July 8, 2020 News-Dispatch

JULY 8, 2020 INSPIRED

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Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Student survey says ‘Ditch Rebel mascot’ HAYS FREE PRESS STAFF

When the Hays CISD sent out a survey about changing Hays High’s mascot, it was seeking guidance from students, teachers and staff who would be affected.

They responded — re-

soundingly.

Almost 60 percent of students and more than 70 percent of teachers and staff were in favor of a change — continuing a process that began two decades ago of divorcing the school district from Confederate imagery.

Specifically, the dis-

trict said that one in four students were “very uncomfortable” with the mascot, while 30 percent of teachers and staff felt that way.

The 2,325 surveys were sent to students who would be in grades 9-12 at Hays High School for the 2020-2021 school year as

well as to 275 teachers and staff. The district received 1,152 student responses and 146 from teachers and staff.

Aside from that survey, the district also credited an online petition urging a change that had gathered 1,400 signatures as of July 2.

“When more than a quarter of the students, and nearly a third of the teachers and staff members, are very uncomfortable with the current mascot, that mascot fails in its objectives,” the district said Monday in a statement. “When a mascot mires the school

in political controversy and pits students, families and community members against each other, it is time to change.”

Established in 1968, Hays CISD stopped using the Confederate flag as an official symbol for Hays

DITCH REBEL MASCOT, 4

Universityowned apartments OKed for quarantine Hays CISD officials put mascot choice in hands of students

BY MEGAN WEHRING Hays High School students were brought together to bring a possible change to the mascot.

Seniors Alena Hernandez and Zoe Reyna organized a student committee in favor of changing the Rebel mascot. The district has been separating itself from Confederacy ideals by banning the Confederate flag and the “Dixie” fight song at the school in previous years.

Hernandez said changing the mascot would be a step towards creating a more inclusive environment.

“It is no secret that our school is perceived as racist because of its history, and I believe that by changing the mascot we will be one step closer to ridding that image,” Hernandez said. “Racism plagues our school, and my goal is to just get us one step closer to having

MULLING OVER MASCOT, 10

BY ANITA MILLER

CITY OF KYLE PHOTO

Crews working on a rain garden at the intersection of Burleson and Austin streets.

August finish set for Burleson

BY MEGAN WEHRING

Kyle residents can expect to see a landscaped rain garden and sidewalks along the newly improved Burleson Street.

Many have waited years for Burleson Street to be fully accessible to the public.

Kyle Director of Communications Samantha Armbruster said several problems delayed the construction project.

“There had been some rain delays for this project when it was actually raining or, in some cases, where it was just too wet for things like asphalt,” Armbruster said. “We had rain delays and of course the five letter word: COVID ... There’s

always things that have to be taken into consideration when a project coincides or has any involvement with the railroad.”

The Burleson project involves crossing a Union Pacific Railroad line, requiring specialized work of boring under the rail line.

The contractor on the project hired a subcontractor in order to start the three-to-four week boring work.

The original project was estimated to be $8.5 million in costs, including engineering and construction.

Despite the multiple changes that needed to be made, the project is still well within the budget.

Armbruster said

“Where there was once a dark street, there will now be a safer place to drive and walk at night.”

-Samantha Armbruster

Burleson will have new above ground features while still offering underground drainage improvements.

“Where there was once a dark street, it will now be a safer place to drive and walk at night,” Armbruster said.

With the railroad nearby, Project Engineer JoAnn Garcia ensures residents that the new construction will keep the area more quiet.

“For those residents that live close by, there will be a lot less noise,” Garcia said.

Armbruster said the project staff is “so lucky” to partner with the community to develop a beautiful space.

“You typically think of city crews or contractors,” Armbruster said. “In this particular project, we have had a great partnership with Kyle Landscaping who has turned what would have been a ditch into what is a really beautiful rain garden.”

COVID-19 hits family, jail population hard

BY ANITA MILLER Two members of the same family have died as the result of COVID-19, Hays County officials announced on Monday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 10. Both the father, in his 70s, and the son, in his 50s, live in San Marcos. As of Monday, the county had seen more than 3,190 confirmed cases, of which more than 2,600 were still active.

A day later, county commissioners heard scathing reports of inmates in the county jail not wearing masks even as 60 cases of the coronavirus have been

confirmed among its population as well as 10 cases in correctional officers.

“If you don’t know someone affected, count yourself the lucky one,” County Judge Ruben Becerra said in remarks before the jail report. “It’s personal for many of us and it is a very big deal … The sad reality is we’re not getting any better — we’re going backward and getting worse. I fear what the Fourth of July will bring forth in the next few days.

Regarding the jail, Capt. Julie Villalpando said staff is “doing everything we can” to adhere to CDC guidelines and trying to

IN SESSION

Texas State holding most summer school online– Page 6

convince inmates to do the same – without much success. She called on attorneys and families of inmates to reach out to them and stress the importance of following protocol if the spread of the infection is to be stopped.

Villalpando said incoming arrestees are screened and all inmates are monitored for symptoms “several times a day.”

Separate “housing units” have been set up for groups of inmates that are positive, negative, are high risk or fall into other speci-

COVID-19 HITS FAMILY, JAIL, 10

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Hays County Commissioners approved an agreement June 30 with Texas State University to allow for locations for the county’s first responders to quarantine because of COVID-19, should that become necessary.

The agenda item, requested by Chief of Staff and Emergency Management Coordinator Alex Villalobos, involves the use of 18 one-bedroom apartments and 12

QUARANTINE APARTMENTS, 5

May jobless is 11.7 % in Hays Co.

BY ANITA MILLER Hays County’s unemployment rate for May was 11.7 percent and between May 27 and June 27, 2,629 county residents applied for unemployment benefits.

The top industries those people represented are full-service restaurants, colleges and universities, limited-service restaurants, elementary and secondary schools and electronic shopping and merchandise houses.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission there are slightly more females (1,391) than males (1,292) who filed benefits claims within that time period.

Hays was 24th among the state’s top 25 counties in terms of unemployed residents who had filed for benefits. Harris County led that field at 80,070 and Travis County was sixth with 13,634 residents filing for unemployment insurance.

The county’s May unemployment rate was down from 12.8 in April.

In March, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the area, the county’s jobless rate was 3.9 percent.

The adjusted unemployment rate for Texas in May was 13 percent.

NEWS

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

Residents express concern over reports of COVID-19 infections in Hays County jail

BY ANITA MILLER

The plight of inmates in Hays County Jail during the pandemic, most of whom have not been convicted of any crime, was on the minds of several people who spoke up at Commissioners Court’s recently.

