Blast off with Cub Scout Rocket Derby
Semi-pro soccer in Hays Co.
DSISD looks to innovate
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVI No. 41
Man killed in rolllover on Nutty Brown BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
A man was killed late Sunday night after a single vehicle rollover accident that occurred along Nutty Brown Road near Dripping Springs. Authorities have identified Millard John Ticer, 61, of Johnson City, as the person who was killed in the accident.
ROLLOVER, 7
Molotov cocktail leads to arrest BY SAMANTHA SMITH
News-Dispatch Reporter
A Wimberley resident was arrested July 13 after he was suspected of possessing a Molotov cocktail in his home following a lawful search of his home by authorCHAMBERS ities. Julius Chambers, 30, of Wimberley, was booked into Hays County Jail on charges of possession of a prohibited weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. Both are third degree felonies. Chambers was also charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance of more than four grams but less than 200 grams, which is a first
ARREST, 8
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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Thursday, July 21, 2016
No permit discussion for DSWSC BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
Citizens packed the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation meeting Monday to relay concerns about the possible effects on DSWSC wells if the city’s proposed discharge permit of treated effluent is approved. The board, however, opted not
to place an item on next month’s agenda to discuss the topic. Area resident David Crowell was concerned that the board is ignoring recent findings from the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) that Onion Creek recharges the upper and middle Trinity Aquifer, which DSWSC wells draw from. “By that coming up as a
possibility by scientists and them ignoring that, I think they are going to be culpable if these wells get contaminated by ignoring the facts and even refusing to talk about it,” Crowell said. Four people spoke at Monday’s meeting about their concerns over the city’s application for a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The permit, which is
part of the city’s plan to expand its wastewater treatment system, could discharge close to one million gallons of treated effluent into Walnut Springs, which is a tributary of Onion Creek. Recently, BSEACD and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) passed resolutions asking TCEQ
DSWSC, 8
No injuries as fire takes Dripping Springs home BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
No one was injured after a fire ravaged a two-story home along Russell Lane Sunday; 30 firefighters from the North Hays County Fire and Rescue helped extinguish the flames. An investigation into the fire, which is being conducted by the Hays County Fire Marshal’s office, is ongoing, according to NHCFR Chief Scott Collard. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the home on Russell Lane at 8:21 a.m. Sunday after neighbors heard a pop, saw smoke and called 911, Collard said. When they arrived, they reported a two-sto-
HOUSE FIRE, 8 PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Two North Hays County Fire and Rescue firefighters use a fire hose to spray the charred remnants of a structure fire on Russell Lane Sunday morning.
38 and counting Hays County moving forward on 2008 road bond projects BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
A total of 38 projects completed over an eight-year span were featured in a presentation given to the Hays County Commissioners Court as a progress report on its 2008 Road Bond. Voters authorized the bond, which was passed by voters by a 2-to-1 margin, for roughly $207 million for the Pass-Through finance program and priority road bond program projects. Mike Weaver, transportation consultant with Prime Strategies, said in a press release the amount invested for road projects was doubled from the $207 million passed in the bond to $493 million. That was done through partnerships, refinancing for lower interest rates and the pass-through funding program. Under the pass-through financing program, the county places road debt “on their books,” Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley said July 12. The county then develops the program to construct the project, and then is paid back by the state. Conley said the county is paid back on a quarterly basis, per the agreement with the state. Of the roughly $493 million invested for transportation improvements in the county, roughly 48 percent was leveraged by Hays County. The county since 2008 has invested $255 million and has received
Pass-through financing by the numbers – Voters approved $207 million to be used for road bond projects in 2008 – Amount invested grew to $493 million through partnerships, refinancing and pass-through funding – Of the $493 million, 48% was leveraged by Hays County – Since 2008, the county has invested $133 million in financial reimbursements from the state
WHAT IS PASS-THROUGH FINANCING? Counties take on debt for road projects and develop programs to construct the project. The state then pays the county back on a quarterly basis.
roughly $133 million in financial reimbursements from the Texas Department of Transportation. “The state of Texas has not missed a payment and we have excellent expectations on what we told people in 2008,” Conley said. Weaver said the county has completed roughly 38 projects
PASS-THROUGH TOLL, 7
LAGNIAPPE Dripping Springs Burn ban on Hays County Tuesday Fair and Rodeo reinstated a burn ban for unIt’s rodeo time again! The Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo will be held July 21-24 at Dripping Spring Ranch Park. Come out for bull riding, mutton busting, carnival rides, live music, pony rides and music more. Visit www. drippingspringsfairandrodeo. com for a full schedule.
incorporated areas, including extraterritorial jurisdictions July 19. Charcoal, wood and gas grills with lids are exempt. Burn barrels, including barrels with screens on the top, are not allowed during a burn ban.
