OCTOBER 2, 2019 KYLE KIN
WILD WIN
Descendants of Kyle family attend annual fundraiser
Rebels outlast Bowie in wild 35-34 win
– Page 8
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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
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Vol. 124 • No. 27
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
Lehman graduate found dead in vehicle BY ANITA MILLER
early on Wednesday. Sept. 25. Police said the vehicle A gofundme account has was in the parking lot of been established to help a “closed business” in the the family of Ben Verse pay 2200 block of Interstate for his funeral expenses. 35 in Kyle. He was proVerse, 19, of Kyle, was nounced dead by Hays found dead in a vehicle County Pct. 2 Justice of
the Peace Beth Smith. Police said little else about the case except that the vehicle Verse was in was discovered by an officer on routine patrol at approximately 12:35 a.m. and that the case is under
investigation as a homicide. Smith would not add any details. “There’s nothing that I can release unfortunately because of the ongoing investigation,” she said. “I cannot impede that.”
According to the gofundme page, Versa was a graduate of Lehman High School where he had been a student athlete. “Ben was one of those guys who could walk in the room and get every-
one to laugh and smile,” Will Engleman posted on Lehman High School Athletics. “Ben was taken from us too soon.” Funeral arrangements were unknown at press time.
Candidates tout infrastructure, police support BY URSULA ROGERS
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Runners Race for the Stars
Runners of all ages hit the pavement in Kyle Sept. 28 for the 3rd annual Fuentes Elementary Race for the Stars 5K race. The event was a fundraiser with proceeds going to help send fourth graders at the school go to Camp Champions in April. In addition, many of those who participated also ran in the Officer Solis Memorial Mile, held in memory of late Kyle Police Officer Fernando Solis as well as in honor of suicide prevention and awareness month. See more photos, page 7.
Kyle council questions finance on 911 dispatch co-location When the idea of a co-located, meaning shared, 911 facility was first voiced back in 2016, it seemed like the perfect solution to a hard-learned lesson. The floods of 2015 had, in fact, provided a trial run. When the Blanco River went on its deadly rampage in May of 2015, it forced the county’s tele-
“If the co-location agreement requires us to pay some kind of additional amount we have to weigh that against what kind of services we receive.” –Travis Mitchell, Kyle Mayor
Department – a location that was also low-lying but far from the worst of the flooding. Kharley Smith, then
communicators to move from the Law Enforcement Center on Uhland Road in San Marcos to the San Marcos Police
the county’s emergency management director, told the commissioners court as they were considering the 2016 bond election that the situation of sharing 911 resources worked so well that the county personnel did the same thing when the Blanco River rose again in October for 2015. Smith touted “stream-
911 CO-LOCATION, 14
COMING UP Buda Market in the Park
County to meet about ranch conservation
The Buda Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to spend Saturday, Oct. 5 browsing Buda’s historical downtown greenbelt. “Market in the Park” will be 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Admission is free. Onhand will be artisans, antiques, musicians and more.
The Hays County Pct. 3 Office will host a public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9, to discuss recent efforts to conserve portions of El Rancho Cima. The meeting will be held at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 Ranch Road 12, at 6 p.m. El Rancho Cima, also known as the Boy Scout Ranch, is located 18 miles west of San Marcos on Ranch Road 32 along the Devil’s Backbone. The property includes Sentinel Peak, which at more than 1,200-feet-high is a landmark for anyone traveling the route. The 2,300-acre ranch was recently sold by the Sam Houston Area Boy Council of Boy Scouts, which was steward of the property for more than 60 years, and the new owner has subdivided the property.
BEING BUDA
Buda businesses finalists for commerce award.
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INDEX
BY ANITA MILLER
News……………… 2, 4, 5 Opinion Page………… 3 Sports…………………… 6 Education……………… 7
Investing in infrastructure, better support for the Police Department and promoting business growth were some of the top goals, as candidates for the Kyle City Council debated during a luncheon. The Kyle Chamber of Commerce held a forum luncheon Sept. 24 where candidates for city council spoke about their plans for the city. The four candidates include Dex Ellison (incumbent) and Yvonne Cale, running for District 1, and Robert Rizo (incumbent) and Amanda Stark running
Kyle City Council Candidates DISTRICT 1
Dex Ellison Yvonne Cale
DISTRICT 3
Robert Rizo Amanda Stark
for District 3. The League of Women Voters of Hays County moderated the forum that
KYLE CANDIDATES FORUM, 5
Committee to address dangerous dogs in Kyle BY ANITA MILLER On the heels of two dog attacks in as many months, the Kyle City Council voted last week to form a committee to revise and update the city’s ordinance regarding dangerous dogs. Mayor Pro Tem Dex Ellision and Council member Daphne Tenorio will both be a part of the committee, which also may include residents whose lives have been affected by dangerous dogs, it was decided in the Sept. 24 special called council meeting. One such resident is Shonte Gordon, whose poodle-terrier mix CJ was killed in July by three pit bulls who broke through a fence in her Kensington Trails neighborhood. Animal Control officers took a report but instead of taking the dogs to the shelter to be quarantined, they allowed the owners to keep the dogs at home. “I do not feel safe in my home. I do not feel safe in my community. I fear for the safety of children and the elderly in Kensington Trail,” Gordon said. Gordon said she and her family moved into their new home in
Community………… 8, 9 Business…………… 10 Service Directory…… 11 Classifieds………… 12, 13
“I do not feel safe in my home. I do not feel safe in my community. I fear for the safety of children and the elderly in Kensington Trail.” –Shonte Gordon, whose dog was killed by pit bulls in her fenced back yard
July and the dog attack happened just three days later. She said her 13-year-old son was in the back yard with CJ when the neighbor’s dogs came through the fence. “My son ran back into the house before the dogs could attack him,” she said. “Unfortunately he could not save CJ.” Since that happened, Gordon said, she learned from a police report that there have been complaints filed about those dogs dating back to 2014. The last two complaints to come in regarding those dogs, she said, were filed in March and April of this year — the first one
DANGEROUS DOGS, 13
NEWS
Page 2
Hays Free Press The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
NEWS TIPS
If you think it’s news, we probably do too! • Newsroom phone: 512-268-7862 • E-mail: news@haysfreepress.com • Mail: 113 W. Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640
CORRECTIONS
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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.
City annexes acreage for Casetta Ranch BY ANITA MILLER The Kyle City Council unanimously approved the voluntary annexation of almost 98 acres in a special meeting Sept. 24. Clayton Properties Group, Inc., d/b/a/ Brohn Homes, requested the annexation for a development to be called “Casetta Ranch. The property will be changed the original zoning of Agricultural (AG) to Single Family Residential-3 (R-1-3). The property is located to the south of Bunton Lane at Goforth Road and is wholly within the city of Kyle’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, contiguous to the city limits. The developer requested annexation on Aug. 6, at which time the company entered into a development agreement with the city. The first hearing of the annexation was held Sept. 17. No one spoke at that public hearing and the council vote on both first and second reading was unanimous. Casetta Ranch will have 406 lots, according to paperwork first presented to the city council in May 2018. The council’s action was in accordance with HB 3167, which went into effect Sept. 1 after being enacted by the Legislature earlier this year and amends Chapter 212 of the Local Government Code, which concerns subdivisions. Known as the “shot clock” bill, it requires that a subdivision request place on a city council agenda be approved or disproved within 30 days of acceptance. As part of dealing with the new requirement, Kyle city planning staff “have elected to allow new applications to be submitted
STAFF REPORT Like other communities throughout the state and nation, Hays County is in the midst of preparing for the 2020 Census – a Constitutionally-mandated exercise held every decade that has as its goal counting everyone living in the U.S. Notably, the Texas Legislature has not funded the effort, making local efforts for a Complete
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only one day per month,” a staff memo included in background materials for the special meeting read. “This will hopefully allow enough time to review and take action on new applications,” the memo says. “Due to the timeline requirements from HB 3167, the one submitted date per month also only allows action at one meeting per month (regularly scheduled P&Z meetings). This will help staff keep a relatively simple schedule on track, albeit a slightly slower approval process.” A schedule can be found on the Planning Department segment of the city’s website, cityofkyle.com.
County seeks grant for Census support
HAVING VISION PROBLEMS? IT COULD BE CATARACTS
Kyle Office 5401 FM 1626, Ste 365 Kyle, TX 78640
Casetta Ranch will have 406 lots, according to paperwork first presented to the city council in May 2018, and will be located to the south of Bunton Lane at Goforth Road and is wholly within the city of Kyle’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, contiguous to the city limits.
Three locations to serve you Southwest Austin Office 5625 Eiger Rd, Ste 100 Austin, TX 78735
The effort is primarily aimed at areas that are traditionally undercounted or hard to count, as are areas of Hays County. Count even more crucial. Hays County could get some help in making the Census more successful if a grant submission authorized by the Commissioners Court Sept. 24 is approved. The submission is for a $50,000 grant from the Hogg Foundation, which is funding a Texas Complete Count initiative to the tune of $2 million. The effort is primarily aimed at areas that are traditionally undercounted or hard to count, as are areas of Hays County. “The county is hoping to secure additional federal dollars that can support services, resources and infrastructure,” County Judge Ruben Becerra wrote in a Sept. 12 letter to the Hogg Foundation. “Hays County is committed to pushing Census efforts and dedicating staff for coordination and collaborative efforts for this project.”
