The state of Dental Health in Texas
Lady Tigers spank Crockett in playoffs
page 2
Election coverage for primaries
page 4
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 19
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
page 8-10
75¢
Thursday, February 15, 2018
DSISD calls for $132M bond election in May BY KATERINA BARTON
A $132 million bond referendum will now go to Dripping Springs ISD voters this May. On Monday, the Dripping Springs ISD
Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call a May 5 election for its bond, which includes a handful of projects including construction of a fifth elementary school
and converting Walnut Springs Elementary into a district administration facility. The bond was recommended by an appointed bond steering committee on Jan.
29. and was accepted without amendments by the board Monday. The bond has been highly debated in the growing city, and although everyone agrees that expanding
facilities in the district is necessary, they disagree on how it should be done. Community members have voiced their concerns in school board meetings as well
as in a telephone survey conducted in January. Even after explaining the bond issues, 30 percent of people surveyed remained
BOND ELECTION, 7
Austin man killed in rollover wreck on RR 12 STAFF REPORT
Hays County sees first flu-related death in 2018 PHOTO BY KATERINA BARTON
Texas State University student Zayra Sanchez readies herself as a nurse prepares to administer a flu shot at the Live Oak Health Partners Community Clinic in San Marcos. Hays County officials Feb. 13 administered 500 free flu shots to all who visited the clinic. See story, page 2.
County commissioners okay distribution of $11.6 million in disaster relief funds BY KATERINA BARTON After almost three years, Hays County has finally received federal funding for disaster recovery from a pair of devastating flood events in 2015. The county was given approximately $11.6 million for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Funds. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) distributed a total of $142,336,000 statewide
for CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds. HUD allocated an original $7.4 million grant to Hays County in 2016, and later awarded another $4.2 million. Hays County was considered one of the most impacted counties in the state. County commissioners held a public hearing during their Jan. 30 meeting in order to help determine the method of distribution for the funds. Several citizens and nonprofit members spoke. “As you know we
How will Hays County distribute CBDG funds?
Funding for non-housing projects will total $7,869,851. Hays County Unincorporated will receive $4,551,504 Buda will receive $430,377 Dripping Springs will receive $451,501 Kyle will receive $1,847,862 Uhland will receive $277,388 Wimberley will receive $311,217
had some of the worst floods and it has taken forever to get this money to the people that need it,” Ruben Garza, board member for the
Blanco River Regional Recovery Team, said during the hearing. “Is it still needed? Yes. We have people out there still living in substan-
dard conditions because of the flood who have just given up.” Many local churches, charities, and nonprofits helped with disaster relief and response during the events and rebuilding efforts after the fact. The two floods in May and October of 2015 are known respectively as the Memorial Weekend Flood and the All Saints Flood. The Memorial Weekend flood caused flooding
RECOVERY FUNDS, 2
HOT under the collar?
Wimberley businesses want promotions for downtown BY SAMANTHA SMITH
Six years ago, Dan Moore set up his business on the Wimberley Square in hopes of finding success in what’s called the “Gem of the Hill Country.” But frustration is growing for Moore and many other downtown business leaders who believe Wimberley is in danger of becoming a ghost town. Moore, who is closing his business at the end of March,
“I think the best vehicle for my customers, the retail shoppers and restaurant goers, have been underserved by the city’s promotion because of the lodging industry’s reluctance to collect and spend the Hotel Occupancy Tax like every other city does.” –Steve Klepfer, owner of three downtown Wimberley businesses
said the feeling stems from a perceived lack of support from city officials, who still have not determined how
to best use $300,000 in hotel occupancy tax (HOT) it has collected. “They’re (city of Wimberley) not using
the HOT money to publicize the city,” Moore said.
HOT TAX USAGE, 6
An Austin man was killed Feb. 4 in a singlevehicle rollover wreck that occurred along Ranch to Market road (RM) 12 near Dripping Springs. Gregory Ryan Mallory, 36, of Austin, was identified by authorities as the victim in the wreck. According to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson, the incident occurred around 12:44 a.m. Feb. 4 on RM 12 roughly four miles south of Dripping Springs. A 2005 Cadillac CTS was traveling north on RM 12 at a “high rate of speed” when the driver lost control of the vehicle, the spokesperson said. The vehicle entered a skid and then traveled off of the west side of the roadway before rolling over. The driver, later identified as Mallory, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mallory was wearing a seatbelt, while road conditions were clear and dry at the time of incident, according to the spokesperson.
LAGNIAPPE Knit One, Read Too at the Dripping Springs Library
Looking to get started on knitting? The Drippping Springs Community LIbrary, along with instructors from the Sated Sheep, host an event that helps turn a skein of yarn into an article of clothing. The event is held Feb. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Firefighter fitness Day
Learn what it takes to be a firefighter as the city of Dripping Springs hots its 2nd annual Firefighter Fitness Day at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature several special guests. Firefighter Fitness Day is part of the city’s Healthy Parks, Healthy People initiative