SAN MARCOS — A Hays County Grand Jury determined that the San Marcos Police Department Officer that fatally shot 22-year-old Malachi Williams in the H-E-B parking lot, located at 641 East Hopkins St. in San Marcos, was justified in his actions. According to a news release, the Grand Jury received evidence of a separate incident that occurred prior to the shooting. Williams had been waiting outside of a Snax Max on Hopkins Street and followed two men in the dark. The men stated that his behavior made them uncomfortable. Williams followed the men for some length of time before they confronted him. After, he produced two large knives and the men called SMPD, read the news release. At approximately 10:35 p.m. on April 11, 2024, Williams returned to the Snax Max and went into the restroom. One minute later, A SMPD officer, who was aware that Williams may be armed, arrived and waited for him near the front door.  The officer asked Williams to step outside, during which he repeatedly ignored commands to turn around and put his hands behind his back. Instead, he took off running with the knives in his hands. The news release stated that the officer attempted to deploy his taser twice while running and missed. After running Northwest along Hopkins, William headed directly toward the H-E-B, which was open at the time. The two entered the parking lot, where Williams was shot twice. According to the news release, despite attempts at life-saving measures, the 22-year-old did not survive. The Texas Rangers conducted the investigation into the shooting with the assistance of SMPD. “The Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office presented the results of the investigation to the Grand Jury,” said Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins. “After hearing the evidence, the Grand Jury determined that the conduct of the officers was justified under the law and voted not to indict. This matter is now closed.” “We are saddened by the loss of life, but the actions of Mr. Williams posed a threat to public safety. This officer was forced to make a difficult decision in order to protect the public,” Higgins concluded.

BUDA — The Buda chapter of an international organization, Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), is on a mission to provide accountability for people who are on a weight loss journey. Founded by Esther S. Manz in 1948 after she spoke with a physician about losing the “baby weight” she had gained when she was pregnant with her fifth child, TOPS began as a small group gathered in the Beulah Brinton Social Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has grown into an international endeavor, according to its website. As described by the leader of the Buda chapter, Lissa Cook, TOPS is not another high-pressure weight loss program, but rather a community designed to hold each other accountable. “You will be surprised, though, how easily, once you come every week, these people become soulmates,” Cook said. Cook went on to explain how membership with TOPS works. The national dues range from $49 to $79 and, once that is paid to the organization, each member receives a “TOPS News” magazine every two months, as well as what Cook called a “pound book,” which is used to record an individual’s weight loss. Each chapter has different membership requirements. The Buda chapter asks for an additional $5 monthly membership fee. On top of that, once national dues are paid, each member is registered for the events that different areas of TOPS hosts. They are also able to receive recognition beyond their smaller chapters. Members are divided into two groups: TOPS and KOPS (Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly). According to Cook, every TOPS member’s goal is to become a KOPS, which is someone who has reached their weight goal and is looking to maintain it. A lot of the members are in their 70s-80s, but TOPS is open to all ages. In the future, Cook said that she hopes to grow the chapter’s membership. Currently, the Buda chapter has 20 members and, including Cook, six of them are KOPS. The first meeting is free to join and the chapter leader encourages new attendees to ask any questions they have. Cook admitted that at first, she was apprehensive about joining “another” weight loss program, having tried a few in the past. But when she joined back in 2016, she realized that TOPS was different for her: “Nobody said you don’t belong here because you hadn’t lost weight.” The Buda Chapter of TOPS meets at 10 a.m. every Tuesday morning at the Onion Creek Senior Center in Buda. For more information on TOPS, visit www.tops.org.

KYLE — Jeff Kunkel, the Lions Club International district governor, spoke at the Kyle Lions Club on Aug. 8 for its in-person meeting at the AMVETS building. Kunkel aims to visit each club in the Lions District 2-S3 in Central Texas. At the Kyle meeting, he presented several ideas, including member recruitment, club extensions and member retention. International district events include learning symposiums, a golf tournament and an annual convention. Currently, the Kyle location supports the local community with scholarships and camping opportunities for special needs children and their family. Those who wear glasses have the option of donating their old frames to drop boxes at local businesses. There are also food distributions at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, as well as quarterly breakfasts for AMVETS. The club also sponsors a food drive for the Hays County Food Bank with other local organizations at Walmart, located at 5754 Kyle Parkway. The Kyle Lions Club welcomes new members, including at the 7 p.m. in-person meeting every second Thursday of the month at the AMVETS building, located at 401 Veterans Drive, and in Zoom meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday.

