News Dispatch March 21, 2019

Tiger boys soccer takes district title

Wimberley students make film

Tiger girls soccer takes district title

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 24

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

75¢ Thursday, March 21, 2019

BOOT THE SCOOT BOOGIE

Dripping Springs bans electric scooters

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Motor assisted scooters, such those seen around downtown Austin, are no longer welcome in Dripping Springs, following approval of an ordinance March 12 banning their use.

Dripping Springs becomes the first city in Hays

The two scooters that appeared on Mercer Street were picked up by the company that owns them, but neither confirmed how they appeared in Dripping Springs.

County to outright ban the scooters from public roadways. It’s an issue that many cities across Hays County are now starting to tackle. The Dripping

Springs City Council passed the ordinance by a unanimous 4-0 vote.

Dripping Springs’ ordinance bans the use of motor-assisted scooters

on public right-of-ways and sidewalks within the city. Moves toward the ordinance came after two motorized scooters mysteriously showed up on

Aquifer district seeks more answers on proposed pipeline

BY MOSES LEOS III

Lingering questions about how Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) could affect groundwater sources led Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) leaders to withhold judgment Thursday.

While progress was made in gathering information, some district leaders sought more transparency on Kinder Morgan’s part.

Kinder Morgan made a presentation to BSEACD officials earlier this month which covered the scope of the PHP. BSEACD’s board of directors voted 5-0 to postpone a decision on the project.

The PHP is a proposed 430-mile underground pipeline that will go from west Texas to near Katy.

Roughly 31.5 miles of the pipeline will go through Hays County and approximately 67 properties will be impacted.

Allen Fore, Kinder Morgan vice president of public affairs, said there have been 150 routing adjustments made to the PHP so far based on environmental concerns and developments the company is learning about. Fore said Kinder Morgan will continue to make adjustments moving forward.

District officials requested that Kinder Morgan release several proposed studies upon completion for the BSEACD staff to review, including a study on karst features and a hazard

Mercer Street in recent weeks.

The two scooters that appeared on Mercer Street were picked up by the company that owns them, but neither confirmed how they appeared in Dripping Springs.

“We’re not going to wait for an accident to hap-

pen,” Mayor Todd Purcell said in a statement. “We want to prevent it. These

Proposed bills aim for concrete batch plant oversight

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Allen Fore (left), Kinder Morgan vice president of public affairs, and Angela Williamson, a project manager with Kinder Morgan, listen to a resident’s question during the March 14 Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District meeting.

Kinder Morgan vice president of public affairs Allen Fore said there have been 150 routing adjustments made to the PHP so far based on environmental concerns and Kinder Morgan will continue to make adjustments moving forward. mitigation plan, which Kinder Morgan officials said are still in progress.

While the project falls under several federal and state regulatory agencies, Kinder Morgan officials

said any possible mitigation plans do not have to be submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

While the company might have information

that could be valuable to the BSEACD, Fore said he had to do “my due diligence on our company and any regulations we have.”

“I don’t think we should get too stuck up on throwing a report on someone’s desk versus people getting on the phone and talking with each other,” Fore said.

Mary Stone, BSEACD Pct. 1 director, said she felt the response was a step back for Kinder Morgan.

While she understood Kinder Morgan’s concerns

PIPELINE INFO, 6

Wimberley STR owners question city’s data, fees

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Tempers flared earlier this month as local Wimberley business owners questioned the validity of several proposed shortterm rental (STR) ordinance changes.

One of the more controversial proposed changes, among minimum parking requirements, would call for an annual renewal of the Conditional Use Permits (CUP) granted to STR operators in Wimberley city limits. This administrative renewal process would cost $50 per guest with a max renewal fee of $500 per year.

Those proposed changes drew heated debate at a recent joint workshop involving the Wimberley

Planning and Zoning Commission and the STR Advisory Committee.

Many questioned the validity of more stringent regulations for STRs. STR Committee Chair Albert Valera said the purpose of the ordinance change is to bring into compliance those who are operating STRs without a CUP. Around 200 STRs are reported to be out of compliance, according to city estimates from two independent software companies.

“The goal is to put these STRs on a level playing field by bringing non-compliant properties into compliance,” Valera said. “...the point is, is there ever a time it is acceptable for the city to

have a number of people not in compliance. And if there is, how many can we tolerate?”

Valera said the city is experiencing a 30 percent STR growth rate per year, or around 40 to 50 new operations. Valera estimates the number of STRs in the city will double in around three years.

The recent approval of a $19,000 STR software by the city council will aid the city in its efforts to compile data on STRs both in and out of compliance.

“The software is a solution, so I don’t have to hire a second code enforcement officer,” said City Administrator Shawn Cox. “Money isn’t free-flowing.

STR RULE CHANGES, 2

ELECTRIC SCOOTER BAN, 2

More administrative and regulatory oversight on concrete batch plants and quarries in Hays and Blanco counties might be on the horizon with the filing of four new bills.

The legislation, filed

by State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood), is in direct response to concerns about the lack of oversight for concrete batch plants, gravel pits, quarries and stone crushers in the area.

