Wimberley wastewater woes continue
Tigers outpace Tivy 54-40
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S.M. man gets 75 years for murder
page 4
News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 10
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
page 6
75¢
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Driftwood man indicted in fatal 2016 wreck BY MOSES LEOS III
A Driftwood-area teen faces a felony burglary charge after authorities suspect he broke into a Wimberley residence Feb. 26 and stole a safe containing multiple electronic devices. Following his arrest for burglary of a habi-
tation, authorities also served Derek Dienst, 19, of Driftwood, with three total indictments, one for intoxication manslaughter, stemming from his role in a fatal 2016 wreck on FM 150. According to the affidavit, Hays County Sheriff’s deputies received an offense report Feb. 26 from a
Wimberley couple who said their residence was burglarized. Items taken were a safe containing two gaming systems and an Apple laptop. The safe also contained more than $1,000 in cash and jewelry. According to the affidavit, authorities determined the point of entry was a sliding glass door on the
patio in the back of the home; three latent fingerprints were recovered from the door. On May 6, authorities determined the fingerprints found on the door was the right little finger of Dienst. In early November, HCSO officials interviewed the homeowners, who said they did not know Dienst
Christmas on Mercer
and that he had no “legitimate” reason to be at their home that day. Wes Mau, Hays County District Attorney, said county officials also served Dienst with the indictments during his burglary arrest. A Hays County Grand Jury in August indicted Diesnt on one count of in-
toxication manslaughter. a second-degree felony, and two counts of intoxication assault, both third-degree felonies, relating to a 2016 single-vehicle wreck near Driftwood. The News-Dispatch reported Dienst as the driver of a Ford Explorer that was
MANSLAUGHTER, 2
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Bill Johnson, owner of the historic Halifax and 6F ranches and whose land could be affected by the project, said he opposes the pipeline as it encroaches on land that has been nearly untouched for generations.
Locals ready to fight 450-mile gas pipeline
Company says it builds to exceed environmental rules BY MOSES LEOS III As Houston-based company Kinder Morgan moves ahead on a proposed 430-mile underground natural gas pipeline that could bisect Hays County, local landowners worry the project could harbor a negative environmental impact. Bill Johnson, owner of the historic Halifax and
PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Live music, shopping and even Santa and his assistants took to Mercer Street in Dripping Springs last weekend for the annual Christmas on Mercer event. Hosted by the Dripping Springs Lions Club and the city of Dripping Springs, the event culminated with the lighting of the city Christmas tree on the Triangle.
LAGNIAPPE Vintage Market Days in Dripping Vintage Market Days of Greater Austin will be at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Dec. 7-9. The event is an upscale vintage-inspired market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more. For more information about hours and admission, visit www. VintageMarketDays.com
Emily Ann Trail of Lights
Emily Ann Theatre in Wimberley will be hosting a Trail of Lights now through Dec. 28. The event site will be open 6 to 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated.
Polar Express comes to Kyle
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Kyle Depot Dec. 8. They will be accompanied by the Lehman High School Theater Group, who will perform Polar Express at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
6F ranches and whose land could be affected by the project, said he opposes the pipeline as it encroaches on land that has been nearly untouched for generations. “I’m very upset about the idea of them coming to something that’s treasured and sacred as the Hill Country and coming through with a
GAS PIPELINE, 6
Fatal San Marcos apartment fire set intentionally BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
The samples from the scene were sent to the ATF An “intentional incendi- national laboratory where ary act” is what authorities extensive testing has ocat a Nov. 30 press confercurred to trace the source ence say was the cause of of the fire. the deadly July 20 Iconic Investigators said the Village apartment fire in fire violated both state San Marcos, which killed and federal laws; however, five people and displaced authorities were unable to more than 200. answer how the suspect The San Marcos Fire will be charged until more Department and the information is present. Houston Field Division Hays County District of the Bureau of Alcohol, Attorney Wes Mau said his Tobacco, Firearms and Ex- office is not yet involved plosives (ATF), which was with the investigation until leading the investigation, a suspect is found. Mau are now offering a $10,000 said he has worked on inreward for any informacendiary cases in the past, tion leading to the arrest of but not of this magnitude. a suspect. Investigators, however, ATF Special Agent Fred did not release additional Milanowski said the inves- information at this time. tigation, which involved That includes information multiple agencies includon how and where the fire ing an ATF special unit was set. team which worked on the Milanowski said he can Austin Bombing investi“definitively” state that no gation, is still on-going. arrest has been made at Investigators are asking the the time. public for any tips regard“Right now it’s just not ing the fire. appropriate to talk about “ATF is classifying this evidence in a criminal fire as incendiary,” Milainvestigation,” Milanowski nowski said. “That means said. “ it was intentionally set. The Iconic Village Fire, That means this is a criminal investigation now.” SAN MARCOS FIRE, 2
