JANUARY 19, 2022 LATEST RULES
NEW AG AGENT
Local municipalities respond to shortened quarantine, isolation guidelines by CDC.
Hays County names new Agricultural Extension Agent.
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News-Dispatch 75¢
HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 42 • No. 17
Serving Hays County, TX
Propositions announced for March 1 primaries
The sample ballots for the March 1 primary elections were released on the county election website this week. The Republican ballot has 10 propositions in addition to the seated positions. There are no propositions on the Democratic ballot. The ten propositions that will require a yes or
no vote from voters in the Republican primary are:
PROPOSITION 1 In light of the federal government's refusal to defend the southern border, Texas should immediately deploy the National Guard, Texas Military Forces, and necessary
PROPOSITION 3
state law enforcement to seal the border, enforce immigration laws, and deport illegal aliens.
Texans should not lose their jobs, nor should students be penalized, for declining a COVID-19 vaccine.
PROPOSITION 2 Texas should eliminate all property taxes within ten (10) years without implementing a state income tax.
PROPOSITION 4 Texas schools should teach students basic knowledge and American
exceptionalism and reject Critical Race Theory and other curricula that promote Marxist doctrine and encourage division based on creed, race, or economic status.
Amendment to defend the sanctity of innocent human life, created in the image of God, from fertilization until natural death.
PROPOSITION 5
The Republican-controlled Texas Legislature
Texas should enact a State Constitutional
PROPOSITION 6
PRIMARY PROPOSITIONS, 8
What to know about the COVID booster shot BY MEGAN WEHRING
PHOTOS BY DAVID WHITE
4H Horse Show Dozens of young riders competed in the 76th annual 4H Horse Show this past Saturday at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The event kicks off a week full of 4H and FFA events, with the Hays County Youth Livestock Show beginning January 22 and running through January 30. Above, contestants prepared for Saturday’s showing. Above, left to right are: Emma Pierce, Kendall Crow and Ellie Warner. To the right are Chloe Street and Amelia Powers.
Here’s who’s on the March 1 primary ballots Below is just a sampling of the races on the March 1 primary ballots. For a full list of elections, visit the Hays County Elections website to read the ballots in their entirety.
GOVERNOR
Republicans: Allen B. West, Greg Abbott, Kandy Kaye Horn, Don Huffines, Paul Belew, Danny Harrison, Rick Perry and Chad Prather Democrats: Beto O’Rourke, Joy Diaz, Michael Cooper, Rich Wakeland, Incencio (Inno) Barrientez
STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 45
Democrats: Erin Zwiener, Angela “Tía Angie” Villescaz and Jessica “Sirena” Mejia
DISTRICT JUDGE, 207TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Republications: Mark E. Cusack, Tracie WrightReneau, Charmaine Wilde, George Carroll Democrats: N/A
DISTRICT JUDGE, 274TH Republican: Michelle M. Lopez JUDICIAL DISTRICT Republican: Gary Steel Democrat: N/A
DISTRICT JUDGE, 428TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Republicans: Bill Henry Democrats: Joe Pool
CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Republican: David Puryear Democrat: Kelly Higgins
JUDGE, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW #2
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 5
JUDGE, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW #3
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 4
Republicans: Karen Marshall and Terry Strawn Democrat: Sandra Bryant
Republican: Chris Johnson Democrat: Paul Hill
Republican: John Burns Democrat: N/A
Republican: Dan O’Brien Democrat: Elaine S. Brown
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 3
DISTRICT CLERK
Republican: Beverly Crumley Democrat: Avery Anderson
COUNTY CLERK
Republican: Linda Duran Democrats: Edna R. Peterson and Elaine Cárdenas
COUNTY TREASURER
Republican: Britney Bolton Richey Democrat: Daphne Sanchez Tenorio
Republican: Mark Jones Democrats: Brandon Burleson and Ruben Becerra
Republicans: Mike Gonzalez and Andy Hentschke Democrats: Richard “Pepe” Cronshey, Linda Aguilar Hawkins and Michelle Gutierrez Cohen
JUDGE, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW #1
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4 Republicans: Walt Smith and Joe Bateman Democrats: N/A
PUBLIC NOTICES
See what’s developing in your area.
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JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 2 Republicans: N/A Democrats: Beth Smith and Amaya Cuellar
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 1 Republican: N/A Democrat: Maggie Hernandez Moreno
FINDING A BOOSTER SHOT Hospitals across the state and nation are struggling to keep up with the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are seeing more patients because of it. “What Ascension has been doing,” Kerr said, “which I have been really happy and proud of is they have been trying to respond to the community’s need. They have been setting up appoint-
ment testing centers so people don’t have to come to the emergency department just looking for a test.” Kerr said when people visit his emergency department looking for a COVID-19 test, the staff gives them a phone number and a testing clinic. “Now obviously, if you are sick, please come in [and] let us take a look at you,” Kerr said. “We sometimes get things started in the waiting area with a clinician team trying to figure out what’s going on and get things moving for you. I don’t like people waiting when you are sick.” While Seton Hays did see a low volume of patients in the wake of the pandemic because people didn’t want to go to the hospital, Kerr said it’s starting to pick back up. “We are responding to the numbers, just seeing everybody that’s coming in,” Kerr told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch, “and trying to do the best we can. We are seeing a slight increase in volume but we expected it.” Those seeking COVID-19 testing who are either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms are encouraged to call 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905 or visit 211texas.org to find a testing site. Ascension asks residents to reserve emergency departments for those who are seriously ill or injured.
WHO CAN GET A BOOSTER SHOT People should observe the following guidelines when getting a booster shot, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2
COUNTY JUDGE
Republican: Robert Updegrove Democrat: Jimmy Alan Hall
Republican: Andrew Cable Democrats: N/A
With the recent emergence of the Omicron variant, doctors and health officials are urging people to get fully vaccinated and boosted. “Vaccination is extremely critical for people,” said Dr. Michael Kerr at Ascension Seton Hays, “especially at high risk to give them both protection from catching [COVID] but more importantly, some protection against becoming extremely ill.” The Omicron variant has been sweeping through communities at a rapid rate, causing an increased need for more people to get their booster. People who are fully vaccinated with a booster have built-in protection to keep from getting critically ill, Kerr explained. “Their immune system essentially has a head start at fighting off any infection,” Kerr said.
Scan the QR Code to visit the Hays County Elections page where you can view the Democratic and Republican Primary ballots in their entirety.
The News-Dispatch Barton Publications, Inc. The News-Dispatch (USPS 011-401) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323