DECEMBER 11, 2019 REALIGNED
SETON DELIVERS
UIL rule allows Lehman High to move down to 5A.
Seton Hays cuts ribbon on new maternity unit, upping their capacity.
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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
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Vol. 125 • No. 37
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Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
Kyle council to look at downtown bar hours The clock may soon run out on 2 a.m. bar closings in Kyle. The Kyle City Council, at its Dec. 3 meeting, voted to direct Police Chief Jeff Barnett to ask the Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission (TABC) to do an investigation of bars in
the downtown area and report back with recommendations. The issue was raised by new Mayor Pro Tem Rick Koch and it was based, he said, on complaints about people hanging around after hours and the presence of beer cans, bottles and other litter downtown. “I’ve started paying
“I’ve started paying attention to downtown, noticing late hours and that we’re starting to get an element around Kyle that’s not exactly what we wanted.” –Rick Koch, Kyle Mayor Pro Tem
attention to downtown, noticing late hours and
Kyle man among six charged in death of Wimberley local
that’s not exactly what we wanted.” In particular, he said, he had observed confrontations with police officers and raised the question of people driving drunk after leaving the area. Koch asked Barnett if officers question those they interact with about where they had been drinking.
Barnett said that question was a “routine question we ask as part of the process — where have you been, did you have any alcohol, how long ago was that.” Barnett said though he doesn’t have numbers to back it up, his officers encounter more
BAR HOURS QUESTIONED, 8
o h w s s e u G ? n w o t o t came
BY ANITA MILLER
According to a press release from the San A Kyle resident is Marcos Police Departamong six people ment, officers located arrested in San Yankovoy, 18, Marcos Tuesday inside a Ford in connection truck that had with the death collided with of Kevin Yankoothers vehicles voy of Wimbertoward the rear ley. of the Cedars Angelo Quiapartment huiz, 18, of Kyle complex shortly is charged with after 11:30 p.m. capital murder Monday. He had QUIHUIZ by terroristic been shot multhreat/other tiple times and felony. John Coronado, was pronounced dead 18, of San Marcos faces at Central Texas Medical the same charge. Three Center (CTMC). juveniles were also charged. SIX CHARGED IN DEATH, 11
Brady Listed
that we’re starting to get an element around Kyle
Kyle Christmas Tree Lighting
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Sheriff’s race a witch’s brew of intrigue
Hays CISD choirs each had a chance to perform at the Kyle Tree Lighting last Wednesday in City Square Park. Above are members of the Hays Honor Choir which is composed of vocalists from elementary and secondary schools across the district. And Santa was there too.
BY ANITA MILLER AND past week, another CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON Democrat already
in the race, Dickey Haverda, posted Different perspectives about law video evidence that Villalobos is on enforcement the so-called responsibility “Brady list,” a and credibility controversial are rising to list of law the fore in the officers whose Democratic testimony primary race might be for county considered sheriff. suspect When the because of past chief aide to VILLALOBOS misdeeds. the county Villalobos judge, Alex formerly worked for Villalobos, formally announced to run SHERIFF’S RACE, 12 for county sheriff this
Buda approves new tree ordinance Applications for development or redevelopment must include a Tree Preservation Plan that shows the topography, the location of protected, signature and heritage trees and other criteria.
BY ANITA MILLER
The Buda City Council, on a unanimous vote, approved the city’s application for Tree City USA status and also amended the city’s development code at its Dec. 3 meeting. The city’s draft Tree Preservation, Mitigation and Care ordinance was previously said to meet the criteria for certification. The council’s action makes it all but certain.
Key points of the tree ordinance are that it maintains tree mitigation requirements, prohibits trimming oak trees except as authorized by
COMING UP Wimberley Players to screen holiday film series The Wimberley Players are hosting a holiday film festival. “The Muppets Christmas Carol” will screen at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21.; then on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. the feature will
be a sing-a-long version of White Christmas. Words appear on the screen making it easy for audience member to participate. The film series concludes on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. with “Mamma Mia!” Hot chocolate and popcorn will be available at each showing, as will beer and wine. All showings are $10 for adults and $5 for
NEW WHEELS
Buda auto shop donates van to Brightside organization.
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INDEX
BY ANITA MILLER
children 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult and everyone must have their own seat. Tickets are available at www.wimberleyplayer. org, 512-847-0575.
Free holiday musical coming to Kyle, Wimberley The Starlight Symphony Orchestra
News…………………… 2 Opinion Page………… 3 Sports………………… 4-5 Community………… 6-8
as the staff authority on trees in public spaces and establishes the Parks Commission as the Tree Advisory Board, establishes tree planting and care standards and identifies nuisance trees as those that are dead or dying, obstruct traffic signs and an arborist, and requires safe passage of people tree protection when and vehicles or threaten construction occurs in the public health, safety and area of the roots. welfare. It also designates the city’s director of planning BUDA TREE ORDINANCE, 11
and the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center will present A Merry Musical Holiday Radio Broadcast on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 979 Kohlers Crossing, Kyle; and on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. at Wimberley Baptist Church, 15951 Winters Mill Parkway, Wimberley. The free performance will feature selections from Leroy Anderson and favorite carols, selection from the Trans Siberian Orchestra, the Hays CISD Honor Choir, Wimberley Dance Elite and more.
Service Directory……… 9 Classifieds…………… 10 Police Blotter………… 11
Shadow Creek Holiday Bazaar
The annual Holiday Bazaar will be at the Shadow Creek community Park/pool starting at 2 p.m. There will be a mix of local vendors/creators to help you get your last minute holiday shopping done. Santa will stop by with a special guest and photo opps before the Santa ride which begins at 6 p.m.
NEWS
Page 2
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Suspect caught stealing from Kyle storage units
Hays Free Press
BY ANITA MILLER
Kyle Police are still trying to sort out items recovered after the arrest of an Austin man they say was burglarizing rental storage units. Michael Edward Aguirre, 29, was charged with burglary of a building, unlawful use of a criminal instrument and possession of a controlled substance. He is also being held for the Austin Police Department on a charge
The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
NEWS TIPS
of burglary of a non residence. According to Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett, an employee at Anytime AGUIRRE Storage, 880 Bebee Road, called police shortly before 2 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day after seeing a man “possibly burglarizing some of their units.”
Barnett said Aguirre had bolt cutters with him when officers located him inside one of the storage units, “tampering with a lock.” He was placed under arrest while officers checked other parts of the facility to see if anyone else was involved. They didn’t find a second suspect, but did locate a vehicle with items on the ground around it. “It looked like somebody was in the process of loading
stuff into it,” Barnett said. Property that was subsequently recovered included hand and power tools, cut locks, new locks, jewelry, sealed bags of clothing and shoes. Barnett said it’s believed Aguirre was replacing the locks he cut open with new ones, which would give the impression all was well. Barnett said the facility had been the scene of other burglaries within the past weeks, and at
least one item in Aguirre’s possession had been stolen in one of those incidents. “They found a package with a name. They contacted the person who said it had been stolen at the same facility weeks earlier.” Owners will be notified as officers are able to locate them, he said, adding praise for the “alertness of the employee” and the “swift action of the officers.”
Three charged for vandalism Koch chosen as Kyle’s new at Johnson High School
If you think it’s news, we probably do too! • Newsroom phone: 512-268-7862 • E-mail: news@haysfreepress.com • Mail: 113 W. Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640
CORRECTIONS
mayor pro tem
STAFF REPORTS
Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the pages of the Hays Free Press will be corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.
Three people – teenagers but adults in the eyes of the law – have been charged in connection with graffiti at Johnson High School in October. Paris Erhardt Foster, 17, from Kyle, Coleman Walker Johnson, 17, from Buda and Timothy Allen Sharp, 18, from Kyle, were charged with graffiti of a school, a state jail felony. All three were booked into Hays County Jail Nov. 19 and released on bond the next day after seeing a judge. Two of the three attended Hays High School and the other attended the Live Oak Academy. A fourth person seen in video from the scene was not charged. According to Lt. Dennis Gutierrez of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were called on Sunday, Oct. 20, that the front doors of the high school were open
DEADLINES
• The deadline for display advertising and any contributed news copy in the Hays Free Press is 5 p.m. Friday the week prior to publication. • The deadline for Letters to the Editor and classified word advertising in the Hays Free Press is noon Monday the week of publication, though we encourage readers and advertisers to observe the Friday deadline.
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We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@haysfreepress.com.
