Lady Tigers continue to dominate
HCSO adds corrections officers
Election results in local runoffs
page 4
page 3
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXX No. 23
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢ Thursday, March 12, 2020
Wimberley couple among those quarantined BY ANITA MILLER
cases of COVID 19 in Hays County, a Wimberley cou“Wash your hands like ple is among the passenyou’ve been chopping jala- gers of a cruise ship being peños and need to change taken to a military instalyour contact lenses” goes a lation for two weeks of meme circulating on Face- quarantined observation. book concerning tips to Additionally, Texas State avoid catching the newest University says 10 people round of Coronavirus. who had traveled internaIt’s good advice. Though tionally are “to self-isolate there are still no confirmed at home” for 14 days prior
“The university is committed to protecting the health of our Texas State community and will continue to closely monitor the evolving coronavirus situation. University business and classes will continue as usual.”
to returning to campus. “There are no confirmed
cases of COVID-19 among the individuals self-isolat-
ing and there no reason for alarm,” Chief Medical officer Dr. Emilio Carranca said. “The university is committed to protecting the health of our Texas State community and will continue to closely monitor the evolving coronavirus situation. University business and classes will continue as usual.”
Gaining traction Wimberley hones its plans for skate park BY CAMELIA JUAREZ The Wimberley Parks and Recreation is considering an inclusive alternative to a traditional skate park which would provide space for skaters, moms with strollers and even people in wheelchairs. Wheeled Sport Plaza could provide a space for beginners, ramps for various wheeled sports and a circle around the perimeter for people to roll around on. Ideally, this space would be for the young and old or “multi-generational,” Skate park advocate Nayeli King said. It would appeal to young people who are seeking a safe space to skate without fear of trespassing or getting hit by surrounding traffic, King said, as well as people within the elderly community to get exercise by utilizing the plaza via bike or wheel chair. The Parks and Recreation board was supportive during its meeting March 3 and made a motion to continue the discussion. The Wheeled Sport Plaza is in the very early stages development, but board members suggested the plaza could be
SKATE PARK, 2
Last week, the county’s Epidemiologist Dr. Eric Schneider confirmed others in the county are also in self-imposed quarantine because they “believe they may have been exposed to a confirmed case.” Schneider added that those individuals are being
CORONAVIRUS, 5
Mental Health Court
Read across America
Seeks to cut recidivism DSISD PHOTOS
Special activities were planned across Dripping Springs ISD elementary schools last week as students participated in “Read Across America activities, both in classrooms and in the district’s Centers for Learning & Innovation.
“The Mental Health Court is to serve as an alternative to incarceration for individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.” –Tacie Zelhart, County Court at Law #3
Precinct 3 Constable Helm corrects racial profiling report BY ANITA MILLER
version, which Hays County Pct. 3 lists Constable Ray Helm only one has corrected errors in vehicle the racial profiling research. port he presented to the He Commissioners Court had also on March 3, citing con- reported fusion associated with a that 275 HELM new reporting system. “HisIn his original report, panic/Latino” drivers Helm said that his office were stopped, along conducted 329 traffic with eight “black” and stops in 2019 and all but 43 “white.” That was one of the vehicles were corrected to 275 “white” searched. That was reand 43 “Hispanic/Lativersed in his corrected no.”
The report is required of all Texas law enforcement agencies. Helm’s was the last to be accepted by commissioners, who gave their OK to Pct. 1 Constable David Peterson’s report on Feb. 25; to Pct. 2 Constable Michael Torres’ and Pct. 5 Constable John Ellen’s reports on Feb. 18 and to Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood’s report on Feb. 4. Commissioners also accepted the Hays County Sheriff’s Office report
on Feb. 25. Helm’s report as presented to commissioners was accepted without discussion as part of the consent agenda. Though the original version said 328 vehicles were searched, neither it nor the corrected version indicate any contraband was seized. Traffic stops were conducted on 197 male drivers and 137 females.