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News-Dispatch
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News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the weeks following July 4 and Christmas by Barton Publications, Inc., 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $42 local, $59 county, $62 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid at Driftwood, TX. Email paper@haysnewsdispatch. com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to NewsDispatch, PO Box 339, Buda, TX 78610 LETTERS GUIDELINES We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@ haysfreepress.com.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Worries grow as Wimberley continues to seek wastewater options BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Frustrations and concerns are growing among downtown Wimberley businessowners as they wait for the city to receive approval for changes in its wastewater system plans. That, combined with plans for third-party Aqua Texas to operate a proposed wastewater treatment plant, leaves some residents to worry about the project and when it could come to fruition. Four months ago, Wimberley city leaders terminated plans with Black Castle for a city-owned wastewater plant; city leaders opted for a wastewater treatment facility managed by Aqua Texas. That move meant city officials had to reapply and receive approval from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on changes to its plan, which include a crucial $5.5 million to fund the facility. Officials at the TWDB told the News-Dispatch that changing the project’s scope must be approved by the board when all environmental, engineering and data analysis is compiled. The TWDB could not comment on when that date might be. Until the TWDB makes
San Marcos Fire Continued from pg. 1
which impacted the Texas State and San Marcos communities, sparked community-wide concern about fire safety standards at the apartment complex. Investigators at the press conference said fire alarms did sound, triggering an alert to the fire department. However, reports at the time of the fire alleged Iconic Village did not have a sprinkler system, despite the complex being fire-code compliant, sparking community outcry for updated regulations. Stephens said the fire department met with families of the victims prior to the Nov. 30 press conference about the advances made in the case. Authorities did not release additional information about those discussions. “The message to parents is this: when you send your kids off to college, find out where your kids are going to live at,” Stephens said. “Make sure there are sprinkler systems in place. Make sure that the smoke alarms are working before you leave your kids where they are going to live at. Have an active role in selecting a place they are going to live at.”
It’s a lot longer than the Mayor told us it was going to take. There are several businesses who made capital investments based on the promise by the city that we would have a shared system between April and June of 2019. If the wastewater plant doesn’t happen, their businesses are going to suffer.”
the park, and not have to rely heavily on the aquifer to do that for us. The big thing here is reuse, and they threw that away.” Without irrigation to Blue Hole, the city’s goals are not being achieved, Thurber said. Some residents are also concerned about Aqua Texas and issues the company has had with waste–Steven Thurber, a former mayor of Wimberley water spills in the past. In 2012, the Hays Free a decision regarding the of options in its original the scope of the project, Press reported that more change of scope, downengineering report, inwhich includes working than 100,000 gallons of town Wimberley business cluding the option to start with Aqua Texas, would be sewage spilled into Plum owners are now reportedly an agreement with Aqua more cost-effective than Creek from Kyle’s wastein limbo. Texas, said Darin Larsen, a city-owned plant. Aqua water treatment plant, “It’s taken a long time. manager for regional waTexas currently operates which at the time was It’s a lot longer than the ter project development at a wastewater treatment co-owned by Aqua Texas. mayor told us it was the TWDB. plant in Woodcreek, locat- In 2015, Kyle agreed to an going to take,” said Steven “This is a modification ed near Wimberley. out-of-court settlement Thurber, a former mayor by terminating the conAt an Aug. 14 workshop, stemming from a lawsuit of Wimberley. “There are tract with Black Castle,” Jaggers’ presentation did filed against Aqua for failseveral businesses who Larsen said. “It does not include proposed wa- ure to maintain the plant. made capital investments change their time frame ter irrigation funding for In late 2016, Kyle took full based on the promise by and we’ve been working Blue Hole Park, a major control over its wastewathe city that we would with them as quickly as selling point for the cityter plant. have a shared system possible.” owned plant. Thurber said Aqua between April and June The city of WimberThe funding for Blue Texas is not a right fit for of 2019. If the wastewater ley has not commentHole Park under the citythe city. plant doesn’t happen, ed on the termination owned plant would have “The mayor has inditheir businesses are going fees associated with the allowed the city to irrigate cated that she is trying to suffer.” Black Castle contract. the soccer fields and land- to work with the original