July 28, 2021 News-Dispatch by Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch

JULY 28, 2021 VAX CONCERN

FIRE FORECAST

Johnson & Johnson vaccine efficacy of delta variant in question.

Local emergency officials warn weather conditions bad for wildfires.

– Page 4

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News-Dispatch

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Vol. 41 • No. 44

Serving Hays County, TX

Mental health center has plans for Dripping The new Dripping Springs Samaritan Center will provide therapy, as well as groups and workshops, to both children and adults of all ages and will offer its services to veterans as well.

BY ZOFIA REYES

health support. The group is currently working with Samaritan Center is a realtor to find a locaopening a facility in Drip- tion in central Dripping ping Springs in an attempt Springs. to aid a city in “great need So, after much discusof mental health services.” sion and a delay because Samaritan Center needs of the COVID-19 pandemto raise money and find ic, the Samaritan Center’s an office in Dripping plans are finally coming Springs after the commu- together. nity reached out to them “A meeting with about its need for mental community members

was scheduled in March 2020. With the COVID-19 pandemic upon us, that meeting was canceled. We

continued conversation with the Dripping Springs community and DSISD, and became a referral

source, using telehealth services. We are currently providing a virtual socialization group for middle school students. Samaritan Center has also offered to pilot a screening and referral program for the school district, which is currently being reviewed by school personnel,” said officials from Samaritan Center.

The new Dripping Springs Samaritan Center will provide therapy, as well as groups and workshops, to both children and adults of all ages and will offer their services to veterans as well. Its goal is to have an integrative medicine provider for resources such as acupunc-

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, 8

DSISD COVID protocols concern some parents BY BRITTANY ANDERSON More than a dozen passionate parents and students spoke out about COVID-19 and the upcoming school year during the Dripping Springs ISD school board meeting on July 26. No final decision was made by the board and the issue will be taken

up next month. While some speakers were satisfied with the board’s safety protocols for the 2021-2022 school year, others were not and called for revisions. Amy Ezell, a parent and teacher, said that she appreciates the mask choice freedom COURTESY PHOTO

COVID PROTOCOLS, 8

Owner of Blu J Construction, Jon Bledsoe got financial support from the community to build a ramp for a neighbor in need and in one day, he and his 14-year-old son, JJ, finished the ramp.

Help was on the way

Local family making a difference

Vecinos:

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Love Thy Neighbor Local movie premieres in Hays County BY CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON

scenes. But the characters on screen spoke from the heart, hauling Lehman High’s Maaudience members into riachi Band was just a the scenes, where they precursor; the students looked at the lives of two set the mood for an families who become evening that included a neighbors. lot of laughs. Their lives entertwine, And some tears. and love and troubles The movie, “Vecinos: Love Thy Neighbor,” was follow. Vecinos is Alex Avila’s having a premiere showfirst feature film and his ing in the Carrington Friday night. And locals second as a producer. who know the Buda area VECINOS, 8 recognized a lot of the

Getting in and out of her trailer home was becoming a near-impossible mission; for 10 months, Debbe Purcell would have to crawl in and out of her home when she needed to leave due to severe knee problems. “In October, I hurt my knee and I had been scooting across the floor and would use crutches to go in and out of my trailer,” Purcell said. “I reached out on the Love Thy Neighbor [Facebook page] to see if someone can help. [Jon Bledsoe] and his wife, Lisa, are my Facebook angels.” Bledsoe, owner of Blu J Construction, created a Facebook page months ago to connect neighbors together in Dripping Springs. One day, he ran across Purcell’s call for help. He saw that she was struggling to get in and out of her home,

“It’s not something I ever planned to become or do; it’s in my heart and trying to teach my son and daughter, to when you can, if somebody needs help, then you help them.” –Jon Bledsoe, neighbor who answered the call of a woman in need

so he decided to build her a ramp. Bledsoe got financial support from the community and in one day, he and his 14-year-old son, JJ, finished the ramp. “It started raining,” Purcell recalled their kind act, “but it didn’t stop them. They pulled out a canopy shade and they worked under that.” When Purcell spoke of their deed, she began choking up on her tears and said she still cries thinking about it. She gave

Jon and his son a huge hug when they drove up to her house, overwhelmed with gratitude. This is not Bledsoe’s first act of kindness; he has been going out to help people who need it for a long time. He has gone out with some friends to help a woman who had a broken hip who was stuck at home. He has donated blankets and heaters and more. Bledsoe has been teaching his son in the ways of giving back to the commu-

State reps plea for school COVID safety

Coming Up

BY SAHAR CHMAIS DSHS ORIENTATION AND OPEN HOUSE COMING UP LIKE GOATS?

Get to know the goats at Jester King Brewery. From 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, get ready for a hands-on engagement with the brewery’s goat handlers and meet the family of more than 40 Nigerian Dwarf goats in the Goat Pen.

COSTCO COMING

CostCo coming to Kyle and other growth announcements.

