Texans advance to state
Growth spurs medical center expansion
DS man sentenced for death threats
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 11
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Man charged in shooting death of SMPD officer BY MOSES LEOS III
Hays County authorities have now formally charged the man suspected of shooting and killing San Marcos Police officer Kenneth Copeland on Monday. Stewart Thomas Mettz, 58, has been charged with capital murder of a peace officer. Mettz was
also charged with injury to an elderly person, which is a third-degree felony and assault causing bodily injury, family violence, according METTZ
to a press release. Bond has been set at $500,000 for the latter two charges. Hays County Justice of the Peace Maggie H. Moreno did not set bond for the capital murder charge. Mettz is currently awaiting transport from an Austin area hospital to the Hays County Jail. He is currently under
24-hour guard by Hays County Sheriff’s deputies, according to the release. According to a Hays County probable cause affidavit, Copeland responded to Mettz’s residence in the 100 block of Valero Drive in San Marcos to serve a felony arrest warrant. When officers arrived and knocked on the front
door, Mettz opened the door and began firing an unknown caliber firearm at the officers, who then returned fire. Copeland was struck by gunfire and later died as a result of his injuries, according to the affidavit. Mettz suffered a gunshot wound to his left side and was provided first aid by a peace
officer. While first aid was provided to Mettz, a law enforcement official read Mettz his Miranda rights. Mettz allegedly said he had shot a police officer approximately two times in the chest, according to the affidavit. He then claimed the gunshot wound he had was inflicted by an officer.
PHOTO VIA AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL LIVE STREAM
Speaker Bill Oliver strums his guitar as he sings a song in opposition of a proposed agreement involving the cities of Austin and Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater permit. Oliver was one of several people who voiced opposition to the proposed agreement.
Austin pushing against Dripping’s wastewater permit BY MOSES LEOS III
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NORTH HAYS COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
A North Hays County Fire Rescue first responder sprays down construction equipment that had caught fire during a controlled burn Dec. 8. North Hays crews responded to three fires over the course of 48 hours. No one was injured in any of the fires.
Fire destroys RR12 home BY MOSES LEOS III
No one was injured when a manufactured home went up in flames along Ranch Road 12 near Dripping Springs Dec. 9. Scott Collard, North Hays County Fire Chief, said the structure, located in the 27000 block of Ranch Road 12 was mostly destroyed.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and the Hays County Fire Marshal’s office is currently investigating. Collard said upwards of 12 units were on scene, which had to navigate up a long, narrow driveway to the residence. Fire crews hauled water from hydrants to the scene. North Hays County crews were on
scene for several hours as they worked to extinguish the blaze. The Dec. 9 fire was the last of three the department responded to over the course of a 48-hour period last week. The first involved a fire at a barn located on Ella Lane on Dec. 8. Collard said no people or animals were injured in the barn fire, which was determined
to be accidental in origin. Five units responded to help put out the barn blaze. Several hours later, North Hays crews were dispatched to a controlled burn in the Dripping Springs area where construction equipment caught fire. No one was injured in the incident and only three units responded to the incident.
DSISD eyes alternative to proposed admin building BY MARIA GARDNER Significant changes may be underway in the conceptual plan for the Dripping Springs Town Center project approved by the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board. On Dec. 4, the Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) Superintendent Bruce Gearing said the district is developing an alternative plan for the location of its administration building. It may include converting Walnut Springs Elementary School into the district’s new administrative office. Gearing said the district is in the middle
“We’d rather put money in schools than an administration building.” –Bruce Gearing, DSISD superintendent
of an evaluation of its capacity to handle the rapid growth that is projected in the area. As a result, it may shift its priority away from construction of a new administration building. “We’d rather put money in schools than an administration build-
ing,” he said. The district’s LongRange Facility Planning Committee, made up of school staff, parents, administrators and community members, is leading the assessment. The committee is expected to bring recommendations to the school board by January 2018 at the latest on whether to call for a bond election to pay for infrastructure improvements, Gearing said. In the proposed Town Center, a new district administration building will be constructed adjacent to a new Dripping Springs library with a meeting center in the
TOWN CENTER, 2
Reservations over the rushed nature of a settlement agreement involving Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater permit led Austin city leaders to express discontent Dec. 8. While no action was formally taken, two Austin City Council members said they wouldn’t approve the proposed agreement with Dripping
Springs if it came back up for a vote. The agreement is part of Dripping Springs’ push for beneficial reuse associated with its wastewater expansion permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The permit would allow the city a discharge point at Walnut Springs, which is a tributary of Onion Creek.
