Hays Free Press April 8, 2020

APRIL 8, 2020 EASTER

COVER UP

See which local churches will be livestreaming Holy Week services.

Hays County residents urged to cover their faces in public.

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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

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Vol. 126 • No. 2

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Hays County refines approach to preventing virus spread

BY ANITA MILLER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY WATERSHED ASSOCIATION

Pipeline crew hits karst feature, leaving locals with brown water

BY ANITA MILLER

Discolored water from wells near the Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline is causing distress.

Test results on the water, taken where the pipeline is about to cross the Blanco River, are expected soon from a Lower Colorado River Authority laboratory.

Once the results are received, David Baker of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) and others opposed to the pipeline’s route through the fragile Texas Hill Coun-

try will have a better idea of what their next steps should be.

On March 28, reportedly during the first day of drilling, a Kinder Morgan contractor trying to bore a pilot hole under the river near Chimney Hill Road in Blanco County hit a karst feature, losing all the drilling fluid and mud down the hole. Within days, water that was either tan and foamy or mud-colored During the first day of drilling, it was reported that a Kinder began coming out of the Morgan contractor trying to bore a pilot hole under the river taps at three homes about a near Chimney Hill Road in Blanco County hit a karst feature, losing all the drilling fluid and mud down the hole. Residents

DIRTY WATER, 8 within a mile of the site reported foamy, mud-colored water.

COVID-19 testing available in Kyle Residents in Kyle who have symptoms of COVID-19 may be eligible for a test to confirm or dispel their suspicious, and in most cases, that comes at no cost.

Austin Regional Clinic’s Kyle location at the corner of Kohlers Crossing and Evertt Street is one of five drive-through test site locations ARC announced last week. Others are in Austin, Round Rock and Cedar Park.

In order to be tested, people must have a doctor’s order. That can be secured after a telemedicine appointment from an ARC physician.

To schedule an ap-

As of 4 p.m.

Sunday, there were 54 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Hays County, including 41 still active (13 people had recovered).

pointment, call ARC’s COVID-19 Hotline, 866453-4525.

The Kyle location administered 40 tests

COVID-19 TESTING, 7

PHOTO BY ANITA MILLER

Austin Regional Clinic personnel left their tent at ARC’s Kyle facility on Everett Street on April 2 to administer a test to a resident who pulled up. In order to be tested for the COVID-19 virus, patients need to schedule a telemedicine appoint for evaluation and possible referrel. The cost of the test is expected to be waived for most.

Hays Food Bank sees demand jump by 400%

BY CAMELIA JUAREZ

The Hays County Food bank saw a spike in families needing food for the month of March and expect demand to increase in the coming months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least 208 new households and 553 new individuals collected food from the food bank last month.

IF YOU OR YOUR FAMILY NEED FOOD, THERE ARE SEVERAL DRIVE-THROUGH PRE-BAGGED FOOD OPTIONS • In Kyle, every Tuesday from 12 Pp.m.-1 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church • In San Marcos, every Wednesday from 6 -7 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium parking lot, behind H-E-B • In Buda, every Thursday from 12-1 p.m. at Connection Church

Fortunately, food stock isn’t low now, but as more people lose their jobs in

ACTING GLOBALLY Wimberley Rotarians project supports Ethiopian children.

– Page 8

INDEX

STAFF REPORT

the coming months Hays

FOOD BANK DEMANDS, 2

News……………… 2, 4, 5 Opinion Page………… 3 Community………… 6, 8 Education……………… 7

Hays County has worked out some glitches in reporting of positive cases of COVID-19 and is pursuing supplies to fill current shortages even as plans are being made for the eventuality that local hospitals will be pushed past their capacity.

Currently, though, the seven county residents who have been hospitalized because of the novel coronavirus have been transferred to larger facilities in Austin and San Antonio.

Three remained hospitalized as of Tuesday morning.

Epidemiologist Eric Schneider gave the run-

“...most of those people will breeze right through it.

We have every hope and expectation that they’re going to walk through this.”

–Ruben Becerra, Hays County Judge

down of numbers as of 9 a.m. Tuesday including that only 8 of the 61 confirmed cases had a history of travel before

VIRUS PROTOCOL, 12

No curfew in governor’s latest COVID-19 protocols

BY ANITA MILLER Protocols ordered

by Gov. Greg Abbott that went into effect Wednesday won’t change the everyday lives of most Hays County residents with one exception: There is no mention of a curfew, as was mandated by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra.

That means people who are on “essential business” will be able to travel no matter the time of night or day.

According to Mark Kennedy, general counsel for Hays County, “The governor’s order prohibits local orders that

further restrict essential services allowed by the governor’s order. If a person needs to utilize an essential service, no matter the time of day, that person may do so.

We assume that most essential services will not be available in the middle of the night.”

Abbott’s order “renews and amends” his previous orders and also supersedes those of cities and counties.

It follows “federal social distancing guidelines for COVID-19, including closing schools and instructing Texans to avoid eating or drinking

COUNTY CURFEW, 2

Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862 Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton News Editor Anita Miller Sports Editor Moses Leos III Reporters Camelia Juarez, Sahar Chmais Columnists Bartee Haile, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts Proofreaders Jane Kirkham

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The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610.

Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610.

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Police Blotter…………… 9 Service Directory…… 10 Public Notices……… 11 Classifieds…………… 11

NEWS

Page 2

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

Water, pipeline companies at odds over future wells

BY ANITA MILLER

A Houston-based water supplier that was public enemy #1 in Hays County five years ago may have just engineered a significant delay in the construction of the Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP), which has taken its place at the top of the list.

If upheld, a judge’s recent decision could keep the natural gas pipeline from being built along a portion of the PHP’s proposed route for 10 months or more.

Electro Purification drew the ire of local governments and rural well owners when it announced plans in 2015 to drill a number of commercial wells, pumping potentially 32.59 million gallons of water per year from the Trinity Aquifer in a spot that was not under the regulation of a groundwater district.

Nearby landowners feared for the future of their own wells, and questions began to be asked about the long-term wisdom of Texas’ “right of capture,” which basically gives landowners the right to the unlimited use of resources below the ground, such as water in an aquifer.

EP had initially sought to pump one million gallons of water daily to supply customers in other parts of the state. The Texas Legislature stepped in and extended the jurisdiction of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) to cover the targeted por-

Kinder Morgan and EP remained at odds over a portion of the route through the Bridges and Odell tracts in Hays County. EP wells located there would have to be moved and the company argued it had already invested approximately $3 million in its water project.

tion of the Trinity.

EP filed for a series of permits and revisions over the course of the next two years and was granted, in December 2019, a permit to pump millions of gallons of water annually, with provisions that the amount could be altered to protect nearby wells and the health of the aquifer overall.

Enter Kinder Morgan in 2018, eager to acquire easements for the 430-mile natural gas pipeline from the oil fields of West Texas to near Houston. Because pipelines are considered infrastructure, the companies that build them are legally allowed to use the power of eminent domain to acquire easements along the proposed route.

That power was challenged in court by Hays County, the city of Kyle and others. However, a district judge tossed out the suit.

The company’s representatives say that most landowners along their proposed route did not object to the pipeline but others complained, and took the company to court, alleging undervaluing easements through Blanco County. Kinder

Morgan says it made minor alterations to the route on the behalf of multiple landowners.

However, Kinder Morgan and EP remained at odds over a portion of the route through the Bridges and Odell tracts in Hays County, roughly along FM 3237 west of Kyle. EP wells located there would have to be moved and the company argued it had already invested approximately $3 million in its water project.

Arguing that moving their wells would essentially force a restart of the permitting process, EP sued Kinder Morgan seeking damages. The presiding judge granted EP’s request for a temporary restraining order that Kinder Morgan cease and desist from actions on the two tracts in dispute until the next court hearing can be scheduled.

EP’s permits continue to be challenged by entities including the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA). EP had sought to delay a hearing on that dispute until it resolved matters with Kinder Morgan. However, TESPA sought an extension of only three months,

Continued from pg. 1

County Food Bank Communications Coordinator Mallory Best said they will need more donations.

The food bank’s supplies are consistent with other months, but as social distancing efforts increase the number of donations has sharply decreased, Best said.

“Hopefully, the sickness flatlines and government checks provide income for families, but normal people are losing jobs at rapid rates. If this continues, we are going to need more donations,” she said.

Although the donation station is closed, the Food Bank is still seeking donations. If your household has a surplus of canned meat, canned tomatoes, canned fruit, hand sanitizer and

As social distancing efforts increase the number of donations has sharply decreased gloves, consider donating these supplies.

Financial donations are equally encouraged because money allows the food bank to buy food in bulk, Best said.

To make a donation, you can schedule an appointment with community relations by calling 512-392-8300, extension 230 or mail a check to 220 Herndon St., San Marcos, TX 78666.

WHAT WILL TRAFFIC LOOK LIKE IN 2045?

Learn more and share your input on the 2045 Transportation Plan and the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program, either online or by phone.

The public comment period ends Monday, April 20, 2020.

Learn more and comment by phone or mail: Request more info at 512-215-9351 Leave voicemail comments at 737-708-8144 Mail comments to 3300 N. IH 35 Suite 630 Austin, TX 78705

Participate online:

County Curfew

Learn about the TIP and the 2045 Plan at campotexas.org/get-involved

Continued from pg. 1

at bars or restaurants.”

Its definition of “essential services and activities” is modeled on guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security, which include “healthcare, grocery stores, banking and financial services, utilities, child care for essential services employees and government services.” It also lists April 30 as the expiration date for current protocols.

Notably, Abbott’s order classifies religious services as “essential,” as are hunting, fishing and “engaging in physical activity like jogging or bicycling, so long as the necessary precautions are maintained to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.”