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, 2019. Inj to Child/Eld/Disabled............................................... 2
Canine Training.............................................................. 2
Civil Matter.................................................................... 8
Missing Person.............................................................. 3
Information.................................................................. 12
Runaway........................................................................ 1
Compliance Check...................................................... 13
Public Assist................................................................ 18
Property- Lost/Found/Imp............................................ 6
Community Contact...................................................... 9
Sex Offender Registry................................................... 1
Disabled Vehicle.......................................................... 18
Civil Standby................................................................. 2
Foot Patrol..................................................................... 5
Alarm Business........................................................... 38
Close Patrol............................................................... 184
Alarm Residential........................................................ 36
Parental Discipline Assist.............................................. 2
Alarm Panic................................................................... 1
Flagged Down............................................................... 1
Alarm Robbery.............................................................. 1
Welfare Concern.......................................................... 34
Alarm Unknown............................................................. 1
Suicidal Person............................................................. 5
Field Euthanasia............................................................ 1
Investigation................................................................ 14
Animal Calls................................................................. 80
Supplement................................................................. 72
Loose Livestock.......................................................... 19
Suspicious Circumstances......................................... 28
Assault......................................................................... 11
Extradition..................................................................... 1
Sexual Assault............................................................... 1
Suspicious Person...................................................... 13
Assist EMS.................................................................. 17
Suspicious Vehicle...................................................... 44
Assist Fire Dept............................................................. 6
Wanted Person.............................................................. 4
Assist Outside Agency................................................ 14
Indentity Theft............................................................... 4
Burglary Building........................................................... 3
Theft............................................................................ 15
Burglary Habitation....................................................... 2
Recovery Stolen Vehicle............................................... 2
Burglary Vehicle............................................................. 2
Unauth use Vehicle....................................................... 1
Criminal Mischief......................................................... 14
Vehicle Theft.................................................................. 2
Illegal Dumping............................................................. 1
Accident Minor............................................................ 30
Environmental Crime..................................................... 2
Accident Hit and Run.................................................. 10
Reckless Damage......................................................... 1
Accident Major/Injury.................................................. 10
Disorderly Conduct....................................................... 1
Accident Unknown........................................................ 4
Death Investigation....................................................... 2
Abandoned/Stored Vehicle........................................... 8
Disturbance Noise....................................................... 17
Traffic Control/Direction................................................ 6
Disturbance Physical Fight........................................... 6
Directed/Area Enforce................................................. 28
Disturbance Verbal...................................................... 18
Traffic Hazard.............................................................. 26
Child Custody............................................................... 4
Attempt to Locate....................................................... 72
Narcotics/Information................................................... 2
Parking Enforcement..................................................... 3
MIP Tobacco................................................................. 1
Traffic Stop................................................................ 463
Controlled Substance................................................... 2
Solicitors....................................................................... 1
Marijuana....................................................................... 2
Trespassing/Unwanted............................................... 15
Public Intoxication......................................................... 1
911 Abandoned/Open............................................... 250
Fraud............................................................................. 8
911 Hang Up................................................................. 1
Credit/Debit Abuse........................................................ 2
Sick Person................................................................... 1
Harassment................................................................... 8
Deadly Conduct............................................................ 2
Threat............................................................................ 5
Discharge Firearm......................................................... 9
Mental Health Follow Up............................................... 1
Private Tow/Repo........................................................ 19
Mental Health Invest..................................................... 4
Police Incoming Call..................................................... 1
Mental Health Transport................................................ 2
Cardiac/Resp/Arrest/Death........................................... 1
Canine Search............................................................... 2
EMS Response............................................................. 1
Below is a sample of events reported by law enforcement from Sept. 19 through Sept. 25, 2019. The location is where the event was reported or responded to and may not necessarily be where the event occured. Agency Activity
Date
Time
Location
HCSO
Assault
09/19/2019
10:36:49
S Old Spanish Trl Kyle
HCSO
Assault
09/19/2019
10:52:49
Chapa Middle School Kyle
HCSO
Assault
09/19/2019
16:08:01
Barton Middle School Buda
HCSO
Burglary - Building
09/19/2019
9:20:01
Chaparral Cir Wimberley
HCSO
Burglary - Building
09/19/2019
15:40:19
Oneill Ranch Rd Dripping Springs
HCSO
Death Investigation
09/20/2019
0:05:18
Robin Way San Marcos
HCSO
Harassment
09/19/2019
9:33:59
High Rd Kyle
HCSO
Missing Person
09/19/2019
11:41:03
Wild Rose Dr Austin
BPD
Theft
09/19/2019
9:16:16
Whataburger of Buda
HCSO
Theft
09/19/2019
18:04:46
Railyard Dr Kyle
HCSO
Vehicle Theft
09/19/2019
18:57:18
Kai Vista Dr Kyle
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 09/19/2019
14:57:50
Rodriguez St/IH 35 Fr Buda
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 09/19/2019
12:17:34
S San Marcos St/W US 290 Dripping Springs
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 09/19/2019
14:52:59
E US 290/Frog Pond Ln Dripping Springs
HCSO
Assault
09/20/2019
11:12:02
Eagle Brook Ln Buda
HCSO
Assault
09/20/2019
11:12:46
Dripping Springs Middle School
HCSO
Assault
09/20/2019
11:14:25
Dripping Springs High School
HCSO
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 09/20/2019
19:38:26
Camino Real/High Rd Kyle
HCSO
Suicidal Person
09/20/2019
14:48:48
Circle Dr Buda
HCSO
Assault
09/21/2019
14:59:53
Seneca Loop Kyle
HCSO
Sexual Assault
09/21/2019
22:04:53
Hawk Dr Manchaca
BPD
Burglary - Habitation
09/21/2019
21:04:20
Botana Way Buda
BPD
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 09/21/2019
12:28:21
Hays Youth Sport Complex
BPD
Theft
09/21/2019
16:17:30
Walmart of Buda
BPD
Theft
09/21/2019
17:16:40
Dans Hamburgers of Buda
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 09/21/2019
20:59:50
Main St/IH 35 Fr Buda
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 09/22/2019
1:55:58
Buda Exit 219 SB
HCSO
Deadly Conduct
09/21/2019
14:39:00
W US 290/RR 165 Dripping Springs
BPD
Alarm - Robbery
09/22/2019
20:55:59
Logans Of Buda
HCSO
Assault
09/22/2019
6:57:36
E Mt Gainor Rd Dripping Springs
HCSO
Assault
09/22/2019
19:51:42
Longhorn Trl Wimberley
HCSO
Assault
09/23/2019
3:49:54
Bell Springs Rd Dripping Springs
HCSO
Death Investigation
09/22/2019
20:28:45
12300 RR 2325 Wimberley
HCSO
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 09/22/2019
22:44:24
665 Morningwood Dr San Marcos
BPD
Harassment
09/22/2019
12:08:59
601 Reliance Dr Buda
HCSO
Harassment
09/22/2019
19:56:14
10711 Burnt Oak Dr Austin
HCSO
Missing Person
09/22/2019
13:14:55
3338 Goforth Rd Kyle
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 09/22/2019
16:34:44
RR 1826/W RR 150 Driftwood
HCSO
Inj to Child/Eld/Disabled 09/23/2019
14:00:16
Maxwell Texas Hill Country School
HCSO
Suicidal Person
09/23/2019
21:58:22
315 Owl Hollow Rd San Marcos
HCSO
Suicidal Person
09/23/2019
22:02:43
315 Cody Ln Kyle
BPD
Theft
09/23/2019
8:29:18
Walmart of Buda
HCSO
Theft
09/23/2019
7:36:07
160 Maeves Way Austin
HCSO
Theft
09/23/2019
12:06:13
401 Box Canyon Rd Wimberley
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 09/23/2019
19:11:45
Johnson High School Buda
HCSO
Cardiac Arrest/Death
09/23/2019
9:11:56
Public Safety Building San Marcos
HCSO
Burglary - Building
09/24/2019
15:19:04
Dripping Springs United Methodist Church
BPD
Burglary - Habitation
09/24/2019
16:57:39
Silverado Crossing Apartments Buda
BPD
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 09/24/2019
16:59:59
Old Goforth Rd/Fm 2001 Buda
HCSO
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 09/24/2019
21:34:50
37 Wood Glen Dr Wimberley
HCSO
Controlled Substance
09/24/2019
12:06:50
Hays High School Buda
HCSO
Public Intoxication
09/24/2019
10:47:49
Johnson High School Buda
HCSO
Suicidal Person
09/24/2019
12:36:39
400 Rebel Dr Buda
HCSO
Burglary - Vehicle
09/25/2019
6:45:01
3428 Tuscany Dr Driftwood
HCSO
Burglary - Vehicle
09/25/2019
8:45:36
205 Glen Ellen Ct Driftwood
HCSO
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 09/25/2019
7:08:57
209 Summit Dr Kyle
HCSO
Marijuana
09/25/2019
12:00:31
Dripping Springs High School
HCSO
Missing Person
09/25/2019
8:46:11
Hays High School Buda
HCSO
Suicidal Person
09/25/2019
12:14:04
San Marcos Academy
HCSO
Extradition
09/25/2019
13:10:41
Hays County Law Enforcement Center
HCSO
Theft
09/25/2019
13:57:55
103 Sun Cv Kyle
HCSO
Theft
09/25/2019
18:01:55
Twin Liquors of Dripping Springs
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 09/25/2019
20:32:27
E Goforth St/Fm 2001 Buda
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 09/25/2019
6:20:06
Hillside Ter/Fm 2001 Buda
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 09/25/2019
8:10:17
15415 Fitzhugh Rd Dripping Springs
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 09/25/2019
8:15:39
W US 290/Sawyer Ranch Rd Dripping Springs
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 09/25/2019
13:00:03
Fm 2001/Woodbrook Trl Buda
HCSO
Deadly Conduct
6:48:48
575 S Turnersville Rd Buda
09/25/2019
Opinion
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The lack of clear internal processes and procedures resulted in the approval of a dangerous dog to live in the city limits within a multi-home subdivision.” –Shonte Gordon, whose dog was killed by pit bulls. Story on page 1.
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Page 3
EDITORIAL
PEC members deserve the truth
P
EC board member Jim Powers has just resigned, apparently because of conflicts of interest that he failed to manage, and the episode raises troubling questions that need to be addressed by our electric power co-op. Powers is a former Hays County judge, and a prominent Republican who had previously been appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the board of another utility, the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority. Rumors of conflicts of interest – using public office to prosper his business enterprises – have circulated quietly for some time, but without proof. Then last week at a special executive session of the PEC board, conflicts of interest were discussed and it seems – though no one is saying so on the record – that Powers was encouraged to resign. He did, and though the official reason was so he could spend more time on his business, he told the Austin American-Statesman, “I’m not saying that’s not true” when asked whether fellow board members had asked for his resignation because of conflicts of interest. Powers was re-elected to the board from the Dripping Springs area just a few months ago. The second-place finisher in that race, Kathi Thomas, told reporters that the district should release more information about the nature of the conflicts. She’s right that there needs to be more sunshine on this. After all, PEC may be a utility company, one that provides electric service for most of our readers, but it is also a member-owned cooperative, among the largest in the country. More than that, PEC has a sorry history of hiding conflicts of interest and fostering corruption. It’s a reputation that has been on the mend, but the latest episode is one of several recent setbacks, including the departure of a general manager who raised questions about board judgment. Clearing the air would be a good step forward. And that means sharing information with members about what did and didn’t go wrong – and whether Mr. Powers’ conflicts were minor and transitory, or serious and long-lasting. That’s only fair for the co-op, and Judge Powers.
