News Dispatch June 27, 2019

EP Forum

Forum called to discuss water permit

Short Term Rental Workshop shut down

House Bill allows for teacher raises

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 38

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

75¢ Thursday, June 27, 2019

Dark Skies

Governor passes HB 4158

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Zwiener (D-Driftwood), became law after it Texas towns can now passed through Texas use hotel occupancy tax Gov. Greg Abbott’s office.

(HOT) dollars to reduce HB 4158 allows small citlight pollution and ies to use revenue from preserve the dark skies their municipal hotel above, all thanks to a occupancy tax (HOT) Driftwood-area legislator. for the construction and Earlier this month, maintenance of infraHouse Bill 4158, austructure that reduces thored by State Rep. Erin light pollution and sky

Bank robber still at large

glow.

In Hays County, the bill directly affects the cities of Dripping Springs and Wimberley, which are two of three International Dark Sky cities in Texas.

“Hays and Blanco counties are world class astrotourism destina-

DARK SKIES, 6

Dahlstrom Preserve now open to the public

BY KATIE BURRELL

The project that the late Gay Ruby Dahlstrom worked on for almost a decade is now complete and open to the public as a nature preserve and conservation easement.

Hays County, the Hill Country Conservancy and the Dahlstrom family announced the opening of the Gay Ruby Dahlstrom Preserve.

The nature preserve is located in Buda on the Dahlstrom Ranch, spanning 384 acres of undeveloped land.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said the county fully supported the project and invested more than $5 million into it.

“The county wanted the preserve to benefit the environment, residents and hopefully the school children,” Jones said. “This is a lot of natural land that is uninterrupted by development and we are glad to see it open.”

The preserve opened in May with guided tours, but the family has expanded access to the area this month. Visitors can pay $3-5 for a day pass and tour through the land through the Hays County Parks Department. Additionally, visitors can hike a 3.15-mile walking trail.

The trail includes .75 miles that is American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT PHOTO BY CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON

Gay Ruby Dahlstrom announces that 2,275 acres of the Dahlstrom Ranch would be set aside for preservation in a 2010 press conference.

Visitors can pay $3-5 for a day pass and tour through the land through the Hays County Parks Department.

Additionally, visitors can hike a 3.15mile walking trail. The trail includes .75 miles that is American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

“The family needed to make the land profitable,” Jones said. “They didn’t want it to fall into development for homes and businesses. There’s only one spot on the preserve where you can even see a house in the distance.”

According to the Hays County Parks Department, the park will only allow 60 guests per day

in order to limit traffic and human impact on the land, much like the rules applied to the Jacob’s Well Natural Area.

Dahlstrom was a longtime resident of the county, moving here with her family in 1937. Dahlstrom was a wife and mother, and she was an entrepre-

DAHLSTROM PRESERVE, 6

Individual robs Wimberley Broadway Bank at gunpoint

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

had a black handgun with a green stripe on the Authorities continue top of it. The baseball cap their search for a suspect the suspect was wearing who robbed in broad day- had an eight pointed star light a Wimberley bank at with “Cannon” in blue gunpoint June 20. embroidery.

According to a Hays The suspect was last County press release, the seen running north suspect, described as a towards an adjacent field white man, entered the next to the bank.

Broadway Bank on Ranch Anyone who might Road 12 and committed have information rean armed robbery. No cus- garding this case should tomers were in the bank contact the Hays County at the time of the robbery Sheriff’s Office at 512-393and none of the bank em- 7896 and speak with the ployees were injured.

Criminal Investigations The suspect was wear- Division or contact Hays ing a tan or grayish base- County Crime Stoppers at ball cap, blue jeans and 1-800-324-TIPS (8477). was carrying a black bag.

Residents can also He wore black gloves, a submit information flesh colored mask and electronically from the

link on the Hays County Crime Stoppers website or by using the free smartphone application from any smart phone.

The application is P3tips.com. Information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminal suspect(s) may be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $1,000. All calls are confidential and callers will remain anonymous.

You do not have to give your name and you will not have to testify in court.

The Texas Bankers Foundation has offered a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest or indictment of the individual who robbed the Broadway Bank.

