December 16, 2020 News-Dispatch

DECEMBER 16, 2020 55+ LIVING

FOSTERING HOPE

Buda approves first look at 55-plus residential development.

Foster children need more attention than usual during pandemic.

–Page 4

–Page 2

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HaysNewsDispatch.com

Vol. 41 • No. 11

Serving Hays County, TX

STAGE

Dripping Springs receives 300 acres of parkland

II

DROUGHT Aquifer district discusses enforcement of ordinances

BY SAHAR CHMAIS DRIPPING SPRINGS — The city of Dripping Springs received a 300-acre land donation, adjacent to Headwater Subdivision, from Dick Rathgeber and Rathgeber Investment Company LTD. The property was appraised at about $5.7 million and will be dedicated to the city as Rathgeber Natural Resource Park.

This land donation has more than doubled the city’s parkland to 571 acres.

“The city of Dripping Springs is extremely grateful to Dick Rathgeber for his generosity and incredible contribution to the city’s current park system,” Mayor Bill Foulds, Jr. said. “As Dripping Springs continues to grapple with high rates of growth, access to, as well as conservation and proper management of public land becomes vitally important to the health of the Texas Hill Country. The Rathgeber Natural Resource Park will not only protect and improve an indispensable piece of Hill Country habitat and watershed, it will also provide the Dripping Springs community with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience and learn from this majestic and endangered landscape.”

Not only will this protect 300 acres of land, but it will also provide public access to passively recreate, immerse in nature and explore the Texas Night Sky, according to the city’s press release.

Further, the deed’s Use Agreement includes 66 acres for seasonal use by the Capital Area Boy Scouts of America Council in Dripping Springs.

“While the Dripping Springs community is the biggest beneficiary of this gift,” said Kelly Schmidt,

PARKLAND, 8

BY MEGAN WEHRING

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF BUDA

Buda resident Katy Alexander and her three sons check out the splash pad which is one of the many new amenities at Buda City Park.

Buda’s City Park now open after lengthy renovation “The amphitheater is our main focal point of the new and improved park. This gives us an opportunity to draw in additional festivals and regional festivals, when it is safe to do”

SUBMITTED REPORT

BUDA – City park is now open to the public The wait is finally over. Buda City Park is now officially open to the public.

Upgrades include two new playground areas for younger and older children with ADA compliant playground equipment, a splash pad, new restrooms, and a games and grilling area. The splash pad is closed during the winter months and will open in the spring.

With the addition of an amphitheater, the city of Buda is poised to become a premier festival

–Greg Olmer, Buda Parks and Rec Director

and event location. The amphitheater design provides a festival feel for the audience. The city looks forward to attracting festivals, concerts, and other events in the future when it is safe to do so.

Buda City Park is the city’s only regional park.

Regional parks are intended to serve the entire

city and very often are considered the premier park in a community.

Historically, City Park has hosted several popular events, including the city’s annual “Red, White & Buda” Independence Day celebration.

City Park is also a place to enjoy nature. As part of the improvements,

more than 500 trees were planted. Species include pecan, Texas red oak, cedar elm, bigtooth maple and more.

“There are a lot of exciting things in store for City Park,” said Parks and Recreation Director Greg Olmer. “The amphitheater is our main focal point of the new and improved park. This gives us an opportunity to draw in additional festivals and regional festivals, when it is safe to do, that can bring in tourism. But the new playground area, splashpad and other amenities will provide a great outdoor experience to residents and visitors alike.”

COVID-19 mobile testing sites will have amended holiday hours

KYLE –Free COVID-19 testing from Curative is still available at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center, 979 Kohlers Crossing, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. But in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, all Curative mobile testing sites throughout Hays County will be closed on Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1.

The testing is provided at no cost to the individual and is available to anyone, whether or not they reside in Hays County. Curative is now billing private insurance companies for test services, but there will be no out-ofpocket cost to individuals being tested. Those without insurance will not be turned away and will receive the test for

CURATIVE MOBILE TESTING SITES:

free.

Due to increased volume, appointments are required, and walk-ups will no longer be accepted. To make an appointment, visit www.curativetest. com. The test uses painless self-administered cheek swabs.

Results are expected to be available 24-48 hours following the testing date.

APPOINTMENTS

Commissioners make county appointments and reappointments.

–Page 6

At the Kyle Curative testing site for the period of Nov. 25 through Dec. 9, a total of 3,350 tests had been completed with 54.69% of those tested residing in the 78640 zip code and the remaining 45.31% residing in other zip codes outside of Kyle. Of the 3,350 tests administered in that time period, positive results had COVID TESTING NUMBERS been returned for 464 individuals for a 14.89% As of Sunday, Dec. positivity rate. Please 6, Curative had tested note that not all of the 38,775 individuals at 3,350 individuals tested its Hays County testing were Kyle residents. sites with a 19% posiThe city of Kyle and tivity rate or a total of Hays County are en7,376 positive cases. couraging residents to Please note that not all of the 38,775 individuals work to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our tested are Hays County community by wearing residents as the testmasks, washing hands ing is open to anyone and staying away from regardless of county of residence. gatherings of people.

• Hays CISD PAC, 979 Kohlers Crossing, Kyle, daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• San Marcos Premium Outlets, 3939 S. I-35, San Marcos, daily, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Wimberley Community Center, 14068 RR 12, Wimberley, Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• The Triangle, 151 E. Mercer St., Dripping Springs, Friday-Monday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Parking lot at Main St. & China St., Buda, Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Funding for the free testing is provided by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

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.

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Stage II drought enforcement procedures were discussed by the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District on Thursday, Dec. 10 using a Zoom video conference.

The district’s board previously declared a Stage II Alarm Drought at its meeting on Thursday, Dec. 8. The Lovelady Monitor Well registered below its drought trigger in late September and only one of the two triggers needed to be reached for a drought declaration.

“We don’t hit the ground running in throwing down the hammer from month one,” said District General Manager Vanessa Escobar. “We actually try to work with our permittees and let them get into the rhythm of curtailing. We haven’t been in drought for two years so this is a new thing for some permittees but it’s also just getting reacquainted with making adjustments.”

DROUGHT, 10

Kyle hosts online street sign auction KYLE – A classic decoration at fraternity houses and teenagers’ bedrooms, they are essential in helping us all get around. But like everything else, street signs don’t last forever.

The city of Kyle, however, is holding a unique sale that will give retired signs a new lease on life — an online auction to sell retired city street signs that have accumulated over the years, giving all a chance to own a little piece of Kyle this Holiday season.

Public Works Director Harper Wilder said that signs are returned to the public works department after they are retired or when streets are renamed.

Rather than sitting and gathering dust, Wilder said, “We’d rather them be offered to the public to own a small piece of Kyle.”

The online auction will open at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 16 and close at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.

STREET SIGN AUCTION, 10

Page 2

NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

Buda Zoom-a-Thon raises food, funds for Hays County Food Bank

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Buda Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC), in conjunction with the Hays County Food Bank, hosted its first Zoom-A-Thon on Dec. 5 to provide food for residents in need of aid this season.

“We have seen an increased need since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Eleanor Owen-Osham, executive director for Hays County Food Bank. “So that’s always a challenge to continue to serve the number of clients we had planned on and meeting increased need in the community.”

Every year there is need for food and monetary do-

To keep the donations flowing there are several things residents can do.

They can volunteer, purchase items and drop them off at HEB in Buda, mail a check or donate

nations, but this year there has been a larger need due to unemployment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a 12hour Zoom-A-Thon, there were more than $5,000 of monetary donations and more than 2,000 pounds of food. With the monetary donations, the food bank is able to purchase 20,000 meals. The fundraiser was so successful, the BACC will redo this event, but

be more to come next year.

Hatch also said he would like to expand the event and find even more fundraisers to add into the mix.

Since the event was put together by BACC and held in Buda, most of the donations will go toward it will plan the next one Buda residents, but not all, months ahead of time. especially since some do“I am thrilled beyond nations came from outside belief,” said John Hatch, of the city. chairman of the board for There were so many doBACC. “This thing came to- nations that Hays County gether in three weeks. It is Food Bank did not have definitely an event we will enough shelves to store all do every year. I will start of the donated items. This preparations in February.” is where the community While this 12-hour proved the impact of “a Zoom-A-Thon was little goes a long way.” deemed a success by BACC But throughout the and the Hays County Food Bank, Hatch said there will ZOOM-A-THON, 10

Foster kids need support amid pandemic

BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS – While the world may have fallen silent at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cry for help from children in foster care has increased.

