Dec. 27, 2017 Hays Free Press by Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch

DECEMBER 27, 2017 TOP PICKS

UNDER PRESSURE

See the 2017 Hays Free Press top volleyball and football picks.

Stress management team works to help responders through hard times

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Vol. 121 • No. 40

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Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Texas pop. tops 28.3M in 2017

Buda eyes more trafﬁc studies BY SAMANTHA SMITH

BUDA ROADS, 12

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Under pressure in south Kyle

Unlike last year, a majority of the state’s growth came from natural increase – Texans having more babies – and not people moving to the state.

Several Kyle Public Works employees help dig a trench for installation of a 12-inch water line along Old Stagecoach Road near Opal Lane. The project is meant to improve water pressure in the south part of town.

Post Road bridge reopens BY MOSES LEOS III

BY ALEXA URA AND RYAN MURPHY

Under budget and ahead of schedule were phrases public officials used as they reopened a vital connector that quite literally bridges Kyle and San Marcos over the Blanco River. For Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant, the impact of reopening the Post Road bridge marks one of the last few steps in the county’s effort to recover from the devastating Memorial Day 2015 PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III floods. Two Hays County employees overlook the Blanco River on the newly built Post Road Rebuilding the Bridge. bridge also improves construction of the improve the condition TxDOT’s primary focus mobility and enhancPost Road Bridge, of highway bridges. for bridge improvees safety in the area, which suffered heavy In the off-system ments is safety. Whisenant said. First damage after the Meprogram, TxDOT ren“When we deterResponders will now morial Day flood, was ovates projects that mine a bridge needs have an easier way to are not on the state’s repair, such as this one access areas along Post completed roughly one month ahead of network of highways, here, we work with loRoad near the Blanco schedule. while also waiving a 10 cal officials to develop River. The roughly percent match require- a plan of action and “If it had not been $900,000 project to ment from participatrequest funding from under budget nor on rebuild the bridge ining entities any source available,” time, it still was an volved a partnership In return, entities McCoy said. important project for between the county agree to use an equivaMcCoy said TxDOT the issues of safety and the Texas Departlent participation dol- worked with its partand convenience,” ment of Transportalar amount to the 10 ners in Hays County Whisenant said. “Partion via its “off-system” percent to go toward and Capital Excavation ticularly the safety of bridge program. improving other defito complete the projthose that live along The program is part cient structures in its ect earlier than anticithis road and use it of TxDOT’s Highway jurisdiction. pated. daily for access.” Bridge Program, which Terry McCoy, TxDOT According to Hays uses federal funding to district engineer, said BRIDGE OPENS, 6 County officials, re-

Texas Tribune

After gaining almost 400,000 new residents in one year, Texas is now home to 28.3 million people. New estimates released Wednesday by the Census Bureau show Texas crossed that population threshold between July 2016 and July 2017 following years of steady growth since the 2010 Census when the state’s population topped off at 25.1 million.

POPULATION GROWTH, 12

Buda approves ﬂood early warning system

COMING UP EmilyAnn Trail of Lights

Head to Wimberley to celebrate the 20th annual festival at EmilyAnnTheatre and Gardens through Dec. 28. Enjoy more than 100 lighted exhibits from 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Roast a marshmallow, listen to live music and meet Santa.

In preparation for the next flood to hit the area, city of Buda officials are planning the installation of new technologies to inform drivers of rising water. On December 5, Buda City Council members approved purchasing a flood early warning system (FEW) from Water & Earth Technologies (WET), according to City Engineer John Nett. The system entails installation of five pressure transducers into a stream or on a bridge

Splash in the New Year on Jan. 1, 2018 at Kyle Pool in this 14th annual tradition. Pool gates will open at 1 p.m. and the splash will be at 1:30 p.m. Pool gates will close at 2:30 p.m. until Memorial Day weekend. Rain-out make-up day will be Tuesday, Jan. 2 at the same time and place.

PREDICTIONS

Study says unemployment down, debt up in 2018 – Page 8

BY MARIA GARDNER

Polar Bear Splash

INDEX

Crafting solutions to traffic congestion in Buda was a topic the city’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission took up Nov. 28. The discussion was brought up via a presentation by city staff relating to the history of traffic congestion and possible ways to mitigate it. Chance Sparks, Buda assistant city manager, said prior to 2002, the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC) did not contain specific enough requirements for Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), which are studies to determine the traffic impact of a development. Prior to rewriting its Unified Development Code (UDC) earlier this year, a TIA could only be triggered if a proposed project had an average of 5,000 daily trips, or vehicles traveling to and from the development. Sparks said that meant development projects could be split up into smaller ones that didn’t qualify for a TIA to move forward. Sparks said the oversight should not be construed as negligence on the part of city leaders at the time, but an unawareness of the growth the area would experience and the ability to use TIA’s as tools to manage growth. Sparks said Buda’s rewrite of its UDC could mean tighter requirements for TIAs to be done by incoming developers in the future. Implementation of Roadway Impact Fees could provide regulatory solutions for the current traffic issues on currently congested Buda roadways, Sparks said. Impact fees are imposed by cities and

News ……………… 1-2 Opinion …………… 3 Sports ………………… 4 Education …………… 5 Community ……… 6-7

EARLY WARNING, 12

Business ………… Classiﬁeds ……… ... Public Notices …… Service Directory .....

8-9 10 10 11

NEWS

Page 2

Hays Free Press 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

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

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.

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.

LETTERS GUIDELINES

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.

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.

Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Rural residents rise up against proposed Driftwood storage facility BY KATERINA BARTON

Tensions were high at a public meeting in Driftwood Dec. 13 where developers of an unwelcome self-storage facility clashed with local residents. Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant and Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones called a town hall meeting in order to address a few topics of interest that had been emailed to their offices in recent weeks, which included the facility. Over 50 residents filled the Driftwood Community Center for the town hall meeting, some even standing on the sides of the room. The meeting began with a presentation from representatives of the Jenkins Organization that bought 15.8 acres where a self-storage facility is projected to be built in early 2018. The facility will be built near the intersection of

“What I’ve noticed is that when anyone hears about self-storage they have an immediate visceral reaction and not really understanding what it is and what it looks like and how it interacts with the area. We want it to ﬁt in with the area, with this rural setting that it’s in.” – Steve Medcalf, representatives for the Jenkins Organization

FM 1826 and Darden Hill Road, which is located in Dripping Springs extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Steve Medcalf, Robb DeJean and Sam Smalling, representatives for the Jenkins Organization, discussed with residents design features and other details concerning construction of the facility. They noted that the company markets toward highincome demographics and the facility will be a higher-end storage unit. Organization says it intends to go above and beyond to make sure the building blends into

the environment using design features and landscaping. “What I’ve noticed is that when anyone hears about self-storage they have an immediate visceral reaction and not really understanding what it is and what it looks like and how it interacts with the area. We want it to fit in with the area, with this rural setting that it’s in,” Medcalf said in the meeting. Medcalf said the storage facility would be “useful to the community.” However, residents continued to voice

their concerns about the facility, which included issues with increased traffic, safety, environmental impacts, and Dripping Springs’ dark skies ordinance, among other issues. Whisenant had to calm the room down several times in order to let the Jenkins Organization representatives finish their presentation. The facility will be built near the intersection of FM 1826 and Darden Hill Road located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of Dripping Springs. Because the facility will be located outside of

city limits and in the ETJ, there are minimal land use controls. Representatives with the Jenkins Organization intend to work with the county and city of Dripping Springs to appease residents in the area. Although the building process is already underway, Whisenant says residents can still “make their voices heard at the opportunities that are provided through the process through the City of Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning committee and city council meetings. Final landscaping, designs and hours of operation will be presented to the Dripping Springs city council Jan 9. The Jenkins Organization has developed 14 other selfstorage units around the state to date and has acquired more than 20 other facilities across the U.S.

