CASA ALDE FIRE
ON A HIGH NOTE
Matriarch of iconic Buda restaurant remembered.
Lady Lobo soccer crushes Akins 4-0 in regular season finale.
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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
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Vol. 125 • No. 51
HaysFreePress.com
Serving Buda, Kyle and Northeast Hays County, TX
Local official advise public to remain calm and go online for COVID-19 updates BY ANITA MILLER
In the interest of community health, we are putting COVID-19 stories in front of the pay wall. However, it does cost money to report these stories. Please consider subscribing so you can get all the news all the time.
With three presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Hays County and more expected, officials are calling for calm and cooperation, urging the public to place. observe social distancing County Judge Ruben and proper hygiene as local Becerra issued a state authorities rely on plans of disaster declaration and protocols already in
Park it
Texas Parks open during Spring Break STAFF REPORT
For families running out of options for Spring Break, the Texas Parks system has a message: Come visit. Texas State Parks are open and running, and note that “outdoor spaces are well suited to increased social distance.” There are, however, a few steps people can take to assure their part in keeping healthy. For one, potential park visitors can print day-use and camping permits at home and bring them, which will cut down on the time it takes to check in. Visit twpd.texas.gov and create an account to get started. Then select “Print Tickets & Daily Entrance” and follow instructions. This should be done 24 hours or more ahead of the expected visit. Also, visitors are advised to pack extra soap and hand sanitizers, even though both are stocked in park restrooms. Consult the Department of State Health Services for additional information on best practices. Parks are also waiving cancellation fees through March. To cancel without a fee, call 512-389-8900. Parks have implemented more stringent protocol for cleaning restrooms and other common areas, and will continue to monitor the developing situation.
on Sunday effective for seven days. On Monday, the Commissioner Court extended that for 120 days
unless it is suspended before then. Becerra’s declaration was announced at a Sunday
press conference in the rotunda of the county courthouse in downtown San Marcos. At the time, only one presumptive case had been identified, but officials were mum, however, on details of the specific patient, saying only that the person is 44
See how local officials are dealing with the Coronavirus PAGE 4
PHOTO BY ANITA MILLER
Rachel Ingle, Emergency Management coordinator for San Marcos, speaks about disaster preparedCOUNTY PROTOCOL, 4 ness.
COVID 19
Buda cancels/ postpones city events through April 12 Add the city of Buda to the list of entities who have postponed or canceled events due to the threat of COVID 19. While there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus locally or in Hays County, the city is taking action as s a precautionary measure. This decision was made after careful consideration for the public’s health and well-being and because the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
PHOTOS BY MITCH PHILLIPS
CANCELED/POSTPONED EVENTS ARE: • Buda area Census Count Shindig, March 28 • Buda Trash-Off, April 4 • Easter Egg Hunt, April 4 • All programs at the Buda Library including storytimes, after school and homeschool programming, adult programming and maker space programming.
A freezer in the meat section of the Kyle H-E-B Plus that had once been filled with product is barren after hundreds rushed to the store Saturday to buy goods. Such a scene has played out at other grocery stores across the country this week as people react to the WHO's designation of COVID-19 as a pandemic. Political leaders, as well as grocery store chains, ask people to remain calm and to avoid stockpiling.
Following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, the city is also committed to social distancing and encouraging residents to take preventative action like hand washing, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and stay home when they feel sick. The city also taking a number of internal measures including boosting janitorial services to include disinfecting of all surfaces, canceling large staff gatherings and retreats and restricting employee travel. The city will continue to work with its regional partners to evaluate this evolving situation and make decisions about future events, meetings, etc., as warranted.
Morrow, Popp in runoff election for State Board of Education seat CHASE ROGERS
over Popp’s 33.9 percent, Morrow will face his own Robert Morrow, forparty, which opposes mer chairman of the Re- him obtaining the office, publican Party of Travis in addition to the DemCounty, is heading into a ocratic nominee for the runoff election with par- seat, Rebecca Bell-Mety-backed candidate Lani tereau, should she win Popp for a seat on the the runoff. 15-member State Board Morrow has an acof Education. knowledged history of Having garnered 40.1 making sexist, racist and percent of the vote in obscene remarks toward the March 3 primary athletes and major po-
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MORROW
POPP
litical figures, including former first lady Michelle Obama and former Sec-
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retary of State and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Because of this history, neither party wants to see Morrow elected to office. Morrrow is characteristically known for wearing a multi-colored jester’s hat, and for a top campaign issue that is unique to most Republi-
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SBOE RUNOFF, 2
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