Tiger LAX downs Jags 16-6
Tiger takes Gold at State
Open Meetings Act
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 22
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
The fight over Kinder Morgan’s proposed 430mile Permian Highway Pipeline has now reached Hays County’s courthouse. On Feb. 26, Hays County Commissioners approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote a resolution opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline, a $2 billion project that is expected to cut through Hays County. Passage of
Complaints filed against Wimberley leaders BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Citizen complaints have been filed with the District Attorney’s (DA) office after the city of Wimberley failed to post a notice of possible quorum prior to a Feb. 25 Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) meeting that four city council members attended. At the meeting, the TWDB voted to postpone approval of Wimberley’s proposed change of scope for its wastewater plant, along with a crucial $5.5 million to fund connection to Aqua Texas, a third-party wastewater entity. Per Texas Open Meeting Act laws, a notice must be posted at least 72 hours prior to a meeting or event where a possible quorum could be present. In Wimberley, a quorum consists of four or more city council members at the same location at the same time. Laura Calcote, Wimberley city secretary, confirmed that a possible quorum notice was not posted by the city before the Feb. 25 TWDB meeting. Councilmembers present at the TWDB meeting were Mayor
OPEN MEETINGS, 2
On Tuesday, Hays County Commissioners approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote a resolution opposing the Permian Highway Pipeline, a $2 billion project that is expected to cut through Hays County.
the resolution follows a similar action taken by Kyle city leaders and officials in mid-February. Lon Shell, Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner, said his personal concerns
include environmental issues, which are “very real,” as well as private property rights of residents, which is “extremely important to Texans and the county.” Shell said the county
takes eminent domain issues very seriously and has never had to use the tactic for any project. Kinder Morgan, a Houston-based company, is using eminent domain
proceedings in order to acquire land needed to install its underground pipeline, which will extend from far west Texas to the Houston area. Eminent domain is the process where governmental and private entities force the sale of private land for public use. A lack of outreach on the part of Kinder Morgan officials, especially with public
PIPELINE OPPOSED, 4
Trial of the times
PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau addresses students during a mock trial held at the Hays County Government Center Feb. 27.
Dripping Springs H.S. students take part in domestic violence awareness program BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Emotional testimonies, accusations of assault and a conviction by jury were all part of a criminal court reenactment starring a handful of Dripping Springs High students Feb. 27. The reenactment, however, also served as a sobering reminder of the impact of dating violence, a problem plaguing all communities across the nation. The mock trial is based on the trial State v. Jamie Roberts, a real court case in Hays County where a male was the victim of a physical assault by his girlfriend. The Feb. 27 reenactment, hosted by the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, in conjunction with the Dripping Springs ISD, relives the case while also teaching students about the dangers of dating violence. “It’s tough to hear
The mock trial is based off State v. Jamie Roberts, a real court case in Hays County where a male was the victim of a physical assault by his girlfriend. about these stories from students in our school, but one thing I want people to learn from the program is there are resources and people who can help you get out of these relationships,” said Rachel King, president of the Dripping Springs dating violence awareness board. “A lot of victims may not understand that this abuse is in their lives as they go through these relationships.” In this reenactment, Jamie Roberts, played by a Dripping Springs High student, was found guilty of assaulting her boyfriend. The trial includes more than 100 students making up the
jury, defense attorneys and witnesses, all filled with the same drama and debate of a real criminal trial. The eight jury panel, consisting of 12 high school students, overwhelmingly found Roberts guilty of assault, citing a crucial piece of video evidence in the case where Roberts intentionally kicked the boyfriend. Members of the jury said the video evidence made for a compelling guilty verdict. But Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau, who attend the mock trial, said in many of these cases video evidence is nonexistent. This
LAGNIAPPE An Evening of Jazz to benefit DSISD bands
The Dripping Springs Tiger Band Boosters are excited to present our annual Evening of Jazz Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park. A favorite of students, directors, alums, family and friends, the Evening of Jazz offers an evening of enticing barbecue and exceptional jazz, all to benefit the middle school and high school band programs. Entertainment, as always, will be provided by the excellent DSHS Jazz Orchestra and the DSMS
Jazz Band! Purchase tickets online at https://dsbandboosters. membershiptoolkit.com
12th annual Fancy Feathers this weekend
March 9th, 2019, at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, Dripping Springs, Texas. There will be APA and ABA Sanctioned Shows, Backyard Show, Junior Show, Youth Showmanship, Egg Show, Cluck-off Contest, Chicken Poop Bingo, Raffle, Silent Auction, Concession Stand. Show runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
75¢ Thursday, March 7, 2019
County opposes controversial pipeline BY MOSES LEOS III
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proves difficult for juries and judges since a lot of evidence can be hearsay. However, Mau admitted that domestic violence is not solved in the courtroom. “There is a much better way to deal with these problems, rather than what I can do or the police can do,” Mau said. “What can really stop this from happening is not the threat of a fine or going to jail, but knowing this is not the way a relationship can work. This is not the appropriate way to deal with someone you claim to love.” Mau urged students to communicate with their peers about the realities of dating violence, as high school students are more inclined to communicate with one another. “All of these unhealthy aspects of this relationship were going on well
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TCEQ approves Dripping permit BY EXSAR ARGUELLO After a grueling campaign with property owners and water conservation groups over its proposed permit, Dripping Springs can now expand its wastewater needs. On Wednesday, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Commissioners approved the city’s requested wastewater permit which, if needed, allows Dripping Springs to discharge up to 825,500 gallons per day (GPD) of treated effluent into a tributary of Onion Creek. However, city leaders were adamant that the city never intends to discharge and has worked to expand its treated effluent storage capacity so it wouldn’t have to do so. City officials said the city currently produces approximately 130,000 GPD, and the permit would accommodate the city’s wastewater treatment needs for the next decade. “This is a historic day for the city of Dripping Springs and
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County applies for new polling place program STAFF REPORT The days of Hays County residents having to vote at their specified precincts on Election Day could be coming to an end. On Tuesday, Hays County Commissioners approved a resolution in support of participating in a countywide polling place program, which, if approved, would allow voters to cast their ballots at any polling site in the county on Election Day. Jennifer Anderson, Hays County Elections Administrator, said county officials must submit an application to the state that includes a plan and methodology for implementing the program. Anderson said she hopes the county receives state approval prior to the November 2019 election period. Currently, voters must cast their ballots at their designated precincts on Election Day. Residents who vote during early voting currently can cast a ballot at any open polling site. “Allowing Election Day voters to do the same (as in early voting) would avoid issues
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