MARCH 17, 2021 DISTRICT CHAMPS
LEHMAN 9-1 WIN
Dripping Springs Lady Tiger soccer team wins their district champion ship for third straight year.
Lobo baseball team defeats Seguin Matadors 9-1.
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Hays Free Press HaysFreePress.com
Vol. 126 • No. 51
Serving Hays County, TX
Tensions arise as laptop remains in hand of ex employee
Highway study aims for safer, faster SH 21 HAYS COUNTY — The long range “corridor preservation study” on a 17-mile stretch of State Highway 21 (SH 21) from State Highway 80 to State Highway 130 began in February 2020, after the Hays County Commissioners Court approved the start of the initial study phase of the project co-sponsored by commissioners Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe and Mark Jones. “This is Hays County living up to a long-term commitment,” Ingalsbe said. Her district stretches from the south and east sides of San Marcos through Uhland and the east side of Kyle, along the Hays-Caldwell County line, with SH 21 as the boundary. “We’ve made a number of improvements to SH 21 over the years,” she said. “Now we’re looking at the long-term and the big picture. How will this road meet the demands of the future and the growth we know is likely to continue?” Jones agreed. “We’re one of the state’s fastest growing counties,” said Jones, whose precinct includes Uhland, Niederwald, Buda and parts of Kyle. “We’re seeing very rapid growth along SH 21, and even more growth planned. SH 21 is also a major route for car and truck traffic passing through our region. We have to think ahead to make this road safe and keep traffic moving.” During the first phase of the project, the anticipated population and traffic growth along this corridor was evaluated to assist in the determination of the appropriate roadway facility type to accommodate the needs of the travelling public in 2040 and beyond. In addition to the anticipated regional growth, the engineers also considered needed safety improve-
BY SAHAR CHMAIS
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III/HAYS CISD
Lobo Theatre makes historical advancement
Lehman High senior Jared Brown (left) lifts Lobo junior Zoe Lough (center) with the help of junior Hannah Zuniga and senior Emilee Cude during the One Act Play “Things I Know to be True” by Andrew Bovell. The Lobo Theatre performance advanced the team to bi-district competition – a first for Lehman High. See full story, page 6.
Dripping Springs criminal mischief suspect caught red-handed –literally STAFF REPORT DRIPPING SPRINGS — A suspect in a vandalism case at Dripping Springs City Hall was arrested on March 11 after surveillance photos and video on social media led to the possible identity of the suspect. Hays County deputies responded to calls from city hall in the morning hours of March 10 reporting graffiti, criminal
mischief and a broken window. Offensive and racist messages were spray painted on the
exterior, GIBSON according to the city of Dripping
Springs. Bonnie Laurel Gibson (DOB: 05/25/1994) was later identified as the suspect after investigators discovered the paint on her hands and vehicle matched the color of the graffiti on the Dripping Springs City Hall building. Gibson was arrested on a warrant for Criminal Mischief, a State Jail Felony and transported to the Hays County Jail. A bond has not been set.
Tension filled the air March 9 as Hays County commissioners dove into the problem of unreturned county equipment from former Hays County employee Alex Villalobos. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra (D) had an extensive back-and-forth with Commissioners Lon Shell (R) and Walt Smith (R) about the importance, or lack of, regarding the matter. “At the end of the day I think it’s petty,” Becerra said after nearly 10 minutes of the conversation. “It’s a laptop and we have laptops everywhere. I can bring the laptop back.” Shell and Smith did not find the situation to be this simple – Shell stressed the importance of returning the equipment and listed many reasons. “If we don’t take the responsibility seriously, equipment could be misused,” Shell told Becerra. “If you wish to have resources associated to that
UNRETURNED ITEMS, 2
Kyle Police investigate false report of active shooter STAFF REPORT
A SAFER HIGHWAY 21, 2
VIDEO BY CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON
Above is a snapshot of the line that stretched over one mile at the Hays Performing Arts Center where the vaccine was being administered. See video at www.haysfreepress.com.
Vaccine surge causes long lines in Kyle BY SAHAR CHAMAIS HAYS COUNTY – Lines in the era of COVID-19 have become a less than scarce sighting; but last week Hays County witnessed a spike in its vaccine line up. The vaccine crowd driving into the Hays Performing Arts Center stretched over one-mile and completely crowd-
ed one road lane. Typically, the Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) has been able to vaccinate 800 to 900 people a day when vaccines are allotted. Last week, the county received a surge in vaccines and was giving 1,600 doses a day, according to Hays County. The effort started on Monday, March 8
PUBLIC NOTICES
See what’s really happening locally.
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and continued through Friday, March 12. Not all those standing in line are Hays County residents. Many Texans have been frantically seeking vaccines and driving for hours just to get their shot. Restrictions on who can get the vaccine have been periodically changing. In the most recent update, Texans
ages 50 and older will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting March 15. So far, 7.4 million vaccines have been administered in Texas with 4.8 million Texans who have received their first dose and 2.6 million fully vaccinated. The state has been giving Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.
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
Kyle Police responded to a report of an active shooter on the 100 block of Brazos Lane shortly after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10. Police are investigating the report which they said was false. The caller reported that an individual was “harming people inside of a home” and “making threats to responding law enforcement.” Residents in the immediate vicinity were evacuated. Kyle Police announced at about 6:30 p.m. on March 10 that the area was clear and no injuries were reported. Police found the home to be empty and believe the call was a hoax to lure local law enforcement in the area, Chief Jeff Barnett explained in a video update Wednesday evening.
ACTIVE SHOOTER HOAX, 2