‘Fall Back’ to putting life’s small joys ahead of politics
A
utumn has arrived. I can’t think of a better time to put priorities back in order. You see, a new University of Nebraska-Lincoln study finds that “the current U.S. political climate is literally making Americans physically sick, damaging friendships, and driving many people ‘crazy’,” according to studyfinds.org. Among the findings: About two in five Americans are stressed out by politics, and one in five are losing sleep over it. Look, politics is important. An informed, engaged public is essential to our country’s continued success at the local, state and federal levels. But aren’t we taking our politics – and ourselves – a bit too seriously? To be sure, in the era of social media – and a president who tweets 24/7 – politics is in our faces more than ever. We carry politics around on our smartphones. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make a concerted effort to keep politics in proper perspective.
GUEST EDITORIAL
No two farms are alike and that’s ok BY JULIE TOMASCIK T-shirts aren’t one-size-fits-all, so why should Texas agriculture be that way? The Lone Star State is uniquely different from the other 49 states in countless ways. Our state is growing exponentially as families relocate here, and oftentimes, we experience all four seasons in one day. Just as the people and weather are vastly different, so is Texas agriculture. It’s far from black and white, wrong or right. There are many shades of gray in between, encompassing the farmers and ranchers and the commodities they grow. From forestry to fish and fruit to fiber, Texas farmers and ranchers can grow just about anything. The Texas Panhandle is known for cotton and fed cattle, taking advantage of the arid climate to grow these two major commodities. Citrus fruit rules on the southern end of Texas as a top crop in the Rio Grande Valley. In Central Texas, an abundance of pastureland provides natural sustainability for beef cattle, while the fertile river bottoms grow grains of all kinds. Known for its densely wooded terrain, East Texas offers landowners the opportunity to harvest timber, raise poultry and even graze cattle. The more rugged landscape in West Texas is better suited for sheep and goats. Those four-legged animals nearly outnumber the human population in the far west region of the state. And each farmer has different preferences – conventional, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), organic, grass-fed beef and more. Farmers and ranchers choose the system that works best for them and their operation. Those choices allow Texas farmers and ranchers to thrive and grow the diverse products available in your grocery stores. While agriculture is vastly different across the Lone Star State, all farmers and ranchers have one thing in common. They are good stewards of the land, because without the land, their livelihood doesn’t exist. Texas agriculture isn’t black and white, one-sizefits-all. Rather, it’s several shades of gray in between. Julie Tomascik with the Texas Farm Bureau
wonderful times of the year. Spring is about new life and fresh starts. Summer is about toil, sweat and by Todd a one-week break at the Purcell beach. Autumn is about harvesting your labor’s Consider: We each have hard-earned fruits. little control over who It’s about peacefully acbecomes president – just cepting that warm weathone vote. But we have er will be gone soon – and total control over how we that bitter-cold winds and respond to who becomes snow will be back soon. president. Among my favorite A president’s policies things to do at this time do affect our day-to-day of year are driving to fall lives – health insurance festivals in small country policies, taxes and regula- towns, going on hayrides tions do impact us some. after dark, and drinking But the truth is that our hot apple cider – with a politicians otherwise have dash of Irish whiskey – minimal daily impact on around a roaring bonfire our lives. with my closest friends, Life is largely made up while we tell each other of colds, bills, speeding ghost stories and tales of tickets and people who haunted houses, ghouls sometimes grate on our and goblins with Hallownerves. een approaching. Between those experiAutumn allows us to ences are mundane tasks reflect on what is most and drudgeries. valuable in our lives – our Interrupting those loved ones, our extended drudgeries are delicious family. It’s about spending meals with friends, the time with each other and occasional hearty laugh, talking about everything the love of a truly special and nothing at all. person who’s supportive It’s about taking a in times of need – and much-needed respite autumn, one of the most from politics – about
Guest Column
making chili in a cast-iron Dutch oven that sits for hours on fireside coals, then feasting on that chili with your parents and siblings while thanking God that all are still healthy and together after no small number of years. We’re tearing ourselves apart with our politics. Autumn offers a chance to renew friendships and reprioritize our lives. As the leaves turn bright colors and drop from the trees, drop politics down on your list of priorities – way down to its proper place. Autumn is too important and too enjoyable to let politics intrude. Light a bonfire, heat up some apple cider and focus on the most important things in our lives – while taking a much-needed break from our overly heated politics. Tom Purcell, author of “Misadventures of a 1970’s Childhood,” a humorous memoir available at amazon.com, is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc.
As a third generation rancher, I prefer the outdoors to the kitchen. After all, there’s no better feeling than dirt under my feet and wind whipping through my hair. But I’m slowly learning my way around the kitchen.
Hays Free Press Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton News Editor Anita Miller Sports Editor Moses Leos III
Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com
Reporters Camelia Juarez Columnists Bartee Haile, Chris Winslow, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts
Proofreaders Jane Kirkham Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialists James Darby
113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Production Manager David White Production Assistants Elizabeth Garcia, Michelle Zimmerhanzel
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NEWS
Page 4
New app is empowering locals to save money and water BY CAMELIA JUAREZ
More than two million gallons of water have been saved in Buda thanks to a new app that allows locals to view their water consumption. The Water Smart App lets users view their daily and hourly water usage, find leaks, compare their water usage to their neighbors and maintain transparency with water utility bills. Water Resource Coordinator Blake Neffendorf said the city launched the app to complement the new meter system, which will allow the city and customers to collect water usage data in hourly intervals. The Water Smart App provides several comparison options. Users can check their water consumption from yesterday or from several years ago. In addition, locals can compare their water consumption to a citywide
The app/portal can be found on the city of Buda’s website under Utilities.
scale of water consumption. “That way they know if they are on the higher end of consumption or doing a really good job. The app will give them such benchmarks to know where they are at,” Neffendorf said. For privacy reasons, the app does not allow users to see their neighbors’ water consumption, but it does provide a citywide average
for comparison. The app can help reduce water bill costs with reminders to shut off running water. The app was designed as a water conservation tool, Neffendorf said. “The app has leak alerts and that helps residents save water. There have been incidents that people leave their water on overnight. They forget about
turning the water off after watering their plants. The app will notify users. We have gotten comments thanking us for the reminder,” Neffendorf said. Neffendorf said the app keeps people informed about their usage and provides watering tips such as how to plant certain types of plants and different ways to save water in their home or outdoors. Not only can users stay water conscious, but they can also be stay connected to city water warnings. “One of the benefits of this app is that we can send out direct communications to them. So if we went in a drought stage, we can send them an email or text notification that we were entering a drought stage. An emergency situation such as a pipe burst or we need to shut down the water in an area, we can send alerts about the issue,” Neffendorf said.
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Hays Central Appraisal District Seeks Applicants for Appraisal Review Board The Taxpayer Liaison Officer for the Hays Central Appraisal District is accepting applications from candidates seeking appointment as Appraisal Review Board (ARB) members. Service on the ARB would begin January 2020 for the 2020-2021 term. Applications are available online at hayscad.com or at the Hays Central Appraisal District office at 21001 North IH 35 Kyle; or by sending a request for application to info@hayscad. com. The primary responsibility of the ARB is to weigh evidence and provide resolution of matters relating to appraisal, exemptions and challenges that cannot be resolved informally with the Appraisal District. You may find more information on our website at hayscad.com/ arb-panel-members/ Applicants are encouraged to have real estate or appraisal knowledge or background in law; however, this is not a requirement. Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 15, 2019, to: HCAD Taxpayer Liaison Officer Attn: Deborah Waterman Hays Central Appraisal District 21001 North IH 35 Kyle, Texas 78640 Or: tlo@hayscad.com Upon receipt of applications, the Taxpayer Liaison Officer will forward the applications to the Local Administrative District Judge where consideration and selection of appointees will commence.
Speed limit reduction is the beginning for a safer Old Kyle Road in Wimberley BY CAMELIA JUAREZ
downtown Wimberley. Theresa Shell, of the In an attempt to plan for Downtown Wimberley the next 20 years, Wimber- District Committee, said ley community planners her committee’s goal is have recommended new pedestrian safety, adequate sidewalks and pedestrian parking and improved walkways for Old Kyle aesthetics. The committee’s Road. goal is to connect downThe current compretown to the parks. hensive plan is set to expire “It would be so benefiby 2022, which is why the cial to downtown and to Wimberley Downtown our residents, visitors if District Committee and the there was the connectivity Wimberley Comprehensive between downtown and Plan Team met to make rec- the park. I think there ommendations to outline would be more pedestrian
mobility, evening activity. The challenge is creating the connectivity with pedestrian walkways and more parking. Not only for tourists, but for our residents,” Shell said. Currently, the city has 3 crosswalks, one close to the square. Shell said as the city continues to grow and tourism increases the city needs to be more accommodating. “There is confusion for tourists. The pedestrian walkways don’t have
flashing lights, so we need to find a way to remedy that. Currently, we have a constable guiding people across the street and hopefully we can find permanent solutions,” Shell said. Landowners and business owners will be able to give their support for the Old Kyle Improvement at the next city council meeting. Outlines for the sidewalks have been drawn by retired architect Burt Ray and will be featured at the meeting.
3310 B FM 967, Ste #A110 Buda, Texas 78610 Near the corner of FM 1626 and 967
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Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Page 5
The truth about domestic violence BY MELISSA G. RODRIGUEZ be confusing for victims.