KYLE — Leslie Scott, who is bringing more than 20 years of experience in library services including 10 years as a library director in municipal government, was named the Kyle Public Library’s new director. “Literature and libraries play an important role in our communities and I am beyond excited to be a part of that role in the city of Kyle,” Scott said. “I look forward to building on the library’s ongoing mission, making sure to meet the diverse desire and needs of its citizens.” Prior to joining Team Kyle, Scott spent the last 10 years in Prosper, Texas, as the director of library services at the Prosper Community Library. Before that, she worked as the adult and municipal librarian at Carrollton Public Library in Texas and as the head librarian at Robert-Morris University in Springfield, Illinois. Scott has a master’s degree in Library and Information Services from the University of Illinois, an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Indiana University and is active in several professional organizations, including serving as the current treasurer of the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. Her official start date with the city of Kyle was Monday, Aug. 5.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN MARCOS ACADEMY Lower School students sing for J-O-Y during their opening chapel.

KYLE — At approximately 4:20 p.m.on  Aug. 13, the Kyle Police Department and Kyle Fire Department responded to a collision involving a Hays CISD school bus.   According to KPD Chief Jeff Barnett, the school bus was traveling in the 400 block of Center Street in downtown Kyle when the driver felt a bump at the rear end of the vehicle and called it in. Both first responding departments responded to the call, shutting down a portion of Center Street to the public.   There were 51 students and one bus driver, with no injuries, according to KPD.   The vehicle that allegedly hit the bus did leave the scene, but a description was recorded by responding officials.   Barnett later stated that “at best, it was a minor accident,” as there was no evidence, not even a scratch said the chief, on the bumper of the bus.   Hays CISD Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy revealed that the bus driver would later review camera footage from the bus to determine what took place during the incident.   After the evaluation of the footage was complete, Barnett confirmed that no collision occurred.

SAN MARCOS — John Hatch, Hays County Democratic Party chairman, filed a complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct against judicial candidate for Hays County Court at Law #3 Robert Elwood Updegrove, also known as “Wood” Updegrove. Wood is attempting to confuse voters into believing that his father is running for the position, rather than him, said Hatch. According to a news release, “The complaint alleges that Robert Elwood Updegrove [also known as] Robert E. Updegrove [also known as] “Wood” Updegrove, a licensed Texas attorney, Texas State Bar #24117491, and Republican Candidate for the judgeship of Hays County Court-at-Law #3 in the upcoming November general election has intentionally, knowingly and/or recklessly engaged in courses of conduct to confuse and deceive the voters of Hays County, Texas by obfuscating the identity of the current Republican Party candidate for the judgeship of Hays County Court-at-Law #3, in violation of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, the Texas Elections Code and the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. In addition, the complaint alleges that Wood Updegrove is disqualified from being a candidate for the judgeship of Hays County Court-at-Law #3 under Texas Government Code § 25.0014 because he has not been a resident of Hays County for at least two (2) years before the upcoming election, due to the fact that he is and has been a resident of Guadalupe County for more than the past two (2) years." Allegedly,  Wood is using the same name and other information as his father on campaign finance reports, confusing the Hays County Elections Office, as well, leading them to combine both Updegroves’ reports. The complaint also claims that Wood is not using his middle name; therefore, appearing as “Robert E. Updegrove” and reusing his father’s old campaign signs by replacing court #1 with court #3. Other instances the complaint cites are the misrepresentation of Wood on the Hays County Republican Party website, lack of information on the internet and limited public campaign appearances. “It’s important that the identity of anyone running for judge in Hays County be clear and transparent,” said Hatch. “It isn’t an issue for Wood Updegrove to have a similiar name as his father, Robert Earl Updegrove, but to purposely confuse voters into believeing the candidate on the ballot is his father, who formerly served 12 years as a Hays County Court at Law judge, and not Wood Updegrove, who barely has four years of experience as a lawyer, is neither transparent nor trustworthy.”

