County causes receive $75K in donations
D.S. All-District Volleyball Selections
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Students embark on Goodwill Tour
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 11
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
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75¢
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Two arrested for conspiracy to commit murder STAFF REPORT
Two people were arrested Dec. 5 after authorities allege they lured a man to a Wimberley area home earlier this month and conspired to kill him. Nevaada Lexus Morgan, 20, of Santa Fe, Texas, and Steven Michael Ertel, 19, of Wimberley, were both booked into the Hays
County Jail on Conspiracy to Commit murder, a first-degree felony. According to a Hays County arrest affidavit, the victim told authorities he was lured to a home in the 2200 block of Mount Sharp Road in Wimberley Nov. 30 under the pretense of meeting with Morgan for a sexual encounter. The victim was led to an
MORGAN
ERTEL
abandoned mobile home on the property where Ertel was waiting inside with a
large knife attached to his belt. The victim told authorities he did not know Ertel, who, according to the victim, was was acting strangely. Ertel allegedly told the victim, “I am the real life joker,” according to the affidavit. The victim fled the trailer due to a “sickening feeling” and called law enforce-
ment. The victim said Morgan was sitting next to Ertel with a pocket knife allegedly tucked under her leg. Following the encounter, the victim exchanged text messages with Morgan about the incident. According to the affidavit, Morgan told the victim Ertel was allegedly “going to do something to you” with
the knife he had. Morgan then texted the victim that Ertel was going to “try to kill” him. According to a press release, authorities arrested Ertel and Morgan as evidence supported that the two conspired to murder the victim. Morgan and Ertel are being held in the Hays County Jail on $100,000 bond each.
HB 413
Hays County resident deported
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
BY KATIE BURRELL
A proposed Texas House Bill that could prohibit undocumented residents from qualifying for in-state tuition, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, is drawing ire from Democratic lawmakers. House Bill 413, authored by State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R-Fredericksburg), is the latest attempt by legislators to override the 2001 Texas Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act signed into law by former Gov. Rick Perry. But the fight to end instate tuition for undocumented residents is a point of political discussion that other states across the country are continuing to fight. If adopted, HB 413 would require undocumented Texas college students to pay out of state tuition costs. Universities, which are partially funded by state taxes, often require out-of-state students to pay higher tuition rates than in-state students. “It’s very disappointing to hear, especially coming from one of my district neighbors,” said Dist. 45 State Representative-elect Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood). “if this piece of legislation is passed, it will have a dramatic impact at Texas State University, particularly the DREAM-ers.” Historically, states like Texas have given oppor-
An undocumented Buda woman who had been in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following her arrest for an October 2017 incident was scheduled to be deported earlier this week. Janelie Rodriguez, 26, was ordered to be deported to Mexico by a judge after months of detention at the South Texas Detention Center in Pearsall. According to Mano Amiga co-founder Karen Munoz, Rodriguez’ application for asylum was denied in court, despite the harsh conditions her family says she faces in Mexico. Janeth Rodriguez, Janelie’s mother, said in September her family has no relatives in Mexico and knows fewer people who could help her daughter’s mental health issues.
Controversy follows proposed tuition bill
HOUSE BILL 413, 4
LOCAL WOMAN DEPORTED, 6
PHOTO BY WAYLAND CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Tigers roll over Raiders 46-33
Lady Tigers’ Avery Johnson is smothered while taking a shot under the basket last Friday night in a non-district game against Rouse. Dripping Springs rained down three-point shots for 24 points against the Raiders to win 46-33. See page 3 for the full story.
Dispute over furniture leads to Wimberley council resignation BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
What began as a dispute among Wimberley city leaders over office furniture within City Hall Dec. 6 escalated into chaos after a city council member opted to resign. Patricia Kelly, who was elected in May, spent most of the Dec. 6 meeting trying to make a statement, but was constantly shut down by Mayor Susan Jaggers on numerous occasions. Ultimately, Kelly announced her resignation in the final minutes of the meeting. But Kelly’s resignation from the dais has led to growing concern among Wimberley residents who question Jaggers’ ability to lead an open form of government, according to sources in contact with the Hays Free Press and News-Dis-
“It is with deep regret that I am announcing my informal resignation. I can no longer be a part of a mayoral regime that treats and thinks of everyone as her subordinate and is in constant being of the power struggle between staff and council.” –Patricia Kelly, Wimberley council member
patch. “It is with deep regret that I am announcing my informal resignation,” Kelly said at the Dec. 6 meeting. “I can no longer be a part of a mayoral regime that treats and thinks of everyone as her subordinate and is in constant being of the power struggle between staff and council.” Kelly said she has never quit anything in her life, but said life is
too short to stay within the negative environment that is the Wimberley City Council. At the center of the issue is Jaggers, who was also elected in May. Several Wimberley residents have alleged a lack of transparency within Wimberley’s city government and have cited Jaggers as the cause. Steve Thurber, former Wimberley Mayor, said Kelly’s resignation is a testament to Jaggers’
inability to lead in a representative and elected position. At the Dec. 6 council meeting, Jaggers periodically cut off other council members when trying to speak, saying they were out of line. During the meeting, Jaggers called herself the “CEO of city hall,” challenging the authority of a council vote.
DISPUTE WITH CITY ADMINISTRATOR Since his hire in February, City Administrator Shawn Cox has been evaluated five times by the city council. Thurber said Jaggers’ is actively trying to fire Shawn Cox but has not had the support from council to do so. At the Dec. 6 meeting, the council discussed
COUNCIL RESIGNATION, 4
Couple arrested in animal seizure case BY MOSES LEOS III Allegations of allowing children to live in a home with animal feces, dead rats and diseased cats led law enforcement officials to arrest CAFFEY a Buda couple on felony child endangerment charges. The arrests come after a Hays County inCAFFEY vestigation led to the seizure of more than 170 total cats and dogs Nov. 1 which found many of the animals suffered from malnutrition and disease. Thomas Caffey, 47, of Buda, was arrested Dec. 3 on two counts of Child
ANIMAL SEIZURES, 6