LH Independent 2-25-21

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2021

Volume 34, Issue 14

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LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ELECTION (la elección para bonos del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Liberty Hill) May 1, 2021 (día 1 de mayo del 2021) Reminder: If a trustee election can be cancelled, the office and names of the candidates declared elected must be listed on the ballot under the heading “Unopposed Candidates Declared Elected.” (“Candidatos Sin Oposición Declarados Electos”). No votes are cast relative to these candidates.

□ FOR (a favor)

□ AGAINST (en contra)

□ FOR (a favor)

□ AGAINST (en contra)

□ FOR (a favor)

□ AGAINST (en contra)

□ FOR (a favor)

LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSITION A “THE ISSUANCE OF $457,700,000 OF BONDS BY THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”

DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PROPOSICIÓN A “LA EMISIÓN DE $457,700,000 EN BONOS POR PARTE DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PARA INSTALACIONES ESCOLARES Y LA IMPOSICIÓN DE UN IMPUESTO PARA EL PAGO DE LO ANTERIOR”. ESTE ES UN INCREMENTO DE IMPUESTOS A LA PROPIEDAD.” DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PROPOSICIÓN B

LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSITION B “THE ISSUANCE OF $8,000,000 OF BONDS BY THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSITION C “THE ISSUANCE OF $6,000,000 OF BONDS BY THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR RENOVATING, EXPANDING, AND IMPROVING THE STADIUM AT LIBERTY HILL HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSITION D “THE ISSUANCE OF $20,000,000 OF BONDS BY THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR BUILDING A STADIUM AT HIGH SCHOOL #2, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”

□ AGAINST (en contra)

“LA EMISIÓN DE $8,000,000 EN BONOS POR PARTE DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PARA TECNOLOGÍA ESCOLAR Y LA IMPOSICIÓN DE UN IMPUESTO PARA EL PAGO DE LO ANTERIOR”. ESTE ES UN INCREMENTO DE IMPUESTOS A LA PROPIEDAD.” DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PROPOSICIÓN C “LA EMISIÓN DE $6,000,000 EN BONOS POR PARTE DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PARA RENOVAR, AMPLIAR Y MEJORAR EL ESTADIO EN LA ESCUELA SECUNDARIA DE LIBERTY HILL Y LA IMPOSICIÓN DE UN IMPUESTO PARA EL PAGO DE LO ANTERIOR”. ESTE ES UN INCREMENTO DE IMPUESTOS A LA PROPIEDAD.” DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PROPOSICIÓN D “LA EMISIÓN DE $20,000,000 EN BONOS POR PARTE DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR INDEPENDIENTE DE LIBERTY HILL PARA CONSTRUIR UN ESTADIO EN LA ESCUELA SECUNDARIA #2 Y LA IMPOSICIÓN DE UN IMPUESTO PARA EL PAGO DE LO ANTERIOR”. ESTE ES UN INCREMENTO DE IMPUESTOS A LA PROPIEDAD.”

Ballot wording set for LHISD bond

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor Asking the community to take on more debt to accommodate explosive population growth in the school district is a tall order under the best of circumstances. But legal requirements that dictate how bond propositions must be worded when presented

to voters can also create big headaches on their own.

“In the last legislative session, as part of House Bill 3, there was a new law that requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase ‘this is a property tax increase’ on all ballot

See BOND, Page 5

News@LHIndependent.com

February 25, 2021 | 50 Cents

Residents take care of one another through cold snap

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Through selfless acts and looking out for each other in trying times last week, residents of Liberty Hill showed their commitment to the community.

Throughout the winter storm that devastated all of Texas, from mass power and water outages to food scarcity and freezing temperatures, the people of Liberty Hill took care of one another in a wide range of ways.

Neighbors helping neighbors As conditions worsened over the week-long winter storm, many faced a lack of water, suffered frozen and busted pipes, rolling power outages, and a dwindling supply of food.

Saratoga Springs set up a system to help get necessities to those in need.

“Here in Saratoga Springs, we set up a food share with each other system, a ride share, and are sharing PVC fittings,” said resident Donald Wayne. “I think it’s important, no matter how snarky we can be to each other, none of that seemed to matter when it came down to helping each other in a dire situation.”

Heather Koneshek and her family load canned goods, utensils, fruit cups, diapers, trash bags, snacks, and water to donate. (Photo Courtesy Leah Kay) Mark Ryan in Santa Rita Ranch followed suit and took on the job of serving as a courier for the neighborhood.

“In Santa Rita Ranch, we were taking trips to the stores that were open with orders from neighbors during the

storm,” said Ryan. “We had a family that had no power

See HELP, Page 10

Water continues to be provided to those in need

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor One by one, vehicles rolled into the snowy parking lot at City Park Feb. 19, wheels coming to a stop in sludgy puddles of melted ice and mud, lining up single file behind a truck providing drinking water for area residents.

Many had been without water for more than a day in the wake of weather-related power outages.

Since the thaw began, the City of Liberty Hill – with water resources provided by Williamson County and the

City of Georgetown primarily – has been working to provide much-needed water to those without due to the freezing temperatures.

The water distribution sites have distributed nearly 3,000 gallons of bottled water through Tuesday at Wetzel Park and non-potable water at three additional locations – the Water Tower shopping center parking lot, San Gabriel Crossing and Liberty Trails Apartments.

“You guys are out here doing

SCOTT AKANEWICH PHOTO

Liberty Hill residents line up at a water collection point at City Park Feb. 19, the beginning of distribution efforts for the City. Since See RESOURCES, Page 4 then water has been provided for distribution by a variety of sources including the city of Georgetown and Williamson County.

Pressure situation

City reacts to water woes, looks to future

By MIKE EDDLEMAN Managing Editor On a normal, sunny Central Texas day, City of Liberty Hill water customers turn on the tap and have access to all the water they can use.

But throw a record-breaking winter weather event into the mix and things change quickly. Late last week the tap ran dry, even for those whose pipes ©2021 The Liberty Hill Independent

didn’t freeze.

The outage that eventually ran Liberty Hill dry centered on the loss of power at the Leander water treatment plant, which is where all of Liberty Hill’s water – aside from four City wells – comes from.

A drop in pressure led to a boil water notice on Feb. 16, and the next day the City’s two storage tanks were empty.

Tanks were finally filled by Wednesday, Feb. 24, but the boil water notice remained as the City worked to get potable water to area residents. The outage at the treatment plant

was fixed by Friday, but replenishing clean water for two cities does not happen quickly.

“It takes days to fill the tanks, depending on the pressure,” said City Administrator Lacie Hale. “That’s why it’s taking so long to fill them because we don’t have enough pressure.”

Without full tanks and adequate pressure in Leander, there was no way to get tanks filled up the road in Liberty Hill.

“They’re in the same boat we are as far as being able to build pressure and fill towers,” Hale said. “They’re dealing

with that, too. For them to put enough pressure to send it our way they have to build the pressure in their system.”

There was little warning of the problem as many cities and water service providers across the state dealt with sudden outages due to the rolling power outages or the extreme cold that damaged equipment.

“I had been on county calls all week, but as far as communication between us and LeanMIKE EDDLEMAN PHOTO der it wasn’t quite there yet,” Liberty Hill Police Chief Royce Graeter and City Administrator Hale said. “I had our water Lacie Hale were two of the City employees who staffed the daily water distribution station at Wetzel Park. Between Friday and See WATER, Page 8 Tuesday about 3,000 gallons of water were distributed.

Page 2

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Students earn trip to state HOSA competition

By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer By capturing second and third-place finishes in the Pharmacy Science category of the Area competition for Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Hira Umer and Mckenzie Garner joined the list of Liberty Hill High School students to earn a trip to State-level competition.

“I am so proud of these students for their great accomplishments,” said advisor Christine Riddick. “They have

definitely put in many hours of studying and preparing on their own for this test, along with taking information from their classes as well. Seeing students achieve in something they are so passionate about is an awesome feeling.”

Umer said it is a great accomplishment and an exciting opportunity to compete with other gifted students. This competition isn’t the first time Garner has competed in this event, coming short of a trip to State previously.

“I was ecstatic when I heard that I placed second,” said Garner. “Last year I had participated in the same competition and placed fourth. One place away from going on to State. So when I made it this year, I was incredibly happy and pleased.”

Pharmacy science competition centers on learning the skills and necessary knowledge required to work in a pharmacy.

“There are many questions based on drugs and their pur-

pose, pharmacy jobs, and important people who paved the way for modern healthcare,” said Umer. “We had to study drugs, brand, generic, classification, use, and important facts, and meet up to study the scope of pharmacy science together.”

As with all other current UIL events, the HOSA competition was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The test was entirely online instead of being an online test and then performing handson skills,” said Riddick. “So, the students had to achieve a higher level of thinking. Plus, they were responsible for receiving the test credentials and planning their time to take the test. More responsibilities were placed on them than in previous years. This just shows that our program is helping to shape these future healthcare professionals in a positive way.”

