Grad rates remain high in D.S.
Hulon stays on path of success
Texas is tops in field of nursing
page 4
page 3
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 33
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
page 6
75¢ Thursday, May 24, 2018
Drones to assist in appraisal surveys BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Riding on a Dream PHOTO BY DAVE WILSON
A rodeo cowboy learned the hard way how a brahma bull handles business during a ride in the Bailey-Kay Hutson “Riding on a Dream” event held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park May 19. The annual bull ride is held to help Hutson, a Dripping Springs High alumna born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, fundraise to purchase land and build a facility that allows special needs children to have fun and escape from hospital rooms.
LAGNIAPPE HaysCo offices closed for Memorial Day
Hays County offices will be closed Monday, May 28, in observance of Memorial Day. Offices for the city of Dripping Springs and the city of Wimberley will be closed Monday as well. Offices will reopen at their regular times on Tuesday, May 29. Hays County Commissioners Court will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos.
Memorial Day program in Wimberley
On Monday, the VFW Post 6441 will have a Memorial Day program at the Veterans Memorial Plaza at the EmilyAnn Theater in Wimberley. The event begins at 9 a.m. and features a presentation of the colors by the Lehman JROTC.
LAGNIAPPE, 5
Residents protest proposed pump permit near Wimberley BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Controversy continues to build over a Houston-based company’s proposal to pump 2.5 million gallons per day from the Trinity Aquifer. On May 16, roughly 100 residents gathered at the Blue Hole Regional Park pavilion in Wimberley in protest of Electro Purification’s (EP) permit with the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD). The gathering was part of a forum hosted by the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA). EP, which attempted to obtain water from the Trinity Aquifer in 2015, has seven test wells located between Kyle and Wimberley to monitor the amount of water the company can successfully pump. According to EP’s application, the company’s proposed avoidance actions include a five-year,
APPRAISAL DRONES, 2
PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Over 100 residents packed under the Blue Hole Park pavilion in Wimberley for the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Agency (TESPA) public forum on a well production permit submitted by Electro Purification.
Executive director and general counsel for TESPA acknowledges that BSEACD is looking into the matter closely to determine if the permit will cause unreasonable risk to the aquifer. Phase I would call five-phase plan to pump for 273,750,000 gallons smaller amounts from of water to be pumped the aquifer.
in the first year with a gradual increase to nearly one billion gallons of water per year in Phase V, which is expected to be done by 2023. Vanessa Puig-Williams, executive director and counsel for TESPA, said she believes the permit may pass with
PERMIT PROTEST, 6
Austin looking to join Dripping Springs wastewater permit fight BY EXSAR ARGUELLO A decision on giving the city of Austin affected party status in the fight over Dripping Springs’ wastewater permit was deferred Monday by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) to a later date. Dripping Springs’ wastewater permit calls for the authorization of discharge of treated domestic wastewater at a daily flow not to exceed 995,000 gallons per day into Walnut Springs, a tributary of Onion Creek. The permit has been at the center of community concern after research showed a direct
Recent advances in technology is helping Hays County officials to better accommodate the process of appraising properties. Every three years, every parcel of property in Hays County is reviewed by the Hays County Appraisal District (CAD) to assess the value of a property. With around 95,000 properties in Hays County, the appraisal district has turned to drone technology to assess properties. The service is provided by Eagle View, a company that specializes in property measurements using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, which allows appraisers to view a property from the sky with precise information. “The software allows us to properly measure the perimeter of a property, see what additions have been made to a property that could change the value, all from a computer,” said David Valle, chief appraiser for the Hays County Appraisal District. “The software does not reveal any private information and is strictly used to help appraise a property.”
