JULY 22, 2020 AMAZON
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Vol. 40 • No. 40
HaysNewsDispatch.com
Serving Hays County, TX
Rebel mascot petition incites messages of hate BY MEGAN WEHRING
The Hays Rebel mascot has spiked a recent controversy across social media and the community. Students banded together at the Hays CISD Board of Trustees meeting Thursday night. Many shared their thoughts and experiences related to controversy around the rebel mascot. As the board was pre-
viously adamant about a student-led effort, Hays senior Alena Hernandez organized the committee of students in favor of retiring the Rebel mascot. The committee passed around a petition that garnered over 500 signatures, while sparking mass attention across social media. While there were several signatures and positive feedback, Hernandez
“I must say the copious amount of hate we have been subjected to has been ridiculous. It seems clear that the choice to have students lead this change was not one that prides our safety.” –Alena Hernandez, Hays High senior
informed the board that the committee received negative comments from the community.
“As a leader, I feel inclined to protect the students of my committee,” Hernandez said.
“I must say the copious amount of hate we have been subjected to has been ridiculous. It seems clear that the choice to have students lead this change was not one that prizes our safety. I am one person, one student and one child.” Hernandez also questioned the board’s decision to have the campaign against the mascot be solely up to the students.
“I don’t believe the administration truly understood the extent the members of our community would go to battle us on this,” Hernandez said. “People went as far to create fake accounts just to comment on my posts and message me hateful words. … It is time Hays CISD takes accountability for its actions and finally
REBEL MASCOT, 9
Hegar, Isaac on to fall election BY ANITA MILLER Hays County Democratic and Republican voters made their choices on who will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot in the July 16 runoff elections, although turnout fell short of what HEGAR ISAAC many had anticipated. According to the Hays County Elections Office, garnered 575,460 votes the runoffs, which were (61.95 percent) compared postponed from May due to 353-399 (38.05 percent) to the COVID-19 panfor her opponent Roberto demic, drew just 12.93 R. “Beto” Alonzo. percent of In Hays the county’s County, registered Castaneda The runoffs, voters. drew 6,396 which were Results votes (66.86 are unofpostponed from percent), ficial until while May due to they are can Alonzo got be can3,170 votes the COVID-19 vassed by (33.14 perpandemic, the Comcent). missioners Castadrew just 12.93 Court. neda faces percent of On the Republican Democratic Jim Wright the county’s side, Mary in Novemregistered “MJ” Hegar ber. defeatIn the last voters. ed Royce race on the West by a Democratic statewide vote of 498,180 ballot, Donna Haschke (52.13 percent) to 457,555 won with 5,715 votes votes 47.87 percent) in the (60.57 percent) to 3,720 race for U.S. Senator. In votes (39.43 percent) Hays County, her win was for Angela “Tia Angie” even bigger, with 7,364 Villescaz. (74.79 percent) of the vote On the Republican compared to 2,482 (25.21 ballot, for State Rep. Dispercent) for West. trict 45 (Hays and Blanco Hegar will face Repucounties), Carrie Isaac bican John Cornyn in the won with 6,420 votes fall. 64.87 percent) compared In the race for the Dem- to 3,476 (35.13 percent) ocratic candidate for the for Kent “Bud” Wymore. Texas Railroad Commission, Chrysta Castaeneda RUNOFF ELECTION, 5
Homes for our Troops
Veteran cuts ribbon to new custom home, joins Wimberley community BY CHASE ROGERS
is tailored to specifically suit Guzman’s injuSurrounded by his ries sustained after his family and community deployment to Iraq and members, U.S. Army to his personal skills as a veteran Sgt. David Guzprofessional chief. man cut the ribbon to his “This home, I think, is recently finished home going to be a tool to help in Wimberley on Saturme out in doing bigger day. The house was built and better things,” Guzby the nonprofit group man said to attendees, Home for Our Troops, an including fellow veterorganization aiming to ans, community leaders build and donate special- and friends. “God gave ly built homes to recovme a second chance.” ering veterans. In 2004, Guzman, on Originally announced his first combat deto be constructed in November 2019, the home HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS, 7
PHOTOS BY CHASE ROGERS
U.S. Army veteran Sgt. David Guzman with Sheriff Gary Cutler (photo at top) and in the specialized kitchen of the new home built by the nonprofit Homes for Our Troops on Saturday in Wimberley.
Parents, educators share back to school concerns BY SAHAR CHMAIS
Delaying reopening campuses grants the schools more time to work on their safety plan and simultaneously gives more time to understand the trend in which COVID-19 cases are headed. Hays CISD kicked off its fall planning when it presented parents and teachers with a survey, but nothing is final as district decisions continue to evolve.
It’s damned if you do, damned if you do not. The decision to return to school is episodic; every few days new state regulations and orders come out. Districts are scrambling to methodically reopen their campuses to please a myriad of watchers. Then there are the people who need to make a decision between life in order to keep a roof and death. Should they send their child to school, over their head? But when their child goes, are they ensuring their job safety
OPINIONS
See what people are saying. –Page 3
safe from COVID-19? Do teachers go to campus and risk their lives to
keep their job, or do they begin searching for a new career? Some parents are wondering, how long will kids stay in fear and how long can they stunt their development? Do we reopen schools, or not? If that rush of questions felt overwhelming, this is the start of the thread. For educators and parents find themselves going down a rabbit hole as soon as they let their mind wander. The issue has many sides; its depth and complexity left some
The News-Dispatch Barton Publications, Inc. The News-Dispatch (USPS 011-401) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
people thinking there is no viable solution. Some people believe that schools should reopen campuses, some believe they should be closed and some think it should be open to those who need it. Still, parents have to make a decision. On July 14, Gov. Greg Abbott told school districts they can postpone their campus reopening dates without losing funds from the state. Hays CISD used
REOPENING SCHOOLS, 9
NEWS
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COVID-19 discovery sparks ‘mini riot’ at Hays County jail BY ANITA MILLER
Weeks after the SWAT team was called to Hays County Jail to quell what a senior officer with the Sheriff’s Office called a “mini riot,” the investigation is continuing with no charges filed. Lt. Dennis Gutierrez said inmates in late June set a fire and used mattresses to block windows and security cameras in one housing area commonly referred to as a “tank” that can house up to 24 individuals. “They started a mini-fire, and we are still trying to figure out how they got the fire started.” Public records indicate two “arson” entries
The reason for the uprising is related to the discovery of COVID-19 within the lockdown. The disturbance occurred more than a week after the first case was discovered.
at 1307 Uhland Road, where the jail is located, on June 26. Gutierrez said the reason for the uprising is related to the discovery of COVID-19 within the lockdown. The disturbance occurred more than a week after the first case was discovered. He said after that first case was discovered, jail personnel went to the tank intending to test more inmates, but they
refused the procedure. “A couple of days later they said they did want to get tested and wanted to get tested ‘right now,’” which he said would “take a little bit” of time to arrange. “They weren’t satisfied and started a mini riot.” Jail staff initially tried to talk the situation down but were unsuccessful. That’s when the decision was made to call in the SWAT team.
Gutierrez said the team deployed a “stinger grenade,” which he described as a device that shoots out rubber balls on impact. He said one inmate hurt his shoulder as he and others dropped to the ground, but that there were no other associated injuries. Several of the inmates were taken to segregation and others were moved to housing elsewhere as jail staff had to repair damages within the tank, to clean it and to restore cameras to functionality. Gutierrez said other incidents that have occurred at the jail lately have been handled by staff.
Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 22, 2020
Hays County suspends weekend COVID reporting If you’re someone who likes to do a daily check on the local spread of the coronavirus, get ready for one more way COVID-19 will change your life. Citing a change in protocol by labs that run the tests, the county announced Friday it is suspending the weekend reports that have been standard since the pandemic hit in March. “We’ve been informed that labs handling COVID-19 tests will no longer be sending our department updated
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cases on the weekends,” said Hays County Epidemiologist Eric Schneider. “With the few cases we receive directly from health care providers, we believe releasing weekend numbers would make our positive cases look artificially low. Therefore, our Monday reports will reflect any numbers reported to the Local Health Department over the weekend.” Schneider is concerned that the public will mistake the low numbers for a decrease in positive cases, which could cause some people to stop wearing masks and social distancing. “The virus is still alive and well in Hays County,” he said. “We are still strongly urging everyone to continue to engage in safe practices that will help us slow the spread of COVID-19.” Among those practices are frequent hand washing, wearing masks and staying at least six feet away from others in public spaces. The county will continue to share weekday updates Monday-Friday. The dashboard on the county’s COVID web page will be updated Monday-Friday. A COVID-19 Fact Sheet has been added to the county website: https://hayscountytx. com/covid-19-factsheet/. This document provides a glossary of terms and insight into methods and results calculations.
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Taking strong precautions to protect patients and caregivers Visits to medical facilities decreased when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began because many people have been concerned about exposure to the virus. But we are fully prepared for your safety in our care. And seeking ER care quickly for serious conditions like heart attacks can help save lives and improve recovery. Ascension Seton has implemented strict precautions throughout all its hospitals, emergency rooms and clinics, for the safety of patients and caregivers. Precautions include: Maintaining proper social distancing in waiting rooms. Designating separate emergency triage and care areas for patients with symptoms of COVID-19. Continuing to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Screening patients, visitors, doctors, nurses and care teams before they enter the facility.
Extensively cleaning and disinfecting all areas more often.
Compassionate, personalized care – even when the need is urgent Heather’s heart health improved considerably following her surgery and rehabilitation. Her family is thankful for the immediate, comprehensive and compassionate care she received from the moment she arrived at the ER to her follow-up appointments. “They really care. They want to make things better,” she said. “They want to make sure you’re given 100 percent of their care.”
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© Ascension 2020. All rights reserved.
Opinion
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I don’t believe the administration truly understood the extent the members of our community would go to battle us on this.” –Alena Hernandez, Hays High senior - Story on page 1.
Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 22, 2020
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A pyramid for our Mr. Trump
T
he U.S.A. recently had another birthday, its 244th, if you begin counting with the Declaration of Independence. The people living here then didn’t think of themselves as a single nation, but the union they formed has been around long enough for everyone to assume this wild democratic experiment is going to work. In 2020, it’s hard to imagine a world without democracy, although it’s a relatively new thing for a country to exist without a king or queen (usually a king) to make rules, lead armies, collect taxes, and generally direct traffic. Since monarchs have popped up in just about every corner of the globe, it seems safe to assume that the concept is archetypal, that is, they hold an indelible place in the human mind. We know about them even if we’ve never seen one. Ask any child what a king is. They know. That makes being the president of a democratic society a very tricky trick. How does one assume great power and responsibility without falling into the trap of pride, arrogance and entitlement? Whether by dumb luck or divine providence, America has mostly avoided presidents with an arrogant bent. Can anyone imagine Washington, Jefferson, Kennedy, Carter, Reagan or other former presidents crowing about their own brilliance, popularity or ability to make money? Think of Lincoln, who said in his address at Gettysburg, “The world will little note nor long remember what we say here …” 160 years later those words are still remembered as a testamony to his humility. It has thus been a bit of a shock to have a president who endlessly
Tutta’s Take
by Wynette “Tutta” Barton
praises himself. Maybe that’s okay. At least he has no false modesty. One day he may utter a complete sentence, so we can all know what he’s thinking. Does he, or does he not, believe he was elected as king? The first kings I know about were Egyptian pharaohs living sometime around 3000 B.C. Since they were considered to be gods, and thus immortal, they built elaborate tombs to house their bodies after death. Some of those tombs were pyramids and, no, Moses didn’t build them to store grain. Moses lived more than a thousand years after the last pyramid was built, so that theory, wherever it came from, can be ditched. I’ve been in a few of those pyramids, and believe me, they aren’t the ideal place to live. Their wall paintings are spectacular, but bedding down on a rock slab every night could make a week feel like eternity. Maybe that’s how they got their concept of eternal life; or maybe a good bed isn’t important if you’re, well, deadish. But back to our present president, perhaps we could assist him in retiring soon so he can begin work on his very own pyramid. He seems to like Florida. That would be a good place for it, somewhere near Disney World, which would be appropriate for several reasons. Pyramids take a while to construct, and they’re expensive, so get out your wallets. I’ll be by soon to take up a collection to help speed things along. Happy retirement to you, Mr. President.
Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton News Editor Anita Miller Sports Editor Moses Leos III Reporters Megan Wehring, Sahar Chmais, Chase Rogers Columnists Bartee Haile, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts Proofreaders Jane Kirkham Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialist
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CORRECTIONS
Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the pages of the Hays Free Press will be corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.
Respect the Hill Country T
he construction of the Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) by the Kinder Morgan Corporation is a perilous and unprecedented threat to the Texas Hill Country. From the beginning of this project, Kinder Morgan demonstrated a thorough lack of concern and understanding of the ecological sensitivities, the hydrological uniqueness, and the sensitive nature of our region. And they have also underestimated the people who live here and care so deeply for this area. The Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) and the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) have joined forces to hold Kinder Morgan accountable for violations to our land, our people, and the drinking water we rely on. On June 22, TESPA filed a federal suit against Kinder Morgan following the discharge of more than 36,000 gallons of drilling fluid that contaminated area wells near the Blanco River bore
and property owner in the region. The PHP drilling fluid Op/Ed discharged into our aquiby Patrick fer reveals much about Cox, Ph.D. the audacious scheme and miscalculations for a pipeline through this site. The drilling fluid was region. However, the made from a product litany of mistakes made that contained class 1A by Kinder Morgan during carcinogens. planning and construcKinder Morgan has tion is ongoing. publicly stated, more than Recent spring storms once, their project is “con- resulted in serious runoff structed in accordance and pollution of pristine with strict regulatory and Hill Country streams environmental standards near the PHP pipeline and industry best pracconstruction sites due to tices.” insufficient barriers and To the contrary, we protections. believe their decisions Subsequently, a PHP and actions on this projcontractor attempted an ect have jeopardized the unsafe river crossing, got health and well-being of stuck, and lost a canister everyone in the Texas Hill containing radioactive Country. material into the PedernaTESPA’s legal action les River for several days cites violations of the Safe before it was recovered 13 Drinking Water Act that miles downstream. protects “underground Groundwater, drinking sources of drinking water and surface waters water”. The lawsuit is – all have suffered from taken on behalf of the the potential of contamhomeowners whose sole ination by this unwelsource of drinking water come, dangerous pipeline became undrinkable and intrusion. on behalf of every citizen What we have wit-
nessed is a worst-case scenario for the people of the Blanco River Valley and Hill Country landowners in the path and near proximity of Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline. No company has the right to destroy our aquifers, springs, habitats and threaten our drinking water. Our message to Kinder Morgan is still this: STOP work on the PHP, FIX the mess you made, PAY for damages, and MOVE this pipeline out of the ultra-sensitive karst region of the Texas Hill Country. The pristine Texas Hill Country is an integral part of my family’s life, as it is for thousands of others who live and visit here. We understand the unique karst aquifers and the fragile environment we inhabit. We know how to care for it, and we are willing to fight for it. Patrick Cox, TESPA executive director, has spent nearly five decades living in and loving the Texas Hill Country from his home in Wimberley.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR MAYOR RESPONDS TO CUMMINGS
