February 13, 2020 News-Dispatch by Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch

Alba Ranch due marker

Tigers cinch playoff berth

Modern romance

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXX No. 19

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

75¢

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Two charged with firing at deputy during chase BY ANITA MILLER

The driver of a vehicle from which shots were fired at a Hays County deputy during a high speed chase is being held on a $2 million in bonds. The chase was from Dripping Springs to near Johnson City Saturday night. The alleged shooter’s bonds total $1.5 million.

Nathaniel Castro, 22, the alleged driver, and Klarissa Soto, 19, the alleged shooter, are both charged with evading arrest and aggravated assault on a public servant. The latter charge is a first degree felony and is punishable by a sentence of 5 to 99 years behind bars. According to Sheriff Gary Cutler Sunday afternoon, the deputy attempted to

stop a red 1999 Toyota at around 9:20 p.m. on Old Fitzhugh Road for an “issue with the vehicle’s registration.” The car briefly stopped but then took off and the pursuit reportedly reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour along U.S. 290. Affidavits in the case say “2 or 3 shots” were fired by the front seat passenger in

CASTRO

SOTO

the direction of the pursuing deputy before the vehi-

Central Texas man soda pops the question

ture of both suspects after sunrise on Sunday. Cutler acknowledged that calls from residents were key to the apprehensions, but said he could not confirm reports by the Blanco County Office of Emergency Management that the Reverse 911 System was activated in the

CHASE, 2

DSISD acquires land with an eye toward future schools BY CHASE ROGERS DRIPPING SPRINGS - The Dripping Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a 64-acre land purchase during its Jan. 30 meeting. The property, located north of U.S. Highway 290 between Ranch Road 12 and Sawyer Ranch Road, is located within Headwaters at Barton Creek, a residential development in

BY ANITA MILLER Crazy in love, Brad Lytle was facing a decision: How do you make extra special that moment when two people commit to love each other forever, when the someone you are committing to is a no-apologies fan of all things Texan? His decision was to do it in a place iconic to Texas culture, a place dedicated to “The Friendly Pepper Upper,” no less. Lytle’s new fiancee Haley Rohde is an Austin resident and Texas State graduate whose family lives in Kyle. He’s a manager at the Spec’s store in New Braunfels and the two had been dating about two years when he decided his birthday on Jan. 30 would be a good time to pop the question. “She’s always grown up as one of those authentic Texas girls,” Lytle explained. “When her family would travel she would always have to have something from Texas – a Dr. Pepper, a Whataburger. That’s just how her family is.” And that tradition has in fact paid off – Haley’s mother won a $2,000 scholarship from Dr. Pepper years ago and her daughter actually used the money for college. “It’s a running joke that they got their money’s worth,” Lytle said.

cle crashed near the intersection of 290 and U.S. 281. One occupant was taken into custody, while Castro and Soto fled the scene, apparently taking the weapon with them. That triggered an allnight search that involved multiple agencies with helicopters, drones, SWAT teams and K-9 units, Cutler said, resulting in the cap-

Dripping Springs. The property is valued at $1.715 million and will be paid for with 2018 bond funds. The board identified and acquired the property “for the purposes of future school and school related facilities.” The board’s Jan. 30 decision seals the final approval of the purchase after an initial August, 24, 2019 vote introducing the idea.

Woman claims assault by news crew at forum BY ANITA MILLER

“She’s always grown up as one of those authentic Texas girls. When her family would travel she would always have to have something from Texas — a Dr. Pepper, a Whataburger. That’s just how her family is.” –Brad Lytle, man who proposed to his fiancee at the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco

It was a happy coincidence that he is from Waco, home of the iconic Texas soda, and the Dr. Pepper museum was a place they’d often talked

about visiting. Lytle’s sister Samantha took that idea and ran with it — why not propose there, she asked him?

He contacted the museum in early January, before he and Rohde took a trip to Las Vegas. While she was enjoying the sights, he managed to keep the secret. “Our whole time in Vegas I knew I was going to propose — she had no idea.” Over the next weeks he was in contact with the museum, where the staff was eager to go along. “It was actually the first proposal there,” Lytle said. “They were even kind of flabbergasted.”

