November 23, 2017 News-Dispatch

Real estate program hits DSHS

Co-op members to earn credits

Tigers head to area playoffs

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 8

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

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75¢

Thursday, November 23, 2017

BSEACD to protest wastewater permit

BY MARIA GARDNER A legal battle involving Dripping Springs’ wastewater permit application could be coming after an Austin-area water conservation district moved to file a formal protest.

On Nov. 16, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors voted 5-0 to move forward with

County looks for new options in jail contract

BY KATERINA BARTON A final decision on the Guaranteed Maximum Price of Hays County’s jail expansion may not be made until after the New Year.

On Nov. 7, Hays County Commissioners considered withdrawing the contract with Turner Construction Company (TCC) for its Public Safety Bond Program Phase II. By doing so, it could allow TCC to present a new GMP proposal at a later date.

Commissioners have not approved or rejected the existing contract and are considering a new third option.

In order to withdraw from the contract, an amendment has to be proposed and approved by the Commissioners Court. The new amendment would give the construction company some time to review the project and design documents and come back with a new GMP proposal in January 2018 for the court to review.

The project includes the jail addition, a new public safety building, training building and fleet

JAIL EXPANSION, 2

filing a contested case hearing, or a protest, with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on Dripping Springs wastewater permit application, said Blayne Stansberry, BSEACD Board president.

“The creek is so pristine, so valuable for water quality recharge . . .this kind of discharge permit does not makes sense in the Hill Country . . . in this

“The creek is so pristine, so valuable for water quality recharge ... this kind of discharge permit does not makes sense in the Hill Country ... in this ecoregion.”

– Blayne Stansberry, BSEACD Board president

ecoregion,” Stansberry said.

She said the particular area of Onion Creek where discharge could take place

has many recharge features, areas where surface water goes directly into the ground, that it would affect Dripping Springs

Water Supply Corporation’s (DSWSC) water source.

Dripping Spring’s permit to TCEQ asks for up

to 995,000 gallons a day of treated wastewater to be discharged into Walnut Springs, which feeds into Onion Creek, according to documents from city officials.

“So the water in the creek goes right down in the aquifer, the drinking water for thousands and thousands of people,”

WASTEWATER, 6

Planting with purpose Multiple buckets filled with tree saplings sit idle in a field as volunteers with TreeFolks discuss their plan of action prior to a planting event along the Blanco River in Wimberley Saturday. Hundreds made their way to Wayside Drive in Wimberley to help with TreeFolks’ event to help reforest the riverbed following the May 2015 floods. More than 1,000 trees were planted during the event.

PHOTO BY VALERIE TAMBURRI

Is Dripping Springs ready LAGNIAPPE Courthouse for its own police station? lighting

BY TIMOTHY STUCKEY

A jewelry story heist committed in broad daylight two weeks ago in Dripping Springs has left some residents wondering if the town is ready to establish its own police force.

However, due to the cost of such an endeavor, city officials are instead contemplating hiring additional Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputies to police the town.

But for Dripping Springs resident Danny Hendricks, growth has turned Dripping Springs into something “larger than I ever thought or hoped it would.”

“All the old timers here would love to have seen it stay the way it was, but it hasn’t. It has grown and will continue to grow,” Hendricks said.

“With that growth comes crime (including robbery, assault, rape, drugs, and yes even murder) and with crime comes the need for authoritative figures.”

Currently, Dripping Springs is covered by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, which is still searching for the suspects involved in the robbery.

Dripping Springs Mayor Todd Purcell said the city works

A still shot from a hidden surveillance camera at Vik’s Jewelers in Dripping Springs captures two unidentified armed men robbing the store on Nov. 11.

“It (Dripping Springs) has grown and will continue to grow. With that growth comes crime (including robbery, assault, rape, drugs, and yes even murder) and with crime comes the need for authoritative figures.”

–Danny Hendricks, Dripping Springs resident

closely with Hays Sheriff’s for law enforcement. He said the city receives weekly reports from the HCSO, which helps officials monitor crime. As the

city doesn’t have its own police force at this time, it must rely on the HCSO for the reports.

Roughly 3,000 people currently live with-

in Dripping Springs’ city limits. Roughly 30,000 people live in neighborhoods sitting outside the city limits, or the extraterritorial jurisdiction. Comparatively, Wimberley is roughly the same size as Dripping Springs and also does not have its own police department.

“Examining the need for additional law enforcement is something that remains on our radar,” Purcell said.

