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Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 6 No. 41
INSIDE CAMPWOOD HILLS WOMAN INDICTED FOR MURDER ............................ Page 3
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NEW REAL COUNTY REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER ............................. Page 3
CHARGE FOR ADMISSION TO BAND CONTEST ............................. Page 4
Somewhere in the West ............................ Page 9
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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: 87° Low: 62°
www.hillcountryherald.net
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
October 12, 2016
editor@hillcountryherald.net
LEAKEY VETERAN POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED SILVER STAR by Billie Franklin
Jesse Salazar was pretty amazing. On October 6, U S House of Representative’s Will Hurd provided a flag for the Salazar family that had been flown over the US Capitol Building in his honor. Will spoke about Mr. Salazar’s unwavering commitment to the United States, to his follow soldiers during the war, and to his family, all testaments of his extraordinary character. Mr. Jesus Salazar Jr. served as an Army Ranger during Vietnam and earned a Silver Star Medal (The Army’s 3rd highest decoration for Valor behind the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the Medal of Honor) for his actions on August 19th, 1969 when he dove into a river while taking enemy fire, to save a fellow soldier who had fallen overboard and was drowning. Jesus G. Salazar born December 2, 1948 in Uvalde Texas he left this world at the age of 65 on November 6th, 2014. He served in the United States Army during 1968-1970 and is an Airborne Ranger with the 75th Infantry Company F. Four things were important to him. They were family, friends, grandchildren and reading. Jesse was an avid reader. His favorite genre was history. Jesse enjoyed being around family, and friends. Jesse and his wife enjoyed traveling together. He was a true American Hero and we are proud to say he was from our area.
REAL COUNTY SENDS OUT 2016 TAX STATEMENTS The Real County Appraisal District, which also collects the tax levy for Leakey ISD & Nueces Canyon CISD has recently mailed the 2016 Tax Statements to property owners. Taxes may be paid immediately, and are considered delinquent on February 1, 2017. New for this year, is the ability to pay property taxes online. Property owners may go to www.realcad.org and use the “Pay Taxes” drop-down menu. There,
you will be able to see Leakey, Nueces Canyon, as well as an “All Other Tax Payments” options. Select your school district and follow the steps. Owner’s will need the information provided on their Tax Statements to fill in the blanks and should always be aware if they have more than one property or account within Real County Appraisal District. The online payment option will allow one to pay for multiple accounts in
one transaction. If you forget an account, you may still go back in and submit another payment. The “All Other Tax Payments” directs property owners to the Tax Bureau for property taxes paid through the Real County Assessor/Collectors office. The Tax Statement, as well as the Website will provide the address and information should you choose to pay by mail or walk-in.
SoCore Energy Begins Construction on 1.9 Megawatt Community Solar Project for Bandera Electric Cooperative in Leakey, Texas Chicago, Illinois, October 4, 2016 – SoCore Energy announced today that construction has commenced on a 1.9 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar project in Leakey, Texas for Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC). SoCore worked to develop this project for BEC, which will provide the opportunity for its members to subscribe to community solar power for their homes and businesses. This project supports BEC’s mission “to enhance the quality of life of its members by providing highly reliable electric services at a competitive price.” The Leakey facility will generate an estimated 3,587 megawatt hours (Mwh) of clean energy within its first year of operation, the equivalent of offsetting the annual CO2 emissions resulting from electricity usage of approximately 372 homes. “We are excited to bring this innovative opportunity for our members
to participate in community solar,” said BEC Chief Executive Officer William Hetherington. “We are looking forward to working with SoCore to deliver reliable, cost effective and renewable energy that supports our communities for the long term,” he continued. “It has been a wonderful experience working with BEC and adding to our portfolio of projects with rural electric cooperatives,” said Laura Caspari, director of development, SoCore Energy. “We are looking forward to helping them bring clean renewable energy to their members and supporting the development of community solar in the territory. It brings new opportunities and
choices for their members.” Following construction, an affiliate of SoCore will own and operate the facility, which will provide power to BEC under a Power Purchase Agreement.
A TROUBLED ROCKSPRINGS TEXAS A few months ago we ran an article reprinted with permission, first published by the Texas Observer. It created a real backlash locally, that surprised us. People were vehemently either for or against this article. It was not our “normal” reaction. Although we had researched the sources and found them credible, there was one problem for us, Sheriff Pamela Elliott had not been interviewed. She did not have a chance to have her say. We were given proof by the Texas Observer that the attempt had been made, although Sheriff Elliott denied receipt of the email. I personally viewed emails complete with questions, and “sent time and date” to her that remained unanswered. Yet, our modern communication is not without fault. The Sheriff answered our call promptly and set a date for an interview. We interviewed Pamela Elliott in person, she was straightforward, open and
personable and spoke at length of her frustration with her circumstances. She actively produced copies of every document we asked for without hesitation and offered an explanation of why she had acted in the manner that she did. We found her proud of her children, community and staunch in defense of her actions. There is one thing I am personally compelled to mention. Law Enforcement in the Voter’s Locations. Sheriff
By Elaine Padgett Carnegie
Elliott told us that she was worried about violence at the polls, she had received calls and complaints. So yes, as a Law Enforcement Officer, if she received those calls and did not take some kind of precaution, she would have been remiss. However, an officer in attendance in his vehicle unobtrusive near the voting location is much, much different than an armed and uniformed officer inside the voting locations in conversation and speaking to persons in the polls. This was absolutely a blatant disregard for the law of the land and very poor judgment on behalf of all who took part in it! In public opinion, those we spoke with were either staunchly in support of Sheriff Elliott or staunchly opposed. The utter divide spoke volumes to me. Commonly, in a small town there are factions, people who want street repair, or updated water service or whatever... the factions will usually come together
and meet on middle ground that is beneficial to everyone, the people and the economy. Yet, what was best for Rocksprings or Edwards County was the last thing on anyone’s mind! There would be no compromise here. (With the exception of Jon Harris, I have to make that exception, because he spoke extensively of his ideas to make Rocksprings and Edwards County whole again.) All these months later we have interviewed several people, acquired pages and pages of “proof”. I found nothing amiss in the paper trail I followed and yet those charges and indictments and even final dispositions cannot tell me the story I was not there to witness. Several of them have extenuating circumstances I have been told, but have no way to corroborate There was a statement that was given to us of the same group of people being in power in Edward’s County for a length of time, saying they did not like the fact that the Sheriff came in and put a halt to their way of doing things. I found some credence to this claim with an $80,000.00 lien the City won from misuse of funds from a Government Grant. continued page 3