The remarks came after jail officials acknowledged an outbreak of COVID-19 at the facility. Capt. Julie Villalpando said on June 23 that 36 inmates and nine correctional officers had tested positive for the highly contagious airborne virus that has sickened more than two and a half million Americans

and more than 2,000 in Hays County. Two weeks later, the jail had 60 positive cases and the county had 10 fatalities.

The pandemic threatens the future of the county’s long-standing practice of outsourcing inmates to other facilities in order to stay within the population mandated by the the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). In April, Travis County canceled its contract to accept Hays County inmates.

The first person to speak up at the June 30 meeting was Lauren Hubele, a San Marcos resident.

“I am here to speak at

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take advantage of a grant to partially fund a public defender’s office. “I can’t imagine why that would be true. I would appreciate the opportunity to understand how each of you feel.”

Next was Gloria Salazar, who challenged the commissioners and County Judge Ruben Becerra to make an unannounced visit to the jail, which she said “seems to be its own little island.”

“I don’t want a tour, I want a surprise visit,” she said.

Salazar said she’s concerned about the number of cases of coronavirus among not only inmate but jail staff. “Staff members go into work and leave and come into our community where all of us have the opportunity to be exposed ... I want to ask the county to release as many as can be released and to separate those

who tested negative from those who don’t want to be tested.

Jordan Buckley of the group Mano Amiga referenced a March New York Times article that predicted county jails will be the epicenter of the pandemic.

Buckley praised the actions of district judges who ordered the release of more than 100 inmates in March but noted the jail population is “now nearly replenished with no action taken to reduce it again. Our greatest fear is the jail is going to be a test tube for the virus.”

He said two people recently released from the jail have said the facility’s expressed policies on masks are not being followed and characterized the bail bond system as geared toward the wealthy. “If you can afford the bail you can go home and elude the virus. If you

can’t, you stay locked in a cage. We’re punishing poverty.”

He urged the court to support the public defender office “and let’s get people out of jail.”

Christine Terrell said she was there because “it’s clear that people of good will can no longer sit on the sidelnes.” She said she was shocked to learn that most in jail have not been convicted. “We have 400plus people on any given day sitting in jail solely because they can’t afford to post bail. I don’t know how this is even a thing.”

Terrell noted that taxpayers currently pay around $4 million annually to house inmates elsewhere, suggesting that money could be put to better use funding “programs and policies that would keep unconvicted citizens from seeing the inside of a jail.”

ABIA ups anti-COVID-19 security measures

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a time when the veil of racial injustice is being pulled back across our country,” she said, adding that she had questioned herself about what she might be doing that condones or normalizes acts of injustice.

“I educated myself on the treatment of my neighbors and my discoveries brought me here. I learned that the majority of the Hays County Jail citizens have not been convicted of a crime.” That, she said, was “particularly ironic,” since she used to teach government in high school and, “according to the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, each and every one of us remains innocent until proven guilty.”

Hubele said she considers indigent defense the “civil rights movement of our time,” and cannot understand how the sitting commissioners did not

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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA)announced new measures aimed at protecting travelers amid the coronavirus pandemic. This comes after passenger traffic has gradually increased over the last few weeks and positive coronavirus cases continue to rise in Texas. Passenger traffic is still significantly lower than is typical for this time of year.

“Our staff is busy working with our partners and across divisions to ensure a safe and healthy passenger experience for customers,” said Jacqueline Yaft, Chief Executive Officer of ABIA. The airport has already enhanced cleaning practices and installed signage to promote adherence to public health guidance. Other changes

passengers will notice include: • New signage throughout the terminal to encourage physical distancing.

• New digital signage in gate areas and visitors center to encourage physical distancing, face coverings and good hygiene.

• Additional hand sanitizing stations.

• Visual aids for physical distancing in the terminal, garages and other facilities.

• Overhead announcements promoting adherence to public health best practices, such as wearing a face covering, physical distancing and other CDC-recommended protocols.

• Protective Plexiglass barriers in common areas including ticket

counters and gate counters.

• Additional cleaning throughout the terminal, including TSA security checkpoints, the Customs & Border Protection Federal Inspection Services (FIS) area, and hold room areas. Restrooms will be cleaned every 90 minutes and deep-cleaned overnight.

• An on-call disinfectant team for decontamination, deep cleaning and other protocols when necessary.

• Temporary closure of the Economy Lot to mitigate the crowded nature of parking shuttles. Parking rates in the Blue and Red Garages have been discounted so passengers can safely park near the Barbara Jordan Terminal and walk a short distance to it.

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© Ascension 2020. All rights reserved.

Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We had rain delays and of course the five letter word: COVID ...”

–Kyle Director of Communications Samantha Armbruster. Story on page 1.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

Page 3

EDITORIAL: FROM THE HAYS FREE PRESS OWNERS

Hays district was developed to unify: ‘Rebels’ doesn’t do it now, if it ever did The Hays Consolidated Independent School district is young, just over 50 years old. It brought together diverse communities that could not afford to survive on their own to create a better consolidated school district for them all, working together.

The questions before the school board now – before us – are old, as old as Texas, as old as the nation. What is community?

What is the meaning of one’s origin, the place where you come from?

Where do you fit in? What does it mean to be welcomed?

What is home?

What is race?

What is the value of a symbol? A mascot? Of tradition?

Heritage? Unity?

What is community?

There were not many black people in this district when it was formed. There were a lot of people of Mexican-American descent, a lot of southern whites, and the southern whites, mostly, were running the schools.

The students at the time, and the people running the schools, for a list of complicated reasons, chose the name “Rebels” as the school mascot to represent the district’s first consolidated high school.

Why? Oral histories from the time indicate students were influenced by other winning teams in the area named Rebels. Teenagers are naturally “rebellious” and liked the image. Some here still had deep ties to southern ancestry.

But there’s no escaping that Rebel imagery was on the rise nationally at that same time – the mid-1960s – in reaction to the national civil rights movement, and directly or subconsciously, that may have influenced the choice for some.

There was drama in the founding of this unified school district. It took brave, far-sighted women and men who were willing to put aside bitter rivalries and old hurts to bring together communities that had fought and competed against one another into a single school district. They, and the strong leaders who came after, in education and sports, succeeded beyond their dreams, and today our district has built its own traditions that seem untouchable to some in this new alliance.

And yet, somehow, we find ourselves, after all these years and all these good efforts with a symbol at the heart of this system that has never stood for unity, that is woven into the very fabric of American disunity, and that divides our consolidation just as it divides our American experiment.

This is a complicated debate across America and the South, and even more so in this school district, where the Rebel flag and – now that the flag is gone – the Rebel mascot are often argued to stand for something different: family values or Southern roots, or old school ties.

