September 13, 2018 News Dispatch

Searching for Citizens of the Year

Wimberley ISD shines on with updated lights

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Tigers lose 35-34 nail-biter

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 48

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

After three hours of tense deliberation Friday, members of a nine-person Hays County Salary Grievance committee unanimously approved raising the pay for three county constables to $74,000 a year.

The move came after Precinct 1 Constable David Peterson, Precinct 3 Constable Ray Helm and Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hood requested a grievance hearing for

Hays County Salary Grievance committee unanimously approved raising the pay for three county constables to $74,000 a year. proposed pay raises.

In August, Hays County constables requested raising their pay from an annual salary of $67,762 to $93,824, which was ultimately denied by county commissioners.

In their grievance request, Peterson and Hood sought a $93,824 salary,

while Helm requested a $74,000 salary, which was the “happy median” the committee eventually approved. The committee was comprised of nine elected county officials, including District Attorney Wes Mau and Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler.

“Detectives with five years of experience are making $68,000 a year,” Hood said. “I’m not grudging these officers or their salaries. It could be better for these guys and I think it should be.

But I am using this as a comparison to my justification.”

Early on in the meeting, committee members believed constables deserved a pay raise, but disputed what the wage should be.

“Don’t leave out how fast the university and county are growing,” Cutler said. “I am proud of the work they do. Do I have problems with $93,000? Sure I do. I’m a taxpayer too. But I know we can come up with an agreement.”

CONSTABLES SALARIES, 2

Concerns, emotions rise at concrete plant town hall

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Water quality, traffic and noise concerns were issues addressed Monday during a heated town hall meeting for a controversial proposed concrete batch plant to be located near Henly.

The forum, held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, was hosted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and drew close to 100 residents. According to TCEQ officials, the intent of the meeting was to give residents a chance to submit public comments and ask questions regarding Lauren Concrete Inc.’s air quality permit.

But residents pressed a panel consisting of TCEQ employees on a wide range of concerns.

Randy Tyler, a concerned resident who lives next to the proposed batch plant, suffers from Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer. He fears the batch plant could be detrimental to his health.

“My wife has asthma and my cancer causes me to have a weak immune system. I get pneumonia

CONCRETE PLANT, 6

75¢

Thursday, September 13, 2018

County OKs constable salary increase

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

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Teen killed in UTV accident in Wimberley

BY KATIE BURRELL Authorities have identified a teenager who was killed in a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) accident in Wimberley over the Labor Day weekend.

Cooper David Potts, 16, of Katy, was identified as the victim in the incident, which occurred Sept. 2 in the 10000 block of FM 2325, according to a Hays County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Officials were dispatched to the residence around 3:30 p.m. to assist Wimberley EMS with a possible drowning call.

Authorities said Potts was a passenger in a Polaris RZR UTV when the operator lost control of the vehicle, which then rolled over into a retention pond. Hays County Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Andy Cable pronounced Potts dead at the scene.

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined the cause of death as a drowning.

According to the release, Potts was reportedly wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Dripping with Taste didn’t disappoint Dripping Springs seeks Questions still loom after termination feedback of Black Castle wastewater contract on new The termination of the Black Castle committee Construction contract, which called Area residents Shannon Kelton (right) and Mitzi Wilson share a few smiles (and a couple glasses of wine) at the Dripping with Taste event at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Saturday. Hundreds packed into the venue for the 11th annual Dripping with Taste, which drew more than 80 vendors from across Central Texas. Revelers got a chance to sample food and drink from across the region, as well as take in a handful of demonstrations.

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

After voting to terminate plans for a city-owned wastewater plant, Wimberley city leaders’ next step in addressing its wastewater woes remains unclear.

But in the interim, some Wimberley residents are waiting in limbo, confused and concerned with what comes next.

The termination of the Black Castle Construction contract, which called for the city-owned system, means the city will have to re-apply for the $5.5 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB); the reason is due to the city is changing its provider for the plant.

