Tiger alum hits Olympic trials
‘Chasing Grace’ in Dripping Springs
WISD prepares for 2016-17
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVI No. 37
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Onion Man charged with father’s murder Soup? BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Dripping Springs wastewater discharge permit draws fire
A Wimberley man has been charged with murder after Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered he had allegedly shot his father at their residence with a shotgun. Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Jacob Chris-
topher Krueger, 29, of Wimberley, who is currently being held in the Hays County Jail on a charge of murder, which is a first degree felony. According to a Hays County press release, deputies were dispatched to Brookmeadow Drive in Wimberley late Tuesday for a “verbal disturbance in progress” call. When deputies arrived, they
were told by a female homeowner that her husband, later identified as Steve Krueger, 60, and her son were arguing near the rear of the residence. Deputies found a man lying on the ground, unresponsive. A man, Krueger, was found sitting in a chair with a shotgun in his hand.
MURDER, 9
KRUEGER
KRUEGER
BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Emotions ran high at the last Dripping Springs City Council meeting as concerned residents voiced opposition to a permit that could allow the city to discharge treated effluent into a tributary of Onion Creek. But Dripping Springs mayor Todd Purcell said the city is looking at alternative options to stave off the need to discharge treated effluent into Walnut Springs.
WASTEWATER, 10
Sky Cinemas will join the rapidly developing Belterra cevelopment in Dripping Springs. (courtesy rendering)
Locals protest home values
Movie theater to anchor Belterra development
BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM News-Dispatch Reporter
Hays County appraisals were sent to residents earlier this month and one resident is using his knowledge to help others file their protests before the July 6 deadline. Bill Loeb, who was previously an Austin resident, has moved himself and his real estate company to Dripping Springs. Aside from being a realtor, Loeb’s second “job” is helping residents protest their property appraisals. Loeb said he refuses to take a profit from it, as the job is his way of giving back to his community. Loeb said he’s been helping others file appeals for at least seven years, previously helping Travis County residents and now
APPRAISALS, 4
BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Dripping Springs movie aficionados won’t have to travel far for their film fix as a 14-screen movie theater is being planned as an anchor tenant in a 90-acre
mixed-use development near Belterra. Crescent Communities, in partnership with the Endeavor Real Estate Group, announced in a press release the plans for Sky Cinemas, to be located in the Belterra Village shopping center along Highway 290 near Nutty
Brown Road. Pam Owens, director of tourism in Dripping Springs, said the city has “long since needed” entertainment options that keeps residents in “our local area and keeps people from going into Austin.” Owens said the movie theater
Council keeps focus on ordinance intent, approves lighting variances BY KYLE MORA
News-Dispatch Reporter
After consideration by the City of Dripping Springs Board of Adjustment, the Dollar General located at 2400 W. Highway 290 will be allowed to retain a current sign that does not conform with the city’s Dark Skies ordinance, but only under stipulated conditions. Dollar General submitted four variance requests at the June 14 city council meeting relating to lighting and signage. Of the four requests, only the request to install a pole sign, which is prohibited by city ordinance, was denied. However, the store was granted permission to allow its current illuminated sign to remain. Currently, the sign’s signature shade of yellow is in violation of the ordinance that restricts illuminated signs to be no more than one-third yellow, beige, white, or light in color. However, according to city administrator Michelle Fischer, this particular case was considered both on the basis of “semantics” and “intent.” “The intent of the Dark Skies
would keep dollars going “in our direction.” “It’s going to be a boon to our community,” Owens said. “You’ll also have people coming over here from Johnson City or Wimberley, from the west and
BELTERRA, 4
LAGNIAPPE Back in the Saddle Cinema
Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m., Dripping Springs Ranch Park will present Back in the Saddle Cinema with a free showing of the classic family feature Old Yeller. Bring a blanket or chairs and enjoy snacks and drinks from the concession stand. Moviegoers can also arrive early at 5 p.m. for pony rides and tours of the parkland. For more info, please call City Hall at 512-858-4725.
PHOTO BY KYLA MORA
The Dollar General outside Dripping Springs will lose its current pole sign but keep its current illuminated signs after council approved a variance June 14.
ordinance is to not have really light-colored signs, or neon signs, where a lot of light comes through that panel and creates a lot of glow or light pollution,” Fischer said. After city lighting consultant Cindy Luongo Cassidy inspected the signs, Fischer advised city council that while the sign
is more than one-third yellow, “when illuminated it is really a dark golden yellow tone, so it complies with the intent of the ordinance.” While Dollar General’s request to replace its existing damaged pole sign with an-
DARK SKIES, 4
WAG 7 year anniversary
On Saturday, June 25, celebrate seven years of WAG. This all-volunteer organization has adopted out 730 animals to date. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Treasures on twelve in Wimberley will host an adoption day and foster fair, as well as a community celebration.
LAGNIAPPE, 2
Page 2
News-Dispatch
Opinion
NewsDispatch PHONE: (512)-268-7862 FAX: 512-268-0262 PUBLISHER Cyndy Slovak-Barton csb@haysfreepress.com EDITOR Moses Leos III moses@haysfreepress.com REPORTERS Samantha Smith Bailey Buckingham Kyla Mora
news@haysfreepress.com PRODUCTION David White Christine Thorpe ADVERTISING/MARKETING Tracy Mack tracy@haysfreepress.com Pam Patino ads@haysnewsdispatch.com Jim Darby ads@haysfreepress.com Paula Pulley dallaspaula@yahoo.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Wayland Clark Paula Pulley PROOFREADER Jane Kirkham CIRCULATION MANAGER/ LEGAL NOTICES Suzanne Hallam 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: $32 local, $45 county, $56 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid at Driftwood, TX. Email paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to NewsDispatch, 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.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Sheriff ’s Report
Does Trump U offer journalism degrees?
