W I S H I N G YO U A V E RY M E R RY
FREE
Curbside pickup and delivery available!
CHRISTMAS TREE R E C YC L I N G ! (please remove all decorations before recycling)
Our gift cards make the perfect gift for the ‘green thumbs’ in your family!
Open this week Mon-Thurs 7am-5pm • Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day • 14775 W SH 29, Liberty Hill • (512) 515-1336 • www.989Rock.com
Merry Christmas! Volume 35, Issue 5
2021
www.LHIndependent.com
News@LHIndependent.com
December 23, 2021 | 50 Cents
EDC Panthers playoff run thing of beauty updating strategic plan
By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer The Economic Development Corporation decided to make updating their strategic plan a priority over the next few months. At the board’s December meeting, Economic Development Director Matt Powell said the current strategic plan is “very much out of date” and he wants to move on a request for proposals to update that plan right away. “I’d like to find a consultant to work with us to craft a modern, realistic, updated, forward-looking strategic plan that we could operate under for the next two to three years,” he said. “I want to get cracking on putting that [RFP] together for January.” The Board approved a motion to allow Powell to move forward with the RFP. “I want us to get more of a strategic side of our plan versus my side, which is more of an emotional side,” said Vice President John Clark. “We’ve got so many amazing things happening and we don’t want to do something and then a year later, we’re already behind.” Powell added that while he knows each consultant will have their own process for coming up with a solid strategic plan, he wants to make sure they are willing to work with city officials, staff and local businesses to make sure the plan aligns with Liberty Hill’s future. “This is not only to help guide our direction, but it’s also a good opportunity to allow us to take the temperature of the people we serve,” he said. The board authorized Vice President Jamie Etzkorn to continue drafting the bylaws and have Attorney Cobby Caputo provide a legal review before bringing a final draft back to the board.
By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor When Liberty Hill began its quest for a state championship six weeks ago, the ultimate goal was to lift a trophy on the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington when all was said and done and the smoke had cleared. Indeed, the Panthers claimed a trophy to take home with them, but it was of the runner-up variety, the result of a hard-fought 23-14 loss at the hands of South Oak Cliff in the title game. However, not to be lost in the disappointment of defeat is the fact of the 3,240 high schools across the entire state of Texas, only 24 were left standing to play championship games across the 12 divisions that make up the six classifications – and Liberty Hill was one of them. So, a proper look back at the trail the Purple-and-Gold took BRIEN AHO PHOTO to the title game is certainly in Liberty Hill senior Augustus Gutierrez (#64) sits on the field in dismay surrounded by his teamorder. mates near the end of the Panthers’ 23-14 defeat to South Oak Cliff in the Class 5A Division II See JOURNEY, Page 10 state championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Saturday.
Newly-opened LHISD schools using events to help set culture, tradition
By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer As the first graders at Santa Rita Elementary exited the gym to the front of the school for their class Jingle Bell Run on Dec. 15, their eyes scanned the line of waiting parents. When a student found their parent or grandparent in the crowd, they smiled and waved, excited to see a familiar face on campus. As the students made their laps with holiday music playing in the background they could hifive their parents or sneak in a quick hug before heading back to their regularly scheduled classes. “I think it makes our kids feel like we’re involved, like we’re excited for them,” Santa Rita parent Jessica Shumway said after the event. The Jingle Bell Run was a fun way to allow parents to take part in their child’s P.E. classes. Events like these were not allowed on campuses last school year due to COVID. But now that campuses are fully open,
Officials urge residents to prepare for winter
By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer GEORGETOWN -- February’s Winter Storm Uri wrecked havoc in communities across Texas with long-term power loss, frigid temperatures and lack of water. The storm caught many off guard and with winter officially ©2021 The Liberty Hill Independent
under way this week, Williamson County officials are urging all residents to make sure they are prepared. At a press conference last week, county officials suggested residents stock up for seven days, not three, which was the suggestion last year. This includes medications, oxygen, canned food, and enough water for everyone in the household to have one gallon per day. “The time to do that is not when it’s starting to get cold,” Williamson County EMS
See WEATHER, Page 8
KRISTEN MERIWETHER PHOTO
Students participate in the Jingle Bell Run at Santa Rita Elementary on Dec. 15 while parents take photos. the schools are using events like the Jingle Bell Run to help set traditions and ensure that Liberty Hill spirit is spread to all campuses.
“Education is as much about experiences as it is about academics. Academics are very, very important. But you have to have those enriching activ-
Chamber welcomes Farm to Fork
ities that involve your parents to create good memories, and really solidify the importance
See TRADITIONS, Page 8
Crowd shows up for Liberty Hill in tough loss to South Oak Cliff
By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer ARLINGTON — Following a tough 23-14 loss in the Conference 5A Division II Football Championship game Saturday, Liberty Hill High School Principal Jon Bever walked down the line of Panther players and hung their silver medals around their necks. Several players were in tears following the hardfought game. It wasn’t the outcome the team had hoped for, but Bever offered his heartfelt congratulations to the young men he leads on campus everyday. “The boys played incredibly well. It was a great game,” Bever told The Independent. “I’m just so proud of the boys, proud of the coaches, proud of our staff, and proud of the support.” Bever was one of 42,275 in attendance at the game, which was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Despite being over three hours from Liberty Hill, the purple and gold was well represented with a rowdy student section, a thundering band and plenty of noisemakers in the fan section. “It was probably the biggest fan support we’ve had all season long,” Bever said. “I’m really proud of the fans for coming out and supporting us.” During his post-game press conference, head coach Kent Walker commented on the support the crowd showed his team during the game. “I looked up at one point and thought, what a community, what a special place for us to be, Liberty Hill,” Coach Walker said. “The support these guys got, it’s amazing. With the hard work they put in, they also deserve it, in my opinion.” Superintendent Steven Snell handed the second place trophy to the team on the field
See CROWD, Page 8
The Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of Farm to Fork restaurant with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Owners are Jim and Amy Shaffner (center). The restaurant is located at 3000 RM 1869 in Liberty Hill. (Courtesy Photo)