“We are most appreciative of the deputies who serve our community.”

Dennis Gutierrez, public information officer with the HCSO, said Dripping Springs hasn’t had an aggravated robbery such as the jewelry heist “in a very long time.”

“I would say that crime is just keeping up with the population increase,” Gutierrez said.

The idea of adding more law enforcement in Dripping Springs has, however, been a topic of discussion among city leaders and staff since last year. According to the city’s compressive plan, city leaders are hoping to work with Hays County to fund additional sheriff’s deputies for the city by

READY FOR POLICE?, 2

Kick off the holiday season at the Hays County Courthouse lighting ceremony on Nov. 25 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Spend time with Santa, listen to live music and enjoy the view of the historic courthouse in its most festive time. The courthouse is located at 111 E. San Antonio Street in San Marcos.

Redbud Artisan Market

It’s time for the Redbud Artisan Market Holiday Show, a one-day event on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. More than 50 artisans of all mediums will be selling their handcrafted creations at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 29401 RR 12, across from the Dripping Springs Elementary School, just a mile and a half from Hwy 290 W. The event includes regional performers Micah Wagner, the Dripping Springs High School Orchestra Club, Tommy Mojica and a Wimberley trio, Three Hands High.

For more details, driving directions, or samples of the artisans’ work, please visit the Facebook page.

County offices closed

Hays County offices will be closed Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 22-24,

LAGNIAPPE, 5

Page 2

News-Dispatch

NewsDispatch PHONE: 512-268-7862 FAX: 512-268-0262

PUBLISHER Cyndy Slovak-Barton csb@haysfreepress.com

EDITOR Moses Leos III moses@haysfreepress.com

REPORTERS Samantha Smith news@haysfreepress.com

Timothy Stuckey stuckey@bartonpublicationsinc.com

PRODUCTION David White Christine Thorpe ADVERTISING/MARKETING Tracy Mack tracy@haysfreepress.com

Leon Vigil ads@haysnewsdispatch.com

Jim Darby

Thursday, November 23, 2017

ELECTION 2018

Whose hats are in the ring so far?

These residents have announced that they will be running for office.

Filing deadline for the March 2018 election is Dec. 11, 2017. This list, including available contact information, includes election districts and precincts that cover Hays County.

Incumbents are denoted (i).

We have reached out to both the Democratic Party Chair and the Republican Party Chair for Hays County. We will update the list as new names are turned in.

U.S. CONGRESS DIST. 21

Democrat • Derrick Crowe campaign@electcrowe.com • Joseph Kopser www.kopserforcongress.com • Elliott McFadden www.McFaddenForTX21.com • Rixi Melton • Mary Wilson www.electmarywilson.com

Republican • Eric Burkhart • Jason Isaac www.isaacfortexas.com • Susan Narvaiz www.susanforcongress.com

U.S. CONGRESS DIST. 25

Democrat • Ben Garves www.bengarves.com • Julie Oliver www.juliefortexas25.com • Chetan Panda info@panda2018.com • Chris Perri www.chrisperrifortexas.com • Kathi Thomas www.kathiforcongress.com Republican • Roger Williams (i)

U.S. CONGRESS DIST. 35

Democrat • Lloyd Doggett (i) info@votedoggett.com Republican • SK Alexander www.skforcongress.com • David Smalling

TEXAS STATE SENATE DIST. 25 Democrat • Steve Kling media@klingtx25.org Republican

TEXAS STATE REP. DIST. 45 Democrat • Erin Zwiener erin@erinforyall.com Republican

HAYS COUNTY JUDGE Democrat Republican • Will Conley

COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT. 1 Democrat Republican

COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT. 2 Democrat Republican • Mark Jones (i)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT. 3 Democrat Republican

COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT. 4 Democrat Republican

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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 78640.

Subscription price: $42 local, $59 county, $62 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid at Driftwood, TX. Email paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to NewsDispatch, PO Box 339, Buda, TX 78610 LETTERS GUIDELINES We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest.

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PEC to dole out $8.6M in capital credit STAFF REPORT

Pedernales Electric Cooperative will distribute nearly $8.6 million in capital credits to members this December, raising the lifetime distribution to more than $107 million since 2007, according to a press release.

The 2017 distribution was approved Oct. 16 after the PEC Board of Directors reviewed the cooperative’s fiscal health and determined the amount will not result in any adverse impact.