At Hays, it is not just white hands that clap for a Rebel nickname, or white voices that speak out for its maintenance, but plenty of brown ones, too.

We get it. We get it because we are of the South. Some of us are brown and some are white, but several of us who own this newspaper had ancestors who fought for the Confederacy.

We get it because we are of this county and of this district. Among the owners and our families, we have been at most football games since the district was founded.

One of the founders of this district was a stockholder in a newspaper that evolved into this one. Long before he was a founder of the district, he was superintendent of the Buda schools in the Great Depression, and Barton Middle School, which feeds into Hays High School and sits next door, is named for him. His daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are among the stockholders of this newspaper today.

We get it.

Giving up “Rebels” will be hard for many in this community, we know it will. But it is time. As our district has grown larger and even more diverse, as we have grown from a rural district to one more incorporated into the wider world, it is more apparent than ever that this emblem is not the right one – if indeed it ever was.

It is not the right one to welcome new neighbors who move here – Northerners and Southerners, blacks and whites.

It is not the right one to welcome the sports teams, academicians and bands that come to visit and compete.

It is not the right one to send a message of who we are when our students travel.

It is not a symbol of unity capable of rallying and inspiring our community of students and educators.

We know some still argue – strenuously – that the Civil War was not about slavery or racism. It was about high-minded state’s rights, and sectional misunderstanding, they say. We refer here, briefly, to the Declaration For The Causes of Secession, written by Texas delegates breaking from the Union.

It asserts the Confederacy must leave in order to “secure the rights of the slave-holding states” because the non slave-holding states proclaim the “debasing doctrine of the equality of all men irrespective of race or color – a doctrine at war with nature, in opposition to the experience of mankind and in violation of the plainest revelations of Divine Law ... We hold as undeniable truths that the governments of the various States, and of the confederacy itself, were established exclusively by the white race, for themselves and their posterity; that the African race ... were rightfully held and regarded as an inferior and dependent race ... Negro slavery ... should exist in all future time.”

There’s a lot more, and honestly, it gets worse. It is almost all about race-based slavery. They made no bones about it.

These were not rebels without a cause. They had a cause, and it is not ours, not our district’s, not our community’s, not today.

Symbols matter.

Last week, we ran a photograph of Hays High School graduation night on the front page. Amid a sea of red gowns, a student graduating as a “Hays Rebel” knelt by her chair in silent protest for Black Lives Matter. It’s a stark juxtaposition.

We had a handful of readers call immediately to cancel their subscriptions, angry we had published the photograph, as if not printing it would have erased what actually happened. We’re not in business to lose readers

or to make people angry. But we do try to publish what actually happens, what people who were there would actually talk about.

Meanwhile, as that student knelt, younger students at Hays were circulating petitions asking for change, and district officials were surveying students and staff for their opinion on the issue. Results just released indicate a significant percentage feel deeply uneasy with the moniker. District administrators say they will recommend the board change the mascot. We know that will frustrate some of you, just as this editorial will – something we don’t look on with relish, being owners of a small business, a small newspaper that considers itself an integral part of the community itself.

But as for the Rebels, and the board’s pending decision, consider this: For all the bravery, for all the mix of emotions, the Rebel Confederacy was at its core about breaking from the American Union. Its own stated ideals were an explicit and violent rejection of the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution, the idea that we all stand with inalienable rights before the Creator and the law, especially after the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.

The emblems by which we represent our district, no matter how fabled on the battlefields of yesteryear or the ballfields of yesterday, should be symbols of inspiration and unity, symbols of consolidation, welcoming to all our communities. If we make it that simple, then the choice, too, is simple.

Whatever it might have meant to someone who spiked a volley, or hit a homerun, who graduated or served on a board, whatever it might mean in legend, the Rebel gray was created in war and hatred among neighbors, and in the belief that human beings cannot live together and learn together, as equals.

It is not a token befitting our district or the people who live in it, nor with the benefit of hindsight we now enjoy, the people who founded it and gave their lives to it. Now, when so many are asking us to see with fresh eyes, we should not demand that our staff and students who are uncomfortable with the Rebel myth embrace it. Just as importantly, perhaps, we might teach our students who are comfortable with how and why to question – without bitterness, or recrimination – their own assumptions.

We know the history. We understand the emotion. We get it.

But here’s the thing. Courageous people came before us. They built this district by making tough choices. For members of the board, people before you made progress on this very issue.

Now’s the time to finish the job. Now’s the time to build new traditions built on the pride and the strong foundations that exist – that exist not because of a mascot, but because of the people, values and teamwork that exemplify the best in this district.

Take the recommendation, change the name, board members. It’s time.

It’s time, dear readers, it’s time. Indeed, it’s way, way, way past time we move on.

An open letter to my class of 2020 graduates and their challenges Last weekyou were part of something nearly miraculous. I’m writing so that when you feel like the world is hopeless and there is just no use trying, you can remember and keep pressing on.

For a while we thought graduation day would not happen for your class.

When you left for home that random Thursday in early March you had no idea you would never walk those high school halls again. There was no prom, no sports, no final pep rally or yearbook signings. They set a tentative date for graduation in August but then there were rumors that you may just drive up and get your diploma in a gallon size ziplock bag. COVID-19 hijacked your Senior year.

Then the world was set on fire by the untimely death of a man named George Floyd at the hands of a police officer.It really wasn’t just about him but he represented all the injustice that people of color have been forced to endure. The realization dawned on us that America is not as united as we

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all hoped. How quickly we turn on our fellow countrymen when we should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger as we diligently work together to ensure justice for all and domestic tranquility.

Somewhere in the midst of all of this, it was decided that you would have a graduation ceremony after all ... outdoors, only two guests per student, everyone in masks, assigned seating, social distancing. It was so strange to see yellow slash marks painted on the ground from the parking lot to the stands of the outdoor stadium and red dots on the bleachers to signal appropriate separation. Unable to sit together with friends, parents filed in by twos like masked animals boarding the ark. We turned in health screening papers and our clear plastic bags for inspection; the entire process eerily quiet.

Perhaps we were fearful of gathering during a pandemic or perhaps we were fearful of each other.

Before 2020, if I had

CORRECTIONS

been describing this scene for you it never would have occurred to me to point out the race of anyone, ever. But as the Black security guard warned me to keep a tight grip on my nice camera and a White police officer stood nearby with his hands on his hips, flashes of mobs in riots entered my head. For an instant, I tightened my grip on my husband’s arm instead of my bag. Then I remembered this was my son’s high school graduation. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion. Because of you, graduate, I looked up into the eyes of the masked security guard and hoped he could see in mine that I was smiling.