Among businesses and services deemed nonessential are gyms and “massage establishments,” as well as tattoo studios, piercing studios and cosmetology salons.

and the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) agreed, citing complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 30, EP filed a motion to continue abatement of the pending SOAH hearing. “Given the current circumstances of the pandemic and with the defined end date for abatement, no parties opposed the motion,” TESPA said in a statement issued April 2.

The association says it expects the administrative law judge to extend the abatement through July 17, with the hearing postponed until at least February 2021.

Food Bank Demands

“Now it is time to redouble our efforts to reduce further exposure as much as possible and flatten the curve.

–Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Also under Abbott’s order, prohibitions remain on visiting nursing homes, state-supported living centers, assisted living facilities: and “long-term care facilities” unless to provide critical assistance.

The order also closes schools to in-person attendance until at least May 4.

“Social distancing is our best tool in the fight against COVID-19, and the actions we have taken thus far have proven to be effective in limiting the spread of this virus,” Abbott said as he issued the order.

“Now it is time to redouble our efforts to reduce further exposure as much as possible and flatten the curve. As with all the actions the state is taking, the essential

services and activities protocols is informed by the expertise and guidance of the CDC as well as state and local health officials.

I urge my fellow Texans to heed these heightened social distancing directives to protect their health and the health of those around them. By following these guidelines, we will limit the spread of COVID-19 and overcome this challenge together.”

After Becerra ordered the curfew, Sheriff Gary Cutler issued a statement saying he disagreed with that call, and that his deputies would not use the travel restrictions to target motorists unless there was some other cause for suspicion or concern.

Cutler declined to respond to Abbott’s order.

Email comments to comments@campotexas.org

Attend an online Open House: Watch on Facebook Live or join an online event at campotexas.org/webex or by phone at 1-844-992-4726

Online Open House Schedule: April 13, 2020 12:00 p.m.

April 14, 2020 10:00 a.m.

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Access code: 964 576 971 Password: 2045Plan

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Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“All along we’ve been trying to warn them this wasn’t really a safe place to put an oil and gas energy pipeline through the middle of the sensitive Texas Hill Country and sensitive karst aquifer.”

–David Baker, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

Page 3

EDITORIAL

Sometimes it brings out the best T

here are certainly times when the stress of the COVID-19 quarantine and confinement brings out the worst in people.

But at other times, it seems people are bending over backwards to be nice, to help each other out, to pass it forward.

That was brought front and center to the Barton Publications staff last week when a small check showed up in the mail. It said, “In appreciation of dropping the paywall.”

This person was already a subscriber and just sent in a check to keep their subscription going even longer and to let us know that our policy change during these trying times was appreciated.

For that, we say “Thank you.”

There are lots of people to thank these days. Sure, there are all of the nurses, doctors, EMTs and other folks in the medical field who are working overtime.

But let’s think of all the other folks who are working behind the scenes.

I’m talking about the PEC employees. Our electricity is still running strong, and they are out there working all the time. Especially with the recent storms, it is great to know that they still smile and wave at they continue to work.

Grocery store employees have been slammed. The stress level at the H-E-B has to be at an all-time high. You can see it in the eyes of the employees, but they still smile, ask that you stay in line, and greet everyone. So to you guys, thanks.

Postal and bank employees are also continuing to work long and hard to make sure packages are delivered and that checks are being deposited.

Road workers and city employees are making sure that roads are paved, that the sewer system is flowing, that the water remains on and that the sidewalks are clear and grass is mowed.

Health insurance and life insurance employees are still at work, as are reporters, editors, ad sales people, Chamber of Commerce employees, county workers and more.

School district folks are trying to get kids to work online, and probably pulling their hair out about it.

And, of course, so many parents are having to work from home, maintaining their jobs while trying to make sure their children do their homework.

Basically, many people are still working as best as they can. If they work for an employer who is not laying people off, they are doing whatever possible to stay afloat and keep going.

So, pat yourselves on the back. We will get through this scare, we will come back, and we will one day all be in offices together again.

So smile and wave hello to each other.

Pass on a bit of cheer, because everyone needs it.

We’re working to keep you informed Please make sure to check our website daily, as last minute updates are being put online. In addition, all COVID-19 stories are in front of the paywall.

And remember that it takes money to support journalists to cover these stories. Consider subscribing. Go to www.haysfreepress.com and www.newsdispatch.com. Look under the “contact” tab and choose subscribe or call 512268-7862.

NEWS TIPS

If you think it’s news, we probably do too!

• Newsroom phone: 512-268-7862 • E-mail: news@haysfreepress.com • Mail: 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640

CORRECTIONS

Surviving Coronavirus at home with teenage triplets Y

ou’re stuck home with your kids and feeling sorry for yourself. How are you going to keep them busy?

What about their school work? I’ve got a better story – stuck at home with 16-year old triplets.

Beat that. Anyone?

Anyone?

That’s what I thought.

Last week, as I was lamenting our collective plight I considered – as I always do – how I can use this situation to my advantage.

There are only so many indoor tasks you can ask of three, housebound 16-year-olds – get out of bed by noon, clean your rooms, put your dishes in the dishwasher. Actually, on a given day, I’d take any one of the three.

So, I went out and bought 22 bags of mulch and quickly morphed into a cross between Gunnery Sgt. Hartman from “Full Metal Jacket” and my father, minus the profanity. When it came to spewing obscenities, my father could go toeto-toe with Sarge.

I did, however, take a page from my father’s playbook as I attempted to motivate the triplets with cliches – “That mulch won’t spread itself you know.” “Let the rake do the work.”

I know I sounded just like my father, for whom I was a self-contained leaf and snow removal system. Oddly enough, as much as I loathed raking and shoveling when I was young, I actually enjoy it now. Still, when you have three able-bod-

game on YouTube. Not the entire game, as if that makes it better. About halfway through I had to come to grips with

by Rich the reality that I have a Manieri problem.

For me, and I would ied 16-year-olds (two imagine for many, this girls and a boy) hanging crisis has drawn a clear around the house with distinction between esnowhere to go, why sential and non-essential. should I risk Situations throwing we once For me, and I my back would have out? would imagine considered What intolerable for many, this I didn’t we now account tolerate. crisis has for was For exdrawn a clear their work ample, our ethic and Great Dane distinction efficiency.

Bosco ate between They were my very exfinished in pensive and essential and a couple only pair of non-essential. of hours glasses. He and we had didn’t actuSituations nothing left ally ingest we once for them to them but do. he somewould have It’s an how got the considered odd thing, lenses out, not being intact, and intolerable we able to go chewed off now tolerate. places or the tips of even be the frames, around other people. rendering them unwearIt’s the right thing to do able. I ordered a new pair under the circumstancbut in the intervening es but it’s still strange, week, my optometrist although a minor inclosed up shop due to convenience if it means COVID-19. I was left with keeping others from no choice but to pop the getting sick. lenses back in and bend It is interesting to the frames so they’ll stay see how we adjust our on my head, at least for schedules and adapt. I a while. Sure, they look can say, without fear of ridiculous, like I was in contradiction, this is the a bar fight and got hit in longest I have gone in the face with a stool, but my life without watching necessity compels in a sports on TV. I was so crisis. desperate the other day, I’ve watched more I found myself watching Netflix than I ever have a 30-year-old hockey and like millions of oth-

Guest Column

ers, was transfixed by the sordid tales of Joe Exotic, the “star” of a seven-episode freak show called “Tiger King.” I won’t ruin it for you if you haven’t seen it but I will tell you that I think my wife and I watched five episodes in one sitting. I say that not as a source of pride but rather an indication of the show’s cringeworthy appeal.

My only outing is my regular run to the grocery store, which isn’t much of a field trip because it’s about a mile from our house. Still, these trips have led me to make the following observation – Americans, and I’m including myself, need to eat more fruits and vegetables. You can’t find a roll of toilet paper or a frozen pizza but you can buy enough Brussels sprouts and navel oranges to keep you going for weeks.

There is one, universal and undeniable essential with which we all need to come to terms – we’re in this together and whether you’re dealing with a surplus of sprouts or teenagers, each is a blessing, and small price to pay for the greater good.

Rich Manieri is a Philadelphia-born journalist and author. He is currently a professor of journalism at Asbury University in Kentucky.

His book, “We Burn on Friday: A Memoir of My Father and Me” is available at amazon.com. manieri2@gmail.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR LOOK IN THE MIRROR

they didn’t know when they didn’t even know I can empathize with what they meant.

President Trump. actualBut that isn’t what this ly I feel for him but just letter is about. I read can’t reach him. yesterday about a person My mother typed my much smarter than I am. first letter to the editor.

He said he can realNext, I was smart enough ize why governments to marry two wives that often don’t move quickly could type and spell. enough. It’s hard for They could spell words them to move when the

Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the pages of the Hays Free Press will be corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.

DEADLINES

• The deadline for display advertising and any contributed news copy is 5 p.m. Friday the week prior to publication.

• The deadline for Letters to the Editor and classified word advertising is noon Monday the week of publication, though we encourage readers and advertisers to observe the Friday deadline.

people aren’t concerned enough. The world is moving too fast for them.

Seeing the crowds on the beaches proves to me people and kids aren’t concerned enough yet. I know stupid (personally) and it’s not smart. Think about yesterday. What did you do that exposed yourself unneccesar-

LETTERS GUIDELINES

ily. Then think if you caught the coronavirus and didn’t know it, and how many people you could expose and they wouldn’t know it. Look in the mirror and see if that’s the person you want to be. Kinda clarifies it for me.

Albert Busse Uhland

We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@haysfreepress.com.

NEWS

Page 4

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

Hays residents urged to cover faces in public STAFF REPORT

Who is that masked man?

Well, it could be anyone. Hays County is urging residents to adopt recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and wear cloth face masks when going to the grocery store, pharmacy or perform-

ing any other essential activity allowed under the statewide stay at home order invoked by Gov. Greg Abbott last week.

