October 5, 2022 Hays Free Press

Former Hays County teacher indicted on indecency with a child charges

BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY – A former Hays CISD teacher was indicted on charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of students.

Andrew Palmore, 50, was indicted by a Hays County grand jury on Wednesday, Sept. 14, for one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child and two counts of indecency with a child.

Officers from the Kyle Police Department arrested Palmore on Tuesday,

March 1, and charged him with ‘Indecency with a Child’ – this stemmed from a long investigation by law enforcement. Hays CISD was first alerted to the investigation by Kyle PD on Feb. 1. Palmore was immediately placed on leave, and his access to Hays CISD campuses and students was removed on that date.

At a special meeting on March 8, the HCISD Board of Trustees approved the termination of Palmore’s term contract “for good

cause as reviewed in closed session” and directed Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright to provide notice to the employee.

Palmore was a substitute teacher for Hays CISD during the spring semester of 2012. He substituted at Blanco Vista and Science Hall elementary schools, as well as Simon Middle School during that time. He was hired full-time by Hays CISD in August 2014 at Blanco Vista Elementary, where he has worked as a second, fourth, and fifth- grade teacher.

Hawks overcome Timberwolves

Hays County addresses letter opposing SH 45 project

BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY

– The Hays County Commissioners Court discussed a letter sent by the Travis County Commissioners Court opposing the completion of the State Highway 45 expansion project.

On Aug. 30, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved a $2.5 million engineering and design contract with a 4-1 vote to complete the missing section of SH 45 between I-35 and FM 1626, connecting I-35 to South Mopac – Judge Ruben Becerra was the dissenting vote.

Travis County sent the letter on Sept. 13 in order to “make clear our opposition to this action by Hays County.” The Hays County Commissioners Court addressed concerns explained in the letter during the Sept. 27 meeting – no action was taken.

Some of the concerns that Travis County has regarding the SH 45 project include increased traffic and impacts on the environment.

“Making the connection from I-35 to FM 1626 would effectively make Mopac an I-35 bypass, dramatically increasing vehicular and truck traffic,” the letter stated.

“The traffic impacts of this decision by Hays County would have a profound and detrimental effect almost entirely on Austin and Travis County.”

According to Travis County, the connection will also increase traffic over environmentally sensitive lands including Balcones Canyonlands Preserve lands, the city of Austin Water Quality Protection lands, karst features, Edwards Aquifer, endangered species habitat and conservation easements.

The letter also stated that the project is not included in TxDOT’s updated 10-year funding plan (2023 Unified Transportation Plan), the Travis County transportation plan and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2045 Regional Transportation Plan.

However, Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith said otherwise.

“If you look at the CAMPO [2045] Plan, which is the plan that we work under as regional partners, that roadway is included,” Smith said. “Not only is it included there but the reason why it is not included in the 10-year plan is because [it] doesn’t call for funding in the next 10 years. We don’t call for funding in the next 10 years. If you look at the long-range plans of our regional partners, there is no one within CAMPO who has more votes as a county than Travis County.”

In response to the environmental concerns that the roadway would go over water conservation land, Smith said he believed that “every bit of this individual leg” would be over what is currently private property.

“It contains none of those set-aside conservation easements nor any set-aside water quality improvement property that the city of Austin or Travis County has.”

Smith added that there is a need for this project in the community.

“These projects take decades,” Smith said. “My constituents in the Buda and Kyle area are very adamant in support of this project, simply because they understand the need for it because they see it

Comal ISD completes investigation into alleged racial slurs

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

HAYS — Comal ISD completed its investigation on Sept. 9 into the allegations that Canyon High School (CHS) students were heard yelling hateful and racial slurs at the Hays High School volleyball players during a varsity game on Sept. 2.

The Hays Free Press received a press release on Sept. 28.

According to the press release, Comal ISD conducted a “thorough investigation” that consisted of reviewing video of the entire game

and gathering statements from any individual who may have known what transpired, including:

• The School Resource Officer on duty

• 22 students who were in the student section that evening

• Three parents who were sitting close to the student section

• A line judge on that side of the court

• The administrator on duty

• The CHS cheer coach

• Hays High School coaches

• Students in the locker room hallway after the game

The Hays High School volleyball team traveled to

Canyon High School for a volleyball game on Sept. 2, where Canyon students were heard yelling hateful and racial slurs at the Hays players during the varsity game, according to a news release from Hays High School following the event.

Comal ISD also asked Hays CISD to assist them in gathering statements from the volleyball team. According to the press release, Hays CISD provided statements from two of the seven Hays volleyball players who were on the bench in front of the CHS student section, which can be viewed in an online

recording of the game during the 45:45 mark.

“As you can see, the chant that was alleged to have been made six times cannot be verified as being seen in the video,” CHS Acting Superintendent Mandy Epley said. “In addition, other than the two statements from the Hays players, none of the other individuals who provided statements reported hearing anyone make the statement, ‘make a play (n-word).’”

The press release also acknowledged the criticism of the actions of the SRO that

Andrew Palmore

PHOTO BY VICTORIA CARREON

Makayla White (8) and Georgia Lincoln (23) team up to block a Timberwolf spike. The Hays Hawks traveled to Cedar Park High School on Friday, Sept. 30, where they won in three sets (25-20, 25-23 and 25-21.) The Hawks’ next home game will be Friday, Oct. 14 against cross town rival, Lehman High School. The start time is 6:30 p.m.

Kyle

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

KYLE — The 2022 election is right around the corner, and the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce wants to make sure residents are informed about who is on the ballot.

Seven of the eight Kyle residents running for Kyle City Council attended a candidate forum on Sept. 27, held during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon. Mayor Pro Tem Robert Rizo, who is running for re-election, was not in attendance due to a death in the family.

On the ballot for Place 1 are Marina Tupikov, Neal Breen, Marc McKinney, Amanda Stark, Nick Madsen and Bear Heiser. On the ballot for Place 3 are Miguel A. Zuniga and incumbent Robert Rizo.

Candidates were given the opportunity to introduce themselves, answer three questions and provide a closing statement. Linda Calvert with the League of Women Voters served as moderator.

Tupikov, a native of Ukraine who has lived in Kyle for eight years, holds multiple science degrees and works for Hays CISD as a science coordinator. She says she has a very scientific and analytical mind, and that being born and raised through corrupt government systems in Ukraine was one reason she has chosen to run.

“I want to make sure to provide as much as I can to my city, my home, to ensure that doesn’t happen. I don’t think it will, but when you experience it, it kind of

hosts city council candidate forum

becomes a little more real,” Tupikov said.

Some of Tupikov’s goals if elected include prioritizing Kyle’s quality of life through things like parks, playgrounds, small businesses and family dining, addressing transportation infrastructure, and reducing the burden of property taxes for residents, which will “take the involvement of businesses, the school district, developments and residents.” Tupikov also wants to provide the Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ) with more support.

