Student fuels book drive
Tigers break in new stadium
Expanded center helps at-risk boys
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 45 • Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
Changes in how the city of Dripping Springs handles cash transactions were made after city officials discovered close to $3,000 was missing earlier this year. However, an outside investigation conducted into the matter didn’t result in identification of a suspect, said Bonnie
Gonzalez, Dripping Springs communications coordinator in a statement. Gonzalez said the city discovered the missing cash at city hall in April 2017. After discovering the case, Dripping Springs city officials conducted an internal investigation, as well as a follow up investigation that
was done by an outside investigator. All accounting documentation was audited, according to the statement. It was determined less than $3,000 was missing from city coffers. However, the investigations “did not yield evidence identifying a likely suspect.” It’s unknown from where the missing
money is missing, or if the city has turned the investigation over to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. As a result of the investigation, Dripping Springs’ administration approved new cash handling procedures and new security measures. Those procedures have been implemente. However, the city did not
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Thursday, August 17, 2017
$3,000 in missing funds forces city to change cash procedures BY MOSES LEOS III
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specify what those new procedures and security measures are. “The city is confident that the new procedures will prevent future misappropriation of funds,” Gonzalez said. “The city will continue to review its cash handling and security procedures to ensure they remain up to date.”
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
A special guest performs during Wimberley resident Sarah Jarosz’s set at the 2017 Old Settler’s Music Festival in Driftwood.
Old Settler’s Festival moves to Caldwell BY MOSES LEOS III
The new YMCA pool, which will include an eight-lane competition pool, was made possible by financial contributions from the Dripping Springs ISD and the district will be able to use the pool for its swim team, meets and other aquatic programs.
YMCA renovations near completion BY MOSES LEOS III
Walking around a small table, Jason Daniel, executive director of the Springs Family Branch YMCA in Dripping Springs, consulted with a colleague on the look and placement of the furnishing. Daniel, along with Heather Marchant, membership and sports director at the Springs YMCA, discussed if the table was a good look at its current location. Such talks are the norm for the Springs Family Branch as they ready the finishing touches prior to the facility’s unveiling of its
New elements to the facility will include a new heated pool, a renovated weight room and group exercise studio, as well as a second story yoga and Pilates room.
$5.5 million remodel Aug. 26. And while the project is about five months overdue, Daniel said members are starting to experience the upgrades to the facility. “We’re doing our best to get this up and going and our members have been patient with the process,” Daniel said. “They are waiting for a new Springs Family
YMCA and we’re hoping to deliver as fast as we can.” Those improvements to the Springs Family YMCA include roughly 10,000 additional square feet for the facility; Daniel said approximately 7,000 square feet will be functional space. New elements to the facility will include a renovated weight room
and group exercise studio, as well as a second story yoga and Pilates room. A new heated pool, which will have an eightlane competition pool as well as a family pool with splash pad, is the primary upgrade. Pools play a large part of what the YMCA does, Daniel said. The YMCA uses the pool to teach children
and the community how to swim, and to be safe around the water. The pool became a reality after the YMCA partnered with Dripping Springs ISD for its construction. In addition, DSISD will be able to use the pool for its high school swim team, swim meets and other aquatic programs. “This is a great opportunity to build something that families can take advantage of, seniors could take advantage of, and members and athletes could take advantage of,” Daniel said.
YMCA RENOVATIONS, 5
Wastewater plant project tops Wimberley residents concerns BY TIMOTHEY STUCKEY
Sewer woes were the main concern of a town hall meeting in Wimberely that was lead by Mayor Mac McCullough. The meeting, held at the Wimberely Community Center, was meant for residents to voice their concerns regarding various issues in the city. Many voiced their disapproval at the current state of the city’s wastewater plant project. The project’s development first began ten years ago and has remained a troublesome project for the city and
Many citizens spoke in opposition of the city’s plan, raising issues of transparency, loan repayment, discharge and the legality of some votes.
a tiresome concern for residents. Many citizens spoke in opposition of the city’s plan, raising issues of transparency, loan repayment, discharge and the legality of some votes. “There’s hiccups in every project.” said McCullough as he addresses the audience’s concerns.
The wastewater plant, as currently proposed, has a $681,000 option to connect all properties to the system completely, while also decommissioning the current septic tanks. The project has changed many hands since it’s inception, however McCullough guaranteed that the city has never deviated from
the original plan. “I’m completely comfortable with the numbers we’ve given,” said Mayor McCollough, “ I believe it’s the right thing to do.” In a series of recent votes, the Wimberley City Council moved forward with the city’s proposed wastewater treatment plant. The plants latest terms of the loan will now have to be approved by the Office of the Texas Attorney General. The council would then have the city engineer condition the bids before potentially accepting a bid and starting the project.
There was something special about Camp Ben McCulloch during the Old Settler’s Music Festival (OSMF) that Dripping Springs resident Jim Hudson will forever remember. Many people know OSMF’s tenure in Driftwood for the throngs of fans and the multiple stages that populated the Salt Lick Pavilion since 2002. Across FM 1826, those who chose to rough it out at Camp Ben during the four-day festival are treated to “good music and a fun exchange of people,” Hudson said. All of that will be gone, however, as OSMF organizers announced they no longer have a place in Hays County to call home.
MUSIC FEST MOVES, 6
LAGNIAPPE Sun gets mooned on Monday
Make sure to have your special sunglasses ready as the Great American solar eclipse occurs Monday. The last total eclipse viewed from the contiguous U.S. was Feb. 26, 1979, according to NASA. While Dripping Springs (and Texas) isn’t in the “path of totality,” where the moon will completely block the sun, residents can still view the eclipse, which is slated to peak around 1 p.m. The Wimberley Village Library will host a Solar Eclipse party starting at 11 a.m. Missing out on this year’s eclipse? The next great eclipse will hit the U.S. in 2024, so no rush.
Sippin’ at Dripping with Taste
Numerous Texas area wine companies, and even a few from Dripping Springs, will gather at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Sept. 9 for the 10th annual Dripping with Taste event. Roughly 75 vendors will be on hand to help out about 2,500 festival goers have a “taste” of what’s happening in Texas. The event runs from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9. Ticket information can be found online at drippingwithtaste.com.
MUSIC FEST MOVES, 6