The CDC went on to advise against members of the general public wearing N95 masks, which should be reserved for medical professionals engaged in the frontline battle against the

COVID-19 virus.

While cloth masks don’t provide the protection health care workers need, they can help keep those who have the virus but are asymptomatic from spreading the disease

without knowing they are infectious.

However, wearing masks doesn’t help if residents don’t continue to thoroughly and frequently wash their hands and to observe social distancing.

Many residents have been making masks by recycling old T-shirts, pillowcases and other items.

They can also be assembled from a bandana and two rubber bands (or ponytail holders). If using new fabric, the CDC suggests washing it in hot water first, to avoid later shrinkage or bleeding of fabric. Search YouTube for

how-to videos.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said that while some jurisdictions are already requiring or contemplating requiring residents to wear masks in certain public areas, Hays County is gathering information and has not made decisions about if or when masks would be required.

Appraisal notices will start hitting mailboxes soon Hays Central Appraisal District will begin mailing out more than 97,000 appraisal notices Wednesday, April 8. The deadline to file an appeal with the Appraisal Review Board is May 15.

The district lobby is currently closed to the public.

Property owners can file a protest at www.hayscad. com using the Online Appeal tab, by email sent to protest@hayscad.com or in person in the drop box at the Hays Central Appraisal District office, located at 21001 N. IH 35, Kyle.

Hays County’s overall preliminary Jan. 1, 2020

Hays County Hays CISD San Marcos CISD Dripping Springs ISD Wimberley ISD City of San Marcos City of Kyle City of Buda

2019 Market Value $262,812 $220,262 $203,959 $418,486 $294,729 $203,723 $207,084 $265,912

market value rose to a little more than $34.45 billion this year, up more than 17 percent from $29.37 billion in 2019. Commercial and industrial property

2020 Market Value $283,623 $236,502 $218,880 $450,103 $324,555 $217,293 $218,579 $274,407

increased in value by more than 33 percent, up from $2.8 billion in 2019 to $3.73 billion this year.

Vacant lots/tracts saw the biggest increase in

2019 Taxable Value $244,480 $197,754 $182,704 $390,099 $268,238 $194,373 $199,225 $250,743

2020 Taxable Value $265,816 $215,464 $198,286 $423,723 $298,943 $208,417 $210,602 $259,305

value by more than 57 percent from $662.55 million to $1.04 billion followed by residential multifamily property with an increase in value by

37.37 percent, from $1.98 billion to $2.72 billion this year. These increases were due to strong demand for residential and commercial sites, multi-family housing and completion of new construction.

Hays County added 2,786 new homes and 127 new commercial buildings to the appraisal roll for 2020. Total new improvements added more than $1.04 billion to the taxable value for 2020. Across Hays County, the average market value of homes increased by 7.9% from $262,812 to $283,623.

The 2019 and 2020 average market and taxable values (market minus exemptions) for homes in Hays County taxing units are as shown.

How this year’s appraisals affect Hays County homeowners’ tax bills remains to be seen. The county, cities, school districts and other taxing units will use the appraisal district’s values to set 2020 property tax rates and determine the amount of taxes property owners will owe. Last year Hays CAD received just under 22,000 protests.

Behind closed doors

The home can be a risky place for abused children

Senator Judith Zaffirini Judith.Zaffirini@senate.texas.gov

“The unfortunate reality is home is not always a safe haven for everyone. For many children, the doors being shut to keep out the dangers of the virus are the very doors that are trapping them inside with another very real threat – someone in their family.”

Capitol Office: 512/463-0121 District Office: 956/722-2293

P.O. Box 627 Laredo, Texas 78042

Pol. adv. paid for by Senator Judith Zaffirini, Guadalupe Castillo, Treasurer, P.O. Box 627, Laredo, TX 78042.

–Maggie Ortuno, a forensics interviewer with the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center

they perceive abuse to be occurring, even if seen from a distance. “We are calling on you, the public, to help us fight this unseen crisis,” she said.

“We must all be the eyes and ears for abused and neglected children in our communities.”

She also urged parents to be aware of their children’s online activities and

512-302-5555 | www.atfcu.org

know what content the are exposed to.

“High stress situations precipitate many child abuse incidents and the COVID-19 pandemic provides no shortage of stressful circumstances,” she said.

If you suspect child abuse or sexual assault, call 800-252-5400 or visit txabusehotline.org

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Wash your hands!

A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

as low as

Bad things have always gone on behind closed doors, and now is no exception.

April is traditionally the month society turns its attention to preventing sexual assault and child abuse. And though the COVID-19 virus has upended the way we live our daily lives, neither issue has gone away. Both, perhaps, are just more well hidden during these stayat-home times..

“The unfortunate reality is home is not always a safe haven for everyone.

For many children, the doors being shut to keep out the dangers of the virus are the very doors that are trapping them inside with another very real threat – someone in their family,” said Maggie Ortuno, a forensics interviewer with the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center.

“On paper, the number of children being abused and neglected in Texas appears to be going down as the state reckons with the viral outbreak. However, those of us who work child abuse investigations know that is simply not the case.

Although fewer reports of suspected child abuse are being called in to the state’s abuse hotline, the truth is children are at a much higher risk of being abused during this global crisis.”

Specifically, children who are isolated with their families, and family members are more likely than strangers to be the ones at fault. These days, opportunities for outcry to someone outside the home, like a teacher or trusted family friend, are gone.

“The heightened stress of income instability, food shortages, global health concern, lack of childcare and economic uncertainty combine to create a recipe for disaster for children in a household with an abusive guardian who may already lack self-control,” Ortuno continued.

“The added stress is akin to adding fuel to a fire.

Also, children and teens are now spending much more time online, which provides the threat of online predators having increased accessibility to sexually exploit them.”

She said even as we’re staying home, people should be vigilant when

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

School districts try to provide internet access for online classes

BY CAMELIA JUAREZ

Students will not be returning to the classroom until May 4, or until further discussion, according to Gov. Gregg Abbott’s latest order.

As school districts prepare for the long haul, the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch spoke to Hays County school districts to gauge what students will need to get them through online lessons.

The first dilemma facing Hays County students is internet access.

According to Broad Band Now, at least 95 percent of the county has internet access, but that doesn’t mean all households do.

Dripping Springs ISD and Hays CISD have distributed hotspots, devices that provide mobile internet access.

Dripping Springs ISD has given out 15 and is waiting for 25 to be activated. Dripping Springs ISD Communications Coordinator Dale Whitaker said several hot spots are on order and she is unsure about when they will arrive.

“I can't answer when they will arrive. In terms

The first dilemma facing Hays County students is internet access.

According to Broad Band Now, at least 95 percent of the county has internet access, but that doesn’t mean all households do. Dripping Springs ISD and Hays CISD have distributed hotspots, devices that provide mobile internet access.

of an alternative, I think students in that position are working closely with their teachers to plan for the interim,” Whitaker said.

Hays CISD currently owns 120 hot spots, with 70 already checked out, and will be checking out an additional 50 in the coming days, but obtaining more is difficult due to the demand across the country, Communications Coordinator Tim Savoy said.

“Internet access will be the largest challenge. We believe the Spectrum offer is likely the fastest way for families to get internet access. Currently, it could be several more weeks before we are able to buy additional hot spots. We know we will likely need addi-

Page 5

EDUCATION

tional hot spots, but they are currently back-ordered across the country, so obtaining them in a quick time frame will be a challenge. We are also pointing our parents to the free internet offer for students by Spectrum, which services most of our area,” Savoy said.

Wimberley ISD has not ordered any hotspots or provided any, but the district’s students regularly use Chromebooks, even before the pandemic began, Wimberley ISD Communications Coordinator Allen Bruggman said.

“WHS is a 1:1 campus with Chromebooks, so every student already has a take-home device.

At this time our device coverage appears to be

sufficient. Our technology department has looked into extending the external Wi-Fi coverage at the junior high and high school — which would make the parking lots WiFi areas. We will work with any student to do whatever is necessary to get them access. Limited internet coverage in the Wimberley Valley area is a challenge,” Bruggman said.

Since many households have several students and parents working from home, the number of devices can be limited. Fortunately, school districts are providing devices, but obtaining devices is overwhelming across the nation.

So far, all school districts in Hays County have enough devices for students. Hays CISD has provided 400 devices ranging from laptops to iPads. Dripping Springs ISD has distributed 700 Chromebooks. Wimberley ISD students already use Chromebooks, but have sent out iPads in certain circumstances.

There have not been any plans, in any district, regarding when students will be expected to return their devices.

UIL extends suspension to May 4

BY MOSES LEOS III Falling in line with state-mandated orders, leaders of Texas high school athletic, music and academic competition pushed back a possible restart date for activities.

On April 3, University Interscholastic League (UIL) officials announced they were modifying any possible return to play to follow an executive order issued by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott late last month.

In that order, Abbott closed all state schools through at least May 4 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Previously, the UIL tabbed March 30 as a possible return date.

“As that date (May 4) approaches, UIL will

monitor all available information and provide member schools with more specific guidance on district and post-season date adjustments related to this new extension,” per a statement from UIL officials.

All in-person practices, rehearsals and workouts remain suspended until further notice, per the release.

However, UIL officials remained “committed” to provide a reasonable acclimitization period for rehearsals and practices to occur prior to resuming contests and games.

Currently, boys basketball, boys and girls soccer, track and field, softball and baseball have not completed their seasons.

Harrell Funeral Home Is Prepared to Care For Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Substitute teachers dealing with loss of work, worry about children

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Taking care of a child with medical conditions can drain a parent’s energy.

Doing so during the reign of the novel coronavirus brings on a whole new set of challenges. But that is not where the difficulties stop for single mother Laura Boyer.

Her work, like that of all other substitute teachers, has been put on hold for an uncertain time frame.

