LH Independent 1-28-21 by The Liberty Hill Independent

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2021

Volume 34, Issue 10

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January 28, 2021 | 50 Cents

LHISD Council continues to avoid budget discussion Board mulling 4-campus bond proposal

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor When you grow, you build. When you grow fast, you need to build faster. The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees drank from the ﬁrehose so to speak Monday night when it received the most recent demographics report projecting student enrollment growth as well as a recommendation from the Long Range Planning Committee that included a nine-ﬁgure bond proposal. “At the end of the day the demographics are staggering,” said Superintendent Steve Snell. “The amount of growth coming our way is staggering. This bond is going to be the foundation to start the preparation for all this growth.” This bond, to be ironed out at a special Board meeting Feb. 8, is proposed at $491,700,000 and would include four new schools, planning for two others, and a list of infrastructure improvements throughout the district. While he admits the dollar amount can be shocking, Snell said the proposal includes no frivolous spending and is the price of operating a district that has such steep enrollment increases. “What’s very, very important to us is that the entire community knows exactly what we’re asking for, what we plan to do and for the most part when we plan to do it,” Snell said. “That $490 million is an enormous number, but there is nothing frivolous in this bond election. We are building strictly to keep up with growth.” And like the last bond, approved at $98.6 million in 2018, the new proposal will not increase the district’s tax rate. The debt service tax rate is at the maximum allowed amount of $0.50 per $100 valuation, and the new bonding capacity is based on the district’s ability to borrow and pay off the bonds at the current rate over time. “The tax rate on our debt side will not increase,” Snell said. “The tax rate will not increase because it can’t by law.” What’s included As proposed, the bond on the table calls for additions

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor The financial reporting struggle between the City Council and new Mayor Liz Branigan was brought to the forefront once again when Branigan added it to Monday’s agenda. But as has become habit, the Council once again shot down any potential changes. Branigan wanted to see a new financial report – detailing the monthly revenues and expenses of the City – as a regular monthly addition, in place of the current report that does not include any budget-related expense and revenue information. “I requested a different format of the financial for you to vote on to see what you think of it,” Branigan said. “I was going to request Ms. (Becky) Wilkins to provide that in a monthly council packet. I have

served three terms on the City Council and on every one of those councils the Council was meticulous with the budget and requested a monthly update. This is the same update which is easily generated with Encode. I think you should receive this report and study it.” But the Council had no interest in including the report as part of the packet. Council member Kathy Canady asked Wilkins and City Administrator Lacie Hale their opinion on the need for the report “If you want an expense and revenue report included in Becky’s ﬁnancial report we just need that direction from Council,” Hale said. “Again, at the last Council meeting MIKE EDDLEMAN PHOTO we decided to move forward Mike Wilson (right) was recognized with a plaque by Mayor Liz Branigan (center) and Parks with the Transparency Stars Board Chair Mary Lyn Jones (left) Monday for his more than a decade of service on the Liberty Hill Parks Board, where he was inﬂuential in improvements to a number of City parks and projSee COUNCIL, Page 10 ects like the new swim center.

ASL instructor strives or cultural awareness in students

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Robert Nielson has taught American Sign Language (ASL) in some capacity for more than three decades. Today he can look back and admit that teaching is his true calling even though he resisted it for years. “I was serving a mission for my church. My companion and I were doing volunteer work at DCARA, an agency that serves the Deaf,” he said. “They asked me to teach ASL to deaf individuals who had immigrated to America from other countries. They knew no ASL and no English. So, I had to get creative in bridging the language barrier for them. That is when I realized I truly love teaching. I knew, however, that teachers just don’t make a lot of money. After my mission, I pursued other careers such as computer programming. About 18 years ago, I ﬁnally accepted that teaching was in my blood.

Rob Nielson has worked for 30 years teaching ASL in one form or another. Nielson heads the Liberty Hill high School ASL pro-

See ASL, Page 4 gram and will lead the ASL Panther Academy course. (Courtesy Photo)

Kent Walker wins Coach of the Year

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Kent Walker will be the first to tell you one thing. In no way, shape or form is he expecting to be able to fill the shoes of older brother Jeff Walker, the Panthers’ late head coach and athletic director, nor does he envision himself doing so. But, for the five games he took over as interim head coach at the end of the Panthers’ season, he certainly did a fine job of convincing people otherwise, leading the Purple-and-Gold to four wins in five playoff games and taking them to the brink of a berth in the Class 5A state championship game. As a result, Walker has been honored by Texas High School Football with its Coach of the Year award after easily outdistancing Shiner’s Daniel Boedeker with 64 percent of an online vote. Walker was characteristically

modest after the award was announced, deﬂecting accolades to those around him. “It’s an honor to be recognized for what I was able to do in a very difﬁcult situation,” he said. “But, all credit goes to our kids and other coaches because they’re the ones who made it all possible. I was just the one who steered the ship.” Walker beat out nine other coaches who won state titles this season with their respective teams in the voting, including Todd Dodge of Class 6A Division I Westlake, Gary Joseph of Class 6A Division II Katy, Dave Henigan of Class 5A Division I Ryan and Tim Buchanan of Class 5A Division II Aledo. Walker added he felt a sense of responsibility to Panthers players to be strong in the face of the events surrounding his brother’s passing and the consequent effect they had on the program in moving forward.

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

Liberty Hill interim head coach Kent Walker was honored with Texas High School Football’s Coach of the Year award after leading the Panthers to the Class 5A Division II state semiﬁnals after taking over for late brother Jeff Walker, who passed away from cancer on Nov. 30. “For me to lose my brother and then walk into the locker room,” he said. “I know all of them were looking to see how I was going to respond.” Walker said a simple formula

is what enabled him to prevail under such adverse conditions. “As long as you continue to put the kids ﬁrst, you can overcome things,” he said. “I do what I love to do – it’s not like

a job to me when I get up every day and realize what a special community we have here in Liberty Hill.”

Page 2

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OBITUARY Dr. Jerry L Casebolt (80) of Leander, TX, husband of Pamela Karry Casebolt, was called home on January 24, 2021. He was born September 26, 1940 in Harrison, Arkansas to the late Dr. Charles L. Casebolt and Bernice Elizabeth Anderson. Dr. Jerry L. Casebolt was a chiropractor in Liberty Hill, TX for 43 years. Jerry has held numerous community service and masonic positions, such as: Inspector General Honorary of the 33rd degree in Austin TX, Past Master and

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Endowed member-Liberty Hill Lodge #432, 32nd degree Scottish Rite, 32nd degree K.C.C.H. He was a veteran of the US Navy. Survivors, besides his wife include; three daughters Jacqueline (Jeff) Morrison, Lisa Casebolt-Nunley, Barbara (CJ) Casebolt-Welton, a son Andrew Casebolt, sister Ann Anderson, brother James (Jeanie) Casebolt, sister-nlaw Kay Casebolt, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles H. Case-

bolt. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, January 29, 2021 at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown, TX. Visitation will be at 11:00 AM until time of service at the Funeral Home with burial to follow at Liberty Hill Cemetery. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations may be made to Masonic Lodge #432, PO Box 373, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 in memory of Dr. Jerry L Casebolt. To share memories with the Casebolt family, please visit www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com.

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Week of Jan. 18-24, 2021 The Liberty Hill Police Department responded to or self-initiated a total of 535 incidents resulting in 10 cases, 32 citations, 62 warnings and no arrests. Weekly Highlights: - On Jan. 18 at approximately 11:31 AM, officers responded to Snyders Trail for suspicious activity. - On Jan. 18 at approximately 12:38 PM, officers responded to Stubblefield Lane for a theft complaint. - On Jan. 18 at approximately 2:03 PM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 29 for a harassment complaint. - On Jan. 18 at approximately 10:59 PM, officers responded to Carson Ave for an animal bite. - On Jan. 19 at approximately 4:27 AM, officers responded to Stubblefield Lane for a disturbance. - On Jan. 19 at approximately 7-8:00 AM, officers responded to the 1000 block of Loop 332 for school zone enforcement. - On Jan. 19 at approximately

3:09 PM, officers responded to Cinnamon Teal Lane for suspicious activity. - On Jan. 19 at approximately 9:05 PM, officers responded to Syrah Court for a welfare concern. - On Jan. 20 at approximately 6:04 AM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 29 for a traffic hazard. - On Jan. 20 at approximately 2:32 PM, officers responded to North Harrier Ct for a citizen assist. - On Jan. 20 at approximately 4:13 PM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident. - On Jan. 20 at approximately 7:22 PM, officers responded to the intersection of W. SH 29 and Brown Bridge, for a traffic hazard. - On Jan. 21 at approximately 6:09 AM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 29 for an alarm call. - On Jan. 21 at approximately 1:15 PM, officers responded to Double Mountain Rd to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Three new faces have joined four incumbents – two City Council members and two LHISD Trustees – in ﬁling for a place on the May 1 ballot. In the Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees race, Steve Messana – who ﬁled to run for Place 3 – has joined incumbents

Kathy Major (Place 4) and incumbent Anthony Buck (Place 5) in ﬁling. Place 3 incumbent David Nix has not indicated his intention regarding seeking reelection. Place 6 was added last week after Trustee Vickie Peterson resigned due to work obligations.

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Hillcrest Ln to assist the Liberty Hill Fire/ EMS. - On Jan. 23 at approximately 7:54 PM, officers responded to Prosecco Path to assist the Liberty Hill Fire/ EMS. - On Jan. 23 at approximately 9:33 PM, officers responded to the 15000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident. - On Jan. 24 at approximately 3:20 AM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 29 for a suspicious vehicle. - On Jan. 24 at approximately 9:47 AM, officers responded to Star Spangled Dr for an animal complaint. - On Jan. 24 at approximately 4:02 PM, officers responded to Jonathan Dr for a suspicious incident. - On Jan. 24 at approximately 4:25 PM, officers responded to Kristi Ln for an animal complaint. - On Jan. 24 at approximately 8:52 PM, officers responded to the 300 block of Loop 332 for a suspicious vehicle.

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- On Jan. 21 at approximately 8:20 PM, officers responded to Bailey Ln for suspicious activity. - On Jan. 22 at approximately 7-8:00 AM, responded to the 1000 block of Loop 332 for school zone enforcement. - On Jan. 22 at approximately 1:40 PM, officers responded to Panther Path for a disturbance. - On Jan. 22 at approximately 6:01 PM, officers responded to Bell St for a welfare concern - On Jan. 22 at approximately 10:06 PM, officers responded to the 2000 block of Loop 332 for a suspicious incident. - On Jan. 23 at approximately 1:03AM, officers responded to the 2000 block of CR 279, to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. - On Jan. 23 at approximately 2:00 PM, officers responded to the 15000 block of W. SH 29 for an alarm call. - On Jan. 23, at approximately 3:59 PM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident. - On Jan. 23 at approximately 5:38 PM, officers responded to

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Kim Sanders added her name to the list of City Council candidates, filing to run for Place 1, which is currently held by Steve McIntosh. McIntosh has not indicated whether or not he will seek reelection. A second new Council candidate, Crystal Mancilla, filed Wednesday to run for Place 3. Place 3 Council member Gram Lankford and Place 5 Council member Liz Rundzieher have filed seeking another term. Candidates can file to run until 5 p.m. Feb. 12. To file for Council, download the application packet from the City website or pick one up from City Secretary Nancy Sawyer by appointment. Completed packets must also be dropped off by appointment due to current COVID-19 precautions. City Hall is located at 926 Loop 332 and the phone number is (512) 778-5449. In addition to the four School

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Board seats that will be on the ballot, district officials also plan to call a bond election for May. The proposal made this week by the district’s longrange planning committee was for a package that would include six new campuses and a variety of other infrastructure projects estimated at $491 million. But the final decision rests with the Board, which is expected to make a decision and call the election at a special meeting Feb. 8. To file for school board, candidates should go to the district office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to pick one up or one can be requested by mail. The LHISD Administrative Office is located at 301 Forrest Street and the number is (512) 260-5580. The Independent will hold a virtual candidate forum for all contested places for both Council and School Board in April.

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The Liberty Hill Independent is published every Thursday at 921 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, TX 78642. Periodical Postage Paid at Liberty Hill, Texas. Publication #018932 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Liberty Hill Independent, PO Box 1235, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 Shelly Wilkison - Publisher Mike Eddleman - Managing Editor Stacy Coale - Media Specialist Scott Akanewich - Sports Editor Anthony Flores - Staff Writer Rachel Madison - Staff Writer

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Thursday, January 28, 2021

Curtis named Santa Rita Middle School principal

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor District leaders didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to look far in the search for a principal to lead the new Santa Rita Middle School, set to open next fall. The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees approved Monday the appointment of current Intermediate School Principal Josh Curtis to the new post. He was selected from among three ďŹ nalists. Superintendent Steve Snell pointed to Curtisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success in his current position as a key factor in the decision. Curtis has been principal on the campus for four years, in which time the campus and staff have earned the designation of a globally recognized PLC Campus, one of 172 schools in the nation. The Intermediate School is also one of the 45 schools in Texas on the National School to Watch list. Familiarity is also a plus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has been a very successful principal at our Intermediate School,â&#x20AC;? Snell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited about with Mr. Curtis is on the ďŹ rst day of school he should know the vast majority of kids and parents and have that relationship already established. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to seeing the cool things that happen in our district, both in the new middle school and Liberty Hill Middle

School as we transition to six through eighth (grades).â&#x20AC;? Curtis has been in education for 15 years and with LHISD since 2015. While he will begin the transition this spring, he ofďŹ cially takes over as principal of the new school on July 1. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am beyond excited and humbled to have the opportunity to work with all stakeholders at Santa Rita Middle School and to help create a culture of excellence,â&#x20AC;? Curtis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taking on this role will require dedication, commitment, and hard work that will be fulďŹ lled when we are able to open and have students in the building, and watch them grow and succeed in all aspects of academics, community and character. I cannot wait to work with the community of Santa Rita and to help develop a middle school that will be a model for other districts in the state.â&#x20AC;? The Intermediate School is being transitioned to reopen as a ďŹ fth elementary school next fall and ďŹ nding a new leader for that campus is set to begin soon. Now that we have Noble Elementary named and Mr. Curtis has moved over to the new middle school, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start the process of hiring a new elementary principal,â&#x20AC;? Snell said.

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

2021 may be the year to go ahead and tell that old friend youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to go ďŹ shing

By WILT CUTTER Columnist When he was in high school my brother brought home this kid for supper. Come to ďŹ nd out he was really hungry and hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eaten in a couple of days. I remember being the one cooking supper so I made an extra hamburger that night and set an extra plate. So, after supper was done it slowly became clear that he might also need to sleep there a while. So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what happened. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how long he stayed with us because we were Christians and we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think like that. I was the older brother and at ďŹ rst I just saw him as another passenger in my Camaro. Have I ever mentioned what a good older brother I really was? I mean, in retrospect, I was embarrassingly loving and generous. I know my daddy would have said that about me. And my grandmother, too. Not claiming perfection here but outside of my long hair, my 8 Track Rock and Roll volume habits and an early budding propensity for using a few swear words, I was damned near a good person. In high school your sense of self is still developing. How-

ever, your sense of humor is pretty much already in place. This kid was hilarious and really brought much more than he took in food and love and attention. In fact, 45 years later I still burst out laughing at some of the crazy things that were done and said. You know that friend you made that came so easy? That friend that made everything turn into something funny? He was like that. And he was a borrowed friend from my brother, not even mine. Now a lot of things happen to human beings. You know time goes by. Those over 50 will relate. Those over 60 will knowingly nod and smile. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what those over 70 do, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not there yet. Anyway, this kid went back to where he came from. Circumstances evolved and he was all grown up. He was a groomsman in my wedding. Because my brother was in my wedding and he had become like a kinsman. In those following years I would hear of him occasionally. A story, a catchup. All was good. Then, like you, I got a divorce that I ďŹ led and won. And then like you, my little brother found Ms. Wonderful and there were kids and then I accidentally fell in love with someone. It was as though we were both getting into the old log ride at Six Flags Over Texas. We looked at each oth-

er and we looked at the water and we heard the inviting sounds of laughter and she said it looked like an adventure and she tugged on my hand and said it looked like fun. The fun she always had wanted to have with someone. And I might have said something about it being a long way to the bottom, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure if I asked if she were scared even just a little bit or should we be worried about the impact way down there. But then the lyrical sound of her voice and the way it sounds when she laughs and the log started to move. The careers, the babies and the years kept ďŹ&#x201A;ying by like a broken down dam. But I would always think about him. And tell the story of how he would jump up and catch the football then scream in a falsetto â&#x20AC;&#x153;Please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt meâ&#x20AC;? while running straight at defenders. Or he would warn all the inhabitants of football dogpile that frijoles had a certain effect on his digestive tract. Always smiling, always highly opinionated. Speaking of Wasted Days and Wasted Nights, he and I spent an entire afternoon debating the musical attributes of Freddy Fender with me acting as the musical defense attorney for Mr. Fender. And more time went by with me and my brother promising to ďŹ nd him. And on his parallel time track I hope he had a

Page 3

few stories of his own. Then, one day in 2008 one of my kids tells me about Facebook and within a year my whole generation of people went down the wormhole to waste a colossal amount of their lives talking trash politics on their latest version of the CB Radio. However, he and I found one another on Facebook after several tries. I asked about his life and was deeply pleased to hear that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d done good! Real good. We surprised one another with careers and families. We typed about the loss of parents and how much fun we had. I got to brag about our little brother and what a smart, successful guy he turned out to be. And more time went by with sharing stupid videos and memes and we promised to get together. As soon as we could. And then last week, one month from a well-earned and much anticipated retirement, I saw a post that he had passed away from COVID. I had no idea that he was ill. No South Texas hunting trip, no cold beer and music debate, not even a proper goodbye for an accidental friend who enriched my life at just the right time. I looked back at our Facebook messages to gather my thoughts. It was just a collection of old friends sending funny stuff to make one another laugh. And the promise to get together soon.

Liberty Hill Independent School District Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Governmental Funds For the Year Ended September 30, 2020

REVENUES Local and Intermediate Sources State Program Revenues Federal Program Revenues Total Revenues

LHHS places ďŹ rst in Cross Examination

The Liberty Hill High School Debate team competed in District 25-5A District Cross Examination contest Jan. 23. The event was held virtually. Kaitlyn Brooks (left) and Cassidy Sudekum (right) placed ďŹ rst in District and will advance to the State level March 19-20. Sudekum also received Top Speaker Points. (Courtesy Photo)

EXPENDITURES Current: Instruction Instructional Resources Curriculum and Staff Development Instructional Leadership School Leadership Guidance and Counseling Social Work Services Health Services Student Transportation Food Services Extracurricular Activities General Administration Facilities Maintenance and Operations Security and Monitoring Services Data Processing Services Principal on Long-Term Debt Interest on Long-Term Debt Bond issuance costs and fees Capital Outlay Payments Related to Shared Service Agreements Alternative Education Programs Other Intergovernmental Charges Total Expenditures

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Other

Total

Environmental

Governmental

Fund

Mitigation Program

Funds

28,481,678 14,731,006 244,441 43,457,125

14,438,681 144,782

1,560,055

14,583,463

1,560,055

738,000 738,000

1,457,189 634,131 1,679,983 3,771,303

817,811

3,797,427 (26,124)

(36,224,332)

648,393

738,000

1,807,911 406,304 12,138

4,215,000 9,920,020 8,568

38,718,786

55,977

67,140 300,828 42,936,477

14,143,588

38,718,786

520,648

439,875

(37,158,731)

738,000

45,937,603 16,247,919 1,924,424 64,109,946

25,003,766 667,776 1,034,284 348,743 2,398,451 2,226,210 136,082 397,870 2,580,313 1,807,911 1,808,503 1,783,651 3,608,778 431,544 1,214,841 4,556,104 9,956,294 8,568 39,996,621 67,140 300,828 100,334,278

48,893

1,221,858

Net Change in Fund Balances

Fund Balances, Ending

TCEQ VW

Projects

1,402,199 1,783,651 3,596,640 431,544 1,214,841 341,104 36,274

Fund Balances, Beginning

Mon-Fri 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-1pm

Capital

Service

24,185,955 667,776 985,391 348,743 2,398,451 1,577,817 136,082 397,870 1,842,313

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures

Request Refills Online

Debt General

520,648

439,875

(37,158,731)

(26,124)

(36,224,332)

7,260,252

6,081,135

89,315,193

514,449

103,171,029

7,780,900

6,521,010

52,156,462

488,325

66,946,697

The Notes to the Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement. Complete audited Financial Statements are available on the District's website at www.libertyhill.txed.net.

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Thursday, January 28, 2021

Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OfďŹ ce refocuses on Cooke case By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer On the 19th anniversary of the anniversary of Rachel Cookeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disappearance, the Williamson County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OfďŹ ce issued a call to the community once again for more information or possible leads on the case. Cooke disappeared on Jan. 10, 2002 while out jogging in Georgetown, during her winter break from college. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you think of something, please call us. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be more than happy to run it down, and believe it or not, even 18 years later, we still get 50 or 60 tips weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re running down,â&#x20AC;? said Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve developed some good leads. Unfortunately, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t discuss them right now, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re worth tracking down. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not saying theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to solve it. We always paint the picture a little bit brighter whenever we get more information. We always pick up what we can and keep moving forward.â&#x20AC;? The Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OfďŹ ce continues to pursue leads on the case, both for the family to bring closure and to solve the case. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know Mrs. Cooke is very sensitive about this, and she wants the closure she deserves. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think she wants

ASL

to be part of a media circus,â&#x20AC;? said Gleason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She just wants someone to do the work, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing the work, and when we submit a press release, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to say that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still looking and if this case has touched you or youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a part of it in any way, we ask you to reďŹ&#x201A;ect.â&#x20AC;? The frustration that comes with cold cases extends beyond a family looking for closure. It reaches deep into the investigators trying to bring that closure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difďŹ cult because you keep asking, what are we missing? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m probably guilty of it myself. How many times have you just looked at something and overlooked a detail, and someone else looks at it they pick up on it? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cold case work,â&#x20AC;? said Gleason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to get a new set of eyes on it. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve looked at it, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve convinced ourselves everything we see on the paper or in the report is true, but then you pass it on, and they see something we missed. I get excited every time someone with a new set of eyes takes a look at it.â&#x20AC;? Gleasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ofďŹ ce will focus on advancements in investigation methods and new tools that werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t available or as sophisticated in the past as they are now.

Continued from Page 1

It was my calling in life.â&#x20AC;? Nielson teaches the ASL course at Liberty Hill High School, teaching the program in four phases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For students who take ASL, the goal is to take that to a much higher level. By the time they ďŹ nish with ASL 2, they should be able to have basic conversations with a deaf person on a variety of topics,â&#x20AC;? said Nielson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also have a more in-depth understanding and awareness of deaf history, culture, and current events. Some students opt to continue on to ASL 3 and 4. There they have the opportunity to explore more of the artistic side of the language and culture learning more about deaf art, ASL performances, deaf music, poetry, and more.â&#x20AC;? Nielson also leads the ASL Club and the ASL Honor Society, and these students play vital roles in many school events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My ASL kids have been actively involved with the

homecoming parade, signing the national anthem at football games,â&#x20AC;? said Nielson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have club activities where they practice signing with each other. They attend the annual homecoming at the Texas School for the Deaf so they can meet deaf members of the community and other ASL students.â&#x20AC;? With experience teaching at the community level, the college level, and over a decade of experience at the high school level, Nielson will be heading the Panther Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s after-school ASL lessons. Lessons began this week, with adult courses coming in the next few weeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the Liberty Hill Panther Academy, the students will be learning some basic signing concepts. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn colors, numbers, greetings/farewells, ďŹ nger spelling, and more,â&#x20AC;? said Nielson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also learn some basic information about the deaf culture and community. I thought this would be an

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of it is weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to start looking at a lot of genealogy, DNA and things of that nature. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where law enforcement is heading,â&#x20AC;? said Gleason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In defense of using it. It still goes back to having to pass the smell test. It canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be fruit from the poisonous tree. It must be obtained legally. It has to pass the judicial smell test. Just because you ďŹ nd something, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that person is automatically guilty. It still has a lot of layers it has to go through.â&#x20AC;? In some cases, DNA has helped administer justice on the ďŹ&#x201A;ip-side of a conviction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You also have just the opposite of that. Look at Michael Morton,â&#x20AC;? said Gleason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;DNA on a handkerchief proved him innocent after 25 years. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a double-edged sword. It can convict or prove innocence.â&#x20AC;? The WCSO cold case unit has plenty of work to keep doing, but the focus on solving cases like Rachel Cookeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is strong and sharp. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a great cold case unit. The unit is very highly skilled and comes with a lot of experience,â&#x20AC;? said Gleason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve met with them all, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re moving forward. All I can say is that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll wait and see.â&#x20AC;?

excellent opportunity for students to learn about the ASL program. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had students tell me they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t aware of the ASL program beforehand, so I am trying to reach out to the community more and create that awareness.â&#x20AC;? The married father of ďŹ ve was born deaf. Nielson has no usable hearing in his right ear, with what is medically referred to as a severe to profound sloping loss in his left ear. He hopes his efforts can open a new world of understanding for his students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the very least, I want my kids to develop an awareness, appreciation, and respect for the deaf culture and their language,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To get a glimpse of a beautiful language as well as a rich culture that still has many challenges today like any other minority group. Being so passionate about my own language and culture, I would like my students to fall in love with the language and culture. I hope

Statue issue lingers without committee

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer GEORGETOWN -- A committee to determine the fate of the controversial Confederate statue that stands in front of the Williamson County Courthouse was announced last August, with the intention that it would get to work after the November election, but to date committee members have not been appointed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The idea is for each member of the court to appoint three members to gather information,â&#x20AC;? said County Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles in late August. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking to see if the statue is appropriate or not. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not what I think the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus should be. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appropriate, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of our history. The question is if thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the appropriate spot for it at the courthouse.â&#x20AC;? The original plan was for the commissioners to put together their 15-member committee with a December deadline. The committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation was postponed until this month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had previously brought to the court the idea of a committee to discuss the Confederate statue on the historic courthouse grounds,â&#x20AC;? said

they embrace them and incorporate them into their lives in some way.â&#x20AC;? Learning ASL starts with simple phrases and concepts to provide students with a foundation that they can build on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Generally, they will start with learning how to introduce themselves. I use the language to teach the language. I teach visually, using ASL,â&#x20AC;? said. Nielson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am deaf, so I do not speak with my students, only visual communication methods such as signs, gestures, pointing, drawing, and writing. Like any other language, ďŹ&#x201A;uency takes time and effort. Reaching near-native ďŹ&#x201A;uency, the average student of any language generally takes around nine years, depending on the complexity. To communicate in ASL on most any topic on a comfortable level can be done in a few years.â&#x20AC;? Looking back, Nielson sees the power and inďŹ&#x201A;uence of his work through the many students who have moved on to

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Boles on Dec. 8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had mentioned December as a date, I know that the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calendar has been full. I still intend to bring that forward in January, probably the second half of January. I will be asking each commissioner and judge to appoint three members. Holly Coe will be the chair.â&#x20AC;? Almost four weeks into the new year the court has yet to take action, much to the frustration of some residents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do not have faith at this point that they are sincere about this issue,â&#x20AC;? said Georgetown resident Robin Breed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I worry that the committee formation was disingenuous and a way to kick the issue down the road and hope we would go away.â&#x20AC;? Retired army veteran and Georgetown resident Jason Norwood takes issue with the committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal as a whole. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reality is that the formation of the committee should have immediately been about where to put it or to destroy it and not its appropriateness,â&#x20AC;? said Norwood. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is never appropriate to glorify a traitorous

See STATUE, Page 5

ASL-based careers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know that most of my students are simply looking to get language credit to graduate high school. But a number of my students have fallen in love with the language and culture and have pursued careers utilizing what they have learned,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of my students have become audiologists, ASL teachers, Deaf Education teachers, and interpreters. One of them has opened his own optometry ofďŹ ce. He speciďŹ cally reached out to the deaf community to let them know he can sign and that he also has an assistant who is a certiďŹ ed interpreter.â&#x20AC;? Sometimes the program can be totally life-changing for students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I still smile when I think of one of my students. As a freshman in ASL 1, she was extremely talkative during class. By the time she got to ASL 3 and 4, she was absolutely passionate about the language and culture,â&#x20AC;? said Nielson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be-

fore school started one year, she came into my classroom to tell me she hated me. She had all her plans worked out and knew what she was going to be. But, after taking my class, all those plans were out the window. She had fallen in love with ASL. Now she works at the Texas School for the Deaf. She married a deaf man she had met during a trip to help with a deaf school in Haiti.â&#x20AC;? Passionate about what he teaches, Nielson is eager for the opportunity to share ASL and the culture around it with anyone and everyone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the deaf community, we have what are called namesigns,â&#x20AC;? said Nielson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are cultural names given to us by other members of the deaf community. Often, they are descriptive names, and in my case, my name-sign is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nutsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. A lot of my kids will tell you that it is a very accurate namesign. I have a lot of fun with my kids.â&#x20AC;?

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Thursday, January 28, 2021

Council

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 1

Program, so all of this information, which Becky and I are currently gathering, will be available on the website and you will always have access to it.” Canady argued it wasn’t necessary for the Council to go through the report each month. “I’m not trying to shirk my duties, but I count on the City Treasurer and the City Administrator that if on the off chance that (a city department) needs money that Becky’s going to tell me,” Canady said. Branigan’s response focused on the Council’s oversight responsibility. “The more eyes on the City’s finances, the better it will be,” Branigan said. “You go through it every month because you see yourself as a good steward of the City’s resources.” In general, the Council felt like the information was available when needed. “I think it’s accessible and it’s available, and the public can see it,” said Council member Steve McIntosh. “I think if we make plans to do that there’s no need to pound

Statue

it out here.” Canady also said that anyone could request the information through an open records request. But until recently, the reports have not been made available even through public records requests, and repeated attempts by Branigan to discuss the current budget in a council meeting has met with resistance. The Council chose to take no action on the issue Monday, which means no change in financial reporting at Council meetings will be made.

Sculpture Fest funding The Council declined a request from the Liberty Hill Development Foundation Board to help fund and plan the 2021 Sculpture Festival, citing the amount of funds being requested and the extensive work that would be involved for city staff. “We have been approached by the Board to engage in a cost-sharing agreement for the Sculpture Festival,” Hale said. “They are proposing $10,000 for their portion. The proposal they are asking for the City’s cost-sharing is $20,000, so it would be a total of $30,000.” Council members questioned why the City would provide the majority of the funding for the event. “Why are we coming up with the lion’s share for this festival?” Canady asked. “They want us to do all the work and pay double what they’re willing to put into it. They want money and for (Katie Amsler) to do all the work.” McIntosh said he shared the

Exemptions increase The City Council approved raising the Over 65 and Disabled Person homestead exemptions for local property taxes to $15,000, tripling the amount that is currently set at $5,000. According to Wilkins, the two exemptions impact about 10 percent of homeowners within the city limits. The Homestead exemption will remain $5,000. The Council indicated an interest in exploring much higher exemptions in the future, especially for those over 65

See CITY, Page 10

Continued from Page 4

organization that stood for the continuation of keeping people in bondage.” Leander resident Christine Mann called the situation a ridiculous farce. She believes the committee’s purpose is to give the appearance that the commissioners are listening. “I think even if they make a decision, the committee will be slanted. They will recommend the statue stays. They will use that as their reason to shut down these discussions,” said Mann. “No one is asking to have it destroyed. We are asking to move it to a new location. No one is trying to erase history. Rather we want to be forward-looking and

or disabled individuals.

