DECEMBER 5, 2018 INNOVATION
75-YEARS
District of Innovation plan progressing despite mixed reaction.
San Marcos man sentenced for murdering roommate.
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Vol. 123 • No. 36
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Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
San Marcos apartment fire declared to be an ‘intentional incendiary act’ BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
An “intentional incendiary act” is what authorities at a Nov. 30 press conference say was the cause of the deadly July 20 Iconic Village apartment fire in San Marcos, which killed five people and displaced more than
200. The San Marcos Fire Department and the Houston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which was leading the investigation, are now offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to
the arrest of a suspect. ATF Special Agent Fred Milanowski said the investigation, which involved multiple agencies including an ATF special unit team which worked on the Austin Bombing investigation, is still on-going. Investigators are asking the public for
any tips regarding the fire. “ATF is classifying this fire as incendiary,” Milanowski said. “That means it was intentionally set. That means this is a criminal investigation now.” The samples from the scene were sent to the
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PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Bill Johnson, owner of the historic Halifax and 6F ranches and whose land could be affected by the project, said he opposes the pipeline as it encroaches on land that has been nearly untouched for generations.
Locals ready to fight 430-mile gas pipeline BY MOSES LEOS III As Houston-based company Kinder Morgan moves ahead on a proposed 430-mile underground natural gas pipeline that could bisect Hays County, local landowners worry the project could harbor a negative environmental impact. Bill Johnson, owner of the historic Halifax and 6F ranches and whose land
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Hundreds packed into City Square Park Nov. 28 for the annual Santa on the Square and Kyle tree lighting event, held by the city of Kyle. The event featured numerous elementary and middle school choirs belting out holiday classics, along with arts and craft making for all ages. Flanked by hundreds of area revelers, Santa Claus garners high-fives and applause as he walks toward the gazebo at Mary Kyle Hartson City Square park to flip the switch on the city’s Christmas tree. Left, seven-month-old Kyle resident Grayson Guadian, a prospective Santa Claus in waiting, sizes up his competition during his first meeting with the head honcho of holiday spirit.
Kyle growth means needed upgrades, $1.7M slated for wastewater plant An additional $300,000 toward equipment and facility upgrades at the Kyle wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is the amount city officials plan to further invest as it attempts to meet demand. The upgrades are part
of a $1,713,221 project to expand the WWTP, which city officials said will help the city meet its increasing wastewater needs. The additional $300,000 is included in the $1.7 million price tag. However, the move means more treated effluent will be discharged into the Plum Creek water-
shed and other surrounding bodies of water. Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said the city had to upgrade the facility as soon as possible, while it is still looking at options for storing and releasing the additional affluent. “We need to keep up for the growth,” Mitchell
said. “We’re under the (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) allowance (for releasing effluent) right now and at some point, we will reach capacity into Plum Creek. We’re looking at other options for a regional plant
COMING UP Vintage Market Days in Dripping Vintage Market Days of Greater Austin will be at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Dec. 7-9. The event is an upscale vintage-inspired market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more. For more information about hours and admission, visit www. VintageMarketDays.com
Polar Express comes to Kyle
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Kyle Depot Dec. 8. They will be accompanied by the Lehman High School Theater Group, who will perform Polar Express at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
BRIGHT LIGHTS
Hays, Caldwell counties to cash in on growing film industry.
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INDEX
BY KATIE BURRELL
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EmilyAnn Theatre Trail of Lights
EmilyAnn Theatre in Wimberley will be hosting a Trail of Lights now through Dec. 28. The event site will be open 6 to 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated.
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could be affected by the project, said he opposes the pipeline as it encroaches on land that has been nearly untouched for generations. “I’m very upset about the idea of them coming to something that’s treasured and sacred as the Hill Country and coming through with a huge 42inch pipeline,” Johnson said. “I’m horrified by the
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Driver allegedly drunk in Buda crash fatality BY MOSES LEOS III A Kyle man faces a charge of intoxication manslaughter after he crashed his vehicle into a tree Sunday while allegedly driving drunk, leading to the death of a passenger. Cade Alvarez Brown, 22, of Kyle, was booked into the Hays County Jail Nov. 25 on intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony.
According to an arrest affidavit, Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers were dispatched at approximately 2:30 a.m. Nov. 25 for a single vehicle versus tree crash that occurred on Dove Drive and Treetop Way in the Coves of Cimmaron subdivision near Buda. When authorities arrived on scene, they
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Buda assistant city manager to leave for private sector BY MOSES LEOS III A longtime fixture on Buda’s city staff is planning to depart for the private sector. Buda Assistant City Manager of Community Development Chance Sparks, who has worked with the city of Buda for eight years, announced earlier this month he is leaving to work with a “nationally recognized planning and engineer-
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ing firm.” David Marino, Buda public information officer, said Sparks’ last day is Dec. 12. Sparks informed city staff in November of his departure. Marino said the city’s interim plan is to have employees that worked under Sparks be directed by another staff member until a new person is hired. Buda plans to go
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