I
’m a bit confused From the about that college that Donald Trump built. Crow’s They call it Trump University, but I’m not too Nest sure where its campus is by Clint situated. I am somewhat Younts a fanatic when it comes to college athletics. Well, Burly Bricklayers. Marat least football and shall has the Thundering March Madness basketHerd. Trump U could ball. And I have a good have the Toxic Cloud knowledge where most as its team nickname. campuses are located, at ’Bama is the Crimson least which state they’re Tide, so Trump Univerin. But it seems Trump U sity could be the Orange flitters around the counOrator. How about the try like a band of gypBlabbering Buffoons with sies. At one time Trump the mascot dressed in an University showed up in expensive business suit Texas, probably hoping and having to join the an overinBig 12, but flated head With Trump’s we can only beneath a have one tacky red infatuation TU ’round gimme cap? these parts. over big Whatever So Dean the team is Donald and walls, I called, I bet his school all the playwonder if got the boot ers will argue from the his school’s with the refLone Star erees and be State. athletes are poor sports. Just how I foresee lots big is this the Mighty of unsportshere Trump manlike University? Masons, conduct and And does it several taror perhaps have a footgeting calls ball team? in the footthe Burly Last fall, I ball games, watched a Bricklayers. and I predict lot of small the entire TU schools basketball play ball since certain squad will foul out of the Texas college teams game before halftime. sucked worse than a Heck, the trainer will turbo-charged Hoover probably get a couple of vacuum. Not once did I technical fouls before the see Trump U play Louisigame is over. I wouldn’t ana Tech or Appalachian be surprised one bit to State. What conference see the NCAA investiis Trump U in? Definitegate Trump U for some ly not the Big 12 or the recruiting violation or Southland Conference. other infraction. They play too close to Just what would Mexico for Trump to your typical student attend a game. athlete study at Trump And if Trump U does University? Oh, I’m have athletics, what is its mascot? With Trump’s in- sure there are business classes, but I doubt they fatuation over big walls, offer Political Science or I wonder if his school’s Ethics. Journalism isn’t athletes are the Mighty offered, but I hear there’s Masons, or perhaps the
a class on fiction writing, and I am unclear if TU even has Liberal Arts. I bet there is a school of engineering with an emphasis on wall construction. Freshman courses would include Racism 101 and Tax Evasion. And for those non-athletes, they will be encouraged to join the debate club and learn the fine art of dodging the questions and skirting the issue. For all you recent high school graduates, I will start searching for more information on this fine school of higher learning, like the tuition and acceptance requirements. I doubt Trump would care much about your SAT score, but if you are of Mexican decent, a Muslim, or an opinionated female, then I would recommend looking at a different school. You know, no matter what you want to study, I’d steer clear of Trump University, unless you want a career in the circus. Then this clown’s college is the place for you. Clint Younts went to the University of Tennessee and then hit the trail to Texas. He hasn’t left since, so he probably won’t be going to graduate school at Trump U. crowsnest78610@yahoo. com
DRIFTWOOD
Criminal Trespass - 5:30 p.m. - Camp Ben Mcculloch June 14 Theft - 12:21 p.m. - 8XX Covered Bridge Dr - June 14 Burglary/Building - 9:05 a.m. - 1XX Pistachio Cv - June 16 Racing - 8:04 p.m. - Belterra Dr at Estes Dr - June 16 Intoxicated/Person - 4:28 a.m. - Camp Ben Mcculloch - June 18
DRIPPING SPRINGS
Assault/By Threat - 1:06 p.m. - 2XX Summit Dr - June 14 Fraud - 4:47 p.m. - 2XX Windy Hills Rd - June 14 Theft - 8:22 p.m. - 20XX Lost Valley Rd - June 14 Unlawful Carrying Weapons - 5:13 p.m. - Dripping Springs Substation - June 14 Burglary/Habitation - 8:20 a.m. - Dripping Springs Substation - June 15 Theft - 7:37 a.m. - 3XX Old Fitzhugh Rd - June 15 Accident/Major - 1:41 p.m. - Hwy 290 at HEB - June 16 Assault - 6:58 p.m. - 5XX Broken Lance Dr - June 16 Burglary/Habitation - 8:39 a.m. - 1XX Watersview Ct June 16 Burglary/Vehicle - 11:57 a.m. - 12XX Texas Longhorn Trl - June 16 Fraud - 11:02 a.m. - 110XX Bonham Ranch Rd - June 16 Burglary/Building - 4:39 p.m. - Texas Lone Star Design - June 17 Robbery - 6:13 p.m. - Home Depot of Dripping Springs - June 17 Accident/Major - 12:30 p.m. - Trautwein Rd S of Fitzhugh Rd - June 18 Assault/Family Violence - 6:21 p.m. - 105XX Piasano Trl - June 19 Doc/Fighting - 9:22 p.m. - 2XX Timberline Dr - June 19 Credit/Debit Card Abuse - 10:21 a.m. - Dripping Springs Substation - June 20 Theft - 11:48 a.m. - 3XX Judy Dr - June 20 Theft/Identity - 5:19 p.m. - 133XX Evergreen Way - June 20
WIMBERLEY
Accident/Major/Hit & Run - 6:06 a.m. - 87XX Rr 12 June 14 Criminal Trespass - 7:32 a.m. - 2XX Campfire Way June 14 Fraud - 12:47 p.m. - 2XX Ranch House Rd - June 14 Narcotics - 9:35 a.m. - 1XX Donna Dr - June 14 Theft - 12:55 p.m. - 4XX Frio Ln - June 14 Theft - 3:36 p.m. - Ace Hardware - June 15 Burglary/Vehicle - 10:51 a.m. - XX Indian Princess Ln June 16 Criminal Trespass - 10:52 p.m. - XX Indian Princess June 16 Assault/Aggravated/Deadly Weapon - 11:06 p.m. Wimberley Ems Station - June 18
Destination Education Renovation
Lagniappe
Continued from pg. 1 Meet your new furry friend and learn about the foster program while enjoying hot dogs, drinks available and cake.
