Aug. 17, 2016 Hays Free Press

AUGUST 17, 2016 NEW SCHOOL

ESD9?

McCormick Middle School grand opening memorializes namesake.

Hays County residents to vote on catch-all Emergency Service District.

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Hays Free Press ©Barton Publications, Inc.

Vol. 120 • No. 21

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX • 75¢

Tax cuts on the way for Kyle?

Storm water utility fee could cover employee costs

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III

Give a bark for Buda’s new dog park!

A little wet weather didn’t stop Buda resident Julie Renfro and a furry four-legged friend from enjoying a tender moment atop a structure at Buda’s new dog park, which officially opened to the public on Saturday. See more photos on page 1C.

$237 million county bond up for vote in November Hays County voters will decide this November on whether they’ll support a bond initiative that, if approved, would improve the county public safety facilities, including the jail, along with area infrastructure.

During the course of a marathon 11-hour meeting, Hays County Commissioners Tuesday crafted a $237.8 million bond initiative, voting 5-0 to place on the November ballot.

Within Hays County’s bond package is $106.4 million that would go toward improving public

$106.4 million would go toward expansion of the Hays County Jail, along with a 911 communications facility. safety facilities. The cost would go toward a colocated facility that would house a $62.4 million expansion of the Hays County Jail, along with $44.4 million for a 911 communications facility.

Brenda Jenkins, a represenative with ECM, said colocating the two facilities allowed for a more cost effective design.

“Even though we really would have liked to have seen the number lower…

we at some point have to say these are things that are needed to make this jail work,” Hays County Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said. She added the county’s decision to go forward with Option B for the bond allows for future expansion and avoids the issue of the jail being full on day one.

“It would be irresponsible for us to consider a bond that doesn’t address

any future growth (for the jail),” Ingalsbe said.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant said the bond allows the county to provide a facility that is “safe for people operating it and are being detained by it.”

But commissioners spent hours whittling down their wish list for potential road improvement projects to be included in the bond.

The end result saw commissioners approve $131.4 million of their $326 million preliminary project list within the referendum. That includes an $11.8 million realignment of FM 150 West from Yarrington Road to Arroyo Ranch Road.

COMING UP Back 2 School Bash

Movie at Lake Kyle: Inside Out

On Aug. 19, the city of Kyle will host a viewing of Pixar’s Inside Out at Lake Kyle. Movies begin after sunset.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks for a fun, familyfriendly evening.

Join Kyle ER this Saturday from 5-8 p.m. for the Back 2 School Bash benefiting Hope & Love 4 Kids at Kyle ER. Enjoy a day filled with bounce houses, food, games, door prizes and more. Bring school supplies and help make sure every student in Hays CISD starts the school year off right.

The event is free to the public.

WINNING!

Texas Pie wins Quest for Texas Best.

– Page 1D

INDEX

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

Kyle Honeybee Festival This Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sustainacycle at 409 W. Center Stree will host this free event celebrating honeybees. Enjoy a day of live demonstrations, talks on urban beekeeping, honey tasting, refreshments and more.

News …………… 1-6A Opinions …………… 3A Sports …………… 1-2B Education ……… 3-4B Community …… 1-6C

A one-penny property tax rate reduction could be on the horizon for Kyle residents as the city continues discussion on the proposed fiscal year 2017 budget.

The reduction could be one of several items the city plans to enact, which could include the creation of a storm water utility fee, within its estimated $79.2 million budget for the coming year.

Kyle Mayor Todd Webster said the onecent decrease was created after the city added its storm drainage and flood risk mitigation fee into the budget.

The fee, which is a $3 per month charge for residential and commercial properties, would generate

enough revenue so that the storm water utility could fund “a number of employees,” Webster said.

In turn, City Manager Scott Sellers moved several employees, who had been funded by general fund monies, to the storm water utility.

Webster said Sellers used the cost savings to cut the property tax rate by a penny.

Webster said the stormwater fee is needed, as it would go toward mitigating flood and drainage issues across the city.

But he added if council nixes the fee, the city’s property tax rate would remain at last year’s rate of .5848 per $100 valuation.

“If we don’t learn from last Halloween’s flood, shame on us,”

KYLE BUDGET, 6A

Buda looks at housing

BY SAMANTHA SMITH

news@haysfreepress.com

Buda is taking steps to potentially offer more options when it comes to housing as it rolled out its Housing Action Plan citizen survey on the city’s website earlier this month.

Buda Planning Director Chance Sparks said the catalyst for the council’s approval of a Housing Action Plan came after the city received some low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) for projects that never were able to get off the ground.

“The uncompleted projects prompted the conversation for the Housing Action Plan, so we (Buda) could determine if we were getting what we wanted with the types of housing being built,” Sparks said.

Buda’s survey consists of 23 questions ranging from asking residents’ age, where they currently live in Buda, how much they earn, how much they currently pay in mortgage or rent payments and what they want to see in Buda as far as housing options go.

According to Sparks, the rapid growth in the area caused the need for the citizen survey to determine what the residents of Buda want to see in their community.

He said the survey would

Best Bets ………… 4C Business ………… 1D Service Directory..... 2-3D Classifieds ………… ...2D Public Notices ………2D

“We want to make it possible for a person who wants to live in Buda their whole life to be able to afford it, no matter what their income level.”

–Chance Sparks, Buda Planning Director

act as a guidebook for developers and affordable housing projects to refer to when deciding what housing structures to erect in Buda.

“Part of the idea of this plan is that when we get approached by these types of projects, we actually have something that we can point them towards,” Sparks said.

The Housing Action Plan came with the stipulation of having a citizen advisory committee, that would assess the housing needs of current and future Buda residents from all sides of the market, including young adults, retirees,

HOUSING OPTIONS, 4A

NEWS

Page 2A

Hays Free Press The Hays Free Press (ISSN 1087-9323) 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.

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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

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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.

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.

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Kyle teen charged with Sheriff ’s Report murder posts bond BUDA

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

A Kyle teen arrested for murder in an April drive-by shooting was released on bond after he was booked into the Hays County Jail on his 17th birthday.

Jamez Gabriel Sanchez, 17, of Kyle, was booked into the Hays County Jail

on one count of first-degree murder, according to jail records. Sanchez was released SANCHEZ the next day on $100,000 bond.

Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett confirmed to

the Hays Free Press that Sanchez was charged with first-degree murder in April in connection with a drive-by shooting in the Post Oak subdivision that killed Natanaell Bardales.

Sanchez, who was 16 at the time of his arrest, was originally not identified by authorities and was booked into the Hays County Juvenile Detention Facility.

TxDOT investigating idea of cross-state rail line

BY SAMANTHA SMITH

news@haysfreepress.com

As the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) voted to oust the Lone Star Rail Program earlier this month, the concept of creating a high-speed passenger rail in Texas hasn’t left the station just yet.

According to a report

by KXAN, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Rail Division released a study on the feasibility of a highspeed rail line between Oklahoma and Texas.

According to the article, TxDOT met in Austin Aug. 10 to give the public a chance to review the initial study of the proposed rail line that measures approximately 850 miles.

According to TxDOT, the feasibility study concentrated on developing a rail that could be either Amtrak-style and use existing tracks, or a true high-speed rail line option.

The different rail options consist of a conventional rail that would utilize existing tracks; trains would travel at speeds of 70 to 90 miles per hour. A secondary option would involve a higher speed rail line that utilizes existing tracks, as well as a few new rail lines, where trains could travel at speeds of 110 to 125 mph.

The true high-speed rail option would require completely new rail lines to be constructed for high-speed train cars only that travel at speeds from 165 to 220 mph.

The true high-speed rail option would require completely new rail lines to be constructed for high-speed train cars only that travel at speeds from 165 to 220 mph.

The study also determined the environmental impacts and construction costs of the proposed rail line.

TxDOT, according to the report, is encouraging public comment and involvement through mailed in comments to its Austin location or in person comment.

The final environmental impact study is due to be complete by late 2016.

Kyle Mayor Todd Webster was unaware of TxDOT’s new study but said from where he sits, “there will have to be regional transportation systems.”

Webster said the reality of a passenger rail system in Texas may not be far in the future, but right around the corner.

“There is an opportunity, if it’s planned right, to get cars off the road. If the legislature wanted to invest in a passenger rail system it would want to

Burn ban lifted in Hays County Effective immediately, the burn ban in Hays County has been lifted until further notice.

For information about safe burning, visit the

Dakota is a 4-year-old male Border Collie mix. I love toys and food, but even more so, I love to be around my person and do whatever they want me to do.

I’m an obedience wiz kid but must herd children, so a home with older teens or an owner familiar with herding breeds would be best. Come see how much enthusiasm I have to bring into my owner’s life!

county’s website at www. co.hays.tx.us and choose Fire Marshal from the Law Enforcement drop down at the top of the page.

Verona is a 2-year-old shorthair. Though she is a bit aloof, Verona is an excellent kitty! Once she is comfortable in her surroundings, she loves being doted on.

Verona is fantastic around other cats and would do best in a home with a companion kitty to show her the ropes.

PAWS Shelter and Humane Society

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 Bill Selman, DVM • Kayley O’Toole, DVM • Devony Arrington, DVM.

Committed to your pet’s health since 1978.

6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747

512-385-0486 • www.TownandCountryVetHospital.com

see studies from TxDOT first,” Webster said.

According to TxDOT, the cost of the study has been covered primarily through state and federal grants, but construction of the proposed railway would be funded through the public sector.

Kyle City Council member Damon Fogley said he didn’t believe council would be willing to provide funds for such a rail line.

“I’m not anti-rail, but we’re stretched on funding as it is,” said Fogley.

Accident/Major/Hit & Run 2:15 a.m. - Area of 31XX Fm 2001 - Aug 10 Environmental Crime 12:36 p.m. - 2XX Black Forest Rd - Aug 10 Theft 8:47 a.m. - 2XX Razzmatazz Trl - Aug 10 Theft 9:23 a.m. - Buda Police Department - Aug 10 Assault/Family Violence 7:35 p.m. - 2XXWindmill Way - Aug. 11 Narcotics 5:02 p.m. - 2XX Windmill Ln - Aug. 12 Possession/Marijuana 12:26 a.m. - Windy Hill Rd at Shadow Creek Blvd Aug. 12 Theft 3:23 p.m. - 44XX Dacy Ln - Aug. 12 Illegal Dumping 3:46 p.m. - Satterwhite Rd at Willamson Rd - Aug. 13 Burglary/Habitation 1:40 a.m. - 23XX Rohde Rd - Aug. 14 Narcotics 12:49 p.m. - Trails at Buda Ranch - Aug. 14 Assault/Family Violence 6:31 p.m. - 2XX Red Morganite Trl - Aug. 15

KYLE Sexual Assault 2:59 p.m. - 2XX Dogwood Trl - Aug 10 Criminal Trespass 7:01 p.m. - Stripes 1524 / Valero - Aug. 12 Fraud 5:26 p.m. - 9XX Petras Way - Aug. 12 Theft 11:59 a.m. - 2XX Cody Ln - Aug. 12 Theft/Vehicle 6:47 p.m. - 1XX Bonanza St - Aug. 12 Theft 12:12 p.m. - 2XX Cody Ln - Aug. 13 Assault/Family Violence 12:16 a.m. - 18XX High Rd - Aug. 14 Burglary/Vehicle 1:58 a.m. - 4XX Railyard Dr - Aug. 14 Assault/Aggravated/Deadly Weapon 11:11 p.m. - 20XX Cypress Rd Lot B - Aug. 15 Assault/Family Violence 8:06 p.m. - 5XX Railyard Dr - Aug. 15

Opinion Hays Free Press

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It would be irresponsible for us to consider a bond that doesn’t address any future growth (for the jail).”

–Debbie Ingalsbe, Pct. 1 Commissioner. Story pg. 1

August 17, 2016

Page 3A

EDITORIAL

Public access necessary, not optional Reprint courtesy of the Houston Chronicle Transparency in government should be an inviolable marker of the people’s right to know.

It’s an old story: Elected officials take office and quickly forget that they are servants of the people, not mini-potentates. Likewise, bureaucrats running state agencies learn to ignore the fact that those agencies exist to do the people’s business. The people, those pesky citizens who pay their salaries, deserve to know how they’re doing.

How easy it is to forget that basic fact of public service. How convenient it is, as well, to have a high court that allows state government to evade transparency and the people’s right to know.

As Kelley Shannon of the nonprofit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas pointed out recently, Texas has been fortunate to have one of the strongest public information laws in the nation. But now, the Texas Supreme Court, like a scissorswielding Delilah, seems intent on shearing away the strength of our public-information Sampson. Two recent rulings have made it more difficult for the public to know how its government is functioning.

In one, the court decided that the nonprofit Greater Houston Partnership did not have to disclose its finances to the public because it was not a governmental body, even though it performed walk-like-aduck, quack-like-a-duck economic development functions for the city of Houston.

In a second decision involving the aerospace company Boeing, the court ruled that a private party doing business with the government does not have to release information in government documents if releasing that information would provide an advantage to a competitor.

The result, as Shannon points out, is that “Information is getting closed off in seemingly straightforward cases of public interest, such as the city of McAllen keeping secret how much taxpayer money it paid for singer Enrique Iglesias to perform at a holiday concert.” The city didn’t want future entertainers to know how much Anna Kournikova’s main squeeze was able to squeeze out of the city for his appearance.

It’s not just a contract for the King of Latin Pop or how many ridehailing permits the city of Houston granted Uber (another ruling affected by the court decision). Entire departments of state government are being contracted out and thus hidden from public access. Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune has mentioned child support, health and human services programs, state prisons and data services, among others. In those instances and a number of others, Attorney General Ken Paxton has instructed local governments not to release information to the public, because the state Supreme Court has ruled they don’t have to.

