February 6, 2020 News-Dispatch by Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch

Tigers pounce on Crockett in opener

Wine Walk comes back downtown page 3

Mueller named city attorney in D.S. page 2

page 4

News-Dispatch Volume XXXX No. 18

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

75¢

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Kinder Morgan reacts to latest lawsuit

More plaintiffs join action as company says all ROW is acquired BY ANITA MILLER A lawsuit alleging Kinder Morgan has violated the Endangered Species Act with its approach to building a natural gas pipeline through the heart of the Texas Hill Country has added new plaintiffs. The Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Jan 28. to join the suit, which was

filed by the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD). The cities of Austin and San Marcos are on board, and the Kyle City Council was expected to vote on Feb. 4 too late for the News Dispatch deadline. The Hays County vote also authorized devoting $75,000 to the legal fight. Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith, whose

jurisdiction much of the proposed route of the Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) would cross, predicted the action when he issued a press release days ahead of the court’s vote. Smith noted that the suit also acknowledges the fact that because the pipeline is considered infrastructure, the company building it has the power

of eminent domain. “The action taken by the court today will continue our fight on behalf of the private property rights of the citizens of Hays County,” he said. An earlier action including many of the same plaintiffs that was filed in the spring of 2019 targeting the powerful Railroad Commission (RRC), which oversees projects like

pipelines, was thrown out within months by a district judge. In addition to Kinder Morgan, the lawsuit alleges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have violated terms of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its protections, which are supposed to extend to each listed

species. Repeating claims made by the BSEACD, Smith charged that Kinder Morgan’s refusal to get a biological opinion from USFSW or to create a habitat conservation plan in its construction of the 42-inch pipeline, which would run from the oil fields on west Texas to

NEWEST LAWSUIT 2

CENSUS

Push is on for accurate 2020 count

Nominations for Texas Women’s Hall of Fame sought AUSTIN - The Texas Governor’s Commission for Women is now accepting nominations for the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Nominations are open to any native or current residents of Texas, living or deceased, who have made significant contributions that have benefited the state of Texas. “The Texas Women’s Hall of Fame pays homage to the incredible contributions that women have made to the Lone Star State,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “These extraordinary women serve as examples for all Texans and will continue to inspire leaders in business, education, philanthropy, public service and more for generations to come. I look forward to recognizing the invaluable achievements of this year’s inductees.” HALL OF FAME, 2

BY ANITA MILLER

Stick up for Peace

PHOTO BY DSISD

A select group of students at Dripping Springs ISD’s Sycamore Springs Middle School who are members of the Kids for Character group recently learned about conflict resolution, respecting classmates, and how to lead positive conversations. with an inititive titled “Stick up for Peace.” They gave presentations during study halls over a three-day period, asking,”is peace in the world possible?”

SHERIFF’S RACE

Cutler leads field in fundraising BY ANITA MILLER

Democratic nomination. Cutler, of Driftwood, reported Hays County Sheriff Gary Cut- $3,500 total political contribuler is way ahead in fundraising tions and $5,626.75 in political when compared to his Repubexpenditures on Jan. 31. On that lican opponent in the March date, he also reported $47,028.27 3 primary as well as the two cash on hand. candidates in the running for the Cutler’s financial report

LAGNIAPPE

Community Skate Night moving to Thursdays through March

Community Skate Night at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays through March 25, after which it will return to Wednesday nights at the same time. The event is open to

all ages and the cost is free. However, participants must sign a waiver (available at the venue) before skating. The venue is located at 1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs, 512-894-2046.

showed $1,150 raised from within Hays County and $2,350 in contributions coming from outside the county. The largest donor, $1,000, was reported as Laurie Brown of Austin.

Stop by the Dripping Springs Farmers Market any Wednesday

SHERIFF’S RACE 2

“The Triangle.” Fresh local food draws a lively mix of people of all ages who not only shop but visit and listen to live music. You’ll find locally grown fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, yard eggs and regionally produced honey. You can usually also There’s no better way pick up ready-made to welcome a predicted foods including Mexiearly spring than by can, Thai and Andean visiting the Dripping cuisine and gourmet Springs Farmers Market, items like olive oils and held every Wednesday handmade cheeses. from 3 to 6 p.m. at Veterand locally-produced ans Memorial Park, aka mushrooms.

