November 23, 2022 Hays Free Press

Hays Free Press

Lehman high head football coach Bruce Salmon resigns

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

KYLE — According to the Hays CISD Chief Communications Officer

Tim Savoy, Lehman High School’s head football coach Bruce Salmon resigned at the end of the football season as he is moving out of state.

Salmon was hired in 2018 — a year when the Lobos went 0-10. Overall, the Lobos have only won seven out of 50 games under Salmon, and the team went 2-8 this season.

Taylor Greene is the new

interim head football coach. Greene was the assistant athletic coordinator and assistant head football coach prior to Salmon's resignation. February is the school’s target date to have the position filled.

“Hays CISD Athletics would like to thank Lobos Coach Salmon for his five years of service to our district and our Lehman Lobo Family; we wish him well and all the best in his future endeavors,” Lance Moffett, Hays CISD athletic director said in a Tweet.

Commissioners discuss limiting intake of community felines

BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY – Hays

County is considering limiting the number of community cats taken into the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS).

On Nov. 15, the Hays County Commissioners Court discussed the possible adoption of an interim community cat management policy based on recommendations of a feasibility study conducted by Team Shelter USA.

The recommendation from Team Shelter USA in June suggested the county revise its animal control ordinance to require municipalities using the SMRAS to discontinue accepting unowned, freeroaming cats unless they are part of an enforcement

case or admitted for Shelter Neuter Return/Trap Neuter Return (TNR) and returned to a home location the following day.

“An entire room of cats are being tied up [and] held in cages because of this policy,” said Judge Ruben Becerra. “The shelter needs our action. They are desperate for help and these tiny edits on paper … are ever so pressing when you are standing before them. These are, for the most part, honestly

speaking, cats that won’t get adopted.”

On Oct. 23, 2018, the commissioners court approved a resolution to support SMRAS’s efforts to reach a no-kill status within two years. Proposed by commissioners Lon Shell and Debbie Ingalsbe, the resolution stated the county’s intent to invest time and resources in the shelter to help it reach a no-kill status, which is defined as at least a 90% live-outcome rate.

The 2018 resolution also requested a creation of an Interlocal Animal Services Commission made up of partners of SMRAS.

“We know that [SMRAS] is overcapacity and understaffed,” said Sharri Boyett, animal advocacy advisor. “Those people who are working there have the hardship of managing these

cats that are not tame. So, by removing that problem and letting the cats be [put in] TNR, we will then allow them to be more efficient and have less stress as a worker. We will also allow them to have time to implement programs, do outreach and take better care of the [nearly] 160 dogs they have now and some of the cats that are tame and adoptable.”

The current situation is not what no-kill is supposed to be, Boyett said.

“We don’t want them euthanized; nobody is saying that,” Boyett said. “What we are saying is that it’s best practices across all understanding, all veterinary experts … This is what the government should be doing to support its constituents.”

Public Safety Center to get ‘Police Department’ signage

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

KYLE — In a 5-1 decision, city council directed city staff to install “Police Department” signage on the front of the Public Safety Center, as shown in Tuesday’s regularly scheduled city council meeting.

The freshly sworn-in city council member, Miguel Zuniga, voted in dissent.

Ryan Rosborough, vice president of AG/CM, presented several design renderings with different verbiage and design elements.

Council member Daniela Parsley took a liking to the mock-up that said “Police Department” with stars on either side of the text and is slightly arched.

Zuniga said he liked

rendering three because it was a “cleaner” look.

“I just thought the stars were a little much everywhere,” Zuniga said.

During the discussion, Parsley called upon police chief Jeff Barnett to hear his thoughts.

“I’m gonna give you the political answer. We’re happy to work in any building titled whatever you want,” Barnett said. “We’re just so happy to get the building.”

Tobias suggested removing the KPD signs in the old police department building and applying them to the Public Safety Center building.

“There’s no budget amendment; all we have to do is installation fees. Not only that, you could bring some kind of nostalgia to

it to where people can say, ‘Hey that was the original P-O-L-I-C-E logos that were on the same building from the old one,’” council member Michael Tobias said.

Council member Yvonne Flores-Cale stated that this item was not meant to be political.

“It was a genuine question because I had someone say, ‘I don’t care what it’s called,’ and I’m like, you don’t because you’ve never had to walk into a police department as somebody who may be a victim or a rape victim and needs to go to a police department,” Flores Cale said.

Mayor Travis Mitchell thought the additional

Hays CISD losing $7 million in funding

Low attendance rates are the cause

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Hays CISD’s enrollment currently stands at 22,330 students, but with an attendance rate of 93.17%, the district is facing a $7 million loss in funding.

During the Nov. 14 Hays CISD board of trustees meeting, superintendent Dr. Eric Wright provided the district with an update regarding an audit report that would reflect this loss of funding due to low attendance rates during the 2021-22 school year.

Wright explained that there was anticipated revenue that didn’t end up being generated due to low attendance rates. As such, the district did not receive ADA (average daily attendance) Hold Harmless for its fifth and sixth six weeks when the attendance rate was a little more than 90% during that time.

The Hold Harmless policy was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means for district funding regardless of its enrollment and attendance rates.

“We were all thinking we were going to receive ADA Hold Harmless for the entire year,” Wright said. “What we found from behind the scenes is that the state, even though they have a $27 billion surplus right now, noticed that $9 billion in ESSER [elementary

Former Netflix exec joins Hill Country Studios

BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY – Hill Country Studios recruited its new chief operations officer from Netflix.