“We’ve seen a proliferation of these facilities, often in someone’s backyard,” Zwiener said. “We have longtime operators that are good neighbors, but we also have new operators that have, quite frankly, been horrible neighbors.”

Part of Zwiener’s strategy was to file four separate bills narrow in scope, each with its own set of goals on regulating the industry. The bills

“We’ve seen a proliferation of these facilities, often in someone’s backyard. We have longtime operators that are good neighbors, but we also have new operators that have quite frankly been horrible neighbors.”

–Erin Zwiener, State Rep., Dist. 45

look to address common complaints from residents, such as water quality, noise and light pollution, transportation infrastructure, air

BATCH PLANT REGS, 6

County looks to state to pay for unfunded mandates

BY KATIE BURRELL Roughly $34.3 million in unfunded mandates will go unpaid by Hays County after commissioners March 12 passed a resolution pushing for state officials to foot the bill.

Hays County Commissioners, who approved the resolution by a 5-0 vote, argued Texas counties cannot responsibly plan annual budgets while the state issues unfunded mandates and budget changes during each legislative session.

The county currently pays for at least 10 unfunded mandates that are required by Texas.

Those mandates cover services such as the appointment of criminal attorneys, attorneys for Child Protective Services cases, funding for the state judicial system and the county jail.

Commissioners said they hope to see the state provide funding for those required services.

Hays County Pct. 1

Mandates in question cover services such as the appointment of criminal attorneys, attorneys for Child Protective Services cases, funding for the state judicial system and the county jail.

Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said Hays and other Texas counties have communicated concerns about the cost of those programs for years, but now have the numbers to show the toll it’s taking on their budgets. During the 2017 legislative session, Ingalsbe said a

UNFUNDED MANDATES, 6

Page 2

News-Dispatch

News -Dispatch PHONE: 512-268-7862 FAX: 512-268-0262 PUBLISHER Cyndy Slovak-Barton csb@haysfreepress.com

EDITOR Moses Leos III moses@haysfreepress.com

REPORTERS Exsar Arguello Katie Burrell news@haysfreepress.com

PRODUCTION David White ADVERTISING/MARKETING Tracy Mack ads@bartonpublicationsinc.com

Jim Darby ads@haysfreepress.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Wayland Clark PROOFREADER Jane Kirkham CIRCULATION MANAGER/ LEGAL NOTICES Verna Wommack paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com

News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the

Electric Scooter Ban

Police Blotter

Continued from pg. 1

regulations ensure we are taking the necessary steps to protect our citizens and visitors.”

According to an affidavit, council member John Kroll recused himself from the vote because his consulting firm, HMWK LLC., provides substantial services for Bird, one of the largest motor-assisted scooter companies in Austin and across the nation.

The ordinance also bans parking the scooters on any sidewalk, public property, public park, public street or highway. Violators of the ordinance could face a fine, but it is unclear at this time how much that would be.

Currently, Wimberley and Kyle do not have ordinances addressing motor-assisted scooters; San Marcos and Buda are looking into the topic.

Kristy Stark, San Marcos communications director, said city leaders will receive a presentation on motorized scooters in the near future.

“We currently do not have an ordinance banning them or allowing them within the city limits; therefore, since no ordinance is in place to allow scooters, we have let the scooter companies know that bringing them into San Marcos will result in immediate confiscation,” Stark said.

However, San Marcos has partnered with Texas State University to bring Veloride, a company that specializes in ride-sharing with bikes, to the city.

The bikes have become a popular mode of transportation for university students and residents of the downtown district, but scooters are not currently present in the city.

A Buda city official confirmed that the city is

investigating the prospect of motor-assisted scooters in town.

Wimberley does not have any ordinances allowing or disallowing the scooters.

Kyle, however, could be taking up the topic of motor-assisted scooters soon.

Jerry Hendrix, Kyle chief of staff, said they have a person “interested in bringing scooters to Kyle.”

Hendrix said that meeting should happen in two weeks, with city staff possibly crafting an ordinance to take to city council soon after.

Hendrix said Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett has not received any reported incidents related to motorized scooters. The city will look to distinguish between privately-owned scooters and those rented out to the public.

“The number one concern for the city would be safety,” Hendrix said. “We’d need to identify what roads can accommodate these scooters and which ones cannot. It’s on our radar, but not a problem at this point.”

Dripping Springs’ new ordinance follows a trend seen in cities outside of Hays County. In early February, Fredericksburg city leaders passed an ordinance banning electric scooters in town.

“These scooters aren’t safe here in Dripping Springs,” said Dripping Springs City Administrator Michelle Fischer. “We don’t have a lot of public sidewalks or large bike-able areas, so they just don’t fit well in our community.”

The ordinance will go into effect after it is published March 21 in the city’s paper of record.

The ordinance will also be posted on the city’s website.

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STR Rule Changes Continued from pg. 1

We’re trying to solve an issue we don’t know the magnitude of.”

Cox said the city is not ignoring its current ordinance, but does not have the personnel to keep STRs in compliance.

Some residents, however, question the committee’s motives. Those residents feel the STR situation in Wimberley is not in a dire state of repair.