– PAGE 3

nity and the importance of being there for others. “It makes me feel proud and I know he’s a really good person,” said Bledsoe’s son about his father, “that’s all I can say. Nothing but happiness.” In addition to giving support to community members who need it, Bledsoe also tries to help through his business by donating and offering deals to people who need handyman work done but cannot afford it. “A lot of people tend to look to me as a leader in a way sometimes to get the ball rolling,” Bledsoe said about how he helps those around him. “It’s not something I ever planned to become or do; it’s in my heart and trying to teach my son and daughter, to when you can, if somebody needs help, then you help them.”

Dripping Springs High School freshman/new student orientation will be held from 3-5 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. in two sessions on Aug. 10. The following day, DSHS will hold its Open House/ Meet the Teacher session from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 11.

State representatives are urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, to provide more options for schools and students for COVID-19 safety measures. So far, 32 state representatives have

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

signed Rep. Vikki Goodwin’s letter to the governor and commissioner. In the letter, Goodwin states that virtual instruction should be an option for students who are at higher risk for contracting the virus. This concern comes after an overall surge in

COVID SAFETY, 8

Page 2

NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 28, 2021

J&J vaccine efficacy against delta variant in question BY SAHAR CHMAIS Based on a preliminary study, the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine may not be as effective in protecting against the Delta and Lambda variants, according to a study. The study was conducted in a laboratory using blood samples, which may not be what is reflected in the real world. Still, authors of the study suggested that those who received one

J&J vaccine may need a booster shot, which may be more effective if taken as the mRNA form, used by Pfizer and Moderna. Around the U.S., 13 million residents have been inoculated with the J&J vaccine. While clinics run by the Hays County Local Health Department have not been giving the J&J vaccine, pharmacies across Hays County have been providing it. There are 124,169

Authors of the study suggested that those who received one J&J vaccine may need a booster shot, which may be more effective if taken as the mRNA form, used by Pfizer and Moderna. Hays County residents who are vaccinated with at least one dose, and 106,124 fully vaccinated residents, as of Friday, July 23. COVID-19 infections across the county dras-

Although cases in Hays County have declined, Austin just announced that it has moved into Stage 4 COVID-19 regulations, tightening recommendations on gatherings and masks. Additionally, Governor Greg Abbott announced tically rose in mid-July, that he will not impose but the number of daily new infections began de- another mask mandate, even though cases across creasing around July 20. There are 565 active cas- the state have been on the rise. es in Hays County and “There will be no mask a total of 266 COVID-19 mandate imposed, and related deaths.

the reasons for that are very clear,” Abbott told KPRC-TV in Houston on Tuesday. “There are so many people who have immunities to COVID, whether it be through the vaccination, whether it be through their own exposure and their recovery from it, which would be acquired immunity.” It would be “inappropriate to require people who already have immunity to wear a mask,” Abbott said.

STATE NEWS: Workforce commission announces job surge BY GARY BORDERS

The Texas Workforce Commission released June employment figures that showed Texas employers added nearly 56,000 jobs in June, while the unemployment rate dropped to 6.5%. “The Texas economy is booming,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we’ve built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper.” TWC’s latest statistics show that the leisure and hospitality industry led all others in job growth, adding more than 19,000 jobs. Education and health services employment ranked second, adding 9,500 jobs in June.

TEXAS DEMOCRATS STILL HOLED UP IN D.C. More than 50 Texas Democratic legislators remain holed up in a Washington, D.C. hotel,

Capital Highlights by Gary Borders

blocking an effort by Republicans to pass more restrictive voting laws during the present special session since state law requires at least 100 reps to have a quorum. The legislators have been meeting with national Democratic leaders, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, but also dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 among its members, according to KUT. At least a half dozen legislators, who say they were already vaccinated, have tested positive for the virus while in the nation’s capital. The legislators are pushing for federal voting legislation, called the For the People Act, which has already passed the U.S. House but remains bottled up in the Senate. Without changes to the

Senate filibuster rule, passage seems unlikely. The special session in Austin ends Aug. 7, but Abbott has vowed to call another one if the Democrats remain absent, effectively stopping any legislation from passing.

AS CASES RISE, NEW POP-UP VACCINE SITES ANNOUNCED COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise again in Texas, largely spurred by the highly contagious delta variant. The Texas Department of State Health Services is again hitting the road to encourage folks to get vaccinated. Rates of those who are fully inoculated continue to lag, particularly in younger populations. DSHS will hold 18 popup events at Walmart locations across the state to talk with parents and families about the importance of vaccination for younger Texans as they prepare for next school year and as the Delta variant spreads

more widely in Texas. The DSHS pop-ups last four hours each day and will travel around the state through the first week of August. The events feature a 16-foot video wall, a “Take the Shot” basketball game, and free frozen treats. COVID-19 cases the past week in Texas continue to rise sharply, up 60% from the previous week, when cases nearly doubled. A total of 36,451 cases were reported by the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University along with 190 deaths, flat compared to the previous week. However, hospitalizations continue to spike, with DSHS reporting 4,137 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Texas, up more than 30 percent from the previous week. The number of Texans fully vaccinated rose slightly to 12.51 million, about 43 percent of the state’s population. As the delta variant spreads, the state’s positivity rate has exceeded 10% for the first time since February.

