November 24, 2021 Hays Free Press

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NOVEMBER 24, 2021 RENT RELIEF

WINE TIME

Hays County helps tenants even as it risks losing money.

Buda to host international wine competition.

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Hays Free Press HaysFreePress.com

Vol. 127 • No. 35

Serving Hays County, TX

Local dog attacks raise concerns BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

kids of all ages were out trick-or-treating, Embleton said — he heard somebody A string of dog attacks start to repeatedly yell a across three different neigh- name, which he assumed borhoods in Hays County was a parent yelling for has dog owners seeking their child. When he turned tighter pet policies. around, a dog had Ale’ in The attacks occurred its mouth and was shaking over the course of one her. week in Kyle, Buda and San “At that point, I tried to Marcos, all resulting in the kick the dog. It growled death of the attacked dogs. at me,” Embleton said. “I Tom Embleton of Kyle carry pepper spray. I started was walking his two Yorkreaching for it. By then, the shire Terriers, Petra and dog let go of Ale’. She fell Alexandria, or Ale’, on Oct. on the ground in spasms. I 31 when Ale’ was attacked just picked her up and went by a neighborhood dog. back to my house to get to During the Halloween the vet.” evening walk — where But he wasn’t even

halfway back to his house before he knew it was too late. Embleton said that Kyle Animal Control confirmed that the person whose dog attacked Ale’ surrendered it to the adoption agency which they got it from just a few months prior, and that it is not allowed back into Kyle. Kyle Animal Control Officer Briana Brecher said that per the city ordinance, a leash law requires all dogs be physically restrained within city limits. The city ordinance includes the process of deeming an animal ‘dan-

gerous’ and the steps taken to either remove them from city limits, humanely euthanize them or the rules that owners must comply with in order to keep them. While Embleton feels that Kyle’s city ordinance regarding dangerous animals could be ‘stiffened up,’ his wife Linda wants to have the state pass a law that makes it a criminal offense for a person to allow their dog kill another dog. Even with the city ordinance, Embleton said a major problem lies in the ‘hole in the reporting system.’

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM EMBLETON

DOG ATTACKS, 10

Tom Embleton’s Yorkshire Terrier Alé was killed by another dog when Embleton was taking her for a walk.

Kyle names new assistant city manager

STATE NEWS

Extreme weather could still threaten grid

Permian Gas Pipeline

STAFF REPORT

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

The state’s power grid could still be at risk under extreme winter conditions, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, but should operate fine under normal conditions. The Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy, issued Friday, said the grid can meet normal and even moderately challenging weather conditions but could break down if the state faces winter storms such as occurred last February. During Winter Storm Uri, much of the state experienced prolonged blackouts. “We expect there’s a 10% chance that demand will exceed what ERCOT considers to

STATE NEWS, 5

Kyle to receive final Kinder Morgan gas pipeline payment BY BRITTANY ANDERSON Kyle is set to receive its second and final payment of $1.35 million from Kinder Morgan for the Permian Highway Pipeline. The 430-mile long, 42-inch natural gas pipeline goes through Hays County, including the south side of Kyle.

In addition to the total $2.7 million payment to the city, Kinder Morgan is not allowed to convert the pipeline from natural gas to crude oil. Allen Fore, Vice President of Public Affairs for Kinder Morgan, presented city council with information on

the settlement during the regular city council meeting on Nov. 16. The pipeline was initially met with safety

Coming Up 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

BUDAFEST

The Kyle Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating the 25 Days of Christmas all month long at Mary Kyle Hartson Park. Stop by for live music and local vendors from Dec. 1 through Dec. 25 and get in the holiday spirit.

Budafest is the place to be for holiday fun with the whole family. Come on Friday night as the festival kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony and a small ornament market. Then come back Saturday to explore all that Budafest has to offer from craft vendors to family-friendly activities like a snow area to a night parade with a firework show. Visit Budafest.org for more information.

BUDA DOWNTOWN TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Join us for the kick-off of the 41st Annual Budafest Friday evening, Dec. 3 with the Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony and ornament market. Santa will lead the count down to the kick-off of the holidays and the biggest holiday event in Buda.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS The Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch offices will be closed until Monday, Nov. 29.

MISTLETOE MARKET Get in the holiday spirit and get some Christmas shopping done at the same time. The Hays High School Band Boosters

and environmental concerns from both the council and Hill Country residents when the process began in late 2018. In response, the settlement agreement between the city and Kinder Morgan provides protections to the city regarding how the pipeline affects

PIPELINE PAYMENT, 10

are sponsoring the Mistletoe Market on Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hays High music building. Vendors will be selling home decor, handcrafts, jewelry, soaps, candles, personalized gifts, sustainable products and more. There will also be food trucks, silent auction, door raffle, hot chocolate bar, tamale sales, canned food drive – and meet Santa from 10 a.m. to noon. Please bring a nonperishable item to support the Hays County Food Bank.

MUSIC AND FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS Mars Beads, Fourth Rock Records and 2 Moons Art Loft in Dripping Springs open their doors to the public on Dec. 3, 6 to 9 p.m. for in-store performances by local bands. Samples of local cheese, chocolate and wine will also be served.

The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323

KYLE — A new assistant city manager was announced for Kyle on Nov. 16. Amber Lewis comes from Rollingwood, where she served as the city administrator LEWIS overseeing the policy, direction and executive leadership for the effective operations of all municipal services. Additionally, she has experience as a grant writer, city planner and finance director. “We are honored to bring someone with as much experience as Amber to Kyle,” City Manager Scott Sellers said. “She went through a rigorous recruitment process that drew qualified candidates from across the country, but Lewis’ experience and passion for local government made her an exceptional candidate to service the community.” Lewis will oversee community development, infrastructure and capital improvement projects, business growth and economic development in Kyle. “Kyle has incredible potential, growth and remarkable opportunity,” Lewis said. “I am looking forward to serving the residents of Kyle and working together with the council and staff to build towards Kyle’s progress and long-term vision for success.” Lewis’ official start date is Dec. 6.


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