I thanked him for being there and the little creases around his eyes told me I had brought a smile to his face and that lifted my spirits.

In the stands we were part of a diverse crowd; a Black family directly behind us, Hispanic to my right, Indian directly in front of us ... all socially distanced of course, perhaps now in more ways than one. We sat quietly

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whispering amongst our pairs, shooting sideways glances at those of us who dared to remove our masks to catch an occasional breath. Still uneasy in each other’s presence.

Until the miracle happened. You. You and your classmates entered the stadium and the place erupted in cheers. Suddenly, we were no longer strangers but united for a common cause. We were all there because we loved a child that had just achieved greatness. Instinct overrode our previous state of being and we were all transformed back into parents and family. It was like the sight of all of you jolted us awake and we were able to remember the times we had been in that same stadium and cheered at football games or track meets. If we did it then we could do it now.

For two and half hours, you and your classmates brought us all together in peace. When it was over we greeted one another as we left and wished each other well. Lots of wrinkles around everyone’s

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eyes said you had broken the tension simply by your presence.

You are the only earthly hope for mankind. You are the ones who will lead us all in the future and hold the power to be the change we so desperately need. You, graduate of the Class of 2020, will be remembered by history.

We are so proud of you.

When you feel discouraged at your seeming inability to change your world, remember that one hot summer night in 2020 when that was exactly what you did.

All my love, Mom, Heather Blalock

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NEWS

Page 4

Student seeking justice in wake of sexual assault

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

When 16-year-old Johnson High student Emily Polk finally mustered up the courage to speak up about being sexually assaulted by her teammate, she found nobody from the school that would listen.

Months after the incident, her mother found out and told officials at the school, but she too faced indifference.

“At one point I thought my daughter was going to kill herself because she was mentally and verbally abused,” said Brandy Pittman, Emily’s mother.

These inactions worry Pittman beyond the damage that sexual assault causes; she believes that passive reactions to sexual assault will allow her daughter to think that it is okay, or that speaking out against an abuser does more harm than good.

At first, Emily thought she might have had the situation under control, that if she spoke to her track coach, or a school police officer, they might protect her. That was not the case. Emily finally told her mother in February, almost three

months after the assault. When Pittman decided to take action, her voice went unheard, the situation was unreported, and the only person who suffered the consequences was Emily.

Pittman and her daughter’s situation can be condensed down to multiple stages of neglect; from the starting point of when the incident occurred and the coaches letting students fraternize in hotel rooms, to the point that the school did not report the incidence to the police.

It was in October that the Johnson High School cross country team went to compete in Corpus Christi and, on that night, Emily’s life was redefined. She was staying in a room with another female teammate, who asked to go to their male friend’s room. Emily was hesitant to go because the girls and boys were not supposed to be in the same room. But her friend told her she took some melatonin, a chemical that induces sleepiness, and she would prefer if Emily went along with her.

The two girls went to the room where two boys were staying.

“Everything was fine until they

turned off the lights,” Emily said.

They sat on the bed, and Emily’s roommate got under the covers with their teammate. She suspected there was inappropriate touching going on, but both parties were consenting.

Things got worse for Emily when the guy touching her friend grabbed Emily between her thighs.

At this point Emily felt uncomfortable and started to leave. As she got up, the boy followed her to the door, pulled her back in, pushed her onto the bed and started touching Emily.

Emily asked him to stop and the other male friend present told him to stop. Finally, he stopped and Emily left.

“I kind of shut down for a while.

It was hard to process, I started distancing myself from [the girl I was roomed with].”

When Emily got back to school, the situation progressively got worse. She was shunned by some people when she talked about the assault. Eventually, tensions were so high, she ate lunch in the

SEEKING JUSTICE, 8

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

Ditch Rebel Mascot Continued from pg. 1

High School in 2000; in 2012 it banned that flag from being displayed on school property.

Three years later, Hays High stopped using “Dixie” as its fight song.

Because of that previous association, the district now says, “it would be impossible to rebrand the Hays High School Rebels and completely sever the mascot’s connection to Confederate imagery that is hurtful and hateful to many.”

District administration has said that before presenting a possible mascot change to the Board of Trustees, a new mascot will have to be recommended. Students who responded to the survey were also asked about their ideas for a replacement mascot that is not being used by other schools in the district. The top choices were: Hawks, Hornets, Patriots, Cowboys, Eagles, Hurricanes, Hyenas, Phoenixes, Lions, Mavericks, Wildcats, Dragons and Honey Badgers.

Students will be asked to choose from that list, receiving choice selection sheets beginning this week.

Those sheets will

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presented to trustees, should they vote to change the mascot.

That could happen as early as later this month. If so, “the district will help Hays High School make the transition to the new mascot based on a workable timeline” that will be developed once the decision is made.

As part of preparing for a possible change, the district will begin an inventory, “with associated costs, of items that would need to be changed,” like sports and band uniforms and signage.

The district stressed that any decision to change the mascot “is not intended to erase campus history or cast any judgment on past supporters of the Hays High School Rebels.”

The district also said that, in a summer dominated by how to cope with COVID-19, a mascot change was not on anyone’s radar.

“However, the call for a mascot change, this time in the wake of the current events in the country, is not sudden, nor unexpected. It is, in fact, a debate that has been occurring in Hays CISD for more than 20 years.”

OBITUARY MONREAL

Robert is survived by his wife of 52 years, ErRobert melinda Reyes Monreal Monreof Austin; daughters al, 73, of Irene M. Cardenas (BenAustin jamin) of Austin, Angela peacefully Rodriguez (Andy) of passed Austin, Lisa M. Bender away sur(Sean) of Kyle, Sarah L. rounded by his daughMonreal of Austin, one ters on July 3, 2020 in son Robert Paul MonSan Marcos. real of Austin, sister Tila Robert attended Albarado (Guadalupe) Texas School for the of Bastrop, and Mom, Blind from 1953 to Simona T. Monreal of 1964 where he excelled Bastrop. Robert is also on the wrestling team survived by his nine and as a multi-talented grandchildren and four musician. Robert was a great-grand children. dedicated employee for Robert is preceded in the Austin Independent death by his Dad, Pablo School District as a Cus- Monreal and grandtodian for 24 years. He daughter Ermelinda loved working around Irene Cardenas. children so much that Visitation and memoafter retirement he went rial will be held July 13 on to work as a school at Harrell Funeral Home crossing guard for sevin Kyle. Visitation is eral years. Robert was 9:30-11 a.m. Memorial devoted to his entire service is 11a.m.-12 p.m. family, always had a with Pastor Benjamin goofy joke to tell and Cardenas of the Church loved life. of God of the First Born Robert was a member officiating. Burial will of The Church of God of follow at 1:30 p.m. at the First Born where he Assumption Cemetery accepted Christ as his 3650 South IH35 FronLord and Savior and was age Road, Austin. baptized.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

Page 5

Father of detained teen who developed COVID-19 in detention files complaint

BY ANITA MILLER

The father of a 17-yearold in the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center who has tested positive for COVID-19 has filed a complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

The father, identified only as E.Z., alleges his son’s rights under various federal laws have been denied during his detention, which has included stays in solitary confinement.