like that in North Korea? What was the point of your suggestion that I Ms. Cummings, the “commit to personal only privilege I have ever growth”? What do you had is the privilege to think would work Ms. serve this nation, state Cummings, an internand city. I have the utmost ment and re-education respect for Council mem- camp until I get my mind ber Bryant’s perspective right? and dedication to this city. You have made it apAlthough he and I disparent that you are not agree, he had the courage only prejudiced against to state his position and me, but anyone you deem the courtesy to say that he to be lesser than yourself. respected me. As I always Alinsky taught that in do, I give everyone on the order to cast themselves dais an opportunity to as noble defenders of high speak their mind. Where moral principles, radical was your outrage when I activists should take pains asked for any additional to react dramatically – comments? with exaggerated displays Ms. Cummings, you are of “shock, horror, and a liar. You know I explicitly moral outrage” – whenstated that racism does ever their targeted enemy exist, that there are racist erred in any way at all. cops and that we needed It seems you are playto address the racism ing the part, with your where it exists. Self Righteous IndignaIt seems you are a well tion. trained Alinsky follower. You stated: “The pasAre you a fascist support- sage of this resolution er of totalitarian regimes is a symbolic first step,
DEADLINES
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important but inconsequential in and of itself. Without the hard work of self-examination and reform, multiple steps taken in concert with all involved parties – government, police, communities of color – our minority communities will continue to bear the brunt of systemic racism and institutional injustice.” Alinsky stated, “Given that the enemy is to be portrayed as the very personification of evil – against whom any and all tactics are fair game – the ultimate goal, is not to arrive at peaceful coexistence, but rather, to completely ‘crush the opposition’ by remaining vigilantly “dedicated to eternal war.” I can see it now, Saint Cummings, rescuing the poor, downtrodden people from the protections provided by the Constitution of the United States, the advantages of Capital-
LETTERS GUIDELINES
ism and an evil man like me. Last time I checked I was not raised in a nice house with a silver spoon, all provided by a lawyer daddy. So get out of the Amen Pew, Sister Bertha Better than You, and do your job for the people of Buda as I have done for almost 8 years. I evaluate people by performance not color. I urge the people to watch the June 16 city council meeting video, fast forward to minute 23:00, and watch for ten minutes. Draw your own conclusions. While my delivery was rambling, not polished or rehearsed, I will not apologize for having a difference of opinion or for anything I have said or done on or off the dais. Last I heard this is the United States of America and unlike you I fought for that right. George Haehn Buda Mayor
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.
NEWS
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 22, 2020
Gas storage facility concerns Wimberley BY ANITA MILLER Hanging their hats on the strength of deed restrictions, residents along and near Carney Lane and Pinion Trail in Wimberley lined up to voice concerns to the Hays County Commissioners Court during their July 14 meeting. The object of their worries is the possible location of a construction storage yard complete with above-ground gasoline storage tanks and a refueling station. Residents of three subdivisions showed up to speak, pointing out the proximity of Wimberley High School and Danforth Junior High School to the proposed development and the fact that Carney Lane is the single access point to their homes. Even though the owners have not submitted any site plans or requested any
Part of Carney Lane is within Wimberley but the site in question is in the county and therefore has no zoning.
violations. “There are many unanswered questions,” Schultz said. Part of Carney Lane is permits, they have installed “building speed humps and said she was speaking as a the limited power of county within Wimberley but the a tall commercial fence crosswalks and putting up private citizen. government but urged site in question is in the topped with barbed ware flashing lights … we’re very “It’s two doors down the elected officials to “do county and therefore has no and gates wide enough concerned about the safety from my house,” she whatever you can to Dina zoning, Pct. 3 Commissionfor 18-wheelers, resident of our kids.” said, adding she’s fearful an alternative solution that er Lon Shell told the Hays DeLayne Van de Walle told Even since then, he said of known carcinogens in can keep our residents safe.” Free Press. commissioners and County there have been “several gasoline and gasoline fumes Kara LaBlanc noted He said although it’s Judge Ruben Becerra. incidents” involving flatbed as well as the possibility of that the deed restrictions believed a construction “Of course we are afraid trucks hauling construction an explosion.”There are clearly state there will be storage yard is planned, “At for the safety of our children materials, some of which about 150 houses fairly no commercial or business this time nothing is known who go to school right up “try to cut in between our densely packed on cul de undertakings located at the except that the property is the road,” she said. “Our buses.” sacs or short roads. There’s tract, both in the original being subdivided and all the other worry is the safety of “It’s a very unsafe situaabsolutely no escape for the plat and in a March 2019 rules are being followed.” residents.” In the event of an tion, the more Carney Lane elderly or disabled.” repeat. “We call on you to He acknowledged that explosion or fire, “there is no is developed commercially, Cardenas noted there’s use your rightful authority the deed restrictions “could way out for any of us.” the more our kids are at risk. also a county transfer … the stakes are high.” impact” the owners’ plans, Dr. Dwain York, superIf there are fuel tanks and station on Carney Lane that “We have a courtroom nothing has yet come to the intendent of schools in the there is a fire, I don’t how could be affected. full of people,” said Shirley attention of the court. Wimberley ISD, pointed how people are going to “I’m not an opponent of Schultz, many that have “At some point the subdito the “massive traffic” get out … I just don’t a safe the oil and gas industry and signed a petition opposing vision will come before the already using Carney Lane way to get around this new I don’t have any quarrel with the development. Without court for approval. As long including many construcdevelopment.” those who profit from it. For naming the owners, she as it does not have any astion vehicles. He said the Another resident of the a residential community it’s said one has criminal citasociated variances, it will be school district spent $38,000 area is Elaine Cardenas, simply not safe.” tions related to septic tank approved since all the rules last year on a safety survey, Hays County Clerk, who She said she understands management and burn ban have been followed.”
Wimberley creates Economic Development Council BY CHASE ROGERS
“Members will not be subject to specific criteria. Wimberley City Council If we have local experts, members voted to create we can put them on (the the Economic Support and committee). If you own a Development Committee business or you don't own Friday, July 17, to help alle- a business, or you work for viate the economic impact a business and you have of the pandemic on the city. the skill set that we need, The ESDC will work in an you would certainly be weladvisory capacity to draft come on this committee,” a strategic plan for supMinnick said. porting businesses and city The subcommittees of projects, report their findESDC will focus on supings and status to council porting local businesses and seek out any applicable affected by the pandemic, grants for the city. economic growth in the Included in the ordiOld Kyle Road and Oak nance is a repeal of both Drive areas and improvthe Downtown Improveing connectivity among ment Task Force and the communities, specifically Tourism Committees. According to Wimberley Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Minnick, this restructure allows for an increased focus on the pandemic’s ENTERTAINMENT impact. 3200 Kyle Crossing “(The Downtown Improvement Task Force) (512) 523 9012 identified a lot of the issues Experience it in and we're working on ENHANCED VIEWING those. However, the covid EXPERIENCE situation has changed the landscape for us a little bit, For all showtimes and and because it's so importlistings, please check our ant for us to protect and website or call showline! support our businesses, it made sense to me that we should restructure that committee and turn that into an economic support 1180 Thorpe Lane and development commit(512) 210 8600 tee,” Minnick said. Cinema Eatery & Social Haus The new committee will be made up of nine members and four subcommittees. Minnick, who worked with Councilwomen Teresa Shell to draft the ordnance, 1250 WONDER WORLD DR. said anyone can work on (512) 805 8005 the committee given the EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM applicant is approved by Films. Lanes. Games. the council.
the sidewalk projects to connect businesses not currently in the downtown district. Minnick said the goals
of the subcommittees will change as projects complete, adding that tourism will be a focus once covid’s effects have lessened.