Fortunately, Paxton isn’t the last word and neither is the court.

Lawmakers with a commitment to public access are preparing legislation for the coming session that would reverse the court’s decisions and restore the strength of the state’s public access guarantees.

State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, is drafting legislation that would increase transparency in state contracting, while state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, is putting together a bill that would address the Boeing ruling and specifically list entertainment contracts with government as public documents.

Both deserve strong public support.

How to get Americans to watch the Olympics

F

ewer Americans are watching the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro than they did prior Games. I offer a solution.

According to The Christian Science Monitor, only 26.5 million Americans watched the Olympics opening ceremony – “a 35 percent drop in viewership from London’s ceremony four years ago and the lowest rating for the event since 1992.”

Why the low ratings?

For starters, fewer people are watching TV. Anyone under 30 is too busy snapchatting and Facebooking to sit in front of something as outmoded as a television set.

America’s waning interest in the Olympics could also be because too many events have been added by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which may be diluting the Olympics brand.

Consider: During the very first Olympics in 1896, there were only nine sports. The Rio Olympics are featuring 28, two of which were newly added: golf and rugby sevens.

Now I played rugby at Penn State. In my book, its toughness qualifies it as a genuine Olympics sport.

Guest Column

by Tom Purcell

But golf? Sure, golf requires precision and smarts. But that’s about it.

The better golfers don’t carry their own clubs or even walk. Their caddies do most of the work.

Besides, if you can smoke a cigar, sip gin and flirt with your mistress on your smartphone while in the throes of competition, I don’t think that qualifies as an “Olympics-level” event.

Nonetheless, the IOC, eager to appeal to younger audiences, keeps expanding its list of sports. In fact, the IOC just announced that it will add five events to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. In addition to the return of baseball/softball, there will be karate, rock climbing, skateboarding and surfing – to which I respond “Cowabunga, dude!”

It seems to me that if the IOC wants to draw in American viewers in bigger numbers, maybe it should add other key “sports” that appeal to our national sensibilities – “sports” that

have long been trying to make the Olympics lineup, such as bowling and ballroom dancing.

Sure, bowling doesn’t require the speed and physical stamina long associated with Olympics sports. But it does require a stamina of sorts: Only a true professional can drink three pitchers of lager and still roll a perfect 300.

Keeping track of the “athletes” will be a lot easier, too – since bowling is the only “sport” in which each competitor has his name stitched onto his shirt pocket.

Proponents of ballroom dancing have been trying like mad to have their “sport” added to the Olympics event list and I say why not.

Such dancing does require the finesse of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. And I don’t care how difficult traditional sports, such as swimming and track, may be. Only ballroom dancers run the risk of blowing out a knee by tripping on a buffet table.

That brings us to pole dancing. Its proponents are hoping that this “sport,” made popular by ladies who shed their clothes in dark, smoky bars, should join the esteemed list of Olympic

Games, and I couldn’t agree more!

Now I know that the games are – or are supposed to be – about excellence, sacrifice and commitment.

I know they’re supposed to be about athletes pushing themselves beyond their physical limits.

But Americans have gone soft over the years. We’re no longer as interested in “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” as we are about instant gratification, junk food, adult beverages and figuring out new schemes by which we can get “the rich” to fund more “free” government goodies.

If the IOC wants Americans to tune back in, it needs to include more “sports” that appeal to what we have become.

Which is why the IOC should add Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest to the Olympics lineup.

Tom Purcell, author of “Misadventures of a 1970’s Childhood” and “Wicked Is the Whiskey,” a Sean McClanahan mystery novel, is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc. Tom@TomPurcell.com

Let’s make voting easier

T

exas’ Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court asking that the state’s stringent voter I.D. law remain in place.

Strange. Paxton’s thinks there’s fraud going on in Texas. He certainly might know all about fraud, as he is being investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

But voter fraud? That’s another story entirely.

Governor Greg Abbott said earlier this year that voter fraud is on the rise and rampant in Texas, but politifact.com found that to be false.

Hays Free Press

Hip Czech

by Cyndy Slovak-Barton

In 2013, then-AG Abbott showed that there had been 18 convictions from 2002 through 2012. But has there been an upsurge since then?

Nope. Since 2014, only 20 voting related referrals – not convictions – have been referred to local prosecutors.

Is that a landswell of voter fraud? Are people overrunning our election system, trying to sway it?

Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com

Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton

Reporters Samantha Smith, Rafael Marquez

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, Pam Patino

I think not.

Instead, the more restrictive voter I.D. laws have turned people from the polls. Let’s face it, people simply don’t turn out to vote in the U.S. Of voting age residents, only about 53% regularly vote.

Belgium ranks at 87%, Turkey at 84%, Sweden at 82% of people actually doing their civic duty and voting. Spain, Portula, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Czech Republic, Slovakia – all those countries rank ahead of the U.S. in voter turnout.

So, why make it so much harder for someone to vote.

When you consider that in

Texas, there are more than 16 million residents of voting age. There have been many elections since 2014.

And there are only 20 voter related referrals? That’s a violation rate of less than .000012%.

Is there voter fraud in Texas? Sure, a teeny, tiny, miniscule bit.

Do these laws make it harder for elderly or poor or those without a drivers license to vote – when they ARE American citizens? Yes. Don’t make the rules more restrictive. Instead, let’s make it easier for voters to actually voice their opinions.

113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862

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Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Page 4A

ESD 9 going to voters in November

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

Creation of a ninth emergency services district (ESD) will be going to Hays County voters in November as the commissioners court unanimously approved it to go on the ballot.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to call an election for the creation of ESD 9, which would provide EMS

The creation of ESD 9, which would provide EMS service for county residents who not live within an existing ESD.

service for county residents who not live within an existing ESD. ESD 9 would have a tax rate cap of six cents per $100 valuation, if voters approve the measure. But in order for the district to be feasible to the county, voters in Kyle’s extrater-

ritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) must approve the measure on Election Day, according to the county’s resolution language.

San Marcos Hays County EMS Chief David Smith said Tuesday boundaries for the district have been worked out. That included

meeting with ESD 7, which services the Wimberley area, regarding setting service boundaries for neighborhoods west of Hugo Road and Ranch Road 12.

Smith also said multiple municipalities, including Kyle and Dripping Springs, supported the ESD. But debate raged on the dais over feasibility of the district if the measure should fail with voters in Kyle’s and San Marcos’ ETJs.

Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley believed the district should “go back to the drawing board” if it fails in the ETJs. He was concerned over a hodgepodge of services across the county if ETJs don’t approve.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe argued the county could potentially pay less for EMS services if ESD 9 is partially created.

Last year, Hays County budgeted $435,000 for San Marcos Hays County EMS services.

Ray Whisenant, Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner, said providing “emergency services” isn’t a just a “consideration of right but responsibility.”

“I think this should be supported because it provides an equitable base for communities in taking responsibility for emergency services,” Whisenant said.

Buda utility rates to rise over the next two years

BY SAMANTHA SMITH

news@haysfreepress.com

Water and wastewater costs for Buda residents will go up over the next two years before rate increases take a downward trajectory, according to a presentation by HDR Engineering representative Grady Reed at an earlier Buda City Council meeting.

Although Buda’s high

growth rate has been helping keep water and wastewater costs low, residents can expect to see a five percent increase in their water rate and a two percent increase in their wastewater rate.

The increase equates to a $2 additional charge to residents who use at least 5,000 gallons of water a month.

Reed said the higher rates can be attributed to an increased level of debt

service stemming from expenses associated with permanent and interim water sharing and other water expenses.

The future water and wastewater costs for Buda residents do not look entirely bleak though.

Reed said residents can expect a ten percent water and wastewater increase in 2018 due to the new $21.4 million Wastewater Treatment

Potential Future Rate Increases Utility

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

Water

10.1%

5.0%

5.0%

5.0%

2.0%

3.0%

2.0%

2.0%

Wastewater

Plant, which is scheduled to be constructed by fiscal year 2017.

After the WWTP is paid off in 2018, Buda residents will start to see

rates for water and wastewater bills increase only slightly starting in 2019.

Buda tables item on golf carts on peds bridge

BY SAMANTHA SMITH

tainability commission the task of finding funding for construction of a new path.

Eleven Buda residents No decision was made spoke on the topic during on amending an existing public comment Tuesordinance to allow golf cart day, with ten of those use on the Garlic Creek comments in support of pedestrian bridge Tuesday amending the current golf after the Buda City Council cart ordinance. Only one opted to table discussion comment was in opposion the item. tion to a possible change.

But Buda Mayor Todd A majority of comments Ruge’s motion to table came in favor of golf cart use on with the caveat of locating the pedestrian bridge cenfunding for the construction tered on their use of golf of an alternate golf cart path carts on the bridge without in Garlic Creek, which has a incident for the last two $550,000 price tag. He also years. added a condition where the Buda Chief of Police Bo Garlic Creek Homeowners Kidd said individuals who Association (HOA) would be have been knowingly in involved in that discussion. violation of the current Council member Angela ordinance could be held Kennedy added an amend- liable for the violation and ment to Ruge’s motion to subject to fines. assign Buda’s future Sus“We’re trying to take a news@haysfreepress.com

different approach and use education first,” Kidd said.

A large network of Garlic Creek parents who have used golf carts said they researched options that may be feasible for Garlic Creek parents and city officials to reach a compromise.

But one caveat to amending the city’s current ordinance is the possible financial repercussions from the state. It could call for repayment of a portion of grant money used to construct the Garlic Creek pedestrian bridge, which was intended for walking and biking.

Garlic Creek resident Ashley Pendergast said TxDOT representatives have responded by offering an application Buda could use to amend its original application for state grant money

Kyle City Council says ‘no’ to clean-air coalition

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

Kyle will continue to be the only city in the area that isn’t a member of the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition after city leaders voted 3-2 against becoming a member at an earlier meeting.

District 1 council member Travis Mitchell, who along with District 2 Council Member Becky Selbera and District 3 council member David Wilson voted against joining the CAC, was skeptical of possible benefits for Kyle by joining the CTCAC. A representative from

the Capital Area Coalition of Governments (CAPCOG) said joining the CTCAC would have allowed the city to apply for an air quality grant program.

Additional benefits include Kyle receiving technical assistance from CAPCOG on air quality activities and an opportunity to learn and share from best practices from the CTCAC. Mitchell, however, didn’t believe the grant program benefitted Kyle outside of possible grant dollars.

“We already have low emissions and we’ll continue to do the best we can in that regard,” Mitchell said.

“I don’t see it.”

Place 3 councilmember

Shane Arabie supported joining, as the city would essentially have no “skin in the game.” Outside of meeting certain air quality regulations, the city would have to designate a city council member as a possible representative. Arabie said not moving forward with joining was a “misstep.”

Todd Webster, who held concerns on joining the CTCAC during an earlier discussion on the topic, said he was “more comfortable” after the city’s Economic Development Board approved in joining.

He felt the city would not have been overburdened by joining.

Housing Options Continued from pg. 1A

professionals and business owners.

“There is a strong desire in the community (Buda) for more restaurants, entertainment, etc. However, many of those jobs do not pay wages capable of supporting rent costs in Buda,” Sparks said.

As far as affordable housing plans for Buda, Sparks stressed the importance of looking beyond the two federally funded affordable housing plans in existence to the overall needs of residents looking for more affordable options in Buda.

Sparks said there is a “missing-middle” in the current housing being built, where today’s consumers have to choose between single family housing or large-scale apartment complexes.

From the 1950s to the 1980s, there were “all kinds of housing structures like fourplexes, town homes, duplexes, condos, garage apartments, etc to offer consumers more affordable options,” Sparks said.

Sparks also said that the city is trying to plan for the future residents and the future landscape of Buda.

“This is not a project with the end in mind, it’s more of a long-term plan not a short-term solution,” Sparks said.

The Housing Action Plan and Citizen Advisory Committee will be reviewing housing options throughout the city of Buda on a continuous basis and offering their recommendations to city council on related matters.

“We want to make it possible for a person who wants to live in Buda their whole life to be able to afford it, no matter what their income level,” Sparks said.

to include golf cart use in the intention of the bridge.

Buda city staff was unable to determine a concrete answer from TxDOT regarding the rules governing the grant money for the bridge. Buda’s city attorney was reluctant to advise council to amend the ordinance.

Council had two options Tuesday, which were making no changes to the ordinance, or amending it to allow golf carts only on

the Garlic Creek pedestrian bridge and only during school pick up and drop off times.

Council member George Haehn was not in favor of changing the current ordinance due to the possibility of having to pay the State back $734,000 of the grant money used to fund the bridge.

“I’m afraid we’re rolling the dice here,” Haehn said.

Mayor Pro Tem Wiley Hopkins supported the

ordinance amendment and said it was an issue about connectivity in Buda.

“Not having school bus service is not equal or just,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins added his support of changing the current golf cart ordinance would be contingent on whether or not the city would be liable to TxDOT to repay the grant money for the bridge.

It is unknown at this time when the item will return to council for further review.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE The Hays Consolidated ISD will hold a public meeting at 6:30 PM, August 25, 2016 in Hays High School, Career/Technology Bldg, 4800 Jack C Hays Trail, Buda, TX 78610. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district's budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted.

Public participation in the discussion is invited.

The tax rate that is ultimately adopted at this meeting or at a separate meeting at a later date may not exceed the proposed rate shown below unless the district publishes a revised notice containing the same information and comparisons set out below and holds another public meeting to discuss the revised notice.