The Garlic Creek Homeowner's Association presented a check in the amount of $5,748.22 to the city of Buda at the Aug. 6 city council meeting from the 2024 Garlic Creek 5K/10K Race fundraiser. The 2023 race resulted in a donation to the city of $2,365.58 and in 2022, a total of $4,786.94 was donated. The HOA hosts an annual 5K/10K race to raise funds that are donated to the city of Buda and which go toward the maintenance of the Garlic Creek Park; this year, the funds are for the basketball court improvements, according to agenda documents.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY KELLEYCynthia Bentley of Unforgettable Friends and Families poses for a photo with free school supplies at Kidz, Cutz and Curlz on Aug. 11.

KYLE — Kyle City Council voted to not bring a bond for the indoor sportsplex at its Aug. 6 meeting, following a discussion on potential phasing and funding. Assistant city manager Jesse Elizondo announced at the beginning of his presentation that city staff wanted to give a more detailed and in-depth look at the conceptual design of the Kyle Sportsplex project. Despite presenting the design at the previous council meeting on July 16,  this presentation was aimed at discussing phases, potential funding plans and the probable construction costs. The amenities that the city categorized in the potential phase one were the full championship field, youth multi-use field, tennis and pickleball courts, shuffleboard courts, volleyball courts, a parking lot, plaza, splash pad, the indoor recreation center and adjacent facilities and Cromwell Street. These facilities would be funded through several bonds and other funding. The first being the $65 million 2024 general obligation bond, if approved by voters, and the existing $14 million from the 2020 general obligation bond. A Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone and $19 million in additional existing funding would fill in the remaining amount, bringing the total funding to $98 million for phase one. Stantec Consulting Services, which has been aiding the city on this project, gave an opinion of probable construction cost, which included “a high-level overview of the anticipated costs,” of $99,378,378. The second potential phase consisted of another full multi-use field, full soccer and baseball hybrid field, full multi-use combination fields, youth multi-use field, covered basketball courts, a playground, exercise station, a parking lot, plaza, detention pond, Vybe Trail and a pedestrian tunnel under FM 1626. “The idea of having an indoor sportsplex is a project that I very much believe in from a fiscal responsibility standpoint given that we need to build a recreation facility for our residents. But as time has gone on, I have started to poke holes in our process and my thought process and have come to the conclusion that now is not the right time to be going to bond for an indoor sportsplex,” said council member Bear Heiser. Council member Robert Rizo agreed with this sentiment, stating that the process has felt rushed and that the city has failed to properly communicate with the residents on the project. On the opposite side was Mayor Travis Mitchell, who believes that the need for sports infrastructure is “the most pressing need” in the city: “[If we wait], that’s a whole other generation of kids that misses the chance to compete here, locally, in a sports facility using that infrastructure … I very much would like to see us not give up on the sportsplex, which is the way it feels.” “We have to come down back to earth, to the reality of the financial situations our residents are facing. We are going through an inflation issue. We have $3.20 gallon of gas [and] prices are going up. There’s numerous events going around town where people are needing shoes and backpacks for our kids. So, families are struggling and people are having a hard time. Sometimes you have to really look at this and evaluate … and [ask], ‘is this the right time for something like this,’” council member Michael Tobias emphasized. In response to council member Daniela Parsley’s request to receive community feedback at an upcoming council meeting, city manager Bryan Langley said that they could begin public outreach and present the results at a future council meeting in a few months. According to Elizondo, due to a contract with Stantec Consulting Services, the master planning of the sportsplex site will still continue, but they can combine it with the Parks Master Plan and look at public outreach. Afterwards, the council will be presented with results of what staff has identified and potential plans for projects that could be done with the existing $33 million in funding. Both Tobias and council member Miguel Zuniga noted that there are parks within the city that have a lack of upkeep that have the potential to be revitalized, with the use of the funding, instead of building a complex. “What I’m hearing is let us do some of this master planning work, come back with a schedule and some options of how to proceed and we’ll be glad to do that with the public input … And that will give [Parks and Recreation Director David] Lopez a little time to give you his plan for the park system,” said Langley. Council elected to take no action except to confirm that no bond will be called for the November election. To listen to the discussion, visit bit.ly/3yyTD0Y.