WASTEWATER PERMIT, 5
Library plans for facility expansion BY MARIA GARDNER The task of stacking books on crowded shelves is a daily reminder of the limited space the Dripping Springs Community Library faces. On Dec. 5, Dripping Springs Community Library District (DSCLD) Board of Trustees reviewed and discussed Dripping Springs’ Town Center concept plan, a project that, if approved by the Board of Trustees,
would be another step toward realizing its vision for a larger facility. The Town Center concept plan visualizes a new library in proximity to Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) administration office, Dripping Springs City Hall and a Hays County Office amongst other entities on land currently occupied mainly by DSISD.
LIBRARY DISTRICT, 3
LAGNIAPPE EmilyAnn Trail of Lights
Head to Wimberley to celebrate the 20th annual festival at EmilyAnnTheatre and Gardens through Dec. 28. Enjoy more than 100 lighted exhibits created by Wimberley businesses and organizations 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Get parking info and more details at emilyann.org
Starlight Symphony
Celebrate the holidays with the Starlight Symphony Orchestra’s performance of its holiday series “Innovative Traditions.” The orchestra will have three performances this season: Dec. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at the Hays PAC Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. at Wimberley First Baptist Church.
LAGNIAPPE, 6
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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.
News-Dispatch
Dripping Springs man sentenced to 18 months for death threats STAFF REPORT
WACO – A Dripping Springs man was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for making threats to kill people at Fort Hood earlier this year. Thomas Anthony Chesnut, 29, of Dripping Springs, was sentenced Dec. 8, roughly two months after a federal jury convicted him on one count of threatening to assault or murder a uniformed service member, as well as one count of interstate communications to threaten or injure, according to a U.S. Western District
Chestnut threatened to go to Fort Hood, kill the sergeant, take hostages, start a mass killing spree and then kill himself if he was not allowed to speak with someone of rank, according to the release.
Court press release. In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Robert Pitman ordered that Chestnut be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. Chestnut has remained in federal
custody since being arrested by FBI agents Feb. 24, 2017. On Sept. 19, 2017, jurors found Chestnut guilty on the count of threatening to assault or murder a uniformed service member. Testimony during the two-day trial revealed
that on Feb. 22, 2017, Chestnut made verbal threats when he called and spoke with a sergeant at the U.S. Army 1st Calvary Division at Fort Hood. Chestnut threatened to go to Fort Hood, kill the sergeant, take hostages, start a mass killing spree and then kill himself if he was not allowed to speak with someone of rank, according to the release. Chestnut then spoke with a major and advised that he was a former soldier wrongly accused of a crime and eventually released from prison in 2016. Chestnut further
said if he was unable to speak with a U.S. Army III Corps Commander or a Sergeant Major regarding back pay, or did not receive the money he believed was owed to him, that he planned to shoot soldiers at Fort Hood. The FBI, together with the U.S. Army Military Police Investigations at Fort Hood and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, conducted this investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney/Active Duty U.S. Army Major Benjamin Hogan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Blanton prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Hays County population growth spurs $10M medical center expansion BY SAMANTHA SMITH Exponential growth in Hays County and surrounding areas has sparked what some are calling the great healthcare migration. Over the past few years, more clinics and healthcare centers have opened doors and are expanding services to provide more care closer to home. On Nov. 28, Seton Medical Center Hays (SMCH) accomplished one such goal by completing its 30-bed surgical unit on the fifth and final floor of the hospital. The expansion, according to officials, cost an estimated $10 miillion. This latest expansion has increased the Hays County medical center from a 112-bed facility to a 142-bed medical facility. “The additional space allows us to grow with our community’s needs, providing the high-quality, patient-centered care our patients trust,” said Neal Kelly, RN, vice president