In preparation for the event, McKenzie and Umer took advantage of what time they had to study before school and on weekends. The students used spreadsheets and self-made quizzes to test themselves leading up to the event.

“Figuring out how to study efficiently was one of the most challenging tasks because I had to make sure to study for the competition on top of homework,” said Umer. “McKenzie and I found that making quizlets and studying on weekends helped us a lot.”

For Umer, it’s a curiosity about diseases and what healthcare workers can do to treat and

Hira Umer and McKenzie Garner are moving on to state competition after taking second and third place at the Area 1 HOSA Competition in the pharmacy science category.

(Courtesy Photo) prevent them that drew her to pharmacy medicine. Garner’s motivation stems from a desire to help people heal.

“I think I enjoy Health Science, especially the classes I am in now, because I know it is preparing me for my future of helping people heal,” she said.

“I especially enjoy Pharmacy Science because I think that the era that we live in, with all of the medical innovations and life-saving medications, is incredible and very fascinating. I love learning about it all.”

With their State competition around the corner, Garner and

Umer plan to put their study efforts into overdrive.

“The State competition will require us to learn many new pharmacy skills. So numerous hours of after-school tutorial practice with our instructor Mrs. Riddick are sure to happen,” said Garner. “Hira and I will also need to continue our research and outside of school studying. Even though it will take a lot of time and energy preparing for this competition, I am excited to gain new medical skills and hopefully place at State.”

Local first responders stay busy through storm

Between the Liberty Hill Police Department and Williamson County ESD #4, the calls came fast and furious for nearly a week as the winter storm created hazardous road condi-

tions and other emergencies.

From Feb. 13-21, the police department responded to 165 total calls, 59 of which were traffic related.

“A lot of calls have been peo-

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ple just sliding off the road, just single vehicles losing control and sliding off the roadway,” Police Chief Royce Graeter said. “Even though they’re driving slow they reach a certain point where they break that traction.”

Between Feb. 14-19, ESD Chief Anthony Lincoln said the fire department responded to 140 calls for service with as many as four calls at once at some points.

“It started for us last Thursday over the slick roads and things like that,” Lincoln said. “There are a lot of calls not in our system that we’ve taken care of through telephone calls where we are taking care of things to reduce our exposure of our staff and trucks. A lot of them were alarms going off and things like that because of the power issues.”

Early in the week a number of calls were for vehicle collisions, but later in the week many of the calls were related to broken pipes and water leaks where firefighters were able to assist residents in turning off their water.

Both departments said they staged and staffed differently to be able to be more responsive, and avoided accidents or issues themselves while responding to calls throughout the storm.

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OPINION You city folks are losing your natural ability to survive

By WILT CUTTER Columnist Last week a lot of us really suffered.

It’s true. This was the biggest weather event we’ve dealt with in a long time. Out here on the Shin Oak Ridge last week’s winter storm seemed to us like a hurricane of ice.

For a few days we had to fall back on simple things perhaps known only by our grandparents or even great grandparents. We’ve been blessed into softness. Younger folks have only heard of stories of working on old cars in cold weather and towing them with log chains. Our lives have been a blur of comfort and luxury compared to our recent ancestors. They would only marvel at how luxurious we have lived for so long. It’s only natural that we’ve forgotten how to do basic things.

Now, I believe in Roombas. If you have the spending money, you should get yourself one. I also think it’s okay to drive up to a place and let them change the oil in your car. I’m too busy to change my own brake pads, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how to do it. I can still make coffee in a percolator. I don’t, but I can.

One of my alleged friends was standing in line at HEB only to discover that the canned biscuit aisle had been pilfered by people who last wintered in sunny California

and voted against his president. He called me and was mighty upset that the grocery store was out of most things that he needed. He babbled on for a bit and asked if I was laughing at him. No, I told him I only laugh at funny people and he was basically just annoying. I privately wished cell phones could freeze up like everything else this past week.

As he babbled on I heard a grown man, a year older than myself, in a tizzy over prepared food. He continued on about how cold weather was good for biscuits and all his kids were at home and even a granddaughter who really would like to wake up to a pan of hot biscuits. We don’t even have any milk, he offered in an even louder voice. After a minute of silence he asked if I was still there.

I asked whether he had lost his mind. Don’t you people have any real food in your house, you know, up there in your kitchen cabinets? Biscuits go in the fridge he said in his annoying, know it all voice. Well, do you have any flour? He sighed as though I had asked for a personal loan.

He yelled out to his wife and she said they had flour. I said, read the front label on the bag to me. He said, she said it was self-rising. I said do you have any butter or margarine?

Again, he yelled and responded yes. Do you have a bottle of water? He knew the answer to this and sounded downright exasperated asking where I was going with all this?

Well, pour about 2 1/2 cups of that flour into a bowl and dump a stick of butter in there and mix it up until it turns into one thing.

Mix it with what? How about a pastry cutter, or a fork or the hands your mama gave you. It should be crumbly. Don’t stop until it’s crumbly. He relayed my messages in a loud voice to a wife who I expect will get into heaven simply because of her long-suffering relationship to this high maintenance guy. WE DON’T HAVE ANY MILK, I’VE DONE TOLD YOU! I know you don’t have any milk, I said quietly. Just slowly add some water and stir until it turns into a ball. Okay, then roll the ball in the flour and flatten it with your hands and wait a few minutes. Then take a drinking glass down out of the cabinet and use it to cut out the biscuits. (Be sure to place the open end of the glass against your dough like you put the brushy end of the broom against the floor.)

Get yourself a metal pan or a cookie sheet or something and plop them down on that.

Then stick them in that big fancy oven you never use and wait until they are brown. I’d try 450 degrees. Don’t call me again until we are both retired. I mean it.

Oh, but he did call me back and his kitchen had erupted into applause for the wonderful, warm smell of baking bread. Cooking separated us from our great ape relatives and baking began civilization.

The cheering folk on the oth-

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, February 25, 2021 Page 3

EDITORIAL:

Time to do your bond homework

er end of the phone wanted to know how I knew that recipe for biscuits.

Well, from being poor, from having a grandmother and mother who lived through the Great Depression in which apparently every single day was kind of like this past week.

I also don’t remember when I learned how to rebuild a starter on a Chevrolet, when I learned how to sew a hem, nail a brace on a fence corner, chord a mandolin or run a trot line without getting caught. I can’t point to a day or a time when I knew these simple things. It’s just what I knew instead of quoting “The Office” reruns.

Biscuits are better with buttermilk, like a porterhouse is better than a hamburger, but the people who raised me went to the cemetery without ever tasting a Porterhouse.

They also believed in keeping a stash of old wood in case everything was frozen and you needed something guaranteed to start a fire. Driving slow and in low gear was also a tried and true way to stay out of the ditch. And also this deep seated belief that everything could go south on you and all the fancy footed luxury you’d come to take for granted could be worthless someday.

It’s a big ask from Liberty Hill ISD, which ultimately places a big responsibility on community residents when they go to the polls May 1 to decide whether or not to approve the new school bond package.

The school district is asking to build four new schools and renovate or expand facilities at six other campuses. All of this includes funds to purchase land and do future planning for even more campuses. There are also questions on athletic facilities and technology devices. It adds up to a staggering $491 million, and voters have to decide if the information put forward to justify it does so.

The option of answers to the four specific questions being asked on the ballot are a simple yes or no. But finding your way to one answer or another should not be as simple as a coin flip or a kneejerk reaction to any perceptions or preconceived notions.

Ironically, this request from our school district comes with homework. It comes with the expectation you will sit down and sort through the dizzying numbers and mountain of data put forward to help voters make a decision.

That same data led a committee of 65 community members to say this bond is needed. It led the school board, elected by the community, to support putting the bond up for election. It is the data every voter should use to decide if they will ultimately say yes or no.

Liberty Hill ISD is making all of that information available through its website and a new site focused solely on the bond issue. Superintendent Steve Snell will be hosting a number of virtual town halls where voters can gather information and or ask questions. The first of those is Thursday evening.

The Independent has published a handful of stories about the proposed bond and will likely write many more in the two months between now and Election Day. The school district is not allowed by law to ask you to vote for the measure, and The Independent will not try and tell you how to vote. The hope is that all of this information can help each voter reach a conclusion. Information that helps them weigh options in consideration of real circumstances.

Voters should be able to attach meaning to the dollars being requested, and if not, ask questions. Look for answers and always expect them, giving this intensely important decision about the future of our school district the consideration it deserves.

Wilt Cutter is the only man in the world who’s name is his profession. He finds beauty in the naturally occurring poetry of the Shin Oak Ridge and it’s people. His typewriter hates injustice.

