June 15, 2017 News-Dispatch

Is PEC going down the wrong path?

The top 5 moments in Tiger athletics

page 3

Tigers win at national competition

page 4

News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 36 • Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

page 5

75¢

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Accidental fire closes second Wimberley business

BY LESLY DE LEON For the second time in roughly a week, a business on the Wimberley Square will be closed indefinitely due to a fire.

The Chick-a-Dee antique store in downtown Wimberley suffered damage following a fire on the morning of June 7.

While only the front of the business sustained fire damage, the entire building had smoke and water damage.

The fire started just after 8 a.m. on June 7. When firefighters arrived, they discovered fire in an interior wall and were able to put it out within 30 minutes.

The store was closed at the time.

While the owners were in the process of closing and selling the business, Chick-a-Dee posted on Facebook that same morning that the store would be closed indefinitely.

“We were very much looking forward to

staying open until a sale took place, visiting and laughing with all of you more,” the post read. “We are very sad our endeavor has ended like this.

We loved every minute of it. Thank you for your business and friendship over the years. We are grateful.”

The Hays County Fire

Marshal’s office determined the cause of the fire was accidental.

According to the statement, an incident with the exterior power line caused a disruption which resulted in the fire. A large storage pod being moved clipped an electrical wire, causing fluctuations at several

Dripping Springs P&Z greenlights 189-acre Heritage development

BY MOSES LEOS III

An ordinance and several agreements allowing for a development to begin in the 189-acre Heritage subdivision passed a substantial hurdle Monday.

The Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a Planned Development District (PDD) ordinance, as well as an annexation and development agreement for the Heritage subdivision by a 5-0 vote.

The items are subject to finalizing and completing a “mutually acceptable” wastewater agreement, as well as an offsite road and trail agreement, and a financing plan.

All items will now go before the city council, which could take action on them later this month.

Ocie Vest, senior vice president for Stratford Land, said the idea for the property, which is located in the heart of Dripping Springs west of Mercer Street, is to annex the land into the city limits. The property is currently in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Heritage is a 189acre development that will have up to 700 residential units. The development will have single-family units, village condominiums, courtyard housing and some multi-family residential components.

The development is projected for completion

HERITAGE, 8

nearby businesses.

“The ground neutral wire from the power line to the Chick-A-Dee store was pulled loose and the resulting electrical surge had nowhere to go but that building, causing the fire,” said Hays County Fire Marshal Clint

FIRE, 5

Two arrested for $300K in stolen checks

BY MOSES LEOS III A recent welfare check on occupants in a suspicious vehicle ended in the arrests of two Kyle residents who police believe stole more than $300,000 MCGLASSON in checks along with about a dozen credit cards.

Joshua James McGlasson, 30, and Melissa MONCADA Moncada, 27, were charged with fraudulent use/possession of identifying information, along with additional charges.

Officers responded to a call at the Stripes located

MAIL THEFT, 7

LAGNIAPPE ‘From the Ashes’ Benefit Concert

RENDERING COURTESY OF STRATFORD LAND

With up to 700 residential units that will be constructed in four phases, developers of the Heritage subdivision passed a substantial hurdle after Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning commissioners recommended approval of an ordinance and agreements at the development near Dripping Springs High.

Bill allowing landowners to switch water district dies

BY SAMANTHA SMITH The failure of House Bill 4122 in the 85th Texas Legislative session was deemed “a big win” by a local state representative as he believes it leaves groundwater under the protection of conservation districts.

State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) said the original bill, filed by State Rep. Kyle Kacal (R-College Station), would allow large property owners with 1,000+ acres and whose land straddles two or more water conservation districts to petition to move their land into only one district.

Isaac said the reason the bill could be dangerous is that it would have given the landowner the ability to go from a water

“The law would have mandated that groundwater conservation districts would have to comply with a landowners wishes to change districts.”

–State Rep. Jason Isaac

conservation district with higher regulations to a water district with limited oversight.

“The law would have mandated that groundwater conservation districts would have to comply with a landowner’s wishes to change districts,” Isaac said.

Isaac said a state statute still remains requiring a large landowner to petition each water conservation district in

order to be located within only one district. However, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) must also allow the change before it can move forward.

John Dupnik, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District general manager, said he believes the inspiration behind the bill was the desire

HB 4122, 2

The Wimberley community has come together to put on an all-day show to raise money for repairs to Cypress Creek Cafe after the building suffered major damage in a fire earlier this month.

The concert will feature local musicians including the Michael James Band, Kevin Welch and Billy Crockett, Jennifer B and the Groove and more.

The event will be held at The Water Point, 13401 Ranch Road 12, on June 17 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

There will also be a live auction, silent auction, a raffle, kids activities, beer, wine, spirits, food and more. Purchase ticket online at Eventbrite. com.

HCSO Blood Drives

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with We Are Blood, formerly the Blood Center of Central Texas, Cabela’s, and H.E.B. in hosting blood drives during June. Blood donations

LAGNIAPPE, 5

Page 2

News-Dispatch

Thursday, June 15, 2017

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Healthy parks, healthy people Dripping Springs resident Mateo Mendoza uses a washboard during the June Healthy Parks, Healthy People initiative at the Pound House. Founders Park, specifically the Pound House, was the location for the Fitness Blast to the Past event, hosted by the city of Dripping Springs. The event had revelers take part in sack races, put on period clothing and take photos with the chuck wagon. HPHP is a program meant to showcase the city’s five parks and what they have to offer.

PHOTO BY BONNIE GONZALES

HB 4122: District switch bill dies

What happened to four groundwater bills that could have affected groundwater usage in Hays County?

Continued from pg. 1

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of Needmore Water LLC to transfer from a water conservation district with regulated use to a district with unregulated use.

Needmore Water LLC is a water company that is trying to obtain water for the 5,000-acre Needmore Ranch, located outside of Wimberley. The ranch, owned by south Texas beer distributor Greg LaMantia, straddles the BSEACD and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.

