Hearing, seeing the call of caution
Tiger LAX unbeaten in district
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Lady Tigers stomp Lions 4-0
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 22
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢ Thursday, March 8, 2018
City cleared of violating Open Meetings Act BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
After a two-week investigation, Dripping Springs city officials are standing by their decision that the city council did not violate the Open Meetings Act during the Feb. 20 meeting, despite a resident’s claim that the city council illegally
went into executive session to discuss the site development permit for the Mark Black Wedding Venue. The Open Meetings Act (OMA) sets requirements for state and local government entities to hold meetings with accessibility to the public. According to the Attor-
During the Feb. 20 meeting, Deputy City Administrator Ginger Faught recommended to Mayor Todd Purcell to discuss Item B, which dealt with the wedding venue, in executive session.
ney General of Texas Ken Paxton, the Open Meetings Act ensures Texas
government to be accessible and transparent to all its citizens.
However, government entities have the authority to adjourn into executive session at anytime during the course of a meeting, where the public does not have access to council’s discussion. Under the act, a governing body may deliberate in executive session only if it falls under nine
Aquifer district seeks new GM
AQUIFER DISTRICT GM, 2
OPEN MEETINGS ACT, 2
Election Day spending ratchets upward
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO John Dupnik, the former general manager for the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) has accepted a new position at the Texas Water Development Board. Dupnik, who has worked with the conservation district since 2005, announced his resignation at the Jan. 11 board meeting after more than a decade of service. Initially, Dupnik was not looking to apply for the position of Deputy Executive Administrator of the Office of Water, Science and Conservation. The posting for the position was open for over a month before Dupnik applied. “My colleagues warmed me up to the idea of applying,” Dupnik said. “I was extremely happy where I was and it was an amazing job. This was the only position that could have enticed me to move elsewhere.” Dupnik was hired as a Regulatory Compliance Team member at the BSEACD in 2005 before accepting the general manager position in 2013. The BSEACD was created in 1987 with a directive to conserve, protect, and enhance the groundwater resources in its jurisdictional area. Dupnik was part of
criteria. During the Feb. 20 meeting, Deputy City Administrator Ginger Faught recommended to Mayor Todd Purcell to discuss Item B, which dealt with the wedding venue, in executive session. “I’ll entertain the mo-
BY MOSES LEOS III
PHOTO COURTESY OF KYLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Pets survive house fire near Driftwood
A North Hays County Fire Rescue firefighter watches as other first responders tackle the remnants of a fire that caused extensive damage to a home in the Sierra West neighborhood near Driftwood March 2. No one was injured in the blaze, which was believed to have started on the back porch of the home. Fire officials said the homeowners were not at the home at the time of the fire, and fire crews were able to safely rescue pets inside the home. An official cause has not yet been determined in the fire, and it is unknown how much damage was caused.
New flood warning information available to county residents STAFF REPORT
Residents and visitors to Hays County now have access to new information and an enhanced website that shares the status of low-water crossings and rain gauge levels. Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Justin McInnis said Feb. 27 Hays Informed, Hays County’s emergency information website, now includes the status of 22 low-water crossings on an interactive map and ten precipitation gauges, which is now available to the public. “The county began a concerted effort to add more reliable and robust flood warning and precipitation monitors throughout the county following the floods in 2015,” McInnis said in a statement. “Thanks to a grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), and the technology expertise of Water and Earth Technology, we now have a stateof-the-art warning system that will be an asset to public safety going forward.” McInnis, who has an extensive background in hydrologic data collection and dissemination, said development of the systems took about a
Hays County’s emergency information website, now includes the status of 22low-water crossings on an interactive map and ten precipitation gauges, which is now available to the public. year. In addition to the information for public review, authorities will have access to video feeds from several sites as well as information from five dam monitors and gauges that were installed along the Blanco River in 2016 as a joint project by Hays County, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), TWDB and National Weather Service (NWS).