Using the platform of public comments during the weekly Commissioners Court meetings, many have voiced their opinions. Speaking at the meetings is a tool Breed says they will rely on until the issue is addressed. “We are now going to Commissioners Court weekly and reading letters to the commissioners from members of the community,” said Breed. “So basically, we’re taking the committee to them. It gets people’s voices on the record, at least. We are holding a weekly tabling and protest on the square.”

have the square reflect what we aspire to, not where we came from.” Liberty Hill’s Meredith Brand shared similar opinions on the fate of the statue. “This process has been going on for far too long. The same arguments get rehashed through committee after committee,” said Brand. “It is long past time to remove the statue from the steps of the courthouse and take it to a neutral location where people can visit if they so desire. When people express concern over erasing history, point them to the museum or the cemetery options for the statues new home.”

Page 5

Area COVID vaccine numbers increasing

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor There has been reprieve from the upward trend in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Williamson County and across the state, and the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations has increased rapidly over the last two weeks in Williamson County. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 26,632 individuals in the County have received the first dose, with 4,998 having also having the second. Currently, only Phase 1A individuals (Front-line healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities) and Phase 1B individuals (those over 65 or with a chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19) are eligible for the vaccine. The hub provider for Williamson County is Family Emergency Rooms in Cedar Park, and according to the State, the location received an additional 8,000 doses this week. Additionally, Lone Star Circle of Care in Cedar Park and Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Taylor each received 100 doses. Liberty Hill ISD Superintendent Steve Snell said the district is starting to see teachers getting the vaccine. “We got a call yesterday and Judge Gravel offered up vaccines to the teachers of Williamson County so we were able to vaccinate about 109 teachers (Tuesday), and 45 more vaccinated this week through a different location,” Snell said. “Our goal is that everybody who wants, and is willing to get the vaccine gets it. I need my staff to stay well so we can continue the business of school.” The school district has had

all High School instruction remote for the past two weeks due to increasing case numbers and the volume of those requiring quarantine. After being remote for a week, the Intermediate School returned to on-campus learning this week, and it is anticipated High School students will return to campus next week. “We still believe in our processes and protocol,” Snell said. “We’re just going through now what we thought we might have had to go through much earlier. We just have a lot of cases not only in our schools but in our community. We’re suffering through a large wave right now, but we’re going to get through it. My teachers are stepping up big time. They’re stressed, tired and exhausted, but everyone is still holding that rope tight.” Case numbers across the district dipped slightly this week, from 82 last week, to 76 this week. Numbers continue to be highest at the High School, with 23 students and 10 staff cases. The Junior High has 15 student cases, followed by Rancho Sienna Elementary with six students and five staff, Bill Burden Elementary with two students and three staff, the Intermediate School with four students and one staff, Liberty Hill Elementary with one student and two staff, and Santa Rita Elementary with one staff member. The district is asking parents interested in changing their student’s learning platform – to remote or in-person instruction – to go online and make that selection this week. The deadline for changes is midnight Jan. 31. The City of Liberty Hill will not provide information regarding the number of cases inside the city limits.

Increasing numbers Williamson County has averaged 331 cases per day over the last week, topping 30,000 total since March on Tuesday. There have also been 30 deaths in the last seven days. Across Texas, there have been 115,449 new cases in the last week, and January has already been the highest month in confirmed cases at 451,798 with five days remaining. The previous high was December at 368,154 cases. There have been 9,627 Texas deaths in January so far. The number of hospitalizations in the state dipped this week after a high of 13,928 last week. As of Tuesday the number was 12,851. The test positivity rate has reached its lowest number since just before Christmas at 14.49 percent on Tuesday. It had reached as high as 20 percent in early January. Infusion center expansion The state has expanded the COVID-19 therapeutic infusion center in Austin. It opened Jan. 6 with nine infusion chairs, and has treated 279 patients since then. With added support provided by Texas Department of Emergency Management, including 24 additional infusion chairs, staff, and medical equipment, the infusion center will be able to increase capacity to treat a greater number of COVID-19 patients each day. The center provides monoclonal antibody therapy to treat patients who meet certain criteria with a referral from a hospital or doctor.

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PUBLIC NOTICES MISSING PROPERTY If you believe the police department may have a found item that belongs to you, you can call the Property Division directly at 512-548-5530 or email at ekrause@libertyhilltx.gov. When contacting the Property Division, describe the item(s) you are looking for, in detail, and we will let you know if we have it. If we do, we will make arrangements to get it back to you. (1/28)

LEGAL NOTICES CITY OF LIBERTY HILL ORDINANCE NO. 21-O01.11-07 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LIBERTY HILL, TEXAS, ORDERING A GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE ELECTION OF ALDERMEN FOR COUNCIL PLACES ONE, THREE AND FIVE TO BE HELD ON MAY 1, 2021, ORDERING A RUN-OFF ELECTION, IF NECESSARY, AND ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR SAID ELECTIONS. (1/28)

CITY OF LIBERTY HILL ORDINANCE NO. 21-O01.11-02 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LIBERTY HILL, TEXAS TO AMEND APPENDIX A OF THE LIBERTY HILL CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH ADOPTS ZONING DISTRICTS, USE REGULATIONS AND LOT DESIGN STANDARDS WITHIN THE CITY’S LIMITS AS WELL AS AN OFFICIAL ZONING MAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BY CHANGING THE ZONING AND CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (1/28)

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bid proposals addressed to Clayton Properties Group, Inc. dba Brohn Homes on behalf of Williamson County Municipal Utility District No. 23 (the “District”), c/o LandDev Consulting, LLC, CITY OF LIBERTY HILL Attn: Caylea Pogue, will be reORDINANCE NO. 21-Oceived from qualified bidders 01.11-04 until 2:00 pm CST on FebruAN ORDINANCE OF THE ary 11th, 2021 at the offices CITY COUNCIL OF LIBER- of LandDev Consulting, LLC, TY HILL, TEXAS, AMEND- 5508 Highway 290 West, Suite ING THE BUDGET FOR 150, Austin, Texas, 78735, for THE FISCAL YEAR BEGIN- furnishing all labor, supplies, NING OCTOBER 1, 2019 and supervision necessary for AND ENDING SEPTEMBER construction of Morningstar 30, 2020 PROVIDING FOR Phase 4, Section 3 Subdivision VARIOUS UNFORESEEN (the “Project”). The Project REVENUES AND EXPEN- involves construction of subDITURES; ESTABLISHING divisions and associated inAN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND frastructure including grading, FINDING PROPER NOTICE roadway, water quality ponds, AND MEETING. waterline, gravity wastewater (1/28) line, storm sewers, erosion controls, and associated appurCITY OF LIBERTY HILL tenances. ORDINANCE NO. 21-OBids will be opened and pub01.11-03 licly read aloud at 2:00 pm AN ORDINANCE OF THE CST at the offices of LandDev CITY OF LIBERTY HILL, Consulting, LLC, 5508 HighTEXAS TO AMEND AP- way 290 West, Suite 150, AusPENDIX A OF THE LIBER- tin, Texas, 78735, on February TY HILL CODE OF ORDI- 11th, 2021. No faxed bids will

Clawson Disposal, inC. Residential * Commercial * Roll off

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NANCES, THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH ADOPTS ZONING DISTRICTS, USE REGULATIONS AND LOT DESIGN STANDARDS WITHIN THE CITY’S LIMITS AS WELL AS AN OFFICIAL ZONING MAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BY CHANGING THE ZONING AND CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (1/28)

Jarrell (512) 746-2000 Leander (512) 259-1709 FAX (512) 746-5807

be accepted. Any proposal received after the closing time will be filed unopened. Bids must be submitted on the form included in the bid documents, in sealed envelopes marked “Bid for Morningstar Phase 4, Section 3 Subdivision Project”. Plans and Specifications for the Project may be examined without charge at the offices of LandDev Consulting, LLC, 5508 Highway 290 West, Suite 150, Austin, Texas, 78735. Bidders must contact Caylea Pogue at LandDev Consulting, LLC in order to view and/ or obtain electronic access to proposal forms, plans, specifications, and contract documents without charge (telephone: 512-872-6696 or email: caylea.pogue@landdevconsulting.com). A bid must include Bid Security in the form of a certified or cashier’s check or a bid bond issued by a surety legally authorized to do business in Texas, payable to the District, in an amount of at least 5% of the total amount of the bid, in accordance with Texas Water Code Section 49.271(c), as a guaranty that, if awarded the contract, the bidder will promptly enter into a contract with Clayton Properties Group, Inc. dba Brohn Homes on behalf of the District and furnish bonds on the forms provided. If a Bid is Accepted, the contractor will be required to furnish, at the contractor’s expense, (i) payment and performance bonds in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 2253; (ii) a one year maintenance bond in the amount of 10% of the contract price, in a form and substance, and with a surety satisfactory to the District, upon final pay-

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ment and acceptance under the contract; (iii) worker’s compensation insurance coverage in accordance with Texas Labor Code Section 406.096; and (iv) general liability insurance insuring against liability for bodily injury, personal injury, death, or property damage. No Bid may be withdrawn for at least 90 days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. The Award will be made on the basis of the lowest responsible bidder that is considered the most advantageous to the District and result in the best and most economical completion of the Project in accordance with Texas Water Code Section 49.273(c). The right is reserved to waive any informality in the bidding and to reject any or all bids. The Project is being constructed by Clayton Properties Group, Inc. dba Brohn Homes on behalf of and in the name of the District. The contract will provide that the contractor will look solely to Clayton Properties Group, Inc. dba Brohn Homes for payment of all sums coming due thereunder. Minimum Wage Scale: The contract will require compliance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 2258, Subchapter B, pertaining to prevailing wage rates. In accordance with Texas Water Code Section 49.279, the District specifies the prevailing wage rates for public works established by Williamson County, Texas as the District’s prevailing wage rates. The contractor for the Project must pay not less than the specified prevailing wage rates to workers employed by it in execution of the contract. (1/28p)

LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Mixed Beverage Permit (BG) and a Food and Beverage Certificate (FB) by An Thinh Asian Cuisines to be located at 2082 US 183, Unit 150, Liberty Hill, Williamson, Texas. Owner of said Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) is Thu Thi Nguyen.

LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a BG and BP (Beer & Wine Retailer permit and Brewpub permit) by Whitestone Brewery, LLC, to be located at 15390 Hwy 29, Suites 201-203, Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas. Officers of said corporation are Ryan Anglen, Managing Member and Ryan Van Steenis, Managing Member. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission 11

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SPORTS

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, January 28, 2021 Page 6

Free throws can win or lose games

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When a basketball player steps to the free-throw line late in a close game with the ball in his hands, what happens next can have a profound effect on the outcome of the contest. Usually, when a hoops team wins or loses a game by only a few points, one can look directly to one particular number on the stat sheet. Free-throw percentage. According to Liberty Hill head coach Barry Boren, shots from the charity stripe are of the utmost importance and something he constantly drills into his players. “I’m definitely old school when it comes to coaching and playing basketball – that means I believe the two most important shots in basketball are layups and free throws,” said Boren. “To me the team that shoots the most of these – and makes them, of course – usually goes on to win the game. In our practices, we usually spend a lot of time shooting both.” Boren said a 70 percent clip from the line is considered good at the high school level, but even reaching that plateau is something many players find difficult to achieve. “Whereas shooting a layup can involve having to do so with either hand or while being physically chased or contested, the ‘free throw’ is just that – ‘free,’” he said. “You’re not impeded by anything other than a time restriction – you only have a certain time to ponder, measure up and release – and a necessary place from where to shoot. One would wonder why then does free-throw shooting

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Liberty Hill’s Zane Lauper (#5) sizes up a free-throw attempt during the Panthers’ 69-54 home win over Leander on Dec. 22. become difﬁcult for some or most to master?” For Boren, there is a quartet of primary factors for this phenomenon, he said. “One, it has to do with pressure – it’s the pressure of the moment, it’s the pressure of all of the attention being centered on the shooter,” said Boren. “Two, it comes from a player’s inability to change from one speed and method of play to another in the spur of a moment in that the player is playing fast and all of a sudden has to stop, become

collected and produce an accurate, calculated movement. Three, it comes from a lack of true preparation. Kids practice shooting free throws, but do they practice them at game speed with game-type pressure? Four, there are technical, functional ‘kinks’ in players’ shooting motion that inhibit the ability to be consistent in shooting from that distance. How many kids are willing to put the time in to correct a habit in the way they have shot the ball for a long, long time? To me, these are

all reasons kids do not shoot free throws equally well. It’s also why when certain players shoot free throws, you may see me with my ﬁngers crossed.” Boren puts so much emphasis on free throws, in fact, when open gyms are held over the summer, sides are decided not by simply picking teams, but having players shoot from the line to determine who their teammates will be that day. “To me, it’s equitable and fair,” said Boren. “I make the analogy it’s like the ante one would pay to play poker. We

shoot to create as many teams as we have players, but if you’re one of the ones who didn’t make a free throw, you don’t play until the next game starts. Then, you get into line and shoot another free throw. The players on the winning teams play again, the challengers come from those who lost or didn’t make their free throws. Once the free throws are shot and new teams are made, the process starts again.” So, there you have it – a never-ending, constantly-ﬂowing

process that ultimately determines the competitive nature of the pickup games, while at the same time, reinforcing the importance of making free throws and how they can have a profound affect on the outcome of games. Keep missing and you might not even get to step on the court that day at all – further creating a sense of urgency to perform under pressure, said Boren. “This moment when you’re at the line could create some pressure as you attempt to make the free throw and be on a team,” he said. “After all, if you miss, you just go to the end of the line and you possibly don’t get to play for a little while.” As open gym usually lasts for about two hours and the pressure to keep playing is relentless. “During that time, you’ll get to shoot – and hopefully make – multiple free throws that will ensure your spot on a team,” said Boren. “Competition builds pressure and pressure builds competition. Kids strive to make the team by making a free throw, then they strive to win. But, if they don’t win, they continue to try to put themselves in a position to do so.” A frenetic process designed to get a player’s competitive juices ﬂowing and one which will eventually carry over into regular-season practices and games – which, of course, is the method behind the madness – and exactly what Boren wants, he said. “When we have organized practices within the realm of

Arriving at the business end

Lady Panthers open district play

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Nobody ever said it would be easy. So far, that’s been exactly the case for the Liberty Hill girls’ soccer team, as they opened district play in Class 5A for the ﬁrst time in the history of the program this week. All last season – their ﬁnal campaign as a Class 4A club – the Lady Panthers lost only one game, on the way to a sparkling 18-1-3 record. However, this year, it’s been a much tougher road to hoe for the Purple-and-Gold, as they’ve already doubled last season’s defeat total in only 10 games. The pair of losses have come at the hands of top-notch teams in Dripping Springs and Class 6A Wylie East, who are perfect on the season without having conceded even a single goal. So, despite the fact there have been a few hiccups on the way in the early going, his side is now poised to plunge headlong into its new competitive atmo-

SHANNON HOFMANN PHOTO

Senior midﬁelder Mykenna Russo (#3) has a knack for making runs forward and attacking the defense when opportunities present themselves. sphere, said Liberty Hill head coach Darren Bauer. “We had some setbacks, but we’ve taken steps to improve them,” he said. “Our players

Don’t get caught in the cold.

have realized how hard they have to work now.” Senior midﬁelder Mykenna Russo is certainly ready and focused – although a bit wary,

but that’s nothing new for her, she said. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m always nervous before games,” said Russo, on the

eve of the Lady Panthers’ district opener against East View. “But, it usually goes away once the game begins.” Russo puts the bumps in the

See FREE, Page 8

road this far for her and her teammates down to the more rugged opposition they’ve face so far. “The teams we’re seeing now are faster and more aggressive,” she said. “So, when that happens, we just need to make sure we keep communicating with one another out on the field and stay on the same page.” Russo had already scored five goals in Liberty Hill’s opening 10 matches this year coming off a season in which she netted 22 times – third-best on the team – so one way to neutralize more menacing opponents is to keep them on their heels, which is something she specializes in, said Bauer. “Mykenna has such a change of pace when she makes her runs forward – she’s very hard to mark,” he said. “She also has a natural ability to see space and angles to work with.” Russo and sophomore Kassidy Contreras are the holding midfielders in the Lady Panthers’ formation, which means their defensive responsibilities in supporting the back line are their primary concern, but also take advantage of the chance

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Thursday, January 28, 2021

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Andon Thomas (#10) led Liberty Hill with 161 tackles and scored three defensive touchdowns on the season.

Page 7

ALEX RUBIO PHOTOS

Senior Blake Simpson led the Panthers with 2,024 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns, including 302 yards and five scores in a 56-53 playoff victory.

Season like no other for Panthers 5A competition and losing coach posed unprecedented challenges

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Heading into Liberty Hill’s 2020 football season, all the anticipation was what the Panthers’ first campaign as a Class 5A school would be like. After being the proverbial big fish in the small pond – and dominating as such – for so many seasons, the Purple-andGold would now face a challenge unlike any other in the history of the program. However, although that was certainly true, nobody could’ve expected the reason that was indeed the case. After losing beloved head coach Jeff Walker to cancer near the end of the regular season, the Panthers found themselves up against not only fierce postseason competition, but an emotional wall – one that they needed to break through in order to compete in their fallen leader’s honor – just like he would’ve wanted them to. Anyone who follows the program knows exactly how the team reacted under such adverse conditions. Four straight playoff victories had Liberty Hill one more away from returning to Dallas for the Class 5A state championship game only two seasons removed from its last trip to Big D in 2018 as a Class 4A squad. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, as the Panthers came up a point short in a 62-61 overtime loss to Crosby, ending a 12-1 sea-

son – one that let their new competition know they were indeed the new kid on the block, but one that was going to give no quarter to established Class 5A teams. But, before that playoff run could begin, the Panthers had to navigate their way through a regular season that included a district schedule in which the biggest challenge was to remain awake through all four quarters. 76-0, 86-0, 42-0, 40-7 and 84-0 were the final scores of Liberty Hill’s five district contests which were played, with the regular-season finale against Northeast Early College called off due to COVID concerns, resulting in a forfeit win. According to interim head coach Kent Walker – who took over after his brother’s passing on Nov. 30 – it was difficult to find a needle of positivity in a haystack of negativeness as far as the district schedule was concerned. “Well, a lot of our young kids and even JV players got to play in those games,” said Walker. “But, that was my concern going into the Glenn game – that we hadn’t played anybody yet.” Indeed, the biggest on-field challenge the Panthers had faced entering the playoffs was the 40-7 road victory against Marble Falls on Oct. 30, so naturally, one might have had cause for concern opening the postseason against Glenn at

Panther Stadium on Dec. 11. If there truly were concerns, they certainly never came to fruition in a dominant 51-0 victory over the Grizzlies in which the Panthers rolled up 434 rushing yards – including 148 by senior Blake Simpson, a precursor of what was yet to come from the bruising back as the postseason progressed. The following week brought Boerne Champion – another side which caused anxiety for Walker – but another that was quickly vanquished with a 41-0 victory over the Chargers. Finally, in the third round against Rouse was when the Panthers finally got the test they had been seeking in a wild, 56-42 affair in which the score seesawed back and forth until Liberty Hill managed to secure victory. After piling up 184 yards in the previous win against Champion, Simpson rumbled for 298 yards and five touchdowns in the win over the Raiders in a game in which the Panthers defense got stops down the stretch when they needed them following having been exploited earlier in the contest. The following week in the quarterfinals against Pioneer found Liberty Hill in another high-scoring shootout and they again prevailed by a 56-53 score, as Simpson ran for 302 yards and five touchdowns, as the Panthers ran for 710 yards against the Diamondbacks’ de-