Phone scam targets senior citizens in Hays County STAFF REPORT Hays County authorities are warning of a reported phone scam that has been targeting area residents, primarily senior citizens. The scam involves someone claiming to be a Hays County Sheriff’s Office employee who also uses a num-

ber from the local 512 area code, according to a HCSO press release. The scammer tells victims they have warrants for their arrest and that victims must pay money to avoid being detained. Victims are reportedly instructed to purchase pre-paid Visa or MasterCard credit cards and then provide the

number to scammers to have “warrants recalled,” according to the release. Some victims were told to purchase pre-paid cards at local CVS, Walgreens or Dollar General or similar stores. Many of the victims are senior citizens, according to the release. “It is not the custom or practice from the

Hays County Sheriff’s Office to contact anyone by phone and demand payment to avoid being arrested,” according to the release. Anyone who wants to verify if they have a warrant for their arrest can contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office warrants division at 512-393-7810 or 512-393-7827.

TIPLINE

Anyone who may have information relating to the case should contact the Hays County Sheriﬀ’s Oﬃce at 512-393-7896 and ask to speak with the Criminal Investigations Division.

Help available for domestic violence victims over holidays STAFF REPORT Resources are available to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault find safety for themselves and their families this holiday season, according to a Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) press release. High levels of stress, financial hardships, domestic disputes and an increase in alcohol consumption during the holiday season can contribute to an increase of domestic violence and sexual assault incidents. “For most, the holiday season is a time of joy and family gatherings,” Texas Supreme Court

Harley is a 4-year-old female Doberman Pinscher mix and she is as good as they get. This lovely girl is not only beautiful in appearance but in personality and spirit. She gets along well with just about everyone, knows basic commands, walks well on leash, and loves to snuggle.

Justice Eva Guzman said in a statement. “But for many Texas families, the holidays can be the most stressful time of the year.” Every year, the TAJF provides grants to 40 nonprofit organizations throughout the state to provide free legal services to more than 48,000 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. These organizations help victims with a wide range of legal needs including protecting confidential information, finding a new and safe place to live, applying for public benefits, protecting families and ensuring

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 9

Fez is a 3 1/2-month-old shorthair white and orange male who is as loving as he is goofy. Fez plays well with other kitties and doesn’t seem to mind the presence of gentle dogs. He enjoys being held, cuddling and playing with his toys.

Learn about our partnerships with Preferred Dealers and Carvana at rbfcu.org.

PAWS Shelter and Humane Society

is a non-profit, no-kill shelter operated primarily on donations and adoptions.

500 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX • 512 268-1611 • pawsshelter.org

All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.

Top 10 comedic news stories of 2017

ut down the nog. Let in the dog. Delay your spouse’s jog. Buy a mask for the smog. Alert the press in Prague. Because the eagerly awaited list of Top Ten Comedic News Stories of the Year has finally arrived. It truly is... the most wonderful time of the year. But first, a word of caution: these stories are not be confused with the Top Ten Legitimate News Stories of 2017. No. No. No. They are as dissimilar as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and strip poker. Like aluminum snow shovels and chocolate lava cakes. Oxblood wing-tips and tufted wrestling mats. These are the events that most lent themselves

Raging Moderate by Will Durst

to jocularity. The ones with a comedic angle. You will find no mention of snipers, Nazis, hurricanes, wildfires, terrorism, Democrats or sexual assaults. Those may have been major occurrences during the past year, but in terms of mockability, not a match. So, here they are: The Top Ten Comedic News Stories of 2017. 10. SEAN SPICER. Donald Trump’s proxy punching bag. I kept waiting for him to show up at a

press briefing with his tie around his forehead and a knife clenched in his teeth sputtering “Who wants a piece of me?” He resigned in order to spend more time lying to his family. 9. SECRETARY OF STATE REX TILLERSON. He refuses to deny he called the president a moron, becoming the new hero of millions. Afterwards the president challenged him to an IQ test even though it is not a slam dunk he could spell IQ if you spotted him the I. 8. INAUGURATION. The 45th president called it the most well-attended inaugural in the history of ever, despite photographic evidence to the extreme

contrary. I’m still amazed he put his hand on the Bible and it didn’t burst into flames. 7. PRESIDENT FEUDS WITH NORTH KOREA. Imminent nuclear warfare is usually not that amusing. Hopefully this schoolyard tussle between two grown adolescents with weird hair and daddy issues is not the beginning of the sequel to Dr. Strangelove. Every day without a mushroom cloud has to be counted as a victory. 6. ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI. For 10 wonderful days, this train wreck with the name of a 16th commedia dell’arte villain spun out of control like a gyroscope through four magnetic fields on its path

to a black hole. 5. RUSSIAN PROBES. Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III says the reason he keeps giving different answers to Congressional Committees is because he remembers more whenever he learns there is evidence. 4. DONALD TRUMP JR. The Fredo of the Trump Crime Family. He’s going to make us an offer we can’t understand. 3. SPECIAL PROSECUTOR. Robert Mueller was appointed in middle of May, which means in four short months, Donald Trump went from zero to Nixon. 2. PRESIDENT FEUDS WITH NFL. Tweeted 24 times about players not

standing for national anthem and not once about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. That’s leadership like two bottles of Jagermeister are dinner. 1. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. The man has single handedly done for political comedy what legalized marijuana did for Cheetos. George W Bush may have been a Wheel of Fortune president in a Jeopardy world, but Donald Trump looks to be more of a Chutes & Ladders kind of a guy. Will Durst is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed columnist, comic and former sod farmer in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

#Metoo to President Trump: #Youtoo

ood one,” said the creepy little man on Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ shoulder: “Litigated.” The White House spokeswoman had just said questions pertaining to the sexual assaults (alleged), or sexual harassment (alleged), or aggressive perversity (certifiable) by Donald Trump had been “litigated and certainly answered” in the 2016 election. This would make it the only case of alleged sexual assault ever adjudicated by the Electoral College. Yes, Sarah, it’s similar to how the Electoral College gave the Trump campaign a license for quid pro quo deals with Russia months before he moved the family furniture into the Oval Office.

Young At-Large by John Young

Trump is not above the law, and Robert Mueller is not the only one pressing the matter. Summer Zervos, a contestant on “The Apprentice,” has sued Trump in a New York state court for defamation regarding claims that she lied when alleging that he sexually assaulted her in 2007. Trump’s attorneys say that as president he can’t be sued. Sorry, guys. With Paula Jones vs. Bill Clinton as precedent, Trump indeed can be sued for what he did before he was president.

Hays Free Press

Allan Lichtmann, author of “The Case for Impeachment,” thinks Russian collusion and obstruction of justice will bring him down. However, he tells Vice News that the Zervos suit may set Trump up for a perjury rap, the “Clinton trap.” This would be just desserts. So many high-profile individuals have faced career-ending recriminations for sexual harassment. Yet the highest-profile offender of them all faces none. Sure, Mr. President. You knew none of the 19 – count ’em, 19 – women accusing you of sexual misconduct. Except that you were photographed with several of them, and you hired others. Check that. Now Trump acknowledges he knew them, just not that way,

understand? So typical of the lying-est man to ever inhabit his post. In “litigating” his comments about grabbing women’s genitalia in the “Access Hollywood” tape, Trump said that was just “locker room talk.” That is, except the other day when he said the tapes might have been doctored. Billy Bush, the only one who paid for the incident with his job, says seven other people on the scene heard Trump say what we heard with our own ears on tape. And while we are contemplating these lies and absurdities, let’s ponder for a moment what Trump tweeted about New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, one of those saying Trump should answer for sexual misconduct,

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Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton

Reporters Samantha Smith, Maria Gardner

News and Sports Editor Moses Leos III

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Proofreaders Jane Kirkham Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialist James Darby

just as she said fellow Democrats Al Franken and John Conyers should. When Trump tweeted that Gillibrand asked him for campaign dough and “would do anything” for it, did it evoke imaginings of what he meant by “anything”? Nah, not anything at all. When asked about that, Sanders said people should get their minds out of the gutter. Too late, obviously, to advise her boss of this. The #metoo movement has taken flight in ways hardly imagined when Harvey Weinstein went from movie mogul to national pariah. The thing is, this wave has just begun. Trump had better buckle up, because it’s going to be like surfing the back of a stegosaurus. His defending Roy

Moore in the U.S. Senate race in the face of clear and convincing creepiness and probable criminality was more than an embarrassment. It was a reminder that, to Trump, all a powerful man need do is say, “I deny it,” and “it” will go away. Almost a year ago the Women’s March on Washington announced to the nation that “it” won’t go away. Whether or not he gets rung up by Mueller, angry and energized women are going to serve as Trump’s chief prosecutors as long as he claims squatter’s rights to the White House. Longtime Texas newspaperman John Young lives in Colorado. jyoungcolumn@gmail.com

113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Production Manager David White

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Sports

Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Page 4

All Hays Free Press, News-Dispatch 2017 volleyball team MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS

Kaitlyn Krafka – Hays Graceyn Tippens – Dripping Springs

FIRST TEAM OUTSIDE HITTERS Catherine Croft – Hays Rayna Pack – Wimberley Ryann Torres – Hays MIDDLE BLOCKER Ava Pritchard – Dripping Springs

GRACEYN TIPPENS

SETTER Avery Kalsu – Dripping Springs

Darby Stowers – Dripping Springs

LIBERO Kayla Tello – Hays

SETTER Sierra Dittmar – Hays

SECOND TEAM

HONORABLE MENTIONS

OUTSIDE HITTERS Kacie Hall – Hays Jamie Agnew – Hays Madison Certain – Dripping Springs

MJ Vega – Lehman Sarah O’Neal – Lehman Kat Mendoza – Lehman Alexis Haydt – Dripping Springs Kaylen Nolen – Wimberley Claire Coburn – Wimberley Shelby Young – Wimberley

JANE AGNEW

Call it a push, but we at Barton Publications couldn’t help but give this year’s top honor to a pair of athletes who were both named as most valuable player in their respective districts. Krafka, a four-year varsity letterman, was essentially a do-it-all athlete for a Hays program that stood its ground in a challenging 25-6A. She did so amid a wide ﬁeld of talent across the board in 25-6A this season. In 2017, Krafka recorded 414 kills and had a kill percentage of 38 percent. She also made an impact defensively this year by scoring a career-high 412 digs and 24 total blocks. Tippens, who was named 26-5A MVP in 2017, helped carry the Tigers to their sixth straight undefeated district title. Tippens ﬁnished her 2017 with 452 kills and a kill percentage of 37 percent. She also recorded 412 digs defensively and also tallied 29 blocks at the net.

RYANN TORRES

MIDDLE BLOCKER

KAYLA TELLO

CATHERINE CROFT

All Hays Free Press, News-Dispatch 2017 football team

THAI MAYBERRY

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

OFFENSIVE LINE Phil McSorely – Hays Dylan Smith – Dripping Springs Brandon Garcia – Hays Ethan Garcia – Lehman Jayden Smith – Hays

JoJo Weeks, QB – Wimberley

FIRST STRING OFFENSE QUARTERBACK Trevor Greenman – Dripping Springs RUNNING BACK Thailand Mayberry – Hays Thomas Carruthers – Wimberley OFFENSIVE LINE Ian Burnette – Wimberley Ben Hoskins– Hays Alex El-Sariakoussy – Dripping Springs Hunter Moore – Wimberley Lantz Milam – Dripping Springs WIDE RECEIVER Gavin Martinez – Wimberley Johnny Hoyle – Dripping Springs Cade Stoever – Wimberley

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE Ricardo Montoya – Dripping Springs Matt Hemphill – Dripping Springs

JOJO WEEKS Gino Albini – Wimberley Ryan Leal – Hays LINEBACKER Beau Collins – Dripping Springs Dominic Johnson – Hays Trent Dingman – Wimberley DEFENSIVE BACK Brittain Howeth – Dripping Springs Josh Embry – Dripping Springs Isaiah Jacobs – Hays Ryland Kinard – Dripping Springs

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE QUARTERBACK Xavier Martinez – Hays RUNNING BACK Jake Cox – Dripping Springs Cade Powell – Hays

WIDE RECEIVER Wyatt Mann – Wimberley Curtis Raymond – Dripping Springs Keith Mitchhart – Dripping Springs

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE Zane Kuykendall – Hays Kevin Perrydore – Dripping Springs Justin Rodriguez – Hays Ty Roaches – Lehman

Amid a crop of viable MVP candidates, Wimberley senior quarterback JoJo Weeks surpassed them all with a season to remember in 2017. Weeks, who recently signed on to play college football at UTSA, lit up opposing defenses to the tune of 4,411 yards and 52 touchdowns through the air. It was Weeks’ accuracy that set him apart from nearly every quarterback in the area. Weeks completed 77 percent of the 405 passes thrown, while only tossing four total interceptions on the year. His leadership also was a mitigating factor as Weeks’ helped lead Wimberley to the program’s deepest playoﬀ run since 2011.

LINEBACKER Sam Guzman – Hays Tanner Prewitt – Dripping Springs Miles Farris – Dripping Springs DEFENSIVE BACK Hector Fuentes – Hays Adrian Yanez – Lehman Hunter Bonugli – Wimberley Reed Beverly - Dripping Springs

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Education Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Page 5

The Wright stuff?

New Hays CISD superintendent to take reins January 1 BY MOSES LEOS III

When the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, Dr. Eric Wright officially takes the reins as Hays CISD’s next superintendent. While he won’t be clocking in that morning (his first day is officially Jan. 4), Wright said he realizes the potential in a distict that is working to meet the rapid growth going on around it. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” Wright said. “The people I’ve met so far have been upstanding and eager to get to work and move the school district onward.” Wright, whose contract was approved by district leaders Dec. 7, transitions from a school district in Fredericksburg, which had roughly 100 students move in per year, to Hays, which is growing at a rate of 700 students per year. However, Wright said Hays CISD has so far managed growth as far as facilities and logistics “very well.” “It’s quite a bit different,” Wright said. “But with the resources available through the demographers and facility plan-

“I want every kid to be taught at a level that they are functioning at ... If they are ahead of the curve, I want them to be taught where they are not bored. If they are behind, I want them to be taught to where they are not frustrated.” –Eric Wright, new Hays CISD superintendnet

ners, I think I will utilize resources they have to offer and we will keep up with the pace.” One of the key challenges Wright plans to work on will be to have systems that are common throughout the district, which he utilized during his time at Fredericksburg. Wright said the goal is to align curriculum across the district, as well as to address professional learning communities (PLC) to “de-aggregate data for each kid.” Ultimatley, adhering to each student’s skills and strengths, as well as tailoring instruction to where students’ needs are is something he hopes to accomplish.

“I want every kid to be taught at a level that they are functioning at,” Wright said. “If they are ahead of the curve, I want them to be taught where they are not bored. If they are behind, I want them to be taught to where they are not frustrated.” However, Wright also sees the struggles taking place within the district. One major issue is getting Hemphill and Camino Real elementary schools removed from the Improvement Needed designation by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). As a result of the designation, Hays CISD was required earlier this year to come up with Campus Improvement Plans.