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Liberty Hill Pharmacy comes through for community in need other pharmacies with emergency prescriptions because their pharmacies were closed.”

Brace said demand was high for medication. On Thursday (Feb. 18), the pharmacy saw twice the usual number of customers and phone calls in the six hours they were open.

“I would say we’re seeing a mix of people needing antibiotics because their normal doctor of pharmacy might be closed,” she said. “A lot of it is normal maintenance. I’d say the most in need is blood pressure and heart medication, the stuff that you can’t do without. For some people, their pharmacy has been closed for a few days, and they’re running out of medication.”

An issue many businesses are facing is a lack of supply, but Liberty Hill Pharmacy was fortunate to get a fresh supply right before things went south.

“We were fortunate that we had a good supply of most items. We were able to give people a few days’ worth to get

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By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer With the dangerous roads and lack of power and water, many businesses closed through the worst days of Texas’ winter storm last week.

Liberty Hill Pharmacy found a way to work through the road, power and water issues to provide critical services to its customers.

“We’ve been able to open a few days, and we’re hoping to stay open,” said Pharmacist Whitney Brace. “I was fortunate a patient with a fourwheel-drive was able to pick me up and take me to the pharmacy on Thursday. My car is absolutely not suited for the weather.”

With many community members unable to reach their usual pharmacies, Liberty Hill Pharmacy took on the task.

“We’re doing everything we can to help the community. Our patients and other patients,” Brace said Feb. 19. “We were able to help other patients from

R A LL I NSP

EC

them into the next week,” said Brace. “We weren’t able to receive any orders since Saturday. We work with a small company in Shreveport. Early in the week, the trucks made it to the distribution place. So, we’ve been blessed.”

On Feb. 18, phones were answered by volunteers who took it upon themselves to lend a helping hand to their regular pharmacy. Others put in the work to clear out the entry way and remove any potential ice hazards outside.

“I posted in one of the Facebook groups that we’d be open,” said Brace. “One of our longtime patients volunteered.

She said she didn’t know anything about pharmacies, but LH INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO if we needed somebody to, at Pharmacist Whitney Brace, owner of Liberty Hill Pharmacy and Compounding Center, opened least, answer the phones, she during the winter storm to make sure patients had their medications. could come up and help. She the community, Liberty Hill said. “Some people were say- not, give us a call. Reach out and her daughter came up to Pharmacy staying open when ing you guys are a lifesaver be- to us, and we can help. If at all help, and some of my staff things were at their worst was cause we’ve been out of medi- possible, try and have a week members were able to get in.” life-saving. cation for a few days. I’m glad or two worth of medication on For Brace, the response from “People have been amazingly to be able to help them. Any- hand.” the community is reaffirming patient and thankful and happy body that needs medication, to the efforts she’s made. For that someone was open,” she whether they’re our patient or

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, February 25, 2021

OBITUARIES Janeane Crystal Herrera

Janeane “Nene” Crystal Herrera, of Liberty Hill, TX, passed away on February 19, 2021 at the age of 38. She was born on August 30, 1982 in Georgetown, TX to the parents Robert Herrera and Melinda (Salas) Thigpen.

She was raised in Hutto and Pflugerville, TX where she was able to meet many friends, which allowed her to leave such a memorable impression.

Janeane was many things, but most will remember her for her vibrance, quick wit, humor, charm, kind heart, and generosity. She was a

loving and devoted mother who always wanted the best for her daughter.

She is survived by her grandparents, Genieveve and William Salas, Pedro and Celia Herrera; parents, Robert Herrera and Melinda (Salas) Thigpen; daughter Rylee Elyse Montemayor; sister Janelle Herrera; nieces Emery, Elyssa, and Evelyn Herrera; and her loving pets Tito and Bella; as well as various additional family and friends. Park, 1301 Harrell Parkway, A celebration of life was held Round Rock TX 78665. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 at 11:30am at Lake Creek Pavilion at Old Settler’s

RESOURCES

Continued from Page 1

the Lord’s work,” said Liberty Hill resident Chris Jones on Friday, who arrived with several water-cooler sized containers to fill with water courtesy of Georgetown Public Works.

“This takes the burden off us a little.”

Jones, who currently has a household of six in Cierra Vista, said he has experienced something similar before – but under quite opposite weather conditions.

“Back when I lived in Houston, we had hurricanes,” he said. “But, it was about 100 degrees instead of two. But, it was the same situation – trees down and no water.”

According to Keith Hutchinson, City of Georgetown Communications Manager, the organization felt compelled to reach out and help the residents of Liberty Hill.

“We know people are out of water, so we decided one way to help folks was to do this,” said Hutchinson, of the collection points at City Park and in downtown Liberty Hill.

“It’s really taken a lot of teamwork and we’ve been working around the clock to get the water back.”

Hutchinson added although Georgetown Public Works services only Liberty Hill neighborhoods north of State Highway 29 and east of US Hwy

Liberty Hill Storage donated water to residents last week through one of the City’s distribution locations.

(Courtesy Photo) 183, the outreach was simply circle outside our subdivision the right thing to do under the and had plenty of firewood just sitting in my yard all this conditions.

“We wanted to do this for time. Well, I finally needed our customers,” he said. “But, it.”

Liberty Hill City Adminisanybody in need is certainly welcome.” trator Lacie Hale said while Before Jones finished load- there were some angry resing up his truck with enough idents seeking water in the water to sustain his family, he initial stages, since the weekthanked those who were on end everyone has been very hand to make it all happen, cheerful and happy that the then offered an ironic anec- water was available.

She said the bottled water dote.

“They did a good job get- would be available at Wetting our power back on and zel Park until the City’s boil now we have water,” he said. water notice is lifted, and as “You know, it’s kind of funny. of Tuesday there was no time Three years ago, I helped cut pinpointed for that. down some trees near a traffic

Makenzie Elisabeth Rybarski

Makenzie Elisabeth Rybarski received her beautiful blue angel wings and went Home to be with God on February 13, 2021, while surrounded by the love of her parents, sister, and brother. Makenzie was born on June 22, 1995, in Austin, Texas, and was the oldest of three children born to Chris and Laurel Rybarski.

Makenzie graduated from Liberty Hill High School in 2013, then attended the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired from 2014-2017.

Makenzie was diagnosed at the age of 15 with a devastating and rare disorder called MPAN, after having suffered symptoms since the age of 12, and battled the crushing effects of the disorder until her passing. Even as her disorder progressed and her days became harder, this sweet girl was still only able to see the good in her life. Makenzie never had a “bad day”, and she was always her family’s shining light when they got home each day. Whenever her family asked how her day was, she would always smile and reply, “Great, as always!”

Makenzie was a “Daddy’s girl” from day one and they always shared a very special bond. Makenzie was her Mom’s “wing-woman” and they went almost everywhere together. Makenzie was a big sister, first and foremost; Makenzie loved and idolized her siblings, and they doted over her and loved her in return.

Makenzie loved getting out and about; it never mattered to her where she was going, so long as she went. Makenzie was a great companion because she was easy-going and enjoyed life.

Makenzie enjoyed listening to and singing country music songs. Her favorite artist was George Strait and she knew the words to almost all of his songs, with her favorite being “Baby Blue”.

Makenzie delighted in going to the beach and snow skiing, both of which are family fa-

vorite vacations. When at the beach, Makenzie enjoyed riding the waves in an inner tube -- the bigger the waves, the harder the laughs. When snow skiing, she was always thrilled to be able to ski with her family, with the help of the instructors and a Bi-Ski at Ski Apache Adaptive Sports. Makenzie wasn’t afraid of anything and lived her life to the fullest; and her Mom and Dad ensured, to the best of their ability, that she was able to do just that.

Makenzie was an avid Texas Stars hockey fan and relished going to the games with her family. She thrived on the atmosphere of the arena and was always excited to give her Dad the traditional “high-five” when the Stars scored.

Makenzie was happy, positive, forgiving, never met a stranger, and loved truly and unconditionally. She had a contagious personality, brightened any room she entered, and always left a lasting impression on anyone she met.

Makenzie touched the hearts of so many; moreover, because of her, the Rybarski family was able to meet and bring into their lives many wonderful and warm-hearted individuals. Makenzie’s family is thankful and honored that God entrusted her to them to care for and experience her journey together. They wouldn’t have wanted their lives to be any other way and believe they are better people because of her.

Makenzie is, without a doubt, one of the best things that ever happened to them. Makenzie will be loved, missed, and in our hearts, now and forever!

