Texas ranks low for working dads
Security upgrades sought by school districts
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Time Capsule to be opened in 2043
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 37
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢ Thursday, June 21, 2018
Food truck vendors get another RR 12 accident claims lives of victory in Dripping Springs BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
COURTESY PHOTO
The property on Hwy 290 on the same lot as Pig Pen BBQ was previously only allowed three vendors at that location. After the city council’s decision, seven vendors are now allowed.
Wimberley Valley cities go dark
A mobile food vendor court received approval to allow the operation of seven different food trucks on the property at 1005 West Highway 290 in Dripping Springs. The decision was a victory for mobile food vendors in a city which has historically not been easy with its regulations regarding the food trucks. At the June 12 Dripping Springs City Council meeting, council unani-
mously approved the addition of two more food trucks for the food court after months of deliberation. The property, which is owned by Bill Warren who operates Pig Pen BBQ on the same lot, was previously only allowed to contain up to three vendors, placing a financial burden on Warren. New revisions were added to the city’s code or ordinance in April, to
FOOD TRUCK COURT, 3
BY KATERINA BARTON The Wimberley Valley is the newest member of the exclusive club of only three Texas Dark Skies Communities. The area, which encompasses the cities of Woodcreek and Wimberley, was officially designated the third International Dark Sky Community in Texas on June 11 by the The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The designation was two years in the making, and efforts began in the summer of 2016 when the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee was formed. Committee Chair Shannon du Plessis worked with the two cities and the community to meet IDA standards for designation. “Light pollution is one of the easiest forms of pollution to correct because if you turn the lights off or shield the lights you can really get instant gratification there, so it’s pretty easy for people to support,” du Plessis said. The committee had to make sure both the city of Wimberley and Woodcreek had lighting ordinances compliant to IDA requirements, the cities made proclamations supporting the effort, updated municipal buildings to have compliant lighting, and hosted several educational presentations in
WIMBERLEY GOES DARK, 3
three residents STAFF REPORT
ing to a final stop. Ramirez’s vehicle, Three Wimberley reshowever, kept going in idents were pronounced the southbound lane, dead Sunday evening and hit another car occuafter a driver veered off pied by two Wimberley into oncoming traffic and residents, 40-year-old struck another vehicle on Angela Mary Masullo Ranch Road 12 near San and 44-year-old Daniel Marcos. Stuart Masullo head on. According to the Texas The Masullo’s vehicle was Department of Pubpushed up backwards on lic Safety, 22-year-old top of a guardrail, and Ramiro Ramirez was the vehicle Ramirez was traveling northbound driving came to a stop on Ranch Road 12 three and burst into flame. miles south of San MarThe Masullos and cos around 9 p.m. when Ramirez were both prohe swerved into the nounced dead at the southbound lane and scene, while Richter was struck an SUV being treated and released. Two driven by Elizabeth Kay additional passengers in Richter, a 63-year-old the Masullo’s SUV were New Braunfels resident. transported South Austin Richter’s vehicle then Medical Center, where spun and skidded along their conditions are unthe guardrail before com- known.
Woman dies in fatal motorcycle wreck near Dripping Springs BY KATERINA BARTON A female motorcyclist from Dayton, Texas, was the victim of a fatal motorcycle accident which took place June 8 on U.S. 290, one mile east of Dripping Springs. Driver Debra Lee Robinson, 59, was killed when a group of deer crossed the roadway in front of her motorcycle, according to a report from the Texas Highway Patrol. According to the re-
port, Robinson tried to avoid the deer but was unsuccessful and hit the deer, causing her to be thrown off her motorcycle. The motorcycle then collided with the guardrail on the north side of the roadway. She was driving a 2004 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. The driver died due to her injuries. She was pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m. by Judge Terry Kyle, Hays County Justice of the Peace pct. 4.