Kevin Bar, a former Netflix executive, has more than 15 years of experience in the film and television industry and will support Hill Country Studios across its $267 million construction (groundbreaking is slated for early next year,) generating strategic alliances, creating productive partnerships and helping the local community get involved in the fresh opportunity the studio is bringing to Texas.

Before his time at Netflix, Bar served as vice president of Pinewood International and international sales executive for Pinewood Atlanta Studios.

“I kind of got to see from the ground up what that looks like building studios and premier infrastructure, partnering with job/ training programs, seeing crews and vendors and just [overall] seeing the production industry thrive and grow,” Bar said. “I saw a similar connection with this project and the team behind it and the vision for the property and studio at large.”

Bar added that he is excited to be a part of the studio’s role in the film/ TV industry in Texas, specifically along the I-35

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corridor.

“Our main goal is to create an established studio as the premier destination for major production,” Bar said.

“Have a studio that can really serve any production need and really create a hub that can serve the industry. We really want to be a onestop.”

Hill Country Studios wants to be a global destination to fit the needs of independent film or major film production, Bar added.

“I’m from Indiana [and] I lived in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta. [Texas] reminds me of all the different education and experiences I have had in both [my personal life] and in my career. I see a lot of different shades of that in what’s happening in Austin, statewide and at the studio. It’s not a big jump, it’s a slight change,” he said.

Bruce Salmon

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Kevin Bar

Buda mayor addresses city during chamber luncheon

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

BUDA — Mayor Lee Urbanovsky delivered his State of the City Address during the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Nov. 16.

During the luncheon, the chamber introduced the newly re-elected mayor pro-tem, Evan Ture.

Attendees also listened to comments from Micah Grau, Buda’s city manager.

HDR Engineering Inc, Texas Disposal Systems, Buda Economic Development Corp, Freese and Nichols, Pape-Dawson Engineers, WSB and Hatch Consulting Group sponsored the luncheon.

Urbanovksy said the city would focus on fiscal responsibility and managing growth.

“We are revitalizing Main Street with restaurants,” Urbanovsky said. Buda is going to add 30 restaurants to the city, and about five will be added to Main Street.

He also highlighted several recently opened developments in the Buda area, including MOD Pizza, Dutch Bros, Meridian, Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ, Taco clem, TasTe on Main and JParks Saloon & Standard.

On the retail side, Urbanovsky recognized the opening of RV dealer AirStream, which is a $300 million investment.

The mayor also gave an update on Persimmon, a contested 775-acre residential development. There has been progress toward an agreement, but a

deal has yet to be reached.

“Our job on council and my job as mayor is to get the best deal for Buda,” Urbanovsky said. “There has been progress toward an agreement on this project, but there’s no deal reached. We don’t know if this is coming for sure, it’s not a done deal, but we are working diligently to get the best deal for the city.”

On the horizon

Buda is expected to have Subaru coming in the fall of 2023. Urbanovsky said that he was “looking forward” to the co-op program that Subaru was going to do with Hays CISD.

Additionally, Buda is looking to add a RackFit, a sports facility with four indoor and outdoor tennis courts, pickleball courts

and volleyball courts. The city is working with different entities to expand its water usage like the Aquifer Storage and Recovery System, which will allow Buda to store water for future uses. According to Urbanovsky, the storage has the capacity to store more than 100 million gallons of water.

“I am proud of what we've done and probably accomplished over the past year. This is only my second State of the City Address, but I am encouraged by what we've done and the group that I've worked with,” Urbanovsky said. “I absolutely look forward to seeing what we can do together next year.”

Buda council proclaims Small Business Saturday, Artist Sunday

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

BUDA — Small businesses, artists and entrepreneurs make up the lifeblood of communities like Buda.

During its regular meeting on Nov. 15, Buda City Council recognized Saturday, Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 27 as Artist Sunday.

Small Business Saturday is a national effort to direct retail traffic and revenue to small businesses, and usually falls on the last Saturday of November each year.

Per the proclamation, money spent with small businesses is more likely to stay within the community and generate additional economic activity among other businesses in the community, bolstering the need for recognition and support of this effort on a local level.

This year, for every $25 spent at participating businesses in Buda, shoppers can enter a raffle to win Buda Local sponsored prizes. Email

receipts to tourism@ budatx.gov by Nov. 28 to be entered.

Artist Sunday encourages shoppers to purchase artwork and hand-crafted items from local independent artists in a movement that “unites artists and communities across the country.” It encompasses a full spectrum of the arts, from painting and pottery to photography and performance, and invites residents to support the people that help enrich the community and local economy.

Get your Christmas shopping out of the way by shopping small and showing some love to local businesses and artists on Nov. 26 and 27.

Thank you for a resounding victory (62-36-2 against 2 opponents) and opportunity to continue to make a difference for the families of Senate District 21.

As always, I will do my best to represent everyone. Please contact me via 512/463-0121 or judith.zaffirini@senate.texas.gov whenever I can be of assistance.

May God bless you, and may God bless Texas!

signage was a “solid compromise” and was happy to support it.

City council will meet again on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. for the first public hearing of the Downtown Master Plan at city hall.

POLICE, from page 1 Correction

The headline of the story in the Nov. 16 edition of the Hays Free Press, orig inally titled “Developers halt railroad underpass project,” was changed after press time to reflect that the city of Kyle and Union Pacific Railroad have halted the project, not the project’s developers, CSW.