Some are homeowners while others rent. Some are making their parents proud by attending college, while others do all they can to avoid notice because they lack proper documentation to even be here. Still others don’t have a permanent address, sleeping in their vehicles, camping in the woods or along local streams. All those folks are part of the population of Hays County, and all those situations provide an obstacle to the accurate count of people living in the U.S.A. that is demanded by our Constitution every 10 years via the national Census. Hays County — some 200 miles from the Mexican border, home to two thriving universities and one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation located along the business-friendly “innovation corridor”— has a population more diverse than many. But that very fact makes it hard to get an accurate count. The county’s population is just over 222,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and of that, 25 to 30 percent are at risk for being undercounted. That matters, because federal funds for things ranging from infrastructure, to healthcare, education and more depend on the Census count. It’s estimated that federal assistance across the nation totals $675 billion. Although the Texas Legislature did not allocate any money to facilitate an accurate count, other sources have stepped in to help fund the Complete County Committees established by cities and counties. The Hays County Complete Count Committee (CCC) is not yet fully staffed, but the Commissioners Court on Jan. 28 ramped up its game of preparation by naming Jessica Mejia as its new part-time Census coordinator. Commissioners also approved a proclamation, which declares April 1 to be “Census Day” and notes in part that the CCC contains representatives of the business community, educational sector, faith-based community and diverse community

CENSUS 3

Page 2

News-Dispatch

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PHOTOGRAPHER Wayland Clark PROOFREADER Jane Kirkham CIRCULATION MANAGER/ LEGAL NOTICES Verna Wommack paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com

News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the weeks following July 4 and Christmas by Barton Publications, Inc., 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $42 local, $59 county, $62 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Newest lawsuit: Kinder Morgan reacts to ESA challenge Continued from pg. 1

ar Houston, violated the terms of the ESA. However, Kinder Morgan Vice President Allen Fore told the Hays Free Press that the company does intend to comply with the ESA and to obtain both a biological opinion from the USFWS as well as an authorization from USACE “particular to jurisdictional waters.” “Part of the analysis will be impacts” to species including the golden-cheeked warbler and “some salamanders,” he said. However, he declined to provide details on how mitigation would work, in particular with regard to aquatic species. “There will be definitions and we’ll be discussing that once those authorizations are in place,” Fore said. “I can’t comment specifically because those authorizations are still pending … once that’s issued we will indicate precisely what we’re going to do and where we’re going to be doing it. We’ve always known that mitigation would be part of the process.” Fore maintained that Kinder Morgan has “always said we’re abiding by all the rules and regulations of fish and wildlife and the migratory bird act, all the requirements.” Central Texans – including those who own land along the proposed route, first learned of the pipeline plans in late 2018. Smith called natural gas a “toxic and flammable substance,” and the proposed route as crossing some of “the most ecologically sensitive features in Central Texas and the Hill Country.” Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell also commented on the action. “Our natural resources – our aquifers, rivers, creeks and wildlife – will be endangered by the pipeline’s construction, and should a leak or explosion occur the results would be devastating,” he said. At peak production, the pipeline would carry up

to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. As proposed, the route would cross the recharge zones of both the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and come within a mile of the artesian spring that forms Jacob’s Well. “The proposed route does not require approval from any state agency even though it crosses the Edwards and Trinity aquifers, which supply drinking water for over two million people,” Smith said. “The pipeline will also cut directly through the habitat of endangered species such as the Barton Springs salamander and the Austin Blind Salamander, among others.” Fore confirmed that right-of-way has been secured for 100 percent of the 42-inch pipeline’s 430 mile length and downplayed the use of eminent domain, saying that a “significant number” of cases in which the company has ended up in court with landowners involved valuation, not actual access. Tthe company has already paid out millions to landowners in Blanco County who challenged the valuation. Fore said the company is acting as it has historically, assessing the project’s impact on only the value of the 50-foot permanent easement, not the property as a whole. He discounted the possibility that the presence of the easement would hamper development, pointing to areas near Houston where “you see development coming right up to our right of way. It’s not impeding development at all.” Moreover, he said some of the more than 160 adjustments the company has worked out with landowners have been for future plans – whether it’s the planned location for a family cabin, or for a new subdivision. “We make an adjustment because they have plans.” Fore said he expects federal authorizations

to be resolved in the first quarter of this year and that construction, once it begins, should only take about a year to complete. He said the PHP’s route has been divided into five segments and each will be constructed at the same time, facilitating a short schedule, and that each segment will have its own team. “Product will flow as soon as everything is tied in,” he said, though restoration of the ground above the line may take longer. For example, if a landowner wanted the

easement seeded with a particular type of grass and the initial planting didn’t take, more seeds would be put out. He also said it will be possible that the pipeline could supply not only its end destination in the Houston area but points along the way – for new subdivisions or manufacturers. “It’s absolutely a possibility. We have two delivery points now in Caldwell County.” As the area continues to develop he expects the “major new source of natural” gas the PHP will pro-

vide will be taken advantage of. “I’d be surprised if that didn’t happen.” Though the company has long-term contracts for product the PHP will move, “we can have additional space on the line for additional growth.” “We’re building it thinking 15, 20 years down the road,” Fore said. “We’re trying to think of the need for the project right now but also in the future ability for local development or manufacturers needing a fuel supply, that this energy supply going through has longterm value.”

at Buda, TX. Email paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to News-Dispatch, PO Box 339, Buda, TX 78610 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.

Hall of fame: Submissions due April 30 Continued from pg. 1

Coordinated by the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women, the Hall of Fame includes former first ladies, astronauts, entrepreneurs and Olympic athletes. A permanent

exhibit is housed at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Submission can be made online at https:// gov.texas.gov/organization/women/wom-

ens-hof-nominations or through the mailed nomination form. Nominations must be submitted no later than Thursday, April 30, at noon.