“So here’s to you and whoever holds our baby blue tonight…”

Makenzie continues to be loved and cherished by her parents, Chris and Laurel Rybarski, little sister Kendall, and little brother Lane, as well as many other family members, including: grandparents Steve and Joy Rybarski, Elizabeth Lee, and Freeman (Mitch) and Gale Mitchell; uncles and aunts Kevin and Sarah Rybar-

ski, Robert and Kris Mitchell, and Wayne and Barbara Mitchell; cousins, Tye Rybarski, Daniel Rybarski, Garrett and Sarah Mitchell, Caden Mitchell, Kendra Mitchell, Dawson Mitchell, Walker Mitchell and Reese Mitchell; and long-time caregivers, Mary Mapel, Angelica Williams, and Vanessa DeAbreu.

Makenzie was preceded in death by her uncle David Mitchell, great-grandmother, Billie Marie Jasinski, and many other relatives, who were all at Heaven’s Gate to greet her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 28th, at 3:00pm at Fellowship Church, 3600 Ranch Rd 1869, Liberty Hill, Texas, with Steve Shaver officiating. The service will be live-streamed, beginning at 2:45pm, on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/fellowshiplh or YouTube at https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCUFiYmJIhRAdE4DIMImWrkw.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ski Apache Adaptive Sports, to allow others like Makenzie to experience the joy and freedom of snow skiing. Any such donation will go toward the purchase of a BiSki and other adaptive equipment. The donation link is: www.skiapacheadaptivesports. com/Makenzie.

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

BOND

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 1

language,” said LHISD Chief Financial Officer Rosanna Guerrero. “Due to this requirement, all voters will see this statement on the official ballot language, even when there is no tax rate increase as a result of the bond.”

That statement, “this is a property tax increase”, is referred to as misleading by some and a fair warning to voters by others, but to many who read it as they make their decision at the polls it can be confusing.

The expectation among those who passed the law in the Texas Legislature is that a bond passed will increase taxes. But it is not as clear cut as that.

In the case of Liberty Hill ISD, and the $491 million bond package on the May 1 ballot, the tax rate itself can’t be increased due to the cap on the Interest and Sinking (I&S) – or debt fund.

“We have proof and evidence the tax rate will not increase,” Guerrero said. “We have the 50 cent test, which by law says we cannot exceed 50 cents on the I&S tax rate. We are already at 50 cents, so we don’t have the ability to even increase that. Second, because of our debt capacity and prop-

erty value growth we do not need to raise the tax rate because of that.”

While the debt service rate has remained at 50 cents, the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate – or the portion that covers day-to-day operating expenses, has decreased in back-to-back years.

The current LHISD combined tax rate is $1.3647 per $100 valuation, with the M&O portion being $0.8647.

In the 2018-2019 budget year, the combined tax rate was $1.54 with 50 cents of that rate being for debt service, and the 2019-2020 rate was $1.47 with the same portion being for debt service.

The M&O reductions were mandated by the Legislature, but the I&S cap has remained the same.

The reason the district has increased debt capacity is the growth in the community, both in housing and business development. The current rate of growth is 19 percent.

With the tax rate unmoved, even if the bond passes, it does not mean homeowners will not pay more in property taxes, but that is dependent on appraisal values, not bond approval.

“The appraisals on homes are

part of the Williamson Central Appraisal District. The school district has absolutely no say and no connection to the appraisal of homes or property values,” Guerrero said.

The required wording in the bond language is a challenge, according to LHISD Superintendent Steve Snell, but something they must work around as they explain the proposal and its financial impact on voters.

“In my opinion there are a few rules that make our jobs a little more complicated but at the end of the day it’s our responsibility to get a truthful message out to the public and give them the information they need to make an informed decision at the polls,” Snell said.

“That’s where our focus is going to be. We will focus on the legality of the bond language, and wish we had a little more control over that, but at the end of the day we just have to inform people why that language is there and what it means.”

For the district, the message will continue to be about growth numbers and the reality that comes with needing to accommodate more and more students each year.

“I want the public to know we are definitely in a fast-growth situation, which is going to require a lot of debt to be approved by the voters,” Snell said. “But we’ve got an excellent financial plan and we’re going about this very responsibly. Not that you’re ever comfortable with debt, but we’re very confident in our ability to pay off the debt as we move forward into the future.”

That growth has been to the tune of 1,400 students this year from last year alone, and demographers have projected that the Fall 2021 enrollment for the district at 6,566, from the current number just over 5,700. 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.

The bond proposal includes $457.7 million for new campuses, renovations and additions to existing campuses, planning funds for additional new campuses, land purchases and a variety of other infrastructure projects. This portion makes up most of the total bond package.

The bulk of this proposition

Page 5

is for new campuses, with $86 million planned for two new elementary schools – $42 million for the first and $44 million for the second due to anticipated increases in construction costs. There is a third middle school planned at $70 million, and then a second high school at $145 million.

An additional $54 million is included in the first proposition for renovations and expansions at five of the district’s campuses.

Both Liberty Hill Elementary and Louine Noble Elementary (currently Liberty Hill Intermediate) will be expanded with some renovations to make them equal in student capacity to the district’s other elementary campuses at 800.

The funds will pay for a new classroom wing, expanded library, gym and traffic management, as well as additional furniture needed and fine arts improvements.

That expanded capacity is also the reason there are funds planned to expand Santa Rita Middle School, which is still under construction and set to open next Fall. The available funding for the last bond, and projections at the time limited the district to a smaller capac-

ity than the expanded capacity planned today.

The funds for Santa Rita Middle School will be for a new classroom wing, while those for Liberty Hill Middle School – the current junior high – will be for expansion as well as upgrades to the common areas, new roofing, traffic management and additional furniture needs.

The funds for expansion at the High School will be for added student capacity, Career Technology Education additions and fine arts upgrades.

The second proposition voters will decide on is $8 million for technology devices for both teachers and students.

Due to legal requirements, the purchase of these items must be broken out in a separate proposition in part due to the shorter length of time they will be financed.

The third proposition is $6 million for expansion of Panther Stadium and the fourth is for $20 million to build a second stadium at the second high school.

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PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bid proposals addressed to JNC Development, Inc., on behalf of Williamson County Municipal Utility District No. 23 (the “District”), c/o LandDev Consulting, LLC, Attn: Caylea Pogue, will be received from qualified bidders until 2:00 pm CST on March 18, 2021 at the offices of LandDev Consulting, LLC, 5508 Highway 290 West, Suite 150, Austin, Texas, 78735, for furnishing all labor, supplies, and supervision necessary for construction of Omega Ranch Phase 2 Subdivision (the “Project”).

The Project involves construction of subdivisions and associated infrastructure including grading, roadway, water quality ponds, waterline, gravity wastewater line, force main, lift station, storm sewers, erosion controls, and associated appurtenances.

Bids will be opened and publicly read aloud at 2:00 pm CST at the offices of LandDev Consulting, LLC, 5508 Highway 290 West, Suite 150, Austin, Texas, 78735, on March 18, 2021. No faxed bids will 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 Omega Ranch Phase 2 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 MA Omega Ranch, LLC 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 payment 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 MA Omega Ranch, LLC on behalf of and in the name of the District. The contract will provide that the contractor will look solely to MA Omega Ranch, LLC 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.

(3/4p) 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.

(2/25)

LEGAL NOTICES ORDER OF PUBLICATION Commonwealth of Virginia VA.CODE 8.01-316 Case No. JJ008994-03-00 Bristol Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Juvenile Division Commonwealth of Virginia, in re. Degooyer, Anevay Sakari. Bristol VA DSS /v. Degooyer, Julien Leon.

The object of this suit is to: terminate residual parental rights of the said Julien Degooyer, father, including but not limited to the right of visitation, right to determine religious affiliation, responsibility for support and consent to adoption.

It is ordered that Degooyer Julien Leon appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before 03/18/2021 at 8:30 a.m.

Date: 02/04/2021 Lisa Prichard, dep.

(3/11p)

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SPORTS

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, February 25, 2021 Page 6

Unaccustomed to adversity

Lady Panthers meeting their matches this season

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Madi Fuller picked herself up off the turf at Panther Stadium after yet another in a series of hardy challenges in chasing the ball during the Lady Panthers’ 1-0 loss to Georgetown.

The senior midfielder is certainly no stranger to the rough stuff that goes on between the lines of a soccer game, but on this occasion, the physicality was coming thicker and faster than she’s seen over the course of her Purple-and-Gold career.

However, unlike her first three seasons when she and her teammates raided and pillaged district opponents like a band of angry Vikings, this year has proved to be a different ball of wax altogether.

No longer are the scorelines inflated by game’s end and no longer does the game come as easy as it has up against the likes of Burnet, Lampasas and Florence.

Along with all that comes a few extra bumps and bruises – but, that’s certainly fine and dandy with Fuller, she said.

“We know these teams we play now are going to be more aggressive,” said Fuller, who will go on to play at Lubbock Christian University next season. “I know in college it’s go-

ing to be hard – it’s not going to be easy.”

According to Liberty Hill head coach Darren Bauer, he and his team are currently experiencing a brave, new world of Lady Panthers soccer – but not one that they have been surprised by.