No better man for the job than Kent Walker

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor One thing is absolutely crystal clear for us at this point in time going on two months since the passing of former Liberty Hill head football coach and athletic director Jeff Walker. The ISD need not look very far for his replacement. They already have him. What better man to fill the shoes of a man who was so revered in Purple-and-Gold parts than brother Kent Walker, who is already on the Panthers’ coaching staff, serving as defensive coordinator until taking over as interim head coach and AD after his brother’s passing? For us, this is a no-brainer. While considering this, something else is perfectly clear, as well. There is no replacing Jeff Walker. However, it would seem as if the next nearest thing is having a man who in many ways is just like his brother – although he’ll tell you he’s also different in other ways – to step in and keep the Liberty Hill football team and athletic program running as smoothly as the well-oiled machine Jeff used to describe his Slot-T offense as when it was working on all cylinders. We’ve already seen what kind of work Kent has done on the

sidelines with the five-game job interview, which was the Panthers’ playoff run, when they got within a single play of vying for a state championship in the program’s first season of Class 5A football. Not to mention, Kent has already followed Jeff before when he ran the Rogers program after his older brother had served in the dual-role of head coach and AD, so he also has the requisite experience in all the other aspects of the job. But, the most important thing the younger Walker brings to the table is continuity. Here’s someone who not only knows the program inside-out, but understands what being Liberty Hill means, respects it and has a tremendous emotional investment. The old saying about not fixing something that isn’t broken certainly applies here and that’s something which goes far beyond wins and losses and Xs and Os. When a new coach arrives, it usually means the old one didn’t get it done, so as a result the new guy is given a blank check with which to revamp and do things different because the old way obviously wasn’t working. Not the case here. But, despite the fact whoever the new coach is would be taking over a winning program, it’s human nature to want to make some changes to put one’s stamp on the program. Like a new sheriff in town. In other words, upsetting an apple cart that doesn’t need it.

So, why not just have a seamless transition which has already taken place be made permanent? Just like going from Jerry Vance to Jeff Walker made perfect sense, so does going from Jeff Walker to Kent Walker. When Jeff returned to Liberty Hill to take over from Vance, he was someone who already knew the program from his time here as offensive coordinator and kept the Panthers on the upswing, resulting in a state championship game appearance in only his second season in charge in 2018. Aside from all the numbers and other reasons, though, is the fact Kent knows what a special place Liberty Hill is and what a unique program the Panthers have – not only on the gridiron, but across the board in all sports. There aren’t many schools where anything short of a state championship is considered unfinished business. Not only that, but the athletes themselves completely buy into this mindset – which is firmly established by not only the coaches, but the athletic director. Liberty Hill isn’t simply another stop on the career coaching carousel – it’s a place to call home. So, what better choice than to give the job to a man who already calls it exactly that?

fense. However, Liberty Hill’s good fortune in close, high-scoring games came to an abrupt end the following week in the loss to Crosby and as fate would have it, Simpson fumbled on the 1-yard line on what would’ve been a game-winning 2-point conversion in overtime. But, by no means was Simpson to blame for the Panthers coming up short in their quest to reach the title game, as he racked up numbers in only five playoff games that would’ve been a fine season for most – 1,174 yards, 17 touchdowns and an incredible 12.9 yards per carry. “Blake was phenomenal,” said Walker. “What he did was nothing short of spectacular, how he put us on his shoulders and carried us.” Walker added it was nice to have a back who bristled at even the thought of being brought down whenever he carried the ball. “Blake’s a kid who runs with a purpose and refuses to go down,” he said. “He’s fun to watch.” Offense After trailing teammate and fellow senior Trey Seward for most of the regular season for the team rushing lead, Simpson blew past his backfield cohort in the playoffs, finishing his final season with 2,024 yards on 179 carries and 30 touchdowns. Seward ran for 1,622 yards

on 179 attempts to go with 22 touchdowns and senior Eric De La Cruz had 764 yards on 84 carries and 11 scores on the season. “Trey had a great year for us – he put together two really good back-to-back-seasons,” said Walker. “Along with Eric, it was great to have three running backs to carry the ball so effectively.” In addition to 5,562 rushing yards on the season, the Liberty Hill offense showed a propensity for taking shots down the field in the passing game more so than in recent seasons. Senior quarterback Charlie Calabretta threw for 414 yards and seven touchdowns, to go with 34 carries for 320 yards and four scores on the ground, wrapping up a career with saw him seamlessly take control of the Panthers offense in his final season. Walker said the Panthers wanted to use the element of surprise to their advantage in not hesitating to air it out down the field on occasion. “People often think you can’t throw in the Slot-T,” he said. “But, we can throw the ball farther than they think. Charlie did a great job all season.” Defense Across the line of scrimmage on defense, junior linebacker Andon Thomas had the kind of dominant season which strikes fear into the hearts of opposing offenses. Thomas led Liberty Hill with 161 tackles – averaging 13.4

stops per game – and recorded 24 tackles for loss on the season, along with five sacks, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries and three touchdowns. Walker credited Thomas’ mental acumen, along with his undeniable physical skill, for making him nearly unstoppable. “Having Andon out there is like having a coach on the field,” he said. “I think he can get even better, which is crazy to think that’s possible and he did all that with offenses focusing on him, which is scary.” While at times, it seemed as if Thomas was making all of the Panthers’ plays on defense, he had help in fellow linebackers junior Aaron Brewer (102 tackles), senior Luke Huddleston (86) and junior Kaden McMahan (75), along with senior safety Preston Shephard (65). But, it was a defensive lineman – junior Lloyd Johnson, who improved the most from the previous season, said Walker. “Lloyd took tremendous strides this season,” said Walker, of Johnson, who was sixth on the team with 60 tackles – first among lineman – along with a team-leading six sacks and 15 quarterback hurries. “I think what he had going for him was having his first offseason with us, which increased his mental toughness

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PANTHER OF THE WEEK

Morgan Jackson (#23) is a sharpshooter – whether it’s on a basketball court or in a deer blind – and is accurate at both.

Sharpshooter’s aim is right on

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Morgan Jackson has her eyes on a target, she’s deadly. Whether she’s sizing up a 3-point shot on a basketball court – or aiming down the barrel of a hunting rifle. “I went hunting once when I was 14 with my dad,” said Jackson, a senior forward. “We got up really early in the morning, then went and waited in a deer blind. After about two hours, the deer showed up.” What happened next is the same thing that usually does when Jackson is eyeing the basket from beyond the arc during a game. Deadly accurate. According to Jackson, shooting a basketball from dis-

tance is a skill she realized she had early on in her hoops life, but has come to fruition even more so during her highschool career. “I’ve gotten more comfortable as I’ve gone along,” said Jackson, who made her debut on the Lady Panthers’ varsity as a sophomore after a season on the JV. “The speed of the game’s faster on varsity.” However, as she’s become more and more accustomed to the tempo and pace of play, she’s also gotten quite fond of taking shots at crunch time, she said. “I feel like I shoot better when I’m under pressure,” said Jackson. “I know at times like that the ball needs to go in – it seems like my brain works better.” Something else which works

smoothly as defenders close in on her is her ability to catch the ball and release it for a shot all in one fluid motion – an ability that simply can’t be taught, said head coach Chris Lange. “It’s definitely a natural ability,” he said. “Also, Morgan’s release is different from most players in that it’s very compact, which allows her to get her shots off much quicker.” Once the shots begin to fall, it’s usually a trend that continues, said Jackson. “When that happens, my confidence really goes up,” she said. “I feel like I’m doing something right – it’s like muscle memory to catch the ball and shoot right away.” Jackson said math is her

See JACKSON, Page 8

Page 8

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Picking up where they left off Panther tennis enjoys momentum going into spring season

LAURA COLEMAN PHOTO

Senior Mackenzie Coleman is one of the Panthers’ top girls’ players entering tournament play.

Review

Continued from Page 7

and made him bigger, faster and stronger. Lloyd really bought into what we do.” After posting seven consecutive shutouts – including the opening two rounds of the playoffs, the Panthers’ defense finally met its match in the games against Rouse, Pioneer and Crosby, a stretch which saw them allow 42, 53 and 62 points, respectively, in the final three postseason contests. Walker attributed the defense’s struggles in those games to suddenly-increased quality under center. “All three of those teams had really good quarterbacks who were able to do some things to attack our secondary,” he said. “I have to do a better job.”

Girls

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to push forward into the attack when the opportunity presents itself, she said. “Honestly, I just look over at Kassidy to see where she is and what she’s doing,” said Russo. “We’ve become really good at reading each other’s runs and reacting accordingly.” Another method to combating more skilled opponents is to switch the point of attack, which shifts the focus of the run of play at a moment’s notice and allows the chance to catch the opposition unaware, said Bauer. “It’s about counter-runs and movements which go against

Free

Sense of loss As far as the loss of his brother and the challenges the tragedy presented both on and off the field for the entire program, Walker said the players responded just the way their former coach would’ve wanted them to in such a situation. “Our team played some inspired football – no question about it,” he said. “But, Jeff always wanted them to play for themselves and not him. Just the resiliency they showed proves how special they are. As I reflect on the season and what they did, it makes me proud to be their coach.” From a personal standpoint, Walker said the wounds his brother’s memory has created remain fresh and painful.

the grain,” he said. “Then, we can get the ball in behind their defense.” Liberty Hill’s goalkeeping situation remains in a state of flux, as senior Kylee Bush and sophomore Keira Garcia have continued to share time between the posts, with each playing a half apiece in six of the first 10 games of the season. Ideally, an established No. 1 netminder is the preferred path, but, at the moment, there’s no clear-cut candidate, said Bauer. “Both of our goalkeepers have been a bit out-of-sync,”

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the team, we also try to incorporate competition. Many times we’ll play games where there is a ‘winner’ and a ‘loser,’” said Boren. “Many times, we’ll have the winner of the contest ‘validate’ his and his team’s win by making a free throw –this creates the pressure that would be felt by going to the free throw line during a game situation.” At that point, it’s make it or else. “If the shooter misses, the consequences for the winning team is the same as for the losing one,” he said. “Usually, this consequence is something as simple as doing a 10-second down-and-back run or doing five push-ups. It’s minimal, however, it’s relevant. You make the free throw, your team gets a drink and relaxes and you’re the momentary hero. You miss – well, you know.” But, it’s more than just shooting free throws – it’s how often, at what pace and where, said Boren.

“During practices, we set aside time to shoot free throws. We shoot them at different intervals – sets of 2, 5, 10, etc. – we move players to different baskets, so they have to look at a different surrounding,” he said. “We play games where they have to make one and move to another basket and get around the gym in a certain time. We may make it harder, where you have to make two in a row before you can move. Again, we make it a game – a competition – that takes on another level – consequences. We’re always keeping score.” Despite the fact the game of basketball has continued to change and evolve over the years into the modern game we now know, there are certain aspects which remain steadfast and the players who recognize this and embrace it are the ones who will ultimately have success as the result of elevating routine to the point where it becomes part of their very fiber as players, said Boren.

