May 5, 2021 News-Dispatch

MAY 5, 2021 PLAYOFF RUN

NO PERMIT CARRY

Hays softball team advances to area round of competition.

Local leaders say permitless carry bill is an unsafe choice.

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HaysNewsDispatch.com

Vol. 41 • No. 31

Serving Hays County, TX

Hays CISD students, parents Incoming new dispute new attendance policy faces join old

BY MEGAN WEHRING

All in-person and virtual students must not be absent more than three days between April 26 and May 24 to be eligible for semester exam exemptions.

HAYS CISD — When Hays CISD announced a new attendance policy over the weekend, some students and parents shared their disagreement at the Board of Trustees a new policy that at least meeting Tuesday.

68.4% of students must Hays CISD implemented physically attend class for

trict to receive hold harmless funding of $7 million.

Parents and students are calling the new policy unfair for virtual learners who might need to change their schedule that has been the same all year.

“That’s just not fair,

at least eight days each during the last six weeks.

This would qualify the dis-

ATTENDANCE POLICY, 2

Hays housing bubble builds steam

BY SAHAR CHMAIS As the second-fastest growing county in the U.S., Hays County cannot keep up with the housing supply for its growing demand – only a lucky few are able to squeeze into the home lottery.

Yes, buying a new home in Central Texas feels like winning the lottery. Even some of the most skilled realtors are pushed out of the market. Elle-Klein Garrison, a Realty Austin realtor who earned a Diamond Club award for selling $11.5 million worth of inventory in 2020, is unable to buy a home. She and her husband set sights on a $500,000 house in Dripping Springs but could not compete with the winning offer of $642,000.

The housing market in Hays County is at the highest experts have ever seen it, and in some ways it is likened to the 2007 pre-recession market, said Luis Bernardo Torres Ruiz, a real estate research economist at Texas A&M University.

The only difference is that the bubble burst and tighter mortgage loan regulations took place; this time around, Ruiz does not foresee the bubble bursting.

But homebuyers looking in Hays County can take some solace in this expert’s future predictions.

Price increases and bidding wars were caused by a storm that has been brewing for years. New home construction was affected after the 2008 recession with less home construction permits being allotted. Then the pan-

The housing market in Hays County is at the highest experts have ever seen it, and in some ways it is likened to the 2007 pre-recession market demic hit, and once again, construction slowed due to COVID-19 lockdowns in March and April, Ruiz said.

Another contributor has been people working from home and suddenly realizing they need a bigger space with an office, Ruiz added. People were also re-

luctant to place their home on the market, uncertain if they will lose their jobs and what will become of their future.

Texas has also attracted many Californians due to the state’s no income tax and cheaper homes with more space, Ruiz told the

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch.

Rising mortgage rates should slow down somewhat, Ruiz said. When the prices slow down, they will not return to pre-2021 rates, he added.

For example, in February and March, it was common for a home in Austin and Hays County to receive more than 20 offers, but things are slowing down a little, Garrison said.

Usually more houses hit

HAYS HOUSING MARKET, 8

Texas House bill lessens penalty for pot possession

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

A cannabis decriminalization bill, House Bill 441, passed the Texas House of Representatives with 88-40 votes on Friday, April 30.

HB 441, introduced by State Representative Erin Zwiener, would lower the penalty for possession of one ounce or less of cannabis to a Class C misdemeanor. It would be

More than 70,000 Texans get arrested for low-level cannabis possession each year. These arrests account for the majority of all drug arrests in the state.

punishable by a fine of up “This piece of legislato $550 with no possible tion is a step forward in jail time or license suspen- reforming our criminal sion. Law enforcement justice system,” Zwiener would issue a citation, similar to a traffic ticket.

CANNABIS LAW, 4

TURNING THE TASSEL Lehman seniors persevere through adversity to meet graduation goal.

–Pages 5

after May 1 vote

BY MEGAN WEHRING

“[$191 million] was about 80% of the total HAYS COUNTY — bond funding that was up Residents elected new for consideration,” Savoy officials, while also said. “Adding classroom keeping some incumspace and building bents in their positions, maintenance have long during the Hays County been critical needs in elections on May 1. the district to keep up with growth in the area.

The technology portion HAYS CISD TRUSTEES of the bond became Incumbent Will more critical with McManus will the pandemic.” return as the AtVoters denied Large Trustee on funds that would the board and be directed to Courtney Runexpand the Lehkle will fill the man and Johnson District 3 seat. stadiums (Propo“We walked sition C). Propmiles and miles osition D, which of this district,” would improve McManus said in MCMANUS Shelton Stadium a Facebook post, and Lehman High “talked to lots School’s baseball of people, staff and softball comand community plexes, was also members who denied by about love being here 55% of the voters. and only want Lastly, 53% the best for all of voters did not our students.” support nearly Runkle has $30 million to served as a construct a new volunteer parent RUNKLE administration in several areas building at the and navigated the 504/ Central Office location.

Special Education DeThe Live Oak Acadepartment at Hays CISD my expansion will likely over the years. be postponed, Savoy “I am truly honored that you have elected me explained, until Hays to serve as your next Hays CISD can find another CISD School Board Trust- place to relocate the Curriculum and Instrucee for District 3,” Runkle tion Department. said in a Facebook post.

“Most of the items “I promise that I will continue to work hard for our will likely have to be addressed in future students, teachers and bonds,” Savoy said, “bestaff across the district.” cause they are too costly As of Saturday night, McManus had 1,359 votes to use general operating revenue. Operating rev(54.71%) to challengers Donye Curry’s 1,010 votes enue is used for teacher (40.66%) and Bert Aguin’s and staff salaries, cost of 116 votes (4.63%). Runkle living raises for employees, and classroom had 299 votes (66.08%) supplies and needs.” against challenger Richard W. Cronshey count at DRIPPING SPRINGS 153 (33.92%).

Challenger Sherrie HAYS CISD BOND Parks defeated IncumPACKAGE bent Wm Travis Crow by 64.08% of the votes for Hays CISD also held Place 5 on the Dripping an election to propose Springs City Council. a $238 million bond For Place 3, Geoffrey Tapackage. huahua defeated Charlie With nearly 60% of Busbey with 57.22% of the vote, Proposition A was approved to build a the votes.

Stefani Reinold has new elementary school been newly electand expand the ed to the Dripcurrent middle ping Springs ISD schools. Funds Board of Trustees to buy new busas incumbents es and land for Shannon O’Confuture developnor and Mary ment are also in Jane Hetrick hold the package. onto their poProposition sitions. Reinold B, to renovate received the most and rehabilitate REINOLD votes at 2,095. the district’s Hetrick followed assets, was also with 1,717 and then approved with 58% of O’Connor with 1,617. the vote. Proposition Only the three with the F, which would promost votes were elected vide more technology to the DSISD Board. resources, was the final About 8,740 residents, to be approved by nearly 6.2% of registered voters, 63% of the vote. cast their votes in the Voters approved the Hays County elections. A most critical propositotal of 141,065 residents tions, according to Tim are registered to vote in Savoy, chief communication officer. the county.

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NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • May 5, 2021

Local leaders say Texas permitless carry bill unsafe “States that have weakened their permitting process have seen a double-digit increase in handgun homicide rates and violent crime.”

BY MEGAN WEHRING

It is still in the hands of the Texas Senate to consider a permitless carry bill — legislation that many Hays County and state leaders deem unsafe.

“Violence is escalating,” said Emilee Dawn Whitehurst, CEO of Houston Area Women’s Center.

“Women and children are dying. Our frontline advocates are exhausted and alarmed. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from reducing safe guards.”

HB 1927, introduced

by District 6 Representative Matt Schaefer, would allow eligible Texans, ages 21 and older, to carry a

–Gyl Switzer, executive director of Texas Gun Sense

handgun openly or concealed without a permit.

The bill received approval by a special Senate committee on Thursday, April 29, and passed in the Texas House of Representatives two weeks prior. But, it remains unclear if the bill has enough support to move forward.

“The Texas Legislature is,” said Molly Bursey, volunteer at Moms Demand Action in New Braunfels/ San Marcos, “shoving

through legislation that would remove the basic safety and background check requirements for folks who want to carry loaded handguns in public.”

Jessica Cain, pastor at Living Word in Buda, agreed that safety should be the top priority as many places of worship are sites of mass shootings.

“While safety in worship is important,

we are concerned about the wider community as well,” Cain said. “Studies show that unlicensed carry makes people less safe. More than 6,000 people who have been denied licenses or had them revoked would legally be allowed to carry firearms if this bill passes. More people carrying guns does not make communities safer, and in fact the mere presence of a weapon in a private or public space makes violence more probable.”

Domestic violence could skyrocket with permitless carry, but it could be stopped with accountability, according to Jan Langbein, CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter

Stopping overdoses and child pornography, who would oppose it?

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

HAYS COUNTY – To stop or catch the distribution of child pornography, sex trafficking and other crimes, Hays County Commissioners Court appproved out-of-state training for Detective Nelson Wray. A resident disapproved.

“There’s a shortage of deputies ... they don’t have enough people to cover what’s there,” said Rodrigo Amaya, who ran for Hays County Sheriff in 2016. “And they’re sending folks out, jeopardizing their safety with COVID and y’all are okay with it. What do I need to do, court,” Amaya said, beginning to speak in Spanish. “ ... I’m tired of this corruption, cronyism that y’all seem to think is normal at the expense of the taxpayers – sitting up there with your fancy little suits and your pens writing notes.”

