March 2024 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

March 2024 | LHIndepende LHIndependent.com t.com

Lights, Camera, Action!

Emmy-winning cameraman calls Liberty Hill home

City preparing for influx of traffic during Great American Eclipse p.8

NO MORE WATERING OR MOWING

! n e e r G GO Get tur f!

TM

Chamber of Commerce working to expand community outreach p.9

New LHISD athletic director sets sights on big sports goals p.20

THE ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPING NEEDS! MULCH • GRAVEL • TOPSOIL • SAND • COMPOST ROCK • TURF • GREEN WASTE DUMPSTERS

OPEN MON-SAT 7-5 | 14775PICKUP W HWY 29 | 512-515-1336 989ROCK.COM | DELIVERY & CURBSIDE PICKUP AVAILABLE! DELIVERY & CURBSIDE • MON-FRI 7-5, SAT |7-12 • 14775 W HWY 29 • 512-515-1336 • 989ROCK.COM

Dog Boarding • Dog Spa Services • Dog Daycare • Dog Training Thank you for voting us Best Dog Boarding Best Dog Training Best Dog Trainer - Lydia Bagley

FREE Training Evaluation ($95 Value) *Reservation required. Discount subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers. Discount applies to new training and daycare customers only. Code: TDR22 Expires 3/31/24

$100 OFF any Stay and Train Training Package

*Reservation required. Discount subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers. Discount applies to new training and daycare customers only. Code: TDR22 Expires 3/31/24

512-515-0499 • 13150 W. Hwy 29 • TheDogRanchLibertyHill.com

We love our community!

Thank you for voting us Best!

Best Landscape Design & Installation Best Landscape Lighting Design & Installation

IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN, INSTALLATION & REPAIR LANDSCAPE LIGHTING DESIGN & INSTALLATION LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Contact us today for a free estimate.

TCEQ# LI0028143

4

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

CONTENTS FEATURES 8 | THE GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE City of Liberty Hill preparing for April 8 9 | CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Liberty Hill Chamber is working to increase community engagement 14 | BEHIND THE SCENES Emmy award winning cameraman calls Liberty Hill home 16 | LHISD’S NEW POLICE CHIEF Get to know Chris Rybarski, his goals for the district’s police department

9

18 | MEET KASYN HAWS Local boy fights leukemia with grace and strength 20 | LHISD ATHLETICS New district athletic director Justin Carrigan has big sports goals

16

22 | NEWS ROUND UP Learn more about the local news affecting Liberty Hill 24 | GIRL’S BASKETBALL Lady Panthers sharpshooter is quick on the trigger

26 | BOY’S BASKETBALL Panthers senior finishes season with pacemaker replacement

31

28 | GIRL’S SOCCER Senior Neeley Giessinger rebounding from injury this season

ABOUT OUR COVER

31 | PANTHER OF THE MONTH Senior boy’s soccer midfielder helping with Panther resurgence 32 | BASEBALL Panthers team full of underclassmen ready to step up to plate 33 | SOFTBALL Team gears up for new season 34 | OUTLAW SAM BASS Learn more about the outlaw who may have spent a night in Liberty Hill DEPARTMENTS 7 | BIZ BRIEFS New businesses opening soon 17 | WORSHIP GUIDE Find a church home for your family 36 | LOCAL EVENTS

Local entertainment planned across Liberty Hill in March

24

Liberty Hill resident Gino Salerno is an Emmy award winning cameraman who has worked on various projects from professional sporting events to Netflix television series.

PHOTO BY ANNA McVEY

33

LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT MONTHLY

A Publication of Liberty Hill Independent News & Media

OWNERS/PUBLISHERS | Scott Akanewich, Rachel Madison ADVERTISING SALES | Anna McVey GRAPHIC DESIGN | Anna McVey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS | Rachel Madison, Scott Akanewich, Odalis A. Suarez, Leshelle Vallejo, James Wear

www.LHIndependent.com

The information in this publication was compiled with great care to assure the accuracy of editorial content and advertising copy. Liberty Hill Independent Monthly and its parent company assume no liability for the accuracy of the information reported to us herein, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. For advertising rates and information, or to obtain additional copies, call (512) 778-5577 or send email to news@LHIndependent.com. This publication is truly a collaborative effort of experienced journalists, a professional design team, advertising specialists and many others passionate about sharing the story of Liberty Hill, Texas. Copyright©2024 Liberty Hill Independent News & Media/Liberty Hill Independent. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publishers.

Contact Us: (512) 778-5577 | news@LHIndependent.com | Liberty Hill Independent, PO Box 204, Liberty Hill, TX 78642

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

5

6

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

BIZ BRIEFS: What’s New?

Latest business openings and what’s coming soon to Liberty Hill

FOOD & BEVERAGE

construction soon and includes a convenience store/gas station and 10,000 square feet of retail pad space.

Bagdad Retail Center 2950 N. Bagdad Rd., Leander A site permit for a 4.5-acre retail center was recently approved in northern Leander on Bagdad Road. A construction timeline for the project has not been set.

SERVICES Casa Garcia's 19380 Ronald Reagan Blvd.

Casa Garcia's is now open at Bar W Marketplace. This is the seventh location of the Austin-based Mexican food restaurant. Casa Garcia's serves everything from traditional Mexican dishes like tacos and enchiladas to breakfast all day, every day.

Inked Beauty Plug TX 118 E. Vaughan St., Bertram Liberty Hill resident Paige Holland recently opened Inked Beauty Plug TX inside Cherokee's Beauty & Blessings Hair Salon. Inked Beauty Plug offers Botox, filler, tooth gems and lip blushing.

Bojangles 13003 Hwy. 29 Chicken and biscuit fast-food restaurant Bojangles is coming to Liberty Hill. It will be located in the Heritage Ridge development next to Starbucks and will be the first restaurant in the Austin area.

Taqueria El Gym 1651 Main St. (Main Street Social) Taqueria El Gym recently announced it would be opening a second location inside the vacant food stall at Main Street Social, where Freedom's Secret Ingredient used to be. The original Taqueria El Gym is inside the Chevron gas station at 15120 Hwy. 29.

RETAIL Ronald Reagan Retail Center 3065 CR 258 A site permit was recently approved for the Ronald Reagan Retail Center, which will begin

Adventures ATX, a business they started to promote connections between couples.

Connection Adventures hosts date night events at venues in Bertram, Liberty Hill and beyond.

Central Texas Acupuncture & Wellness Center 181 Robin Lane, Bertram Central Texas Acupuncture & Wellness Center offers an integrative approach to health and wellness, including both conventional and complementary treatments for general health and well-being. The center is headed up by Julie Lott, an acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine specialist.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS • Blue Collective Mobile, Liberty Hill • Nae's House Cleaning Services Mobile, Liberty Hill • Infinity Party Rentals Mobile, Liberty Hill

ON THE MOVE

Dani Luckey Aesthetics 1353 Main St., Liberty Hill Dani Luckey, formerly an aesthetician at Beleza Med Spa in Liberty Hill, recently opened her own business called Dani Luckey Aesthetics. She offers facials, microneedling, corrective skincare and more at her new location.

Connection Adventures ATX Mobile, Bertram Kevin and Heather Frank are the couple behind Connection

Thirsty Penguin 14751 Hwy. 29 Thirsty Penguin celebrated two years in business in Liberty Hill in February. The Thirsty Penguin brand is expanding, as a second location will be opening in Burnet this summer.

Walter Chesshir, Liberty Hill Physician Associates 14365 Hwy. 29 Dr. Walter Chesshir recently retired

from Liberty Hill Physician Associates. Chesshir joined the clinic in 2017 and retired in early 2024.

Starbucks 13055 Hwy. 29 Starbucks is closed through March 9 for an interior remodel. A grand reopening of the coffee shop will be held March 10.

The Blend 316 Vaughan St., Bertram Local boutique The Blend announced in January it would be closing its doors permanently in March.

Ancuta Andreica, Beleza Med Spa 316 Vaughan St., Bertram Physician assistant Ancuta Andreica recently joined the team at Beleza Med Spa. She is board certified in medical aesthetics and is taking appointments at both the Cedar Park and Liberty Hill locations of Beleza.

Get Dressed Marketplace 1201 Main St. Karen Heine of Get Dressed Marketplace recently announced she has opened an event space inside her store called The Marketplace. The event space can accommodate up to 15 guests and includes seating, a coffee station, kitchenette and WiFi. The Standard on Vaughan 145 Vaughan St., Bertram The Standard on Vaughan expanded its seating opportunities in late February with the

addition of the outdoor TSOV Courtyard, which allows visitors to enjoy the restaurant while seated outside under umbrellas and twinkle lights.

Victoria McCauley, WORC 13750 Hwy. 29 The newest fitness trainer to join the team at WORC Fitness Studio is Victoria McCauley, a former college athlete and personal trainer.

She enjoys working alongside women as they strive to improve physical and mental wellness.

Caitlin McLean, Monday Realty Group Mobile, Liberty Hill Caitlin McLean recently joined the team at Monday Realty Group as a Realtor. She has four years of experience in the industry and has a passion for assisting first-time homebuyers.

OPENING A BUSINESS? JUST PROMOTED? MOVING LOCATIONS? SHARE YOUR BUSINESS NEWS WITH US! Email news@LHIndependent.com

Information gathered from the City of Liberty Hill, Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation, TDLR, LoopNet and Williamson County ESD No. 4.

DAILY NEWS DELIVERED FREE TO YOUR INBOX!

Scan this code to sign up or visit www.lhindependent.com/users/signup/

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

7

COMMUNITY

Get ready for the Great American Eclipse

City officials preparing for influx of traffic surrounding April 8 event

BY RACHEL MADISON

OWNER/PUBLISHER

April 8 is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime day for many Liberty Hill residents.

On that day, a total solar eclipse, dubbed the Great American Eclipse, will be visible to 15 states across the U.S. for the first time since 2017. The phenomenon will not be fully visible again in Texas for another 360 years.

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. People located in the center of the moon’s shadow when it hits Earth will experience a total eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk, and people will be able to see the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the sun.

In Liberty Hill, the eclipse will begin at 12:17 p.m. Totality will begin at 1:35 p.m. and will

8

end at 1:39 p.m., giving Liberty Hill a total of three minutes and 55.4 seconds of totality. The eclipse will end at 2:58 p.m., according to the National Solar Observatory.

Being one of the 31 million people who already lives inside the path of totality is a lucky feat, because millions of others must travel to the path of totality to get the same view. This is just one reason the City of Liberty Hill is preparing for an inflow of traffic to the area.

Liberty Hill Police Chief Royce Graeter, who also oversees emergency management for the City of Liberty Hill, said his main focus in preparing for the eclipse is communicating well with other agencies, like the Williamson County Sheriffs Department, the Liberty Hill Fire Department and Williamson County Dispatch.

“We’re monitoring everything and communicating internally to see what happens,” he said. “As far as our local police department

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

The most recent eclipse, an annular eclipse, occurred on Oct. 14, 2023, and was also visible in Liberty Hill. During an annular eclipse, the sun appears as a bright ring of light around the edge of the moon, while during a total eclipse, the sun is completely obscured by the moon, leaving only the corona visible. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO goes, we will be adding extra people before and during the eclipse.”

Graeter added that he plans on adding as many extra officers as he can get in the days leading up to and during the eclipse. He added

that once the eclipse ends, he’ll keep extra staff working in the days following as needed, too.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Creating connections Chamber of Commerce executive board sets new goals to expand reach across community

BY ODALIS A. SUAREZ

STAFF WRITER

The newly selected members of the executive board of the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce began their term last November.

Now that they’ve settled into their roles, the board has set out to expand their presence and connection with the community.

The 2024 executive board consists of president Steven Schiff, vice president Robert Calvisi, secretary Regina O’Brien and treasurer Tim Craig. This team of four is heavily focusing this year on growing a networking tree that will reach all parts of the community.

This starts with their existing membership via a newly-launched ambassador program.

“Some of the things that we’re looking to do is to get in much more consistent and better contact with our businesses, to get a hands-on pulse [and know] exactly what’s going on, and if there’s anything we can do from the Chamber’s standpoint to help along the way,” Schiff said. “We’re getting a very robust ambassador program initiated.

We have 10 ambassadors that have signed up to help us to provide that connection, not only to businesses, but to the community to reach out and let them know that we’re here by inviting them to the lunches to learn more, and to get more people involved.”

To date, the Chamber’s membership has grown exponentially. Approximately 230 businesses are members, and that number is growing monthly. This has been a great feat for the Chamber after spending the last few years regrowing the organization as they recovered from declines due to the pandemic in 2020.

“But now, it’s back in the growth mode,” said Calvisi. “[That is] thanks in part to some of the prior board actions and some of the members from last year’s board getting very active and outreaching to members and community leaders. [They] provided members attending our monthly meetings with an oversight as to how the area’s going to grow, and what the interest is.”

