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Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 7 No. 29
INSIDE
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RED, WHITE, AND BLUE VETERANS RIDES PROGRAM ............................. Page 5
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REAL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WANTED PERSONS AND FUGITIVES ............................. Page 3
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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: 92° Low: 71°
www.hillcountryherald.net
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
July 19, 2017
editor@hillcountryherald.net
Leakey/Nueces River Authority Wastewater Project Update by Julie Becker
As in the past, each month a report is received from the engineering firm as an update to the progress of the Leakey/Nueces River Authority Wastewater project. Here are the highlights: The TxDOT Subset construction contract was extended through September 15, 2017 in June to accommodate the scheduled paving of Leakey city streets. Paving work is anticipated to occur sometime in August. Clean up and testing efforts continue on the recently constructed manholes and sewer lines. Underground utility work continues at the WWTP to connect the process units. The first vertical wall of the chlorine contact tank was poured on June 21, 2016. Concrete steel and formwork is ongoing as additional pours are being scheduled. There is no change to the Office Buildinq Renovation : architectural and engineering redesign efforts of the office building continue. The project is planned to be re-bid. This portion of the overall project is not critical to the commissioning of the new wastewater collection system and treatment plant, and is currently not a high priority. Construction of the Alto Frio lift station
has begun. A concrete (“mud”) slab was poured on June 27, 2017 to provide a working surface in the wet well excavation. Construction of the force main connecting the lift station to the WWTP has begun. (pictured right). PROJECT SCHEDULE The current estimated project schedule is generally outlined below:
Complete TxDOT Subset September 2017 Begin Package A Construction March 2017 Begin Package B Construction Fall 2017 Complete WWTP Construction December 2017 Complete Package A April 2018 Complete Package B Summer 2018 Complete Hook-Ups, Ponds, and Irrigation System Winter 2017/2018 Project Closeout Spring 2018 Informal construction meetings with Hoover Construction and Associated Construction Partners took place on June 6 and 8, 2017, along with construction site visits. Naismith/Hanson and the NRA met later that week with a representative from Fugro to identify boring locations along RR 337 east for upcoming additional geotechnical investigations.
Federal Government To Fund Texas Border Security Operation Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas will receive funding from the federal government in support of Operation Secure Texas. With today’s announcement, Texas National Guardsmen and women currently serving in support of Operation Secure Texas will transition to federal orders beginning in late July. “The taxpayers of Texas have funded border security, a federal responsibility, for far too long,” said Governor Abbott. “I am grateful that the federal government and Congressional appropriators are stepping up and dedicating additional resources to provide for the safety and security of all Texans. The State of Texas also extends it gratitude to the men and women of the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety for their continued commitment to securing our border.” Operation Secure Texas was launched in 2014 as a coordinated effort between the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas National Guard, and federal law enforcement to secure Texas’ border with Mexico.
CALLING ALL BULL RIDERS!!
by Peggy Taylor
Nueces Canyon Junior Livestock Association is calling all BULL RIDERS! Yes, Bull Riders young and old from 4 to 64 to an Open Bull Riding with $1500.00 added moneys – for Mutton Bustin’ to Senior Bulls and everything in between! The Texas Senior Pro Bull Riders sanctioned event will be Saturday, August 5th , with the gates opening @ 6:30 pm at Bruce Park Arena on Hwy 55 one mile north of Camp Wood, Texas. The event is in conjunction with the 56th Annual Old Settlers,held every first Saturday in August. The whole day is filled with activities starting with the downtown parade, followed by a rush to Leinburg Park where there are booths, booths, and more booths to check out for your indulgent food and that special treasure. All throughout the day will be contest of skill – pie baking, salsa making, horseshoe pitching, washer tossing, and more. While on the big stage they Nueces Canyon Chamber of Commerce will crown this year’s King and Queen of OSR. (As of press time it is still a surprise!) Followed by music, an auction, and DJ Mario
Rangel, featuring “the Baxter Boy”. An agenda covering the likes of all. But after all that your are NOT through – run down to the beautiful Nueces River take a dip and cool off before you get dressed for the BULL RIDING! – Music, & Mutton Bustin’; Pyrotechnics, & Mini Bulls; Clowns & Junior Bulls; Fun/Excitement & Senior Bulls!-- Oh, don’t worry about cooking supper the NCJLA has you covered there, too. The concession will be well stocked with Ice Cold drinks, Brisket, Sausage and Sweets. This OSR BULL RIDING Event is the NCJLA’s major fund raiser to “Keep the Lights on” at the Bruce Park – the Arena and Show Barn. Plus, the facility is in need of some modernization – bleachers, bucking chutes, bathrooms, and more – Your patronage & support is what is needed and depended on to help these projects come to reality. So please, mark your calenders for August 5th – Come to OSR & most importantly, come to the BULL RIDING!! Okay people, “LET’S RIDE SOME BULLS!”
Starting September 1st, 2017, Texas will finally make texting and driving illegal statewide! Governor Greg Abbott announced that he’s signed House Bill 62 into law. Under the new law, texting while driving within the state of Texas will be punishable by a fine of $25-99 for first-time offenders, and $100-200 for repeat offenders (though no points will be assigned). The new law also states that if an accident caused by texting and driving results in the death or serious bodily injury of another person, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000 and confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year. It’s important to note that this new law only addresses “reading, writing, or sending electronic messages” via a “wireless communication device.” While the new law includes a provision to preempt local texting-and-driving ordinances, as written, it does not address stricter cell phone bans (i.e., hands-free laws)
put in place by at least 45 Texas cities such as Austin, Denton, and San Antonio. Gov. Abbott said that when lawmakers meet in special session beginning July 18th, he wants them to pass broader legislation which would roll back any city ordinances that ban mobile phone use beyond texting while driving. According to Abbott, “We don’t need a patchwork of regulations” across the state. If such legislation is passed in the coming months, we will update this page to reflect those changes. While we’re happy to see that Texas has finally joined 46 other states in banning texting while driving, we’re also disappointed that the passage of such a law may result in the nullification of existing hands-free laws put in place by many major cities. Regardless, until September 1st, 2017, only the cities and towns listed on this page currently prohibit texting and driving. continued page 4