Outsourcing county inmates

$76,252 spent for one week, more outsourcing to continue

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Hays County will now outsource inmates to Fort Bend County, a roughly 146-mile trek, as the Hays County Jail continues to operate at capacity.

The move comes after the county has been forced to outsource inmates due to its overpopulation woes in the jail, costing the county and taxpayer tens of thousands a week, and millions a year.

This week alone, the county spent $76,252 outsourcing inmates to nearby counties.

“The more we discuss this, the less gets done and the more gets spent,” said

“The more we discuss this, the less get’s done and the more gets spent.

Is there any plan to stop this at all?

We’re going bankrupt. We’re being bled dry without taxes for doing this, which doesn’t help the prisoner, or help us.”

–Dan Lyon, concerned resident

concerned resident Dan Lyon. “Is there any plan to stop this at all? We’re going bankrupt. We’re being bled dry without taxes for doing this, which doesn’t help the prisoner, or help us.”

Corrections Bureau

Captain Julie Villapando said the inmate populations tend to increase during the summer months.

“Unfortunately, because of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, I’m not allowed to keep an over-

PHOTO BY KIM HILSENBECK

The county must continue outsourcing until the jail renovation project is complete.

crowded jail,” Villapando said. “I have to find other counties that have bed space to move my inmates to.”

The ongoing over-

crowding of the jail, in conjunction with issues regarding indigent defense, has led to the

OUTSOURCING INMATES, 2

Page 2

News-Dispatch

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

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Thursday, June 27, 2019

DSISD OKs teacher pay raises

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

A pay raise for Dripping Springs ISD teachers is forthcoming after district leaders Monday approved the measure following passage of key legislation in Austin.

Through approval of House Bill (HB) 3 in May, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this month, DSISD is projected to receive roughly $3.7 million in additional funding based on changes for per-student allotment, recapture requirements and tax revenue.

As a result, district leaders June 24 approved 7-0 a 5% salary increase, based on average teacher pay, for educators with five or more years of experience. Other educators that do not fall into that category will receive a

Dripping Springs ISD is projected to receive roughly $3.7 million in additional funding based on changes for per-student allotment, recapture requirements and tax revenue.

4% pay bump.

Additionally, benefit contributions like health insurance were increased by $600 a year.

“We greatly appreciate that the legislature made public education a priority this session and the steps they took were positive,” said DSISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing. “In my opinion, the work the legislature did was not only difficult, but impressive.”

The signing of House Bill (HB) 3 ensures an additional $11.6 billion in public school finance, which means extra cash

for school districts in Hays County.

The bill, dubbed one of the biggest achievements of the session, includes $6.5 billion in new public education money with the remaining $5.1 billion slated for property tax relief.

However, questions still linger on how school districts will sustain those increases in the future.

If the funding from HB 3 is not honored in the next legislative session, school district officials fear the burden of salary increases could fall on

individual districts.

Gearing said sustainability of increased expenditures is always a consideration as employee raises become part of their salary for the long term.

“So, yes, I think we are always concerned that the state will provide money for the short term that will go away over time, leaving districts with the responsibility to fill the gap,” Gearing said. “As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we need to make responsible decisions to maintain the district’s

financial stability.”

HB 3 is projected to increase per-student funding by around 20% while funding all-day pre-K. Subsequently, the bill will reduce the amount of money wealthy school districts must send to the state under the current recapture, or “Robin Hood,” system.

“I don’t necessarily think it fixes everything and I don’t think the process delivered on all promises, but the legislature did great work,” Gearing said. “I believe the effort to revise the education funding formulas and to pump additional money into the system was genuine and accomplished much of what they set out to do.

Emergency officials prepare for the worst

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

“We have seen a lot more flooding in recent An increasing number years then we did deof natural disasters is becades before that,” said ginning to redefine how Kyle Parks & Recreation people and governments Director Kerry Urbanoplan for disasters in unwicz. “I think Hurricane precedented measures.

Harvey was really the one Residents across Hays changed a lot.”