Instead, check in with the The following article friend or family member is part one of a fivefrom time to time. We week series focusing on encourage you to be raising awareness about present and ready to be domestic violence. October there should they reach is Domestic Violence out for help. Awareness month and • “I’ve never been hit”: we hope to educate our There are many forms community on this very of abuse in addition important issue. One in to physical violence. 3 women will experience All too often, abusive domestic violence in their behavior begins subtly lifetime. Locally, the Hays- and in ways that leave Caldwell Women’s Center the victim feeling has been serving victims responsible for their of domestic and dating own abuse. Emotional violence, sexual assault abuse signs such as and child abuse since controlling behavior, put 1978. Last year, HCWC downs, making them served 2,111 victims feel crazy, coercion, of abuse (face-to-face) threats and using primarily from Hays and intimidation by using Caldwell Counties. Of looks, actions, destroying those,1,022 were victims of property, abusing pets domestic violence. and sometimes even There are many displaying weapons misperceptions about create chaos. Another family violence, even common form of abuse is those who are victims economic abuse in which often don’t recognize money is controlled their own experiences as by the abuser either abusive or violent. The by preventing access, truth is, it’s complicated requiring permission to and sometimes it can be get access, withholding very confusing, especially information about to those who are living in income or even taking constant trauma – a cycle their income from them. of violence that benefits If there are children the abuser. One other involved, they are complicating factor is the often used as a method role that we as society of control including play in perpetuating threats to take them the issue, often due to away or using them lack of education and to relay messages. understanding of the Sexual abuse is another dynamics of family form that sometimes violence. goes unrecognized • “It’s a family matter”: especially in a committed Family members and relationship with their friends often dismiss or partners. confuse the situation as • “They stay in the a family matter and don’t relationship so it must want to interfere. This not be that bad”: No one is a common claim by can truly understand those who abuse to keep how complicated this the victim isolated and is until you’re the one perpetuate the feeling it’s happening to. There that they’re the only one are a number of reasons here for them which can why victims stay with
Candidates Forum
The truth is, it’s complicated and sometimes it can be very confusing, especially to those who are living in constant trauma – a cycle of violence that benefits the abuser. One other complicating factor is the role that we as society play in perpetuating the issue, often due to lack of education and understanding of the dynamics of family violence.
their abusive partners. Most often, it’s for their children and the idea that an intact family is more important, particularly due to societal expectations and judgments. Another reason is survival. Research has shown that the most dangerous time for a victim of family violence is when they’ve left their abusive partner or are in the process of leaving – fear of acts of desperation, loss of power and control and sometimes easy access to lethal weapons are all factors. Most often at the core is LOVE. They love their partner for all the same reasons everyone who has a partner loves them. They’re also not always abusive 100 percent of the time which is partially what leads to confusion. Again, it’s complicated. • “He’s a man, only women are victims”: Another common misperception is that men cannot be abused which is not accurate. Anyone can be a victim of abuse regardless of gender identity and victimization
comes in many different forms in addition to physical violence. At HCWC, we serve all victims of abuse: men, women, children, LGBTQ individuals – we serve the entire community. • “This only happens in poor or problem homes”: Violence and abuse is found daily in many homes including those who may not have a physical home. It does not matter if you live in a public-assisted home,
suburban neighborhood, apartment, affluent gated community – all are at risk for the same reasons: family violence is about power and control of one human over another. Barriers to safety can be the same as well. Many assume that having financial resources means they won’t need emergency shelter for example and while having resources definitely helps, it sometimes can’t bring safety. HCWC’s McCoy Family Shelter is for those who are seeking safety from a dangerous situation which means they need security and specialized services that we’ve been offering for over 40 years. HCWC will be hosting and participating in a number of activities throughout the month of October and invites the community to join in our mission to end violence. In the end, we all want the same things: a safe, happy
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and healthy community for ourselves, our families and our children. There are also ways that anyone can become involved and help end domestic violence in our community. It can be as simple as joining HCWC in spreading education and awareness about abuse by following us on social media and sharing educational content with friends by using the handle: @ HCWCenter on FaceBook, Twitter or Instagram or by subscribing to our email list on our website. You can also visit our new educational website www.StopTheHurt.org for more education on abuse issues. For more information and services, please call HCWC at 512396-4357 or visit www. hcwc.org . Melissa Rodriguez is director of Community Partnerships for the HCWC
Sudoku
Continued from pg. 1
mainly focused on city growth, economic development and potential collaborative efforts between the chamber of commerce and the city of Kyle. Candidate Dex Ellison, a graduate of Texas State, has lived in Kyle since 2009. Ellison began as a banker, but as he became more invested in the city, he started coaching youth ELLISON football and got involved with the Kyle leadership academy. He said he now considers the city of Kyle his “family.” Ellison said he feels it’s important to invest in the local economy to offset the needs of population growth. Yvonne Cale, a resident of Kyle for 7 years, noted that she has children in the school district and values the small-town charm that she has come to appreciate for her family. Cale said she CALE became more involved in the community through local groups like Camp Gladiator and hopes to preserve this “sense of comradery even as the city grows.” One of the ways Cale hopes to do this is by revitalizing downtown Kyle, making it a hub of the community for present and future residents. Candidate Robert Rizo has been involved with the Kyle community for over 30 years. As a minister, a youth mentor and a member of Knights of Columbus, Rizo said he values public safety, economic growth and development of the city. Rizo believes that the city of Kyle and the chamber of commerce can work
together to keep economic stability by promoting established businesses as well as encouraging outRIZO of-town entrepreneurs to explore Kyle as a home for their next endeavor. This, in turn, will also help keep the workforce in the city, rather than having residents commute to other areas, he said. Amanda Stark has been serving the community of Kyle for a while. Her involvement in the Kyle Citizens Police Academy, the Alumni Association and the Parks and Recreation board STARK has given Stark the initiative to be a part of Kyle’s present and future decision-making processes, she said. Stark said she believes the city should use tax incentives to bring new businesses to town and to increase economic development. She believes that collaboration with the chamber of commerce is essential in determining what the community wants and what type of business will succeed. Rizo said he would not only try to help with infrastructure, but he would also like to invest in city crews and equip them with proper tools to take on larger projects. However, both he and Stark want to ensure that taxpayers don’t take on too much of the burden. Although current residents may not benefit right now, Ellison suggests that keeping the alliances with groups that help manage water resources will have a positive impact for decades to come. Election Day is Nov. 5.
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NEWS
Sports
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Rebs outlast Bowie in wild 35-34 win BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI
In a contest that featured seven total lead changes, the Hays Rebels did just enough Friday to outlast the Bowie Bulldogs in a thrilling 35-34 shootout at Bob Shelton Stadium. It didn’t take long for the fireworks to start as Hays (4-0, 2-0) quarterback Durand Hill took the Rebels down the field on their opening possession and scored a touchdown on a 6-yard option run. Bowie (2-3, 1-2) answered back on the ensuing drive
Coming Up
Hays will challenge Akins this Thursday, Oct. 3 at Akins Field beginning at 7:30 p.m.
on a 10-yard jet sweep by receiver Jason Gaines; a blocked extra point by Hays kept the Rebels in the lead 7-6. The offense ramped up in the final two minutes of the first half as four total touchdowns were scored, two by each team. Bowie took a 13-7 lead with 1:49 left on a 22-yard touchdown pass from
quarterback Evan Mallett to receiver Jayden York. The Rebels recaptured a 14-13 lead on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Hill to receiver Bryant Lewis. An interception by Rebel defensive back Justin McMahon on the ensuing Bowie possession gave Hays the ball back. leading to a 34-yard touchdown run by running back JoeAngel Carrasco. Bowie responded by going down the field and scoring on a 45-yard pass from Mallett to Gaines with 10 seconds left, cutting Hays lead to 21-20 at
PHOTO BY JAMES NIÑO
Christian Garcia gains some much-needed yardage in Friday night’s win against Bowie.
halftime. The momentum from the end of the first half carried over into the third quarter as Bowie scored on a 39-yard touchdown catch by Gaines. The Rebels answered back when Hays running back Xavier Green tallied an 80-
yard touchdown run on the first play of their next possession. Late in the third frame, Bowie gained a 34-28 lead on another 22-yard touchdown connection from Mallett to York. Hays answered the call again as Green pounded
his way in on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter to give the Rebels the 35-34 lead. With 2:09 left in the game Bowie had one last opportunity to retake the lead, but a fourth down stop by the Rebel defense sealed the victory.
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Record win for Hays
Lobo Isabella Mantilla led the team with 12 kills at Tuesday night’s match against Akins. PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
For the first time in five years, Hays High scored a win over the crosstown rival Lehman Lobos on the tennis court. The Rebels accomplished the feat by virtue of an 12-4 win over the Lobos during their district match played at Lehman. Both teams will square off once again Thursday at the Debbie Cook Tennis Center in the opening round of the 25-6A tournament. Above, Hays’ Matthew Frasier attempts to backhand the ball over the net toward a pair of Lehman High players during a boys doubles match played Sept. 26. Bottom left, Hays’ Koryn Siddiqui focuses on keeping the ball in play. Bottom right, Lehman sophomore Yoshi Nakachi sprints to attack the ball near the net.
Akins volleyball sweeps Lehman in three games BY MOSES LEOS III
Chaparral football crushes Lobos 52-7 BY MOSES LEOS III Struggles in nearly every phase of the game doomed the Lehman Lobos in a 52-7 loss to the state-ranked Westlake Chaparrals Friday. All told, the Lobos were limited to only 86 total yards of offense, including only one yard passing. Westlake (5-0, 3-0) sped out to a 42-0 halftime lead spearheaded by a trio of touchdown passes by Chaparral quarterback Kirkland Michaux, who went 6 of
7 for 129 yards before he was pulled in the first frame. The Chaps added 10 more points in the second half to build a 52-0 lead before the Lobos orchestrated a late-game response. A two-yard fourth quarter touchdown run by Lehman (1-3, 0-2) running back Keyshaun Williams capped off an eight-play, 76-yard drive that took just under four minutes to complete. Williams led the team with 60 yards rushing on 15 carries and a score.
Lobo quarterback Logan Travis rushed for 19 yards on eight carries, while also going 2 of 11 for one yard passing. Lobo running back Kanui Guidry finished with six yards rushing on 10 carries. Westlake amassed 440 total yards in the contest, 255 of those yards through the air. Chap running back Grey Nakfoor ran for 88 yards on seven carries and two scores, while running back Cade Klubnik finished with 55 yards rushing and two touch-
downs. On the defensive side, Lobo Spencer Winn led the team with five solo tackles, while Jaidyn Brown had four. Lobo defensive back Davian Gil scored an interception in the contest. Lobo punter Marshall Dukett had seven punts for 174 yards. Lehman hosts Lake Travis at home Friday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a road test against Del Valle Oct. 11. Lehman takes on Hays Oct. 18.
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Inconsistency across the board hurt the Lehman Lobos volleyball team in a 25-23, 25-14, 25-14 straight defeat to the Akins Eagles Tuesday at the Lobo Den. Despite the loss, Lobo head coach Karen Young lauded the effort and the energy her team displayed in front of a home crowd. “We play well at home. We’ve been struggling with that. It was a good thing for the girls and the crowd,” Young said. “Everything was positive energy. It was such a good thing to see.” Early on, Lehman battled point-for-point with the Eagles in a high-octane first set that featured a handful of ties and lead changes. Akins led 14-10 early in the frame before the Lobos tied the score at 16-16. But with the score tied at 23-23, Akins went on a 2-0 run to take the set and a 1-0 match lead. Akins maintained that momentum into the second and third frames. While the Lobos orchestrated several long rallies at times, Young pointed to struggles in consistency as an issue that impeded success.
