AUGUST 18, 2021 WANTED
STEM LESSONS
Hays CISD is in need of more teachers.
Childrens books teach science, technology, engineering and math.
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Hays Free Press HaysFreePress.com
Vol. 127 • No. 21
Serving Hays County, TX
County judge says masks are required in school BY SAHAR CHMAIS
The line is drawn and Governor Greg Abbott is probably not happy. But students in Hays County will be required to wear masks, despite the governor’s executive order to the contrary. Hays CISD and Dripping Springs ISD took up the issue of whether students had to wear masks while at school, and
decided to “encourage” students to wear masks. But Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra entered the fray on Friday when he issued his own executive order on Friday, requiring anyone going to school to wear masks. Becerra’s decision came after monitoring the spike in hospital admissions, how highly contagious the Delta variant has been and
Public schools and public charter schools in Hays County will be required to enforce masks for students, staff and visitors over the age of two when on campus and on school busses.
that children under the age of 12 do not have access to the vaccine. Public schools and public charter schools
in Hays County will be required to enforce masks for students, staff and visitors over the age of two when on campus
and on school busses. “Currently, 70% of the 12-15 age group are unvaccinated,” Becerra said, “and children under 12 are not eligible for a vaccine at all. Masks are their only line of defense.” Not only is the virus causing a health crisis emergency that has caused rising hospitalization rates, there is further concern about
Buda approves bond package for November ballot BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Rail projects have Kyle neighbors concerned BY BRITTANY ANDERSON homeowner, brought a petition from both An upcoming railherself and neighbors road siding project has citing a list of concerns residents of Creekside about the Kyle Siding Village, a neighborhood Project. in Kyle, concerned for The project is part their safety and privacy, of the 2016 Road Bond among other things. Program. In spring Railroad siding is a 2018, the project was track that to the side of selected to award funds the main line that alafter the city submitted lows trains to pass, and a Capital Area Metallows uploading and ropolitan Planning offloading of products. Organization (CAMPO) During the citizen grant application. comment period at the The project will city council meeting on relocate the existing Aug. 3, Cynthia Salinas, a Creekside Village RAILROAD SIDING, 10
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
PHOTO COURTESY OF TINA FRETWELL
Tina Fretwell (left), of Dripping Springs, meets her half-sisters for the first time in upstate New York.
Hays County woman’s DNA discovery leads to new family BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
After 50 years, Tina Fretwell has finally found a piece of herself she’s been searching for her entire life. Born in 1970 in Da Nang, Vietnam during the midst of the Vietnam War, the only thing TINA’S MOM Tina ever found out about her father was that he was an American soldier named David. It would be decades before she found more — thanks to a gene-
Coming Up CALLING ALL KYLES!
The city of Kyle is gearing up for its annual Pie in the Sky Festival Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5. Among the festivities, Kyle officials are trying to gather as many festival goers as possible with the name “Kyle” in an effort to break the world record for the most Kyles in one place. There will be free admittance to patrons with valid ID showing their name is Kyle. The gathering will
STATE NEWS
occur on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. There will be a group photo and official sign in.
UP, UP & AWAY AT KYLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
“I didn’t know if I wanted to look into it myself. Then I finally said, “Look, I think I found your sisters. She got very excited, needless to say.”
Kansas, leaving Tina in the care of her aunt and grandmother. Like other ‘Amerasians’ at the time, a term coined for children born of American servicemen and Vietnamese women, Tina faced discrimination for her mixed heritage, including having rocks thrown at her. Tina even faced discrimination within her own family. Her grandfather was in the Viet Cong, –Tina’s husband Ben and her family feared how he would take to having alogy kit that led her to her a half-American grandhalf-siblings. daughter with her light When Tina was only hair and skin. a few months old, her Coupled with the fact mother, Kim Tu Huynh, left Vietnam for Wichita, DNA DISCOVERY, 6
bounce house, eliminator, skee ball, mini putt-putt golf, crafts and music, as well as a demonstration by the Central Texas Ballooning Association. Attendees will also have a chance to win free tickets for the upcoming Kyle Pie in the Sky Festival.
BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY SKATE NIGHT
Join the Kyle Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. for Up, Up, and Away — a celebration of the art of hot air ballooning. There will be a ton of events for the kids, including a rock climbing wall, a castle
Veteran reporter Gary Rodgers touches on Capital Highlights.
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MASKS MANDATORY, 10
Hays CISD Parents demand choice on masks
The $88.7 million package includes two propositions, Proposition A for roads and Proposition B for parks.
BUDA - Buda is one step closer to seeing improved roads and parks. The Buda Bonds package was unanimously approved by city council during a special meeting on Aug. 12. The bond will now be placed on November’s election ballot. The bond package has been deliberated by the Buda Bond Adviso- sitions, Proposition A for roads and Proposiry Committee (BBAC) tion B for parks. Based since February 2021. The $88.7 million package includes two propoBUDA BONDS, 10
the health and safety of children and school staff, Becerra added. “This order is intended to slow down community spread of the COVID-19 virus, and free up hospital space,” he said. “Personal responsibility, undefined, as a disaster response strategy for an infectious disease pandemic is not working.”
Join Kyle Parks and Recreation Friday, Aug. 20 from 6-8:30 p.m. for the Back to School Family Skate Night at Ash Pavilion in GreggClarke Park.There will be music, lights, concessions and fun. Skates will not be provided and registration
is required. Registration for city of Kyle residents is $1, and $2 for non-residents.
IN THE GARDEN: DIY GARDEN PLANNING
Join other gardening enthusiasts and beginners at the Dripping Springs Library Thursday Aug. 19 to talk about DIY gardens. In this presentation a Hays County Master Gardener will cover a variety of topics about gardening, including planting schedules, soil types, trees, native plants, environmental considerations, and more. Register by visiting the library website.
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Wearing blue shirts in solidarity, parents and students showed up to a special meeting of the Hays School Board on Aug. 12 to share their thoughts on the board’s COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming school year. After Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright sent out COVID response updates on Aug. 9 and Aug. 11, many parents from the Hays CISD Community Facebook group encouraged others to wear blue shirts and attend the board meeting to express their concerns and frustrations. The argument was on – between those wanting students to wear masks and those who are against, and whether events should open to full capacity. Of the more than 20 speakers during the public forum, many called for sporting events and other on-campus events to be opened back up to 100% capacity, for the board to not follow Austin ISD and other school districts’ decision to require masks and to allow parents the freedom to choose what is best for their children regarding masks and vaccinations. “The beauty of choice is that having the right to choose allows one to handle COVID the way they feel is right for them,” senior Aspen Lowden said. “That should be the one solution that makes the most people happy.” But that was only one side of the story. Alternatively, a handful of speakers expressed their desire for the school board to require masks and continue to limit capacity at events. Melissa Huckabay, the parent of an elementary school son, said she and other parents are worried about sending their young children to school with other students and staff members who are
HCISD MASK DEBATE, 10