STAAR test gets an ‘F’ from rep
Texans open season on Bears
Locals get Dark Sky awards page 3
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVI No. 47
LAGNIAPPE Gunner Thames Memorial Rodeo
On Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4, head out to the Chester Franklin Arena at Veterans Park in Wimberley for this annual event benefitting the mission and vision of the Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation. Rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. both nights. The event is BYOB. Saturday night’s festivities will include a dance featuring the Sam Bentley Band. Show your law enforcement badge and you and a guest get free admission. Visit www. GunnerThames.com for more information.
Caregivers Support Group meeting
The Alzheimer’s Caregivers will meet on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church Library, 956 FM 2325. This is an opportunity for caregivers to discuss the latest Alzheimer’s information and to share ideas as they travel the caregiving journey together. If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one with dementia, please join us. For additional information contact Linda Germain, volunteer for Alzheimer’s Texas, at 512 924-3661.
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
Thursday, September 1, 2016
More than just barbecue Local business owner eyes completion of new development BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
Progress toward a 560-acre tract of land that will soon hold a new mixed-use development surrounding the Salt Lick restaurant in Driftwood continues to move forward. For Salt Lick owner Scott Roberts, whose family has
owned the property for more than 100 years, ensuring development falls in harmony with the surrounding land was imperative. Roberts’ planned development, called “Driftwood,” has been in the works for roughly 12 years. The project came about after his family decided to change the land use, as they
couldn’t use it for its original purpose as a cattle ranch. While the family wanted to continue to be involved with the land, Roberts said they also wanted to share it with others as well. “It’s a beautiful tract of land,” he said. “It’d be a
Wimberley Market Days
Wimberley Market Days will be Saturday September 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine at Lions Field on RR 2325 in Wimberley. Listen to live music on three stages from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m: Lynnette
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waste for just one family. It needed to be shared somewhat.”
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A 560-acre property owned by Salt Lick owner Scott Roberts is about to develop the property adjacent to his business that is expected to have 31 homesteads and a 200-unit lodge and spa.
What’s the fate of short term rentals?
North Hays Fire chief up for national award
BY RAFAEL MARQUEZ
News-Dispatch Reporter
First Thursday
Head to Mercer Street and Old Fitzhugh Rd. from 5-9 p.m.on the first Thursday of each month for fun activities, live music, shopping and more. Downtown businesses come together to stay open late and provide a fun environment for late-night shopping. Visit www.firstthursdaydrippingsprings.org for more information.
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North Hays County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief of Volunteers Bob Love has been nominated for the Step Up and Stand Out award, a national award recognizing outstanding department volunteers
BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
Every volunteer firefighter has a story about how they got into the profession. Bob Love became a firefighter after he was referred to a contractor in 1995 who was
also the fire chief of the North Hays Volunteer Fire Department. That person eventually talked him into joining. For the next 21 years, Love, who is now the assistant volunteer fire chief for the North Hays County Fire Rescue, has helped continue to foster a
“combination department” of volunteer and career personnel. It’s the reason why members of the NHCFR nominated him for the Step Up and Stand Out award, which is a national
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Grant provides one-on-one counseling to abuse victims STAFF REPORT A two-year grant totaling just over $500,000 awarded by the St. David’s Founation to the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center gives victims of sexual abuse and family violence access to vital resources. The grant, totaling $574,674, allows St. David’s to provide professional counseling and advocacy for victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse who reside in Hays and Caldwell County. Counseling and Advocacy Program Director Jennifer Vasquez said in a statement, funding from the St. David’s Foundation goes toward providing services for victims of abuse by licensed, professionally trained clinical staff with Master’s degrees in Counseling and Social Work. “Our Counseling and Advocacy staff have extensive education and training on the impact of trauma and abuse on the clients we serve,” Vasquez said in a press release. The funding gives victims access to six months of free individual counseling and on-
The funding gives victims access to six months of free individual counseling and ongoing support groups facilitated by licensed professionals who help them work toward their goal of living a life free of abuse, Vasquez said. going support groups facilitated by licensed professionals who help them work toward their goal of living a life free of abuse, Vasquez said. HCWC has benefitted from support from the St. David’s Foundation, which dates back to 2006. This grant allowed HCWC to expand counseling and advocacy services outside of its two main offices. That includes offsite locations in Lockhart, Dripping Springs and Luling. The center also provides additional support in its family violence shelter and expands services with the children’s advocacy center, Roxanne’s House. In addition to individual counseling and advocacy, HCWC counselors are currently providing seven adult groups.
Those groups include a six week Domestic Violence Psychoeducational class and two children’s groups on a regular basis. Last year, HCWC provided professional counseling services to 951 victims who benefitted from 8,045 counseling sessions and 1,957 advocacy days all provided free-of-charge and confidential. In total, HCWC provided free face-to-face services to 1,743 victims of abuse in 2015 and responded to 2,490 HELPline crisis calls. According to a press release, clients of the HCWC cited counseling and advocacy as the most valuable resource. “I don’t feel isolated anymore, individual counseling was awesome, life changing,” one person said.
Wimberley city leaders could decide this month on a proposed 90-day moratorium on the issuance of new conditional use permits (CUP) for shortterm rental and bed and breakfast facilities within city limits. The city of Wimberley will hold a series of meetings, beginning Sept. 8 with the planning and zoning committee, which will decide whether or not to recommend the moratorium. The Wimberley City Council will then hold a first reading during its Sept.15 council meeting, followed by a second reading a few days after that. If passed, the moratorium will only apply to the issuance of new permits. Properties that have already been issued a permit will be allowed to continue to operate provided they meet all of the conditions of their permit. Although conditional use permits can be issued for any number of reasons, the permits that are under review pertain to vacation, short-term rentals and bed and breakfast facilities. Most of the lodging facilities in Wimberley come from vacation rentals, short-term rentals and bed and breakfast facilities. The city has started collecting a hotel occupancy tax (HOT) on the usage of these properties. Don Ferguson, Wimberley city administrator, said that the city “started hearing complaints from neighbors about things happening at the short-term rental properties.” Issues extended to overcrowding and noise complaints. “The city council wants to get a grip on the real problems and try to develop regulations to keep those problems from continuing to exist,” Ferguson said. “The moratorium is
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