Because PEC is a cooperative owned by its members, it does not earn profits. When revenues exceed expenses, the cooperative earns margins. Each year, when financial

conditions allow, those margins are allocated to members in the form of capital credits.

“Part of the cooperative difference is returning our margins back to our members,” PEC Controller Freddy Wolff said.

“A capital credit distribution is a great benefit and a way for our members to share in the success of the cooperative.”

This year’s distribution will be executed in accordance with the cooperative’s capital credits policy: Members who accumulated capital credits in 2016 will receive 40.5 percent of their allocation, discounted to approximately 18.25 percent, which represents the net present value of their credits.

This distribution will

C urrent members are scheduled to receive distributions as credits on their December bills.

Members with multiple accounts will receive all their credits on a single account’s bill.

total approximately $4.1 million.

Members may opt out of their discounted 2016 capital credits if they prefer to receive non-discounted credits in a future distribution, which PEC predicts to be on a 30-year cycle.

Meanwhile, members who accumulated capital credits in 1986 and 1987 will receive 100 percent and 26 percent, respectively, of the non-discounted credits allocated

from those years. This will total approximately $4.1 million.

The estates of deceased members received an estimated total distribution of $300,000.

Current members are scheduled to receive distributions as credits on their December bills.

Members with multiple accounts will receive all their credits on a single account’s bill.

Former members with capital credit distribu-

tions totaling more than $10 will receive a check.

A check may be issued for any distribution under $10 by request or when accumulated unpaid distributions exceed $10. Former members are encouraged to contact PEC to ensure their current address is on file.

“In the last decade, more than $107 million has gone back into the hands of PEC members,” Emily Pataki, PEC’s board president, said. “These dollars come from the cooperative’s continued positive margins and are made possible through our commitment to maintaining a financially healthy organization. We take great pride in the unique relationship we have with our members and in sharing PEC’s success with them.”

Ready for Police?: Dripping Springs looks at options Continued from pg. 1

early next year. Officials are also looking to hire a full-time city marshal by 2020. The city estimates the additional staff could cost $75,000 to $125,000 annually.

If the city does decide to help pay for extra deputies, the Dripping Springs Comprehensive

Plan says it will benefit from the law enforcement presence without having the full cost and liability of its own police force.

But are Dripping Springs residents ready or wanting of a police force?

That’s the question

posed by the News-Dispatch via a social media blast to Dripping Springs residents on a popular social media forum.

For the most part, however, most seemed to believe that the town was still too small to establish and pay for its own police station.

“The cost and logistics of managing a police force of a couple of officers is hardly worth the tax burden to the people that actually live and pay city taxes,” said Miles Frost, resident of Dripping Springs.

Frost added many comments clamoring for

a police presence in town was a “knee-jerk reaction” to the recent robbery.

“These robbers were not worried about getting caught; we have a very low crime rate in Dripping Springs and Hays County Sheriffs are doing a fantastic job,” Frost said.

Jail Expansion: Options in contract on review

Make your holidays merry and bright

Follow the glow and visit our Johnson City headquarters for our annual holiday lights display.

Shining bright every evening, Nov. 24 - Jan. 2.

Continued from pg. 1

maintenance, and bonding for jail renovation.

Hays County Attorney Mark Kennedy said at the Nov. 7 County Commissioners meeting that he is negotiating amendment terms with Turner Construction.

“Turner needs the ability to take the GMP they put on the table and take that off the table, and then come back with a new GMP proposal, likely in January,” Kennedy said. “We’re giving them a second chance and we’re wanting them to come back with a number we find more attractive.”

Kennedy says the construction company added a contingency or a buffer in the estimated budget to mitigate its risk, and can make a better estimate once construction documents are complete.

Currently, the construction documents are only 75 percent complete and should be completed sometime in December.

“Turner needs the ability to take the GMP they put on the table and take that off the table, and then come back with a new GMP proposal ... We’re giving them a second chance and we’re wanting them to come back with a number we find more attractive.”

– Hays County Attorney Mark Kennedy

If the court meets in January and the new GMP is still not acceptable, the court will terminate the contract with Turner, and at that point see what the market says.

On Oct. 24 Turner Construction presented a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) that was $7.1 million over the county’s construction cost limitation (CCL), which was the original voter approved budget of $78 million.

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The county is still negotiating the contract and has not made any move to approve Turner’s GMP since approval would mean the project would be over budget.