Aquifer district presents plan to harness EP BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WIMBERLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
San Marcos joins large cities to fight immigration bill BY EXSAR ARGUELLO On May 7, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 4, which disallowed cities to designate themselves as sanctuary cities, and forced the local entities to cooperate with immigration authorities. The controversial bill was revised to allow law enforcement officials to ask the immigration status of anyone who had been detained or arrested. Since the signing, counties around Texas have retaliated and a lawsuit against the bill is currently in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The city of San Marcos is
The forum’s main intent was to educate the public on how to protect immigrants and the limitations law enforcement has when asking for immigration status. one of the smallest cities joining the fight against SB4, with the likes of its big brothers of Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. On June 14, Hays County residents gathered in San Marcos for a public forum on SB4. Among the crowd were members of San Marcos City Council, the San Marcos Chief of Police
and immigration activists. Abbott has stated that SB4 does not allow racial profiling or improper detainment, but Hays County community members cry otherwise. Illegal persons in the United States have rights protected under the constitution. This in-
SENATE BILL 4, 6
Almost 200 Hays County residents crammed into the Wimberley Community Center Monday to hear the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District’s (BSEACD) recommendation on a 2.5 million gallon per day pumping permit by Electro Purification (EP). BSEACD general manager and staff recommended a plan for Electro Purification’s pumping permit, which originally called for 2.5 million gallons per day of water to be pumped from the Trinity Aquifer. The forum was hosted by BSEACD to discuss the staff’s recommendation to the board for the permit. The goal for the aquifer district was to inform the public about the permit and clear any misconceptions surrounding EP’s submitted application and the staff’s recommendation. EP, which originally submitted an application to pump nearly a billion gallons of water a year from the aquifer, was met with serious scrutiny from the scientific team at BSEACD, citing the proposed pumping
“It is our goal to avoid unreasonable impact to the aquifer. We don’t just issue permits: we scrutinize them. For this permit, we’ve spent months reviewing all of its implications.” –Vanessa Escobar, senior regulatory compliance coordinator for the BSEACD
would cause unreasonable impact on the aquifer and its surrounding wells. “It is our goal to avoid unreasonable impact to the aquifer,” said Vanessa Escobar, senior regulatory compliance coordinator for the BSEACD. “We don’t just issue permits:
EP PUMPING CONCERNS, 2
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Hundreds of Wimberley residents packed the city’s community center Monday night eagerly awaiting the BSEACD’s review of EP’s permit.
EP Pumping Concerns Continued from pg. 1
we scrutinize them. For this permit, we’ve spent months reviewing all of its implications.” The general manager’s proposed permit to the board includes a phased pumping plan that would allow EP to pump half a million gallons a day from the aquifer, two million gallons less than the company requested. “EP will not be allowed to move to Phase II (one million gallons a day) without the permission of the general manager,” Escobar said. “EP may request to move into additional phases, but that will come at the discretion of the district.” Escobar said the district does not anticipate seeing any unreasonable impact on the aquifer at Phase I, but admitted any issues could come from Phase II and beyond. Contrary to public opinion, the aquifer district cannot deny EP a permit. By law, groundwater in Texas is private, meaning the Houston company has a right to
pump on its leased land. Denying the company a permit could result in a legal battle. Currently, the district cannot scientifically predict the long-term effects of the pumping but will assess those concerns by monitoring drawdown and surrounding wells as pumping begins. Additionally, the district said EP will be financially responsible for any damages that may occur to citizens’ wells during the pumping. Residents in the surrounding area from EP’s wells may not receive protection from the water district. The company’s wells are located between Kyle and Wimberley and sit on the periphery of two water districts’ jurisdiction. Some citizens present at Monday night’s meeting have wells located in the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District’s jurisdiction but may be affected by EP’s pumping in the case of drawdown from the aquifer.
$42 local, $59 county, $62 out of state. 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.
Since the permit is through BSEACD, those located in the other district’s jurisdiction will not qualify for protection. The news was met with applause from the crowd, but many remain skeptical about whether the water district would be able to fight the corporation. The approval or denial of a permit is based on reasonable and unspeculative demand, Escobar said. The district asks for proof of demand based on the request from the applicant and what the water will be used for – domestic, commercial, public water supply or agricultural. “Our goal is to not allow for any wells to go down with the pumping,” said Bryan Smith, principal hydrogeologist for the BSEACD. “Our plan is to monitor the smaller amounts of pumping to see at what point before the 2.5 million (gallon pumpage) we will see an impact to the aquifer.”
