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Dripping Springs Century News
How to navigate FEMA during the hurricane season
The recent heavy rain across the state serves as a preamble for the upcoming hurricane season, which started June 1. Texans should know that, should severe weather damage their homes this season, they can apply for federal assistance. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts an 85% chance for an “above-average” season, with the potential for between four to seven Category 3 hurricanes, with winds averaging 111-129 miles per hour. Damage incurred from hurricane season is often inevitable, but programs like the Federal Emergency Management Agency can make handling damage afterwards easier. FEMA provides financial assistance to communities rebuilding after a...
County Updates
, At the 2024 Film Friendly Texas Forum on May 16, the Governor's Office recognized Anita Collins, Community Program Manager in the Office of the Hays County Judge and Chair of the Hays County Film Advisory Board. The Texas Film Commission awarded Collins with the Community Builder Award. Collins has worked for County Judge Ruben Becerra for over five years. When she attended the last Film Forum in 2022, she was encouraged to look into creating a Film Advisory Board to support the upcoming Hill Country Studio in San Marcos and the current independent film industry in Hays County. Judge Becerra...
Escobar wins race for Tax Assessor-Collector
Unofficial totals show that Jennifer Escobar won the race for Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector in the Democratic primary runoff election beating Jessica Sanchez. All precincts have reported, but results remain unofficial until they are canvassed by the respective parties holding the election. Collector was the only race in either the Republican or Democratic primary runoff that was countywide and unopposed in the general election, which means that the winner of the runoff would be the elected official. Escobar received 1,475 votes in the Democratic primary runoff, or 50.9% of the vote, compared to Jessica Sanchez, who received 1,423 votes, or 49.1%. She is...
DSHS seniors graduate in postponed ceremony
, , , , , Dripping Springs High School can officially boast 569 more alumni after graduating its 2023-2024 senior class this past weekend. Although the commencement ceremony was initially scheduled for Friday, May 31, heavy thunderstorms in the forecast caused Dripping Springs ISD officials to move the event to Saturday, June 1. The postponed ceremony went off without a hitch the following day, beginning at 8 p.m. Valedictorian William Johns and salutatorian Jaiden Stankard both spoke at Saturday’s graduation, part of the “Top 10” seniors ranked academically and previously recognized by the DSISD Board of Trustees ^iT/ U in late April. Additional Top 10 seniors included Milad Khezrefaridi, Brenna Putman, Lauren Kethley, Presley Cochran, Alyssa Stradling, Kira Granberry, Jasmine Zogaib and Keira Maghielse.
Storm drops nearly four inches of rain
The rainstorm that passed through much of west and central Texas late last week brought some much needed rainfall without much of the dangerous and damaging weather that both the local area and much of the state have experienced over the last month. Thanks to the precipitation on the morning of Friday, May 31, areas in Hays County received some of the highest rainfall totals from the storm. While most of the region received an inch or even two, with 1.34 inches being reported at the San Marcos Regional Airport, some areas on the southern side of San Marcos saw three...
Texas’ first-ever statewide flood plan estimates 5 million live in flood-prone areas
More than 5 million Texans, or one in six people in the state, live or work in an area susceptible to flooding, according to a draft of the state’s first-ever flood plan. The plan by the Texas Water Development Board is an effort to reduce the risk for those people by recommending solutions to harden Texas against floods and rising sea levels. The board was required to create the plan in a 2019 state law passed in response to Hurricane Harvey. The public can make comments on the plan during a May 30 meeting in Austin and have until June 17...
County Updates
Austin-based real estate firm Balcones Real Estate Group is moving forward with plans to build a 98,000-square-foot Class AA speculative industrial warehouse distribution facility in San Marcos. San Marcos City Council approved the development during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. The measure must still pass a second reading from council for final approval. Located on nine acres at 500 Wonder World Drive, there are some unique differences compared to other warehouses constructed in the region, said Otto Swingler with the real estate group. “It is a ‘typical industrial development’ in many ways considering 28’ clear height, all concrete 130’ truck court, ESFR Sprinklers,...