Breen has lived in Texas for five years and runs a business in downtown Austin, saying that he has had “many rough encounters” with Austin City Council and has “seen firsthand” the damage that can be done by poor planning.

Some of Breen’s goals if elected include addressing transportation infrastructure and housing as the cost of living rises, making it easier for current residents to continue to live here through things like homestead exemptions, and help more small businesses come in.

“I’d like to encourage the budding business men and women to pursue their dreams and add to the charm of Kyle,” Breen said.

McKinney is a finance director and has worked in Kyle for a decade, noting he has seen and experienced the city’s tremendous growth. With a head for numbers, and coming from a family with small

business backgrounds, these qualifications and experiences inspired McKinney to run.

“When I’m looking over a lot of budgets and things like that, I’m looking at the details and making sure they make sense. I want to make sure we’re spending our tax dollars in a way that benefits all of Kyle,” McKinney said.

Some of McKinney’s goals if elected include funding for first responders to ensure they are staffed and can operate efficiently, ensuring infrastructure — such as roads and the local water supply — is maintained properly, and continuing the mission of making Kyle a “live, work, play” environment.

Stark has volunteered with the city in various capacities. She is in her third term as chairperson for the Kyle Parks and Recreation board, has held a chair position for her Steeplechase neighborhood group for six years and previously joined the Kyle Leadership Academy and Kyle Citizens Police Academy. With four children who have gone through Hays CISD schools, she has

also been active in the district’s various events and activities.

Some of Stark’s goals if elected include addressing transportation and water infrastructure, revitalizing downtown and making Kyle a “destination town” through more accessibility and local businesses, and providing more quality housing as the population grows.

“I’m sympathetic to the families who have lived in Kyle for generations. … but also acknowledge the need for economic growth. I promise to do everything in my power to preserve this city and its foundation,” Stark said.

Madsen served in the Army and is now an attorney and active Chamber member, saying that these experiences will speak to what he will be able to accomplish on the council.

“If you vote for me, you’re not voting for what you think I’ll do, you’ll vote knowing that I have done these things in the past, have been committed to the community in the past, and that you can be confident in what I will do for the future,” Madsen said.

Some of Madsen’s goals if elected include addressing transportation infrastructure as it relates to roads, maximizing traffic flow and utilizing bonds, ensuring there is structure to the city’s growth by creating development plans that encourage residents to stay and lets people compete fairly and the market regulate, and empowering first responders and safety initiatives to keep Kyle family-friendly.

Heiser is a small business owner in Kyle with two children who attend Hays CISD schools. As a small business consultant with a focus in sales and marketing, he said he understands the challenges small businesses face.

“We have some very polarized national politics that we have to live with every single day, [but] local government does not have to function that way,” Heiser said.

Some of Heiser’s goals if elected include addressing the “historical imbalance” of the infrastructure gap that exists in Kyle, primarily the east side vs. west side, and leveling

the playing field for small businesses vs. chains to lay a better foundation for small businesses to succeed and be supported.

Zuniga is a Hays High School graduate and holds a doctorate in organic chemistry. Over the past couple of decades, his time in research and development has advanced innovative medical technology. On top of working in startup companies, he has also worked in the nonprofit and private sectors. He serves on the executive board at Simon Middle School and has been a safety advocate in his neighborhood.

“When I grew up around this community, it was always very welcoming, very compassionate, and helpful. That left a huge inspiration when I was a child. … I’m running for city council because I want to be a voice to help our residents, to inspire to build relationships within our community,” Zuniga said.

Some of Zuniga’s goals if elected include addressing and investing in infrastructure that will help integrate the community, revitalizing downtown and working with incentives to give to developers for projects that will add value to the community, benefit residents and create amenities for everybody, saying he wants to diversify and “build in every direction of the city.”

Early voting begins on Oct. 24. Election day will be Nov. 8. A full list of early voting and voting day locations, days and times can be found at www.cityofkyle.com/ cityadministration/2022election-information.

Kyle hosts first open house for road bond

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

KYLE — The city of Kyle hosted its first open house meeting on Saturday at city hall to give citizens information as they prepare to vote on the road bond package, Proposition A, in the city’s bond election this November.

Proposition A features eight road projects across the city that will cost $294.4 million, totaling 10.3 miles of new construction and road upgrades to improve the city’s transportation network. The projected tax increase is 9.17 cents overall.

The eight road projects include upgrading Old Stagecoach Road and Center Street to Veterans Drive, Bunton Creek Road, Windy Hill Road and Bebee Road.

Kohler’s Overpass to Seton, Kyle Parkway, Lehman Road and Marketplace Avenue will receive undergo new construction.

Jeff Barton, co-founding partner from Gap Strategies, moderated the question and answer session with panelists Mayor Travis Mitchell, Kyle Chief of Police Jeff Barnett, Senior Vice President of K. Friese and Associates Joe Canalupo and Managing Director at SAMCO Capital Markets Andrew Friedman.

Citizens could submit questions to any of the four panelists who assisted the city staff council in creating Proposition A.

During the question and answer session, Friedman explained what a bond is. He said to think of it like a mortgage for a house.

“General obligation bonds that are being put forth as part of this proposition are a longterm financing method that the city intends to utilize to fund all of these street and capital improvements considered within this proposition,”

Friedman said. “The plan would be to issue general obligation bonds that have a maximum amortization, for right now planned at 20 years. You want to match the useful life of any asset with the debt that you’re financing, and then as these projects are taken on overtime — because it’s not the city’s intention to go borrow all of the 294 plus million dollars to fund all of this at one time.”

One question posed by Barton to Canalupo was how the engineering firm prepared cost estimates.

Canalupo said they start with the project list they receive from the city and then take it that list to develop preliminary engineering reports or 10% designs. Preliminary reports mean the engineering firm has done enough engineering to understand that the project can be built.

“We’re trying to come up, at this stage of the development, with the best cost estimate possible and with the best understanding of challenges and opportunities possible,” Canalupo said. “Our job at this stage of development is to define the elements of each project as much as possible, to define costs as detailed as possible, so the city and the community have enough faith in what they’re seeing to know that what is being proposed to be funded could actually go ahead and be constructed.”

A question submitted by the audience was whether these projects consider other types of mobility such as bikeways, sidewalks or safer crossings at intersections.

“The answer is yes; these are not only projects aimed at moving vehicular traffic more efficiently. They are also aimed at adding mobility and accessibility for bicyclists and for pedestrians,” Canalupo

said.

Another question submitted by an audience member was if there was any intention of reducing this new tax rate once the roads are paid off.

Friedman said the tax rate was subject to reevaluation.

“You could only levy an INS portion of that tax rate for the amount of debt that’s actually coming due in that year. So, as those property values go up and that amount of debt, that repayment for the upcoming year stays the same, that lowers the required tax rate,” Friedman said.

Another audience member was concerned about the seemingly highcost estimates for rightsof-way and was wondering how the engineering firm came up with those estimates.

Canalupo’s response: data.