BY ANITA MILLER
FOSTER
JOHNSON
and had graffiti on them. Arriving deputies saw lettering spray painted on the door and glass and also on pillars. On the following day, the School Resource Officer was notified that there was more graffiti found at the football/track field. There was graffiti spray painted on the turf on the football field and the surrounding track as well as graffiti on the track and field station and the visitors’ stadium seating. Total damages were approximately $160,000 with the most significant portion being the replace-
“You’ve done a fantastic job.” Rick Koch was chosen Ellison replied that it as Kyle’s new mayor pro was his honor to serve. tem in a unanimous “It is a duty I took very city council seriously and I vote Dec. 3. He appreciate the replaced council support of the member Dex council.” Ellison, who had Ellison went held the position on to nominate for the past year. Koch, someone “I would be he said “would honored to be have some exmayor pro tem perience leading and am honored parliamentary to work with you KOCH meetings.” all everyday,” Council memKoch said prior ber Robert Rizo to the vote. nominated fellow memMayor Travis Mitchell ber Alex Villalobos; howkicked off the discussion ever Villalobos declined. by thanking Ellison for “With the multiple hats his service. “I’m proud that I wear … I think it of the way he’s always would be a stretch to been willing to go to fill,” he said. “I would events when I could not love to take that on, but be there and the mayor I think it would be too was requested,” he said. much at this point.”
SHARP
ment of the track and the center logo on the football field. Each could not be partially fixed due to the color scheme of the track and logo. After reviewing school cameras, receiving a Crime Stoppers tip, and interviewing several students, investigators were able to identify all four of the subjects who were seen on the school video camera. Warrants were issued and three of the four surrendered themselves. Gutierrez would not release further details as the investigation is ongoing.
Kyle officers undergo protocol after exposure to patient’s blood BY ANITA MILLER An encounter with an unruly patient in an emergency room resulted in three Kyle police officers having to undergo “exposure control” protocol. Chief Jeff Barnett did not identify the three officers, who were exposed on Dec. 2 to the blood of the 27-year-old patient, described as a homeless individual who had been staying in San Marcos. Additionally, he said, one of the officers was punched in the face by the suspect, identified as Gerod Paul Huggins. The officers, at the hospital’s request, were trying to remove Huggins – who was said to be under the influence of some substance – from the area. Barnet said there are many circumstances under which officers can become exposed to the bodily fluids of another,
HISTORY
Founded April 10, 1903, by Thomas Fletcher Harwell as The Kyle News, with offices on the corner of Burleson and Miller streets in the town’s oldest remaining building. It merged into The Hays County Citizen in 1956. The paper consolidated with The Free Press in October, 1978. During its more than 100-year history the newspaper has maintained offices at more than a dozen locations in Kyle and Buda.
One of the officers was punched in the face by the suspect, identified as Gerod Paul Huggins. The officers, at the hospital’s request, were trying to remove Huggins – who was said to be under the influence of some substance including blood coming from an IV, though he added he did not know that to be the case in this incident. Exposure control plans, as outlined by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), must be specific, must be reviewed and updated at least yearly, must outline positions or technology used to reduce exposures to blood or body fluids and must be readily available to all workers. “It happens from time to time,” Barnett said of accidental exposure. “It’s not that uncommon that
health department, not law enforcement. If the employee has in fact been exposed to a
we would go through that exposure.” When exposure occurs, he said, the affected employee must notify a supervisor and undergo an evaluation. “If there’s a concern that person has some highly contagious disease like HIV or hepatitis, those employees who are exposed have some rights to gain information from the person who exposed them about (that person’s) medical history.” He said once the protocol is initiated, the incident is under the authority of the county
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Opinion
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Sam Houston made fast friends, who stuck by him through thick and thin, and bitter enemies, who would have cut off their right arm to see him burn in hell.” –Bartee Haile. Column on page 6.
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Page 3
EDITORIAL
’Tis the season for light
L
ocal cities are to be commended for their efforts to light up their parks and squares for the season. After all, this is the season for light. In Kyle, the square simply glows with a large tree, a tunnel of lights, gingerbread men by the sidewalks and much more. Moving north, Mountain City holds its competitive Holiday display, with homeowners competing to be named among the best. It’s worth driving through Mountain City to check out the displays. In Buda, residents can stroll through Stagecoach Park to view its Trail of Lights around the pond. Plan on buying hot chocolate from the Boy Scouts or Santa Cruz Church and be sure to take pictures under the large ornament arch. The idea of decorating to the hilt has become quite competitive even between towns. Take Johnson City, for example, home of Pedernales Electric. You can bet your Christmas tree that that city has the lights. Or drive on over to Marble Falls to its expansive display ... or to Fredericksburg ... or to Lockhart. The thing is that we get to look at light displays and wonder at the creativity of residents. And the creativity of inventors who first thought up the idea of Christmas lights. It wasn’t always that way. In the 17th century, trees were lit with candles held onto the Christmas tree with wax or pins. Because of the danger and cost of candles, the tree was only lit for a couple of minutes. Can you just hear the “oohs” and “aahs?” Outdoor lights were introduced during the 1880 Christmas season when none other than Thomas Edison and his inventor Edward Johnson introduced the lights outside of their lab in New York. Johnson later created a string of Christmas lights, allowing the lab to show off as passengers on the train travelled past. That invention led to President Grover Cleveland in 1895 lighting up the White House. Because the lights were incredibly expensive, only the wellto-do could afford to decorate with lights. But the resourcefulness of American inventors brought down the price – and the danger from the string of lights – and more and more people and cities began to decorate outside. Let the decorating contests begin. So, when you take a drive around subdivisions and look at all of the lights, remember to give a nod to American inventors from the past for giving us this beautiful season of lights. Twinkle, twinkle, string of stars. Thanks, Thomas Edison!
Let it snow! W
e could use a good snowstorm right about now. I love a good dusting of snow. I love how it disrupts our routines and throws everything out of whack. I lived in Washington, D.C., for nearly eight years. It delighted me how that city went into a panic every time forecasters predicted a few inches. Not only are school delays common there, but the federal government often announces delays, too. It sometimes shuts down entirely, giving federal employees paid snow days. Which is a delicious irony. You see, Washington is full of self-important people who want to micromanage our lives through government programs, but are
out on their own. I didn’t know it then, but that would be the last time all five of my sisters and I would ride together to a holiday party. As we got onto the highway, the roads were already blanketed. It felt like we were in a big sleigh, quietly floating along the hills and valleys of Western Pennsylvania. My father turned on the radio. Old-time shows were playing. Don Ameche and Frances Langford were performing in “The Bickersons,” a 1940s show in which a married couple got into hilarious arguments. I remember the wife asking her husband if he’d had breakfast. He said he’d just eaten the oatmeal on the stove. “That isn’t oatmeal,” she said. “I’m wallpapering.” My sisters, parents, grandmother and I
laughed out loud. Later, we asked our grandmother to tell us stories about her childhood and what life was like when families sat around the radio. It was a perfect night of peace and clarity – one made possible by the snow. Look, a good snowstorm is a gift from the heavens. It’s intended to puncture our seriousness and selfimportance. As I said, our country could benefit from a good snowstorm right about now. Tom Purcell, author of “Misadventures of a 1970’s Childhood,” a humorous memoir available at amazon. com, is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF SOBER DRIVING THESE HOLIDAYS Dear Editor, Thank you for your report on Teen Drivers in Texas. At this time of the year, when families are travelling for the holidays and our days are full of distractions and holiday plans, it is easy to forget that impaired driving is one of the leading causes of death on Texas highways. While many adults are aware of the legal and social consequences of DWI, most teens are not. Prevention classes help increase knowledge and diminish the risk of alcohol-impaired crashes amongst teens. The Underage Drinking Prevention Program,
Hays Free Press Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton News Editor Anita Miller Sports Editor Moses Leos III
Our kids immediately appear atop the steepest slopes with a variety of sleds, then spend hours letting nature whip them by Tom downhill. Purcell Our grownups abandon their typical hopelessly lost when routines to clear elderly little white flakes fall neighbors’ driveways from the sky. or bring them hot soup. I can’t think Invigorated by the crisp of anything that air and a good sweat, we might disrupt D.C.’s use this time to catch up increasingly partisan with each other while nastiness than for the sipping hot coffee. self-important to be One of my most humbled. It’s hard not to memorable snowstorms be humble when you’re happened on Christmas shoveling your sidewalk Eve 1976. We were so the postal carrier or celebrating with my your neighbors don’t slip mother’s family at and fall. my aunt’s house 20 Perhaps it’s because miles from our home. I live in the heartland The snow came down – “flyover country” to suddenly and thickly, some Washingtonians – and we knew we were that I love snow. facing a slow, potentially In Pittsburgh, you see, dangerous journey we know we can’t control home. the cold and snow, but I was 14. My sisters we can control how we Krissy and Kathy, 17 and respond to them. 19, were eager to strike
Guest Column
which serves Hays, Travis and Williamson counties, provides underage drinking prevention classes and information booths for youth in grades 4th – 12th. Your Dec. 4 article highlighting the status of teen drivers in Texas clearly indicates the need for more safe driving prevention programs. Thank you for bringing this important issue to your readers’ attentions, and assisting us in our efforts to make a significant contribution in saving the lives of teenagers by discouraging underage alcohol consumption and underage DWI. Gloria Souhami Director Travis County Attorney’s Underage Drinking Prevention Program
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Page 4
NEWS
Sports
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
REALIGNED
UIL rule allows Lehman to move down to Dist. 5A The change was based on an existing UIL rule allowing districts to use projected enrollments for schools impacted by the opening of a new high school campus.