SAN MARCOS – The Hays County Commissioners Court heard from five departments on requests for the upcoming fiscal year during a budget workshop at its Aug. 6 meeting. Mental Health Court Judge Elaine Brown of County Court at Law #3 Mental Health Court began the workshop by noting that when the court initially did the request, there were items that they weren’t aware of. One of these is the realization that there is a need for a case manager position for the Mental Health Court. This comes after the rapid growth of the court, along with the intake of felony cases. These cases often require higher needs from the individuals; thus, the need for additional services. A case manager would not only search for these services, but ensure that the participants are receiving the help, as well as logging data, according to Brown. She also mentioned that the District Attorney’s Office and 453rd Judicial District Judge Sherri Tibbe have expressed support for the position, which is expected to have a salary of approximately $77,000. “I believe this new position will enable us to get even more people out of the jail into these services, so that they can hopefully be successful and be productive. So far, we have a 0% recidivism rate and everyone has graduated from our program. If we continue on that track, that I think is a real benefit to the county in terms of cost savings and in terms of the individuals and families affected by this in a positive way,” said Brown. She also requested a pay raise for Kaimi Mattila, Mental Health Court administrator, as her work has increased throughout the program. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra expressed his immense support for the program, stating that the team is doing a “phenomenal job.”

BUDA — During its Aug. 6 meeting, Buda City Council unanimously approved an order for both a special and general election, to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The special election will allow voters to adopt or reject proposed amendments to the existing city charter. City council appointed a Charter Review Committee to analyze the charter and to make recommendations for changes; a review of the charter by a council-appointed committee is required every six years. The committee delivered its recommendations to the city council on Aug. 1, 2023. The council initially called the election for November 2023, but later took action to delay it until 2024. One of the proposed changes surrounds council's compensation for serving. As currently written in the charter, a council member’s compensation is updated to the then- current pay "until they have been elected at a subsequent election, but it shall be effective for any councilmember or mayor elected after the adoption of the increase in compensation." This language is not currently targeted to change, but it would create inequity within the council as new council members could receive higher compensation than tenured council members, as stated in council agenda documents. If approved, the charter’s language would be changed to the following: "Each council member shall be paid two hundred dollars ($200) for attendance at each regular, special or workshop city council meeting and the mayor shall be paid three hundred ($300) for attendance at each regular, special or workshop city council meeting, effective and uniformly applicable upon voter approval. Any future increases in compensation for city council and the mayor may be set by ordinance by the city council. When a council member or mayor votes for an increase in compensation by ordinance that increase shall not be effective for that mayor or council member until they have been elected at a subsequent election, but it shall be effective for any councilmember or mayor elected after the adoption of the increase in compensation. In addition, each council member shall be entitled to reimbursement for his/her actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his/her specific official duties of office. Said expenses shall be subject to the approval of the city council. The policy regulating payment of expenses incurred in performance of official duty shall be determined by the city council by resolution." Other proposed changes that would be on the ballot, as recommended by the Charter Review Committee, include: the city attorney being appointed by the city council, instead of the city manager; cleaning up the charter’s language by removing ineffective transitional provisions and correcting misspellings or typographical errors; abide by state law for notices of budget hearings in newspapers; and simplifying the language requiring a balanced budget. Additionally, the general election will be conducted to fill full terms for council member at-large position 3, currently held by LaVonia Horne-Williams, and council member single member district A, currently held by Paul Daugereau. The ordinance ordering the general and special elections is a routine action required by the Election Code 3.005(a) to set the date of the election, possible runoff and place for early voting. Buda City Clerk Alicia Ramirez said that there has been an individual who has applied to run for one of the positions on the November ballot. She requested that if there is only one person to file to run for each position, and the general election is subsequently canceled, then the special election should also be postponed. “Should I only have one person sign up for each office and the election is uncontested, I am seeking council’s permission to cancel the election because it is considered uncontested. And if we do cancel the regular election, then if we could also postpone the special election — the charter amendments — to 2025,” Ramirez said. “The charter amendments mainly are for the city council’s increase in pay for the compensation and then, of course, there are other grammatical or even just explaining further the language of the charter. Basically, [they are] non-substantial changes and they are changes that can wait, unless you seek otherwise.” Mayor Lee Urbanovsky confirmed that if the special election does get postponed to next year — if the general election is uncontested — it won’t impact the citizens of Buda “by not making this change until [2025], potentially.” The city would need to wait until Aug. 19, which is the last day to file for a place on the ballot, as well as the end of the write-in candidacy period before moving forward with potentially canceling the special election. “Once that is determined and there is only one person running for each of the offices, I will submit a cancellation order to council saying that it’s officially canceled,” Ramirez said. Council member Evan Ture questioned what costs the city would be cutting amid the federal election. Ramirez said about $20,000. City Manager Micah Grau said that there is a federal election also happening in November, but if the city of Buda is not going to have anything placed on the ballot, then the city would not share any of the associated costs. To keep up with Buda elections, visit www.budatx.gov/258/Election-Information.