Dripping Springs’ wastewater permit calls for the authorization of discharge of treated domestic wastewater at a daily flow not exceed 995,000 gallons per day to Walnut Springs, a tributary of Onion Creek. link between Onion Creek and recharge of the Edwards Aquifer. For the city of Austin, a conservation easement giving officials authority to monitor the environmental impact of Onion Creek was the key document in its hopes to receive party status. “The purpose of the easement is to maintain the health that exists on the proper-
ty, including without limitation, protecting native plant life and wildlife communities,” said Chris Herrington, water resource evaluation section manager at city of Austin watershed protection department. “The discharge point is at Walnut Creek and downstream to our easement.” Herrington said the city had conducted studies that analyze
a direct connection between the discharge point to the aquifers, which they believe gives Austin merit to be involved with the case hearing. However, the city of Dripping Springs’ legal team maintained the discharge point is not located within the Austin city limits or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Alfred Albert, who received affected party status, has land located near the discharge point, which also connects to the city of Austin’s conservation easement. David Groom, a real
WASTEWATER PERMIT, 6
Judge candidate settles lease dispute with San Marcos BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Roughly $13,000 owed in a leasing dispute by the Democratic candidate for Hays County Judge was partially waived by San Marcos city leaders May 1, but not without controversy. The issue centered on a dispute between Ruben Becerra and the city of San Marcos over his acquisition of the Dixie Cream Donuts shop in San Marcos. The San Marcos City Council approved waiving a part of what was owed in a 5-2 vote. The city of San Marcos claimed Becerra had failed to pay the city the $13,117.99 that he owed for lease on Dixie Cream Donuts from 2015 to 2017. San Marcos city leaders approved waiving roughly $11,000. Becerra bought the business in 2015 from Daniel Anderson, the original owner of Dixie Cream who passed away later that year. The property is on an approximately 1,400-square-foot plot of land which is owned by the city of San Marcos and Union Pacific Railroad Company. Tenants of the property have one lease and two landlords – the city of San Marcos and Union Pacific. Becerra, who was
LEASE DISPUTE, 2
Page 2
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PRODUCTION David White ADVERTISING/MARKETING Tracy Mack ads@haysnewsdispatch.com
News-Dispatch
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Lease Dispute: Judge candidate settles with San Marcos Continued from pg. 1
making payments to Union Pacific, said in an interview with KXAN that in a handshake deal with Anderson he would keep the property clean in lieu of paying rent. However, according to a Texas state law known as the statute of frauds, a real estate deal generally has to be written to be enforceable. “It’s unethical that some city officials created this fiasco for the sake of political motives, falsely accusing me of delinquent payments when, in fact, the city was delinquent on setting up a lease or billing us for use of the land,” Becerra said. “The city first approached me about this at the end of 2016 and the amount sought for 2017 has been paid.” Becerra said he has
since paid the approximately $2,000 which was the final payment council required after the $11,000 was waived on May 1. However, according to a May 1, 2015 Bill of Sale, signed by Anderson and Becerra, the assignee (Becerra) accepts and agrees to be bound by and to perform and observe fully and faithfully all of the covenants, including liabilities and obligates mentioned in the Lease Agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad Company. “The city’s legal team and staff have held the position that there is a lease,” San Marcos Mayor John Thomaides said. “We have notified Becerra since 2016 about the payments. The lease is legitimate and legal. This is all outlined in the Bill of Sale Becerra
signed.” Thomaides said claims that there was no lease is incorrect. Three city managers have contacted Becerra in writing about the money owed. According to an email from City Manager Bert Lumbreras, which was obtained through public information act request by the Hays Free Press, Becerra was made aware on Sept. 29, 2017 – nine months before council waived his debt – that he was not making payments on the property. In the same email, Lumbreras said that the letter served as notice of unpaid rent to the Dixie Cream Donut lease entered into between Union Pacific and the City of San Marcos. However, Becerra said
in a reply the handshake agreement was in effect for many years and Dixie Cream never received any type of communication related to alleged monies for the parcel of land. Lumberas later said that in 2017 Anderson “should have disclosed” information regarding the agreement when Becerra purchased the donut shop. Even if Anderson didn’t make known the details, Lumbreras said Becerra “would still be responsible to honor the terms of the lease.” However, in an April 28, 2018 email, Lumbreras said the city did not properly bill Becerra for the previous three years. Lumbreras had offered Becerra a one-time payment of roughly $4,500, which was nullified by the
city council’s waiver. “As a result, it is our responsibility to ensure we are properly billing and I can assure you we will do that from now on,” Lumbreras said in the April 28 email. Thomaides said the decision by council to waive the debt will haunt the city in the future when other leasing disputes arise. “If you lease property from the City of San Marcos, you are not going to get free rent,” Thomaides said. “The taxpayers paid around $400,000 for that property. It doesn’t matter who is in the lease agreement. If you sign a lease with the city, you are obligated to pay it and that’s what this issue really comes down to.” Lumbreras declined to comment on this story.