With successful membership growth, this year’s implementation of the ambassador program will support efforts in nurturing the Chamber’s membership list by having representatives make personal one-on-one calls or in-person visits. The goal is to grow

existing relationships inside the Chamber, especially for members who are not always seen at events.

“I think one of the things that we have not done a great job of in the past is when people sign up, [we assume] we’ll see them at a luncheon, but not everybody goes to the luncheons,” Schiff said.

“We want to make sure that we’re reaching out and connecting with people on a regular basis.”

With one side of their agenda focused on strengthening existing branches, the other half is reserved for growing new ones that reach those they haven’t engaged with just yet. In January, the Chamber launched its first Developer’s Coalition meeting, Rep. Terry Wilson as the guest speaker.

The meeting brought together real estate agents and land developers from across the

COMMUNITY community to learn more about the changes ahead in their respective industries. This new effort was an opportunity for the Chamber to offer an informative program for all Liberty Hill residents, as well as an opportunity to engage with the community beyond their existing members. The Developer’s Coalition is now a quarterly series that the Chamber will continue to offer for 2024.

For O’Brien, who is assuming her first year on the executive board, focusing on bridging a gap between businesses and non-profit organizations in the community is a major goal.

“There’s a whole nonprofit side to the Liberty Hill community,” said O’Brien, who also serves as program director for Operation Liberty Hill. “I wanted to assist in forging connections between the nonprofits, and not just OLH, but the nonprofits in general with the business community. I want to let them know how it is mutually beneficial because millennials make up more than 50 percent of the workforce, and millennials care about getting back to their community and about business culture. It’s a part of that connection process.”

O’Brien is set to host October’s monthly luncheon this year to discuss Operation Liberty Hill and support her efforts in spotlighting awareness of local nonprofits in the area.

Another change on the docket this year includes the Chamber’s annual fundraising efforts. In the past, the Chamber hosted a calendar raffle. This year, they are planning to host a gala with a possible auction.

Their objective is to provide an event that is community-inclusive, allowing for their networking branches to stretch farther and connect with Liberty Hill residents and business owners who are not Chamber members.

Modernizing their presence is another facet to the Chamber’s rejuvenation plan.

This includes a project to rework their website and provide an improved user experience. They also aspire to create an interactive business directory that includes QR codes to offer residents a digitized way to learn more about the businesses in the area.

For more information on the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce, visit libertyhillchamber.org.

The 2024 board of the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce includes, back row from left, Dave Gould, Tim Craig, Brent Allen, Steve Tatro and Jeffrey Mayes; and front row from left, Bob Calvisi, Regina O’Brien, Steve Schiff, Austin Palmer, April Welch and Debbie Warner. Not pictured: Jennifer Jensen. COURTESY PHOTO

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

9

2023

Year in Review

Size of the Library

2,400 Square Feet

materials Circulated 167,652 All Formats 145,55 Physical 22,208 Electronic

10

23.2%

19.9% 50.2%

36.5%

2,928 New Library Cards

12.4%

$1,901,450 Money Patrons Saved

3.5%

Library Materials 30,908 Items in the Library

2.5%

4,040 New Items Added

6.6%

142,995 Checked in & Shelved 18.9%

Circulation Record Set July 5, 2023

1,272 Items Checked Out

2023 Summer Reading

5,414 Holds Filled

8.6%

52,824 Library Visitors

24.5%

314 Library Programs

34.2%

26, 236 Program Participants

21.8%

5,942 Children at Storytime

3.1%

3,235 2GoKits Distributed

24.2%

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

11,482 Number of Patrons

2,431 Registered Participants

21.2%

1,795,215 Minutes Read by Children Ages 0-12

39.9%

2,580 Number of Books Read by Teens & Adults 393 Free Notaries 186.9% 137 Dog Blankets Made for the senior residents of Living Grace Canine Ranch

2,458 Reference Questions

31.1%

$16,545 in Grants

Optimum is here

1 GIG Fiber Internet 99.9% network reliability Optimum Fiber Internet has arrived in Liberty Hill Internet starts at

30

/mo.

$

w/ Mobile plans, Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes.

+ Whole home WiFi coverage + New 100% Fiber Internet network + Upload speeds as fast as downloads

Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary.

Not available in all areas.

Need more speed? Choose a $200 gift with 1 Gig Internet.

Offer for new residential customers. Requires separate signup for and maintenance of Internet and Mobile services. Mobile signup must be completed within 30 days of Internet, otherwise Internet billed at current promotional rate, which is subject to change at any time. Advertised Internet pricing achieved via credits on Internet bill and also reflects $5 discount for enrolling in and maintaining Auto Pay & Paperless Billing on Internet account. Pricing increases by $25/mo. as of month 13 and is then subject to further change. Mobile service billed separately. Former Optimum seasonal customers or customers previously not in good standing not eligible for promo. Acct with unpaid bill after due date is not in good standing. Offer is not transferrable, may not be combined w/other offers, is limited to advertised level of srvc, and is not available in all areas. Other terms, restrictions & conditions apply. Internet and mobile subscriptions continue and renew automatically each month until canceled. Cancel any time at 877-694-9474. Cancellation effective at end of then-current billing period except in WV. Advertised Internet price for speed tier w/speeds up to 300 Mbps download/up to 10 Mbps upload. Upgrade speed tier w/speeds up to 1 Gig download/up to 20 Mbps upload. Speeds not available in all areas. All speeds shown are for wired connection. WiFi speeds vary. Actual speeds vary & are not guaranteed.

WiFi extender(s) may be needed to connect wirelessly throughout subscriber’s residence. Wireless speed, performance & availability subject to factors beyond Optimum’s control. Unlimited data subject to reasonable network mgmt practices employed to minimize congestion or service degradation. Min system req’s & equip configs apply. Many factors affect speed, see optimum.com/speedfactors. RELIABILITY: Excludes Internet outages caused by external events & scheduled maintenance. INTERNET equip., taxes & fees: Surcharges, taxes, certain add’l charges & fees, including Gov’t taxes & fees, will be added to bill. All rates are subject to change at any time with advanced notice. 1 free Gateway included. Limit 1 each per household. Free standard installation with online orders only. Offer is not available to individuals who have previously participated in a Optimum Visa® Reward Card promotion within the past 12 months. SNAPPY GIFT PROMOTION: Available gifts are subject to change. Must maintain promotion and remain in good standing with no past due or returned payments throughout first 90 days after account activation in order to receive gift. Customer will be notified via email how to select and redeem gift after 90-day period. Customer must redeem gift within 60 days of notification. Gift will be mailed 1-2 weeks after selection. Limit 1 gift per customer, gift amount may be less than advertised value depending on selection. Terms and conditions apply. All trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owner. Pricing, offers, and terms subject to change and discontinuance w/o notice. 60-day money-back guarantee is only for the Internet service monthly fee. Optimum must be contacted within first 60 days of service to receive full refund. All trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owner. © 2023 CSC Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Altice USA, Inc.

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

11

Sign up today for our KEEP FULL PROGRAM, so you never run out of Propane!

Residential & Commercial Propane SSales, Tank & Cylinder Sales, Service & Installation

The Local One-Stop Shop for Your Propane Needs!

Locally Owned & Operated Since 1961 • 14251 W Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill • (512) 259-4710 • WWW.PRPRO W W.PRPRO PANE.COM

Proudly serving re liberty hill for mo than 10 years!

Providing comprehensive child health care for ages birth to age 22!

✓ OPEN SATURDAYS 9-1 ✓ SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE ✓ SPORTS PHYSICALS & WELL-CHECKS ✓ SEPARATE WAITING ROOMS FOR SICK & WELL CHILDREN ✓ LACTATION SPECIALIST • INFANT & BREASTFEEDING ROOMS ✓ TRUSTED PEDIATRIC CARE CLOSE TO HOME ✓ LOCALLY OWNED 12661 W SH-29, LIBERTY HILL

Proudly serving Liberty Hill families for more than 10 years! Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Sat 9am-1pm • LibertyHillPediatrics.com 12

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

lucky We are

to have the honor of

931 TEXAS 332 LOOP, LIBERTY HILL, TX 78642 512.548.6877

caring

Happy Hour Specials

for our

patients!

Tuesday-friday, 3-6 pm

A Practical Approach to Pet Care | 512-548-5065 Voted Best Veterinary Clinic in Liberty Hill for 4 Years!

ComancheTrailVet.com | 14370 W Hwy 29, Suite 9, Liberty Hill

Buy 1 Entree, get one half price one coupon per table per visit

15 Yard Rates 1 Day Rental $295.00 3 Day Rental $335.00 5 Day Rental $425.00 7 Day Rental $475.00

20 Yard Rates 1 Day Rental $375.00 3 Day Rental $415.00 5 Day Rental $450.00 7 Day Rental $515.00

*Delivery, pickup and dump fee included for the first 2 Tons (4000 lbs)

512-694-2412

expires mar. 31, 2024

www.LibertyDumpsterRental.com

www.helloRhighwaterbreWing.com M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

13

COVER STORY

Lights, camera, action!

Liberty Hill-based Emmy award winning cameraman travels the world shooting popular sporting events, television shows and more

BY RACHEL MADISON

OWNER/PUBLISHER

What do professional sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, popular Netflix titles like “Black Is King” and Disney television commercials have in common? For Liberty Hill resident Gino Salerno, they’re all in a day’s work.

That’s because Salerno is an Emmy award winning cameraman who has spent his career behind the lens filming footage seen around the world.

Salerno grew up in Southern California, where his first taste of life behind the camera came from creating surfing and skateboarding videos with his friends in high school. Then during his senior year, his high school yearbook advisor approached him and a handful of other classmates to create a video yearbook for the first time ever.

“My adviser approached those of us that she knew were into video and had different talents across shooting video, editing and people skills,” Salerno said. “We covered everything the school did, like sports and extracurriculars and dances. We shot everything that year and then edited it down to what ended up being a four-hour-long DVD that everybody got.”

After that project, Salerno was sold. His love for the industry took off from there.

“I remember I went to a minor league hockey game with my dad, and I saw a guy running around taking video, so I went and asked him how he got his job,” Salerno said. “He pointed to a booth [at the top of the arena], so I went up there and started asking questions.”

It paid off to be curious for Salerno, because after speaking with the camera operators in the booth that night, he walked away with a job filming the next night’s hockey game.

“Honestly, I had no clue how to run their camera, but I told them I could figure it out,” Salerno said. “They told me to show up at 4 the next day, so I did.”

Salerno quickly picked up on the art of working a camera after that job, and soon got sucked into the world of entertainment news—something there was never a shortage of in Southern California. His charismatic personality made it easy for him to talk to people, which also gave him the chance to do a lot of interviews while he was behind the camera.

“I did entertainment news for about seven years, and that’s when my career really took off,” he said. “I started as a camera guy, but I also got to find stories and work

Gino Salerno began his cameraman work as a young adult and has since traveled the world filming everything from professional sporting events to television shows, earning an Emmy along the way. COURTESY PHOTO

14

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

with two different reporters on the stories.

I got to cover so many cool things, from city celebrations to the U.S. Coast Guard to the area bird rescues.”

Salerno worked in the entertainment news business for about seven years until 2011, when he was laid off.

“I took a stab at doing things on my own while I looked for other jobs, but I had enough contacts that I was able to just start finding my own jobs,” he said. “I did a lot of grip work and lighting and electric work in addition to camera work, and I slowly was able to build [my clientele] up until I didn’t have to look for work because enough people were calling.”

During those first few years of branching out on his own, Salerno married his high school sweetheart, Dove. ToGino Salerno holds up his Emmy at his home in Liberty Hill. Salerno won his Emmy day, the Salernos have for his camera work in Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. PHOTO BY ANNA two children, Luca and McVEY Remington.

In between getting One particular shot Salerno got during married and starting a family, Salerno was his World Cup coverage was a time lapse of invited to do film work for the 2014 FIFA the sunrise one morning, which he was filmWorld Cup in Brazil. That experience ended ing just to send to his wife. After Woodruff up being one of Salerno’s most life altering saw it though, he said it needed to be seen for many reasons. by the masses, and the footage ended up “I got a call from a company that contracts being used as the opening shot in one of the with ESPN, and they asked me to come and World Cup teaser videos. cover the World Cup in Brazil,” he said. “I “We did a lot of art and music stories got there 10 days before the tournament and while we were in Brazil so people could stayed there for several days after. Our team really get a feel for what it’s like there,” ended up each winning an Emmy for our Salerno said. “Winning the Emmy for our coverage in Brazil during the World Cup.” coverage was pretty amazing, because you’re Though Salerno was primarily there for up against the World Series, the Superbowl, the tournament, his team really dove deep things like that.” into the culture and conditions of the area While his Emmy-winning project is certhey were in. tainly a notch on his belt, Salerno said most “I worked closely with Bob Woodruff, of his experiences have equally exciting who was a Good Morning America war aspects. correspondent,” Salerno said. “He wanted Salerno works with Outdoor Channel’s to cover some of the controversies hap“Hollywood Weapons” television show, pening there. We’d go to the shantytowns which takes action sequences from major where there were people living with no films and recreates them to see if they’d electricity or running water. It was very work in real life. humbling. We’d bring them food and drinks “One of my favorite scenes we’ve done is and clothes, and we’d play soccer with the from ‘Jaws,’ where we tested to find out if kids on their fields. We really got to tell the the shark would actually blow up if it had stories of these people.”