“We already serve so many families in the margins,” said Susan Ramirez, founder of Austin Angels. “The pandemic has increased the amount of emergent requests and funding for families. A lot of our families need more support now more than ever so we’ve just been working overtime trying to fulfill needs and requests.”

More than 400,000 children are in the foster care system in the U.S., according to the Children’s Bureau, and more than 100,000 are waiting to be adopted. Local nonprofits, as well as caretakers, are working to provide the love

More than 400,000 children are in the foster care system in the U.S., according to the Children’s Bureau, and more than 100,000 are waiting to be adopted. Local nonprofits, as well as caretakers, are working to provide the love and support that every child deserves. and support that every child deserves. Members of local communities are encouraged now more than ever to contribute their time to help foster families, caretakers and children.

While some people may not understand what it takes to care for a child, a 40-year-old Kyle woman shares her advice with families who are looking to foster or adopt. This woman has asked to remain anonymous.

“Do it if they really mean

“Meeting the kids and families who are navigating this on a daily basis, we

FOSTER CHILDREN, 8

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CHRISTMAS DAY

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Foster Village started in 2016 by the Smith family who witnessed the needs of foster families firsthand and understands that it takes a village of support to make caring for a child happen. The Smiths became a licensed foster home in 2014 and then adopted their daughter who arrived at their home when she was only 8 months old.

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Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Just remember your neighbors in need and be grateful for what you have. If you are able to share, we appreciate you sharing with Hays County Food Bank.”

–Eleanor Owen-Osham, executive director for Hays County Food Bank. Story on page 2.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

EDITORIAL

Chip Roy: kiss our asterisk When pride comes, then comes disgrace.

– Proverbs, 11-2

A few days ago, President-elect Joe Biden said that, to lead us into a more hopeful spring, on “day one” he will sign an executive order to require masks everywhere he can.

Our local Republican Congressman Chip Roy took to Twitter with this reply to Biden: “on day one I will tell you to kiss my ass.”

Around the same time, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, in sore need of both legal tutoring and a pardon from the current White House inhabitant, was being handed his own posterior by the U.S. Supreme Court, having humiliated Texas, if not himself, with a laughably ludicrous lawsuit that sought to meddle in the election process of other states, thus cherry-picking a scoundrel’s victory of Donald Trump.

The Supreme Court, even with three fresh Trump appointees and a 6-3 majority of members appointed by Republicans, was having none of it. As with dozens of lesser courts in recent weeks, it found no merit in the claim that the election should be overturned.

Paxton failed in his case but may have succeeded if his goal was to interest Donald Trump in granting him a pardon for his own crimes, alleged by an impressive list of former aides, legal documents, oversight proceedings, and reported FBI investigations.

Paxton’s pseudo-suit before the court earned condemnation from conservative legal scholars, liberal academics, lawyers, editorial boards and election experts. It won the attention of the chairman of the Texas Republican Party, a recent émigré from Florida; when the Supreme Court swatted Paxton’s efforts away like debris on a windy day, the state party chair suggested that Texas and likeminded states should consider seceding from the Union.

The irony was not lost on some of his fellow Republicans. One congressman from Illinois tweeted that another Illinoisan, one nicknamed Honest Abe, had settled the secessions issue quite some time ago, with the help of a few corps of Union troops. It seems we should worry less about keeping confederate monuments in place and more about teaching Texas students – and adults – who actually won the Civil War, and what that means for us today.

If you are going to be a “strict Constitutionalist,” as many of Trump’s elite political leaders describe themselves, it is advisable to strive for an understanding of the Constitution. Hint: it frowns on advocating rebellion, the undermining of democratic elections, and the overthrow of the Constitution itself.

The Book Proverbs, like much of the Bible, has a good deal to say about “pride.” For the most part, it is a warning of the pride of hubris.

In various translations, this “pride” can be rendered as “arrogance” or even “corruption.” It is the pride of the vainglorious, who can neither abide defeat nor any check upon their power, sinners who have lost their sense of community and any belief in a higher purpose.

Our republic survives because a broad coalition of our fellow citizens – from Democrats to Republicans to independents – are willing to put country over party, public purpose over personal gain, and honor over cynicism. That’s also true of the tens of thousands of poll workers and local election administrators who overcame great odds in a pandemic to produce what every single reputable observer has determined was a fair, honest, accurate election.

No election is perfect, just as no democracy is perfect. But this one was fairer and truer than most, and the results were more lopsided than most in modern times: Biden won; Trump lost (losing the popular vote for the second time).

People like Roy and Paxton would have us believe that you’re either a Trump or a chump. You twist the rules to suit your own wants – because you’ve got power, because everybody does it – or else you’re a loser.

That’s not the country – or Texas – we believe in.

Here, at the local level, we’ve seen first-hand honorable people of both parties stand for self-sacrifice and for community. If those virtues are at low ebb on the national level now, we believe they will be back in fashion one day soon.

Joe Biden, with his stutter and his working-class roots in faith and community, his propensity for disarmingly honest statements, his belief in compromise and bi-partisanship, may be part of the answer. He is a flawed vessel, to be sure, as are we all.

But he is reaching out, across the aisle and across America, seeking to rally us against an insidious virus, or two: COVID and mistrust. He is doing it with civility and patience.

If we may disagree here and there, is it not time, after this most painful of years, to at least give him a chance?

To that point, Chip Roy may represent more than a third of us in this sprawling district that – symbolically – runs right down the middle of the county.

But for siding with disunion and incivility, for valuing an attention-getting tweet over problem solving in the midst of crisis, we say to you, Mr. Roy, you can kiss our asterisk. *You can do better. You just have to try.

NEWS TIPS

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CORRECTIONS

Page 3

Here’s a slice of honesty What does it mean to be the “(INSERT) Capital of Texas!”? Should a town have an abundance or an exaggerated affinity for said thing? Well, this week a motion was filed in the Texas House seeking to codify Kyle’s quest on becoming the “Pie Capital of Texas!” and I have to ask, why?

In order to be the capital of something I would imagine a place should be synonymous with that thing.

Think of Fredericksburg and peaches, or Poteet and strawberries. I don’t think that after mentioning Kyle, anyone gravitates their thinking toward pie. So I wonder, is this really the right road for us to venture down? Granted, we do in fact have a pie shop, one, on Center Street right in the

The Kyle File

by David Abdel

heart of downtown. The Texas Pie Company does also have a rather illustrious sign. The pie there is good.

But is it so good that we, as a town, should focus our entire identity around it? If I’m being honest, no.

To go along with the one pie shop, the city has created the “CertiPIEd” campaign for local businesses, where they are encouraged to support the pie capital moniker by incorporating a pie theme into their business in some fashion.

In the name of branding I

understand what is trying to be done, but I believe it is falling flat. Most neighbors I’ve spoken with have no idea the pie theme exists outside of the pie shop and some events, and cannot recall being recipients of any pie themed materials. Save for the pie shop, many don’t know of anything relating to pie in town. Now, heaven forbid the pie shop were to close ... what happens then?

How could we be the pie capital without an iconic pie shop? Imagine though if our downtown were redesigned to focus on the pie theme.

We could have three or four unique pie shops, all vying to be the “best in town” and we could create the “Pie Mile” where visitors come to earn the badge of honor having stopped at every one of our

renowned pie shops. Think of the Lockhart barbecue scene, only with pie. THAT would be worthy of being the “Pie Capital of Texas!”

I get that we’ve co-opted the Labor Day festivities into the pie theme, shoehorning the “Pie in the Sky” moniker in. We also have the Pi Day (different kind of pie but, ok) Proclamation. However, this trademark seems to generally be haphazardly applied and not truly embraced let alone recognized by most neighbors.

Ultimately though, I hope this bill passes. Why? I don’t want to end up devoting a single tax dollar to another rebranding effort. Let us become the “Pie Capital of Texas” knowing full well that the designation is all crust and no filling.

On vaccines, predictably, two lines form Sign me up; pump me up – that sweet, biotech nectar.

Anyone uneasy with it, step aside.

As my wife has remarked, oh, 10,000 times over the last nine quarantined months, the fact that many won’t take the shot for COVID-19 means a vaccine sooner for us so that our family can be one again.

With the approval of the first vaccine on our shores, two debates: (1) who should get it first; (2) why anyone should take it at all.

That so many say they’ll refuse vaccination is alarming. Just like all the other forms of dogged denial in this pandemic, it means extenuated suffering, more time before “normal” defines our lives.

