AUGUST 24, 2022 MASONIC LODGE HONORS BUDA FIRE CHIEF
TIPS FOR KEEPING THEM SAFE IN THE HEAT PAGE 10
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Vol. 128 • No. 24
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Running for a legacy Parents raise CHAPA LOCKOUT
BY CJ VETTER
with water. And when I’m out there, and I’ve got something going on in my BUDA -Some people say life, I can wrap my head that life is a stroll. But for around it,” Hermon said. local Maria Hermon, 64, it’s “But more often than not, a marathon. I start absorbing what's Hermon, a resident of around me, like in Boston. Hays County, has been My god! It’s incredible. running marathons You’re running through since 1981 with her most neighborhoods and streets. recent one being on June And the crowds are so 4, 2022. With a history supportive, and they’re all of marathoning that there to support you.” stretches back over 40 years, Hermon has been Hermon has experienced a CONTRIBUTED PHOTO attending the Boston fascinating life. Marathon sporadically Marathons are more Hermon shows off her during her time as a runner. than just a race to the running gear from her One of the more notable finish line; they are long home. moments in her life was tests of endurance, focus, up.” her participation in the and include months of Runners who participate 2013 Boston Marathon, preparation as runners in marathons, like Hermon, the same year that the need to be ready to run take many precautions Boston Marathon Bombing or jog for miles at a time. occurred. Hermon had Hermon, who has currently and measures to help them go further and faster, only recently finished run 73 different marathons, such as abrasion pads, completing the race and talks about the necessity to special shoes, or energy was removing her gear from train your body. gel packets. Some runners the bus when the attack “When I was preparing who don’t take these occurred. for my first one, I thought precautions can begin to “I heard it, and I looked, I’d just increase my bleed from the abrasions as and you see this plume of mileage, right? But I would their shirts rub against their smoke and I’m like, ‘this get out there, and I would is not what they do.’ [My realize that wasn’t working chest. However, marathons family] thought they were out. I learned that you and their preparations celebrating, but I knew always you want to have a can be a great way to learn something was wrong. I base that you’re ready to about one’s own body and kept walking and one of start training from. And get views of the natural the photographers came once you start training, landscapes. running at us, and he just you want to have a plan,” “When I’m out there told us to run, and there Hermon said. “You want to doing my long runs, I was an explosion. And increase gradually. Once am paying attention to then we heard the second you have a base and a plan, my body, asking myself [explosion],” Hermon you want to give yourself a if I need to slow down, said. “I remember what it six-month period to build making sure I’m alright was like; there was a lot of
national guards out, and serious news reporters, and our phones were ringing. It was like everybody at home knew more than we did.” Hermon has also run races all over the world, ranging from participating in the End of the World Marathon that occurred on Dec. 21, 2012, to the 2,500th anniversary of the first Marathon in Athens. Hermon’s love for running has even transcended the generational gap, as her son, Ian Hermon, has also started running in marathons. “He’s done the majors, which are New York, Boston, Chicago, London and Berlin. He had an entry for Tokyo, but due to COVID, you couldn’t get over there for two years,” Hermon said. “But really, he’s what's newsworthy.” While Hermon is turning 65 this September, she has no plans of slowing down. Instead, she is focused on bringing her race time down, so she can participate in larger marathons. “They tell you if you don’t run for two weeks, it’s like starting all over as you fall out of that rhythm,” Hermon said. “I’ve really enjoyed it. I know how hard it can be to start up, and I just enjoy it, since it makes me feel really positive.”