BY MOSES LEOS III
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Chaps overpower Lobos 55-33 Seventeen points from Westlake Chaparral junior KJ Adams Tuesday was too much for Lehman Lobos to overcome in a 55-33 district opening loss at the Den. Lehman travels to play at Lake Travis Friday. The Lobos host Del Valle Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Lady Rebs stumble in 40-39 loss to Bowie BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI Critical mistakes in the final minute of the game plagued Hays (7-9) in its 40-39 loss to district foe Bowie (8-7) at Bales Gym on Tuesday night. With 39 seconds remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter the Lady Rebels inbounded the ball with a 39-37 lead, but a turnover caused by the Lady Bulldogs full court press gifted the eventual PHOTO BY JAMES NIÑO game winning three point shot in the corner from Bridgette Ramirez (2) tries to protect the ball from a Bowie Bowie guard Katheryn player who vehemently wants it. McClanahan. Hays had its opportunity for a game winning shot with seven seconds left, but a defensive switch-up by Bowie from zone to manto-man on the inbounds play caused confusion for the Lady Rebels who then missed short on a heavily contested mid-range shot to end the game. The second half was a tale of two quarters for the Lady Rebels as they dominated the third by holding Bowie to six points, while the offense went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc to give Hays a 30-26 lead. But the momentum switched in the fourth quarter when the Lady Bulldogs implemented a full court press and outscored Hays 14-9. Hays forward Lily Guevera led the team with eight points and seven rebounds. For Bowie, McClanahan had 12 points, one assist and one steal. Forward Zeta Jenkins was the Lady Bulldogs’ leading scorer with 13 points, while adding seven rebounds and ISSUED BY HHSPG20 TEAM SB/JB one block.
By virtue of an existing UIL rule, Lehman High will be allowed move down to the 5A ranks. On Tuesday, Eric Wright, Hays CISD Superintendent, said the UIL “graciously” gave the district permission to resubmit its enrollment figure for Lehman High, which was roughly 50 students fewer than the reported snapshot of 2,225 students in November. As a result, Lehman High will join Johnson High in 5A all sports and 5A, Division I in football. The change was based on an existing UIL rule allowing districts to use projected enrollments for schools impacted by the opening of a new high school campus. Hays CISD opened Johnson High, its third comprehensive high school campus, in August, which was preceded by the redrawing of attendance figures to make way for the new school. Johnson High will compete at the varsity level in fall 2020. Wright said there was confusion on the district’s end on what enrollment figure it could use for the upcoming 2020-22 realignment process. Initially, the district submitted Lehman High’s snapshot enrollment in November. Earlier this month, the UIL unveiled its conference cutoff numbers which classified Lehman as a 6A program; the cutoff for 6A schools are those with 2,220 or more students. Those cutoff figures will be used by the UIL in February to realign and reclassify schools across the state.
After consulting with UIL officials, which included getting answers to questions on the process of which enrollment to submit, Hays CISD was given permission to use projections from mid-2nd quarter 2019, which had Lehman’s student popula-
tion at 2,173 students. Wright said projections for Hays High, which was classified as a 6A program, were not used as those figures did not fall below the 5A threshold and were not substantially different
REALIGNED, 7
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Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Page 5
Education
Mom takes to street to protest alleged bullying at Hays High BY ANITA MILLER There was a new element to the morning commute near Hays High School recently — a mom and a few of her supporters holding up signs decrying bullying. A few passing motorists honked their horns in support but the mother, whose name we will not use, wants something larger — strong action by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. “They tell me there’s no bullying,” she said. However, she said her special needs daughter has been assaulted three times since the beginning of this school year and that she has made numerous trips to the school to advocate on her daughter’s behalf. “She’s been bullied by a specific student who’s told her she’s ugly, that she’s unlovable because of her disability and that she should just kill herself,” the mother said. “The school says nothing was caught on camera; therefore it hasn’t happened.” The mother said she’s made more than one visit to the principal’s office. “Every time I try to contact the principal it is days before he returns my call. I have to take off work and sit there and refuse to leave until they see me. Even then, they will tell me he’s busy … something is going on, whether they acknowledge it or not.” The mother said she eventually was able to get the school to put in place a “stay away contract” but even that has not helped. “They still would not remove him from her classroom,” she said, adding that, at other times, her daughter has been sent to an otherwise unoccupied classroom. Stay away contracts are agreements engaged when students are involved in conflicts and must be signed by the parents as well as the students involved and a school administrator, and are good for a specific period of time. The district would not comment on that specific case but released a statement that pointed to rules in place designed to discourage bullying. “Bullying is not tolerated at any school in Hays CISD – a ‘No Place for Hate’ district,” the statement said. “All district administrators, teachers and staff are trained to promptly report all allegations of bullying so those allegations may be thoroughly investigated and action can be taken to protect bullying victims. “The district welcomes everyone – students, parents, and community
“She’s been bullied by a specific student who’s told her she’s ugly, that she’s unlovable because of her disability and that she should just kill herself. The school says nothing was caught on camera; therefore it hasn’t happened.” –The mother of girl being bullied
members – who join us in denouncing bullying, raising awareness of the issues surrounding bullying and engaging to keep Hays CISD students safe. “To protect the privacy of possible bullying victims, and other state and federally protected student information, Hays CISD cannot and does not comment on individual student cases or allegations.” Hays CISD believes in being proactive by addressing bullying, harassment and dating violence. In addition to implementing a Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports System (PBIS) at all campuses, a number of character education programs are taught by the school counselors throughout the year. “Additionally, the district has resources where bullying can be easily reported, including the Hays Hopeline imbedded in the district’s smartphone app and online at www. hayscisd.net/hope. For more information about reporting bullying in Hays CISD, visit www.hayscisd. net/bullying." The district goes on to say that, “Disciplinary, or other action, may be taken even if the conduct did not rise to the level of bullying. Any retaliation against a student who reports an incident of bullying is prohibited.” The student handbook says remedies include transferring a student found to have engaged in bullying to a different classroom or even another campus in the district. A parent whose child has been found to be a victim of bullying can also request a transfer to another classroom or campus. Though the district says reports of bullying should be made in a “timely manner,” there is no time limit on when a complaint may be filed.
Bye Bye Birdie You've still got three chances to catch the Lobo Theatre's presentation of the classic Broadway musical "Bye Bye Birdie" before the end of the semester. The final three shows are Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., as well as Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Lehman High School. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults. District staff gets in free.
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Hays Education Foundation hands out $58,000 in Great Idea grants SUBMITTED REPORT
It’s the most wonderful time of the year when the Hays CISD Education Foundation’s “Prize Patrol” hands out Grants for Great Ideas to district educators. On Monday, members of the Hays Education Foundation Board of Directors toured 11 campuses and awarded in surprise fashion Grants for Great Ideas to numerous educators for their ideas that will help to enhance classroom learning. Educators who received grants submitted their ideas for projects, resources and programs that promote creative ideas to the Education Foundation. A selection committee then conducts a “blind” review process where they score applications for funding. All told, the Hays Education Foundation awarded $58,295 in grants Monday. Educators who received grants were: • Jennifer Higa-Rolls, Tobias ES – $1,300 for Chrome Books. • Laura Carter, Tobias ES – $4,990 for book vending machine. • Melissa Merket, Tobias ES – $611 for sensory equipment for motor lab room. • Robyn Blanchard and Nate Smith, Fuentes ES – $2,835 for 30 brass style instruments. • Holly Armatta, Beth Martinez, Laura Gale, Staci Perkins and Jeana Anderson, Fuentes ES – $834 for stationary and mobile mindfulness kits. • Mercedes Gonzalez, Julia Armstrong, Jennifer Depizzo, Charlie Jones Mutshcner and Staci Perkins, Fuentes ES – $1,075 for materials to create theater set, props and costumes for theatre club. • Pat Niemie, Staci Perkins and Kaytlin Meyer – $500 for supplies to build rock garden. • Lindsey Perry, Phil Pacia and James Reveley, Lehman HS – $5,000 for building outdoor lab for art, CTE students. • Rebecca Handy, Science Hall ES – $1,800 for reader pens and library books in dyslexia classroom. • Michelle Zuniga, Marisa Prunty and Carrie Adams, Kyle ES – $1,789 for monthly themed classroom transformation kits.
