Opening Oct. 9, the exhibition brings together nine artists whose work considers what happens when experience reaches emotional and sensory abundance and how that intensity can transform perception, read a news release.

Participating artists include Matt Rebholz, Olivia Gray, Jonas Criscoe, Hyla Zamoa, Shannon Faseler, Jeff Worden, Benjamin H. McVey, Teresa Moralez-Davis and Lydia Shanafelt. Working across a range of visual practices, the artists approach saturation through bold palettes, rich surfaces, dense compositions and immersion, continued the release.

Together, the works consider saturation as both a visual condition and a broader social, psychological, cultural and environmental experience. The exhibition asks what happens when intensity reaches a threshold — when fullness becomes excess, when emotion becomes engulfing and when accumulation begins to shift the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us.

SATURATION will be accompanied by additional programming throughout its run, including a painting class led by Olivia Gray Nov. 7 and an artist talk with Matt Rebholz Dec. 19. These programs provide additional opportunities for audiences to engage with the artists, their processes and the ideas explored throughout the exhibition.

Further details on the exhibition:

•  Exhibition Dates: Oct. 9 through Jan. 2, 2027

•  Opening Reception: from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 9

•  Gallery Hours: from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

•  Location: 111 River Road, Suite 100, Wimberley

•  Exhibition Admission: Free and open to the public

For more information, visit www.projectartwimberley.org/saturation.

This item follows the board approving the 2026-27 budget in June. The initial proposed tax rate, said Chief Financial Officer Randy Rau, was $1.1052. But after receiving the certified property values in July, along with the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) final maximum compressed rate (MCR) calculation for the district, the final tax rate is lower than expected, said Rau, at $1.0985.

Maintenance and operations (M&O), which fund’s the day-to-day operations of the district, and interest & sinking (I&S) — strictly for debt repayment — make up the two portions of the tax rate.

The M&O rate also has two components: tier one and tier two, said Rau. According to TEA, tier one, or the MCR, is $0.6102 and is adjusted based on changes in the district’s property values. Tier two is labeled enrichment and provides additional funding after tier one.

Currently, DSISD’s tier two rate is $0.1383, bringing the total M&O rate.

“When you look at the I&S rate, it’s a little bit easier to calculate the I&S rate than the M&O. Essentially, you look at the debt payments that you have in a given year, you take into consideration your property tax values that you received and there’s a calculation that you go through that helps set that rate,” explained Rau, adding that state funding is also taken into consideration and whether the district wants to use its fund balance to lessen the rate.

The new proposed tax rate of $1.0985 is both $0.0067 less than the recommended rate from June and the 2025 tax rate.

This means that the average homeowner with a house value of $562,547 would pay an estimated $6,179.58 in taxes for DSISD.

Trustee Rob McClelland stated that there are several positives to this tax rate, including a modest raise for the teachers,  support the programs they have, carry the ability to fully fund the district and the fact that it’s lower than last years.

He also noted that the rate is $0.004389 away from the no-new-revenue tax rate, which is good because “the goal of this board has been to get as close to that rate as possible. We want growth to pay for growth.”

The no-new-revenue tax rate for 2026-27 is $1.094111 and is the benchmark to produce the same amount of taxes for the same properties as the year prior, according to the Texas Comptroller.

“Yes, oceans of work went into this and it’s wonderful for taxpayers, but at the end of the day, we didn’t come close to giving teachers the raise that we wanted to, [yet] we’re still sending millions back [to the state] in recapture. So, to everybody listening, the 90th Legislative Session starts in January, but the interim charges are being formed right now,” said trustee Mary Jane Hetrick. “It seems fundamentally unfair, as it has for so many years in this district, that we send millions back to the state. And I will say that any donations to the [Dripping Springs] Ed[ucation] Foundation, the state can’t touch.”

Hetrick then motioned to set the tax rate at $1.0985 per $100 valuation for the upcoming fiscal year. It passed 7-0.

The Dripping Springs Board of Trustees will meet next Oct. 19.

The nonprofit began in 2015 as a way to connect residents within the Dripping Springs ISD boundaries who are in need with people in the community who could provide resources, said board president Lisa Little.

For example, if a family didn’t have the ability to fix a car, the organization would visit the mechanic and ask for a lower price by only charging the family the costs of the parts, rather than labor.

Springs of Hope has historically been limited to direct donations from the community or members of the nonprofit, said Little. Despite this, the organization has assisted more than 1,000 individuals and families, providing more than $1 million in financial assistance and charitable support.

One of its largest initiatives is Tiger Santa, which coordinates gifts, food, clothing, financial assistance and other resources via counselors at DSISD schools.

“Through Tiger Santa, we go directly to those counselors and ask them, ‘Who in your school do you know that is suffering? Who is having a hard time and probably is not going to be able to do much for their family over the holidays?’ They identify those families and then, they give them a form to fill out for us that lists out the family members, their ages, their sizes, things that they would like for the holidays,” explained Little.

The district then provides the information anonymously to the members of the organization to reach out to the community to find individuals or families willing to sponsor those in need. After the shopping has been completed, they come together and wrap the gifts and send them to the schools to be distributed.

The organization has also started a bimonthly advisory board with other local nonprofits to share ideas, thoughts and resources with each other.

While there is no requirement to have students who attend DSISD schools to receive assistance, one of the nonprofit’s missions is to remove barriers to education.

“We feel like if a kid's family doesn't have the money for our new pair of tennis shoes — that whole piece of going to school and having an old pair of shoes or a pair of shoes that doesn't fit anymore — that's a barrier to education,” Little said. “Going to school and being made fun of or being pointed out or just feeling uncomfortable could be a barrier. So, we're really trying to do anything we can to help these kids feel normal and feel good about themselves, so that when they get into the classroom, they're there to learn.”

The growth of the organization over the years has been slow, she said. This is partially due to the fact that the organization has no funding mechanism beyond individual donations. However, in 2025, this changed with the announcement of its first major fundraiser, a silent auction.

Following this auction, the idea for a name change came up. The reason behind it, Little explained, is that, while the organization is still a connecting point, it also does “so much more.” As the leadership looks to grow, there was a desire to make sure the logo and branding was relevant to what the nonprofit represents.