and chief operating officer at Seton Hays, said. In a later interview, Kelly attributed SMCH’s latest expansion, as well as its future expansion endeavors, to the uninhibited population growth rate in Hays County and residents’ wishes to have access to the best healthcare closer to home. However, Seton Hays is not the only medical center experiencing growth in Hays County. Austin Regional Clinic, founded as an association in 1980, expanded to Kyle within the past decade and recently opened a clinic in Buda this fall. Baylor Scott and White Health recently opened its first primary care clinic in Kyle. Baylor Scott and White Health has also opened primary care clinics in Travis and Williamson counties. Rumors have circulated regarding a potential medical center in Hays County. However, Baylor Scott and White
“We want to be that large, capable medical center but always maintain that family feel and that community feeling that we’re all in this together.” – Neal Kelly, RN, vice president and chief operating officer at Seton Hays
officials have made no formal announcement at this time. Kelly was reminiscent of the days when Seton Hays, HEB and a few businesses were the only structures that dotted the Interstate 35 corridor in Kyle in 2009. “You look out (from the fifth floor) and it’s incredible to see the amount of growth in both business and rooftops in this area,” Kelly said. Kelly said the medical center was built in 2009 for $144 million and was three floors high. The medical center is now five floors high with plans
to expand its women’s center and update the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in early 2018. “The reason we decided to build in Hays County was the population and projections showed that this was the next area where we were going to see really remarkable growth,” Kelly said. Kelly added Seton Hays would be expanding and remodeling the existing women’s center at SMCH starting right after the first of the year, which will cost approximately $14 million. Kelly said more medical providers in the area
may be breeding more competition for patients. However, it’s also giving them a chance to create partnerships with one another to enhance the level of care for patients in Hays County and surrounding areas. “We’re very interested in forming the right kind of partnerships for this community,” Kelly said. For as much growth as Kyle is experiencing, Kelly doesn’t believe Seton Hays will rise to the level of trauma centers as Seton South Austin or Dell Medical Center in Austin. “We’re going to grow and respond to the needs of the community and if that turns out to be a medical center the size of one of those urban facilities, then so be it,” Kelly said. “We want to be that large, capable medical center but always maintain that family feel and that community feeling that we’re all in this together,” Kelly said.
Town Center: DSISD eyes alternatives Continued from pg. 1
middle of the layout for shared use by the stakeholders. The land for the Town Center is currently owned and occupied by the school district. One dramatic change will be an increase in space
at the Dripping Springs Community Library from its existing size of approximately 9,200 square feet to an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 square feet. Several other concepts in the Town Center project
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preliminary plan involves reconstructing the current DSISD administration building to accommodate the town center, as well as reconfiguring portions of Mercer Street and other roads adjacent to the development. The concept also calls for building a new city hall, town square and a new Hays County Pct. 4 office. Other aspects of the plan are the development of Triangle Tract that hosts the Dripping Springs Farmers Market. The project will be supported by funds collected from the two Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ #1 and #2), “with the purpose of promoting economic development and critical infrastructure,” according to city documents. In a TIRZ, the taxes that the city and county collect from property in a
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According to project documents, the concept plan is expected to receive approval by the respective stakeholders in the project by Dec. 31. designated area stays flat. As property value rises and taxes go up, the difference between the increase in tax generated and the flat tax amount collected by the city and county is added to a fund dedicated
to improvement in the designated area, said TIRZ Board Vice Chair Mim James. According to project documents, the concept plan is expected to receive approval by the respective stakeholders in the project by Dec. 31. For Missy Atwood, Dripping Springs Community Library District Board of Trustees president, the timing was important in the approval process of the plan. She said the library district board preference is to be located on Mercer Street as part of the community concept, but that it was a bit anxious about possible changes to the plan initiated by the school district that may delay it. “It’s not something that we can kick down the road six months,” she said.