“The monitors will allow authorities to determine the height of water across the roads and behind dams and show potential damage to the roads, which will allow responding agencies to pre-plan rescue operations,” McInnis said. Monitors at five additional low-water crossings are expected to be added this year, and soon drought data will also be a part of the website as well
as LCRA river monitoring data. The city of Austin’s ATXFloods map, which covers road closures in several counties in Central Texas including Hays County, will also be incorporated into the Hays County map. ATXFloods is currently a separate link accessible from the HaysInformed website. Hays County emergency managers recommend signing up on Twitter @hays_oem to receive gauge status updates and other flood warning information, as well as at www.warncentraltexas.org to allow emergency notifications by phone, text or email about public safety events in your local area. TWDB contributed $500,000 to the project, which is budgeted for $2.2 million.
Close to $40,000 in combined political expenses were expended in the past month by two candidates vying for the Republican nomination in Hays County’s Pct. 4 Commissioner’s race. As a result, both Jimmy Skipton and Walt Smith dipped deep into their war chests as the March 6 primaries draw near. Smith, the creator of the Mallard Group, LLC, a lobbying firm, spent $23,355 on his campaign from Feb. 5 to Feb. 26, according to a campaign finance report filed a week before Election Day. The majority of the expenses, roughly $23,100, went toward consulting, advertising and printing purchases from Patterson and Company in Dripping Springs. Smith also brought in more than $9,800 in political contributions, with $2,500 coming from Ross Gunnels of College Station and $2,500 from Dick Scott of Wimberley. Smith has $5,742.90 remaining in his war chest. Not to be outdone, Skipton, a Dripping Springs native who is a wedding venue manager and water district board member, spent just over $15,500 on his campaign from Jan. 26 to Feb. 24, according to campaign finance records. Roughly $12,800 of Skipton’s expenditures went to KC Strategies, an Austin-based consulting firm that assisted with consulting and printing mailers. Skipton received more than $5,000 in contributions toward his
ELECTION SPENDING, 2
LAGNIAPPE Fancy Feathers is back Expect a clucking good time Saturday as the 11th annual Fancy Feathers Open Chicken Show wobbles into Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The event is free to all and runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events include the Chicken Poop Bingo, a raffle, silent auction and all the birds you can peck.
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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 Driftwood, 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.
News-Dispatch
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Hearing the safety call
County explores update to school safety protocol BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Hays County resident Tamera Joyce-Wylie’s hearing impairment is unique. Joyce-Wylie has a hard time hearing high frequencies where lower, bass tones are much easier to hear. Typically, men are easier to understand than women, and when her ears miss a word, her brain can help fill in the blanks. She has been working with her impairment from a young age, giving her brain time to acclimate to her hearing needs. Her two daughters, who attend Dripping Springs Middle School, both have hearing disabilities as well and Joyce-Wylie fears during the case of a school emergency, they will not have the instruction necessary to protect themselves. This new concern was brought to Joyce-Wylie’s attention when she noticed that the Hays County Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for child safety video did not include captions for students with hearing
This new concern was brought to Joyce-Wylie’s attention when she noticed that the Hays County Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for child safety video did not include captions for students with hearing disabilities.
disabilities. The video outlines the procedure for students and staff in the rare case of an emergency lockdown, walking students through the process of staying safe and alert. “When my daughters come home and miss an assignment because they missed the instruction is one thing, but for them to miss protocol that could save their life is something different,” Joyce-Wylie said. “I’m not trying to fight the county, but bring awareness to how we can give all of our students the opportunity to receive the same direction.” The video, which is provided by the Hays County Sherriff’s Office, is updated every few years when new information needs to be presented. The current video was made in 2014, and the county is looking at sup-
plying a new video for all the districts in the county this summer. However, Joyce-Wylie has looked at alternative measures to add subtitles to the video before the school year ends. Donald Davis, a technology education teacher at Hays High School with certification in graphic design and audio/video production, is working with the American Sign Language (ASL) students to add subtitles to the video. The ASL students will provide the sign language transcription to Davis’ students who will then add the subtitles during the editing process. “These tech solutions could help and I don’t know why the district isn’t looking towards our talented students for solutions,” Joyce-Wylie said. “We’re not pointing fingers or rallying up pitch
works at the county—it’s just time to see where we can do better. As a mom, I worry for my children.” Joyce-Wylie said there are times where even she cannot understand announcements over the intercom despite her expertise with her hearing loss. For students in a bathroom or those who are outside, missing a critical announcement could be detrimental to the students’ safety in the case of an emergency. “We will be updating the video and additional training tools for the 2018-2019 school year and thankfully Ms. Tamara Joyce-Wylie with the HCSID has offered to assist us with the process of adding captioning,” said Kharley Smith, emergency management coordinator for Hays County. “We look forward to her assistance as she will have the most
insight on the need and that is in line with how the program has come to fruition…collaboration. We are always looking to improve and appreciate the feedback from all.” Smith said the program does not dictate one particular method the districts can use to relay safety messages and encourages faculty to look at alternative ways to help accommodate students with disabilities. In Wimberley, a different approach to school safety is being implemented in the near future to help keep students safe. Jason Valentine, principal at Wimberley High School, said the district is looking at ways to have students carry their IDs when entering and leaving the building, making it harder for anyone not allowed on campus to enter the building. “At this time, not all of our students have IDs but we want to make that a reality in the future,” Valentine said. “We want to increase safety measures in general and increase the comfort level on campus for all our students and staff.”
