Hays Free Press May 1, 2019

MAY 1, 2019 BRIDGING GAPS

SWEEP

HCISD addresses AP exam woes between high schools.

Hays softball sweeps Hornets in bi-district playoff.

– Page 5 & 14

– Page 4

Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

75¢

Vol. 124 • No. 5

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Employees released from contract?

Buda EDC head claims discrimination

BY MOSES LEOS III

Accusations of discrimination made by three female Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) employees were levied Tuesday against the city of Buda as the battle between the two bodies escalated.

Those accusations came as the Buda City Council approved a resolution by a split 4-3 vote that included the removal of EDC Board President Jose Montoya and three other board members.

Buda City Council members Remy Fallon, Paul Daugereau and Evan Ture cast the dissenting votes.

The move, part of a lengthy resolution that took nearly 40 minutes to be read by City Attorney George Hyde, followed EDC board action in mid-April to release Executive Director Ann Miller and two other EDC staff members from their contracts due to a “hostile environment.”

Through the resolution, the city council censured the EDC board for failure

DISCRIMINATION ALLEGATIONS

MILLER

WILLIAMS

to act “in good faith,” and directed the board to reinstate Executive Director Ann Miller and other employees to their positions.

email thread, Akers said a Texas Workforce Commission complaint had been Miller said actions by filed by Miller against the city leaders “sent the mes- city due to a hostile work sage to Buda’s citizens, environment. businesses, business Sources told the Hays prospects and the outside Free Press Tuesday that world” that she and her the city declined medifellow female EDC emation on the matter and ployees “are not equal to has opted for the investiour male coworkers.” gation to run its course, There has been a which could take up to 16 weeklong battle between weeks.

Miller, Hyde and EDC Fight over payments Attorney Monte Akers came after Montoya and over payment of vacation the board requested Buand compensatory time/ reasonable time off. In an BUDA EDC, 8

Task force to address criminal justice reform

Authorities have arrested a Buda man in connection with a hitand-run wreck in Kyle late Saturday that killed two teenHERNANDEZ agers.

Macario Mejia Hernandez, 61, of Buda, was booked into the Hays County Jail on two charges of Accident Causing Death, both second-degree felonies, as well as three charges of Accident Causing Injury, all third-degree felonies. Additional charges could be added pending results of toxicology tests, according to a city of Kyle press release. Hernandez is being held on $250,000 bond in the Hays County Jail.

Update on Kyle roads

BY KATIE BURRELL

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Every wiener has its day

Rusty, a rescued dachshund owned by Kim Coley of San Antonio, shows off why he’s the goodest boy as he goes in for his close up on the final day of the 22nd Annual Buda Country Fair and Wiener Dog Festival Sunday. Hundreds took to Buck’s Backyard last weekend in search of the throne (and a large trophy) at the annual Wiener Dog races held by the Buda Lions Club. The 2019 theme for the event was “Game of Wieners.”

COMING UP Red Arena Round-Up and Preview Party

The Red Arena RoundUp is an annual horse show that provides an opportunity for our riders of all ability levels to compete in fun horse events Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Dripping Springs Ranch Park.There will be free games and prizes.

There will be a preview

party for the Round-Up at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Round-Up Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. The Eddie Ray Band will play. Both events are free to the public.

Vote Saturday, May 4

May the fourth be with you Saturday as you vote for candidates in Kyle and Hays CISD elections.

Voting information on page 2.

BEER TO GO? MAYBE SO New legislation could allow breweries to sell beer for off-premise consumption.

– Page 9

INDEX

CJ TASK FORCE, 10

BY MOSES LEOS III

FATAL WRECK, 8

BY KATIE BURRELL Reforming Hays County’s criminal justice system pushed county commissioners earlier ths month to establish a task force to prioritize ways to overhaul the process.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said he prioritizes criminal justice reform for the county in an effort to streamline a process that is currently slow moving.

That task force is part of a commission responsible for moving Becerra’s plan forward.

The commission is made up of 22 members including Hays County Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell and Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos. Representatives from local law

Buda man arrested for fatal wreck in Kyle

Creedmoor Car Show and May Fest Creedmoor Car Show and May Fest will be held Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Creedmoor Community Center, 12511 FM 1625.

There will be classic, antique cars, tractors, trucks, and motorcycles along with a silent auction, food, craft booths, cake spin, and music.

Proceeds

News……………… 2, 14 Opinion………………… 3 Sports…………………… 4 Education……………… 5 Community………… 6-8

from the sales will benefit the community center and the surrounding park and playground area. The festival is hosted by Creedmoor Community Center Friends Association www. creedmoorcommunitycfa. org. Free admission and free parking!

While there’s still a long haul to go, progress continues to be made on roads under Kyle’s 2013 road bond.

That includes the recent opening of the Marketplace Extension that connects Burleson Street at the Marketplace roundabout to the Interstate 35 southbound access road.

Officials opened the extension to traffic April 25.

However, Kyle City Engineer Leon Barba said three road projects still have a long way to go before completion.

One of those is construction on Lehman Road, which is only 5% complete. Barba said the percentage is determined by how much of the entire plan has been done and reported back to him from contractors.

An excavation on Lehman Road near Lake Kyle will take about two weeks

KYLE ROAD UPDATE, 13

Business……………… 9 Service Directory…… 11 Public Notices……… 12 Classifieds…………… 12

NEWS

Page 2

Hays Free Press 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.

ISSN#1087-9323

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 Street, Kyle, TX 78640

CORRECTIONS

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 in the Hays Free Press is 5 p.m. Friday the week prior to publication.

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

LETTERS GUIDELINES

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.

HISTORY

Founded April 10, 1903,

by Thomas Fletcher Harwell as The Kyle News, with offices on the corner of Burleson and Miller streets in the town’s oldest remaining building.

It merged into The Hays County Citizen in 1956.

The paper consolidated with The Free Press in October, 1978. During its more than 100-year history the newspaper has maintained offices at more than a dozen locations in Kyle and Buda.

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

County shoots down Voters to hit polls Saturday revolving door policy

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Lingering issues on a four-year plan aimed at limiting the involvement of former officials in county business led Hays County leaders to ultimately shoot down the proposed policy April 23.

Instead, Hays County Commissioners will seek additional disclosure methods that will be introduced in the future.

The diplomatic compromise followed two weeks of deliberation on the implementation of the policy, which was crafted by County Judge Ruben Becerra and Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos.

The revolving door policy would have prohibited former county elected officials from conducting business with the county for four years, a measure Beccera said would promote transparency and a level playing field for contractors. However, commissioners scrapped the policy and instead opted for a disclosure form for any individual previously employed by the county. This disclosure form will provide the court with any potential conflicts of interests for the elected officials to take into account when deliberating contracts.

The revolving door policy would have prohibited former county elected officials from conducting business with the county for four years.

Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith addressed his concerns about the logistics of a revolving door policy.

“I almost feel like we’re searching for a problem to find a solution at this point,” Smith said.

Smith said there are previously elected officials who have in-depth knowledge with the intricacies of the county and argued their knowledge is a benefit to the taxpayer.

“Yet, because of this, they are completely prohibited from being a part of the process and that’s a concern for me,” Smith said.

Debbie Ingalsbe, Hays County Pct. 1 Commissioner, asked if the county had the authority to implement such measures.

General Counsel Mark Kennedy said the court only has authority granted by the legislature and has limited authority

compared to that of a home rule city.

However, Travis County has adopted some similar measures that include limitations on discretionary contracts and its purchasing policy as part of its disclosure policy.

Commissioners directed staff to draft a disclosure form that will be sent to the court for approval. This form would inform the commissioners of any potential conflicts of interest, which they can address on the dais.

Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said disclosure is “not to say you can’t hire them,” but is to “be transparent of who it is.”

“And if you believe there is a true conflict, if you believe there is something that does risk the taxpayer, then you know about it, so when you’re making those evaluations, you consider it,” Shell said.

Delays halt construction on Buda City Park

BY MOSES LEOS III

Consternation over a delay in permitting for construction to start at Buda City Park led one city leader to express frustration April 16.

The issue extended to the Barr Company waiting for a site development permit before beginning improvements at the park, part of Proposition 5 of Buda’s $55 million bond approved by voters in 2014. Work at Buda City Park, including construction for an amphitheater and a splash pad among other amenities, was supposed to begin in early 2019.

Buda city leaders approved an agreement with the Barr Company in December 2018 for a $5.35 million bid to renovate the park, the Hays Free Press reported.

City officials estimated construction lasting ten to 12 months, with completion set for around January 2020.

However, Greg Olmer, Buda Parks and Rec-

HAVING VISION PROBLEMS? IT COULD BE CATARACTS

Meanwhile, Buda issued a certificate of occupancy (COO) for the $359,000 Green Meadows Splash pad, which officially opened to the public April 11.

reation Director, said the delay in the permit earlier this month could push that completion estimate “back a little bit.”

Buda City Council member Paul Daugereau said it’s been “frustrating” not seeing a whole lot of activity at the work site.

Kenneth Williams, Buda city manager, said the city could be able to resolve the issue “through the administrative process.”

Meanwhile, Buda issued a certificate of occupancy (COO) for the $359,000 Green Meadows Splash pad, which officially opened to the public April 11. The splash pad is also part of Proposition 5 of the 2014

bond.

Officials estimated opening of the splash pad by summer 2018.

However, delays and issues led to construction taking longer, with the project not fully completed until January.

Olmer said city officials did some “last minute testing” to ensure the system was operating properly before a “soft” opening.

Buda officials eye a grand opening for the splash pad by May or June.

Meanwhile, work on several projects under Proposition 3 of the Buda bond are underway.

John Nett, Buda city

BUDA CITY PARK, 13

Your local real estate expert!

SPECIALIZING IN:

• Cataract Surgery • Premium IOL Implants • Lasik Surgery • Glaucoma - Medical and Surgical • Macular Degeneration

Schedule your visit today 512.443.9715 www.HowertonEye.com Kyle Office 5401 FM 1626, Ste 365 Kyle, TX 78640 Austin Office 2610 S IH-35 Austin, TX 78704

Three locations to serve you Southwest Austin Office 5625 Eiger Rd, Ste 100 Austin, TX 78735

Buying or selling? Give Alison a call at

512.256.4882

156 Kirkham Circle Suite A , Kyle, TX 78640 www.kylerealestateagent.com | aliclaire888@gmail.com

for Election Day STAFF REPORT

city council seats. In the Place 1 race, incumbent On Saturday, voters in Taline Manassian takes on Kyle, Hays CISD, Dripping challenger Anthony Aristar, Springs ISD and Wimberwhile Place 5 incumbent ley will cast their ballots in William Travis Crow takes the May 4 general election. on challengers Geoffrey TaIn Kyle, Cody DeSalvo, huahua and Steve Randall.

Stuart Kirkwood, Robert Dripping Springs ISD Rizo and Michelle Carey voters will decide on a pair are vying for the unexpired of trustee seats up for grabs. term of the District 3 AtJoanna Day, Marisa GrijalLarge city council seat. va, Kara Mayfield and Rob Hays CISD voters will Satterfield are on the ballot decide on the District 4 with the top two vote-getters and District 5 Single-Mem- earning a seat on the dais. ber district seats. IncumIn Wimberley, voters will bent District 4 trustee decide on a trio of hotMerideth Keller squares off ly-contested city council against challenger Mark seats that are up for grabs.

Summers, while incumRebecca Minnick and Tim bent District 5 trustee Dodson square off in the Esperanza Orosco faces Place 1 race, while current challenger Frank Juarez, Jr. Mayor Susan Jaggers takes Out in the western part on Christine Byrne for of Hays County, Dripping Place 3. Incumbent Place 5 Springs will decide on council member Erik Wolthe Place 1 and Place 5 lam takes on Bo Bowman.

Election Day polling sites

NOTE: Some voters in Precincts 221, 417 and 419 might need to go to two different locations on Election Day to cast ballots in the Hays CISD District 5 and Kyle City Council races.

Check the list below to see where you need to go.

CITY OF KYLE ELECTION

• Precincts 125, 129, 221, 228, 417 Chapa Middle School 3311 Dacy Lane Kyle, Texas 78640 • Precincts 127, 223, 229, 418, 447 Kyle City Hall 100 N Front Street Kyle, Texas 78640 •

Precincts 416, 419, 420 Wallace Middle School 1302 W Center Street Kyle, Texas 78640

HAYS CISD ELECTION •

Hays CISD District 4 Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 N FM 1626 Buda, Texas 78640

•

Hays CISD District 5 A&B Wallace Middle School 1302 W Center Street Kyle, Texas 78640

DRIPPING SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL AND DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD • Precincts 236, 442, 443, 444 Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 4000 U.S. 290 Dripping Springs, Texas 78620 • Precincts 333, 337, 440, 441, 449 Hays County Pct. 4 Office 195 Roger Hanks Parkway Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

WIMBERLEY CITY COUNCIL • Precincts 333, 335, 337, 339 Wimberley Community Center 14068 Ranch Road 12 Wimberley, Texas 78676

3310 B FM 967, Ste #A110 Buda, Texas 78610 Near the corner of FM 1626 and 967

512-523-8680 longortho.com

Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If we were in a position to grow and this bill doesn’t pass, it wouldn’t make sense to change our license. That revenue stream is just so important to what we do.”

–John McIntosh, co-owner of Acopon Brewing in Dripping Springs. Story on pg. 9.

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Page 3

Dog discourse better focused on real issues Guest Column

by Tom Purcell

B

oy, is our political discourse going to the dogs.

The Washington Post reports Donald Trump is the first U.S. president in 100plus years not to have a dog – though others, including Ronald Reagan, didn’t have dogs until their second terms.

During a February rally, reports The Post, Trump said “he doesn’t have a dog because the idea of getting one seems ‘phony’ to him.”

Using presidential pets to score political points is not without precedent. The Hill says “avid dog lover” Herbert Hoover was among the first to do so, while running for the nation’s highest office.

“Following campaign advice, with hopes of shaping his image into something warmer and more charismatic, he released a photograph of himself with his German Shepherd, King Tut,” says The Hill.

King Tut helped Hoover win the White House, but after he presided over the 1929 stock-market crash, Hoover was routed by FDR in the 1932 presidential election.