Co-owners Troya Rollins and Lori Claxton-Anthony cut the ribbon of the Kyle location of Bungalow 7 on Aug. 9. The massage and meditation spa is located at 900 Scott St.

SAN MARCOS – Josh Devereaux Jarratt, 45, of Kyle entered a plea of guilty to the offense of continuous sexual abuse of a child and was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Aug. 12. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of indecency with a child by contact, one count of indecency with a child by exposure and 30 counts of possession of child pornography. He will not be eligible for parole and must serve the full 40-year sentence due to the conviction of continuous sexual abuse of a child. Over the course of several years, Jarratt sexually abused a child in his home, according to a news release. In 2021, that child outcried to a friend and that outcry led to an investigation into Jarratt by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. The child victim also provided information to detectives that Jarratt possessed child pornography. A search warrant was obtained for Jarratt’s home and detectives found multiple computers and electronic devices that contained more than 1,000 videos and images of child pornography. During the search of Jarratt’s electronic devices, detectives also found multiple explicit videos and photos that Jarratt took of a child; a child-sized sex doll was also located in his bedroom closet. Hays County Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Miranda Ebersole and Daniel Sakaida prosecuted this case. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and the prosecutors would like to express their appreciation for Jennifer Baker and Detective Nelson Wray for their extensive work on this case, the news release stated.

DRIPPING SPRINGS – Cooper Rummel, a pitcher for the Dripping Springs High School Tigers, and Team USA began play at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier on Saturday, Aug. 3. In the pool play opener, Team USA took an 18-0 win over Costa Rica in Panama City, Panama. Pool play continues there, with games against Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Brazil and Panama, and culminates with the Gold Medal Game scheduled for Aug. 11. “Making the National Team is like the pinnacle of what I can do in amateur baseball, like, high school,” Rummel said in a televised interview with KXAN. Last year’s USA National 18U Team lost 4-0 against Korea in a game for the bronze medal, but the 18U squads are some of the most highly respected players in amateur baseball. They have won 10 World Cups, dating back to 2012, and the team’s players are some of the most talented in the world at the amateur level. Gold Glove award winner Manny Machado, two-time World Series Champion Alex Bregman, two-time Silver Slugger Award recipient and MVP Bryce Harper, and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw have all represented the United States at the 18U level. “To have all the work I’ve put in be gratified in such a way is amazing,” Rummel said. The Tigers 2023-24 baseball season ended in the Area round of the playoffs with a 25-11-0 overall record and 13-2 in district. Rummel finished the season with an ERA of .865, a 9-1 record, pitched 56.2 innings with 88 strikeouts and only gave up 24 hits. “He put us all on his back this year,” Chris Payne, DSHS head baseball coach, said. Rummel has verbally committed to attend The University of Texas in Austin to play for the Longhorns and will likely sign a letter of intent this fall. Before then, Payne said the work he has put in is evident in making the USA Team and he expects Rummel will step into a leadership role and excel as a senior. “He believes in himself and is more confident of his ability to get the job done. He’ll be our number one,” Payne said. Follow the USA 18U National Team at www.usabaseball.com.

Kimberly Wood poses with her certificate after being named the Wimberley ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year at the Region 13 banquet on Wednesday, July 31. Wood is a teacher at Blue Hole Primary.