Reducing recidivism is the goal of a bold new effort being made by the Hays County Mental Health Court. The court providies mental health and substance abuse treatment to reduce the involvement in the criminal justice system. It marks the first time in Hays County for a non-adversarial alternative beyond deferred adjudication or probation. If a person with mental illness is charged with a misdemeanor offense, he or she can voluntarily commit to the 12-month treatment, which includes therapy, medications and community service
PROFILING REPORT, 3
MENTAL HEALTH COURT, 3
Jacob’s Well Road study gets the OK
LAGNIAPPE Festival in Dripping Springs celebrates Hill Country living The Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival returns to the Dripping Spring Ranch Park on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, one-day event promises something for everyone who loves the Texas Hill Country
– whether you call it home now, plan to make it home in the future, or just like to visit and play here. The Hill Country Alliance (HCA), FESTIVAL planner and host, has packed the day with fun things to do and good things to learn about living lightly in the Hill Country. In 2020 we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rainwater Revival
BY CAMELIA JUAREZ
products, and more. A return partnership with Plateau + Braun & Gresham Family of Companies sees the reprise of the Real Estate Rodeo, a series of certified classes for real estate professionals with attractions that and the opportunity to include a green living earn CEUs, at no cost, Vendor Hall, a Hill on a myriad of topics to Country Marketplace for artists and artisans, a help realtors buy and native plant sale, exhib- sell land in the Texas Hill Country. Realtor classes its and demonstrations run from 8 to 11:30 from the Texas Night a.m. in the new meetSky Festival team, and numerous opportunities ing room at Dripping to learn more about land Springs Ranch Park. Registration required. stewardship, wildlife More information on management, water conservation, renewable the FESTIVAL host is available at HillCountryenergy, green home building, sustainable Alliance.org.
BY ANITA MILLER Hays County Commissioners have given the go-ahead to engineering and design services on a Jacob’s Well Road Corridor Study of the roadway from FM 2325 to RR 12. The firm of Freese and Nichols will provide the services at a cost of $850,000. The measure passed the commissioners court unanimously. Identified as a high priority safety project for Precinct 3 as well as the county overall, the road will be studied to see where it needs to be widened and if additional right-of-way will be required to make
JACOB’S WELL ROAD, 2
Page 2
News-Dispatch
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Jacob’s Well Road
News -Dispatch
Continued from pg. 1
that possible. Widening would be required for school buses and, as Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell explained in court, Jacob’s Well Road is expected to see a lot more traffic once One Water School, under construction at the intersection of RR 12 and Winter’s Mill Parkway, opens in the fall. Shell said that Jacob’s Well Road will be the designated point of entry and exit for school buses as well as parents dropping off or picking up students from the new school. Currently, the roadway is narrow and has a low-water crossing as well as some “intersections with RR 12 that
PHONE: 512-268-7862 FAX: 512-268-0262 PUBLISHER Cyndy Slovak-Barton csb@haysfreepress.com
EDITOR Anita Miller anita@bartonpublicationsinc.com
REPORTERS Chase Rogers Camelia Juarez Sahar Chmais PRODUCTION David White david@haysfreepress.com
present some challenges,” Shell said. Also, portions of the roadway fall under different jurisdictions including the city of Woodcreek, Hays County and a number of property owners associations, he added. “Through Woodcreek it is a city street and not the preferred route. Houses are built close to the road which is not meant to be a thoroughfare – we need to make sure we have a safe alternative,” Shell said. The modifications should also increase sight distances in some areas of the road. Funding will come from the county’s 2016 Road Bond Program.