Maintenance Tax School Debt Service Tax Approved by Local Voters

$1.0400/$100 (proposed rate for maintenance and operations) $0.4977/$100 (proposed rate to pay bonded indebtedness)

Comparison of Proposed Budget with Last Year's Budget The applicable percentage increase or decrease (or difference) in the amount budgeted in the preceding fiscal year and the amount budgeted for the fiscal year that begins during the current tax year is indicated for each of the following expenditure categories.

Maintenance and operations Debt Service Total expenditures

7.80 % increase 3.27 % increase 6.95 % increase

Total Appraised Value and Total Taxable Value (as calculated under Section 26.04, Tax Code) Preceding Tax Year Current Tax Year Total appraised value* of all property $6,873,931,444 $7,843,789,973 Total appraised value* of new property* * $444,999,644 $545,712,276 Total taxable value*** of all property $5,282,947,644 $6,188,266,015 Total taxable value*** of new property* * $320,027,995 $384,747,074 *Appraised value is the amount shown on the appraisal roll and defined by Section 1.04(8), Tax Code. ** "New property" is defined by Section 26.012(17), Tax Code. *** "Taxable value" is defined by Section 1.04(10), Tax Code.

Bonded Indebtedness Total amount of outstanding and unpaid bonded indebtedness* $296,520,000 *Outstanding principal.

Comparison of Proposed Rates with Last Year's Rates Maintenance & Interest & Local Revenue State Revenue Operations Sinking Fund Total Per Student Per Student Last Year's Rate $1.0400 $0.4977* $1.5377 $4,527 $4,649 Rate to Maintain Same Level of Maintenance & Operations Revenue & Pay Debt Service $1.0175 $0.5259* $1.5434 $4,935 $4,413 Proposed Rate $1.0400 $0.4977* $1.5377 $5,058 $4,621 *The Interest & Sinking Fund tax revenue is used to pay for bonded indebtedness on construction, equipment, or both.

The bonds, and the tax rate necessary to pay those bonds, were approved by the voters of this district.

Comparison of Proposed Levy with Last Year's Levy on Average Residence Last Year This Year Average Market Value of Residences $163,332 $177,857 Average Taxable Value of Residences $138,332 $152,857 Last Year's Rate Versus Proposed Rate per $100 Value $1.5377 $1.5377 Taxes Due on Average Residence $2,127.13 $2,350.48 Increase (Decrease) in Taxes $223.35 Under state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older or of the surviving spouse of such a person, if the surviving spouse was 55 years of age or older when the person died, may not be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65, regardless of changes in tax rate or property value.

Notice of Rollback Rate: The highest tax rate the district can adopt before requiring voter approval at an election is $1.5377. This election will be automatically held if the district adopts a rate in excess of the rollback rate of $1.5377.

Fund Balances The following estimated balances will remain at the end of the current fiscal year and are not encumbered with or by a corresponding debt obligation, less estimated funds necessary for operating the district before receipt of the first state aid payment.

Maintenance and Operations Fund Balance(s) Interest & Sinking Fund Balance(s)

$36,333,187 $663,533

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Page 5A

City of Buda Notice of Public Hearings FY 2016-2017 Operating Budget Public hearings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 and at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 by the City Council, City of Buda, Texas in the Council Chambers, 121 S. Main Street, Buda, Texas, in compliance with the City Charter, to hear oral and written comments and discuss proposed uses of operating and capital funds and to consider adopting a budget allocating operating and capital funds anticipated to be available to the City of Buda during the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2016 and ending September 30, 2017.

THIS BUDGET WILL RAISE MORE TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES THAN LAST YEAR’S BUDGET BY $1,078,244 OR 26.3%, AND OF THAT AMOUNT, $375,738 IS TAX REVENUE TO BE RAISED FROM NEW PROPERTY ADDED TO THE TAX ROLL THIS YEAR. A copy of the proposed budget and capital improvement program is on file in the City Secretary’s Office for public inspection between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday at Buda City Hall, 121 S. Main Street, Buda, Texas or on the City’s website at www. ci.buda.tx.us.

Published this 17th day of August, 2016 by the City of Buda.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend these hearings and express their views to the City Council.

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase for ESD #5 The Hays County ESD #5 will hold two public hearings on a proposal to increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by 7.30 percent (percentage by which proposed tax rate exceeds lower of rollback tax rate or effective tax calculated under Chapter 26, Tax Code). Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

The first public hearing will be held on August 24, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Kyle Fire Department Station No. 1, 210 W. Moore Street, Kyle, Texas 78640.

The second public hearing will be held on August 31, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Kyle Fire Department Station No. 1, 210 W. Moore Street, Kyle, Texas 78640.

The members of the governing body voted on the proposal to consider the tax increase as follows: FOR:

Beth Smith Eric Holen

Paul Terry Susan Meckel

AGAINST: PRESENT and not voting: ABSENT:

John Rodriguez, Jr.

The average taxable value of a residence homestead in Hays County ESD #5 last year was $141,422. Based on last year's tax rate of $0.1000 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed last year on the average home was $141.42.

The average taxable value of a residence homestead in Hays County ESD #5 this year is $153,758. If the governing body adopts the effective tax rate for this year of $0.0932 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed this year on the average home would be $143.30.

If the governing body adopts the proposed tax rate of $0.1000 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed this year on the average home would be $153.76.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the hearings and express their views.

Notice of FY 2016-2017 Proposed Property Tax Rate for City of Buda A tax rate of $0.3704 per $100 valuation has been proposed for adoption by the governing body of City of Buda. This rate exceeds the lower of the effective or rollback tax rate, and state law requires that two public hearings be held by the governing body before adopting the proposed tax rate.

The governing body of City of Buda proposes to use revenue attributable to the tax rate increase for the purpose of servicing debt issuance for capital project obligations.

PROPOSED TAX RATE....................... $0.3704 per $100 PRECEDING YEAR'S TAX RATE ...... $0.3475 per $100 EFFECTIVE TAX RATE ...................... $0.3248 per $100 ROLLBACK TAX RATE ..................... $0.3704 per $100 The effective tax rate is the total tax rate needed to raise the same amount of property tax revenue for City of Buda from the same properties in both the 2015 tax year and the 2016 tax year.

The rollback tax rate is the highest tax rate that City of Buda may adopt before voters are entitled to petition for an election to limit the rate that may be approved to the rollback rate.

YOUR TAXES OWED UNDER ANY OF THE ABOVE RATES CAN BE CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS: property tax amount= (rate) x (taxable value of your property)/100 For assistance or detailed information about tax calculations, please contact: Luanne Caraway Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666 512-393-5545 luanne@co.hays.tx.us www.hayscountytax.com You are urged to attend and express your views at the following public hearings on the proposed tax rate: First Hearing: August 30, 2016 at 6:00 PM at Buda City Hall, 121 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610.

Second Hearing: September 6, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Buda City Hall, 121 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610.

2016 Property Tax Rates in Hays County ESD #5 This notice concerns the 2016 property tax rates for Hays County ESD #5.

It presents information about three tax rates. Last year’s tax rate is the actual tax rate the taxing unit used to determine property taxes last year. This year’s effective tax rate would impose the same total taxes as last year if you compare properties taxed in both years. This year’s rollback tax rate is the highest tax rate the taxing unit can set before taxpayers start rollback procedures. In each case these rates are found by dividing the total amount of taxes by the tax base (the total value of taxable property) with adjustments as required by state law. The rates are given per $100 of property value.

Last year’s tax rate: Last year’s operating taxes ...............................$2,479,586 Last year’s debt taxes........................................$0 Last year’s total taxes .......................................$2,479,586 Last year’s tax base ...........................................$2,479,586,000 Last year’s total tax rate ....................................$0.1000/$100 This year’s effective tax rate: Last year’s adjusted taxes (after subtracting taxes on lost property) ..........$2,478,188 ÷ This year’s adjusted tax base (after subtracting value of new property) .........$2,658,924,717 =This year’s effective tax rate ...........................$0.0932/$100 (Maximum rate unless unit publishes notices and holds hearings.)

This year’s rollback tax rate: Last year’s adjusted operating taxes (after subtracting taxes on lost property and adjusting for any transferred function, tax increment financing, state criminal justice mandate, and/or enhanced indigent healthcare expenditures) .........$2,478,188 ÷ This year’s adjusted tax base ..........................$2,658,924,717 =This year’s effective operating rate .................$0.0932/$100 x 1.08=this year’s maximum operating rate ..... $0.1006/$100 + This year’s debt rate ...................................... $0/$100 = This year’s total rollback rate ........................$0.1006/$100 Statement of Increase/Decrease If Hays County ESD #5 adopts a 2016 tax rate equal to the effective tax rate of $0.0932 per $100 of value, taxes would increase compared to 2015 taxes by $114,739.

Schedule A - Unencumbered Fund Balance The following estimated balances will be left in the unit’s property tax accounts at the end of the fiscal year. These balances are not encumbered by a corresponding debt obligation.

Type of Property Tax Fund Balance General Fund 841,851 This notice contains a summary of actual effective and rollback tax rates’ calculations. You can inspect a copy of the full calculations at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666.

Name of person preparing this notice: Luanne Caraway Title: Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Date Prepared: 08/11/2016

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Page 6A

What Kyle is proposing in Fiscal Year 2017 budget Proposed property tax rate for 2017

$.5748 per $100 valuation

Current property tax rate for 2016

$.5848

Maintenace and Operations (M&O) Interest and Sinking

$.2206 $.3542

August 20, 2016 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Cabela’s Showroom Floor

$.2306 $.3542

More numbers: • $79.5 million – Kyle’s proposed budget for 2016 • 80.5 million – Kyle’s adopted budget in 2015 • $2.13 billion – 2016 certified estimated valuation (subject to change) • $1.98 billion – 2015 certified assessed valuation • 12% – sales tax revenue increase assumed in FY 2017 based on current collections • 18.9% – sales tax revenue increase assumed in FY 2016 • $7.39 million – projected sales tax revenue for FY 2017 • $37 million – proposed budget for proposed FY 2017 Capital Improvements Program

Kyle Budget: Will tax rate go down?

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BUDA BUSINESS SHOWCASE Saturday, 8am-4pm, at Cabela’s or email paper@haysfreepress.com

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comment due to the city’s meet and confer agreement with the police department.

While Kyle isn’t proposing a water or wastewater increase in the FY 17 budget, Webster discussed the possibility of increasing water rates to accommodate future infrastructure from the Hays Caldwell Public Utility Agency.

Kyle would have to pay a $55 million share in debt in the future to pay for the HCPUA’s 45-mile pipeline project. Webster estimated a $21- to $25-increase in water rates for Kyle citizens, with the city potentially beginning to contemplate a rate structure in the future.

Webster said no decision has been made on the possibility of increasing water rates and he wanted it to be an “active discussion.”

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sue general obligation or certificate of obligation bonds to cover the cost.

“We’re taking all of these additional capacity issues and getting money up front and having to piecemeal this house-byhouse,” Webster said.

Kyle’s budget also calls for a $4 million reduction in the city’s debt. Refinancing previous bonds, along with not adding any new obligations led to the reduction, Webster said.

One additional component that could be added to Kyle’s budget could be a possible pay increase for Kyle Police officers, which was requested in a letter to council by the Kyle Police Employee’s Assocation (KPEA) in order to maintain parity with other jurisdictions, Webster said.

Webster was unable to provide an in-depth

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Kyle is also planning to schedule out payments of the proposed expansion of its wastewater treatment plant, which is projected to cost $17 million.

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Webster said. “It’s the right thing to do from a policy standpoint.”

Roughly $37 million would go toward the city’s Capital Improvement Projects this fiscal year.

Included in that cost are the final four of Kyle’s 2013 Road Bond projects, along with over $10 million in wastewater line improvements across the city.

Kyle is also planning to schedule out payments of the proposed expansion of its wastewater treatment plant, which is projected to cost $17 million.

Webster believes the city’s new development would bring in enough revenue this fiscal year to cover the expansion, which would see the plant increase capacity from 3 to 4.5 million gallons per day.

The city is anticipating $8 million from five new developments, including the Anthem Development near Mountain City, the Crosswinds Municipal Utility District, and a proposed Walton Development.

Webster said the city’s goal is to “get things paid for with private sector dollars” without the need to borrow.

Should an agreement not be finalized with all parties, Webster said the city may be forced to is-

On Saturday August 20, 2016, local Buda businesses will be showcasing their products and services at Cabela’s. This business showcase is open to the public and free of charge, door prizes and giveaways hourly. Come on out and support your Buda Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.

INDEX

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.com

Sports

Section B MCCORMICK

New HCISD middle school set to open for 2016.

– Page 3B

@hfprebelsports @hfplobosports

August 17, 2016

Hays hits East Central in season tune-up

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

After a week of squaring off against fellow teammates, a relatively young Hays High football team Friday got its first chance to see another jersey as the team took on the San Antonio East Central Hornets at Shelton Stadium.

While the official timed scrimmage had the Hornets winning 7-6, the Rebels were able to give many of their players the chance to take on a playoff-caliber opponent.

“We had some young guys that had to step up and they did a good job,” Hays head coach Neal LaHue said. “We’ll watch the film and see, but I thought they handled the moment pretty darn well.”

Friday’s scrimmage, which pitted Hays against an East Central team that reached the playoffs in 2015, had several key players who didn’t participate, LaHue said.

That included starting running back Cade Powell and senior quarterback Isaac Castilleja.

“We had some young guys that had to step up and they did a good job ...

We’ll watch the film and see, but I thought they handled the moment pretty darn well.”

– Neal LaHue, Hays head coach

LaHue said the team had a “lot of kids step up,” including junior quarterback Gentry Brawith and sophomore running back Dallin Roberts on the offensive end.

