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Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 7 No. 13
INSIDE
www.hillcountryherald.net
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
April 5, 2017
editor@hillcountryherald.net
FATAL ACCIDENT IN UVALDE COUNTY CLAIMS 13 LIVES by Julie Becker
REAL COUNTY CONSTABLE’S CORNER ............................ Page 9
REAL COUNTY CITY CLEANUP ............................ Page 3
Texas Water Symposium planned for April 27 in
Fredericksburg ............................ Page 7
Last Wednesday, March 29, 2017, a head-on collision occurred north of Concan in Uvalde County. A dodge pickup driven by Jack Dillon Young, of Leakey, veered into oncoming traffic and struck a passenger bus carrying 13 passengers and the bus driver. 13 of the 14 were killed in the collision. First Responders to the scene were met with a horrific site. Law enforcement responded from Uvalde County and Real County. National Transportation Safety Board had this to say in their final press conference: Jennifer Morrison, NTSB’s lead investigator on the case, said in a press conference Monday that their team is in the fact-gathering stage of the investigation and a full report could take up
to a year to complete. She also stated NTSB would be reviewing toxicology reports and cell phone records from both drivers. Morrison sent the NTSB condolences to all the families involved. She said the bus was equipped with seat belts and that all of the passengers were wearing seat belts as well as the driver of the bus. She said the driver of pick up was not wearing his seat belt. She said the NTSB has deployed several separate teams to review the accident scene and those reports will be included in their final report. Witnesses indicate texting could have been a factor in the crash. Texas law enforcement officials released the names of the victims : Murray William Barrett, 67, Howard Bryan Allen, 81, Rhonda Barlow Allen,
61, Harold Boyd Barber, 87, Margaret Robinson Barber, 82, Cristie Clare Moore, 68, Donna Elizabeth Hawkins, 69, Avis Scholl Banks, 83, Mildred Goodlett Rosamond, 87, Addie Maurine Schmeltekopf, 84, Sue Wynn Tysdal, 76, Martha Holcomb Walker, 84, Dorothy Fern Vulliet, 84. The lone survivor from the bus, 64-year-old Rose Mary Harris of New Braunfels, has been upgraded to stable condition at a hospital in San Antonio, the DPS said. The driver of the pickup was released from the hospital yesterday. Real County Sheriff Bruce Carr issued this statement: “The Real County Sheriff’s Office wishes to convey our condolences to the friends and family’s of those who lost their lives and to the two individuals who suffered
injuries in the horrific auto accident in Uvalde County on March 29, 2017. As the accident occurred in Uvalde County, my office is not involved in the ongoing investigation. It is my understanding the accident investigation is being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). I appreciate the local citizens who took action by notifying law enforcement. I would like to thank my Administrative Assistant, Ken Manchester and Deputy Teddy Douthit who stepped up to assist Uvalde County and DPS in coordination of emergency services in a professional manner.” The Herald sends our condolences to the families of the victims. We pray for you.
Huajilla Unit Retired Teachers Attend State Convention by Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly, President, Huajilla Unit RTA
Lola Hill and Walter Huegele from Pipe Creek and Irene and Sam Dubberly from Yancey were among the 1500 delegates, presenters and guests at the 64th Annual TRTA Convention and TRTA Day at the Capitol in Austin on March 27-29. Hill and the Dubberlys are officers of the Huajilla Unit; Huegele is a committee member. The members attended the District 20 Caucus where the delegates were confirmed then reviewed and discussed the amendments to be considered at the BOD. Members also were given instructions on the group’s presentation promoting San Antonio for the 2018 state convention. Local units were reminded of the deadline for submitting the officers’ list and the June 1 Leadership Training in Floresville. Prior to the evening’s welcome and awards dinner, members attended a social mixer. On the second day, members attended several break-out sessions. continued page 5
State Representative Andrew Murr are Huajilla Unit delegates Walter Huegele and Lola Hill from Pipe Creek and Sam and Irene Dubberly from Yancey.