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

Lee Urbanovsky

Hays council denies MUD

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

HAYS — The small community of Hays has taken another step in trying to ensure that a 300-acre development does not end up causing more problems for its residents than already anticipated.

Hays City Council unanimously voted on Nov. 14 to deny a petition from MileStone Community Builders for the creation of a municipal utility district (MUD) on the proposed Hays Commons development. A MUD provides developers with an alternate way to finance infrastructure, such as water/wastewater and roads.

Hays Commons has faced intense pushback from residents, who believe it is too dense of a development to be built over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and will have negative impacts on the local environment, city’s water and wastewater systems and overall livelihood of the rural community.

Many Hays residents and those of neighboring communities have attended Hays council meetings to bring up these concerns. Prior to the Nov. 14 council meeting, MileStone held a public work session with the council on Oct. 20 to discuss its amended development agreement (DA).

MileStone maintains that

a MUD is just a financing mechanism for the development, but residents say that one concern with the MUD language within the amended DA is that it would give MileStone eminent domain, or the right to seize private property for public use, and subsequently give them the power of condemnation, or the legal process and procedure to actually do so.

“You’ve heard the warnings from the experts and the pleas from the residents,” resident Darlene Starr told council prior to the vote. “I believe the right to invoke eminent domain, to take people’s land, which the city of Hays would be giving to MileStone, is a particular danger to the

residents of Hays … I ask you, [if approved] what confidence do you have that MileStone would not use condemnation powers granted by you to achieve their goal?”

Council heeded the community’s concerns: with its denial of the MUD, MileStone now has 120 days to go through TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) to submit an application for MUD approval.

Environmental groups who have been keeping an eye on the development, however, are unsure if MileStone would be granted approval because of the development’s location over the recharge zone.

In the meantime, MileStone is also set to be working to schedule a time to meet with the city of Austin about potentially providing water and wastewater services to the development. Brian Zabcik of Save Barton Creek Association encouraged council to ensure that MileStone is transparent with Hays regarding these discussions, saying that if Austin agrees to provide services, they might require a less dense development, which MileStone might think of as “economically unfeasible.”

The next Hays City Council meeting will take place on Dec. 12 at Hays Hills Baptist Church, located at 1401 N. FM 1626 in Buda.

City council selects Affion to assist with hiring city manager

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

KYLE — After listening to two presentations from executive search firms, Affion Public and Strategic Government Resources (SGR), Kyle City Council directed the interim city manager to engage in a contract negotiation with Affion.

Mayor Travis Mitchell made the motion, and council member Michael Tobias seconded it. Council member Ashlee Bradshaw was not in attendance, and the motion passed 4-1, with council member Yvonne Flores-Cale dissenting.

Affion Public’s goal is to build a profile by meeting with as many people as possible to understand what the city needs and what the community wants. Once the profile is built, Affion Public will bring it back to city council for approval and then start the recruitment process. Affion Public’s goal is to present six to eight candidates and to have the council work to narrow down those candidates.

Scott Riley, CEO of Affion Public, stated that each candidate will undergo at least three interviews.

“We’re going to understand their backgrounds, what’s motivating them to get there, what some of their ideas are and see where that match comes up,” Riley said.

If a candidate makes it through two rounds of interviews, they

Correction

In the Nov. 16 story about National Signing Day, Karis’ last name was incorrectly spelled Hichey. The correct name is Karis Hickey and she will be playing soccer at Texas Women’s University, not Austin College as previously published.

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

will receive a written assignment from Affion Public, which includes a one-page bio about themselves and, in their own words, why they are interested in the Kyle city manager position.

Tobias wondered what the screening process was. Riley said that screening tools would be behavioralbased interview questions that they ask candidates based on economic development tools like development, redevelopment, TERS, etc. The time they review a position profile brochure with city council is estimated to be about 12 weeks.

“We believe that the most important element of initiating an executive recruitment is understanding the profile of the person that you are looking for and really understanding the community and the community’s priorities,” said Jennifer Fadden, SGR’s chief operating officer.

Lynn Barboza, SGR’s project manager and executive recruiter, would be on-site, spending time in Kyle to get to know city staff, council, community groups, etc. From there, SGR would advertise the position.

Unlike Affion, SGR brings forth every person that applies for the city manager position.

“We want you to be aware of who that candidate pool is,” Fadden said. “However, we present those candidates to you in a triaged fashion.”

Council member

Daniela Parsley asked Affion if a city had ever tried claiming a guarantee for not getting a qualified or expected candidate.

“Our guarantee is for if we place a candidate that they will fulfill their role for two years. If not, then we’d go back out and do the search. We’ve done that maybe two or three times since 2009,” Riley said.

Mayor Travis Mitchell thanked the applicants.

“I think you are both great companies [and we] appreciate the feedback that we have received,” Mitchell said.

COURTESY OF JIM CAMP

A map showing the proposed Hays Commons development.

Go Native with Soil Health

Have you heard? There’s a whole world of life in the soil beneath your boots. News about the benefits of soil health is everywhere and agricultural producers across Texas are taking notice. Healthy soils lead to clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests, productive grazing lands, and healthy landscapes.

Texas farmers and ranchers are adopting conservation practices such as no-till planting, residue management, prescribed grazing systems, and diversified crop rotations. These choices are crucial not only to local farmers and ranchers, but also to our region’s future.