“We knew going in against these high-level teams, it was going to be a battle,” said Bauer. “One of the biggest differences are these teams are more physical and athletic. But, we can also be physical – we just haven’t always had to use it in the past.”

Simply looking at the stats doesn’t tell the entire story, though.

Despite the fact the Lady Panthers had outscored district opponents by a 34-1 margin through the first six league fixtures, those numbers are a bit skewed due to blowout victories against East View (13-0), Marble Falls (10-0) and Leander (8-0), three teams that represent the weak sisters of the district.

More telling are the three contests that had been played against the other three sides – who along with Liberty Hill – make up the top four in the standings.

Against Rouse, the result

Madi Fuller (#7) and the Lady Georgetown. was a 1-0 away victory, while a 2-0 home win over Cedar Park preceded the 1-0 loss to Georgetown.

Three games – three goals for and one against with victories in two of the three.

Not bad, but certainly a far cry from last season, when the

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Panthers have faced more rugged opposition this season, such as a physical 1-0 home defeat to Lady Panthers defeated Florence by scores of 16-0 and 22-0 and Jarrell by 19-0 and 17-0.

So, even though his club lost only one game all last season, Bauer knows this season is about far more than his team’s win-loss record.

“We’ve lost three games so far this season, all to very good teams and all by 1-0 scores,” he said. “If we lose and we play bad, that’s a different story.”

Fuller said she and her teammates have simply needed to bear down more this season.

“We knew it was going to be more competitive and we were going to have to step up our game,” she said. “But, we just have to play how we know we can. Even though it’s been difficult and we’ve run into some amazing goalkeepers, I think we’ve handled it pretty well.”

Arriving at the business end

Hoops playoffs are ultimate goal for Panthers

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When the Panthers walked off the court last March after a third-round playoff defeat, it marked the end of a campaign that saw them post a 28-win season and win yet another district championship.

But, after they boarded the bus for the trip back home, the vehicle’s wheels weren’t the only ones that were turning, said Liberty Hill head coach Barry Boren.

“It’s crazy, but you spend all year long – beginning when the previous season ends – preparing to play well enough to earn the right to play in the third season – the playoffs,” he said. “For it’s by that end result you and your team are usually judged.”

Speaking of the “third” season, Boren said the initial two phases that ultimately lead to the final one must be planned for and executed expertly in order for the last one to even be a reality.

“Season one, of course, is that part of the schedule where you play all of your non-district opponents,” he said. “It’s that time where you’re trying to finalize all your tweaking and adjusting so you’ll be playing your best at the beginning of

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Liberty Hill head coach Barry Boren breaks each season down into three distinct sections – the non-district schedule, district and the playoffs. district and building all the too early,” he said. “The sec- play. Sometimes it can become play in season three.” way to the end of the second ond season involves the play- a cat-and-mouse affair, where Once a team reaches the third season. So, season one is the ing of your district schedule you punch or counter punch, season, everything concerning preparation for season two.”

– your district opponents – but there’s the possibility of how it has been conducting However, Boren added one many times your crosstown that happening to you, so you its business for the past two must always guard against hit- rivals. It’s during this season must plan accordingly. The months drastically changes ting one’s ceiling too soon. you spend more time on spe- second season – district play – due to the urgency that sud“I say the desire is to be cific game-to-game planning involves more strategy, possi- denly sets in knowing there playing your best at the begin- because you play your op- bly a shortened player rotation could very well be no tomorning of the second season and ponents twice. This means and much better execution of row. building to be playing your there is opportunity to make in-game situations and in“The third season is combest at the end because there’s realistic adjustments based on game time management. Sea- pletely different from the nothing worse than peaking the first time the two of you son two earns you the right to other two. In the third season,

there is no promise of another game. It’s the ultimate in tournament play, meaning ‘you lose, you cruise,’” said Boren. “The great thing about qualifying for the playoffs is it puts you in the category of those who were successful enough to play on. Meanwhile, the rest of the participants around the state pack their uniforms up and move on to the next sport or begin plans for next year. There’s automatically more pressure because of the win or go home aspect – that means preparation and meaningful practice are paramount and also means players and coaches must be at the top of their game at all times. It’s exciting, yet nerve-wracking, to say the least. Your season literally could be ended or extended in the blink of an eye.”

All that being said, though, of all the hundreds of hoops teams across the entire state of Texas, only a very small fraternity can claim crowns at the campaign’s conclusion, he said.

“The other thing to note about being part of the third season is only one team in your entire classification is going to end up victorious,” said Boren. “That means unless you win the state championship, you’re going to be delivering a postgame speech to a team that has just ended its season and for its senior players, a high school career.”

So, what makes being part of the playoffs so special, one may ask?

See HOOPS, Page 8

Manufacturing runs is name of game for Panthers

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Much is expected this season from Panthers senior shortstop Ryan Leary (12), who has signed to play at Texas State University.

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When head coach Steve Hutcherson makes out his lineup this season, he knows a couple things.

Gone from last season’s Panthers team is the power that was provided by graduated seniors Ryan Flake, Rowen Guerra and Garrett Shull – who combined to hit four of the team’s nine home runs in 15 games. But, he also realizes in its place are players such as Ryan Leary, who tied for the squad lead last year with 12 stolen bases, along with several others who can pick ‘em up and put ‘em down around the base paths.

According to Hutcherson, this year’s club will need to rely on a couple critical ingredients as a result.

“Our game is going to be

predicated on speed and execution,” said Hutcherson, who led Liberty Hill to a 12-3 record last spring before the season was halted due to the pandemic. “But, one thing we can’t do is steal first, so we just need to keep doing our job at the plate. While I don’t think we’ll have the same power as we’ve had the past two years, I do think we’ll be very athletic with good speed and hopefully we can be really good at playing situational baseball.”

Most of that begins and ends with Leary, a senior shortstop who is already signed to play Division I baseball next season at Texas State University.

Leary, who hit .325 with one home run and 14 runs batted in and scored a team-best 19 runs last season at the plate, while anchoring the Liberty Hill infield with a solid glove

and strong throwing arm in the field, isn’t fazed by the perception the Panthers will be short on power and embraces the style he and his teammates will employ.

“Some people call it small ball,” said Leary. “But, we’ve really honed our running game and I think we’ll surprise a few people with some of the pop we’ve got.”

Adjacent from Leary on the other side of the diamond is fellow senior and second baseman Jackson Knox – will also be playing at the college level next season for Tyler Junior College – a combination Hutcherson said he will look for to lead the charge, along with some other critical players on the roster.

“We’re looking for big things

See BASEBALL, Page 8

Thursday, February 25, 2021

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 7

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Garrett Neeley (#2) pitched three scoreless innings for the win, allowing only one hit and striking out six in Liberty Hill’s season-opening 12-2 home victory over Lampasas.

Panthers run wild in opener, steal 10 bases in win

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Liberty Hill head coach Steve Hutcherson said his club was going to be based mainly on speed this season, he sure wasn’t kidding, as the Panthers piled up 10 stolen bases in a season-opening 12-2 home win Monday over Lampasas.

Senior Jackson Knox led Liberty Hill by going 2-for-2 at the plate, with three runs, three runs batted in and a pair of bases-on-balls in reaching base safely in all four of the second baseman’s plate appearances on the evening.

However, it was the dizzying rate at which the home side swiped bases all night that was the story of the contest – a fact not lost on Hutcherson, he said.

“Speed never goes into a slump,” said Hutcherson, of his side’s double-digit haul of pilfered bags on the evening.

“We just figured out a way to get around the bases.”

The game featured a matchup of starting pitchers between Lampasas senior Ace Whitehead – who has signed to play at the University of Texas – and Panthers freshman righthander Garrett Neeley, who was making his varsity debut and it was the rookie who outshone the veteran.

Neeley hurled three scoreless innings, while allowing only one hit and striking out six, as the Panthers got to Whitehead for three runs in his three frames of work, although he allowed only one hit while striking out six, but also walking four Liberty Hill batters.

Following two scoreless innings for both sides, the Panthers broke through in the bottom of the third, when senior shortstop Ryan Leary drew a one-out walk off Whitehead, which was followed by another in the person of Jack Stavinoha, before Jackson Knox singled to center to score both Liberty Hill runners and a 2-0 lead.

After Kash Durkin had reached safely on a error, Tyler Williams plated Knox with a sacrifice fly to center and a 3-0 advantage.

The Badgers responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth against Lane Rybarski, but Kade Neuenschwander and Blaze Milam combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings to close the game, as the Panthers added three runs in the fifth and six in the sixth to provide the final margin.

Trent Eller contributed a pair of hits for the Panthers, with a 2-for-3 night at the plate – including Liberty Hill’s only

extra-base hit of the evening, a fourth-inning double to left – along with a run scored and one batted in, while Neeley got the win on the mound with a 41-pitch outing, of which 30 were strikes.