LaHue said he was interested in seeing how the younger players responded on the field.

“I thought they did,

for the most part, a good job,” LaHue said.

Brawith, who saw his first varsity action at quarterback, said the speed of the game was different from the junior varsity level.

Brawith said East Central’s defense was “good and fast” and that he had to keep his “head in the game.”

“He managed the game well and made good decisions in the passing game,” LaHue said on Brawith’s performance.

“He had good throws and ran the options well. He had some misreads at times, and that’s going to happen. But overall I thought he did a good job.”

Helping him in the early part of the scrimmage was a Rebel run game that found initial success.

After a slow start, Hays’ offense gathered momentum, guided by an offensive line that generated leverage against a stout East Central defense.

“Our run game was working,” Brawith said.

REBEL FOOTBALL, 2B

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays High defensive back Jacob Scaturro (left) and an unidentified defender collide with a San Antonio East Central ball carrier during Friday’s scrimmage at Shelton Stadium.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays Lady Rebel sophomore Jamie Agnew (left) attempts to tip the ball past Dripping Springs Tiger Ava Pritchard (20) and Maya Clausen during Monday’s non-district match at Tiger Gym.

Hays falls to state champs

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

Cohesive play and defensive prowess carried the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers to a key non-district win Monday at Tiger Gym. A game-high 12 kills tallied by junior middle blocker Graceyn Tip-

pens lifted Dripping Springs past the Hays Rebels 25-22, 25-19, 25-22.

“Beating a team 3-0 is a huge deal for us,” Kane said. “(Hays) is going to be a 6A playoff team and that’s going to be a big feather in our cap.”

Kane said he was pleased with the cohe-

sive play of the team, along with their ability to make “smart plays” on the court. The Tiger defense, led by libero Karen Crews, limited the play making ability of Hays middle blockers Hailee Morton, Kaitlyn Krafka and Jaime Agnew.

Morton and Agnew both finished the match

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with six kills, while Krafka had five.

“That’s one of the things we’ve got to know is that we’re not going to out-physical a lot of teams, but we’re going to play good defense, which I thought we did,” Kane said. He added the team was able to serve

REBEL VOLLEYBALL, 2B

PHOTO BY LINCOLN RAMIREZ

Lady Lobos drop matches to Crockett, San Marcos

Lehman Lady Lobos Kaytlin Mendoza (11) and Haley Hassinger (5) take to the air to block a kill attempt from San Marcos Lady Rattler senior Kendall Walker (18) in Tuesday’s non-district match at the Lobo Den. A tri-team match was held Tuesday as Lehman High hosted San Marcos and Crockett for a pair of non-district tilts and non-stop volleyball action. Lehman dropped its first match to Crockett in straight sets, followed a 25-5, 25-16, 25-15 loss to San Marcos later that evening.

Lehman travels to play at Akins on Aug. 23, followed by participating in the San Marcos CISD tournament.

Network Assessment

Strategic Planning

Advocating Needs

Implementing & Training

Managed Services

Partnering For Success

Sports

Page 2B

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Not at Rio Olympics? Don’t criticize F

or the better part of a week, sports fans across the world have been fixated on the awe and wonder the Olympic games bring.

One can look no further than their friendly company watercooler, where talk of the Rio games is sure to dominate.

Sure, discussions can range from Usain Bolt’s gold-medal run in the 100-meter dash, to the science of cupping and whether it’s quackery.

Thanks for the fodder, Michael Phelps.

But that’s what makes watching the Olympics so addicting. Miss one night and you’ll feel as if the world has left you behind.

Thankfully, with the advent of technology and a copious amount of cov-

From the Sidelines

by Moses Leos III

erage around the world, it’s easier than ever to tune in and watch the world’s best go higher, faster and stronger.

Then again, it’s also comical to know how many of us are quick to criticize world-class athletes when they struggle, especially from the comforts of our own home. Or, as a popular internet tweet suggests, doing so with a mouthful of Pringles.

Hey, I won’t judge.

Much.

But as the games become more of a social media phenomenon, it also becomes apparent

that it can be a detriment to athletes just as much.

Take for example gymnast Gabby Douglas, who has fought a vast amount of criticism in recent days.

If one has followed coverage of the Olympics of late, you’re probably familiar with Simone Biles and Aly Reisman, Douglas’ U.S Gymnastic Team teammates, who have excelled across multiple disciplines.

Douglas, however, hasn’t experienced the same success her teammates have.

Understandably, that will happen. That’s the world of sports.

But Douglas soon became a target for many on social media. She was criticized after photos showed her appearing not to support her team-

Then again, it’s also comical to know how many of us are quick to criticize world-class athletes when they struggle, especially from the comforts of our own home. Or, as a popular internet tweet suggests, doing so with a mouthful of Pringles.

mates during an event, according to reports. It’s something which was quickly refuted by her teammates.

She also was the center of a quasi-controversy after she apparently didn’t show enough patriotism during the playing of the national anthem during the medal ceremony for the team compeition.

And then there’s the criticism that she hasn’t lived up to the gold medal expectations she set in London 2012.

It's frustrating to know that someone who willingly puts him/herself on the world's biggest stage, and works hard to get there, is sold short by a bunch of keyboard trolls.

Because all of us can

do flips, somersaults and other acrobatic feats while under immense pressure and with all cameras watching.

While Douglas didn't quite excel as many had thought, the mere fact she reached the Olympics is a feat in itself.

And let's not forget that Douglas is only 20 years old. Most of us probably couldn't manage the kind of pressure she's been under at that age and not allow emotions to show.

Those who criticize Douglas need to take a step back and remember where they are.

It's not Rio de Janiero and it's not at the Olympic games.

Douglas and many others are there and they're performing at their best.

We as sports fans are due to remember that.

Rebel Volleyball: Falls to state champs Continued from pg. 1B

aggressively, which he to play great. We’re still said gets teams out of chasing that now.” system.

The Lady Rebels also “We got (Hays) on struggled to keep the ball their heels and made away from Crews, who them make mistakes,” Coates said is “pretty Kane said. darn good.” Coates said Dripping Springs the team was focused opened the match by on hitting the ball away taking a competitive first from Crews as much as set 25-22. The Tigers folpossible. lowed by taking control “At first, we were in the secall working ond set, together and pulling being agout to a gressive and 16-10 lead not worrying after a kill about makby Karen ing mistakes,” Crews.

Morton said.

Dripping “And we were Springs playing as a mainteam and for tained each other.” momenHays was tum and successful cruised in getting to a 25-19 “in-system win. balls from Hays out of system High head contacts” durcoach ing the course Stephanie of the match, Coates but ultimately said the struggled in Lady Rebgiving “way els were too many able to points away,” –Stephanie Coates, Hays High head coach Coates said. stay close in the Dripping match, Springs capibut struggled at times to talized on Hays’ strugfind their “next gear” and gles in the third set, as speed the game up. they took a 14-10 lead.

“You can’t beat a great The focus on not givteam and play good,” ing up on balls, playCoates said. “You’ve got ing with intensity and

“You can’t beat a great team and play good ...

You’ve got to play great.

We’re still chasing that now.”

the ability to be “smart with shots” when out of system guided Hays rally, Coates said.

Kane said the Tigers were trying to force “a few things and got us in trouble a bit.”

Hays rallied back to tie the match at 17-17, but Dripping Springs’ composure held through as they closed out the match.

Taking what the team learned during its 2-5 run at the Texas Volleyball Invitiational Touranemnt in Pearland is the focus for Coates and the Lady Rebels.

During their run, Coates said the Lady Rebels went toe-to-toe with defending UIL Class 6A state champion Lewisville Hebron, and hung tough with Colleyville Heritage, which won the TVI silver bracket.

“We competed, we played good all weekend, but we didn’t play great,” Coates said.

Morton said better communication and aggressiveness could pay divideds moving forward.

“We have a tough preseason (schedule) because our district is tough,” Morton said.

“We’re doing fine and we’re doing better than where we were last year starting off.”

Rebel Football: Hits East Central in tune-up Continued from pg. 1B

“Our (offensive line) does a good job block and we had some new good pass plays that were working as well.”

On the defensive end, Hays was challenged with stopping running back Jauwaun Hall, who rushed for 659 yards and seven touchdowns in 2015.

While Hall broke through for several key runs, the Rebel defense limited East Central’s big play capability on the ground.

“We did a good job on their running back. Later on (in the scrimmage), we let him lose a couple of times, but never really anything big,” LaHue said. “He’s a good back coming back. We knew we had a challenge containing him.”

Hays’ pass defense also was successful Friday as they kept the East Central pass game limied.

Highlighting the evening was an interception by senior defensive back Hector Fuentes during the timed portion of the scrimmage.

Fuentes said he was dropping back in coverage when he noticed the quarterback was attempting to throw a deep fade route.

“I kept my eyes to the wide receiver and knew he was running the fade,” Fuentes said. “I saw the

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays Rebel sophomore running back Dallin Roberts looks upfield during pre-scrimmage warmups Friday at Shelton Stadium.

ball, had a chance and took it and I succeeded.”

With the successes were issues the Rebels will look to rectify as they head into their final tuneup in a scrimmage with Pflugerville Hendrickson on Friday.

LaHue cited executionbased issues, such as catching the football, as there were several drops on pass plays during the scrimmage.

Fuentes said wrapping up on tackles was an

important focus for the defense as they progress forward.

Brawith said maintaining momentum is something the Rebels look to improve in their next scrimmage, as he said the team “started to fade” in the latter half against East Centra.

“We need to keep working hard on that,” Brawith said. “We need to keep working hard on our effort and going 110 percent on every play.”

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays High senior Hailee Morton (1, right) blocks a kill attempt from Dripping Springs Lady Tiger Ava Pritchard (20) in Monday’s match at Tiger Gym in Dripping Springs.

Education Hays Free Press

SHORT STORIES

Read the winning stories from the Buda Public Library contest.

– Page 1C

August 17, 2016

Page 3B

New principal hired for Lehman High School STAFF REPORT A Texas State graduate and Kyle resident has been selected to be the fourth principal to guide Lehman High.

Hays CISD Superintendent Michael McKie announced Tuesday the selection of Denisha Jackson-Presley

as Lehman High’s next principal, according to a district press release.

Jackson-Presley, who is currently serving as principal of the Lockhart High Freshman M.L Cisneros Campus, will take over for Michelle Chae, who accepted a position within SchertzCibolo-University City

ISD last month.

Jackson-Presley began her career as an English teacher at Nolan Middle School in Killeen ISD in 1999, according to the release.

The following year, she began teaching high school English in Lockhart.

During her career,

Jackson-Presley has spent eight years teaching high school students in the classroom and an additional eight years as a high school campus administrator.

“As principal, I work for you,” said JacksonPresley in her first email to Lehman parents

and staff members.

“I am committed to building on strengths and developing strong partnerships with you as we continue to grow a learning community that is completely centered around kids. We will honor the work of the

LEHMAN HIGH, 4B

JACKSON-PRESLEY

PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III

District honors longtime social, medical pioneer

McCormick Middle School grand opening focuses on contributions of namesake

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

Like many children growing up, Kelley McCormick always held on to the times he got to spend with his grandfather.

McCormick remembered learning how to operate a ham radio from his grandfather, while also watching him enjoy the outdoors in his garden.

But McCormick also recognized how important his grandfather, Dr. T.C. McCormick, Jr., was to the Buda and Hays County communities. It ranged from his generosity, social tolerance and his service as Buda’s first obstetrician, who delivered over 1,600 babies.

It’s why Kelley and so many others on Friday reminisced as they celebrated Hays CISD’s newest campus, which is named after “Doc” McCormick.

“My grandpa did a lot for this community and this county,” Kelley said. “Naming the school after him is a great honor after his years of service, not only on being on the board of education, but also as the Mayor of Buda.”

Tim Savoy, Hays CISD public information officer, said he couldn’t help but think how proud he was that “Doc McCormick has his hame on this building.”

Savoy, who facilitated many of the naming committees for the district’s

Connie Freeman, who was one of the 1,600 babies delivered by Doc, said he was the “best of the best” and that he “had the most incredible heart for everyone,” even in his later years. schools, said he didn’t know of McCormick’s legacy, as he lived outside of the area.

But he recognized McCormick was well respected, as his name generated the most suggestions from the community during the district’s process to name the school.

The respect grew for Savoy as he learned of McCormick’s legacy and how he was one of the first doctors to service areas south of Austin.

“He’s amazing. There’s no other word you can say about him,” Savoy said. “It would be hard to find someone more fitting to have their names on a school that’s contributed to the community his entire life. Any one of them would be enough to honor him for a school.

Put them together, it’s an amazing moment.”

Connie Freeman, who was one of the 1,600 babies delivered by Doc, said he was the “best of the best” and that he “had the most incredible heart for everyone,” even in his later years.

“He didn’t have a prejudiced bone in his body and he fought for everyone,” Freeman said.

Freeman, who talked with McCormick until his death in 2009, said he was “color blind” and was generous and loving.

She recalled a time when she asked McCormick who his first baby was, then discovered it was a black man who lived in Arizona.

When she reached out to him, Freeman said he “changed his vacation plans” to attend a parade that McCormick was the grand marshal of.

Amy McCormickKubecka, who is one of many grandchildren of McCormick, said the honor of his name on the new campus was “well deserved.” She said he was a man who “took time to talk to you” no matter who the person was.

“The school is the perfect embodiment of him,” she said.

For Savoy, the school was not only a show of respect for a social and medical pioneer, but also

a sign of progress in the district.

Savoy said he was proud of the level of community involvement that went into the school. He said McCormick Middle School was the first in a new concept that took administrators out of the voting committee.