In 2015, state legislators passed HB 3405, which allowed the BSEACD to regulate groundwater in what were previously unregulated areas of the Trinity Aquifer.

“All water conservation districts are not created equal,” Dupnik said.

“Some are designed to have less authority.”

Isaac said the bill failing

“All water conservation districts are not created equal ... Some are designed to have less authority.”

SENATE BILL 2254

authored by Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) The gist: SB 2254 would grant the Needmore Ranch Municipal Utility District No. 1 powers as a groundwater conservation district under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code if an election is held for such purpose. At that time, Needmore Ranch MUD No. 1 would also be removed from jurisdiction of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.

Outcome: Filed by Hinojosa on March 27, but the bill didn’t make its way to a committee.

– John Dupnik, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District general manager

was “a win for District 45 and Hays County” because it ensures the protection and regulation of groundwater. He said it further protects legislation passed at the 2015 session protecting property rights.

That includes 2015 HB 3405, or the “Save our Wells” bill.

“I’m glad that any and every attempt to undo the legislation that we worked so hard to pass in 2015 to protect our private property rights and protect our groundwater failed in the 85th legislative session,” Isaac said.

Dupnik added that the bill’s failure keeps an even playing field regarding regulations of groundwater for both the large landowners and the small.

“It puts them (large landowners) in the same category as the people that work here and live here and need water here,” Dupnik said.

Dupnik said since the bill failed, it means going back to where the BSEACD was before the bill was filed and contesting the Needmore Water LLC case along with TESPA (Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association).

Isaac said residents should feel relief that HB 4122 failed and “can feel confident that their water isn’t going to be stolen right from underneath their feet.”

SENATE BILL 1814

authored by Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) The gist: SB 1814 would allow the owner of a parcel of land greater than 1,000 acres and included in the jurisdiction of two or more groundwater districts to petition to transfer their entire parcel of land into a single district.

Outcome: Referred to House Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs committee March, but died in committee.

HOUSE BILL 4122

authored by Kyle Kacal (R-College Station) The gist: A companion bill to SB 1814, HB 4122 would allow the owner of a parcel of land greater than 1,000 acres and included in the jurisdiction of two or more groundwater districts to petition to transfer their entire parcel of land into a single district.

Outcome: The bill was voted out of committee May 2 and passed the Texas House on May 8. However, the item died in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water and Rural affairs.

HOUSE BILL 4045

filed by Phillip Cortez (D-San Antonio) The gist: HB 4045 would allow a district to issue permits to landowners with more than 1,000 contiguous acres of land that’s under two or more groundwater districts without notice or the opportunity for a hearing. A permit issued would be authorized based on the volume of groundwater on a per acre basis based on the greatest amount authorized by the district that receives the application.

Outcome: The bill was filed on March 10, but did not make its way to a House Committee.

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Page 3

Opinion

Is PEC headed down the wrong road again?

BY KATHY SCANLON

AND PATRICK COX, PH.D.

Recent decisions by the PEC Board of Directors leading to the departure of CEO John Hewa have set off alarms and serious concerns about the future of our co-op.

We were the first two PEC board members who were fairly elected in a democratic election of all PEC members in 2008.

We inherited a discredited organization that was ethically bankrupt, fiscally irresponsible, and one that totally ignored its members. PEC members were unhappy, creditors were concerned, employees were dispirited, and few people trusted the PEC management and leadership.

All that changed through hard work and dedication to reform the PEC and make it a responsible and successful organization.

Those changes did not come easy – it took many years to change policies, systems, and build a new management team.

When we hired John Hewa in 2013 we knew that we had found the right person to fulfil the co-op’s vision – to make PEC a national leader in the utility industry and

meet the demands of our rapidly growing electric cooperative.

As a not-for-profit utility, PEC is about serving our members in the most efficient, cost effective and innovative manner possible. Since 2008, we built PEC’s industry-leading reliability, our member services and our commitment to fiscal responsibility through an open and transparent business model. Our PEC employees are number one when it comes to serving our members and our communities. This service is demonstrated through the excellent ratings and approval that PEC has achieved.

Our members have also enjoyed the rewards of improved fiscal oversight – rate reductions that provide real savings to every member’s account. We provided extensive cost reductions and installed a state-ofthe-art computer and data processing system.

Honoring our fiduciary responsibilities, PEC increased its equity, received independent clean financial audits, achieved a AA- bond rating and distributed millions of dollars in capital credits to our members since 2008.

Man up for summer in rompers and lace

H

ave y’all seen the latest fashions in menswear? Last month, some goofylookin’ outfit called a men’s romper was introduced to the fashion world. In case you haven’t seen this atrocious attire, allow me to describe it.

The romper is a one-piece shirt/shorts combo that comes in several pastel colors. It is similar to those coveralls our dads wore back in the ’60s except they are short pants and come in colors you’d find on the walls of a women’s boutique.

I don’t know if rompers button up or have zippers, but either way, it won’t be easy to drop trou quickly if that burrito from 7-11 has an express pass. If I was the designer of the romper, I would’ve put in a trap door like those long-handle underwear because there are times where every second counts.

A new fashion for hypoandrogenic (look it up) men that popped up on Facebook today are lacey shorts. These are what they sound like; they are flimsy shorts made out of a lacey material. I suspect this fashion began over in France or perhaps Italy and made its way across the pond to America. I can’t fathom any designer at Levi Strauss coming up with the idea of making pants with doilies.

So, now we men have the choice of donning a romper or lacey shorts once we get tired of wearing Wranglers. Personally, I don’t plan on making the switch to unmanly menswear. I have been wearing jeans for over 50 years, and I don’t plan to switch to prissy pantaloons in this lifetime. And if some family member thinks it would be funny to dress me in a romper as I lie in my casket, I swear I’ll come back and haunt you.