We can see how this resistance is established. It’s embedded in Alexander Pope’s line, “A little bit of learning is a dangerous thing.”

Too many people have the means of finding, through Google or one’s chosen forum, just enough to affirm their suspicions.

In 1954 during the polio epidemic, when some people said we should trust herd immunity instead of a vaccine, a double-blind study of 1.8 million children came out with clear-cut results: Vaccinated, children dodged the disease. Unvaccinated, life and limbs were at risk.

I can’t imagine what grief and guilt visited parents who rolled the dice against those odds.

Whatever he might say today or tomorrow, Donald Trump was an early anti-vaxer – tweeting back in 2014 about vaccines and autism with the clinical

Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the pages of the Hays Free Press will be corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.

DEADLINES

Jared Polis for, I guess, ment calls. I want a vaccine, coddling criminals. but I want to see checkers (Republicans only coddle at the supermarket get it criminals who worked for first – meatpackers, K-12 Trump.) teachers, restaurant works,

by John Polis, a Democrat, quickanyone who works in a Young ly distanced himself from hospital and anyone who the guidelines. That was continues to punch a time discernment of one who unfortunate. With their vul- clock amid this pandemic. argues with fire hydrants. nerability to the virus and I want mine. You bet I do. I Today Trump is pro-vac- in our custody, of course want you to have yours, too. cine, apparently, except that we should vaccinate them Then we can all high-five he thinks “big Pharma” held promptly. They cannot – OK, elbow bump – some up good news for after his quarantine in their homes. bright morning in 2021. defeat at the polls.

As expected, other issues Unfortunately because of Know that he can conhave proved thorny, such the line some have drawn vince one-third of Amerias who else should be at the against vaccines, even cans about that very thing. front of the line. when we do it will be too This points to what outColorado firefighters soon to ditch the mask. going Republican Virginia have complained that the Congressman Denver Rigstate guidelines don’t have Longtime Texas newspagleman called a “contagion them in the same priority perman John Young now of disinformation” besetgroup as hospital workers, lives in Colorado. ting the nation. an egregious oversight. jyoungcolumn@gmail.com Trump will be ex-presiThese are crucial judgdent shortly, but he will continue to be royalty. Refer to him henceforth as Donald, Archduke of Dishonesty.

Barton Publications, Inc. It’s encouraging to see News tips: news@haysfreepress.com former presidents Obama, Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com Bush and Clinton volunteering to be vaccinated publicly. To conquer this 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 pandemic, we need role www.haysfreepress.com models, not a lame-duck 512-268-7862 president who refuses to admit he lost the election.

Publisher Production Manager While acknowledging Cyndy Slovak-Barton that, per normal, Americans David White are divided on vaccination, News Editor Production Assistant the other debate is over who Anita Miller Elizabeth Garcia should get vaccinated first.

Reporters In Colorado a tempest Office Manager was stirred when state Megan Wehring, Arlene Monroe health department guideSahar Chmais Circulation/Classifieds lines put prison inmates Columnists ahead of the general public David White, Bartee Haile, Pauline Tom, (but behind critical workers Arlene Monroe Clint Younts and nursing home resiDistribution dents) for vaccinations.

Proofreaders Kimberlee Griffon This gave Republicans, Jane Kirkham led by former attorney Marketing Director general candidate George Tracy Mack Brauchler, a cue to demagogically denounce Gov.

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Page 4

NEWS

Buda approves first look at 55-plus development

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

An active adult planned development is coming to the city of Buda, located on the corner of Main Street and Sequoyah Street on North Loop 4.

Motion to approve the development on first reading passed unanimously.

The Cantina Development proposes to build 76 small homes, up to 800 square feet per unit, for residents ages 55 and older. Rent prices for these homes range in the $2,000s and these homes will only be available for rent, not for purchase.

Homes in Cantina are designed with nature in mind, so their structure will have some woodwork and will include numerous windows to let more natural light into the home.

On this 6.5-acre land, Cantina Development will keep the “Great House,” which is currently the home on the property, as well as all of the trees.

The “Great House” will be transformed into an amenities area for residents to gather for activities. The exterior of the house will not be changed, but the interior will be redesigned.

Although Buda City

The Cantina Development proposes to build 76 small homes, up to 800 square feet per unit, for residents ages 55 and older.

Council passed the motion on first reading, council members will review revisions and will potentially have more questions during the next meeting.

Council had some concern about traffic and parking; Cantina will have a parking lot. As for traffic, Cantina does not expect its residents’ demographics to cause a large impact. Some examples provided to council include: residents living in these developments have fewer vehicles than single-family homes, residents also tend to go out less and usually avoid traveling during peak hours.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved this development nearly one month ago, but its members also had requested an updated traffic count at the intersection be included in the plat. The commission had also requested that Cantina’s on-site drainage features must be adequately shielded.

While the city is moving forward with plans for the

development, there is one neighbor to the property who opposed it.

John McCormick submitted two letters opposing the development, stating the potential risks it could bring.

“The proposed 76 living units on this small part of the original farm is inappropriate when you consider the 110 acres to the south was finished out as Sequoyah subdivision containing 120 homes,” McCormick wrote. “The tiny homes … are not placed on concrete foundations. They will be highly vulnerable to storm damage. The appearance of the homes will be unlike any of the surrounding area. Utilities will be provided by one water meter and one sewer tap from the city just as it is to the large apartment complexes.”

McCormick also stated that significant areas to the north-west are prone to flood.

Ultimately, staff approved this site development due to its economic productivity.

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

COVID-19 relief fund deadline for Hays County is December 22 HAYS COUNTY – Hays County Commissioners Court today further clarified the parameters of the Hays County COVID-19 Relief Program, which is being administered by Hays County and Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T). The deadline to apply is Dec. 22.

The goal of the program, originally approved Nov. 24, is to provide assistance for mortgage, rent, and utility payments to Hays County residents who can show COVID-related job loss, job reduction, or inability to work.

Grant applications will be evaluated based on need and awarded funds will range from $500 to $5,000.

Hays County Judge

THE ELIGIBILITY PARAMETERS ARE BELOW:

• Eligibility Period is March 1, 2020 through Dec. 30, 2020 • Applications must be received by Dec. 22, 2020 • No extensions will be granted beyond this period • Program Services will include mortgage/rent & utility assistance only • Financial caps for assistance are modified as follows • Monthly Assistance will not exceed a 90-day or three-month period • Number of family members per household will be determined by those living in the home as of March 1 Single Person Home: • $1,500 per month - Mortgage/Rent, $1,000 per month – Utilities Multi Family Home: • $2,400 per month - Mortgage/Rent, $1,000 per month – Utilities

Ruben Becerra said he believes this program will help many struggling families in Hays County.

“I urge residents who are experiencing financial

difficulties to apply for a grant,” he said.

Applications will be accepted until December 22, 2020 on the BR3T website.

Combined communications center for Hays County nearing reality

BY ANITA MILLER Discussion stopped short of an official opening of the county’s Combined Emergeny Communications Center (CECC), but much progess has been made toward that goal, Pre-

cinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said earlier this month.

Approved by voters in 2016 as part of the $237 million public safety bond, the CECC was originally intended to bring under one roof all emergency communica-

tions for all law enforcement agencies in the county. The San Marcos Police Department soon opted out and recently, Texas State University opted in. Currently, the CECC will house com-

CECC, 6

Design improvements coming to Mary Kyle Hartson Park

BY MEGAN WEHRING

KYLE — Downtown Kyle is expecting a facelift in the near future. The Kyle City Council was presented with a preliminary landscape design plan for Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park during its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The $93,700 design contract with Coleman & Associates was approved by the Kyle City Council on Nov. 4.

The improvements will be funded by the 2019 settlement agreement between the city of Kyle and the Permian Highway Pipeline, LLC, and Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline, LLC. The design plan was presented by Ann Coleman, founder of Coleman & Associates.

Proposed amenities include improved American Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, 20-foot-wide promenade, additional seating areas, picnic tables, low-profile playscape, educational rain garden and botanical garden.

The senior activity center, gazebo, fountain and historical benches/ picnic tables will remain on site; these features will be improved per the

Texas Historical Commission’s approval.

“I like the idea of the long space in the southeast quadrant next to the gazebo,” Council member Dex Ellison said. “It’s really unique.

One of the examples you gave showed the gazebo

and seating outside. We had a proposal in that square last year during the holiday season, so maybe we’ll get a wedding in there.”

