Tigers roar into summer practice
DS & Wimbo ISD make the grade
page 3
Some birds always remain monogamous
page 3
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 45
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
A Travis County judge last week ruled approval of Dripping Springs ISD’s $132 million bond was legitimate, giving way for a plethora of new infrastructure improvements to begin in the near future. The ruling ends an organization’s litigation attempt to force a new bond election, claiming voters were disenfranchised.
Travis County Judge ruling ends a lawsuit against the school district, claiming voters were disenfranchised. The ruling allows $132 million in infrastructure improvements to begin in the near future.
The lawsuit was led by the Citizens for Excellent Education in Dripping Springs (CEEDS), an education activist organization that questioned the legitimacy of the May 5 election. Initial results showed the bond passed
by a slim 31 vote margin May 5. A recount was called for by CEEDS, with results showing the bond passing with 37 votes. CEEDS filed the lawsuit on July 18, citing that 51 qualified voters residing in Travis County were not
elected contest lawsuit and the district’s request for declaratory judgment. “We are pleased that today’s ruling means our school community will be able to move forward with a $132 million bond notified of the election, program that will beneand elected officials made fit every student in our no provision for them to district and do so without vote. raising the property tax Despite the initial rate,” said Bruce Gearing, recount and lawsuit, the Superintendent for the $132 million bond packDSISD. “More than 100 age will stand. The ruling also applies to both the DSISD BOND, 2
Blue party keeps pace with red party for green BY EXSAR ARGUELLO As the Nov. 6 midterm election looms, two Democratic candidates in state and national races that impact Hays County out-fundraised their Republican counterparts in the latest reporting period. So far in the race for Texas House District 21, Democrat Joseph Kopser raised $381,013.81 in the last quarter, which surpassed the $205,036.29 pulled in by Republican Chip Roy in the same timeframe, according to a Federal Election Commission (FEC) financial report. Ultimately, Kopser has roughly $364,000 in cash on hand at the end of the current reporting period, while Roy has roughly $239,000. Both are vying for a seat vacated by Lamar Smith, who in 2017 announced he was not running for reelection. District 21 services parts of the Buda and Kyle areas. The Texas Observer named the District 21 congressional election as one of the six major Texas elections to watch in November. In the race for the U.S. Congressional District 25 seat, political newcomer Julie
CAMPAIGN FINANCE, 4
75¢
Thursday, August 23, 2018
DSISD bond overcomes legal challenge BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
page 6
Residents fight concrete plant near Henly BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Possible pollution issues are driving a handful of Henly residents to oppose construction of a concrete batch plant near the area. While residents pleaded with the Dripping Springs City Council Aug. 14 to support their cause, the location of the plant, which is outside of the city’s jurisdiction, left officials’ hands tied. Residents of the Silverado Estates subdivision in Henly took to the Aug. 14 meeting during the public comment period to express their opposition to the project.
CONCRETE PLANT, 2
Welcome back, students!
County aims to fill third county court by October PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Julie Duos and another parent team up outside of Walnut Springs Elementary in Dripping Springs to take a photo of their children, who were preparing to enter the campus for the first full day of classes. Thousands of Dripping Springs ISD students were welcomed back to school Monday for the inaugural day of the 2018-2019 school year.
Advocate group pushes for no-kill animal shelter in San Marcos BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
An animal rights group is making waves locally by campaigning to greatly reduce euthanizations at the San Marcos animal shelter, a topic that’s starting to cause a divide between advocates and offiicals. Hays County Animal Advocates are a group of concerned citizens aiming to push the San
“They cannot treat the pets as disposable, it’s not a viable option. People need to know that these are options, it’s crazy that we wouldn’t make these changes. Perfectly adoptable animals are being destroyed.” –Kate Shaw, member of Hays County Animal Advocates
Marcos Regional Animal Shelter to becoming a no-kill facility; they hope to do so through increasing foster opportunities
and improved marketing. The first step is for the shelter is to declare a 90 percent live-outcome goal, or to have 90
BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD percent of pets that enter the shelter system be adopted out to families
NO-KILL SHELTER, 4
Amid growth, Hays County still lacks mental health providers BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
As Hays County continues to grow, the number of providers who offer mental health care treatment in the area isn’t quite catching up. According to the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment released by the Seton Family of Hospitals, Hays County lags behind the national and state averages in the number of mental health care providers. According to the report, data from 2015 found that Hays County only has 86 providers per a 100,000 population, while the national average is 189 per 100,000. Caroline Hedenberg, a
Data from 2015 found that Hays County only has 86 providers per a 100,000 population, while the national average is 189 per 100,000.