Sheriff’s race: Cutler ahead in fundraising Continued from pg. 1

Cutler’s GOP challenger David Graham, of Dripping Springs, who filed his report on Jan. 13, showed $3,624.32 in total political contributions and $4,226.80 in expenditures. As of the filing of the report, he said he had $2,903 on hand. Graham reported $1,653 in contributions from within Hays County and $1,150 from outside. The largest single donation was $600 from Ernest Ferro of Dripping Springs. On the Democratic side, Richard “Dicky” Haverda

of Kyle reported $150 in total political contributions and $121.52 in expenditures. His financial report was filed Jan. 31. All of his monetary donations came from within Hays County with the largest, $100, from Sherman Brodbeck of Wimberley. Alex Villalobos of Kyle, also running in the Democratic primary, reported $2,100 in political contributions and $1,203.15 in expenses on his financial report, which was filed Jan. 15, at which time he

also said he had $896.85 cash on hand. Villalobos reported $900 raised within Hays County and $150 coming from elsewhere. The largest donation, $750, was made by Chevo Pastrano of San Marcos. Early voting for the primaries will begin Feb. 18 and run through Feb. 28. Hays County voters may cast their ballots at any of the county’s voting centers. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3.

Worship in a church of your choice Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today.

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM

Sunday Morning

11:00 AM

Sunday Worship

5:45 PM

Wednesday Meal

6:30 PM

Wed TouchPoint

A Family of Faith...

SCBC Preschool Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries

www.sunsetcanyonchurch.org

(512) 894-0480

4000 E. HWY 290

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule

Rev. Justin

Spanish Mass Sunday: 1:30 p.m.

corner of RR 12 & Post Oak in Dripping Springs

Mueller named 1st fulltime city attorney BY CHASE ROGERS DRIPPING SPRINGS – The Dripping Springs City Council unanimously voted, 6-0, to appoint Laura Mueller city attorney during the Jan. 21 regular meeting. Mueller is the first full-time attorney in the city’s history. She served as a contracted attorney with the city for several years representing Bojorquez law firm. Though she has been employed

www.stmartindp.org

by the city since Nov. 19, Mueller’s title and position was created as a new municipal office.

‘One Water’ coming Feb. 14 “One Water: Cutting Costs & Protecting Our Aquifers” will be held at the Wimberley Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. Sponsored by Friends of Blue Hole, the event will look at ways commu-

Texas Crossword Solution

Nguyen, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m. Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.

512-858-5667

MUELLER

See puzzle, page 5

nities can build water resilience through creative uses of groundwater, surface water, rainwater and stormwater. Space is limited. For reservations visit https://learning events. friendsofbluehole.org/ one-water

Thursday, February 6, 2020

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 3

Wimberley wastewater update lacking details for north of Cypress Creek BY CAMELIA JUAREZ

HAYS COUNTY PHOTO

Left to right, County Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos, Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Director of Countywide Operations Tammy Crumley, County Judge Ruben Becerra, Executive Assistant to the Judge Anita Collins, Census Coordinator Jessica Mejia, Central Texas Dispute Resolution Center Community Liaison Randolph Goodman, Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell and Pct. 4 Commission Walt Smith.

Census: County gearing up for complete count Continued from pg. 1

organizations. County Judge Ruben Becerra also made a point to note that the Census doesn’t ask about citizenship, and that Census information cannot, for a period of 72 years, be shared with any other agency. “Our task is to encourage our residents to participate in the Census and educate them on the methods they can use to answer the Census survey,” Becerra said. Census forms will be mailed out beginning March 12 and can be answered through the mail, over the phone or on the internet. A free hotline through 2-1-1 will also

be available to provide assistance to anyone who needs it. With a population estimated near 29 million, Texas could stand to lose up to $43 billion in federal funds yearly if the Census is not successful. An undercount of just 1 percent could cost the state $300 million a year over the course of the next decade. “Our CCC includes representatives from throughout the county and has already set up task forces to encourage participation from nonprofits, businesses, the education community and others to help get the right information to our residents,” Anita Collins,

Becerra’s executive assistant, said. A sampling of the programs that could be affected by an undercount includes Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, highway funding and construction, Pell grants, Head Start, the National School Lunch program, Section 8 housing vouchers, WIC, low-income energy assistance, unemployment insurance, CDBG Disaster Recovery Grants, historic preservation funds, small business development grants, violence against women initiatives, emergency food assistance, assistance to firefighters and public housing capital funds.