higher than hers,” McLaurin said. “The system isn’t perfect and I always urge my neighbors to really study the value of your home.” McLaurin said his home was previously appraised with a fireplace, which was never an interior addition to the home. If ignored, the fireplace could have potentially affected his home insurance rate. McLaurin said use of
the drone technology was not beneficial to the assessment of his home, but he understands the district’s need to assess property with such a large area to cover. “I just want to see more consistency with the system,” McLaurin said. “People really need to do their research to make sure the appraisal is accurate.” Before the taxing
entities of the county can reevaluate the tax rates, the appraisals must be submitted and on file, Valle said. It is the first step in determining tax rates. “The job is very important for the county,” Valle said. “It’s a responsibility like no other. This county has grown exponentially and new technology helps make the process more smooth for us.”
Jim Darby ads@haysfreepress.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Appraisal Drones: Assists CAD
Wayland Clark
Continued from pg. 1
PROOFREADER
Appraising a home, in particular, is a process that involves different components to properly assess the value. Additions such as pools and outdoor decks, as well as the neighborhood, location, expansion projects and interior improvements are all components in assessing the value of a home. Appraisals are completed around mid-April and citizens have 30 days
Jane Kirkham CIRCULATION MANAGER/ LEGAL NOTICES David White paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com
News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the weeks following July 4 and Christmas by Barton Publications, Inc., 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640. Subscription price: $42 local, $59 county, $62 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid at Driftwood, TX. Email paper@ haysnewsdispatch. com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to News-Dispatch, PO Box 339, Buda, TX 78610 LETTERS GUIDELINES We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@ haysfreepress.com.
to appeal or protest the value the district deemed appropriate. For Kyle resident Michael McLaurin, understanding the value of his home gave him the platform to dispute the appraisal. “One of my neighbors lives in a home identical to mine, but with additional square feet, but my home was appraised thousands of dollars
Opinion Royal Pain
N
ow that the wedding is over, I’m hoping all this fuss over the British royal family can go away. Over the past two weeks, we Americans have been bombarded by the British like it was 1776. News coverage of the royal wedding flooded pert near every channel on my TV. They were even gabbing about it on ESPN. What in tarnation is so great about the British royalty and them getting hitched? I just don’t get it. Just last year, Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau, daughter of Prince Jean of Luxembourg, and some fella named Antonius Wilms got married, but I don’t recall the gals from the Today show going gaga over that wedding. Why are Americans so infatuated about the British royalty tying the knot? Personally, I don’t give a rat’s arse who gets married over in England these days. My interest in the Crown ended after the death of King Arthur. I’m curious, how many of y’all got up early last Saturday to watch the royal wedding? Hey, if I’m getting up at 4 a.m. on a Saturday, you’ll find me out hunting feral hogs, not watching TV
From the Crow’s Nest by Clint Younts
and eating scones. I’m sorry, but I’m just not a fan of anything British. The only time I’m excited over seeing the king and queen is when they are sitting next to the ace, jack and 10. And the only Queen I’ll listen to sings “Bohemian Rhapsody”. I don’t watch British television shows or British movies because I don’t speak their language. Them folks ‘spose to be talkin’ English, but dag-nabbit, I can’t cipher half the stuff they say. I reckon havin’ those wide gaps in their chompers make ‘em talk funny. I’m not right sure what a spot of tea is. Here in Texas, a spot of tea is a stain on your T-shirt from sloshing down a big glass of Lipton. And have y’all seen those little bitty cups the Brits sip tea from? Heck, that’s not enough tea to wash the dust off your tongue. Dang, when I come in from sittin’ on my tractor all day, I need at least a quart of
sweet tea just to refill my sweat glands. A spot of tea can’t quench the thirst of a hard-workin’ country boy. I don’t eat British vittles neither. There’s some dish called Shepherd’s Pie. I don’t know what that is, but I do know what a cow pie is, and no matter how hungry I might be, I’m not eatin’ that. The Brits also are fond of jellied eels. I’m sorry, but I put jelly in a fluffy biscuit or on top of peanut butter. Ain’t no way I’m eating a slimy eel. I hear the Brits have something called bangers. I don’t know what that is ‘cross the pond, but here in Texas, it’s what we call cows with brucellosis. Maybe