Texas wildfire season to heat up BY MEGAN WEHRING While Central Texas has seen a spotty wildfire season, officials say the state is not in the clear yet. “When we start getting our 100-degree weather that we have been missing,” said Kyle Taylor, Kyle Fire Chief, “it’s going to dry out really quick. With all of the growth, because of all of the rain, we could have a pretty bad season around August or September.” The recent rainfall has caused thriving vegetation and green backyards yet scorching hot temperatures anticipated for the next few weeks will fuel future fires. “This year, we are well below normal as far as fire activity,” said Brad Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service predictive services department head. “If you look at

“With all of the growth, because of all of the rain, we could have a pretty bad season around August or September.” –Kyle Taylor, Kyle Fire Cheif

maintain landscaping by keeping everything trimmed and well-watered; and keep flammable items away from the house. For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, visit https:// www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.nfpa.org/ Public-Education/Firecauses-and-risks/Wildfire/ Firewise-USA.

the last five to six weeks, The Kyle Fire Departwe have been running bement encourages residents low normal temperatures to take several precautions and above normal rainfall.” for fire preparedness: It has been an unusually slow season, Smith explained. He typically sees 10 to 15 fires a week but for the past several weeks, they have been rare. “In four weeks without rain and temperatures up in the 90s to 100s, those Debbie Thames Insurance Agency grasses will wilt,” Smith AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BOAT • HEALTH said. “They will be easier Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm to burn. Once the grass 251 N. FM 1626 #2C, Buda, TX 78610 Oﬃce: (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 becomes receptive to dvthames@austin.rr.com burning, we start to see an increase in wildfire Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated activity.”

PUC, ERCOT UPDATE CONSUMERS ON GRID RELIABILITY

In a joint press conference last Thursday, the chairman of the Public Utility Commission and the interim CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas outlined steps their organizations are taking to improve electric grid reliability during the dog days of summer. The PUC oversees ERCOT, which is responsible for maintaining the electric grid. ERCOT has drawn heat after the widespread blackouts during the February winter storm, and subsequently pleading for less energy consumption during an early summer heat wave. “We expect there is sufficient generation to meet summer 2021 electric demand; however, there may be times when we will call on customers to conserve just as other grid operators across the

country and around the world do. It’s just another tool in the toolbox,” Brad Jones, ERCOT interim CEO, said. “In response to a conservation notice, Texans may need to take some simple steps for a limited duration – such as doing laundry in the morning or running the pool pump at night instead of the afternoon – to ensure grid reliability.” Abbott recently issued executive orders directing the PUC and ERCOT to improve grid reliability. Critics say the measures passed in the last regular session to address the issue fall short of what is needed to ensure another grid failure doesn’t occur. Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. gborders@texaspress.com

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Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “In four weeks without rain and temperatures up in the 90s to 100s, those grasses will wilt,” Smith said. “They will be easier to burn. Once the grass becomes receptive to burning, we start to see an increase in wildfire activity.” –Brad Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service. Story on page 2.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 28, 2021

Page 3

Growth and announcements The excitement was palpable as the Kyle city staff and council members were called on stage to make a major annoucement at Tuesday’s Kyle Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Mayor Pro Tem Rick Koch announced that Costco chose Kyle for its next project, will be located next to EVO Cinema on I-35 in north Kyle, and should be completed in the next year or so. The business people in attendance cheered because they understood that a major company like Costco brings in a large tax base and jobs that pay well. The announcement fit in to Mayor Travis Mitchell’s State of the City address, as he talked about six philosophies the city strives to meet. It boils down to quality, and Mitchell said that incentives will only be given to businesses that adhere to higher standards. That’s a great thing to strive for, and the force behind the changes coming to Kyle can be felt in projects that were recently announced, and ones that are just on the books. With Hays County as the second fastest growing county in the U.S., and with the east side of Hays County growing the fastest, it is understandable that Kyle is expected to grow 10% per year. Kyle’s population grew by 50% in six years and is expected to be over 60,000 residents by the end of 2021. Buda and Dripping Springs are growing just as fast, so all of the cities are making major announcements, and making adjustments to their budgets to accommodate necessities. That’s good for our tax base, but that means we will all feel the pinch as roads need to be built, as traffic gets heavier, as it takes longer to get from one side of town to the other. But if you want to see a place where our children and grandchildren can get jobs, we need to look

Hip Czech by Cyndy SlovakBarton

ahead. Mitchell’s dad told him to “Get the big picture” when teaching him to drive – and that works well in this environment. Buda, Kyle, Dripping Springs, San Marcos and Wimberley – and all the smaller towns in between – cannot take a myopic view of what is about to hit us. Right now, Hays County’s population sits at 245,000. But if you think about the growth that Kyle alone is experiencing, you are looking at a city, in just 15 years, that could reach 200,000. If you look only at what Kyle is budgeting for, you get an idea what other cities are doing. More people means a need for more parks and trails, renovations on our older parks and historic structures, designing and building a sportsplex, working with commercial developments to guarantee high-paying jobs and efficient infrastructure to those sites, getting roads built on time, and then projecting into the future what roads are needed for true mobility. Finally, we have to make sure that water and wastewater facilities are available and ready for the growth. When Tesla founder Elon Musk chose southeast Austin, just outside of Buda, for his new Tesla factory, he tweeted something that made city officials squirm. Musk tweeted – “Austin ++” – “Urgent need to build more housing in the greater Austin area.” Well, Hays County IS that greater area that Musk is talking about, and the cities seem to be stepping up and getting things done. We all look forward to what the next few years will bring to us.

