WEDNESDAY JANAURY 21, 2015 VOLUME 104 ISSUE 46 www.UniversityStar.com
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CITY
Ex-mayoral candidate arrested on warrant By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox Former 2014 mayoral candidate Patrick Montgomery was arrested Jan. 15 for a prior warrant for walking a dog without a leash, according to San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) arrest records. Officers were dispatched to the 800 Block of Alabama Street at approximately 3:21 a.m. in response to a person walking in the middle of the street, said Kristi Wyatt, director of Communications & Intergovernmental Relations for San Marcos, in a Jan. 20 email. Montgomery was walking his three dogs without leashes at the intersection of Gomez and Alabama Streets, Wyatt said in the email. Montgomery later said on his Facebook page he was walking his dogs after completing a show at Taxi’s Pianobar with his band, the “Hair Farmers.” SMPD officers discovered Montgomery had an outstanding warrant for walking a dog without a leash. They walked him to his house so he could return his dogs before being arrested and taken to Hays County Jail, Wyatt said. “When the judge looked at what I was arrested for, she said that my warrant was not a ‘jailable’ offense and that I should not be housed with hardened criminals,” Montgomery said in his Facebook post. According to Hays County records, Montgomery was released later that day. Montgomery was also arrested by SMPD in 2011 for misdemeanor charges for domestic violence and evading arrest. He spent four days in the Hays County Jail. Montgomery ran against incumbent Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Chris Sorenson in San Marcos’ 2014 mayoral election. Known affectionately as “P-Martian” by friends and supporters, Montgomery garnered 3,798 votes, nearly 15 percent of voters.
—PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYS COUNTY JAIL RECORDS
MADELYNNE SCALES PHOTO EDITOR
Researchers at Texas State body farm facility identify remains of undocumented immigrants By Exsar Arguello NEWS REPORTER @Exsar_Misael Immigrants who died trying to reach the United States may be identified and have families notified thanks to university researchers at Freeman Ranch. Kate Spradley, assistant professor of anthropology, works with graduate and undergraduate students to identify the bodies of immigrants who died crossing the United States border illegally. “When I was a Ph.D. student, I became interested in this kind of work,” Spradley said. “When I was in Arizona studying, I found a program that helped identify the bodies of migrants that didn’t make it past the Arizona border. It was really inspiring because they had such a high identification rate in their state.” Spradley came to Texas in 2008 and wanted to continue identifying bodies that were not properly buried. “When I first arrived, there really wasn’t any effort to try and identify these individuals,” she said. “They were just being buried with no effort to identify them.” Brooks and Webb counties have helped retrieve bodies for identifi-
cation and work with Spradley. Spradley is trying to identify the 75 bodies found. “It’s really frustrating when we get some of these individuals be-
shows the little effort that is taken for these people to be identified.” The U.S. has a system to help
See BODY FARM, Page 3
MADELYNNE SCALES PHOTO EDITOR
Kate Spradley, biological anthropology associate professor, takes measurements and collects data Jan. 14 from a human skull using a 3D digitizer at the Freeman Ranch body farm.
TEXAS INAUGURATION
Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick outline goals, values for upcoming office term during inauguration By Kelsey Bradshaw NEWS EDITOR @kbrad5 Everything is bigger in Texas, and inauguration ceremonies are no exception. Thousands of Texans made the pilgrimage to the capitol in Austin Tuesday morning to witness the inauguration of the first new governor Texas has seen in 14 years. Greg Abbott became the 48th governor of Texas and Dan Patrick became the 72nd lieutenant governor while surrounded by supporters and family. The Oath of Office ceremony began promptly at 11 a.m. with songs played by the Longhorn Marching Band fluttering throughout the mall of the capitol. Patrick was sworn into office by
his son Ryan, who is a Houston state district judge. Patrick took to the podium after officially becoming lieutenant governor to speak on his goals for the future. Before getting started, Patrick turned his back to the crowd to take a photo, saying he took so many “selfies” throughout the campaign he couldn’t miss the opportunity to take one at the inauguration. “I stand here today making a commitment to every person in Texas and the Senate that I will be a humble servant first and foremost,” Patrick began. One of the promises Patrick made was to protect the second amendment. This issue was brought to light when gun rights activists took to the capitol last week on the opening day of the 84th Legislature.
CONSTRUCTION
Eight17 Lofts move-in delays continue amid controversy
By Jon Wilcox NEWS REPORTER @thrilcox The most recent in a series of construction delays at Eight17 Lofts has prevented prospective residents from moving in before the start of spring classes. The apartment’s projected completion date has changed four times since Feb. 2014 when leasing began. Innovative Student Housing, the property management company, now predicts the apartments will not be finished until spring 2015, citing building code and construction problems. Peyton White, public relations senior, said he became interested in living at Eight17 at a Texas State-sponsored housing fair. White was hooked when he heard about the future complex’s luxury amenities, complete with an infinity pool, and its close proximity to
cause in some cases we’ll find a driver’s license or some form of identification within their clothing,” she said. “It makes the identification process easier, but it also
PRESLIE COX STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Eight17 Lofts has extended construction for the fourth time. Management has told prospective residents move-in will take place in late spring. campus. “They showed us the bedroom, and I really thought they had a lot to offer,” White said. “It’s my se-
nior year. I’m going to graduate, and I wanted to live somewhere
See EIGHT17, Page 3
Texas is the place where the improbable becomes possible. I am living proof that we live in a state where a young man’s life can literally be broken in half and he can still rise up to be governor. Texas is truly the land of opportunity.” —Greg Abbott, Texas Governer Support for Texas’ law enforcement was another theme Patrick touched on, discussing his pride to stand with the protectors of the
state. He said part of law enforcement workers’ job is to commit
See ABBOTT, Page 3
CITY
New year brings increased change, expansion to San Marcos By Frank Campos NEWS REPORTER @frankcamposj Mayor Daniel Guerrero has big plans for the city of San Marcos in 2015 for his third term in office. Multiple changes and increased construction marked a new chapter for San Marcos during 2014, and they will play a major role in the city’s growth this year. San Martians can expect to see a focus on public safety in the future. Guerrero is looking confidently into 2015 and expects big things for San Marcos, especially after hiring Jared Miller as the new city manager last year, he said. “Our biggest accomplishment of 2014 as a city was hiring Jared Miller,” Guerrero said. “He has created a great environment for our city employees and is everything we could have asked for and more.” Hiring a new city manager, librarian, chief of police and director of communications were huge steps for San Marcos, said Trey Hatt, city communications specialist. “We have a good head of steam heading into 2015 from all of our accomplish-
ments of the last year,” Hatt said. “New leadership coming on board is a change for the better.” Citizens will notice construction, even with the changes happening at City Hall, Guerrero said. The construction on the Loop 82 overpass next to Bobcat Stadium on Aquarena Springs Drive is set to begin this spring. The overpass will go over the railroad track, which Guerrero said will benefit residents and students alike. “This TxDOT project has become the number one priority for the entire state,” Guerrero said. “It is a $7 million project that will create some hardships but, when complete, will be safer and more convenient.” Ty Cervantes, psychology sophomore, said he has had enough of the traffic near the railroad tracks on Aquarena Springs Drive. Cervantes has to deal with traffic when driving to school and work, he said. “I am fed up with the traffic caused by the train,” Cervantes said. “It can take 20 minutes to get to (Interstate Highway) 35 from the train tracks during the semester.
See CONSTRUCTION, Page 3