collaborative care clinician with CARMAhealth in Austin and Dripping Springs, said that means some of the barriers potential patients seeking treatment face include distance and transportation. “I think that being in Texas in general, we’ve noticed there is a lack of services available,” Hedenberg said. “I know it’s been a low priority for
A third court would help relieve the two existing courts of an overwhelming caseload and would handle misdemeanors, civil lawsuits with amounts under $200,000 and probate cases such as wills, guardianship, mental health cases and the juvenile docket.
ment alone. “We like to equate it to physical health – If you were diagnosed with diabetes, would you just ignore it and not treat it? For some reason, people don’t view mental health care like that. That causes people to keep themour state, which is unfor- selves from seeking it tunate. A lot of people are out,” Hedenberg said. Luann Sandahl was in need of mental health the first counselor to see services but don’t know patients in Kyle when how to access it or face she opened shop almost barriers.” 12 years ago. Since then, A lingering stigma she says the conversation around mental health regarding mental health can keep people from seeking help, Hedenberg treatment has become more open and acceptsaid. If family members ing. and friends do not un“I came from Austin. derstand mental health, it can be difficult for a person to navigate treatMENTAL HEALTH, 2
Earlier this month, Hays County Commissioners kicked off the process to hire a judge for the recently created third court-atlaw earlier this month, with hopes to swear in a new judge by early October. Commissioners Aug. 7 unanimously approved to begin the search for a judge for the new court-at-law. A third court would help relieve the two existing courts of an overwhelming caseload, said David Glicker, Hays County Court-at-Law No. 2 Judge. The courts are general jurisdiction, which means judges hear criminal misdemeanors, civil lawsuits with amounts under $200,000 and probate cases such as wills, guardianship, mental health cases and the juvenile docket. The third court is a long time coming, Glicker said. The Hays County caseload increased by 71 percent from 2014 to 2017.
THIRD COUNTY COURT, 2
Page 2
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Third County Court
Continued from pg. 1 “It’s past due when you consider the second court was awarded to Hays County in the late (1980s),” Glicker said. “We have been operating for 30 years with two courts, as we’ve grown from a 50,000 person population to 200,000.” “We are challenged with extreme growth,” said Lon Shell, Precinct 3 commissioner. With the Interstate 35 corridor in the middle of Hays County, people come and get arrested from all over the world and become a burden to the justice system, Shell said. A third court is necessary for the growth the area has experienced. “I’m not saying we’re not doing our best,” Shell said. “I think it’s just time for help.” The state approved a third court-at-law for Hays County during the 85th legislature, and the county has set a goal to swear in a third judge by Oct. 6. “We have done all we can to manage growth and increased caseload without needing a third judge, until now,” Glicker said. “It’s just time.”
Luann Sandahl, the first therapist to open an office and practice full-time in Kyle, sits inside of her office.
Mental Health: Amid growth, providers lacking
PHOTO BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
Continued from pg. 1
Even in Austin 11 or 12 years ago, people didn’t want people to know they were seeing a counselor. That didn’t surprise me that people in Kyle didn’t want people to know at first,” Sandahl said. “Kyle, in my opinion, has been very open-minded to
services we offer (since then). I feel like people are more open than other places to needing services.” Mental health care can take a variety of forms to fit individual lifestyles, Hedenberg said. Treatment options include
seeing a therapist on a weekly or as-needed basis to more intensive programs that meet several times a week. For someone who is interested in receiving mental health help, a primary care doctor can give initial referrals, Hedenberg said,
and those without insurance can reach out to public mental healthcare providers. “Once they make that first call to any sort of agency, people are willing to send them in the right direction,” Hedenberg said.
Concrete Plant: Residents fight plant near Henly Continued from pg. 1
The plant, located in the 4000 block of west Highway 290, is operated by Lauren Concrete Inc. The company is currently seeking a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the plant. However, the location of the plant is outside of Dripping Springs’ extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). It is instead in an unincorporated part of Hays County. However, the city council could send a statement of support for the residents of Silverado Estates that could potentially help influence TCEQ’s findings for the permit.
