50
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 5 No. 38
INSIDE
Let’s Serve Our Military
............................ Page 2
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE… 101
www.hillcountryherald.net
editor@hillcountryherald.net
Leakey ISD “Little Eagles” Pre-Kindergarten On Monday 22 Little Eagles ages 3.5 to 5 started school as part of the district’s first PK program. It may have been the first day of class for them, but not for their Dynamic Duo teachers, Nina Martinez and Ann Navarro, who both worked many years for Head Start. Lorri Gonzalez, Elementary Coordinator, and first grade teacher will oversee the PK program along with experienced Principal, Gerald Lugaresi, to ensure consistency with the current K-5 elementary program following Texas Education Agency Curriculum Guidelines for Pre-kindergarten. The full day PK program was unanimously approved
by the Leakey ISD School Board at a special board meeting held on Labor Day. Dr. Skipper, Superintendent, stated that the Board broke out in applause and cheers after approving the long needed program. She said the state pays for only a half-time program so the local district will pick up the remainder of the expenses from Title I federal funds and an increase in local revenues based on recent legislation. The first students in the program were those whose parents responded to recent newspaper and Facebook notices. A waiting list has been started. continued page 4
City of Leakey Council Members Review Ordinance
KERRVILLE VA FLU SHOT DRIVE THRU CLINIC
by Julie Becker
............................ Page 7
............................ Page 3
HidalgoCook Elected to Texas Transit Association Executive Board
............................ Page 11
............................ Page 9
INDEX State News .................... Page 2 Legals/Jail Register ...... Page 3 Community News ......... Page 4-6 Feature Story ................. Page 7 Obituaries ...................... Page 8 Classifieds ..................... Page 12
Today’s Weather
High: 88° Low: 70°
September 16, 2015
The City of Leakey held their monthly meeting on Monday September 14th at 6pm at City Hall. Council members reviewed two topics for proposed amendments to water Ordinance No. 139. The first was Commercial Garbage fees. Mayor Harry Schneemann and city secretary Dee Dee Wally reviewed the proposal of removing the requirement of mandatory trash pickup charge to all businesses that are serviced by the City water system. Wally said in the past businesses who have city water are required to pay for trash pickup even if they do not use the service, stating that many businesses have private dumpsters. The other topic was listed on the agenda as Rental Properties. Wally said issues have arisen with property owners who rent their properties. The water service is transferred into the renters name, however the property owner is ultimately responsible for the water fees on the property. Wally also said the outstanding fees from a person renting property serviced by the city water would follow them to a different location and still be due and payable for water services at the previous location. Council members heard from Carl Esser of Esser and Company on the project completion for a TxCDBG grant and
approved submission of a downtown revitalization program grant application. The grant would be dedicated to renovation of downtown sidewalks. The City of Leakey will be the applicant. The grant has a 10% match requirement, but Esser assured the council the City would not be responsible for the matching funds. Esser said the County had agreed to secure the funds for the match. Council members approved a 3% pay increase and an end of probation for the Plant Technician, Alex Vara. Brian Brockel, Manager of Strategic Products and Services from Bandera Electric Cooperative requested the city approve the Bandera Electric Franchise Agreement, council members approved. He noted the Leakey BEC office now has a kiosk for payments. Some of the bills to be paid were Coleman and Horton for the city audit $11,500 and $16,252.09 to Wilkinson and Associates, the city engineer. Council members declined a request for reimbursement from a water customer. Council members present were: John Buchanan, Carl Jensen, Frankie DeLeon, Bob Bowers. Council member Ken Auld was not present. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.
The Spirit of ‘45 Remembered Andres Contreras, now of Michigan and recently retired military, has many ties to Sabinal, Texas. He is the namesake of Andres S. Contreras, Jr. whose name is on the list of those who were killed during World War II, which can be found at Veterans Memorial Live Oak Park. His lineage boasts of his grandfather, Andres Contreras, Sr. and great-uncle, Felipe Contreras, both serving in World War I; uncle, Andres Contreras, Jr. and cousins Felipe and Dimas Contreras who served in World War II; uncle Fidencio Contreras and Andres’ own father, Santos Contreras, both of whom served during the Korean War. Our Michigan relative, Andres Contreras, served in the military during the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Many other members of both sides of his family also have military service. A special thanks to retired military cousin Richard Musquez of Sabinal who made this unique story possible. His grandmother’s home was burglarized in Sabinal years ago and the Purple Heart and American flag that had been presented to the family were among the items missing. It was so painful for the family who had suffered the loss of both his Uncle Andres S. Contreras, Jr. and his cousin, Zeke P. Herrera, whose name is also on
Kerrville, Texas – The South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Kerrville Campus will be providing influenza vaccinations to enrolled Veterans. An annual flu vaccine is recommended for the following groups of Veterans: (1) persons at high risk for flu-related complications including persons aged 50 years old and greater, (2) persons of any age with chronic medical illnesses, and (3) persons who live with or care for persons at high risk. Influenza vaccine is also recommended for anyone else who wants to reduce their chances of getting influenza. A drive-thru flu shot clinic for enrolled Veterans will take place on September 18, 2015 and October 16, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The clinic will be held in front of the Kerrville Campus, main building located at 3600 Memorial Boulevard in Kerrville. No appointment necessary! ID cards required. Veteran patients can receive flu shots as walk-ins through their Primary Care Teams during operating hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays).
by Billie Franklin
the list of names in Veterans Memorial Live Oak Park. That despicable act triggered a response in Andres, the namesake of the man he never had a chance to meet. He wanted these two relatives not to be forgotten, his pledge to his family. In 2009, while on a business trip to Singapore, Andres was able to fly into Manila, Philippines and visit the gravesite of the uncle he never got to know. Andres learned that his namesake, PFC Andres S. Contreras, Jr., was assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division and was Killed In Action (KIA) on 27 October 1944. He participated in the Battle for Leyte Island to retake the Philippines from the Japanese that started on 20 October 1944. It was the battle of Leyte that sealed the fate of the Japanese Imperial Navy and eventually led to the fall of Japan at the end of World War II. Andres said, “I have mixed emotions. I never got to meet the one I was named for. It tears one apart.” Cousin, SGT. Zeke P. Herrera, served in the 532nd Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomber Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. He was assigned to Ridgewell, England, on March 15, 1944; was Killed In Action on March 24, 1944. continued page 6