Census: County’s Complete Count Committee still has vacancies BY ANITA MILLER

Texas State University, Tim Savoy representing Hays County has gone a Hays CISD, Mike Cardona long ways toward popurepresenting San Marcos lating its Complete Count CISD, Dottie Busby of Committee but still needs Wimberley ISD, Cherrepresentatives from yl Brown of Dripping some segments of the Springs ISD, Jason Guilietcommunity. ti representing Greater The county announced San Marcos Partnership, and began staffing the Juan Zea representing committee last fall and Community Cares, Bobbie has also dedicated $50,000 Garza-Hernandez repretowards the 2020 Census. senting the Democratic Areas of the county have Party and Mike Jones been deemed difficult representing the Republito count, and during can Party. the 2019 meeting of the Other members are Texas Legislatures, the Bonny Krahn, representGOP-controlled House ing Woodcreek North, and Senate declined to Mayor Larry Odom repreprovide any funding. senting Hays City and MaSome nonprofit agenrissa Fehler representing cies, notably United Way, the city of Wimberley. have stepped in to provide Within the committee additional funds to make are subgroups. Nonprofit a success of the Census, task forces are representwhich determines how ed by Alyssa Garza of federal funds are allocated Mano Amigo and Maria to local communities and Rocha of the Indigenous causes. Cultures Institute, while Co-chairs of the Hays the business and political County Complete Count task force is comprised of Committee’s Executive Caitlyn Strickland of Hays Board are County Judge County, Laureen Chernow Ruben Becerra and Pct. of Hays County communi1 Commissioner Debbie cations, Marilyn Minnaar Gonzales Ingalsbe. Also of the League of Women on the executive board Voters and Efren Chavez are Shavon Caldwell, and Lindsay McClune of representing San Marcos, Hays County Grants. MiWill ATkinson, represent- guel Arredondo of the San ing Kyle, J.R. Gonzales Marcos CISD is in charge representing Buda, Gloria of the educational task Martinez representing force, which is comprised

of school districts, early childhood education and home-schooling organizations. The faith based task force is represented by Margie Crosby of Promiseland Church, and the service organization task force is represented by Beth Corbett of Central Texas Food Bank. Complete County Committee members from neighboring counties are Irma Palacios from Guadalupe County, Julia Cleary of Bastrop County and Dennis Engelke of Caldwell County. Still to be named are representatives of Mountain City, the city of Dripping Springs, the Village of Bear Creek and Comal County. The county was denied a grant from the Hogg Foundation to offset Census costs, but the United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties put forth $8,000 to the committee. The county will also get a share of a $59,000 grant administered by Travis County that will be shared with Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop and Williamson counties. The United Way of Greater Austin also gave $10,000 to Mano Amigo, which is also working with the city of San Marcos’ Complete Count effort.

Wine Walk moving back to downtown Wimberley BY CHASE ROGERS

WIMBERLEY – Wimberley Community Civic Club’s 2020 Wine Walk, slated for Thursday, April 2, will be relocated to Wimberley’s downtown district after being held at Blue Hole Regional Park in 2019. The event has become a Wimberley staple, attracting tourists seeking to try different wines, sample from food trucks and experience the city. Council unanimously approved, 6-0, temporarily closing down a portion of Old Kyle Road for the duration of the event in expectation of heavy foot traffic. “I am happy to sponsor closing Old Kyle Road for what (Civic Club) needs” Place 4 Councilman Gary

Barchfeld said. “I think that that’s dangerous to have people traveling and walking and driving at the same time. I am all about that.” According to City Administrator Shawn Cox, city officials will coordinate with businesses in close proximity to the event to mitigate any accessibility issues that the event could cause. “We’ll all work together with the property owners in the city to make sure that we close (Old Kyle Road) in the proper location to provide adequate access to all of the driveways that need to be reached,” Cox said. Barchfeld said the popularity of the Wine Walk extends past Wimberley’s city limits, citing an encounter with someone he

had met from outside the area that attends the event annually. He said events like the Wine Walk incentivise prospective visitors to come to the city. “These kinds of events are so helpful to the community as a whole – it just does good,” Barchfeld said. “I was sitting at a diner at a museum in Houston and a lady said ‘Wimberley? I go there for the wine walk every year.’ I thought wow, who’d have thought?” Tickets for the Wine Walk are $45 and may be purchased by visiting the Wimberley Community Civic Club Web site or through WCCC’s page on Eventbrite. Additional tickets may be purchased at the door on a first come, first served basis.

Station. Cox said the lift station has the capacity Wimberley residents of 75,000 gallons a day, expressed their frustrawhich is the adequate tions with a wastewater capacity for the city. The update presented by City conveyance method or Manager Shawn Cox waste transportation during a town hall meet- recommendation is ing Jan. 30. pending. Once pipes Cox said he hopes to reach the lift stations the reach a flushing date waste will be transferred “as close as I can to July to a treatment facility 2020.” However, comthrough Aqua Texas. munity members find So far 70 percent of the it hard to believe since gravity lines have been there is no contract to completed. The remainbegin work on the north ing gravity lines will be side of the project. located on Oldham Lane, The wastewater projRanch Road 12 and FM ect is divided into two 3237. Cox expects to have parts, the north side and the remaining gravity south side of Cypress lines designed and ready Creek. In the original for installation later this contract, approved in month. 2013, the city was not In addition, the city responsible for the north will need to install a lift side of the creek, but station on Ranch Road 12 now the city is tasked and FM 3237 and install with that responsibility force main lines. Curand taking steps to begin rently, Cox and his enconstruction. gineer are finalizing the The goal on the south design for the force main side is to build gravity route and lift station. pipes to reach the Aqua The next step is to Texas lift stations located span the Cypress Creek near HEB. This lift station or create a line at the inis referred as the HEB/ tersection of Ranch Road Emergency Lane Lift 12 and FM 3237, which