Soil health plays a role on how resilient crops, livestock, and wildlife are to our region’s everchanging weather patterns including droughts, floods, and climate shifts.

The health of soil is determined by its continued capacity to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource, not an inert growing medium. Healthy soil is teaming with billions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that are the foundation of an elaborate symbiotic ecosystem. Soil does all this by performing five essential functions:

• Regulating water: Soil helps control where rain, snowmelt, and irrigation water goes. Water flows over the land or into and

STATE

THE HILL COUNTRY STEWARD

BY CENTRAL TEXAS CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP

through the soil.

• Sustaining plant and animal life: Soil is the base that plant and animal life rely on. The diversity and productivity of living things depends on our soils being healthy.

• Filtering and buffering potential pollutants: The minerals and microbes in soil are responsible for filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing, and detoxifying organic and inorganic materials – including industrial and municipal by-products and atmospheric deposits.

• Cycling nutrients: Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and many other nutrients are stored, transformed, and cycled in the soil.

• Providing physical stability and support: Soil structure provides a medium for plant roots. Soils also provide support for human structures and protection for archeological treasures.

Looking to improve soil health on your land? The USDA Natural Resources Conservation

Service (NRCS) offers technical and financial assistance to local agricultural producers who may not know where to start.

NRCS specialists can help with recommendations to develop a voluntary conservation plan to address soil health and other conservation concerns on your land. There is no charge for NRCS assistance or the conservation plan to help you meet your land management goals. Maximizing soil health is essential to maximizing profitability.

As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive

is of paramount importance.

Farming using soil health principles and systems, including no-till or minimal tillage, cover cropping, and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving microbial activity. As a result, farmers are sequestering more carbon, increasing water infiltration, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat – all while harvesting better profits and often better yields.

To learn more and connect with folks who care about your piece of Texas just as much as you do,

visit www.texasconservation.org. If you have questions related to stewardship or conservation, you can email them to DearStew@ texasconservation.org and you might just see them answered in a future column. Looking forward to learning more with you. – The Hill Country Steward

The Hill Country Steward – not a person, but a partnership of local experts dedicated to sharing the best information, tips, and lessons learned. Have questions? Send them to DearStew@ texasconservation.org. Learn more at www.texasconservation.org.

Legislators begin filing bills ahead of session

Texas legislators are off to the races, filing more than 850 bills on Monday, the first day of filing season for the 88th session, which begins Jan. 10.

The Austin AmericanStatesman reported the potential laws, constitutional amendments and propositions address

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

everything from property taxes to border security, access to guns, abortion, education and health care.

Thousands more bills will be filed prior to the March 10 deadline. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan have not yet announced their legislative priorities.

Property tax relief is likely to be a top item, given past remarks from the state’s leaders. With a hefty state surplus of $27 billion predicted, two bills would carve into that surplus to reduce property taxes.

Other topics drawing proposed legislation:

· Democrats have filed a bevy of bills to increase gun safety and limit access to certain firearms.

· Eight Democratic state senators filed a bill that would create exceptions to the state’s abortion ban in the case of rape or incest, as well as additional medical exceptions.

· Legalizing gambling will again be before the Legislature, as it has the past several sessions.

· Another Democratic measure would expand Medicaid benefits for women both before and after birth.

DACA recipients urge quick congressional action

A number of recipients of the Obama-era program known as Deferred Action for Childhood

CORRECTIONS

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Arrivals (DACA) are urging Congress to act during the lame duck session to give them permanent protection against deportation.

The Texas Standard reported Austin accountant Edilsa Lopez was one of several recipients who met with Congressional leaders to tell their stories and urge them to adopt such legislation.

Nearly 600,000 children who were brought here by parents who are not U.S. citizens are protected under DACA, while another 400,000 are eligible but have been stymied from enrolling by legal challenges.

“This is my third time in D.C. flying to meet with congressmen from both sides of the aisle and they just keep on talking and talking,” said Diego Corzo, 32, of Austin. “I think it’s time that they finally put an importance to find a solution — a long-term solution — for the DACA recipients, for the Dreamers, so that we stop living in limbo.”

RRC inspectors sent to Reeves County after quake

The Texas Railroad Commission sent inspectors to Reeves County in West Texas Thursday after the area was rocked with a 5.4 magnitude earthquake near its border with Culberson County. The agents are examining disposal activity at injection wells in the area.

Tremors from the earthquake were felt in both San Antonio and Austin.

State now busing migrants to Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly love is the latest recipient of migrants

DEADLINES

being bused from Texas border communities, the Texas Tribune reported. The first bus arrived in Philadelphia last Wednesday.

“Since April, Texas' busing strategy has successfully provided much-needed relief to our border communities overwhelmed by the historic influx of migrants caused by President Biden's reckless open border policies,” Abbott said.

Texas has been sending busloads of migrants to Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York in an attempt to pressure Biden to stiffen his immigration policies.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the city welcomed the migrants and has been preparing for their possible arrival since summer.

“As a proud welcoming city, we will greet our newly arrived neighbors with dignity and respect,” said Kenney.

Safe driving urged during holiday season

The Texas Department of Public Transportation is urging holiday season motorists to exert caution and to especially not drink and drive.

