OCTOBER 26, 2022 SARAH POUND CHAPTER CELEBRATES 132 YEARS OF NATIONAL SOCIETY
DRIPPING SPRINGS STUNS LAKE TRAVIS WITH 38-31 WIN PAGE 6
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News-Dispatch © Barton Publications, Inc.
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 43 • No. 5
Serving Hays County, TX
DS adds parcels, Library breaks ground on projects to TIRZ BIGGER AND BETTER
expansion in Wimberley BY MEGAN WEHRING
WIMBERLEY The Wimberley Village Library (WVL) is undergoing a $6.5 million expansion to accommodate the growing community’s needs. The WVL board of trustees purchased the adjoining lot, giving the project a total of 3.794 acres, and appointed the Building Committee to plan and implement the expansion/renovation of the library in January 2020. The committee has met weekly to plan the project. Site work began in September 2022, and the building pad was completed by Oct. 5. The WVL broke ground on the expansion on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. With Ozona Bank’s support and matching pledge, the WVL is raising an additional $1 million to renovate the current building which will occur after the expansion is finished. Changes in the remodel include: • Replacement of the HV/AC system and
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Aileen Edgington, Beth Jordan, Carolyn Manning, Linda Anderson, David Anderson, Sharon Criswell, (behind) Kevin Hammond, Dell Hood, Patrick Cox, (behind) Dennis Lee, Monica Rasco, and Tonda Frady break ground on the expansion of the Wimberley Village Library. lighting. • The existing computer area, reference desk, Friend’s shelves, young adult section, DVD carousels, and audiobook section will be added to the current adult book collection space to form the adult service area located in the completely
renovated current library building. • The existing meeting room will become a Friends of the Library work/sales space, allowing year-round book sales. • The existing children’s area will become small and medium meeting rooms and the reference
section. • The existing restrooms will not move but will be completely renovated. The expansion is fully funded. For more information about how to donate toward the renovation, visit https:// wimberleylibrary.kindful. com/.
PUPPY’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Freedom Canines partners with WISD to raise life-saving assistance dogs
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
WIMBERLEY — Wimberley ISD student puppy raisers are partnering
with Freedom Canines International (FCI), which is a nonprofit organization that raises, trains and socializes life-saving assistance dogs for the first year of their lives. Students from Wimberley High School welcomed puppies Glow, Luna and Nox onto campus as they entered training last Wednesday and received their official “puppy in training” capes. The dogs will wear their “puppy in training” capes while working in public. During class and FCI Club training sessions, students can work with puppies and dogs in advanced training. FCI instructor Todd Kier said that partnering with WISD is a “win-win” scenario. “Students learn about behavior and training and eventually have the opportunity to see their hard work change the life of someone in need,” Kier said. The dogs are raised for the first eight weeks of life and then go to their raiser’s home for about a year. After 14 months,
BY MEGAN WEHRING
DRIPPING SPRINGS Last week, the Dripping Springs City Council approved updating two Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) to add more parcels and projects. On Oct. 18, the Dripping Springs City Council approved ordinances amending TIRZ 1 (Town Center) and TIRZ 2 (Southwest) to update the project plans including additional parcels and modified projects. The city is facing a major challenge: accommodating continuous growth.
According to the latest census numbers issued for 2020, the city had a large increase in its population in the last 10 years, and that number is even higher in the extraterritorial jurisdiction and school district. This pattern is expected to continue. The total estimated cost for potential projects in TIRZ 1 (Town Center) is $30,850,000 with an estimated proportionate share of $20,037,500. Proportionate share means that some of the projects cross over into TIRZ 2. Potential projects in
See TIRZ, page 5
Dripping Springs QB named 2023 All-American BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs High Schol senior quarterback Austin Novosad has been named a 2023 AllAmerican and selected to play in the 23rd annual All-American Bowl. The Baylor commit is one out of only 100 high school football players in the country to play. Novosad has also had other offers from Texas A&M, Ohio State, Texas Tech and TCU. Novosad has thrown more than 7,500 yards and 95 touchdowns for the Tigers. He also helped the Tigers get to a 6-1 district
record in their new 6A district. So far this season, the 6’4’’, 195-pound quarterback has made 19 touchdowns and averages about 13 yards per pass. Novosad has a nearly 63% pass completion rate. Previously, Novosad was awarded the Texas District 12-5A D-1 Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 2020. As a junior in 2021, he was awarded Texas District 125A-I Overall MVP. The 2023 All-American Bowl will feature an East vs. West matchup at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Jan. 7. It will also air on NBC and Peacock.
Novosad stands with his newly-acquired All American jersey.
PHOTO BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Wimberley senior Annie Novak holds her puppy. the dogs return to Kier for advanced training, where they will train to become Diabetic Alert Dogs, Mobility Service Dogs and Hearing Dogs. Advanced training takes six to eight months, where they learn how to pick up items like money or phones. “The first year of training
TEXAS IOWA RECLAIMED OPENS FIRST STUDIO IN WIMBERLEY
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is more about socialization and really good manners than the advanced skills that Todd and I teach in advanced training,” FCI instructor Becky Kier said. “So we’re working with the students during class and during our club time together on all of the
See PUPPY, page 3
PHOTO BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Dripping Springs senior quarterback Austin Novosad looks to pass the ball against the Westlake Chaparrals on Friday, Oct. 14.
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