Clay Schultz, director The News-Dispatch rescaping at the regional timeline, but I don’t know for regional water projported the city could pay park, which would have how that is possible, and ect development at the upwards of $800,000 for alleviated some of the all we can do is wait,” TWDB, said TWDB is terminating the contract. pressure of having to apsaid Rebecca Minnick, requiring the city to host ply for a discharge permit. a Wimberley resident. another public hearing re“Blue Hole was a neces- “I can tell you right now BLUE HOLE IRRIGATION lated to the environmensity, absolutely,” Thurber there are downtown OUT OF THE PICTURE tal analysis as part of the said. “The plan was to use businesses counting on Wimberley Mayor Sureapplication process. the treated wastewater the sewage being done san Jaggers said changing from the plant to irrigate The city had a variety on schedule.”
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Continued from pg. 1
dictments, Derek Dienst allegedly operated a motor vehicle in a public place “while intoxicated,” that led to the death of Devin Dienst. Derek Dienst was released from the Hays County Jail on $55,000 bond.
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Manslaughter traveling at high speed along FM 150 near Onion Creek August 2016 when it crashed into a tree on the east side of the highway. Devin Dienst, 16, was killed in the accident, while two others were injured. According to the in-
Rev. Charlie Garza, pastor
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Thursday, December 6, 2018
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Opinion Awww, just forget about it ... Crow’s Nest by Clint Younts
L
et’s talk a little about getting old, shall we? Now, I could talk for hours about all the aches and pains I have when those rainy northers blow in. We mature guys could gather around and show each other our scars and tell the stories behind them, but today I’d like to talk about another age-related subject. I want to chat about, um … Hold on, it’ll come to me. Dang it! I forgot what I was gonna say. Oh, that’s it! I want to talk about forgetting stuff. For the past couple of years, I’ve notice my short-term memory lasts about as long as a fart in a windstorm. Oh, I can recall things from my early childhood, but don’t expect me to correctly answer questions like “What did you have for supper last night?” or “Clint, where are your pants?” Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I’m feeble-minded. I’m 60 years old and my brain hasn’t yet turned into a pile of pudding. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I can still cut the cheese. I routinely finish the New York Times crossword puzzles and do fairly well watching Jeopardy, but I can also walk into my tool shed and can’t remember what I went in there for. How many of you guys have found yourself standing in front of a refrigerator and don’t know why you are there? Oh, I’m not talking about the beer fridge. No memory loss there. I have never stood in front of the toilet wondering why I am there, but I can leave the bathroom trying to remember if I brushed my teeth. I know doctors say this is perfectly normal for a guy my age. Plus, being 6’5 and bumping my head on numerous door frames and tree branches had to’ve led to a little brain damage. And I reckon that 40 years of consuming arthritis elixirs and snake-bite medicine might’ve killed some gray matter, but I still have my wits about me. No need to measure me for a straight-jacket yet. Since I’m a half-full kind of guy, I have found several benefits for having shortterm memory loss. And if I can remember them all, I’d like to share them with you now. You never complain about reruns on TV. By the time the shows come back around in the summer, you’ve forgotten what happened back in the fall. You tend to be cleaner these days. As I’m fixin’ to turn off my shower, I often can’t recall if I shampooed my hair. So I do it again. My hair has never looked so lustrous. Being forgetful is heart healthy. Just think of all the exercise you get wandering around the HEB parking lot looking for your car. You don’t need to spend good money on new books. Just keep the books you’ve already read and pull one out in a year or two. It’ll be like a new release. I once got a third of the way through a Tom Clancy novel before I remembered reading it a few years earlier. Had to keep reading to see how it ended. I don’t mind hearing my doctor advise me to stop eating fried food and cut back on my alcohol consumption. After having a salad and herbal tea for one meal, I forget what the ol’ sawbones told me and I’m back at the bar with a platter of wings and a beer. You have a good excuse for not taking out the trash as requested by the missus. Actually, I didn’t forget that. I was just waiting for halftime. And the best part about memory loss is being a happier guy because you can’t remember what ticked you off a few minutes before. Clint Younts might forget to take out the trash – on purpose – but he manages to write his thoughts down for this column. Of course, this might have been written weeks ago, but he might’ve forgotten to email it. Where’s that computer again? crowsnest78610@gmail.com
A final salute to a good, decent man and statesman
W
