JANUARY 25, 2023 HAYS COUNTY KICKS OFF LIVESTOCK SHOW
JAGUARS DEFEAT TIGERS PAGE 6
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News-Dispatch © Barton Publications, Inc.
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 43 • No. 18
Serving Hays County, TX
BCBSTX negotiates new contract with Ascension Thousands could be affected By Megan Wehring megan@haysfreepress.com PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON Camp Lucy owners Whit and Kim Hanks. Behind them are French Colonial-style Saint sculptures from Vietnam, some of the first antiques Whit began purchasing and sending back to Texas from Hanoi.
Camp Lucy offers more than just weddings Venue brings history to life By Brittany Anderson
See CAMP, Page 2
See CONTRACT, Page 6
Woodcreek forms HOT Committee
brittany@haysfreepress.com
DRIPPING SPRINGS — There’s more than meets the eye at Camp Lucy, a wedding and special events venue nestled on nearly 300 acres of Hill Country land in Dripping Springs. There’s a story at every turn here, thanks to owners Whit and Kim Hanks. Whit, a former antiques dealer, and Kim, a former events planner, have injected history and personality into every corner of the property
HAYS COUNTY — As a looming deadline is quickly approaching, thousands of Texans could be affected if an agreement is not reached between a major hospital system and one of the state’s largest insurance providers. The current contract between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and Ascension Texas is set to expire on Jan.
31. Without a new agreement, Ascension hospitals will leave the Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials, Blue Advantage HMO and Medicare Advantage PPO networks on Feb. 1. Ascension hospitals will remain in the Medicare Advantage (HMO) and Medicaid networks. Ascension doctors would also be removed from the Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials and Medicare Advantage
By Megan Wehring
PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON Camp Lucy is full of picturesque spots with sprawling Hill Country views.
WOODCREEK — A Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Committee was established in the small community of Woodcreek to explore the possibility of implementing a HOT rate. On Oct. 26, 2022, Wimberley City Council postponed voting on the HOT Ordinance to allow for the creation of a HOT Committee. The formation of the committee was
Rate reduction denied for Wild Game Dinner
unanimously approved in order to advise the council on aspects of collecting and spending the funds received from the tax if it were passed. “All that has been done is the formation of a Hotel Occupancy Tax Committee to evaluate whether the city of Woodcreek should or should not look into raising the hotel occupancy tax,” said city manager Kevin Rule. “If they do decide that yes, See HOT, Page 3
Introducing the Hays County Queen
Event is still on as planned By Megan Wehring DRIPPING SPRINGS — To maintain fairness among nonprofits, Dripping Springs City Council unanimously denied a rate reduction request on Tuesday, Jan. 17 for the Dripping Springs Wild Game Dinner. Dripping Springs United Methodist Church is hosting its 33rd Annual Wild Game Dinner at Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 18.
Quote of the Week
Proceeds directly benefit charities in the surrounding area including but not limited to Burke Center for Youth, Boy Scouts, Helping Hands and Dripping Springs Christian Academy. “It’s an all-volunteer organization [and] all of the money goes back to this community for missions here or missions from here to places where we think the money would do the best work,” said Matt Rogers,
"WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT TAX. YOU HAVEN'T SOLD US ON WHY WE WOULD NEED IT." – ALBERT VALERA
See DINNER, Page 5
PHOTO BY NATALIE FRELS Lizee McMillan poses with her crown and sash at the start of the Hays County Livestock Show on Jan. 21 in Dripping Springs. See more coverage on Pages 3 and 4.
The News-Dispatch Barton Publications, Inc. The News-Dispatch (USPS 011-401) 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