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