"Project Connect reflects where we began, but Springs of Hope represents who we have become," said the president. "Connecting people with resources will always be at the heart of our mission, but today, we also provide direct assistance, coordinate volunteers, build partnerships and create opportunities for our community to come together in meaningful ways. Our new name better reflects the hope that's created when neighbors help neighbors."

Now, Springs of Hope has begun its second annual Online Silent Auction, which will run from Sept. 29-Oct. 4, and raises critical funds to support year-round programs and services that benefit students, families, Dripping Springs ISD employees and neighbors throughout the community. The auction can be found at https://go.rallyup.com/springsofhope/Campaign/Details.

Those interested in keeping up with Springs of Hope can follow its Facebook or Instagram at @springsofhopeds. To learn more, volunteer, donate or become a community partner, visit www.SpringsOfHopeDS.org.

Waypoint is built around a simple idea: kids learn best when academics and the outdoors both get their due, according to a news release. The campus sits on eight acres tucked inside the 120-acre Hog Heaven Sporting Club property off of Ranch Road 12, serving students in four grade-band cohorts, each designed for where kids actually are developmentally.

Waypoint is a specialty school within the Alpha School family and shares Alpha's academic model. According to the release, the school makes three commitments to its families: kids will love school, they will learn 2X in two hours and they will learn life skills.

Through advanced technologies and mastery-based learning, Waypoint students complete core subjects in just two hours daily. The approach combines adaptive artificial intelligence for personalized 1:1 learning, mastery-based methods for deep understanding and time management techniques, like the Pomodoro method, to keep students focused and thriving.

The results show up in the data, the release continued. On average, students grow 2.6 times faster than their peers on nationally normed MAP tests, the majority consistently outperform national averages in the 99th percentile and top performers achieve up to 6.5 times growth.

That efficiency frees the rest of the day for what makes Waypoint distinct. Afternoons are devoted to life skills workshops covering resilience, grit, leadership, teamwork and communication, public speaking, financial literacy and more. Workshops take place outdoors, with students building, kayaking, hiking and working through everything from survival skills and navigation to archery and leadership exercises. In that kind of dynamic natural setting, kids build confidence, resilience and real-world skills that hold up well beyond a classroom.

At Waypoint, they believe that classrooms don't build leaders; the wild does.

Waypoint is a fit for kids who light up outside and for families who sense the lecture-based classroom is not working for their child, the release concluded.

To learn more or schedule a tour, visit https://waypointacademy.school or contact admissions@waypointacademy.school.

The approved budget anticipates $16.8 million in general fund revenues, with $16.2 million in approved general fund expenditures. Total city expenditures amount to $28,599,226.26.

Going into the discussion, the budget presentation anticipated a general fund balance forward into FY 2028 of approximately $788,557.

Prior to approval, a list of supplemental requests from various departments was considered, broken down by priority, beginning with green as the highest priority, followed by orange and red.

Top priority requests included an Archer 8-Barrier Trailer at $184,000, hiring of a maintenance coordinator at approximately $85,000, maintenance facility bay buildout at $150,000 and proposed salary and benefits for a program specialist for the Stephenson building.

While the budget already included the Stephenson program specialist for six months of the fiscal year — beginning in April 2027 — the supplemental request was to move the hiring of that position up to October.

Regarding the maintenance facility bay buildout, Mayor Bill Foulds asked maintenance director Riley Sublett to explain the department’s current working conditions.

Sublett explained that, originally, the workers operated out of the Parks facility. Following the implementation of the parks maintenance program, they moved to the Wastewater facility, but with the expansion of the wastewater project, they again moved and are now working under a shade tree in the maintenance facility yard.

“Obviously, that has its complications, especially when it comes to safety and working in weather events — cold weather, hot weather, rain, anything like that,” Sublett explained.

While the previous bond allocated money for a metal building, utilities and concrete slab, it did not include any interior finishing, such as air conditioning, interior walls or a break room for employees.

Council member Geoffrey Tahuahua questioned whether this item should be held, with the understanding that it would come back to council for a budget amendment once formal bids were received with more solidified cost estimates, which Foulds agreed with.

“I think I understand the potential rationale for waiting to include it. At the same time, if it's something that we know needs to be done, we just don't know the precise amount and the funds are available to go ahead and earmark them and then, we don't reconsider that money until we get to a point where you're bringing the actual item forward with specific amounts. To me, that's more clear as to what our intention is with those dollars, than just leaving it on a supplemental list to be considered later,” said council member Taline Mannasian. “So, I think my preference would be — if we know the money is available and we can make it work in the budget — to go ahead and put it in there, understanding that you're not going to spend it without coming back with specific items that we need to consider. I prefer to sort of set things aside if we know they need to be spent in the next year.”

Ultimately, council came to the consensus to include the item in the budget using interest accrued on bond funds that have not been spent. Additionally, the maintenance coordinator position was funded through the general fund, while the barrier trailer and Stephenson program specialist were not.

Under the orange — or medium — priority requests, council opted to use the general fund to fund the following:

• Crowd control interlocking barriers: $15,000

• Two additional portable message signs: $18,000

• Partial funding for an additional maintenance vehicle: $40,000

• Gas and maintenance for the new vehicle: $8,000

• Legal artificial intelligence support: $10,000

• Television and stand for the Stephenson building: $1,000

Additionally, they approved using hotel-occupancy tax (HOT) funds on an audio/visual system/tower maintenance contract for Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP) at $35,000.

Rather than funding wayfinding signage and a storage building at DSRP, it was decided to defer to the Parks board regarding what it saw as top priorities for the parkland dedication and parkland development fund expenditures.

The lowest priority items, highlighted in red, included a recreation center feasibility study, an aquatic feasibility study, picnic tables for the baseball and softball field, scoreboards for the adult softball fields, all of which were left unfunded.

Council approved construction inspection training for a current employee at $5,000.

Following all of the additions, the general fund was left with an anticipated balance forward going into FY 28 of $605,556, while the HOT fund will have $167,842.

Council unanimously approved the budget with the presented changes.

After approval of the budget, the tax rate of $0.219217 per $100 valuation, which includes $0.046117 in debt service and $0.173100 in maintenance and operations, was approved 5-0. This rate is lower than the previous year’s rate of $0.2267 per $100 valuation.

The city’s FY will begin Oct. 1.