Leary – who went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases – was pleased with the outcome.

“We won 12-2, so we must be doing something right,” he said. “We just have to make the routine plays, stick with our game plan and I think we’ll be in good shape.”

As for the future Division I showdown between himself and Whitehead, Leary said he liked how his teammates took up the gauntlet.

“We just needed to be very disciplined against him,” he said. “We managed to do that and put up a 3-spot on him.”

Hutcherson was more concerned with the overall picture, as opposed to individual battles, he said.

“I’m pleased in regards to the result,” said Hutcherson. “But, we struck out too much, although when we did have bad at-bats, I liked how the guys made an effort to not dwell on the negative and came back with better ones.”

Liberty Hill (1-0) will next play at the Pflugerville ISD tournament on Feb. 25-27.

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor All along, we knew t h i n g s w o u l d be much tougher for all of Liberty Hill’s teams moving up to Class 5A and even though we’ve already addressed the matter on several occasions, we think it’s a topic of conversation worth revisiting every so often as we work our way through the school year and the corresponding sports calendar.

At the moment, we’re just on the cusp of the spring season, which means baseball, softball and track are currently getting warmed up for their respective chances to shine on the big stage.

It also means soccer is well underway and basketball is in the final stretch of the regular season.

We all know how well the Panthers’ football team reacted to its new challenge – and under the most adverse of offfield conditions, as well.

We also saw the Lady Pan-

thers’ volleyball squad battle valiantly to a third-place finish in one of the most rugged districts in the entire state.

So far, from a neutral (yeah, right) perspective, as a writer covering the Purple-and-Gold beat, it’s been a blast watching the more competitive games and matches unfold.

Of, course, there hasn’t been quite as much winning as folk are used to around these parts, either.

This is both a good and a bad thing.

There’s a distinct reason there are currently additional wings being added onto the main building at Liberty Hill High School these days.

The little Class 3A school who rose to prominence with a pair of state gridiron titles nearly 15 years ago is long gone and in its place is a school – and a community – that continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

So, after moving up and dominating Class 4A competition for the past decade or so, it’s now time to once again up the ante and take on the next challenge.

Makes no sense to keep demolishing the likes of Burnet,

Lampasas and Taylor (although it sure is fun) by remaining in the same class as towns such as the above-mentioned whose growth have leveled off while Liberty Hill continues on its upward trend.

All that’s the good part.

The bad part is district championships are no longer formalities.

Take the Lady Panthers’ basketball squad, for example, which has struggled mightily this season through no fault of anyone but the fact they’ve faced tough competition every time they’ve stepped on the court.

A pesky pandemic (never want to hear that wretched word again when this is finally? all over) certainly hasn’t helped, with quarantines ravaging the schedule – but to be fair, all teams have had to deal with that.

The boys’ hoops squad has also had a rough go and is currently fighting for its playoff lives.

Even the Lady Panthers’ soccer squad, which has become a state powerhouse in recent years, has had to work harder than they ever have before

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Gunter Daniels (#22) scored a squad-high 19 points in Liberty Hill’s 62-56 first-round playoff loss to Dripping Springs.

Hoops season ends against Dripping Springs, 62-56

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor AUSTIN -- At halftime of Liberty Hill’s opening-round, bi-district Class 5A state playoff game against Dripping Springs Tuesday at Austin High School, it looked as if the Panthers would be adding another trophy to the case in the foyer of their home court.

However, the Tigers had definite designs of their own and after trailing the Panthers by a 33-24 margin after two quarters, they came roaring back in outscoring Liberty Hill, 38-23, in the second half on the way to a 62-56 victory.

According to Panthers head coach Barry Boren, the stark contrast between the first and second halves was simply due to execution – or a lack thereof, by his club – along with a healthy dose of desire from

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and win close, hotly-contested games as opposed to the usual walkovers.

To be honest, it had become quite boring to arrive at a venue and know the outcome before the event even began – at least more times than not.

After all, sports is all about competition and there’s nothing competitive about blowouts.

So, it might be a rough couple years while the acclimation process takes place.

But, that’s okay.

Because being a big fish in a small pond whose waters eventually become stagnant doesn’t do anyone any good.

But, being the small fish – at least for now – provides the opportunity for the growth required to ascend to the rank of big fish, which will enable Liberty Hill to continue to be a shining example of a school – and a community – that is capable of special things at any level.

Do we hear Class 6A? Perhaps someday.

But, first things first.

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the opposition.

“In the second half, they cleared out better on our sets and we weren’t able to run them as well,” said Boren.

“They also played harder than we did.”

But, early on in the contest, it was the Panthers’ patented pressure defense that got the ball rolling for the Purpleand-Gold, as the Tigers had no answer to the relentlessness of Liberty Hill’s defenders the entire length of the court, including a pair of steals by Anthony Sierras and Kadin Knight, which both resulted in Panthers buckets and a 10-5 advantage midway through the opening eight minutes of play.

A 6-0 Dripping Springs run quickly brought the Tigers back and gave them a brief lead at 11-10 before the Pan-

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thers answered with a quick 5-0 run courtesy of a basket

by Knight, which was followed by a free throw on the next possession and finally a pretty runner by Gunter Daniels and a pair of free throws from Sierras to give Liberty Hill a 15-13 lead after one.

The second stanza saw the Panthers pour on the pressure, including scores on three straight possessions by Sierras on a hang-and-hit andone in the lane, a put back

by Bobby Mundy and a pair from the line by Knight after the senior guard had doggedly went to the floor in pursuit of a loose ball and was fouled in the process.

Liberty Hill closed the half on a 9-0 run before Dripping Springs senior Jayden

PEC GIVES

Page 8

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

SOCCER BRIEFS Lady Panthers drop district game to Georgetown

When Liberty Hill Hosted Georgetown in a district game on Feb. 22, the occasion marked a matchup of two ranked teams in the No. 5 Lady Panthers and the No. 13 Eagles.

So, when the visitors scored inside five minutes of the opening kick, those in attendance certainly thought it was simply the first time the ball would hit the back of the net on the evening.

However, there were wrong, as Liberty Hill was defeated by their next-door neighbors by that same 1-0 scoreline and in doing so suffered its first district loss of the season, as well as conceding is first goal in league play.

Head coach Darren Bauer said the match came down about as he had expected it to unfold.

“Both teams did what they wanted,” he said. “Defensively, they were very well organized.”

Lady Panthers senior mid-

Runnin’

fielder Madi Fuller had several chances at goal go wanting over the course of the contest, along with Emma Stephens being denied by an acrobatic save from the Eagles’ goalkeeper on a booming shot which would’ve evened the score in the second half.

At match’s end, Bauer sent his side off into the night with words of encouragement after a tough loss on their home field, pleased with the effort level he had received from them on the evening.

“I can’t fault out girls,” he said. “I didn’t think anybody played bad – it was a good game and that’s what makes it exciting.”

Liberty Hill 2, Rouse 1 The following night, the Lady Panthers hosted Rouse and came away with a 2-1 victory on the strength of goals from Mykenna Russo and Piper Tabor, with Stephens and Abbey Janicek getting assists in the win.

Liberty Hill (12-3-2, 6-1) will next play three consecutive away games against Glenn

Continued from Page 7

Guevara drained the final basket of the half to make it a 3324 Panthers lead at the half, in what turned out to be a harbinger of the heroics the Tigers’ point guard would produce in the final period.

In the third was when it all began to fall apart for the Panthers, being outscored, 18-8, as Dripping Springs finally took the lead at 42-41 as the buzzer sounded, which represented the Tigers’ first advantage since the opening quarter.

In the fourth, it was all about Guevara, as he scored Dripping Springs’ first nine points of the period – including back-to-back 3-pointers – on the way to 12 fourth-quarter points and a game-high 23 on the evening.

Daniels finished off a strong, consistent performance throughout the contest, with nine of his squad-high 19 points in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to prevent an opening-round exit for a team

accustomed to much longer playoff runs in its Class 4A days.

Sierras added 17 points for the Panthers, while Knight scored 13 in the defeat, which marked the final game of his high school career, as well as the Panthers’ season.

The occasion marked the first time in Boren’s 19 seasons on the Liberty Hill sidelines when his team made the playoffs, but failed to advance past the opening round – a reality that was quite evident to the veteran bench boss in the aftermath.

“The last 18 years, we’ve had some kind of trophy,” said Boren. “We had three goals going into the season – to win 20 games, to make the playoffs and to advance in the playoffs and we only got one out of three. It’s disappointing, but it’s not the end.”

Liberty Hill finished with an overall record of 18-7, including a 7-4 mark and third-place finish in district play.

