Dripping approves ham radio tower
Tigers celebrate homecoming
Tigers keep up win streak page 4
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVI No. 51
ELECTION CANCELLED
Not enough opposition for Barton Springs board election STAFF REPORT Elections for the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors were cancelled due to a lack of opposition. According to a press release, the board elected Sept. 7 to cancel the November director elections after the three
ELECTION, 2
LAGNIAPPE Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Riding
This annual event includes rodeo events, PBR bull riding, golf tournament, dance and more. The event will be held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park on Oct. 1. For more information visit www.brentthurman.com.
Friends Foundation BBQ
Live western swing music, famous Salt Lick BBQ, a silent auction and much more await those who attend the Friends Foundation’s 23rd annual BBQ fundraiser at the Salt Lick Pavilion Oct. 13. All monies raised help support The Friends Foundation’s programs such as Our Daily Bread, which is a hot meal delivery program for the homebound. Visit the web site at www. thefriendsfoundation.org or call (512) 592-1345 for more information.
National Night Out
On Oct. 4, every city, town, and community in the United States will celebrate the
LAGNIAPPE, 7
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Deep Eddy Vodka plans new Buda facility STAFF REPORT Austin-born and Dripping Springs based Deep Eddy Vodka will soon be expanding as it plans to add a second production and distilling facility in Buda. The Buda City Council on Sept. 20 approved a Chapter 380 agreement and adopted
a resolution authorizing an agreement among the city, the Buda Economic Development Corporation, Deep Eddy and its parent company, Heaven Hill, which is a Kentucky-based liquor company. Heaven Hill purchased Deep Eddy in 2015, according to a Buda press release. Carrie Chau, account executive with Giant Noise,
which is a public relations firm working with Deep Eddy, said in an emailed response the company is “currently evaluating options for an additional facility to accommodate this rapid growth and expansion.” Deep Eddy is looking for additional capacity in the form of a 194,000 square foot facility that is on 15-plus acres
BY MOSES LEOS III
news@haysfreepress.com
Transgender bathroom policy comes under fire at board meeting
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Walnut Springs Elementary student Georgia Vanscoy holds a sign during a break at the Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees meeting Monday in support of a transgender student who was allowed by the district to use the girls restrooms. Parents cast their opinions on the matter during public forum, which raged for the better part of two hours.
news@haysfreepress.com
Intense debate raged Monday as parents packing the house at the Dripping Springs ISD trustees meeting cast opinions on transgender students’ use of bathrooms based on their gender identity. Over 30 speakers weighed in on the topic for the better part of two hours, which was ignited after a Walnut Springs Elemen-
DEEP EDDY, 7
DSISD weighs in on discharge drama
Debate erupts over gendered bathrooms at DSISD
BY MOSES LEOS III
on Precision Drive in Buda, according to the release. However, Chau said no plans have been finalized. “While Deep Eddy is looking for additional capacity near Austin, the company remains committed to producing out of the distillery and tasting room in Dripping Springs
tary student, who is a transgender girl that was born a boy, was allowed to use girls’ restrooms with stalls at the campus. The board did not discuss the issue, as it was not on its agenda. In a statement prior to the meeting, DSISD officials said they are “committed to providing an exceptional education and a safe learning environment for all students.” “District policy prohibits unlawful harassment or
discrimination against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin or disability,” the statement said. It went on to add the district is monitoring judicial and regulatory developments in connection with transgender rights students. In the absence of clear guidance from the courts in regards to transgender student accommodation, DSISD handles indi-
DSISD, 8
Debate over Dripping Springs ISD’s involvement in the city of Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater discharge permit saga continued Monday as board trustees questioned the role the district should play. Trustees Shannon O’Connor and Barbara Stroud both believe the district shouldn’t play a role in the permitting process after their discussions with the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation (DSWSC) over water quality last week. After talking with DSWSC officials, Stroud said she now believes there could be interaction between surface and groundwater in their well, and is pushing for testing of water delivered to DSISD campuses. Concerns about the quality of water in the DSWSC wells have been
DISCHARGE, 5
Repairs coming for North Forty lines BY JONATHAN GONZALEZ news@haysfreepress.com
After 40 years of being in existence, the water lines in the North Forty subdivision in Dripping Springs will see repair. The Dripping Springs City Council Sept. 21 approved a bid and report for the proposed development project, allowing the project to move forward with construction. It’s a project that officials within the community are pleased to see moving forward, since it can only benefit those within the community. “We were awarded what’s called a community development block grant to fund the project back in 2012,” Ginger Faught, Dripping Springs deputy city administrator, said. “But it’s federal funds, so there was a process of meeting requirements in order to move forward with the project.” The development, according to officials, is much needed as the lines currently in place in the North Forty community are the same ones originally
installed in the 1970s. “All the water lines from the existing system will be abandoned for the new service lines that will be put in place.” said Greg Perrin, general manager of the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation. “There are 92 homes in that area, so it’ll help out a lot of people.” The new system includes the main lines, service lines and service meters connected to the lines. Eight new fire hydrants will be placed within the community as well. “I don’t have a schedule for the construction yet, but we’re hoping to start in October or November of this year,” Perrin said. He gave an estimated schedule of 120 days to complete the project. The winner of the bid for the project was M&C Fonseca, a construction company out of Granite Shoals. M&C Fonseca will be working in conjunction with the DSWSC to work on community development. The bid tabulation and recommendation report
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PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Firefighters check on damage to a home in Belterra that was struck by lightning.
Unlucky strike
Belterra home catches fire after being struck by lightning STAFF REPORT No one was injured when a home in the 100 block of Littleton in the Belterra subdivision was believed to have caught fire after possibly being struck by lightning Sunday. According to North Hays County Fire Chief Scott Collard, firefighters arrived to find a working fire in the attic above the garage in the home. Firefighters were able to quickly
contain the fire and limited the damage to other portions of the structure, Collard said. All occupants of the home were able to evacuate from the residence prior to the fire department’s arrival. Collard said the NHCFR responded with eight apparatus and 25 personnel. The department was assisted by the San Marcos Hays County EMS, the Hays County Sheriff’s Department and Pedernales Electric Cooperative.