LAGNIAPPE, 6
Beware of possible credit card skimmers BY SAMANTHA SMITH
News-Dispatch Reporter
Concern is growing regarding credit card skimming at area gas stations in Dripping Springs, despite no reports of the issue to authorities. Credit card skimming is when criminals attach a device to the inside of a credit card scanner on a gas pump or an ATM machine. The skimmer collects the data off the consumers’ credit card from the magnetic stripe on the back when it is swiped. Some criminals have gone as far as building a fraudulent ATM machine to deceive residents. At this time, Hays County Sheriff’s Deputy Stephen Traeger said there have not been any reports of credit card skimming in the Dripping Springs area. But recently, the Valero gas station on the corner of FM
290 and Sawyer Ranch Road was suspected as having credit card skimmer activity recently. Two Valero employees said a customer found fraudulent charges on their credit card statement and contacted the gas station to inquire about a possible credit card skimming device on one of their pumps. The Valero gas station manager then had the corporate office visit the location, unlocking all the gas station pumps to look inside to determine any skimming devices had been installed. The two employees declined to comment further, but told the News-Dispatch that all the gas pumps were inspected and none of them were equipped with skimming devices. According to Consumer
SKIMMING, 7
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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 David White 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, July 21, 2016
We’re all frying here in Texas W
ell, it’s July in Texas, and wouldn’t you know it, it got hot! How hot is it? It’s hotter that a goat’s butt in a pepper patch. It’s so hot that buzzards have high cholesterol from eating fried road kill. It’s so hot out here at the Crow’s Nest that our squirrels are dipping their nuts in the bird bath. It’s so hot here in Texas that Willie Nelson put his hair up in a man bun. That’s hot, folks! And if it wasn’t hot
From the Crow’s Nest by Clint Younts
enough for us, there’s a group of prisoner advocates stokin’ the fire about the convicts in Texas prisons not having the luxury of air conditioning. Well, cry me a river! Thousands of hard-working, law-abiding Texans don’t
have A/C in their homes, and this group of turdbrained whiners is complaining about convicted felons having to sweat out their life sentences in a hot cell. Oh, give me a break! But wait, I forgot that I have evolved into a tolerant, politically correct southern gentleman. I am no longer that opinionated, beer-guzzlin’ redneck that y’all used to know and love. Perhaps these misguided souls up in Huntsville and in other
Texas prisons shouldn’t suffer the intense summer heat. Just because they are murdering, thieving menaces to society shouldn’t matter. The state of Texas already spends more on these prisoners than it spends on school children, so why not spend even more so these convicts can have live a life of luxury? Let’s give them more comforts of home, shall we? We should give each prisoner a big-screen TV
and Netflix so they can catch up on their favorite shows, like Orange is the New Black and How to Get Away With Murder. Instead of serving them drab prison food, let’s build a Golden Corral in each prison so the child molesters and cop killers can stuff themselves at the endless buffet. And what’s more appropriate for a Texas prison to have a Dairy Queen to supply a
YOUNTS, 5
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TURNING OFF THE GAS Dear Editor, Thank you so much for a beautifully expressed editorial opinion in the July 14th News-Dispatch. This is exactly the kind of media response we need more of during these troubled times. All lives DO matter. It is up to each of us to do our part to end this fear, hate, racism, and acting out behavior. Let there be peace, and let it begin with me. Love will have its way. Candy Spitzer Wimberley
STATEMENT CLARIFICATION Many conversations are ongoing around the City of Dripping Springs’ pursuit of a necessary discharge permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in order to expand our wastewater treatment facility. It’s a complex topic of great interest to many in our community and for good reason. It is also a topic that has initiated a difficult, but necessary dialogue throughout the area and, in particular, at City Council meetings. I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify a comment I made at the Council meeting on
To that end, my offer still stands: City staff and I are willing to meet with any interested stakeholder in the community to further discuss this issue. –Todd Purcell, mayor of Dripping Springs
June 14th in regard to the proposed wastewater expansion and discharge permit. At that meeting, I said, “If we are going to put water into the aquifer, we need to pull the permit.” Citizens have brought up that comment on multiple occasions since the meeting. And, I did, in fact, say exactly that. However, I should have been more careful with the words I chose to use. What I should have said is, “If the discharge permit is going to negatively impact the quality of water in the aquifer, then we should re-evaluate disposal options.” I call this out for two reasons: one, as I mentioned, several community members have brought up my statement, so, I wanted simply to clarify my position; and two: I stand firmly behind the plan the City is moving forward with to address
our growing wastewater challenges. I am confident in the science and the many years of research and analysis that has been performed. I know this a complicated and emotional discussion, and it should be grounded in facts. To that end, my offer still stands: City staff and I are willing to meet with any interested stakeholder in the community to further discuss this issue. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify my statement from the City Council meeting on June 14. Mayor Todd Purcell Dripping Springs
MAKE IT A WIN-WIN RE: Letter to editor from Mayor Prucell So you didn’t mean what you said, and what you meant to say is: “If the discharge permit is going to negatively impact the quality of water in the aquifer, then we should re-evaluate disposal options.” We would like to try to follow your track here. Why did Louis Herron from TCEQ say at yesterday’s Wastewater Reuse Conference in San Marcos that they have not figured out how to get cancer medicine and hormones out of the treated water? Why did he state that there is still a lot they don’t even know how to test for?