According to The Hill, some suggested Bill Clinton got Buddy, his beloved chocolate Labrador, to help his image at the peak of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Maybe so, but photos clearly show Clinton enjoyed Buddy’s company.

George H.W. and Barbara Bush had Millie, an English springer spaniel who famously birthed six White House puppies. Millie’s book was a huge seller. Their presidential son had a dog, too.

“President George W. Bush’s Scottish terrier Barney became a celebrity in his own right, appearing in more than 10 films while he was at the White House,” says The Hill.

The Obama family chose Portuguese water dogs Bo and Sunny, in part because Malia Obama required a hypoallergenic breed. The canines brought joy to the Obama family and were a delight at various White House events.

But no dog for the Trumps?

“Ever since President William McKinley’s administration – which began in 1897 – every single occupant of the White House, save for Trump, has had a dog at some point,” reports The Post.

Trump said he’d feel odd walking a dog on the White House lawn and just doesn’t have the time to do so.

And that resulted in a loud negative response, in these over-charged times, that the current occupant of the White House loathes all things canine.

“WHY DOES PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HATE DOGS?” asks Newsweek.

“Instead of having dogs, which tend to crave attention and often are scene stealers where photography is involved,” Newsday columnist Anne McFeatters tells us, “Trump frequently calls women he disdains ‘a dog.’”

In a New York Times column, Timothy Egan writes: “We know that Donald Trump, the first president without a pet since James K. Polk, appears to hate dogs.”

The “Trump hates dogs” narrative got to a point in which it prompted fact-checking website Snopes to investigate whether Trump’s critics are barking up the wrong tree.

Snopes’ conclusion?

“The claim that he ‘hates dogs’ appears to be based on shaky logic ... and relatively scant evidence ... . It is also contradicted by photographic evidence and first-hand accounts of Trump’s cheerful demeanor around dogs.”

Like or dislike Trump – goodness knows he evokes powerful passions among supporters and opponents alike – it’s troubling to me that so much ink and bandwidth would be spent on so trivial a subject, when so many matters of larger importance are begging for our attention.

Just another sign that our political discourse is really going to the dogs.

Tom Purcell is the author of “Misadventures of a 1970s Childhood,” a humorous memoir. He is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc. Tom@TomPurcell.com

Hays Free Press

Words to a child: One nation under the gun

I

n Colorado the other day, it was time for many parents to have the talk.

The talk about a dangerous world. The talk about safety at school.

Many parents had time and motivation to do this because a woman with a gun made threats that shut down schools from Colorado Springs to Denver to Fort Collins.

We’re all busy, distracted, headed in every direction.

In Colorado, nothing stops everything but blizzards and the Broncos.

Add this: a Florida woman flying into Denver with apparent intent to kill.

Sol Pace, 18, was said to be “infatuated with Columbine” and emotionally fragile. The horrors of that 1999 tragedy were about to be relived on its 20th anniversary. When she deplaned, she got herself a weapon at a gun shop not far from the school. Alarms sounded up and down the Front Range.

Half a million students were told to stay home.

Thousands who didn’t have to stay home did so anyway. Education essentially stopped, all because of a gun that she ultimately turned on herself.

As a search ensued,

barred gun sales to people under 21) did so only Youngmoments after arriving at Denver’s airport. at-Large Federal officials said it

by John Young was a legal purchase. Gun safety groups said no – that the law prevents someone media outlets cued up who can’t buy a gun in her advice on what to tell chilhome state to buy it in dren about situations like another. this, with mass shootings A gun shop owner said increasingly commonplace. it would be a bad idea to I don’t have children at prevent fly-in transactions home, but if I did, here’s like this. It would crimp the what I’d say. “tourist industry.”

My child: The first thing If that’s the case, why did to understand is that the the traveler even have to world isn’t as dangerous as go to a gun shop? Why not the news implies. The same guns in vending machines for school. It is still the at the airport? Why not safest place to be outside guns for sale mid-air along of home with me. It has with mini booze bottles? always been so.

Would that serve the tourist What’s true, sadly, is that economy? your world is not nearly as Any legislation that safe as it could be. would slightly alter the Your world, your comequation in favor of gun munity, your nation, is less safety is assailed as the end safe because politicians of the world by gun lobbyhave put the interests of ists and hobbyists. commerce ahead of keepTo them all guns are creing people safe. ated equal – no distinction The commerce of gun between the one that could sales. The songs of cash reg- kill one and the one that isters, of bar codes chirping. will kill scores.

In Colorado, schools They say it’s about funclosed because a teenager damental freedoms. Listen not old enough to buy a closer and know that it’s all gun in her home state of about convenience, and of Florida (recently having course profit.

These are not good times for the gun lobby, with more and more Americans outraged over the dangers they face in deference to sanctified appliances of death.

But the gun industry knows that its greatest ally is fear, so it hardly blinks in the wake of another mass murder with its products, while those who could do something about it choose to litter the battlefield with leaflets of “thoughts and prayers.”

Once, again, child, the world isn’t as dangerous as the news will tell you.

What’s dangerous is priorities dictated solely by commerce – whether it be about the global climate crisis you are inheriting, about the basic human needs of your neighbors, or about your safety.

Don’t concede to these powers. Join other people, like the students of Parkland, Fla., in fighting back.

An unsafe world? It’s your world, and you can make it safer.

Longtime former Texas newspaperman John Young lives in Colorado. jyoungcolumn@gmail.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR WHO IS TO BLAME? RE: Article on $13 million error, resulting $100K fine.

The article stated the error was due to a previous administration and not related to the current administration.

I’m unsure on the timing of the contract submission – it’s an annual review.

The current superintendent has been in place for 16 months. The new policy was approved after the former superintendent left Hays CISD. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) would have provided the information to the provider in 2017 and 2018 – the same CFO that served the

current administration until she recently resigned.

What wasn’t noted in the article was the previous administration’s dedication to implementing the Tyler Munis Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP). The former systems at HCISD had been used since 1983. The Munis system allowed human resource, finance and other systems to be integrated for the first time, allowing the error to be uncovered. Prior to this electronic system, performance reviews were boxed up at campuses and collected for storage.

Implementing TalentEd to track the hiring of staff was a game changer for Hays. We were in the pro-

Barton Publications, Inc. News tips: news@haysfreepress.com Opinions: csb@haysfreepress.com

Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton

Reporters Exsar Arguello and Katie Burrell

News and Sports Editor Moses Leos III

Columnists Bartee Haile, Chris Winslow, Pauline Tom, Clint Younts

verbial dark ages until the ERP was put in place from 2015 to 2017.

There is plenty of blame and credit to go around.

Is it reasonable to blame a prior administration for a budgetary miscalculation when systems didn’t link together with data needed?

The district was lucky the prior insurance provider didn’t conduct audits of data provided. Change often creates these opportunities to improve. It doesn’t bode well that the current administration and board’s first big issue resulted in finger pointing for a problem that occurred under their watch, especially since the new insurance contract was not approved

during prior years and the same CFO from both administrations provided the data that led to the error.

Do we expect our administrators be perfect? That’s not what we expect of our students, is it? When a mistake comes up with the current administration, we shouldn’t blame them and put their heads on a spike.

We’ve had 90% turnover of the executive cabinet with only the chief information officer and chief information technology officer remaining. We need to support staff when they make mistakes, learn from them, and not repeat them.

Holly Smith Raymond HCISD Trustee 2012-2018 Hays CISD Class of 1996

113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640 www.haysfreepress.com 512-268-7862

Proofreaders Jane Kirkham Marketing Director Tracy Mack Marketing Specialists James Darby and Teresa R. Starr

Production Manager David White Office Manager Verna Wommack Circulation/Classifieds David White, Verna Wommack

Distribution Kimberlee Griffon

Page 4

Sports

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Hays sweeps Hornets in bi-district playoff

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

“I mean our stands were ally was.” Valdez said. “But I so loud, it really did just felt good.”

After a nail-biting 1-0 help us relax,” Cone said.

A wild pitch by Valdez win over the San Anto“Our crowd, in the top nio East Central Hornets I think, of the first April 25, the Hays Rebels played a inning of “I mean our softball team sped away to huge part Game 2 stands were so a 7-1 win Friday to claim today as allowed the a bi-district playoff round well. Then Hornets to loud, it really sweep. once we got score their did just help us Propelling the Rebels our hits, it only run of were a pair of strong perfor- was a little relax. Our crowd, the series. mances by senior pitcher bit contaValdez I think, played a Max Valdez, along with gious.” made up clutch hits up and down Valfor it with huge part today the lineup. dez, who a two-run as well. Then “I think we came out pitched home run stronger than we were yes- in both once we got our to deep left terday (Thursday), because contests, field with hits, it was a little her first at we didn’t play so timid tosurrenday,” Valdez said. “I think it dered three bat in the bit contagious.” was because we were home total hits bottom of and there were our fans.” and only the first –Lisa Cone, While game one was too one run in frame in Hays head softball coach close for comfort for Hays 12 innings.

Game 2 to head coach Lisa Cone and She also give the the Rebels, adjustments tallied nine strikeouts over Rebels a 2-1 lead. at the plate, in addition to five innings in Game 2 of “We got to get it back, playing in front of a home the series. that was on my mind.” crowd, made the difference “Honestly, I felt pretty Valdez said. in their game two perforgood, I thought I was going Hays batters’ patience mance. to be more sore than I actu- at the plate paid dividends

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays Rebel shortstop Emma Morales snags a ground ball from going beyond the infield Friday.

as they scored seven runs on eight hits. Freshman Megan Kelnar was a key player for the Rebels as she went 2-for-3 with four RBIs in Game 2, with both of her hits putting runs on the scoreboard.

“She (Kelnar) has actually had moments like that earlier in the season when she has had some really big hits,” Cone said. “So we knew she could do it and she did a great job.”

Kelner’s first hit was a single to right field in the bottom of second inning that scored Amaya Guerrero from second base. Her next hit was a bases-clearing triple over East Central’s right fielder, scoring three

runs and putting the Rebels up 6-1 in the bottom of the fourth.

“I was kind of nervous but then I remembered that our senior Bri (Rodriguez), she told me before.

I just need you to relax. I know you have jitters, just go up there and hit the ball, that’s all you need to do and all you need to think about.

So, I went up there and just took a breath, thought two strikes this is going to be it, and I just threw my hands and I hit it,” Kelnar said.

Hays, currently ranked 9th in the Class 6A state softball poll, advances to play San Antonio Holmes in a best-of-3 area round series. Game 1 of the series

will be played May 1 at Smithson Valley High. Game 2 is scheduled for May 2 at Marion High at 6 p.m., with an if-necessary Game 3 set for May 3 at Smithson Valley High at 5 p.m.

Cone credited the tough district schedule for preparing her squad for the high intensity of the playoffs.

“We are very confident that our district prepared us very well for the playoffs,” Cone said. “I think what we are seeing right now is absolutely comparable to everything we saw in district. That was one great thing about our district play this year, there was not a single game where we could relax.”

Lobos fall to Canyon in bi-district playoff

BY MOSES LEOS III

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays High senior Aidan Martinez easily slides into home plate early in Friday’s district game against Del Valle.

Hays blanks Del Valle to punch playoff ticket

BY MOSES LEOS III

When the opportunity to officially punch a postseason ticket knocked Friday, Hays High’s baseball team wasted no time in slamming down the door.

A nine-run blitz over the first three frames was enough for Hays (24-7, 10-6) to cruise past the Del Valle Cardinals in a 9-0 win to close the regular season.

The victory, along with a Bowie loss to Westlake, allowed Hays to secure third place in 25-6A, marking the team’s first playoff berth since the 2017 season.

Rebel head coach James Howard said attacking early and getting into the game “with some urgency” was a key attribute.

“They understood what was at stake, they understood the importance of it,” Howard said. “They went out there and did the little things right to get that big lead.”

Big hits in key moments played a role in Hays’ leap to an early 5-0 advantage in the first frame. Highlighting it all was a threerun first inning home run by junior Zane Lilljedahl.

Howard said Lilljedahl, who has had a “tremendous” junior year, set the tone for the Rebel offense.

“Anytime you can get a three-run bomb in the first, that sets the tone for the game,” Howard said.

“His hard work is paying off.”

The Rebel offense kept the momentum in the second frame when it added three more runs on three hits, aided by RBI singles from seniors Aidan Martinez and Nate

Tate, as well as an RBI sacrifice fly by Lilljedahl.

A third inning RBI single from senior Garrison Vaughn brought in the Rebels’ final run.

Hays senior Uli Tovar lauded the top of the Rebel lineup at getting on base, as well as the team’s overall execution at the plate. Martinez said good approaches at the plate, as well as “making things happen,” spurred that success.

“That’s what happens when you attack the ball.

Coach Howard always talks about attacking the game,” Martinez said. “Us doing that today, it got us

the hot start and we were able to hold on.”

Armed with a sizeable cushion, Rebel arms kept Del Valle’s offense at bay for the entirety of the contest.

Tovar earned the win by giving up no runs on two hits and striking out five batters over the course of three frames. Having the lead to work with provided ample confidence, Tovar said.

Rebel pitchers limited Del Valle to five total hits in the game.

“It helps me concentrate more on the hitters

As players huddled around him near first base Friday, Lehman Lobo head softball coach Robert Young passionately reminded them of the steep uphill climb they had just surmounted.

Such a viewpoint might have been difficult to grasp after the Lobos’ 2019 campaign came to an abrupt close in a 11-0 bi-district run-rule playoff loss to the state-ranked New Braunfels Canyon Cougarettes.

Getting to that point, however, spoke volumes

about the long and winding journey Lehman’s softball program successfully trekked.

It culminated in the Lobos accumulating a program-record 24 wins and their first playoff appearance in six seasons.

Amid the doubters, naysayers and constant tumult, Lehman accomplished the one goal it sought all season long – proving them all wrong.

“We want people to change what they think of Lehman softball and how we can make the playoffs at the 6A level, instead of just being at the bottom,” Lobo

senior infielder Seryna Avalos said.

Lehman’s path toward its first postseason berth since 2014 centered on adjustments beyond the field, Young said.

Challenging players to “punch in” and put in the work, believing that it will lead to bigger and better things was part of the process.