County share a common Major regions across enemy: floods that have the state were affected by swept homes, businessHarvey, some of which es and taken lives with are still living through them. But as these tragthose horrors today. edies become the norm, On June 13, 2019, Govcities are upgrading their ernor Greg Abbott signed disaster relief efforts, a $1.6 billion storm and A firefighter unlike anything they have flood resilience plan. Adprepares to in the past. ditionally, the legislature head out to “Natural disasters in appropriated $3 billion in an emergency Texas are not only bad Harvey relief funds, two call in Kyle. but also many,” said years after the devastatWallethub Analyst Jill ing storm.

Gonzalez. “The state has In Kyle, the hurricane had 104 climate disasters PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO was a major test for the that caused more than $1 city during and after the cues,” said Kyle Chief of billion in damages since event.

“Natural disasters in Texas are not Police Jeff Barnett.

1980, and this is the highSince Harvey, the city Barnett said all vehicles has survived other major est number nationwide.” only bad but also many. The state has are geared up, gassed up This equates to roughflooding events, includhad 104 climate disasters that caused and ready to go before ly $10,000 in losses per ing a recent storm in May capita, one of the largest 2019. more than $1 billion in damages since a storm hits. Before a storm, the other departlosses from disasters in Before these events, 1980, and this is the highest number ments will help barricade the parks department the country. roads, move sandbags Texas ranks 42nd in will drain waterways to nationwide.” and assist residents loss amounts from climitigate flooding, charge across town. mate disasters per capita, generators, brief staff –Jill Gonzalez, Wallethub Analyst Equipped with the according to a new 2019 and prep its emergency power of social media report by Washington management plan. and smartphones, the mitigate the economic D.C. personal finance population.

“It's all about coordepartments can comand safety threats floodcompany Wallethub.

But there are steps dinating between all municate road closures ing poses.

In conjunction, Texas local jurisdictions are of our agencies to plan “I can't speak for how it as they are reported to has the highest share taking to alleviate some for the worst possible was before I was here, but the general public. This is outcomes,” said Kyle of uninsured people of these threats. our officers are equipped specifically advantageous Communications Direcin the country, leaving In Kyle, the departfor low water crossings with swift water rescue experts to believe that ments of communicator Kim Hilsenbeck. “It's which are prevalent in the aftermath of natural tions, public works, parks gear and are trained by a team effort and we are the rural parts of the the fire department for disasters could be finanand police have develalways improving how we county. cially devastating for the oped strategies to try and emergency water resplan for these events.”

We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest.

We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity.

All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification.

Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@ haysfreepress.com.

Outsourcing Inmates: A costly prospect Continued from pg. 1

formation of a criminal justice task force to make recommendations to the court.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra has prioritized criminal justice reform for the county in an effort to streamline a process that is currently slow moving.

Becerra said he is not a fan of outsourcing inmates but understands the county’s hands are tied.

Lyon said he believes a large portion of the inmates in the jail is non-violent offenders.

Part of this plan could potentially give aid to non-violent offenders instead of funneling them through the criminal justice system.

“I consider (outsourcing), and very optimistically when I say it, a bandaid,” Becerra said.

The county judge remains optimistic that the task force can make recommendations to help the county.

But for now, the county must continue outsourcing until the jail renovation

project is complete, and recommendations from the task force can address the issues in the criminal justice system.

Outsourcing inmates to Fort Bend County will cost Hays County $55 per day per inmate, not including the transportation costs for the roughly two-and-ahalf hour journey.

“We don’t like outsourcing, but we don’t have any choice,” Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 2 Mark Jones said.

On May 10, in a con-

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troversial decision, the county rejected submitting a grant application to fund a public defender office to aid in indigent defense.

Several commissioners were worried about a lack of information on the ap-

plication, as well as a lack of support behind it from the county’s judiciary.

Supporters of the grant application said the grant could have addressed some issues relating to indigent defense in the jail.

REMINDER The News-Dispatch will not publish a newspaper the week of July 4.

Happy Independence Day!

Thursday, June 27, 2019

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 3

Sports

Tulsa-bound Tiger seeks state title in ’20

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

PHOTO COURTESY OF KIELE MILLER

Creighton University pitcher Kiele Miller winds up during a game played in the 2019 season.

Tiger softball alumna excelling at Creighton

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

the Big East Championship game as a freshman, Miller Dripping Springs said she experienced the alumna and Creighton lowest point in her career University softball pitcher during her sophomore Kiele Miller is on the path season as she had to sit out to becoming a star in the due to a fractured back.