“Even now, it’s almost too much for me to think about,” he said. “He taught me so much and even though our dad played a big part in both our lives, Jeff was like a father figure to me – I couldn’t have had a better mentor to teach me how to be a leader and the good Lord gave me the strength to do it because it wasn’t an easy task.” Walker added his players were ultimately the ones who perhaps provided the most support in dealing with the entire situation. “I just think about how important they were to me and how they helped me get through this,” he said. “I think I need them more than they need me.”

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Sherry Rhoden took the reins of the Liberty Hill tennis program last fall, her primary goal was to instill a renewed sense of purpose within the program. In addition, she sought to create a culture in which family values were brought to the forefront, allowing a cohesion to develop that would serve her players well both on and off the court. Finally, Rhoden wanted all of the previously mentioned objectives to blend together in the form of winning matches in what was the Panthers’ first season in Class 5A. Consider all missions accomplished. After a successful fall season of team tennis which saw them advance to the playoffs, Rhoden and her squad of stringers are back at it again for the spring campaign and are looking to carry the positive momentum gained in the autumn. As tennis is the one sport in which the overall year is divided into a pair of seasons with a break in between, Rhoden is made sure her charges remained engaged during the off-time, she said. “During December, we held a super-fun Holiday Triples tournament. The players’ final exam consisted of a Jingle Bell Run, Santa’s workshop and a shelf scavenger hunt – all tennis-based activities with holiday flair,” said Rhoden. “As a team, we worked together to give lessons to the younger tennis fans in our community and we raised funds for our local Angel Tree. Several of our players attended a local holiday tennis camp to get court time in and I had other players ask for holiday workouts, as well.” According to Rhoden, the main difference between the fall and spring seasons is the shifting of the team concept in competition to single-player tournament play. “The spring is focused on individual advancement,” said Rhoden. “I’ll place each individual where I believe they’ll

have the most success in advancing past district. Some of our players are young with less experience, so we’ll continue to focus on their development and strengthen their weaknesses.” Although the spring tournaments are individual-driven, there is still an overall togetherness factor which plays into the equation and carries over from the fall session, she said. “I think the players love the social aspect of team tennis in the fall,” said Rhoden. “Spring tennis many times will divide them by events, so they have to be separated at different sites and I know they miss each other on those days, so the social aspect is different.” However, an all-for-one mentality is still rewarded at the end of the day. “Some tournaments will still give points to the higher finishes in each event, so the team aspect is still present,” she said. “The higher we finish in each event brings us closer to winning the best team overall in our tournaments. All of our players seem to genuinely care about their teammates, so they’re all supporting each other as they advance through the brackets of each tournament.” Due to the fact players are competing at different venues simultaneously, the challenge rests solely on each player’s shoulders to have the resolve to win. “Spring tennis really shows coaches which players have the grit to finish a long day or two on the courts,” said Rhoden. “The players will receive less coaching at the tournaments in the spring because we’re checking in with multiple tournament sites. The players have to hold on to what they’ve been working on during the last few months and during practices. As coaches, we’re constantly giving the players tidbits of information so they’ll self-talk and self-correct on the courts. This is the game of tennis – smart players who can think on their own and make quick, positive adjustments.”

On the girls’ side, seniors Mackenzie Coleman, Abigail Gates and Madison Sudekum will lead the way along with juniors Ellis Young, Sophie Sherman, Eliza Homorodi and Jennifer Merrill, sophomore Ava Ortega and freshman Peyton Buckley. For the boys, juniors Colin Garner, Will Gray and Will Snell will be joined by sophomores Patrick Fay and Ethan Wukasch and freshman Joseph Sherman. One thing that will stay the same as the fall season is how Rhoden goes about the business of further improving the program, she said. “Practices will continue being fun and we’ll continue with team-building opportunities,” said Rhoden. “We’ll continue working on our weaknesses, which in turn builds our confidence resulting in more fun on the courts.” Of course, all of this wouldn’t be possible without some help along the way, she said. “We have amazing parents who are constantly supporting us in all kinds of ways and these parents help with our positive momentum,” said Rhoden. “Our booster board and its members make sure we have what we need and want.” Despite the fact Rhoden enjoys both the fall and spring seasons for what each provides from a competitive standpoint, there is one aspect she wishes could be the same throughout, she said. “I could never pick one over the other because I personally love them both,” said Rhoden. “Both seasons develop our Panthers tennis program and fulfill our needs as a team and as individuals. I think the hardest thing about the spring is the team is separated and it makes me sad to not be there for all of the players and for every match. I never want them to be looking for me and me be at another site. This is why it’s so very important for me to coach them to be self-starters, self-thinkers and self-motivators the rest of the year.”

he said. “What we’re looking for is consistent shot-stopping.” Bauer is also ready to change the shape of his side during a game if the current formation isn’t achieving its objectives, he said. “We’re comfortable with three or four different formations,” said Bauer. “Sometimes, we’ll change it up because of what the opposition is doing, but the principles of what we do ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO are always the same, which is to maintain possession and be Jessica Holliday (#2) can spot up from distance anywhere on the court, which opens up shots for fellow 3-points threats Morgan Jackson and Baylee Laird in the Lady Panthers’ offense. strong defensively.”

“One thing that hasn’t changed is the free throw. The distance from the line to the goal has remained the same,” he said. “In fact, if you want to get even more technical, you can find the nail head on most free-throw lines where the construction of that gym floor was initiated – that allows the opportunity for a player to practice shooting – and perfecting – the art of the free throw by spending countless hours repeating the same procedure over and over – a ritual, if you will.” However, at the end of the hoops day, Boren can lead his horses to water, but the rest is up to the individual. “As a coach, I do all I can to make sure kids have been to the free throw line many, many times before they have to do so in a game,” he said. “Most players in our program have done the same – spent hours preparing to shoot free throws in a game. In my mind, it’s a great equalizer and it’s the same for all.”

More than one 3-point shooter big advantage for Liberty Hill

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When opposing defenses close in on Baylee Laird as she spots up from beyond the 3-point line for the Lady Panthers, the senior guard can quickly reverse the ball from her favored right wing all the way over toward the opposite corner and into the very capable hands of senior forward Morgan Jackson in the leftwing corner for a shot from distance. What’s more, if Jackson is

Jackson

collapsed upon, no worries. She can simply get the ball to senior guard Jessica Holliday, who prefers to take aim from farther out along the arc. When all three Purple-andGold sharpshooters are on the court simultaneously, good things happen for Liberty Hill’s offense – and bad things for the defense. According to Jackson, this kind of situation presents opponents with a real quandary. “All of a sudden, it’s like ‘Who are we going to guard?’”

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favorite subject in school and plans on pursuing a career in nursing, focusing on dermatology. “I’ve always just really been interested in skin care,” she said. “Also, my older sister (Liberty Hill Class of 2013 alum Lauren) is the one who got me into nursing.” Jackson’s mother is a flight attendant, which has allowed her the opportunity to travel and is one of her favorite ac-

tivities – especially if the destination features sand and surf, she said. “I’m a big fan of beaches,” said Jackson. “My favorite places I’ve been are the Grand Cayman Islands and Costa Rica.” But, there’s one place above all she would like to travel to more than any other which she hasn’t been to yet. “Santorini, Greece,” she said. “It’s just a really beautiful

said Jackson. “What it does is spread out the defense – which is something Coach Lange has been talking to us about when we have at least two shooters on the court at the same time.” Once the defense is sucked out to the perimeter, the inside game down low on the post opens up, where the likes of junior center Emma Hubbard and senior forward Olivia Shelton can be effective. However, one must be skilled

See SHOOTER, Page 10 place because of the architecture and everything.” As far as her other outdoors pursuits go, Jackson is just as at home lurking about in the wilderness on the trail of an animal as she is standing on a basketball court with the hoop in her sights – and to the victor go the spoils. “We skinned the deer and used all of it,” she said of her bagged buck. “My dad made deer jerky and a mount.”

Thursday, January 28, 2021

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

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and renovations to Liberty Hill Elementary and the new Louine Noble Elementary – currently the Intermediate School campus – to bring them up to 800 student capacity and ensure facilities are on par with the newer campuses. It also includes two new elementary campuses as well as funds for the design of the eighth elementary campus. There is a third middle school

included as well as design funds for a fourth. The biggest ticket item in the proposal is a second high school with a projected price tag of $165 million. Another $101 million is planned for infrastructure projects that include technology improvements, maintenance, buses and funds for land purchase for the new campuses. Why it’s needed

Demographers have projected the Fall 2021 enrollment for the district at 6,566 and that number is expected to double by 2025 to 12,215. Beyond the ﬁve years the current bond is intended to address, enrollment is projected to nearly double again by 2030 to over 22,000. “When you look at our school demographics, just in one year we’re up 13.5 percent this

year,” Snell said. “Out of the 5,700-plus kids we have in the district today, almost 1,400 are brand new to our district.” Enrollment projections are tied to housing starts, and even through the pandemic, that number has also continued to increase sharply. “We look at the number of houses built in our district and that was up 40 percent over the last year,” Snell said. “That

Page 9

doesn’t necessarily mean school-age kids today, but houses are being sold as soon as they can be built.” New housing occupancies are expected to reach 26,000 between now and 2030 when including single family, multifamily and mixed use development. Within the district, student occupancy is expected to be .49 per household for single family residences and .53 per

household per multi-family residence. “The long range planning was an effort to plan purposefully and responsibly so that we keep up and even stay ahead of the growth and not get caught in a bind,” he said. “We want to be able to build schools so our students get a high-level education and our schools are not overcrowded.”

