AUGUST 10, 2022 KASZ BOARD PRESIDENT RETIRES
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News-Dispatch © Barton Publications, Inc.
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 42 • No. 47
Serving Hays County, TX
WILDFIRES
Hundreds of acres burned BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
HAYS COUNTY — Firefighters from Hays County and across the state have battled two separate wildfires for nearly a week now, with one fully contained and another nearly contained. On Aug. 2 around 1 p.m., a 200 to 250-acre wildfire (“Smoke Rider”) ignited near the Hays/ Blanco County line in the Las Colinas Drive area off FM 165. The fire prompted evacuations in the area, including the Dripping Springs PAWS Shelter, as it moved northwest towards Highway 290. The fire continued to grow, but officials said forward progression had stopped by the morning of Aug. 3. As of Aug. 8 at 9:54 a.m., the fire burned a total of 1,210 acres but was 100% contained. Among the losses were seven homes and recreational vehicles with multiple barns and other equipment, according to the Blanco County Emergency Management. The Texas A&M Forest Service assisted with the Smoke Rider Fire alongside fire departments from Hays, Blanco and Travis counties. On Aug. 3 around 5
p.m., just one day after the Smoke Rider Fire started, another wildfire (“Hermosa”) ignited in Wimberley in the River Mountain Ranch area between Bluff View and the Blanco River. Roughly 45 households voluntarily evacuated and eight were instructed to leave by county officials. According to officials, 14 primary homes were threatened and one sustained minor damage, and two outbuilding structures had minor damage. Evacuation orders were lifted on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. A short thunderstorm on Aug. 6 brought “much needed moisture” to some of the fire area, although operations were briefly slowed as there was significant lightning on and near the fireground. Multiple reinforcements were called in to assist the Hermosa Fire, including crews from Missouri and Florida alongside Wimberley Fire Rescue and North Hays County Fire Rescue. Hays County CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team), who help provide firefighters food, water, light first aid and a place to rest, were also on scene. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service incident viewer, as of Aug.
7 at 4:19 p.m. the size of the fire was 44 acres and at 90% containment. The community has poured out support with both wildfires. Hays County Office of Emergency Management shared that fighting fires “takes a village” — and along with various donations from the local community, Hays City Store, Texas Cannon Brewing Co., Lowe’s Market, Sysco, Main St. Donuts & Kolaches, El Charro in Johnson City and Wimberley Fire Rescue all helped provide drinks and meals. Blanco Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Wimberley also stepped up as temporary shelters for those who evacuated. If you were affected COURTESY OF HAYS COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT by either fire and need assistance, go to www.br3t. Firefighters battled the Smoke Rider Fire for nearly a week. org and click on the Need Help? tab, or contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications from WarnCentralTexas, as the area continues to experience unprecedented drought. Go to www. warncentraltexas.org for more information on the alerts, as well as how to sign up to receive them.
COURTESY OF HAYS COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Firefighters working the fires, from both local and state agencies, received a huge outpour of community support — from much-needed food and drink donations to encouraging words.
INCIWEB INCIDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
A map of the Hermosa Fire perimeter as of Aug. 7.
Wimberley High School names new principal STAFF REPORT WIMBERLEY — Ryan Wilkes has been named the next principal of Wimberley High School. The Wimberley ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Superintendent Dr. Greg Bonewald’s recommendation on Wilkes at its specialcalled meeting on Aug. 3. The move will go into effect following the conclusion of the 2022 fall semester when current WHS Principal Jason Valentine will assume the duties of WISD assistant superintendent. “It is a great honor to
Ryan Wilkes be selected as the next principal of Wimberley High School, especially considering those that have preceded me as principal: Mr. York, Dr. Bonewald, and Mr. Valentine,” Wilkes said.
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“WISD has a legacy of excellence, and I am excited to be able to continue that legacy alongside our outstanding staff, students and parents at Wimberley High School.” Wilkes is currently an assistant principal at WHS. He has been with WISD for 12 years in total, including the last three years as assistant principal. He also served nine years as a teacher, including four of those years on the coaching staff for the football, basketball, track, and powerlifting teams. During his time as a teacher, Wilkes coached the UIL Science team (guiding the team to a
State Championship in 2016), served as senior class sponsor, and taught chemistry and physics. This summer he was named the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) Region 13 High School Assistant Principal of the Year for 2022-2023. Wilkes is a 1995 graduate of Wimberley High School and his wife Michelle works at Jacob’s Well Elementary. They have three children who attend WISD schools. “Ryan is a man of high character who has a genuine heart for supporting all students and staff,” said WISD Superintendent Dr.
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Bonewald. “As a WHS graduate, Ryan has a deep understanding of the important traditions and culture that make our high school campus, our school district, and our community an amazing place to live and work. WHS is positioned to have a smooth and productive transition of leadership over the fall semester.” Valentine and Wilkes will continue their current roles (principal and assistant principal, respectively) through the first semester of the 2022-23 school year, allowing an extended period of on-the-job training for Wilkes before he assumes his new role in January 2023.