The committee will meet monthly once members are selected and will not hold public meetings, working in an advisory role for the
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 22, 2020
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Runoffs alert Hays elections officials to November concerns BY CHASE ROGERS
Election officials in Hays County faced increased voter turnout, boosted mail-in ballot use and the necessary implementation of safety measures brought on by the covid-19 pandemic during the July 14 runoff election. This election served as a test run for what the November election could look like. Preventative measures at the elections centers included sanitation of polling machines between uses, social distancing, facial coverings and curbside voting. According to Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson, the runoff election in the county operated smoothly, with the majority of complaints from voters concerning mask recommendations at polling locations. As expected as the pandemic continues in Texas and across the nation, the county saw voters utilize mail-in ballots significantly more than compared to other runoff elections. In the 2016 runoff election, 2,865 ballots, including mail-in ballots, were cast. Early voting alone for the 2020 runoffs surpassed 2016’s numbers, with over 10,000 voters having checked into an election center and over 4,000 mail-in ballots submitted. Including Election Day for the most-recent runoff, 18,558 voters cast ballots.
“Because (mail-in ballots) were so much higher than ordinarily for a runoff election, we know that it’s going to be much higher in November. “We are preparing for a higher volume.” –Jennifer Anderson, Hays County Elections Administrator
Anderson said she is predicting an increased use of mail-in ballots in November given the runoff’s dramatic increase. “Because (mail-in ballots) were so much higher than ordinarily for a runoff election, we know that it’s going to be much higher in November,” Anderson said. “We are preparing for a higher volume.” Anderson stated that the 2016 presidential elections saw over 6,000 mail-in ballots while the 2020 runoff saw nearly 5,000. She is predicting to see between 10,000 and 15,000 in November, assuming the pandemic continues to be a major factor. In addition to the increased turnout, the ballot will be significantly longer, since city and school elections from earlier in the year were postponed to November. To circumvent this potential wait times, Anderson recommends voter use early voting. “There’s probably six jurisdictions that held off
from May till November, so in addition to what ordinarily would be on the November ballot, now we’ll have six additional jurisdictions. Definitely a longer ballot,” Anderson said. “We offer two solid weeks early voting, so if folks would vote more during that early voting period, it would alleviate some of the crowd at the polling location on election day.” While mail-in is expected to increase, Anderson and her office is planning to conduct outreach in August to inform voters about mail-in ballots and voter registrations concurrently with other organizations in the county. “We will visit different locations around the county and talk to voters about ballot by mail and on making sure you’re registered,” Anderson said. “The county has also done a press release with some of those specifics about do’s and don’ts of vote by mail, and I know that the League of Women Voters also does some work in this area.”
Kyle gets primed for new Amazon center Amazon has leased a new 307,840-square-foot facility in the Kyle Crossing Business Park where it plans to open a sortation center later this year and will employ over 200 workers in the city of Kyle. Scheduled to open later this year, the new sortation center is located in the mixed-use, master planned community of Plum Creek, which is becoming a major employment center in Kyle.
Runoff Election Continued from pg. 1
In Hays County, Isaac captured 58,508 votes (63.79 percent) to Wymore’s 3,126 (36.21 percent). Isaac will face Democratic incumbent Erin Zwiener in the general election. Lani Popp easily defeated Robert Morrow in the race for the Republican candidate for the State Board of Education District 5. Popp garnered 55,670 votes statewide (77.94 percent) compared to Morrow’s 15,756 votes (22.06 percent). In Hays County Popp dew 6,081 votes (7.16
percent) compared to 2,199 (25.84 percent) for Morrow. Rounding out the GOP ballot was Jenny Garcia Sharon, who edged out “Guillermo” William Hayward for U.S. Rep. District 35.
Sharon got 4,111 votes statewide (53.08 percent) compared to 3,634 (46.92 percent) for Hayward. The Hays County vote went to Sharon by a margin of 789 (50.87 percent) to 762 (49.13 percent).
Be Counted! For Census 2020 information, visit www.Census2020.org
Eviction cases trickle in as assault cases rise BY ANITA MILLER When the pandemic was first beginning to be felt in Central Texas and most court proceedings were put on hold, Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith feared a tsunami of evictions would hit her office once landlords were allowed to file the required notices. Though the doors to her office remained closed, her employees never stopped going to work, in part to be able to get ready for what would come. The office is now again accepting cases, but as Smith told the Hays Free Press last week, for the most part they’re not the cases she expected. “Evictions are down, actually,” said Smith, who hears those cases on Tuesdays. Before the pandemic, she said she usually had three or four weekly. “Last week, I had none. The week before I had one. This week I’ve got three single family homes and also three from one apartment complex.” Instead, she said, she’s
Although violence is “never understandable,” Smith said the pandemic has brought with it stressors. “People are at home,” she said. “They could be out of a job. They could be short of money. A lot of things are triggers.” signing more warrants for assaultive offenses than she had anticipated. “A lot of them are probable cause for assault, family violence and other assaultive offenses.” Although violence is “never understandable,” Smith said the pandemic has brought with it stressors. “People are at home,” she said. “They could be out of a job. They could be short of money. A lot of things are triggers.” Part of that increase may be seasonal. “You usually see more in the summer and more around the holidays. Right now I’m sure it has a lot to do with the pandemic and
Belterra alerted as driver flees STAFF REPORT Residents near Belterra were put on alert Saturday night after a man stopped by the Texas Highway Patrol took off on foot. According to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Ricardo Rodriguez, whose age was not available, was the object of an air and ground search
that began shortly before 11 p.m. and ended about an hour later after Rodriguez was apprehended. Deputy Stephen Traeger said he was charged with evading arrest with a vehicle, fleeing a police officer and theft of property (on a warrant out of Travis County. He is being held in Travis County Jail on bonds totaling $17,500.
the heat and everything put together.” Regarding evictions, Smith said she’s heartened that the tsunami has not developed, at least not yet. Landlords “all seem to be working with their residents. I think this is a good thing that they are doing … I feel like apartment complexes are giving some wiggle room and working with their tenants more than usual. I find that kind of heartwarming.”
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When it happens to you:
OBITUARY
Personal experience with COVID-19 testing
HUNTER Miranda Kay Hunter (Whitmire), 58, passed away on July 11, 2020. Miranda leaves behind her husband of 38 years, Rex Hunter; three daughters, Keziah Adaway and her husband Raymond Adaway, Alice Hitzfelder and her husband Gerald Hitzfelder, and youngest daughter Pamela Hunter. Miranda was born in Kountze, Texas, the daughter of Carl Joe Whitmire and Velma Whitmire. She leaves behind two brothers, Joseph Whitmire and John Whitmire; and a half-sister, Sandra Whitmire. Miranda was always known as a good hearted spirt, loving wife, mother, and devoted grandmother. She loved spending time with family, friends, and her grandchildren. Her passions were camping, traveling, and cooking, sewing, and excelled in hand crafts.
BY CHASE ROGERS As the pandemic continues to worsen in the state of Texas and the nation as a whole, Hays County residents have reported varying experiences when getting tested and the virus’ side effects. Cameron, who wished his last name not be used for sake of his employment, tested positive for COVID-19 in late April. He believes that he contracted the illness at work, a service industry job where he works closely with customers. As a 24-year-old, Cameron said he is concerned that many people his in his age group are unconcerned with the virus, citing a common narrative that the illness is no worse than a cold for younger
individuals. “I’m not a smoker and I consider myself in decent shape, but, when I had COVID, I was always exhausted. I was bent over breathing and exhausted from having conversations on the phone, from just walking around,” Cameron said. “I was strongly considering going to the ER at one point. It really is that bad.” He also takes issue with the narrative that 20-29-year-olds, who make up a majority of the active cases in Hays County, are catching the coronavirus because they are not following safety guidelines, rather, he believes it is because they make up a large chunk of the essential work force. “I often hear ‘oh, it’s 20 to 29-year-olds and they get
STAFF REPORT
“Nationally we’re a hot spot, and regionally we’re a hot spot within our state,” County Judge Ruben Becerra said during commissioners court July 14.