“What we need is a resolution opposing the plant. And if you cannot give us that, at least ask to arrange a meeting with TCEQ. We need (the council) to help push us to discussion TCEQ.” –Randy Livingston, a resident of the Silverado Estates
Ed Michael, a member of the board of directors for the Silverado Estates subdivision, said the plant will have negative effects on personal health due to pollution that would inevitably come with the plant. “What we need is a resolution opposing the plant,” said Randy
Livingston, a resident of the neighborhood. “And if you cannot give us that, at least ask to arrange a meeting with TCEQ. We need (the council) to help push us to discussion with TCEQ.” The plant’s location in and around a residentially dense population is not a good location for a con-
crete batch plant, Michael said. And with proposed subdivisions coming in the near future, the plant could pose safety issues. Greg Sheever, who opposed the plant, said many area residents rely on rainwater and the aquifer to live, and with high amounts of livestock in the area, the plant
could impact the wildlife population. “We are already running out of water as it is,” Sheever said. “There will be too many straws in the aquifer if this plant gets approved.” Mayor Todd Purcell said the council and city do not have much authority with this issue, but urged residents to stay vigilant. “We are proactive with smart growth but there are also limits to our reach, especially with issues located outside of the city limits,” Purcell said. “Thank you for coming out and letting us know what’s going on.”
DSISD Bond: Overcomes legal challenge Continued from pg. 1
community members and parents generously gave of their time and expertise to help the district identify the more than 40 projects that went before voters in May, and we are grateful for all who participated in the process.” In a Facebook post after the lawsuit, CEEDS said despite the presentation of “underlying evidence,” the judge sided in favor of DSISD’s “high-priced lawyers’ creative interpretation of the law.” For future elections, CEEDS said it will bring critical reforms to elect common-sense leaders to the school board who can be trusted to ensure tax dollars, including this
bond, do not go to waste. “And be assured, many actionable discoveries have already been made over the course of the election contest and this information will help us in our fight to bring good governance to our school board,” according to a CEEDS statement. “One thing is abundantly clear: both DSISD and Hays County Elections believe their many mistakes were insignificant.” Jerad Najvar, attorney for CEEDS, said while he respected the court’s decision, he believed it reflected an “erroneous interpretation of the relevant code provisions.” “Due to DSISD seeking
a security bond of at least $1 million should litigation continue, an appeal is not a viable option given that oppressive bond requirement,” Najvar said. “However, DSISD and Hays County Elections should now understand that their sloppiness in conducting elections will not go unchallenged, and there is much that CEEDS and concerned citizens can do now to hold DSISD and Hays County Elections accountable, as well as ensure that future elections are conducted with a proper respect for the process.” What comes next With the lawsuit ruling in favor of the DSISD, the
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Page 3
Sports
Dripping Springs team struggles at Fraulein Volleyfest BY MOSES LEOS III A trio of close losses in a row was how the Dripping Springs Tigers volleyball team closed its 3-5 run at the Fraulein Volleyfest tournament in New Braunfels last weekend. Dripping Springs (99) opened the tournament by notching key wins over Magnolia and El Paso Franklin on the first day of tournament play Aug. 16 But the Tigers couldn’t maintain momentum as they dropped a three-set decision to eventual champion and stateranked San Antonio Clark, which was then followed by a three-set loss to New Braunfels Canyon on Aug. 17. While the Tigers got past Antonian Prep, Dripping Springs then fell to 6A foes Hays, Leander Rouse and San Antonio Churchill in
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Dripping Springs Tigers senior quarterback Tanner Prewitt (right) hands the ball off to senior running back Jake Cox during a drill in Tuesday’s team practice.
Tigers roar into summer practices BY MOSES LEOS III
Over the course of five years at Dripping Springs, head football coach Galen Zimmerman isn’t one to look beyond the horizon in front of him. To the uninitiated,
such a task could be easier said than done. Dripping Springs enters 2018 as not only the favorite in the new District 12-5A, Division I, but also as an area football power that’s consistently tasted success. But all of it – the ac-
colades, the hype – don’t weigh on Zimmerman, whose approach of taking things one at a time is something he tries to instill in his athletes. As the season draws near, Zimmerman said continuing to progress with a group brimming
with youth is the approach. “We’re looking to be 1-0 each week,” Zimmerman said. “We make yearly goals on things that we want to accomplish through the year.