Will Bowman, a former project manager for Shell Oil and Wimberley resident,

for the city-owned system, means the city will have to re-apply for the $5.5 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB); the reason is due to the city changing its provider for the plant.

said he’s never seen a working project change drastically in the middle of operations.

“If they do not get that TWDB loan again, they have zero dollars to continue this project,” Bowman said. “And since the Black Castle contract is over, the city needs to start from square one.”

Bowman said the cancelation of the Black Castle contract would cost the city around $850,000; however, the

LAGNIAPPE

city or representatives from Black Castle have not confirmed that cost estimate.

“At this point, we are waiting for information from the City of Wimberley,” said Merry Klonower, chief communications officer for the TWDB. “We have asked them for detailed information on the changes they are proposing to the project. Until the TWDB staff receives that information and has time to review, we

cannot answer how that will affect their loan.”

On Aug. 28, the Wimberley City Council opted to terminate its contract with Black Castle, but did not take action for any future plans.

However, city council members spoke about their support for third-party wastewater provider Aqua Texas.

CONCERNS OVER COST Wimberley Mayor Susan Jaggers and several city council members believe the Aqua Texas plan could be a more cost-effective alternative. Some residents and former elected officials, however, are not convinced.

They claim termination fees and lost funding sources as a result of the city council’s recent

WASTEWATER, 2

Club on east U.S. 290. Reservations are necessary. Interested parties should reserve a seat by Friday, Sept.

14. More information can be found online at dswomensclub.com or call Janice Englehart at 858-361-7297.

Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. All proceeds go to the Marbridge Ranch. More information can be found at brentthurman.com.

Some of the top professional bull riders will meet one last time later this month to pay tribute to a fallen cowboy and raise money for a worthy cause during the 20th annual Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Ride.

The event will be held Saturday,

Thunder in the Hills invitational. The contest draws percussion units from the Austin, San Antonio and Houston areas. The program starts at 11 a.m. and continues until around 6:30 p.m.

Ticket information can be found online at dsbandboosters.org/Thunder

National news anchor to speak to Rodeo for a cause Drums across Dripping Springs Dripping Springs at the Brent The percussive sounds of drumlines echo across Dripping Springs Women’s Club Thurman bull ride will High Saturday for the 10th annual A former national news anchor will make her way to Dripping Springs this month to share her experiences.

Jenna Lee, a former Fox News anchor, will speak to the Dripping Springs Women’s Club Sept. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Terrace

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Dripping Springs city officials are seeking feedback for a potential amendment to the city’s site development ordinance that would create a new committee.

Originally posted on the city’s blog, the amendment would create the site development review committee which would consist of the city administrator, city engineer and city planner.

“The advantage is that the creation of this committee allows for administrative review for site development variances, and eliminates the need for all variances to go through the full process of Planning and Zoning and City Council approval,” said Anjali Naini, Dripping Springs city planner. “The committee has the technical expertise needed to determine if a requested variance is appropriate or not.”

Naini said the committee can request a variance be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council if needed for additional input.

At the Aug. 28 meeting, P&Z recommended the city council approve the site development ordinance amendment. The council will discuss and take possible action on the amendment at the Sept. 18 meeting.

NEW COMMITTEE, 5

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News -Dispatch PHONE: 512-268-7862 FAX: 512-268-0262

PUBLISHER Cyndy Slovak-Barton csb@haysfreepress.com

EDITOR Moses Leos III moses@haysfreepress.com

REPORTERS

News-Dispatch

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Searching for citizens of the year

BY MOSES LEOS III

Calling all good samaritans, humanitarians, do-gooders, helping hands, heroes and the like – we are looking for you.

Starting this month, the News-Dispatch is opening up the nomi-

nations process to find the Citizens of the Year (COTY) for 2018. We’re asking our readers to name an individual who exemplifies a high level of service in the areas of Community, Education, Government and Business.