Becerra and commissioners expressed gratitude to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the National Guard for the free, no symptoms required COVID-19 tests administered to thousands of people in events in Wimberley, Dripping Spring, Kyle and San Marcos this summer. The last, at Rattler Stadium in San Marcos, ended on July 16. Becerra noted that Hays
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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
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said. When the wait became untenable, the switch was made to a cheek swab, with most results coming back in approximately 72 hours. Testing is still available locally through other avenues and includes both cheek and nasal swabs, including Premier ER and some Live Oak Health Partners locations. The county is also working with Texas State University’s Medical Director Dr. Emilio Caranco
about “parallel testing on campus,” County Chief of Staff and Emergency Management Coordinator Alex Villalobos. He said he also hopes to have agreements for more testing in Wimberley and Kyle finalized by Aug. 1. Tammy Crumley, the county’s director of Countywide Operations, said plans are in the works for more free testing. “It will be free but on a much smaller scale than TDEM.”
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County was the first to have the TDEM testing, which has since been expanded to other areas of state. From the first event at Bohnam Pre-K in San Marcos to the final at the SMCISD stadium, the testing “improved exponentially” in terms of lines, test result return times and other issues. “There were no significant lines in the stadium,” he said. State labs fell “terribly behind” in processing results of nasal swab tests, Becerra
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from Cameron’s, as my test was quickly administered, and my results were sent out via email three days later. I, comparably, tested negative for COVID. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said in commissioner court that he appreciated this help with testing from the state but emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships. “I’m grateful to have the state helping us … but we are a national hot spot. Public-private partnerships are more nimble and able to use a myriad of testing components,” Becerra said when discussing other options in the county for testing. More information on Hays County testing sites can be found on the county’s website.
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“It plays with you and you start to worry about the people around you. Unfortunately, one of those times I was right that I had caught it.” Cameron lamented that his testing experience was not ideal either, opting to go to a CVS testing location in South Austin, describing a nearly hourlong wait and 10-day waiting period for his positive result. Recently, Hays County promoted a local option based out of San Marcos High School where I attended to get tested as a precaution. This testing site was operated with help from the state and facilitated by Texas national guard members. My experience with getting tested at this location was drastically different
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it because they go the bar.’ But I don’t think people realize these ages make up most of the population of essential workers who had to work through this thing the whole time,” Cameron said. “I think that’s getting lost in this whole thing. They telling the youth to stay home when they have no other choice.” Cameron added that there is a phycological aspect that plays out among younger people who suspect they will need to seek medical attention, as many have lost their health insurance and are fearful of high medical costs. “When this all started and I would have days that I didn’t feel good, there was definitely a part of me that was like ‘Is this COVID? Have I not been careful enough?’” Cameron said.
State COVID-19 testing winds down in Hays
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 22, 2020
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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Page 7
Spanish PSA out for COVID info BY MEGAN WEHRING
Homes For Our Troops Continued from pg. 1
ty. Information is released using billboards, flyers, While the coronavibrochures, social media, rus is dubious in nature, YouTube and the Kyle10 TV education and communi- channel. cation to the entire public Posters have also been is important. distributed through food With the increasing distribution sites, churches COVID-19 cases in Hays and gas stations. County, a task force was Samantha Armbruster, formed between memdirector of communications, bers of Kyle City Council. said Kyle officials are grateful Councilmembers Alex for members of the Spanish Villalobos, Michael Tobias speaking community that and Robert Rizo wanted to helped with the outreach educate the Spanish speak- material along the way. ing community about dan“We know that the inforgers of the virus and how to mation is more powerful keep everyone safe. when shared by someone The task force started a within their own family and Spanish PSA campaign to friend circles,” Armbruster reach out to the communi- said.
ployment in Taji, Iraq, sustained shrapnel injuries, hearing loss and loss of use of his right foot among other injuries from a improvised explosive device. After immediate treatment in-country, he returned to service with his unit, but later contracted gangrene in his right lower leg. After being treated in Fort Lewis, he was medically discharged in October 2005. “I noticed a small white truck on the side of the road. The driver and I just looked at each other. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I could feel the heat, the sweat and knew something wasn’t right,” Guzman
told Barton Publications. “As soon as I opened the door handle, the bomb went off. Close to half my calf muscle was missing.” After returning home, Guzman followed a passion for cooking, later obtaining a degree in culinary arts and agricultural science. His cooking, according to Guzman, became an outlet to serve others, his family and friends. In addition to improved accessibility in the new home, the kitchen has been outfitted with chef grade cooking appliances and, much to Guzman’s liking, a back porch fit for grilling and smoking. “Sheriff,” Guzman
said, speaking to Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler who was in attendance. “Just let the fire department know that sometimes if there's a fire and you see smoke, it's not really a fire, I’m out on the porch,” he finished to hearty laughter from the crowd. As part of the sheriff’s remarks welcoming Guzman to the community, Cutler made Guzman an honorary deputy to the Hays County Sheriff Department. “Our country called, and he answered, so on behalf of Hays County Sheriff Department when he calls, the Hays County Sheriff’s Department will answer,” Cutler
said. “On behalf of the men and women Hays County Sheriff’s Department, welcome to your new home.” Wimberley Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Minnick was also in attendance, offering a warm welcome from the community to the Guzmans. “From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of our entire Wimberley Valley Community, we all promise you that we will be here to support each of you every step of the way,” Minnick said. “We are thrilled to have you as neighbors and friends.” The Guzman’s house marks the 41st home built in Texas by Homes for Our Troops.
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DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $12 per hour for flexible 8 & 16 hr shift schedules. Health/life/dental insurance after 60 days. Min. requirements: Must be 21 yrs old, HS/GED, clean TDL, clean criminal history, pre-employment TB skin test, and drug screen. Growing (20+ year old) non-profit organization. www.pegasusschool.net. Call (512)432-1678 for further information.
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NOTICE OF SALE
Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code hereby gives notice of public sale under said act to wit: This sale will be held July 31, 2020 at 2:30 PM on StorageAuction.com. The property in the storage unit(s) listed under tenant’s name is being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Safe-n-Sound Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid or to cancel any public sale advertised. Announcement made the day of the sale takes precedence over any printed materials. ROMAN SIMENTAL 10X10 NC – 4 Sets of car tires, 2 mobile tool boxes on wheels, Lamps, Portable Heater, Hand Dolly, Men’s Shoes, Air Mattress, Microwave, Toaster Oven, Car Creeper, Shovel, Misc. Items and Totes. EDWARD GONZALES 10X10 NC – Dryer, Folding Chair, Roll of Roof Tarping, Nail Gun, Bag of Quikrete, Bags of Tile Grout, Mop, Broom, Gas Can and Misc. Items. JAZMIN STOKES 10X15 NC – Area Rug, Comforter Set, Full Mattress and Box Spring, 10 Speed Bike, Chest of Drawers, Dresser and Mirror, Chair, Oil Paintings, Dining Table and Chairs, Sewing Machine, Clothes and Shoes and Misc. Items.