The teen was 16 when he came into the facility in May but had a birthday in June. Under Texas law, 17-year-olds are adults and should be housed in an adult correctional facility. His father is asking for a special education due process hearing and

the complaint names both the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center and the John H. Woods Charter School, the local educational agency that oversees the educational component of the detention center.

The complaint was received by the TEA , according to educational advocate Debra Liva.

Liva said, and the complaint spells out, that the student has not experienced any interventions to address his disabilities, which include ADHD, autism and a speech impairment “which primarily involves pragmatic (social communications), receptive and expressive language.” According to the complaint, the student

has an IQ of 76 and is “at the 5th percentile relative to children his age when he was tested in 2017.

Moreover, the student recently lost his mother in a house fire and Liva says he “has not been able to even grieve for her loss.” The complaint goes further, stating that the son has also been unable to “understand how to put all these current life events in context to make some sort of sense of them, due to his disability.”

His original solitary confinement, the complaint alleges “was initially documented as ‘health issues,’ but it was later explained to the parent … that it was at the student’s request because he was being bullied by others in

the facility” and was put into solitary as a precaution.

He was again placed in solitary for symptoms of COVID-19 and his father was informed on June 24 he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

During his whole 40 days in detention, Liva said, the student had been provided with one counseling session and that was not until he had been detained for more than 30 days.

The complaint states that the father is willing to accept mediation. The hearing has not yet been scheduled.

State law prevents the identity of detained juveniles or what they are charged with.

Texas State to extend online classes through second summer session Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Hays and Williamson Counties, Texas State University has transitioned nearly all classes to online delivery for the Summer II session that began July 6 on both the Round Rock and San Marcos campuses.

“The President’s Cabinet and I have been monitoring daily the COVID-19 situation in Hays and Williamson counties,” Texas State President Denise Trauth said. “In consultation with Chief Medical Officer Emilio Carranco, M.D., this afternoon, we made the decision that for summer II we will transition nearly all face-to-face classes to online delivery. The only courses that will remain face-to-face are those that require a face-to-face component for licensure or degree requirements.

The number of students enrolled in face-to-face courses during summer II will be about 200 on the San Marcos Campus and about 200 on the Round Rock Campus. The cours-

es remaining in the faceto-face mode will follow strict standard operating procedures to ensure the health, wellness, and safety of faculty and students.

There is no change to the status of our phased resumption of research in research facilities and field sites.

“The health, wellness, and safety of staff are also our priority. We do not expect all staff to return to full-time in-person work during the summer II session. Offices that have been able to operate with minimal staff physically present on our campuses since the beginning of summer

should continue to do so until we begin to ramp up for the fall semester in early August,” Trauth said.

“All units that normally provide face-to-face student services in the summer must continue to do so with appropriate modifications to enhance public health. To limit the number of people in an area at a given time, we have asked supervisors to develop plans for alternating schedules, where employees work remotely on some days or portions of days, and/or work on weekends, early morning hours, late evening hours, or combination of these.

“We are planning for

a return of face-to-face instruction and services in fall 2020. If students are comfortable returning to our campuses, we have many protective measures in place,” she said. “For students who are not able to return to campus at that time, or choose not to do so, remote learning opportunities are available to keep them on track academically. Not all classes will be available in a remote format; so, students will need to meet with their advisors to assess how such a choice would affect their paths toward graduation.”

The university’s chief medical officer monitors the campus and local situation closely and is in regular consultation with public health officials at the local, state and federal levels.

Social distancing and other strategies the university has implemented to help control the spread of COVID-19 are outlined at txstate.edu/coronavirus/road-map.html.

COVID-19 an unwelcome rite of passage for teens

BY SARAH BRAGER

In the past month there has been a dramatic spike in confirmed coronavirus cases in Hays County, and young people are playing a big role in the numbers. Young adults ages 20-30 are currently the highest group of positive-cases, but it would come as no shock if kids took their spot with growing rates of infection. Many kids and teenagers are struggling to accept a summer at home, and when Texas establishments began to open their doors, it grew harder to resist.

Many young people still have concerns about enclosed public spaces, such as restaurants and shopping malls, so they have taken to rivers and parks.

However, this is not as safe as it may seem. According to local pediatricians Noelle Williams and Julie Fisher, congregating in outdoor areas has brought in a lot of positive cases.

“All of a sudden Texas opened up and families thought it was OK to start doing events and gatherings, like going to the river. At the local swimming places like Five Mile Dam, there’s limited space to go so it’s hard to stay more than six feet apart,” Fisher said.

For some young people, however, getting out of the house is crucial for their mental health. After waving goodbye to the last three months of school, it can be hard to say goodbye to summer

as well. Hays High School senior Andrea Delgado expressed her disappointment in the situation saying “all my plans have been cancelled, including my summer vacations.”

Despite this, Delgado still understands the importance of staying home during the pandemic.

“I believe it is wrong and ignorant to not consider the rest of the population. I blame the parents for letting their kids go out often and for setting a bad example by going out themselves,” Delgado said.

Getting out of the house occasionally is understandable and encouraged, but it must be done in a safe manner to prevent further spikes in coronavirus cases. Williams and Fisher recommend that people continue to follow CDC guidelines by wearing a mask, remaining six feet apart and washing hands regularly. According to Dr. Fisher, when both healthy and sick people wear masks, the risk of transmission drops to 1.5%. Most importantly, young people must treat the pandemic as a life-threatening issue, because it is.

“I think young people are greatly affected because of false information on social media, and because most of their friends who contract it show low-grade symptoms. It’s not until you really know someone that’s been in the small group of people that’s getting sick that it becomes more realistic,” Williams said.

HaysFreePress.com HaysNewsDispatch.com for Hays County news

Estrella is a female, 6-year-old Labrador mix.

Estrella is doing her best to adjust to her new normal. She is very sweet, calm, and eager to meet new people. Estrella lived with another dog and will likely do great in a home with canine companions.

She deserves a great second act and we know there is a wonderful family waiting for her somewhere.

Lucy is a female 1 ½-year-old Shorthair Marble Tabby and White. Lucy really enjoys being part of a group whether it be people or other cats. She has a great time playing with her feline friends at the shelter but will instantly stop what she’s doing for cuddle time with people. This pocketsized beauty packs a ton of personality and love.