St. Mary’s Summerfest
St. Mary Catholic Church’s Summerfest will be held on Saturday, June 25 at the Wimberley Community Center from
11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature a dozen food and beverage outlets and children’s games and activities, live music, live and silent auctions and more. Admission is free. Do you have a nonprofit organization promoting a community event you’d like publicized? Email christine@haysfreepress. com to be included in Lagniappe.
as low as
Dripping Springs Branch 1040 Rob Shelton Blvd. (Across from H-E-B)
Apply Today — rbfcu.org
512- 833-3300 | 1- 800 -580 -3300 Loans subject to credit approval. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. The specific rate will depend on your credit rating and term. Home Equity Loans are available only on property in Texas. As a safeguard, a 12-day cooling-off period is required by Texas law before Home Equity Loans may be closed. There is also a three-day right of rescission after closing before the funds may be disbursed. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. Borrower will be responsible for certain closing costs, if required, such as title insurance, appraisal fee and survey costs. Hazard insurance is required. Consult a financial or tax advisor concerning your specific situation. NMLS# 583215
Thursday, June 23, 2016
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 3
Filmmaker ‘chasing grace’ State officials discuss Zika around Dripping Springs virus spread
BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM
news@haysfreepress.com
F
or the better part of a decade, Dripping Springs resident and native Midwesterner Julia Barnett sought to create a film inspired by an event she experienced as a child. Through the help of many people she’s met, Barnett is moving closer to her dream as she plans to start production on her first short film “Chasing Grace” in August. The film, Barnett said, will be primarily shot in and around Dripping Springs. “Because I live here and have had so many relationships here, once we found out how wonderful people were (in Dripping Springs), we wanted to shoot everything here,” Barnett said. Barnett’s short film follows the story of the main character, Grace, who is a young college girl estranged from her father. Grace believed that during a “wild summer” when she was five, her father kidnapped her. But Grace soon finds out the truth after reuniting with her father about the “wild summer,” and realized her father, who won custody of her as a child, loved her after all. Barnett said the message of the film is one of exploration and memory. The premise stems from her own traumatic life experience as a child, when she believed her father kidnapped Barnett from her mother. It wasn’t until later in life that Barnett realized the truth of the situation, where her mother took
COURTESY ART
“Chasing Grace,” a movie by Dripping Springs resident Julia Barnett, will begin filming around Dripping Springs in August. The film follows the story of a girl in the 1970s.
her across state lines without permission, and a judge allowed her father to regain custody. “The way we perceive things as children and memories we have can’t be trusted,” Barnett said. “It’s not the same
as when you’re an adult, when you see things in a different way.” The story, set in a small Texas town during the 1970s, parallels the time of Barnett’s childhood. She said the process of writing the script for, and
ultimately directing, the film was “cathartic to go back to that time.” “It was fun to explore the 1970s again,” Barnett said. Obtaining assistance
FILM IN DRIP’, 9
The Zika virus has caused international concern as it continues to spread throughout several parts of the world. With reported cases in the state, the Texas Department of State Health Services implores residents to take precautionary measures to prevent the spreading of the virus. Chris Van Deusen, press officer for TDSHS, said as of now, Texas has not seen the spread of Zika through mosquito contact. “Out of the 44 cases reported in Texas, 43 are people who have travelled (to countries with outbreaks) and the one other case was someone who had sexual contact with someone who had travelled,” Van Deusen said. Rodney Rohde, Associate Dean for Research, College of Health Professions at Texas State University, said in Texas, the DSHS Bureau of Laboratories will conduct special testing on actual mosquito pools collected by the Zoonosis Control Division. “Basically, mosquitos are collected via special traps, sent to the DSHS laboratory and testing is performed on pools of mosquitos from different countries or regions,” Rohde said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, Zika is spread
WHAT IS MICROCEPHALY?
The CDC describes microcephaly as a condition where a baby’s head is much smaller than expected. Microcephaly occurs in .02 percent to .12 percent of births in the United States. However, women who are infected with Zika during their first trimester have up to a 13 percent chance their fetus will be born with Microcephaly.
WHAT IS GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME?
GBS is an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person’s immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, and sometimes, paralysis, Rohde said.
to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Illness caused by the Zika virus include mild symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis. However, Zika has now been linked to microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. “The CDC is investigating the link between Zika and GBS,” Rohde said. “The take home point here is that it is very rare.” Physicians will order
ZIKA, 5
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16-SDM-0943 Hays Free Press_V2.indd 1
6/15/16 2:08 PM
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Dark Skies
Appraisals: Locals fight to protest values
Continued from pg. 1
Continued from pg. 1
assisting residents in both Hays and Travis counties. “I hate what the counties are doing, jacking up the assessments in order to get money,” Loeb said. Loeb said he began helping people years ago when he realized there was a common frustration regarding people’s property assessments. “Most people don’t know how to do it (file a protest), what information to bring and they think it’s going to be harder than it is,” Loeb said. “They also feel the deck is against them, and it is, but that’s why I want to help.” Many of Loeb’s “clients” come from word of mouth, and Facebook groups.