The district also made a concerted effort of placing presentations on the development of the new school on its website for all to view, Savoy said.

It’s a concept the district continues to employ.

“This is an example of what can happen when everyone in the community gets involved,” Savoy said.

The opening of the school now starts the process of thinking about future schools – in order to keep up with growth – associated with a May 2017 bond.

Savoy said the district is growing at a rate of 1,000 students per year, with enough students to fill McCormick Middle School every year for the next 10 to 15 years.

Kelley lauded the state of art concepts within the new school, which he said would foster “a great learning environment.”

The ability for his grandfather’s legacy to live on was also important.

“They (students) will learn the history of this school, I hope,” Savoy said. “As long as his history is being told and gives kids goals to set, it’s not just any name. It’s really cool.”

HAYS FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO

(Clockwise from top) Hundreds of friends, students and ‘babies’ of Dr.T.C. McCormick, Jr., turned out for the dedication of his namesake, McCormick Middle School. Jerry McCormick waves to the crowds as they listened to stories told about the Buda doctor. T.C. and Jerry McCormick are all smiles as they leave for their honeymoon.

EDUCATION

Page 4B

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Lady Rebs represent in ‘51st state’ Hays High senior Emma Morgan (right) was named the school’s representative to 2016 Bluebonnet Girls State and attended the annual event this summer at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. Emma is joined in the photo by fellow senior Maya Hood, who was chosen as Hays High’s Girls State Alternate.

The Girls State sponsorship is provided by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 144 and Girls State Chair Margie Villalpando. Bluebonnet Girls State is, according to its website, “a mythical 51st state” where participants organize their own city, county and state governments. They elect their own officers and learn the duties of the various city, county, or state offices. As the week closes, Girls State delegates visit the state capitol in Austin to sightsee and meet state officials. The citizens of Girls State are made up of high school students from across the state who have demonstrated fundamental qualifications of leadership, citizenship, and character in their schools and community.

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Lehman High: New principal hired Continued from pg. 3B past and move forward to the work of the future.”

According to the district’s release, Jackson-Presley was selected, in part, based upon a customized principal profile developed after meetings with campus teachers and parents.

Jackson-Presley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Education, both from Texas State University – San Marcos.

Jackson-Presley has lived in Kyle for eight years and says she is “ecstatic” about the opportunity to serve in the community that she calls home, according to the release.

One of her first duties at the campus will be to work closely with all stakeholders to develop a shared vision of high expectations and 360-degree comprehensive action plan to protect and grow the LOBO brand, according to the release.

DEBBIE THAMES AGENT

Hays Free Press

Debbie Thames Insurance Debbie Thames Insurance Agency Agency

Jackson-Presley’s inaugural letter to Lehman Parents DEAR PARENTS OF LEHMAN HIGH SCHOOL:

I am honored to be the principal of Lehman High School. Surrounded by education my entire life, I was in the 6th grade when I named my mission to serve as an educator. Acquiring both a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Masters of Education from Texas State University – San Marcos, I will bring with me seventeen years of experience in the educational field. I began my career at Nolan Middle School in Killeen ISD and spent the next sixteen years working in high schools at Lockhart ISD and San Marcos CISD. It was between these two districts that I shared eight years in the classroom teaching 9th – 12th grade English and eight years as an administrator. My family and I moved to Kyle in 2007 – a community we continue to hold in high regard.

Lehman High School has experienced tremendous growth during the last few years, and it is paramount that providing academic excellence and enriched opportunities for students is a priority. As principal, I work for you. I am committed to building on strengths and developing strong partnerships with you as we continue to grow a learning community that is completely centered around kids. We will honor the work of the past and move forward to the work of the future.

I want to hear from you. In the coming months you can expect an invitation to engage in conversations as you and I partner to devise a shared vision and action plan with the purpose of protecting and growing the Lobo brand!

Thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to continuing the work of excellence in academic performance and enrichment opportunities for all students at Lehman High School and serving in the community that I call home.

AUTO • HOME LIFE •• HEALTH BOAT • HEALTH AUTO • HOME • LIFE ••BOAT 251FMN.1626 FM #2C 1626• Buda, #2C TX • Buda, 251 N. 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 Like Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

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© 2016 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 32, No. 38

hen the most valuable baseball card of Elizabeth’s collection disappears, her mother’s new date and a suspicious baseball card dealer are likely suspects.

Unscramble the title of this book.

Then, check it out at your local library this summer!

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS BORDERS DEALER ICEBERG BENT CIRCLE RULER RAINBOW TALLY EYES SQUARE TROVE LINE DATE

A B C

us on Facebook

Find the words in the puzzle, then in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities.

Dr. Steve Howard and Associates

Here’s a fun project that lets you create simple animated cartoons!

Fold a strip of 3” X 11” paper in half, so that it is 3” tall by 5 1/2” wide.

Open the folded “book” and draw a little bird with its wing pointing down as shown.

S V B R R T I B S S

Q U A E A L O R N E

U I L L N R D O L W A U L A D T I C D O

Close the “book” and trace the little bird, but draw his wing pointing up.

R Y L E C S R T D B

E E R D U I R A S N

N S S L C O T E R I

I O L C V E Y P K A

L I C E B E R G O R

Collect examples of the many different borders and lines used throughout the newspaper. Why do you think the editor may have selected one particular border instead of another? Remove or replace a border and notice how each change affects your feeling about a page.

Curl the cover of the “book” around a pencil as shown. Wrap it tight and keep it there for a few minutes.

Move the pencil back and forth quickly again and again so that the curled paper covers and uncovers the picture of the little bird below. It should look like the bird is flapping its wings!

Here are a couple of other animations to try …

Circle all the money amounts you can find in the newspaper in one minute. Now tally the amounts you found. How much do they add up to?

School Closed Forever?

Imagine you arrived at school and the gates were closed. A big sign reads “SCHOOL CLOSED.” What would happen if you no longer had the opportunity to get a school education?

Section C

Community Hays Free Press

HaysFreePress.com

GOLDEN YEARS Group raises awareness for elder care needs.

– Page 5C August 17, 2016 • Page 1C

Beautiful blooms for hot months of summer

Dog Park!

Ask Amanda

by Amanda Moon

W

PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III, AERIAL PHOTO BY BILL ALGER

Buda residents and their four-legged companions Saturday celebrated the opening of the city’s new dog park, which is located along Buda Sportsplex Drive. The park features a large and small dog area has has amenities such as a Bow Wow Barrel, Hound Hoops, a teeter-totter and wait table.

Young writer winners are...

Below are the winners of the Summer Contest for Young Writers 2016, sponsored by Friends of the Buda Library, the Buda Public Library, and the Hays Free Press. Winners were announced for the 8-12 age group on Thursday, Aug. 11 at the Buda Library Summer Reading Awards Ceremony. Winners were announced for 13-17 age group on Friday, Aug. 12 at the Buda City Hall Council Chambers. See 8-12 first place winner Noah Mugan’s story on page 3C.

AGE GROUP 8-12

First place: Noah Mugan Raccoon Go Second place: Kaitlynn Hatchett A Special Place Third place: Arie Whiddon Ruined Picnic

AGE GROUP 13-17

First place: Christina Lewis You’ll Never Guess Who I got Stuck in an Elevator with Last Summer Second place: Sarah Hudson The Case of the Private Eye Third place: Luis Medrano Every Summer Has Its Ups and Downs

‘You’ll Never Guess Who I Got Stuck In An Elevator With Last Summer ...’

by Christina Lewis

“Does he ever!” A girl interrupted from the stalls.

“Danny Escobar!” All the girls “-’and I’m the smartest guy shouted in unison, their shrieks on the football team. Remember echoing within the pink tiles of the when Stockham’s field was covered girls’bathroom. in underwear?’ Then he got a “He’s the hottest boy in school!” narcissistic grin on his face and Brandy said. pointed to himself. ‘My idea’.”

“Tell us, Grace!” They all said as The girls gasped. “The gardening they encircled me, anxious to hear club got in trouble for that!” the newest gossip.

Someone said.

“Okay girls, here’s “Then I asked him “Tell us, how it went...” I said if he had a girlfriend open-endedly as I and he said, ‘If I had a Grace!” looked around at whole ice cream parlor They all them. I watched their to myself, do you really bodies lean in.

I’d have just one said as they think “The elevator flavor?”’ jammed on the The girls shrieked in encircled fourth floor. It disgust. me, anxious was the perfect “Then he started opportunity. I said to hear the talking trash about the to Danny, ‘Well, I whole cheerleading newest guess we’re going to squad!” I said as I be here a while. I’m pointed to them, and gossip.

Grace.’ He looked me they all went various up and down and “Okay girls, different colors and said, ‘You don’t look talking feverishly here’s how began very graceful.”’ amongst themselves.

“He said that?” A “Cami, he said your it went...” girl asked from the makeup looks like a crowd. “Shut up, clown’s!” Cami’s face Brittney!” Said another peevishly. went red behind her foundation.

“He pushed the emergency button “Lori, he said you look like a after that – the cops would be there duck!” Lori’s eyes widened and she soon. Knowing I didn’t have a lot of covered her big lips. “And Dorelica, time, I said, ‘Tell me about yourself, he said you sound like a dying cat!”

Danny...” I paused for effect. The Dorelica scoffed heavily, sounding girls leaned closer. much like a decrepit hiss.

“And then it gets bad,” I said, Right then, Josie walked through and all the girls fidgeted in their the door. “Are y’all talkin’ ‘bout uniforms. “’Well, I like lifting Danny?” She asked as she walked weights,’ Danny said-” to the stall. “’Cuz he’s right outside

the door.”

There was a brief pause as the girls all looked at each other.

“Let’s get ‘em!” Dorelica said, and they all began hollering and yelling as they trampled like a herd out the door. I saw them encircle Danny angrily as he looked up awkwardly from his phone. The door closed as Josie walked towards me, grinning.

“Your plan worked,” she said cheekily as she patted me on the back, “they all fell for it” My face twisted in mischievousness. “Yeah, I’m a good liar,” I said as we walked to the mirror. We looked at each other when we felt the vibration of a loud bang, before we laughed as Danny began screaming for help.

That’ll teach him to deny my prom invitation.

Read Raccoon Go, the first place story by Noah Mugan, page 3C.

hat a pleasure to have this week’s rains breaking up another long, hot central Texas summer.

But I am certain that there’s more heat to on its way – and this seems like a good time to ask which plants can take the heat and brighten up our landscapes at this time of year. There are plenty actually!

Driving around town this month it’s hard to miss the bright yellow blooms of the Esperanza (aka Yellow Bells, also in orange) and the en masse red and orange colors of the Pride of Barbados.

These large growing perennials are always the first go-to for summer color, and they rarely disappoint.

But they’re not the only options out there. From trees to ground covers, many of our droughttolerant stars are still blooming late into the summer, and some are just getting going for the season.

Crape Myrtles are wonderful additions to any landscape that needs a little summer pick-meup. They’re fast growers, good for creating privacy in a garden, and are quite drought-tolerant once established.

Crapes come in a wide selection of colors and sizes, from the white blooming larger tree Natchez, to the smaller Red Rocket and Dynamite. Let them grow naturally and they won’t let you down.

Cenizo Sage (aka Purple or Texas Sage) will burst into bloom any time it rains, covering itself in purple flowers.

That means any summer rain, will send these shrubs into their full display no matter the temperatures. I like to have these large beauties as specimens, letting them grow into their natural form.

Some of my top color choices for smaller beds and lower plantings include Plumbago, Calylophus, Bat-faced Cuphea, 4-Nerve Daisy and Lantana.

Blue Plumbago can’t be beat for its sky blue flowers. It’s not a tall perennial, topping out at about 2 ½ feet, but can spread twice as wide if allowed.

They bloom from spring to frost.

Bat-faced Cuphea will also grow to roughly the same dimensions as Plumbago, but instead of bright blue flowers this unique plant offers deep red and purple flowers shaped like little bats.

This little beauty also blooms all season long.

Calylophus and 4-Nerve Daisy are perfect for tight sunny spots.

Their yellow blooming wildflowers are evergreen, low-growing and bloom most of the growing season. They can handle the heat and drought, and deer won’t touch them.

Lantana is another fabulous summer blooming perennial. There are several cultivars out now that don’t get quite as large as the traditional

ASK AMANDA, 2C

COMMUNITY

Page 2C

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Keep Mountain City bright - but not too much W ho turned out the lights?”

Mt. City Mayor Tifanny Curnutt sent a message Montage with this caption to those

by Pauline on the city’s email distriTom bution list last week.

(Not on the distribution list? With the city’s saw the chitchat. Still, website features not when we pulled into the functioning well, you drive in the rain, we tried may send an e-mail to raising the garage door. mountaincitytx@gmail.

Duhhhh. com and let the city Home in the dark, know you want the city’s we ate Jack in the Box emails. The city will tacos by candlelight and respond.) waka waka light. Oh, the The romance. friendly city Waka?

Mountain It’sWaka reminder a powerful said, “It is solar light with City was required that a battery that all homes in lasts up 80 designed Mountain hours after a City have a with front day in the sun. functioning The solar yard lights, light was front yard light. Please developed for rather take the time people in unto make sure der-developed than bright you are in countries who compliance.” have no safe overhead Mountain and dependCity was able light street designed with when the sun lighting. front yard goes down. lights, rather The WakYour light than bright aWaka website overhead explains, “The provides street lightalternative ing. Your for light for lighting light provides living off-grid lighting for is kerosene. for those those walking Problem is, inwalking at door pollution at night.