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Page 3
Education Dripping Springs debaters advance to state UIL meet SUBMITTED REPORT
COURTESY PHOTO
Dripping Springs High School junior debaters Max Bibeau and Griffen Smith placed first and second, respectively, at the UIL 5A Region Congress Meet in November and have earned the right to advance to the state tournament Jan. 9-10. The state meet will be
held at the University of Texas. Congress is one of several types of competition in high school debate. It is an individual contest in a large group setting that models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition,
contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. At the tournament, students caucus in com-
mittees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for the discourse, and students extemporaneously respond to others’ arguments over the course of a session.
Tigers spread holiday cheer COURTESY PHOTO
Kids for Character spread empathy through DSISD
Choirs from DSISD’s three secondary schools’ choirs visited multiple locations this week to spread the sounds of festive songs. Right, the Sycamore Springs Middle School choir performs at Legacy Oaks Assisted Living Center.
COURTESY PHOTO
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This week the “Kids for Character” group of fifth-graders at Sycamore Springs Elementary held “Inclusion Week,” teaching younger students about disabilities. They planned activities that gave children the opportunity to experience what it might be like to have one of several disabilities: visual impairment, hearing impairment, dyslexia and autism. Above, children try out goggles that partially or totally impede sight to understand what a visually impaired student experiences.
Library District Continued from pg. 1
As part of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ), the project’s infrastructure would be funded by portions of the property taxes generated in the designated area over a period of time, according to TIRZ documents. The Town Center concept plan provides an opportunity the DSCLD board seeks. That vision is to have a new library built in a central location to reflect the important role the library serves in the community, said Atwood in a Dec. 8 phone interview. The new location would nearly quadruple the library’s current size of approximately 9,300 square feet, according to TIRZ documents. When the library first occupied its current space in 1998, it had 900 active card holders; now that number is over 10,000 and is growing, Atwood said in an emailed response. The board is expected to vote on the conceptual plans in its Dec. 20 meeting, Atwood said. The board has a Memorandum of Agreement with the other parties to the project such as the city and DSISD which commits the board to jointly plan the Town Center, according to TIRZ documents. If the plans progress positively, Atwood said, she hopes to see a new library built by 2021. In the meantime, the library staff does its best to manage the ever growing constraints in space. As new titles arrive, volunteers in many instances have to call on Library Director Marcia Atilano to make difficult decision.
The new location would nearly quadruple the library’s current size of approximately 9,300 square feet, according to TIRZ documents. “Weeding out” is what Atilano calls the process of removing books that meet certain criteria, such as not having been checked out in the last two years. Atilano said she does not like having to pull books for removal, but in order to make room for new titles it has to be done. The process, done about once a month, is challenging at times, she said, because a book’s subject may be valuable. Besides providing more space for shelving, a new facility will increase the library’s capacity to offer technology services. In 2016 alone, the library received 22,000 visits for the use of computer/ internet access, she said. With a larger facility, Atwood said the library can meet the needs of the growing community and continue to provide the community services not available anywhere else. “Often there is a waiting list to access the free computers available at the library,” Atwood said.