Hays County resident Joe Roldan has never met Loeb in person, but connected via Facebook this year to help with his appraisal protest process. “Bill is a very nice person who likes to help people solve problems,” Roldan said. “The process of disputing appraisal values is best approached with a structured approach, like Bill showed me, and by researching the appraisal process and gaining a thorough understanding of how it works.” Roldan said Loeb gave him the structure and basis of an argument to get his inflated property value assessment lowered. Roldan is currently in the midst of the protest process and does not know
yet if he will be successful. “I’ve probably talked to all of them,” Loeb said. “My phone rings all day everyday during this time frame, but I love it and I love helping people.” Through Facebook, Loeb has been able to get in contact with many residents in need of assistance. After several people ask for help, Loeb sets up a time and a place to hold seminars. Flores Restaurant in Dripping Springs is one of the locations he holds his seminars at, and sometimes there are 20 to 30 people in attendance. Loeb helps with educating residents on the entire process. It helps them along the way with researching tools and
arguments to bring to the table. One thing Loeb recommends for residents considering an appeal is to get the assessments of surrounding neighbors. Valle said once the protest is filed the property owner will receive a scheduled appointment letter with a staff appraisers name, phone number and email address so the property owner can contact them. The deadline is July 6, but there is a way to get an extension for filing a protest. “If property owners would still like to file an appeal after the deadline, they may submit late protests to the Appraisal Review Board before
July 20 with good cause,” Valle said. “The ARB will decide where there is good cause.” David Valle, Hays County chief appraiser, said there have been 3,168 protests filed as of June 16. Valle said being granted an amended appraisal depends on the evidence the property owner submits or presents to the staff appraiser or ARB. He said the timeline for the entire process depends on the number of protests in the county and scheduling. Loeb said he is open and willing to help any resident who reaches out to him. “Anyone who is willing to fight the tax dragon, I’m more than happy to help,” Loeb said.
Safety is also a large component for Owens, who said the theater will keep families closer to home. Susan Kimball, an employee with the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce and mother of two teenagers, said the less driving “up and down (US 290) into Austin and
elsewhere, the better.” Kimball said the movie theater could provide an economic component, as it would mean jobs for local residents and teenagers. “From a personal perspective, I think it’s great,” Owens said. “The closer I get to staying home, the better.”
Young Shakespeare presents
Belterra: Movie theater to anchor development Continued from pg. 1
south areas. So they can come and spend their dollars here.” Sky Cinema, which comes from the creators of the Violet Crown Cinema in Austin, will have “fresh, local food and beverages” with an emphasis on“family friendly fare. That includes hamburgers, fries, shakes, according to the release. Patrons will be able to take refreshments in a dining area, beer garden, and in the movie auditoriums, which will have full leg reclining seats with tray tables attached. The new theater, according to the release, will show a “wide variety of blockbuster, family and select independent films.” “Sky Cinemas represents our effort to bring the highest quality cinema experience to growing suburban areas, and we’re excited to launch the first Sky Cinemas in Dripping Springs to expand on its already family-friendly, fun, local culture,” Bill Banowsky, founder of Sky Cinemas, said in a release. Sky Cinema is part of the first phase of Belterra Village, which is expected to begin construction in the fall, with tenants opening in fall 2017. The first phase of Belterra Village will include more than 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, along with a hotel, medical offices and a senior living community, according to
Sky Cinema is part of the first phase of Belterra Village, which is expected to begin construction in the fall, with tenants opening in fall 2017. The first phase of Belterra Village will include more than 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, along with a hotel, medical offices and a senior living community. the release. Leases have been signed with more than 85,000 square feet dedicated to retailers and restaurateurs. Daniel Campbell, principal with the Endeavor Real Estate Group, said the trade area has been “historically underserved,” according to the release. Once they were able to demonstrate the master plan that created a “significant” node of uses, “the project really came together,” Campbell said. “What we intend to create with Belterra Village is a community gathering spot where neighbors down the street and across town can come together for shared experiences,” Campbell said in the release. Belterra Village will also house Breed & Company, which is a Austin hardware and homeware store with locations near the University of Texas at Austin and in Westlake.
June 22 - 23 June 25 - 26 8 pmYoung Shakespeare
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June 22 - 23 June 25 - 26 8 pm
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other pole sign was denied, it will be allowed to exceed the maximum allowed cumulative total signage area in order to construct a monument sign in its place. According to Fischer, much of the impetus to grant these variances was fueled by Dollar General’s taking initiative to comply with city lighting ordinances in other ways. Even though Dollar General is technically outside city limits and not bound by city lighting ordinances, Fischer said, the store will voluntarily bring all exterior lighting on the building into compliance by either installing shields or replacing lights. “In this particular case, since the new monument sign will be internally illuminated and we’re letting them keep their current building sign, we think it’s fair to say, okay, you can have that, but we want you to bring everything else into compliance,” Fischer said. “And the big news really is that we’re going to be able to get rid of a pole sign completely.”
