and operational accident that may leak and contaminate land and drinking water sources.” Well registration consists of filling out a form on the website of the HTGCD. Once that is done, the well is placed in a database free of charge. The HTGCD says that well owners with registered wells may have the advantage of legal standing in a court of law.
ENTERTAINMENT
3200 Kyle Crossing (512) 523 9012
locations across Texas as identified by ongoing assessments. These teams consist of medical and support professionals. “Our ongoing partnership with the federal government is crucial to meeting the medical needs of Texans as we combat COVID-19 in our communities,” said Abbott. “Texas is grateful to the Department of Defense as well as President Trump and Vice President Pence for providing these additional resources and for working alongside our communities to keep Texans safe and mitigate the spread of this virus.”
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Page 6
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1180 Thorpe Lane (512) 210 8600 Cinema Eatery & Social Haus
$5 Tuesday Frenzy
1250 WONDER WORLD DR.
(512) 805 8005 EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.
Census Update: County seat still bringing up the rear Continued from pg. 4
engage their parents in filling out their Census forms. That contest is being held in conjunction with the Indigenous Cultures Institute and youth 18 and younger can submit their entries through
indigenouscultures.org through July 24. Mejia said despite those initiatives, she is encountering “people who have no clue what the Census is.” The coronavirus pandemic has hampered
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
how Census workers have interacted with the public — for example they are not doing a lot of in-person events — but Mejia noted that the pandemic has also presented another opportunity for outreach and
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
Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626 Your Hometown McDonald’s
15359 IH-35, Ste. B • P.O. Box 1364, Buda, TX 78610
512-312-2383
Locally owned and operated by Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson
Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle
Texas Crossword Solution
Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.
St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland CHRISTIAN
Santa Cruz Catholic Church
1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. Jesse Martinez, Pastor • Fr. Rito Davila, Parochial Vicar CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m. MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m. (Spanish), 10:30 a.m. (English) 5 p.m. (English)
OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda EPISCOPAL St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland The Well Buda
CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda
Texas Crossword, from page 4
been extended to Oct. 31, and is hopeful for more participation once school starts, especially in low-performing San Marcos. Census forms can be completed online or over the phone.
Come worship with us
Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle
McDonald’s of Buda
contact including testing sites and food distributions. “Where there is COVID education, we will be teaching about the Census,” she said. She said the deadline to fill out the form has
METHODIST Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor
The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda
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Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda
Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities
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
Pure Texas
New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)
Spring Water!
Vertical Chapel 5700 Dacy Lane (McCormick M.S.), Buda A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle
Call 1-866-691-2369
Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda
Sudoku Solution
Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd. PRESBYTERIAN 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
*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
Privately owned From local springs FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE
Friendly, Courteous Service
Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle
Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
Elm Street & San Marcos
For Census 2020 information, visit www.Census2020.org
TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP
New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda
Buda United Methodist Church
Be Counted!
First Baptist Church
Hays Hills
A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161
Baptist Church
Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m. Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m.
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
Sudoku Puzzle, from page 4
Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m. AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.
www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626
Nursery Provided www.firstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com
Classifieds
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• 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/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
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For Rent
Employment
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.
Public Notices
For Sale
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
MOBILE HOME FOR RENT Cypress Rd., Kyle,TX. 2BD/1BA $825+Deposit, plus utilities, Water Paid 512-627-3077.
FOR SALE: STORAGE SHED 8 foot wide x10 foot long x 8 foot deep. Best offer. Call 512-971-2637
Home For Rent
Notice is hereby given that original Letters of Independent Co-Administration for the Estate of Floye Sedio, Deceased, were issued on June 17, 2020 under Docket No. 20-0131-P, pending in the County Court of Hays County, Texas, to Barbra Neumann and Michael J. Sedio. Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the estate, addressed as follows: Representative, Estate of Floye Sedio, Deceased c/o JoAnne McIntosh Eccles & McIntosh, PC 506 West 16th Street Austin, Texas 78701 All persons having claims against this estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. Dated July 7, 2020. Eccles & McIntosh, PC JoAnne McIntosh Attorney for Independent Administrators
NOTICE OF ABANDONED
Will the owners of a Rusted 1959 Oldsmobile 88 4-door VIN-597K05483, please contact Quantum Towing at 512-295-8697. This vehicle is being held at our storage facility (VSF0640024) located at 100 Rodriguez Ln, Buda, TX. The vehicle has been in our possession since 4/18/2020 and accrued fees of $1,267.55 as of 6/4/2020. The vehicle will continue to accrue storage fees of $21.65 a day until vehicle is released. The failure of the owner to claim the vehicle & personal property before the 30th day after the date of this notice is provided a waiver by the person of all right, title, or interest in the vehicle & personal property and is a consent to the sale of the vehicle at a public auction.