The driver of the van fled the scene in the automobile San Marcos Police, fire and turned right onto the and EMS officials respond- turnaround underneath IH ed to an auto-pedestrian 35 at the San Marcos River. incident Friday, June 15 at The driver lost control of approximately 7:15 p.m. at the vehicle on the turnthe intersection of Riveraround, jumped another side at the west IH 35 accurb and struck a tree. cess road in San Marcos. The driver was helped Upon arrival, officers out of the vehicle and held found that a 48-year-old at the scene by witnesses. male, Tyrus Dennis Piano, He was subsequently taken 48, from Kyle had been into custody by San Marstruck by a 1998 Toyota cos police officers. van. EMS arrived and Piano was pronounced determined that the male dead by Justice of the was deceased. Peace JoAnne Prado. Witnesses reported that The driver of the van the van had jumped the was taken to Central Texas curb and struck the pedes- Medical Center where oftrian, who had been on the ficers took a blood sample sidewalk. A passenger in pursuant to a blood search the van fled on foot from warrant. He was booked the accident scene and was into the Hays County Jail taken into custody nearby on a charge of Intoxication by Texas State University Manslaughter and awaits Police officers. magistrate.
Handicapped parking violators will be ticketed STAFF REPORT After receiving numerous complaints from the public regarding individuals parking illegally in handicap parking spaces at our local businesses, Hays County Sheriff’s deputues will begin issuing tickets for these violations. Becauseof the illegal parking, many individuals in the area who have dis-
abilities are forced to find parking elsewhere in the parking lots. Information on where and how to apply for handicap plates or placards may be found at http://www. txdmv.gov. Residents who see parking violations can report them to the sheriff’s department at 512-878-6690. Violations can also be reported to constablepct2@co.hays.tx.us
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The Crow takes on movements
T
oday, I’d like to talk about movements. No, Bubba, not those kind of movements, although there are some similarities in the kinds I have in mind. I’m talking about certain movements against some social injustice. Most of them are essential in revealing morally wrong and possibly criminal activities of some corrupt individuals or crowds, but like other kinds of movements, there should be a beginning and a definite end. For example, the antiConfederacy movement aimed to improve racial equality. At first, it removed the Confederate flag from public settings. I didn’t have a big problem with that. Later on, school mascots and fight songs were banned. Then, like a faulty septic tank upon a hill, the movement spilled into the streets and city parks. Public schools and city streets
From the Crow’s Nest by Clint Younts
were renamed, and statues of Confederate heroes disappeared. This movement needs a dose of Imodium. Another movement that might need a dose of Pepto is the #MeToo movement. Now, don’t get me wrong. I stand firmly beside all these women who were harassed and abused, and I will gladly offer my skill in castration in fixing those evil men out in Hollywood, in college heath clinics, Olympic training facilities and elsewhere who prey on innocent women. The #MeToo movement is vital to root out these nasty villains, but someone needs to apply the brakes and slow down this locomotive. Just recently, the
Miss America Pageant announced it will no longer have the contestants parade around in swimsuits. To some, this was considered demeaning to women, so they tossed the bathing suits out the window. Next year, the contestants will have to dress ladylike and display their talents to the mostly female viewers who couldn’t find anything better to watch on Netflix. Look, the Miss America Pageant has always been a beauty pageant and not a talent show. Back when I watched the show, before the invention of satellite dishes and cable boxes, I recall very few of those beauties would’ve ever made it on stage as a singer. Some vocal performances sounded like an intact tomcat misjudged the height of the picket fence in the backyard. And plucking on a ukulele or shaking some maracas just didn’t give me goose bumps.
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Hey, if women find the pageant demeaning, by all means let’s stop doing it. But don’t stop with just one show. There are the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants to consider, too. Pass out some robes to all those beautiful women who object to being ogled by millions of viewers. Now, if the driver of the #MeToo movement doesn’t start tapping the brakes, I foresee other changes to our struggling society. I seem to recollect that Playboy magazine stopped publishing nude pictures back in 2017, but returned to having nekkid girls this year after a drop in sales. Go figure. But with the #MeToo movement on a nationwide tour, I expect in the near future, some young fella being very disappointed when he unfolds the centerfold and sees the Playmate of the Month wearing bib overalls and a flannel shirt.