COVER STORY an oxygen tank in its mouth that got shot,” Salerno said. “We built an 18-foot fiberglass shark and put the tank in its mouth. The shot didn’t blow up the shark, but it did spin it.”

Salerno has also done lighting work, grip work and camera work for numerous wellknown Netflix titles, like Beyonce’s “Black Is King” and “NASCAR: Full Speed.” He’s also done work on several Disney commercials; filmed major sporting events like the first time the L.A. Kings won the Stanley Cup; and bull riding for the Professional Bull Riding circuit.

“I’ve also filmed the Little League World Series, and I probably get the most interest from people about that,” Salerno said. “It’s really fun, because I’ll get to do interviews with the kids and get them to dance and do their ‘hero’ shots. It’ll be my job to kind of pull the personality out of them by asking them questions. One time I got all the kids to sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame,’ which was really cool. They’ll get nervous or bashful because they’ll forget the lyrics, but it’s so much fun getting these awesome outtakes of the kids.”

Another time, Salerno got to travel to Ghana, Africa, to film a doctor who did over 1,000 cataract surgeries in five days on the locals.

“It was another one of those humbling experiences, because these people have nothing, but they are so happy,” he said. “It was amazing to see them after their cataract surgeries when they could see again. They would start dancing and so we’d just join them.”

Salerno and his family moved from California to Liberty Hill in 2020, but because of the nature of his work, he didn’t skip a beat.

Living in Texas has given him more opportunities to travel and has truly provided a safe haven for his family, he said.

Most recently, Salerno joined up with an IMAX movie production company to help with a couple of different films, including one called ‘Cities of the Future,’ which allowed him to travel to Singapore and Amsterdam. This spring, he’ll be behind the scenes at WWE’s WrestleMania and PBR in Ft. Worth.

“This is truly my dream job, because it’s something new every day,” he said. “It’s humbling, it’s exciting, it makes you appreciate the things you have, and it lets you be a storyteller. I truly enjoy it.”

As for adding another Emmy to his name?

Salerno hopes it’ll happen soon.

“It’s been 10 years since my first Emmy, so I think it’s about time,” he said.

Gino Salerno visits with Nancy Bea Hefley, the long time organist for the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of Salerno’s favorite parts about what he does is forming relationships with interesting people from all over the world.

COURTESY PHOTO

Actor Tom Selleck stands behind Gino Salerno as he holds a time code slate, a tool used to help post production editors know what is happening in various filmed scenes. COURTESY PHOTO

One of Gino Salerno’s ongoing projects is working on the set of Outdoor Channel’s “Hollywood Weapons,” a show where weapons action sequences are put to the test to see if they’d work in real life. A scene from “Jaws” in which a fire extinguisher is used to blow up a great white shark is one episode Salerno is particularly proud of filming.

COURTESY PHOTO

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

15

EDUCATION

LHISD’s police chief talks goals as he settles into role

BY LESHELLE VALLEJO

laid by his predecessor, Mezayek, has been a huge help in making those goals possible.

“The LHISD police department staff [has done] exceptional work,” he said. “The LHISD In October, Liberty Hill Independent police department was far beyond what some School District welcomed a new addition other ISDs have. The staff has kept everyto its law enforcement team in Police Chief thing moving and they are phenomenal.”

Chris Rybarski.

Rybarski’s immediate goal has been to Rybarski was approved by the LHISD ensure a full staffing of officers across LHISD Board of Trustees to replace former police campuses by mid-March, which means every chief Sharif Mezayek, who left the district in campus will have its own dedicated police summer 2023 to serve as police chief for the officer.

Jarrell Independent School District.

His goal is set to be accomplished right on Rybarski came to LHISD with a backtime, as the last officer needed to complete ground spanning over 25 years in law his team is set to enforcement. He join the department started his career this month. in the Austin Police In addition to Department in bolstering staff, 1988, where he Rybarski is keen held numerous on promoting roles, like workprofessional growth ing as a certified within the departbomb technician, ment. Plans for a explosive-breacher, promotion board SWAT team memare underway, ber and instructor and he hopes to for the dive team. promote a sergeant In addition to from within the those roles, Rydepartment’s ranks barski has several this month as well. more notches on Additionally, Ryhis belt, including barski is proactively working with the seeking external U.S. Secret Service funding opportunito coordinate ties to support the presidential visits department’s needs. to Austin by George He said he is W. Bush and First LHISD Police Chief Chris Rybarski was hired in fall 2023 keeping an eye on Lady Laura Bush, as following the departure of previous Police Chief Sharif available grants and well as securing ven- Mezayik. COURTESY PHOTO their potential imue sites for several pact, and through applying for those grants, presidential campaign functions, including he aims to alleviate the financial burden on for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Bush. the district by securing funding for essential Rybarski also spent time as a detective equipment and resources. in the organized crime division and on the Looking ahead, Rybarski envisions Federal Bureau of Investigation’s joint terrorexpanding the department’s capabilities, ism task force. He also worked to investigate including establishing a detective position. school shooting threats within the Central Rybarski added that his role goes beyond Texas region, and instructed numerous his professional duties, as community enschools in school threat and behavioral gagement is another important part of what assessments. he does within the district.

After retiring from the Austin Police “Whether I’m paying my debts to elemenDepartment in 2021, Rybarski worked for the tary students in Taco Bell or pizza, I recogTexas Attorney General’s office in the child nize the importance of fostering positive exploitation unit, where he focused on catchrelationships between law enforcement and ing individuals who promoted and possessed the community,” he said. child pornography.

Rybarski has deep roots within the Liberty Upon assuming his new role within LHISD, Hill community. He and his wife, Laurel, have Rybarski wasted no time in setting ambitious been residents of Liberty Hill for the last 24 yet achievable goals. He said the groundwork STAFF WRITER

16

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

LHISD Police Chief Chris Rybarski speaks to students at Liberty Hill Middle School during Wellness Week in October 2023 about the importance of staying drug free. PHOTO BY KYLIE CORTEZ

Shortly after he was hired, new LHISD Police Chief Chris Rybarski (far right) was welcomed to the district by students at Bar W Elementary. COURTESY PHOTO years. Their three children all attended Liberty Hill schools and graduated from Liberty Hill High School.

Over the years, he’s been heavily involved with community youth leagues in Liberty Hill, coaching baseball, softball and basketball, and is currently an active member of the

Panther Pit Crew.

Outside of his role as police chief, Rybarski enjoys spending time with his family, watching hockey, barbecuing for family and friends, and working as the assistant rescue coordinator and diver for the Southern Drag Boat Association.

COMMUNITY

ECLIPSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

“We’re anticipating high traffic, because in the research I’ve done with events happening around us, we know there will be traffic impacts going out west on Highway 29 and down RR 1869 toward Marble Falls, Johnson City and Fredericksburg. There is a massive event happening at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet and there are a couple of other places in Burnet and Llano having events, as well as people in those locations renting out pasture space for people to park or camp.”

City Manager Paul Brandenburg agreed that city officials’ biggest concern in the days before and after the eclipse is the traffic on Highway 29.

“One concern we have is that if people are driving on [Highway] 29 during the eclipse, they may just drive off the side of the road and stop,” he said. “That presents a whole other issue with stopping traffic flow and people being out on the highway.”

Graeter is hopeful that people will already be where they are going to view the eclipse, but if officers do encounter anyone pulled over on highways in Liberty Hill, they will be asked to move along.

He added that while he is anticipating an influx of traffic, the number of cars coming through Liberty Hill is a huge unknown.

“There’s just no telling what traffic is going to look like,” Graeter said. “All we are going to be able to do is respond to what happens and help the traffic flow the best we can.”

Graeter plans to have his officers staged strategically around the Liberty Hill area so that they can respond quickly if needed.

“We’re going to stage everybody the best we can so we have the best response times and we’ll work closely with surrounding agencies like Williamson County and the Department of Public Safety,” he added. “The best and only way get through this event is good communication and everybody working together.”

Brandenburg said he doesn’t anticipate Liberty Hill to be a big tourist stop during the weekend of the eclipse, mainly because there aren’t a lot of places for out-of-towners to stay.

“We don’t have any big hotels here, so there won’t be anything tied to that,” he said. “But if people do want to come through and shop and dine here, more power to them.”

Brandenburg added that concerns like gas stations running out of fuel or grocery stores running out of essentials is possible, but because the eclipse is an event that’s been a long time coming, he’s hopeful it won’t be an issue.

However, Graeter said for locals in the area, it’s a good idea to make sure cars are topped off with gas and trips to the grocery store are completed ahead of that weekend.

“It’s kind of like when there’s going to be a snowstorm—just plan ahead,” he said.

Several school districts in the region have cancaled school on April 8, including the Liberty Hill Independent School District. Graeter said the LHISD’s decision to cancel school is a big help from an emergency management perspective because it removes all the typical school day traffic.

“Everybody who is staying put in Liberty Hill will be set,” Graeter said. “It’ll be the passthrough traffic that’ll be our biggest issue. But ultimately, this is one of those events that we haven’t experienced before, so we’ll have to see what happens.”

WORSHIP GUIDE OPEN DOOR BAPTIST CHURCH 13997 State Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill (512) 337-6814 opendoorbaptistchurchwc@gmail.com PASTOR Kevin Alexander SERVICES Sunday Bible Study 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship 10:30am Children’s Church 10:30am Sunday Afternoon Worship 1:30pm Wednesday Service 7pm

LIFE SPRINGS CHRISTIAN CHURCH 15611 W State Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill (512) 633-6074 www.lifespringschristianchurch.org PASTOR Dr. William Brannan SERVICES Sunday Worship 10am Sunday Online youtube.com/lifesprings

MISSION LIBERTY HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH (LCMS Affiliated) 15725 W State Hwy. 29, #7, Liberty Hill (512) 778-9310 www.missionlibertyhill.com PASTOR Rev. Mike Cofer SERVICES Sunday Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 9am Sunday Worship 10am Sunday Online missionlibertyhill.com/onlineworship

Custom Millwork & Trim Packages Solid Handcrafted Doors Spiral Staircases • Fine Cabinetry Solid Wood Tops Call Us: 512-291-1751 www.SpecialtyMillworksByJ.com 143 Peaceful Valley Rd, Liberty Hill

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

17

COMMUNITY

Finding strength through adversity

Liberty Hill fifth grader Kasyn Haws and family taking leukemia diagnosis in stride

BY RACHEL MADISON

was packed in his lunch, he talked one of the school janitors into helping him wash the seed. He brought it home and asked his If you want to get to know 10-year-old mom once again if he could plant it. Again, Kasyn Haws, then ask him about his avocashe told him no. She knew getting an avodo tree. cado seed to sprout was a lengthy process Over a year ago, when he had just started and wasn’t sure if Kasyn would have the his fourth-grade school year at Louine patience. But once again, Kasyn didn’t give Noble Elementary, he came home from up. school and asked his mom if he could plant A couple of days later, Kasyn’s mom an avocado seed. She told him no, knowing found the seed, stuck on all sides with the amount of time and care that would go toothpicks and sitting over a cup of water. into growing the seed, but Kasyn didn’t give “He had researched on my iPad about up on the idea from there. how to get an avocado seed to sprout,” said The next day, after eating an avocado that Kasyn’s mom, Erin Haws. “And so at that point, I decided to let him do it.”

Fast forward to now, halfway through his fifthgrade school year, and Kasyn’s avocado tree is a few feet tall with several leaves.

“It’s had a rough time since it was planted,” Erin said. “I think one of Kasyn’s sisters might have pulled it out of the dirt at one point and the dog has knocked it over, and it’s been broken, but we just The Haws family includes dad Josh, 13-year-old Rylinn, mom Erin, 5-year-old keep replanting it Addilyn and 10-year-old Kasyn. COURTESY PHOTO and it just keeps growing.”

To some, this is just a story about a resilient avocado tree, but to Kasyn’s mom, dad Josh and sisters 13-year-old Rylinn and 5-yearold Addilyn, it’s a testament to the kind of person Kasyn is.