e all woke up Saturday morning to the news that President George H. W. Bush had died, the man many of us called "Papa Bush" to differentiate him from his son. And whereas the son is now, with the gentling buffer of time, becoming less polarizing and more relatable at a personal level, the father has always been a character of human dimension. Politics might have divided us, and partisans might have criticized his policies and legacy, but virtually no one hated George Herbert Walker Bush. The closest we got to negativity was the sarcasticyet-endearing caricature perfected by Dana Carvey in the old "Saturday Night Live" days where "read my lips" was a punchline. Our 41st president was always a good man, and even though we can't ignore the controversies of his presidency, which seem ridiculously tame in comparison to the cataclysms of those in his successors' administrations (including his eldest son's), his years in public service seem benign in retrospect. But that's not what we were thinking of when we turned on the television and saw that handsome face with
Guest Column by Christine Flowers
the obligatory epitaphs and eulogies scrolling beneath it, and heard the laudatory comments from pundits and politicians. We weren't thinking about Desert Storm, or Dan Quayle, or broken economies or the failure to capture Saddam. At least I wasn't, and from what I saw on the social media accounts of friends, neither were most of us. We were thinking about the fact that with the extinguishing of this human point of light, brighter than the thousands that he often referenced in speeches, we had lost one of the last good men of a generation that is now fading into the mists of time. There is a mythology of the "Greatest Generation," popularized by Tom Brokaw and David McCullough and other cultural and critical historians who told us the stories of those who came of age during the Depression and World War II. Very few of those men and women are still alive, and so when one of the remaining flesh
and blood examples of that generation leaves the Earth, we are forced to reflect on what that passing means. At a granular, personal level, the death of a beloved grandfather or uncle means the loss of an important family member, of his laughter, of her stories, of their dedicated spirits and the memories that only they could pass along. But when a man like George H.W. Bush passes on, the country is the "family," and we are faced with the sad prospect that something truly special has been taken away from all of us, even those of us who never had the joy of speaking with, meeting, or even getting a handwritten letter from a man so famous for sending them to unsuspecting admirers. The reason that the death of someone like President Bush touches a deeply set, imperceptible chord in us is that we sense his goodness and humanity, and we mourn the loss of that in the public square. We mourn a dignity that is all but gone, we mourn a gentleness that has been replaced by bluster and bravado and brashness, we understand that politics will never again be a game played by gentlemen or gentle women. We grieve the
man, but we also grieve his era and his class, his type and his imprint. I spend a lot of time with my nephew talking about dinosaurs and creatures that are now extinct, and I can't get beyond the thought that there is some human parallel when talking about the people who shared a lineage and a time frame with George H.W. Bush. There aren't many like him left, and his passing leaves a hole that won't be filled by anyone again. In the end, the thing that made me cry was the fact that this good man was finally with his beloved wife and daughter Robin, the child he and Barbara lost to Leukemia at the age of three. My tears were the kind that spring from a happy catharsis, and the knowledge that the man who had spent a lifetime missing his little girl would be able to hold her again. That's an unusual thought to have about a former president the morning after his death. And that's why that death is so achingly sad. Copyright 2018 Christine Flowers. Flowers is an attorney and a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News. cflowers1961@gmail.com
Honoring President H.W. Bush H onoring President George H.W. Bush is a very worthy thing to do, as he was always considered an honorable, well-mannered man. President Bush, 94, died this weekend at his Houston home. His death came less than a year after the death of his beloved wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. President Bush enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday and he became the youngest pilot during World War II. He was born in Massachusetts into a wealthy and politically active family, he came back from the war and he attended Yale
Hip Czech by Cyndy Slovak-Barton
University, receiving a degree in economics. President H.W. Bush could have just joined his family in Massachusetts and lived off his family’s largesse. But that same spirit that made him the youngest Naval pilot probably pushed him to strike out on his own. President Bush moved to West Texas with his own family, making his
own fortune in the oil and petroleum business. Over the weekend as his motorcade made its way through the heart of Houston on the way to the airport so that his body could be delivered to Washington D.C. to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, motorists on busy Houston highways pulled to the side of the road. That is an unusual sight in Houston, as local residents are known for their crazy driving; but Houston was Bush’s home and he was well-liked in his city. The residents honored him as best they could. Bush’s funeral was held Wednesday at the Washington
National Cathedral; his body will be returned for eventual burial at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. In honor of President Bush, President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that government offices would be closed Wednesday; the U.S. Postal Service, which delivers this newspaper, was shut down, thus delaying the delivery of this newspaper. While we are sorry to have had to delay delivery, we know that readers will understand that you honor those deserving of a salute. Thanks, President Bush, for your service.