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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 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
PEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
White-Nose Syndrome confirmed in bat in Austin For the first time, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists have confirmed the disease white-nose syndrome (WNS) in a Texas bat. Up until this point, while the fungus that causes the disease was previously detected in Texas in 2017, there were no signs of the disease it can cause. WNS has killed millions of hibernating bats in the eastern parts of the United States, raising national concern. WNS is a fungal disease only known to occur in bats and is not a risk to people. However, bats are wild animals and should not be handled by untrained individuals. The public is encouraged to report dead or sick bats to TPWD at nathan. fuller@tpwd.texas.gov for possible testing. The infected bat was a cave myotis (Myotis velifer) found dead in Central Texas (Gillespie County) on Feb. 23. The specimen was sent to the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center for testing and was confirmed positive for WNS through skin histopathology and also tested positive for the fungus. While the fungus was detected for the first time in Texas in early 2017 in the Panhandle, the first detections from Central Texas were in 2018. In 2019, biologists reported finding high levels of the fungus on
White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease only known to occur in bats and is not a risk to people, but in parts of the United States there have been declines in winter bat numbers of greater than 90 percent. cave myotis at several Central Texas locations. It has now been found in 21 counties across the state. “Finding WNS in Central Texas for the first time is definitely concerning,” said Nathan Fuller, bat specialist at TPWD. “Biologists had hoped that white-nose syndrome, a disease that thrives in cold conditions, might not occur in warmer parts of Texas. We’re following up on several other reports to determine whether this was an isolated incident or if the impacts are more widespread. We recently received a report from site in Bell County of five cave myotis that we suspect were infected as well. We should know more in the next few weeks.” White-nose syndrome is caused by the cold-adapted fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and has been rapidly spreading since its discovery in New York in 2007. It is thought to have been introduced from Europe where bats appear to be resistant to the fungus. In parts of the United States there
have been declines in winter bat numbers of greater than 90 percent. Bats are very long lived and because many produce just one offspring per year, researchers are concerned it could take many decades for some populations to recover from a major decline. Through support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, TPWD has funded research projects with Bat Conservation International (BCI), the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, and Texas State University to study bats, the fungus, and possible treatments.
ELECTION
We’re proud to be member-led Looking to actively serve your fellow PEC members? We’re accepting nominations for board directors in districts 2, 3, and 4. Nomination materials are due Monday, March 23, at 5 p.m. Learn more at pec.coop/nominations.
Pedernales Electric Cooperative
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.
Wimberley skate park Continued from pg. 1
behind the Wimberley library or near the Blue Hole Recreation Area, where a tennis court was going to be built. A petition is going around to support the plaza, which can be found on change. org under the title of, “Indoor Skatepark for
riders of any kind.” So far the petition has more than 200 signatures, but the skate park advocate Ashley Franklin is hoping for at least 2,000 people to sign. For more updates about the Wimberley Wheeled Sport Plaza, follow @dripskateboarding.
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
Texas Crossword Solution
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
Nguyen, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m. Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.
512-858-5667
www.stmartindp.org
See puzzle, page 4
Thursday, March 12, 2020
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 3
New corrections officers graduated by Hays County On Monday, Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler presented certificates to the newest graduating class of the Hays County Basic Corrections Officer Academy, BCAT Class 15. Ten Hays County corrections officers and two Caldwell County corrections officers successfully completed the program. The program consisted of more than 120 hours of intense training designed to meet or exceed the Texas Commission on
Jail Standards. Cadets learned basic concepts such as history, ethics and liability, jail procedures including booking, records and searches; and safety to include use of force, defense tactics, headcounts and facility security. Cutler congratulated the graduates as they began their new career in the corrections field of law enforcement.
HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PHOTO Back row, from left: David Velasco, Danny Castro, Cody Halvorson, Larry Fults, John Wray, Santiago Alfaro, Mark Williams andJoseph Wilburn; front row, from left: Sheriff Gary Cutler, Captain Julie Villalpando, William Kelly, Allyson Watts, Anna Liska, Ashlee Watts, Chief Deputy Mike Davenport, Instructor Edward Martell.