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England is where we ship all our sick cattle. You think the Brits put jelly on their T-bone steaks? They also serve something called a kidney pie. Again, I’ll pass on this dish. I like my pies to contain apples or pecans, not an organ from some imported diseased longhorn. Now, I do like English muffins. They’re not bad, but for my breakfast, I’d rather have a Round Rock donut and a pile of bacon. If I ever visit England, I sure hope they have a Denny’s somewhere nearby. Well, I do hope Harry and Meghan had themselves a fairy tale wedding and best of luck in the future. It’s good that the royal family
has some American blood to create some hybrid vigor in their clan. And, just to show that I don’t hold any grudge over that incident at Bunker Hill, I will offer some suggestions for a name for their first-born son, something appropriate for a trans-Atlantic union. How ‘bout Bubba Jeeves? Not very royal, you say? Okay then, what about Benedict Arnold? Ta-ta, y’all! Clint Younts might have some English blood in his background, but he certainly won’t admit to it. What’s his tea brand? Around here we call it Lone Star. It’s made with hops. crowsnest78610@gmail.com
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Page 3
Sports
Hulon continues to strive for success
BIG XII CHAMPS Kody Clemens holds up the Big XII Championship trophy after the Longhorns won the Conference title with a 7-3 win and sweep over TCU on Sunday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Texas next heads to the Big XII Conference tournament as a No. 1 seed. Below, Texas Longhorn baseball players and fans celebrate as Kody Clemens gets airborne heading to home plate after hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Horns a 5-3 win against the visiting TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin.
BY LISETTE LOPEZ
Softball never stops for Dripping Springs Tigers junior pitcher Logan Hulon. Hulon, who finished with more than 250 strikeouts this season, was not the athletic type growing up. It was her father who introduced the sport to her when she was about 5 years old. “I was extremely uncoordinated and an un-athletic child growing up until my dad, who pitched in college, thought to give softball a try,” Hulon said. “I threw it pretty well, and since then it just kind of stuck with me.” Wanting to be just like her father, Hulon stuck with the sport and found her passion for pitching. Dripping Springs took second place behind Lockhart with a 12-2 district record in 2018. Heading prove my batting average to playoffs and finishing from my past two years for on top was the goal, and sure. I really didn’t have a with being part of a closespecific pitching goal this knit team, anything was year,” Hulon said. “I just possible. wanted to improve on my Hulon said her team is movement extremely and speed close and “I was extremely from last because of that, uncoordinated year.” Aspirathey had a tions for a successful and an uncareer in season. the college She credits athletic child ranks could every win be a reality growing up to her team for Hulon, and they until my dad, who has push her to get better who pitched in already committed each day. the Uni“I think college, thought to versity of that they remind me to to give softball a Houston. It was a tough always stay try,” Hulon said. decision, positive and but she to always “I threw it pretty believes look on the made bright side well, and since she the right of things,” Hulon said. then it just kind choice. “It was Besides honestly a helping on of stuck with little tough defense, deciding me.” Hulon really I’m not wanted to going to lie, help her –Logan Hulan, Dripping but it reteam offenSprings pitcher ally boiled sively this down to season as being closer to home, but well. She had a goal set for have a sense of being on my herself at the beginning of the season, and tried to exe- own,” Hulon said. “I also really loved the coaches at cute as best as she could. UH and their desire to win “I really wanted to im-
PHOTO BY WAYLAND CLARK
and their continuous strive for success.” Before Hulon makes her move to Houston, she still has one more season left as a Tiger. Hulon has a lot in store for next season. “I am extremely excited for my senior year, I’ll be working super hard for it to be my best year yet,” Hulon said. “I will be improving my spins, velocity and accuracy. I will also be working on improving my hitting so I can help my team out offensively as well as defensively.”
