Wimberley
GOVERNMENT
Former Austin city official sentenced for federal conspiracy
AUSTIN, Texas - A former Austin city official was sentenced and ordered to pay restitution for conspiring to misapply federal funds and to falsify records in an investigation. Frank Rodriguez, 73, of Dripping Springs, faced a maximum penalty of five years in prison, but will instead serve three years probation and was ordered to pay $21,375 in restitution.
The Edwards Aquifer Authority enters Stage 4 restrictions | San Antonio
The Edwards Aquifer Authority entered Stage 4 drought restrictions Monday because of low spring flows in San Marcos. Even so, Alamo Metropolis residents involved about their lawns needn’t panic about new watering restrictions from San Antonio Water System simply but. The Edwards Aquifer Authority enters Stage 4 restrictions —...
Wimberley developing Resilient Comprehensive Master Plan
The City of Wimberley is developing a new Resilient Comprehensive Master Plan to guide the city’s growth and development over the next 10-20 years. It will focus on strategies to make Wimberley more sustainable, equitable and resilient to future challenges. The plan will address topics such as land use, housing, economic development, parks and recreation, arts and culture, and sustainability, with a focus on resilience. It will build on existing city initiatives related to water conservation, bike and pedestrian improvements, stormwater management and other vital topics. “We are excited about creating a bold new vision for Wimberley’s future,” said Mayor Jim Chiles....
Wimberley to hold hometown patriotic concert
The Wimberley Community Chorus and the Hill Country Community Band will present the twelfth Annual Hometown Patriotic Concert on July 4 at 3 p.m. at the Wimberley First Baptist Church. The program features patriotic songs and other works that allow the band and the chorus to shine individually as well as together. “America the Beautiful,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “God Bless America,” and “Stars and Stripes Forever” will be performed by all 95 musicians of the chorus and band. “Hymn to the Fallen” by John Williams, from the film score of “Saving Private Ryan,” will be accompanied by a video presentation. A...
San Marcos to Unveil Paul Peña Park Improvements with Tribute to Local Hero
The City of San Marcos is opening its arms to welcome the community for a ribbon-cutting event to introduce enhancements to Paul Peña Park. Planned for July 8, the ceremony heralds the park’s improvement project, featuring upgraded playground equipment, added shade and turf, and a new sidewalk path designed with ADA compliance in mind, these park upgrades have also made room for a compact skate spot enjoyed by local skaters, as reported by the City of San Marcos.
Local Hill Country leaders discuss options for innovative water management practices
With a growing population, increasing demand on water resources, and recurring drought conditions, community leaders from across the Hill Country are thinking hard about how to manage growth while protecting our water supply. That was the focus of the conversation of a recent gathering of the Hill Country Leadership Institute, a program of the Hill Country Alliance. “The issue that we’re addressing isn’t one that’s in the future – we’re in it now,” stated Mason City Commissioner Robert Rayburn, at the June 20 meeting of the Hill Country Leadership Institute in Wimberley. The Institute meeting brought together more than two dozen Hill...
San Marcos extends Spin Electric Scooter Service Pilot Program
Spin Scooters are available at multiple deployment zones throughout the city. (Courtesy city of San Marcos) A six-month pilot program will expand the service area and operational hours of Spin Electric Scooter services in San Marcos. Effective July 1, the pilot program expanded the service area to the east side...
San Marcos implements changes for July 4 weekend
As the July 4 weekend approaches, the city of San Marcos has regulations in place to ensure a smooth holiday weekend as the city expects an influx of visitors. San Marcos Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales said there will be eight more officers than usual conducting active patrol at the parks to keep the city under control with the number of people expected to make their way to San Marcos.
Roadwork to begin on Rob Shelton Blvd
The city of Dripping Springs will begin repairing and resealing the roadway on Rod Shelton Blvd up to the intersection at Highway 290 starting July 9. According to City Engineer Chad Gilpen, the project is expected to take about a month to complete. Gilpen believes the project will be finished by August 9, just ahead of the start of school on August 13 for Dripping Springs ISD. “We are confident that the project can be completed before school starts,” Gilpen said. He added that weather contingencies are built into the schedule and that crews will be working during the day with some work planned for nighttime hours. Gilpen said the impact to Highway 290 would be minimal, but drivers could see heavier traffic on RR 12 as traffic flow on Rob Shelton may be restricted at times. “Some key activities will be scheduled for nighttime to minimize disruption to traffic,” he said. Asphalt Inc. LLC, doing business as Lone Star Paving Company, won the contract for the work with a bid of $423,165. The city council approved the bid at its meeting on June 18.
