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Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 7 No. 38
INSIDE NEW REAL COUNTY REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER ............................ Page 3
TEXAS HEROES DAY ............................ Page 13
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REAL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WANTED PERSONS AND FUGITIVES
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www.hillcountryherald.net
editor@hillcountryherald.net
September 20, 2017
OVER $2,000 VANDALISM AT LEAKEY CITY PARK by Julie Becker
This past weekend the Frio Canyon Park north of Leakey was vandalized. The culprits broke into the rest rooms as well as the concession stand. As you can see by the picture the cowards did substantial damage to the park facilities. “We are saddened by the lack of respect for a park that so many people work so hard to maintain and improve, said Park Association President, Rudy Gonzalez.” The Frio Canyon Park Association is a non profit organization run completely by volunteers. The park boasts a baseball field that was dedicated earlier this year to our Leakey native son, Wylden Hubbard. The park has a meeting room, outdoor pavilion, play ground, walking track, soccer field and much more. The park is one of the major assets of the Frio Canyon community. Texas Penal code regarding vandalism: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF. (a) A person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the owner: (1) he intentionally or knowingly damages or destroys the tangible property of the
owner; (2) he intentionally or knowingly tampers with the tangible property of the owner and causes pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person; or (3) he intentionally or knowingly makes markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the owner. (4) a state jail felony if the amount of pecuniary loss is: $2,500 or more but less than $30,000; If you have any information regarding this crime, there is a $200 REWARD for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these cowards. Please contact Park President, Rudy Gonzalez at 830.591.3189 or Real County Sheriff’s Office at 830.232.5201. Real County Sheriff Nathan T. Johnson said “The investigation into this crime is onging and any assistance from the public is appreciated.” Gonzalez goes on to say “To any of you that walk or visit the park on a daily basis, please let us know if you see anything that needs attention.
Real County Commissioners Increase Tax Rate On Monday, September 11, Real County Commissioners voted unanimously to increase the Real County tax rate from .5288 to .5447. The tax rate increase comes to Real County taxpayers even though the accounts in the Real County coffers exceed $1 million. Commissioners held a public hearing on the 2017-18 Real County budget with no one stepping forward to comment or question. Commissioners then went on to approve the Real County budget unanimously 5-0. Discussion prior to the vote by Real County Commissioner Raymon Ybarra was held regarding the Predatory Animal control budget item. Ybarra stated though the increase sought by the organization was not approved he would like to see some discussion in the future
with the organization about decreasing the funds submitted to the state and keeping county taxpayer dollars in Real County. Commissioner Manuel Rubio agreed to attend the next Predatory Control meeting and discuss options with the organization. In other business Commissioners approved a request from Hill Country Telephone Cooperative for an easement at the Real County Senior Citizens’ Center. Commissioners approved an Inter local Agreement with the City of Leakey regarding the use of water from the city well. Commissioners approved the Routine Airport Maintenance Program with TxDOT for 2017-2018. In a 3-2 vote Commissioners rejected a motion from Commissioner Joe Connell
to enact a Burn Ban for Real County, with the Real County Judge casting the deciding vote. The longest discussion of the day came when Commissioners were told by the County Judge that an opinion from the Texas Attorney General issued on August 8, 2017 states: Under sections 113.041, 115.021, and 115.022 of the Local Government Code, the commissioners court must approve claims, and the treasurer and auditor do not have the authority to pay claims without the commissioners court’s approval. A commissioners court cannot delegate to the county treasurer the commissioners court’s duty and authority to approve payment of county claims. Provided it complies with any statute applicable to
by Julie Becker
the particular subject matter, a commissioners court may review and direct payment of payroll and claims at a meeting called for a day other than the commissioners court’s regular meeting day. So what that means is Commissioners Court will now meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. Commissioners were visually displeased with this ruling. Under Road and Bridge discussion was held regarding the purchase of a new tractor and boom mower. Ybarra stated one has been located, but bids need to go out for purchase. With no further business the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be September 28th @ 9 a.m.
DRT: Steeped in Tradition Welcomes New Members by Judy Burleson, Caddel-Smith Chapter DRT Publicity Chairperson
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Livestock & Grazing Management Ranch Day to be held in Uvalde ............................ Page 7
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: 69°
Caddel-Smith members of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas welcomed new members September 14. Ten ladies have joined the local DRT chapter since September 2016. Members and guests witnessed President Jane Van Hoozer and Registrar Roberta Himebrook administer the oath of membership to Liane Nance (Rio Frio), Susan Nance Knight (Rio Frio), Debra Ripka (Bandera) and Chris Lacey (Camp Wood). Each lady received the traditional bluebonnet and Texas flag from President Van Hoozer. The bluebonnet and Texas flag are symbols of strength, courage and beauty and have become the traditional symbols of the DRT organization. The bluebonnet was designated the state flower in 1901. While some statesmen argued for the cotton boll
and John Nance Garner extolled the virtues of the cactus, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America won the day and the ‘buffalo clover’ or bluebonnet was named the state flower. Historian Jack Maguire said, “…it is a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat.” Today’s Texas flag was adopted on January 25, 1839, as the Republic’s national flag, and then passage of the Texas Flag Code in 1933 made the “Lone Star” the official state flag. New members who were unable to attend are Sandra Caddel Mason (Center, TX), Avery McHugh, Carol Brewer, Mary Ann Weishuhn (all from Uvalde), Diane Mann (Hondo) and Elaine Golden (Utopia). continued page 4
Pictured with the Caddel-Smith flag are new members Debra Ripka, Chris Lacey, Liane Nance, and Susan Knight.
City of Leakey Approves New Water Lines on 7th Street City of Leakey leaders held their monthly meeting Monday September 11, 2017 @6 p.m. at Leakey City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Harry Schneemann. In attendance were council members Roel Gonzalez, Carl Jensen, Frankie DeLeon, and Bob Bowers. Councilman Ken Auld joined the meeting at 6:05. Council members approved the previous meeting minutes and City operating statements. City Secretary Dee Dee Wally presented the bills to be paid and council members approved. Discussion was held regarding the
Hoover Construction proposed bid to replace water lines on West Seventh Street in Leakey. Hoover Construction is the contractor installing the wastewater lines for the Nueces River Authority/City of Leakey Wastewater Treatment Project. Councilman Gonzalez questioned if awarding Hoover the new water lines project would further slow the progress on the sewer lines. Schneemann assured Gonzalez that it would not affect the sewer line project. Council members approved the Interlocal Agreement between Real County and the City of Leakey. The agree-
ment gives Real County the ability to place a water storage tank on the city well located behind the water treatment plant in Leakey. The County will have the ability to fill road and bridge water trucks more efficiently. There will be a 90 day non- renewal notice requirement of the annual agreement. The agenda item listed as Cedar Hills Geriatric Center, Ray Watts and Steve Robinson was presented as a request from these two men to discuss any permit costs associated with construction of a new facility in Leakey. Schneemann stated the request was based
by Julie Becker
on an assessed permit fee from the City of Camp Wood for $17,000. No action was taken on the item, no one appeared for the meeting. Council members discussed the second Amendment to the Ruff/Kramer Easement. Schneemann said the attorney for the city discussed the requested easement with the property owners and the amendment was necessary to progress the easement to it’s final stage. Council members approved the easement. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.