Profiling Report
Join March 9-16 - Pay No Join Fee
SAVE $49
Continued from pg. 1
The reports indicate the ethnicity of two of the 329 drivers was known prior to the stop. All the stops were for moving violation, both versions of the report say. Also, they specify that 189 occurred on a state highway, 72 on city streets and 68 on county roads. None
of the stops involved physical force. Of the 329 stops, Helm said 133 resulted in written warnings and 193 resulted in citations. One stop resulted in an arrest for violation of the penal code. “I have had to correct the report. I have resub-
Mental Health Court Continued from pg. 1
provided with the help of the court. County Court-at-Law 3 Judge Tacie Zelhart will help combine treatment and judicial monitoring to provide long-term stability that holds defendants accountable. “The largest mental health provider in Hays County was at the jail. And that’s what we’re trying to change,” Zelhart said. “The Mental Health Court is to serve as an alternative to incarceration for individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. Mainly, we want to improve their health and quality of life and make them productive citizens.” The first docket opened this month and referrals are being accepted from sources ranging from defense attorneys to treatment providers to family members. To become eligible, the person must be diagnosed with a mental illness and charged with a misdemeanor crime. Once they have been screened and expectations of the program have been explained, then they must accept a
guilty or no contest plea to enter the program. There is a $250 court fee to subsidize program costs, but Zelhart said waivers are available. From the point of acceptance, a team will collaborate to monitor and support a participant’s growth. The team consists of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, court manager, court case managers, community supervision officer and treatment providers. “Instead of just passing them on from to department to department, you’re actually keeping an eye on them and you’re invested. If you have everyone together, working as a team, with the same goal in mind is to get this person healthy and productive and out of the criminal justice system,” Zelhart said. After completion of the five-phase program, Zelhart hopes that graduates have stabilized their mental health condition with medication, no longer using drugs or alcohol, achieved treatment goals and complied with court orders.
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mitted it to TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) and spoke to them today,” Helm said in an email March 9. “This is the new reporting system and it was a bit confusing. The report has been fixed and resubmitted to Commissioners Court. I am sorry for the confusion.”
“Our goal is to find what works for that person, that individual person. Not everything is cookie cutter and works, especially with mental illness because the diagnoses are so diverse. I’ve practiced for 14 years in this community and represented many individuals, both in criminal matters and civil matters, who had mental health diagnoses. So I’ve seen firsthand and I’ve been saying it for a very, very long time, we need a mental health court. There’re individuals that could benefit greatly from the specialized treatment and specialized caseload that they get with a mental health court. So it’s a great need in our community,” Zelhart said. Specialty courts like the Veterans Court have proven to change people’s addiction habits and stabilization, so Zelhart looks forward to an exclusive program for mentally ill people. Her upcoming projects include getting grant money for an out-patient treatment program to provide follow-up assistance to people.
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Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between March 3rd and March 5th , 2020. Civil Matter............................................................... 5
Canine Search......................................................... 1
Information............................................................... 9
Canine Training........................................................ 1
Compliance Check.................................................. 7
Drone Deployment.................................................. 3
Civil Standby............................................................ 1
SRP Drill................................................................... 4
Property- Lost/Found/Imp...................................... 1
Missing Person........................................................ 2
Sex Offender Registy.............................................. 1
Public Assist............................................................ 4
Alarm Business...................................................... 11
Community Contact.............................................. 18
Alarm Residential.................................................. 15
Disabled Vehicle...................................................... 8
Alarm Panic............................................................ 15
Close Patrol......................................................... 103
Animal Calls........................................................... 32
Welfare Concern.................................................... 11
Loose Livestock...................................................... 3
Suicidal Person........................................................ 2
Assault..................................................................... 5
Investigation............................................................ 3
Assist EMS............................................................... 3
Supplement........................................................... 25
Assist Fire Dept....................................................... 5
Suspicious Circumstances..................................... 6
Assist Outside Agency............................................ 9
Extradition................................................................ 2
Burglary Building..................................................... 1
Suspicious Person................................................. 12
Burglary Vehicle....................................................... 1
Suspicious Vehicle............................................... 11
Criminal Mischief..................................................... 2
