LH INDEPENDENT 10-14-21

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2021

Volume 34, Issue 47

COVID cases declining, county remains in Red Phase

By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer After the latest three-month surge in COVID cases and deaths in Williamson County, the numbers are once again on the decline.

The County reported 205 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the pandemic total to 63,560 confirmed cases, according to data provided

by Williamson County and Cities Health District. The Liberty Hill zip code, 78642, has a case rate of 15.2%, according to WCCHD data.

The County reported three new deaths on Monday, bringing the total to 673.

Death rates by zip code is not provided.

Williamson County is still listed as “high/uncontrollable spread” keeping the county in Phase Red where it has been since July 19.

Transmission rates within Liberty Hill Independent School District have also continued to decrease. Five staff members and 23 students across all campuses reported active cases, according to the LHISD COVID Dashboard on Wednesday.

When school first began the district had high case counts, averaging 50 to 60 cases in the highest week. To help contain the spread LHISD closed campuses to visitors and limited large indoor gatherings.

But as the case numbers continue to decrease the district is beginning to ease restrictions.

“What we want to do is look at our data and how it’s affecting our kids and our staff, our community, and then make solid decisions based on that data,” Superintendent Steven Snell said Wednesday. “Based on the fact that numbers are low—I think our district average right now is .3% positivity rate—that tells us that we can open up a little bit.”

Essential visitors as well as PTO and Watchdogs are now all allowed on campus for activities. Students can now enjoy indoor pep rallies, concerts and theater performances.

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LHISD adding new items to menu, offering free meals to all students

By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer It’s 11 a.m. at Liberty Hill High School. While students are still in the classroom awaiting the lunch bell, the nine women who make up the cafeteria staff are preparing for the rush.

“We have 10 minutes! Is everyone ready?” a voice calls out from the kitchen.

The crew quickens the pace, placing food trays up front and unwrapping covered items.

“We have five minutes! Is everyone ready?” the voice calls out again.

As the time winds down there is no panic, no yelling, no disorder. Each of the staff have their tasks to complete and move together like a well-oiled machine.

BEEP. The lunch bell sounds at 11:15 a.m. and hungry students head directly to the lunch lines for their mid-day fuel up.

The cafeteria workers are at their stations, smiles behind their masks, ready to serve.

This year Liberty Hill students at all eight campuses are seeing

See MEALS, Page 4

KRISTEN MERIWETHER PHOTO

Kyong Jeon serves pizza at Liberty Hill High School on Oct. 7. All students in the school district are eligible to enjoy free breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year.

TCEQ grants contested case hearing for renewal of City’s wastewater treatment plant permit

By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) voted Oct. 6 to approve requests from several local landowners for a contested case hearing on Liberty Hill’s sewage discharge permit renewal.

The permit, which authorizes the discharge of treated wastewater from Liberty Hill’s treatment plant into the South San Gabriel River, was originally granted in 2015. Landowners living downstream from the plant and its outfall have been complaining of thick, lime green algae growing on the water at their river-front properties since 2018. At that time, an investigative report was issued

by TCEQ, alleging a number of violations at the wastewater plant, but the City denied the allegations that it “failed to properly operate and maintain the facility” and that it “prevented unauthorized discharge of wastewater sludge into the river.”

According to its application, the City asked to renew the existing permit “with a minor amendment of the 2015 permit to add an interim phase for discharge and some updates to

Stephanie Morris, whose home backs up to the South San Gabriel River, shared this photo taken in late September about one-third mile downstream from the Liberty Hill wastewater treatment plant outfall. In the top left corner of photo, she uses her hand to pick up effluent from the river. (Photo Courtesy Stephanie Morris) comply with new regulatory requirements.” Additionally, the City stated that it was “not applying to increase significantly the quantity of waste authorized to be discharged; or change materially the pattern or place of discharge.”

The City argued further that the permit renewal was “nec-

essary to enable the City to comply with state and federal water quality regulations. It was developed to limit effluent discharge concentrations to levels that are protective of water quality, public health and the environment. Granting the [hearing] requests would only delay the City’s imple-

mentation of steps to protect the river.”

While the TCEQ determined in June that the City’s application met the requirements to renew the permit, 30 days for the submission of contested case hearing requests were allowed. During that time, the agency received nearly 30 re-

quests.

“There are 29 requests in this case, and six are for persons who reside within a mile downstream of the discharge point,” TCEQ chair Jon Niermann said. “They all raised personal concerns that are

See HEARING, Page 9

Be aware of signs of teen dating violence, resources for help

By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer As teens begin dating in middle and high school it can be difficult to understand healthy relationship boundaries. What seems cute and affectionate at ©2021 The Liberty Hill Independent

the start of a relationship can soon turn to control, manipulation and even physical or mental abuse later.

Hope Alliance, which has the only emergency shelter in Williamson County for those affected by family and sexual violence, shared “Jackie’s” story on their website. Her name was changed by Hope Alliance to protect her identity.

When Jackie first got involved with her boyfriend, he would shower her with affection

and attention. He was always around and always involved with her friends and activities.

It was Jackie’s first relationship with an older boy and she assumed that type of behavior was normal when dating an upperclassman.

But then the jealousy began to show up. The boyfriend was constantly watching to see who she would talk to and would often get upset if she

See AWARENESS, Page 4

GRAPHIC COURTESY LOVEISRESPECT.ORG

Page 2

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OBITUARY Catarina Virginia Hernandez Catarina “Cathy” Virginia Hernandez, 52, of Bertram, TX She gained her angel wings October 1, 2021. Cathy, also known as Cha Cha, was born August 21, 1969, in Georgetown, TX to Teresa and Leonardo Hernandez. She is survived by her daughter Tasha Lopez of Liberty Hill, Son, Anthony Nash and wife, Rachel Sanders of Bertram, TX Grandchildren; Levi Dominguez, Audrie Conrad, Jace Conrad, Catarina Presleigh Conrad, Asa Nash, and Myla Cabello. Brothers and sisters;

Paul and Tina Rosales of Fort Worth, TX, Jesse and Vivian Rosales of Liberty Hill, TX, Nick and Dora Hernandez of Leander, TX, Lourdes Hernandez of Bertram, TX, Charlie and Tresa Hernandez of Liberty Hill, TX, Leticia and Lee Lunday of Georgetown, TX, Cesar Hernandez of Liberty Hill, TX, and Eddie and Mary Hernandez of Liberty Hill, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents Teresa and Leonardo Hernandez, Brother, Joe Hernandez, Niece Selina Rosales and Nephews Jonathan Her-

nandez and Louis Hernandez.

Shin Oak Ridge Bulletin Board Send news to: News@LHIndependent.com

Community invited to support Project Graduation

Project Graduation invites the community to participate in upcoming fundraising events to support a safe graduation night celebration for the Lib-

erty Hill High School class of 2022.

Volunteers will be at the Oct. 15 home football game selling 50/50 tickets.

There will be an event at Pep & Punch on Oct. 27, and the organization will host a Car Show at the high school on

Nov. 6.

There are opportunities for students and parents to volunteer as well as sponsorship opportunities.

More information can be found at www.lhprojectgrad. org.

Liberty Hill Police Blotter Prepared by Liberty Hill Police Department

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Week of Oct. 4-10, 2021 The Liberty Hill Police Department responded to or self-initiated a total of 564 incidents resulting in nine cases, 66 citations, 67 warnings and no arrests.

Weekly Highlights: - On Oct. 4 at approximately 7:44 AM, officers responded to the 14000 block of W. SH 29 and CR 214 for an accident.

- On Oct. 4 at approximately 10:55 AM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 to assist the Liberty Hill Fire/ EMS. - On Oct. 4 at approximately 2:37 PM, officers responded to Presidential Path for an animal bite.

- On Oct. 4 at approximately 5:21 PM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident.

- On Oct. 4 at approximately 10:10 PM, officers responded to the 900 block of CR 214 to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Oct. 5 at approximately 8:31 AM, officers responded to the 3000 block of RM 1869 for loose livestock.

- On Oct. 5 at approximately 11:19 AM, officers conducted stationary traffic patrol at the intersection of Loop 332 and RM 1869.

- On Oct. 5 at approximately 5:07 PM, officers responded to the 14000 block of W. SH 29 for a welfare concern.

- On Oct. 5 at approximately 7:19 PM, officers responded to the 2000 block of CR 279 to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Oct. 5 at approximately 11:35 PM, officers responded to Stubblefield Lane for a mental health issue.

- On Oct. 6 at approximately

3:43 AM, officers responded to the 1000 block of Loop 332 for suspicious activity.

- On Oct. 6 approximately 9:12 AM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for a criminal mischief complaint.

- On Oct. 6 at approximately 10:39 AM, officers responded to Majestic Way to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Oct. 6 at approximately 9:50 PM, officers responded to Jack Nicholas Dr. to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Oct. 7 at approximately 1:55 AM, officers responded to Red Oak Lane to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Oct. 7 at approximately 12:08 PM, officers responded to Bonnet Blvd. to assist the Liberty Hill ISD Police Department.

- On Oct. 7 at approximately 12:16 PM, officers responded to the 3000 block of RM 1869 for a mental health issue.

- On Oct. 7 at approximately 3:32 PM, officers responded to Independence Ave for an accident.

- On Oct. 7 at approximately 9:09 PM, officers responded to Red Oak Lane to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Oct. 7 at approximately 10:16 PM, officers responded to Red Oak Lane to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Oct. 7 at approximately 10:35 PM, officers responded to Seward Junction Loop for a disturbance.

- On Oct. 8 at approximately 3:39 PM, officers responded to Independence Ave for a welfare concern.

- On Oct. 8 at approximately 4:29 PM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident.

- On Oct. 8 at approximately 6:26 PM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for a criminal mischief complaint.

- On Oct. 8 at approximately 9:40 PM, officers responded to Spotted Rail Ridge for suspicious activity.