While she acknowledges the financial hit she and her daughter have suffered, Boyer voiced many other concerns. She said she can easily fill up more than a sheet of paper with all the medical conditions her fifth grade daughter suffers. Boyer wants to ensure that the coronavirus does not come near her daughter’s weak immune system, but as the only adult supporting her home, even the task of getting groceries becomes complicated.

“For me,” Boyer said, “it’s stressful to worry about how to get food.

Today they wanted me to pick up textbooks from [my daughter’s] school, but I was mortified. It’s nerve racking when you can’t leave your house; it’s like this monster outside the front door that you can’t see.”

Losing her only job will not be easy to handle, but she is not alone in this boat. Three substitute teachers working in Hays CISD shared an array of struggles and fears about being out of work. Some substitute teachers are the sole breadwinners for their family while some do it as a job to support their part-

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For the time being, the district advises substitute teachers to apply for unemployment assistance until schools reopen. Those in long-term agreements will be paid during this period. The district is limited on the aid they can offer to these contract employees, who are now all unemployed.

ner’s income. Hays CISD is also limited on the aid they can offer to these contract employees, who are now all unemployed.

For the time being, the district advises substitute teachers to apply for unemployment assistance until schools reopen.

Those in long-term agreements will be paid during this period.

“We recognize this is a difficult and uncertain time, particularly for our substitutes who are valued assets for our students and teachers,” said Tim Savoy, chief communication officer at Hays CISD. “We will continue to watch for opportunities that may help them.”

Even if school resumes this year, Boyer would be too afraid to work or send her daughter to school.

She wants to ensure that there is zero danger of contracting the virus before she takes that step.

But if school does not resume until August, substitute teachers will not be paid for a long time. Schools open in late August, and because it is the beginning of the year, teacher absences are minimal. Substitutes begin getting their jobs in September, so their checks

sometimes do not come in until October, Boyer said.

One substitute teacher in Hays CISD, who asked to remain anonymous, has already felt the financial weight of losing her two jobs: substituting and tutoring. Her husband’s total income is $500 a month.

They depended on their three jobs to support their family of five.

She understands that the district cannot help substitute teachers, but she also hopes that they can try to use some of them to help with other jobs.

This substitute teacher suggested several ideas she believes her work mates can take on. “Even if we had a Facebook Live of reading a book to the kids, helping small groups of kids with math, preparing materials for any number of things, or doing a technical training session.”

Charisa McBee-Crossland’s family does not fully depend on her income, but they use it for things like her children’s extracurricular activities and going out to family dinners. She said their family may soon begin experiencing the financial ramifications because her husband is now the sole provider, but

so far they have not taken a big hit.

The three women expressed a shared concern: missing their students.

Oftentimes, substitute teachers take jobs in a couple of schools and they get to know their students.

Boyer, McBee-Crossland and the other substitute said they miss working with the kids.

Quarantining has also taken an emotional toll on these women. Boyer, only living with her young daughter, said she will soon start missing having conversations with adults.

“If you had a flu and were out of work for a week,” Boyer said, “you won’t fall apart from not seeing your co-workers.

But in a month, you will miss it all.

Although there are many negative effects experienced from the quarantine, these women shared one positive perspective; the lockdown allows them to spend more time with their children.

It seems difficult when many do not see an end in sight, but McBee-Crossland has tried to continue carrying her upbeat and cheerful mentality. She said her family has lost their home to a fire before and, although during those times it seemed impossible to rebuild their life, at the end they found a way. This is the mentality she wants her and her mate to use.

“We’ve lost our whole home in a fire and we’ve rebuilt,” McBee-Crossland said. “We’ll make it through it and push through it. You’re not going to be stuck in it forever, but it’s just difficult when you’re in it.”

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Read all about it!

The Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch will be combined into one newspaper during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll strive to bring you all the news that’s important to you and your communities during that time. For subscribers that would like to receive the physical copy of the newspaper in the mail in addition to the digital copy, email paper@haysfreepress.com. If you’re not a subscriber, you can find the newspaper at a limited number of newspaper racks throughout northern Hays County (see below) or call 512-268-7862 to subscribe for only $42 a year. Senior citizens receive a 10 percent discount.

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Page 6

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

COMMUNITY

Baseball fans turn out to see stars of yesteryear Texas History

by Bartee Haile

hitch in the program was when foul-mouthed Cobb dropped an expletive in the punch bowl that left master of ceremonies Gordon McLendon, the radio magnate, red-faced and at a loss for words.

Next on the agenda was a parade from downtown up main street to Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl. At the head of the procession was the high school marching band from Greenville trailed by a company of young women in bathing suits wearing holsters and pistols, presumably unloaded. Bringing up the rear were the Kilgore Rangerettes (who else?) performing a special routine with miniature white bats.

The old-timers were the first to take batting practice followed by the home team and the visiting Tulsa Oilers. Cobb stole the show by showing to the cheers of early arrivals that even at the age of 63 he could still lay down perfect bunts.

With all the preliminaries finally finished, the governor walked to the pitcher’s mound for the ceremonial first pitch.

There’s no record of how close Shivers came to the strike zone, but acting catcher Dick Burnett managed to catch the ball.

The old-timers were actually on the field for less than five minutes. Dizzy Dean “walked” Tulsa’s lead-off batter and was thrown out of the game by the home plate umpire for disputing the call. His teammates joined him in the dugout, and the Eagles took their place to play the real game.

Dick Burnett could not have been more pleased.

The official paid attendance was more than three times the Texas League record set way back in 1924.

“I am very happy over this turnout,” rejoiced the Eagles owner. “I think this proves that Dallas would support a major league team (and) I’d be willing to take that gamble if I could get a big league franchise.”

But Burnett never got the chance. Five years later, he died in the stands during an Eagles’ game at Shreveport. And it would be another 17 years before the Washington Senators moved to Arlington and became the Texas Rangers.

MCKINNEY FALL STATE PARK, SOUTHEAST AUSTIN PHOTO BY JACQUELINE ARISUMI

Governor announces temporary closure of state parks and historic sites Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to close all state parks and historic sites as part of the state’s efforts to strengthen

social distancing practices and prevent gatherings of large groups of people. Historic sites and state parks will close to the public starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 and will reopen at the direction of the Governor.

“Social distancing is our best tool to curb the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Governor Abbott. “The temporary closure of our state parks and historic sites will help us achieve this goal by preventing the gath-

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THE

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ore than 50,000 Texans filled two-thirds of the mammoth Cotton Bowl on April 11, 1950 not to watch football but the season opener of Dallas’ minor league baseball team.

Had the so-called “national pastime” suddenly replaced pigskin combat as Dallasites’ favorite athletic contest? No, the new owner of the Dallas Eagles had turned a humdrum occasion into a red-letter day on the local sports calendar.

Wealthy Dick Burnett made his fortune in the East Texas oil boom during the Depression. A rabid baseball fan in a football-crazy state, Burnett bought the Rebels, Big D’s Texas League ballclub previously called the Steers, Submarines and Hams during its half-century history.

Burnett purchased the Rebels from businessman Julius Schepps for $550,000 – the highest price ever paid for a minor-league franchise – and changed their name to the Eagles. He spent an additional $250,000 renovating the club’s ballpark in Oak Cliff, which he christened Burnett Field in his own honor.

After two seasons of disappointing ticket sales, Burnett decided to kick off the 1950 campaign with a grand publicity stunt. He would move the Eagles’ season opener from their tiny 10,000-seat home park to the recently enlarged Cotton Bowl with a capacity of 75,000 and shatter the Texas League single-game attendance record of 16,018.

Burnett understood that simply switching sites would not generate fan interest in the numbers needed to keep from ending up with an empty stadium. That was when he had his second big brainstorm: a who’s-who of famous old-timers.

At first, the aging allstars Burnett contacted were decidedly cool to the idea. But after Ty Cobb accepted the invitation, everyone else got onboard.

In short order, Burnett had this dream lineup: first base - Charlie Grimm (Cubs) and the Eagles manager, second base Charlie Gehringer (Tigers), shortstop - Travis Jackson (Giants), third base Home Run Baker (A’s), left field - Duffy Lewis (three different clubs), center field - Tris Speaker (Indians), right field – Cobb (Tigers), catcher - Mickey Cochrane (A’s) and on the mound Dizzy Dean of the Cardinals.

Speaker was the lone Lone Star native and one of only two with Texas League ties. He played for Cleburne in 1906 and Houston in 1907, and Dean pitched for two seasons with Houston (winning 26 games in 1931) and with Tulsa in 1940 at the end of his career.

Cobb, Speaker, Gehringer and Cochrane were already members of the Baseball Hall of Fame with Baker, Jackson and Dean soon to follow. The combined lifetime batting average of the eight position players was .327 and the average age of the nine was 54.

An executive with one of the Big D banks got ticket sales off to a fast start with the purchase of a block of 15,000 that he donated to Dallas area schools. From there the Jaycees took over and did a bang-up job selling an amazing 54,151seats.

Game day began with a noon luncheon for 200 invited guests and Gov. Alan Shivers. One by one, the stars of yesteryear gave a brief talk about the “biggest thrill” of their storied careers. The only

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

Page 7

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer

H

ave you noticed?

The gigantic JOY we see at Christmastime on Live Oak Drive is displayed in the yard of Mayor Ralph and Marcia McClendon. Ralph explains for Montage readers: “My sister-in-law, Melissa Garraway, mentioned that she had heard that others were putting out their Christmas decorations to encourage others during this time. I thought that was a great idea.”

Shortly after that the Lord directed me to the verse, Romans 12:12, "Be

Mt. City Montage

by Pauline Tom

joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." I thought it was very fitting for the trials that we are facing now and a good reminder that our joy comes from the Lord, regardless of our circumstances. I hope that it is helpful to others.”

