JANUARY 11, 2023 LADY LOBOS LOSE TO LIONS
FENTANYL AWARENESS BILLBOARD COMES TO LIFE
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Hays Free Press
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HaysFreePress.com
Vol. 128 • No. 44
Serving Hays County, TX
Council deliberates TNR policy ‘We don’t want our taxpayer dollars and donations spent on killing animals, but truly, instead, to help them’ By Amira Van Leeuwen amira@haysfreepress.com KYLE — After receiving a presentation on the benefits of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) last Tuesday, Kyle City Council unanimously voted for staff to bring forward a resolution in support at the next city council meeting for a vote. TNR is a method of humanely trapping “community cats” (unowned, free-roaming cats) to
be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and then returned to their outdoor environments. During surgery, the tip of their left ear is clipped, indicating that they are fixed and vaccinated. Sharri Boyett, Hays County’s animal advocacy advisor, spoke in support of the method during citizens comments and requested council to take a “proactive approach” by using TNR. “I’m here tonight in support of no-kill programs and best
humane ethical practices in the management of community cats,” Boyett said. “It’s essential for Kyle to support [the] TNR program as a preventive solution. It is the only known, humane, effective, proven method to proactively manage and prevent further growth and reproduction of community cat populations.” “It’s time for the Kyle city shelter policies and practices to reflect the moral and ethical standard See TNR, Page 6
South Hays Fire ready to hire paid responders By Megan Wehring
megan@haysfreepress.com
HAYS COUNTY – Population growth and staffing shortages have led South Hays Fire Department to convert from an all-volunteer to combination agency — the last of its kind in the county to do so. “When I first got into the fire service, there would be 50 openings and 4,000 applicants,” said Robert Simonson, South Hays fire chief. “Now, fire chiefs I know would post for three positions and got two people to show up.” On Dec. 19, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved the funding for career firefighting staff for South Hays Fire Department in 2023 — this will convert the agency into a combination department
14-year-old found dead, cause pending Staff Report SAN MARCOS — San Marcos Police and the Criminal Investigation Division are examining the death of a 14-yearold girl after she was found unconscious in her bedroom at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 3. The family was instructed on CPR by 9-1-1 dispatchers, according to San Marcos officials. When EMS arrived at the home in the Blanco Vista subdivision,
PHOTO BY NATALIE FRELS
with both career and volunteer staff. Neighboring agencies including San Marcos, North Hays and New Braunfels are in a similar boat of hiring new staff,
making the playing field that much more competitive. Simonson said that the department has 18 open positions and currently, they are working with
a hiring committee to finalize the process. “We are all kind of fighting for the same group of candidates so I realize that we are not See FIRE, Page 2
See TOXICOLOGY, Page 2
Kyle addresses ‘historic’ drought By Ashley Kontnier and Natalie Frels
Robert Simonson, South Hays fire chief.
responders performed life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful. Although an accidental narcotics overdose is suspected, toxicology results are still pending. According to an email sent out by Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright, there are three cases of suspected accidental fentanyl poisonings involving students as young as middle school age, with an additional
KYLE — For the first time in 15 years, the city of Kyle is utilizing unique methods to ensure residents and businesses have adequate water available. In December, city council signed an interlocal agreement with San Marcos, which makes Edwards Aquifer water from San Marcos’ permitted allowance available to Kyle. Currently, Kyle is permitted to receive water from three different sources: the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA),
Barton Springs (BS) and the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). Each permit has a maximum allotted amount of water annually, with GBRA being the largest source. BS and EAA have a maximum capacity; however, this amount is adjusted based on the drought stages declared throughout a given year. In June of 2022, the Public Works Department started to have concerns that the city would exceed its EAA permit allotment due to the “historic” drought. At the same time, the See DROUGHT, Page 4
FLOCK SAFETY
Buda council receives update on license plate cameras By Brittany Anderson brittany@haysfreepress.com BUDA — Several months after the installation approval, Buda City Council received an update on the status of automatic license plate reader cameras. The update, requested by council member Terry Cummings, was provided by Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd during the Jan. 3 council meeting. The council officially approved the Flock Safety cameras in August 2022. Now, they are on the way to being installed in six different locations in Buda, including Cabela’s Drive, FM 1626, FM 967, FM 2770 near the new Fire Station 1 and two on west and east Main Street. The city first started considering license plate reader cameras last year, raising some concerns within the community about privacy. Ultimately, the police department ensured that the cameras would be used to help solve See CAMERAS, Page 2
LOCAL BOUTIQUE THRIVES AFTER ACCIDENT
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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO This map shows the location of the six Flock Safety cameras that are set to be installed around Buda.
The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323