PHOTOS BY WAYLAND CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Texas Crossword
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2018 26-5A Dripping Springs All-District Softball Offensive MVP: Ryann Campbell (DS) Defensive MVP: Camille Corona (DS) Pitcher OTY: Logan Hulon (DS)
1ST TEAM ALL DISTRICT
Danielle Northrup (Dripping Springs) Bailey Hudgeons (Dripping Springs) Riley Dunn (Dripping Springs) Kyndall Womack (Dripping Springs)
2ND TEAM ALL DISTRICT
Paige Leschber (Dripping Springs) Izzy Bermudez (Dripping Springs)
HONORABLE MENTION
Jayna Reed (Dripping Springs)
Dripping Springs Academic All District Emily Barefield Shelbye Hartman Kyndall Womack Izzy Bermudez Bailey Hudgeons
Camille Corona Ryann Campbell Brooke Rummel Ashley Rummel
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Education Top Ten Tigers SUBMITTED REPORT The Dripping Springs High School list of “Top 10” students by academic rank for the Class of 2018 has been announced by Principal Joe Burns. The top-ranked senior and valedictorian for the Class of 2016 is Mia Haraguchi. The second-ranked student and salutatorian is Ashley Fitzpatrick. Other students ranked among the top 10 are (in order): Avani Shepherd,
NEWS-DISPATCH FILE PHOTO
A Live Oak Academy student poses for a photo prior to the 2016 commencement ceremony held at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center.
Staging success
HCISD, DSISD maintain high graduation rates, despite growth BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
the graduation rate for the district remains high, Even as enrollment with nearly 100 percent continues to rise, area of seniors walking the high schools have manstage during commenceaged to keep graduation ment ceremony every rates stable by accommo- year. dating growth and investPrincipal Joe Burns ing in special programs said accommodating for to keep at-risk students growth has happened in class until they earn organically. their diploma. “My belief is it’s just Senior class sizes at part of our culture,” Dripping Springs High Burns said. “Even as School have nearly we’ve grown, we’ve been doubled since 2009, but very conscious that we’re
finding ways to connect every student to our school. We’re aware of the need to have kids feel connected and at home here.” Last year, DSISD launched the graduation alternative program (GAP) for the students who may have had hurdles in graduating. GAP is set up to help students with extenuating circum-
Mark Tressler, Emily Barefield, Ryan Gahagan, Henry Windsor, Aishwarya Chalak, David Garcia, and Jacob Lawrence. Gahagan and Haraguchi also were National Merit finalists. All 10 students carried an overall weighted grade point average of 106 or higher. “Students at Dripping Springs High School engage in challenging coursework and these students are amazing examples of those who
have consistently excelled in this rigorous academic environment,” said Burns. “Even more impressive is the fact that so many of our students achieve excellence in extracurricular activities like music, debate and athletics, and many are active in community service.” The students will be honored during Senior Awards Night May 30 and at the Dripping Springs High School Graduation June 8.