For Rent
CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) CITY OF KYLE BEAUTIFICATION CORRIDORS: RFP-2020-07-PW/PARD SPECIFICATIONS AND GENERAL PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CITY OF KYLE BEAUTIFICATION CORRIDORS
NOTICE TO RESPONDERS: The City of Kyle is accepting proposals to provide the City landscaping beautification services as stated in this RFP and posted on our website: https://www.cityofkyle.com/ rfps marked Beautification Corridors: RFP-2020-07-PW/ PARD are to be submitted to: Jerry Hendrix City of Kyle, Chief of Staff 100 W. Center Street Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 262-3921 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DEADLINE: 2:00 PM, Friday, July 31st, 2020
PUBLIC NOTICE
By order of the Hays County Commissioners Court, notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 9 a.m. in the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, the Hays County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing to consider: ESTABLISHING A 25 MPH SPEED LIMIT IN SAVANNAH RIDGE SUBDIVISION.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE
Apply Today! bit.ly/whataburger_drippingsprings whataburger.com/careers
MOBILE HOME FOR RENT
eoe
Cypress Rd., Kyle,TX. 2BD/1BA $825+Deposit, plus utilities, Water Paid. No Pets. 512-627-3077.
Senior Living
Onion Creek Village Apts. Rental Assistance
512-295-2678 For Sale
TDD# 1-800-735-2678
62 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, HANDICAPPED/ DISABLED, REGARDLESS OF AGE. Handicapped Accessible This institution is an equal opportunity provider, and employer.
FOR SALE: STORAGE SHED 8 foot wide x10 foot long x 8 foot deep. Best offer. Call 512-971-2637
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JULY 22, 2020
NEW AP P
Hays debuts Sheriff’s new techn Office ology
Call 512.268.7862
Hays F ree Pre s – Page
8
AMAZO N
New jobs are comin to the g city of Kyle
– Page
75¢
Visit www.HaysFreePress.com or www.HaysNewsDispatch.com for all the latest Hays County News
9
HaysFree Press.com
Rebel BY MEGA N WEHR
20 words for $8!
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Our Troop of the IS It’s damn new s on Satur damn ed if you Delaying ed do, The if you do the sch reopenin to schodecision to not. ools mor g campus few daysol is episo return their safe new statedic; every es tions and ty plan e time to wor grants begin searc gives Districts orders regulacome and k more career? hing for to meth are scram out. time to simultaneoon trend bling odica wond Some paren a new their camp lly reope in ering e solut n uses are hea which COV understand usly kids stay in , how longts are viabl myriad ion. Some of watc to please will long fear ded ID-19 the and can Then a hers. that schopeople belie . Hay its fall developmthey stunt how people there are ols shou ve planning s CISD cases reope their ent? n Do parents a decis who need the believe campuses,ld when kicked off ion betw to make or not?we reopen and death some they and schools, closed een shou but not teachers it presen If that send their . Should life should and some ld be ted rush of tions with decisio hing is final ensuring child to they be open think it quesfelt who need to those ns con as dist a survey, this is the overwhelming, in order their job school, it. over their Still, to keep safety thread. start of tinue rict the make parents have a roof to evo their child head? But paren For educators a decis to lve. 14, Gov. safe from goes, are when ion. and going ts find them teach school Greg AbboOn July COVID-19 they ers as soondown a rabbselves and risk go to camp ? Do postp districts theytt told mind as they let it hole one keep theirtheir lives us wand opening their campcan has man er. The their job, or to ing fund dates witho us redo they and compy sides; its issue s from ut losHays depth lexity the people CISD and plans used thestate. thinking left some there to start delay is no See what schools The Hays peop
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Free Press Barto n Publi cations,
Free Press paid at Publications Inc. (USPS , Inc., addres Buda, TX 78610 361-4 P.O. Box 30) s chang and additio339, Buda, published es to Barton TX 78610 weekl Public nal mailing . Period y by ations , Inc., offices. POST icals postag ISSN# MAST 1087-9 P.O. Box 339, Buda, ER: Sende 323 TX 78610 .
REOPENING
SCHOOLS, 9
An application has been filed with HAYS COUNTY to subdivide 26.03 acres of property located at along Six Creeks Blvd, Kyle, TX 78640. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: PLN-1499-NP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Pursuant to Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code, TJO 10 X 10 Management, Ltd Managing properties listed below will hold a public auction of property being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The sale will begin on or about the time indicated at www.selfstorageauction.com. Property will be sold to highest bidder for cash. Deposit for removal and cleanup may be temporarily required. Seller reserves the right to reject any bid and to withdraw property from sale. Property may be sold by the space. Property being sold includes contents in spaces of following tenants, with brief description of contents in each space. Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 12:00 p.m. Kyle Premiere Storage at 19580 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640 www.SelfStorageAuction. com Devon Brown: misc. items. Sean Rowley: misc. items. Amelia Flores: misc. items. Jaquita Parker: misc. items. Ricardo Esparza: misc. items. Collene Garland: misc. items. Nathan Villarreal: misc. items. Andrew Witt: misc. items. Yessica Medina: misc. items. Stephen Aden: misc. items. Wednesday, August 12, 12:00 p.m. AAA Self Storage Dripping Springs at 2300 W. US Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 www.SelfStorageAuction. com Stephanie Meyers: Misc. items.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Cash is a male, 3 ½-year-old Shepherd mix. He genuinely loves people and is perpetually excited to make new friends. He bonds quickly and is very eager to please. Cash is also a smarty pants and knows some basic commands already. He gets along well with other dogs and also loves to go on walks.
Bluebonnet is a female 1 ½-year-old Shorthair Tortoiseshell. She’s stunning, confident, and a complete lovebug. Bluebonnet 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.
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas
is a non-profit, no-kill shelter operated primarily on donations and adoptions.
500 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX • 512 268-1611 • pawsshelter.org
All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.
sponsored by
Town & CounTry VeTerinary HospiTal Committed to your pet’s health since 1978
Bill Selman, DVM • Kayley Goldsmith, DVM • Ben Fox, DVM 6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747 Give us a call at 512-385-0486
Sale of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien. Sale to be held Online at Storagetreasures. com by competitive bid. Anytime Storage, LLC 880 Windy Hill Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 Sale will end on or after August 7, 2020 at 11 a.m. Cleanup deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/CREDIT. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder. All Units have some miscellaneous household items, boxes, furniture. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenant (s). LEN PATRIDGE - clothings, kids, small appliances, luggage, sports
ALLEN DEYOUNG Automotive, Large appliances, photography JESUS VETENCOURT Kids, stroller, TV, clothing NOE GARCIA - sports, bikes, appliances, tools, weights, art
CITATION BY PUBLICATION
NOTICE OF APPLICANT SPONSORED MEETING FOR DOUBLE L PHASE 1 SUBDIVISION
Date and Time: Thursday, 7/30 at 6:00 p.m. Location: Zoom Meeting – https://us02web.zoom. us/j/84715290761 Conference ID: 847 1529 0761 Call In Number: +1 346248-7799, 84715290761# You are invited to attend an applicant sponsored meeting at the above date, time, and location in order to present and receive public comment on the preliminary plat of Double L Phase 1 Subdivision, a proposed 223-acre single lot subdivision 1.5 miles north of US 290 and Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. A copy of the Preliminary Plat will be presented at the meeting and questions will be addressed. Information regarding the application or meeting may be obtained from Hays County Development Services at (512) – 3932150. Tracking number: PLN-1486-NP
To all persons interested in the Estate of Justin Read Putnam, Deceased, Cause No. 20-0202-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas. The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION TO DETERMINE HEIRSHIP, FOR INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION, AND LETTERS OF INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 401.003 OF THE TEXAS ESTATES CODE in this estate on the 9th day of July, 2020, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Justin Read Putnam, Deceased, and their respective shares and interests in such estate. The Court may act on this Application at any call of the docket on or after 10:00 A.M., on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days, exclusive of the day NOTICE OF APPLICATION of Publication, from the date TO SUBDIVIDE this citation is published, at Pursuant to Hays County the Hays County Government Development Regulations, Center in San Marcos, Texas. this to notify you of an All persons interested in application which has been this case are cited to appear filed with Hays County to before this Honorable Court Public Notice subdivide 223 acres of land, by filing a written contest or located approximately 1.5 answer to thisNotice Application of Public Hearing miles north of US 290 and should they desire to do so. Road 12, Dripping To NOTICE ensure its consideration, IS HEREBYRanch GIVEN TO ALL Springs, TX 78620, as you or your attorney must file INTERESTED PERSONS, THAT: depicted on the attached any objection, intervention, preliminary plat. or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays Water and wastewater The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing County, Texas on or before the services will be provided on a request by Ky-Tex Properties, abovenoted date and time. by Municipality UtilitiesLP Applicant’s Attorney: District #7 and the City of (Z-20-0060) to rezone approximately 6.67Anna Martinez Boling Dripping Springs. Electrical acresS. Old of Stagecoach land from PUD Family 1301 service(Single will be provided Road by Pedernales Electric Attached District ‘R-1-A’) to PUD (Retail Kyle, Texas 78640 Cooperative and gas will S e r v i c e D i s t r i c t be ‘ Rprovided S ’ ) &by Texas rezone 512-504-3051 Given under my hand and Gasfrom Service. Emergency approximately 8.20-acres PUD (Single the seal of said Court at the services will be provided Family Attached ‘R-1-A’) to a office of the Hays County District by Hays County Emergency Clerk in San Marcos, Texas on Services‘PUD’ Planned Unit Development (Single District No. 6. this the 13th day of July, 2020. Information regarding Family Residential District 3, ‘R-1-3’) for Elaine H. Cárdenas the application or meeting County Clerk, Hays County, property located within 800 block maythe be obtained from of Texas Hays County Development Rebel Drive, north Clark Park, in 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, of Gregg Services at (512)-393-2150. Suite Hays2008 County, Texas. Tracking number: PLNSan Marcos, Texas 78666 1486-NP BY Deputy Darren Jones
The Planning and Zoning Commission may recommend, and the City Council may Notice of Public Hearing consider, assigning any zoning district Notice isishereby Given toor allmore interested persons, that: which equivalent restrictive.