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas

is a non-profit, no-kill shelter operated primarily on donations and adoptions.

PHOTO BY ANITA MILLER

VFW members wore masks amid poor air quality from Saharan dust on June 27 to hand out lunch for the community’s heroes. They are Clint and Rhonda William, Ben Duncan and Dee Leal. Not shown is Ruben Hair

Quarantine Apartments

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Continued from pg. 1

two-bedroom apartments in Building #6 at Bobcat Village on Aquarena Springs Drive in San Marcos.

The county will pay the university $35 per night per bedroom actually used. Apartments are full furnished with a double bed, desk and desk chair, sofa and side chair, kitchen seating and a full “appliance package” of a stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer.” The agreement does not include the use of dining services, security, housekeeping or maintenance. — nor does it include kitchen accessories like dishware, silverware, pots and pans

500 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX • 512 268-1611 • pawsshelter.org

All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.

and cleaning products or will be amended, and pillows, linens, towels or the cost is not to exceed other bedding. $37,000.

The contract stipulates that the units will be cleaned prior to first responder occupancy, however there will be no cleaning during the first responder’s stay or until 24 hours after he or she has vacated the apartment. Units can be made available again in 72 hours of vacancy.

Occupants will be responsible for their own daily health monitoring.

Only one key will be issued per unit. Texas State will provide electricity and water.

The agreement will last until July 31, though that

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

City joins food bank for distributions

Local artists keeping the inspiration flowing in Buda

BY MEGAN WEHRING

to peek into the classes, both online and in-perBusinesses took a masson, and see everyone so sive hit when the coroengaged in the creative navirus pandemic came process, forming friendknocking at their doors. ships, having fun conRunning any business versations, and laughing comes with challenges. together.”

When the COVID-19 panNothing is considered demic forced a local art to be ‘normal’ anymore. center to close six weeks Whiteside and Guerra after opening, it’s even continue to host events worse. as possible according to With such a heaviness health and safety guidein the world right now, lines. A hand sanitizing Inspired Minds co-ownstation, complimentary ers Sinead Whiteside and disposable surgical masks Susan Guerra encourage and social distancing are the community to use promoted throughout. creativity to escape the Inspired Minds will be iteside said. “When staff parents. A five-year-old uncertainty. hosting the first annual and students arrive each child, who attended one “Art is really important,” day, we greet them outside of the in-person camps, Buda Plein Air Festival on Whiteside said. “It’s a great and conduct temperature told her parent: “Mommy, July 18. on Main Street in way for kids to communi- checks. Our campers take why didn’t you tell me that downtown Buda from 9 cate, express themselves, a.m. to 1 p.m. The mornregular hand washing and camp was going to be so get their emotions out and hand sanitizing breaks. ing will be filled with live fun?” have a voice where words Each student uses their Parents ware also grate- art and music all outjust don’t work.” own personal set of art ful for the children to have doors. Six-feet social disIn-person classes are tancing will be promoted supplies. Instructors of a level of independence gradually starting to be by using markers around teen and adult classes with their projects. added to the calendar. the artists. Artwork cremay require their students Whiteside said she enWhiteside said they have to wear masks.” joys watching the passion ated at the festival will be implemented several new Despite the many and dedication in the teen critiqued by a panel of guidelines to keep every judges. challenges they have intensive classes. person safe.

The winning artists faced, Whiteside and “Older students have “We have limited the will have a display for Guerra are encouraged been loving the Teen Art class sizes in order to popurchase in the Inspired by the positive feedback Intensives,” Whiteside sition the student workMinds Gallery on Aug. 15. from the children and said. “It’s been refreshing spaces six feet apart,” Wh-

The Central Texas index/12261771.

Food Bank in partnerInformation about ship with the city of Kyle other food distribution is hosting two mass food sites being hosted by distribution events on Central Texas Food Saturday, July 11 and Bank, visit www.cenThursday, Aug. 13 from traltexasfoodbank.org/ 8-11 a.m. at the Smile food-assistance/getDirect Facility, 300 Vista food-now.

Ridge Dr. — across from the Home Depot.

Central Texas residents facing food insecurity can drive to the event to receive a box of assorted produce, milk ENTERTAINMENT and a protein box. Actu3200 Kyle Crossing al contents may vary de(512) 523 9012 pending on availability.

All are welcome and no Experience it in registration is required.

ENHANCED VIEWING EXPERIENCE In response to the public health crisis, Central Texas Food Bank For all showtimes and distributions have been listings, please check our converted to a drive-thwebsite or call showline! ru model and volunteers place food into each vehicle’s trunk.

The food bank is asking that each household 1180 Thorpe Lane (512) 210 8600 only send one person to Cinema Eatery & Social Haus the events, and that all attendees come in vehicles — there will be no walk-up distribution, to adhere to social distancing requirements.

1250 WONDER WORLD DR. Anyone interested (512) 805 8005 in volunteering can EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM sign up at cafb.volunFilms. Lanes. Games. teerhub.com/event/

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BAPTIST First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

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1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. Jesse Martinez, Pastor • Fr. Rito Davila, Parochial Vicar CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

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Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda EPISCOPAL St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland The Well Buda

CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

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METHODIST Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor

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Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities

Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda

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Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666

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*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m.

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Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.

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Classifieds Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

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NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters of Independent Administration for the Estate of Regan Rae Williams, Deceased, were issued on June 24, 2020, under Cause No. 20-0132-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to Danny Ryan Lasater. All persons having claims against this estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present those claims within the time and in the manner prescribed by law in care of the Independent Administrator’s attorney, addressed as follows: Danny Ryan Lasater, Independent Administrator Estate of Regan Rae Williams, c/o The Law Office of Keith Hajovsky, P.O. Box 14128, Austin, TX 78761

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

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An application has been filed with Hays County to subdivide 223.774 acres of land into 749 single family lots in the Crosswinds Sections 3-5 Subdivision - Preliminary Plan located along Crosswinds Pkwy. south of Windy Hill Rd. Hays County-Kyle, TX. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150.

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• Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 Public Notice • Email paper@haysfreepress.com Notice of Public Hearing We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER THAT: INTERESTED PERSONS,

The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing Page 7 on a request by Richard B. Schmeltekopf, Linda Hill Schmeltekopf, Laura Lynn S. and Julian Lehman (Z-20-0059) to rezone Public Notices approximately 16 acres of land from Retail Service District ‘RS’ to Mixed Use District dent Executor of the Estate of Carl Lounsbury on August 24, NOTICE OF ABANDONED ‘MXD’ to rezone approximately 14 Ð William Grobe and Lundell.