I foresee 2019 calendars in the office of auto mechanics will have some gal in greasy coveralls showing off her big lug wrench. I expect to see lots of drunk patrons leaving strip joints with their pockets still stuffed with $1 bills. Who wants to watch a gal dance around a pole wearing a complete fireman’s suit? I understand the #MeToo movement is no laughing matter, and what it has achieved so far is very important to not just the women in this country but to the few decent men among us. It seems like there are way too many men in the public eye who are nothing but snakes in the grass. I might joke about the movement, but I have no tolerance of nasty snakes. All I ask is when you are in my neighborhood, please tap those brakes and slow down a little. crowsnest78610@gmail.com
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Food Truck Court
Texas ranks low for working dads
Continued from pg. 1
allow mobile food courts. The ordinance calls for a conditional use permit (CUP) for mobile food vendors who operate in a location for more than 10 days. “The process has been challenging at best,” Warren said in a previous interview with the News-Dispatch. “I’m doing this all out of my own pocket with minimal debt to my name and it’s been difficult to get a business started in the city.” The property’s location posed a challenge for the business. Warren originally wanted nine food vendors on the property, but with less than an acre in which to operate, the city had concerns with the proposal. “We were looking at parking and safety and we made sure emergency vehicles could enter and exit the property as needed,” said Anjali Naini, city planner for the city of Dripping Springs. “Part of our revisions to the code include a requirement of three parking spaces for each food trailer.” Warren was proactive with the city, adding more parking spaces than the city required, playing a hand in staff’s recommendation for approval. Because a CUP is required for mobile food vendors, the city can request changes as needed, Naini said. The previous code did not have legislative rules regulating mobile food courts, which limited the city’s authority and regulatory process. Despite the long journey to get to this
In order to help dads balance their dual role as parent and provider, WalletHub compared the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia across 20 key indicators of friendliness toward working dads. The data set ranges from average length of work day for males to child-care costs to share of men in good or better health.
BY KATERINA BARTON In keeping with Father’s Day this past weekend, many of us probably showed thanks to the many hard-working dads out there. In fact, a WalletHub report said that nearly 93 percent of dads with young kids are working today. The diligent father figures try their best to balance both their careers and family life, but in Texas, dads may not have as good economic opportunities and quality of life as other states. According to the personal-finance website’s report, “2018’s Best & Worst States for Working Dads,” Texas ranks in the bottom 15 out of 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. WalletHub looked at 20 key indicators of friendliness toward working dads. Some of the areas where Texas ranked low were in the male health category. Texas ranked last in highest male uninsured rate at 51st, 32nd for physically active men, and 33rd for male life expectancy. Additionally, the average work day in hours seems to be longer in Texas as it tied for last place at 46th with Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota and Louisiana. Texas also ranked 46th for kids living in poverty (with a dad present).
LIFE AS A WORKING DAD IN TEXAS (1=BEST; 25=AVG.): 33rd – Male Life Expectancy 46th – % of Kids Younger than 18 with Dad Present Living in Poverty 1st – Unemployment Rate for Dads with Kids Younger than 18 51st – Male Uninsured Rate 46th – Avg. Length of Work Day (in Hours) for Males 32nd – % of Physically Active Men 8th – Child-Care Costs (Adjusted for Median Family* Income) 3rd – Day-Care Quality
*Refers to families with kids aged 0 to 17 and in which the father is present
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-working-dads/13458/
As a co-owner of a small family business, Mel Woods of Thatcher, a natural home goods store in Buda, said she and her husband, Jordan, are constantly trying to balance home and work life. Mel said when her husband started a new job he made sure to be honest up front and set boundaries
for his work life. He told his new employer that he has three kids and flexibility was one of the most important things to him so that he can be available for his family. “A lot of times it’s about working to change the culture, saying, ‘I’m going to leave at five and turn my phone off, and after 5 it’s
After 42 years of public service, Chief Appraiser David Valle of the Hays Central Appraisal District (CAD) will be retiring effective at the end of July. Valle sent in his letter of retirement to the board of directors on May 17. The board appointed Deputy Chief Appraiser Laura Raven as the interim chief appraiser at its June 11 meetings. Raven will take over on Aug. 1. Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway said that Raven seemed like a good fit for the temporary position
in order to keep the day to day operations of the Hays CAD running. “She’s been there for many years and has been David’s (Valle) right hand for many years,” Caraway said. Raven has been working at the Hays CAD for almost 24 years and has been the deputy chief for the last five years. Caraway said the board of directors will start advertising to permanently fill the chief appraiser position soon via notices posted within appraiser trade associations such as the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts. The board will start interviewing for the position
around the beginning of September. Compensation for the position will be set by the board of directors when the budget is adopted in budget workshops in September. Caraway says so far the board has only discussed a possible range. Some requirements to be a chief appraiser, according to Raven, include obtaining a professional designation as a Registered Professional Appraiser (RPA) from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), have five years experience with property tax, and complete the chief appraiser training
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point, the new ordinance changes and Warren’s persistence marked a victory for mobile food vendors. With the ability to operate up to seven vendors, Warren could bring in additional businesses, which is financially beneficial for Warren, while giving Dripping Springs residents new dining options. Naini said the site development plan met all the city’s requirements and this development will make mobile food vendors’ operation in the city clear and easy to regulate. “I want as many trucks as the city will allow me to have that comply with the ordinances,” Warren said. “The goal is to provide an environment where people can come and hang out, eat and support small businesses and I want the city to see that too.”