Amaya, an outspoken resident who shows up to every court meeting,

took issue with the Mac Forensics Training Course and repeated his popular phrase, “you can’t justify this.” He also opposed a second item on the agenda, which is the county’s acceptance of Narcan nasal spray donations, valued at $7,200, for the sheriff’s office. Narcan is a nasal spray that prevents death in case of drug overdose.

“I’m very supportive of training,” said Commissioner Lon Shell. “I can’t imagine someone arguing that we should not have the best training possible for law enforcement officers. We pay federal taxes, why not get those to our advantage locally… why not accept training.”

Captain Mark Cumberland from the Hays County Sheriff’s office said Wray’s primary investigations are based on computers, where child pornography is a major issue. Wray is vital in almost every major criminal case that the sheriff’s office handles because of all the

Attendance Policy Continued from pg. 1

to suddenly within two days to make them have to shift,” said Stephanie Jamail, Hays High School (HHS) parent. “They are saving for college and they are saving for their adult life. I think we should give them credit, not penalize them and make them take these tests.”

Jamail added that she, along with several other parents, has experienced communication issues with the district as her children were listed as in-person learners when they were doing virtual.

Some parents also addressed that their kids work during the time of class time and they would need a more flexible schedule.

Senior Isabel Gonzalez said working students will not benefit from the new attendance policy.

“I have set a schedule to do all of my assignments while still going to work almost every day of the week,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t know why I’m going to be punished for not attending in-person school when I can do the work from home.”

Senior Michelle Padilla agreed that every student’s situation is different and virtual learning is better for some.

“Some of us can’t make it in-person,” Padilla said.

“I have a job that closes at 6:30 so they cannot work around my schedule. The sudden change is ridiculous.”

All in-person and virtual students must not be absent more than three days between April 26 and May 24 to be eligible for semester exam exemptions, according to chief communications officer Tim Savoy.

Virtual students have to sign in depending on what

their teacher requires for attendance. Students who selected in-person have to attend in-person to qualify for exemptions.

Each campus is offering a different exam exemption policy and incentives to bolster attendance.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright clarified that asynchronous students can still complete their coursework at their own pace on their own time, but they may not qualify for incentives depending on their specific campus.

“We are not taking that away from anybody,” Wright said. “They can still do that. But they just won’t qualify for test exemptions, it sounds like. … They don’t have to change anything but if they want to make the incentives, they can.”

At the end of the meeting, Trustee Meredith Keller compared the attendance and hold harmless situation to a trickle-down effect because it is impacting everybody in the district.

“I actually just feel terrible for everyone involved,” Keller said. “It’s a really lousy place to be. When I listen to students who come up here and say, ‘I’ve been working full time and I make straight A’s.’ That kid did everything that anyone could possibly ask of them.”

HHS principal David Pierce encourages parents to contact him with any concerns they may have for their student.

“We are working with our kids on a case-by-case basis,” Pierce said, “to try to do what’s right and try to get them to school if we are able to do so.”

Students and parents should check with their specific campus with any questions or concerns.

phones and computers that need to be processed.

It is critical that Wray goes to this 12-day course in Hoover, Alabama, which is paid for by the federal government, Cumberland added.

When it comes to child pornography, sex trafficking and other issues occuring in this booming area on the I-35 corridor, Shell said he could not find a reason not to support the training.

Once again, Amaya pleaded with the commissioners on another issue, not to accept the donation of Narcan and said 50-195 (Rev.3-20/21) [41.41,41.70]

“you cannot justify this.”

However, commissioners also voted to accept the donation and found justification in accepting the 96 units of Narcan.

Shell said that this could be very important in the interaction with individuals suffering from overdoses.

“I can’t imagine we would not want our officers equipped with something like this, that can… potentially save lives and bring a solution to a problem,” Shell addressed the court.

Both items passed unanimously.

and Support.

“We have to figure out a way to hold perpetrators accountable,” Langbein said. “We’ve done it with smoking. We don’t let friends drive drunk anymore. When are we going to stand up on this issue and get the onus off the victim?”

A permitless carry bill would also cause violent crime rates to increase, according to Gyl Switzer, executive director of Texas Gun Sense.

“States that have weakened their permitting process have seen a double-digit increase in handgun homicide rates and violent crime,” Switzer said during a forum hosted by the League of

Women Voters of Texas.

Ed Gonzalez, Harris County Sheriff, said officers would have an even more dangerous job if the bill was passed.

“Permitless carry does not make our community safer,” Gonzalez explained. “Instead, it increases the odds of deadly confrontations and puts the lives of first responders at even greater risk.”

For more information about HB 1927, please visit https://capitol.texas. gov/BillLookup/History. aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB1927.

The Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch contacted law enforcement in Buda and Kyle but has not received a response.

Thank You

Mano Amiga thanks attorneys Michael Lee, Shannon FitzPatrick, Jimmy Alan Hall, David Sergi & others for support of a Public Defender’s Office – acknowledging what must be done to create meaningful change in Hays County.

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Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures Property owners have the right to protest actions concerning their property tax appraisals. You may follow these appeal procedures if you have a concern about: • • • • • • • • •

the appraised (market) value of your property; the unequal value of your property compared with other properties; the inclusion of your property on the appraisal records; any exemptions that may apply to you; the qualification for an agricultural or timber appraisal; the taxing units taxing your property; the property ownership; the change of use of land receiving special appraisal; failure of the chief appraiser or appraisal review board (ARB) to send a required notice; or • any action taken by the chief appraiser, county appraisal district (CAD) or ARB that applies to and adversely affects you.

Informal Review

Informal reviews will be conducted electronically via the on-line portal or via email. Include an email address if filing a paper form. Also include facts and relevant documents to facilitate the review.

Review by the ARB You file a notice of protest requesting to have your case heard by the ARB. The ARB is an independent board of citizens that hears and determines protests regarding property appraisals or other concerns listed above. It has the power to order the CAD to make the necessary changes based on evidence heard during the ARB hearing.

If you file a written request for an ARB hearing (notice of protest) before the deadline, the ARB will set your case for a hearing and send you written notice of the time, date and place of the hearing. If necessary, you may request a hearing in the evening or on a Saturday.

You may use Comptroller Form 50-132, Property Appraisal - Notice of Protest, to file your written request for an ARB hearing.

Prior to your hearing, you may request a copy of the evidence the CAD plans to introduce at the hearing to establish any matter at issue.

Before a hearing on a protest or immediately after the hearing begins, you or your agent and the CAD are required to provide each other with a copy of any materials (evidence) intended to be offered or submitted to the ARB at the hearing. Evidence may be submitted for any hearing type either in paper or on a small portable electronic device (such as a CD, USB flash drive or thumb drive) which will be kept by the ARB. Do NOT bring evidence on a smart phone. The ARB’s hearing procedures regarding all the requirements to properly submit evidence on a small portable electronic device must be reviewed.

To the greatest extent practicable, the hearing will be informal. You or your designated agent may appear in person, by telephone conference call or by submission of a written affidavit to present your

evidence, facts and argument. You must indicate your request for a telephone conference call hearing on your written notice of protest filed with the ARB not later than the 10th day before the hearing date and provide your evidence and written affidavit before the ARB hear-ing begins. You may use Comptroller Form 50-283, Property Own-er’s Affidavit of Evidence to the Appraisal Review Board, to submit evidence for your telephone conference call hearing or for hearing by affidavit.

You and the CAD representative have the opportunity to present evidence about your case. In most cases, the CAD has the burden of establishing the property’s value by a preponderance of the evidence presented.

In certain protests, the chief appraiser has the burden of proving the property’s value by clear and convincing evidence. You should review ARB hearing procedures to learn more about evidence and related matters.

You should not try to contact ARB members outside of the hearing. ARB members are required to sign an affidavit saying that they have not talked about your case before the ARB hears it.

Review by the District Court, an Arbitrator or SOAH After it decides your case, the ARB must send you a copy of its order by certified mail. If you are not satisfied with the ARB’s deci-sion, you have the right to appeal to district court. As an alternative to district court, you may appeal through binding arbitration or the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) if you meet the qualifying criteria.

If you choose to go to district court, you must start the process by filing a petition with the district court within 60 days of the date you receive the ARB’s order. If you chose to appeal through binding arbitration, you must file a request for binding arbitration with the CAD not later than the 60th day after you receive notice of the ARB order. If you chose to appeal to the SOAH, you must file an appeal with the CAD not later than the 30th day after you receive notice of the ARB’s order. Appeals to district court, binding arbitration or SOAH all require payment of certain fees or deposits.

Tax Payment You must pay the amount of taxes due on the portion of the taxable value not in dispute, the amount of taxes due on the property under the order from which the appeal is taken or the amount of taxes due in the previous year.

More Information You can get more information by contacting your CAD at Hays Central Appraisal District 21001 N I35, Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-2522 or info@hayscad.com You can get Comptroller forms and additional information on how to prepare a protest from the Comptroller’s website at comptroller. texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

Deadline for Filing Protests with the ARB* Usual Deadline Not later than May 15 (or within 30 days after a notice of appraised value was mailed to you, whichever is later).