Our search for COTY

2018 will encompass Buda, Kyle and Dripping Springs. We will unveil all 12 of our winners and publish profiles of them in our December ECHO magazine, which hits shelves Dec. 5.

Know someone who might fit the bill? Be sure to submit your nomina-

tion to news@haysfreepress.com or mail it to us at: 113 West Center Street, Kyle, Texas 78640.

Residents can even call in their nomination to our main office line at 512.268.7862 or send us your nomination via Facebook or at @haysfreepress and @NEWS_

DISPATCH on Twitter All nominations are due by Sept. 28, with an online voting process running from Sept. 29 to Oct. 15.

The News-Dispatch staff will count up votes Oct. 16.

Don’t delay, nominate today!

Exsar Arguello Carlie Porterfield Katerina Barton news@haysfreepress.com

PRODUCTION David White ADVERTISING/MARKETING Tracy Mack ads@haysnewsdispatch.com

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PHOTOGRAPHER Wayland Clark PROOFREADER Jane Kirkham CIRCULATION MANAGER/ LEGAL NOTICES David White paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com

News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the weeks following July 4 and Christmas by Barton Publications, Inc., 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX

Wastewater

Constables Salaries

Continued from pg. 1 decision could make the city-owned plant more affordable.

The city effectively lost $2 million of funding when the Black Castle contract was terminated; Wimberley lost $1 million from the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) and $1 million from the Way Grant.

A major selling point for the city-owned wastewater project was connecting irrigation lines to Blue Hole Regional Park. Currently, Blue Hole does not have an irrigation system to the public soccer fields.

But Jaggers’ presentation during an Aug. 14 workshop did not include irrigation to Blue Hole if the city decided to go with Aqua Texas.

“All of her (Jaggers) documents are sloppy and incomplete,” said Rebecca Minnick, Wim-

Continued from pg. 1 berley resident. “They say it’s about the money, but there is no evidence of that and they’ve gutted the Blue Hole plan to make the numbers work.”

DISCHARGE DRAMA For some Wimberley city leaders, the Aqua Texas plan was attractive as it did not require a discharge permit.

Gary Barchfeld, Wimberley city council member, said Aug. 28 that Aqua Texas will not discharge, which was a concern for some council members about the cityowned plant.

Wimberley’s cityowned plant required a discharge permit through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

“Forever. That’s how long you’re going to pollute the Blanco River (if you choose the cityowned plant),” Barchfeld

78640.

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Committee members also believed factors such as experience and time of service must be addressed, but in a different fashion. Constable salaries are set during the county’s budget process.

Helm, Hood and Peterson all argued their salaries were not reflective of Hays County’s current and future growth.

Constables said they are compensated lower than eight of nine other counties with similar growth projections and demographics.

However, Mau said higher compensated constables in the state were in counties with at least double the population of Hays County.

Mau added that a better system needs to be implemented, so salary disputes for elected officials aren’t presented to a committee, especially considering not all mem-

bers of the committee are experts on law enforcement.

Cutler said he felt the constables should be compensated around $80,000 a year; he ultimately voted for the $74,000 increase.

“I do think the county has worked hard to keep our wages competitive with other countries,” Mau said. “But we’re setting a precedent with future constables. If a new constable with little experience is elected, they will get compensated the same as these gentlemen, who combined have over 70 years of experience.”

With the committee’s unanimous approval, the Hays County Commissioner’s Court does not have to make a decision on constable salaries.

The item will be part of the county budget, which will be adopted at a later date.

OPINION

Subscription price: $42 local, $59 county,

said at the council meeting. “I have spoken to leaders from other cities who have advised (us) to outsource the plant. We don’t know what it takes to run a company.”

Steve Thurber, former Mayor for the City of Wimberley, said there is no such thing as “no discharge,” and believes Aqua Texas’ land application permit will still call for it.