“It was either going to be $7.1 million dollars over the CCL or it would be a trimmed back scope that would save $7.1 million dollars off the property,” Kennedy said, “which was not acceptable.”

Several commissioners assured voters that the court has no intention of spending money that voters have not approved nor build something that has not been approved.

Hays County Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said Nov. 7 that if there are any delays to the project, they would be minimal. She stressed that the project, including negotiating the contract, is still in progress.

The court approved Phase I of the project over the summer, which includes site work and fleet maintenance. Phase I is necessary to clear the way for next phases and is projected to be finished around the time that the second phase is to be approved in January if the court accepts the new amendment to the contract.

Phase 1 is reported under budget, however construction is still ongoing.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 3

Education

Celebrating books with Skippyjon Jones

COURTESY PHOTO

Dripping Springs High teacher Mike Lemonds instructs students during his Fundamentals of Real Estate course.

Pilot program gives Tigers keys to real estate license

BY KATERINA BARTON

The bustling world of real estate has made its way to Dripping Springs High.

Earlier this year, Dripping Springs High School became the first high school in Texas to offer a real estate course for students.

Students in the class can get their licenses and start practicing as soon as they complete the course and are 18 years old. Mike Lemonds, The Fundamentals of Real Estate teacher, said he is excited to offer his students something that’s a career-driven elective that has real world applications.

“This is a neat opportunity for students that maybe aren’t planning to go to college or with students that plan to go to college, we’re providing them with a more meaningful opportunity to work their way through college,” Lemonds said.

“Once they are exposed to the real estate industry they can go and make this a hobby or a full-time career.”

Lemonds practiced commercial real estate for 15 years and feels that everyone should know more about the decisions they’re making when they buy a home or rent an apartment.

Last year, Lemonds was inspired to put in an application to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to create this course through the agency’s innovative course creation process.

One application, and a few months of hashing out the coursework later, and the 35 students in the class are already a quarter into their first year. It hasn’t been without its ups and downs, but Lemonds says students are enjoying the class.

“I tell them all the time

“This is a neat opportunity for students that maybe aren’t planning to go to college or with students that plan to go to college, we’re providing them with a more meaningful opportunity to work their way through college.”

COURTESY PHOTO

On the Friday before Thanksgiving week, students at Rooster Springs Elementary School celebrated their love of learning with fun activities.

The day started with a schoolwide parade with students and teachers dressed as their favorite book characters, then a school assembly had a special visitor – children's book character "Skippyjon Jones." Classrooms also had activities throughout the day that included older students reading to kindergarteners, flashlight reading and reading fair project displays.

DSES students go colonial Each year fifth-graders at Dripping Springs Elementary School participate in the Colonial Fair as part of a Social Studies unit. Each student researches an aspect of colonial life and create a way to present a summary of what they learned, while dressing in clothes representative of the era.

Topics range from butter-making to log-cabin building to corn husk dolls. At right, Nicholas Dudek shared information about the Puritan religion and Ryan Tingle shows what he learned about the dyeing processes that were used.

COURTESY PHOTO

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– Mike Lemonds, Fundamentals of Real Estate Teacher

that they’re the guinea pigs,” Lemonds said. “It’s a work in progress, but I think we’ve definitely hit our stride and I’ve been really impressed with the level of engagement that the students have.”

Lemonds also says that he tries to include guest speakers and some field trip opportunities for the students to put them out in the community to see real estate first hand.

Lemonds is also grateful for the support that he’s received from the community and their excitement for the students taking the course.

“I have been completely overwhelmed with the support of the real estate community here in Dripping Springs. I think they really see the benefit of this next generation of real estate agents coming through,” Lemonds said.

See solution, page 5

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

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St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule

Rev. Charlie

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Garza, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m.

Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.

512-858-5667

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Page 4

News-Dispatch

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Sports

Tigers advance to area playoffs after 59-29 win

BY REED GRAFF

An early offensive burst carried the Dripping Springs Tigers to a lopsided 59-29 bidistrict round playoff win Friday over the LBJ Jaguars at the Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock.

With the win, Dripping Springs (11-0) advances to play Richmond Foster in the area round of the playoffs Nov. 24 at 1:30 p.m. at Merrill Green Stadium in Bryan.

Much like they had accomplished all season long, the Tigers jumped out to an early first quarter lead.

After forcing the Jaguars to punt on the opening drive of the game, senior quarterback Trevor Greenman made his first big play of what was a successful first quarter.

The quarterback hit senior Curtis Raymond for a 31-yard touchdown pass on the Tigers’ first drive of the game.

NEXT UP

The Tigers advance to play Richmond Foster in the area round of the playoffs Nov. 24 at 1:30 p.m. at Merrill Green Stadium in Bryan.

On the ensuing Jaguar drive, Tigers senior Ryland Kinard came up with an interception, the first of many turnovers the Tigers forced on the day. A Greenman rushing touchdown gave the tigers an early 14-0 lead.

The Jaguars fired back as senior Deon Collins added a touchdown to cut the Tiger lead down to 14-7. The Tigers responded when Greenman found senior wide receiver Johnny Hoyle for a 28-yard touchdown pass to expand Dripping Springs’ lead to 21-7.

LBJ countered with a five-minute drive to start the second quarter which was capped

off with a four-yard touchdown run by Brian Batts. LBJ trimmed the Tiger lead to 21-13 after a missed extra point.

Dripping Springs turned on the jets from there.

On their next drive, Greenman tossed a pass to Hoyle in full stride, resulting in a 63-yard touchdown. The Jaguars muffed the ensuing kickoff, giving the ball right back to the Tigers.

Dripping Springs capitalized on that mistake, finishing off the short drive with a five yard rushing touchdown from junior Jake Cox. A 65-yard touchdown pass from Greenman to junior Parker Alford, followed by an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior Reed Beverley expanded the Tiger lead to 49-13 at halftime.

Greenman finished the first half 9 of 11 passing for 227 yards and four touchdowns.

TIGER FOOTBALL, 6

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

Reed Beverly takes a quick look back at LBJ’s Aaron Green before scoring on a pick-six 82-yard interception with 1:51 remaining in the second quarter to give the Tigers a 49-13 lead over the Jaguars.

New Lady Tiger coach takes reins of senior-laden group

BY MOSES LEOS III Much like flies to honey, the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers didn’t give the Cedar Creek Eagles much room to breathe when they played during the Drip Classic Nov. 9.

Just about every shot, pass and maneuver the Eagles attempted was contested. A Tiger player often put herself in the way, making life just about as difficult as could be.

For new Lady Tiger head coach David Norris, watching his team hold Cedar Creek to one point after a quarter of play was a gratifying moment. It signified the roster comprised of ten seniors is starting to adhere to the “Norris Brand.”

However, Norris, who was the previous boys basketball head coach at San Marcos, said he also is hoping to build on the success of a Dripping Springs’ program that reached the playoffs last year.

“I told them, ‘what y’all did last year, I’m just trying to build on it,’” Norris said. “I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel.”

Helping Norris is a roster filled to the brim with game-tested veterans including last year’s

“It’s getting them to play with more aggressive style than what they did last year ...

More manto-man and pressing full court. They have adjusted to it really well.”

SUBMITTED REPORT Thirteen Dripping Springs High School seniors announced their commitments to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level: four each in baseball and volleyball, three in softball, and one each in tennis and track.

They are listed below.

–David Norris, Lady Tiger head coach

starting five of Danielle Northrup, Cassie Louthan, Madi North, Sarah Nading and Shelbye Hartman.

While it took a few days for the team to transition to the coaching change, Norris said he has been pleased with the work ethic and how eager the team is to learn new skills. Changes include installing a hard brand of man-toman defense. which he has “hung his hat on.”

So far, the change has been successful for

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

Dripping Springs Lady Tiger head coach David Norris watches from the bench as his team plays an opponent during the Drip Classic Tournament in early November.

the Tigers, which have started the year 6-1 and are currently the No. 8 ranked team in Class 5A. “It’s getting them to play with more aggressive style than what they did last year,” Norris said. “More man-toman and pressing full court. They have adjusted to it really well.”

Having the opportunity to coach the Lady

Tigers was something Norris said he couldn’t pass up. It stemmed from watching the team play during the 2016 season.

“I saw this group play and I felt like, if I could have a chance to coach this team, I would,” Norris said. “Turned it happened.”

He now plans to navigate the Lady Tigers

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Thirteen Tigers sign to college teams

through a district that includes perennial powerhouses in Kerrville Tivy, Boerne Champion and Alamo Heights.

“We’re going to take things one game at a time and try to get better each game,” Norris said. “We have a shot of getting in the playoffs and winning district.