To listen to the full discussion, visit bit.ly/4AFErKQ.

To view the full approved budget, visit www.drippingspringstx.gov/760/Budget-Tax-Rate.

The project will add a new academic building, focused on nursing and other high-demand health sciences programs. The expansion, part of ACC’s voter-approved 2022 general obligation bond package, is expected to accommodate more than 900 additional students.

The approximately $100 million project is intended to strengthen the pipeline of nurses, technicians, therapists, medical assistants and other health care workers needed throughout Hays County and Central Texas.

“Today is much more than a building,” said Nina Almasy, ACC associate vice chancellor for health care professions. “It is about opportunity. It is about a student being able to pursue a health care career close to home, earn a credential that leads to a family-sustaining wage and create greater economic mobility and prosperity for themselves and their families.”

Almasy said the expansion will provide students with access to health care training, without requiring them to travel outside the region.

“We are not simply adding space; we are expanding possibility,” she said.

ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said the college has a responsibility to keep pace with the region’s rapid population growth and the workforce demands accompanying it.

“Central Texas is growing quickly and Hays County is at the heartbeat of that growth,” Lowery-Hart said. “ACC has a responsibility to keep up with that growth, to serve the community and prepare the students that are needed to make this community functional, working and growing.”

The new building will be anchored by ACC’s nursing program and is expected to include training in dental hygiene, surgical technology, radiologic technology, phlebotomy, emergency medical services, pharmacy technology, medical laboratory technology and sonography.

The project also includes a new central utility plant, parking, landscaping and other site improvements. ACC plans to seek at least LEED Silver certification for the building. The facility is expected to open for the fall 2028 semester.

ACC Board of Trustees chair Sean Hassan thanked taxpayers for approving the bond package and said the new building will help local residents prepare for careers available within their own communities.

Hassan shared the story of his mother, who worked long hours at laundromats and dry cleaners, while his family struggled financially. Their circumstances changed, he said, after she gained admission to a taxpayer-funded nursing program and began a career that provided financial security for the family.

“I am absolutely confident and so excited for the thousands of students who will come through these facilities because I am sure that this experience will be as transformative for them as the experience was for our family growing up,” Hassan said.

District 21 State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, described the groundbreaking as an investment in both students and the region’s future.

“As the population grows, so do health care needs,” Zaffirini said. “The students who will come here as we celebrate this groundbreaking will absolutely be prepared for a better future and to better care for their families.”

Zaffirini, a former community college student and instructor, said she would have a Texas flag flown over the state Capitol in honor of the new building and present it when the facility opens.

“The best part about groundbreakings is there’s a ribbon cutting to follow,” she said.

Hays County commissioner Michelle Cohen said the project represents the type of long-range planning needed as the county continues to grow.

“We must make sure that the institutions serving those people are keeping pace,” Cohen said. “That means thinking beyond what we need today and planning for what Hays County will need five, 10 and 20 years from now.”

Cohen said the region cannot expect its existing health care workforce to absorb continued population growth indefinitely.

“We must create opportunities for people in our own communities to receive the education and training necessary to enter these professions and we need those opportunities to be accessible close to home,” she said.

Hays County commissioner Walt Smith said community colleges offer opportunities to people who may not otherwise have immediate access to a four-year university. He also praised ACC for designing its facilities around the people who will use them and the communities they will serve.

“It’s not just a building; it’s the people who go through it,” Smith said. “It’s not just the classes we teach; it’s how you can improve the community.”

Dr. Tiffany Ricks, dean of ACC’s School of Nursing, said students need spaces where they can practice skills, work through real-world scenarios and collaborate across health care disciplines.

“Health care is hands-on, team-based, fast-moving and deeply human,” Ricks said.

Each additional student trained at the campus represents another professional who could eventually care for local patients, she said, whether as a nurse, dental hygienist, sonographer, radiologic technologist, surgical technologist or paramedic.

“These are more than careers,” Ricks said. “They are moments of care that touch lives, strengthen families and sustain our community.”

The Hays Campus expansion is one of several projects included in ACC’s 2022 bond program, which is funding new and expanded facilities throughout the college district.

Garza grew up around sports, with her father being a football coach, and fell in love with basketball at a young age.

“Basketball was my first love. It was the first thing I was really, really good at and it’s still now this never ending journey toward growing better and better at a skill,” she said.

This opportunity to grow is what attracted her to the sport. She shared that it required “the audacity of self belief,” which stood out to her. It taught her “how to stare fear in the face and have a conversation with it, rather than letting it dictate what I do.”

It also offered room for spite, though whether or not this was healthy, she said, laughing, was up for debate.

“I had coaches tell me I was never going to make it, that I was never going to be good enough to play at the next level and those are the types of moments in your life, where either you make the easy choice to be defeated or the harder choice … to believe in [yourself],” Garza said.

While choosing to believe in herself was important, she shared that it was also difficult having everyone against her, which was her experience at Hays High School, where she was bullied. It wasn’t until she transferred to Lehman High School that she had the support she longed for.

“It was the first time I remember stepping into a space where everybody's arms were open and my coach, coach [Daniel] Pruess, at the time really gave me the keys to the whip and let me lead,” she recalled. “So, Lehman was the first place where somebody, some leader of mine, finally gave me the chance to step into a leadership position, which is all I really ever wanted to do.”

This initiative to lead would follow Garza to Baker University after she was recruited and offered a scholarship to continue basketball.

Her first year there, the team had a 20-win season, meaning that out of a 32 games, the team won 20. This was remarkable, she emphasized, as the team previously hadn’t even won half of its games in years.

One of the most memorable moments from her time at Baker was “the best bet [she] ever made.”

After the success of her junior year, she made a bet with the coach that she would take the team to nationals and when she did, he would offer her an additional semester scholarship, so that she could study abroad. Ultimately, she kept her end of the bargain and reached the Sweet 16.

Garza concluded her time at Baker University in 2015. She continued her sports career in education, earning a master’s in both sport psychology and education. From there, she began Shooters Shoot LLC, where she works as a professional student coach, teaching young players how to shoot basketballs.

She also has a nonprofit titled Changing the Game, which is currently running a Shoot Like a Girl campaign, focused on creating more access, resources and opportunities for girls.