Happy Holiday Deadline Schedule The News-Dispatch will be printing early for the holidays and we will not have a December 27 edition. Advertising deadline for the December 20 News-Dispatch will be Friday, December 14. Advertising deadline for the January 3 News-Dispatch will be Wednesday, December 19.
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Sports
Tigers outpace Tivy 54-40
Tiger coach, player honored on all-star team
BY REED GRAFF
outpaced the Antlers in the third and held a comExplosive offense, aided manding 40-29 lead going by a 14-point effort from into the final quarter. junior Trace Young, carried Kerrville, however, the Dripping Springs turned to senior Jackson Tigers basketball team to a Young to get its offense go54-40 non-district Nov. 30 ing. Young nailed a handful win over the Kerrville Tivy of deep shots and spurred Antlers. a small rally. Dripping Dripping Springs conSprings kept up the pace, trolled the pace of play by with Young hitting a deep taking a 17-9 first quarter three-pointer late in the lead. The Tigers were aided game to give the Tigers by the play of senior Alema separation. Louis, who locked the Young finished by down paint and kept Tivy’s grabbing six rebounds and offense in check, along came away with two steals. with senior Tyler Smith on Head coach Craig Swanthe offensive end. nack said he loves the tools Both defenses stepped Young brings to the table. up and shut down produc“We love having Trace. tion in the second frame. He’s a great young man,” Young took over the game Swannack said. “His scorfor the Tigers, scoring ing ability is remarkable at five of his 14 points in the times.” second quarter. Senior The Tigers have played Kyle Rioux checked in some tough opponents and scored four points on early, but Swannack feels back-to-back possessions. his team has played tough The Tigers held a slim and that did not change in 27-21 lead over Tivy at this game. halftime. “After playing such a Dripping Springs came tough schedule, we talked out firing to start the secso much about competond half. Smith and Young ing,” Swannack said. “I started connecting on their think that’s what I was jump shots, with senior most proud of, is that the Price Siemering grabbing guys really played hard several offensive rebounds tonight.” and putting them back Dripping Springs hosted in for points. The Tigers Burnet Dec. 4, before
BY MOSES LEOS III
committee also selects coaches for each all A 35-win season star team as well. that included a sevKane, who has led enth-straight district the Tiger volleyball title and a berth program for in the UIL state nine seasons, tournament led the Tigers led the Texas volleyball proGirls Coaches gram to its first Association to state tournaname Dripping ment appearSprings High ance since the head volleyball 2015 season. coach Michael Kane has guidKane as one of ed the program KANE its coaches of to three trips the year. to state in five Kane was seasons. selected as the Joining Kane head coach for is junior Avery the Class 5A and Kalsu, who was 6A Blue All-Star named to the team, which Class 5A and was selected by 6A Red team. the TGCA volKalsu finleyball commitished the 2018 KALSU tee, composed season with of member 256 kills and a coaches of the associa- team-high 850 assists. tion. Athletes selected So far through three by the TGCA to the all- years on varsity, Kalsu star teams are juniors has compiled more who will be seniors than 460 kills and the next season. The 2,300 assists.
