JUNE 22, 2016 OLY HOPEFUL
411 ON 35
Hays County swimmer has goal set on summer Olympics
TxDOT contemplates additions, changes to I-35 in Kyle
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Hays Free Press ©Barton Publications, Inc.
I-35 from Kyle Crossing to RM 150 Open House
Vol. 120 • No. 13
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX • 75¢
Buda man arrested after ramming police vehicle BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
A Buda man was arrested Friday after authorities claim he rammed into the side of an off-duty Austin Police officer’s vehicle on Interstate 35 near the Robert S. Light overpass. Authorities arrested Christopher Marcus
Williams, 28, of Buda, who was charged with aggravated assault against a public servant, which is a first-degree felony. Bond has not been set for Williams at this time, according to Hays County Jail records. Friday’s incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. when Austin Police officer
Lando Hall, who was returning home to Buda, observed Williams traveling eastbound on FM 967 WILLIAMS and driving recklessly, according to a Buda press release. Hall activated his lights and
sirens, turning around to pursue Williams and pull him over. Hall lost sight of Williams’ vehicle at the FM 967 and Main Street intersection. He later spotted Williams getting on southbound I-35 at the 220 entrance ramp in Buda. According to the release, Williams rammed the side of Hall’s vehicle, which was marked according
to an arrest affidavit, on southbound I-35 near the Robert S. Light overpass. The collision caused Hall’s vehicle to crash into the center divider. Hall observed that Williams continued driving across the median and crashed on the access road of I-35. Hall was uninjured in the accident, but Williams was sent to Brackenridge
Hospital. According to the arrest affidavit, Williams told an officer he “made a mistake” by striking the APD unit with his vehicle. Williams also told an officer he did not stop and lost control of his vehicle before crashing into a guardrail. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.
Slaying the ‘tax dragon’
County resident helps neighbors protest CAD assessments BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM
news@haysfreepress.com
Olympic Ready PHOTO BY LINCOLN RAMIREZ
With a flag waving in the air behind him, Sven Lancaster runs along the sidewalk near the Kyle Public Library during the city’s 2016 Olympic Day celebration on Saturday. In the spirit of the impending Summer Olympic Games, the Kyle library held a program to celebrate Olympic Day, which is celebrated in 160 countries. Events at the program were designed to engage young people and promote the ideals of the Olympics. Events included a torch lighting ceremony at City Square Park, along with a torch run through neighborhood streets to the library. Olympic athlete Gary Van der Wege taught members of the community about the history of swords and the sport of fencing.
Hervol honored, Mitchell sworn in news@haysfreepress.com
As recently elected council member Travis Mitchell officially assumed his District 1 seat at Tuesday’s Kyle City Coun-
cil meeting, Mayor Todd Webster presented Diane Hervol with a plaque for her many years of city service. City Hall was filled with Kyle residents who lent
HERVOL HONORED, 2A
PHOTO BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM
Former Kyle council woman Diane Hervol was honored for her years of service on the city council, since 2010, by her fellow members at Tuesday night’s meeting. Newly-elected council member Travis Mitchell will be replacing Hervol.
COMING UP
Goonies at Buda City Park
On June 24, Buda Parks and Rec will host a showing of Goonies at Buda City Park. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks for comfort. Admission is free. Movies begin at 9:00 p.m.
Casino Night
Onion Creek Senior Center invites the public to a night of casino fun with blackjack, bingo and more on June 25 with check in at 5:30 p.m. Call 512-295-3413 for more info.
YMCA Open House
After more than a year of renovations, the Hays Communities YMCA celebrates its new and improved facility with the grand re-opening and community open house on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The open house will allow the general public to get a first look at the new digs. The event will include free indoor and outdoor pool access, family exercise classes, food and drinks and more.
SUMMER FUN
Entertainment biz flourishes in Kyle, Buda – Page 1D
INDEX
BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM
News……………… 1-4A Opinions……………… 3A Sports……………… 1-2B Education………… 3-4B Community……… 1-4C
Hays County appraisals were sent to residents earlier this month and one resident is using his knowledge to help others file their protests before the July 6 deadline. Bill Loeb, who was previously an Austin resident, has moved himself and his real estate company to Dripping Springs. Aside from being a realtor, Loeb’s second “job” is helping residents protest their property appraisals. Loeb said he refuses to take a profit from it, as the job is his way of giving back to his community. Loeb said he’s been helping others file appeals for at least seven years, previously helping Travis County residents and now assisting residents in both Hays and Travis counties. “I hate what the counties are doing, jacking up the assessments in order to get money,” Loeb said. Loeb said he began helping people years ago when he realized there was a common frustration regarding people’s property assessments. “Most people don’t know how to do it (file a protest), what information to bring and they think it’s going to be harder than it is,” Loeb said. “They also feel the deck is against them, and it is, but that’s why I want to help.” Many of Loeb’s “clients” come from word of mouth, and Facebook groups. Hays County resident Joe Roldan has never met Loeb in person, but connected via Facebook this year to help with his appraisal protest process. “Bill is a very nice person who likes to help people solve problems,” Roldan said. “The process of disputing appraisal values is best approached with a structured approach, like Bill showed
Best Bets…………… 4C Business…………… 1D Service Directory….....2-3D Classifieds…………… ...2D Public Notices…………2D
“Most people don’t know how to do it (file a protest), what information to bring and they think it’s going to be harder than it is. They also feel the deck is against them, and it is, but that’s why I want to help.” –Bill Loeb, Realtor and Dripping Springs neighbor who helps others with tax assessment protests
me, and by researching the appraisal process and gaining a thorough understanding of how it works.” Roldan said Loeb gave him the structure and basis of an argument to get his inflated property value assessment lowered. Roldan is currently in the midst of the protest process and does not know yet if he will be successful. “I’ve probably talked to all of them,” Loeb said. “My phone rings all day everyday during this time frame, but I love it and I love helping people.” Through Facebook, Loeb has been able to get in contact with many residents in need of assistance. After several people ask for help, Loeb sets up a time and a place to hold seminars. Flores Restaurant in Dripping Springs
TAX ASSESSMENTS, 4A
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