2020, in Cause No. 20-0165Will the owners of a Rusted acres of land from Retail Service District P, in the County Court of Hays 1959 Oldsmobile 88 4-door Texas, which matter is ‘RS’ to Multi-Family County, Residential-3 ‘R-3-3’ VIN-597K05483, please con- NOTICE TO CREDITORS still pending. All persons havtact Quantum Towing at 512with 6.40 acres to remain as Retail Service ing claims against said Estate 295-8697. This vehicle is be- Notice to all persons having are required to present same District ‘RS’ for properties located on the claims against the Estate of ing held at our storage facility the time Louiscorner Conrad a/k/a withinDrive of Philomena andprescribed IH-35, by (VSF0640024) located at 100 Vernenorth law to: Carl Lounsbury, 2070 Jack Conrad, Deceased.

Rodriguez Ln, Buda, TX. The County, NoticeinisHays hereby given Texas. that Harper Drive, Harrison, Michvehicle has been in our possession since 4/18/2020 and accrued fees of $1,267.55 as of 6/4/2020. The vehicle will continue to accrue storage fees of $21.65 a day until vehicle is released. The failure of the owner to claim the vehicle & personal property before the 30th day after the date of this notice is provided a waiver by the person of all right, title, or interest in the vehicle & personal property and is a consent to the sale of the vehicle at a public auction.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

On June 17th, 2020, Catherine Christine Lundell qualified as Independent Executor of the Estate of William Grobe Lundell, Deceased, in Cause No. 20-0144-P pending in the County Court at Law No. 2 of Hays County, Texas. The address of the Independent Executor is c/o James B. House, House & House, PC, 8526 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78217, and all persons having claims against this estate are required to present them to such address in the manner and time required by law. Ð Catherine Christine Lundell - Indepen-

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original Letters Testamentary igan 48625 and Resident Agent, Laci D. Jones, upon The the Estate of Verne LouPlanning and Zoning Commission may1840 is Conrad a/k/a Jack Conrad, Logan’s Hollow Drive, Austin, recommend, and tothe Texas City78746.

Council may Deceased, were issued

consider, assigning any zoning district which is equivalent or more restrictive.

Notice of Public Hearing

A public will be held by that: the Notice is herebyhearing Given to all interested persons, ThePlanning City of Kyleand shallZoning hold a public hearing on a reCommission on quest

by Richard Schmeltekopf, Linda Tuesday, JulyB.28, 2020 at 6:30 P.M.Hill Schmelt-

ekopf, Laura Lynn S. and Julian Lehman (Z-20-0059) to rezone approximately 16 acres of land from Retail A public hearing held by the Kyle Service District ‘RS’ to will MixedbeUse District ‘MXD’ and City Council on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 to rezone approximately 14 acres of land from Retailat Service 7:00 District P.M. ‘RS’ to Multi-Family Residential-3 ‘R3-3’ with 6.40 acres to remain as Retail Service District ‘RS’ for properties located on the north corner of PhiloThis is planned as a virtual meeting mena Drive and IH-35, in Hays County, Texas.

taking place at https://

The Planning and Zoning Commission may recomwww.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/kyle-10mend, and the City Council may consider, assigning any zoning which is equivalent or more restrictive. live.district Should the COVID-19 disaster be

repealed between theby date of this notice A public hearing will be held the Planning and Zoningand Commission July 28, 2020 at 6:30 the dateonofTuesday, the public hearing, the P.M. A public hearing by the Kyle City 100 Council location willwill bebeatheld Kyle City Hall, on W. Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640.

This is planned as a virtual meeting taking place at https:// Please check the agenda for the proper www.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/kyle-10-live. Should the location.

COVID-19 disaster be repealed between the date of this notice and the date of the public hearing, the location willOwner: be at Kyle City Hall, W. Center Street, Kyle, TX Richard B.100 Schmeltekopf, Linda 78640. Please check the agenda for the proper Hill Schmeltekopf, Laura Lynnlocation.

S.

Owner: Richard B. Schmeltekopf, Linda Hill SchmelteLehman and Julius Lehman kopf, Laura Lynn S. Cancialosi Lehman and Julius Lehman Agent: David Public Notice Agent: David Cancialosi Permit Partners Permit Partners Notice of Public Hearing (512) 593-5361 (512) 593-5361

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS, THAT: Publication Date:Date: July 8, 2020 Publication July 8, 2020 Z-20-0059 Z-20-0059

The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing on a request by Rodolfo and Guadalupe Martinez and Mary Ann Mendoza (Z-20-0058) to assign original zoning to approximately 13.564 acres of land from Agriculture ‘AG’ to Retail Service District for properties located at 400 CR 208 and 23150 IH-35, in Hays County, Texas.

The Planning and Zoning Commission may recommend, and the City Council may consider, assigning any zoning district which is equivalent or more restrictive.

A public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 6:30 P.M. Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby Given will to all interested A public hearing be held persons, by thethat: Kyle The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing a City Council on Tuesday, August 4,on2020 at request by Rodolfo and Guadalupe Martinez and Mary 7:00 P.M. Ann Mendoza (Z-20-0058) to assign original zoning to approximately 13.564 acres of land from Agriculture

‘AG’ toisRetail Serviceas District for properties located at This planned a virtual meeting 400 CR 208 and 23150 IH-35, in Hays County, Texas. taking place at https:// The Planning and Zoning Commission may recomwww.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/kyle-10mend, and the City Council may consider, assigning any zoning districtthe which is equivalent ordisaster more restriclive.

Should COVID-19 be tive. repealed between the date of this notice A public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zonand the date on ofTuesday, the public the ing Commission July 28,hearing, 2020 at 6:30 P.M. location willwill bebeatheld Kyle City 100 A public hearing by the KyleHall, City Council on Tuesday, 4, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. W. CenterAugust Street, Kyle, TX 78640.

This is planned as athe virtual meetingfor taking Please check agenda theplace proper at https://www.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/kyle-10-live. location.

Should the COVID-19 disaster be repealed between the date of this notice and the date of the public hearing, the location will be at Kyle City Hall, 100 W. Center Owner: Rodolfo andPlease Guadalupe Street, Kyle, TX 78640. check theMartinez agenda for the proper and location.

Mary Ann Mendoza

Agent: Jon Thompson Owner: Rodolfo and Guadalupe Martinez and Mary Ann Mendoza J Thompson Professional Agent: Jon Thompson Consulting J Thompson Professional Consulting (512) 568-2184 (512) 568-2184 Publication Date: July 8, 2020

Publication Date: July 8, 2020 Z-20-0058 Z-20-0058

Page 8

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

Student seeking Justice after sexual assault Continued from pg. 4

bathroom and did not want to go back to track. Emily’s social life was significantly changed and she stopped going anywhere except work.