- On Oct. 9 at approximately 1:08 AM, officers responded to the 14000 block of W. SH 29 for a welfare concern.

- On Oct. 9 at approximately 4:45 AM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for suspicious activity.

- On Oct. 9 at approximately 11:21 AM, officers responded to the 16000 block of CR 279 to assist the Liberty Hill ISD Police Department.

- On Oct. 9 at approximately 3:54 PM, officers responded to the 14000 block of W. SH 29 to assist the Liberty Hill Fire/ EMS. - On Oct. 9 at approximately 9:30 PM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 209 for an accident.

- On Oct. 10 at approximately 3:13 AM, officers responded to Red Tail Lane for a suspicious vehicle.

- On Oct. 10 at approximately 1:13 PM, officers responded to Green Bur Oak Loop for a disturbance.

- On Oct. 10 at approximately 4:59 PM, officers responded to Filifera Ct. for a traffic hazard.

- On Oct. 10 at approximately 8:07 PM, officers responded to CR 200 to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

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Thursday, October 14, 2021

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 3

Throwback Thursday Caskey’s books about early Florence, southern life remain treasures

By JAMES WEAR Columnist It’s been more than 50 years since I first read Mrs. R.S. Caskey’s book about the history of Florence, and today, I often find myself rereading, with a great deal of appreciation, the little snippets of history she collected and shared with the community.

Mrs. Caskey passed away many years ago and I often find myself regretting that I did not sit down with her and interview this lady who also published a collection of short stories and poetry that she entitled “Mama Caskey’s Crazy Collection,” as well as three other small booklets of poetry.

I have yet to come across those booklets.

Among the recollections she shared in her “Crazy Collection” was that of what she termed “unique trail drives.”

She wrote, “We think of cattle in connection with trail drives, but there were many unique trail drives.” She went

on to describe drives involving horses, hogs and turkeys…yes, turkeys.

“A Mr. Hooker of California in 1860 drove five hundred to Carson City, Nevada,” she wrote. “He paid $1.50 for each of them. He had one man and several dogs to help. At one place they came to a steep precipice which halted the trip. The birds took off, flying down into the valley, leaving the men and dogs stranded on the mountain.

“Fortunately,” she continued, “Mr. Hooker rounded up the birds and sold them in Carson City for $5 a head.”

She recalled another turkey drive that involved 500 turkeys moved from Missouri to Denver, Colorado. “The birds ate grasshoppers and roosted on the wagon filled with shelled corn. It is claimed that turkeys can travel twenty-five miles per day.”

Mrs. Caskey also related a story involving camels.

“Major Henry Wayne of the

traction with their red blankets on their backs. It looked like a circus had come to town.”

Mrs. Caskey noted that Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, “approved a plan to use camels for freighting in the arid southwest. Corrals were built at Camp Verde by the army headquarters. Camp Verde was located near San Antonio, Texas…

“In 1861 when Camp Verde surrendered, eighty camels were turned over to the Confederates. The United States Army reoccupied the camp in 1865; at that time forty-four camels remained. Rewards were offered for their capture, but the strays could not be found.”

Eventually, Mrs. Caskey pointed out, Hadji Ali, who had Camels were used by the Confederate Army, according to a chapter in a book written more than become known as “Hi Jolly,” 50 years ago by the late Mrs. R.S. Caskey of Florence. This picture of an unidentified man and rounded up those camels and one of those camels appeared in The Greenville Sun a few years back. drove them from Texas to ArUnited States Army, in 1856, a camel driver, came to this tier posts. The prickly pear and izona. “In 1835, the Arizona procured thirty-three camels country and took charge of the mesquite was their principal Highway Department erected from Turkey, Egypt and Syr- camels. food, of which there was a a monument to the memory of ia. Later forty-one were added “The camels were supposed great abundance in Southwest Hi Jolly for his thirty years of from Spain. In 1857, Hadji Ali, to transport supplies to fron- Texas. They were a great at- faithful service.”

EDC’s new Businesses Leadership Series begins Oct. 21 The Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation will host its first event in their new Business Leadership Series on Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. at Dahlia Cafe in Liberty Hill.

Williamson County Commissioner Cynthia Long is

expected to give her State of the County presentation, with a question and answer session to follow.

Long represents Liberty Hill and Pct. 2 on the Commissioners Court.

The Businesses Leadership

Series is an opportunity for Liberty Hill residents and businesses to gain insight into trends driving the local business climate.

“For our inaugural free-toattend event, we are pleased to welcome Commissioner

Long to Liberty Hill to share her insights on the county, our precinct, and our city,” Liberty Hill EDC Executive Director Matthew Powell said Tuesday.

“This speaker series will reinforce the adopted core values of the EDC Board, including

Engagement, Transparency, and Partnership. We hope it will lead to greater knowledge and connectedness throughout Liberty Hill.”

The event is open to the public and is free of charge.

CYNTHIA LONG

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Pastry chef joins ranks at Main Street Social

By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer When you walk into Main Street Social one of the first things you’ll notice is a pastry case full of macaroons, cookies, cheesecakes and more at Mainstay Kitchen.

And one of the first things you will likely smell is the fresh baked bread used to make sandwiches at Mainstay Kitchen.

That’s all thanks to Ethan Shedenhelm, who recently came on board the staff at Main Street Social, where Mainstay Kitchen is located, to serve as the resident baker and pastry chef.

Shedenhelm earned his culinary arts certificate from Austin-based Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

“I was always cooking when I was younger, and I was just looking for something to do after college,” Shedenhelm said. “I found it [in baking] and I love it. There was a chef toward the end of my schooling who took one student aside each day to bake bread with, and after I did that, my love for baking blossomed from there. I really loved doing it.”

Before coming to Liberty Hill, Shedenhelm spent several years baking for Austin-area restaurants like Enoteca Vespaio, Easy Tiger and Swedish Hill. He said he is using his experiences from those positions to create all the pastries at Mainstay Kitchen.

“I make a wide variety of desserts and pastries,” he said.

“We have macaroons, cookies, cheesecake, chocolate mousse, banana pudding and cupcakes.

I keep the pastry case full, and everything is baked fresh daily with scratch ingredients. Nothing comes out of a box.”

Shedenhelm said one of the most popular items so far has been the macaroons, which he creates in a variety of different flavors, like strawberry, salted caramel and vanilla.

“You have to be very precise with them and take your time, which is why I like making them,” he said. “I learned how to make them in the field, and here I will rotate the flavors.

We will also create seasonal flavors, like pumpkin spice for fall.”

Shedenhelm said he loves to experiment with new recipes, whipping up a small batch of whatever his new idea is to see how it sells.

“I like to get funky with it and make fun pastries,” he said. “I do gluten free and dairy free options, so there’s something for everyone to eat, and I really like making desserts for kids, like my homemade Funfetti cupcake or homemade Oreos.”

While making pastries is fun, Shedenhelm said baking bread is his overall favorite thing to do. All the bread he makes is fermented overnight, which helps to break the grain down and makes it easier for people to absorb the nutrients, he said, adding that he bakes brioche, focaccia, sourdough and hoagies for Mainstay Kitchen. He will also be making pretzels

AWARENESS

Continued from Page 1

was talking to any male classmates. At the time she thought it was cute that he loved and wanted her so much.

Then Jackie’s boyfriend began prohibiting her from speaking to her friends. This led to arguments where the boyfriend would become aggressive and pushy. He always apologized after, saying he did it because he loved her so much.

One day, after a confrontation about who she was speaking to, Jackie stood up to her boyfriend by telling him to shut up. He became very angry and slapped her across the face and screamed at her in hallways.

When Jackie tried to end the relationship, the boyfriend threatened to harm himself or tell lies to her parents about the couple having sex or doing drugs.

It wasn’t until Jackie was pushed by her boyfriend again, causing her to fall and bruise her face, that she finally left him and reached out for help.

Jackie’s story is not unique, but having the courage to ask for help is rare in teens.

According to Hope Alliance, who served 30 residents from Liberty Hill in 2020, only 33% of teens in a violent relationship ever report it.

The Independent spoke with Licensed Professional Counselor Vicki Bates, who owns Live-Your-Dream Counseling in Bertram. Bates, a former coach in the Liberty Hill ISD, shared a similar narrative when describing general behavior of teen dating violence.

WE

“Oftentimes when women come in, or even girls, they’ll say, ‘well I brought it on myself. I shouldn’t have been asking him this,” Bastes said.

“So all of a sudden it gets turned around and the women take it as their fault. And of course the perpetrators are really good about making them believe it’s their fault.”

Bates said while some women and girls are able to walk away from violent or traumatic relationships, some cannot.

She said in some cases a trauma bond is formed between victim and perpetrator and that bond keeps them from leaving.

“The women can’t break it off because it’s almost like she’s tied up, like she’s got a leash on her. And so when she tries to leave, it’s so uncomfortable within herself, that she goes back,” Bates said.

She said going back can further escalate the pattern of abuse. Words can turn into throwing things, which can turn into physical violence.

Bates says many abused women will use makeup to hide black eyes or clothing to hide bruising on their arms or legs to avoid the shame of speaking up.

“They feel like they failed, that they haven’t been able to make this person really love them,” Bates said. “That shame keeps people from talking about it a lot of times.”

Teen dating violence isn’t always physical. Bates said she’s seeing a trend among middle school aged girls who are being pressured by their boyfriends to send nude photos of themselves. The boys

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throughout the month of October for Main Street Social as it celebrates Oktoberfest.

“I love baking bread,” he said.

“A lot of times people think bread is horrible for you, and that it’s fattening, but homemade bread is far better than getting the stuff off the shelves at the grocery store.”

For now, Shedenhelm has one baking assistant, Amber Bischoff, but hopes to add more bakers to his staff so that he can expand his offerings.