• Judith Martinez, Kyle ES – $200 for downloads to help social and emotional learning. • Kimberli Yancey, Kyle ES – $5,000 for adapted playground equipment for Special Education students. • Stacey Magnesio, Calli Edwards and Bertha Endsley, Kyle ES – $1,600 for materials to make learning themed classroom transformations. • David Coronado, Wallace MS – $3,000 for production equipment to produce school news productions. • James Noble, Wallace MS – $4,876 for parts for WMS Robotics club. • Dina Secrest, Jennifer Jameson and Debbie Sparks, Negley ES – $3,462 for 3D Augmented reality supplemental reading kit. • Mary Halenza, Hays HS – $450 for classroom set of calculators. • Shannon Dahlstrom, Megan Hanson, Lehman Ag, Johnson Ag – $5,000 for equipment for competitive clay target shooting team for all three high schools. • Shannon Dahlstrom, Hays HS – $4,973 for tools to build a construction shop for students. • Mandy Brown, Jennifer Segura and Clinton Towers, IMPACT – $1,300 for a role-playing game to engage students.
• Lori Schunka, Jennifer Simonet, Marla Thompson, Candi Scott, Peyton Perez and Linsey Autry, Carpenter Hill ES – $500 to paint chairs based on artists students research. • Misty Martinez, Carpenter Hill ES – $5,000 for set of 15 percussion instruments for music classes. • Emily Hoffman, Johnson HS – $500 for 3D pens for students.
• Emily Hoffman, Johnson HS – $500 for button maker and supplies for the library. • Amanda Giles and Kristen de los Santos, Buda ES – $2,000 for multicultural props, books and toys for Early Childhood Special Education classes. • Amy Schutze, McCormick MS – $500 for materials to build additional green screens available to all campuses.
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Feather is a 1 ½ year old, Female, Lab Mix. She’s got spirit, pep and is ready to take the next step! She has a ton of personality who – through no fault of her own - has been at PAWS for far too long! She loves everything from toys, to treats, to people, to playing with other dogs. Come visit her at our Dripping Springs location!
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Page 6
Community
NEWS
Ascension Seton cuts ribbon on new maternity unit BY ANITA MILLER
The “happiest place” in the hospital is how Neal Kelley, COO of Ascension Seton Hays, described the brandnew maternity unit officially dedicated last Friday. “I come here when I want to get happy,” Kelley said with a sweep of his hand to indicate the new hallway with the purple walls and doors. About two dozen hospital employees and others gathered for the ribbon-cutting in the new 10,000-squarefoot, first-floor expansion. While the hospital was previously able to deliver
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
PHOTOS BY ANITA MILLER Among those on hand for the ribbon cutting at Ascension Seton’s new, expanded maternity unit were (above, front row, from left) Deserie Perez, Dr. Fausto Meza, Nikki Rivers, Neal Kelley, Dr. Jennifer Goss and Keith Fitzgerald. Below is one of the remodeled LDS.
While the hospital was previously able to deliver in the neighborhood of 1,100 babies a year, that’s now increased to 1,800
unit is part of Ascension’s initiative to expand care in Hays County, even as the physicians there continue to build their practices as the Kyle area continues to grow. in the neighborhood of price tag of $14 million – $2 “New space and remod1,100 babies a year, that’s million of which went to els are important,” Kelley now increased to 1,800, a da Vinci robot that also said, “because it’s a tool for Kelly said. “We went from supports gynecology. “It people to do their work. 6 LDS (labor and delivery was a $14 million ‘ask’ of What’s really important are suites) to 8 and from 12 Ascension and they came the incredible teams (that) mother and baby rooms to through – we got this proj- do a wonderful job day 14.” The addition also has ect done,” he said. in and day out. It’s a great four triage rooms and six Kelley praised the “won- new addition.” rooms for ante-partum, derful” group of nurses, plus improvements to the technicians and physinursery and the neonatal cians who will be working intensive care unit (NICU). in the new unit and noted The project came at a that the expansion of the
Houston made enemies as easily as friends O utraged by the General’s defense of the Cherokees, Col. Sam Jordan grabbed an ax handle and took a swing at Sam Houston on Dec. 11, 1840, but Adolphus Sterne blocked the blow, saving the intended victim from serious bodily harm. Wherever he went in his illustrious life, Sam Houston made fast friends, who stuck by him through thick and thin, and bitter enemies, who would have cut off their right arm to see him burn in hell. The towering figure’s abrasive manner and personal eccentricities did nothing to defuse this ill will, which was a volatile mixture of unadulterated envy and honest criticism. Even as a 25-year-old junior officer in the American army, Houston rubbed people in high places the wrong way. He accompanied his boyhood friends, the Cherokees, to Washington in 1818 to present a list of long ignored grievances to the U.S. government. Secretary of war John C. Calhoun politely received the delegation but chewed out the brash lieutenant for dressing like a “savage.” In a matter of days, the hot-tempered South Carolinian accused Houston of smuggling slaves. The unfounded allegation was soon put to rest, but the wronged officer resigned his commission in disgust and returned to civilian life. Calhoun could not have known, of course, that the obscure Tennessean would rise to national prominence as the architect of the Texas Revolution and that the two would regularly lock horns over the next 30 years. Fourteen years later, an Ohio congressman charged Houston with fraud in an under-the-table scheme to secure a lucrative contract for feeding the Cherokees. Bumping into William Stanberry on a Washington street, the accused thrashed the slanderer to within an inch of his life with a hickory cane. The frightened representative pulled a pistol, shoved it in his attacker’s chest and pulled the trigger. The weapon miraculously misfired, and Houston survived to set out for Texas the following year. David G. Burnet was the famous newcomer’s earliest opponent, whose hatred became a full-blown obsession which frequently distorted his judgment. As the head of the interim rebel regime, he went so far as to deny permission for the wounded
Texas History
by Bartee Haile
hero of San Jacinto to sail on the same ship. The attending surgeon explained that the condition of Houston’s ankle, shattered by a Mexican bullet during the decisive battle, was worsening and that an emergency operation in New Orleans was imperative. Deaf to the doctor’s plea, Burnet stood firm. Finally, in open defiance of the provisional president, Thomas J. Rusk and his brother carried the casualty aboard the vessel and the surgery was performed in time to save his leg and possibly his life. Near the end of Houston’s initial term as chief executive of the new Republic, Burnet claimed he was half-Indian. The president retorted tongue in cheek that his irrational foe was a hog thief. Burnet indignantly demanded a duel, but the wily General got the best of him as usual by simply ignoring the challenge. Someone with the name Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar was practically destined to consider himself a cultured gentleman and Houston a coarse, vulgar frontiersman. The second president felt his largerthan-life predecessor was a public embarrassment with his drunken binges, fraternizing with poor whites and cozy relationship with the Cherokees, while he provided a far better “role model” with his violin and poetry. Not surprisingly, in the eyes of many if not most Texans, Lamar was a stuckup dandy who put on airs. Houston, on the other hand, was affectionately viewed as a man of the people. Dr. Anson Jones, the learned physician from Massachusetts, was also a Houston critic but wisely revealed his opinion only to his diary. The stuffed shirt, who eventually served as Texas’ fourth and final president, wrote in 1840, “No man is more completely the master of the art of appropriating to himself the merit of others’ good acts than General Houston.” After annexation Houston decided to record his version of the Revolution and supervised the writing of Sam Houston and His Republic. Burnet’s animosity had not diminished in the slightest as indicated by a caustic
comment to his close friend, Lamar: “Houston and his Republic. His republic! That is true; for I can regard
TEXAS HISTORY, 7
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Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Page 7
OBITUARIES BARRERA Hermenegildo “Herman” Barrera, age 80, born to Eliza Escobar and Guadalupe Barrera on April 14, 1939, in La Grulla, Texas, died on Nov. 24, 2019. At the time of his passing he lived in Kyle. Barrera left his hometown at the age of 17, to join the National Guard. He later transferred to the Army and then back to the National Guard, for more than 42 years of exemplary service to our country. During that span of time he took every opportunity to increase his education and learn new trades. His gained knowledge of automotive, refrigeration, plumbing and carpentry repair created a foundation for his desire to always provide for his family. His humble, kind and trusting personality never allowed him to meet a stranger or turn down a friend’s request for “a little help.” He was not wealthy by monetary standards but rich with friendships. Barrera was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Manuel Barrera, Faustino Barrera, Alberto Barrera, Fabian Barrera and Guadalupe Barrera Jr. He is survived by two of his
#Giving Tuesday
On #GivingTuesday, Santa Cruz Catholic School in Buda hosted a luncheon honoring local uniformed professionals. Local police officers, firemen, veterans and teachers enjoyed a complimentary meal for #GivingTuesday. Santa Cruz hopes to grow this event in the years to come to show appreciation to local law enforcement and firefighters in the community. Above are members of the Buda Police Department. Bottom left are Detective Dustin Maxwell (left) and Officer Freddy Erdman of the Buda Police Department. Bottom right are, from left, Ben Duncan Jr., Vice-Commander Robert Herrera and Commander Bobby Diaz from Kyle VFW Post.
