Campaign fund use questioned
Texans earn 42-41 win over Navarro
African choir to perform in Dripping
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXX No. 10
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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75¢
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Recovering veteran receives a new home in Wimberley BY CAMELIA JUAREZ
An army sergeant, injured during combat, has struggled to live an ordinary life in his own home, but thanks to the Home For Our Troops program he will reGUZMAN ceive a new accommodating home. During Sergeant David Guzman’s first combat deployment, he was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Taji, Iraq. “I noticed a small white truck on the side of the road. The driver and I just looked at each other. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I could feel the heat, the sweat and knew something wasn’t
Since Guzman’s recovery, he obtained degrees in culinary and agricultural science and became a professional chef, preparing dishes and meals for fellow Purple Heart recipients and their families.
right,” Guzman said. “As soon as I opened the door handle, the bomb went off. Close to half my calf muscle was missing.”
NEW HOME FOR VETERAN, 6
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY ANN THEATER
Trail of Lights is now ablaze STAFF REPORTS The EmilyAnn Theater in Wimberley is again hosting its Trail of Lights. The walking path through over eight acres of lighted displays decorated by more than 100 local businesses, community groups and families officially opened on
Nov. 30 and will remain open through Dec. 30. Santa will visit the Trail of Lights on Fridays and Saturdays plus nightly from Dec. 13-23 from 6 to 8 p.m., often with a Disney princess – either Anna, Elsa, Belle, Cinderella, Moana, Rapunzel or Show Whte – on hand. Additionally, the 3rd
annual Chocolate Festival will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 14. Attendees can purchase a ticket for $10 that allows them to sample at least 10 special chocolate bites prepared by some Trail of Lights participant. (Proceeds benefit the EmilyAnn Theater.) Other attractions will include llamas decked
out in holiday apparel and miniature horses. There will also be entertainment and other events. Visit emilyann.org for the full schedule. Admission to Trail of Lights is free but donations are appreciated. Note that alcohol, pets and firearms are not allowed.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS FARM BUREAU
Feral hogs turn deadly. What now? BY GENE HALL TEXAS FARM BUREAU
It was a grisly scene in Anahuac, Texas, last week, as wild hogs apparently attacked and killed a woman outside the home where she worked. These attacks are rare, but anyone who comes across this destructive species understands they
are aggressive. I once encountered a group of them alone in the Texas Hill Country. I managed to discourage the aggressive male with a few pistol shots. The scary thing about last week’s attack is that it occurred within a town. Wild hogs are no longer just a farm problem.
HOGS TURN DEADLY, 6
Audit of DA and elections office reveals errors BY ANITA MILLER
Errors discovered in a routine county audit of the offices of Hays County’s District Attorney Wes Mau and Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson have been corrected, Hays County Commissioners and County Judge Ruben Becerra were told at their Nov. 26 meeting. Mau, who took office in 2015, said the errors occurred prior to his administration, and that steps have been taken to correct the problem. Anderson’s remarks were similar, and both said they expect their depart-
In the DA’s office, the audit found “internal control weaknesses” consisting of “multiple clerical errors, disbursement shortages and overages and untimely disposition of forfeited funds.” ments to be on better footing in the future. In the DA’s office, the audit found “internal control weaknesses” consisting of “multiple clerical errors, disbursement shortages and overages and untimely disposition of forfeited funds.” Mau admitted that after he was elected,
LAGNIAPPE
Christmas on Mercer this Saturday
Be a part of a holiday tradition. Dripping Springs’ 15th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street will come alive on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as the downtown area transforms into a hometown holiday festival featuring shopping, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, a petting zoo, trackless train, pony rides, children’s activities and more. Hosted by the Dripping Springs Lions Club and the city of Dripping Springs, the festival admission is free to the public. Santa Claus will make a grand appearance at 10 a.m. and there will be opportunities for parents to take photos of their children with him until 2 p.m. at Santa’s Workshop on Mercer Street. The annual Lighting of the Tree
will be held at the Triangle (also known as Veterans Memorial Park at E. Mercer Street, (Ranch Road 12, and Hwy 290) at dusk, approximately 6:15 p.m.
Texas Holiday Market Saturday
Desert Door Distillery in Driftwood welcomes 12 of its favorite artisans from around the state to host its first Texas Holiday Market offering leather goods, ceramics, caramels and more. Located in the newly opened Rack House, Desert Door will be featuring holiday cocktails. Among stringed lights and warm hues, will be festive tunes and classic holiday films running on the projector. After visiting the market, be sure to enjoy the fire on the patio and tasting room with live music by The Rewinders from 3 to 5 p.m. This is a free event.
resolution of some cases that had been resolved. Office Administrator Emily Sierra “spent months with the county auditor attempting to find all the cases that were resolved prior to my taking office,” he said, adding that multiple errors were discovered. “it became clear our They included, he forfeiture accounts were not moving forward,” but said, some cases that dated back as far as 2001 instead, “languishing.” that were not resolved He said he began an until early this year. “We effort to “get caught up” and make sure the books took care of that after we were in order, and found got the books straightthat “accounting over the ened out,” he said, adding that the “upside” of years had not been adequate.” He said disburse- the audit was it “brought ments were erratic and COUNTY AUDIT, 3 records did not show the
Redbud Artisan Market Saturday and Sunday
Redbud Artisan Market is an all handmade market, showcasing original art and fine craft of over 60 Texas artists in Dripping Springs Ranch Park event center with live music, local wines and great food. Admission is only $1 for adults, which helps the local food bank. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You will find, pottery, watercolor, basketry, collage, stained glass, jewelry, candles, one-of-a-kind furniture, photography, metal art and glass art, just to name a few categories.
Sights & Sounds of Christmas
The Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival will return to San Marcos Plaza Park and City Park on Dec. 4-7 and 11-14. Festival highlights include: live entertainment, free photos with Santa, an ice skating rink, petting
zoo, carnival rides, thousands of lights, Santa’s Jingle Bell Run 5K and Kids 1K, and more. For information and updates, please visit www.sights-n-sounds.org or www. facebook.com/sightsandsoundstexas. The event is hosted by the Sights & Sounds Foundation in partnership with the city of San Marcos. There will be stricter security this year. See story on page 2.
Free holiday musical coming to Kyle, Wimberley
The Starlight Symphony Orchestra and the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center will present A Merry Musical Holiday Radio Broadcast on Dec. 14 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 979 Kohlers Crossing, Kyle; and on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. at Wimberley Baptist Church, 15951 Winters Mill Parkway, Wimberley. The free performance will feature selections from Leroy Anderson and favorite carols, selection from the Trans Siberian Orchestra, the Hays CISD Honor Choir, Wimberley Dance Elite and more.