Big East Conference.

“I was pitching and it A breakout freshman just kind of tweaked, and campaign, which included then it just kind of grew a Big East All-Second team from there,” she said. selection, put “Because I Miller on the never really map; a serious “My goal is stopped, it back injury caused a stress to get Big derailed her fracture from sophomore East pitcher inflammation season. Now my of the year.” around fully recovered, muscles.” she has her Miller has –Kiele Miller, eyes set on dealt with Dripping Springs becoming the back issues in alumna top pitcher in her life; she the conference had scoliosis her junior year in 2020. growing up.

“My goal is to get Big But this was the first East pitcher of the year,” season she missed Miller said. “That was my playing time due to an goal my freshman year and injury. The time off took a I fell short. That was my mental toll on her. When goal last year and sadly I Miller returned later in got hurt so I couldn’t reach the season after missing that goal.” multiple months of action, Miller seamlessly she had to get over the transitioned from high mental fear of re-injuring school softball with the herself. It wasn’t until a Tigers to become one of pep talk from her coach the top pitchers in the during the middle of a Big East her freshman game where she regained year with the Blue Jays. In the confidence to pitch addition to her Big East without thinking about the Conference All-Second injury. team selection, she led the “The ultimate thing is if conference in ERA (1.42) I kept thinking about it, I and opposing batting was going to hurt myself, average (.172), with also but if I just trusted myself 147 strikeouts over a 14-8 I was going to be okay.” record. Miller’s stellar Miller said. “I just looked performance her freshman at the batter and was like year led Creighton all okay, it’s just time to get the way to the Big East back to myself. I just really Championship game. gave it everything I had, “My freshman year did my motion like I used was unbelievable in a to, wasn’t as cautious and I couple ways,” Miller said. mean it worked out.”

“I was lucky enough to With the injury now start as a freshman, it’s behind her, Miller has just something not a re-focused herself in the lot of people get to do. I circle. Miller is known for was lucky enough that her rise-ball and curveball I had a great team that pitches, and she also really backed me up and deploys a change-up and believed in me.” screwball from time to After experiencing the time, but she is looking to ultimate high of pitching in add another pitch to her

belt to take her game to the next level.

“I think that if I can learn to throw a drop ball, I’ll be deadly,” said Miller. “I’m working with my dad and some pitching coaches this summer to work on getting a drop ball.”

Adding a fifth pitch and putting in work in the weight room are Miller’s two main goals this offseason. After experiencing the injury, she is focused on staying healthy in order to accomplish her goals this upcoming season.

“My goal, my main one, is to be healthy all season,” she said. “I’m going to work really hard to strengthen my core and strengthen body so I don’t get hurt again.”

Miller said the injury gave her a new-found perspective on playing and not taking the game she loves for granted. It has not only motivated her to return to the level of play she had her freshman year, but to take it one step further and bounce back.

“I took being able to play for granted, then once I wasn’t allowed to play anymore it was so hard to sit,” said Miller. “Going from doing so good my freshman year and then mentally just saying ‘okay you’re hurt, it’s not because you’re not doing good’.

So this year I’m really just going to go and I’m going to get that Big East pitcher of the year.”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF AVERY KALSU

Dripping Springs High junior Avery Kalsu sprints around the bend during a track competition.

witnessed the 2015 Tigers squad winthe 5A state title. Since that moment, Kalsu has made it her mission to win a state title, too.

“Playing in Garland has been a dream of mine ever since I saw that team,” she said.

“It has always been my team’s dream. No one on that team had been to Garland to play, and so everyone throughout the whole year was hungry to get back there.”

Kalsu was a force to be reckoned with on the court this past season as she finished second on the team in kills (260), aces (56) and digs (480), while also leading the team with 859 assists.

Her play on the court garnered recognition from multiple Universities from around the nation. In August 2017, just before her sophomore year began, she committed to play volleyball at The University of Tulsa.

Returning home to play in Tulsa is a dream come true for Kalsu.