Tiger robotics team competes at state UIL Members of Dripping Springs High’s The Spring Konstant robotics team competed at the FIRST Robotics UIL State championships held at the Austin Convention Center May 18. The Spring Konstant included more than 30 teams who participated at FRC state.
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Employment
Page 5 State-Wide Advertising Network
Public Notices NOTICE TO BIDDERS
CONSTRUCTION OF ALTERNATE WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS FOR BUSH RANCH PHASE 2 SECTION 2 FOR HAYS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 4 SCOPE OF WORK: 290 East Bush, Inc. on behalf of Hays County M.U.D. No. 4, will accept sealed bids for the construction of Alternate Wastewater Improvements for Bush Ranch Phase 2 Section 2. The work to be performed includes furnishing all materials, equipment, tools, and labor necessary for the delivery, construction, installation, inspection, testing, and disinfection of approximately 1,400 linear feet of 8 inch PVC gravity wastewater line. The work shall also include installation, maintenance and removal of erosion and sedimentation controls in accordance with the contract documents, and all local, state, and federal requirements. RECEIPT OF BIDS: Sealed bids in envelopes are due at the Office of the Engineer: CMA Engineering, Inc. located at 235 Ledge Stone Drive, Austin, Texas 78737, (512) 432-1000 no later than 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2018,
at which time the bids for the Project Contract will be opened and read aloud. The OWNER reserves the right to waive all informalities and irregularities, and determine which Bids are most advantageous to the Project, and to award the Contract on this basis. INFORMATION AND BIDDING DOCUMENTS: Copies of Bid Documents and Plans may be inspected at and/or obtained from the Office of the Engineer, during regular business hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Fridays. Bidding Documents and Plans may be purchased at one hundred dollars ($100.00) per set made payable to CMA Engineering, Inc. by check, and are nonrefundable. No partial sets of Bidding Documents and Plans will be issued nor accepted. CMA Engineering, Inc. 235 Ledge Stone Austin, Texas 78737 (512) 432-1000 (512) 432-1015 (fax) BONDS: Performance, payment, and warranty bonds shall each be issued in an amount equal to 100% of the Contract Amounts as security for all the
CONTRACTOR’s obligations under the Contract Documents. Insurance Requirements: Bidders shall maintain insurance in the types and amounts indicated the Contract Documents. Bid Guaranty: All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid security made payable to Owner in an amount of five percent (5%) of Bidder's maximum Bid price and in the form of a cashier’s check made payable to 290 East Bush, Inc., or a Bid Bond issued by a surety. Pre-Bid Conference: A non-mandatory prebid conference will be held at the Office of the Engineer at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018. Representatives of the Engineer will be present to discuss the PROJECT. BIDDER REQUIREMENTS: Bidders and subcontractors shall have completed at least three (3) similar projects in nature with the construction cost not less than $500,000 within the last five (5) years. All Work shall be guaranteed against defective workmanship and materials for a period of two (2) years from the date of final acceptance by the OWNER.
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In some places, smoked cigarette butts have been found in sparrow nests. These effectively functioned as a parasite repellant, helping keep the nest free of mites, ticks and other unwanted inhabitants. unwanted inhabitants. The cigarettes retain large amounts of nicotine and other toxins including traces of pesticides. These all are helpful in
keeping the nest free of unwanted creepy-crawlers. So let’s hear it for one bright little bird – the small, but smart, house sparrow.
Lagniappe
Continued from pg. 4
San Marcos to 10 a.m. hold Memorial Day program Flying high with car show The public is invited to a Memorial Day at CAF ceremony held at the The ceremony begins at
Hays County Veterans Memorial in San Marcos to honor Hays County service members who lost their lives in combat.