The City of Kyle shall hold a public hearing on a request by Ky-Tex Properties, LP (Z-20-0060) to rezone approximately 6.67- acres will of land be fromheld PUD (Single A public hearing by the Family Attached District ‘R-1-A’)Commission to PUD (Retail Ser-on Planning and Zoning vice District ‘RS’) & rezone approximately 8.20-acres Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 6:30 from PUD (Single Family Attached DistrictP.M. ‘R-1-A’) to a Planned Unit Development ‘PUD’ (Single Family Residential 3, ‘R-1-3’) property A public District hearing will beforheld by located the Kyle within the 800 block of Rebel Drive, north of Gregg City Council on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Clark Park, in Hays County, Texas.
7:00 P.M. and Zoning Commission may recomThe Planning
mend, and the City Council may consider, assigning
any zoning district which is equivalent or more restricThis is planned as a virtual meeting taking tive. place at https://www.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/ A public hearing Should will be held the Planning and Zoning kyle-10-live. thebyCOVID-19 disaster Commission on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 6:30 P.M. be repealed between the date of this notice A public hearing will be held by the Kyle City Council and the date of the hearing, on Tuesday, August 18, public 2020 at 7:00 P.M. the location will be at Kyle City Hall, 100 W. This is planned as a virtual meeting taking place at Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640. Please check https://www.cityofkyle.com/kyletv/kyle-10-live. Should the COVID-19 disaster be repealed between the date the agenda for the proper location. of this notice and the date of the public hearing, the location will be at Kyle City Hall, 100 W. Center Street, Agent: Brett Please Corwin, Project Manager Kyle, TX 78640. check the agenda for the proper location. Inermandeco, GP, LLC Agent: Brett Corwin, Project Manager (512) 434-9684 Inermandeco, GP, LLC (512) 434-9684
Owner: Ky-Tex Properties, LP Owner: Ky-Tex Properties, LP
Publication Date: July July 22, 2020 Publication Date: 22, 2020 Z-20-0060 Z-20-0060
Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 22, 2020
Page 9
Reopening Schools: Parents and educators share their concerns Continued from pg. 1
the delay and plans to start schools online Sept. 8, then four weeks later, parents can send their children to campus if they so choose. These decisions can be rehashed every nine-week grading period. Delaying reopening campuses grants the schools more time to work on their safety plan and simultaneously gives more time to understand the trend in which COVID-19 cases are headed. Hays CISD kicked off its fall planning when it presented parents and teachers with a survey, but nothing is final as district decisions continue to evolve. Based on the survey, almost 74% of teachers disagreed that working in a classroom is of no concern to them, while 20% said they agreed. Many teachers feeling threatened with the reopening of school campuses held a demonstration at the State Capitol on Wednesday. Those who oppose the reopening believe lives are being jeopardized – from their loved ones, to themselves, to students and parents. They also believe it will cause a surge in COVID-19 infections. Some of the teachers who spoke with the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch had many questions. Among them is a teacher and member of Texas State Teachers Association, who asked to remain anonymous. He does not want to go back to school in fear of endangering himself and his family. The situation is so extreme, he and his wife, a couple so dedicated to education that they have multiple degrees in the field, have begun submitting applications for other jobs in case they are forced to go back to school. This teacher also worries about COVID19’s mortality rate among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control, children aged 0-4
“I hope this is a blimp in time we can make up for later. I do think in our community a lot of students have siblings or cousins who live close by and that helps. If they can’t be around other children, then you have to fill that void and teach those social skills they would have been getting in classrooms.” –Sandra McCarstle, Pre-K teacher
have a 0.2% mortality rate and those aged 5-17 have a 0.1% rate. “We want our kids not to get sick,” he stated as the bottom line, “I don’t care about the percent, even when one kid dies, we are making that choice for them.” During the interview, he read a list of questions that he and other teachers presented to the TEA, but more than three weeks have passed and still there are no answers. “These questions should’ve been dealt with in April,” he said. Then, he continued to present the list. This outspoken teacher wants to know the authority schools have to ask students to get COVID-19 tests, which then opens room for another question. What happens if, say Johnny, tests positive, he quarantines 14 days – does he have to retest to come back to campus? And what about the students who were in his class, do they quarantine? What if he had contact with a student not in the same class, how would teachers know? The organization member also wants to know the logistics around lunch. When students sit in their classroom, do they have lunch brought to them? Does the school have enough staff members to haul the lunch over or will lunch drag out for half the day? And when it is time to eat, do they remove masks and fill the unventilated room with
their potentially infected breath? Another teacher weighed in regarding school HVAC systems. The San Marcos High School teacher, who also wants to remain anonymous, has taught in six states and has experienced HVAC system problems in every school. Given the newly accepted research by the World Health Organization that suggests the virus is airborne, will the outdated HVAC systems be sufficient to keep the school’s air quality clean, wondered the high school teacher. This is not his biggest worry. “If [the federal government] can’t fully fund us to function well and smoothly and meet all the kids’ physical, academic and emotional needs at the best of times,” his frustration came through, “how do they expect us to believe they can meet our needs to keep us alive?” Funding is not his only issue. He also worries that teen behavior is difficult to control. For example, students do not always take their hoods off or their earphones out when asked to; the teacher wonders how they would stick to wearing a mask all day. Gina and Donald Murphy, parents to a 17-yearold autistic son, vehemently expressed they will not send their son back. Although he will miss his friends, the Murphys believe this is the best option. “I’m not worried about
some teachers. Aimee Foster, a high school cosmetology teacher, said she does not feel hesitant to return to school. Foster is ecstatic to go back into the classroom environment where she can teach her skill in person. Although not everything can be taught online, there is some hope for those learning remotely. After the tailspin schools went through with COVID-19 in March, the my kid repeating the year,” significant hardship to said Gina Murphy. “In the many families who do not schools and teachers were completely unprepared. grand scheme of things, have an option of somewhat would happen if where to send their child.” But now that teachers, students and parents have they didn’t do that? There’s This mother also worhad more time to adjust, no way to know what our ries that when her child the online curriculum will health will be like from is kept from interacting having the coronavirus.” and playing with others, it be more organized. Sandra McCarstle, a This has been a shared will affect their long-term Pre-K teacher and memworry among many parmental health. She also ber on the District Leadents and teachers because wants to make sure her ership Team, said that the the virus is so new, they do child gets limited screen not have research on long- time because it makes her schools are coming back with a program that better term effects. child act out; but virtuconnects students to their Scientists are still devel- al learning and staying teachers and assignments. oping new research and home will force her child She notes that students negating bits of informato have extensive screen will be tested and given tion. time. While some parents One parent of two teens grades based on their acare worrying about future shares a similar sentiment ademic performance, and attendance will count. dangers and outcomes, to Tetrick. This mother This time, there will others are anxious about chose to remain anonythe immediate