“I just don’t understand what made this such a crisis of $19,000 and 50-hours of meetings,” said Josie Bisett, a Wimberley STR owner. “Where did this data come from and if it wasn’t until we went out to contact these companies that we got this data from, what kickstarted this whole STR review process?”

Valera said he doesn’t believe there is a crisis and that the committee’s recommendation is to help prepare for the future growth of STRs in the city.

Additionally, members of the committee said the estimated annual renewal fees would pay for the software. An up to $2,000 fine would be associated with those who fail to come into compliance.

P&Z Commissioners Peter Lingamfelter and Rebecca Minnick questioned the pace of the changes, citing that an ordinance revision was given to them minutes before a Feb. 14

meeting.

“For us to digest this amount of information, it just requires more time,” Lingamfelter said.

Members of the audience wanted the committee to go back to the drawing board. An economic impact statement has not been conducted by the city to estimate how much the renewal fees would impact small businesses and hurt the lodging business in the city.

Bisett said the ordinance changes do not affect those STR operators in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Bisette felt those small business owners have an advantage to STRs that operate in the city limits.

Wimberley resident Ned Murphy pressed the committee on multitude of issues, including the economic impact study.

Murphy questioned what led to a “draconian compliance scheme with a $2,000” risk. He added the fear of fines and trying to stay in compliance could keep people from trying to get into the lodging industry.

“We’re adding more hoops to jump through and we don’t even know if this is going to cost the economy,” Murphy said. “A lot of economic activity won’t happen because so much of our tourism relies on our lodging.”

The following are a list of calls made to law enforcement agencies in Hays County between Feb. 25 and March 3, 2019.

Agency Activity HCSO Assault BPD Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Death Investigation HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Harassment HCSO Harassment HCSO Harassment BPD Theft BPD Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Theft BPD Accident - Major/Injury BPD Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO EMS Response HCSO Assault HCSO Assault HCSO Sexual Assault HCSO Environmental Crime HCSO Death Investigation BPD Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight BPD Counterfeiting HCSO Harassment BPD Indecent Exposure HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Wanted Person BPD Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Theft BPD Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO SWAT/CNT HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight BPD Fraud HCSO Fraud HCSO Harassment HCSO Harassment HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Wanted Person HCSO Wanted Person HCSO Wanted Person BPD Theft BPD Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Vehicle Theft BPD Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Environmental Crime HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Harassment HCSO Harassment HCSO Extradition BPD Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Electrocution/Lightning HCSO Traumatic Injuries HCSO Sexual Assault - Child BPD Burglary - Vehicle BPD Burglary - Vehicle BPD Burglary - Vehicle BPD Burglary - Vehicle BPD Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Environmental Crime BPD Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Disturbance - Phys/Fight HCSO Harassment BPD Suicidal Person HCSO Suicidal Person HCSO Water Rescue HCSO Alarm - Panic HCSO Alarm - Panic BPD Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Environmental Crime HCSO Death Investigation HCSO Harassment HCSO Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Burglary - Habitation HCSO Burglary - Habitation BPD Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Burglary - Vehicle HCSO Illegal Dumping HCSO Harassment HCSO Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Theft HCSO Vehicle Theft HCSO Vehicle Theft HCSO Accident - Major/Injury HCSO Accident - Major/Injury

Worship in a church of your choice Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today.

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM

Sunday Morning

11:00 AM

Sunday Worship

5:45 PM

Wednesday Meal

6:30 PM

Wed TouchPoint

A Family of Faith...

SCBC Preschool Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries

www.sunsetcanyonchurch.org

(512) 894-0480

4000 E. HWY 290

Thursday, March 21, 2019

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule

Rev. Charlie

Spanish Mass Sunday: 1:30 p.m.

corner of RR 12 & Post Oak in Dripping Springs

Garza, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m.

Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.

512-858-5667

www.stmartindp.org

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Time 12:07:16 11:38:28 21:14:31 19:24:05 12:57:01 18:58:28 6:46:40 9:13:16 13:35:09 15:11:34 18:35:03 9:32:05 18:09:16 17:38:14 21:11:44 6:24:17 7:21:06 8:36:31 10:31:24 11:28:35 21:08:03 3:17:31 9:19:32 15:34:26 16:09:03 17:28:13 15:32:23 9:07:06 2:23:40 14:46:45 16:36:14 14:12:19 16:49:40 22:40:44 12:59:36 11:37:24 16:45:50 5:29:17 21:09:11 5:50:44 16:23:27 15:47:20 17:20:44 9:31:19 8:15:08 13:08:42 4:15:58 9:46:07 13:25:24 13:44:07 9:06:00 15:32:18 7:21:10 9:31:26 17:55:05 1:02:23 12:14:43 14:09:16 17:34:44 8:19:13 21:38:23 12:43:47 16:22:21 8:24:17 8:43:03 13:34:29 22:30:13 0:55:03 1:37:53 2:18:36 12:29:27 12:16:03 3:38:49 10:40:44 11:20:35 11:34:10 12:41:28 13:38:19 16:29:04 8:15:08 17:31:53 23:33:02 15:29:45 13:26:07 21:22:16 8:12:56 20:34:59 22:23:19 20:59:22 10:03:42 19:55:24 11:05:00 8:10:49 14:22:08 18:24:08 12:03:43 12:13:29 16:11:42 17:30:21 15:00:18 18:18:10 8:28:36 6:14:21 17:28:11 20:07:31 8:12:48 11:43:00 13:31:04 17:59:06 7:11:22 5:53:12 13:24:43 13:34:07

