MAY 4, 2016 MENTAL HEALTH
REBEL SWEEP
Buda PD applies for mental health officer funding.
Rebel softball team sweeps Westwood in two games.
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Hays Free Press ©Barton Publications, Inc.
Vol. 120 • No. 6
HaysFreePress.com
Road work ahead BY PAIGE LAMBERT
news@haysfreepress.com
The intersection of FM 1626 and 967 near Buda will finally see relief from its construction limbo. Construction on FM 1626 south of FM 967 to FM 2770 will begin in September and take about 10 months, Hays County commissioner Mark Jones said. Jones said 967 west of the intersection would relatively stay the same, since there are no more devel-
1626 AND 967, 2A
Failure to maintain City reaches out-of-court settlement with Aqua Texas BY ANNA HEROD
news@haysfreepress.com
The city of Kyle has reached an out-of-court settlement with wastewater provider Aqua Texas after officials sued in 2013 following complaints of the company failing to adequately maintain Kyle’s treatment plant. As a result of the settlement, an agreement between the two parties could pave the way for a major water reuse project.
WATER TREATMENT, 4A
Recent hail hinders mail
PHOTO COURTESY OF KYLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
A heavy lift tow truck sets up next to a U.S. Mail 18-wheeler that overturned due to fierce winds along Interstate 35 near mile marker 217 on April 30. No one was injured in the accident on I-35 that happened at approximately 4 a.m. Saturday after a powerful storm dumped rain, hail and blew wind gusts of over 50 miles per hour into the area. The storm caused issues across the area, which included downed trees, along with commercial and road sign damage. Power was also knocked out to approximately 3,000 Pedernales Electric Cooperative customers in Kyle for a short time.
Former Kyle police officer put on indefinite suspension, again BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
For the second time in a year, the city of Kyle has levied an indefinite suspension ruling against Jesse Espinoza, according to the lawyer representing the former Kyle Police sergeant. The ruling came after an independent investigator, Chuck Edge, submitted his final investigative report on new allegations of misconduct against Espinoza on Sunday. As a result of the investigation of Espinoza, Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett was placed on administrative leave, which was a “procedural move,” according to Kyle Communication Specialist Kim Hilsenbeck. She said the move was done to avoid the “potential of any impropriety in the case.” Kyle Police Captain Pedro Hernandez assumed the role of interim police chief at 12:01 a.m Monday and adjudicated the case. Barnett was reinstated as Kyle Police chief Monday afternoon. Grant Goodwin, lead attorney for the Com-
The allegation of perjury, according to Goodwin, stemmed from the city’s claims of a possible inconsistent statement Espinoza had in his indefinite suspension arbitration testimony in September 2015. bined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, who is representing Espinoza, said Hernandez’s ruling was made after new allegations of insubordination and perjury were made against his client. The allegation of perjury, according to Goodwin, stemmed from the city’s claims of a possible inconsistent statement Espinoza had in his indefinite suspension arbitration testimony in September 2015. Goodwin believed the ruling was “clear retaliation” and that the new allegations were a “personal vendetta by members of the Kyle City Council.” Goodwin, however, declined to comment on which council members he was referring to. In May 2015, Espinoza was placed on
indefinite suspension following a city investigation completed by an outside firm. The investigation contended Espinoza engaged in acts of insubordination and untruthfulness relating to his relationship with Glen Hurlson, a doctor from Louisiana. Hurlston filed a civil rights lawsuit against Barnett, the city of Kyle and Barnett’s former employer, the Princeton Police Department in January 2014. Hurston claimed the departments were liable for “clothing” Barnett with state authority to harass and threaten him with arrest while he was having an affair with Hurlston’s wife during his tenure as Princeton Police Chief. The lawsuits against both cities were dis-
COMING UP Kyle Business Expo
Celebrate Small Business Week with the annual Kyle Business Expo at Texas Old Town - Stone Hall on May 5 from 5-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. There will be giveaways and freebies, live music, a mariachi performance, and free food and drinks.
First Thursday
Get your walking shoes on and join Mayor Todd Ruge in a walk around Bradfield Park at 6 p.m. in Buda to kick off this month’s First Thursday. Enjoy the trail before visiting downtown Buda. First Thursday focuses on providing downtown visitors the chance to stroll through the unique local shops, while enjoying food from downtown restaurants.
COMERCIO
Latino businesses boom in Central TX. – Page 1D
INDEX
1626, 967 intersection closer to development
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX • 75¢
News …………… 1-4A Opinions …………… 3A Sports …………… 1-2B Education ……… 3-4B Community …… 1-4C
missed “with prejudice” and aren’t subject to appeal. Espinoza appealed his indefinite suspension ruling; an arbitration hearing was held September 2015. A ruling on the appeal, however, was not finalized as the hearing examiner in the case passed away. According to a city official, a new hearing examiner will be found to take the case, which will restart from the beginning. In March, Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers appointed Hernandez to take the interim police chief role once the investigation into new allegations of misconduct against Espinoza were submitted. Goodwin said nothing Espinoza “has ever done has aided Hurlston’s lawsuit.” He added Espinoza’s actions were to “try to bring to light what he felt were improper actions within the department.” “It’s just one of the most blatant examples to bully someone through the process I’ve seen,” Goodwin said. “And it’s not a well run investigation.”
Creedmoor May Fest Come out for the Car Show and May Fest on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at the Creedmoor Community Center, 12511 FM 1625, Creedmoor, TX 78610, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Vintage cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles along with craft and food booths and a silent auction. Free admission and free parking. www.creedmoor communitycfa.org
Best Bets ………… 4C Business ………… 1D Service Directory … 3D Classifieds ……… 1-2D Public Notices …… 1-2D
Traffic calming policy discussed in Buda BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
The possible implementation of a new traffic policy in Buda could provide residents a way to curb the issue of speeding in area neighborhoods. On April 26, the Buda Planning and Zoning commission gathered public input following a presentation on the possible policy. While the city council has not implemented the policy, he said its impact could provide residents “peace of mind.” “It gives people an opportunity to be proactive, if they want to,” Ruge said. “It gives them the skin of the game and that they have a stake in it.” Creating the policy, according to Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd, arose after the city sought to respond to concerns of cut-through traffic in residential neighborhoods. The policy would not, however, extend to arterial roads. Kidd said the city received complaints from residents in Old Town regarding speeding traffic on neighborhood streets. He said people who cutthrough the neighborhood are trying to avoid the FM 967 and Main Street traffic signal during rush hour. Other issues extend to areas in Whispering Hollow and Garlic Creek. Kidd said after gathering public input, the city decided there needed to be a procedure in place to mitigate such problems in the future. “As the city grows, these issues will come up, so we can’t just throw darts at the problems,” Kidd said. “We have to
BUDA TRAFFIC CALMING, 4A