See solution, page 5
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Page 4
News-Dispatch
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Sports Texans shock Cuero to hit state semifinals BY MOSES LEOS III
For reasons unknown, Wimberley Texan defensive back Trent Dingman never imagined himself making a critical play when his team needed one. A well-timed interception returned for a game-ending touchdown Friday changed that perspective. Even so, Dingman quietly reveled in his newfound fame with teammates after helping Wimberley not only defeat the Cuero Gobblers 44-36, but also secure the program’s first state semifinal berth in six seasons. For head coach Doug Warren, Dingman’s play solidified the ability to execute when the time comes. “In pregame, we challenged the kids that in games like this, you become a legend. We asked who was going to make that play that the Wimberley Texans would talk about for years and years,” Warren said. “They’ll talk about Trent Dingman and how he made that interception against Cuero and ran it in for a touchdown at the end of the game. They’ll talk about that for a long time.” Warren lauded his Texan’s ability to rally for 20 unanswered points in the final nine minutes of the game to win. “We just hung in there and never doubted that we were going to get this done,” Warren said. “We never ever doubted. The kids hung in there and found a way to win.” Central to Wimberley’s comeback was a Texan Code Red defense that shut down Cuero’s highpowered offense. Warren said one factor was wrapping up and tackling Gobbler running back Jared Love, who finished the game with
PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Wimberley quarterback JoJo Weeks was cool under pressure. “Weeks came to me at the end of the third quarter. He looked right at me and said, ‘Coach we got this thing.’ there was no doubt about it in his mind,” head coach Doug Warren said after the 44-36 win over Cuero.
STATE RUN
The Texans take on the West Orange Stark Mustangs in the UIL Class 4A, Division II state semifinals at Legacy Stadium in Katy on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
151 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wimberley’s defensive backfield also put a halt to Cuero’s pass game, which was led by quarterback Drew Riemenschneider, who went 15 of 24 for 224 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. “We settled down and played good defense, tackled better and got him (Love) on the ground,” Warren said. Wimberley took a 14-6 lead into the second frame before Cuero rushed back into contention. Cuero outscored Wimberley 11-3 in the second quarter to take a 19-17 halftime advantage. Cuero maintained momentum and tallied ten unanswered points to kick start the third quarter. Wimberley responded with a third quarter touchdown run from
running back Thomas Carruthers, but Cuero expanded its lead to 3624 with 9:26 left in the contest. Enter a Texan offense that reeled off two touchdowns in the span of five minutes. A 40yard touchdown pass from quarterback JoJo Weeks to wide receiver Gavin Martinez gave Wimberley a slim 37-36 lead late in the contest. Weeks, who went 20 of 22 for 336 yards and two touchdowns, said he never lost faith or had any doubts that his team could pull off the comeback. “This is by far the best game we played,” Weeks said. “It’s incredible to get past the third round, especially when we’re getting to the fifth round, it’s crazy for us and we love it.” Dingman put the game on ice several minutes later by securing a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown. “It just happened,” Dingman said. “By the grace of God, it just happened.” Wimberley now prepares for a West Orange Stark team that is looking for its
PHOTOS BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Thomas Carruthers leaves a Cuero defender behind on the turf on this 16yard run before the end of the first half. Carruthers rushed for 91 yards and scored a touchdown on runs of 1, 2 and 8 yards in the 44-36 win over the Gobblers. Left: Wimberley’s Trenton Dingman sprints toward the goal line on a pick-six 35-yard interception, which helped seal the victory for the Texans with 3:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.
TEXAN FOOTBALL, 6
18 Tiger players named to all-district teams STAFF REPORT Over 3,800 total combined yards and 47 total touchdowns helped Dripping Springs Tiger quarterback Trevor Greenman earn 26-5A most valuable player (MVP) honors, which were officially unveiled last week. Greenman led a list of 18 Tiger football players were who named to the first and second team lists for district honors. Other Tigers who earned district superlatives were senior linebacker Beau Collins, who earned Defensive MVP honors after securing 194 tackles on the year, and Alex El Sariakoussy, who was named the district’s Offensive Lineman MVP.