Location Creek Rd, Dripping Springs Industrial Way Dr, Buda, Iona Motors Elliott Ranch Rd, Buda Masonic Lodge Rd, Wimberley Dacy Ln, Buda, McCormick M.S. Harris Hill Rd. San Marcos Backbone Rdg, San Marcos Thurman Rd, San Marcos W El Camino Real, Wimberley E Loop St Buda, Buda Police Department Old San Antonio Rd, Buda Walmart Dacy Ln, Kyle, Chapa Middle School Grassland Ln, Kyle N Fm 1626/Rr 967, Buda Rr 967, Buda Elementary School Lower W Rr 150, Driftwood, Double Xing East W Fitzhugh Rd/Barton Bnd, Dripping Springs W Rr 150, Driftwood, Double Xing East Bell Springs/W Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs W Rr 150, Driftwood, Double Xing East Shady Oaks/High Rd, Kyle Fm 2001, Buda Poco Loco 11700 W Rr 150, Driftwood, Double Xing East Dacy Ln, Kyle, Chapa Middle School N Main St, Kyle, Kyle Automotive Center Stillwater, Wimberley, Wimberley Substation Bonanza St, Kyle High Mesa Dr, Wimberley Rodriguez St/Ih 35 Fr, Buda 303 blk Homestead Rd, Kyle Old San Antonio Rd, Buda Walmart Razzmatazz Trl, Buda Rr 967 Buda, Creekside Villas Sambar Dr, Buda E Rr 150, Kyle, Simon Middle School Bluff St, Buda, Onion Creek Apts Dragon Ridge Rd, Buda Winchester Dr, Dripping Springs EXIT 223 NB, Buda E Us 290, Dripping Springs Animal Hospital N IH 35, San Marcos, Autumn Chase II Sunrise Dr, Kyle 15570 Ih 35, Buda Cabelas Rr 12, Wimberley Vet Clinic Sawyer Ranch Rd, Sycamore Springs Elem.

Cool Spring Way/Trail Rider Pass Austin Hilliard Rd San Marcos S Stagecoach Trl, Hays County Gov’t Center N IH 35, San Marcos, Autumn Chase II Plainview Rd, Wimberley Old San Antonio Rd, Buda Walmart Old San Antonio Rd, Buda Walmart 260 E Us 290 Dripping Springs, Home Depot N Madrone Trl, Austin Reliance Dr/Fm 2001, Buda Camino Real/Grist Mill Rd, Kyle Old Oaks Ranch Rd/Rr 12, Wimberley 5700 Dacy Ln, Buda, McCormick M.S. W Us 290/Rr 165, Dripping Springs River Run, Dripping Springs Swallowtail Dr, Austin San Marcos, Hays County Law Enforcement Firebush Way, Buda Gatlin Creek Rd, Dripping Springs Jack C Hays Trl, Hays High School Sportsplex/W Us 290, Dripping Springs S Oak Forest Dr/W Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs Yarrington Rd/Airport Highway 21, San Marcos Staples Rd/N Old Bastrop Hwy, San Marcos 2121 Windy Hill Rd, Kyle Fischer Store Rd/Rr 2325, Wimberley Apache Trl, Wimberley Dragon Ridge Rd, Buda Patriot Dr, Buda Patriot Dr, Buda Patriot Dr, Buda Patriot Dr, Buda Patriot Dr, Buda 1500 Rr 967 Buda Calline Mayes Run, Buda 2951 Fm 2001, Buda Poco Loco Overpass Rd, Buda, Tuscany Park Apartments Springs Ln, Dripping Springs, Springs Apts Giberson Way, Buda Creek Rd, Dripping Springs W Rr 150, Driftwood, Double Xing West E Us 290, Dripping Springs Mcdonalds Red Hawk Rd, Wimberley Main St, Buda, Candlewood Suites Buttercup St, San Marcos Regency MHP Kai Vista Dr, Kyle Camino Real, Kyle, Longhorn RV Sunrise Cir, Kyle Cresthill Cswy, Kyle Sunrise Cir, Kyle Post Rd, San Marcos W Us 290, Dripping Springs, General Store Windy Hill Rd/Fm 2001, Buda 4101 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs Teal Ln, Kyle Teal Ln, Kyle Main St Buda, Candlewood Suites Waterfall Ln, Kyle Schubert Ln, Kyle Presidio Rd, Wimberley Rr 12/Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley Cedar Bend Rd, Wimberley Rr 12, Wimberley, Quick Check Waterfall Ln, Kyle Kai Vista Dr, Kyle Skyview Ter/Green Pastures Dr, Kyle W Us 290, Dripping Springs Post Office

Thursday, March 21, 2019

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 3

Sports

Tiger boys soccer smack Raiders 6-0 to wrap up district title

BY REED GRAFF Having clinched the 25-5A district crown, the Dripping Springs Tigers boys soccer team took it to the Reagan Raiders 6-0 Feb. 12 to finish up the regular season.