was approved by TxDOT in November. In late 2019, city council could not complete negotiations with landowners for an easement that would cross the creek. Now, the city will coordinate with TxDOT on how to cross the creek. At the meeting, Cox shared the ideas sent to TxDOT which include a pipe that will be placed along the Cypress Creek bridge and the other option is a lift station. Cox is waiting for the agency to review those options and find out what TxDOT requires so the city can begin to contract and design the connecting pipe. Once the connection is made, the city can begin working on the north side. To complete the north side, the city will have to get more funding. Cox provided a cost estimate of $220,000, but admits that is a low estimate. The price will not be set until a rebid is complete. The city will have to rebid its contract because Texas laws require it.

Police Blotter

The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between Jan. 27 and Feb. 1, 2020. Endanger/Abandon................................................. 1 Civil Matter............................................................... 8 Deliver Message...................................................... 1 Information............................................................. 12 Compliance Check................................................ 15 Property- Lost/Found/Imp...................................... 3 Civil Process Service............................................... 6 Sex Offender Registry............................................. 4 Alarm Business...................................................... 31 Alarm Residential.................................................. 29 Alarm Vehicle........................................................... 1 Animal Calls........................................................... 88 Field Euthanasia...................................................... 3 Loose Livestock.................................................... 19 Assault..................................................................... 6 Sexual Assault......................................................... 2 Assist EMS............................................................. 16 Assist Fire Dept....................................................... 5 Assist Outside Agency.......................................... 18 Burglary Building..................................................... 3 Burglary Habitation................................................. 5 Burglary Vehicle....................................................... 1 Criminal Mischief................................................... 25 Illegal Dumping........................................................ 5 Death Investigation................................................. 1 Disorderly Conduct................................................. 2 Fireworks................................................................. 1 Enviromental Crime................................................. 2 Reckless Damage.................................................... 1 Disturbance Noise................................................. 19 Disturbance Physical Fight................................... 13 Disturbance Verbal................................................ 13 Child Custody.......................................................... 5 MIP Tobacco............................................................ 1 Public Intoxication................................................... 2 Fraud........................................................................ 6 Credit/Debit Abuse.................................................. 2 Harassment............................................................ 13 Threat....................................................................... 4 Indecency w Child................................................... 1 Mental Health Follow Up......................................... 3 Mental Health Invest............................................... 5 Mental Health Transport.......................................... 2 Canine Search......................................................... 6 Canine Training........................................................ 1 Drone Deployment.................................................. 2

Drone Training......................................................... 1 Viol City Ordinance.................................................. 3 SRP Drill................................................................... 2 Missing Person........................................................ 3 Runaway.................................................................. 3 Public Assist.......................................................... 17 Community Contact.............................................. 52 Disabled Vehicle.................................................... 24 Escort....................................................................... 1 Foot Patrol............................................................. 11 Close Patrol......................................................... 227 Parent Discipline Assist.......................................... 2 Flagged Down......................................................... 3 Welfare Concern.................................................... 24 Suicidal Person........................................................ 4 Investigation............................................................ 8 Supplement........................................................... 74 Suspicious Circumstances................................... 18 Suspicious Person................................................. 19 Suspicious Vehicle................................................ 34 Wanted Person........................................................ 4 Identity Theft............................................................ 2 Theft....................................................................... 34 Unauth Use Vehicles............................................... 1 Recovery Stolen Vehicle......................................... 1 Accident Minor...................................................... 25 Accident Hit and Run.............................................. 2 Accident Major/Injury............................................ 22 Accident Fleet.......................................................... 1 Accident Unknown.................................................. 2 Abandoned/Stored Vehicle..................................... 7 Traffic Control/Direction.......................................... 8 Directed/Area Enforce........................................... 49 Traffic Hazard......................................................... 27 Attempt to Locate................................................. 57 Parking Enforcement............................................... 8 Traffic Stop........................................................... 624 Trespassing/Unwanted......................................... 29 911 Abandoned/Open......................................... 146 Deadly Conduct....................................................... 1 Weapon Concern..................................................... 1 Discharge Firearm................................................. 10 Falls.......................................................................... 1 Animals Control Call Out......................................... 1 Private Tow/Repo.................................................. 23