Continued from pg. 1
family time.’ And trying not to let those boundaries cross,” Woods said. Although she lamented that with, owning a family business, sometimes those lines do cross, but she says the intention of setting the boundaries is important. Jay Heinrich, Chairman of the Board of the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce and the Youth and Family Program Director at the Hays Communities YMCA, thinks it is important to find personal time. Therefor he wakes up early to make time for himself before the day starts. “I love being a dad and I love doing what I do, but it’s a lot of balancing,” Heinrich said.
Chief Appraiser for Hays CAD retires BY KATERINA BARTON
–Anjali Naini, city planner for the city of Dripping Springs
Wimberley Goes Dark
For the full report, please visit:
The average work day in hours seems to be longer in Texas as it tied for last place at 46th with Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Louisiana.
“We were looking at parking and safety and we made sure emergency vehicles could enter and exit the property as needed. Part of our revisions to the code include a requirement of three parking spaces for each food trailer.”
program set by the Texas Occupations Code. Raven said she has all of the qualifications and requirements for the chief appraiser position and she very well might apply once the job is posted. Valle worked for the Hays CAD for 33 years and previously worked for Hays County and the San Marcos School District doing appraisal work. “It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with Hays CAD all of these years,” Valle said. After retiring, Valle will spend time with family, travel, and pursue other interests.
the community. The committee also has to measure the darkness of the night sky with a dark-sky meter and send IDA a yearly report in order to stay a darksky community. Du Plessis says having darker skies in the community will benefit the wildlife in the area and also tourism for the Wimberley Valley. She calls it “astro-tourism.” “The main thing it’s going to do for us is tourism. Eighty percent of people in the world will never see the Milky Way because it just doesn’t get dark enough where they live,” du Plessis said. “So we want to let people know that in the Wimberley Valley, if you want to see the Milky Way and the planets and the stars and enjoy a truly dark night sky, that’s what we can offer.” The Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Moreman said that astro-tourism is a growing interest for people who want bring their telescopes to destinations where they can see stars in the night sky. Moreman expects tourism over the summer to increase, especially in visitors who want to spend the night to see the dark skies. “I think this is a designation that brings attention to Wimberley from all over the world,” Moreman said. Moving forward the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee plans to continue hosting educa-
“The main thing it’s going to do for us is tourism. Eighty percent of people in the world will never see the Milky Way because it just doesn’t get dark enough where they live.” –Shannon du Plessis, chairman of the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee
tional presentations and star gazing parties. “We have the designation, but our work doesn’t stop. We need to keep the designation,” du Plessis said. Buda’s sustainability commission has also been looking into making the city a dark-sky community. Fredericksburg has recently been looking into the designation as well. Currently the cities of Horseshoe Bay and Dripping Springs are the only other cities in Texas that are designated Dark Skies Communities. “We’re excited to be in third place, instead of fourth or fifth place. But we’re also very excited that Buda and Fredericksburg are doing this. There’s a whole lot of dark-sky related activities going on in the Texas Hill Country, and that’s just really exciting,” du Plessis said.