DR. PEPPER PROPOSAL, 6

LAGNIAPPE DS Farmer’s Market still in its ‘winter home’

Even though the area has experienced periodic spring-like temperatures, it’s still officially winter, and the Dripping Springs Farmer’s Market is still being held in its “winter home,” the Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center. There, it is located under a roof and protected on three sides by the Event Center’s Vendor Hall. The market is planning upcoming special events including cooking

demos, tastings, healthy living topics and seasonal promotions. “The Event Center’s kitchen facilities and other amenities are perfect to help us bring in new events during the winter months,” said Market Manager Laurel Robertson.

ESC Region 13 accepting candidates for two board positions There’s still time for candidates wishing to serve on the Education Service Center Region 13

Board of Directors to file. The filing period for two vacancies on the board runs through Feb. 20. Candidates ma file on a board-approved form or in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the ESC office , 57-1 Springdale Road, Austin. Candidates for places 2 and 5 must live in Bastrop, Bexar (Comal ISD only) Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Fayette, Gillespie, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall (except residents in the Boerne ISD), Lee, Llano, Milam (residents must reside in Thorndale ISD) and Williamson. Education Service Center boards are elected by school district boards.

The woman at the center of allegations of assault against a KXAN reporter and his cameraman told the Hays Free Press she was shocked at the news crew’s behavior. Michele Hart said she was knocked from behind by reporter Jody Barr and then hit over the head with the heavy video camera during a candidates’ forum in Wimberley Feb. 5 that was sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police. Moreover, she said neither man apologized for what had happened. Hart said she was trying to ask a question of Pct. 3 Constable Ray Helm, who appeared at the forum along with Jessica Deatherage, his competitor in the March 3 Republican primary,

“I was pushed by this guy. I looked at him and said, ‘Excuse me? You just pushed me. I was trying to ask him a question,’ and the reporter said ‘Well, I was too.’” when the news crew pushed past her in what was actually the first of two confrontations. “I was pushed by this guy. I looked at him and said, ‘Excuse me? You just pushed me. I was trying

ASSAULT, 2

Education series focuses on protecting Hill Country water BY CAMELIA JUAREZ Community water advocates will come together from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Wimberley Community Center to discuss creative and thoughtful uses for all types of water. The One Water: Cutting Costs and Protecting Our Aquifers is one of four learning events hosted by The Friends of Blue Hole Spring. The goal of the meeting is to hear the latest success stories, learn from Texas water experts, and identify new collaborators. The agenda is packed with local leaders like Hays County

Judge Ruben Becerra, Wimberley ISD Trustee Lori Olson and Texas House Representative District 45 Erin Zwiener. The keynote speaker will be Interim Executive Director, Chief Water Policy Officer Dr. Robert E. Mace, who will give a speech titled ONE WATER: What is It and How It Can Save Community Water Supplies. Mace will discuss the challenges Texans and Americans face as populations grow and climate change affects our water resources. “Across the U.S. and throughout the

ONE WATER, 2

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News-Dispatch

Thursday, February 13, 2020

News -Dispatch

Chase

PHONE: 512-268-7862 FAX: 512-268-0262

area where the two were believed to be. Castro is a resident of El Paso and has a lengthy record of prior incarcerations there for charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon. According to online records, he has been in El Paso County Jail 10 times since 2014. His most recent arrest, on charges including continuous violence against the family and unlawful restraint, was in April 2019 and he was released from custody there on Aug. 10, 2019. Soto, of Manchaca, has no known prior record of incarceration. According to the affidavits, the deputy, who was joined by others in the case, had been with the HCSO for 3 years and had been “involved in several felony and misdemeanor investigations.” No one was hurt during the incident and Lt. Dennis Gutierrez, the HCSO’s public information officer, said the search for the weapon is continuing. Bonds for both suspects were set by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2 Maggie Moreno.

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PHOTOGRAPHER Wayland Clark

Left to right, Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, County Judge Ruben Becerra, retiring NHCESD #1 Commissioner Walt Krudop; ESD District Administrator Doug Fowler and Treasurer Dan O’Brien, Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell, and Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith.