The state saw 48,641 traffic crashes during the holiday season from Dec.1, 2021, to Jan. 1, 2022, with 433 fatalities and 1,695 serious injuries. Nearly a quarter of those deaths – 23% – were related to drunk drivers, according to TxDOT.

“Get together with family and friends and have a great time, but please find an alternative way home if you choose to drink,” Marc Williams, TxDOT executive director, said. “You have many

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LETTERS GUIDELINES

options available.”

Those options include a designated sober driver, calling a taxi or rideshare service, public transportation, or just staying put.

Fed funds sought after North Texas storms

Abbott has requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration for Northeast Texas counties that were hit by severe weather and tornadoes earlier this month.

An SBA disaster declaration would make federal funds available for residents and business owners in Lamar, Morris, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Fannin, Marion, Red River, Titus, and Upshur counties.

The program, if approved by the SBA, would provide longterm, low-interest loans to qualifying persons who sustained damage and losses.

COVID-19 cases rise slightly

The number of new cases of COVID-19 during the past week in Texas rose to 13,104, with 57 deaths reported by the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University. Cases of lab-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state stayed steady at 993, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, and Cedar Park.

Email: gborders@texaspress.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY WHITE AND THE HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE

Aaron Scott Erickson

Aaron Scott Erickson, 49, passed

away Wednesday, November 16, 2022. He was born December 26, 1972 to Rodney Erickson & Diane (Halsted) Erickson. Aaron is survived by his 11 year old daughter, MaKenzie Erickson. Aaron attended Hays High School, graduating in 1991.

Aaron was a skilled skydive instructor. He had a passion for the sport, and to give people a very laughable, exhilarating, and safe experience. Aaron was also a talented artist, always doodling or sewing something on his sewing machine. Aaron was a lover of many things in this life, but mostly his daughter, MaKenzie. The two of them shared a very close bond. They loved rollerblading or working on his motorcycle together. Aaron and MaKenzie could snuggle for hours on the couch watching their favorite movies again and again. They were

Mark enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served for 10 years. He travelled several countries, made great friends and had many memorable adventures.

Mark Lynn Reeves

Mark Lynn Reeves, was born on May 23, 1959 to Linda S. Reeves and former Buda Constable Billy H. Reeves and left this world on November 15, 2022. He fought a courageous battle for many years, finally succumbing to numerous complications of diabetes.

There were many facets to Mark’s life but they could all be summed up as a life of service. Mark graduated from Jack C. Hays High School in Buda, Texas, where he made many lifelong friends. He played football and served on the student council. He was a true Rebel and supported his school throughout his adult lifetime.

Shortly after high school,

After his service in the Navy, Mark found another program in which to serve - The Boy Scouts of America. This became an important aspect of his life and it was while in Scouting that he met and married Kathy Moorehead Cody, to whom he was married for 29 years. The two of them remained in Boy Scouts for the next 35 years where Mark served as Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster for two separate Packs and Troops as well as a being a Girl Scout Mentor. In addition, he was the Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 1952 from the Marbridge Foundation, working with adults with a wide range of cognitive disabilities. He was instrumental in guiding many young men in obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout and served as friend and mentor to countless other youth.

Mark also served his community as a member of the Manchaca Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He was a member of Hays Hills Baptist Church where he assisted with the Royal Ambassadors youth group. He was also

thick as thieves. There wasn’t a puzzle they couldn’t put together or a board game MaKenzie couldn’t beat her dad at. Through MaKenzie, Aaron will live on.

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ dying for us on the Cross, we can rest in knowing that we are not fighting this battle alone. We are taking comfort in knowing that Aaron dedicated his life to Jesus and accepted Him as his personal Lord and Savior.  We look forward to, and long for the day, when God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more.

A memorial will be held in the weeks to come. MaKenzie has asked for some time to grieve. When the time is right, we will celebrate the life of Aaron, and the endless love these two shared.

a coach for his son Daniel’s baseball, football and basketball activities.

Mark’s life touched so many people and he will always be remembered for his outgoing (and often outspoken) personality, his love of comics and his love for his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his step-son Nicholas Ryan Cody, his father, the late Constable Billy H. Reeves, maternal grandfather Alvie Rhea and grandmother Kathleen “Honey” Rhea, paternal grandfather Willie Reeves and grandmother Minnie Reeves.

Mark leaves behind his beloved wife Kathy Reeves, son Daniel Reeves, stepdaughter Kimberly Cody, mother Linda Reeves, brother Jeffrey Reeves and wife Alice Reeves, sister Susan Reeves Boatright and husband Glen Boatright, nephews Clayton, Kevin

and Kenny Reeves, Bradley Boatright, and nieces Kayla Boatright and Courtney Reeves, plus numerous beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

In accordance to Mark’s wishes, his pallbearers were Eagle Scouts from Troop 93 – Michael and Steven Young, Ryan Brown, Cristian Ellis, Jacob Garcia, Aaron Friar and Carl Petmecky, as well as his life-long friend, Bruce Pedersen.

Visitation was held at Harrell’s Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX on November 21, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services were held at Hays Hills Baptist Church on November 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., with interment following at the Onion Creek Memorial Park Cemetery.

Becerra asked Boyett what the court needs to do to help the desperate suffocation that the city facility (SMRAS) is experiencing.

“The city is required to sterilize the animals that come to the shelter before they are returned or adopted,” Boyett said.

“That piece is covered.

It would be that they would go back to animal protection or in our county, we call officers of animal control. They would bring them back after sterilization — those cats that are healthy or by body weight, appear to have a food source.

