JUNE 16, 2021 NEEDMORE GETS SAME
LESSEN THE LOAD
Districts settle lawsuit allowing ranch to continue pumping 289 million gallons of water annually.
ERCOT asks people to conserve electricity to cut down on rolling blackouts.
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News-Dispatch
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 41 • No. 37
Serving Hays County, TX
Several Juneteenth events scheduled around Hays County this weekend STAFF REPORT
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day the slaves in Texas were informed about the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln issued on Jan. 1,
1863. On June 19, 1865, 250,000 enslaved African Americans were given their freedom. This came two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States. Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth a significant holiday in the late 1970s
and a state holiday in 1980. It is now considered to be the longest-running African American holiday.
p.m. Saturday to enjoy live music, activities and food in an outdoor setting. The city hosted a community-wide car parade last year, to abide by COVID-19 regulations, while still providing a way PHOTO BY SAHAR CHMAIS to celebrate the holiday. Local teenagers participated in last year’s Juneteenth Parade
BUDA JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION Residents can meet at the Buda City Park Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2
last year in Buda’s Antioch Colony. The Antioch Colony was
JUNETEENTH EVENTS, 4 built by the hands of freed slaves in 1870.
Hispanic, Black residents have lowest vaccine rates
Texas Pie Co.
West Center Street
South Main Street
South Burleson Street
BY SAHAR CHMAIS
Miller Street ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF THE CITY OF KYLE
Kyle downtown square to get updated look
Local residents see the fencing around the downtown square and await changes around the historic old city hall. At this time, plans for the changes have been submitted to the Hays County Historical Commission and the city awaits approval. TF Harper construction company is in charge of the project and the city expects to break ground and construction will commence within a couple of weeks.
Boys in adoption system get new dormitory in Driftwood BY SAHAR CHMAIS
A new dormitory will become home to boys from all over Texas who are in the state adoption or foster system. The Burke Center for Youth, located in Driftwood, has been raising money for the past three years to open Founders Hall for these kids. The nonprofit was able to raise $3.1 million to build the new dormitory
where each boy gets his own bedroom. Burke Center for Youth’s goal is to make these boys feel like they have an actual
LWV FIRST
League of Women Voters elect first Black, Latina officers.
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home. In addition to providing shelter, the youth center will offer programs that help residents achieve skills, experience and expertise in various areas, while allowing them to experience childhood. A ribbon cutting will take place at 10:30 a.m. July 9. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new dorm, the woodshop and the pools.
After a pop-up vaccine clinic ended, a Latin woman in her 60s was cleaning the venue when she began to stare at the organizers, perplexed and curious about the vaccine. “I asked if she got a vaccine and she said no,” said Michelle Cohen, founder of Hays Latinos United. “I asked why not. She was afraid of getting sick. I told her yes, some people get a little sick, but it’s not severe. We talked for about 10 minutes, then I brought the pharmacist over to talk to her more about the vaccine. She finally decided to do it. But it takes that kind of conversation, even if it’s one person.” All Hays County residents ages 12 and up can get the vaccine, but not all residents feel that the level of access is the same across the county. Data shows that 27% of Black residents and 30% of Hispanic residents in Hays County have been vaccinated. This is in comparison to 44% of White residents and 59% of Asian residents being vaccinated. Whether it is due to lack of outreach, no room to take time off, the spread of misinformation, or inability to access vaccine sites, community leaders believe these numbers are too low. Most people who wanted to receive the vaccine rushed to get their shots; but recently the numbers of administered vaccines
The Black community started in the Black church. To me, if you’re going to make sure the information gets out, go to the core, which is the church.” –James Jacobs or Word of Life Christian Faith Center
is beginning to slow down. Hays County is seeing such a low turnout in attendance that county leaders decided to close some clinics. Not everyone agrees with closing sites, but instead say the county should open clinics in communities where Black and Hispanic people live, work or shop, Cohen said. Pastor James Jacobs of Word of Life Christian Faith Center agrees with this idea. “They have to go to the heart of the community,” Jacobs told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. “And most people miss that point. The Black community started in the Black church. To me, if you’re going to make sure the information gets out, go to the core, which is the church.” Jacobs said he believes the government is only
VACCINE RATES, 5
Private non profit schools could receive federal funds Dripping Springs ISD is in the planning stages for the submission of the 2021-22 Federal Funds Application. Private nonprofit (PNP) schools may be eligible for services through the programs included in the Federal Funding Application. PNP school administrators interested in partici-
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
pating in the Federal Funds Application process should contact Dr. Rhonda Whitman, Director of Student Services, by email for more information about the consultation meeting on Monday, June 21, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Board Room at the DSISD Administration Office.