The TCEQ itself is now need to retract and making statements change your words a of concern about not second time please just being able to get cancer let us know? medicine and hormones At the end of the day out of the treated water. the TLAP comes down Couple that with multiple to more money, but we pieces of evidence we’ve believe this creek and referenced that support what it does is invaluthese waters in fact going able! This is our whole into the aquifer, and that premise here. Let us help seems to be a pretty clear you guys to campaign the case that the discharge entire community for the would negatively impact resources and support the quality of water in necessary to the aquifer. have a winYou’ve seen for all Let us help win the CECs here. Do your that Douglas BR210 and you guys to A. Wierman DPR to your from campaign heart’s conTSU has tent, the expresented, the entire cess just keep and your and Mayor Pro community irrigating spraying that’s Tem has all we want for the publicly here. You’re discounted resources not going to and refuted have much them as and excess anyway insignificant! We must because support say that’s you’ve told us rather bold necessary how well you when the are doing with to have a DSISD may all of your be one of the contracts, win-win for BR largest water which is great! customers! If it’s $10M all here. Both more plus Hays Trinity $120k a year and Barton –Wes Pitts, to run the LA Springs president of Protect versus the disEdwards Our Water Now charge then Aquifer we need to conservation find a way to make that districts contend there happen, and specifically is significant conneceveryone who benefits tion between wells and from the plant expansion surface water in Onion needs to bear the responCreek in some areas! sibility for the costs and Yes, absolutely, we feel impacts of that activity! that 995,000 gallons per We’d like to hear that day of treated sewage you will listen to our effluent discharged into ideas, and now stand Walnut Springs/Onion behind your word that Creek will in fact “negayou should re-evaluate tively impact the quality disposal options … yes, of water in the aquifer,” that’s precisely what we and we would like to call want to hear! upon you to “re-evaluate Wes Pitts, President disposal options” as you now say you should do. www.protectourwaterRespectfully, if you now.org
Sheriff ’s Report DRIFTWOOD
WIMBERLEY
Theft 7:07 a.m. - 5XX Hays Country Acres Rd - July 14
Public Intoxication 12:58 a.m. - EmilyAnn Theatre Inc - July 14
Criminal Trespass 8:38 p.m. - 121XX Fm 150 W - July 16
Accident/Major 10:06 p.m. - Nutty Brown Rd at Nueces Ln - July 17
DRIPPING SPRINGS Theft 3:13 p.m. - Dollar General of Dripping Springs - July 14
Criminal Trespass 8:49 a.m. - 2XX Mystic Creek Dr - July 15 Theft 6:54 p.m. - Revshare Auto Sales - July 15 Burglary/Habitation 6:45 p.m. - 4XX Pioneer Trl - July 16
Criminal Trespass 6:34 p.m. - Roy Creek Rd at Hillview Trl - July 16 Environmental Crime 11:28 a.m. - Martin Rd at W Hwy 290 - July 16
Criminal Trespass 6:57 p.m. - Roy Creek Trl at Hill View Trl - July 17
Theft 4:54 p.m. - Twin Liquors Wimberley - July 14
Criminal Trespass 4:02 p.m. - 1XX Southriver - July 15 Criminal Trespass/Habitation 12:51 p.m. - 2XX Twin Mountain Rd - July 15
Assault/Aggravated/Deadly Weapon 5:42 p.m. - 13XX Fm 32 Lot 12 - July 16 Criminal Trespass 5:02 p.m. - 1XX Mill Race Ln - July 16 Theft 12:51 p.m. - 1XXStony Creek Vista - July 16
Accident/Major 10:55 p.m. - Fm 3237 at Fm 150 - July 17 Burglary/Habitation 10:28 a.m. - 1XX Milagro Ln - July 17 Criminal Trespass 4:33 p.m. - RR 12 S of South River - July 17
Terroristic Threat 2:48 p.m. - 1XX Henson Rd - July 17
Thursday, July 21, 2016
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 3
Obituary TICER Millard John Ticer, a 30 year resident of Johnson City, died Sunday, July 17, 2016. He was 61. He is preceded in death by his parents, Millard June Ticer and Minnie Jeff Thomas Ticer. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Suzanne Ticer, and daughter Nicole Ticer, sisters, June Sells of Fort Worth, Jane Stewart of Dripping Springs, and Jean Glaze of Pasadena, and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews. John was born in Harlingen, Texas, the only son among three sisters. Following in his father’s footsteps, John developed many different interests and hobbies, many of which displayed his talent for fixing and making things. A jack-ofall trades, John worked as a mechanic, carpenter,
construction worker, and more. Chances were, if you needed something fixed or created, John knew how to make it happen. This ability was evident by the two homes he built himself in Johnson City for his family and Suzanne’s parents. His other interests included Civil War reenactments, endurance horse riding competitions in Central Texas, leading his antique horse-drawn buggy in local parades, and racing catamarans with his wife and daughter. Accomplished with bar-b-que, John could be counted on to cook wherever family gathered. He will be remembered for his drive to overcome numerous physical accidents, how he could surprise small children with his decades-old beard, and his commitment to family. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends. A memorial gathering will be held this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Ticer family home.