DISTRICT MVP
Trevor Greenman – QB
OFFENSIVE LINE MVP
Alex El Sariakoussy– OL
DEFENSIVE MVP
Beau Collins – LB
FIRST TEAM ALL-DISTRICT Jake Cox – RB Johnny Hoyle – WR Curt Raymond – WR Dylan Smith – OL Lantz Milam – OL Jake WIilliamson – C Matthew Hemphill – DL Ricardo Montoya – DE Miles Farris – ILB Matt O’Neal – OLB Tanner Prewitt – OLB Josh Embry – DB Brittan Howeth – DB Ryland Kinard – DB
SECOND TEAM ALL-DISTRICT Parker Alford – WR Kevin Perrydore – DL Haden Dahl – OLB Reed Beverly – DB Andy Johnston – P
PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Dripping Springs’ quarterback Trevor Greenman looks for an open receiver at a Nov. 25 game against the Richmond Foster Falcons.
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See puzzle, page 3
Wastewater Permit: Austin pushing against Dripping Springs wastewater permit Continued from pg. 1
Over the past year, Dripping Springs city officials have compiled agreements with several area developers to use treated effluent from the proposed plant expansion for irrigation, to avoid discharge into the tributary. Additionally, Dripping Springs in November entered into an agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority, which set parameters on when and how the city could discharge into Walnut Springs, if it was ever needed. Per the agreement with Austin, Dripping Springs’ beneficial reuse infrastructure would have irrigated at least 25 acres of land that is currently under Dripping Springs’ control. Additionally, the city would also irrigate 174 acres of land con-
trolled by others, while Dripping Springs would have an effluent storage system with a total capacity of 12 million gallons. Dripping Springs also agreed to only discharge if irrigable land is frozen or saturated due to wet weather conditions, or if there are “unplanned or unforeseen” operational or mechanical issues. In return, Austin, along with Alfredalbert, LLC, would not file a contested case against Dripping Springs’ for the life of the permit. Currently, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) have both filed contested cases against Dripping Springs. Chris Harrington, a representative with
“We’re in favor of a good settlement, but this is miles away ... We hope you give better direction to staff to collaborate than to be on this lone horse path.” – Bill Bunch, director of the Save our Springs Alliance
Austin’s environmental staff, said the agreement was approached from a perspective to establish a “scientific threshold” of the impact to Onion Creek. Harrington said while there could be some level of discharge associated with the agreement, it is not enough that it would cause a change in the trophic status of Onion
Creek. Bill Bunch, director of the Save our Springs Alliance (SOS), said during public comment the agreement set a “horrible precedent” and that the city should have involved public input, while not rushing the process. Resident Lauren Ross claimed the city’s proposed settlement with Austin could allow “every
single land application permit in the Barton Springs zone” to a discharge permit. “This permit is the biggest threat we have ever seen to maintain Onion Creek and maintain the quality of Barton Springs,” Ross said. “This community has done lifetimes of work to protect and preserve it.” Bill Oliver turned to song to express his opposition to the permit. “If you feel like sending us your second hand pollution, we poo-poo that solution,” Oliver said. Additionally, several Austin City Council members were concerned about the potential agreement. Austin District 3 council member Pio Renteria said he would not support the settlement based on his
experience as a scuba diver in the 1970s of seeing waters in Lake Austin dirtied. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Tovo said she intended to vote against the settlement citing comments from the public. Austin Mayor Steve Adler said more time was needed for city leaders to look at the agreement and for the public to properly vet it. Adler claimed Austin city leaders had less than a week to review the settlement before they were asked to make a decision on it. Adler said the city’s goal was to protect Barton Springs and the waterways that flow into it. “We are the trustees of Barton Springs,” Adler said. “If we screw this up, you can’t go back.”
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News-Dispatch
The most beautiful birds in the whole wide world BY JERRY HALL
W
hat are the ten most beautiful birds in the world? Well, that is a matter of opinion, but here, in ascending order, is one list: 10. Hyacinth Macaw – Largest of the flying parrots, this bird is found in Brazil and there are only about 5,000 left in the world. It has cobalt blue plumage, yellow eye ring and a beautiful long tail. I especially like to see this bird in flight and to hear its raucous call. 9. Wood Duck – A most colorful waterfowl, the male has a metallic purplish-green head and crest. 8. Bohemian Waxwing – In our area, this handsome bird is usually seen in large flocks during the winter. It has a yellow stripe on the tip of its tail. 7. Blue Jay – A yearround resident and as intelligent as it is beautiful. 6. Atlantic Puffin – Also known as the sea parrot and found off the coast of the northern U.S. and Eastern Canada. 5. Keel-billed Toucan – This bird’s huge,
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Give the gift that keeps on giving. Orchestra program for DSISD?