effects of mous, especially now that be structure, explained closures. Gabby Tetrick, she feels there is hate and McCarstle. As someone who has 15 a parent in Hays CISD, shaming toward parents said she needs schools to who want to send children years of teaching experience and has studied welcome her child. to school. developmental educaTetrick and her husPart of this mother’s tion, McCarstle said she band are both full-time belief is that the relationemployees who cannot ships and communication is afraid that the students growing up in this time afford to lose a job. There skills students gain in are many parents who are school cannot be matched will lack certain problem-solving skills and living a similar situation. in any other setting, and have high anxiety. Alternatives to staying these are essential build“But I don’t think we home include hiring a ing blocks in life. She does can see into the future,” nanny, which is not a finot want the threat of the McCarstle said. Like many nancially viable option for virus to pause her chilothers, McCarstle said she the two, or they can send dren’s development. does not have an answer. their child to camp, but “I cannot stop my kids She does think that the that is costly and closes from getting illnesses of best we can do is buy during the fall. any kind,” she explained. some more time, perhaps “We save a little bit each “I honestly worry more month to fund our child to about my kids getting can- six more weeks, to know be in a day camp through- cer or sending my kids out what the near future of coronavirus cases will out the summer while we in a car and them being are at work,” Tetrick said. killed that way than I wor- look like. “Social skills and “We cannot afford to do ry about coronavirus.” it year-round. If schools The hands-on approach academics are great,” McCarstle said, “but we have were to remain closed in to learning is welcomed to prioritize health.” the fall, this would cause by many parents and
TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
Rebel Mascot Continued from pg. 1
prioritize the safety of its students. Enough is enough.” Hays senior Hannah Cook highlighted that a school’s mascot should ultimately unite the entire community instead of creating arguments. “As a school, every student should be united by our mascot and other depictions of school pride,” Cook said. “Yet this can’t happen because our mascot still represents racism to this day.” Cook also said that students should take pride in every part of their high school, including the mascot and other associated symbols. “Students shouldn’t have to be disturbed by their school’s sym-
“As a school, every student should be united by our mascot and other depictions of school pride. Yet this can’t happen because our mascot still represents racism to this day.” –Hannah Cook, Hays High senior
bols and be constantly reminded of the racist past rooted within our community,” Cook said. “Students shouldn’t have to be worried about their mascot at all or the fact that countless schools associate them with racism due to the reputation we uphold as the rebels.” The board voted unani-
mously to retire the Rebel mascot from Hays High School. Due to attention drawn to COVID-19 and a short timeline, the board decided to slow the process down of selecting a new mascot. It’s possible the Rebel mascot won’t be fully retired until the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 22, 2020
Filing period open for TheSheriffApp rolled out Kyle mayoral, council for public use, reporting The city of Kyle will be holding a General Election for the seats of Mayor, City Council District 2 and District 4 on Nov. 3. The application process for filing for a place on the election ballot has opened as of Monday, July 20 and will close on Monday, Aug. 17. Council Candidate Packets can be downloaded at www. cityofkyle.com/sites/ default/files/fileattachments/administration/ page/11201/2020_1103_ city_council_candidate_ packet.pdf. The Council Candidate Packet serves as a reference for information on candidate
qualifications, filing applications, conducting campaigns and the election process in general. Those interested in running for one of the eligible places can file their application in person by scheduling an appointment with City Secretary Jennifer Holm at 512-262-3981 or jholm@cityofkyle. com. Applications can also be filed by mailing a filled-out application to: Kyle City Hall, I00 W. Center St., Kyle, TX, 78640. The city of Kyle encourages all residents to get registered, get informed and show up to the polls. To check to
see if you are registered to vote, go to www.votetexas.gov. Normally, voter registration applications can be found at Kyle City Hall and Kyle Public Library, but due to COVID-19 these public facilities are currently closed. Voter registration applications can be printed from hayscountytx. com/download/departments/elections/ voter_reg_app1.pdf and mailed to: Hays County Voter Registrar, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 1045, San Marcos, Texas 78666. Voters must register to vote no later than 30 days prior to an election.
HAYS CISD DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD WIMBERLEY ISD
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BY CHASE ROGERS
Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler announced July 14 the department’s implementation of an iOS and Android application aimed to ease communication and reporting with residents. The free application offers “quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use,” allowing users to view information provided by the sheriff’s office, submit tips and feedback to law enforcement officials and to receive emergency alert notifications. The application was developed by TheSheriffApp.com, a division of OCV, LLC, and is in use in six other Texas counties, including Williamson, Rockwall and Collins. OCV, LLC specializes in creating applications for fire departments, emergency management centers, healthcare providers and police departments. The application will include methods to: provide comments and feedback, submit tips, search sex offenders in the area, search jail info and local inmates, view Hays County Most Wanted and view curated county announcements and alerts. “With today's technological advances, I think it's critical that we continue to keep up with the times in order to stay connected with our communities and constituents,” Cutler said. “During these unprecedented times in our country it is all the more important that we in public service communicate with our citizens." According to Cutler, the application cost nearly $18,000 to implement and was paid for with funds acquired through drug
App proves helpful in missing persons case Two days after Sheriff Gary Cutler detailed TheSheriffApp.com for the commissioner’s court, it helped to locate a missing woman. Evelyn Avendano-Acosta, 23 and seven months pregnant, was reported missing by her family on Thursday, July 16, after walking away from her home in Wimberley without her phone or purse. When she confirmed to be safe in North Austin hours later, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said, it was because key social asset forfeiture, a practice used by law enforcement agencies to deprive criminals and criminal organizations of funds yielded through illegal acts. Cutler said he is unsure what the upkeep cost to the application will be but plans to use drug asset forfeiture to pay any cost. “I don't know for sure what the maintenance fee will be for annual basis yet, but we plan to use drug asset forfeiture moneys, not tax dollars.” Cutler said he believes the application will be a useful tool for the community, but understands that some may not want
media was accessed. The person who found Avendano-Acosta walking on the side of the road was identified simply as a good Samaritan, who gave her “a ride, food and shelter for the evening,” according to a press release. “A co-worker of the good Samaritan saw the post about Evelyn missing on the Hays County Facebook page and asked the Samaritan if the person they provided for could be the missing person and it was determined that it was,” the release said. to download it. “What I tell people is this is strictly volunteer app. If a person doesn't like or want the app, you don’t have to get it,” Cutler said. “I think citizens will be very excited actually, and citizens in surrounding counties that do business in our county would probably be excited about it as it's a way to get information real time.” The application can be found by searching “Hays County Sheriff TX” in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store, or https:// apps.myocv.com/share/ a43678666