REALIGNED
Continued from pg. 4 phase within the 6A ranks. Had Lehman High stayed in 6A, the school would have been the fourth smallest 6A school in the state. During its time in the 6A ranks, Lehman High UIL team sports generated only two playoff squads, boys soccer and softball, both of those competing in spring 2019.
Moving down to 5A, however, will allow Lehman to compete against programs of similar size. “Had they gone to 6A, and their numbers were truly 2,100, they were going to play schools that had almost double their enrollment,” Wright said. “Just for the competitive advantage, it just makes it a lot more fair.”
Continued from pg. 6
Texas as little more than Big Drunk’s big ranch!” However, in his twilight years, Burnet overcame his consuming hatred of Houston. Penniless and cursed by bad health, he acknowledged his rival’s ultimate triumph. “In my heart dwells no bitterness towards General Houston,” he wrote. “He is a Christian, blessed with a Christian lady and several fine children, while I am bereft and alone.” Sam Houston always seemed to win in the end.
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Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda EPISCOPAL St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland The Well Buda
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METHODIST Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor
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Daniel Reyes, age 62 of Kyle, Texas, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 7, 2019. He was born on Dec. 23, 1956 in Galveston to Francisco and Evangelina Reyes. He grew up in Cerralvo, Nuevo León, Mexico, and he and his family moved to Houston when Reyes was 10 years old. He spent
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REYES
many years there before settling in Kyle, where he chose to live his remaining years. Reyes had a long career as a successful businessman who enjoyed watching baseball and the Dallas Cowboys. Reyes enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his family. He is preceded in death by his father, Francisco T. Reyes and brother, Arturo Reyes. He is survived by his loving wife, Oralia, who he shared 43 years of marriage with; son Daniel and wife, Juani; son Gabriel and wife, Cristal; son Jassiel, daughter Karina, grandchildren: Karina, Daniel III, Jassiel Jr, Kayla, Isabel, Ossiel, Gabriel Jr, Javier, Michael, Gabriela Giselle, mother; Evangelina Guerra-Reyes, brothers Francisco and Rolando Reyes, sisters, Silvia Garza and Irene Cantu, all of whom he loved dearly. A viewing will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle. In lieu of flower, the family requests that flowering plants be donated for a future memorial garden.
THE
from its current snapshot enrollment. However, mid-2nd quarter projections show Hays High’s and Lehman High’s student population hovering around the 2,000 to 2,100 student mark over the next five to six years. The move comes as Lehman High athletics was bracing for a third straight realignment
siblings, Antonio Barrera and Ignacio Pena, his wife, Amelia Barrera, five daughters, Cindy Hall, Deborah Poole-Nicolas, Barbara Poole-Montes, Marcie Gibbons and Sharon Rangel, three sons, Herman Barrera Jr., Bale Barrera, William Poole and Albert Barrera, 25 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral will occur on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, with a church service at St. Anthony Catholic Church at 10 a.m. and a military interment at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice Austin’s Christopher House 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78759, in memory of Barrera.
Sudoku Puzzle, from page 6
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Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.
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Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m. AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.
www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626
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NEWS
Page 8
Bar Hours Questioned: Kyle asks TABC for help
Fire Marshal says Thanksgiving barn fire in Kyle was accidental BY ANITA MILLER The Hays County Fire Marshal issued a release Dec. 4 ruling the fire and explosion at a Dacy Lane barn on Nov. 27 as accidental in origin. Losses were estimated at $10,000, said the release which was sent by Fire Marshal Scott Raven to the county’s public information officer Laureen Chernow, who distributed it to area media. Raven said a resident
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Continued from pg. 1
suspected drunk drives on the interstate than near downtown. Kyle alcohol sales used to end at midnight, and discussion turned to what would happen if that was reinstated. Assistant City Manager James Earp revisited the discussion when the city extended the hours of alcohol sales. He recalled the argument that if Kyle bars closed at midnight while others in nearby cities remained open, people would be encouraged to visit them after the local establishments shut their doors. “Keep in mind there was a lobby from
was smoking a turkey in a smoker with a difficult to close door, and that embers were caught by north winds and spread to the barn and a travel trailer parked inside. No mention was made of a propane tank that was initially thought to have ignited. Raven did say the fire spread to another outbuilding and another vehicle before it was contained but that a nearby home was saved.
one of the (bar) owners and other things factored in. That seemed to be the argument that resonated most.” The idea of calling in TABC was brought up by Council member Alex Villalobos. “We could have a discussion with TABC and have them come down and monitor what’s going on,” noting that is something the agency could do both covertly and overtly, “first for an assessment and then to take action. It’s something we have at our request, a matter of making a phone call.” Barnett said that,so far this year, the KPD
has arrested 124 people for public intoxication and 243 for driving while intoxicated. “I’m not in any way insinuating those are from these bars” in the downtown area, he said. While most come from the interstate, the numbers sometimes don’t reflect that either, because the location is given as the place where the suspect motorists stops — which is frequently after taking an exit ramp from I-35. “Can we get a general picture? Absolutely, but it’s not 100 percent,” Barnett said. The eventual vote to ask Barnett to enlist the
TABC was unanimous, but prior to it, Mayor Travis Mitchell voiced doubt. “My only hesitation is, I’ve heard quite a few stories about TABC from people involved in bars, and they can deem TASB as being quite aggressive … Ultimately, if Chief says they do good work from the administrative level I’m good with it.’ Koch said he didn’t think bars “are going to be that enthusiastic about us asking TABC to go visit them.” “It’s better than changing their hours right away,” Mitchell responded.
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AustinShoeHospital.com locations in 1010Locations in Central Central Texas Texas including: including: 1911 Ben White and Manchaca Rd • 512-440-8788 Rockand Ave.Nutty RoundBrown Rock Rd - 512-244-9124 12119316 WRound Hwy 290 • 512-827-3398 306WSouth Park 6781 HwyBell 290Cedar in Oak Hill- •512-219-8387 512-288-6386
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Tree Services Austin Oak Wilt Services, LLC Serving the Central Texas Hill Country • 26 years experience managing Texas Oak Wilt • Consultation, diagnosis and treatment • Fungicide macro-injections • Fully licensed and insured • Preferred vendor referrals • Locally-owned small business
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Commercial & Residential
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Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Page 9
Scammers, beware! On the Brightside ...
PHOTOS BY J.R. GONZALES
Buda’s Brightside was on the receiving end of the donation of a van (above, left) by Reliable Automotive of Buda. The keys were given to Christina Trevino by Terry Lawrence (above, right). Buda’s Brightside is a nonprofit organization aimed at empowering adults with developmental disabilities through expanded social experiences utilizing community inclusion, educational development, and social enrichment. Below, a group shot of some of the organization’s clients and others.
Buda Girl Scout encourages environmental ways at school SUBMITTED REPORT
Amber Diaz has earned the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Open only to girls in high school, the Gold Award challenges a Girl Scout to develop projects which address global issues with sustainable solutions. A Gold Award Girl Scout’s achievements prime her for the fast track when it comes to college admissions, and make her an outstanding candidate for academic scholarships and other financial awards. Passionate about the environment, she spent more than 80 hours completing
a project aimed at educating the next generation about the roles they can play in keeping earth beau- DIAZ tiful. For her Gold Award project, Outdoor Learning Center, Diaz provided an environment for Dahlstrom Middle School students to learn about the environment and watersheds outside, in order to make students more aware of their effect on the environment.
“The root cause of many of our issues is that people are not familiar with the ways they can minimize their impact on the planet,” Diaz said. “Water can affect our environment in more ways than many people may think, and I hoped my project would make people be more aware of the effects water can have on our ecosystems.” Diaz built exhibits for various science experiments, including a compost bin and a permeability exhibit, and developed lesson plans to give students an opportunity to practice environmental stewardship in a familiar
and low stakes setting. She also created online resources through a website and a blog, where students and teachers across the world can access her curriculums. Currently, her project will serve the more than 800 students in the school and will provide a learning center for countless students in the future. Girl Scouts as young as five years old are taking action to make a difference in their worlds. They are the makers of tomorrow and we, as their peers, neighbors, and mentors, must rally around them in support of their groundbreaking work.
