MARCH 27, 2019 TOP PICKS
COTY
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Longtime foundation helper earns Citizen of the Year nomination.
Frontrunners for girls, boys basketball teams
Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
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Vol. 123 • No. 52
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
S. Korean tech biz to build plant in Kyle BY KATIE BURRELL
Villalobos abstaining, the Kyle City Council Tuesday A $45 million, 125,000 approved Project Magic square-foot technology Mint, paving the way manufacturing facility for ENF Technologies, that’s expected to generate a South Korean tech millions of dollars in sales manufacturing company, tax revenue and dozens of to set up its first U.S. jobs is coming to Kyle. based facility in Plum By a unanimous vote Creek. with councilmember Alex Officials expect
ENF Technologies to move to Kyle by 2020; construction on the facility is expected to start after a groundbreaking ceremony in May. ENF Technologies manufactures tech products for several companies including Samsung and Texas
Instruments. The project has been on the Kyle City Council agenda for months and has been in progress for two years. Details of the project were kept under wraps until the big announcement Tuesday. Representatives with ENF Technologies shopped
around the Central Texas area for the right location, including Austin, before choosing Kyle as the permanent spot. The company will bring a minimum of 45 full-time jobs to the area with a median wage of $85,000 annually, said Kyle Economic Development
Director Diana Torres. The company has the potential to eventually hire up to 80 full-time staff members. Kyle stands to benefit from the facility as the city will collect sales tax revenue from the product made within the
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Kyle man held for indecency at Head Start
Rockin’ & rollin’ in Buda
BY MOSES LEOS III A Kyle man faces multiple felony charges after authorities suspect he inappropriately touched three Head Start students at Uhland ORTEGA Elementary in late February and early March.
“Watch out, coming through!” That’s the motto for Marley Van Vechten ( center) as she barrelled through several opponents, including Diana “Hellgha” Manuela (right) during an exhibition roller derby bout in Buda. More on the event and who was playing can be found on page 6.
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PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Electric scooters see first ban in Hays County BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
ordinance bans the use of motor-assisted scooters Motor assisted scooters, on public right-ofsuch those seen around ways and sidewalks downtown Austin, are no within the city. longer welcome in DripMoves toward the ping Springs, following ordinance came approval of an ordinance after two motorized March 12 banning their scooters mysteriuse. ously showed up Dripping Springs beon Mercer Street in comes the first city in Hays recent weeks. County to outright ban The two scooters the scooters from public that appeared on Mercer roadways. It’s an issue that Street were picked up by many cities across Hays the company that owns County are now starting them, but neither conto tackle. The Dripping firmed how they appeared Springs City Council in Dripping Springs. passed the ordinance by a “We’re not going to wait unanimous 4-0 vote. for an accident to hapDripping Springs’ pen,” Mayor Todd Purcell
said in a statement. “We want to prevent it. These regulations ensure we are taking the necessary steps to protect our citizens and visitors.”
According to an affidavit, council member John Kroll recused himself from the vote because his consulting firm, HMWK LLC., provides substantial services for Bird, one of the largest motor-assisted scooter companies in Austin and across the nation. The ordinance also bans parking the scooters on any sidewalk, public property, public park, public street or highway. Violators of the ordinance could face a fine, but it is unclear at this time how much that would be.
Currently, Wimberley and Kyle do not have ordinances addressing motor-assisted scooters; San Marcos and Buda are looking into the topic. Kristy Stark, San Marcos communications director, said city leaders will receive a presentation on motorized scooters in the near future. “We currently do not have an ordinance banning them or allowing them within the city limits; therefore, since no ordinance is in place to allow scooters, we have let the scooter companies
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COMING UP School Board Candidate Forum
On Thursday, April 4, join candidates running for HCISD school board for a discussion moderated by Susan Pulis and Judge Beth Smith. All candidates have been invited. The event will be held 6-8 p.m. at Buda City Hall (405 E. Loop St., Building 100 in Buda). Election day is May 4, 2019.
Organic Gardening Workshop
SHORT-TERM TROUBLE
City, state officials look at short-term rental regulations.
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INDEX
On March 30, Millberg Farms in Kyle is celebrating its 30th year as a certified organic grower with a free workshop on heirloom alliums. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the farm on Opal Lane. Walking shoes and hat are suggested.
Gather your family, team or come as an individual and get ready to help clean up Buda on Saturday, April 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. The local event is sponsored by Buda, the Parks Commission, and the Sustainability Commission. The “Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off” is part of the Keep Texas Beautiful Trash-Off and the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup. Volunteers will gather at the Buda Municipal Complex located at 405 Loop Street at 8 a.m. for a quick breakfast, clean-up assignments, and information. The first 50 volunteers to register will receive a volunteer shirt at the event. Gather your community groups, school organizations, neighborhood associations and register today.
News…………………… 2 Opinion………………… 3 Sports…………………… 4 Education……………… 5 Community………… 6-7
Business…………… 8-9 Service Directory……… 9 Best Bets…………… 10 Classifieds…………… 12 Public Notices…… 12-13
Man leads police on 100 mph chase in Kyle BY MOSES LEOS III An Austin-area man was arrested Friday after leading authorities on a mileslong, highspeed chase that began when he RODRIGUEZ assaulted an officer during a traffic stop in Kyle. Paul Joseph Rodriguez, 45, of Dale, was booked into the Hays County Jail on a felony charge of aggravated assault against a public servant, as well as a felony charge of evading arrest or detention with vehicle. Rodriguez was also booked on several misdemeanor charges that include failure to identify or give false information, as well as deadly conduct and resisting arrest. The incident began at
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