Our mayor is included in calls with other mayors

HUMMINGBIRD SYRUP RECIPE

Hummingbird syrup is an easy recipe: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Experts no longer suggest boiling. I use an immersion hand blender to dissolve the sugar.

Experts say, “no red food coloring” in the syrup because it could be unhealthy for the little birds. The red on the feeder attracts the hummingbirds. For Mountain City now, it’s Ruby-throated and Blackchinned that get attracted.

in the county these days as difficult decisions are made regarding COVID-19. Thanks, Mayor Ralph, for the explanation of your Romans 12:12 sign and your service.

The city quickly made and installed “Stay At Home” signage when the county enacted the current order.

Staying at home in Mountain City, what are you seeing?

RonTom and I installed a “deer corn” feeder we came away with (fundraising silent auction) awhile back after we saw a Black-bellied Whistling

Duck standing upon and hovering in front of the Owl Shack that sits above the center of our driveway. What a funny sight that was.

A custom-built tree duck nestbox came to mind to fill that duck’s need. I even contacted James Polk, who is quite handy with lumber. He asked, “Do you know how large that nestbox would be?”

It was quick and easy to install the “deer corn” feeder above the heads of deer for birds and squirrels and, hopefully, Black-bellied Whistling

COVID-19 Testing navirus in Hays County, including 43 still active (18 people had recovered).

The virus, which was first detected in humans in Wuhan China in late 2019, is spread through droplets expelled with breath; just days ago, the Centers for Disease control contradicted its earlier advice in recommending people wear cloth face coverings when out in public.

ARC launched the testing, it says, in response to increased public concern.

The decision to conduct testing from a tent, the organization notes, minimizes risk both to

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patients and employees conducting the test.

“Patients appreciate that they put fewer people at risk and face less risk themselves by being tested outside,” Henry noted. “Like ARC, they want to minimize the spread of this virus in Central Texas.”

Testing is done with a nasal swab and patients do not need to get out of their cars.

Patients will be contacted later with the test results, which can take anywhere from 2 to 10 days. Currently, state labs are not charging patients for this test and most insurance companies have

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BAPTIST First Baptist Church-Buda 104 San Marcos St., Buda First Baptist Church-Kyle 300 W. Center St., Kyle Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM 1626, Buda

Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle

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St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland CHRISTIAN

Santa Cruz Catholic Church

1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. David Leibham, Pastor • Fr. Rito Davila, Parochial Vicar CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 5:30 p.m.

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Southern Hills Church of Christ 3740 FM 967, Buda EPISCOPAL St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church 725 RR 967, Buda St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church RR 3237 (Wimberley Rd.), Kyle St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 11819 IH-35 South JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses FM 2770, Kyle Jehovah’s Witnesses South 10802 Manchaca Rd., Manchaca LUTHERAN Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda St. John Lutheran Church 9865 Camino Real, Uhland The Well Buda

CATHOLIC Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Texas Crossword, from page 6

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Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626

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Hugs from Home is a new service we are implementing that will give those not attending the chance to be able to share a token of love and support. Visit the link below and leave a message of support that will be handwritten on a card for the family.

They will be abe to read your heartfelt messages and hopefully know that many others are there with them in spirit.

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

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McDonald’s of Buda

agreed to cover costs for tests at commercial labs, ARC said.

“If someone drives up without first having an initial physician evaluation, we will offer to schedule them for the next available telemedicine appointment so a physician can determine whether a test is indicated,” Henry said.

That consultation may occur in the same parking lot, without much waiting time, via ARC’s telemedicine service. If patients meet the testing criteria, they will be instructed to return to the drive-up testing tent.

Hugs from Home

Come worship with us

Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle

Your Hometown McDonald’s

attract butterflies also attract tiny insects for the hummingbirds.

And, hummingbirds (great pollinators) drink nectar from deep tubular flowers, particularly reds and oranges and the odd-looking Shrimp Plant with a flower that looks like a shrimp.

An Eastern Bluebird in a nestbox in our yard laid white eggs, rather than blue. Bluebird eggs are colored in a process not unlike dying Easter eggs.

The new hatchings will become “regular” red, white, and blue. Love to you, PTom

FUNERAL INNOVATIONS

Continued from pg. 1

during its first day of operation April 2, and personnel will be onsite to do testing from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“If the doctor finds you should be tested for COVID-19, you will be directed to our nearest drive-up testing site,” said Katie Henry, ARC’s chief administrative officer. “Please, make sure you have had a telemedicine evaluation and have received a doctor’s order for testing so we can move patients through more quickly and easily.”

As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, there were 61 confirmed cases of the novel coro-

Ducks.

Do you have hummer feeders out? My feeders (Hummzinger by Aspects, recommended many years ago by the late Roger Green on Cedar) ran dry last week before time to change the syrup.

The Hummzingers have a snap off red lid and clear plastic bowl.

They’re easy to clean, which must be done before the syrup goes bad.

Sometimes in our hot summers, that happens in less than 48 hours.

Hummers eat loads of tiny insects. My overripe bananas on a stand to

METHODIST Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor

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Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda

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Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

First Presbyterian Church 410 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666

Buda United Methodist Church Elm Street & San Marcos

*Traditional Worship (Worship Center)-9 a.m.

Sunday School (all ages)-10:00 a.m.

*Informal Worship (Worship Center)-11 a.m.

Wednesday Evening (Chapel)-6:30 p.m.

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Morning Worship....................................10:45 a.m.

8:30 a.m. Traditional service 9:45 a.m. Contemporary service 11:00 a.m. Blended service Adult, teen, children’s classes • Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school

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Page 8

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

COMMUNITY

Wimberley Rotarians project supports Ethopian children

BY DALE ROBERSON

Turner and Carrie Campbell have traveled with the What began as the group and seen firsthand adoption of an infant from the difference the DMP is Ethiopia by a Rotary Club making in the lives of the of Wimberley co-presiforgotten children. dent in 2008 and support On each trip the of the club has become volunteers take as many an international project books, school supplies or supporting the education uniforms as allowed in and welfare of hundreds their luggage, three bags of children. at 50 lbs. each.

The Rotary Past PresIn 2010, the DMP ident, Sonja Simmons, agreed to sponsor an adopted the Ethiopian abandoned school project child, to be named Davis in the village of Arbegona.

Moon for whom the Davis The school was comMoon Project is named. prised of three classrooms The Project (DMP) is now with dirt floors and no a 501(c)3 nonprofit with windows. Ninety-eight humble beginnings in Kindergarteners signed up Wimberley. to attend the school.

The Wimberley Rotary Today the school is Club’s main effort is the made up of 31 classsupport of literacy. But rooms with more than 50 neither Sonja nor the club instructors. It sponsors had any idea her expean orphan meal program rience and the group’s for 200 students and philanthropic endeavors educates 2,000 of the would come together to country’s most impoverbenefit thousands of orished children. All is done phans and impoverished by volunteers thus no children nearly half way administrative costs. around the world.

The school serves pre-K Ethiopia, a country through 8th grade and opabout twice the size of erates two school sessions Texas, is located on the five days a week with 85 northwestern corner of students to a classroom. the continent of Africa.

“Opening our pre-K The DMP has made program in 2018 was a literacy and orphan care major boost for our older its primary mission. Hav- students who were torn ing operated 12 years, the between an education and group takes volunteers to caring for their younger Ethiopia every 24 months siblings at home,” said to work on public works Simmons. “Now they have projects that promote the opportunity to finish literacy among children the 8th grade and move and provide assistance to on to the high school in orphans. the area.

“This project has been a At least two of DMP’s true labor of love for me,” former students who beSimmons said. gan in Kindergarten have Wimberley Rotarians graduated and gone on to Marsha Cooper, Nora high school.

One of the biggest challenges is that 80 languages are actively spoken there.

Like all government-sponsored schools, the DMP School teaches all but one course in English in an attempt to unify the country and promote commerce and opportunity.

In addition to the school, the organization works with two orphanages to deliver much needed supplies. The volunteer missions take place in June, just before the rainy season, so a nutrient-rich baby formula and disposable diapers are essential to the orphans surviving the wet season in which respiratory illness and skin conditions are rampant.

“At this point, we simply struggle to keep up with the need for desks, uniforms and maintenance funds for the school,” Simmons said. “Baby formula is a huge expense

but crucial to supply the orphanages.

Desks cost $40 each and accommodate three students each. An area carpenter builds them and only delivers them when 100 are ordered.

Other obstacles are always present.

Chinese industry in the country consumes nearly all the electricity available.

“The school gets maybe three hours (of electricity) a day, if that,” Simmons said.

The lack of constant electricity makes refrigeration difficult for keeping baby formula for the orphans.

The students’ parents dug a 600 ft. well but Simmons said the water quality is terrible.

“We are constantly working on the well and I have seen it operational only a handful (of water) at a time.” There is no expertise in the area to

properly maintain it.

A private family who rents a small space of land on the campus runs the meal program. They provide meals at cost (6¢ each) for the students. But they do not work Sundays and sell bread at the local market on Saturdays, thus the meals are provided on schooldays only.

“The Rotary Club of Wimberley has been such a consistent partner and I am forever grateful for each and every Wimberley Rotarian.”

Because of the Coronavirus this summer’s trip has been postponed.

Twenty volunteers were scheduled to take three bags each containing 1,500 uniforms under an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines for an extra baggage allowance.

The needs continue however. Always needed is the $40 each for desks and uniforms for 500 pre-K

students at $15 each as well as funds for the orphan meal program. The building, maintenance and irrigation costs run to $2,000 and $4,000 more is needed for latrines, teacher training, 1,500 testing books for end of year exams, a printer and laminated learning supplies.

Somehow, though, Simmons said, the school will continue to grow and succeed.

The infant Simmons adopted and named Davis Moon was underweight and plagued with parasites at that time, as are many of the children in his part of Ethiopia. Today he is a strapping 5’8”, 250 lb. junior high star football player.