NOTICE OF SALE
Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code hereby gives notice of public sale under said act to wit: This sale will be held July 31, 2020 at 2:30 PM on StorageAuction.com. The property in the storage unit(s) listed under tenant’s name is being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Safe-nSound Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid or to cancel any public sale advertised. Announcement made the day of the sale takes precedence over any printed materials. ROMAN SIMENTAL 10X10 NC – 4 Sets of car tires, 2 mobile tool boxes on wheels, Lamps, Portable Heater, Hand Dolly, Men’s Shoes, Air Mattress, Microwave, Toaster
Oven, Car Creeper, Shovel, Misc. Items and Totes. EDWARD GONZALES 10X10 NC – Dryer, Folding Chair, Roll of Roof Tarping, Nail Gun, Bag of Quikrete, Bags of Tile Grout, Mop, Broom, Gas Can and Misc. Items. JAZMIN STOKES 10X15 NC – Area Rug, Comforter Set, Full Mattress and Box Spring, 10 Speed Bike, Chest of Drawers, Dresser and Mirror, Chair, Oil Paintings, Dining Table and Chairs, Sewing Machine, Clothes and Shoes and Misc. Items.
NOTICE OF APPLICANT SPONSORED MEETING FOR DOUBLE L PHASE 1 SUBDIVISION
Date and Time: Thursday, 7/30 at 6:00 p.m. Location: Zoom Meeting – https://us02web.zoom. us/j/84715290761 Conference ID: 847 1529 0761 Call In Number: +1 346248-7799, 84715290761# You are invited to attend an applicant sponsored meeting at the above date, time, and location in order to present and receive public comment on the preliminary plat of Double L Phase 1 Subdivision, a proposed 223acre single lot subdivision 1.5 miles north of US 290 and Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. A copy of the Preliminary Plat will be presented at the meeting and questions will be addressed. Information regarding the application or meeting may be obtained from Hays County Development Services at (512) – 393-2150. Tracking number: PLN-1486-NP
NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE
Pursuant to Hays County Development Regulations, this to notify you of an application which has been filed with Hays County to subdivide 223 acres of land, located approximately 1.5 miles north of US 290 and Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, as depicted on the attached preliminary plat. Water and wastewater services will be provided by Municipality Utilities District #7 and the City of Dripping Springs. Electrical service will be provided by Pedernales Electric Cooperative and gas will be provided by Texas Gas Service. Emergency services will be provided by Hays County Emergency Services District No. 6. Information regarding the application or meeting may be obtained from Hays County Development Services at (512)-393-2150. Tracking number: PLN-1486-NP
To place an ad, email paper@haysfreepress or call 512-268-7862 Classifieds are only $8 for 20 words or less. Deadline for all advertising is anytime Monday prior to the Wednesday publication.
Uber in Kyle
Continued from pg. 1
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With the coronavirus at the forefront of everyone’s agenda, council member Robert Rizo questioned how Uber will maintain a safe environment. John McGinty, who oversees partnerships with cities and transit agencies, said Uber will be implementing safety guidelines for drivers to follow before taking a trip. “Every driver has been given disinfectants, masks and cleaning supplies from us to clean their vehicles,” McGinty said. “For a driver to take a trip on their platform, they have to take a selfie and have approval to take rides. The driver has to wear a mask.”