New community garden aims to combat food insecurity in Kyle
Local leaders and community members celebrated the opening of its new community garden with a ribbon cutting on June 22. (Courtesy city of Kyle) The city of Kyle is cultivating connections and community while combatting food insecurity through its first community garden at Post Oak, located at 193 Goddard. Local...
City officially opens new development services building
, City officials and ambassadors from the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce held a ribboncutting ceremony for the city of Dripping Springs new Development Services Building on June 28. The new building will house the city’s development services staff and provide meeting space for citizens and business owners who need guidance and approval for residential and commercial building projects. The 3,000-squarefoot building, located at 661 West Highway 290, formerly housed a satellite office for the Pedernales Electric Cooperative. City staff from the planning and building departments relocated to the new building in early May. The new space will allow staff to better serve...
Kyle Chamber to host luncheon on transportation and traffic forecast
The Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the upcoming Driving Change – A Transportation and Traffic Forecast Luncheon on July 23, sponsored by Cory Pack, State Farm Insurance. This event is designed to provide valuable insights into current and future road and transportation improvements in Kyle and Hays County. The panel of speakers will include: • Mayor Travis Mitchell, City of Kyle • Commissioner Michelle Cohen, Hays County Precinct 2 • Tucker Ferguson, District Engineer, Texas Department of Transportation The luncheon will focus on collaborative efforts between the City of Kyle, Hays County Commissioner’s Office and Tx-DOT to enhance traffic flow and...
Trustees approve $100 million budget for new school year
The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2024-25 fiscal year budget at its meeting on June 24. The $100.4 million operating budget, less recapture, allocates 84% of its budget inr payroll for nearly 1,100 district employees. The remaining 16% of the budget will be used for classroom supplies, utilities, professional development, transportation, safety, and travel. 2024-2025 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS The budget includes a 1% pay increase for staff and increased health insurance premiums. It also reduces the district’s personnel by 23 full-time equivalent positions, saving $967,500. The district will increase the student- to-teacher ratio in Pre-K of 20 to 1; and second...
San Marcos must keep up with rising homelessness
Homelessness is on the rise in Texas, growing by 12% in 2023 alone. While that is around average in the U.S., that fact is little consolation for the whopping 27,000 Texans who are forced to spend their nights without a roof over their heads. In Hays County, almost 250 individuals...
Fireworks Rules Are Simple: No in New Braunfels, Yes in Unincorporated Comal County
Fireworks are illegal inside New Braunfels city limits but perfectly legal in unincorporated areas of Comal County, including Canyon Lake. The Lodge at Turkey Cove’s famed Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display is considered the best in the area but can only be viewed fully from boats out on Canyon Lake. The privately-owned lodge, 2386 Colleen Dr., is located near Canyon Lake Boat Ramp #2.
Public invited to see historical exhibits honoring local public education
The Dripping Springs ISD will hold an open house and community coffee for the public on Wednesday, July 10, at 10 a.m. at the Center for Learning & Leadership, located at 300 Sportsplex Drive. Community members will have the opportunity to tour the building, view numerous historical items on display, and visit with district leaders over coffee. The renovated Center for Learning & Leadership, which opened in June 2023, houses the district’s administrative offices and Child Development Center, previously located at 510 W. Mercer Street. Over the last two years, the school district communications staff has worked on several projects to commemorate and...
Freaky Findz to offer costumes, gag gifts and more in San Marcos
Freaky Findz sells an array of costumes, accessories and more. (Courtesy Freaky Findz) Freaky Findz, a small business owned by husband and wife duo Dean Gibson and Marta Knapp-Gibson is moving into the former Paper Bear storefront this fall. The shop was previously located in New Braunfels before closing at...
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