PHOTO BY WAYLAND CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Senior Kyle Rioux is fouled while going to the basket against the Antlers last Friday night at Tiger Gym. Rooux put in 6 points for the Tigers in their 54-40 win over Tivy.
starting district play Dec. 7 on the road against Travis. Dripping Springs returns
home Dec. 14 when the Tigers play Crockett. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Unified Champions brings all student athletes together SUBMITTED REPORT
unique talents and abilities of each person, according A new Dripping Springs to the release. During class, High elective is offering students receive lessons on all students the ability to topics such as inclusion, work together and learn awareness and advocacy, from each other in a while enjoying fitness and supportive and interactive sports opportunities. environment. "This is another elective Unified Champions, class that these students which is tied with Unified choose to take, and it has Champions in Schools, a a sports emphasis,” Coach program offered by Special Daniel Foster, a Unified Olympics, partners special Champions teacher, said. and general education “Students come in here students in a way that and they're part of a team, promotes acceptance and and they have participatinclusion, according to a ed in bowling, volleyball district press release. and right now we're doing Together, students basketball." engage in advocacy, Dripping Springs leadership, fitness and Sophomore Carter King sports opportunities. It is said the class has brought a student-driven program a new level of understandthat includes planning ing between those who and hosting events and participate. activities. During “Unified “For me this class has Champions Week,” which been outstanding; both was held Nov. 26-30, the typically developing students in the program students and the students participated in lunchtime with disabilities have activities to promote stutaught me so much about dent interactions and an life that I would've never end-of-the-week pep rally. learned if I was not a part Based on the theme of of this class,” King said. inclusion, students of varyIn addition to the regular ing abilities participate in class time, some students every opportunity as peers also entered in the Special and equals, with the goal Olympic Area Bowling of forming true friendships Tournament Nov. 3. Eight and capitalizing on the students participated in the
COURTESY PHOTO Unified Champions students led a pep rally that included a student-staff basketball game Nov. 30.
"Unified Doubles" competition, which includes one Special Olympics athlete with a Unified partner. This
is the first time Dripping Springs has entered the Unified competition. "They're becoming one,
they're teammates; it's a family thing,” Foster said. “Our students thought they would be teaching
our special-needs kids, but now they're saying 'Coach, they're teaching me so much.'”
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$2K given to Friends Foundation for MediAlert Program
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The Dripping Springs Community Foundation Board of Directors earlier this month awarded a grant in the amount of $2,000 to The Friends Foundation to help underwrite their Philips Lifeline MediAlert Program, which provides medic alert devices to local seniors for summoning help in an emergency. The check is presented by DSCF Treasurer Judy Carter (right) to Friends Foundation President Kathy Carriker. Information about the Medic Alert program and others can be found at www.thefriendsfoundation.org.
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NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE
An application has been filed with HAYS COUNTY to subdivide Driftwood Phase One, Section Two on 119 acres of property and 28 single-family lots located at along Thurman Roberts Way & Roxie Crossing, in Driftwood, TX 78619. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking Number: SUB-1119.
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Page 6
News-Dispatch
Thursday, December 6, 2018
San Marcos man sentenced to Big bright 75 years for murdering roommate lights in Texas BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Morris’ punishA San Marcos man was ment, sentenced to 75 years in which was prison late last month handed after a Hays County Jury down Nov. convicted him of murder- 27, came ing his roommate in 2016. after a Esaia Kemuel Morris, lengthy 24, was convicted for two-week MORRIS the murder of Francisco trial, which Sierra, 20, after a conincluded a six-day recess frontation between the due to the Thanksgiving two men on Feb. 5, 2016. holiday. Francisco was found lying According to Hays on his back, shot in the County officials, Morris head through a pillow confessed to killing his that was placed over his roommate to a coworker face. the day after the murder.