The match was the last home tilt for eight seniors on the Dripping Springs squad, pushing the program to finish with a win.

Early on, however, Reagan put up a formidable fight.

During the first ten minutes of the match, neither team put together any real runs. Reagan got the game’s first legitimate shot off, but it missed wide left. Following a missed shot from Gabe Molander, Dripping Springs got on the board first when Ethan Roberts’ header snuck past the Reagan keeper for the match’s first goal. Max Gonzales recorded the assist on the goal.

Gonzales didn’t stop there. After a pair of solid Tiger runs at the 18- and 15-minute mark, Gonzales took charge, and unleashed a 20-yard laser that found net to give the Tigers their second goal of the match with 10 minutes to go until halftime.

Just two minutes later, Dripping Springs’ Eli Sass scored a goal and the Tigers led 3-0 at the half.

Things got sassy to

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

In the circle Logan Hulon pitched a complete game no-hit shutout for Dripping Springs, 21-2 (5-0), striking out 14 Lockhart batters while walking only one last Friday night in a 5-0 win over the visiting Lions. Hulon, .44 ERA, improved her record to 10-2.

Hulon’s no-hitter fuels Tigers in 5-0 win over Lockhart

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI Reid. Hulon kept the

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

Dripping Springs’ Alexis Gonzalez (10) steals the ball from a Reagan player in the final game of the regular season at Tiger Stadium on Tuesday, March 12. The 6-0 Tigers’ victory sealed the 5A District 25 championship. Playoff games will begin after Spring Break.

start the second half. Sass got off two great shots in the first five minutes that were both saved, but he would not let up. Sass eventually scored, blowing past the Reagan backline and finding the top right corner of the goal for his second goal and his team’s fourth. Just five minutes

passed, and Sass was making things happen again, scoring his third goal to complete a hat trick.

At this point, Dripping Springs led 5-0 and had clearly taken control of the match.

TIGER BOYS SOCCER, 6

FINAL DISTRICT 25-5A BOYS SOCCER STANDINGS

Dripping Springs 10-2-2 Lanier 9-3-2 McCallum 6-4-4 Travis 5-4-3 Lockhart 5-6-1 Reagan 2-10-2 Crockett 1-8-1

COURTESY PHOTO

Members of the Dripping Springs Lady Tiger soccer team celebrate winning the 25-5A district title March 12.

Tiger girls soccer stop Reagan 9-1 to earn district title STAFF REPORT Six first half goals pushed the Dripping Springs girls soccer team to a dominant 9-1 win over the Reagan Raiders March 12, earning the Tigers the outright 25-5A crown.

Senior Zoe Flores and sophomore Sofia Picucci each finished with a hat trick in the contest, while sophomores Georgia

FINAL 25-6A GIRLS SOCCER STANDINGS Dripping Springs 13-1 McCallum 13-1 Lockhart 6-5-1 Reagan 4-8-2 Crockett 3-7 Lanier 3-9-2 Travis 0-10

Irons, Melissa Richardson and senior Jessica Carmichael each contributed

one goal each.

With the win, Dripping Springs (16-4-3, 13-1) finished in a tie with McCallum for first place in the district standings. However, the Tigers claimed the district title based on goal differential; the Tigers had a goal differential of 79, while McCallum finished with 50.

Dripping Springs outscored all district opponents 82-3 during the

We Support the Tigers Texas hometown friendly bank

512-858-5159

401 E. Hwy 290W. P.O. Box 1243 Dripping Springs, TX 78620

regular season.

Dripping Springs will take on Leander Rouse in a non-district playoff warmup match March 22. The 2019 postseason begins March 28-30. Dripping Springs will take on the fourth-place team out of 26-5A in the first round of the playoffs.

Time, date, location and opponent for the Tigers’ bidistrict round match has yet to be determined.

momentum going with State-ranked Dripa hard-hit single to ping Springs softball center field that scored team (21-2) made Reid from second base, a statement with a increasing Dripping 5-0 victory over the Springs’ lead to 4-0.

Lockhart Lions Friday “We had a couple of thanks to clutch hitting, infield hits where kids as well as a stellar just hustled and that’s pitching performance what we preach,” Womby starting ack said. pitcher Lo“Put the ball Dripping gan Hulon. in play, let’s Springs “Anytime run hard and you get a good things remains win against are going undefeated to happen.

Lockhart it’s a good win,” It was good in District said Dripto see good 25-5A (5-0) contact ping Springs head coach against a solwith the Wade Womid pitcher.” win over ack. “They Hudgeons are a solid finished the Lockhart, program. game 2-for-2 and is Year in and with three year out, RBIs and currently they are in two runs riding an the playoffs.” after smashHulon, a ing a solo 11-game University home-run winning of Houston over the left pledge, field wall in streak. earned the the fifth inwin with ning. Other a dominant comclutch hitters for the plete-game, no-hit Lady Tigers were Hulon, performance, her third who went 2-for-3 with a no-hitter in district, triple and one RBI, and Womack said. Hulon Camille Corona who struck out 14 Lion batwas 3-for-4 with two ters and surrendered singles and one double, just one walk. while adding one run “It was basically just, and one stolen base. ‘go out and do my best Dripping Springs and work for my team,’” remains undefeated in Hulon said. “I know I District 25-5A (5-0) with have my team behind the win over Lockhart, me and if they hit me, and is currently riding they hit me. But I know an 11-game winning I have a great defense streak. Womack credits behind me and know the Tigers’ good hitting that they can back me and pitching, along up.” with strong tournament Between the third play earlier in the seaand sixth innings, son, as a factor for the Hulon retired 10-ofteam’s fantastic start.