Wright said he didn’t believe the designations stemmed from a lack of effort from teachers or students. However, he said the district must look at the curriculum structure and assessment part of the equation. “We need to make sure it is aligned,” Wright said. He added the district must work on tracking student progress and applying any intervention when needed. Adhering to State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) standards will also be his goal once in office. While Wright said he didn’t feel testing is the “end all, be all,” he felt there is “no reason we can’t” reach minimum requirements. Collaboration with stakeholders and parents is also a key component he aims to employ. Wright hopes to host meetings with different parent groups, chambers of commerce and municipalities to gather input. “The more we get together, the better product we produce,” Wright said. One example of collaboration with stakeholders would extend to block

scheduling at the high school level, which Wright oversaw while at Fredericksburg. However, such discussions would have to involve surveying teacher and parent input. Wright said such a decision is not something “you do over-

Alternative learning leads to success for Live Oak students BY SAMANTHA SMITH

uring the course of the school year, officials at Live Oak Academy along FM 2770 keep a running tally on its marquee of students who have earned their diploma and are ready to tackle the world. As an “alternative school of choice,” LOA is a place were students determine what learning strategies best suit them, said Doug Agnew, first year principal at LOA. For the 30-plus students and counting who have already earned high school diplomas this year, LOA offers alternative, technology-based learning that goes beyond the traditional school model. Agnew said students at LOA are required to attend school for four hours a day, instead of the traditional 7-plus hour block. Agnew said LOA offers a mainly computer-based curriculum with an option for students to also take a course taught by a teacher where they submit assignments electronically. One of the key differences at LOA is smaller class sizes and smaller student to teacher ratios. An average of 10 to 15 students populate a classroom, with 10 to 11 teachers instructing roughly 200 students. Agnew said Live Oak Academy tailors students’ school day to meet their needs and doesn’t require that they take more classes than what they need to graduate. It allows for the campus to foster a more college-like atmosphere where students are there to work. “Not everyone is motivated to go to school, but they start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, they see what’s possible, they see the opportunity and they see that we’re not wasting their time by put-

“Not everyone is motivated to go to school, but they start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, they see what’s possible, they see the opportunity and they see that we’re not wasting their time by putting them in classes they don’t need.”

night,” and there are pros and cons. “At the end of the day, it’s not a schedule that dictates quality of performance,” Wright said. “It’s the quality of the teachers and the materials children are using to learn.”

HCISD WELL Clinic to close in January BY SAMANTHA SMITH

– Doug Agnew, principal of Live Oak Academy

ting them in classes they don’t need,” Agnew said. Another difference between LOA and other traditional schools is that there is no homework required at LOA. The students do have access to their coursework online and many choose to work on assignments outside of class. Agnew said the school is open to all Hays CISD students who apply as long as they have six course credits and are motivated to learn. Agnew said graduates from LOA have gone on to attend 4-year colleges, where they can then obtain a masters or doctoral degree. Some graduates have gone on to open their own businesses, while some join the military or start families.

COURTESY PHOTO

LIVE OAK, 12

Live Oak Academy receptionist Jana Jennings and counselor Melissa Kennedy (R) hoist graduate Emma Barnett earlier this year.

After almost 17 years of offering families primary and secondary medical care, the Hays CISD Wellness Encouraged through Lifelong Learning (WELL) clinic is closing its doors on Jan. 18, 2018. Dr. Ann Dixon, Hays CISD interim superintendent, said CommuniCare, which operates the facility located at Simon Middle School, gave a required 90-day notice to Hays CISD in October that they would be discontinuing services. Dixon said the reason behind the discontinuation of services from CommuniCare was due to financial losses on their part over the last two years of running the clinic. Dixon said CommuniCare incurred a $200,000 loss. Dixon said CommuniCare would be closing other clinics in neighboring San Marcos and San Antonio due to the more widely available healthcare facilities and greater medical competition in the area. “Parents have more options now,” Dixon said. “There was a time when our parents relied on us for their healthcare, but now they don’t have to,” Dixon said. Hays CISD’s WELL clinic has been in operation as a portable clinic at various campuses from 2000 to 2010. Then in 2011, the district got a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources to construct the clinic.

WELL CLINIC, 9

Community

Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Page 6

Stress management team works to help responders through hard times BY MOSES LEOS III

he stress that comes after traumatic events such as mass casualty situations can be overwhelming for those on the front lines of public safety. But programs such as Hays County’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team can help provide psychological “first aid” to first responders. Earlier this month, the Hays County CISM was called upon to provide assistance for public servants grieving the death of San Marcos Police officer Kenneth Copeland. Jeff Barnett, Kyle Police Department chief, said the CISM is a program that offers a way for first responders to speak to someone who “knows what they’ve been through.” “They want to speak to someone who can speak their language and someone who can feel their pain and understand what they’ve been through,” Barnett said. Kelly Sheridan, Kyle police victim services coordinator and the city’s CISM representative, said the program, which was was created in 2016, has 22 members and offers four different types of interventions.

that hump,” Sheridan the Houston area, Hays said. “We ensure their County’s CISM assisted emotional and mental 24 different agencies and health is going down the provided professional right direchelp to 410 tion.” different “They want people. The CISM has a team to speak to theDuring that involves first six peers and months of someone law enforceoperation, ment, along Sheriwho can with a group dan said of mental the CISM speak their health proprovided language fessionals. 12 different The group debriefings, and also has the including help of a three outsomeone Buda area side of the psychologist, Hays County who can along with a area. number of Prior to feel their chaplains. the shooting pain and As part of death of Cothe internaHays understand peland, tional CritiCounty’s cal Incident conwhat they’ve CISM Stress founducted 10 dation, Hays debriefings been and numerCOURTESY PHOTO County’s ous defusthrough.” Reverend Jeff English and Buda Police Officer Erika Simmons, members of the Hays County CISM can be ings, which Critical Incident Stress Management Team, pose for a photo while helping after Hurricane Harvey. called any– Jeff Barnett, Kyle Police where they is a response Department chief, are needed. to a small The CISM is engaged ical incident for me may dent. In Sepgroup that anytime there is a critical not be for anyone else, Most often, first tember, the Hays County is directly affected by an incident in the area. That and vice versa,” Sheridan responders don’t talk CISM was dispatched to incident. could extend to a line of said. about their feelings, or the Houston area followSheridan said there duty death, the suicide of Assistance from the discuss what they have ing the devastation from was expected to be many a first responder, a natural CISM begins from the been through, Sheridan more debriefings and disaster or events that moment a critical incisaid. First responders can Hurricane Harvey. Sheridan said the defusings following Copeinvolve children. dent takes place to several bottle those emotions up, CISM responded to land’s death. However, what is deweeks after the event ocwhich can lead to Post “We can mitigate and fined as a critical incident curs. The goal of the CISM Tramuatic Stress Disorder Rockport-Fulton and was keep first responders govaries from person to is to help first responders (PTSD), or in some cases, the first CISM team to respond to that specific ing in their career fields,” person, Sheridan said. navigate through the suicide. area. During their time in Sheridan said. “What might be a critstress of a critical inci“We get them through

Lockhart

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Blue-footed boobies like this pair can occasionally be seen down towards Canyon Lake.

of fish and has layers of air sacs beneath the skin to cushion it from the impact of the dive. In closing, let me thank

you for reading my column and wish you a most merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Bridge Opens Continued from pg. 1

“It’s taken a lot of hard work to restore this bridge to what it is today,” McCoy said. Construction of the permanent bridge comes roughly six months after Hays County removed a temporary one-lane solution to connect Post Road over the Blanco. That $100,000 solution involved flat-bed railcars, which Whisenant said was “innovative.” McCoy said the temporary bridge gave TxDOT and its partners more time to work through design issues

Now through Dec. 30th, 2017

Poor boobies get no respect feel a little sorry for the brown booby. In the first place, the name “booby” sounds a little disparaging, as if the bird might not be too bright. And that is unfair, since boobies are at least as intelligent as the emu, a very large bird which has a brain that weighs about as much as an AA battery. But I digress, a brown booby was recently sighted in Williamson County and I have seen a blue-footed booby at Canyon Lake, so boobies do get around. There are six booby species and they usually inhabit tropical islands. It is rare to see one in our area. These are large, goose-sized birds and have oval bodies, tapered tails and massive, pointed bills. They have been described as “shaped like fat cigars.” Named by early Spanish and Portugese sailors, who referred to it as a “bobo” or “stupid buffoon,” this bird dives from great heights in search

and ensure the bridge will be able to last “for generations to come.” Kyle City Council District 2 council member Alex Villalobos said the reopening of the bridge would have an immediate impact on the Kyle area. He also pointed to the historical significance of Post Road, which was built in 1915 and was once the longest postal route in the U.S. “It opens up many alternatives for transportation as we look at continued growth,” Villalobos said.