On June 2, the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is holding its 6th annual “Fly in or
Drive in” car and plane show at their hangar in the San Marcos Regional Airport. The event, which is free to the public, goes from 11:30 to 3 p.m. and includes and opening ceremony flyover. The Tri-City Flyers radio model airplane club from San ANtonio will bring a number of models, as well as various car clubs who will be attending.
Page 6
News-Dispatch
Texas is tops in field of nursing BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD High starting salaries, combined with the growing need for nurses in Texas, has pushed local entities to provide training so more of the workforce can enter the medical field. With National Nurses Week lasting from May 6 through May 12, the personal-finance website WalletHub released a report on which states are best for working nurses. According to WalletHub’s study, Texas ranks first in the best monthly average starting salary for nurses, when adjusted for cost of living. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average Texas nurse earning $72,070 a year. In May 2017, the median annual wage for registered nurses nationally was $70,000. From 2016 to 2026, the number of nursing jobs are expected to grow by 15 percent nationwide, much faster than the national average of all occupations, according to BLS data. Seton Medical Center Hays Chief Nursing Officer Nikki Rivers said demand for nurses in Kyle and Buda has increased and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. The demand, as well as Hays County’s quality of life, has led to new nurses coming to the area, Rivers said. Seton Hays, paired with the relative affordability of the area and schools within Hays CISD, have more and more nurses looking south of Austin for work. “I think (Kyle and Buda) are becoming more appealing, especially to younger nurses looking to raise a family,” she said. The hospital’s relationship with educational institutions helps keep Seton Hays
PHOTOS BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
Senior Arriana Gamez (right) checks the heartbeat of a ‘patient’ during class at Hays High School. About 100 students at Lehman and Hays high schools were enrolled in a medical-related course this school year.
on the mind of recent graduates looking for work in a hospital. “We are a stepping stone and help support education across the county,” she said. “We support clinical rotations through many of the formal nursing programs, through community colleges and the University of Texas. Those nurses come to Hays to do some of their rotations. It’s very beneficial for us, as far as a recruitment opportunity.” Hays CISD has a curriculum that trains students to meet the rising demands for nurses and related jobs, said Career and Technical Education Director Suzi Mitchell. Last week, eight students at Hays High received their medical assistant certification, which, she said, they can use as a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse. The district also has programs that enable students to get their EMT certification and take medical billing and coding courses. The jobs that require those skills are in demand and pay well, Mitchell said. With these
certificates, students can work straight out of school to get their foot in the door and take more classes to become a registered nurse later. Combined, there are about 100 students enrolled in biomedical, EMT and medical billing and coding courses at Lehman and Hays high schools this school year, Mitchell said. “These jobs are in demand and these students can go to work right away,” Mitchell said. “In the old days, I was going out looking for businesses to hire students. Now, every day, a business is contacting me because they can’t get enough workers.” With new service lines coming and expansions of beds for hospital patients and the mother-baby unit, Rivers said Seton Hays will need to “heavily recruit” new staff in the next sixth months to a year. “With the continued growth in Hays County, whether it’s the new addition of clinics or expansion of our hospital, no doubt the need for nursing will continue to increase,” Rivers said.
Wastewater Permit Continued from pg. 1
estate attorney and expert in Texas real estate law, said Austin does not have the right to reach affected party status, citing that an easement is just a contract and does not give the city authority over Alfred Albert’s land. Despite the disagreement between both parties, the city of Austin’s legal team cited that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) rules and guidelines for affected party sta-
tus simply call for a party that is directly affected to be considered. “The discharge affects the city of Austin because Onion Creek is a recharge zone for the aquifers,” Herrington said. “We have conducted numerous studies with the surrounding water districts that show this direct correlation.” The meeting marked the first hearing through SOAH in Dripping Springs’ attempt to receive the
wastewater permit. After nearly four hours of deliberation, SOAH did not take any action on naming Austin an affected party. The decision by State Administrative Judges Bill Newchurch and Laura Valdez marks a stalemate for the City of Austin. “We will just assume that the city of Austin has status for the sake of planning, but we will conduct a review of the information to decide in the near future,” Newchurch said.