McGinty said riders will also be expected to follow Uber’s guidelines before requesting a ride. “Riders sign off to wearing masks for trips right now, wash their hands and take precautions,” McGinty said. “Additionally, riders are sitting in the backseat now. They’re cracking windows if possible to promote more airflow.” Uber also reduced the number of individuals allowed in a regular car from four to three. The company is working with local public health authorities to adapt to the needs of residents during the pandemic.
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
Cite & Divert
Continued from pg. 1 of the county’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, which is chaired by the county’s Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos. “We thank subcommittee chair Alex Villalobos and Commissioner Lon Shell for guiding this positive step forward in reducing excessive criminalization and jailing, but we urge the county to provide counsel for defendants, so no one is forced to speak directly to a prosecutor without advice from an attorney,” Mano Amiga’s Policy Director Eric Martinez said. Villalobos is also the Democratic candidate for sheriff and will face Cutler on the ballot in November. Already, state laws allows (and the San Marcos
ordinance mandates) that some low-level offenders be given citations instead of being arrested. The person still has to go through the booking process, get a lawyer and show up in court. If found guilty, the person will have to pay the fine. If found not guilty, he or she have to go through a process to have their record expunged. Under Cite & Divert, however, officers also have the option to steer the person to a meeting with a prosecutor from the DA’s office “who may determine that a course of diversion is most appropriate.” After the person satisfies the terms of the diversion, their record remains clear of that offense.
Eligible offenses include misdemeanor marijuana possession and theft, driving with an invalid license and criminal mischief. More offenses could be added in the future, the news release says. The announcement also said plans were being made to provide defense counsel at the first meeting between the offender and a prosecutor. On Tuesday, Mau won approval from the Commissioners Court to hire an attorney for the purpose of participating in an ongoing study of having defense counsel present at magistration (when offenders who have been arrested first meet with a judge who will set or refuse bond).
The study is one of a number of steps towards improving the county’s criminal justice system commissioners have undertaken in the past few years. Another is the establishment of a Magistration Division that allows for more offenders to see a judge more rapidly and somewhat frees up justices of the peace from those duties. Additionally, the county has authorized a study of the jail’s population by the Vera Institute. Of Cite & Divert, Mau said while officers “generally have the authority to arrest and jail” people for the offenses covered by Cite & Divert under certain circumstances (like other charges or outstanding
warrants), the program provides another avenue, filling the gap between arrest and, for example, a warning. “My goal here was to give officers — and minor offenders — an option between a no-arrest consequences warning and a booked-in-criminal-record arrest,” he said. “My hope is that we will be ale to ensure that the consequences for violating the law are sufficient to discourage repetition of the conduct in the cases where a full-blown court proceeding does not seem necessary or justified by the circumstances.” “I believe the program is of the utmost importance,” Cutler said, “because while it maintains the discretion of our officers, it will also aid
us in our efforts to reduce the number of persons being brought to the jail for processing and housing.” Mano Amigo founder Jordan Buckley said Villalobos was “an early and steady champion” of Cite & Divert, and also said Shell had played a “key role in getting the ball into the end zone.” He also challenged Villalobos, who is a member of the Kyle City Council, to follow the lead of the county seat in pursuing a City & Release ordinance for that city. Cutler also thanked Commissioners Lon Shell (Pct. 3) and Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe (Pct. 1) and Criminal Justice Analyst Samantha Jones for their work on the initiative.
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Dripping with Taste tour through July 31
Head to the Texas Hill Country this month and experience the wineries, breweries and distilleries on the Dripping with Taste Passport Trail. The Dripping with Taste Passport is a self-guided event taking
Springs through July 31. Purchase a Digital Passport and get up to a 50 percent discount on drinks or flights during July, plus other offers only available to Passport holders. Tastings at each business are determined by the establishment and will vary. With a Dripping with Taste Passport, visit up to 4 of the participating destinations in one day. Passports are valid until July 31. “Dripping Springs and Driftwood venues on The Trail are open and happy to serve customers under the Governor’s health and social distancing guidelines,” said Pam Owens, president of the Dripping Springs Visitors Bureau. Dripping Springs is home to some of the region’s most recognizable alcohol brands, yet at the same time offers some of the place this month in the smallest “craft distillers” in scenic Dripping Springs Texas. area. A variety of wineries, For $25 per person, enjoy a month-long, booze-y breweries and distilleries adventure discovering the in the Dripping Springs area can be enjoyed with trifecta of the craft beverage experience in Dripping the passport.