Keep yard from keronight. lights burnsene fuel kills ing. It’s the more people neighborly thing to do. than AIDS and Malaria And, it’s a requirement. combined. And every day Two days later another thousands are burned city email broadcast hit and disfigured by keroinboxes. At that exact sene fire.” point in time, it was the The city message that citizens asking, “Who came when the lights turned out the lights?” were out in Mountain (Elsewhere in this City gave notice that the issue you’ll read about tree limb pick up process the widespread power is in progress. Tree limbs outage.) put out after the Sunday, Quickly citizens began August 7 deadline will communicating on Nextnot be picked up, as they door.com and Facebook, were not included in the comparing notes. bid provided by Gil’s Tree Out and about in Kyle, I Service.

Ask Amanda

On Ash, a family placed a sign on their retama tree trimmings in English and in Spanish warning of thorns. What a neighborly thing to do.

The topic of dog poop pickup arose at the recent council meeting. Picking up after your pet is the neighborly thing to do.

And, it’s a requirement.

It was in a City Council meeting a few years back that I learned some people do not want dogs pee’ing on their mailbox because the odor is offensive. We cut KissMe off from checking his p-mail.

I think everyone knows I like tidbits for this column? Please send to PTom 5678@gmail. Com ( subject: tidbit ) or 512 268 5678 Thanks. Love, Pauline

PHOTO BY PAULINE TOM

Some courteous neighbors on Ash in Mountain City have placed signs warning of thorns on their plants.

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Continued from pg. 1C varieties (New Gold, Dallas Red, Irene etc.), and new introductions come out every spring.

When planted in full sun, most lantanas will bloom spring to frost with little outside intervention.

Just getting started for the season, Mexican Mint Marigold and its relative Copper Canyon Daisy are great additions to any landscape. Their golden daisy flowers can be seen from a distance and both are quite deer-resistant.

The Mint Marigold (or Texas Tarragon) works well in medium beds and herb gardens and is a nice substitution for French Tarragon, which struggles in our heat and humidity.

Copper Canyon is only about 3’ high, but can spread out wide so give it lots of leg room.

The mistflowers are also just getting started as the hottest part of the summer hits. My two favorites are Gregg’s and White Mistflowers. Both are an integral part of any butterfly garden and will grow in full to morning

sun. Gregg’s is a shorter, traveling plant with purple flowers atop spikes of foliage. It can be invasive but the butterflies love it, so plant accordingly.

White Mistflower, on the other hand, is a large full shrub 4’ tall and 6’-8’ wide. It will cover itself in white flowers from late summer into fall and attract every butterfly from miles around.

Though our heat can be oppressive this time of year, there are still some wonderful landscape plants that can bring summer joy even on the hottest, driest days. Even if you only have room for one or two, those small changes can brighten up an otherwise bloomless summer landscape.

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If you have a gardening question, send it to me via email: iathyme@ yahoo.com. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748

Forever Memories Photography

Weddings, parties, graduations and on-location portraits (512) 665-1027 (512) 665-8930 ForeverMemoriesPhotographyKyle.com

See Solution on 3C

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

COMMUNITY

Page 3C

‘Raccoon Go’

Sudoku Solution

First place winner in the 8-12 age group, Buda Public Library’s Summer Contest for Young Writers

by Noah Mugan

DRUG STORE

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

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda 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

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

Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626 Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda

EPISCOPAL

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda

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

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle

Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda

Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Good Shepherd Ministries FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

2325 FM 967 • 312-0701

Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.

St. John Lutheran, LCMS 20 N. Camino Real (State Hwy. 21), Uhland

Log onto www.HaysFreePress.com

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

NEWS • LETTERS • OBITS CALENDAR • PHOTO GALLERY CLASSIFIEDS • SUBSCRIBE

CHRISTIAN

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle

A non-denominational church with live contemporary Christian music and life giving teaching!

Located 1 block off FM 2001 at 302 Millennium Dr., Kyle, Texas (Millennium Drive is an entrance road) Pastor Rusty Fletcher and family

Services Sun. 11:00 a.m.

Wed. 7:30 p.m.

Call or Text 512.393.4460

Visit

afountain.org for more info.

uel Baptist Church n a m Im 4000 East FM 150 (4 miles east of Kyle) (512) 268-5471

SUNDAY: Bible Study for all ages, 9:45 a.m.

Worship Service, 10:55 a.m.

Pastors: (English and Spanish) Silverio Hernandez WEDNESDAY: Bible Study, 2 p.m.

Men’s Bible Study, 7 p.m.

Family Discipleship, 7:15 p.m.

(Spanish)

God with us

and Dale Brown

Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 5151 Industrial Way Dr., Buda

FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE

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

Friendly, Courteous Service

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.

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

Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

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

PRESBYTERIAN

Hays Hills

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)

Come worship with us Join our church directory by emailing paper@haysfreepress.com.

 

 

Baptist Church

Adult, teen, children’s classes • Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school

COME WORSHIP WITH US! Sunday

8:30 a.m. Traditional service 9:45 a.m. Contemporary service 11:00 a.m. Blended service

Santa Cruz John Catholic Church St. Lutheran Church

1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. Kirby D. Garner, Pastor • Fr. José Luis Comparán, Assoc. Pastor

Call 1-866-691-2369

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 400 Old Post Road, Kyle

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

Rev. Nancy Day Office 295-6981, Parsonage 512-393-9772 www.BudaUMC.org

Privately owned From local springs

A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle

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

*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m.

Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m. *Informal Worship (Chapel)-11 a.m.

Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m. *On 5th Sundays we conduct one service at 10 a.m. with special music.

Pure Texas Spring Water!

Vertical Chapel 801 FM 1626 (Elm Grove Elem.), Buda

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

Elm Street & San Marcos

FM 2770, Buda, Texas 295-4801

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

METHODIST

Buda United Methodist Church

CENTEX MATERIALS LLC

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

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

The Well Buda

Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle

Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

CATHOLIC

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JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Rosebrock

Veterinary Clinic

Texas Crossword, from page 2C

9:00am 10:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm

Wednesday 

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626



  

Thursday Evening Bible Study, 5:30 p.m. & Open Communion

Highway 21, Uhland

Pastor: Rev. David Goeke 210-635-8584 • www.stjohnlcmsuhland.org 20 N. Camino Real (State Hwy. 21) • Uhland, Texas 78640

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





of Uhland , LCMS Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:15 a.m.

Church Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m.

Bible Class Worship Worship Bible Class

Science Hall Elementary, 1510 Bebee Road.

Pastor J.D. Elshoff jelshoff@earthlink.net 512-638-6312

Make THIS your church home!

Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd • Creedmoor, TX 512-243-2837

Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m.

Worship: 11:00 a.m.

WEdnESday Pray & Devotion: 6:30 p.m.

FM

N

13

27

162 5

BUDA

the bear thundered off.

And there, standing before me, was the raccoon.

I continued to follow the raccoon’s tracks until sundown, still trying to get my device. Eventually I reached the end of the trees. Nearby was the raccoon, patiently waiting. I then looked down and saw my phone. With relief I picked it up and turned it on. After unlocking it, Pokemon Go came up, and I noticed something. Many rare Pokemon had been caught, and the phone had small claw marks on it.

In confusion I looked at the raccoon “Did you do this?” I asked. I could have sworn I saw it nod before the Pokemon Master ran off. Amazed, I began the long walk home.

Come worship with us ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

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

Texas Crossword Solution

IH-35

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

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 2C

Tex

as

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N. Lp

Tu

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45

FM

exclaimed. “Give me back my phone!”

I climbed up as quickly as I could, just It was a nice summer day for a family like a squirrel. Before I reached the picnic, but I realized something was troublesome raccoon, though, it leapt wrong when our picnic basket began to down to the edge of the clearing, lookjump up and down. Something in the ing at me as if it was waiting. Sighing, I basket was alive. I nervously crept tojumped down and continued the chase. ward it. Suddenly, a striped As I followed the bantail popped out. The rest of dit’s tracks, I noticed some the animal then followed, deep claw marks on the Soon, I the grey creature backing trees. With my mind ocout of the basket. It was a cupied, however, I ignored noticed raccoon, and it was holdthem and kept running. ing my phone in its jaws! something: I scrambled over fallen “Hey!” I yelled. “Gimme branches and large footthe usual that!” The raccoon took prints, beginning to wonder off running, blurring with about the cause of all the bird calls speed. I had no choice but destruction. Soon, I noticed to follow. the usual bird had ceased. something: My chase for the thief calls had ceased. Hearing led into a forest and a growl, I skidded to a stop Hearing forced me to tear through and looked around. There, scratching undergrowth, hidden behind some berry a growl, I scramble through ditchbushes, was an enormous skidded es, and wade through black bear. streams. Eventually I I stood frozen, fear taking to a stop reached a small clearing. control. Suddenly the bear The bushes were covered shaking the leaves, and looked roared, with bright blue flowers, and charged. I desperately and light shone everytried to dodge, but mid-jump around. where. I looked around, a claw hit me like a freight under trees, in the shadtrain. I was flung into the air, ows, and in the leaves of hitting a tree meters away. bushes, but the raccoon was nowhere to Dazed, I tried to stand. Just as the bear be found. I sat under a large tree, feeling was about to attack me again, a small defeated. attacker dropped down from the trees Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the onto the bear’s face. The grey creature leaves floating down until one landed was scratching the beast! In rage, the right on my nose. I looked up and saw a black bear thrashed its head around, trymask. It was the raccoon! “Hey, you!” I ing to shake off its assailant. Giving up,

Toll

COMMUNITY

Page 4C

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

‘Alamo’ series of movies often not worth ticket price D

avy Crockett at the Fall of the Alamo,” the third motion picture in the series, opened at theaters across Texas on Aug. 22, 1926.

The first Alamo movie was made during the early days of silent pictures back in 1911, just eight years after “The Great Train Robbery.” “The Immortal Alamo” was a 15-minute one-reeler and the initial American effort of a famous French filmmaker’s brother.

Gaston Melies deserves credit for at least shooting his movie on location, a sulphur springs resort called the Hot Wells Hotel outside San Antonio. Since no copy of “The Immortal Alamo” has survived – only a few still photos – the plot is a mystery.

Nickelodeon customers had to wait just four years for the second Alamo feature, filmed on a back lot in Hollywood.

“The Martyrs of the Alamo” was promoted as “The Birth of Texas” because it was a D.W. Griffith production and he wanted the public to think it was the sequel to his recent box-office success “The Birth of a Nation.”

For the first time, the Texas Revolution was portrayed as a race war with heroic whites fighting for their lives against evil brown-skinned Mexicans. In a strange role reversal, Jim Bowie was the well-dressed, aristocratic dandy and William Travis was the sloppy, uncouth frontiersman.

Anthony Xydias was a Greek immigrant, who wound up in Dallas where he opened a movie house in 1906. Twenty years later, he owned a chain of theaters across the Lone Star State and decided to eliminate the middle-man by supplying his own pictures.

Xydias did not let the facts get in the way of the story he wanted to tell in “Davy Crockett at the Fall of the Alamo.” For example, an impatient Travis gave his line-inthe-sand speech before Santa Anna even arrived in San Antonio. Then the jack-of-all-trades killed him off the night before the final battle.

“Davy Crockett at the Fall of the Alamo” deserves the award for the most depressing ending.

The final shot showed dead bodies piled high in front of the Alamo with the words “What Price Mexican Victory?” superimposed on the gruesome scene with no mention of the Texans’

Greenhouses!

11726 Manchaca Rd. Austin, TX 78748

(On the corner of Frate Barker Rd.)

512-280-1192 Visit: www.itsaboutthyme.com Email Chris Winslow at: iathyme@yahoo.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKICOMMONS

This painted backdrop was used in the movie ‘The Immortal Alamo,’ filmed and released in 1911. The movie was the first film about the battle of the Alamo and has since been lost. This still from the movie was reprinted in Frank Thompson's 2005 book The Alamo.

This Week in Texas History

by Bartee Haile

In a strange role reversal, Jim Bowie was the welldressed, aristocratic dandy and William Travis was the sloppy, uncouth frontiersman. ultimate victory at San Jacinto.

Xydias came out of retirement in 1936 to make the fourth Alamo flick and the first with sound.

A terse review summed up this waste of celluloid – “pitifully amateurish.”

Seventeen years went by before Hollywood cranked out another Alamo movie, but “The Man from the Alamo” was not about the 1836 siege at all. Glenn Ford starred as a make-believe character named John Stroud, who refused to cross Travis’ line and left the mission. He was not a coward but a family man worried sick about his wife and kids.

The next Alamo epic was the climax of a television mini-series that

aired in 1955. Is there anyone over the age of 65 who has not see “Davy Crockett at the Alamo”?

The original version with the on-camera death of Davy, played by Fort Worth’s Fess Parker, was personally vetoed

by Walt Disney as too traumatic for the millions of children who would pester their parents into buying them coonskin caps. He had the final scene reshot with Crockett swinging his rifle “Ole Betsy” at a mob of Mexican soldiers.

On the very night most Americans were glued to their tv’s for the finale of the Disney trilogy, the fall of the Alamo was being filmed for the seventh time. “The Last Command,” Republic’s biggest and most expensive motion picture, was shot in and around Bracketville, the same locale used five years later by John Wayne.

Except for J. Carrol Naish, who stole the show with his Santa Anna, the acting was mediocre and the direction terrible.

Nonetheless, “The Last Command” was worth the price of admission because of the historical background missing in most Alamo movies.

It began a year and half before the battle and examined Jim Bowie’s tortured, tragic life.

John Wayne’s 1960 “Alamo” had a host of problems. First, Wayne insisted on directing the epic and he was no director. Second, he underestimated how much it would cost and spent precious time away from the set raising money.