Late protests are allowed for good cause if you miss the usual deadline. The ARB decides whether you have good cause. Late protests are not allowed after the ARB approves the appraisal records for the year.

Special Deadlines For change of use (the CAD informed you that you are losing agricultural appraisal because you changed the use of your land), the deadline is not later than the 30th day after the notice of the determination was delivered to you.

For ARB changes (the ARB has informed you of a change that increases your tax liability and the change did not result from a

protest you filed), the deadline is not later than the 30th day after the notice of the change was delivered to you.

The protest deadline this year is May 17 since May 15 falls on a weekend. If you receive a notice dated later than May 1, a different protest deadline will apply.

If you believe the CAD or ARB should have sent you a notice and did not, you may file a protest until the day before taxes become delinquent (usually Feb. 1) or no later than the 125th day after the date you claim you received a tax bill from one or more of the taxing units that tax your property. The ARB decides whether it will hear your case based on evidence about whether a required notice was mailed to you.

* The deadline is postponed to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or legal, state or national holiday.

Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We are working with our kids on a case-by-case basis, to try to do what’s right and try to get them to school if we are able to do so.”

–David Pierce, Hays High School Principal. Story on page 2.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • May 5, 2021

Page 3

Change takes action Where is your The Kyle apology to the File American people, Newsmax?

I’m waiting for my apology from Newsmax.

Last week it apologized to Eric Coomer, director of security for Dominion Voting Systems, for spreading Republican lies about the 2020 election.

It apologized for “any harm that our reporting” caused to Coomer and his family.

They had received death threats generated by the Trump lie machine.

Newsmax is trying to save its tail feathers ahead of a lawsuit for which, in the case of Fox News and its own Big Lie claims, Dominion seeks $1.8 million.

Dominion also is suing Rudy Giuliani and One America News Network, among others.

It dropped Newsmax from its lawsuit after the apology and a retraction of its false reporting.

What I want to know is why Newsmax is not apologizing to me, and to all Americans who value democracy and dread oligarchy.

I want an apology from agents who triggered an insurrection – blood flowing in our Capitol – my Capitol.

I want an apology from those who continue to live by the Big Lie. I won’t get that apology, because they live for lies.

Lies – like the claim that Joe Biden is out to take the hamburger right out of your hands, and cut beef production by 90 percent. Based solely on a British tabloid’s squirrely “analysis” of Biden’s climate proposals, Fox News went to town on that Whopper with cheese.

Fox News’ John Roberts later acknowledged the speciousness of that.

Though among his onair comrades, he was the only one with the guts to admit it.

They felt no such obligation, as truth is not what they do.

Further evidence comes from the Rupert Murdoch-owned New York Post, where a reporter resigned after being ordered to write that a children’s book

by Kamala Harris had been imposed upon unattended minors at the border.

Lies, lies, lies. But none supersedes the Big Lie about the dethroning of our previous president.

A recent survey found that 60 percent of Republicans think the election was stolen – a harrowing premise if derived from actual evidence.

Clearly 60 percent of Republicans need none.

Donald Trump will go down as a most inconsequential president for his lack of

NEWS TIPS

If you think it’s news, we probably do too!

• Newsroom phone: 512-268-7862 • E-mail: news@haysfreepress.com • Mail: 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640

YoungAt-Large

by John Young

accomplishments, but as pertains to lasting radioactivity, the Big Lie looks to have the halflife of plutonium.

As the Republicans populate their leadership ahead of 2022, quite clearly the only thing that matters is allegiance to the Big Lie. That means that Congresswoman Liz Cheney is toast.

To be nominated by the GOP, truth need not apply.

The folly of the Arizona recount now ongoing, and claims that the results in Georgia and Pennsylvania were rigged, is that several Republicans won in precincts where voters could not hack voting for Trump. Were their ballots tainted as well?

The interesting thing about the posturing to win Trump’s favor in advance of what’s to come in Republican primaries is that he is more reviled today by Americans than ever before – and that’s a lot, because he’s Gallup’s least popular president ever polled.

As low as Trump’s approval ratings are – 38.6 percent in leaving office, it’s still stunning that even that many Americans support him. But they have been conditioned to accept lie after lie, and so they were quite ready to accept the Big Lie. Back to the matter of Joe Biden supposedly wanting to take beef off your table: “Crazy narratives are tough to dispel,” writes Molly Roberts in the Washington Post.

“They’re designed to inflame by warping a matter of policy into a matter of identity.”

With the lie about Biden taking our beef, Roberts writes, Trumpians find a way to deflect any serious discussion of climate change, just as Trump did in dismissing wind power: “And they say the noise causes cancer.”

The Big Lie lives on not because of anything factual that supports it but because angry people don’t want to think about serious responses to serious national challenges.

They desire that a clown shall lead them.

America deserves an apology and a retraction.

Longtime Texas newspaperman John Young now lives in Colorado. jyoungcolumn@ gmail.com

CORRECTIONS

Another election has come and passed, and yet again, Hays County has shown how much it cares for local elections. The results are in for the Hays CISD Board of Trustees and bond elections, and unsurprisingly, we’ve reverted back to a population that simply doesn’t seem to care.

During the November elections, Hays County made national news being the first county in America to surpass its 2016 voter turnout. It was supposed to be the dawn of a new age of civic engagement in our county.

Fueled by a very divisive Presidential campaign, droves of voters turned out to make their voice heard democratically.

When all was said and done, record voter totals were reached.

The Kyle mayoral race ended in a runoff, so voters were asked to return to the polls once more, to make the final say in whose vision would guide their local government for years to come. Fewer than

by David Abdel

3,000 voters were cast that day, meaning just over 8% of registered Kyle voters bothered to come out and exercise their right. Only 8% of residents of Kyle felt it was worth their time and effort to decide who would be mayor of their town. That level of turnout is not indicative of a town fully engaged. To me, that level of turnout means that only about 10% of our residents actually care about what is going on locally, the rest just showed up weeks earlier because of the Presidential race. That is a darn shame.

Flash forward to this election, held over the last week or so. Hays CISD residents had the opportunity to weigh in on a massive bond package that would decide how our tax dollars are spent,

in addition to deciding two seats on our school board. For the unaware, the school board plays a major role in planning the trajectory of our school system. These seats are of real consequence. They help ensure equity, transparency and accountability. Clearly, we all would want the best people for the job, as it impacts each and every one of us, regardless of if you have children in our schools.

According to county election precinct totals, there are more than 60,000 registered voters within the borders of Hays CISD. The total number of votes cast for the board elections and bond proposals numbered less than 3,000. That leaves us with roughly 5% of voters turning up to help make these critical decisions.

That is, and I struggle with saying this, pathetic.

When 95% of people don’t care about the school board, it sends a very distinct message about how our residents feel about our schools.

What I find most appalling about these figures is that it contradicts the number of opinions about matters I consistently see expressed by people online. It appears as though everyone has something to say about our local government, something to say about school board decisions, but when push comes to shove, the blustering keyboard warriors don’t seem to show up to the real fight, in the ballot box. It’s time we really have a heart to heart on how change actually takes place. Expectations are fruitless without action.

Change doesn’t “come”, change gets made. Right now, it doesn’t look like anyone wants change, or even the status quo. It just seems like no one cares, about anything.

It’s time we get our heads out of wherever they are buried. Actions may have consequences, but inaction does as well.

Get involved. You may not be into local affairs, but trust, they sure are into you.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IN SUPPORT OF PDO

for Hays County – it is supported by the data, its On March 30, the Hays merits have been supportCounty Commissioner’s ed by the DA’s office and it Court voted unanimously is supported by neighboron a prudent measure to ing cities who have found bring greater justice to it transformative for their our legal system: to subcommunities. mit a letter of intent to the In short, the Texas Texas Indigent Defense Indigent Defense ComCommission conveying mission’s May 7 deadline our county’s pursuit of a for a grant application is Public Defender’s Office fast approaching and our (PDO). county’s submission has This state agency recog- yet to be turned in. Please nizes that PDOs provide don’t let another year a superior model of legal waste away. Truly the time defense for low-income has come to fund such a residents; if they approve beneficial office. funding for Hays County’s Shannon FitzPatrick fledgling PDO, it could San Marcos cover up to half the costs of the office’s creation in LIKE CLINT, BUT ... the first four years, saving A few years back, I us several million dollars. asked Bob Barton why he The creation of the let that country boy write PDO is a critical issue for in his newspaper. He said, local citizens. It helps to ensure better representa- “He writes good stuff.” I let it go (thought to myself tion to those who could – his family). But you see not otherwise afford it. his writing kind grows A holistic program as on one. First thing IU do envisioned can help not when I pick up the paper only reduce recidivism is look for his column. If but hopefully prevent no column, I’m disapcertain crimes in the first pointed. place. It helps to keep He had one column people out of jail and who though that bragged don’t need to be there and as of two weeks ago, Hays about the big words in the County was continuing to last one. Well, big words spend $45,000 each week are other people’s words.

If one uses a word, it’s to outsource inmates in excess of our jail’s capaci- not big.It’s normal. When ty. As Hays County grows, one hears a big word one runs for the dictionaary it joins the ranks of other or swallows one’s pride large counties by affordor asks someone one ing its poor citizens not thinks might know. Also, only a fair and consistent one needs to know how defense program, but to spell it. (Thought to we will make our county myself, I was right, somestronger in the long run as we can put our limited one helped him write that column.) resources into programs Today Clint Younts has that not only prevent a complaint about master crime, but make Hays bedroom being expunged County a better place to from the American live.