Rebel Mascot: Changed considered Thursday
Kyle launches Spanish COVID-19 messaging BY MEGAN WEHRING While the coronavirus is dubious in nature, education and communication to the entire public is important. With the increasing COVID-19 cases in Hays County, a task force was formed between members of Kyle City Council. Councilmembers Alex Villalobos, Michael
Tobias and Robert Rizo wanted to educate the Spanish speaking community about dangers of the virus and how to keep everyone safe. The task force started a Spanish PSA campaign to reach out to the community. Information is released using billboards, flyers, brochures, social media, YouTube and the Kyle10 TV chan-
nel. Posters have also been distributed through food distribution sites, churches and gas stations. Samantha Armbruster, director of communications, said Kyle officials are grateful for members of the Spanish speaking community that helped with the outreach material along the way.
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Continued from pg. 1
represent what students would like to see as a new mascot.” If the Board decides to retire the mascot, a replacement mascot will likely be selected at a later date. Hays High School would also open in the fall
as ‘the rebels.’ Students would not be required to wear uniforms with ‘the rebels’ if they do not wish to do so. “Though the campus could begin phasing out ‘rebel’ depictions on websites,
walls, and other places around the building immediately, an official mascot change-over date would likely not occur until the spring semester or at the start of the 20212022 school year,” the statement read.
TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
Improper: Posts Sink Hays CISD employee Continued from pg. 1
cently as this year, while other graduated several years ago. Bowe was placed on administrative leave that day, as the district launched an investigation and reported the matter to CPS and the HCSO. Bowe was hired as a teacher at Hays High in August 1998. He served in that role until January 2017 when he applied for, and was hired as, the district’s communications specialist in Central Office. He was also involved
involved in a number of campus activities including the Mr. Rebel pageant, cheerleading sponsor and activities related to Homecoming. As a communications specialist, he was an atwill employee. However, the district said, because he also holds a teacher certificate, his situation will also be reported to the State Board for Educator Certification. The district urged any past or present student with knowledge pertinent to Bowe to report it to
the HCSO or local law enforcement agency. “All employees, regardless of position in the district, are subject to the same expectation of the highest standards of professionalism,” the district’s statement read. “The district has strict procedures and policy in place to ensure that allegations, such as those made in the matter, are thoroughly investigated and reported to the proper authorities; and that employees are held to account.”
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 15, 2020
Coronavirus Anxiety Continued from pg. 2
has become divisive and Americans have split into two groups, Sandahl said. So how far have we come since quarantine in March and where are we now? After the initial two weeks in March of dealing with trouble management, as one would after losing a loved one, April brought with it anxiety. Sandahl explained the coronavirus stages of grief by explaining how she felt losing her father, who passed away a few months ago. “At first I would think of my dad and trick my mind and say I can call him,” Sandahl said. “But we are all gradually realizing this is happening, and I have to find a new way to be without my dad.” In the case of our country, what residents lost was their freedom, a virtue Americans are very dedicated to. Regardless of being a believer in the power of masks, or whether a person wears a mask, it is no longer the same world, Sandahl said. April ended but our anxiety did not. May brought along with it another unwelcome mental health issue – depression. Simply stated, Sandahl believes it is because there is no end in sight. But in May, Americans also faced the issue of divisiveness. As Texas reopened people had more choices and this caused a split.