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 Reporters Megan Wehring, Sahar Chmais Columnists Bartee Haile, Clint Younts

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Striking up some ratings for the Olympics Maybe croquet could improve the ratings for the 2021 Summer Olympics? Please allow me to explain. The COVID-delayed 2020 Olympics are on track to be the lowest watched games of the 21st century, according to marketing research firm Zeta Global. The company has found that “More than 60 percent of Americans were unable to express excitement or interest in the summer games, and at least 45 percent of Americans confirmed they are NOT looking forward to the Games in any capacity.” That’s a shame, to be sure. Billions of yen have been spent by the Japanese to host the Games. And the finest athletes in the world — gymnasts and sprinters to skateboarders — have been preparing their entire lives for these competitions. Their excellence and dedication alone should motivate us to tune in. But a combination of COVID concerns and woke athletes using their platform for political protests has dampened enthusiasm for the Summer Games for

young, old, male, female. Imagine an octogenarGuest ian “striker” from Wales wearing black socks and Column sandals competing against by Tom Purcell a 10-year-old heiress from Beverly Hills or a sheik from Qatar. the average American. If that doesn’t sound So why not bring back like compelling TV, I don’t croquet? know what does. Most people have Seriously though, in played the game at a picthese touchy political nic or backyard barbecue. times when everyone None of us were ever very is so easily offended by good at it, and it gets pretty everything, maybe croquet complicated if you want to could cool things down play by the official rules. and bring us back to our But I bet many people senses. would enjoy watching If a striker in a televised well-practiced pros play it croquet match were to in the Olympics. take a knee to signal a Croquet, variations of political protest for the which are played around cameras, for instance, the world, is not unprecnobody would know. edented as an Olympic Viewers might think sport. It was included in she was merely tying her the 1900 games, but never croquet shoes or eyeing up made the Olympics sched- the best pathway to knock ule again. the wooden ball through a I admit it’s not exactly hoop with her mallet. an exciting contact sport, Croquet is a civilized or much of a sport at all, game, but on an amateur but that makes it a perfect level it can get intensely game for a modern-day competitive, especially Olympics. after a few beers. For starters, croquet is Friendly matches have as egalitarian as any sport been known to cause can get and is so simple heated disputes resulting anyone can play it — in family members not

talking to each other for months. But most of the game’s best backyard moments involve some sort of comic relief. I’ve seen unruly players, including my beer-bellied Uncle John, get so frustrated they eventually yell “fore!” and smack the ball into the weeds or a neighbor’s yard. Though I joke about putting croquet on the Olympics schedule, watching a few hours of the laidback game on TV would bring much needed levity and calm to a COVIDwracked world that is in dire need of both. After all, in what other sport, during the heat of battle, is it possible to consume hot dogs and potato salad? Plus, as far as I am concerned, any athletic event that has a legitimate reason for players to say “hold my beer” is one I’m going to enjoy. Tom Purcell is an author and humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Tom@TomPurcell.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IN RESPONSE TO KAREN DEPWE’S LETTER TO THE EDITOR “THINKING ABOUT LIFE” JUNE 9, 2021 ISSUE I am Pro Abortion because I am thinking about life. I am thinking of this new mother and her recently newly born child. I am thinking beyond the critical birth and wondering if this new mother would be able to handle being available 24/7 regardless of anything else going on in her life. I am wondering if this new mom would have any help from family or friends? Would she be able to financially support her little family? Would she have help with childcare? What would happen when this mom got sick? Who would care for her little one? Who would support this new mom and her little family with financial and emotional aid if needed so that both of them would continue to thrive and grow in the coming years.

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.

DEADLINES

Are you and your pro choice friends willing to do this? Ellen Braverman Age 74 San Marcos

VOTING SHOULD BE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION I testified at the hearing about HB3 on elections/ voting, testifying around 4:20 a.m. on Sunday about the difficulties people like my mentally disabled sister have in voting. Following all that testimony, Democrats on the committee offered amendments to the bill that would have addressed some of the issues brought forward in those testimonies, and Republicans voted every one of them down. It was clear they were hell-bent on their voter suppression bill with no changes. I appreciate that Rep. Zwiener considered people like my sister when she left to go to D.C. to put pressure on lawmakers there to pass

• The deadline for display advertising and any contributed news copy is 5 p.m. Friday the week prior to publication. • The deadline for Letters to the Editor and classified word advertising is noon Monday the week of publication, though we encourage readers and advertisers to observe the Friday deadline.

the John Lewis Voting Act, which would mandate preclearance before states make changes to voting, and the For the People Act, which sets minimum standards what states can do concerning elections. Republicans pretend they’re being “fair,” but how does it make sense for Loving County (fewer than 200 people) and Harris County (nearly 5 million) to have the same hours and number of ballot dropboxes? Truth is, these bills are based on the big lie from the former president. He lost, and no amount of lies or attacks on the Capitol will change that. Republicans say, “people don’t trust elections, so we’re making them more secure.” IF they truly wanted to assure people of the integrity of elections, they’d admit, publicly, that the former president lied about the election, and that he continues to lie. Instead, they see a chance