Below is a sample of events reported by law enforcement from Jan. 27 through Feb. 1, 2020. 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 01/27/2020 HCSO Assault 01/27/2020 BPD Sexual Assault 01/27/2020 HCSO Sexual Assault 01/27/2020 HCSO Death Investigation 01/27/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 01/27/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 01/27/2020 HCSO Indecency w Child 01/27/2020 BPD Accident - Hit and Run 01/27/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 01/27/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/27/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/27/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/27/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 01/28/2020 HCSO Dangerous Drugs 01/28/2020 HCSO Threat 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/28/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/28/2020 HCSO Deadly Conduct 01/28/2020 BPD Assault 01/30/2020 HCSO Assault 01/29/2020 HCSO Reckless Damage 01/29/2020 HCSO Wanted Person 01/30/2020 HCSO Threat 01/29/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/29/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/29/2020 HCSO Public Lewdness 01/30/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 01/30/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/30/2020 HCSO Assault 01/31/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 01/31/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/01/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/01/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 01/31/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 01/31/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/31/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/31/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/31/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 01/31/2020 HCSO Assault 02/01/2020 HCSO Assault 02/01/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/01/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/01/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/01/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/01/2020 BPD Weapon Concern 02/01/2020

Time 8:59:36 19:00:47 9:17:56 11:06:52 17:47:54 6:50:06 17:44:12 14:20:25 6:53:26 20:20:23 5:09:30 13:00:28 15:35:38 21:24:17 21:32:20 10:40:30 11:39:51 11:22:30 23:35:52 8:13:00 8:41:40 16:21:28 16:22:34 16:36:55 18:03:59 5:15:07 16:33:28 14:41:14 11:31:05 22:00:18 15:44:42 18:47:49 16:15:49 21:00:45 16:29:30 15:24:37 18:00:16 0:25:01 1:04:06 7:30:25 11:41:21 7:12:40 16:27:27 17:15:11 17:15:31 8:35:44 19:42:43 20:44:08 21:35:58 18:49:17 22:45:46 20:57:02

Location Lehman Rd Lehman High School Kyle Lehman Rd Lehman High School Kyle E Loop St Buda HCWC Womens Shelter San Marcos Boulder Blf San Marcos Trails At Buda Ranch Apts Buda Whispering Wind Way Austin Raymond Dr Kyle Buda EXIT 220 NB S IH 35 San Marcos Buda EXIT 223 NB SH 80/N Old Bastrop Hwy San Marcos Kai Vista Dr Kyle RR 3237/Rogers Rd Wimberley Heritage Oaks Dr Austin Jack C Hays Trl Hays High School Buda Green Pastures Dr Kyle Ranger Dr Buda Crazy Cross Rd Wimberley Exit 191 NB New Braunfels Hillside Ter/Fm 2001 Buda Laurel Hill St Austin Long Creek Rd/Laurel Hill St Austin Camino Real/Grist Mill Rd Kyle Peaceful Valley Rd Kyle Kyle Pkwy Kyle Seton Hays W US 290 Dripping Springs High School Saddleridge Dr Wimberley 18869 IH 35 La Quinta Inn Kyle RR 1826 Friendship Baptist Church Austin RR 12/Malone Dr Wimberley S Old Bastrop Hwy/Redwood Rd San Marcos RR 967 Johnson High School Buda Cabelas Dr/IH 35 Fr Buda 5300blk Goforth Rd Kyle E Rr 150 Kyle Simon Middle School Condor Dr San Marcos Old Ranch Road 12 Delta Tau Delta Frat House Sunrise Dr Kyle Buda EXIT 220 NB Buda EXIT 219 NB Camino Real/S Old Spanish Trl Kyle W Center St/N Sledge St Kyle W Rr 150/Quail Meadow Dr Kyle W Rr 150/Quail Meadow Dr Kyle Quail Run Buda Bebee Rd/Sunrise Dr Kyle Pine Siskin Dr Buda Ridgewood Cir Wimberley RR 1826/W Rr 150 Driftwood N Bluff St/W US 290 Dripping Springs IH 35 Buda HEB

Page 4

News-Dispatch

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Sports/Education Tigers tame Jags in 54-48 upset BY MOSES LEOS III

How area teams fared following realignment On Monday, the UIL completed its biennial realignment and reclassification process for the 2020-22 seasons. This year's realignment included the addition of Johnson High, which will compete at the varsity level in all sports next fall, as well as Lehman High's drop from 6A to the 5A ranks.

DISTRICT 26-6A Hays San Marcos

DISTRICT 14-4A, DIVISION II – FOOTBALL ONLY

Westlake Akins Austin

Wimberley

Bowie

Austin Achieve

Del Valle

Eastside Memorial

DISTRICT 12-5A, DIVISION I – FOOTBALL ONLY Lehman Johnson Dripping Springs New Braunfels Canyon Seguin San Antonio McCollum San Antonio Harlandale San Antonio Veterans Memorial

DISTRICT 26-5A – ALL OTHER SPORTS Lehman

Geronimo Navarro Manor New Tech San Antonio Young Men's Leadership

DISTRICT 28-4A – VOLLEYBALL ONLY Wimberley Bandera Boerne Canyon Lake Fredericksburg