12 Lockhart hitters by Womack said the strikeout, including a Tigers went 15-2 during stretch of seven striketournament play, with outs in a row. the only losses coming “She’s got great against top-tier promovement,” Womack grams such as statesaid. “She has good ranked Barbers Hill and velocity. She just works Fort Bend Ridge Point. hard at her craft.”

“But I was really Dripping Springs excited about that hitting came alive in because we were hitting the bottom of the third good pitching solidinning as the team ly, and playing good scored four runs on five defense. We’ve been hits. Bailey Hudgeons getting good pitching got things going with a from Logan and Kyndall two-RBI double to deep (Womack) all year left field that bounced long,” Womack said. off the glove of the Dripping Springs Lockhart outfielder. returns home March 26 Hudgeons then scored when the Lady Tigers off a double down the host Austin Reagan at left field line by Jayna 6 p.m.

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News-Dispatch

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Education Lights, cameras, Texans

Local leaders worry about impact of proposed teacher pay raise

Wimberley High filmmakers earn top marks at state SUBMITTED REPORT A handful of Wimberley High students earned top marks at the UIL Young Filmmakers Festival in Austin for a pair of films entered last month.

Making it to state this year are “The Bread Run,” directed by junior Declan Duggan, and “Aberration,” directed by seniors Braden Gary and Dylan Byrne. The films stood out among 768 entries and four rounds of competition. The teams spent hundreds of hours writing script, creating a storyboard, filming and editing their competition films.

“Our film teams are ecstatic that they are in state competition again, especially to have landed two films in this very competitive festival.

These students have put in long hours, even working through their holiday, getting the shots just right and in the perfect light.

This work ethic, along with boundless talent and

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Association, Texas spent around $10,456 per As the the 86th Texas student during the 2017Legislature churns 2018 fiscal year, which is forward, the pressure to $2,000 below the national address meaningful public average. Compared to school finance reform was other states, Texas ranks on the clock last week. near the bottom for perUltimately, the Texas pupil funding.

Senate unanimously “I am encouraged. passed a bill that would I’m thankful the Texas give teachers and House chose to include librarians a $5,000 raise. only serious proposals The bill proposes $3.7 in the school finance billion for mandated bill,” Zwiener said in a teacher and librarian statement. raises.

However, Zwiener Senate Bill (SB) 3 is a worries how the bill could controversial attempt to impact schools in her address teacher salary district, as well as whether increases, which have the measures provide been a key issue this “adequate funding for session. But for local special education” and public school officials how it impacts educator in Hays County, the pay. implications of a $5,000 “Over the next 82 days, raise may hurt schools I am going to continue to across the state in the work with stakeholders future. and my colleagues in the Questions, however, House to get this done still linger on who will pick and get it done right,” up the $4 billion bill once Zwiener said. funding is spent in two The bill also establishes years’ time. funding for full-day “It’s just a very little Pre-K. Hays CISD drop in the bucket Superintendent Eric considering what the Wright has spoken at legislature has done to board of trustee meetings public education since in favor of full-day Pre-k.

2008,” said Dripping Wright has called Springs Independent full-day Pre-K a way to School District close the learning gap for Superintendent Bruce students at a young age.

Gearing.

A consistent problem for Gearing cited the local districts centers on state’s action to funnel funding for Pre-K. less money to public Carla Perez, a Hays education in the past CISD educator and decade. president of the Hays “It’s a band-aid. If the Educators Association state gives $5,000 raises (HEA), said there are bills and doesn’t fund that pay to stay optimistic about at increase again, would the capital, but SB3 is not school districts have to one of them. take it away? If they don’t “Texas lawmakers fix school finance, and the need to wake up and stop funding runs out, we will making cuts to public have the burden to fund education,” Perez said. those raises,” Gearing “We are trying to fund our said. future, so what does that The bill still needs to be say about our state when approved or reconciled we can’t adequately fund with the House’s own our schools? This session school finance bills. The has been a wake-up call.” bill’s twin, House Bill (HB) Perez said teacher and 3, is garnering bipartisan librarian raises, although support for what state warranted, do not include officials call a more school councilors, bus meaningful effort to fix drivers and other staff school finance. who contribute to the HB 3 includes $6 billion success of a school. for public education Perez said SB3 is a and around $3 billion band-aid and does not for property tax reform. address deep seated issues One of the biggest selling in the way public schools points of the bill includes are funded. its increased funding per “I think HB 3 is the right student throughout the approach because it takes state. a more broad approach Representative Erin to fix school finance Zwiener (D-Driftwood) with full-day Pre-k, remains “cautiously student funding and optimistic” with the some property tax relief,” prospects of HB 3. The Gearing said. “The state bill would increase has to address our system funding per pupil by of recapture and property $890/year. According to tax reform, and I think this the National Education is the right approach.”