“We look at what things are costing in and around the city,” Canalupo said. “For a lot of the costs we have databases that the state uses for construction costs and such and that’s how we develop them.”

Canalupo also said that each project will take about two-to-five years to build but will take different lengths of time to develop, as not all projects can be worked on at the same time.

Another question posed by a Facebook audience member was how the city is using the money from all the recent growth currently. Mitchell said the city is investing “as smartly and strategically” as it can.

The next open house will be on Oct. 20 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Kyle Public Works Building, 520 E. Ranch Road 150.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 11, with early voting beginning on Oct. 24 to Nov. 4. For more information about the bond election, visit https:// www.kylebonds.com/.

Groundwater sampling helps better understand Edwards-Trinity Aquifers

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and scientists from the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) are studying water deep underground to further understand how drought and pumping affect the quality and quantity of groundwater that flows between the EdwardsTrinity Aquifer systems.

About $98,000 financed the study, which paid for drilling, materials and water quality analyses.

The TWDB provided $25,000 to fund a set of water quality analyses called isotopes. Isotope analyses help hydrologists determine the age of water and where it comes from.

According to Natalie Ballew, director of the groundwater division, the data from the study will be used by the area's groundwater conservation districts to better understand how the aquifers communicate

with one another and what kinds of flows are happening between the aquifer and formations.

Hays County contributed $58,000 to the study, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) $25,000 and the BSEACD about $15,000.

“We’re all trying to understand the Trinity aquifers within our districts and beyond,” BSEACD’s Principal Hydrologist Brian Smith said.

According to Smith, they have already done testing for hydraulic conductivity, which is the number that tells scientists how easy or hard it is for water to move through the aquifers.

Smith said the area around Jacob’s Well has Trinity water flowing through the aquifers from west to east or the southeast, and as a result, the water is flowing through the HTGCD’s area of authority as well as BSEACD’s.

“We also see that heavy pumping on one side of that political boundary can affect the other side,” Smith

We need a new graphic/page designer!

said. “So our board of directors can set a policy, as we consider the sustainable yield of the Trinity aquifers, basically how much pumping could be allowed under drought of record conditions without causing unreasonable impacts to the aquifers and to the users of if there are any endangered species that might be involved.”

Smith said one study factor was looking at the springs that could be affected, citing Jacob’s Well. Analyses have shown that heavy pumping within the BSEACD could affect the well. Heavy pumping around the Wimberley area also affects Jacob’s Well.

“Like we’re seeing right now, when you combine drought with heavy pumping locally, sort of long-term drought, longterm pumping from further away can impact Jacob’s Well and other areas,” Smith said.

Other than springs, they have looked at water levels and impacts on wells and

Correction

A story in the Sept. 28 edition of the Hays Free Press, titled Buda native makes Top 25 in nation wide contest, stated:

“With the help of Two Blessed Barbershop in downtown Buda and the Hair by Love Salon in Kyle, mullet magic was made.”

The hair was actually done by Courtnie Love Hair of Kyle, not Hair by Love.

Barton Publications wants to promptly correct any errors. If you feel a correction or clarification is in order, contact Ashley Kontnier publisher@ bartonpublicationsinc. com.

and Sudoku

Yesterday, I celebrated National Coffee Day by having a few cups of coffee out on the Crow’s Nest. Yes, I know that by the time y’all read this, National Coffee Day will be long gone, although I suspect most of y’all will continue to celebrate it every morning. I’m not sure why there needs to be a National Coffee Day when the vast majority of Americans sip on wake-up juice every day of the year. I wonder if the few American who aren’t coffee drinkers celebrate National Diet Coke Day.

A few days ago, it was National Son’s Day, and the day before that was National Daughter’s Day. I never would’ve known either day was a holiday if it hadn’t been for all those

National Crazy Writer Day

FROM THE CROW’S NEST

BY CLINT YOUNTS

photos moms posted of their darling kids. I don’t recall any male Facebook friends posting much unless it was something about football or fishing.

One reason I was unaware September 25 was National Daughter’s Day is because there are so many National Days on the calendar. I can remember the big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I have trouble keeping track of others. I never know when Easter is since it changes every year, and I know what

month we celebrate 4th of July but can’t recall which day.

I bet not many of y’all even know that National Daughter’s Day shares the day with National Road Kill Day. To be honest, I was also unaware it was National Road Kill Day. No one posted photos of a squished armadillo or a flattened possum on my Facebook, but I suspect some of my old friends up in the Appalachian Mountains had their grills fired up to celebrate this glorious day.

I also noticed September 28 was National Rabies Day. I’ll have to do more research to see how we’re supposed to celebrate this day, but I suspect it has something to do with bats

and hydrophobic dogs. I chose to skip the parade and started celebrating National Coffee Day a day early.

There’re lots of fun days to celebrate in October.

Tons of National Days, and October has been tagged with all sorts of titles, like National Indigenous People Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many more. Most of these causes are worthy and noble, but there two that I will simply ignore: Vegetarian Month and Go Sober for October.

There ain’t no way I’m going an entire month without a Whataburger and some cold beer. I plan to celebrate International Beer & Pizza Day but won’t participate in World Octopus Day.

October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons, or as we call it here in Texas, Old Coots Days.

I don’t know if my kids are planning a big celebration for me, but I hope to at least get a Hallmark card.

October 2 is Change a Light Day when you’re supposed to replace old light bulbs with new LED bulbs. I’ll do that if the new bulbs are bright enough, enabling me to see the toilet at two in the morning. Nothing ruins a peaceful night’s sleep like having to mop the floor in a dimly-lit bathroom.

October 12 is World Arthritis Day. It also happens to be National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day, so every Cracker Barrel restaurant will smell like Ben-Gay on that special

day. It is also National Gumbo Day. Does Cracker Barrel make good gumbo?

Don’t forget October 21 is National Reptile Awareness Day. I celebrate this day by brushing up on snake identification and shopping at Cabela’s for shotgun shells. There are some folks who object to killing venomous snakes, and they are awarded a day dedicated to them the following day. October 22 is National Nut Day.

One of my favorite holidays is Halloween. I go all out for this day and I’ve already begun putting up spooky decorations.

The grandkids like all the decorations but for some reason, Amazon won’t deliver to our house during the entire month of October.

Brains not brawn key to major league success

A well-traveled catcher from the Lome Star State smacked a three-run double to put the Detroit Tigers ahead of the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the World Series on Oct. 10, 1945.

Paul Rapier Richards was born in 1908 at Waxahachie, a baseball hotbed in those days where several big-league clubs came to the area for spring training. The town with the name that has twisted so many Yankee tongues was home away from home for the Detroit Tigers, while the New York Giants practiced down the road at Marlin.

The teacher’s son played on a great high school baseball team. Richards and five other future major leaguers won 65 games in a row and three straight state championships.

The third baseman, shortstop and occasional pitcher signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1926. For two months, the

Texas History by Bartee Haile

small-town teen rubbed shoulders with his heroes without once stepping onto the diamond before being shipped to a farm team in Maryland.