DISTRICT 28-4A – ALL OTHER SPORTS Wimberley Bandera

Johnson Dripping Springs New Braunfels Canyon Kerrville Tivy

San Antonio Veterans Memorial Alamo Heights

Lake Travis

Seguin

Boerne Champion

Boerne Canyon Lake Comal Davenport Fredericksburg

Tigers pounce on Crockett for 4-0 win

When the time came for his team to withstand a furious LBJ Jaguar rally Friday, Dripping Springs Tiger head coach Craig Swannack knew his players were up to task. A courage-under-fire mentality, along with 21 points from guard Jay Guevara, gave Dripping Springs the firepower to withstand everything state-ranked LBJ had to offer en route to a 54-48 upset of the Jaguars at Tiger Gym. For Swannack, withstanding the “storm,” which came in the form of LBJ’s signature pressure defense, was the key to victory. “We told the guys, ‘Be in the eye of the storm, stay calm.’ We knew they (LBJ) would come back and get us with a punch,” Swannack said. “The guys did what we asked them to, they withstood the storm and kept playing solid defense. Such a great team win.” Dripping Springs (17-5, 7-2) led 31-12 at halftime, but a 19-3 Jaguar run cut the Tiger advantage to 34-31 with seven minutes left in the game. Playing a vital role in LBJ’s comeback was guard Jordan Teal who scored 11 of his 22 total points in the third frame alone. All 22 of Teal’s points were tallied in the second half. A speedy Jaguar defense further exasperated Dripping Springs’ struggles as the Jaguars rocked 11 second half turnovers. That all changed midway through the fourth frame as Dripping Springs slowed down the pace of play and began to attack the paint. As a result, the Tiger offense drew 10 Jaguar fouls in the final quarter, allowing Dripping Springs to go 12 of 19 from the free throw line. Swannack lauded his team’s ability to be a “slow clock on offense” and control the pace of play, a tactic the Tigers successfully used in the first half. Effectively crashing the boards also gave Dripping Springs the upper hand, Swannack said. Dripping Springs outrebounded LBJ 30-20 in the contest. “We were rushing in the

Dripping Springs’ Herman Casanova (17) takes the ball from a Crockett mid-fielder during the Tigers 4-0 win in their District 25-5A home opener against the Cougars on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Xavier Phillips drives to the basket, between a pair of LBJ defenders, for a lay-up shot early in the second period with the Tigers leading 18-5. LBJ outscored the Tigers 17-3 in the third period but a late fourth period surge by the Tigers led to a 55-48 win for Dripping Springs. Phillips finished with 9 points.

third quarter, but once we felt comfortable again, we began picking things up,” Guevara said. Obtaining output from multiple contributors, primarily from the bench, equally pushed the Tiger offense along, said Swannack. Bench player efforts helped to bridge the gap left by the absence of starters Trace Young and Jackson Friedman who did not play Friday. Tiger guard Aidan Bailey finished with 10 points while Luke Lawyer and Xavier Phillips both

scored nine points. “That’s what makes these guys so special. They live for each other and play for each other,” Swannack said. “When you have a team like that, when something unfortunate happens, we have that ‘next man up’ mentality so where we can have a great game like tonight.” Friday’s win offered the Tigers more than a late-season confidence boost. With the win, Dripping Springs is now one game behind LBJ in the race for the 25-5A district crown

with two weeks left in the regular season. Keeping an even keel down the stretch is what Swannack said is key for the Tigers to avoid a letdown down the stretch. Even though key contests against McCallum and Austin Northeast loom, upsetting a top-tier foe was a moment for Guevara to relish. “We just beat the number 8 team in the state,” Guevara said. “It’s a good team win.” Dripping Springs hosts McCallum Friday at 7 p.m. at Tiger Gym.

Realignment brings drastic change BY MOSES LEOS III

PHOTOS BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III

Well before the sun broke over the horizon Monday, Johnson High athletic coordinator Steve Hoffman and his coaching staff were already hard at work building up a game plan. Much like thousands of other coaches across the state, the Jaguar staff prepared for the completion of the UIL’s biennial realignment and reclassification for the 2020-21 season. What comes with it will be a host of changes for Hays CISD and Dripping Springs ISD athletic programs, which includes the absence of a Hays/ Lehman and Hays/John-

son football game. Amid the surprises and stress of realignment day, Hoffman felt the unveiling of new districts signaled the birth of Jaguar athletics. “This is what we were waiting on. This is when it really starts,” Hoffman said. “We kicked it off today and we’re excited.”