LETTERS GUIDELINES

to suppress the vote even more, lying about the integrity of our election workers and voters. Texas had outstanding numbers (for Texas) in voting in 2020 – that SHOULD be a cause for celebration. Texas doesn’t allow everyone to vote by mail, so allowing extra hours, and yes, even overnight and drive-by voting should be an option. While not necessary in all counties, it should be available for those who need it. Counties with many factories, hospitals, and colleges might benefit from at least a couple of days of 24-hour voting. The truth is, Republicans don’t want most people to vote, and I thank Rep. Zwiener and the House Dems who are in Washington to fight for our freedom to vote. It’s worth the sacrifice, and is all that stands between us and authoritarian rule. Kathi Thomas Hays County

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.

Page 4

COMMUNITY

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 28, 2021

OBITUARIES GARCIA VALERO

With his mother Esther and brother Andy, Robert Robert Garcia Valero, moved to Austin where age 48 of Buda, Texas, he graduated from John passed away H. Reagan High School in in Corpus 1992. As a young entrepreChristi, Texas neur, and with the help on July 19, from his Aunt Nancy Gar2021. Robert cia, who he loved dearly, was born Robert dedicated all his May 24, 1973 time starting up Garcia and in San AngeValero Income Tax office lo to Robert in Austin. For 19 years, he and Esther Garcia Valero. was committed to giving Robert is survived by his back to the community in loving wife, Victoria, his which he grew up. He met son Christopher, daughters his beloved wife Victoria in Jaelyn and Valencia Valero, 2008 and it was love at first and stepdaughters Marisight. They were married in cella and Isabella Duran, Maui in June of 2012 and along with his parents, and set roots in Buda. his brother Andy Valero. Robert was a dedicated

and enthusiastic father and friend to all. His children were his entire life. He wholeheartedly adored them and was so proud of all their accomplishments. His second love in life was his wife and best friend of many years, Victoria. They were inseparable and cherished every moment together. Robert was a caring, kindhearted, and generous person who had a contagious laugh and smile and who made friends with everyone he met. He was an avid fan of music of all genres, attended Austin City Limits music festival every year with his wife and kids, and

always had his favorite songs or records playing at home. Robert was very passionate for junior golf and well known within the community. Inspired by his son Christopher 14 years ago, Robert initiated a connection and friendship with Polo Lopez with the Mexican Junior Golf Association. Together, they started the Texas Mexico Cup junior golf tournament in hopes of fostering international relations between the Texas and Mexico junior golf programs. Robert took immense joy witnessing the long-lasting friend-

ships and camaraderie that were created between the two countries. With his humble leadership and kind sportsmanship, Robert inspired countless generations of golfers, and his legacy will cause ripples in the community for decades to come. Robert is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Samuel R. Garcia and cousin Mi-

chael Garcia and paternal grandparents Benancio and Catherine Valero of San Angelo, Texas. Visitation and tributes were July 27, 2021 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle. A Mass of Christian Burial was conducted at Santa Cruz Catholic Church on July 28, 2021 with burial following at Onion Creek Memorial Park, 11610 Chapel Ln., Manchaca, TX.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 28, 2021

NEWS

Page 5

Dripping Springs H.S. tennis tryouts coming up

For all the latest Hays County news, visit

HaysFreePress.com

www.

Open tryouts for DSHS Tennis for the upcoming school year will be held on Aug. 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants should plan to attend both days of

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

physical. If an athlete needs to get a physical the required UIL form to use can be found on the DSISD Athletic Website under Forms and Participation Fee.

DeMasters - Daniel Insurance Agency, Inc.

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Plans and Specifications are available at the office of Southwest Engineers, Inc. in two different formats: Hard Copy - $80.00 (Non-Refundable) and Download - $25.00 (Non-Refundable). A Bid Bond in the amount of 5% of the bid issued by an acceptable surety registered with the U.S. Treasury shall be submitted with each bid. A certified check payable to the County Line Special Utility District may be submitted in lieu of the Bid Bond. Attention is called to the fact that not less than the federally determined prevailing (Davis-Bacon and Related Acts) Wage Rate, as issued by the U.S. Department of Labor and contained in the Contract Documents, must be paid on this project. In addition, the successful bidder must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual identity, gender identity or national origin. The County Line Special Utility District reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in the bidding. Bids may be held by the County Line Special Utility District for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date of the bid opening for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the bidder's qualifications prior to the contract award. July 12, 2021 County Line Special Utility District Chris Betz, President

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • July 28, 2021

Page 7

Classifieds HOME FOR RENT

PUBLIC NOTICES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Bartlett Cocke General contractors, Construction Manager-at-Risk, for: Kyle Public Safety Center is requesting competitive proposals from subcontractors and suppliers. Subcontractor and supplier proposals will be received via Fax to (512) 3264339 or (512) 326-3990 Fax or via email to bidaus@bartlettcocke.com no later than 2:00:00 PM on 8/26/2021. Any proposals received after this time will not be accepted. Electronic copies of the proposal documents may be obtained from Bartlett Cocke or viewed at local and online planrooms. Contact Aarron Lacey via email ALacey@ bartlettcocke.com or phone (512) 326-4223 Phone to make arrangements. Small, Woman Owned, Disadvantaged, HUB, HUBZone, 8(a), Minority, and all similar firms are encouraged to submit proposals on this project. Bartlett Cocke General Contractors is an equal opportunity (EEO) employer

