Texas youth at risk per nat’l study
Opinion: Something to sleep on
Hays alumna sets new bar at O.U.
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 42
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
Marshall Jennings, a hydrogeologist, former Texas State University professor and chair of the Hays County Task Force on Trinity Aquifer Sustainability, addresses the aquifer district board of directors Monday at Buda City Hall.
District OKs massive annual water production permit After six hours of grueling debate Monday, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) leaders approved Needmore Ranch LLC’s permit to pump 289 million gallons of water annually from the Trinity
BSEACD leaders approved Needmore Ranch LLC’s permit to pump 289 million gallons of water annually from the Trinity Aquifer. Aquifer. The decision, made by a 5-0 vote by the BSEACD
board of directors, gives Needmore, a Wimberley-area entity, the largest
75¢ Thursday, August 1, 2019
Needmore Ranch gets more BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
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water production permit in the district. Approval included special conditions that require Needmore to cut back pumping if drawdown reaches certain trigger levels in an index well. Additionally, a separate
PHOTO BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
NEEDMORE WATER, 6
DSISD unveils plans for new Walnut Springs site
Kinder Morgan files suit against city over pipeline ordinance
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
The relocation of Walnut Springs Elementary School to the Dripping Springs Middle School site banded parents together to share input on two different renderings for the campus. The two schematic designs, presented by Corgan Architects, will go through changes before construction, giving parents the opportunity to see the progression of the campus. Part of the $132 million Dripping Springs ISD bond project, the relocation of Walnut Springs Elementary to the Dripping Springs Middle School site will accommodate 850 students, while improving vehicle parking and traffic flow. The project is slated for completion by May 2021. An existing wastewater treatment plant on the property will be removed to accommodate the new facility. “You can see we are looking at a lot of different mediums and doing a lot of sketching for the project,” said Corgan Architecture Vice President Douglas Koehne. “For the
The ongoing battle over Kinder Morgan’s proposed Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) took a turn last week when the Houston-based energy firm filed litigation against Kyle. Basis for the lawsuit, filed July 21 at the U.S. District Court in Austin, stems from Kyle’s pipeline safety ordinance that was approved by its city council in May. Among other contingencies, the new rules would require the PHP to be buried some 15 feet underground in some areas. Kinder Morgan officials argue that the ordinance is illegal, citing the National Pipeline Safety Act and state law take priority over local ordinances and regulations. Along with setback obligations, the ordinance
SCHOOL DESIGNS, 6
PHOTO BY KATIE BURRELL
Getting rowdy at the rodeo
The 8th Annual Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo returned to Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center July 26-28 with rodeo action, Mutton Bustin’ and other family events.
New hybrid voting machines approved by county leaders BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Hays County’s quest for a new voting machine ended Tuesday when commissioners approved Hart Intercivic’s hybrid system, complete with a paper ballot. County commissioners July 30 approved the
Hart system by a 4-1 vote with County Judge Ruben Becerra casting the lone dissenting vote. Council leaders had two vendors to choose from, the other being a machine manufactured by ES&S. Both machines received approval from the Texas Secretary of State’s office.
The county’s current Direct Recording-Electronic (DRE) voting devices are serviced by Hart, but the new machines offer a paper ballot to review before it is entered into a scanner. A key component of the decision revolved around access for voters with disabilities. Howev-
er, there were different opinions on the dais and from members of the audience about which system would better accommodate people with disabilities. Resident Susan Raybuck said county poll workers preferred
VOTING MACHINES, 2
County emergency management leader steps up to state level SUBMITTED REPORT
A longtime Hays County Emergency Management (EM) official will soon take her talents to the state level. On July 23, Hays County Commissioners accepted the resignation of Kharley Bagley Smith, current Emergency Services Director, who recently accepted a role with the newly created State Division of Emergency Management (SDEM). Smith’s resignation goes into effect July 31. Commissioners also appointed Justin McInnis, current EM assistant director, as the interim
leader of the deparmtenet. With the SDEM, Smith will lead the SMITH statewide Disaster Recovery Task Force. In a statement, Smith said she was honored to be offered the position, but will miss “all of the talented, hard-working first responders, emergency personnel and elected officials” she interacted with. “I’m thankful for the cooperation that exists in emergency management
throughout our county – that’s not something you find everywhere, but it is critical to successful emergency preparedness and disaster recovery,” Smith said. “The county works as a team member with cities, emergency services districts and nonprofits for the benefit of our citizens.” Commissioners Court members thanked Smith for her dedication and recalled instances in which her training and experience served the county’s residents well. “The State of Texas made a very, very good choice,” Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said.
PIPELINE LAWSUIT, 2
Leander hires DSISD super BY MOSES LEOS III
Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said Smith did an “incredible job,” but said he was sorry to see her go. “She’ll be an amazing asset to the State of Texas,” Shell said. He referenced Smith’s efforts during the receovery period following the 2015 Memorial Day flood in the Wimberley area. Smith was appointed Emergency Management Coordinator in November 2012 and was named Director of the Office of Emergency Services in April 2016. She coordinated response and recovery efforts for the
Less than a month before the 2019-20 school year starts, Dripping Springs ISD will be searching for a new leader. On July 25, Leander ISD officials GEARING named Bruce Gearing, current DSISD Superintendent, as the lone finalist to helm that district’s superintendent position. Gearing will leave DSISD in August to assume his new role, according to a press release. DSISD begins classes Aug. 20. DSISD’s Board of Trustees discussed the process for hiring the
EMERGENCY SERVICES, 4
GEARING TO LEANDER, 4