THREE HAYS COUNTY SCHOOLS IN NEW 5A DISTRICT For Johnson, Lehman and Dripping Springs, life in their new 5A districts will involve plenty of travel. In football, the trio of Hays County schools

will compete in the new 12-5A, Division I which includes a trio of San Antonio area programs. For all other sports, each team faces hour-plus long road trips to Kerrville, Boerne and north San Antonio in 26-5A. Hoffman and Lehman High athletic coordinator Bruce Salmon both said the move to a San Antonio-area district wasn’t much of a surprise. Both coaches pointed to projections which showed the possibility of a move south. However, Salmon had hoped to be realigned against schools closer to home in sports outside of football. Hoffman said

the increased travel is an adjustment each school will have to make as the year progresses. “It’s going to be different for some of our kids, but it’s something we’ll have to figure out,” Salmon said. For Lehman High, the focus as it moves down to 5A continues to center on strengthening its numbers. A straw poll with coaches in 12-5A, Division I showed most programs had two freshman and two junior varsity football squads, said Salmon. Last year, Lehman High had one freshman team and did not field a junior

REALIGNMENT 5

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Kay Anthamatten (11) joins Adam Knutson who scored the first of four Tiger goals in the District 25-5A home opener against Crockett on Tuesday, January 28 at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers host Lockhart on Friday, Feb. 7, JV at 5 p.m. and Varsity at 7 p.m.

401 E. Hwy 290W. P.O. Box 1243 Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Thursday, February 6, 2020

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Page 5

OBITUARY WASHINGTON Rev. Alphonso Washington enjoyed a long and healthy life, but died after a brief illness on Feb.y 1, 2020, at age 106 near his residence in Warrenton, Virginia. He was amazingly accomplished, amazingly – at times, impossibly – high profile. Yet, he was unaffected and preferred to wear humility as his badge of honor over being honored for being himself. Born in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 18, 1913, he spent his formative years west of the Nation’s Capital in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. As a young man, he was drafted into the service of his country during World War II whereupon, following training at Fort Meade, Maryland, and in Florida, he was stationed at the Gary Army Air Corps Base in San Marcos, Texas. He visited, joined and became involved in the First Baptist Church (NBC) of San Marcos as an active duty soldier. This would make for a formative affiliation lasting the duration of his life spent in San Marcos. During his first visit to First Baptist in January 1943, he met the Tolliver family, with whom lived a niece, Rosa Mae Johns. The family invited him home after church service for Sunday “dinner,” and he “ate Rosa Mae’s cooking ever after,” as he would often describe it. The two married on Sept. 22, 1943, and to their union were born a daughter and two sons. While busy and active in church leadership, with young family obligations, and working at the San Marcos Baptist Academy

leading plumbing maintenance, he also found time to attend Guadalupe (Bible) College in Seguin, Texas. When he was ordained, he became an associate pastor at First Baptist, a post he continued to hold for the duration of his military service and until he was called to pastor the Mason Lone Oak Baptist Church in Lockhart, Texas. He held the latter pastorship for 23 years before returning to lead First Baptist, then followed by pastoring the Sledge Chapel Baptist Church in Kyle. Although his ministry service was anchored in San Marcos, he was frequently called upon for leadership in the Baptist Association network of historically black Baptist churches in the Central Texas region, as well as other ministerial organizations, for almost six decades. Alphonso was never one to hide from public service leadership, or most any challenge for that matter. Even outside of direct ministry within church, and much to the chagrin of his wife, Rosa Mae, he felt compelled to become involved in area politics. With San Marcos and the surrounding area being a more different place during the Civil Rights Era than today, as a political novice he entered a San Marcos City Council race that he did not win. In a later attempt, and with the aid of many including longtime family friend and campaign manager, Wynette (Tutta) Barton, he won one of two places in a City Council runoff. However, he withdrew based on threats on

his family. Again, different dynamics from a different time. Undaunted, however, by past challenges, he would eventually best an incumbent for the Place 2 seat on the San Marcos school district board in 1978. In addition to having one of his grandsons in the school system by then, he pursued that role fueled by a personal conviction that quality education presents the best opportunity for lifelong success; he wanted to be a part of working toward securing such opportunity for the children of San Marcos. He was successfully re-elected and ultimately served on the school board for 12 years, facing only one lightly contested election, until his retirement in 1990. He was always humble in his leadership, though glad to serve. He was honored in 1994 – and further humbled – to have a San Marcos education center named for him, the A. Washington Child Development Center, which still serves young children today. In addition to elected office, Alphonso’s public service was manifest through literally dozens of community and philanthropic organizations in San Marcos, Hays County,

Central Texas and nationally, from the 1940s through the early 2000s. A small sample includes being a Mason and also chaplain for the American Legion Post 144 in San Marcos; the late governor Dolph Briscoe appointed him to the state Child Welfare Board. Community Action of Hays County and the Southside Community Center were places of longtime service for him. The trolley service came to fruition in San Marcos under his tenure, first as Vice President, then as President of the local transportation board. In the 1970s, then-Mayor Eddy Etheredge appointed him to the San Marcos Planning and Zoning Board (now Commission) during a critical planning period for “explosive growth” that was expected to merge Austin and San Antonio into one metropolitan area – a mind-boggling notion at the time. Yet, Mayor Etheredge would observe later of Alphonso’s many leadership roles, that any challenge needed people like Reverend Washington because “he always understood the problem” and, thus, would consistently work to seek out the best of solutions. Alphonso never fancied

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Wimberley mayor signals a potential power play

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