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2021
Volume 34, Issue 27
www.LHIndependent.com
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May 27, 2021 | 50 Cents
Mundy named LHHS Valedictorian
LH INDEPENDENT PHOTO
The Liberty Hill City Council following the swearing-in of new members on May 12. From left, are Tony DeYoung, who was named Mayor Pro-Tem this week, Angela Jones, Mayor Liz Branigan, Crystal Mancilla, Kathy Canady and Chris Pezold. Jones, Mancilla and Pezold were elected to the Council earlier this month.
Council debates residency rule for P&Z appointees
By SHELLY WILKISON Publisher The Liberty Hill City Council decided Monday that expertise was more important than city residency when it comes to choosing volunteers to serve on the City’s Planning & Zoning Commission. When considering a change
in the ordinance dictating the composition and term of office for P&Z members, the newly-seated members of the Council swayed the vote in favor of expertise with Council Member Kathy Canady opposed. The change requires only one of the five members of
the advisory commission to reside inside the Liberty Hill city limits. Others may be residents of the Liberty Hill ISD or Liberty Hill ETJ. Rather than the place of residency being the predominant qualifier, Council Member Chris Pezold said professional expertise is more important.
The current composition of the panel includes three members who must reside inside the city and two who may resident in the school district, plus one city council member. “We are probably one of the fastest growing cities in
See COUNCIL, Page 5
LHPD makes hometown hire
By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Liberty Hill Police Department’s newest hire, Officer Conner Lowe, grew up watching his mother and grandmother serve the greater good as nurses. Inspired by them, Lowe adopted the goal of community service. “I always wanted to do something to make a difference in the community,” said Lowe. “So, when I got out of high school, I looked at a bunch of majors but wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I liked law enforcement because of the challenges and the opportunities.” As a resident and graduate of Liberty Hill High School, Lowe says it’s an honor to have the opportunity to work in his hometown -- a community he understands. Lowe graduated in 2016 before attending Austin Community College and
eventually transferring to Texas Tech University, where he majored in Conservation Law Enforcement. “I think I had the best major I could have. It set me up for what I’m doing now,” said Lowe. “Conservation law enforcement specialized in wildlife biology and conservation science and natural resource management. It combined criminal justice classes and wildlife. It’s like a two for one degree. A lot of my classes were taught by Texas game wardens.” Through his major, Lowe worked for Texas Parks & Wildlife for two years. “It was everything to me and such a great experience,” said Lowe. “I specialized in emergency management and water quality. I did a lot of safety
By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer The Michael Ingalls Band is kicking off the summer with a bang as part of the Dancing Under the Stars charity concert series’ first show. The festivities kick off June 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. “We just now started booking
again,” said Ingalls. “This gig in Liberty Hill is going to be a real fun time for us all. Looking forward to performing.” Ingalls is a staple of the Texas music scene. Raised in Dallas, it wasn’t long before he felt the itch to pick up a six-string. “I grew up in Dallas, and that’s when I started learning how to play guitar. I always wrote my own songs from the time I started playing,” said Ingalls. “Around the late 90’s I moved to Austin and ended up getting some great gigs as a lead guitar player. The guys from Double Trouble, Lisa Tingle. I’ve opened up for
See LOWE, Page 4
ROBERT MUNDY JR. LHHS 2021 Valedictorian four years ago. “I can see my growth as a person,” said Mundy. “I remember when I was a freshman and being extremely scared being in high school and not sure what would happen. I feel like I
See MUNDY, Page 4
Holliday ranks second in Class of 2021
LHPD’s newest officer, Conner Lowe, (center) is a 2016 graduate of Liberty Hill High School. He is pictured above with Lt. Jeff Ringstaff (left) and Chief Royce Graeter (right) at his graduation ceremony from the South Plains College Law Enforcement Academy earlier this month. (Courtesy Photo)
Dancing Under the Stars kicks off June 4 with Michael Ingalls Band
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By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Robert Mundy Jr. prides himself on his competitive edge and the drive to excel at everything he does. Mundy lived up to his high standards over the past four years, taking the top seat in his class at Liberty Hill High School and earning valedictorian honors. “It reflects on the hard work and determination to excel and be the best of our class,” said Mundy. “A lot of people assume it’s natural and that you’re book smart. I’d say it’s more about the work ethic. Mine is different, and that’s why I am where I am.” Mundy played basketball four years, baseball for two years, served as a member of the student council, and was president of the National Honor Society. Mundy credits balancing his full plate to time management skills he developed over time. The Robert Mundy that’s about to graduate and head off to Texas Christian University in August is a far cry from the nervous kid who first walked through the doors of LHHS
Cory Morrow recently.” Ingalls is joined by drummer Paul Ramsey, and bassist Scotty Nier. “Paul Ramsey has been around the Austin scene for a while now, and he’s played with guys from all over town,” said Ingalls. “He had a studio as well, so he’s really familiar with the recording process. “Our bass player is Scotty Nier. He works out of his church, but he’s an incredible bassist. We only do it as a three-piece right now because those guys fill up so much sound space that it’s more than enough for us,” Ingalls said.
After years working for other musicians, Ingalls was ready to start his own band. “I was a hired gun for a long while before I got tired of being only the lead guitar,” he said. “I said, you know what, I’m going to put my own band together again. Life is short, so I feel like I have something to say, and I want to say it. Before I run out of time.” After a taste of the Central Texas music scene, Ingalls relocated to Austin, and the rest is history. “Not just Austin, but the scene
By ANTHONY FLORES Staff Writer Space. The final frontier. For Jessica Holliday, solving the mysteries of space rests at the center of her passions, pushing her to achieve great things. Holliday is Liberty Hill High School’s Salutatorian. “I love space. I love everything that has to do with space,” Holliday said with excitement. “My backup plan if I don’t like biology is to go into aerospace engineering. My long-term goal is to somehow study microbes in space working for someone like SpaceX or NASA.” Before she can get out of orbit, Holliday has to take on college. The LHHS Salutatorian is set to attend Texas Tech in the fall. In her LHHS career, Holliday played four years of basketball and was a member of the National Honor Society. The accomplishment is a prod-
JESSICA HOLLIDAY LHHS 2021 Salutatorian uct of determination and hard work, and Holliday doesn’t hesitate to make that clear. “I think a common
See HOLLIDAY, Page 4
Michael Ingalls Band is the first featured artist in the Dancing
See INGALLS, Page 4 Under the Stars Concert Series hosted by L4 Cares and Community Pathways. (Photo by Christopher Winston)