Federal forecasters predict the highest number of storms ever for 2024 season
Federal forecasters are predicting between 17 and 25 named storms will form this hurricane season — the highest number of storms the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever predicted before the start of the season on June 1. The agency announced Thursday at a press conference that Texas and the rest of the Gulf and East coasts are most likely to see an “above-average” hurricane season in 2024. NOAA defines an average Atlantic hurricane season as one with 14 named storms, of which three are stronger hurricanes, based on data from 1991 to 2020. Of the storms predicted this year, four to...
Judge sentences man to 32 years for indecency with child
Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 28-year-old Bradley Don Simpson was sentenced to 32 years in prison for indecency with a child in Hays County. Simpson was charged pursuant to an investigation that occurred in February of 2020 following an outcry by the 8-year-old daughter of the family that had, in an act of kindness and charity, taken Simpson into their home. Simpson pled guilty on April 1 to three counts of indecency with a child. Simpson appeared for sentencing on May 23, when Judge Tanner Neidhardt sentenced him to 15 years each on two counts and 17 years on the third count, ordering the third count to run consecutively, for a total of 32 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The case was prosecuted by Hays County Assistant District Attorney Abigail Whitaker, who stated that the outcome in this case has brought closure to the family and justice to Simpson.
TxDOT hosts workshop for U.S. Highway 290 section
The Texas Department of Transportation will host an in-person public workshop this week at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center to evaluate long-term safety and mobility solutions along US 290 from RM 1826 to Rob Shelton Boulevard. Based on public feedback, TxDOT continues to evaluate design options and has extended the study timeline to allow for more community dialogue. Its meeting at the event center on Saturday, June 1, will allow attendees to review project materials, ask questions of TxDOT staff, provide comments on study area constraints maps, respond to survey questions and leave written comments. “Our goal is to develop a project that both meets the desired mobility and safety outcomes and reflects community values,” TxDOT states on its website. TxDOT will share information about the environmental study and what will be anazed, community eedback that has been received and the need for mobility and safety improvements to US 290 in the study area. TxDOT said it would also like to receive community input regarding the mobility and safety issues residents experience, as well as their ideas for improving the corridor. For more, visit txd ot.gov/projects/ hearings-meetings/ aus tin/2 024/us2 90from-oak-hill-to-drip -springs-060124.
Local restaurant named ’most beautiful' in Texas
One Dripping Springs restaurant was recently recognized by online restaurantreservation company OpenTable as one of “The 50 most beautiful restaurants in America.” Tillies, located at luxury resort Camp Lucy, was named as the most beautiful restaurant in Texas. This recognition, according to OpenTable, was çiven for the restaurants (and surrounding property’s) “impressive, eclectic antiques.”In keeping with the artful atmosphere, Tillies culinary menu offers a modern interpretation of classic gourmet dishes, infused with innovative international flavors. Tillies and Camp Lucy were established by owner Whit Hanks and are managed by Whim Hospitality, guest activities and a The resort property resort pool, offers overnight ac- For more inforcommodations, meet- mation about Camp ing spaces and several Lucy, visit camplucy. breathtaking wedding com. venues. A full-scale experiential resort, it also features daily
Community garage sale planned for early June
The Dripping Springs Methodist Church has scheduled a Community Garage Sale June 7-8. It is an annual event serving the needs of the community. All proceeds are donated to local charitable organizations. Drop-off donations will be accepted June 3-4, Monday-Tuesday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm and June 5-6, Wednesday-Thursday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Items accepted include gently used clothing, shoes, handbags, linens, jewelry, kitchen items, furniture, toys, bikes and holiday décor. Old bedding, throws, and towels are acceptable to be used for pet beddinngg. - Electronics, books for ages over 10, mattresses, car seats, broken and soiled items and major appliances will not be accepted. The sale begins Friday, June 7, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will continue Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers are encouraged to shop early as items sell quickly. It will be held in the Family Life Center Gym in the church’s main building located at 28900 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs. The sale is organized by Women in Mission. For additional information, contact Ginnie Street at womeninmission@ dsmethodist.org.
