County hires new extension agent
A new Hays County extension agent for family and consumer sciences has been named to replace Susan Schramm, who retired in April after 30 years in the position.
Laura Petty, who most recently was an extension agent in Guadalupe County, starts the job on Nov. 22. County Judge Elizabeth Sumter and District Extension Administrator Cheryl Mapston announced the appointment this week.
Petty will be responsible for planning and implementing programs geared toward families and youth in the areas of health and quality of life.
Petty holds a bachelor’s degree in general home economics from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas State University. She began her career as a county extension agent in Henderson County in 1993 and later worked in Wichita County before landing the job in Guadalupe County in 1998.
Locals due IRS checks
More than 60 Hays County residents are due refunds from the Internal Revenue Service totaling about $40,000 because the checks were undeliverable, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett said.
Residents due refunds include: David Garcia, Elaine Husieh, Tracey Pool and Monica Rocha, all of Buda; and Gloria and R. Martinez Carmona, Juan and C. Razo Calero, Cerrito Avilla, Pompilio Cerrito, Regan Friemel, Charles Lathrop, Martin and R. Rodriguez de Lira, Rosalva Rodriguez-Garcia, Gina Sepulverda, Geromi and Nichole Trudeau, and Garlan and Anne Wells of Kyle.
Many of the checks could not be delivered because the resident moved and did not file a change of address or got married and the check is made out in a previous name.
Taxpayers who find their name on the list can use the “Where’s my refund” option at the IRS website at www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1954.
Kyle PD gives Thanksgiving meals to families
Several months ago Kyle police officer Jason Dibble asked his co-workers if they would be willing to donate food items in order to put a meal on a needy family’s table.
A record specialist for the department, Laura Hernandez, told her son about the effort and he decided to raise money for the effort on his own accord. Leo Hernandez raised approximately $118 for the Thanksgiving meal effort and also contributed all of the jello and fruit that will go in the boxed meals given to the families.
Kyle police officers and volunteers distributed the meals on Monday evening to 20 different families. In addition to a turkey, each family received enough food for a traditional Thanksgiving feast including stuffing, cranberry sauce and sides.
Thieves rip off trailers, tools from Buda business
More than $60,000 worth of equipment was reportedly stolen from a Buda trailer company earlier this month, authorities say.
Between 3 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8 a.m. Nov. 8, unknown persons broke into the Big Tex Trailer Company at 14620 IH-35 in Buda by cutting a large hole in the fence. They stole trailers and tools, the Hays County Crimestoppers said on Thursday.
Stolen items included one black 14 LX dump trailer; one black 5×10 dump trailer; 14 PI flat bed trailer; a Cargo Mate V-nose; one 16x7x10 trailer, white in color; one Westward 3VB60 air compressor; one Miller Mac 180 auto welder and multiple hand tools and fasteners.
Buda Police Department investigators currently have no leads on the suspects or the location of the stolen items. Authorities are seeking help from the public in solving the crime by calling 1-800-324-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that results in conviction. Informants can remain confidential, officials say.
Big Tex Trailer Company is also offering a $15,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects in this case and the recovery of their stolen merchandise. If this case is solved, Big Tex will be responsible for the distribution of their reward funds, authorities say.
New bridge for Post Road?
Hays County is studying improvements and options for a new bridge location and design for Post Road where it crosses the Blanco River.
Interested citizens are invited to attend a public meeting to review the scope of the study and new bridge options on at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at Blanco Vista Elementary School at 2951 Blanco Vista Blvd. in San Marcos.
“This project is of great importance to the county and to the thousands of folks who travel this segment of Post Road daily,” said Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Karen Ford. “The Blanco River overtops the low water crossing at Post Road near the railroad bridge on a regular basis, so we’re eager to find a safe, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly option for this important access point.”
The Post Road/Blanco River Crossing feasibility study is budgeted at $220,000. The engineering firms selected to study possibilities for a new bridge are K. Friese and Associates, Cox McLain Environmental Consulting and P. E. Structural Consultants, Inc. All three firms are Austin-based, women-owned engineering enterprises.