DISTRICT 25-6A STANDINGS Westlake 9-1 Lake Travis 8-1 Hays 7-2 Bowie 6-3 Austin 5-4 Ann Richards 5-5 Del Valle 2-6 Anderson 1-7 Lehman 1-8 Akins 1-8
“We’re getting better at it (long rallies), but at this point of the season, we have got to have that down,” Young said. As the second half of district play looms, Young aims to improve play as the Lobos attempt to end their losing streak. “We’re playing well. It’s just a matter of making the routine plays. The big thing is just being consistent,” Young said. Lobo Isabella Mantilla led the team with 12 kills while Teanly Dominguez finished with four kills. Leah Lara finished with 14 assists while Briana Greer had 14 digs. Lehman hosts Lake Travis Friday, followed by a home match against Bowie Oct. 10 to close the first round of district play.
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Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Page 7
Education Race for the Stars
Go with the Glow
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
On Sept. 26th, students at Negley Elementary donned glow sticks and fluorescent garb for the school’s Glow Run held in the campus gym. The run was the culmination of a fundraiser for the campus, which encompassed all grade levels. According to officials, students met their fundraising goal of $35,000 for the school that had been set earlier this year. Principal Melody Crowder said the school will use fundraising dollars toward technology and house incentives.
Runners of all ages hit the pavement in Kyle Sept. 28 for the 3rd annual Fuentes Elementary Race for the Stars 5K race. The event was a fundraiser with proceeds going to help send fourth graders at the school go to Camp Champions in April. In addition, many of those who participated also ran in the Officer Solis Memorial Mile, held in memory of late Kyle Police Officer Fernando Solis as well as in honor of suicide prevention and awareness month.
Texas A&M System to ban e-cigarettes Coffee with a Cop
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAYS CISD
On Friday, students, staff and parents joined Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the Hays High library for the first Coffee with a Cop (CWAC) event of the school year. During the session, students and staff got to know their School Resource Officers (SROs) and address school safety and other issues, all while enjoying free donuts and coffee. CWAC coincided with the Hays High’s “outer space” spirit day, leading to an out of this world experience complete with visits from those who might hail from a galaxy far, far away. The next Coffee with a Cop event will be at Johnson High School in the cafeteria on Oct. 22, 8 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5th, 10am-4pm
Add Texas A&M properties to the list of places where the use of e-cigarettes will no longer be allowed. On Tuesday, A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp issued a memorandum stating that, in the interest of the “health of our students, faculty and staff,” he has directed the presidents of each of the system’s 11 universities, as well as the directors of the eight state agencies within the system to end the use of e-cigarettes, or vaping, “as soon as possible.” “Smoking is banned in most places in the System already. But the ban on vaping is to be mandatory and expanded to every inch of the Texas A&M System,” he said. “This health threat is serious enough that I want to see the ban include every building, outside space, parking lot, garage and laboratory within the Texas A&M System. The ban also should extend to every
facility of our $950 million and 12 deaths in the U.S. research enterprise and All of the cases have one all System properties in element in common: a the 250 Texas counties in history of e-cigarette use which the Texas A&M Sys- or vaping. tem has a presence.” Sharp added he believes it is “appropriate and responsible to stop selling any e-cigarette products or vaping paraphernalia, ENTERTAINMENT if there are any points 3200 Kyle Crossing of sale within our vast (512) 523 9012 system.” He said he would Experience it in like to see the ban in ENHANCED VIEWING EXPERIENCE place immediately, “but I understand the practicalities of running For all showtimes and major institutions. So I listings, please check our will ask that the bans be website or call showline! implemented as soon as possible.” Vaping has been linked to serious 1180 Thorpe Lane illness and deadly lung (512) 210 8600 disease, and both WalCinema Eatery & Social Haus Mart and HEB have halted sale of e-cigarettes in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Sharp’s memo said, the Centers for Disease 1250 WONDER WORLD DR. Control and Preven(512) 805 8005 tion “reported that it EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM is aware of more than Films. Lanes. Games. 800 cases of lung injury
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NEWS
Page 8
Community
Almost time... Just so you know … Montage’s headlines get created by the editor, not by me. It’s time to start thinking about lighting up Mountain City, so we can work on it during November. But, it’s early to literally start working. So far, no one has volunteered to string lights on the Big Oak Tree. The appreciation folks have for Mark Jones’ service as traffic light operator shone brightly when someone on Nextdoor. com questioned his ability. A strong string of over 40 comments followed expressing support for Jones. Jones donated the dollars for the purchase of most of Loving Mountain City’s LED existing lights for the Big Oak Tree. Two years back, I found a great Buy One Get One offer that multiplied the distance covered by the lights his donation purchased. And, this year, a donation came for 2,400 more lights. Now, we just need someone to tend to getting them installed in November. Please. Judge Beth Smith, our precinct’s JP, donates most of the prizes for Loving Mountain City events. By the time this column prints, the annual National Night Out event she hosts (along with her husband, Everett) will be a good memory. I wonder if other Hays County precincts have such supportive elected officials. I wonder if others in Mountain City have as many hummingbirds as RonTom and I have at our house, as we roll into October. Any day now, the Ruby-throats could head south to Central America for the winter. Most of them will fly across the Gulf of Mexico. For now, closing out September, at Monday’s breakfast at least a dozen darted amidst five feeders and
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Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda EPISCOPAL St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland The Well Buda
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Texas Crossword, from page 5
PHOTOS BY CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON
The annual fundraiser for the Claiborne Kyle Log House drew lots of hungry visitors who showed up for the fried chicken luncheon. Clockwise from top: Hays County Historical Commission chair talks with visitors about the log house and other memorabilia at the event; descendents of the original Kyle family meet with St. Rep. Erin Zweiner before heading over to the historical marker dedication of the Kyle Family Pioneer Cemetery; musician Bruce Curtis (on guitar) and friend entertain guests; Kyle city officials (from left) councilmember Rick Koch, assistant city manager James Earp and councilmember Robert Rizo serve up the goods.
few flowers. Dead flowers, although they look “messy” to some eyes, provide value for wildlife during winter. Even galls, the tumor-looking bulges on some stems, play a vital role for wildlife. And, dead bark and leaves can provide winter habitat for butterflies. October is a great month to install a bluebird nestbox. This year’s local youngsters are looking for nesting sites for 2020, when they’ll be sexually mature, and, bluebirds migrating southward (flying overhead during the day) come through. These birds can spot a potential nesting cavity from the air. Learn more at https:// texasbluebirdsociety.org If you’d like to purchase a Texas Bluebird Society nestbox, I am a volunteer nestbox distributor. If you purchase a new membership for $20 in person, Texas Bluebird Society will give you a free nestbox. Contact me. I’ll be talking about bluebirds at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Schertz at 11 a.m. Saturday. The city council plans to interview and select a candidate for the parttime city administrator position in the Oct. 14 meeting. The job description appears on the city’s website. The posting will be open until 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Any interested parties should email their letter of interest and resume to Mayor Ralph McClendon at Ralph.Mountaincity@ gmail.com Any parties interested in providing tidbits? Please email tidbits to ptom5678@gmail.com (subject: tidbit.) Thanks! Love to you, PTom
Debbie Thames, Agent
BUDA
Annual Kyle Log House Fried Chicken Dinner
Mt. City Montage
Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
METHODIST Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor
TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP
The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda
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Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda
Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities
Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda
Pure Texas
New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)
Spring Water!
Vertical Chapel 5700 Dacy Lane (McCormick M.S.), Buda A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle
Call 1-866-691-2369
Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda
Sudoku Solution
Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd. PRESBYTERIAN
Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca
St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca
Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle
Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170
First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666
Elm Street & San Marcos
*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m.
*Informal Worship (Worship Center)-11 a.m. Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m.
Rev. Lisa Straus Office 295-6981 • www.BudaUMC.org
FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE Friendly, Courteous Service
Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle
New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda
Buda United Methodist Church
Privately owned From local springs
Sudoku Puzzle, from page 5
First Baptist Church
Hays Hills
A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161
Baptist Church
Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service
Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m.
Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school
Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m. AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.
www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626
Nursery Provided www.firstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Page 9
OBITUARIES CHAVARRIA Norma Gloria Chavarria, a quiet, generous and loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away following a sudden decline on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019 at the age of 63. Chavarria was born on March 16, 1956 to Guadalupe Perez Parra in Austin. She was one of six children and was raised by her grandparents. Her childhood was rife with moves and was difficult. She found true joy when she met Joe Chavarria, the man she would marry in 1970. Together they raised their family in Austin. She worked hard to provide her children the life she was denied. Chavarria was incredibly charitable. She gave love freely, provided a safe place for friends and family to stay when life threw difficulties their way. She gave willingly and often to charities and those in need. She cared so much for others that for Christmas she would purchase a Christmas gift for people she hadn’t seen for a while, just in case they stopped by. Chavarria cherished her grandchildren and would work to get them all the things they needed so they were never were left to want. Chavarria loved to shop, complete jigsaw puzzles and have everyone over for the holidays. Chavarria is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Joe Chavarria; her children: Phillip Ramos, Nancy Garcia (Danny), Michael Chavarria and Christopher Chavarria (Alan Mendoza). Her love will also be missed by her grandchildren: John, Phillip, Joshua, Jayden, Averie, Melony, Lexi, Alycia, Brandon and Ayana. A Celebration of Chavarria’s life was held on Sept. 28. Visit www.Harrellfuneralhomes.com to share a fond memory, photograph or condolence with Chavarria’s family on her online memorial site.
FLOTILDES Irene Reynera Flotildes, 78, of Buda, Texas was born on April 6, 1941 and joined our creator on Sept. 22, 2019. Flotildes was the third child of six, born to Zoilo and Paula Reynera, and grew up in the Philippines. She was an elementary school teacher, but gave up her profession to focus on raising her own children. She devoted her time in taking care of the household and tending to her husband and children. Flotildes married her high school sweetheart, Santos Flotildes, on Jan. 4, 1965. They reached a once in a lifetime milestone when they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. They made a renewalof vows with a huge gathering of family
and friends. Flotildes is best remembered as an excellent cook. No one got hungry when she’s around and the house was always filled with aroma from the kitchen. She also loved to sew and crochet. She’s a very strong person and a disciplinarian. She changed many people’s lives with her kind-hearted nature. Flotildes is preceded in death by her husband, Santos, her second son, Edwin, her parents, Zoilo and Paula, all her brothers and sister, Quintin, Graciano, Anatolio, Marcelina and Narciso. She is survived by her sons Elmer and Gerald, daughter Mary Jean, as well as 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Visitation was held Sept. 28, with Pastor Aaron Kahler presiding. Funeral Services will be held in La Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines. Interment will be at Manila Memorial Park, Philippines. Visit www.Harrellfuneralhomes.com to share a fond memory, photograph or condolence with Chavarria’s family on her online memorial site.