Council member Robert Rizo said he is in favor of the proposed landscaping around the

fountain.

“It was just too big of a focal centerpiece there,” Rizo said.

“Adding the landscape around it is going to make it very beautiful. I think it’s going to make it a lot better.”

While the square

park does not offer any play-specific areas for children, Mayor Travis Mitchell said he hopes the proposed playscape will bring a more family-friendly environment.

“That’s a nice little low-profile way to have kids be doing something while mom and dad are walking around or having a meeting with friends,” Mitchell said.

“It keeps them engaged and helps them stay there longer, which invites families to come and stay longer.”

Mitchell also said he wants the public to be informed and involved

Buddy is a 4-year-old male Shepherd mix. This aptly named dog can make friends wherever he goes. Buddy absolutely loves people and can’t wait to rush up and hug everyone he meets.

He plays very well with other dogs and enjoys spending time romping in our play yards. He’ll make a great companion for someone.

in the process of these development projects, even if there may be disagreement at times.

“It’s a delicate path,” Mitchell said. “This council has tried to be proactive, understanding that moving the city forward and revitalizing downtown is something that many of us hold near and dear. But at the same time, we want to engage the city and make sure the city gets the opportunity to look at these projects firsthand.”

Kyle City Council and Coleman & Associates will work on ways to engage the public with the design proposal, allowing for community feedback. Council member Yvonne Flores-Cale said they would need to provide a virtual option to give every resident an opportunity to listen.

“I think it’s just going to be really hard to get residents involved all at one time,” Flores-Cale said. “If we truly value their feedback, giving them the ability to watch the video on their own time and reading their comments might be a little more helpful in developing this part of the city.”

Cupcake is a 3-year-old female Calico. She seems so out of place here at the shelter because she definitely belongs in a nice, warm home. Cupcake is a gentle soul that doesn’t seem to need to fight for affection. Instead, she waits patiently and is so grateful when someone comes along to show her love.

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

SCHOOL

Page 5

Quarterback Hill powers Hays past Rangers in bi-district playoff

BY SEAN ALLEN

the season in late August.

Hays got the jump early BUDA – For the first on and tallied 13 quick time in its 52 year history, points in the first frame Hays High football will get which began with a twoto experience the second yard touchdown run by Miweek of the postseason at chael Boudoin. After forcing the 6A level. a turnover on downs, senior A steady dose of quarquarterback Durand Hill terback Durand Hill, to the scored his first touchdown tune of 301 all-purpose of the night by tossing a 70yards, helped Hays cruise yard bomb to senior wide to a 38-7 bi-district playoff receiver Bryant Lewis. win over the Vista Ridge The Rangers respondRangers at Bob Shelton ed with their lone score Stadium. It was Hays’ first of the night on a 3-yard postseason win since the touchdown by sophomore 2013 season, when Hays running back Alex Berndlplayed at the 4A (now 5A) maier. The score was made ranks, and was the propossible by a roughing the gram’s first at the 6A level. kicker penalty on Hays Hays moves on to play during a Ranger field goal San Antonio Johnson in attempt, which allowed that the area round Friday at drive to continue.

7:30 p.m. at Bob Shelton But a 10-point Hays Stadium. blitz in the final three-plus Friday’s bi-district game minutes of the first half, was a rematch between highlighted by a 1-yard Hays and Vista Ridge; the touchdown run by senior Rangers won 62-35 to start running back Austin

Sanchez, pushed Hays to a 24-7 lead at halftime.

Hays broke through with 14 more unanswered points the rest of the way. Senior running back Josh Rodriguez began the barrage with a 51-yard touchdown run. Following a third quarter interception by Hays defensive back Will Agnew, Hill punched in an eight yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

Hays High head coach Les Goad pointed to winning the turnover battle as a factor in the win.

“I'm just so proud of that,” Goad said. “You know, offensively we protected the football, the first go around with them we gave them two turnovers, so it changed the complexity of the game.

But, tonight, we really focused on that and they did a great job.”

Meanwhile, Goad said

maintaining pace on offense from start to finish was critical.

“I think we scored basically every possession in the first half, either with a field goal or with a touchdown, and that was kind of big,” said Goad. “In the first drive of the second half when we came out, and we got the sack and we stopped them, you know we stopped them from scoring on that first drive the second half, I think that was when the momentum really continued with us.”

Lewis hauled in 2 catches for 92 yards and a score, with senior wide receiver William Agnew adding a reception of 14 yards.

Three running backs reached the end zone with Sanchez adding 9 carries for 41 yards. Boudoin PHOTO BY JAMES NIÑO had 7 carries for 46 yards with Rodriguez tallying 6 Quarterback Durand Hill tallied 301 yards in Friday’s game carries for 60 yards helping Hays cruise past Vista Ridge with a score of 38-7.

Late score lifts Tigers past Eagles in bi-district shootout STAFF REPORT GEORGETOWN – Facing a one-point fourth quarter deficit Saturday and needing a miracle, Dripping Springs Tiger prayers were answered in the form of wide receiver Garon Duncan.

An 11-yard touchdown pass hauled in by Duncan with 48 seconds left in the game, along with a Tiger defensive red zone stand in the final seconds, carried Dripping Springs to a heart-stopping 49-42 bi-district round win over the Georgetown Eagles at Birklebach Stadium.

Dripping Springs moves on to the area round where the Tigers face off against Manvel, ranked fifth in the 5A, Division I state poll, Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Merrill Green Stadium in Bryan.

Dripping Springs (9-3) built a 27-17 halftime lead on the shoulders of running back Preston Alford who tallied three of his five rushing scores in the first half. Alford

finished the game with 211 yards rushing on 32 total carries, along with 56 yards receiving on seven catches.

However, Georgetown’s prolific offense battled back and outscored the Tigers 21-7 in the third frame to tie the contest at 34-34 going into the final frame. The Eagle comeback was spearheaded by quarterback Darson Herman who threw for 295 yards on 16 of 25 passing with four touchdowns.

Dripping Springs responded with an 11yard touchdown run by Alford early in the fourth frame which gave the Tigers a 41-34 lead.

But Georgetown immediately countered with an 11-yard passing touchdown from Herman which, with a successful two-point conversion on a fake extra point, pushed the Eagles ahead at 42-41 with eight minutes left.

Enter the Tiger defense which stepped up and forced a Georgetown punt late in the fourth frame to give the

Dripping Springs an opportunity for a go-ahead score.

Tiger quarterback Austin Novosad didn’t waste the chance and guided the Tigers into the red zone, capped off with an 11-yard strike to Duncan on a slant route, placing the Tigers ahead 49-42 after a two-point conversion.

Dripping Springs’ defense stood firm one final time as the Eagles, who drove as far as the Tiger 12 yard line in the game’s final moments, couldn’t convert down the stretch.

Duncan finished with six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown while wide receiver Noah Lawyer had four receptions for 56 yards. Tiger wide receiver Cameron O’Banan finished with 107 all-purpose yards.

Dripping Springs kicker Coleman Chapman was a perfect 5 for 5 on extra points.

Altogether, Dripping Springs and Georgetown combined for 1,131 yards of total offense on 156 plays.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III/HAYS CISD

Hays High Marching Band is state bound

On Dec. 5, the Hays Band overcame dreary conditions to capture second place out of eight total bands performing at the UIL 6A Area D Marching Contest held at Bob Shelton Stadium.

Hays finished with a total of 10 points, which was second only to Area D champion San Antonio Johnson. As a result, Hays qualified to perform at 2:16 p.m. Dec. 15 at the UIL 6A state marching contest at the Alamodome in San Antonio. It will be Hays' first appearance at the state marching contest since 2009 when the program competed at the 4A (now 5A) level. The Hays Band’s Dec. 16 performance will be the program’s 8th all-time trip to state since the UIL began hosting Marching Band competitions in 1979. Hays is under the direction of John Rauschuber and their 2020 program is entitled “Moving Forward."