More than a decade after graduating from Baker, she received a call from the assistant athletic director, letting her know that she would be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

The university’s website notes that the Athletic Hall of Fame was crafted to honor its former athletes in order to foster the relationship between them. Nominees must have completed two full seasons, while those that have earned several letters, set records or won honors are given preference.

“Garza established herself as one of the top players in the NAIA, earning Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Year and NAIA All-American honors in 2013-14. In her senior season, she helped lead the Wildcats to a 27-7 record and the first NAIA Round of 16 appearance in program history. During that historic year, she scored 509 points, the third-highest mark in Baker women's basketball history and recorded 150 assists, the second-most in program history,” said the university. “Through her work [after graduating], Garza has continued to make a significant impact on the game of basketball as a coach, educator and entrepreneur."

“It means that all of those 12-hour drives my mom made from Kyle, Texas, to Kansas City didn’t go to waste,” she said, laughing.

Garza stated that she believes her approach to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is what made her stand out, sharing that her “ball is life” mindset was not common amongst players. Additionally, she made sure to be active in the school community through attending games and participating in events, adding that she also regularly participated in the bowling tournaments.

“It’s a reinforcement of all of the things [I] talked about, like being told one thing or being made to believe that you weren’t going to achieve something or that you weren’t good enough for something and not letting that frustration dictate the choices I made. You have to learn the skill of overcoming [difficulty] to ripple into everything that you do. I think that this is the ultimate ripple,” she concluded.

Autumn is one of the best seasons to plant trees in Texas, said a news release, especially with cooling temperatures and wetter weather expected to take hold. Planting in the fall allows tree root systems to establish and gives them a head start to grow before winter.

Remember these tips for safety, reliability and energy savings when planting trees this fall:

•   Look up: Consider the mature size of each species and plant away from power lines to avoid contact between the two. Besides their aesthetic beauty, trees also provide shade to help cool a home and lower electric bills.

•   Don’t plant around utility boxes: Pad-mounted transformers, the green or grey metal boxes on some properties, deliver power through underground distribution wires. Planting near or around PEC’s equipment makes it more difficult, dangerous and time consuming for lineworkers to restore power. Keep this area clear for a safer environment, easier access and faster power restoration.

•   Dial 811 before digging: To determine where underground electrical lines and utility equipment is located, call Texas811 before planting. Calling before you dig is required by law and can save a life.

•   Report vegetation on power lines: If trees or branches are growing on or near our equipment, call PEC at 888-554-4732 during business hours or 24/7 through SmartHub. PEC will perform an assessment and remove encroaching vegetation safely and free of charge.

•   Shade HVAC units and keep it clean: Plant for shade around units to keep them cool and running smoothly. Also, remember to keep units clear of debris and dead leaves to help prevent fires.

•   Around the home: Plant trees on the south and west sides of a home to shade the hottest areas and save on electric bills.

“ACC has a responsibility to be good stewards of our resources. That means planning ahead and making thoughtful decisions about how we use taxpayer dollars. Through careful budget oversight, I’m proud the board has positioned ACC to manage this year’s property tax revenue without reducing programs or services,” said Sean Hassan, ACC board chair. “At a time when many Texans are facing higher costs, we’re pleased that the average ACC property tax bill will decrease, while the college continues to invest in our students and the communities we serve.”

The board approved a tax rate of $0.103643 per $100 of property valuation, including $0.09 for maintenance and operations and $0.013643 for debt service, according to a news release. Based on the adopted rate, the annual amount of taxes imposed on an average home valued at approximately $537,358 will be $557.

“Affordability is at the heart of what we do at ACC,” said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “This tax rate allows us to keep investing in the people and programs our students rely on, while recognizing that every dollar matters to the people and communities we serve. We want ACC to remain a place where cost doesn’t stand in the way of opportunity.”

The slightly higher tax rate is offset by a larger decline in property values across the ACC District, resulting in an estimated 2.2% decrease in average ACC property tax bills, said the release. The decrease applies to both residential and commercial property owners. For homesteads, the average tax bill is expected to decrease by approximately 1%.

The increase in the tax rate is related to debt service for bonds issued as part of the voter-approved 2022 General Obligation Bond Referendum. ACC's maintenance and operations tax rate is capped at $0.09.

According to the release, ACC's approved tax rate continues to rank among the lowest of Texas community colleges.

Property tax exemptions remain

ACC continues to offer property tax exemptions for eligible homeowners:

• Homestead exemption: ACC provides a $5,000 homestead exemption to all residential taxpayers or 1% of the property's value, whichever is greater.

• Exemption for seniors and homeowners with disabilities: ACC provides an additional $75,000 exemption for homeowners age 65 and older and homeowners with disabilities, for a total homestead exemption of $80,000.

• Commercial property: Commercial properties are taxed at the same ACC tax rate as residential properties. Under the Texas Property Tax Code; however, commercial properties are taxed on both real and personal property, while residential properties are taxed only on real property.

Annual budget

In July, the board adopted a $583 million operating budget for FY27. Approximately 67% of ACC’s annual budget comes from property tax revenue, with additional support from tuition, fees and state funding.

The board also voted earlier this year to maintain in-district tuition rates for the 13th consecutive year.

For more information about the college’s budget and tax rate, visit bit.ly/4AVfHhR.

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) selected the projects in June through its 2028–31 call for projects. The three awards will support work valued at approximately $24.5 million, read a news release. The funding will  cover final design for improvements being developed in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and will fund construction of a portion of the corridor in Precinct 1.

FM 2001 East Interim in Precinct 1 received $12,814,451 toward a total project cost of $21,500,000. The project previously received partial CAMPO construction funds in 2021 valued at $5,808,000. The project runs from Graef Road to southeast of SH-21 and includes a new FM 2001 alignment with one travel lane in each direction, a  median, shoulders on both sides and turn lanes at intersections, continued the release.

“People who drive FM 2001 every day know how much this part of the county has grown and they have been waiting a long time for these improvements,” said Precinct 1 commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. “This funding allows us to advance the plans we developed with TxDOT for a safer road that will make a real difference for the families  and commuters who depend on it.”

The FM 2001 Gap projects, which run from north of Satterwhite Road to Graef Road, received two awards. The Precinct 1 portion received $1,470,976 toward a $1,838,720 total design cost and the Precinct 2 portion received $951,808 toward a $1,189,760 total design cost. The proposed project would eliminate the sharp curve at Windy Hill Road, improving safety and sight distance.