But the Dodgers forgot to protect the tall Texan in the minor-league draft, and he was scooped up by the St. Louis Browns. After a second season in Maryland, Richards found himself in Muskogee, Oklahoma on opening day 1928.

Mainly an infielder, Richards did pitch an inning or two from time to time. His manager may have sent the ambidextrous youth, who could throw the ball with either hand, to the mound more for amusement than anything else.

By 1930 Richards was in Macon, Georgia and again a Brooklyn property. He volunteered to catch to keep from sinking even lower in the farm system and convinced

the Dodgers he had the intelligence to handle the demanding duties behind the plate.

Richards proved to be a fast learner and earned a promotion to the Dodger club in Hartford, Connecticut. He batted .301 and drove in 74 runs in 1931, an impressive performance that earned him a place on the Brooklyn roster the next spring.

But three games into the 1932 season, the Dodgers up and traded Richards to their cross-town rival. The Giants put him on a train for Minneapolis, where he hit .361 and was voted all-star catcher in the American Association.

After knocking around the minors for seven years, Richards finally got his big break when the Giants brought him up as a reserve catcher in 1933. But he perished at the plate, batting an awful .195 in 51 games, and the National League champions left the weakhitting substitute at home for the World Series.

Major league pitching continued to mystify Richards in 1934, as his anemic average dropped

35 points to a woeful .160. Their patience exhausted, the Giants unloaded him to the Philadelphia Athletics in June 1935.

Richards batted a respectable .245 in 177 games over a season and a half but raised Connie Mack’s hackles by suggesting the A’s ancient owner needed to tighten the reins. The relic eventually had enough of his lip and exiled the critic to the Atlanta Crackers.

Staying in Atlanta for seven years, the final five as player-manager, Richards put into practice his own ideas about how to run a ball club. The result was a consistently competitive team and two Southern Association pennants.

World War II gave many over-the-hill veterans like Richards a major league encore. He played three seasons with the Detroit Tigers, batting a careerbest .256 in 1944 and catching the 1945 World Series.

With his playing days behind him, Richards managed full-time for the Tigers at Buffalo and later at Seattle in the Pacific

Coast League. He earned a reputation as an astute student of the game and incomparable judge of talent that inevitably led him back to the big leagues.

In 1950, the Chicago White Sox hired Richards to breathe new life into a club that had never really recovered from the infamous World Series scandal 30 years earlier.

He immediately turned the hapless White Sox into contenders with a fourth-place finish in the American League in 1951 followed by three straight thirds behind the Yankees and Indians.

On the strength of his success in the Windy City, Richards was offered an even greater challenge.

The St. Louis Browns had moved to Baltimore and renamed themselves the Orioles but remained the biggest bunch of sad sacks in baseball.

As general manager and field general, Richards implemented a longrange plan that ultimately produced pennants for the Orioles. By the time he left in 1961, Baltimore’s farm system was the best in

baseball.

Richards could not pass up the chance to build a brand-new franchise in Texas from the ground up. He was the first GM of the Houston Colt .45’s, rechristened the Astros after construction of the Dome, and nursed the expansion team through the growing pains of the early 1960’s before a falling out with owner Judge Roy Hofheinz.

But there was always another job waiting for a baseball man with Richards’ brains. For six years he ruled the frontoffice roost as general manager of the Atlanta Braves and returned to Chicago in 1976 for a dugout curtain call.

Paul Richards life ended where it began. During a round of golf on a Waxahachie course in 1986, his heart gave out after 77 years.

Bartee welcomes your comments and questions at HYPERLINK "mailto:barteehaile@ gmail.com" barteehaile@ gmail.com or P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393 and invites you to visit his web site barteehaile.com.

two in this series for our County Judge and Commissioner Candidates

BY DAVID PATTERSON

There are so many subdivisions and individual owners in Hays County that may have to redrill wells during an extended drought because of unprecedented growth.

We know the cities along I-35 in Hays County; Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos will receive water from the Wilcox/Carrizo pipeline project. However, that will not help those residents who do not live in a city. What is your plan for these folks? Do we even know how many Hays County residents whose only source of water is from either public or private wells?

Michelle Gutierrez Cohen

I am in favor of subsidizing rainwater harvesting systems.

Susan Cook

We really do not know how many local households depend solely on well water, and there is no way to ever ascertain this, as many of our wells were drilled before records were kept.

CORRECTIONS

Any erroneous reflection

We need to embed rainwater harvesting into our County Subdivision Regulations, so that all new construction is already equipped to fully utilize rainwater as either a sole source, or a supplemental, water supply.

These costs must be simply part of doing business in Hays County, and must be borne primarily by the developers. We cannot continue to allow residential and commercial developers to come into our communities, without any concern for what their projects will do to the lives, lands and water of the People Who Live Here Now.

Low to no-cost loans, grants, and subsidies should be made available to homeowners to drill their wells deeper, or if they preferred, they could convert their water system to rainwater harvesting.

Ruben Becerra

First we need to get an estimate of just how many people in Hays County are not connected to any city water and will be most

DEADLINES

affected by a multi-year drought. There is not a single solution. We have to solve this problem in a variety of ways.

First, I would work to raise awareness about how important water conservation is. I would encourage developers to do larger lots and xeriscaping instead of lawns. We also need to encourage whole house rainwater catchment systems, because they are a viable alternative to wells.

During a multi-year drought, your well might go dry. However, with rainwater collection you will have a large water tank that can be filled by a potable water truck.

Currently you cannot get a mortgage on a house whose only source for water is rainwater. That needs to change.

Mark Jones I have had discussions with land owners to figure out how the county can incentive willing landowners to clear as much cedar off their property as possible. The cedar draws so much water on a daily basis. Also

LETTERS GUIDELINES

working with federal agencies to get removed the FHA loan requirement that rainwater collection cannot be your only source for water which requires additional wells to be drilled.

When EP was looking to sell water out of the Wimberley valley, I was able to work with two of their three customers to get water provided by other sources, preserving the Wimberley valley.

The ground water districts keep as accurate records as possible but the county does not have the authority or require wells be registered. In the past, citizens have been reluctant to register their wells. I will continue to work with developers to encourage them to have as large lot sizes as possible for homes, set aside green space, while asking them how the county can help them accomplish these goals. I will request developers do as much research as possible to be able to address the impact on surrounding wells, however without zoning or site development authority, we are limited to what we can require.

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

HAYS COUNTY — As Hays County continues to grow and the need for water increases, residents and various authorities are looking towards future water sources and infrastructure in order to plan for this demand.

Companies like Texas Water Utilities (TWU) and agencies like the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) are part of this.

TWU is an investorowned water and wastewater utility with about 180 systems around the Austin, San Antonio, Houston and DallasFort Worth metropolitan areas. Todd Danielson is the Vice President of Engineering at TWU, whose department is responsible for working with developers and planning for future infrastructure.