“As soon as I got the offer from Tulsa, I was pretty sure I was going to take it,” she said. “I’m from Tulsa, so it’s kinda like going back home, and that’s really what I

wanted. I’m such a home body, and I needed a place like that. Tulsa literally checked off every single one of my boxes.”

Although she fell just short of her goals this past season, Kalsu has been recognized as one of the top athletes in Texas for her outstanding junior year. In addition to winning the Co-MVP award on the All Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch team for volleyball, she also won the Female Athlete of the Year award at the Austin American-Statesman’s 2019 All Star Preps All-CenTex award ceremony held last week.

“I was not expecting to get it at all,” Kalsu said.

“So whenever I heard my name I was in like complete shock.”

Kalsu is now focusing on improving her game this summer in order to achieve her goals. She is working hard on becoming more technically sound and dynamic with setting, in addition to improving her vertical jump.

Coming up short has fueled her will to win throughout the years and Kalsu plans on using it again to motivate herself to take it to the next level, becoming a state champion.

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Multi-sport athlete Avery Kalsu hopes to see things through gold-colored glasses when she crosses the stage as a Dripping Springs High graduate next summer.

Those dreams are all based on how Kalsu envisions finishing her high school athletics career in 2019-20 – by winning state titles in volleyball and in track and field.

Kalsu nearly achieved the feat during her junior campaign by finishing 4th in the 400-yard dash at the UIL Track & Field State Championships in Austin in May. Several months earlier, Kalsu played a pivotal role in leading Dripping Springs’ volleyball team back to the UIL state tournament in Garland.

“Now that I’ve been there and had the experience I’m not content with just getting there,” Kalsu said. “I want to get there and I want to compete.

I want to hopefully win state in volleyball, and win state in track. That’s what the goal is.”

Her fourth place finish (56.46 seconds) at state broke a Dripping Springs school record in the women’s 400-yard dash, which she had previously set.

Even though she didn’t start track until her seventh grade year, running has always been in Kalsu’s DNA; she hit the soccer pitch regularly during her childhood.

She credits playing soccer for her easy transition into other sports.

“I was a soccer player, so I always knew that I wanted to run.” said Kalsu.

In elementary school, Kalsu and her family moved to Dripping Springs from Tulsa, Oklahoma. At nine-years-old, she tried out for volleyball and instantly fell in love with the sport.

“I love competing with a team, and being able to share the success,” Kalsu said. “Being with them and succeeding with them.”

Growing up in Dripping Springs, Kalsu constantly heard about the successful Tiger volleyball program. During her eighth grade year, she

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News-Dispatch

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Education

New Wimberley school designed to be water wise

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

History could be made this summer as Wimberley ISD officials break ground on the state’s first school aimed at reducing groundwater usage by 90%.

Experts are hoping the school will set a precedent for other districts around the country, especially in environmentally sensitive regions, to implement similar one water systems.

Located at Ranch Road 12 and Winters Mill Parkway, the 90,600 square foot primary school will collect, treat and reuse rainwater for toilets, irrigation and other uses. The system is anticipated to save the district $800,000 to $1,000,000 in 25 years compared to a typical water system. One water systems is the management and re-use of water for multiple purposes.

“We’re excited to get this project underway, and are really looking forward to that first day of school experience for all our younger students at this spacious, state of the art, green campus in a little over a year from now,” said Wimberley ISD Superintendent Dwain York.

The $31.3 million bond project, approved by voters in May 2018, has a capacity for 800 students in pre-k through second grade with 40 classrooms, a gymnasium, library, cafeteria and several smaller reading and math intervention classrooms.

The campus library will be equipped with clear pipes that will allow students to visually see the collection of water through the system.

A joint effort by the Meadows Center at Texas State University and the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA), leaders from both organizations anticipate the school will serve as a model for other campuses across the state.

“This is a massive

The $31.3 million bond project, approved by voters in May 2018, has a capacity for 800 students in pre-k through second grade with 40 classrooms, a gymnasium, library, cafeteria and several smaller reading and math intervention classrooms.

innovation in terms of water conservation efforts, which is a priority here in Wimberley and the Hill Country,” said WVWA Executive Director David Baker. “ We’re mining our aquifers, pumping more than it can recharge which is causing a major impact to our water source.”