“The curve at Windy Hill Road is one of the spots our residents raise with me most often and this award moves us closer to fixing it,” said Precinct 2 commissioner Michelle Cohen. “A new alignment improves sight distance and safety and gives drivers a more consistent route through this part of the county.”

The FM 2001 awards are joined by an approximate $39 million federal award announced Aug. 14 for the Centerpoint Crossing Elimination and Safety Project, which will build an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad  on Centerpoint Road in San Marcos, Precinct 3.

According to a news release, the man believed that he was visiting the Buda car dealership to test-drive vehicles with his mentor, Patrick Froelich. Instead, he was surprised to learn that the car was his as he walked into the dealership.

He also learned that he was named Austin Angels’ 2026 Youth of the Year.

This marks the third consecutive year City Limits Subaru employees have personally contributed their own funds to provide a vehicle to a young person connected with Austin Angels. The employee-led initiative reflects the dealership team's commitment to removing barriers helping young adults aging out of foster care pursue education, work and independence, continued the release.

"Our employees chose to make this possible because they understand what reliable transportation can mean for a young adult building his future," said Rachelle Grossman, City Limits Subaru marketing director. "We are honored to stand beside Austin Angels and to celebrate this young man’s accomplishments and support him for every opportunity that lies ahead."

Despite not having the best education growing up, Garcia has always loved reading. She recalled the first time she received a library card in middle school and the hours she’d spend inside, reading books and escaping to other worlds. However, it wasn’t until she read “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger that she really fell in love with the act. From there, she had a dream of becoming an author.

Although she loved books, she explained that there were never many that showcased representation for the Latino community. This continued to be an issue, she said, even for her daughter decades later.

So, when crafting a story, Garcia knew that she wanted to create a character that other Latinas could see themselves in.

Ultimately, the inspiration came from her mother, who grew up in El Salvador and migrated to the United States during the Civil War. As a child, she faced difficult situations and wasn’t able to finish grade school.

This experience is reflected in “The Enchanted Notebook,” which follows a young girl named Maya who is gifted an enchanted notebook that allows her anything she writes to come true. But, ultimately, said Garcia, she learns that magic cannot erase life’s hardships and recognizes that love and her family is all that she needs.

The author shared that when she initially pitched the story, it was in the form of a novel, but that the publisher suggested shifting it toward a younger audience. Although hesitant, Garcia decided to move in this direction, due to her career as an educator and the continued lack of representation for her daughter, who is the visual representation and namesake of the character.

“My daughter is of mixed cultures. I’m Salvadorian; my husband’s Mexican and I feel that the Mexican culture, especially here in Texas, was very abundant, but as far as the other side of her heritage, not so much. So, I really wanted to highlight that because I feel that I was still very connected to El Salvador growing up because my mom would take me [there],” said Garcia. “But as generations grow, I feel like there’s a disconnect between El Salvador and my daughter, so I wanted to make this as a way to bridge that gap a bit and now, she’s asking, ‘When are we going to go visit?’”

Along with seeing themselves in the book, she hopes that other Latinos feel the element of hope through the story.

“I feel the Latino community and especially the community that I serve here in education, a lot of the kids are going through very, very hard things. So, I just hope to give them a little bit of that hope back to them,” she emphasized.

Garcia also noted that the political climate can sway the way the Latino culture is viewed, so she hopes that she can provide a different light on her community that is more representative of what it really is.

“I initially just did this to have a voice or reflection out there of a world that I find to be very important to myself,” said Garcia. “[But] if it can positively influence one kid, I would be so grateful. I don’t really expect anything in return. I just hope that it’s something that can go out there and just give hope to anybody, even if it’s one person.”

“The Enchanted Notebook” releases Thursday, Oct. 1. It can be ordered at bit.ly/4dWDOT4 or anywhere books are sold. There will be a celebration for the book launch at 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at Red Salmon Arts and Resistencia Book Store, located at 2000 Thrasher Lane, Austin.

To keep up to date with Garica, follow @authoriangelicag on Instagram.

According to agenda documents for the Monday, Oct. 5, council meeting, Zapata’s resignation is effective Saturday, Oct. 3. However, council has the authority to formally accept the resignation, if desired. 

State law and city charter notes that the city must now hold an election to fill the District 3 seat prior to Jan. 31, 2027, read the documents. The election must be on the earliest uniform election date within 120 days and provide adequate time to call the election. 

The next uniform date is Saturday, Dec. 12.

The document also clarified that the council member shall continue in her role until the successor is qualified to serve, whether or not the resignation is accepted by council, which, at the earliest, would be Wednesday, Dec. 23. If the election were to require a runoff, the candidate would not be qualified until January. 

If Zapata chose to not attend the meetings after the date listed on her resignation, she would not receive her monthly salary and would be subject to other action by council, continued the document.

Council will approve or deny the resignation at its Oct. 5 meeting, as well as approve or deny an ordinance calling a special election for Dec. 12. If the ordinance is approved, applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at the Kyle Public Safety Center, located at 1700 Kohlers Crossing. 

Zapata was not immediately available for comment. She stated that she will be releasing a full statement on social media at a later time. 

This is a developing story. The Hays Free Press will update it as more information becomes available.

This item follows council discussion at the July 30 meeting, which directed staff to return with comparisons of the two remaining paths for future animal services. This includes either option two, continuing the regional partnership with Hays County and the city of Buda or option three, developing a smaller, standalone structure for Kyle. Either facility will no longer be located on the Kyle Vista site, which was option one, after it was determined that the land was for park-use only.

Option two

• Partnership with Hays County and the city of Buda through an interlocal agreement (ILA)

• Approximately 31,000 square feet

• An estimated construction cost of $21.7 million, to be split with the county and Buda. Kyle would be responsible for $7.1 million and would likely be funded through certificate of obligation (CO) bonds

• Six or seven acres

• Would have 75% of Hays County’s intake

• Kyle would fully manage and operate the facility

• Cost an estimated $2 million to operate annually, with Kyle paying $1.32 million

Option three

• Purely for city of Kyle use

• Approximately 12,000 to 18,000 square feet

• An estimated construction cost of $6 to $9 million to likely to be funded through CO bonds

• Could possibly renovate or retrofit other facilities

• Four to five acres

• Three-times less intake than option two

• Cost approximately $1 to 1.5 million to operate annually

Assistant city manager Jesse Elizondo noted that originally, a fourth option to use third-party services, rather than operating a city-owned facility was removed, but he brought it back, due to the announcement that PAWS of Central Texas and Austin Pets Alive! have created a partnership together and may be looking to develop a shelter in Kyle in the future.