R
ecently, I have handled two different kinds of transactions that involve public filings, and both are frequently exploited by companies just trying to scam a few dollars off of unsuspecting individuals. Let me share these two situations for your benefit. First, recently both of my kids had the opportunity to acquire used vehicles. As part of the transaction, they were required to register these vehicles with the county. This is a public filing, to which many parties, including the nefarious buck-makers, have access. Shortly after each car was filed, we received in the mail letters or postcards, addressed to my kids, warning them that they MUST contact the number on the card because they do not have warranty coverage on the vehicle. A plain reading of these mailings would easily scare someone into believing that they HAD TO contact this company or else they were in danger of not having a warranty on their cars.The decision to purchase any kind of extended warranty can be made with good information and accurate assessment as part of the purchase process, or by pursuing your own warrant through more legitimate companies. Don’t fall for these scamming scare tactics! The other circumstance involves deeds to real estate. These property transactions are also filed with the county clerk’s offices, to establish title to real property. Recently, a
Guest Column by David Glickler
client, who obtained a deed and filed it with the clerk, was sent a “Recorded Deed Notice” from a company in California, asking my client to “Please Respond” by a certain date. The notice stated that the company recommends that “all homeowners obtain a copy of their property assessment profile” to provide evidence of the property being transferred. That’s what the deed does, and why you file it at the county. The document does have disclaimers indicating that it is not a governmental agency nor is this product or service approved or endorsed by any governmental agency, and more importantly, any citizen can research county records, or hire a local attorney to do it for you, to establish the legal status and title to real property. Yet these notices scared one client and almost got money from another client, due to their realistic and scary appearance and wording. Don’t let these fly-by-night out-ofstate companies fool you regarding auto or property transactions. Beware the attempt to squeeze money out of your pocket in the name of protecting your property! David Glickler Attorney at Law John Hall & Associates
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Hays Free Press
Page 10
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Employment
IRS is HIRING
Public Notices
The Austin IRS is hiring over 2,100 3-8 month Seasonal and Temporary Positions
Tax Examiners, Data Entry Clerks and Clerical positions available All Applicants must be U.S. Citizens including Naturalized Citizens For more information and to apply online go to:
IRS.USAJOBS.gov or email WI.AUSTIN@IRS.gov
Excellent Benefits: Paid Training, Paid Time off including holidays, Retirement, 10% Night Differential, Public Transportation Subsidy, Veteran’s Preference The IRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $12 per hour for flexible 8 & 16 hr shift schedules. Health/life/dental insurance after 60 days. Min. requirements: Must be 21 yrs old, HS/GED, clean TDL, clean criminal history, pre-employment TB skin test, and drug screen. Growing (20+ year old) non-profit organization. www.pegasusschool.net. Call (512)432-1678 for further information.
INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE TECH – MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Applicant must have strong hydraulic, pneumatic, and PLC skills. Primary duties include: Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain production machinery, building maintenance, and other duties as assigned.. Please email cpadilla@hcontrols.com or call 512-398-5700.
For Sale COMPUTER FOR SALE
Macbook 12” laptop. Early 2016. 1.1 Ghz processor, 8 GB memory. Call Cyndy, 512.753.2700.
House For Rent HOME FOR RENT
Large home in country setting. Four BR, 2.5 bath, two living rooms,fire place, large office. Sits on 3/4 acre. Will be available in March 2020. $2,200/month. Small dogs (under 20 pounds) allowed with non-refundable deposit. Call for information. Cyndy. 512.753.2700.
Texas State-Wide Advertising Network
NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF HAYS CAUSE: 18-2554
By virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 428th District Court of HAYS County, Texas, October 21, 2019, in cause numbered 18-2554, styled Post Oak One Homeowners Association, Inc. versus Yvonne Martinez aka Yvonne Garza on a judgment rendered against Yvonne Martinez aka Yvonne Garza; I did on December 6, 2019, at 10:40 a.m., levy upon as the property of Yvonne Martinez aka Yvonne Garza the following described real property: Lot 24, Block Q, Post Oak Subdivision, Phase 2, a subdivision in Hays County, Texas according to the map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 12, Page 138, Plat Records, Hays County, Texas more commonly known as 245 Donatello, Kyle, TX 78640 (“Property”) On January 7, 2020, being the first Tuesday of the month, between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the Hays County, at the South Door, 712 Stagecoach Trail of the Courthouse of the said County, in the City of San Marcos, Texas, I will sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the right, title and interest of Yvonne Martinez aka Yvonne Garza in and to the real property described above. Dated at Kyle, Hays County, Texas, December 6, 2019. Michael Torres Constable, Pct. 2 Hays County, Texas 5458 FM 2770 Kyle, Texas 78640 by Robert L. Eller, Deputy Notice to Bidders: You are buying whatever interest, if any, the Debtor has in the property. Purchase of the Debtor's interest in the property may not extinguish any liens or security interests held by other persons. There are no warranties, express or implied, regarding the property being sold, including but not limited to warranties of title, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Notice to Judgment Debtor: If there is any
property, real or personal, you want to point out for levy in lieu of the above described property, you must contact this office immediately.
NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF HAYS CAUSE: 17-2041
By virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 428th District Court of HAYS County, Texas, October 18, 2019, in cause numbered 17-2041, styled Indian Paint Brush Home Owners Association, Inc. versus Jessica Acevedo and Francisca Palacios on a judgment rendered against Jessica Acevedo and Francisca Palacios; I did on December 6, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., levy upon as the property of Jessica Acevedo and Francisca Palacios the following described real property: Lot 5, Block C, INDIAN PAINTBRUSH SUBDIVISIONPHASE TWO FINAL PLAT, A SUBDIVISION IN Hays County, Texas, according to the map or plat of record in Volume 11, Page 109, Plat Records of Hays County, Texas, more commonly known as 160 Dandelion Loop, Kyle, TX 78640 (Property) On January 7, 2020, being the first Tuesday of the month, between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the Hays County, at the South Door, 712 Stagecoach Trail of the Courthouse of the said County, in the City of San Marcos, Texas, I will sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the right, title and interest of Jessica Acevedo and Francisca Palacios in and to the real property described above. Dated at Kyle, Hays County, Texas, December 6, 2019. Michael Torres Constable, Pct. 2 Hays County, Texas 5458 FM 2770 Kyle, Texas 78640 by Robert L. Eller, Deputy Notice to Bidders: You are buying whatever interest, if any, the Debtor has in the property. Purchase of the Debtor's interest in the property may not extinguish any liens or security interests held by other persons.
LEGAL NOTICE
An application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Package Store Permit (P) and a Beer Retail Dealer’s Off Premise License (BF) by BU FMC LQ doing business as Buda Liquor to be located at 17020 S. IH-35, Suite A/B/D, Buda, Texas 78610. Owner: Nirmal Vaswani.
There are no warranties, express or implied, regarding the property being sold, including but not limited to warranties of title, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Notice to Judgment Debtor: If there is any property, real or personal, you want to point out for levy in lieu of the above described property, you must contact this office immediately.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation (the "Issuer") will hold a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. on December 18, 2019 in Room 1140, the Regents Room, in the JC Kellam Building located at 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666 to discuss a proposal for issuance by the Issuer of its Student Housing Lease Revenue Bonds (Texas State University Housing Phase 1 Project) Series 2020 (the "Bonds"), which shall be issued in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000. The Bonds will be issued to provide funds to finance or refinance the cost of the design, development, construction, furnishing, and equipping of an approximately 916bed student housing facility located on the campus of Texas State University (the "University") in San Marcos, Texas, to fund capitalized interest on the Bonds, to pay the costs of issuing the Bonds, and to pay other legally permitted costs associated therewith (the "Project"). The Project will be owned by Texas State University Housing Phase 1, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and leased to the University. Members of the public may attend or submit written comments prior to the hearing regarding the Project or the Bonds to the Issuer, c/o Jeff Nydegger, Winstead PC, 401 Congress Ave., Ste. 2100, Austin, TX 78701. This notice is published and the hearing is to be held to satisfy the requirements of Section 147(f) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
CITY OF CREEDMOOR
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested persons that the City of Creedmoor, Texas proposes to amended subdivision ordinance #010816 of August 16, 2001. City of Creedmoor Council will meet on December 12, 2019 at the Creedmoor City Hall at 12513 FM 1625 Creedmoor, Texas at 7;00 pm. All persons interested in the above-proposed changes have the right to appear and be heard. By the order of the City Council of Creedmoor, Texas, Robert R.Wilhite Administrator.
CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP NO. 2019-10-GJH YOUTUBE OPTIMIZATION SERVICES
The City of Kyle, Texas, is requesting proposals from qualified firms interested in providing YouTube Optimization services for the City’s online video library. The primary objectives for this scope of work include: Implement a 12-month program to repurpose the way YouTube works for the City of Kyle. Specifically, designing playlists and text formatting to create a modern user experience on YouTube. Currently over 150 videos. Interested parties can view the complete RFP online at: https://www.cityofkyle.com/ rfps
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Page 11
Buda Tree Ordinance
Charged in Death
Continued from pg. 1
The ordinance adopts American National Standard Institute guidelines for tree care operations and the Best Management Practices of the Society of Arboriculture. Exempted trees include species such as hackberry, eastern red cedar, common ash juniper, chinaberry, mesquite, ligustrum, Chinese tallow and Bradford pear. Other trees can become exempt if a certified arborist submits written cause for the tree to be removed. Designation of trees
Continued from pg. 1
was also preserved, including: • Protected trees, between 8 and 20 caliper inches • Signature trees, between 20 and 30 caliper inches • Heritage trees, greater than 30 caliper inches. If a protected tree is removed, it must be mitigated at a ratio of 1:1; if the tree is signature, the mitigation ratio goes up to 3:1 and in the event of a heritage tree, the mitigation rate is 4:1. Additionally, replacement trees
must measure 5 caliper inches. Applications for development or redevelopment must include a Tree Preservation Plan that shows the topography, the locating of protected, signature and heritage trees and other criteria. The ordinance also addresses additional issues including tree disease. For example, to prevent the spread of oak wilt, no oak trees may be trimmed between Feb. 1 and July 1, unless a certified arborist does the trimming.