To aid in the conservation efforts, the campus will capture around 2,000 gallons a day of water from air conditioning condensation, an innovative conservation concept utilized at the Austin Library.

From A/C units alone, the campus can potentially collect 730,000 gallons of water a year.

The on-site treatment center will filter the rainwater through a sand filtration system before it can be utilized on the campus. A third component of the campus will be various rain gardens that will help reduce stormwater sediments and pollutants offsite.

A one water summit in Austin is slated for Sept.

18, where around 1,200 delegates from across the country will discuss one water solutions. Baker said local leaders will be high-

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF WIMBERLEY ISD

lighting the new campus at the summit.

Baker said the WVWA and Meadows Center will monitor the system and draft a case study on the results of the campus’ conservation.

“It’s a 140-acre site and the district plans to potentially build a performing arts center and other facilities,” Baker said. “If we get there, the plan is to make the whole property a one water campus.”

Groundbreaking on the one water campus was scheduled for Monday, but was canceled due to weather. WISD officials have not announced a make-up date at this time.

RR 12

WINTERS MILL PKWY

SITE PLAN COURTESY OF WIMBERLEY ISD

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11

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38 TX wheeler dealer Billie Sol _____ 40 satisfy 61 41 former TX eatery: Steak and ___ 42 most TX schools have one (2 wds.) film for TX Kibbee: “Mr. Smith ____ __ 48 TXism: “stands on his own two ____” Washington” (1939) (independent) Young County seat 50 credit score co.

Reagan’s “Star 51 film star Lupino Wars” plan (abbr.)

(1930s-’50s) “___ the knot” 56 bellers on the Rio Grande 57 portray emotion across from in acting Reynosa 60

See Texas Crossword solution on page 6

Above is an idea of what the entryway to the new primary school in Wimberley may look like.

Service Directory Automotive

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Investment Planning

Classifieds

Thursday, June 27, 2019

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Employment

Page 5

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

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EMPLOYMENT NOTICE

Wanted

18-Wheeler Wrecks It’s easy to blame the driver when a big rig is involved in a wreck, but the truth is usually much more complex. When trucking company management cuts corners in training, equipment and maintenance, the rest of us pay the price. We have represented families for years who have been harmed by these parties. If you or someone you love has been killed or injured in a truck wreck, call us today. Evidence can disappear so CALL NOW.

The City of Dripping Springs is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Maintenance Worker. The position pays $16 to $18 per hour and includes benefits. The application and full job description are available on the Employment page at www. cityofdrippingsprings. com or at 511 Mercer Street. Call City Hall at (512) 858-4725 or email Michelle Fischer at mfischer@ cityofdrippingsprings.com for more information.

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Log Homes – 4 Log Home kits selling for balance owed, free delivery. Model #101 Carolina, bal. $17,000; ACREAGE Model #203 Georgia, bal. $19,950; Model #305 Biloxi, Looking for hunting/recreational property. We bal. $14,500; Model #403 Augusta, bal. $16,500. View have some of the best in Texas, from the Hill plans at www.loghomedream.com.

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CHARITY

OIL AND GAS RIGHTS

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Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 273 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.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 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.

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Texas Last Puzzle Crossword Solution Solution

S D I F E E T

See puzzle, page 4

I T S S I L N O T S T I E E L D E R D E S Y E S E MC L OO L T D S E E

H E R O

I G N T A RM O C WA L F I L I D E C A N O

H A S A S E T D O E A N S T E T E D E S S

S-1434

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

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Page 6

News-Dispatch

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Group to host forum on impact of EP water permit

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Aquifer Conservation District in 2017 for the New information on production permit. the potential impact of The forum will include a Houston-based comcomments from Hays pany’s plan to pump one County Pct. 3 Commisbillion gallons of water sioner Lon Shell, TESPA per year from the Trinofficials and scientists ity Aquifer will be the studying the implications subject of an upcoming of the permit. forum.

“TESPA has new inforHosted by the Trinity mation to share about Edwards Springs Protec- the full range of potential tion Association (TESPA), drawdown from a large the forum is in light of a volume groundwater contentious contested production permit and case hearing involving commercial well field Electro Purification (EP) near Driftwood,” accordand TESPA and other ing to a TESPA release.