TIGER FOOTBALL, 6
succession. So far this season, Dripping Springs junior Madison Murray leads the team with 111 kills, while junior Avery Kalsu has 82 kills. Senior Madison Certain has 68 kills through 18 matches. Kalsu currently leads the team with 254 assists, with junior Sarah Nading notching 173. On the defensive side, senior Madi Burkholz has 198 digs, with Kalsu following with 175. The Tiger team as a whole has recorded 66 blocks, with senior Alexis Haydt lead the team with 15. Dripping Springs travels to play at Georgetown Friday, followed by an Aug. 31 road match against New Braunfels Canyon. The Tigers return home Sept. 4 to play Wimberley at 6:30 p.m. Dripping Springs opens district play on the road Sept. 7 at Travis High.
Education s ISD g n i r p S g Drippin y ISD e l r e b m i and W rd a C t r o p e R
D Springs IS Dripping (92) Overall – A ement – A (93) hiev Student ac 4) gress – B (8 School pro (91) e gaps – A th g in s lo C y schools 90) Elementar t Standard ( e M – s g n pri ard (87) Dripping S Met Stand – s g n ri p S dard (87) Rooster – Met Stan s g n ri p S (84) Sycamore et Standard M – s g n ri Walnut Sp
hools ndard (90) Middle sc s – Met Sta g n ri p S g dard (92) Drippin – Met Stan s g n ri p S Sycamore ol (91) High scho t Standard e M – s g n pri Dripping S
A Listed in the report card are the 2018 Texas Education Agency’s A-F accountability rating grades. This year, districts were scored with a letter grade for performance in meeting three accountability requirements. Individual campuses received ratings of Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard or Improvement Required, as well as a number grade relating to the A-F system. Campuses will be labeled under the A-F system starting in 2019.
y ISD Wimberle (91) (91) Overall – A vement – A ie h c A t n e Stud 4) gress – B (8 School pro (91) e gaps – A Closing th
y schools – 80 Elementar er Primary d d u c S & ll Jacob’s We
(89) hool t Standard e Middle sc M – h ig unior H Danforth J ol (87) High scho et Standard M – y e rl e Wimb
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Making the grade
Dripping Springs, Wimberley ISDs earn As from TEA BY MOSES LEOS III Passing with flying colors is how Dripping Springs ISD and Wimberley ISD each fared after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) last week released its 2018 A-F accountability ratings. But concerns remain for DSISD officials who believe the system, which places an emphasis on standardized testing, is flawed. Both Dripping Springs ISD and Wimberley ISD each scored above a 90 out of a 100 scale in the A-F system. The two districts were the highest rated in Hays County, with Hays CISD and San Marcos CISD each scoring a C grade. TEA’s rating system utilizes three domains to measure academic performance of districts.The system ranks school districts with a report card-like grade that goes from A to F. One of those factors is student achievement, which measures what students know and can do by the end of the year, according to the TEA website. That includes results from various state assessments, such as the State of Texas Assessment
Both Dripping Springs ISD and Wimberley ISD each scored above a 90 out of a 100 scale in the A-F system. The two districts were the highest rated in Hays County, with Hays CISD and San Marcos CISD each scoring a C grade. of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams. Other factors include student progress, which measures the improvement students made on the STAAR test from the previous year, as well as closing the gaps, which looks at performance among student groups, including racial or ethic groups and socioeconomic background. Legislators originally approved the A-F rating system in 2015, with plans to start using it by 2018. In 2017, the Texas Legislature approved House Bill (HB) 22, which tweaked the A-F plan. According to the TEA website, individual campuses were rated on the current system, uses the Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard or Improvement Required labels. The TEA plans to apply the A-F ranking system to individual campuses in 2019. Per the TEA ratings, four of the eight DSISD campuses scored above a 90 grade. Bruce Gearing, Dripping Springs ISD superintendent, said in an emailed response the district holds itself to a higher standard than standardized test scores can
represent. In 2016, the Dripping Springs Board of Trustees passed a resolution opposing the state’s new A-F rankings. Hays CISD’s school board also passed a resolution opposing the system that same year. “In DSISD, we focus on learning; authentic and meaningful learning that will position each of our students to be prepared for their future, to be lifelong learners, and positive contributors to the world,” Gearing said. Dee Howard, Wimberley ISD assistant superintendent, said in a statement the district was excited to receive its A grade. While the score is “great affirmation,” Howard said the district must “stay on its toes” and be adapt to improve educating students. “This is great news for Wimberley ISD as we start the new school year. Thank you to our classroom teachers and students for working hard to earn this recognition. And now, with this A rating, we are motivated to make this year even better than the last one,” said Dwain York, Wimberley ISD superintendent. “Congratulations to our teachers, students, staff and administrators for excellent work.”