Aquifer District GM: Seeking new manager Continued from pg. 1
the district during the unprecedented growth of Hays County and its surrounding areas and helped maintain the district for the last 13 years. One major event during his tenure took place in 2015, when the Texas Legislature signed House Bill 3235, also known as the “Save Our Wells” bill, which expanded the jurisdiction of the BSEACD. According to the bill, the BSEACD gained control over “white zones,” or previously unregulated areas of western Hays County that contribute to the recharge of the middle Trinity Aquifer. Dupnik and the BSEACD were two major players in the water war against
“John and the entire district team under his management have been invaluable at furthering the scientific understanding of our local aquifers and implementing policies that protect our shared resource. I am pleased that John will be able to put his exceptional talent and skills to work for the State of Texas.” As of press time, the BSEACD has not filled Dupnik’s position. As of March 1, the district has posted the new listing on its website. The position of GM is responsible for managing operations in the areas of Travis, Hays and Caldwell counties.
The primary areas of responsibility include: programmatic planning and administration; stakeholder relations and regional planning; staff management and development; and financial administration, according to the website. “John and the entire district team under his management have been invaluable at furthering the scientific understanding of our local aquifers and implementing policies that protect our shared resource,” said Board President Blayne Stansberry. “I am pleased that John will be able to put his exceptional talent and skills to work for the State of Texas.”
a $650 in-kind contribution from Conley. Colin McFerrin, a Wimberley resident and an attorney based in Kyle, totaled $9,125 in political expenses, the majority going to consulting and printing costs. But McFerrin pulled in $7,992 in contributions for his campaign
during the reporting period, including a $1,000 contribution from Lone Star Gun Rights, an Austin-based group lobbying for constitutional carry legislation. McFerrin also received a $1,000 in-kind contribution from Fuschak’s in San Marcos and $750 from Wimberley Valley Winery.
–Blayne Stansberry, BSEACD Board President
Electro Purification, a Houston-based water entity which aimed to obtain water from the Middle Trinity. “It was an amazing job and we worked through a lot challenges in the fastest growing county in the state,” Dupnik said. “This district has great
people and I know they’ll continue to uphold the reputation.” The transition from the BSEACD to the Texas Water Development Board has been smooth and Dupnik is working to acclimate himself in the new position during the boarding process.