Such a premise was easier said than done, however, for a Lobo softball program that’s gone through four coaching changes in as many years. Young lauded his senior class,

LOBO SOFTBALL, 13

HAYS BASEBALL, 13

Now delivering to Buda!

Surge is a 1-1/2-year-old neutered male Catahoula Mix. He is a happy-go-lucky guy who never lets being deaf and partially blind slow him down. He is all about tennis balls! He’ll need some special attention to train, but he’s made lots of progress at PAWS and knows sit, down, and stay in sign language! How do you sign “I love you and I’m taking you home?”

Loulabel is a spayed female 2-1/2-year-old shorthair tabby. She’s uper sweet with a huge personality! You can catch her running around the PAWS cattery playing with toys or napping on her favorite blanket. Loulabel has been at PAWS since January 11th. Don’t skip a chance to take this silly girl home!

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas

is a non-profit, no-kill shelter operated primarily on donations and adoptions.

NOW OPEN!

340 Old San Antonio Rd, Suite C Buda, TX 78610

(512) 856-5150

BUFFET HOURS:

11-2 every day, 5-8 Sunday and Wednesday

500 FM 150 E, Kyle, TX • 512 268-1611 • pawsshelter.org

All animals are fully vaccinated, spay/neutered, microchipped and dewormed.

sponsored by

Town & CounTry VeTerinary HospiTal Committed to your pet’s health since 1978

Bill Selman, DVM • Kayley Goldsmith, DVM • Ben Fox, DVM 6300 FM 1327 (East of I35 and Creedmoor) Austin, TX 78747 Give us a call at 512-385-0486

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Page 5

Education

Bridging a gap

HCISD addresses AP exam woes

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Concerns are growing among Hays CISD leaders over the disparity between the number of Hays and Lehman students taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 2019.

Those concerns highlight an issue trustees said they’ve tried to address for years.

On April 22, Hays CISD trustees unanimously approved a $138,890 expenditure for College Board AP exams. However, trustees voiced worries over the majority of that money funding AP exams for Hays High students.

According to the agenda packet, Hays High is expected to administer 1,137 AP exams in May, while Lehman will administer around 497. Hays CISD will spend $96,645 to administer exams for Hays High students, while $42,245 will be spent for Lehman High. “…When I look at these numbers there is such disparity and I want to know what we’re doing to get more students involved with that on this (Lehman) campus,” said trustee Will McManus at the April 15 workshop.

President Meredith Keller said it’s imperative the district try and close the gap between the new campuses. Keller proposed that the district might need to add counselors at Lehman in order to better understand the students and their families as a means to close the gap.

“The difference between the number of students who participate in the AP program at Lehman in comparison to Hays is larger than we’ve ever had it,” Keller said. “That gap is

“…When I look at these numbers there is such disparity and I want to know what we’re doing to get more students involved with that on this (Lehman) campus,” –Will McManus, Hays CISD board trustee

huge.”

But David Abdelmaseih, an AP U.S. History teacher at Lehman High, didn’t categorize the disparity as a crisis, and pointed to other factors that he felt contributed to the low numbers at Lehman.

Abdelmaseih said Lehman has historically had a higher number of disadvantaged socioeconomic students than at Hays, which could deter Lehman students from paying for the exams. It might not be a question of intellect, but financial ability.

In 2018, Hays CISD enacted a policy change that no longer required students taking AP courses to take AP exams. The change was done due to state and federal subsidy cuts to AP test funding, which had been used to pay for all students in AP courses to take the exam for free, the Hays Free Press reported.

Last year, students on the free and reduced lunch program paid $15 per exam, while students who were not part of that program paid $76 per test.

“If I know my family can’t afford these exams, I’m less likely to take them,” Abdelmaseih said.

“But we can certainly do a better job at informing students of the financial options on the table for them to take the exams.”

Additionally, HCISD stu-

dents have a diverse pool of options for higher level course work. Dual credit courses, for example, allow students to receive college credit and a challenging workload for less of a financial commitment.

Abdelmaseih said the campus’ staff would like to see more students enrolled in AP courses, but understands there are other implications that could deter a student from doing so.

“We have students who have to work after school jobs to help put food on the table,” Abdelmaseih said. “If I need a job to support my family, I can’t take the exams. And that’s a story that simply doesn’t get told.”

At the beginning of the school year, Lehman staff talked about how they could raise the number of students enrolled in AP courses. Regardless of outside circumstances, the goal is to still provide these students with that opportunity, Abdelmaseih said. “(AP) is an avenue that a student can take if they want to challenge themselves academically,” Abdelmaseih said. “We understand the benefit these courses are for a student. We aren’t looking at it as a comparison to the other schools, but how we can bring those numbers up for the sake of our students.”

Former HCISD admin hired as next HR officer

BY MOSES LEOS III

as director of Human A former Hays CISD Resources. educator and adminis“She untrator has been tabbed as derstands the next Chief Human Re- what it sources Officer in the distakes to trict. Marivel Sedillo, who find and had previously worked as hire the a teacher in Hays CISD for right peoSEDILLO 16 years, was named as ple to enthe Chief HR Officer April sure our students continue 22, filling a vacancy left to have an educational exafter the perience abrupt that is deparsecond“She understands ture of what it takes to find to-none,” former Wright HR said in a and hire the right officer people to ensure our stateJim Baker ment. in early students continue to “Her pasMarch. for have an educational sion Baker, students who had and staff experience that is been memsecond-to-none. hired bers is by the amazing Her passion for district and her students and staff in March leader2018, members is amazing ship is resigned impeccaand her leadership after an ble.” employee Sedillo is impeccable.” within most the disrecently trict filed served as –Eric Wright, Hays CISD Superintendent a coman area plaint executive based on the “culture, director in Pflugerville ISD, climate and management” responsible for providing of the HR department. support for principals, inDetails surrounding the cluding instructional leadresignation are still unership, school culture, data known. analysis and community Eric Wright, Hays CISD and family engagement.

Superintendent, said SePrior to her time in dillo brings “a broad base Pflugerville, Sedillo of experience at all levels worked in Manor ISD in of a school district. During an executive leadership her tenure within Hays capacity, overseeing huCISD, Sedillo was a teach- man resources and federal er, principal and worked programs.

From 2007 to 2014, Sedillo served as the inaugural principal at Camino Real Elementary in Kyle, which earned recognized status and three gold performance acknowledgements.

In 2006, Sedillo was the director of secondary staffing for Round Rock ISD. From 2001 to 2006, she served as Hays CISD’s director of human resources. Prior to that she was an assistant principal, educational diagnostician and a bilingual kindergarten and first grade teacher in Hays CISD. She began her career in education in 1994 as a bilingual special education teacher in Austin ISD. Sedillo said in a statement she is honored to be back in the district where she spent a majority of her career in education.

“Leaders in the education field often focus on managing expectations.

As a leader, I see my role to inspire others to go beyond expectations,” Sedillo said. “We have an amazing team of teachers and staff and I am grateful to be in a position to help support them in the critical work we do for our students.”

Sedillo holds two bachelor’s degrees from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). She has a master’s degree in special education from Texas State University and is planning to return to the University of Texas at Austin to complete her doctoral degree in educational leadership.

Writing Contest

Open to all Hays Consolidated Independent School District middle school students.

Students may submit an expository essay using ONE of the prompts below.

Essay prompts: 1. Write an expository essay discussing the

importance of water in your life, the community, the state, or the world today.

2. Write an expository essay that explores an issue

related to water conservation in the modern world.

Issues include: Natural resource conflicts, ocean pollution, overpopulation, climate change and recycling. *Submissions should be no more than 500 words

Prizes

. One winner from each middle school will receive a $100 Visa gift card.

. The grand-prize winner will receive a $500 Visa gift card.

. The winning essay will be published in the Hays Free Press.

Essays must be submitted to swwcwritingcontest@gmail.com by May 21, 2019 at 5 p.m.

Winners will be announced the week of May 27, 2019.

For more information please visit www.swwcwritingcontest.com or see your English/Language Arts teacher.

Thank You The Hays County Aggie Mom’s Club

thanks our sponsors for the generous donations to our scholarship fund.

San Marcos Veterinary Clinic Centex Materials Dynamic Systems, Inc. Texas Lehigh Cement Company Wallace Lundgren Chevrolet, Buick GMC, Inc.

! m e ’ Gig

Page 6

Community

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

“Dark sky tourism is a real phenomenon in the Hill Country, so protecting that night sky will protect that tourism. HOT funds are used to reinvest tourism, and that’s how we are making a case for this to pass.”

Dark skies bill moves forward in legislature

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO International Dark Sky communities are one step closer to using Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) dollars for infrastructure meant to reduce light pollution.

House Bill (HB) 4158, authored by State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood), would give Dark Sky communities more flexibility to reinvest in tourism efforts. The bill was unanimously voted out of committee and could soon be placed on the calendar for a vote in the Texas House.

If passed, the bill would directly affect Wimberley and Dripping Springs in

Hays County, as well as Horseshoe Bend, located near Marble Falls; all three municipalities have been named as Dark Sky communities within the last few years.

“Dark sky tourism is a real phenomenon in the Hill Country, so protecting that night sky will protect that tourism,” Zwiener said. “HOT funds are used to reinvest in tourism, and that’s how we are making a case for this to pass.”

The bill is specifically tailored to allow these municipalities to use HOT funds for lighting infrastructure that allows residents to view the cosmos above. In city’s such as

Ten things to do in the garden in May 1. Plant flowers: This is a perfect time for flowering annuals and perennials. Begonias, zinnias, marigolds, moss-roses, purslanes and vinca are all good choices. Perennials might include lantanas, salvias, and verbenas.

2. Vegetable garden care: Water deeply to encourage a deep, drought-tolerant root system. Still time to add a few warm season crops: sweet and hot peppers, green beans, okra, eggplant, and black-eyed peas. Fertilize tomatoes.

3. Mulch: Place around all plants to conserve water and keep the temperature around the plant roots comfortable.

Mixing some compost with the mulch will help replace nutrients as the plants grow.

4. Care of roses: Dead-head spring flowering roses to encourage a new flush of flowers.

Apply fertilizer to produce new flowers. Watch for powdery mildew, black spot and western flower thrip. Treat with organic sprays: Neem oil and wettable-sulphur.

5. Move houseplants outside: Put them out for a spring breather. Move them slowly towards their new light exposure.

Too much sun too fast will burn the leaves. This is also a good time for transplanting.

6. Insect control: All this new spring growth is attractive to every kind

Ask Chris

by Chris Winslow

of critter imaginable. Be nice to the environment (and to yourself) and only use organic sprays.

If you have larvae (caterpillars) eating holes in your plants and trees, look for products that have B.T. as the main ingredient. If sucking insects like aphids, spider mites, whitefly, scale, and mealy bug are the problem, use Neem oil or Spinosad.

7. Maintain irrigation: If you own an automatic sprinkler system, it would save water and money to have it tuned up. Set the controller for deep, infrequent watering to encourage a deep, drought-resistant root system. Install rain sensor.

8. Fertilize lawn: Use an organic blend with a 3-1-2 ratio. Ten pounds per 1,000 square feet of turf area should be adequate.

9. Feed the birds: With lots of new birds in the area, keep those feeders full.

10. Grow basil: The top herb for the summer months is basil.

With the nights getting warmer, this wonderful herb should finally have the temperatures it needs to take off. Happy Gardening Everyone!

Dripping Springs, this includes special lights with hoods that hinder light pollution to the stars.

Dripping Springs City Administrator Michelle Fischer said the use of HOT funds is deliberately “narrow” in scope and must prove the dollars are utilized for tourism.

HOT is the rate charged by hotel and motel owners to guests who rent a room. The state charges

–Erin Zwiener, State Rep. Dist. 45

a 6% HOT rate for rooms costing $15 or more per night. Local jurisdictions can also levy a HOT rate.

Dripping Springs, Kyle and Buda each charge a 7% HOT rate, while Wimberley does not currently collect the additional tax.

“It’s not a bill Dripping Springs requested to be filed, but we certainly could benefit from it,” Fischer said. “We’d have to figure out ways this

could have an impact on tourism and attracting people, so it’s very narrow.”

Because of its international dark sky designation, western Hays County has become a hub for astro-tourism, bringing visitors from afar to document, study and photograph the night sky.

Zwiener said she believes this niche tourism market needs to be

That darned cat...

Red and yellow, black, brown, white – they are precious in His sight.

The colors of the wild birds spending time in Mountain City could fill a large crayon box.

Notable was Laura Craig’s sighting on April 22. She wrote on the Facebook of Birds of Texas, “It’s going to be a good day when it starts with seeing a lifer! A black and white Warbler crawled down my tree trunk to the fountain, got a quick drink and bath and took off. Too fast for a picture, but not my binoculars.”

On that day, I saw an Indigo Bunting along with the Painted Buntings that arrived a few days earlier.

The black, white and yellow Lesser Goldfinch still flock to our Wagner thistle.

(Laura told me years ago … no other brand works as well.) And, they’re bathing in the bird bath.

Flocks of Cedar Waxwings were in Mountain City as recent as last week.

The beautiful red berries of the non-native nandina bush kill Cedar Waxwings.

They’re toxic, but most birds do not eat enough to die. Cedar Waxwings, on the other hand, gorge on berries. If you have nandina, snip the berries to prevent waxwing poisonings.

For weeks, a beautiful red Summer Tanager has spent each day singing outside our kitchen window, often on our bird bath. He frequently gently pecks on our window. He woke my sister at 7 a.m. when she stayed with us last week. In all this time, I’ve seen not one female. Lonely must be frustrating.

To me, felines trespassing

Saturday, May 4th, 10am-4pm

Mt. City Montage

by Pauline Tom

on our Certified Wildlife Habitat bring frustration.

You might have read another columnist’s comments on feral cats a few weeks ago with mention of the “BirdBeSafe” bright-colored ruffled collar that goes over a break-away collar.

I invested in both collars with plans to trap trespassers and snap on a BirdBeSafe. On Easter afternoon,

with a gray cat trapped, I donned my heaviest winter coat and rose pruning gloves and secured RonTom’s help. While I held the squirming, squealing cat, RonTom did not get to the collar before the angry cat gyrated and bit through the rose pruning gloves. Oops.