Danielson said that about two-thirds of water in Hays County comes from surface water sources (such as the Highland Lakes Reservoir, Canyon Lake Reservoir and Guadalupe River,) and about a third from groundwater sources (such as the Edwards Aquifer and Trinity Aquifer.)

TWU itself provides water to about 8,500 people in

Hays County, which is still a “rather small number,” although “historically and in the near-term” the company has been able to work with regional partners to provide supply and meet demand.

Of course, there will always be challenges in keeping up with that demand.

TWDB’s recently published 2022 State Water Plan, which helps outline water management strategies, states that Texas’ existing water supply is not enough to meet the future demand for water during times of drought, and that the state would need 6.9 million acre-feet of additional water supplies to meet the demand for water in 2070.

Locally, Hays County is estimated to triple in size over the next 50 years, and this population growth and influx of residential and commercial development in the area has many residents concerned that the county’s water supply will not be able to sustain them.

Danielson, however, offers a piece of hope: along with agencies like TWDB, water authorities are keenly aware of this rate of growth and understand how long it takes for some of these

long-term projects, such as reservoirs and pipelines, to culminate.

“There’s a lot of work going on to plan for Hays County,” Danielson said. “Major water authorities and river authorities have good, long plans to provide water to the area.”

Some of TWDB’s water management strategies include reduction in water use through conservation or additional water supply from new reservoirs, groundwater wells, water reuse, seawater and groundwater desalination plants.

Aside from the water authority’s responsibilities, there will also need to be a change in how people view and use water, Danielson said, and water conservation efforts will be necessary and can start right in the community.

“Where we see the focus coming in the next few years is probably curbing of outside water demands, primarily irrigation,” Danielson said. “What the community can do is minimize turf, plant shade trees and put in smart irrigation systems [when landscaping], and use WaterSense appliances.”

The need for more water also inevitably prompts the conversation of increased

water rates.

“We’re used to paying $3-5 for a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas, but only a penny or two for a gallon of water,” Danielson said. “These major water supply projects, these major investments, are being done to assure that customers have the water that they need. Rates will be going up. The challenge is making sure people understand this is necessary so we can continue to thrive and have the water we need. …

One of my favorite quotes from Benjamin Franklin is, ‘When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.’”

Ultimately, staying ahead of the curve is key — so the goal is to help residents understand the value of water and why rates might increase, while still being “prosperous” and able to provide water for residents

and businesses.

Danielson said that over the next two years, TWU will spend $200 million for water supply projects to improve resilience and prepare for the future.

Additionally, TWDB’s 2022 State Water Plan can be found at www.twdb. texas.gov under the Water Planning tab.

well users. Smith said they don’t want the water levels dropping to the point that well users wouldn’t be able to get water from the wells they rely on.

The key points within the study were installing two monitor wells near Jacob’s Well.

One of the wells, a Multiport Monitor Well, was installed to help hydrologists and scientists to better understand the complex relationship

between different aquifers and hydrologic units within an aquifer. A multiport well can divide up the units discreetly in the subsurface and gives the same measurements as a single well would, but in multiple levels with that single well. The second monitor well installed was a Dual Completion Well, which involves a standard monitor well installation.

“The data coming out of them looks very good,”

Smith said.

Ballew thinks the data from the study serves multiple purposes.

“It helps the districts understand how to best manage their resources and to balance the impacts from a growing population area who are pumping more groundwater,” Ballew said. “But also, with probably the forecast, we’re gonna have more droughts, so understanding that I think will help the district

to make better resources management decisions that will ultimately ensure that there’s enough water for everyone who’s coming into Central Texas.”

Although the study is ongoing, the water districts will continue to collect water quality samples. All data will be made publicly available to assist in the decisions regarding managing significant groundwater resources for the future.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

BAPTIST

First

First

Hays

Sledge

CHURCH OF CHRIST

CATHOLIC

Commissioners approve $354 million budget

HAYS COUNTY

—

The Hays County Commissioners Court adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 county budget of $354,051,343 during its regular meeting on Sept. 20.

The commissioners court also adopted the No New Revenue (NNR) rate of .3125; the FY22 adopted rate was .3867, the lowest county tax rate since 1989 despite the county’s continued rapid growth.

Budget Officer Vickie Dorsett said maintaining the lowest tax rate in more than three decades was challenging but she is proud of the work performed to provide the services county residents expect, offer increased pay to staff, perform infrastructure upgrades and continue the county’s road and parks bond programs.

The budget includes $58.5 million for the voterapproved Hays County 2016 Road Bond projects, and approximately $23 million is included for the voter-approved Hays County 2020 Park Bond Program for park improvements, open spaces, conservation lands and other recreational opportunities.

With the county’s growth comes the need for additional personnel,

law enforcement officers, infrastructure and road improvements, which increases the need for additional staff.

“We believe it is a major accomplishment to adopt a balanced budget at the NNR rate and still provide a high level of service for Hays County residents,” Dorsett said. “This budget also allows us to offer increases in salaries for both law enforcement and civilian positions.”

The FY 2023 budget includes $3 million for personnel to create the following:

• New 483rd Judicial District Court, Assistant District Attorneys and support staff

• School Resource Officers

• Elections staff

• Parks positions for the new Sentinel Peak Preserve

• Administrative and road staff

Additionally, 47 vacant positions were removed from the budget for $2 million in savings.

“Using the salary savings from unfilled positions gave us the extra funding needed to address salary adjustments across the board,” Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said. “We were able to utilize that $2 million for collective bargaining with law enforcement.”

The commissioners court also included

Local teen donates to sheriff’s office

HAYS COUNTY – A local teenager donated supplies to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

Cody Bender has been donating to the department for three years now – he started saving up his money by doing chores around the house to buy snacks and drinks. This year, he got his first job and has been setting aside money from his paychecks to pay for the donations.

“Sheriff Gary Cutler would like to extend sincere gratitude to Cody Bender for his continuous generosity,” a representative of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post. “We appreciate all your support!”

$2.6 million for salary adjustments for civilian staff and department heads to implement a market compensation study currently underway.

Approximately $2.2M was included for new and replacement equipment to support current and newly created positions and services throughout the county. An additional $13.3 million was included for capital improvements to the Hays County Jail, multiple public buildings,

park improvements, and flood mitigation efforts as needed.

Hays County continues to support local agencies through ARPA funding received from the U.S. Treasury as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Approximately $15.3 million in ARPA funding is included in the FY23 budget to support:

• A breast cancer screening program ($1.2 million)

• Additional SROs

($586K)

• Hays-Caldwell

Women’s Center ($644K)

• Emergency Medical Services ($797K) and Emergency Services Districts ($6 million)

The ARPA budget also includes funding to establish a Public Defender Office, to provide additional magistration for those being held in the county jail and to create a Mental Health Specialty Court.

“I’m grateful we

were able to utilize the ARPA funding for so many needed and important programs in our community,” Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said. “I’m especially pleased about funding for the Public Defender’s Office and the creation of a Mental Health Specialty Court.”