Walt Krudop honored for service to NHCESD #1 The Hays County Commissioners Court has recognized Walt Krudop for his service to North Hays County Emergency Services District #1 and court members thanked him for his dedication to volunteering for NHCESD #1 and for groups throughout the county. Krudop, a landowner in Dripping Springs since 1997 and a fulltime resident since 2003, was appointed by the Commissioners Court to NHCESD #1 in 2014 and has served as treasurer, vice president and presi-

dent of the special district. He is credited with championing the annual, detailed long-term plan for the ESD and developing its monthly financial summary and projected year-end status. Krudop is a longtime volunteer for many organizations in Hays County and is retiring from his volunteer ESD commissioner position to spend more time traveling to visit grandchildren. “It’s been a very interesting journey,” Krudop told the court. “Dripping Springs and the northern

part of the county have grown so dramatically and that’s a big part of the ESD and where it’s going. I look forward to the new board taking it to the next level.” According to the proclamation, “Walt Krudop has served the people of Hays County faithfully and well in the performance of his duties and should be commended for his exemplary public service.” NHCESD #1 Board of Directors President Dan O’Brien said, “I’ve had the privilege of serving with

Walt during times the ESD faced really significant funding issues – to the point of considering rolling back services. But Walt stuck with it and dedicated thousands of hours. He left the district in a better place than where he found it and the citizens of north Hays County are well-served by him.” “At one point Walt Krudop was the only commissioner who remained on the ESD board – he stuck with it and did amazing work through some very tough times,” Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith said.

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 at Buda, TX. Email paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com for

One Water: Wimberley forum is Feb. 14

Assault: News crew accused

world, community leaders, water planners and policymakers are wrestling with how to best manage water as to maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Leaders in sustainable solutions are rethinking our traditional urban water management practices, working to advance a more resilient strategy called integrated water management or “One Water,” according to the One Water report. Executive Director of the Wimberley Watershed Association David Baker said the event was almost at capacity.

to ask him a question,’ and the reporter said ‘Well, I was too.’” A big crowd including many uniformed officers were at the Wimberley Community Center and the news crew had been repeatedly trying to question Helm, Hart said, “shoving the microphone in his face and asking questions,” persisting when Helm tried to walk away. “They were pushing people out of the way asking questions.” Hart said after the forum had concluded she and her husband were headed toward the door. “I saw the reporter with the cameraman behind him trying to push against people to get to the door Ray went out of … The next thing I know I’m being shoved real hard then hit in the head. It felt like a metal chair and I looked straight up and saw the camera.” It left a knot on her head and though someone offered to summon EMS, she declined. “I’m a registered nurse and I thought I would be OK. I asked them to get me a bag of ice and I had to hold it on my head,” she said, adding that she was “in a bit of a fog” the next morning. That next morning, however, she called KXAN News Director Chad Cross who she said confirmed to her that the whole incident was caught on video. “I asked him, ‘Is this a practice with your reporter?’ He apologized and said yes it did happen.” Hart said Cross told her what she “didn’t see” was that the crew had been pushed by other people. Cross did not respond to a Hays Free Press inquiry seeking confirmation and more detail. She said neither man apologized, even though she and her husband

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The HCSO responded, took the report and gathered statements. Because of the involvement of an elected official’s staff, the Texas Rangers have been called in to investigate, which is according to protocol. were there for probably an hour after she was hit, providing ample opportunity. “It was shocking, really. Who acts like that? Even today there’s been no call, nothing, even after I told their boss. You would think common manners would dictate giving me a call to say they’re sorry.” Though she is pressing charges, Hart said she would have been satisfied with “maybe an apology, and maybe (for them to) stop harassing people.” In a Thursday morning news release, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office described the incident as involving “an Austin area television crew and staff members of Hays County Precinct 3 Constable Ray Helm’s office.” Because Wimberley has no police department, the HCSO responded, took the report and gathered statements. Because of the involvement of an elected official’s staff, the Texas Rangers have been called in to investigate, which is according to protocol. The HCSO said it would not further comment.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

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Alba Ranch due marker for its Hispanic roots STAFF REPORT

Alba Ranch — home to one of the earliest established Hispanic families in the Dripping Springs area — is getting a historical marker. The area where the ranch was located and the family of patriarch Victoriano Alba lived was one of 16 approved by the Texas Historical Commission for a marker as an “undertold” historical site. Fifty-four applications for the markers were received from across the state. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra signed an order in April of last year for the marker to be placed. Then in October, Becerra and the Commissioners Court voted to support a resolution. “As the first Hispanic Hays County Judge, I am proud to have had a small part in this process to support one of the first Hispanic families in Hays County,” Becerra said. “Stories like this are too often undertold.” The designation was largely due to the efforts of Gina Alba Rogers, a descendent of Victoriano Alba. Members of the family went on to become

Alba Ranch was home to one of the earlier Hispanic families in Dripping Springs.