Earlier this year, Kasyn was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and while the procedures and treatments he’s had to undergo have Kasyn Haws loves to play baseball, but because of his weakened immune system, he taken a toll on him is not currently allowed to play sports or spend much time outdoors. COURTESY physically, he’s mainPHOTO tained a characterOWNER/PUBLISHER

18

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

istic of strength, much like his tree.

“Sometimes when things get broken they come back stronger,” Erin said. “This avocado plant right here is the definition of who Kasyn is and what he’s going to do.”

The Backstory In early January, Kasyn started having trouble breathing. He’s suffered from asthma for years, so naturally his parents thought he was just having a flare up.

“He stopped wanting to play outside and he’d just lay down on the couch, which is not normal for him,” Erin Kasyn Haws shows off the avocado tree he’s been growing since he was a fourth said. “He’s usually congrader. His family compares him to this tree because of the strength he is showing stantly super busy. He during his battle with leukemia. PHOTO BY RACHEL MADISON had been hospitalized back in October for his asthma, so we thought he was having a flare and that he’d have to be transferred to Dell up again.”

Children’s Hospital in Austin.

Kasyn attempted to return to school as “My mom came over to take care of the a fifth grader at Louine Noble Elementary girls, and I went to the ER so I could ride with following the holiday break, but the first day Kasyn in the ambulance to Dell Children’s,” back, Erin received a call from the school Erin said. “When we got there, the doctor nurse regarding Kasyn’s breathing troubles. pulled us aside and told us there was no way “She called us and said he didn’t sound Kasyn had an infection.” wheezy, but that he was struggling to Erin admits she was in disbelief. breathe,” Erin said. “She told us it sounded “In my head I just thought, ‘It’s a really bad like his right lung was diminished and that case of pneumonia,’” she said. “They told us he couldn’t expand his breath. I thought his white blood cell counts were high, but I maybe he was getting pneumonia, so I called figured it was just a freak case.” his doctor and made an appointment for the After more imaging was done on Kasyn’s next day.” chest at Dell Children’s, even more fluid Erin immediately started nebulizer was seen in his lung, as well as a large mass. breathing treatments for Kasyn at home, but That’s when Erin and Josh were asked to go by that evening, his breathing had gotten to the family room by hospital staff. much worse. While Erin stayed home with “They told us we were looking at either Kasyn’s two sisters, Josh took Kasyn to the leukemia or lymphoma,” Erin said. “They hospital. said they needed to drain the fluid imme“We decided to just take him into the ER diately, but that he wouldn’t be able to be because he was having trouble sleeping and under anesthesia because the fluid and mass he kept waking up in distress, and I knew were crushing his trachea. They numbed his they could give him medicine we didn’t have side so they could drain the fluid from there, access to,” Erin said. but he had to be awake the whole time.”

In the ER, hospital staff did blood work In the days following the procedure, Kasyn and imaging on Kasyn’s chest. They told Josh received his diagnosis. Kaysn’s doctors wantit looked like he had fluid in his right lung, ed him to begin chemotherapy treatments

COMMUNITY right away to get rid of the tumor, Erin said.

Kasyn’s chemotherapy journey will be a long one, Erin said, as his doctors have estimated that he will need nine months of weekly treatments and then monthly treatments after that for at least two and a half years.

“He had a chest port put in, which is still healing, but once that heals, it will make things a bit easier for him,” Erin said. “We’ll be doing this for two and a half to three years, so we’re really just taking things a month at a time.”

Kasyn and his parents admit that it took them several days to process what was happening because their lives changed immensely within just a couple of days.

“I was confused when we got out of the hospital,” Kasyn said.

Life Adjustments Because of his weakened immune system, Kasyn isn’t allowed to do much. When he goes outside, he has to wear a mask to prevent acquiring any fungal infections. He can’t go to school, he can’t play outside, he

can’t play sports and he even has to eat a very specific diet.

“Kasyn is doing homebound schooling for the remainder of fifth grade,” Erin said. “His teacher, [Valentina] Cravens, has volunteered to come by a couple of times a week to help him, which has been really sweet, and the school nurse, [Desiree] Dixon, has come by to visit him and bring him things made or donated by teachers and classmates.”

Baseball is Kasyn’s favorite sport—he was registered to play spring ball—but now he has to sit this season out. He’s very hopeful that he’ll be able to play again in the fall, but Erin isn’t sure when his doctors will feel that his immune system is strong enough.

“We hope that in the fall he can participate, but it all depends on if his immune system is good enough,” she said.

Though he’s not allowed to do much, Kasyn is grateful for the opportunities that he’s had, like getting to visit his fifth grade class for a few minutes outside one day in February, and good friends who have done what they can to make indoor activities a little more fun.

“My friend Rex let me borrow his [virtual reality headset],” Kasyn said. “Maybe he’ll even let me keep it for the next two and a half years.”

Kasyn’s also been playing piano for the last three years, another hobby he enjoys and has the green light to do from his doctors.

Kasyn Haws was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January after doctors found fluid and a mass in his right lung, causing him to have severe breathing issues. COURTESY PHOTO

Unwavering Support Support from the community has been a huge motivator for the Haws family, Erin said.

“We’ve had so much support,” she said. “I’m a coach at a gym, and they asked me to make a wish list for Kasyn.

Within 12 hours the whole list was taken care of. People in the community did a driveby parade for him one day, which was amazing. Noble Elementary had a change jar they collected funds in for us.

The Liberty Hill High School baseball team even made a video for him.”

Haws said the family’s church has also rallied around them, including bringing them fresh produce and other necessities for Erin to cook for Kaysn.

“Kasyn has to have food

cooked a certain way so there’s no cross In the end, the Haws family plans to take contamination,” she said. “His eggs have to Kasyn’s leukemia journey in stride and find be cooked longer, his meat has to be cooked strength where they can along the way, all longer, he can’t eat raw nuts, things like while relying on the support they’ve found that. Friends from church have texted me in the community. while they’re at the grocery store to find out “The amount of support we’ve had for what items we need, and they’ll just drop him is just awesome,” Josh said. “It’s defiit off so I can cook everything the way he nitely been something to remember.”

To donate to Kasyn’s medical expenses, needs.” visit gofundme.com/f/kasyn-haws-family.

The Haws are beyond grateful for the support they’ve received, especially because this journey isn’t something they ever saw coming.

“I remember when Kaysn was still in the hospital, I left for a little bit just to go to H-E-B,” Erin said. “I remember walking around in the store just feeling so broken, and wondering if anyone could tell. It made me think of all the people I’ve met or interacted with. How many of them just Would you like to reach had their life changed more than 12,500 Liberty Hill like that too? This whole thing has put customers? We are now so much in perspecaccepting reservations tive. You never know for advertising in our what people are going through.”

2024 Business Directory!

Josh, who works as a sales representative, admits he’s always been a bit of a workaholic. His perspective has been changed too.

“This whole thing has taught me to just slow down,” he said.

“Life’s too short. It was an eye opener.”

While battling leukemia isn’t something Kasyn or his family ever wanted to do, Erin said she feels like their family is going to grow so much from the experience.

“Each phase will have its own hard,” Erin said. “But I really think these moments will help us to change and grow in ways we Call or email to reserve your space couldn’t have done on 512-778-5577 | anna@lhindependent.com our own.”

Watch your business

grow

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

19

EDUCATION

Expanding an established culture New Liberty Hill ISD athletic director built college football program

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Justin Carrigan didn’t know much about Liberty Hill when he arrived to host a prospects camp at Panther Stadium in the summer of 2020 for the University of Texas-Permian football program he established at the NCAA Division II school.

However, once he left, he had a lasting impression that would stay with him long after.

“When we had our camp in Liberty Hill, it was during the peak of COVID,” said Carrigan.

“At that time, there were very few places in the entire state of Texas that would allow us to hold it and I was just so impressed with how (late Liberty Hill athletic director and head football) Coach (Jeff) Walker and his staff navigated those challenges.”

Carrigan is Liberty Hill Independent School District’s new athletic director, a brand-new position that was necessitated by the advent of Legacy Ranch High School, as multi-school districts require an AD to oversee the entire program, with athletic coordinators at each campus, meaning current Panthers head football coach Kent Walker will serve in that role.

After playing safety at Division II Ange-

lo State University, the Carrollton native embarked on a successful career in corporate sales, but soon found his former life in athletics calling out for him to return, he said.

“By the time I was 24, I decided I needed to get back to football,” said Carrigan. “So, I ended up getting a job as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State,” he said of the Division II program in Wichita Falls. “I lived with three other grown men – all of us graduate assistants – in a one-bedroom apartment. We all just grinded it out together.”

After five seasons with the Mustangs – the last four as wide receivers coach – Carrigan moved on to the University of Texas-El Paso, where he was an offensive assistant for the Division I Miners for a season before moving to Tarleton State University, serving as receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

In 2015, Carrigan got the opportunity to head up the fledgling football program at UT-Permian, where he remained until 2022, when he decided his time on the sidelines was done – but not in sports, he said.

“I always knew one day I wanted to be a family man,” said Carrigan. “So, I decided to go into administration because I knew that would

New Liberty Hill ISD athletic director Justin Carrigan will oversee the continued expansion of the district’s sports programs. PHOTO BY SCOTT AKANEWICH allow me more family time because I wouldn’t be on the road recruiting.”

After 18 years of coaching, Carrigan became deputy athletic director at UT-Permian in 2022 until taking on his current role, which is his first job at the high-school level.

One of Carrigan’s primary objectives right out of the gate is to ensure a level playing field for both high-school campuses when Legacy Ranch opens this fall.

“One of my challenges is going to be to make sure both ends of town feel equal,” he said.

“The best way to do that for starters is to get to know all the coaches at the high schools

“Liberty Hill exudes excellence in athletics and academics,” said Carrigan. “So, high expectations are a good thing because people here are used to success and allow their children to be pushed to excel at a high level.”

Carrigan said he enjoys the admin role he now finds himself in due to the fact he’s able to relate to coaches after being one himself for so many years.

“What I have now is an opportunity to coach the coaches,” he said. “Every sport and situation is different, but sometimes coaches just need an advocate for certain things that are necessary for their programs, so my job is get

Ultimately, I’m concerned with two things – building character and winning championships.”

Liberty Hill ISD athletic director Justin Carrigan

Justin Carrigan established the football program at the University of Texas-Permian and served as head coach for seven seasons before moving into administration. COURTESY PHOTO

20 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

and middle schools and build those relationships. Ultimately, though, I’m concerned with two things – building character and winning championships.”

Initially, Legacy Ranch will open with only a freshman class, meaning varsity teams in all sports won’t exist until the school continues adding classes at the pace of one more per year until freshman through seniors are represented in its fourth year of existence.

According to Carrigan, Liberty Hill’s reputation sets a high standard to aim for in starting new programs.

them what they need and help them to win.”

Following his initial visit to Liberty Hill for that football camp four years ago, Carrigan and his family passed through their future home on a trip, only this time it was wife Heather whose attention was captured, said Carrigan.

“We were on our way to Kalhari to spend our life savings,” he said. “My wife is a smalltown girl from Wall and once she saw the open spaces here and I told her this was where we had the camp that time, she was sold as someplace we could live.”

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

21

LOCAL NEWS

From the City of Liberty Hill to the Liberty Hill Independent School District, read our roundup to learn more about the biggest news stories affecting our community COMPILED BY LIBERT Y HILL INDEPENDENT STAFF

Liberty Hill Bypass project kicks off construction

A groundbreaking for the Liberty Hill Bypass project in late January marked the start of construction that will build a two-lane roadway connecting RM 1869 to County Road 279/Bagdad Road.

The project is part of the county’s LongRange Transportation Plan (LRTP) which was enacted in October 2009 in preparation for the continual growth that would ensue in Williamson County. With voter approved bond dollars via the 2019 Williamson County Road Bond Program, the county is able to get to work. This project is intended to alleviate traffic flow in the Liberty Hill area after recording a 47 percent growth in the city between 2010 and 2019.

“This project has been a long time in the making” said County Commissioner Cynthia

Long (Precinct 2). “We finished the original schematic for this back in 2009. So, 15 years later, we are breaking ground on the first piece of it. Just this piece will be, I hope, a significant traffic relief for downtown, because people coming in from the west from Durham Park and further out 1869, if they’re going south, they’ll be able to take this around to Bagdad and not clog up downtown anymore.”

The work to be done to complete the project is being done piecemeal, with the bypass being the middle road the County will begin with. According to Williamson County’s official website, this was “based on drainage, water quality and roadway analysis, LJA Engineers recommended the east-bound frontage road be built first.”

“We’re doing the middle one first, because that was the opportunity to provide kind of the most near-term relief,” said Long.

In a press release from Williamson County, the cost of the project was listed at $14 mil-

lion. TxDOT will be working on intersection left and right turn lanes, and the anticipated completion date for the bypass is fall 2025.