But it’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

Justin Dunlap, Baseball Rice University Riley Dunn, Softball Nicholl State University (La.) Grant Gaspard, Baseball Georgia State University Jayci Goldsmith, Tennis Texas A&M University John Hoyle, Baseball Rice University Bryce Kalsu, Track Davidson University (N.C.) Paige Leschber, Softball East Central University (Okla.)

Danielle Northrup, Softball Campbell University (N.C.) Bryce Potter, Volleyball Northwestern State University (La.) Ava Pritchard, Volleyball Clemson University Darby Stowers, Volleyball Southwestern University Justin Taylor, Baseball Texas A&M Corpus Christi Graceyn Tippens, Volleybal University of Denver

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See puzzle, page 3

Continued from pg. 1

lighted exhibits created

by Wimberley businesses and organizations 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Roast a marshmallow at the Yule Log, listen to live music and meet Santa. Get details at emilyann.org

EmilyAnn Trail of Lights Christmas on Head to Wimberley Mercer to celebrate the 20th annual festival at EmilyAnnTheatre and Gardens from Nov. 25 to Dec. 28.

Enjoy more than 100

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Tree Service QUALITY BOOT & SHOE REPAIR AS WELL AS PURSE AND LUGGAGE REPAIR

for the Thanksgiving holidays. Offices will reopen at their regular times on Monday, Nov. 27. Commissioners Court will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 21, but will not be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

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TexSCAN Week of November 19, 2017

This annual event will feature an old-fashioned holiday celebration on Mercer Street from

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 with live music and entertainment, arts and crafts booths, kid’s games and activities, a trackless train and pony rides, photos with Santa Claus and more. The annual Lighting of the Tree will be held at the Triangle at 6 p.m. Christmas carolers representing local churches and schools will serenade with heart-warming, traditional Christmas Carols at the tree lighting ceremony.

Wimberley Winter’s Eve

Enjoy the enchanting lights and music of the season as you make your way around the Wimberley Square for holiday shopping on Dec. 9 rom 5-10 p.m. at this annual event. Enjoy a family-friendly evening of live music, raffles, food and more. Santa arrives at 6 p.m.

Homespun Holiday

Head to Dripping Springs’ Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead for this free annual event Dec. 9 from noon to 2 p.m. Take your photo with Santa next to the covered wagon, enjoy holiday refreshments, listen to Christmas books readings and tour the Pound House and see all the Christmas decorations.

Starlight Symphony Orchestra

Celebrate the holidays with the Starlight Symphony Orchestra’s performance of its holiday series “Innovative Traditions.” The orchestra will have three performances this season: Dec. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at the Hays PAC Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. at the Wimberley First Baptist Church.

Page 6

News-Dispatch

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Beautiful buntings join us for the winter

BY JERRY HALL

If you’re lucky you may be able to see a painted bunting in coming weeks. (photo courtesy of Jerry Hall)

A

new cast of birds will be arriving in our area over the next several weeks.

These winter species will join such faithful birds as black-crested titmice and Carolina chickadees which stay here year round.

Be on the lookout for

robins, goldfinches and – if you are very lucky – painted buntings. The French name for this brightly-colored bird is “nonpareil,” which means “without equal” and it is truly one outstanding bird. With a blue head, red body and vivid green on the wings, it might well have flown out of a Matisse

painting.

Speaking of winter, how do birds stay warm when the temperatures plunge? Well, they fluff up their feathers to form little air pockets that trap their body heat.

And to keep their body temperature up, they eat lots of fat-rich food.

Blocks of suet are especially welcome. I

buy mine at a local hardware store and find the peanut flavor attracts lots of birds.

If you especially want to attract goldfinches, nyjer seeds will do fine.

For almost every other bird variety, you can’t beat black-oil sunflower seeds, which have twice as many calories as striped sunflower seeds.

Tiger Football: Advancing to area playoffs Continued from pg. 4

He finished by going 11 of 15 for 251 yards, and 5 passing touchdowns, while also rushing for 114 yards and one score.

The Tiger defense recorded three interceptions and one fumble in the first half.

Greenman and the Tiger offense didn’t slow down in the second half.

A 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keith Mitchhart in the

third quarter was the final touchdown scored by the Tigers.

LBJ trimmed the lead down to 59-21 late in the third frame. The Jaguars added one final score to close the game.

Cox finished with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown on 19 carries, while Hoyle finished with 4 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Alford, Mitchhart

and Raymond all had a touchdown receiving.