Some of y’all folks who might be city-dwellers may wonder why I wear jeans so often and not a more comfortable, loose-fitting pair of pants.

Sure, baggy shorts might be comfy and cooler on a

From the Crow’s Nest

Contrary to two separate votes by the membership to maintain the at-large voting system for directors, the current PEC board changed the election process ... Now, it is virtually impossible to replace any board member for misguided actions that threaten the overall stability and continued success of PEC.

We also recognized our duties as stewards of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. We initiated energy efficiency and renewable energy resources in a fiscally responsible manner. We provided new technologies and rate designs that reflect our members’ needs.

In governance, we established policies to cover conflicts of interest, a code of ethics, continuing education, an open meetings and open records policy, and a “Members’ Bill of Rights” to guarantee open, fair elections. We created one of the most transparent utility cooperatives in the nation.

With all of these achievements, why has PEC CEO John Hewa “re-

signed” from his position in 2017?

The board of directors’ role is to provide guidance and oversight of the CEO to fulfill the strategic plan and oversee management of the entire coop. In today’s complex world, decisions require extensive research and evaluation by managers who supply this information to the board. John Hewa did this and was an exceptional CEO. However, with all these accomplishments, Hewa did not depart because he could not do his job. It is all too apparent that this “resignation” was due to causes unrelated to his performance.

The current PEC Board of Directors is not being straightforward

with the members. They need to be honest about Hewa’s departure. Hewa publicly stated that certain board members retaliated against him and other employees for questioning statements and actions by directors. And it also raises more concerns – since there are no issues of misconduct or professional capability, why is he leaving?

How much is he being compensated to leave, what is the plan for finding a new CEO, how do you expect to find a top notch CEO under these circumstances, and how are we going to earn the respect and trust of members and employees again?

Contrary to two separate votes by the membership to maintain the at-large voting system for directors, the current PEC board changed the election process. Instead of members voting for every director on a rotating basis, we now vote every third year for a director in a smaller region of the PEC service area. Now, it is virtually impossible to replace any board member for misguided actions that threaten the overall stability

and continued success of PEC. PEC Directors Kathy Scanlon and Cristi Clement unsuccessfully fought this outlandish move. The PEC Board of Directors is not a political office – and directors should leave their partisanship at home.

Our call is for this board to provide complete disclosure to members at the upcoming June 17 annual meeting of the true reason for the departure of one of the most outstanding, accomplished CEO’s in the nation. Failure to do so is inexcusable.

Truly responsible board members would look within themselves and confess their inability to exercise proper judgment.

Resignation of the five current board members involved in this unfortunate departure of Hewa would be the most honorable and ethical decision to protect the PEC and our future.

Kathy Scanlon is an Austin resident and former PEC Board President from 201213. Patrick Cox, Ph.D., is a Wimberley resident and Former PEC Board President from 2013-15

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by Clint Younts

hot day, but living out on a ranch, you never know when you will have to climb over a barbed wire fence. With well-fitted denim jeans, it is much safer to cross over the wire while someone wearing baggy britches could easily snag his dangly bits on a sharp barb.

I have not yet seen any fellas ‘round here wearing a romper or lacey shorts, but then I don’t go into the Land of the Weird very often. I suspect they are individuals wearing such attire walking around on 6th Street, but I doubt I’d see any guy walk into Riley’s Tavern wearing a fuchsia romper with matching flip-flops and ordering a Lone Star draft.

He might walk in but he’d probably get carried out.

Hey, I’m not one to talk bad about men’s fashion. I admit I don’t know what’s stylish. I have a wife and daughters to keep me from looking like a clown.

I haven’t bought clothes without female supervision since 1979. I wonder what ever happened to that fishnet tank top and my favorite Farrah Fawcett T-shirt? They both disappeared from my dresser drawer shortly after getting married.

Nope, there ain’t no way you’ll see me dressed like a toddler going to church on Easter morning. Until some new fashion comes along where the outfit makes a man look mighty fine, doesn’t cause a ruckus in beer joints and keeps his bojangles in place, I plan to live and die in my faded blue jeans and sweatstained T-shirt.

Clint Younts’ bull might run for his neighbor’s pasture if he ever showed up in pastel lacies. In the meantime, you an reach him at crowsnest78610@ gmail.com.

See Solution, pg. 8

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Page 4

News-Dispatch

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Sports

The Top 5

Big moments for Tiger athletics in 2016-17

1. Softball reaches state tournament

It wasn’t always an easy route, but the Dripping Springs Tigers softball team used teamwork and determination in forging the program’s first trip to the state tournament since 2011. Led by pitcher Kiele Miller, who was named 26-5A most valuable player and a selection to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State team, Dripping Springs powered past its district opponents en route to a district title.

The Tigers are led by head coach Wade Womack, who this week was named as the TGCA softball coach of the year in Classes 5A and 6A.

The 2016-17 Tiger season at a glance

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Dripping Springs Tiger sophomore Mackenzie Pierpoint hugs teammate Paige Leschber in celebration following the team’s Region IV, 5A series win over the Richmond Foster Falcons in Weimar.

2. Tiger football claims share of district championship

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

With the 26-5A trophy in hand, Dripping Springs Tiger head football coach celebrates with his team following the team’s victory over Marble Falls in November, which secured a threeway tie for the district title.

It took 20 years for the Dripping Springs Tiger football team to find its way back to a district title. With a 41-10 win over the Marble Falls Mustangs in what was the final game ever played at the old Tiger Stadium, Dripping Springs secured a three-way tie for the 26-5A crown. The Tigers, led by head coach Galen Zimmerman, used the district title as momentum for a historic playoff run that had the Tigers finish as regional finalists, which was the deepest made by a Tiger football team in school history. Numerous Tigers received post-season accolades, including quarterback Reese Johnson, who was district offensive MVP.