Future plans within the LRTP include improvements to CR279/Bagdad Rd, which include the addition of a center lane, and an expansion on CR 201 with a six-lane buildout plan.

Liberty Hill residents asked to conserve water during Leander pipeline replacement

The City of Leander moved from Phase 2 (once-a-week watering) to Phase 4 water conservation (no outside watering) on Feb. 12 to prepare for the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) pipeline replacement, which significantly reduces the City’s water treatment capacity.

On Feb. 28, BCRUA contractors began replacing about 1,400 feet of 36-inch underwater pipeline used to transport raw water from Lake Travis to the BCRUA water treatment plant, Leander’s primary source for potable water. Contractors are expected to complete the project by the first week of April.

The planned construction requires shutting down the BCRUA water treatment plant, reducing Leander’s overall capacity of potable water from roughly 24 million gallons per day (MGD) to nine MGD. Leander will rely solely on its Sandy Creek water treatment plant during the pipeline replacement, which is the plant the City of Liberty Hill gleans all its water from.

Paul Brandenburg, Liberty Hill city manager, said at this time, the City of Liberty Hill will remain in Phase 1 (once-a-week watering). However, even though no restrictions have been put in place in the City, officials are asking residents to voluntarily limit their water usage to avoid the potential for moving into more limiting phases. This includes holding off on spring planting until April.

If City of Liberty Hill water customers don’t comply, the City will move to Stage 4 restrictions to prevent low water pressure, boil water notices, and possible loss of water.

Police department upgrading equipment, vehicles

Official ground is broken by county officials, city council members and partnering teams for the Liberty Hill Bypass project in late January. PHOTO BY ODALIS A. SUAREZ

22

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

At a January City Council meeting, the Liberty Hill City Council approved the purchase of 15 computers and two new vehicles for the Liberty Hill Police Department.

The purchase, a total of $128,000, was made possible through securing funds from a grant via the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) established by the U.S. Department of Justice.

City officials said this purchase is a strategic investment in modernizing the Liberty Hill Police Department’s equipment, ensuring officers have access to perform their

duties effectively. The acquisition includes 15 Panasonic Toughbook computers, public safety extended warranty packages, vehicle docks and chargers.

In a parallel effort to bolster the operational capacity of the Liberty Hill Police Department, the City Council also approved the purchase of replacement vehicles, which were factored into the current City budget.

Two police vehicles designated for replacement were initially planned to be Chevrolet Tahoes; however, after careful consideration, city officials discovered less waiting time and cost savings by opting for Dodge Durangos instead.

The total purchase price for the two Dodge Durango police vehicles amounts to $144,509.98. This amount stays within the budgetary allocation.

Find out who’s running for City Council, school board, mayor

There will only be two contested races among seven open places in Liberty Hill this election season as the majority of open seats on both the City Council and the Liberty Hill Independent School District Board of Trustees saw just one person file for each place.

The City of Liberty Hill has three places open for City Council, all of which only had one person file.

Jacquetta Thayer filed for Place 1, which is currently held by Chris Pezold. Thayer is currently a member of the City’s home rule charter commission and lists her career as a national content coach.

Diane Williams filed for Place 3, which is currently held by Crystal Mancilla. Williams is currently a member of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission and lists her career as a consultant.

Wade Ashley filed for Place 5, which is currently held by Angela Jones. Ashley is also a member of the City’s home rule charter commission and lists his career as retired military.

Both Pezold and Jones told The Independent they would not be filing to run for City Council for a second term. Pezold said he is going to put his efforts toward more philanthropic endeavors in Liberty Hill, while Jones said she is going to spend more time focusing on her family, particularly her four growing children.

Mancilla also did not file to run for City Council for a second term. Instead, she has filed to run for mayor in a special-called election to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Liz Branigan, who resigned from her position March 1 due to ongoing health issues. The remainder of Branigan’s term is for one year, from May 2024 to May 2025.

Mancilla is serving as mayor pro tem until the election on May 4. She lists her career as

LOCAL NEWS project manager and City Council member.

Devin Vyner has also filed to run for mayor, making the only contested race in the City of Liberty Hill that of the office of mayor. He lists his career as police sergeant.

The LHISD Board of Trustees has three places open, two of which only had one person file.

Incumbent Michael Ferguson was the only person to file for Place 3, which means he will maintain his current role. Brandon Canady, who unsuccessfully ran for a place on the school board in 2023, filed for Place 5, which is currently held by Anthony Buck.

Buck is not seeking reelection.

Place 4 had two people file, including incumbent Kathy Major, who is a retired educator and has been on the school board since 2018, and newcomer Sharon Yager, who lists herself as retired. This is the only contested race for the school board.

Early voting will take place from April 22 to 30. Election Day is May 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All polling locations are still to be determined.

Clearwater UWCD votes down petition for annexation into groundwater conservation district

A petition to annex the western half of Williamson County into Bell County’s Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District was denied by the district’s board during their monthly meeting on Feb. 14.

The petition was filed by nonprofit group Aquifer Conservation Alliance (ACA), which formed in late 2022 because of area landowners’ mutual concern for the longterm health and productivity of the Trinity aquifer system, which is where Williamson County’s water comes from.

The ACA submitted an official petition for annexation into the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District (UWCD) for the first time in late 2022.

The group pulled that initial petition, but then refiled a second time in September 2023.

After determining the validity of the petition in December 2023, the Clearwater UWCD hosted two public hearings for citizens to voice their opinions in mid-February. One was held in Williamson County and the other was held in Bell County.

Dozens of Liberty Hill residents, along with several politicians like Rep. Terry Wilson and Williamson County Comm. Valerie Covey, attended the Williamson County public hearing.

Many attendees voiced their opinions, some of which were for the annexation and some of which were not.

Ultimately, most attendees who spoke up said something needed to be done to

address the dwindling water supply in the Trinity aquifer.

Following the two public hearings, the Clearwater UWCD decided not to move forward with the annexation, as it would need to have voter approval in a confirmation election, which was estimated to cost their organization more than $450,000 to run the election between Bell and Williamson counties.

LHISD takes public stance against TEA’s accountability system changes

The Liberty Hill Independent School District has taken a stand against the Texas Education Agency and its commissioner over changes made to the A-F accountability system that grades district performance each year.

The changes to the system, initiated by TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, raise the threshold used to determine whether districts are successfully preparing students for life post high school.

Since the system was created five years ago, the threshold for a district to earn an A rating was at least 60 percent of students showing they were college and career ready.

With the changes made by TEA, the A rating can now only be earned if at least 88 percent of students are college and career ready.

Additionally, the changes made are intended to reflect last school year (202223), meaning districts could receive a lower score without knowing about the criteria first.

Several school districts across Texas have joined in a lawsuit against Morath since August 2023.

While LHISD has not joined the lawsuit, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously during their meeting Feb. 20 to pass a resolution against the TEA’s changes.

“I don’t think you can defeat big government from the outside,” Superintendent Steve Snell said during the meeting, adding that he doesn’t think joining the lawsuit is the right answer for LHISD. “I think you have to do it from the inside by talking to legislators and advocating for your district.

But in the opening arguments of the lawsuit, the commissioner made the statement that most school districts approved of the accountability system because only 10 percent joined the lawsuit, so by default, the other 90 percent were in favor.”

Following the meeting, Snell told The Independent the school board needed to send a public message that the district is not in favor of the changes.

“Liberty Hill doesn’t shy away from accountability,” he added. “This is a way for Liberty Hill to join the movement to speak

Dirk Aaron, general manager of the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District, speaks during a public hearing in February about groundwater conservation districts. PHOTO BY RACHEL MADISON

out against the way the accountability [rating] was rolled out and against the system itself.”

Snell said the TEA didn’t give districts any lead time to adjust to the new system.

“Usually when they change accountability systems, we get some time to adjust and there’s a curve, but TEA didn’t give us any lead time,” he said. “I personally feel that this latest attempt at changing the accountability system is intentionally set up to make public schools look bad. We want our kids to excel and have a competitive advantage, and this new system gets in the way because of the way it’s designed, and the results punish school districts. It’s not right.”

The resolution stated that the LHISD Board of Trustees believe “in a fairly and consistently applied accountability rating system from year to year” and acknowledge that “the rating system should provide transparency to parents and the public with simple, accessible and understandable information.”

The resolution also stated that “year to year consistency allows timely notice to school districts and their campuses to plan school improvement efforts” and that without consistency, “school districts and campuses cannot effectively plan to achieve high performance ratings.”

The resolution also stated that the LHISD

Board of Trustees “joins in the collective efforts of other Texas school boards to commit our support and pursuing action and to ensure the rating system provides a fair, transparent and effective system for assigning performance ratings [to] school districts based on consistent measures, methods and procedures.”

Snell added that LHISD isn’t against the TEA or Morath—instead district officials are against the decisions being made.

“You have to stand up for what you believe in when something is wrong,” he said.

“What’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong. Ultimately, these changes aren’t fair to the children who have performed really well, only to have the TEA move the target and say, ‘You didn’t perform as well as you thought you did.’ They are moving the goal post after the game.”

The TEA’s ratings, which were initially set to be released in fall 2023, have yet to be released due to the ongoing lawsuit.

Chief of Schools Travis Motal said during the meeting that the lawsuit is currently with the 3rd Court of Appeals. Briefs were due Feb. 9, and oral arguments are expected to be scheduled later this spring.

Motal added that he and Snell will keep district officials informed of the lawsuit’s progress.

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

23

SPORTS

Lighting it up from downtown Lady Panthers sharpshooter deadly from distance

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

When Lindsey Bullock gets a basketball in her hands while standing beyond the 3-point arc during a game, the Lady Panthers sophomore sharpshooter is quick on the trigger and more times than not, hits her intended target – the bottom of the net.

Shots of this nature can prove to be massive momentum-shifters during the course of a contest, Bullock has become a specialist at draining them and in doing so, sucking the life out of the opposition.

Look no further than Liberty Hill’s 50-38 home district win over Hays earlier this season for tangible evidence of this, as Bullock hit a pair of threes – each at critical junctures – in helping the Purple-and-Gold fight off a determined Hawks side.

According to Lady Panthers head coach Chris Lange, Bullock provided exactly what his team needed and at the right time.

“Lindsey has moments when she can step up and hit those kinds of threes and kind of give us a breath,” said Lange. “Against Hays, she hit that pair and gave us a lift.”

Bullock said she has long been a long-distance shooter, a skill that traveled with her when she and her family relocation from Washington state to Central Texas for her eighth-grade year, which was when Lange first got a glimpse of what he would be getting the following season, she said.

“I guess Coach Lange saw me shooting in eighth grade and then in the summer,” said Bullock, a 5-foot-7 forward. “Before that year, I had never played school basketball, so I didn’t really know what to expect.”

Lange recognized the skill level he saw, in addition to some intangible aspects, he said.

“She looked like a leader on the team and was able to get her shot off,” said Lange. “Then in the summer, I saw what she did at our camp.”

At the time, Bullock was a point guard, which was where she stayed upon her varsity high-school debut as a freshman last season, but with all-stater Gabby Mundy at the controls of the offense, Lange decided to move her to her current forward spot and the move has paid dividends, he said.

“When last year ended, I found out she

Lindsey Bullock (11) previously played point guard before switching positions following her freshman season last year. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

24 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

didn’t really like point guard and it wasn’t her natural position,” said Lange. “So, it was an easy transition to slide her to the three (forward).”

Lange said one of the things that makes Bullock such a threat from three is the speed at which she receives a pass and spots up for a shot.

“Lindsey’s a catch-and-shoot type of player – she has a really quick release,” he said.

“It’s something you can work on, but some just have the knack for it.”

Bullock said she tries to simulate the urgency with which she must get her shots away regardless of the situation.

“I have a court at home and we measured and marked Lady Panthers sophomore Lindsey Bullock (11) is a specialist in shooting from beyond the off a three-point 3-point arc. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO line, so I shoot a lot at the house,” she Lange said this method of disarming said. “But, even during practice, I try to play defenses is a intelligent one that must be with in-game speed.” acquired through experience.

Of course, most shooters are streaky, so “We always talk about passing the ball to what happens when she finds herself in a the post, then paying attention to what the slump? defense does and sliding to the open spot,” “One of my select coaches has a saying for he said. “It’s definitely a skill that has to be when that happens – NBA – only it stands for learned in how to run off screens when you’re “Next Best Action,” said Bullock. “Also, sometrying to get a chance to shoot.” times, I’ll just drive to the basket and try to get Older sister Kelsey was a senior on last fouled because hitting a few free throws can season’s Lady Panthers squad, which allowed break you out of it, too.”

