October 27, 2021 News-Dispatch

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OCTOBER 27, 2021 WHO’S THE BEST?

INFLATED

Nine bands compete for title of Best Local Band in Best of Northern Hays County poll.

Gas prices top $3 across the state.

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News-Dispatch

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HaysNewsDispatch.com

Vol. 42 • No. 5

Serving Hays County, TX

DS Transportation Master Plan gets green light BY MEGAN WEHRING

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs moved forward with a Transportation Master Plan, but not without hesitancy from residents. The city is experiencing significant growth, heightening the need for updated transportation infrastructure. Following a public hearing on Oct.

19, the Dripping Springs City Council unanimously approved the proposed Transportation Plan that has been on the drawing board since 2018. In the Dripping Springs transportation plan, there are proposed alternate routes for US 290 to the north and to the south. These would serve as a local bypass to the US 290 and RR 12 intersection and a

There are proposed alternate routes for US 290 to the north and to the south. These would serve as a local bypass to the US 290 and RR 12 intersection and a regional bypass to central Dripping Springs.

positive. Joe Kanetzky, owner of a 50-year family ranch, expressed his concerns about the placement of planned roads and the lack of communication with extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) residents. “As far as I know,” KanetzWhile residents had opky said. “No one outside portunities to participate in of the city of Dripping the planning process, not all Springs has been contacted. community feedback was Thousands of people whose

regional bypass to central Dripping Springs — allowing more mobility on US 290 altogether.

property is being affected. I have two major highways that you are now dividing my property up with and no one has ever contacted me. I’m probably the most affected by this.” Others were concerned about how local businesses would be affected by the transportation plan and the environmental impact.

TRANSIT MASTER PLAN, 10

District title is one win away for Texans football STAFF REPORT Last Friday night at Texan Stadium, Wimberley’s defense did something to Navarro that hadn’t been done since 2007. The Texans shut out the Panthers, a team averaging almost 34 points per game, 27-0. “A shutout against a quality opponent like the Panthers says all you need to know about our defense,” head coach Doug Warren said after the game. “They turned it up a notch tonight.” Wimberley has no opponent next week but in two weeks will host winless Austin Achieve. A win will clinch the District 14 4A Division II title, something the Texans haven’t won since 2017. Jack Bruner gave the Texans a 3-0 lead with a 39-yard field goal in the first quarter and built a 13-0 lead after Juan Olmedo’s 11-yard touchdown run with a 49-yard kick before the half ended. On the second play of the second half Nathan Simpson caught a pass from quarterback Cash McCollum and broke loose from a defender for a 68-yard scoring run to make it 20-0. Bruner’s PAT kick put 27 on the board after senior Dylan Kincaid finished a 66-yard drive midway through the third

TEXAN FOOTBALL, 10

PHOTO BY COURTESY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD

Dripping Springs cross-country team qualifies for state meet For the eighth consecutive year, the Dripping Springs High School girls cross country team qualified for the UIL State Meet. The team qualified by taking second place at the Region IV-5A Meet in Corpus Christi. Karsten Bobb led the

Tigers with a time of 19:10.27 over the five-kilometer course to finish in sixth place. Chandler Latham timed 19:29.70 for 10th place and Kate Ginther was close behind with a time of 19:33.19 for 11th place. Marleena Mickel (19th) and Alexa

Velasco (37th) rounded out the point scorers for the Tigers, and Jesse Bookbinder (52nd) and Madison Johnson (59th) completed the DSHS team. Reigning state champion Boerne Champion High School captured

the regional title with 52 points while DSHS totaled 71. Canyon High School tallied 131 points for third place with all three District 26-5A schools taking the top three spots. Mission Sharyland High School rounded out the state qualifiers with 132

Dripping Springs ISD talks bonuses for employees BY MEGAN WEHRING

DRIPPING SPRINGS ­ Dripping Springs — ISD (DSISD) is considering giving all employees a bonus this year. As the district still faces staffing shortages, the trustees considered an employee incentive resolution on Oct. 25. Last December, the board approved a lump sum payment of $500 for staff through a surplus from

the 2019-2020 budget. “I’m hearing from teachers across the district that this is a harder year for our teachers and administrators than last year,” said Joanna Day, board vice president. “I know that we really take seriously our obligation to have a healthy fund balance. It would be nice to do more than we did last year, even if it is a nominal amount like $25 extra just to ac-

Coming Up FOURTH ROCK PARTY

Fourth Rock Records on 290 in Dripping Springs is hosting in-store musical performances Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. Performing will be Neutral on Paul, Don Denham, and Dexter

Zabriskie Trio. Cheese, chocolate and wine will be served.

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL Head to Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead for

PUBLIC NOTICES See what’s developing in your part of the county.

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knowledge our staff that we know this is a harder year ... I would like to see some numbers between $750 and $500.” Nutrition services, custodial and transportation staff are critically low, board member Stefani Reinold said. The district is also concerned about the shortages in after-school childcare staff, which is causing a limit on how many students can participate.

“I think one step in a recruitment plan that is really important is to retain and watch the morale of the staff who are here with us,” said Tiffany Duncan, executive director of human resource services. “The focus is retention and those dollar amounts go a long way.” The proposed resolution was not up for a vote on Oct. 25 but the board is set to meet again on Nov. 15.

the last weekend of the first annual Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival. The event is open most days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended hours until 10 p.m. on Saturday. Lots of family events – petting zoo, live music, hay maze and more.

friendly event Saturday, Oct 30. An amazing group of volunteers will be transforming their car trunks & truck beds into unique, Halloween themed stations creating a safe trick-or-treat experience for the kiddos. Bring the whole family out for an evening of tasty treats, live music, and a ghoulishly good time. Candy will be handed out 5 to 7 p.m. Stay after trick or treating for a screening of Hocus Pocus at 7:15 p.m.

SPOOKY BREW-HAHA AT 12 FOX BEER CO

12 Fox will host a fun family

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points for fourth place. On the boys’ side, individual qualifiers Brant Melton (31st) and Austin Wolfe (55th) concluded their season. The Tigers will compete in the state meet at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 5 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

Tiger band advances to state The Dripping Springs High School Tiger Marching Band advanced to the UIL State Marching Contest after finishing in third place at the Area D competition in Pflugerville. The Tiger Band has now qualified for seven of the last eight state competitions. At the area contest, the band placed first in the preliminary round as one of seven bands to advance to the area finals. In finals, the judges ranked DSHS third, third and fifth for the music portion and second and third in marching. DSHS totaled 16 points to finish behind McCallum High School (10 points) and Hendrickson High School (13 points). The Tiger Band will march in the preliminary round of the UIL State Marching Contest at 6:45 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The top 12 bands advance to the state finals, which will begin at 2 p.m. Nov. 2.


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