March 24, 2021 News-Dispatch

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MARCH 24, 2021 VACCINES

FIXING DACY

Texas to open COVID-19 vaccines to all adults beginning Monday.

Dacy Lane improvements are on the map.

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News-Dispatch © Barton Publications, Inc.

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HaysNewsDispatch.com

Vol. 41 • No. 25

Serving Hays County, TX

Farmers Market manager fired over ongoing issues

County launches jail dashboard BY SAHAR CHMAIS

BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS — A local farmers market manager was fired last week after failing to perform duties in a professional manner. The employment of Dripping Springs Farmers Market Manager Lauren Robertson was terminated on March 16 for insubordination, discourteous behavior and ineffective communication with staff and the public. Performance issues continued to occur despite Robertson being asked to improve her communication style. City council unanimously voted on March 16 to approve the termination. Robertson did not provide comment when asked twice during the meeting. Dripping Springs is currently accepting applications to fill the position.

LWV to host DS candidate forums BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS – To keep voters informed before heading to the polls, Dripping Springs City Council and DSISD Board candidates will be interviewed during two virtual forums in April. Candidates will be

CANDIDATES FORUM, 9

PHOTO BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Buda Drugstore encourages employees and patrons to wear masks and follow CDC guidelines despite relaxed mask policies issued by the state.

To mask or not? Texas restaurants decide BY MEGAN WEHRING AND of business owners. That decision is not made SAHAR CHMAIS

lightly, considering the backlash of consumers HAYS COUNTY — Businesses are in a diffi- on both sides of the spectrum. The mask cult position right now. rules are Owners so have to “We’ve noticed not black and decide an uptick in white, whether either. to implethe number of Noa ment their people who are Sutherown safety protocols. out and about. land, co-owner If they While it’s not of Zoi enforce a mask rule, back to normal, Natural Pharmathey may it certainly feels cy and lose some Grocery, customlike we are said they ers; if they moving that are operdo not ating the enforce direction.” same as the rule, HEB; not they could –John McIntosh, owner engaging also lose of the Barber Shop Bar in concustomin Dripping Springs frontation ers. but when Effective March 10, Gov. Greg a person walks in, the employees wear their Abbott allowed businesses to open 100% ca- masks. One difference from pacity while also lifting the Texas mask mandate HEB is that this store in its entirety. This left the choice in the hands MASK POLICIES, 2

HAYS COUNTY RESTAURANTS THAT CONTINUE TO ENFORCE A MASK RULE FOR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS: • • • • • • • •

Milt’s Pit Barbecue in Kyle Brooklyn’s Down South in Buda Main Street Pizzeria & Beer Garden in Buda Los Olivos Market in Buda Garcia’s Mexican Food in Buda Sweet Cakes 4 U in Buda Buda Soda Fountain Beijing Bistro in Buda

HAYS COUNTY RESTAURANTS NOT REQUIRING MASKS FOR CUSTOMERS AND/OR EMPLOYEES: • • • • • • • •

Le Vacher in Dripping Springs The Barber Shop in Dripping Springs Mudbugs in Buda Homespun Kitchen & Bar in Dripping Springs Papa Jack’s in Kyle Willie’s Joint in Buda The Barber Shop Bar in Dripping Springs Zoi Natural Pharmacy and Grocery

Not all restaurants responded. This is a condensed list. For more details about mask regulations, please reach out to your local restaurants and businesses.

Residents sound off against commissioners, county officials BY MEGAN WEHRING

HAYS COUNTY — Residents are not staying quiet during public meetings. Issues surrounding county spending and government decisions and continue to emerge during Hays County Commissioners Court meetings – and Tuesday was no different. Lloyd O’Leary did not shy away from disputing Judge Ruben Becerra’s actions. “Your behavior with elected county officials

is ridiculous,” O’Leary lashed. “Because if somebody does not agree with you, you blackball them. You want to cut their budgets and I think it is very disrespectful on your part.” Dan Lyon, who is in regular attendance, was the first to speak against how the county distributes funds. “You do not care how much it costs for the people of Hays County as long as you get your cut,” Lyon said. Lyon added that another Amazon facility

PUBLIC NOTICES

See what’s really happening locally.

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in San Marcos will not bring the diverse jobs that residents were promised. “What ever happened to the aerospace and aeronautical jobs we were promised,” Lyon questioned. “I would call this bait and switch. Congratulations, San Marcos. You are quickly becoming America’s sweatshop.” Rodrigo Amaya agreed that the county needs to cut spending, even if that means not approving every item on the agenda every week. Amaya conclud-

ed that local government officials need to be completely transparent with residents. Commissioners do not take action during the public comment period. Residents can submit the necessary public comment form upon arrival to the clerk in the courtroom prior to 9 a.m. the day of the meeting. If residents will not be in attendance, forms can be emailed to publiccomments@co.hays. tx.us no later than 5 p.m. the evening prior.

The News-Dispatch Barton Publications, Inc. The News-Dispatch (USPS 011-401) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323

HAYS COUNTY – Residents and community activists have been pushing for Hays County Jail transparency, and commissioners listened. The county has launched an online dashboard detailing who is in the Hays County Jail. The dashboard, provided in partnership with the nonprofit Vera Institute for Justice, includes the charge class, gender, race, length of stay, bond amount, age group and more. County Commissioner Lon Shell (R), said the criminal justice system is one of the most costly systems in a county. Having this dashboard will not only

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Kyle to unveil Veteran Drive soon BY MEGAN WEHRING KYLE — Veterans will be recognized for their service with a new road name. Kyle City Council approved a resolution to rename a portion of West Ranch to Market 150 to Veterans Drive and direct staff to install signs on or near Memorial Day in May. A specific date has not been decided yet. The city will use allocated funds and resources to assist businesses along the stretch of West RM 150 that will be affected. Once businesses are notified, they can apply to receive reimbursement that they qualify for. Mailing postcards with a website link could be more accessible and ensures residents that it is not spam, council member Yvonne Flores-Cale explained. “Since it’s such a specific area,” Flores-Cale said. “You could hand out flyers or postcards to make sure everybody got it. Sometimes a lot of people do not apply for that stuff because they do not know [about it].” While Rebel Drive and Fajita Drive is a part of Kyle history now, council member Robert Rizo said renaming the road was an effort by the residents. “There was a committee put together with citizens of this town,” Rizo said. “They did an excellent job. They did the research and the renaming of this road was a complete recommendation by the citizens of this city.”


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