“That water will still percolate to the aquifer,” Thurber said. “Discharge permits call for large amounts of wastewater storage and I absolutely believe that is safer. The city plan is the more environmentally sound plan than going with Aqua Texas.”

The News-Dispatch reached out to the city of Wimberley for comment on this story. Wimberley city officials did not respond prior to press time.

What kind of question is that?

Y

’know, I’ve been mistaken for a lot of things. While working as a vet tech, new clients thought I was the doctor, probably due more to my age and not because I looked smart.

I’ve been told by several mature folks that I look just like Fess Parker, the guy who played Daniel Boone back in the ‘60s.

One lady swore I look like actor Clint Walker, another fella who acted in numerous westerns.

Depending on my attire, I may look like a cowpoke, a beach bum or a male model for hearing aids, but I doubt I’ll ever be mistaken for a geek.

I have a flip phone with no apps. I type on a computer keyboard with 1-3 fingers, depending on how bad my arthritis is at the time. I have never spoken to Alexa or Siri, but I hear they’re both rather smart gals. No sir, I’m a far piece from being mistaken for a nerd even when I wear clothes that my wife lays out for me sometimes. I will confess, though, that for the past

TDS Job Fair

younger than the boots I tion. It’s a current events from a ‘70s TV show or was wearing. Having an question. I can remember who played wide receiver extra 30 years of knowlstuff from 1966 but I can’t for the Dallas Cowboys edge under our belts, remember what I ate for in 1968. Play a music clip I figured my venerable supper last night. Heck, I from someone enshrined team would win this game have a sticky note on the in the Grand Ole Opry and

by Clint Younts flat out. inside of my front door I’ll name that tune, but Well, as soon as the first asking if I remembered to that crap kids are listening few months, I’ve been so- question was asked, all put on my pants. to now sounds like somecializing with some geeks my teammates were wideNext question! Now body’s castrating pigs to who drink. eyed and began looking how am I supposed to me.

For y’all who don’t around the table like know who plays some If you’re wondering why get out much, there’re someone had just passed queen on Game of I keep going to Geeks Who these groups of smart gas. Who the heck is Thrones? I don’t watch Drink and losing badly to young’uns who gather at Drake, and why is everythat show. I don’t even those smart kids, I enjoy trendy drinking holes and body else whispering and get HBO. That’s not fair! seeing my dear kinfolk compete in trivia contests. writing something down? This game is rigged! Ask and chatting about old I didn’t know about Geeks I recall some explorer us something from our times during the breaks in Who Drink until some of named Drake but I don’t generation. How ‘bout a the game. And did I menmy younger kinfolk invit- thing he had a hit song. question about a Civil War tion the cold beer? Plus, ed me and my wife to join Okay next question, battle or in what year was who knows, maybe one them on trivia night at my please. Huh? How would I the War of 1812 fought? night, when the planets favorite beer joint. Well, know the capital of some Now we’re cooking! are aligned, the quizmasI’m pretty good at answer- African country that You can ask me who ter will ask a question ing questions on some wasn’t even on that big co-starred with Clint East- about John Wayne and I’ll Jeopardy categories, and I globe in my World History wood in every one of his impress the heck out of used to win a lot at Trivial class back in 1974? That’s movies, and I’ll have the all those young whipperPursuit, so I figured I’d fit not a legit trivia quesanswer. Ask something snappers. right in with this group and whup their behinds in this trivia game.

