Bike camp helps kids with special needs
‘Tiny Mites’ comes to Hill Country
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Fourth of July snapshots page 8
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 40 • Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢ Thursday, July 13, 2017
EPA greenlights Dripping Springs discharge permit STAFF REPORT Citing resolution of potential environmental concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has withdrawn its interim objection to Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater discharge permit. The decision comes after the EPA deter-
mined the city’s proposal “successfully meets the environmental governing body’s rigorous standards,” according to a city press release. In December 2016, the EPA filed the interim letter of objection citing six issues in Dripping Springs’ proposed permit, which is meant to expand the city’s wastewater
The EPA’s letter also stated a wastewater facility would “contribute significantly fewer pollutants, nutrients” to Onion Creek than individual septic systems, which are used by homes in the area. system. The letter stated it wasn’t clear how the city’s permit conformed with guidelines and require-
ments of the Clean Water Act. The News-Dispatch reported some concerns the EPA had regarding the phosphorous levels of
potential treated effluent that could be discharged into Onion Creek. Dripping Springs in October 2015 filed a
Construction begins on Roger Hanks extension
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
The Roger Hanks Parkway connection will eventually connect U.S. 290 with the new Tiger Stadium in Dripping Springs.
STAFF REPORT Construction has begun on a roadway that will eventually connect Roger Hanks Parkway at U.S. 290 to Ranch Road 12 Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. began work on the first phase of the Roger Hanks Parkway project July 5. The first phase of the project would extend Roger Hanks Parkway from U.S. 290, across Old Highway 290, and connecting to the southwest
parking area of the new Tiger Stadium on the campus of Dripping Springs High. With construction ongoing, drivers can expect the permanent closure of the east end of Old Highway 290. Motorists in need of access to homes or businesses in this area will have access only from the intersection of U.S. 290 and Meadow Oaks. The Roger Hanks Parkway extension is the result of
several parties working together to see the project come to fruition. “This project would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of the Dripping Springs Independent School District, the City and private land owners,” said Bill Foulds, Dripping Springs mayor pro tem. Dripping Springs ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing said the district is proud to be
a partner. “This first phase of the project will allow more efficient ingress and egress from the new competition stadium. We are grateful to the other partners in this endeavor,” Gearing said. Weather permitting, construction is scheduled to be completed mid-September. Please exercise caution when driving through the area of construction.
State law outlaws texting while driving BY MOSES LEOS III After several attempts in past legislative sessions, Texas lawmakers in May were able to pass a bill outlawing use of electronic devices while driving statewide. House Bill 62, authored by State Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) and sponsored by State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), was signed into law June 6 by Gov. Greg Abbott and will become law Sept. 1. Under the new law, which
Those who are prosecuted in a fatality accident where it was determined texting while driving was a factor could be subject to one year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine. would make using an electronic device while driving a Class A misdemeanor, drivers will be cited for driving their vehicle while they are using a device to make a phone call or sending and receiving text messages. Exceptions would be for those
who use hands-free devices, such as a bluetooth headset, or use their phones as a global positioning system (GPS) or making an emergency phone call. According to language in the bill, those who are prosecuted
in a fatality accident where it was determined texting while driving was a factor could be subject to one year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine. But the bill also would nullify existing texting while driving ordinances passed by local municipalities in the state. According to the Texas Tribune, more than 50 cities in Texas, including Buda and Kyle, have enacted their own texting while driving laws.
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Hays County to outsource prisoners to two new locations BY SAMANTHA SMITH Continued capacity issues at the Hays County Jail led county leaders to approve a pair of interlocal agreements to potentially outsource prisoners to two new locations. Per the agreements, which were approved by a 3-0 vote, Hays County would be able to send prisoners it cannot house to McLennan County and, if needed, Limestone County. Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley and Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones were absent when the vote was taken. Captain Julie Villalpando, the Hays County Jail administrator, said the Hays County Jail is at capacity and needs to relocate inmates on an as-needed basis
Due to capacity issues, the county transfers 2,600 prisoners annually to other county jails, which include Burnet and Caldwell counties, Villalpando said. until expansion of the current facility is complete. The 1-year agreement stipulates that Hays County will pay $49 per day, or $17,885 annually, per inmate to McLennan County, with a total number of transferred inmates not to exceed 100. McLennan County reserves the right to refuse or return inmates if needed. The terms of the agreement with Limestone County have not yet been ironed out, Villalpando said. Only
McLennan will be used at this time, with the possibility of sending inmates to Limestone if needed. Villalpando said in an emailed interview the agreement with McLennan could last a minimum of two years or longer, depending on the capacity conditions at the Hays County facility. The county’s facility, built in 1989, only has 311 available beds to house prisoners. Due
JAIL, 2
Texas Pollutant Disposal Elimination System (TPDES) permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to expand the city’s wastewater system to 995,000 gallons per day. The permit called for the potential to discharge treated effluent into Wal-
PERMIT, 6
Ballot system still up in air BY SAMANTHA SMITH Calls for a paper ballot election system continue from some Hays County residents, even as the county’s Election Equipment Advisory Committee recommended purchasing electronic equipment. Disgruntled residents voiced their concerns June 27 regarding the committee’s recommendation to purchase the Hart Verity Touch voting machines due to the lack of a paper audit capability. The recommendation went to Hays County commissioners July 11, which held a public workshop on the matter.
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LAGNIAPPE Burn ban back on
The heat is on and so is the burn ban. Earlier this week, Hays County officials officially reinstated the burn ban due to continuously windy conditions and low humidity in the county. Additionally, county officials said the number of grass fires and house fires have risen throughout the county. Grills with lids are allowed to be used during the burn ban, but burn barrels are banned. Violators can face a fine of up to $500.
Town Hall with U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett All citizens are invitied to join Congressman Lloyd Doggett for a town hall meeting on Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m. in the Great Hall at the First United Methodist Church at 1300 Lavaca Street in Kyle. “So much is at risk with possible cuts of hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid,” Doggett said. “Come share your stories and hear my update on what is happening in Washington regarding efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.”
LAGNIAPPE, 2