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 18, 2021, 12:00 pm AAA Self Storage Dripping Springs at 2300 W. US Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 www.SelfStorageAuction. com Jean Roe: misc. items.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice of 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 be ending on or after August 12, 2021at 11 AM. 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). GUSTAVO ESCALANTE: Appliances, Tools, Sporting Goods

DANCY MORAN:Clothes ASHLEY BRONSTAD:Tools,Sporting Goods, Antiques DEX BOYCE: ANDREW ROMO: Tools

TABC NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) by Mama Merlot’s LLC, located at 1540 Satterwhite Road, Buda, Hays County, TX 78610. Owners: Chris Denny and Sarah Denny.

MOVING SALE

Saturday, July 31, 7am-2pm. 1437 Beechwood Drive, Kyle. Household items, tools, furniture, garden items, and misc.

EMPLOYMENT

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.

TIM KINGSLEY PLUMBING LLC

MASTER LICENSES # 15759 Looking for a Repair Plumber and New Construction Plumber. Benefits offered and salary negotiable. Call Matt Kingsey 512 487-1787

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City of Kyle, Texas Invitation for Bid for the Schlemmer and Porter Street Wastewater Line Improvements, Phase I

tracy@haysfreepress.com or call 512-433-0926

Sealed bids addressed to the City of Kyle will be received for the Schlemmer and Porter Street Wastewater Line Improvements, Phase I Project until 2:00 p.m. on August 19, 2021, at City of Kyle Public Works Department, 520 E. RR 150, Kyle, TX. The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 2:00 p.m. on August 19, 2021, at City of Kyle Public Works Department Training Room. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on August 4, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the City of Kyle Public Works Department Training Room, 520 E. RR 150, Kyle, TX. Bids are invited for several items and quantities of work as follows:

TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

1. Construction of approximately 2,400 linear feet of new 12- and 8-inch wastewater improvements, 2. Re-routing 6-inch sewer services, 3. 1 – 60-inch and 10 – 48-inch sanitary manholes, 4. Abandonment/removal of existing wastewater lines/ manholes. 5. Surface repairs Bids must be submitted on the Bid Form provided and must be accompanied by a bid security in a penal sum approximately equal to and not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. The security shall be in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check, or bid bond furnished by a reliable surety company having authority under the laws of Texas to write surety bond in the amount required, with such security made payable without recourse to the City of Kyle. The envelope containing the bid shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked: Schlemmer and Porter Street Wastewater Line Improvements, Phase I Project Bid/Contract Documents, including Drawings and Technical Specifications will be on file online by July 20, 2021 at: www.civcast.com Copies of the Bid/Contract Documents will also be available at: Builders Exchange, 4047 Naco Perrin, San Antonio, Texas 78217 CITY OF KYLE, TEXAS Leon Barba, P.E. City Engineer

CITY OF BUDA Buda, TX

IFB 21-008 Buda Treehaven Water Line Upsizing Project ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed Bids, pursuant to Local Government Code Chapter 252, will be received for the IFB 21-008 Treehaven Water Line Upsizing Project by the City of Buda - Finance Department, 405 E. Loop Street, Buda, Texas until 2:00 PM local time on August 26, 2021. Immediately thereafter, the bid proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Multi-Purpose Room 1034 within Buda City Hall located at 405 E. Loop Street, Building 100, Buda, Texas. The project includes approximately 300 linear feet of 12-inch water line, including valves and appurtenances along Treehaven Ct. The project includes traffic control, erosion and sedimentation control, and site restoration. Bids will be received for a single prime Contract. Bids shall be on a lump sum and unit price basis, with additive alternate bid items as indicated in the Bid Form. The Issuing Office for this Solicitation is the City of Buda - Finance Department, 405 E. Loop Street, Building 100, Buda, Texas 78610, Attn: Rosemary Esparza, Purchasing Manager; purchasing@ci.buda.tx.us. Prospective Bidders may examine the Bid Documents at the Issuing Office, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from the Procurement Website as described below. Bid Documents may be viewed and accessed online through the Procurement Website as described at http://ci.buda.tx.us/137/Purchasing. The City of Buda has partnered with BidNet as part of the Texas Purchasing Group and also posts bid opportunities to this site. The documents are made available for the sole purpose of obtaining Bids for completion of the Project and permission to download does not confer a license or grant permission or authorization for any other use. Authorization to download documents includes the right for Bidders to print documents for their sole use, provided they pay all costs associated with printing or reproduction. Printed documents may not be re-sold under any circumstances. All official notifications, addenda, and other documents will be offered only through the Procurement Website. The Procurement Website may be updated periodically with Addenda, meeting summaries, reports, or other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project. The cost of printed Bidding Documents from the Procurement Website will depend on the number and size of the Drawings and Project Manual, and method selected by the prospective Bidder. Any cost associated with accessing the Bid Documents is non-refundable. Upon Issuing Office's receipt of payment, printed Bidding Documents will be sent via the prospective Bidder's delivery method of choice; the shipping charge will depend on the shipping method chosen. The date that the Bidding Documents are transmitted by the Issuing Office will be considered the Bidder's date of receipt of the Bidding Documents A pre-bid conference will be held on August 10, 2021 at 3:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room 1034 within Buda City Hall located at 405 E. Loop Street Building 100, Buda, Texas. Bid security shall be furnished in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. Owner: City of Buda By: John Nett, PE Title: City Engineer Date: July 22, 2021