MCVEY Kate Nuber McVey, 72 years old, died early Monday morning, Sept. 9, 2019, a week after a massive stroke at her home in Kyle, Texas. She was a loving and courageous daughter, sister, mother, wife and grandmother, as well as a journalist, editor and publisher. She met life head on every day and she “ate what was set before her.” A statement from the family said, “She lived a good life, met every challenge with courage and an indomitable will. She did what she believed was the right thing every time and never complained once about the way things turned out. Whatever comes after this life, she will make the best of it.” Born on May 25, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan to Carroll (C.L.) Stamm and Elizabeth (Betty) Stamm (nee Nuber), McVey grew up in and loved Detroit for its diversity. She moved to Holland, Michigan with her family when she was 15, graduating from Holland High School in 1965. In Holland she had a high school job in journalism at the Holland Sentinel newspaper, sparking a life as a reporter, photographer, editor, publisher and communications professional. She attended Aquinas College in East Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1965 and later married Jerry Lee Riemersma on Feb. 24, 1968. She continued her education all her life including Michigan State University, St. Edward’s University and Austin Community College. When her husband joined the U.S. Army she embraced the role of the military wife and for 15 years lived in
such diverse postings as Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Riley, Kansas where her first son, Jeffrey Lee Riemersma, was born on Dec. 2, 1968; Junction City, Kansas; Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii; Camp Walker, Taegu, South Korea; Fort Benning, Georgia where her second son, Matthew Kirk Riemersma was born June 29, 1975; Fort Hood, Texas; Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, Garlstedt and Osterholz-Scharmbeck, West Germany; and Austin. During her military years she worked for various base newspapers and was an overseas reporter for various U.S. publications including the Austin American Statesman. After a divorce from Jerry Lee Riemersma in March 1983, she changed her legal name to Kate Stamm Nuber, saying a new life deserved a new name. McVey was the managing editor of the Lake Travis View Newspaper when she married Robert M. (Bob) McVey on Dec. 29, 1990, and became Kate Nuber McVey. She moved to Zapata, Texas where her blended family included Bob’s son, Robert Richard McVey and his previous mother-in-law Ruth Eileen Holm Brown. She also became the co-publisher/co-owner of the Zapata County News and the Hebbronville View, taking part in aggressive reporting and exposés on local elections and government operations as the managing editor. She was particularly proud of her service on the planning board for the new Zapata High School where she pushed hard for, and won, the addition of a full theater with professional stage and theatre seating for the local drama department. Her earliest memories were from when her parents took her to the Detroit Public Library when she was four or five. In her memoires she writes, “In Detroit, then, you had to be seven before you could receive a library card. When my parents first took me, I had to read the books either in the library or ask my mother to sign one out for me – and the library had a five book maximum. On my seventh birthday, all I wanted was my own library card. I was so proud when my parents took me into the library and let me sign up for one.” About her early childhood, she writes, “I darted between playing dress-up with a box of my mother’s and aunt’s old clothes and being a tom boy. The tom boy won.” While she could never be on the team, she played basketball with the varsity boys during physical education in high school. As a Catholic, she attended St. Margaret Mary School until sixth grade and showed an early talent for questioning the status quo when her mother was called because, “I was reading a book that I shouldn’t have reading in school (either Frankenstein by Mary Shelley or Dracula by Bram Stoker, in fifth grade). In her military life years, she was told by an Army
General that she could not take both her children on the transfer flight to Germany. She felt he was still angry about a story she had written about the base operations, so she offered him her threeyear-old and said, “Then you can keep this one and I will take my older son to his father in Germany.” She said he made a battlefield decision and when the plane took off all three were seated and the general stayed behind. In talking about her history, she said she always liked to dance and she sometimes danced on tables. Her professional experience included: Texas Association of Builders, Director of Communications; Austin Business Journal, Focus Editor; Zapata County News, Managing Editor/Co-Publisher; Lake Travis View, Managing Editor; Oil Field Haulers Association, Director of Communications; Texas Safety Association Public Information Specialist; ROLM Corporation, Administrative Assistant/Editor; Copperas Cove Leader, News Reporter; KIXS Radio Station, Radio News Reporter; Austin American-Statesman, Freelance Reporter/Correspondent; Harker Heights American, News Reporter. McVey received numerous professional awards, including: AEA National Award, 2004 – First Place - Best Communication to Members Magazines for the Texas Association of Builders; National Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest, 1993 – First Place, Herrick Editorial Award; IABC – International Association of Business Communicators, 1988 – First Place, Gold Quill Award, Programs and Campaigns. She is survived by her husband, Robert M. (Bob) McVey of Kyle; two brothers, John Stamm (and wife Patricia) of Grandville, Michigan and Michael Stamm of Austin; three sons, Jeffrey Reimersma (and wife Luisa) of Weslaco, Texas; Matthew Reimersma (and wife Alison) of Austin and Robert McVey of Kyle; two grandchildren, Joshua Reimersma and Lia Reimersma of Weslaco, Texas; nephew Andrew Stamm and niece Audrey Stamm and of Grandville, Michigan, nephew Alexander Stamm of Austin; and a great nephew, Ian Stamm of Grandville.
TOUNGATE Leon Wesley Toungate, husband, father, grandfather, storyteller, patriot and the owner and operator of Toungate Pipe and Salvage in Luling Texas, passed away peacefully at Orchard Park in Kyle, Texas on September 20, 2019 at the age of 93. Toungate was born to John Levi and Louvenia Rutledge Toungate in Loraine, Texas on Nov. 27, 1925. At the age of 14, he met Margaret Bishop, and fell in love at
first sight. From 1944 to 1946, Toungate served in the U.S. Navy. During his service he oversaw a supply depot while stationed in Guam and served as one of Admiral Nimitz’ personal secretaries. Following his discharge from the service, he immediately married Margaret on June 9, 1946 in Prairie Lea, Texas. Leon worked hard in salvage and attended college at Southwest Texas State Teachers College from which he graduated in 1949. Together, Toungate and Margaret weather life’s storms and raised a loving family in Luling. In the early 1950s Toungate started his career at Toungate Pipe and Salvage in Luling where he was a fixture in the community for more than 65 years and loved to spin tales and share stories with his friends and clients. Toungate Pipe and Salvage was run faithfully and honestly until the business was closed in 2017. Toungate’s heart was one of service. He found his place at the First Baptist Church in Luling, where he served as a deacon for many years. In 1972, Toungate and Margaret decided that they had earned a vacation and that they needed to start taking them. These vacations happened each summer, year after year, and spanned several weeks. When on vacation, they would explore America’s National Parks and either went directly to or ended up in Yellowstone, their favorite destination. Toungate was an incredible storyteller. As a Texas native, he has a storied ancestry with his great grandfather, Meredith Toungate, serving for Sam Houston during Texas’ war of independence, was responsible for guarding General Santa Anna after his capture. His own war service and the service of his family made him into a true patriot who loved his country and Texas. Toungate was quite a character, he loved sharing stories and writing. During his service in the Navy, Toungate wrote Margaret incisively, utilizing every space and margin to share his thoughts and stories with her. These letters and stories were later complied into a book. Toungate is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Margaret Bishop Toungate, his children Shirley Toungate Austin and her husband Rod, Dennis Toungate and his wife Sandra, his grandchildren Misty Pagel (Ezra), Aaron Schulelke, Marisa Eastmon, Mark Schulelke, Jeremy Toungate (Erin), Brandy Crober (TJ), Jessie Bolding (Amber), Paisley Bolding, Kenny Austin (Rosemary) and Kristi Augustine (Sheldon). His presence and stories will also be missed by his twenty-three great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild. Toungate’s remarkable life was recognized with a visitation on Sept. 30, 2019. Funeral services followed on Oct. 1, 2019 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle. Internment took place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
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Page 10
Business
NEWS
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Buda passes budget, slightly lower tax rate STAFF REPORTS
The Budaful Hiker, located on Buda’s Main Street, offers hiking and athletic apparel.
