DECEMBER 15, 2021 SWING’N SUCCESS
90-CARD CHALLENGE
Hot Texas Swing Band awarded 2021 Album of the Year by International Western Music Association.
Kyle woman connects to celebrities, new friends through birthday card challenge.
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News-Dispatch
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 42 • No. 12
Serving Hays County, TX
Buda assault, death inquiry continues
DSISD special education audit underway
STAFF REPORT
BY MEGAN WEHRING
BUDA — An investigation continues after a man was found dead and a woman was injured in Buda last month. At approximately 6:10 p.m. Nov. 20, Hays County Sheriff deputies responded to Quarter Avenue in Buda on a report of a person down/injured. Deputies found a female bleeding from a wound to the abdomen. A male subject, deceased, was also found at the scene. The female is recovering from a gunshot wound, according to deputy Bruce Harlan, and autopsy results for the male are pending. Harlan said the incident seems to have been a domestic issue and there is no danger to the public. Harlan did not release the name of the deceased nor of the woman recovering from injuries.
DRIPPING SPRINGS — After discovering two necessary policies were missing, the Dripping Springs ISD’s (DSISD) special education department will endure an audit. During the Dec. 13 meeting, the DSISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the new audit to be conducted by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and the installation of the two policies. The special education department is currently in the process of a Texas Education Agency (TEA) audit that focuses on compliance and documentation through the inspection of policies and procedures, according to board documents. In addition to the TEA audit, DSISD will undergo a complete Special Education Program Review by TASB that will focus on the full scope of special education services and responsibilities, according to board documents. The last review of this nature was conducted in 2016.
New tax credits make health insurance more affordable BY BRITTANY ANDERSON More savings and lower cost health insurance coverage plans may be possible because of a bill passed in March 2021. Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, more people than ever qualify for help in paying for health coverage. Most people currently enrolled in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan may qualify for more tax credits, and lower health insurance
TAX CREDITS, 10
PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Buda dentist to operate pediatric mobile dental clinic
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON Many rural communities do not have reliable access to dental care. But a Buda-based pediatric dentist and a local nonprofit healthcare organization are working to combat this in Central Texas, starting in Caldwell County. Dr. Alexandra Otto, D.D.S., and her husband Tim own and operate Kids Tooth Team, whose goal is to “elevate the quality and expand the availability of children’s oral healthcare in Texas.” Otto said that she and Tim had a dream of being able to help kids in communities have “incredible dental care in clean, safe facilities” — and after identifying there was such a need for this in the area, they were put in touch with Dr. Shailee Gupta, D.D.S., of St. David’s Foundation (SDF). SDF is the largest charity-based mobile dental program in the country. They operate a fleet of nine mobile dental vans that offer free dental care to over 10,000 students at high-needs elementary schools in three Central
In spring 2022, the mobile clinic will begin operating out of Caldwell County, whose patient-todentist ratio is 1,680:1, double that of the state average. Dr. Otto said that they are currently in the process of selecting the school in the county the clinic will “pilot.”
Texas counties and six school districts and charter school systems. After nearly two years of work, Kids Tooth Team’s mobile clinic made its first appearance on Dec. 8 in front of its office where Otto, her team members and staff from SDF were
present to celebrate the “transfer of the keys” and tour the van. SDF’s donation of the van includes two dental operatories with full dental chair systems, a panoramic x-ray machine and dental office equipment totaling more than $1 million. “To be able to partner with such an incredible organization to expand the access to care for those who need us the most is so inspiring and incredible,” Otto said. In spring 2022, the mobile clinic will begin operating out of Caldwell County, whose patient-to-dentist ratio is 1,680:1, double that of the state average. Otto said that they are currently in the process of selecting the school
in the county the clinic will “pilot”. From there, they will choose a classroom or grade to work with, and families will be able to opt-in to participate. Otto said that providing this service to schools will help “break down some of those barriers” for students who are unfamiliar with dentists and dental care. “We want it to be a school-based dental home for these children, so kids who don’t have access to a dentist — this would be their dental office,” Otto said, adding that most things she can do in the regular office she is able to do in the van, including
MOBILE DENTAL, 10
‘That’s your workforce’: Hispanic population growth boosts economy BY MEGAN WEHRING HAYS COUNTY — Hispanics make up 40% of the population in Hays County and that number continues to grow every year. As one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S., Hays County’s total population grew by more than 80,000 residents in the last decade to 241,067 in 2020, according to census data, and Hispanics account for 40.1% of that. “Hays County, Central Texas, is the go-to place where people want to be,” said J.R. Gonzales,
Statistics courtesy of New American Economy
executive vice chair of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), “with the advantage between right here on the I-35 corridor and being in-between
TEXAS HISTORY
Boy from Abilene cotton patch sure could coach.
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Austin and San Antonio. The growth of this area [is phenomenal].” Living in Hays County has become the answer for some, as it looks more promising to commute to and from Austin
for work. “Since we have so many people moving into this area not only as residents, but also new businesses coming
HISPANIC WORKFORCE, 10
The News-Dispatch Barton Publications, Inc. The News-Dispatch (USPS 011-401) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
DSISD AUDIT, 2
Santa IS coming to Kyle BY MEGAN WEHRING KYLE — Santa will be visiting Kyle neighborhoods before Christmas. The Kyle Police Department (KPD) will be partnering with the Kyle Parks & Recreation Department to host Santa rides this year. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 13 through Dec. 15, families will be able to wave and see Santa as he rides through designated neighborhoods. “This is something that we as a city decided to take on,” said Aimee Garcia, recreation programmer, “because the people in Kyle are looking forward to seeing Santa riding through Kyle.” Santa will be stopping by the northeast quadrant, southeast quadrant and the west side of Kyle, Garcia said. Specific neighborhoods, routes and a tracker to follow along will be updated on the city’s website. “We found that last year when the Parks & Recreation Department picked up the rides due to COVID,” said director Mariana Espinoza, “it really brought a lot of Christmas cheer to the residents and to the children.”