August 15, 2018 Hays Free Press

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AUGUST 15, 2018 WRITING CONTEST

GO ’ROOS!

Buda Library announces winners of annual writing contest.

Opening of new elementary school spurs memories of long ago.

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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.

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Vol. 123 • No. 20

HaysFreePress.com

Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX

Buda teen arrested for car burglarys Buda STAFF REPORT

A Buda teen was arrested three times between July 11 and Aug. 2 after authorities suspect he went on a spree of vehicle burglaries in neighborhoods east of Interstate 35 in the Buda area. Matthew Xavier Acosta, 17, of Buda, was booked on nine total charges of

burglary of a vehicle, all Class-A misdemeanors, along with two charges of theft of a firearm, which are state jail felonies. According to a Hays County Sheriff’s Office press release, authorities conducted an “exhaustive” investigation into multiple burglaries in the Sunfield and Shadow Creek subdivisions near Buda, as well

Nine vehicles were burglarized in the Sunfield and Shadow Creek subdivisions near Buda, as well as the Crosswinds neighborhood in the Kyle area.

as the Crosswinds neighborhood in the Kyle area. In total, nine vehicles were allegedly burglarized by Acosta, who authorities suspect gained access to

unlocked cars. The burglaries were committed at all times of the day ranging from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Acosta was first arrested July 11 and was booked into the Hays County Jail vehicles by pulling on door on five counts of burglary handles. According to the of a vehicle and a charge release, all burglaries were of theft of a firearm. committed when properAccording to Hays County ty owners left valuables, including firearms, in BURGLARY SPREE, 4

BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

UTILITY RATES, 2

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Hays CISD Chief Communications Officer Tim Savoy scopes out a pile of books damaged by a suspect during a vandalism incident in the Carpenter Hill library Aug. 10. Authorities on Monday arrested an Austin man in connection with the crime, which caused up to $300,000 in damages.

Damages up to $300K

No motive found for school vandalism BY MOSES LEOS III

On Aug. 13, Roughly 20 computers, Kerr was three copy machines, booked kitchen appliances and into the more were impacted Hays in an Austin man’s alCounty leged Aug. 10 vandalism Jail on one spree that caused up to charge of $300,000 in damage at criminal KERR Carpenter Hill Elementa- mischief ry School. and one But a motive into what charge of arson, both drove James Michael Kerr, second-degree felonies. 24, of Austin, to wreak Kerr was also booked on havoc inside of the camone charge of burglary pus near Buda remains of a building, a state jail under investigation. felony. Kerr is being held

COMING UP Fire Prevention Landscaping Presentation

Hays County Master Gardeners will present Fire Prevention Landscaping, an introduction to a complex topic designed for people living in the WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) at the Buda Public Library, Aug. 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Participants will be exposed to programs associated with fire protection knowledge and be provided basic information on Firewise® planting and landscaping techniques.

WOMEN IN BIZ Buda, Kyle area a hot spot for women in business.

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INDEX

IMPROPER RELATIONS, 4

BY MOSES LEOS III A combined five percent rate hike for Buda utility customers could be forthcoming as city leaders contemplate looming infrastructure upgrades. While the cost of Buda water and wastewater could go up by two and three percent this fiscal year, respectively, officials believe rates could get much higher in the near future. Kenneth Williams, Buda city manager, said during a budget

Kyle man arrested for improper relations with teen A Kyle man who works as the boys athletic coordinator at a San Marcos middle school was arrested Aug. 11 for GUERRERO allegedly having a sexual relationship with a former student. Rodney Guerrero, 40, was booked into the Hays County Jail on charges of participating in an improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony. He was released on a $15,000 surety bond, according to Hays County Jail records. According to an arrest affidavit, Guerrero initiated a sexual relationship with a high school freshman in 2016 after seeing pictures of the student in a bathing suit. The two first met when the victim was in the sixth grade at Goodnight Middle School in San Marcos. Throughout the duration of the relationship, the victim told authorities she and Guerrero had engaged in various

utility rates rising

in the Hays County Jail on $40,000 bond. According to an arrest affidavit magistrated by Hays County Pct. 1.2 Justice of the Peace Maggie H. Moreno, deputies were dispatched to Carpenter Hill Elementary in the early morning hours Aug. 10 for a criminal mischief call. When authorities arrived, they found extensive damage inside of the campus, as well as a sledgehammer inside the cafeteria area of the school near a broken

Downtown Buda Farmers Market

Market shoppers will find fresh produce, meat, eggs, bread, kombucha, handmade soaps, baked goods, handmade candy and fudge, honey, glutenfree products, plants, crafts, ready to eat food, olive oil, pet products and more. Enjoy live music from local musicians while supporting your local vendors. Every Sunday through October, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Buda Mill & Grain.

News………………… 1-5 Opinion……………… 3 Sports…………………… 6 Education……………… 7 Community………… 8-9

window. Review of closed circuit cameras inside of the school showed a man, later identified as Kerr, exiting a vehicle and obtaining a sledgehammer from a construction site near the building. The man proceeded to break the upper glass pane on a door leading to the cafeteria, and eventually entered the campus with the sledgehammer in hand.

SCHOOL VANDALISM, 4

Stage 2 Water Restrictions

Starting this week, Buda will move to Stage 2 water restrictions, in accordance with the city’s water resource management and drought response ordinance. Under Stage 2 restrictions, outdoor irrigation using automatic and hand hose end sprinkler systems is not allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Residents must follow a twice-perweek outdoor watering schedule. More information on Buda’s updated water restrictions can be found online at haysfreepress. com

Business…………… 10 Church Directory…… 11 Classifieds ……… ... 12 Service Directory…..... 13 Public Notices…… 12, 14

Kyle officer resigns after animal cruelty conviction BY EXSAR ARGUELLO A Kyle Police officer has surrendered his badge after he was found guilty last week of beating his girlfriend’s poodle and causing significant injuries. David Salinas, 34, of Austin, was found guilty by a Travis County jury Aug. 9 of a third-degree felony charge of animal cruelty. He will serve a two-year probation and undergo a mental health evaluation for anger management. Frisco, the poodle in the center of the case, will be released from the ownership of Salinas and his fiancé to a new foster family. “Earlier today, the Kyle Police Department received the resignation of David Salinas,” said Kyle Chief of Police Jeff Barnett Aug. 10. “Salinas was removed from police duties while this matter was pending in court.” Barnett said Salinas was enrolled in Kyle Police’s training academy at the time of the incident. The department did not receive Salinas’ resignation until Aug. 10, a day after his conviction. Salinas’ legal team argued that no evidence indicated Salinas took part in Frisco’s injury,

ANIMAL CRUELTY, 4


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