AUGUST 11, 2021 BURN PERMITS
30-YEAR LOW
Hays County to issue seven-day burn permits online.
Hays County budget includes lowest tax rate in 30 years.
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Dripping Springs Returnto-School Update PROVIDED BY DSISD As we prepare for the start of the year, Dripping Springs ISD has been evaluating and adapting our school health protocols to the fluid situation. While we once were hopeful that the pandemic would be behind us by the start of school, COVID cases continue to be reported in our county. We recognize that families want options to return to school in the way best suited for their personal situation. To that end, we have updated our back-to-school plan, including our school health protocols. The health protocols include notifications of positive cases for all classrooms and busses, and the ability for students to opt out of field trips and gatherings. Per GA-38, masks remain optional. In addition to updating our school health protocols, DSISD staff have also worked to expand virtual options, especially for students whose situation warrants it.The Texas Education Agency provides limited and partial funding for districts that offer virtual learning in certain settings. While not equal to the per-student funding we receive for in-person learning, we appreciate the additional flexibility. As a district, we further expanded our offerings beyond TEA’s newly provided funding options in conjunction with ESSER funds to provide a virtual academy for the fall semester. Dripping Springs ISD is offering a virtual academy for students who are currently unable to be vaccinated by creating a class section per grade level for K-6 district-wide. Instruction for virtual academy students will start on August 24, 2021,
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Vol. 41 • No. 46
Serving Hays County, TX
D.S. to consider new development BY MEGAN WEHRING
DRIPPING SPRINGS — More homes could be heading to Dripping Springs. Developer Meritage Homes has come to the city with a Planned Development District with an approximately 283 acre tract of land located north of U.S. 290, west of Headwaters Boulevard and east of Ranch Road 12. The applicant intends to develop 960 sin-
The applicant, Meritage Homes, intends to develop 960 single-family lots, including up to 315 40-foot lots, 98 45-foot lots, 292 50-foot lots and 255 60-foot lots.
gle-family lots, including up to 315 40-foot lots, 98 45-foot lots, 292 50-foot lots and 255 60-foot lots. Local retail spots are also part of the project, according to the staff report. The property is
currently located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) but will be annexed into the city. Transportation improvements include the construction of the north to south roadway as a
four-lane minor arterial that will extend off-site to U.S. 290. The east to west roadway will be constructed as a four-lane minor arterial between Big Sky Ranch and Headwaters. “These roadways will help alleviate traffic on Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12,” said Ginger Faught, deputy city administrator, “and will benefit the Dripping Springs community as a whole.”
Roundabouts will also be constructed at the north/south roadway and east/west roadway, as well as at the Dripping Springs ISD property in Headwaters. Dripping Springs City Council is slated to bring the development back on the agenda for a vote at the Aug. 17 meeting. The full staff report and development information can be found on the city’s website.
Hays Veterans financial program expands services BY SAHAR CHMAIS
PHOTO BY DANIELLE MODISETTE-SCOTT
Top row (l-r) assistant coach Andrew Rodriguez, assistant coach Kris Beasley, assistant coach Chelsea Romanowski, head coach Philip Daigle, HYBSA President Jason Pack. Middle row (l-r): Easton Bean, Auggie Rivera, Brady Daigle, Izaiah Ruedas, Tyler Golden, Dean Daigle, Corbin Zachary. Bottom row (l-r) Brayden Rodriguez, Julius Beasley, Carson Hacker, Donovan Fleming, Lydia Lopez, and Hudson Chavez.
Local Little Leaguers go to Pony World Series BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
The 6U Shetland AllStars team, a tee-ball team part of the Hays Youth Baseball and Softball Association (HYBSA), competed at the Pony World Series in Youngsville, Louisiana from July 21 to July 24. The Hays Shetland team consists of local
Some of Hays County’s youngest athletes had the unique opportunity of experiencing teamwork, sportsmanship and the importance of community during the baseball world series.
Coming Up SUMMER SIZZLER BBQ COOK-OFF AT 12 FOX BEER CO. The 12 Fox Beer Co., in cooperation with the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a cook-off to see which of 30 possible teams has the best, salsa, beans, chicken, ribs or brisket at the Summer Sizzler BBQ Cook-Off to be held Friday, Aug. 13, 12 to 9
STATE NEWS
p.m. at 12 Fox Beer Co. in Dripping Springs. For more information, or to be a contender, contact 12 Fox Beer Co. at 512-626-4458.
LIVE MUSIC AT BELL SPRINGS WINERY Bell Springs will host Austin-based musician Hartley Hall Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m. for an “Island Country Happy Hour. Hall is a country reggae singer-
Veteran reporter Gary Rodgers touches on Capital Highlights.
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Hays County kids aged 4 to 6. After the regular baseball season, which ran from February to May, 13 players were selected for the all-stars team in late May after tryouts. The all-stars team was led by head coach Philip Daigle and
songwriter and will be playing 70s-90s country, western, and pop hits gone reggae style.
LIVE PIANO MUSIC AT THE SIDECAR TASTING ROOM
assistant coaches Kris Beasley, Chelsea Romanowski and Andrew Rodriguez. After competing in three tournaments, the team secured a spot to compete in the Pony World Series and had a month
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ago. He appreciates many genres of music from jazz and oldies to pop, rock, fusion, country, and classical. He enjoys interpreting and improvising solo, as well as in a group setting.
The Sidecar Tasting Room in Dripping Springs will feature piano music by Joseph Jay, Friday, Aug. 13, 5 to 8 p.m. Jay is a former New York dentist retired to Austin 4 years
Hays County created a program to aid veterans through financial hardships – now that program is expanding. “When we rolled out this program late last year, the aim was to help qualifying veterans, dependents and surviving spouses with past due rent, mortgages, utilities and car payments,” said Jude Prather, the county’s Veterans Services manager.
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Kyle PD investigates deadly hit and run BY SAHAR CHMAIS A Hays County Sheriff’s Deputy found a man struck by a vehicle in the 100 block of Windy Hill Road, on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 2:29 a.m. The 22-yearold victim, Jose Emilio Berberena, died from his injuries. Officers began life saving efforts on Berberena while waiting for Buda Fire and EMS to arrive. The Kyle resident was transported to Ascension Seton Hays Hospital, but died from the injuries. An investigation of the accident was initiated by the Kyle Police Department Crash Investigation Unit immediately after its
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