“Eventually, we’ll try to do special orders for customers, like cookies and cupcakes, and I also hope to sell loaves of bread in a grab-and-go style,” he said. “And maybe five to

10 years from now, I’ll be able to open my own bakery with scratch breads.”

For now, Shedenhelm said he loves his job and the people he gets to bake for in Liberty Hill.

“My job is very fulfilling,” he said. “I love what I do, and I love when I get compliments on my pastries.”

The pastry case at Mainstay Kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays.

The second cycle of Innovative Teacher Grants for Liberty Hill Independent School District is now open.

The grants, offered by the Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation, are designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches. They must enhance student academic performance and support the objectives, goals and initiatives of the Campus Improvement Plan.

“Selecting the first round of grant recipients was much easier as we were able to fund all grants submitted,” LHEF Director Jori Sitz said in a news release. “Now that the word is

out, we are receiving so many clever, out-of-the-box opportunities for our students. I can’t wait to see what is proposed in this next cycle of funding.”

Projects are designed to begin during the 2021-2022 school year. LHEF may fund classroom materials, parent involvement programs or any activity or material that supports higher levels of student academic achievement.

Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to individual teacher-initiated programs or projects, with $1,000 grants available for campus teams, departments and district initiated programs or projects. The number of awards will depend

(RIGHT) Ethan Shedenhelm is the resident pastry chef at Mainstay Kitchen inside Main Street Social.

RACHEL MADISON PHOTO

Education Foundation accepting Innovative Teacher Grant applications

threaten to break up with the girls if they don’t comply.

At the high school level, instead of nude photos, the boyfriends are pressuring the girls to have sex. At either level the actions are forcing young girls into situations to avoid shame.

Bates said she encourages her clients to use assertive language to show boundaries. Assertive language isn’t designed to be mean, loud or violent. It’s designed to let the partner know what is acceptable and what isn’t in a clear, confident tone.

Bates said if the assertive language doesn’t work and someone finds themselves in a relationship where they don’t have autonomy, are being controlled, or mentally or physically abused, it’s time to seek help.

“They need to find a trusted adult to talk to and say, ‘this is what’s happening. Is this, okay? Is this normal?’” Bates said.

At school students can turn to a Liberty Hill ISD Police Department officer, or reach out to a school counselor or trusted teacher.

“You do not have to stay in an abusive relationship,” Bates said. “You can walk away and say, ‘I’m not going to be treated that way.’”

October is Domestic and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in Williamson County. If you are experiencing dating or domestic violence, call Hope Alliance’s 24-hour hotline at 800-4607233. Confidential chats are also available on their website, hopealliancetx.org.

MEALS

on funds available from LHEF. Applications along with guidelines for the grants can be found on the district website. Questions can be emailed to vpprograms@lhisdeducationfoundation.org.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 28.

The Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation was created to support the educational programs for both the students and staff of LHISD. The Foundation provides funds for educational programs and activities that either have not been funded or have been under-funded by the normal operating budget.

These funds are used to fa-

Continued from Page 1

new food on their plates. This summer, the Liberty Hill Independent School District Board of Trustees selected SFE as the new food service provider for the district.

SFE uses a made-from-scratch approach, utilizing fresh ingredients, herbs and seasonings to create flavorful dishes that are also healthy for the students.

Menu items are low in sodium and sugar, and high in whole grains.

The bread is baked fresh daily and the pizza dough is proofed in the kitchen daily before being topped with made-fromscratch sauce, cheese, and toppings before being baked.

“It’s not like we get a bag of chicken that’s already done and all we are doing is heating it up because it’s got everything in it. That’s not the way we do things,” said General Manager of Child Nutrition Services Chandon Ford. “SFE takes a lot of pride in providing a scratch-made product.”

Some of their soups or sauces start with a simple base, but the cafeteria staff at every school adds herbs, seasonings and fresh vegetables before cooking the sauce or soup onsite.

The menu consists of kids’ favorites like pizza, hamburgers and chicken sandwiches.

But the menu also includes entrees like orange chicken with brown rice, savory pepper steak and garlic chicken with noodles. Vegetarian and plantbased options are available at the high school.

Menus at each of the school levels are different. The elementary schools cater their menus to the pickier palates of younger students, while the

upper levels expand the choices for the more mature palates of tweens and teens.

Ford said he’s received good feedback from students so far this year. Data provided by Ford showed an increase of 12% week over week for a total of 71% growth since the first day of school for both lunch and breakfast.

School lunch and breakfast menus, along with the nutritional data for each food item, can be found on the district website.

Healthier choices Regardless of what’s on a student’s plate, all items must meet nutritional standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

These regulations set the maximum sodium and sugar levels, determine how much protein and fruits or vegetables a meal must include, and sets the amount of whole grains required in food items.

These regulations include pre-packaged items such as Pop-Tarts, cereals and chips.

The packaging looks the same as what students see in their pantry or at the store. But the chips or cereal served at school are made to ensure the first ingredient is “whole corn” or “whole grains” so it can qualify as USDA approved for schools.

An Oct. 5 strike at Kellogg’s and an earlier strike this year at a Frito-Lay plant in Topeka, Kansas, have put stress on the supply chain. Ford said the products had been a little more difficult to get, but so far the district has not run out of or been unable to get items yet.

cilitate student achievement and skill development, to recognize and encourage staff excellence and to expand community involvement from individuals, businesses and civic organizations.

LHEF partners with the community to enhance teaching, inspire learning, and maximize innovative opportunities for all staff and students. The Foundation is entirely community funded thanks to the support of many local businesses and individuals. Information about supporting the Foundation’s efforts can be found at www. lheducationfoundation.org.

Eating free Last week marked the first week all LHISD students could receive breakfast and lunch for free at all campuses.

The district is reimbursed for all qualifying meals through the Seamless Summer Option program that operates under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Not every food on the plate qualifies for the free meal.

A student must choose three items between a protein, half a cup of fruit or vegetables, wholesome grains or a milk.

Students wanting that second burger or sandwich can add it to their plates, but they have to purchase the extra food.

There is no income eligibility this year to receive the free lunch, however, LHISD is asking any student who wants to receive a free meal to fill out an application. The district will use that information to determine eligibility for the first 30 days of next school year when the free lunches likely won’t be offered, according to a news release from the district.

During the first week of the free meal program there was an increase of 4,500 meals served over the previous week.

Including both breakfast and lunch, there has been an increase of 11,907 more meals served from the first week of school to last week.

“We know kids learn better and stay focused if their stomachs are full. The more students we can feed, in theory, they should pay more attention in school,” Ford said. “If we serve a better product, we are going to reach more of those kids.”

SPORTS

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, October 14, 2021 Page 5

New starter confident moving forward Junior QB took over for injured senior

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Reese Vickers has been ready for a while now.

He was simply waiting to get the call and it was one that came two days before he made his debut as Liberty Hill’s varsity starting quarterback during the Panthers’ road game against district rival McCallum.

Despite some early nerves, the junior signal-caller helped lead the Purple-and-Gold to a 45-16 victory Oct. 8 over the Knights – including what might have been the highlight of the entire evening, when he set off on a 52-yard touchdown run in the second quarter in giving the Panthers a 24-3 lead.

Vickers said the entire experience was somewhat surreal.

“It was like it wasn’t real even though it was actually happening,” he said, of his maiden voyage as a varsity starter. “It was a really cool feeling just being on the field and looking up and seeing all the people in the stands.”

Emotions aside, Vickers led the Liberty Hill offense with confidence and precision

throughout the contest – something he attributes to having gotten valuable repetitions in practice with the other Panthers starters, even as a backup.

“I think I’m going to be even better after getting to practice with the 1s all the time now,” he said.

As the orchestrator of the Panthers’ Slot-T offense, Vickers knows he must exercise proper caution at all times while still playing at the frenetic pace the attack must be executed at for maximum effectiveness.

“In games, I try to be a lot safer with the ball,” said Vickers.

“Once I build my confidence and I’m not nervous, I can get things done.”

Of course, it helps a great deal to have a stable of slick running backs at his disposal in helping him ease into his new job – most notably Noah Long, as the sophomore continues to pile up yardage, including 204 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns against McCallum.

But, quarterbacks like to throw the ball – a limited option in Liberty Hill’s offense,

although Vickers did attempt four passes in his first full outing under center and nearly connected with Joe Pitchford on what would’ve been a long touchdown.

“I overthrew him on that one,” said Vickers. “Got a little excited.”

Now, Vickers will move forward knowing he’s the starter – in place of senior Will Szewczyk, who is out for the season with a broken right arm – but believes he’s ready to build on the success he had in his first start.

“I really felt comfortable out there,” he said. “Like I knew I belonged.”

As for his stunning jaunt on his way to the end zone, Vickers said he had a premonition of his long scoring run before it even unfolded.

“I knew I was going to score as soon as the play was called,” he said. “I’d been running around the opposite end on my fakes the whole game and was wide-open, so I felt it was going to be a long run.”

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO Vickers said “it was all adrenaline. I had to calm down to Liberty Hill junior quarterback Reese Vickers (#16) ran for a 52-yard touchdown during his first varsity start in the Panthers’ 45-16 district road victory over McCallum on Oct. 8. hold on the extra point.”

Closing the gap on the rivals

LHHS has Georgetown in its tennis sights

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Liberty Hill faced Georgetown in the finals of the district tournament last week, the Panthers were defeated by a 10-2 score under the team format.

Usually, such a wide gap in the scoreline would suggest domination by one side over the other.

However, margin of victory – or defeat – can sometimes be tricky to evaluate unless one knows the conditions under which the numbers come to fruition.

Once the Eagles gained the 10 individual match victories they needed, the plug was immediately pulled on the remaining matches that were still being contested – ones in which the Panthers were holding their own in.