COURTESY PHOTO Left to right are Dylan Byrne, Braden Gary directors of Aberration and Declan Duggan, director of The Bread Run are State Finalist Film Directors in the 2019 UIL Young Filmmakers Festival.

teamwork have proven to be the secret to success,” said Greg Dydalewicz, Career Technical Education Instructor and Film Coach.

Declan Duggan worked with his twin brother, Justin, who was the only actor in “The Bread Run.” “I’m glad that I can share my passion with the school and be recognized for it. It’s a really cool

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experience to be part of something like this in high school,” said Declan Duggan.

Eleven students comprised the Aberration team: Braden Gary-Director, Writer, Editor, Colorist; Dylan Byrne-Director, Writer, Editor, Storyboard Artist; Meigan Moncus-Actress; Hallie Strange-Actress; Will Seaton- Composer;

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News-Dispatch

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Hays County Judge’s office seeks improvement of Criminal Justice system

BY MOSES LEOS III

Through the creation of independent commissions, Hays County leaders hope to find ways to improve and overhaul its taxed criminal justice system in order to support its growing populace.

That was the result of an hours-long closed door summit that brought nearly all facets of the system together Friday at the Hays County Government Center.

While specifics were few on the creation of the commission, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said during a press conference it was important for all levels of the justice system to come together and discuss the issues.

“Our biggest task has been to come together without judging departments or offices, but to come with an open mind and to share

“Our biggest task has been to come together without judging departments or offices, but to come with an open mind and to share what’s been going on in our community. We are doing our very best to move forward with this message of unity for residents of this county.”

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra addresses the media following a criminal justice reform summit at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos.

–Ruben Becerra, Hays County Judge

what’s been going on in our community,” Becerra said.

“We are doing our very best to move forward with this message of unity for residents of this county.”

Alex Villalobos, Hays County chief of staff, said county leaders identified areas where the criminal justice system could be more efficient, as well as talk about areas where they could “recapture dollars and reinvest them back into the system.”

Participants in the summit included those in the Hays County Sheriff’s Office,

the District Attorney’s office, Justices of the Peace, all municipal police departments and even bail bondsmen.

During the summit, law enforcement officials looked at data that included statewide trends of public defender offices, as well as staffing issues faced by the HCSO. According to county data, Hays County’s jail has seen an 82 percent rise in its incarceration rate.

The primary idea, however, was creation of the commission, which is expected to do the “lions share” of crafting ways for the county

to be more efficient in its criminal justice processes, Villalobos said. County officials anticipate creating a commission to address different aspects of the criminal justice system and improving it.

What specific departments or areas that might warrant a commission is unknown at this time.

Villalobos said it was “premature” to identify every spot or facet the county aims to focus on, as well as too early to determine how money could be reallocated.

Crafting and appointing members of the commission will happen pretty quickly, Villalobs said.

Several people who have “years of experience” in various areas of the criminal justice system have already volunteered their services, he said.

Becerra and county leaders are also expected to dis-

cuss the item further during Tuesday’s commissioners court meeting.

“The most important thing is that everyone was engaged and everyone provided ideas for better efficiency,” Villalobos said.

“They also identified ways we could engage and work with each other a little better.”

playoff run.”

The Tigers head into postseason play confident and are looking to find success.

“We’re going to go into every game looking to win,” Hill said. “We’re

going to get ready, refocus and, hopefully, do some good stuff.”

Dripping Springs now awaits confirmation of its opening round playoff match, which is expected to be played March 28-

30. The Tigers are slated to take on San Antonio McCollum, the fourthplace team out of 26-5A, in the opening round of the playoffs. Time, date and location have not yet been determined.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Tiger Boys Soccer: District Champs 2019 Continued from pg. 3

Reagan gave the Tigers a final push late in the game and picked up the aggressiveness. That aggressiveness backfired, however, as the Tigers were awarded a penalty kick following a rough foul on Sass. Senior

Alexis Martinez promptly nailed the kick and the Tigers went on to claim the 6-0 victory. Head Coach Josh Hill’s team did what they needed to do and finished the regular season on a high note.

“It was a really good way to finish off district,” Hill said. “We played a good game. We’ve scored six goals in our last two games against good teams. Now we’ve got to regroup and get ready to go for a long

Pipeline Info: Aquifer district seeks answers to questions on pipeline Continued from pg. 1

regarding proprietary information possibly disseminated to the public, Stone said there is a need to collaborate.

Board directors also expressed concern about condensation building up in the pipeline due to temperature changes, and whether it could be toxic if it ever went into the ground.

Angela Williamson, Kinder Morgan project manager, said compressors installed every 100 miles of the pipeline is expected to collect “minor” amounts of condensate. Williamson said more research is needed to define the volume of condensate and its chemical composition.