DSISD seeks name suggestions for newest elementary school STAFF REPORT

district. Current school names are Dripping DRIPPING SPRING Springs Elementary — In another illustra(DSE), Rooster Springs tion of the rapid growth Elementary (RSE), occurring in western Sycamore Springs EleHays County, Dripping mentary (SSE), Walnut Springs ISD’s fifth eleSprings Elementary mentary school is under (WSE), Dripping Springs construction on Darden Middle School (DSMS), Hill Road (near the Sycamore Springs Midintersection of Sawyer dle School (SSMS) and Ranch Road). The school Dripping Springs High will have the capacity School (DSHS). for 850 students and is Board policy states scheduled to open for that 1) District facilities the 2021-22 school year; may be named for local construction currently residential areas, local is on schedule and on geographic features, or budget. Work on devellocal, state, or national oping attendance zones landmarks; and 2) Diswill begin in January. trict facilities shall not Currently, a combe named for persons, mittee is working on living or deceased. developing a recomWhile it is not necesmendation of a school sary to choose a name name. The committee from this list, the followwill recommend three ing are actual existing names for the DSISD springs in or near district Board of Trustees to con- boundaries as a point of sider, which tentatively is reference (those that are scheduled for the Jan. 25 outside of, but close to, board meeting. district boundaries are Community input is marked with an asterisk an important part of the (*). Survey respondents school naming process. may choose a name from A Google form is now the list or suggest one of available for all staketheir own. holders to share their · Bell Springs suggestions about the name of the school. · Belterra Springs Currently all Dripping · Boiling Springs Springs ISD schools are · Capt Springs named after existing · Cave Springs natural springs in the

· · · · · · · · ·

Cherry Springs Cypress Springs* Emerald Springs Jack Springs Kirby Springs Lloyd Spring* Milk House Springs Pfluger/Gay Spring* Rogers/Camp Ben McCullough Spring* · Spillar Ranch Spring* · West Cave Springs · Wildwood Springs

The submission period will close on Dec. 31, 2020. The committee will consider the input in developing its recommendation.

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Page 6

HISTORY/NEWS

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

Main Street murder in East Texas A simmering East Texas feud boiled over into bloodshed on Dec. 15, 1951, when Hunter Bergman shot his sister’s ex-husband to death on the main street of Corrigan.

Forty-three year old Dudley Veal heard someone call his name and turned to see who it was.

His former brother-in-law fired once from a distance of ten feet, and the bullet tore through Veal’s chest killing him instantly.

Bergman, 55, calmly handed the smoking .32-caliber rifle to a dumbfounded deputy, climbed back in his truck and drove to Livingston, the Polk County seat, where he surrendered to authorities.

Forty-five days later on Jan. 29, 1952, the sensational murder trial with its infamous cast of characters began in the same town 75 miles north of Houston. The Bergmans and the Veals, two prominent pioneer families, sat stonefaced on opposite sides of the courtroom exchanging neither a word nor a glance.

As soon as District Attorney J.W. Simpson heard that Zemmie Foreman, brother of famed criminal attorney Percy, was in

The prosecution opened with its star witness, high Texas school student Gwendyln Hudson who watched History the whole thing from the

by Bartee Haile furniture store where she worked part-time. The teenager testified she charge of the defense, he waved to Veal, as he exited called in reinforcements. the bank next door.

Two “big city” lawyers from Then Hudson saw the Lufkin accepted his invidefendant walking across tation to serve as special the street carrying a rifle. prosecutors.

“He was raising his gun,” The selection of the jury she recounted for the jury took nine tedious days. In and the 400 spectators that the sparsely settled county packed the courtroom. of 16,000 it was hard to find “Mr. Veal turned and startqualified candidates not ed back. Just as he did, Mr. on speaking terms with Bergman fired.” the accused or the victim The schoolgirl continued and who had not formed the narration describing a hard-and-fast opinion how the mortally wounded about the case. When the Veal collapsed on the sidetwelfth juror finally took his walk in front of the furniseat, only 20 members of ture store and was dragged the original 160-man pool inside by her manager. Five were left. minutes later, the local Zemmie Foreman made mortician pronounced Veal it clear from the outset dead. that he would not dispute Responding to questions the most incriminating from the district attorney, fact. There was no denyHudson said with certainty ing his client took Dudley that the victim made no Veal’s life, but the attorney threatening move whatsoclaimed Hunter Bergman ever toward his attacker. committed the act in She added that the only self-defense. And, taking a weapon found on Veal’s page out of brother Percy’s body was a pocketknife playbook, Foreman intend- with a four-inch blade. ed to show the dead man Not wanting to spend had it coming. anymore time on the

open-and-shut case, the prosecution rested before lunch after calling just six witnesses.

The defense countered with Elna Veal, Hunter Bergman’s 44-year-old “baby sister,” who told a long and tearful tale of marital woe. She swore that her abusive ex-husband had threatened her life and the life of her protective brother “many times in the last 15 years.”

A second former brother-in-law repeated another alleged death threat from the witness stand. During a visit to the Veal home a year before the murder, he testified Dudley, while sitting in a chair toying with a pistol, announced, “I’m going to kill that (expletive deleted) Hunter Bergman!”

The jury heard from Bergman himself, who contended under oath that he fired the fatal shot because he believed Veal was reaching for a gun. He blamed his trigger-happiness on a botched bushwhacking the previous day by his estranged in-law but provided only a photo of a bullet hole in his pickup as proof of the ambush.

The most dramatic moment of the 29-day trial, longest in Texas history

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Continued from pg. 4 disaster like the floods of 2015 and the day-to-day emergency situations.

County Judge Ruben Becerra gave the example of an individual needing assistance within a municipality, and that jurisdiction’s officers are a distance away — while at the same time, someone from the county was only blocks away. CECC dispatchers would be able to see all available resources and their locations in order to provide quicker assistance wherever it might be needed.

“United” is a key word, Becerra said. “The more we unite the stronger we become.”

“It really has taken all of you working together,” Shell agreed.

Shell said the county fire marshal and others housed on Yarrington Road have already been moved in and other agencies will be doing so later this month. “The building is finished,” he said, with just technology tweaks remaining.

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munications for the Kyle, Texas State University and Buda police departments, the Kyle, North Hays, Buda, and South Hays fire departments, and the Wimberley, San Marcos and Buda EMS departments, and the Hays County Emergency Services Department.

“We’ve been working on this for a very long time,” Shell said, including various personnel on site training in a mock communications center.

“They’ve been learning the system for close to a year,” he said, with dispatchers from Kyle coming to the site on Stagecoach Road in San Marcos outside of their regular working hours.

“They’ve been working with us to make sure when we go live, we’re all on the same page,” which Shell said was an extraordinary effort given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s been challenging but it’s going to pay off.”

The CECC has advantages both during times of

to abide by the results of the unorthodox poll and forfeited his right to give the final summation.

The jury was home in time for dinner after deliberating only an hour and a half. The bailiff, whose nickname was Dynamite, read the two-word verdict: “Not guilty.”

As one side of the courtroom celebrated and the other wept, an elderly spectator had the last word.

“Well,” she observed, “it will take a full generation and more of Bergmans and Veals to heal this breach!”

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Hays County Commissioners made a number of appointments and reappointments to various boards and commissions during their Dec. meeting, Their Dec. 15 meeting has been canceled, and they will not meet Dec. 29.

The actions included: • Reappointment of Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Number 5 (Downtown) Board of Directors for a two-year term expiring on Dec. 31, 2022.

• Appointment of Joshua Harper to serve on Emergency Services District #2, two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2022.

• Reappointment of Stacy Morgan to serve on Emergency Services District #2, a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2022.

• Reappointments of Paul Kaskie, Scott Stevens and Jim Weatherford to serve on Emergency Services District #8, two-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2022.

• Reappointments of

Susan Meckel and Eric Holen to serve on Emergency Services District #5, two-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2022.

Reappointment of James Holt to the Plum Creek Conservation District for a four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2024.

Reappointments of Jerry Borcherding, director of Transportation, as the primary voting member on the Technical Advisory Committee of CAMPO, and Tim Van de Vorde, assistant transportation superintendent, as the alternate voting member.

Appointment of John Nett, city of Buda Engineer and Floodplain Administrator as the primary voting member on the Technical Advisory Committee of CAMPO, and appointment of Chad Gilpin, city of Dripping Springs Engineer, as the alternate voting member.

Reappointments of Dennis Lane and Robert Luddy to the Board of Hays County Emergency Services District #1, terms ending Dec., 2022.

up until that time, came when Dudley Veal, Jr. contradicted his mother on every important point. On cross-examination one of his uncle’s lawyers shouted, “You got up on that stand and branded your mother a liar! She who gave birth to you and your sister! You should have more respect for her!”

Four hours into the six set aside by the judge for closing arguments, Zemmie Foreman pulled a fast one. He suddenly turned to the tired jurors and asked for a show-of-hands. If they felt they had heard enough, he would sit down and shut up.