English language. MasCommissioners Lon ter has many meanings, Shell and Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe deserve credit but Mr. Younts fixates on bedroom for some reason. for the PDO proposal It can mean primary or recrafted with Neighborally good at chess. A lot of hood Defender Services, things. But despite having who would not only being born on third base furnish legal defense for like a lot of us, he’s surely indigent residents, but not complaining about also offer a host of holissome people’s sensitivites. tically-minded resources Especially those that have to address a spectrum of to run like the dickens needs. for first. Or those that A professional, accidentally bump into well-managed public defender’s office is crucial the wrong policeman and

Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the pages of the Hays Free Press will be corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.

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never make it.

Albert Busse Uhland

done for the People of America, we must vote every Republican out of office in the upcoming elections.

IN SUPPORT OF DEMS Also, now that DemNow that Trump is out ocrats control both the for good (is he ever going House and the Sento be tried?) we Demoate, they must pass an crats must never ever let amendment to make the Republicans gain power Supreme Court Justices again. What they are tryserve 2 to 3 year term ing to do now in certain limits. The ones who have states to keep Democrats been there the longest from voting is plain illegal must end their tenures (at least morally). They one year after the pasmay try to suppress the sage of this amendment. vote but they will never Then give regular people succeed. a chance to serve as jusI just don’t understand tices. With a lot of comwhy people keep voting mon sense and decency for the GOP, especialpeople don’t have to be ly in poorer southern lawyers to serve as judges. states where the GOP King Solomon certainly could care less about the didn’t have a college depeople there. The GOP is gree to make his decisions the most unscrupulous, and he certainly didn’t law-breaking, ruthless, go to law school. But to racist, criminal-minded, be fair, we must try really disrespectful, abhorrent, hard not to elect Repubselfish, lying, conniving, licans or Democrats for sex predating, power these judicial positions. hungry, obstructionWe must remember that ists, obnoxious, and like this government was Hillary said, “deplorable” elected by the People and party there ever was. for the People. Maybe We must politically some day, Republicans exterminate these pests so and Democrats will be that they can never ever able to work together for control our government the People of this great again. If we are ever to nation. have “peace in the valley” Ezekiel Enriquez, Sr. and work to get things San Marcos

Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton

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Page 4

NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • May 5, 2021

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

Texas shows largest numerical gain in population Texas stands to gain two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after results of the 2020 census released last week show the state had the largest numerical gain of any state since the 2010 census The population increased by nearly 4 million in the past decade, to 29.14 million. That’s a population increase of 15.9% in 10 years – third highest by percentage in the nation, behind Utah and Idaho. The state’s clout in the House will increase to 38 congressional districts, with redistricting likely coming this fall.

The increase has been driven for the most part by increases in the state’s Hispanic population, which accounted for half of the growth in the past decade, according to the census. As the Texas Tribune pointed out, annual increases in Hispanic residents in Texas have been greater every year since 2010 than the combined growth among white, Black and Asian residents.

ABBOTT GETS BILL ALLOWING TO-GO ALCOHOL SALES FROM RESTAURANTS

Capital Highlights

by Gary Borders

thousands of restaurants permanently shuttered.

ERCOT ANNOUNCES INTERIM CEO The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has picked Brad Jones to be interim CEO for the Texas grid operator. Jones has more than 30 years of industry experience, including two stints with ERCOT. The previous CEO was fired after the widespread power blackouts during the February winter storm, and nearly half the board resigned. Under ERCOT’s bylaws, Jones can serve as interim CEO for up to a year.

ERCOT falls under the umbrella of the Public Utility Commission. Its newest member and chairman, Peter Lake, was recently confirmed by the Texas Senate.

STATE RELEASES $11.2 Restaurants can contin- BILLION IN FEDERAL ue to sell alcohol to go after FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS both chambers passed a measure making Gov. Greg Abbott’s pandemic declaration permanent.

Abbott is expected to sign the measure.

When restaurants were forced to close their dining areas last March, the measure allowed beer, wine and mixed drinks to be sold along with takeout and delivery food orders. While pandemic restrictions on in-dining seating have been lifted, many restaurants continue to rely on takeout and delivery options.

The Texas Restaurant Association reports 700,000 restaurant workers in Texas lost their jobs in the early weeks of the pandemic, with

The state’s top leadership announced last week the release of $11.2 billion in fresh federal funding to help public schools “address student learning loss and costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Two-thirds of the nearly $18 billion allocated by the feds is now available under grants administered by the Texas Education Agency.

The remaining one-third in funding will be distributed contingent upon approval by the U.S. Department of Education.

Texas already had received roughly $2.2 billion in federal funding to help school districts respond to

COVID-19. School districts and others have been calling for the state to release the money so they could begin budgeting for the next school year. The federal government requires the state to maintain both public school funding and money for public colleges and universities at the same levels as in the three years before the pandemic to tap into the K-12 stimulus dollars.

VACCINATION PACE SLOWING; NEW COVID-19 CASES, DEATHS STEADY The Texas Department of State Health Services reported the number of Texans who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine reached 11.1 million Sunday. As in the rest of the country, the pace has slowed – up just a bit over 4% from the previous week. A total of 7.92 million state residents are now fully vaccinated – more than one-fourth of all residents, according to DSHS. Meanwhile, a total of 23,054 cases of COVID-19 were reported last week, a drop of about 600 people; 353 deaths were reported, down just slightly from the previous week, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University.

Lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients hospitalized dropped slightly to 2,648, according to DSHS.

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Continued from pg. 1

get arrested for low-level cannabis possession each year. These arrests account for the majority of all drug arrests in the state. If a person has to do jail time for possession and they are indigent, the county must hire a lawyer to represent

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park.

SPECIALIZING IN:

TEXAS GETS $79 MILLION TO PROTECT COASTAL AREAS

Cannabis Law: Texas bill lessens penalty for pot said. “Instead of overly harsh consequences, I want Texans to be able to move forward from a small mistake without barriers such as difficulty in getting financial aid or finding a job. The overcriminalization of cannabis possession also creates an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers by exacerbating overpopulation in our jails and directing law enforcement away from violent offenses.”

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This costs Texas cities and counties hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

A similar bill, introduced

by State Representative Joseph Moody, passed the State House in 2019, but not the State Senate.

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COMMUNITY

Page 5

Hits kept on coming for ‘The Possum’ “White Lightning” climbed to the top of the country music chart on May 10, 1959 giving George Jones the first of ten Number One hits in a phenomenal career that spanned six decades.

George Glenn Jones was born in 1931 on the southern edge of the Big Thicket at a wide spot in the road called Saratoga. He would grow up in an even smaller community, Colmesneil in Tyler County north of Woodville, with his brother and five sisters.

The head of the family was a sundown-to-sunup drunk, who physically abused his long-suffering wife and terrified children.

On one occasion young George never forgot, his intoxicated father woke him up in the middle of the night and demanded that he sing for his barroom buddies or take a beating.

As soon as he turned 16, the youth left that hapless home full of painful memories and never looked back. His first stop was Jasper, where he played

Texas History

by Bartee Haile

his guitar and sang on the local radio station. It was there that he met his idol Hank Williams, when he visited the studio. All the hero worshipper could do was stare not even thinking to introduce himself.

By 1954, Jones had married twice, the second time to Shirley Ann Corley, done a two-year hitch in the Marines and released his first single “No Money In The Deal.” The recording session took place in a house on the highway outside Beaumont under the worst possible conditions.

“We had to stop a lot of times because it wasn’t soundproof,” Jones ruefully recalled. “Just egg crates nailed on the wall and the big old semi trucks would go by and make a lot of noise and we’d have to start over again.”

Producer and early mentor “Pappy” Daily encouraged Jones to develop his own unique sound and to stop imitating Hank Williams and Corsicana native Lefty Frizzell. Initially resistant to the wise advice, in time he took it to heart and reaped the rewards.

During his Beaumont days, a disc jockey began calling him “The Possum,” a none too flattering nickname he never could shake. As a second deejay explained, “He cut his hair short like a possum’s belly. He had a possum’s nose and stupid eyes like a possum.”

The modest hit “Why Baby Why” earned him a place in the cast of the traveling roadshow “Louisiana Hayride” in 1955.

That exposure resulted in an invitation the following year to perform at the “Grand Ole Opry.”

Jones gradually made a name for himself with songs like “Yearning” and “Don’t Stop The Music” but played honky-tonks to pay the bills. All that

changed in 1959 with “White Lightning” written

by J.P. Richardson, “The Big Bopper” who died in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly.

Even though Jones always seemed to have a song or two on the charts in the Sixties, he had only a single Number One hit.

His personal appearances were consistent sell-outs, but ticket holders never knew whether he would show up.

The same demons that wrecked his father’s life had sunk their claws into Jones. His binge drinking and amphetamine addiction landed him in a psychiatric ward in 1967. The ritual would be repeated several times in the years to follow.

In a famous incident that led to the dissolution of their 14-year marriage, Shirley Corley hid the keys to all the cars, but not the riding lawn mower, before leaving their home eight miles outside Beaumont.

