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THE BOERNE STAR
Since 1906
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Friday December 13, 2013 •
Fire claims Kendall County home No loss of life or injury, but damages set at $300k
24 pages $1
BY CARLINE SCHWARTZ
â– News Editor
Inside
news@boernestar.com
Chargers win home opener
Boerne Champion’s Taylor Lewis (1) defends during Tuesday’s home opener against the Southside Cardinals. For more on the game, see today’s sports section, pages 15A-16A.
Happy... ...Birthday December 11 Mary Brunett December 13 Cynthia Balentine Billie Bergmann Linda Coutts Barry Levine Catherine Merritt Bonnie Rozypal Joe Steen Rick Taylor December 14 Sharron Cox Ann Hearn Patricia Jordan Yolanda Martin Angela Maxwell Curtis Neice December 15 Marilyn Argus Helene Bachmann Maxine Bishop Mary Danley Cynthia Hallmark David Vaughan December 16 Maxine Arishita Sylvestra Cruz Cecil Graves Ada Groen Dalton Harbers Duane Lindemann
Fire crews were dispatched to a house fire Tuesday afternoon in the 100 block of Ridge View Drive, nearly six miles north of Boerne. Boerne Fire Chief Doug Meckel said there were no injuries or fatalities, but heavy damage occurred to the two story, 3,000-square-foot home, which is expected to be a total loss. He said the fire department estimates damage at $300,000. The home is owned by Michael and Tracey Kinchen. Their son David, who works for the Sisterdale Volunteer Fire Department, was with crews dispatched to fight the fire. “The family has a few personal possessions that they’ll be able to get out, but for the most part there’s heavy fire and smoke damage to the house.� Kendall County Fire Marshal Jeffery Fincke said one of the homeowners who discovered the fire made the emergency call. He said no one else who lived in the house was home at the time. Fincke said the preliminary cause of the fire is believed to have been some heating lamps on the back porch for the family’s dogs. Fincke said the dogs were outside at the time of the fire and were not injured. “That’s just a preliminary cause until we look into it further and deal with the insurance people,� Fincke said. “It appears as though the origin of the fire was in that area and now we’re just trying to determine exact cause.� Meckel said the fire department received the call at 2:38 p.m. and had the fire completely under control around 4:30 p.m., with the help of area volunteer fire departments. Firefighters were putting out hot spots and doing salvage work until 6:30 p.m. He said no other structures were threatened by the blaze.
Firefighters battled a house fire Tuesday afternoon on Ridge View Drive. The home was expected to be declared a total loss. Star photo by Carline Schwartz
Primary election ballots complete – the race is on
Hump Day
BY CARLINE SCHWARTZ
â– News Editor
news@boernestar.com
...Anniversary December 16 Donald & Patsy Braune William & Isabella Mallants
Deaths Karen Franta Hawkins Kenneth ‘Ken’ O. Seewald Patricia Lynn Walker
For complete obituaries, see page 2A and online at www.boernestar.com.
Index Business Calendar Celebrating the Arts Classifieds Confessions of a Bookaholic Crossword Faith From the Heart Games Hill Country Gardener Mary Alice’s Potpourri Real Estate Service Directory Sports Viewpoints
9A 8A 18A 1B-6B 11A 14A 7A 11A 14A 11A 17A 1B-3B, 6B 4B-5B 15A-16A 4A
Volume 107 • Number 100 All contents copyright 2013 The Boerne Star
Yes, it was Wednesday when the camels arrived to play their roles in the annual “A Walk in Bethlehem� presentation at St Helena’s Episcopal Church. Young Matthew Soule pauses in his wandering the streets of Bethlehem to watch as a camel eats its supper. Star photo by Anya Maltsberger
Now that the candidate filing period for the March 4 Primary Election ended, the races begin. As has been the case for the past several decades, with rare exception, in Kendall County, the Democratic ballot for local races is empty, while there are numerous contests on the Republican side. Three county commissioner precincts are up for election. The County Commissioner Precinct 3 position is on the ballot because County Commissioner Richard Chapman was appointed to the position earlier this year. “In all statutes it states that when a vacancy occurs, whoever has the appointing authority must appoint a person to serve until the next general election,� County Attorney Don Allee said. All county commissioners court candidates are running in the Republican primary. Chris Taylor is running against incumbent Darrel Lux for County Judge. Jerry L. Collins is running against Richard W. Elkins for County Commissioner Precinct 2. Gene Miertschin, who is not running for reelection, currently holds the position.
Kendall County fugitive arrested in Alaska Justin Wayne Boerner, wanted by Kendall County Sheriff’s Office for burglary, has been arrested in Fairbanks, Alaska. Monday evening, Boerne Police Department dispatch personnel were notified by Alaska Highway Patrol of a roadside detention of Boerner, who computer checks indicated had two outstanding warrants from Kendall County. After a required verification process was completed, Alaska Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Munson arrested Boerner on the Kendall County warrants.
Kendall County Investigator Chad Sells says Boerner was stopped by Munson after a call from a citizen concerned about Boerner. Munson advised Boerner initially denied having any identification but upon further questioning, the trooper located identification and the computer check confirmed the Kendall County warrants. Boerner was booked into the Fairbanks Correctional Facility. Sells said the initial warrant for burglary of a habitation was issued on Oct. 29 and a second burglary warrant was
issued on Nov. 19. Deputies had pursued Boerner on foot in the Waring area, on at least two occasions, with Boerner able to elude deputies who also used tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Corrections and Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter.. Authorities also consider Boerner a person of interest in a vehicle theft from the Waring area. That vehicle was later recovered in Oklahoma. Sells said he does not know how Boerner made it
See FUGITIVE, page 3A
Tommy Pfeiffer is running against incumbent Richard Chapman for County Commissioner Precinct 3. Royce Steubing is running against incumbent Kenneth M. Rusch for County Commissioner Precinct 4. Josie Below is running against Susan Jackson for District Clerk in the Republican primary. Kay Pugh, who is not running for reelection, currently holds the position. All incumbents for Justice of the Peace are running uncontested. They are Larry James, Precinct 1; Leon Brimhall, Precinct 2; Debby S. Hudson, Precinct 3; Frieda J. Pressler, Precinct 4. Other candidates running uncontested are County Clerk Darlene Herrin, County Treasurer Sheryl D’Spain, County Surveyor Wes RexRode, County Court At Law Judge Bill Palmer and State Representative (Dist. 73) Doug Miller. Elisa Chan and Mike Novak are running against incumbent Donna Campbell for the State Senate in District 25 in the Republican primary. Daniel Boone is the only Democratic candidate running for the State Senate in District 25. Matt McCall and Michael J. Smith are running against longtime incumbent Lamar Smith for U.S. Representative District 21 in the Republican primary.
See ELECTION, page 3A
Christmas concerts The Boerne Concert Band presents its annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Boerne High School Auditorium. See story page 3A
School musical performances Friday, Dec. 13: Riverwalk caroling in San Antonio by the Boerne High School Choir, beginning at 6 p.m. Champion High School’s holiday choir concert, with choirs from Boerne Middle School South and Cibolo Creek, Fair Oaks Ranch and Kendall elementary schools, 7 p.m. Champion auditorium. Monday, Dec. 16: Cibolo Creek Elementary Band holiday concert at 7 p.m. in the
school cafetorium. Tuesday, Dec. 17: Cibolo Creek Elementary’s Fifth Grade program at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafetorium. Thursday, Dec. 19: Fabra Elementary Second Grade presents “A Bugz Christmas� at 6 p.m. in the BMSN Auditorium. The BMSS Band holiday concert at 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. The public is welcome to all concerts.
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