While washing the wound with hot, soapy water, I started making phone calls and checking online.

I learned cat bites have high likelihood of leading to serious infection. Sure enough, when my primary care physician returned my call, she told me to get to the emergency room ASAP

protected, which was one of her main motives for filing the bill. Next, the freshman lawmaker said she will try to have someone in the Senate sponsor the bill.

“You can’t spend those (HOT) funds on just anything, but this bill could support night sky events,” Fischer said. “We support it, and if it passes, will look at potential ways to utilize it.”

for antibiotics.

After a consultation with the ER doctor where we determined the neighbor who feeds the feral cat could watch for signs of rabies, I escaped that series of shots and left with the antibiotic prescription.

When I looked for the cat’s owner, I posted on the “Mountain City Only” option on NextDoor.com.

NextDoor has the option to post only to Mountain City or to all nearby neighborhoods or to specific neighborhoods.

Please send tidbits by email (ptom5678@gmail. com with subject: TIDBIT.

Buda, Texas – EST. 2015 –

4

TH

ANNIVERSARY SALEBRATION SAMPLE & SAVE SATURDAY, MAY 4TH Sundry Liquor, Beer & Wine Tastings with Complimentary Food Pairings

10% Off All Alcohol Next to the Buda Fire Dept. at FM 967 & FM 1626 • 512-361-0152

WWW.PROOFLIQUORANDDELI.COM Locally owned & operated

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Page 7

OBITUARIES ANDERSON Regina Abbott Anderson, 69, of Niederwald, Texas, died April 25, 2019 at her home after a brief illness.

Regina was born March 10, 1950 in Des Moines, Iowa. She moved to Omaha, Nebraska, then in 1965 to Galveston. To the envy of her friends, Anderson lived in the Historic Galvez Hotel where her father was the manager. She loved the Texas coast, the beach, fishing, swimming and all things Galveston.

She graduated from Ball High School and married Robert Anderson in 1970.

They moved to Austin in 1976. An insurance wizard, Anderson worked for the Independent Agents Association in Austin for more than 28 years. Anderson’s dream to return to the country was realized 15 years ago when she purchased Windy Hill Farm in Niederwald.

Anderson embraced all aspects of her new rural life, particularly the care of her many cats, dogs, chickens, goats and animals, including her beloved horses. She was a cofounder of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society in 2005 and served as a director for five years, and continued her dedication and support for the organization’s mission to rescue, foster and place horses in need.

Anderson is survived by her daughter Courtney Anderson of Niederwald, Courtney’s father Robert Anderson of Marble Falls, her brother Greg Abbott of San Antonio, cousins Mary Ann

Newton of Winterset, Iowa, and Donna Devine of Denver, Colorado, many loving friends, and her menagerie of cherished animals at Windy Hill.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Art and Freda Abbott.

There will be a visitation at Weed Corley Fish, 2620 South Congress on Saturday, May 4 from 3 p.m. with funeral services to begin at 4 p.m.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, P.O. Box 632, College Station, Texas 77841-0632.

ARDREY Lonnie Kirk Ardrey, 59, died Saturday evening, April 20, 2019.

Ardrey was born March 24, 1960, to Milt and Mary Ellen Ardrey of Slaton, Texas. A very talented man, he was known for his skill at sports, his infectious laugh, charming smile, sparkling eyes and entrepreneurship in business.

As a young boy, Ardrey was highly active in all sports available to him all year around. He played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, almost always coached by his dad, and made the All-Star roster every year. In high school, he lettered in football each year, making All-District and All-Area teams his junior and senior year.

Ardrey would also go on to coach his own sons in youth baseball and football teams.

Land conservation and responsible hunting were

Buda, Texas • 15300 S. IH-35 • 312-1615

Debbie Thames, Agent

251 N. FM 1626, Bldg. 2, Ste. C, Buda, Texas 78610 312-1917

BUDA

DRUG STORE

203 Railroad Street Downtown Buda Pharmacy 312-2111 Fountain 312-2172

Your Hometown McDonald’s

McDonald’s of Buda

15359 IH-35, Ste. B P.O. Box 1364, Buda, TX 78610 512-312-2383 Locally owned and operated

by Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson

Rosebrock

Veterinary Clinic 2325 FM 967 • 312-0701

Texas Crossword Solution

the caveat of his teachings and he shared these values and experiences with regular hunting and fishing trips with his family, friends and employees.

Ardrey is survived by his children Milton of Austin, Colby of San Diego, and Claire of Buda, his brother Dan and sister-in-law Tracy Ardrey, and nephews Hunter and Tanner Ardrey of Elbert, CO, sister Darla Adams and brother-in-law Steve Adams, and nephews Stetson, Dillon and Austin Jack Adams of Slaton, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents Milt Ardrey in 2006 and Mary Ellen Ardrey in 2010.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the ASPCA, Schnauzer Rescue of Texas or Little League club of your choice.

CABALLERO Rolando Cerda Caballero, 53, was called to heaven on April 21, 2019.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends.

He was born on Dec. 15, 1965, in Carrizo Springs to Jesus and Concepcion Caballero. He graduated from Crystal City High School and was a proud member of “La Banda de los Javalines.” His passion for music led him to a career as a professional musician. He performed with several Tejano bands, but his greatest joy was when he praised the Lord as a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church men’s choir

1100 Main Street • Buda, Texas 78610 Office: 512-312-2520 • Fax: 512-295-2034 • santacruzcc.org Rev. David Leibham, Pastor • Rev. Amado Ramos, Assoc. Pastor CONFESSION Saturdays: 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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

Sunday 8:30 a.m. (Spanish), 11 a.m. (English) 5 p.m. (English)

AGENT

Debbie Thames Insurance Debbie Thames Insurance Agency Agency

AUTO • HOME LIFE •• HEALTH BOAT • HEALTH AUTO • HOME • LIFE ••BOAT 251FM N.1626 FM #2C 1626 #2C TX • Buda, 251 N. • Buda, 78610 TX 78610 Office: (512) (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 Office: 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 Email: dvthames@austin.rr.com Email: dvthames@austin.rr.com Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated

For all the latest news in Hays County, go to .com

Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

CHURCH OF CHRIST

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Faith Assembly of God 1030 Main St., Buda

Buda-Kyle Church of Christ 3.5 miles south of Buda on FM 2770

Monte del Olivar Christian Center 2400 FM 150 E., Kyle

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 Sledge Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 709 Sewell, Kyle Southeast Baptist Church 5020 Turnersville Rd., Creedmoor Manchaca Baptist Church Lowden Lane & FM 1626

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

Antioch Community Church Old Black Colony Rd., Buda Completed & Perfected Faith Church Tobias Elementary Cafeteria, FM 150, Kyle Kingdom United Christian Church 100 Madison Way, Buda Mission Fellowship Church 200 San Marcos Street, Buda New Covenant Community Church 1019 Main Street, Buda (in Dance Unlimited) Vertical Chapel 5700 Dacy Lane (McCormick M.S.), Buda

Living Word Lutheran ELCA 2315 FM 967, Buda Redeeming Grace Lutheran LCMS FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

Fellowship Church at Plum Creek 160 Grace Street at 2770, Kyle

Resurrection Church, CLBA 401 FM 967, Buda

Word of Life Christian Faith Center 118 Trademark Drive, Buda

The Well Buda

Por Tu Gracia Fellowship 701 Roland Lane, Kyle

CATHOLIC

METHODIST

Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1100 Main Street, Buda

Buda United Methodist Church San Marcos & Elm St., Buda

Trinity United Chuch of Niederwald 13700 Camino Real, Hwy. 21, Niederwald

Center Union Baptist Church Goforth Rd., Buda Primera Mision Bautista Mexicana Kyle Baptist Church of Driftwood 13540 FM 150 W.

Mision de Casa de Oracion S. Hwy. 81, Kyle

Journey United Methodist 4301 Benner Rd, Kyle, Tx

New Life Sanctuary Kyle Science Hall Elementary 1510 Bebee Rd.

CHRISTIAN

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 7206 Creedmoor Rd., Creedmoor

New Life Christian Church 2315 FM 967, Buda

Manchaca United Methodist Church FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd., Manchaca

St. John’s Presbyterian Church 12420 Hewitt Ln., Manchaca

Iglesia Israelita Casa de Dios 816 Green Pastures Dr., Kyle

Driftwood United Methodist Church RR 150 at County Road 170

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

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.

Rev. Lisa Straus Office 295-6981 • www.BudaUMC.org

CENTEX MATERIALS LLC FM 2770, Buda, Texas 295-4801

Pure Texas

Spring Water!

Privately owned From local springs

FREE DELIVERY 1ST 20 GAL. FREE Friendly, Courteous Service

Call 1-866-691-2369

Sudoku Solution

PENTECOSTAL

Kyle United Methodist Church Sledge & Lockhart St., Kyle

Buda United Methodist Church

TEXAS LEHIGH CEMENT CO. LP

The Connection Church 1235 S. Loop 4, Buda

A Fountain of Life Church 302 Millenium Dr. Kyle

Immanuel Baptist Church 4000 E. FM 150, 4 miles east of Kyle

St. Michael’s Catholic Church S. Old Spanish Trail, Uhland

Santa Cruz Catholic Church

DEBBIE THAMES

Come worship with us

St. Anthony Marie Claret Church 801 N. Burleson, Kyle

Texas Crossword, from page 8

in Crystal City and the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Spanish choir in Kyle. He was blessed with a beautiful voice and loved to sing at family gatherings to his family and friends.

He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He married his childhood sweetheart, Arlene, with whom he share 25 glorious years of marriage.

He was devoted to his family, and anyone who met him loved him. He saw his many nieces and nephews as his own children, and they brought him so much joy. His happiest times were spent traveling with his family. He touched many lives, and will live on in their hearts and memories.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus Caballero, Sr. and Concepcion Cerda Caballero; mother-in-law, Guadalupe S. Benavidez; brother, Joel Caballero and brother-in-law, Elias Benavidez, III. He is survived by his wife, Arlene B. Caballero, his daughters, Aliyah M. Caballero and Byanka A. Sendejo; son-in-law, Enrique Sendejo, Jr.; his best friend (nephew/ grandson), Matthew Jay Benavidez, Jr; sister, Nicolasa Trejo (Carlos); brothers, Jesus Caballero, Jr. (Diane), Jaime Caballero (Mary), and Gustavo Caballero (Rose); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was held April 27 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kyle.

Please visit www.Harrellfuneralhomes.com to share a fond memory, photograph, or condolence with Rolando’s family.

PRESBYTERIAN

Sudoku Puzzle, from page 8

Hays Hills Baptist Church

Contemporary Sunday worship 10:45 a.m.

401 FM 967, Buda, TX

9:30 a.m. Classic Service 10:45 a.m. Contemporary service Adult (including an 8:30 a.m. early bird class), teen, children’s classes * Children’s worship Professionally-staffed nursery & pre-school

www.hayshills.org 1401 N. FM 1626

Christ-centered, Bible believing, friendly.

A place to ask questions… and find some answers.

Come grow with us!

RESURRECTIONBUDA.ORG

First Baptist Church

A loving & caring Southern Baptist Church 104 S. San Marcos Street, Buda Buddy Johnson, Pastor • 295-2161 Sunday School...........................................9:30 a.m.

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

Wednesday Bible Study/Youth Activities...6:00 p.m.

AWANA’s (Wednesday)..........................6:00 p.m.

Nursery Provided www.firstbaptistbuda.com • fbcbuda@austin.rr.com

Like us on Facebook

Hays Free Press Providing you with your most important local news for Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities

Page 8

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Buda EDC: Discrimination claims levied against city Continued from pg. 1

CONTRACT TUG-OF-WAR Hyde contested an increase in Miller’s salary in a 2017 contract extension, saying city council did not approve it. Buda “will need to reconcile this issue” before it can “reasonably rely on any amount approved by the board” to pay more than $110,000 as an annual salary, Hyde said.

Miller replied the Texas Workforce Commission had identified her as a governmental employee and that a copy of her amended contract was submitted to former

Buda Human Resources Director Kristin Williams when it was signed Sept.

16, 2017. City Manager Kenneth Williams, Buda Finance Director June Ellis and Kristin Williams all signed off on the increase to $115,000 in October 2017 on Buda letterhead with Miller’s name listed under “Employee Name.”

All rules pertaining to Buda employees regarding vacation and sick leave apply to Miller, according to her contract. She is also entitled to compensation for the “performance of all services,” including devoting “such additional time as is necessary for the full and proper performance.”

Miller Tuesday questioned why there was “no special meeting” for two male Buda employees whose tenures had ended earlier in the week and payment of their comp time.

Vacation and comp time payments were also made to Warren Ketterman, former Buda EDC Executive Director, when he left office, Miller said.

Hyde said Miller “incorrectly asserted” she was a city employee. Hyde said a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) calls for the EDC to pay Buda $3,600 to take care of its payroll, which “she is trying to turn into an employment relationship” when her contract with the EDC board “specifically says otherwise.”

However, in a section entitled City Obligations, the MOU also states the city shall “administer the compensation package for the Director of Economic Development and staff employed by the Corporation.”

CITY FIGHTS BACK Buda City Manger Kenneth Williams said the resolution was meant to address things that were “misrepresented” and the council wanted to “get it straight.”

Hyde said issues the city had, including an investigation conducted

by Sheila Gladstone about the alleged discrimination, were listed in the resolution.

Among a litany of issues, the resolution alleged the EDC board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act at its Dec. 5, 2018 meeting by not list-

ing discussion of personnel matters, and alleged the notice for the April 15 meeting when EDC employees were released from their contracts was not posted 72 hours prior to the meeting, per state law.

On the Buda EDC website, the Dec. 5, 2018 agenda showed personnel matters discussed during executive session.

In an April 12 email to Montoya, Miller and Akers, Buda EDC employee Mandy Shaw said an email containing the April 15 meeting agenda to go on the city’s electric board outside the main door of city hall bounced back around 2 p.m. that Friday.

Shaw said she had never had issues posting EDC agendas to that electric board.

Shaw said she taped the agenda on the window of the EDC lobby, per instructions from Miller, as well as placed it on the city’s bulletin board around 3:13 p.m. Per the Texas OMA, he EDC had to place its notice by 5:30 p.m. Friday for a Monday meeting.