Jones wrote about what happened next with unapologetic pride in his

autobiography I Lived To Tell It All: “There, gleaming in the glow, was that ten-horsepower engine under a seat. A key glistening in the ignition. I imagine the top speed for that old mower was five miles per hour. It might have taken an hour and a half or more for me to get to the liquor store, but get there I did.”

Jones’ next choice of wives was Tammy Wynette, a big star in her own right. Overnight the newlyweds were crowned “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music” to the delight of their combined fan bases.

Under Wynette’s steady influence, Jones cleaned up his act. The couple toured together drawing packed houses, while Jones returned to the studio and added fresh material to his ultimate career total of 160 chart-worthy songs. But eventually he returned to his self-destructive ways and drove Wynette to divorce in 1975.

Jones bottomed out in the late Seventies ending

up a broke and emaciated hundred-pound shell living his car. Waylon Jennings and other loyal friends came to his financial rescue, but it was his soon-to-be fourth wife who saved his life.

Nancy Sepulvado got Jones off cocaine, his latest drug of choice, and even convinced him to give up drinking. Except for the occasional relapse, such as a drunk driving crash in 1999, he steered a sober course until his death at 81 in 2013.

Johnny Cash was once quoted as saying, “When people ask me who my favorite country singer is.

I say, ‘You mean besides George Jones?’”

“The Possum” could not have asked for a better epitaph.

“Unforgettable Texans” brings to life the once famous people no one remembers today. Order your copy for $24.00 (tax and shipping included) by mailing a check to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.

Turning the Tassel: Lehman seniors persevere to graduate

BY MEGAN WEHRING HAYS CISD — When Lehman High School announced that senior events were back on, the Class of 2021 saw a light at the end of a long road to graduation.

Lehman seniors can now look forward to several upcoming events: robing ceremony to thank their teachers, trip to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, awards ceremonies, an in-person graduation and walking down the halls at their elementary and/or middle school for the last time.

The Lehman senior officers reflected on their bittersweet, and strenuous at times, year of lasts.

While the Class of 2020 was the first group to graduate in a pandemic, Lehman class president Madyson Mireles said her senior class got the rawer deal.

“We [had] to fight way more,” Mireles reflected, “for [the district] to do the same things that they were doing for the Class of 2020.”

Mireles explained that people have almost normalized being in a pandemic, since it has been more than a year of COVID-19, and are less

empathetic toward the seniors this year. She was also forced to prepare for SAT exams and college applications by herself.

Historian Abby Power agreed that the Class of 2021 has had to persevere even more.

“It’s just been slow and gradual,” Abby Power said. “We didn’t know how long it was going to be and it’s just the longer we went through this year, the more that was taken away.”

Hays CISD followed a pass/fail system in Spring 2020 but when the district decided to shift back to regular grading, students had to adjust quickly.

“People were caught off guard by that,” said secretary Emma Power. “It’s hard to motivate yourself when you are online and there are so many other distractions.”

Class vice president Jacob Vasquez, who is a virtual student, said he feels that the online instruction was subpar.

“I have not learned a thing over Zoom,” Vasquez confessed. “They are teaching you for the assignment and that’s it.

I was looking forward to learning these hard classes like I’m taking AP cal-

her high school experiences taught her to be more resilient and proactive.

“We are going to struggle in life,” Abby Power said. “It may not be this bad, hopefully. We had to find our support systems ourselves. It wasn’t guaranteed by coming to class and having your best friend sitting next to you.”

All of the Lehman seLeft to right are Abby Power, Jacob Vasquez, Madyson Mireles, nior officers are planning for college.

Madison Saucedo and Emma Power.

Mireles will be heading culus. I have not learned a Abby Power said that, to the University of Texas single thing.” despite all she has faced, at Austin for a pre-law Mireles, who is also a virtual student, said she misses the little moments of going to in-person school every day.

“I remember waking up early and going to first period,” Mireles said. That’s so unreal to me that I used to drive to school everyday and see people for seven hours. It’s crazy.”

Treasurer Madison Saucedo advises the next senior class to not take anything for granted.

“Even with our homecoming game,” Saucedo explained, “there were not that many people in the stands but we still did our mums and tried to have class spirit. Just try to have fun.”

HCISD encourages girls to join STEM

BY SAHAR CHMAIS Nearly three fourths of Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) jobs are occupied by men.

Educators in Hays CISD decided it was time to step in to entice more women to join these fields which yield high income.

Several Hays CISD teachers created a Women in STEM group at Lehman High School to increase enrollment and interest in the wide range of these courses.

“There’s a lot of opportunity there,” said Jeehyun Park, the founding sponsor for Women in STEM. “We want to give girls the resources, confidence and skills they might need to navigate those careers.

There are so many job opportunities in STEM, particularly in engineering and computer science that have low female enrollment and participation.”

Park wants her students to know that tech companies have increased opportunities to allow diverse groups of people in.

If a male and female with exactly the same qualifications submit an application, a woman is more likely to get the job, Park said.

While there are many

PHOTO BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Serenity Williams who plans on being a brain surgeon one day, shares her passion for biology with other girls at last Friday’s STEM festival.

opportunities in this field, Lehman High School was seeing very small enrollment numbers of girls, especially Hispanic girls, in STEM course. The school decided to put on an event showcasing all the classes and groups students can participate in. They invited kids from all over the district and encouraged younger students to attend.

Booths were spread along the school’s gym and into the hallways to give insight on all the potential courses students can sign

up for. They added games, anatomical features such as real inflatable pig lungs, rats and more. There were candy giveaways and opportunities to buy small plants.

But most of the interactions at the booths were student-to-student.

One Lehman student said she joined her biology class to be with her friends, but through it she found her love for biology and science. Serenity Williams

GIRLS IN STEM, 8

track.

Vasquez will be attending Texas State University to pursue a finance degree while also participating on the powerlifting team.

Saucedo will also be attending Texas State to pursue microbiology with a pre-med concentration.

Abby Power will study political science at Trinity University to eventually make it to law school .

Emma Power will also be attending Trinity to pursue international studies.

Happy Mother’s Day From Senator Judith Zaffirini And her darling grandsons, Asher & George!

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SPORTS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • May 5, 2021 Hays High baserunner Emily Palacio safely slid into third base, advancing on a passed ball that got by Vandegrift's catcher in the bottom of the sixth frame.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III/HAYS CISD Hays High shortstop Mia LIscano (5) ranges to her left to corral a sharply hit Vandegrift Viper groundball to record the second out in the top of the seventh inning Monday.

Hays softball advances to area competition

A go-ahead run scored in the sixth frame by Emily Palacio on a passed ball made the difference for the Hays softball team as it ousted Vandegrift in a 3-2 bi-district one-game playoff Monday. Hays’ victory came after both teams waited more than 70 hours to complete their bi-district contest. Weather delays constantly pushed back the game, which had both teams travel to Kyle and Dripping Springs in an attempt to play. Hays advances to the area round where the Rebels will play state-ranked Converse Judson in a best-of-three series starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Hays High. Game 2 will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Judson High in Converse. If Game 3 is needed because of a tie, it will follow Game 2 on Saturday at Judson High.

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Jags end historic season Potent Georgetown Eagle bats, along with strong pitching, brought the Johnson High softball team's historic 2021 season to a close as the Jaguars were swept in their bi-district playoff series over the weekend. That included a 9-0 loss to Georgetown in Game 2, which began May 1 in Georgetown and didn't finish until May 3 at Johnson High, spanning more than 50 hours. Despite the loss, Johnson softball finishes the season with a 16-10-1 record and made the school's first ever run to the postseason in its history. Above, with just a little extra lunge to her left, Johnson High left fielder Ana Soto (left) dives to snag a fly ball and rob a Georgetown Eagle batter of extra bases during the top of the seven frame of Game 2 of their bi-district playoff series at Johnson HIgh. Below, despite their season coming to a close in the bi-district round Monday, Johnson Jaguar Reagan Barrett (front, 17) is all smiles with teammates as they acknowledged the many Johnson Jaguar supporters who attended the school’s first ever home playoff game.

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Page 6

Tiger softball ends season with 21-9-2 overall record Dripping Springs girls softball (District 26-5A) hosted the Glenn girls softball (District 19-5A) from Leander on Friday.

This best 2 out of 3 matchup was prolonged due to weather delays.

Dripping Springs won the first game and Glenn won the second game.

The Tigers lost the third game 6-2 to Glenn High School in the bi-district playoff game Monday.

The Tigers finished the season with an overall record of 21-9-2 and district record of 15-2.

See solution on page 7

PHOTO BY ALBERT SANCHEZ

Tiger baseball enters into bi-district playoffs The Dripping Springs Tigers baseball team will have its first bi-district game Thursday at 7 p.m. in Dripping Springs. Game two will be Friday at 7 p.m. in Georgetown.

If game three is necessary, it will be played in Dripping Springs on Saturday at 2 p.m.