Dex Ellison, Kyle City Council member District 1, said having as many points of entry between Kyle and San Marcos is important in “literally bridging” the two communities. Rebuilding from the 2015 floods is an ongoing process, but continue to move along, Whisenant said. “We are on schedule with that and we are beginning to see the signs that we are going to be able to count on the federal help we had hoped to,” Whisenant said.

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Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Page 7

OBITUARY Steven Frank Glomb, age 68, passed away peacefully the morning of Wednesday, December 20, 2017 after being diagnosed with bile duct and kidney cancer 21 months ago. He was surrounded

served in the Marines during Vietnam as a Communications Specialist, after graduating from Shiner High School in 1967. He attended The University of Texas and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Steve worked as a Commercial Underwriter for Farmers Insurance and was employed with them for over 42 years. On November 4, 1978,

he married Jacque Cloutier. On January 25, 1982, December 9, 1983 and March 24, 1989, respectively, he welcomed his three beautiful daughters. He raised his children in Buda, TX and was active supporting them in each of their activities. He enjoyed hiking/running, traveling, wood-working and cheering on the Texas Longhorns. He and Jacque helped to make

the simple things in life an event. Jacque was the creative mind, and Steve was the ever-supportive workforce. A funeral mass was held on Saturday, Dec.23 at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner, where he was an alter boy and married. Pallbearers were Todd Polasek (nephew), Derek Grahmann (nephew), Bradley Grahmann

(nephew), Alex Polasek (great-nephew), Andy Pietrowski (friend) and Carlos Chavez (cousin). Please visit www.Harrellfuneralhomes.com to share a fond memory, photograph, or condolence with Pete’s family on his On-line memorial site. Funeral assistance provided by Harrell Funeral Home 1715 Kirby Lane, Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-8200

Sudoku Solution

Make fitness a focus for the new year temporary change. Transformation and noticeable, long-lasting results are always possible with self-awareness, consistent routines and healthy habits that lead to true lifestyle and fitness change. Troy Taylor, regional director at Orangetheory Fitness, offers how to keep healthy living and working out as priorities in the new year: 1. Set new, obtainable goals – When creating fitness goals for the new year, it’s important to challenge yourself in a realistic way. Reflect back

The new year is approaching, which also means it is time for people to create New Year’s resolutions. Each year, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is “I want to be heathier and get in better shape.” So many people resolve to do this, yet so many fall back into old and unhealthy habits. Why? It’s important to remember that a resolution is not meant to be temporary, as temporary mindsets only result in

Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615

on your previous year’s progress, think about what worked and what didn’t, and identify setbacks that may occur so that they won’t deter your fitness progress later down the road. It’s also helpful to start slow and steady. Start scheduling two workouts a week and build up to a higher number instead of scheduling five workouts a week to start, which may not be sustainable as a starting point. 2. Schedule and track progress – Whether you’re

FITNESS, 9

BUDA

DRUG STORE

203 Railroad Street Downtown Buda Pharmacy 312-2111 Fountain 312-2172

Your Hometown McDonald’s

McDonald’s of Buda

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda BAPTIST First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda

2325 FM 967 • 312-0701

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle

The Well Buda

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

METHODIST

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

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

Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald

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

Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770 Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

Located 1 block off FM 2001 at 302 Millennium Dr., Kyle, Texas (Millennium Drive is an entrance road) Pastor Rusty Fletcher and family

Visit

afountain.org for more info.

nuel Baptist Church a m Im

Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 310 San Antonio Dr., Buda St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

Buda United Methodist Church Elm Street & San Marcos

*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m. Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m. *Informal Worship (Chapel)-11 a.m. Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m. *On 5th Sundays we conduct one service at 10 a.m. with special music.

Rev. Nancy Day Ofﬁce 295-6981, Parsonage 512-393-9772 www.BudaUMC.org

SANTA CRUZ CATHOLIC CHURCH

SUNDAY: Bible Study for all ages, 9:45 a.m. Worship Service, 10:55 a.m.

1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Ofﬁce: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. David Leibham, Pastor • Rev. Amado Ramos, Assoc. Pastor

WEDNESDAY: Bible Study, 7 p.m.

CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

Pastor Rodney Coleman 4000 East FM 150 (4 miles east of Kyle) (512) 268-5471

God with us

Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle

CATHOLIC

MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 5:30 p.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. (Spanish), 11 a.m. (English) 5 p.m. (English)

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

FM 2770, Buda, Texas 295-4801

Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda

Good Shepherd Ministries FM 967, Buda

Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

CENTEX MATERIALS LLC

Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle

Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda

CHRISTIAN

A non-denominational church with live contemporary Christian music and life giving teaching!

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

Vertical Chapel 801 FM 1626 (Elm Grove Elem.), Buda

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Call or Text 512.393.4460

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda

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

Services Sun. 11:00 a.m. Wed. 7:30 p.m.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle

LUTHERAN

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

Texas Crossword, from page 9

TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP

New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)

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

NEWS • LETTERS • OBITS CALENDAR • PHOTO GALLERY CLASSIFIEDS • SUBSCRIBE

St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.

Log onto www.HaysFreePress.com

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle

Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

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

VETERINARY CLINIC

EPISCOPAL

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South

Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626

ROSEBROCK

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SMITH

Zach Ritch checks his progress on his iWatch as he exercises outside. Tech equipment such as the iWatch and Fitbit may make it easier to keep track of progress for those looking to get in shape.

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

Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor

15359 IH-35, Ste. B P.O. Box 1364, Buda, TX 78610 512-312-2383 Locally owned and operated by Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson

Texas Crossword Solution

Come worship with us ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

DEBBIE THAMES, AGENT 251 N. FM 1626, Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda, Texas 78610 312-1917

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 9

Pure Texas Spring Water! Privately owned From local springs

FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE Friendly, Courteous Service

Call 1-866-691-2369

PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd. PRESBYTERIAN St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666

Hays Hills

 

 

Baptist Church

Sunday

9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service

9:00am 10:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm

Wednesday 

Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school

COME WORSHIP WITH US!

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

First Baptist Church

A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161 Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m. Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m. AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m. Nursery Provided www.ﬁrstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com



Bible Class Worship Worship Bible Class

  





Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd • Creedmoor, TX 512-243-2837

Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Worship: 11:00 a.m. WEdnESday Pray & Devotion: 6:30 p.m.

IH-35

SUBMITTED REPORT

162 5

by his wife of 38 years, Jacque Glomb, and his three daughters, Natalie Jimenez, Kimberly Wood and Melissa Vornsand. Steve is survived by his mother, Dorothy Glomb; his wife, three daughters and four grandchildren. He is predeceased by his father, Oscar Frank Glomb. Steve was born in Shiner, TX on July 13, 1949 to Oscar Glomb and Dorothy Owens. He

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C o m e wo r s h i p w i t h u s Join our church directory by emailing paper@haysfreepress.com.

Business Page 8

Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Financial predictions for 2018 F

oresight leads to preparedness, and being prepared really pays off when it comes to personal finance. Earlier this year, editors at WalletHub, a national survey website, surveyed more than a dozen economics experts, analyzed big-bank projections and Federal Reserve forecasts, and produced a list of financial predictions for 2018. Here’s what they predict could take place in 2018:

8 Predictions for 2018 U.S. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GROWTH WILL REMAIN NEAR 2.5% The U.S. economy gained steam throughout 2017, with GDP growth rising from 1.6% in 2016 to a projected 2.5% this year, according to the Federal Reserve. And economic expansion is expected to continue through 2018. But how high we fly largely depends on the fate of Congressional tax reform efforts.“The U.S. economy has greater momentum than it has had in several years,” Richard E. Sylla, professor emeritus of economics at New York University, told WalletHub. “Tax cuts will add fiscal stimulus to a near-full-employment economy.”The median Fed projection calls for another round of 2.5% year-over-year growth. That’s well below the 6% President Trump predicted could result from tax reform but above the expectations of many economists. We’ll stick with Fed Chair Janet Yellen and company on this one. They have the most data, not to mention the ability to pull levers that can affect the outcome, from raising rates to unwinding our multi-trillion-dollar bond portfolio.