Senior Josh Embry, who finished with seven tackles, led the Tiger defense. Tanner Prewitt had 6.5 tackles of his own. Ricardo Montoya and Ryland Haynes both had a sack on the day.

Five different Tigers finished the game with an interception.

Tiger head Coach Galen Zimmerman said

his defense has been successful all season.

“They’ve played great all year long. Our defense is fast to the football,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman is confident in his team going forward.

“We get to play another week, so we’re happy.

You are going to play someone good every week,” Zimmerman said.

Johnny Hoyle, who had 4 receptions for 119 yards, catches the first of two touchdown passes from quarterback Trevor Greenman.

tors voted to write a letter to TCEQ to state their concerns.

Linda Kay Rogers, HTGCD board president, said the board doesn’t believe under any circumstances that dumping treated wastewater into the creek is good, but lacks the evidence to prove the extent of the problem.

“It’s like there is no witness to the crime; our hands our tied,” she said.

She said the district would conduct a dye trace test to gather evidence to make the case that the wastewater discharge will have an impact on the aquifers.

Previous studies have been conducted by HTGCD in partnership with the BSEACD and other groups that have demonstrated a relationship between the water in Onion Creek and the water found in the Hays aquifer, said Jeffery Watson, the district’s hydrogeologist, in a Nov. 16 phone interview.

The upcoming dye trace test will provide further proof of the impact that discharging treated wastewater into Onion Creek will directly affect the aquifer, Watson said.

The test involves introducing non-toxic dyes into Onion Creek at the

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

Wastewater Permit: BSEACD to file protest Continued from pg. 1

Stansberry said.

The rapid growth in the area “is compromising the city’s ability to make smart choices,” she said.

She said for cities, a discharge application might be the most economical route, but that it does not always mean the most appropriate.

She said the city of Austin has made recommendation to TCEQ to amend a rule on land use permits, so that it could offer cities more opportunities to expand waste water treatment capacity.

Currently, Dripping Springs has a land use permit which allows for

treated wastewater to be stored and irrigated over land.

In a telephone interview on Nov. 12, Michelle Fischer, Dripping Springs city administrator, said a discharge permit would allow them more flexibility in where they can irrigate the treated effluent without increasing the acreage to the existing waste water facility.

In a side agreement the city made with the Lower Creek River Authority (LCRA), discharge into Walnut Springs would only occur in unavoidable situations such as when the ground is too saturat-

ed to be irrigated, according to an email from LCRA official.

Although the agreement the city made with LCRA is better than nothing, the city “still has not made a viable guarantee that the treated wastewater will be reused,” Fischer said.

While BSEACD is contesting Dripping Springs’ permit, a western Hays County water conservation district Nov. 15 voted against filing an official protest.

Instead, the Hays Trinity Aquifer Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) Board of Direc-

location the city plans to discharge its wastewater to study where the water flows, he said.

The test will help determine how much of the water flows downstream and how much seeps into the ground and enters the Trinity (and Edwards) aquifers, the water source the district is charged to oversee and protect, Rogers said.

Another concern for the district is the treatment level of effluent, or wastewater, the city has described in its permit application, is not at the highest treatment level, she said.

Give the gift that keeps on giving.

Orchestra program

Here’s a toast to good health

News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 7

Keep your family and friends informed all year long.

Tigers earn silver at State

page 2

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

page 4

75¢

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Two sought in armed daylight robbery STAFF REPORT Authorities are continuing to search for two suspects who were caught on surveillance camera robbing a Dripping Springs area jewelry store in broad daylight Saturday.

According to a Hays County press release, authorities received a call reporting an aggravated

robbery that had taken place at Vik’s Jewelers, located in the 500 block of east Highway 290, at approximately 11:31 a.m.

Two black males entered the store and brandished handguns and ordered two employees to raise their hands, according to the release.

One of the suspects attempted to break the

glass to one of the jewelry displays, but was unsuccessful. No one was injured in the incident.

The second suspect then fired two rounds into the case to gain access to the jewelry. After stealing jewelry out of the case, the two suspects fled the store and left in a dark green or

ARMED ROBBERY, 2

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

COURTESY PHOTO

Members of the Dripping Springs football and cheerleading teams pose for a group photo after the Tigers claimed the 26-5A district championship following a 34-14 win over the Marble Falls Mustangs Friday in Marble Falls. Dripping Springs opens postseason play against LBJ Friday, 7:30 p.m. at the Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex.