As I was sitting around the table on my first venture into Geeks Who The following highlights are police reports from Hays County law enforcement as well as Drink, sipping a cold local police between Sept. 4-9. beer with other family members, I noticed most Agency Activity Date Time Street City contestants there were HCSO Assault 09/04/2018 10:47:27 Uhland Rd Law Enforcement Center San Marcos

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13:54:23 8:18:47 21:56:09 11:57:16 8:40:19 8:03:48 8:10:27 8:30:36 20:40:29 11:00:02 8:17:37 21:36:19 14:22:11 14:41:09 5:37:37 18:38:44 0:43:31 12:56:15 13:09:54 4:31:47 4:03:39 20:52:59 14:38:55 10:19:15 11:17:07 17:36:48 17:51:24 16:56:58 23:33:47 22:10:33 0:00:37 18:27:51 8:10:08 10:00:49 11:12:18 13:13:04 11:47:35 11:04:39 11:17:14 18:06:55

Bluff St Booth Dr Fischer Store Rd Cement Plant Rd Hilliard Rd/Owl Hollow Rd Sundance Trl Stillwater Wimberley Substation E Loop St Buda Police Department IH 35 Comfort Inn And Suites Joe Robinson Dr Windy Hill Rd/Branch View Dr Barton Valley Cir Lehman High School IH-35 Sunstate Equipment Mariah Dr Mercer St/RR 12 8700blk RR 967 Uhland Rd Public Safety Building Creek Rd Hays County Law Enforcement Ctr Hays County Law Enforcement Ctr RR 12/Elder Hill Rd Live Oak Academy Interstate Dr/S Loop 4 3800blk FM 2001 5916 W Us 290 New Canaan Farms EXIT 205 NB 1000blk Barton Creek Dr Belterra Dr/Trinity Hills Dr Martha Dr Camino Real Longhorn RV IH 35 FR/Robert S Light Blvd RR 967/Oak Forest Dr Cotton Gin Rd/Goforth Rd Andrews Xing/Windy Hill Rd Palomino Rd/Windy Hill Rd Thomas Oaks Dr Main St Candlewood Suites Destiny Dr Overpass Rd Studio 6 Motel

Buda San Marcos Wimberley Buda San Marcos Dripping Springs Wimberley Buda Buda Kyle Kyle Dripping Springs Kyle Buda Kyle Dripping Springs Buda San Marcos Dripping Springs San Marcos San Marcos Driftwood Buda Buda Buda Dripping Springs San Marcos Dripping Springs Austin Buda Kyle Buda Buda Kyle Kyle Kyle Wimberley Buda Kyle Buda

Thursday, September 13, 2018

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Sports

Basking in a new glow

Wimberley ISD updates lighting at Texan Stadium STAFF REPORT

Friday night lights at Texan Stadium in Wimberley will now be a little more environmentally friendly this season.

During the summer, Wimberley ISD completed an overhaul of light fixtures at Wimberley High’s football stadium, which was done to accommodate to the town’s new Dark Sky community designation, according to a press release. Fixing the lights was part of the district’s $45.5 million bond package, which was approved by voters in May. According to the press release, the lights are new and “noise-free.”

Earlier this year, the International Dark Sky Association named Wimberley a Dark Sky community; the city joins Dripping Springs and Horseshoe Bay, the only two other towns in Texas with the designation.

Towns that are designated as Dark Sky communities promote responsible lighting to residents and entities alike. That can come in the form of implementation and enforcement of a outdoor lighting ordinance, as well as educating and supporting dark sky initiatives.

“We all benefit when we work together as a community to protect our natural environment including our night sky,” said Cathy Moreman, Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce executive

Page 3

During the summer, Wimberley ISD completed an overhaul of light fixtures at Wimberley High’s football stadium to accommodate to the town’s new Dark Sky community designation.

director in a statement. “I applaud Wimberley ISD for their efforts to make a huge difference in this cause. Our students and future generations will be able to enjoy and be inspired by the stars, big and bright.”

According to the release, the new lights at Texan Stadium minimize the harmful effects of light pollution and only shed light on the area that needs it.

The new lights are not “brighter than necessary, minimize blue light emissions and are fully shielded,” according to the release.

“All of us at Wimberley ISD are really excited to have replaced some older, expensive lights which did not meet Dark Sky Friendly standards,” said Wimberley ISD Superintendent Dwain York. “In addition to supporting

Fixing the lights was part of the district’s $45.5 million bond package, which was approved by voters in May.

our community’s focus on preserving the night sky, we are saving money on costly replacement bulbs.”