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, June 21, 2018
NEWS FROM ABROAD
School security upgrades sought by local districts BY MOSES LEOS III
“We’ve been involved in (the plan) from the beginning. We are hopefully a leader in the state in helping other school districts in understanding how to implement these protocols.”
standing how to implement these protocols.” Hays CISD and Dripping The Santa Fe High Springs ISD administrators shooting, along with breathed a large sigh of the Feb. 14 shooting at relief when they officially Stoneman Douglas High in graduated the 2018 senior Florida, is pushing both loclass last week. cal school districts to enact Part of that stemmed more stringent safety meafrom the normal rigors of sures starting next school working in public educayear. tion. Tim Savoy, Hays CISD Wright said the district –Bruce Gearing, Dripping Springs ISD superintendent public information officer, is “working out quotes” to said the relief of avoiding a place new security meaplan involves school disintendent, said that, like mass-casualty incident is sures in schools that don’t tricts and law enforcement other districts in the county, already have them. That part of a new reality. Dripping Springs regularly Following a pair of tragic officials working more includes installation of a school shootings in the last closely together. One aspect conducts drills associated buzzer system within the with the county’s response six months, administrators is increasing the number front office of some camPHOTO BY TOM GAGNIER of officers and armed mar- plan. Gearing said DSISD in both districts seek to puses, along with changing shals on campuses. Abbott’s has a strong relationship beef up security to keep of locks. Hays CISD is also plan also seeks to improve with emergency services in contemplating the instalstudents safe. It’s part of Seaman Apprentice Ethan Desilva of Dripping Springs mental and behavioral the area. new statewide initiative, lation of video systems, currently serves with base security at Naval Station health programs at schools, “We’ve been involved in which will relay a live-feed anchored by a 40-point Norfolk, the largest Navy base in the world. Desilva has as well as increase social (the plan) from the beginplan from Texas Gov. Greg to the front office of camserved in the Navy for less than a year and works as a media screening for possining,” Gearing said. “We Abbott, aiming to prevent puses. master-at-arms that is responsible for security operaare hopefully a leader in the occurrence of incidents ble threats. Other physical measures tions. “The Navy has taught me attention to detail,” said Desilva. “It helps with everyone in life if you pay attention Wright said Abbott refer- the state in helping other such as the Santa Fe High to the details.” enced Hays County’s Emer- school districts in undermass shooting. SECURITY UPGRADES, 6 “I applaud the Governor gency Response Protocol, which has been in place to come up with an action plan that’s not targeting one since 2013. Savoy said prior to implementation thing, because there are so of the plan, each district in many variables involved Hays County used differhere,” said Eric Wright, Hays CISD superintendent. ent terminology and did not have a uniform system. “They’re proactive and Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today. With the plan, emerreactive and we are all in it gency officials from across together.” the county can provide asAbbott’s plan, unveiled sistance in the event of an at the end of May, involves emergency, Savoy said. several possible measures, 8:45 AM Sunday Morning “A need was identified including closing loopholes 11:00 AM Sunday Worship to have uniform and comin existing gun laws, ac5:45 PM Wednesday Meal Rev. Charlie mon language among Mass Schedule cording to a Texas Tribune 6:30 PM Wed TouchPoint Garza, pastor school districts and law report. Abbott seeks to Saturday: 5 p.m. Located at the enforcement,” Savoy said. report felony convictions, Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m. SCBC Preschool corner of RR 12 “You want them to be on mental health adjudica& Post Oak in Spanish Mass Children Ministries tions and protective orders the same page and speakDripping Springs Sunday: 1:30 p.m. Youth Ministries www.sunsetcanyonchurch.org ing the same language.” against people within 48 Family Ministries (512) 894-0480 4000 E. HWY 290 Bruce Gearing, Driphours instead of 30 days. 512-858-5667 www.stmartindp.org ping Springs ISD superAdditionally, Abbott’s
Desilva on duty
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Page 5
Employment
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Best sugar water in town BY JERRY HALL
concentrations. This presence of sugar My resident humming- is the reason some folks bird looks to be a female have problems with bees ruby-throat. She does not and ants at their humhave a ruby throat, howmingbird feeders. However, and is a rather drab ever, if you use feeders light green, with touches with built-in bee guards, of white on her head. and if you coat your She readily drinks from hanging wire with cookthe sugar water feeder on ing oil, you can generally my back deck and I hope avoid this problem. she supplements this By the way, hummers with nectar from flowers have very little sense of blooming around my smell and as a rule, the place. flowers they visit have My sugar water is prelittle fragrance. On the pared on a ratio of four other hand, they can parts water to one part distinguish colors and cane sugar. In the wild, have learned to favor the flowers produce nectar colors red, orange and that varies from twelve pink as sources of good percent to almost fifty nectar. percent sugar. InterestIf you plant flowers ingly, hummingbirds pre- in these colors, you’ll fer the more dilute nectar increase the odds of while bees and other hummingbirds visiting insects like the stronger your abode.
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NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.