Election Spending: Ratchets up with Election Day approach Continued from pg. 1
campaign. Driftwood resident Damian Mandola, co-foudner of the Carraba’s Italian Grill chain, and Trina, his wife, contributed $1,000 to Skipton, while former Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner and Hays County Judge Candidate Will Conley contributed $500. Skipton has $869.33
left in political contributions. The winner of the March 6 primary will face off against Kyle resident Omar Baca, who is the lone Democratic candidate in the Pct. 4 race. The trend of high spending right before the start of early voting reached over to the race for the Republican bid
for the Pct. 3 Commissioner’s seat as well. Lon Shell, current Pct. 3 Commissioner who is vying for a full-term, accrued $22,221 dollars in political expenses from Jan. 26 to Feb. 24, the majority going to Patterson & Company. Shell, a Wimberley resident who was named to the Pct. 3 seat when
Conley stepped down to run for county judge, received $21,681 in total political contributions. Six Political Action Committees (PAC) contributed a total of $6,500 to Shell’s campaign, while he also received $1,000 from Scott Roberts, of Driftwood, who is the owner of the Salt Lick. Shell also received
Open Meetings Act: City cleared of violation Continued from pg. 1
tion to go into executive session for Items J, A, B, C and D, as listed under Executive Session, and also item B cited on the permit application for the Mark Black Wedding Venue,” Purcell said Feb. 20. “Even though we will not be taking action and we will be coming back out of executive session and probably taking action.” After council reconvened from the closed session, Jessica Scott, a lawyer and Dripping Springs resident, objected to council taking Item B into executive session. “The courts that have looked at this section of the Open Meetings Act require you to identify the exemption you’re using to go into Executive Session,” Scott said. “You need to identify that be-
fore you do it and it’s not something you can do after you return.” Scott said the city failed to articulate why they moved the discussion of the Mark Black Wedding Venue into executive session based on the nine criteria set by the State of Texas Attorney General’s office. “It’s a violation because they are required to give and identify which exception applies,” Scott said. “And they didn’t do that.” However, an investigation by the city found the council complied with Texas’ OMA. Laura Mueller, assistant city attorney for the City of Dripping Springs, said the city followed a list of six compliances that deemed the council
followed the OMA. According to the city, the subject matter discussed was “clearly listed on the agenda” and the public was given “clear notice in advance on the agenda” that the city council could go into executive session at any time on any agenda item under Section 551.071, which was listed. That section allows a city council to meet with its attorney in closed session to seek the advice of pending or contemplated litigation, or a settlement offer, or a matter where the duty of the attorney to the governmental body conflicts with this chapter. Additionally, the city said no action was taken in executive session and no action was taken in open session on the
venue. “Any further consideration of the matter will be done in strict compliance with the Open Meetings Act,” according to Mueller. Although a vote on the wedding venue’s site development permits was postponed until March 13, Scott said she is wary about this decision by council. She also believed council moving the decision to March 13 doesn’t excuse her violation claim. “Once the public hearing was over the council voted with absolutely no discussion amongst themselves to postpone the vote again,” Scott said. “It was almost as if they already knew how they wanted to make the decision.”
What criteria allows a city to go into closed session? 1. Consideration of specific personnel matters; 2. Certain consultations with its attorney; 3. Discussions about the value or transfer of real property; 4. Discussions about security personnel, security devices, or a security audit; 5. Discussions about a prospective gift or donation to a governmental body; 6. Discussions by a governing body of potential items on tests that the governing body conducts for purposes of licensing individuals to engage in an activity; 7. Discussions of certain economic development matters; 8. Discussions of certain competitive matters relating to a city-owned electric or gas utility for which the city council is the governing body; and 9. Certain information relating to the subject of emergencies and disasters.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
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Sports
Tiger lacrosse strikes Vipers, stay unbeaten in district SUBMITTED REPORT The Dripping Springs Tiger lacrosse team added two more tallies in the win column as they hit the mid-season mark, bringing the Tigers to 3-0 in district play, 5-2 overall so far. Saturday the varsity Tigers beat Vandegrift 14-9 to earn the team’s third district win of the season. Leading the offensive charge was Connor Jamail, Gabe Reno and Charlie Pouland each with three goals. Also scoring for the Tigers were Ryan Watterson with two goals, and Ryan Thomas, Nic Austin and Cristian Reno with a goal each. Goalie Connor Mogen had 11 saves, with defensive support being provided by Jakob Joy, Ethan
Hooks, Jack Lennon and Logan Heinchon. The junior varsity Tigers lost a close game to Vandegrift, 8-6. Sunday the Division 1 Tigers took on The Woodlands Division II varsity squad, beating the Highlanders 118. Offensively, Gabe Reno had a hand in five points, scoring three goals with two assists. Cristian Reno and Ryan Thomas each had two goals, with Caden Louthan, Connor Jamail, Jakob Joy and Charlie Pouland each posting points. Defensive standouts on the day were Jakob Joy with three positive turnovers and a defensive stick check, and Ethan Hooks with two defensive stick checks and a positive turnover.