DIPPIN’ GOOD TIME
Margarita Salsa Fest coming to Buda
BY CJ VETTER
BUDA – Get the chips ready, and salt handy. Margarita Salsa Fest is coming to Buda for a daylong festival full of, you guessed it, margaritas and salsa. The event will be from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Buda Amphitheater and will be full of snacking and
rocking out to live music. Originally started in Waco, the festival found its way to Buda, and will be debuting with over 25 different margaritas and salsas for attendees to try, as well as a line of artists including Pat Green, Mike and the Moonpies and Shaker Hymns. There will also be a full bar, vendors and food trucks on-site. Pat Green will also be releasing his first album in seven years titled, “Miles and Miles of You.” "I've produced this festival for 25 years in Waco, but this is its first
year in Buda,” said Greg Henry, event producer. “It did perform well in Waco, and I want to start building it here, and continue it here, for years to come.” Henry, who has had his hand in the previous Buda Crawfest and Texas Brewers Fest, intends to continue to develop this series of events as a way to bring tourism to the town. Margarita Salsa Fest will be the capstone in the series, and serve as a way to finish off the summer with a bang. "I think the city of Buda will draw people in to the new amphitheater. I've had four
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people tell me how great the name is,” Henry said. "I'm a dad, and if I can go to what typically happens in Austin in Buda, it's less I have to drive or spend on a babysitter. It's mainly to get people to come to Buda who wouldn't come normally.” General admission is $25 for adults, while children 12 and under have free admission. There are a limited number of VIP tickets going for $100, which offer access to a VIP areas, a private bar, restroom and viewing area, as well as tables and chairs. For more information, visit visitbuda.com.
concerns
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON outside and were KYLE — A nonschool related criminal incident that occurred on Chapa Middle School property has raised some concerns with parents about the safety of their children during a lockout that was initiated during the incident. According to a statement from Chapa principal Lisa Walls, the Kyle Police Department responded to a shoplifting call at a local convenience store on Aug. 17 at 3:54 p.m. The suspect left the store prior to police arrival as the complainant was still on the phone with emergency communications. The suspect fled on foot towards the Chapa parking lot at 3:58 p.m. and ran across school property, but did not enter any of the facilities. Officers arrived on scene at 4:02 p.m., approaching the suspect as he was attempting to jump a fence. Although the school day ended about half an hour prior to the incident, Chapa MS still called for a lockout as some students were in the cafeteria waiting for their buses and the football team was on the field practicing. Walls explained that a lockout brings all students inside, and the perimeter of the school is secured. The pursuit ended near the school, requiring officers to arrest the suspect on school property. Chapa was given the all-clear signal by law enforcement at 4:08 p.m. Walls’ initial statement, provided 16 minutes after the incident, indicated that the lockout was called due to police activity near the campus and that there was no direct threat, but that they still wanted to ensure that the law enforcement activity “didn’t accidentally affect us.” Some parents, however, quickly raised concerns that there were students still outside during the lockout as the suspect was on school property. One parent said that their child, along with several other students, were left unattended
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“banging on the doors” to be let in, with one video from a student outside showing the suspect being tackled by police near the school’s entrance. Walls said that they are currently investigating this report, saying that if there were students outside, they “have some work to do to ensure it doesn’t happen again” and will incorporate that possibility into their planning and responses to future threats. Parents were also initially concerned that the suspect had a gun, but Kyle PD later clarified that he was unarmed. “Though we have no indication the suspect would have tried to enter our building, the good news is that our systems worked. He would have been prevented from getting inside,” Walls wrote. “Additionally, the immediate law enforcement response to a potential threat near our school was apparent. They were able to quickly detain and arrest the suspect.” Walls said that this incident reminds everyone to be vigilant, as an emergency can happen at any time. Most importantly, she said, the school is able to learn from this situation so that improvements can be made. “I want you to know that we take our security protocols and campus safety very seriously. We know that you entrust us with the care of your students and, as parents ourselves, we know what an awesome responsibility that entails,” Walls wrote. “During any potential or actual emergency, we first respond to the emergency, and then, as soon as possible, we will provide you with confirmed information. … Communication is essential, but our first priority will always be to ensure safety and security. Though you may sometimes receive the first indication that something is occurring from your child via a text message, know that information from me is always on the way as soon as it is safely possible. That is my continued promise to you.”