PHOTO BY ALBERT SANCHEZ See solution on page 7

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • May 5, 2021

COMMUNITY

Page 7

OBITUARY FUELBERG

She also leaves behind her close friends Vicky Jeanie and Hank Shoopman and Teer Fueltheir children Alexander, berg, wife, Lauren, Katy and Anna as mother, well as nieces, nephews grandand close friends and relmother, sisatives who were special to ter, friend, her. She was preceded in and teacher left her loving death by her parents, her family and friends on in laws Ben and Evelyn the afternoon of April 23, Fuelberg, and her sister 2021 in the company of Carol Ann Dohanich. loved ones. Jeanie was For over 15 years, a special person, loved Jeanie successfully everyone, loved life and fought against diseases will be sorely missed by that ravaged her body. all who knew her.

With the help of medical Jeanie was born in professionals, she was Jacksonville Texas to Evelyn (Boone) and Elliott able to enjoy life with Teer. She attended Kilgore her family and friends for over a decade beyond College where she was a expectations. The family member of the Rangerwishes to acknowledge ettes and received her BS those dedicated profesin Education from North sionals who contributed Texas State University. to her longer life. Doctors Jeanie’s love of kids and teaching spanned over 20 Jack Bissett, Darren Geyer, Jerry Hood, Ballijepalli years. From Andrews to Netaji, Erol Ozdil, and Sunset Valley to Dripping Springs Elementary, Jeanie Srdan Verstovsek of MD loved each one of her stu- Anderson who provided dents unconditionally and her life changing drug often recounted stories of trials. Each treated her diseases with loving care her teaching career. and professionalism that On the day she moved let her enjoy many years with her daughter Jana to of pleasure with her famiAustin for her first teachly and friends. There were ing position she met Ben Fuelberg. Less than a year many other doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, later, they were married physician assistants and in the same room where they met. Jeanie, Jana and health professionals who Ben lived in several Austin made her life better and longer including Aubrey locations before moving to their home in Dripping Stanley, Julie Huynh Lu, Sharon Bledsoe, Allison Springs in 1979. Jeanie continued to commute to Pike, Karen Thomas, Rachel Ridley, Lakyn Sunset Valley Elementary Evers, Kelley Morris, Mary School for several years Mann, Marci Landin, before beginning her career at Dripping Springs Brian Yeasley and many others so important and Elementary School. She volunteered in the library, wonderful but too numerHelping Hands, and was a ous to mention. Jeanie was very appreciative of CASA volunteer for many years. The friendships she everyone who gave so much effort on her behalf developed teaching and as is her family. her friends in the church A celebration of Jeanie’s and her Emmaus group life will be held May 8 at were among the most 4 PM in the DS United important in her life.

Methodist Church.

Jeanie is survived by Those attending can her husband Ben, her honor Jeanie by wearing daughter Jana Willis masks and taking approand husband Kent, her priate Covid precautions. grandchildren ChristoAnyone wishing to honor pher, Preston and Sarah her memory may make a Willis, her brother Jack donation to M D AnderTeer and his wife Gena, son Cancer Center, CASA her sister Linda Myers of Central Texas or to the and her husband Gary, charity of their choosing. her brother-in-law Dan Dohanich and her brother Memorial Oaks Chapel in law Curtis Fuelberg and of Brenham, Texas is in his wife Susan Griffith. charge of arrangements.

Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615

Debbie Thames, Agent 251 N. FM 1626, Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda, Texas 78610 312-1917

Sudoku Solution

JONES

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Joe Jeanne Mac Jones, her son John Evins Jones, Michael (Sonora) and age 91, her daughter Marilyn joined her Jeanne, 3 granddaughLord and ters, 1 grandson, 1 great Savior Jesus granddaughter, and her Christ on January 13, 2021 at home, bonus children, Craig & Connie Teykl and family, surrounded by family.

She was born Septem- John and Angela Giberber 6, 1929 in San Antoni- son and family, John & no, Texas to T. Fred and Cary Kimbro and family, Anna Roe (Zoe) Mitchell the many who called her Evins, the youngest of “Nana”, and numerous seven children. She nieces and nephews. attended schools in the A Celebration of Life San Antonio and Hot service will be held SatWells area until she was urday, May 15th at 10:30 14 when she moved with a.m. at Hays Hills Baptist her parents to Edinburg, Church.

Texas. She graduated Her children arise and from Edinburg High call her blessed, her husSchool in May 1947 and band also and he praises married the handsome her. Proverbs 31:28. soldier she had met a few years earlier, Joe Mac Jones, on June 28, 1947.

She graduated cum laude with a B.A. (History & English) from Pan American University (now UT-RGV) in August 1973 and started her teaching career the next day with the Edinburg CISD. In 1979, she and Joe Mac moved to Buda, Texas and she continued her teaching career with Hays CISD. She loved her students and treated them as her very own. When Joe Mac retired, they both started volunteering at South Austin Medical Center where they were part of the Thursday morning bunch.

She was an excellent cook and baker—her pies raised top money for the youth fundraisers at Hays Hills Baptist Church.

Her cobblers at family reunions were legendary.

She loved the special group of ladies she called her “daughters-in-love” and they enjoyed their birthday outings and trips to the beach.

She loved her Lord and faithfully served in the churches she belonged to, whether teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, serving on committees, providing weekly floral arrangements and decorating the church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her six siblings, and her son, Timothy Charles.

CHURCH OF CHRIST

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770

Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle

BAPTIST

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

EPISCOPAL

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626 Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W. CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Texas Crossword, from page 6

www.HarrelFuneralHomes.com

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor

Texas Crossword Solution

Call us to learn more 512-443-1366

Come worship with us

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 6

Solidified remains are a clean alternative to ashes that allow you to live comfortably with your departed.

St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland The Well Buda Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda

Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

Spring Water!

Privately owned From local springs FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE

Vertical Chapel 400 Old Post Road, Kyle A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle

Friendly, Courteous Service

Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle

Call 1-866-691-2369

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

BUDA

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

DRUG STORE

203 Railroad Street Downtown Buda Pharmacy 312-2111 Fountain 312-2172

PENTECOSTAL Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle

Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx

CHRISTIAN

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca

Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle

Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666

New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd. PRESBYTERIAN

First Baptist Church

A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161 Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m.

AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

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New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited)

St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland

Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school

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Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda

Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle

9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service

Hays Free Press

Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle

St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle

Baptist Church

Like us on Facebook

Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald

METHODIST

Hays Hills

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Page 8

NEWS

DSISD announces new elementary principals

BY MEGAN WEHRING

am eager to continue leading alongside such DRIPPING SPRINGS amazing staff, students — Students at Dripping and parents to provide an Springs Elementary (DSE) exceptional educational and Sycamore Springs Elexperience for every stuementary (SSE) will have dent who walks through new principals soon. our doors.”

During the April 26 Bloomfield will be meeting, the Dripping transferring to Dripping BLOOMFIELD Springs from DougSprings ISD Board of Trustees unanimously las County, Colorado, approved Jamie Eubanks where she has served as as the principal of Dripprincipal of Iron Horse ping Springs Elementary Elementary for the past and Kirsten Bloomfield as five years. She previthe principal of Sycamore ously served at Pioneer Springs.

Elementary in the same For the past four years, district as an assistant Eubanks has served as the principal and instructor. assistant principal and “I am thrilled to have bilingual contact for stubeen named as the new EUBANKS dents and families at DSE. principal of Sycamore She previously served as Springs Elementary principal of East Austin College School,” Bloomfield said. “I can’t Prep School after one year as an wait to begin developing strong instructional facilitator there; relationships and bonds with Eubanks started her career as a the staff, students, and families Spanish teacher at Lake Travis at SSE. I am looking forward to a High School from 2007 to 2015, fantastic year.” after two years in a similar role at Eubanks will transition into New Braunfels High School. her new role immediately as “I am excited about this woncurrent DSE principal Kellie Rayderful opportunity to serve our mond will open the new Cypress school community to which I Springs Elementary. Bloomfield feel deeply connected,” Eubanks is expected to start her new posisaid in a district statement. “I tion in June.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • May 5, 2021

Girls in STEM Continued from pg. 5

was sitting at a biology booth with several friends, welcoming curious students and enjoying her time with friends.

“I thought it would be a great idea to share my passion with others and inspire them to have the same pathways as me,” Williams said. “I plan on being a brain surgeon.”

Not everyone knows what they want to do coming into high school, so events like

this are opening up different options, said Lead Robertson, a Biomedical Science teacher.

Exploring these options is one step, but the other step is for kids to realize that science is not about being perfect, sometimes it is about trying something new, said the Aquatic Science teacher Laura Villalobos.

In high school, Villalobos said she did not think she did well in science.

Since starting the program, Villalobos said there has been a noticeable increase in girls joining STEM courses. Many of the booths in the event were run by girls, especially Hispanic girls.

“It does seem that we have more girls interested in joining other programs,” Villalobos said. “Like the robotics team, or physics, things like that which are more geared toward engineering and hard sciences.”

Hays Housing Market Continued from pg. 1

the market in the spring and summer time, so more supply will be available.

Vaccines will be another factor helping the buyer. Many homeowners did not want to sell during the pandemic because they were still living in their homes and did not want to invite strangers in, Garrison explained. With more people prepared to sell after getting a vaccination and allowing viewing of their homes, buyers can have a few more options.

House availability is at a historical low with less than half a month worth of inventory on the market, according to data from the Texas Real Estate Research Center. A normal

market has six months of inventory.