UNEMPLOYMENT WILL CRACK 4% At 4.1 percent as of November 2017, the national unemployment rate is at its lowest point in 17 years. But the Federal Reserve projects a 3.9 percent rate in 2018. That also seems to be the general consensus among investment banks and the economists WalletHub surveyed. “The unemployment rate will be below 4 percent at the end of 2018, perhaps as low as 3.5 percent,” said Robert J. Gordon, the Stanley G. Harris Professor of Social Sciences at Northwestern University. “This would

it might not last much longer. Low unemployment and continued economic growth are major tailwinds for credit scores, and 2018 is looking good in both regards. Furthermore, lots of negative records from the Great Recession are still falling off consumers’ credit reports. Chargeoffs and bankruptcies stay on credit reports for seven years and 10 years, respectively. And the unemployment rate didn’t start dropping from financial-crisis highs until 2011.We’re starting to see cracks in the foundation, though. In particular, 30-day delinquency rates rose for credit cards, auto loans and mortgages during 2017. An increase in delinquency has been a long time coming, considering just how much debt we’ve racked up in recent years and how low delinquency rates have been relative to historical norms. If that trend continues, it will start dragging down the national average credit score in 2019.

mean the lowest unemployment rate since 1968-69.”Bottom line, if you don’t have a full-time job, 2018 might be your lucky year because businesses will be hiring. The Standard and Poors (S&P) 500 Will Top 2,900 and Finish at 2,838 We’re in the midst of a record bull market, with stocks posting gains for eight straight years (including 2017) and major indices breaking record after record. At 2,676 as of December 15, the S&P 500 is up 19.5% year to date and at an all-time high. So barring some big unforeseen downside surprise, the S&P will end 2017 with its biggest gain since 2013 – more than doubling the historical annual average. But how much does this old bull has left in the tank? Currently, all signs are pointing to another strong year for stocks in 2018. Corporate earnings are strong. Bond prices are low. Tax reform has the potential to significantly boost bottom lines. Interest rates remain low by historical standards. And regulations that have proven costly to the corporate world are being rolled back.WalletHub also analyzed 2018 S&P 500 projections from eight major investment banks, and their end-ofyear targets – which range from 2,675 (Citibank) to 3,000 (JPMorgan Chase) – average 2,838. So we expect the S&P 500 to top its current record in 2018 and finish the year with a gain of around 6%.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE WILL RAISE RATES THREE TIMES, COSTING BORROWERS BILLIONS The Federal Reserve Open Markets Committee has increased its target interest rate, the so-called federal funds rate, five times since 2006: once in 2015, once in 2016 and three times in 2017. And the Fed’s projections indicate two to three more in 2018, with three looking more likely. The experts WalletHub surveyed also seem to think we’ll have another three-hike year.“My best guess is for three rate hikes to take the target band to 2-2.25 percent,” said Paul J. Shea, assistant professor of economics at Bates College. “This matches the FOMC’s current forecast, they are the ones making the decision.”So we have to plan for three more rate hikes in 2018. And that means paying off as much of our record credit card debt as possible. If we don’t (the more likely scenario, unfortunately), we could be in big trouble. Each

U.S. AUTO SALES WILL TOP 17M FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR

We have to plan for three more rate hikes in 2018, and that means paying oﬀ as much of our record credit card debt as possible. Each quarter-point increase in the fed’s target rate costs people with credit card debt roughly $1.4 billion in extra interest per year, according to WalletHub research. quarter-point increase in the fed’s target rate costs people with credit card debt roughly $1.4 billion in extra interest per year, according to WalletHub research. And delinquency rates are creeping up from record lows as debt levels reach record highs. A third rate hike in 2018 could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, causing a significant rise in defaults, a corresponding decrease in credit quality and stricter lending standards.

CREDIT CARD DEBT WILL BREAK ALL-TIME RECORDS, TOPPING $1 TRILLION OWED By the end of 2017, U.S. consumers will likely owe more credit card debt than ever before. The current end-of-year record, set in 2008, is roughly $984 billion. We’ll flirt with the $1 trillion mark, according to WalletHub’s projections. And if we don’t cross it in 2017, we’ll definitely surpass $1 trillion in credit card dent in 2018. The real question is

how much more we can handle before we can no longer afford the minimum monthly payments on our balances.Unfortunately, we may find out sooner rather than later. The percentage of people who are 30 days pastdue on their credit card payments has increased by 26% from the first quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2017, according to the most recent data available from Equifax. And the share of credit card users who are 60+ days past-due rose by 14% over the same time period. This trend could easily worsen, and quickly, as we continue to rack up more debt and the Fed continues to make it more expensive.

CONSUMER CREDIT SCORES WILL PEAK IN 2018 The average credit score rose 10 points during 2017, from 669 to 679, according to data from TransUnion. And we can expect continued growth in 2018. But

People keep waiting for the post-recession car-buying boom to end, but it just keeps chugging along. The average car is still 11.6 years old, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Technological advances continue to drive interest. And record-setting natural disasters are even having an effect, forcing people to replace their totaled wheels. Indeed, David Shulman, senior economist with the UCLA Anderson Forecast, foresees a “small increase” in auto sales during 2018 due to “pent-up demand from hurricane losses.”As a result, we don’t see much of a slowdown, if any, in 2018. It should be yet another year with more than 17 million light vehicles sold.

EXISTING HOME SALES WILL AGAIN TOP 5M, DESPITE HIGHER RATES Unlike credit cards, most mortgages aren’t directly affected by Fed rate hikes. Nearly 90% of mortgages have fixed rates and a 30-year term. And despite the Fed increasing its target rate by 125 basis points, the average APR on a 30year fixed rate mortgage has actually fallen a bit since December 2015, according to data from Freddie Mac. But when people hear rates are rising, they think the window to borrow on the

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Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Page 9

WELL Clinic

Continued from pg. 5

Happy Holidays from the doctors & staff at ARC!

HAYS FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO

Care had the responsibility of contacting patients and the process was already underway.

967

Fitness

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a working professional, a college student, a parent, or a combination of these, the new year is often busy. Just as you plan and keep track of your schedule when it comes to work, school and other commitments, it’s important to think of your workouts, grocery shopping, food prepping and overall progress in the same way. Taking photos of yourself every few weeks, as well as using grocery lists or delivery services and fitness trackers such as Orangetheory’s app are all helpful, time-efficient tools that make necessary scheduling and tracking easier. 3. Fuel Your Body—Just as a car requires gasoline to run, your body also needs the right fuel. There

Regardless of the timeframe, consistent action is the best way to create and see fitness changes in ourselves. are different types of foods to fuel your body that can influence your energy levels, muscle gains and weight loss. Lean proteins, green vegetables and complex carbs all help provide healthy nutrients before and after workouts,

and drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help your body stay hydrated. 4. Consistency is Key— It might take someone seven days, seven weeks, seven months or seven years to reach a goal. Regardless of the timeframe, consistent action is the best way to create and see fitness changes in ourselves. Our expectations for progress may not always match our real-life progress, but acting consistently to reach our goals and pushing through feelings of discouragement will bring us closer to seeing the results we want to achieve. It’s okay to miss a day here and there—just be sure it only happens occasionally!

Predictions

Continued from pg. 8 cheap is closing. And that can lead to more home sales. Through October, existing home sales are 9% behind 2016’s pace, according to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. We ended 2016 with roughly 5.45 million homes sold, according to the National Association of Realtors, thanks to a strong November and December. And we expect similar results

this year, continuing into 2018.“Home sales can be expected to continue to rise in many markets that have yet to recover from the crash a decade back,” said Oscar Brookins, an associate professor of economics at Northeastern University. “Those markets that have already recovered (primarily the coastal markets) will probably continue growth and attenuate the existent gap between themselves.”