Cub Scouts blast off at Belterra Local Cub Scouts had the chance to blast off model rockets high into the sky Saturday near the Belterra Recreation Center as part of the Rocket Derby 2016. The event, sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 101 in Dripping Springs, allowed scouts and interested on-lookers the chance to learn how to put together a model rocket and launch it into the air. See more photos from the Rock Derby online at www.HaysNewsDispatch. com. Just follow the hotos link.
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
COURTESY PHOTO
Bee hummingbirds are about twice as big as a bee.
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Smallest bird is almost a bee BY JERRY HALL
News-Dispatch Contributor
The bee hummingbird is the world’s smallest bird. It weighs half an ounce and is about two inches long. I was fortunate in spotting this tiny bird on a trip to Cuba. The female specimen I saw was flying around some flowers and later perched on an overhead wire, displaying a turquoise green back and body. It looked to be about twice the size of a big bumble bee. Once a common species on several Caribbean
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islands, it is now found only in isolated areas of Cuba. Probably fewer than 2,500 of the small hummingbirds are left. Like all hummers, the bee variety can hover, fly backwards and upside down. It can beat its wings at the amazing rate of 200 beats per second. Wow. The female bee hummingbird builds a thimble-sized nest out of plant fibers and adorns it with lichens. The male, aside from breeding, avoids all parental responsibilities. Although they eat some insects, their main food is nectar from flowers.
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Worship in a church of your choice Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today.
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5 p.m. Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m. Spanish Mass Sunday: 1:30 p.m.
512-858-5667
Rev. Charlie Garza, pastor Located at the corner of RR 12 & Post Oak in Dripping Springs
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Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM
Sunday Morning
11:00 AM
Sunday Worship
5:45 PM
Wednesday Meal
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Wed TouchPoint
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SCBC Preschool Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries
www.sunsetcanyonchurch.org
(512) 894-0480
4000 E. HWY 290
Page 4
News-Dispatch
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Sports
Summer Horse Show series gallops onward Left: Mackenzie Resendez guides her horse, Prince, over a barrier during the Power and Speed, Junior division, equestrian competition on Saturday. Below: Annabeth Dorris’ horse Dun Quixote jumps over a barrier on Saturday at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The Dripping Springs Summer Horse Show series continued on last weekend as participates competed in the Jumpers in the Hill Country event Saturday and the Dressage in the Hill Country event Sunday. The weekend events were part of 12 shows at DSRP over the summer. The next show will be the Horsemanship and Playday shows, which will be held July 30 starting at 9 a.m. See more photos online at www.HaysNewsDispatch.com. Just follow the photos link.
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Kicking it
Semi-professional soccer team gets ready to play in Hays County BY MOSES LEOS III
moses@haysfreepress.com
As a bus driver working for Hays CISD, Jose Ramos had a dream of playing soccer on the pitch at Gregg-Clarke Park every time he drove by it. With a kick of a ball Thursday, Ramos and many other soccer players’ dreams will become reality. Kyle will be home to a new semi-professional soccer team this fall as the Central Texas Lobos, a part of the Texas Premier Soccer League, will play their inaugural season at Gregg-Clarke Park. Ramos, hired as the semi-professional team’s first head coach, hopes the team can be an asset for the Hays County community. “It’s not just a soccer team that’s going to play every weekend and then say, ‘let’s go home,” Ramos said. “We’re going to try to give that opportunity … for people to play professional soccer.” Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers, who participated in Thursday’s welcoming ceremonies, said sports teams are “great economic development drivers.” He said traveling teams will stay in hotels and
al soccer would provide mies or clubs which have the community an option been working for “years to have a “good time,” and years.”’ Ramos said. That could “Our thing is to get include the possibility of them together and play alcohol sales at games. soccer and have fun. “They can come over That’s the main purpose,” on the weekend, have a Ramos said. good time and enjoy the The Lobos also look games,” Ramos said. to work closely with loWhile developing playcal soccer clubs, such ers ages 18 to 24 is also as Hays Fusion and San the focus for the team, Marcos Search. Ramos the Lobos gives local said the club would have talent a chance to show an open door policy. what they’ve got. “We want to work with The Lobos’ the comseason runs munity,” from SeptemRamos ber through said. “It’s March and not just travels across for us.” the state to Eli GuaTryouts will be held play othjardo, who July 23 at Gregger squads. played Clarke Park in Players will soccer at Kyle. See http://bit. also have the Lehman ly/2a63LzN for more information. chance to High and be seen by will be a scouts from part of Major League the CTL Soccer (MLS), Mexico’s Lobos, said the prospect top tier soccer league, of semi-pro soccer in Liga MX, and small uniKyle was an “incredible” versities and colleges. opportunity. In addition, the Lobos Having competitive will field an academy soccer for the next generlevel for players 13- to ation of athletes is some15-years-old. thing Guajardo said he is Within the academy looking forward to. level, the team will be “I just want to help able to work with players the community take it to develop their skills. to the next level,” GuaRamos said the focus is to jardo said. “We just need ensure players don’t get fans…we’re looking for “blindsided” by acadesupport.”
