2015
Volume 28, Issue 22
www.LHIndependent.com
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April 30, 2015 | 50 Cents
Alvarado charged with intoxication manslaughter
Liberty Hill copes with grief after horrific crash kills Draper siblings
SHELLY WILKISON PHOTO
Superintendent Rob Hart (left) and Assistant Superintendent Robert Parks (right) have worked side by side to prepare Liberty Hill for growth. Parks, 73, is retiring in June after a 50-year career in Texas public schools.
Parks reflects on 50-year school career
By SHELLY WILKISON Managing Editor He started his career teaching seventh and eighth graders at Liberty Chapel -- a 52-student rural school where he also served as principal. It was 1965. Although it was a much simpler time compared to today, 22-year-old Robert Parks had his hands full. Today, as he reflects on a 50-year career in public education remembering students, families and colleagues, he feels richly blessed and wouldn’t change a thing. “I’m thankful I’ve been able to do this for so many years,” Parks said. “I’ve been blessed.” Liberty Hill Assistant Superintent Parks, 73, is retiring in June after a 50-year career in Texas public schools. When Liberty Hill ISD Board President Clay Cole
announced the news at a school board meeting last week, administrators and other employees gasped in surprise. “I felt like it was time,” said Parks, quickly adding that he is looking forward to spending time with grandchildren in the Dallas area. “But it will be a big change. For 50 years, my life has revolved around the start of school and the end of school -- all built around the school schedule,” he said. So the first day of his life out of school will be spent cleaning his garage. Parks, whose work ethic is widely recognized by co-workers, laughed as he admitted he had been putting off the task for longer
See PARKS, Page 4
Council approves high density zone change
By SHELLY WILKISON Managing Editor Two weeks after residents of a small neighborhood protested a decision by the Planning & Zoning Commission to recommend a high density zone change for an adjacent subdivision, an agreement was reached with the developer and all returned peacefully to the City Council to support the change. During a public hearing Monday on the proposed zone change for the Mason tract from Agricultural (AG) to Single Family High Density (SF3), developer Haythem Dawlett told the Council that he will construct a 7-foot-tall precast concrete fence around the new Highland Terrace subdivision. In response to concerns voiced last week by property owners on the north and east side of the
36-acre tract, Dawlett said the fence is the agreed solution. An agreement containing a description of the fence was signed by the subdivision’s bordering property owners along with the developer. “It’s highly unusual for a developer to meet with the neighbors, but he (Dawlett) was willing to work with us,” said Ben De Bellis, who owns property on Bakers Circle that backs up to the Highland Terrace. “We have an agreement signed by him and the neighbors. We want to acknowledge Mr. Dawlett publicly for working with us.” With no protests being expressed, the Council voted unanimously to grant the zoning change, which will permit up to 10 single family homes
©2015 The Liberty Hill Independent
Liberty Hill
See COUNCIL, Page 4
By SHELLY WILKISON and CHRISTINE BOLANOS Heartbroken by the loss of two children in a car crash last week, the Liberty Hill community is grieving as the family prepares for a funeral service Friday. The service for 15-year-old Koby and 10-year-old Kirsten Draper will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 1, at First Baptist Church in Georgetown. Koby and Kirsten were killed April 22 when the car they were riding in was rear-ended about 8:40 p.m. by a pickup truck driven by John Canche Alvarado of Austin. Department of Public Safety Trooper Robbie Barrera said Crystal Draper, 37, was attempting to turn left off US Highway 183 into the Saratoga Springs subdivision when Alvarado slammed his Ford F-150 pickup into the Nissan Altima she was driving. All of Draper’s children were in the vehicle. She was transported to Seton Medical Center Williamson where she remained in ICU until Monday. A family spokesperson, uncle Toby Draper, told The Independent at press time Wednesday that her condition is improving and she has been moved into a regular hospital room.
Mother Crystal Draper with her children Koty (top right), Koby (front left), Kirsten and Kristopher. Koby and Kirsten were killed by a drunk driver April 23 and their funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Georgetown. (Courtesy Photo) Her son, Kristopher, 13, remains in ICU at Dell Children’s Hospital with serious injuries including some brain damage. Koty, 16, was released from the hospital on Tuesday and is staying with his father and grandparents
near the hospital to be close to Kristopher, the uncle said. Two days after the crash, Alvarado was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and driving with an invalid license. At press time this week, he remained in the
Williamson County Jail on a $2 million bond. If convicted, the second degree felony carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Toby Draper said Wednesday that
See DRAPER, Page 5
Mighty Fine will be first food truck under new ordinance
By CHRISTINE BOLAÑOS Staff Writer The food truck phenomenon that has taken the Central Austin area by storm for several years is making its way to Liberty Hill. Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries & Shakes unveiled its food truck in February and has been making the rounds throughout various local communities. Liberty Hill will be added to that schedule from 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays in May, beginning May 6. “We felt like this was a great op-
portunity for us. Our director of quality (Craig Haley) lives out there so he had personal reasons for wanting to bring burgers there as much as Liberty Hill is growing. It was an excellent opportunity for us to connect our product out there,” explained Mighty Fine HR and Brand Director Allyson L. Young. The food truck will set up its temporary shop on Wednesdays at Life Springs Christian Church
See TRUCK, Page 5
Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries & Shakes launched its food truck in February and will be making stops in Liberty Hill on Wednesdays in May. (Courtesy Photo)
THE INDEPENDENT SPORTS
Kristan captures 200th baseball career win
By TAYLOR GRAFFT The Independent Sports Tuesday night wasn’t just a special night for the four seniors playing their final home game at Liberty Hill, it also turned out to be a career milestone for Panthers’ coach Mike Kristan, who achieved his 200th career win with a 1-0, extra inning win over Llano. “It just means I’ve been here a long time,” Kristan joked. “It has to do with the kids. To be able to coach the types of kids we have and be successful. The kids appreciate winning.” After the game, Kristan joked that some of the older siblings of his current players were a part of Kristan’s 100th career win. So it’s not farfetched to think their young siblings will be a part of his 300th career win in the near future. “There were three kids on this team that their older brothers helped get me my 100th win,” Kristan said. “Obviously there’s some genetics that stayed around long enough that I reap the benefit from it. It also has a lot to do with my administration and Coach (Jerry) Vance being confident in me over these 12 years. Also my family supporting me. But it’s always fun to hit a milestone.” Junior Slater Foust played a huge role in
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LHHS Baseball Coach Mike Kristan won his 200th baseball game this week with a 1-0 win over Llano. helping Kristan secure that milestone by pitching a one-hit shutout and driving in the game-winning run in extra innings. “Slater has pitched well all year,” Kristan said. “He’s struggled a little at the plate this year for his standards, but he had confidence to swing at the first pitch and then come out and hit one hard on the ground.
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“We’ve been close a lot this year and it’s always good for the kids to experience this, especially going into playoffs,” Kristan added. “To be 5-5 and in fourth place, that tells you how good the district is this year. Last year our fourth place team went into the playoffs at 3-7. That tells you about the competition we’ve faced all year and I think the kids know that.”