The thin margin of supply caused bidding wars, where on average, houses in Hays County get 7.5% over asking price, but Garrison said some clients have gone up to 46.2% over-asking. The median sales price in the county is $350,000; add on the average over asking bid, and the price of that home becomes $376,250.

Those selling a home will ultimately earn money from the sale, but another question is posed; where will they move to with such a low number of houses for sale?

While sellers are earning money on their sales and

potentially reinvesting in another house, this boxes new home buyers even further out of the market because they are coming in with little money compared to someone who sold their home, Ruiz said.

The pendulum is bound to swing in the other direction, but it could take some time, Garrison said.

“It’s hard to say when the pendulum will swing, but it will happen,” Garrison told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. Prices will not come down, but the market will balance out… The main thing to remember in this market is it takes resilience, stamina and a creative and skilled agent.”

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Hays Free Press • May 5, 2021

Page 9

Classifieds EMPLOYMENT

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PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF JULIAN WILLIAM THRASHER, JR., DECEASED

Notice is hereby given that on April 26, 2021, original Letters Testamentary for the ESTATE OF JULIAN WILLIAM THRASHER, JR., DECEASED, were issued to JULIAN WILLIAM THRASHER III and MICHAEL ALAN THRASHER, by County Court at Law No. 3 in Hays County, Texas, pending in Cause No. 21-0152-P. All persons having claims against said estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present the same within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. Such claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the estate, addressed as follows: Julian William Thrasher III and Michael Alan Thrasher, Independent Co-Executors of the Estate of Julian William Thrasher, Jr., Deceased, in care of Terry P. Wright, Attorney at Law, 3217 34th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79410.

NOTICE FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Sealed Qualifications will be received by the Finance Department of the City of Buda until 2:00 p.m. June 3, 2021, for “RFQ 21-005 Parks and Recreation Architectural & Engineering Design Services-Garison Park”.

Request for Qualifications may be obtained from the Purchasing Manager at the Buda Municipal Building, 405 E. Loop St., Buda, Texas 78610 or go to www.texas-

bidsystem.com.

The City intends to select a qualified Design Consultant to perform landscape architectural design and engineering services for Phase I development of 40-acre John D. and Byrd Mims Garison Memorial Park in Buda, Texas. The project includes maintaining and enhancing recreational water access for the public through identified activities in the Garison Park Master Plan. Phase I of the project includes: site parking; waterfront access including kayak/canoe launch, fishing, and swimming; trails; landscaping; and other site amenities including on and off-site utilities and infrastructure. Phase II of the project includes: construction of a Nature Center and event rental space; evaluation and possible restoration of existing homestead structures and barn; and restoration of native prairie land throughout the park.

The goal of the Project is to seek City Council and Parks Commission concurrence on the elements to include in the Phase I design and to develop a construction set of plans for the elements identified in Phase I. The design team will also identify probable construction costs to be evaluated for consideration in an upcoming bond election and offer a unique, sustainable, and exceptional park for the citizens of Buda for both Phase I and Phase II of the project.

The Consultant shall plan for the required meetings with staff and presentations to the City Council necessary to complete this project by the end of December

2021.

ADDRESS AND MARK ENVELOPE: “RFQ 21-005 Parks and Recreation Architectural & Engineering Design Services-Garison Park” TO: Purchasing Manager, City of Buda, 405 E. Loop St., Buda, Texas 78610. TO BE OPENED: 2:00 p.m. June 3, 2021.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

An application has been submitted with HAYS COUNTY for the proposed Pavo Springs Ranch Subdivision consisting of a 4.32 acre tract for a privately maintained road located at the north end Pavo Springs Trail. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: PLN-1635-NP.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL PROPERTY TO SATISFY A LANDLORD’S LIEN

Sale to be held at Park Place Storage at 2101 Bebee Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 on June 10th, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Amount secured by lien: $183.00, lienholder payment requested. If the amount is not paid in full before 31st day after publication of this notice, property may be sold at public auction. Property includes the contents of self-storage space of the following tenant Carissa Green a.k.a Big Green Machine. Item being sold is 1970s airstream.

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Page 10

NEWS

Hays Free Press • May 5, 2021

Classifieds

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICES CITATION BY PUBLICATION THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF HAYS

To all persons interested in the In the Estate of Leigh Ann Thompson, Deceased, Cause No. 21-0013-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas.

The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION TO DETERMINE HEIRSHIP AND FOR ADMINISTRATION OF INTESTATE ESTATE AND FOR ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION in this estate on the 11th day of January, 2021, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Leigh Ann Thompson, Deceased, and their respective shares and interests in such estate.

The Court may act on this Application at any call of the docket on or after 10:00 A.M., on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days, exclusive of the day of Publication, from the date this citation is published, at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, Texas.

All persons interested in this case are cited to appear before this Honorable Court by filing a written contest or answer to this Application should they desire to do so. To ensure its consideration, you or your attorney must file any objection, intervention, or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays County, Texas on or before the above noted date and time.

Applicant's Attorney: M. Elizabeth Raxter P.O. Box 281 Lockhart, TX 78644 512-398-6996 Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at the office of the Hays County Clerk in San Marcos, Texas on this the 13th day of January, 2021.

Elaine H. Cárdenas County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666

BY Christopher Alaniz, Deputy

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Benjamin Wayne Massey, Deceased, were issued on January 20, 2021, in Cause No. 20-0385-P, pending in the County Court at Law #3 of Hays County, Texas, to: Todd Osburn.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: David Glickler Attorney at Law 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 DATED the 27th day of April , 2021. /s/. David Glickler .

David Glickler Attorney for Todd Osburn State Bar No.: 00787549 John A. Hall & Associates, P.C. 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 Telephone: (512) 268-6425 Facsimile: (512) 268-5404 E-mail: glick@johnhalllawfirm. com

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF COLLIN CAUSE: 04-FC-19-00012

By virtue of an Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 22nd District Court of HAYS County, Texas March 04, 2021, in cause numbered 04-FC-19-00012 , styled Unifund CCR, LLC versus Charles L Broadway on a judgment rendered against Charles L Broadway; I did on March 29, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., levy upon as the property of Charles L Broadway the following described real property: Lot NINE-B (9-B) SUNRISE ACRES, A SUBDIVISION OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 2, PAGES 346-348, PLAT RECORDS OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS. On June 1, 2021, being the first Tuesday of the month, between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the Hays County, at the South Door, 712 Stagecoach Trail of the Courthouse of the said County, in the City of San Marcos, Texas, I will sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the right, title and interest of Charles L Broadway in and to the real property described above.

Dated at Kyle, Hays County, Texas, March 29, 2021.

Michael Torres Constable, Pct. 2 Hays County, Texas 5458 FM 2770 Kyle, Texas 78640

by Patrick Chasse, Deputy Notice to Bidders: You are buying whatever interest, if any, the Debtor has in

the property. Purchase of the Debtor's interest in the property may not extinguish any liens or security interests held by other persons. There are no warranties, express or implied, regarding the property being sold, including but not limited to warranties of title, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Notice to Judgment Debtor: If there is any property, real or personal, you want to point out for levy in lieu of the above described property, you must contact this office immediately.

CITATION BY PUBLICATION

To: Shawn P. Robbins And To All Whom It May Concern, Defendants(s) GREETINGS: YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. You may employ an attorney.

If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days after you were served this citation, the same being MAY 10, 2021 a default judgment may be taken against you. In add it ion to filing a written answer with the clerk, you may be required to make initial disclosures to the other patties of this suit These disclosures generally must be made no later than 30 days after you file your answer with the clerk. Find out more at TexasLawHelp.org.

YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to appear and answer before the 428th District Court, Hays County, Texas, at San Marcos then and there to answer the PLAINTIFFS' ORIGINAL PETITION filed in said Court on the 31st DAY OF DECEMBER, 2020, and said suit being numbered 20-2920 on the docket of said Court, wherein OSCAR YSASSI AND OTILIA YSASSI, INDIVIDUALLY, AND AS NEXT FRIEND OF CLARISSA YSASSI AND JELENA YSASSI, BOTH MINORS are the Plaintiffs and CAREY JON ROBBINS AND SHAWN P. ROBBINS are the Defendants.

The nature of said suit is as follows: On or about February 23, 2019, Plaintiffs Oscar and Otilia Ysassi, lndiv. and A/N/F next friends of Clarissa and Jelena Ysassi were operating their car on River Road approaching Highway 80, in San Marcos, County, Texas, when Carey Jon Robbins, operating a motor vehicle slammed into the side of the Ysassi vehicle. Plaintiffs, as a result of the collision, sustained injuries and damages for which they sue. Cary John Robbins was operating a vehicle owned

by Shawn P. Robbins. Petition has been filed for this personal injury/auto accident lawsuit number 20-2920 of which Carey John and Shawn P. Robbins are Defendants.

ALL AS MORE FULLY APPEARS OF RECORD ON FILE IN THIS OFFICE, AND WHICH REFERENCE IS HERE MADE FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES. ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at office, on this the 23rd day of March, 2021.

REQUESTED BY: Desiree Marrufo Davis Law Finn 10500 Heritage Boulevard Suite 102 San Antonio TX 78216 210-444-4444 BEVERLY CRUMLEY Hays County District Clerk Hays County Government Center 712 Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 2211 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By: Nicole Fenner, Deputy

CITATION BY PUBLICATION

To: Carey Jon Robbins And To All Whom It May Concern, Defendants(s) GREETINGS: YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. You may employ an attorney.