Lindsey and her sibling to be teammates for In order for Bullock to be at her best beyond the first time, which the younger used to soak the arc, though, she needs room to operate, up knowledge from the elder, said Bullock. which she said her teammates do a good job of “My sister taught me to have confidence creating by their respective actions. when shooting the ball,” she said. “But, also “Gabby and (center) Evie (Bruce) draw the when I miss shots, not to shrug my shoulders defense inside, so I have more space outside,” or be negative. Most of shooting is mental besaid Bullock. “Even if the defense does move cause when you get down on yourself it affects out, I try to move around a lot more and work other parts of your game.” off screens.”

Dental Care for the Whole Family!

Now offering same day crowns!

ANESTHESIA-FREE VIRTUALLY PAIN-FREE PROCEDURES

Laser dentistry • No needles • No jarring noises • No soreness Multiple procedures done in one appointment

NEW PATIENT GIFT

$145 FREE

OR FIRST VISIT CLEANING, X-RAYS & EXAM*

TAKE HOME WHITENING*

Call us today to schedule a consultation!

*New patients only. Valid in absence of gum disease. Regular value: $327.

Please present coupon at time of service. * * Valid after exam. X-rays and cleaning. Regular value $300. Call for details.

101 Jonathan Drive, Suite 1, Liberty Hill, Texas 78642 www.WestFamilyDentistry.com 512-778-9977

MICHELLE WEST, DDS

Lorem ipsum

ANGELA DAVIDSON, DDS

We design and build pools of any size or shape to fit your yard and budget. *2 tanning ledge loungers with purchase!

Free Estimates | Pools | Spas | Sides & Waterfalls Water Features | Outdoor Kitchens | Firepits Outdoor Fireplaces | Pergolas | Outdoor Patios

512-999-2460

Over 22 Years’ Experience in Pool Industry | Liberty Hill, TX | TrinityPoolConstruction.com

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

25

SPORTS

Putting heart into it Panthers senior has played despite pacemaker since age seven

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Senior Night for Liberty Hill’s boys’ basketball team was Feb. 9 when the Panthers hosted Cedar Park in their final home game of the regular season – the last time those graduating this year had the opportunity to play before the home crowd in the gym they had called home for the past four seasons.

For Jax Hicks, though, his last chance to step onto the court in Purple-and-Gold was 10 days earlier during a contest against Lockhart.

You see, the senior guard had a doctor appointment looming that would preclude Hicks from playing the Panthers’ final four games of the season.

But, not just any appointment.

Hicks was scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery to replace the pacemaker he initially got at age seven – one that was due for a upgrade, he said.

“The battery lasts for 10 years,” said Hicks, who has an irregular heartbeat. “I’ll have to keep getting a new one every time for the rest of my life. Hopefully, they’ll come up with one that lasts longer.”

Hicks, a Liberty Hill native, was in for a routine checkup when he was seven that orig-

inally uncovered his condition, which came as a shock, he said.

“As a kid, I was always active and never had a problem,” said Hicks. “Played baseball and basketball.”

However, once he received the device, doctors advised against continuing to participate in athletics – words that weren’t going to work as far as he was concerned.

“They didn’t want me to play any sports at all,” he said. “Football was out because of all the contact, but I was going to continue baseball and basketball.”

As a result, Hicks wore a custom chest protector on the diamond, where he continued to play second base and shortstop until his freshman year of high school, when he decided to hang up spikes for sneakers full-time.

“I decided stepping away from baseball was best for me,” said Hicks. “I had played for 12 years since I was three, but I felt like I didn’t want my baseball swing to mess up my golf swing.”

Along with being a part of the Panthers’ hoops program, Hicks has also been a member of Liberty Hill’s golf team and plans to continue to pursue a life on the fairways after graduation this spring.

“I’ve already been accepted at (Texas) A&M

Liberty Hill senior Jax Hicks (4) has continued to play sports despite getting a pacemaker at age seven to correct an irregular heartbeat. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

26 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

Jax Hicks (4) was celebrated by his teammates following his final game of the season before undergoing surgery for a replacement pacemaker, which caused him to miss the final four contests of his high-school career. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO (University) and I could go to UT,” he said. “But, I really want to play college golf and see where that takes me.”

Panthers head basketball coach Blake Boren has known Hicks since he played in middle school, when he got an early impression of what kind of person and player he might grow into.

“We were playing in the fall league at Pflugerville High School,” said Boren, who at the time was a Liberty Hill varsity assistant. “Jax was there with his dad watching and stood out to me as young man that was very confident and no matter how small he was, he could do anything.”

Listed at 5-foot-8 as a senior, Hicks was about four inches shorter when he debuted for the Panthers’ freshman squad a few years later and despite the fact he hasn’t always gotten the lion’s share of playing time, has stayed the course when he might have chosen a different path, said Boren.

“Coming into this season, he could’ve just played golf and concentrated on that,” he said. “But, Jax was determined, wanted to provide us with quality minutes off the bench and even when he wasn’t playing, to use his voice to have an impact – that’s what I’ll miss the most about him.”

According to Hicks, his soon-to-beformer coach and the relationship forged between them has been the most rewarding aspect of his time as a Panthers player.

“Coach Boren was always there, had time for me and was supportive on and off the court,” said Hicks. “I’m grateful for having

him as a coach for all four years.”

As an athlete that grew up in Liberty Hill, Hicks also has strong bonds with those he has been alongside on local courts for all those years, including a particular pair of fellow Panthers seniors, he said.

“Some of these guys I’ve played with since seventh grade,” said Hicks. “Like Luke (Lande) and Toby (Rimann). Going through all four years of high school with them and seeing them get better is something special – getting to play with my friends – that’s what I’ll take away the most from.”

When the time for his pacemaker replacement was nearing, Hicks had an appointment with his doctor to formulate a plan of action for the road ahead.

“Back in November, they told me I had about another three months of battery left,” he said. “We figured out Feb. 2 was when we would get it done.”

So, when Liberty Hill’s starting lineup was announced before the Lockhart game a few days earlier, Hicks’ name was called in place of Lande’s to begin the contest – an occurrence that took him by surprise, said Boren.

“I didn’t tell Jax I was going to start him,” he said. “Luke was completely on board with it.”

Regarding having a device in his chest for the past decade that was literally helping keep him alive, Hicks said he’s never really given it much of a second thought when it could’ve been a constant cause of concern.

“Really, it’s been the complete opposite,” he said. “I’ve rarely ever thought about it – especially when I’m playing.”

Are you looking to buy or sell a home, acreage or commercial real estate in the Liberty Hill area?

#LoveLibertyHill.com We love Liberty Hill and we are always here for you!

lovelibertyhill.com

SHELLEY CLAWSON REALTOR 512.632.9393 ® HOLLY LOFF REALTOR 817.706.4639 ® LoveLibertyHill@gmail.com www.LoveLibertyHill.com

Unlock the door to your future!

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! BACK-TO-SCHOOL EYE EXAMS FAMILY-OWNED EYE CLINIC • EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE CONTACTS • PEDIATRIC & ADULT EYE EXAMS EYE EMERGENCIES • DRY EYE TESTING

“CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS”

Call or text for appointments 737-707-2155 info@vistafamilyeyecare.com 14125 W State Hwy 29, Suite B202 2 VistaFamilyEyeCareTX.com

Water Tower Plaza - Next to Texas Taco Kitchen

Our mission is to provide personalized, high-quality, comprehensive eye care and fashion-forward eyewear with exceptional service to our community. We can’t wait to serve you!

– Erica O’Brien, OD, FCOVD

Therapeutic Optometrist & Optometric Glaucoma Specialist

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

27

SPORTS

Full speed ahead

Lady Panthers senior rebounding from injury

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Last season, Neeley Giessinger spent far too much time watching her Lady Panthers teammates play and not nearly enough on the field with them as the result of a knee injury that kept the Liberty Hill junior sidelined for most of the campaign.

However, this year the now-senior is back in the lineup and has made a massive difference for the Purple-and-Gold in helping solidify a side pushing for a playoff berth.

As an added bonus, Giessinger has been reunited with younger sister and sophomore Maggie, which has made her comeback even more enjoyable, she said.

“My sister and I have never been teammates because we always played on different club teams,” said Giessinger. “So, it’s super-cool to get to play with her.”

But, Giessinger’s return is about more than just a family reunion, as she has provided the Lady Panthers with scoring in addition to a great many intangibles, said Liberty Hill head coach Landon Maddux.

“For me, the biggest thing in getting Neeley back has nothing to do with athleticism,” he said. “But, the fact she’s 100 percent bought into what we want as coaches.”

Giessinger debuted on the varsity as a sophomore two years ago and burst onto the scene with 15 goals and seven assists in an attacking role and was primed to build on that foundation with a solid junior year before injury struck in the form of bipartite patella, a

congenital condition in which the kneecap is made of two bones instead of one.

Surgery corrected the problem and Giessinger was back to full strength – or so she thought.

Once it was time for her junior season to get underway, it was clear to Giessinger her knee still wasn’t quite right – although that certainly didn’t stop her from trying to soldier through the pain, she said.

“I’ve never been one to want to sit out with an injury,” said Giessinger. “It was painful and I tried to play through, but it was like having a dead leg.”

Indeed, Giessinger’s season lasted only four games until she could no longer continue and missed the entire district schedule as a result.

Despite the disappointment, though, Giessinger said she is now enjoying her senior season – and the game itself – even more than ever.

“Being out was tough because I wasn’t the same,” she said. “But, it really gave me an entirely new perspective on soccer, so now I’m really appreciating playing again.”

Perhaps Giessinger’s official coming-back party was a hat trick she scored in the Lady Panthers’ 8-0 away district victory over Lehman on Feb. 2 to go with a pair of assists.

Next time out in an 11-0 win over Lockhart, Giessinger added another goal and two helpers to give her four goals and four assists on the season.

However, Giessinger is about more than just scoring, said Maddux.

“I can really play Neeley anywhere on the

Neeley Giessinger (7) had five goals and a team-leading six assists through Liberty Hill’s first 15 games of the season. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

28 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

Lady Panthers senior Neeley Giessinger (7) has worked her way back onto the field after an injury that caused her to miss most of last season. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO field because she’s so versatile,” he said. “But, I think outside back is her best position.”

Evidence of this was right at the outset of the season when Maddux found himself short a defender due to an injury, he said.

“We needed a center back, so I put Neeley back there,” said Maddux. “Only thing is if I leave her back there, I’m taking away from her threat up top.”

So, after dutifully filling in on defense, Giessinger has been more forwardly-deployed

Following a rugged start to the season, the Lady Panthers rebounded with a three-game unbeaten run to get themselves right back into the hunt for a playoff berth – a sequence Giessinger said was down to an improved cohesion.

“Lately, we’ve just had more confidence and been playing calm and connecting,” she said.

“Also, we’ve been moving the ball really well.”

Giessinger has signed a national letter of intent to play at Lipscomb University, an NCAA

“I’ve never been one to want to sit out with an injury. It was painful and I tried to play through, but it was like having a dead leg.”

Liberty Hill senior Neeley Giessinger in the Lady Panthers’ attack since and has posted numbers to prove it.

“Neeley’s very calm on the ball and has one of the hardest shots on the team,” said Maddux. “She can really rip it.”

As a senior, Giessinger has also been looked to for providing leadership and Maddux said she’s embraced that role.

“She’s done a good job of calling team meetings on her own and that’s what we want – a player-led team,” he said. “Even though she’s not naturally a vocal leader.”

Giessinger back up her coach’s claim.

“I’ve tried to be more vocal, but I’ve never really been a yeller on the field,” she said.

“Usually, I’ll just take mental notes during games and point things out in order to motivate my teammates. If someone has a rough game or takes a bad shot, we can work it out together.”

Division I program in Nashville, Tennessee, where she will continue her playing career and said she chose the Volunteer State school as her college destination due to a couple of factors.

“Faith is a huge part of my life and is very important to me,” she said, of selecting the Christian institution. “Also, I liked the small feel of the school and they play some big teams like Alabama and Tennessee.”

According to Giessinger, she doesn’t yet know where on the field she’ll find herself for the Bison, but she won’t ever be obsessed with the stat sheet to determine her self-worth as a player.

“At the beginning I was caught up in how many goals I got,” she said, of earlier in her career. “But, there’s much more you can do to help the team.”

Your Hometown Pest Control.

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL SERVICE GENERAL PEST CONTROL | TERMITE CONTROL FIRE ANT PROGRAMS | WDI REPORTS WILDLIFE/RODENT CONTROL

d Spring into action an prevent pests early

(512) 258-5228

info@researchpest.com

RESIDENTIAL | LUXURY | FARM & RANCH

Authentic people.

Trusted advice.

AMY GANDY Broker/Owner | MCNE, CLHMS 111 Grange Street, Liberty Hill www.agandyandco.com 512-589-9005

LET FREEDOM RAIN! 5

BENEFITS OF HARVESTING RAINWATER 1. Reduces groundwater demand 2. Rainwater can be treated and used in your home 3. Low-cost maintenance 4. Rainwater is better for your plants 5. Reduces your water bill

Rainwater Collection Systems & Well Water Storage Tanks Whole House Potable • Irrigation • Fire Tanks Livestock Watering • Agricultural Use

Contact us for a free quote for your own rainwater collection systems!