That may be a matter of authorization that the officers would keep a record of each cat …

What’s in the way is a policy.”

Shell said that the county needs to work with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and animal control officers.

“We aren’t the boss of animal control,” Shell said. “We can pass things all day long, but if we don’t work with the sheriff’s office to make that happen, they are likely not going to do

anything. What we need is the ordinance to allow our animal control officers to do this program, which is going to be part of the ordinance. If not, they may or may not. I don’t know.”

Judge Becerra said he would bring back the agenda item at the Nov. 22 meeting after the San Marcos City Council conducted its second reading of the ordinance.

Later in the evening on Nov. 15, the San Marcos City Council voted to postpone the second reading and adoption of an animal ordinance after the first reading was passed on Nov. 1.

Amendments to the ordinance would include limiting the reasons to impound cats, omitting stray hold requirements in some instances, including stricter requirements for spay/neuter and microchipping, creating an offense for failure to reclaim or surrender pets upon notice and adding requirements for pet shops/pet stores.

The San Marcos City Council is slated to review the ordinance again in January.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda

First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle

Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor

Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626

Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle

Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda

Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.

CATHOLIC

Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle

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

CHRISTIAN

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle

CHURCH OF CHRIST

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

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

METHODIST

Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda

Please come and spend a peaceful evening with us, celebrating your loved one. Although we grieve our loss, there is joy in having known and loved such a special person. The evening will feature recogni tion of your loved one, candle lighting, and an encouraging word.

Order Ornaments: www.harrellfuneralhomes.com/rsvp/

LEEUWEN

Buda Sip N Stroll

Official canvassed election results

BY MEGAN WEHRING

Hays County Judge* Ruben Becerra (D): 44,517 or 50.53% Mark Jones (R): 43,591 or 49.47%

Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 2 Michelle Gutierrez Cohen (D): 10,895 or 60.85%

Mike Gonzalez (R): 7,011 or 39.15%

Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 4 Walt Smith (R): 15,249 or 54.13% Susan Cook (IND): 12,923 or 45.87%

District Clerk Avrey Anderson (D): 44,435 or 51.10%

Beverly Crumley (R): 42,529 or 48.90%

County Clerk Elaine Cardenas (D): 46,496 53.36% Linda Duran (R): 40,636 or 46.64%

County Treasurer Daphne Sanchez Tenorio (D): 45,498 or 52.30%

Against: 4,680 or 35.31%

Dripping Springs ISD Bond Election

Prop A The issuance of $199,280,000 of bonds by DSISD for school facilities including a new elementary school and middle school expansion, the purchase of the necessary sites for school facilities and the purchase of new school buses and the levying of a tax in payment thereof. This is a property tax increase.

For: 9,529 or 48.31% Against: 10,196 or 51.69%

Prop B The issuance of $275,350,000 of bonds by DSISD for school facilities including a new high school and the purchase of the necessary sites for school facilities and the levying of a tax in payment thereof. This is a property tax increase.

For: 9,102 or 46.18% Against: 10,609 or 53.82%

A LEGACY PROJECT

Kyle moves forward with Word Place development

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

KYLE — In a unanimous vote, city council directed city staff to prepare a development agreement, Public Improvement District (PID) and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) for Word Place, a 27-acre MixedUse Development (MUD) during its meeting on Nov. 15.

The development will have 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, unique nightlife and sit-down restaurants and 250-300 homes, including courtyard townhomes and luxury elevator apartments.

Word Place will also stimulate job growth in Kyle through job creation and 1.5 million additional tax revenue for the city.

“It’s an economic driver for our community to connect the community both metaphorically and geographically,” said Jeff

Barton, Gap Strategies cofounder.

The development is between Marketplace and I-35, with two creeks running through it — an area between old Kyle and new Kyle. It is also Barton’s family farm, which has been blighted due to the challenges caused by surrounding industrial development and road closure due to flooding issues.

“In my family, we’ve decided we want this to be our legacy. We think it meets your vision as well. We hope you want to share that vision and that legacy and leave something to the citizens of Kyle in the future,” Barton said, concluding his presentation.

Mayor Travis Mitchell has been a consistent supporter of Word Place.

“It seems like more and more, as development comes to the city of Kyle, we see the same proposals over and over, and this

is definitely unique,” Mitchell said.

Although council member Flores-Cale wasn’t against the development, she was adamant about the development not becoming a TIRZ.

“It’s not necessarily, for me, TIRZ-worthy,” FloresCale said.

She was also concerned about the flooding issue.

“Are there gonna be any long-term expenses or concerns that we should have with the flooding in that area that the city is now going to be obligated to take over?” Flores-Cale asked.

Parks and Recreation Director Mariana Espinoza said the city was already maintaining that area.

“Staff knows when it does flood, and we’re prepared to take that over,” Espinoza said.

Council member Daniela Parsley requested for the development to accommodate a

community garden and wanted to ensure that whoever was purchasing the land next to the development would continue with the architecture of Word Place.

“Community gardens are one of the first things we talked about,” Barton said. “We haven’t found quite the right place to put it in, but it certainly is a goal of ours.”

Barton also said that they have a detailed design guideline that will help ensure that any other development that comes in also shares the architectural vision of Word Place.

“We’re glad to make those a part of the development agreement, so the city has some enforcement capacity there as well,” Barton said.