www.drchouteau.com 512-477-1954 800 W. Highway 290, Suite 200 Dripping Springs, TX 78620 In the Arbor Center
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Thursday, June 23, 2016
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 5
PEC board gets new member, voters’ right to speak ruling 2016 PEC Board election results
SUBMITTED REPORT
Pedernales Electric Cooperative voters re-elected District 5 Board Director James Oakley and elected Jim Powers, who ran unopposed, to serve as the new District 4 Director. Powers replaces former Director Chris Perry, who did not seek re-election. Voters also approved an amendment affirming members the right to speak at any open meeting of the Board of Directors. The amendment required approval by two-thirds of voting members. Election results were announced during the PEC Annual Meeting on Saturday in Dripping Springs. More than 600 members attended the event, which featured energy-related activities and displays. They also had the opportunity to speak with PEC staff and elected officials before the business meeting, during which the standing-room-only crowd filled the seats at the Performing Arts Center auditorium at Dripping Springs High School. During the meeting, PEC CEO John Hewa highlighted the cooperative’s
PHOTO COURTESY OF PEC
PEC CEO John Hewa makes a presentation during the PEC annual meeting.
numerous rate reductions and spoke about the many achievements of the past year. Those achievements included top system reliability and member satisfaction scores as well as growth surpassing 10,000 new meters. “This organization is reaching new heights,” Hewa said, “and we are continuing to strive for even greater options for members.” Oakley, who served as Board president during the past year, also addressed members, citing
Zika: State officials review Continued from pg. 3
testing for Zika if they are The Aedes mosquitos suspicious the patient live close to humans and has contracted the virus. feed only on humans. Several factors include a They lay their eggs in any person’s travel history to standing water such as pet a Zika endemic area and water bowls, flower pots or signs and ponds. symptoms. Van “... A test However, Deusen a highly suggests may come up trained pouring public out standpositive on a health or ing water, medical Zika suspected and with laboratory bodies of profesindividual, but water that sional will cannot be in reality that actually poured conduct out such person may testing, as ponds, Rohde using a have dengue said. larvicide “The will do the or West Nile medical trick. laboratory “LarVirus ... Testing profesvicides is always sionals are great are rarely bigger going through for seen,” bodies of Rohde water,” Van modifications said. Deusen “However, and algorithms said. “You they are a can dump critical and it into your of best use.” lifesaving pond and it comkills the lar– Rodney Rohde, ponent vae. It can Associate Dean for for any be really Research, College of medical effective for Health Professions at laboratory bodies of Texas State University testing. water that They you cannot provide up to 70 percent drain and it isn’t harmful or more of data for physito pets or humans.” cians to make an informed Other ways to protect diagnosis and treatment yourself include wearplan.” ing insect repellent that Rohde said Zika is in is approved by the U.S. the Flavivirus family and Environmental Protecone of the headaches for tion Agency, wearing testing in this group of long sleeved clothing and viruses is the problem of ensuring screens are in cross-reactivity. good repair on doors and “This means that a test windows. may come up positive on a Rohde said no vaccine Zika suspected individual, exists to prevent the Zika but in reality that person virus. may have dengue or West People can prevent Nile Virus,” Rohde said. Zika by avoiding mos“Testing is always going quito bites. Rohde said through modifications mosquitos that spread and algorithms of best the virus bite during the use.” daytime.
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achievements and improvements for members even as costs continue to go down. Oakley also spoke about the groundbreaking of the PEC Northwest Operations Center, now under construction in Marble Falls. During an organizational meeting following the business meeting, directors elected District 2 Director Emily Pataki to serve as Board president. Oakley was elected vice president, and District 6 Director Paul Graf was re-elected secretary/treasurer.
• 26,664 total votes were cast • 16,477 by mail • 10,006 online • 181 in person at the annual meeting • 11.33% of the co-op’s 235,393 voting-eligible members voted in the election
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VOTING TOTALS
District 4 Director • Jim Powers – 22,954 votes District 5 Director • James Oakley – 19,527 votes • Carlos Palasciano – 6,381 votes Member Referendum: “A member has the right to speak at every regular, special or called meeting of the Board of Directors …” • For – 24,270 votes • Against – 1,743 votes
Texas Crossword
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See Solution, pg. 8
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Page 6
News-Dispatch
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Sports
Sharing is caring at Tiger passing camp
Local football players laced up their cleats and donned their receiving gloves as they participated in the 2016 Hill Country Passing Camp, which was held June 13-15 at Dripping Springs HIgh. The camp had participants from grades 4-9 go through various training drills at the quarterback, wide receiver and running back positions. See more photos online at www. HaysNewsDispatch. com. Just follow the photos link.
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Swimming with the best
Former Tiger heads to Olympic swim trials BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
E
ver since his freshman year of high school, Dripping Springs High graduate and UIL state swimming gold medalist Micah Slaton has dreamt of going to the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha, Neb. It was a dream fostered when he watched the event on television for the first time in 2012. “I didn’t know what it was about. I didn’t even know there even was a trial for the Olympics,” Slaton said. “But it was super cool. There were fireworks shooting off from the side of the pool. It was super special for sure.” Fast forward four years and Slaton, who graduated from Dripping Springs High in June, will see his dream come true as he competes in the 100 and 200-meter butterfly events 2016 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials. “I’m super excited. It’s been a goal of mine since freshman year,” Slaton said. “It’s been my end goal of my senior year to qualify. It means a lot.” Slaton’s road to reaching Omaha was a feat accomplished during the final week to meet qualifying times, or cuts. He made his Olympic Trial cuts at a small agegroup meet at the University of Texas at Austin.
NEWS-DISPATCH FILE PHOTOS
After a swimming season where he claimed a gold medal in the UIL Class 5A boys 100-meter butterfly, Dripping Springs’ Micah Slaton will have the chance to realize a dream as he competes at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha later this month.
