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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 41
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢ Thursday, July 26, 2018
Cause unknown in deadly San Marcos apartment fire BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD
With the recovery of a fifth body from the scene of a deadly fire at an off-campus student apartment complex in San Marcos, investigators remain unsure about where or how the blaze began. During a July 23 morning press conference, Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner said a fourth victim had been recovered in building 500 of Iconic Village Apart-
Five residents of the apartment complex have been reported missing, but the investigators cannot confirm the bodies found are those of the people on that list until the victims are identified.
ments, the structure that was most affected by the fire. The finding of a fifth was announced the same evening. Five residents of the apartment complex have been reported missing,
but the investigators cannot confirm the bodies found are those of the people on that list until the victims are identified, Kistner said.
APARTMENT FIRE, 2
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS
Fire rages through the roof of the Iconic Village Apartments located near Texas State University in the early morning hours of July 20. Five bodies have been recovered by emergency officials from the scene of the blaze.
DSISD bond halted by lawsuit BY MOSES LEOS III
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
In Hays County, the average market value for homes rose by 7.1 percent from 2017 to 2018, while commercial and industrial value rose by nearly 13 percent, according to the Hays County Central Appraisal District.
Lumber tariffs could hurt local construction projects BY MOSES LEOS III
Rising costs of lumber imported into the country could have an effect on home prices, especially in fast growing Hays County. While such an impact wouldn’t be felt in Central Texas for several months or more, Buda real estate broker J.D. Sanford believes consistent increases over time could lead to instability in the housing market. According to a June
2018 New York Times article, tariffs imposed on lumber imported from Canada to the United States, along with supply and demand, as well as ecological factors, have played a partial role in the rise of home costs in the country. Sanford said a rise in wood cost would be an “unnatural or inorganic” way to increase the price of home values. In the Central Texas area, for example, increasing population pres-
sures have led to a rapid rise in home values over the past decade. In Hays County, the average market value for homes rose by 7.1 percent from 2017 to 2018, while commercial and industrial value rose by nearly 13 percent, according to the Hays County Central Appraisal District. The cause of that increase in the overall value was due to the 2,600-plus new homes and 83 new commercial units built in the area.
However, an increase in material could, in turn, lead to a rise in the cost of building homes. That could lead to instability in the housing market, Sanford said. Sanford said it could put people at risk if they buy a house at a higher value. If home values were to drop, it could take homeowners several years to build up enough equity before they can consider the ability to
LUMBER TARIFF, 2
Movement on Dripping Springs ISD’s $132 million bond has ground to a halt as a local group is contesting the outcome of the May referendum. On June 18, the Citizens for Excellent Education in Dripping Springs (CEEDS) filed a lawsuit contesting the outcome of the May 5 election and a May 19 recount. One week after the litigation was filed, Dripping Springs ISD’s Board of Trustees on June 25 unanimously approved to retain counsel for a lawsuit to validate the outcome of the election. CEEDS, a specific purpose Political Action Committee (PAC) against the district’s bond, filed the election contest after a recount of the May 5 bond election, which was initially approved by a narrow 31 vote margin. The recount, which was canvassed by Hays County Commissioners in late May, showed the bond passing by a margin of 37 votes. However, members of CEEDS believe the final canvass “is not the true outcome of the election,” and allege an election officer or other person involved in the administration of
History of abuse alleged in death of 21-month-old in Kyle BY MOSES LEOS III
A documented history of abuse is coming to light in a case involving a Kyle couple accused of killing their 21-monthold son in early July. On Monday, Kyle Police arrested and charged Stevie Dwayne Williams, Jr., 24, and Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams, 21, with capital murder of a person under 10 years of age. Authorities also charged the couple with injury of a child due to the condition of their 8-month-old daughter, who has since been place in Child Protective Services (CPS) custody. Both charges are capital felonies, according to a
According to the affidavit, officers said the victim was lying on the floor in a hallway, near the front entrance of the residence. They observed visible injuries to the child, including bruising on his left and right rib area and on his back and forehead.
city of Kyle press release. The case stems from a July 4 call to Kyle Police, who were dispatched for a child who was not breathing to a home in the 300 block of Marquitos Drive in Kyle. When police arrived, emergency officials were working to revive the victim, who was “cold, stiff, pulseless” and not
breathing, according to a probable cause affidavit magistrated by Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith. According to the affidavit, officers said the victim was lying on the floor in a hallway near the front entrance of the residence. They observed visible injuries to the child, including
Citizens for Excellent Education in Dripping Springs (CEEDS), a specific purpose Political Action Committee (PAC) against the district’s bond, filed the election contest after a recount of the May 5 bond election, which was initially approved by a narrow 31 vote margin. the election prevented eligible voters from participating, according to litigation documents. CEEDS also alleges not all eligible voters were notified of the election or had the opportunity to participate. They cite 51 voters who reside in DSISD boundaries, but live in Travis County, who received no notice of the election, according to the lawsuit. The suit also alleges officials mistakenly
DSISD BOND LAWSUIT, 5
Rodeo moseys back into Dripping Springs STAFF REPORT
CHAGOYAWILLIAMS
WILLIAMS
bruising on his left and right rib area and on his back and forehead. The child ultimately was pronounced deceased at the scene by Smith. According to the affidavit, Chagoya-Williams told authorities when Williams entered the
DEATH OF A CHILD, 6
Cowboys and cowgirls from across the area will descend on Dripping Springs for the 7th annual Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The event, which runs July 27-29, is hosted by the Dripping Springs Ag Boosters and the city of Dripping Springs. Patrons can take in Friday and Saturday’s Cowboy’s Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) event, which features bull and bronco riding, barrel racing and mutton busting. Ticket information can be found at dsfairandrodeo.com.