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Nueces Canyon One Act Play ADVANCES and is Taking Their Show on the Road Again! By OAP Co-Director Kathy Hicks
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ............................ Page 5 L to R back row: Skylar Balderas, Kyle Floyd, Jordan Phillips, Caitlin Boatright, Jacob Harmon, Nataliah DeLeon, Micah Vernor, Nichole DeLaRosa, Helen Perez; front row: Shelby Pannell, Gabriella Irwin, Tyanna Schexnider, Bethany Fisher, Harleigh Paterson
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INDEX Legals/Jail Register ... . Page 3Community News ......... Page 4-7 Feature Story ............... Page 8-9 Obituaries ...................... Page 10 Classifieds ..................... Page 14
Today’s Weather
High: 71° Low: 47°
On Friday, March 31, 2017 the Nueces Canyon One Act Play Company traveled to Bastrop to compete in the University Interscholastic League 1A Region IV Area I One Act Play Competition. The plays were presented in this order: Prairie Lea HS – Kamikaze Kate, Nueces Canyon HS - Sylvia, Jonesboro HSThe Great Gatsby, D’Hanis HS- The Diviners, Dimebox HS- The Freeway, and McMullen County HSAlways a Bridesmaid. The NC students did an outstanding job, some giving their best performances yet. At the closing awards ceremony the following names were announced and awards given. Honor Crew Member- Micah Vernor, All Star Tech Crew- Nueces
Canyon High School: Micah Vernor, Nataliah Deleon, Jacob Harmon, Helen Perez, Shelby Pannell, Honorable Mention All Star Cast- Tyanna Schexnider for her role as Phyllis, Honorable Mention All Star CastJordan Phillips for her role as Kate, All Star Cast- Gabriella Irwin for her role as Sylvia. The Region IV One Act Play Competition is Saturday, April 8th in the Dr. W. W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center on the Blinn College Campus in Brenham, Texas. Performances will began at 1:00 pm and run back to back. Nueces Canyon will be the fourth school to perform. “Break A Leg!”
VIETNAM VETERAN DAVID ROSS SPEAKS TO DAR MEMBERS by Karen Collins
Uvalde de las Encinas Chapter members, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), meeting at El Progreso Library in Uvalde heard a most interesting and enlightening presentation from Vietnam veteran David Ross, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a marksman and a sniper during his tour of duty. He received four presidential citations from both Presidents Johnson and Nixon, three purple hearts, a Silver Star, and is currently a candidate for a Medal of Honor. He told of the horrors of the war, and impressed his audience with his tremendous patriotism and bravery. He received a standing ovation at the conclusion of the program. Fifteen members attended the meeting, and Regent Lesley Jones
recognized Mona Booker and Jewell Rossitor as guests. The report given by Secretary Diane Carrillo was approved as read, and Registrar Nancy Baker reported that the paperwork for several new members is almost complete. We now have 61 members with ten prospective members. Regent Jones presented the treasurer’s report, in the absence of Sharon Hubble, and it was approved. Nancy Baker read Ann Turner Dillon’s President General’s Message which encouraged members to check the DAR website and keep up with the organization’s activities and goals. The National Defense Report, read by Diane Dooley, discussed the importance of service dogs to help soldiers with PTSD and other health issues. Mr. Ross added information
about his experience with service dogs, and how valuable they were to active military operations as well as to veterans. Following the meeting, most of the ladies enjoyed lunch and visiting at the local Italian Restaurant. The next meeting of the Uvalde de las Encinas Chapter, NSDAR, will be at The El Progreso Library on March 298th, and will be the organization’s annual business meeting. This organization meets on the third Saturday of each month. Any woman 18 years of age or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership in DAR. For more information, contact Lesley Jones at 830.563.2347.
Pictured are speaker David Ross (center) with DAR Regent Lesley Jones and Parliamentarian Betty Lawrence