All 12 raised their hands, and Foreman took his seat. Taken by surprise and afraid to antagonize the jury, the D.A. agreed

See solution on page 7

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

COMMUNITY

Page 7

OBITUARIES JONES Norma Jean Watson Jones died on December 8, 2020.

Norma was born Nov. 9, 1930 in Driftwood and was the 4th of eight children born to Henry (Ovie) and Emma Mae Watson.

She graduated from Buda High School after attending the Driftwood school through the 8th grade. The annual Camp Ben Reunion was anticipated every year and was where Norma met the love of her life, Allan Jones. She and Allan raised three children in Corpus Christi where they made a home after living at different times in Austin and San Antonio. Norma worked for many years in retail but being a wife and a mother was what she really loved. Many happy summers were spent camping along Cypress Creek at Blue Hole in Wimberley as well as the Camp Ben McCullough Reunion in Driftwood.

Norma’s favorite activities included gardening, spending time with family and friends and especially attending the Hill Country Senior Activity Center where she spent time volunteering at the Thrift Shop. She was a long-time member of Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. Norma is preceded in death by her parents Henry Ovelton (Ovie) and Emma Mae Watson, son Charles Ronald, brothers Billy Ray Watson, James Truett Watson, George O. Watson and sisters Juanita Massey and Clara Nell Brumley. Survivors include brother Bobby (Sue) Watson, sister Mary Jo (Leroy) Fischer, children Leonard (Mary Lou) Jones, Theresa Berry and Cheryl (Ken) Fair, grandchildren W. Allan Jones, Richard Brown, Jimmy Brown, Jason Berry, David Dill, Jessica Lieck, Marcus Lieck, Bryan Fair and Kevin

Fair as well as ten greatgrandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Dec. 12 at the Dripping Springs United Methodist Church. Burial followed at Phillips Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to www. harrellfuneralhomes. com.

MARTIN Stanley Duane Martin died peacefully on December 12, 2020 at the age of 77.

His friends called him Stan. His family called him Duane.

Everyone called him one-of-a-kind. He was a constant jokester, a truly funny guy who could keep an entire room laughing. He was a deep thinker who questioned the status quo. And he was a highly intelligent problem-solver, wildly creative and curious, with the mind of an engineer and the heart of an artist.

If he couldn’t find a solution, he invented one.

The result was an odd but helpful assortment of tools and devices that no one knew they needed but always got the job done better.

He grew up in Bossier City, Louisiana. Like his father, uncles and brother before him, he proudly served in the United States Air Force and was a Vietnam veteran.

After the military, he was employed at TWA for more than 20 years as an aircraft mechanic, specializing in auto-pilot repair. He lived for several years in the Los Angeles area and would visit his family every Thanksgiving in Shreveport. After his daughters were born, he transferred to Kansas City and retired in Weston, Missouri. In his golden years, he moved to Buda and enjoyed retired life at Creekside Villas Senior Village.

In his younger days, he was an avid tennis player. He had a lifelong passion for aviation and

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enjoyed building and flying model airplanes, as well as attending air shows and just watching planes in general. He loved everything about the sky. He also enjoyed the theater and watching productions at the Wimberley Playhouse.

He overcame many struggles and was proud of achieving 30+ years of sobriety.

He is survived by his twin daughters who he adored – Jennifer Martin Ryan and Joyce Martin, son-in-law Kyle Ryan, two grandchildren Will and Jack, two sisters Marilyn Martin Hudson and Nancy Martin, nephew Jon Martin and niece Anne Pratt, who thought he was one of the coolest guys in the world.

Stanley Duane will be cremated with ashes laid to rest in San Marcos.

A service will be held later in the spring after his family recovers from COVID. Inquiries can be sent to Marilyn Martin Hudson, 4063 Mather, Kyle, TX 78640 He was greatly loved.

He will be greatly missed.

SCHMIDT Helen Schmidt was born in Maxwell, Texas (on a blackland farm between Uhland and Maxwell) on June 6, 1925. Her parents were John August and Henrietta Wink Siemering.

She grew up during the depression days of this country that led into World War II. At home, they baked bread every

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Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

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Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle

BAPTIST

Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

EPISCOPAL

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626 Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W. CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Texas Crossword, from page 6

grandson Junior Schmidli, father and mother-inlaw Robert (Opa) and Telka Koehler (Oma) Schmidt, brothers Johnny (Dale) and Robert (Lillian) Siemering, sister Doris (Tommy) Colgin, brothers–in–law Joe (Eleanor) and Nonnie (Ann) Schmidt, sisters–in– law Vera Schuenemann (Hilbert) and Meta Scott (Robert).

Graveside services were held Dec. 13 at the Lockhart City Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Tommy, Willie and James Colgin and John, Robert and Mike Siemering.

Thanks to all her friends (including Becky Beck, David Lopez, Nathan Morris and many, many others), caregivers (Angie, Donna and Caitlin) and relatives , all of whom made her life special.

Love, Faith and Charity (Love) that’s the way life’s meant to be, and the greatest of these is love.

Remember, the Bible says “To be absent from this body is to be with The Lord.”

Officiating the services was Robert Wilhite of Creedmoor and, in absentia, Roy Thoene of Tyler.

Arrangements under the direction of McCurdy Funeral Home of Lockhart.

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then bought the Perry home in 1954, where she has resided ever since.

She loved country music and they would go dancing at Dessau Hall, The Skyline, Club 21 in Uhland and other places with friends. They went 9 pin bowling at Rogers Ranch, again with their many friends. Las Vegas had the same allure to them and their friends, they loved Las Vegas.

She had three brothers and one sister – Johnny Siemering (Dale), Robert Siemering (Lillian), Doris Colgin (Tommy), Jimmy Siemering (Barbara) – Jimmy and Barbara reside near Uhland.

Her children are Jimmy (Brenda – deceased), Bobby (Sue Wilhite), Janet – deceased, and Geraldine (Corkey Hass).

She had nine grandchildren – Shane Schmidt ( Melissa ), Shelley Nelson (Mike), Chris Spurgeon, Sonny Schmidt (Wendy), Emily Kimbrell (James – deceased), Bud Boehnke (Cristie), Jamie Schmidt (Lisa), Joey Schmidli (Amanda) and Tommy Schmidt (Ashley).

She also has thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-greatgrandchildren.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband Rabbit,

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Sudoku Puzzle, from page 6

day, separated the cream from the milk to make butter, butchered their own hogs and cattle, made their own sausage and lye soap – all those fun things to do on a farm. It is reported that she even tried to milk a cow once but had to relinquish those duties to one of the brothers. Ever been hit in the head by a swishing cow’s tail full of cockleburs?

She and her family were members of Ebenezer Lutheran Church of Maxwell. She attended school in Maxwell but graduated from Lockhart High School when the Maxwell District was consolidated with Lockhart. She played on the girls basketball team while in school.

Later in life she attended St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin and Niederwald United Church of Christ while living in Creedmoor.

After graduation from high school, she went to Brenham to attend business school also working at the Ration Board for awhile. She and a friend then went to Orange at the Naval Base Shipyards supporting the war effort.

Not finding a suitable place to live, she went back home and moved to Austin, getting a job at Fulmore Junior High.

Not having a job in the summertime, she went to work at Yarings, then took a civil service exam and she went to work for the Labor Dept.

She married Rabbit Schmidt on Feb. 23, 1946 and they had a home built on Avenue G. In 1952 they moved to Creedmoor on the Ed Steussey place and

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Page 8

NEWS

Parkland

Foster Children

Continued from pg. 1 Drippings Springs Parks & Community Services Director, “through the contemplated Use Agreement, the Capital Area Boy Scouts will be able to provide seasonal Boy Scout programs for generations to come.

It’s exciting to think about the many community connections and improved quality of life experiences the park will serve as a catalyst for.”

Others have also reached out with letters of support, including the Dripping Springs Independent School District, Destination Dripping Springs and Hays County Master Naturalist organizations.

Before the park is open to the public, Dripping Springs will create a plan to protect the land and make sure it is meeting the highest standards. There are four guiding principles the city will work from: • To protect and improve water quality, including efforts to keep the two creeks

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

Continued from pg. 2 pristine as possible.

• To create a nature education program, putting up informational signage throughout the park and having an educational center on site.

• To make a conservation plan for longterm land management for the protection of nature.

• To create responsible outdoor recreation for unobtrusive trails, gathering spaces, camping sites and more.

It will take two to four years to develop the master plan and complete the Rathgeber Natural Resource park. The city expects to receive partial funding from the Hays County Parks and Open Spaces $75 million bond, which was approved in the last election.

