Fredericksburg S tandard Radio Post fredericksburgstandard.com
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
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Student athletes score on college signing day A/B14
Standard continues ‘Rebound’ ad grants A/B6
CORONAVIRUS
INSIDE
‘Response, re-entry, recovery’ Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau’s director outlines plans to safely market and get tourism economy going again ▶ A/B7 Harper High School will hold graduation ceremonies Friday while Fredericksburg waits another week ▶ A/B13 Chamber leader says support of local business needed, along with big dose of patience for all ▶ A/B6
COVID 19 CASES
Governor OKs more reopening Bars can open Friday at quarter of capacity; Gillespie restaurants will stay at 50% From staff reports
Bars, nonessential office buildings and many summer camps are areas set to reopen after Governor Greg Abbott announced Phase 2 of his reopening plan for the Texas economy. The televised announcement means Fredericksburg’s tourism industry can begin to re-emerge, after having been nearly completely dormant for two months. Restaurants in Gillespie County will remain at 50% capacity after having
been allowed to open two weeks ago. (Most other Texas eateries in locations with higher COVID-19 case counts will be allowed to expand to 50% from 25%.) For bar and tasting room openings, it was encouraged that persons should be seated at tables in groups no larger than six, a distance of six feet or more between parties, and dancing is discouraged. Additionally, businesses located in office buildings are allowed to open with 25% of employees.
Childcare services, a big concern for working parents, are now allowed to open with certain precautions. “Today, tomorrow, every day going forward is one day closer to medical discoveries that will help treat and protect people from getting COVID-19,” Abbott said. “Until that day comes, our focus is to keep you safe — while also restoring your ability to get back to work.” Abbott said his recommendations were “based on the advice of the best medical doctors, as well as a team of REOPENING ▶ A/B13
POSTAL MAIL LABEL SPACE No. 51 USPS 209-080 • Periodical © 2020 Fredericksburg Publishing Co.
31 1
Kerr
10
Kendall
21
Blanco
6
Llano
3
STATE/NATIONAL Texas
48,693
Texas Deaths
1,347
Tx Recovered
16,791
U.S.
1,537,830
U.S. Deaths
90,694
Sources: Health & Human Services *Most cases listed as recovered
By Samuel Sutton
Courtesy Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park.
Jobs......................F8-10 Public notices ....... E4-5 Movies .................C/D9 Obituaries........ C/D4-5 Real estate .............E1-3 Sports ............A/B12-13 Taste................... C/D10
Mason Kimble
Standard-Radio Post reporter
High Low Rain 80 63 1.22 86 64 .08 89 61 62 58 1.30 79 58 .01 87 59 92 60 2.61
Advertiser index.. A/B2 Ag/Outdoors ....... C/D7 Business ............A/B6-7 Classifieds............F9-10 Commentary ....C/D2-3 Community .......... C/D1 Gillespie Life...... C/C10
5
City OKs mid-year budget adjustments
May 12-18, 2020 Rainfall for this week ........... 2.61 Rainfall for May ................... 2.62 Rainfall for 2020................. 12.06 Normal for Date ................ 10.25 Same Date Last Year ......... 13.72 Low — May 15,16.................... 58 High — May 18 ..................... 92
INSIDE
Gillespie
Neffendorf appointed mayor until November
WEATHER
Burn ban is off for Gillespie County. Use caution and call 9975603 for information.
AREA COUNTIES
FREDERICKBURG
HILL COUNTRY
Iconic jeweler James Avery will close its local production facility due to virus business climate ▶ A/B6
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Total Rain
(As of noon Tuesday, May 19)
Construction for the Permian Highway Pipeline, which will carry natural gas from West Texas to near Houston, is taking place across Gillespie County from just north of Harper through land that is south of U.S. Highway 290. The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association and the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association are in favor of halting or slowing its construction. — Standard-Radio Post file photo/Samuel Sutton
Pipeline could slow with ruling Groups use federal Keystone XL decision to try and slow construction of PHP project By Samuel Sutton Standard-Radio Post reporter
A ruling by Montana Federal Judge Brian Morris regarding the Keystone XL pipeline could have an impact on the Permian Highway Pipeline that goes through the Texas Hill Country. Morris’ recent ruling reaffirmed his decision to vacate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Nationwide Permit 12 (NWP 12) in the Keystone XL case, according to a news release from the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA). His decision continued
Fredericksburg’s City Council appointed a new mayor during a busy regular meeting held via the Zoom teleconference app Monday night. Councilmember Gary Neffendorf will stay in the mayor position after assuming the mayor role after Linda L a ngerha ns’ r e t i r e ment was announced on Tuesday, May Neffendorf 12. “I want to wish (Langerhans) well and thank her for 14 years of great service to this community as mayor,” Neffendorf said. No vote was taken to fill Neffenforf ’s position during this meeting, but it must occur within the next 30 days. Neffendorf will remain mayor until the Nov. 3 election.
a previous ruling that moved this administrative device, which allows for pipeline construction across waterways without the necessity of individual permit review by the corps. This affirmation might slow construction of the Permian Highway Pipeline as it crosses Blanco and Hays counties, according to the news release. Morris’ new opinion is similar to the original decision issued April 15 with the exception to allow maintenance operations and some other minor changes. He still refused to issue a stay in the effect of his decision pend-
Budget amendments Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has faced more financial hardships than in usual years. City Manager Kent Myers said the staff expects a $2 million loss of revenue in 2020. These losses will be felt pri-
PIPELINE ▶ A/B8
CITY COUNCIL ▶ A/B2
FREDERICKSBURG ISD
GRADUATION SEASON
Board plans for next year Calendar, attendance still unknown with changing virus status By McKenzie Moellering Standard-Radio Post reporter
Plans for the 2020-2021 school year were on the table Monday night at the Fredericksburg Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting. While the board took no action on the upcoming school year schedule, many ideas were presented. “We wanted to look at our current calendar and figure out how to still have 76,500 minutes or more but spreading it out over the year,” Supt. Dr. Jeff Brasher said. “This would also give us some options in case we have another COVID
shutdown.” Leadership was expected to meet Tuesday, May 19, to come up with three to four different calendar options that would be reviewed. “Some districts across the state have chosen to keep their regular calendar, meaning if there were a shut down, school would have to be extended into June or July,” Brasher said. “We want to get some clear direction on the board to figure out what we need to do.” One idea would be to implement a remediation plan. “How would remediation work and FISD ▶ A/B4
New Heritage School graduate Celia Ashley hugs her mother (and teacher at the school) Wendy Ashley during Friday commencement ceremonies held in the school gymnasium. See story and more photos on page C/D1. — Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke