JULY 29, 2020 AT HOME
CRAMPED
Grant will boost online ‘at home’ programs for library
Kyle makes pitch for new police station ahead of call for funding
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Hays Free Press © Barton Publications, Inc.
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Vol. 126 • No. 18
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COVID-19 hijacks housing market BY SAHAR CHMAIS
In early March, when COVID-19 gripped the U.S., many experts predicted a grim outlook that the housing market would suffer. This was the case in some parts of the country, but perhaps Central Texas is an enigma. CoreLogic’s forecast shows an overall increase of 4.8% in U.S. home
prices and expects a 6.6% decrease in 2021. But then there are places like New York City, which experienced a dramatic drop, of 17%, in home prices. As the market experiences slight increases and decreases, homes in Austin and Hays County boomed. Yes, the area took multiple hits in April and May because of the virus, but for a few months now, sellers have
“There are not a lot of homes on the market, but there’s still a number of people moving here and that is driving the prices up.” –Elle Klein Garrison, real estate agent
been receiving swarms of offers while buyers feel fatigued because of the competition. “There are not a lot of
homes on the market,” said Realty Austin real-estate agent Elle Klein Garrison, “but there’s still a number of people moving here and
HOUSING MARKET, 8
BY ANITA MILLER
BY SAHAR CHMAIS
CARES FUNDING, 2
people are going to be stuck working from home, they want to be able to at least go outside.” Weather and space are not the only motives. Austin and Hays County are experiencing job growth with Amazon opening a warehouse in Kyle and Tesla building a factory near the Austin-Bergstrom Inter-
County fills two key positions
Decision time for Buda on CARES Coronavirus relief funds have allocated about $1 million to the city of Buda under certain conditions. Buda City Council members agreed that the city should apply for the grant to help aid the city during the pandemic. The government will give the city 20% of the money upfront and will reimburse the rest after the city spends it. Money issued to Buda must go toward coronavirus aid, or else the city will not get refunded. Another condition is that the city must spend the funds before Dec. 31. So far, council members have agreed on the proposed budget expenditures. But during the meeting, the city’s finance director, June Ellis, stressed that these plans are not final. If the city sees that the money should be spent another way, changes can be made. The CARES Act funds created guidelines on how the money can be used in order for the city to receive reimbursement, and Buda budgeted 75% of the funds for medical expenses, public health and payroll, all of
that is driving the prices up.” Garrison attributes the rush of buyers to several reasons. The area has nice weather year-round, homes are spacious and the job market is growing, she said. “Starting at the beginning of COVID, people were stuck in their homes for months,” Garrison explained. “So I’ve seen a big uptick, because if
PHOTO BY ZACH PERKINS Port Aransas Police examine the vehicle Nicholas Linger of Dripping Springs died in July 23.
DS resident dead in Port A after chase BY ZACH PERKINS
said. “He had no warrants. He wasn’t wanted. PORT ARANSAS SOUTH JETTY There was really no A man who died folreason.” lowing a police pursuit A bottle of alcohol in Port Aransas has been and marijuana paraidentified as Nicholas phernalia were found Linger of Dripping inside the car, Jamison Springs, according to said. Port Aransas Det. Amy Police first encounJamison. tered Linger on Beach While being pursued Street near a beach by police, Linger, 33, barricade, shortly after crashed his car and then 6 p.m. on Thursday, July was found dead with 23. a self-inflicted gunHe was asleep in his shot wound, on State car, Burroughs said. Highway 361, according Linger then suddenly to Port Aransas Police drove away while an ofChief Scott Burroughs. ficer was talking to him, Jamison said that according to Burroughs. Linger had no reason to The officer chased the run from police. car west down Beach “There’s nothing that Street, south on Alister led us to know why he Street and then south did what he did,” she down the highway,
Burroughs said, adding that the car was weaving through traffic during the pursuit. Just north of Beach Access Road 1A, the car jumped the highway’s center median, crossed the sidewalk on the other side and came to a halt with the car’s front end dipping into a culvert next to the sidewalk. After viewing camera footage, Jamison said that she believes Linger still was alive when the car came to a stop. As three responding officers approached the car, they noticed Linger’s head move violently before he was
CHASE FATALITY, 7
Two positions for the county were filled by the Commissioners Court Tuesday. The Chief of Emergency Services was officially appointed and a new fire marshal was hired. Mike Jones had served as director of emergency services in an interim capacity May 16 through July 15, but was officalled hired as chief of emergency services. Nathan Mendenhall was hired as the county’s fire marshal, replacing Gib Watt, who had served as interim since May 16. “I’m so grateful Mr. Jones has applied for this position,” County
JONES
MENDENHALL
Judge Ruben Becerra said as the appointments were announced, noting that Jones had “well served” the community. “I personally know him as a community leader,” Becerra said, mentioning Jones’ “can-do” attitude. “We will be greatly served with his leadership. Of the new fire mar-
EMERGENCY SERVICES, 9
State’s reopening hiked local sales tax revenues BY ANITA MILLER Whether it was “too early” or not, the reopening of the Texas economy in May has lead to healthy sales tax rebates for a number of Hays County communities — though that trend didn’t prevail throughout the state. Here’s the city by city breakdown (all annual percent increases are YTD compared to 2019): • Buda: July allocation is $656,105.70, up 2.86% from a year ago. So far this year, Buda has been allocated $4,670,643.90,
an increase of 9.28% . • Dripping Springs: July allocation is $256,233.04, up 12.62% from a year ago. So far this year, Dripping Springs has been allocated $1,740,703.18, an increase of 12.43%. • Hays City: July allocation $3,002.62, up 93.85% from a year ago. So far this year, Hays City has been allocated 11,263.11, a decrease of 3.42%. • Kyle: July allocation is 833,945.28, up 1.74%. So far this year,
SALES TAX REVENUE, 9
Beyond the Rebel: District digs for roots of racism BY MEGAN WEHRING
Schools across the state of Texas, including Hays High School, have reconsidered their mascot amid controversial outcry. The Hays Rebels originated in 1968. The school didn’t start distancing itself from Confederacy associations until the 2000s. In light of recent events, mass attention toward the Rebel mascot has spurred across social media.
“The mascot has to be something that’s a unifying symbol of a school,” Tim Savoy, chief communication officer for Hays CISD, said. “When you see the passions, the hurt and all of the divisiveness that comes with it, we believe that it has ceased to serve its purpose of what a mascot needs to be.” Many members of the Hays community are outspoken about their experiences. Board secretary
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
• COVID19 wedding, a personal observation • Kyle Corrections Facility COVID-19 status • Students reflect on going back to school
haysfreepress.com • haysnewsdispatch.com
Vanessa Petrea said that all current and former students should be proud of their high school. “We should be known for being a place that fosters a sense of community, family and belonging,” Petrea said. “But, how can we do that if we continue to support symbols that alienate 25% of our community and divide us?” At the July 16 meeting, Hays High School senior Alena Hernandez spoke
up about her experience organizing the student committee to change the mascot. She was stunned to receive negative backlash against her for her opinion. Hernandez informed the board that some members of the community created fake accounts solely to message her hateful comments. Board Vice President Will McManus said the unacceptable behavior
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toward Hernandez was uncalled for in any situation. “It really honestly breaks my heart,” McManus said. “Adults that were a part of that really need to spend some time reflecting on what matters in their life. I’m just really upset about it. It should never happen.” Trustee Meredith Keller suggests the board should
BEYOND THE REBEL, 11