4.Boys basketball’s stuns in playoff run

PHOTO BY GALEN ZIMMERMAN

3. Jayci Goldsmith wins state tennis title

History was made in April when Tiger senior and Texas A&M commitment Jayci Goldsmith navigated her way to the school’s first individual state tennis championship. Goldsmith claimed the Girls 5A championship title after defeating McKinney North’s Anna Zhang in three sets. According to the Tennis Recuriting Network, Goldsmith is a 5-star recruit and is ranked 3rd in Texas and 23rd national. Goldsmith is also ranked 103rd out of 2,740 eligible players in the United States Tennis Association’s Girls 18 list.

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

Dripping Springs’ Lane Dominey (center), fans and Tigers’ coach Craig Swannack (left) celebrate after Richard Milliron’s two point shot was good to give the Tigers a 46-44 lead in February. With one second on the clock, Tivy failed to get a shot off on the inbound and the Tigers won the game.

Few teams were as big a surprise as the Dripping Springs boys basketball team, which used a late-season push to complete a historic finish in the UIL Region IV, 5A Final. The run was the deepest made by a Dripping Springs basketball team in roughly two decades.

The Tigers squeaked into the playoffs by finishing third in 265A play, but pushed ahead by ousting Austin Reagan, Lamar Consolidated, Angleton and Laredo Martin en route to the regional final. The Tigers were led by head coach Craig Swannack.

Success on the field wasn’t hard to find for Dripping Springs athletics in 2016-2017, as all team sports finished at or above the .500 mark during the season. The season began with the Tiger volleyball team’s undefeated district championship and ended with the softball team’s trip to the state tournament.

The figures, however, don’t count many of the individual successes claimed

by Dripping Springs Tigers during the course of the season.

Highlighting the invidivudal highlights was Tiger tennis player Jayci Goldsmith, who in April secured the school’s first individual tennis state championship.

Dripping Springs’ cross country team reached the UIL state meet for a second straight year. The Tiger wrestling team’s Chase Warden and Clayton Jetton both earned a trip to the state meet in 2017.

The Tiger track and field team send several athletes to the UIL Region IV, 5A meet, with Sydney Cole and Hannah Biggs advancing to the state meet.

Overall, Dripping Springs teams went 180-78-11 on the year.

180

Wins scored by Dripping Springs team athletics

69.8%

Win percentage for all Dripping Springs team sports

76

District 26-5A wins by Dripping Springs teams.

76%

District winning percentage

by Dripping Springs teams

4

26-5A district championships or co-championships won

by Tiger athletics (softball, girls golf, volleyball, football)

64

Tiger athletes named as first or second team 26-5A All-District selections

2

District Most Valuable Player awards won by Tiger athletes (Gracyen Tippens, volleyball; Kiele Miller, softball)

7

Teams that reached the playoffs in 2016-17

5

Teams reaching the regional quarterfinal round or better in the playoffs

2

Teams finishing as regional finalists

2

Teams reaching the state tournament or meet (softball, cross country)

1

State champion (Jayci Goldsmith, tennis)

VOLLEYBALL

33-15, 14-0 in district play

FOOTBALL

12-2, 6-1 in district play

GIRLS BASKETBALL

24-11, 11-5 in district play

BOYS BASKETBALL

25-14, 9-5 in district play

5. Cross country reaches state once again

A trip to Round Rock’s Old Settlers Park was in the cards once again for the Dripping Springs girls cross country team, as they reached the UIL 5A state meet in November 2016. The team, led by head coach Marisa Parks, took third place at the District 26-5A meet in Seguin in October, then followed with a second place team finish in the UIL Region IV, 5A meet in Corpus Christi later that month. The Tigers took 14th as a team at the UIL state meet, with Sydney Cole finishing in 25th place overall.

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GIRLS SOCCER

15-6-4, 9-2-3 in district

BOYS SOCCER

9-8-6, 6-6-3 in district

SOFTBALL

35-9, 11-1 in district

BASEBALL

27-13-1, 10-4 in district play PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

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Thursday, June 15, 2017

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Page 5

Education

Tigers claim victory at national competitions STAFF REPORT Two teams of Dripping Springs High students successfully applied their engineering skills at national competitions and were recognized for outstanding achievement June 8-10. This was the first year for DSHS students to enter either of these competitions.

Each team was judged based on its application of aerodynamic principles, consideration of design aesthetics, innovation and engineering, marketing, quality of manufacturing, race times, pit display, portfolios, safety, team identity and verbal presentations.

A group of six students competed in the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge Cup of the Americas based on their regional finish in January.

The DSHS team won the Portfolios Award and the AutoDesk Design Challenge. In the F1 in Schools Challenge, students use software

to collaborate, design, analyze, manufacture, test, and race miniature compressed air-powered balsa wood F1 cars.

The Dripping Springs High team includes Aubrie Caldwell, Skylar Daniel, Ken Gossett, Cade Nowicki, Drew Pare, and Elliot Turner.

Another group of students entered the Jaguar Land Rover 4x4 Technology Challenge, placing second overall.

The Challenge involves the design and construction of a radio-controlled fourwheel-drive vehicle. The DSHS team was recognized as having the “Best Track Performance” and received the Innovative Thinking Award.

Based on that finish, the students qualified for the World 4x4 Championship in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) in December.

Team members are Jason Fitzpatrick, Bryce Fitzpatrick, Dallas Hudson, Ben Marsan, Cole Scott, and Henry Windsor.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Top: The Dripping Springs F1 Challenge team includes Aubrie Caldwell, Skylar Daniel, Ken Gossett, Cade Nowicki, Drew Pare, and Elliot Turner. Inset: The Dripping Springs Jaguar Challenge team earned second place. The team includes Jason Fitzpatrick, Bryce Fitzpatrick, Dallas Hudson, Ben Marsan, Cole Scott, and Henry Windsor.