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scene” before police arrived, the news release said. Those were the three juveniles charged. All were transported to the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center. At approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a burglary at Raceway on Hwy. 80 near the San Marcos Wal-Mart in which the offenders fled in a green 2001 infinity SUV. Witnesses were able to get a
license plate number. Police located the vehicle almost three hours later, after a report of shots fired in the area of Wonder World Park on Prospect Street and “held the vehicle at gunpoint until additional officers arrived on scene” to assist. Several guns were subsequently found in the SUV, as were Quihuiz, Coronado and a 15-yearold boy.
Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between Dec. 2 and Dec. 8, 2019.
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There were also two other people in the car. Juan Ramires, 21, of Wimberley was treated at CTMC for a gunshot wound to the arm and then released from the hospital. Garrett Varner, 18, of Wimberley was uninjured. “Initial reports said there were possibly six individuals in a green 2001 Infiniti SUV during the incident, including three who ran from the
Civil Matter............................................................... 9 Deliver Message...................................................... 1 Information............................................................. 17 Compliance Check................................................ 11 Civil Standby............................................................ 1 Civil Process Service............................................... 3 Sex Offender Registry............................................. 2 Property- Lost/Found/Imp...................................... 3 Alarm Business...................................................... 38 Alarm Residential.................................................. 33 Alarm Panic.............................................................. 1 Animal Calls........................................................... 69 Field Euthanasia...................................................... 4 Loose Livestock.................................................... 27 Sexual Assault – Child............................................. 1 Assault................................................................... 10 Sexual Assault......................................................... 3 Suspicious Package................................................ 3 Assist EMS............................................................. 13 Assist Fire Dept....................................................... 3 Assist Outside Agency.......................................... 17 Burglary Building..................................................... 3 Burglary Habitation................................................. 3 Burglary Vehicle....................................................... 2 Criminal Mischief..................................................... 8 Illegal Dumping........................................................ 2 Enviromental Crime................................................. 2 Death Investigation................................................. 3 Disorderly Conduct................................................. 1 Disturbance Noise................................................. 23 Disturbance Physical Fight..................................... 8 Disturbance Verbal................................................ 25 Child Custody.......................................................... 7 Public Intoxication................................................... 2 Narcotics/Information............................................. 2 Marijuana................................................................. 1 MIP Alcohol............................................................. 2 MIP Tobacco............................................................ 4 Fraud...................................................................... 11 Credit/Debit Abuse.................................................. 3 Harassment............................................................ 13 Threat....................................................................... 3 Indecent Exposure.................................................. 3 Indecentcy w Child.................................................. 1 Mental Health Follow Up....................................... 10 Mental Health Invest............................................... 7 Mental Health Transport.......................................... 2 SRP Drill................................................................... 2 Drone Deployment.................................................. 2
Viol City Ordinance.................................................. 1 Missing Person........................................................ 3 Runaway.................................................................. 2 Canine Search......................................................... 1 Public Assist.......................................................... 17 Community Contact.............................................. 11 Disabled Vehicle.................................................... 20 Foot Patrol............................................................... 7 Close Patrol......................................................... 160 Parental Discipline Assist........................................ 2 Flagged Down......................................................... 3 Welfare Concern.................................................... 33 Suicidal Person........................................................ 4 Investigation.......................................................... 16 Supplement........................................................... 69 Suspicious Circumstances................................... 24 Extradition................................................................ 2 Suspicious Person................................................. 29 Suspicious Vehicle................................................ 33 Wanted Person........................................................ 6 Indentity Theft.......................................................... 3 Theft....................................................................... 20 Unauth Use Vehicle................................................. 1 Vehicle Theft............................................................ 4 Recovery Stolen Vehicle......................................... 1 Accident Minor...................................................... 26 Accident Hit and Run............................................ 14 Accident Major/Injury............................................ 16 Accident Fleet.......................................................... 1 Accident Unknown.................................................. 5 Abandoned/Stored Vehicle................................... 14 Traffic Control/Direction.......................................... 4 Directed/Area Enforce............................................. 5 Traffic Hazard......................................................... 18 Attempt to Locate................................................. 66 Parking Enforcement............................................... 2 Traffic Stop........................................................... 450 Trespassing/Unwanted........................................... 7 911 Abandnoned/Open....................................... 156 911 Abon/Misdial/Open.......................................... 1 911 Hang Up............................................................ 1 Deadly Conduct....................................................... 1 Discharge Firearm................................................... 8 Private Tow/Repo.................................................. 27
Below is a sample of events reported by law enforcement from Dec. 2 through Dec. 8, 2019. The location is where the event was reported or responded to and may not necessarily be where the event occured. Agency Activity Date HCSO Assault 12/02/2019 HCSO Burglary - Building 12/02/2019 HCSO Burglary - Habitation 12/02/2019 HCSO Death Investigation 12/02/2019 BPD Disturbance - Phys/Fight 12/02/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 12/02/2019 HCSO Indecency w Child 12/02/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 12/02/2019 BPD Theft 12/02/2019 HCSO Theft 12/02/2019 HCSO Theft 12/02/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/02/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/02/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/02/2019 HCSO Marijuana 12/03/2019 HCSO Public Intoxication 12/03/2019 BPD Theft 12/03/2019 BPD Theft 12/03/2019 HCSO Vehicle Theft 12/03/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/03/2019 HCSO Assault 12/04/2019 HCSO Assault 12/04/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 12/04/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 12/04/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 12/04/2019 BPD Theft 12/04/2019 HCSO Theft 12/04/2019 HCSO Theft 12/04/2019 BPD Vehicle Theft 12/05/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 12/04/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/04/2019 HCSO Assault 12/05/2019 HCSO Death Investigation 12/06/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 12/05/2019 BPD Theft 12/05/2019 BPD Theft 12/06/2019 HCSO Theft 12/05/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 12/05/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 12/05/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/05/2019 HCSO Assault 12/06/2019 HCSO Sexual Assault 12/06/2019 HCSO Sexual Assault 12/06/2019 HCSO Burglary - Building 12/06/2019 HCSO Burglary - Building 12/06/2019 HCSO Burglary - Habitation 12/06/2019 HCSO Burglary - Vehicle 12/06/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 12/07/2019 BPD Indecent Exposure 12/06/2019 HCSO Theft 12/06/2019 HCSO Theft 12/06/2019 HCSO Theft 12/06/2019 HCSO Vehicle Theft 12/06/2019 HCSO Vehicle Theft 12/06/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 12/06/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/06/2019 HCSO Alarm - Panic 12/07/2019 BPD Assault 12/07/2019 BPD Assault 12/08/2019 HCSO Assault 12/07/2019 HCSO Burglary - Habitation 12/08/2019 HCSO Death Investigation 12/07/2019 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 12/07/2019 HCSO Suicidal Person 12/08/2019 HCSO Theft 12/07/2019 HCSO Theft 12/07/2019 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 12/07/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/07/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/07/2019 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 12/07/2019 BPD Deadly Conduct 12/07/2019