City council will meet again on Dec 6 at 7 p.m. for the first public hearing of the Downtown Master Plan at City Hall.

FUNDING,

Britney Bolton Richey (R): 41,496 or 47.70%

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 Sandra Bryant (D): 9,196 or 56.75% Karen Marshall (R): 7,007 or 43.25%

Kyle City Council, District 1 Marina Tupikov: 1,656 or 15.41% Neal Breen: 607 or 5.65%

Marc McKinney: 2,051 or 19.09% Amanda Stark: 3,128 or 29.11%

Nick Madsen: 1,084 or 10.09% Bear Heiser: 2,220 or 20.66%

The runoff election for the District 1 seat on the Kyle City Council has been called for Tuesday, Dec. 13 between candidates Amanda Stark and Bear Heiser.

Kyle City Council, District 3 Miguel A. Zuniga: 5,729 or 53.11% Robert Rizo: 5,058 or 46.89%

City of Kyle Proposition A The issuance of bonds in the amount of $294,000,000 for streets, bridges and sidewalks and the levying of a tax in payment thereof.

For: 8,575 or 64.69%

from page 1

and secondary school emergency relief] funds hadn’t been spent across districts in Texas. That’s because that money was initially earmarked for learning loss and mental health, so we’re spending ours for that purpose, but they said that schools basically needed to abandon what they were doing with that and plug the holes for ADA Hold Harmless before they would start doing anything else.”

Wright added that there is a “good chance” that ESSER money that had been earmarked for the 2023-24 school year will have to be used in other ways to help fill gaps.

“That doesn’t mean we’ll do away with those [ESSER-funded] positions; we may just have to repurpose some things. It’s all going to be dependent on whether our attendance increases for this year,” Wright said. “It’s not looking good … but if we pick up steam in the spring when everyone gets healthy, maybe we can flip the script and bring in some more money. If not, we’re going to have to prioritize positions and make decisions through the budgeting process.”

Legislative and campus initiatives are in the works to help, however. Staff and attendance specialists are making calls or home visits to gain insight into chronic absenteeism, and student-targeted initiatives like extra recess time or pizza

Prop C The issuance of $6,505,000 of bonds by DSISD for instructional technology and the imposition of a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds. This is a property tax increase.

For: 9,136 or 46.45% Against: 10,534 or 53.55%

Wimberley ISD Board of Trustees, Place 5 Chad Canine: 3,971 or 50.67%

Lindsey Deringer: 3,866 or 49.33%

A recount for the Hays County Judge's race will be conducted on Monday, Nov. 28, according to Hays County Clerk Elaine Cardenas. No other information is available at this time but the Hays Free Press will update the public.

*A recount for the Hays County Judge’s race will be conducted on Monday, Nov. 28, according to Hays County Clerk Elaine Cardenas. No other information is available at this time but the Hays Free Press will update the public.

parties are also being implemented. Dr. Brian Dawson, director of student services, is also working to create a mentoring program to help give students a “purpose for coming to school” and be able to help mentor others.

Additionally, a switch to enrollmentbased funding would offer the “best of all worlds,” according to Wright, who noted that while legislative priorities have since changed the law to prevent the school-toprison pipeline, it has in a sense taken out the “teeth” of what districts can do as far as truancies.

“In high school, you have to attend a class 90% of the time in order to get credit. But think about that: that’s 10% of the time they’re away that we don’t get funded,” Wright said. “It makes it tough to convince some of them to come to school if they know they’re going to credit [regardless]. It doesn’t harm them, it harms the district. If a kid only comes 93% of the time, the teacher still has to be there 100% of the time.”

Wright also said that new homes within the district continue to be built and closed on and despite labor shortages and supply chain issues, is still providing an opportunity for more students to be added into the

will — hopefully — have a positive impact on

Sarafina, 2-year-old, Domestic Short hair mix, Female:

Sarafina is a very sociable cat! In the catteries, she is never afraid to let you know when she wants attention. You’ll often find her on the top of one of the cat towers, lounging throughout the day. But once you come in, she’ll hurry down to greet you (and hopefully get some snuggles).

Committed

pet’s health since 1978

district that

attendance rates and funding.

PHOTO BY AMIRA VAN

Kyle residents Sean and Jodie Claes stand in front of a background made of colorful paper flowers.

PHOTO BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Buda residents Sean and Desi Lynch enjoy drinks at Buda Sip N Stroll.

PHOTO BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Clancy Hardin, assistant director of destination services and the Main Street manager, assists Sip N Stroll attendees with check-in.

PHOTO BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN Jamie Rocha serves Thai barbecue from DibDee at Buda Sip N Stroll.

HAYS COUNTY – Official results from the Nov.

8 General Election are in. Below are the official canvassed results, according to county data, as of Thursday, Nov. 17.

Classifieds

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is given that original

Letters of Dependent Adminis tration for the Estate of Hunter Aaron Paul Coco were issued on October 31, 2022, in docket number 22-0354-P, pending in the County Court at Law

8118 Datapoint Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78229

Telephone: (210) 817-4388 Facsimile: (210) 614-6401 E-Mail: ryan@ryanreiffert.

com

Attorney for John Scott Leonard Independent Executor of

PUBLIC NOTICES

package. Proposals will be accepted until 2 PM, Decem ber 14, 2022.