Here’s a toast to good health
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 7
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
STAFF REPORT
robbery that had taken place at Vik’s Jewelers, located in the 500 block of east Highway 290, at approximately 11:31 a.m. Two black males entered the store and brandished handguns and ordered two employees to raise their hands, according to the release. One of the suspects attempted to break the
Authorities are continuing to search for two suspects who were caught on surveillance camera robbing a Dripping Springs area jewelry store in broad daylight Saturday. According to a Hays County press release, authorities received a call reporting an aggravated
Thursday, November 16, 2017
glass to one of the jewelry displays, but was unsuccessful. No one was injured in the incident. The second suspect then fired two rounds into the case to gain access to the jewelry. After stealing jewelry out of the case, the two suspects fled the store and left in a dark green or
ARMED ROBBERY, 2
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE
COURTESY PHOTO
Members of the Dripping Springs football and cheerleading teams pose for a group photo after the Tigers claimed the 26-5A district championship following a 34-14 win over the Marble Falls Mustangs Friday in Marble Falls. Dripping Springs opens postseason play against LBJ Friday, 7:30 p.m. at the Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JERRY HALL
The colorful Golden Pheasant is widely considered to be the most beautiful bird in the world due to its vibrant hues.
multi-colored beak is its most outstanding feature. 4. Peacock – The male peafowl is famous for its colorful, fan-shaped tail. 3. Flamingo – A bird noted for its lovely pink color and stately, long legs. 2. Scarlet Macaw – A riot of colors, including vivid hues of red and yellow. 1. Golden Pheasant – a secretive bird found in China and considered by many the most beautiful in the world.
In my humble opinion, the Andean cock-of-therock, with its stately head crest and lovely scarlet color, belongs in any list of most beautiful birds, as does the resplendent quetzal, a striking bird with a marvelous long tail. I have seen all these birds, except for the Golden Pheasant. In all honesty, I think every bird is a beauty in its own right – including the perky little titmice on my back deck.
Tiger football makes history with 10-0 regular season record BY REED GRAFF
NEXT UP
H
istory was made Friday when the Dripping Springs Tigers not only secured an outright 26-5A district title, but also the program’s first undefeated regular season in more than 50 years. The Tigers accomplished those feats by virtue of a dominant 35-14 victory over the Marble Falls Mustangs on the road. Dripping Springs finishes the regular season 10-0, which was last done when the Tigers played six-man football more than five decades ago. Dripping Springs now advances to take on Austin LBJ in the bidistrict round of the playoffs Nov. 17.
Dripping Springs will take on LBJ at the Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock on Nov. 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Right out of the gate, things looked good for the visiting Tigers. The Mustangs received the opening kickoff, but muffed the ball on the return, giving the ball to the Tigers for the opening drive. The Tigers immediately took advantage, ending a 4 play, 18 yard drive with junior Jake Cox running it in for the Tigers’ touchdown from five yards out.
Dripping Springs continued its onslaught when senior quarterback Trevor Greenman ran in a score that gave the Tigers a 14-0 lead five minutes into the game. Aided by another strong defensive effort, Dripping Springs closed the first quarter with a 92 yard, 5 play scoring drive. Senior offensive lineman Dylan Smith punched in a 2-yard touchdown run, which helped the Tigers take a 21-0 lead into the second frame. Tiger head coach Galen Zimmerman enjoyed seeing his lineman score. “It’s a linemen’s dream, I don’t know if he was more excited or if his fellow linemen were more excited,”
Continued from pg. 1 swimming area beginning at 7:30 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. For more info call 512-660-9111.