For additional information regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, contact the Budget Office at (512) 393-2275.

evening, which stated that according to a Hays parent’s Facebook post, the administrator told the student section to “watch your mouth.” The Hays head coach’s statement asserts that her assistant told the CHS administrator what happened, and she responded, “Oh no, we don’t condone that. I will take care of it.” The video footage shows that the administrator addressed the students at 48:38, about three minutes after the alleged incident occurred.

According to the CHS students, the administrator came to them and asked if they heard anyone saying racial slurs towards the opponent’s bench, to which they answered “no.” The administrator also reminded them that the student section should “always be positive and cheer for our team.”

The press release also

addressed claims that the Hays team was accosted in the hallway and the Cougar Den after the game.

“In analyzing video from the school cameras, the Hays team does cross paths with a group of basketball players coming from the basketball locker room.

According to student statements, while there is conversation between two groups of students, there is no exchange of racial slurs,” the statement said.

Per the school’s camera footage and a statement from the SRO, there was no interaction between the Hays volleyball team and anyone from CHS as they left the building later that evening.

While the district’s investigation did not find evidence to substantiate the claims that were made, it discovered that a group of three students was having a conversation that involved the use of racial slurs aimed at each other.

The three students were not in association with the students who were accused

“As I have mentioned previously, the District does not tolerate the use of this type of language in any circumstance. As such, the students who were found to have used the derogatory language have all received disciplinary consequences in accordance with the District’s discipline management plan,” Epley said.

According to a Sept. 12 press release, Hays CISD had not been provided with any findings of the Comal ISD internal investigation.

“Because it is Comal ISD’s investigation into its own students, it is their conclusion to make. The Hays CISD inquiry into the matter finds that the Hays High School students are being truthful and have no reason to lie,” the press release said. “The district stands by its students and continues to be proud of the Hays High School volleyball team for being brave and calling out hate and racism.”

Jane, 1-year-old,

Female:

visit.

Committed

PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Cody Bender, a local teenager, continues to donate to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

of making racial chants toward the Hays volleyball team.

Classifieds

CITY

KYLE,

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROCUREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL ENGI NEERING SERVICES FOR 2023 PAVEMENT EVALUA TION AND ASSESSMENT

The City of Kyle (City) will be accepting sealed qualifica tion statements from engineer ing firms who can demonstrate they have resources, expe rience and qualifications to per form a Pavement Evaluation and Assessment for the City of Kyle, Texas.

Requirements may be se cured from the City’s website.

Submittals shall be ad dressed to the City Engineer, City of Kyle, 100 W. Center St., Kyle, Texas 78640. Submittals will be received until 12:00 pm (noon) on Monday, October 31, 2022 at 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:

Professional Engineering Services for 2023 Pavement Evaluation and Assessment

Kyle, Texas “K22-23.1”

A pre-submission non-man datory Teams Meeting will be held virtually October 17, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. To join, please email Derek Daniels at ddaniels@cityofkyle.com by end of business day October 14, 2022.

No fax submissions will be accepted. No late submissions will be accepted. All submis sions received after the dead line will be returned unopened.

CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS

/s/ Leon Barba, P.E. City Engineer

PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is given that the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing on the updated and proposed revisions to its Management Plan at its reg ularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at the District Office, 1124 Regal Row, Austin, TX 78748. The public hearing will begin on or about 5:15 p.m.

The proposed revisions to the Management Plan incorporate new planning data, address statutory require ments, and include goals and objectives that support the District’s mission and commit ment to sound management of all aquifers within the District. A copy of the revised and proposed Management Plan is available for inspection at the District office and may be downloaded and copied from the District’s website at www. bseacd.org

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien.

Sale to be held Online @ Storagetreasures.com

By competitive bid.

Anytime Storage, LLC 880 Windy Hill rd. Kyle, TX 78640

Will be ending on or after October 25, 2022 @ 11 AM.

Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder.

All Units have miscellaneous household items, boxes, furniture.

Property includes the con tents of spaces of the following tenant (s).

Michael Robinson: bistro, antiques, electronics

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien.

Sale to be held Online @ Storagetreasures.com By competitive bid.

Anytime Storage, LLC 2401 Windy Hill rd. Kyle, TX 78640

Will be ending on or after October 25, 2022 @ 11 AM

Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any

time before the sale. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder.

All Units have miscellaneous household items, boxes, furniture.

Property includes the con tents of spaces of the following tenant (s).

Jose Pereyra: sm fridge, barrel, shelves, electronics

Courtney Mack: toys, out doors, new trampoline

INVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids addressed to Municipal Utility District No. 7, Attention Board of Directors, will be received at the office of BGE Inc., 101 West Louis Henna Blvd, Suite 400 Austin, TX 78728, until 11 a.m. Local Time, November 2, 2022, and then publicly opened and read for “Double L Ranch - Phase 1 for Hays County Municipal Utility District No. 7, Dripping Springs, Texas. Scope of Work of the Contract Documents includes the following: Drain age improvements, including approximately 18-54” RCP, up to 10’x8’ Box Culverts, Headwalls and Appurtenances; Water Piping, including 8-20” PVC Mains, Valves and Appur tenances; Gravity Wastewater Piping consisting of 8”, 12” and 15” PVC Pipe and Appur tenances; Paving, Signage and Striping; Excavation and Embankment; Sedimentation & Erosion Control; Water Quality Improvements, including five Batch Detention Ponds; and Various Other Improvements.

Bids received after the clos ing time will be returned un opened. A NON-MANDATORY pre-bid conference will be held on October 18, 2022, at 11 a.m. Local Time, at BGE, Inc., 101 W Louis Henna Boulevard, Suite 400 Austin, TX 78728. Attendance by each prospec tive bidder or its representative at the pre-bid conference is NON-MANDATORY.

Each Bid must be accom panied by a Bid Bond or a certified or cashier’s check, acceptable to the Owner, in an amount not less than two per cent (2%) of the total amount Bid, as a guarantee that the successful bidder will enter into the Contract Documents and execute the Bonds on the forms provided and provide the required insurance certificates within seven (7) days after the date Contract Documents are received by the Contractor. If a certified or cashier’s check is provided, the successful bidder shall deliver, at the bid opening address, the original certified or cashier’s check within twen ty-four (24) hours of receipt of the bid opening.

By submitting a Bid, Bidder acknowledges and agrees that the Contract Documents may be accepted, executed, or agreed to using an Electronic Signature, as defined by and in accordance with Owner’s Electronic Signature Rules for Construction Contracts.