Permit Protest Continued from pg. 1
these phases put into effect, but acknowledges that BSEACD is looking into the matter closely to determine if the permit will cause unreasonable risk to the aquifer. “The BSEACD has been completely transparent and helpful with the process,” Puig-Williams said. “It is clear, from EP’s application, that this amount of pumping will cause harm to the aquifer.” Les Carnes, a Hays County resident who lives within a half mile of EP’s testing wells, said his quality of life is at risk with the proposed amount of pumping from the aquifer. “I love where I live and just like my neighbors, I’m not going anywhere,” Carnes said. “These jerks from Houston shouldn’t be allowed to threaten everything I’ve worked for and take the water that is precious to this community.” Carnes, like many of the residents present at the meeting, share concerns with their wells going dry with the amount of
pumping EP is hoping to achieve. The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) and BSEACD are the two entities who have jurisdiction over the regulation of both the Edwards and Trinity aquifers. EP’s proposed pumping site is located within BSEACD’s jurisdiction, however, well owners located in HTGCD could potentially see the repercussions associated with the pumping. EP’s wells are located on the periphery of the BSEACD’s jurisdiction line, located within a few miles of Hays Trinity wells. “Obviously some of our well owners will be impacted by this and that is a concern for us,” said Linda Kaye Rogers, president of the HTGCD board of directors. “Because the wells are not in our jurisdiction, we don’t have a foot in the barrel to stomp the grapes. I owe you an apology that our district has not closely watched
this enough and we will work to stay informed and work with BSEACD about this issue.” On Monday, the BSEACD released its recommendations to EP’s proposed permit. We will provide an in-depth look at what the BSEACD seeks with that permit in next week’s News-Dispatch.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Staging Success Continued from pg. 4
stances, such as those who have to work to support their family. The program takes what staff have been providing students informally for years and offers it as an official program for kids to apply for at the tail end of their senior year, Burns said. Not only does GAP provide academic support, it also allows participants to learn job skills and helps them with career research. In the year since the program’s launch, Burns said several dozen students have completed GAP and have made it a “huge success.” One of his favorite moments was watching a high school senior become the first person in their family to cross the stage as a graduate, he said. “We’re excited about the accomplishments of the class of 2018,” Burns said. “They’ve done amazing things, and I know they’re prepared for anything in their future.” Hays CISD has also found success by providing students with an alternative path to graduation. In the past five years, the district’s graduation rate has stayed around 90 percent of students graduating in four years. The district’s Live
Senior class sizes at Dripping Springs High School have nearly doubled since 2009, but the graduation rate for the district remains high, with nearly 100 percent of seniors walking the stage during commencement ceremony every year. Agnew said. “Some people think this is where the bad kids come, and it’s not. There are lots of really good kids here who need a different place to be successful,” he said. The typical student begins their time at Live Oak their junior or senior year, sometimes as sophomores, Agnew said. Last year, the senior graduating class was 176 students, and he predicts the class of 2018 will have around 181 walk the stage. One of the school’s strengths is the dedicated and passionate staff, he said. In the past five years, no teachers have transferred to other schools. Each time a teacher has left, it was to retire from the profession. That says a lot about how they feel about their jobs, Agnew said. “We’re passionate, and love working with kids on campus,” he said.
Oak Academy (LOA) has served as an alternative for students to receive their high school diploma since it opened in 2001, Principal Doug Agnew said. “Here, everyone can be successful,” Agnew said. “If we have 180 graduates, there were 180 different ways to get there.” By having smaller classes, students at Live Oak can complete assignments at their own pace and receive more oneon-one with teachers. A variety of students found more success at the academy than in the traditional high school setting, and for many different reasons. Some students suffer from social anxiety and feel more comfortable in the smaller school, while others were not flourishing socially or academically at their previous schools. Enrollment at LOA is about 400 students,
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Garza, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m. Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.
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