DRIPPING SPRINGS – A fundraiser that helps fight hunger in the community of Dripping Springs is back in operation for its 27th year. The Empty Bowls Project will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center. This annual family event benefits Dripping Springs Helping Hands to help feed the hungry and provide temporary financial aid. In exchange for a donation of $25 per person at the door, patrons can choose a handcrafted ceramic bowl and fill it with soups from area restaurants. Live music is provided by talented local musicians and beer and wine is offered by local breweries and wineries. Raffle enthusiasts will enjoy bidding on uniquely crafted gift baskets. After their delicious meal, including bread, drinks and dessert — while listening to live entertainment amongst friends and neighbors — guests can take their artisan bowl home with them. The proceeds from the Empty Bowls Project benefit Dripping Springs Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization that has continuously served the community for 38 years. This event is a lifeline for the sustained success of Helping Hands, whose mission is to provide the community of Dripping Springs with a framework of compassionate care to assist neighbors in their time of need, according to a news release. In 2023, Helping Hands provided more than 282,130 pounds of food for families who have food insecurities. The organization served 18,083 individuals total, which was a 35% increase from the previous year. “The annual fundraiser generates 75% of Helping Hands annual operating budget. Without the proceeds from the Empty Bowls Project, we would struggle to meet the needs of our less fortunate families in the area,” said event co-chair June Baumoel. A unique collection of handmade bowls is available for guests who attend the Empty Bowls Project. These bowls come from potters all over the Hill Country and several of them will be at the event to sell their ceramics. Top-tier sponsors who have committed thus far to support the event include: • Celadon: Barb Mansur, Dripping Springs Lions Club, Kristi and Paul Greene, Texas Legal, Marsha and David Young, Haus of Jayne, The Napiorkowski Family and B. Adams. • China: The Art Garage Austin • Stoneware: Austin Ridge Bible Church, Henly RV Park, June and Jim Baumoel • Ironstone: Jennifer and Steve Benesh • Ceramic: Jim and Lindy Orr, Adair Dentistry, Lonestar Capital Bank, Crystal and Jay Emmons, David and Becky Edwards, Penny Johnson, Jessica Brink, Bill and Jean Avera, J & J Pest Control, Medical Center for Eating Disorders and Jersey Mike's Subs. To be a sponsor or to learn more about the Empty Bowls Project and Dripping Springs Helping Hands, visit the following links: • www.drippingspringsemptybowls.org • www.facebook.com/DrippingSpringsEmptyBowlsProject • www.helpinghands-drippingsprings.org.

SAN MARCOS – Hays County Commissioners Court approved a funding agreement for the amount of $3,750,000 with Wimberley ISD and Wimberley Youth Sports Association (WYSA) at its July 30 meeting to aid with the costs associated with the design and construction needed for the youth sporting field common areas. According to meeting documents, the court initially set aside $4.5 million in general fund reserves for park projects in the fiscal year 2024 budget process, with $2 million anticipated for WYSA and the remaining $1.75 million to be budgeted as a use of reserves in fiscal year 2025. “Being able to have the school district offer a property, which, as we all know in the world we live in today, is a hot commodity, especially in the Wimberley area, so just having that partnership in something that I know will be a benefit to all of our residents out there [is great],” said commissioner Lon Shell. “It’s something that I think the community will be extremely proud of and we’ll all be able to see a bunch of folks really enjoying themselves out there.” Jarred Robinson, WYSA softball director, spoke with excitement, while explaining that the community needs the field, as it has outgrown the current facility “years and years and years ago.” “Twenty-six kids, boys and girls, were out practicing yesterday. Our season does not even open until the middle to the end of August … The kids not only enjoy what they do, but they want to get better. This facility is going to be amazing for them to have that opportunity, so I thank y’all for the support and everybody as well for this possibility,” said Robinson. “We need more things in our community that bring us together,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. Robinson agreed with this sentiment, stating that when he visits Five Mile Dam, he notices that children do not have phones in their hands. Instead, they are playing sports, interacting and creating friendships. The field is to be located at 15900 Winters Mill Parkway on 24.71 acres of land. “It’s about the kids; it’s always been about the kids. It’s going to be an opportunity for them to have not only a fantastic, but a safe facility on WISD property,” concluded Robinson.

On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting event for Next Level Urgent Care. Located at 12400 West U.S. Highway 290, Suite 420 in Austin, the business sees patients from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. It offers walk-in care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as sprains, strains, fractures, lacerations, allergies, rashes and congestion issues.