Want to be a Lobo?
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Kyle City Council member Damon Fogley (right) models the jersey for the new Central Texas Lobos semi-professional soccer team, which will begin play this September in Kyle. Lobos head coach Jose Ramos hopes the soccer team can be an asset for the Hays County community.
shop in stores and restaurants. An additional benefit, Sellers said, could be an addition of hotels to the area as a result of the soccer team. The city has two hotels currently open, with two more hotels slated to open within the next calendar year. “Every time there is a home game where the visiting team comes, it generates revenue to the city,” Sellers said. “It
Advertise in the News-Dispatch sports section and put the spotlight on your business. Email ads@haysnewsdispatch.com for more information.
brings another tourism and local event driver.” Kyle, which partnered with Zuzeca ASC out of Austin to bring the team to the city, could also host soccer tournaments during the course of the year. Economic development generation could occur if the city were to host a tournament, Sellers said. He said in many cases, tournaments could cover the cost of building
infrastructure to host them. The city is looking to make Kyle a “home base” for soccer tournaments, which could mean the addition of more soccer fields, Sellers said. Currently, the city is working on immediate improvements at GreggClarke Park to house the Lobos. Those include the addition of bleachers at the field, along with improving light structures. Local semi-profession-
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www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 5
Education DSISD moves forward with ‘District of Innovation’ BY MOSES LEOS III
moses@haysfreepress.com
Dripping Springs ISD is ready to begin taking a look at how it can implement innovation plan strategies into its strategic plan after being named a “District of Innovation” (DOI) last month. Diane Flaim, assistant superintendent of learning and innovation, said “a lot” of the implementation of District of Innovation plan strategies will happen during the school year when the District Advisory Council (DAC) meets. Flaim said the DAC
decided to keep the innovation plan broad, so the district could tap into opportunities when presented with them. In June, the DSISD board of trustees approved the “District of Innovation” designation. The District of Innovation concept was passed during the 84th Legislative Session as House Bill 1842, which gives exemptions from some state mandates while increasing local control. Twelve Texas school districts, including Dripping Springs, have acquired “District of Innovation” status, according to the
Texas Education Agency website According to the district, one of the changes that will be implemented this year is the use of a locally developed teacher appraisal system that aligns with the district’s strategic plan. The district will also now allow more than one designated person per campus to be a behavior coordinator. Flaim said state law calls for a designated behavior coordinator for each campus. With the DOI plan, the district can have multiple behavior coordinators.
“Now we can have all of our assistant principals helping with that work and not just one designated person,” Flaim said. “It’s a more collaborative approach.” Flaim said obtaining the designation brings control back to a local level and allows input from the community to “better meet the needs of students in the district.” “It gives us the opportunity to look at our strategic plan and find ways we can enhance the learning environment for our stakeholders, teachers, students and community,” Flaim said.
Online enrollment verification process begins July 30 STAFF REPORT Dripping Springs ISD’s annual online enrollment verification process for all students begins July 30. The district sent an e-mail to parents with login information July 18. According to a Dripping Springs ISD press release, this process replaces the multiple forms that parents used to fill out on back-toschool nights. According to state law, this process must be completed each year for all students, including those who have been enrolled in DSISD previously and those who are new to our district and have completed
Be prepared School starts Aug. 22. See a full list of DSISD back to school events online at www.dsisd. txed.net.
registration. Family information will carry over between siblings, but some acknowledgements must be made separately for each child. For secondary students, annual enrollment verification is not the same as course selection, which students should have completed in the spring. Parents are asked to complete the verification
for each child in their family as soon as possible after July 30. Elementary parents are asked to complete this process by Aug.15, 2016, which is prior to “Meet the Teacher Nights” on Aug. 18. Secondary school students should be completed by Aug. 9, 2016, before orientation sessions begin. Completion will allow the campus to confirm classroom assignments in a timely manner. Parents who have problems with the on-line process should contact their child’s campus and ask for the Family Access contact/Student Records Specialist.