512-851-1526 | Freedomrainwater.com info@freedomrainwater.com |

Authorized Dealer

Liberty Hill | Locally owned by Travis & Kerry Redding M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

29

Call Today for a Free Quote!

Window & Door Replacement 512.876.0590 10% OFF

with this ad!

*Some Limitations May Apply

BethanyWindowsTexas@gmail.com BethanyWindowsTexas.com

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC!

Thank you for voting me BEST ATTORNEY five years in a row!

Justin Tanton PT, DPT, CSCS

Law Office of Jamie Etzkorn,PLLC ESTATE PLANNING • ADOPTION • PROBATE GUARDIANSHIP • REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW

512-800-6353

30

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

PT, DPT

Gary Dees, Jr. PTA

NEWEST RESEARCH • POST OP • DRY NEEDLING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE • MORE COST SAVINGS FEWER VISITS • BEST RESULTS BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALISTS

The Caring Downtown Attorney

925 Main St., Ste. B, Downtown Liberty Hill EtzkornLaw.com | jamie@etzkornlaw.com

Laura Midura

Voted Best Attorney 2019•2020•2021•2022•2023

(only 6% in the US)

(512) 778-6700

7:30AM - 7PM

LUNCH HOURS AVAILABLE

13740 W. State Hwy 29, Suite 3 (next to the pharmacy) Liberty Hill, TX | www.TEXPTS.com

PANTHER OF THE MONTH

Back in the fold on the field Senior midfielder returns to help with Panthers’ resurgence

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Last year was going to be the last in Purple-and-Gold for Marcello Bravo de Rueda, as the junior midfielder was set to pursue his soccer in the club ranks as a member of a professional academy.

However, something happened between then and the beginning of Liberty Hill’s new campaign this year and what was supposed to be his senior season.

“I thought we had a chance to be good this year,” said Bravo de Rueda.

“So, once I decided to commit (to college), I changed my mind.”

Bravo de Rueda will play college soccer at Arizona Christian University, an NAIA program in Glendale, Ariz., where he will study accounting, but first has some unfinished business to take care of with his

current team after failing to qualify for the state playoffs despite being a member of the Panthers’ varsity squad since his freshman year.

According to Bravo de Rueda, there is a much different atmosphere around the team this year, which was one of the determining factors in his return.

“We have a lot more focus and understanding, so I think this is our year to go further,” said Bravo de Rueda. “Also, our new coach gets us in line and has great tactics.”

Indeed, Stefano Salerno is currently in his first season as Liberty Hill head coach and was pleased to have Bravo de Rueda back this year to be his midfield maestro despite never having seen him play in person.

“After watching film from last year, I could see what a difference-maker Marcello could be,” he said. “But, not just as a player.

Senior Marcello Bravo de Rueda (12) returned to the Panthers after committing to play in college at Arizona Christian University. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

He’s somebody who doesn’t like to lose and is dedicated after not making the playoffs the past three years.”

Salerno said one of Bravo de Rueda’s primary strengths is the intelligence he employs on the field in making split-second decisions that open up the game for himself and his teammates due to an uncanny ability to anticipate what will happen next.

“Marcello has a soccer brain – he reads plays before they even begin,” he said.

“Some of the best through balls I’ve seen in 11 years of coaching – he’s a complete player.”

“I just wasn’t feeling well at the time,” he said. “But, I also didn’t feel good about not playing the sport my parents sacrificed so much for me to be able to.”

After being a team captain during his junior season last year, he know longer has that status after his return, as fellow seniors Dhar Ramsingh, Caden Glenn, Tristan Moore and Chay Luna fulfill those roles, but Salerno said Bravo de Rueda has displayed much humility in returning to the roster.

“Marcello came in, was very polite, worked hard and had an open mind to learn new things,” he said. “Also, the team wanted

“I thought we had a chance to be good this year, so once I decided to commit (to college), I changed my mind.”

Liberty Hill senior Marcello Bravo de Rueda on returning for his senior season

Liberty Hill’s Marcello Bravo de Rueda (12) is a set-piece specialist in taking the majority of the Panthers’ free kicks and corners. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

Part of that equation is the fact Bravo de Rueda comes from a diverse background, one that includes parents from a pair of soccer-rich countries.

“My dad is from Peru and my mom is from Ukraine,” said Bravo de Rueda. “I’m proud of my ethnicity – it’s something I take a lot of pride in.”

After taking a brief hiatus from club soccer his freshman year, Bravo de Rueda said he felt he owed it to his parents to return to that pitch.

him back, so it was an easy transition. I knew how skilled he was, but he bought in 100 percent to what we were doing and has exemplified what we want in a soccer player.”

Bravo de Rueda said he’s enjoying his final season of high-school soccer and particularly the Panthers’ push to at last make the playoffs.

“I like being the underdog – it gives us more fight as a team,” he said. “So, I always look forward to tougher challenges.”

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

31

SPORTS

Youthful lineup highlights Panthers’ new season Liberty Hill underclassmen will need to step up

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

All high-school teams are young – literally.

However, some squads are a bit younger than others and this season, Liberty Hill’s baseball team has a roster sprinkled with plenty of underclassmen as it looks to return to the playoffs for a third straight season.

Panthers head coach Brandon Creek is well aware of this.

“It’s tough because we don’t have a lot of experience,” said Creek, who is entering his second season with the program. “We could have as many as three sophomores and a freshman in the lineup.”

One place the Panthers have plenty of seasoning is their ace in senior pitcher Blaze Milam, who already has three years of varsity experience under his belt after debuting as a freshman.

Following a sophomore season that was plagued by injury, the right-handed rebounded as a junior, posting a 6-3 record to go with 1.17 earned-run-average and 70 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings.

Milam said this year he’s looking to build on the positive mound momentum he gained last season.

“My goal is to have an even better season this year,” he said. “I feel like our entire team will continue to grow, get better and make a run, so I want to play a big role in winning as many games as possible.”

As a four-year varsity player, Milam said he’s much more in tune with everything that goes on around him, which only helps in maximizing his performance whenever he takes the mound.

“It’s much different for me now,” he said. “I understand the atmosphere and having been there and done that, every day is just another day.”

Milam’s velocity has certainly increased since his freshman season, but the biggest difference between then and now is his mentality in getting hitters out – and not necessarily by always setting them down on strikes.

“Now, I approach hitters knowing what pitches to throw and attack them that way with confidence,” said Milam. “I allow my

Senior Gavin Voth (3) is Liberty Hill’s leading returning hitter from last season with a .298 average to go with one home run and 23 runs batted in. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

32 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

Liberty Hill’s Blaze Milam (27) will lead the Panthers’ pitching staff this season after posting a 6-3 record to go with 1.17 earned-run-average and 70 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings last year. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO defense to get outs, so I can go as far into games as possible by getting ground balls, which gives us a better chance to win because that way I can get to 80 or 90 pitches later in games.”

Creek acknowledged he’s counting on Milam to do exactly that.

“We’re going to lean on Blaze and count on him to go out and compete every time he gets the ball,” he said. “We know he’s going to go right after hitters.”

At the other end of Milam’s pitches this season will be sophomore catcher Carson Sharp, who will provide a different target for the Panthers’ pitchers in place of the graduated Carson Riley, but Milam said despite this change, he and the rest of the staff should carry on seamlessly.

“It’s a big step because I had Carson (Riley) as my catcher for three years and we had excellent chemistry,” he said. “But, Carson (Sharp) is a great player, we understand each other and have already found a rhythm.”

Leading the offense will be a pair of seniors in Gavin Voth, who is Liberty Hill’s leading returning hitter from last season with a .298 average to go with one home run and 23 runs batted in and Colby Demars, who hit .287 with one home run and 17 RBI. Another player who will have an impact at the plate and on the mound is sophomore Jordan Andrews, who was called up to the varsity late last season and impressed in both spots, connecting for a home run and driving

in five runs in only 14 at-bats and not giving up an earned run in 10 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts and only one base-on-balls.

Senior Toby Rimann will patrol center field in providing strong up-the-middle defense with second baseman Andrew Basey and the shortstop combination of Caleb Calvert and Brady Gage to go with Sharp behind the plate.

However, for it all to come together and result in a return trip to the Class 5A state playoffs, Creek said his club will need to be experts at all the little things that go into winning games.

“We’re going to need to execute – things like hit-and-runs, moving runners over and understanding situations,” he said. “In order to do that, we make practice as hard as the games with different situational hitting drills we do.”

Last season ended with Liberty Hill putting up an overall record of 24-9 and a 10-4 district mark that resulted in a share of the league title before an opening-round playoff defeat to Champion.

According to Creek – who was named district coach of the year – his first season in the Panthers’ dugout was only the foundation for the future.

“We want to build on the culture we have here,” said Creek. “I’ve had two offseasons now with our players and gotten to know them a lot better.”

Reloading for a new season

SPORTS

Lady Panthers lost critical players from last year’s playoff run

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Last season, the Lady Panthers softball squad advanced all the way to within a game of the state tournament, only to suffer a heartbreaking 3-2 walk-off defeat to Canyon in the Class 5A state playoff regional quarterfinals.

Six of the nine players in the Liberty Hill starting lineup that night in Dripping Springs were seniors and all of them were critical contributors to a campaign that saw the Purple-and-Gold post an overall record of 29-7, including a district championship after going 13-1 in league play.

So, to say Lady Panthers head coach Kristen Brewer has a challenging season ahead is an understatement in filling all the holes in her lineup left vacant by the graduated seniors off last year’s roster.

Or is it?

“We still have plenty of talent,” said Brewer, who is entering her 18th season with the program and sixth as dugout boss. “What’s going to make or break us is whether or not we work together and trust ourselves – not for lack of ability.”

Leading the way is senior center fielder Rylee Slimp, who batted .563 with nine home runs, 50 runs batted in and 29 stolen bases in her junior season, was named district MVP and is poised to help lead the team back to the postseason – despite the

fact there has been so much roster turnover, she said.

“This season is different because we have a completely different team,” said Slimp, one of only three seniors on the squad, after having eight last season. “We’re a young team, but we have a lot of good talent and these players are the ones that are building the future of Liberty Hill softball. For me, I’m just trying to be a role model and a leader for them and give it my all for my senior season.”

Slimp – who has committed to play at UCLA next season – said the chemistry within the ranks of this year’s team should allow them to achieve as high a ceiling as last season, if not higher.

“We’re very close as a team and have each other’s backs,” she said. “Our personalities really fit together and we all have a connection outside of softball.”

Along with Slimp, catcher Cadence Wiese and infielder Bryana Bostrom are the seniors that will be looked to for leadership among a slew of younger players, highlighted by junior outfielder Addison Shiflett, who had a breakout campaign last season in hitting .398 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI in the No. 3 spot in the lineup.

However, Brewer said it will require a collective effort in all three phases of the game for the Lady Panthers to replicate their success of last season, as opposed to relying on individuals.

Liberty Hill’s Cadence Wiese (16) is one of three seniors the Lady Panthers will look to for leadership this year.

PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

Liberty Hill senior center fielder Rylee Slimp (6) was named district MVP last year and will be depended on to provide much of the offense for the Lady Panthers this season. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO

“Each year, we work hard through the “Every game, we need to win at least two offseason and have goals we want to reach out of three as far as offense, defense and once the season starts,” said Brewer. “Our pitching,” she said. “So, that way there isn’t a returners know and understand this – you lot of pressure on our pitchers.” just can’t pick right up where you left off Indeed, the hurlers in the circle will last season – you need to work to get back shoulder expectations of keeping their there and believe this team can be as good teammates in contests and the duo that will or better. Every season, we expect to go do the majority of the heavy lifting is comfar and our players want to set their own prised of a pair of players whose primary records.” positions are elsewhere on the diamond in junior shortstop Aubri Ettinger and freshman second baseman Bella Nicholson, but Brewer is confident they can get the job done.

“We’re going to need them all year long,” she said. “Both of them are ready to step in without complaint, have experience pitching in the past and are willing to do whatever is needed for the team to win.”

According to Brewer, the program is now at a point in which maintained excellence should be expected every year regardless of comings and goings on the roster due to a culture that has been created – one of hard work and taking nothing for granted.

“Something we instill in our players from the get-go is just because you made the team here doesn’t guarantee success – you have to earn it,” said Brewer. “Everyone who plays us wants to beat Liberty Hill, so you can have all the talent in the world, but you still need to work hard.”

Part of that process is to approach each Lady Panthers outfielder Addison Shifflett (14) had a breakseason with a clean slate, while carrying out season last year, hitting .398 with 11 home runs and 51 over any momentum gained the previous runs batted in. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO year, she said.