Active shooter presentation
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Civilian Response
to Active Shooter Event (CRASE) presentation that will be held at Dripping Spings High Dec. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will involve a presentation on how residents can be better prepared in the event of an active shooter situation. More information can be found online at haysfreepress.com
LCRA signs off on Dripping Springs water permit
Buy a subscription to the News-Dispatch and get a gift subscription of equal length for FREE through Dec. 31. That’s TWO ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS for only $42!
BY MARIA GARDNER An agreement struck
between Dripping Springs city leaders and a Central Texas water entity has moved the city’s plans for expanding its wastewater system a few steps forward. On Nov. 1, the Dripping Springs City Council approved an agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which was one of the potential objectors to the city’s wastewater expansion permit. Clara Tuma, an official with LCRA, said in an emailed response, the agreement they’ve entered with the city “requires sewage from the city’s wastewater treatment plant to be
Mail the forms below to 113 W. Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640 or call 512268-7862 to subscribe today.
WATER DEAL, 2
LAGNIAPPE
News-Dispatch PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
TIGER FOOTBALL, 4
Senior Keith Mitchhart caught this 47-yard pass from quarterback Trevor Greenman, which helped set up a 3-yard touchdown run by the quarterback to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.
More hats tossed into ring for TX-21 BY MOSES LEOS III
Interest in an already crowded race for the open 21st Congressional District seat continues to grow after a former San Marcos city official and a current Hays County based state representative announced their candidacy last week. On Friday, State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) announced he will run as a Republican candidate for the 21st Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Lamar Smith. One day later, former San Marcos mayor Susan Narvaiz announced she will also run on the Republican ticket for the TX-21 seat, which services an eight-coun-
ty area, including parts of Hays County. Their decisions come roughly a week after Smith, a 16-term Republican congressman, announced he was not going to run for reelection when his term ends in 2018. Isaac and Narvaiz now join a race that’s already had six Democrats and one Republican file to run. Isaac said in a letter to constituents that during his four terms in the Texas Legislature, he’s had the “honor and privilege” of participating in helping make Texas “the freest state in the nation.” Isaac said it was time to take those values and experience to Washington. “A new administration promises new
home for constraining the growth of federal government, but it can’t be done without principled conservative leaderISAAC ship in Congress,” Isaac said in his letter. Isaac, a Dripping Springs native NARVAIZ who was first voted to the Texas Legislature in 2011, said he is committed to
Springs announced this week the hiring of Mariana Espinoza as the city’s new
serving out the remainder of his term representing House District 45, which serves Blanco and western Hays County. “In the face of unacceptable overreach by a federal government grown too big and too costly, I’ll fight for our liberty, our security, and our future,” said Isaac in a statement. “I’m humbled that many of my constituents have asked me to run, and I look forward to discussing the issues as I campaign across the district.” In a letter posted on her campaign website, Narvaiz said she opted to run after receiving “countless phone calls
Espinoza comes to Dripping Springs from Grand Prairie where she served as the Senior Recreation Supervisor for the Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation Department for 11-plus years. Prior to working in Grand Prairie, she worked for the city of Austin for three years as a Recreation Programs Specialist in the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. As Parks and Community Services Director, Espinoza will oversee all of the city’s parks and open space. She will also serve as coordinator of all city-sponsored special events and activities, such as Christmas on Mercer Street, Founders Day Festival and the Dripping Springs Farmers Market.
TX-21, 2
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Lagniappe
Blue Christmas is a free annual holiday event at Blue Hole Regional Park on Dec. 16 featuring horse carriage rides, an ugly sweater contest, a roaring fire, local music groups, Santa, and blue lights everywhere. The event begins at 4 p.m. “Elf” will be playing in the
page 4
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Two sought in armed daylight robbery
Hays & Travis
Blue Christmas
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Tigers earn silver at State
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