Computers are available at campuses for those who do not have one available at home. Enrollment verification forms include confirmation of student data and contact information, parental consent form, health record information, acknowledgement of Student Code of Conduct/ Student Handbook, student transportation info, and more. Some campuses require additional forms, such as the parking permit request at the high school.
Continued from pg. 2
So they chose a life of crime, and they chose the consequences of breaking the law. prefer working on a ranch instead of pushing paper in some chilly office. And many other Texans, like farmers, construction workers, firefighters, have made the choice to work in the heat. Those felons sweating in Texas prisons also made a choice. They chose to rob that store. They chose
Three DSISD PTAs honored
A trio of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) at Dripping Springs schools were honored recently by the Texas PTA. The Rooster Springs Elementary PTA received several honors, including the Early Bird Achievement Award, which signifies increase of membership by Sept. 30. The school’s PTA also received the Honor Roll Award, the President’s List Award, and designations for both fall and spring increase in membership. The PTAs from Dripping Springs Middle School and Dripping Springs Elementary both were named to the President’s List. The schools were also honored for student membership and membership increases in both the fall and the spring. All five Dripping Springs ISD schools have active PTAs that support the campus, its staff and students in many ways.
Dripping Springs students earn honors Seven Dripping Springs area residents received academic honors as they were placed on the dean’s honor roll or the distinguished student list for the summer semester at Texas A&M
University in College Station. Students who were placed on the dean’s honor roll must take at least 12 hours during the summer semester and have maintained a 3.75 higher grade point (GPR) out of a possible 4.0. Students who were selected as a distinguished student earned 3.5 to 3.75 GPR while taking at least 12 hours.
DEAN’S HONOR ROLL
Kristina A. Dickinson Junior Dripping Springs Bachelor of Arts – International Studies
Kaitlynn E. Dugan Senior Driftwood Bachelor of Science – Health (lower) Erica N. Kabalin Senior Dripping Springs Bachelor of Landscape Architecture – Landscape Architecture
Evon J. Looper Senior Dripping Springs Bachelor of Science – Biomedical Engineering
Cassidy L. Wittmann Junior Dripping Springs Bachelor of Science – Psychology
DISTINGUISHED STUDENTS Thomas T. Morris Postbaccalaur Driftwood Bachelor of Science – Computer Science Sarah N. Vaughan Senior Dripping Springs Bachelor of Science – Bioenvironmental studies
Destination Education Renovation
Younts
Blizzard to cool these fine fellas off on a hot summer night. Instead of paying convicts to make license plates, we should pay them just to sit on their butts and do nothing for their long terms. Shoot, we do that already with the members of Congress. Sure, it gets really hot here in Texas, but for most of us, we made the choice to live here. In my junior year of college, I chose to spend my summer break roofing down here in Texas instead of staying in the Smoky Mountains. I once lived up in the hills of Kentucky, but I made the choice of moving to Texas where it gets hotter’n a tick on a camel’s hump. I
SCHOOL BRIEFS
to strangle that innocent co-ed. They made the choice to shoot that cop. So they chose a life of crime, and they chose the consequences of breaking the law. So, if these convicts have to spend the rest of their lives in hot and humid prison cells, that’s their choosing. But there is some good news for the ones sitting on death row. I hear their next residence will still be hot, but at least it’s a dry heat. Clint Younts likes to sweat out his opinions while shredding the grass around his Mountain City Crow’s Nest. crowsnest78610@yahoo.com
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Page 6
News-Dispatch
Thursday, July 21, 2016
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Lagniappe
Continued from pg. 1
Music and Merry Making at the Pound House
The Pound House in Dripping Springs will be alive with the sound of music as we sing along with old- fashioned sounds of the fiddle, harmonica, banjo, and mandolin with the Hill Country Ramblers. Kids will make their own instrument and play along with the band. This event will be held July 21 from 9-11 a.m. at the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead in Dripping Springs for kids ages 6-12. Reservations are required since class sizes are limited. Visit www.drpoundhistoricalfarmstead.org to sign up.
more info contact Patrick Reznik, founder, at 512-773-9639 or preznik@ braungresham.com, or Steven Schultz, VP membership, at (512) 3488955 or stevenschultz@ me.com. The club is open to the community.
Spread the word
Do you have a notfor-profit community event you’d like publicized? Email Lagniappe information to christine@ haysfreepress.com.
Wimberley VFW Bingo
Dripping Springs Toastmasters
Wimberley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6441 will donate the proceeds from its July 22 bingo night to a fund benefiting the families of the five police officers killed July 7 at a downtown Dallas protest. Bingo games are held at Oldham-Cummings VFW Post 6441 at 401 Jacobs Well Road in Wimberley. Early bingo begins at 7 p.m. with regular games starting at 8 p.m. For more info call 512-847-6441.