Fact of the matter is Liberty Hill is slowly, but surely clos-

SCOTT AKANEWICH PHOTOS

(ABOVE) Senior Sophie Sherman and sophomore brother Joseph won their mixed doubles’ match in the finals of the district tournament against Georgetown. (RIGHT) Cash Terry was recently awarded a varsity letter after a promotion from the Panthers’ JV squad last spring.

ing the gap on their neighbors to the east and will soon be knocking on the door that leads to equality from a competitive standpoint.

In fact, the Panthers’ players certainly recognize the territory they’re making in their pursuit of the big boys and girls

on the block.

“I think we’re definitely gaining ground,” said junior Cash Terry. “We have a lot of youth programs, which have helped out, and players who are going to get good eventually.”

One player who is already good is senior Sophie Sher-

man, who is Liberty Hill’s No. 3 girls’ singles player and teams up with sophomore brother and No. 1 boys’ singles player Joseph in forming the Panthers’ No. 1 mixed doubles team.

See TENNIS, Page 8

Breaking through the ceiling

Lady Panthers achieve new confidence level

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Haley Kuhlmann walked off the court after she and her Lady Panthers teammates had defeated No. 3-ranked Rouse in their own building – in straight sets, no less – and could hardly believe what had just unfolded before her eyes.

“I went over to hug my mom,” said Kuhlmann. “We were both like ‘There’s no way that just happened’ – I was in shock.”

However, perhaps Liberty Hill’s 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 2520) victory over the Raiders last week – which pulled the Lady Panthers into a firstplace tie with Rouse atop the district – shouldn’t come as such a surprise upon further inspection.

After all, head coach Gretchen Peterson’s squad has been on a steep learning curve since the disappointment of last season’s opening-round ouster from the playoffs and has shown a newfound level of maturity and composure, which in turn has increased the team’s confidence to be able to perform with grace under pressure in such situations.

“I thought we would win, although it’s always a battle against them,” said Peterson.

“We trusted each other and were able to make adjustments

when Rouse changed something.”

Kuhlmann said the Lady Panthers simply failed to fall prey to the pitfalls they did the first time they met the Raiders this season, which resulted in a four-set home loss.

“I think the first time we played them we were very nervous,” she said. “Not only because it was the district opener, but because it was Rouse. We definitely thought we could’ve beat them, but we couldn’t slow them down.”

Dictating the pace of the proceedings the second time around was the Lady Panthers’ primary goal in the rematch and was largely achieved due to the calm, cool, collected collaboration of the defensive specialists on the back row and their ability to achieve seamless synergy with the hitters on the front row, said Peterson.

“We knew we needed to block better against them,” she said.

“When we do that, we give our setters more time to make better passes. Also, our first contact with the ball needed to be better to give us more control.”

Time and again, the likes of Ailie Hair, Bailey Becker, Kealy Dirner, Emma Parsons and Gigi Mason formed a cohesive combo at the net in repelling repeated Raiders attacks – something that can have a

psychological effect on opponents, said Kuhlmann.

“When you can put the other team in their place, they can get aggravated and frustrated,” she said. “Then you can put them in a hole.”

Which is exactly what the Lady Panthers did in building as much as a five-point lead in the opening set – although Kuhlmann said she had failed to notice.

“I never even looked at the scoreboard in the first set,” said Kuhlmann. “We played very calm and composed compared to sometimes when we’re losing and freak out because we’re super-scared we’re going to lose.”

Kuhlmann said even when a blocker gets just a piece of the ball, it slows down the shot enough for the back-row players to have that extra half-second to get themselves in the right place on the court to react properly.

“We were able to get set and be able to figure out the right place to be,” she said. “When the block covers one side of the court, we cover the other – it’s about playing smart and together.”

Smart and together.

At times in the not-too-distant past, the Lady Panthers would have one or the other going, but not necessarily both firing

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Senior Haley Kuhlmann (#22) and her fellow back-row players played a critical role in the Lady Panthers’ straight-sets district road win over No. 3 Rouse on Oct. 5. at the same time, which is the in the first round.”

“You only do better by going difference between now and Kuhlmann added there’s a through challenges,” she said. then and should bode well for definite sense of urgency not “Which is what makes you not repeating history when the only for herself, but her fellow better and stronger as we go – postseason arrives, said Kuhl- seniors on the squad, as this it’s learned behavior.” mann. season is their swan song.

In fact, the Lady Panthers “We’re lined up with a really “This is my senior year,” she showed such poise against good district in the first round,” said. “So, I really want to go Rouse, she said her presence she said of District 26, which far in the playoffs, so we want on the sideline wasn’t really features Dripping Springs, to make it a little easier by needed all that much.

Canyon and Alamo Heights, winning district – that’s our “They were really focused who the Lady Panthers lost to biggest goal.” in, so I really didn’t need to in the playoff opener last year Peterson said breaking be there,” said Peterson. “It’s after a third-place finish in through the barriers her team their match, so I just let them District 25. “So, our motiva- has recently is only a result of go out and play their game.” tion is to win district, so we’re lessons learned during leaner not up against as tough a team times.

Page 6

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Seeing themselves in a mirror

Marble Falls runs the same offense as Liberty Hill

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Liberty Hill hosts district opponent Marble Falls, they will see a familiar sight across the line of scrimmage at Panther Stadium.

The Mustangs run the Slot-T offense, just as the Panthers do, which always makes for an intriguing battle of wits between two coaching staffs which will in essence attempt to do the same thing to each other.

Liberty Hill head coach Kent Walker said getting ready for the Mustangs doesn’t provide quite the challenge the Panthers’ defense is accustomed to in getting ready for an opposing offense due to the familiarity.

“I think it does make it easier,” he said. “Our JV can give us a look in practice because it’s what they do.”

Last season, the Panthers ran roughshod over the Mustangs by a 40-7 score in a contest in which Marble Falls failed to score on offense, with its only points of the game the result of a fumble return for a touch-

down, while Liberty Hill piled up 413 yards rushing on the evening.

Curiously enough, then-freshman Noah Long carried the ball once for no gain in that game, but suffice to say, the now-sophomore running back will have quite a bit more to say this time around.

Long leads Liberty Hill with 919 yards on 113 carries to go with 13 touchdowns through the first seven games of the season and will need a big performance if the Panthers are to dominate the scoreboard once again this season.

Reese Vickers will make his second varsity start at quarterback after taking over from injured starter Will Szewczyk in last week’s 45-16 road win over McCallum and will look to build on a solid first outing, during which the junior scored on a 52-yard touchdown run.

Fullback Logan Dyer is second on the squad with 394 yards on 55 carries and three touchdowns, while senior Grady Flinn is next with 31 attempts for 311 yards and three scores on the season.

The Panthers’ defense will have its hands full with Marble Falls, coming off a contest in which it allowed its first points in eight-plus district games stretching back to last season, but Walker said overall the unit did a good job against McCallum, shining the spotlight on a dynamic duo of defenders, in particular.

“Aaron Brewer and Andon Thomas had great games,” he said. “They played relentless and stepped up their games.”

However, Walker is a stickler on the details and despite the decisive victory over the Knights, he still wasn’t completely satisfied with his squad’s defensive performance.

“Don’t get me wrong, we did a lot of things really well,” he said. “But, it’s the little things like maintaining our gaps and not getting too far up the field we can do better at. Also, communication is huge defensively.”

Thomas leads the Panthers with 96 tackles on the season – including 14 for a loss – while senior linebacker Reid Bynum

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Liberty Hill’s Reid Bynum (#62) pursues a ballcarrier during the Panthers’ 45-16 district road victory over McCallum. is second with 56 and Brewer current campaign. column. is third with 51 stops.

Marble Falls is coming off a “They’ve had an extra week Senior Lloyd Johnson, Jr. bye week after being defeated to think about that and they’re has a team-high 10 quarter- at home by McCallum, 20-13, upset about it,” he said. “So, it back hurries and fellow senior so Walker believes the Mus- should be a lot of fun.”

Drake Torno leads the Pan- tangs will be chomping at the thers with four sacks on the bit to get back into the win

Vickers sparks Panthers to 45-16 win over McCallum

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Reese Vickers found out he was going to be under center when Liberty Hill took the field at House Park against district rival McCallum after starter Will Szewczyk was ruled out with an injury, the junior signal-caller was understandably a bit overwhelmed.

“I was pretty nervous at first,” said Vickers, who was told on Wednesday he would be the Panthers’ starting quarterback when Szewczyk was diagnosed with a broken arm causing the senior to miss the rest of the season. “It lasted up until the first snap of the game, but after that it was easier.”

Easy enough for Vickers to ALEX RUBIO PHOTO lead Liberty Hill to a 45-16 Liberty Hill’s Grady Flinn (#43) rushed for 76 yards on eight carries with a pair of touchdowns victory over the Knights last in the Panthers’ 45-16 district road victory over McCallum.

Friday in a contest that saw the Panthers pressured for the first time in district play this season following blowout wins in its opening pair of league games.

Noah Long rushed for 204 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns on the evening, but it was Vickers who was calm and cool at the controls of the Panthers’ offense all night, as Liberty Hill racked up 419 yards rushing in all from seven different ballcarriers.

However, it was senior kicker Ethan Minix who put the first points of the night on the board with a 23-yard field goal after the Knights had received the opening kickoff and moved the ball 13 yards on 10 plays before failing on a 4th-and-2 from their own 46-yard line when senior linebacker Andon

PANTHER R GAMES FOR OCT. 14

Thomas stuffed a McCallum player in preventing the first down.

Thomas led the Panthers’ defense with 17 tackles, while Devin Riley and Aaron Brewer each added 10 in the game.

Long ran 43 yards on the Panthers’ first play from scrimmage, resulting in Minix’s kick three plays later for a 3-0 lead with 5:50 left in the opening quarter.