university graduates, teachers, members of the military, business owners and the first Hispanic member of the Dripping Springs City Council. The original 160-acre ranch was purchased for $145 in 1900 and was owned by four generations of the Alba family until it was sold in 2005. “The Alba family has deep roots in Texas history and hispanic culture,” Becerra said. “Victoriano and his descendants overcame adversity, heartache and language barriers to become successful and

respected landowners.” The family’s contributions to Dripping Springs have included conveying two areas for school purposes to the patrons of the Millseat School in 1916. The family was the kernel of what would become the present parish of St. Martin de Porres Church which had its beginnings on the Alba Ranch and where local Catholics met in a space furnished with pews and a podium for a visiting priest to conduct Mass. No date has yet been announced for the marker to be placed.

Modern romance: The gamification of love BY CAMELIA JUAREZ

This Valentine’s day, you might be waiting with your boo for a table at a crowded fancy restaurant or like many others, you are at home swiping left and right on dating apps. Finding “the one” nowadays is more of a game than the stars aligning, according to Texas State lecturer Jessica James, who authored her master’s thesis, “Mobile Dating in the Digital Age: Computer-Mediated Communication and Relationship Building on Tinder.” James’ thesis focuses on gamification of mobile dating and its effect on user behavior. A lot of mobile apps use turn mundane everyday tasks into games, which is a concept in psychology called gamification, James said. That includes finding a partner. Historically, matchmakers helped people find love, but now the process is done in an artificial environment with lots of presentation control and the goal is less about finding a partner and more like instant gratification, James said. “When you look at it traditionally, people have used matchmakers for a long time. So online dating, mobile dating applications now serve as a third party Matchmaker, their mediator, but what but what traditional matchmakers didn’t have that online dating apps have. Now, mobile dating apps allow you to have speed, you have convenience, you have access. You have all the elements of, you know, user centered design that people enjoy. So now you have a, a space where it becomes, I guess you could say gamified,” James said. The motivation behind dating apps stems from our primal desire for compassion. The same psychological factors that drove personal ads are now in a new form. People have two types of motivations- Intrinsic motivations, like needing to eat, sleep, find shelter, and procreate — or extrinsic motivations,

which are reward based like making good grades and getting invited to the pizza party. “Something like sex, right casual sex, even though the act itself, having sex with somebody is intrinsically rooted in our desires. It’s presented on Tinder and a lot of ways as an extrinsic motivation as a reward, right? We’re kind of conditioning ourselves to use it in that way to get some sort of reward, some sort of word rather that sex or, you know, just platonic companionship. You know, it’s just a matter of what you want to get from it. But it is a reward system,” James said. Another aspect that keeps users coming back is the security in Tinder profiles because the user can control their image and presentation and messaging someone allows you to perfect your responses, James said. wwwwThis aspect can be comforting for people who are not seriously looking for love and looking to feed their ego, but it can be discouraging for people trying to meet new people. “There’s so many external factors that contribute to why young people aren’t getting married at the rates that they were, such as student loans and the job market. And this is kind of like, I mean, I feel like for some people, mobile dating is probably torturous, because there’s some people that don’t ever want to meet up and they just sit there and talk to you and as soon as you inquire about meeting in person, they go AWOL,” James said. James said the dating apps are almost too easy to find a partner. Having a network of available

people can stop people from settling down because of the ‘what if’ factor. “If you don’t find somebody, like, meet somebody else, you can meet somebody better. Well, if she’s not good enough, I can find somebody who’s better. Or, you know, I’m mad at him my might as well just dump it off find somebody better in that man, that’s kind of dangerous because it’s almost like you can never be satisfied now, so a lot of vulnerable barriers and feelings are attached to it,” James said. James’ thesis included a 30-question online survey that was administered at Texas State University through an email, producing a random sample of 578 respondents. The results between men and woman proved in line of stereotypes. “Men are just looking for casual sex. They’re using it to pass time. They’re not really invested in the product in the app like women are, right so girls have a tendency, at least from my sample, to use it with a little more integrity, a little more foresight. They actually are interested in finding guys,” James said. In the modern technological space of dating apps, users should consider if there is a right or wrong way to play the dating game, especially online, James said. “So now you have a, a space where it becomes, I guess you could say gamified. a you’re told how to play it, right? Is it technology telling us what to do? Or are we telling the technology what to do kind of thing,” James said.