Hays County landownAdam Friedman will ers. EP applied with the present on the conseBarton Springs Edwards quences of EP’s permit,

PUBLIC MEETING

The Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Agency (TESPA) will hold a forum Thursday, June 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Vista Brewing in Driftwood.

based on new modeling.

A question and answer segment will follow the presentation, according to the release.

“The nonprofit organization, with the mission to protect groundwater and private property rights, is calling for citizens to gather and learn more as a result of its own expanded groundwater modeling and scientific study,” read the release.

The event is in light of recent testimony by James Beach with WSP Consultants in Austin in the contested case hearing against the EP permit.

In conjunction with the Needmore water permit, both applications, if

granted, could result in a 35% loss in water volume in the Trinity Aquifer, according to Beach’s analysis.

Additionally, his calculations indicated that the Cow Creek wells near O’Neill Ranch would experience a permanent decline of 60-acre feet after one year, 120-acre feet after seven years and 175-acre feet after 30 years.

According to a letter

from groundwater district and local elected officials and O’Neill Ranch Estates Homeowners Association President Keith Hawkins, “These simulated results suggest that the pending EP and Needmore permits pose an extreme threat to the continued groundwater use of all our landowners in O’Neill Ranch estates, but also to neighbor wells in Dripping Springs.”

Wimberley shuts down Short Term Rental QUESTIONS Committee workshop ABOUT COLLEGE?

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

In a split 3-2 vote earlier this month, Wimberley city leaders rejected holding a workshop with the Short Term Rental Committee (STR), ending any chance of it meeting again in the future.

Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Minnick, along with councilmembers Christine Byrne and Bo Bowman voted to deny the workshop, saying the work of the STR Committee is complete. Council members Craig Fore and Gary Barchfeld voted in favor of the workshop.

The decision to deny the workshop was in light of information that questioned the validity and charge of the committee.

In March, the committee estimated 200 STRs in the city were out of compliance..

In late April, it was reported that the city only had 15 STRs out of compliance.

The committee was formed in July 2018 to revise the city’s STR ordinance to bring non-compliant operators into compliance. However, the committee’s formation, members and findings were scrutinized by Wimberley residents along

The committee, which was formed in July 2018, was formed to revise the city’s STR ordinance to bring noncompliant operators to compliance.

However, the committee’s formation, members and findings were scrutinized by Wimberley residents along the way. Wimberley spent nearly $6,000 to rework the ordinance.

the way. Wimberley spent nearly $6,000 to rework the ordinance.

Minnick said the committee already completed the ordinance and the job was done, so a workshop was not necessary, especially with more talks scheduled.

“We have budget workshops, parliamentary workshops and a sewer we need to get online; a lot is stacking up,” Minnick said. “I agree with Councilmember Byrne.

It makes more sense (for the committee) to give us a presentation. I don’t understand the value of a joint workshop.”

The denial was heavily scrutinized by Mayor Susan Jaggers, who was shocked at the vote.

“This is the same council that ran on ‘we want openness and participa-

tion’ and everything else, and now it’s like, we don’t want to have a workshop,” Jaggers said.

Jaggers said the denial sent a bad signal to the STR Committee and she vowed to bring the agenda item back at the next meeting in July.

However, according to city policy, a failed agenda item can only be put on the agenda by a council member who voted to deny a motion or an item.

“I think that any volunteer group that works as hard as they worked needs to have the support of the council,” said Barchfeld in support of the workshop.

Byrne thanked the committee for their work by drafting a new STR ordinance but added a workshop was not needed.

Dark Skies: Governor okays bill Continued from pg. 1

tions, and because of that our communities have invested in protecting our night skies,” Zwiener said.

“I’m delighted that my bill will help dark skies cities like Blanco, Dripping Springs and Wimberley to continue shining.”

Under current law, HOT funds are limited on how they can be spent.

Local HOT revenue can only be used to directly promote tourism and the convention/hotel indus-

try, according to the Texas Comptroller’s office.

The state levies a 6% percent tax on rooms costing $15 or more each day. Cities can levy a HOT for rooms costing $2 or more each day.

In the fiscal year 2015, the state collected around $526 million in state HOT, a steady increase over the previous decade.