Baseball

Continued from Page 6 out of our middle infielders in Ryan and Jackson and should get some good contributions from Kash Durkin and Jack Stavinoha. On the pitching side, Cole Jefferson had a great start to last year and we think he’s ready to step in and fill the void left by Ryan Flake and Rowen Guerra on the mound. In addition, Ryan Rhoden, along with several other newcomers, should help make our pitching staff solid and ready for the challenge.”

Perhaps the challenge Hutcherson speaks of is Liberty Hill’s move up to Class 5A this season, which will mean better teams to face once the district season rolls around, as well as the games the Panthers will play ahead of the league slate.

“I’m just excited for the program and the direction we’ve been heading,” said Hutcherson. “Moving up to 5A adds a level of excitement because of the familiarity with the teams around us that we will now get to face in district and the quality of the opponents we’ll face

Hoops

in being in all 5A/6A tournaments.”

As for how he plans to be able to keep pace with the newer, more rugged competition, Hutcherson said the emphasis will be more than ever on playing error-free baseball.

“I don’t know there are any major changes we need to make,” he said. “I just know we’ll have to play very consistent each and every game and when playing against a high level of competition, we have to keep mistakes to a minimum and force our opponent to beat us rather than do things that beat ourselves.”

After last year’s campaign was cut short by coronavirus, Hutcherson said he and his team are just happy to be back doing what they do best – compete and win games.

“I don’t know if it’s as much as a sense of urgency,” he said.

“I think it’s more just an appreciation for every day we get to be out there now because we know how it can feel if it gets taken away.”

Continued from Page 6

“I think for some it provides a measuring stick,” he said. “Not everyone who plays makes the playoffs. For others, it’s the absolute beginning of a quest to win a championship. I think we all have that part in us that dares to dream.”

But to make those dreams a reality, a particular approach must be taken to give them the best possible chance of coming to fruition, said Boren.

“I’ve always felt like the goals most likely to be achieved were the ones that were verbalized and revisited often,” he said. “At Liberty Hill, we’re very goal-oriented. We talk often about where we’ve been, where we are, where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. For us, that action plan begins at the end of each season. It’s revisited – and sometimes has to be reshaped – throughout the year and just to review, that year begins at

the end of the season, goes through summer, picks back up in the fall and carries over into the first season, which gets you ready for the second season, which earns you the right to play in the third season.”

The current season marks Boren’s 19th in Purple-andGold and after missing out on the postseason in his first year, the Panthers have qualified in the 18 subsequent seasons.

Certainly a track record most coaches would be happy to have on their resume, but for Boren, it’s simply not good enough – which is what continues to drive him on after all these years.

“We’ve made it 18 years in a row, but still, I’m not satisfied,” he said. “I specifically gave our kids three objectively-reachable goals. We’ve reached one, we have two to go. We’ll see if we get there, but we’re working hard on it.”

Thursday, February 25, 2021

(Feb. 25), Cedar Park (Feb. 26) and East View (March 1) before returning home to face Marble Falls on March 2.

BOYS

Liberty Hill 2, Georgetown 0 On Feb. 22, Liberty Hill defeated Georgetown in a district game, 2-0, as Ethan Minix and Jett Byars scored a goal each for the Panthers, while Taylor Simons got the win and a shutout in goal.

Rouse 4, Liberty Hill 0 The Panthers lost an away game to Rouse by a 4-0 score on Feb. 23, in falling to sixth place in the district standings.

Liberty Hill (4-7-1, 1-4-1) will next host Cedar Park (Feb. 26) and East View (March 1) before an away game against Marble Falls on March 2.

(RIGHT) Abbey Janicek (#5) fights for control of the ball during the Lady Panthers’ 1-0 home loss to Georgetown.

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Gridiron dream not over yet

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Bryce Rampy ran around the football fields of Liberty Hill as a youngster dreaming of one day perhaps joining the ranks of his Panthers’ idols on the varsity gridiron squad.

He certainly achieved that dream in excelling as a Liberty Hill player, but now he’s moving on to bigger and better things than the overwhelming majority of his Purple-and-Gold role models of yesteryear.

Liberty Hill’s senior safety has signed a national letter of intent to continue his football career at Hardin-Simmons University and is grateful for the opportunity the Abilene school is giving him, he said.

“It’s amazing,” said Rampy.

“I’ve always dreamed about this since I was a little kid to play after high school and I’m glad Hardin-Simmons gave me a chance.”

Rampy said he picked the Cowboys due to the warm welcome he received upon visiting the Division III campus.

“I chose Hardin-Simmons because the school is great,” said Rampy, who plans to pursue a coaching career.

“The coaches are great and everyone in the community is great – they really made me feel like family when I went to visit there.”

Rampy ranked seventh on the Panthers’ defense his senior season with 54 tackles, along with two interceptions and eight passes defended.

According to Liberty Hill interim head coach Kent Walker, Rampy should have no problem sliding right into his customary spot on defense for his new team next

Water

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

Bryce Rampy (#34) has signed a letter of intent to play football at Hardin-Simmons University. year.

“I feel Bryce will play safety at HSU,” said Walker. “I think safety is a great position for him and he did a great job for us this year at safety.”

In addition to Rampy’s onfield tangible skills, Walker said he provides any team he plays for with invaluable intangibles, as well.

“Bryce brings a lot of personality to the team,” he said. “He’s always having fun and has a smile on his face, along with a tremendous work ethic and being a great young man.”

Continued from Page 1

superintendent reach out to his counterpart in Leander and that’s when we realized it was going to be days before we saw water. They had issues with their generators, which we all did, but we couldn’t really prepare for this because we didn’t know what was coming.”

The issue was never a question of adequate water supply, but instead the treatment of that water. Liberty Hill has water rights to two million gallons per day.

“We have water rights from Lake Travis, so the water comes in from Lake Travis, Leander treats it and that’s what is pushed to Liberty Hill,” Hale said. “We have two million gallons a day available through our agreement with the City of Leander. We are well suited to accommodate our customers, including the new Butler Farms development where there are supposed to be 1,200 new homes. We are in a good position for quite some time.”

Water distribution The first water distribution stations began Feb. 18 when community businesses, as well as Georgetown Public Works and Williamson Coun-

ty began delivering water to the area.

Distribution has been daily for both non-potable and potable water for area residents, and between Friday and Tuesday Hale said there had been nearly 3,000 gallons of potable water brought into Liberty Hill and distributed by City staff.

“We’ve realized that not only are we here for our residents but those all over the county,” Hale said. “We’ve had people from Hutto, Florence, Thrall and Austin coming to get water. That’s fantastic because we’re here to serve.”

The City announced Wednesday that it would continue to distribute water through Friday, but residents are encouraged to monitor the City website or Facebook page for updates. A potable and non-potable refill station, where residents can refill their own bottles, will be open at Wetzel Park through March 1.

Other issues While water was out completely for a number of days, the wastewater treatment plant continued to function with only a few issues.

“We had flow concerns but we were able to mitigate those

But, perhaps the most valuable character trait Rampy will take north is the same thing any Liberty Hill football player provides, said Walker.

“I feel when a college coach comes to Liberty Hill and recruits our kids, they know they’re going to get one thing,” he said. “They know they’re getting a tough football player.”

Rampy knows he’s in for an athletic and academic challenge upon his arrival in Abilene, but he said he will draw on inspiration from a former coach when times get

concerns,” Hale said. “We’re able to treat and able to continue operations at our plant even through all this. Some of our infrastructure had frozen so it caused a few hiccups, but we were able to keep operating and treating.”

Hale also anticipates having some road repair issues to address in the aftermath of the storm.

“We’re going to start doing tours of town, especially with streets and maintenance, to see what roads are more impacted than others,” Hale said. “We have to assess our roads because even down on the Loop there is pothole after pothole. That’s something we will have a plan of action to mitigate.”

One issue that many people dealt with was tree and limb loss, but crews began addressing those problems very early in the storm which minimized problems for the City.

“On Thursday and Friday (Feb. 11-12), when this started to hit, the streets and maintenance crew went out and started trimming some of the trees in the right of way, so there was less impact there,” Hale said, adding there would be more tree issues to address

tough, he said.

“The biggest challenge on the field is going into the football program and having to fight and prove myself I can start and off the field will be just getting used to the environment and the school,” said Rampy. “But, I’ll remember everything Coach Jeff Walker taught me and how to keep moving and keep getting better. I’ll miss my whole team and the coaches that made me better through my high school career.”

in some areas.

Current infrastructure The water line from Leander comes up CR 279, hooking into Leander’s system at CR 281. Liberty Hill has two towers, one with a capacity of 150,000 gallons and the second 50,000 gallons.

Liberty Hill also has four active well sites, but they also were not operating during the storm last week.

“We are limited with power on those wells because there’s no backup generator on them, so if there’s no power they can’t pump,” Hale said.

Even if they had been operational, the wells would not have met daily demand as they are currently pumping about 250 gallons per minute total, which is a maximum of about 60,000 gallons in a 24hour period.