Shaw said “it was a failure on the city’s part

to post the Electronic Board, not my part.” That included being told by a Buda employee that City Secretary Alicia Ramirez was informed the EDC agenda needed to be posted to the electric board by 4 p.m., which never took place.

CITY TAKEOVER? Buda Mayor George Haehn said the EDC’s resolution to release employee contracts “was not needed.” Haehn took issue with accusations that city leaders planned to change EDC bylaws to “take control of the EDC board in order to divert, read ‘misuse,’ funds from the EDC for city CIP projects.”

A March 26 draft of the city council’s recommended bylaw changes for the EDC included allowing the board to move unencumbered, or unused, EDC cash reserves to fund capital projects. Buda city leaders Tuesday chose to strike that language from the bylaws.

City leaders opted to refer other bylaw changes, including requirement that the city council

Fatal Wreck: Buda man arrested

approve all programs and expenditures of the EDC, review financial statements, as well as have access to the EDC’s books and records, to the new EDC board for approval.

“People have the right to question my actions and policy,” Haehn said.

“Anyone who does can run against me in the next election.”

“It’s unfortunate really.

This is not what I signed up for. It’s just sad that it had to come to this point, because nobody is served by these actions we had to take,” Montoya said.

ENTERTAINMENT

3200 Kyle Crossing (512) 523 9012 Experience it in

EVX

ENHANCED VIEWING EXPERIENCE

For all showtimes and listings, please check our website or call showline!

THE

da’s HR department pay all three EDC employees for hours worked through the pay period ending May 3, as well as any accrued vacation and compensatory time, in accordance with the Buda employee handbook, which the EDC recognizes.

Hyde fought payment of Miller’s comp time, saying she appeared “to be legally prohibited from accruing” comp time as such accrual is reserved for “government employees only, not nonprofit corporation employees.”

SPOT

1180 Thorpe Lane (512) 210 8600

Continued from pg. 1

Cinema Eatery & Social Haus

Kyle Police Jeff Barnett said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Windy Hill Drive and the northbound Interstate 35 access road in Kyle.

According to the release, a Honda sedan with five occupants was hit by a Dodge

pickup truck.

The driver of the truck, later identified as Hernandez, fled the scene on foot after the wreck, but he was “quickly located” and apprehended by Hays County Sheriff’s deputies.

Two passengers in the sedan, a 16-year-old

Free Press editor named Photographer of the Year

female and an 18-year-old female, were pronounced dead at the scene by Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith. Both victims were wearing seat belts at the time of the incident, according to the release.

Three other occupants

were transported to an area hospital with unknown injuries. All occupants of the sedan were from “out of town,” according to the release. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or other occupants in the sedan at this time.

Kyle Police closed the eastbound lanes of Windy Hill Road at the I-35 access road for several hours to investigate the wreck.

Anyone who might have information related to this incident is asked to call Kyle Police at (512) 2683232.

Texas Crossword and Sudoku sponsored by

$5 Tuesday Frenzy

1250 WONDER WORLD DR.

(512) 805 8005 EVO-ENTERTAINMENT.COM Films. Lanes. Games.

Sudoku

STAFF REPORT Barton Publications, Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch Editor Moses Leos III was named Photographer of the Year by the South Texas Press Association.

In addition, he was also asked to join the board of directors for the association, and will rotate on a three-year term with the organization.

In the judging for the Photographer of the Year, the judge commeded, saying about the entry, “Excellent overall package of photos. Very creative, and the fire photo sets this entry apart. Very colorful.”

Leos has served as editor of the Hays Free Press for several years, following his stint with the newspaper as sports editor and sports reporter.

PHOTO BY CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON Moses Leos III proudly shows off his Photographer of the Year award presented to him by the South Texas Press Association.

Texas Lehigh Cement Co., LP

See Solution on 7

He directs news gathering and also writes for both the Hays Free Press and the News-Dispatch.

Be Your Own Boss Choose Your Own Routes!

Looking for CDL drivers to deliver new trucks all over the country, starting in Laredo, TX. Experience preferred. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in last 10 years, clean MVR.

Apply Online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023

Bingo

Sundays at 2 p.m.

Great Fun Great Food $100 Minimum Game Prize $500 Progressive Jackpot

Santa Cruz Catholic Church,

Parish Activity Center

1100 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610 Texas Bingo License No. 17424803181

See Solution on 7

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Business

Beer-to-go? Maybe so

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Craft beer enthusiasts took a narrow victory last week when the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow to-go sales of alcohol directly from breweries.

House Bill (HB) 672, authored by State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) and State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway, also known as the “Beerto-Go bill,” would allow consumers to buy 576 ounces, roughly two cases, of beer per day from small brewers.

HB 62 also encompassed a historic agreement between the Texas Craft Brewers Guild and the Beer Alliance of Texas. If the bill is approved, Texas would join 49 other states in the U.S. that allow beer-to-go sales from breweries.

“Allowing beer-to-go sales is a common-sense issue that both Republicans and Democrats agree on because it’s good for small business and has come to be expected by consumers,” Rodriguez said in a press release.

If passed, the bill would put breweries of all sizes on a level playing field with wineries and distilleries, which are allowed to sell their products on site. Current rules prohibit breweries from selling suds to go.

“To me, there is no logical position for that … can you argue that this is actually out to protect people, or to hinder the craft beer business,” said John McIntosh, co-owner of Acopon Brewing in Dripping Springs. “Brew-

3 Page 9

A group of concerned citizens have joined together to endorse two candidates for Hays CISD School Board

Mark Summers and Frank Juárez, Jr. for Hays This election effort is called Take Back Hays and is designed to get the attention of the Hays CISD community, businesses owners, property owners and those affected by the success of the school system to be part of the solution to hold our school board accountable and to raise the bar for student achievement. Those endorsing the candidates are:

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

House Bill (HB) 672 would allow consumers to buy 576 ounces, roughly two cases, of beer per day from small brewers.

eries don’t get that right, and it’s a rather odd part of the law.”

Not all breweries are treated the same Should HB 672 become law, beer-to-go sales would be allowed for businesses that have a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) permit to operate as a brewery.

Current TABC rules prohibit breweries that produce up to 225,000 barrels annually from selling beer-to-go to consumers.

Businesses with a brewpub permit have been able to sell beerto-go in the past in the form of kegs, growlers and cans. Brewpubs, per TABC rules, cannot exceed production beyond 10,000 licensed barrels per year.

“Brewpubs are more focused on selling out of a retail establishment, while breweries typically focus on distribution,”

McIntosh said. “However, a lot of breweries also have taprooms, so no matter the size, ideally you’d be able to sell your product to-go.”

Although a brewpub license made sense for their business, McIntosh argued that the difference licenses could hinder a small business’ ability to grow.

“Think of Founders Day and Songwriters Festival here in Dripping that allow us to make great money because of our togo sales,” McIntosh said.

“If we were in a position to grow and this bill doesn’t pass, it wouldn’t make sense to change our license. That revenue stream is just so important to what we do.”

HB 672 will be heard in the Texas Senate in the next week. If approved by the Senate, the bill could make its way to the Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for a final decision.

year and received a “C.” Is this the bar that the incumbents have set?

An open records request filed with the district revealed that since Ms. Keller was elected President of the School Board in June 2015, the district has had 65 administrators leave our district. This includes two superintendents, four assistant superintendents, 21 directors and coordinators directly related to instruction, Sandra Tenorio, former School Board Member the chief academic ofTim Brace, former School Board Member ficer, the chief human Melissa Enrique, former School Board Member resources director, David Wiley, former School Board Member the chief operations Holly Raymond, former School Board Member officer, the chief Laurie Cromwell, former School Board Member financial officer, three Joe Munoz, former School Board Member executive directors, Rosalio Tobias, former School Board Member the special educaRobert Limon, former School Board Member tion coordinator, the Wally Rudzinski, former School Board Member assistant director for Mike McKie, former Superintendent 2013-2017 transportation, three Jeremy Lyon, former Superintendent 2009-2013 athletic coordinators, 13 assistant princiThe incumbents in this race, are pals, and 13 principals. Employee involved in the day-to-day operaturnover directly impacts instruction tions and micromanaging the district that directly impacts the students which creates dysfunction and outof Hays CISD. Qualified and sought side of their role. When school board after administrators look for strong members interfere or take on the leadership and sustainable work enviresponsibility of the superintendent, ronments. Unfortunately, Hays CISD student achievement is affected. Hays cannot offer that educational climate CISD was graded by the state last with this track record.

HAYS CISD ELECTION • SATURDAY MAY 4 Political ad paid for by Mark Summers

Kinder Morgan in Hays County Kinder Morgan currently operates 13.6 miles of the Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline (KMTP) and the Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline through Hays County. These pipeline systems have operated safely in the area for several decades.

As part of the Permian Highway Pipeline Project, Kinder Morgan is proposing to build 31.5 miles of new natural gas pipeline in Hays County.

This new pipeline will be fully buried underground and the land above it will be restored after it has been installed. Once it has been completed, the new pipeline will generate approximately $1.6 Million annually in additional tax revenue in the county.

This photo shows an existing pipeline right-of-way in Hays County.

To learn more, go to www.PHPproject.com

Page 10

Paying for college 101:

Here are 5 ways to reduce the cost

A

ccording to a 2015 Gallup survey, 73% of parents with children under the age of 18 worry about paying for college more than any other financial issue. And those worries are only increasing. From 1985 to 2015, inflation-adjusted wages essentially remained flat, while the cost of attending a public, four-year university more than tripled.

So how can the average, middle-class family afford to send their children to college? It isn’t easy; however, there are a number of ways to reduce the high cost of college and minimize the financial impact it has on your lifestyle and future: 1. Stay in-state – According to the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2017, the average 2017­–18 annual cost of tuition, fees, and room and board for a four-year, in-state, public university was $20,770. For an out-of-state student, that figure jumped to $36,420. You can cut your costs almost in half by selecting an in-state option.

2. Max out financial aid

ommend making sure your children have some skin in Financial the game and contribute a Focus portion as well.

5. Think outside the

by Zachary box – If you work with a Barton financial professional, you may discover lots of – Be sure to investigate all creative ways to help pay your options, starting with for college. For example: free sources of funding such Did you know that you as scholarships, endowcan borrow* against the ments and grants. Once cash value of a whole life those are exhausted, your insurance policy—and that next step may be to consid- this money does not count er low-cost student loans. against you when filing for 3. Attend a community financial aid? college – If money is an isGiven the fact that high sue, have your child attend school graduates earn a local two-year communi- about 67% of what college ty college for a year or two, graduates earn, there is then transfer to a four-year little doubt that a college university to finish up his or degree can make a big her degree. Most state unidifference in your child’s versities accept community future. And, with the right college credit hours, and preparation and guidance, acceptance is sometimes you shouldn’t have to jeopeasier than it is for students ardize your future to do it. who apply while in high school.

This educational, 4. Share the load – While third-party article is providyou may believe it is your ed as a courtesy from New responsibility to pick up York Life to Zachary Barton, the entire tab, there is no Barton Financial Group, shame in asking grandpar- LLC. Barton Financial ents and other relatives to Group, LLC is not owned or help with the cost. Also, operated by New York Life or many financial experts rec- its affiliates.

CJ Task Force: Trying to streamline Continued from pg. 1

enforcement departments, the court system and other related criminal justice departments make up the commission as well.

While there is no formal deadline for the task force to identify methods of reform, Villalobos said the task force members have already begun making recommendations and taking steps toward a more efficient criminal justice system.

“It is a long process as we have several goals,” Villalobos said. “But we’re wanting the commission to work at a results-oriented pace.”

The commission is working off of two reviews, including a $200,000 professional assessment conducted by the county nearly 10 years ago. Members of the commission are also taking in a newer assessment developed by Villalobos.

According to the assessments, prisoners cost

the county an estimated $160 per day, adding up to $14,000 a day to run county jail and prison operations.

In the last four years, the overwhelming reason for arrests and detainment in the county was possession of marijuana.

Enforcement of cite-andrelease policies, which are already in place in Hays County, is a way for the county to save money and speed up the justice process, Villalobos said.

Cite-and-release for small amounts of marijuana would still allow offenders to be judicially processed, but the county would save thousands daily by not housing offenders in the Hays County Jail.

“Our officers are not using cite-and-release,” Villalobos said. “We have maybe two instances recorded per year, so we’re looking into why our officers aren’t using this.”

Cite-and-release is just one of several processes under review. Shell said the commission is looking at lowering the county’s rate of recidivism.

“Several services need more funding and people,” Shell said.

Improving counseling and rehabilitation services will save the county time and money down the road, officials said.

One of the county’s first steps will be to present a grant to Hays County Commissioners that would provide financial relief for indigent legal services.

The grant, if approved and received, would provide 80% of funding for public defenders for those who cannot afford an attorney. The amount covered by the grant would decrease over three to four years until the county can cover the cost of more attorneys on its own.

We have been Certi-pied!

Come by and get your free Smile Survival Kit! Dr. Steve Howard and Associates

512-268-4200

CapstoneDentalKyle.com 809 W. Center St., Kyle

C apstone D ental Family Dental Care

Mon-Thurs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Se habla español

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between April 22 and April 28, 2019.