Maroon staying green

Dripping Springs High students help build recycling, compost program

BY LESLY DE LEON

T

he desire to reduce leftover food and waste during lunchtime is what sparked a new recycling and composting program at Dripping Springs High, which was done with the help of students.

The program uses a machine to compress and recycle Styrofoam trays, and a food compost accelerator, to convert leftovers into a nutrient-rich material, reducing the amount of waste in the high school cafeteria.

DSISD purchased a StyroGenie, a thermal densification machine that recycles foam trays that would otherwise end up in landfills.

“This machine will recycle up to 1,800 Styrofoam trays at one time,” said John Crowley, DSISD director of childhood nutrition.

The machine transforms Styrofoam trays into a liquid resin, which is cooled into cubes that

“We were so successful that the company who sold us the machines and sorting tables has asked for us to model the implementation of this system in a K12 environment ... Each student involved feels deeply connected to their campus and is proud to have played an integral role in the implementation of a truly innovative solution.”

– Jamie Biel, Dripping Springs High School environmental science teacher

are returned to a manufacturing facility and incorporated into the production of new trays.

The cubes will be picked up and sent to a factory in Houston that will turn it back into Styrofoam, Crowley said.

This process reduces waste by 95 percent, which reduces landfill materials.

“We’re actually doing a full circle with recycling and keeping that out of the landfill,” Crowley said.

The high school’s compost accelerator sanitizes and dehydrates leftover

food, turning it into a nitrogen-rich, coffeegrounds-like material, and reduces food waste volume by 90 percent.

The material is given to the high school’s agriculture department and mixed with compost to be sold or used in landscaping.

“The Ag and FFA kids are mixing the dehydrated food scraps with animal manure and cedar shavings, bagging, and selling this high-quality compost to local businesses,” said Jamie Biel, Dripping Springs High

School environmental science teacher. “The sales fund the Ag program and it saves the district money on tipping fees at the landfill.”

Students divide their trash among food, cans and bottles, landfill material and trays using the three new sorting stations in the cafeteria.

“The composting keeps nutrients cycling in the environment and reduces methane emissions, which is a really effective heat traveling gas,” Biel said. “We are making positive benefits to the

one to donate for you.

Volunteers can donate one pint of whole blood every 56 days. Donors are encouraged to eat a good meal before donating blood.

Blood drives will be held Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cabela’s (Buda) Parking Lot; Thursday, June 22 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the San Marcos – Hays Coun-

ty Government Center (conference rooms 1001 & 1002); and Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the HEB in Dripping Springs, HEB in Kyle and HEB in Wimberley.

Make an appointment online at www.weareblood.org - Group code: B416. Questions may be directed to Hays County Deputy Sheriff Stephen Traeger at (512) 393-7373

or via email at stephen. traeger@co.hays.tx.us.

Walk-ins are always welcome. Each donor will receive a We Are Blood summer t-shirt.

environment and the economy.”

Students in the high school’s environmental science classes helped other students adjust to sorting their trash by creating informational posters, flyers, brochures and a video.

The educational video was showed during students’ advisory period, lunch, and on a loop outside the school’s Center for Learning and Innovation.

LifeSkills students and staff helped model the proper sorting of materials in the cafeteria and engineering students made laser-cut placards for the sorting tables.

After students were introduced to the new sorting system, a second video was created by environmental science students to more deeply and broadly educate the community about the recycling and composting system.

“We were so successful that the company who

sold us the machines and sorting tables has asked for us to model the implementation of this system in a K12 environment,” Biel said. “Each student involved feels deeply connected to their campus and is proud to have played an integral role in the implementation of a truly innovative solution.”

According to a press release, DSISD is the first school district in Central Texas to implement this program.

“Both of these processes will help keep organic waste out of landfills,” Crowley said. “We are thinking globally but acting locally.”

The recycling and composting program could also lead to the use of fewer trash bags, potentially fewer picks-ups by the waste company, and a lighter work load for custodians at lunch time.

DSISD officials could potentially implement the compost and recycling programs in other campuses in the future.

tomato growers show off their prized produce, and local tomato aficionados get a chance to taste everything from romas to red slicers during the sixth annual Dripping Springs Tomato RoundUp and Contest on Saturday, June 24. The tomato-centric event will be held at Veterans Memorial Park/The

Triangle), located at the corner of RR 12 and Highway 290 in downtown Dripping Springs. Parking is free.

The Round-Up begins at 9 a.m.

Lagniappe

Continued from pg. 1 go to over 40 hospitals in the Central Texas area, including Seton Hays Medical Center in Kyle and Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos.

Citizens of Hays County are encouraged to come out and help save lives by donating their precious lifesaving gift of life. One donation can help save two lives. If you cannot donate, please ask some-

Tomato Round-up

Come whet your appetites as local

Fire: Accident closes another Wimberley biz Continued from pg. 1

Browning.

This incident occurred only a week after a separate and unrelated fire completely destroyed in the interior of the Cypress Creek Café in downtown Wimberley.

Browning said the fire at the Cypress Creek Café on May 30 was ruled accidental. The fire started in the kitchen of the café, he said in a statement.

“There is no evidence of arson or other cause,”

Browning said the fire at the Cypress Creek Café on May 30 was ruled accidental.

Browning said. He added the two owner-residents of the Cypress Creek Café were “lucky” to get out in time.

The building is considered to be a total loss with damage estimated at $750,000.

The community is

gathering to support the owners and employees of Cypress Creek Café with a GoFundMe page and a benefit concert.

Local businesses are also interviewing former café employees who lost their jobs to possibly employ them.

Put your best paw forward with a subscription to the News-Dispatch.

Subscriptions start at only $32 a year. Call (512) 268-7862 or email paper@haysnewsdispatch. com to start receiving all your local news covering Dripping Springs, Wimberley and western Hays County every week.

Do you know of a free community event to be included in Lagniappe?

Send an email to christine@haysfreepress. com.

Classifieds

Page 6

20 words for $8!