PHOTO BY TROY WALKER
Gabe Reno (center) scores a goal for the Tigers during their game against Vandegrift.
Three Ziva Payer goals in second Tiger baseball falls in Comal half propel Tigers over Lions 4-0 Tourney semifinal BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI
BY MOSES LEOS III A walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning allowed the Katy Tompkins Falcons to surpass the Dripping Springs Tigers 11-10 at Saturday’s semifinal at the Comal ISD Guadalupe River Classic tournament. Despite the loss, Dripping Springs (4-2) exited the tournament with four critical wins to kick start the 2018 campaign. Dripping Springs opened tournament
play by defeating Pflugerville 5-4, which was then followed by a 10-4 win over Schertz Clemens and a 2-0 victory over Lehman to close pool play March 1. Dripping Springs followed on March 2 with a narrow 5-4 win over San Antonio Churchill in the first round of the championship bracket. The Tigers will begin play in the CenTex Invitational Tournament March 8. Dripping Springs will host Del Valle March 14 at 4:30 p.m.
COURTESY PHOTO
DSISD Special Olympians excel at competition SUBMITTED REPORT Dripping Springs ISD students from the high school, Dripping Springs Middle School, Sycamore Springs Middle School, and the 18+ program posted strong finishes at the Special Olympics Area 13 Basketball Competition. This was the first time that Dripping Springs school participated in the basketball event. Two DSISD teams competed in the Team Skills event. The team featuring Dripping
Springs students (including 18+ program members) Trinity Turner, Myriel Thomas, Brandon Neffendorf and Taylor Thorp placed first in its division. The team of David Pringle, Brendon Willis, Aly Howes, Lance Seggelink and Kylie Euston was second in its division. In addition, the Dripping Springs threeon-three team of Lee Skipper, Tony Touvre, Brant Higgerson, Miguel Standridge and Alex Hier finished second in its division.
A hat trick from Ziva Payer gave the Dripping Springs Lady Tiger soccer enough momentum to roll past the Lockhart Lions 4-0 Friday at Tiger Stadium. With the win, Dripping Springs scored its 15th win of the season and continues to stay in the race for a district title. “So it wasn’t just me, it was my whole team leading up to that point,” Payer said about her three goals. “Especially Jessica (Carmichael) making the passes through so I could run at them and beat them around the goalie and get it in the goal.” The Lady Tigers had plenty of opportunities to score in the first half with eight shots on goal, but a few unlucky breaks and the stingy Lockhart defense held them scoreless. On the other end of the field, Dripping Springs’ defense only allowed one shot on goal and very few possessions. After 40 minutes of play the Lady Tigers and Lady Lions were tied 0-0 at halftime. “I think the first half we were good in our attacking end, and then we were good in our defensive end, but our defense and offensive attack was not connecting,” said Dripping Springs head coach Bailee Perrine. “It was like two separate units. So during halftime we talked about how to connect it and make it fit and how our center backs needed to step more and get into the attack more.” Nine minutes into the second half, the Lady Tigers’ fortune changed as sophomore Chloe Sansalone shot the ball into the back of the net
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–Ziva Payer
COURTESY PHOTO
after a scrum of players were jockeying for the ball within a few feet of the goal. Dripping Springs’ offense got a shot of confidence after the score, leading to a three-goal barrage from Payer that spanned six minutes. “This team really gets confident when we score,” Perrine said. “I tell them every game to go score in the first five minutes, and it’s almost like if we don’t then they get in their heads. So, in the second half, they got after it and got those goals and then they played like they normally do.” Payer’s first goal of the game came off a throughball by Carmichael that set up a one-on-one opportunity versus the Lions goal keeper. Payer scored again seconds later after a cross came flying into the box and bounced off Payer’s foot and up into
the top right corner of the net. To complete the hat trick, Payer’s third goal was very similar to her first, that she out ran the Lions defense on a through-ball and was able to finish in a one-on-one opportunity versus the goal keeper. “My teammates are basically my family,” Payer said. “We play together and win together. It’s not just winning for ourselves, we are winning for our
school.” The 4-0 lead sealed the deal for the Lady Tigers as they gave up only three shots on goal to Lockhart, limiting their opportunities to scratch back into the match. If there is one thing Perrine wants her team to focus on moving forward, it is to be aggressive and confident with their offensive attack. “Score fast, score early and score often.” Perrine preached.