LARGE HOME IN COUNTRY SETTING

Four BR, 2.5 bath, two living rooms, fire place, large office. Sits on 3/4 acre. Will be available in August 2021. Easy access to Hays High School. $2,300/month. Includes water & trash, Small dogs (under 20 pounds) allowed with non-refundable deposit. Call for information. Cyndy, 512-753-2700.

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Temporary Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) and Mixed Beverage Late Hours Permit (LB) by Kai Frazier dba The Epic Rendezvous, to be located at 121 Camp Young Judaea Rd., Woodcreek, Hays County, Texas 78676. Officers of said corporation are: Jordan Gwyther, Owner; Kai Frazier, Director; Konnor Frazier, Manager.

GARAGE SALES

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Sign-On Bonus Available* *Certain positions

NEWSPAPER HELP WANTED We have several positions open that might be great for retirees, budding photographers, sports junkees or sales person. • Advertising Sales position available for our newspapers, websites and various magazines. We are looking for an assertive and creative sales person to fill an immediate opening in the marketing sales department. The successful candidate will pick up a base account list, but will be focused on new business development. The ideal candidate has prior sales experience, preferably with a newspaper or other media. Other related sales experience with a proven track record of closing sales and growing customer base will be considered. Candidate will be aggressive in achieving personal and company goals and excellent at building professional relationships with customers. This full-time position is a Monday-Friday normal business hours kind of job, but some evening events might be necessary. Remember, you eat what you kill! A good driving record, dependable transportation and willingness to travel within and around Hays County and the suburban Austin area are a must for this position. The successful candidate will receiving training and a compensation guarantee during initial training period. A base pay/commission and benefits package is also included. Submit resume and cover letter to: Tracy Mack Tracy@haysfreepress.com • Are you a sports aficionado? Does the thought of keeping stats invigorate your senses? Do you also enjoy putting pen to paper and writing? If that sounds like you or someone you know, you could be the person we’re looking for. Barton Publications is looking for a few individuals who can help cover our local high school sports scene for the 2021-2022 season. Those interested should send a resume and at least three writing samples to csb@haysfreepress.com with the subject line, “Sports Coverage.” For more information, email csb@haysfreepress.com. • Are you a budding photographer that just wants to get your name out? We are looking for gig photographer to shoot sports or local events. Those interested should send a resume and photo samples to csb@haysfreepress.com with the subject line, “Photographer.” For more information, email csb@ haysfreepress.com.

Texas History Continued from pg. 6

Fourth, Wayne did not emphasis historical accuracy nearly as much as his fans had the right to expect. Lon Tinkle, the SMU professor and Dallas Morning News columnist who wrote the classic “13 Days to Glory,” was so upset with how the film turned out that he demanded Wayne remove his name from the credits as historical consultant. And don’t presume Tinkle had anything to do with the 1987 television turkey “The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory.” He was

dead and gone, and his wife sold the rights to the title of his book to producer Stockton Briggs, who had no business making an Alamo movie. The Alamo returned to the big screen that same year with the IMAX spectacular “Alamo...The Price of Freedom.” It was not a traditional movie but a unique and moving theatrical experience. There was never a dry eye in house at the end of the battle scene. And that brings

us to the eleventh and latest in the series, “The Alamo” released in 2004. It is the best of the bunch by far with a script that took very few liberties with the facts and a firstrate cast that breathed life into those Texans of long ago. “Unforgettable Texans” brings to life the once famous people no one remembers today. Order your copy for $24.00 (tax and shipping included) by mailing a check to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.

Hays Free Press • July 28, 2021

Page 8

Mental Health Facility

Vecinos: Love Thy Neighbor

Continued from pg. 1

ture, pilates, herbal medicine, and Chinese medicine. Currently, the center already has one therapist hired, and is looking to get two more by the end of the year, along with an intake specialist. “We treat a number of different disorders and our therapists in Dripping Springs will especially have the ability to serve the children in the school district. We offer accessible mental health and integrative medicine for all. As a nonprofit, we raise money so that no one is ever turned away. We offer free and low-cost services as well as take most insurances. The money raised in Dripping Springs will stay in Dripping Spring,” Samaritan officials said. The anticipated mental health center needs individual donors, and found a match for $50,000 under one condition – that they raise $50,000 with the help of the Dripping Springs community first. A source from Samaritan Center said, “The match will not only bring counselors to Dripping Springs but also ensure that no one in Dripping Springs is turned away because of their ability to pay.”