Third, the casting was awful. Come on now.

British actor Laurence Harvey as Travis?

Fourth, Wayne did not emphasis historical accuracy nearly as much

TEXAS HISTORY, 6C

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Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

COMMUNITY

Page 5C

PHOTO BY SEAN CLAES

Concerts for a Cause goes back to school

Pens, pencils, folders and other school supplies were collected August 6 as Concerts for a Cause held an event supporting the Hope & Love 4 Kids School Supply Drive. The concert featured music from Heather Bishop, Eric Tessmer, Jen Leigh, Danny G and Deeann Rene. Hope & Love 4 Kids is a 501 © 3 non-profit that assists children and families in need, when needs arise, according to their website. The organization provides assistance to more than 100 families through the year.

Aging alone

Group raises awareness for care during golden years news@haysfreepress.com

When people picture themselves in their golden years, the image is usually one where they are surrounded by loved ones and all of their basic needs are being met.

Increasingly, however, more and more seniors are finding themselves aging alone and with fewer and fewer resources and options that enable them to continue living full lives.

According to research conducted by SeniorCare. com, a senior advocacy group, an increasing number of senior citizens are finding themselves spending their golden years living alone. They are often without support from loved ones and with few community resources available to them.

Dr. Maria Torroella Carney, chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York, coined the term “elder orphan” in reference to aging alone.

Carol Marak, spokesperson for SeniorCare. com prefers the term aging

Aging alone in Kyle

Marak’s organization went over data from the CDC, the Social Security Administration, the US Census Bureau and provided the following data for that pertains specifically to the City of Kyle: Average Social Security Income per household receiving the benefits in Kyle: $14,291 Average retirement income per household receiving it in Kyle: $16,675 Median Household Income for seniors in Kyle: $47,132 Percentage of senior households with annual income less than $20k: 19% Percentage of seniors in Kyle that live alone: 19% Percentage of seniors living alone that are female: 70%

alone.

Marak believes that whether you age alone or are surrounded by loved ones, people are responsible for making arrange-

ments for their care as they get older.

She said communities, and in particular city governments, “should get more involved by providing services like better transit options, sidewalks, affordable housing options, etc.”

Transit options are needed to help seniors get around town so they can handle their needs, Marak said. Needs can range from getting to the grocery store, or other shopping necessities and going to doctors appointments.

She also said more affordable housing options are needed for seniors to live on their own. Buda and Kyle both have affordable living options for seniors.

Those include Creekside Villas in Buda, which offers income restricted housing for seniors over 55.

Kyle City Councilwoman Daphne Tenorio expressed concern about the affordability of living in Kyle.

Tenorio said Kyle has “the highest tax rate in the county and now the city wants to implement additional water/wastewater fees” which would

put even more strain on the affordability of living in the city.

But she said Kyle offers some public housing vouchers. The government also allows for a $30,000 deduction in assessed valuation of a home for anyone over 65.

While Kyle terminated its contract for demand response service from the Capital Area Rural Trans-

portation Service (CARTS) due to budget constraints, Tenorio said the city provides seniors transportation via its agreement with Buda Taxi.

Historic City Hall is also used by Senior Zone, which uses the space to hold luncheons and group meetings that are open to area seniors at a discounted rate. In Buda, the Onion Creek Senior

Citizens Center, located on Barton’s Crossing, offers many programs.

Merak said municipalities should provide tools or options to let people who want or have to age alone be able to take care of themselves in their golden years. “‘Help me help myself’ is the bottom line when it comes to aging alone,” Marak said.

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COMMUNITY

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Classes, meetings and local events can be found on the calendar at haysfreepress.com.

Email event submissions to christine@haysfreepress.com.

Eddie Durham Birthday Celebration

Come celebrate the birthday of the pioneer of the electric guitar and big band swing Eddie Durham. This free event will feature live music, art vendors and food vendors. The event will run 1-7 p.m. Aug. 20. Bring your own chair and blankets with some friends and family.

Movies at Lake Kyle: Inside Out

On Aug. 19, the city of Kyle will host a viewing of Pixar’s Inside Out at Lake Kyle. Movies begin after sunset. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks for a fun, familyfriendly evening.

Teen Video Game Club

On August 25 at 4:30 p.m. head to the Kyle Public Library to test your skills in a Super Smash Bros. tournament. The tournament is held the fourth Thursday of every month. Play on the new 135-inch projection screen. Prize awarded for the top player.

The event is for teens ages 12 to 17.

Kyle Honeybee Festival

On Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sustainacycle at 409 W. Center Stree will host this free event celebrating honeybees. Enjoy a day of live demonstrations, talks on urban beekeeping, honey tasting, refreshments and more.

ENTERTAINMENT

3200 Kyle Crossing (512) 523 9012

Experience it in

EVX

For all showtimes and listings, please check our website or call our showline!

Back 2 School Bash

Join Kyle ER this Saturday from 5-8 p.m. for the Back 2 School Bash benefiting Hope & Love 4 Kids at Kyle ER. Enjoy a day filled with bounce houses, food, games, door prizes and more. Bring school supplies and help make sure every student in Hays CISD starts the school year off right.

The event is free to the public.

$5 Tuesdays Any Movie.

All Day.

Excludes special events & advanced showings. EVX & 3-D upcharges still apply

New Year. Same Price.

2016 Refillable Tubs and Cups.

Be sure to visit our website!

Come out for a weekend of food, live music, fun and games Sept. 16-17 at 801 N. Burleson St. in Kyle.Grounds open at 5:30 p.m. Friday and 1:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information visit www.stanthonysfiesta.com.

Kyle Field Day takes it back to the schoolyard Sept. 17-18 at GreggSlarke Park for a high-energy weekend of throwback fun and friendly competition. Coed teams of eight will rack up points by competing in retro recess games like Dodgeball, Tug-o-War, Capture the Flag, Human Foosball, an Obstacle Course and more. In between activities, teams can take a break in the beer garden, grab a bite to eat, browse vendor booths and recharge for the next round of play. A Saturday night throwback sports movie and Sunday morning yoga round out the weekend. Participants must be 21+. See www.cityofkyle.com/specialevents/ kyle-field-day for more information.

Texas History: Most Alamo movies not worth the price Continued from pg. 4C

Lon Tinkle, the SMU professor and Dallas Morning News columnist who wrote the classic “13 Days to Glory,” was so upset with how the film turned out that he forced Wayne to delete his name from the credits as historical consultant. ness making an Alamo movie.

The Alamo returned to the big screen that same year with the IMAX spectacular “Alamo...The

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St. Anthony’s Fiesta

Kyle Field Day

as his fans had the right to expect. Lon Tinkle, the SMU professor and Dallas Morning News columnist who wrote the classic “13 Days to Glory,” was so upset with how the film turned out that he forced Wayne to delete his name from the credits as historical consultant.

And don’t presume Tinkle had anything to do with the 1987 television turkey “The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory.” He was dead and gone, and his wife sold the rights to the title of his book to producer Stockton Briggs, who had no busi-

ENHANCED VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Price of Freedom.” It was not a traditional movie but a unique and moving theatrical experience.

There was never a dry eye in house at the end of the

battle scene.

And that brings us to the eleventh and latest in the series, “The Alamo” released in 2004. It is the best of the bunch with a script that took very few liberties with the facts and a first-rate cast that breathed life into those Texans of long ago.

The “Houston Press” and “Houstonia” magazine recently interviewed Bartee about his new book “Texas Boomtowns: A History of Blood and Oil.” You can read both interviews on his website barteehaile.com.

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EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.

Just follow the Photos link.

HaysFreePress.com

www.

Section D

Business Hays Free Press

HaysFreePress.com

August 17, 2016 • Page 1D

Zoning Hays County okays incentives for the way Best Buy for e-commerce operation for Buda

BY MOSES LEOS III

news@haysfreepress.com

Hays County Commissioners Tuesday voted unanimously to enter into a Chapter 381 agreement with Best Buy to bring an e-commerce sales operation to San Marcos.

Adrianna Cruz, president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership, said the facility would be located in a 20,000 square foot facility on Bugg Lane that had been vacant since fall 2014.

Cruz said the facility is scheduled to begin operation October or November 2016.

“I’m excited to welcome another global brand name as Best Buy,” Cruz said. “It will be a major revenue source for the city and the county.”

“This is the company’s first and only facility of this kind in Texas.”

areas in the state and that the GSMP crafted the “best packet that we could to land this im-

E-COMMERCE FACILITY, 4D

–Adrianna Cruz, president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership

The project, which will invest $1.25 million to renovate the building, would receive a 75 percent rebate of sales tax over a ten-year period, with two ten-year renewals based on performance, Cruz said.

Best Buy’s e-commerce center would also receive a 50 percent property tax rebate as well.

Cruz said the estimated $240 to $300 million in revenue per year would go back into Hays County during the life of the contract. After abatements, the

county is expected to receive $14 million in sales tax revenue per year, with San Marcos estimated to receive $42 million. She said the company would hire 25 employees in the first year, and could expand to 50 employees in following years.

“This is the company’s first and only facility of this kind in Texas,” Cruz said. She added San Marcos was in competition with other

ethanol plant

BY SAMANTHA SMITH

news@haysfreepress.com

Zoning of property annexed by Buda in April on FM 2770, north of the Hays Youth sports fields, allows for a planned ethanol transfer facility to open later this year.

The Buda City Council Tuesday voted 6-0 on second reading to zone 151.96 acres as I2-Heavy Industrial.

The subject property, which prior to Tuesday wasn’t zoned, is currently

ETHANOL, 4D

Consider all aspects of college savings options Financial Focus

by Janet Ross

PHOTOS COURTESY OF H-E-B

Texas Pie wins Quest for Texas Best Smiles, tears and a large $25,000 placard check were in store for Texas Pie Company owner Julie Albertson and her husband, Spencer Thomas, Aug. 16 after they were selected as the grand prize winners of H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best contest.

Albertson claimed the grand prize with her product, the Texas Pie Company’s Original Pie Dough Puck, which is a raw, frozen 10-ounce pie dough puck. The competition drew over 400 entries from 101 towns from across the state. After winning the competition, Albertson’s product will have featured placement as a Texas Best Primo Pick in H-E-B stores across the state in 2017.

It’s almost back-toschool time. If you have young children going to public schools, your biggest expenditures may be on pens, pencils and notebooks. But if you want those same kids to go to college someday, you’ll eventually face considerably larger costs – so you may want to start preparing soon.

College is costly. For the 2015-16 school year, the average expense (including tuition, fees room and board) was nearly $20,000 at a public, four-year school, and more than twice that amount at a four-year private school, according to the College Board.

Of course, cheaper alternatives are available – your children could go to a local community college for two years at a very reasonable cost, and then transfer to a fouryear school.

Still, if your child does go on to get a bachelor's degree, those big bills will eventually arrive. As you consider how you can best deal with these costs, ask yourself these questions: How much can I afford to contribute?

As much as you’d like to help your children pay for college, you also have to think about your own needs – specifically your retirement. Think very carefully before reducing contributions to your retirement plans, such as your IRA and 401(k), to help fund a college savings plan. After all, your children may be able to get scholarships and grants, and even if they have to take out loans, they’ll have many years

FINANCIAL FOCUS, 4D

Classifieds

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• Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 • Email paper@haysfreepress.com • Place online at www.HaysFreePress.com.

• We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover • DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER

Hays Free Press

Page 2D

Caregiving

Employment EXPERIENCED IRONWORKER AND FOREMAN: Steel fabricator and erector in Kyle, TX seeking experienced Ironworkers and Ironworker Foreman. Applicants must have all iron working tools, be dependable, have their own transportation to job sites and be able to communicate with supervisors. The ability to read and understand prints is a plus.

Apply in person at our office at 23971 IH 35, Kyle, TX

MEDICAL

LBJ Medical Center in Johnson City needs Certified Nurse’s Aide, 2-10 p.m.

Certified Medication Aide or LVN, Wednesdays 6 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays 2-8 p.m. LVN, PRN, No Medicare. 206 Haley Road Johnson City, TX 78636, 830-868-4093

ADMINISTRATIVE

The nation's largest senior living referral service.

Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-941-8234

Homes For Rent HOME FOR RENT

2BR/2BA home in downtown Kyle. Nice older home with hardwood floors, new paint and large yard. $1000 mo + deposit. 512-924-2112.

Pets For Sale PUREBRED BEAUTIFUL AKC RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK PUPPIES

Intelligent, sensitive great guard dogs. Can go on Sept. 17th, 512-8587366. For Facebook use - organicpatti@gmail.com. www.allpurebred.com.

Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $10 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.

OPPORTUNITY TO GET PAID DAILY, Great Home Business, Please call 1-832-225-5005 first. Ask about $100 cash referral! Fred 1-469-909-6624, fredcornell@legalshieldassociate.com, LegalShield, Independent Associate

LEGALS SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800-755-0168 to start your application today!

rv PArk FOr SALE Mountain RV Park For Sale Approximately 100 rv Sites partially complete. 1 Mile west of HWY 48 on Ski run road.ruidoso, NM 88355 Call 1-575-258-5050.

PHONE/INTErNET AT&T U-Verse Internet starting at $15/ month or Tv & Internet starting at $49/month for 12 months with 1-year agreement. Call 1-800-425-9081 to learn more.\

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Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FrEE Info/DvD: www.

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Public Notices

A PLACE FOR MOM

Matheson, a leading manufacturer of industrial, medical & specialty gases seeks a DEPOT PLANNER, Kyle, TX. This position will be responsible for entering and processing customer orders, reviewing analytical data to make sure data meets customer specifications, approving analytical data to be electronically submitted to customers, generating and placing purchase orders and transfer orders for inventory as needed. College Degree preferred (preferably in Science or Business Administration). We offer a full benefits and compensation package including Medical/ Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Paid Time Off and a top of the line 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match. Apply online at: https:// mathesongas.silkroad.com/ epostings. Req. # 3440-131.