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Education
DSHS students place first in category at TAPT Regional speech, advance to state SUBMITTED REPORT
COURTESY PHOTO
Seeley Haas, Riley Wheaton, Catherine Manning pose for a photo while at the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation Speech Contest.
Dripping Springs High students took first place at three different grade levels – 10th, 11th and 12th – at the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation (TAPT) Region 13 Speech
Contest. Seeley Haas took top honors among senior competitors, Catherine Manning placed first among juniors, and Riley Wheaton won the sophomore division. The event was held Feb. 28 at the Hays CISD Performing
Arts Center. This year’s topic was “My School Bus, the Safest Form of Student Transportation!” Competitors researched, wrote, memorized and delivered six-minute speeches. They will now advance to
Students earn honors at Regional Science Festival SSMS students shine at Regional history competition STAFF REPORT
Students from Sycamore Springs Middle School participated in the Central Texas competition of the National History Day Contest Feb. 24, with nine projects moving on to the state level. This is the first time DSISD has entered an organized contingency of students in this contest, which continues to the state and national levels. Entries that finished in the top two places will advance to the state contest April 28 at the University of Texas at Austin. Every year National History Day Contest frames students’ research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for the broad application to world, national or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. This year’s theme is “Conflict and Compromise in History.” Students may enter in several different categories. Two SSMS projects took first place at the regional contest: one in the Individual Website category by Luke Bohan titled “Battle of the Sexes” and one in the Group Website category by Cade Brunson, Joshua Oliphant and Boston Papp titled “Imprisonment of the Innocent: Japanese Internment After the Deadly Attacks on Pearl Harbor.” That group website also won a special award, presented by the George Washington Carver Museum. Seven projects took second place in multiple categories. Aidan Brunner placed second in Individual Documentary for “The Conflict and Compromise of Iwo Jima During WW2,” and Noah Belyea and Ethan Nebrig placed second in
Group Documentary for “The Fight for Pet Safety.” Mickey Cost placed second in Individual Website for “Magna Carta,” and Priya Chandrani, Ali Gartner, and Krystin Nixon placed second in Group Website for “Thirteen Days on the Brink of Nuclear War.” In the Individual Exhibit category, Morgan Adams placed second for “Vietnam War: The Draft Effects.” Morgan’s project was honored with the Texas Military Forces Museum Military History Award. Hunter Mead placed second in the Individual Performance category for “The 1936 Nazi Olympics,” and Presley Cochran and Kaleigh Howell placed second in Group Performance for “The Devil Who Took Over Salem.” All projects listed above will move on to the state contest. Seven projects took third in multiple categories. Rylee Ekberg placed third in Individual Documentary for “Children of the Holocaust,” and Presley Alford, Olivia Almager, Rebecca Calles, Arabela Grijalva, and Mia Simons placed third in Group Documentary for “It’s Walt’s Fault: The Story of Walt Disney.” Emma Williamson placed third in the Individual Website category for “Bloody Mary: England’s Most Cruel Yet Catholic Queen, Burning Almost 300 Protestants at the Stake,” and Tate Anderson, Vivek Ramadhar, and Austin Van Burkleo placed third in the Group Website category for “Dunkirk.” Taylor Anderson placed third in the Historical Papers Category for “U.S. Government After Pearl Harbor Attack.” Jordan Cox placed third in Individual Exhibits for “Thanksgiving Unrolled” and Hailey Jarvis and Rylie Jensen placed third
in the Group Exhibits for “A Wall to Heal.”
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the state contest, which will be held in Waco April 30. State winners receive scholarship payment ranging from $1,000 (overall first place) to $200 (third place). Seeley won the state contest as both a sophomore and a junior.
Two DSISD students were recognized at the 2018 Austin Energy Regional Science Festival. DSHS junior Ben Marsan (left) placed fifth in the category Computer Science Hardware/ Embedded Systems with his project “Raspberry Pi Powered RC Car.” He also received
the Yale Science and Engineering Association Special Award. Eighth-grader Karsten Bobb (above) was third in Earth & Environmental Sciences with her project “Preventing Coral Bleaching of Montipora Capricornis.” She also received the Superintendent’s Award.