“I’m extremely pleased with the plans that the city of Dripping Springs has for the park because it is about as close to nature as you can get,” Rathgeber said.

know it’s going to take the whole community to help break these generational cycles of adversity and that it’s an all hands on deck need,” said Chrystal Smith, founder of Foster Village.

Families receive basic necessities within 24 hours when a child is placed in their care, Smith explained. Foster Village keeps these items stocked at their resource centers in Dripping Springs and north Austin.

Smith also said they try to focus more on providing essential items for Christmas, since most community donations revolve around children’s toys.

“There is an overabundance of toys,” Smith said.

“We focus on making sure they have new things like pajamas and the basic necessities for the kids that are entering foster care.”

There has been a “perfect storm” of pressure on the foster care system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith said. Foster Village has received an influx of children who are staying at the Dripping Springs resource center while waiting to be placed in homes.

There has been a “perfect storm” of pressure on the foster care system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith said. Foster Village has received an influx of children who are staying at the Dripping Springs resource center while waiting to be placed in homes.

“It’s a home-like environment that we’ve set up as an alternative to those kids sleeping in a CPS office,” Smith said. “So this year, it has served as a haven for those kids to have a more dignified place to stay other than the sterile CPS office.”

Smith encouraged more people to consider becoming a foster family while also looking at placing the needs of a child over themselves.

“There’s the greatest need for folks who are able to care for sibling groups and teenage groups,” Smith said. “A willingness to put the priority of kids ahead of our own desires to grow our families. The goal of foster care is reunifications so sometimes

at Austin Angels continue to abide by the mission: walk alongside children in the foster care system, as well as their caretakers, by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.

“I believe that every single child should have the opportunity to rise and reach their fullest potential,” Ramirez said. “The that means caring for kids statistics and the heartfor a short period of time.” breaking stories that come Austin Angels started out of foster care, I just in 2010 when Ramirez atbelieve we as a community tended a conference called can do better than that. I “Together for Adoption.” wanted to develop a proWhile she was encourgram that would change aged by a client to go to a children and family lives.” presentation about foster While not every person care, Ramirez was initially is called to foster or adopt, uninterested since she did Ramirez encouraged not feel called to foster, the community to get but she attended anyway. involved in donations or When she left the conferany of the Austin Angels ence, Ramirez turned her programs. The Love Box focus to meeting the needs program, requiring a of children in foster care one-year commitment, and their caretakers. matches volunteers with “Not everyone is called a foster family based on to foster and not everycompatibility and needs. one is called to adopt,” Dare to Dream, requiring a Ramirez said. “But anyone one-year commitment and can make a difference in a bi-monthly visits, offers child’s life.” an opportunity to serve an With 10 years under its aged-out or at-risk youth belt, Ramirez and her team in foster care.

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Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code hereby gives notice of public sale under said act to wit: This sale will be held January 4, 2021 at 2:30 PM on StorageAuction. com. The property in the storage unit(s) listed under tenant’s name is being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien.

The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/ CREDIT. Safe-n-Sound Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid or to cancel any public sale advertised.

Announcement made the day of the sale takes precedence over any printed materials.

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

On October 2, 2020, Robert E. McGrath was appointed to serve as Independent Administrator with Will Annexed without requirement of bond or other security of the Will and Estate of Mark McGrath, Deceased, in Cause No. 20-0270-P, pending in the County Court-at-Law, Court No. 2 of Hays County, Texas.

The address of Independent Administrator with Will Annexed is c/o Andrew C. Friedmann, Attorney & Counselor at Law, 4408 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759, and all persons having claims against this estate are required to present them to such address in the manner and time required by law.

CITATION BY PUBLICATION

To all persons interested in the Estate of Fidel Vasquez Sr., Deceased, Cause No. 20-0253-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas.

The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION TO DETERMINE HEIRSHlP AND FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR in this estate on the 14th day of August, 2020, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Fidel Vasquez Sr., Deceased, and their respective shares and interests in such estate.

The Court may act on this Application at any call of the docket on or after 10:00 A.M., on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days, exclusive of the day of Publication, from the date this citation is published, at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, Texas.

All persons interested in this case are cited to appear before this Honorable Court by filing a written contest or answer to this Application should they desire to do so.

To ensure its consideration, you or your attorney must file any objection, intervention, or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays County, Texas on or before the abovenoted date and time.

Applicant’s Attorney: David Morris 1921 Corporate Drive, Suite 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-396-7525 Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at the office of the Hays County Clerk in San Marcos, Texas on this the 4th day of December, 2020.

Elaine H. Cardenas County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666

By Jennifer Grantham, Deputy

CITATION BY PUBLICATION To all persons interested in the Estate of Dora L. Vasquez, Deceased, Cause No. 20-0252-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas.

The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION TO DETERMINE HEIRSHIP AND FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR in this estate on the 14th day of August, 2020, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Dora L. Vasquez, Deceased, and their respective shares and interests in such estate.

The Court may act on this Application at any call of the docket on or after 10:00 A.M., on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days, exclusive of the day of Publication, from the date this citation is published, at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, Texas.

All persons interested in this case are cited to appear before this Honorable Court by filing a written contest or answer to this Application should they desire to do so.

To ensure its consideration, you or your attorney must file any objection, intervention, or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays County, Texas on or before the abovenoted date and time.

Applicant’s Attorney: David Morris 1921 Corporate Drive, Suite 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-396- 7525 Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at the office of the Hays County Clerk in San Marcos, Texas on this the 4th day of December, 2020 Elaine H. Cardenas County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666

By Jennifer Grantham, Deputy

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien. Sale to be held Online at Storagetreasures.com by competitive bid.

Anytime Storage, LLC 2401 Windy Hill Rd. Kyle, TX 78640 Will be ending on or after January 5, 2021 at 11 AM. Cleanup deposit is required.

Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale.

The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/ CREDIT. Unit items sold for cash to the highest bidder. All Units have some miscellaneous household items, boxes, furniture. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenant.

5004-ANTHONY FALLON - shoes, art, electronics

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Barry Thomas Stephens were issued on November 16, 2020, in Cause No. 20-0285-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to Robert E. Stephens. All persons having claims against the estate, which is presently being administered, are required to submit them, within the time and manner prescribed by law, and before the estate is closed, addressed as follows: Robert E. Stephens, Independent Executor c/o Fay Cliett Gillham,

Attorney at Law 516 West Hopkins Street, Suite A San Marcos, Texas 78666 Dated November 16, 2020 /s/: Fay Cliett Gillham Fay Cliett Gillham, State Bar No. 04382170 516 West Hopkins Street, Suite A San Marcos, Texas 78666 Telephone: (512) 3923300 Fax: (512) 392-3334 E-mail: faygillham@austin. rr.com Attorney for Linden C. Penland

LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit with a Food and Beverage Certificate by CBOCS Texas LLC d/b/a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store #228 located at 4321 S IH 35, San Marcos, Hays County, TX 78666. Officers and Manager of said limited liability company are Jeffrey M. Wilson, President/ Treasurer/Manager and Richard M. Wolfson, Secretary

LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit with a Food and Beverage Certificate by CBOCS Texas LLC d/b/a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store #595 located at 550 Old San Antonio Rd, Buda, Hays County, TX 78610. Officers and Manager of said limited liability company are Jeffrey M. Wilson, President/ Treasurer/Manager and Richard M. Wolfson, Secretary.

NOTICE OF SALE Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code hereby gives notice of public sale under said act to wit: This sale will be held December 28, 2020 at 2:30 PM on StorageAuction.com. The property in the storage unit(s) listed under tenant’s name is being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien.

The property contents of all storage unit(s) sold at this sale are purchased “as is” “where is” for CASH/ CREDIT. Safe-n-Sound Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid or to cancel any public sale advertised.

Announcement made the day of the sale takes precedence over any printed materials.

VICTOR MEDEL – 10X10 CC – 4 New Tires R285 17", 2 Suitcases, 1 Queen Bed Frame

PUBLIC SALE Morningstar Storage wishes to avail themselves of the Texas Provision of chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code by conducting a Public Sale to the highest bidder for cash on their premises.

This sale is listed below.

The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time.