Domestic Violence Continued from pg. 2

that victims feel secure at school or work. One client that was helped by the TAJF was Sandra, a mother of three who had been with her husband for 15 years. The relationship had been filled with family violence from the beginning, including numerous incidents of sexual assault. Because of Sandra’s history of mental illness, she had difficulty establishing credibility with local law enforcement to protect herself and her children. With the help of a Foundation grantee, Sandra was able to get local law enforcement to take her allegations seriously and protect her home and her family. As part of their grants, the Foundation funds the Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASSA) hotline to provide survivors with a statewide network of legal advocates who can provide free legal assistance and

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LEGAL AID FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE 1-844-303-SAFE (7233)

services to help Texans in need. The hotline can be reached at 1-844303-7233 (SAFE). Since its creation in 2016, the LASSA hotline has helped provide assistance to 2,259 survivors of sexual assault. “Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are not alone and do not have to spend the holidays in fear,” Guzman said.

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Continued from pg. 7

171

Kohlers Crossing

Wiley Way

of notifying the existing patients of the WELL clinic. Dixon said Communi-

Everett

The WELL Clinic has provided medical care to Hays CISD families since 2000. The clinic will close as of January 2018.

Buda Sportsplex Dr

Dixon said the grant was for $500,000 to build a 3,395 square foot health clinic adjacent to Simon. Until 2015, the WELL clinic was operated by the district with a voluntary medical director. Then in 2015 CommuniCare partnered with Hays CISD to provide medical services to patients at the WELL clinic. Dixon said they are looking into getting a new healthcare partner to come in and operate the WELL clinic but if they don’t find one, the clinic may have to close. “We will continue to explore any options we have available for that building, we just have not found an ongoing partner,” Dixon said. Board member Willie Tenorio asked Dixon about the responsibility

See Solution on 7

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• Place your classiﬁed ad by calling 512-268-7862 • Email paper@haysfreepress.com We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER Hays Free Press • December 27, 2017

Page 10

Public Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

An application has been ﬁled with Hays County to subdivide 85.19 acres of property located at along FM 1626 Road, Manchaca, TX 78632. There will be a public meeting about the application on Monday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m., at the Hays County Government Oﬃce, Development Services Conference Room, 2171 Yarrington Road, San Marcos, TX 78666. More information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services at (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: SUB-827.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report for Travis County, Texas and Incorporated Areas The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) solicits comments on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report for the Village of San Leanna. It should be noted that although no changes have occurred in the flood hazard information within the aforementioned community, the FIRM and FIS report are the basis for the floodplain management measures that your community is required to adopt in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. A 90-day comment period is being provided to allow for comments and concerns found within the new/ updated FIRM panels and FIS report released on April 7, 2017. This comment period will commence on the second publication date of this notice scheduled on or about December 27, 2017. The Preliminary FIRM and FIS report have

been mailed to the local Floodplain Administrators. In addition, the FIRM and FIS report are available for review through an interactive mapping site on-line at http://maps. riskmap6.com. For more information, please call the FEMA Map Information eXchange toll free at 1-877FEMA MAP (1-877-3362627).

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of REFUGIA LOZANO DE CHAGOYA, Deceased, were issued on December 18, 2017, in Docket No. 17-0047-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: HILBERTO CHAGOYA. The residence of the Independent Executor is in Atascosa, Bexar County, Texas. Address claims in care of the representative, HILBERTO CHAGOYA, Independent Executor. The post oﬃce address to which claims may be presented, is: c/o HILBERTO CHAGOYA, Independent Executor 14069 Macdona-LaCoste Road #6 Atascosa, Texas 78002 All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. Address claims in care of HILBERTO CHAGOYA, Independent Executor. DATED the 19th day of December, 2017. Respectfully submitted, SCANIO & SCANIO A Professional Corporation BY: /s/ Steven Stacey STEVEN STACEY 144 E. San Antonio Street San Marcos, Texas 78666 Tel: (512) 396-2016 Fax: (512) 353-2984

E-Mail: scanios@ scaniolaw.com State Bar No. 24088461 ATTORNEYS FOR HILBERTO CHAGOYA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Morningstar Storage wishes to avail themselves of the Texas Provision of chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code. This sale is listed below. They will conduct a Public Sale to the highest bidder for cash on their premises. This sale is being listed below. The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time. Date: 01/15/2018 Time: 10:15 AM Location: Morningstar Storage, 1001 W. Goforth Rd., Buda, TX 78610 Units: Unit 1073 – Sam Harper Ð Stand Up Mirror & Luggage Bags Unit 1104 – Melissa Mims-Bell Ð Clothes, Boxes, Bags, Misc. Household Unit 2039 – Jonathan King Ð Pool Table, Boxes, Misc. Household Unit 3137 – Sheila Mae Burbage – X-mas Décor, Plastic Totes, Boxes, Bags, Misc. Household Unit B220 – Mark Peevey Ð Plastic Totes, Fishing Gear, Boxes, Misc. Tools & Equipment

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Patricia Pittman Lincoln, Deceased, were issued on December 18, 2017, in Cause No. 17-0353-P, Estate of Patricia Pittman Lincoln, Deceased, In the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas, to Blakely Winston Pittman, Independent Executor of the Estate. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered

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Employment The City of Dripping Springs is currently accepting applications for the full time position of RECEPTIONIST. The application and full job description are available on the Employment page at www.cityofdrippingsprings. com and at 511 Mercer Street. Call City Hall at (512) 858-4725 or email Michelle Fischer at mfischer@ cityofdrippingsprings.com for more information.

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are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law in care of the attorney for the Estate: Blakely Winston Pittman, Independent Executor, c/o Emily R. Franco, 303 Colorado Street, Suite 2550, Austin, Travis County, Texas 78701. Dated the 20th day of December, 2017. Emily R. Franco, Attorney for the Estate

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Sue L. Madden, aka Sue LaVoyce Madden, Deceased, were issued on December 18, 2017, in Cause No. 17-0338-P, pending in the County Court at Law No. 1, Hays County, Texas, to: Brenda Sue Harper. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Brad Wiewel Attorney at Law 1601 Rio Grande St., Ste. 550 Austin, TX 78701 DATED the 27th day of December, 2017. Ann Lumley Attorney for Brenda Sue Harper

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION

Pursuant to chapter 59; Texas property code; Cornerstone Storage 281 N FM 1626 Buda, TX, 78610 will hold a public auction of property being sold to satisfy a landlord lien. The sale will end on or around 10:00 am on January 9, 2018 via storagetreasures. com. Property will be sold to the highest bidder for cash. A $50.00 clean up deposit will be required. Unit must be cleaned out 48 Hrs. from end of sale. Sale is subject to adjournment.

Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. A general description of unit contents is but not limited to misc. household items, furniture, electronics, and tools. Property includes contents from units of the following tenants: Jonathan Williams.

2-114 Mark Lane

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE/ AUCTION

7-066 Davila, Norma Jean

3-076 Dora Smith

3-098 Hunter, Sami Kay 4-008 Lucia Perez

4-025 Jose Ramirez

4-026 Whitcher, Terri Lynn 5-09D Phyllis White

5-11B Carmen Fritz 7-037 Paul Becerra

Tom Thumb mini storage LLC pursuant to the revised civil statutes of Texas 5238B, shall conduct a public sale of the contents of the Storage Rooms listed below in San Marcos, Texas. Telephone (512)3963434 on the date shown to satisfy a landlord’s lien. All successful bidders shall take possession and remove the contents of the room immediately. Tom Thumb mini storage LLC reserves the right to reject any bids and to withdraw any items from such sale. Date: January 27th, 2018 Time: 9:00 a.m. LOCATION: 1006 Hwy 80, San Marcos, TX. HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO BE SOLD 1-200 Parke, Darrell Gene 1-248 Coker, Lisa Marie 1-340 Martin, Kindred Kriss 1-350 Halie Baker 1-351 Dorthy Crayton 1-366 Robinett, Laderia Kay 1-415 Paris, Regan Lynn

7-133 Peggy Davis

CITY OF BUDA ANNEXATION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The City of Buda City Council will hold a public hearing beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 and Tuesday, January 16, 2018 in the City Council Chambers at Buda City Hall, 121 Main St., Buda, Texas 78610 to receive written and oral comments in regard to annexation of approximately 5.97+/- acres of land located at the northeast corner of the intersection of F.M. 967 and Canyon Wren. At said time and place all such persons shall have the right to appear and be heard. Of all said matters and things, all persons interested in the subject matter herein mentioned shall take notice. For more information regarding the above matters, please contact the City of Buda Planning Department at (512) 3125745.