Dripping Springs prepares for Class of2024 graduation
Dripping Springs High School will recognize 569 seniors on Friday, May 31, with the Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony at Tiger Stadium. Graduation begins at 8 p.m. with the gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and tickets are not required; seating is firstcome, first-served. The ceremony will also be streamed live at dsisdtx. us/livestream. Parking is available in all DSHS lots, and a shuttle will also be available for those who park in the A and B lots. All guests must follow a clear bag policy. No outside food, drinks or drink containers will be allowed in the stadium. Water will be available for purchase. In the case of inclement weather while the ceremony is taking place, graduates will be escorted to the Tiger Stadium Field House and guests can shelter in their vehicles. DSISD will provide guests with updates via email, text and social media. If the ceremony is postoned, graduation will e moved to Saturday, June 1.
Boutwell Steel celebrates Dripping Springs location
, On Thursday, May 16, Boutwell Steel Company celebrated their new location and opening of their metal sales center with a Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration that included guests from the Chamber, their customers and welding students from Dripping Springs High School. Boutwell Steel Company proudly serves the greater Dripping Springs area with pipe and metal sales supplies, welding, and fabrication. They also offer structural and architectural fabrication, steel detailing services, gated entrance design, high-end staircases, and railing. President and Founder Austin Boutwell started the business in 2015 as Southwest Welding Company, serving the Dripping...
County Updates
When a person in Hays County calls 911 for assistance, the Hays County Sheriff’s Department covers the majority of those calls except for the areas that fall within the city limits of San Marcos, Buda and Kyle. The Sheriff’s department released data last week for the frequency of calls in April that are dedicated to certain areas, types of incidents and even times of day. “This report serves as an overview of the most common types of calls for service and locations of calls for service, as well as frequency for time of day,” the Facebook post from the Sheriff’s Department...
Local weaver participating in Kerrville invitational
The 21st Annual Texas Masters of Fine Art and Craft Invitational Show will be held Friday, May 24, through Sunday, May 26, as two dozen of the finest artists in Texas fill the ballrooms of the YO Ranch Hotel in Kerrville with their award-winning artwork. Patricia Day, a master hand weaver from Dripping Springs, has been invited to display the vibrantly colored woven garments and home furnishings that she creates from natural fibers and personally hand-dyed yarn. Patricia has been practicing her craft since the early 1970’s and her work is highly regarded by the Texas hand weaving community. According to Dan...
County Updates
The death of Malachi Williams on April 11 continues to be at the top of mind for many in the community. The public comments at the regularly scheduled San Marcos City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 7, focused on the release of the officer's name who shot Williams as well as the body-worn camera footage. In a statement released April 22, San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge cited Texas Government Code 552 and the pending investigation into the incident as the reason that SMPD will not yet be releasing the body worn camera footage of the incident. Floyd Miller, Williams’ great...
County hosts Tire Collection Event
The Hays County Environmental Task Force led by the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Capital Area Council of Governments, held a Tire Collection Event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m on May 4 at 2171 Yarrington Road in Kyle. According to Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins, volunteers from various Hays County departments collected more than 1,00 used tires, keeping the county clean. “The effort to make Hays County a cleaner, safer home for all of us begins with small steps,” Higgins said. “This has been a learning experience for all of us in the DA’s...
Players brings Pulitzer Prize-winning drama
On April 26, The Wimberley Players opened its second production of their 45th season with “Doubt: A Parable,” directed by new-tothe- Players Heather Barfield, Ph.D., from Texas State University. Running weekends through May 19, this production promises a thought-provoking exploration of morality, certainty and the complexity of human nature. Based on the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play by John Patrick Shanley, “Doubt: A Parable” is a gripping narrative that delves into the charged atmosphere of a fictional 1960’s Catholic school. The author Shanley, a former US Marine, is best known for his original screenplay for the 1987 movie...
Drip Lacrosse 2023–2024: a season for the ages
Dripping Springs Lacrosse traveled to Magnolia on Saturday, May 11, to rematch TMI Episcopal in the THSLL Class B State Semi-Finals. Despite a strong start, Drip ultimately fell to TMI, 5-16. TMI went on the next day to win the state final. Humid white-gray clouds magnified the sun as it baked the metal grandstands of Memorial West High School. Forecasted late afternoon rain held off for the second State Semi-Final match of the day. The eventual winner of Dripping Springs vs TMI, fans had just learned, would face Highland Park B, who had pulled off a dramatic come from behind win...
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