BEING BUDA
Buda businesses finalists in Texas Downtown Association President’s Awards program SUBMITTED REPORT
Amongst the finalists named in the
under 50,000 population categories, Several Buda businesses were among the city of Buda celebrated three adthe finalists for the vancements to finalist including: 2019 Texas Downtown Association President’s • The Budaful Hiker – Best Downtown Business Awards Program, which • Thatcher Natural Home Offerings – Best were recently announced in Austin. For more than Commercial Interior 30 years the awards • Assemblage Contemporary Craftsman program, sponsored by Gallery (CCG) for their finish-out work at Buda the Texas Downtown Mill & Grain Co. in the Best New Construction Association (TDA), has category recognized outstanding projects, places and Products are merchanhearts and souls into their people of Texas downtowns. One hundred and dised in minimal settings, businesses and it shows. integrating the negative We’re proud to have such nineteen entries were space into the experience. an amazing selection of submitted in 11 different The customers feel an businesses to showcase categories from across invitation to browse com- on the state level.” the state. fortably without being Winners will be The Best Downtown announced on Oct. 30 Business category recog- overwhelmed. The at the Awards Gala held nizes an Best New in conjunction with the excepNominations Con2019 Texas Downtown tional were selected struction Conference in Georgedowntown category For more informabusiness by a nominating recognizes town. tion about the President’s that posicommittee and excellence Awards or other programs tively proin new of the Texas Downtown motes the submitted by construcAssociation, visit www. downtown the Buda Main tion in texasdowntown.org. or comdownApplications for the 2020 mercial Street Program towns awards program will district as in July 2019. or comopen in the spring. a destinamercial The local community tion for Winners will districts. will also have a chance locals and be announced Buda Mill to vote for the People’s tourists & Grain Choice award through alike, and on October 30 Co. marthe Texas Downtown Asactively at the Awards ried the sociation Facebook page. particiold with From Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, pates in Gala held in the new by fans of the businesses can the reviconjunction with incorpo- like the photo on the origtalization rating the inal post by TDA for their efforts and the 2019 Texas oldest por- vote to be counted. No supports Downtown tion of the registration is required, downtown grain mill and daily votes are not promoConference in with the necessary. tional Georgetown. exposed TDA was established events. The Butler in 1985 to connect and Budaful brick wall and incorposerve communities that Hiker is a communirated a soaring roof that are committed to downty-based store that highfits perfectly between town vitality. The organilights philanthropy and the German-influenced zation is an independent, the excitement of nature cotton gin and original statewide nonprofit that and parks through comfootprint of the old feed represents cities and munity hikes. As people store. Owners of Assemtowns of all sizes, ecoare traveling through blage CCG leased the nomic development corBuda, discovering Buda porations, chambers of for the first time or having space and finished out the design to create the commerce, local associlived in Buda for years, perfect location to open a ations, small businesses, they discover a commuand individuals. nity that brings everyone gallery in downtown. Nominations were The Buda Main Street together for fellowship, selected by a nomiProgram, a city of Buda nature, health and hikes. nating committee and department, was estab The Best Commercial submitted by the Buda lished in 2017 when Buda Interior category recogMain Street Program in became an official Main nizes excellence in merStreet community. Along chandising, customer ori- July 2019. “We’re thrilled with a nine-member entation, and/or business to see all three of our nominations advance to board, city staff work to functionality in an office enhance downtown Buda or retail setting. Thatcher finalists in their respective categories,” Maggie while maintaining its focuses on facilitating a Gillespie, Main Street Pro- historic roots and create sense of peace and funcgram manager said. “The a vibrant downtown that tionality into everyday life by selling eco-friendly small business owners in connects community, visitors and business. and sustainable products. Buda have poured their
Buda property owners could see a slight decrease in their FY 2020 taxes, according to the 2019-2020 budget and tax rate approved by the city council Sept. 17. The Buda City Council approved a tax rate of $0.3496 per $100 valuation, down from the current budget’s rate of $0.3710. According to a city press release, a homeowner with an average value of $254,486 could save $11 per year. The adopted tax rate will generate $6,380,334 in total revenue. Total taxable value is $1,825,038,347. Residents will, however, see a 2 percent increase in their water rate and a 3 percent increase in wastewater services. The maintenance and operation (M&O) portion of the tax rate will increase to $1.0035 and the debt portion will decrease by $0.00249, due to an increase in property values. “At a rate of $0.3496, the city will generate $246,873 more property tax revenue than the previous year,” the press release said. “Total taxable value to the city will increase by $163 million over last year and the M&O revenue is estimated to be $2 million.” The city added that Buda’s tax rate “one of the lowest tax rates in the region and in the state for full service cities.” “The budget for Fiscal Year 2020 is a structurally balanced budget that continues our previous commitments toward maintaining existing
• Cabela’s connector • FM 2001 pedestrian and bicycle path • Whispering Hollow street drainage • Summer Pointe Park improvement • Bradfield Park improvements • Parks Master Plan • Garlic Creek Basin inflow and infiltration study • Vistors Center and Main Street Office remodel • Old Black Colony elevated tank/line extension • Old Black Colony Treehaven 12” line upsize • Alliance Regional Water Authority has 1B Project
IT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING EXPENDITURES
• General fund - $14,875,131 • Interest & sinking - $7,981,986 • Water - $4,042,812 • Wastewater - $5,813,525 • Sanitation - $1,912,034 • Hotel/motel - $1,176,460 • Other (including LGC, Parks Capital, etc.) - $2,411,465
The Buda City Council approved a tax rate of $0.3496 per $100 valuation, down from the current budget’s rate of $0.3710. A homeowner with an average value of $254,486 could save $11 per year. The adopted tax rate will generate $6,380,334 in total revenue. service levels and implementing city council priorities,” City Manager Kenneth Williams said. “The budget continues to include the appropriate level of funding to maintain outstanding city services for residents and visitors to Buda, and it ensures continued financial strength into the future by maintaining
adequate fund balance reserves. As city manager, I am always committed to our journey of investing in our employees and infrastructure, improving the services provided to Buda residents and maintaining our momentum in public safety, parks and community development and services.”
Gov’t decision expands retirement flexibility
I
t’s not often the federal government makes a decision that nearly everyone is happy with, but that’s what happened with a regulation that was finalized by the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes to the regulations under Internal Revenue Code section 401(a)(9) allow individuals the ability to defer the distribution of their qualified assets beyond age 70 ½ through the purchase of a Qualifying Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC). Generally, the new rules provide an exception to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) by allowing a QLAC to start making payments as late as age 85, meaning people can defer paying taxes on money that they may not need in early retirement. This is big news for those people who have been taking RMDs because they have to, not because they want to. A QLAC can provide more flexibility for your retirement planning by allowing you to better match your retirement income to your needs, and the ability to control when taxes can be paid on your qualified assets. A QLAC will also ensure that you will not outlive your mon-
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THE BUDGET PROVIDES FOR THE ADDITION OF FIVE EMPLOYEES IN POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS AND MAIN STREET. MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS INCLUDE:
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ey, because as an annuity it provides guaranteed income for life. There are some limitations to QLACs that you should know. Most importantly, there is a cap on how much of your qualified money you can put into a QLAC. Contributions are limited to the lesser of $125,000 or 25% of the owner’s qualified account balances, less previous QLAC contributions. The 25% limit applies on a plan by plan basis and to IRAs on an aggregate basis. Also, QLACs can only be established through a deferred income annuity with no liquidity features.
OTHER IMPORTANT RULES YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF INCLUDE: • Eligible accounts include 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b) or IRA, • Income payments must begin no later than the first day of the month following the owner’s
attained age 85. • The contract must state from inception that it is intended to be a QLAC. • Once income starts, the payments must satisfy RMD rules. • The contract cannot have any cash surrender value or commutation benefit A QLAC can be a powerful tool for those who want more control of how and when they start taking money out of their qualified retirement accounts. With people living longer than ever before, the government has taken an important step in allowing people to have more flexibility with regard to their retirement assets. This is an opportunity that should be a serious consideration for many people nearing, or even in, retirement. Contact your tax/legal advisor for implications to your specific situation. This educational, third-party article is provided as a courtesy by Zachary Barton, Agent, New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact Zachary Barton at 512-686-7589.
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Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Page 11
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Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
Public Notices NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Cipriano M. Sarzoza, Deceased, were issued on September 23, 2019 in Cause No. 19-0303-P, pending in County Court at Law Sitting in Matters Probate of Hays County, Texas, to: John R. Sarzoza. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: John R. Sarzoza 102 Suttles Ave. San Marcos, Texas 78666 DATED the day of September, 2019. LAW OFFICES OF MARI GARZA AND LYNN PEACH, PLLC 102 Suttles Ave. San Marcos, Texas 78666 Tel: (512) 667-7274 Fax: (512) 727-7374 Ana Marilin “Mari” Garza SBN: 24084385 mari@garzapeachlaw .com Attorney for Applicant, John R. Sarzoza
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Gwendolyn Dale Nelson, Deceased, were issued on, in Cause No. 190308-P pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: Chere Darlene Scanlan. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o Elly Del Prado Dietz Del Prado Dietz, PLLC The Young Building 323 W. Hopkins Street San Marcos, Texas 78666 DATED the 25th day of September, 2019 Elly Del Prado Dietz Attorney for Chere Darlene Scanlan State Bar No.: 05857170 The Young Building 323 W. Hopkins Street Telephone: (512) 878-0999 Facsimile: (512) 757-8696 E-Mail: elly@delpradodietz. com
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of EMMA
LOUISE HALL, Deceased, were issued on September 25, 2019, in Cause No. 19-0298-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: SYDNEY D. HALL and CLIFFORD A. HALL. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o CLIFFORD A. HALL 10705 Cap Stone Drive Austin, Texas 78739 DATED the 25th day of September, 2019 GENE MAJORS Attorney for Sydney D. Hall and Clifford A. Hall State Bar No.: 12851500 100 E. San Antonio, Ste. 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 Telephone: (512) 392-1273 Facscimile: (512) 396-8539 E-mail: gene@majorslawfirm. com
CITATION BY PUBLICATION
TO: STEVE GROSSMAN AND TO ALL UNKNOWN OWNERS, HEIRS, OR CLAIMANTS IN THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN, Defendants, GREETINGS: YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days after you were served this citation, the same being the 4th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019 a default judgment may be taken against you. YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to appear and answer before the 22nd District Court, Hays County, Texas, at San Marcos then and there to answer the PLANTIFF’S FIRST AMENDED PETITION SEEKING A JUDICIAL JUDGMENT FOR FORECLOSURE filed in said Court on the 9TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2018, and said suit being numbered 17-0760 on the docket of said Court, wherein PINGORA LOAN SERVICING, LLC is the Plaintiff and DAVID R. WHIDDON; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF PATTI JEANE ROWE; JERRY GROSSMAN; STEVE GROSSMAN; TIMOTHY GROSSMAN is the Defendant. The nature of said suit is as follows: SUIT TO ENFORCE VENDOR’S LIEN ON AND ASSERT SUPERIOR TITLE TO
THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS LOT 7, BLOCK “L”, EL CAMINO REAL, PHASE 1, SECTION 3B, A SUBDIVISION IN THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDED IN VOLUME 17, PAGES 84-86, PLAT RECORDS OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 416 CAPISTRANO DR., SAN MARCOS, TX. All as more fully appears of record on file in this office, and which reference is here made for all intents and purposes. ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at office, on this the 20th day of September, 2019. REQUESTED BY: Mark Torabi IRELAN McDANIEL PLLC 10440 N. Central Expressway, Suite 800 Dallas, Texas 75231 972-331-2300 BEVERLY CRUMLEY Hays County District Clerk 712 Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 2211 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By: Jane May, Deputy
GRANT SERVICE PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE WINDY HILL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT RICHMOND BRANCH “K20-21.1”
The City of Kyle has submitted an application to the Texas General Land Office under the 2015 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Fund to support infrastructure. Accordingly, the City is seeking to contract with a qualified Engineering Firm (individual/ firm) to prepare all preliminary and final plan designs and specifications, surveying and geotechnical investigations, bid packet, material testing, and assist with utility, and construction oversight for the Windy Hill Road Improvements at Richmond Branch. Qualification specifications may be secured from the City website. Please submit one (1) electronic copy (CD or flash drive) and four (4) complete bound copies of your proposal of services and a statement of
qualifications for the proposed services to the office of Leon Barba, P.E., City Engineer, City Hall, 100 W. Center St., Kyle, Texas 78640. Qualifications shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked: Request for Qualifications for the Procurement of Professional Engineering Services for the Windy Hill Road Improvements at Richmond Branch “K20-21.1” A pre-submission conference will be held in the Public Works Training Room at the City Public Works Department, 520 E. RR 150, Kyle, Texas at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2019. Sealed qualifications shall be received by City Engineer no later than October 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. to be considered. The City reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or firms that submit qualifications, as per the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards, Section 3 Residents and Business Concerns, Minority Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises are encouraged to submit proposals. The City of Kyle is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. No fax submissions will be accepted. No late submissions will be accepted. All submissions received after the deadline will be returned unopened. CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS Leon Barba, P.E. City Engineer
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Morningstar Storage wishes to avail themselves of the Texas Provision of chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code by conducting a Public Sale to the highest bidder for cash on their premises. The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time. This sale is listed below. Date: 10/14/19 Time: 10:15 AM Location: Morningstar Storage, 1001 W. Goforth Rd., Buda, TX 78610 Units: Unit 2196 Aimy Santa Ana – Walker, Xmas tree, Ladder, Child’s Bed, Trunk, Stools, Microwave, Blankets, Microwave stand, Misc Toys, Suitcase, Foot Massager Unit 3122 Nadine Cawvey
– Boxes, Plastic Tubs, Step Stool, Household Décor, Kitchen Items, Furniture.