The new lights will be on display Friday when Wimberley (1-1) hosts rival Canyon Lake in its home opener at 7:30 p.m.

COURTESY PHOTO

COTY CITIZENS OF THE YEAR

Help us choose our 2018 Citizens of the Year.

Nominate individuals who have a high level of service in the areas of Community, Education, Government (not an elected official) and Business. We are looking for nominees in the communities and surrounding areas of Buda, Dripping Springs and Kyle.

COTY nominations are due by Sept. 28.

You can nominate someone by mailing or emailing this form to news@haysfreepress.com or to 113 W. Center Street in Kyle, TX 78640.

There will also be a nomination form on www.haysfreepress.com

Voting for Citizens of the Year will take place online at www.HaysFreepress.com Oct. 2 through Oct. 15 Please include why you nominated this person and contact information for you or your nominee if it’s someone we may not know.

PHOTO BY WAYLAND CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

Trailing 35-28 with 2:10 remaining in the game, Dripping Springs’ quarterback Tanner Prewit led the Tigers 75 yards when he connected with Parker Alford on a 3 yard touchdown reception as Hays’ Jaidon Bialeszewski tries in vain to take the ball away.

Tigers succumb to 35-34 nailbiter with Hays

BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI

Of all the blocks thrown by the Hays Rebels Friday, few had as much weight as one that happened behind the trenches.

By getting a hand on a

potential game-tying extra point attempt with ten seconds left in the game, Hays’ Alex Harkey became the unlikely hero in a wild 35-34 win over the Drip-

BUDA

DRIPPING SPRINGS

Community:

Community:

Education:

Education:

Government:

Government:

Business:

Business:

KYLE Community:

Citizens of the Year for 2018 will be published in the December Hays County Echo.

Education: Government:

HAYS COUNTY

Business: Submit nominations to news@haysfreepress.com or to 113 W. Center Street in Kyle, TX 78640. www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

ECHO

TIGER FOOTBALL, 4

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News-Dispatch

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Education Handle with care Students participate in flag raising ceremony

COURTESY PHOTOS Students gathered around the flagpole at Danforth Junior High School for an important lesson from local veterans on the protocol for raising and lowering the American flag. A sixth grade history class joined with eighth grade office aids, who are charged with the proper care of the flag. Left, Students in Ms. Lori Pharis’ sixth grade World Cultures class join local Veterans and Danforth Junior High School principal Greg Howard, in saluting the flag. Right, Danforth Junior High Students, Saraya Manning, Jack Boyle and Cody Overall bring down the flag flanked by representatives from The Veterans of Foreign Wars of Wimberley.

SYCAMORE SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL

DRIPPING SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Parents, teachers, students get ready for a new year

COURTESY PHOTOS

Parents of DSISD middle school students attended Meet the Teacher Night on Sept. 4, and followed their children’s schedules to various classes.

PHOTO BY WAYLAND CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

Rebels’ quarterback Xavier Martinez slips past the grasp of Dripping Springs’ Kevin Perrydore (R) and Wes Dube to gain a first down.

Tiger Football

Worship in a church of your choice Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today.

Continued from pg. 3

ping Springs Tigers (1-1) at Shelton Stadium.

For Hays (2-0) head coach Les Goad, getting that block, no matter how it took place, was the goal.

“I’m not sure if that’s how we really even drew it up but a guy (Harkey) just came through the line and got a hand up and rest is history,” Goad said. “We say the most important play is the next play, and we made that one.”

Harkey’s block capped off a thrilling affair between the two schools, which went punch-forpunch the entire game.

The Rebel rushing attack was a difference maker as they methodically marched down the field, all while controlling the clock and keeping the ball away from Dripping Springs potent pass attack.