Emily even got threatened by her assailant that if she continued to talk about the situation, he would come to her work and shoot her.

The girl she roomed with was also lashing back at Emily for speaking up about the incident.

Messages on Snapchat showed that those present on that night did not support Emily uncovering the sexual assault.

Her roommate told Emily that “if it was such a big deal, you should’ve done something a week ago when it happened.” When Emily said she was pushed on the bed, the girl’s response was: “you could’ve left.”

Victims of sexual assault are not always taken seriously, often get questioned why they were in this position,

self. On June 9 the CCPD said the department never received a notice from the school.

Pittman talked to the school’s vice principal, she sent in complaints and reached out to Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright. She showed them the evidence she procured regarding Emily being threatened, that there were others present who watched it happen and her daughter’s words.

“You can’t argue when you got the evidence,” Pittman said.

All the assailant got was a “slap on the wrist” consisting of community service.

It was Pittman and Emily who got hurt most by all of this and they continued to endure that pain.

The school called Child Protective Services to investigate abuse from Emily’s home, but the investigation showed that this was not the case.

Even with all of these hurdles,

All the assailant got was a “slap on the wrist” consisting of community service. what they were wearing, why did they not speak up sooner. Some of these questions followed Emily well after that night.

As Emily faced more hostility, she decided to talk to her coach. Once again, her complaint was not taken seriously.

Instead of hearing the teen out, the coach told Emily that the team is about running, not high school drama.

Emily went to the Johnson High police officer, who also did nothing.

Pittman stepped in when she found out, asked the school to get involved, and was told they would report the assault to the Corpus Christi police department in February.

After waiting months to hear back, she called the police department her-

Pittman did not want to give up. She reported her daughter’s case to the Hays County Sheriff Department who said they could not do anything because the sexual assault happened out of their jurisdiction. But given the situation, they feel the boy should have been arrested.

Emily wonders, though, would any of this have happened had the coaches actually paid attention and ensured that boys and girls stayed separated? To Emily’s recollection, the coaches were staying downstairs in the hotel, on one side of the wing, while the students stayed upstairs on the opposite side of the wing.

The neglect from authority, beginning with the coaches all the way to the superintendent, has caused Pittman to take stronger action.

Now, she is working with a lawyer to bring justice for her daughter, although she knows that things will never be truly the same.

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Page 9

Hand washing: Tips to prevent skin irritation

BY MEGAN WEHRING Hand washing, sanitizing and disinfecting. It’s become the new normal.

What happens when the new normal causes skin issues?

To prevent transmission of the coronavirus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is advised especially after being in a public space, or after coughing and sneezing.

Dermatologists treat frequent cases of hand dermatitis year-round.

Dr. Tyler Hollmig, director of dermatologic surgery at Ascension Texas, said more patients have been coming in for hand dermatitis than ever before.

“With COVID, the number of cases of hand irritation and hand dermatitis we’re seeing has just been skyrocketing,” Hollmig said. “It’s for good reason.”

While hand washing is important and most people are doing their part, Hollmig recommends using cold or lukewarm water to protect the skin barrier from breaking down.

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Wash your hands!

A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

skin functions as a water barrier to keep the skin moist. If that’s disrupted, we lose water and hands can get really dry.”

Skin irritation is a common issue in the summer and winter months. It will flare up in the winter because of the humidity in the air that will ultimately lead to dry skin. Summer temperatures can also cause excessive sweating and itching, leaving the skin irritated.

After washing hands for the recommended time period, Hollmig advises using a fragrance-free moisturizer to keep the skin barrier intact.

“Using a moisturizer

actually helps reduce the risk of many kinds of infections simply by helping the skin barrier stay strong, rather than be destroyed by repetitive cycles of hand washing,” Hollmig said.

Hollmig also said using a thicker moisturizer at night can help hands have a more relaxing and soft consistency in the morning.

“When patients do have hand dermatitis, one thing that I’ve found helpful is to use a thick moisturizer, like a Vaseline, at night and then put socks on your hands,” Hollmig said.

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Page 10

COVID-19 hits family, jail

Let’s dance with Donna.

She’s the one who brung us.

Continued from pg. 1

fied categories, although the facility has reached its “maximum capacity” for those separations.

In-person visitation has been suspended but Villalpando said the company that provides telephone service now allows two free 10-minutes phone calls per week to each inmate. Inmates are issued masks on arrival and once weekly thereafter or as requested, and are given cleaning materials to use to augment regular sanitation by

correctional staff.

Additionally, educational materials on the CDC guidelines are placed throughout the jail.

She said the coronavirus has also affected staffing as correctional officers who test positive are forced to quarantine; and also that some counties which currently house Hays inmates are having to cut down on those numbers because their own facilities are seeing staff shortages.

Mulling Over Mascot Continued from pg. 1

a safe and comfortable environment for all students.”

Reyna said she feels that the current student body has an empowering role to continue what previous students started.

“Many students that came before us dedicated their time to getting the Rebel removed and I want our class to finally finish what they started,” Reyna said. “We feel a calling to stand up for those that are too scared of ridicule and backlash to stand up for themselves.”

The administration was determined to have any petition for a new mascot be a student-led effort.

Social media has been the main platform for the committee. The petition has been passed around for about two weeks with 500 signatures.

Hays High junior Marlee Claes, a member of the committee, said changing

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 8, 2020

the mascot raises awareness of national current events.

“With the political climate around Black Lives Matter and just in general in the United States, I think it’s time to change things that are being honored when they aren’t necessarily worthy of being honored,” Claes said.

The student committee will attend the Board of Trustees meeting in August, hoping to convince the board to make the change. Hernandez said it will be a lengthy process to impact and change the minds of the Hays High community.

“Of course, it takes time to change the mindset of a student body as large as ours, but I think by continuing to educate people we can help to better the school altogether,” Hernandez said.

• Donna knows the people and systems to organize our party for critical success this fall.

• Her effective, unified campaign plans are already under way and a change now would disrupt efforts up and down the ballot, from local campaigns for president and Congress to judges and commissioners.

• Donna has paid her dues, earned her stripes, and learned from the ground up – volunteering for campaigns, serving as a negotiator for working people as the president of the Texas State Teachers Association, and helping re-organize Kyle-Buda Area Democrats.

• A retired teacher herself, she serves entirely without pay, working almost full-time for the party.

Most people don’t know what a “party chair” is or does. We do. In an election year, the position is critical. In a year like this one, it’s absolutely vital. We can’t afford someone figuring it out as they go. Not this year.

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