All proposals shall be ac companied a proposal bond in the in the amount of 5% of the offeror’s maximum proposal price. The proposal package

Hays CISD is requesting proposals for RFP #06112201VL Access Control System Replacements. Proposals will be accepted until 12-09-2022 at 2:00 p.m.

through November 25, 2022. Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing 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 Pur chasing Office, Valerie Littrell,

21003 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640, by the date and time indicated above. Late Bids will be re turned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive all formalities in the bid process.

Lockhart, Texas 78644

DATED the 16th day of November, 2022.

/s/ M. Elizabeth Raxter M. Elizabeth Raxter Attorney for Ruben Ismael Lopez, Jr. State Bar No.: 24050084 705 State Park Rd. Lockhart, Texas 78644 Telephone: (512) 398-6996 Facsimile: (512) 668-4501 E-mail: eraxter@tx-elderlaw. com

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamenta ry for the Estate of Steven Edward Leonard, deceased, were issued on November 4, 2022, in Cause No. 22-0369-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: John Scott Leonard A/K/A Scott Leonard.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being probated are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and manner prescribed by law.

DATED the 15 day of No vember , 2022

/s/ Ryan G. Reiffert State Bar No. 24090349

submitted with HAYS COUNTY to subdivide 611.759 acres of property located at Satterwhite Road, Buda, Texas 78616. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Develop ment Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: PLN-2061.

REQUEST FOR COMPETI TIVE SEALED PROPOSALS

RCSP # FY23-077

PREFABRICATED PEDES TRIAN BRIDGE

Competitive sealed pro posals will be received by the Purchasing Manager of the City of Buda for the above ref erenced solicitation. The City is seeking to enter a contract with a qualified contractor for furnishing all labor, materials, and freight for the project. Proj ect includes but is not limited to the providing a pedestrian and bicycle trail bridge and abutment design, manufactur ing, delivery, and installation services for a 20-meter prefab ricated pedestrian bridge.

Proposals shall be delivered to City of Buda City Hall, Attn: Purchasing Proposal Box, 405 E. Loop St., Bldg. 100, Buda, Texas 78610. Write “SEALED PROPOSAL” with the Solicitation Number, So licitation Name, and Due Date on the outside of the shipping

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code that Costco Texas Beverages, Inc. has applied for a Wine Only Package Store to be issued to: Costco Texas Beverages Inc. located at 19086 IH 35, Kyle, Hays County, TX 78640.

Costco Texas Beverages, Inc.: John C. Sullivan – Pres./Treas. Gail E. Tsuboi – V.P./Sec.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CODE THAT DJRGC, LLC., HAS FILED FOR A MIXED BEVERAGE PERMIT ISSUED TO DOUBLE J RANCH GOLF CLUB, LOCATED AT 1 PRO LANE, WOODCREEK, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS 78676.

JOSEPH A. GAMBINO, MANAGER/MEMBER

local time. Please note the Hays CISD District Offices will be closed from November 21

Same faces for Buda council

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

BUDA — The Nov. 8

election brought a few new faces to government roles around Hays County, but Buda City Council will continue forward with its same leadership for a couple more years.

During the Nov. 15

council meeting, Evan Ture was unanimously approved by the council to continue serving in his role as mayor pro tem. Ture was first elected to the city council in 2017 and has been mayor pro tem since 2021.

Incumbent council members Terry Cummings (Single Member District

C) and Matt Smith (AtLarge Position 1) were also sworn in before the council meeting. They ran unopposed in their districts during the election.

Cummings has served on council since 2019 and Smith since 2020, and they will each serve another two-year term on council.

Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation to receive ARPA funds

BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY – To alleviate stress brought on by the pandemic, Hays County is allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation (GTM).

On Nov. 15, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved a grant for GTM not to exceed $50,000 in funds received from the county’s allocation of ARPA funds.

GTM is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to distribute to kids in the form of scholarships, 4-H/Future Farmers of America (FFA) projects and families in crisis in Hays County.

“Gunner Thames was a local youth who [died] at the age of 15,” said commissioner Walt Smith. “He was very involved in 4-H, hunting, fishing and those kinds of things. There was a foundation set up in his honor, which actually invests 100% of any income they have back into the community.”

The majority of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit

organizations in Hays County, but also nationally, were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and GTM was not an exception.

“They give a lot of scholarships and they were hurt by COVID-19,” said commissioner Mark Jones. “There’s a lot of people that work for this organization [and] do a lot of good things.”

To learn more about the organization, visit https://gunnerthames memorialfoundation.com/about.

Evan Ture

Terry Cummings

Matt Smith

Senator Judith Zaffirini embraces two of her favorite blessings. What she works for and hopes for Asher and George is what she works for and hopes for all children. May you and yours enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving!

From Senator Judith Zaffirini and her darling grandsons, Asher and George!

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

KASZ has a feast around the world

PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

A variety of local businesses and organizations participated. KASZ provided Italian, Chinese and Greek food, The Philomena provided Moroccan, Kenyan and Nigerian food (pictured), Orchard Park of Kyle provided Mexican food, the Kyle, Buda Kiwanis Club provided Cajun food, VITAS Healthcare provided Irish food and a local resident provided Cambodian food. Peak Physical Therapy also sponsored the drink station, and VITAS provided a goodie bag to-go at the “baggage claim” station.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

The Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ), in partnership with assisted living and memory care facility The Philomena, invited community members to fly on KASZ Philomena Airlines for a “feast around the world” on Nov. 16.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON Mike Harelick enjoys a plate of food from around the world.