Wanted Person....................................................... 1
Graffiti...................................................................... 1
Identity Theft............................................................ 1
Illegal Dumping........................................................ 1
Theft......................................................................... 6
Enviromental Crime................................................. 3
Unauth Use Vehicle................................................. 2
Death Investigation................................................. 3
Vehicle Theft............................................................ 2
Disturbance Noise................................................... 6
Accident Minor...................................................... 19
Disturbance Physical Fight..................................... 3
Accident Hit and Run.............................................. 4
Disturbance Verbal.................................................. 8
Accident Major/Injury............................................ 16
Child Custody.......................................................... 1
Abandoned/Stored Vehicle..................................... 2
Narcotics/Information............................................. 2
Traffic Control/Direction.......................................... 2
Drug Paraphernalia................................................. 1
Directed/Area Enforcement.................................. 18
MIP – Tobacco......................................................... 3
Traffic Hazard......................................................... 12
Marijuana................................................................. 1
Attempt to Locate................................................. 21
Fraud........................................................................ 9
Parking Enforcement............................................... 4
Counterfeiting.......................................................... 1
Traffic Stop........................................................... 178
Credit/Debit Abuse.................................................. 1
Trespassing/Unwanted......................................... 36
Harassment.............................................................. 6
911 Abandoned/Open........................................... 37
Threat....................................................................... 2
911 Aban/Misdial/Open.......................................... 1
Mental Health Follow Up......................................... 3
Discharge Firearm................................................... 1
Mental Health Invest............................................... 1
Private Tow/Repo.................................................. 10
Below is a sample of events reported by law enforcement from March 3rd through March 5th, 2020. The location is where the event was reported or responded to and may not necessarily be where the event occured. Agency Activity
Date
Time
Location
HCSO
Assault
03/03/2020
15:03:13
Uhland Rd San Marcos Public Safety Building
HCSO
Assault
03/03/2020
19:06:21
Uhland Rd San Marcos Hays County Law Center
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 03/03/2020
21:32:57
EXIT 223 NB Buda EXIT 223 NB
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/03/2020
16:40:43
S Fm 1626/Jack C Hays Trl Buda
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/03/2020
21:50:02
Bell Springs Rd Dripping Springs
HCSO
Assault
03/04/2020
9:47:46
Texan Blvd Wimberley Danforth Junior High
HCSO
Assault
03/04/2020
11:18:18
Clovis Barker Rd San Marcos STV Oil
BPD
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 03/04/2020
16:59:14
Lillie Robyn Ln Buda
HCSO
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 03/04/2020
20:58:56
S Fm 1626 Buda Bucks Backyard
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury
03/04/2020
8:05:59
Exit 220 Nb Kyle EXIT 217 NB
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 03/04/2020
8:06:30
EXIT 219 NB Buda EXIT 219 NB
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 03/04/2020
8:28:27
EXIT 221 SB Buda EXIT 221 SB
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/04/2020
6:32:00
Bebee Rd/Goforth Rd Kyle Reyes Automotive
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/04/2020
7:16:03
W Us 290/Rr 165 Dripping Springs
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/04/2020
9:30:31
Windy Hill Rd/Dacy Ln Kyle
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/04/2020
17:03:30
Bebee Rd/Kensington Blvd Kyle
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/04/2020
17:15:08
Windy Hill Rd/Cherrywood Kyle
HCSO
Disturbance - Phys/Fight 03/05/2020
20:32:27
Jack C Hays Trl Buda Hays High School
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 03/05/2020
10:45:47
N Fm 1626/Rr 967 Buda
BPD
Accident - Major/Injury 03/05/2020
16:27:19
Rr 967 Buda Johnson High School
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/05/2020
16:48:17
Fm 2001 Buda
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/05/2020
22:59:58
Kildeer Dr Buda
HCSO
Accident - Major/Injury 03/06/2020
4:42:30
Hugo Rd/Rr 12 San Marcos
Page 4
News-Dispatch
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Sports Dripping Springs vs. McCallum
Tiger boys soccer stays perfect in district BY MOSES LEOS III By the time Dripping Springs senior Brady England tapped in a late second half goal Friday, he and his Tiger teammates were already on the path to victory. England’s goal, scored at the 68th minute, was one of the final cherries on top of a 6-1 Tiger win over the McCallum Knights, which pulled the Tigers one win closer to an undefeated run in 25-5A. Yet the moment was one to relish for England, who after a handful of missed attempts finally tallied a score in his final regular season game at Tiger Stadium. “It’s amazing. It’s senior night. To get one on the final night is amazing,” England said. An unrelenting offensive presence played a large role in Dripping Springs’ lopsided win. Overall, Dripping Springs outshot McCallum 27-5 in the game; Sixteen of the Tigers’ 27 shots were on goal. Tiger head coach Josh Hill cited his team’s technical capabilities on the pitch, as well as their
No. 23 Senior. Julian Mendoza works the ball past a McCallum player in the 1st half of the game on Friday night. Dripping Springs High School crushed the McCallum High School Knights 6 to 1.
