News

“We take allegations seriously and as such have conducted a thorough review into the complaints received that were in our purview,” Texas Water Development Board Executive Director Jeff Walker told the TWDB Board on Tuesday afternoon. “We have found no evidence of fraud, waste or abuse.”

Walker recommended that the Texas Water Development Board continue moving forward with the $5.5 million loan to the city of Wimberley for the wastewater treatment plant and collection system. He said that all parties believe they can close the loan before the Oct. 31 deadline. If a problem arises, a TWDB meeting is already scheduled for Oct. 31 and an extension will be on the agenda just in case.

Hays County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., has appointed Lon Shell to succeed outgoing Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley, who officially resigned the position he has held since 2005 in order to run for County Judge in 2018. Cobb is not seeking re-election to a third term as Judge.

The initial results from the first Bacterial Source Tracking Study on Cypress Creek were released last week and did show at least some sewage related pollution, but the results are far from conclusive. 

The first of three tests was made while it was raining. The next two tests will be during dry weather.

“Lets be cautious at looking at any one sampling event to draw any conclusions,” Nick Dornak, an environmental scientist contracted by the Meadows Center to oversee the project, said. “We need to wait until we have all the data and then we will be able to find out if we have any trends that we need to focus on in the future.”

The bacteria counts were high, but that is expected during a rain event.

Barnabas Connection will be under new leadership for the first time, as Executive Director Vicki McCuistion will be leaving the position to take a new job.

“It is with a mix of grief and gratitude that the Board of Directors announces Vicki McCuistion’s departure as Executive Director of The Barnabas Connection October 23, 2017,” a press release from Barnabas said. “Since 2004, Vicki has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization, and while we will miss her and her inspiring leadership.”

McCuistion will take over as the Disaster Response Logistics Coordinator for the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. She will be coordinating and developing resources to aid in the recovery from Hurricane Harvey.

A few months ago, an Arabian foal named Barbara was born with a defective nose and snout. This was due to her leg being in the wrong position over her snout in the womb. It was a serious condition, as the foal could not nurse properly.

The original owner wanted to euthanize the horse, but Martha Carroll-Talley would have none of that, as she became attached to the animal. Barbara, named after Barbara Streisand, would live and be normal after she had an operation at about six months. It was hard to keep her alive and it took some doing with lots of expenses.

This is part one of a two part series that looks into a recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau. Part one will focus on the city of Wimberley and part two will look at the city of Woodcreek. 

The U.S. Census Bureau can’t seem to decide if the city of Wimberley’s population is growing or shrinking. A five-year study that was recently released shows a population estimate for the city in 2015 that is 17 people fewer than in 2010, but the number fluctuated up and down every year in between. 

In what seems to be a now common occurrence, another vehicle drove off of Slime Bridge, also called Bendigo Crossing, last week. 

This time it was an 18-wheeler that drove off the crossing into the Blanco River last Monday. Two large wreckers were needed to pull the truck back onto the road and kept the crossing shut down for at least two hours. 

“It seems to be getting worse,” Wimberley Fire Chief Carroll Czichos said. “I don’t know if its getting used more to get around Wimberley traffic or what, but something is going on over there.”

Czichos said that there had been eight calls in the last few months at Bendigo Crossing for vehicles driving into the river. Most were relatively harmless with only a wheel or two falling off the upstream side of the low-water crossing, but some were more serious.

Before you break out the knight’s amour you had stored in the garage or under the bed, this is not that type of knight school. No Camelot, Arthur or Round Table. But, It is much more powerful than the myths from the Middle Ages. It’s all about achieving a high school diploma and degree, which is powerful stuff.

The program started at Katherine Ann Porter School a year ago, but on a daytime basis. The program is for those that can’t attend school during the regular school day or fitting into a traditional school schedule. 

There are a lot of reasons and situations that this could be a solution, such as having a job during the school day, taking care of family or many other personal reasons. This program helps with achieving credits towards a high school diploma for those situations.

Camp Young Judaea is attempting to expand, but the public discussion on the topic has brought up potential zoning issues for the property.

The camp is asking the city of Woodcreek to approve a site plan and concept plan that would add four new buildings to the property. Each building would have six units with two queen beds. 

During a public hearing on the expansion, Camp Young Judaea representatives said that the expansion’s primary purpose was to “expand our services to the children.” The camp would use the new buildings to house staff during the summer camp season allowing for staff barracks to be converted into camper housing.  During the offseason, the rooms would be used for “primarily religious retreats and camp events.”

The American Prize named local conductor of the Starlight Symphony Orchestra, Dr. David Oertel, as a finalist for the national award in Orchestral Programming.  Oertel was one of four finalists for the coveted prize for his programming of the 2014-2015 season, titled, “Musical Inspirations Through Emotions.”   

“Wimberley is so blessed to have a talent like David Oertel and an amazing group of musicians like Starlight Symphony Orchestra right here in our area.  I’ve been attending their concerts for years and they are always so moving and compelling.  I’m glad David is getting recognition for his amazing work,” said Steve Thurber, former Wimberley mayor.  The American Prize is a non-profit organization whose mission is to recognize artists around the country that are not typically lauded by the media in areas ranging from musical composition to stage directing.