HB 4158 marks a new form of investment cities can address for dark sky

tourism. Dripping Springs officials said updating lighting infrastructure in downtown to protect the dark skies could be a way cities utilize the bill.

“Because the Governor did not veto or sign the bill, HB 4158 is now a law effective immediately,” said the district director for Rep. Zwiener, Holly Doyle. “This bill will help preserve the dark skies in District 45 that make the Hill Country special.”

Dahlstrom Preserve: Now open to the public Continued from pg. 1

neur who co-developed educational software for Kapstrom Inc. Dahlstrom also had a hand in redeveloping the Buda Mill and Grain property in Downtown Buda.

Dahlstrom’s impact on the community is seen as

overwhelmingly positive.

Before her death in 2014, Dahlstrom wanted to leave the area better than she found it which is how the idea for an open-tothe-public conservation easement began.

Dahlstrom’s son and

Take the first step.

ACC is here to help!

512-223-7747 austincc.edu/yourplan

Police Blotter The following is a tally of all calls made to law enforcement within Hays County between June 17 and June 23, 2019.

Civil Matter................................................... 8 Information................................................. 16 Compliance Check....................................... 9 Property Lost/Found/Negl............................ 1 Sex Offender Registry.................................. 1 Alarm Business........................................... 37 Alarm Residential....................................... 42 Alarm Vehicle ............................................... 2 Animal Calls................................................ 79 Loose Livestock......................................... 12 Assault.......................................................... 4 Sexual Assault - Aggravated........................ 1 Assist EMS................................................. 22 Assist Fire Dept............................................ 6 Assist Outside Agency............................... 11 Death Investigation....................................... 1 Burglary Habitat........................................... 2 Burglary Vehicle............................................ 3 Criminal Mischief.......................................... 6 Alcohol Violation........................................... 5 Environmental Crime.................................... 2 Disturbance Noise...................................... 15 Disturbance Physical Fight........................... 7 Disturbance Verbal..................................... 19 Child Custody............................................... 5 Violation of Order ......................................... 1 Illegal Dumping............................................. 2 Narcotics Information................................... 2 Marijuana...................................................... 1 Fraud............................................................ 9 Credit/Debit Abuse....................................... 2 Harassment................................................ 14 Threat........................................................... 5 Indecency w Child ....................................... 1 Mental Health Invest..................................... 5 Mental Health Transport............................... 3 Canine Training............................................. 2 Drone Deployment....................................... 2 Violation City Ordinance............................... 1 Lost Person.................................................. 1 Runaway ...................................................... 1

Missing Person............................................. 3 Public Assist............................................... 22 Disabled Vehicle......................................... 16 Close Patrol................................................ 81 Unsecured/Open Building ........................... 2 Parent Discipline Assist................................ 1 Flagged Down.............................................. 1 Welfare Concern......................................... 35 Suicidal Person............................................ 4 Investigation................................................. 2 Supplement................................................ 42 Suspicious Circumstances......................... 19 Suspicious Person...................................... 14 Suspicious Vehicle..................................... 27 Wanted Person............................................. 8 Identity Theft................................................ 7 Theft........................................................... 18 Vehicle Theft................................................. 4 Recovered Stolen Vehicle............................. 1 Accident Minor........................................... 17 Accident Hit and Run................................... 8 Accident Major/Injury................................. 15 Accident Fleet.............................................. 1 Accident Unknown....................................... 3 Abandoned/Stored Vehicle........................... 7 Traffic Control............................................... 3 Directed/Area Enforcement.......................... 3 Traffic Hazard............................................. 16 Attempt to Locate...................................... 69 Parking Enforcement.................................... 2 Traffic Stop............................................... 300 Loitering........................................................ 1 Trespassing/Unwanted............................... 18 911 Abandoned........................................ 204 911 Hang Up................................................ 1 Deadly Conduct............................................ 1 Discharge of Firearm.................................... 2 Unknown Problem........................................ 1 Psychitric/Abnl Behave................................ 1 Private Tow/Repo......................................... 5

Dream More.

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three daughters will carry on the legacy of the preserve in her name.

More information about accessing the preserve and reservations can be found at http:// jwna.checkfront.com/ reserve/.

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