FEBRUARY 24, 2021 BLAZING TRAILS
POSTCARD TALES
Great Springs Project to connect trails from capitol to Alamo by 2036.
Local author gives a taste of history through collection of old postcards.
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News-Dispatch
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 41 • No. 21
Serving Hays County, TX
Inside Hays County vaccine clinics
The city of Kyle is needing volunteers for the 36th Annual Great Texas River Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon March 6.
BY SAHAR CHMAIS Some have cried, given out fist bumps or taken selfies to document the moment; this is the emotional rollercoaster many people experience when they get a chance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. There was even a couple who walked in, wearing their thoughts on their shirts that said “old lives matter.” “A lot of people have had this huge amount of relief after getting their first shot,” explained Scott Robinson, the battalion chief for San Marcos Hays County EMS. “They know there’s a level of protection they can benefit from.” Hays County, designated as a vaccine hub, has already served thousands of Texans with its weekly vaccine allotments, and will continue giving vaccines for the foreseeable future. But getting the vaccine out of its -70 degree chamber and into the people’s arms takes a lot of behind the scene efforts from volunteers. San Marcos Hays County EMS is one of the many healthcare systems in the county that has put its employees on the vaccinating front line. Robinson walked the Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch through the journey. Most importantly, since these vaccines are still in scarce supply and they must be used once thawed out, no dose goes to waste. If a person does not show up on his or her scheduled date, at the end of the day, the dose will go to somebody else. Finding someone else has never been an issue. At every vaccine clinic, there has been a line of people
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PHOTO COURTESY OF J.R. GONZALES
Volunteers serving food to Hays County residents at the Central Texas Veterans Center.
Aiding mid-storm It’s the Buda thing to do “I am proud to be a part of such a generous and caring community. Once again, Buda businesses have stepped up to help others despite their own tenuous situation.”
BY SAHAR CHMAIS
BUDA – As the owners of Amici Italian food truck were delivering free, warm meals to people in the middle of the Texas snow storm, they came to terms that they needed to sleep in their van for a few nights. “We don’t have a 4x4,” said Elpida Sarna,
–J.R. Gonzales, executive director of BACC
co-owner of Amici. “It was a challenge getting food and goods
out there with the ice. There’s no salt or plows out here, so we’re pretty
much driving on an ice skating rink. Several times we made turns and found streets that go uphill. [Our car would] slide back down, so we had to turn around and find a different way.” The couple, Fabrizio and Elpida Sarna, moved to sunny Buda
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Older adults rushed out of flooded apartments BY SAHAR CHMAIS BUDA – During a blackout, Creekside Villas Senior Village in Buda evacuated all of its residents on Wednesday, Feb. 17, after water pipes burst, flooding parts of the first floor. This was one of the many damages caused by the Texas winter storm. Several public service departments were instrumental in aiding the older adults out of their cold and
wet homes and into a safe, warm space. Hays CISD busses answered the call to transport residents, but it took several tries to get them to the right place. The Buda Police Department, Buda Fire Department and Hays County Emergency Services team ushered more than 100 adults out of Creekside Villas to temporary warming stations. Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky also coordinated with
PHOTO BY DAVID SWEET, ASSOCIATE PASTOR AT HAYS HILLS
SENIORS FLOODED, 2
Creekside Villas resident being escorted into Hays Hills Baptist Church.
Dripping Springs issues reduction, waiver of building permit fees BY SAHAR CHMAIS
DRIPPING SPRINGS – The damage done by the storm is being uncovered in its aftermath; Dripping Springs Mayor Bill Foulds, Jr. issued an emergency order to authorize a reduction or waiver of building permit fees related to disaster repair and construction.
If repairs can’t wait and are done right away, the city asks repairs be left uncovered and accessible for a building inspector to field verify compliance after the permit has been applied for.
Requests will be reviewed based on the following criteria: • The entity is applying
PUBLIC NOTICES
See what’s really happening locally.
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for a building permit for work on property damaged by a natural disaster or an emer-
gency as determined by the governor, city council, or mayor. • The entity is applying solely to repair or construct based on damages caused by the natural disaster or emergency. • The entity applied for a fee reduction or waiver at the time of
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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
Volunteers needed for river cleanup BY MEGAN WEHRING When Texans need an escape from the scorching summer heat, many travel to find a cool spot along the 90-mile San Marcos River. Protecting the natural beauty of the river does not come easy — regular maintenance is needed. Every spring, volunteer groups work to beautify the upper portion of the San Marcos River and surrounding banks. The city of Kyle is needing volunteers for the 36th Annual Great Texas River Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon March 6. “It is important to have the Great Texas River Cleanup to minimize our impact to the river and all of the wildlife and people that depend upon it,” said Virginia Condie, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation. “Including communities that use the river for their drinking water source. What we don’t pick up along our river banks could be eaten by wildlife or will end up in the ocean where it adversely impacts sensitive estuaries, birds and marine life.” In an effort to keep all volunteers safe, organizers will not have a headquarters meetup to distribute breakfast tacos and supplies this year. Volunteers will meet with their designated group at their selected site, rather than checking in at a headquarters. Groups should not exceed more than 10 people — volunteers in Kyle will be able to select one of the cleanup sites listed below or “Other” upon signing up.
LOCATIONS INCLUDE • Waterleaf Park - Zone 1 628 Abundance Lane • Waterleaf Park - Zone 2 628 Abundance Lane • Waterleaf Park - Zone 3 628 Abundance Lane • Cool Springs Park and Trail - 115 Florida Springs Drive • Bunton Creek - 980 Bunton Reserve Boulevard Volunteers can either choose to pick up supplies from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kyle City Hall between March 1 and March 5 or to have them dropped off
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