Injury to child/elderly/disabled................................3 Civil Matter............................................................18 Information..............................................................6 Compliance Check................................................13 Property - lost/found/imp........................................7 Sex offender registry...............................................1 Alarm - business....................................................48 Alarm - residential.................................................34 Alarm - panic...........................................................1 Animal call...........................................................114 Loose livestock......................................................13 Field euthanasia......................................................1 Assault - aggravated...............................................1 Assault...................................................................14 Sexual assault.........................................................3 Assist EMS............................................................15 Assist Fire Department............................................8 Assist outside agency...........................................18 Burglary - building...................................................4 Burglary - habitation................................................5 Burglary - vehicle.....................................................3 Criminal mischief.....................................................9 Reckless damage....................................................3 Death investigation..................................................2 Environmental crime................................................2 Illegal dumping........................................................1 Disorderly conduct..................................................6 Disturbance - noise...............................................24 Disturbance - physical fight....................................8 Disturbance - verbal..............................................28 Child custody..........................................................8 Violation of order.....................................................1 Controlled substance..............................................3 MIP - alcohol...........................................................1 MIP - tobacco..........................................................1 Narcotics information..............................................7 Public Intoxication...................................................3 Fraud.......................................................................6 Harassment...........................................................13 Threat......................................................................8 Indecent exposure...................................................2 Mental health follow up...........................................7 Mental health investigation......................................6 Mental health transport...........................................2 Canine search..........................................................2 Canine training........................................................1 Drone deployment...................................................1 Violation city ordinance...........................................1

Lost person.............................................................1 Missing person........................................................2 Runaway..................................................................3 Public assist..........................................................23 Community contact.................................................2 Disabled vehicle....................................................21 Close patrol...........................................................78 Foot patrol...............................................................5 Parental discipline assist.........................................8 Flagged down..........................................................3 Unsecured/open building........................................1 Welfare concern....................................................28 Robbery...................................................................1 Suicidal person........................................................7 Investigation............................................................7 Supplement...........................................................38 Suspicious circumstances....................................23 Suspicious person.................................................10 Suspicious vehicle.................................................52 Wanted person......................................................14 Identity theft............................................................3 Theft......................................................................19 Accident - fleet........................................................1 Recovered stolen vehicle........................................1 Unauthorized use of vehicle....................................1 Accident - minor....................................................31 Accident - hit and run..............................................7 Accident - major injury..........................................13 Accident - unknown................................................5 Abandoned/stored vehicle....................................11 Directed/area enforcement......................................5 Traffic control/direction............................................3 Traffic hazard.........................................................32 Attempt to locate...................................................65 Parking enforcement...............................................7 Traffic stop...........................................................321 Solicitors..................................................................1 Trespassing/unwanted............................................5 911 abandoned/open..........................................180 911 hang up............................................................1 911 misdial..............................................................1 Deadly conduct.......................................................1 Discharged firearm..................................................5 Falls.........................................................................1 Illegal hunting/poaching..........................................1 Private tow/repo....................................................10 Citizen assist/service call........................................1

The following is a list of highlighted calls made to law enforcement agencies in Hays County between April 22 and April 28, 2019.

Agency Activity BPD Inj to Child/Eld/Disabled HCSO Assault HCSO Sexual Assault HCSO Burglary - Building HCSO Burglary - Building HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO MIP - Alcohol BPD Indecent Exposure HCSO Mental Health Invest HCSO Mental Health Transport HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Inj to Child/Eld/Disabled HCSO Assault BPD Indecent Exposure HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Assault HCSO Assault HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight BPD Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Assault - Aggravated HCSO Assault BPD Burglary - Habitation HCSO Burglary - Habitation HCSO Death Investigation HCSO Death Investigation BPD Accident - Major/Injury BPD Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Deadly Conduct BPD Assault HCSO Assault HCSO Assault HCSO Sexual Assault HCSO Burglary - Building HCSO Burglary - Building HCSO Burglary - Habitation HCSO Burglary - Habitation HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Controlled Substance HCSO Suicidal Person BPD Accident - Major/Injury BPD Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Alarm - Panic HCSO Assault HCSO Assault HCSO Assault HCSO Burglary - Habitation HCSO Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Reckless Damage HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight BPD Robbery HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Suicidal Person BPD Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Illegal Hunting/Poaching HCSO Assault HCSO Burglary - Vehicle

Date 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/22/2019 04/23/2019 04/23/2019 04/23/2019 04/23/2019 04/23/2019 04/24/2019 04/24/2019 04/24/2019 04/24/2019 04/24/2019 04/24/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/26/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/25/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/26/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/28/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/28/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/27/2019 04/28/2019 04/28/2019

Time 17:19:30 14:52:11 9:25:22 8:33:41 9:05:01 18:16:46 18:20:00 23:07:08 14:47:03 17:00:54 21:57:49 17:49:52 11:14:05 13:44:43 15:48:45 13:24:55 20:10:54 14:06:13 10:42:15 19:31:23 17:10:17 12:27:36 8:45:10 9:26:59 19:35:18 23:51:09 13:53:28 18:46:56 9:31:48 8:57:16 17:56:53 16:23:06 9:02:47 23:00:15 7:32:18 2:59:04 15:14:41 19:32:50 12:36:56 11:46:10 8:49:31 13:51:48 11:06:08 9:30:14 21:41:26 18:04:09 22:55:39 9:13:15 9:11:04 16:14:16 7:08:15 15:56:16 7:13:56 1:06:48 12:13:03 7:35:38 7:36:25 18:53:57 13:37:46 20:34:30 0:13:14 10:06:25 16:35:53 0:38:53 13:54:31 9:42:45 14:05:33 11:33:55 15:20:30 16:02:18 8:13:33

Location 15300 IH 35, HEB of Buda Jack C Hays Trl, Buda, Hays High School Tiger Ln, Dripping Springs Middle School Jack C Hays Trl Buda Hays High School Old RR 12, San Marcos, Lease & Lock Storage Quail Cv, Kyle Harris Hill Rd, San Marcos Mathias Ln, Kyle E RR 150 Kyle Simon Middle School Cabelas Dr, Buda, Silverado Crossing Apts 6001 Kyle Pkwy 6001 Kyle Pkwy Stripes 1528, Neiderwald Valero Fischer Store Rd, Wimberley, Right Step Pauls Valley Rd/W Fitzhugh Rd Austin Summer Mountain Dr/RR 12 San Marcos 7200 Niederwald Strasse, Kyle Buda, Dahlstrom Intermediate Kyle, Lehman High School 101 Creekside Dr, Buda Yarrington Rd/Airport Highway 21 San Marcos Austin, Daniel Stone And Landscaping Buda, Hays High School Buda, Hays High School Plant Lady Ln, Dripping Springs Bowlin Cv, Dripping Springs IH 35/Cabelas Dr, Buda 12178 Trautwein Rd, Austin Dripping Springs Middle School Redwood Rd, San Marcos Buda, Silverado Crossing Apartments Broken Lance Dr, Dripping Springs Drift Along Way, Driftwood Martin Church Rd, Kyle Canyon Wren Dr/RR 967 Buda EXIT 219 SB, Buda Heron Dr/Spanish Trails Blvd, Buda 1650 block S Old Bastrop Hwy, San Marcos Wimberley Quick Mart/ Shell Buda, Tom Green Elementary Green Pastures Dr, Kyle Wimberley High School on Carney Serenade Cir, Wimberley Wimberley, Lions Field Buda, Hays High School Miss Ashley St, Austin Hunter Rd, San Marcos 12020 W Us 290, Austin Buda, Hays High School Jewel Ln, Wimberley Main St/Bradfield Dr, Buda RR 967/Remuda Trl, Buda Drue Dr/E RR 150, Kyle Winters Mill Pkwy/Caliche Rd, Wimberley Dripping Springs Rental Center Destiny Dr, Kyle Running Bull Ln, Kyle Driftwood, Hays City Store Brandons Way, Buda Trails At Buda Ranch Apts Buda, Tuscany Park Apartments San Marcos, La Vista Retirement Community Primrose, Kyle Windmill Way, Buda IH 35, Buda, Twin Liquors Sunrise Dr, Kyle Brookhollow Dr, Woodcreek Old San Antonio Rd/Cabelas Dr, Buda 3000 block Old Bliss Spillar Rd, Manchaca Gatlin Creek Rd, Dripping Springs Tumbleweed Trl, Kyle

www.AustinENT.com Comprehensive ENT Care for All Ages

Hearing Aid Services & Sales

Ear & Hearing

Hearing Aid Services

Hearing & Balance Evaluation Chronic Ear Infections Dizziness & Vertigo Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) Ruptured Ear Drum

Thyroid & Parathyroid

Ultrasound & Needle Biopsy Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery

Allergy

Comprehensive Allergy Testing Allergy Shots & Drops

KYLE

Children’s ENT

Ear Tube Placement Tonsil & Adenoid Surgery Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery

Nose & Sinus

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery In-office Balloon Sinuplasty

Diagnostic Hearing Tests

Comprehensive Hearing Exams Immittance Testing OAE, VNG and VRA Testing Brian Schwab, M.D.

Throat, Head & Neck

Sleep Apnea Hoarseness/Vocal Cord Dysfunction

TWO LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA

1180 Seton Parkway Suite 420 Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-5282

Hearing Aid Sales, Programming Fittings, Cleanings & Repairs Earmolds & Custom Ear Plugs Hearing Protection

Mark Dammert, M.D.

Michael Yium, M.D.

LOCKHART

1005 W. San Antonio #A Lockhart, TX 78644 (512) 444-7944

Amber Bass, Au.D.

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Page 11

Service Directory Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning

APC

NEMEC HEATING & AIR CHRIS NEMEC

Service • Repair • Installation

512-295-2832

Austin

Drippings Springs

21681 IH-35 11740 Manchaca Rd. 3990 Hwy 290

262-1013 292-1060

894-3888

Glass Service Commercial & Residential

Zachary Barton

Component Selection Digital Photos System & Process Docs Website Maintenance CD/DVD Duplication

Zachary Barton 512-686-7589 512-686-7589 107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX

Want help selecting the best value?

Office systems not maintained?

Did your kids or employees leave your computer useless?

• Contract Glazing • Storefronts • Insulated Glass

Financial Planning• Insurance Planning Investment Planning Financial Planning• Insurance Planning Investment Planning

• Furniture Tops • Tempered Glass • Mirrors

Framed & Frameless Tub & Shower Enclosures

512 312 2767

107 S. Main St., Ste. A • Kyle, TX

mike@haystech.com

Handyman

Major Credit Cards Accepted

TECL 24139

Professional Office Home and RV Service in north Hays Co.

3 Great Locations!

Kyle

Licensed and Insured

Financial Planning Financial Planning

3/4 mi. north of Dairy Queen

Computer Systems Software Development Networking Technical Systems Maintenance

You know us... by our reputation!

www.APCServicePros.com TACLB015741E

Computer Help

Consulting Setup Training Backups Upgrades

Call

512-410-7739

Email: Chris@nemecheatingandair.com O. 512-312-9081 • C. 512-789-5132 Buda, Texas 78610 • TACLA 34861C

AMM Collision Center

Full Service Car & Truck Repair

601 S. Loop 4 • Buda

“Proudly Serving Central Texas”

Now Open in Kyle

Buda Automotive

Air Conditioning • Heating • Electrical

Residential • Commercial • After Hours Available

Automotive

Service Pros, LLC

Automotive

5360 Industrial Way Dr., Buda, TX shallmark@dynamicglass.com

Newspaper

Reliable Handy Man

For all the latest news in Hays County, go to

Painting, Remodel & Home Repair, Flooring & Tile, Carpentry, Decks & Fences, Pressure Washing, Gutters, Cleaning & Repair, RV Repair

.com

Subscribe to the Hays Free Press for only $42 a year.

Get your honey-do list done right.

ReliableHandymanTX.com

Call 512-268-7862, email paper@haysfreepress.com or visit us on our website, www.haysfreepress.com.

20+ Years of Experience • Insured

512-618-0482 • DHALL45@Yahoo.com

Home Repair/Remodeling

Legal Services

Wild West Remodeling

Attorneys and Counselors At Law

130 Hall Professional Center, Kyle, TX 78640

ALL PHASES OF REMODELING

O Painting O Tile O Siding O Decks O Patio Covers O Trim O Door & Window Replacement O Drywall Repair O Custom Cabinets O Electrical & Plumbing

“No Job Too Small or Too Big”

Plumbing

512-268-6425

512-402-4704

Pool Service

P

rince

Plumbing Company

• Residential Repair Specialist • Remodeling & Water Heaters • Sewer Cleaning & Replacements • Slab & Gas Leak Repair

Curtis Dorsett

#M14369

• BBB Member • 20 yrs. Experience • Family Owned • Family Operated

The only call you need to make TICL #629

G&S

Over 10 years of experience Keith Miller, owner One Time & Weekly Cleanings Drain & Cleans Pressure Washing Full Service Repairs HIGH TIDE Pool Replastering POOL SERVICE

Pool and Spa Service 512-326-4695

312-0710

Serving Hays County since 1990

FREE ESTIMATES HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE@YAHOO.COM HIGHTIDEPOOLSERVICE.COM

www.gspoolspa.com

MC • Visa

Roofing

Pool Service Serving S. Austin, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Kyle and Buda since 1994.

512-965-3465

Septic Services ALL AMERICAN WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS, LLC Locally serving our community since 1982.

Septic Problems... LET US HELP! Septic Tank Pumping & Servicing

Tank Lid Replacements & Tank Refurbishing

Aerobic System Servicing

Septic Inspections & Consulting

Aerobic Licensed Maintenance Provider

Fully Licensed & Insured For Your Protection

Hydrojetting & Pump Replacements

(512)

www.ALLSEPTICCHECK.com

Septic Repair & Installation Specialist

BUSINESS LAW/ WILLS/TRUSTS/ PROBATE/FAMILY LAW/DIVORCE/ CUSTODY/ CONSUMER LAW/ DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT/ PROPERTY LAW/ LANDLORD-TENANT LAW/PERSONAL INJURY/DWI/ CRIMINAL DEFENSE/ DEBT/DEFENSE/ GENERAL CIVIL LITIGATION

282-3889

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Area Roofing

Company Since 1991

O

Serving HayS County Residential & Commercial

• All types of roofing • Seamless rain gutters • Attic and wall blown insulation

• Free eStimateS • Insurance Claims Welcome

Ron Johnson OWNER

(512) 312-5050 Member of the BBB

Shoe Repair

• Boot Experts • Purse Repair • Belt Repair • Luggage Repair • Shoe Care Products

AustinShoeHospital.com locations in 1010Locations in Central Central Texas Texas including: including: 1911 Ben White and Manchaca Rd • 512-440-8788 Rockand Ave.Nutty RoundBrown Rock Rd - 512-244-9124 12119316 WRound Hwy 290 • 512-827-3398 306WSouth Park 6781 HwyBell 290Cedar in Oak Hill- •512-219-8387 512-288-6386

8211 Burnet Rd. Austin - 512-453-1961

Tree Service

Septic Services

SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC. (512)

312-0002

38 years experience in the hill country Firewood • Pruning • Removal • Chipping Planting • Cedar Posts • Bulk Mulch

SEPTIC PUMPING • CLEANING REPAIRS • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

SELLMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.