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• Mechanics • Sales Representatives • Customer Care Reps • Gatehouse Attendants ... and more.
TexSCAN Week of March 4, 2018 ACREAGE 36.5 acres, Edwards County. End of road privacy. Live oak, cedar cover. Whitetail, free ranging exotics, hogs, turkey. $5,050 down, $836/mo. (9.9%, 30-years) 800-876-9720. www.ranchenterprisesltd.com.
Advertise in the News-Dispatch Classifieds for as low as $8.
20 words for $8.Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 or send an email to paper@haysnewsdispatch.com. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR THURSDAY’S PAPER
OIL AND GAS RIGHTS We buy oil, gas & mineral rights. Both non- producing and producing including non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI). Provide us your desired price for an offer evaluation. 806-620-1422, LoboMineralsLLC@ gmail.com. Lobo Minerals, LLC, PO Box 1800, Lubbock, TX 79408-1800.
EVENTS
TRUCK DRIVERS
The Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming and Turn-NBurn Festival will be held March 9-10. BBQ Cookoff, dances featuring Koe Wetzel on Saturday. Visit www.pleasantoncofc.com for information.
Quality Drive-Away Inc., Looking for CDL A or B drivers to deliver new trucks all over the US and Canada. Experience Preferred. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in the last 10 years, Clean MVR. Apply Online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023.
Yoakum, TX – Shelley King Band Outdoor Concert & Street Dance, 7:30-10 p.m., Fri., March 16, Carl & Mary Welhausen Library. Free Admission. Project supported by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, The City of Yoakum-Hotel Occupancy Tax Board and Friends of the Library.
FINANCE
Receiving payments from real estate you sold? Get cash now! Call Steve: 888-870-2243. www.SteveCashesNotes.com. Need Fast Cash For Your Business: Accounts Receivable Financing. Call Bill Harris 214632-1359 for details or toll-free 800-442-2740; mazonfactoring.com.
WANTED FREON R12 WANTED: Certified buyer will PAY CA$H for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. (312) 2919169; www.refrigerantfinders.com.
Drivers Wanted: Owner Ops & Company. Home daily. Excellent money & benefits. Great bonuses. Newer fleet. Call now for opportunities in your area! 888-549-1882. PAM Transport.
SAWMILLS Sawmills from only $4,397.00 – Make & Save Money with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! Free info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com. 800-567-0404, Ext.300N.
TV/INTERNET DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 877-625-4980.
Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 251 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.
Service Directory Air Conditioning
APC
Service • Repair • Installation
512-410-7739 www.APCServicePros.com Licensed and Insured
TECL 24139
DANIEL
STONE & LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES -We DeliverGRASS: St. Augustine, Buffalo, Bermuda, Tifway PATIO ROCK GRAVEL SAND
12015 Hwy 290 W Cedar Valley, Austin
M-F 8-5 Sat. 9-3
Central Garage, LLC Complete Auto Repair
(512) 894-4114 or (512) 858-4252 1 20 Hwy 290 W Mon-Fri, 8-5:30 Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Danny Hubbard
Lawn Care WHO DOES YOUR LANDSCAPING?
Landscaping
CHOPPED ROCK DRYSTACK MULCH
Dirt Cheap
Service Pros, LLC
Air Conditioning • Heating • Electrical
TACLB015741E
Dirt
Automotive
FLAGSTONE RIVER ROCK LOAM
512-288-8488
Offering competitive pricing and superior service in the Manchaca, Buda, and Kyle area since 2010
Taking care of your yard so you can play!