Date: 12/23/2020 Time: 12:00 AM Location: Storage Auctions.com Unit: 2009 – Brittany Nevarez – ice box, antlers, washer, dryer, jewelry box, bed , AC, tools, Boxes, totes, household decor Unit: A109 Jennifer Cantu – Baby bed, dining table, boxes, totes, Whirlpool dryer, glider rocker, Sylvania TV/HVS combo, bags, clothes Unit: 3087 Ð Lori PerezShoes, Mirror, large trunk, 2 guitars, 2 easels, paintings, household décor, vacuums, toys, exercise machine, totes, boxes, wine rack.

Unit 3030 Deanna Carranza – small ladder, full, pool ladder, furniture, clothes, books, skis, outdoor furniture, boxes, totes, power washer Unit: 3034 Deanna Carranza - ladder, exercise machine, futon, drums, totes, household décor, chest, toys, patio table, bike, boxes, pictures.

Page10

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • December 16, 2020

Glimmers of hope twinkle in Mountain City neighborhood

BY SAHAR CHMAIS MOUNTAIN CITY – Settled in the quaint town of Mountain City are homes decorated from top to bottom for Christmas.

This tradition is not only for residents, but also tourists who drive through the brilliant lights to capture the magic. It has even helped restore joy for a family that recently moved to Kyle who felt like the Christmas spirit was lost.

Cynthia Norris and her husband moved to Kyle from Houston in 2013. In Houston, Norris’s family would visit the city’s grand light displays in various neighborhoods. This was their family tradition and with Mountain City’s displays, they found a new one.

“We moved in October of 2013,” Norris said, “and when Christmas rolled around, I was feeling especially homesick for our traditional Christmas outing to see some beautiful lights. I’m not sure if we were told, or stumbled upon it by accident, but when we found the lights of Mountain City, I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace that we were in the place God wanted us to be. We go every year now, and take everyone who visits us to see the beautiful displays at Mountain City.”

Neighbors across Mountain City decorate their yards and homes to give joy and delight to neighbors and passersby.

And for many, the lights are part of celebrating the birth of Jesus, explained Pauline Tom, coordinator for the Recognition for Loving Mountain City Christmas Décor. Getting decorations up is not only a treat for the eyes, but residents also feel vested in going out to the yard and creating that Christmas magic.

Resident decorations for the recognition are finished by the second weekend after Thanksgiving and votes for the

PHOTOS BY SAHAR CHMAIS

Turn on to Buda’s Trail of Lights

The 12th Annual Trail of Lights Drive-Thru Event will continue Dec. 17-20, 6 to 10 p.m. at Historic Stagecoach Park located at 880 Main Street in Buda. The event is free.

Street Sign Auction Continued from pg. 1

PHOTO BY PAULINE TOM

decorations are cast by the season is free from the third Sunday after Thanks- cares of decorating which giving. When votes are in, gives more time to spend with friends and family.” people are awarded yard Cass, who is ready signs for “best” category. before Thanksgiving has Some categories outdone himself again. include: people’s favorite, Last sumCHRISTmer, Cass mas, color, suffered “...when we creativity, workshop found the lights aofseries strokes for craftsand was of Mountain manship, still able Santa, City, I felt an to get his elegance 2020 disoverwhelming and more. ready People feeling of peace play in early are so November. that we were in invested He was in this the place God able to get tradition 95% of his wanted us to that there is one be. We go every decorations up neighbor, and he year now, and 86-yearhad his old Val take everyone wife’s morCass, who who visits us to al support, starts stringing see the beautiful instructions and lights in did not displays at October, use any Tom said.

Mountain City.” ladders.

The goal Alis to have –Cynthia Norris, though decoKyle resident Cass and rations all other up by participants are sticking Thanksgiving weekend. to tradition as much as “For those who have possible, COVID-19 has most of their Christmas décor in place by Thanks- made a few changes for their plans. giving Weekend,” Tom This year, there will not said, “the entire holiday

be a “kid’s favorite” award because the Santa Party has been cancelled with “Tour de Lights.”

The other change onset

by COVID-19 was early decorations – as early as the spring. In an effort to lift people’s spirit during these difficult days, people across the nation began putting up lights months before the holiday season.

Mayor Ralph McClendon’s wife, Marcia McClendon, read about this spirit-lifting idea and decided to bring it to life in the McClendon home.

The couple put out a large cutout of the word “joy”, written in red. The “o,” painted white, has Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph, from their Christmas display.

This message has been displayed to passersby for seven months.

It is this message that Mountain City has been portraying and continues to standby, even during the past year of grievances.

“The light displays are a gift of love for all who drive past,” Tom told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. “Some come in vans. Some drive past night after night. We’ve seen hayrides.”

The auction will be held online at https://bit.ly/ kylestreetsigns. The minimum bid will be $30 for each sign.

Auction items can be seen online, but to place a bid, participants need to create an account with credit card information.

Bids can be placed at any time on the website. When the auction closes, the highest bidder on an item

Drought

Continued from pg. 1 Noncompliant permittees will be notified of their overpumpage and level of noncompliance.

The notice will include a drought management fee amount if a fee is assessed without an equivalent credit.

Staff generates a list of noncompliance permittees based on permitted volume and percentage over-pumped: Tier One permitted pumpage is less than 12,000,000 gallons per year, Tier Two is between 12,000,000 and 120,000,000 gallons, and Tier Three is 120,000,000 gallons.

Escobar told the district board that they would continue monitoring non-compliance numbers as the drought months continue. Aqua Texas, city of Buda and city of Creedmoor are among the Tier Two and Tier Three permittees that have gone over their target.

“I think that’s just an adjustment,” Escobar said. “I think their systems really do need to rely to the full extent on their permits so they’re trying to stay as close to their target as possible. But I think we will see some adjustments there.”

HAVING VISION PROBLEMS? IT COULD BE CATARACTS

SPECIALIZING IN:

Zoom-A-Thon Continued from pg. 2

Zoom-A-Thon, there were two standout moments.

The chamber and food bank settled on a $5,000 goal to reach. The hour was getting late and they were short by $180. The American Legion Riders were standing near when they heard that the goal was so close to being met, so they wrote out a $200 check at the 11th hour to help the community.

Hatch was also shocked by a passerby’s donation. Earlier in the afternoon, a gentleman came up to the tent and

will be charged automatically. Items that require shipping will be charged separately for shipping.

Local pick up will be on Monday, Dec. 21 and Tuesday, Dec. 22 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. or by appointment at Kyle City Hall, 100 W. Center Street. All signs not purchased during the auction will be listed on the Kyle Style Online Store.

asked what type of food he could donate, then he left. An hour later, Hatch recalled, the same gentleman came back from a trip to the store with six or seven big cardboard boxes filled with food.

“I said, sir, I didn’t mean to buy the whole store out,” Hatch told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. “He was just on his own and did this on a whim.” Hatch said this act shows the kindness of Buda.

Having these donations did come at a great

time, but there is more work to be done. Usually the Hays Food Bank sees most of its donations during the holiday season, yet the food bank needs donations year round.

“Summer is always a very difficult time,” said Owen-Osham. “People are worried about where kids will be after school or focused on vacation.

Food insecurity is going on 24/7. We don’t know numbers yet, but food insecurity has increased undoubtedly in Hays.

We have seen stimulus money running out.”

To keep the donations flowing, Owen-Osham said there are several things residents can do. They can volunteer, purchase items and drop them off at HEB in Buda, mail a check or donate through the website.

“Just remember your neighbors in need and be grateful for what you have,” Owen-Osham said. “If you are able to share, we appreciate you sharing with Hays County Food Bank.”

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Hearing & Balance Evaluation Chronic Ear Infections Dizziness & Vertigo Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) Ruptured Ear Drum

Thyroid & Parathyroid

Ultrasound & Needle Biopsy Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery

Allergy

Comprehensive Allergy Testing Allergy Shots & Drops

KYLE

Children’s ENT

Ear Tube Placement Tonsil & Adenoid Surgery Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery

Nose & Sinus

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery In-office Balloon Sinuplasty

Diagnostic Hearing Tests

Comprehensive Hearing Exams Immittance Testing OAE, VNG and VRA Testing Brian Schwab, M.D.

Throat, Head & Neck

Sleep Apnea Hoarseness/Vocal Cord Dysfunction

TWO LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA

1180 Seton Parkway Suite 420 Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-5282

Hearing Aid Sales, Programming Fittings, Cleanings & Repairs Earmolds & Custom Ear Plugs Hearing Protection

Mark Dammert, M.D.

Michael Yium, M.D.

LOCKHART

1005 W. San Antonio #A Lockhart, TX 78644 (512) 444-7944

Amber Bass, Au.D.