Free Assessments & Estimates • Insured

Serving the Hays Metro area, including Travis, Blanco, Bastrop, Williamson & surrounding counties.

www.SellmanSepticServices.com

Lees Trees

Commercial & Residential

MARCUS LEES (512) 858-4018 leestreestexas@gmail.com

DEBBIE THAMES AGENT

Debbie Thames Insurance Debbie Thames Insurance Agency Agency

AUTO • HOME LIFE •• HEALTH BOAT • HEALTH AUTO • HOME • LIFE ••BOAT 251FM N.1626 FM #2C 1626 #2C TX • Buda, 251 N. • Buda, 78610 TX 78610 Office: (512) (512) 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 Office: 312-1917 • Fax: 312-0688 Email: dvthames@austin.rr.com Email: dvthames@austin.rr.com Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated Your Business & Referrals Are Appreciated

Window Treatments Beautiful Blinds, Shades, Draperies & Shutters Custom window treatments at affordable prices!

Graber, Hunter Douglas, Norman & more.

Low prices with lifetime guarantees and fast professional installation.

Call 512-847-8970

for free consultation & price quote.

www.MadeinTheShadeofwimberley.com

Classifieds

20 words for $8!

• Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 • Email paper@haysfreepress.com We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR WEDNESDAY’S PAPER

Hays Free Press

Page 12

Employment

Texas Statewide Advertising Network NOTICE TO CREDITORS

DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of TRINIDAD PALACIO, Deceased, were issued on April 24, 2019, in Docket No. 19-0122-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: IRENE PEREZ The residence of the Independent Executrix is in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas.

Address claims in care of the representative, IRENE PEREZ, Independent Executrix. The post office address to which claims may be presented, is: c/o IRENE PEREZ, Independent Executrix 626 Knox Street San Marcos, Texas 78666 All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

Address claims in care of IRENE PEREZ, Independent Executrix.

DATED the 25 day of April, 2019.

Respectfully submitted, SCANIO & SCANIO A Professional Corporation BY: /s/ Francesca Scanio Stacey FRANCESCA SCANIO STACEY 144 E. San Antonio Street San Marcos, Texas 78666 Tel: (512) 3962016 Fax: (512) 353-2984 Email: scanios@scaniolaw. com State Bar No. 24077299 ATTORNEYS FOR IRENE PEREZ

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.

CONTRACTORS WANTED

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COAHOMA COMMUNITY CENTER

The City of Coahoma and the Board of Directors of the Coahoma Development Corporation are seeking sealed proposals for a contractor to construct a new community center for the City of Coahoma to be constructed at 306 North St., Coahoma, Texas 79511.

See the Request for Proposals at 122 N. First Street, Coahoma, Texas and online at coahomatx-ed.org and www.cityofcoahoma.tx.citygovt.org.

Deadline: May 20, 2019 at 4:00 P.M. Questions: Contact Chris Mulkey at the address above or at chris.mulkey@coahomatx-ed.org.

See official notice in the classified section of the Big Spring Herald.

Community-Wide Garage Sale PLUM CREEK COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, MAY 11TH FROM DAWN UNTIL DUSK.

Auction

PUBLIC FARM AUCTION Thursday, May 9, 2019

•

STARTS @ 9:31 AM

9847 E. 120th St N., Collinsville, OK 74021 Directions: From the North side of Owasso, OK, at the Jct of Hwy 169 & E 116th St N, take 116th St West 2 ½ miles to N 97th East Ave. Turn right (North) and go 4/10 mi to E 120th St N, turn right, auction is on the right. Watch for auction signs.

TRACTORS, HAY & FARM EQUIPMENT, VEHICLES, IMPLEMENTS, TRAILERS, MOTOR HOME,SHOP & YARD TOOLS, VET SUPPLIES, CATTLE PANELS, SADDLES & MISC TACK

AMAZING SALE! GREAT EQUIPMENT!

OWNER: RIKE 1 RANCH

• John Deere 6330 cab tractor, premium pkg, 4x4 w/ John Deere 563 loader, dual

hydraulics, shuttle shift, 2367 hrs, s/n L06330H607889, ch bucket or hay spear

• John Deere 6330 cab tractor, 4x4 w/ John Deere 563 loader, dual hydraulics,

shuttle shift, 3108 hrs, s/n L06330H656892, ch bucket or hay spear

• New Holland TN75 tractor, Synchro Command, dual hydraulics, 2x4, 383 hrs, w/

New Holland 32LA loader w/ bucket

LARGER EQUIPMENT WILL SELL LAST!

For full terms & photos, visit www.chuppsauction.com Please follow us on Facebook for updates or visit our website.

CHUPPS AUCTION CO. Dale & Maria Chupp, Coldwell Banker Neokla Select

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

•

(918) 630-0495

TexSCAN Week of April 28, 2019

NOTICE OF REQUIREMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE SUBDIVISION SERVICE EXTENSION POLICY OF COUNTY LINE SPECIAL UTILITY DISTRICT

Pursuant to chapter 13.2502 of the Texas Water Code, County Line Special Utility District hereby gives notice that any person who subdivides land by dividing any lot, tract, or parcel of land, within the service area of County Line Special Utility District, Certificate of Convenience and Necessity No. 10292, in Hays and Caldwell County, into two or more lots or sites for the purpose of sale or development, whether immediate or future, including re-subdivision of land for which a plat has been filed and recorded or requests more than two water service connections

CONTRACTORS

FOR SALE: 30,000-head, working feedlot on 564 +/- acres in Beaver County, OK. For more information, contact Big Iron Realty at 402-649-3705.

Contractors Wanted for the Construction of the Coahoma Community Center. The City of Coahoma and the Board of Directors of the Coahoma Development Corporation are seeking sealed proposals for a contractor to construct a new community center. See the Request for Proposals at 122 N. First Street, Coahoma, Texas and online at coahomatx-ed.org and www.cityofcoahoma. tx.citygovt.org. Deadline: May 20, 2019 at 4 p.m. Info: chris.mulkey@coahomatx-ed.org. See Official Notice in the Classified Section of The Big Spring Herald.

ARROWHEADS

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Indian Arrowheads Wanted, Point types: Clovis, Firstview, Eden, Midland, Yuma, Cody, all nice Alibates Points. Must be authentic, unbroken. Top $$ paid X3.

Call 979-218-3351 or text photos.

Roundup®, a common weed and grass killer, may be linked to the development of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in farm workers and employees in garden centers, nurseries, and landscapers. Call 800-460-0606 for professional insight or visit www.RespectForYou. com/NHL.

ACREAGE 65.45 acres, southwest Edwards County. Nice valley surrounded by high hills. Live oak, pinon pine, cedar cover. Whitetail, axis, aoudad, sika, feral hogs, turkey. $1,650/acre, fixed rate 30-yr. owner financing, 5% down.

800-876-9720, www.ranchenterprisesltd.com.

AUCTION Public Farm Auction, Thurs., May 9, 2019, Starts @ 9:31 a.m., 9847 E. 120th St. N., Collinsville, OK 74021.

Tractors, hay & farm equip., Vehicles, implements, trailers, motor home, shop & yard tools, vet supplies, cattle panels, saddles & more. Chupps Auction Co., Dale & Maria Chupp, Coldwell Banker Neokla Select, 918-630-0495. For full terms & photos, visit www. chuppsauction.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Put Your Money To Work With Passive Income.

Investment Secured With Real Estate. Ask Leo How! Call 469-544-9503. Dimensions Investment Group.

EVENTS Buda Lions Country Fair and Wiener Dog Races, April 27-28, Buck’s Backyard, FM 1626, Buda, TX. For more info, visit www.budalions.com.

Lamesa – Chicken Fried Steak Festival, April 26-28.

Hot Air Balloon Rally, 100+ booths, Balloon Glow/ Fire Fest, 5K Run, Team Roping, Chicken Fried Steak Cook off, Classic Car Show, Disk Golf Tourney, Chicken-Fried Steak Dinner (Tickets: 806-872-2181) and more. Info: www.ci.lamesa.tx.us, 806-872-4345 or 806-777-1171.

OIL AND GAS RIGHTS We buy oil, gas & mineral rights. Both non- producing and producing including non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI). Provide us your desired price for an offer evaluation. 806-620-1422, LoboMineralsLLC@ gmail.com. Lobo Minerals, LLC, PO Box 1800, Lubbock, TX 79408-1800.

MISC. FOR SALE Barn Boards & Beams from Wisconsin. Large inventory – Buy Directly & Save Money! $2 to $4 Bd.Ft. Call or text Dave 608-632-2955. Delivery Available.

TRUCK DRIVERS Be Your Own Boss! Get Paid to See the Country!

Quality Drive-Away is looking for CDL Drivers to Deliver Trucks! www.qualitydriveaway.com, 574-642-2023.

WANTED I Buy Mobile Homes/RV Parks and Apartments!!! Any Area – Large or Small, 956-371-0382. I Pay CA$H.

Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 273 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.

on a single contiguous tract of land must comply with the service extension policy stated in the district service policy contained in County Line Special Utility District’s district service policy.

County Line Special Utility District is not required to extend retail water utility service to a service applicant in a subdivision where the developer of the subdivision has failed to comply with the Subdivision Policy.

Applicable elements of the Subdivision Policy, depending on the specific circumstances of the subdivision service, may include: Evaluation by County Line Special Utility District of the impact a proposed subdivision service extension will make on County Line Special Utility Districts water supply service system and payment of the costs for this evaluation; Payment of reasonable costs or fees by the developer for providing water service capacity; Payment of fees for reserving water service capacity; Forfeiture of reserved water supply service capacity for failure to pay applicable fees; Payment of costs of any improvements to County Line Special Utility Districts system that are necessary to provide the water service: Construction according to design approved by County Line Special Utility District and dedication by the developer of water facilities within the subdivision following inspection.

County Line Special Utility District’s district service policy and a map showing County Line Special Utility District’s service area may be reviewed at County Line Special Utility District’s offices at 8870 Camino Real, Uhland, TX 78640, the district service policy and service area map are filed of record at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in Austin, Texas and may be reviewed by contacting the TCEQ, c/o Utility Rates and Services Section, Water Utilities Division, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Hays CISD is Requesting Proposals for RFP #25041901JO Insurance Services. RFP’s will be accepted until 05-21-2019 at 2:00 p.m. local time. Specifications are available in the HCISD Purchasing Office (512-2682141 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 Bids will be returned unopened. The HCISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive all formalities in the bid process.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters of Administration for the Estate of Mary Angela Kwiecinski, Deceased, were issued on April 22, 2019 in Cause No. 18-0379-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to: Alexander Longe.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Alexander Longe 1011 Wonder World Drive Apt. 417 San Marcos, Texas 78666 DATED the 26th day of April, 2019.

Ana Marilín "Mari" Garza Attorney for Alexander Longe State Bar No.: 24084385 The Law Offices of Mari Garza and Lynn Peach, PLLC 102 Suttles Ave. San Marcos, Texas 78666

PUBLIC NOTICE

By order of the Hays County Commissioners Court, notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 9 a.m. in the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, the Hays County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing to consider: ESTABLISHING NEW “NO PARKING” ZONES 50 FEET AT STOP SIGNS ON MARSH LANE IN SHADOW CREEK

SUBD. IN FRONT OF RALPH PFLUGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that Original Letters of Independent Administration for the Estate of Daniel Galpin, Deceased, were issued on the 24th day of April, 2019, in Cause No. 19-0018-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to Robin Galpin, Independent Administrator of the Estate of Daniel Galpin. The address is: David H. Morris Morris & Wise Attorneys at Law 1921 Corporate Drive, Ste. 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 All persons having claims against this Estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present themselves within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

DATED this the 24th day of April, 2019 Respectfully submitted, DAVID H. MORRIS MORRIS & WISE Attorneys at Law 1921 Corporate Drive, Ste. 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 Telephone: (512) 396-7525 Telecopier: (512) 396-7599 State Bar No. 14476600

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

An application has been filed with HAYS COUNTY to subdivide 52.02 acres of property located along State Highway 21, Niederwald, TX 78640. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: SUB-1271.”

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Lida Alice Fallon, Deceased, were issued on April 17th, 2019 under Docket No. 19-0105-P, pending in the County Court of Hays County, Texas, to Sandra Lynn Urias.

Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the estate, addressed as follows: Representative, Estate of Lida Alice Fallon, Deceased c/o Bethann Eccles Eccles & McIntosh, PC 506 West 16th Street Austin, Texas 78701 All persons having claims against this estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

Dated April 23rd, 2019.

Eccles & McIntosh, PC Bethann Eccles Attorney for Independent Executor

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of John F. McJunkin, Deceased, were issued on March 18, 2019, in Cause No. 19-0073-P, pending in the hays County Court-at-Law No. One, Hays County, Texas, to: Alan L. Hinton.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently bing administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o David Glickler Attorney at Law 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 DATED the 23rd day of April, 2019 /s/ David Glickler Attorney for Alan L. Hinton State Bar No.: 00787549 130 Hall Professional Center Kyle, TX 78640 Telephone: (512) 268-6425 Facsimile: (512) 268-5404 E-mail: glick@johnhalllawfirm.com

CITATION BY PUBLICATION

To all persons interested in the Estate of Dennis Aubrey Hill, Deceased, Cause No. 180377-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 INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 401.003 OF THE TEXAS ESTATES CODE AND APPLICATION TO DETERMINE HEIRSHIP WITHIN ADMINISTRATION in this estate on

the 3rd day of December, 2018, requesting that the Court determine who are the heirs and only heirs Dennis Aubrey Hill, 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 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: Bruce Thrasher 1213 R.R. 620 So. Ste 201 Lakeway, Texas 78734 (512) 263-5141 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 8th day of April, 2019.