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Page 4
News-Dispatch
Thursday, August 23, 2018
No-Kill Shelter: Push is on in San Marcos Continued from pg. 1
or third-party adoption groups, said group member Kate Shaw. “They cannot treat the pets as disposable, it’s not a viable option. People need to know that these are options, it’s crazy that we wouldn’t make these changes. Perfectly adoptable animals are being destroyed,” Shaw said. Right now, the animal shelter is aiming to reach 70 percent live-outcome this year— a goal they are on their way to making in 2018, going off their past three quarterly reports. The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter serves all of Hays County. As more people move into the area, they bring more animals with them, and that growth has led to overcrowding of the facility. “Some of the biggest challenges we face are a limited number of staffing, the number of animals we have and the capacity of our shelter,” said Jeff Caldwell, director of neighborhood services. The shelter has been operating at a range of 105 to 120 percent overcapacity for the past several months. With state regulations that determine how overpopulated a shelter can be and for how long, animal euthanasia is a sad reality, Caldwell said. “It is a last resort, but when we’re over capacity, there are some tough decisions to be made,” he said. Shaw said that while the shelter is underfunded and could use more staffing, the changes her group is pushing for could be implemented without spending additional money. “I think the fundamental problem is priorities,” Shaw said. “They’re doing things the way things have always been done, that needs to be changed.” The Hays County Animal Advocates say the shelter needs to improve the visibility of adoptable pets and the public’s access to them to improve live outcome rates. Shaw said the shelter should post pictures of all animals in the shelter on their website, as well as expand their open hours for adoptions. The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is open for adoption 31 hours a week, while other shelters have more than 40, Shaw said. Working with rescue groups and foster homes is one way for the shelter to keep expenses down and clear out kennels, Shaw said. When a rescue group or foster takes on an animal, they absorb the cost for that animal and allows for another pet to take its place in shelter
By the numbers In the first quarter of 2018, the San Marcos Regional Animal shelter reported 57.5 percent of pets were returned to their owners, adopted or transferred. During the following two quarters, that number had risen to 78 percent, making for a yearly average live-outcome (so far) of just more than 71 percent. That is a sharp increase compared to previous years. In 2016, just more than 44 percent of healthy animals were adopted out, and in 2017, nearly 56 percent were. kennels. “I think there’s a misconception that the shelter likes euthanizing animals,” Caldwell said. “That’s not the case. The people at the shelter are people that are just as passionate about animals as the activists are.” Caldwell said the key to having a successful no-kill animal shelter is having an active community willing to help. Unlike some other no-kill cities, such as Austin, San Marcos does not have the budget to spend as much per animal. San Marcos spends about $200 per animal at the shelter; Austin spends about $1,000, and has five times the staff. San Marcos residents have less income as well, which means less donations. “I think that’s the thing that’s been missing (from the conversation) a little bit. This isn’t an animal shelter problem or an animal activist problem, it’s a community problem. The whole community has to get behind it to solve it,” he said. The community support will step up, Shaw said— once the shelter agrees to a 90 percent nokill goal. “When they do, I think they’ll trigger a huge change. They’ll want to go to the shelter to volunteer and adopt. Some are waiting for the shelter to be no-kill,” Shaw said. “Many people don’t want to go volunteer if they know those animals will be killed a few days later. It makes them sad. People will go elsewhere to adopt their pet.” Hays County has about 200,000 residents. In 2017, 2069 animals were killed. If just 1 percent of county residents adopted a pet from the shelter, no animals would have had
to be killed, Shaw said. “We hold similar ideas and want the same outcomes. It’s getting there that there’s a difference of opinion,” Caldwell said. “We have more in common than we do different. We’re working through all those things and finding common ground.” The City of San Marcos is currently working on the 2019 budget, and the animal shelter is requesting funds for a part time volunteer and foster coordinator and a veterinary tech. Caldwell said they hope to increase hours of operation as well.