Prior to the meet in Austin, Slaton missed the cut during the Atlanta Classic swim meet at Georgia Tech. With one last chance to get in, Slaton said he returned home, regrouped and rested for a week before hitting the pool. “I put on a fast suit and had the 200 (meter butterfly) the first day, but didn’t make the cut,” Slaton said.
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“I then tuned up for the 100-fly the next day, but I went for the (200) and got the cut first.” Training to reach the cuts meant a focus on weight training, which Slaton said “helped a lot.” Last year, Slaton said he focused on aerobic and crossfit style body weight training regiments. During the course of 2016, Slaton added in core training,
with weight lifting one time a week. “The heavier lifting once a week helped out with strength,” Slaton said. “The overall difference maker was the lifting.” Meanwhile, in the pool, Slaton said progression on improving his times continued. Aerobic training helped him “hold faster
OLYMPICS, 7
MICAH SLATON AT THE OLYMPIC TRIALS June 28 200-meter butterfly preliminary heats July 1 100-meter butterfly preliminary heats
Preliminary heats will begin at 10 a.m. and will be webcast on NBC Sports
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Page 7
Education
Wimberley ISD to save $20,000 in copier fees, update job policies BY KYLA MORA
News-Dispatch Reporter
The Wimberley ISD School Board Monday took key steps toward preparing for the 201617 school year. One major budgetary decision came after a lengthy period of discussion regarding copiers and band instruments. The board ultimately voted unanimously in favor of a motion to proceed with an agreement that would allow the district to finance copiers and band equipment in one package. With the district’s copier lease with Dahill up this year, a committee was formed to explore cost effective options for copiers. Wimberley Chief Financial Officer Randy Rau said the committee found that the option to purchase copiers through Kyocera would save the district a “projected $20,000 to $25,000 savings over two years.”
The recommendation to switch to Kyocera was made based on cost, as well as a Google Form survey of all campuses. The survey returned a unanimous request to find a better option for copier services. Rau said the district currently pays roughly $100,000 per year for copiers under a lease. This requires the district to estimate the number of pages that will be copied and pay for that estimate in addition to a maintenance fee. Currently, if the district makes fewer copies than it has estimated, it does not gain any cost savings, and if it goes over the estimated copy count, it must pay the difference. Under the purchase option, the district would only pay for the copies actually made at the rate of one-half cent per page, and would pay a maintenance fee. Rau estimated the amount needed to bor-
row to cover the roughly 20 copiers for the district at $170,000. After investigating financial options for purchase, Rau presented the board with an option to finance copiers and the necessary band instruments for the 2016-17 school year in one package through Wells Fargo bank. The term note would extend over 36 months and would provide more
than enough credit to fund both band instruments and copier services, Rau said.
Keeping focus is also the goal for Slaton, who is going through his threeweek resting period prior to the trials. “Going into big meets when you’re resting, you keep your blinders on and keep focus,” Slaton said. “It’s easy to get caught up on your thoughts and get nervous.” But Slaton expects to see athletes performing
at their best at the event. He also said it would allow him the chance to see how many swimmers handle pressure situations and “doing all the right things they need to do to secure an Olympic spot.” “No one is guaranteed a spot (on the U.S. Olympic Team), even (Michael) Phelps is not guaranteed a spot,” Slaton said. “There will be a lot of
world class athletes at their best. It’s something to learn from for me.” The chance to compete in what Slaton called the “fastest swim meet in the world” is something he looks forward to. Slaton said nearly every session of the swim meet is sold out. “It’s nuts, it’s awesome,” Slaton said. “If you ask any anyone that is an Olympian, the U.S. Olym-
Wimberley Chief Financial Officer Randy Rau said the committee found that the option to purchase copiers through Kyocera would save the district a “projected $20,000 to $25,000 savings over two years.” Rau said the district currently pays roughly $100,000 per year for copiers under a lease.
WIMBERLEY ISD UPDATES LOCAL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES The Wimberley board also approved an update to the district’s current employment policy. The update transfers responsibility for approving non-contrac-
tual employees to the superintendent, while contractual employees would continue to be approved by the board. The board also approved a recommendation presented by board trustee Lori Olson to utilize a broader selection of websites to advertise teaching positions, in hopes of widening the talent pool. The board Monday voted to add verbiage to the EIE Academic Achievement policies regarding grade advancement. The new verbiage would explicitly outline the use of Grade Level Placement committees for determining whether or not students who fail state assessments can transition to the next grade level. In addition, the district’s campus promotion and retention committee can determine whether or not student will continue to next grade level for non-testing years.
Olympics
Continued from pg. 6 times on tighter intervals,” Slaton said. The focus now turns to gearing up for the trials. Slaton said his competition are college swimmers, who are seeded based on their qualifying times. Leading up to the meet, Slaton said he would increase the intensity of his practices as he fine tunes his starts and turns in the pool.
24 MONTH CD
1.4
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pic Trials is as nervewracking, if not more nervewracking, than the Olympics. But the ability to represent Dripping Springs, where Slaton began his swim career at the Belterra swim complex, was “really cool,” he said. “Looking back at how far I’ve come, it’s cool to see,” Slaton said. “Looking back and seeing that is a cool experience.”
School briefs LOCAL MAKES DEAN’S LIST AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY Sydney E. Neugebauer, a resident of Dripping Springs, has recently been named to the Dean’s List at Boston University for the spring semester. Each school and college at Boston University has its own criterion for the Dean’s List, but students generally must attain a 3.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), or be in the top 30 percent of their class, as well as a full course load as a full time student.
STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT TALENT PROGRAM A handful of Dripping Springs ISD elementary school students were recognized for taking the ACT this spring as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program. In addition to the seventh-graders recognized previously as part of the Duke TIP, a total of 18 DSISD students from fourth-throughsixth grades qualified for and took the ACT. Of that group, three received statelevel recognition. Those students were Ainsley Ballard, Collin Boes, and Dominic Gearing. The state recognition was based on the students’ EXPLORE scores being in the 99th percentile of all eighth-graders who participated in the Duke TIP program. In April, 20 seventh graders from Dripping Springs Middle School took the SAT or ACT as part of the Duke TIP. 12 of those students were recognized for their high level of achievement, with nine of the DSMS students receiving stat recognition in April.
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Thursday, June 23, 201 Public Notices
Employment
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Texas Crossword Solution, from pg. 5
ADVERTISEMENT FOR: RFP 15-019 CHARTER BUS SERVICE-MULTIPLE AWARD
Dripping Springs Independent School District is requesting proposals for Charter Bus Services under RFP # 15-019 Charter Bus Service*Multiple Award*. Proposals will be received in the Business Office of the Dripping Springs Independent School District, 510 West Mercer Street P.O. Box 479, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620. Proposals shall be addressed to Michelle Lyons, Purchasing Specialist. Any questions pertaining to the proposal specifications should be directed to Michelle Lyons, Purchasing Specialist, michelle.lyons@ dsisdtxed.net . Proposals will
be submitted and received by 2:00 p.m. (CST) on July 28, 2016. The proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud upon submission. Dripping Springs Independent School District
reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to waive any formalities and irregularities in the bids received, and to accept the offer(s) most advantageous to the District.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE An application has been filed with HAYS COUNTY to subdivide 21.803 acres of property located at along Trinity Hills Drive, Dripping Springs, TX 78640. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: SUB-551
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Page 9
Know your options and 18-Wheeler Wrecks rights as a homeowner
D
ear Terese, I’m like to find out if I have any mineral rights on property I purchased years ago before I put it on the market for sale. How can I be sure of my mineral-rights ownership status? Roy
Dear Terese
use when I list my house for sale? Marilyn
by Terese Perabody
Dear Marilyn, The most important thing to remember is to quote your source. Most realtors will use the tax records, but if you have an appraisal for the property that reflects a different square footage, you can use that and quote “per appraiser”. I’ve seen differences in the same property from the builders building plans square footage, the tax records, past appraisals, and home owners! There are many reasons for variances – rounding, measuring instruments, user error. Unfortunately, this is a common issue.
attorney to conduct the title research. It can be expensive. Be sure to ask for an estimate of the Dear Roy, cost. Another option is a There are several Landman. They research options landowners can courthouse deeds and consider. records to Tiffany determine Lashmet, mineral The Texas State assistant ownerprofesship. Be Affordable sor and sure to extension Housing agree to specialist payment Corporation, with Texas terms up A&M front. Detsahc.org, AgriLife termining Extension whether offers down recently a surface addressed payment owner this queshas any tion in assistance portion of The Texas ownership programs for Realtor of the magamineral low income zine. One estate may option is families and be diffito request cult and a copy underserved expenof title sive, but research communities. there are related options to minto find answers to your erals when an oil or gas questions, usually for a company is seeking a fee. lease on the property or already has one in place. Dear Terese, Also, review the title inI know that realtors and surance policy when you appraisers really express purchased the property. However, many title com- the list price and sales price as “price per square panies no longer include foot.” However, the mineral ownership in the square footage in my tax policy. You can do a deed records is different than record search. Chain of what the prior listing used title is complicated, time as the square footage. consuming and diffiWhy there are differences cult, even for attorneys. Landowners can hire an and which one should I
Dear Terese, Are there still homebuyer-assistance programs? Anna Dear Anna, Yes! Check with a local lender, they’ll have the most up to date information available. The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, tsahc.org, offers down payment assistance programs for low income families and underserved communities. The Texas Veterans Land Board, texasverterans.com, may have a program for you if you served in the military, even for as few as 90 active-duty days. The Texas Home Programs, txhomeprograms.org, lists all the available assistance programs in the state. This is only a partial list, check with a lender for the most
Murder: Man charged in father’s death Continued from pg. 1
Officers took him into custody and began to administer medical attention to Krueger’s father, who died on scene. Deputies determined he was the victim of a gunshot wound. According to an arrest affidavit provided by Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Beth Smith, Krueger told deputies he shot his father in self-defense. On two occasions, both on scene and at the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Krueger told a
HCSO detective he shot his father in the back, according to the affidavit. Krueger believed his father was going to get a gun to use against him. Krueger told authorities his father had repeatedly assaulted him throughout the argument and that he was trying to defend himself. During an initial interview, Krueger told deputies his father attacked him with a knife two weeks ago. During a subsequent interview at the sheriff’s office, Krueger described
that incident as his father taking out a knife and asking him if he needed it. Krueger told the detective it was “odd and caught him off guard.” The detective didn’t perceive that incident as “anything threatening” or an attack, according to the affidavit. In addition, Krueger’s description of events in the shooting didn’t articulate “a threat that called for the use of deadly force,” according to the affidavit, and that he shot an unarmed man in the back.