Hays’ three-headed rushing attack of senior fullback Nash Danford, senior tailback Sam Scott and junior halfback Xavier Green combined for 341 yards on the ground and three total touchdowns.

Green led the team with 17 carries for 139 yards and a 69-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Danford contributed 122 yards on 16 carries with two touchdown runs, while Scott added 10 carries for 80 yards.

On the other side of the ball, Hays defense struggled to stop a potent Tiger pass attack led by quarterback Tanner Prewit, who finished with 306 yards passing and four touchdowns, along with 75 yards rushing.

Hays and Dripping Springs closed the first frame tied at 14-14. A Danford touchdown gave the Rebels a 21-14 advantage early in the second quarter.

The Rebel defense closed the first half with a key interception by defensive back John Rodriguez in the second frame. They continued momentum in the third quarter with an interception by Pi-ellei Henderson.

“Well obviously the turnovers are big, but the turnovers we gave away were big also,” Goad said.

“I think those things kind

of balanced out themselves. Obviously we’ve got to get better at the pass coverage phase and get the pressure on the quarterback.”

But Dripping Springs fought right back, anchored by the play of wide receiver Enzo Arnold and running back Jake Cox. Arnold was on the receiving end of a 57-yard touchdown that tied the game at 21-21 in the third quarter. After a touchdown run by Hays’ Devin Hines, Cox broke through with a critical 78-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter to retie the game at 28-28.

Cox finished the game with 195 yards rushing on 14 carries, while Arnold was the leading receiver with eight receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

After a huge fourth down stop by the Rebel defense late in the fourth quarter, the Rebel offense marched down the field on an 8-play, 80 yard drive and scored on a 1 yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak by senior Xavier Martinez to take the 35-28 lead.

“I told them we got to capitalize,” said Martinez.

“You know it’s our time, we needed redemption, and us seniors we really wanted it.”

Prewit then drove the Tiger offense down the field during the two-minute drill and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Alford with 10 seconds left in the game.

On the attempted extra point to potentially tie the game, Harkey burst through the middle of the line and got his hand on the ball, securing the win for Hays.

With the bye week coming up Friday, Goad said the Rebels are now preparing for district play.

“Now the district race starts,” Goad said. “We’ve got an open week next week and we’ve got to let this momentum carry us over the next two weeks and getting ready against that first district ball game against Anderson.”

Hays hosts Anderson Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Shelton Stadium.

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM

Sunday Morning

11:00 AM

Sunday Worship

5:45 PM

Wednesday Meal

6:30 PM

Wed TouchPoint

A Family of Faith...

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule Saturday: 5 p.m.

Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.

SCBC Preschool

Spanish Mass Sunday: 1:30 p.m.

Children Ministries Youth Ministries Family Ministries

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(512) 894-0480

4000 E. HWY 290

Texas Crossword

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Rev. Charlie Garza, pastor Located at the corner of RR 12 & Post Oak in Dripping Springs

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Employment

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THE ARMADILLOS HAVE EMERGED IN NASHVILLE

The Outlaw phenomenon produced powerful music and everlasting bonds between Nashville and Texas. Willie and Waylon, Bobby Bare, and Kris Kristofferson demanded and got greater creative freedom and the movement was real—not just a marketing term, but a creative flowering, a confluence of art and revelry, whiskey and poetry.

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NewsDispatch New Committee: Looks at variances Providing you with your most important local news for Dripping Springs, Wimberley and surrounding communities

COUNTRY’S ROARING ’70s

Continued from pg. 1

For the city, use of the blog is an avenue they believe can forward the city’s goal of transparency.

The blog, called the Dripping Post, consists of a variety of different authors ranging from city staff to department leaders and committee

members .

Bonnie Gonzalez, Dripping Springs communications coordinator, said the blog allows citizens to speak with city officials in a more conversational manner, as opposed to reaching out via press releases.

“We want to keep an open dialogue with citizens and want them to be informed of the latest happenings in the city,” Mayor Todd Purcell said.