To volunteer, donate or learn more about the Davis Moon Project visit https://davismoonproject.org/.

Dirty Water: Locals discover muddy water after pipeline hits karst feature Continued from pg. 1

mile away.

In a statement to media three days later, Kinder Morgan called the incident an “underground fluid loss.” The company has suspended operations at that location, it went on to say, “while the team evaluates the cause of the loss and determines the best path forward.”

Baker said the tests will determine if the drilling mud and fluid contained things like trace metals and total suspended solids, essentially anything other than bentonite, as Kinder Morgan’s statement claims, describing the clay as“naturally occurring, non-hazardous, non-toxic.”

Regardless of the substances involved, “People can’t use their water,” Baker said, a situation that is particularly distressing during the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions on travel. One couple, both physicians, “have been pretty much out of water” since March 29. “They’re in a really desperate state with the shelter in place order,” he said.

“We really think that the whole operation needs to stop,” Baker said. “All the work on the pipeline should stop during this COVID-19 crisis we’re in.

We don’t consider (the pipeline) critical infrastructure to export gas to another country. It’s not critical to this country and the citizens.”

Patrick Cox, former WVWA president and Interim President of the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA), also weighed in. “The … is something we’ve warned

about and been concerned about,” he said.

“Based on what we’re receiving so far, it doesn’t appear the company is at all prepare to deal with this kind of incident that creates problems for well owners in the immediate area and has the potential to cause much more widespread damage because of the karst nature of the aquifer.” He said landowners are demanding to know Kinder Morgan’s plans for mitigation. “We’ve not received any information about preparation, urgency plans or lack thereof to deal with this kind of situation.”

The 430-mile pipeline will carry natural gas from the oil fields of West Texas to near Houston where an unknown percentage of it will be sent to foreign markets including Mexico.

Baker called the situation tragic and said it just proves what opponents of the pipeline’s route have been saying since Kinder Morgan’s plans became public.

“All along we’ve been trying to warn them this wasn’t really a safe area to put an oil and gas energy corridor through the middle of the sensitive Texas Hill Country and sensitive karst aquifer … As we’ve said from the beginning, karst features are very susceptible to contamination through sinkholes and caves.”

He also said that the further east the construction project goes, the more sensitive karst features there are.

“Their first day and now they’ve contaminated several wells. It’s just heartbreaking for these families,” Baker said, despite the fact

(Kinder Morgan Vice President Allen) Fore delivered “a case of bottled water and a couple of canisters of water. They can’t shower, they can’t wash their clothes.

The sediment’s in their appliances now. What a mess it is – especially during this time.”

Baker said the affected landowners have a list going of what they would like to see Kinder Morgan do now. He also has his own ideas.

“We think they should stop all construction and do a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Kinder Morgan needs to agree to do that or the judge (in an ongoing lawsuit alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act) needs to order that.

They need to stop, especially during this crisis time, and really look carefully at what they’re doing and look at the alternatives to going under the Blanco River twice plus the Pedernales. It’s just not safe.”

The company’s statement said that “all of the appropriate regulatory agencies have been notified,” but Baker pointed out that the only Texas entity that regulates pipelines is the Railroad Commission.

“The Railroad Commission (RRC) is the one entity that oversees pipelines and they don’t oversee routing or construction … They aren’t required” to notify anyone else, including nearby residents whose water supply might be affected.

Another focus, Baker said, should be the method by which the drilling is being done. Horizontal drilling can be accomplished

more safely with a process that uses casings around the pipe, but that is more expensive. “Kinder Morgan opted for the cheaper process (without casings) and now we have people without drinking water.”

Remedy won’t be immediate, even if the tests show no toxic substances.

“If it’s just bentonite and doesn’t have the chemicals in it I think over time it will clear out as rains fall and the aquifer moves sediments through.” However, if chemicals are present, “they’re going to be in there

for a long time. I don’t think you can clean that up. (The aquifer) is like Swiss cheese with water moving in every different direction. There’s no way to contain a spill of toxic chemicals.”

Some of the affected landowners have reportedly opened a dialogue with the RRC and have been told that the agency is supposed to do an investigation.

Baker said the incident “in some way is maybe a blessing that will wake them up to the fact what we were saying is true.”

He also fears that, because

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pipeline construction is continuing to proceed elsewhere along the route, “they’re kind of fencing us in on both sides of the Hill Country … they will be saying ‘we can’t not do this now.’ We’ll all end up with polluted water for the rest of our lives. How is Kinder Morgan going to make that right?”

Meanwhile, Kinder Morgan’s statement said the company “strives for zero incidents and minimal environmental impact on all our construction projects.”

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

Page 9

BUSINESS

Survey shows uncertainty among small establishments, breeds innovation

BY CHASE ROGERS

Businesses in Hays County are saying that they could only sustain operations for a “few weeks” under current conditions.

That’s according to a survey by Hays County which reached out to local businesses, of which 75

percent reported employing 10 or fewer employees, thus being classified as small businesses.

More than 50% reported they could not sustain business for more than a few weeks.

Moreover, fewer than 20 percent of the 552 respondents said they could hold out for a month or two.

The “Hays County COVID-19 Business Impact Survey” results show a majority of businesses within the county fear they will be negatively affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak, prompting them to tailor their methods to weather the pandemic.

Over the course of two

weeks, respondents fielded questions describing the effects of the county’s stay-at-home order and social distancing guidelines on their businesses, including the staying power under the current conditions, innovations made to maintain business, effects on employees and supply chain integrity.

Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director J.R. Gonzales said these unprecedented results have called for innovation among both small and large businesses.

“Some of the businesses believe they just don’t have enough wherewithal to sustain themselves through this crisis,”

Gonzales said. “As a result, businesses have been getting creative. There are some that are doing things they haven’t done before ... going online, curbside pickup and other options.”

As local restaurants and eateries have been heavily

BREEDING INNOVATION, 12

How to handle finances when you are sick Have you ever come down with a case of shingles, needed a knee replacement, or undergone emergency surgery? Let’s hope not – for the sake of your finances. Many people don’t realize just how much an illness can impact their financial lives.

Independent contractors, business owners and even employees who need to miss work due to a

even if you are a salaried worker, according to the United States Department of Labor.

What’s more, having paid

by Zach sick leave doesn’t always Barton protect you. A serious illness requiring significant non-job-related illness or time off can negatively injury may have to shoulder affect your finances, forcing a serious financial burden. you to take out loans or use In today’s increasingly your credit cards to keep gig economy, you are not afloat. guaranteed paid sick leave The 2016 Federal Reserve

Financial Focus

Board survey found that 44 percent of adults say they either could not cover an emergency expense costing $400 or could cover it only by selling something or borrowing money.

Here are four tips for

handling your finances before – and after – getting sick: • Build an emergency fund: Create a separate account from your retirement and other savings for emergency living expenses. Set

up regular automated withdrawals from your checking account and aim for a minimum of three to six months of living expenses.

• Look into disability

FINANCIAL FOCUS, 10

Buda, Kyle road construction continues Construction workers must follow the 6-foot distancing rules and wear personal protective equipment.

BY SAHAR CHMAIS

There is a job that the coronavirus will not stop in the cities of Kyle and Buda – road construction.

During a time where work is conducted from makeshift home offices, and where trips to the grocery store have become the epicenter of socializing, it seems that the only “normal” is city construction.

“It’s kind of nice to see some normalcy,” said Samantha Armbruster, director of communications for the city of Kyle.

Of course, even those who continue to work in their regular settings have guidelines to follow.

Companies are setting protocols for Buda’s professional services personnel, contractors and their subcontractors.

Armbruster said that in Kyle, construction workers must follow the 6-foot distancing rules and wear personal protective equipment, which so far, they have had no trouble

acquiring.

For the time being, COVID-19 guidelines do not prohibit construction work, and if at one point it is deemed that these employees cannot work safely, then the city will follow accordingly, Armbruster added.

Continuance of all project efforts is governed by the federal, state, county and city mandates, warn-

Residential ReKey Special through April

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ings and informational statements. If the city of Buda receives updates to cease work, the guidelines will be followed immediately.

Both Kyle and Buda will continue to follow higher order to see whether construction needs to pause, but for now, construction work is considered essential.

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832.353.3883 Lic.#b10532101

Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between March 29 and April 4, 2020.

Below is a sample of events reported by law enforcement from March 29 through April 4, 2020. The location is where the event was reported or responded to and may not necessarily be where the event occured.