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WHS student earns participation in unique horsemanship program Wimberley High School 10th grade student Leah Tate earned a spot as a participant in the 2020 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development (YHD) Program. She is a member of the FFA and is presently taking an Equine Science Class. According to the AQHA, “The Ranching Heritage YHD program showcases the horses bred and raised by AQHA Ranching Heritage members by matching weanlings with Youth Association members. In this program, students like Leah are engaged in the horse industry at a fundamental level that is both fun and educational.” Tate received the 2019 Bay Gelding American Quarter Horse Hi Dollar Pistol from the AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder Hal Bogle Estate in Dexter, New Mexico. Through the YHD program, AQHYA members 12 years and older, gain hands-on horsemanship training and a unique opportunity to work with

Ranching Heritage Breeders and AQHA Professional Horsemen. The program, an excellent educational experience, also opens up scholarship opportunities. The program was created in 2011 to give AQHYA members an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of horsemanship. The horses used in the program were bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders, which are working cattle ranches with a remuda of at least five AQHA-registered mares that produce ranch horses.

The participating Ranching Heritage Breeders donated weanlings for the program participants to evaluate, raise and train. Youth selected for the program participate by either receiving a donated Ranching Heritage Bred weanling or by purchasing a weanling from an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder. For more about the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, visit www.aqha. com/yhd.

County offices closed Monday for Presidents’ Day Hays County offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17, for Presidents’ Day, including the San Marcos Municipal Court, which is located in the county’s Government

Center on South Stagecoach Road. County parks will be open for regular hours on the 17th. isit https:// hayscountytx.com/departments/hays-coun-

ty-parks-recreation/ for information on park hours and amenities at Five Mile Dam Parks, Jacob’s Well Natural Area, and Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Preserve.

Police Blotter

The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between Feb. 3 and Feb. 8, 2020. Civil Matter............................................................... 6 Deliver Message...................................................... 3 Information............................................................. 17 Compliance Check................................................ 12 Property- Lost/Found/Imp...................................... 4 Civil Process Service............................................... 7 Alarm Business...................................................... 40 Alarm Residential.................................................. 44 Alarm Vehicle........................................................... 1 Animal Calls........................................................... 85 Field Euthanasia...................................................... 2 Loose Livestock.................................................... 20 Assault – Agg........................................................... 2 Assault..................................................................... 9 Sexual Assault......................................................... 1 Assist EMS............................................................. 24 Assist Fire Dept....................................................... 6 Assist Outside Agency.......................................... 16 Burglary Habitation................................................. 7 Suspicious Package................................................ 1 Criminal Mischief..................................................... 7 Illegal Dumping........................................................ 4 Attended Death....................................................... 1 Death Investigation................................................. 3 Fireworks................................................................. 1 Enviromental Crime................................................. 2 Disorderly Conduct................................................. 1 Disturbance Noise................................................. 16 Disturbance Physical Fight..................................... 9 Disturbance Verbal................................................ 17 Child Custody.......................................................... 7 MIP Alchohol........................................................... 1 MIP Tobacco............................................................ 6 Public Intoxication................................................... 1 Violation of Order.................................................... 2 Narcotics/Information............................................. 2 Controlled Substance.............................................. 1 Counterfeiting.......................................................... 1 Fraud........................................................................ 6 Credit/Debit Abuse.................................................. 1 Harassment............................................................ 10 Threat....................................................................... 3 Indecency w Child................................................... 1 Mental Health Follow Up......................................... 8 Mental Health Invest............................................. 10 Mental Health Transport.......................................... 1

Canine Search......................................................... 3 Canine Training........................................................ 1 Drone Deployment.................................................. 3 SRP Drill................................................................... 1 Missing Person........................................................ 3 Runaway.................................................................. 2 Public Assist............................................................ 7 Community Contact.............................................. 46 Disabled Vehicle.................................................... 28 Foot Patrol............................................................. 21 Close Patrol......................................................... 184 Parent Discipline Assist.......................................... 1 Flagged Down......................................................... 7 Welfare Concern.................................................... 30 Suicidal Person........................................................ 7 Investigation............................................................ 8 Supplement........................................................... 64 Suspicious Circumstances................................... 18 Extradition................................................................ 2 Suspicious Person................................................. 25 Suspicious Vehicle................................................ 48 Wanted Person........................................................ 4 Identity Theft............................................................ 1 Theft....................................................................... 21 Vehicle Theft............................................................ 2 Recovery Stolen Vehicle......................................... 3 Accident Minor...................................................... 36 Accident Hit and Run.............................................. 6 Accident Major/Injury............................................ 12 Accident Fleet.......................................................... 1 Accident Unknown.................................................. 3 Abandoned/Stored Vehicle..................................... 6 Traffic Control/Direction.......................................... 3 Directed/Area Enforce........................................... 85 Traffic Hazard......................................................... 32 Attempt to Locate............................................... 182 Parking Enforcement............................................... 4 Traffic Stop........................................................... 583 Trespassing/Unwanted........................................... 5 911 Abandoned/Open......................................... 159 911abon/misdial/open............................................ 1 Deadly Conduct....................................................... 1 Discharge Firearm................................................. 11 Falls.......................................................................... 1 Private Tow/Repo.................................................. 14