Matheson is an EO employer M/F/Veteran/Disability

DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS

TexSCAN Week of August 14, 2016 HOME BUSINESS

Garage Sale MULTI-FAMILY SALE

Saturday, 8-20, 7 a.m.

Teaching/school supplies, furniture, women’s clothes all sizes. Tons of shoes. 471 Crooked Creek, Buda.

EMPLOYMENT

rEAL ESTATE

Walk-in bathtub sales person wanted. $100,000+ $4,000/mo guaranteed. Sales experience required, Call Jerry Stewart at 1-913-276-2143 Ewing Enterprises, LLC

10 acres, Live Oak, Jim Wells or Duval Counties. Heavy South Texas brush cover, deer hogs, turkey. Starting at $1800/down, $298/mo. (9.9%, 30-yrs). 1-866-286-0199

SCHOOL/TrAINING

15 acres, Uvalde/Bracketville. End of road, back corner, fenced 2 sides. Earthen tank, large mesquite, brush cover. Deer, hogs, turkey, quail. $3112/down, $515/mo. 1-800876-9720. www.ranchenterprisesltd.com

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING – Get FAA certification. No HS Diploma or GED – We can help. Approved for military benefits.

Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1-800-475-4102

HELP WANTED EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed-Leads, No Cold Calls-Commissions Paid Daily-Lifetime renewals-Complete Training-Health & Dental Insurance-Life License required. Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Call 1-888-713-6020

MEDICArE DEvICE GOT KNEE PAIN? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace - little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1-800-518-0173

rEAL ESTATE Reach 38 ACRE WILDERNESS rANCH $219 MONTH Quiet & secluded 6,100’ northern AZ off grid ranch bordering hundreds of acres of State Trust & BLM woodlands.

Fragrant evergreen trees & grassy meadows blend with sweeping views across surrounding wilderness mountains and valley from ridgetop cabin site. No urban noise, pure air & AZ’s best climate.

Near historic pioneer town services & fishing lake. Free well access, loam garden soil & maintained road. rv use ok. $25,500, $2,550 dn. Free brochure with similar properties, photos/ topo map/ weather/ area info: 1st United realty 1-800-966-6690.

run Your Ad In TexSCAN! Statewide Ad .................$550 239 Newspapers, 617,408 Circulation

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To Order: Call this Newspaper direct, or call Texas Press Service at 1-800-749-4793 Today!

NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 1-800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop

Extend your advertising reach with TexSCAN, your Statewide Classified Ad Network.

CITY COUNCIL

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

REBEL AND LOBO SPORTS

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed proposals addressed to Crescent Belterra TX, LLC, (“OWNER”) on behalf of Hays County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 (“DISTRICT”) for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work required for the construction of The Cottages at Belterra Village Phase 1 Street, Drainage and Utility Improvements will be received at the office of Texas Engineering Solutions, LLC (“ENGINEER”) at 3815 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78704 until Wednesday, September 14th, 2016 at 3:00pm. Drainage and Utility bids will be opened publicly and read aloud. Any proposal received after the closing time will be returned unopened. Proposals shall be plainly marked with name and address of the person or entity submitting the proposal (“BIDDER”) and the following words: PROPOSAL FOR THE COTTAGES AT BELTERRA VILLAGE PHASE 1 STREET, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS The Cottages at Belterra Village Phase 1 Street, Drainage, Water and Utility Improvements proposal includes approximately: 11,288 SY right of way preparation; 1,199 LF of 18”-36” Class III RCP storm sewer with inlets, headwalls, manholes, and drainage appurtenances; 2,073 LF of 8-12” water line with fire hydrants, valves and associated appurtenances; 1,761 LF of 6-8” gravity wastewater sewer line with manholes and wastewater appurtenances. All work must conform to State of Texas, County of Hays, and Hays County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 rules and criteria.

Copies of the Plans, Specifications, and Bidding Documents will be on file at the office of Texas Engineering Solutions at 3815 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704, where they may be examined without charge. Copies may be examined or obtained from the ENGINEER on or after August 17, 2016. Electronic copies may be obtained from the ENGINEER on or after August 17, 2016 by emailing ccarlton@txengs.com.

A Cashier’s Check, Certified Check or acceptable BIDDER’s Bond, payable to Crescent Belterra TX, LLC, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the Bid must accompany each bid as a guarantee that, if awarded the Contract, the BIDDER will enter into a contract and execute bonds within ten (10) days of award of the

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Contract. Performance and Payment Bonds shall also be executed on the forms furnished by the OWNER and shall specifically provide for “Performance” and for “Labor and Materials Payment”. Each bond shall be issued in an amount of one hundred percent (100%) of contract price by a solvent Surety company, authorized to do business in the State of Texas and acceptable to the OWNER. The OWNER reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any and all minor defects or irregularities in bidding or bidding prcess except time of submitting bid. The OWNER reserves the right to determine which bids are most advantageous to the OWNER and the DISTRICT, and to award the Contract on this basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after opening of the bids. If a submitted bid is withdrawn within said period, bid guaranty shall become the property of the OWNER, not as penalty, but as liquidated damages, or OWNER may pursue any other action allowed by law. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, August 24th, 2016 at 3:15pm at the offices of Texas Engineering Solutions at 3815 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704.

Prospective bidders are encouraged to visit the site.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Sandra Jean Caulkins a/k/a Sandra Jean Winter Lester, Deceased, were issued on August 8, 2016, under Docket No. 16-0205-P, pending in County Court at Law No. 1 of Hays County, Texas, to Leroy Haverlah, Jr. as Independent Executor.

Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the estate, addressed as follows: Representative, Estate of Sandra Jean Caulkins a/k/a Sandra Jean Winter Lester, Deceased, c/o Joseph C. Gagen, Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 162834, Austin, Texas

78716-2834. 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: 8/9/16 /S/ Joseph C. Gagen, Attorney for Applicant

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice to All Persons Having Claims Against the Estate of Betty W. Wardwell, a/k/a Betty Whittington Wardwell On August 9, 2016, Letters Testamentary as Independent Executor for the Estate were issued to Stephen Wardwell by the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas, in Cause Number 16-0239-P, pending upon the Probate Docket of said Court.

All persons having claims against the Estate, which is currently being administered, should present those claims within the time prescribed by law to: Bailey Krawczyk Attorney for Stephen Wardwell, Independent Executor of the Estate of Betty W. Wardwell, a/k/a Betty Whittington Wardwell The Law Offices of Warren & Lewis 1100 West Avenue Austin, Texas 78701

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that, at a regular meeting of the Hays County Commissioners Court, beginning at 9 a.m. on September 13, 2016, a public hearing will be held pursuant to Chapter 253 of the Texas Transportation Code to consider proposed improvements to Blue Creek Drive,located in the Blue Creek Subdivision in Precinct 4 of Hays County, and to assess all or part of the costs of the improvements, pro rata, against owners of real property in that subdivision.

The public hearing will be held at 111 East San Antonio Street, Suite 301, San Marcos, Texas 78666.

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Hays Free Press

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Page 3D

Service Directory Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning

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HEATING & AIR

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AMM Collision Center

3/4 mi. north of Dairy Queen

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Berry Glass Company Commercial & Residential • Furniture Tops • Tempered Glass • Mirrors

Framed & Frameless Tub & Shower Enclosures

A Computer Werks

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512 312 2767

Insurance

Steel Horse

• Flooring • Painting • Remodels • Carpentry Serving Hays County and surrounding areas • Trim Work • Special Design • Free Estimate • Doors & Windows • References Available • Handyman Service Jim ‘Blu’ Cooke, 512-781-2911 • Decks & Railings steelhorseconstructors@gmail.com • Soffitt & Facia • Hardi Siding • Honey-dos

Constructors

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David Klaus Insurance 1501 Goforth #104, Kyle, Texas

A

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Mario Reyna, (512) 743-1386

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Pest Services

Burnett’s Pest & Lawn Services 512-912-6696 Dale Burnett and Ken Graef TDA License 0710914

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TRI-COUNTY CONSTRUCTION

Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM

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Tree Service

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burnettspestcontrol.com

Pool Service Serving S. Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994.

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Pool Service

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Professional Office Home and RV Service in north Hays Co.

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Commercial & Residential

Hays Free Press • August 17, 2016

Page 4D

Sales tax revenues increase 10% for Hays Co. Sales tax receipts continued to rise this month. Buda, San Marcos, Dripping Springs, and Hays County each had revenue increases of roughly 10% compared to August 2015.

The city of Kyle had slightly better revenue with a roughly 14% increase over August 2015. Smaller cities Niederwald, Uhland and Woodcreek each had larger increases over last year, with Uhland topping out at nearly 40%.

NET PAYMENT

CURRENT THISNET PERIOD TAX PAYMENT RATE THIS PERIOD

% CHANGE AUG. 2015 TO AUG. 2016

2016 % CHANGE PAYMENTS FROM TO DATE 2015 TO 2016

Buda 1.50%

$520,670.15

+11.57%

$3,785,254.43 +9.26%

$194,526.33

-0.84%

$1,308,425.33 +10.57%

$653,235.43

+1.67%

$4,423,133.41 +14.42%

+21.74%

$20,044.07

Dripping Springs 1.25%

Kyle 1.50%

Niederwald 1.00%

$2,921.36

+23.29%

San Marcos 1.50%

$2,659,900.13 +18.41%

$19,099,890.72 +10.24%

$17,099.69

+34.01%

$109,911.80

+37.82%

$96,506.53

+3.15%

$599,404.47

+12.20%

+12.71%

$28,378.49

+17.37%

Uhland 1.50%

Wimberley 1.00%

Woodcreek 1.00%

$4,058.94

Hays County $4,151,225.31 +13.21%

$29,390,730.76 +10.86%

Financial Focus

What college savings plan should you consider?

A number of college savings options are available. For example, you could contribute to a 529 plan which offers potential tax advantages and high contribution limits. You might also consider a custodial account, such as an UGMA or UTMA, although when your children reach the age of majority, they are free to do whatever they want with the money – and their plans may not include college.

What will be the effect of a college savings plan on financial aid?

Continued from pg. 1D being developed as the Flint Hills Ethanol Distribution Facility and rail spur transfer, according to city documents.

The distribution facility, owned by Flint Hills Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industry, is scheduled to open in December 2016.

Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said the Flint Hills plant will not be producing any ethanol and would only store it, using the rail line nearby to distribute it across the country.

Ruge said even though Buda wasn’t consulted by Flint Hills about the construction of the plant as it was in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), he thinks the facility will be a “huge economic

Ruge said even though Buda wasn’t consulted by Flint Hills about the construction of the plant as it was in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), he thinks the facility will be a “huge economic engine for Buda.” engine for Buda.”

According to the Flint Hills Resources website, the ethanol company, based out of Wichita, Kan., has been blending ethanol, a fuel produced by biomass through the fermentation of sugars, starch or cellulose, since the 1990s.

“Buda is an efficient distribution hub to our existing fuel terminals and this centralized location will enable us to meet the ethanol

demands of our customers throughout Central and South Texas,” according to the Flint Hills website.

Construction on the new ethanol plant began in January 2016.

Ruge said he has toured many different establishments within Buda in order to understand their place in the community. He said he was interested in touring the ethanol plant when it is operational.

Small Equipment Mechanic

Continued from pg. 1D

in which to repay them – but you can’t postpone saving for retirement without jeopardizing your ability to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

When it comes to prioritizing your financial goals, putting yourself first is not necessarily a selfish act.

Ethanol

Your child typically would be expected to contribute 20 percent of his or her assets, while you are only expected to contribute up to 5.6 percent of your assets.

When colleges determine financial aid packages, they will evaluate your child’s assets differently than your assets. Your child typically would be expected to contribute 20 percent of his or her assets, while you are only expected to contribute up to 5.6 percent of your assets.

Consequently, you may be better off saving for

college in your name, rather than your children’s.

Under the federal financial aid guidelines, an UTMA/UGMA account is classified as a student asset, while 529 plans are counted as parental assets if parents are the account owners. (The rules on financial aid are not always so clearcut, however, so it might be worth your while to contact a financial aid officer at a local college or university to ensure that your chosen method of saving will still allow for the greatest possible assistance.)

As you can see, you’ve got several factors to think about when it comes to helping your kids meet their higher education goals. Study up on these options, so you can find the right answers for your family’s needs.

This article was written

by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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Competitive benefits and pay. Paid leave and holidays.

Continued from pg. 1D

portant revenue generator.”

Cruz said the e-commerce center would be the second largest sales tax generator in San Marcos.

According to a May 2016 article from Business Insider, Best Buy generated approximately $832 million from e-commerce sales in the first quarter, which represented nearly 11 percent of the company’s total U.S. revenue.

Hays County Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe lauded not only the job creation aspect of the facility, but also where it will look to hire from.

According to a May 2016 article from Business Insider, Best Buy generated approximately $832 million from e-commerce sales in the first quarter, which represented nearly 11 percent of the company’s total U.S. revenue.

“They will look from the local area for employment,” Ingalsbe said.

Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley said securing the e-commerce facility is a “big win today with a fine and respected company.”

“It will be a benefit to all of us and job creation and tax base revenue,” Conley said. “It’s getting into this new economy and e-commerce and away from brick and mortar that we’ve been a part of.”

Come join our growing company!

Visit our website for other open positions.

To apply, visit TexasDisposal.com/careers For inquiries, please call (512) 421-7624

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