AG HONORS
EYEING A TITLE
Weinheimer, von Netzer given land conservation awards ▶ D7
FHS golfers line up shot at district crown ▶ A/B16
Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
No. 43 - USPS 209-080 • Periodical
HILL COUNTRY WATER
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Wednesday, April 1, 2015
BIKE BREAK AT THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE
‘River cane’ chokes creeks in watershed Invasive, aggressive weed is making its way to the Pedernales By Ken Esten Cooke Arundo donax is its Latin botanical name, but trouble is what it spells for the Pedernales River. The 20-foot stalks of cane have gained a foothold in Fredericksburg along Barons Creek and Town Creek. The cane is visible from many bridges and has crowded waterways. “About three weeks ago, we did an aerial survey in the upper reaches of the Pedernales and tributaries, including Barons Creek and Town Creek. We found around 300 sources of the plants,” said Katherine Romans of the Hill Country Alliance. “We identified arundo as an issue for the health of
the river, impacting creeks and the whole hydrological cycle.” The invasive grows in clumps. The plants develop deep roots, so chopping, mowing or pulling them can only increase their aggressive growth. Beginnings, infestations It likely began as an import to California, used as an ornamental plant, said Rachel Ranft of The Nature Conservancy, who has battled the plant along the Blanco and Pedernales Rivers. Even today, one can find the plant for sale at various outlets. “After it was introduced, it was accidentally added into the soil and contaminated it,” she said. “Once it
Hundreds of riders make a pit stop at the historic Willow City School during the long routes of the LBJ 100, held Saturday in northeast Gillespie County. Riders number-
APPRAISAL DISTRICT
FREDERICKSBURG ISD
GCAD proposes move into old jail location
ARUNDO ▶A/B5
Renovation costs, length of lease still in question By Richard Zowie Gillespie County’s old jail could soon have a new use. David Oehler, Gillespie Central Appraisal District (GCAD) chief appraiser, on Tuesday outlined a proposed plan to move GCAD from the Gillespie County Courthouse basement into the jail. Members of Fredericksburg Independent School District, Harper ISD, Doss Consolidated Common School District, the City of Fredericksburg, Gillespie County and Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District attended the joint meeting at the FISD administration building. Oehler added it would be possible to renovate the dispatch area and have it ready to house collections by this sum-
Barons Creek is choked with “River Cane,” or Arundo donax. A Frantzen Park cleanup will provide a demonstration area for landowners to see how to treat the invasive plant. – Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
INSIDE FATALITY • Woman killed in car collision Tuesday on Tivydale Road ▶ A/B14 ‘MAD SKILLS’ • FHS students take top honors at state SKILLS contest ▶A/B8 EASTER FIRES • Former local tradition has similarity to other legendary tales ▶D3
WEATHER March 24-30, 2015 Rainfall this week Rainfall for March Rainfall for 2015 Normal for date Same date last year Low – March 26 High – March 24, 25, 26
ing more than 1,600 were challenged by routes of 10, 30, 42, 62 and 85 miles. See more photos on page D1. – Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke
mer, and to start doing appraisals there later in the year. The chief appraiser and other officials did a walk-through of the jail on Monday. “I toured the jail last week to see if it would work for split collections while staying in the courthouse basement,” Oehler said. “After looking, I think it’s probable we could make the entire building work for the appraisal district and put the two functions together.” Built in 1974, the current jail contains a total 6,664 square feet. Of that, 3,744 square feet is for office space and 2,920 square feet is for the cell block. The area also contains a 625-square-foot sally port (a controlled entry way), 121-squarefoot computer room and See GCAD ▶A15
Details prepared for $16.5 million in school projects Bond, trustee election set for May 9 By Richard Zowie Voters in the Fredericksburg Independent School District will decide in the May 9 election whether to approve the district’s $16.5 million bond proposal. They will also have a trustee election. The bond proposal consists
primarily of construction and upgrades at Fredericksburg High School and Fredericksburg Primary School, along with improvements at each campus and additional items for custodians, transportation and technology. Even if voters approve the bond, the FISD tax rate would remain the same. “The bond package has been received favorably thus far by the See FISD ▶A/B10
Fredericksburg High School’s look hasn’t changed much since its construction in 1964. Bond passage would mean a major facelift and improvement in “curb appeal,” Supt. Eric Wright said. — File photo
CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG 0.05 1.99 4.28 4.61 0.56 36 84
Limits eyed for city judge workload McCurdy resigning from position; city, county division of duties in question
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High Low Rain Tuesday 84 60 Wednesday 84 50 0.05 Thursday 64 36 Friday 78 37 Saturday 82 55 Sunday 84 60 Monday 80 63 Total Rain 0.05 Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
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By Matt Ward Fredericksburg City Council members will be more closely defining the responsibilities of their municipal court judge as they begin the search to replace current judge Debbi McCurdy.
Council members took a closer look at a special meeting Monday, seeking clarification on how the city’s description of the job differs from the duties currently performed in the position. McCurdy, who has announced her intent to
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resign from the position at the earliest possible convenience to the city, told council members that a rotation system with county justices of the peace has placed an additional burden on the position beyond the normal purview of the municipal court. The two justices of the peace — Carl Schoessow and J.D. Hickman — share
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night and weekend magistrate responsibilities with McCurdy, despite the fact that many of the cases magistrated during that time are county cases. “It was only supposed to be every third weekend,” McCurdy said. “Somewhere in the mix in the changeover from Judge (Katherine) Peake to Judge (Joyce) See LBJ 100 ▶A/B5
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