After McCallum was forced to punt on its next possession, the visitors embarked on an eight-play, 71-yard drive highlighted by senior Grady Flinn’s 21-yard gain after being sprung by fullback Drake Torno’s crunching block before Flinn finished off the

See MCCALLUM, Page 8

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 7

Lady Panthers bounce back with win over East View

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor GEORGETOWN -- The Lady Panthers needed a win in the worst way coming off a disappointing defeat to Leander in their previous outing and got just that with a 3-0 (2512, 25-22, 25-16) road victory over East View Tuesday.

Ailie Hair had 10 kills in a contest that was an opportunity for the Lady Panthers to re-establish themselves following the crushing, five-set loss to the Lions, said senior middle blocker Bailey Becker.

“We definitely felt a lot of pressure after the last match,” said Becker. “We were expecting to win that one and we didn’t, so this was kind of a chance to get our rep back.”

However, the Patriots proved pesky throughout, not looking like a team who had only a 3-7 district record entering the match.

After the visitors had claimed the first set, thanks in large part to senior Maddi Rowley, who contributed three kills and an ace, East View came out with a renewed sense of purpose in the second stanza.

In fact, after the Lady Panthers led, 8-7, they failed to regain the lead again until 23-22, during which time the Patriots stuck around and made life difficult for Liberty Hill.

Ultimately, the home side was unable to counter the firepower

of Hair (five kills, three blocks, ace), Kealy Dirner (three kills) and Gigi Mason (two kills) along the Lady Panthers’ front line before freshman Brooklyn Escobar served up an ace to win the set.

In the third, Rowley went back to work in racking up eight kills in helping seal the deal.

Head coach Gretchen Peterson said the bounceback win was critical for her club at this crucial point of the season.

“We really needed to come back and still show ourselves what we’re capable of,” she said. “We’re going to need our very best game moving forward.”

Currently, the Lady Panthers are locked in a tight battle in the district standings with Rouse and Cedar Park for the top three playoff spots with a rugged bi-district matchup looming in the opening round of the postseason and if her team fails to catch the Raiders for the top spot, runner-up over the Timberwolves is certainly a better option than third or fourth, said Peterson.

“It would definitely be better to finish second – that’s going to bring the best out of us,” she said. “But, right now, we’re just focused on Glenn, who is the next opponent.”

As for the emotional roller-coaster ride her team has been on for the past week or so

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Senior Haley Kuhlmann (#22) and the Lady Panthers followed up their victory over Rouse with a home defeat to Leander before bouncing back with a win over East View.

– including the deflating home defeat to Leander right on the heels of a dominant road win over Rouse to tie for the top spot in the standings, Peterson said perhaps the Lady Panthers needed a bit of a wake-up call which will last for the rest of the campaign.

“I think going in, we took Leander lightly and just assumed things would go our way,” she said. “But, we want to find the blessing in things like that.”

Becker said she and her team-

mates might have needed a dose of humility in that instance.

“We were really humbled by the loss to Leander after being on top of the world after beating Rouse,” she said. “We need to just focus on the task at hand.”

Rowley had nine kills, two blocks and eight digs, while Emma Parsons had 25 assists and Haley Kuhlmann 10 digs to go with three aces by Dirner in the win.

Liberty Hill (34-9, 8-2) will next host Glenn on Oct. 15, then travel to Georgetown on Oct. 19 before finishing the regular season with a home match against Cedar Park on Oct. 22 and a road meeting against Marble Falls on Oct. 26.

Leander 3, Liberty Hill 2 Coming off the big road victory over No. 3 Rouse three nights earlier, the Lady Panthers failed to carry momentum over into their next outing

with a 3-2 (25-17, 21-25, 2517, 23-25, 9-15) home loss to Leander.

Rowley had 15 kills, while Hair added nine to go with 35 assists from Parsons and 23 digs by Kuhlmann in the match.

Peterson said her side couldn’t generate any consistency.

“We never really got any kind of rhythm going,” she said. “It must’ve been what Rouse felt like against us.”

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

Three-sport star shines in spotlight Senior excels on field, court and track

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor While many of his fellow footballers focus strictly on the gridiron, Kade McMahan is of a dying breed of athletes who continues to play multiple sports all the way through high school, as the Liberty Hill senior stars in football, basketball and track.

McMahan was confident enough in his athletic abilities to be able to carry on in multiple sports throughout his prep years, he said.

“I felt like I was good enough to keep playing all three,” said McMahan, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound safety who also plays power forward in hoops and competes in the relays and triple jump on the track for the Panthers. “Although I do like football the most because of the physical aspect.”

Speaking of physicality, Liberty Hill head coach Kent Walker said McMahan’s ability to move like he does for someone of his size allows him

to be a dominant force in the secondary.

“Kade can run and jump with the best of them,” he said. “He likes to be physical and loves contact, which is what makes him such a good player.”

Last season, McMahan played linebacker, but this year the rangy defender was moved back to safety, where he had played in the past – a spot where he said he’s more comfortable.

“It’s been lots of fun moving back to safety this season,” said McMahan. “You don’t see a lot of 6-4 safeties, so other people don’t have the arm length I do.”

McMahan said his favorite subject in school depends.

“Right now, this year, my favorite is statistics because that’s real-world stuff I’ll use as opposed to algebra,” he said. “But, overall, my favorite subject is history – especially World War II.” When he’s not tracking opposing receivers and ballcarri-

ers, one might find McMahan stalking deer or ducks when hunting, which is an activity quite opposite from his role of disrupter on the football field, he said.

“You can’t be moving around a lot,” said McMahan, who also enjoys fishing. “You also need a good duck call and decoys.”

When it’s time to line one up in his sights, he said hitting the intended target is a skill that must be acquired.

“You shoot them when they’re in the air or just about to land,” he said. “After a while, you get the hang of it.”

McMahan has been recruited by Army, Navy, Air Force and New Mexico, but doesn’t know where he will go to college yet – although he does know the most important thing he’s looking for in a university.

“We have a real sense of brotherhood here at Liberty Hill,” said McMahan, who is leaning toward majoring in business. “I want to go some-

Senior Kade McMahan (#5) continues to excel in football, basketball and track in the age of specialization in high school sports. place where it’s the same way.” actually the furthest thing from he said. “But, I really like to be One might think McMahan the truth. kind and help people.” is a bit intimidating through “I feel like people think footsheer size, but he said that’s ball players are hard-headed,”

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Every team has a moment in time when it turns the proverbial corner and goes from being a side with potential and flashes of brilliance here and there to a perennial powerhouse.

Last week in the main gym at Rouse High School was that watershed moment for the Lady Panthers volleyball squad, as they defeated the Class 5A No. 3-ranked Raiders with a victory so comprehensive we might very well look back on it as when the light bulb finally went on – and stayed on.

It wasn’t so much the fact Liberty Hill won – it was how they won that made such an enormous statement.

In the aftermath, head coach Gretchen Peterson alluded to the fact her team had at last come to grips with the fact they didn’t just show up to participate, but to knock Rouse off their perch as the top team in District 25, which is exactly what they did with a convincing straight-sets victory by a score of 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20).

Sure, it was a close match throughout with all three sets being fiercely contested and one felt the home team had a comeback in them – it was just a matter of when the Raiders would launch an assault to overwhelm the visitors.

Funny thing is, though, the fightback never came to fruition and the reason was simple and clear to see.

In past matches – most notably last season – when the Lady Panthers were navigating the stormy waters of Class 5A competition on their maiden voyage in the higher classification, they might not have had the grit and determination to finish off a rugged opponent when they had them against the ropes.

Nothing against the girls on that team – many of whom are still on the roster – but, it was a question of acclimating to a brave new world in which they could no longer just walk into the gym and win in straight sets.

Last season’s thrilling fiveset victory at Cedar Park was a definite stepping stone after having been defeated in their first match against the Timberwolves – at home in straight sets, no less – in a contest in which the Lady Panthers won the opening two sets, only to let Cedar Park claim the next

two and forcing a fifth-set tiebreaker that they would ultimately win.

By the way, Liberty Hill hasn’t lost to Cedar Park since defeating them three straight times, including the first district meeting this season.

Against Rouse in this one, though, there was no letting up off the gas pedal after the Lady Panthers won the first two sets.

In fact, the Raiders only led by a single point on two separate occasions in the entire match, with the first not coming until late in the second set.

The reason for this ruthlessness?

A newfound ability to remain focused and not rest until the job was done.

Even when Rouse went on a few runs – situations when the Purple-and-Gold may have panicked in the past – they remained poised and confident and controlled the match from beginning to end.

There was never a feeling the Raiders were going to come back and have a chance to win and that was from the get-go, not just after Liberty Hill has established its dominance.

To say the Lady Panthers were businesslike in their entire approach would be a massive understatement and once the mission had been accomplished, a mosh pit of celebra-

tion broke out on the court.

One of the coolest traditions in English soccer is when the players run over to the stands after a game and clap the supporters – win or lose – especially when it’s an away game and those loyal to the cause have gone out of their way to travel in order to support their team.

Which is exactly what the Lady Panthers did upon breaking their post-match huddle in an outpouring of gratitude to the Liberty Hill faithful.

Speaking of which, we’ve seen larger crowds this season at the Purple Palace for home matches compared to even pre-pandemic, including a raucous student section filled with many of the athletes from Liberty Hill’s other teams.

Especially vociferous is a core group of Panthers football players who never fail to fire up the entire crowd with their gridiron-like intensity.

One thing we ask, though, is for them to make the short trips to the away matches in addition to their support at home.

As they practice in the mornings these days, it’s a completely logistically realistic expectation.

At Rouse, there was a small representation of ballers in a section of the stands populat-

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Lady Panthers reaching new heights ed mainly by the JV volleyball squad, but more is better.

One last thing.

During the warmups for the match, someone among the Rouse matchday crew apparently thinks it’s quite funny to play carnival music when the visiting side is on the court going through the paces, then switching back to the customary nightclub soundtrack once the home team takes the court.

Like, what are we, clowns?

