City of Blanco’s wastewater permit contested
Tiger football crushes Travis 44-6
page 2
Mowing sparks grass fire in Wimberley
page 3
News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 50
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
“Everybody knows that smoking ain’t allowed in school.” Grammar aside, that statement is just as true today as when Mötley Crüe recorded “Smoking in the Boys Room” way back in 1985. But today, there aren’t the telltale odors and
A first offense in the WISD results in three days in-school suspension and a citation from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). Subsequent offenses bring a 45-day placement into AEP (Alternative Education Placement) with a 30 day review and citation by the HCSO.
ashes that tipped off teachers and administrators. E-cigarettes are replacing smoking tobacco in society at large and
also in our schools – presenting a whole new set of issues for teachers and administrators in Hays County’s four school
districts. It’s not just that “vaping” doesn’t produce the physical evidence that smoking cigarettes
does – it’s a habit that can be immediately deadly. Eight people have died
VAPING, 2
Wimberley names park for local steward
PARK NAMING, 4
Dancing in the streets
PHOTOS BY DAVID WHITE
National Night Out observed Oct. 1 National Night Out will be observed throughout Hays County on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and both the Kyle City Council and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office have endorsed the community-based crime prevention effort. The event is meant to increase awareness
about law enforcement programs in communities including drug prevention and other anti-crime efforts. Residents are encouraged to hold neighborhood gatherings, block parties and the like and to leave their lights on, Sheriff Gary Cutler said. Proclamations were passed by both the Hays County Commis-
sioners Court and the Kyle City Council. Kyle council member Alex Villalobos, who was the only council member to comment on the issue, noted that National Night out is “a day really set aside to engage the community … to really reach out and engage one-on-one. It’s a perfect opportunity for organizations and
neighbors to see the personal side of officers … to get to know the people that protect us.” Among events already scheduled include festivities for the Amberwood and Creekside communities sponsored by Texas Lehigh Cement, and a gathering of Mountain City residents at the home of Beth Smith.
LAGNIAPPE Adoption event Saturday at Whole Pet Market
Come to Whole Pets Market in Dripping Springs, Saturday, Sept. 28, and meet some of our fantastic dogs and puppies. You might just meet your new best friend. All available adult dogs have been fully vetted, are heartworm negative, are micro chipped and have been spayed or neutered. Puppies have been vetted, parvo tested, de-wormed and have had their shots current for their age and are micro chipped. WAG Rescue provides a spay/ neuter voucher through Emancipet. If you can’t come to an Adoption Day, WAG is willing to arrange a meet and greet with you. Contact them at info@wimberleywagrescue.org and they will set up a convenient time.
County budget reported wrongly
Last week’s News Dispatch incorrectly stated that the Hays County Commissioners Court approved a budget of $383 million. In fact, the budget approved by commissioners on Sept. 17 was for $356 million. The News Dispatch regrets our error and any confusion it might have caused.
BY NATHALIE COHETERO
The city of Wimberley hosted its first-ever Pride Parade Saturday evening. The event kicked off downtown at 7 p.m. Following the parade, there was dancing in the streets and after-parties that continued at Longleaf Craft Kitchen and Community Pizza as well as a drag show behind the Broken Arrow Rock Shop, according to Wimberley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Moreman. “There were a lot of people downtown. Not your normal scenario for that time… and there were a lot of visitors from out of town.”
STAFF REPORT
CORRECTION
Wimberley finalizes nature preserve, trail master plan
BY CAMELIA JUAREZ A new pocket park will be named after Wimberley hero Martha Knies after a unanimous vote from Wimberley city council and the parks department board. Before Wimberley was a city KNIES there was Martha Knies, who began and continues her legacy by cleaning up parks in the Wimberley area. In 2000, when Wimberley was incorporated, Knies was on the first city council, and was responsible for the purchase of the Cypress Nature Creek Preserve. She is now in her 80s. The Martha Knies park will be located on the trailhead near the preserve on Old Kyle Road. The park features a garden and statue that embodies her devotion to community service and beautification of parks. The sculpture is a girl leaning on a tree trunk writing music while birds and critters surround her. An anonymous person donated $50,000, which is expected to be used for bathrooms and a sprinkler system for the garden. Currently, financial estimates beyond the
75¢
Thursday, September 26, 2019
School districts counter vaping BY ANITA MILLER
page 4
Annual Fried Chicken Dinner Come out to the Claiborne Kyle Log House Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the annual fried chicken dinner and fundraiser. The Kyle Log House is located at 2400 South Old Stagecoach Road, south of Kyle. Plates are $7 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Enjoy good food, good company and tour the historic home of Claiborne and Lucy Bugg Kyle.
Wimberley City Council voted to adopt a final draft of the Cypress Creek Nature Preserve and Trail Master Plan at their recent meeting. In partnership with the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association (WVWA), the city of Wimberley approved a master plan addressing challenges regarding the preserve’s location in town, its ongoing ecological restoration and the sustainability of the preserve’s trail system. Daniel Alvarado, an environmental planning consultant, presented the plan with reassurance of a continued conservation easement. “Community engagement was extensive,” Alvarado said. “Although public access to the preserve was an overwhelmingly important aspect of the plan, the redesigned trails will address people getting off trail or too close to the water, as well as erosion damage.” After six months of design, the master plan aims to maintain the preserve’s history while integrating the community’s voiced wants and needs, Alvarado said. New additions include trailheads, a sidewalk along Old Kyle Road, a bird observation station, naturalistic fencing along off-limit areas, improved signages, and updated stormwater management drains. Councilman Craig Fore voted against the final draft’s adoption due to his concerns with a realigned public trail too close to the creek. “I’m concerned about the public following the rules (of the preserve),” he said. “When you open something like this to the public, history will tell you that they don’t typically take care of things that don’t belong to them. They could take
NATURE TRAIL, 2