He then threw the murder weapon in a nearby pond, which was later recovered by police. The weapon matched bullets collected from the autopsy. Morris pled guilty to the crime and admitted he murdered Sierra, but said he was under the influence of “sudden passion.” However, Morris gave conflicting versions on how the murder occurred, according to a Hays County press release. “Morris claimed that he had snapped immediately
after an unwanted sexual encounter with Sierra, but the jury heard other evidence suggesting that Morris had initiated the encounter,” according to the release. Authorities said Morris had been “aggressive and threatening after the encounter,” and that the murder occurred hours later. After three hours of deliberation, the jury rejected Morris’ plea for a finding of sudden passion and handed down a sentence of 75 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
County Judge Becerra, commissioner Shell to represent county in area government council BY KATIE BURRELL After winning reelection, Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell is expected to replace outgoing County Judge Bert Cobb as one of three representatives from the entity on the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG). Shell will be joined by newly elected County Judge Ruben Becerra, whose term starts Jan. 1, on the council. The pair will be seated with current CAPGOG member and Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. The three will be eligible to serve on CAPCOG’s board of directors, which is responsible for distributing funds and grants throughout the member counties.
BECERRA
SHELL
The CAPCOG General Assembly, according to its website, is composed of the official representatives of all participating cities and counties as well as school districts, chambers of commerce and nonprofit agencies. The assembly will vote on whether to allow Shell or Becerra to be a part of CAPCOG’s executive committee. “They do the vote
Whoever is on the executive committee alongside Ingalsbe will be a part of the 29-member committee that oversees program implementation, budgets, contracts and general policies and procedures for managing the Capital Area Council of Governments. before the end of the year, but I’m not exactly sure when,” Shell said. “One of us will serve on the board however, it doesn’t hold a lot of authority. It’s important to be involved, though.” Whoever is on the executive committee alongside Ingalsbe will be a part of the 29-member committee that oversees program implementation, budgets, contracts
and general policies and procedures for managing the agency, according to the website. CAPCOG and its representatives make decisions regarding issues including air quality control, solid waste management and travel solutions involving roadway care in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson counties.
Gas Pipeline: Locals ready to fight Continued from pg. 1
huge 42-inch pipeline,” Johnson said. “I’m horrified by the idea of it.” The Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP), crafted by Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline and EagleClad Midstream Ventures, is a $2 billion project designed to transport up to 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas through a 430-mile pipeline that stretches from far west Texas to the Houston area. KMTP is starting the process of reaching out to local elected officials and gathering their input on the project, said Allen Fore, KMTP vice president. At the same time, KMTP’s land agents are also in the introductory phase with affected landowners on whose property they seek to place the pipeline. In October, the Hays Free Press reported KMTP has begun negotiations with approximately 82 Hays County landowners. KMTP has also started the process of obtaining permits from various state and local entities, including the Texas Railroad Commission, the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Fore said the company has dealt with those agencies in the past and they design projects that meet their criteria. “We never propose a project that could not meet or exceed all of the regulations,” Fore said. So far, the company is “pleased” with progress and has had “good conversations and helpful conversations” with elected officials, Fore said. The company has so far met with several Hays County Commissioners, as well as with County Judge-elect Ruben Becerra and city of Kyle officials. Fore said there was an “appreciation and interest” among elected officials for early discussion, as well as the
The Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP), crafted by Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline and EagleClad Midstream Ventures, is a $2 billion project designed to transport up to 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas through a 430-mile pipeline that stretches from far west Texas to the Houston area. ability to pose stakeholder questions. KTMP also gathered information on prospective developments in the area where they could seek to place the pipeline. Fore said it was “good to know up front” prospective developments, which will be taken into consideration when finalizing a route. No official route has been announced at this time. Fore said the company will continue to aim for the pipeline to go in service by the fourth quarter 2020. KMTP has built in time for negotiations with landowners. The company is trying to make sure constituents are well represented and treated fairly, Fore said. “On a project this size, you will see routing adjustments and we will do our very best to accommodate local landowner issues to whatever we might find in a survey analysis that indicates a routing adjustment,” Fore said. However, Jerry Hendrix, city of Kyle chief of staff, said city officials were a “little surprised” to learn initially about the project from concerned landowners who were going through eminent domain negotiations – and from not the company. Since then, Hendrix said the company has been responsive to questions and requests for meetings. Fore said KTMP is planning to host public input meetings in San Marcos, Wimberley and
