DECEMBER 12, 2018 LOCAL TALENT
FOILED
Blanco Vista students star in national Xbox commercial.
Two arrested in Wimberley for conspiracy to commit murder.
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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
75¢
Vol. 123 • No. 37
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
Couple arrested in Buda animal seizure case BY MOSES LEOS III
Allegations of allowing children to live in a home with animal feces, dead rats and diseased cats led law enforcement officials to arrest a Buda couple on felony child endangerment charges. The arrests come after a Hays County investigation led to the seizure of more
CAFFEY
CAFFEY
than 170 total cats and dogs Nov. 1 which found many of the animals suf-
fered from malnutrition and disease. Thomas Caffey, 47, of Buda, was arrested Dec. 3 on two counts of Child Endangerment Criminal Negligence, a state-jail felony. Melissa Caffey, 49, of Buda, was arrested Dec. 4 on two counts of Child Endangerment Criminal Negligence, a state-jail felony, and 10 counts of
cruelty to non-livestock animals, a third-degree felony. According to an arrest affidavit, Hays County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to assist Animal Control Officers with seizing what was thought to be less than 100 animals from a residence Nov. 1 in the 200 block of Towhee Drive in the Lei-
surewoods subdivision. Melissa Caffey, who was the homeowner, told authorities she owned and operated an animal rescue, but it had gotten “out of hand” over the past year. Living in the home was Thomas Caffey and his two children, Melissa Caffey and her son and an elderly woman who was not identified. According
Controversy follows proposed tuition bill
BY KATIE BURRELL
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III Buda area residents Mike and Kim Fry wait for the sun to set in order to see a blanket of stars in the winter sky. Buda’s sustainability commission is planning to survey the city for the possibility of becoming a Dark Sky Community.
Buda surveys possibility of Dark Sky designation BY KATIE BURRELL The prospect of ecotourism is leading Buda’s sustainability commission to survey the city for the potential of becoming a Dark Sky Community. That move comes after commission members in July discussed plans for Buda to possibly apply for Dark Sky designation. Wimberley, Dripping Springs and Horseshoe Bay are the only three cities in Texas that are certified Dark Sky Communities, which is grant-
Wimberley, Dripping Springs and Horseshoe Bay are the only three cities in Texas that are certified Dark Sky Communities, which is granted by the International Dark Sky Association. ed by the International Dark Sky Association. To qualify, the City of Buda will have to pass the association’s requirements for environmentally-responsible outdoor lighting, which allows residents and travelers to easily
view the stars. Lighting requirements impact public property only and exclude schools and street lamps. The designation would allow the city to project its status, which city officials say would partner well with “Bu-
da’s breathe easy here” mantra and will attract ecotourism to the area along with providing current residents a clear view of the atmosphere. Sustainability commissioners plan to divide the city into sections, with each commission member responsible for surveying that area. Commissioners will look at lighting in city parks, residential areas, retail areas and municipal buildings. Additional information regarding the survey was not available as of press time.
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
An Austin-based company claimed the winning bid earlier this month for construction and renovations to Buda City Park, a crucial step that paves the way for the city’s most ambitious parks project to date. On Dec. 4, the Buda City Council approved an agreement between The Barr Company and the city for the
$5.35 million bid to renovate City Park. The improvements are part of Proposition 5 of the $55 million Buda bond, which was approved by voters in 2014. According to city officials, the city received two bids for the project and accepted the lowest bidder. The Buda City Park renovations project, which calls for a performing arts amphitheater, splash pad
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and open recreational space, is estimated to cost around $6,583,776. However, the city still estimates a $1,256,000 shortfall, which will be covered by “other means,” according to city documents. The overage stems from an item titled “Option Three,” which are five alternatives approved by city leaders, but were not included in the $5.35 million bid. Those alternatives
An undocumented Buda woman who had been in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following her arrest for an October 2017 incident was scheduled to be deported earlier this week. Janelie Rodriguez, 26, was ordered to be deported to Mexico by a judge after months of detention at the South Texas Detention Center in Pearsall. According to Mano Amiga co-founder Karen Munoz, Rodriguez’ application for asylum was denied in court, despite the harsh conditions her family says she faces in Mexico. Janeth Rodriguez,
BUDA WOMAN DEPORTED, 2
Kyle attempts to balance housing market BY KATIE BURRELL
include a roof over the amphitheater, a backstage dressing room for performers, an electrical trench for lighting and sound and lighting along fences and sidewalks. “We still have around $4.8 million remaining from Proposition 5, which was approved by voters in 2014,” said David Marino, public information officer for
As more people move to Hays County, the issue of housing for all is a topic cities are battling, with each municipality subscribing to different plans to balance the market. Kyle and San Marcos are the only cities within the county with local housing authorities working to manage and regulate low-rent, subsidized properties in their respective cities. Otherwise, subsidized low-income and affordable or workforce housing projects are passed through city governments on a case-by-case basis. The need for subsidized affordable housing, such as Section 8 housing and workforce housing over unsubsidized alternatives, is debated, leaving the future of the
BUDA CITY PARK BID, 4
HOUSING MARKET, 11
Buda City Park construction bid awarded to Austin-based company
INDEX
HOUSE BILL 413, 4
ANIMAL SEIZURES, 2
Buda resident deported
HB 413
A proposed Texas House Bill that could prohibit undocumented residents from qualifying for in-state tuition, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, is drawing ire from Democratic lawmakers. House Bill 413, authored by State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R-Fredericksburg), is the latest attempt by legislators to override the 2001 Texas Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act signed into law by former Gov. Rick Perry. But the fight to end instate tuition for undocumented residents is a point of political discussion that other states across the country are continuing to fight. If adopted, HB 413 would require undocumented Texas college students to pay out of state tuition costs. Universities, which are partially funded by state taxes, often require out-of-state students to pay higher tuition rates than in-state students. “It’s very disappointing to hear, especially coming from one of my district neighbors,” said Dist. 45 State Representative-elect
to the affidavit, Melissa Caffey was cooperative during the investigation. A deputy who assisted in the seizure said the home was “completely uninhabitable,” according to the affidavit. Upon walking in, the deputy said there was an “inundating odor” of ammonia,
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