There was a group of people who continued to isolate and did not want to change their quarantined lifestyle, and then the group who wanted to go out and live life like before. And because humans are wolf pack animals, this created the pressure for people to mingle all over again. Some social recommendations were made in May which allowed the expansion of the social bubble. The recommendation said that people can see a select group of people, allowing children to see cousins and having a glass of wine with friends outdoors sitting six-feet apart. This relieved some anxiety in May. Unfortunately, Sandahl said, some people ran out the door as soon as it opened and those decisions depended on a person’s way of thinking. “Most people are driven by thinking or feeling,” Sandahl told Barton Publications. “Our behavior is determined by that relationship, that discussion between heart and mind. Whichever one wins determines our behavior.” The anxious types are the over-thinkers, and generally those were people who maintained very small social bubbles, Sandahl observed from her clients. If a person makes decisions based on feelings, then it feels so bad to not be part of a pack, and instead of doing the
mental gymnastics on who can be trusted, they think “I cannot do it anymore” and socialize, Sandahl explained. By the end of June, the situation began to shift again. For a while, Texas was not experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases and people thought they were safe and the government kept rolling back the restrictions. “Since March 15 until June 22, 90% of my patients said they do not know someone who has coronavirus,” Sandahl said. “That changed. Starting June 22, 90% said they know someone who has it.” This scenario was no longer isolated to Sandahl’s practice. She began listening to her church community who talked about all of the people they knew who contracted the virus. The numbers grew and this time it was not figures on a computer screen, but it was happening on the ground to people everyone knew. This brings on a second wave of grief for Texans. For example, after six months of losing a loved one, a person might start realizing they lost a second income, which invites another reason for sadness. Hays County no longer felt invincible like before when it was recording low levels of infections. Seeing that the county is no longer bulletproof
from viruses brings on that second wave of sadness for many and anger for some. Psychological studies can help this once-in-alifetime experience. “Because this is so much of a grief incident,” Sandahl said, “we can look to grief recovery to inform us on how this will go.” According to new studies on grief, 80% of people end up fine after a loss; they do the thinking and feeling they need to do, but end up sorting it out. “I believe so strongly that 80 percent will figure this out emotionally speaking and will be fine,” Sandahl said. “The other 20% may not feel good for a while.” Sandahl suggests that those who do not know how to handle or process the situation should consult with a therapist.
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Mask Exemptions Continued from pg. 1
“I and other veterans have given up a large portion of our health for other people. I should be able to buy groceries and a cheeseburger same as anyone else without getting the third degree or looked at like some menace to society.” –Nathan Kaspar, Dripping Springs resident given medical directive not to wear face mask
disability is under the ADA but added, there’s “basically no reason to not be able to wear a mask.” She said children with sensory processing disorders and adults with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome might find face covering confusing or uncomfortable, but as a physician she would work to find an alternative. She said that anyone with a chronic lung disorder is at a higher risk for coronavirus “and must absolutely wear a mask.” One alternative would be a clear face shield similar to those worn by many medical professionals. “A face shield would be better than nothing, but really that’s really designed to protect the mucus membranes of the eyes. It’s still open at the bottom and would have to have some kind of drape to seal it off.
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public perception “that if you’re not wearing a mask you don’t give a crap about anyone else. I and other veterans have given up a large portion of our health for other people. I should be able to buy groceries and a cheeseburger same as anyone else without getting the third degree or looked at like some menace to society.” Although Gov. Greg Abbott’s order, which supersedes that of any county judge, clearly states that exemptions include “any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering,” it does not specify what those conditions might be. According to Dr. Danielle C. Beachler, pediatric pulmonologist at Dell Children’s Medical Center, confirmed that “you absolutely cannot ask somebody” what their
2.80
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as low as
constable who regularly works meetings of the commissioner court, where he spoke during public comment on June 30. “He was telling me I couldn’t enter. I said ‘yes I can. I have an exemption.’ He said ‘there are no exemptions’ … I was furious that the constable working Commissioners Court should be so woefully ignorant.” Moreover, Kaspar says people don’t understand that questions about an individual’s disability violates the ADA. “Having to prove an exemption is not how rights work. The way the ADA works is that you have a right to enjoy the same liberties as anyone else without having to assert that right.” Kaspar said he feels that Becerra “owes disabled persons an apology” and “needs to rescind those stickers he put out. They’re inaccurate on their face … He created an undue burden on a gigantic class of people for no reason. The stickers don’t mention exemptions.” He also took issue with the way Becerra’s order “deputized business owners” to enforce it, a task he said often falls to “a 16-year-old who is the lowest earning person who is put at the door.” And there’s also the
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