BSEACD leaders also worried about a lack of

groundwater monitoring associated with the PHP. Williamson said monitoring isn’t planned as natural gas is “lighter than air.”

Fore said Kinder Morgan would have to determine what it would be monitoring for prior to making any decisions.

“Based on what we know and learned over the last several months, this isn’t necessary because of the product,” Fore said.

Other factors discussed included trenching for the pipeline, which is expected to be eight to nine feet deep and five feet wide in most cases, as well as what happens following construction.

Kinder Morgan officials said they work with local agriculture extension

agencies to determine what vegetation is best to replant.

However, directors still had questions on a variety of issues, including measures Kinder Morgan will take to prevent construction runoff from impacting water sources, as well as the overall construction process.

Kinder Morgan expects to begin construction in October 2019 and finish by November 2020; officials said they anticipate hiring 2,500 workers to build the line.

Questions were also raised when Fore said evacuation zones around the pipeline in the event of an emergency don’t exist, despite several city and county officials talking about

them in recent meetings.

Fore said evacuation procedures are up to emergency responders and any protocols they have. Kinder Morgan sends crews to inspect the line and notify emergency officials if there are any issues. The company also plans to train emergency officials to respond to any issues, Fore said.

However, Stone said progress was made when it came to defining what product will go through the pipeline. Fore said Kinder Morgan plans to include language in landowner agreements that specifies only natural gas will be transported.

Previous contracts stated a variety of products could go through the PHP, which Fore said was a standard

agreement.

Fore said the change was made to add an “extra level of assurance” of the product in the line.

He added the company should have had “natural gas on there first” in retrospect. Stone said she was pleased to see Kinder Morgan commit to that in writing.

“I hope folks are seeing some tangible steps in response to what we’ve

been hearing,” Fore said.

He added the meeting was helpful and that BSEACD officials asked “on-point” questions.

Kinder Morgan’s hiring of Campbell White, who had worked on the SH45SW project, was a benefit, Stone said.

“We know this area better than anybody and we want to be part of it and we want to help protect it,” Stone said.

Batch Plant Regs: New bills could tighten rules Continued from pg. 1

towns and disrupt local communities.

“We don’t want to turn these companies away, but we want to make sure those developments are constructed with our existing communities in mind,” she said.

In September 2018, a proposed batch plant located in the Dripping Springs area drew concern from nearby residents. Some residents criticized state agencies for a lack of administrative oversight.

In December 2018, Barton Publications reported the Hays Quarry Rock Crushing Plant had failed to meet environmental standards in the past.

Some local residents worried Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reprimands were not enough to protect the environment in the future.

HB 3035 could potentially change the way TCEQ handles violators.

The bill would require TCEQ to ensure that the amount of an administrative penalty is at least equal to the value of any economic benefit gained by the alleged violator through the violation.

“Regardless of these bills, we need to give TCEQ the adequate funding needed to do their job,” Zwiener said. “The agency received massive budget cuts during the 2011 session. The agency has less personnel and more permits.”

Zwiener said it’s critical that all rules and regulations passed have teeth, which could include improving the agency’s ability to reprimand a company with monetary penalties.

In addition, Zwiener said she was in support

of HB 509 by Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Marble Falls).

The bill would create a Texas Railroad Commission umbrella permit for all gravel mining operations in addition to the currently required TCEQ air quality permits.

Zwiener said her constituents who live near these batch plants have expressed concern about the safety of roads, as trucks carrying tens of thousands of pounds of minerals enter and exit the facilities.

“I don’t want to pass judgment on certain companies, but I do want to make sure that the State of Texas has a regulatory framework to ensure that all facilities operate and behave as good neighbors,” Zwiener said. “We don’t want to negatively impact the quality of life of neighboring communities.”

Unfunded Mandates: Hays County seeks state funds Continued from pg. 1

bill mirroring the county’s resolution made it through the Texas House but not the Senate.

“I think it’s time to say that enough is enough,” Ingalsbe said. “We’ve tried for many years now. If they want us to provide those services, they need to provide the funding.”

Ingalsbe said she plans to return to the legislature to promote the passage of this resolution statewide.

“I think this puts into perspective where our county tax dollars go,” said Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell.

Commissioners said they are not in favor of a

state income tax to solve the problem. Shell said if taxes increase at all, they should increase at the local level where voters have more control.

“I don’t think we want to go to a system where we allow our state, or someone that is in a higher authority, to decide what it is that

we’re paying and what we’re paying for,” Shell said.

County Judge Ruben Becerra said he is opposed to unfunded mandates and said he believes the mandates are unfair and unnecessary.

“They make us look like a bigger government with less control,” Becerra said.

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House Bill (HB) 2939 would require aggregate production operations (APO) facilities to operate between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. if they are within one mile of a single-family housing subdivision or hospital.

Additionally, HB 3033 would allow county commissioners to regulate the construction of new APO facilities by creating onemile setbacks from hospitals, places of worship, schools and residences.

“Hays County has unique challenges because we are growing outside of our city limits and our commissioners court does not have a lot of authority,” Zwiener said.

“It’s the wild, wild west for these companies.”

Zwiener said the purpose of the bills is to create an adequate oversight process so these companies cannot blow through

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