Bidding documents may be examined at the offices of BGE Inc., 101 W Louis Henna Boulevard, Suite 400 Austin,

TX, 78728 or may be obtained by prospective bidders from www.CivcastUSA.com. Search Double L Ranch Phase 1. Bidders must register on this website in order to view and/or download specifications, plans, soils report, and environmen tal reports for this Project. There is NO charge to view or download documents. All questions pertaining to the bid must be submitted at least seven (7) calendar days prior to bid opening through www. CivcastUSA.com in the Q&A portal.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Bids and to waive all defects and irregularities in bidding or bidding process except time of submitting a Bid. The Success ful Bidder, if any, will be the responsible Bidder which in the Board’s judgment will be most advantageous to the District and result in the best and most economical completion of the Project.

The requirements of Subchapter J, Chapter 552, Government Code, may apply to this Bid and the Contrac tor agrees that the Contract Documents can be terminated if the Contractor knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with a requirement of that subchapter.

PLUM CREEK CONSERVATION DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PROPOSED EASEMENT USE RULES

Plum Creek Conservation District will hold a public hear ing on Proposed Easement Use Rules. The hearing will be held at:

1101 West San Antonio St., Lockhart, Texas 78644 1:00 P.M.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Plum Creek Conservation District’s Board of Directors has determined that a policy should be considered by the District related to planned work within the District’s easements that might impact the District’s ability to act as a Local Spon sor. One of the functions of this proposed Policy would be to give guidance to owners of land burdened by the District’s easements concerning the following:

a. Construction of im provements of various kinds or for excavation work within easements including construc tion of structures; b. Easement area modifi cation or release requests;

c. The platting or subdivi sion of property covered by the District’s easements;

d. Buildings of structures of various types; e. Livestock and fencing; f. Additional water flow or pollution from stormwater drainage.

Copies of the Proposed Easement Use Rules and Policy are available at the Plum Creek Conservation District Office and are posted on the District’s website: www. pccd.org.

City SeCretary Wanted

The City of Hays’ City Secretary is appointed by and answers to the Mayor and the City Council. The position provides administrative support to the Mayor, City Council, and any Committees, Boards or Commissions created by the City Council. The individual must work effectively with elected officials, the general public, and government agencies on all levels. Work shall be performed at City Hall unless there are unforeseen circumstances. Equipment, files and documents shall remain at City Hall at all times. If interested and for more details, please see full description at Texas Municipal League’s website: tml.careerwebsite.com (Search Job ID: 65619516.)

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 histor y, 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.

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the terms of the provisions of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code THAT: Sumaiya Enterprises Inc. d/b/a Tristar #10 HAS FILED APPLICATION

FOR A: Wine and Malt Beverage Retail Dealer’s

On Premise Permit SAID BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED AT: 2041 IH 35 S., San Marcos, Hays County, TX 78666 OWNER: Sumaiya Kapadia, President/Secretary/Governing Person

For more information, please contact: Daniel Meyer, Executive Manager

Plum Creek Conservation District (512) 398-2383

Daniel.meyer@pccd.org

PLUM CREEK

CONSERVATION DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PROPOSED MITIGATION PLAN RULES

Plum Creek Conservation District will hold a public hear ing on Mitigation Plan Rules. The hearing will be held at: 1101 West San Antonio St., Lockhart, Texas 78644

1:00 P.M.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Plum Creek Conservation District’s Board of Directors has determined that a mitiga tion plan should be considered by the District. The purpose of this proposed Mitigation Plan is to provide a means to allow a water well owner and/or water well user that has been grant ed legal authority to use the well and who alleges that his/ her water well has been nega tively impacted by the pumping of a neighboring water well the opportunity to apply for and seek mitigation.

The Plum Creek Conser vation District Mitigation Plan involves a process of eight (8) phases which are:

1. Pre-Qualification.

2. Well Examination.

3. Data Compilation.

4. Mitigation Meeting.

5. Board Report.

6. Re-Hearing Request.

7. Final Board Ruling.

8. Compliance.

Copies of the Proposed Mitigation Plan Rules and Policy are available at the Plum Creek Conservation District Office and are posted on the District’s website: www. pccd.org.

For more information, please contact: Daniel Meyer, Executive Manager Plum Creek Conservation District (512) 398-2383 Daniel.meyer@pccd.org

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that Original Letters of Testamen tary for the Estate of Michael Bryan Bethany, Deceased, were issued on the 2I day of September, 2022, in Cause No. 22-0304-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to Marites Beth any, Independent Executor of the Estate of Michael Bryan Bethany.

David H. Morris Morris & Wise Attorneys at Law

1921 Corporate Drive, Ste. 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666

All persons having claims against this Estate, which is

currently being administered, are required to present them selves within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

DATED this the 28th day of September, 2022.

Respectfully submitted, /s/ David H. Morris

David H. Morris

State Bar No. 14476600 Morris and Wise

Attorneys At Law 1921 Corporate Drive, Ste. 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 (512) 396-7525 (512) 396-7599. Fax david@morrisandwise.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Hays CISD is requesting proposals for RFQ #25092202VL Outside Counsel for Hays CISD Board of Trustees.

Proposals will be accepted until 10-13-2022 at 2:00 p.m. local time. Specifications are available in the HCISD Pur chasing Office (512-268-2141 ext. 45092) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00p.m., Monday through Thursday. Bid responses must be returned to the HCISD Purchasing Office, Valerie Littrell, 21003 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640,by the date and time indicated above. Late Bids will be returned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive all formalities in the bid process

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Hays CISD is requesting proposals for RFQ #25092201VL Legal Services. Proposals will be accepted until 10-13-2022 at 2:00 p.m. local time. Specifications are available in the HCISD Pur chasing Office (512-268-2141 ext.45092) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Bid responses must be returned to the HCISD Purchasing Office, Valerie Littrell, 21003 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640,by the date and time indicated above.

Late Bids will be returned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive all formalities in the bid process

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Bartlett Cocke General contractors, Construction Manager-at-Risk, for: Wallace Middle School Improvements - PACK AGE 1 (Roofing Scope, HVAC Equipment, Electrical Equipment), is requesting competitive proposals from subcontractors and suppliers. Subcontractor and supplier proposals will be received via Fax to (512) 326-4339 or (512) 326-3990 Fax or via email to bidaus@bartlettcocke.com no later than 2:00:00 PM on 10/25/2019. Any proposals received after this time will not be accepted. Electronic copies of the proposal documents may be obtained from Bartlett Cocke or viewed at local and online

planrooms. Contact Angela Erickson via email Aerickson@ bartlettcocke.com or phone (512) 326-4223 Phone to make arrangements.

Small, Woman Owned, Dis advantaged, HUB, HUBZone, 8(a), Minority, and all similar firms are encouraged to submit proposals on this project. Bart lett Cocke General Contractors is an equal opportunity (EEO) employer.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

An application has been filed with HAYS COUNTY to create an 11-lot subdivision on 25.23 acres. The proposed sub division Is located adjacent to and north of FM 967 approx imately 500 feet east of FM 1826 in Buda, Texas. Informa tion regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services 512-393-2150, Tracking num ber: PLN-2042-PC.