Place your classified ad by calling 512-268-7862 or send an email to paper@haysnewsdispatch.com.

We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover

DEADLINE: NOON MONDAY FOR THURSDAY’S PAPER

News-Dispatch

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Statewide Classifieds

Estate Auction

Employment

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Sale Site: The Terrace Club, 2600 E Hwy 290, Dripping Springs

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w County Water w Zoned Commercial Services w Hays Co Tax Parcel R91174

Public Notices

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All Utilities Available Total Rental Income of $2,495 Per Month Zoned Commercial Services & Mobile Home Hays Co Tax Parcels R36543, R133097 and R36522

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West Region Only ........ . 250

INTERESTED IN REAL ESTATE?

2% Broker Co-Op Available 800-841-9400 www.HudsonMarshall.com

NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 1-800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop

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Invokana is a treatment for Type Ryan A. Krebs, M.D., J.D. 2 Diabetes. Lawsuits allege that Doctor-Lawyer in Full-time Law Practice Invokana may be linked to heart Richard A. Dodd, L.C. attacks, kidney failure and ketoacidosis, R. Cappolino, P.C. which is a diabetic coma that can lead BoardTimothy Certified Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to fatal sweeling in the brain. The FDA FEE FOR FIRST VISIT has warned about possible kidney OFFIcesNO In HOusTOn/cOnrOe, TempLe AnD AusTIn, prIncIpAL OFFIce In cAmerOn injury and ketoacidosis. If you have taken Invokana and have one of these conditions, call us today for professional insight. www.DefectiveDrugsLaw.com

1-800-460-0606

Dripping Springs Independent School District is requesting proposals for Charter Bus Services under RFP # 15-019-1 Charter Bus Services - Multiple Award.

Proposals will be received in the Business Office of the Dripping Springs Independent School District, 510 West Mercer Street P.O. Box 479, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620. Proposals shall be addressed to Michelle Lyons, Purchasing Specialist. Any questions pertaining to the proposal specifications should be directed to Michelle Lyons, Purchasing Specialist Ð CTSBS, michelle.lyons@ dsisdtx.us. All proposals must be received by 2:00 P.M. (CST) on July 31, 2017.

Dripping Springs Independent School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to waive any formalities and irregularities in the bids received, and to accept the offer(s) most advantageous to the District.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

By order of the Hays County Commissioners Court, notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 at 9 a.m. in the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, the Hays County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing to consider: Cancellation of Lot 2 in the Edwards Ranch Subdivision.

Service Directory Barns

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Central Garage, LLC Complete Auto Repair

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Takin g ca of A re LL NEED LAWN S so you can play .

Mowing • trimming • edging debris removal • flower bed maintenance Call Jesse Reyna at 512-788-2180 or email apa6207@sbcglobal.net

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Thursday, June 15, 2017

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 7

Texas in middle of the road for economic growth

BY MOSES LEOS III

Despite having a higher than national average unemployment rate and slow gross domestic product (GDP) growth, Texas ranks as the 20th best economy in the United States, according to new numbers from Wallet Hub. Texas scored a 55.40 out of a possible 100 in Wallet Hub’s ranking, which obtained rankings for economic activity, economic health and potential innovation.

The state tied with Louisiana for 1st place when it comes to most exports per capita among the 50 states.

According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas had a value of over $230 million in exports in 2016. Of

Economic Performance of Texas (1=Best; 25=Avg.) 41ST – GDP Growth 1ST – Exports per Capita 6TH – Startup Activity 21ST – % of Jobs in High-Tech Industries 24TH – Annual Median Household Income 28TH – Change in Nonfarm Payrolls (2016 vs. 2015) 20TH – Government Surplus/Deficit per Capita 39TH – Unemployment Rate that amount, 18 million came from petroleum, oil and minerals, while ten million derived from parts and accessories for machines and units.

Texas ranked 24th in annual median household income, according to WalletHub’s

numbers. According to 2015 Census Bureau statistics, the average median household income in Texas is $55,653, which was slightly below the national 2015 median income.

But the state is 41st in

Keep your eye out for surprises at home closing

D

ear Terese, I am so excited, we close on our first home this week! Do you have any advice that will help us avoid any unexpected surprises?

Erin Dear Erin, Congratulations! I’m so happy to hear that you have invested in home ownership. There are several items that many new homeowners may not think of when they move into their new home. Do you know where the water shut off valve is located?

This is important to know in case of an unexpected lease. Do you know where the main electrical shut off switch is located?

Also, be sure to label the individual circuits to your home. An electrician can help you with this task. Planning on digging around? Call 811, a new free national hotline a few days before digging. It is a new law in Texas, and any underground utility lines must be marked on the property. Looking for services? 211 is a free statewide 24- hour service for local agencies for various agencies,

Dear Terese

by Terese Peabody

including disaster relief information, utility service issues, food pantries, child care, and healthcare. Also, in Texas home owners can apply for a homestead exemption to lower your taxes. Check with your local appraisal district.

Dear Terese, I’m concerned about the suggested list price from a local realtor. I assumed my tax valuation would be the list price.

How the list price is established when you list a property?

Daniel Dear Daniel, Changing housing markets have the biggest effect on final sale prices. The actual sale price is determined by local housing market conditions and willing buyers and sellers, also known as the supply/ demand effect. The list price may be above or below the final sales

price, depending on various circumstances.

A knowledgeable agent will consider the current market condition, knowledge of local transactions, and current market information.

Finding the “right price” for a home is a moving target, and changes monthly as market conditions change.

Homebuyers, sellers, and agents will all consider the current list prices, recent sales prices, and also the current inventory to determine the final sales price. Negotiations also may have an impact on the final sales price.

Tip of the Day: “Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.”

