AUGUST 12, 2020 SHARK!
PIE IN THE SKY
Local angler lands a big one on coastal excursion.
Nothing official, but there will be balloons come Labor Day.
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 40 • No. 44
Serving Hays County, TX
Montague tapped for ballot, interim post BY ANITA MILLER
MONTAGUE
When County Judge Ruben Becerra cast his vote last week against Don Montague, Republican candidate for Precinct 3 Constable, to fill the unexpired term of disgraced former constable
Ray Helm, he said he did so without intending to “reflect negativity.” Instead, Becerra had hoped to fill the unexpired term of disgraced former constable Ray Helm, who resigned and surrendered his certification July 31 to avoid
Parents face big decisions upon school opening
prosecution, with someone who would not appear on the ballot in order to not “tip the scales.” Several residents from the Wimberley Valley and beyond felt the same way. In comments given in person and in those read aloud in
court during the Aug. 7 special meeting of the commissioners court, people from both ends of the political spectrum spoke against someone who would be on the ballot filling the post in an interim position. “Put someone in who is
The band plays on
SCHOOL OPENING, 9
MONTAGUE TAKES PCT. 3 POST, 7
Kyle CIP projects underway BY MEGAN WEHRING
BY MEGAN WEHRING Hays CISD parents will start making decisions whether they want their children to continue virtual learning or attend in-person learning in the classroom. The form went live today in Parent SelfServe. All students will be required to participate in virtual learning from Sept. 8 to Sept. 25. Parents will be asked if they should be considered for the In-person Virtual Learning Support Program. The option allows for parents to send their children to school in-person during that period, as some students may not be able to participate in a virtual learning environment. More information about the program can be viewed in the COVID-19 response plan. Parents will then choose virtual learning or in-person learning for the remaining first nine-week grading period between Sept. 28 and Nov. 6. Parents can change their choices for the later periods up until the listed deadlines. For the second nineweek period (Nov. 9, 2020 to Jan. 29, 2021),
a caretaker and will not be seeking office in November,” said perennial court watcher Sam Brannon. “Anything else would be suspect.” Brannon called out what he called “bipartisan crony-
PHOTO BY SARAH BRAGER An upperclassman gives instructions to the cornet section during a recent practice session. They won’t be on the football field but will be working on material for UIL competitions.
Hays High School Band, masks at ready, hits the practice field BY SARAH BRAGER CVOID-19 brings many uncertainties for the upcoming school year; while the plan for the fall has been released by the district, certain details are still undetermined, like what extracurriculars are going to look like. Despite this unpredictability, Hays High School band students are preparing for the fall semester like any other,
“Unlike most subjects, the arts, especially music, cannot be taught efficiently over a computer screen.” –Gabe Lecca, HHS Drum Major
with the proper safety precautions of course. For them, the show must go on. In-person band rehearsals started July 13, but they recently launched their “summer band process,â€
where they begin learning marching fundamentals and playing as a full ensemble. Band students will be rehearsing Mondays-Thursdays until Aug 13. To ensure this is a safe process, students
are required to fill out a health assessment form and take temperature checks each morning, and masks are worn when they are not playing instruments. “Safety of the band members is our number one priority as we go through this dangerous time. The Hays band is really lucky to be in a location where we are able to still hold
HAYS HIGH BAND, 8
Your hometown newspaper named ‘Best Newspaper in South Texas’ STAFF REPORT
Hays Free Press staffers celebrate the good news in a Zoom meeting. Left to right, top to bottom are: Cyndy Slovak-Barton and Arlene Monroe behind her, Tracy Mack, David White, Sahar Chmais, Jane Kirkham, Verna Womack, Exsar Arguello, Megan Wehring, Anita Miller and Moses Leos III. Staff not shown include Jim Darby and Clint Younts.
The staff of the Hays Free Press once again has brought home the gold. The newspaper was named the Best Newspaper for its size in all of south and west Texas by the South Texas Press Association Aug. 7 for 2019. The award is based on points accumulated for awards in various categories. One of the awards, the coveted Griff Singer Award of General Excel-
BEST NEWSPAPER, 6
CITE & RELEASE Local police policy to change Sept. 1 for low-level offenses.
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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
Several projects are well underway in Kyle with plans for some to be completed by the end of August. Lehman road, near Lehman High School, construction is 91% complete along with the paving finished. It’s currently closed from Hallie Dr to Bunton Creek Rd. The road is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Based on pay estimates, the Burleson Road project is currently 83% complete. Paving is complete except for Rodriguez to the roundabout. Traffic signals and lights are in progress. Substantial completion is planned for this month. The SouthSide Wastewater Improvements Project is 59% complete. One crew is working on the Post Road lift station. The other crews are working on water lines near Public Works and bore at Post Road near I-35. The Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion is at 5.21% completion. More project information will be posted near trails for residents.
Stimulus funds signup for small biz now open BY MEGAN WEHRING Hays County businesses can now apply for the Emergency Cash Assistance Program (ECAP) grant fund. The program, administered through the People Fund, will disperse a total of $600,000. Hays County is providing $500,000 while the city of Kyle is adding $100,000 toward supporting Kyle businesses. Grant funds will provide up to $10,000 to eligible
COUNTY STIMULUS, 7