JULY 6, 2016 PEG CHANNEL
SPORTS FAMILY
Public access channel coming to Kyle soon
Family drives Hays High athlete to succeed
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Hays Free Press ©Barton Publications, Inc.
Vol. 120 • No. 15
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX • 75¢
Sledge St. murder – one year later BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Rachael McPherson remembers Jimmy Wright as a person whom she always knew as a fun uncle, or “funcle.” With a “live life to the
fullest” mentality, Wright would do anything for anybody, no matter what their past was or what had happened, McPherson said. “He’d give you his shirt off of his back,” McPherson said. “If it was his last dime, he’d give it to you.”
But with passage of the one-year anniversary of Wright’s and Tina Comb’s unsolved murder, McPherson and many other family members are concerned their case is on the “back burner.” Kyle Police, however, maintain the case is on
the top of their priority list. “It’s upsetting knowing that whoever did this is walking free, doing whatever they want and not facing the consequences of their actions,” McPherson said. “It’s kind of sitting and waiting in the
Main St. road estimates delayed
longest waiting game ever.” Kyle Police Department Chief Jeff Barnett said the investigation into the double homicide is an active for the department. He said all of the department’s investigators are involved, with an
Plum Creek Popsicle Run
BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
A decision on Main Street improvements remained beyond the Buda City Council’s reach Tuesday after a joint presentation from HDR Engineering, Inc. and Klotz and Associates failed to produce cost estimates associated with proposed improvements. Council tabled discussion pending further information regarding cost estimates for a proposed Goforth Road/Cabela’s Drive connector. Allen Crozier of HDR and project designer Kevin Hoffman from Klotz presented council with options they had tested through a current traffic analysis. They felt the options may alleviate congestion now, but would fail to accommodate traffic congestion for future growth. Hoffman presented the proposed Goforth Road improvement and new connector, which may lessen Main Street congestion by 10 percent. Various council members were disappointed that financials weren’t available. But council believed the Goforth connector could alleviate congestion issues and potentially save heritage oaks downtown. “We solve the problem, we save the trees, and we alleviate congestion on Main Street,” Haehn said.
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Above, Kyle resident Jacob Crosby powers through a cloud of color as he hit the home stretch of the 2016 Popsicle Run held in Plum Creek on July 4. Left, more Popsicle Run participants record the colorful occasion. More photos from Monday’s Popsicle Run can be found on page 2C and online at www.HaysFreePress.com.
COMING UP Summer Essay Contest
The Friends of the Buda Library is holding its annual Summer Essay Contest for Young Writers. The contest is open to all Buda Public Library cardholders ages 8 to 17. Visit haysfreepress.com for more information.
Afternoon Tea
Concerts for a Cause: Benefit for Bruce King
Would you rather be Mrs. Darcy than Mrs. Gosling? Join the Kyle Public Library at noon July 9 and learn about proper English Afternoon Tea. Learn the history and etiquette for serving a classic English afternoon tea, including recipes for scones, treats, and tea sandwiches. After the event we will watch the Academy Award-winning adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Sense & Sensibility” at 1 p.m.
Kyle businesses put the focus on fitness – Page 1D
INDEX
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Come out to Central Texas Speedway on July 9 to lend a hand to our local Santa Claus. The community party at Central Texas Speedway’s Car Bar will include a dunking booth, other reindeer games, with live music starting at 5 p.m. Visit www.kyleconcerts.com for more info.
News …………… 1-4A Opinions …………… 3A Sports …………… 1-2B Education ……… 3-4B Community …… 1-4C
Best Bets ………… 4C Business ………… 1D Service Directory..... 2-3D Classifieds ………… ...2D Public Notices ………2D
additional member of the department’s community services division reassigned to the case. Barnett said the case is the “highest priority within our department” and that officers meet regular-
SLEDGE ST. MURDER, 2A
Buda to refocus municipal building design BY SAMANTHA SMITH
news@haysfreepress.com
The Buda City Council dropped a figurative bomb last month when it announced after an executive session that it was going to enter into dispute resolutions with the ECM International consulting firm over design issues with Buda’s new municipal buildings. “The dispute resolution will give us the chance to take a step back and work on getting on the same page with ECM,” Mayor Todd Ruge said. Prior to that decision, ECM Senior Vice President Brenda Jenkins was scheduled to give a presentation to council as a regular agenda item on June 21. But the presentation was put on hold by council, who retired into executive session for “consultations with city attorney” at 8:25pm. Council came out of executive session at 11:07 p.m. and immediately brought the item back to the floor for discussion after having reached a decision in executive session. Jenkins then preceded with her presentation on where the design team was in the process. She asked council to make decisions based on two different cost proposals in order to move forward with construction. According to Ruge, both options provided to council by ECM International were not acceptable by design or budget standards. “The scope of things that we (city council) wanted are missing from the two proposals; neither of these is acceptable to us,” Ruge said. According to an emailed response from Buda City Attorney Catalina Gonzales, Buda is not in litigation with ECM International nor is there any plan at this time to file any lawsuits. Gonzales added that city council has the right
BUDA DISPUTE, 4A