Texas ranks high in diversity
Tiger VB sweeps Lions in three
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Friends benefit area elderly
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 50
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
A new wine and beer garden that’s setting up shop at an existing minigolf course is making its way to Dripping Springs. Shady Greens Wine & Beer Garden, formally Magic Greens, had its soft opening Sept. 22 after receiving the green light from the city council earlier in the month. With dozens of options for residents to get
“We want to develop the mini-golf course into a wine and beer garden with a family-friendly environment, so there is something for everyone in the family.” –James George, Shady Greens co-owner
their alcoholic fix in and around the city, Shady Greens owners James and Carole George are looking to serve the community with local wine and beer.
“We want to develop the mini-golf course into a wine and beer garden with a family-friendly environment, so there is something for everyone
in the family,” James said. “The community is responding and they want a place where everyone can have fun.” After selling Magic Greens in 2015, the couple wanted to get back into the business, with the hopes of providing all-encompassing business model. They secured the same property again to start their new business venture. The Georges also
received the approval for food trucks on the property, which they plan to add as the business grows. City Planner Anjali Naini said the food trucks can only operate during normal business hours, as the vendors are an extension of the service. In addition to the mini-golf, alcohol and food trucks, the Georges are planning to include
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Kyle man charged in fatal stabbing BY MOSES LEOS III An argument over finances is what allegedly led a Kyle man to fatally stab his stepfather and injure his mother during a Sept. 22 altercation at a home SALINAS in the Plum Creek subdivision. Giovanni Alexander Salinas, 21, of Kyle, was arrested and booked into the Hays County Jail on a first-degree felony charge of murder, along with a first-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities also charged Salinas with evading arrest, a Class-A misdemeanor, as well as tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony. According to an arrest affidavit magistrated by Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith, authorities were dispatched to the 1200 block of Kirby at 11:51 p.m. Sept. 22 for a reported stabbing. When authorities ar-
PLUM CREEK HOMICIDE, 6
Last Ride A handful of assistants and a few rodeo clowns keep an eye on a bull rider who tries his hand at staying on for eight seconds during the 2018 Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Ride at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs.
Organizers close the gate on memorial bullriding event An electric feel coursed through the air at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Sunday as bull riders mounted their rides and tried to tame close to a ton of sinew and muscle. Over the course of two decades, bull riders and fans have come to expect such a feeling when the Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Ride comes to town. It’s that thrill organizers of the event hoped
would forever endure as they held one final ride in memory of Brent Thurman, a Hays County man who gave to so many. Kay Thurman, Brent Thurman’s mom, has led the charge to keep the bull ride going for 20 years. Kay Thurman said 2018 was an opportune time to put the tradition to rest. Kay Thurman said the event takes a whole year to produce, which includes duties ranging from signing sponsors
to organizing the show. “Sometimes you have to ask yourself when enough is enough,” Kay Thurman said. “Through heartfelt consideration, this is our last year for the bull riding road. We’ll continue our story just in a different chapter.” Starting in 1998, organizers created the bull ride to honor Brent Thurman, a successful professional bull rider who died during a National Finals Rodeo event in Las Vegas, NV
LAGNIAPPE 5th Annual Fajita Fiesta & Cook- Off
The Buda Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to present this free event that offers something for all ages Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Buda Sports Complex near YMCA Hays. There will be food, music and a taste of cultures. The tantalizing aroma of sizzling fajitas will fill the air, attracting people from the Rio Grande to north of the Mason Dixon Line. For more information, visit budachambertx. com/fajita-fiesta.
County readies argument for EP party status BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Hays County leaders will spend the next few weeks preparing written arguments to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) in their fight to receive affected party status against Electro Purification. The arguments must be submitted by Oct. 8 by all parties seeking status, including the applicant, Electro Purification. The Housto-based company applied for a permit through the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) to pump nearly one billion gallons of water a year from the Trinity Aquifer. In July, BSEACD officials gave the green light for a contested case hearing at the request of EP. EP is expected to list reasons why Hays County should not receive party status in its brief to Administrative Law Judge Joanne Summerhays.
EP UPDATE, 4
PHOTOS BY KATIE BURRELL
BY KATIE BURRELL
75¢
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Couple sees green with new beer, wine garden business in Dripping BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
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Voting Registration Deadline October 9
You can also register to vote online at www. co.hays.tx.us/elections or by mailing a copy of the National Voter Registration Form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail San Marcos, if you live in Hays County. You can also register to vote in person.
in 1994. The event has been held in different cities throughout the state, but settled in Dripping Springs where Thurman called home for the last half of his life. Along with being a bull rider, Thurman also mentored mentally and physically challenged Texans during his life, including helping the residents of the Marbridge Ranch assisted living facility near
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Hill Country Ranch Harvest Market
This shopping event brings in vendors from across the state to show the best in clothing, jewelry, gourmet food, Texas handmade items, home and holiday decor and much more at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center Oct. 13 and 14.
Adam & Chris Carroll in Concert
A performance by Texas folk singer-songwriters Adam & Chris Carroll. A portion of the proceeds go back to people in the community who are in need. The performance is Oct. 18 at Susanna’s Kitchen.
Dripping Springs OKs $6.3M budget BY EXSAR ARUGELLO Around $500,000 in new transportation initiatives, along with other capital projects, are key expenses in Dripping Springs’ fiscal year 201819 budget, which was unanimously approved by city leaders Sept. 24. The Dripping Springs City Council also unanimously approved a property tax rate of $0.19 per $100 assessed valuation, one of the lowest rates in the county. According to the budget, the city is investing $140,000 toward an updated Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which was originally adopted in 2009. Work on the TMP update will begin in 2018 and finish in 2019. Dripping Springs’ budget includes an additional $50,000 for development of roadway cross-sections. The city estimates spending $100,000 on design plans for improvements on Robert Shelton Blvd., which calls for additional northbound lanes to reduce queuing and congestion. Dripping Springs is allocating $200,000 to various road reconstruction projects. Michelle Fischer, Drip-
DRIPPING SPRINGS BUDGET, 4