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

By Sasha DeLeon, Deputy

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Kyle Parkway Self- Storage, located at 5141 Cromwell Dr. Kyle, TX 78640 will hold a Public Auction of Property being sold for CASH to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The sale will be held on May 16, 2019 at 12:30PM. The contents in the space of Juan S. Garcia contains roofing tools & materials, extension ladder and metal shelves.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Morningstar Storage wishes to avail themselves of the Texas Provision of chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code by conducting a Public Sale to the highest bidder for cash on their premises. This sale is listed below. The company reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw any from the sale at any time.

Date: 05/13/2019 Time: 10:15 AM Location: Morningstar Storage 1001 W Goforth Road , Buda Tx 78610 Units : #2124 Amanda Cox – Hair Dryer, Bags, Pictures, Mirror , Stool #1106 Amanda Cox– File Cabinet, Chairs , House hold décor, Piano, hide a bed, dresser, Holiday Décor, Boxes #B201 Christine Waltman – Bikes, boxes, Speakers, 4 Auto wheels, Tool box, luggages, Power washer.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that Letters of Administration for the Estate of Mary Ellen Bales, Deceased, were issued on the 1st day of April, 2019, in Cause No. 19-0068-P, pending in the County Court at Law of Hays County, Texas, to Morris Bales, Independent Executor of the Estate of Mary Ellen Bales. The address is: David H. Morris, Morris & Wise Attorneys at Law 1921 Corporate Drive, Ste. 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 All persons having claims against this Estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present themselves within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

DATED this the 24th day of April, 2019.

Respectfully submitted, DAVID H. MORRIS MORRIS & WISE Attorneys at Law 1921 Corporate Drive, Ste. 102 San Marcos, Texas 78666 Telephone: (512) 396-7525 Telecopier: (512) 396-7599 State Bar No. 14476600

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE

An application has been filed with HAYS COUNTY to subdivide 2.575 acres of property located along W US 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. Information regarding the application may be obtained from Hays County Development Services (512) 393-2150. Tracking number: SUB-1274

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Page 13

Kyle eyes updates to tax rebate program

BY KATIE BURRELL

Updates to an existing Kyle program aimed at assisting first year businesses could further expand its reach.

Kyle’s First Year on Us (FYOU), an incentive program that rebates up to $10,000 in property taxes for a first year small business, could be open to business owners who

have already started construction on a new business in town.

Kyle City Council member Daphne Tenorio proposed the update, which could be discussed by city leaders at a later date.

Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell drafted the FYOU program which had its first applicants in 2019.

The program has been in place since 2017, but no

businesses had applied.

FYOU currently provides rebates to small business owners who build within the city and apply before beginning construction.

However, those who want to apply after already finishing construction on their business missed their chance to benefit.

“I don’t think the grant

really offers that much of an incentive to come to Kyle as is,” Tenorio said.

“Most business owners that hear about it are already shopping the area.

This gives them more time to apply and benefits owners already here equally.”

Mitchell said the idea for the program centered on promoting and attracting small businesses to

town.

A lack of marketing however, made the grant useless until earlier this year when three local businesses applied to take advantage of the rebate.

“I wanted to make Kyle more equitable for small businesses,” Mitchell said.

“We do a lot to attract large businesses, but we care about smaller business too.”

No rebates or incentives currently exist for small businesses once construction begins.

“I’m going to discuss making this more local business-friendly,” Tenorio said. “City Council can consider it and take it to a vote.”

Mitchell said the council will be hearing Tenorio’s proposed changes at the May 7 meeting.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Lehman Lobo Aliyah Tanguma jumps to avoid getting hit by a pitch in the team’s bi-district playoff game at Lehman High.

Lobo Softball: Eliminated from playoffs Continued from pg. 4

which has been impacted by the constant coaching changes, as “building blocks” for the team’s overall success.

Both Avalos and Lobo senior catcher Audrey Dienhart felt team cohesion was a critical component.

“I knew what they were capable of doing, so long as they changed their attitudes on certain things and for everyone to get behind each other,” Young said. “People are going to doubt you all the time. We can’t fall into it and doubt ourselves.”

That belief manifested in the Lobos keeping Canyon’s explosive offense in check early on. Leading the effort was Lobo pitcher Lexi Bechtel, who gave up only two runs over the first three frames.

“We just played. We

had nothing to lose, so we had to just play,” Dienhart said.

Canyon, however, flexed its muscle and scored nine combined runs in the fourth and fifth frames to speed away from the Lobos.

On the opposite end, Lehman’s offense couldn’t catch up to Canyon pitcher Aliya Pritchett, who limited Lehman to no runs on two hits in a complete game effort. Young said while the Lobos were able to draw contact off of Pritchett, his batters couldn’t capitalize when they had their chances.

“We held them for as long as we could,” Young said. “I knew they were going to bust something open. I knew we had to counter and we didn’t. We didn’t have enough.”

That success is something Avalos and Dienhart hope can translate to the next crop of Lobo softball players.

While they’ve had coaches come and go, Dienhart said making the postseason showed it doesn’t always “take a coach to change us playing.”

Instead, getting players to believe and to buy in to the prospect of success helped to raise the bar.

Avalos hopes their efforts sets a trend that will continue once they step off of the playing field.

“There’re so many people who doubted us and our program since we did have four different coaches,” Avalos said. “We say it’s going to be a good year and we just give it our all.”

PHOTO BY DAVID MARINO

Buda issued a certificate of occupancy (COO) for the $359,000 Green Meadows Splash pad, which officially opened to the public April 11. The splash pad is also part of Proposition 5 of the 2014 bond.

Buda City Park: Pending permit delays work Continued from pg. 2

engineer, said work began in January on improvements to Old Goforth Road at FM 2001 on the east side of the city. Work includes adding a dedicated turn lane near Tom Green Elementary, along with significant drainage work on the road. Officials estimate construction to be compelted by October.

Buda hopes to also let improvements at Main Street and the RM 967 intersection by the first

week of August, with construction lasting until possibly spring 2020.

Scope of the project includes adding continuous through lanes on Main Street, along with dedicated turn lanes onto RM 967, as well as sidewalk improvements.

In addition, Nett said the city plans for overhead utilities to be placed underground. In addition, Buda officials expect to be reimbursed for a portion of the project through federal funds.

Improvements on other parts of Main Street, specifically from Railroad Street to just past Santa Cruz Catholic Church, are expected to be issued a notice to proceed in late May with completion by summer 2020.

Work consists of adding through lanes on south Main Street, as well as working on drainage improvements along the road near Bradfield Park.

Hays Baseball: Blanks Del Valle Continued from pg. 4

and getting quick outs,” Tovar said.

Capturing a playoff berth was a “big weight off the shoulders,” Howard said. He lauded the team’s 18 seniors who “took care of business.”

It was a marquee moment for Martinez, who said the team had set its goals high when they entered the season.

Hays advances to play New Braunfels Canyon in a best-of-3 bi-district playoff series that starts Thursday at Canyon High.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled to be played Friday at 7 p.m. at Hays High’s new baseball field.

An if-necessary third game would be played Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hays High.

“We’re excited to go out there and show what we can do. We finally put ourselves out there and do that and show what PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III we’re made of,” Martinez said. “We’re going to be Hays High first baseman Taylor Monroe readies to catch a prepared.” ground ball Friday.

Kyle Road Update: Marketplace extension Continued from pg. 1

to complete. Officials estimate completion of the entire project by late summer 2019. Barba said the project should be complete before the city’s next Pie in The Sky event in early September.

Construction on

ARC IS THE PARTNER I NEEDED ...

SHAWNTELL’S PHONE CALL GOT ME BACK ON TRACK.

183

1

2

1

620 4

3

2222

360

Burleson Street is 30% complete, Barba said.

When the road opens, Burleson Street will have a 50 mile per hour speed limit, according to city documents. The previous speed limit was 35 miles per hour.

While work on Burleson Street continues, a section of the road from Miller to Center Street is now open.

Burleson Street from Center Street to Lockhart is expected to open in late May.

35

AUSTIN 5

1

7

6

WATCH PAUL’S STORY

myARCaccess.com

Page 14

Hays Free Press • May 1, 2019

Bill aimed at pipeline routing oversight reaches committee STAFF REPORT

Legislation aimed at requiring energy companies to notify elected officials when there are plans to condemn private land for future projects has made its way to committee.

House Bill 3327, authored by State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) was laid out in the Land and Resource Management Committee April 25. If approved, HB 3327 would require pipeline operators with eminent domain authority to send a written notice of intent to county judges before contacting landowners.

This notification would initiate a process for the county commissioners to exchange information with the operator about public infrastructure, planned developments, site-specific safety con-

HB 3327, if approved, would require pipeline operators with eminent domain authority to send a written notice of intent to county judges before contacting landowners.

This notification would initiate a process for the county commissioners court to exchange information with the operator about public infrastructure, planned developments, site-specific safety concerns, and environmental sensitivities.

cerns, and environmental sensitivities.

Currently there is no public routing process for intrastate transmission pipelines in Texas, and only the pipeline operator determines the route.

Zwiener said legislation would enable county governments to share site-specific concerns with pipeline operators early enough in the process to potentially impact the route. Zwiener brought this bill and others in direct response to Kinder Morgan’s 42-inch,

430-mile Permian Highway Pipeline, a proposed natural gas pipeline that could cut through the Texas Hill Country, including Hays County.

In mid-April, Hays County and Kyle joined a lawsuit filed against Kinder Morgan and the Texas Railroad Commission in order to create more oversight for the pipeline routing process, the Hays Free Press reported.

“By the time Kinder Morgan reached out to our local elected officials, they had already chosen

and potential county governments that could be impacted.

“Companies should know their full liabilities and have the ability to understand their siting prior to beginning the eminent domain process,” Zwiener said. “With this bill, we’ll create a faster and fairer procedure for all parties a route,” said Zwiener in involved in the pipeline a statement. “But they laying process.” didn’t have local onThe Land and Resource the-ground information Management committee about planned develalso heard several other opments, road reroutes, bills related to eminent and the countys’ open domain including Senate space plans. Their maps Bill 421 and House Bill even showed outdated 991 authored by Senacity boundaries, and they tor Lois Kolkhorst and skipped reaching out Representative DeWayne directly to at least one city Burns, respectively. These where they’re planning to bills would set up minbuild.” imum easement stanZwiener said there dards, provide protection should be “full and trans- from low ball offers, and parent communication” require a landowner between carriers attempt- meeting. Zwiener is a ing to route a pipeline co-author of HB 991.

Thousands of items drastically reduced!

Save on Refrigerators, Air Conditioners, Washers, Dryers, TVs, Ranges, Recliners, Sofas, Leather, Tables, Mattresses, Dinettes, Chests and MORE!

ad thhee o l n u ar we e y a nce se! o u w, t o s h o u r e l J r a o u w beat o t e c chan r ce s! o u i p r l y s i l t I nno--ffri Whirlpool, 8IJSMQPPM Maytag, .BZUBH Frigidaire, 'SJHJEBJSF Amana, "NBOB Donco, Simmons, LG, Sharp, Speed Queen, %PODP 4JNNPOT -( 4IBSQ 4BNTVOH #FTU Samsung, Best, Liberty, Ashley, Jackson, 3JWFSTJEF "TIMFZ +BDLTPO 4FSUB $BUOBQQFS Serta, Catnapper, New Classic, Vaughn /FX $MBTTJD 7BVHIO #BTTFUU 3FTUPOJD Bassett, Restonic Mattresses, Coaster .BUUSFTTFT $PBTUFS 'SBOLMJO BOE NBOZ Franklin PUIFST and many others!

Saturday, May 5th 4th Saturday, May 8:00 5:30 pm p.m.

8:00a.m. am - 5:30

Hwy 183 Vogel Warehouse, Hwy. 183 South, South, Lockhart Lockhart FINANCING & FREE DELIVERY AVAILABLE

TX Lt. Gov. not high on pot bill

BY ALEX SAMUELS/ TEXAS TRIBUNE Less than 24 hours after the Texas House gave preliminary approval to a bill reducing the criminal penalties for Texans found to possess small amounts of marijuana, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick declared the measure dead in the Senate.

House Bill 63 by state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, would lower possession of 1 ounce or less from a Class B to a Class C misdemeanor, which is the same classification as a traffic ticket.

Those found to possess 2 ounces or less of marijuana but more than 1 ounce would be charged with a Class B misdemeanor — punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, jail time or both.

State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who chairs the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, never gave Moody’s companion bill in the Senate a public hearing and previously told The Texas Observer he didn’t see an appetite for marijuana reform in the upper chamber.

In a tweet Tuesday, Patrick confirmed that to be the case.

“Criminal Justice Chair @Whitmire_John is right that #HB 63 is dead in the @Texas Senate,” Patrick tweeted Tuesday morning.

“I join with those House Republicans who oppose this step toward legalization of marijuana.”

Patrick has spoken against bills to relax the state’s marijuana laws in the past. In a previous statement to The Texas Tribune, his spokesperson Alejandro Garcia said the lieutenant governor is “strongly opposed to weakening any laws against marijuana [and] remains wary of the various medicinal use proposals that could become a vehicle for expanding access to this drug.”

To make his bill more palatable to Gov. Greg Abbott — who previously opened the door to reducing the penalty for low-level possession from a Class B to a Class C misdemeanor — Moody on Monday introduced a watered-down version of his original bill.

As originally proposed

by Moody, HB 63 would have replaced the criminal penalties for people caught with an ounce or less of marijuana and replaced it with a civil fine of up to $250. Only those fined more than three times would face misdemeanor criminal charges.

On the House floor Tuesday, just after the lower chamber gave final approval to his bill in a 10342 vote, Moody said that Patrick was “the odd man out” and that “the ball is in his court.”

“Whatever you think about Colorado-style legalization, this isn’t it. It isn’t even a step toward it,” Moody told his colleagues on the House floor. “Mr. Patrick has been tweeting about this bill instead of giving us the courtesy of talking to us here in the House. ... Let’s vote this across the hall so they can get to work on the House’s priorities, and so we can see how those priorities are respected as we consider Senate bills over here over the next few weeks.”

Despite Patrick’s comment, some advocates for marijuana reform said they still hoped to push the bill forward.

“Working through the legislative process means overcoming objection that some folks may have and working with them to find common ground,” said Heather Fazio, the director for Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy. “That’s exactly what we did in the House yesterday and what the vote yesterday demonstrates ... and we intend to bring that spirit to the Texas Senate.”