– Charles R. Swindoll Terese Peabody Cozart, Broker Associate, Stanberry & Associates GRI, CRS, ABR, SRES, CNE, GREEN, CLHMS 400 Hwy 290 W, B-101, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 terese@stanberry.com, www.tpeabody.com 512894-3488 office, 512-6997711 cell

real estate, rental and leasing.

The state is also struggling with a higher than national average unemployment rate.

Texas’ rate was 5 percent of the current workforce, according to March 2017 statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national unemployment rate in March was 4.5 percent, and has gone down to 4.3 percent in May. Approximately 676,000 Texans were unemployed in April. Of the roughly 13.5 million people in the civilian labor workforce in Texas, 12.8 million are employed.

In the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos area, roughly 36,000 people, or 3.2 percent of the workforce, is unemployed.

But Texas is atop the

list of states that have seen the highest rate of start-ups.

According to the 2017 Kaufmann Index, which measures the trends in start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, Texas has the second highest rate of new entrepreneurs in the country. According to the index, 400 out of every 100,000 Texans become new entrepreneurs in the state.

The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitian area was second only to Miami in start-up activity rate, according to the Kauffman Index. The rate of new entrepreneurs is 510 per 100,000 people in the area.

For more information, visit wallethub.com/ edu/states-with-the-besteconomies/21697/

50-280(Rev. 4-16/3)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE The Dripping Springs Independent School District will hold a public meeting at 6:00 pm June 26, 2017 in Board Room at DSISD Administration Building 510 W Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, TX. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

The tax rate that is ultimately adopted at this meeting or at a separate meeting at a later date may not exceed the proposed rate shown below unless the district publishes a revised notice containing the same information and comparisons set out below and holds another public meeting to discuss the revised notice.

Maintenance Tax

$1.17/$100 (Proposed rate for maintenance and operations)

School Debt Service Tax Approved by Local Voters

$.35/$100 (Proposed rate to pay bonded indebtedness)

Comparison of Proposed Budget with Last Year’s Budget The applicable percentage increase or decrease (or difference) in the amount budgeted in the preceding fiscal year and the amount budgeted for the fiscal year that begins during the current tax year is indicated for each of the following expenditure categories: Maintenance and operations

7.65% increase or ___________% (decrease)

Debt service

.19% increase or ___________% (decrease)

Total expenditures

6.08% increase or ___________% (decrease)

Total Appraised Value and Total Taxable Value (as calculated under Tax Code Section 26.04) Preceding Tax Year

Current Tax Year

$4,309,667,774

$4,890,145,311

$328,017,203

$303,004,374

$4,022,061,215

$4,601,882,069

$204,943,041

$201,087,468

Total appraised value* of all property Total appraised value* of new property** Total taxable value*** of all property Total taxable value*** of new property**

* “Appraised value” is the amount shown on the appraisal roll and defined by Tax Code Section 1.04(8). ** “New property” is defined by Tax Code Section 26.012(17). *** “Taxable value” is defined by Tax Code Section 1.04(10).

Bonded Indebtedness Total amount of outstanding and unpaid bonded indebtedness* $186,944,999

* Outstanding principal.

Mail Theft

Comparison of Proposed Rates with Last Year’s Rates

Continued from pg. 1 at 7809 Camino Real in east Kyle at about 4 a.m.

June 4.

Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said someone called about a white Chevrolet pickup truck that had been in the parking lot “a long time” and the occupants appeared to be passed out.

Kyle officers conducted a welfare check on a man and woman inside of the truck. One of the officers recognized the male as having an outstanding warrant with the Kyle Municipal Court.

“When he asked the man to step out of the truck, the officer found a pipe with brown residue in the bowl in the man’s pants’ pocket,” Barnett said.

The female occupant of the truck told officers there was crystal methamphetamine in the vehicle.

Officers found 3.6 grams of the drug in the truck along with $1,000 in cash. Both were placed under arrest and booked into the Hays County Jail.

Barnett said during the inventory of the vehicle contents, which is standard procedure following an arrest, officers discovered several bags of mail in the truck. Kyle Police found mail from many different residents with addresses in Cedar Creek, Maxwell, Dale, Austin, Kyle, Buda and San Marcos.

GDP growth. GDP is the market value of goods and services produced by the labor and property located in a state, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis website.

According to May 2017 statistics from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Texas current dollar GDP in 2016 was $1.6 billion, which ranked second in the country.

However, the state’s Real GDP grew by only 0.4 percent. Despite the low figure in 2016, Texas’ compound annual growth rate for Real GDP was 3 percent between 2006 and 2016, which was higher than the national compound growth rate during the same time period.

Roughly 15 percent of Texas total GDP came from finance, insurance,

Interest & Sinking Fund* $ .35000*

Total $ 1.52000

Rate to Maintain Same Level of Maintenance & Operations Revenue & Pay Debt Service $ 1.51252

$ .39529*

$ 1.90781

$10,261

$579

Proposed Rate

$ .35000*

$ 1.52000

$ 9,662

$579

Last Year’s Rate

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KYLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Several bags of mail were recovered by Kyle Police that included more than $300,00 in stolen checks, credit cards, bank statements and more.

“Kyle PD has recovered more than $300,000 in stolen checks, about a dozen credit cards, along with bank statements and other mail ... The mail was from both residences and businesses.”

–Jeff Barnett, Kyle Police Chief

“Kyle PD has recovered more than $300,000 in stolen checks, about a dozen credit cards, along with bank statements and other mail,” Barnett said. “The mail was from both residences and businesses.”

Barnett added officers continue to go through the “vast amount of mail recovered.” Officers also confirmed McGlasson and Moncada had already used one credit card at Lowe’s. Barnett said his officers have been reaching out to the victims of the mail fraud. He said KPD

contacted one woman who didn’t even know her credit card was missing yet.

“She was extremely grateful to our officers for finding the stolen mail,” Barnett said.

McGlasson and Moncada were also charged with possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, which is a third degree felony, for crystal meth of between 1 and 4 grams.