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ELECTRICITY
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
See solution, page 4
Providing you with news for Dripping Springs, Wimberley and surrounding communities
Page 6
News-Dispatch
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Security Upgrades Continued from pg. 4
COURTESY PHOTO
Dripping Springs Boy Scouts who helped Luke Medina (back row, third from right) work on the time capsule for DSISD as part of his Eagle Project include (front row from left) Brandon Peters, Bry Peters, and (back row from left) Will Gretzinger, Ethan Bone, Cole Nobles, Medina, Jake Nobles and Hudson Nobles. The time capsule will be on display on the Dripping Springs Elementary School campus and is scheduled to be opened in 25 year.
Dripping Springs students prepare time capsule, to be opened in 2043 BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
With the May installation of a pair of time capsules to be opened in 25 years, Dripping Springs ISD officials hope to have their students consider their own place in history. The capsules are the brainchild of ninth-grader Luke Medina, who, at the time, was a student in the eighth grade at Dripping Springs Middle School. Medina used the project as a means of completing the requirements to become an Eagle Scout. The idea came to him when he read a book in which a character created a time capsule; Medina decided to do one as well. He reached out to the school’s principal, Dan Diehl, who thought it was a great idea. While the traditional time capsule calls for the container to be buried until it is unearthed, the construction of the new middle school allowed for a unique approach
“What’s unique about our time capsule is that it’s not in a hidden location somewhere on campus. It’s out in the open, kids will pass by it every day on their way to the cafeteria and have it on their minds.”
and photos of the school’s construction, along with a staff t-shirt and Jenga blocks with teachers’ signatures written on the sides. It was important to Medina that the time capsule include something that represented the current students, he said. –Dan Diehl, Dripping Springs Middle School principal After taking several weeks to weigh options, he dethat Diehl hopes will just the reminder that cided to ask students to make the capsule more they exist could be a write a one-page essay meaningful for students. powerful reminder for on what the world would The time capsule will be students about how they look like in 25 years kept behind a glass pane fit into the world. when the capsule is to be in front of a mural in a “I think it gets their opened. Also included are central part of the buildheads around what’s student essays on topics ing. An additional time happening in the current such as what is popular capsule will be located on times, and helps them in the current culture, the Dripping Springs Ele- recognize their place in what music they listen mentary School campus. history,” Diehl said. Mid- to, the clothes they wear “What’s unique about dle school kids, ages 11and what the students our time capsule is that 14, typically don’t think think of the presidential it’s not in a hidden locabeyond the day or week administration. tion somewhere on cam- in front of them. For them “Objects are nice and pus,” he said. “It’s out in to see themselves as a all, however, if you have the open, kids will pass by bigger piece in history is a multiple opinions of it every day on their way pretty big thing for them what the world looked to the cafeteria and have to conceive.” like 25 years ago, (having it on their minds.” Inside the capsules, the writing) helps sort of Diehl said that, while Medina and the students build (future students’) the time capsules won’t placed recent newspaideas of what the world be opened for 25 years, pers, current yearbooks looked like,” Medina said.
include the possible installation of non-breakable window film on some campuses, as well as the possible hiring of 16 school resource officers (SROs) for all district elementary schools. The latter proposal could require Hays CISD to hold an election to raise its maintenance and operations tax rate beyond the state maximum of $1.04 per $100 valuation. Improving mental health of students and staff is also a point of focus for Hays CISD. Wright said one aspect is beefing up social and emotional learning and outreach for students and staff, along with revamping the Hays Hopeline to include anonymous reporting of threats. The district is currently employing tactics to screen and monitor social media traffic for any possible threats. Wright said the district will also focus on making sure all students in the district take part in extracurricular activities. Savoy said most school shooting suspects may not be just bullied, but may feel invisible or undervalued. “There are so many opportunities to have students connected to the group,” Savoy said. “We’re going to hit 20,000 students by next school year. We don’t want them to feel lost.” Gearing said Dripping Springs ISD has placed a strong focus on social and emotional learning over the past year. The district hired a third party consultant to recommend paths for the process. Gearing said the end goal is creating a personalized learning plan for students and ensure who they are on an individual basis. This goes along with the possible hire
