DA requests more funds for increased load
Tiger volleyball tops Hays in four matches
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Hays a hot spot for women in business
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 44
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
A Lakeway man was arrested Aug. 7 after authorities accused him of going online to solicit sexual favors from minors in the Dripping Springs area. Luann Fabric Campos Leao Hida, 24, of Lakeway, was booked into the Hays County Jail on two charges of online solici-
tation of a minor, both third-degree felonies, along with purchasing or furnishing alcohol to HIDA a minor, which is a Class A misdemeanor. According to a Hays
County press release, additional charges are pending in the case. According to an arrest affidavit magistrated by Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith, authorities began an investigation into the case July 18. Authorities received a report of a man, who went by “The Loter”, who allegedly was furnishing
vape pens, vape oil and alcohol to teenage boys in the Dripping Springs area. The Loter, later identified as Hida, communicated with two minors via Snapchat to sell the electronic tobacco products. During the course of the communication, the victims told authorities Hida allegedly solicited oral sex acts for money
75¢
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Lakeway man arrested for soliciting sex from Dripping Springs minors STAFF REPORT
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and vape products via Snapchat. According to the affidavit, a separate investigation had been conducted by Travis County Sheriff’s Office school resource officers (SROs) regarding allegations of Hida providing alcohol and vape products to juveniles, as well as asking minors for
SOLICITATION, 2
PHOTOS BY MOSES LEOS III
Pigskin preseason prep
Preparations for the 2018 football season officially got underway for the Dripping Springs Tigers Monday as they kick started the preseason practice schedule. Dripping Springs is among several Austin area schools that took part in spring practices earlier this year, requiring the team to start a week later than schools that began Aug. 6. Practices will lead up to the Tigers’ season opener at home against Kerrville Tivy on Aug. 31. A full preview of Tiger football can be found in next week’s News-Dispatch. Above, a Dripping Springs Tiger defender works his way around a blocker to approach a teammate during a non-contact pursuit drill. Inset, several Dripping Springs Tiger football players engage blocking pads during a drill.
Fight over Wimberley wastewater continues BY EXSAR ARGUELLO As division grows over how Wimberley should approach its downtown wastewater issues, city leaders remain unsure of what is the best solution to the problem. But as the city eyes utilizing water utility provider Aqua Texas, concerns are rising over the impact it could have on the area. One of the primary issues for business owners on the Wimberley Square is how increased tourism has started to place a strain on the downtown septic system. But concerns also extend to projections showing Wimberley could incur nearly $400,000 in debt, should it move forward with plans for a self-operated sewer system. Currently, most businesses on the Square do not have bathrooms to service customers. Instead, tourists must use portable toilets that have been installed in the main parking area at the Square. Michele Woods, owner of a downtown coffee shop on the Square, said the current state of downtown wastewater is hindering business. “Not much has changed but we are fortunate that we have the portable restrooms now,” Woods said. “Now, we can point customers to a public restroom facility, but we know it’s not a long-term solution.” As a business that predominantly serves beverages to its clientele, Woods’ employees must stay cognizant of the amount of water used because of the septic system. “I would prefer for the city to handle the operation of the sewage system,” Woods said. “Aqua Texas does not have the best reputation in the area, and
WASTEWATER WOES, 2
LAGNIAPPE Texas children are left uninsured, Legos at the falling behind the rest of the country library BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Texas children are being left behind without access to healthcare, partly a result of action taken by former Gov. Rick Perry to cut the expansion of Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. According to a new study by Wallethub, Texas ranks 49th in the country for children with access to health insurance, an indication that healthcare is on the backburner of priorities. In 2012, in response to the newly adopted Affordable Care Act, Perry shot down the expansion of Medicaid to the Lone
“With no insurance, young children can lose access to receive their vaccines which puts them and other children at risk for a variety of diseases.”
Star State, losing out on approximately $13 billion a year in federal money to help children find insurance. “Only 89.1 percent of Texas children aged 0-17 have health insurance,” said Jill Gonzalez, a research analyst for Wallethub. “Yes, the lack of Medicaid expansion is the reason why so many children and adults are uninsured. Children from low-income families are especially affected by this. They are unable to access
Medicaid and can’t afford other health insurance.” Following his predecessor, Gov. Greg Abbott holds firm on Perry’s decision to limit the expansion of Medicaid to Texas. In a 2015 press release, Abbott said Medicaid expansion is wrong for Texas, citing Obamacare as a massive expansion of an already broken and bloated Medicaid program. But local pediatricians aren’t convinced that the lack of Medicaid expan-
sion is helping Texas children receive the health care they desperately need. Dr. Julie Fisher, a physician at Corridor Primary Care Pediatrics in Kyle, said the expansion of Medicaid is widely accepted by physicians in the field, especially in Central Texas where families are in need of assistance. “Because of these issues, we are seeing a lot of our patients lose their benefits and aren’t able to seek health care,” Fisher said. “With no insurance, young children can lose access to receive their vaccines which puts them
UNINSURED CHILDREN, 2
Legos at the Library meets monthly for free-choice building time, Saturday, Aug. 18, 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Dripping Springs public library. All ages welcome. Seven years and younger need to have their adult assistant on hand.
Chair exercise at the library All are invited to come play, laugh and sing Monday, Aug. 20, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Dripping Springs Library. You’ll experience the physical, social, emotional, and mental benefits of this Mind, Body, Soul Series for all abilities. Please RSVP to this free event by emailing adultservices@ dscl.org. You can also call 512-858-7825.