FEBRUARY 3, 2021 UPPING OCCUPANCY
TEACHER MOURNED
Fewer COVID hospitalizations means more leniency for business occupancy.
Dripping Springs High, community mourn loss of CTE teacher.
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News-Dispatch
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 41 • No. 18
Serving Hays County, TX
Four arrested in Buda death STAFF REPORT
nez (DOB 10/07/2003). Martinez and the three Three juveniles and one juveniles, all from Austin, adult have been detained have been charged with and arrested in Capital Murder connection to the in the shooting Buda homicide on death of Giancarlo Jan. 21. Arman Perez of The Hays CounBuda. As of press ty Sheriff’s Office time, Martinez made the arrest on was still in custoJan. 28. The homidy. No bond has cide occurred in been set. the 6900 block of These detenSunfield Parkway tions and arrest MARTINEZ in Buda. were the result of The juvenile witness interviews suspects were all detained in Hays County as well as and processed into the in Austin. Hays County Juvenile This is an active inDetention Center. The vestigation and no other adult arrested is identified information is currently as Jason Oliver Martiavailable.
Fast growth districts want better funding
75th Annual Hays Youth Livestock Show
BY MEGAN WEHRING
BY DAVID WHITE With COVID protocols in place, the 75th annual Hays County Youth Livestock show went on as scheduled from Jan. 23 through this past Saturday. Livestock Board President Jeff Dodd said attendance was down slightly this year, but still had a strong turnout with 500 exhibitors and 1,100 entries. Dodd praised the Dripping Springs city officials and everyone from Dripping Springs Ranch Park for their help with the show and ensuring everybody’s safety. “They were all willing to work with us in these unprecedented times ... it was an amazing level of support. I was pleasantly surprised.” Dodd said he and many other participants were also surprised to find out that this was the
Top photo is Addyson Hudson of Buda 4H. Inset is Caroline Olson, an officer in the Dripping Springs FFA and an HCYLS scholarship recipient. For livestock show results, visit hayscountylivestockshow.org. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DALE WHITAKER, DSISD
75th annual show for the organization. Dodd wanted to thank and credit Dripping Springs student, 4H member and Queen emeritus
Grace Basicek who, out of her own curiosity, went through 75 years worth of newspapers in the San Marcos library to find out more
Fast growth schools in the state, including Hays CISD and Dripping Springs ISD, need help, and are pushing the Texas Legislature to fund necessities. The Fast Growth School Coalition, voice of the state’s fastest-growing school districts, is asking lawmakers to protect funding for public schools, to address funds for growth and other legislative priorities. Hays CISD is part of the coalition. The coalition’s legislative priorities focus on the challenges that these districts face, including public school police concerns during the pandemic. “Increasing state
funding for new facilities to ensure our fast growth districts can meet the needs of their community remains a challenge,” said Dr. Greg Smith, executive director of Fast Growth School Coalition. “COVID-19 only adds to the budget challenges and financial concerns facing our districts and public schools all across our state.” Fast Growth School Coalition’s legislative priorities include: • Encourage facilities funding • Support charter school transparency and efficiency • Renew Texas’ commitment to local control • Expand connectivity for students, schools and communities
about the history of the livestock show. “She is a bright and hardworking young lady,” Dodd said. “She represents the stock show well.”
Kyle hosts peace, progress Hays to receive 1,950 meeting Friday Pfizer doses weekly STAFF REPORT
as a vaccine hub. COVID-19 vacciHAYS COUNTY — nation slots filled up While the Hays County quickly on Friday, Jan. portal has yet to reopen, 29, just minutes after many are left waiting the portal opened at for their turn to receive noon. High traffic on the vaccine. At this time, the Sign-Up Genius the Hays County Health registration platform Department (HCHD) caused the site to go is only receiving 1,950 down, according to doses of Pfizer per week communications mandespite its designation ager Kim Hilsenbeck,
WEDDING WOES
Mother distraught after losing wedding deposit at popular venue.
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but more than 1,000 people received an appointment slot. Hays County has not made any announcements about the portal opening back up at this time. Any updated information will be available through the Hays Informed website and the county’s official Facebook page.
The city of Kyle is hosting a Dialogue for Peace and Progress, in honor of Black History Month, this Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. The event, moderated by council member Dex Ellison, will be held in-person at Kyle City Hall but members of the public can also stream online through Spectrum 10, the city's YouTube channel or Facebook page.
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
February is Black History Month Watch Dialogue for Peace and Progress this Friday.