Below is a sample of events reported by law enforcement from Feb. 3 through Feb. 8, 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 - Aggravated 02/03/2020 HCSO Assault 02/03/2020 BPD Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/03/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/03/2020 BPD Threat 02/03/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 02/03/2020 HCSO Assault 02/04/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/04/2020 BPD Accident - Hit and Run 02/04/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 02/04/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 02/05/2020 BPD Assault 02/05/2020 HCSO Assault 02/05/2020 HCSO Assault 02/05/2020 HCSO Threat 02/05/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/05/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/05/2020 BPD Assault 02/06/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/06/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/06/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/07/2020 BPD Accident - Hit and Run 02/07/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 02/07/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 02/07/2020 BPD Assault 02/08/2020 BPD Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/08/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/08/2020 HCSO Threat 02/09/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 02/08/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 02/08/2020 HCSO Accident - Hit and Run 02/08/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 02/08/2020 BPD Accident - Major/Injury 02/08/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/08/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/08/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/09/2020 HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight 02/09/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/09/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/09/2020 HCSO Accident - Major/Injury 02/10/2020

Time 19:41:10 13:20:06 23:28:10 8:23:42 11:29:07 10:37:01 21:45:38 16:31:25 9:52:32 18:29:57 1:36:13 16:43:47 10:03:09 10:18:10 7:34:43 6:36:35 19:31:25 17:01:49 17:33:31 18:30:25 21:50:30 19:29:06 18:47:32 18:17:59 21:50:43 21:51:03 15:07:37 3:59:05 6:21:26 18:02:06 18:06:34 17:49:34 21:29:34 16:41:09 21:39:15 5:40:14 23:47:51 9:45:18 19:29:02 1:39:58

Location S Old Bastrop Hwy San Marcos Overpass Rd Studio 6 Motel Buda Kates Cove Buda Canyon View Rd Dripping Springs Cabelas Dr Silverado Crossing Apts Buda Buda EXIT 220 NB Centerpoint Rd San Marcos S Old Bastrop Hwy Dollar General (Old Bastrop) W Goforth St/IH 35 Fr Buda Ella Ln Dripping Springs Mt Gainor Rd Dripping Springs Houston St Buda Carney Ln Wimberley High School on Carney Dacy Ln Kyle Chapa Middle School Lehman Rd Kyle Lehman High School Darden Hill Rd/W RR 150 Driftwood Windy Hill Rd/Dacy Ln Kyle Old San Antonio Rd Buda KFC/long John Silvers Boulder Blf San Marcos CR 1492 Wimberley Apache Trl Wimberley Old San Antonio Rd Walmart of Buda Joe Wimberley Blvd Wimberley Post Office Buda EXIT 221 SB Old San Antonio Rd Whataburger of Buda Main St Papa Johns of Buda Willis Way San Marcos FM 2001 Buda Falconwood Dr/RR 12 San Marcos RR 12 Brookshire Brothers Wimberley Bebee Rd Park Place Foods Kyle IH 35 Fr Buda IH 35 Fr Buda Mcdonalds of Buda Bebee Rd Kyle N FM 1626 Manchaca W RR 150 Driftwood Double Xing West Mathias Ln Kyle Jacobs Well Rd Wimberley Camino Real Kyle Windy Hill Rd/Dacy Ln Kyle