skills, as catalysts for success on offense Friday. A “good, balanced attack and a lot of good players,” were also key factors as well, said Hill. However, Dripping
Springs struggled to capitalize on several chances in the early going, missing a handful of scoring opportunities in the first 20-plus minutes of the contest.
That all changed in the 28th minute when Tiger Javier Ortega broke a scoreless stalemate. After Tiger teammate Ethan
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III Senior Elijah Sass’ great speed and ball handling gets by a Mc-
TIGER BOYS SOCCER, 5 Callum player during the 1st half of the game on Friday night.
We proudly support our hometown teams Texas hometown friendly bank
512-858-5159
401 E. Hwy 290W. P.O. Box 1243 Dripping Springs, TX 78620
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
No. 1 junior Charleigh Phipps works the ball toward the goal, but the Crockett player charges and clears the ball away from the goal in Friday night’s game.
Texas Crossword
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Wimberley: 512-847-5549 or 512-847-9325 Dripping Springs: 512-858-4608
Lady Tiger soccer continues to dominate district District dominance continued for the Dripping Springs Lady Tiger soccer team Friday after the team easily cruised to a 4-1 win over the McCallum Knights, placing the team one win shy of an undefeated run through 25-5A. The win closed out another successful week for the Lady Tigers, who outscored their two opponents 12-2. That included an 8-1 win over Lockhart March 3. So far this season, Dripping Springs has outscored opponents 83-3 in 25-5A play and 104-4
DISTRICT 25-5A GIRLS SOCCER STANDINGS Dripping Springs 13-0 McCallum 11-2 Lockhart 6-5-2 Northeast 3-7-3 Navarro 1-9-3 Travis 0-10-1
overall. Dripping Springs, currently ranked No. 17 in Class 5A, closed the regular season Tuesday against Austin Northeast High. The 2020 postseason begins March 26-28.
See Texas Crossword solution, page 2
Thursday, March 12, 2020
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
DSHS Speech and Debate student named Academic All-American Dripping Springs High School junior Jackson Kaiser has been selected as an Academic All-American by the National Speech and Debate Association. The Academic All-American award recognizes high school students who have earned the degree of Superior Distinction in debate (750 points), completed at least five semesters of high school, demonstrated outstanding character and leadership, and earned a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (or
its equivalent). This award recognizes academic rigor, competitive KAISER speech and debate success, and personal excellence. From more than 141,000 student members fewer than 1,000 students earn the Academic All-American award. This award places Jackson among
the top 1 percent of all student members of the National Speech and Debate Association in the country. Earlier this school year Jackson qualified for the Texas Forensic Association state tournament in the events of Public Forum Debate and Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking. In 2018-19 DSHS students Max Bibeau (class of 2019) and Campbell Melton (class of 2020) also received All-American honors from the NSDA.
Tiger Boys Soccer Continued from pg. 4
Roberts’ shot attempt caromed off the crossbar, Ortega collected the rebound and blasted in the goal to give Dripping Springs a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, Dripping Springs’ lead grew to 2-0 via a penalty kick from Roberts. McCallum’s lone response came with 80 seconds left in the first half, which cut the Tiger lead to 2-1 at intermission. It took less than three minutes into the second half for the Tiger offense to reignite. Dripping Springs’ Adam Knutson scored at the 42nd minute off a cross into the 18-yard box by Ben McWhorter. The Tiger offense kept up the pace and added three more unanswered second half
Postseason play is now on Tiger minds as they closed out the regular season Tuesday.