LANDSCAPING AND OUTDOOR CONSTRUCTION
Flower Beds • Fencing • Sprinkler Systems • Patios Gravel Driveways & Trails • Rock Gardens Garden Boxes • Build Sheds
Call Jesse Reyna at 512-788-2180 or email apa6207@sbcglobal.net
Signs & Banners
Shoe Repair QUALITY BOOT & SHOE REPAIR AS WELL AS PURSE AND LUGGAGE REPAIR
AustinShoeHospital.com
WORLD’S LARGEST SHOE REPAIR COMPANY 10 locations in Central Texas including: Highway 290 & Nutty Brown Road • 512-827-3398 Highway 290 West in Oak Hill • 512-288-6386 Bee Cave in Lakeway • 512-263-4630
Loam • Topsoil • Sand • Gravel • Roadbase • Asphalt Millings • Granite • Compost Mix
Tractor Work Available
Specializing in Country Driveways
Rick-Rob Trucking 512- 858-7952 www.rick-rob.com
robinnds@aol.com
Fences & More
HTC Fence & More WOOD FENCES BUILT RIGHT Repairs, Gates, Post Replacement, Fully Insured. Mowing $45 for standard yard (mow, edge, cleanup) Free Estimates • Veteran Owned 830-556-7445
Texas Crossword Solution
Pool Service Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM
512-965-3465
Tree Service
Lees Trees 30+ years in the Hill Country
Firewood • Pruning • Removal • Chipping Planting • Cedar Posts • Bulk Mulch Free Assessments & Estimates • Insured
Marcus Lees Affordable Oak Wilt Treatment (512) 858-4018 by TTH Inc. TDA #270421 leestrees@vownet.net (512) 921-4661
Schedule ball moss treatment for March
See puzzle, page 4
Window Treatments Beautiful Blinds, Shades, Draperies & Shutters Custom window treatments at affordable prices!
Graber, Hunter Douglas, Norman & more. Low prices with lifetime guarantees and fast professional installation.
Call 512-847-8970
for free consultation & price quote.
www.MadeinTheShadeofwimberley.com
Page 6
News-Dispatch
Thursday, March 8, 2018
The Yellow Cardinal – a ‘one in a million mutation’ BY JERRY HALL
You never know what bird will show up in your backyard. Just consider Charlie Stephenson, a lady who maintains a seed feeder in Alabaster, Georgia. She recently spotted a bright yellow cardinal chowing down. “I was looking out the window and I saw it eating,” she said. “I realized it was a cardinal and I
ran to get my camera. I managed to get a quick shot before it flew up on a high branch.” Charlie contacted Auburn University biologist Geoffrey Hill, who dropped by and confirmed the bird was a common cardinal – usually a very red bird. He explained this particular bird carried a genetic mutation that caused its normally brilliant red feathers to be a bright
yellow instead. Charlie did what everyone seems to do these days, posted the bird’s picture on Facebook. She did not give out her address but did invite a local newspaper photographer to come over. He did so and was quoted as saying, “It kind of took my breath away a little bit.” The yellow cardinal has been described as a “one in a million” muta-
tion. It is not the same as the endangered yellow cardinal found in South America. While yellow, that cardinal also has black and white markings and a slight greenish tinge. Charlie’s bird is an overall mustard-colored yellow. So keep an eye out – you just never know.
HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS RETURN TO HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE DEER CREEK OF WIMBERLEY HAS BEEN
30 YEARS. OFFERING SCENIC VIEWS OF THE HILL COUNTRY AND OF OUR SERENE ENCLOSED COURTYARD.
ESTABLISHED FOR OVER
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
A piece of history flies into San Marcos A handful of onlookers watch as “That’s All Brother,” a restored and refurbished C-47 aircraft, taxies in front of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Central Texas Wing hangar at the San Marcos Airport. A piece of American history made its way to its new permanent home March 6 as “That’s All Brother” landed in San Marcos. The aircraft led a formation of more than 800 C-47s that dropped paratroopers over Normandy, France on D-Day on June 6, 1944. The aircraft has gone through an extensive restorative effort after it had spent more than 10 years in an aircraft boneyard in Wisconsin.
• 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
DEER CREEK OF WIMBERLEY
555 R ANCH ROAD 3237 • WIMBERLEY, TX FACILITY (512) 847-5540 • FAX (512) 847-0419
Get Dell Children’s Care close to home. Now open at Seton Southwest Hospital. For more information, visit dellchildrens.net/emergencycare.
Mini-emergency? Online scheduling is now available for your child’s ER visit at Seton Southwest Hospital. Remember, online ER scheduling is for mini-emergencies only. If your child is experiencing a major emergency, get to the ER ASAP or dial 9-1-1. Schedule now at getsetoncare.com.