construct the pipeline, KMTP requires a 75-foot easement, which could include clearing of trees and other vegetation. Once the project is done, KMTP would retain a 50-foot easement in perpetuity. Bill Johnson said a portion of the Halifax and 6F ranches could be impacted by the pipeline. The project will affect an existing conservation Kyle; times and dates for easement on their propmeetings have not been erty. announced at this time. Lucy Johnson’s primaKyle officials have con- ry concern extends to the cerns about the relation- PHP impacting the Edship the pipeline could wards Aquifer and Trinity have with current and fu- Aquifer, which residents ture infrastructure. While and municipalities obthe city doesn’t have autain water from, as well thority to compel KMTP as their recharge zones. to move the line, the city Bill Johnson said the is aiming to “make sure project could also imthey are following all of pact the natural habitats the rules we can” to pro- of the Golden Cheeked tect assets and citizens, Warbler and other native Hendrix said. wildlife. “Our main concern is Both Bill and Lucy to protect city resources Johnson, who have reand make sure the safety tained legal counsel, plan of the people of Kyle are to fight the construction accounted for,” Hendrix of the pipeline. siad. “It’s bizarre to me how Lucy Johnson, longthis company would go time Kyle resident and through the Hill Country Bill Johnson’s daughter, over the most sensitive worried construction of aquifer in Texas and go the pipeline could place over property that is the an undue toll on Hill most expensive,” Lucy Country land. In order to Johnson said.
PEC doesn’t earn profits — you earn capital credits.
Hays, Caldwell County to cash in on growing film industry BY EXSAR ARGUELLO “Lights, camera, action” could be a phrase heard across Hays County in the future as the demand for economic development in the film industry is growing. A new report from the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP), which serves Hays and Caldwell counties, indicates that a “film-friendly” environment throughout Central Texas can have major economic impacts on the region. But being filmfriendly is an initiative the state has been actively involved in for over four decades, inviting filmmakers to explore the Hill Country for potential set locations. According to the report, all major cities in Hays County, including San Marcos, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda and Dripping Springs are film-friendly communities, as outlined by the Texas Film Commission. “We have more than 30 film-friendly communities in the Austin area, including clusters in Hays County,” said Kim LeBlanc, production and community relations specialist for the Texas Film Commission. “Being a film-friendly community enables filmmakers to come to your county, film at desirable locations and leave an impact on the economy.” According to the GSMP report, Hays and Caldwell Counties have collected approximately $360,975 in general fund tax between 2008 and 2016 related to the movie and film industry. Going forward, GSMP is pushing Texas State University to examine ways to make it easier for visual media productions to access resources. In 2014, a rumored sequel to 1990s film Dazed & Confused was being filmed at the university campus. According to reports from 2014, this allowed some university students to act as extras in the film while bringing a cast and crew from around the world to spend money locally. Texas lawmakers have also stood behind the initiative to bring communities in harmony with the film industry. In 2017, the 85th Texas Legislature appropriated $32
According to the GSMP report, an estimated $13.7 million was spent directly within Hays and Caldwell County between 2008 and 2016. million through 2019 for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. This program, managed by the Texas Film Commission, aims at bringing economic development to Texas through film and television. Transformers: Age of Extinction, which brought in more than a billion dollars at the box office in 2014, had scenes filmed in Lockhart. The GSMP and TFC both hope to build off of that success in the future. Taylor Hertsenberg, senior marketing coordinator at the TFC, said the commission’s website allows filmmakers to select a region in Texas that is certified as “film-friendly.” This allows filmmakers to get in direct contact with the community while having a visual idea on the landscape and setting that will work in the boundaries of the project. LeBlanc said a ten episode season for a show, on average, will spend around $20 million. “When a filmmaker lands in a community, you have a high number of cast and crew staying in a local area,” LeBlanc said. “These are people who shop, eat and spend their money locally, having an immediate impact to the local economy.” According to the GSMP report, an estimated $13.7 million was spent directly within Hays and Caldwell County between 2008 and 2016. Total economic activity attributed to motion picture, film and TV productions in Hays and Caldwell County during the same time frame was $26.7 million, as well as the support of 185 jobs in the region.
This year, we’re returning $12.1 million to our members. Check your December bill for your distribution, and learn more at pec.coop/capital-credits.