Continued from pg. 1 The exact location of the center is unknown at the time, but Samaritan Center is hoping to find a facility with three rooms for each of its therapists in central Dripping Springs. Samaritan Center will host the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 with a tower climb event at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Participants will be able to climb the 419 stair, 25 story Observation Tower in honor of the first responders and veterans who climbed the World Trade Center in an effort to save the people trapped inside, and honor those who lost their lives. The climb starts at 8 a.m. Sept. 11 and is open to anyone who would like to climb the tower. Admission to the event is $30, and registration is open now. Visit https:// bit.ly/samaritancenter-cota to register. Proceeds support the Samaritan Center. “It is a challenge designed to honor and remember the American lives lost on 9/11. We will pay a tribute to the first responders lost by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center,” Gonzalo Herrera, Marine Corps veteran, CSCS, said.

COVID Safety Continued from pg. 1

COVID-19 cases across Texas, where a Texas Tribune report stated that the positivity rate has gone over 10% for the first time since February. “Students are young and less likely to be infected,” Goodwin’s letter reads, “but some are

immunocompromised and any of them can carry the virus home to older or sick family members. Families are concerned about matters of life and death.” State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) was among the 32 who signed the letter.

Avila, who is a native of Austin, now lives in Buda. He spent 25 years as a professional journalist, and is an award-winning NPR producer. This film originated as a play by the film’s lead actor, Rupert Reyes. Reyes and Avila started working the play into a film in 2014 and years later – despite COVID – the film is being entered into various film festivals. Most of the film

was shot in Buda during the summer of 2019. Both Reyes and Avila pointed out that they wanted to make sure this did not play to the Mexican American/Hispanic stereotypes so often seen in films. Instead, this is a true love story and comedy, showing tender moments between families that anyone is able to understand. And anyone coming

from a small town will also understand the connections, the community and the caring among the characters. Reyes said that he and Avila put a lot of their own money into the movie, with Reyes noting that he borrowed against the equity in his house. But he wanted everyone to know that he thought the investments was well worth the risk.

And the audience seemed to agree, as many asked how they could help with money to send Reyes and Avila on to festivals. The premiere was put together by the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, which is headquartered in Buda. The Buda Area Chamber of Commerce helped with the presentation and sponsorship of the premiere.

COVID Protocols Continued from pg. 1

and looks forward to the coming school year after a year of difficulty. “I’m thankful that we get to have a normal school year and that children get to engage emotionally and socially,” Ezell said. “I’m grateful that the pandemic is put behind us and we’re moving forward. It’s time to teach and love the children. I would encourage Dripping Springs to be a leader in teaching this year.” Bill Brandenberger encouraged the district to pass the agenda as is, noting that while there has been 337 reported COVID-19 deaths in children 17 and under, the number pales in comparison to the number of deaths relating to unintentional injury and suicide. “Numbers support that there has been an increase in adolescent suicide over the last 18 months,” Brandenberger said. “This is no doubt in part to the isolation and sense of despair brought upon unknowing, innocent children due to the fear mongering from adults that did not care to listen to the parents. I implore you: let our kids be kids. You’ve already taken a year and a half away from them. Let’s get on to

“It may not be the popular thing to do to put safety protocols in place, and you might not get re-elected because you do it, but you have an ethical and moral responsibility to the children in this district, as well as their families.”

difficult, but we don’t not do difficult things because they’re hard. We problem solve. We collaborate.” After the public forum, board member Stefani Reinold made a motion to move the COVID-19 protocols presentation by Superintendent Holly Morris-Kuentz further –Holly Syrdal, parent who spoke at the meeting up in the agenda given more important things.” hands. the emotion in the room, Conversely, numerous “It may not be the which was approved. parents, some who were popular thing to do to put Morris-Kuentz’s presenvisibly emotional, encour- safety protocols in place, tation included informaaged the school board and you might not get tion on how the school to make changes to the re-elected because you district will operate during safety protocols that keep do it,” Syrdal said. “But the upcoming school year, immunocompromised you have an ethical and outlining expectations, students in mind and moral responsibility to the sanitation protocols, the reflect the status of the children in this district, as phasing approach, social highly contagious delta well as their families.” distancing within buildvariant. Melissa Walker said ings, buses and cafeterias These parents had that parents and educaand more. similar goals for the tors have an obligation to Morris-Kuentz reiterboard, including having teach their kids to think ated that per Gov. Greg virtual learning options, and care about people Abbott’s Executive Order, a separate, socially-disother than themselves, GA-36, school systems tanced cafeteria space for and get the opportunity cannot require students masked and unvaccinated to teach them about true or staff to wear a mask. children, postponing ascommunity. She also clarified that the semblies and other large “When we explain why school district is not enevents and continuing school isn’t normal this tirely in control of certain to utilize the COVID-19 year, we aren’t teaching decisions, such as schools dashboard resource on them to live in fear or that being shut down. the DSISD website includ- someone is taking away Morris-Kuentz said that ing contact tracing. their freedoms,” Walker the finalized safety protoHolly Syrdal implored said. “We’re teaching them cols will be put out next the school board to make to be kind and compasweek and will hopefully changes to the protocols, sionate human beings. take into consideration saying that they control I understand all the some of the concerns what schools follow and additional protocols that heard from the commuthat lives are in their we want in place might be nity.

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