to go out and finish hard,” England said. “To get four goals in the second half, that’s amazing.” Postseason play is now on Tiger minds as they closed out the regular season Tuesday. For England and his teammates, finding a way to punch a ticket goals scored by Roberts, to the regional tournaEngland and Adam ment in Corpus Christi Speigel. becomes high priority. Staying composed Dripping Springs’ and relaxed in the 2018 and 2019 cam18-yard box on offense paigns both ended in were elements Hill the regional quarterfisaid were necessary in nals, a step short of the helping the Tigers score tournament. goals, primarily in the “We’ve been so close second half. Maintainthe last two years to ing their unblemished getting into the regional district record was a tournament,” Hill said. driver for the Tigers to “A lot of those teams finish, said England. who make those runs “We didn’t want to are led by their senior lose this unbeaten disclass, and that’s where trict record. We wanted we are with this group.”
Coronavirus
Continued from pg. 1 monitored. Among the cruise ship passengers are Skip Casteel and his wife Anna of Wimberley. Casteel’s brother Wayne Casteel told the Hays Free Press that his brother is insulin dependent and his sister-in-law underwent heart bypass surgery not long ago and still needs medication. He said both had faced challenges getting their medication while onboard the ship, and that supplies beyond what they now have will be sent to their final destination, presumably Lackland AFB in San Antonio. “Somebody decided they would send the rest of it to their destination, wherever that is,” Wayne Casteel said. “There are 90 people on board from Texas, so they will either be sent to Lackland or some place in Georgia.” He said neither had been tested for the virus, but that the couple remains in “pretty good” spirits. At the time they boarded the Diamond Princess, they were avid cruisers and had another trip already lined up. “We’ve canceled that,” he said. Skip Casteel is a former deputy with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office who retired in 2011. Officials at the County Health Department, meanwhile have established a “monitoring protocol” that will be explained to individuals if they have symptoms indicative of the virus. As of Tuesday, the virus had been detected in more than 100 countries across the globe and 423 domestic cases in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
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Avoid handshaking and high-fives Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home when you feel sick. Cover coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, and then throw it away. Alternately, use the crook of your elbow if a tissue is not available. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe. Clean cell and desk phones, computer keyboards, door handles, and work surfaces often. • Face masks are not considered an effective way to prevent someone from catching a virus unless you have close, frequent contact with a sick person; however, they are an option for sick people to use to keep from spreading the virus. • Avoid travel to areas that have been designated highrisk areas because of multiple verified cases of Corona.
Of those, 72 are believed to be travel related and 29 are thought to have been spread from person to person. Across the nation some schools have closed and mass gatherings – including Austin’s SXSW – were canceled. Schneider, who told the Hays Free Press last week that he is in constant touch with the Centers for Disease control, noted that good health practices for keeping the virus at bay are similar to ones people use to avoid catching the flu – but stressed that the two are very different diseases. Symptoms of COVID 19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath that can show up as soon as two days after exposure, but can also not show up for up to two weeks. Flu symptoms not associated with COVID 19 include headache, chills, body ache, sore throat, fatigue, stuffy nose and/or sneezing. More recent advisories reiterate what Schneider had previously advised for local residents, including washing hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds including between fingers and under fingernails. “Handwashing is con-
sidered the best way to remove germs and dirt, and hand sanitizers should be used only when handwashing is not available,” the advisory said. “The hand sanitizers should be at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective.” Anyone concerned they may have been exposed is urged to contact the county Public Health Department at 512-393-5520 to discuss exposure risk. Coronaviruses are not new – some are responsible for common colds and some for more serious infections like SARS – but this particular strain is new which explains why it is often referred to as Novel Coronavirus. Schneider said while he is “anticipating cases to eventually show up in Hays County,” the first line of defense against an outbreak or community spreading is to follow the good health practices whether you are healthy or feeling sick. Schneider also recommended that residents rely on qualified information sources for additional information, such as the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov and the Texas Department of State
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News-Dispatch
Super Tuesday results in four local runoffs
Pedernales Electric Cooperative selects local students for 2020 Youth Tour
BY CHASE ROGERS Super Tuesday is now in the past, but a number of races are still to be decided. Here’s a rundown:
TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 45 The Republican primary for State Representative District 45 will go to a runoff between Carrie Isaac, who gained 46.89 percent of the vote, and ISAAC WYMORE Kent “Bud” Wymore, with 42.23 percent of the vote. The winner will face incumbent State Rep. Democrat Erin Zwiener, who won the Democratic primary with 68.90 percent of the vote.