Improve your communication and speaking skills with the Toastmasters while enjoying an hour of fun, growth and great energy. The group meets on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Pioneer Bank, 100 Creek Road in Dripping Springs. For
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Service Directory Air & Heating
Automotive
Service All Models Authorized Trane Dealer Heating, Air Conditioning, and Insulation Emergency Service provided
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M-F 8-5 Sat. 9-3
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Steel Horse
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Marcus Lees Affordable Oak Wilt Treatment (512) 858-4018 by TTH Inc. TDA #270421 leestrees@vownet.net (512) 921-4661
Schedule ball moss treatment for March
Is your business scoring with customers? We can help with the game plan. Reach thousands of potential customers for $25 a week in the News-Dispatch, Hays Free Press and Hays County Echo Service Directories. (13 week minimum)
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Thursday, July 21, 2016
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 7
Rollover
Don’t Quit ... Switch
Continued from pg. 1 Sunday’s accident happened at 10:04 p.m. on Nutty Brown Road roughly seven miles east of Dripping Springs, according to Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Robbie Barrera. Ticer, who was driving a 1999 Ford Ranger, was traveling south on Nutty Brown Road when his
vehicle crossed over the center line into the northbound lane and went off of the east side of the road, Barrera said. The pickup truck then struck a concrete culvert with the back left tire, which caused the Ranger to enter into a clockwise skid. The vehicle then rolled onto the left side
and continued to roll multiple times, coming to rest in the northbound side of the Nutty Brown Road. Barrera said Ticer, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Ticer was the only person in the vehicle, according to Barrera. It is unknown
at this time how fast the vehicle was traveling on the road or why the driver left the roadway, Barrera said. DPS is continuing to investigate the accident. Hays County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Judge Terry Kyle ordered an autopsy to be conducted on Ticer by Central Texas Autopsy in Lockhart.
Continued from pg. 1 they do not show on the outside of a credit card reader. Criminals access the card readers in gas pumps and ATMs by getting copies of master keys that fit most machines and pumps universally for easy employee access. There are tips provided by the Consumer Reports website to prevent consumers from being victims of credit card skimming.
To completely avoid skimmers at gas stations, pay cash instead of using a credit or debit card. If a credit or debit card must be used at a gas station, Consumer Reports suggests that the card be processed as a credit transaction, rather than debit, which requires a PIN. A PIN number can be collected, then used by criminals who then make
a counterfeit credit or debit card and access victims funds by withdrawing them from any ATM. Consumer Reports also recommends that consumers regularly monitor their bank accounts to be aware of possible fraudulent charge. Consumers should also consider upgrading to a credit or debit card with a security chip, which could make it harder to have data stolen.
(512) 858-7620 27490 RR12, Dripping Springs Between Walgreens & Home Depot
AffordAble InsurAnce Office: 1 (512) 894-2155 Email: hen-crow-insurance1320@outlook.com 1320 W. Hwy 290, Suite A, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Market on Main
9AM-4PMSaturday, July 23
cueromainstreet.com
Continued from pg. 1
back the bond over an 18-year span. Conley said in a press release that almost all of the county’s projects are completed or underway, and that the county has “maintained a lower tax rate” than originally projected in 2008. “We have delivered above and beyond what we told voters in 2008,” Conley said. “It’s fair to say most people in the Texas Department of Transportation and other colleagues across the state will say our program has been one of the models.” Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said in a statement that it was “difficult to remember” the state of Hays County roads “even a few years ago.” “Many were narrow, two-lane roads with dangerous low-water crossings and no shoulders, such as the road to the newly built San Marcos High School on the Old Bastrop Highway,” Ingalsbe said. “It was a concern for young drivers and parents alike, as well as teachers and school bus drivers.”
Mack Crow, Owner/Agent
P/C: Workmens Comp and Commmercial
antiques farmers market boutiques biergarten
Pass-through Toll over the course of eight years. He said on average it takes roughly seven to ten years for each project from start to finish. He also said working with local communities and landowners were other factors. Under the county’s priority road bond program, 18 of the 19 projects were completed, with the exception of Dacy Lane. Weaver said all projects were under budget. Projects under the priority road bond program included improvements to RM 967 at Ruby Ranch Road, U.S. Highway 290 from Ranch Road 12 to McGregor Lane in Dripping Springs and mobility improvements in the Wimberley Square. Eight of the nine PassThrough finance projects were completed, with the exception of the FM 1626 south reconstruction. Construction on FM 1626 south improvements from FM 967 to FM 2770 would start “soon,” Weaver said. Weaver said the county is “now down” to 12 to 13 years for full repayment of the bond. Estimates had the county paying
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Reports, some skimmers leaving the skimming devices installed at gas pumps and ATMs for one to two months collecting data before using it. With wireless Bluetooth connectivity, criminals at times only have to be within 30 feet of the device to access the information via a smart phone. According to Consumer Reports, skimming devices have been upgraded, so
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Texas Crossword Solution, COURTESY PHOTOS
from pg. 5
These photos show improvements made at the intersection of RM 1826 and Nutty Brown Road. Wider roads such as the one shown at top have been constructed throughout Hays County.