Sharri Boyett, part of the team that founded Prevent A Litter (PALS), noted that the partnership is not for animal control; it is purely to “resurrect PAWS Shelter.” Additionally, she stated that the partnership has a long way to go before making any headway.

He also noted that staff talked to the Hays County Commissioners Court and was told that if the ILA moves forward, they are still open to continuing, but that they are also looking at other options.

“Our next steps after this conversation and getting direction from council would be to bring back a resolution with that direction and then, include whatever element in the five year [capital improvement program] with design and then, construction, all laid out. The more nuanced elements of location and evaluations and programming and design would all come back to council as we move forward. This is just the first step,” said Elizondo.

Council member Courtney Goza began the discussion by noting that many community members that are heavily involved in animal care are requesting that council hold off on voting until after the election, due to the potential that new elected officials could lead to different outcomes. She stated that she agrees with the sentiment of waiting.

Agreeing with Goza were council members Lauralee Harris and Melisa Medina, who stated that the county has “flipped with this dilemma for the last few years, [with] things being started and then, stopped.” However, Harris did emphasize urgency after November and that she would like to keep the option of the partnerships open, as a relationship with the county is “critical.”

Council member Michael Tobias stated that he’s “glad everybody’s finally seeing that this basically comes down to politics in the end,” as he’s been asking for updates with the county and Buda for the past year, with no clear answer, adding that the animals are the ones suffering, currently, because of these politics.

He also brought up operating costs and how they could potentially increase in the future.

“I think there’s a lot of factors that played into this, so I think delaying for a little bit, while we collect some more information, is not going to hinder us tremendously,” said council member Marc McKinney.

In response to a question from McKinney, Brianna Gettys, animal control supervisor, stated that animals in the outside of the city’s service area are complicated, which is why there needs to be ILAs with all shelters in the area, so they can get transferred to the appropriate areas. She also shared that the county has direct liability, due to state law, for all livestock. So, they have a wrangler that picks up those animals and houses them until they can be returned.

Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale stated that because the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) extended the city’s contract for another year, instead of not renewing as planned, she wanted to have some movement with the project. So, as community members suggested, she mentioned a potential committee, but was concerned about wasting the resident’s time, if the county decided to build their own shelter.

Gettys stated that she met with a national organization for animal welfare, who suggested having an advisory board. So, it could be an animal advisory board, rather than a shelter advisory board.

“This is already in the works, but we could reach out to San Marcos, meet with them and talk to them about our next steps, where we’re going, what we’re looking at and maybe get some ideas from them, as far as [a board],” suggested Elizondo. “I think that the feedback we get from them, based on this next year that we have in the contract, would be really helpful for those next steps.”

Flores-Cale stated that she would like to see the beginnings of a board, at least.

Ultimately, Elizondo stated that they will meet with SMRAS to get feedback and look into a board, which should take council through the November election, before more direction is needed.

To listen to the full discussion, visit bit.ly/3VdEDAB.

Prior to adoption, Chief Financial Officer Deborah Ottmers presented the board with background information at its Sept. 21 meeting. She noted that the district budgeted for 25,400 students at 28 campuses, with 3,500 employees across the 221 mile area it covers.

In order to calculate the tax rate, the district has to wait until July for certified property tax values to be released from the Hays Central Appraisal District, she said.

“When we get those July certified values, we use those in the months of July through September to come to the point of adopting the tax rate. We do have to publish notices. We start the first one in June, when we’re about to adopt the budget, and if we have to we will have a second notice published in September. At this point, we did not have to do that because our tax rates are equal to or lower than our initial posting,” said Ottmers, adding that the initial proposed rate, prior to certified values, was the same as 2025 at $1.1546 per $100 valuation.

Despite the rate not changing, estimates in April assumed that an average homeowner with a value of $182,110, after the homestead reduction, would expect to pay $86 less than before, for a total of $2,103.

“We end up seeing now a different tax rate, now that we have more detailed information with the July [certified value] amounts,” Ottmers explained.

Because the home values actually increased, the district’s Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) calculated compressed maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate decreased from $0.6169 to $0.6023.

Based on these numbers, the new tax rate would be $1.1400, a $0.0546 decrease. This includes an M&O rate of $0.6523 — which includes $0.0500 of copper pennies, also known as enrichment funding — and an interest and sinking rate of $0.4877.

Now, an average homeowner with a value of $173,290 after homestead exemptions can expect to pay $1,976, for an estimated $210 savings from 2025 for the year.

“Because we are in that grey area, where we could potentially become a recapture district with excess local revenue and have to send money back to the state, they want to look at all of our information and agree that we’re in good shape and that we know what’s going on … and then, we have to wait for this letter to come back [from TEA] to approve for us to adopt the tax rate,” said Ottmers, adding that the letter was dated past their last meeting in August, so they had to wait, though TEA does not anticipate that the district will have to send money back.

“Thank you for you and your team for definitely doing all the work needed to make these things happen for our community. It’s so important. We’re all — most of us — are hurting financially right now, so every bit counts,” said trustee Esperanza Orosco.

The board of trustees approved the tax rate at $1.1400 unanimously at the Sept. 28 meeting.

Attendees could visit vendor booths and eat local food, while listening to performers on two separate stages, including Dusty Miller and the Spurflowers, Clay Walker, Fastball and more.

The city of Woodcreek notified the community that on Monday, Sept. 28, a portion of Woodcreek Drive became closed for construction, read a news release. The closure will extend from Champions Circle in Woodcreek to Cypress Point — roughly the north side of the bridge near Cypress Falls.

The closure is expected to last approximately five weeks. The road is anticipated to re-open in early November.

This closure means that vehicles will be unable to travel through Woodcreek on Woodcreek Drive from FM 2325 to Ranch Road 12 and vice versa.

