Technology, training help concussion rate
Two new major hires for DSISD
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Eagle Scout gives chimney swifts a home
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 42 • Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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75¢ Thursday, July 27, 2017
Three-car wreck takes two lives on U.S. 290 BY MOSES LEOS III Two people were killed, while another person was critically injured, in a violent three-car collision that occurred along U.S. Highway 290 in Dripping Springs Sunday. According to a Texas Department of Public
Safety spokesperson, a Ford Fusion was traveling southbound on Trautwein Road when it ran a stop sign at the U.S. 290 intersection. The Fusion pulled out in front of a Honda Accord that was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 290. The Fusion was
initially struck on the left side by the Accord; that collision redirected the Fusion into the eastbound lanes of U.S. 290. The Fusion was then rear-ended by a Ford F-250 traveling eastbound. The driver and front passenger of the Fusion were killed in the accident,
according to the spokesperson. The identities of the deceased victims is pending notification of the next-of-kin, said a DPS spokesperson. A woman who was a rear passenger in the Fusion was transported to St. David’s South Austin Medical Center (SAMC) in
critical condition. A child who was also a rear passenger in the Fusion was transported to Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin without any injures. Authorities have not released the identities of the rear passengers in the Fusion at this time. The driver of the Hon-
da, who has not yet been identified, is in stable condition at South Austin Medical Center, while the driver and a passenger in the F-250, who also haven’t been identified, were uninjured. A final DPS report on the accident has not yet been completed.
Son arrested following death of D.S. man BY MOSES LEOS III
Cowgirl up
MAIN PHOTO BY TIMOTHY STUCKEY; INSET PHOTO BY DAVE WILSON
A competitor hangs on tight to her Bronco during the annual Dripping Springs Rodeo held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park July 20-23. Inset, a pair of young rodeo clowns show all smiles while decked out in their garb. The rodeo, hosted by the Dripping Springs Ag Boosters Association and the City of Dripping Springs has transformed into a Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) rodeo and fundraiser for 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA).
LAGNIAPPE Hays County Vaccination Celebration
The Hays County Local Health Department and Live Oak Health Partners Community Clinic are holding a week-long vaccination fair Aug. 7-11 for all children 18 years and younger who need vaccinations. The vaccines will be free for children who qualify. On Monday, Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. there
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The Caffeine Corridor? Coffee culture engrains itself in Dripping Springs
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BY SAMANTHA SMITH
t’s no shock that the culture of coffee continues to spread across the country. Where once coffee was just limited to the house or a convenience store, dedicated coffee shops are now offering luxury lattes and espressos. Success of those businesses, however, depends on popularity, traffic, customer service and location, location, location. In Dripping Springs, where four local coffee shops have thrived in the area, increased traffic for a variety of reasons has helped keep business brewing, even as a corporate competitor in Starbucks has opened shop. A sixth coffee shop, Austin Java, is slated to open along U.S. 290 later this year. One of the primary reasons stems from the city’s designation as the Wedding Capital of Texas, according to baristas at the various coffee shops. What each coffee shop brings to the table is also a factor in its success as well. Laurie Green, manager of Mazama Coffee on Mercer Street, said people come to the shop for a relaxed atmosphere where customers can meet friends or colleagues while sipping on an Italian style cappuccino. “It feels more like a small town shop rather than a corporate coffee chain,” Green said of Mazama’s success. Juan Chan, owner of Le Muse Coffee Bar, thinks that people in the Dripping Springs area have a craving for “craft” in everything from food to beverages. His coffee shop
An investigation into the discovery of a decomposed body in a Dripping Springs area home Sunday led to the arrest of a man who authorities suspect MCMILLON may have tampered with evidence. Skye McMillon, 24, was charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence with “intent to impair a human corpse,” which is a second degree felony, according to a Travis County Sheriff’s Office press release. McMillon is being held in connection to the death of the victim, who on Tuesday was identified as Steven Nurse, 60, who is McMillon’s father, according to a report in the Austin American-Statesman.
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Green future for 680 annexed acres BY SAMANTHA SMITH
PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SMITH
A worker at Mazama Coffee Shop in Dripping Springs preps an order for a customer on a busy morning. The locally owned shop is one of many that thrive in the Dripping Springs economy.
has something to offer to their discerning palettes. “Everything that we make here is craft,” Chan said. Cory Deardorff, a barista at Summer Moon coffee house on U.S. 290, said the designation as the Wedding Capital of Texas has brought in more business than he initially expected. Deardorff added that customers also recognize the brand from chain locations in Buda and in Austin as well. Emily Brunken, a barista at Jolt Coffee and Beverage, a coffee stand on U.S. 290, said customers may stop by on their commute, but the customer
service brings them back with their friends and even a few wedding parties. Even Starbucks has had success from the Wedding Capital designation. Starbucks barista Taylor Fluitt said the combination of the chain coffee shop’s location on U.S. 290 and the designation has made the store an overnight success since opening in February 2017. “I know a lot of people came in the other day from a wedding party that chose to come in and hang out during a rainstorm while the wedding was delayed,” Fluitt said.
For the first time in Dripping Springs’ history, a housing development will focus on building to fit the land and not the other way around. Earlier this month, the Dripping Springs city council entered into a development agreement with California-based SunCal for the Westwood subdivision, said Michelle Fisher, Dripping Springs city administrator. The city then approved annexation of the 680-acre tract of land along U.S. 290 that will house the subdivision, which was rezoned from agriculture (AG) to a Planned Development District (PDD). Fischer said the development, which is the city’s first “conservation subdivision,” plans to conserve open space and
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