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

33

COLUMN

Texas outlaw Sam Bass might have holed up one night in Liberty Hill

BY JAMES WEAR

COLUMNIST

If you’re among those who recently moved to Liberty Hill or the Central Texas area from another state, perhaps you’ve not yet heard or read about one of the most famous outlaws in Texas history. Sam Bass was his name, although during his brief criminal career, he had a number of aliases, including “Sam Bushon” and “Honest Eph.” Just a few years back, I learned that some local historians believe Bass and his gang were among those to spend the night at Bryson’s stagecoach stop, which is among the many historical buildings to be found at Fort Tumbleweed, located along Highway 29 as one is heading west out of Liberty Hill.

Several years ago, while glancing through some yellowed-with-age copies of the Williamson County Sun from 1961, I came across an article written by then staff writer Martha Bowmer in which she interviewed Mrs. Viola Webb, daughter of the Rev. F. L. Aten of Round Rock. Aten was 99 when he passed away in 1960 and was one of the last persons to speak to Bass before he died.

Webb shared with Bowmer the story she had heard from her father many times over the years. A farmer by the weekdays and a preacher on Sunday, Aten visited with Bass on his deathbed and asked if he would like a prayer said.

According to Bowmer’s article, Bass declined. “Naw, I’ve lived a dog’s life and I’ll die a dog’s death,” Bowmer wrote. “As the preacher turned to leave, the outlaw beckoned him with, ‘Stranger, come back. I don’t guess it would hurt me none to have a prayer.’”

Bass’s final words, according to Webb’s recollection of her father’s stories, were “the world is bobbing all around me.” He was 27 when he died.

According to historical accounts, Bass was born in Indiana in 1851, one of eight children.

He was orphaned at an early age and grew up living with his uncle. By the 1870s, having held a variety of jobs, he turned to robbing trains and banks.

One train heist in Nebraska reportedly netted Bass and his gang $60,000. Bass, now the focus of an intense manhunt, fled to Texas, where eventually the Texas Rangers, acting on tips provided by one of Bass’ gang, tracked him to Round Rock.

One of those men who claimed to be a member of the Texas Rangers that followed Bass to Round Rock was a man named Dave Burns, who in 1937 gave an oral history of his recollections of the events leading up to Bass’ death. Burns, who said he once accompanied

Bass on a cattle drive to Texas, noted while on the drive he was offered but declined a chance to join up with Bass’ gang.

Burns, speaking with an interviewer from the Federal Writers’ Project back in 1937, recalled that: “...I joined up with the Texas Rangers in September 1877 (about the time of the Big Springs train robbery)...Sam Bass and his gang were operating heavy at that time, and we were after him wanting to get the dead wood on him.

Our first tip was that the outfit would be at San Angelo on a certain day to stick up the bank.

On that day we were planted in San Angelo, but the bank at Eden was busted on that day. The next order came directing us to be at Brownwood. On that day the bank at Brownwood was calculated to be busted, the bank at Coleman was robbed. The next order was that we should plant ourselves at Waco, and on that day the bank at Terrell received the visit.

“The tips were coming in from some member of the Bass gang, and most likely it was (Jim) Murphy. Sam Bass was wise to the fact that someone was tipping off his plans, and Sam was crossing the law, which was shown by him always pulling a job at some point different from that which we calculated but on the same day.

“Finally we were ordered to be at Round Rock. The order was on a tip that the Bass gang would bust the bank there that day. I do not believe Round Rock was the town picked by the gang because only three of the gang made a show. The three were Sam Bass, Bill (Jim) Jackson, and Jim Burns. Burns was a cousin of mine, and his father was a preacher. Jim joined the gang at Terrell and had not been with the gang long.

“My company of Rangers were at Austin when the order was received. We left Austin at 2 a.m. and arrived at Round Rock around 5 a.m. The captain (McNally) planted me at the northeast corner of the square, next to a saloon and on the street leading to Austin. My orders were to watch for any of the Bass gang and report their movements, and there was to be no shooting until ordered. McNally wanted to get them in a bunch and take them all.

“The sun was just rising when I spied three men on hosses riding into town. They reached the square and tied their hosses across from where I was planted. I recognized at once who the men were. Sam Bass, I met him the first time in Camp Supply. Jim Burns, of course, was my cousin. Bill Jackson was a stranger to me.

“They came across the street toward the saloon, next to which I was standing. As they came up to me, Bass and Burns recognized me, and they stopped. Sam and Burns each says, “Hello, Dave,” and we went to chinning. I says

34 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

to them: “You boys know me and what I am doing now.”

“Sure do, Dave,” Sam says. “Come in and have a drink.”

“Can’t do it, fellows. It’s against the orders,” says I. “What are you fellows doing here?”

“Just jiggling through,” says Burns.

“Well, you had better duck,” I says to them.

They turned to go into the saloon, and Sam, looking back over his shoulder, laughed at me and says, “Sorry, old top, your duties won’t allow you to take a drink with a friend.”

According to the Williamson County Historical Commission, “This is one of only “They went into the a few known photographs of Sam Bass, who is standing at left. It was taken in saloon, and they no Dallas when he was helping to drive a cattle herd to Kansas in the summer of 1876. more than had entered Standing next to him is John E. Gardner. Seated are Joel Gollins (right), who would when a deputy sheriff become Bass’ partner in crime up north, and Joel’s brother Joe Collins.” came up to me and COURTESY PHOTO asked: “Who were them men pronto made our mounts and took after the that talked to you packing all that artillery? three men. In addition there were others, some Let’s go in and get them.” hankering to help, and some wanted to get an “No,” says I. “My orders are to remain here eyeful. There were folks in wagons pulled by and watch till I get further orders.” mules and folks on hossback all going down “Well, I am going in,” says he. the road on a dead run. We Rangers were in the “I do not recall the name of that deputy; it has lead. plumb spilled my mind. He entered the saloon, “When we had dragged out of town about and in a jiffy I heard one shot fired and the thud a mile and a half, I saw Sam’s hoss grazing off of a body hitting the floor. I became anxious to near the road. I says to McNally, “There is Sam’s see the captain and get action orders. It passed hoss over yonder. I’ll go over and have a look.” through my conk that hell was a-going to pop. I I went over there, and under a blackjack tree looked across the street, to the west, and there laid Sam, with his conk cover covering his face.

I saw McNally coming a-running like a streak I raised his lid, and he turned his head slightly carrying his hat in his hand. That deputy had and looked at me and says: jumped the game ahead of time, and all we “It’s you, Dave.”

Rangers were scattered.

“Yes, Sam, it’s Dave,” says I. “For a minute or two there was plenty of “Well, they have done all they can. It won’t be artillery action. The shooting suddenly ceased, long till ’tis said that I was killed,” he says. and I saw Sam and his pals backing out of the “I can’t help what has been done,” says I, “but saloon with their guns leveled, holding the I’ll do all that I can for you. You should have crowd inside. They backed across the street toducked when you saw me. You knew what I was wards their hosses. I could see that Sam was in doing.” bad shape, and when they reached their hosses “We took him back to town and put him in a Burns had to help Sam to mount. I could have room over a drugstore, and he died early the pumped all of them full of lead, but I was still next morning. I was present when the doctor waiting for orders, not wanting to go against said there were twenty-eight holes in him. the rule.

Some historians have offered differing “When Sam mounted, the boys in the saloon accounts of Bass’ final moments, but almost came running out, through doors and windows. all agree, with each passing year, the legend of McNally came out first and yelled to take after Sam Bass continues to grow. them. There were 21 of us Rangers, and we

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME? Buyers and sellers are my specialty and Liberty Hill is home! eXp ICON Agent 2017 - 2021 Platinum Top 50 Agent 2015 - 2021 Salesperson of the Year, Austin Board of Realtors 2017 Austin Business Journal Top Producer Nominee 2015 - 2016

Vanessa Nunez, GRI The V-Group | REALTOR® 512.750.5716

vanessa.nunez@exprealty.com aus.exprealty.com

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

35

EVENTS CALENDAR

March 6

AMPLIFY WILCO DAY KICK-OFF PARTY Hope House/Operation Liberty Hill 15390 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill (Whitestone Brewery) 5-8 p.m. hope-house.org/operationlh.org

March 2

BIKERS AND BREWS BTX Coffee 170 N. Gabriel St., Bertram 8-11 a.m. btxcoffee.com HOP AROUND THE HILL BOUTIQUE CRAWL Various Boutiques Liberty Hill 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. facebook.com/hoparoundthehill

7-8:30 a.m.

Libertytavern.co

March 5

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce Location TBD 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., $18-25 Libertyhillchamber.org

COUPLES MURDER MYSTERY TOTALLY 80S Connection Adventures ATX 3429 Hwy. 29, Bertram (Decadent Saint) 6-9 p.m. connectionadventuresatx.com

March 7

WATERCOLORS WITH ANNYE Main Street Marketplace 704 Main St., Liberty Hill 6-8 p.m. shopmainstreetmarketplace.com

March 9

SHOOT INTO SPRING FUNDRAISER Liberty Hill Masonic Lodge 850 CR 255, Liberty Hill ( Reunion Ranch) $600/team libertyhill432.org HIGH POINT Brushy Creek Saddle Club 8355 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 9 a.m. brushycreeksaddleclub.com

March 3

WOMEN’S SELF DEFENSE WORKSHOP Urban Defense Academy 140 Jonathan Drive, Liberty Hill 4-6:30 p.m., $80 urbandefenseacademy.com

March 4

TRIVIA NIGHT Liberty Tavern 3000 RR 1869, Liberty Hill

Group Hike at Doeskin Ranch stardiscdogs

SPRING FORWARD UPDOG Lone Star Disc Dogs 101 S. Pecan View Rd., Liberty Hill 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $10/ game facebook.com/lone-

GUMBO FEST KFire Winery and Vineyard 3059 CR 212, Bertram 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. kfirewineryandvineyard.com LARRY GATLIN Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8 p.m. globetheatretx.com

Larry Gatlin 36

Liberty Hill Independent Monthly | M A R C H 2 0 2 4

March 16

NAME THAT TUNE BINGO Whitestone Brewery 15390 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 6-8 p.m. whitestonebrewery.com BOBBY DEAN AND THE TIMELESS COUNTRY Salado Creek Saloon 974 S. Patterson, Florence 8 p.m. saladocreeksaloonllc.com

March 17

GUIDED GROUP HIKE AT DOESKIN RANCH Balcones National Wildlife Refuge 10341 S. FM 1174, Bertram 9 a.m.-12 p.m. friendsofbalcones.org

March 19

TRIVIA NIGHT Florence Beer Market 212 W. Main St., Florence 7-9 p.m. facebook.com/florencebeermarket

March 22

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HILL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION The Liberty Hill Independent/Liberty Hill Public Library/Liberty Hill Save Our Stars 355 Loop 332 (Main St.), Liberty Hill 5:30-9:30 p.m.

March 23

170 CR 214, Liberty Hill (meet at RockPointe Church) 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., $18-25 Libertyhillchamber.org

March 31

EASTER BRUNCH & SPRING FESTIVAL The Vineyard at Florence 111 Via Francesco, Florence 10 a.m., $35-75 thevineyardatflorence.com COMMUNITY EASTER BREAKFAST & EGG HUNT Andice Baptist Church 6570 FM 970, Florence 9:45 a.m. (breakfast), 12:30 p.m. (egg hunt) andicebc.org

April 5

BEN HAGGARD Globe Theatre 132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8 p.m., $30-250 globetheatretx.com

THE MARKET LHTX Cross Tracks Church 101 Church St., Liberty Hill 10 a.m.-2 p.m. facebook.com/ marketlhtx

March 27

March 12

NAME THAT TUNE BINGO Liberty Tavern 3000 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 7-8:30 a.m.

Libertytavern.co

TRIVIA NIGHT Liberty Hill Beer Market 13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m.

March 14

March 28

HYDRAFACIAL EVENT Royal Bliss Day Spa 3103 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 6 p.m. royalblissdayspa.com

Bobby Dean and The Timeless Country

NETWORKING LUNCHEON Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce

Spring Forward Updog

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

37

Thank you for voting us

2022 Best Trash rash Pickup Service

301 County Road 307 | PO Box 416 | Jarrell, Texas 76537 Jarrel (512) 746-2000 | Leander (512) 259-1709 | FAX (512) 746-5807

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID BRYAN, TX 77802 PERMIT #23

Turning into

houses

dreams

Scan code to view current local listings

for 40+ years!

CELEBRATING 40+ YEARS OF SELLING LIBERTY HILL! RE/MAX Town & Country 13561 W. State Hwy 29, Liberty Hill shanetwhite@remax.net www.ShaneTWhiteTeam.com Shane T. White

Clyde Davis

Ginger Floyd

Debby Norman

512.515.5263