Tiger football makes history with 10-0 regular season record

BY REED GRAFF

H

istory was made Friday when the Dripping Springs Tigers not only secured an outright 26-5A district title, but also the program’s first undefeated regular season in more than 50 years.

The Tigers accomplished those feats by virtue of a dominant 35-14 victory over the Marble Falls Mustangs on the road.

Dripping Springs finishes the regular season 10-0, which was last done when the Tigers played six-man football more than five decades ago. Dripping Springs now advances to take on Austin LBJ in the bidistrict round of the playoffs Nov. 17.

NEXT UP

Dripping Springs will take on LBJ at the Kelley Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock on Nov. 17.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Right out of the gate, things looked good for the visiting Tigers.

The Mustangs received the opening kickoff, but muffed the ball on the return, giving the ball to the Tigers for the opening drive.

The Tigers immediately took advantage, ending a 4 play, 18 yard drive with junior Jake Cox running it in for the Tigers’ touchdown from five yards out.

Dripping Springs continued its onslaught when senior quarterback Trevor Greenman ran in a score that gave the Tigers a 14-0 lead five minutes into the game.

Aided by another strong defensive effort, Dripping Springs closed the first quarter with a 92 yard, 5 play scoring drive. Senior offensive lineman Dylan Smith punched in a 2-yard touchdown run, which helped the Tigers take a 21-0 lead into the second frame.

Tiger head coach Galen Zimmerman enjoyed seeing his lineman score.

“It’s a linemen’s dream, I don’t know if he was more excited or if his fellow linemen were more excited,”

BY MOSES LEOS III

ty area, including parts of Hays County.

Their decisions come roughly a week after Smith, a 16-term Republican congressman, announced he was not going to run for reelection when his term ends in 2018. Isaac and Narvaiz now join a race that’s already had six Democrats and one Republican file to run.

Isaac said in a letter to constituents that during his four terms in the Texas Legislature, he’s had the “honor and privilege” of participating in helping make Texas “the freest state in the nation.” Isaac said it was time to take those values and experience to Washington.

“A new administration promises new

Senior Keith Mitchhart caught this 47-yard pass from quarterback Trevor Greenman, which helped set up a 3-yard touchdown run by the quarterback to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.

home for constraining the growth of federal government, but it can’t be done without principled conservative leaderISAAC ship in Congress,” Isaac said in his letter.

Isaac, a Dripping Springs native NARVAIZ who was first voted to the Texas Legislature in 2011, said he is committed to

Buy a subscription to the News-Dispatch and get a gift subscription of equal length for FREE through Dec. 31.

BY MARIA GARDNER An agreement struck between Dripping Springs city leaders and a Central Texas water entity has moved the city’s plans for expanding its wastewater system a few steps forward.

On Nov. 1, the Dripping Springs City Council approved an agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which was one of the potential objectors to the city’s wastewater expansion permit.

Clara Tuma, an official with LCRA, said in an emailed response, the agreement they’ve entered with the city “requires sewage from the city’s wastewater

PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM

TIGER FOOTBALL, 4

More hats tossed into ring for TX-21 Interest in an already crowded race for the open 21st Congressional District seat continues to grow after a former San Marcos city official and a current Hays County based state representative announced their candidacy last week.

On Friday, State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) announced he will run as a Republican candidate for the 21st Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Lamar Smith.

One day later, former San Marcos mayor Susan Narvaiz announced she will also run on the Republican ticket for the TX-21 seat, which services an eight-coun-

LCRA signs off on Dripping Springs water permit

serving out the remainder of his term representing House District 45, which serves Blanco and western Hays County.

“In the face of unacceptable overreach by a federal government grown too big and too costly, I’ll fight for our liberty, our security, and our future,” said Isaac in a statement. “I’m humbled that many of my constituents have asked me to run, and I look forward to discussing the issues as I campaign across the district.”

In a letter posted on her campaign website, Narvaiz said she opted to run after receiving “countless phone calls

Parks and Community Services Director.

Espinoza comes to Dripping Springs from Grand Prairie where she served as the Senior Recreation Supervisor for the Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation Department for 11-plus years.

Prior to working in Grand Prairie, she worked for the city of Austin for three years as a Recreation Programs Specialist in the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

As Parks and Community Services Director, Espinoza will oversee all of the city’s parks and open space. She will also serve as coordinator of all city-sponsored special events and activities, such as Christmas on Mercer Street, Founders Day Festival and the Dripping Springs Farmers Market.

TX-21, 2

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