NOVEMBER 20, 2019 FOOD FOR FINES
DARK SKY BUDA
Kyle Public Library to dismiss fines in exchange for food donations.
Buda to enter Dark Sky status in latest sustainability effort.
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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
75¢
Vol. 125 • No. 33
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
Tenorio resigns Kyle council
Special election slated Jan. 25 BY ANITA MILLER
the office of Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector. The Kyle City Council Tenorio, who said she accepted the resignation of had long considered the District 6 Council position, will run member Daphin the Democratic ne Tenorio at a primary. special meeting Current Tax on Monday and Assessor-Collector ordered a special Jenifer O’Kane, election to be held who had served Saturday, Jan. 25, as chief deputy 2020, in order to to former Tax fill her unexpired Assessor-Collector term, which runs Luann Caraway, TENORIO to November 2021. was appointed by Tenorio, who the commissioners was first elected to the city court in March to serve the council in November 2018, resigned in order to run for TENORIO RESIGNS, 10
BY ANITA MILLER The Kyle Planning and Zoning Commission approved new retail space at its Nov. 12 meeting. The planned mixed-use development will occur along Interstate 35 sandwiched between the correctional facility and the convenience store to the north. The project will now go before the city council for their approval. The commission’s action was in two parts – first, to assign original zoning to approximately 7.027 acres of land from agricultural land to rezone 2.495 acres from Commercial 2 district to Retail Services. All told, that is 12.666 acres of property. The new zoning allows businesses like restaurants, retail buildings, offices and other service-oriented undertakings. Three of the pads will face the interstate, while the rest will have access from FM 150 and Hill Street. Application material indicated that the area already has water, wastewater and electric services. One commissioner raised a question about a
The new zoning allows businesses like restaurants, retail buildings, offices and other service-oriented undertakings and three of the pads will face the interstate, while the rest will have access from FM 150 and Hill Street. possible buffer zone. City planner William Atkinson clarified that such buffer zones are only required in residential areas, not commercial. “The area is highly commercial,” Atkinson told commissioners, adding that the development “should help increase property taxes and sales taxes, hopefully … you should have retail there. Staff has no issues recommending this and ask that you support it.”
Firefighters busy with four major calls in three days BY ANITA MILLER Kyle firefighters are coming off a busy week, with four major calls between Nov. 13 and 16. No injuries were reported in connection with any of the incidents, which included a fire in a chimney on Masonwood, another in the garden area at Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, still another at a mobile home in Green Pastures and finally one at The Strand Apartments in Kyle. According to Fire Chief Kyle Taylor, the Masonwood fire on Nov. 13. was in a chimney that “got dislodged, maybe due to high winds.” That allowed heat to escape “where it shouldn’t,” sparking the fire. Taylor said damage to the home was minimal and the family was actually able to spend the night there. “They just need a new chimney,” he said. On Nov. 14, 14 firefighters rushed to the Lowe’s Garden Department for a
COMING UP Christmas Joy, Nov. 23
The Steel Magnolias, a singing group from San Marcos who have been singing together for 13 years, will have a musical presentation of “Christmas Joy” at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kyle United Methodist Church.
Paw Palooza, Nov. 23
The Paw Palooza Fall Festival will have lots of fun games and activities for the entire family, including your fur babies. Come enjoy our bouncy house, face painting, yard games, professional pet photog-
BROWN & BLUE
Brown and Blue Santa lend holiday cheer to local families.
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fire of still-undetermined origin. “There was basically no damage to the building — it was all basically confined to some merchandise.” Taylor said fire crews were on scene for about two hours after
the 6 p.m. response. One day later, a mobile home in Green Pastures was reported on fire around 6 p.m. Taylor said the residence was occupied by a man who managed to get out safely.
raphy and pet costume contest, as well as some burgers and hot dogs. There will also be a low-cost vaccination clinic during the festival. The festival will be Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Deep Roots Animal Clinic in Kyle. Admission is free.
Buda Turkey Trot, Nov. 28
The third annual Buda Turkey Trot benefiting the Hays County Food Bank will be a 5K run/walk through the heart of the city of Buda. The race, which starts at the rear parking lot of Cabela’s, marks the start of a new family and community tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving. There will be a free kids sprint as well so bring the whole family and invite friends to celebrate and get a healthy start to Thanksgiving. Festivities will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with 5K sign-in beginning at 8 a.m. Cost for adults on the day of sign-
INDEX
P&Z approves rezoning for new mixed-use commercial development
PHOTOS BY KYLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Kyle firefighters used a ladder truck to get closer to a chimney fire in a home on Masonwood. There were no injuries and only minimal damage to the house. Below, fire crews at a fire in Green Patures.
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Reported as a fire that started in the living room, he said the actual original was in a bathroom, and that when firefighters arrived, three-quarters of
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up is $40.
Small Business Saturday, Cocoa Jingle and Tree Lighting in Buda, Nov. 30
Come to Buda Nov. 30 to enjoy a full day of holiday activities. There will be an Ornament Market at the Buda Public Library from noon to 5 p.m. From 3:30 to 5:30 there will be a Cocoa Jingle where patrons can peruse the downtown shops while drinking cocoa supplied by the store owners. Bring your own mug or buy one there. The event also includes a pajama contest and a mug contest. There will also be a downtown tree lighting at 6 p.m.
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