PHOTO BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
Animal Services Manager Kara Montiel holds a kitten at the San Marcos Animal Shelton. Montiel said the shelter has plenty of adoptable dogs available, and in a few weeks, spayed and neutered kittens will be old enough to take home.
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Oliver, who secured the Democratic nomination in a May runoff, is trying to keep pace with Republican incumbent Roger Williams. According to FEC reports, Williams’ total net contributions from April to July was $76,620, while Oliver collected $101,472 in contributions from May to June. However, Williams, who is seeking a third term in office, leads the way with nearly $1.2 million in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period. Oliver reported $78,145 cash on hand at the end of the period. So far in the race for the Texas House District 45 seat, Republican candidate Ken Strange culled nearly $71,000 in contributions from February to June, while Democrat Erin Zweiner pulled in roughly $16,700, according to FEC reports. Strange and Zweiner are fighting for a seat currently held by Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs), who opted to forgo reelection for shot at the CD-21 seat, which was unsuccessful. HD-25 covers all of Hays, Blanco and Comal Counties.
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Total Operating Expenditures DISTRICT 21 Joseph Kopser: $262,420.61 (May 3, 2018-June 30, 2018) Chip Roy: $239,738.35 (May 3, 2018-June 30, 2018)
DISTRICT 25 Julie Oliver: $72,802.04 (May 3, 2018-June 30, 2018) Roger Williams: $138,071.91 (April 1, 2 018-June 30, 2018)
TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 45 Erin Zwiener: $13,695.29 (May 15, 2018-June 30, 2018) Ken Strange: $69,893.43 (February 25, 2018-June 30, 2018)
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Public Notices
TexSCAN Week of August 19, 2018
OIL AND GAS RIGHTS
We buy oil, gas & mineral rights. Both non- producing and producing including non-Participating Royalty ACREAGE Interest (NPRI). Provide us your desired price for an 20-40 acres, Duval County, north of San Diego. Well, offer evaluation. 806-620-1422, LoboMineralsLLC@ electricity, private locked gate entrance. Heavy south gmail.com. Lobo Minerals, LLC, PO Box 1800, Texas brush cover. Deer, hogs, turkey, quail. 30-year Lubbock, TX 79408-1800. fixed rate owner financing, 5% down. 1-866-286-0199. LEGAL ASSISTANCE www.ranchenterprisesltd.com. Roundup®, a common weed and grass killer, has AUCTION been linked to the development of Non-Hodgkin’s Huge Public & Real Estate Auction, Sat., Aug. 25, Lymphoma in farm workers and employees in starts at 8:47 a.m., 1610 S. Main St., Sapulpa, OK. garden centers, nurseries, and landscapers. Call Commercial property with 14,300± sq. ft., 4 store 800-460-0606 for professional insight or visit fronts + warehouse, currently used as machine shop. www.RespectForYou.com/NHL. Open houses: Aug. 13 & 20, 4-6 p.m. (real estate SAWMILLS only). Milling & lathe machines, mic & specialty tools, machine vises & accessories, tig welders, lifts, shop Sawmills from only $4,397.00 – Make & Save tools and more. Chupps Auction Co., 918-638-1157, Money with your own bandmill – Cut lumber 918-639-8555, www.chuppsauction.com. any dimension. In stock, ready to ship! Free info/ DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com. 800-567-0404, CHARITY Ext.300N. Donate a boat or car today to Boat Angel. 2-Night Free Vacation. Sponsored by Boat Angel Outreach Centers TRUCK DRIVERS to stop crimes against children. 800-700-BOAT, $1,000 Sign on Bonus! Be Your Own Boss! Choose www.boatangel.com. Your Own Routes! Quality Drive-Away is looking for COUNTRY MUSIC CDL Drivers to deliver new trucks all over the country, Outlaws and Armadillos – Country’s Roaring ‘70s. starting in Laredo, TX. www.qualitydriveaway.com, Experience the exhibit at the Country Music Hall of 574-642-2023. Fame and Museum, Nashville, TN. Album and book WANTED also available. The exhibit explores the Outlaw phenomenon that produced powerful music and everlasting FREON R12 WANTED: Certified buyer will PAY bonds between Nashville and Texas. 615-416-2001, CA$H for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. 312-2919169; www.refrigerantfinders.com. countrymusichalloffame.org.
