Lady Tigers continue to dominate
HCSO adds corrections officers
Election results in local runoffs
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXX No. 23
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢ Thursday, March 12, 2020
Wimberley couple among those quarantined BY ANITA MILLER
cases of COVID 19 in Hays County, a Wimberley cou“Wash your hands like ple is among the passenyou’ve been chopping jala- gers of a cruise ship being peños and need to change taken to a military instalyour contact lenses” goes a lation for two weeks of meme circulating on Face- quarantined observation. book concerning tips to Additionally, Texas State avoid catching the newest University says 10 people round of Coronavirus. who had traveled internaIt’s good advice. Though tionally are “to self-isolate there are still no confirmed at home” for 14 days prior
“The university is committed to protecting the health of our Texas State community and will continue to closely monitor the evolving coronavirus situation. University business and classes will continue as usual.”
to returning to campus. “There are no confirmed
cases of COVID-19 among the individuals self-isolat-
ing and there no reason for alarm,” Chief Medical officer Dr. Emilio Carranca said. “The university is committed to protecting the health of our Texas State community and will continue to closely monitor the evolving coronavirus situation. University business and classes will continue as usual.”
Gaining traction Wimberley hones its plans for skate park BY CAMELIA JUAREZ The Wimberley Parks and Recreation is considering an inclusive alternative to a traditional skate park which would provide space for skaters, moms with strollers and even people in wheelchairs. Wheeled Sport Plaza could provide a space for beginners, ramps for various wheeled sports and a circle around the perimeter for people to roll around on. Ideally, this space would be for the young and old or “multi-generational,” Skate park advocate Nayeli King said. It would appeal to young people who are seeking a safe space to skate without fear of trespassing or getting hit by surrounding traffic, King said, as well as people within the elderly community to get exercise by utilizing the plaza via bike or wheel chair. The Parks and Recreation board was supportive during its meeting March 3 and made a motion to continue the discussion. The Wheeled Sport Plaza is in the very early stages development, but board members suggested the plaza could be
SKATE PARK, 2
Last week, the county’s Epidemiologist Dr. Eric Schneider confirmed others in the county are also in self-imposed quarantine because they “believe they may have been exposed to a confirmed case.” Schneider added that those individuals are being
CORONAVIRUS, 5
Mental Health Court
Read across America
Seeks to cut recidivism DSISD PHOTOS
Special activities were planned across Dripping Springs ISD elementary schools last week as students participated in “Read Across America activities, both in classrooms and in the district’s Centers for Learning & Innovation.
“The Mental Health Court is to serve as an alternative to incarceration for individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.” –Tacie Zelhart, County Court at Law #3
Precinct 3 Constable Helm corrects racial profiling report BY ANITA MILLER
version, which Hays County Pct. 3 lists Constable Ray Helm only one has corrected errors in vehicle the racial profiling research. port he presented to the He Commissioners Court had also on March 3, citing con- reported fusion associated with a that 275 HELM new reporting system. “HisIn his original report, panic/Latino” drivers Helm said that his office were stopped, along conducted 329 traffic with eight “black” and stops in 2019 and all but 43 “white.” That was one of the vehicles were corrected to 275 “white” searched. That was reand 43 “Hispanic/Lativersed in his corrected no.”
The report is required of all Texas law enforcement agencies. Helm’s was the last to be accepted by commissioners, who gave their OK to Pct. 1 Constable David Peterson’s report on Feb. 25; to Pct. 2 Constable Michael Torres’ and Pct. 5 Constable John Ellen’s reports on Feb. 18 and to Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood’s report on Feb. 4. Commissioners also accepted the Hays County Sheriff’s Office report
on Feb. 25. Helm’s report as presented to commissioners was accepted without discussion as part of the consent agenda. Though the original version said 328 vehicles were searched, neither it nor the corrected version indicate any contraband was seized. Traffic stops were conducted on 197 male drivers and 137 females.
Reducing recidivism is the goal of a bold new effort being made by the Hays County Mental Health Court. The court providies mental health and substance abuse treatment to reduce the involvement in the criminal justice system. It marks the first time in Hays County for a non-adversarial alternative beyond deferred adjudication or probation. If a person with mental illness is charged with a misdemeanor offense, he or she can voluntarily commit to the 12-month treatment, which includes therapy, medications and community service
PROFILING REPORT, 3
MENTAL HEALTH COURT, 3
Jacob’s Well Road study gets the OK
LAGNIAPPE Festival in Dripping Springs celebrates Hill Country living The Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival returns to the Dripping Spring Ranch Park on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, one-day event promises something for everyone who loves the Texas Hill Country
– whether you call it home now, plan to make it home in the future, or just like to visit and play here. The Hill Country Alliance (HCA), FESTIVAL planner and host, has packed the day with fun things to do and good things to learn about living lightly in the Hill Country. In 2020 we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rainwater Revival
BY CAMELIA JUAREZ
products, and more. A return partnership with Plateau + Braun & Gresham Family of Companies sees the reprise of the Real Estate Rodeo, a series of certified classes for real estate professionals with attractions that and the opportunity to include a green living earn CEUs, at no cost, Vendor Hall, a Hill on a myriad of topics to Country Marketplace for artists and artisans, a help realtors buy and native plant sale, exhib- sell land in the Texas Hill Country. Realtor classes its and demonstrations run from 8 to 11:30 from the Texas Night a.m. in the new meetSky Festival team, and numerous opportunities ing room at Dripping to learn more about land Springs Ranch Park. Registration required. stewardship, wildlife More information on management, water conservation, renewable the FESTIVAL host is available at HillCountryenergy, green home building, sustainable Alliance.org.
BY ANITA MILLER Hays County Commissioners have given the go-ahead to engineering and design services on a Jacob’s Well Road Corridor Study of the roadway from FM 2325 to RR 12. The firm of Freese and Nichols will provide the services at a cost of $850,000. The measure passed the commissioners court unanimously. Identified as a high priority safety project for Precinct 3 as well as the county overall, the road will be studied to see where it needs to be widened and if additional right-of-way will be required to make
JACOB’S WELL ROAD, 2