Inj to Child/Eld/Disabled.................... 1

Public Assist..................................... 12

Civil Matter........................................ 12

Agency Activity HCSO

Burglary - Vehicle

Date

Time

Location

Out of Vehicle..................................... 1

Information........................................ 23

Community Contact......................... 44

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

03/29/2020

6:25:16

1165 Fire Cracker Dr Springs At Sunfield Buda

Civil Standby....................................... 1

Disabled Vehicle............................... 20

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

03/29/2020

6:26:39

High Rd Kyle

Foot Patrol.......................................... 2

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

03/29/2020

22:27:35

5500 Overpass Rd Tuscany Park Apartments Buda

Close Patrol.................................... 644

HCSO

Vehicle Theft

03/29/2020

16:01:58

Green Acres Dr Wimberley

HCSO

Burglary - Vehicle

03/30/2020

9:16:41

Manchester Ln Austin

HCSO

Death Investigation

03/30/2020

11:15:09

Burnett Ranch Rd Wimberley

HCSO

Suicidal Person

03/30/2020

7:47:13

Wheatfield Way Kyle

BPD

Accident - Major/Injury

03/30/2020

13:14:24

2845 Business Park Dr Buda

HCSO

Accident - Major/Injury

03/30/2020

18:25:16

1490 block RR 2325 Wimberley

HCSO

Inj to Child/Eld/Disabled

03/31/2020

19:04:51

Burnt Oak Dr Austin

HCSO

Burglary - Habitation

03/31/2020

14:21:23

Clark Cv Buda

HCSO

Death Investigation

03/31/2020

19:36:04

Deer Creek Cir Dripping Springs

BPD

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

03/31/2020

10:17:07

Bradford St Buda

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

03/31/2020

11:46:51

Peach Tree Group Home Dripping Springs

HCSO

Indecency w Child

03/31/2020

12:44:39

Marsh Ln Buda

HCSO

Missing Person

03/31/2020

12:50:28

Thornless Cir Buda

HCSO

Vehicle Theft

03/31/2020

13:53:02

Purgatory Rd San Marcos

HCSO

Assault

04/01/2020

15:45:02

Coyote Rdg Austin

HCSO

Assault

04/01/2020

17:59:17

Jennifer Dr Kyle

BPD

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

04/01/2020

13:38:30

Buda Fire Department Station 32

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

04/01/2020

14:16:01

Barton Ranch Rd Dripping Springs

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

04/01/2020

16:10:57

Cross Creek Dr Dripping Springs

BPD

Missing Person

04/01/2020

10:19:57

Lost Ridge Way Buda

HCSO

Illegal Hunting/Poaching

04/01/2020

14:54:00

N Old Stagecoach Rd/Six Creeks Blvd Kyle

BPD

Assault

04/03/2020

19:11:24

Reliance Dr Buda

HCSO

Assault

04/03/2020

8:54:36

Guemal Rd Buda

HCSO

Assault

04/03/2020

14:40:53

Dark Horse Ln Buda

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

04/03/2020

16:27:37

Green Pastures Dr Kyle

HCSO

Accident - Major/Injury

04/03/2020

18:16:37

310 Mcgregor Ln Dripping Springs

HCSO

Burglary - Vehicle

04/04/2020

13:40:58

Naples Ln Austin

Sex Offender Registry........................ 1 Property- Lost/Found/Imp................. 3 Alarm Business................................. 29 Alarm Residential............................. 17 Alarm Panic......................................... 1 Animal Calls...................................... 61 Loose Livestock............................... 14 Assault................................................ 6 Assist EMS........................................ 13 Assist Fire Dept.................................. 5 Assist Outside Agency..................... 13 Burglary Habitation............................ 1 Burglary Vehicle.................................. 3 Attended Death.................................. 4 Criminal Mischief................................ 1 Death Investigation............................ 2 Disturbance Noise............................ 18 Disturbance Physical Fight.............. 13 Disturbance Verbal........................... 17 Child Custody..................................... 4 Public Intoxication.............................. 6 Violation of Order............................... 1 Fraud................................................... 5 Harassment......................................... 7 Threat.................................................. 1 Mental Health Invest.......................... 4 Indecency w/ Child............................. 1 Canine Search.................................... 3 Canine Training................................... 2

Parental Discipline Assist................... 3 Flagged Down.................................... 2 Unsecure/Open Building.................... 3 Welfare Concern............................... 24 Suicidal Person................................... 3 Investigation....................................... 7 Supplement...................................... 42 Suspicious Circumstances.............. 22 Suspicious Person............................ 18 Suspicious Vehicle........................... 49 Wanted Person................................... 1 Identity Theft....................................... 3 Theft.................................................. 21 Vehicle Theft....................................... 2 Accident Minor................................. 11 Accident Hit and Run......................... 5 Accident Major/Injury......................... 4 Abandoned/Stored Vehicle................ 3 Traffic Control/Direction..................... 1 Directed/Area Enforcement............. 36 Traffic Hazard.................................... 32 Attempt to Locate............................ 31 Parking Enforcement.......................... 2 Traffic Stop........................................ 89 Trespassing/Unwanted...................... 8 911 Abandoned/Open.................... 146

03/30/2020

1:38:58

Manchester Ln Austin

Drone Deployment............................. 3

Deadly Conduct.................................. 1

Viol City Ordinance............................. 5

Illegal Hunting/Poaching.................... 1

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

04/04/2020

12:04:20

Vista Garden Dr Buda

Missing Person................................... 2

Discharge Firearm.............................. 4

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

04/05/2020

0:17:57

Mercedes Ln Kyle

Runaway............................................. 1

Private Tow/Repo............................... 1

HCSO

Disturbance - Phys/Fight

04/05/2020

0:52:37

Greenfield Rd Kyle

Page 10

Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

Financial Focus Continued from pg. 9

Much-deserved appreciation PHOTO BY ANITA MILLER

Ascension Seton Hospital in Kyle is sporting a new sign that rightfully acknowledges the role that health care providers play in society, especially during this pandemic.

insurance: While most people with dependents understand the need for life insurance, they may overlook disability coverage.

The latter can protect those in the gig economy, as well as stay-at-home spouses/ partners, by replacing a portion of income that is lost when someone gets sick.

• Negotiate medical bills: Did you know that medical bills are negotiable?

Just because the pay line says $5,000 doesn’t mean there isn’t some wiggle room. Research what is a fair and reasonable rate for a procedure by checking websites such as Healthcare Bluebook or the Medicare/Medicaid provider

database,which tracks procedure prices across the country. Then call both your health insurance provider and the hospital and try to negotiate a lower bill.

A little planning now can save you from the big financial headache that frequently comes with a medical emergency.

This educational, third-party article is provided as a courtesy by New York Life Insurance Company to Agent Zachary Barton. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact Zachary Barton of Barton Financial Group, LLC at (512) 6867589.

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Employment

DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS Provide positive role modeling, structure, and supervision to adolescent boys. No exp. required, We train comprehensively. Pay starting at $12 per hour for flexible 8 & 16 hr shift schedules.

Health/life/dental insurance after 60 days. Min. requirements: Must be 21 yrs old, HS/GED, clean TDL, clean criminal history, pre-employment TB skin test, and drug screen. Growing (20+ year old) non-profit organization. www.pegasusschool.net.

Call (512)432-1678 for further information.

Public Notices

Live-In CareGiver Needed.

Hiring Now. Free rent. Call (No text) 512-697-8734 for more details.

Compassionate, reliable person. No experience needed.

TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

TDS IS NOW HIRING! Find your career with us.

Page 11

Opportunities Include: Paralegal, Welder, CDL Drivers, Temporary Special Event Workers, Mechanics, and more.

Visit our website www.texasdisposal.com/careers to view and apply! For more information call 512-329-1778

NOTICE OF PROJECT/ NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

April 3, 2020 In accordance with Sections 505.159 and 505.160 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Buda 4B Corporation, a Texas non-profit 4B economic development corporation (the "Buda Economic Development Corporation") will receive public comments related to a proposed economic development project being considered by the Buda Economic Development Corporation as follows: "COVID-19 Still Budaful Stimulus Economic Development Project" Pursuant to Local Government Code Section 505.158, the Buda Economic Development Corporation proposes to contribute $210,000.00 (Two Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars and/no 100s) to the City of Buda Still Budaful Stimulus Program to assist eligible and qualifying small businesses located in the City of Buda during the COVID-19 state of disaster and time of social distancing.

The Buda Economic Development Corporation will hold a public hearing at which all interested persons shall have the right to appear and be heard regarding such project. The public hearing will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom Videoconference Link, Meeting ID 949-628-437 in lieu of an in-person meeting that would otherwise be held at the Buda Municipal Complex - Council Chambers located at 405 East Loop Street, Bldg. 100, Buda, Texas. Should you not be able to attend and wish to comment, please e-mail your comments to Traci Anderson at traci.@budaedc. com.

Persons with disabilities that wish to attend this videoconference meeting should contact the Buda Economic Development Corporation at (512) 2952022 to request assistance.

It is requested that you make your views known, either "in person" via the Zoom meeting teleconference or by emailing the Buda Economic Development Corporation.

Notice posted at the Buda Economic Development office and the Buda Economic Development website at www.budaedc. com .

Traci Anderson, Executive Director Buda Economic Development Corporation

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Hays CISD is Requesting Proposals for RFP #26012003JO Food Service Management Company.

Proposal’s will be accepted until 04-08-2020 at 2:00 p.m. local time. A Mandatory Pre-bid meeting will be held on 03-25-2020 @ 2:00 p.m. at Hays CISD Central Administration Building, 21003 IH 35, Kyle, Texas.

Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing Office (512-268-2141 ext.

46035) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Proposal responses must be returned to the HCISD Purchasing Office, Jennifer Ornelas, 21003 IH 35, Kyle, TX 78640, by the date and time indicated above. Late Proposals will be returned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/ or all Proposals and waive all formalities in the Proposal process.

CITATION BY PUBLICATION THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF HAYS

To all persons interested in the Estate of Barbara A. Simone, Deceased, Cause No. 20-0093-P, in the County Court at Law, Hays County, Texas.

The alleged heir(s) at law in the above-numbered and entitled estate filed an APPLICATION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AS A MUNIMENT OF TITLE in this estate on the 6th day of April, 2020, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs of Barbara A. Simone, Deceased, and their respective shares and interests in such estate.

The Court may act on this Application at any call of the docket on or after 10:00 A.M., on the first Monday next after the expiration of ten (10) days, exclusive of the day of Publication, from the date this citation is published, at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, Texas.

All persons interested in this case are cited to appear before this Honorable Court by filing a written contest or answer to this Application should they desire to do so.

To ensure its consideration, you or your attorney must file any objection, intervention, or response in writing with the County Clerk of Hays County, Texas on or before the above noted date and time.

Applicant’s Attorney: Anna Martinez Boling 1301 S. Old Stagecoach Road Kyle, Texas 78640

(512) 504-3051 Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at the office of the Hays County Clerk in San Marcos, Texas on this the 7th day of April, 2020.