WE BUY OIL, GAS, & MINERAL RIGHTS
Both non-producing and producing
including Non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI)
Provide us your desired price for an offer evaluation.
CALL TODAY: 806.620.1422
LOBO MINERALS, LLC PO Box 1800 • Lubbock, TX 79408-1800
LoboMineralsLLC@gmail.com
$1,000 SIGN ON BONUS
Be Your Own Boss, Choose Your Own Routes! Looking for CDL drivers to deliver new trucks all over the country, starting in Laredo, TX. Experience preferred. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in last 10 years, clean MVR.
Apply Online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023
THE ARMADILLOS HAVE EMERGED IN NASHVILLE
The Outlaw phenomenon produced powerful music and everlasting bonds between Nashville and Texas. Willie and Waylon, Bobby Bare, and Kris Kristofferson demanded and got greater creative freedom and the movement was real—not just a marketing term, but a creative flowering, a confluence of art and revelry, whiskey and poetry.
OUTLAWS & ARMADILLOS: COUNTRY’S ROARING ’70s
Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 283 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.
EXPERIENCE THE EXHIBIT ALBUM & BOOK AVAILABLE NOW
Service Directory Automotive
Central Garage, LLC
Dirt
Dirt Cheap Loam • Topsoil • Sand • Gravel • Roadbase • Asphalt Millings • Granite • Compost Mix
Tractor Work Available
Complete Auto Repair
Specializing in Country Driveways
(512) 894-4114 or (512) 858-4252
Rick-Rob Trucking 512- 858-7952
1 120 Hwy 290 W Mon-Fri, 8-5:30 Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Danny Hubbard
Painting
www.rick-rob.com
Insured & References Available
512-699-0441
Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner
www.texas-starpainting.com
One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM
DANIEL
WHO DOES YOUR LANDSCAPING/LAWN?
STONE & LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES -We DeliverGRASS: St. Augustine, Buffalo, Bermuda, Tifway CHOPPED ROCK DRYSTACK MULCH
PATIO ROCK GRAVEL SAND
12015 Hwy 290 W Cedar Valley, Austin
M-F 8-5 Sat. 9-3
FLAGSTONE RIVER ROCK LOAM
512-965-3465
Offering competitive pricing and superior service in the Manchaca, Buda, and Kyle area since 2010
Taking care of your yard so you can play!
LANDSCAPING AND LAWN SERVICE
• Flower Beds • Fencing • Sprinkler Systems • Patios • Mowing, Edging and Cleanup • Tree Trimming and Removal • Rock Gardens • Garden Boxes • Build Sheds
Call Jesse Reyna at 512-788-2180 or email apa6207@sbcglobal.net
512-288-8488
Shoe Repair
Pool Service
TEXAS STAR PAINTING • Interior/Exterior painting • Siding & rot wood replacement • Sheet rock repairs • Wallpaper removal & wall texture • Pressure washer
robinnds@aol.com
Lawn Care
Landscaping
Tree Service • Boot Experts • Purse Repair • Belt Repair • Luggage Repair • Shoe Care Products
AustinShoeHospital.com locations in in Central Central Texas 1010Locations Texasincluding: including:
Highway 290 & Nutty Brown Road • 512-827-3398 316 Round 290 RockWest Ave. inRound Rock• 512-288-6386 - 512-244-9124 Highway Oak Hill Bee CaveBell in Lakeway • 512-263-4630 306 South Cedar Park - 512-219-8387
Lees Trees 30+ years in the Hill Country
Firewood • Pruning • Removal • Chipping Planting • Cedar Posts • Bulk Mulch Free Assessments & Estimates • Insured
Marcus Lees Affordable Oak Wilt Treatment (512) 858-4018 by TTH Inc. TDA #270421 leestrees@vownet.net (512) 921-4661
Schedule ball moss treatment for March
8211 Burnet Rd. Austin - 512-453-1961
Window Treatments
Texas Crossword Solution
Beautiful Blinds, Shades, Draperies & Shutters Custom window treatments at affordable prices!
Only $30 a week to run in the News-Dispatch and Hays County Echo.
Graber, Hunter Douglas, Norman & more. Low prices with lifetime guarantees and fast professional installation.