WISD is aware that many parents use this route to travel from Jacob’s Well Elementary or secondary campuses to Blue Hole Primary. Other routes include Jacob’s Well Road, Emergency Lane or La Buena Vista.

For questions regarding the construction project, reach out to the city of Woodcreek at 512-847-9390.

Milam Raemsch, DPM, leads the Kyle location and is board-certified in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, according to a news release. He specializes in foot and ankle reconstruction, sports-related injuries and arthritis and treats a wide range of conditions, including foot and ankle pain, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, calluses and bunions, sports injuries, fractures and ankle sprains, diabetic foot and wound care and more. 

“We know that foot and ankle problems don’t always happen at a convenient time,” said Raemsch. “Our goal with the Monday walk-in clinic is to give families in Kyle and the surrounding communities another convenient option to get the care they need and get back on their feet.”

The doctor emphasizes communication and transparency when developing treatment plans, the release continued, offering patients a comprehensive approach that may include conservative or surgical treatment options.

No appointment is necessary and the clinic welcomes both adult and pediatric patients, with most insurance plans accepted. The clinic is located at 1180 Seton Parkway, Suite 300, Kyle, TX 78640.

For more information about the walk-in clinic or other foot and ankle services, call 737-286-9009 or visit www.ATXFootCare.com.

As a young woodworking apprentice, I had a front-row seat to one. I watched my mentor lock philosophical horns with a magazine editor over whether the newly affordable CNC — a wood-cutting robot — had any place in “real” woodworking. The argument spontaneously combusted at a woodworking convention, drawing a crowd. We all understood the question: Was this real woodworking?

Wannabe music historians like me know about the night in 1965 when Bob Dylan plugged in an electric guitar and infuriated half the Newport Folk Festival crowd, while delighting the other half. The boos might have stopped another performer, but Dylan knew it was good — or perhaps he couldn’t hear them over his electrified devil music.

With one fuzzy chord, he lifted folk purists from their happy acoustic campfires and dropped them into a decision they probably didn’t want to make. “How does it feel?” he taunted. Pete Seeger responded, legend has it, by threatening to take an ax to the sound cables.

The part we don’t hear about is what happened at the planning meeting for the 1966 festival. Or what I’m guessing happened. Someone now had to decide how electric guitars fit into the event. They needed a rule and any rule might alienate half the crowd.

A couple of years ago, the board of the Wimberley Valley Art League, to which I belong, faced a similar crossroads. Our gallery committee was receiving an increasing number of digitally created entries and wasn’t sure what to do with them.

Some members were doing what good artists do: pushing the boundaries of tools and techniques. Old methods aren’t always the best means of expressing new visions. If you’re lucky, you might be alive and making art when an entirely new toolbox drops from the sky.

And one has. The digital revolution has rolled into the studio, forcing art organizations everywhere to decide how they feel about it.

On one hand, hanging computer-made art beside work made with brushes might seem strange and unfair. Maybe a “real artist” expresses something using traditional tools: a paintbrush, a hand plane, an acoustic guitar.

On the other hand, maybe art begins with the vision that forms in the mind before it becomes physical. Digital media may allow people with less experience using traditional tools to express themselves vividly. Maybe excluding those media could deprive our community of some beautiful work.

Maybe you’re getting all worked up reading this, wanting to set me straight about what art is and isn’t. If so, then you understand the emotions behind this debate and why our gallery committee punted the question to the board. Will digital art fit under the umbrella of visual arts we have committed to “promote, inspire and support?”

Like every good artist we created a frame for our debate. We were not there to decide on what is and is not art, as if anyone ever could. We were simply there to choose what kinds of art our organization wanted to promote.

For our discussion, we considered four examples:

1. A photograph that has been digitally enhanced.

2. A collage assembled and stylized digitally.

3. A digital painting created on a tablet.

4. An image generated by artificial intelligence from a verbal prompt.

In the end, we decided to widen our tent to welcome the first three, but not the fourth. The first three generally begin with the artist’s vision and require the artist to manipulate the work by hand — using a mouse, stylus, trackpad or finger.

But we rejected AI-generated images. We concluded that describing a scene and allowing a computer to do the imagining doesn’t rise to the level of artistry we want in our juried shows.

All is now quiet on the gallery front since we defined these rules. The volunteers manning the intake desk now have clear guidance about what digital art to accept and what to refuse. But as new technologies keep appearing and improving and blurring lines between digital and traditional art and as our understanding of “art” never stops evolving, how long will it be before we have to revisit this question?

That's one reason I'm supporting Kenneth Rocha for Kyle City Council District 4.

What has impressed me about Kenneth is that he doesn't just show up when it's election season. He does his homework, attends the meetings, asks questions and takes the time to understand how decisions at City Hall affect residents and businesses.

Kenneth also brings more than 20 years of experience working inside local government. But what matters to me isn't simply the number of years. It's that he understands what happens after a decision is made—whether a project can actually be delivered, what it will cost taxpayers and whether we're getting the results we were promised.

Kyle is changing quickly. We need residents, businesses and community leaders engaged in deciding what comes next.

I encourage my neighbors in District 4 to learn about Kenneth for themselves. Check out his website https://www.facebook.com/KennethRochaforKyleCityCouncilDistrict4, reach out to him, ask him the hard questions and have a conversation.

You don't have to take my word for it. Get to know the candidate and decide for yourself.

Best Regards,
Scott Monday
General Manager / Owner
Monday Roofing LLC

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowances for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, or being hated, don't give way to hating,

If you can dream and not make dreams your master; If you can think and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same,

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings, and never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings and not lose the common touch,

Then yours is the Earth and everything in it. And which is more, you'll be a Man, my son!"

And, I may add, a true American. We are, my dear reader, TRUE Americans. We care for our fellow neighbors AND we care for those around the Globe - with temporary shelter from war, with clothing, food, medicine, schools, hospitals, etc. Make no doubt about it. We care about our fellow man, while also keeping an eye on the White House. We write letters to our Congressmen and Congresswomen. We vote. We are active in shaping the future of our Country -- for us and for our children.

Exerts from "IF" by Rudyard Kipling

Comments Welcome
Victoria Taylor, Dripping Springs

Projects include improvements: along High Road; Hillside Terrace; Dairy Road; Bunton Lane; Heidenreich Lane; Gristmill Road; Goforth Road; FM 2001; and Windy Hill Road.