Time 16:31:55 11:37:23 6:50:58 7:51:34 16:56:51 16:32:51 16:22:35 19:29:17 10:52:22 8:10:42 14:17:23 7:33:33 10:54:44 18:43:06 10:32:02 12:15:16 13:23:58 15:05:49 13:55:45 9:50:04 8:36:44 21:03:16 12:45:13 18:15:45 23:53:14 14:23:22 12:38:27 16:37:48 1:48:48 19:03:28 12:54:47 9:09:36 1:00:31 15:51:14 12:31:25 1:43:07 11:04:23 14:25:42 17:36:31 18:23:04 16:53:09 16:22:28 21:53:45 8:35:56 15:24:38 16:03:41 9:00:47 3:02:30 15:31:18 13:10:05 20:57:39 21:04:52 11:55:50 13:54:05 17:18:55 16:16:10 19:27:25 8:26:02 4:42:07 15:42:09 2:47:06 14:03:54 11:14:01 5:13:46 12:39:28 15:12:22 20:09:16 13:23:39 17:08:52 18:53:15 20:08:46
Location Pauls Valley Rd Austin Skyline Dr Wimberley Abbott Dr Austin San Marcos Regency MHP Bayou Bnd Buda Pauls Valley Rd Austin Ridgewood Cir Wimberley Cypress Creek Animal Hospital Wimberley Walmart of Buda Main St Buda Demi Construction Rogers Rd Wimberley Gulley Creek FM 2001/Goforth Rd Kyle FM 2001/Royston Rd Buda 333 W US 290 Dripping Springs Lehman High School Kyle Simon Middle School Kyle 15300 IH 35 FR Buda Twin Liquors Of Buda 17600 IH 35 Fr Buda United Rentals HEB of Dripping Springs Exit 204A SB San Marcos Frio Ln Wimberley Monarch Ln Austin Country Ln/Goforth Rd Kyle Windmill Way Buda Falling Leaf Ln Wimberley 16611 IH 35 FR Buda Americas Auto Auction 3519 Hwy 21 San Marcos 440 Fischer Store Rd Wimberley Right Step Royston Rd Buda N FM 1626/Rr 967 Buda 2215 Hugo Rd San Marcos Aspen Dr Austin Ledgestone Assisted Living Austin Falling Leaf Ln Wimberley Walmart of Buda 5065 Royston Rd Buda Speedy Stop 718 Owl Hollow Rd San Marcos Elm Grove Ln/N FM 1626 Buda Exit 219 SB Buda RR 12/E Us 290 Dripping Springs E Mt Gainor Rd Dripping Springs Mercedes Ln Kyle Rebel Dr BUDA Goldenwood Way/Crystal Hill Dr Austin Daisy Ln Dripping Springs Willow Ter Kyle Hawthorne Loop Driftwood Blue Jay St Buda Main St/Fire Cracker Dr Buda Cotton Gin Rd Kyle Elliott Ranch Rd Buda HEB of Dripping Springs Crazy Cross Rd/W Valley Spring Rd Wimberley Mary St Buda IH 35/Cabelas Dr Buda Mathias Ln/Goforth Rd Kyle Vestral Rd Buda 15359 IH 35 FR Buda Chevron of Buda Pettigrew Path Buda Plum Creek Ln/W US 290 Dripping Springs Moon Stone Trl Buda Pauls Valley Rd Austin Dove Ln Kyle Dove Hill Estates CR 1492 Wimberley Goldenwood Way Austin Mercer St Dripping Springs Lone Star Gifts Cabelas Dr/IH 35 Fr Buda RR 12/E US 290 Dripping Springs High Rd Kyle 6050 S IH 35 San Marcos Walmart of Buda
NEWS
Page 12
Hays Free Press • December 11, 2019
Sheriff’s Race Continued from pg. 1
the Texas State campus police department, and also serves as a Kyle city council member and, to complicate matters, as a deputy constable to a Republican constable from Wimberley. Haverda is himself a former supervisor in the sheriff’s department who announced for sheriff earlier this fall. Both Villalobos and Haverda are Kyle residents. Should Villalobos be elected, he would become the first Hispanic to hold the seat of sheriff in Hays County. Also in the race is Republican David Graham. All are seeking to replace incumbent county sheriff Gary Cutler, a Republican who is seeking re-election. Villalobos defended his honor, as did both Constable Ray Helm, who nominated him as a deputy constable, and Ralph Meyer, who was Villalobos’ supervisor during the majority of his tenure at Texas State. “There is a point in time when you have to stand up for yourself and this is that time,” Villalobos said. “My honesty and integrity have never been in question.” Meyer, who could not be reached for comment, said in a July 2018 letter of support, that in the 10 years he supervised Villalobos “honesty has never been an issue.” He said, “In my close supervision of Alexander Villalobos I observed his work a model of honor, integrity and professionalism.” Helm, who nominated Villalobos as a deputy constable to the commissioners court on March 12, said he believes Villalobos to be a good man and that he pored over his background “for about four months” before seeking the appointment. “He was on the Brady list because
he searched an Internet database improperly while he was working for Texas State University,” Helm said of Villalobos. Ralph Meyer, former chief of the UPD, clarified the issue, explaining in a July 2018 letter that he had received a complaint that in May 2013, Villalobos had used a database intended for law enforcement for personal use. Villalobos allegedly made a database inquiry for the benefit of his brother who was convicted of bribery and racketeering. Meyer ordered an “informal inquiry” after which he “recommended verbal counseling with no further action. I further directed that this not be made part of his personnel file,” Meyer wrote. “It wasn’t about politics when I hired him,” Helm said, adding that even though he stands by Villalobos, he will vote for the Republican incumbent Cutler to be re-elected. “Politics were the furthest thing from my mind, but it’s been turned into a political mess.” Helm said it “gets him” that, while Villalobos will take a leave of absence during the campaign, Graham has stayed on the job and has “been on the campaign trail for four or five months how.” Helm also said that if the commissioners had any problem with the Villalpando’s appointment they could have denied it. Instead, Villalobos was confirmed to the position by a vote of 5-0. “They could have denied his appointment and be done with it, but they didn’t.” Villalobos said he “didn’t know the details” of his alleged listing. In fact, he said he never knew anything about it
The “Brady list” is the name used to designate law enforcement officers who are considered covered under a 1963 Supreme Court ruling that requires prosecutors to turn over to the defense any evidence that might exonerate defendants. In response to that ruling and subsequent cases, local prosecutors across the country often maintain a list of officers with a history of misconduct that might affect a case’s outcome or impeach their testimony. until Pct. 2 Commissioner and even public. In Mark Jones raised the others, such as Hays issue on the day the court County, it is not typically voted on his appointment made public. The list as Helm’s deputy is based on private constable. disciplinary “They never personnel asked me any records “He was on questions that are not on the Brady subject to about it,” he said. open records list because The “Brady laws, at least he searched list” is the in Texas. name used to Other states an Internet designate law make the list database enforcement open to the officers public. improperly who are Some law while he was enforcement considered covered departments working for under a 1963 will not hire Texas State Supreme Brady list Court ruling officers, University.” that requires or seek to prosecutors dismiss –Constable to turn officers Ray Helm over to the placed on defense a Brady any evidence that might list. Other departments exonerate defendants. treat the issue on a case In response to that by case basis. Police ruling and subsequent unions in some areas cases, local prosecutors have complained that across the country the Brady designation often maintain a list of is unfair and may be officers with a history of used by supervisors to misconduct that might punish officers. Across affect a case’s outcome or the country, a number of impeach their testimony. prominent cases raised by In some jurisdictions, defense advocates point the Brady list is formal to cases where officers
with repeated misdeeds – tampering with evidence, or lying under oath – were not dismissed or Brady designated despite violations that should have put them on a Brady list. Though some prosecutors are hesitant to put those listed on the witness stand, Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau said his prosecutors call “those witnesses necessary to seek justice in the case,” adding “that decision depends on the facts of the case and the potential testimony or evidence the witness possesses.” Citing the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, Mau said his office “complies with Brady and its progeny, and maintains a disclosure list that is not disseminated to third parties, including the public.” The sheriff’s race was already interesting because Villalobos has been talking for months about possibly running, raising the prospect of the top aide to the sitting county judge taking on the sitting sheriff. The county judge, with Villalobos running his office, prepares the budget each year for the sheriff. Villalobos was active in the county judge’s upset victory last year. County Judge Ruben Becerra is a Democrat from San Marcos. Haverda was a longtime employee under three sheriffs from both parties and a captain of the corrections department (the jail) under former sheriff Tommy Ratliff, who was appointed as a Democrat after the death of Republican sheriff Allen Bridges. Ratliff then lost to current incumbent Gary Cutler in a special election to fill an unexpired term. After that, Ratliff switched
parties and ran against Cutler in the next election as a Republican, losing again. Haverda had campaigned for Ratliff, and was later demoted after Cutler won. He sued, arguing that he was unfairly demoted because of his association with Ratliff. All that has set the stage for a sheriff’s race that will explore a number of challenging issues about existing and past sheriff administrations in the county, and the role of the sheriff in a rapidly growing and changing Hays County. Texas sheriffs are responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county, and for any cities that contract with them, as well as for administration of the jail, which has become one of the sheriff’s largest duties. Villalobos and his boss, the county judge, have been critical of the way the sheriff has handled jail administration. Voters approved bonds to expand the county lockup in 2016 and that construction is underway. Much of the impetus for the bond election was the outsourcing of inmates to other counties as far as 150 miles away. Cutler has said the outsourcing will likely continue even after the expanded facility is ready for occupancy. While that has been going on, calls for law enforcement to issue citations in the place of arrests for certain low-level offenses have increasingly risen in the community. The fourth candidate in the race is a former Dallas police officer, who retired there in 2017 and moved to Dripping Springs. Like the incumbent, Gary Cutler, Graham is running as a Republican.
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