Stay classy, Rouse.

Funny.

Once the match had ended and the Raiders had been summarily smacked down, all we heard were crickets, while the annoying public address announcer who insists on punctuating every winner by the home team with a high-pitched ‘Point!’ wandered around aimlessly in stunned disbelief and looking for someone to hug.

Poor guy.

But, we digress.

Back to the sublime from the ridiculous.

Peterson spoke of her team’s composure throughout the evening in being able to recognize the gravity of the situation and handle it with grace and how the Lady Panthers’ defense – particularly the defensive specialists on the back row – were able to regulate the pace and flow of the match in

properly setting the offense up for success.

All true.

But, really the reason they were able to so thoroughly prevail was a genuine belief in themselves they no longer had to play second fiddle to anyone in the district.

Not Cedar Park, not Georgetown and not Rouse, whose number in the rankings will certainly be a bit higher when the next poll comes out, while there’s certainly no reason on God’s Green Earth the Lady Panthers shouldn’t finally crack the top 25.

Last year, Liberty Hill’s football team and girls’ soccer squad proved they were both Class 5A-ready right out of the gate in winning their respective districts and advancing in the playoffs.

This year, the volleyball team has followed suit and shown the kind of progression that will be needed to be a top program in Class 5A and beyond for years to come and Exhibit A of that evolution was the performance the Lady Panthers put on against one of the best teams in the entire state.

Sounds like a watershed moment to us.

Congrats, ladies – onward and upward.

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Page 8

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, October 14, 2021

TENNIS BRIEFS Liberty Hill’s fall tennis season came to a conclusion with a 10-6 defeat to Boerne Champion in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

In girls’ singles, No. 1 India Young lost 2-6, 3-6, No. 2 Ellis Young won 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, No. 3 Sophie Sherman lost 1-6, 2-6 and No. 4 Jennifer Merrill won 6-1, 6-2.

In boys’ singles, No. 1 Joseph Sherman lost 2-6, 2-6, No. 2 Patrick Fay lost 5-7, 3-6, No. 3 Ethan Wukasch won (9-7), 6-2, No. 4 Colin Garner lost 0-6, 0-6 and No. 5 Will Gray lost 2-6, 2-6.

In girls’ doubles, No. 1: I. Young/E. Young won 6-4, 6-2, No. 2 Merrill/Peyton Buckley lost 6-4, 0-6 (5-10) and No. 3 Eliza Homorodi/ Ella Bodnar won 6-1, 5-7 (10-7).

In boy’s doubles, No. 1 ABBY GLENN PHOTO

Ella Egizio and the Lady Panthers finished third in the team standings at the Georgetown/East View Invitational.

CROSS COUNTRY BRIEFS Panthers girls, boys third at East View

Liberty Hill made the short trip up Highway 29 for its final warm-up event before the district meet by competing at the Georgetown/East View Invitational.

Individually, the highest-placed finisher for the Panthers was freshman Avery Frank, who crossed the line seventh in a time of 19:20.10, as the girls finished third in the team standings in a field of eight, with 98 points to winners Vandegrift, who posted 33.

Another Liberty Hill freshman, Laney McCarn, also secured a top-25 spot with a

Tennis

20th-place result in 20:55.30, while Avery Holland (33rd, 21:35.40), senior Eimilie Taylor (34th, 21:37.30) and Natalie Roth (36th, 21:57.50) rounded out the top five Panthers finishers.

Also finishing for Liberty Hill were Ella Egizio (40th, 22:22.60), Nanci Sanchez (47th, 23:02.90) and senior Emma Hiebner (51st, 23:16.70).

Georgetown’s Mckenzie Bailey won the race in 17:15.20.

Liberty Hill’s boys also finished third in the team standings with 73 points behind winners Vandegrift (46) and Georgetown (52).

Caden Glenn scored an

Continued from Page 5

Against Georgetown, the brother-sister combo posted one of the Panthers’ pair of victories with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 win, along with the No. 3 girls’ doubles duo of Ava Ortega and Eliza Homorodi, who prevailed by a score of 6-4, 6-1.

Sherman said perhaps the biggest hurdle for the Panthers to overcome in order to gain parity with the Eagles might be a barrier of the psychological variety.

“When we played them, we weren’t scared,” she said. “It was just another match we needed to win.”

Even as she and her teammates walked off the court in defeat, Sherman said she felt good about what they had accomplished.

“I was really proud of our team and how far we’ve come,” she said. “As a team, we were more optimistic and competitive than we were last year. We have more depth now, which has impressed me.”

Playing alongside her younger brother provides an advantage for both, said Sherman.

“It definitely makes it easier,” she said. “We always know where each other is going to be on the court.”

Rhoden said the bond is mental as well as physical between the siblings.

“I think it’s their whole relationship with one another,” she said. “They each know the right buttons to push with each

other.”

However, Rhoden said she made it clear to the pair early on who exactly they represent when they step onto the court.

“I told them they’re not brother and sister when they’re out there,” she said. “They’re Panthers.”

Sherman added her final two years in the Panthers’ program under Rhoden have been a stark contrast to the previous two.

“I feel like it’s better now,” she said. “There’s a lot more focus on us as players and not so much emphasis on wins and losses, but that we get better as players.”

Terry was elevated from the JV squad to the varsity for last year’s spring season and was recently awarded a letterman’s jacket as a result of the effort he’s put into the program in helping make the team – as well as himself – better, he said.

“I think it represents a lot of hours and hard work,” said Terry, of his new wardrobe item. “It was cool because I’ve watched other people get theirs.”

Terry only began playing tennis in seventh grade, but since has embraced the sport, in large part to the fact many family members also play the game.

“My parents play and other relatives and family friends,” he said. “So, once I learned

New H-E-B begins hiring ahead of November opening

By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer Hiring for the new H-E-B location on Ronald Reagan Boulevard is underway this month in preparation for a grand opening in November.

The grocer has roughly 245 open positions to fill, according to Public Affairs Manager Johnny Mojica. The company is hosting job fairs every Saturday in October from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 651 North U.S. Highway 183, Suite 160 in Leander. Job seekers can also text LEANDER2 to 81931 to see open positions.

“H-E-B is looking for energetic and motivated partners willing to work hard and have fun while making our customers feel welcome,” Mojica said. “No matter what background our candidates bring, or where they are in their career, we welcome candidates to join our community

where people come first.”

Mojica said most roles will start at $15 per hour. He said they are looking for candidates who can go above and beyond for customers and have the flexibility to work in a fast-paced retail environment.

When asked about what H-E-B is doing to overcome the hiring challenge, Mojica said, “We continue to work through the challenges of hiring by focusing on an environment where our partners feel appreciated and valued and continuing to be a company where our partners can grow a career.”

The new 102,000-squarefoot store will be located at 19348 Ronald W. Reagan Blvd., in the new Bar W Marketplace. It will feature an expanded Organics department, full service scratch bakery and tortilleria and a Texas Backyard department.

eighth-place finish in a time of 16:36.20 to claim the top Liberty Hill spot in the running order, with senior Jacob Russell (11th, 16:39.60), Cayden Branch (12th, 16:46.10), Brandon Escobar (19th, 17:04.80) and Ryan McCarn (24th, 17:16.7) finishing off the top five for the Panthers.

Also finishing were senior Greg Miller (26th, 17:18.70), Anthony Barreras (29th, 17:33.90) and Nicholas Hogge (30th, 17:38.70).

Kevin Sanchez of Vandegrift won the race in 15:50.90.

Liberty Hill will next compete at the district meet, hosted

by East View, on Oct. 14.

how to play, I could, too.”

In addition to lessons at a local country club to supplement his Panthers regimen, Terry is also constantly evaluating his own game and recognizing what aspects he needs to improve upon moving forward.

“One of my strengths is being consistent,” said Terry. “But, I also need to be more aggressive.”

One of the adjustments for any junior varsity player who moves up to the big time is sometimes having to accept a reduced role as far as playing time is concerned, but Rhoden said Terry has done well in that department while he patiently waits his turn to move up the ladder.

“It’s hard because all our kids want to play more matches,” she said. “But, that’s when I have that coaching conversation with them as far as how they can still be encouraging and helpful.”

Before the Georgetown showdown, Rhoden gave each of her players a paper Panthers claw with their scores from previous matches against the Eagles to illustrate the progress each has made so far, but also to use as a goal-setter for the present and future.

“We hit all of the goals we wanted to,” she said. “Our players are happy with all they accomplished.”

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Fay/Wukasch lost 2-6, 3-6, No. 2 Gray/ Garner lost 2-6, 0-6, No. 3 Tyler Wi l l i a m s / Will Snell lost 2-6, 3-6, No. 4 Holt Avery/ Josh Allaire lost 5-8 Senior Ellis Young and the Liberty Hill tennis and No. 5 team finished the fall season with a 10-6 defeat to Jon Kiger/ Boerne Champion in the bi-district round of the Cash Terry playoffs. they’re great players, great stulost 2-8.

In mixed doubles, No. 1 S. dents and fun human beings,” Sherman/J. Sherman won 6-3, she said. “It was fun watching siblings rally together to make 6-2.

Head coach Sherry Rhoden great doubles teams – not one was pleased with how her team was better than the other. I love team tennis in the fall and I’m performed all season.

“I honestly couldn’t be more super-sad I have to wait anothproud of this team this year – er year for it.”

McCallum drive with a five-yard run to make the score 10-0 after one quarter of play.

Long put the cherry on top of a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 19-yard scoring run for his second of the game to make it 17-0 with 8:47 left in the second quarter and it looked as if Liberty Hill was on its way to its third consecutive district blowout.

But, McCallum sophomore kicker Dash Levy had other ideas, kicking a booming, 44-yard field goal to open the Knights’ scoring account on the evening in making it a 17-3 score.