Moncada and McGlasson are being held in the Hays County Jail on $50,000 bond.

Maintenance & Operations $ 1.17000

$ 1.17000

Local Revenue State Revenue Per Student Per Student $9,988 $632

*The Interest & Sinking Fund tax revenue is used to pay for bonded indebtedness on construction, equipment, or both.The bonds, and the tax rate necessary to pay those bonds, were approved by the voters of this district.

Comparison of Proposed Levy with Last Year’s Levy on Average Residence Last Year

This Year

Average Market Value of Residences

$ 345,209

$ 375,339

Average Taxable Value of Residences

$ 318,794

$ 350,000

Last Year’s Rate Versus Proposed Rate per $100 Value Taxes Due on Average Residence

$ 1.52

$ 1.52

$ 4,845.67

$ 5,320.00

Increase (Decrease) in Taxes

$ 474.33

Under state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older or of the surviving spouse of such a person, if the surviving spouse was 55 years of age or older when the person died, may not be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65, regardless of changes in tax rate or property value.

Notice of Rollback Rate: The highest tax rate the district can adopt before requiring voter approval at an election is 1.5652. This election will be automatically held if the district adopts a rate in excess of the rollback rate of 1.5652.

Fund Balances The following estimated balances will remain at the end of the current fiscal year and are not encumbered with or by a corresponding debt obligation, less estimated funds necessary for operating the district before receipt of the first state aid payment: Maintenance and Operations Fund Balance(s) Interest & Sinking Fund Balance(s)

$ 26,666,960 $ 6,415,990

Page 8

News-Dispatch

Heritage

Continued from pg. 1 in four phases.

Vest said condos and courtyard homes would have a price point that begins at the mid-$200,000 range, while single-family residences would begin at $300,000. Vest added the price point of homes in the Heritage Subdivision would be more affordable than other areas in Dripping Springs.

The development is projected to have three acres of commercial space in the center of the subdivision. Vest said the space, which would be near the property’s amenity center, would cater to restaurants.

“The idea there is to get retail establishments that can do well in the area,” Vest said. “Coffee shops, sandwhich or ice cream shops, so we can really play to neighborhood services rather than pull people off of U.S. 290.”

Heritage would also become the city’s second public improvement district (PID), but would be a reimbursement PID. Stratford would pay the cost for infrastructure up front, and would then be reimbursed via assessments from homeowners.

Mim James, Dripping Springs P&Z chairperson, said while bonds would be sold to investors to help pay for infrastructure and development, it would only affect homeowners in the subdivision, and not the public.

Stratford Land is also working with the city for several key agreements for the development. One is an offsite road and trails agreement, which would require Stratford Land to construct, or pay toward the construction, of the city’s portion of the Roger Hanks Parkway extension, provided the city obtains necessary Right of Way for the project. A second would be for Stratford to help construct an offsite trail to Mercer Street.

Stratford must also conduct a traffic study to assess what other areas of improvement are necessary as a result of the subdivision.

James said that item was something he didn’t feel comfortable forgoing for Stratford.

“It’s not appropriate for us to recommend backing off requirements we have requested of other developers in the past,” James said.

The city and Stratford must also secure a wastewater agreement

Planned home option examples in the Heritage development

Village Condominiums

Courtyard Home

Single-family 60’ lot

Single-family 50’ lot

Attached Townhome

Multifamily Home

prior to the start of development.

Ginger Faught, Dripping Springs deputy city administrator, said the current capacity at the wastewater treatment plant can accommodate for the development’s first phase, which has approximately 150 sewer hook ups.

Dripping Springs’ WWTP operates at a capacity of 350,000 gallons per day (GPD) and can go up to 550,000 GPD. The second and third phase, however, would require a land application amendment to the existing plant. That would call for Stratford Land to pay for extension of an effluent treatment line, which currently terminates in the Caliterra subdivision.

That effluent line would allow for the irrigation of treated effluent on medians and landscapes near downtown, as well as in Founders Park.

Faught said the effluent line would be a “huge benefit for the city.”

The fourth phase could be dependent on the outcome of the city’s current application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to expand its plant to 995,000 GPD. Stratford could also be allowed to apply for a permit for a temporary wastewater plant on-site.

Deadline for annexation of the Heritage subdivision is July 11.

WHAT IS A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT?

A PID is a tool used by landowners, developers and cities to fund public improvements that benefit the area within its boundaries. PIDs are funded by assessments that are levied against property owners withing the PID area.

WHAT WOULD BUILDOUT OF THE HERITAGE SUBDIVISION LOOK LIKE?

Phase 1 – 150 residential and wastewater LUEs Phase 2 – 224 residential and wastewater LUEs Phase 3 – 140 residential and wastewater LUEs Phase 4 – 186 residednetial and wastewater LUEs

30 YEARS. OFFERING SCENIC VIEWS OF THE HILL

DEER CREEK OF WIMBERLEY

555 R ANCH ROAD 3237 • WIMBERLEY, TX FACILITY (512) 847-5540 • FAX (512) 847-0419

See puzzle on pg. 3

A PDD is a special zoning district that’s intended to provide for flexibility in combining and mixing land uses.

COUNTRY AND OF OUR SERENE ENCLOSED COURTYARD.

• HOSPICE/PALLIATIVE CARE • INPATIENT SHORT TERM REHABILITATION • IV/PICC LINE MANAGEMENT • LONG TERM CARE • LYMPHEDEMA • NEURO REHABILITATION • OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY • ORTHOPEDIC REHABILITATION • OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION • PHYSICAL THERAPY • RESPITE • SPEECH THERAPY • STATE-OF-THE-ART MODALITIES • TRACHEOSTOMIES • VITAL STIM - DIATHERMY • WOUND CARE

Texas Crossword Solution

WHAT IS A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT?

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS RETURN TO HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE DEER CREEK OF WIMBERLEY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR OVER

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