Area 4th of July celebrations
Repairs underway at DSRP page 3
Top salaries for local governments
page 4-5
page 9
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVI No. 38
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
LAGNIAPPE
St. Mary’s celebrates a soggy summer
Independence Day events
See pages 4-5 for local celebrations for the Fourth of July.
Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival
Head to the Wimberley Community Center noon-7 p.m. on July 2 for an old fashioned ice cream festival with live entertainment and contests every hour on the hour. All proceeds benefit Camp Good Sam-Wimberley. Contact Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 512-847-9956, jwatson@ststeve.org
LAGNIAPPE, 10
Golf carts may be allowed on square BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM News-Dispatch Reporter
Wimberley City Council has had preliminary discussions regarding golf cart usage in the downtown area in order to alleviate parking space frustrations. Mayor Mac McCullough said during the brief discussions the council has had so far, it seemed everyone was interested in moving forward with the soon-to-be proposed ordinance. “We’ve only had small discussions regarding it, nothing has been written up yet or officially proposed, but I can say that I am in favor of allowing the golf carts downtown,” McCullough said. McCullough said he is in favor of the proposal because it will allow residents to quickly run errands downtown without having to continually move their car and worry about if they will find a parking spot. Sally Trapp, Place 3 council member, is spearheading the proposal and said she feels good about the response she received
GOLF CARTS, 9
75¢
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Bike trails to open at parks BY SAMANTHA SMITH
News-Dispatch Reporter
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Wimberley Place 4 council member Gary Barchfeld prepares for a plunge into a large tank of water at a dunk tank game held during the St. Mary’s Summerfest at the Wimberley Community Center Saturday. Somewhat soggy weather didn’t keep revelers from the event, which featured festival food, live music and a silent auction. (See more photos online at www.HaysNewsDispatch.com. Just follow the photos link.)
‘Deadliest days’
Driving schools focus on summer safety around U.S. 290 BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
Summer is a busy time of the year for Head Start Driving School owner Robert Armstrong. For roughly the past decade, Armstrong and his school have spent their summers instructing teens from Dripping Springs and the Austin area on the rules of the road. But as safety on the U.S. 290 corridor continues to be discussed, instructing safe driving habits is the focus for Armstrong and many others in midst of the “100 deadliest days of summer” for teen drivers. According to the AAA, the 100 deadliest days for drivers begins Memorial Day and extends to mid-September. Ann Littmann, vice president of Safeway Driving, said statistics from AAA show traffic incidents increase by 16 percent per day with drivers aged 16 to 19. Several factors involve less supervision for teen drivers, too many occupants in vehicles, and teens using mobile devices while driving, Littmann said. “It can lead to riskier behavior,” Littmann said. “It increases the danger for teens and everyone else out there.” Littmann said her company, which partners with AAA and the Texas Department of Transportation, have various programs to educate teens on putting away devices while driving. They also work to educate their parents on not only their students’ driving habits, but also to take a “more active role” in their driving training. littmann said she encourages parents to go beyond the state-mandated requirements for teens to obtain their license. Teens in Texas are only required to go through seven hours of driving and supervision, and 32 hours in the classroom, littmann said. “It’s not adequate for any kind of activity. You’re not an expert of any kind after seven hours,” Littmann said. “You have the keys for a 3,500 pound missile with rocket fuel. That’s what a car is.” Littmann said Safeway is working to team up with Dripping Springs ISD, which offers its own
drivers’ education program, to classroom is important as teen offer additional training with drivers become more comfortinstructors behind the wheel. able with driving, Armstrong Mitigating bad habits, such as said. texting while driving, while also As teens become more comcutting the fear fortable with their factor for teens is skills, Armstrong “When things said they will important, especially on U.S. 290, “things they go wrong on do Littmann said. shouldn’t do.” “290 is a very nothing 290, you have bad“When dangerous road. happens, they There’s not a a split second get a false posiday that goes by tive,” Armstrong to figure without a masaid. “The more jor accident,” times they get a out where littmann said. “We false positive, they don’t want that don’t think anyto move ... to be a student at thing bad will hapDripping Springs.” That doesn’t They have to pen. Armstrong mean nothing bad said he works will happen.” be aware of with teen drivers During the what’s going summer, Armto ensure they follow safe driving strong said many on around habits, including parents go to him the need to avoid for help, as parent them.” distracted driving. taught driving Defensive programs can be – Robert Armstrong, driving tactics “overwhelming.” Head Start Driving are also taught Taking students School owner by Armstrong, through various who focuses on driving conditions, checking mirrors such as in downand looking ahead to the next town Austin and on the highway, intersection. helps combat intimidation of the Ensuring students slow down road for teens. while driving, especially on U.S. “Kids are reluctant to go to 290, where traffic can reach downtown at first,” Armstrong speeds of 65 to 70 miles per hour, said. “Once they see it’s a fun is what Armstrong also teaches. experience, they enjoy aspects of “When things go wrong on driving downtown.” 290, you have a split second to figure out where to move,” Armstrong said. “They have to be aware of what’s going on around them.” Reminding and reinforcing what is taught in the
It’s the beginning of a new relationship between the city of Dripping Springs and the mountain bike team as they entered into an exclusive agreement for the use of city trails. Dripping Springs city administrator Michelle Fischer said the city already has existing trails for public use, but it does not allow bicycle traffic, only pedestrian foot
BIKE TRAILS, 7
County urges safety during July 4 STAFF REPORT Hays County Fire Marshal Clint Browning urges all residents planning to set off fireworks this July 4th to use caution. In a statement, Browning said children are burned each year because they were allowed access to fireworks without proper adult supervision. “Please make sure that children are safely away from fireworks if you are setting them off, or better yet take advantage of one of the professional fire-
FIREWORKS, 4
City hall remodel possible BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
A remodel of Dripping Springs city hall could be on the horizon as city staff continues to grow alongside their constituency. While no action has been taken by the Dripping Springs City Council on the remodel, Mayor Todd Purcell said accommodating for a growing city staff is necessary. “The important parts of the building are the people that are in it,” Purcell said during the June 14 city council meeting. “We need to accommodate so they can function properly
CITY HALL, 10