“With the launch of the blog, we are creating one more communications channel to connect with our community.”

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Page 6

News-Dispatch

Thursday, September 13, 2018

OBITUARY GONZALES Daniel (Dan) P. Gonzales, Jr. received his angel wings on September 2, 2018 at the age of 55 after a short illness. He was born on April 20, 1963 Hidalgo County to Daniel and Minerva Gonzales, Sr. Dan worked at Applied Materials in Austin for many years. Dan lived life everyday as if there was no tomorrow. He loved life and every aspect of anything natural.

Dan loved animals, all animals, and always was

first to volunteer to help.

He lived his life for all his “babies”, Neville, Winnie, Apollo, Christopher and Roxy. The world needs more unique, kind and loving individuals like Dan. Dan never met a stranger and immediately became friends for life.

Dan is preceded in death by his father Daniel Gonzales, Sr. and is survived by his mother, Minerva Gonzales, sisters Elizabeth (Roy) Barrera, Deborah (Sergio) Garcia, Brenda (Gary) LaRose and his brother Robert

(Marilyn) Gonzales. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts, and many close friends who he considered family.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Dan’s life was held 10 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2018 at Harrell Funeral Home in Austin.

In lieu of flowers please make donations of your choice to any Animal Sanctuary or Shelter, which was Danny’s wishes.

Concrete Plant: Emotions rise at meeting Continued from pg. 1

two to three times every winter,” Tyler said. “Basically when the air gets bad, I get sick. And with a concrete batch plant next to my house, I worry how you will maintain the property. I will be looking over a lot, and I will be your best friend or your worst enemy.”

Tyler said he worries poor maintenance and care of air quality could result in “his last day on Earth.”

But Ryan Bartholomew, CEO of Lauren Concrete, urged residents that his company is committed to not hurting the environment or surrounding areas.

Bartholomew said the plant will have one silo and, as per regulation, assured the residents that the concrete will not go into the air from the minute it is created to when it is poured.

The concrete is manufactured indoors and a series of filters will prohibit any harmful materials from escaping into the atmosphere, he said.

“We have been very transparent and I’ve invited people to come to the property and see what we plan to do,”

Bartholomew said. “We want to make as minimal of an impact. We live next to you. We’ve been in over 20 communities and we’ve never had issues with any of them.”

However, residents continued to question the permitting process, citing that TCEQ has issued around 8,000 permits in the last decade without denying a single applicant.

The agency issues permits by a “permit by rule” process. If the applicant’s application follows the requirements by the agency, the permit will be issued.

To residents, this permitting process is not enough to ease their concerns. Numerous residents cited that the applicant is not required to have an air monitoring system to ensure harmful particles are not escaping into the air.

But the panel of TCEQ employees said that if citizens notice a change in air quality, the state agency will investigate and possibly issue a citation.

Linda Rogers, president of Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation

District (HTGCD) board of trustees, said Lauren Concrete has not applied for a groundwater permit through the water district.

“It will be the groundwater district that manages the water permit when that time comes,” Rogers said. “They will have to do a pump test and that will tell us whether or not we will permit the amount of water they would request.”

Rogers said the water district will look at the applicant’s impact to the aquifer as part of its review process.

When residents raised concerns over traffic on U.S. 290, Bartholomew said the plant will not operate more than 12 concrete trucks. In addition, the company is working to comply with existing dark sky ordinances and will work to help reduce noise concerns that may come from the plant.

The public comment period from TCEQ is over and the executive director now has 35 days to consider the comments received by the agency and decide if the application is approved or denied.

Allergy season is here, and so are we Fall is in the air … and so are ragweed, spores and pollen.

The cool temperatures and the changing colors of fall are quickly approaching, but for some of us, allergies keep us indoors.

If you or your family are suffering from allergy symptoms, you can count on the Ascension® care teams at Seton to help you get the care you need.

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