June 8, 2022 News-Dispatch

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JUNE 8, 2022 STRONGER TOGETHER

PAWS-ITIVE

Wimberley canines pass final exams – Page 10

How the Hays community is helping – Page 5, 6 © Barton Publications, Inc.

News-Dispatch

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HaysNewsDispatch.com

Vol. 42 • No. 38

Onion Creek bridge closed for repairs

Serving Hays County, TX

BLUE HOLE REGIONAL PARK HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL

STAFF REPORT

DRIPPING SPRINGS — The bridge over Onion Creek on Creek Road (County Road 190), south of Roger Hanks Parkway, will be closed to through traffic for approximately four months beginning June 1 so it can be replaced. The bridge is expected to reopen in August. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in partnership with Hays County, is replacing the bridge as part of its Off-System Bridge Program. Barricades and signs will be placed that indicate an alternate route, and message boards have been placed to notify the public of the

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Trail improvements

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYS COUNTY

Detour map during the Onion Creek Bridge construction. closure. TxDOT is funding the $1.5 million project and overseeing its construction. Hays County previ-

Wimberley parks department awarded $273.9k grant

ously funded the design of improvements, as well as acquiring right-of-way and temporary construction easements.

STAFF REPORT

Family and friends mourn loss

The Dripping Springs community is mourning the loss of student Aidan Hendrickson, who died over Memorial Day weekend. Friends and family held a balloon release in honor of his life on June 6 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Photo courtesy of Kloe Miller.

WIMBERLEY — The City of Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department was recently awarded a $273,900 grant from the Recreational Trails Grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife that will complete the Regional Hike and Bike Trail Improvement Project in Blue Hole Regional Park. Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley is a 126-acre park offering recreational amenities including Wimberley's natural swimming area, sports fields, picnic areas and four miles of hiking trails, all open and free to the public year-round. The purpose of this project is to develop miles of trails throughout the Wimberley Valley connecting key points of interest including Blue Hole and other Wimberley parks, the downtown square, WISD, Jacobs Well, and more. The original construction of the trail failed to properly grade slopes greater than 4%. That, combined with decomposed granite laid on top of weed barrier cloth, causes severe washout during heavy rain events. A solution to this issue is crucial, so the department devised the improvement project, which includes renovation and resurfacing of the existing one mile of multi-use trail going through the park with an ADA accessible improved-surface trail. The section is roughly a third of a greater three-plus mile long hike and bike trail, with the other two-thirds of the trail owned by Hays County. One substantial benefit of the project

is to provide a sustainable trail with as minimal maintenance upkeep as possible, saving the city money on new trail material, as well as maintenance staff and volunteers’ countless hours of time that can be spent in other areas of the city’s park system. Environmental benefits are also to be noted. Decomposed granite is more susceptible to trail washout than other materials, and the granite that washes off this trail travels to places where it cannot be recollected like densely wooded areas, creek beds and other sensitive environmental areas. This project will greatly reduce the amount of sediment and unnatural material in the environment, as well as improve quality of experience for trail users. Completing this project will ensure that the trail stays ADA accessible and that users will be encountering a safe-totraverse trail. The trail is set to become an integral portion of the Wimberley Valley Trail Initiative. This project is a collaboration between the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek, Hays County, Wimberley Independent School District, the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, and many others. Volunteers are welcome and valuable partners in the success of the parks department. For more information about the park and to plan your trip, visit www. cityofwimberley.com/202/Blue-HoleRegional-Park or visit in person at 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, TX 78676.

PEC awards $100K in scholarships BY MEGAN WEHRING

The Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) awarded $100,000 total in scholarships to students and adults wishing to advance their education, including those residing in Hays County. Contributed photo.

OPINIONS – Page 4

HAYS COUNTY – The Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) awarded $100,000 total in scholarships to 39 students – nine of which are in Hays County. Additionally, two PEC members in Hays County seeking to advance their education as adults also received $2,500 awards. “It’s an incredibly rewarding feeling to be able to contribute to our communities through our scholarship program,” said Celeste Mikeska, PEC community outreach specialist. “We’re proud to be part of such an impactful cause, one that has the potential to positively shape gener-

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

ations of families and communities in the area.” Students may use their PEC scholarship funds to pay for expenses at any accredited university, college, junior college, technical school or trade school. Applicants submitted essays describing what personal characteristics they believe will make them successful in college. A panel of independent judges evaluated more than 430 applicants based on their academic performance, leadership, and financial need. Since beginning the program 22 years ago, PEC has provided more than $1.3 million in scholarships to area students. The Hays County

See PEC, page 10


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