Call Tracy at (512) 268-7862 or email tracy@haysfreepress.com to join.
Call 512-847-8970
for free consultation & price quote.
www.MadeinTheShadeofwimberley.com
Build up your business by advertising in the News-Dispatch Service Directory
See puzzle, page 4
(13 week minimum)
Page 6
News-Dispatch
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Bird Sex: Mostly monogamous BY JERRY HALL
Observing two black vultures touching beaks and acting all lovey-dovey on my back deck recently, I came to ponder on sex among avian creatures. It is an interesting topic. Some ten percent of all birds are monogamous, having only one mate. However, like their human
counterparts, some birds do fool around. Swans and albatrosses display a high level of fidelity and often form lifetime bonds. However, many songbirds have a new mate every year. Also, when it comes to sex, most birds do not go in for long-term love-making and copulation is usually a very
perfunctory act. The male presses briefly against the female and in a matter of seconds, releases a few hundred million sperms. It’s fast, but generally efficient. However, gymnastic though they might be, birds do not have sex in flight. The female spotted sandpiper is among the more polygymous birds
and will lay up to four clutches of eggs during a breeding season, often having a different mate for each clutch. All in all, birds “divorce” at about a five percent rate; very respectable for any species. And probably better than most film stars in Hollywood. Elizabeth Taylor was married eight times to seven men.
HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS RETURN TO HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE DEER CREEK OF WIMBERLEY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR OVER
30 YEARS. OFFERING SCENIC VIEWS OF THE HILL
COUNTRY AND OF OUR SERENE ENCLOSED COURTYARD.
First day of school!
COURTESY PHOTOS
On Tuesday, over 6,000 students marched into class to welcome the first day of the 2019 school year. Starting this week, area motorists are asked to heed school zones and to be aware of students walking or biking to classes. Above, two Dripping Springs High students approach several classmates who helped to direct people where they needed to go outside of the campus before the start of classes Tuesday. Middle, several parents gather to snap cell phone photos of their children at Dripping Springs Elementary. Below, a Dripping Springs Middle School educator helps two students find where they need to go prior to the start of class Tuesday.
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555 R ANCH ROAD 3237 • WIMBERLEY, TX FACILITY (512) 847-5540 • FAX (512) 847-0419
Hays County Echo is back in the Saddle! HAYS COUNTY
Tiger Football Continued from pg. 3
The idea is to enjoy the journey and be 1-0 on this play, and continue to practice and get better each week.” During the first week of practice, Zimmerman said there have been many positives. The primary goal, however, will be to have enough depth going into the team’s Aug. 31 season opener against Kerrivile Tivy. Helping the cause is a handful of returning upperclassmen, as well as a “good sized” senior class, Zimmerman said. On the offensive side, senior running back Jake Cox, senior quarterback Tanner Prewitt, senior wide receiver Parker Alford and senior offensive lineman Manny Ansumana are anchors that will guide the group. On the other side, Nico Ramirez and Lane Dominey return after suffering injuries in 2017, while defensive lineman Kevin Perridore will assist on the defensive line. Behind them will be a group who will get their first taste of football at the varsity level. Many of the Tiger players had to contend with multiple year starters at their positions over the past few years, but are now getting their opportunity, Zimmerman said. “I think there’s going to be some guys like that
who are going to a play a big part,” Zimmerman said. Dripping Springs will also prepare for life in a district that features Austin McCallum, which reached the 5A, Division II state semifinals in 2017, along with Austin LBJ, which has reached the postseason in each of the last four seasons. Should Dripping Springs reach the postseason, the program will take one of its first steps into Region 3, which offers competition ranging from Austin to the Houston area. Zimmerman said while there are many unknowns heading into the season, the team continues to have high expectations. However, Zimmerman said the team also realizes nothing is guaranteed, not even the prospect of a school-record third straight district title. “You’re guaranteed nothing, there’s no guarantee, and that’s the harsh part of life,” Zimmerman said. “But I also think that our kids have high expectations and I think they’re going to work hard and try to meet them.” Dripping Springs hosts Kerrville Tivy at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers then travel to play the Hays Rebels Sept. 7 at Shelton Stadium.
ECHO
Now in a glossy magazine format!
Advertise your business in the quarterly Hays County Echo and reach homes in Buda, Kyle and Dripping Springs. Call your marketing representative for rates. www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862