TABC Notice Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit by DBKH, LLC DBA SunField Market to be located at 2335 Main Street, Buda, Hays County, Texas. Members of said corporation are: Doreid Awad, member; Baslan Omar, member; Qais Omar, member; and Hamza Omar, member.

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Page 11

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Page 12

Early Warning Continued from pg. 1

that, when water is rising, will flash and warn drivers of the oncoming hazardous condition, said a Water & Earth Technologies representative. “The warning system will monitor precipitation, stream levels, and rising water at the five designated crossing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” according to the city’s press release. The installations will also send information to a data system that generates reports for the city and county’s use. It also supports an app that allows for residents to “monitor the conditions at the five identi-

fied locations,” according to city of Buda press release. The company is currently doing work for the county and expects to begin construction on Buda FEW’s in February. All FEWs in Buda are expected to be finished by Aug. 31, 2018. Each station will be built one at a time and take two to three weeks to complete, a company representative said. The locations of the automated flashing lights are at the Onion Creek Bridge on RM 967, Cole Springs Road. at RM 967, Garlic Greek Culvert on RM 967, Bluff Street at FM 2770 and

Main Street at Bradfield Park. Nett said the installation at Main Street and Bradfield may be moved if it’s found not to be necessary since the area is also the focus of drainage improvements. Those improvements extend to sidewalks being elevated and street improvements from the 2014 Bond program, Nett said. The Onion Creek Watershed is the area being monitored by the system which is part of a larger effort to study floods as a region vs. solely citywide. Locations were selected because of the area’s

Live Oak Academy Continued from pg. 5

Agnew said alternative schools are gaining popularity in school districts across the country based on their success. “Students come in that are disenfranchised with education, and then they come to us and start gaining that confidence to learn in a college-like

atmosphere,” Agnew said. Agnew said LOA helps students with all kinds of learning preferences, including students with learning disabilities who may have a tougher time keeping up with the traditional school model. Agnew has high hopes for schools offer-

ing alternative learning curriculum. Agnew said that blended learning or technology-based learning is the way of the future and expects to see more school districts get involved. “I do think this (LOA) is meeting kids in the middle with education and technology,” Agnew said.

engineer, listed additional transportation improvements that could further mitigate congestion, such as improving the RM 967 and Main Street intersection. That project, along with a handful of others, could comprise of a potential application Buda may submit to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2019-2022 Project Call for federal funding. With upwards of 15,000 people living in Buda, Colin Strother, P&Z chairperson, said the city “lacks

the ability to add capacity without destroying a lot of our character.” However, P&Z commissioners wanted to divert semi-truck traffic away from the downtown sector, claiming that the flow of traffic through Main Street would be greatly improved without the influx of large trucks. Sparks said the Robert S. Light extension would help reduce truck traffic in downtown by connecting IH35 to FM 1626 and bypassing the need to go downtown on Main Street.

history of flooding with the last major floods occurring in 2013 and 2015. Lee Urbanovsky, place 1 council member, who’s lived in Buda since 2001, said, he’s witnessed vehicles stuck on the road due to a flooded street and sees the addition of the early warning system as another way to inform the public of a potential danger. For the city, it gives the public works department another tool to prepare to possibly put up barricades to block access to roads seeing rising water, Urbanovsky said. The system costs

$373,783.40 and will be paid in part by a $585,780 matching grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). There are maintenance costs such as if the monitoring posts are struck or knocked down that it’s the city’s responsibility to pay for, Nett said. Other costs associated with the installation of the system are: “facility siting, surveying, grading, foundation construction, and other administrative and project support tasks,” according to slide presentation conducted by Nett at the city council meeting.

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Continued from pg. 1 other entities that require developers to front construction costs for new infrastructure. “Roadway Impact Fees help fund the improvements that will ultimately fix stuff,” Sparks said. Sparks said there are a number of transportation projects currently underway that would help alleviate some of the traffic congestion issues. Sparks cited improvements along RM 967, continued work on FM 1626 and the completion of the Robert S. Light Blvd. extension. John Nett, Buda city

Pop. Growth

Continued from pg. 1 Texas had the seventh fastest growth rate in the country in 2017 – 1.4 percent – and it experienced the biggest numeric population growth of any state. But unlike last year, a majority of the state’s growth came from natural increase – Texans having more babies – and not people moving to the state. Of the roughly 400,000 residents the state gained over the year, the addition of 209,690 residents was attributed to natural increase. The state added another 189,580 residents as a result of net migration – the difference between the number of people leaving Texas for other places and the number of people coming to Texas. That’s a shift from the year earlier, when population growth based on net migration only slightly

NET MIGRATION :

International

110,417

Domestic

79,163

state’s population growth means the state is likely becoming less white. The Census Bureau won’t release updated demographic estimates until 2018, but Hispanics as of 2016 were already half of the state’s growth since 2010. And while white Texans still make up the state’s largest racial group, younger Texans and those of child-bearing age are more likely to be people of color. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of Texans 65 and older are white.

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outpaced natural increase. But the portion of net migration based on domestic migrants – people moving here from other states – dropped significantly this past year. The state’s overall booming population could also come with notable political implications. Political and demographic experts are already predicting that Texas will pick up additional congressional seats after the 2020 census. More immediately, the

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2930 FM 2001 805 N FM 1626 1620 Manchaca Springs 18201 IH 35 2222 FM 1626

KYLE

• Always Ignite Outdoors • Never Make Homemade Fireworks • Never Ignite in Glass or Metal Containers • Never Throw Fireworks in the Direction of Another Person • Buy Fireworks only from Established Retail Outlet

860 High Road

• Have Water Handy • Never Give Fireworks to Small Children

MUSTANG RIDGE

16510 Camino Real (SH21)

• Dispose of Fireworks Properly

www.BigThunderFireworks.com # bigthunderfireworks # buyAmericanfireworks www.AustinENT.com

Comprehensive ENT Care for All Ages

Hearing Aid Services & Sales

Ear & Hearing

Hearing Aid Services

Hearing & Balance Evaluation Chronic Ear Infections Dizziness & Vertigo Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) Ruptured Ear Drum

Thyroid & Parathyroid

Ultrasound & Needle Biopsy Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery

Allergy

Comprehensive Allergy Testing Allergy Shots & Drops

KYLE

Children’s ENT

Ear Tube Placement Tonsil & Adenoid Surgery Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery

Nose & Sinus

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery In-office Balloon Sinuplasty

Diagnostic Hearing Tests

Comprehensive Hearing Exams Immittance Testing OAE, VNG and VRA Testing Brian Schwab, M.D.

Throat, Head & Neck

Sleep Apnea Hoarseness/Vocal Cord Dysfunction

TWO LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA

1180 Seton Parkway Suite 420 Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-5282

Hearing Aid Sales, Programming Fittings, Cleanings & Repairs Earmolds & Custom Ear Plugs Hearing Protection

Mark Dammert, M.D.

Michael Yium, M.D.

LOCKHART

1005 W. San Antonio #A Lockhart, TX 78644 (512) 444-7944

Amber Bass, Au.D.