Film in Drip’: ‘Chasing grace’ around town Continued from pg. 3
from friends and Dripping Springs natives helped Barnett begin filming. Katherine Chandler, wife of television star Kyle Chandler, was able to help find locations for filming in Dripping Springs. That includes Hudson on Mercer, which allowed her to use its space for some of the filming. She then received the assistance of local filmmaker Steve Denny, who has worked on projects such as the “Friday Night Lights” and “The Leftovers” television shows. Barnett then took to social media in her quest to gather 1970s era props that could fit with her film. She was soon pointed to Chris Kelly, manager of the Dripping Springs Senior Thrift Store, who was able to help procure items. Kelly, who himself collects 1970s “gear,” helped by providing an Easy Bake Oven, rotary phone, shag carpeting and various other items from the time period. For Kelly, providing those items brought him a wave of nostalgia from his childhood.
“Dripping Springs needs a lot more theater and acting as a whole, so anything I can do to further project … anything I can do for this endeavor, I’m all in,” –Chris Kelly, manager of Dripping Springs Senior Thrift Store
“All of the things that came out in that decade are what reminded me of a good time when I was a kid,” Kelly said. Ensuring the film is “done and done right” is the hope for Kelly, who welcomes filmmaking in Dripping Springs. He said Barnett has “got the right people involved” and that she’s “gone about it in the right way.” He said he’s contributed to the film both monetarily and through props. “Dripping Springs needs a lot more theater and acting as a whole, so anything I can do to further project … anything I can do for this endeavor, I’m all in,” Kelly said. Filming now is the next step for Barnett, who plans to begin in August.
She said filmmaking is an “expensive art form,” and that with insurance and costs, it can “add up.” That doesn’t include permitting costs. Barnett said her company, Un.Hinged Productions, is aiming to shoot at certain locations where they don’t need permits. “It does take an army and a village of people to make it happen,” Barnett said. Barnett said shooting her first film is an “enormous amount of work,” but that it was also an emotional experience for her. “It is fairly emotional for me, exploring those things that happen in my childhood,” Barnett said. “I think it’s emotionally charged. At the same time, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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Dear Terese, How do I find out if the investment property I plan to purchase can be used as a short-term rental (STR)? Dean Dear Dean, You’ll want to check with the local governments where the property is located for the most current rules and regulations. This means your neighborhood HOA or POA, city government, or possibly the county. Most units will be regulated by zoning rules. There may be a limit on occupants at any STR property, as well as inspections or additional taxation.
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Page 10
News-Dispatch
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Grouse can’t catch a break BY JERRY HALL
News-Dispatch Contributor
P
ity the poor Capercaillie, a large grouse found in Sweden. This bird feeds its young pine needles, which makes its meat taste like turpentine. Alas for the grouse, the Swedes soak the bird in sour milk to get rid of the unpleasant taste. (How they get rid of the sour milk taste is not explained.) In Texas, grouse are limited to two species – the lesser prairie-chicken of the Panhandle and the Attwater’s prairie-chicken found on the coastal plain. I had the good fortune
to see the endangered Attwater’s on a refuge not far from Houston. We got up at 4:30 a.m. so as to be at the blind well before daylight. Luckily, the birds showed up right on schedule and the males did their little stompingaround dance with great gusto. We were told we would not be able to leave the blind until all the birds departed, so I was relieved when our birds danced and eventually flew away. Unfortunately, the female (as is often the case) showed absolutely no interest in the male birds, no matter that they had danced their little hearts out. No wonder the bird is endangered.
Attwater’s prairie-chicken is one of two species of grouse in Texas. The female birds are hard to impress.
City officials claim the discharge would be safe for the springs. But four people spoke during the citizens’ communication period to oppose the proposed discharge. One speaker said they had a signed petition with more than 1,100 signatures in opposition to the discharge. Ruby Ranch resident Martha Anderson was concerned about possible contaminants that could be present in Onion Creek if the city discharges the effluent. One resident said council should make a joint decision “with all people who are going to be affected,” including those who live in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. “I ask you to think of a wider group of people
when making your decision,” the resident said. “Onion Creek is a gem to all of us.” Cynthia Trotter Weynandt, who lives along Onion Creek, claimed the proposed discharged effluent would “directly” go into the Edward’s Aquifer recharge zone. “TCEQ is a puppet if it grants this permit,” Wynant said. “Withdraw your permit if you have any conscience at all and find another way to deal with your effluent.” Purcell said he would “push” council to pull the permit if residents could prove water from the creek was going into the aquifer. But he said the city was planning for the future and looking at “what it’s going to take to sustain a
PHOTO COURTESY OF JERRY HALL
Wastewater
Continued from pg. 1 “I don’t want to set precedence for anyone to do damage to that creek,” Purcell said on the dais. “This council knows that we are frantically and continually trying to find ways to where no effluent goes into that creek.” Those in opposition spoke against Dripping Springs’ permit, which was filed to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The permit would allow the city to expand its wastewater treatment plant facility to 995,000 gallons per day. In October 2015, the News-Dispatch reported the application includes a treated effluent discharge point at Walnut Springs, which is a tributary of Onion Creek, within the Caliterra subdivision.
quality of life out here.” Purcell said the city is contemplating a Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) project, which would turn treated effluent into potable water. He said the move toward DPR is “cutting edge” and is “thinking 12 or 13 generations down the road.” One scenario has a potential DPR project costing roughly $9 million. He also referenced the city’s Chapter 210 reuse project, which uses treated effluent to irrigate parks and fields. “We’re spending a lot of money to do that,” Purcell said. “But guess what? This city is spending more money to take care of our downstream neighbors and trying to make it right.”
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