HAYS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR RACE Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz, who earned 41.55 percent of the vote, will face Donna Haschke, with 39.36 percent, in a runoff election. VILLESCAZ
Thursday, March 12, 2020
HASCHKE
REPUBLICAN U.S. DISTRICT 35 RACE Jenny Garcia Sharon, who had 37.09 percent of voters in the district, and “Guillermo” William Hayward, who finished with 34.31 percent, will face off in a runoff elecSHARON HAYWARD tion. The winner will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who won his primary with 72.86 percent% of the vote.
Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) will send Buda home-school student Nyah Gray, Hays High School student Jesus Jimenez, San Marcos Academy student Catarina Vazquez and Wimberley High School student Luthary Segura to Washington, D.C., as part of the 2020 Youth Tour. They’ll join 1,500 additional students from other electric cooperatives across the country June 17-26 in the nation’s capital. This year, PEC selected 10 students, with representatives from all over
Autism advocate Temple Grandin to speak at Texas State STAFF REPORT
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT 5 RACE Republicans Robert Morrow, who garnered 40.12 percent of the vote, and Lani Popp, who with 33.88 percent of the vote, will face each other in a MORROW POPP run-off election. The winner will move on to face the Democratic nominee Rebecca Bell-Metereau, who comfortably won with 63.70 percent of the vote. Runoffs in both parties will be held Saturday, May 26, when polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all Hays County Voting Centers. The last day to register to vote in those runoff election is Monday, April 27. Early voting will run from Monday, May 18 to Friday, May 22. The last day to apply to vote by mail is Friday, May 15. Votes in the Republican Primary election will be canvassed at 10:30 a.m. on March 12 at 900 Bugg Lane #111, San Marcos. On the Democratic side, the canvas will occur at 1:30 p.m. March 12 at the Hays County Democratic Party office, 215 W. San Antonio, San Marcos.
Temple Grandin, one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism in the world, will speak at Texas State University on March 25 as part of the Common Experience Insight Series. Grandin will speak on “The World Needs ALL Kinds of Minds” at 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. The event is part of Texas State’s 2019-2020 Common Experience theme on “Truth.” A book sale and signing will follow. The event is free and open to the public, but advance tickets are required. Tickets can be reserved by visiting https://txstatepresents.universitytickets. com/w/event.aspx?id=2866&p=1. For more information, contact Danielle McEwen in the Department of Psychology at dl1120@ txstate.edu or 512-2458144.
the cooperative’s service area. As part of the competition, students were asked to answer five short questions and submit two reference letters. “I’m so excited for this year’s talented group of Youth Tour delegates and the experience that awaits them,” PEC Youth Engagement Representative Celeste Mikeska said. “It will be the trip of a lifetime, and hopefully by learning about public service firsthand, they will be inspired to become future leaders.” While in Washington,
students will have the • Luthary Segura, Wimberley opportunity to visit historHigh School ical sites, meet with their • Morgan Sholund, Smithson elected officials in ConValley High School gress, and learn firsthand • Stephanie Valdez, Leander about our government. High School
PEC’S 2020 YOUTH TOUR DELEGATES ARE:
• Danae Barkocy, Leander High School • Nyah Gray, Home School • Pierce Heller, Canyon Lake High School • Jesus Jimenez, Hays High School • Vishal Narra, Westwood High School • Ashlee Reed, Georgetown High School
• Catarina Vazquez, San Marcos Academy
In 1957, then-Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson urged the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s directors and staff to bring young people to Washington, D.C. That idea spurred the creation of the Youth Tour program; PEC has been a participant for 39 years.
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