NOVEMBER 16, 2022 DRIPPING SPRINGS HEADS TO AREA
WIMBERLEY SCHOOLS HONOR VETERANS PAGE 6
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News-Dispatch © Barton Publications, Inc.
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 43 • No. 8
Serving Hays County, TX
HOLIDAY SEASON
Dripping Springs to light up Mercer for Christmas BY MEGAN WEHRING
DRIPPING SPRINGS – A highlight of the holiday season for the Dripping Springs community is back: Christmas on Mercer. For the 18th year, the city of Dripping Springs is partnering with the Dripping Springs Lions Club to transform downtown into a winter wonderland of holiday cheer for the Christmas on Mercer event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. The full-day celebration will feature arts and crafts, local vendor booths, holiday music, photos with Santa and activities for kids. The annual Christmas tree lighting will take place at dusk on Friday, Dec. 2 and a holiday movie will follow. Destination Dripping Springs’s annual Holiday Light Campaign is also underway to raise funds to go toward the purchase, installation and storage of the holiday lights and decorations displayed during the holiday season in downtown Dripping Springs. Individuals and businesses in the Dripping Springs area can help make the holidays a little brighter by contributing a donation of $20 or more. The campaign was started four years ago after receiving a grant from the Dripping Springs Community Foundation and many donations from residents. In the last three years, the support this campaign received from local businesses and the community was overwhelming and
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Adrian Fisher is pictured above with his cello. He was recently named the second chair in the UIL Region 18 Orchestra.
Dripping Springs HS freshman named All-Region cellist BY MEGAN WEHRING CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Bird’s-eye view of the 2021 Christmas on Mercer event. the DSVB is asking for support from the community once again. This year’s goal is to raise $9,000. For more information about donations for the lights campaign, visit https://www.
destinationdrippingsprings.com/p/ events/light-up-historic-mercer-street. Christmas on Mercer details will be updated at https://www. cityofdrippingsprings.com/ christmasonmercer.
DRIPPING SPRINGS – Adrian Fisher, a freshman cellist at Dripping Springs High School, was named the second chair in the UIL Region 18 Orchestra following his performance at the region competition.
Fisher is a member of Dripping Springs ISD’s top orchestra, Camerata. He is also a student of Melissa Solomon and a member of her Cello Choir and Cello Quartet. Fisher now advances on to audition for the AllState Orchestra.
Dripping Springs school district looks to future after bonds fail BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS – Voters did not approve any of the three proposed bond propositions totaling $481.13 million in the Nov. 8
general election. Proposition A ($199.28 million) would have included the construction of a sixth elementary school, the expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle School, campus security updates, property for future district facilities and capital maintenance projects on old campuses. More than
48% or 9,494 voted for Prop A, while 51.7% or 10,167 were against, according to unofficial results. Proposition B ($275.35 million) would have constructed a second high school in the district. Unofficial results show that 46.2% or 9,073 voted for Prop B, while 53.8% or 10,572 were against it. Proposition C ($6.5
million) would have replaced all district technology devices. More than 46% or 9,103 voted for Prop C, while 53.6% or 10,501 were against it. Three of the district’s eight campuses are over their capacity limits, DSISD stated in an email on Nov. 9, with two more campuses expected to outgrow their capacity next
year. Over the next several months, district officials will work to understand why the propositions failed and develop plans to serve its growing student population so that it can continue to deliver the exceptional and personalized learning experiences for which the district is known. DSISD will look at several
tactics to help address district growth and current overcrowding at campuses including: • Rezoning for elementary and middle schools • Examining class size models (teacher: student ratio) • Master scheduling • Purchasing portables • Long-range planning for future bonds
ENVIRONMENT
TESPA takes legal action against rock quarry proposal BY MEGAN WEHRING
TESPA’s lawsuit against FSM can be filed in federal court. HAYS COUNTY – A This is the first amended proposed rock quarry and version of the NOI rock crushing operation distributed in May 2022, is not receiving positive according to Karen Ford of feedback from all sides. WaterPR. As the legal team The Trinity Edwards was preparing the case Springs Protection Association (TESPA) sent and court filing, they came across additional legal an amended Notice of Intent (NOI) to bring legal arguments to be included in the case, thus triggering action against Far South the requirement for an Mining LLC (FSM) for a proposed rock quarry and amended notice. TESPA is requesting rock crushing operation FSM to abandon its plans in Hays County. The NOI for a rock quarry on the sent on Nov. 7 triggers Needmore Ranch, located a 60-day waiting period between Wimberley and required by law before
SIGNATURECARE SOUTH AUSTIN CELEBRATES FACILITY – PAGE 4
San Marcos. The FSM permit request estimates the footprint of the operation to be 2,000 by 4,000 feet in size. That’s equivalent to 127 football fields of mining and land disruption on the Needmore Ranch in an area formerly known as “Little Arkansas.” The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has already approved the quarry permit for air quality. However, the 44-page NOI from TESPA cites numerous potential
See TESPA, page 4
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Map of Needmore Ranch, located between Wimberley and San Marcos.
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