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Page 8
News-Dispatch
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Arrest
DSWSC
Continued from pg. 1
Continued from pg. 1 to delay Dripping Springs’ permit to allow for further scientific study. The resolutions came after a study showed recharge into the Trinity Aquifer by Onion Creek. It is unknown at this time, however, the extent of the recharge by Onion Creek into the aquifer. Richard Beggs, who lives in Howard Ranch, said the city’s discharge permit is problematic, based on the new scientific data and possible contamination with DSWSC drinking water and surface water from Onion Creek. Beggs said he opposed DSWSC getting “more water” in its permit “until this is resolved.” “I am really nervous. My family drinks this water,” Beggs said. “I will be asking the groundwater districts to not proceed on the permit until we know that water is going to be safe.” Martha Anderson, a former teacher, said she was concerned about Dripping Springs ISD children. DSWSC supplies water to
“I don’t see the worry ... I respect people’s opinions, but it’s only coming from one angle. Our only angle at (DSWSC) is are our wells safe. That’s it. Not do we think if it’s a good or bad thing for Onion Creek or if it’s going to pollute Onion Creek.” –Mark Key, DSWSC board president
the schools. She asked the board to “slow down a little” to look at data compiled by the BSEACD and the HTGCD. “Take the time to protect the water and protect the children and the citizens of the community,” Anderson said. Mark Key, DSWSC board president who spoke on his own behalf after the meeting Monday, said he believed the issue has gotten “way politicized” and is a “political hot potato.” “I don’t think it’s a scien-
tific issue,” Key said. “All I can do is go off of what we talked with our engineers and our hydrologists that we’ve hired that have no agenda.” Key said he would not entertain placing a discussion item regarding the city’s permit on the agenda, as he didn’t “see a need to.” Key said he hasn’t seen a failure in DSWSC wells or raised levels of bacteriological samples. Key said other board members could place a discussion item on the topic if they choose.
“I don’t see the worry,” Key said. “I respect people’s opinions, but it’s only coming from one angle. Our only angle at (DSWSC) is are our wells safe. That’s it. Not do we think if it’s a good or bad thing for Onion Creek, or if it’s going to pollute Onion Creek.” Key said he disagreed with the BSEACD findings, saying that it was a “rushed” document and that “it seemed they had a conclusion and were looking for facts to back it up.” “I guarantee, every bit of science they find in the future will say, ‘this [study] is horrible and bad, it’s sad,” Key said. “For every scientist they have at Barton Springs that says
there is a problem, I will find one that says there is no problem.” Crowell said he didn’t believe any recourse could be made until possible damage is done. Resident Ashley Whittenberger said residents are asking entities for more time to conduct thorough studies. “This is not some outlandish request by citizens to say, ‘hey, let’s look at science around this to make sure that if we’re going to discharge wastewater into this creek, it won’t end up into drinking water of the entire DSISD school district,’ which is a huge concern,” Whittenberger said. “Those children are going to be drinking, potentially, treated wastewater.”
degree felony. According to a Hays County arresting affidavit, a Hays County Sheriff’s detective was conducting a lawful search of Chambers’ residence on Mt. Sharp Road in Wimberley when he found what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail in a refrigerator on Chambers’ front porch. According to the affidavit, the detective called Deputy Fire Marshal Carroll Czichos to verify that the incendiary device was a Molotov cocktail, which is a prohibited weapon in the Texas Penal Code. Chambers is being held at the Hays County Jail for three felony charges. According to jail records Chambers’ bond is set at $35,000.
House Fire
Continued from pg. 1 ry home that was “fully involved,” Collard said in an emailed response. Collard said the fire posed several challenges to responders, with one issue involving extreme temperatures. The NHCFR had to rotate its crews frequently to keep them safe, Collard said. “As our personnel become fatigued, the likelihood of injury goes up significantly,” Collard said. “As a result, we began to utilize more personnel from the start in order to be proactive with keeping
our personnel as safe as possible.” The department also faced the issue of people possibly being trapped inside the home. Emergency personnel were unsure if anyone was in the house at the time of the fire, Collard said. Because the home was fully engulfed when fire personnel arrived, the chances of survival were “virtually non-existent,” Collard said. The Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office requested the assistance from the State Fire
Marshal’s office for a dog to help with the investigation. No human remains were found in the site. As a result of the fire, Bell Springs Road was closed for over two hours, as firefighters stretched water hose to a nearby fire hydrant across the street from the scene. Units were on the scene for roughly seven hours. Units from the Buda and Wimberley Fire Departments provided assistance by responding to additional calls during the fire.
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