The open house will provide updates on roadway projects aimed at improving safety and mobility for residents, businesses and travelers in the rapidly growing east Kyle area, according to a news release.

The open house will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Gemstone Palace, 1101 Bunton Creek Road, Suite 200, Kyle. Community members may attend at any time to review project information, ask questions and speak directly with the project team.

“As our community continues to grow, it’s important that our transportation infrastructure reflects that,” Precinct 1 commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said. “Road improvements in east Kyle will enhance safety and mobility while preparing the area for continued growth.”

Meeting materials and opportunities to submit comments will also be available online at www.hayscoroads.com from Oct. 1 through Oct. 16.

“We want residents to have easy access to information about these projects and the opportunity to speak directly with the people working on them,” Precinct 2 commissioner Michelle Cohen said. “The open house gives residents an opportunity to learn more about these projects, ask questions and stay informed about upcoming improvements.”

For more information about the projects, contact the Road Improvements Program Engagement Team at 512-649-0601 or hello@hayscoroads.com.

The two organizations are working through a new initiative called Hays County Pets Alive!. PAWS will continue operating under its name at both locations, with administrative, medical and operational support from APA.

Suzie Chase, community affairs officer for APA, said leaders of the two organizations began discussing a merger earlier this summer, in hopes of sustaining PAWS’ decades of work in Hays County.

Reopening the Kyle shelter is a priority, Chase said. Facility evaluations are underway and the organizations expect the campus could reopen within approximately 60 days. Adoptions and foster support would return first, with services for foster animals, including spay and neuter surgeries and medical care, added later.

The Dripping Springs campus remains open. The organizations plan to increase surgery days, medical care and the number of animals adopted there, though Chase said details have yet to be finalized.

“No positions have been eliminated and there is no plan for layoffs,” Chase said. “Daily operations and staff roles remain the same for now, with additional workers to be hired as needed at both campuses.”

After the transition, current full-time PAWS employees who join APA will be eligible for its benefits, time-off policies and wage increases, Chase said. Part-time employees will move to their pay structure by Jan. 1, with access to eligible certification and career advancement opportunities.

Expansion will depend on local support, Chase said.

“This growth doesn’t happen automatically just because APA! is involved,” she said. “It relies directly on active fundraising and community generosity to build the necessary infrastructure and sustain operations in Hays County.”

The organization plans to open a thrift store in San Marcos to generate revenue. Chase said new donations designated for PAWS operations will be restricted to that purpose.

PAWS transferred in 191 animals from San Marcos in 2025 — 75 cats and 116 dogs — at its Kyle and Dripping Springs locations, Chase said. She did not provide a projected increase in transfers, adoptions or other services under the merger.

PAWS will continue to take in some animals from the San Marcos shelter, accept some owner surrenders and strays and assist rescue groups in surrounding counties. Chase emphasized that PAWS is a nonprofit, not an open-intake shelter.

“It does not replace the animal services that city and county governments are responsible for providing,” she said.

Two PAWS board members will be invited to join the APA board, while others will serve on an advisory committee. Chase said those board members will have a role in decisions about local services and spending.

The organizations say they intend to track how many animals enter their care and leave alive through adoption, reunification with owners or transfer to another rescue. Chase said they plan to share that data with the Hays County community on the Hays County Pets Alive! website at hayscountypetsalive.org.

The Tigers improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district play with their second consecutive victory.

Dripping Springs finished with 376 yards of offense, including 190 passing and 186 rushing.

Quarterback Chase Ames led the passing attack, throwing for 161 yards and four touchdowns on 13 attempts. Frank Accetta was among his top targets, finishing with 57 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Dripping Springs controlled the game early and continued to find the end zone, while also giving several players an opportunity to see the field.

After the game, Dripping Springs coach Galen Zimmerman said the Tigers entered the district opener focused on maintaining the standard they have established for themselves.

“I told them I’m proud of them,” Zimmerman said. “Obviously, district games now, everything starts, and so, our job tonight was stay in the top half of district. So, that was our goal.”

Zimmerman said the Tigers still have areas to improve, despite the decisive victory.

“We want to make sure that we’re playing against our standard,” Zimmerman said. “There’s some things we can still work at, but you want to feel good about a good win.”

The lead also allowed Dripping Springs to get additional players into the game.

“We got a lot of guys in the game, a lot of guys making some plays,” Zimmerman said. “That was fun to watch some guys who may not have opportunities earlier in the season get a chance to contribute.”

Dripping Springs returns home at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, to face Buda’s Johnson High School in another District 26-6A matchup.

Wimberley added 14 points in the second quarter to take a 35-14 lead into halftime. The teams each scored seven points in the third quarter, before Bellville outscored the Texans 14-7 in the fourth.

The win improved Wimberley to 4-0. Bellville fell to 2-3.

Wimberley will travel to Giddings on Friday, Oct. 9, for its District 14-4A Division II opener. Giddings is 3-2 after a 37-14 loss to La Grange High School.

Wimberley beat Bandera 25-14, 25-8, 25-17 on a night when the team also recognized Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Trinity Laney led the Lady Texans with 15 kills and three aces. Bianca Mohr had 19 assists, Kara Thames recorded 14 digs and Victoria Jones and Ellen Watson each had two blocks.

On Friday, Wimberley swept Fredericksburg 25-12, 25-18, 25-23. Laney and Skylar Mears had 11 kills apiece, Mohr added 18 assists and Kara Thames finished with 12 digs. Drew Thames and Ella Brassow each served two aces, while Drew Thames and Laney each recorded two blocks.

The Lady Texans are 34-3 overall and 2-0 in district play. They return home at press time Tuesday, Sept. 29, to face Kerrville Tivy High School on Red Out Night, then host Davenport High School Friday, Oct. 2, for Dig Pink and Middle School Night.

Johnson will look to continue its winning streak in Dripping Springs Thursday, Oct. 1. The team’s next home game will be Thursday, Oct. 8, when it hosts Del Valle High School.

Not only was this the first time Hays and Johnson have ever played against each, it was also the district opener.

The Hawks will host the Austin High School Maroons at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.

The Hawks will travel to Dripping Springs to take on the Tigers at press time Tuesday, Sept. 29. The team will return home to take on Austin High School at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.