PUBLIC NOTICE
By order of the Hays County Commissioners Court, notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 9 a.m. in the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, the Hays County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing to consider: ESTABLISHING A 4-WAY STOP LOCATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF WHITE WING TRAIL (A.K.A. OVERPASS ROAD) AND FIRECRACKER DRIVE.
GRANT SERVICE PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATOR OR SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE WINDY HILL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT RICHMOND BRANCH “K20-21.2”
The City of Kyle has submitted an application to the Texas General Land Office under the 2015 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Fund to support infrastructure. Accordingly, the City is seeking to contract with a qualified Professional Administrator or Service Provider (individual/ firm) to assist with the environmental and right of way acquisition documentation, and administration oversight of the contract for the Windy Hill Road Improvements at Richmond Branch. Qualification specifications may be secured from the City website. Please submit one (1) electronic copy (CD or flash
drive) and four (4) complete bound copies of your proposal of services and a statement of qualifications for the proposed services to the office of Leon Barba, P.E., City Engineer, City Hall, 100 W. Center St., Kyle, Texas 78640. Qualifications shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked: Request for Qualifications for the Procurement of Professional Administrator or Service Provider for the Windy Hill Road Improvements at Richmond Branch “K20-21.2” A pre-submission conference will be held in the Public Works Training Room at the City Public Works Department, 520 E. RR 150, Kyle, Texas at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2019. Sealed qualifications shall be received by City Engineer no later than October 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. to be considered. The City reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or firms that submit qualifications, as per the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards, Section 3 Residents and Business Concerns, Minority Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises are encouraged to submit proposals. The City of Kyle is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. No fax submissions will be accepted. No late submissions will be accepted. All submissions received after the deadline will be returned unopened. CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS Leon Barba, P.E. City Engineer
LEGAL NOTICE
Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine & Beer Retailers Permit by FHBUDA, LLC dba Sunfield Station to be located at 2610 Main Street, Buda, Hays County, Texas. Officers of said corporation are Wayne Weigelt, Owner & Mike Beltz, Owner.
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Page 13
Misc. For Sale
TEMPORARY/SEASONAL KETTLE COORDINATORS
Salvation Army seeking coordinator for this paid position in Kyle/Buda area. Must be proficient in MS Word and Excel, and able to
DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $12 per hour for flexible 8 & 16 hr shift schedules. Health/life/dental insurance after 60 days. Min. requirements: Must be 21 yrs old, HS/GED, clean TDL, clean criminal history, pre-employment TB skin test, and drug screen. Growing (20+ year old) non-profit organization. www.pegasusschool.net. Call (512)432-1678 for further information.
IRS is HIRING
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Hays Free Press
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
PREMIER CUTS NOW HIRING STYLIST
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SHUTTLE DRIVER NEEDED FOR SAN MARCOS AREA CDL with passenger endorsement required. Contact Cory, 314-422-2020 or ggaoil@yahoo.com
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For all the latest news in Buda, Kyle and surrounding communities, visit www.HaysFreePress.com
Dangerous Dogs Continued from pg. 1
“a call from the neighborhood about dogs chewing through the fence and almost attacking the resident’s mother,” and the second about them running loose. Dogs that killed another dog and bit a person in the Steeplechase neighborhood in August, Gordon said, had been complained about all the way back to 2013. “The Kyle Police Department Animal Control has continuously allowed owners of dogs to be negligent. That has resulted in beloved pets being attacked and killed and personal injury to a Kyle citizen,” she said. “The lack of clear internal processes and procedures resulted in the approval of a dangerous dog to live in the city limits within a multi-home subdivision.” She also referenced an attack in the Waterleaf subdivision in which a dog was killed and its owner seriously injured. Amy Jensen and her dog were attacked outside their home in the Waterleaf subdivision in June 2015. Gordon said the four dogs involved in that attack had been the subject of complaints for two years before the incident. “Continual leniency is being given to negligent dog owners,” Gordon said, adding that animal control “needs to review processes and procedures, give stiffer citations and impoundment fees
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and a recommendation to a judge for the removal of dogs from negligent owners.” She also reiterated her inability to understand why the animals that attacked her dog were allowed to remain with their owner, when in other cases the dogs had been quarantined at the animal shelter. “Was animal control not able to find three spots in the shelter in July for our case but were able to find two spots in August” for the dogs involved in the Steeplechase attack, she asked. Moreover, Gordon said she and her husband were “not provided with any documentation” in the police report about the decision to allow the dogs to remain in the custody of the owner. She noted that the “local rabies authority” that decides where animals will be quarantined is animal control. “Can you say conflict of interest?” Gordon also went down a “checklist of compliance” that the dogs’ owners were not held to. “A dangerous dog is allowed to live right next door to us. I cannot accept it. I will continue to speak on this issue until things change … I do not feel safe.” “I can’t fathom what you and your family have gone through,” Ellison said. “Thank you for your courage to come forward,” Mayor Travis Mitchell said. “It’s clearly an area we need to be paying attention to … I can’t imagine how those dogs were allowed to stay there … We have a policy, a process that we follow and that’s what’s being done here right now.” Council member Alex Villalobos said that when he learned of the attack on the Gordons’ dog, he passed the information along to the police department. “This is a serious issue. It’s disheartening we’re going forward at this time still addressing the same issue to ensure the safety of neighborhoods and people.” Villalobos said he intends to speak to Police Chief Jeff Barnett about how the manner was handled.
NEWS
Page 14
Who do you love? Whether it’s someone in the service industry, a restaurant or retail, the Hays Free Press wants to know who you think is the best in North Hays County.
To vote on your favorite business, organization or individual, visit www.haysfreepress.com and click on the banner you see below or visit https://haysfreepress.secondstreetapp.com/ Best-of-North-Hays-County-2/ Voting deadline is October 31, 2019. Winners will be announced in January 2020.
www.HaysFreePress.com
Hays Free Press • October 2, 2019
911 Co-Location Continued from pg. 1
lined resources” and “situational awareness” in selling the idea. Will Conley, then Pct. 3 Commissioner, called the co-located 911 center a”central piece” of the bond election they would put before voters. Now, as the building that will house the Combined Emergency Communications Center (CECC) is under construction adjacent to the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, the Kyle City Council has begun to increasingly discuss the issue. In a special meeting Sept. 24, Council member Rich Koch was chosen to represent Kyle on the CECC’s executive committee. City Manager Scott Sellers will join him. The CECC agreement was originally to be between all of the county’s first responders, but the San Marcos Police Department later pulled out – leaving Kyle, Buda and Hays County as participating parties. One council member from Buda and the Buda city manager will also be on the executive committee, as will Pct. 1 County Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe and Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell. The committee will be rounded out by one member of an emergency services district (ESD) who will be selected by a majority of the county’s ESDs. Kyle Council member Daphne Tenorio questioned the city’s financial obligation. “We’re sending all kinds of money and not getting any input,” she said. She questioned whether Kyle would incur additional costs if the building – which is being raised by four feet but still in a flood plain – does indeed flood. She also questioned if Kyle taxpayers were being “hit twice,” because their city taxes as well as county taxes will be used. While
Kyle Council member Daphne Tenorio questioned the city’s financial obligation. “We’re sending all kinds of money and not getting any input,” she said. She questioned whether Kyle would incur additional costs if the building – which is being raised by four feet but still in a flood plain – does indeed flood. Kyle and Buda have police departments, Wimberley and Woodcreek do not, relying instead on the sheriff’s office and constables. “We’ll be paying indirectly” for the protection of those cities, Tenorio noted, at the same time their city taxes will be funding Kyle’s portion of the deal. Mayor Travis Mitchell seemed to agree, and called Tenorio’s concern “valid.” “If the co-location agreement requires us to pay some kind of additional amount we have to weigh that against what kind of services we receive,” he said, adding that cities that rely on county law enforcement “arguably receive less services to their community than they would if they self-funded their own police departments.” Mitchell asked if some sort of workshop could be arranged where all the details of the agreement could be laid out. Shell, who was in attendance along with Ingalsbe, said he would be amenable to a workshop-type meeting, which Ingalsbe later endorsed. Shell said the CECC would operate under a preliminary budget for at least two full fiscal years and that during that time the city of Kyle’s financial input would be $68,000 per year. After
another question from Tenorio about potential flood-related costs, Shell noted the building belongs to Hays County and the county would be responsible for its maintenance costs. Returning to the original attraction of a co-located center, Mitchell explained how it would improve services and result in faster response times, especially for fire and EMS. “If someone calls 911 within the city of Kyle, they handle that, but it would only dispatch police.” If that caller also required EMS and fire, the Kyle dispatcher would then make a second call to the county to request that assistance. “Faster response time and better quality of services to residents is really the nugget we are going for,” Mitchell said. Shell said he would be “happy to attend a workshop here, sit around a table and pass out the paperwork and go over things.” Ingalsbe agreed. “We have been working on this a very long time,” she said. “We wanted to find a way we could be more efficient in services … we felt this was the best way to do it. We maybe neglected to have everybody in a room communicating and sharing information and I apologize for that.”