If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days after you were served this citation, the same being MAY 10, 2021 a default judgment may be taken against you. In addition

to filing a written answer with the clerk, you may be required to make initial disclosures to the other parties of this suit.

These disclosures generally must be made no later than 30 days after you file your answer with the clerk. Find out more at TexasLawHelp.org.

YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to appear and answer before the 428th District Court, Hays County, Texas, at San Marcos then and there to answer the PLAINTIFFS' ORIGINAL PETITION filed in said Court on the 31st DAY OF DECEMBER, 2020, and said suit being numbered 20-2920 on the docket of said Court, wherein OSCAR YSASSI AND OTILIA YSASSI, INDIVIDUALLY, AND AS NEXT FRIEND OF CLARISSA YSASSI AND JELENA YSASSI, BOTH MINORS are the Plaintiffs and CAREY JON ROBBINS AND SHAWN P. ROBBINS are the Defendants.

The nature of said suit is as follows: On or about February 23, 2019, Plaintiffs Oscar and Otilia Ysassi, Indiv. and A/N/F next friends of Clarissa and Jelena Ysassi were operating their car on River Road approaching Highway 80, in San Marcos, County, Texas, when Carey Jon Robbins, operating a motor vehicle slammed into the side of the Ysassi vehicle. Plaintiffs, as a result of the collision, sustained injuries and damages for which they sue. Cary John Robbins was operating a vehicle owned

by Shawn P Robbins. Petition has been filed for this personal injury/auto accident lawsuit number 20-2920 of which Carey John and Shawn P. Robbins are Defendants.

ALL AS MORE FULLY APPEARS OF RECORD ON FILE IN THIS OFFICE, AND WHICH REFERENCE IS HERE MADE FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES. ISSUED AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court at office, on this the 23rd day of March, 2021.

REQUESTED BY: Desiree Marrufo Davis Law Firm 10500 Heritage Boulevard Suite 102 San Antonio TX 78216 210-444-4444 BEVERLY CRUMLEY Hays County District Clerk Hays County Government Center 712 Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 2211 San Marcos, Texas 78666 By: Nicole Fenner, Deputy

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters of Administration for the Estate of Hortense E. Quintanilla, Deceased, were issued on April 22, 2021, in Cause No. 21-0003-P, pending in the County Court at Law #1 of Hays County, Texas, to: Vanessa Quintanilla.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: David Glickler Attorney at Law 1 30 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 DATED the 5th day of May, 2021.

David Glickler Attorney for Vanessa Quintanilla State Bar No.: 00787549 John A. Hall & Associates, P.C. 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 Telephone: (512) 268-6425 Facsimile: (512) 268-5404 E-mail: glick@johnhalllawfirm. com

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

An application has been submitted to Hays County for the proposed Replat of Lot 21, Block B of the Highlands Subdivision consisting of a 6.61 acre tract subdivided into 2 lots, located at 700 Settlers Road, San Marcos, TX 78666.

Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150.

Tracking number: PLN-1659PC.

LEGAL NOTICE An application has been made for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off Premise Permit for 7-Eleven Beverage Company Inc./ Tirth LLC, Texas Corporations, d/b/a 7-Eleven Convenience Store #40582A, located at 22801 IH 35, Kyle, Hays County, Texas 78640.

Said application made to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.

7-Eleven Beverage Company Inc. officers: Arthur Rubinett - President; Rankin Gasaway – Director/ VP/Secretary; David Seltzer – VP/Treasurer; Robert Schwerin – Director/VP; Scott Hintz- Director; Karen Cram- VP; Alicia Howell- VP/ Controller; Brian Smith- VP; Kyle Johnson- VP. Tirth LLC officer: Hetalkumar Patel- LLC Manager.

CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS BOARD, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT

The City of Dripping Springs is accepting applications for Boards, Commission and Committees. A list of current vacancies and upcoming seat expirations, and the Application for Appointment are available on the City’s, cityofdrippingsprings. com. Applications for June Appointments are due May 31, 2021. For more information regarding appointments please contact City Secretary Andrea Cunningham at acunningham@ cityofdrippingsprings.com or by calling (512) 858-4725.

CITY OF BUDA LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a MIXED BEVERAGE LICENSE by Sujoc Enterprises LLC dba The Pizza Cave, to be located at 2690 E. HIGHWAY 290 STE 100, Dripping Springs, TX, Hays County, Texas.

Owner is Joseph Cave, Managing Member.

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made With The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for A Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off - Premise Permit by Skyline Store LLC dba Kyle Food Mart to be located at 1203 Old Hwy 81 North, Kyle, Hays County, Texas. Managing Member of said LLC is Hajrat N. Prasla – Managing Member.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to City of Buda Charter, Article III, Section 3.11 (D).

Ordinances, that the Buda City Council, at its regular meeting on April 20, 2021, and May 4, 2021 adopted ordinances amending Appendix A Fee Schedule regarding commercial recycling fees, and on May 4, 2021, adopted an ordinance revising a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Automobile or Other Motorized Vehicle Sales, and Equipment Sales in the Interstate 35 Business (B-3) zoning district for the property known as John Deere Final Plat, Lot 1, City of Buda, Hays County, TX, being 20.481 acres +/- and addressed as 17301 North Interstate Highway 35, Suite 200, Buda, TX 78610 (SUP 19-01); providing for penalties for failure to comply with such ordinance(s); providing for publication; and, providing for an effective date. By: Mayor Lee Urbanovsky. Attest: Alicia Ramirez, City Clerk. (full text is available in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 405 E. Loop Street, Building 100, Buda, TX, during business hours and on www.ci.buda.tx.us.)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is given that a Public Hearing by the Board of Directors of the Barton Springs/ Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will be held, via telephone and video conference (Zoom link provided below), during its Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 4 p.m. for the following purpose: Groundwater Management Area 9 Proposed Desired Future Conditions and Relevant Aquifer Designations At an open meeting of the Groundwater Management Area 9 Joint Planning Committee (GMA-9) held on March 22, 2021 via videocall, and attended by representatives from the following groundwater conservation districts located wholly or partially within Groundwater Management Area 9: Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District, Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District, Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District, Hays-Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Medina County Groundwater Conservation District, Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District, Trinity-Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District; GMA-9 considered and adopted the following Proposed Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) for GMA-9 regional groundwater planning purposes: Groundwater Management Area 9 Proposed Desired Future Conditions and Relevant Aquifer Designations Major or Minor Aquifer

Proposed Desired Future Condition

Trinity

Allow for An Increase in Average Drawdown of Approximately 30 Feet Through 2060 (throughout GMA 9) Consistent With “Scenario 6” in TWDB GAM Task 10-005

Edwards-Trinity (Plateau)

Allow for No Net Increase in Average Drawdown in Bandera and Kendall Counties through 2080

Ellenburger-San Saba

Allow for An Increase in Average Drawdown of No More Than 7 Feet in Kendall County through 2080

Hickory

Allow for An Increase in Average Drawdown of No More Than 7 Feet in Kendall County through 2080*

*Allow for DFC variance of up to five percent when comparing DFCs to average drawdown calculations from model files.

Proposed Designation of Non-Relevant Aquifers Proposed Non-Relevant the Aquifer Classification

Applicable Areas Within GMA 9 (All or Portions of Following Counties, as applicable)

Edwards Aquifer (Balcones Fault Zone)

Bexar, Comal, Hays, and Travis counties

Edwards-Trinity (Plateau)

Blanco and Kerr counties

Ellenburger-San Saba

Blanco and Kerr counties

Hickory

Blanco, Hays, Kerr, and Travis counties

Marble Falls

Blanco County

Members of the public are invited to attend and provide oral comment, testimony, and/or submit other documentation and information relevant to the Proposed DFCs and Relevant Aquifer Designations to the Board of Directors at this Public Hearing.

If unable to attend the Public Hearing, members of the public are invited to submit written comments, testimony, and/or other documentation and information relevant to the Proposed DFCs and Relevant Aquifer Designations via the U.S. Postal Service, hand delivery or via email to the Board of Directors at the District Office located at the physical mailing address or email address described below: GMA 9 has prepared standardized Public Comment Forms to help you organize and substantiate your submission. This form is available at the address above or on our website at bseacd.bseacd.org.

The Public Comment period runs from April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

The District will prepare a report of any relevant comments received at the Public Hearing and attach any written comments, testimony, and/or other documentation and information relevant to the Proposed DFCs and Relevant Aquifer Designations received through June 30, 2021. This report and attachments will be provided to the GMA-9 Committee for their review, consideration, and incorporation into the DFC decisionmaking process.

Join the Meeting using Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83815354713?pwd=VlE5MjhLTUQ2QVFCWThaRmhSNGhOdz09 Meeting ID: 838 1535 4713 Passcode: 821328 Join the Meeting by Telephone only Meeting Dial In +1-346-248-7799, Meeting ID: 838 1535 4713, Passcode: 821328 Questions or requests for additional information may be submitted to Michael Redman telephone 512-282-8441, email mredman@bseacd.org or at the District Office: Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, 1124 Regal Row, Austin, TX 78748.

The District will make available in the District Office at the address above a copy of the documentation of factors considered under Texas Water Code section 36.108(d) and groundwater availability model results.