Elaine H. Cárdenas County Clerk, Hays County, Texas 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2008 San Marcos, Texas 78666

BY Darren Jones, Deputy

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, Construction Manager-at-Risk, for: Dripping Springs Elementary School #5, is requesting competitive proposals from subcontractors and suppliers. Subcontractor and supplier proposals will be received via email to bidaus@bartlettcocke.com or via Fax to (512) 3263990 no later than 2:00:00 PM on 4/15/2020-BP1 and 4/23/2020-BP2. Any proposals received after this time will not be accepted.

Electronic copies of the proposal documents may be obtained from Bartlett Cocke or viewed at local and online planrooms. Contact Stefan Doerr via email Sdoerr@ bartlettcocke.com or phone (512) 326-4223 to make arrangements.

Small, Woman Owned, Disadvantaged, HUB, HUBZone, 8(a), Minority, and all similar firms are encouraged to submit proposals on this project.

Bartlett Cocke General Contractors is an equal opportunity (EEO) employer.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed proposals addressed to Kyle 150 LP (“OWNER”), on behalf of Anthem Municipal Utility District (“DISTRICT”), for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work required for the construction of the following project: ANTHEM SUBDIVISION PHASE 1B IMPROVEMENTS, will be received at the office of Atwell, LLC (“ENGINEER”) at 3815 S. Capital of TX Hwy, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704 until Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Bids will be opened and read aloud via Zoom Meeting. Any proposal received after the closing time will be returned unopened. Proposals shall be plainly marked with name and address of the BIDDER and the following, bolded, words: ANTHEM SUBDIVISION PHASE 1B IMPROVEMENTS The ANTHEM SUBDIVISION PHASE 1B IMPROVEMENTS proposal includes approximately: 6,800 SY of right of way preparation and 1,166 LF of roadway; 814 LF of RCP/RBC storm sewer with inlets, manholes and all associated appurtenances; a stormwater water quality pond and all associated appurtenances; 1,083 LF of PVC water line with fire hydrants, valves and all associated appurtenances; 1,051 LF of PVC wastewater line with manholes, associated erosion controls, removal of the abandoned gas main, dry utility improvements, and all other necessary appurtenances and improvements. All work must conform to State of Texas, County of Hays, City of Kyle, TxDOT, TCEQ, and Anthem MUD applicable rules and criteria.

Copies of the Plans, Specifications, and Bidding Documents will be on file at the office of Atwell, LLC at 3815 South Capital of Texas Highway, Building III, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704, where they may be examined without charge. Copies may be examined or obtained from the ENGINEER on or after Thursday, April 9th, 2020 for a non-refundable fee of $100.00 per set, or you can request an electronic version by emailing cschedler@atwell-group. com. Checks for Plans and Specifications, and Bidding Documents shall be made payable to Atwell, LLC. A Cashier’s Check, Certified Check or acceptable Bidder’s Bond, payable to Kyle 150, LP in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the Bid must accompany each bid as a guarantee that, if awarded the Contract, The BIDDER will enter into a contract and execute bonds within ten (10) days of award of the Contract. Performance and Payment Bonds shall also be executed on the forms furnished by the DISTRICT and shall specifically provide for “Performance” and for “Labor and Materials Payment”.

Each bond shall be issued in an amount of one hundred percent (100%) of contract price by a solvent Surety company, authorized to do business in the State of Texas and acceptable to the DISTRICT. The DISTRICT reserves the right to reject any and all bids to waive any and all technicalities and formalities in bidding. The DISTRICT reserves the right to determine which bids are most advantageous to the OWNER and the DISTRICT, and to award the Contract on this basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after opening of the bids. If a submitted bid is withdrawn within said period, bid guaranty shall become the property of the OWNER, not as penalty, but as liquidated damages, or DISTRICT may pursue any other action allowed by law. Prospective bidders are encouraged to visit the site before or after the pre-bid meeting. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom Meeting. A meeting invitation can by requested by emailing cschedler@atwell-group.com.

For all the latest news in Buda, Kyle and surrounding communities, visit

HaysFreePress.com

www.

or

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

NEWS

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Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch • April 8, 2020

Virus Protocols Continued from pg. 1

50

40

Added cases per date

30

Total confirmed cases 20

Active Hays County cases

not able to answer that question about the apex is because less than one percent of our population has been tested,” Becerra said. “In order to give answers we need more data.”

Commissioners also discussed the availability of other county facilities, including, as Smith brought up, an urgent care facility “now sitting empty” in downtown Dripping Springs.

Becerra said Dripping Springs’ mayor has already approached that facility’s ownership, and Villalobos added that clinics and even hotels have been approached or will soon be approached about the possibility of being used for overflow.

Schneider said that more than one member of some households have

Breeding Innovation: Businesses wary Continued from pg. 9

affected by bans on large gatherings, many have opted to offer curbside and pick up services to continuing serving customers.

In addition, the Buda chamber has created a Facebook group that has garnered more than 1,200 members where customers and business owners can promote their local restaurants. Gonzales said efforts like these work to help out all businesses, not just members of the chamber.

“We’re helping everybody. You’ll see who our members are, but we list every business in town because as a chamber we feel it’s important to support all of our local businesses,” Gonzales said. “We’re all in the same boat.”

Changes are not only happening with restaurants, with an example of innovative practices in the retail industry including a Buda nature-centric clothing retailer, The Budaful Hiker, live-streaming the in-house production of their products and interacting with prospective customers on their Facebook page.

Mentioned in the responses of the survey are concerns about potential grants, loan options and incentives.

As announced by Gov. Greg Abbott March 20, business owners seeking a low-interest loan can apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Economic Injury Disaster Loan”.

Gonzales recommends that businesses looking to take out loans fully evaluate other options, including how they can better mold their businesses to the current moment, before taking on a loan.

“Best advice (for businesses owners) – look at all the programs available to you from a person from a business loan, to stimulus to grants, anything that’s out there, and then choose wisely what’s going to work best for you and your business,” Gon-

The Buda chamber has created a Facebook group that has garnered more than 1,200 members where customers and business owners can promote their local restaurants.

Gonzales said efforts like these work to help out all businesses, not just members of the chamber. zales said. “And explore all other possibilities. There’s going to be some more stimulus programs that

are coming out from the government that will be able to help sustain your business.”

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tested positive but others said that when one person is confirmed to have the virus, everyone in the household is “presumed” to as well.

Becerra announced test priority locations for first responders and health care providers – Austin

Regional Clinic in Buda and Ascension Seton Hospital in Kyle. Becerra noted that testing there is for “in network,” meaning people who work in the hospital or “have a relationship.”

Other testing locations include Live Oak Clinic

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fluid replacement, as do the machines the county currently uses for that function. Villalobos also said inventories of things such as hand soap and bleach are also being tracked.

Smith also said he has been working with businesses to supply Hays County first responders and patrol units with hand sanitizers “manufactured right here.” Last week the Hays Free Press ran a story on Driftwood-based Desert Door distillery, which has switched its manufacturing to hand sanitizers they say they will donate to law enforcement and health care providers.

Villalobos said he is continually attempting to secure those and other necessities but has been hampered by competition in the market. “They will say they have availability and within an hour somebody else will grab that quantity.” He asked for guidance but admitted, “that’s the process we’re currently in.”

With Texas State University switching to online learning for the rest of the semester, Villalobos contacted them about the possible use of the Student Recreation Center and/or gyms to house patients. “It could be three or four months,” he said, “but we have a plan in place just to be prepared.”

Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe asked, and was assured, that members of the court would be given written updates on the spread of the virus and the community’s response.

Jones asked about when the county might expected local cases to peak.

“The reason we are

March 13

developing symptoms, confirming increasing community spread. There have been no deaths of county residents due to the disease. Schneider said a total of 455 Hays residents have undergone the test and 394 of them tested negative.

As more county residents are tested, the number of positives will continue to rise, County Judge Ruben Becerra warned, predicting that more than 50 percent of the county’s population will end up catching the virus. Although 20 percent of that 50 percent are at risk for complications, “most of those people will breeze right through it,” he said. “We have every hope and expectation that they’re going to walk through this.”

Emergency Management Coordinator Alex Villalobos confirmed shortages of personal protective equipment including N95 masks exist in municipalities and among Emergency Service District and Emergency Medical Service personnel, as well as in school districts which need it for employees who distribute food and technology to families.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said he had with him some N95 masks he would like to see go where they are most needed.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith questioned Villalobos on equipment and supplies needed to disinfect facilities and vehicles, including the possible use of ultraviolet light, which Villalobos said would take a larger initial investment but would not need periodic

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in Wimberley, Austin Regional Clinic in Dripping Springs, and Live Oak Clinic in San Marcos.

For the latest on conditions in the county, visit haysinformed.com. Official numbers are updated around 4 p.m. seven days a week.

St. Anthony Catholic Church LIVESTREAMING EASTER SERVICES

www.samckyle.org We the community of St. Anthony Marie de Claret have been called to a joyful personal encounter and an enduring and loving personal relationship with God the Father, through Jesus Christ His Son, in the Holy Spirit, that we may respond in faith and repentance and thereafter announce to our neighbors and the world the good news of salvation.

Due to COVID-19 our Masses and services are now on live-stream. We invite you to join us for our Easter celebrations at 10 am in English and 12:00 p.m. in Spanish. For our live stream Masses, full Holy Week schedule, social media handles and other information, please visit www.samckyle.org.

Holy Thursday Mass: 6 p.m. (Bilingual)

Good Friday: Stations of the Cross, 12 p.m. (English) Stations of the Cross, 3 p.m. (Spanish) Passion Service, 3:45 p.m. (Spanish) Passion Service, 6 p.m. (English) Holy Saturday Vigil Mass, 9 p.m. (Bilingual)

Resurrection Sunday Masses: 10 a.m. (English) 12 p.m. (Spanish)