EVENTS

FALL FESTIVAL

Sat, 10-15-22, 11am-2pm

Serving famous Turkey Dinner, dessert, drink Adults $12 Children under 12-$6, Dine in or take away & Raffle. St John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real (SH 21) Uhland, TX 78640

County proclaims October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month

BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY

The Hays County Commissioners Court proclaimed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Sept. 27.

–

Breast cancer is the number one cancer in women, the most diagnosed cancer in Texas women and the second leading cause of death. Addressing Cancer Together, a program powered by United Way for Greater Austin is dedicated to increasing access to breast cancer screening and care in three Central Texas counties.

Hays County has dedicated American Rescue Plan Act funding to expand access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment for uninsured women – this was approved earlier this year on Aug. 2.

“You’re increasing screening, diagnostics and treatment for women in this county,” said Ellen Richards, vice president of United Way Greater Austin at the Sept. 27 meeting.

“That means women’s lives will be saved and their economic future secured because they will not face bankruptcy from not having the funds to treat breast cancer.”

The U.S. Preventive

Service Task Force recommends a screening mammogram every other year for women ages 50-74 years who are at average risk for breast cancer and advises women in their 40s to discuss screening with their doctor based on personal risk.

“Screening save lives –early detection makes it so breast cancer is more

treatable and women are more likely to have better health outcomes,” Richards continued. “Thank you for partnering with us on this, and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve women in Hays County.”

Breast cancer is an issue that impacts everyone.

“This is something that touches all of our lives,”

said Daniel Guerrero, United Way representative and former mayor of San Marcos. “Certainly, October is a focus on breast cancer and taking care of those that are in need of screenings, support and care. But this is an issue that impacts every single [individual] in our community. There are very few people that can say

they have not been touched by cancer of some type, and certainly breast cancer.”

Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, a sponsor of the proclamation item, thanked Richards and Guerrero for bringing awareness of the issue to the court.

“So many times, we go through our lives without really being as aware as we should be of certain

A healthy home starts with healthy

diseases and other things that happen within our communities,” Ingalsbe said. “I really appreciate all of the work you have done. I think this is an important issue to all of us because of the ARPA funding we gave you – I hope that will help women who are in need who can’t otherwise afford to get this type of service and screening.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Hays County Commissioners Court presents a proclamation that October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From left, commissioners Mark Jones and Debbie Ingalsbe, Judge Ruben Becerra, Ellen Richards and Daniel Guerrero with United Way Greater Austin, and commissioners Walt Smith and Lon Shell.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

BY HOLLY CUNNINGHAM-KIZER, HCWC CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The following article is part one of a fiveweek series focusing on raising awareness about domestic violence. One in three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Locally, the HaysCaldwell Women’s Center serves victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Last year, HCWC served 2,055 victims of abuse primarily from Hays and Caldwell counties, and 816 of those were victims of

domestic violence.

Currently, there are almost 500 recognized awareness months. They range from the well-known (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to the obscure (Workplace Eye Wellness Month).

Domestic Violence Awareness is recognized every October, although it is often overshadowed by Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is so much more than a purple ribbon. It is a message to your community members that you support and believe survivors. A purple ribbon on your lapel, a magnet on your

car or fridge, or a Safe Homes, Safe Communities sign in your yard display a desire to create an environment where violence and abuse are no longer tolerated in your community. These symbols show that you are an advocate for change and a part of ending domestic violence.

The month is full of opportunities to show support and engage in change. Several restaurants in Hays and Caldwell counties are participating in Dining for Change, an annual profit-sharing event held during the month of October, and public libraries in every community in both counties will have materials,

promotional items, and a reading list for October. HCWC staff and volunteers will be at many community events all month long. A full list of DVAM activities can be found on www.HCWC.org. What seems like the most insignificant display of support on your part can mean the world to someone struggling to survive in a violent home. A survivor who was a featured speaker at an HCWC event once shared that seeing a room full of people gathered to support victims of abuse was one of the most impactful things that she had experienced. She said that it showed her that there are good people in the world that support

people like her, and it gave her hope.

If you need shelter, support, or resources due to domestic violence, please call our 24-hour HELPline to talk to our advocates, all of whom are specially trained and educated to help you navigate abusive situations, both before and after leaving. To learn more ways to get involved with HCWC visit our website, www.hcwc.org for opportunities to volunteer, donate or get information on services. You can visit our educational website www.StopTheHurt.org for more educational tools on abuse issues and resources.

Focused on: Fixing the electric grid

Ensuring access to health care Enhancing quality education

Ca hGet

Buda Johnson faces shut out from rival Dripping Springs

Johnson Jaguars defeated by Dripping Springs Tigers

PHOTO BY KATELYN PESINA

The Johnson Jaguars line up for the kickoff. The Jags traveled to Dripping Springs on Friday, Sept. 30 to take on the Tigers at home. Though they fought hard, they were ultimately no match for the Tiger defense and were shut out 35-0. The Jaguars will play in Austin against Austin High on Thursday at

p.m.

PHOTO BY KATELYN PESINA

Steve Hoffman, head coach of the Johnson Jaguars, makes a risky call for a fake punt while in timeout.

PHOTO BY VICTORIA CERNA

Senior Lana Tello leaps for a serve.

PHOTO BY VICTORIA CERNA

The Johnson Jaguars huddle together to discuss their strategy. The Jaguars traveled to Dripping Springs High School

PHOTO BY KATELYN PESINA

Quarterback #12 CW McMullin runs the ball.

PHOTO BY KATELYN PESINA

PHOTO BY KATELYN PESINA PHOTO BY KATELYN PESINA

PHOTO BY KATELYN PESINA

Hays County reinstates 90-day burn ban

BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY – Hays County is under a burn ban again.

The burn ban was reinstated by the Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, Sept. 27, per a recommendation by Fire Marshal Mark Wobus, and it will remain in effect for 90 days following that date unless lifted by the court. The previous burn ban expired on Sept. 13.

As of the Sept. 27 court meeting, the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) was 672 with a range of 571 to

757 – but one day later on Wednesday, Sept. 28, it increased to 678.47 with a range of 584 to 759.

“Late last week and even earlier this week, multiple departments have been responding to permitted burns as well those that have not been permitted,”

Wobus said. “Even additional fires that have occurred from accidental causes.”

Commissioner Walt Smith commented on the fire marshal’s collaboration with neighboring departments.

“I just want to say thank you for the coordination you have given with all of our fire chiefs,” Smith said, “especially on the western side of the county. It got brutal within about three days – it turned from greenery to fuel immediately.”

To continue observing the county’s KBDI, visit https://sslarcims3.tamu. edu/KBDI/.

And

Find out what’s going on all around Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs and Wimberley

Call 512-268-7862 to Subscribe Today!

1 Year Digital & Print

Seniors 55+ $37.80/year $42/year

1 Year Digital Only

JOB FAIR

Seniors 55+ $31.50/year

Saturday, May 22, 2021

a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Entertainment

May 22, 2021

a.m.

2:00 p.m.

Interviews

Offeringupto forselectpositions*

Interviews