Page 4

News-Dispatch

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Sports/Education

TICKET PUNCHED

Tigers crush McCallum to secure historic playoff spot BY MOSES LEOS III When the final buzzer sounded Friday at The Jungle, the Dripping Springs boys basketball team etched another mark in the program’s storied history book. By virtue of a 50-35 win over the McCallum Knights, Dripping Springs (19-5, 9-2) secured the team’s fourth straight playoff berth, marking the first time since the 1985-88 seasons a Tiger squad has accomplished the feat. But Tiger eyes are set on a much larger prize as dreams of a district crown are still in view. “We just want to play our best and prepare for it (the rest of the season),” Tiger guard Xavier Phillips said. “We are already in the playoffs, but we want the number one spot.” Explosive third quarter offense played a critical role in Dripping Springs’ win as the outburst helped the Tigers break a sluggish start. Dripping Springs led 28-17 at halftime but struggled to generate offense in the first two frames. Phillips led the way with eight of his game-high 15 points in the first half. That dynamic changed in the third quarter as Dripping Springs consistently attacked the paint with much success. On the opposite end, Dripping Springs’ defense locked down McCallum’s offense and kept leading Knight scorers Sam Workenthin and Rob Wade in check. It all resulted in a 15-3 third quarter Tiger run, giving Dripping Springs a commanding double-digit lead it maintained the rest of the contest. Adhering to a “next play” mentality kept Dripping Springs from dwelling on first half struggles, said Tiger head coach Craig Swannack. Phillips said distributing the ball, especially during times he was struggling from the field, aided in finding open shooters and build overall team confidence. Strong minutes and key buckets from the bench equally boosted the Tiger effort, Swannack said. Dripping

PHOTOS BY ALBERT SANCHEZ Dripping Srpings Tiger senior Avery Johnson rifles a pass off to a teammate as she falls to the floor last week against Lockhart.

Lady Tigers crush Lockhart, secure back-to-back district crowns STAFF REPORT

PHOTOS BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM The eyes of the Tiger, the school mascot, appear to be watching over Eli Tod, who gets a good look at the basket for a two-point lay-up as McCallum’s Noah Arnold defends on the play. Tod put in 7 points in the 50-35 win.

guys are engaged and you can see how it pays off for them.” LBJ 10-1 Swannack also lauded Phillips’ leadership over Dripping Springs 9-2 the past several weeks Austin Northeast 8-3 of the regular season. Travis 6-5 With several key cogs out Lockhart 4-7 of the lineup, including McCallum 4-7 standout guard Trace Young, Phillip’s presence Crockett 2-6 has played an important Navarro 0-8 role in Tiger success. “Having Xavier on our Springs junior Aidan varsity team for three Bailey scored eight points years now, he’s a special off the bench, while Tony kid and is the most selfParra went 3 of 4 from the less player and enthufree throw line. As a team, siastic,” Swannack said. Dripping Springs went “The way he’s stepped up 11 of 20 from the charity as our senior leader with stripe. Trace gone is absolutely “It’s such a blessing to outstanding.” have such depth,” SwanNow with a playoff nack said. “Our bench, ticket punched, Dripping they’re always ready. They Springs’ focus centers on practice hard and the district playoff posi-

DISTRICT 25-5A STANDINGS

tioning. On Tuesday, Dripping Springs took on Austin Northeast in a battle for control of second place in 25-5A. Dripping Springs travels to play Travis on the road Friday, followed by hosting Crockett Feb. 18 in the regular season finale. All of it comes as the Tigers remain a game behind LBJ for the district lead. But for Swannack, getting the chance to make history Friday was a humbling experience. “It’s a neat experience to be part of. I’m only one part of this entire thing,” Swannack said. “I’ve had amazing players, assistant coaches and families. We’re all one big family and we know that.”

For the second time in as many seasons, the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers basketball team will finish atop District 25-5A. Two players in double figures, along with a ferociously adept defense, allowed Dripping Springs to crush the Lockhart Lady Lions 53-17 Feb. 4 at The Jungle. With the win, Dripping Springs secured the 25-5A championship and the district’s top seed heading into the postseason. Tiger senior Avery Johnson scored a gamehigh 14 points while junior Caroline Gamble finished with 10 points. While the Lady Tigers shot only 30 percent from the field, 19 percent from the three-point arc, Dripping Springs made its mark at the charity stripe.

DISTRICT 25-5A GIRLS BASKETBALL STANDINGS

Dripping Springs 13-0 Lockhart 7-3 LBJ 9-4 Crockett 8-5 Travis 4-5 McCallum 2-1 Navarro 1-8 Austin Northeast 1-9

Dripping Springs went 16 of 22 from the free throw line with Johnson hitting all six of her free throw attempts in the contest. On defense, Dripping Springs forced 20 total steals, including five from Gamble, and snagged 27 total rebounds. Dripping Springs closes the regular season at home against Austin Northeast Friday at 7 p.m. at Tiger Gym.

