Healthcare changes for 2017
Editor’s top picks for 2016 teams
Seton Hays welcomes new year baby
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 13
Zika virus confirmed in Hays County SUBMITTED REPORT The Hays County Health Department received confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a local, travel-associated case of the Zika virus infection in Hays County, according to a Hays County press release. The individual, who is not contagious and does not pose a risk to Hays County residents, contracted the illness while traveling to Puerto Rico in
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LAGNIAPPE Tree recycling
The Hays County Recycling/Solid Waste Centers will recycle your Christmas trees for free until Jan. 7. between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The centers are located at 1691 Carney Lane (end of County Road 278) in Wimberley, and at 100 Darden Hill Road (County Road 162) in Driftwood. Trees can also be dropped off anytime at the concrete slab on the west side of “the triangle” (RR12/U.S. 290) through Jan. 10. Please remember to remove all lights, wire, tinsel, decorations and stands from the trees. Trees with flocking (artificial snow) are not accepted.The collected trees will be turned into mulch and made available to the public at “the triangle” Jan. 11-15, on a first come, first served basis. Please bring your own tools and storage containers for loading and transporting the mulch.
Historical group seeks members
Applications for positions on the Hays County Historical Commission are being accepted through
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Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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Thursday, January 5, 2017
2016 Year in Review Hays County residents approve bonds totaling $237 million
A pair of separate bond initiatives that called for a collection of county-wide road improvements as well as various improvements to the county jail were given the green light by voters this November. Proposition 1, which called for roughly $106.4 million for jail improvements and a co-located 911 facility, narrowly passed with 51 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, Proposition 2, which called for $131 million in road improvements, passed with 59 percent of the vote.
Sheriff incumbent reelected, longtime constable ousted
Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler won the right to keep his seat in 2016 after defeating challenger Rodrigo Amaya by a 13.1 percent margin in the Nov. 8 general election. Cutler, who has served as Hays County’s sheriff for the past six years, claimed a substantial lead after early voting and won with 58 percent of the vote. But as the status quo remains at the sheriff’s office, a changing of the guard will take place in Pct. 2. After a 38 year tenure as the Pct. 2 constable, James Kohler was defeated Nov. 8 by Kyle Police officer Michael Torres. Kohler told the Hays Free Press in November he plans to run for the Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace seat, currently held by Beth Smith, in 2018.
Challengers defeat incumbents in Wimberley city council races
In May, three newcomers defeated their incumbent opposition for three council seats. In the race for the mayoral seat, Mac McCullough defeated Steve Thurber by six votes. Meanwhile, Craig Fore narrowly defeated Cindy Anderson with 51 percent of the vote for the Place 3 seat, while Gary Barchfeld defeated Pam Showalter for the Place 4 seat.
Dripping Springs voters nix ESD 1 tax cap increase
An overwhelming majority of Dripping Springs voters shot down the Emergency Service District No. 1’s aim to increase its tax cap. The measure, which called for the ESD’s tax cap to rise from 3 to 7 cents per $100 valuation, failed with 63 percent of people voting against it. YEAR IN REVIEW, 2-3
Dripping Springs backdrop for short film on war veteran BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
A
n unexpected phone call from an Austin film producer several months ago has thrust a Dripping Springs business owner into the spotlight. Late last month, Ed Michal, owner of Delta Tax Service along U.S. Highway 290 in Dripping Springs, watched as his business transformed into the opening scene of “Shilo,” an independent film produced by Tyler Russell Productions, LLC of Austin. For Michal, the opportunity not only was a chance to help the film company, but also highlight the film industry in Dripping Springs. “It meant a chance to show them some hospitality, what Dripping Springs is capable of,” Michal said. “I know other films have been shot in Dripping Springs and I want them to get the feeling there is a lot to offer in the Hill Country.” “Shilo” is a short indepen-
“It meant a chance to show them some hospitality, what Dripping Springs is capable of ... I know other films have been shot in Dripping Springs and I want them to get the feeling there is a lot to offer in the Hill Country.” –Ed Michal, Dripping Springs resident
dent film directed by Tyler Russell that’s based on the story of Iraq War veteran Shilo Harris, of Coleman, Tex.,
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COURTESY PHOTO
Iraq war veteran Shilo Harris (right) and actor Tom Procida pose for a photo on location of a film shoot in Dripping Springs. Harris joined Tyler Russel Productions in December as they filmed a short film entitled “Shilo” on property owned by Dripping Springs business owner Ed Michal.