Notable on the Panthers’ part was the fact the points were the first the Liberty Hill defense had allowed in a district game stretching back to its first Class 5A campaign last year – a span of eight-plus games in which opposing offenses had failed to score.

Apparently, nobody in Purple-and-Gold was fazed by the donut on the scoreboard disappearing, as on the ensuing possession, fullback Logan Dyer gained 13 yards on a run up the middle on the first play of the series before Vickers took the snap on the next play and rumbled 52 yards through the entire Knights’ defense and a 24-3 advantage.

Vickers said he had earlier picked up on a weakness in the Knights’ defense which led to the play.

“Every time I carried out my fake, there was a lot of room to run,” he said.

Following his sprint across the goal line, Vickers was a bit surprised with his speed and acceleration.

“My teammates told me I was going pretty fast,” said Vickers, of his weaving jaunt during which he eluded multiple defenders. “But, I didn’t feel like I was running that fast.”

Meanwhile, McCallum’s offense was nothing if not persistent in moving the ball against the Panthers’ defense with some success while employing a Wildcat offense in which quarterback Jaxson Rosales would take the snap and run the ball or pitch it to a running back option-style after drawing in defenders.

The Knights took over on their own 31-yard line and moved the ball to the Liberty - Purchasing - Current Bid Opportunities Or request a copy by emailing: proposals@libertyhill.txed.net.

(10/21) PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF LIBERTY HILL SOLICITATION #LH-2021-10-19 The City of Liberty Hill is soliciting proposals to provide Mowing and Grounds Maintenance Services for CityOwned Properties and Certain Rights-of-Way (ROW).

Please submit your signed and sealed proposal of services and a statement of qualifications for the proposed services to the following: City of Liberty Hill City Hall Attention: Jay Holmes 926 Loop 332 Post Office Box 1920 Liberty Hill, Texas Proposals must be received by the City no later than 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3, 2021 to be considered. The City reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or firms that submit proposals. A

Continued from Page 6

Hill 9, where they set up 1stand-goal – with the help of a personal-foul call on Liberty Hill, but failed to get the ball in the end zone and settled for another Levy field goal, this one from 22 yards out and it was 24-6, which was where the contest stayed at halftime.

However, just when the home team had perhaps restored some hope, Long dashed that notion with a stunning 55-yard scoring dash on the first play from scrimmage of the second half with a sprint down the left sideline and a 31-6 Liberty Hill lead.

But, the Knights proved pesky and after scoring the first district points of the season against the Panthers’ defense, they added the first touchdown.

After taking over on his own 35-yard line, Rosales lofted a 3rd-and-8 pass long down the left sideline, which was hauled in for a 51-yard gain resulting in a 1st-and-10 at the Panthers’ 12-yard line.

Following a negative run and an incompletion, Rosales once again found his target on a 3rd-and-16 pass to wide receiver David Houston for an 18-yard touchdown in making the score 31-13.

Liberty Hill fumbled the ball back to McCallum on the second play of the ensuing possession and the Knights capitalized with Levy’s third field goal of the game from 34 yards out, reducing the deficit to 31-16.

Liberty Hill was then forced into a three-and-out and it seemed as if the Knights had momentum in mounting a possible fightback.

But, once again, it was snuffed out when Rosales attempted to throw the ball out-of-bounds to avoid a sack with heavy pressure forcing him out of the pocket, but was only able to hoist a high-arcing pass which attracted a trio of Panthers defenders like bees to honey.

Senior Reid Bynum laid out and made a diving play on the ball when it finally fell back to earth short of its intended destination on the sideline in effectively ending any hops of a comeback.

Long and Flinn each added scoring runs of 23 and eight yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter to once and for

all bring the curtain down on the Knights.

Head coach Kent Walker said it was good for his team to have finally been tested in a game which was perhaps more hotly-contested than the score indicated.

“They made us play four quarters tonight,” he said, of the game effort put forth by the home team. “The great thing is we haven’t had to do that – our kids had to play and I’m proud of them.”

As for the composure showed by Vickers in his first varsity start, Walker approved of his performance.

“Reese only found out two days ago he was playing and he came in a did an outstanding job for us in a big-time game,” he said. “But, I can’t say enough about Will Szewczyk – he’s a tough kid.”

Szewczyk initially suffered the injury during the Panthers’ 41-34 home loss to LBJ three weeks ago, but it was first diagnosed as a bone contusion, so the senior played the next two games before it was properly diagnosed after x-rays revealed the fracture to his right arm, which will keep him out for the balance of the current campaign.

In addition to his running exploits, Vickers also showed off his throwing ability with pass attempts on back-to-back plays – unheard of in the Panthers’ Slot-T offense – among four attempts on the game, nearly connecting with Joe Pitchford on a potential long touchdown in the third quarter on a 3rd-and-9 play.

“We just needed a lot of yards,” said Vickers.

Walker was a bit displeased at the Panthers’ defense having finally allowed points – no less six at once.

“We didn’t play very well, made a few mistakes and had some penalties called on us,” he said. “We hadn’t given up a touchdown.”

Liberty Hill (5-2, 3-0) will host Marble Falls next Friday in a game that will undoubtedly decide who will reign supreme once the dust has settled on the regular season.

“Marble Falls runs the same offense we do, so we’ll have our hands full,” Walker said of the Mustangs’ version of the Slot-T. “So, it’ll be for the district championship.”

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MISSING PROPERTY If you believe the police department may have a found item that belongs to you, you can call the Property Division directly at 512-548-5530 or email at ekrause@libertyhilltx.gov. When contacting the Property Division, describe the item(s) you are looking for, in detail, and we will let you know if we have it. If we do, we will make arrangements to get it back to you.

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Thursday, October 14, 2021

HEARING

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 1

relevant. Five of the six also met the procedural requirements, and I would recommend we grant their requests.”

The sixth request was not filed until after the filing period ended. Ten more requests were from landowners who live just under four miles downstream from the discharge point.

“Normally, this is well beyond the point where requesters’ interests would be distinguishable from an interest common to the general public, but these requesters submitted evidence of algae growth at their properties affecting the enjoyment of their properties, and additional evidence that algae is not present upstream on the City’s discharge point,” Niermann said. “It raises the question: Are these affected persons or are they indistinguishable from the general public? It’s an open question that requires some investigating. That’s why I propose we kick it over to [the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)] to sort out.”

The final 13 requests were from landowners who live more than a mile from the facility and do not reside on its discharge route, which Niermann said means their interests are indistinguishable from the general public.

Niermann said normally, there is a “threshold question” as to whether there is a right to a contested case hearing.

“There’s normally no right for a contested case for [permit] renewals because, among other requirements, there is no significant increase to the quantity of waste authorized to be discharged and the applicant’s compliance history for the last five years raises no issues regarding the applicant’s ability to comply with the material term of the permit,” he said.

But over the last five years, the City of Liberty Hill has received two notices of enforcement and a dozen notices of violation, Niermann added.

“The City’s compliance history does in fact raise an issue regarding its ability to comply with the material term of their permit,” he said. “I think we clear this threshold question

and continue this analysis. It was a pretty easy answer, honestly.”

Mayor Liz Branigan told The Independent this week that she couldn’t speak to the upcoming hearing, but that it would be discussed by the City Council during an executive session after press time Wednesday.

City Administrator Lacie Hale did not respond to questions from The Independent by press time Wednesday.

The commissioners moved to grant the hearing request of the five landowners who submitted timely and relevant concerns. They also moved to refer the hearing requests of seven of the 10 residents living within four miles of the facility who submitted evidence of algae growth at their properties for an effectiveness determination.

The hearing will be conducted by a judge in the SOAH, which usually holds hearings within 180 days after authorization. The commissioners asked SOAH to review the following during the hearing: • Whether the draft permit complies with applicable Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) effluent guidelines, meets Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS), and/or generally provide adequate water quality protection.

• Whether the permit terms adequately protect the river from contamination caused by the discharge (including algae, vegetation overgrowth, excessive nutrients and E. coli).

• Whether the proposed discharge will adversely impact terrestrial and/or aquatic wildlife.

• Whether the permit should be denied or altered in consideration of the applicant’s compliance history.

• Whether the receiving water bodies can safely dilute and disperse the discharge and avoid algae blooms.

• Whether the proposed discharge will adversely impact recreational activities, including contact recreation.

• Whether the draft permit meets and/or adequately addresses nuisance controls, such as odor.

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• Whether the draft permit adequately protects human health, safety and welfare.

• Whether the draft permit contains sufficient testing, monitoring, and reporting requirements.

• Whether the permit renewal should be denied or altered in consideration of the need for the facility in accordance with Texas Water Code 26.0282.

Stephanie Morris, who lives on Orchard Drive in Leander—less than a mile south of the treatment plant—said when she first moved into her home in 2013, there was a beautiful view of the river out the back window, but in recent years, the view has completely changed.

“The City’s effluent flows across our [river-front] property,” she said. “I feel a sense of responsibility to advocate for the river and the health of it. What would be best for me is to ignore it, but I can’t live where I do and do that. I see the muck and have the smell most of the time.”

Morris added that she’d love to feel encouraged by the fact that she and other local landowners were able to make a contested case hearing happen, but she isn’t confident.

“I will say the fact that the commissioners have chosen to admit that there is a history of compliance issues for Liberty Hill is a big deal, but I have heard TCEQ doesn’t want to allow a stricter permit because then everyone in the state will want one, and they don’t want to have to monitor that,” she said.

Morris also said she thinks the permit needs stricter phosphorus limits. The City argued that issuing the permit immediately would allow them to treat and discharge effluent for the plant, which would result in tightening phosphorous effluent quality limits from 0.50 mg/L to 0.15 mg/L, a limit the City says will result in a clear improvement in the quality of waste.

Morris said this still isn’t good enough.