DSISD Youth in Government students compete at state event

Carter King and Faith Baxter

All 15 Dripping Springs High School students who participated in this year’s Youth in Government activities qualified for state competition. At the state conference, DSHS earned the designation of Premier School for having qualified 15 students at the state level and for the professionalism the students demonstrated.

Two trial court teams were entered in the competition and both competed in the higher court classification, “District Court.” One team consisted of student “attorneys” Gabriel Ybarra and Natalie Chavez, with witnesses McKayla Mellen, Gabrielle Avena, Ella Johnson and Genevieve Aradi. The other team consisted of student “attorneys” Christopher Gearing and Nora Rinehart with witnesses Gabe Peeples, Shaye Ledzinski, and Hayden Betzing. Caitlin Rinehart was a student District Court Judge. Tristan Aradi and Audrey Balsdon competed as legislators; Aradi got his bill passed with a landslide vote. Riley Wheaton participated as the photo

journalism Editor and Chief on the State Board. Youth in Government is a YMCA program in the United States that allows high school students to

serve in model governments at the local, state, national and international levels. The DSHS faculty sponsors are Jerri Ybarra and Jeff Bixby.

A pair of Lockhart Lady Lions unsuccessfully defend Dripping Springs senior Caroline Gamble as she fires off a jump shot.

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DSHS Player #7 Rylie Flores Jr. works the ball around an LBJ player in Tuesday night’s game against Austin LBJ High School

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PHOTOS BY ALBERT SANCHEZ DSHS Player #15 Jr. Sophia Picucci steals the ball from the LBJ player and works it toward the goal in Tuesday night’s game against Austin LBJ High School - DSHS wins the game 4 to Austin LBJ High School 0.

Lady Tigers dominate in two district matches A trio of second half goals pushed the Dripping Springs Lady Tiger soccer team to a dominant 4-0 shutout win over the LBJ Jaguars Feb. 4 at Tiger Stadium. Dripping Springs then followed that effort with an 8-1 Feb. 7 victory over Lockhart. So far

this season, Dripping Springs’ girls soccer team, currently on a five-game win streak, has outscored opponents 54-2 and has allowed only one goal in district play. Dripping Springs returns home Feb. 21 when it hosts Crockett at 7:45 p.m.

DISTRICT 25-5A GIRLS SOCCER STANDINGS Dripping Springs 5-0 McCallum 4-7 Crockett 2-2-1 Lockhart 1-2-2 Navarro 1-3-1 Austin Northeast 0-3-2 Travis 0-4

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS RETURN TO HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE DEER CREEK OF WIMBERLEY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR OVER

• HOSPICE/PALLIATIVE CARE • INPATIENT SHORT TERM REHABILITATION • IV/PICC LINE MANAGEMENT • LONG TERM CARE • LYMPHEDEMA • NEURO REHABILITATION • OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY • ORTHOPEDIC REHABILITATION • OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION • PHYSICAL THERAPY • RESPITE • SPEECH THERAPY • STATE-OF-THE-ART MODALITIES • TRACHEOSTOMIES • VITAL STIM - DIATHERMY • WOUND CARE

PHOTO BY BRADY REID Back row - l-r: Peyton Smith (FFA member), Madison Barbee ( Secretary), Leah Tate (member), Trevor Hildebrand (Chapter Historian), Guy Massey (Student Advisor), Kayla Kutscher (member); and front row, l-r: Halle Sanders (member), Rylan Cox (Greenhand Vice President), Kamryn Medley (President), Ysabel Palacios (Greenhand President), Iliana Hopkins (Chapter Vice President)

Wimberley FFA raising money for convention with plant sale Wimberley High School’s active Future Farmers of America chapter is raising money to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 28-31. The students are working hard to pay their way to this convention by hosting a plant sale, and are hoping that the Wimberley community will support them.

The sale, featuring plants that the students cultivated and grew themselves, is slated from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 27 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28 at the WHS greenhouse next to the Ag Barn. Flowering plants, vegetables and herbs will all be available. For more information, visit wimberleyisd. net/WHSFFAPlantSale.

DEER CREEK OF WIMBERLEY

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