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CITY

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

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same concerns, with further discussion questioning the amount of hours and staff investment from Amsler’s planning to the public works and police department involvement. “I get that we get good will and I get that we’re doing a good event for the city, but they have to do something,” Canady said. “They should be paying us to use our (staff).” The Council tabled the issue, requesting that Hale go back to the Foundation Board to negotiate other options. Amsler told the Council that no money had been included in this year’s budget for the Sculpture Festival, but due to a scaled back Christmas Festival there is a budget surplus of about $20,000 for events. Discussing incentives The proposed incentive for the Heritage Ridge Development – located on property along eastbound SH 29 in front of Liberty Hill Junior High – passed on second reading, but the 3-1 vote included some vocal dissatisfaction with the $160,000 grant being funded by the Liberty Hill Economic Development Corp. (EDC). Canady asked that the item be removed from the consent agenda for further discussion and a vote, indicating she still did not support the plan. “Economic Development is going to give them $160,000 for some reason,” Canady said in discussion of the issue, spurring other questions on whether the funds would be recouped in some way. “No, we’re just giving it to them,” she responded. All funds involved in the agreement are from the EDC

SHOOTER

budget, but does require Council approval. “They’re asking for the blessing from the Council, which for me, I don’t bless it,” Canady said. “They’re going to get what they want, but I don’t bless it.” Canady voted against the measure both times. “I think we need to be careful about what we do, but we also need to be careful about the position we are in about bringing businesses here because right now we’re not growing in that aspect the way we should be,” McIntosh said. “Sometimes you have to give a little to get a little.” Canady said her objection was giving the funds to the developer of the project, not particular businesses. “Well, we’re giving $160,000,” Canady responded. “We should give $160,000 to everybody then. We’re giving them something they should have had in their plan when they made their development. Every developer should do their homework on what they need. We’re not getting anything back. That’s not the precedent I want to set.” Developer Mike Beevers has been working with city staff on the site plan and with a number of needed infrastructure upgrades that will be funded by Heritage Ridge, they approached the City about a grant to offset some of the investment costs. “They’re deﬁnitely going above and beyond, not only in terms of a lift station, but there is also a hike and bike trail they are putting in,” said EDC Executive Director Matt Powell in early January. “It’s going

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at both perimeter and interior play for this strategy to work – much like an efﬁcient running game in football opening up passing options downﬁeld, said head coach Chris Lange. “You have to be able to do both,” he said. “Or, it makes it easier to play defense.” Unfortunately, the Lady Panthers got an up-close-and-personal look at such a situation in their 48-47 road loss to Marble Falls when Mustangs’ 6-foot-3 freshman center Lexi Edwards was able to operate in the paint under the basket, while 5-foot2 guard Alyssa Berkman was

draining 3-pointers from the outside. Of course, that was only with one hot outside shooter. When the Lady Panthers have more than one of theirs heated up at once, it’s a huge windfall, said Lange. “If they’re hitting the shots, it’s a real advantage, so you try to get them the ball, especially once their conﬁdence builds,” he said. “It makes it really tough on a defense.” Quarantine issues Following a team-wide quarantine earlier in the season, the Lady Panthers are current-

to be a nice-looking project.” The grant comes with the requirement that the project be substantially completed in the next two years and a total of $1 million is invested in the project in that time. Both Powell and Beevers pointed to this project as an effort to set a new precedent for development in Liberty Hill. “The City of Liberty Hill has some unique challenges when it comes to development -that site in particular,” Beevers said. “The low-pressure sewer system that is predominant on SH 29 is a real buzzkill for national brands. We put in a gravity sanitary sewer collection and right now we are approved for a lift station that would collect it at an eight-lot level and that comes at a cost.” The Council unanimously approved two 380 development agreements for Golf Cart King and Tex-Mix Concrete, which promised sales tax revenue sharing on taxes generated by those businesses over a 10year period. The Tex-Mix agreement stipulates the City will also share a portion of its one-cent in sales tax revenues. The ﬁrst two years will be 80 percent, the next two 50 percent, the next two 40 percent and years seven and eight will be 20 percent. The estimated total in shared sales tax revenue from the City is $2.65 million, but if that amount is paid to TexMix, the City will gain $15.25 million in new sales tax revenues as well. The City will reimburse Golf Cart King 50 percent of its one-cent sales tax revenues generated by Golf Cart King for three years, then 33 percent

Thursday, January 28, 2021

for three years, and 25 percent in the final three years of the agreement. The two companies also have sales tax sharing agreements with the EDC, as well as employment incentives. Youth soccer agreement After months of back-andforth negotiations, the City Council approved a final agreement with the Liberty Hill Youth Soccer Association (LHYSA) where the City will take over maintenance and upkeep of the fields at City Park and the league will pay a weekly fee for use. According to LHYSA President Josh Jacoby, the agreement is a win for both parties. “Today LHYSA operates solely on volunteer hours and those hours are overwhelmingly put into field maintenance,” Jacoby said. “By the City taking control of field maintenance, this contract allows LHYSA to focus volunteer hours on growth, proper coaching and mentoring for the youth of the community.” Jacoby told The Independent the cost to the LHYSA was greatly reduced from the originally proposed amount and the organization was happy to see a third-party contracted for the

field maintenance, which gave them more reassurance regarding the accountability for maintenance. “All in all, we think this is a great arrangement and is indicative of a city administration dedicated to servicing the youth of the community,” Jacoby said. The LHYSA will pay the City $350 per week for field use of up to 25 hours per week. In exchange, the City – through a contract with North By Northwest – will handle field watering and maintenance, paying for water usage and electricity. The contract for maintenance includes all mowing and edging, fertilizing, inspection of the irrigation system, aeration and seeding the fields for a monthly fee of $2,452.84. Council members Gram Lankford and Canady formed the subcommittee that negotiated the agreement with the league along with city staff members. “I went into this with the expectation that it would be mutually beneficial for both the City and our youth league soccer program, and it says a lot to me that the president of that board came and spoke to us and said he is in complete

ly back and healthy, but that doesn’t mean all of their district opponents are. After the Marble Falls game on Jan. 21, Liberty Hill was scheduled to host Leander on Jan. 26, but that game was postponed after the Lions were quarantined and the contest will be made up on Feb. 4. The Lady Panthers’ other two remaining games have also been rescheduled, with a home game against Georgetown on Jan. 28 and the regular-season ﬁnale at Glenn on Feb. 8.

WORSHIP GUIDE Andice Baptist Church

LifeSprings Christian Church Welcomes You to Worship LifeSprings Christian Church is an interdenominational church in Liberty Hill Texas with a family atmosphere. Through biblical principles and the work of the Holy Spirit, individuals can be restored in spirit, soul, and body so that they too, can fulfill their destiny in Christ. If you’re looking to be positively challenged and transformed, this is where you belong! LifeSprings offers programs for all ages, including Bible Study, Childcare, Youth Ministry, Kingdom Kids, Mission Trips & Events, Life Groups, Celebrate Recovery and more. Come see for yourself that LifeSprings Church is truly the place where your new life begins!

6570 FM 970 Florence, TX 76527 (254) 793-2557 www.andicebc.org PASTOR Derrick Norris, Senior Pastor Matt Koehler, Associate Pastor of Students & Families SERVICES Sunday Bible Study 9:45am Sunday Worship 11am Wednesday AWANA 6:30pm Wednesday Adult Bible Study 6:45pm Sunday Online www.facebook. com/andicebaptist/

Cross Tracks Church

101 Church St. Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 515-0070 www.crosstrackschurchumc.org PASTOR Michele Lott SERVICES Sunday Online 10am https://cross-tracks-church. freeonlinechurch.com/live

Fellowship Church

3600 RR 1869 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 515-5579 www.fellowshiplh.com PASTORS Tim McIlhaney, Dan Riemer,

Ed Billock & Angel Perez SERVICES Sunday services in person & online! Worship 8:30am Bible studies for all ages 10am Worship 11am www.fellowshiplh.com/hub- sundays www.facebook.com/fellowshiplh/

The Hill Church

111 Holmes Road Liberty Hill, TX 78642 www.fbg.church PASTORS Tim Richardson, Pastor Kendall Ringler, Youth Pastor SERVICES Sunday Worship 11am Sunday Online 11am www.facebook.com/thehill church.church

Grace Alive Church

16030 W. State Hwy 29 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 778-6000 www.gtaustin.com/gracealive PASTORS Dawn Slack, Senior Pastor Caleb Slack, Associate & Youth Pastor SERVICES Sunday Worship 10am Sunday Online www.facebook.com/gracealivelh/ Tuesday Women’s Bible Study 7pm

Liberty Hill & Surrounding Communities

Wednesday Youth (Grades 7-12) 7pm

Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church

5205 County Road 236 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 782-9940 www.annunciationtx.com PASTOR Bp. Irineos Placek SERVICES Vespers, Sat. 6:30pm Divine Liturgy, Sun. 10am Online Services www.facebook. com/annunciationTX/

LifeSprings Christian Church

15611 W. State Hwy 29 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 633-6074 lifespringschristianchurch.org PASTOR Bishop Ronald D. Rhea SERVICES Sunday Bible Study 9am Sunday Worship 10am Sunday Online www.youtube.com/c/ LifeSprings/live

Mission Liberty Hill Lutheran Church

(LCMS Affiliated) 15725 W. State Hwy 29, Ste.7 Liberty Hill, TX 78642

(512) 778-9310 www.missionlibertyhill.com PASTOR Rev. Mike Cofer SERVICES Sunday Church Worship 10am by reservation: https://missionlibertyhill.com/ worshipreservation Sunday Online 10am https://missionlibertyhill.com/ onlineworship/

New Life Church

1015 US-183 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 567-3809 www.newlifechurch.family PASTORS Stephen Behrman, Senior Pastor Kimberly Behrman, Worship Pastor SERVICES Sunday Worship 10am Wednesday Bible Study/Livinit Youth 7pm Sunday Online https://newlifechurch.family/ media/livestream

Open Door Baptist Church

13997 W. State Hwy 29 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 337-6814 www.odb.church PASTOR Kevin Alexander

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agreement with this contract,” Lankford said. “We’ve been doing a lot of work with the president of that board and ultimately we came to a contract agreement that is exactly what we were looking for.” The City also expects to iron out an agreement with the youth football organization as well, but have not yet settled on terms. Communications manager The Council voted unanimously after coming out of executive session to reclassify the events coordinator position created in late 2019 to the City’s communications manager. Katie Amsler, who has served as events coordinator will serve as communications manager, adding media and public relations duties to her event-planning responsibilities. Mayor Branigan suggested the announcement during the meeting should include the new salary, but Canady objected, saying, “No, that’s not a part of it.” When asked in follow up to the meeting, Hale said the annual salary was raised to $70,000 as part of the change.

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Restoration Church

Meets at Liberty Hill Event Center 14875 W. State Hwy 29 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 271-1976 www.restorationchurchtx.net PASTOR Mike Kimmons SERVICES Sunday Online 10:50am www.facebook.com/ RestorationChurch4Christ Call (512) 778-5577 to include your church in our weekly Worship Guide.

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