cludes due process, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, fair treatment against discrimination and unlawful searches and seizures. The forum’s main intent was to educate the public on how to protect immigrants and the limitations law enforcement has when asking for immigration status. “We need to let people understand that they have rights when they are in contact with law enforcement,” said Priscila Martinez, Texas immigration coalition coordinator at the Workers Defense Action Fund. “Everyone in this country has the right to be represented in court regardless of citizenship status, and a lot of immigrants do not know that. You can plead the 5th and wait for legal support. It is your right.” Since Senate Bill 4 is currently in limbo in the court process, there are limitations to what law enforcement and public officials can and cannot do. Currently, law enforcement cannot prolong a stop on the suspicion of immigration status. However, local law enforcement is forced to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the entities’ investigations. Local politicians cannot draft legislation against the workings of SB4, but they are allowed to vocalize their support or dissent of the law. “ICE has asked people to sign consent forms and more often times than not, detainees sign their own deportation papers
“We need to let people understand that they have rights when they are in contact with law enforcement. Everyone in this country has the right to be represented in court regardless of citizenship status, and a lot of immigrants do not know that. You can plead the 5th and wait for legal support. It is your right.” –Priscila Martinez, Texas immigration coalition coordinator at the Workers Defense Action Fund
through pressure,” Martinez said. “But these people still have rights. Due process. Remember, local and county police cannot enforce immigration policy.” The fear ICE has instilled in communities with both citizens and non-citizens was a factor in the number of people attending the public forum. Mary Gilmore, a resident of Wimberley, attended the meeting to give some insight. In her community, illegal immigrants are scared to leave their homes. In one instance, an officer gave a traffic ticket to an illegal immigrant in Wimberley. This particular individual was scared to pay the ticket, despite that no form of identification is required to pay for small offenses. “Our communities are in survival mode and people aren’t leaving their homes,” Gilmore said. “But we need to educate. These people are so scared to run into law enforcement they don’t even realize that simple citations will not get them in trouble.” However, Chase Stapp, San Marcos chief of police, said remaining silent can have limitations. If a person truly does not
answer any of an officer’s questions, that individual could be susceptible to an arrest. Stapp advised residents to identify themselves and cooperate with law enforcement. If a citation is issued, pay the ticket at the court house. Failing to pay a citation could mean the issuing of a warrant for an arrest, which would have a snowball effect on the individual’s legal sta-
tus. If ICE asks for information from the sheriff’s office, law enforcement must comply. The meeting, despite its fearful tone, was informative for the citizens of Hays County, clearing up questions on how ICE and law enforcement operate with migrants. “It’s sad when you have to have a meeting with legal citizens who are scared of what’s been go-
–Tim Savoy, Hays CISD public information officer
of more SROs, as well as other security improvement measures to be made over the summer. “We want to make sure faculty and students are doing well,” Gearing said. Paying for it all, however, remains a big question mark for all districts. Wright said Hays CISD is waiting to see if state funding could be allocated for security improvements, or if there is the possibility of competitive grants. But Gearing said the idiom of “it takes a village to raise a child” is true in today’s society. Communication, as well as safety at home, are critical aspects for the future. “It takes parents working in tandem with us with their children to make sure we’re not missing something,” Gearing said.
Four Fun Filled Days of
MELON MANIA!!! 65th Annual
Senate Bill 4: Locals protest bill Continued from pg. 1
“There are so many opportunities to have students connected to the group. We’re going to hit 20,000 students by next school year. We don’t want them to feel lost.”
JUNE 21-24, 2018 DOWNTOWN LULING, TX
Carnival • Exhibitors’ Market • Parade Food • Beer Garden • Music • Melon Eating Melon Auction • Coronation • Car Show Children’s Entertainment and . . .
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEED SPITTING!!!
Concerts on the Main Stage Thurs. - TEXAS UNLIMITED BAND Fri. - JAY PEREZ & DAVID LEE GARZA Sat. - DALTON DOMINO, PARKER
McCOLLUM & THE MAVERICKS Sun. HOT ATTACKS & NATHAN COLE YOUNG
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Celebrate our 80th birthday at the
PEC Annual Meeting June 23 9–10:30 a.m. Door prize registration 10:30 a.m. Business meeting begins 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Family-friendly activities Smithson Valley High School 14001 Texas 46 Spring Branch, Texas Learn more at pec.coop/annual-meeting.
Join us for family fun, food and activities, plus board election results and the chance to win fabulous door prizes!
Cub Cadet zero-turn riding mower
Home theater system
iPad Pros
$150 bill credits