“If [this effluent] is going to be discharged, it should match the level of nutrients in that waterway, whatever is natural-

Page 9

ly occurring. This permit still allows 15 times the naturally occurring amount in that river. The 0.15 mg/L is not sufficiently protective of instream water quality and will still lead to degradation of the river.”

LaWann Tull, who lives in Gabriel’s Overlook a few miles south of the treatment facility, said she’s been disappointed over the last few years with TCEQ’s failure to set protective limits for the river to begin with.

“They are not in a big hurry to fix anything,” she said. “TCEQ should raise the bar on what

wastewater treatment plants can do. I’m hoping the hearing will at least let people have a voice. I don’t know what will come from the hearing, but at least TCEQ has finally come out and said Liberty Hill’s plant has issues and people do have a case.”

Tull said the joy of using the river near her home is gone, adding that she and her family can no longer swim in it, her church can no longer perform baptisms in it, and much of the aquatic life is now gone.

“Unless TCEQ drastically lowers the Liberty Hill plant’s

permit limits and demands the plant be compliant and put more water to reuse instead of dumping it into the river, this is going to continue,” Tull said, adding that if developers were required to put in “purple pipe” that reuses the water for things like irrigating fields and flushing toilets, many of the City’s water restrictions could also be remedied. “A number of us have been working on this for years now and our concerns fall on deaf ears. We are looking forward to a hearing and to be heard.”

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6BR/5BA 4BR/4BA 3BR/2B - Barndominium & Shop Acreage / Lots / Property for Sale 420 Iva Bell Lane Barn TBD Lobella Bloom Bend Lot 92, Block 1 Phase III TBD Yellow Senna Pl Lot 71, Block 1 Phase III TBD Yellow Senna Pl Lot 74, Block 1 Phase III TBD Yellow Senna Pl Lot 75, Block 1 Phase III TBD Red Yucca Ct Lot 83, Block 1 Phase III TBD Red Yucca Ct Lot 85, Block 1 Phase III TBD Red Yucca Ct Lot 87, Block 1 Phase III TBD Red Yucca Ct Lot 89, Block 1 Phase III Tract 3A N Hwy 195 No restrictions, Ag exempt TBD Yellow Senna Pl Lot 72, Block 1 Phase III TBD Yellow Senna Pl Lot 73, Block 1 Phase III TBD Yellow Senna Pl Lot 76, Block 1 Phase III TBD Red Yucca Ct Lot 88, Block 1 Phase III Commercial Property for Sale 100 Bevers No restrictions, water available 110 Bevers No restrictions, water available 118 Bevers No restrictions, water available 126 Bevers No restrictions, water available 129 Bevers No restrictions, water available 145 Bevers No restrictions, water available Under Contract / Pending TBD Yellow Senna Pl 164 Green Egret Way 144 Syrah Court 240 Floyds Run 2150 CR 282 Lot 12 Cloudwood Ranch Rd 337 Granite Row CR 321 1103 CR 204 631 CR 269 644 Silver Creek Dr TBD Yellow Senna Pl 20701 Harrison Cv 1840 CR 226 TBD Yellow Senna Pl TBD Yellow Senna Pl TBD Yellow Senna Pl TBD Yellow Senna Pl TBD Yellow Senna Pl TBD Yellow Senna Pl TBD Red Yucca Ct TBD Red Yucca Ct 550 Stadium Dr 17600 W State Hwy 29 1540 W Hwy 29 500 CR 288 Tract 4B N Hwy 195 401 Buttercup Creek Blvd 550 Shin Oak Lane 105 Cavalier Lane 120 Crestview Dr 13500 Kearns Dr 2201 Bonavista Way 2200 Bonavista Way 504 E Green St 232 Oak Hill 104 Falcon Lane 3103 CR 1869 2006 E 18th St 121 River Rd Lot 22 Cloudwood Ranch Rd 140 Shin Oak Lane

Lot 79, Block 1 Phase III 4BR/2.5BA/Office/2 Living 3BR/2.5BA 4BR/3BA 2BR/3BA + 3BR/1BA - Pool Lots of trees 3BR/2BA River front & trees 3BR/2BA 3BR/3BA 3BR/2BA - Pool Lot 80, Block 1 Phase III Electricity & water available 4BR/2BA Lot 92, Block 1 Phase III Lot 70, Block 1 Phase III Lot 77, Block 1 Phase III Lot 78, Block 1 Phase III Lot 81, Block 1 Phase III Lot 82, Block 1 Phase III Lot 84, Block 1 Phase III Lot 90, Block 1 Phase III Cleared & level Sold!

3 Homes & Barn 2BR/1BA Trees, electric, water No restrictions, Ag exempt 2BR/2.5BA Wet weather creek 4BR/4BA 3BR/2BA 4BR/2BA - Game Room 3BR/2BA - 2 car garage 3BR/2BA 3BR/2BA 4BR/4BA 4BR/2.5BA - 2 car garage Commercial, Mixed Use 3BR/2BA 3BR/2BA Lots of oaks, backs to creek 3BR/2BA + pool

$1,200,000 4483 sq ft $ 995,000 3112 sq ft $1,999,000 1624 sq ft

Cheryl Stephens Cheryl Stephens Tammy Wise

$1,200,000 $ 202,000 $ 203,000 $ 212,000 $ 275,000 $ 201,000 $ 285,000 $ 404,000 $ 202,000 $ 338,168 $ 219,000 $ 210,000 $ 418,000 $ 248,000

20 acres 2.02 acres 2.03 acres 2.12 acres 2.75 acres 2.01 acres 2.85 acres 4.04 acres 2.02 acres 11.3 acres 2.19 acres 2.10 acres 4.18 acres 2.48 acres

Amy Gandy Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Dax Oglesby Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise Tammy Wise

$ $ $ $ $ $

1.05 acres 1.04 acres 1.04 acres 1.05 acres 4.49 acres 3.110 acres

Shane T. White Shane T. White Shane T. White Shane T. White Shane T. White Shane T. White

550,000 460,000 365,000 275,000 980,000 680,000

$ 229,000 2.29 acres

Tammy Wise

$ 375,000 1482 sq ft

Adrienne Hughes

$ 489,000 2709 sq ft $ 810,000 3118 sq ft

$ 970,000 3353 total sq ft $ 255,000 7.74 acres $ 379,009 1913 sq ft $ 425,000 10 acres

$ 450,000 1641 sq ft $ 500,000 2984 sq ft $ 699,000 2306 sq ft

$ 201,000 2.01 acres $

60,000 .394 acres

Thursday, October 14, 2021

SUBSCRIBE 512.778.5577

Sabrina Jordan REALTOR®

512.680.0375 cell sabrinajordan.kwrealty.com RESIDENTIAL, LAND, FARM & RANCH HOMETOWN ROOTS HOMETOWN VALUES

SELLING L LIBERTY HIL FOR 40 YEARS!

BUYING OR SELLING A HOME?

Kristen Childers Tammy Wise

Sabrina Jordan

Cheryl Stephens Dax Oglesby

Shane T. White Shane T. White Shane T. White Amy Gandy

Tammy Wise

Dax Oglesby Shane T. White 2.07 acres Tammy Wise 2.03 acres Tammy Wise 2.37 acres Tammy Wise 2.17 acres Tammy Wise 2.01 acres Tammy Wise 2.01 acres Tammy Wise 2.01 acres Tammy Wise 2.04 acres Tammy Wise 1.337 acre Side-Pad Shane T. White

RE/MAX Town & Country 13561 W. Hwy 29, Liberty Hill shanetwhite@remax.net www.ShaneTWhiteTeam.com

$ 379,000 2432 sq ft $ 207,000 $ 203,000 $ 237,000 $ 217,000 $ 201,000 $ 201,000 $ 201,000 $ 204,000 $ 750,000

$1,600,000 1800 sq ft

Tammy Wise

$ 225,000 2.19 acres

Shane T. White

$ 250,000 1180 sq ft

$ 564,300 20.9 acres $ 275,000 1280 sq ft $ 175,000 2 acres

$ 560,000 2453 sq ft $ 235,000 1568 sq ft $ 420,000 2507 sq ft $ 430,000 1855 sq ft $ 510,000 2100 sq ft

$ 200,000 1671 sq ft $ 765,000 2800 sq ft $ 350,000 2044 sq ft $ 350,000 968 sq ft

$ 315,000 1404 sq ft $ 230,000 1440 sq ft

$ 197,500 4.25 acres $ 430,000 1611 sq ft

512.515.5263

Shane T. White Dax Oglesby

Shane T. White Amy Gandy

Amy Gandy Shane T. White Cheryl Stephens Amy Gandy Amy Gandy Sabrina Jordan Dax Oglesby Dax Oglesby Dax Oglesby Dax Oglesby Cheryl Stephens Cheryl Stephens Dax Oglesby

LIBERTY HILL’S REAL ESTATE GUIDE Feature your property listings weekly!

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Is NOW the time to sell your home?

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Kristen Childers REALTOR®

Tammy Wise REALTOR®

(512) 501 501-0777 AustinAndHillCountryRealEstate.com Amy Gandy, Broker/Owner | MCNE, CLHMS 512-589-9005 | amy@agandyandco.com www.agandyandco.com

900 Quest Parkway Cedar Park, TX 78613

“Our family of seasoned professional agents is what makes us unique.

We’re here to help you, whether it’s selling your property or assisting in finding and purchasing the home of your dreams.”

San Gabriel Realt y Gr oup

Serving Williamson, Burnet and Travis Counties Residential • Farm and Ranch Minerals • Land and Leasing

Dax Oglesby

Team Realty of Texas | REALTOR®

Adrienne Hughes

Cheryl Stephens

512-810-0185

512-417-0026

Broker/Owner

Realtor ®, GRI, MRP

3106 Ranch Road 1869 | Liberty Hill, TX 78642 | www.Hughes-and-Company.com

(512) 635-7529

www.DaxSellsTexas.com daxoglesbysgrhomes@gmail.com

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