Future planning Future planning for water access is one of the issues the City will be looking closely at in coming weeks and months as all aspects of how the community was impacted by this storm will be reviewed.

“Next week when we get back to reality with offices

See CITY, Page 9

Thursday, February 25, 2021

CITY

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 8

open again, we’re going to have a few roundtables with each department to go day by day and understand what their needs were, how they were met and how we can better meet those needs in the future,” Hale said.

And once there is a clearer picture of what happened and why, the issue will be brought to the City Council to consider

options.

“We will have this discussion with Council to better situate ourself as a city for if we do need a bigger shelter for our residents, like if we need an amendment to our community center (project) to get a generator there,” Hale said. “Now we’re thinking community wide, not just about our infrastructure.”

As far as water treatment, Hale expects future discussions on when the City might build its own plant.

With a daily average usage of 400,000 gallons among its 1,300 water customers, it is not practical yet for Liberty Hill to have its own treatment plant.

“One solution, which is a five to seven year solution, is that

Page 9

we build our own water treatment plant,” Hale said. “That’s the direction I would like to take as a city is to get that done so we can be more self sufficient. It will take some time, and right now it would be about $30 million.”

That cost would include the treatment plant and a pipeline to Lake Travis.

The growth in the number of

water customers in the City will play a key role in when that happens.

The City is still in negotiation to purchase Georgetown’s western water service area, which would more than triple the number of customers in Liberty Hill, adding about 4,500 customers.

Hale said the City was in the midst of a feasibility study to

determine whether taking that on was the right move. Those negotiations have been going on since early 2018.

Liberty Hill had about 800 water customers just two years ago.

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Page 10

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 1

at all staying with us for four days. We were running things back and forth to neighbors that needed different things.”

In their 70s, Patricia Rowley Forester and another neighbor found themselves in a potentially dire situation until the cavalry swooped in to help.

“My neighbors cut off my water for me and checked on me twice a day,” said Forester. “They cut my water back on and are getting what groceries they can when they are available. They helped another neighbor by repairing her broken water line when they turned her water back on. We could not have made it without them.”

Coming to the aid of Hannah Schroeder’s husband, who suffers from sleep apnea, neighbors ensured he would get rest through times with no power.

“Our neighbors have all been taking care of each other in Santa Rita Ranch. Our nextdoor neighbors had a generator, and my husband has a CPAP,” said Schroeder. “They ran an extension cord from their generator to our house so he could sleep safely through the night. I’m so thankful for our neighbors and our neighborhood.”

Ashley Rivera is thankful for the people who played a part in ensuring her son’s health and safety when the weather deteriorated.

“We have a medically complex son, and our neighborhood has been so helpful in making sure he had what he needed during and after the storm,” said Rivera. “We are also thankful for Parker’s opening even without electricity. We were able to get the Pedialyte he needed without traveling far in the ice.”

In the aftermath of the storm, Dylan Wilk and his brother Kyle made a trek around a 20mile radius to buy water from gas stations as most grocery stores were without larger packs.

“One of the many places we dropped off at was the San Gabriel apartment complex, where we met up with council member Gram Lankford and his wife Che,” said Wilk.

“Even though they had their situations to deal with, they generously grabbed a wagon, filled it up two times, and went around to all the neighbors they could dropping off provisions.”

Shawn Oehrlein, owner of Shooting Star Ranch, and Lockie Taylor Ealy served over 100 meals on Friday night for the community.

“They offered dine-in, takeout, or delivery if needed at the wedding venue,” said Debbie Downing. “Sunday night, they prepared over 60 meals to serve the community with baked chicken, buttered corn, mashed potatoes, and rolls. It was no cost to the community.

They also purchased an abundance of groceries they were selling at cost such as eggs, bread, veggies, and fruits.

(This is ) such a great amazing community to be a part of.”

Hope House Development Director Erland Schulze is grateful for the amount of aid to Hope House throughout the storm.

“Hope House is so grateful to all the citizens in the community who helped us through this trying time. So many it would be a long list,” he said. “People brought us water, food, supplies, drove us from house to house with their four-wheel drive, and assisted us with donations and many other needs.

We can’t thank them enough for their kindness, willingness, and for caring about our special residents.”

Come on over Many residents lucky enough not to face the electrical and water issues went a step beyond, opening up their homes to others.

“A dear friend let us take hot showers and fed us a delicious meal. Our community came together so great today to help the many at our apartments, donations from many,” said San Gabriel Apartments resident Leah Kay. “I’m working with our Community Resource Center to continue to help our residents. Our community resource center is open and still needs consistent donations.”

Efforts like these kept Renee

Brown warm and fed while facing the relentless storm for days.

“My neighbors took me in since my heater broke, fed me, carried heavy water jugs out to my horses, and worked until my burst pipes get repaired,” said Brown. “I’ve been ill from cancer this past year, and without help from neighbors, I would not have made it. I only hope soon I am strong enough to pay them back somehow for everything they have done.”

Veronica Hawk has been on the receiving end of Liberty Hill’s charitable efforts before and felt returning the favor was the right thing to do.

“We helped, and people helped us. We opened our home for a family,” said Hawk. “People came over to shower and fill water. We delivered water gallons in our diesel to those who could not drive in snow or ice. Liberty Hill came together as a family. This town helped us when our daughter was born March 2020 when she was in ICU, and we needed help.”

Four-legged friends As Tonya Hudson’s champion show dog, a Saint Bernard named Ellie, entered a delicate state, the power outage created a potentially deadly situation.

Donald Wayne rushed in and helped save a litter of furry lives.

“My dog went into labor. Our heater broke, and then we also lost power. Our house was 40 degrees,” said Hudson. “Our pups would have died if wonderful people didn’t lend us a generator and several people brought us heaters. Also, I had people deliver us water to keep our dogs watered. I’m forever grateful.”

Shawn Velsor and others are doing their best to help the more vulnerable animals out there.

“I’ve helped several people throughout the community,” said Velsor. “A neighboring homeowner and I helped some starving dying heifers. These neglected cattle are eating tree branches, sticks, and even the old barn. No food and water are an ongoing issue.”

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Sally Farmer Murphy’s family hauled water to Linda Wartick Jernigan’s donkey and horse and fed them twice a day for three days. With a lack of water, Diane Paulson’s equine companions required nourishment. Neighbors arrived right on time.

“Neighbors helped by bringing buckets of well water for our horses,” said Paulson.

“Another let us use their shower and provided us with snacks and water when we were running low. Another who we hardly know offered to let us sleep at their place when a branch fell on our power line.

The compassion of our neighbors has overwhelmed us.”

More helping hands Parker’s Corner Market, one of downtown Liberty Hill’s staples, served as a beacon for many. Parker’s went on to donate a pallet of water to the City’s Wetzel Park water station.

“I’d like to recognize Tina Lopez and Heather Woolsey for their dedication to keeping the community supply chain going at Parker’s Corner Market,” said Chandrika Prajapati. “Without water, they sacrificed their priorities to serve the community. We are so thankful for them and glad they are part of the Parker’s family. “ Seeing the need to feed many hungry people, Nikki Melchor and her husband Jordan used their restaurant – Texas Taco Kitchen – to feed essential workers.

“We have donated almost 100 pounds of meat to first responders and meals to community volunteers,” said Melchor. “As well as provide water to those where we can.

We feel grateful to have fared well during this event and are thankful to be able to pay that good fortune forward.”

Business owner Lee Vernon runs a nonprofit that is making sure to take care of the ones looking after everyone else.

“We were doing some support efforts in Liberty Hill like taking sanitation water to the Liberty Hill Pharmacy, LHPD, and others,” said Ver-

Liberty Hill residents meet to plan the removal of debris left over from the winter storm. (Courtesy Photo)

Mayor Liz Branigan at the home donated by Chris Pezold. The home on Grange Street served as a location for people to drop off donations or pick up items they needed. (Courtesy Photo)

non. “I’m also working with a local establishment to feed first responders and businesses that went above and beyond to support people in need.”

Mayor Liz Branigan and others worked to create a warming center for those suffering in the cold.

“Chris Pezold owns a model home in Old Town. He opened it up with a generator to run the best,” said Branigan. “We sent out a call for food and water, and a shelter was born. He also filled a water tank, put it on his flatbed, and took water to Liberty Manor in the height of the storm.”

As the weeks go on, the re-

covery will continue. For the many struggling at this moment, normalcy will return.

For Liberty Hill transplant Jessica Ashley, the efforts of her adopted community are a sight to behold.

“Being from a bigger city, San Antonio, I have never witnessed this much care and compassion,” she said. “People making store runs for others, taking the time offering free services on vehicle and home repair. Offering their homes to others needing to shower, heating sources for pets. The list goes on, and I’m truly grateful to part of such a selfless community.”

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